( 535 ) XXII. A revision of the fienus Argynnis. By Henry J. Elwes, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. [Read September 4th, 1889.] The genus Argynnis is one that I should consider as highly typical of the palsearctic region, in every part of which it is found ; and usually as a genus dominant hoth in number of species and individuals. Though not quite strictly confined to the region, yet there are good reasons for considering the little group which occurs in Chili as aberrant, and only two species inhabit tropical regions. In the Old World the only subregions which seem deficient in Argynnides are the Mediterraneo-Persic and the Mongolian, whilst in North America the distribution of the genus is confined to those parts which have a severe winter climate, and it is in consequence absent in the Gulf States and Texas, and scarce in the more arid regions of New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. The difficulties in this genus are not so great as in Colias and Erehia, except in the species inhabiting the Eocky Mountain and Pacific States of North America, which run into each other in a most extraordinary manner. Most of the European species, though closely allied to each other, are very fairly distinct, and I have only marked one species out of America as doubtful. I regret to have to differ so often from Mr. W. H. Edwards, who has done so much to make the butterflies of his country known to science ; but though his later views, as expressed in such papers as he has written on Pieris najn and its vars., ' Papilio,' vol. i., p. 86, and on Lyccsna pseud-an/iolus, give evidence of a correct appreciation of the variation of species, he has in his earlier years created a great number of synonyms which I am sure he will one day regret. I intended to have published this paper some years ago, but was stopped by the difficulty of understanding the American species. But having last year had the TRANS, ENT. SOC. LOND. 1880. PATIT IV. (dEC.) 2 P
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