It will be necessary to give a monograph of this genus before we go on with the enumeration of the mountain species.
We have in California eleven well-marked species, a number far exceeding those of the Atlantic Slope, and about equal to those of the whole of Europe. In the “Synopsis of North American Lepidoptera,” written for the Smithsonian Institution by John G. Morris, I find only two Californian species mentioned and described, viz.: M. Editha and M. Palla, the “M. Zerene” of the same work being without doubt an Argynnis. In a catalogue published by the same author in 1860, I find besides those just mentioned another, viz; M. Chalcedon.
Dr. Boisduval names several Melitæa in his letters to me, but gives no diagnosis.
Our Californian Melitæa belong to four types.
Type I. The first is that of M. Tharos, represented by four distinct species in California. This type is peculiar to the American Continent, occurring also in the Atlantic States, and in the tropics.
Type II. That of M. Athalia, represented by M. Palla, and several others. It is also abundantly represented in Europe, but seems to be wanting in the Atlantic States.
Type III. That of M. Phaeton, corresponding exactly to the European, M. Maturna, M. Artemis, etc., is represented in California by M. Editha, M. Chalcedon, and others.
Type IV. That of M. Leanira is numerous in the tropics of America but seems to be wanting everywhere else except in California.