POLYOMMATUS Cassius.
We have elsewhere pointed out, as one of the peculiar distinctions of forms and groups pre-eminently typical, that their geographic distribution is invariably wide, and generally universal; and that this is one of the reasons why certain forms are found both in Europe, America, India, and Australia. This was said of Birds, and the remark is even more applicable when we look to insects. We accordingly find, that the typical species of the genus now under consideration, not only spread themselves over all Europe and Africa, but extend to the Indian islands on one side, and over the whole of America on the other, without offering more than a sectional variation of character. It is uncertain, however, whether any species occur in Australia; for the European type seems to be represented there by the sub-genus Erina. The genus, collectively, is a rasorial type, representing the family Satyridæ among the Papiliones,—Parnassius among the Papilionidæ,—and the Paconidæ among Birds.
POLYOMMATUS Cassius.
Brazilian Blue.
Family Erycinidæ. Sub-family Theclinæ. Genus Polyommatus (The typical sub-genus.)
Sub-Generic Character.
Wings entire, obtuse; the posterior rounded, particularly at the anal angle. Palpi covered and fringed with long hair; the last joint distinct and nearly naked. Antennæ with a lengthened, fusiform, spatulate club. Colour blue, beneath ocellated.
Specific Character.
Male: wings sub-diaphanous, blue, immaculate; whitish near the anal angle. Female: the disk of all white, with black spots and borders. In both sexes, beneath white, with blackish dots: those on the anterior wings transverse and confluent.
Pap. Cassius. (the female) Cramer, pl. 23, fig. C. D.
Pol. Cassius is one of the most common species of Brazil, where we found it frequenting similar situations, and possessing the same habits, as the ordinary Blues of England. The analysis bestowed upon this group, convinces us that Pithecops, H. is but a section of this sub-genus. The upper figure represents the male, the lower the female: both are enlarged. The connecting species between Polyommatus and Lycæna are Helle, Hub. Lametia, and Boeticus.