The group composing this genus was separated from the preceding by
Godart, chiefly on account of the discoidal cell in the secondary wings
being closed. Besides this character the palpi are not so densely
clothed with scales, and the inferior nervure of the upper wings
is curved near its origin in the form of the letter S. The species
very closely resemble the _Morphos_ in most other respects, but
their colours are generally less brilliant. They are all from South
America, and in that country they are far most abundant in Brazil. The
caterpillars of several different kinds have been represented by Madam
Merian, and, like those of _Morpho_, they differ from each other in
their appearance and properties.