This species is one of many dimorphic species, the winter form _marcia_, which emerges in spring, having the under side brighter, and the light markings more conspicuous on that side than in the summer form, which has been called _morpheus_. Concerning all of this, and the way in which cold affects the color of butterflies, the reader will do well to consult the splendid pages of Edwards and of Scudder.
The pretty little Pearl Crescent ranges from southern Labrador to Florida; in fact, all over North America north of Texas and south of the region of Hudson Bay, except the Pacific coast of California.
(6) =Phyciodes batesi=, Reakirt, Plate XVII, Fig. 35, ♂; Fig. 36, ♀, _under side_ (Bates' Crescent-spot).
_Butterfly_, ♂.--On the upper side much like _P. tharos_, with the black markings very heavy. The under side of the hind wings is uniformly pale fulvous or yellow, with a row of faint submarginal brown spots.
♀.--Like the male. Expanse, ♂, 1.25 inch; ♀, 1.50-1.65 inch.
This species ranges from New York to Virginia, and westward to Ohio.
(7) =Phyciodes pratensis=, Behr, Plate XVII, Fig. 37, ♂; Fig. 38, ♀, _under side_ (The Meadow Crescent-spot).
_Butterfly_, ♂.--The butterfly resembles the preceding species on the upper side, but the ground-color is much paler and the black markings are not so heavy. The under side of the wings is pale fulvous, spotted with yellow.
♀.--The female has the black markings of the upper side heavier than the male, and all the spots pale yellow. The markings on the under side are heavier than in the male sex. Expanse, ♂, 1.15 inch; ♀, 1.40 inch.
The range of this species is the Pacific coast from Oregon to Arizona.
(8) =Phyciodes orseis=, Edwards, Plate XVII, Fig. 31, ♂ (Orseis).
_Butterfly_, ♂.--The dark markings on the upper side are much heavier than in either of the two preceding species, and the fulvous spots are smaller, the marginal crescents more regular and distinct. The markings on the under side are also much heavier than in _P. batesi_ or _P. pratensis._
♀.--The female is like the male, but all the dark markings are heavier and the pale markings lighter. Expanse, ♂, 1.35 inch; ♀, 1.60 inch.
_Early Stages._--These remain to be described.