202 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



The chrysalids were wintered in a cool room, with but little mortality.* 

 Imagines appeared 1875, April 14th to May 19th, females more 

 abundant than males, about two to one.  



None of either sex were of full size of /arrest captured examples of 

 protodice, though several were but little inferior. 



The series included scarcely a half dozen of the extreme vernalis 

 type, and about an equal number of pronounced protodice ; between these 

 extremes ranged the large majority of the series, exhibiting a progressive 

 set of intergrades. The prevailing tendency among the grades was 

 towards vernalis. 



Gradation occurred in regard to every observable point of difference 

 between protodice and vernalis. 



The larvse from which this series resulted were all practically alike in 

 markings ; if any difference it was not perceptible. This larval uniformity 

 seemed to affirm the specific unity of the diverse forms resulting — a con- 

 clusion much strengthened by the numerous intergrades. 



3. COMPARISON OF CAPTURED SPECIMENS. 



My collected set consists of protodice chiefly, a less number which 

 are grades, and a very few of the vernalis type ; the intergrades are amply 

 sufficient to connect the extreme forms. 



The butterfly is very rare in spring. About mid-June a {q\\ may be 

 seen, a larger brood in July, and an abundant flight in August and Sep- 

 tember. After the middle of August usually the sequency of broods is 

 more or less obscured, as each successive week shows an increased army 

 of individuals ; in scarce years, however, the regular accession of broods 

 is evident. 



Captures during June, July, August and early September are almost 

 invariably true protodice. In September some grades appear, and with 



* The favorable result of this experiment — say 67 butterflies from about 80 larvce 

 — as compared with the uniform extreme scarcity of protodice here in spring in state of 

 nature, suggests that the species is imperfectly inured to our climate, and finds its proper 

 ■winter conditions further south. Out of doors very few of the pupae seem to escape our 

 severe winters. The butterfly is extremely rare in spring (May), becomes more frequent 

 by July, common and abundant in succeeding months. I have reason to think neither 

 larva nor imago hybernate in this locality. 



