40 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



tufts of raised scales, which are very likely to be removed in the attempt 

 to mount them ; and frequently the distinguishing specific characters are 

 to be found either on the extreme margins of the wings, or in the apical 

 cilise, just where they are most likely to be removed or injured in pinning ; 

 the thorax, of course, is destroyed in small species It is therefore best 

 to make very careful observations before attempting to pin a " Micro/' If 

 a species is very rare, so that I desire to keep the specimen, I should want 

 it pinned and spread ; but if it was unique and small I should not run 

 the risk. And when one keeps a cabinet of pretty curiosities, of course 

 they are best pinned and spread. But for the purpose alone of scientific 

 study or description, I would prefer the untouched insect, and except for 

 the preservation of types, would deem pinning unnecessary. 



V. T. Chambers,. Covington, Ky. 



NOTES ON HVBERNATING BUTTERFLIES. 



In No. 4, Vol. 7, of Psyche. Mr. Scudder gives some notes on early 

 spring butterflies at the White Mountains, noticed during June 2nd to 

 5th. Speaking of Vanessa J-album, he says : " One or two specimens 

 only were seen on the 4th, apparently just out of winter quarters ; they 

 appear later I beheve than other hybernating Praefecti, and those seen 

 were on the sunny side of a barn which had probably served as their 

 winter refuge." 



In this locality, as elsewhere, V. antiopa is the first butterfly seen in 

 spring, but as far as my experience goes, ^-alburn appears as early as 

 inilheiii and the Graptas ; I am not sure about P. cardui and huntera. 

 Referring to my note book, I find the following dates for J-album : April 

 i8th, 1874, one specimen observed; April 26th, 1874, a pair taken 

 in au'f/i ; May 14th, 1876— cold, late spring — a specimen taken at willow 

 blossoms. Antiopa makes its appearance here as soon as the snow has 

 melted oft' sheltered spots on the south-western slopes of Montreal 

 Mountain. The earliest record I have of its appearance is April 4th, 

 1875 ; on that date I saw a specimen on the wing and found two others 

 under a stone. Antiopa can be found under stones, on dry sunny slopes 

 with scattered trees, every spring, but I never met with any other species 

 in its winter quarters. Do they hybernate in places less exposed to the 

 influence of the early spring sunshine ? If so, may not this account for 

 their appearing a week or two later than antiopa ? 



F. B. Caulfield, Montreal, P. Q. 



