Cjjt Caniiliian ^utomologist. 



VOL. XV. LONDON, ONT.. MARCH, 1883. No. 3 



A MYSTERY AND ITS SOLUTION. 



RV REV. W. J. HOLLAND, PITTSBURGH, PA. 



Seated at my desk this evening, witli a copy of Vol. I. of Edwards' 

 Butterflies of North America before me, I am forcibly reminded, as I turn 

 to the magnilicent plate designated as " Argynnis L," of an experience of 

 my boyhood. My home, from 1858 to the fall of 1863, was in the village 

 of Salem. N. C, famous as one of the most successful of the settlements 

 made by the Moravian Brethren under the lead of the good C'oimt Zinzen- 

 dorf, and well known throughout the South as the seat of an excellent 

 seminary for young ladies. I'hc A\'ar l)roke out and the hopes cherished 

 of sending me to the North to be educated were in consequence disap- 

 pointed. I was left to pursue my studies under a tutor, and to roam the 

 neighborhood of afternoons in (juest of insects, of which 1 gathered a 

 large collection. L^nfortunately m\' stock of liooks upon entomology was 

 limited, and aside from an original copy of Say's work, of no especial 

 value. My determination of species was tlverefore very imperfect. 



One day I spied upon a bed of verbenas a magnificent butterfly with 

 broad expanse of wing, and large blue spots upon the secondaries. In 

 breathless haste I rushed into the house and got my net. To the joy of 

 my heart, when I returned to the s|)ot. the beauty was still hovering over 

 the crimson blossoms. But, as I drew near with fell intent, it rose and 

 lazily sailed away. Across the garden — over the fence — across the church- 

 yard — out into the street — with leisurely flight the coveted prize sped its 

 way, while I quickly followed, net in hand. Once upon the dusty street, 

 its flight was accelerated: my rapid walking was converted into a run. 

 Down past the church, and, — horrihilc (/ictii ! — past the boarding school 

 that pesky butterfly flew. I would rather have faced a cannonade in those 



