200 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



safe position on the stem of a plant to the exposed upper surface of a leat 

 of the same, remaining there perfectly quiet without making any further 

 attempt to escape, their only protection being the form and color of their 

 bodies, which very strongly resemble the excrement of caterpillars. After 

 all have we not reason to believe that life, to an insect, embodies all that 

 is precious ; the alpha and omega of all that is worthy of being cherished 

 and protected ? Knowing as we do the great variety of methods by which 

 insects seek to protect this life, is it so highly improbable that they should 

 hit upon the plan of feigning its absence ? The question is an interesting 

 one, though difficult, and, perhaps, impossible to solve ; yet it certainly 

 involves nothing that should lead us to forget that we are fellow-workers. 



F. M. Webster, Lafayette, Ind. 



DANAIS ARCHIPPUS. 



Dear Sir : In view of the discussion now going on respecting this 

 insect, it may not be amiss to give some observations from this locality* 

 D. archippus (alias piexippus) is an exceedingly common butterfly in 

 Custer Co., Colorado, from the end of April throughout the summer. At 

 the present time it is abundant near my house, at about 8,400 feet alt.,, 

 especially frequenting the flowers of Oxytropis /amberti, and also seeming 

 much attracted by a patch of Trifolium pratense that has sprung up in a 

 timothy field. But the peculiar thing is, that so far as I know, Asclepias^. 

 the food-plant, does not occur nearer than some four or five miles away,, 

 and at perhaps nearly a thousand feet lower elevation. The only larva I 

 have seen here was an immature one brought to me July 3rd, which had 

 been found on Asclepias at about 7,300 feet alt., some six miles from here. 

 Yet the specimens of piexippus found up here at 8,400 feet are perfectly 

 fresh and undamaged (much more so than Papilio asterias, which breeds 

 up here), and further, are frequently to be seen paired. 



July 22nd. T. D. A. Cockerell, West Cliff, Colorado- 



Notice. — The Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of 

 Ontario will be held in the City Hall, Ottawa, on Friday, October 5th. 

 It is hoped that there will be a full attendance of members. 



Mailed October 3rd. 



