The Butterflies' Fad 



the fore wings and the reddish color of the apex and upper mar- 

 gin of the same wings. Expanse, 2.25-2.75 inches. 



Early Stages. — These have been partially described by Henry 

 Edwards, and minutely worked out by Dr. Dyar, for whose de- 

 scription the reader may consult the "Canadian Entomologist," 

 vol. xxiii, p. 172. The food-plant of the caterpillar is Populus, 

 willows, and the choke-cherry (Prunus demissa). 



Besides the forms figured in our plates there is a species in 

 Florida named floridensis by Strecker, and subsequently eros by 

 Edwards, which is generally larger and much darker than B. di- 

 sippus, which it otherwise closely approximates. 



THE BUTTERFLIES' FAD 



'I happened one night in my travels 



To stray into Butterfly Vale, 

 Where my wondering eyes beheld butterflies 



With wings that were wide as a sail. 

 They lived in such houses of grandeur, 



Their days were successions of joys, 

 And the very last fad these butterflies had 



Was making collections of boys. 



'There were boys of all sizes and ages 



Pinned up on their walls. When I said 

 'Twas a terrible sight to see boys in that plight, 



I was answered: 'Ob, well, they are dead. 

 We catch them alive, but we kill them 



With ether — a very nice way: 

 Just look at this fellow — his hair is so yellow. 



And his eyes such a beautiful gray. 



' 'Then there is a droll little darky. 



As black as the clay at our feet; 

 He sets off that blond that is pinned just beyond 



In a way most artistic and neat. 

 And now let me show you the latest, — 



A specimen really select, 

 A boy with a head that is carroty-red 



And a face that is funnily specked. 



' 'We cannot decide where to place him; 

 Those spots bar him out of each class; 

 We think him a treasure to study at leisure 

 And analyze under a glass.' 

 186 



