40 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



Some of the boys had brought in specimens of small 

 butterflies. Hal had brought those he caught flying round 

 the old cellar hole, and when he first came in he had 

 laid them on Mr. Benedict's table. 



After finishing his lecture on the Asterias and Troilus, 

 the teacher stood looking at these specimens. " If you 

 choose to stay beyond the usual hour," said he, " I will 

 tell you about a few of these small butterflies." All the 

 boys held up their hands to stay, and Mr. Benedict con- 

 tinued his lecture. 



"These little butterflies may be found almost all Sum- 

 mer. They hover near the ground, and often gather in 

 large quantities about Clover and other honey plants. 

 They are six-footed, and are generally classed together 

 under the name of Lycenians. This small red butterfly 

 is one of the prettiest of the group," said the teacher, as 

 he held up a box containing a butterfly whose wings ex- 

 panded about one inch. " It is very common, and you will 

 find it fluttering over the grass in any sunny spot. It is 



called Lycaena Americana, or Amer- 

 ican copper butterfly. The fore 

 wings are of a brownish-red color, 

 with six or seven black spots. The 

 hind maro;in has a broad rim of 



Lycaena Americana. 



dull brown. The hind wings are 

 blue brown and have a few small black dots. They are 

 bordered on the outer margin with black. 



