48 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



"No," replied the teacher, "not all. On a few of them 

 the wings are notched. Perhaps you would think them 

 fringed, but you will soon learn the difference. You will 

 probably find some of the Thecla butterflies, for they are 

 quite common, and fly all Summer. There is one thing 

 more by which you may distinguish them from the genus 

 Polyommatus. The knobs on the antennae are longer. 

 The caterpillars are different in several points, but I don't 

 think any of you will be interested in the study of cater- 

 pillars at present." 



" I want to learn about them, Mr. Benedict," said Gil- 

 bert. " I wish you would give us that lesson you promised 

 about the caterpillars and chrysalids. I am sometimes 

 puzzled when you refer to these things." 



Almost all the boys joined with Gilbert in asking Mr. 

 Benedict to give them a lesson on the young of the but- 

 terfly. 



"Very well," said he, "I will take that for the subject 

 of the next lesson, and leave the large butterfly I told you 

 about for some other time." 



