64 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



I have brought my specimen with me," said Mr. Benedict, 

 taking his box from his pocket ; " but as the girls are with 

 us to-day, perhaps you would prefer to get up some game 

 to pass the time which remains before we must return 

 home." 



'* Please to give us a butterfly lesson, Mr. Benedict," said 

 Annie. 



"Annie is Queen of the Day. Shall we follow her com- 

 mands .'' " said the teacher. 



There was a general murmur of assent from both girls 

 and boys, and the teacher commenced. 



" Have any of you seen or caught this butterfly ? " he 

 asked, as he held up the large, bright gold-colored insect 

 for them all to see. * 



" I have seen them. Sir," said Hal, " but not this Sum- 

 mer. I have caught them, too, but they were so strong 

 they always got away from me." 



" Was the butterfly stronger than you were, Hal ? " 

 asked little Frank. 



"Why, Frank, I did n't hold it as tight as I would a 

 squirrel, which has only soft fur, instead of delicate brittle 



wings." 



" Hal is right," said the teacher. " I know of no butterfly 

 that takes such strong hold of one's fingers with his feet 

 as the Archippus. It is so strong that, without ether, it 

 is disagreeable work to subdue it. The Archippus is the 



