74 



THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



CHAPTER XII. 



JULY BUTTERFLIES. 



HIS bright warm month of July is the 

 gala-day for the butterfly," said Mr, Ben- 

 edict, as he opened the class on the 

 evening following Maggie's departure. 

 "You boys have been very industrious with your nets," he 

 added, as he looked at his table, which was quite covered 

 with boxes of specimens. "You have found valuable speci- 

 mens of many large varieties. Most of these butterflies 

 have just left the chrysalis, their wings are perfect and 

 very fresh in color. At the picnic I promised to tell you 

 about the other butterfly belonging to the genus Nympha- 

 lis. I was afraid no one would find a specimen, so I 

 brought one from my Cabinet ; but I see Ben has found 

 one much finer than mine. I shall use his to illustrate 

 my description. It is called the Nymphalis Ephestion. 

 Although belonging to the same genus as the Disippe 

 butterfly, it is entirely different in color. The chrysalids 

 of both butterflies are precisely the same in appearance ; 

 but while the Disippe rises from its dry shell with a 

 gorgeous dress of orange and black, the more modest 

 Ephestion is clothed in blue-black. A beautiful tint of 



