THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 7/ 



under side. " The upper side of this butterfly is very 

 beautiful. Its fore wings, which expand more than three 

 inches, are of a dusky orange, spotted with black. The 

 black border on the edge is ornamented on the inside with 

 points and on the outside by a row of white spots. The 

 hind wings are of a beautiful blue-black, which shows very 

 brilliant in the sunlight. On the hind border are two rows 

 of light fawn-colored spots. In the males the outer row 

 of spots is. the same color as the fore wings. This butter- 

 fly is found in grass fields and among bushes by the road- 

 side, all through July and August." 



" I think this butterfly with blue-black wings is the 

 handsomest one the teacher has told us about," said Tom, 

 as Mr. Benedict stopped to give the boys a little recess. 



" Which one do you mean ? " asked Hal. " The Ephes- 

 tion and Idalia both have blue-black wings." 



"I mean the Idalia," replied Tom, "which has only the 

 hind wings black. This is the first butterfly I ever saw 

 with wings of different colors. Only see how pretty the 

 orange and black look together." 



The boys were all gathered round Mr. Benedict's table, 

 for during recess he liked to have them come and examine 

 the butterflies and ask him questions about them. 



"Only see the under side," said Hal, taking up the 

 Idalia butterfly. " How beautiful the silvery spots show 

 on that deep black." 



