THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 9/ 



to live through the Winter. This is very probable, as 

 those seen on the wing in that month have, as a general 

 thing, faded and torn wings. The time for taking them 

 for your collection is from the last of July till October. 



"Another species of this genus is the Vanessa Comma. 

 Gilbert has brought in several very fine specimens. You 

 see," said Mr. Benedict, as he held up Gilbert's box before 

 the class, "that the Comma butterfly is not quite so large 

 as the Semicolon. It is very rarely found expanding more 

 than two inches. The wings are dull oraioge, shaded on 

 the margin with a purple tint. They are spotted with 

 brown, and along the margin is a row of bufl'-colored dots. 

 The edges of the fore wings are deeply notched, and the 

 hind wings are tailed. Underneath, the wings are marbled 

 with gray, and in the middle of the under side of each 

 hind wing is a silvery spot shaped like a comma. A few 

 poor specimens of the Comma butterfly are, Hke the Semi- 

 colon, often seen flying about in May, but the time when 

 they are to be found fresh in color and perfect for a 

 cabinet, is during the month of August and September. 



"There is one more of this genus which appears at the 

 same season as the others. You have not found any speci- 

 mens of it as yet, but I will describe it, so that you may 

 know its appearance. It expands over two inches, and is 

 very showy and handsome. The wings are of a rich vel- 

 vety black, and there is a broad orange band extending 



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