INTRODUCTION. 9 



general rule, the eggs are laid singly, in some instances on 

 the extreme tip of a pointed leaf; but in not a few cases 

 they are laid in clusters of from two or three to several 

 hundreds. KSometimes these are rude bunches jailed loosely 

 or in layers one upon another; sometimes they are laid in 

 more or less regular single or double rows; sometimes in a 

 single column of three or four or even as many as ten eggs, 

 one atop another; or they may girdle a twig like a fairy 

 ring. The duration of the Qgg state is commonly from 

 one to two weeks, but it varies in different species in the 

 summer-time from five or even less days to about a month ; 

 there are, however, some butterflies which pass the winter 

 in the Qgg state. In all such cases the eggs are laid u2)on 

 the stem, never upon the leaf, and some spot is chosen, like 

 the neighborhood of a leaf-scar, which affords a certain 

 amount of protection during the winter. 



7. The Lives akd Habits of Catekpillars. 



When eggs of butterflies are laid in clusters, the cater- 

 pillars are almost invariably social to a greater or less de- 

 gree, at least in early life, sometimes to maturity ; if they 

 are laid singly and it is only by accident that several are 

 laid near together, the caterpillars are solitary. In the 

 majority of cases where the Qgg is laid singly, the first act 

 of the escaping caterpillar is to devour it entirely or in 

 greater part. 



Solitary caterpillars may live exposed on the upper or 

 the under sides of leaves, or they may retire to the stem of 

 the food-plant for greater security, or they may construct, 

 each for itself, some kind of concealment, or live within 

 fruits. When fully exposed, they usually remain quite 

 motionless, stretched at full length when not feeding, and 

 may select for their resting-place peculiar spots. The most 

 curious is one adopted by some Brush-footed Butterflies (and 



