Genus Lycsena 
ascertain the facts and instruct the people as to the best manner 
in which to ward off the attacks of the insect swarms, which are 
respecters neither of size nor beauty in the vegetable world, at¬ 
tacking alike the majestic oak and the lowliest mosses. 
Genus LYCz*ENA, Fabricius 
(The Blues) 
11 Bright butterflies 
Fluttered their vans, azure and green and gold.” 
Sir Edwin Arnold. 
Butterfly. — Generally small, for the most part blue on the 
upper side of the wings, white or gray on the under side, vari¬ 
ously marked with spots and lines. 
What has been said in reference to the subdivision of the 
genus Thecla may be repeated in regard to the genus which we 
are considering. It has been in recent years subdivided by 
writers who have given close attention to the matter, and these 
subdivisions are entirely defensible from a scientific standpoint. 
Nevertheless, owing to the close resemblance which prevails 
throughout the group, in this book, which is intended for popu¬ 
lar use, the author has deemed it best not to separate the species, 
as to do so presupposes a minute anatomical knowledge, which 
the general reader is not likely to possess. 
Egg.— The eggs are for the most part flattened, turban¬ 
shaped (see p. 4, Fig. 7). 
Caterpillar.— Slug-shaped, as in the preceding genera, feed¬ 
ing upon the petals and bracts of flowers, or upon delicate ter¬ 
minal leaves. 
Chrysalis .—Closely resembling the chrysalids of the preceding 
genera. 
This genus is very widely distributed in the temperate re¬ 
gions of both hemispheres. Many of the species are inhabitants 
of the cold North or high mountain summits, while others are 
found in the tropics. 
(1) Lycaena fuliginosa, Edwards, Plate XXX. Fig. 16. 6, 
under side (The Sooty Gossamer-wing). 
Butterfly. — Dark gray on the upper side in both sexes. On 
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