218 INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



are rather long, and placed close together, at the base at least ; 

 the inner margin of the hind-wings is folded downwards, and 

 grooved for the reception of the body ; the central mesh of these 

 wings is not closed behind ; and the nails of the four hind-feet are 

 divided so as to appear double. This group may be called Vanes- 

 sians (Vanessiad-e). 



In the butterflies belonging to the genus Vanessa, the wings 

 are jagged or tailed on the hind-edges. The under-side of the 

 hind-wings, in many, is marked with a golden or silvery character 

 in the middle ; the feelers are long, curving, and contiguous, and 

 form a kind of projecting beak. The head of the chrysalis is 

 deeply notched or furnished with two ear-like prominences ; the 

 sides are very angular ; on the middle of the thorax there is a thin 

 projection, in profile somewhat like a Roman nose ; and on the 

 back are two rows of very sharp tubercles of a golden color. The 

 caterpillars are cylindrical, and armed with branching spines ; 

 they live in company, at least during the early period of their 

 existence, and do not conceal themselves under a web or within a 

 folded leaf. 



Vanessa Jlntiopa. L. Antiopa butterfly. 



Wings purplish brown above, with a broad buff-yellow margin, 

 near the inner edge of which there is a row of pale blue spots. 

 Expands from 3 to 3^ inches. 



This butterfly passes the winter in some sheltered place in a 

 partially torpid state. I have found it in mid-winter sticking to the 

 rafters of a barn, and in the crevices of walls and stone-heaps, 

 huddled together in great numbers, with the wings doubled to- 

 gether above the back, and apparently benumbed and lifeless ; but 

 it soon recovers its activity on being exposed to warmth. It comes 

 out of its winter quarters very early in spring, often before the 

 snow has entirely left the ground, hut with ragged and faded 

 wings ; and may be seen sporting in warm and sheltered spots in 

 the beginning of March, and through the months of April and 

 May. Wilson, in his beautiful lines on the blue-bird, alludes to 

 its early coming in the spring, 



" When first the lone butterfly flits on the wing." 



