Some Familiar Butterflies 



By Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, C.M.Z.S. 

 Washington, D. C. 



Sometimes it almost seems as though the interest taken in the 

 different departments of the study of Hving forms in nature, as well 

 as in the various divisions of botany, were passed along in waves 

 by those interested in them or engaged upon their study and 

 literature. In illustration of this, an unusual amount of attention 

 has been paid, within the past few years, to butterflies and moths, 

 both by scientific workers and by am.ateur naturaHsts in many parts 

 of the country. Some very good works have appeared on the sub- 

 ject, especially such epoch-making volumes as Doctor Holland's 

 two books — one on our butterflies and the other on the m_oths of 

 this country. Several enterprising collectors of these insects have 

 recognized the com.m.ercial side of this widespread interest, and 

 have built up establishments entirely given over to the purchase of 

 our moths and butterflies in unlimited numbers, for the purpose of 

 supplying museums, private collectors, and "the trade" generally. 



The present article has nothing to do with this aspect of butter- 

 fly study, however comm.endable such work may be ; on the other 

 hand, it will simply invite attention to a few of our best known 

 species, with the hope that it may induce the young naturalist and 

 reader of Nature-Study Review to widen the fleld of his studies 

 along this line, and to add material to his or her collection for 

 comparative study. 



Perhaps one of the best known groups of butterflies in this 

 country — certainly one of the most numerous — are the forms 

 assembled in the subfamily Pierince, that is, the "Sulphurs" and 

 the ' ' Whites. ' ' This subfamily is contained in the family Papilion- 

 idcE, or the Swallowtails and their near relatives — a group to which 

 reference will be made further on. 



As a general thing, the Sulphurs and the Whites are medium- 

 sized forms, and often quite small species. These have the upper 

 as well as the under sides of the wings yellow — a Naples yellow — 

 bordered above with black; there is generally a small spot near 

 the middle of any one of the wings. The bodies are dark, nearly 

 black, and more or less densely covered with a pale yellowish down. 

 The most comm_on representative is the Common Sulphur, 

 different individuals of which present considerable variation, and 



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