Chapter Fifteen 

 THE KING OF THE POETS 



CITHERONIA REGALIS 



PRELIMINARY EXERCISE 



TO THE impetuosity of youth I owe my first 

 acquaintance with the rarest moth of the Lim- 

 berlost; "not common anywhere," say scientific 

 authorities. Molly-Cotton and I were driving to Port- 

 land-town, ten miles south of our home. As customary, 

 I was watching fields, woods, fence corners and roadside 

 in search of subjects; for many beautiful cocoons and 

 caterpillars, much to be desired, have been located while 

 driving over the country on business or pleasure. 



With the magnificent independence of the young, 

 Molly-Cotton would have scouted the idea that she 



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