MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 371 



jK)ol chance to dry up in summer, and force it to emi- 

 grate. 



The sporting of butterflies in pairs, trios, or more 

 has been looked upon by some as pugnacious skir- 

 mishing. "A few of our lepidopterous creatures," 

 says Mr. Knapp, " especially the common white 

 butterflies of our gardens, ai-e contentious animals, 

 and drive away a rival from their haunts. We see 

 them progressively ascending into the air, in ardent 

 unheeding contest ; and thus they are observed, cap- 

 tured, and consumed in a moment by some watchful 

 bird ; but we have few more jealous and pugnacious 

 than the little elegant blue argus butterfly (Polyom- 

 matus Alexis, Stephens), noted and admired by all. 

 When fully animated it will not suffer any of its 

 tribe to cross its path, or approach the flower on 

 which it sits, with impunity : even the large admira- 

 ble ( Vanessa atalanta), at these times, it will assail 

 and drive away. There is another small butterfly, 

 the copper {LyccEna Phlceas, Fabr.), however, as 

 handsome, and, perhaps, still more quarrelsome, fre- 

 quenting too the same station and flowers ; and a con- 

 stant warfare exists between them. We shall see these 

 diminutive creatures, whenever they come near each 

 other, dart into action, and continue buffeting one 

 another about till one retires from the contest ; when 

 the victor returns in triumph to the station he had 

 left. Should the enemy again advance, the combat 

 is renewed ; but should a cloud obscure the sun, or 

 a breeze chill the air, their ardour becomes abated 

 and contention ceases. The copper butterfly enjoys 

 a combat even with its kindred. Two of them are 

 seldom disturbed, when basking on a knot of asters 

 in September, without mutual strife ensuing. Being 

 less affected by the cold and moisture than the argus, 

 they remain with us longer, and these contentions 

 are protracted till late in the autumn. The pugna- 

 cious disposition of the argus butterfly soon deprives 



