BUTTERFLIES. 279 



migratory Danaida archippus, the butterflies are 

 without exception of slow and laboured flight: the 

 colours are distinct and striking, yet tlie insect upon 

 the wing seems quite unconscious of danger.. The 

 genus Danaida is of special interest on account of 

 the immunity from the attack of birds, and from the 

 close resemblance to it of butterflies of non-im- 

 mune families. ' ' 



Life history of Danaida archippus (Plate 35, Fig. 

 3), (Danaus menippe of other authors) : The ''Wan- 

 derer" — This butterfly can be seen in early spring, 

 and till late autumn. It is a fairly large butterfly, 

 with wings of bright orange-brown, the veins out- 

 lined in black. The male is distinguished by a small 

 thickened patch of black scales near the centre of 

 the hind wing. 



The eggs are laid singly on or near the leaves of 

 the ''wild cotton" bush (Gomphocarpiis fruticosis), 

 which is the food plant of the larva. They hatcli in 

 a few days; the caterpillar (Plate 35, Fig. 1), is at 

 first black and thread-like, but when older is banded 

 in black and yellow. At each end of the body on 

 the upper surface is a pair of flexible black appen- 

 dages. 



On pupating, the larva attaches itself by the end 

 of the body by means of a silky secretion, and 

 hangs head downwards (Plate 35, Fig. 2). It then 

 curves over and the body shortens, and by a series 

 of convulsive jerks the old skin is pushed upwards 

 in a very clever manner. 



The pupa is suspended by the hooks at the end of 

 the body, which are caught in the silken pad spun 

 by the larva. At first the pupa is a pale 



