CHAPTER IV. 



THE LEPIDOPTERA. 



There is some advantage in commencing the description of the 

 metamorphoses of insects with the Lcpidoptera, for nearly every- 

 body knows something about their transformations. 



No one has any hesitation in distinguishing an insect of this 

 order, for its shape proclaims it to be a butterfly or a moth at 

 once. 



The very name, scale-wing {Lepidoptcrd), calls up delicate and 

 airy forms with elegant proportions and beautiful colouring. 



The wings, usually very large in proportion to the body, give 

 that peculiar jerking flight to most of the Lcpidoptera which 

 attracts the attention. There are four wings, each formed by a 

 double layer of colourless membrane, traversed by nervures 

 which are differently arranged according to the species of the 

 insect; and these delicate expansions are covered with micro- 

 scopic scales fixed on like the tiles of a roof 



The beautiful colouring of the butterfly's wing depends upon 

 the scales. This nature painting, which seems to deal with 

 glaring and strongly contrasted colours, is so perfect that it 

 never offends the eye. Yet, if we place certain tints in direct 

 opposition, an unpleasing effect is invariably produced. Thus, 

 there are many Lcpidoptera with a red, yellow, or bright blue 

 band crossing a black ground ; but there is a beautiful softening 

 off of the intermediate tints produced by rows of diversely- 

 coloured scales, which, although it escapes us in a general view, 

 does away with all harshness, and conveys an excellent lesson 

 to the painter. 



