THE LITERARY 



OF THE LINN.EAN ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. 



Vol. II. DECEMBER, 1845. No. 2. 



AN INTRODUCTION 



TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LEPIDOPTEROL'S INSECTS. 



Abridged from the French of Boisduval. 



Naturalists designate by the name of Lepldoplcra* all tliose 

 insects commonly called ButierJtieSy and which present the following 

 characters : 



Four wings covered upon both surfaces with small colored scales 

 like a farinaceous dust or fine bran. A tube or tongue, more or less 

 long, spirally rolled together, called the spiritrompe^ situated between 

 two cylindrical or conical palpi, more or less elevated, formed with three 

 articulations, and inserted upon a fixed lip. Two antennae of a variable 

 form and always composed of a great number of articulations. A part 

 well developed, called the pteri/goda,'f or epaulette, situated at the 

 base of the upper wings, prolonged posteriorly. An abdomen destitute 

 of an ovipositor and of a sting. There are never more than two kinds 

 of individuals, males and females. 



All these insects, witliout an exception, come from larvae called cat- 

 erpillarsy which are distinguished from other larvae by never having 

 fewer than ten nor more than sixteen feet. These caterpillars having 

 obtained their full growth, change into ch-ysuUds, from which, after a 

 longer or shorter period, come forth the perfect insects, which bear a 

 perfect resemblance to tliose to which they owe their existence. 



It is our present intention to give a brief sketch of these insects, and 

 to enter into some details in regard to their external organization, under 

 each of their three forms. 



The Imago, or perfect slate. 



As in all other insects, the body of Lepidoptera is composed of the 

 head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The second of these parts, with 



* >s3-/5, XiTTi^o? = scale, and ttts^cc = wings, whence the word Lepi- 

 doptera has been formed to signify scaly wings. 

 t Called paiagia, or tippets, by K. and S. — Tr. 

 4 



