The Butterflies of the West Coast 



Description of all the species of butterflies of the West Coast 

 and of the illustrations on Plates I to XXXII, with notes in gen- 

 eral and in particular as to the occurrence, habits, etc., of each 

 species. 



In order to save tedious repetition of facts for each species, gen- 

 eral statements are made under the genus heading, which are gen- 

 erally applicable to all the species included in that genus, as all the 

 species of a genus usually have the same habits. 



Each figure in the plates is pedigreed as to the place and date of 

 capture, and the name of the collector. 



Genus PARNASSIUS 



This is a race of butterflies widely distinct from any other kind ; 

 low and moth-like in some of its stages, but grouped near the 

 Papilios because of the venation, in the absence of the inner vein. 

 All Parnassians are white, except one or two which are more or 

 less yellowish ; of medium to large in size ; thick-bodied ; and of 

 slow and deliberate flight. They feed on flowers, but their life in 

 the imago state is short. They live in cold or cool climates, most 

 of them inhabiting the Arctic regions, or the higher mountains of 

 temperate climes, as the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra 

 Nevadas. 



When we first see a Parnassian it is climbing up a plant-stem, 

 limp-winged and unable to fly. If it be a female, mating takes 

 place at this time, usually before she can fly, and during the 

 lengthy mating process the curious abdominal pouch is formed. 

 Unmated females have no pouch ; males never have any ; nor has 

 any other butterfly in the world. This appendage is formed from 



