GRAPTA II. 



slightest injury, and for a few moments the several parts of the future butterfly- 

 may be seen and readily separated ; the wings folded close and envelojiing the 

 thorax, the antennae and proboscis stretched at length along the back. But very 

 speedily a comj)lete casing is formed by the exuding from jjarts of the body of 

 a viscous fluid, which binds together the tender parts, and covers the whole with 

 a coating like varnish. This soon hardens, and the chrysalis is ready to take its 

 chance against injury. 



The chrysalis of Comma is grey or brown of two or three shades, with golden 

 protuberances upon the abdomen, and with jsrominent eye and palpi covers and a 

 sharp projection at back of head. This state continues about eleven days. A 

 few hours before the butterfly is to emerge the metallic spots lose their lustre and 

 the skin changes to a dark color indicating its separation from the imago within. 

 At length the covering of the head j^arts, the insect struggles to disengage its head 

 and legs and then feebly crawls forth, seeking instinctively some object on which 

 to fasten. The body, legs and antennse are full sized on emerging from the chry- 

 salis, but the wings are undeveloped, being no more than one fourth inch long, 

 yet having their characteristic shape and showing distinctly, though in miniature, 

 every marking and spot that will afterwards appear. 



Bo soon as the insect has attained a supi:)ort it rests quietly, while the surface 

 of the body dries and the wings expand slowly in length and breadth, each little 

 spot in its due proportion, till in course of half an hour they have reached their 

 full size, but still hang nerveless and limp. By a gentle fanning motion the limp- 

 ness disajspears, the wing becomes thoroughly dry and the perfect butterfly is 

 ready for flight. 



In habits Comma is extremely alert and restless, flying swiftly and for short 

 distances only. It frequents the roads, especially in damj? places, or collects in 

 considerable numbers on the sides of the creeks or upon damp stones by the forest 

 brook, not in clusters, as is the habit with many butterflies, but scattered about 

 in close neighborhood with wings outspread to receive the full benefit of the 

 sun. In the Catskills it is in company with Faunus, on the Kanawha Eiver with 

 Fabricii and Intcrrogationis, but greatly outnumbering these last. 



The heavy frosts of November drive them into wnuter quarters and seeking 

 out holes in trees, or crevices in rocks, they pass the season in a dormant state 

 ready to reappear with the first warm breath of spring. But a very small propor- 

 tion however survive as they are exposed in their defenseless state to attacks from 

 many enemies. During the spring a few solitary individuals, faded and broken, 

 are on the wing, and soon after the young leaves of the hop begin to show them- 

 selves the females are hovering about intent on depositing their eggs. 



