PAPHIA. 



The genus Paphia contains a number of species -wliicli inhabit the tropical 

 regions of America, from Mexico to Brazil, but Glycerium is the only one whose 

 range is known to extend into the United States. It is found upon the j)rairie3 

 of Illinois, MLssouri, Kansas and Texas. 



I have never seen it on the wing, but am indebted principally to Dr. L. K. 

 Hayhurst, of Sedalia, Mo., for copious notes upon its habits and for descriptions, 

 as also for the drawing of the food-plant, larva and chrysalis represented on the 

 jalate. 



Dr. Hayhurst says : " The larvae feed on the plant commonly known as Wild 

 Sage, Croton capiiatum, as many as a dozen individuals being sometimes found on 

 one low bush. 



" The leaf of this plant is ovate-lanceolate, about two inches long and three 

 fourths inch broad. On the mid-rib the larva extends itself, its head toward base 

 of leaf and attaches a thread to the edge at about one third the distance from base 

 to apex. By a tension on the thread it draws this edge i^artly towards the other 

 and there fastens it, being assisted by the natural tendency of the leaf to curl in- 

 ward. The operation is repeated until the edges meet, when the larva proceeds to 

 join them firmly, almost to the apex, leaving a small opening through which to 

 eject its castings. 



" During the heat of the day, it remains concealed, but towards evening comes 

 out to feed, though sometimes it feeds U]?on its own house, eating the leaf half 

 way down from base to point, then abandoning it and rolling u}) a new one. 



" When placed in a cool, shaded room, the larvae seldom rolled up leaves, but 

 fed at random over the plant, and when at rest simj^ly lay extended on the leaves. 

 Many, though not all, of the rolled leaves that I cut oj)en, were comj^letely lined 

 with a closely woven coating of strong white silk. 



" In a glass breeding cage, the larva will travel over the sides as readily as 

 over a rough surface. This it does by spinning a sort of rope-ladder in advance, 

 describing segments of circles by the motion of its head from one side to the other. 



" When ready to transform it spins a button of white silk on the under side 

 of a leaf or branch, and, fastening the anal legs therein, doubles upon itself until 

 the extremities meet. In this position it remains about twenty four hours when it 

 suddenly throws off its larval skin and becomes a chrysaHs. Some of my chrysa- 

 lids were eighteen and twenty days before the butterfly emerged. 



" The flight of the butterfly is exceedingly rapid, with a dry, whistling sound. 

 Although easily alarmed it seldom leaves a favorite locality, but continues to fly 

 about until danger has passed. It is curious as the Yanessas, and I have several 

 times taken it by standing motiopleyH, when after numberless rapid circlings 

 and dashes about me, it would suddenly alight on the ring of my net. 



