CHRYSOPHANUS I. 



species, and is well represented in North America, especially in the Rocky Moun- 

 tains and on the Pacific slope. These little butterflies frequent the open coun- 

 try rather than woods and forests, and such as are found in the Eastern and 

 Middle States are very common in old fields and pastures. The eggs of most 

 butterflies are beautiful objects when seen under the microscope, diflering infi- 

 nitely in form and ornamentation, and I know of none that surpass in beauty 

 those of our two Atlantic species of Chrysophanus, Hyllus and Phleas, var. 

 Americana. These eggs are round and flattened, and in case of Hyllus covered 

 with a delicate frosting ; in Phleas the whole surface is occupied by hexagonal 

 depressions, that give the appearance of a \ni of honeycomb. The caterpillars 

 of this genus are oval, onisciform, with small retractile heads and retractile feet. 

 So far as is known, the American species feed on the leaves and flowers of Dock 

 (Rumex), Sorrel (R. acetosella), and Golden-Rod (Solidago). The European 

 sj)ecies feed also on Polygonum. The chrysalis is supported by a girdle, after 

 the manner of the Papilionidae. 



