746 THE BUTTERFLIES OF NEW ENGLAND. 



any rate, as a protection. This accounts fully for the frequency with which 

 it is known to swarm. We have already related in its proper place how 

 it has become an object of unconscious mimicry by a butterfly of quite a 

 different group — Basilarchia archippus. It has been noticed by Jack that 

 it, and other large butterflies of the same color are persistently followed 

 in their flight by Phyciodes tharos and other small, red butterflies as if the 

 mere color Avere a protection. "They alight when the large butterfly 

 does, rising only when the larger insect takes to flight again." 



The tenacity of life of the whole group is remarkable. Trimen tells us 

 that South African species caught, pinched (a common rough way of 

 killing butterflies by collectors) and pinned, would on removal of the pin 

 "fly off" in a nonchalant manner as if nothing had happened" ; and W. T. 

 Davis records an instance of a pinned chrysalis develo])ing the imago quite 

 as if nothing had happened to it. Louis Mitchell, of Norwich, kept a 

 female in the house until December 10, forty days after her emergence 

 from the chrysalis, by feeding her with sweetened water ; and he thinks 

 she would have lived longer but for a wardian case in the room, and as 

 she persisted in keeping near the glass her wings were continually drenched 

 by the moisture collected on it. 



Julius Meyer relates how observing one of these butterflies settling itself 

 for the night directly under a flower of Asclepias instead of upon its 

 accustomed dry twigs on trees, he drew nearer to observe it, when a 

 hummino-bird came to visit the same flower. 



Scarcely had I observed it, than out rushed the butterfly and furiously attacked the 

 bird, which in an instant sought safety in precipitate flight, followed closely by the 

 insect till lost to view in the distance. Amazed at so strange a spectacle, I stood upon 

 the spot, gazing in the direction where they had disappeared for some Ave minutes or 

 more, when to my surprise and pleasure I saw the butterfly coming back, A\'hich,wlieu 

 near the flower flew in a wide circuit around it, as if to ascertain whether another 

 enemy had taken possession of it or not. Then lessening its flight it finally ventured 

 upon the flower again ; but being much agitated walked nearly all over the plant 

 repeatedly until it finally settled upon its chosen place for its nightly rest. (Bull. 

 Brookl. ent. soc, ii:74.) 



Mr. Henry Edwards has observed the butterfly at the electric light. 



My son tells me that one afternoon, late in the summer, at about five 

 o'clock, the last specimen of many he had seen flying alighted, apparently 

 for the night, on the withered brown end of a fir twig, which being much 

 nearer its own color than the living green branch, would afford better 

 protection during its rest. The resemblance in color was indeed so close 

 as to attract his attention . 



Parasites. It has been generally supposed that the insect was not 

 only free from attack by the higher animals, but from insect foes. This 

 is true only to a limited extent, for, though by no means so harried as are 

 others, it has its fair share of foes. Mr. Riley wrote me, as long ago as 



