950 TllK BUTTERFLIES OF NEW ENGLAND. 



spots edged with white, a transverse dash at the tip of the cell and, near 

 the base of the hind wing, parallel to the di.scal dash, a couple of round, 

 black spots : the subniarginal markings found in our other Lycaenidi are 

 absent. 



So far as their history is known, tiie butterflies are single brooded, fly- 

 ing principally in July and wintering as full grown caterpillars.* These 

 feed upon the seeds, both inuiiature and mature, of leguminous plants, 

 such as Astragalus, Trifolium, Coronilla, Ouobrychis, Mellilotus, Anthyl- 

 lis and Vicia, but not being known to be provided with all the abdominal 

 glands, sonae species at least lacking those of the eighth segment, it is 

 uncertain whether or not they are attended by ants. The long life of the 

 catei'pillar, sometimes as much as ten months, is here the most remark- 

 able feature. 



The egg is pale green, almost white from the meshes of the raised 

 tracery with which it is covered, flattened, turban-shaped, and laid in the 

 crevices of flowers. 



The caterpillar is of course onisciform, tapers more than ordinarily in 

 front, has the terminal segments depressed, and is of a slender, oval 

 shape, with well marked segments ; it has a dorsal stripe and oblique 

 lateral stripes, and in shape has been compared to the half of a grain of 

 wheat. 



The chrysalis is of the ordinary form, rather plump, with long wing- 

 cases, of a drab color, with a dorsal and laterodorsal series of dark 

 spots or interrupted lines. One observed in England by Mr. Buckler 

 changed without spinning any silk whatever. 



EXCURSUS XXXIV. — ORIGIN OF VARIETIES IN BUTTER- 

 FLIES, POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE. 



. . . From every chink, 

 And secret corner, wliere they slept away 

 The wintry storms — or rising from their tombs, 

 To higher life — by myriads, iorth at once, 

 Swarming they pour"; of all the varied hues 

 Their beauty-ljeaming parent can disclose. 

 Ten thousand forms ! ten thousand different tribes ! 

 People the blaze. 



TnoT.lso'S.— Summer. 



Probably there is no group of animals in which the study of variations 

 can be pursued to as good advantage as butterflies. For here the 

 opportunities for the action of natural selection are at the highest mark, 

 and we see the result in the infinite variety and beauty of these delicious 

 creatures. They live several separate lives in the course of one, and in 

 each the forces of nature have new and distinct play. Many of them 



•Boisduval, however, states that the Euro- he describes the latter, he must have known 

 pean N. cyllarus winters as a chrysalis ; and as it at its proper season. 



