FLIGHT LN- BUTTKKFLIES. 1659 



higher than the abdomen, slightly pinclieil laterally bchiiul, the posterior curve para- 

 bolic; basal wing tubercles broadly rounded, not very prominent, the body behind 

 them subeijual as far as the end of the fourth abdominal segment; the llfth and sixth 

 tapering slightly, beyond rapidly, to a point, which is formed by thecremaster; viewed 

 from the side the body tapers slightly from the thorax backward to the extremity of the 

 sixth abdominal segment, then more rapiiUy to a rounded tip which is interrnptcd by 

 the projection of the hook-like, tapering, depressed cremaster; in front the body tapers 

 rapidly from the middle of the mesonotum forward; the front rounded, a little pro- 

 duced, scarcely angulatc in front of the eyes; prothoracic tubercles lateral, slightly 

 raised, filled witli a domed mass of bristles; fore legs reaching just beyond the tip of 

 the antennae to the point where the median girth is placed ; the middle legs shorter 

 than the wing by about the length of a segment ; the tongue projecting free to the tip 

 of the llfth abdominal segment ; abdomen supplied with a considerable number of 

 minute tubercles ranged irregularly in six or seven transverse rows to each segment, 

 each supporting a recumbent, backward directed hair; cremaster depressed, the sides 

 oblique, expanded, broadly sulcate, their apex carinate, thus making a broad, deep, 

 triangular snlcation on the upper surface of the cremaster. 



So far as yet known, this genus comprises but one or two species, occu- 

 pying a belt which traverses North America between the 27th and 41st 

 parallels : one species has been found on the confines of New England. 



The butterflies composing it are a little larger than those of most of the 

 previously mentioned genera of this tribe ; the fore wings of the male are 

 furnished with a broad discal streak or spot which tapers outwardly to a 

 point. The wings are colored and marked much as in Erynnis, but the 

 females are more infuscated, so as to leave a very tortuous series of semi- 

 vitreous spots crossing the outer half of the fore wings. They are remark- 

 able for their appressed palpi. Little is known of the history of these 

 insects, but they are probably double brooded. 



The eggs are not very elevated, well domed, rather distinctly punctate. 

 The caterpillars, pale green in early life, become gradually more and more 

 dusky by their abundant sprinkling with griseous dots, so that when mature 

 they appear almost uniformly fuliginous, with a black head. The chrysa- 

 lids are also of a dark color with a lighter but speckled abdomen and long 

 and slender cremaster ; the head is slightly and roundly protuberant in 

 front and the tongue reaches the end of the fifth abdominal seg'ment. 



EXCURSUS LXVIII.— FLIGHT IN BUTTERFLIES. 



O'er the grass, Round about Flow'r bells ring, 



Hand in hand, With the breeze, With soft chime, 



Kiss and pass, In and out Fairies sing, 



Fairy Baud— 'Neath the trees ! Keeping time- 



On they go, Steps so light 



Stepping soft, Scarcely make 



LaughingTow, Dew-drops bright 



Kissing oft. Gleam and shake I 



Margaret Deland. 



The mechanism of the flight of butterflies, as of all insects, is not alto- 

 gether sunple. The wings are broad expanses of membrane, supported at 

 base by a more or less slender pedicel, which seems at first sight to have its 



