FAMILY PAPILIONIDiE, 199 



in tliis it undergoes a change. It is then inactive and defenceless, and appears dead ; and 

 as if aware that it is about to assume a condition in which it cannot protect itself, it seeks 

 a'secret place where it may be secure from the attacks of foes. The transformations of the 

 Iepidoi)tera are of the most complete kind : in some other orders, the pujia is active ; 

 here it is inactive. 



The Lepidoptera are divided into three great sections. The first section contains the 

 Butterflies proper, Papiliones : their antenna:' are thread-like, and bear a knob. The 

 second contains the Sphinges, or Hawkmotlis : their antenna? are thick in the middle, and 

 often hooked at the tip. The third contains those lauiiliarly called Mr.ths : their antennae 

 arc neither knobbed at the end nor thickened in the middle, but somewhat naked, tapering 

 or bristleforni, or else feathered on each side. The order has also been otherwise divided 

 into two sections : the Diurnal lepidoptera^ which fly by day ; and the JVoctumal, or those 

 which fly only during the night. 



Papilionidac. 



The distinguishing characters of this interesting family are taken from the feet, all of 

 which are perfect, formed for walking, and furnished with simple or bifid claws. The 

 antenn.ne, which have a distinct club, have no appendage as a hook at its extremity. The 

 hinder wings have a slice cut out of the inner margin, for the accommodation of the body, 

 or else are grooved to receive it. 



The larvae of this family are naked, and the pupa is supported by threads of silk passed 

 around the middle of the body : they are both angulated and smooth in the different genera. 



The butterflies of this family are among the largest and most splendid of American 

 insects : examples are the Papilio asterias, philcnor and tumus. The family is advanta- 

 geously subdivided into Papilionides and Pierides. In the former, the anal angle of the 

 posterior wing is concave or folded, and the middle longitudinal nervure of the forewing 

 emits lour branches, while no other species have more than three ; and the palpi are short. 

 From their size and beauty, LixN.Ers gave them the name Equitcs. 



The subfamily Pierides have a gutter in the inner margin of the hindwings, for the 

 reception of the abdomen. The caterjjillars are linely pubescent, and taper towards the 

 extremities. The pupre or chrysalides are angular, slightly compressed, and terminate in a 

 point at each extremity : they arc supported by a thread of silk passed around the pupa- 

 case. Some of the common butterflies belonging to this subfamily, the white and yellow 

 ones that flit about our walks, are less beautiful than those of the first subfamily, but still 

 deserve our admiration. 



