FAMILY HELICONIID^. 205 



white, ami tips and l)ase dusky, which color extends outward along the nervures. 

 Posterior wings white above, slightly yellowish green hencath. 



Dr. Harris has given a minute descri])tion of tlie eggs and caterpillar of this species, 

 from whieli it appears that the leniale lays its yellowish eggs ujon the leaves of cabbages, 

 radishes or turnips, about the first of June ; that they are hatched in about a w<ek, and 

 that the caterpillar attains its full size in tJiree weeks : it measures an inch and a half in 

 length, is of a i)ale green color, and leeds indiscriminately ujwn any i)art of the leaf, 

 perforating it in many places. The pupa state lasts about eleven da^ s. 



This butterfly, as may be supposed from its habits above deserilied, is injurious to 

 garden jdants. There is no other way to save cabbages, etc. when attacked by the cater- 

 pillar, than to crush it under foot. It is common, but less so than the Colias. Neither inllict 

 very extensive injury upon the farmer ; and if the birds could have their own way so far 

 as to iniiabit the trees about the garden without molestation, they would always keep these 

 minor evils in check : the indviduals of any species of insect would never increase to an 

 extent such as to call the husbandman or gardener from his other duties. 



The Pontia oleracea has a resemblance to species of the Genus Apterix : in all these, 

 however, the antennse are shorter, not flattened, but clavate, and the wings are angulated ; 

 and finally the individuals are all larger than the P. oleracea. 



PiERis nicippeI (Plate xxxv, fig. 7.) 



Head and body black above, but crossed at the back of the head and thorax with yel- 

 lowish ; beneath, yellow and orange along the sides. Antenna? rather short : knob 

 yellowish. Wings yellow or orange : border wide, black, and edged with orange about 

 the middle : below the anterior edge there is a short black line ; the anterior border 

 rather greenish. Beneath yellow, with a few splashes of red particularly on the hind- 

 wings. Forewings, the outer border is yellow, while the basal part is a deeper yellow : 

 the outer edge of the forewing is dotted with brown ; and the fore-edge of the hind- 

 wing shows many sharp dark lines, but frequently obscure. 

 Though this species does not agree in every particular of coloring with the nicipi.e, it is 

 not so far removed as to admit much doubt of its being the same. It has a wide range, 

 being found in Pennsylvania and Virginia as well as in New- York ; but here it is far from 

 being common. 



Some of the figures have Ijeen colored of a deeper orange than the specimens ordinarily 

 exhibit : indeed some individuals scarcely partake of this color at all, bearing mostly 

 upon yellow. 



Fig. 7, upper side ; G, lower side. 



