INTRODUCTION 47 



which he failed early in the summer he got plenty of eggs 

 in September. 



There is here a rich field for observation and experiment 

 for every natm-alist who wishes to take up the study of 

 butterflies. He can be sure of the parentage of the cater- 

 pillars and can trace them from the very moment of egg- 

 laying through all their wonderful changes until they be- 

 come butterflies again. 



Photographing Butterflies 



There is a famous old saying that to make hare stew it is 

 first necessary to catch your hare. So if one wishes to 

 make perfect pictures of butterflies it is first necessary to 

 get the caterpillars. For though caterpillars are not 

 butterflies they are butterflies in the making and they will 

 show you most interesting stages in nature's manufacture 

 of these dainty and exquisite creatures. Tliis is not, how- 

 ever, the chief reason why the photographer should get 

 them. He will wish to make perfect pictures and in order 

 to do this he must have not only perfect specimens but 

 living butterflies which are willing to look pleasant while 

 he makes comparatively long exposures under conditions of 

 light that he can control. If you catch a butterfly out- 

 doors and bring it in you will be likely to find that it is by 

 no means a docile subject. The sunlight shining through 

 the nearest window will be a call which you cannot counter- 

 act and your butterfly will constantly respond to it in a 

 most vexing manner. So you must catch the butterfly 

 young and take advantage of a brief but docile period in 

 their lives when they are willing to pose before your camera 

 in quite a remarkable manner. This is the period just 



