112 BUTTERFLIES 



color, and skin coverings. Chrysalids angular in most 

 species, in others rounded. 



The stories of the lives of the many members of this 

 family vary considerably, as one would expect from their 

 variety and numbers. We may take, however, the life of 

 the familiar Antiopa or Mourning Cloak as typical of the 

 group. Briefly summarized, its story may thus be told: 



During sunny days in spring one may often see a beauti- 

 ful purple-back butterfly, having a cream-colored border 

 along the outer margin of its wings, flying leisurely about, 

 in the vicinity of woods and in the open fields. This in- 

 sect is called the Antiopa or Mourning Cloak; it is repre- 

 sented natural size in plate opposite page 145. It has 

 passed the winter in this adult condition, having found 

 shelter in some retreat where it is not directly exposed to 

 the storm and stress of the weather. 



When the leaves of the elm, willow, and poplar trees are 

 nearly expanded, these butterflies deposit their eggs upon 

 the twigs. These eggs are laid in clusters encircling the 

 twigs, there being twenty or more in each cluster (see pic- 

 ture on page 113). In the act of oviposition, the butter- 

 fly keeps her wings spread out, moving the body and abdo- 

 men about as the placing of the eggs necessitates. 



About two weeks after the clusters of eggs are thus laid 

 upon the twigs of the food plant, they hatch into small 

 blackish caterpillars, each emerging from the egg shell 

 through a small hole that it eats out of the upper surface. 

 They thus enter upon the second stage in their life-his- 

 tory — the larva or caterpillar stage. As soon as hatched, 

 they crawl to the nearest leaf upon which they range them- 

 selves side by side, with their heads toward the margin of 

 the leaf. They feed in this position, nibbling at the green 



