THE MEADOW-BROWNS OR SATYRS 217 



The Similar Life-histories 



One good indication that these varying forms all have a 

 common origin is found in the remarkable unity of their 

 life-histories. It is essentially the same in all. The 

 mother butterflies lay eggs late in summer upon the leaves 

 of grasses and perhaps other plants. About three weeks 

 later these eggs hatch into smalj caterpillars that imme- 

 diately become lethargic and begin their hibernating con- 

 dition without eating any vegetation. They remain thus 

 fasting until spring when, after the weather warms up 

 sufficiently, they begin to feed upon grasses and perhaps 

 other herbage. But they have lots of time in which to 

 complete their growth and they are very moderate in their 

 eating and their movements. They grow slowly so that 

 they do not become mature as caterpillars until June. 

 They then change to chrysahds to emerge as butterflies 

 during July and August. The female butterflies remain 

 upon the wing for some weeks before they begin to lay 

 their eggs. We thus have in this case an adaptation to 

 single-broodedness in practicaDy aU stages of the insect's 

 hfe. The twelve months of the year must be passed and 

 egg, larva, chrysalis, and butterfly each seems to try to do 

 its part in prolonging its period of life. 



These butterflies are especially common along streams 

 and near the borders of woods, as well as in upland pas- 

 tures and meadows. They are interesting creatures with 

 characteristic manner of flight. They are by no means so 

 easy to capture as one might think who sees them ap- 

 parently going with slow, erratic motions from flower to 

 flower. Mr. S. F. Denton, a collector of long experience, 

 has written this interesting paragraph upon this point: 



