lo INTRODUCTION. 



The EYES of Butterflies are large, immovable, componnd and convex ; sometimes smooth, 

 sometimes hairy, and consist of a great number of separate lenses. Butterflies also are said to 

 possess two extremely minute simple or " stemmatic" eyes, placed on the crown of the head and 

 scarcely visible, but the existence of these latter has been disputed. 



The ANTENN/E, which project from the forehead between the eyes, are of moderate length, 

 being from one-half to seven-eighths, usually about two-thirds, the length of the body, and 

 consist of a great number of segments, which increase in diameter more or less gradually 

 towards the tip ; the knob thus formed at the tip varies considerably in shape in different 

 families, and affords useful distinctive characters. Typically the antennce are straight, but in 

 some genera they are hooked at the tip ; they are always erect and never concealed during 

 repose. 



The THORAX forms the middle part of the body between the head and the abdomen ; 

 to it all the wings and legs are united, and it contains the muscles by which all the limbs are 

 actuated. It is shorter than the abdomen, and consists of three segments, so closely united as 

 to appear to form a single piece. The first nearest the head is called \}[^t prothorax, and bears the 

 fore pair of leg^ ; the middle one, the inesothoi-ax, which bears the middle pair of legs and 

 the forewings ; and that nearest the abdomen, the metathorax, which bears the hindlegs and 

 hindwings. 



To the mesothorax, just above the wing joints, are attached a pair of triangular scales, 

 like epaulets, which have been called '^ tegultz" or " pafagia" or" pterygodes" ox ''tippets." 

 The surface of the thorax is covered with hairs of greater or less density and length. 



The ABDOMEN is united to the thorax by a narrow link. It consists of nine segments, and 

 is of a softer consistency than the thorax : the only appendages to the abdomen which require 

 notice at present are the large anal valves, which are found in the males of some species of 

 PapilioniJiC. 



The LEGS are six in number, but in a large number of species the fore pair of 

 legs is imperfect, unfitted for walking, and held drawn up close to the sides of the 

 thorax, and partially concealed by its hairs, the Butterfly appearing as if it had only 

 four legs. The characters of the legs are of great importance, and on the extent of 

 development of the forelegs the primary divisions of Butterflies into families usually rests. 

 The perfect leg consists of the following parts :—(l), the fo.ro!, which is attached to 

 the body, corresponds with the hip, and is directed vertically downwards ; (2), the short joint 

 connectinfj the femur with the coxa, called the trochanter, is counted as the second section of 

 the \tc ; (3), the femur, which is jointed to the coxa, corresponds with the thigh, and is 

 directed upwards ; (4), the tibia or shank, which is jointed to the femur, and directed downwards ; 

 the joint between the tibia and femur being the most elevated point of the leg in repose ; (5), 

 the tarsus, which is jointed to and directed in prolongation of the tibia ; the tarsus in all perfect 

 legs consisting of five joints. The coxa and femur are often hairy, and in imperfect forelegs the 

 tibia and tarsus are likewise often more or less densely fringed with hairs ; the tibia of the 

 foreleg in Papilionidie and Hcspej-ida has a spur about the middle, which is present in no other 

 family of Butterflies. The tibia of the hindleg has also one pair of moveable spines in most of 

 the Papilionidu:, and two pairs in many of the Hesperidcc. The tarsus in the perfect leg is termi- 

 nated by two claws, which are sometimes entire or simple, and sometimes bifid ; at the base of 

 the claws the tarsus is also furnished in some families with otl.er appendages, called paronychia 

 and pulvilli (see Glossary of Terms) ; the development of these appendages when present varies 

 a good deal in the different genera. 



The WINGS are larger among Lepidoptera in proportion to the body than in any other 

 order of insects, and among Butterflies form the most conspicuous parts of the whole insect. The 

 usual shape of the forewing is triangular, and that of the hindwing rounded, but the outline, 

 though usually similar in allied species and often affording specific and even generic characters, 

 is subject to great variations. These variations often mark sexual distinctions, but occasionally 

 individuals of the same species and sex differ widely in outline, as in the case of the females of 



