THE TRIBE OF THE ANGLE-WINGS 153 



dose the butterfly, for at this time they lose their metallic 

 lustre. 



The Hop Merchant or Comma 



Polygonia comma 



There are two species of butterflies which commonly 

 lay their eggs upon the hop and which resemble each 

 other so closely in their earlier stages that they are fre- 

 quently confused by ordinary observers. One is the 

 Violet-tip or Semicolon and the other is the one which has 

 long been called the Comma. The chrysalids of both are 

 marked in silver and gold and the variation in the golden 

 lustre has led hop growers to deduce from them the prob- 

 able price of hops. On this account the chrysalids are com- 

 monly called Hop Merchants and the name has been trans- 

 ferred to the butterflies themselves. {See plate, page 1^.) 



The Comma is easily distinguished by the conspicuous 

 silver mark in the middle of the under side of each hind 

 wing. This bears a striking resemblance to a comma, hence 

 the name. The butterflies are somewhat smaller than 

 the Violet-tips and show to a remarkable degree the angu- 

 larity in the borders of the wings. The under side is 

 cleverly marked in imitation of the bark of trees, which 

 is doubtless of much benefit to the species in eluding ob- 

 servation during the long months from October until 

 April, when the butterflies are hibernating in such con- 

 cealed shelter as each happens to find. The crevices be- 

 neath loose bark, the openings in fallen logs and hollow 

 trees, the interspaces in stone piles, as well as the inte- 

 rior of buildings, all serve this purpose. 



