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have found the males of this species and of P. snmitheus ap- 

 parently to outnumber the females by about five to one. 



Some of these females of P. haldur readily laid eggs upon 

 Sedum. The shape of the eggs is similar to that of the eggs of 

 P. sinintheiis, but the color is a rather light chocolate brown, 

 instead of a chalky white as in that species. The color seems 

 to be due to some liquid which smears the eggs when they are 

 laid. Later in the season I met with more of P. haldur, 325 

 kilometres north, near Lake Tahoe. Here they were flying 

 over the granite rocks at an elevation of 1800 metres, in com- 

 pany with the variety hehrii of P. smintheus. 



Most of the rock formation in this vicinity is of conglomerate, 

 which seems rather easily affected by the weather, and does not 

 give a congem'al foothold to a species of Sedum which abounds 

 in the crevices of the granitic rocks. 



It may be remarked that the coloration of Parnassius is emi- 

 nently protective in such situations as these ; their flight is slow 

 and they alight frequently, thus becoming an easy prey to the 

 collector. The case of P. hehrii is very curious. Numbers of 

 this form have been taken by various collectors, and I succeeded 

 in capturing over forty, yet in none of them was there any trace 

 of the crimson color almost uivariably found in fresh specimens 

 of P. smintheus, but all had yellow or orange-yellow ocelli. It 

 is difficult to conceive of any influence which should induce so 

 complete a change, while failing in any way to affect the color 

 of the corresponding spots in P. haldur, this being alwavs crim- 

 son in fresh specimens. 



I obtained eggs of P. hehrii ; they are white as in the true 

 P. smintheus, and like the others were laid on Sedum. 



I have found a little device very convenient, on excursions 

 where only a limited amount of baggage can be carried, for 

 inducing butterflies to lay eggs. I had a number of wire 

 frames made, each consisting of two rings about thirteen centi- 

 metres in diameter, connected by ware uprights about twenty 

 centimetres high, the joints being all soldered. These frames 

 will fit in, side by side, so as to require only a moderate 

 amount of room. Then I had a similar number of round 

 tin box- covers made, differing in size sufficiently to nest 



