BUTTERFLIES. 15 
darker brown, and on the disk with brown and _ blackish- 
brown spots. The color of the hind-wings varies consider- 
ably in intensity, and this is still more so the case with the 
color of the underside, which is usually, however, dark- 
brown, with many grayish lines and streaks. A number of 
varieties have been described on account of these differences. 
But the butterfly can always be recognized from the fact 
that it has upon the lower surface of the hind-wings a more 
or less plainly marked ‘‘C” of metallic silver. From this 
mark the butterfly is frequently called the ‘‘C” butterfly. 
It passes the winter in the winged or adult state in some 
sheltered spot, in which it remains torpid, but awakens to 
fresh activity as soon as the warmth in spring imbues 
nature with new life. It, with some other nearly related 
species, can be found during the first days of spring flying 
about in sunny spots. Its flight is peculiar and rather jerky 
and swift; it darts suddenly away and as suddenly returns, 
occasionally resting on the sunny side of a tree, and here 
displaying the bright colors of the wings, somewhat dulled 
in intensity, however, by the influence of winter. The but- 
terfly has the habit of exposing the entire surface of its 
wings as if proud of their beauty; then, again, it closes them 
and becomes almost invisible, as the color of the underside 
of the wings blends exceedingly well with the color of the 
bark upon which it rests; in fact, these butterflies are so well 
protected on this account, that when at rest it requires a 
keen eye to detect them at all. During the summer, when 
the butterflies enjoy perfect health, they sometimes seem to 
invite us to chase them. If one is disturbed and flies off 
from the spot it occupied, it is certain to return to that 
exact spot in a short time. The insect feeds upon any 
sweet fluid, but prefers the sap from any freshly wounded 
tree. 
The eggs are usually laid singly on the leaves of the cur- 
rant and gooseberries, and here the solitary caterpillars 
may be found. When full grown, they are about an inch 
