184 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



exteiidiiig in a band, Avidening as it crosses the lower wing from the 

 base to the h)wer margin, where it occupies nearly the whole width 

 of the wing. A row of black spots extends along the lower margin 

 of the lower wings, partly enclosed on their inner sides with orange- 

 colored half-moon spots, wliich fade ont as they approach the upper 

 margin. A narrow black line extends along the outer margin of the 

 upper wings and is continued along the lower margin of the lower 

 })air. Both sets of wings are fringed with gray scales. The body is 

 black. 



These little bntterflies are slow flyers, keeping not far above the 

 ground, and are usually most abundant on the outskirts of Avoods. 

 Tliey love to congregate about damp places on the ground to sip the 

 moistui'e. Witli care one may approach closely and even take them 

 by hand. Tlie coloring of the male when freshly hatched is very 

 pleasing and is almost the exact tint of the liorseshoe violet which 

 blooms at the time when this butterfly is most numerous, the flowers 

 and insects being often found near one another. There are two or 

 more broods of these butterflies in a season. The larva is usually 

 light gi'cen with brown markings, but pinkish or chocolate-brown 

 specimens sometimes occur. It feeds on tlie buds and floAvers of 

 several plants, dogwood and rattle-weed being favorites. The chrj-s- 

 alis is brown Avith two rows of broAvn dots down tlie ])ack of the 

 abdomen. 



Lycseiia corayntas. Male. 



One other connnon species of this genus is L>ic<rna corny ntas. 

 The niale is dark violet, the U|)per Avings Avith a narroAV band of 

 blackish-broAvn along their outer margin, the upper and loAver margin 

 of the loAver Avings being the same color. The lower Aving has a 

 black tlu'ead-like tail Avith a Avhite tip. This Avill readily distinguish 

 it from the preceding tailless species regardless of tlie varieties it may 

 assume. Along the lower marcrin of the lower Aviim- is a roAv of black 



