198 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



kind is edged exteriuiUy with a very narrow line of l)laek, and ont- 

 iside this is another line of white. A line of faint dark spots fading 

 out toward the upper margin may be traced between the strongly 

 colored orange band and the margin, and a single elongated spot 

 is located above the centre of the wing. On the lower wings the 

 band of reddish orange spots, similar to the one on the upper 

 wino-s, extends in a zigzag manner across the wing. Between the 

 base of the tails is a large black spot with an orange crescent above 

 it. A small black spot with two vague white spots above it is 

 located at the inner angle, and between this and the large one is 

 a blue gray s[)ot. A fine black line extends along the lower 

 maro-in with a delicate white line above it. There is also a line 

 of faint dark crescents, the lower one having an orange line exter- 

 nally, extending from the large black spot to the upper angle of 

 the lower wing. The thorax and legs are gray, the abdomen 

 whitish. 



In Florida and the Gulf states, this butterfly is generally not 

 rare in February and March, and may be taken in the same localities 

 inhabited by Theela halesus. It is not wild and may be captured in 

 the hands if caution is exercised. When frightened, however, it can 

 fly rapidly, but after circling about for a few moments soon alights, 

 often I'etarning to the spot which it occupied before it was disturbed. 



Theela calanus. 



Probably our most common species of this genus is Theela 

 calamis, and although I have never seen it in any such numbers as 

 one may often see species of our commoner butterflies, still in 

 favored localities it is sometimes abundant. The upper side of 

 the wings is dark blackish brown, the male having the usual oval 

 disc near the upper margin. There is one moderately long tail 

 and an exceedingly fine and short one. Both are black and tipped 

 with white. Near the base of the tails, and extending to the inner 



