214 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



fore wing is briglit yellowish orange, the eye-spots being small and 

 rather dim. 



Specimens may be occasionally taken, particularly where the 

 present species and Satyrus nephele are found in the same locality, 

 where there is great variation in the size of the yellowish tan patch 



Satyrus alope. Albino. 



on the fore wings. In fact, there is a gradual gradation between those 

 in which the spot is large and well defined to others Avhere there is a 

 mere shade of tan color around the two large eye-s[)ots. By some 

 authors the following species, where this color is entirely wanting, 

 is considered but a well-marked variety of Satyrus alope. As dis- 

 tinctions between varieties and species are more or less arbitrary, and 

 considering the fact that if we could see all the intervening varieties, 

 one species would l)lend insensibly into another, one must conclude 

 that a knowledge of the habits of an animal is more useful than an 

 abilit}^ to separate by these nice distinctions varieties from species. 



As the flight of these insects is weak, they have been obliged to 

 resort to a numl^er of tricks to outwit their enemies. In capturing 

 these butterflies the collector will very soon become acquainted with 

 their modes of escape, which are ver}^ interesting, and show no small 

 amount of cunning, scarcely to be looked for in an innocent little 

 butterfl3^ Their first plan of escajie on being disturbed is to make 

 directly for a clumj) of laishes, into the thickest part of which they 

 dive, and there remain until the danger is past. If one is startled 

 from the grass at some distance from a safe retreat, and the collector 

 overtakes him, he will innnediatel}' dodge backward and forward, at 



