SATYRID.E. 217 



With any of tlie commoner species the collector is not a factor in 

 diminishing their numbers. These kindly disposed })ersons, before 

 they pa,ss judgment on the collectors for cruelty, should think of the 

 parasites which so often inliabit the larv?e of butterflies and moths, 

 gradually eating away their substance till they are little more than 

 animated skins tilled with a wriggling mass of maggots, lingering in 

 this condition for days, so weak as to be scarcely able to crawl. The 

 industrious and painstaking collector, who is endeavoring to increase 

 his knowledge or adorn his cabinet with fresh and perfect specimens, 

 should have every encouragement ; he is a public benefactor. 



This butterfly is most abundant the latter part of June, and the 

 woods are then fairly alive with them. At this time many specimens 

 stray into the open fields and may be seen about our dwellings, 

 although they act as though they felt out of place, and would gladly 

 be back in the woods, where they prefer tracts containing a thick 

 undergrowth of bushes. They fly low, just above the ground, with 

 a rather slow Ijut unstead}^ or jerky motion, and often alight on the 

 low herbage. To get perfect specimens one must take them very 

 soon after they make their appearance, as they are so apt to become 

 worn or ragged. This species is probably double-brooded to a limited 

 extent, as one may occasionally take perfect specimens in August or 

 early in September ; but these are scarce in comparison with the June 

 brood. The majority evidently prefer to go over to the next season. 

 Tlie larva is brownish, darker on the sides, and the body is covered 

 with short brown hairs. The Avinter is passed in the larval state. 

 The insect inhabits the eastern lialf of the country. 



Neoiiymiilia cantluis. Male. 



A somewhat northern s[)ecies is Neonympha canthns, and it is plenti- 

 ful in parts of New England and Canada. It usually iidiabits woods, 



