NYMPHALID^. 265 



had bleached them. The insect is said to hibernate in the chrysalis 

 state also, but I have never been able to find the chrysalides in 

 winter. 



The first brood usually hatches in July, while the second begins 

 to come out in September, and specimens may be seen from then on 

 till it is too cold for them to fly. They are very partial to decaying 



Cluysalis of Pyraineis. 



sweet apples or pears, and when contentedly sucking the half fer- 

 mented cider are easily approached and captured. Rum and mo- 

 lasses, the same bait used for moths, is attractive to this insect, 

 and one may sometimes see several of these butterflies at a time 

 about the bait, especially if there ai-e no strong smelling flowers or 

 decayed fruits near. An over-ripe banana split in halves is an 

 excellent bait for this and several other allied butterflies. 



The coloring of the under side of the wings is protective, and 

 when the insect has alighted on an old rail or the trunk of a tree 

 with its wings closely pressed together it is a difficult object to see. 

 Its flight is strong and rapid, and although so bright an object while 

 on the wing it is abundantly able to take care of itself. Mr. Harris, 

 in his " Insects Injurious to Vegetation," gives a very well written 

 account of the habits of this insect in its larva state, which I have 

 tliought best to insert here. He says : '' The atalanta butterfly was 

 probably introduced into America from Europe witli the common 

 nettle, which it inhabits. It deposits its eggs in May upon the 

 youngest and smallest leaves of this plant, being cautious to drop 

 only one upon a single leaf. The young caterpillar is guarded 

 against injury from the poison prickles of the leaf by the numerous 

 branching spines with which it is covered, and Avhich, being longer 

 than the prickles, prevent its body from coming in contact with the 

 latter. The head is covered with a tough shell, which sufticiently 

 protects this part, while its strong and horny jaws are adapted for 

 cutting and chewing the leaves and their prickles with impunity. 



