NYMPHALID^. 



271 



seldom take more than two or three specimens in a season, but I 

 have obtained many fine ones from Ontario, Canada, where a friend 

 rears them from the egg. An allied species of about tlie same size 

 is found plentifull}^ in the foothills in northern California. This is 

 Vanessa californica, and it much resembles the European form 

 Vanessa polychJoros. 



To the genus G-rapta belong several butterflies inhabiting Euro})e 

 and America, whose wings are very angular in outline and bear near 

 the centre of the loAver pair on the under side a silvery mark, sug- 

 gesting in some instances a letter or a figure. From these rather 

 fancied resemblances some of the species have received their names. 

 These butterflies are of medium size and handsome in coloring, Ijeing 

 mostly some shade of orange or reddish brown with black or brown 

 markings. The outlines of their wings, too, like the lines of a fast 

 sailing vessel, suggest speed, for they are very active creatures and 

 even while at rest look alert and ready to take wing the instant 

 danger threatens. They are very common in Canada and in the 

 northern and middle parts of the United States. 



Grapta interrogationis. 



(Jrapta interrogationis is one of the largest of this group of 

 insects and is certainly one of the finest and an ornament to any 

 cabinet. There are two well-marked forms, which are so different in 

 color as to quite puzzle one at first. The most common form is 



