PAPILIONID.E. 333 



the surface. The bodies of these insects are dark in color and very 

 hairy. 



Tlie larvre are dark colored, flattened beneath, and pass through 

 their transformations on the ground, gathering a few bits of leaves or 

 twigs into a loose cocoon, which is held together by silken threads. 



These butterflies are all inhabitants of mountainous districts and 

 are found l)oth in the old world and the new. While we have no 

 species of this genus in the eastern part of our countr}^ they are 

 found on the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains as far east as 

 Colorado. 



There is great variation in the coloring of the specimens, individ- 

 uals ranging from almost white with yellow spots to slate color with 

 red spots. These insects are not diflicult to capture, as the}^ fly near 

 the ground. I have never seen them abundant, and by collectors in 

 this country they are generally considered most valuable specimens 

 to possess. 



In the genus Papilio are classed many of tlie largest and 

 liandsomest butterflies the world affords. The group reaches its 

 greatest development, both as to the number of the species and the 

 extraordinary beaut}^ of their coloring, in southern India and through- 

 out the islands of the Malay Archipelago, but we have many very 

 fine species in our countr}' and in Mexico and South America. 



Rev. J. G. Wood, in writing of this group, says : " The genus is a 

 very comprehensive one, including between two and three hundred 

 known species, among which may be found almost every imaginable 

 tint in every gradation and exhibiting bold contrasts of color which 

 scarcely an}^ human artist would dare to place together, and which 

 yet produce a result equall}^ striking and harmonious." 



The group has been divided into several genera by some authors, 

 and although the general characteristics of the species thus separated 

 are not difficult to follow, they seem somewhat arbitrary, especially 

 as there is a great similarity in the habits and development of the 

 species of the whole group. Had there been but a few species of the 

 various classes, instead of dozens or scores, the genus would probably 

 have been left entire, much to the satisfaction and convenience of 

 those who wish to acquire knowledge on the subject of entomology. 



Many of these butterflies are supplied with tails or prolongations 

 to the lower wings which add much to their beauty. In some these 

 tails are long and narrow, in others sliort and wide, while a few of 

 the species are destitute of tails. Their larvse are fleshy, of various 



