360 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
The sixth family, Hesprriip#, corresponding with the Plebeii 
Urbicoli of Linnzus (fg. 101. 9. Hesperia Comma), is a very distinct 
tribe of butterflies, constituting, indeed, a primary division, InvoLur!, 
approaching, in many respects, to the moths, as already indicated. 
The six feet are of uniform size in both sexes, the hind tibiz having 
a pair of spurs at the apex, and another pair near the middle of the 
limb (fig. 101. 12. hind leg); the lower wings are generally hori- 
zontal during repose *; the antennz are wide apart at the base, and 
are often terminated in a very strong hook (fig. 101. 11.); and the 
labial palpi have the last joint very small; the maxilla are ex- 
ceedingly long (fig. 101. 10. head sideways). 
The caterpillars, of which, however, but few are known, are cylin- 
drical without spines, with the anterior segments narrowed, and the 
head very large; they roll up leaves (Poey, Cent. Lep. Cuba, pl. 4, 
H. Papinianus), in which they construct a very slender silken cocoon, 
wherein they are transformed to chrysalides, which are entire, with- 
out angular prominences (Swainson, Zool. /lustr. vol. i. t. 16., Ismene 
CEdipodea). These chrysalides are further attached by the tail as 
well as girt round the middle (fig. 101. 13. larva, and 14. pupa, of 
H. Tages, enclosed in a silken cocoon, after Guérin.). 
The species are of comparatively small size, and of obscure colours, 
but some are ornamented with pellucid spots, and others have the 
hind wings furnished with long tails. 
These butterflies have the body very robust, and their flight is 
accordingly very strong and peculiar, whence they have obtained the 
name of skippers, indicative of their peculiar short jerking kind of 
flight. They frequently settle on flowers, leaves, or branches, H. 
Tages (according to Dr. Abbott, Zinn. Trans. vol. v. p. 276.) flies 
early in the morning, its flight being extremely short and very near the 
ground. Mr. Curtis mentions the curious circumstance, that old 
specimens, when alive, have frequently lost one or both of their palpi, 
an accident he had only observed amongst the Pyralide. 
Réaumur has figured the transformations of H. Malve (Mém. 
Ins. tom. i. pl. 11.), the caterpillar of which rolls up leaves, forming 
them into an oval ball for the period of pupation. The history of 
various other species is represented in Abbot and Smith’s work on 
the Lepidoptera of Georgia. 
* Tn some species all the wings are horizontal when at rest (Tamyris Zeleucus 
Fab., Swains. Zool. Ill, vol, i. pl. 33.) 
