VANESSA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antennae terminated by an abrupt short club ; 

 palpi contiguous, even at the extremity, the two 

 combined, resembling a rostrum ; anterior pair of 

 feet in both sexes, short and very hairy ; the two 

 posterior pairs of tarsi, with double nails. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



The species which constitute the Fabrician 

 genus Vanessa, were referred by Linne, to his 

 comprehensive genus Papilio. 



The larvae or caterpillars in this genus, live on 

 plants of little altitude, and are often gregarious ; 

 they are armed with numerous, long, rigid, den- 

 tated spines, which, like the quills of the Hedge- 

 hog, constitute their only defensive weapons. 

 The chrysalids are attached to a fixed object by 

 the tail, and in this reversed posture, quietly 

 wait for the period of final emancipation and 

 perfection. 



The larva or caterpillar state of insects, has 



plate xxvii. l 



