198 NATURE STUDY. 



The knowledge will stay with us all our lives. It has 

 cost us nothing more than a little clgse attention, careful 

 observation and an occasional romp in the open air, all of 

 which was of real value to us as the very best exercise for 

 mind and body. It will add to the pleasure of every walk 

 abroad and increase the sum of happiness we find in the 

 world, which we shall learn sooner or later is made up 

 chiefly of seemingly little things. 



Having learned that butterflies differ from moths in hav- 

 ing clubbed antennae, in flying only by day, and in hold- 

 ing their wings upright when at rest, we may next learn to 

 distinguish at least a few of the smaller groups, or fami- 

 lies. 



Nearly every child knows the swallow-tails, and knows, 

 too, that they are commonly among the first butterflies to 

 make their appearance in spring. The Tiger Swallow-tail 

 has yellow wings with a broad black border in which there 

 is a row of yellow spots. The fore wings are crossed with 

 four black bars. The Black Swallow-tail has black wings, 

 crossed with two rows of yellow spots. There is also a 

 row of small yellow spots on the border of the wings that 

 are shaped like new moons. These spots, being placed on 

 the margin of the wings and crescent-shaped, are called 

 marginal lunules. 



These butterflies — the Black and the Yellow Swallow- 

 tails — are found nearly all over the United States. They, 

 and all other butterflies and moths, should be pinned soon 

 after they have been killed, and their wings should be 

 spread on a grooved board, or with the body placed be- 

 tween two books lying near together, side by side, the 

 wings being held flat by some light weight. When dry, 

 the wings will remain as they have been "set," and the 

 insects may then be pinned in boxes. The swallow-tails 

 should be marked with the name of their family, Papilion- 

 idae. 



