DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA. 23 



No. 24. — V. Comma. — This, like the preceeding, is seen 

 about our hop vines, but occurs in greater abundance. 



No. 25. — V. Progne. — A far less common species, and is 

 occasionally to be seen about our gardens and lawns, 

 especially if elm trees are in the vicinity. Upon them the 

 larva feeds. 



No. 26. — V. FuRCiLLATA. — Solitary specimens are occa- 

 sionally met with on the margins of our forests early in 

 spring, and at that time are usually found alighting on 

 dry leaves, in sunny exposures, apparently for the purpose 

 of receiving warmth. In autumn they are sometimes more 

 numerous. The food of the larva I have not been able to 

 detect, nor do Say, Kirby, Boisduval and Le Conte, who 

 have described the species, afford any information on this 

 point. The four last named species of Vanessa very 

 closely resemble each other to a superficial observer, yet 

 their specific characters are clear and satisfactory to one 

 capable of making close investigation. 



No. 27. — Cynthia Atalanta — Painted Lady. — Though it 

 is said to be an introduced species, it is common in every 

 section of our Western States in which I am acquainted. 

 The larva feeds indiscriminately on all the species of the 

 nettle. 



No. 28.— C.Cardui. — This, like the preceding, is an intro- 

 duced species, which in some seasons becomes extremely 

 numerous, while in others the collector of insects will 

 hardly discover a solitary individual. All the thistle 

 family are eaten by the larva. Even the forbidding 

 Canada thistle I found, in Wisconsin, to be stripped of 

 its leaves by the larva. 



No. 29. — C. HuNTERii. — To a superficial observer this 

 and No. 28 resemble each other, but this is a native species 

 with only two eye-like spots on the under surface of the 

 hind wings. The Cardui has spots of less size on the same 



