LEPWOPTERA. 219 



ural size), its hairs are so short it appears to be 

 naked. The chrysahs (Fig. 174, natural size) is at- 

 tached in much the same way as the chrysaHds of the 

 last family, with the exception that the silken threaa 

 around the middle of the body is drawn ________ 



much more tightly. This butterfly win- 

 ters in both the caterpillar and chrysa- 

 lis state. Several broods are hatched 

 during the summer, and the spring butterflies are more 

 brightly colored than the later broods. The genus 

 Thecla belongs in this family. Its larvae are slug-like, 

 having very small thoracic feet, see pp. 183, 202. 



NYMPHALID.^. 



Our typical form, Danais Archippics, is included in 

 this family. 



Vanessa Afitiopa, or the ''mourning cloak," is an- 

 other common species. The lar\^ae live together in 

 large numbers, and can be obtained from the willow 

 and poplar in June and also in August. They are satis- 

 factory specimens for the schoolroom. The contrac- 

 tion of the body of the caterpillar, the hardening of 

 the skin to form the chrysalis, and the final transfor- 

 mation after eleven or twelve days of pupal life can 

 all be observed by the young. 



The family Nymphalidae offers a greater variety of 

 structure than the other three families, and the largest 

 number of cases of protective coloring and mimicry. 

 One of the best examples of mimicry is that of Basil- 

 archia Disippus (^Limenitis) , imitating the colors of 

 Danais Archippus. The disagreeable odor and taste 



