INTRODUCTION. 51 



the (lay, to which the present notice must be re- 

 stricted, are the kinds which are known in this coun- 

 try by the name of Butterfly. This term is a lite- 

 ral translation of the Saxon word Buttor-Jleoze, and 

 is supposed to be applied because the insects first 

 become prevalent in the beginning of the season for 

 butter. They ai'e distinguished from the o^her scaly- 

 winged kinds, by possessing antennae with a knob or 

 club at the summit, * and holding their wings, when 

 in a state of repose, erect or very slightly inclined. 

 They are the most generally and familiarly known 

 of our insect tribes, and, by their conspicuous ap- 

 pearance, seldom fail to attract the notice even of 

 those whose perceptions are least alive to the beauty 

 of natural objects. The graceful curves of their out- 

 line — their gay and fitful flight — the splendour of 

 their colouring and decorations, which present every 

 variety of tint found in the different kingdoms of 

 nature, distributed in markings and delineations of 

 the most beautiful and diversified character, seem to 

 confer on them a kind of superiority over other insects. 

 Some naturalists have accordingly considered them 

 as entitled to stand at the head of the Insect Class ; 

 and if, as Mr Kirby remarks, beauty, and grace, 

 and gaiety, and splendour of colours were the gTeat 

 requisite, and the law enjoined Detur pulchriori — 



* Certain foreign genera, however, such as Morpho and 

 Urania, form an exception to this rule, as they have an- 

 tennae either of equal thickness throughout, or tapering 

 slightly to the summit. 



