THE NATURALIST. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BUTTERFLIES. 



The primary division, or order, of the class of insects, acquires its name, like all the 

 other Linnean orders, from the characters presented by the wings. These members 

 have their entire surface covered with a thick coating of minute imbricated scales, 

 which has caused the insects to be designated by the name Lepidoptera. This clothing, 

 however, is not universal in the group, as there are several genera partially denuded of 

 scales, and others in which the wings are clear and transparent, without any traces of 

 them. But these occasional deviations from the prevailing structure indicate no essen- 

 tial disagreement, nor do they disturb the regularity of the order, which is perhaps the 

 most natural and best defined of the whole. 



The species which it includes are popularly known as Butterflies, Hawk-moths, and 

 Moths ; terms which nearly correspond to the genera Papilio, Sphinx, and Phalaena, 

 founded on the seasons of flight, Diurnal, Crepuscular, and Nocturnal. Many of these 

 are among our most common insects ; and the curious economy of some, and the re- 

 markable beauty of others, have long attracted the notice of observers ; while their 

 varied forms and gorgeous coloring have afforded subjects of the highest interest to the 

 lovers of the pictorial art. Their amount is so considerable, that the Lepidepterous 

 order ranks among the most extensive with which we are acquainted. There is reason 

 to believe, that it is surpassed only by the Coleoptera or Beetles. 



The Diurnal Lepidoptera, or such as fly during the day, are the kinds known by the 

 name Butterfly. This term is a literal translation of the Saxon word Butter-fleoza, and 

 is supposed to be applied because the insects first become prevalent in the beginning of 

 the season for butter. They are distinguished from the other scaly-winged kinds, by 

 possessing antennse with a knob or club at the summit, and holding their wings, when 

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



Their wings are augmented to a size that seems quite disproportionate to that of the 

 body, as if nature had wished to enlarge the surface on which she was to employ her 

 pencil, that it might admit of more varied and profuse decoration. Even the under face 

 of the wings, contrary to what is observed in other flying animals, is usually as much 

 adorned as the surface, and often in an entirely different manner. Each wing, there- 

 fore, presents what may be called two different pictures. 



The habits of these insects are well fitted to confirm the preference we assign to their 

 beauty. Butterflies derive their sustenance from the nectareous juices and secretion of 



