LEPIDOPTERA : HESPERID^. 39 1 



The Genus Lycana contains the Azure Butterflies, 

 small and delicate species, which expand about an inch, 

 and which are generally of some shade of blue or brown 

 above, and grayish dotted with black below. 



The Genus Thecla has generally two thread-like tails 

 on each hind wing. In some cases the hind wings are 

 merely notched. The species expand over an inch. 



HESPERID.E, Latr. y OR SKIPPER FAMILY. This Fam- 

 ily comprises butterflies which have the body short and 

 thick, head large, eyes prominent, anten- Fig. 287. 



nae short, with the knob curved like a 

 hook or bent to one side, legs six, and 

 the four hindmost shanks armed with 

 two pairs of spurs. Skippers fly with a 



jerking motion, and hence their name. skipper, 

 They are generally of a rich brown, marked with yellow 

 spots. The species are quite numerous, and expand from 

 one inch and a half to two inches and a half. 



SPHINGID.E, Latr., OR HAWK-MOTH FAMILY. This 

 Family comprises very large lepidoptera which have the 

 antennas thickened in the middle and more or less taper- 

 ing at each end, and generally hooked at the tip. The 

 wings are narrow in proportion to their length, and fas- 

 tened together by a bunch of stiff hairs situated on the 

 shoulder of -each hind wing, which connect with a hook 

 on the under side of each fore wing ; and when at rest, 

 the wings are more or less inclined like a roof. They fly 

 with great power and rapidity, and, with some exceptions, 

 frequent flowers in the morning and evening twilight, and 

 are easily mistaken for humming-birds. The caterpillars 

 are remarkable for their great size, general appearance, 

 and curious attitudes. Supporting themselves on their 

 hind legs, they elevate the forward part of the body, and 

 remain for hours in this sphinx-like position, as in Fig. 288. 

 They have sixteen legs, in pairs beneath the first, second, 



