n8 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



And taking a preparation on a glass he placed it 

 under the microscope. 



" What ! these wonderful petals, these delicate 

 flowers, they are only the feathers of the butterfly ? 

 You would never have supposed it." 



Then, noticing that his cousin was admiringly con- 

 templating this iridescent display, where all colours, 

 from the delicate tints of the pearl to the fervid 



PEACOCK BUTTJiEFLY. 



brilliancy of the ruby, were represented, L^on added : 

 "It is a great pity that these beautiful creatures 

 should be so injurious. There is scarcely a plant that 

 is not subject to the depredations of one or more 

 species, from the humble and prosaic cabbage, whose 

 leaves are consumed to the very ribs by the white 

 butterfly or Pieris, to the oak, whose leaves serve as the 

 nourishment of several species. The vegetable world 



