NETTLE-LEAF TENT-BUILDERS l6l 
beetle, the flower, every one sees ; how few even 
dream of these glowing chrysalids (aurelias) which 
hang beneath the nettle leaves or in unseen cov- 
erts among the hop or thistle ? 
I have looked in vain among all the designs in 
the shops for any hint of the existence of such a 
thing as the aurelia of Archippus, comma, semi- 
colon, Red Admiral, Hunters, White J.; and, in- 
deed, even if wrought to imitative perfection, how 
few would recognize any resemblance to aught on 
the earth or in the waters under the earth ! 
I will not attempt to describe this living gem 
of our " comma." There are degrees in its brill- 
iancy, an occasional specimen being almost a mass 
of gold. Indeed, we need scarce wonder that the 
aurelia should have proved so tempting a lure to 
the ancient alchemists. 
Almost any group of nettles will show us our 
"comma" caterpillar, but one of its favorite haunts 
is the wood - nettle, a large - leaved, low variety, 
which is to be found in moist woods and shady 
river-banks, and will be recognized by the illustra- 
tion on the preceding page. I have gathered 
many of these animated tented leaves in a few 
moments' search among the plants. 
I have said nothing of the wonderful transfor- 
mation of the caterpillar to its chrysalis, and the 
astonishing trick by which the latter gets out of 
its skin, and again catches the silken loop with its 
