2 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



the feathers of birds ; it is these small scales, which by 

 their varied and gay colouring furnish all that wonder- 

 ful variety of tints we observe on the wings of many 

 butterflies and moths. If the scales be carefully 



Fig. 2. Plumule-scales of Butterflies. 1, Pierix napi; 2, Aporia 

 crataegi ; 3, Anthocharis cardamines ; 4, Polyommatus Cory d on ; 5, P. 

 JEgon ; 6, P. argiolus ; 7, Erebia Blandina; 8, Argynnis Aglaia; 

 9, Lasiommata Megara. 



removed, there remains simply the colourless and 

 transparent membrane of the wing on which they were 

 implanted. 



Butterflies and moths feed on the honey they find in 

 flowers, which they obtain by extending a long spiral 



