CHAPTER IX. 



THE COLORING OF BUTTERFLIES, WITH FURTHER HISTORIES. 



IN discussing the subject of coloring in butter- 

 flies, I do not intend to present it from the poet's 

 point of view, seductive as this might be, but to 

 excite interest and quicken imagination in a more 

 prosaic way ; namely, by pointing out some of 

 the laws which govern this coloring, and some of 

 the lines by which the present tribes have at- 

 tained their gorgeous hues and exquisite design ; 

 in short, to present, through the medium of ob- 

 servation and fact, some cause for this rich dis- 

 play and variety. 



For myself, I confess that such a discussion 

 possesses a greater charm than any poetic rhap- 

 sody, however exquisitely framed, which merely 

 recounts the wondrous beauty of these delicate 

 creatures. If, beneath this display, we can dis- 

 cover Almighty wisdom, ordaining and harmoniz- 

 ing color and design, and can appreciate in some 

 measure the adaptation of this embellishment to 

 the creature's environment, our time will not be 

 misspent. 



