SCALE-WINGED INSECTS 



711 



The expansion and contraction of the 

 muscles pump air into the hollow tubes 

 which form the framework of the wings ; 

 these rapidly expand to their full size, and 

 become dry and firm at the same time. 

 After this, the insect flies about with its 

 companions, pairs, lays its eggs, and then 

 dies, after enjoying its life for a period, 

 varying according to the species and 

 the season, from a few hours to several 

 months. 



We have not yet spoken of the 

 feelers, or antennae, of butterflies and 

 moths. They are two long, jointed 

 organs, nearly always knobbed at the 

 end in butterflies, or at least the 

 terminal joints are thicker than the rest. 

 But in moths the antennae are of different 

 shapes, and generally end in a point. 

 Sometimes they are simple and thread- 

 like ; sometimes they are thickest in the 

 middle, and thinner at both ends, as in 

 the Hawk-moths; and they are often 

 comb-like, especially in the males, as in 

 the Silk-moths. 



BUTTERFLIES 



As already mentioned, butterflies 

 may be distinguished from moths by 



Fhctt bj highly 



fhott bj L. H. Jtut,r\ 



CATERPILLAR OF TAWNY ADMIRAL 



Remarkable for the sharply contrasted black and pale markings 



TAWNY ADMIRAL 



A North American butterfly 



their antennae being thickened 

 at the extremities. There 

 are comparatively few species 

 in Europe only about three 

 hundred, of which between 

 sixty and seventy are met with 

 in the British Islands; but in 

 tropical countries they are much 

 more numerous and varied. 

 It is a mistake to suppose 

 that butterflies are always 

 bright-coloured insects, and 

 moths the reverse ; for though 

 many butterflies are brightly 

 coloured, others are very dingy. 

 On the other hand, although 

 it is equally true that many 

 moths are dull-coloured, others, 

 especially among those with 

 slender bodies, or those whichfly 

 by day, are quite as brilliantly 

 coloured as any butterflies. 



r r * 



