638 



THE LEPIDOPTERA. 



complicated to be here described, but may be found in mauy works 

 which have been written upon the Hive Bee. 



For want of space we are compelled to pass by many interesting 

 Hymenoptera, such as the Leaf-cutter Bees, the Wood-borers, and the 

 ]\I;\son Bees, each of which creatures would demand more space than 

 can be given to the whole of the insects. 



LEPIDOPTERA, 



We now come to an order in w^hich are included the most beautiful 

 of all insects — namely, the Butterflies and Moths. On account of the 

 feather-like scales with which their wings are covered, and to which the 

 exquisite coloring is due, they are technically called Lepidoptera, or 

 Scale-winged Insects. 



The wings are four in number, and it is occasionally found that the 

 two pairs are connected togethe^^by a strong bristle in one and a hook- 

 like appendage in the other, so that the two wings of each side practi- 



The Swallow-tailed Butterfly [Papilio machaon). 



cally become one member, in a manner similar to the formation of many 

 hymenopterous insects. Those species which take any nourishment 

 subsist entirely upon liquid food, which is drawn into the system by 

 suction, and not by means of a brush, as is the case with the liquid- 

 feeding beetles and bees. The wings are strengthened by nervures, which 

 are of great use in determining the position of the insects. 



The scales with which the membranous wings are at once protected 



