THE HESPERIANS. 313 



mine and characterize them. In the distribution of the 

 Hesperians, by far the largest portion of the family or group 

 seems to have been assigned to the Western Continent ; and 

 it is probable that New England, or perhaps Massachusetts 

 alone, contains a larger number of species than the whole of 

 Europe. The insects of this group recede in many striking 

 characters, and in their general habits, from the true butter- 

 flies, and seem to form the connecting link between the latter 

 and the sphinges or hawk-moths. Those belonging to the 

 genus Hesperia delight in cool and shady places, and most 

 commonly appear on the wing towards the evening, which 

 led Fabricius to give them a generic name indicative of this 

 circumstance. Their antennae are considerably shorter than 

 in those included in Thanaos and Eudamus, and the knob at 

 the end, which is thick and oblong oval, terminates suddenly 

 in a little point directed to one side. The upper wings are 

 raised and the lower are expanded when at rest ; and the 

 fringes are not spotted. The body is thick, and about as long 

 as the hind wings. Most of the males are distinguished by 

 an oblique black dash near the middle of the fore wings. 

 The caterpillar lives chiefly on low herbaceous plants. The 

 chrysalis (Fig. 136) is described as being conical, 

 with a pointed head, and a long tongue-case, Fie< 136 - 

 folded on the breast, but not confined at the point. 

 The transformation takes place in a slight cocoon 

 of stubble or grass, connected by a few threads 

 within. These skippers frequent meadows, and 

 other grassy and somewhat shady places, during 

 the middle and latter part of summer. They are 

 of smaller size than the preceding Hesperians, and are much 

 more common and abundant. Their flight, though short 

 and intermitting, is exceedingly swift, and they possess a 

 great deal of muscular strength. 



Hesperia Hobomok. Hobomok Skipper. (Fig. 137.) 



Dark brown above ; on each of the wings a large tawny- 

 40 



