NETTLE-LEAF TENT-BUILDERS l6l 



beetle, the flower, every one sees ; how few even 

 dream of these glowing chrysalids (aurelias) which 

 hang beneath the nettle leaves or in unseen cov- 

 erts among the hop or thistle ? 



I have looked in vain among all the designs in 

 the shops for any hint of the existence of such a 

 thing as the aurelia of Archippus, comma, semi- 

 colon, Red Admiral, Hunters, White J. ; and, in- 

 deed, even if wrought to imitative perfection, how 

 few would recognize any resemblance to aught on 

 the earth or in the waters under the earth ! 



I will not attempt to describe this living gem 

 of our " comma." There are degrees in its brill- 

 iancy, an occasional specimen being almost a mass 

 of gold. Indeed, we need scarce wonder that the 

 aurelia should have proved so tempting a lure to 

 the ancient alchemists. 



Almost any group of nettles will show us our 

 "comma" caterpillar, but one of its favorite haunts 

 is the wood - nettle, a large - leaved, low variety, 

 which is to be found in moist woods and shady 

 river-banks, and will be recognized by the illustra- 

 tion on the preceding page. I have gathered 

 many of these animated tented leaves in a few 

 moments' search among the plants. 



I have said nothing of the wonderful transfor- 

 mation of the caterpillar to its chrysalis, and the 

 astonishing trick by which the latter gets out ot 

 its skin, and again catches the silken loop with its 



