BUTTERFLIES 91 



veloped, the antennae are dilated towards the tip to 

 form a gradual or abrupt club, while the hind-wing 

 is without a frenulum. With the exception of the 

 " skippers," which stand somewhat apart from the 

 other families, butterflies form a compact and isolated 

 group. We must not infer, however, that this group is 

 equal in systematic importance to the whole of the 

 moths. On the contrary, we should regard it as an 

 offshoot from one of the main branches of the genea- 

 logical tree of Lepidoptera. Butterflies are more 

 nearly related to the higher moths than these are to 

 the lower. 



So many books about British butterflies are avail- 

 able, that our present purpose will be amply served by 

 a brief outline of the peculiarities which characterize 

 the several families. 



The skippers l are thick-set insects that fly rapidly, 

 and rest with their wings spread out. In both sexes 

 all the six legs are fully developed, and serviceable for 

 walking. The larvae are somewhat spindle-shaped, 

 with few hairs. When full grown, they spin slight 

 cocoons among leaves, except in the case of the 

 chequered skipper, 2 whose pupa is attached by the 

 tail, and supported by a belt of silk. 



The males of all blues, hairstreaks, and coppers, 3 

 have the tarsi of the fore-legs more or less shortened, 

 or with one or both the claws absent ; while in both 

 sexes the neuration of the wings differs in the direc- 

 tion of greater specialization from that of the skip- 

 pers. The larvae are very characteristic in form, being 

 somewhat like wood-lice in appearance. The pupa is 

 clothed with short hairs or bristles, and is generally 

 fixed by the tail and belted, but may be unattached, 

 or even buried in the ground. 



1 Hesperides. 2 Cyclop&despalamon. 3 Lyccenida. 



