(1) Basilarchia astyanax (Fabricius), Plate XLIV, 9 (The 

 Red-spotted Purple). 



Our figure gives a good idea of the upper side of the wings. 

 On the lower side the wings are brown, banded with black on 

 the margins, the inner row of marginal spots being red, with 

 two red spots at the base of the fore wings, and four such spots 

 at the base of the hind wings. Palpi white below; a white 

 stripe along the sides of the abdomen. Expanse 3.00-3.25 

 inches. The egg and caterpillar are shown on Plate C. The 

 caterpillar is found on a variety of plants, but most commonly 

 on lindens, willows, and wild cherry trees. 



Found all over the United States and Canada, as far west 

 as the Rocky Mountains, but not in the very hot lowlands of 

 the Gulf region. Is said to occur on the uplands of Mexico. 



Between B. astyanax and the following species, B. arthemis, 

 there is more or less affinity. They represent two lines of evo- 

 lution from a common ancestry, and there are evidences cf 

 atavic reversion to type constantly occurring in both forms. 

 They even occasionally interbreed with each other, and hy- 

 brids are not altogether uncommon. The whole genus in fact 

 is in a more or less plastic state, and well deserves the careful 

 attention of biologists. 



Ill 



PL. XLIV 



