BROODS AND HIBERNATION 



18.3 



In view of all this evidence it seems safe to conclude that 

 in the region nnder consideration a single brood is the rule 

 rather than the exception. This involves the conclusion that 

 the butterflies seen upon the wing early in autumn are the 

 same ones that developed in July, and that these same but- 

 terflies remain alive through the winter and until, in the 

 folloAving May, they lay their eggs. Thus there is a period 

 of ten months of existence in the butterfly state, an extraordi- 

 nary length of time for a butterfly to live. 



To a large extent the butterflies disappear in August, and 

 the question arises as to what becomes of them. Our observa- 

 tions lead to the conclusion that they go into summer quar- 



ters similar to those 



which they seek out for 

 winter shelter. Appar- 

 ently they fly about for a 

 few days after coming 

 from the chrysalis and 

 then retire to cool woods,, 

 where under the side of a 

 log or beneath the loose 

 bark of a deacl tree thev 

 settle down and to all ap- 

 pearances go to sleep. 

 The instinct to remain 

 quiet is very strong in 

 these butterflies. In mak- 

 ing the photographs ,t^iat ilhistrate this biilletin I found that 

 even shortly after coming Jromr the chrysalis the Iputterfiies 

 when disturbed would fold their wings with the antennge be- 

 tween,them, and drawing, the. legs against the body, would lie 

 quietly on their sides iff Or a long. time;, the position thus 

 assumed' by the living' butterfly is, spaown in I'ig. 48., These 

 -s'anle butterflies . would also hang downward from: 'a .limb by 

 the hour in tho hibernating position as shown in Fig. 49, 



In the cooler weather of early autumn the butterflies come 

 from their summer retreats and fly about in the sunshine. 



Fig. 48. 



Butterflv "playing 'possum' 



