48 PAPILIO PHILENOR. VANESSA. 



so as to form a hook. These butterflies, as their name indicates, 

 fly and seek their food only during the day ; their colours are 

 generally bright and agreeably variegated. Their caterpillars 

 always have six legs, and the chrysalid is seldom enclosed in a 

 cocoon, but is suspended by the posterior extremity of the body. 

 In this family are the butter/ties, proper ly so called,Vanessa,&z,c. 



19. As an example of the first we will mention the Papilio 

 philenor (Jig. 45), one of the most beautiful of our butterflies. 

 It is characterized by a black head, thorax and legs ; breast dotted 

 with yellow ; the superior wings are dark green, with white spots 

 on the margin ; the inferior wings highly polished green, with 

 spots of pearl-white and fulvo'us, the latter surrounded by a black 

 ring. The caterpillars of this genus are destitute of spines or 

 hairs; but when disturbed they suddenly project from the superior 

 part of the neck a soft bifid or forked appendage, which diffuses 

 a strong odour. This singular organ, although somewhat for- 

 midable in appearance, is yet perfectly harmless ; it may, however, 

 serve the purpose of repelling the enemies of the larva, rather, 

 perhaps, by the odour it emits, than by its menacing aspect. 



20. The genus Vanessa comprises several species. Their ca- 

 terpillars are armed with numerous spines (fg. 46). 



Fig. 46. VANESSA. 



21. The CREPUSCULAR LEPIUOP'TEK.E only fly in morning or 

 evening twilight. When in repose, their wings are horizontal or 

 inclined, a position which is attributable to the fact that in this 

 family the inferior wings have a stiff bristle which serves to sup- 

 port the superior. The antennoe are elongated clubs, and com- 

 monly prismatic or spindle-shaped ; sometimes they are pectinate j 

 their caterpillars always have six legs. _ 



19. How is the Papilio philenor characterized ? 



20. How arc the caterpillars of the genus Vanessa characterized ? ^ 



21. Why are the wings of Crepuscular Lepidop' terse, when in repose, non- 

 tontal or inclined "' 



