570 



ARTICULATA. 





This term is derived from the Greek Icjns, a scale, and ptera, wings, and refers to the scales on 

 the winjrs of moths and butterflies, these insects constitutinir the order. These must be ranked 

 among the most elegant of the denizens of the air. The delicacy of the forms of many species, 

 the charming contrast of color often exhibited in their wings, and the gem-like brilliancy of 

 others, must always render tliem most attractive objects. " Moths and Butterflies," says Professor 

 Jaeger, " in comparison with the other orders of insects, are well entitled to tbe rank of nobility, 

 for among them we find no impudent beggars an3 spongers, as among the flies ; no parasites as 

 in some of the wingless insects ; no working class, as among the hymenopterous insects — bees, 

 wasps, and gall-flies ; no musicians, as among the family of crickets, grasshoppers, katydids, and 

 cicades ; but all of these are aristocratic idlers, who, dressed with silver, and gold, and purple, 

 and ornamented with ever-varying splendor, have naught to do but to seek their own pleasure, 

 and charm away their brief existence, fluttering from bough, to bough, and satiating themselves 

 with the sweet nectar of flowers." 



The structure of the mouth is almost suflBcient to distinguish a lepidopterous insect from one 

 belonging to any other order. The suctorial organ consists of a spirally-rolled trunk attached to 

 the lower part of the front of the head, and reposing, when coiled up, between the hairy palpi. 



The wings are four in number, membraneous, generally flat, furnished with branching nervures. 

 They are usually covered with minute scales, popularly caMod feathers, which are, in reality, only a 

 peculiar form of the hairs with whicb the wings of most insects are furnished. They are set 

 very close together, usually more or less flattened, and laid over one another in the manner of tiles 

 upon the roof of a house. Their form varies greatly in diflFerent species, and even on diff"erent 

 parts of the wings of the same species. It is entirely to these scales that the beautiful colors of 



