574 



ARTICULATA 



lluiv tlio J'aiiit,,/ Lmli/: the Oolden C. Butterfly, V. C. aureum, marked behind tlie wings 

 with a ijoldiii (': and many otliors. 



TIh- JiKUKNiCE, JJamtus Bcrcnicr, has (hirk red winprs, with black rims and a black border, 

 with two roNNs .if white spots. It feeds <>ii the poisonous leaves of the different kinds of milk- 



WlHMl. 



The Idalia, Arinpinis Idalla, has the fore-wings red, with black marks, and the hind-wings 

 Miiish-black on the upper sides; tiic under sides of all the wings are covered with silvery spots. 



or I he snuiller butterliies, some of which are beautifully colored, there are almost innumer- 

 able species. Among theni is the Little Yellow Buttehfly, Colias Fhilodice, which we often 

 see in the late summer and early autumn months flying over the meadows, and gathering in 

 lloeks in wet places in the highways. There are several species of Colias, all of which arc more 

 or less of a bright yellow color. 



THE IIETEROCEEA. 



Tills term is from the Greek heteros, various, and kcras, a horn, and refers to the diversified 

 forms of the antennaj of the species of this extensive and interesting group. They are called 

 Moths, and are mostly either crepuscular or nocturnal in their habits, though many fly by day. 

 Thcv include numerous tribes, some of which we shall briefly notice. 



THE DEATH S-HEAD MOTH. 



THE SPHINGINA. 



Of this tribe there are many species : they liave the antenn.ie thickened in the middle or to- 

 ward the end, but terminate in an acute point. They are generally prismatic in their form ; the 

 wings are long and narrow, but firm, and adapted for powerful flight ; the trunk is almost always 

 well developed, sometimes longer than the body. The name of Sphinx, applied to the typical 

 genus of these insects, is derived from the habit of the larvjB of sitting with the head and fore- 

 part of the body raised in an attitude which, to a fanciful imagination, bears some resemblance 

 to the Sphinx of the ancients. Most of these insects fly in the twilight ; but some are to be found 

 hovering over flowers in the brightest sunshine, extracting the nectar by means of their long trunks, 

 lliey are generally of considerable size; the most remarkable species is the Death's-Head Moth, 

 Acherontia Atropos, a large kind, variegated with dark brown and yellow, bearing upon the back 

 of the thorax a deep orange mark, presenting no inconsiderable resemblance to the front of a hu- 

 man skull. Hence this insect has been regarded as ominous of pestilence — a feeling probably 

 not diminished by its power of emitting a plaintive squeak when disturbed. The larva is very 

 partial to the potato-plant, and the pupfe are often turned up in digging potato-grounds. The 

 moth, which has a very short trunk, is a great enemy to bees, invading their hive and feeding 

 upon their honey. It is supposed to frighten the bees by the squeaking noise above referred to, 



