THE BUTTERFLY. 37 



1. The species of the flowers on which you find them 

 feeding. 



2. The manner of their feeding: whether they, like 

 humming birds, obtain their food while on the wing. 



3. The kind of food: it is the nectar of the flowers, 

 the raw material for honey. To prove its presence in the 

 flowers, pluck a few corollas from a head of red clover, 

 and press their bases between your lips : you will taste 

 the sweet nectar. 



4. The organ used in obtaining this food : its position 

 when in use and when not in use ; its shape; its length. 



5. The natural enemies of the butterfly; to what dan- 

 gers its life is commonly exposed. 



6. Its animal associates; with what other animals it 

 shares its food. 



When you get home, liberate a live butterfly before a 

 closed window, and study its motions. 



Observe: 1. The position of its wings when at rest. 



2. The unity of their action when in motion. 



3. Its irregular flight. 



4. Its jerky walk. 



5. The number of its feet; the number moved at a time 

 while walking. 



Take time to admire the beauty and harmony of its 

 form and coloration, the alertness of its posture, and the 

 exquisite velvet of its wings. 



It is at once apparent that in its activities and capacities 

 the butterfly far surpasses amoeba, sponge, and hydra. The 

 first few steps up the grade of animal life we took in their 

 proper order; but now, for the sake of convenience, we 



dition. Some have their wings rubbed and torn. Place such in the bas- 

 ket, and take them home for further study alive. Put the best in the 

 cyanide bottle. It is well to have two cyanide bottles, one to kill and 

 one to carry specimens in, for the fluttering of live specimens put into 

 the bottle may rub and mar the beauty of former captives which have not 

 been removed. See note on mounting insects, in Appendix, p. 283. 



