WATER-DRINKING BUTTERFLIES. 313 



Neither are their buffetings considered by Mr. Eennie so rude 

 by half as they appear, and he urges against the probability 

 of their angry purpose the number of the insects (sometimes 

 as many as five or six) seen together in collision. Of this 

 argument, however, we scarcely see the force, unless it could 

 be proved that Butterflies, being wiser than men, never took 

 sides or part in each other's quarrels. But as no mortal con- 

 sequences have ever, as we know of, been seen to result from 

 these rencounters in the air, we must perhaps leave unanswer- 

 ed the question of their dubious meaning, that of rough play, 

 or gentle warfare, till the progress of phrenology enables us 

 to pronounce safely on the amount of combativeness in a But- 

 terfly's skull. Meanwhile, we would much rather incline to 

 the pacific notion, and in poetic justice admit our favourite, 

 (until we know to the contrary) to be 



" A beautiful creature 

 That is gentle by nature ;" 



even though by so doing we throw a double stigma, for his 

 pursuit and devourment, upon our favourite robin. 



Butterflies are said to be the thirstiest creatures (save Ants 

 and Crickets) of all the Insect community; but however they 

 may get tipsy, perhaps quarrelsome, over their cups of honeyed 

 wine, it would appear that they are the best friends possible, 

 when, as is no uncommon occurrence, they meet together in 

 numerous water-drinking assemblies. Like a row of white- 

 muslin Misses at a Temperance Tea-Meeting, the small white 



