Butterflies and Moths as Botanists. 131 
ment is in the genus Papilio which is so variable that the entomologist groups 
together a number of forms to make up the species. Sometimes as many as a 
dozen have been named as distinct which have now been brought together. One 
of them, P. Anchisiades is fairly common here and feeds on the orange, lime and 
lemon, in which we can hardly find two exactly alike, even when they come from 
one set of eggs. Several other Papilios confine themselves to the genus Citrus, 
which they appear to recognise as easily as the botanist. The genus Aristolochia 
is as well known to another set that are called the Aristolochia Papilios. Our 
representative is P. polydamus, with which I am quite familiar, as I have plants 
of Aristolochia picta in my garden and because the plant is there I can nearly 
always find specimens in all stages. The female can be seen on the look-out for 
a suitable spot on which to lay her eggs ; she hovers about from one plant to 
another evidently searching for the best location which may not be actually on 
the plant but always very close toit. When the larve have attained their full 
_size they go wandering in search of a place where, under cover, they may safely 
pass through the pupa stage ; if this is among foliage the pupa case is green, 
but when on bark or the painted doorway it is a ruddy brown to harmonise 
with 1 s upport. 
The white cabbage butterfly of Europe is represented here by Pontia monuste. 
The proper food plants of this genus are members of the order Cruciferw, 
such as cabbage, turnip, mustard, rape, etc., but as there are no native plants of 
this order our white butterfly has taken the nearest ally the caper family, Cap- 
paridacewe and feeds upon Cleome, a flowering plant common in our gardens. It 
is interesting to note, however, that I have found the larva upon some mustard 
plants which came up in a garden ; this goes to prove that it would take to the 
food of the genus if it were present. 
One of our commonest butterflies is the Danaus (Anosia) plexippus, the food- 
plant of which here is Asclepias curassavica, milkweed or wild ipecacuanha. 
It is found all over America from Canada to the Argentine always feeding upon 
some species of Asclepias, a decidedly noxious if not poisonous genus to us. 
Where you find plants of this genus there the butterfly will be found, but nothing 
else will suit its taste. 
The common yellow (Callidryas eubule) confines itself to Cassia ; like the 
Anosia it is found all over America. It is notable for its extensive flights ; for 
hours they have been seen passing the Demerara river going east, probably 
billions in number and all males. Whence they come and where they go is a 
mystery. Their food plants are common everywhere and there does not appear 
to be any scarcity of females. 
The passion-flower family is well-known to several butterflies. Some of 
the species such as Passiflora fetida might be thought almost immune fiom their 
hairiness and evil smell. But it is quite evident that the butterflies are not 
entirely kept off by these qualities for they will feed on any species as long as it is 
a Passiflora. We have found two species of Agraulis, a Heliconius, and the 
beautiful green and black Mctamorpho dido on this genus. The papaw is 
generally classed in this order and that is the food plant of Gynacia dirce and 
