THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. | io 
ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. 
WIECABBAGEH BULLTERELILES: 
BY THE EDITOR. 
In pursuance of our plan of laying before our readers, from time to 
time, illustrated descriptions of the common insects of this country, we 
propose to begin in this number of our journal some account of the 
Butterflies belonging to the genus Pzeris—familiarly known in their larval 
state as “‘Cabbage-Worms.” As stated by our coadjutor, Mr. Saunders, 
in the first paper of this series (C. E., v., page 4), we do not profess to 
bring out any new facts or information of interest and value to the 
experienced Entomologist, but we wish to afford to our less scientific 
readers plain descriptions, with illustrations, of our more common insects, 
in order that any one beginning to collect and observe may be able to 
identify and learn something about what he meets with. Such being our 
object, we shall not hesitate to make use of all available information, 
whether derived from our own or extraneous sources, and shall not pretend 
to be especially original in our descriptions or remarks. 
The genus /veris is represented in Canada by but three species 
( Oleracea, Rape and Protodice), all of them white butterflies of moderate 
size, with more or less conspicuous black markings. The first-mentioned 
species, the Pot-herb Butterfly (P. O/eracea, Harris), is our native repre- 
sentative of the genus, being found all over the northern portion of this 
continent, from Nova Scotia and Maine in the East to the District of 
Algoma and even Manitoba in the North-West. It has been occasionally 
observed south of Lake Ontario, but very rarely as low down as Pennsyl- 
vania ; at Ottawa, Collingwood, and other northern localities in Ontario, 
it is generally quite abundant every year, but it is seldom observed in any 
great numbers at Toronto or other places in the same latitude. When 
prevalent, it is usually to be seen on the wing from May to Peptom 
there being at least two broods in the year. 
The Oleracea Butterfly (Fig. 7), may be at once distinguished from all 
other Canadian species by its almost pure white wings, destitute of spots 
or other markings on the upper surface ; towards the tip and also next the 
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