\\\ iri:Kii.ii;> oi' cm, iiokma. 



rr(liinin;ir\- Aiiikuiik cmcnl . 



The nerd of ;in illustralrd work on ihc Ijuttcrllics of California, 

 prepared in popular form, has lon.u been felt by nature students and 

 teaehers throu.uhoul the state. The subject has always held wide 

 popular interest, each community having its enthusiasts. I'ro.^ress 

 in the study has been hampered by the dearth of popular literature 

 such as exists in the European countries, and the far eastern states. 

 .\ few books have been issued thai in some measure help to fill this 

 want, but for the most part they are either too technical or expensive 

 to interest the amateur, or they cover too extensive a field to be of 

 real value. 



The writer proposes in subse(iuent issues of the "Bulletin" to 

 illustrate all of the butterflies occurring in California, properly 

 grouped and named, — and to give such information concerning each 

 species as will be of greatest interest to the nature student. 



This material will be arranged in such form as that "he who runs 

 may read." Scientific verbiage will purposely be held in the back- 

 ground, — each species being entered under its common name and 

 shown in accurate colors. The illustrations for this work will be 

 executed in the three-color copper-plate process, as exemplified in 

 ♦he fronticepiece of this issue. 'The plates for this work are being 

 prepared in Los Angeles under the direction of Mr. Raymond 

 Thorpe. They represent the highest expression of this form of re- 

 productive art. Through their use it will be possible to identify any 

 specimen captured in the state at a glance. 



It is hoped that this work will stimulate the study of this most 

 fascinating branch of the natural sciences, and bring new recruits 

 into the Academy's "Outdoor Army." 



California is unusually favored as an environment for this study. 

 Within its confines are found nearly two hundred and fifty distinct 

 species of butterflies, not counting the many interesting varieties, 

 local races, and aberrations. The diversity of our cultivated flora 

 gives a footing for many introduced species. Our isolated mountain 

 ranges have developed extremely local forms. In a word, California 

 has compressed in its confines the elements of an entomological em- 

 pire, — a veritable "happy hunting ground" of the butterfly enthusiast, 

 butterfly enthusiast. 



Explanation of plate Xo. 1 : 



Fig. A. Callicore euclides, from Colombian Republic. 

 Fig. B. Papilio oedippus, from Colombia. 

 Fig. C. Catagramma denina, Colombia. 



The three upper figures illustrate some of the brilliant colors occurring in tropical 

 species of butterflies. 



Fig. 1. The Sabina Checker-spot (Melitaea sabina, Wright). Southern Arizona, male. 

 Fig. 2. Same, underside. 

 Fig. 3. Same, upper side of female. 

 Fig. 4. Malcolm's Fritillary (Argynnis malcolmi, Comstock). Mammoth region, 



California. Male. 

 Fig. 5. Same, female. 

 Fig. 6. Same, underside of male. 

 Fig. 7. The Tehachapi Fritillary (Argynnis tahachapina, Comstock). Tehachapi 



Mountains, California. Male underside. 

 Fig. S. Same, upper side. 

 Fig. 9. Same, female. 



JOHN A. COMSTOCK. 



48 



