THE MONARCH OR MILKWEED BUTTERFLY. 



(Anosia plexippus.} 



This beautiful butterfly takes one of soon breaks, releasing the full grown 



its names from the Milkweed (Ascle- butterfly. There are four stages in the 



pias), a genus of common, yet attract- development of the butterfly; first, the 



ively flowered plant upon the leaves of egg, which is laid on the leaf of the Milk- 



which its larvae feeds. It is one of our weed; second, the larva, which feeds 



most common butterflies, is quite hardy upon the leaves of the plant ; third, the 



and probably produces several broods resting period in the chrysalis, where the 



each season. larva is changed into the adult butterfly, 



It is generally believed that this species and fourth, the adult stage, which may be 



is migratory ; in the fall traveling south- either male or female. With the excep- 



ward in swarms, and returning in the tion of the first stage, all are illustrated 



spring, it lays its eggs on the leaves of on our colored plate, 

 the various species of Milkweeds. These Dr. W. J. Holland says in his popular 



eggs soon hatch tiny larvae, or cater- work on butterflies of North America: 



pillars, which begin to eat at once and "This butterfly is a great migrant, and 



grow rapidly. During the period of its within quite recent years, with Yankee 



existence as a larva, which is about ten instinct, has crossed the Pacific, probably 



days, it remains contentedly on the same on merchant vessels, the chrysalis being 



plant, only moving in order to obtain a possibly concealed in bales of hay, and 



new supply of food, or to seek shelter has found lodgement in Australia, where 



from storms or the burning rays of a it has greatly multiplied in the warmer 



hot sun. While in the larval form, it parts of the island Continent, and has 



moults or sheds its skin five times. After thence spread northward and westward, 



the fifth moulting it becomes more rest- until in its migrations it has reached 



less and moves up and down the stem of Java and Sumatra, and long ago took 



the plant, or may even leave it, going possession of the Philippines." It has 



to some other plant or object, such as a also appeared in England and is common 



fence. Very soon it attaches itself with on the Cape Verde islands. In fact, this 



a sticky substance, and forms a beautiful butterfly is destined to become established 



chrysalis which resembles clear green in all countries where the Milkweed 



china, ornamented with gold spots. The plants are found, and it will be in truth 



chrysalis hangs for about twelve days, the Monarch of the butterfly world, 

 when it changes to a darker color and Mary E. Murphy. 



ONLY A SONG. 



Out in the apple tree, swinging and singing, 



Swinging and singing its heart's jubilee, 

 Sits a gray catbird in modesty clinging 



Deep in the foliage where no eye can see. 



List to his roundelay, rippling and ringing, 

 Hour after hour, the green branches through. 



Showers of song o'er* sad hearts thus he's flinging, 

 Cheering and healing while hidden from view. 



— Cora Mae Cratty 



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