SCALE-WINGED INSECTS 313 
The expansion and contraction of the 
muscles pump air into the hollow tubes 
which form the framework of the wings; 
these rapidly expand to their full size, and 
become dry and firm at the same time. 
After this, the insect flies about with its 
companions, pairs, lays its eggs, and then 
dies, after enjoying its life for a period, 
varying according to the species and 
the season, from a few hours to several 
months. 
We have not yet spoken of the 
feelers, or antennz, of butterflies and 
moths. They are two long, jointed 
organs, nearly always knobbed at the 
end in butterflies, or at least the 
terminal joints are thicker than the rest. 
But in moths the antenne are of different 
shapes, and generally end in a point. 
Sometimes they are simple and thread- 
like ; sometimes they are thickest in the 
middle, and thinner at both ends, as in 
the Hawk-moths; and they are often 
comb-like, especially in the males, as in 
the Silk-moths. 
Photo by Highley 
BUTTERFLIES TAWNY ADMIRAL 
As already mentioned, butterflies GE See eet ET) 
may be distinguished from moths by 
their antenne being thickened 
at the extremities. There 
are comparatively few species 
in Europe — only about three 
hundred, of which between 
sixty and seventy are met with 
in the British Islands; but in 
tropical countries they aremuch 
more numerous and_ varied. 
It is a mistake to suppose 
that butterflies are always 
bright-coloured insects, and 
moths the reverse; for though 
many butterflies are brightly 
coloured, others are very dingy. 
On the other hand, although 
it is equally true that many 
moths are dull-coloured, others, 
especially among those with 
slender bodies, or those which fly 
CATERPILLAR OF TAWNY ADMIRAL by day, are quite as brilliantly 
Photo by L. H. Foutel] [New York 
Remarkabie for the sharply contrasted black and pale markings coloured as any butterflies. 
