. Systematic Course. 47 
these insects by the possession of numerous ocelli situated on the lower 
part of the head and by the nature of the fleshy prolegs, which are not 
more than ten in number and are never to be found upon either of the 
two basal segments of the abdomen. 
The caterpillar moults its skin several times in the course of its 
growth, and on the last moult emerges as a pupa (chrysalis), from which 
the butterfly or moth, as the case may be, afterwards issues. When full 
fed the caterpillar usually spins itself up into a silken cocoon, or hides 
under ground or in some sheltered corner, where it remains during the 
helpless pupal stage. Both butterflies and moths are exceedingly nu- 
merous, and it will only be necessary for the students to notice a few of 
the more important groups, 
The following may be taken asa convenient classification :— 
I. Ruorvatocera (Butterflies) —Antenne knobbed. Front wing not 
attached to hind wing— 
(2) Suspensi,—Chrysalis naked and suspended. 
Fi.g., Nymphalidae, 
(2) Succincti.—Chrysalis girt with a silken cord. 
Eg., Papilionide and Lycenide. 
(c) Involuti.—Chrysalis rolled in a Jeaf or other covering. 
E.g., Hesperide. 
Il. Hurzrocera (Moths).— Antenne not knobbed. Forewing usually 
attached to hind wing.? 
(2) Bombyces.—Thick-set| moths of considerable size, with pec- 
tinated antenne. 
£.g., Vasiocampide group, Psychide group, Hepialide 
group, and Bombycide group. 
(2) Noctues,—Thick-set moths of considerable siez, with filiform 
antenne, 
(c) Geometres.—Slender moths often of considerable size with 
more or less pectinated antenne. 
(2) Microlepidoptera,x—Minute moths, very various both in 
structure and in habit. 
Nymphalide.—This family of butterflies may be recognised by their 
feeble forelegs, which are very imperfectly developed in both sexes and 
are not used in walking. The students should be able to recognise 
the following forms in the School Museum :—(1) The common black 
and white Danaids, which are not eaten by birds on account of their 
offensive flavour. They are mimicked in the most wonderful manner 
' The School Museum possesses a specimen prepared by Mr. Clifford to enable the 
students to see the method of attachment of the wings to each other. Sketches should 
also be made by the students of the various forms of antennae. 
