HOW TO KNOW THE BUTTERFLIES 



will let us into the storehouses of knowledge ac- 

 cumulated by our predecessors. 



The determining of the name of a butterfly 

 may teach us much about the insect if it be done 

 in the better way ; for there are two ways in 

 which the names of the species described here can 

 be determined. The student may learn the name 

 by comparing a specimen with the pictures. 

 This is probably the way in which many who use 

 the book will begin ; and some will not be able 

 to devote the time to this subject necessary to 

 study it in a more serious manner. 



But there is another way of classifying our 

 specimens, one by means of which we may learn 

 something of the relation of the various kinds to 

 each other, and of their distinguishing: character- 

 istics, that is, by the use of the analytical tables, 

 which are given throughout the book. The stu- 

 dent is advised, even when he knows the name of 

 a species, to make use of the tables for the sake 

 of learning the distinctive characteristics pointed 

 out in them. 



After a species has been properly classified, 

 we are ready to begin the study of its life. This 

 will be found to be the most fascinating part of 

 the study ; for it includes the watching of the 

 ways of the butterflies in the field, the observing 



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