HOW TO KNOW THE BUTTERFLIES 



small, yellow butterflies which flitted about the 

 open grassy patches in a lazy manner as if 

 fatigued with their long journey over the deep." 

 It is to be feared that the little voyagers found 

 them inhospitable islands, for there is no record 

 that this species flourishes there to any great 

 extent. 



The little sulphur is a social midget and makes 

 glad the open grass places with its numerous 

 Sittings, or gathers in bright patches in large 

 family reunions around the festal mud-puddle ; 

 if such a gathering be observed in the South there 

 may be found in it many of the pale wives ; for 

 this species, like the roadside butterfly, has some 

 white females. The caterpillar hides itself cun- 

 ningly on the cassia leaf by stretching itself along 

 a midrib when it is not eating, and in this posi- 

 tion, because of its form and color, it is prac- 

 tically invisible. But if roughly disturbed it 

 swings off on a thread of silk, a performance 

 quite unusual for a butterfly caterpillar. The 

 species is at least three-brooded in its southern 

 range. 



Thy citron-yellow wings are bright, 

 And soft the rosy fringe they wear, 



And rays of gloom and silver bright 

 Adorn thee, blossom of the air ! 

 IOO 



