THE NYMPHS 



The caterpillar is well disposed toward its 

 fellows, though not gregarious ; if you find one 

 feeding on a leaf you are likely to find others in 

 the neighborhood. It has a comical way of rest- 

 ing after eating its fill ; it lifts its head and dis- 

 dainfully turns it away, as if to say, " Please ex- 

 cuse me from any more of that." The chrysalis is 

 suspended near the feeding-place and looks like 

 a bit of dried and broken leaf. It is said that 

 Fabricius thought this chrysalis looked like an 

 interrogation-mark and so gave the name ; this 

 seems rather far-fetched considering the punctu- 

 ation plainly to be seen on the wings. 



The butterfly is interesting in that it has two 

 forms, a summer form which has the upper sides 

 of the hind wings nearly black except at base, 

 and the markings almost obscured thereby. This 

 form is called umbrosa. The winter form is 

 called fabricii. They were regarded as two dis- 

 tinct species until they were bred. 



This species is found in Canada and throughout 

 the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 There are two broods in the North and three or 

 four in the South. The butterflies hibernate. 



Zigzag butterflies many a pair 

 Doubled and danced in sunny air. 



Elizabeth Akers. 



137 



