HOW TO KNOW THE BUTTERFLIES 



of Massachusetts in the East ; in the middle 

 West it is found as far south as Iowa. It is single- 

 brooded, although the butterflies may be found 

 all summer; it hibernates as a butterlly. 



The Hop-merchant 



Polygonia comma (Pol-y-go'ni-a com'ma) 



Plate XXIV, Fig. i, 2, 4, 6 



As in the preceding species, the silvery mark of the hind 

 wings is in the form of a C or a G ; but the general color of the 

 lower surface of the hind wings is very different, being 

 marbled with light and dark brown ; and the green spots so 

 characteristic offau/iiis are represented here by a few liliaceous 

 scales on a submarginal row of black spots. Expanse two 

 inches or more. 



Two forms of this species occur. In one, P. comma dryas, 

 the hind wings above are suffused with black on the outer 

 half, so that the submarginal row of fulvous spots is obscured, 

 and on the lower side the wings are more yellowish than in 

 the other form. The latter is the typical form, P. comma 

 comma. This form has been known under the name liar- 

 risii. 



This species resembles the violet-tip in appearance and in 

 its dimorphism; but it is a smaller butterfly, and it lacks the 

 spot in cell M a of the fore wings. It also differs in the form 

 of the silver mark on the lower side of the hind wings. 



Caterpillar. — Length one inch ; color varying from dark 

 brown to greenish or nearly white ; it is marked with blotches 

 and transverse lines and is most variable as to color and mark- 



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