HOW TO KNOW THE BUTTERFLIES 



on the selfsame spot where we first found it. 

 It is not visible unless its wings are open. The 

 mottled browns on the under side of the wings 

 and their angular outline afford one of the pretti- 

 est studies in protective coloring which we know. 

 The hop-merchant likes paths through the woods 

 and damp places. 



A pretty superstition about the chrysalis gives 

 the species its common name. Along the back 

 of the angular chrysalid are rows of tubercles with 

 bases which shine like metal. If they shine 

 golden then the price of hops will be high ; but 

 if they shine like silver then the price will be 

 low. 



The caterpillar sometimes harvests the hops for 

 the farmer ; but usually it does not occur in suffi- 

 cient numbers to do damage. For the way the 

 eggs are laid in columns and the action of the 

 young caterpillar when descending, see Mr. Scud- 

 der's account in that most delightful of books, 

 Everyday Butterflies. The caterpillar about the 

 time of its third molt cuts the central veins of 

 the leaf near the midrib most cunningly, and 

 thus is able to draw the edges of the leaf togeth- 

 er, making for itself a safe house for protection 

 while eating. The chrysalis is like a bit of dead 

 and broken scrolled leaf, and is as perfectly pro- 



142 



