THE NYMPHS 



knows the use of the wings too, for they are to it 

 the invisible cloak of the fairy tale. We saw one 

 the other clay basking in the middle of a some- 

 what muddy wood-road. The shining red copper 

 of its upper wings made it a most striking object. 

 As we approached, it suddenly disappeared and 

 we were unable to point it out to our compan- 

 ions. But when we took another step and came 

 too close it dashed up above our heads and was 

 lost to our sight before we could exclaim ; at the 

 first disturbance it had simply closed its wings 

 and thus disappeared. It is frequently found in 

 orchards where the fallen and decaying fruit gives 

 it a tipple. 



The gray comma abjures the world while the 

 October sun is still warm and hides itself and 

 goes to sleep to be awakened by the first balmy 

 breezes of spring. 



The caterpillar, while giving preference to the 

 wild currant and gooseberry, sometimes takes ad- 

 vantage of the cultivated species. 



This species occurs in Canada and in the 

 northern portion of the United States, except in 

 the extreme West. 



145 



