THE NYMPHS 



tern of shaded brown that covers the under side 

 of the wings. On the hind wing also may ap- 

 pear a small wide-angled L. Looked at one way 

 on one wing this does resemble a J somewhat, 

 and as it is wrought in white there is some faint 

 reason for calling the species j-album. However, 

 this white initial is sometimes omitted altogether. 



Mt^\ /Jig* 



m '■■■-■■ wm 



Fig. 34. — The Compton tortoise. 



The Compton tortoise, like the Polygonias, 

 haunts glades and wood roads. It is a swift flyer 

 and hard to capture, as it has the Polygonia trick 

 of folding its wings and disappearing against the 

 bark of a tree or the leafy floor. The butterfly 

 issues from a greenish gold-trimmed chrysalis 

 about the first of July; it flies all summer, and un- 

 daunted by the exigencies of butterfly life it seeks 

 a hibernating place in late October or November. 



i47 



