THE NYMPHS 



band being of exquisite deep rose color shading 

 off at each end to pale pink, and between it and 

 the large white spot is an irregular oval outlined 

 in blue purple. The hind wings have an elabo- 

 rate peacock-feather border wrought in browns 

 varying from dark to pale wood color. In fact 

 the under side of the red admiral's wings is won- 

 derful both in color and pattern. It is unfortunate 

 that after death the rose color disappears, leaving 

 only the copper red of the upper side, so that 

 this insect shows its real color only when it is 

 alive. 



When we wonder what nettles were made for 

 we had best ask the question of the red admiral 

 caterpillar. If we ask it with diligence, we will 

 get the answer from a baby caterpillar in a new 

 leaf at the top of the plant which it has lined 

 and drawn together for protection and food ; or 

 from a larger caterpillar under a leaf lower down 

 which has been gnawed at the midrib near its 

 base and made to droop and thus fashioned into 

 a tent. Each time it molts, this caterpillar turns 

 civil engineer and architect and constructs a 

 new abode of a leaf. These tents are covered 

 above but open below, and may be easily found 

 because of the wilting leaf. The chrysalis is 

 often hung in the last tent and is an exquisite 



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