THE NYMPHS 



ventional markings of red spots. It is somehow 

 surprising to find the wings so rich above and so 

 smooth and ordinary beneath ; it reminds one of 

 the right and wrong side of velvet. This sover- 

 eign loves shady roads, and is addicted to the 

 refuse of the road, which, according to butterfly 

 standards, is anything but waste material. 



This species occurs throughout nearly the whole 

 of the eastern United States. But it is not found 

 in the northern parts of New England and New- 

 York. 



The butterfly the ancient Grecians made 

 The soul's fair emblem, and its only name. 



Coleridge. 



The Banded Purple 

 Basilarchia arthemis (Bas-i-lar'chi-a ar'the-mis) 



Plate XXVII, Fig. i 



The upper surface of the wings is velvety chocolate-black, 

 marked with a conspicuous white bow extending from the 

 middle of the costal margin of the front wings to near the 

 anal angle of the hind wings. On the lower surface the wings 

 are marked much as in the red-spotted purple with the addi- 

 tion of the white bow. Expanse of wings nearly three inches. 



Caterpillar. — Length one and one-fourth inches ; color 

 of the body, various shades of green and greenish brown with 

 a saddle of pale buff, almost white. Its body is naked and 



167 



