THE NYMPHS 



finally into our affections. Mr. Scudder says 

 when these butterflies are numerous they are very 

 social, crowding against each other on moist 

 ground much to the detriment of their handsome 

 wings. Probably the species is rarer in our 

 vicinity, for our experience has always been with 

 lonely individuals who spent their whole lives 

 within a radius of a few yards. While the broad, 

 white band across the black velvety wings first 

 attracts the eye to this species, the hind wings are 

 beautifully iridescent with blue and green and 

 often ornamented with dark red spots. On the 

 under side of the wings the red spots and white 

 bands show against a brown background. The 

 species is double-brooded ; and is essentially 

 northern, being a Canadian species which extends 

 a short distance into the northern part of the 

 United States. 



There he arriving, round about doth flie 



From bed to bed, from one to other border ; 



And takes survey, with curious busie eye, 



Of every flowre and herbe there set in order ; 



Now this, now that, he tasteth tenderly, 

 Yet none of them he rudely doth disorder, 



Ne with his feete their silken leaves deface, 



But pastures on the pleasures of each place. 



Spenser. 



169 



