MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



were Cecropia, and I could have gathered a bushel of 

 them. They have emerged in perfection for me always, 

 with one exception. Personally, I have found more 

 Polyphemus than Cecropia. 



These moths are the gamins of their family, and love 

 the streets and lights at night. Under an arc hght at 

 Wabash, Indiana, I once picked up as beautiful,^ speci- 

 men of Polyphemus as I ever saw, and the following 

 day a friend told me that several had been captured the 

 night before in the heart of town. Of qourse the high 

 bright Hghts attracted them, but they have a peculiar 

 habit of alighting on the pavement, instead of on trees or 

 bushes. I think this moth is as easy to capture, or to find 

 in the cocoon and preserve through the winter, as any. 

 To an army of Nature Lovers its rich shades, and won- 

 derful markings will be most attractive. 



I experienced great joy in painting the pair on the log, 

 and also a very large, beautiful specimen secured several 

 years later on my wistaria vines. Much delicate blending 

 of shades was required to reproduce them, but their colours 

 were so distinct there was no chance to fail. They were 

 not nearly so difficult as Cecropia. In Polyphemus the col- 

 ours softly blended, and the shadings were easily laid on. 

 But the Robin moth with its sharp contrasts of fine col- 

 oured lines was a task, and with the exceptions of Regalis 

 and the female Promethea, was the most difficult moth 

 of all to paint. The first proof from my study of Poly- 



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