118 THE NATUEALIST IN BBEMUDA. 



part of some cool, open window for the night, to save them 

 from the ants ; and yet, notwithstanding this precaution, 

 the birds will be found in the morning covered with ants, 

 while others continue to descend the long and slender 

 passage of communication. Is not this property of disco- 

 vering food to be ascribed to the power of scent ? " 



A species of Myrmicidm we found under a stone, ia 

 the grounds at Hermitage, in company with another small 

 red ant. 



LEPIDOPTEEA (Butterflies and Moths). 



Of the few species of diurnal lepidoptera frequenting the 

 Islands, the Archippus Butterfly (Banais archippws), 

 ranks first for size and beauty. 



This fine species, which is so frequently seen in the 

 southern states of America, is also common in the Bermudas, 

 and generally to be found where a patch of ipecacuanha is 

 in bloom. Mr. Hurdis' note book has the foUowing: — 

 " Dee. 18. The beautiful caterpillar of D. arcMppus is stiU 

 common. It is two inches in length, and elegantly encir- 

 cled from one extremity to the other with bands of black, 

 white, and yellow. The chrysalis is of a delicate pale green 

 colour, semicircled with a line of black and gold, and 

 dotted in various parts with bright golden spots. It makes 

 no cocoon, but suspends itself by a black ligament from the 

 tail end, to stone walls and railings, and continues in the 

 pupa state exactly twenty days. The favourite food of the 

 caterpillar of this species is the curascoa swaUow-wort, or 

 bastard ipecacuanha {Asclepias Gurassavica), which grows 

 wild in pastures, gardens, and roadsides, and blossoms 

 during every montii of the year. The perfect insect is 

 abimdant throughout the year." 



