166 



LOCUSTS, BUTTERFLIES, BEES, WASPS 



the structure of the hind pair of legs, at least ; in its lite 



history; in the form of its antennas; and in the absence of 



simple eyes. 

 Wings of the butterfly. — If a butterfly is caught in the 



hand, a fine, dustlike substance is always rubbed from the 



wmgs by contact with 

 the fingers. If this sub- 

 stance be examined umler 

 a microscope, it will be 

 found to consist of tiny, 

 flat, somewhat fan-shaped 

 bodies called scales. The 

 wings of butterflies are 

 always clothed \\ith scales 

 that overlap like shingles 

 on a roof (Fig. 104). 

 Idiey undoubtetlly aid in 

 strengthening the wing. 

 When the scales are all 

 removed from the wing, it 

 appears as a thin trans- 

 ))arent meml^rane with 



Fig. 1I«. — Whife caljljage butterfly, 

 lar^ a, and pupa. 



■\-eins running lengthwise 



and with few cross veins (Fig. 105). The wings of the 

 butterfly are never folded hke those of the locust, but are 

 held vertically when the insect is at rest. 



The legs of the butterfly. — Although this insect has six 

 legs tliey are weak and are little used for locomotion but 

 ratliei' for the purpose of clinging to objects upon which the 

 insect may alight. Again, although the hind legs are larger 

 than those of tlu^ other pairs they are not lai'ge and muscular 

 hke the hind legs of a locust and are not used for jumping. 



