Genus Dircenna 



parent, colorless spots at the apex, on the outer borders, and on 

 the middle of the wing. The inner margin of the fore wing 

 is black. The hind wings are transparent yellowish, with a narrow 

 black outer border marked with small whitish spots. The body 

 is black, with the thorax spotted with white. Expanse, 2.75 

 inches. 



The specimen figured in the plate is from Mexico. Whether 

 the insect has ever been taken within the limits of the United 

 States is uncertain. It is another of the species attributed to our 

 fauna by Reakirt, but which since his day has not been caught 

 in the nets of any of the numerous butterfly-hunters who have 

 searched the region in which he said it occurs. It may, however, 

 be found upon the borders of Mexico, in the hotter parts of 

 which country it is not at all uncommon. The "gentle reader" 

 will kindly look for it when visiting Brownsville, Texas, and 

 southern California, and, when finding it, herald the fact to the 

 entomological world. 



SUPERSTITIONS 



" If a butterfly alights upon your head, it foretells good news from a distance. 

 This superstition obtains in Pennsylvania and Maryland. 



" The first butterfly seen in the summer brings good luck to him who catches it. 

 This notion prevails in New York. 



" In western Pennsylvania it is believed that if the chrysalids of butterflies be found 

 suspended mostly on the under sides of rails, limbs, etc., as it were to protect them 

 from rain, there will soon be much rain, or, as it is termed, a ' rainy spell ' ; but, on the 

 contrary, if they are found on twigs and slender branches, that the weather will be 

 dry and clear."— Frank Cowan, Curious History of Insects, p. 229. 



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