20 ORDER I.EPIDOPTERA. 



Nymphalidae. 



The distinguishing characteristics of this family are found in the forelegs, the antennae, 

 the posterior groove of the hind wings, and the peculiar manner in which the pupa is sus- 

 pended. The anterior legs ate defective, being short and unfitted for walking : the antennae 

 have a distinct club, it maybe cnmpres>cd i>r somewhat prolonged below, but never hooked 

 at the tip : the two hind pair of legs arc furnished with bifid claws, the hinder tibia with a 

 single pair of spurs : and the posterior wings receive and protect the abdomen in a groove. 

 The larvae bear spines 01 else tubercles, and are cylindric : the pupa is angulated, and 

 suspended by the tail. 



This family embraces th>' beautiful species that have received the common names of red 

 and white admirals, painted-ladies, fritterlaries, etc. Their flight is strong, and more than 

 makes up for the imperfection of their feet. 



The genera may be known by the following characters : 



The VaHBBSJE have angulated wings ; antennae rather abruptly elavate ; eyes pubescent. 



The Cynthia have rather rounded wings, or only subangulated : in other respects, they closely re- 

 semble the vanessae. 



In the Limexites, the wings are more or less rounded ; the antennae are straight ; the club gradually 

 thiekens : eyes pubescent. 



In the IIipparchije, the club of the antennas gradually thickens, and is more or less curved. 



The Aroynnes have the antennae rather abruptly elavate, and club short ; eyes naked ; wings broad, 

 and the head large. 



N y ni p h a 1 i d c s. 



Vanessa ANTiorA. Willow Butterfly. ( Plate vi, figs. 5, 6, 7.) 



Papilio antiopa ( Linnaeus, Donovan). 



Above the medium size. Wings angulated : upper sides deep purplish brown ; surface 

 appearing like velvet, bordered with a broad wavy belt of black, in which there are 

 angular violet-blue spots : outer margins cream-colored, sprinkled with dots arranged 

 somewhat in lines ; the salient angles ot the border more distinctly marked. The 

 anterior margin of the primary wings has cream-colored spots beyond the middle, 

 towards the outer edge : the underside of the wings darker brown, terminating in 

 the scollopped mottled gray border, in which there is a row of darker angular spots. 

 The secondary wings are prolonged slightly into tails. 

 The caterpillar is black, with a series of spots along the back, and each joint armed with 



spines. It consumes the leaves of the poplar, willow, etc., but injures more especially ihe 



