346 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



this brood are deposited in September, are hatched in efght days, and the larva 

 probably changes to chrysalis before winter. Some of my larvae, however, did not 

 reach their last stage until October, and such may possibly hybernate in this 

 condition, or, as Sprague believed, perish altogether. Where the butterfly 

 is double-brooded the first generation does not make its appearance until June, 

 usually between the 4th and 10th, though a few specimens may occasionally be seen 

 in favourable seasons late in May ; it becomes common by the 19th or 20th, and 

 lasts until nearly the middle of July ; in the extreme north, however, as at Quebec 

 and Cacouna, it does nob seem to appear before the last of June, and probably 

 continues throughout July. The period of the earlier stages is undetermined, 

 excepting that the chrysalis generally lives about twelve days, but the second 

 brood of butterflies is first seen between August 6th and 12th, and continues 

 to emerge until the close of the month, and flies until the end of the 

 third week of September ; the eggs are probably laid late in August and 

 early in September, giving the larva ample time to attain its growth 

 and change to chrysalis before winter ; the chrysalis is found hanging 

 upon the under surface of stones. Habits and flight. — The butterfly 

 alights on stones and twigs and suns itself, or flits away among the 

 clover-heads. It never flies long distances, nor rises more than a foot or 

 two above the ground, but flutters rapidly from side to side, with a peculiar 

 motion ; after each flutter the wings are apparentiy closed an instant, for 

 during flight their under surface is distinctly visible. It is very pugnacious, 

 attacking, and pursuing, larger butterflies, and even assaulting the monster Carolina 

 locust {Dissosteira Carolina) in its short and heavy flight. When two of the Heodes 

 meet, they circle rapidly and coquettishly about each other, always keeping near 

 the ground. In keeping with its activity is the fact that it is one of the first 

 butterflies to appear after sunrise, and one of the latest to disappear at nightfall. 

 It is on its unceasing rounds the livelong day. Gosse, in writing of this insect, 

 says (Can. Nat., p. 219) it would be, perhaps, the most splendid butterfly we have 

 if its size corresponded with its beauty. The richness of the glowing, flame-coloured 

 wings is worthy of admiration, and the under surface is very delicate, and I do not 

 see that it is less beautiful because it is diminutive, though, if it were as large as 

 a Swallow-tail or a Camberwell Beauty, it would strike the attention more readily. 

 It is curious to watch their proceedings at pairing-time, which remind one strongly 

 of the English sparrows. One may be seen perched on a leaf, its hindwings quite 

 still and horizontal, while the front pair are slightly raised and in a constant flutter. 

 Its follower will be close behind it, apparently unconcerned, but as it walks after 

 the leader, the latter walks off a little further ; the little play will proceed a while 

 when the leader flies away, quickly followed by the other. Which sex takes the 

 lead in this performance I have not determined. Postures and sleep. — These 

 butterflies are very fond of resting on bare spots fully exposed to the sun ; wher- 

 ever they alight, even if on a twig, they at once turn around so as to bring their 

 backs to the sun, and open their wings at right angles, the forewings partially 

 concealed by the hind pair ; the antennae diverging at an angle of from 95°-100°. 

 When resting in the shade, the wings are closely appressed, the forewings concealed 

 by the hind pair, so that the costal edges are brought together ; the antennae 

 viewed from above, are perfectly straight, and spread at an angle of 85°, their tips 

 being about 11mm. apart ; when viewed from the side they are slightly curved 

 downward, but otherwise are straight and nearly continuous with the body. When 

 walking, even on a perpendicular surface, the tip of the abdomen is trailed on the 

 ground and the forelegs are used like the others. When they emerge from the 

 chrysalis they at once seek a vertical surface to expand their wings, which then 

 hang, when fully expanded, so that the costal edges of all the wings are together, 

 and the inner edges of the hindwings just touch the surface of rest; the antennas 

 are then held quite horizontally (or later are slightly raised), and are scarcely 

 parted, the clubs oiten in actual contact. Miss Caroline G. Soule, observing this 

 butterfly clinging, toward sunset, to grass blades with drooping wings, made some 

 experiments to see how soundly it slept (Psyche, v., p. 42). She says : " Approach- 

 ing one, I gently touched the grass, but the butterfly remained as before, I 

 shook the grass, then shook it less gently, but the butterfly did not stir. 

 Then I picked the blade and carried it in my hand, not taking any care to keep it 

 upright, for five blocks (in the city), and even then it was only as the sun struck 

 the grass, when I crossed the street, that the butterfly awoke, and lazily flew to a 

 shady place, resting as before. I followed, and this time a touch was enough to 

 startle it. I did not arouse it a third time, but afterwards, in the country, I tried 

 the same experiment several times, always with the same result. I have always 



