J. M. DEUARMO. 133 



Often, in pursuing butterflies, I have seen them show 

 the most perfect stupidity, apparently courting capture, 

 and, then again, exhibiting good sense in evading pur- 

 suit. Here, as elsewhere, motion is the main source of 

 their alarm. If the net can be carried after them so as 

 to conceal any motion they will allow it to approach 

 quite close, even to overshadow them while flying. 



One of the most curious features of a butterfly's life 

 is its sportive or playful moods and ways. It was some 

 time before I appreciated the fact that they indulged in 

 such moods at all. Seeing them start vigorously after 

 other insects on the wing, I assumed, without investiga- 

 tion, that these were movements in self-defense, till all 

 the facts pointed to them as movements in play. This 

 opened a new and interesting held of observation. The 

 spirit of playfulness I found to prevail more towards 

 sundown than in the morning. Only a very few times 

 have I seen any signs of it in the morning, and never in 

 the absence, of sunshine. I found it far more common 

 among the highly developed four-footed butterflies, as 

 the Graptas, Vanessas, &c, than among the six-footed 

 Papilios. Among the Turnus, Troilus and Asterias 

 varieties, as well as the Ephestions, I never saw the least 

 spirit of playfulness. These seem to be bent on the 

 earnest business of their lives alone, and especially the 

 Turnus and Troilus wing their stately flight as if this 

 were not a world where even a butterfly needed play. 



But with the smaller varieties this playfulness is quite 

 common. The yellow Philodice will often dart from its 

 flower with great velocity, and make quick sallies at 

 another, either of its own species or of a different species. 

 It will fly about the companion, if that one is not dis- 

 posed to join in the fun, — if it is, away they will go, 

 tumbling over and over in the air, now receding from 

 each other, now approaching. I have never ascertained 

 if they had any playful touches of antennae, as their 



