39 



size and beauty make it a striking object in the spring landscape. Although it varies in 

 abundance in different years, it is generally one of the first treasures of the young col- 

 lector, and is prized accordingly. The variations it presents in different latitudes and 

 the habits of its remarkable caterpillar are of great interest to the student. In the north, 

 including the whole of Canada, the males and females are like our figure, having the 

 ground colour of a pale lemon-yellow, with rich black markings. The broad margin is 

 more or less powdered with blue scales, particularly on the hind wings, which are further 

 ornamented with a conspicuous orange-red spot, bordered with black and blue, near the 

 hind angle, and in the females there is another large spot of the same colour at the upper 

 angle. In the Southern States the specimens of both sexes are larger and more highly 

 coloured, and besides a black dimorphic form of the female also occurs. No specimen of 

 the black male has ever been taken. The only approach to this melanic form is the 

 beautiful suffused variety which is figured below. The range of the Tiger Swallow-tail is 

 very extended. I have some specimens from the arctic circle and others from the 

 tropics, while from 'east to west it occurs from Newfoundland to Alaska. The eggs are 

 laid by the females singly on the upper side of the leaves of its food plants. They are 

 about one-twentieth of an inch in diameter, sub-globular and smooth, at first of a pale 

 transparent green, much yellower at the base by reason of a more or less abundant waxy 

 substance which fastened them to the leaf ; after a few days they turn reddish, and just 

 before the young larvas hatch they are almost black. The time of hatching varies with 

 the weather from ten to twenty days. The caterpillars are very different in appearance 

 during their various stages. In the first stage the general appearance is black, with 

 white spots and tubercles, and a conspicuous white saddle-shaped mark on the back. This 

 mark also appears after the first and second moults, but is then of a pinkish cream 

 colour. After the second moult the ground colour of the body usually changes to 

 greenish brown. After the third moult the green colour is much more decided, and the 

 caterpillar assumes more of the shape and markings of the full-fed larvae. The thoracic 

 segments are now enlarged and the saddle-shaped mark is almost obliterated. There is a 

 yellowish band in front of segment 2, and another on the hinder edges of segments 5 and 

 12 ; that on five is followed closely by a black line on the front edge of segment 6. This 

 black Hne does not show when the caterpillar is at rest. The head is pink brown. On 

 each side of segment 4 now appears a pear-shaped yellow eye-like spot, the larger end 

 outwards; This spot is edged by a fine black line ; inside there is a heavy black line 

 enclosing a violet spot. Towards the smaller end of this yellow spot is a short black 

 bar. The sides of the body are also ornamented with rows of violet spots, two upon 

 segment 4, and four upon 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11, and two upon 12. On segments 6 to 

 11 there is one small spot below each spiracle. These spots are more distinct upon 

 some specimens than upon others. 



After the fourth or last moult the colour is invariably velvety green, paler beneath, 

 the saddle-shaped mark has disappeared and the yellow marks are all more conspic- 

 uous. The full-grown caterpillar is shown at figure 13, and is a formidable looking 

 creature. For two days before it suspends itself to change to the chrysalis, it gradu- 

 ally assumes a purplish brown tint, and the violet spots become more distinct than they 

 were before. The full-grown larva is about one inch and a-half in length when walk- 

 ing. When at rest it is shorter and thicker, ^ ^ 

 the head is drawn out of sight and the body / = ? v>. 

 assumes a wedge shape, large in front, taper- ,,'V".. ^ — -— - ^ 

 ing rapidly to the last segment. When in 

 this position- the yellow spots on segment 4 

 have the appearance of two large open eyes. 

 This appearance may possibly act as a pro- 

 tection from some of its enemies. When Figure 13. 

 ready to turn to a chrysalis, it leaves its food-plant and seeks some place to pupate. It 

 suspends itself to a silken mat and supports its body by means of a silken girdle around 

 the middle. It changes to a chrysalis the second day after suspension. The newly 

 formed chrysalis is very beautiful, being mottled with green, dove colour, black, and 

 white, the two eye-like spots on segment 4 being very distinct. After a few hours, how- 



