62 Beautiful Butterflies. 



an ancient astronomer; but why it applied to this genus 

 of insects we cannot tell. A group of crustaceous 

 animals, or shell-fish, has had the term Galathea given 

 to it by some naturalists, but why, our reading does 

 not inform us, any more than it does wherefore a cer- 

 tain species of Butterfly should be so called. Lac is 

 the Latin, and gala the Greek, for milk; hence we 

 have galaxy, that collection of stars in the heavens 

 called the milky way ; Galactites, precious stones, of a 

 milk-white colour, etc. The wings of this beautiful 

 fly are of a milky, or rather of a creamy tint, and 

 hence perhaps may have originated the specific name 

 of the insect, which appears in its perfect state in the 

 months of June and July. 



It may be found in every county in England, although 

 only in certain spots, or localities, as they are called ; 

 usually in lonely places, in and near woods, or on wide 

 open downs or moors. It measures from one to two 

 inches and a half across the extended wings; the 

 Caterpillar is about an inch and a quarter long, with 

 yellow stripes running along the sides of its thick, 

 green body ; the chrysalis is scarcely half the length, 

 of a light brown colour ; it is usually found suspended 

 from the stalk of the cat's-tail, or some other grass. 



