Beautiful Butterflies. 83 



more of this species than of any other manage to pre- 

 serve life through the rigors of the winter, and they 

 venture forth, when the blasting March gales have 

 sunk to rest for a time, and the sun has melted the 

 snow from off the hills, and the primrose blossoms and 

 the violet buds are just beginning to unfold their fra- 

 grant petals in woods and on mossy hedge-row banks. 

 But full often do they share the fate of the venturous 

 insects described by the Peasant Poet of Northampton- 

 shire, John Clare, who says — 



" The Butterflies by eager hopes undone, 

 Glad as a child, came out to meet the sun, 

 Beneath the shadow of a sudden shower 

 Are lost, nor see to-morrow's April flower." 



The same poet, we remember, has another allusion 

 to the Butterfly making its appearance in March, much 

 to the delight of the old village dame ; in this case, 

 however, it is one of the white species spoken of, most 

 likely the Common Cabbage Butterfly (Pontia brassicce) 3 

 which sometimes comes out very early. 



" The old dame then oft stills her humming wheel — 

 When the bright sunbeams through the windows steal 

 And gleam upon her face, and dancing fall 

 In diamond shadows on the pictur'd wall ; 

 While the White Butterfly, as in amaze, 

 Will settle on the glossy glass to gaze — 

 And, smiling, glad to see such things once more^ 

 Up she will get and totter to the door." 



