234 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



(Sphceria Robertsi). During the summer time in 

 New Holland, the natives of certain tribes princi- 

 pally subsist upon a species of Butterfly, which then 

 occurs in countless myriads, and which they col- 

 lect, bake, and form into smoked cakes. In their 

 caterpillar or larval condition these insects often 

 assist in the removal of offending substances, and 

 tend also to keep in check the superabundance of 

 vegetation, which might, otherwise, become too luxu- 

 riant in its growth. 



VII. ORDEB. — Scaly-winged Insects (Lepidoptera). 



Wings four, large, extended, membranous, clothed 

 on each side with imbricate scales ; neuration branch- 

 ing ; mouth in form of a spirally-involute proboscis ; 

 thorax ovate, with lateral appendages (patagia and 

 tegulce) ; tibiae spurred. Pupa covered with a skin. 



I. SUB-ORDER. — Butterflies (Bhopalocera). 



Antennae slender, elongated, ending in a knob ; 



wings erect during repose, not connected by a hook 



and bristle ; hind-tibiae spurred. Chrysalis angu- 



lated, usually naked. Diurnal. 



]. Family. — Butterflies-proper (Papilionidae). An- 

 tennae with the club distinct, never hooked 

 at tip; labial palpi with third joint rudi- 

 mentary, or clothed with scales ; all four 

 wings elevated in repose ; central cell of hind- 

 wings closed ; tibiae with only one pair of 

 spurs at the end ; all the feet fit for walking 

 and nearly alike ; tarsal claws large. Cater- 



