1883.] Butterfly Hunting in the Desert. 365 
come up to the horse and fly about his legs with great curiosity, 
and suffer capture thereby. At another place they are seen feed- 
ing on blossoms of Friogonum capitatum, a few bunches of 
which are not yet quite dead. No more Lepidoptera are seen 
during the day’s journey, indeed the paucity of animal life is 
remarkable; no squirrels except rarely a little white-tailed desert 
chipmunk, no birds except a few linnets, no flies, gnats or mos- 
quitoes, no lizards or snakes, not even the ubiquitous rabbit. On 
account of the altitude at this place (5000 ft.), the temperature is 
not extreme and the winds are usually not hot, yet the sun shines 
with fervid power, and the reflection of its rays by the sand is, 
still more oppressive, as no shade can be interposed. A thousand 
feet of descent tells, however, and by the time the river is reached 
the climate is rather torrid. Just at the close of the day, stop- 
ping fora moment to make collection of a plant, we see at a 
distance a large butterfly—a black Papilio—floating as only a 
Papilio can, over the low shrubs and within easy reach. To say 
that the net is seized and instant chase given, would be but a 
tame expression. A rapid pursuit, cautious approach, an alterna- 
tion of hope, fear, anticipation, despair—a quick cast and he is 
mine ! And as his strong wings beat vainly against the net, send- 
ing thrills of pitying exultation through the captor’s fingers, the 
entomological mind is already exercised, ejaculating “ Not Indra, 
for it has long tails; not Asteroides, for it has not yellow spots 
enough ; not anything I ever saw; what can it be?” Vain looks 
mm avery direction for a mate are made, as with hands trembling 
with excitement the prize is stowed away, and then a glance at 
the now setting sun shows that it is time to be making camp. 
Going rapidly on down the dusty grade to the river, splashing 
noisily through its shallow waters, and then over the firm grassy 
Sward between the large cottonwood and willow trees whose 
Steen shade is inexpressibly refreshing, a home for the night is 
quickly fixed upon and the tired and thirsty horse is freed from his 
s and allowed to refresh himself as he pleases ; while wood 
“e the fire is obtained, supper cooked and eaten, and all the or- 
thodox arrangements made for the night, before thick darkness 
shuts down ; shuts up, I ought to say, for the darkness seems to 
pea from the ground and to thicken in the lower air, while above, 
a 'S not yet fully darkened, though the stars are coming out 
