VADE MECUM. ] 7 



It. is very amusing to observe, in the bright sun of an 

 August morning, the animation and deliglit of many of the 

 Lepidopterous insects. That beautiful little blue Butterfly, 

 Polyommattts Argus, is then all life and activity, flitting 

 from flower to flower in the grass, with remarkable vivacity ; 

 there seems to be a constant rivalship and contention be- 

 tween this beauty, and the not less elegant little beau 

 Lycienu, Phlccas. Frequenting the same station, attached to 

 the same Iiead of clover or harebell, whenever they approacli, 

 mutual annimosity seems to possess them ; and darting on 

 each other with courageous rapidity, they buffet and contend 

 until one is driven from the field, or to a considerable distance 

 from his station, perhaps many hundred yards, when the 

 victor returns to his post in triumph. 



Pupie, or Chrysalides, as to their general figure, may be 

 divided uito two classes. The first class consists of angular 

 jwim; or those which have angular projections on different 

 parts of their body; the second of conical, or those which 

 liave no such projections, (the anal miicro excepted.) Each 

 of these cla.sses affords variations which require to be 

 noticed. The surface of the skin of the greater number of 

 pu/ire is smooth, but in some it is nigose and warty ; this is 

 particularly apparent in that of Papilio Muclimn. In the 

 pupce are discoverable evident traces often dorsal segments ; 

 and in that of the above-named species, there is a deep 

 channel between the third and fourth segments. A pretty 

 accurate judgment of the perfect in.sect may sometimes be 

 formed from the figure of its clirysalis, which frequently 

 takes the rude outline of the parts of the animal which is 

 contained within it ; but the various colours which it is seen 

 to assume, appear the effect of accident, for the same species 

 does not always assume the same hue. 

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