VADE MECUM. 93 



enabling thcni to perform a stronger, longer, and more easy 

 flight tlian it is possible for the females to do. Moses Harris 

 was the first who published figures of tliis socket and spring, 

 in an ingenious but little knovm work, called " An Essay 

 preceding a Supplement to the Aurelian, wherein are con- 

 sidered the Tendons and Memliranes of the Wings of 

 Butterflies." Where in proof of this he states that Mr. 

 Whitworth caught thirteen of //. Iris in one day, and but 

 one female amongst them. I can credit this, continues 

 Haworth, for in three days I captured myself twenty-three, 

 (nine of them in one day), but never took a female at all. 

 The males fly very high, and are only to be taken by a bag- 

 net, fixed to the end of a rod twenty or thirty feet long. 

 There have been instances, though very rare, of their settling 

 on the ground near puddles of water, and being taken there. 

 When the Purple Emperor is within reach, no fly is more 

 easily taken than him ; for he is so very bold and fearless, 

 that he will not move from his settling-place until you quite 

 push him off; you may even tip the ends of liis wings, and 

 be suftered to strike him again. This species sips the juices 

 which flow from the bodies of oak trees, and in all prolia- 

 bility feeds upon the honey-dew. 



Genus LiMENiTis, ;rf. III.^^. 10. 



Antennec long ; knob tapering long and slender, with a tip 



ending in a lateral point. 

 Palpi longer than the head, scaly, and not very hairy. 

 Foreteifs much slenderer than the others. 

 Claws simple ; with a .short foot casliion. 

 i'Ji/es haii'y. 

 IVinns a little scalloped ; jmmary triangular ; seeomlary 



between round and triangular, with a shallow groove for 



the abdomen. 



