OF LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 1038 
plentifully supplied, at the time, with melliferous 
flowers, not a single butterfly was seen to alight, but 
all continued to pursue their course, in a low and 
equal manner. What venders this fact the more sin- 
gular is, that from the moment the caterpillars of 
this species are hatched, they lead a solitary life ; 
and even in their perfect, or imago condition, they 
are not observed to be gregarious. 
Professor Bonelli of Turin, however, observed a 
similar flight of the same species of butterflies, in 
the end of the March preceding their appearance 
at Grandson. Their flight was directed from south 
to north; and their numbers were immense. At 
night, the flowers were literally covered with them. 
Towards the 29th of March, their numbers diminish- 
ed: but even in Junea fewstillcontinued. They have 
been traced from Coni, Raconni, Lusa, &c. A similar 
flight of butterflies is recorded at the end of last 
century by M. Louch, in the Memoirs of the Academy 
of Turin. During the whole season, these butter- 
flies, as well as their larvee, were very abundant, 
and more beautiful then usual. 
Among the larvee of butterflies which associate, 
may be particularly mentioned that of the Papilio 
cinivia. This animal may be found on the leaves of 
the narrow-leaved plantain, on which it feeds. They 
usually associate in families, amounting to about one 
hundred in each. By their united labour, they weave 
a silken tent of a pyramidal form, This contains a 
