106 



torpid state and remain in this condition various 

 periods, according to the species. When the time has 

 expired for their sleepy condition, the insect, now a 

 butterfly or moth, eats a hole through the end of a co- 

 coon and comes forth in a perfect state. They usually 

 sit still for some time afterwards in order that their 

 wings may become firm and dry, then they wing their 

 way in search of their most beloved flowers, and rally 

 in the sunshine for a while, then die. It seems like a 

 very short life after so long a stage of changes. The 

 butterfly has its antennae long with a knob on the end, 

 while that of the moth is feather like and downy. This 

 being a distinguishing feature of all species of each. 

 Moths fly mostly by night. The wings of these beau- 

 tiful insects are covered with a substance w^hich when 

 viewed through a microscope proves to be little scales 

 neatly and closely laid. So small are they that to the 

 naked eye it appears like fine powder or dust. Yoii 

 cannot touch a butterfly without rubbing this powder 

 or scales off. When these scales are all removed the 

 wing resembles a thin transparent membrane having 

 several ribs or stays. 



Butterflies and moths have a long tube through 

 which they suck the juice of flowers. When not in 

 use these tubes are coiled up under the mouth like a 

 fine watch spring. Some of these are large as the five 

 spotted sphinx for example. Their bodies are usually 

 covered with fine downy hair. The species are very 

 numerous. Some are very large and attractive while 

 others are small and unpretending. Various species 

 measure from four to six inches when spread. A few 

 of those we more commonly meet are the small yellow 



