62 



The Butterflies 



We are to confine our attention on this occasion to one 

 division of Insects. Butterflies and Moths together form the 

 large class of insects called Lepidoptera (Scale- winged). These 

 are distinguished by having four wings, and are thus called 

 because the wings are covered on both sides with minute scales 

 of various forms and colours, overlapping each other like the 

 slates on the roof of a house. 



It is a common notion that butterflies are more gaily 

 coloured than moths. Many butterflies are of dull colours 

 whilst some of the moths are adorned with beautiful and 

 bright markings. This is why the " Jersey Tiger " (C. Hera), 

 which is common enough in Guernsey also, is so frequently 

 mistaken for a butterfly ; and the mistake is more pardonable 

 because this insect has rather a vigorous flight and is fre- 

 quently on the wing in broad daylight. 



A butterfly always flies in the day and rests at night and 

 in rainy or cloudy weather. When resting it raises its wings, 

 in some instances pressing them together back to back ; but a 

 moth turns its wings downwards instead of upwards, fold- 

 ing them round its body. Again, the antennae or horns of 

 a butterfly have always a club or knob at the tip, whilst those 

 of a moth terminate at a point. But there is another pecu- 

 liarity of the antennae which is a still better guide than the 

 knob at their end ; and that is, that the owner cannot hide 

 them, they are always stretched out in front or held quite up- 

 right. Now a moth, when going to sleep, turns its antennae 

 under its wings, or in some similar manner conceals them both 

 from observation and injury. 



Butterflies as well as most of the moths have a mouth 

 furnished with a long spiral sucker or tubular tongue, by 

 means of which they imbibe the nectar of flowers. 



All butterflies, previous to assuming the beautiful appear- 

 ance which attracts universal admiration, have passed through 

 three distinct stages of existence. 



