115 



butterflies are distasteful to birds, their tissues being exceedingly tough and 

 elastic, and they are generally abundant wherever they occur. The Austra- 

 lian variety of Danais Limniace, was found by Captain King in countless 

 myriads, and is probably the same species as Captain Cook saw in far greater 

 profusion in the neighbourhood of Thirsty Sound, on the 29th of May, 

 1770, when he found a space of three or four acres covered with millions of 

 them on the wing, and every twig and branch loaded with almost equal num- 

 bers at rest. Herrera states " that on one day in June, 1494, there came 

 to the ships of Columbus, then off the coast of Cuba, innumerable butterflies, 

 so numerous that they obscured the sky, and continued passing until night, 

 when a sudden storm of rain destroyed them." These were probably Danais 

 plexippus, one of the commonest butterflies in North America, and known 

 to possess immense powers of flight. In the evening and in cloudy weather 

 they are found resting on the stems of herbaceous plants. They are never to 

 be found in the thick parts of the woods and forests, but are common in the 

 open spaces, and prefer meadows and plantations. 



DANAIS PLEXIPPUS. 

 Anosia arcMppus. 



Plexippus, Linn. Plexip'pus, one of the two uncles of Meleager, put to 

 death by him, for disputing with Atalanta the possession of the boar's skin, 

 which had been given to her. 



All the wings have broad black margins, in which are situated two rows of 

 white spots ; and very conspicuous black veinings. The ground colour is 

 fulvous, with a rather brilliant reflection. The underside is very similar. It 

 may at once be known from any of our native butterflies by its superior size, 

 being four and a half inches across the wings ; and by the yellowish-white 

 spots on the thorax. 



The egg is laid singly on the underside of the leaves of various species of 

 Asclepias. It is of a pale greenish yellow colour, and its form is compared 

 by Mr. J. J. Walter to one of the projectiles for modern rifled guns, known 

 as Palliser shot. 



The full-grown caterpillar is about two inches in length, rather stout, and 

 nearly cylindrical in form. The body is regularly annulated with black, 

 opaque white, and bright gamboge yellow. On the dorsal surface of the 

 third segment is a pair of slender, fleshy, slightly mobile filaments, nearly 

 half-an-inch long, and a similar but somewhat smaller pair on the twelfth 

 segment. It is a handsome and conspicuous creature, feeding quite exposed, 

 and often stripping the Asclepias to the bare stalks. 



