INTRODUCTION. 
51 
the day, to which the present notice must he re- 
stricted, are the kinds which are known in this coun- 
try by the name of Butterfly. This term is a lite- 
ral translation of the Saxon word Butlor-Jleoze, and 
is supposed to be applied because the insects first 
become prevalent in the beginning of the season for 
butter. They are distinguished from the other scaly- 
winged kinds, by possessing antennar with a knob or 
club at the summit, * and holding their wings, when 
in a state of repose, erect or very slightly inclined. 
They are the most generally and familiarly known 
of our insect tribes, and, by their conspicuous ap- 
pearance, seldom fail to attract the notice even of 
those whose perceptions are least alive to the beauty 
of natural objects. The graceful curves of their out- 
line — their gay and fitful flight — the splendour of 
their colouring and decorations, which present every 
variety of tint found in the different kingdoms of 
nature, distributed in markings and delineations of 
the most beautiful and diversified character, seem to 
confer on them a kind of superiority over other insects. 
Some naturalists have accordingly considered them 
as entitled to stand at the head of the Insect Class ; 
and if, as Mr Kirby remarks, beauty, and grace, 
and gaiety, and splendour of colours were the great 
requisite, and the law enjoined Detur pulchriori — 
" Certain foreign genera, however, such as Morpho and 
Urania, form an exception to this rule, as they have an- 
tennae either of equal thickness throughout, or tapering 
slightly to the summit. 
