GRAPTA V. 
other. They are dimorphic forms of Interrogation is, and to distinguish them 
from ordinary varieties, I have given them both specific names, indicating their 
relationship. 
(Since discovering the dimorphism of Interrogationis, I incline to think Grap- 
tas Comma and Dryas will prove to be but one species also. The case would 
not however be strictly parallel with Interrogationis, but might prove to be a modi- 
fication of seasonal dimorphism. I obtained in May, of this year, seven specimens 
of Dryas, and all that I have before seen have been bred or taken in the early 
part of the season, at the same time with Comma, while from great numbers of the 
larvae obtained in the Autumn I have had nothing but Comma. The early brood 
only therefore may prove to be dimorphic). 
Interrogationis is abundant over the whole eastern part of the United States 
and in Canada. How far west it is found I am unable to say, certainly how- 
ever, as far as Iowa, and from Missouri to Texas. But it has not been found in 
Colorado by Mr. Mead, who has collected extensively in that State. In West 
Virginia, I have found the variety Umbrosa the most common, but in the Catskill 
Mountains the proportions were reversed. Mr. Lintner states that the results of 
his collecting in Middle New York show the greater abundance also of the 
variety Fabricii. On the other hand, Dr. Harris says, that in Massachusetts, the 
male “ is often black- winged,” meaning Umbrosa. The southern specimens are 
larger than those from the north, differing one-half inch in expanse of wing. 
The larvae feed upon the hop, elm, nettle, false-nettle, (Boehmeria) and, at 
Coalburgh, may usually be found in different stages of growth from about 20th 
May till September. I have frequently seen several females at once flying in and 
out my hop- vines, alighting on the ends of the shoots or on the tender leaves to de- 
posit their eggs. The butterflies are then always battered and worn, evidently a 
long period having elapsed since they emerged from chrysalis. The eggs are 
usually laid singly, but sometimes three or four may be seen on the same leaf. 
Two or more may also occasionally be found standing one on end of the other per- 
pendicular to the surface of the leaf, and I have seen four, five and as many as 
eight in one stalk (see plate) The larvae are easily raised in confinement and 
will submit to a change of food, as from hop to Boehmeria, without the slightest 
hesitancy. Like its congeners this species hybernates and appears in the early 
Spring. 
When it is considered how many eggs are laid, and that so short a time in- 
tervenes between the egg and the imago, it is surprising how few butterflies of this 
species are the result. From eggs that were laid on my vines in July and August, 
amounting, I am sure, to many hundreds, very few larvae were hatched, and gradu- 
ally these became more and more scarce, so that at last I could with difficulty dis- 
