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LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
wings; the latter, two or three dashes of silver on 
the under surface. Their caterpillars are green, 
with longitudinal stripes ; and that of the former 
feeds, according to Abbott, on a grass-like plant, 
the drooping Andropogon {Andropogon nutans). 
Another species of this genus, the Pearly-eye 
{H. Andromaclia), larger than these, and more 
beautiful, from the pearly iridescence of the inferior 
surface, is now common. It is interesting from its 
social and gamesome habits. A particular indi- 
vidual will frequent the foot of a particular tree 
for many successive days, contrary to the roaming 
habits of butterflies in general. Hence he will 
sally out on any other passing butterfly, either of 
his own or of another species; and, after performing 
sundry circumvolutions, retire to his chosen post 
of observation again. Occasionally I have seen 
another butterfly of the same species, after having 
had his amicable tustle, take likewise a stand on a 
neighbouring spot ; and after a few minutes’ rest, 
both would simultaneously rush to the conflict, like 
knights at a tournament, and wheel and roll about 
in the air as before. Then each would return to 
his own place with the utmost precision, and pre- 
sently renew the passage of arms ” with the same 
result, for very many times in succession. 
A fourth species is the largest living butterfly I 
have ever seen, being upwards of five inches froin 
tip to tip of the expanded wings. I call it the 
Black Emperor Swallow-tail [Fajpilio Olaucus ) ; it 
is a very noble fly, and forms quite a contrast to 
the dusky pigmies I just now noticed. Its colour 
is deep black, with two marginal rows of yellow 
crescents ; and within them a row of larger azure 
crescents, which are obliterated towards the tip of 
