LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
213 
ing character is a hroad hand of hlack^ running 
along the inner margin of the fore wings. Be- 
neathj the first pair are yellow, with a dusky tip ; 
the second greyish, with innumerahle specks. 
Another species, of as nearly as possible the same 
size, has but recently appeared, but is become quite 
common ; the Black-edged Sulphur {XantMdia 
Delia). It is marked very much as the preceding, 
save* that the band at the inner margin of the first 
wdngs is altogether wanting. Beneath, both pairs 
are yellow, with pink fringes ; numerous specks, 
and a few larger black dots, are scattered over the 
surface.*' 
The Rattlesnake ( Grotalus) is quite common, but 
though well known to be poisonous, is not much 
dreaded. The retreat of this reptile is usually a 
hollow tree, which has an entrance near the ground : 
when pursued, he makes for his hole and ensconces 
himself within ; but his pursuer, if he be a chance 
passenger, and have not time or means to get him 
out, just blocks up the hole, by driving in a stout 
stick, or a stone, marks the tree, and calls at the 
nearest house to give the information. This is quite 
a conventional practice ; sticli a notice was left at 
our door the other day, and I accompanied a young 
* BoisduYal, in Ms "beautiful “ Histoire et IconograpMe des 
LepidopUres de V Amer-igue^'^ lias figured the Black-banded as 
the female of Delia^ but in this he is mistaken^ as I have caught 
Delia in circumstances which enable me to determine the male 
and female with precision. The sexes of this species differ in 
nowise from each other, except that the male is of a slightly 
brighter yellow, and has rather more of the black margin to 
the hinder wingg. No trace of the band appears in either sex. 
This error is the more unaccountable, since be gives the Black- 
banded again, as the male and female of Tucunda, which is cor- 
rect. I have little doubt, also, that Ms Theda favoninuSj and 
Theda hypericin are identical. 
