THE HESPERIANS. 
313 
mine and characterize them. In the distribution of the 
Hesperians, by far the largest portion of the family or group 
seems to have been assigned to the Western Continent; and 
it is probable that New England, or perhaps Massachusetts 
alone, contains a larger number of species than the whole of 
Europe. The insects of this group recede in many striking 
characters, and in their general habits, from the true butter¬ 
flies, and seem to form the connecting link between the latter 
and the sphinges or hawk-moths. Those belonging to the 
genus Hesperia delight in cool and shady places, and most 
commonly appear on the wing towards the evening, wliich 
led Fabricius to give them a generic name indicative of this 
circumstance. Their antennae are considerably shorter than 
in those included in Thanaos and Eudamus^ and the knob at 
the end, which is thick and oblong oval, terminates suddenly 
in a little point directed to one side. The upper wings are 
raised and the lower are expanded when at rest; and the 
fringes are not spotted. The body is thick, and about as long 
as the hind wings. Most of the males are distinguished by 
an oblique black dash near the middle of the fore wings. 
The caterpillar lives chiefly on low herbaceous plants. The 
chrysalis (Fig. 136) is described as being conical, 
with a pointed head, and a long tongue-case, 
folded on the breast, but not confined at the point. 
The transformation takes place in a slight cocoon Sk 
of stubble or grass, connected by a few threads Ftt 
within. These skippers frequent meadows, and 
other grassy and somewfitat shady places, during wH 
the middle and latter part of summer. They are 
of smaller size than the preceding Hesperians, and are much 
more common and abundant. Their flight, though short 
and intermitting, is exceedingly swift, and they possess a 
o-reat deal of muscular strength. 
O O 
Hesperia Hohomok. Hoboraok Skipper. (Fig. 137.) 
Dark brown above ; on each of the wdngs a large tawny- 
40 
