62 
HABITS OP AMERICAN PAPILIONES. 
P. Asterias is the most widely-diffused species of the genus, as far 
as I know, in North America, being found very far north, in Canada, 
in Newfoundland, and as far south as the middle of Mexico. It 
seems little affected by climate, for though varying much in size, 
you will find all sizes both in the north and south. It is in all 
respects a variable insect. Y ou know the difference in the sexes, 
each sex differs much in different individuals, in colour especially, in 
the amount'of blue and yellow on the hinder wings. The anterior 
wings in some indeed are all but falcate, in others almost rounded. It 
is a common species everywhere, appearing in the south early in 
spring, nay in the winter months. These are hybernated or hybernat- 
ing specimens, for they evidently have long been out of the pupa, being 
all worn. I think Boisduval is probably wrong in its being three- 
brooded. Two broods, the latter hybernating, and appearing the 
first warm days of spring, I think, is the true state of the case. 
It flies in gardens, fields, highways, &c., frequently alighting in the 
mud in hot weather. AVhen settled down in the mud-holes of an 
Ohio road, or beside the streamlets of the Alleghany roads, it is very 
easy to take. (Flight, like our Machaon.) It is fond of flowers, 
especially of some of the thistles (as Cnicus porridulus), and of 
Cephalanthus occidentalis. Its larva I have seen in gardens on 
Umbelliferae. 
( To be continued.) 
