Hepfboptera; or Scale* wtngeb IFnsects 
THE LIFE HISTORY. 
The name Lepidoptera was first 
applied by the naturalist Linnaeus 
to the order of insects known as 
butterflies and moths. 
The dust which covers the wings 
and bodies of these insects, when placed 
under a microscope of low power, is seen 
to be composed of minute scales. These 
vary in form from those elongated into hairs 
to flat wide plates not unlike in appearance the scales of fishes. 
The variety in shape and color of the scales of different species 
of Lepidoptera is amazing, and a number sprinkled on a microscopic 
slide will frequently display all the glitter and iridescence of a casket 
of precious jewels. To these scales the beauty of coloring of this 
order of insects is entirely due; for when they are removed, the 
Butterfly Scales. 
wings are seen to be composed of veins or ribs, with thin transparent 
membranes extending between them. Many of the scales are striated 
or corrugated and decompose the light in such a way as to give to our 
eyes those combinations of colors so pleasing to behold. They are 
