N YM P H A L IDiE. 
223 
their markings, some having much larger and darker eye-spots than 
others. 
The larva feeds upon grasses, and is cylindrical in shape, taper¬ 
ing towards both ends, the posterior being forked into two short tails. 
It is greenish yellow in color, striped with yellow and dark green. 
The chrysalis is green and smooth, and is often attached to the stems 
or blades of the grass on which the larva has fed. 
NYMPHALIDM. 
Angle Wings. Silver spots. 
The great family of Nymphalidce contains a larger number of 
species and genera than any other group of butterflies. It comprises 
many good sized and beautiful insects, and most of our well-known 
and showy specimens belong to this group. The family has a world¬ 
wide range, members belonging to it being found in every country on 
the earth. Many of the individual species have a wide geographical 
distribution, several being well known in half the inhabited regions 
of the globe. Many of the larvae of these butterflies are covered with 
spines or stout bristles, while others are adorned with fleshy fila¬ 
ments. The chrysalis is stout, and is suspended from a patch of silk 
by the posterior end of the body, without the thread of silk which 
passes around the body of the chrysalis of the Papilionidce. A large 
number of the chrysalides are angular, some being adorned with 
stout, sharp pointed spines or projections, while others are compara¬ 
tively smooth. Some are beautifully marked with golden or silvery 
spots, and are a delight to look upon. The chrysalis stage usually 
lasts about two weeks, depending largely on the temperature. 
The butterflies of this group are many of them active, rapid flying 
insects, with stout bodies, and frequently colored in a brilliant and 
striking maimer. They have but four well developed legs, the 
forward pair being aborted and of very little use to the insect. A 
deep groove on the lower wings partly encloses the abdomen on 
either side. 
In his excellent work on “ Insects Injurious to Vegetation,” Mr. 
Harris describes the way in which a caterpillar of this family sheds 
its skin and becomes a chrysalis, in such a complete and beautifully 
written manner, that I have concluded to insert it here instead of 
describing the process in my own words. He says of the A ympha- 
lidce: “ Their caterpillars, when about to transform, do not make a 
