NYMPH ALLD7E. 
225 
same time letting go below, and by repeating this process with differ¬ 
ent rings in succession, it at length reaches the tuft of silk, entangles 
its hooks among the threads, and then hangs suspended without 
further risk of falling. It next contrives to dislodge the cast cater¬ 
pillar skin by whirling itself around repeatedly, till the old skin is 
finally loosened from its attachment and falls to the ground. The 
whole of this operation, difficult as it may seem, is performed in the 
space of a very few minutes, and rarely does this insect fail to accom¬ 
plish it successfully and safely.” 
So rapidly is a part of this process performed, particularly the 
withdrawing of the tail of the chrysalis from the caterpillar skin and 
the climbing up and fastening of its hooks in the mat of silk, that 
one can scarcely understand how it is done until he has seen it over 
and over again. 
The genus Paphid is confined to the American continent, and 
most of the species are from Central and South America. The 
upper wings are pointed, and the lower pair is usually adorned with 
a narrow tail on each wing. Many of the species are richly colored 
with purplish brown, pinkish brown, bluish black, greenish black, 
etc.; but not many are brilliant in comparison with those of other 
tropical butterflies. 
Papilla troglodyta. Male. 
A fine insect, found throughout the western and southwestern 
states, is Paphia troglodyta. In color the male is copper red, the 
outer margin of the wings being brownish on the upper pair and 
blackish on the lower. The female is not so bright a red, and numer- 
