NYMPHALIDiE. 
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seldom take more than two or three specimens in a season, but I 
have obtained many fine ones from Ontario, Canada, where a friend 
rears them from the egg. An allied species of about the same size 
is found plentifully in the foothills in northern California. This is 
Vanessa californica , and it much resembles the European form 
Vanessa polychloros. 
To the genus Grrapta belong several butterflies inhabiting Europe 
and America, whose wings are very angular in outline and bear near 
the centre of the lower pair on the under side a silvery mark, sug¬ 
gesting in some instances a letter or a figure. From these rather 
fancied resemblances some of the species have received their names. 
These butterflies are of medium size and handsome in coloring, being 
mostly some shade of orange or reddish brown with black or brown 
markings. The outlines of their wings, too, like the lines of a fast 
sailing vessel, suggest speed, for they are very active creatures and 
even while at rest look alert and ready to take wing the instant 
danger threatens. They are very common in Canada and in the 
northern and middle parts of the United States. 
Grrapta interrogationis is one of the largest of this group of 
insects and is certainly one of ihe finest and an ornament to an}^ 
cabinet. There are two well-marked forms, which are so different in 
color as to quite puzzle one at first. The most common form is 
