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THE BUTTERFLY. 
a zig-zag manner, so that a bird finds it difficult 
to seize her. She will be either above or below 
him, or on one side or the other; and though he 
can fly much quicker than she can, he does not 
often catch her. 
The purple emperor* has the stoutest wings, 
and flies higher and swifter than any other 
English butterfly. He can remain several hours 
in the air, and soars almost like a bird of prey. 
The title of emperor has been given to him, 
because of the lustre of his purple plumes, and 
because he fixes his throne on the summit of the 
loftiest oak. At mid-day, when the sun is 
shining, he takes his flight, and mounts higher 
and higher, until he is lost to view. If he 
happens to meet another emperor, the monarch 
of a neighbouring tree, they fight as they fly, 
still mounting upwards, and the battle goes on 
all the time they are in the air. But when they 
are tired of buffeting each other, they return to 
their thrones, and remain in a state of repose 
until the following noon. 
The purple emperor very rarely condescends 
to settle on the ground, but when he does, it is 
a good opportunity to catch him. He is so bold, 
and so determined not to move, that you may go 
* Papilio iris. 
