Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-04
TRAINING A BUTTERFLY.
How the Intelligence Of an Insect
Was Developed by q Woman.

HOW the Intelligence OF an Insect
Was Developed by q Woman.
From the May Cosmopolitan
On a cool October day, while walking In
the park, I saw a large black and orange
butterfly. 1t was 30 perfect and beautiful.
although the frosty air had apparently
taken its life. that carefully put II in an
envelope and took II home. Reaching there,
the butterfly was laid upon the table. Re
turning to my room several hours after. i
was attracted by a strange scratching on
paper. Going to the table 1 found. to my
surprise, that the sound came from the en-
velope With much care and gentleness /
unfolded It. and out came my treasure. I,
was not dead. but had been chilled. and the
genial warmth OF the room. reviving the
latent spark. gave to me such a pet as /
believe no one else in the world has ever
had. Ny first thought was. il surely must
be hungry. But how feed IL? How handle
1t? From natures bounteous store house
II lived upon the honey OF the flowers. with
little sips Of water taken from the pools by
the roadside
for my welcome guest-a honey, or strip OF
white sugar In q tiny little saucer, and in
another. some water. All was now ready
But how was / going to get him to eat!
After much thought decided the only way
TO handle him was to fold back his wings
and take him by the shoulders. Next
took number seven sewing needle. and
placing the head OF II very gently through
the curled proboscis. slowly unrolled IL.
and as I did 30 the end of II fell in the
sirup Oh, what an untold feast for a
starved butterfly! After he had his fill ]
loosened my hold. and he at once COM
msnced to remove the adhered sweets from
his proboscis and fore feet. then his anten-
nae were polished. and, lastly having
plufr-ed his body Of you look through a
magnifying glass you will see the butter
fxy'c hrdx- 10 A,.ol xx-s~n
he moved of like a man pleased with the
world. !, too. was happy, for IL the little
fellow would eat in this way, surely he
would live his natural span. Yes. he rev.
eled in a green old age.
After Three Days.
For three days I continued to feed him in
this manner. how many times a day /
cannot say. but It was often and often ]
had no other duties to call me away 30
three whole days were devoted to my pet.
To my surprise. on the fourth day, when /
went to feed him. a. I put out my hand 10
take him, he new upon 1t. and commenced
to un-oll his proboscis and to eat without
my aid. Ever after that I was his flower
garden. his purveyor, or whatever the but
terfiies may call their storehouse
Now we were fast friends. and every day
impressed upon me how like a human being
In all hts ways this insect was. / kept plants
in the ROOM and these were his resting
places; but when the bright sun shone in
the window. he would fly around as in the
days OF his outdoor existence When /
came into the room. he would fly to me.
lighting upon my hands. my arms or my
chest. This also would he do IL were sit
ting in the room reading, writing or sewing.
These attentions were always reciproca ed
by my Offering some refreshments. Generl
ally they were accepted. II placed him on
table, or any nat surface, and then drew
my finger along. he would follow IL like a
kitten, In every direction, not flying but
keeping up continuous walk; and then.
when L started to leave the table he would
turn his head as knowingly as q child or
animal
End of . Brief Experience.
In three weeks came the first signs of
approaching age. 1t was in the dullness of
the bright coloring and gloss; a few DAYS
more. wrinkles appeared on the body ana
wings. and. after eating. he was not SO
particular to plume himself Next the an
petite was wanting, and each day his
strength tailed. The last week or ten DAYS
OF Lis life had 10 feed him like an infant.
unroliing the proboscIs for each meal and
after l thought he had fed long enough
take a camels hair brush. dip II in tepid
water, and wash his proboscis, antennae
and Feet No longer did he constantly move
about, but was satisfied IL near me. 10
crawl over my hand. The three DAYS before
ne died he was in my hand nearly Ali th.
time, whether for warmth or love / cam
not say, and In my hand he died. To as
sure myself / had done all that possibly
could be done to keep him alive went 10
the library. and there read what was 10 be
learned about the butterflies and happy
was l to know. from the care / had tak.n
of mine he had lived far beyond his AL
lotted time.