Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-26
ID. G. Pfeiffer ,
@29 IF St. NV.
HER PET BUTTERFLIES.
Mrs. Meyer Feeds and Caresses Them
TIL They Are Tame.

Mrs. meyer FeeNs ana SAresheS lhem
TIL They Are Tame.
From the New Yo.k Evening Journal.
Mrs. Julia Meyer, a prominent member of
| the Woman's Suffrage League and the
Ladies' Health Protective Association, and
who is also well known for her philan-
| thropic doings, has succeeded in tanning a
| number of bright, gauze-winged butterflies.
In Mrs. Meyers home her pets futter
about her, alighting on her shoulders and
head with the utmost confidence and affec-
| ton for their fair mistress.
Il discovered my ability to attract but
terflies this summer. while at my country
| home at Sea Gate" said Mrs Meyer today.
They really belong to my country house,
but / couldn't leave them there TO die, SO
transported them to my city home.
"They will not live long" she added, re-
gre,fully. They only last three weeks at
the best. and these 1 have now are about
is butterfly field, and l had constantly
as many as two dozen on hand. As they
passed away from old age l renewed con-
stantly the number of my pets
How did l discover that l could tame
them? One day two alighted on me at one
time, as though there were some Special
attractive force. l took one of them at
time, and as L bTeathed gently upon it L
stroked the tiny velvet covered back of
the body with the tip of my finger.
Il noticed that when did this the wings
were spread out ana ciOSeQ again, as
though with satisfaction. l repeated the
operation several times, and, to my sur
prise, the butterflies refused to leave me,
ana remained just where l placed them.
Their diet is sweetened water and lettuce
leaves
Here Mrs. Meyer took a plate dainty
Dresden china affair, decorated in tints
as delicate the hues of the butterflies
wings, and, placing some sugar in the GEN.
ter of the plate, she poured little water
over it.
Il will show you how feed them," she
said.
Here sne began to gather them from
muslin window draperies. Taking them up
gently by the wings that were folded to-
gether. as though to facilitate her effort,
she breathed on each one slowly, as though
to hypnotic it, and then placed it on the
rim of the plate. She continued to do this
until sixteen of the pets were ranged about
the circular plate, moving deliberately AMI
saying not word. Slowly each butterfly
uncurled its long, thread-like proboscis and
extended the feeder into the sweet solution.
The feast OF the butterflies lasted about fif-
teen minutes, during which time their
tanner was silent. When the proboscis OF
each was curled up again Mrs. Meyer re-
moved the butterflies from the plate and
placed them on the neck of the gown she
wore. This was also done with great de-
liberation. at the same time breathing
gently from her nostrils upon each.
II pi reserve my beauties after they pass
away, and my case of mounted butterflies
will possess an interest never invoked by
science. Do l name them? Yes, indeed. 1
call ore Fanita, ard one Juliet, and an
other Carissima. This lovely white-and-
yellow one is Narcissa. l have no reason
to think they are conscious of their names
but do know that they know me-, and me
alone l have always been able to Influence
birds and dogs; in fact, many animals and
all animals like me. ! can teach canaries
to perform all sorts of tricks. This requires
great patience and mental concentration"