The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14
DIR. HoFFMANs BUTTERFLIES.
400 American Species ut the Museum @
Natural History,

4b0 American Species Mt tho Museum of
Natural History.
The collection OF butterflies presented to the
American Museum of Natural History by Dean
Hoffman of the General Theological Seminary
is being put in place. The North American but
terhics are all arranged. OF the $50 known
species Of these $50 are represented in
this collection. These occupy seven cases.
or each species there are four speci-
mems, each mounted upon q plaster
block. the male and female. and the upper and
under side OF each. Mr.. B~nttenmGller. head OF
this department. says there is no finer collec-
ton of its kind. Certainly no collection Of any
kind displays greater variety OF hue, more eS-
quisite texture or delicate tracery, than do
the costumes Of these AIRY fairy" natives OF
our w land. Many OF these specimens were,
obtained with difficulty. and are rare and OF
great value.
In the first case are the Papilios, or swallow
tails. so called from their resemblance in form
to a swallow upon the wing. Among these is
the black swallowtail, which is marked with
transverse rows OF yellow spots. It's cater
pillar. yellow. crossed with black transverse
bands. is the enemy Of the parsley beds. An
other conspicuous member Of this class is the
Papilio Ajax, or zebra swallowtail, which has
sea green wings crossed with black bands,
with red spots on the hind wings. These come
from the South. All the caterpillars of this
species are protected by a scent organ. When
alarmed. from a narrow slit Just back of the
head n fork-like prong extends, projecting a
nauseous odor, which effectually quells the
appetite of the most voracious enemy.
In case No. 2 are the white and yellow
butterflies and the Parnassians or mountain
butterflies. Among these is the familiar cab
bage butterfly. or Pieris. the caterpillar OF
which lives upon the cabbage. The Parnasslans.
or mountain butterflies. are found only upon
the highest points of the Rocky and Sierra Ne
vada mountains. to Alaska. Their markings
ana colorings are generally protective. The
wings, being u part denuded ~ofscales. are trans
are, decked resemble those upon the rocks
in their high native haunts, and they are thus
Gus butterfly hunters. The orange.tipped or
Euchln prima is found. only in the waste places
Of q Arizona, and to obtain these little creatures
1t was necessary to make a wearisome trip
across n hot and arid plain. The lemon and
orange butterfly, the tCat9psiliR, vary in color
found only in Mexico or near its borders.
Cases Nos. 2 and + contain the different
which, are the yellow and orange dog
head Colias. so called from the resemblance in
head. These live among the clover and allied
plants an Inc silver spots, or f]ritillary, are. on the
under sides of the hind wings are marked with
silver spots, The Diana, among these. is con-
sumed by the male and femaIe. eI In the male ale
the basal half Of the wings is a deep. smoky
Drown, the outer edge being a reddish brown.
nile IN the female the wings arc Jet black. the
fore wings having blue patches and the hind
Case No. . shows different kinds of comma
butterflies. or Polygonias, so called from the
9dd I'm 5aag gfI,o OF TIE ; wing ; They are also known
color, which resembles the bark Of the trees
this species. in a neighboring case. but not OF
TINS collection. are mounted upon bark and
twigs. and Illustrate how perfect is their con-
ceaIment when motionless. even though in
open view Of the enemy.
Case No. q exhibits the wood nvmpbs or
satyrs. These, dressed in russets. dark browns,
some nearly black, are the ,Quakers of the col
lection They live among the grasses, and their |
caterplllars are characterized by a peculiar
hating gait. The theclas or hair streaks are
SO So called from "a peculiar tail like appendage to
the hind wings, which resembles a hair.
In the seventh case are the small blue butter
nles. or Iyc9nn. and the shippers, or Hesne-
They arc the earliest butterflies on the wing.
coming with the first ofthe pussy willows. The
Il hy fSn f. G i1da u is one Of the smallest butterflies
OF me LScehn and the ants n singular kind of
mutual benefit arrangement exists. The cater
tntprISatfSS' W nn are very small, seldom an inch in
who resent with open jaw and warlike meas.
Hres any attack upon their, friends. These
saccharino fluid. That is exmded in GtirytdH ropss
upon the leaf; and so prominent a sweet
tooth" have the ants that they protect their
Among the shippers all are similarly marked.
yet. llkc the others, each has its characteristic
Egudisshed Nv it tf fwo ii u a proteus is distin-
Among the butterflies in this case is one ex-
dd nnor # OF a IGt intregpent habit of the female 10
Of its kline and initiate another OF an ]entireISS
different variety. Here the female DIadems
m1slr WHY wears the garb Of the Danaus chrysip-
with a large white patch on each wing