Various

“ The metropolis of the typical Nephele is in Canada and northern New England, that of Alope in the States south of New York. There is a line running about with the southern boundary of New York, or it may be, in Pennsylvania, below which Alope holds sole possession, and no tendency is discoverable towards Nephele. In the extreme northern area, if there is any departure from typical Nephele, it is the exception, not the rule. ”

“ The largest Alope and Hunter Nephele were alike in color and in dorsal stripes, clouds on wings, and edgings of head case, etc.; but the bands and clouds were most distinct in Alope. All these large chrysalids produced female butterflies. The plainer and smaller chrysalids were male. But one female Nephele chrysalis is recorded as without clouds or bands.
The Illinois chrysalids were of same shape as the rest, but were small and plain colored, and were blue or whitish-green; the edgings white instead of cream color. They were readily to be distinguished from any other. ”

“ The color of the polished elytra or wing-covers is a deep blue-black, and the six rows of dots with which they are adorned are of a fiery burnished red, for which reason it has been called by the specific name of calidum. The legs in our figure are too thick and clumsy, but it must be well known to everyone. It may generally be found in early summer in damp pastures, either hidden under stones or running in the grass in search of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects. ”

“ In Canada the typical Nephele is the only form representing the genus Satyrus, except that possibly in some localities Alope or intergrades may appear; but if so, it is only occasionally. In New York and part of New England a belt of latitude is passed where in one section or other both these forms fly, besides an endless variety of intergrades. ”

“ They do not, however, restrict themselves to caterpillars, for they will attack and devour a perfect June-bug when fresh from the pupa state and soft, with apparently the same relish as their special dainty, a fat Cut-worm. In the larval state they are equally rapacious; they lurk in holes in the ground or under sticks and stones in the day-time, and only leave their retreats as night draws on to go in search of prey. ”

“ The wings of the male are blackish-brown, usually of uniform shade throughout—that is, in the typical male, corresponding to the female of Kirby. But there is a frequent departure from this type in the direction of Alope, the “pale atmosphere” about the ocelli appearing in the male, and in both sexes gradually widening and becoming less obscure till it culminates in a clear yellow band. When this is reached we have Alope, Fabr. So that Nephele intergrades completely with Alope. ”

“ Mr. Scudder, in his essay on The Distribution of Insects in New Hampshire, 1874, says of Alope: “This insect is tolerably abundant, sometimes very common, in the southern half of New England. The most northern localities ... are Norway, Me., Thornton and Shelburne, N. H., and Sudbury, Vt.” Thornton is just south of the White Mountains, and Shelburne is close by the mountains on the north-east. Of Nephele he says: “It is found over the whole northern half of N. E. in great abundance. ”

“ It is not very unusual to find examples in which a black point, or what may be considered as a rudimentary ocellus, presents itself. On the upper side of hind wing is often a small but complete ocellus near inner angle, but in many cases it is partly or wholly wanting ”

“ I got Alope eggs here at Coalburgh from three females. A friend at Hunter sent eggs of Nephele, and Mr. Worthington sent many of the Illinois form from Chicago. In each case the parent was sent with the eggs that the type might be noted. From Albany, Hoboken is 150 miles south; Coalburgh 800 miles southwest; Hunter is 35 miles southwest of Albany and of about 2,000 feet greater elevation. Chicago is about 800 miles northwest of Coalburgh and 1,000 west of Albany. ”

“ Two plates of Part IX Butterflies of North America will be devoted to the illustration of these forms and varieties, and intergrades, and I desire to make the history of the species as complete as possible in the text.
ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS. BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA, ONT.
Entomology seems to be gradually throwing off the veil of contempt under which it has been so long hidden. The Botanist has always to a certain extent been deemed a philosopher from the important part plants play in Pharmacy ”

“ All that would be required would be five or six nearly full grown examples of one species per genus, put up in narrow tubes or narrow cylindrical bottles (one tube for each set) , containing a solution of two parts of water to three of spirits about 60 over proof, well corked and with the cork tied down. Some tissue paper should be put into each tube with the specimens, to prevent the solid contents moving about within the tube when its position is shifted, care being taken not to compress the insects ”

“ The work will be considerably facilitated if beginners will state any difficulties which they may encounter, for it is only by their mentioning their difficulties that the Editor can know how to assist them. Any questions which are of such a nature that they will be likely to assist others in their studies will be answered through the pages of the Entomologist when space admits. ”

“ Nephele.—Kirby, Faun. Bor. Amer., 1837, described this species as follows: “Wings brown; primaries both above and below with a paler submarginal broad band including two eyelets; the upper ones surrounded by a paler atmosphere, with a black iris and white pupil; on the under side the atmosphere of the eyelets is most distinct and forms a kind of glory round them,” etc. ”

“ On hind wings the outer line runs evenly outward till over the median nervules, where it approaches the margin, then running inwardly and straight across to internal margin. This species wants the usual subcostal indentation of the outer line on secondaries. A terminal ochre line. Thorax deep ochrey. Beneath whitish; primaries shaded with ochrey superiorly; markings of upper surface faintly repeated. Fringes concolorous or a little paler than wings. Expanse 28 mil. Two specimens, Mass.; one male sent me by Prof. ”