Butterfly. This species may be distinguished from T. pacuvius, a near ally, by the more mottled surface of the secondaries, which in pacuvius are almost solidly black; and from T. martialis, another close ally, by the absence of the purplish-gray cast peculiar to both sides of the wings of the latter species, and the less regular arrangement of the bands of spots on the upper side of the fore wings. The plate does not show these delicate but constant marks of difference as well as might be desired. Expanse, 1.20-1.40 inch.

Early Stages.-Dr. Scudder has fully described these. The caterpillar feeds on the columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

Lucilius ranges from New England to Georgia, is common in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and extends westward at least as far as the Rocky Mountains.

(5) Thanaos persius, Scudder, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 1, ¿; Plate VI, Fig. 34, chrysalis (Persius' Dusky-wing).

Butterfly. This is a very variable species, some specimens being light and others dark in color. There is scarcely any positive clue to the specific identity of the insect except that which is derived from the study of the genital armature of the male, which is a microscopic research capable of being performed only by an expert in such matters. The student may be pardoned if, in attempting to classify the species of this genus, and the present species in particular, he should grow weary, and quote a few biblical expressions relating to Beelzebub, the "god of flies." panse, 1.20-1.45 inch.

Ex

Early Stages.-The caterpillar feeds on willows. Scudder has with patient care described its life-history.

The insect ranges from New England southward, and inland across the continent to the Pacific.

(6) Thanaos afranius, Lintner, Plate XLV, Fig. 5, 8 (Afranius' Dusky-wing).

Butterfly.-Closely related to the preceding species. The hind wings on the upper side in the male sex are almost solid black, the fringes paler. On the under side there is a double row of light spots along the margin of the hind wing in both sexes. The female is generally paler in color on the upper side than the male. Early Stages.-Unknown.

All the specimens I have seen come from Arizona, where the thing is apparently common.

(7) Thanaos martialis, Scudder, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 4, 3; Plate VI, Fig. 37, chrysalis (Martial's Dusky-wing).

Butterfly.-The upper side of the wings is paler than in most species, and has a distinctly purplish-gray cast. The fore wings are crossed by irregular bands of dark spots. The hind wings on the outer half are profusely mottled with small pale spots. All the light spots are repeated on the under side of both wings, and are more distinct on this side than on the upper. Expanse, 1.25-1.40 inch.

Early Stages. These are partly known. The caterpillar feeds on Indigofera and Amarantus.

The species ranges from Massachusetts to Georgia, and westward to Missouri and New Mexico.

(8) Thanaos juvenalis, Fabricius, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 11, 9; Plate VI, Fig. 33, chrysalis (Juvenal's Dusky-wing).

Butterfly.- Larger than the preceding species. The wings have a number of translucent spots arranged as a transverse series beyond the middle of the wing. They are far more distinct and larger in the female than in the male. The under side of the wings is paler than the upper side, and profusely but indistinctly marked with light spots. Expanse, 1.35-1.60 inch. Early Stages. For a full knowledge of these the reader may consult the pages of "The Butterflies of New England." The caterpillar feeds on oaks and leguminous plants of various species.

This insect ranges from Quebec to Florida, and westward as far as Arizona, where it appears to be common.

(9) Thanaos petronius, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 7, 8 (Petronius' Dusky-wing).

Butterfly. - Allied in size to the preceding species, but the translucent spots of the transverse band are not, as in that species, continued toward the inner margin, but terminate at the first median nervule. The outer third of the primaries is pale, the inner two thirds very dark. The under side of the wings of the male is uniformly dusky, slightly, if at all, marked with lighter spots. The under side of the wings of the female is less distinctly marked with light spots than is the case in allied species. Expanse, 1.50-1.75 inch.

Early Stages.- Unknown.

The species has thus far been found only in Florida.

(10) Thanaos horatius, Scudder, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 15, 3 (Horace's Dusky-wing).

Butterfly.- Smaller than T. juvenalis, which it resembles in the long transverse series of translucent spots. It is, however, paler on the upper side of the wings, and more profusely mottled on the hind wing both above and below, though there is considerable variation in this regard. Expanse, 1.65 inch. Early Stages. The caterpillar probably feeds on the Leguminosa. We know very little about the life-history of the species. The butterfly ranges from Massachusetts to Texas.

(11) Thanaos nævius, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 3, 9 (Nævius' Dusky-wing).

Butterfly. This insect is closely allied to T. petronius, but the translucent spots on the fore wing are smaller, and there is generally a light spot near the costa before the three subapical translucent spots.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

The habitat of this species is the region of the Indian River, in Florida.

(12) Thanaos pacuvius, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 9, 9 (Pacuvius' Dusky-wing).

Butterfly.-Small, with the fore wings on the upper side rather regularly banded with dark brown upon a lighter ground. The hind wings are almost solid black above, with the fringes toward the anal angle pure white. Expanse, 1.15-1.30 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

This species occurs in Colorado, Mexico, and Arizona.

(13) Thanaos clitus, Edwards, Plate XLV, Fig. 8, & (Clitus). Butterfly.-Larger than the preceding species. The hind wings are solidly deep black, fringed broadly with pure white. The fore wings of the male are dark, of the female lighter. Expanse, 1.60-1.75 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

The habitat of this species is Arizona and New Mexico.

(14) Thanaos funeralis, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 12, ô (The Funereal Dusky-wing).

Butterfly. Closely allied to the preceding species, of which it may be only a smaller varietal form. Expanse, 1.35 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

Funeralis occurs in western Texas and Arizona.

The genus Thanaos is one of the most difficult genera to work out in the present state of our knowledge of the subject. The species are not only obscurely marked, but they vary in the most extraordinary manner. Except by a microscopic examination of the genital armature, which can be carried on only when the student possesses considerable anatomical knowledge and an abundance of material, there is no way of reaching a satisfactory determination in many cases.

COLLECTIONS AND COLLECTORS

In almost every community there is to be found some one who is interested in insects, and who has formed a collection. The commonest form of a collection is exceedingly primitive and unscientific, in which a few local species are pinned together in a glass-covered box or receptacle, which is then framed and hung upon the wall. Almost every village bar-room contains some such monstrous assemblage of insects, skewered on pins, in more or less frightful attitudes. As evidencing an innate interest in the beauties of natural objects, these things are interesting, but show a want of information which, as has been already pointed out, is largely due to a lack of literature relating to the subject in this country. In many of the schools of the land small collections, arranged more scientifically, have been made, and some of the collections contained in the high schools of our larger towns and cities are creditable to the zeal of teachers and of pupils. There is no reason why every school of importance should not, in the lapse of time, secure large and accurately named collections, not only of the insects, but of the other animals, as well as the plants and minerals of the region in which it is located. Every high school should have a room set apart for the use of those students who are interested in the study of natural history, and they ought to be encouraged to bring together collections which should be properly arranged and preserved. The expense is not great, and the practical value of the training which such studies impart to the minds of young people is inestimable.

The great systematic collections in entomology in the United States are for the most part in the hands of the museums and universities of the country. The entomological collections of the

United States government at Washington are large and rich in interesting material. The collections possessed by Harvard College and the Boston Society of Natural History are extensive; so are also the collections of the American Museum of Natural History, the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and those of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. The collection in the latter institution is altogether the largest and most perfect collection of the butterflies of North America in existence, and covers also very largely the butterflies of the world, there being about twelve thousand species of butterflies represented, including representatives of all known genera.

The formation of great collections has always had a charm for those who have possessed the knowledge, the time, and the means to form them; and the ranks of those who are engaged in the study of butterflies include many of the most famous naturalists, among them not a few of noble rank. One of the most enthusiastic collectors in Europe at the present time is the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia. The Nestor among German collectors is Dr. Staudinger of Dresden. In France M. Charles Oberthür of Rennes is the possessor of the largest and most perfect collection on French soil. In England there are a number of magnificent collections, aside from the great collection contained in the British Natural History Museum. These are in the possession of Lord Walsingham, the Hon. Walter Rothschild, Mr. F. D. Godman, Mr. Herbert Druce, Mr. H. J. Elwes, and others, all of whom hold high rank in the domain of scientific research.

There are many men who make the collecting of natural-history specimens a business. They are among the most intrepid and indefatigable explorers of the present time. The late Henry W. Bates and Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace were in early life leaders in this work, and we are indebted to their researches for a knowledge of thousands of species. Two of the most successful collectors who have followed in their footsteps are Mr. Herbert H.. Smith and Mr. William Doherty, both of them Americans; Mr. Smith one of the most enthusiastic and successful explorers in South and Central America, Mr. Doherty the most diligent explorer of the Indo-Malayan Region. The story of the travels and adventures of these two men is a tale full of romantic interest, which, alas! has been by neither of them fully told.