conical, short, and erect. The costa of the fore wing is straight, slightly curved inwardly before the apex. The neuration is represented in the cut.

FIG. 161. Neuration of the

Egg.- Hemispherical.

Caterpillar. - Not differing materially in its characteristics from the caterpillars of other hesperid genera.

Chrysalis.- Somewhat slender, with the dorsal and ventral outlines straighter than in any of the preceding genera, and the dorsum very slightly elevated in the region of the thoracic segments.

(1) Amblyscirtes vialis, Edwards, Plate genus Ambly- XLVII, Fig. 5, 6; Plate VI, Fig. 40, chrysalis (The Roadside Skipper).

scirtes.

Butterfly. This little species, an exceptionally bright example of which is represented in the plate, may be known by the dark color of the upper surface, almost uniformly brown, with a few subapical light spots at the costa. In the specimen that is figured these light spots are continued across the wing as a curved band, but this is not usual. The wings on the under side in both sexes are very much as on the upper side, save that both wings on the outer third are lightly laved with gray. Expanse, 1.00 inch.

Early Stages.-These have been described with minute accuracy by Dr. Scudder.

The Roadside Skipper ranges from Montreal to Florida, and westward as far as Nevada and Texas. It is not a common species in the valley of the Mississippi; it seems to be far more common in southern New England and in Colorado. At all events, I have obtained more specimens from these localities than from any others.

(2) Amblyscirtes samoset, Scudder, Plate XLVII, Fig. 6, 8; Plate VI, Fig. 45, chrysalis (Pepper-and-salt Skipper).

Butterfly. This little species on the upper side has the ground-color as in the preceding species; the fringes on both wings are pale gray. There are three small subapical spots on the fore wing, three somewhat larger spots, one on either side of the second median nervule and the third near the inner margin, and two very minute spots at the end of the cell. On the under side the wings are pale gray, the white spots of the upper side

of the fore wing reappearing. The hind wing is in addition marked by a semicircular median band of white spots, a small spot at the end of the cell, and another conspicuous white spot about the middle of the costa. Expanse, 1.00-1. 10 inch.

Early Stages.-The caterpillar apparently feeds upon grasses. We know as yet very little of the life-history of the insect.

It is found in Maine, New Hampshire, along the summits of the Appalachian mountain-ranges as far south as West Virginia, and is reported to be common in Wisconsin and Michigan.

(3) Amblyscirtes ænus, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 7, (The Bronze Skipper).

Butterfly. This obscure little species has the upper side of the wings somewhat tawny. The markings, which are similar to those in A. samoset, are not white, but yellow. The wings on the under side are darker than in samoset. The spots of the fore wing are the same, but the spots on the under side of the hind wing are different, and form a zigzag postmedian transverse band, with a single small spot at the end of the cell, and another of the same size beyond the middle of the costa. Expanse, 1.001.20 inch.

Early Stages.-These are unknown.

The species occurs in western Texas and Arizona.

(4) Amblyscirtes simius, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 8, (Simius).

Butterfly. The upper side of the male is correctly figured in the plate. The wings on the under side are quite pale; the spots of the fore wing reappear on the under side, and the fore wing is blackish at the base; the hind wing has the angle at the base broadly white, with a broad white blotch at the end of the cell, and a semicircular curved band of obscure spots traversing the middle of the wing. Expanse, &, .90 inch; 9, 1.20 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

The species was originally described from Colorado.

(5) Amblyscirtes textor, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 16, 3, under side (The Woven-winged Skipper).

Butterfly. This little species, the under side of which is accurately delineated in the plate, needs no description to characterize it, as its peculiar markings serve at once to distinguish it from all other species. Expanse, 1.25-1.45 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

This little insect ranges from North Carolina southward to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.

Genus PAMPHILA, Fabricius

Butterfly.-The antennæ are very short, less than half the length of the costa. The club is stout, elongate, and blunt at its extremity; the palpi are porrect, densely clothed with scales, concealing the third joint, which is minute, slender, and bluntly conical. The body is long, slender, and somewhat produced beyond the hind margin of the secondaries. The neuration of the wings is represented in the cut.

FIG. 162. Neuration of the genus Pamphila.

Egg.-Hemispherical, vertically ribbed, the interspaces uniformly marked with little pitted depressions.

Caterpillar.-The body is cylindrical, slender, tapering forward and backward; the neck less strangulated than in many of the genera. The body is somewhat hairy; the spiracles on the sides open from minute subconical elevations. Chrysalis. Not materially differing in outline and structure from the chrysalids of other genera which have already been described.

Only a single species belonging to the genus is found in North America.

(1) Pamphila mandan, Edwards, Plate XLXII, Fig. 1, ♂ (The Arctic Skipper).

Butterfly. No description of this interesting little insect is necessary, as the figure in the plate will enable the student at once to distinguish it. It is wholly unlike any other species. Expanse, 1.10 inch.

Early Stages. These have been described by Dr. Scudder and Mr. Fletcher. The caterpillar feeds on grasses.

The insect ranges from southern Labrador as far south as the White Mountains and the Adirondacks, thence westward, following a line north of the Great Lakes to Vancouver's Island and Alaska. It ranges southward along the summits of the Western Cordilleras as far as northern California.

Genus OARISMA, Scudder

Butterfly. Closely related to the preceding genus. The antennæ are very short; the club is long, cylindrical, bluntly rounded at the apex, not curved. The palpi are stout, the apical joint very slender, elongated, and porrect. The

head is broad; the body is long and slender, projecting somewhat beyond the posterior margin of the secondaries. The neuration of the wings is represented in the cut.

Early Stages.-So far as known to me the life-history of no butterfly of this genus has yet been ascertained.

(1) Oarisma garita, Reakirt, Plate XLVII, Fig. 3, (Garita).

FIG. 163.-Neuration of the genus Oa

risma.

Butterfly. This obscure little insect is light fulvous on the upper side, with the costa of the hind wing somewhat broadly marked with leaden gray; on the under side the fore wings are brighter fulvous, with the inner margin laved with dark gray. The hind wings are paler fulvous, inclining to gray, with the inner margin brighter fulvous. Expanse, .75-1.00 inch.

Early Stages. We know little of these. The species is found in southern Colorado, ranging thence westward and southward to Arizona.

(2) Oarisma powesheik, Parker, Plate XLVII, Fig. 4, 8 (Powesheik).

Butterfly. This species may be distinguished from its ally garita by its larger size, the darker color of the upper side of the wings, and the red markings on the costa of the fore wings. On the under side the fore wings are black, edged on the costa and outer margin for a short distance below the apex with light fulvous. The hind wings are dusky, with the veins and nervules white, standing forth conspicuously upon the darker ground-color. Expanse, 1.00-1.25 inch.

Early Stages.-Unknown.

Powesheik occurs in Wisconsin, and ranges thence westward to Nebraska, northward to Dakota, and southward as far as Colorado.

EXCHANGES

One of the best ways of adding to a collection is by the method known as exchanging. A collector in one part of the country may find species which are rare, or altogether unknown, in another part of the country. By a system of exchanges with other collectors he is able to supply the gaps which may exist in his collection. No one, however, cares to effect exchanges with collectors who are careless or slovenly in the preparation of their specimens, or inaccurate in naming them. A collector who contemplates making an exchange should, as the first step, prepare double lists, in one of which he gives the names and the number of specimens of either sex of the butterflies which he is able to offer in exchange; in the other he sets forth the things which he desires to obtain. The first list is said to be a list of "offerta"; the second is a list of "desiderata." As an illustration of the manner in which such lists may be conveniently arranged, I give the following:

The collector who receives these lists of offerta and desiderata will be able to decide what his correspondent has which he desires, and what there may be in his own collection which the correspondent wishes that he can offer in exchange; and the process of exchange is thus immediately facilitated.

Persons who exchange insects with others should always be extremely careful as to the manner of packing the specimens, and the directions given in the introductory portion of this book should be very carefully followed. Too much care cannot be taken in preventing damage to specimens in transit.

Genus ANCYLOXYPHA, Felder

Butterfly. Very small, the antennæ very short, the club straight, bluntly pointed. The palpi have the third joint long,