KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES OF THE NYMPHALIDÆ OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
I. With the veins of the fore wings not greatly swollen at the base.
_A._ Antennæ naked. (_a_) Fore wings less than twice as long as broad--_Euploeinoe_. (_b_) Fore wings twice as long as broad and often translucent, the abdomen extending far beyond the inner margin of the hind wings--_Ithomiinoe_.
_B._ Antennæ clothed with scales, at least above. (_a_) Fore wings at least twice as long as broad--_Heliconiinoe_. (_b_) Fore wings less than twice as long as broad. 1. Palpi not as long as the thorax--_Nymphalinoe_. 2. Palpi much longer than the thorax--_Libytheinoe_.
II. With some of the veins of the fore wings greatly swollen at the base--_Satyrinoe_.
We now proceed to present the various genera and species of this family which occur within the territorial limits of which this book treats. The reader will do well to accompany the study of the descriptions, which are at most mere sketches, by a careful examination of the figures in the plates. In this way a very clear idea of the different species can in most instances be obtained. But with the study of the book should always go, if possible, the study of the living things themselves. Knowledge of nature founded upon books is at best second-hand. To the fields and the woods, then, net in hand! Splendid as may be the sight of a great collection of butterflies from all parts of the world, their wings
no vision is so exquisite and so inspiring as that which greets the true aurelian as in shady dell or upon sun-lit upland, with the blue sky above him and the flowers all around him, he pursues his pleasant, self-imposed tasks, drinking in health at every step.
SUBFAMILY EUPLOEINÆ (THE MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES)
"Lazily flying Over the flower-decked prairies, West; Basking in sunshine till daylight is dying, And resting all night on Asclepias' breast; Joyously dancing, Merrily prancing, Chasing his lady-love high in the air, Fluttering gaily, Frolicking daily, Free from anxiety, sorrow, and care!"
_Butterfly._--Large butterflies; head large; the antennæ inserted on the summit, stout, naked, that is to say, not covered with scales, the club long and not broad; palpi stout; the thorax somewhat compressed, with the top arched. The abdomen is moderately stout, bearing on the eighth segment, on either side, in the case of the male, clasps which are quite conspicuous. The fore wings are greatly produced at the apex and more or less excavated about the middle of the outer border; the hind wings are rounded and generally much smaller than the fore wings; the outer margin is regular, without tails, and the inner margin is sometimes channeled so as to enfold the abdomen. The fore legs are greatly atrophied in the male, less so in the female; these atrophied legs are not provided with claws, but on the other legs the claws are well developed.