"Another interesting instance of the self-protecting instinct is found here in the habits of some kinds of our native butterflies. Some of these are naturally protected by having so strong and unpleasant taste that the birds will not eat them. The habits of these kinds are imitated by other kinds that have a strong resemblance to them, but which are not naturally protected, and this is so successfully done that the birds let them alone and prey upon other varieties that have just as strong a resemblance to, but do not imitate the actions of the protected ones." [Illustration: Papilio asterias. Catopsilia argante. Papilio ajax. Grapta coma. BUTTERFLIES. 5/6 Life-size. Papilio rutulus. Papilio lycimenus. Papilio macrosilaus.] MID-SUMMER. The hills are sweet with the brier-rose.--WHITTIER. ---- Sweet is the rose, but grows upon a brier.--EDMUND SPENCER. ---- As though a rose should shut, and be a bud again.--KEATS. ---- What mortal knows Whence comes the tint and odor of the rose. THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. ---- The rose saith in the dewy morn, I am most fair; Yet all my loveliness is born Upon a thorn.--CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI. ---- The roses grew so thickly, I never saw the thorn, Nor deemed the stem was prickly until my hand was torn.--PETER SPENCER. ---- Gather ye rosebuds while you may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles to-day To-morrow will be dying.--HERRICK. ---- If this fair rose offend thy sight, Placed in thy bosom bare, 'Twill blush to find itself less white, And turn Lancastrian there.--UNKNOWN. ---- I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.--SHAKESPEARE. ---- The rose is fairest when 'tis budding new, And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears; The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew, And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears.--SCOTT. ---- My life is like the summer rose That opens to the morning sky, But ere the shades of evening close, Is scattered on the ground--to die! Yet on the rose's humble bed The sweetest dews of night are shed.--RICHARD HENRY WILDE. THE RED FOX. Except in South America and Australia, Foxes are distributed over all the great continents. There are known to be between twenty-five and thirty species. They differ from the dog family in the greater sharpness of the nose and the greater length and bushiness of the tail.