Lepidoptera

(lép-e-dop'te-rah.) [From Gr. le pis, a scale, and pte ron, a wing.] (Zool.) A sub-order of four winged insects, comprehending the butterflies (Fig. 117) and the moths (Fig. 442). The wings, which vary in size, figure, and position, are covered with a multitude of minute scales, which when rubbed appear like powder or far in ace ons dust; the nervures of the wings being disposed chiefly in a longitudinal direction. The an tennæ are composed of numerous minute joints, and are generally distinct. They are also furnished with a proboscis, composed of two sub-cylindrical tubes, between which there is an intermediate one, or sucker; Fig. 442.- moTH (A mph i das is prodromaria). and by means of it they are enabled to extract the nectar from flowers, that being the only aliment on which they subsist. The head, thorax, and abdomen are always more or le covered with hair. The females usually deposit their ova, often very numerous, on the vegetables that are to nourish the larvæ-which are well known as caterpillars-and perish soon after. Some species of larvæ attack woollen cloths, furs, leather, bacon, wax, . Some of them form societies, and live under a silken tent, which they spi nin common. Caterpillars usually change their skin four times, before pa ing into the state of nymph or chrysalis: most of them spin a cocoon, in which they enclose themselves. The lepidoptera i ue from their nymphal envelope through a slit which is effected in the back of the thorax. Lepidosiren, (lěp-e-do-si'rěn.) (Zool.) A curious genus of animals, one of the connecting links between Batrachians (or Amphibia) and Fishes, and ranked by some naturalists with the former, and by some with the latter. They inhabit the fresh waters of the hotter partsofS.America and Africa, are from 1to 3 feet long, fish-like in form, scaly, and with simple styliform legs. During the dry season they are said to bury themselves in the mud. Lepidus, MARCUS EMILIUS, (lep'e-dus,) " the Great Triumvir," and the descendant of an illustrious family, ofRome, became an adherent of Cæsar during the contest of the latter with Pompey, and in 46 his colleaguo in the consulship. In 43 he combined with Antony and Octavius to form the celebrated triumvirate, and received for his share of the supreme power, the pro vs. ofSpainandNarbonneseGaul. In the following year,deprived by his colleagues of his pro vs., he accept eda command in Africa; and, ultimately, failing in an attempt to regain his lost power, he D. in banishment, 13B. c. Leporidæ, (le-pore-de.) [From L. lep us, a hare.] (Zool.) A family of rodent animals, chiefly characterized by the presence of two small incisors immediately behind the ordinary rodent incisors of the upper jaw, so that these teeth seem to be double. The molar teeth, six on each side above and five below, are transversely grooved, being formed of two vertical plates soldered together. All the animals of this family feed exclusively on vegetable food, and chiefly on herbage, although they are also fond of grain, roots, and the bark of trees. Their fore-feet have five toes, their hind feet four; the soles are hairy. Their fur is soft; the colors mostly gray or brown, the alpine and arctic species becoming white in winter. Some live in burrows, but most have merely a form, or nest on the ground, where they generally sit during the day. The genus Lepus includes the Hare, and the Rabbit which much resembles the hare, but may be distinguished from it by its smaller size, its shorter ears and hind legs, and the absence of the black tip to the ears. In its habits it is extremely different from that animal; being unable to outstrip its enemies in the chase, it seeks its safety and finds shelter by burrowing in the ground. Although the name is applied to several American species, it is probable that there is no genuine N. American rabbit of which the European rabbit, L. cuniculus, may be taken as a type; but our species of this gen. are hares, which are mainly solitary in their habits and do not construct burrows. [s. 539] IMG:p0584_0.jpg:Gravür