BUTTERFLY 260 BUTTON leges and Experiment Stations, and in 1917-1918 chairman of the Massachu- setts Committee of Food Production and Conservation. He also served on many other committees of a similar nature. Apart from articles in periodicals, his chief work is "The Country Church and the Rural Problem" (1911). BUTTERFLY, the English name for any species of the diurnal lepidoptera, or rhopalocera. The antennae end in a club; the wings in repose are generally quite upright, and there are no bristles cm the hinder pair. They fly by day, while their allies the hawk moths do so by twilight, and the moths by night. Before coming to the perfect state they exist first as the caterpillar, and after- ward in the chrysalis state. Butterflies exist in all climates except those marked by extreme cold; the tropical species, are, however, most numerous, besides being the largest in size, and, as a rule, the brightest in coloring. The butter- flies, or diurnal lepidoptera, are divided into four families: Papilionidse, nym- phalidas, lycsenidse, and hesperidse. BUTTERINE. See OLEOMARGARINE. BUTTERMILK, the residue of cream after the butter has been removed by churning. It forms a wholesome and agreeable as well as a nourishing drink in hot weather. It possesses the slightly acid taste from the acidity developed in ripening the cream. In composition it retains the ash ingredients, casein, and sugar of ordinary milk, while, on ac- count of small particles of butter being left in it, it is not devoid of fatty mat- ter. When the whole milk is churned, the resulting buttermilk is inferior both In taste and quality. In the country dis- tricts of both Ireland and Scotland it is commonly taken with porridge or pota- toes. Buttermilk is light and digestible, and is used as a beverage in the treat- ment of certain diseases. BUTTERNUT, the fruit of juglans cinerea, or white walnut, an American tree, so called from the oil it contains. The tree bears a resemblance in its gen- eral appearance to the black walnut, but the wood is not so dark in color. The same name is given to the nut of caryo- ear butyraceum and C. niiciferum of South America, also known as suwarrow, or suwarra nut. BUTTERWORT, pinguicula vulgaris, order lentibnlariacex, a plant growing in bogs or soft grounds in Europe, Can- ada, etc. The leaves are covered with soft, pellucid, glandular hairs, which se- crete a glutinous liquor that catches small insects. The edges of the leaf roll over on the insect and retain it, and the insect thus retained serves as food for the plant. In the N. of Sweden the leaves are employed to cui'dle milk. BUTTERWORTH, HEZEKIAH, an American story writer, born in Warren, R. I., Dec. 22, 1839. In 1871 he became editor of the "Youth's Companion." Author of popular juvenile stories and travels, including "Zig-Zag Joui'neys" (1876-1880) ; "Songs of History: Poems and Ballads upon Important Episodes in American History" (1887), and "The Wampum Belt" (1896). He died Sept 5, 1905. BUTTON, a small circular disk or- knob of mother of pearl, horn, metal, or other material, with a shank or perfora- tions through its center for attachment to an object, and made to fit into a hole formed in another one for its reception, the two fastening the objects together. Its chief use is to unite portions of a dress together. The ancient method of fastening dresses was by means of pins, brooches, buckles and tie-strings. But- tons of brass are found on dresses of the 16th century. Gilt buttons were first made in 1768, and those of papier mache in 1778. Buttons of vegetable ivory are now used universally. The palm fruit which yields it is called corozo nut. It is not unlike true ivory but softer, and is easily turned and dyed. These buttons are often mottled with some stain to suit the common patterns of cloth. Mother of pearl buttons are formed of the beau- tiful substance of which the large flat shell of the pearl oyster consists, and this has long been a favorite material for buttons. Small cylinders are first cut out of the shells with a tubular saw. These are then split into discs, v/hich are shaped by a steel tool, drilled with holes, and finally polished with rotten stone and soft soap, or by a more recent method with ground charcoal and tur- pentine. Shirt studs as well as flat and globular buttons with metal shanks are also made of this substance. Among other animal substances used for buttons are ivory, bone, horn, and hoof. There are many kinds of composi- tion buttons. Glass buttons are made in great variety. Along with other va- rieties, some beautiful glass buttons ar« made in Bohemia, either partly or wholly of aventurine glass; and of this gold spangled material, artistically inwrought with other colors, studs and solitaires still more remarkable for their beauty and minute patterns are made at Venice. Porcelain buttons were formerly nearly all of French manufacture, but they are now made principally at
