the South and Midland districts, but it also extends its range into
Scotland. On the banks of Wye, about Tintern and Monmouth, I found it
extremely abundant. It has been seen swarming in a teasel-field, near
Selby, Yorkshire.
Its predilection for settling on bramble sprays has been alluded to on page
47.
* * * * *
THE DARK-GREEN FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Aglaia._)
(Plate X. fig. 1, Male.)
This is a handsomely-marked insect--orange-brown, chequered with black,
above. Beneath, the _front wing_ is coloured nearly as above, _but bears
near the tip several silvery spots_. The hind wing is splendidly studded
with rounded spots of silver, on a ground partly tawny, partly olive-green
and brown. The _male_ is the sex {130} represented, the female being darker
above, both as to the ground colour and markings.
The _caterpillar_, which feeds on the dog-violet, is very similar to that
of the last; as also is the _chrysalis_.
The _butterfly_ is out in July and part of August, and may be seen in a
variety of situations, from the breezy tops of heathy downs, to close-grown
forest-lands in the valleys; and it seems to be distributed over the whole
of the country, occurring in widely distant localities, from the south
coast to Scotland.
* * * * *
THE HIGH-BROWN FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Adippe._)
(Plate X. fig. 2.)
On the upper surface, this insect so closely resembles the last, that it is
difficult in a description to discriminate between them; but _beneath_, the
two are distinguished by the _absence in Adippe of the silvery spots near
the tip of the front wing_; and though there is some similarity in the
arrangement of the silver spots on the hind wing, and in its general
colouring, _Adippe_ is distinguished by a row of rust-red spots, with small
silvery centres, between the silver border spots and the next row inwards.
By comparing the figures of the under sides of _Adippe_ and _Aglaia_, these
will be readily made out. {131}
The _caterpillar_ is thorny, greyish, with black spots on the back,
intersected by a white line. Feeds on the violet.
The _chrysalis_ is reddish, spotted with silver.
The _butterfly_ appears in July, in many open places, in woods, and on
heaths, in various parts of England, but most plentifully in the south.
Like the last species, it is an active and wary insect on the wing, and
requires considerable agility and dexterity for its capture.
* * * * *
THE QUEEN OF SPAIN FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Lathonia._)
(Plate X. fig. 3.)
This splendid little species is one of the prize-flies of the
collector--that is, if the specimen be an undoubted native; for while a
"Queen of Spain" taken within our shores will command a considerable sum of
money in the market, another, precisely similar, but brought over from the
opposite French coast, may be bought for a very few pence; but the mode of
carriage, you see, makes all the difference, and the value of the insect
depends entirely upon whether its own wings or a steam-boat have brought it
over the Channel. So much for "the fancy."
When figured side by side with the other Fritillaries, this species looks
distinct enough from any of them; {132} but it has been several times
confounded with small specimens of _Adippe_ and with _Euphrosyne_, and its
capture has thereupon been erroneously published; but this must have been
the effect of a description imperfectly written or read. It will be
observed that the form of the front wings differs in this from the rest of
the Fritillaries, the outer margin being _concave_ in its outline. The
inner corner of the hind wings also is more sharply angular.
Above, the colouring of the wings is similar to that of the others of the
genus, tawny-brown and black. Beneath, the front wing has a group of silver
spots near the tip, the ground colour of the hind wing is yellowish, and
the silver spots are proportionately larger than in the other species;
_near the margin of the hind wing_, and parallel with its edge, are _seven
dark-brown spots with silver centres_.
The _caterpillar_ is brown, striped with white, and yellowish tint; head,
legs, and thorns, tawny coloured. It feeds on the wild heartsease, also on
sainfoin and borage.
The _chrysalis_ is tinted with dull-green and brown, and spotted with gold.
The _butterfly_ is said to be double-brooded--one brood appearing in June,
the other in September. The most likely places in which to look for it are
clover fields in the south of England, and more especially on the
south-east coast. Though still classed among the rarest of British
butterflies, it has been found in a great many localities. It has been
taken at Brighton; Shoreham; Eastbourne; Dover; Margate; Ashford; Chatham;
Exeter; Bristol; Harleston, near Norwich; Colchester; Lavenham;
Peterborough.
[Illustration: XIII.]
{133}
THE PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Euphrosyne._)
(Plate X. fig. 4.)
This very common insect is considerably smaller than any of the preceding
species, though small specimens of the last sometimes do not much exceed it
in size. The upper surface is lively orange-brown, with black markings.
Beneath, the _hind wing_ is mapped out with black lines into various
irregular spaces, _all_ of which are filled with tints of dull yellow,
ochreous, or reddish orange; excepting a row of silver spots on the border,
_one silver spot in the centre of the wing_, and _one_ triangular one close
to the root of the wing.
The _caterpillar_ is black, with white lines; and the pro-legs red. It
feeds on various species of _viola_.
The _butterfly_ appears first in May, and there is another brood in autumn,
about August. It frequents woods and hedgerows, being met with most
profusely in the south; but its range is extended into Scotland. In Ireland
I believe it is unknown.
* * * * *
{134}
THE SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Selene._)
(Plate XI. fig. 1.)
This butterfly, which is very nearly related to the last, often so closely
resembles it in the marking of the upper surface, that even practised eyes
are sometimes at a loss to distinguish the two, without a reference to the
under side; for on this side do the real distinctive marks lie, and chiefly
on the hind wing. In addition to the silver border and central spots of
_Euphrosyne_, this species has several other silvery or pearly patches
distributed over the hind wing; and the reddish-orange colour adjoining the
silver border in _Euphrosyne_ is exchanged for dark chestnut-brown in
_Selene_. In average size the two insects differ very slightly, though the
name of this expresses an inferior size.
The _caterpillar_ much resembles that of the last, and feeds on
violet-leaves.
The _chrysalis_ is greyish.
The _butterfly_ is double-brooded, appearing first in May and again in
August. It is not so common an insect as _Euphrosyne_, but is met with in
similar situations, and has a range nearly co-extensive with that of the
latter.
* * * * *
{135}
THE GLANVILLE FRITILLARY. (_Melitæa Cinxia._)
(Plate XI. fig. 2.)
Though usually rather abundant where it occurs at all, this insect is one
of the most local of all our butterflies, and I can only find recorded
about a dozen places for it in the country. Of these, the Isle of Wight is
the great metropolis of the insect, and there, in many places round the
coast, numerous colonies have been established.
This butterfly is distinguished from the next (_M. Athalia_), which it very
much resembles, principally by the characters on the under surface.
The hind wing (beneath) is covered with alternate bands of bright
straw-colour and orange-brown, divided by black lines; and possesses in
_the marginal straw-coloured band a row of clear_ BLACK SPOTS. Another row
of black spots crosses the centre of the wing. It will also be observed
that the _hind wings_ have on _their upper surface a row of black spots_
parallel with, and not far from, the margin. The colouring of the upper
side is orange-brown with black markings.
The _caterpillar_, which feeds on the narrow-leaved plantain, is thorny and
black, with reddish head and legs. The chrysalis is brownish, marked with
fulvous tint. A highly interesting account of the habits and {136} history
of this butterfly in all its stages has been sketched from the life by the
Rev. J. F. Dawson (who has made an intimate acquaintance with a colony of
the insect at Sandown, Isle of Wight), and will be found in the
_Zoologist_, p. 1271.
The _butterfly_ first appears about the first or second week in May, and
thence continues till about the middle of June, seldom enduring till July.
It is to be looked for in rough, broken ground, such as the Isle of Wight
landslips, where plenty of the narrow-leaved plantain grows.
Other localities for the Glanville Fritillary are, Folkestone below
West-Cliff (abundant); round Dover; Birchwood; Dartford, Kent; Stapleford,
near Cambridge; Yorkshire; Lincolnshire; Wiltshire; Peterboro', Stowmarket;
and in Scotland, at Falkland in Fifeshire.
* * * * *
THE PEARL-BORDERED LIKENESS FRITILLARY. (_Melitæa Athalia._)
(Plate XI. fig. 3.)
This is another very local butterfly, though rather more widely and
generally distributed than the last, which, as before stated, it greatly
resembles in appearance, especially on the upper side. {137}
It may be characterised negatively as _not_ having the rows of black spots
found on both surfaces of _Cinxia_, though its colouring is very
similar--fulvous (or orange-brown) and black above; straw-coloured,
fulvous, and black beneath.
The _caterpillar_ is black, with rust-coloured spines; and feeds on various
species of plantain.
The _butterfly_ is out from May to July, and is met with (if at all) on
heaths, clearings in woods, &c. Localities, in some of which it is very
plentiful, are, Caen Wood; Coombe Wood; Epping; Halton, Bucks; Bedford;
Aspley Wood, Beds; Plymouth, Teignmouth, Stowmarket, Dartmoor, Devonshire;
Oxford; Wiltshire; Colchester; St. Osyth; Tenterden; Faversham; Deal;
Canterbury. Very rare in north of England.
* * * * *
THE GREASY OR MARSH FRITILLARY. (_Melitæa Artemis._)
(Plate XI. fig. 4.)
The _black_ markings on the upper side of this butterfly closely approach
those of the last two species, but the interstices, instead of being filled
up with a _uniform fulvous tint_, as in those, are "coloured in" with
_several distinct shades_, some with _pale tawny yellow_, others with _deep
orange brown_. This latter tint forms a band parallel {138} to the outer
margin of each wing, the band on the front wings having a row of pale spots
in it; that on the hind wings a row of black spots. _Beneath_, the upper
wing has an appearance of the markings having been "smudged" together, and
a shining surface, as if it had been greased, whence the common name of the
insect; the hinder wings are like those of the two last, yellowish, banded
with brownish orange, the outer band of which bears a _series of black
spots each surrounded by a pale yellowish ring_.
The _front_ edge of the front wing is slightly _concave_ in its outline,
about the middle, whereas it is _convex_ in _Cinxia_ and _Athalia_.
The _caterpillar_ is black, with reddish brown legs. It is gregarious,
feeding under protection of a web upon the leaves of plantain, devils-bit
scabious, and some other plants.
The _chrysalis_ is drabbish, with darker spots, and is said to suspend
itself by the tail from the top of a tent-like structure made of blades of
grass spun together at the top.
The _butterfly_ appears in June (sometimes a little earlier or later), and
frequents marshy meadows, moist woods, &c., but is a very local insect,
abounding most in the south. The specimens, however, that I have seen from
the north, are much larger, brighter, and more distinctly marked than the
"southerners." The nearest localities to London are, Hornsey, and Copthall
Wood at the top of Muswell Hill; West Wickham Wood, and {139} High-Beech
(Epping). It is also found near Brighton (plentifully); Carlisle; Durham;
Burton-on-Trent; York; Haverfordwest, S. W.; Cardiff, S. W.;
Weston-super-Mare; Bristol; and a great number of other places distributed
throughout the country. In Ireland at Ardrahan, co. Galway. Rare in
Scotland.
* * * * *
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY FRITILLARY. (_Nemeobius Lucina._)
(Plate XI. fig. 5.)
Though this little insect bears the name of _Fritillary_, at the end of its
lengthy and important title, it really belongs to a family widely differing
from that of any of the true Fritillaries previously described, and it only
shared their name on account of its similarity in colour and markings.
The _caterpillar_ (Plate I. fig. 8), instead of being long and thorny like
those of the true Fritillaries, is _short, thick, and wood-louse shaped_.
Its colour is reddish brown, with tufts of hair of the same colour. It
feeds on the primrose.
The _chrysalis_ differs from that of the true Fritillaries as much as the
caterpillar does, being of the form, and suspended in the manner, shown at
fig. 25, Plate I.
The _butterfly_ is chequered on the upper surface with {140} tawny, and
dark brown or black. It appears in May and June, and again in August, being
found in woods, principally in the south, and its range is often confined
to a small spot hardly fifty yards in diameter, within which it may be
quite plentiful. The following are among its recorded localities:--Carlisle;
Lake District; West Yorkshire; Roche Abbey, Yorkshire; Peterborough;
Stowmarket; Pembury; Barnwell Wold, Northants; Oxford; Blandford;
Worcester; Gloucestershire; Bedfordshire; Epping; Coombe Wood; Darenth
Wood; Boxhill; Dorking; Brighton; Lewes; Worthing; Lyndhurst;
Teignmouth.
The _males_ of all the members of the family to which this butterfly
belongs, and of which this is the sole European representative--_the_
ERYCINIDÆ--have only _four_ legs adapted for walking, whilst the _females_
have _six_.
* * * * *
THE BROWN HAIR-STREAK. (_Thecla Betulæ._)
(Plate XII. fig. 1, Male; 1 _a_, Female.)
The genus to which this butterfly belongs, contains five British species,
elegant and interesting insects, though not gaily tinted. They are most
obviously distinguished from other small butterflies by the _tail-like_
projection on the lower edge of their hind wings (though one of their {141}
number, _T. Rubi_, has this very slightly developed). From each other they
are best distinguished by the characters on their under surface, where they
all bear a more or less distinct _hair_-like _streak_, whence their common
name--Hair-streak.
The Brown Hair-streak is the largest of the genus, measuring sometimes an
inch and two-thirds in expanse. The two sexes differ considerably on the
upper surface, the male being of a deep brown colour, slightly paler near
the middle of the front wing, while the female possesses on the front wing
a _large patch of clear orange_. Both sexes have several orange marks upon
the lower angles of the hind wings. Beneath, the general colour is tawny
orange with duller bands, and marked with one white line on the front wing,
and _two parallel white lines on the hind wings_.
The _caterpillar_ is green, marked obliquely with white; it feeds on the
birch and also on the sloe.
The _butterfly_ appears in August, continuing into September. It is
generally distributed through the south, but is by no means an abundant
insect. Mr. Stainton observes that it has a habit of "flitting along in
hedges just in advance of the collector;" but it is also found in oak woods
in company with the Purple Hair-streak.
Forty were taken in a season in woods near Henfield, Sussex. Other
localities are, Underbarrow Moss, Westmoreland; North Lancashire, common in
some parts; Preston; Valley of the Dovey, Montgomeryshire; {142} Cardiff,
S. W.; Barnwell Wold; Peterborough; Colchester; Epping; Darenth Wood;
Coombe Wood; Brighton; Tenterden; Winchester; Woolmer Forest, Hants;
Plymouth; Dartmoor; Wallingford, Berks; Ipswich; Dorsetshire; Norfolk;
Wiltshire; Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire.
* * * * *
THE BLACK HAIR-STREAK. (_Thecla Pruni._)
(Plate XII. fig. 2.)
The upper side is very dark brown, sometimes almost black, and bearing near
the _hinder_ edge of the _hind wings_ a _few orange spots_. This character
will at once distinguish this from the next species (_W. Album_). On the
under side of the hind wing is a _broad band of orange_, having a _row of
black spots on its inner edge_.
The _caterpillar_ is green, with four rows of yellow spots. It feeds on the
sloe.
The _butterfly_ comes out about the end of June or in July. It is generally
a very rare insect, but is occasionally taken in great plenty in certain
spots. The Rev. W. Bree, writing to the _Zoologist_ from the neighbourhood
of Polebrook, North Hants, says, "_Thecla Pruni_ is very uncertain in its
appearance. In 1837 it literally swarmed in Barnwell and Ashton Wolds; I do
not scruple to say that it would have been possible {143} to capture some
hundreds of them, had one been so disposed; for the last few years it has
appeared very sparingly indeed." It has also been found in the following
localities:--Overton Wood; Brington, Huntingdonshire; and Monks Wood,
Cambridgeshire.
* * * * *
THE WHITE LETTER HAIR-STREAK. (_Thecla W. Album._)
(Plate XII. fig. 3.)
This is very much like the last in appearance, and has often been mistaken
for it by inexperienced eyes. The _points_ of difference are--on the upper
side, the absence of the orange band at the hinder edge of the hind wings,
and the presence of a _bluish grey circumflex line at the inner angle_;
here also is sometimes a _small orange dot_;--beneath, the _orange band
forms a series of arches_, bounded on the edge nearest the root of the wing
_by a clear black line_ instead of the rounded black spots seen at this
part in _Pruni_.
The _caterpillar_, which feeds on the elm, is wood-louse shaped; pea-green,
barred with yellow; head black. May be beaten off elm trees in May.
The _butterfly_ appears in July, and is found in various situations,
sometimes flying high up round elm trees, sometimes descending to bramble
hedges, or fluttering {144} about in weedy fields a foot or two from the
ground. It was formerly a much rarer insect than at present, and now its
appearance in any given locality is a matter of much uncertainty. Mr. J. F.
Stephens writes as follows to the _Zoologist_:--
"For eighteen years I possessed four bleached specimens only of _Thecla W.
Album_, having vainly endeavoured to procure others, when, in 1827, as
elsewhere recorded, I saw the insect at Ripley, not by dozens only, but by
scores of thousands! and although I frequented the same locality for
thirteen years subsequently, sometimes in the season for a month together,
I have not since seen a single specimen there; but in 1833 I caught one
specimen at Madingley Wood, near Cambridge."
Other localities:--Near Sheffield; Roche Abbey; York; Peterborough; near
Doncaster; Polebrook, Northants; Allesley, Warwickshire; Brington,
Huntingdonshire; Yaxley and Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire; Needwood Forest,
Staffordshire; Wolverston, near Ipswich; Chatham; Southgate, Middlesex;
West Wickham Wood; Epping; Bristol.
* * * * *
{145}
THE PURPLE HAIR-STREAK.(_Thecla Quercus._)
(Plate XII. fig. 4, Male; 4 _a_, Female.)
At once the commonest and the handsomest of the Hair-streaks, being found
in almost every part of England where there is an oak wood, and looking
like a small Purple Emperor, with its rich gloss of the imperial colour.
The _male_ has all the wings, in certain lights, of a dark brown colour,
but with a change of position they become illuminated with a deep rich
purple tint, extending over the whole surface excepting a narrow border,
which then appears black. The _female_ has the purple much more vivid, but
confined to a _small patch_ extending from the root to the centre of the
front wing. Beneath, the wings are shaded with greyish tints, crossed by a
white line on each wing, and having _two orange spots_ at the inner corner
of the hind wing.
The _caterpillar_ (Plate I. fig. 9), which feeds on the oak, is reddish
brown, marked with black.
The _chrysalis_, which is sometimes attached to the leaves of the oak, and
at others is found _under the surface of the earth_ at the foot of the
tree, is a brownish object, of the lumpy shape shown in Plate I. fig. 28 (a
form shared by the chrysalides of all the Hair-streaks). {146}
The _butterfly_ is seen in July and August, flitting about in sportive
groups round oak trees, and occasionally descending within reach of the
net. It also affects other trees besides oaks, some thirty or forty at a
time having been seen gambolling about one _lime_ tree. It being so
generally distributed, it will be needless to particularize its localities.
* * * * *
THE GREEN HAIR-STREAK. (_Thecla Rubi._)
(Plate XII. fig. 5.)
This pretty little species is at once known from all other English
butterflies by the rich _bright green_ colour that overspreads its under
surface. Above, the wings are deep, warm brown.
The _caterpillar_ is green, spotted and striped with white, and feeds on
the bramble; also on the broom, and other plants of the same order.
The _butterfly_ appears first in May and June, and again in August, it
being _double-brooded_. It is found flying about rough brambly hedges, and
often settles on the outer leaves of low trees about a dozen feet from the
ground. It seems to occur generally throughout the country, and extends
into the southern parts of Scotland. It has been found in many localities
close to London.
* * * * *
{147}
THE SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY. (_Chrysophanus Phlæas._)
(Plate XIII. fig. 1.)
We now arrive at a genus characterized by the splendid golden or burnished
coppery lustre and tint of their wings; of which, however, the present
little species is the only one that remains to us, should the "_Large
Copper_" be really (as it is feared) extinct.
This little, but lively representative of the genus, is one of our
commonest and most widely distributed butterflies, flashing about in the
sunshine, joining in a dance with the no less lively blues, or settling on
the lilac flowers of the scabious, &c., whose soft tones set off to the
best advantage the metallic effulgence of this little gem.
The _caterpillar_ feeds on sorrel leaves; is green, with three red stripes.
The _chrysalis_ and caterpillar both resemble in shape those of the
Hair-streaks.
The _butterfly_ is supposed to be _triple_-brooded, coming out in April,
June, and August; and is so common, that no localities need be given.
* * * * *
{148}
THE LARGE COPPER BUTTERFLY. (_Chrysophanus Dispar._)
(Plate XIII. fig. 2.)
A few years ago, this was the pride of British entomology, for we were
supposed to have the insect entirely to ourselves, it being unknown on the
Continent, whilst it literally swarmed in some of the fens of
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Then, from some cause, never
satisfactorily explained, it almost suddenly disappeared, and, there is
reason to fear, has become quite extinct in this country. Still, hopes are
entertained that it may be surviving in some unexplored districts, and that
it will again "turn up."
As comparatively very few persons have ever seen this splendid creature on
the wing, the following communication from one who _has_, quoted from the
_Intelligencer_, will be of interest to those who have not read it in that
periodical. It is from the pen of Mr. E. C. F. Jenkins, of Sleaford,
Lincolnshire. He writes: "I proceed to give you some account of my own
acquaintance with that most beautiful insect, which, some thirty years ago,
was so abundant in the unreclaimed fens about Whittlesea Mere, that I never
expected to hear of its utter extermination. Its brilliant appearance on
the wing in the sunshine I shall never forget, and to watch it sitting on
{149} the flower of the _Eupatorium cannabinum_ and show the under sides of
its wings, was something ever to be remembered. I once took sixteen in
about half an hour on one particular spot, where the above-mentioned plant
was very plentiful; but unless the sun was very bright they were very
difficult to find. In those days the larva was unknown, and I attribute the
disappearance of the butterfly to the discovery of the larva, to the
unceasing attacks of collectors, and to the burning of the surface-growth
of the fens, which is done in dry weather when they are to be reclaimed."
The two sexes of this butterfly differ very remarkably in the appearance of
the upper surface. This, in the _male_, is of an effulgent coppery colour,
narrowly bordered with black, and having a black mark in the centre of each
wing. The _female_ is larger, has a redder tinge, with a row of black spots
on the front wings, and the hind wings nearly covered with black, excepting
a band of coppery red near the margin, extending also more or less
distinctly along the courses of the veins. Underneath, both sexes are
nearly alike, the hind wing of a general _light blue tint_, with a red band
near the margin, and spotted with black.
The _caterpillar_ is green, darker on the back, and paler at the sides, it
feeds on the water dock.
The _butterfly_ used to be found in July and August, being formerly
especially abundant about Yaxley and Whittlesea Mere, and has been taken
also at Benacre, Suffolk; and Bardolph Fen, Norfolk. {150}
Various reports of its capture, during the last two or three years, have
been published; but they all seem to require confirmation.
This butterfly is now generally considered to be a _large_ local variety of
the continental one called _Hippothoë_, with which it closely agrees in its
markings.
* * * * *
THE BLUES. (Genus _Polyommatus_.)
We now arrive at a numerous genus of elegant and lively little insects,
collectively known as the "Blues," though some of them are _not blue_ at
all. In their manners, and the localities they inhabit, there is so much in
common, that one description of these will answer for nearly every one of
them; so that my small available space will be in great part devoted to
pointing out the marks of distinction between the various species, ten in
number, several of them closely resembling others in general appearance,
and requiring some care in their discrimination.
Their _caterpillars_, which are wood-louse shaped, or _onisciform_,
generally feed on low plants, chiefly of the papilionaceous order; and the
_butterflies_ are found in dry meadows, on downs, and in open heathy
places. The first species, _P. Argiolus_, is, however, an exception to the
above, both in its food and haunts. {151}
Several species of this genus are often found together. For example, in the
Isle of Wight, last August, I took _P. Argiolus_, _Corydon_, _Adonis_,
_Alexis_, and _Agestis_, all within about one hour, and a space of a few
yards square in the corner of a field.
* * * * *
THE AZURE BLUE BUTTERFLY. (_Polyommatus Argiolus._)
(Plate XIII. fig. 3, Male; 3 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, beautiful lilac blue--the male with a narrow
black border (fig. 3), the female with a broad one, sometimes extending
over the outer half of the wing (fig. 3 a). Under side, very delicate
_silvery blue, almost white_, with numerous small black spots. _No red
spots._
_Caterpillar_, green, with darker line on back. Feeds on the flowers of
holly, ivy, and buckthorn.
The _butterfly_ appears in May, or sometimes in April, and again in August,
frequenting _woods_ and hedges, especially where holly and ivy abound. I
noticed immense numbers about the ivied walls of Chepstow Castle.
As the name "Azure Blue" is in general use, I have retained it above, but
that of "Holly Blue," sometimes {152} applied to it, is preferable, as its
colour is much less an azure blue than that of _Adonis_.
Localities:--Common in the south, and found as far north as Durham and the
Lake District. Not known in Scotland.
* * * * *
THE BEDFORD BLUE, OR LITTLE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Alsus._)
(Plate XIII. fig. 4, Male; 4 _a_, Female.)
This is the _smallest of British butterflies_, specimens being sometimes
seen even smaller than those figured.
_Colouring_:--Upper side, dark brown, distinctly powdered with blue near
the root of the wing in the _male, without blue in the female_. Under side,
_pale grey-drab_, bluish near the base, marked with rows of _black spots_
in pale rings. _No red spots._
_Caterpillar_, green, orange stripe down back, and streaks of same colour
on each side.
The _butterfly_ is out in May and June, and is sometimes seen much later.
It is generally met with on limestone or chalky soils; and, from a long
list of localities I have looked over, it seems to be distributed over
England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
* * * * *
{153}
THE MAZARINE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Acis._)
(Plate XIII. fig. 5, Male; 5 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, male, _deep purple, or mazarine blue_, with a
_border of black_ (fig. 5); female, _dark brown_ (fig. 5 _a_). Under sides
of both sexes similar, _pale greyish drab_, tinged at the base with
greenish blue, numerous _black spots in white rings_. No red spots.
Though this elegant butterfly was frequently met with some years ago, it
has lately become one of our rarest species, and I can give no locality
where it can be now found. It has been _reported_ as taken lately at
Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and somewhere in South Wales, also in other places,
but only singly.
Collectors, on visiting any new district, should net all the Blues they are
not _quite_ sure are common ones, and this may perchance turn up among them
sometimes.
The _caterpillar_ is said to feed on the flower heads of common Thrift
(_Armeria vulgaris_).
The _butterfly_ may be _looked for_ in July.
* * * * *
{154}
THE LARGE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Arion._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 1.)
This is the _largest_ of all our "Blues," and, next to the last, the
rarest, though still taken in some numbers every year.
_Colouring_:--Upper side, _dark blue_, granulated with black scales that
give it a dull aspect, having a black border, and a series of _large black
spots across the front wing_. Under side, greyish drab, suffused with
greenish blue near the body; towards centre, many black spots in indistinct
light-coloured rings, and a double border of the same. _No red spots._
The _caterpillar_ is _unknown_.
The _butterfly_ appears in July, frequenting rough, flowery
pasture-grounds, but is exceedingly local. A famous place for it is
Barnwell Wold, about a mile and a half from the village of Barnwell, near
Oundle, Northamptonshire, where the insect was discovered by the Rev. W.
Bree many years ago; but it is less abundant there than formerly, from the
repeated attacks of collectors, who catch all they can find. Other
localities, mentioned in various works, are--Brington, Huntingdonshire;
Shortwood, and some other spots, near Cheltenham; Charmouth, Dorsetshire;
Dover; Downs {155} near Glastonbury, Somerset; Downs near Marlborough,
Wiltshire; Broomham, Bedfordshire; near Bedford; near Winchester.
* * * * *
THE CHALK-HILL BLUE. (_Polyommatus Corydon._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 2, Male; 2 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, _male, pale silvery greenish blue_, with very
silky gloss, and shading off into a _broad black border_.
Female, dark smoky brown, with a leaden tinge, sprinkled near the body with
_greenish_ blue scales of the _same colour_ as the males; border of orange
spots, more or less visible. _Under side_ marked as in fig. 2 _a_, on a
brown ground, with a row of _red_ spots near border of hind wing.
The _caterpillar_ (Plate I. fig. 10) is green, striped with yellow on the
back and sides.
The _chrysalis_ is brownish, and of the shape shown at fig. 29, Plate I.
The _butterfly_ is out in July and August, frequenting chalky downs,
especially in the south, and where it does occur is often extremely
abundant. Occasionally it is found _off the chalk_, having been seen in
Epping Forest, decidedly _not_ a chalk district. Other localities {156}
are--Croydon; Brighton; Lewes; Dover; Winchester; Isle of Wight; Halton,
Bucks; Newmarket; Peterborough; Norfolk; Suffolk; Berkshire; Oxfordshire;
Wiltshire; Gloucestershire. At Grange, North Lancashire, it is the
commonest "Blue," _not on chalk_, but _limestone_.
* * * * *
THE ADONIS BLUE. (_Polyommatus Adonis._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 3, Male; 3 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, _male, brilliant sky-blue, without any lilac
tinge_, bordered by a distinct black line, the _fringe distinctly barred
with blackish_. Female, dark smoky brown, sprinkled near body with _pure
blue scales the colour of those of male_; border of orange spots, more or
less visible.
Under side, male, marked as in fig. 3; border of red spots.
Female, almost exactly like that of Corydon (fig. 2 _a_), but usually has
the black spots on the front wing smaller.
This is a most lovely little butterfly, the blue of its upper surface being
quite unapproachable among native insects. Mr. Stainton, speaking of the
different blues of Corydon and Adonis, happily observes that, "_Corydon_
{157} reminds one of the soft silvery appearance of _moonlight_, whilst
_Adonis_ recalls the intense blue of the sky on a hot summer's day."
_Caterpillar_ like that of Corydon.
The _butterfly_ is double-brooded, appearing first in May and again in
August. It is found on the same soils and in most of the localities with
the last, but is, I believe, more confined to the south.
* * * * *
THE COMMON BLUE. (_Polyommatus Alexis._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 4, Male; 4 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, male, lilac blue. Female, purplish blue about the
centre, brown towards the margins, but the proportions of blue and brown
are very variable--sometimes all the wings have a border of orange-red
spots, sometimes these are absent from one or both pairs of wings.
_Fringe_ in both sexes _white, uninterrupted by dark bars_.
_Under side_, male, marked as in fig. 4, and hardly to be distinguished
from under side of male Adonis, except by the ground colour, which is paler
and _greyer_ than in Adonis. Female, same pattern as male, but coloured
with warmer tints--more like male Adonis. {158}
This very pretty little insect is the blue butterfly one sees everywhere,
abounding in meadows, on heaths and downs, and not at all confined to
chalky soils, like some other "blues."
The _caterpillar_ is green, with darker stripe on the back, and white spots
on each side. It feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil and other leguminous plants.
The _butterfly_ is to be found almost constantly from the end of May to the
end of September, being double-brooded.
* * * * *
THE SILVER-STUDDED BLUE. (_Polyommatus Ægon._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 5, male; 5 _a_, Female.)
_Colouring_:--Upper side, _male, purplish blue_ (rather deeper than that of
Alexis), with a rather broad black margin. Female, dark brown, sometimes
slightly tinged with blue, and bordered on the hind wings with dull orange
spots; but these are often absent.
Fringe white, _not_ barred with black. Under side, _near the margin of the
hind wings_, and between that and the orange border spots, are several
_metallic spots, of a bluish tint_, whence the insect has its name of
"Silver-studded." {159}
The _caterpillar_ is brown, with white lines. Feeds on broom and other
plants of the same order.
The _butterfly_ appears in July and August, and is very frequently met with
throughout the country on heaths, commons, and downs, both on sandy and
chalky soils. In many places it is the commonest of the "Blues." It has
been found at Epping; Coombe Wood; Darenth Wood; Box Hill; Ripley, Surrey;
Brighton; Lewes; Deal; Lyndhurst; Blandford; Brandon, Suffolk; Holt,
Norfolk; Birkenhead; Bristol; Sarum, Wiltshire; Lyme Regis; Parley Heath,
Dorsetshire; Manchester; York; several places in Scotland.
* * * * *
THE BROWN ARGUS. (_Polyommatus Agestis._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 6.)
Though this butterfly and the next are classed among the "Blues," from
their possessing the same structure and habits, there is _no trace of blue_
in the colouring of _either sex_, as in all the preceding species of
_Polyommatus_.
In this species the colour of both sexes on the upper side is a _warm, dark
brown_, having on all the wings a border of dark orange spots. The female
hardly differs from the male, except in having this border broader, and
more extended on the front wing; where, {160} in the male, it is sometimes
very indistinct. The under side much resembles that of the female of
_Alexis_, the border of orange spots being even more distinct on the front
wing than on the hind one. It will be observed on referring to Plate XIV.
that on the under sides of all the butterflies there figured, there is an
irregular black spot situated near the front edge of the upper wing and
midway in its length--this is called the "_discoidal spot_." It will also
be observed that the common Blue (fig. 4) has, on the area of the wing,
between the discoidal spot and the root of the wing, two spots, which are
_absent in this species_. This forms a very ready mark of distinction,
though it requires a good many words to explain it.
The _caterpillar_, which feeds on _Erodium Cicutarium_, and perhaps on
_Helianthemum_ (Rock Cistus), is green, with pale spots on the back, and a
brownish line down the middle.
The _butterfly_ appears in May and June, and again in August, and is common
in very many localities in the south, being particularly abundant on the
downs of the south coast and the Isle of Wight.
* * * * *
{161}
THE ARTAXERXES BUTTERFLY. (_Polyommatus Artaxerxes._)
(Plate XIV. fig. 7.)
_Colouring_, same as in the last species (_Agestis_); but on the upper
surface, the orange border-spots are often hardly perceptible on the front
wing, and there is a distinct _white_ spot in the centre of the front
wings. The _under side_ also is precisely like that of Agestis, with the
black spots removed from the centre of the white rings, which are thus
changed into _large white spots_, as shown in the figure.
There has been a great deal of discussion among entomologists, as to
whether this be a distinct _species_, or only a variety of _Agestis_. I
believe it to be the latter, but do not attach much importance to the
question; and as this butterfly is found under the name of _Artaxerxes_, in
almost every cabinet, and is rather a famous little insect, I have thought
it best to give it a separate heading under its usual title, and collecting
readers may still label it in their cabinet either as above, or as "_P.
Agestis, var. Artaxerxes_," and probably will be equally right either way.
The popular nature and limited extent of this work will not, however, admit
of the subject being entered into scientifically, and I can only here state
that I have {162} seen specimens from various parts of the country, that
include every intermediate variety between the ordinary _Agestis_ of the
south, and the _Artaxerxes_ of Scotland. The Durham Argus, formerly called
_P. Salmacis_, forms one of these gradations.
Against the idea of _Agestis_ and _Artaxerxes_ being one species, it has
been objected, that the former is double, the latter single brooded. What
of that? Plenty of species that are double-brooded in the south of Europe
are well known to become single-brooded in a more northern situation.
The _caterpillar_ is said to be exactly like that of _Agestis_. It feeds on
_Helianthemum vulgare_ (Rock Cistus).
The _butterfly_ is found in July and August in several parts of Scotland,
and the north of England. Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, has been long noted for
producing it.
[Illustration: XIV.]
{163}
THE SKIPPERS. (Family--_Hesperidæ_.)
These curious little butterflies form a very natural group; in many
respects, both of structure and habits, approaching the moths, and
therefore placed at the end of the butterflies. They are of small size, but
robust appearance, and not brightly coloured. Their flight is rapid, but of
short continuance, and they seem to _skip_ from flower to flower: hence
their name. They are chiefly distinguished scientifically from other
butterflies by the form of the _antennæ_, which are more or less hooked at
the tip (see one magnified on Plate II. fig. 14), by the great width of the
head, and the distance between the roots of the _antennæ_, by their
moth-like habit of rolling up leaves for their habitation when
caterpillars, and by spinning a _cocoon_ for the chrysalis. The
caterpillars are shaped as in fig. 11, Plate I.; the chrysalides, as in
figs. 26 and 27. There are _seven British species_.
* * * * *
THE GRIZZLED SKIPPER. (_Thymele Alveolus._)
(Plate XV. fig. 1.)
The ground colour of this smart little butterfly is very dark _brown, or
black, with a greenish hue_ over it, and it is sharply marked with squarish
spots of _creamy white_. The _fringe_ is also _chequered with_ the same
colours. Sexes similar in appearance.
The _caterpillar_ feeds on the wild Raspberry, also, it is said, on
_Potentilla alba_, and _P. anserina_, and is greenish, with white lines.
The _butterfly_ appears in May, and again in August, being double-brooded.
It appears to be common in grassy wood-openings all over the country,
extending also into the south of Scotland.
* * * * *
{164}
THE DINGY SKIPPER. (_Thanaos Tages._)
(Plate XV. fig. 2.)
Certainly a rather "dingy" butterfly, its colour being _dull grey brown_,
with confused bands of darker brown; near the border _a row of whitish
dots_. Sexes similar.
The _caterpillar_ (fig. 11, Plate I.) feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil, and is
pale green, with four yellow lines and rows of black dots.
The _chrysalis_ is shown at fig. 27, Plate I.
The _butterfly_ comes out in May and August, being double-brooded, and is
found on hill-sides, dry banks, old chalk pits, &c. generally throughout
the country, though it is less common than the last. It is also met with
frequently in Scotland.
[Illustration: XV.]
{165} THE CHEQUERED SKIPPER. (_Steropes Paniscus._)
(Plate XV. fig. 3.)
_Sexes similar. Wings chequered with brownish black, and tawny orange
above_; beneath, in addition to the above colours, there are on the hind
wing several bright spots of pale buff _distinctly outlined_ with dark
brown--having a much more ornamental effect than we generally meet with on
the under surface in this family--the colouring on that side being usually
faint and _blurred_ so as to give a washed-out or wrong-sided appearance.
The _caterpillar_ is brown, striped and "collared" with yellow; head black.
It feeds on the Plantain, also on Dog's-tail Grass (_Cynosurus cristatus_).
The _butterfly_ appears in June, but is very local--being either found
plentifully in a place or not at all. It has occurred at Barnwell, and
Ashton Wold, Northants; Kettering; Sywell Wood, near Northampton; near
Peterborough; Clapham Park Wood, and Luton, Bedfordshire; Bourne,
Lincolnshire; Monks Wood, Hunts; White Wood; Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire;
Stowmarket; Milton; Rockingham Forest; Dartmoor; Netley Abbey; Charlbury,
near Enstone, Oxon.
* * * * *
THE LULWORTH SKIPPER. (_Pamphila Actæon._)
(Plate XV. fig. 4, Male; 4 _a_, Female.)
This plainly-coloured little butterfly, prized by collectors for its
rarity, has, in the male sex, great general resemblance to that of the next
species--the common _P. Linea_--but _Actæon_ may be distinguished by having
the wings clouded over nearly the whole surface with {166} dull brown,
having something of a greenish cast. The _female_ is, however, very
different from that of _Linea_, having all the wings of uniform dingy
brown, excepting a crescent-shaped row of tawny spots near the tip of the
front wing, and a more or less distinct streak of the same colour near the
centre.
The male _Actæon_ is further distinguished from the female by the
possession of a blackish streak near the centre of his front wing.
_Beneath_, the wings are clouded obscurely with tawny yellow and a dingy
brownish tint, the yellow tinge predominating in the male.
The _caterpillar_ is unknown.
The _butterfly_ appears in July and August, but is so extremely limited in
its local range that it is only to be met with, so far as is known, in
three spots--all on the same line of coast--viz. Lulworth Cove,
Dorsetshire; the "Burning Cliff," about five miles nearer Weymouth along
the coast; and at Sidmouth, Devonshire. At the present time I believe the
"Burning Cliff" is the locality where the insect is found in the greatest
plenty. It is to be looked for on the rough broken ground covered with
weeds that slopes down to the shore on this coast.
Mr. Humphreys states that in 1835 he saw it in great abundance at
Shenstone, near Lichfield.
* * * * *
{167}
THE SMALL SKIPPER. (_Pamphila Linea._)
(Plate XV. fig. 5, Male; 5 _a_, Female.)
Upper side, _uniform orange tawny colour_, shaded into brown at the
borders. The _male_ (fig. 5) has an oblique blackish line near the centre
of the front wing; this is absent in the female (fig. 5 _a_). The males of
this butterfly very much resemble those of the last rare species
(_Actæon_), but they may be distinguished by the middle part of the upper
wing not being clouded with brown, as it is in _Actæon_. Under side, two
shades of tawny colour, but _not spotted_.
The _caterpillar_ is green, with four white lines, and feeds on grasses.
The _butterfly_ appears in July, and is very common and widely distributed.
* * * * *
THE LARGE SKIPPER. (_Pamphila Sylvanus._)
(Plate XV. fig. 6, Male; 6 _a_, Female.)
Upper side, dark rich brown, shaded and spotted with tawny or fulvous tint.
The _male_ is known by a {168} dark-brown, _burnt_-looking streak near the
centre of the front wings; the female being without this mark. Under side,
greenish, with _indistinct_ yellowish spots.
The _caterpillar_ is green (darker on the back), and dotted with black;
spotted with white underneath. It feeds on various grasses.
The _butterfly_ appears in May, and again in August or the end of July; and
is very common in almost every locality, frequenting grassy places in and
near woods, road-sides, &c.
* * * * *
THE SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER. (_Pamphila Comma._)
(Plate XV. fig. 7, Male; 7 _a_, Female.)
This butterfly closely resembles the last, especially on the upper side;
which is, however, more brightly and clearly marked. But the chief
distinction is to be found on the _under side_, which is marked, on a
greenish ground, with _clear-cut, square white spots_. The male, as in the
last species, is distinguished by the thin blackish bar placed obliquely on
the front wing. The outline of this species also differs somewhat from that
of the last, especially in the males. This difference will be better
understood by comparing figs. 6 and 7 on the plate, than by description.
{169}
The _caterpillar_ is dull-green and reddish, with a white collar, and
spotted with white near the tail-end. It feeds on leguminous plants.
The _butterfly_ appears in July and August, but is only found in a limited
number of localities, and these chiefly in the southern counties; but where
found at all, it is generally abundant. Among its localities are the
following:--Croydon; Brighton; Lewes; Dover; Lyndhurst; Blandford;
Plymouth; Old Sarum, Wiltshire; Barnwell and Ashton Wolds,
Northamptonshire; Halton, Bucks; Newmarket; Gogmagog Park, Cambridge; Hull;
Scarborough.
* * * * *
{170}
REPUTED BRITISH SPECIES.
On Plate XVI. are grouped together figures of six species of butterflies
which are not admitted into our regular British lists, on account of the
extreme rarity of their capture, or the fact of their not having been
observed at all for several years past. They are all _common_ species in
various parts of the Continent, and some of them will probably occur again
in this country.
* * * * *
PAPILIO PODALIRIUS.--The SCARCE SWALLOW-TAILED Butterfly (fig. 1).--There
is no reasonable doubt that several individuals of this elegant butterfly
were formerly taken in various parts of the country, but no captures have
occurred for many years past. The caterpillar, also, was more than once
found in the New Forest District, Hampshire. Generally a common insect on
the Continent.
[Illustration: XVI.]
{171}
PARNASSIUS APOLLO.--The APOLLO Butterfly (fig. 2).--I have good reason for
believing that a specimen of this splendid Alpine butterfly was captured in
this country very lately, and it is not at all impossible that it may be
some day found on our north country mountains, or those of the Lake
District. It is a most beautiful insect, with its singular semi-transparent
and partially _glazed_ wings; the lower of which bear large eye-spots of
crimson-scarlet.
* * * * *
EREBIA LIGEA.--The ARRAN BROWN Butterfly (fig. 3).--Of this species,
greatly resembling our _E. Blandina_, several specimens were formerly taken
by some entomologists in the Isle of Arran, where, as also in other
mountain districts, it may probably still exist; but its haunts have to be
re-discovered by some enterprising butterfly-hunter.
From _Blandina_, which it almost exactly resembles on the upper surface, it
may be distinguished by the marking of the under side of the hind wing, on
which is an irregular, broken band of _pure white_, and between this and
the margin a row of _three_ distinct black eye-spots.
* * * * *
ARGYNNIS DIA.--WEAVER'S FRITILLARY.--This species is so nearly like
_Euphrosyne_ or _Selene_, on the upper surface, that it readily might be,
and perhaps {172} sometimes is, passed by as one of those common insects.
Underneath it is chiefly recognised by the beautiful blush of _silvery
purple_ that extends in a band across the middle of the hind wings, and
more faintly tinges the front wings near the tip.
There is little reason to doubt that this insect was really taken by Mr.
Richard Weaver at Sutton Park, near Tamworth; also by Mr. Stanley, near
Alderley, in Cheshire.
* * * * *
CHRYSOPHANUS CHRYSEIS.--The PURPLE-EDGED COPPER Butterfly.--As this species
has been admitted by that very careful and accurate entomologist, Mr.
Stainton, into his "Manual," I cannot refuse it a place here, though, from
all the information I can gain, its only claim to the name of "British"
rests on a tradition of its having been taken a long time ago in Ashdown
Forest, Sussex; and since then, by a _dealer_, in Epping Forest. It is a
beautiful insect, coppery red, bordered with changeable purple, and I
should be glad to see it fairly established in our lists.
* * * * *
POLYOMMATUS BÆTICUS.--The LONG-TAILED BLUE.--This Butterfly has been long
known, as a _southern_ insect, with a very wide range of distribution,
abounding in the south of Europe and thence extending into India, Java, &c.
Then last year it was seen in {173} Guernsey, and in August of the same
year an individual was actually captured in this country, the scene of the
event being somewhere on the chalk downs in the neighbourhood of Brighton,
and the fortunate captor being Mr. McArthur, of that town. My friend and
neighbour, Dr. Allchin, of Bayswater, was on the spot at the time, and saw
the insect shortly after its capture.
The _butterfly_, which on the upper side has somewhat of the aspect of a
female "Common Blue," will be at once recognised by its _long tail-like
appendages to the hind wings_. Beneath, its plan of colouring is totally
distinct from that of any of our native "Blues" (_Polyommati_), being
destitute of the numerous little eye-like spots, which are replaced by
bands of fawn colour and white; but at the lower angle of the hind wings
are two spots of glittering metallic green, reminding one, on a small
scale, of the "eye" of a peacock's feather.
The habits of the insect are those of our Common Blues--skipping about over
grassy places, and for a Common Blue it would on the wing be readily
mistaken.
Collectors will in the coming season doubtless search the south coast
district thoroughly, and many a Common Blue will be apprehended on
suspicion.
Should our little friend _Bæticus_ continue his northward progress (as we
have some reason to hope he may), we may find him regularly enrolled on the
native lists, and gracing the ranks of that select little company entitled
"Our British Butterflies."
* * * * *
{175}
REFERENCES TO PLATES.
PREPARATORY STATES AND DETAILS.
PLATE I.
Fig.
Caterpillars of--
1. Swallow-tailed Butterfly.
2. Brimstone B.
3. Meadow-brown B.
4. White Admiral.
5. Purple Emperor.
6. Peacock B.
7. Silver-washed Fritillary.
8. Duke of Burgundy Fritillary.
9. Purple Hair-streak.
10. Chalk-hill Blue B.
11. Dingy Skipper.
Chrysalides of--
12. Swallow-tailed B.
13. Brimstone B.
14. Black-veined White B.
15. Large Garden White B.
16. Silver-washed Fritillary.
17. Orange-tip B.
18. Wood-white B.
19. Marbled-white B.
20. Meadow-brown B.
21. White Admiral.
22. Purple Emperor.
23. Large Tortoiseshell B.
24. Comma B.
25. Duke of Burgundy Fritillary.
26. Small Skipper B.
27. Dingy Skipper B.
28. Purple Hair-streak B.
29. Chalk-hill Blue B.
PLATE II.
1. Egg of Garden White B.
2. -- Queen of Spain Fritillary.
3. -- Large Heath B.
4. -- Peacock B.
5. -- Large Tortoiseshell B.
6. -- Meadow-brown B.
7. -- Wood Argus.
8. Head of Red Admiral B. magnified.
9. Section of sucker of ditto, magnified.
10. Papillæ on end of do. magnified.
11. Portion of Eye of Butterfly, magnified.
12. Antenna of Fritillary, magnified.
13. -- Swallow-tailed B. magnified.
14. -- Skipper B. magnified.
15. Base of Antenna, magnified.
16. Arrangement of Scales on Wing, magnified.
17. Plumed Scale, magnified.
18. Long form of ditto, magnified.
19. Another form of ditto, magnified.
20. -- from Small White B. magnified.
21. -- from Orange-tip B. magnified.
22. Battledore Scale from Blue B. magnified.
23. Ordinary Scale from Garden White B. magnified.
{176}
24. Ordinary Scale from Wood White, magnified.
25. Ditto.
26. Ordinary Scale from Brimstone B. magnified.
27. Ditto.
28. Ditto.
29. Ordinary Scale from Common Blue B. magnified.
30. Ditto.
31. Ditto.
32. Ordinary Scale from Small Tortoiseshell B. magnified.
33. Ditto.
34. Ditto.
35. Ditto.
36. Ordinary Scale from Chalk hill Blue B. magnified.
37. Ordinary Scale from Apollo B. magnified.
38. Form common to Vanessa genus magnified.
BUTTERFLIES.
PLATE III.
Fig.
1. Swallow-tail.
2. Brimstone.
3. Clouded Yellow, 3 _a_, female.
4. Pale Clouded Yellow.
PLATE IV.
1. Black-veined White.
2. Large Garden White.
3. Small Garden White.
4. Green-veined White.
5. Bath White.
PLATE V.
1. Orange Tip, 1 _a_, female.
2. Wood White.
3. Marbled White.
4. Wood Argus.
5. Wall.
6. Grayling.
PLATE VI.
1. Meadow Brown, 1 _a_, female.
2. Large Heath.
3. Ringlet.
4. Scotch Argus.
5. Mountain Ringlet.
6. Small Ringlet.
7. Small Heath.
PLATE VII.
1. White Admiral.
2. Purple Emperor.
3. Painted Lady.
PLATE VIII.
1. Red Admiral.
2. Peacock.
3. Camberwell Beauty.
PLATE IX.
1. Large Tortoiseshell.
2. Small Tortoiseshell.
3. Comma.
4. Silver-washed Fritillary, 4 _a_, fem.
PLATE X.
1. Dark Green Fritillary.
2. High-brown Fritillary.
3. Queen of Spain Fritillary.
4. Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
PLATE XI.
1. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
2. Glanville Fritillary.
3. Pearl-bordered Likeness Fritillary.
4. Greasy Fritillary.
5. Duke of Burgundy Fritillary.
{177}
PLATE XII.
1. Brown Hair streak, 1 _a_, female.
2. Black Hair-streak.
3. White Letter Hair-streak.
4. Purple Hair-streak, 4 _a_, female.
5. Green Hair streak.
PLATE XIII.
1. Small Copper.
2. Large Copper, 2 _a_, female.
3. Holly, or Azure Blue, 3 _a_, female.
4. Bedford Blue, 4 _a_, female.
5. Mazarine Blue, 5 _a_, female.
PLATE XIV.
1. Large Blue.
2. Chalk-hill Blue, 2 _a_, female.
3. Adonis Blue, 3 _a_, female.
4. Common Blue, 4 _a_, female.
5. Silver-studded Blue, 5 _a_, female.
6. Brown Argus.
7. Artaxerxes Butterfly.
PLATE XV.
1. Grizzled Skipper.
2. Dingy Skipper.
3. Chequered Skipper.
4. Lulworth Skipper, 4 _a_, female.
5. Small Skipper, 5 _a_, female.
6. Large Skipper, 6 _a_, female.
7. Silver-spotted Skipper, 7 _a_, fem.
PLATE XVI.
1. Scarce Swallow-tail.
2. Apollo.
3. Arran Brown.
4. Weaver's Fritillary.
5. Purple-edged Copper.
6. Tailed-Blue (_P. Boeticus_).
* * * * *
{178}
INDEX.
PAGE
Antennæ, 27
Apollo Butterfly, 171
Apparatus, 39
Arran Brown B., 171
Artaxerxes B., 161
Artist and Butterfly, 37
Bath White B., 88
Black-veined White B., 77
Blues, The (Genus _Polyommatus_), 150
Blue B., Adonis, 156
Azure, 151
Bedford, 152
Chalk-hill, 155
Common, 157
Holly, 151
Large, 154
Mazarine, 153
Silver-studded, 158
Tailed (_Boeticus_), 172
Boxes, 43
Brimstone B., 67
Brown Argus B., 159
Butterfly Emblems, 34
hunting, 39
Cabinets, 55
Camberwell Beauty B., 121
Caterpillar, 7
Chrysalis, 12
Classification, 58
Clouded Sulphur B., 75
Yellow B., 71
Comma B., 126
Copper B., Large, 148
Purple-edged, 172
Small, 147
Eggs of B., 3
Eye of B., 27
Fritillary B., Dark Green, 129
Duke of Burgundy, 139
Glanville, 135
Greasy, 137
High-brown, 130
Pearl-bordered, 133
Pearl-border. Likeness, 136
Queen of Spain, 131
Silver-washed, 128
Small Pearl-bordered, 134
Weaver's (_Dia_), 171
Garden White B., Large, 80
Small, 84
Grayling, 99
Green-veined White, 86
Heath B., Large, 102
Small, 111
Hair-streak B., Black, 142
Brown, 140
Green, 146
Purple, 145
White-letter, 143
{179}
Ichneumon, 18
Imago, 19
Larva, 7
Latin names, 60
Legs of B., 31
Marbled White B., 95
Meadow Brown B., 101
Nets, 40
Orange Tip B., 91
Pain in Insects, 50
Painted Lady B., 117
Pale Clouded Yellow B., 75
Peacock B., 120
Purple Emperor B., 113
Red Admiral B., 118
Reputed British Species, 170
Ringlet B., Common, 103
Mountain, 107
Small, 109
Scotch Argus B., 105
Skippers (Family _Hesperidæ_), 163
Skipper B., Chequered, 165
Dingy, 164
Grizzled, 163
Large, 167
Lulworth, 165
Small, 167
Silver-spotted, 168
Speckled Wood B., 97
Swallow-tail B., 65
Scarce, 170
Tongue of B., 25
Tortoiseshell B., Large, 123
Small, 124
Wall B., 98
White Admiral B., 112
Wings of B., 20
Wood Argus B., 97
Wood White B., 94
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NOTES
[1] Plural _Chrysalides_.
[2] Making _Lepidos_ in genitive.
[3] A word derived from the Latin, and meaning literally a "sucker."
[4] _Antenna_ in the singular number.
[5] Bailey's "Festus."
[6] As beginners in entomology are, I know, often glad to be informed of
some reliable dealer from whom to procure the apparatus required for the
pursuit, I have pleasure in here giving the name of Mr. T. Cooke, of 30,
Museum Street (six doors from the British Museum), where all the apparatus
mentioned in this work, and numerous other natural history articles, are to
be found, good and cheap, I believe. For the guidance of young amateurs, I
will mention the prices of a few of the more necessary articles I have
myself purchased or examined at the above establishment. Cane ring-nets,
with stick, and ready for use, 2s.; ring-net, with three-jointed metal ring
and screw-socket, 4s. 6d.; pocket collecting-boxes, corked, 3d. to 1s.
each; store-boxes, 10 in. by 8 in., corked top and bottom, 2s. 6d.; drying
houses, for securely keeping setting-boards when in use, and containing
eleven corked setting-boards and drawer for pins, &c., 10s. 6d.; sheet cork
for lining cabinets, 7 in. by 3½ in., 1s. 6d. doz. sheets; entomological
pins, three sizes, mixed, 1s. oz., &c., &c.
[7] Polyommatus Boeticus.
[8] A very ingenious and neat contrivance--the invention of my friend Dr.
Allchin, of Bayswater. It may be obtained of Messrs. Cooke & Son,
Naturalists, 30, Museum Street, London, W.C. It is of brass, with screw
caps, the inner one having a small hole through which the chloroform can be
used, drop by drop. The price is 4s. Also, the new Cyanide Killing-bottles,
1s. 6d.; 2s. ready for use.
[9] _Cleopatra_, as Duponchel observes, is found in France, only in the
hottest parts, and is first seen as we go southwards, about Avignon, but
abounds most on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Why the two varieties _Cleopatra_ and the common _Rhamni_ fly together we
cannot fully explain; but it is possible there may be a constitutional
difference between individual insects, just as we see that of two
Englishmen going to a hot climate, one will brown deeply, while the
complexion of the other will hardly alter, though exposed to the very same
external influence.
[10] See page 171.
[11] See the meaning of Chrysalis and Aurelia, on page 12.