,transcriber's ,note4 ,references in the book to its illustrations are by ,plate with ,roman numerals4 ,the illustrations themselves are labelled ,plate with ,arabic numerals4 ,a plate's number in ,roman numerals is equal to a plate's number in ,arabic numerals4 ,in several instances the author has spelled words differently to the accepted way4 ,that spelling is retained in this transcription4 ,the illustration on the book's cover is referred to in the text as ,plate #af4 ,,peeps ,,at ,,nature ,,edited ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,charles ,a4 ,,hall ,v4 ,,british ,,butterflies ,,in ,,the ,,same ,,series ,,each ,,containing #af ,,full-,,page ,,illustrations 7,,eight ,,of ,,which ,,are ,,in ,,colour7 ,,large ,,crown #h,,vo4 ,,picture ,,cover ,,bird ,,life ,,of ,,the ,,seasons ,,common ,,british ,,beetles ,,british ,,moths ,,wild ,,flowers ,,and ,,their ,,wonderful ,,ways ,,british ,,land ,,mammals ,,british ,,ferns1 ,,club-,,mosses1 c4 ,,natural ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,garden ,,romance ,,of ,,the ,,rocks ,,the ,,naturalist ,,at ,,the ,,sea-,,shore ,,pond ,,life ,,reptiles ,,and ,,amphibians ,,published ,,by ,a4 ,,and ,c4 ,,black1 ,,ltd41 #d1 #e ,,and #f1 ,,soho ,,square1 ,,london1 ,w4 #a ,,agents ,,america ,,the ,,macmillan ,,company #fd #ff ,,fifth ,,avenue1 ,,new ,,york ,,australasia ,,oxford ,,university ,,press #bje ,,flinders ,,lane1 ,,melbourne ,,canada ,,the ,,macmillan ,,company ,,of ,,canada1 ,,ltd4 ,,st4 ,,martin',s ,,house1 #gj ,,bond ,,street1 ,,toronto ,,india ,,macmillan ,,company1 ,,ltd4 ,,macmillan ,,building1 ,,bombay #cji ,,bow ,,bazaar ,,street1 ,,calcutta ,illustration3 ,,plate #a4 #a4 ,swallow ,tail #b4 ,black-veined ,white #c4 ,large ,garden ,white 7,female7 #d4 ,small ,garden ,white 7,male7 #e4 ,green-veined ,white 7,female7 #f4 ,bath ,white 7,male7 #g4 ,orange ,tip #h4 ,wood ,white 7,male7 #i4 ,pale ,clouded ,yellow ,,british ,,butterflies ,,by ,a4 ,m4 ,,stewart ,,containing #af ,,illustrations1 ,,figuring ,,all ,,the ,,species1 ,,viz43 #h ,,full-,,page ,,in ,,colour #h ,,pages ,,from ,,photographs ,a4 ,c4 ,,black1 ,,ltd4 #d1 #e #f ,,soho ,,square1 ,,london1 ,w4 #a #aiah ,first published ,may1 #aiab ,,introductory ,,editorial ,,note ,i take it that this little ,peep at ,nature1 needs no apology2 the exquisite coloured plates1 produced direct from natural butterflies by the three-colour process1 are a sufficient justification of its appearance4 ,the author is a practical entomologist of many years' standing4 ,he writes from the fulness of a rich experience in the fields4 ,he justly advocates the ,paisley method of setting insects4 ,i know it to be the more expeditious1 and less calculated to damage specimens1 than the ordinary process4 ,his notes on the preservation of larv will be welcome in many quarters4 ,the publishers desire me to express their indebtedness to ,messrs4 ,watkins and ,doncaster1 #cf1 ,strand1 ,w4,c41 for kindly arranging and lending the specimens from which the coloured plates have been produced4 ,,charles ,a4 ,,hall4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,,page ,,introductory ,,editorial ,,note v ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations vii ,i4 ,,the ,,life-,,history ,,of ,a ,,butterfly #a ,,ii4 ,,the ,,capture ,,and ,,preservation ,,of ,,butterflies #ac ,,iii4 ,,the ,,british ,,butterflies ,,described #bi ,,index #hh ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,,plate ,i4 ,,swallow-,,tail--,,black-,,veined ,,white--,,large ,,garden ,,white--,,small ,,garden ,,white--,,green-,,veined ,,white--,,bath ,,white--,,orange-,,tip--,,wood ,,white--,,pale ,,clouded ,,yellow99 ,frontispiece ,,facing ,,page ,,ii4 ,,method ,,of ,,setting ,,with ,,bristle ,,and ,,braces #i ,,iii4 ,,cop ,,of #abj',s ,,cotton ,,on ,,stand1 ,,and ,,setting-,,needle ,,for ,,paisley ,,method ,,of ,,setting #af ,,iv4 ,,clouded ,,yellow--,,brimstone--,,silver-,,washed ,,fritillary1 ,,etc499 #be ,v4 ,,glanville ,,fritillary--,,heath ,,fritillary1 ,,etc499 #cb ,,vi4 ,,paisley ,,method ,,of ,,setting #ce ,,vii4 ,,apparatus ,,for ,,preserving ,,larv #ch ,,viii4 ,,red ,,admiral--,,painted ,,lady--,,milk-,,weed1 ,,etc499 #da ,,ix4 ,,marbled ,,white--,,mountain ,,ringlet--,,scotch ,,argus1 ,,etc499 #dh ,x4 ,,dark ,,green ,,fritillary--,,high ,,brown ,,fritillary1 ,,etc4 #ea ,,xi4 ,,larva ,,of ,,large ,,garden ,,white--,,pupa ,,of ,,large ,,garden ,,white1 ,,etc4 #ed ,,xii4 ,,small ,,heath--,,green ,,hairstreak--,,purple ,,hairstreak1 ,,etc499 #eg ,,xiii4 ,,adonis ,,blue--,,chalk-,,hill ,,blue--,,little ,,blue1 ,,etc499 #fd ,,xiv4 ,,pupa ,,of ,,red ,,admiral--,,larva ,,of ,,red ,,admiral1 ,,etc4 #gc ,,xv4 ,,brown ,,argus--,,azure ,,blue--,,silver-,,studded ,,blue1 ,,etc4 #hj ,,xvi4 ,,life-,,history ,,of ,,small ,,tortoiseshell ,,butterfly3 ,,ova--,,larv--,,pupa--,,male ,,insect 7,,to ,,right7--,,female 7,,left7--,,food-,,plant 7,,nettle799 ,on the cover 99 ,these eight illustrations are in colour2 the others are in black and white4 ,,british ,,butterflies ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,life-,,history ,,of ,a ,,butterfly ,what is the difference between a butterfly and a moth1 and how am ,i to distinguish between them8 is a question very often put to the student of insect life--the entomologist4 ,butterflies and moths both belong to the ,natural ,order1 ,lepidoptera1 or scale-winged insects4 ,butterflies may be distinguished as day flyers1 and the moths fly by night4 ,the main physical difference between them appears in the forms of the antenn1 or horns2 in the butterflies these organs are club-shaped at the extreme ends4 ,but the antenn of the various species do not all follow a common pattern4 ,in some the knob is abrupt and much smaller1 after the manner of a drum-stick2 in others1 the thickening commences well down the shaft1 and is gradually increased until it very much resembles an ,indian club4 ,the antenn of the moths1 on the other hand1 show much diversity of form1 and in a great many species they are totally different in the male and female4 ,a very common and beautiful form is the feathered1 or comblike1 antenna2 another is long and threadlike1 and some show a combination of these two forms2 others1 again1 seem to be striving after the butterfly type1 and approach the club shape4 ,it should be noted that not a few moths fly during the day1 but it is rare1 exceedingly rare1 to find a butterfly abroad after sundown4 ,with a little practice in observation1 the novice soon learns to distinguish between the two4 ,the stages of development of butterflies and moths are practically the same3 first the egg2 next the caterpillar1 or larva2 then the pupa1 or chrysalis2 and1 lastly1 the imago1 or perfect insect4 ,the eggs of the ,lepidoptera are surpassingly beautiful4 ,are they like birds' eggs8 ,not at all6 ,in the first place they are too minute for comparison with the larger product of the birds2 both in colour and form they more nearly resemble small shells or pearls1 as a great many of them are beautifully opalescent1 especially when empty4 ,a good hand-lens will reveal a great deal of their beauty1 but the low power of an ordinary compound microscope will be necessary to enable you to see all the nice detail of pattern sculptured on their surfaces4 ,each species of butterfly1 or moth1 produces eggs of particular shape and ornamentation1 so it is quite possible1 in most cases1 to say to which species an egg belongs4 ,how long the egg may remain unhatched depends a good deal upon which butterfly's egg it is1 the season of the year1 and the temperature4 ,not many butterflies pass the winter in this country in the egg state1 that season being usually passed either as a half-fed hibernating caterpillar1 or as a chrysalis2 and in a few cases it is only the female which passes the winter in some secure retreat1 to emerge again in the spring1 and then deposit her eggs on the fresh-growing verdure4 ,but1 generally speaking1 eggs laid during the summer hatch out in from ten to sixteen days4 ,and it is well to be on the lookout for the young larv even earlier1 if you intend to rear some species in confinement4 ,if you have secured eggs to rear from1 watch them from day to day to see if they darken1 as they often assume a dark leaden hue immediately before hatching4 ,this is a useful warning1 and serves as a hint to have plenty of fresh food ready for the young family about to arrive4 ,the caterpillars are ravenous eaters2 you will not notice this fact particularly at first1 because they are then such tiny creatures1 but in proportion to their size their eating capacity is enormous4 ,they grow at an exceedingly rapid rate and to such an extent that they literally burst their skins6 ,in a very short time--three or four days--the old skin bursts and out comes ,mr4 ,caterpillar with a brand-new one4 ,and this is the manner of their growth2 several times 7five or six7 this skin-shedding process is repeated4 ,and then the creature prepares for the last and final change before turning into a butterfly4 ,there are one or two more points ,i would ask you to notice about our caterpillar ere we pass on to consider his next stage4 ,the legs are generally sixteen in number4 ,there are six true legs1 one pair on each of the first three body-segments behind the head2 four more pairs near the anal end1 and the last segment carries another pair1 known as the anal claspers4 ,the first six may be said to represent the same legs in the perfect insect4 ,note also the breathing holes1 or spiracles1 placed in a row along either side of the larva4 ,the head seems to carry very large eyes1 but it does not really do so2 the real eyes are very minute1 and it requires a good strong pocket-lens to make them out4 ,there are twelve of them all told1 and they are not all of equal size4 ,there are six on either side of the mouth1 and the three larger ones on each side are not very difficult to find4 ,the mouth is furnished with strong mandibles for biting and chewing food1 and also contains the spinneret for the production of the silk used on various occasions4 ,all these details should be carefully noted--the head1 the eyes1 the breathing spiracles1 the mandibles1 the fore-legs and claws1 and the hind- or pro-legs4 ,mark the totally different types of feet which terminate these two sets of legs4 ,you will need to use your lens for this observation1 and to enable you to see the beautiful structure of the pro-leg foot1 it will be necessary for you to examine it through a compound microscope4 ,it is well for the young entomologist to know these more prominent features of a caterpillar's economy1 if for no other reason than to be able to answer the questions that are sure to be put to him on these and many other points4 ,but only a small percentage of the larv that are born into the world live to become butterflies2 some seasons a larger number than usual may escape1 and then we have a butterfly year1 but the relentless ichneumon flies soon restore the balance4 ,they1 too1 have their young to provide for1 and a strange mode of existence they have4 ,once you get to know these ichneumons at sight1 you will be astonished at the number of them4 ,all the summer through you will find them hawking about the trees1 bushes1 nettles1 and heather1 and1 indeed1 wherever larv are to be found1 there1 too1 you will find these flies4 ,there are many species of them4 ,once a female has discovered a larva its doom is sealed4 ,the ordinary larva has very few defensive weapons2 he may wriggle and squirm and look terrifying1 but all the same the ichneumon sets about her task of placing one or two1 and in many cases a dozen or two1 of her eggs either upon or under his skin4 ,these eggs soon hatch1 and the little white maggots pass their existence inside the doomed creature1 eating all the tissues away1 at first avoiding the vital organs1 which they leave until the last4 ,when they have reached their allotted span1 and are about to change to the pupa state themselves1 they soon finish off their victim1 and all that remains of what might have been a brilliant butterfly is a little shrivelled bit of skin and a host of little--or it may be a few big--black1 brown1 or grey flies4 ,sentiment apart1 these parasitic flies are extremely useful4 ,when you consider the large number of eggs laid by a single female butterfly or moth--from two to six hundred is a fair average--you will realize that if this enormous progeny were to survive and go on increasing without any check1 the vegetation of the world would very soon prove quite inadequate to support the vast army of caterpillars1 to say nothing of you and me4 ,you may at some time find a dozen or two larv of some particular species of butterfly or moth1 and at the time of collecting them they may seem healthy and all right1 but weeks afterwards you may discover that only a very small number will change to chrysalids1 the ichneumons having had the rest4 ,if you can catch and induce a female butterfly to give you a batch of eggs in captivity1 then you may be sure1 providing your treatment of them has been right1 that all your brood will arrive at the perfect state4 ,the next stage we have to consider we will pass over briefly4 ,the change from the larva to the chrysalis is always a very fascinating performance to watch1 not that one could sit and see the whole performance right through from start to finish1 the time occupied is too long for that4 ,generally the process lasts a day or two1 but by watching at frequent intervals1 where several individuals are engaged at the same operation and each at its own stage of the work1 it is not difficult to follow the whole process of the transformation4 ,try it with the larva of the ,large ,garden ,white butterfly1 perhaps the commonest1 and therefore the easiest to procure2 you will gather plenty of stung or ichneumoned examples1 but still a sufficient number should be clean to serve your purpose4 ,we will not enter into all the details of the spinning-up process and describe how an attachment is secured at the anal extremity1 and how our little friend loops the loop4 ,some species1 such as the ,tortoiseshell1 get over this part of their difficulty by omitting the loop altogether1 and therefore hang head downward1 suspended only by the hooks and silk at the tail4 ,concealment during this stage is the creature's only hope and chance of survival2 other defence they have none4 ,their colour may occasionally protect them by virtue of making them harmonize beautifully with their surroundings4 ,the ichneumons seldom molest them during the chrysalis stage2 but birds and small animals have sharp eyes when foraging for food1 so it is usually far more difficult to discover these chrysalids than to find the feeding caterpillars4 ,the time passed as a chrysalis is very variable2 ten days to a fortnight in summer is sufficient for many species2 others pass over the whole winter1 like the spring brood of our common white butterflies1 so that these can be sought for during the winter months under the overhanging portion of palings1 walls1 outhouses1 and in similar situations4 ,the cold does not seem to injure them2 it may1 and generally does1 retard their emergence1 and possibly has some effect on the colours of the wings1 but it cannot change their ultimate pattern4 ,experiments have been tried with various chrysalids1 part of a brood being hatched out after being submitted to a very low temperature1 and another part of the same brood after being treated with a high temperature4 ,speaking generally1 the coloration of those subjected to the cold treatment was brightened and intensified1 and ,nature does the same thing in her own way4 ,the early summer butterflies1 which pass through the winter as chrysalids1 are almost invariably larger and brighter than the midsummer or autumn brood of the same species4 ,but suppose our caterpillar to have successfully run the gauntlet--ichneumon1 bird1 beast1 and beetle--and to have become a healthy pupa1 and that the time has arrived when he must make the last and greatest transformation in his short and interesting career4 ,several days prior to his exit as a butterfly taking place1 a noticeable change occurs in the apparent colour of the chrysalis4 ,as a matter of fact it is not the chrysalis shell which is changing colour1 but the developing insect1 the colours of which are beginning to show through it1 at first rather faintly2 but latterly the pattern of the wings can be distinctly seen1 and the whole body surface gets darker4 ,when this stage is reached1 the advent of our butterfly is not long delayed4 ,the hour chosen is usually early in the morning1 so that by the time the sun is high and the fresh perfumed flowers are nodding in the breeze1 our little butterfly has expanded and dried his wings1 and is now quite prepared for the beautiful and consummating act in the wonderful drama of his existence4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #b ,method of ,setting with ,bristle and ,braces ,while he is drying his wings and preparing for a life amongst sunshine and flowers1 we might spend a few minutes with him ere he leaves us1 and the more so1 as now he looks his very best1 arrayed in all his new-found finery4 ,such wings6 no wonder he looks proud as he slowly opens and closes them1 repeating this action over and over again as if to prove their smooth working before he launches forth upon the air4 ,and the wonderful pattern of these wings is all built up of tiny scales placed as regularly as the slates on a roof4 ,your pocket-lens will show you much of this1 but to examine the individual scales1 their various shapes and structure1 you will require a compound microscope4 ,these scales are the dust you will find on your finger and thumb if ever you pick up a butterfly in such an unscientific manner4 ,you will notice1 too1 that the under sides of the wings bear quite a different design from the upper sides2 this is nearly always the case1 and in many foreign butterflies this difference between the two sides is so very remarkable as to be quite startling in its effect4 ,well ,i remember an old sergeant-major1 who had spent many years in ,india1 and had done a lot of butterfly dodging in his day1 telling me of this wonderful effect4 ,he said one would come upon an open piece of meadow-land blazing with flowers and butterflies1 but1 on being disturbed1 the whole crowd of insects would rise in the air1 and then1 he would say1 they looked like a different set altogether4 ,when you capture a few specimens of any species1 examine closely the under sides1 and in any case1 if you wish to preserve them1 always set one of each sex with the under side uppermost4 ,next to the wings the head claims our attention2 it supports three very essential organs--the eyes1 the horns1 or antenn1 and the tongue1 or sucker4 ,the antenn are undoubtedly the organs of smell1 which is perhaps the most highly developed sense in the ,insect ,world4 ,that the eyes are a marvel of beauty1 and that the tongue is a finely finished little instrument for its work no one can question2 but the sense of smell has a much longer range than even the eye1 with all its facets4 ,and you will generally find1 in relation to the faculty which any animal or insect has to exert most so as to procure its food and propagate its kind1 the organ of that faculty reaches the highest point of development and service4 ,the eyes of the condor and the gannet must be marvellous in range and penetrating power4 ,i have watched scores of the latter birds sailing and hovering #aej feet and more above a troubled sea4 ,suddenly there would be a slight pause1 and then a rocket-like dive right down into the waves below4 ,to see a fish on the surface from such a height would be a great feat1 but to see and catch one a dozen feet deep in a broken sea as a gannet can do1 is wonderful indeed4 ,with butterfly and moth the sense of smell is of the greatest importance4 ,their vision is good1 but short in range2 so to find the flowers wherein lies their food the sight is good1 but the power to detect them by scent must be far better4 ,over the hedge is a garden fair1 and if a butterfly cannot see through the hedge1 he can at least smell through it4 ,he could fly over it8 ,yes1 but if his sense of smell says there is nothing there for him1 you see he is saved the time and trouble2 and his life is short4 ,assembling and treacling for moths are two methods employed by insect-hunters to secure an abundance of specimens otherwise difficult to obtain1 and in both cases it is this same wonderful sense of smell which is the insect's undoing4 ,for assembling1 a captive virgin female is taken at dusk to the locality where the species is likely to occur1 and if males are about they very soon make their appearance4 ,the female being in a gauze-covered box1 they will swarm over it in their efforts to find an entrance1 and when thus engaged can be easily captured4 ,as for the subtle odour emitted by the lady1 you or ,i could never detect it1 yet these moths come swarming from far and near4 ,i once witnessed a curious phase of this instinct on a hillside in ,arran4 ,my attention was arrested by a number of males of ,bombyx ,quercus 7variety1 ,callun71 keeping near and flying over a certain spot1 and1 thinking a female might be about1 ,i went over to investigate4 ,it was a female1 but a dead and crushed one2 how it had met its end ,i could only conjecture2 but evidently1 although the insect was mutilated1 the scent still lingered1 and brought the males circling round4 ,this large moth flies boldly during the day1 and in ,arran the larv feed on the heather4 ,the eyes of a butterfly are large and of the usual insect pattern--i4e41 compound1 being made up of a number of tiny lenses1 hexagonal in shape1 like the honeycomb of the domestic bee4 ,roughly1 about three thousand of these lenses go to make up the two eyes4 ,as pointed out1 their range of vision is comparatively short1 but within their range vision must be very keen--before1 behind1 above1 and below4 ,i once saw a sparrow try to capture a ,large ,garden ,white in a street in the town2 he darted at it again and again1 much in the manner of the ordinary spotted flycatcher1 but the butterfly seemed to have no difficulty in evading him1 and eventually he gave up the game4 ,a small portion of the eye makes a good slide for the microscope1 but the individual lenses are hardly visible through an ordinary hand-glass4 ,on the top of the head are one or two small simple eyes1 which do not look as if they could be of much service1 but one never knows1 and the butterflies will not tell1 although they have long tongues4 ,the tongue is a very pretty structure2 when not in use it lies coiled up in spiral fashion like a watch-spring1 and is then well protected by two little side-covers called the palpi4 ,needless to say1 the tongue cannot sting4 ,no moth or butterfly has a stinging organ2 the tongue is too delicate for any cut and thrust work4 ,it is not difficult to mount a butterfly's tongue for the microscope1 and its examination well repays the trouble4 ,particularly noticeable under the microscope are the little bell-shaped suckers placed in long rows near the tip4 ,if you wish to make and examine a cross section1 take the head of a freshly killed specimen and extend the tongue in a little melted paraffin wax2 when this is thoroughly set1 cut it across in very thin slices with a sharp razor2 place one on a glass slide1 then on to the microscope stage1 and there you are6 ,you will soon discover that the simple-looking tube is a very complicated affair1 and quite a little study in itself4 ,we will not linger over what remains of the anatomy of our butterfly4 ,the legs are six in number1 but occasionally the first pair are useless for walking1 and only the middle and last pairs are fully developed4 ,always remember the maximum number of legs for all insects is six4 ,caterpillars may have more or less2 they occur as footless grubs with no legs at all1 while some have as many as sixteen legs4 ,the last1 or abdominal1 section of a butterfly's body carries the sexual organs2 it is usually more slender in the males than in the females4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,capture ,,and ,,preservation ,,of ,,butterflies ,in the rearing of butterflies from eggs and in watching them all through their larval stages1 we learn a great deal concerning their life and habits1 and finally secure perfect specimens for the cabinet4 ,but the glories of the chase and the charm of the country ramble weigh more in the balance with the naturalist1 and the story of a captured specimen is often far more interesting than the record of a bred one4 ,of butterfly nets used in the chase there are many and varied patterns in the market4 ,i made my own and a better balanced one it would be hard to find4 ,having seen and handled a few in my time1 my experience has been that they are mostly too heavy1 have too many loose parts1 and their weight is badly distributed4 ,indeed1 ,i saw one lately which felt more like a hammer in one's hand4 ,i think if you try to get one made after the pattern here described and figured on p4 #ae1 you will not be disappointed with it4 ,now1 it is one of the avowed purposes of this little book to make the study and collecting of butterflies cost all the time a boy can spare1 and little1 or1 at least1 not much in money4 ,the requirements for a ring folding net are #b yards of steel wire1 rather less than #a_/h inch in thickness 7cost about threepence72 three copper rivets and washers1 #c_/af inch by #c_/h inch long 7cost one penny72 one #a_/d-;inch iron screw-head bolt and nut 7one penny74 ,cut the wire into two pieces1 each #bj inches long1 and two pieces #af inches long4 ,if you can get a tinsmith friend to turn the eyes for you1 so much the better2 you will thus avoid the most difficult part of the operation1 but you would lose some valuable lessons and the satisfaction of having made the whole thing yourself4 ,the accompanying cut will show you how the eyes are turned and riveted1 and how the nut is fixed in the tube which the tinsmith will make for you1 and he will also solder the nut in the narrow end for a few coppers4 ,or you can get him to make the whole concern1 as ,i have done for a friend of mine4 ,i simply gave the tinsmith mine for a pattern1 and in a few days he handed me over an exact duplicate1 and only charged one shilling and sixpence for it4 ,illustration3 ,,details ,,of ,,folding-,,net4 #a1 ,ring open1 about #af inches diameter2 #b1 tin tube with nut soldered in at narrow end2 #c1 net complete1 showing wooden handle fitting into tin tube4 ,detail ,a shows how eyes are turned2 ,b1 larger eye for passing over screw2 ,c1 screw soldered in position4 ,the net itself is easily made4 ,you will need #a-a_/b yards of the best and strongest muslin and a piece of stout twilled cotton1 with which to make the hollow binding round the wire for strength4 ,this binding must be at least #b inches deep1 so as to slip off and on the ring easily when you wish to repair the ring or wash the net4 ,get green muslin if you care for it2 ,i tried green1 too1 but speedily gave it up1 as ,i found the white net more effective for seeing and handling moths in after dark4 ,do not shape the net down to too fine a point2 rather make it more of a cup-shape and nearly the depth of your arm4 ,and1 lastly1 while we are on the subject of the net1 always carry a few strips of gum paper with you on an excursion2 they are very handy and effective for repairing a damage1 say1 after contact with a bramble-bush4 ,most butterflies are very impatient in the net1 and strongly resent their imprisonment1 so either double your net over the instant a capture is made1 or catch the net by the neck1 so to speak1 with your left hand1 leaving your right free for the pinching process4 ,pinching must be very carefully done1 or your specimen may be spoiled4 ,it can be done only when the wings are closed2 you give the insect a sharp nip between your finger and thumb nails1 right under the junction of the wings and the body--i4e41 on the under side of the thorax1 always taking care not to crush or mangle the specimen4 ,do not attempt to actually kill it2 just give a sufficient pinch to stun it2 then you may open the net1 remove your specimen1 and pin it in your collecting box1 which should be as nearly air-tight as you can make it1 and lined with sheet cork4 ,place some freshly pounded laurel-leaves secured in a piece of muslin at one end of your box4 ,the fumes given off by the bruised leaves soon kill the insects4 ,don't use ammonia for killing butterflies2 it alters their colours1 and1 in fact1 ruins some altogether4 ,cyanide of potassium or laurel-leaves are the best killing agents1 and the latter are by far the safest for boys to handle1 as cyanide is very poisonous4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #c ,cop of #abj's ,cotton on ,stand1 and ,setting-,needle for ,paisley ,method of ,setting ,specially-made entomological pins can be purchased from all dealers in naturalists' requisites4 ,black enamelled pins are the vogue just now1 and they last longer than the silvered or gilt ones1 and resist grease better4 ,many insects1 you should know1 have a small1 and some a large1 amount of oil in their bodies1 which gradually makes its presence seen1 first in the abdomen1 and later it spreads 7if not checked7 to the wings4 ,the oil1 coming in contact with the white or yellow pin1 soon corrodes it through2 the black enamel resists its action longest4 ,try to check this greasing of your specimens on its first appearance on the body1 and if you notice it before it has spread to the wings all may be well4 ,break the abdomen off at once1 and drop it into benzine1 where you can let it remain a day or two4 ,then transfer it to a box of fine dry plaster of ,paris for another day or so1 and you will be surprised how beautiful and clean it will come out4 ,another hint3 ,push a little pin into each body when broken off1 and attach a white thread to the pin2 now you can do what you like with the body without touching it with your fingers2 lastly1 replace each body1 sticking it in position with a dab of entomological gum1 to be had from ,messrs4 ,watkins and ,doncaster1 #cf1 ,strand1 ,w4,c4 ,supposing you have arrived home with a few butterflies1 and wish to set them4 ,this is best done as soon as possible after they are killed4 ,they may remain unset a few days if kept damp and yet properly aired2 you must prevent them from hardening on the one hand1 and getting mouldy on the other1 through too long and close keeping2 so have a watchful eye on them until set4 ,setting-boards can be either bought or made4 ,this is a question for each worker to determine for himself4 ,some collectors may have special facilities for making them1 while others may have a profusion of pocket money wherewith to buy them4 ,when ,i was a boy ,i made my own4 ,it was a work of necessity4 ,as a lad ,i had always so many specimens to set in summer-time that it would have been sheer ruination to have bought all the boards required4 ,on ,plate ,,ii4 you have an illustration of a setting-board1 and the photograph is in itself an indication of how butterflies are to be set before being placed in the permanent collection4 ,note the setting-bristle mounted in a cube of cork4 ,this is used to hold the wing in position while the card braces are being placed4 ,the collector can easily mount a bristle for himself4 ,a cat1 badger1 or other whisker will serve2 do not try to push it through the cube of cork1 but glue it between two pieces2 by doing so you will save your bristle from being spoiled and make a firmer job4 ,keep your old thin postcards1 from which to cut braces1 and always have a boxful of various sizes handy1 and in the same box1 in a separate compartment1 have an abundance of small1 thin pins4 ,good setting1 like other operations1 is largely a matter of practice4 ,be careful not to injure the wings in any way1 and place your braces on them so that they will not leave marks4 ,i find a common fault with beginners is that they do not lower the specimen far enough down into the groove of the setting-board1 with the result that the wings are bent and deformed by the braces pressing them down4 ,see that the wings of your specimens lie flat and naturally spread out over the surface of the board on either side of the groove4 ,a setting-needle is sometimes an exceedingly useful tool4 ,a very neat one can be made in a few minutes with a goose quill1 a little sealing-wax1 and the finest sewing-needle you can secure4 ,melt the wax and fill one end of the quill for half an inch or so1 heat the eye end of the needle until nearly red-hot1 and push it into the wax4 ,this tool is very useful for adjusting a wing as occasion demands4 ,let your insects remain as long as possible on the boards2 they should be left on for a fortnight in warm1 dry weather1 but longer in the spring and autumn4 ,the wings of imperfectly dried specimens are liable to spring up1 or droop4 ,there is another method of setting ,lepidoptera which only requires to be more widely known to quickly supersede the use of braces and bristle4 ,it is sometimes called the ,northern method1 but ,i prefer to call it the ,paisley1 because it was first used in that town4 ,its advantages are3 ,greater speed1 less apparatus1 less expense1 and less liability to damage the specimens4 ,instead of the usual setting-board1 a block is used--that is to say1 your setting-boards are cut up into short pieces1 in length a little less than the width of the board4 ,thus1 a board #b-a_/b inches wide should be cut into pieces #a-c_/d inches long4 ,as no corked surface is needed these blocks can be made or bought very cheaply2 the usual cost1 from a joiner1 is about two shillings per hundred4 ,the only other requisite is a cop of very fine cotton #abjh or even finer if you can get it4 ,this you will be able to obtain from a cotton-spinner or his agent2 by-and-by1 as this method of setting becomes more widely known the dealers will probably stock a few of these fine cotton-yarn cops4 ,plate ,,iii4 will show you how to construct a stand for the cop4 ,the rest is easy4 ,pin your insect in the same way as you would do for braces2 place it on the block with wings well down on its surface1 holding the block in your left hand4 ,give your cotton a turn round the extreme edge of the block1 then bring it directly above your insect4 ,now blow the wing on the left side as far forward as you wish it to go1 and1 while it is held extended by your blowing1 bring the cotton down gently across it and there you have it1 secured in position4 ,give two or three extra turns to hold it safe and repeat the operation for the other wing4 ,if the wings should be stiff and refuse to go far enough forward1 secure them as far forward as they will blow1 with one turn of the cotton only1 then gently assist them farther with a setting-needle4 ,when in a satisfactory position1 give the few extra turns of the cotton4 ,i can set from sixty to one hundred and twenty insects in an hour by this method4 ,readers desirous of adopting this most excellent method of setting1 and yet experiencing difficulty in getting suitable cotton-yarn1 should communicate with the author1 ,mr4 ,a4 ,m4 ,stewart1 #ch1 ,ferguslie1 ,paisley4--,,editor4 ,in removing an insect from a block1 draw a sharp knife across the back of the block and lift off all the cotton at once4 ,if the body of the specimen being set needs support1 as sometimes happens1 give the cotton two or three cross turns1 and with your setting-needle raise the body on to this as shown on ,plate ,,vi4 ,one hint more3 ,see that your lines diverge from near the body at the bottom to near the tip of the wings at the top2 the reason for this is that if you have to slip the wing forward under a turn of the thread it will not be damaged if the thread is arranged as indicated1 whereas if your thread be laid on1 say1 from the outer bottom corner in towards the head1 it would then scrape the wing1 and be sure to remove some of the scales1 thus damaging the specimen4 ,the correct method is shown on ,plate ,,vi4 ,with ordinary care and usage a good cop should last a year or two4 ,after your insects are set1 by whatever method1 they need to be put aside in a dry1 airy place to harden1 and be secured against the ravages of mice and spiders4 ,for their better protection1 it is usual to place them in a drying case1 which need not be an elaborate affair4 ,my drying case was constructed out of an empty box obtained from the grocer2 judging from the legend on the outside it had once contained tins of preserved apples4 ,this is set up on end with the bottom removed and made into cross shelves4 ,light muslin cloth is tacked on in place of the bottom1 so as to admit air but exclude dust4 ,on the front1 where the lid was originally nailed1 is a hinged frame1 covered with the same material1 acting as a door4 ,this drying house is not exactly pretty1 but it has served its purpose admirably for many years4 ,a representative of the larva of each species is now considered essential to a complete collection of butterflies1 and it is rendered even more perfect if egg-shells and chrysalis cases can also be included4 ,we now have a fairly easy and reliable process for preserving larv1 a process which any aspiring young collector can carry through without much trouble or expense4 ,it is really very simple and costs little4 ,true1 one can purchase apparatus specially made for the work for ten1 or even five1 shillings1 but equally good results can be obtained with the expenditure of a few pence and a little ingenuity4 ,i strongly advise young folk to make their own apparatus2 by so doing they develop resourcefulness1 and a handy youngster is not likely to make a failure of his life4 ,in the first place you will need a hot-air chamber4 ,any empty toffee-tin will serve this purpose2 one somewhere about #f inches long by #d inches in diameter will be a handy size4 ,get a piece of copper or soft iron wire1 such as milliners use2 give the wire two or three turns round the tin1 twisting it as tightly as you can3 then give the two free ends a turn or two round a gas-bracket near the burner1 so as to bring your tin1 with the open end next you1 just over the burner4 ,or you may mount the tin over a spirit-lamp1 in which event you will not be troubled with soot gathering on the outside of your oven4 ,you now have an oven which you can make as hot as you want it by regulating your flame2 you will soon discover the right temperature in which to dry a skin quickly without burning it4 ,the skins of small1 thin-skinned caterpillars dry very quickly1 whilst those of large moths1 such as the ,oak ,eggar1 dry more slowly even with more heat4 ,your next requirement is a glass blowpipe3 this you can purchase at the chemist's for a copper4 ,ask for a glass tube about a foot long and a quarter of an inch in diameter4 ,now1 this tubing is made of a very soft and pliable kind of glass1 and by heating it over a flame you should have no difficulty in drawing out one end of the tube into a fine point1 not too long and not too abrupt2 the illustration 7,plate ,,vii47 will show you the right length of the point4 ,hold the end over the gas-jet1 keep turning it round1 and in a minute it will become red and soft2 remove the end of the tube from the flame1 grasp it with a pair of forceps1 and gently and steadily pull the heated portion until it is drawn to a point of the required length4 ,nip off the part you caught with the forceps1 and your tube is ready4 ,or another way is to heat the tube in the middle1 and pull the two ends apart2 this will give you two blowpipes1 and you can make a fine point to one for small caterpillars and a wider aperture to the other for large ones4 ,i used to know a friendly chemist who would point as many tubes as ,i wanted at his ,bunsen burner in a few minutes4 ,to complete your blowpipe1 you will need about #b inches of a watch-spring--any watch-repairer will give you a broken spring4 ,the photograph on ,plate ,,vii4 shows how the piece of spring is placed and used2 it is bent to the required shape while heated1 and bound in position with fine copper wire4 ,the wire ,i use is the same as that required for mounting dried larva skins2 it can be obtained at any shop where electrical appliances are sold2 it is an extremely fine wire covered with green silk thread4 ,your larva-preserving outfit is completed with a sheet of blotting-paper and an ordinary lead pencil4 ,i will now describe the process4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #d4 #a4 ,clouded ,yellow 7,male7 #b4 ,brimstone 7,male7 #c4 ,silver-washed ,fritillary 7,male7 #d4 ,dark-green ,fritillary 7,male7 #e4 ,high ,brown ,fritillary #f4 ,queen of ,spain ,fritillary #g4 ,small ,pearl-bordered ,fritillary #h4 ,pearl-bordered ,fritillary #i4 ,greasy ,fritillary ,there could be no better species to begin with than the caterpillar of the ,large ,garden ,white butterfly2 get one as nearly full-grown as possible1 lay it out on the blotting-pad before you1 place the lead pencil across it gently1 but firmly1 just behind the head1 and roll it towards the tail4 ,this kills the larva instantly1 and empties out its internal organs by the anal orifice4 ,roll your pencil over it again to make sure the skin is thoroughly clean inside2 then insert your blowpipe into the anal orifice1 letting the spring down on the last segment so as to hold the skin on2 apply your mouth to the other end of the blowpipe1 blow the skin out gently1 and insert in the hot-air oven4 ,keep blowing gently for a few seconds2 watch progress2 touch the skin with your finger to see if it is getting hard and dry4 ,don't blow too hard and make it look like a bursting sausage2 try to keep it as natural in appearance as possible4 ,in a few minutes it will be quite hard and dry2 when dry1 raise the spring1 and a slight touch with the thumb-nail will liberate it from the blowpipe4 ,the skin is now ready for mounting on silk-covered wire or a thin dry twig with a little entomological gum or seccotine4 ,our specimen is now ready to take its place in the collection4 ,we now have to face the problem of storing the collection4 ,it is probably beyond the means of a young collector to purchase a cabinet with drawers1 costing ten shillings per drawer1 and he will be well advised to keep his specimens in store-boxes which he may be able to make for himself4 ,i made some very serviceable ones with scented soap-boxes got from our grocer4 ,any size will do1 but it is best to have your boxes all of one size if possible1 say #aj inches by #ad inches by #d inches4 ,get a few light deal boxes about these dimensions1 nail on the lids1 paper them all over the outside with good stout brown packing-paper having a glossy surface2 paste it on with thin glue2 set aside a day or two to dry4 ,when dry1 take a sharp saw and cut the boxes round the sides and ends1 so that each box is divided into two equal traylike halves4 ,glue a stout cardboard shell round the inside of one half1 and attach the other half by two small brass hinges4 ,the cardboard shell rises above the sides of the tray1 and when the other half of the box is folded over it stays put1 as the ,yankee says2 and1 in addition1 you have a fairly air-tight construction4 ,these store-boxes fold after the manner of a book-form chess or draught board4 ,each half requires to be lined on the inside with sheet cork1 which you can get from dealers in entomologists' sundries1 and finally covered with thin white paper4 ,such a store-box costs less than one and sixpence4 ,keep two or three boxes for duplicate specimens1 and as many for your permanent collection4 ,by-and-by you will want glass-topped cases1 but by the time you have arrived at that stage you should have gained sufficient experience to enable you to know where to buy them4 ,see that every specimen before being transferred to your permanent collection bears with it a small label setting forth the date and place of capture1 thus3 ,,epping1 #i_/f_/aa4 ,j4 ,roberts4 ,,abbey ,,wood1 ,,herts1 #g_/i_/aa4 ,robertson4 ,keep these tickets as inconspicuous as possible and with the writing or printing in such a position as to be easily read without requiring to remove the insect4 ,the following list of ,british butterflies is thoroughly modern1 and in labelling your specimens you should adopt its nomenclature1 and also follow the order given in arranging your collection4 ,both ,latin and ,english names are included1 but if you wish to be a thorough entomologist you should accustom yourself to use the scientific names4 ,the ,latin name is the same everywhere from ,china to ,peru4 ,if you use an ,english name of a butterfly in writing to a foreign collector he will probably fail to recognize the species referred to1 but if you give the scientific name he will know it at once4 ,,list ,,of ,,british ,,butterflies ,,arranged ,,in ,,their ,,families ,,and ,,genera1 ,,with ,,their ,,scientific ,,and ,,popular ,,names4 ,family3 ,,papilionid4 ,papilio machaon4 ,,swallow-,,tail4 ,family3 ,,pierid4 ,aporia cratgi4 ,,black-,,veined ,,white4 ,pieris brassic4 ,,large ,,white4 ,pieris rap4 ,,small ,,white4 ,pieris napi4 ,,green-,,veined ,,white4 ,pieris daplidice4 ,,bath ,,white4 ,euchlo cardamines4 ,,orange-,,tip4 ,leucophasia sinapis4 ,,wood ,,white4 ,colias hyale4 ,,pale ,,clouded ,,yellow4 ,colias edusa4 ,,clouded ,,yellow4 ,gonepteryx rhamni4 ,,brimstone4 ,family3 ,,nymphalid4 ,argynnis selene4 ,,small ,,pearl-,,bordered ,,fritillary4 ,argynnis euphrosyne4 ,,pearl-,,bordered ,,fritillary4 ,argynnis lathonia4 ,,queen ,,of ,,spain ,,fritillary4 ,argynnis aglaia4 ,,dark ,,green ,,fritillary4 ,argynnis adippe4 ,,high ,,brown ,,fritillary4 ,argynnis paphia4 ,,silver-,,washed ,,fritillary4 ,melita aurinia4 ,,greasy ,,fritillary4 ,melita cinxia4 ,,glanville ,,fritillary4 ,melita athalia4 ,,heath ,,fritillary4 ,vanessa c-album4 ,,comma4 ,vanessa polychloros4 ,,large ,,tortoiseshell4 ,vanessa urtic4 ,,small ,,tortoiseshell4 ,vanessa io4 ,,peacock4 ,vanessa antiopa4 ,,camberwell ,,beauty4 ,vanessa atalanta4 ,,red ,,admiral4 ,vanessa cardui4 ,,painted ,,lady4 ,limenitis sibylla4 ,,white ,,admiral4 ,family3 ,,apaturid4 ,apatura iris4 ,,purple ,,emperor4 ,family3 ,,satyrid4 ,melanargia galathea4 ,,marbled ,,white4 ,erebia epiphron4 ,,mountain ,,ringlet4 ,erebia thiops4 ,,northern ,,brown1 ,,or ,,scotch ,,argus4 ,pararge geria4 ,,speckled ,,wood4 ,pararge megra4 ,,wall ,,brown4 ,satyrus semele4 ,,grayling4 ,epinephele janira4 ,,meadow ,,brown4 ,epinephele tithonus4 ,,small ,,meadow ,,brown4 ,epinephele hyperanthus4 ,,ringlet4 ,cnonympha typhon4 ,,marsh ,,ringlet4 ,cnonympha pamphilus4 ,,small ,,heath4 ,family3 ,,lyc,,nid4 ,thecla betul4 ,,brown ,,hairstreak4 ,thecla w-album4 ,,white-,,letter ,,hairstreak4 ,thecla pruni4 ,,black ,,hairstreak4 ,thecla quercus4 ,,purple ,,hairstreak4 ,thecla rubi4 ,,green ,,hairstreak4 ,polyommatus dispar4 ,,large ,,copper4 ,polyommatus phlas4 ,,small ,,copper4 ,lycna btica4 ,,long-,,tailed ,,blue4 ,lycna gon4 ,,silver-,,studded ,,blue4 ,lycna astrarche4 ,,brown ,,argus4 ,lycna icarus4 ,,common ,,blue4 ,lycna bellargus4 ,,clifden ,,blue4 ,lycna corydon4 ,,chalk-,,hill ,,blue4 ,lycna argiolus4 ,,azure ,,blue4 ,lycna semiargus4 ,,mazarine ,,blue4 ,lycna minima4 ,,little ,,blue4 ,lycna arion4 ,,large ,,blue4 ,family3 ,,erycinid4 ,nemeobius lucina4 ,,duke ,,of ,,burgundy4 ,family3 ,,hesperid4 ,syrichthus malv4 ,,grizzled ,,skipper4 ,nisoniades tages4 ,,dingy ,,skipper4 ,hesperia thaumas4 ,,small ,,skipper4 ,hesperia lineola4 ,,essex ,,skipper4 ,hesperia acton4 ,,lulworth ,,skipper4 ,hesperia sylvanus4 ,,large ,,skipper4 ,hesperia comma4 ,,silver-,,spotted ,,skipper4 ,carterocephalus palmon4 ,,checkered ,,skipper4 ,the remaining pages of this volume will be devoted to a description of the species mentioned in the foregoing list1 together with notes on habits and other points4 ,assisted by the splendid coloured plates1 which are produced from actual specimens1 and the notes in the following pages1 the young collector should have no difficulty in identifying the specimens he secures4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,the ,,british ,,butterflies ,,described ,,the ,,swallow-,,tail 7,papilio ,machaon71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #a4--;,i find1 in ,scotland1 where ,i live1 that the first question put by friends looking over one's insect treasures usually refers to this butterfly4 ,is that a ,british butterfly8 they ask2 and on being assured that it is1 they tender the information that they never saw one like it in this neighbourhood2 and it takes much explanation to make them understand how rare and local some butterflies and moths are4 ,alas6 he is our one and only ,swallow-,tail--the connecting link between our small island family and the great host of tropical and subtropical ,swallow-,tails that flaunt their gorgeous colours under sunnier skies4 ,and we hope he may long remain with us4 ,the incentive to travel and capture this butterfly in his native haunts is not so great as it may have been half a century ago4 ,for a few pence1 or by exchange1 the larva or chrysalis can be had from a dealer1 and with ordinary care and attention it is not a difficult species to rear1 and thus see alive4 ,that this species is already getting scarcer should be a warning to all who are interested in the preservation of our native fauna4 ,its extermination might not be a very difficult task2 and although it is common in many places on the ,continent1 its reintroduction into ,england would certainly be attended with great trouble and difficulty4 ,two years ago 7#aiji7 an experiment was made1 under very favourable conditions1 to naturalize a colony of this fine butterfly at ,easton1 near ,dunmow1 in ,essex1 the property of ,lord ,warwick4 ,lord ,warwick and ,professor ,meldola laid down a large number of chrysalids which duly hatched1 and1 although the surrounding marsh land had been liberally stocked with the food-plant1 yet no eggs or larv were found after the butterflies had passed their season1 nor have any been seen since4 ,doubtless the butterfly has many natural enemies1 and when we consider the draining1 burning1 and rush-cutting that go on in these fen lands1 it will be apparent that the time cannot be far distant when an effort will need to be made1 such as at ,wicken1 to provide ,cities of ,refuge1 for many of our rare and persecuted little friends4 ,i speak for birds1 butterflies1 flowers and ferns4 ,an educated public taste would do more for them all than any amount of ,acts of ,parliament4 ,the ,swallow-,tail measures fully #c inches across the expanded wings2 the prevailing tint is a pale primrose yellow1 with bars and masses of black1 the latter powdered with yellow scales on the fore-wings1 and with pale blue on the hind-wings4 ,there are also two red eye spots on the inner angle of the hind-wings near the tails4 ,the under side looks not unlike a washed-out version of the upper1 with a little more red on the hind-wings4 ,the caterpillar1 too1 is very beautiful1 being green in colour1 belted with black1 and the black is studded with red spots4 ,it thrives well on various members of the carrot family--carrot1 parsley1 fennel1 celery2 it has occasionally been found feeding on the common carrot leaves in rural gardens in neighbourhoods where the insect abounds4 ,the chrysalis1 in which form the insect passes through the winter1 is hung up in quite the orthodox manner1 belted round the back and attached at the tail4 ,if you should find chrysalids in this position during the winter months and wish to remove them1 cut away the whole support1 and set them up again in your hatching cage1 as you found them4 ,always avoid unnecessary handling of these delicate objects4 ,there are certainly two1 and probably three1 broods during a favourable summer1 so this butterfly may be captured from ,may to ,august4 ,its headquarters are in the ,fen counties of ,cambridge and ,norfolk1 and it is found in many similar localities in fewer numbers4 ,,black-,,veined ,,white 7,aporia ,cratgi71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #b4--,this is one of the rarest of our butterflies1 though why it should be so is rather difficult to say4 ,as it feeds upon hawthorn in the larval state the puzzle is all the greater1 as a commoner or more widely distributed plant it would be hard to find4 ,it may be also found on blackthorn1 cherry1 plum1 apple1 and pear4 ,it is not difficult to distinguish this fine insect from all the other ,whites on our list4 ,the wings are rather thinly scaled2 you can note this by holding the insect up to the light1 and looking through the wing with an ordinary pocket-lens4 ,do the same with its near neighbour1 the ,large ,garden ,white1 and you will see a difference--the ,black-,veined ,white is semi-transparent1 while the other is quite dense4 ,the almost black network of veins is another unmistakable feature1 as is the entire absence of a fringe to the wings4 ,two and a half inches is the average expanse of the extended wings4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #e4 #a4 ,glanville ,fritillary #b4 ,heath ,fritillary #c4 ,comma #d4 ,small ,tortoiseshell #e4 ,large ,tortoiseshell #f4 ,camberwell ,beauty #g4 ,peacock ,the caterpillar is rather hairy1 dull-coloured underneath1 black on the back1 with two lines of broad red spots running from head to tail4 ,when you find this caterpillar1 you generally get a whole brood of them1 as they are gregarious and live under a web until nearly fully fed4 ,the chrysalis is of a bright straw colour1 spotted and streaked with black1 and is not so angular as the chrysalis of the ,large ,garden ,white4 ,the butterfly is out in midsummer1 and is rarely seen outside of the most southern counties1 and even there it seems to prefer the coast4 ,in ,continental gardens it sometimes attacks the fruit-trees in such numbers as to constitute a plague4 ,,the ,,large ,,garden ,,white ,,butterfly 7,pieris brassic7 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #c1 is well known to everybody4 ,town and country seem to be the same to him2 indeed1 ,i do believe he lives and thrives best in the town and village gardens2 only twice have ,i met with the larva in a really wild situation1 once finding a few caterpillars on a lonely shore in ,arran1 and ,i once got a chrysalis on a beech-tree trunk on the border of a large wood4 ,cabbage1 kale1 savoy1 and cress1 are the plants which the female usually selects as the most suitable to lay her eggs on1 but as the caterpillars grow towards maturity there are few plants they will not attack1 especially if they are driven by hunger and a lack of their usual food4 ,the butterfly hardly needs description2 suffice it to say that the female1 besides having a rather larger expanse of black at the tip of the fore-wing1 has also two black spots and a dash 7see figure7 on the same wing4 ,these are entirely wanting on the upper side of the male1 but are present on the under side4 ,the male is a little smaller than the female4 ,beyond question this butterfly is the most destructive of all the ,british species2 fortunately it is largely held in check by ichneumon flies4 ,once ,i brought home a dozen or two caterpillars of this species from an isolated locality on the ,mull of ,kintyre1 hoping to obtain some possible varieties4 ,not one butterfly did ,i hatch2 they had all been stung1 and mostly by a large grey dipterous fly 7,plate ,,xi41 ,fig4 #d71 although some few contained the little blackish imp which is their usual parasite4 ,this little fellow it is who spins the small cocoons round the shrivelled skin of the victim 7see ,plate ,,xi41 ,figs4 #c1 #e74 ,the eggs are laid singly or in small groups on the backs of leaves1 and are somewhat long2 they are straw-coloured1 and stand up on end1 so they are not difficult to find and collect1 or destroy if too numerous4 ,the caterpillar is yellow1 speckled with black1 and slightly spiny2 it is also one of the easiest and most satisfactory to preserve4 ,the chrysalis may be found during the winter attached to walls and fences4 ,the butterfly is common throughout the summer4 ,,small ,,garden ,,white 7,pieris rap71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #d4--,this butterfly is very like the last1 but much smaller4 ,both species are generally found together4 ,on the wing and in the caterpillar state they find the same nooks and corners in which to pass the winter as chrysalids4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #f ,paisley ,method of ,setting ,but the caterpillars are very different in appearance4 ,in this species the colour is a soft velvety green1 with a faint yellow line down the back4 ,stretched at full length on the midrib of a cabbage-leaf1 it is by no means a conspicuous object1 and may be quite easily overlooked2 but if you see the leaves riddled with holes1 and find excrement lying between them and at the base1 don't cease looking until you find the culprit1 sometimes deep in a cabbage1 or on the back of the outer leaves4 ,other caterpillars besides those of the ,large and ,small ,whites may be present in force1 notably those of the ,cabbage moth 7,mamestra brassic71 large stout caterpillars varying from green to black2 they are far too numerous1 so have no compunction about destroying all you find4 ,the caterpillar is apt to lose its colour in preserving1 as is the case with all green caterpillars4 ,,green-,,veined ,,white 7,pieris napi71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #e4--,unlike the last two species1 this ,white is more often found in the country than the town1 and in my experience it is only a casual visitor to suburban gardens4 ,i have never found the caterpillars there4 ,to distinguish it from the last species it is only necessary to examine the under side1 where both fore- and hind-wings are strongly veined with greyish-black1 the female particularly so4 ,on the upper side the veins are distinctly marked1 but the line is finer4 ,in a rather wet meadow where ,ladies' ,smock abounds in early ,june1 ,i have seen this butterfly in profusion1 and not at all easy to capture when the sun was high4 ,but when ,king ,sol is sinking in the west1 and all decent butterflies have gone to rest1 a turn through the same meadow while the light still lingers reveals the ,veined ,whites all at rest on the flower-heads of the ,ladies' ,smocks4 ,it is then quite easy to select a few of the best1 and search for varieties1 until in the deepening twilight butterflies and flowers became so blended as to present only a whitish blurr to the eye4 ,there are two broods--one out in ,june1 the other in ,august4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with yellow spots on the sides1 and may be found on various plants of the cruciferous order1 the cress group in particular4 ,i have found it on the ,ladies' ,smock 7,cardamine pratense7 and on the large-flowered ,bitter ,cress 7,cardamine amara74 ,for your collection always mount at least one of each sex with the under side uppermost4 ,the specimen figured is a female2 the male has only one round spot on each fore-wing4 ,,bath ,,white 7,pieris ,daplidice71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #f4--,this is the rarest of all our ,whites2 indeed1 it is doubtful if it breeds in this country at all4 ,a few specimens are taken annually on the south-east coast and neighbourhood1 and the likelihood is that they are migrants from the ,continent4 ,on the other hand1 it is just possible that on account of its close resemblance to the ,green-,veined ,white when on the wing1 it is often passed over when mixed up with and flying amongst a number of that species4 ,the sexes are easily distinguished by the female having the upper side of the hind-wings broadly checkered with a double band of black spots1 which is entirely wanting in the male4 ,the under side1 however1 of both sexes is beautifully marbled in dark green on a creamy white ground4 ,the caterpillar is a dull green with yellow lines on back and sides1 and may be fed on cabbage or ,dyer's ,rocket4 ,the chrysalis is very similar to that of the ,small ,garden ,white4 ,the butterfly may be met with in ,may and ,june1 and again in ,august and ,september4 ,,the ,,orange-,,tip ,,butterfly 7,euchlo ,cardamines71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #g4--,this is the only member of its genus inhabiting this country1 though there are several others met with on the ,continent4 ,it has a wide range in ,britain and may be met with from ,aberdeenshire to the south coast of ,england1 although it appears to be becoming scarcer and more local in the northern half of the kingdom4 ,the ground colour of the upper side of the wings is white1 with a large orange patch occupying almost the outer half of the fore-wing1 relieved by a black tip and a black spot4 ,in the female these black marks are larger1 but the orange is entirely wanting4 ,the under side of the fore-wing is like the upper1 but the under side of the hind-wing is beautifully marbled in dark green1 an effect obtained by the commingling of black scales on a yellow ground4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a white line on the sides1 and feeds on various species of ,cardamine2 hence meadow-lands are its favourite resorts1 and there the curious sharp-looking little chrysalis may be found hung up to some dead stem during winter4 ,the butterfly appears in early ,june and does not generally survive that month4 ,,the ,,wood ,,white ,,butterfly 7,leucophasia sinapis71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #h4 --,this is the smallest and most fragile of our white butterflies4 ,the wings are white with a black tip on the fore-wing1 and the under side of the hind-wing clouded with black scales4 ,the body is long1 slender1 and a little flattened laterally4 ,it is not a common species1 and is very local where it does occur4 ,it has been found as far north as the ,lake ,district1 and down to the south coast4 ,it is unrecorded for ,scotland1 but has been taken in ,ireland4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with yellow lines on the sides2 it feeds on various members of the pea family--,vetch1 ,trefoil1 etc4 ,it appears on the wing in ,may1 and sometimes a second brood occurs in ,august2 so you may look for the caterpillar in ,june and again in ,september4 ,,the ,,pale ,,clouded ,,yellow ,,butterfly 7,colias ,hyale71 ,plate ,i41 ,fig4 #i4--;,i think there can be little doubt that this fine butterfly is on the increase with us2 from all over the southern counties come records of its comparative plenty4 ,in the ,entomologist 7,october1 #aiaa7 ,i read of over one hundred being seen or captured by various collectors4 ,norfolk1 ,suffolk1 ,essex1 ,kent1 ,bucks1 are amongst the favoured places1 and ,lucerne- or ,clover-fields are the attractions4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #g ,apparatus for ,preserving ,larv ,the question of the migration of this and the following species is still very far from being satisfactorily settled4 ,that we do get a swarm over from the ,continent when conditions are favourable is a matter of common knowledge1 but whether we have resident and permanent colonies of our own is still doubtful4 ,in any case this year 7#aiaa7 has been a ,hyale year1 and we give thanks4 ,the ground colour of this butterfly is a pale primrose-yellow4 ,there is a broad black border beginning at the tip of the fore-wing and continuing on to the hind-wing1 where it gradually dies out at the bottom angle2 placed on this band of black are a few yellow spots4 ,there is also a black spot on the fore-wing1 and a faint orange spot near the middle of the hind-wing4 ,the under side is more of a yellow shade1 and a line of brown spots runs round the outer margin of both wings4 ,there is a silvery spot in the centre of the hind-wings1 like a figure #h bordered with pinkish brown1 and in fine fresh specimens the fringe is of the latter colour4 ,the female is a shade lighter in ground colour and also shows more black4 ,the caterpillar may be looked for in ,june and ,july on ,clover and ,lucerne2 it is green1 with yellow lines running along the back and sides4 ,the chrysalis is green with a single yellow line4 ,the latter half of ,august and the first half of ,september cover the best period of its flight in this country2 on the ,continent there is a spring brood4 ,,the ,,clouded ,,yellow 7,colias ,edusa71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #a4--;,as with the last species1 we have still much to learn of the habits of this fine butterfly4 ,some years it is plentiful1 while in others hardly a specimen will be seen--and as for the caterpillars1 we never hear of them being successfully searched for4 ,the probability is that from a few spring visitors from the ,continent we get a number of descendants in ,august1 when a great many more arrive from across the ,channel and mingle with them4 ,the distribution of nearly all animals is regulated by the food-supply1 the climate1 or their enemies2 yet none of these seem to satisfactorily account for the disappearance and reappearance of ,edusa with us4 ,it is a strong flying insect with a roving disposition1 and on quite a few occasions it has been noted as far north as ,arran and the ,ayrshire coast1 in ,scotland4 ,the brilliant orange and black wings make its identity unmistakable4 ,not so1 however1 with the light sulphur-coloured female variety1 which very nearly approaches the typical female form of ,hyale1 but it may be distinguished by the broader black band on both fore- and hind-wings1 and a heavy sprinkling of black scales near the base of the former1 and all over the latter4 ,the orange spot too1 in the centre of the hind-wing is deeper1 and1 being on a darker ground1 looks much brighter4 ,there is no corresponding male variation4 ,the caterpillar is dark green1 with a light line on each side1 varied with yellow and orange touches4 ,it feeds on various plants of the pea order--vetches1 trefoils1 clovers1 etc4 ,the chrysalis is brown spotted1 and is striped with a yellow line4 ,the butterfly appears with us during ,august and ,september4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #h4 #a4 ,red ,admiral #b4 ,painted ,lady #c4 ,milk ,weed #d4 ,white ,admiral #e4 ,purple ,emperor 7,male7 ,,the ,,brimstone ,,butterfly 7,gonepteryx rhamni71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #b4--,when ,i glance at this beautiful butterfly1 ,i always feel inclined to laugh1 not at the butterfly--oh dear no6--but at a practical joke ,i once saw through1 much to the astonishment of a soldier friend4 ,he had brought home a large assortment of fine butterflies from ,india1 and in going over the stock my attention was arrested by the peculiar pattern on one of them4 ,for ground colour and outline it certainly resembled our own ,brimstone1 but what weird markings6 ,turning the hand-glass on it revealed the fact that it was hand-painted4 ,i asked the sergeant who did this1 and then he suddenly remembered1 and gave vent to a loud guffaw4 ,the scamps1 by ,jove6 ,that carries me back to a certain mess-room at ,darjeeling when this insect was handed over to me by a certain young officer as a great rarity4 ,he was sure there was not another like it in the camp2 and he was right4 ,lots of our fellows went 'butterfly dodging1' and had big collections to take home2 but not one of them had this one4 ,they named it ',the ,officer's ,fancy4' ,now1 ,i recollect seeing this same officer out sketching and fooling around with a box of paints4 ,it's clever1 though1 isn't it8 ,he took us all completely in4 ,this was hardly to be wondered at6 ,the colours had been very delicately laid on1 and the pattern adopted was of the eye-spot and streak order1 so that the whole effect was quite harmonious and in good taste4 ,but the ,brimstone requires no artificial aids to make it a warm favourite with all butterfly lovers2 if it lacks variety of colouring1 it more than makes up for it in the beautiful sweeping outlines of the wings4 ,no other butterfly on our list can show such sweet harmony of line and contour4 ,like a breeze-blown daffodil1 he greets us on our early spring rambles1 just when the opening blossoms and leafy buds are all doubly welcome1 in that we have missed their friendly presence through the long days of winter4 ,the female hibernates in all sorts of out-of-the-way corners--in dense holly-bushes1 piles of brushwood1 chinks of walls1 etc41 coming forth again in ,may or even earlier to deposit her eggs on the ,buckthorn and its allies4 ,the antenn are rather short and more like a club than a drum-stick1 while the beautiful white silken mane along the back is quite a noticeable feature4 ,the female is of a much lighter tint than the male4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with paler sides1 along which runs a white line3 it may be found on the ,buckthorn from ,may till ,july4 ,the chrysalis1 which is supported on the tail and band principle1 is green and yellow1 and rather oddly shaped4 ,it hatches in the course of about three weeks4 ,this butterfly is a plentiful insect south of the ,border1 but we have yet to record it for ,scotland4 ,,the ,,small ,,pearl-,,bordered ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,selene71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #g4--,like all the members of its family the ground colour of the wings of this insect is a reddish-brown1 marbled and spotted with black4 ,for size it differs little from the next species1 and the upper surface of the two being so much alike1 it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them4 ,the under side 7,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #c71 especially of the hind-wings1 however1 renders the task of identification comparatively easy3 the ground colour is a deeper brown in this species and causes the pearl border to stand out in stronger relief2 besides1 numerous other pearl spots brighten its surface4 ,it is a local butterfly1 with a wide range of distribution both in ,england and ,scotland2 and where it does occur it is generally common4 ,in the ,south it may be double brooded1 but in the ,north the ,june flight is all we see of it for the year4 ,the caterpillar is black1 with an interrupted white line along the back2 the spines are brown2 it feeds on the dog violet 7,viola canina74 ,the chrysalis is ash-coloured4 ,,the ,,pearl-,,bordered ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,euphrosyne71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #h4--,perhaps this is the commoner of these twin butterflies1 though its range of distribution is much the same as the foregoing4 ,in its case1 also1 the under side of the hind-wings furnishes us with the main points of distinction4 ,here the markings are a warm mid-red shade on an ochreous ground2 the pearl border is very pronounced1 and in the middle of the wing a single pearl reposes4 ,nearer the body there is another smaller spot hardly so bright4 ,if you set several of these two species with the under side uppermost1 you will soon get quite familiar with the difference between them4 ,plate ,x41 ,figs4 #c1 #e1 shows this distinction4 ,the caterpillar is similar to the last species and prefers ,viola as a food-plant1 but ,i have found it in little colonies where it most certainly must have fed on other plants1 as ,violas of any species were distinctly rare in the district1 which is wet and marshy4 ,for ,scotland there is a single brood in ,june1 while in the ,south it is double-brooded--,may and ,august4 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,spain ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,lathonia71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #f4--,this is1 unfortunately1 the rarest of all our ,fritillaries2 unfortunately1 because it is the most beautiful and brilliant4 ,in outline the fore-wing differs from that of the two preceding species1 being slightly concave on the outer margin1 while the hind-wing bears a slight trace of scalloping4 ,but it is on the under side where all the treasures lie4 ,a row of seven pearl spots adorns the outer margin of the hind-wing2 then comes a row of small dark spots1 each with a pearl-spot in its centre2 then a profusion of large and small glittering patches completes this beautiful wing4 ,the under side of the fore-wing has only three 7or sometimes a tiny fourth7 pearl spots near the tip4 ,this butterfly is taken occasionally in clover-fields in our south-eastern counties4 ,the specimens taken there are possibly migrants from the ,continent4 ,the caterpillar is dark1 with a white line on the back1 yellow lines on the sides1 and is clothed with short red spines4 ,it may be found on ,violas4 ,as this insect is double-brooded on the ,continent1 it is well to look out for it during the whole summer from ,may to ,september4 ,,the ,,dark ,,green ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,aglaia71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #d4--,the only claim this handsome species has to be called green lies in the fact that the under side of the hind-wing has for its ground colour a delightful tawny green4 ,but the main attraction is the lovely rows of pearl spots ornamenting the under side 7,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #a72 and there are four of these rows4 ,one1 and it is perhaps the finest1 runs round near the outer margin1 and consists of nine gems2 the next1 a little nearer the body1 has eight1 and is slightly irregular2 the next row has only three1 rather widely apart2 and the fourth1 and last1 has also three very small ones quite near the base of the wing4 ,the under sides of the fore-wings have also their pearl spots4 ,near the outer margin you will find a row with eight of them1 beginning boldly near the tip2 they gradually fade until the last of the row is barely visible4 ,on some male specimens there are two silvery spots also near the tip1 but on other specimens these are absent4 ,the under side of the fore-wing has very little green to show2 the tip of the wing is just tinted1 and this tint is carried along the costal margin4 ,i have described the under side in some detail1 as ,i have seen it described as having only three rows of spots on the hind-wing1 and no pearl spots at all on the fore-wing2 and for another reason1 ,i want you always to confirm your captures by a good textbook1 as by so doing you will learn some valuable lessons in comparison and observation1 and in noting details2 and also it will enable you1 perhaps1 to add some fine variations to your collection4 ,the caterpillar lives on various species of wild ,viola1 and may be found on them in the early summer1 but as the butterfly has a wide range of distribution1 season and locality make it vary a good deal in the time of its appearance4 ,it has been found from the ,north of ,scotland to the ,south of ,england4 ,july is the month to look for it4 ,i always find it more abundant near the coast4 ,it is a bold flying species1 and often difficult to capture2 but in good settled weather ,i have taken it frequently at rest on thistle-tops at sundown4 ,,the ,,high ,,brown ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,adippe71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #e4--;,in this and the foregoing we have again two species very easy to confound1 and all the more so when we note that stable characters are somewhat hard to find on the upper surface of the wings--in general the ground colour in ,adippe is richer and darker1 and the outer margin of the fore-wing is not so rounded as in ,aglaia1 being either straight or very slightly concave4 ,the arrangement of the second row of spots1 which runs round near the outer margin of both wings1 is different in the two species1 but they are very inconstant and even vary in the sexes2 so the under side must be again consulted 7,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #b74 ,and here we have an unfailing test4 ,in ,adippe1 on the under side of the hind-wing near the outer margin1 there is a row of dark red spots lined internally with black1 and in the centre there is a small pearl spot4 ,these eyelike spots are never present in ,aglaia4 ,the general green tint1 too1 of ,aglaia is absent in ,adippe4 ,the silvery spots on the under side of the fore-wing of ,aglaia are rarely to be seen in this species4 ,in some females of ,adippe three shadowy spots are visible near the tip4 ,i have never seen these on a male2 so we have it that1 in the great majority of specimens of ,adippe1 the under side of the fore-wing is devoid of silvery spots4 ,while ,adippe may be fairly common in the ,south1 it is by no means so widely distributed1 nor does it range so far north as ,aglaia4 ,in ,scotland it is unknown4 ,the caterpillar is dark grey1 with a whitish line along the back1 and is covered with rust-red spines4 ,it feeds on ,viola4 ,the butterfly appears in ,july4 ,,the ,,silver-,,washed ,,fritillary 7,argynnis ,paphia71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #c4--,this is the largest of our native ,fritillaries1 and is easily distinguished from the others by an entire absence of the silvery spots so characteristic of this genus4 ,the upper surface of the male is of a warm1 orange-brown1 streaked and dotted with black on both wings2 the under side of the fore-wing is much lighter1 the spots on it are smaller1 and the tip is marked with olive2 the hind-wing under side bears a fine combination of pale olive with faint lavender and silver streaks1 while its outer margin is distinctly scalloped4 ,the female is quite different4 ,in it the ground colour of the upper side of the fore-wings is much paler1 and the black streaks along the veins are absent4 ,the hind-wings have the same pale tint1 but with a more decided tinge of olive1 while the under sides of both wings1 and especially of the hind ones1 are pale olive green1 and the scalloping round the outer margin of both wings is more pronounced4 ,in the female variety ,valesina1 the upper surface has a dark olive ground shading out towards the tip of the fore-wings4 ,this1 with the black spots lying on it1 gives the butterfly quite a black appearance at a little distance4 ,this variation is mostly found in the ,new ,forest4 ,the butterfly is common in many districts of ,england1 but is rare in ,scotland4 ,the caterpillar is covered with long spines1 nearly black1 and has a pale line along the back and sides2 it feeds on ,dog ,violet and ,wild ,raspberry4 ,the chrysalis is rather stout1 hangs by the tail1 and is greyish1 with shining points4 ,the perfect insect is out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,greasy ,,fritillary 7,melita aurinia71 ,plate ,,iv41 ,fig4 #i4--,this may not seem a pretty or poetical name for a butterfly4 ,beauty1 poetry1 and the fitness of things1 might have suggested a more appropriate title2 but1 as ,dickens has said1 the wisdom of our ancestors is not to be disturbed by unhallowed hands1 and as the technical name is in this instance some compensation1 we may have to let it go at that4 ,greasy the butterfly is not1 but only looks as if it were1 when slightly worn2 and1 owing to some peculiarity in the arrangement of its scales1 this slight wearing is very soon accomplished4 ,happily it is not a difficult insect to rear1 and fine specimens without a suspicion of greasiness in their appearance can thus be had for the cabinet4 ,this butterfly is quite distinct from any other ,british ,fritillary1 inasmuch as it has two very distinct ground colours on the upper side of its wings1 a rich orange-brown and a pale ochreous yellow4 ,the bands of this latter shade are bordered with dark brown2 a reference to the coloured figure will show how these colours are disposed4 ,it is a rather variable species1 and is widely distributed4 ,it is found in glens and damp meadows and is generally abundant where found1 though local4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #i4 #a4 ,marbled ,white #b4 ,mountain ,ringlet #c4 ,scotch ,argus #d4 ,speckled ,wood #e4 ,wall ,brown #f4 ,grayling 7,male7 #g4 ,meadow ,brown 7,female7 #h4 ,small ,meadow ,brown #i4 ,ringlet #aj4 ,marsh ,ringlet ,the caterpillar is black1 with a greyish line along the sides1 and a small white dot above this between each segment4 ,the chrysalis is ashen1 with red and black spots2 it is rather dumpy1 and may be found on various low plants early in the summer1 and again1 in some southern localities1 in the autumn4 ,like nearly all the ,fritillaries the larv hibernate while very small1 so it is best to leave them in their natural state until fairly well fed4 ,narrow-leaved ,plantain1 ,scabious1 and1 some observers say1 ,foxglove and ,speedwell1 are its favourite foods4 ,the times of flight are ,may and ,august4 ,in many ,scotch localities1 ,argyllshire1 ,ayrshire1 etc41 this species is abundant4 ,,the ,,glanville ,,fritillary 7,melita ,cinxia71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #a4--,this little butterfly is one of the threatened species4 ,if due care and discretion be not exercised1 there is a possibility of its becoming extinct in this country4 ,threatened people live long1 but it were wise not to push our little friend too far2 and wiser still if collectors who live in or near its favourite haunts would not only try to preserve it1 but also make some attempt to spread its range into other localities apparently suitable for its propagation4 ,we have far too few native butterflies to run the risk of losing any we have4 ,and as the food-plant is the ,ribbed or ,narrow-leaved ,plantain1 it follows that even were this species as abundant as its food would warrant1 it could not possibly do any harm to anyone1 either gardener or farmer4 ,the ground colour might be called ,fritillary brown1 relieved with the usual black bands and spots2 the hind-wings show a distinct row of black spots on a light ground running round near the outer margin4 ,but the under side 7,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #d7 is more striking and unmistakable1 especially that of the hind-wing4 ,the fringe itself is dotted at intervals with black2 then follows a line of crescent spots on a cream-coloured ground2 a fulvous band scalloped with a black outline traverses the wing1 and on this band are dark spots edged with red4 ,then there is a cream band with black spots1 and a broken-up band of fulvous spots edged with black4 ,there is cream again next the body1 with a few more black spots4 ,the under side of the upper wing is a light orange-brown1 and cream towards the tip1 and bears a few black spots4 ,the caterpillar is black1 with dark red between the segments2 head and pro-legs red2 spines short1 crowded1 black4 ,the chrysalis is stout1 yellowish-grey1 dotted with black1 and is sometimes enclosed in a loose web4 ,the chrysalids ,i have reared always adopted this mode of concealment and protection4 ,i have also been much impressed with the strong resemblance of the caterpillar to the flower-heads of the ,narrow-leaved ,plantain1 amongst which it lives4 ,the ,isle of ,wight appears to be the headquarters of the species1 and it is found in a few other localities on the mainland4 ,it appears in ,may and ,june4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #aj #a4 ,dark ,green ,fritillary 7under side7 #b4 ,high ,brown ,fritillary 7under side7 #c4 ,small ,pearl ,bordered ,fritillary 7under side7 #d4 ,glanville ,fritillary 7under side7 #e4 ,pearl ,bordered ,fritillary 7under side7 #f4 ,heath ,fritillary 7under side7 ,,the ,,heath ,,fritillary 7,melita ,athalia71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #b4--,there is more black1 or dark brown1 on the upper surface of this species1 hence the insect looks darker in general aspect than any of the foregoing ,fritillaries4 ,the under side1 too 7,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #f71 is marked very like ,cinxia1 but the light bands on the hind-wings are more of a yellow tint1 and the line of black spots through the central band are wanting2 the veins are also more prominent and black4 ,altogether it is not difficult1 on comparing the two under sides1 to at once distinguish them4 ,it is also a rather local species1 being confined to the ,south of ,england and ,ireland4 ,both caterpillar and chrysalis are very like those of the last species2 the spines1 however1 are rust-coloured4 ,it feeds on ,plantain4 ,the perfect insect is out from ,may to ,july4 ,,the ,,comma ,,butterfly 7,vanessa c-,album71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #c4--,the tatterdemalion of the family1 it looks1 indeed1 as if some hungry caterpillars had been dining on its wings1 and had been scared away in the middle of the feast1 leaving all sorts of rags and tatters to attest their visit4 ,the costal margin is the only line left entire2 all the others are deeply scalloped and indented4 ,two tails form the longest projections from the middle of the outer edge of the hind-wings4 ,the ground colour is a uniform rusty red1 varied with black spots arranged in the same order as in other species of this genus4 ,there is a dark border round the outer margin of both wings4 ,the under side is strikingly different from the upper1 and looks extraordinarily like a dry1 withered leaf1 the more so on account of its ragged outline4 ,in the middle of the hind-wing is a very clear comma-shaped mark2 from this the insect takes its name4 ,the caterpillar is yellowish on the back for the first five segments1 then white to the tail2 under side brown4 ,the spines are shorter than in others of this group4 ,it feeds on ,hop1 ,elm1 ,gooseberry1 ,nettle1 ,willow1 and ,sloe4 ,the chrysalis is brown1 with gilt points4 ,the butterfly appears in ,july and is rather local1 being found mostly in the ,midlands and ,wales4 ,it has been recorded for ,scotland1 but not of late years4 ,,the ,,large ,,tortoiseshell ,,butterfly 7,vanessa ,polychloros71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #e4--,the ground colour of this handsome species is a tawny yellow1 marked with three large black patches along the costa of the fore-wing2 between these patches the colour is somewhat lighter4 ,there are four other black spots occupying the centre of the wing1 which also has a black border dotted with brown2 hind-wing tawny1 with one black patch on the upper margin1 but not extending inward to the body as a similar spot does in the next species 7,urtic74 ,the dark border is continued along this wing1 and is studded with blue spots edged with a paler line4 ,this species might be confused by the novice with the next1 but not if the two were together for comparison2 then the points in which they differ are seen to be distinct and permanent4 ,in ,urtic the light ground between the costal blotches is yellow and the outer spot blue-white2 there are only three black spots in the centre of the wing1 the largest one being continued down to the margin1 which is not the case with the corresponding spot in ,polychloros4 ,on the hind-wing the black patch continues downward towards the bottom angle and inwards to the body1 whereas this spot neither goes in nor down in ,polychloros4 ,lastly1 the ground colour in ,urtic is of a bright red1 almost a scarlet1 with the blue spots extending into both wings4 ,the caterpillar of ,polychloros is brown1 spiny1 and striped along the back and sides2 it feeds on ,elm1 ,willow1 and ,cherry1 during the summer months4 ,the butterfly appears in ,august4 ,it is by no means so common with us as its smaller and gayer cousin1 being confined mostly to the ,south of ,england4 ,there are occasional records for ,scotland2 ,i was present when a specimen was captured by a friend on the coast of ,argyllshire in the year #ahhg4 ,,the ,,small ,,tortoiseshell ,,butterfly 7,vanessa ,urtic71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #d4--;,among the many puzzling problems that naturalists have to solve1 few present greater attractions than those relating to the migration and hibernation of animals4 ,the birds have long claimed the attention of ornithologists in this respect1 but the insects have in a great measure been neglected4 ,however1 there are signs of a revival4 ,migratory and hibernating butterflies are well enough represented in the ,british list to supply material for much patient and useful research4 ,the facts about them are not all known--not by any means4 ,we know1 or fancy we do1 that the dominating factor in both cases is the food-supply1 but that there are other and important elements to be considered is beyond dispute4 ,the ,small ,tortoiseshell is a hibernating species1 but why does it not deposit its eggs in the autumn1 and go the way of all flesh and butterflies8 ,could it not evolve a method of securing its eggs so that the young caterpillars might have a fair chance of survival when ushered into the world8 ,or has it found it easier and safer to take care of these eggs itself during the long winter months1 and then1 when returning spring once more brings the ,nettle-shoots above ground1 launch forth upon the wing once more1 to seek and to find a home and a larder for its numerous children to be8 ,what would be the fate of these eggs if laid in the autumn8 ,who can tell8 ,various enemies and agencies would be constantly at work seeking to destroy them4 ,the ,nettles have all died down and left hardly a trace behind4 ,and what the rain and wind had not scattered far and wide1 the ants and beetles would account for4 ,the ,small ,tortoiseshell is perhaps the best known of all our coloured butterflies1 occurring1 as it does1 all over the country from ,land's ,end to ,john o' ,groats4 ,it is very like the last species1 though smaller and brighter2 but as ,i pointed out the various distinguishing marks in describing ,polychloros1 ,i need not go into them again4 ,the caterpillars feed in companies when young1 spreading themselves over the ,nettles as they grow older4 ,they are black on the back with a checkered double line along the sides2 across each segment is a row of branched spines with numerous small simple hairs between4 ,the chrysalis hangs by the tail2 it is grey-brown1 with gilt points4 ,the eggs are laid in ,may1 and the butterfly appears towards the end of ,june1 and continues more or less abundant until ,october1 when the females retire to some safe corner in old walls or outhouses1 there to await the passing of the winter4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #aa #a4 ,larva of ,large ,garden ,white #b4 ,pupa of ,large ,garden ,white #c4 ,ichneumon ,cocoons #d4 ,dipterous ,parasite of ,large ,g4 ,white #e4 ,ichneumon ,flies hatched from #c #f4 ,pupa of ,small ,tortoiseshell #g4 ,larva of ,small ,tortoiseshell #h4 ,larva and ,pupa of ,glanville ,fritillary #i4 ,larva of ,greasy ,fritillary ,,the ,,peacock ,,butterfly 7,vanessa ,io71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #g4--,this beautiful species is too well known1 and too distinct in its colour and pattern to require any written description4 ,few butterflies possess a name which so aptly describes them1 and to make a mistake in its identification is hardly possible4 ,all its efforts seem to have been exspended on the ornamentation of the upper surface1 for the under side has hardly an attractive note4 ,dark and sombre though it be1 it is well adapted for concealment during its period of hibernation4 ,the caterpillar is black1 with bands of white dots round each segment1 and the spines are larger than in the ,small ,tortoiseshell4 ,it feeds in batches on ,nettles1 from ,june to ,august4 ,the chrysalis inclines to green and has burnished spots4 ,this species is common in ,england1 and is occasionally met with in the ,south and ,west of ,scotland4 ,,the ,,camberwell ,,beauty 7,vanessa ,antiopa71 ,plate ,v41 ,fig4 #f4--,why does not this handsome butterfly settle down amongst us1 increase and multiply1 and thus swell the little band of real natives who gladden the eye of the entomologist on his country rambles8 ,it is a common insect over most of the ,continent1 and most abundant in ,north ,america1 well up into ,canada1 where the winter is extremely severe4 ,we have the food-plant in abundance1 yet it is questionable if ever the ,camberwell ,beauty has been found in any but the winged state in this country4 ,records there are of its capture year after year1 but there never seems to be progeny left by these occasional visitors4 ,the wings are a dark chocolate-brown1 bordered with creamy white4 ,between the brown and the white is a broad black band studded with blue spots2 there are also two white spots on the costal margin near the tip of the fore-wing4 ,it measures from #b-a_/b to #c-a_/b inches in expanse1 ,north ,american specimens being the largest4 ,the caterpillar is black1 with white dots1 and has a row of red spots along the back4 ,the pro-legs are also red1 spines black4 ,it feeds on the ,willow4 ,the chrysalis is brown1 with darker spots2 its abdominal points are sharp and angular4 ,single specimens of this species occur in most seasons from ,august to ,october1 generally in the ,south1 but it has been recorded for ,scotland on several occasions4 ,,the ,,red ,,admiral 7,vanessa ,atalanta71 ,plate ,,viii41 ,fig4 #a4--;,he must have been a poet who first conceived so appropriate a name for this gallant rover4 ,possibly he was living long ago-- ,when ,britons truly ruled the waves1 ,in good ,queen ,bess's glorious days1 or later1 when ,nelson's old wooden walls spread their bellying sails to catch the breeze4 ,those were days of romance4 ,fancy the ,admiral of a super-,dreadnought--that big1 black abortion of coal and iron--being associated with a butterfly6 ,we would rather peer into the future and elect our aerial commander the ,red ,admiral of a fleet of graceful aeroplanes4 ,this would certainly be more appropriate4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #ab4 #a4 ,small ,heath #b4 ,green ,hairstreak #c4 ,purple ,hairstreak 7,female7 #d4 ,white-letter ,hairstreak #e4 ,black ,hairstreak #f4 ,brown ,hairstreak 7,female7 #g4 ,large ,copper 7,male7 #h4 ,small ,copper #i4 ,long-tailed ,blue #aj4 ,silver-studded ,blue 7,male7 #aa4 ,brown ,argus #ab4 ,common ,blue 7,male7 ,the colours of this butterfly on the upper surface are singularly bold1 striking1 and1 withal1 simple4 ,they furnish a good test of colour discrimination4 ,i have heard them spoken of as jet black1 intense black1 or velvety black4 ,if you take a specimen into a good light1 you will see that the whole area enclosed by the scarlet bands is a deep coffee-brown1 while outside the band1 on the fore-wing1 the colour is black splashed with white1 and there is a blue streak near the outer margin4 ,the under side is a marvel of beauty too complex and wonderful for cold print4 ,common though this insect is all over our island from ,august to chill ,october1 who can say that he has discovered his retreat and hiding-place from the storms and frosts of winter8 ,indeed1 there are those who boldly assert that the ,red ,admiral does not hibernate with us at all1 and1 consequently1 we are indebted each year for our supply to spring visitors from the ,continent1 which may be the reason why in some years it is more abundant than in others4 ,the caterpillar is a powdery yellow-grey in colour1 sometimes inclining almost to black2 a line of white spots appears on each side2 there are some darker markings along the back1 and a row of branched spines light in colour crosses the middle of each segment4 ,you will generally find it hiding within a curled ,nettle-leaf during the day4 ,the chrysalis is grey1 with a few shining points4 ,,the ,,painted ,,lady 7,vanessa cardui71 ,plate ,,viii41 ,fig4 #b1 is quite a suitable companion for a ,red ,admiral1 and they are often seen in company1 although cardui is the earlier on the wing by at least a fortnight1 and often a month4 ,the ground colour of the upper surface is a rosy orange1 varied with black and brown markings1 while the white spots near the tip of the fore-wing are almost similar to those of the ,red ,admiral4 ,here1 too1 the under side is an exquisite bit of painting4 ,it reminds one of a frosted window done in harmonious secondary colours4 ,no doubt this subtle pattern must be protective1 for you will notice that when the insect is at rest with the wings shut1 the bright portion of the under side of the fore-wing is concealed4 ,this is decidedly a migratory species1 and it is an open question whether it hibernates in ,britain4 ,in ,scotland we never see it until the autumn1 and occasionally it arrives in fair numbers4 ,we had one extraordinary swarm about the year #ahhj2 ,i remember being on holiday at the time on the ,island of ,cumbrae1 in the ,firth of ,clyde4 ,cardui was everywhere1 and even fighting for possession of the ,thistle-tops4 ,in #aiaa ,i had to be content with the sight of two specimens in ,arran1 but ,i heard of several more4 ,like the other ,vanessa caterpillars1 the larva of this species is thorny1 brown1 and bears lines and spots of yellow4 ,it may be found on ,thistles and ,nettles in ,may and ,june4 ,the chrysalis is like that of ,atalanta in colour1 but hardly so stout4 ,,the ,,white ,,admiral 7,limenitis ,sibylla71 ,plate ,,viii41 ,fig4 #d4--,this butterfly is almost black on the upper surface1 relieved by white bars and spots1 and there is a row of dense black spots near the outer margin of the hind-wings4 ,these white marks are carried through the wings to the under side1 but the ground there is formed of various shades of brown1 with some black dots and pencillings--while on the under surface of the body1 and spreading out from it on to the wings1 is a considerable region of a light sky-blue tint1 very pleasing to the eye4 ,the caterpillar feeds on ,honeysuckle1 and is a lively green2 the spines are reddish1 those on the third1 fourth1 and sixth segments being larger than the others4 ,there is also a white line bordered with brown along each side4 ,the head is also red1 with two lines of white down the face4 ,the chrysalis is dark green1 with silvery dots and lines1 and bears grotesquely swollen lumps4 ,this is a butterfly that ,i am afraid is becoming scarcer year by year2 it is confined to the ,south4 ,it is out in ,july4 ,,the ,,purple ,,emperor 7,apatura ,iris71 ,plate ,,viii41 ,fig4 #e1 is undoubtedly the king of the forest glade4 ,wearing the regal purple1 he looks down upon the world from his lofty throne on the top of some lordly oak4 ,somehow the build of this fine insect when seen in the hand cannot fail to impress the beholder with a sense of muscular power4 ,the thorax is long1 broad1 and deep--more so than in any other ,british butterfly--and the abdomen1 head1 and antenn are in like proportion4 ,the wings are ample and in shape smart and serviceable4 ,no loose scales or fluffy hairs soften the firm compactness of his whole bearing4 ,dark brown and purple alternate with the changing light all over the upper surface2 a dash or two of red1 and one eye-spot on the bottom angle of the hind-wing1 with a bar and a few spots of white1 are the main additions to the changing hues of the purple4 ,the under side has a daring lightning flash of blue-white on a brown and olive ground on the hind-wing4 ,the fore-wing 7under side7 has various spots of black and white on a darker ground1 while there is also one eye-spot near the outer angle4 ,he is said to have a fondness for carrion1 and this queer taste is sometimes his undoing1 as he is more readily captured when indulging his appetite than when soaring round the crown of some lofty oak4 ,but it is better still to seek for the caterpillars4 ,these may be found on low ,sallows or ,poplars4 ,they are green1 dusted with white1 and have oblique dashes of yellow on the sides2 they taper considerably towards the tail1 while the head is adorned with a pair of horns4 ,the chrysalis is similarly coloured while alive1 but when its inhabitant is gone the colour vanishes with it1 and all that remains looks like a little bit of crumpled tissue paper4 ,it may be found suspended to the under side of a leaf of the food-plant4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july in the southern counties1 and is oftener seen than captured4 ,,the ,,marbled ,,white ,,butterfly 7,melanargia ,galathea71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #a4--,we now come to a group of butterflies 7the ,satyrid7 quite the reverse in build and habits from the ,emperors and ,admirals4 ,of medium or small size1 though the wings are ample1 the body is small and the muscular power is never great2 hence they are soft and downy1 never fly far at a stretch1 and are1 although many of them common1 very local in their habits4 ,and the ,marbled ,white is no exception to the group4 ,his name may suggest something hard1 polished1 and durable1 yet he is anything but that4 ,i wonder what his name might have been had he been common north of the ,tweed1 and not known in the ,south8 ,to ,sir ,walter ,scott1 ,james ,hogg 7the ,ettrick ,shepherd71 or ,professor ,blackie1 the similarity of the black and white wings to the checking and soft1 embracing folds of their own beloved tartan plaids would at once have appealed to their imagination1 and henceforth they would have alluded to him as the ,shepherd's ,plaid butterfly4 ,creamy-white1 with grey and black checking1 and a few eye-spots on the black band of the hind-wings complete his simple scheme of colour4 ,the under side is somewhat similar to the upper4 ,although common enough where it is found1 it is a very local and stay-at-home butterfly4 ,the caterpillar is a grass-feeder1 and is green1 with a red head and tail4 ,it tapers considerably towards both extremities4 ,they are very small when they hibernate4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,mountain ,,ringlet ,,butterfly 7,erebia ,epiphron71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig #b4--;,it is strange that this fragile little fellow should choose the rough mountainside for his home4 ,in a boggy hollow of ,ben ,lomond1 nearly #b1jjj feet above the sea1 buried in snow almost the whole winter through1 ,i know a colony of this butterfly which lives and flourishes under these seemingly impossible conditions4 ,doubtless it could be found on many more of our ,highland hills4 ,the wings are a dark1 fulvous brown1 with an inconstant red bar near the outer edge of both wings1 and on this rusty bar are usually a few small eye-spots1 sometimes absent1 or reduced to mere specks4 ,the under side is almost similar4 ,it is a very easily damaged little creature1 requiring great care in handling1 and ,i may add that in catching it is always advisable to carefully select your specimens on the ground1 as quite a large percentage always appear to be rubbed1 so soon do they become unfit for the cabinet even in the height of their season1 which occurs during the first fortnight of ,july4 ,the caterpillar is said to be green1 and feeds upon various grasses4 ,it is also found on the mountains of ,cumberland and ,westmorland4 ,,the ,,scotch ,,argus ,,butterfly 7,erebia thiops71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #c4--,like all butterflies1 the ,scotch ,argus is seen at its best in its native haunts4 ,you feel it has a subtle kind of association with its surroundings that defies definition4 ,seeing this species flirting about in dozens in a dell where the air is heavily laden with the perfume of ,bog-myrtle and ,honeysuckle1 and where dragon-flies1 bees1 hover-flies1 wasps1 and ants1 raise a drowsy hum dear to the ear of the entomologist1 not to mention the hordes of bloodthirsty little midges1 tends to the formation of a mental impression1 which we always associate with this beautiful butterfly4 ,it takes strange notions1 too1 at times4 ,i have found it often at home as described above1 and1 again1 ,i have come upon it solitary and alone on the bare hillside1 far from the madding colony amongst which it was born4 ,five such wanderers ,i once encountered in a single day in ,august4 ,all were on the move1 either seeking a lost home or lover1 or possibly pastures new4 ,the breeding ground is generally some sheltered glade or open corner of a wood4 ,the butterfly is coloured a beautiful dark1 velvety brown1 with a broad1 irregular tawny red band near the outer margin of both fore- and hind-wings4 ,within this band on the fore-wings are three black spots1 each having a tiny white spot in its centre1 and the hind-wings have in most cases a similar adornment2 but as these spots are subject to great variation1 always aim at securing a good row for your cabinet in order to show as many variations as you can find4 ,the under sides of the sexes differ from each other and are distinctive4 ,in the female the under side of the fore-wing is marked very much the same as the upper side1 but the whole colour scheme is lighter1 while the hind-wings are a lighter brown1 with a pale lavender band1 distinctly iridescent and with just a trace of spots4 ,the male1 though nearly the same in markings1 is very much darker4 ,the caterpillar is a grass-feeder1 and is green1 with some lighter and darker stripes4 ,it is very like the grass it lives amongst4 ,the eggs are laid in the autumn1 and the young caterpillars hibernate4 ,,the ,,speckled ,,wood ,,butterfly 7,pararge geria71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #d4--,there must be something peculiar about this butterfly1 which always reminds me of a snake2 it is curious how such an idea gets into one's head and sticks there4 ,i have a lot of preserved home and foreign snakes1 and not a few of them are checkered and marked like this butterfly's wings2 one large skin of a boa constrictor bears a remarkable resemblance both in colour and spots4 ,nature seems to delight in these eyelike markings--you will find them on the trout1 the peacock1 the leopard1 and on certain beetles1 flowers1 and birds' eggs4 ,wherever you find them they are always beautiful and interesting1 and have a certain protective use4 ,the ,speckled ,wood is more easily recognized than described4 ,the upper side is of a dull brown1 spotted with pale yellow1 or 7as in some northern specimens ,i have taken7 with white4 ,there is one eye-spot near the tip of the fore-wing1 and a row of three1 sometimes four1 similar spots in a submarginal row on the hind-wings4 ,the under side is richer and warmer in colour1 having a purple tinge1 while the eye-spots of the hind-wings are nearly obsolete1 but the spot on the fore-wing is1 if anything1 brighter4 ,it is a fairly common species1 and loves quiet1 shady lanes on the edge of woodlands4 ,in the ,south it is double-brooded4 ,the female is larger and brighter than the male4 ,the caterpillar is a grass-feeder1 and is green1 with lighter stripes4 ,the butterfly is out from ,may to ,august4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #ac4 #a4 ,adonis ,blue 7,male7 #b4 ,chalk-hill ,blue 7,male7 #c4 ,little ,blue #d4 ,azure ,blue #e4 ,large ,blue #f4 ,duke of ,burgundy ,fritillary #g4 ,grizzled ,skipper #h4 ,dingy ,skipper #i4 ,small ,skipper #aj4 ,lulworth ,skipper #aa4 ,large ,skipper 7,female7 #ab4 ,pearl ,skipper 7,male7 #ac4 ,checkered ,skipper ,,the ,,wall ,,brown ,,butterfly 7,pararge megra71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #e4--;,a rather smaller butterfly than the last1 with the same number and arrangement of the eye-spots4 ,the ground colour is1 however1 a light tawny brown1 with dark brown markings4 ,there is a broad diagonal bar across the fore-wings of the male4 ,all the wings are bordered with brown4 ,the female has two zigzag lines in place of the bar1 and consequently has a lighter appearance2 she is usually a bit larger than her mate4 ,the under side of the hind-wings is a beautiful study in greys and browns1 with the dainty little eye-spots double ringed4 ,this species is common on waste lands and roadsides throughout the country2 it is local in ,scotland1 but abundant where found1 especially in ,ayrshire4 ,there are two broods only in the ,south4 ,the caterpillar is light green1 with lines on the back and sides1 and may be swept from grasses with the net in midsummer4 ,the chrysalis is short and stout1 and is found suspended by the tail to a strong grass stem4 ,the butterfly loves to rest on walls and stones which have been warmed by the sun2 hence the name the ,wall ,brown4 ,,the ,,grayling ,,butterfly 7,satyrus ,semele71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #f4--,this fine butterfly is larger and bolder in flight than any other of this group in our country4 ,but you must always remember that butterflies love the sunshine1 and without its cheering presence they are all very dull fellows indeed4 ,hence it is that a butterfly may appear1 and really is1 difficult to catch on a bright1 warm day2 yet it may fall an easy victim1 and give but indifferent sport on a dull one4 ,the ,grayling has a strong partiality for living near the sea1 and is found all along the west coast of ,scotland1 whether it be on a rock-bound shore or in a sandy1 sheltered bay4 ,during ,july and ,august one is pretty sure to encounter the ,grayling sporting along just above high-water mark1 and1 not infrequently1 whole colonies of them4 ,the lichen-covered rocks above the shore are his favourite resting-place1 and here he can sit and bask in the sun1 and once he has closed his wings he may be said to have disappeared1 so beautifully does the under side of his wings blend with the colour of the surrounding rocks4 ,he shows a certain amount of wisdom1 too1 at times1 for if you make a stroke at him with a net and miss1 he is off to sea1 flit-flitting just above the water1 and making a wide detour before coming back to land4 ,the wings are brown1 with an irregular light tawny band1 in which1 on the fore-wing1 are two eye-spots1 and on the hind-wing only one4 ,but the finest ornamentation is on the under side of the hind-wings1 which bear a strong resemblance to a granite rock speckled with lichens4 ,the caterpillar1 ,i think1 feeds mostly at night1 as ,i have found it during the day under stones in hilly districts near the sea4 ,it is variable in colour--brownish to black1 with a few lighter lines on the back and sides1 and it has a dirty putty-colour on the under side4 ,it feeds on grass in ,may4 ,the butterfly is out from ,july to ,september4 ,it appears in ,august in ,scotland4 ,,the ,,meadow ,,brown ,,butterfly 7,epinephele ,janira71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #g4--,perhaps this is the commonest of all our brown butterflies4 ,on roadside or hillside1 moor or meadow1 one can hardly fail to notice this homely brown insect all through the summer rambles4 ,the males are smaller and dingier than the females4 ,they have an obscure reddish patch on the fore-wing which1 with an eye-spot1 relieves the upper surface of dark brown4 ,the females are brighter and often more variable1 the fulvous patch on their fore-wings being large and bright1 and even extending into a band on the hind-wings4 ,there is occasionally an inner patch of suffused yellow on the centre of the fore-wings2 the under side is a paler brown1 with a decided band of grey-brown on the hind-wing1 which is also slightly scalloped4 ,the caterpillar is a delicate green1 with a white line on either side1 and may be swept from moorland grasses in ,may and ,june4 ,the chrysalis is short and dumpy2 pale papery grey1 rather fragile1 and is hung up by the tail to a grass-stem4 ,the butterfly is out practically all through the summer4 ,,the ,,small ,,meadow ,,brown 7,epinephele ,tithonus71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #h4--;,also a common species1 but does not so range far north4 ,wings1 a bright tawny red inclining to yellow1 bordered with dark brown1 with an indistinct diagonal bar across the wings in the male4 ,there is also a black spot near the tip of the fore-wings containing two tiny white spots2 occasionally there are two small eye-spots on the hind-wings also4 ,the under side of the hind-wing is shaded with red-brown and pale ochre1 and bears a few small white spots surrounded by red rings4 ,under side of the upper wing is pale tawny yellow with outer edge dark2 there is a black spot at the tip with two white dots in it4 ,the caterpillar varies from green to grey-brown2 there is a dark red line along the back1 and two light lines run along each side4 ,it is a grass-feeder1 and prefers a drier situation than the last species4 ,perhaps this is the reason for it being found in ,ayrshire1 the driest and sandiest county in ,scotland4 ,july and ,august are the butterfly's months4 ,,the ,,ringlet ,,butterfly 7,epinephele ,hyperanthus71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #i4--,this is a common and not very attractive-looking butterfly4 ,its colours1 if it can be said to have any1 are dingy in the extreme4 ,the upper surface is a dark sooty-brown hardly relieved by a few faint eye-spots1 which are very small and not always present4 ,a dirty white fringe completes the upper side4 ,the under side affords some compensation1 however1 for here we have the ringlets in some variety--pale yellow for the outer ring1 which encloses black with a white spot in the centre4 ,they are arranged three on the upper wing and five on the lower4 ,they vary in size1 as will be seen from the figure 7,plate ,,xiv41 ,fig4 #i74 ,it is not a very lively insect2 it frequents dry pasture-fields in ,scotland1 preferring those bordering the sea4 ,the caterpillar is like the last species1 but a greener grey2 it feeds on grasses4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july4 ,when you do happen upon this species1 keep a sharp lookout for varieties1 as it has quite a range of well-known sports2 the variation is mostly on the under surface4 ,,the ,,marsh ,,ringlet 7,cnonympha ,typhon71 ,plate ,,ix41 ,fig4 #aj4--,this insect has to be sought for on the swampy moorlands and mountains of the ,north4 ,it is of a dingy fawn-colour1 sometimes brighter1 often as if it had been held over the fire and ,peat-reekit4 ,it is somewhat remarkable what a number of creatures inhabiting this same region have gradually come to assume a similar coloration4 ,many of the ,highland cattle on these moors have this dirty tawny-yellow tint2 the deer and the hare find protection under the same guise4 ,the upper surface of the ,marsh ,ringlet is varied with a few eye-spots1 though ,i possess specimens with no spots at all1 while others have four on each of the hind-wings and two on each of the fore-wings4 ,the under side is generally better marked by eyes1 six forming a row round the outer margin of each hind-wing1 of which the first and last are usually the largest2 fore-wing under side--two eye-spots1 the one nearest the tip being the larger4 ,there is also a light bar across this wing1 and this is continued on to the hind-wing1 where it broadens out and is irregular and often interrupted4 ,the ground colour here is a subdued green-grey1 getting lighter towards the fringe4 ,females have more ample and rounded wings than the males4 ,i find the most comfortable way to hunt this butterfly is with bare feet and legs1 and the trousers well tucked up1 which will perhaps convey some idea of the nature of the ground it loves to flit over4 ,splash1 splash you go over the ,sphagnum and ,cotton-grass1 ,heather and ,marsh ,wortleberry1 while overhead the eerie cries of the curlew and the lapwing remind the naturalist that there are many young families hidden amongst the ,heather1 who will rejoice when they see the last of him and that fearful net of his4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with white lines1 and feeds on ,cotton-grass in ,may4 ,the butterfly appears towards the end of ,june4 ,,the ,,small ,,heath ,,butterfly 7,cnonympha ,pamphilus71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #a4--,this can be best described as a smaller and brighter edition of ,typhon2 occasionally a large specimen may even be mistaken for a small ,typhon1 but you can always tell the smaller species by the presence of only one eye-spot on the tip of the fore-wing1 and no eye-spots anywhere else4 ,its habits1 too1 are different1 preferring1 as it does1 a much drier and more pastoral country to sport over4 ,and its range is also wider1 being found all over the country from ,june till ,september4 ,the caterpillar is green and a grass-feeder4 ,i have swept it from grass in ,august4 ,,the ,,brown ,,hairstreak 7,thecla betul71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #f4--,there are five ,british species included in the very distinct group of interesting little butterflies1 to which this species belongs4 ,all of them are nearly black on the upper surface1 but the undersides are exceedingly chaste in pattern1 if not showy in colour4 ,the ,brown ,hairstreak is the largest of the five4 ,the male is a dark brown relieved by a lighter spot edged with black on the fore-wing1 and the bottom angle of the hind-wing and the little tails are orange4 ,the female has an orange bar across the fore-wing4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xiv41 ,fig4 #g7 is a tawny orange inclining to deep orange at the margins2 a double white irregular line edged with black runs across the hind-wings1 and between these lines the tawny shade is darker2 the fringe is white4 ,the caterpillar is green1 marked with diagonal yellow lines and tapers considerably towards each extremity4 ,it feeds on ,birch and ,blackthorn4 ,though by no means a common insect1 it is found in a great many localities from ,north to ,south of ,england1 but not in ,scotland4 ,the butterfly is out in ,august4 ,,the ,,white-,,letter ,,hairstreak 7,thecla w-album71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #d4--;,a smaller and1 on the upper surface1 a blacker insect than the last4 ,excepting for a small indistinct spot in the centre1 and near the outer margin of the fore-wing1 the upper surface is devoid of markings of any kind4 ,the under side1 however1 provides all the distinctive features necessary for identification4 ,the colour is a cool brown-grey1 the fore-wing being traversed by a white line2 the hind-wing has a similar white line1 which forms a ,w at the basal angle2 under it is a broad orange scalloped band1 edged with black and white2 the extreme outer edge is black1 and this black edging scallops into the orange band4 ,tail black4 ,the caterpillar feeds on ,elm2 is pale green1 with yellow bars and two rows of whitish humps along the back4 ,it may be got by beating the ,elm in early summer4 ,the ,butterfly appears in ,july1 but is far from common1 ,york being about its northern limit4 ,,the ,,black ,,hairstreak 7,thecla pruni71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #e4--;,about the same size as the last1 but many individuals are smaller4 ,the ground colour is almost black1 but near the tail are two or three conspicuous orange spots1 which are not present in w-,album4 ,the orange band on the under side of the hind-wing is much bolder and is edged with black spots on both sides1 the inner row of spots being partially ringed with white2 the white hairstreaks are fainter and slightly interrupted4 ,this is the rarest of the group1 and confined to a few localities in the ,south and ,south-,east4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with yellow spots and lines2 it is found on ,sloe and ,oak4 ,the perfect insect is out in ,july4 ,,the ,,purple ,,hairstreak 7,thecla quercus71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #c4--,the commonest and most widely distributed of the ,hairstreaks extending well into ,scotland where1 however1 it is not common4 ,the upper surface in the male is shot with purple1 while the female has a patch on either fore-wing of a still more pronounced sheen4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xiv41 ,fig4 #h7 is a cool grey2 the hairstreak is white and strongly defined by an inner edging of dark brown4 ,there are also two orange eye-spots near the tail1 which in this species is rather small4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #ad #a4 ,pupa of ,red ,admiral #b4 ,larva of ,red ,admiral #c4 ,larva of ,small ,white #d4 ,new ,small ,skipper #e4 ,pupa of ,small ,white 7showing hole through which ichneumons emerged7 #f4 ,larva of ,white ,admiral #g4 ,brown ,hairstreak 7under side7 #h4 ,purple ,hairstreak 7under side7 #i4 ,ringlet 7under side7 ,the caterpillar is a reddish-brown and grey mixture1 with a lighter angular pattern along the back1 and a light line along the sides4 ,it feeds on ,oak4 ,i once came upon a small colony of this little butterfly flying round some ,oak-trees in ,argyllshire1 but not one of them came lower than #ae feet from the ground1 and after trying a variety of expedients ,i had to retire discomfited without a single capture4 ,a visit to the same spot on subsequent days failed to reveal a single specimen4 ,august was the month4 ,in the ,south it is out in ,june4 ,,the ,,green ,,hairstreak 7,thecla rubi71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #b4--,the smallest of the ,british ,hairstreaks and a fairly common species4 ,deep dingy brown above1 bright emerald-green below1 traversed by white hairstreaks1 although in some specimens ,i have taken these white lines are absent4 ,an elusive little butterfly1 as when it settles amongst green herbage with the wings closed it is rendered almost invisible1 so well does it harmonize with its surroundings4 ,the caterpillar is green1 spotted and striped with yellow2 it feeds on ,bramble and ,broom4 ,the butterfly is out in ,june generally1 but ,i have found it in the closing days of ,may in a favourable season4 ,in the ,south a second brood appears in ,august4 ,it reaches as far north as ,perthshire1 and is frequently met with in the ,west ,highlands4 ,,the ,,large ,,copper ,,butterfly 7,polyommatus ,dispar71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #g4--;,i am afraid there is now only one ,british locality where this fine butterfly can be successfully pursued4 ,strange to say it is not one of the few places where it was found so abundantly a century ago4 ,neither is it any use going after it there with a net1 or any other of the usual appliances4 ,the correct place and method are no great secret1 being1 as it is1 in the very heart of ,london--to wit1 ,stevens' ,auction ,rooms1 ,king ,street1 ,covent ,garden4 ,a cheque-book there is a more reliable1 and1 if properly handled1 sure means of bringing a specimen into one's collection4 ,i don't suppose there is anybody now alive who remembers having seen the ,large ,copper flitting about its native ,fen lands so long ago as #ahej or thereabout1 for the precise date is difficult to discover4 ,the ,large ,copper has become as extinct as the dodo or the great auk4 ,fortunately1 many specimens are still to be seen in old and well-preserved collections1 and not a few of these have already passed through the hands of the auctioneer4 ,there are various ,continental ,coppers which more or less resemble the dear departed4 ,and it is as well that the points of difference should be well known1 as these foreigners can be had for a few pence4 ,dispar sells at as many pounds4 ,the male and female differ very much from each other1 the male being a clear scarlet copper tint1 with black margins and a small black spot in the centre of the fore-wing4 ,the female is larger and not so brilliant2 the black marginal band on the fore-wing is broader1 and has a row of black spots in addition to the central black spot4 ,the hind-wings are much dingier1 except for a brighter band round the outer margin next the black outline4 ,it was out in ,july and ,august in the ,fen lands of the south-eastern counties4 ,various causes have been assigned as the reason for its disappearance4 ,draining of1 and burning rubbish on1 these wastes1 and the constant persecution the insect had to endure from mercenary natives who1 once they discovered there was money in it--and the more money1 doubtless1 the scarcer it became--all lent their quota of assistance towards finally exterminating this fine butterfly4 ,,the ,,small ,,copper ,,butterfly 7,polyommatus ,phlas71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #h4--,less in size but hardly less brilliant in colour1 the ,small ,copper is not likely to share the fate of its larger relative4 ,a lively1 restless1 little imp it is1 and has well earned the title of the flea1 by which it is known in some districts4 ,as it is the only ,copper we possess now1 a detailed description is unnecessary1 but ,i would direct the young collector's attention to the fact that there are some nice variations of this common little species apt to be overlooked1 perhaps the most striking being a white form1 and another and commoner one having a row of blue spots on the upper surface of the hind-wings4 ,the caterpillar feeds on various species of ,sorrel1 and is green with three red lines4 ,there are several broods in the year1 but it is generally more abundant in the autumn4 ,found everywhere4 ,,the ,,long-,,tailed ,,blue 7,lycna ,btica71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #i4--,while there is no doubt this lovely little blue has been repeatedly taken on our shores1 the fact remains that we must still regard it as an occasional visitor only4 ,it may1 and we all hope it will1 yet be classed amongst our resident fauna4 ,from what we know of it1 it seems to have a more than usually wide range2 it is recorded for ,europe1 ,africa1 ,western ,asia1 ,east ,indies1 and ,australia4 ,the male is a deep blue1 with two black spots just above the tails2 the female shows more brown4 ,the under side is quite different from that of any of our native blues1 being barred and spotted in white1 and two shades of fawn-brown1 with two green spots near the tail4 ,a lookout for it may be kept all along our south coast during ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,silver-,,studded ,,blue 7,lycna gon71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #aj4--;,in all of the group to which this insect belongs1 numbering about ten species1 the males differ very much in colour1 especially on the upper surface1 from the females4 ,the males are nearly always blue of various shades1 and the females brown and blue in varying proportions4 ,in gon1 the male is a warm violet-blue1 the outer margins being bordered with black4 ,the female is brown shot with blue1 which becomes more intense near the outer margin of the hind-wings1 where there is a row of orange spots touching an outer row of black spots2 but these two rows may be nearly or altogether absent4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #d7 is banded with orange and black-spotted1 the black spots being ringed with white4 ,the silver studs are on the outer margin of the orange band1 principally on the hind-wings4 ,this is a fairly abundant species all over ,england on dry soils1 and has been met with in ,scotland4 ,the caterpillar is green1 sometimes brown1 with a darker line along the back and white lines on the sides4 ,it feeds on ,clover1 ,vetch1 ,broom1 and other leguminous plants4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,brown ,,argus 7,lycna ,astrarche71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #aa4--;,here is a blue in which both sexes are brown1 a rather unusual thing4 ,in every other particular1 however1 it bears the family hall-mark4 ,the upper surface is dark brown1 bordered with bright orange spots4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #f7 is banded with orange and spotted with black dots ringed with white4 ,for the ,scotch variety1 ,artaxerxes1 these spots are solid white1 and there is in addition a white discoidal spot on the upper side of the fore-wing4 ,this variety is local in ,scotland1 but fairly numerous where found1 generally near the sea1 and plentiful all along the ,ayrshire coast in ,june and ,july4 ,it is said to feed on ,helianthemum1 but has probably many other food-plants1 such as the ,hemlock ,stork's-bill 7,erodium cicutarium71 which is common where it flies4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a darker line along the back1 and a pale line on each side2 head black and shining4 ,there are many intermediate forms between ,artaxerxes and the type4 ,,the ,,common ,,blue 7,lycna ,icarus71 ,plate ,,xii41 ,fig4 #ab4--,known to everyone who sees anything at all of the country4 ,it is the blue butterfly1 noticed even by those who hardly know a butterfly from a bullfrog4 ,an intelligent little chap he is1 too1 with an eye for his own safety1 as ,i once found when ,i had the opportunity of observing quite a number of them on a piece of waste ground near the sea4 ,the weather was dull and threatening rain1 and not a butterfly was on the wing2 but ,i could see plenty of our common blue friend hanging on1 with closed wings1 to the ends of rushes1 grass-stalks1 and on thistle-tops2 but always when ,i came within a step or two they adroitly changed their position1 putting whatever they were resting or hanging on between us1 just edging round the corner as it were1 so as to be out of sight4 ,apparently the idea of flying away from an enemy was here considered as too risky under the conditions which prevailed2 the safest plan was to hide1 so hide they did4 ,it was the funniest game of hide-and-seek ,i ever played4 ,i have since seen the small blue dragon-flies adopt the same tactics on the rushes by the side of a pond4 ,no wonder this little fellow is so common4 ,in the struggle for existence he has shown himself able and well-fitted to survive2 nevertheless ,i had a good time amongst them that afternoon and boxed some fine varieties4 ,the male bears a warm shade of blue1 and the female is from nearly black to brown1 with a blue blush spreading from the body outwards1 both wings being bordered with a row of orange and black spots1 often on a ground of white4 ,sometimes1 too1 there is a discoidal black spot edged with white2 but the females are very variable4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #e7 has the characteristic markings of the blues1 and1 excepting that the female is a little darker in ground colour1 both sexes are pretty much alike4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a dark line on the back1 and a light yellow line on each side2 it feeds on ,trefoil and ,clover4 ,the perfect insect is common everywhere from ,june till ,august4 ,,the ,,clifden ,,blue1 ,,or ,,adonis ,,blue 7,lycna ,bellargus71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #a4--;,it will be sufficient to point out the specific characters of each of these blues without going into minute detail1 which would be wearisome1 even if it were possible 7which it is not7 to paint in words what ,nature has painted so admirably on the butterflies' wings4 ,the male ,adonis is a brilliant azure blue2 fringe1 deep and white1 and divided into sections by black lines4 ,female1 brown to nearly black1 with a row of orange and black spots round the base of the hind-wing and sometimes continued faintly into the fore-wing2 it is browner on the under side than the male4 ,both resemble the ,common ,blue very much1 but the spots are scarcely so numerous or so bold4 ,the wings1 however1 are generally more ample1 those of the males being more rounded4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a darker line on the back1 and a yellow line on each side2 spotted with orange on the back4 ,this is a fairly common species confined mostly to the ,south1 where1 being double-brooded1 it is out in ,june and ,august4 ,,the ,,chalk-,,hill ,,blue 7,lycna ,corydon71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #b4--;,a larger insect than the last1 and the male an extremely pale iridescent blue1 which is shaded off at the margins into a black border1 with a white fringe checked with black4 ,female1 dark brown1 black and white checked fringe2 eye-spots nearly obsolete along the margin of both wings4 ,under side in male almost white1 shading to pale green1 blue next the body on the fore-wing2 hind-wing1 with a wash of pale brown for the ground2 spots black1 outlined with white4 ,a marginal row of orange spots is confined to the hind-wing in the male1 but extends to the fore-wing in the female2 the ground colour of it1 however1 is a pale fawn1 which sets forth the eye-spots beautifully4 ,the caterpillar is green1 striped on the back and sides with yellow4 ,a decidedly southern species1 frequenting the chalk downs of the ,south and the ,isle of ,wight1 or the limestone districts of the ,midlands4 ,it is out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,azure ,,blue ,,or ,,holly ,,blue 7,lycna ,argiolus71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #d4--,this is a very dainty little butterfly of a deep sky-blue1 with rounded wings narrowly fringed with white1 ticked with black4 ,the female has a broad1 irregular1 black border1 occasionally extending well into the wing4 ,but the under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #c7 marks a new departure1 being of a very pale1 shimmering blue1 with only a few small1 black spots1 which form an incomplete row on fore- and hind-wings4 ,illustration3 ,,plate #ae #a4 ,brown ,argus 7var4 ,artaxerxes7 #b4 ,brown ,argus 7var4 ,artaxerxes7 7under side7 #c4 ,azure ,blue 7under side7 #d4 ,silver-,studded ,blue 7under side7 #e4 ,common ,blue 7under side7 #f4 ,brown ,argus 7under side7 #g4 ,mazarine ,blue 7upper side7 #h4 ,mazarine ,blue 7under side7 #i4 ,chalkhill ,blue 7under side7 #aj4 ,large ,blue 7under side7 #aa4 ,little ,blue 7under side7 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a dark line on the back1 and a black head4 ,it feeds on the flowers of ,holly1 ,ivy1 and ,buckthorn4 ,being double-brooded1 the perfect insect appears first in ,april and ,may1 and again in ,august4 ,it is generally distributed in ,england1 though commonest in the ,south2 not known to occur in ,scotland4 ,,the ,,mazarine ,,blue 7,lycna semiargus71 ,plate ,,xv41 ,figs4 #g and #h4--,males1 a very dark purple-blue--in fact1 this is our darkest ,blue1 and shares the distinction with the ,long-,tailed ,blue of being extremely scarce4 ,possibly those met with now are visitors from the ,continent4 ,the blue deepens into a black border at the margins2 fringe short and white4 ,female1 a uniform dark brown2 under side a pale buff colour1 with an irregular row of black spots edged with white4 ,there are no orange spots on this species4 ,it is said to feed on ,thrift2 hence it is likeliest to be met with near the coast during ,july4 ,good ,continental specimens can be purchased cheaply1 or got by exchange4 ,and ,i hold it is better to fill in your row with these1 carefully labelling them to indicate their source1 than to have an empty space always staring you in the face4 ,unless this species becomes more common1 the average collector's chance of capturing ,british specimens is exceedingly remote4 ,,the ,,little ,,blue 7,lycna ,minima71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #c4--,the smallest of our butterflies1 the average expanse being only #c_/d inch4 ,male1 blackish-brown dusted with blue towards the base of the wings4 ,female1 solid brown2 under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #aa7 a pale salmon1 blue spotted as in ,argiolus1 with black outlined with white2 no orange spots on either sex4 ,the caterpillar is dull green1 orange-striped on back and sides4 ,it feeds on ,trefoils1 etc4 ,this species is local1 but common all over the ,british ,isles1 except in the extreme ,north4 ,it is one of our early species1 appearing in ,may and ,june4 ,,the ,,large ,,blue 7,lycna ,arion71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #e4--,this is the largest of our ,blues and the rarest of our really resident species1 and although it appears to be able to hold its own and maintain its numbers fairly well1 ,i would strongly urge collectors to at least let all the fair and worn specimens retain their liberty4 ,again and again ,i have seen specimens set up and sent out in exchange that should never have been taken4 ,of a dark blue colour1 black-bordered1 ,arion can always be recognized by the row of black spots across the middle of the fore-wing2 they are sometimes very large in size4 ,there is occasionally a row of black spots round both wings1 just inside the margin4 ,the under side 7,plate ,,xv41 ,fig4 #aj7 is a pale grey1 gradually shading into a bright blue-green next the body1 profusedly spotted with black in white rings4 ,the caterpillar1 which feeds on ,wild ,thyme in the spring1 is dark rust-coloured4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july1 and is found mostly in the extreme south-west counties4 ,,the ,,duke ,,of ,,burgundy ,,fritillary 7,nemeobius ,lucina71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #f4--,very like a diminutive member of the ,fritillary family1 but it has no real connection with it1 and better still1 it has a whole family 7,erycinid7 and genus to itself1 being the only one of its kind found in ,europe4 ,the upper surface is a tawny orange1 with dark brown checkerings1 while a row of marginal black spots runs round the outer margins4 ,the under side of the hind-wings has a double row of pale1 almost white1 spots across the centre1 and black spots1 similar to those on the upper side1 round the edge4 ,the caterpillar is short and tapering1 pale brown with a darker line on the back1 and a lighter one on the sides4 ,it feeds on ,primrose4 ,this species is said to be double-brooded in the ,south1 out in ,june and again in ,august as far north as ,carlisle and the ,lake ,district4 ,note3 the female has six perfect walking legs1 the male only four1 the front pair being rudimentary1 as with many of the larger butterflies4 ,,the ,,grizzled ,,skipper 7,syrichthus ,malv71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #g4--,the ,skippers1 of which there are eight species in this country1 are often referred to as the connecting-link between the butterflies and moths1 and not without some justification4 ,the antenn are somewhat short1 club-shaped1 and hooked at the extremity4 ,the head is large1 and the antenn spring from just above the eyes2 their base is thus wide apart4 ,compare a ,skipper with a ,blue in which the roots of the antenn almost touch4 ,the body of the ,skipper is stout and mothlike1 and the wings not so ample1 and more angular than in the average butterfly4 ,the caterpillars live in a rolled leaf or several leaves spun together1 and pupate in a slight cocoon4 ,the ,grizzled ,skipper is a small butterfly measuring just over #c_/d of an inch in expanse4 ,the ground colour is nearly black1 checkered with white square spots1 as is also the fringe4 ,the under side is lighter4 ,the caterpillar is a rusty brown1 with lighter lines on the back and sides4 ,the species is doubled-brooded1 appearing in ,may and ,august1 and is generally distributed over the country as far north as the ,south-,west of ,scotland4 ,,the ,,dingy ,,skipper 7,nisoniades ,tages71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #h4--,this is dull grey-brown1 and very ,quaker-like in its sombre garb1 with a lighter and a darker band across the wings4 ,the under side is a pale drab1 with a few faint light spots4 ,and truly one may be excused if at times it is mistaken for a night-flying moth4 ,the caterpillar feeds on trefoil1 and is green1 with four yellow lines and some black dots2 it is very stout in the middle1 tapering to either end4 ,this ,skipper is also doubled-brooded1 appearing in ,may and ,august1 generally on dry soils such as the chalk1 or limestone1 or1 as in ,scotland1 on the sand-dunes of ,ayrshire1 where it is locally common4 ,,the ,,small ,,skipper 7,hesperia ,thaumas71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #i4--,upper side a uniform tawny-orange shade1 with a dark brown or black border4 ,there is also a black dash across the fore-wing of the male1 which is absent in the female4 ,on the under side there is a tawny patch along the inner margin of the hind-wing1 and the tip of the fore-wing is light4 ,these are good identification points1 as they are fairly stable4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with two white lines on the back and a yellow line on either side4 ,it feeds on grasses in the spring4 ,the butterfly appears in ,july and is common in ,england1 but is not known in ,scotland4 ,,the ,,new ,,small ,,skipper 7,hesperia ,lineola71 ,plate ,,xiv41 ,fig4 #d4--;,is very like the last1 so much so1 that it had been taken for many years by collectors and confused with ,thaumas4 ,there were few collections that did not possess a mixed series4 ,but once its identity was established1 it was soon placed in its rightful position4 ,it may be distinguished from ,thaumas by the absence of the fulvous patch on the inner margin of the under side of the hind-wings1 and also by the absence of the light tip on the under side of the fore-wing4 ,the black dash across the upper side of the fore-wing of the male is fainter1 shorter1 and more often altogether absent4 ,the under side of the hind-wing is a light buff without marks of any kind4 ,the caterpillar is a bronze-green1 with four yellow lines on the back and one on the sides2 it feeds on grasses in damp meadows1 mostly in the south and south-eastern counties4 ,the species is local1 but common where it occurs4 ,out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,lulworth ,,skipper 7,hesperia ,acton71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #aj4--;,an extremely local species1 being only found in two or three localities on the south coast4 ,it may be distinguished from the two preceding ,skippers1 first1 by its more dingy colour2 second1 by the female having a semicircular row of light spots near the tip of the fore-wing4 ,these are very faintly visible in some males1 but they have1 in addition1 a black streak along the centre of the wing4 ,the under side in both sexes is similar1 a pale dingy fawn1 with no particular markings4 ,the antenn are very short4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a dark line on the back1 and a double line of yellow on each side4 ,this species may be looked for on rough ground facing the sea during ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,large ,,skipper 7,hesperia ,sylvanus71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #aa4--,upper surface tawny-orange shading into darker at the margin of both wings2 on this dark margin are a few pale spots1 mostly at the tip of the fore-wing4 ,the male has an almost black streak near the centre of the fore-wing2 this is not present in the female4 ,the under side is a light tawny olive1 with pale lighter spots4 ,the caterpillar is green1 with a dark line on the back1 and a light stripe on the sides4 ,it is a grass-feeder4 ,this ,skipper is abundant all over ,england in ,may and again in ,august1 but is rare in ,scotland4 ,,the ,,pearl ,,skipper 7,hesperia ,comma71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #ab4--,this species is not quite so large as the last4 ,it is darker1 and the spot markings are much brighter and more decided4 ,this is the case especially on the under side1 as there the spots are bright enough to suggest pearls4 ,hence the name4 ,note1 too1 the dark streak in the middle of the fore-wing of the male2 it is divided along the centre by a white line4 ,this white line is wanting in the ,large ,skipper4 ,the dark streak is only on the upper wings of the males4 ,comma is also a more local and scarce insect1 being confined mostly to the ,south of ,england4 ,the caterpillar is greyish-red1 and has a double dark line on either side2 it feeds on various ,vetches and ,trefoils4 ,the butterfly is out in ,july and ,august4 ,,the ,,checkered ,,skipper 7,carterocephalus ,palmon71 ,plate ,,xiii41 ,fig4 #ac4--,the upper side of this butterfly is speckled and bordered with tawny-orange spots on a dark brown ground4 ,the under side has a lighter ground colour1 and the spots are outlined with dark brown4 ,the caterpillar is dark1 almost black1 with a yellow line on the sides1 and1 as it hibernates over the winter1 may be looked for in the spring4 ,it feeds on grasses and ,plantain4 ,this is a very local species1 and ,i am afraid1 to judge from reports1 becoming rarer4 ,the south and south-eastern counties are the favoured localities4 ,,the ,,milkweed ,,butterfly 7,danais ,erippus2 variety1 ,archippus71 ,plate ,,viii41 ,fig4 #c4--,this is an ,american species1 but an occasional visitor to our shores1 and1 as it is a strong-flying species with the bump of adventure abnormally developed1 it is now met with in many lands where it was at one time unknown4 ,i have large fine specimens from ,canada1 so it can stand the rigours of the ,canadian winter2 and if it should find a suitable food-plant for the caterpillars here1 we may hope1 in the near future1 to add this fine butterfly to the select little band of ,british butterflies4 ,,index ,british ,butterflies described1 #bi ,butterflies1 antenn of1 #a1 #aj capture and preservation1 #ac eyes of1 #aa how to kill1 #af list of ,british1 #bg sense and smell1 #aj sight1 #aj tongues of1 #ab ,butterfly net1 #ad ,collection1 storing of1 #be ,drying-case1 #bb ,entomological pins1 #ag ,,families ,,of ,,butterflies4 ,apaturid1 #bh ,erycinid1 #bi ,hesperid1 #bi ,lycenid1 #bh ,nymphalid1 #bg ,papilionid1 #bg ,pierid1 #bg ,satyrid1 #bh ,grease1 treatment of1 #ag ,ichneumons1 #e ,larvae1 preservation of1 #bb ,lepidoptera1 #a ,life-story of ,butterflies1 #a ,pins1 entomological1 #ag ,scales1 #i ,setting boards1 #ah bristle1 #ah needle1 #ai ,paisley method1 #bj with braces1 #ah ,,species ,,of ,,butterflies3 ,blue1 ,adonis1 #gi ,azure1 #hj ,chalkhill1 #hj ,clifden1 #gi ,common1 #gh ,holly1 #hj ,large1 #hb ,little1 #ha ,long-tailed1 #gf ,mazarine1 #ha ,silver-studded1 #gf ,brimstone1 #da ,brown ,argus1 #gg ,camberwell ,beauty1 #ee ,clouded ,yellow1 #ci ,pale1 #ch ,comma1 #ea ,copper1 ,large1 #gd ,small1 #ge ,fritillary1 ,duke of ,burgundy1 #hb ,dark ,green1 #dd ,glanville1 #di ,greasy1 #dh ,heath1 #ea ,high ,brown1 #df ,pearl-bordered1 #dc ,queen of ,spain1 #dd ,silver-washed1 #dg ,small ,pearl-bordered1 #db ,grayling1 #fe ,hairstreak1 ,black1 #gb ,brown1 #ga ,green1 #gc ,purple1 #gb ,white-letter1 #ga ,meadow ,brown1 #fg ,small1 #fg ,milkweed1 #hg ,orange-tip1 #cg ,painted ,lady1 #eh ,peacock1 #ee ,purple ,emperor1 #ei ,red ,admiral1 #ef ,ringlet1 #fh ,marsh1 #fi ,mountain1 #fb ,scotch ,argus1 #fb ,skipper1 ,checkered1 #hg ,dingy1 #hd ,grizzled1 #hc ,large1 #hf ,lulworth1 #he ,new ,small1 #he ,pearl1 #hf ,small1 #hd ,small ,heath1 #gj ,speckled ,wood1 #fd ,swallow ,tail1 #bi ,tortoiseshell1 ,large1 #eb ,small1 #ec ,wall ,brown1 #fe ,white ,admiral1 #ei ,bath1 #cf ,black-veined1 #cb ,green-veined1 #ce ,large ,garden1 #cc ,marbled1 #fa ,small ,garden1 #cd ,wood1 #ch ,,billing ,,and ,,sons1 ,,ltd41 ,,printers1 ,,guildford1 ,,england