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THE

NATURALIST'S LIBRARY.
EDITED BT

SIE

WILLIAM JAEDINE, BAET.


F.R.S.E., F.L.S., ETC., ETC.

VOL. XXIX.

ENTOMOLOGY.^
WHITISH BUTTERFLIES. y
BY JAMES DUNCAX,
M.W
S.,

ETC.

EDINBURGH:
W. H. L1ZARS,
3,

ST.

JAMES' SQUARE.

LONDON:
HENRY
G.

BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.


1855.

55$

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Memoir

of

Werner,

17

Account of the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh


Introduction,
Plate I. elementary and anatomical figures, &c. Plate II. ditto, ditto. Plate III. Caterpillars, &c.

48 49

Genus Papilio,
Swallow-tail Butterfly. Papilio Machaon. Plate IV. Fig. 1. Scarce Swallow-tail Butterfly. Papilio Podalirius. Plate IV. Fig. 2.

92
9-1

Brimstone Butterfly. Gonepteryx Rhamni. Plate V. Fig. Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Colias Edusa. Plate V. Fig. 2.
.

1.

100

103
106

Pale Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Colias Hyale. Plate VI. F'ig. 1. Scarce Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Colias Europome. Plate VI. Fig.

2.

108
110

Genus Pontia, Common Cabbage

Butterfly.

Pontia Brassicce.

Plate VII. Figs.

1.

and 2

113

CONTENTS.
I'AGE

Early White Cabbage Butterfly. Pontia Chariclea. Plate VIII Fig.

Male.

116

Small White Butterfly. Pontia Rapes. Plate VII. Fig.

3.

117
119

Hoard's White
Pontia Metra.

Butterfly.

Plate VIII. Fig.

2.

Green-veined White Butterfly. Pontia Napl Plate IX. Fig. 1. Dusky-veined White Butterfly. Pontia SabelliccB. Plate VIII. Fig.

121

3.

123
124

Genus Mancipium, Bath White Butterfly. Mancipium Duplidice.


Orange-tip Butterfly. Pontia Cardamines.

Plate IX. Fig. Plate X. Figs. Plate X. Fig.


1.

2.

125
127

&

Wood White

Butterfly.
3.

Leucophasia Sinapis.

128

Black-veined White, or Hawthorn Butterfly. Pieris Cratceyi. Plate XI. Fig. 2. Apollo Butterfly. Parnassius Apollo. Plate XI. Fig. 1.,

131

134

Duke

Burgundy Fritillary. Nemeobius Lucina. Plate XII.


of

Fig.

1.

137

Genus Melitcea,
Pearl-Bordered Likeness. Melitcea Athalia. Plate XII. Fig.
2.,
.

139
140

Greasy

Fritillary.

Melitcea Artemis.

Plate XIII. Fig.

2.,

142

Glanville Fritillary. Melitcea Cinxia. Plate

XIV.

Fig. 2.

144
145
148

Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Melitcea Euphrosyne. Plate

XV.

Fig. 2.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Melitcea Silenc. Plate XIII. Fig.


.

3.,

C0NTENT5.

Genus Argynnis.

....
XVI.

PAGE
.

150

Queen

of Spain Fritillary. Argynnis Lathonia. Plate

Fig. 2.

152

High Brovm Fritillary. Argynnis Adippe. Plate XVI. Fig. 1. Dark Green Fritillary. Argynnis Aglaia. Plate XV. Fig. 1.
SHlyei-Washed Fritillary.

153 155

Argynnis Paphia.

Plate

XIV.

Fig.

1.

157

Genus Vanessa,

159 ICO
2.

Comma

Butterfly.

Vanessa C. -album. Plate XVI. Fig. 1. Great Tortoise- Shell. Plate XVII. Fig. Vanessa polychloros Small Tortoise-Shell. Vanessa Urticce. Plate

1G2 164

XIX Fig.

1.

Peacock's Eye. Vanessa Io. Plate XVIII. Fig. 1. Camberwell Beauty. Vanessa Antiopa. Plate XVIII. Fig.

166

2.

168

Red Admiral.
Vanessa Atalanta.
Plate
Plate

XX.

Fig.

1.

170

Painted Lady. Cynthia Cardui.

XIX.

Fig. 2.

174

Purple Emperor. Apaturo Iris. Plate

XXI.
Plate

177

White Admiral.
Limenitis Camilla.

Genus Hipparchia.

....
Plate

XX.

Fig.

2.

181

184

Speckled Wood Butterfly. Hipparchia Algeria. Plate XXIII. Fig.

4.

186

Wall

Butterfly.

Hipparchia Megcera.

XXII.

Fig,

3.

188

The

Grayling.

Hipparchia Semele.

Plate XXII. Figs.

1.

&2.

190

CONTENTS.
PAGE
Marbled White Butterfly. Hipparchia Galathea. Plate XXIII. Fig. 1. Large Heath. Hipparchia Tithonus. Plate XXIII. Figs. and 3
192
2.

194
196 198

Meadow- Brown

Butterfly.

Hipparchia Janira.

Plate

XXIV.

Figs.

1.

&

2.,

The Ringlet

Butterfly.
4.

Hyparchia Hyperanthus. Plate XXIV. Fig. Mountain Ringlet. Hipparchia Cassiope. Plate XXIV. Fig. 3.
Arran Brown Butterfly. Hipparchia Ligea. Plate XXV. Fig. 1. Scotch Argus Butterfly. Hipparchia Blandina. Plate XXV. Fig.
.

199

201

2.

202
204
205

Scarce Small Ringlet Butterfly. Hipparchia Davus. Plate XXVI. Fig. 1. Marsh Ringlet Butterfly. Hipparchia Polydama. Plate XXVI. Fig.

2.

Small Heath Butterfly. Hipparchia Pamphilus.


Silver Ringlet Butterfly.

Plate

XXVI.

Fig. 3.,

207

Hipparchia Hero, Hipparchia Arcanius,

208 209

Brown Hair-Streak.
Thecla Betulce. Plate Purple Hair-Streak.
Thecla Quercus.

XXVII.

Figs.

1.

&
3.

2.

211
4.,

Plate

XXVII.

Figs.

&

212
214
215

Black Hair Streak.

White Letter Hair

Plate XXVIII. Fig. 1. Streak. Phecla W-album. Plate XXVIII. Fig. Green Hair Streak. Thecla Rubi. Plate XXVIII. Fig. 3.

Thecla Pruni.

2.

217

Genus Lyc^na.
Large Copper.
Lyccena dispar.
Plate

219

XXIX.

Tigs.

1.

& 2.,

220

CONTENTS.

Scarce Copper. Lyccena Virgaurece.

Plate

XXIX.

Fig.

3.

222
224

Purple-edged Copper. Lyccena Chryseis. Plate XXX. Fig. 1 Dark Under-winged Copper. Lyccena Hippothot. Plate XXX. Fig. Common Copper. Lyccena Phleas. Plate XXX. Fig. 3.

2.

225
226

Genus Polyommatus
Azure Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Argiolus. Plate XXXI. Figs. and 2 Bedford Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Alsus. Plate XXXI. Fig. 3. Mazarine Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Acts. Plate Fig. 4.
1.

228

229
230
231

XXXL

Large Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Avion. Plate XXXII. Fig. 1. Alcon Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Alcon. Plate XXXII. Fig. 2. Chalk-Hill Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Corydon. Plate XXXII. Fig. 3. Clifden Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Adonis. PI. XXXIII. Figs. 1. & 2. Common Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Alexis. Vignette Title-page,
Silver

233
234

235
237

239
241

Studded Blue Butterfly. Polyommatus Argus. Plate XXXIII.


Butterfly.

Fig.

3.

Brown Argus

Polyommatus Agestis.

Plate

XXXIV.

Fig.

1.

243

Durham

Argus.

Polyommatus Salmacis. and 3

Plate

XXXIV.

Figs. 2.

244
PI.

Artaxerxes Butterfly. Polyommatus Artaxerxes.

XXXIV.

Fig. 4.

245

Portrait of Werner,
Vignette Title-page.

The Common Blue

Butterfly,

2 3

In

all Thirty-six Plates in this

Volume.

MEMOIR OF WERNER*.

The
fancy,

close of the seventeenth century witnessed

the birth of a

the

new science, which assumed, in pompous name of the Theory

its in-

of the

Earth.

Starting with a few ill-ascertained facts, and

connecting these together by fantastical assumptions,


it

pretended to go back to the origin of worlds, to


it

sport, as
tory.

were, with them, and to create their his-

Its arbitrary

methods, and pompous language,


to a distance from the other
scientific

seemed
sciences

to
;

remove it and in fact,


it

men

for a long pe-

riod excluded

from the

circle of their studies.


it

At

length, after an age of fruitless attempts,

has

been brought within the range assigned to the hu* Instead of writing

anew the

life

of this distinguished

individual, for which few materials could be procured that have not been already laid before the public, it has been

thought that we should best consult the interest of our readers, and at the same time give an agreeable variety to our biographical notices, by introducing, in an English form, the Eloge of Baron Cuvier, pronounced before the .Royal Institute of France. This sketch furnishes all that is interesting in a life remarkably free from incident, and presents a view of Werner's opinions and discoveries, distinguished by the analytical talent and philosophical discernment for which its author was so eminent.

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
faculties, and, confining itself to the
it

man

modest task

of observing the globe as

actually exists, has pe-

netrated into
plained
place
its

its

bowels, and, in
It

some degree, exits

anatomy.

has henceforth taken

among
is

the subjects of positive knowledge, and,


it

what

very remarkable,
of
its

has done so without losing

any thing
which
it

marvellous character.

The

objects

has been enabled to see and to touch,


it

the

truths which

has daily brought under our eyes,


surprising than
all

are even

more admirable and

that

the most prolific imagination had ventured to conceive.

This happy reformation was commenced by two


celebrated men, Pallas

and Saussure

completed by Werner.

and it was With him commences the


;

an epoch indeed which he himself may be


;

most remarkable epoch of the science of the earth,


said to

have filled for he had the good fortune to witness, during his own lifetime, the universal prevalence of
his ideas

and views, although they were so novel

in

their character

and foreign to the previous notions

of most naturalists.
of his
in the

He

has

left

as

many

inheritors

methods and doctrine


world
;

as there are observers

and wherever mines are wrought, or

the

history of minerals taught,


is

man

to be found,
his pupil.

some distinguished who accounts it an honour to


Entire academies * have been
his

have been

formed and distinguished by


* See
at

name, as

if they

had

Account of Wemerian Natural History Society the end of this memoir.

CSl

MEMOIR OF WERNER.

19

wished to invoke his genius, and make him their


patron in a manner previously unknown.

When

hearing of such unusual success,

not suppose that he was one of those

who would men who are

most ardent
ries

in

propagating their doctrines, and who

have acquired an ascendency over their cotempora*

by numerous and eloquent

writings, or

who have

procured adherents through the influence of wealth,


or an elevated station in society ?

But
in

in his case

there was nothing of

all

this.

Confined to a small
the country,

town
lie

in

Saxony, without authority

could have no influence on the fortunes of his pu-

pils.

He

formed no connexion with people

in

power;

and such was the singular timidity of

his disposition,

and aversion to writing, that not more than a few


sheets of his composition have been committed to

the press.
portant, he
that the
at a
all

Far from seeking to render himself im-

was so

little

conscious of his

own

merit,

most

trifling

honours conferred on him, even

time when his reputation was spread throughout


all

quarters of the world, greatly surpassed

that

he had ever hoped for or desired.

But
self,

this

man, though so
far

little

occupied with himlie

and so

from conceiving that

was

in

any
of

degree called upon to write


others,

for the instruction


in his

had an indefinable charm

language and

conversation.

When

once he had been heard

when once, over a few fragments of stones or rocks disposed almost by chance, he had developed, as if by inspiration, all those general ideas and innumerable relations which his genius had perceived, no one

20

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
Feeling the

could resist the force of his attractions.

ascendency of Ins

talents, the pupils of

Werner

re-

spected him as a great master, and, returning the


regard he shewed for them, they soon loved

him

as

a father.

Wherever they went, they promulgated


and spoke of
that, in a

his doctrines,

his

person with respect

and
It

affection.

was thus

few years, the

little

school

of Freyberg, originally designed only for the instruction of a

few miners

for

Saxony, again presented the

appearance of the earliest universities of the middle


ages.

Pupils flocked to

it

from every civilized coun-

try

and, even in the most remote places, aged in-

dividuals,

and men of science who had already

at-

tained the highest celebrity, hastened to acquire a

knowledge of the German language,


pose of being
in a condition to

for the sole pur-

hear and understand

the great oracle of Geology.

Abraham-Gottlob* Werner was


in

born on the

25th of September 1750, at Wehrau on the Queiss,

Upper

Lusatia.

From

his earliest years, lie

was

surrounded with the objects which were to form the


occupation and the glory of his
life.

His

father,

who

was the director of a forge, used to give him shining


minerals for his playthings; and, before he could pro-

nounce their names, the child was learning, by

piling

them together, tossing them about, and breaking them in pieces, to group them, and recognise them by their most prominent characters. He always
* Guttlob, Praise

God

MEMOIR OF VVERN&K.
preserved a few of these pieces, and,

21

when he shewto

ed his collection, winch soon became one of the richest in

Europe,

lie

seldom

failed to
it,

draw attention

these small beginnings of

as if he

wished to shew

a kind of gratitude for the

first

sparks which proved

the source of such abundant light.


It

was intended that he should engage

in the

bu-

siness of mining,

and as the laws of Saxony require


this profession

that those

who embrace
first

should be re-

gularly licensed, he

attended the courses of me-

tallurgy in the school of Freyberg,

and subsequently
be rather said,

those of jurisprudence in the University of Leipsic.

Two
two

prevailing tastes, or,

it

may

passions, attended

him through

life

the love

of

minerals, and the love of method.

He

delighted in

dividing and classifying things, like ideas.

What;

ever admitted of being arranged, gave him pleasure

and when

lie

began to purchase books, he seemed to


for the

do so rather

purpose of arranging them me-

thodically, than in order to read them.

Both these
work, the

propensities were conspicuous in his

first

Treatise on the External Characters of Minerals, a

pamphlet of a few sheets, which he published at


Leipsic

when he was twenty-four

years of age.

It
all

comprises an analysis and minute subdivision of

the variations in the apparent properties of minerals.

Each of these properties

is

designated by an appro-

priate term, designed conjointly to form a definite

language, by means of which

all

mineralogists

may

be readily understood.

This was rendering to mineralogy a service simi-

22
Jar to that

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
which Linnseus had conferred on botany;
at the

but

it

was a service purchased


this

same

price.

It

cannot be denied, that


into science

vocabulary has introduced


;

more

detail

and precision

that persons

who accustom
markable
first

themselves to apply

it,

acquire a re-

facility in
;

distinguishing minerals at the

glance

and that the attentive examination nea description of these substances


dis-

cessary to

draw up

on the prescribed model, has been the means of


criminating

many which might


in

otherwise have conthe crowd.

tinued to be long confounded

But

it

must be confessed, at the same time, necessarily somewhat pedantic, and

that this idiom,


restricted in its

modes

of expression as well as in
air to the

its

words, has given


it

an affected
servilely
lixity

works

in

which

has been too

employed, together with a dryness and pro-

more frequently fatiguing than useful. These inconveniences seem, however, to have been but little felt. Technical and half-barbarous
terminologies had long been
the reigning fashion.

For thirty years the amiable science of botany spoke

no other language, and

naturalists,

already accus-

tomed
deed,
at

to so

many

chains, experienced no apprehen-

sion at the prospect of submitting to another.

In-

we may suppose, that if any one was alarmed this new creation, it was Werner himself, and
if

that

he wrote so

little

after his first trial,

it

waa

partly that he might escape from the trammels that

he had imposed on others.

Happily

his early

work,

adapted as

it

was

to the

taste of the nation,

made

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
his

23

name known, and procured him

transmitting his ideas in a

He

was nominated

in

the means of more agreeable form. 1775 Professor and Inspec;

tor of the Cabinets of

Freyberg

an appointment

bestowed on him that he might devote himself without restraint to his strongest inclination, and which
retained
in in

him

in a district the
it,

most calculated of any


it is

Europe

to satisfy

since

the most abundant


has,

different kinds of minerals,

and
all

from a re-

mote
this

period, been pierced in

directions

by the
to
it

operations of miners.

All his efforts, therefore, from


to mineralogy,

moment, were directed


;

and

alone
nius,

but this single science, fecundated by his ge-

became one of immense extent. His first step had been to create for
second was to form a system
;

it

a language
latter, as

his
it

but the

was much the most important, was

also greatly

the

most

difficult.

Organized beings present two bases of


tion,

classifica-

obviously given by nature

the individual, re-

sulting from the concourse of

all

the organs to a

common

action,

and the

species, resulting

from the

connexions which generation has established between


individuals.

More remote
relations

resemblances, however natural the

on which they are founded


less

may

be, are al-

ways more or
mind.

dependent on abstractions of the


in vain

In mineralogy, classificators have sought


for

some

principle corresponding in every respect to

24

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
The mysterious
it

these primary bases.


tallization is the

force of crys-

only one that presents any resem-

blance to the generative power:


;

determines

in like

manner the composition but this is only within cerRecent experiments have evinced that tain limits. there are substances whose crystalline virtue is such,
that

they constrain very considerable quantities of


substances to accommodate themselves to
;

different
their

form

and

it

has been long- observed in nature,

that crystals, in-ell respects alike, those of sparry


iron, for example,

or of lime, as there

may contain more may be in two

or less of iron

animals of the

same species
latine, or

a greater or less quantity of fat, of ge-

of the earth of the bones.

In mineralogy, therefore, crystallization must be

regarded as the fundamental principle of the species,


as far as
it

addresses

itself

to our sight

but in an

immense majority
is

of minerals, the crystalline form


is

not visible, and, in such cases, the composition


far

very

from enabling us to determine

it

for the

latter is

more

variable than in the crystals,


it

and im-

pure intermixtures corrupt


ternative, then,
is left,

more

easily.

No

al-

but to have recourse to the

properties which

are

most closely connected with


viz.

the fundamental

principle,

cleavage,

which
are

is

only one of

its

phenomena,

fracture, hardness, lustre,


its

and the

effect of the
less

body on the touch, which

more or

immediate consequences.

This plan Werner has pursued, not perhaps proceeding exactly

upon these reasonings, but

led

by that

MEMOIR OF WERNER.

25

kind of delicate instinct which formed the peculiar


character of his genius.

He

has the appearance of

adopting the identical composition of the molecules


as the principle of species,

and

as

the point from

which he
self to

sets out.

Perhaps he really believed him;

have set out from thence

hut he never acit is

tually applies the principle hut

when

in perfect
all

unison with the external properties, and, in


stances,
it is

in-

on these properties that he has founded

his distributions, leaving analysis to

make

itself har-

monize with them


genus, although

as

it

best may.

All unctuous

stones, for example, are arranged in the mngnefiran

many of them

contain a greater pro-

portion of argillaceous or siliceous matter than of

magnesia.
ciple, that

So rigorously did he
he always persisted
the siliceous
in

act on this prin-

placing the diait

mond among
gem
gular
is
is

stones, although

had
this

been incontestably proved by experiment that


a crystallization of carbon.
the fact, that,
Still

more

sin-

among

all

the external pro-

perties,

he paid

least regard to the crystalline form,

which
It
is

is

the most fundamental of the whole.

true, that his investigations

began ten years

before Haiiy had

commenced

his labours, and, con-

sequently, nearly thirty years before the doctrine of


that great mineralogist had been developed in the

admirable manner
ner,

it

afterwards attained

and Wer-

on

his

part,

had caused the science to make

such remarkable progress, that he

may

easily be ex-

cused

for

not entering fully into

all

the views of his

26
rivals.

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
But the conduct of some
of his followers
ill-di-

admits of no excuse,

who

attempted, with an

rected zeal, which he took every opportunity of reprobating-, to depreciate a series of truths with
lie

which
con-

had made them too

little

acquainted.

trary proceeding
per, for
it

is

would have been greatly more pronecessary to unite and combine the
Far from being opposed

results of the

two methods.

to each other, they are absolutely the

same

in spirit,

being in reality but two branches from the same stem.

Both of them, without denying that species depend,


in

some

respects, on composition, are too ready to

establish

mistry.

them without They assume

sufficiently consulting
for

che-

them, tacitly at
is

least,

principle of individuality

which

not inherent in

the matter that composes them.

But although chesame time

mistry reproaches both with sometimes establishing


species gratuitously, she
to
is

obliged at the

acknowledge, that they have often anticipated her,

by indicating distinctions in substances which she was unable to detect by her analysis, till after the fact had been announced.

The

only difference

is,

that

each of these two

great mineralogists gives too exclusive a preponder-

ance to the characters which have been most the object of his study.

Haiiy, conceiving crystallization as alone worthy


of being compared with
analysis,

has recourse to

more rigorous and


mit

scientific

methods, but which per

many

substances to escape notice.

MEMOIR OF WERNER.

27

Werner, by admitting to the same privilege properties of a subordinate kind,


all

embraces more easily


he overlooks
in their na-

sorts of minerals; but, in so doing,


is

what
ture-,

most profound and mysterious


in

and when,

the conflict of the

two methods,
not only

he has opposed these subordinate


to analysis, but to crystallization

qualities,

itself,

he has almost

always infringed that fundamental law, of which the


properties he believed himself entitled to

employ are

only the corollaries.

Werner had

thus

invented a language for de-

scribing minerals, as well as a

method of arranging

them, and had assigned to each their distinctive characters


;

in this

manner constituting a mineralogy,


fossils.

properly so called, or what he termed Onjctognosy,


that
is,

a knowledge of

The

history of their arrangement on the globe, or

what he named Geognosy

was

knowledge of the Earth


;

the third point of view under which he re-

garded them.

The Earth is composed of mineral masses and modern observers have ascertained that these masses
are not distributed at random.
Pallas, in his
la-

borious journeys to the extremities of Asia, had re-

marked

that their superposition


;

ing referred to fundamental laws

was capable of beand the same thing

was confirmed by the observations of


and

De
in

Saussure
direc-

De

Luc, while traversing,

in

numerous

tions, the

most elevated mountain-ranges


his

Europe.

Without quitting

small

province, W^erner

ao

28

MEMOIR OF WERNER.

quired the most intimate acquaintance with these


laws,

and could read

in

them the history


its

of

all

the

revolutions from which they had resulted.

Follow-

ing each bed in the order of

continuity, without
shift-

allowing himself to be bewildered by rents and


ings, or

by the

crests

and other summits which

rise

above them, he in some measure determined their


age, and the

age of

all

the accessory matters which

intermingle with their principal substances.

The

different fluids

which have surrounded the

globe, the changes in composition which they have

undergone, and the violent commotions by which


each change has been accompanied, were
to his eyes
all

legible
left

on the monuments which they have

behind them.

universal and tranquil ocean deposites in large

masses the primitive rocks, which are strongly crystallized,

and have

silica for their

predominating in-

gredient.
this

Granite forms the base of the whole.


is

To

succeeds gneiss, which

nothing more than

granite beginning to assume a slaty structure.

By

degrees,

argil

begins to predominate.
;

Schists of

different kinds appear

but in proportion as the pu-

rity of the precipitations

becomes changed, the


traps

dis-

tinctness of the crystalline grain diminishes.

Ser-

pentines,

porphyries, and
is

succeed, in which
sili-

the grain

less

distinctly formed, although a


its

ceous nature begins to resume

purity.

Internal

agitation in the fluid destroys a portion of these pri-

mary deposites

and

their debris forms

new

rocks,

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
united by a cement.
It is in the

29
midst of these

commotions that
the
first

life first

begins to appear.

Carbon,

of these products,

now shews
;

itself.

Lime,

which was associated with the primitive rocks, be-

comes more and more abundant


cavities.

and rich deposites

of sea-salt, one day to be explored

by man,

fill

large

The

waters, again becoming tranquil, but

having their contents changed, deposit beds less


thick,

and more varied,

in

which the remains

of living

bodies are successively accumulated, in an order not


less

determinate than that of the rocks which con-

tain

them.

At

last,

the final recession of the waters

spreads over the continent


tions of

immense

alluvial collec-

moveable substances, which form the earof vegetation, of culture, and of social
life.

liest seats

Metals, like rocks, have had their epochs and their


successions.

The

last of the primitive,

and the

first

of

the secondary rocks, have received

They become

rare,

however, in

them abundantly. deposites of more


seem
to

recent formation.

They

are usually distributed in

particular situations, in those veins which

be produced by rents
after their formation
;

in the

rocky masses, and

filled

but they are by no means of

equal age.

The

last

formed are known by

their

veins intersecting those of older date, and not being

themselves intersected.

Tin

is

the

oldest of the

whole

silver

and iron
at

and copper the most modern.

Gold

those

two masters
its

of the world

seem

to have been deposited in the bowels of the earth


all

the periods of

formation

but

at

each pe-

30

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
we can
thus to

riod iron appears under different forms, and

assign the age of

its

different mines.

The

necessity of abridgment obliges

me

bring together,

under one view,

results which, as

may

easily be conceived, could not be obtained but

by many thousand observations.


servations, however,

All Werner's obcare,

were made with so much

and so scrupulously combined, that


has been confirmed by
all

their accuracy
;

subsequent investigation

and

if

we except
none of

his

opinions regarding volcanic

countries,

his

views met with any opposition

which did not soon pass away.


Such, then,
is

the nature of Geognosy, or of the

position of minerals, viewed as lying above one another, or in a vertical direction.

But

in their hori-

zontal position that


sides of each other

is,

as they are placed

by the
dif-

there are likewise

differences,

of which

it is

important to take notice.

These

ferences form the fourth point of view under which

Werner regards minerals, and which he designates by the name of Geographical Mineralogy.
Indeed, the rocks of most recent formation, and

which

lie

above the others, are the

least elevated

the oldest penetrate through them, and form high

mountains.

From

this

we

infer, that

the fluid sunk

in its level, in proportion as the solid substances in-

creased.
tions of

It divided itself into basins, the

produc-

which became of a

diversified
is

character.

The

surface of different countries

therefore dissi-

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
milar

31

fact

which becomes more manifest, the

more

attentively

we examine
is
;

their structure.

But every mineral some useful purpose


and the ease or
tained, often

capable of being turned to

and, on the greater or less


in certain localities,

abundance of particular kinds


difficulty with

which they are obtheir

depend the prosperity of a people,


in civilisation,

advancement
their

and

all

the details of

manners.
for

In Lombardy,
.of
is

example,

we
is

see only houses

brick

while Liguria, which

contiguous to
Its

it,

covered with palaces of marble.

quarries of

travertin

made Rome
;

the most beautiful city of the

ancient world

those of coarse limestone and gypParis one of the most agreeable

sum have rendered


of

modern

manti could not have built


as at

But Michael Angelo and Braat Paris in the same style Rome, because the same materials were atimes.
;

wanting

and

this influence of local soil

extends to

things very remote and important.

Under

the shelter of those ridges of limestone


in height,
rise to

which intersect Italy and Greece, varying

branching in numerous directions, and giving

abundance of rivulets;

in those

charming

valleys,

rich in all the products of

animated nature, philoso-

phy and the


gave

It was these that minds of which the human race have most reason to be proud while, on the other hand,

arts first

sprung up.

birth to

the vast sandy plains of Tartary and Africa have al-

ways prevented

their inhabitants

from becoming any

32

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
In

thing else than fierce and wandering shepherds.

countries where the laws and even the language are


alike,

an experienced traveller can conjecture, from

the habits of the people, and the appearance of their

dwellings and clothing, what


the
soil, in

is

the composition of

the

same manner

as a philosophical

mi-

neralogist can infer, from the


likely to

same source, what are

be their manners, as well as their degrees

of comfort and instruction.

Our
on
all

granitic districts

produce very different


of Limousin,

effects

the habits of the

people from those that are calcareous.


or of

The natives Lower Bretagne, are neither lodged nor fed like those of Champagne or of Normandy and it may even be said that they do not Even the results of the conscription think alike.
;

nave been different, and the difference

is

conformhigh

able to a uniform law in the different districts.

Geographical mineralogy, then, assumes


importance,

when we connect it in this manner with what Werner called Economical Mineralogy, or the

history of minerals as applied to the wants of man.

The comprehensive mind


seized with equal facility
all

of this great Professor

these relations, and his

auditors listened, with an ever

new

delight, to the

exposition of such of them as the plan of his public


prelections permitted

him

to

embrace.

But,

in his

private conversations, he followed up their application


to a

much

greater length.

The

history of

man and
tha'

languages was connected, according to his views,

with that of minerals

and he never conceived

MEMOlIt OF WERNER.
he was departing from
his principal subject,

33
by
in-

dulging in these other inquiries.


grations of different tribes
directions of countries,

He traced

the mi-

by fche inclinations and and in this way connect-

ed their marches and stations with the structure of


the globe.

He

grouped the various languages toge-

ther, and, tracing each to a

common

source, origi-

nating always in the highest central land of an elevated mountain-range, he regarded each dialect, as

descending and subdividing, according to the


rection of the valleys,

diit

becoming

soft or

harsh as

happened

to

become

stationary in a level or a

mounmore

tainous country, and, in process of time, departing


in its

character from the allied tongues, the

widely as the natural obstacles to communication

became more insurmountable.

Even

the laws of the military art


;

Werner endeaand
if

voured to trace to those of geology

his ac-

count was to be received, every general should have

commenced
Freyberg.

his career

by studying

for

some time

at

In a word, he referred every thing to

the object of his

own

passion, and, as Tournefort,

the celebrated botanist, formerly imagined that even


stones vegetated,

Werner
of

in like

manner fancied

that

stones could speak, and he thought himself warranted


confidently to

demand

them the whole history of


to visit

the world.

Strangers

who happened

Freyberg, and

expected to enter into conversation with a mineralogist only,

were surprised

at his continual discus

34

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
They were
allied to the

sions on tactics, politics,

and medicine. sometimes tempted to regard them as


reveries of a maniac.

Indeed,

we may admit

that

there

must have been something


but
it

of exaggeration in

generalizing to such an
single object
to
;

extent the relations of a


in

ought also to be kept

mind
and

what a degree those conceptions, of

so varied

exciting a nature, presented in an attractive and often eloquent form,


tions of youth.

must have warmed the imaginathat age,

At
and

when exceptions

are

so

much

disliked,

difficulties so easily

surmount-

ed, the disciples of

Werner hurried with enthusiasm


them
of

upon a

field

of inquiry which he described to

as so vast and fruitful.


ralogical

mineralogy purely mine-

would perhaps have disgusted many

them

but they devoted themselves with ardour to

a mineralogy which seemed to present them with the

key of nature; and even although, on a


science,

final analysis,

there might only remain to them the foundation of the

would they not


them
{.hither ?

still

have reason to rejoice

at the pleasing illusions

which had been the meads

of leading

Some individuals who have since risen to the first rank among the mineralogists of Germany, had wished to hear him, only
for the

purpose of obtaining a

summary knowledge
of their lives.

of mineralogy; but having once

listened to him, that science

became the

profession

It is to this irresistible influence that the scientific

world has been indebted

for those laborious au

MEM OIK
triors,

OF WERNER.

35

who have

so carefully described
exist
;

tfne

different

states in

which minerals

and

for those inde-

fatigable observers

who have removed from

the globe

the last veil that concealed her mysteries.

and Wiedeman in the cabinet


the

Humboldt,

Karsten

Von

Buch, Daubuisson, Hermann, and Freyensleben, on

summit of the

Cordilleras, amidst the flames of


in

Vesuvius and iEtna,

the deserts of Siberia, in the

deepest recesses of the mines of Saxony, of


gary, of Mexico, and of Potosi

have been

Hunled on

by the spirit of their master. They always ascribed to him the honour that resulted from their labours and it might be said of him, what could formerly be
said with truth of Linnaeus only, that

Nature was

every where interrogated

in his

name.
but
his

Few

masters have enjoyed in the same degree the


;

pure and unreserved gratitude of their scholars

no one, perhaps, had ever so much deserved


paternal

it

by

regard for them.

There was no
for his pupils.
;

sacrifice

which he would not make


and strength were

His time
he

at their service

and

if

knew

of

any of them in temporary need, his purse was opened


to supply their wants.

When

his

audience became

too numerous for each to see conveniently the objects

which he exhibited, he divided the students,

and repeated the lecture.

His door was

at all

times

open to them
of

he took his meals usually with some


as
if

them

in

company,

he had wished that no

opportunity should be

lost for their instruction.

Such a master might well entrust the care of

his

36

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
;

reputation to his scholars


that
it

and

it is

in fact

by them
also, re-

has been established.

In this point,

sembling Socrates, to
in so
his

whom

he has been compared

many

other respects, nothing can be

known

of

views but from the notes that have been taken of

his lectures.

Whether

it

was

that he

was

satisfied

with the indisputable ascendency which he acquired

by
his

his

powers of speaking, or that the vivacity of

imagination could not submit to the restraint and


it

tediousness of writing,
est difficulty that

was not without the great-

he prevailed on himself to prepare

for

the press one or

ticles for the journals.

two pamphlets, and a few arBut he engaged in oral disof genius, as well as

cussion as readily as could be wished, and his conversation

was that of a man

of beuevolent feeling.

For hours together he would

continue to utter the boldest and best connected


ideas
;

but nothing could

make him
for the

take up a pen.

He

had an antipathy even


His
letters are

mechanical act
its

of writing, which was rendered


excess.

amusing by

very
ten-

extremely few.

The
last,

derest friendship, the most profound esteem, could


scarcely extort one from

him

and

at

that he
polite-

might not reproach himself


ness, he ceased to

for this

want of

open such

letters as

were sent

to

One author, who was desirous to have the opinion of many scientific men respecting a voluminous work, circulated his manuscript among them.
him.

During

its

progress the packet was


it

lost.

After a

thousand researches,

was at

last disinterred

from

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
under a hundred others
in the

37

house of Werner
placed him on
is

To
the

carry this matter to the extremity, he did not

even reply to this


list

Academy when

it

of

its

eight foreign associates, which

adorn-

ed with
not even

all

boast for

names of which Europe can more than a century and perhaps he did
the great
;

know

that this

honour had been conferred


it

on him, unless he happened to learn


almanack.

from some

But we may
that,

well pardon him,

when we

learn,

him by his sister from Dresden, was obliged to wait two months at an inn, and at his expense, before a simple
about
this

same

period, an express sent to

signature could be obtained to a paper relating to

some urgent family

business.

This insurmountable antipathy to writing seemed


the more unaccountable, as
it

caused him to infringe

the laws of etiquette, which, next to his studies,

was

the subject that affected


else,

him most.

In every thing

he

is

said to have observed the slightest courlife

tesies of social

with as

much

punctuality as he

attended to the varieties of minerals.


formality,

This

spirit of

which was preserved

in

Germany
and
in

for a

longer time than any where longer than in


ticularly

Saxony any other part of Germany, was parelse,


it

remarkable in him, apparently because


in his eyes a

seemed

kind of method.

He

delibe-

rated about the arrangement of a dinner with as

much

gravity as about the arrangement of his library

or cabinet.

3.3

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
There was
still

one other point, however, to which

his

observance of etiquette did not extend.

Whatif

ever

might be the rank of any individual,

he

handled his minerals awkwardly, he was put out of


all

temper.

lustre,

The least wounded him to

stain

on

their

freshness or

the quick, and he long preit.

served a deep recollection of


duals,

Of such
his

indivi-

he was accustomed to say, with


that such a one

usual

good humour,

or a skilful general, but,

was a great minister he added with a sigh, he


at

knows not how


These
first
little

to handle minerals.
eccentricities,

which he was the


allied

to smile,
is

were no way unpleasant when

to

whatever

most elevated

in genius,

and amiable
his youth-

in disposition.

They had no

influence on that affec-

tionate veneration entertained for


ful

him by

who were ever happy to be instructed, and warmed by his words and attentions. They
pupils,

studied his peculiarities only to


selves
to

them

eager

to

accommodate themshew their attachment


and posterity

even by attending to his

foibles.

But these
will

peculiarities the public

have reason to lament, as they have been there-

by deprived of valuable works, which no other person, for a long time, will be able to execute so well.
It is said

that the

first

sheet of his great

work on

mineralogy was sent to the press, but that he could


not undergo the fatigue of correcting the proofs.

His whole

life

was thus spent

either in the regions

of lofty contemplation, or in the pleasures of philo-

MEMOIR OF WERNER.
sophical and friendly conversation
that

39
of
all

ignorant

was going on

at a distance,

without reading the

journals of literature, and without even ascertaining

whether envy had occasionally made him the object


of her attack.
to

His

life

might have been expected


time;
for,

be prolonged

for a considerable

of

all

the methods which he had studied, that of taking

care of his

own

health had not occupied


his anxiety never to
air,

him

least.

Among

his

whims,

be placed

between two currents of


noticeablefectual

But

of

all

his precautions, the

was one of the most most efwhich


it

was the

tranquillity of a peaceful mind,

sought to avoid every thing that might excite in


malevolent feelings.

The

misfortunes of Saxony were the only cala-

mities that escaped his foresight, and destroyed the

peace which

it

had procured him.


no

He

tenderly

loved that country with which he was identified in


a thousand ways
to leave
it.
;

offer could ever prevail

on him

He

loved a prince

who

protected the

sciences, because he had studied

them profoundly,
and of

and

whom

forty years of wise administration,

affectionate devotion to his people, could not pre-

serve from so

many

calamities.

His courage could


and
distress pro-

not stand the sight of the sufferings of his master

and of

his country,

and

his anxiety

duced a complication of diseases, to which no care He died in the arms of could administer a remedy.
bis sister,

on the 30th of June 1817, at Dresden,

40

MEMOIR OF WERNER.

whither he had gone in the hope of some alleviation


of his sufferings.
It

seems as

if

fortune had brought

him

to this ca-

pital, that

he might there receive the most solemn

honours.

The most

illustrious persons in the king-

dom

assisted at his obsequies.

M.

Boettiger, a dis-

tinguished philosopher, publicly pronounced his funeral oration.

The most
day render

celebrated academies of

Germany have
which

already paid him


to him,

the

same
in

tribute
will

we

this

and which

be

decreed to him, under one form or other,

every

quarter of the world where any branch of the science


of the Earth
is

cultivated.

ACCOUNT OF THE WERVERIAN NATURAL HISTORY


SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
[From Blackwood's Magazine
for

June

1817.]

To

determine the

utility of

Natural Histoiy,
to

it is

scarcely necessary to do

more than
it

enumerate
its

its

various brandies by which

will

be seen in

most

convincing form.

In truth the correctness of this

opinion requires no proof, since the general attention

which has, within a few years, been excited to the


study of every department of natural knowledge, must have rendered every illustration that can be
offered perfectly familiar to our readers.

This be-

THE WERNEBIAN SOCIETY.


ing the admitted
fact,

41
all

the importance of

attempts
to sti-

to facilitate such studies, to excite ardour,

and

mulate exertion, will be fully appreciated.


influence of this conviction,

Under the
for

we make no apology
state

submitting to the public the following sketch of the


rise,

progress,

and present

of the Wernerian

Natural History
history, to

Society of Edinburgh, as well as a

few general observations on that branch of natural


which some of
its

most distinguished mem-

bers have hitherto devoted their talents.


ciety,

To

this so-

we, without hesitation, refer not only a large

share of the enthusiasm that has been kindled, but

some of the most interesting observations on the

inter-

nal structure of Great Britain that have yet been pre-

sented to the world.

In addition to this view,


its truth,

it

will

be well to illustrate
sible

and

to trace the insen-

though progressive influence that has been exeron the minds of many, by one enlightened, zeal-

cised
ous,

and persevering individual.


the Continent of Europe, the
first

On
made
in
its
;

steps to-

wards improvement in mineralogical knowledge were


while,
in

our

own

country,

though so rich

mineral treasures, scarcely a work appeared,

with the exception of Williams' Mineral Kingdom,

and

Price's

Cornwall, that contained accurate ob-

servations.

Yet

in the midst of this most deplorable


ivories

ignorance of the

of nature, her most secret

mysteries were resolved with a boldness and temerity scarcely to

be surpassed by the

flights of

Para-

42
celsus,

THE WERNER1AN SOCIETY,


or of Arnoldus de Villa Nova.
It

would

be a fruitless and unprofitable task to give even a


sketch of these whimsical, though often ingenious,
fancies.

The
berg.

individual to
is

whom

mineralogy

is

most deepof Frey-

ly indebted,

the well

known Werner

He

has taught the vast importance of ac-

curate

observation, and patient investigation.

He
;

has shown, that in this science, as in every oth^r,


facts

should not be

made

to

bend to hypothesis

but

that every

man who

wishes to obtain accurate views,

should begin his career unfettered by theory


that the result

and

must be a more accurate and exten-

sive acquaintance with the materials of this globe.

While

this illustrious

his useful career in

man was silently pursuing Germany, other philosophers in


out gene-

this country, of high talent, boldly struck


ral

views, which, though not remarkable for accu-

racy, entitled their authors to the character

of ge-

nius and of fancy.

Dr Hutton
;

of Edinburgh took

a decided lead in this matter


nature,

and, had he studied

and then theorized,


illustrated

his genius

would, in

all
:

probability, have

but

it is

obvious, from his

many difficult points own works, that he has

frequently reversed this order of proceeding.


\Y hile these dazzling speculations allured the votaries of
T

Hutton, the present Professor of Natural


first

History in the University of Edinburgh

known

to the world as a scientific

man, by

his

became Mi-

neralogy of Arran and Shetland, published in 1798,

THE WERNERIAN SOCIETY.

43

and afterwards in 1801, by Ins Mineralogy of the


Scottish Isles.

In these works, he gave a

flattering

earnest of his accurate views in the study of science,

and of

his indefatigable zeal in the

attainment of

it.

About 1804,
lished.

Mr

Playfair's beautiful

and eloquent
first

Illustrations of the

Huttonian Theory were


all

pub-

In this work,

that eloquence, fine taste,

and

infinite ingenuity,

could do, were united to vinthe

dicate

and establish the doctrines of which

author
pion.

may be

considered the most illustrious cham-

Public attention having been strongly excited

on these topics by the impugning of


creed by Professor Jameson,
the

Dr

Hutton's

contest

became

keen

and the

result

has

been, to establish, very

universally, the important fact, that the science of

mineralogy

is

only to be acquired by patient labour,


is

and that theory

as useless as contemptible, unless

supported by a " cloud of facts."


In this state of general scientific excitement, those

who

felt

anxious to render

it

beneficial, naturally
its

sought for channels through which


be judiciously directed.

influence might the

The most obvious was

establishment of societies, which, while protecting

and encouraging every branch of natural

history,

would

afford

due support to mineralogical science


whether regarded as furnishing maphilosophic inquirer, or as directing
practical

in all its parts,


terials for the

the

operations of the

mineralogist.

To

rouse a certain interest in

the

neglected

though

highly interesting walks of science, was an object of

44

THE WERNTERIAN

SOCIETY.
perceived and
felt

importance to every one

who had

the inconveniences resulting from the old system.

Professor

Jameson (who maybe considered the foundthis

er of mineralogical science in Great Britain) had con-

templated the object of


turn from

sketch soon after his re-

Germany; and
solicited,

as the public attention

had

been strongly

by

his

valuable works, to
it

one department of natural history,

was considered

a favourable opportunity to bring together, in an or-

ganized form, such individuals as were desirous of


extending the bounds of our natural knowledge in
general, without limiting the tendencies of
its

original

founders.

Accordingly, on the 12th January 1808,

Professor Jameson,
Barclay, and

Doctors Wright,

Macknight,

Thomson, Colonel Fullerton, Messrs Anderson, Neill, and Walker (now Sir Patrick Walker) held their first meeting, and " resolved to associate themselves into a society for promoting the study of natural history ; and in honour of the illustrious Werner of Freyberg, to assume the name Proof the Wernerian Natural History Society." fessor Jameson was elected the first president Doctors Wright, Macknight, Barclay, and Thomson, the
;

vice-presidents

Mr

Walker, the treasurer

and

Mr

(now Dr) Neill, the secretary. Honorary and other members were elected and among the first of the

former, the society has the honour of enumerating the illustrious

names of Werner,
it

Sir

Joseph Banks,

Kirwan, and many other celebrated individuals.


the

At

same time,

was resolved that a charter should

THE WERNERIAN SOCIETY.


be applied for
;

45

and accordingly,

this being done, the

Lord Provost and Magistrates of Edinburgh, by virtue


of authority vested in them, granted the charter on the

10th February 1808


Society.

thus solemnly incorporating the

The

objects of this Society are simply the general

promotion of every branch of natural science.

Some,

who

are

more disposed

to cavil
title

than to

reflect,

have

objected to the distinctive

assumed by the founders


as

of the Wernerian

Society,

narrowing

its

scope.

Werner,

it is true, is chiefly, if

not exclusively,

known

in Britain as a distinguished mineralogist.

His know-

ledge, however, extended to every branch of natural


science,

and

is

regarded,

by

those

who have
extent.
to

possessed

the singular advantage of his instruction, as equally re-

markable for

its

accuracy as for

its

The honourable compliment paid


rits,

Werner's me-

as
it

man

of science,

ought to be considered,

what

really

is,

as analogous to similar distinctions

bestowed on Linnaeus in this country, and on other

eminent men on the Continent.

The name

implies

no determination blindly
culiar views

to

support Werner's pethe published

as

may be shown from

memoirs, which contain undeniable proofs of free-

dom of The

discussion.

Society has

now

existed upwards of twentyits

seven years, during which period

records have

been graced with the names of

all

the most distin-

guished philosophers of Europe and America;

and

46

THE WERNERIAN SOCIETY.


it

although unaided by the advantages of wealth,


has silently pursued
directly
its

has

useful career,

and

has, both

and

indirectly, contributed

most

essentially to

the well-doing of science.

Most

of the active

mem-

bers of this society are professional men, whose daily

engagements circumscribe the sphere of their scientific utility; yet, notwithstanding this and other disadvantages, they have explored a large portion of

country

have contributed several valuable


will, in

papers,

which have been published, besides others of equal


importance, which
bar of the public.

due season, appear at the While the individual members

are thus co-operating in their efforts, the society, as

a body, has not been negligent of


diate duties.

its

more imme-

Six volumes of memoirs, containing

several very valuable papers, have been already published


;

and the merits of these volumes are

suffi-

ciently

known
it is

to the scientific world

and as ana-

lyses of these

volumes have been formerly given


unnecessary for us to enter into such
hitherto adopted by the Wernerian
;

elsewhere,
details.

The course
the whole,

Society has been unquestionably good

and upon

we

are disposed to think that a quiet un-

obtrusive career, in which solid foundations, for future distinction and lasting reputation, are laid,
is

to

be preferred to that rapid course which dazzles for a while, but leaves no fixed and permanent impression.

When,
it

indeed,

we

recall

the

circumstances
re-

under which

wa-

first

established

when we

THE WERNERIAN SOCIETY.


collect the

47
to the very

odium which was attached


offer the tribute so

name

we cheerfully

merited by

him, to whose intelligence, liberality, and unwearied

we owe all that true spirit of mineraloginow abroad, and which bids fair to place our country among the first where such studies have been successfully cultivated. While we thus bestow praise where it is due, we cannot refrain from tendiligence,
cal inquiry

dering our mite to the Geological Society of London, which has done so

much towards

elucidating
it

the internal structure of England.

Sincerely must

be wished, by every true lover of science, that these

two

societies
objects.

may

cordially co-operate in their


this

comshall

mon

Let

be the case, and

we

anxiously apply to them the spirit of the dying address of Father Paul to his country
petua."

" Estote per-

LEPIDOPTERA.

INTRODUCTION.
Child of the sun pursue thy rapturous flight, Mingling with her thou lov'st, in fields of light; And where the flowers of paradise unfold, Quaff fragrant nectar from their cups of gold. There shall thy wings, rich as an evening sky, Expand and shut with silent ecstasy. Yet wert thou once a worm, a thing that crept On the bare earth, then wrought a tomb, and slept And such is man ; soon from his cell of clay To burst a seraph in the blaze of day Rogers.
!
!

The
lume
is

primary division, or Order, of the Class of

Insects, to the illustration of

which the present voname,


like
all

devoted, acquires

its

the other

Linnean orders, from the characters presented by the


wings.

These members have

their

entire

surface

covered with a thick coating of minute imbricated

which has caused the insects to be designated by the name Lepidoptera, from ten-is, a scale, and
scales,
rrrs^u,

wings.

This clothing, however,

is

not uni-

versal in the croup, as there are several genera partially

denuded of

scales,

and others

in

which the

wings are clear and transparent, without any traces


of

them

But these

occasional deviations from the

50

INTRODUCTION.

prevailing structure indicate no essential disagree-

ment, nor do they disturb the regularity of the order,

which

is

perhaps the most natural and best de-

fined of the whole.

The
as

species which

it

includes are popularly


;

known
terms

Butterflies,

Hawk-moths, and Moths


as originally constituted

which nearly correspond to the genera Papilio, Sphinx,

and Phalsena, and

to the sectional divisions of

by Linnseus, more recent writers,


Diurnal, Crepus-

founded on the seasons of


cular,

flight,

and Nocturnal.

Many
;

of these are

among

our most

common

insects

and the curious economy


while their

of some, and the remarkable beauty of others, have

long attracted the notice of observers

varied forms, and gorgeous colouring, have afforded


subjects of the highest interest to the lovers of the
pictorial art.

Their amount

is

so considerable, that

the Lepidopterous order ranks


tensive with which

among

the most ex-

we
;

are acquainted.
it

There

is

reason to believe, that

is

surpassed only by the

Coleoptera or Beetles
inclined to assign
it

and some authors are even


Jn this country alone,

a precedence in this respect over


al-

that

numerous order.
its

though
little

variable

and humid climate seems but


very

adapted to the welfare of creatures formed


all

above
little

others for sunshine and calm, they

fall

short of 2000.

From

this

we may

infer that

their

numbers
diurnal

are very great in countries every

way

adapted to their increase.

The

Lepidoptera, or such as

fly

during

INTRODUCTION.
the (lay, to which the present notice
stricted, are the

51

must be
in this
is

re-

kinds which are

known

couna
lite-

try

by the name of Butterfly.


the Saxon

This term

ral translation of
is

word Battor-fleoze, and


first

supposed to be applied because the insects


in the

become prevalent
butter.

beginning of the season for

They

are distinguished from the other scaly-

winged kinds, by possessing antennae with a knob or club at the summit,* and holding their wings, when
in

a state of repose, erect or very slightly inclined.


are the

They

most generally and familiarly known

of our insect tribes, and,

by

their conspicuous ap-

pearance, seldom
those

fail

to attract the notice even of


least alive to the

whose perceptions are

beauty

of natural objects.
line

The

graceful curves of their outflight

their

gay and

fitful

the

splendour of

their colouring

and decorations, which present every

variety of tint found in the different

kingdoms

of

nature, distributed in markings and delineations of

the most beautiful and diversified character,

confer on

seem to them a kind of superiority over other insects. Some naturalists have accordingly considered them
head of the Insect Class
;

as entitled to stand at the

and

if,

as

Mr

and gaiety,
requisite,

Kirby remarks, beauty, and grace, and splendour of colours were the gTeat

and the law enjoined Detur pulchriori

* Certain foreign genera, however, such as Morpho and Urania, form an exception to this rule, as they have antennae either of equal thickness throughout, or tapering Blightly to the summit.

52
they are

INTRODUCTION.
doubtless

deserving

of this

preference.

Their wings are augmented to a size that seems


quite disproporticned to that of the body, as
if

na-

ture had wished to enlarge the surface on which she

was to employ her pencil, that it might admit of more varied and profuse decoration. Even the under face of the wings, contrary to what is observed
in other flying animals, is usually as

much adorned
what may be
favoured

as the surface,
ner.

and often

in

an entirely different man-

Each wing,
two

therefore, presents

called

different pictures.
is

No

kind of ornament
in this

found among other insects


tribe;

omitted

and so many new modes of embellishment are

employed, that Nature seems to have made them the


objects of her peculiar care, and designed them, as

has been remarked by the learned and pious Ray,


for the

adornment of the universe, and

to

form de-

lightful objects for the

contemplation of man, bear-

ing conspicuous marks of the hand of a Divine Art* ist.

The
like

habits of these insects are well fitted to con-

firm the preference

we assign to their beauty. Unmany others of this class, which delight to riot among substances most offensive to our senses, or
*

Usus Papilionum
;

ad ornatum universi, et ut homi-

nibus spectaculo sint


teee inservientes.

ad rura illustranda velut tot bracQuis enim eximiam earum pulchritudinem et varietatem contemplans mira voluptate non afficiatur? Quis tot colorum et schematum elegantias naturae sius d ivinas artis vestigia eis impressa non agnoscat et miHist. Insect. 109.

retur? IUii,

INTRODUCTION.
which destroy the property and
lives

53
of their less

powerful companions, butterflies derive their suste-

nance from the nectareous juices and secretions of


fruits

Instead of grovelling on the and flowers. " dungy earth," they are generally seen either sportair,
all

ing in the

or resting on the disk of


their habits are such as

flower, and

some expanded beseem " pure

creatures of the element."

They

are seldom noticed

but in 6ne weather, and never in profusion but


the season
is

when

in its highest

bloom, and their appearin

ance thus becomes associated

our minds with the


is

charms of external nature, and


those images of
life

connected with
rise to

and beauty which give

many

of the genial influences of

summer.

Several

species also contrive to outlive the winter, although


their frail forms

seem but

ill

adapted to

resist the

rigours of that inclement season, and issuing from


their retreats in the first

warm days

of spring, are

among

the earliest and not least interesting heralds

of the " purple year *."

These circumstances,

to-

gether with the very striking manner in which they


exhibit
tiie

phenomena

of transformation, have long

rendered them general favourites, and caused their


history to be investigated with greater attention than
said that other southern countries of Europe, most of the species which with us retire on the approach of winter into the crevices of walls, and other sheltered situations, are seen upon the wing at least we know that throughout even the colder months it is so with Van. cardul, Atalanta, and a few others.
it

* In the sunny clime of Italy, where nature never dies, and probably also

may be

in

54

INTRODUCTION.

has been bestowed on insects of a less conspicuous

and attractive kind.

The

diurnal Lepidoptera are very

species, although but a limited

rountry.
scribed,

numerous in number inhabit this Between 2000 and 3000 have been deit

and

is

probable that no inconsiderable

number yet remain undiscovered.

About 75

diffe-

rent species are recorded as indigenous to Britain.

great proportion of the largest and most highly or-

namented kinds are natives of the new world, especially of Brazil but they abound in all tropical
;

countries,

and some of these exotics present the


insect beauty.

most sumptuous examples of


by and Spence,
" did
I

"

should undertake an endless task," say Messrs Kiror one or other of these authors,
all

attempt to specify

the

modes
it,

of marking,
all

clouding, and spotting, that variegate a wing, and

the shades of colour that paint

among

the lepi-

dopterous tribes
to a

shall therefore

confine myself

few of the

principal, especially those that dis-

tinguish particular tribes and families.

coloured wings,
the beholder so
of

Of whole know none that dazzle the eye of much as the upper surface of tbose
I

Morpho Menelaus and Telemachus.


is

Linne

just-

ly observes, that there

scarcely any thing in na-

ture that, for brightness and splendour, can be paralleled with this colour
:

it

is

a kind of rich ultra-

marine, that vies with the deepest and purest azure


of the sky
trast in
;

and, what must cause a striking conthe prone surface of the wings
is

flight,

as

INTRODUCTION.
dull

55
so that one
in

and dark

as the supine

is brilliant,

can conceive this animal to appear like a planet


full

radiance, and under eclipse, as


in the

its

wings open

and shut

blaze of a tropical sun.

Another

butterfly ( Papilio Ulysses),

by

its

radiating ceru-

lean disk, surrounded on every side by a margin intensely black, gives the idea of light
first

emerging
this idea

from primeval obscurity

it

was probably

of light shining in darkness, that induced

Linne

to

give

it

the

name

of the wisest of the Greeks in a


age.
I

dark and barbarous

know no

insect

upon
of the

which the sight

rests with

such untired pleasure as

upon the lovely

butterfly that bears the


;

name
its

unhappy Trojan king (P. Priamus)

the contrast

of the rich green and black of the velvet of

wings

with each other, and with the orange of


is

its

abdomen,

beyond expression

regal

and magnificent." *

Although our British butterflies can in no way compete with the magniflcent examples just referred to, we yet possess many of great beauty, whether
as regards the brilliancy of their colour, or the har-

monious manner
buted.

in

which these colours are


of the

distri-

The

bluish-purple reflection that plays on

the wings of the

Emperor

Woods, has a
is

rich-

ness and brilliancy of


passed.

tint,

which

not often suris

The

prevailing hue

among

the Lycce?ice,

fulgid copper colour, of a high degree of resplenden-

cy

and the Polyommati, which are so abundant


most delicate and beautiful
Entomology,
ili-

in

our pastures, are remarkable for


variety of shade, the

exhi!)iting, in great
tints

* Futroduction to

p. 651.

56
of blue.

INTRODUCTION.

What

can exceed the

fine pencilling

and

harmonious tinting on the under surface of the wings


of Cynthia Cardui, Limenitis Camilla, and Vanessa

Atalanta

or the richness of the eye-like spots that

decorate the wings of the Peacock Butterfly, and nu-

merous

otlu-r species?

The warm and


rests

beautiful shades

of yellow in Colias and Gonepteryx, render


objects on

them

which the eye


silvery spots

with continual plea-

sure

and the

and streaks on the under

side of the Fritillaries, form a fine relief,


brilliant

by

their

metallic lustre, to the uniform

and compa-

ratively duller tints of black

and brown which predoto

minate among that

tribe.

The mode
rich tints,

of painting

employed

produce these

may

not improperly be called a kind of

natural mosaic, for the colours invariably reside in

the

scales,

which form a dense covering over the

whole

surface.

These

scales are usually of an oval

or elongated form, and truncated at the tip,

where

they are occasionally divided into teeth

but some-

times they are conical, linear, or triangular.


considerable

(A

number

of the

most remarkable forms


at the top of

which they exhibit, are represented


Plate
I. fig. 1.

Fig. 2,

shews the form they some-

times assume in the fringe which surrounds the wing.)

They

are fixed in the

wing by means of a narrow


in trans-

pedicle,

and are most commonly disposed


close together,
tiles

verse rows, placed

and overlapping
In

each other like the


ces,
in

of a roof.

some

instan-

they are placed without any regular order, and


certain

cases

there appear

to

be two lyers of

INTRODUCTION.
scales

57

on both sides of the wings.


off,

"When they are


elastic

rubbed

the wing
thin

is

found to consist of an

membrane,

and transparent, and marked with


groove for
mi-

slightly indented lines, forming a kind of

the insertion of the scales.

The

latter are so

nute that they appear to the naked eye like powder


or dust, and as they are very closely placed, their

numbers on a
wings of the

single

insect are astonishingly great.

Leeuwenhoek counted upwards


silk

of

400,000 on the

moth, an insect not above one-

fourth of the size of

some of our native butterflies; must this number be to that necessary to form a covering to some foreign butterflies, the wings of which expand upwards of half a foot; or certain species of Moths, some of which But how much
inferior

(such as the Atlas

Moth
!

of the east, or the Great

Owl Moth

of Brazil), sometimes measure nearly a

foot across the

wings

modern mosaic picture


or separate
pieces, in

may

contain

870

tesserulse,

one square inch of surface; but the same extent of a


butterfly's

wing sometimes consists of no fewer than


with several other extensive races of

100,736
In

common

insects, butterflies derive their

nourishment entirely

from liquid substances, and the structure of the

mouth

is

consequently very different from that of the

masticating kinds.

They

are hence classed

the haustellated or suctorial tribes of insects.

among The

most conspicuous and elaborately constructed organ,


is

the long flexible tube projecting from the mouth,

58

INTRODUCTION.

which forms a canal through which the alimentary


juices are absorbed.

This instrument, which


is

is

some-

times of

great,

length,
it

spirally convoluted

when

unemployed, but
pidity,

can be unrolled with great rafitted to

and

is

admirably

explore the tubular


for the
It is

corollas

and deep-seated nectaries of flowers,

purpose of extracting their sweet secretions.


of a cartilaginous substance, and owes
bility to its
its

great flexi-

being composed of numerous rings or

transverse fibres, bearing

some resemblance

to the

annulose structure of earth-worms and some other


animals.
It is

formed of two distinct pieces, which


traversed longitu-

admit of being separated, throughout their whole


length. dinally

Each of these pieces


by

is

a cylindrical tube, and being grooved on

their inner side, they

form when united another ca-

nal in the centre, of a

somewhat square form, and


lateral ones.

wider than either of the two


tion of the
is

The

junc-

two

parts

is
;

so close that the enclosed tube

perfectly air-tight

and

this

union
of

is

effected

by

means of an
to each other.

infinite

number

filets,

resembling

the laminae of a feather, which interlace and adhere

Of
lateral

these three

tubes, the central

one alone serves


fluids,

for the influx of the

alimentary

the

two

ones being probably employed


which, how-

in transmitting air in aid of respiration,

ever,

is

mainly carried on by means of stigmata or

lateral pores.
is

The

outer extremity of the proboscis

frequently beset with


leaflets,

many membranous

papillae,

resembling

which have been regarded by

INTRODUCTION.
some authors
them
as absorbents.

59

From having observed


is

chiefly in long

and slender trunks, Reaumur


to render

was

led to conceive, that their only use

more steady, by affording numerous points of support, and adhering in some degree to the subtbat organ

stances into which

it

is

inserted;

an

explanation
the long

rendered highly probable by the

fact, that

and slender ovipositors of Ichneumons, and many


other insects, are generally provided with

some

point-

ed projections near the


this purpose.

tip,

evidently intended for


I.

Several
Fig". 9, is

of the figures on Plate

are

designed to illustrate the structure of the organ just


described.

a magnified view of the trunk,

showing

its

general form, and the projecting points


(a).

near the tip

Fig. 10,

is

a highly magnified sec{a, b) of


(d, d),
(e).

tion, exhibiting the

composed, each of

two portions them tubular

which

it is

and forming
Fig. 11,
is

by

their junction a central

canal

another section, representing the under side.

The two

portions of which the proboscis

is

com-

posed, seem to be analogous to the maxillse or un-

der jaws of the mandibulated tribes, and to receive


their great
oral

development
This

at the

expense of the other

appendages, most of which are small and inconis

spicuous.
labial palpi,

not the case, however, with the


size,

which are generally of considerable


in

and curved upwards

such a manner as to form two

projecting points in front of the head.

These

or-

gans are covered with hair-like scales, are usually of

a somewhat conical shape, and consist, for the most


part, of three articulations.

(See PI

1.

fig.

12 a

60

INTRODUCTION.
attached to a triangular plate, which must he
lip,

They are

regarded as the labium or under


vity of the

as

it

closes the ca-

mouth, immediately below the insertion of

the trunk.
base, there

On each
is a

side of the latter, not far from the

minute tuberculiform projection, formed


indistinct joints,

of

two or three

which together seem

to represent the maxillary palpi.

The

representative

of the labrum or upper

lip, is

a minute membranous
;

piece, usually approaching to a triangular shape

and

two other
ternally,
cis

smafll projections,

more or

less ciliated in-

and placed one on each side of the probosmandibles of

at the base, are analogous to the


insects.

gnawing
ist in

Most

of these parts, however, ex-

a very rudimentary condition,

and

afford an-

other example, in addition to

many

already familiar

to us, of nature adhering to a particular form of structure, after


it

has ceased to be subservient to any es;

sential function

for, if

some

of these parts are deef-

signed for the same purpose which they serve so


fectively

when

fully developed,

it is

not easy to see


or in any

how they could be employed by the insect, way prove serviceable to its economy.
Both the
different kinds of eyes

which occur among

insects, are to be found in the diurnal Lepidoptera.

The

ordinary, or

compound

eyes, are large and he-

mispherical, occupying greater part of the head, and

no fewer than 17,325 lenses have been counted


one of them.
possesses
all

in

As

each of these crystalline lenses

the properties of a perfect eye,


if

some

butterflies may therefore be said,

M.

Puget's ob-

servations are correct, to have no fewer than 34,650,

INTRODUCTION.

61

The stemmatic,

or simple eyes, in the form of pel-

lucid spots, are usually

two

in

number, and placed


are probably of-

on the crown of the head.


ten awanting, and,

They

when

present, are so indistinct,

from being covered by the hairs and scales that clothe


the surface, that their existence in any case

among

the diurnal Lepidoptera has been sometimes denied.

The

antenna? are of moderate length, and consist

of a great

number

of joints,

which usually increase

in

thickness towards the extremity, where they form a


club or knob.

(PL
in

I. fig.

12, b).

They

are greatly

more uniform
species of the
tifully

appearance and structure than in the


order, which often have

coleopterous or most other tribes, or in the nocturnal

same

them beauof the terits

branched, and plumose.

The shape

minal knob, however, varies considerably, and as


different

forms afford useful characters for distin-

guishing genera, they will be afterwards particularly


indicated.

The thorax
diate

that portion of the

between the head and abdomen

body intermeis composed

of three segments, so closely united as apparently to

form a single piece.

Its

most ordinary form ap-

proaches to cubical, any apparent deviation from that

shape being chiefly caused by the greater length and


density of the hairs and scales with which
vered.
it is

co-

Before the insertion of the upper wings,

two corneous
let

tufts of hairs, so as to
:

these

may be observed, covered with make them resemble an epauhave received the name of patagia, or
scales

62
tippet9.

INTRODUCTION,

The

scutellum

triangular piece in the


is

hinder part of the thorax, which


in beetles

very conspicuous
exists in
its

and many other


but
it is

tribes

likewise
is

butterflies,

very minute, and has

point

directed forwards.

The

thorax

always shorter
it

than the abdomen, and generally more robust, as


supports
all

the organs of motion, and contains the


latter are actuated.

muscles by which the

These important appendages are of course the wings and legs, of which it is necessary to give some
account.

The

latter, as in all

other genuine insects,


of the

are six in number, and

composed

same amount
inserted

of pieces as in most of the class.

They are
The

pretty close to each other, without any inequality in


the size of the intervening spaces. thigh
is

is of-

ten fringed with long hairs, and the tibia


ly

frequent-

armed with a spur near the middle, and two others

at the tip.

The

tarsi in all the perfect legs are five-

jointed,

and furnished with two claws


bifid.

at the extre-

mity, which are often

(PI.

I.

fig. 13.)

Many

of these insects, however, have the anterior pair of


legs imperfect, or not adapted for walking, being too

short to reach

the

plane of position,

and usually

drawn close to the sides of the thorax, the long hairs of which in a great measure conceal them from our These spurious legs have only one joint in view. the tarsus, which, in some cases (as in Vanessa, &c),
is

without claws; and the species so circumstanced

are

named tetrapod, or four-footed butterflies. The wings are of much greater extent^ in propor-

INTRODUCTION.
tion to the size of the body, than in

63
any other
tribe

of insects.

The forms which they assume

are very

various
pair
is

but the most ordinary shape of the upper

triangular, with the

apex of the triangle


are traversed by

to-

wards the body, while the outline of the under wings


approaches to circular.

They
in

numeelastic

rous nervures, which give a great degree of strength


to the wing,

and hold

tension

the

thin

membrane
are

of

which

it is

composed.

These nervures
aeiial

tubular, and
fluid,

are

permeated by an

and

aqueous

the action of which expands the wing

when
sect

in
lias

a moist and corrugated state after the in-

emerged from the pupa.

The

principal
is

brunches iise from the point where the wing


tached to the body, and
other extremity into

at-

they divide towards the


ramifications.

numerous
is

The

spaces into which the wing


vures, are

divided by these ner-

denominated areolets by Kirby and Spence


divisible

and these authors regard the upper wing's as


into three larger longitudinal sections,

which they

term areas.
margin
:

The
anal
;

costal

area occupies the anterior

the

area, a

narrow space along the


area,
all

posterior margin

and the intermediate

that

part of the

wing lying between the two


in

others.
is

The

most conspicuous areolet


closed on

butterflies

towards
usually

the centre of the wing, at the base, and


its

is

outer side by transverse nervures.


are

In

many

instances, however, there


all

no transverse

nervures, and

the areolets are open towards the

outer side.

64

INTRODUCTION.

With such an extent

of " sail-broad vans,"

it i9

easy for butterflies to support themselves for a long time in the air; but their

mode

of flight, at least in

Reaumur's opinion,

is

generally not very graceful.

They seldom
and

fly in

a direct line, but advance by rising

falling alternately, in a succession of zig-zags,

up

and down, and from side to

side.

By

flying in this

manner, they are supposed to elude more easily


the pursuit of the smaller birds, which often

make

them a prey.
says

"

one day watched with pleasure,"


butterfly on

Reaumur, " a sparrow pursuing a


it. The much more

the wing for a considerable time, without succeeding in catching


flight of the bird

was not-

withstanding
terfly,

rapid than that of the but-

but the latter was always either above or beits

low the point to which the bird directed

flight,

and

at

which

it

expected to seize

it."

Many

of

the species, however, differ so


in their

much from
Such

each other

mode

of flying, that a practised eye can reas are pro-

cognise them by this means alone.

vided with strong wings, exercise a more steady and

continuous

flight,

nearly resembling that of a bird,


air,

ascending high into the

and often making their

way

against a pretty strong current of wind.

Of

our British species, the White Admiral is the most " The graceful celebrated for its manner of flying.
elegance displayed by this charming species," says

Mr

Haworth, " when


*
p. 203.

sailing

on the wing,

is

greater,

Reaumur, Memoires pour


i.

servir a VHistoire des In-

scctes,

INTRODUCTION
perhaps, than can be found in any otner
Britain.

65

we have

in

There was an old Aurelian

in

London, so

highly delighted at the inimitable flight of Camilla,


that,

long after he was unable to pursue her, he used

to go to the woods,

and

sit

down on

a style, for the

sole purpose of feasting his eyes with her fascinating

evolutions

!"

The hinder
ture.
is

section of the

body

is

the abdomen,

which presents nothing peculiar


It

in its

form or struc-

consists of six

or seven

segments, and

attached to the posterior part of the thorax by a


its

very small portion of

diameter.

It is

without

any appendage

at the extremity, there

being nothing
butter-

analogous to a sting or ovipositor


flies.

among

Before acquiring their perfect form, these creatures, as


is

well

known, pass through

several diffe-

rent states of existence, in which

they are distindissi-

guished by organs and properties of a wholly


milar kind.
is

Of

these a

somewhat

detailed account

necessary, in order to afford any thing like a com-

plete

view of

their history.

All these insects originate from eggs, which are


carefully deposited on the leaves
plants,

and other parts of

by the parent

fly, after

accomplishing which,

she soon dies.

These eggs are sometimes placed


groups containing consider-

singly, at other times in

able numbers.

They

are always covered

by a

coat-

ing of varnish, which serves the double purpose

66

INTRODUCTION.
tit

attaching them to the plant and defending


the action of the weather.

em from
from

They

differ essentially

the eggs of birds, as no lime enters into their composition, and, instead of
shell,

being covered with a crustaceous

they are merely enveloped by a thin membrane.


are
also very unlike

They

each other in different


in respect to co-

species,

whether we regard them

lour, form, or sculpture.

Some

of

them

are nearly

orbicular or oval, others cylindrical, and not a few


conical.
will

The

surface

is

often beautifully carved, as

be seen by the accompanying figures, which re-

present several varieties, as they appear


magnified.

when highly
urticce,

Plate

I. fig. 3,

Egg

of

Vanessa

with several longitudinal ridges-

Fig. 4, Subconical

egg of Pontia
ribs,

brassicce, with granulated longitudina.


;

connected by elevated cross lines


Fig. 5,

the colour

bright yellow.
Fig. 6,
ries of

Hipparchia Tithonus. Of Hipparchia Jurtina, crowned with a seof


Fig. 7,

Egg

imbricated scales.

Globular egg of

Hipp. Hyperanthus, ornamented with regular rows Fig. 8, Egg of Hipp, of minute elevated points. (egrria, having the whole surface covered with hexagonal meshes. After the
fly

has fixed her eggs on a plant, she

takes no further care of them, but leaves them to be

hatched by the heat of the atmosphere.


rally takes place in the

Tbis gene-

course of a few days, but the

period varies according to the degree of

warmth

to

which they are subjected, and the greater or


density of the shell or outer covering.

less

Such, indeed,

INTRODUCTION
as are laid late in
pillars
till

67

autumn, do not produce their cater-

the ensuing spring.

To
at

facilitate

the egress

of the young- larvse, the eggs of

some

species are
is

furnished with a kind of

lid

one end, which

pushed outwards by the pressure of the head.

Guided by an

instinct

which must excite the ad-

miration of every reflecting mind, the butterfly,

howto af-

ever herself regardless of such pasture, never


place her eggs either

fails to

upon the plant which upon

is

ford sustenance to her infant progeny, or in its im-

mediate vicinity

so that,

their 6rst exclusion,

hey are surrounded by


small
pid,

their appropriate food.

Upis

on issuing from the egg, the young


cylindrical

larvje appeal' as

worms
full

hut their growth

ra-

and no very lengthened period elapses before


dimensions.
It is in this

they attain their

state

that they are termed caterpillars, a

probably

owe

to their voracious
all

name which they habits.* They are


sometimes so

the most destructive of


living vegetation,

the smaller animals to

and

their ravages are

extensive, as not only to occasion considerable loss


to the gardener
*

and

agriculturist, but even to render

word is not very obvious, hut it no doubt refers to their destructive propensities. The most probable derivation is that which assigns it to the two old
origin of this

The

French words, acat, food or provisions, ten cates, as in Paradise Lost,

more recently

writ-

Was
and
piller, to

alas! how simple to these cates the crude apple that diverted Eve

rob or plunder, whence also we have the word

pillage.

68

INTRODUCTION.

unsightly the otherwise umbrageous trees of the forest,

by consuming

their leafy verdure.


is

Almost

their

only employment, indeed,

to eat

and so indus-

trious are they at this agreeable occupation, that they

often consume, in the course of twenty-four hours,

double their
racity of

own weight
find

of food

a degree

of vo-

which we
of

no example among the higher


is

animals.
their

Their structure
life
;

admirably adapted to

mode

and their singular habits and eco-

nomy

render them even more interesting objects of

observation in this preparatory state, than after they

have assumed their more perfect and imposing form,

when,

No

They through

longer reptile but endowed with plumes, the blue air wander.

The body
drical,

of caterpillars

is

long and nearly cylin-

and

is

divided, by deep incisions, into twelve

segments, exclusive of the head.

gument, or

The outer intemembranous and soft, but in some instances it approaches more to a coriaceous texture. The general softness of the body is of
skin,
is

usually

great utility, as

it

thereby acquires great


itself to
is

flexibility,

and readily accommodates and


to
it,

the various curves


continually giving

inflections

which the insect


obtains

and which are rendered necessary from the man-

ner

in

which

it

itP

food.

Most

of the cater-

pillars

that produce

day-flying Lepidoptera, have

sixteen legs, which are of

of

two distinct kinds. Six them are placed on the three anterior segments that portion of the body which corresponds to

INTRODUCTION.
the thorax of the winged insect

(39

and

the others are

attached to the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and anal

segments.
is

The form

of the anterior or thoracic legs

wholly unlike that of the others, and they seem

to he the principal instruments of locomotion.

They

are of a horny substance, wide at the base, and gra-

dually growing narrower to the

lower extremity,

where they terminate

in a strong claw.

Each

of

them
future
legs).

is

divided into several segments, which corre-

spond to the different parts that compose the leg of the


fly.

(Plate II.

fig. 1,

represents a pair of these

The

other legs, attached to the hinder or absoft

dominal portion of the body, are


therefore have been called the
pro-legs.

and

fleshy,

and

membranous
is

legs, or

Their principal use

to support the bo-

dy, by adhering to the slender twigs and shoots

which the animals frequent to procure their food. For


this

purpose they can be lengthened and short-

ened

at pleasure,

and can even be drawn almost


Their

within the body, like the horns of a snail.

general figure approaches to that of a truncated cone,

which

is

terminated by a fleshy foot of a construction

peculiarly fitted to cling to a

smooth

surface, or

em-

brace a slender twig.


of

What may
its

be called the sole


inner edge with a

the

foot,

expands into a somewhat triangular


is

plate,

which

furnished on

row

of small horny hooks or claws, consisting of a

short and

long one alternately, forming, as Reau-

mur

remarks, a kind of palisade round part of the

circumference.

When

the disk, or central plate of

70
the foot,
is

INTRODUCTION.
dilated, these claws are turned outwards,

and their small curved points find inequalities to which they can adhere even on a surface which might Several appear to the naked eye almost smooth.
modifications of this curious prehensile foot occur

among
these
it

the larvae of various kinds of moths

but of

forms no part of our present purpose to give


(Plate II.
fig. 2,

an account.

Represents the pro-

leg of the caterpillar of a butterfly, from


Fig. 3,

Reaumur.
in

pair of pro-legs,

shewing the manner

which they cling to a branch).

The head
to be

of caterpillars

is

of a harder consistence
in

than the rest of the body, and

most cases seems


In that

composed of two oval

lobes united.

of the Purple Highflier, these lobes are produced be-

hind into two rather long occipital horns.


fig. 6).

(Plate III.

The conformation

of the

mouth

of lepidop-

terous larvae in general, bears considerable resem-

blance to that of several masticating insects in their


perfect state.

See Plate

II. fig. 4,

which represents
It

the under side of the head of a caterpillar.)


sists of

con-

an upper

lip,

with a deep notch in the centre

two strong mandibles divided at the tip into numerous sharp teeth, which cut the leaves that serve as food (c, c) two small and indistinct organs
(b)
;
;

of a soft consistence,

lying under the mandibles,


as the maxillae
;

which may be regarded


der
lip (d).

and an un-

Near the summit of the latter, which is usually of a pyramidal shape, is placed* according to Reaumur, a small conical protuberance, perforated

INTRODUCTION.
byasmall
hole, through

71

which issues the silken thread


in the re-

which serves so many important purposes


organ has heen
of the under

markahle changes these creatures undergo.

This

named

the spinneret.

On
it

each side

lip,

and connected with

at the base,

are two minute palpiform bodies

(e, e),

which

may
well

be regarded as the

labial palpi.
is

The

efficiency of the organs just described,

evinced by the address and rapidity with which these


creatures
their food.

consume the

leaves which they select for

They

invariably begin to

gnaw

the margin

of the

leaf,

placing the body in such a position that

a portion of the edge passes between the anterior


legs,

which support and keep


its

it

steady.

Before ap-

plying

mouth, the
its

caterpillar stretches its


far as possible, that

boly,
it

and advances

head as

may

command a larger extent of the leaf. The mandibles are moved with great rapidity, and every time they
meet cut
lowed.
off a small piece,

which

is

instantly swalis

At every motion
legs,

of the jaws, the head


after
it

drawn nearer the


purpose,

and

has been brought


for the
it

as far as possible, the


it is

body being contracted

again extended to the point where

commenced to gnaw, and the same process repeated. In this manner the mandibles describe a succession
of arcs, and the leaf
is

cut in the segment of a circle,


the circular incision
It

somewhat resembling
the leaf-cutting bees.
in
is

made by
notch
to,

seems,
lip,

also, that the

the middle of the upper


of great service, as
it is

formerly alluded

placed on a line with the

72

INTRODUCTION.

place where the jaws unite, and serves as a groove,

both to give steadiness to the margin of the


to guide
it

leaf,

and

in the direction
it.

most favourable
to

for the

jaws to act upon

The only remaining organs

which

it is

neces-

sary to allude, are the eyes and antennae.

The former

appear as small dark-coloured points, arranged in two


circles,

containing six each, on the anterior part of the

head.

These points vary

in size,

and seem

to be of

the same nature as the simple eyes of spiders, and the

stemmata of various kinds of


often the
in perfect insects,

insects.

The

antennae,

most conspicuous appendages of the head


are very minute in lepidopterous

larva?, usually consisting of

two

or three short joints.

They are almost always


6pecies have the

of a conical form, and

many

power of drawing the

joints within
till

each other, like the tubes of a telescope,

they are

wholly concealed.

Many

caterpillars of the day-flying

Lepidoptera

are smooth on the surface, or covered only with a

very short matted pubescence

but

in

some

cases

they are furnished with rigid


long spines.

hairs,

and numerous

These hairs are sometimes simple, but more commonly they have a series of small pointed
pieces springing from each side, like leaves from a

stem.

They are seldom


all

planted irregularly over the

surface of the skin, but usually issue from a tubercle,

and diverge in

directions.

These tubercular

elein

vations vary greatly in

number, and are placed

INTRODUCTION.
row across the middle
of
tlie

73

segments.

The

spi-

nous caterpillars indigenous to Britain are but


remarkable when compared with
cies,

little

many
armour

exotic spe-

but

we have

several which afford

good examples
;

of this description of defensive


instance, as the very
nettle.

such, for

common

kinds that feed on the

In these, and most other instances, the spines

are sufficiently strong and sharp as readily to pierce

the skin of the hand.


hairs,

They

are very often beset with


se-

and frequently divide towards the top into

veral small branches.

Even when

so

numerous

as

entirely to cover the body, they are not placed pro-

miscuously, but arranged, like the tubercles formerly

mentioned, in a certain order.

Each segment, with


is

the frequent exception of that next the head,

arm-

ed with a transverse
four to eight.

series,

varying in number from


figure represents

The accompanying

a magnified section of the

caterpillar of

Cynthi

Cardui, exhibiting the number, mode of arrangement,

and structure of the spines.


appendages,
in

(Plate

II. fig.

These
that,

many
;

foreign caterpillars, are said to

sting like a nettle


in
all

and there can be no doubt,

cases, they are a powerful

means

of defence,

not only against the smaller birds, * but even against

more formidable enemies.


*

Few

birds prey
is

upon hairy

caterpillars, although the


larvaj of

Cuckoo which
to the rule.

extremely fond of the

Arctia caja

(called par excellence the hairy-ivorm) forms an exception


74

INTRODUCTION.

The

history of insects, fruitful as

it is

in

all

its

branches, in instances of nice adaptations and in-

genious mechanism, presents few topics more deserving of consideration than are afforded by the

proceedings of these caterpillars when they change


their skin, and

when they prepare

to enter

upon

that

dormant
perfect
or

state

which precedes the development of the


of the moulting

fly.

The proximate cause


skin,
is

change of

the internal growth of the body,


for the

which thus becomes too bulky


which
said to
it

envelope

in

is

enclosed.
is

The

latter

can scarcely be

grow, but

merely capable of being dilated


it

to a certain point, after which

offers so

much

re-

sistance to the expansion of the


that
It

enclosed animal,

it becomes necessary to throw it off entirely. must be evident, however, that it is no easy task to withdraw the body from a shell in which every separate limb and articulation is closely encased,

without any assistance being derived from without.


This, however, the animal accomplishes so adroitly,
that the cast-off skin appears almost entire, and even
retains
all
it

the

spines and other appendages with


furnished.

which

may have been


fatal

The
is

operation,
at times

which seems to be a painful one, and even


attended with
consequences,

thus described

by Reaumur

A
tive,

day or two before the

critical

moment

arrives,

the caterpillars cease to eat, and

become very

inac-

usually remaining stationary on a single spot.

They select some

place where they

may be

in greater

INTRODUCTION.
security,

75

and seldom leave

it

even though disturbed.

Although weak and languid, they are continually


giving various
shifting their station.

movements to the body, but without The back is sometimes bent


its

outwards, and soon after resumes

natural position,

and the head


again.

is

elevated,

and speedily drawn down


vibrations to the right

At
;

other times, the anterior part of the body

makes two or three very rapid


or
left

while less perceptible motions are communi-

cated to the different rings,

some

of which are consi-

derably dilated, and others contracted.

The

effect of

these alternate swellings and contractions soon be-

comes apparent,
and
rigid,

for the outer skin,

now rendered dry


it

by the subtraction of the juices by which


to split

was previously nourished, begins


of the second or third segment,
tion of the

on the back

and discloses a por-

new
is

integument.

The

rent being once

commenced,

easily

extended by the dilatation of


to the fourth segment, and

the body, from the

first

thus leaves a considerable part of the back uncovered.

This part of the body


disengaged from
fissure.

is

no sooner

free

than

it is

curved upwards, a movement by which the


its

head

is

old envelope,
is
it,

and raised
re-

through the

The head

then reclined on

the case that formerly contained

and nothing

mains but to withdraw the hinder part of the body,

which is done by contracting the segments, and drawing them towards the head till they reach the
opening. All these operations, apparently so laborious, are

76

INTRODUCTION.

accomplished in a very short time.

As

if

exhausted

by its

efforts, the caterpillar


till

continues for a while in

a 9tate of inactivity,
its skin,

the moisture evaporate from


suffi-

and the newly exposed parts become


consolidated.

ciently

The

colours

which,

before

moulting, were pale and indistinct, soon


bright

become

and well defined, and are often distributed in a manner different from those which adorned the rejected coveting. Its strength and activity are soon
restored,

and the renovated animal,


positis
its

Nunc

novus exuviis, nitidusque juventa,

returns to

wonted occupation with even greater


at least three different
its full

voracity than before.

These changes take place


and
in

times before the caterpillar attains

maturity

many

instances,

it is

probable that there are

not fewer than five or six moults.


in their reptile

After continuing

form

for a longer or shorter period,

according to the species, they prepare to enter upon


a

new

state of existence, distinguished

by

attributes

very dissimilar to those they previously possessed.

This important

and

singular

metamorphosis,

by

which a long cylindrical worm, possessing all the necessary organs of motion and nutrition, and employing these with the utmost activity,
is

converted

into an inert mass, without external organs, and in-

capable of locomotion, or of receiving food,

is

preat-

ceded by some preparations similar to those that


tend a change of skin.

As

if

foreseeing

its

ap-

INTRODUCTION.
proachhig incapacity either to defend

77
itself or to flee

from danger, the


its

caterpillar,

having

now completed
the
plant

full

growth,
it

generally abandons

on

which
fixed
is

fed,

and seeks a secure


which
it

retreat, or

some
It

and

stable object to

may

adhere.

in

consequence of

this precaution that

we

so of-

ten find chrysalides in the holes of old buildings, in the fissures of timber, &c. or attached to walls, posts,

and
rity

trees, as the latter afford

more permanent secu-

than the weak and perishable herbaceous plants


caterpillars frequent during their vo-

which so many
racious days.

Having
its

selected a proper place, the

animal commences

curious proceedings, which


its

terminate in the ejection of

skin, the evolution

by means of a cord of silk. As chrysalides are suspended in two different ways, either perpendicularly by the tail, or horizontally by means of a band round
of the chrysalis, and the suspension of the latter

the middle, the proceedings of the caterpillars necessarily vary accordingly,

and

it

will

therefore be

requisite to advert successively to each.

When

the chrysalis

is

to be

suspended by the
first

tail

with the head downwards, the


caterpillar
is

operation of the
surface to

to cover a portion of the


to attach
itself

which

it

is

with a layer of silken


in

threads,
their

which

readily

adhere

consequence of
layer

viscosity.

Each successive
a
little

covers a
it,

smaller space than that which preceded

so that

they form,

when completed,

hillock of silk,

approaching to the figure of a reversed cone.

Into

78
tliis

INTRODUCTION.
the animal pushes ns hinder pair of pro-legs,

which immediately get entangled among the threads

by the small hooks which project from a part of the outer edge of the foot. (Plate II. fig. 2.) The anterior part of the body is then permitted to fall down,
and
it

therefore hangs in a vertical position, with the

head lowest.
upwards,
curve
is

Soon

after,

it

begins to bend the head

in

such a manner that the convexity of the


:

formed by the back

it

retains this position

for a considerable time, then allows the

head to

fall

down, and again bends

itself,

always taking care to

do so

in

one direction.

After this process has been


less

continued for some time, occasionally not


twenty-four hours, and
in

than

one instance mentioned by

Reaumur,

it

lasted for

two whole days, the skin rends


gradually enlarged
chrysalis,

in the back,

and a portion of the chrysalis projects

from the opening.

The
in

latter is

by the pressure and swelling of the


acts as a

which
and
in

wedge, both

splitting the skin


tail.

pushing

it

upwards

to the

By alternate
;

contrac-

tions and expansions, the head, or lower portion of the


chrysalis,

becomes wholly disengaged

and the skin of


is

the caterpillar,

now

dry and shrivelled,

pressed togetail

ther into a small bundle which surrounds the

of

the chrysalis.

This, however,

is still

the only means of

support, and the difficult task which yet remains for


the chrysalis to perform,
skin,
is to

extricate itself from the


is

and suspend

itself to

the silken mooring, which

now
this,

considerably above

it.

In order to accomplish

which seems

to require

an

effort

beyond the

INTRODUCTION.
power
it

79
arms or
legs,

of a creature unprovided with

seizes

on a portion of the skin between two segit

ments, holding
supports
sheath.
itself

as with a pair of pincers,


it

and thus
from
its

till

withdraw the

tail

It

then elongates the rings of

its

tail

as

much

as possible,

and seizes a higher portion of the

skin, repeating the

same manoeuvre
silk, to

till

the extremity

touch the hillock of


heres by means of a
is

which

it

immediately adit

number
from

of hooks with which

provided for the purpose.


tail
its

" These operations of


case/' says

withdrawing the
to

Reaumur,
finally

whom we

have been chiefly indebted for the pre-

ceding account, " climbing up the skin, and

attaching the extremity to the silken web, are very


delicate

and perilous manoeuvres.

It is impossible

not to wonder, that an insect which executes them

but once

in

its

life,

should execute them so well.

We

must necessarily conclude that it has been instructed by a Great Master for he who has ren;

dered

it

necessary for the insect to undergo this


it all

change, has likewise given


for accomplishing
it

the requisite

means
its

in

safety." *
is
still

In order to get

quit of

tlie

slough, which

suspended by

side, the chrysalis

curves
it,

its tail in

such a manner as

partly to

embrace

and then, by whirling rapidly


generally succeeds in

round, sometimes not fewer than twenty times, and


jerking suddenly against
it,
it

disengaging
the ground.

it

from

its

fastenings,

and throws

it

to

Reaumur, vol.

i.

p. 423, 424.

80

INTRODUCTION.

When
tally,

the chrysalis

is

to be

suspended horizonhinder pro-legs to a

or in an inclined position, the caterpillar comits

mences, as before, by fixing


additional support

button of silk spun for the purpose.


is

But

as
it

some
preits

necessary in this case,

pares a band of the same material for encircling

body near the middle.


tised

Different methods are pracfixing this

by

caterpillars

for

cincture.

The
that

most simple, and


and other

least liable to accidents, is

adopted by the larva of the


terfly,

common Cabbage

But-

allied species.

Availing themselves

of the great flexibility of their bodies, they


I

bend the
is

lead

backwards

to the point

where the

girdle

to

be placed, and, after fixing the threads on one side,

carry them over to the other, merely by turning


the head in the opposite direction.
lars,

Other

caterpil-

of which that of the Swallow-tail (P.

Machaon,

PI. III. fig. 1.)

may

serve as an example, spin their


it

suspensory band, and fasten


it

at each end, allowing

to

hang down

in a loop, into
it is

which they insinuate

their bodies after

completed.

But the threads


entangled

not being agglutinated, or twisted into a compact cord,


the creature could

scarcely avoid being

among them
use
it

in

its
its

passage, but for the dexterous


fore-legs,

makes of

which

it

employs to

keep the band extended and

in a proper position.

Some time

after the caterpillar has

been thus

at-

tached to the under side of a branch, or some other


object, the skin
is

cast nearly in the

as formerly described, being ruptured

same manner on the back

INTRODUCTION.

81

by the contortions and annular contractions of tne


animal, while the band
is

too loosely girt to form


its

any material hinderance


wards to the
altogether.
tail,

to

being slipped downultimately thrown off

where

it is

When

the chrysalis

is first

disclosed

it is

soft

ana

tender, and covered with a viscid transparent liquor,

through which

many

portions of the future butterfly

may

be pretty distinctly discerned.


it

As

this liquor

dries,

acquires the consistency of an opaque


all

mem-

brane, which envelopes

the parts, binding them

more
the

firmly together, and forming a protection from


It

weather.

so

closely

encases the different

limbs and organs, that the disposition of

many

of

them can be traced by the ridges and other prominences they form on the surface.

This will be seen

by the accompanying
larger

figures of the chrysalis of the

Tortoise-shell

Butterfly
to

( V.

polychloros),

which may likewise serve


Plate

exemplify the general

appearance of the diurnal Lepidoptera in their pupa


state.
II. fig. 6,
is

represents the natural size of

the chrysalis, which

one of those distinguished by

a kind of mask, in which some authors have had the


ingenuity to discover a striking resemblance to the

human countenance.
its

Fig. 7, a magnified

view

of

under side:
;

a, a,

the wing-cases {Ptero-theca,


the

Kirby)

be,

be,

the antenna?; de,

trunk or

sucker f,f, two trigonal pieces, forming the eyecases. In consequence of their being so completely
\

enclosed by this rigid integument, Linne termed these

8 '1
puDse obtected.

INTRODUCTION.
In this state, they are of

comae

in-

capable of moving from the place to which they are


fixed,

and indeed of making a movement of any kind,

save twisting the


generally do

abdomen to one side, which they when disturbed. Scarcely any other
is

symptom

of animation

perceptible, but during the

continuance of this apparent torpor some important

changes are taking place internally.

The milky

fluid

which
is

at first filled nearly the

whole of the

interior,

gradually absorbed and assimilated by the growing


off

embryo, while the watery portions pass


poration.

by evais

In this

way

the

germ

of the future fly


fill

enlarged and matured,


cavity of the

till it

ultimately

the whole

puparium or pupa- case.


is

The

process
all

of respiration

likewise carried on, though to

appearance

in

a very languid manner, through the

medium
The

of a series of spiracles or air-holes placed

on the sides of the abdominal segments.


greater

number
the

of butterfly chrysalides are

of an angular figure, wide and obtuse at the head,

and tapering

to

tail

in

the

form of a cone.
diffe-

Besides having various angular projections on


conical projection, which

rent parts of the surface, the head terminates in a


is

very frequently double.

In a pretty extensive group, however, (comprising


the genera Thecla, Lycsena, &c.) the chrysalides are

without any protuberance, and of a conical shape,


the anterior extremity being simply rounded.

The
;

prevailing colour
but, in

is

brown, often inclining to black

some

instances, they are adorned with very

INTRODUCTION.
agreeable hues.

83
Swallow-tail and

Those

of

the

Purple Emperor are of a


respective caterpillars
:

fine green,

resembling their

the ground colour of that of

common Cabbage Butterfly is greenish-yellow, marked with small black points, somewhat arranged while that of the Black-veined White in lines
the
;

(Plate III.

fig. 4.)

is

yellow, streaked

and spotted

with black.
a

But many chrysalides are decorated in more sumptuous manner, some of them appearing
and others spotted with goldenlustre.
It is this co-

entirely covered,

yellow of the highest metallic


lour which caused the

Greek name Chrysalis, and


these terms are

the Latin one Aurelia, to be applied to the kinds so


distinguished, although

now used

indiscriminately in

relation to the whole.

Among
most of
flies

British chrysalides, the kinds that exhibit


this

metallic brilliancy, are those that produce

belonging to the genera Argynnis and Vanessa.


it

That
its

is

not a superficial application,

is

proved by
fly

disappearing as soon as the

enclosed

escapes.
that
it is

The
is

observations of

Reaumur have shewn

owing

to the transparency of the outer skin,

which

of a yellow colour, and gives a golden

tinge to

a shining white

membrane
is

lying

immediately be-

neath

it.

similar effect

sometimes produced by

artificial

means.
duration of the pupa state varies greatly in

The

different species,

and even

in the

same

species, ac-

cording to circumstances.
the Swallow-tail Butterfly

Thus, the chrysalis of

(P. MachaonJ, when

the

84
caterpillar enters

INTRODUCTION.
upon that
state in July,
;

produces

the butterfly in thirteen days


salis is

but when the chryin-

formed

in the

end of autumn, the perfect


the succeeding June.

sect is not evolved


variations

till

Suck

were conjectured by Reaumur to depend on the temperature to which the chrysalides are exposed and he proved this to be the fact by a series of
;

very simple and conclusive experiments.

By placing

a variety of chrysalides in an atmosphere artificially

heated, he succeeded in bringing out several broods


of butterflies in the very middle of winter, which,
left to
till

if

natural influences,

would not have appeared

the ensuing summer.

He

found that when the

temperature was rather high, the chrysalides made


as

much

progress to maturity in five or six days as

they would have done in ordinary circumstances in

an equal number of weeks.

Having thus proved

the influence of heat in hastening the exclusion of

these insects, he next tried the effect of cold in re-

tarding

it

and the

result

was equally

satisfactory.

He

preserved several pupae from heat, by keeping


in

them during summer


after their ordinary

an icehouse, in consequence

of which the butterflies

were not disclosed


fully matured,

till

a year

and natural time. *


is
it

When
itself
it

the butterfly

extricates

from the puparium, by bursting that portion of


is

which covers the thorax, an operation which


accomplished, as the

ea-

sily

membrane

has by that time


exclusion,
it,

become weak and

friable.

On
ii.

its first

Reaumur,

10.

INTRODUCTION.
is

85
fixes itself

feeble

and languid, and usually


it

on the

exuviae from which

has just emerged, or on some


till

neighbouring object,
strength.

it

acquire

some degree
first,

of

All the parts are soft at

and covered

with moisture, but this speedily evaporates, the or-

gans become firm, and every symptom of debility

soon disappears.
of the wings
is

In this process, the development

not the least interesting object.

Hi-

therto compressed within a very narrow space, they


at first

appear as small crumpled packets, affording

no indication of the extension and beauty which they


ultimately acquire.

But

their folds

and corrugations

soon begin to give


vures,

way

to the pressure of the ner-

which are tubular

vessels ramifying through

the whole extent of the wing, and which are themselves excited

and dilated by having an aqueous

fluid

impelled into them from the trunk of the insect.

As

the nervures diverge, the interjacent spaces gra-

dually

become

tense, the animal assisting greatly in

extricating the folds,

by frequently shaking

its

wings

with a tremulous motion.

The

spots

and other

markings are by degrees unfolded, and after the ex-

panded wings have been


as

for a short

time exposed to

the sun, the new-born fly launches into the air with

much

apparent ease and confidence as

if

it

had

been long familiar with such an exercise.

The appearance

of these creatures in their various

states of caterpillar, pupa,

ingly dissimilar, that

it

and butterfly, is so strikwas long a general belief that

they underwent, at each successive stage, a complete

86

INTRODUCTION.

transmutation, or change from one being to another

Such an opinion presented no


who,
like Virgil,

difficulties to

those

imagined that a swarm of honey;

bees might be generated from a piece of putrid flesh


or,

like

Kircher, that a crop of serpents might be

reared from cut pieces of snakes, roasted, and sown


in

an " oleaginous

soil ;"

and may even now seem

not untenable by such as believe that a horse-hair


placed in the water of a spring, will, in process of
time, be transformed into a hair-worm, or
eel
!

young

The

accurate investigations of Malpighi and


the
first

Swammerdam were
its

to

show

this subject in

true light, by demonstrating in what the trans-

formations of butterflies essentially consist.


dissection of caterpillars

performed with astonishing

an operation which they they and


skill

By

the

delicacy

were able to discover the parts of the future butterfly

as an

up within the body, in the same manner embryo flower may be detected in the interior " It is clearly and distinctof an unexpanded bud.
folded

ly seen," says

Swammerdam, "
and

that within the skin


real

of the caterpillar a perfect

butterfly

is

hid-

den, and therefore the skin of the caterpillar

must

be considered only as an outer garment, containing


in
it

parts belonging to the nature of a butterfly


its

which have grown under


in like

defence by slow degrees,

manner

as other sensitive bodies increase

by

accretion." *
exists,

In every caterpillar, therefore, there


its life,

from the earliest period of


*

the

germ

Book

of Nature,

ii.

26.

INTRODUCTION.
of the future
fly,

87

which

is

gradually developed by
;

the accretion of
lopes are
perficial,

new matter
off as
fully

and

its

various enve-

thrown
till it is

they successively become su-

matured and perfected.

When

in the state of

pupa, the embryo having then advanced

another stage towards completion, the parts of the


perfect insect are even
in the

more
;

easily discerned than


for

previous condition

and

some time

before

the the

final

change they may even be perceived through


of de-

membrane in which they are enclosed. Even when viewed in this light, as a series

velopments without any absolute change of identity,


the metamorphoses of these creatures are sufficiently

wonderful to he ranked among the most remarkable

and interesting natural operations with which


acquainted.
cients, that

we

are

So striking did they appear

to the an*

they regarded the butterfly as affording

a most lively and beautiful

emblem of

the soul

and

according to this idea, the Greeks often used the

word Psyche, which properly means the human soul, With greatly more acto signify also a butterfly.
curate notions of the real nature of these transfor-

mations, few

modern
and

wTiters on the

subject have

failed to notice
lical

upon the general symboanalogy which subsists between them and the
dilate
is

changes which the human body


dergo.

destined to unin

The
its

caterpillar

chiefly occupied

pro-

viding for

bodily wants and appetites

is

regard-

ed as representing the ordinary condition of human


life
;

the chrysalis the intermediate state of death

88

INTRODUCTION.
it

and the perfect animal, the renovated body when


rises

from the tomb to enter upon a more exalted " But although the analogy bestate of existence.

tween the

different states of insects


is

and those of the

body

of

man

only general, yet

it is

much more comfirst

plete with respect to his soul.


this frail

He

appears in

body, a child of the earth, a crawling worm,

his

soul being in a course of training and prepara-

tion for a
it

more

perfect and glorious existence.


it

When

has finished this course,

casts off this vile body,

and goes into a hidden state of being in Hades, where it rests from its works, and is prepared for its
final

consummation.
it

The time

for this

being ar-

rived,
its

comes

forth with a glorious

body, not like


it
;

former, though germinating from


it

for

though

was sown an animal body, it shall be raised a spiritual body," endowed with augmented powers, faculties, and privileges, commensurate to its new
and happy
fectly true
state.

"

And

here the parallel holds porinsect

between the

and the man.


is
;

The
if it

butterfly, the representative of the soul,

prepared

in the larva for its future state of glory

and

be not destroyed by the ichneumons, and other enemies to which it is exposed, symbolical of the vices
that destroy the spiritual
life

of the soul,

it

will

to its state of repose in the

pupa, which

is its

come Hades
;

and

at length,

when

it

assumes the imago, break

forth with new powers and beauty to its final glory and reign of love. So that in this view of the sub= ject, well might the Italian poet exclaim,

INTRODUCTION.
Non
v*

89

Nati a formar

accorgete voi, che noi siam' vermi 1' angelica farfalla ?" *

Lepidopterous insects, like most others of their


class, are liable to

be attacked by various parasitical

assailants,

which

effect a

lodgment

in the interior of

their bodies, the substance of

which they speedily


in

consume, and thereby destroy them


bers.

great

num-

In none of their different stages are they exattacks, excepting perhaps in their

empt from these


winged
state
;

but they are particularly exposed to

them when
nopterous
Linnaeus
;

caterpillars.

The

parasites are

hyme-

flies

belonging to the genus Ichneumon of

and perhaps the most destructive are those

minute kinds which compose the modern generic


group named Microgaster.
latter,

As an example

of the

we have
:

represented the species which de-

stroys the caterpillar of the


terfly
it

is

the
8,

common Cabbage ButIchneumon glomeratus of Linn.


greatly magnified.)

(Plate II.

fig.

The

size is

very diminutive, the largest specimen seldom exceeding two lines in length.
the body
is

The

general colour of

deep black, and the legs reddish-yellow.


are

The wings

somewhat longer than the body, and

pubescent, each of the upper pair having a triangular


black spot near the middle of the anterior margin (the
stigma), three discoidal cells, and a triangular areolet,

rather imperfectly formed.

The abdomen
flat

is

furnished

with an ovipositor, consisting of two


a curved horny sheath, terminating
*
J

valves,

and

in
i.

a point.

The

ntrod. to

Entomology,

p. 76.

90

INTRODUCTION.
is

use of this instrument


caterpillar,

to pierce the skin of the


for

and to form a conduit

conveying the

eggs into the hole thus prepared for their reception.

When

the fly has selected a caterpillar fitted for her


its

purpose, she alights upon

back, and plunges her

weapon

into its body, chiefly at the incisures of the

segments, depositing an egg at every insertion.


operation
is

This

repeated

till

no fewer than
in the

thirty or forty

eggs are sometimes laid


terpillar.

body

of a single ca-

These are soon hatched

in their singular

nidus,

and the grubs which they produce imme-

diately begin to feed on the substance of the living

animal.

They do

not, however,

devour every part

indiscriminately, but are taught


stinct to abstain

by a wonderful
vital

inif

from injuring any

organ, as

aware that their

own

existence depended upon that

of their unwilling foster-parent.


this,

In consequence of

the caterpillars survive for a considerable time,


sufficient strength to

and sometimes retain


the pupa state,
perish.

assume
at

in which,

however, they invariably


arrive

But most frequently the grubs

maturity before that change takes place, and

in that

case they escape from the body of the caterpillar by

gnawing a passage through


this

its

sides.

Having
which

in

way

effected their liberation, they arrange


caterpillar,

themis

selves

round the sides of the


exhausted that
it

now 60

soon

dies,

and spin cocoons


ready to emerge,

of a fine yellow colour, in which they are transformed


into pupce.
it

W hen

the perfect
lid at

fly is

pushes open a small

one end of the cocoon,

INTRODUCTION.
and
after
it

91

has been for a short time exposed to the


for flight.

air, it is

ready

Other minute ichneumons deposit


in the eggs,

their offspring

or in the pupa of butterflies, and such


in this

numbers are destroyed


ly

way, that

it is

evident-

one of the means employed by Providence to keep


limits a tribe of creatures which, if left

within due
to propagate

without restriction, would occasion

in-

calculable mischief,

by destroying almost every kind

of vegetable produce.

Having thus attempted


admit of much further
scribe the species

to sketch the general his-

tory of Butterflies, a subject of sufficient extent to


detail,

we now proceed

to deto

which have been ascertained

inhabit Britain, reserving such additional historical

notices as

may

be necessary for the


till

full

elucidation

of the subject,

we come

to treat of the genera


refer.

and species to which they respectively

92

the bright train their radiant wings unfold, silver fringed, and freckled o'er with gold. On the gay bosom of some fragrant flower, They idly fluttering live their little hour, Their life all pleasure, and their task all play, All spring their age, and sunshine all their day.
!

Lo

With

Barbauld.

Genus PAPILIO.

The word

Papilio was used by Linnaeus

in

the

comprehensive sense which he was accustomed to


attach to such terms, to designate generically
all

the

diurnal Lepidoptera.
species

As

the

amount

of

known
in

increased,

and

their

structural

differences

were more
affording a

carefully noted, they

were arranged
for the

numerous generic groups, both

purpose of

more accurate view


became

of their affinities, and

facilitating the identification of species.

The
its

origi-

nal term thus


cation,

greatly restricted in

appli-

and

is

now conned
cuvod

to eiuch butterflies as

present the following characters:


long, with a slightly
club,

Antennae
which
is

rather

not com-

pressed, and of an ovate form, terminating in a point


palpi short, not projecting

beyond the head, the


and
indistinct
:

third
all

or terminal joint minute

legs

formed

for walking, the hinder tibiae with

two small

PAPILIO.
spines at the apex, and the claws undivided

93
:

hinder

wings scolloped, and furnished with a long narrow


projecting lobe like a
tail
;

their interior

edge con-

cave or grooved, to receive the abdomen.


terpillars are

The
the

ca-

smooth and naked, and often ornament-

ed with very beautiful colours.


of protruding from the

They have

power
which

neck a

soft fleshy horn,

divides near the middle into


letter

two branches,

like the

Y.

This appendage might be supposed to


resemblance, but, unlike that animal,
it

serve the same end as the horns of the snail, to which


it

bears

much

the caterpillars are said to push

forth only

when
it

alarmed, and

it

has therefore been regarded as a


especially since
dif-

means of defence, the more


fuses a penetrating
caterpillar of
is

and disagreeable odour.

The

P. Machaon, with the horns exserted,


fig.

represented on Plate III.

1.

The

chrysalis

is

angular, and

fixed

by a silken

band round the middle.

These

insects

composed the section which Lin-

naeus distinguished by the

name

of Equites.

Nearly

200

species have been described,

many

of which are
re-

the largest papilionaceous

insects

known, and

markable

for the variety

and richness of their colours.


both hemicli-

They abound
mates.

in the tropical regions of

spheres, but occur very sparingly in temperate

Besides the two which we have figured, only

one other species

is known to inhabit Europe, viz. P. Alexanor, which, though observed of late years more frequently than formerly, is still extremely rare.

94

SWALLOW-TAIL BUTTERFLY.
Papilio Machaon.

PLATE
linn. Donovan,
vi.

IV. Fig.

1.

75, pi. 211.

Levin's Insects of Great

Britain,

pi. 34.

This
nous
to

elegant insect

is

the largest of our indige-

butterflies, the

female being sometimes found

measure upwards of three inches and a half betips of the


is

tween the
per wings
portion of

wings.

The

base of the up;

powdered with yellow a large the apex is of the same colour, and adornblack,
is

ed with a row of eight semicircular yellow spots, parallel

with the outer margin, which


:

narrowly edged
is

with yellow

the central portion of the wings

yel-

low, spotted with black, the latter colour forming


three large patches towards the anterior margin, and

running

in

a broad line along the nervures.

The

basal half of the

under wings
is

is

yellow, except the

inner side, which


hairs,

black,

and covered with yellow

and the curved nervure on the under side of the discoidal cell, which is defined by a black streak
:

the other nervures are dusky.

Beyond

the yellow

portion there

is

a broad black band, ornamented with

PapiUuMnrhxwn

Papil/o
S<

i'l'Jnlir in..

Swallow TailJS

arce Swallow Tc

SWALLOW-TAIL BUTTERFLY.
a series of imperfectly defined blue spots,

95

and a row
the outer

of six large yellow crescents externally

edge

is

also yellow,

interrupted with black at the

nervures.

On

the hinder angle of each of the unis

der wings there

a large round spot of red, streaked

with light blue anteriorly, and nearly surrounded by


a black ring.

The under

side resembles the upper,

the most considerable differences being in the yellow

outer border of the upper wings, and the presence of

two or three

faint

red spots behind the discoidal

cell,

and another on the outer edge of the under wings.

The body
thorax

is

black above, and clothed with yellow

hairs, the latter


;

forming a line on each side of the


not of large size compared with
It is

the under parts are chiefly yellow.


caterpillar
is

The

the perfect insect.


lour, with

smooth, of a greenish co-

the incisures and a band on each segblack, spotted with red


;

ment deep
fig.

the retractile
(Plate III.
fre-

organ on the neck of the latter colour.*


1.)

It

is

a solitary feeder,

and usually

quents umbelliferous plants, preferring fennel, and


the wild carrot.
It also

feeds on the latter plant in

a cultivated state, and

sometimes occasions consiFrance, where the insect


is

derable injury to

it

in

very common, and hence

known

in certain districts

by the name of Grand Carottier.

The

chrysalis

is

green, with a streak of yellow along each side, and

an irregular row of yellow spots on the back.


*

ference

For an accurate and more detailed description, may be made to Ray's Hist. Insect, p. 111. 1.

re-

96

SWALLOW-TAIL BUTTERFLY.
Although somewhat
local in Britain, this species

seems

to be pretty

widely distributed throughout

the southern parts of England, and has been found


as far north as

Beverley in Yorkshire.

It
it

probably
certainly

does not extend beyond that place, as


has never been observed in Scotland
;

nor have we
dis-

heard of
tricts of

its

occurrence in Ireland.
it

The fenny

Cambridgeshire produce
;

in considerable

abundance
served
of

it

has been often found in Norfolk, and

occasionally in
it

Hampshire and Middlesex.


in

Ray obdays

both

Sussex and Essex

and

in the

Wilkes (who has given a good representation of


it

the caterpillar),
in

was

rather plentiful near

Westram

Kent.

It is generally diffused
:

over the continent

of Europe it occurs plentifully in Egypt and Syria; and specimens are said to have been brought to this

country from the Himalayan mountains.


in this

It

appears

country about the end of May, and sometimes


till

continues

the middle of August.


97

SCARCE SWALLOW-TAIL BUTTERFLY.


Papilio Podalirius.

PLATE
Linn

IV. Fig.
PI. 109

2.

Donovan,

iv. 1,

Lewin, PI.

35.

The
yellow
;

ground colour

in this

conspicuous insect

is

the anterior edge and outer margin of the up-

per wings are black,


tapering bands of the

and there are six transverse same colour on each, the third

and

fifth

from the base scarcely reaching the middle,

and the fourth and sixth not extending to the hinder


margin.

The under wings

are likewise
;

marked with
tail,

several parallel black streaks

a large portion of the


are of

hinder extremity, as well as the elongated


the

same

colour,

and there

is

a series of large blue


is itself

crescents near the margin, which


yellow.
is

edged with
in front

The

anal angle of each of the hinder wings


spot,

ornamented with a red

bounded

by

a black crescent, and behind by an oval black spot


bearing a curved streak of blue.

The markings on

the under side do not differ materially from those of the surface, the principal difference consisting in a
reddish line between the

two
is

largest bars

on the
the

under wings.

The body
G

yellow,

black on

98

SCARCE SWALLOW-TAIL BUTTERFLY.

back, and having a


of the abdomen.

row

of black spots on each side

The

caterpillar is widest at the head,

and tapers
smooth,

considerably to the hinder extremity.


of a bright

It is

green colour, with three longitudinal

white

lines,

and

indistinct

oblique white streaks,


all

spotted with red on each side of

the segments,
It feeds chiefly

except that next the head and

tail.

on the various species of the genus Prunus, seeming


to be

most

partial to the sloe-thorn.*

Numerous

notices are on record of this species


in Britain,

having occurred

but

all

of

them have been

found, on strict investigation, to be of so unsatisfac-

tory a nature, as to leave

it

in

whether

it is

really indigenous.

some measure doubtful In some instances,

the preceding insect appears to have been mistaken


for
it
;

and

in others,

examples have been introduced

into collections as British, without that fact having

been

fully ascertained.

Mention

is first
it

made

of

it

by Ray, who
in Italy
;

states that he found


also, if

during his tour

and

he recollected rightly (ni male

memini,

is

the expression) in England.


it

Berkenhout
it

has admitted

into his Synopsis


others,

and

is

figured

by Donovan, Lewin, and


species.
in

among our
its

native

In a

list

of rare British Insects, published

1827, there

is

an announcement of

having been
in-

discovered in the
*

New

Forest

but subsequent

sists

says that its food conof the different kinds of brassica; but this statement is at variance with recent and more accurate observation.

Mr Stephens, following Fabricius,

SCARCE SWALLOW TAIL BUTTERFLY.

99

quiry has thrown suspicion on the authenticity of


this account.

The Rev.

F.

W. Hope

informs

Mr

Stephens (III us. of Brit. E?it. 145), that he possesses a specimen of P. Podalirius which was taken
at Netley, Salop.

Thk

statement ha3 not, as far

as

we know, been

controverted, and seems to form

the only unexceptionable authority for regarding the


insect as an inhabitant of this country.
It is
it is

very

common

in

some

parts of France, a supposed

where

named
in

he Flamhe, from
flames.

resemblance

the

pj/ramidal shape of the black stripes to the form of

100

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY.
Gonepteryx Rhamni.

PLATE
Pap. Rhamni, Linn.

V. Fig.

1.

Donovan,

v. 1, PI. 145.

This insect, and a few others, were first formed mto a distinct genus by Dr Leach, on account of the
peculiar shape of the wings, which are large and an-

gulated.*

The

antennae are rather short and robust,

thickening gradually near the summit into an obtuse


club
:

the palpi project a

little

beyond the head,


and
the

and are compressed, the


legs are perfect,
bifid

radical joint longest


:

curved, the terminal one minute and conical

all

and alike
13.).

in both sexes

the claws
to re-

(PI.

I. fig.

Under wings grooved

ceive the

abdomen.

The male is entirely bright sulphur-yellow above, and the female greenish-white, both sexes with a
small round orange spot near the middle of each

wing, those on the upper wings being smallest, and a few minute rust-coloured dots along the outer
edge.

The under
Named from

side

is

paler than the upper, and

the central spots rust-brown round the margin, and


*
yovics

an angle, and

-x-n^vs

a wing.

\GonepteryxBhcurwi,.
Brimsto

Colias Cloud

editsa.

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY.
pale in the centre.

101

The body

is

black above, and


;

clothed with fine white silky hairs

the under parts

and the legs yellow.

The

antennae are reddish,

and the anterior part of the head and thorax are


faintly tinged with rose-colour.

The

caterpillar

is

elongated and naked, of a light

green colour, with numerous black scaly dots on


the back, and a pale line along each side of the belly.
It is said to feed

on the buckthorn (Rhamnus cath-

articus),
It

and the berry-bearing alder (R.frangula).


which
attached

changes into a short angular chrysalis with a single


is

conical beak,

by the

tail,

and has
the

a loose girth round the middle.

This insect

is

generally
;

distributed

over

southern parts of England


far to the north, as it is

it

likewise occurs pretty


at

abundant

York, and has

been observed by

Mr

Wailes on the magnesian lime-

stone district near Newcastle, and by


the banks of Windermere.
It

Mr

Wilson on

has not, however,

been noticed in Scotland, a circumstance perhaps to be attributed to the rarity of the plants from which
the larvae derive their sustenance.
vives the winter
;

It

very often sur-

and

its

early appearance (some-

times before the middle of February), together with


the gay tint of
its

its

colour,
it

wings, render

and the graceful outline of one of the most interesting he"

ralds of the " grata vice veris et Favonii."

The

very

first

butterfly," says

Mr

Knapp, "

that will

aloft repair,

And

sport and flutter in the fields of air,

102
is

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY.

the sulphur butterfly, which, in the bright sunny

mornings of March, we so often see under the warm


hedge, or by the side of some sheltered copse, undulating

and vibrating

like the petals of

a primrose
first

in

the breeze."*

There are two broods, the


and June, the
all

apIt

pearing in

May

last in

autumn.

occurs in great profusion in


tries of

the continental coun-

Europe, and often

in

company with another


it,

species so closely resembling

that the one might

readily be taken for a variety of the other.


jatter is

The

named G. Cleopatra, and

presents scarcely

any other distinctive mark, but a suffusion of bright


orange-red on the middle of the primary wings of
the male.

Mr

Curtis has figured, with his usual ac-

curacy and elegance, what he regards as a variety of

G. Rhamni, taken many years since

in the neighal-

bourhood of London, and possessing characters


most intermediate between the two species.
* Journal of a Naturalist, 98.

103

CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.


Cclias Edusa.

PLATE

V. Fig.

2.

Colias edusa, Fab Donovan, vii. PL 238, Fig. 2, female, and ii. PL 43 ( C. hyale), male Pap. Electra, Lcicin, PL 32. Clouded yellow or Saffron 3., Harris'' Aur. C. He-

lice,

Haivorth, Jermyn, var.

In the form of the antennae, oral organs, and most


other parts from which generic characters are usually

drawn, Colias presents no very important difference


from the preceding" genus.

The

wings, however,
tri-

are of a different shape, the primary pair being


angular, and the secondary ones rounded.
cies are not

The

spe-

very numerous, and none of them, even


are

of

the exotic kinds,

beyond the middle

size.

They are remarkable for


the ground colour being

the uniformity of their tints,

some shade

of yellow, often

tinged with green, and a portion of the wings


or less

more marked with black. This general resemblance has led to some confusion in their synonymy. The
.is

male of C. edusa
yellow
;

fulvous above, or pale orange-

the upper wings with a wide black

border

at the extremity,

and a

waved on its inner edge, rounded spot of the same colour in the middle
which
is

104
of each.

CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.


The hinder wings
is

are likewise margined

with black, the ground colour slightly mixed with


green, and there

on each a round discoidal spot of


the under side, the upper wings

deep yellow.

On

are pale tawny on the disk, and greenish at the extremity, with a central black spot, and an obsolete
series of blackish spots parallel with the outer edge
:

the under wings greenish, with a central silvery ocellus,

having another small one adjoining, and a curved


faint rust-coloured dots posteriorly.
:

row of
is

The body
by hav-

yellowish-green, dusky on the back

the antennae

reddish.

The female

is

distinguished chiefly

ing a few yellow spots on the black marginal band


of the upper wings.
occur, in

Examples of

this sex

sometimes

which the

parts, usually yellow, are greenish-

white, a circumstance which has led some authors to

describe

it

as distinct,

under the name of C.

helice.

Varieties of both sexes have been found in Britain,

of a considerably smaller size and paler colour than

ordinary specimens, and presenting at the same time


so

many

other minute points of difference, that they

have been figured and described as examples of the


species

named chrysotheme by continental


caterpillar is

naturalists.*

The
spots
is

deep green, with a white line

along each side of the belly, marked with yellow

and minute bluish

dots.

On

the Continent

it

found chiefly on the Cytisus austriacus, but


* See Stephen's Illus. of

as,

Eutom. Haustellata, vol.

i.

p.

U,

PI.

II*

figs. 1, 2.

CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.


that plant
is

105
probably
per-

not indigenous to Britain,

it

feeds in this country on

some diadelphous herb

taining to the

occurs
in

in

same natural order. The butterfly the south of England in considerable plenty
met
with.
It

particular years, while in others scarcely an exis

ample

to be

seems

to prefer the vi-

cinity of the sea, having

been found more copiously


It is likewise

than elsewhere along the south-east coast, particularly in the

neighbourhood of Dover.

seen occasionally in the midland counties.


foreign lands

Over

C edusa
It
is

is

characterised by a very ex-

tensive range.

well

known

in

most portions

of the continent of Europe.

in the south of Africa,

and

Mr Burchell found it Mr Swainson has seen

specimens from the mountains of Nepaul.

10G

PALE CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY,


Colias II y ale.

PLATE

VI. Fig.

I.

Pap. Hyale, Linn. Donovan, vii. 238, Fig. 1. Curtis, Brit. Pale Clouded Yellow, Harris' Aurel Ent. vi. 242

Lewin, PL

33.

This

fine

species

is

generally

somewhat
fine

larger

than the preceding, the male of a

sulphur-yel;

low (sometimes, however, nearly white)


white, faintly tinged with sulphur.
are greyish at the base,

the female

The upper wings

marked with a black spot


is

near the middle anteriorly, and having at the extre-

mity a broad black border, which


continuous spots

attenuated at the

hinder angle, and almost divided by a series of nearly

down
it
;

the middle.

The under

wings have a large orange spot on the disk, with a


small one attached to
the margin next the upper

wings

is

dusky, and there are a few dusky spots re-

mote from the outer edge, and nearly parallel with it. Beneath, the upper wings are whitish -yellow,
suffused with orange at the
tip,

having a discoidal

black spot with a yellow centre, and a row of small

dusky marks

at

some distance from the outer mar*

Colzas HyaU. l Fate cloudedyeUow s, arce clouded veUow


.

PALE CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.


gin
:

107

the under wings dull orange, with a large and

small silvery spot in the centre, cinctured with rustred,

and a curved row of small black


caterpillar

spots.

The

fringe of the

wings and the antenrue are rose-red.


is

The

green, with two white lines on

the sides, each segment

marked with two

irregular
fig. 2.)

transverse series of black spots.


Its

(Plate III.

appropriate food

is
it

said to be the Coronilla varia,

but in this country

must often content

itself

with

other fare, and probably has recourse to different kinds


of diadelphous plants.

The

butterfly

is

considerably
is

rarer than C. edusa ; and, like that species,


chiefly on

found

the sea -coast in the south- east corner of

the island, as in Kent, Sussex, and Suffolk.


is

There

a pale variety, nearly pure white, of which examples

of both sexes have occurred, chiefly in the vicinity of Dover.

Indeed, the insect


fly,

may
it

almost be said

to be a maritime

so rarely has

been noticed

at

any distance from the sea-coast.

103

SCARCE CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.


Colias Enropome.

PLATE
Stephen's Illus.
ii.

VI. Fig.

2.

PI. 1*, Figs. 1, 2,

and
No.

Eurymus Euro2d
ser.

pome; Clouded Sulphur,

Sivainsori's Zool. Illus.


13.

No. 15. Haworth, Lep. Brit. "

12.

Both

sexes of this fine insect are of a fine sul;

phureous-yellow above

the male has the hinder mar-

gin of both wings deeply edged with black, an ovate

spot of that colour on the disk of the anterior, and

an obsolete fulvous spot on that of the posterior


border on the latter
is

the
:

irregularly sinuated within

beneath the anterior wings are paler, with the tips


rather deeper, the discoidal spot
is

whiter, with a

black or dusky
gin
is

iris,

and

parallel with the hinder

mar-

a very obsolete

row

of

dusky spots

the pos-

terior

wings are of a deeper yellow, minutely irrorated

with black, with a discoidal silvery ocellus, having afulvescent


iris,

and a secondary

silver spot adjacent

they

have also an obsolete row of dusky spots parallel with


the hinder margin, and forming a continuous series

with those of the anterior wings, and a larger some-

what triangular fulvescent spot on the upper edge.

The female

differs in

having the black border of the

SCARCE CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY.

109

hinder margin of the anterior wings, irregularly spotted with yellow, and in wanting the border to the
posterior wings, having in
triangular
its

place

some
cilia,

obsolete

dusky

spots.

Both sexes have the extreme


rose-co-

edge, both above and below, and the


lour."

Having never seen authentic specimens of


sect,

this in-

we have introduced
by whom
it

the description of the au-

thor

was

first

made known

to the public

as British.
its

Many

doubts have been expressed as to

being strictly indigenous, and perhaps the evidence


at first led to its being

which

regarded in that

light,

might not unjustly be considered somewhat inconclusive.


cies

But

since the

means
all,

of identifying the spe-

became

accessible to

several

announcements

have been published of

its

having been found in


"

England.*
Suffolk,

It

has been observed near Ipswich, in

and

also in Sussex.

Has been

noticed in

the

meadows near
a rare insect."

the confluence of the

Avon and

Severn, flying with great swiftness, in August, but


it is

110

Genus PONTIA.
This genus comprehends
which are so
so well

the white butterflies,

common in gardens, and which are known for the depredations they commit
on cabbages and other ole-

in their caterpillar state,

raceous plants.

The

species are

by no means nueven in those

merous, but they are so

prolific, that

seasons which are most unfavourable to the increase


of insects,
in

we seldom

fail

to see

them

flitting

about
lately

every transient gleam of sunshine.

Till

our native species were not thought to exceed three, but an indefatigable naturalist,

who

has laboured most

successfully in elucidating the entomology of Britain,

has described four others, which he regards as

distinct,

and which he names P. Chariclra, Metra,


" It yet remains to be seen,

Napaete, and Bryonies.


however," says the Rev.
the

W.

T. Bree, " whether, in


in general,

judgment of entomologists
and

these early

whites (as they are termed), will eventually maintain


their place as genuine
self,

distinct species.

For my-

may

say that

have not been unobservant of


past,

these insects for


ticularly

some years

and have more parfar as

attended to them during the spring and


of the present year
;

summer

and as

my obserP.

vations go, they lead

me
are

to the conclusion, that

Chariclea and

Metra

mere

varieties respectively

GENL'S PONTIA.
of

*i

P. Brassicce and Rapce.

P. Rapes

is

avowedly
conse-

a very variable insect, and being too, as well as P.


Brassicce, a most abundant species, there
is

quently the more scope,

chances
It

there are so

many more

for variation to take place in the individuals.

must be admitted, indeed, that when a small and perfectly immaculate specimen of P. Metro, is compared with a full sized and strongly marked one of P. Rapce, the prima facie difference is so wide, that any one would at once pronounce them distinct.

But
sible

then, on the other hand,

we

find that interme-

diate specimens occur, which, presenting every pos-

shade and gradation of difference, appear natu;

rally to
it

connect and identify the two extremes and would be next to impossible to decide, in many instances, to which of the two these intermediate
links should with more propriety be referred. The same observations apply also to the kindred species P. Napi, the earliest spring specimens of which are

smaller than those of the

summer

brood, paler in then-

markings above, and sometimes also entirely destitute


of

them

and

this species too, like

P. Brassicce and

Rape,

is

subject to endless variations.

No

material

difference has yet

been observed

in the caterpillar or

chrysalis of the early whites, to distinguish

them from
in the
in

P. Brassicce and Rapce

and the distinctions

markings, &c. pointed out by


of their being genuine species,
to

Mr

Stephens

proof

seem scarcely

sufficient

outweigh what
*

may be urged on

the other side."*


iii.

Loudon's Mag. of Mat. History,

242.

112

GENUS PONTIA.
judiciousness of the above observations, few

The

who

have had an opportunity of examining the insects to

which they
ledge
;

refer will,

we

think, hesitate to

acknow-

and, taken in connexion with other points of

agreement subsequently pointed out, they seem to


leave
little

doubt about the propriety of regarding

the reputed

new
them

species as

mere
it

varieties.
still

Several
inclined
in the

competent observers, however, being


to consider
distinct,

may

be as well
till it

meanwhile

to regard

them

in that light,

be seen

whether further investigations tend to confirm or


confute this opinion.
inquiries,

With

the view of aiding such

we have

described

P.

Chariclea, Metra,

and

SabelliccB,

and given figures of them from cha-

racteristic

examples procured from the cabinet of the

eminent naturalist by

whom
be

they were

first

named

and described as

likely to prove

genuine species.
the following

The
in

true Pontia
:

may

known by

characters

Antennae long and slender, terminating

a somewhat abrupt, compressed, obconic club,

consisting of seven or eight joints, and grooved on

one side

palpi clothed with scales,

and fringed with

hairs externally, the terminal joint longer than either

of the preceding; anterior

wings nearly three-cor;

nered, the apical angle not very acute

the posterior
:

wings rounded and not variegated beneath


in

legs alike

both sexes, the claws slightly forked.

The

chryis

salis

terminates anteriorly in a single beak, and


tail,

attached by the
middle.

and has a loose band round the

Common, Cabbage!}.

j.j'emtia

mall White

Rapes Male.
,

113

COMMON CABBAGE BUTTERFLY.


Pontia Brassicce

PLATE
Pap. Brassiere, Lxnn.

VII. Figs.

and 2.
PI. 25.

Don. xiii. 2.0, 446 Lewin, Large Garden White, Harris.

In

this

well

knowu

insect the wings are white

above, with a large patch of black,

somewhat indented
:

on

its

inner edge, on the tip of the anterior pair

the male has no other

mark on

the upper surface,

except a black spot near the middle of the anterior

edge of the secondary wings

but the female, besides

the spot just mentioned, has two others on the disk

of the upper wings, and an elongated patcli at their


hinder margin.
nearly alike
;

On

the under side, both sexes are

the colour inclines to yellow, especially


if

on the hinder wings, which appear as

sprinkled

with black, owing to an intermixture of dark-coloured scales


;

the upper wings bear two conspicuous


is

black spots on each, and there

an indistinct dusky
pair.

mark on the anterior margin of the hinder


fringe uf the wings
is

The

yellowish, slightly

waved with

black.

The body and

antenna? are white beneatk

114

COMMON CABBAGE BUTTERFLY.

and black above, the former clothed with hoary pu~ bescence on the thorax. Males sometimes occur
spotted with black on the upper wings, somewhat
in

a similar manner to the female.

The

caterpillar

is

green, having a narrow line of

yellow along the back, and another on each side of


the belly
;

the body pretty thickly covered with black

tubercular points, each of them with a hair in the


centre.

Besides consuming the different varieties of


(brocoli, cauliflower,

the

common cabbage
and
its

&c),

this

destructive caterpillar has been often found to attack


the turnip,

voracity

is

so great, that these

useful vegetables ed,

would often be completely destroyenemies which

were

it

not for the numerous

prevent

its

superabundant increase.
parasitical

Of

these, the

most formidable are the


pecially the

ichneumons, es-

minute species formerly described,* and


it.

others allied to
great numbers.

The
I

small birds likewise destroy

"

once observed a titmouse (PaIn inclosed


infi-

ras major)" says Haworth, " take five or six large

ones to

its

nest in a very few minutes.

gardens, sea-gulls, with their wings cut, are of


nite service.
I

had one eight years, which was


all

killed

by

accident, that lived entirely


slugs,

the while upon the


in the garden.

insects,

and worms he found

Poultry of any sort will soon clear a small piece of

ground

but unless they are of the web-footed kind

they do

much

mischief,

But perhaps the most

effectual
by.

by scratching the earth.' method would be to

Page

COMMON CABBAGE BUTTERFLY.


destroy the parent
flies

115

when they

first

begin to ap-

pear in May, before they have had time to deposit


their eggs.

The

butterfly

is first

seen on the wing about the


it

middle of Mav. but in the south of England


appears much,
earlier.

often
all

It occurs

abundantly in

parts of Britain,

and seems

to be equally plentiful

throughout Europe.

116

EARLY WHITE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY.


Pontia Chariclea.

PLATE

VIII. Fig. 1.Mjjjs.

Stephen's Illus. Huust.

i.

PI. 3,

fig. 1.

fig. 2.

This

insect

is

in general considerably less


;

than the

preceding species

the anterior wings have a similar


it is

patch on the

tip,

but

of a light brown, approach-

ing to ash-colour, clouded with black internally, especially in the female,

and having no strongly marked


inner side
;

indentations on
white.

its

the fringe yellowish-

On
is

the underside, the tip of the primary


the secondary pair entirely

wings

yellow, and

deep yellow, very thickly sprinkled with minute black


points
;

in other respects there is

no appreciable

dif

ference from

P.

Brassicce.

Said to occur in the beginning of


in the

May, and again


been observed

end of June.

It ha3 hitherto
;

chiefly in

Hertford and Derbyshires


it

and

Mr

Wailes

thinks that he has seen

in the

neighbourhood of

Newcastle.

PLATE

EartyWfute

Diisky vei/icd Whire.

117

SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Ponlia Rapce.

PLATE
Pap. ilapte, Linn

VII. Fig.
PI. 26

3,

Letliin,

Hist. Insect.

Small Garden

Pap. alba media, Rail, White, Harris.

The

expansion of the wings

is

from one inch and


;

eight lines to two inches five lines

it

is

therefore

considerably smaller than the preceding, to which in


other respects
it is

bears a strong resemblance.

The
;

upper surface

white, slightly inclining to yellow

the primary wings have a dusky spot at the tip, ex-

tending a short

way along

the anterior border

in the

male there

is

a single rounded spot on the disk, and

two

in

the female, with an oblong patch behind, as

in the

same sex

of

P. Brassicce

the hinder wings

with the usual black mark on their anterior border.

Beneath, the anterior wings bear two discoidal black


spots, the tip
is

yellow, and the base slightly sprinkled

with dusky

the under wings are rather bright yel-

low, with dark scales intermixed,

making them ap;

pear as

if

edge

at

powdered with black dust on the anterior the base, there is a narrow streak of orangethis butterfly bears so

yellow.

Although

much resemblance

118

SM ALL WHITE BUTTERFLY.

to the large cabbage species, the complete distinction

of the

two

is

well evinced

respective caterpillars.

green, with a pale line


streak,

by the appearance of the That of P. Rapes is lightalong the back, and a whitish
on cabbages, turnips, &c.

somewhat punctured with yellow, on each


It feeds

side of the belly.

and

is

often found associated with the larva of

P.

Brassicce in devastating our garden produce.

It ge-

nerally insinuates itself between the folded leaves in

the centre of cabbage and cauliflower plants


it is

hence

named in France ver du

cceur.

The

butterfly

is

very

common

in all

parts of this country,


It appears in the

and

in

most quarters of Europe.


place in July.

end of

April or beginning of May, and a second

flight takes

But the
is

insect

is

at all times so

abundant, that there

probably a succession of broods

throughout the summer and autumn.


vary considerably.

The markings

119

HOWARD'S WHITE BUTTERFLY".


Pontia Metro,

PLATE
Stephens

VIII. Fig.

2.

Illus.

Haust.

i.

19.

The
lines.

wings of

this insect

expand from 20

to

25

The

colour is entirely yellowish-white, the

hase of the wings blackish, and the tip of the anterior pair,

which

is

more acute than

in the allied spe:

cies, slightly

suffused with light brown


in

in the

male

there

is

a single dusky spot, and

the female two,

which, however, are always very obsolete, and sometimes, as in the variety figured, entirely wanting.

The
yel-

hinder wings are wholly white, with the usual dusky


spot anteriorly.

The

tip of the

upper wings

is

low beneath, and two


tlie

faint spots are observable

on

disk

the hinder wings beneath

rather bright

yellow, especially on the anterior edge at the base,

and sprinkled with black points.


wings
is

The

fringe of the

nearly pure white.


in April,

Occurs early
in the

and there appears to be a


been noticed chiefly
probably to be found

second brood in June.

It has
is

south of England, but


120
in

Howard's white butterfly.


" Found near

most parts of the country.

Newthus
"

castle early in spring, but


tinct 1

whether
in

specifically dis-

have been unable to satisfy myself:

much
G.

may

say, I never took

it

the autumn

JVailes,

Esq.

WMI

Green vein&LWMtB

Bath

121

GREEN-VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Pontia Knpi.

PLATE
Pap.Napi,Z,iran
fig. 1.

IX. Fig.

1.

Leivin, pi. 27

Donovan,

viii. '23. pi. 200.

Green-veined white, Harris.


this species

The
lines
;

wings of

expand from 17

to

22

the colour white, inclining to yellow.

The

tip of the

primary wings

is

dusky, and in the male

there

is

a round black spot near the middle, not very

remote from the outer margin, the female having two


such spots on each wing.
free

The hinder wings

are

from marks, except the ordinary dusky spot on

the anterior margin.

On

the under side, the tip of

the primary wings, and the whole of the secondary


pair, are

sulphur-yellow, the nervures strongly mark;

ed with a dilated

line of dusky green and there are two black spots on the upper wings, near the hinder margin. The body and antennae are nearly as in the

preceding species.

The
It is

caterpillar

feeds on

tetradynamous

plants,

paiticularly those belonging to the genus Brassica.

of a dull green colour, lighter on the sides, with

122

GREEN-VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY.

yellow stigmata, and covered with white warts, which


are blackish at the tip, and tufted with short hairs.

The

chrysalis

is

greenish-yellow,

the angles very

acute and prominent.

Tins butterfly

is

one of the most

common

species
Its

both in this country and throughout Europe.


first

time of appearance
it is

is

about the middle of May,

and
It

again abundant in the beginning of July.

presents

numerous
it is

variations in

its size

and markre-

ings, of

which

unnecessary to give a particular

account.

One

of the

most remarkable has been


of Napcece.

garded as a species by Esper and others, and described under the


size than ordinary

name

It is of larger

specimens of P. Napi, the upper


spot, the tip

wings with a black


lar

and some triangu:

patches being of the same colour

the secondary
first

wings rather pale, and having only the three


nervines dilated and greenish.
to occur not uufrequently.

This variety seems

123

DUSKY- VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Pontia
Sahellicce.

PLATE

VIII. Fig.

3.

Stephens, Must. Haust. i. pi. Ill * fig. 3 $ ; fig. 4 $ Bryonia?, Godart, Ency. Meth. No. 146.

Pap.

Upper

surface of the wings,

which are short and


;

considerably rounded, yellowish-white


terior margin,

the base, anall

and the

tip,

dusky black,

the ner-

vures with a broad stripe of the same colour, the

male having a single dusky spot towards the


the female

tip,

and

two.

On

the

under

side, the

hinder

wings, and the tip of the anteiior pair, are tinged

with sulphur-yellow, and ad the nervures are broadly

margined with dusky.

The
fly

larva of this insect,

which may eventually


is

prove to be a distinct species,

not known.

The

has been frequently taken in the vicinity of Lon" Not rare in some seasons near Newcastle." don.

G.

IVailes,

Esq,

124

Genus
So

MANCIPIUM.
between
this

close a connexion subsists

and

the preceding genus, that the species have been generally grouped together

under a

common

generic

But the structural differences of M. Cardamines and Daplidice are too considerable to admit of their being associated with the true Pontice, however much they may be allied in habit and general
name.
appearance.

The

principal

distinctions consist in

the relative proportion of the joints of the palpi,

which, in Mancipium, have the terminal joint shorter


than either of the two others
;

in the
;

rounded form
in

of the tip of the anterior wings

and

having the

under side of the secondary pair variegated


racters
sufficient

cha-

to

constitute

a subgenus.
is

The

chrysalis (at least in

M. Cardamwes\

boat-shapeu

being widest in the middle, and narrowing gradually


to both ends.

125

BATH WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Mancipium
Daplidice.

PLATE
Pap. Daplidice, Linn

IX. Fig.

2.

Leicin, pi. 28 Donov. vi. 47, pi. 200. Bath White, Leicin, 1. c Green chequered White, Haworlh, Curtis, B. E. i. pi. 48.

The
ish

male of
;

this

rare British

insect

is

nearly

white above

the superior wings have a large blacktip,

patch at the

interrupted

by

large spots of

white, and a dusky spot near the middle, with a


faint

white streak across the centre of

it.

The
but
in

se-

condary wings are unspotted

in this sex,

the

female they are widely bordered with black, which


is

sinuated and divided by large spots of the ground:

colour of the surface

the female has likewise an

additional black spot on the upper wings, near the

hinder angle, and

is

usually larger than the male.

The markings on

the

under side of the primary


side,

wings nearly correspond to those on the upper


but instead of being black, they are greenish.

The

hinder wings are green beneath, sprinkled with mi-

nute black points, with a row of large white spots


on
the

hinder

margin,

an

irregular

cross

band

of white,

and three

spots

of that colour

towards

126
the base.
black.

BATH WHITE BUTTERFLY.


The
antennae are whitish, variegated with

The

caterpillar frequents the different species of


;

Brassica

also

wild

Mignonette [Reseda

luted),
It

Thlaspi arvense, and other cruciferous plants.


is of

a dull blue, according to Godart's description,


;

bordered with yellow, and covered with black points

the head clear green, with yellow spots and black


points.

The

chrysalis

is

at

first

greenish, but af-

terwards becomes grey.

Although recorded from a remote period


tive of Britain, this insect
still

as a na-

continues to be classed
noticed by
:

among our

rarest kinds.

It is

Ray

as

having been found near Cambridge

it

has likewise

occurred at Hampstead in Middlesex, and in the

neighbourhood of
been taken,
Piastrier of

Bristol.

More

recently

it

has

both

by

Mr

Stephens and

Mr Le

Ramsgate,

Castle, in the

Lewin, that
lady, from a

it

in the meadow under Dover month of August. We are told by was named the Bath White, from a

piece of needlework, executed at Bath by a

young

specimen of

this insect, said to

be taken

near that place.

Orange

izp

ir N/l /

Woou

127

ORANGE-TIP BUTTERFLY.
Poniia Cardamines.

PLATE
Pap.

X.

Figs.

1.

&

2.

Donovan, v. pi. 1G9 Letcin, of the Woods, Harris, Aurel. pi. 32. Pontia Cardamines, Steph. Illus. Mancipium Cardamines, Hubner.
pi.

Cardamines, Linn

30

Orange-tip,

delicate

or

Lady

This
and
it

and warmly tinted species seems


all

to

occur in considerable plenty in


is

parts of Britain,
Its

not unfrequent in Ireland.


is

ordinary

time of appearance

near the end of


it

when
where
April.

the weather

is

mild

is

on the

May, but wing much

sooner, especially in the southern parts of England,


it

has been sometimes seen by the middle of


It

frequents lanes and open glades in woods,


its

and sometimes enlivens our gardens by


fitful

gay and

flight.

The

sexes are so dissimilar, that they

were mistaken by
distinct species.

Ray and some other authors for The expansion of the wings varies
are white,

from an inch and a quarter to nearly two inches.

The primary wings

dusky

at the base,
in

with

a small black crescent-shaped spot

the middle,
tip
:

and an interrupted patch of black round the

the

1*28

WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY.


is

outer half of the wing


in the

deeply tinged with orange

male, but there

is

no trace of that colour

in

the female.

The hinder wings

are alike in both

Rexes

on the upper side they are dusky at the base,

the outer margin bears a few blackish points, and


the surface presents faint traces of the markings on
the under side
;

the latter consist of irregular mar-

morated
yellow.

ipots

of green,

powdered

as

it

were with

The

antennae are white, with dark rings.

The

caterpillar feeds

on several cruciferous plants,

especially those of the genus

Cardamines

also

on

Turritis glabra, Brassica campestris, &c.

It is of

a green colour, with a whitish line along each side,


just above the insertion of the legs.
is

The

chrysalis

also greenish-yellow.

WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Leucophasia Sinapis.

PLATE
Pap. Sinapis, Linn.
pis,

X. Tig.

3.

Leucophasia Sinapis, Steph Leucoph.


The
present genus (named from
tpcco-ig,

Leach, Jermyn.

Donovan* 280 Pontia Wood White, Harris" Aur.


vii. pi.
1

Sinapi. 29.

Loti, Rennie.

tevxog,
is

volute,

and

an apparition

or appearance),

d'stin-

guished by the structure of the palpi, which are

"WOOD
short and
flat,

WHITE BUTTERFLY.

129

with the basal joint large and conical,

the second short and quadrate, and the third or ter-

minal one minute, and almost globular

and by the
al-

shape of the wings, which are very narrow, and

most elongate-oval, the surface wholly covered with


scales.

The

antennae have an abrupt compressed


legs,

club,

and the

which are

alike in both sexes,

terminate in bifid claws.


It is

much

the smallest of our white Butterflies,


it,

and the narrow elongated wings give


well

as has

been

remarked, something of the appearance of a

Dragon-fly.
base of
all

The

colour

is

nearly milk-white, the

the wings

of the anterior pair

somewhat dusky, and the tip with a large brown spot. On


is

the under side the latter are faintly tinged with green
at

the

tip,

and the costa


the

sprinkled with

black

points from

middle to the base.


is

The under

side of the hinder wings

tinged with yellowish-

green, and sprinkled with ashy points, which form


indistinct clouds

and bands.
found on the BirdVfoot

The
Trefoil
ling

caterpillar is usually

(Lotus corniculatusj, and Meadow VetchIt is green, with a deep ( Lathyrus pratensisj.

yellow line along each side of the body.

There are two broods of the butterfly each season, in the end of July. Although an abundant species in most parts of Europe, it is
one in May, the other
rather scarce in Britain.
ever,
it

In certain localities,

has been found in plenty;

how-

as in

Darenth

130

WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY.


;

wood, Hartley and Bromley woods, Essex


Surrey, Kent, Devonshire, &c.
of
its

also ib

We
It

have not heard


has been taken
lo-

occurrence in Scotland.

by

Mr Heysham

near Carlisle, the most northern

cality hitherto ascertained.

131

BLACK-VEINED WHITE, or HAWTHORN BUTTERFLY.


Pieris Cratcec/i.

PLATE
Pap. Crateegi, Linn
45
1.

XI. Fig.
pi.

2.

Hawthorn

Lewin,

24

Donovan,

xiii. pi.

Butterfly, Kirby

Spence.

In

this
is

genus the antennae are rather slender, and

the club

formed gradually

the palpi have the

two

lowest joints robust, the radical one being twice the


length of the second, while the terminal one
the length of the second, and very slender
;

is

about

the up-

per wings are nearly diaphanous,


clothed with scales
;

being sparingly

the claws are strong and bifid,


at the

and have a slender appendage on the outside


"

The black-veined white


and
it is

is

one

of

the

few

butterflies

that cannot be mistaken for

any other

species,

remarkable for having both sides


is

very similar, which

scarcely the case in any of the

other British Papilionidce.


as in the semitransparent

In this respect, as well

wings and short


pi.

cilia, it

approaches Doritis (Parnassius,

11,

fig. 1.)

The

same characters

will distinguish

it

at

once from Pan-

132
tia,

HAWTHORN BUTTERFLY.
which
it is

further separated from

by the equal

length of the second and third joints of the palpi,

and the shortness of the former joint compared with

The strong nervure that surrounds each wing has never before been noticed." *
the basal one.

The English name


cies,

sufficiently describes this spe


it

and readily distinguishes


It is

from

all

its

asso-

ciates.

about the size of the

Common Cabbage
of

Butterfly, the wings

somewhat transparent, and

a uniform white

colour, with

the nervures black.

There

is

also a black line

round the outer edge of

the wings,

and generally a few dusky triangular

caterpillars are black for

marks on the outer margin of the upper pair. The some time after tbey are
hatched,
hairs,

but soon become

partially

clothed with

and striped with reddish-brown on each side


body.
(Fig. 3,
PI. III.

of the

represents a

full-

grown
rious,

caterpillar of this species.)

They

are gregasilk,

and

live for

a time under a net-work of

which they spin


rite

for their protection.

Their favou-

food

is

the leaves of the Hawthorn, but they likefruit-trees,

wise attack

and have been known

to

commit considerable damage in orchards. This butterfly is by no means generally distributed through
England, and
it

is

wholly

unknown

in Scotland

but

has occurred plentifully in the following places,


is

and
rest,

occasionally observed elsewhere:

New Fo-

Hampshire, Chelsea, Coombewood, Enborne,


It is

Berkshire, Dorsetshire.

by no means
viii.

a scarce

* Curtis, British Ent.

360.

HAWTHORN BUTTERFLY.
insect

133
he

on the Continent
that he at

and Pallas

relates that

saw such extensive

flights of
first

them
is

in the vicinity of

Winof ka,
of snow.

conceived them to he flakes


very
prolific,

The

female, indeed,

and

covers her eggs, which she deposits on the extremity


of a

effectually weather-proof, that they


rity (sometimes,
it is

hawthorn branch, with a coating of varnish, so remain in secusaid, for several years),
larvae.
till

cir-

cumstances favour the exclusion of the


chrysalis
is

The

very obtuse anteriorly, and of a yellow

colour, streaked
fiff.

and spotted with black.

(PI. III.

4.)

li*4

APOLLO BUTTERFLY.
Parnassius Apollo.

PLATE XL
Pap. Apollo, Linn.

Fig.

1.

Haworth

Donovan^

Crimson-ringed Butterfly, Haworth Fab. Steph.

xiii.

pi.

433

Doritis Apollo,

In

this

genus the antennas are rather short, with


;

the club narrow, nearly oval, and not compressed


palpi rather long, and rising considerably

beyond the

head

wings nearly free from

scales, especially at

the apex, where they are transparent, the hinder pair

concave on their inner edge.

The

females are pro-

vided with a small corneous bag, at the hinder extre-

mity of the abdomen.

The

caterpillars

have the

power of protruding a

retractile

tentaculum from the

neck, similar to that found in the larvae of the genus

Papilio, formerly described

but, unlike the latter,

they form a kind of cocoon when about to change


into chrysalides,

by connecting a few leaves together


of the wings
is

by means of

silken threads.

The expansion

nearly three inches

the colour white, slightly tinged with yellow, each

.'

Pirns Crdiou

APOLLO BUTTERFLY.
ot tne

135
black

upper wings bearing

five pretty large

spots,

and each of the hinder ones two large round


circle.

crimson spots, with a white pupil, surrounded externally

by a black

The extremity

of the wings

is

naked and transparent, appearing as if varnished, pretty


thickly sprinkled with minute black dots, which form
a faint flexuose cross

band

at
it.

some distance from

the margin, and parallel with


terior

The

base and an-

edge of the primary wings are covered with


;

black dots

the abdominal margin of the hinder pair


far as

with similar points and long whitish hairs, as


the extremity of the
is

abdomen, beyond which there

a curved patch of black.

The markings on

the
:

under side nearly correspond to those just described

some of the black

spots on the upper wings,

how:

ever, have occasionally a red

mark

in the centre

and on the hinder pair there are four red

spots, bor-

dered with black, forming a kind of cross-band near


the base, while the anal black patch often has a red
streak in the middle.
ish hairs

The body is

black, with whit-

on the abdomen, and reddish ones on the


:

front of the thorax

the antennas white, with a black

knob.

The
lour,
side,

caterpillar is of a beautiful velvet-black co-

with two rows of deep orange spots on each

one near the back, the other towards the belly


clothed with short black hairs.

the incisures are glossed with blue, and the whole

body

is

It feeds

on

the Orpine (

Sedum telephhanj, and

various kinds

of Saxifrage, particularly Saxifraga pyramidalis.

13G

APOLLO BUTTERFLY.
first

This insect was


lists,

introduced into our British


it

in

consequence

of

having been supposed,

through some mistake, that a few continental speci-

mens

in the possession of

Lord Seaforth, were pro-

cured from the Island of Lewis, one of the Hebrides.


Since that time,
it

has been oftener than once figured


;

and described as a British species


instance
is

but no authentic

on record of

its

having been observed by

any one

circumstance which

may

fairly

be as-

sumed, in the case of such a marked and conspicuous object, as a sufficient indication that
inhabitant of this island.
it is

not an

We

have been assured,


last

however, that

it

was noticed on the wing


;

sum-

mer

in

some part of the west coast

and, though inwill-

clined to think that this

must be a mistake, we
it

ingly avail ourselves of the excuse which


for retaining, in the

aifords

insect
tinent,

mean while, such an ornamental among our indigenous species. On the Conit

inhabits the Alps, Cevennes, the mountains

of Auvergne, and various parts of


den, in considerable numbers.

Xorway and Sweis

Its flight

said to

be slow and heavy.

fiuyundp FritzZIary.

Tearl 6,


137

DUKE OF BURGUNDY

FRITILLARtf.

Nemeobius Lucina.

PLATE. XII.
Pap. Lucina, Linn
pi.

Fig.

I.

242.

f.

Duke

Lewin,
of

Burgundy

Hamearis Lucina, Hiibner. meobius Lucina, Stephens Horsf.

Donovan, viii. 70. Harris NeCurds, B. E. vii. 316


pi.

15

Fritillary,

This and

several of the following genera

may

be

readily distinguished from

any of the preceding, by hav-

ing the anterior legs


short,

and destitute of

more or less imperfect, being very tarsal joints, by which they


In the present inin the
is

are rendered unfit for walking.


stance, this imperfection

found only

male,

the fore-leg of the female presenting the ordinary


structure.
life),
is

Nemeobius (from

v.pos,

a grove, and

/3<o?,

further characterised by having the club of


;

the antennas rather large and abruptly formed

palpi

very short and horizontal, the second joint

much

the

longest, and the third, or terminal one, minute and


oval.

The
inferior

anterior wings are nearly trigonate, and

the

rounded

the posterior tibiae without

The species above reknown to inhabit Britain. The expansion of the wings seldom much exceeds fourspurs,

and the claws simple.


is

ferred to,

the only one

138

DUKE OF BURGUNDY FRITILLARV.


The
surface
is

teen or fifteen lines.

dark brown, the

upper wings with three transverse

series of irregular

spots of light yellow or straw colour, the outer or

marginal row having a black mark in the centre of

each spot

the hinder wings have likewise an irregu-

lar transverse series of

yellow spots, and the margin is


other pair.

similar to that of the


is

The under

side

much

paler than the upper, approaching some-

times to orange, the superior wings with several light


spots on the disk, interspersed with black streaks,

and a
small

series of light spots along the margin, with a

dusky mark

in the

centre of each

besides

having the margin similar, the hinder wings have

two

pale bands,

composed of continuous oval


black

spots,

the outer one edged internally with black.

The

antennae are white, marked with


club black, tipped with orange.

above, the

According to Hiibner, the

caterpillar is long, oval,

and depressed, resembling those of the Lyccence,


which, from their resemblance to wood-lice (Onisci),
are

named

onisciform.

It is of

a pale olive-brown

colour, with a large black dot

on each segment, and


It feeds

the head and legs rusty-red.


slip

on the Cowto

and Primrose.
local,

The
it

butterfly appears

be

somewhat
forded
it

but

occurs

not

unfrequently.

Coombe and Darenth woods have


in

occasionally af-

abundance, and

it

has been found in

most of the south-eastern counties of England.


have not heard of
lisle,

We

its

occurrence to the north of Carit

in the

neighbourhood of which

has been taken

by

Mr

Heysham.

139

Genus MELITiEA.

The

genus Melitcpa, which approximates pretty

closely to the following one in its characters, has an-

tennae with a very abrupt knob,


flattish
;

which

is

large and
in

palpi long

and projecting, rather slender

some

of the species, with the terminal joint ending


half the length of the second
in
;
;

in a point, and nearly somewhat thickened

others, with

the

terminal
size, the

joint ovate

and minute

wings of moderate

anterior pair elongate-triangular,

and the anterior

legs spurious in both sexes, the claws in the other


legs

being either double, or simple, with a short

cushion.
neath,

The

majority are without silver spots bethe only

M.

Silene and Eujphrosyne being

kinds possessing that ornament.

The

caterpillars are

generally spinose, and the chrysalides are suspended

by the

tail

140

PEARL-BORDERED LIKENESS.
Meliicea Athalia.

PLATE

XII. Fig.

2.

Pap. Athalia, Esper. Pap. Dictynna, Lewin, pi. 14. fig. 5. and 6. Pearl-bordered Likeness, Harris Melitaea Atha-

lia,

Stephens.

The
to

expansion of the wings


:

is

from sixteen lines

two inches

the colour

tawny orange, marked


Beneath,

with black, the latter running in several undulating


lines across the surface, the base blackish.

the anterior wings are pale brownish-yellow, with a

few transverse streaks of black


behind
this there is a

the posterior pair with

several pale angular spots near the base,

edged with

black

continuous curved band


;

of large pale spots, also

edged with black

and near
fringe

the margin
is

two

series of black crescents.

The

yellowish-white, spotted with black.

The

caterpillar is black

and spiny, with two rows


It feeds
also,

of small white dots

on each segment, and tubercles

of a similar colour on the sides.

on the
accordbutter-

narrow and broad leaved plantain, and


ing to Wilkes, on the
fly is

common

heath.

The

not

uncommon

in Devonshire,

and many other

PEARL-BORDERED LIKENESS.
parts of the south of

141

England
It

hut

it

appears to he

very rare in the north.


of

presents several varieties,


is

which the most remarkable


It has the

that

named P. Py-

ronia by Hiibner, represented on our 13th Plate,


fig.

1.

upper wings blackish at the base,


nervurea

with a few yellow spots, the rest of the surface, as


far as the black border, likewise yellow, the

alone being black.

The hinder wings

are entirely

dark brown, with a row of small yellow spots towards


the margin, and a few others in the male near the
base.

The under

side of the

upper wings

is

yellow

at the base,

with large spots of black, the middle


;

also black,
pair,

and the extremity yellow

of the hinder

black at the base, with yellow spots, and a broad

central

band of white intersected by black

veins.

This beautiful variety has been found near London.

142

GREASY FRITILLARY.
Melitcea Artemis.

PLATE
Pap. Artemis, Fabr.

XIII. Fig.
15

2.

Lewin, Greasy Fritillary, Harris, Illus. Haust. i. p. 32.

pi.

Melitaea

Pap. maturna,
is

Esper. Artemis, Stephens

The

ground-colour of the surface

deep brown-

ish-yellow, the primary wings with black transverse

undulating

lines,

and

light

yellow spots

the secon-

dary pair with three bands, the intermediate one

tawny orange, with


irregular,

six small black spots, the others

and of a
are

light yellow.

Beneath, the

pri-

mary wings

somewhat

glossy, paler than above,


;

but the markings nearly similar

the

hinder pair

fulvous, having three bands of pale yellowish spots,

edged with black, that next the base very


semicircular spots placed along the margin

irregular,

the central one curved, and the other consisting of


;

between
is

the central and marginal band, the row of spots for-

merly mentioned
surrounded with
the wings
is

is

distinctly

marked, and each

light ochre-yellow.

The

fringe of

yellow, interrupted with black on the

1.

Melitaea Athaha,

var.

2 2eiitnea,Aremis. Gr,

asy Tritillary. malLPearl Voi'dered

Fritillary.

GREASY FR1TILLARY.
anterior wings only.
in the allied species.

143

The

other parts are nearly as

The

caterpillar feeds

on the two

common

species

of Plantain, and also on the Devil's-bit Scabious.

The body
same

is

black above, armed with spines of the

colour,

and the under side


is

is

yellow.

line

of very minute white dots

drawn along the back,

and another on each

side.

The

legs are reddish.

The

butterfly

first

appears on the wing towards the


Fritillaries, it

middle of May, and, like most of the


presents a considerable
its

number of

varieties.

It

owes
if

English

name

to the glistening appearance of the

wings, especially on the under side, which look as

they had been rubbed over with grease.


to occur in

It

appears

most of the southern counties of Engsaid to be particularly abundant near


It

land,

and

is

Brighton, and at Enborne in Berks.

likewise

occurs pretty far to the north, as

we

are informed

by

Mr Andrews
;

that

it

has been found near

Dur-

ham

and P.

J. Selby, Esq. has

taken

it

near Bel-

ford, in the

countv of Northumberland.

144

GLANV1LLE FRITILLARY.
Melitaea Cinxia.

PLATE XIV.
Pap. cinxia, Linn

Fig. 2.

Leii-in, pi. 14.

Haworth,

30.

Glan-

ville Fritillary,

Harris

Melitaea cinxia, Sleph.

Bears
dissimilar.

considerable resemblance to the preceding

species, but is usually larger,

and the markings are

The

colour
is

is

orange-tawny above, and

the whole

surface

reticulated

and spotted with

black, the posterior wings having a series of five or


six

black spots, forming a

row

parallel with the hinder


it.

margin, and at some distance from


colour
is

Beneath, the

much

paler than above, the primary wings

with a few transverse black streaks, and a series of


black crescents towards the tip
;

the hinder pair with

three irregular bands of pale spots, edged with black,

and a row of black

spots, with an ochreous

iris.

The fringe is whitish- yellow, spotted with The caterpillars are black, with rows
dots on the incisures, and along the sides
;

black.

of white the head

and prolegs rust-red.

They

feed on the

NarrowSpeed-

leaved Plantain (Plantago lanceolata),

Mouse-ear

Hawk- weed, and

the

Common Germander

GLANVILLE FRITILLARV.
well
(

145

Veronica chamcedrys).

They

generally issue

from the egg towards the end of the autumn, and


pass the winter before they undergo their final

meri-

tamorphosis.

To

protect themselves against the


little

gour of that season, they assemble in

colonies,

and form a kind of

tent,

of the leaves of the plant on

by drawing together a few which they feed, and

covering the whole with a


fly

web

of

silk.

The
it is

butter-

appears in June, but in this country


It

by no

means of frequent occurrence.


also near

has been found,

however, rather plentifully in the Island of Wight,

Dover, and

in a

few other places


It is

in the

southern parts of England.


Continent.

abundant on the

PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARl'.
Melitcea Euphrosyne.

PLATE XV.
Pap. Euphrosyne, Linn.

Fig.

2.

Leivin,

pi. 13.

Donovan*

xi.

pi. 312.

The
22
lines.

expansion of the wings varies from

8 to

All the wing9 are of a reddish-yellow co-

Jour above, blackish near the base, and variegated

with transverse streaks or spots of black

each of

them having a row of black spots towards the apex, and a band of the same colour along the outer mar-

146
gin,
in

PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY.
which forms on the inner
side a triangular point

the centre of each areolet, and encloses a

row

of

pretty large round spots, corresponding to the ground

colour of the surface.

The primary wings

are ra-

ther bright yellow beneath, the black spots smaller

than the corresponding ones on the surface, and the


tip spotted

with

light

yellow.

The

hinder wings

bear several large yellowish-white spots at the base,

some

of

them

slightly glossed with silver, the spaces


;

between being rust-red

the latter colour forms a

large spot in the middle,


ocellus.

ornamented with a central


is

Beyond

this,

there

a long quadrate

sil-

very spot, forming part of a very irregular band of


yellowish-white
hinder margin
low, and a
is
;

the space between which and the

is

variegated with rust-brown and yel-

row

of dark spots.

The

hinder margin

adorned with a row of large triangular silvery

spots,

bounded on

all

sides
is

by a deep black

line.

The

fringe of the wings


;

yellowish, spotted with

brown the antennae ringed with white, and the knob tipped with reddish-brown. Several varieties
occur, of which the most remarkable are those ha-

ving only one silvery spot on the disk of the inferior

wings

and such as have the basal


large black spots.
is

half of the

upper

wings black, spotted with yellow, and their under side

marked with

The
lines of

caterpillar

black and spinose, with macular


It feeds

orange along the back.

on

diffe-

rent

kinds of Violet, particularly the Dog's Violet,


lutea.

and Viola

The

butterfly

is

apparently dis-

PEARL-BORDERKD FR1TILLARY.
tributed over the whole island, as
tices of its

147
no;

we have seen

most parts of Emdand and numerous specimens have been received from
occurrence
in

Perthshire, Ross-shire, Sutherland, and others of the

more northern counties


ed species,
first

of Scotland, while
It is a

it is

not

rare throughout the lowlands.

double-brood-

appearing

in the

end of May, and

auain in autumn.

148

SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY.


Melitcea Silene.

PLATE

XIII. Via.

3.

Melitaea Silene, Jermyn. Pap. Silene, Fabr. Haivorth. Small pearl-borSteph Pap. Euphrasia, Lewin, pL 13 dered Fritillary, Haivorth.

Rather
which
in the
it is

smaller than

the

preceding, which
:

it

greatly resembles on the surface

the characters by

distinguished on the under side, consist

ground colour of the secondary wings being

ferruginous, or rust-brown, with the transverse


at the base

band
in

and middle not of so


in

light a

yellow as in
the
are

M. Euphrosyne :
central

having three silvery spots

band, and five others,

three of which

placed in a line on the anterior border, and the other

two near the inner edge

in

having only six triangular

spots of silver on the border; and, lastly, in having

the ocular spot towards the base black, with a red


pupil.

The

caterpillar is described as being black

and

spiny, the one-half of the


sides of the

spines yellow, and the


a light-coloured stripe.

body marked with


is

The

butterfly

of frequent occurrence, but seems

SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY.


to be less generally distributed

149

tban tbe preceding.

In Scotland it is much scarcer than M. Enphrosyne. " Not at all rare near Newcastle, appearing in the

beginning of July, while


appears in the beginning of

M.

Euphrosi/ne usually

G. Andrews

JVailcs, Esq. " Both these species are abundant near Durham."
)

June."~G.

Esq,

150

Genus

ARGYNNIS.
number
lar-

Although
ant

constituted by a very limited

of species, this genus ranks

among

the most import-

we

possess, as

comprehending a few of the

gest and most richly ornamented of our native butterflies.

When

viewed from above, however, there

is

no appearance of much embellishment, the surface beJng rather remarkable for uniformity of ing of
tint, consist-

some shade

of reddish-brown, streaked
;

and

chequered with black

has probably caused the

mode of colouring which old name of Fritillary to be


some resemblance But the

applied to them, from their bearing

to the tessellated markings of that flower.

under side

is

decorated with large spots and streaks

of beautiful silver white,

which renders them very

conspicuous
species

objects,

even when contrasted with

most richly coloured in other respects, but

destitute of this metallic brilliancy.

They are

the only

Eritish insects of their kind that exhibit this


glitterance," besides the

" silvery

two

last species of the pre-

ceding genus.

To

the latter, indeed, they approxiin

mate very closely

other particulars, but

may

be

distinguished from them, as well as from other cog-

nate genera, by the following characters:

Antennae

rather long and slender, with a very abrupt, spoon-

GENUS ARGYNNJS.
shaped club, ridged on the under side
:

151
palpi with

the middle joint very long, the basal and terminal


joints short, the latter very slender, acicular
:

wings

very ample, slightly scolloped, the hinder pair generally

extending beyond the abdomen


;

anterior legs

imperfect in both sexes

the four posterior leps with

claws and two appendages at the base.


salis is

The

chry-

suspended by the

tail.


152

QUEEN OF SPA IX FRITILLARY.


Argynnis Lalhonia.

PLATE XVI.
Pap. Lathonia, Linn.
pi. 73

Fig.

2.

Queen
is

Leivin,

pi. 12.

Donovan,

iii.

of Spain Fritillarv, Harris.

The
form.

surface

yellowish-brown, with numerous

insulated black spots,

most of them of a rounded

Beneath, the ground colour of the primary


is

wings

paler than above, but they are

marked with

black in a similar manner, and have a few silvery


spots towards the
tip.

The under

side of the se-

condary

wings

is

ornamented with

upwards

of

twenty

silvery spots, very unequal in size, seven of

them of a semicircular shape, forming a row near


the hinder margin, before which there
series of ocellated spots of a
silver pupil.
is

a transverse

brownish colour with a

with black.
account,
is

The fringe is pale yellow, interrupted The caterpillar, according to Godart's


It is

greyish-brown, spinose, with a white line


solitary,

along the back.


Heart's ease
(

and feeds on the

Viola tricolor),

a kind of Saintfoin

(Hedysarum

onobrychis), and

Anchusa

officinalis.

brawn

Frit,

2 AniVNiusLuf/i/'!.:,;


QUEEN OF SPAIN FRITILLARY.
Although abundant
inhabiting
Britain.
in all the

153

middle and southern


is

countries of Europe, this butterfly


It
is^

among

the rarest
for

sometimes not seen

many

successive seasons, while in others specimens


in several places.

have been procured

This was the

case particularly in 1818, a year which appears to

have been especially favourable to the increase of

many
to be

species,
r

which

in ordinary seasons are

seldom

met w ith. The following localities may be mentioned Gamlingay and Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire; Castle-meadow, Dover; Hal vergate, Norfolk;
:

Stoke near Navland, Suffolk

Birchwood, Kent.

HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY


A rgy nnis A dippe.
PLATE XVI.
Pap. Adippe, Linn
Fig.
1.

Hi"h Brown Fritillarv, Harris.

Lewin.

pi.

10

Donovan,

xiii. pi. 448.

The
and a

wings generally expand about two inches and are of a bright yellow, inclining to
the upper surface, with transverse undu-

half,

brown on

lating streaks,

and round spots of black, together


black.

with a series of black crescents near the outer margin,

which

is itself

On

the under side, the

primary wings are of a lighter hue, without the black


external border, and having a few silvery spots near

154
the tip
;

HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY.


the secondary pair are brownish-yellow, with

about twenty-four silvery spots, six or seven of them


placed irregularly near the base, the others forming

two transverse bands, one near the

centre,

somewhat

interrupted in the middle, the other lying along the

outer margin, and composed of triangular spots edged


internally with rust-red
ternal
;

between the central and ex-

band there

is

a series of small round rusty-

brown spots, most of them having a silver pupil. The body is blackish above, with reddish hairs, and
pale yellow "beneath
;

the antenna? brownish, with the

extremity of the club brownish-yellow.

The
on the

caterpillar is reddish,

becoming olive-green
line

with age, having a white dorsal


sides.
(

and white dots

It feeds

on the pansy and sweet smell-

ing violet

Viola odor at a).

Not

so plentiful as either of the following species,


in

but found occasionally


parts of England.

many

places in the southern


in the

It is

observed on the wing

end of June and in July, and generally frequents


heaths and the borders of woods.

Many

varieties

have been described, some of them having the upper

wings almost wholly black.

Dark, oreen FrittUarx Pearl bordered Fritfflai

155

DARK GREEN FRITILLARY.


Argynnis Aglaia.

PLATE XV.
Pap. Aglaia, Linn.
pi.

Fig.

1.

Leivin, 11 Donovan, Dark Green Fritillary, Harris.


on the upper

ix. pi. 302.

Very

like the preceding

side,

but

usually rather paler, the individual figured being a

dark coloured example of the female.

The

principal

marks of

distinction are to be found

on the under

side of the wings,

which are of a
;

fine yellowish-green,

especially the hinder pair


silver spots

the anterior with several


;

on the hinder margin

the posterior with

six or seven scattered silvery spots near the base, a

curved band near the middle, and another consisting


of seven spots of equal size parallel with the hinder

margin,
spots.

without any intervening row of ocellated

The

anterior margin of the costal areolet, a

portion of the abdominal one, and that lying next to


it,

are also glossed with silver.

The
row

caterpillar feeds

on the dog's

violet.

It

is

brownish-black, yellowish on the back, and having a


of quadrate red spots along the sides, one on

each segment, excepting the two next the head.

156

DARK GREEN FRITILLARY.


chrysalis
is

The

reddish,

with waved

streaks

of

brown.
This
is

rather a plentiful species in most parts of


It
is

the country.

said to be

abundant throughout
often procured
districts of

the south of England, and

we have

specimens from the middle and northern


Scotland.
It
is

rather rare, however, in the neigh;

bourhood of Newcastle

but occurs abundantly near


It

Durham,
it

in the

beginning of Juty.

has been oc-

casionally observed in the vicinity of Edinburgh, but

must be regarded

as

somewhat scarce

in that neigh-

bourhood, as well as throughout the south of Scotland.

Silver WashtzlFritdlary.

GlarwiUe Fi

M>7

SILVER- WASHED FRITiLLARY.


Argynnis Paphi*,.

PLATE XIV.
Pap, Pa phia, Linn.

Fig.

1.

Donovan,
is

vii. pi.

247,

5.

Lewin,

pi. 9.

This
of the

species

usually of a larger size than either

two preceding, but it bears considerable resemblance to them in the colour and markings of the
surface.

The upper

side

is

a bright yellowihh-brown

(tinged with green in the female), variously streaked

and spotted with black.

Beyond

the middle of

all

the wings, there are three series of black spots, which


are of a rounded form in the

two innermost rows,

and angular

in

the marginal one.


side,

wings are paler on the under


with green.

The primary many of the black

spots indistinctly marked, and the tip slightly tinged


in certain places

The secondary wings


and ornamented with

are green, with a brassy lustre,

four transverse streaks or irregular bands of silver-

white, the

two next the base abbreviated, and the


;

fourth occupying the hinder margin

the space be-

tween the two hinder bands and bears traces of the two

is

tinged with yellow,

superficial

rows of

spots.

The body

is

covered with hairs the colour of the

158
wings,
lights.

SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY.
changing
into

yellowish-green

in

certain

The under
caterpillar
is

side of

the antennae,

and the

apex of the club, are ochre-yellow.

The

light

brown, yellowish on the


;

back, with two dark lines along the sides


are long and hairy, and

the spines
first

two placed on the

seg-

ment

just behind the head, are considerably longer

than the rest.

(See Plate III. Fig.

5.)

It feeds

on
19

the dog's violet and raspberry.

The

perfect insect

not
is

uncommon

in nearly

all

parts of England, and

found also

in Scotland,

but

much

less frequently-

159

Genus

VANESSA.

In this genus the antennae terminate in an oval

Hub

the palpi approximate at the extremity, and

project obliquely, forming- a kind of beak in front of the head


:

the basal joint

is

short and curved, the se-

cond very long and tapering, and the terminal one


slender and conical
:

the wings angular, or having


;

projecting points on the hinder margin

legs alike in

both sexes

the anterior pair not formed for walking,

the tarsus being

composed of a

single

compressed
,

spatulate piece, and densely clothed with long hairs

the four posterior tarsi terminating in double claws,

with a minute heart-shaped appendage between them.

The

caterpillars are

armed with long

spines,

but
chry-

have the segment next the head naked.


salis is

The

angular, with
is

two projecting
tail.

points on the

head, and

suspended by the

Several of the
insects,

Vanessse are

among our most common

and

they are surpassed by few in the beauty and variety


of their colours.
texture,

The wings

are thick and of a rigid


in

and the body so much more robust than

the generality of their tribe, that they frequently pass the winter in a kind of

dormant

state,

and again take

wing on the returning warmth of


sent

spring.

They

pre-

some

differences in

the structure of their oral

organs, and ought perhaps, in strict propriety, to


f

orm two

or three subgenera.

160

COMMA BUTTERFLY.
Vanessa C- album.

PLATE

XVII.

Fig.

1.

PapilJo C-album, Linn

Donovan,
The

vi. 45, pi. 199.

This

is

the smallest species of the genus inhabit-

ing Britain, and differs considerably from the others


in the form of the wings.

colour of the upper

side

is

reddish-yellow, generally darker in the male

than in the female, irregularly spotted with black,

and having the hinder margin dark brown two of the largest spots on the upper wings are placed on
;

the anterior border, the others, four or five in


ber,

numThe
inclin-

occupy the disk

on the under wings there are


dark brown, often

usually three irregular black spots or patches.

colour of the under side

is

ing to yellow, the basal half of the wings and the

apex being darkest


terior pair there is

on the paler portion of the anan obscure band of green, and


ocelli

two
gin

indistinct

rows of greenish

may

be traced

across both wings, not very far from the outer mar:

the hinder wings have a short curved line of


letter

pure white near the middle, resembling the


reversed, from which the species derives

its

name.

PLATE

17

Varu tsa CjdJjian

_'

Comma

B.

/' .. n h hloro* Larae Tortoise sJiell


/

B.

COMMA BUTTERFLY.
The
antennse are black above, and
;

161

brown with white


is

rings beneath

the club tipped with yellow.

The

colour of the caterpillar

brownish-red,

with a broad dorsal band of white extending from


before the middle to the binder extremity.

The
large

head

is

nearly heart-shaped, and bears

two

hairy tubercles, one on each side, resembling ears.


It

consumes the

foliage of various trees, shrubs,

and

herbaceous plants, such as the elm and willow, the


currant, hazel, honeysuckle,

and the common

nettle.

The

fly is

by no means

of frequent occurrence in

Britain,

at least in certain years,

and does not ap-

pear to extend far north, although


its

we have heard of
Scotland.
It

having been seen

in

Fifeshire in

has been found abundantly near Hertford, in Suffolk,


in

the neighbourhood of York, and occasionally in

most of the midland counties of England.


July, and the second in September.

The

first

brood appears in the end of June or beginning of

Such summer.

as are

produced
insect
nent,

late in the

year,

are usually of a

paler colour than those of the early


is

much The

common in most parts of the Contiknown in the French provinces, and has been described by Geoffroy, under the name of Ro'
very
is

and

bert le diable

162

GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL.
Vanessa polychloros.

PLATE XVII.
Pap. polychloros, Linn

Fig.

2.

Donovan,

viii. 6.0, pi.

278.

This
V.
ly

species bears considerable resemblance to


its

Urticce in

colour and markings, but

it is

usual-

much
is

larger, the

expansion of the wings somehalf.

times exceeding two inches and a


side

The upper
some
of the

dark orange, inclining to ochre-yellow towards

the anterior margin, and at the sides of


spots.

The upper wings have two

large quadrate

black spots, like abbreviated bands, on the anterior

margin

the base

two smaller spots, placed obliquely, towards two small rounded ones on the disk, and
;

another near the hinder angle.


are

The hinder wings


Both

marked with a

single black spot of considerable

size near the

middle of the anterior margin.

wings have a deep border of black externally, orna-

mented with a
by two

series of crescents,

which are pale

in

the anterior pair, but blue in the others, and bounded


parallel lines of pale yellow.

On
is

the under

side, the basal half of all the

wings

dark brown,

the remainder yellowish-grey,

finely

marked with

GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL.

163

undulating lines of brown, and an obscure row of


bluish crescents towards the tip.

Three pale spots

are observable on

the anterior part of the upper

wings, and one near the middle of the hinder pair.

"

The

caterpillar is bluish or brownish,

with a
slightly
larvse

lateral

stripe

of

orange

the

spines

are

branched and yellowish.


live

While young, these

together under a silken web, which they spin


;

for their protection

but they disperse after they


first

have changed their

skin.

They

feed on the
fruitis

willow and elm, and also on some kinds of


trees,

particularly

the

cherry.

The

chrysalis

flesh-coloured, with golden spots near the neck."*

Although abundant
Butterfly, as

in

most parts of the conticannot be rank-

nent of Europe, the Great Tortoise- Shell (or Elrn


it is

sometimes

called),

ed

among

the most
least,

common
it

of our day-flying

Le-

pidoptera; at

is

scarce in

many

districts,

and appears
It

in plenty in others only in certain years.


all

occurs

in

the southern counties of England,

and

in the Isle of

Wight

we have
in

traced

it

as far

north as Dunkeld, and have seen notices of

its

ha-

ving been frequently observed

many

of the inter-

mediate counties.
in

There seems

to be but

one

flight

the season, which usually takes place about the

middle of July.
in spring

On

the Continent,

it

appears both

and towards the close of summer.


:

Encyclop. Methoclique

Papillon, p. 305.

Ifi4

SMALL TORTOISE-SHELL.
Vanessa Uracce.

PLATE XIX.

Fig.

1.

Pap. Urticse, Linn. &c.

The prevailing
margin
rate
;

colour of the upper side

is

orange-

red, inclining to yellow, especially

on the anterior

black
is

there

marked with three large quadobliquely, beyond which towards the middle of a small white mark
the latter
spots,
is

placed

the hinder margin there

is

another large black spot,


;

and two small round ones on the disk


margin
is

the hinder

widely bordered with black, and ornament-

ed with a series of blue crescents, and two undulating lines of pale yellow
:

the basal half of the under

wings
wings.

is

black, the rest orange red, except the hin-

der margin, which resembles that of the anterior

On

the under side the anterior wings are

pale yellowish,

with

three large
;

patches of dark

,rovvn towards the base

the tip mottled with

brown

and marked with an indistinct row of dusky crescents the basal portion of the under wings is dark:

brown beneath, with a small white dot

in the middle,

the rest light-grey, mottled with brown, and

marked

with an indistinct row of bluish-black triangular

PLATE

19.

SmalLTortoist-shellB

Paint&lZadyB.

SMALL TORTOISE-SHELL.
spots.

165

The body and

base of the wings are clothed

with long brownish


riegated with white.

hairs,

and the antennae are vaon the


nettle,

The
and
egg,
for

caterpillars of this species feed

some time

after they are excluded


little

from the

live

together in

family associations, but

disperse as soon as their increasing size renders a


larger supply of food necessary.

They

are of a

blackish

colour,

with four yellowish


;

stripes,

two

along the back, and one on each side


set

the body be-

with strong branched spines.


This
is

by

far the

most common insect of the


all

genus, occurring abundantly in

parts of England,

and extending
state,

to the northern extremity of Scotland.

Considerable numbers pass the winter in a torpid

and

issue

from their retreats on the

first

warm

days of March.
it

In the south of Scotland, where


the

is

known by

name

of the Devil's Butterfly,

and Witch's Butterfly, we have occasionally observed it on the wing even before that period, and it has
been noticed in the
nuary.*
Isle of

Wight on

the 8th of Ja-

There appear

to be at least

two broods

annually, one in June, and another in September.

In the south of Europe


species,
fine

it

is

likewise a prevalent

and

in

Italy

it

continues on the wing in


Its metamorphoses by Swammerdara under Dutch Day Butterfly.f

weather the whole winter.


delineated

are admirably

the

name

of the

Common

Loudon's Mag. of Nat. Hist. v. p. 595. T Book of Nature, pi. xxxiv. and xxxv.

166

PEACOCK'S EYE.
Vanessa
To.

PLATE
Pap. Io, Linn.

XVIII.

Fig.

1.

Donovan,

vi. 67, pi.

206.

The
ish-red,

colour of this elegant insect


inclining to purple,

is

deep brown-

with a large eye-like

spot on each wing.


is

On

the anterior wings, this spot


is

placed near the apex, and

composed of a yellow

crescent on the inner side, a semicircular patch of

blue

externally,

and a large reddish-brown pupil,


it

which becomes darker anteriorly, where


with the black margin.

unites

On

the outer side of the

pupil, there are three small spots of a whitish-blue

colour,

forming an irregular line with two others

placed in the red portion of the wing.


is

The

ocellus

bounded

internally
is

by

a triangular patch of black,

next to this

a yellow spot, succeeded by a black

triangular one, which does not reach the anterior

margin

the latter towards the base


lines of black.

is

yellowish,

with transverse

The

ocellus of the

hinder wings consists of a large black central patch,


spotted with blue, and encircled by a zone of pale

silky-brown, which

is

bounded

anteriorly

by a large

PLATE

If

Peacock

B.

CamherwelLbeauA

peacock's eye.
black crescent.

167
is

The under

side of the wings

shining dark -brown, with transverse undulating lines


of deep black, the five bluish -white spots of the up-

per wings appearing as pale points, and another


milar spot
is

si-

observable in the middle of the hinis

der wings.

The body
:

blackish,

and clothed with

rust-coloured hairs

the legs dull yellow.

The

caterpillar feeds

on the two

common

species

of stinging nettle.

It is of a shining

black colour,
in

with numerous white points somewhat disposed

transverse lines, and having the hinder legs rust-red.

This highly beautiful insect, which the earliest of


our British naturalists styles "

omnium

regina,"

is

much

less extensively distributed

than the preceding

species.

Although abundant

in

most parts of Eng-

land, there appear to be certain districts even in the

south where

it is

comes scarce

as

not common, aud it gradually bewe advance northwards. The most


it

northern place where

has occurred in plenty,


it

is

the vicinity of York, and

probably does not extend

beyond the Frith of Forth. Throughout the south of Scotland, indeed, it is seldom seen, although it
nas been stated, through

some mistake,

to be a
it

comhave

mon

species in that quarter.

We

know

to

occurred sparingly near Edinburgh, and also in Roxburghshire and Dumfriesshire.

168

CAMBER WELL BEAUTY.


Vanessa Antiopa.

PLATE

XVIII.

Fig. 2.

Donovan, iii. 45, pi. 89. Lewin^ Papilio Antiopa, Linn. The Willow Butterfly, Wilke's English Butterpi. 1
flies, pi.

113. Curtis, B. E.

ii.

96.

This
terflies,

is

one of the largest of our indigenous but-

the expansion of the wings sometimes ex-

ceeding three inches.


is

The upper

side of both wings

a uniform deep purplish-brown, having the ap-

pearance of velvet, bounded externally by a broad

band of velvet-black,

in

which are placed a

series of

pretty large violet-blue spots, of an oblong shape on


the hinder wings, hut usually with a tendency to a

crescent form in the anterior pair


is

beyond

this there

a broad cream-coloured border, slightly


inner side,

waved on

the

and sprinkled with minute black on the


salient angles.

points, especially
rior border

The

ante-

has two cream-coloured spots


is

beyond

the middle, and


base.

mottled with yellow towards the

The under side is shining dark brown, with transverse waved lines of deep black, and a small yellowish spot near the middle of each wing, and two
larger ones on the anterior border.

CAMBERWELL BEAUTY.
The
caterpillar, like

169
to

most of those helonging and consumes the

this genus, is gregarious,

foliage

of various trees, particularly the birch, willow, and


poplar.

The

colour of

its

body

is

black, with a se-

ries of spots

along the back, and the eight interme


'

diate legs red.

" This fine species," says

Mr

Curtis, "

is

renderits

ed rare and remarkable


riodical appearance,

in this

country by

pe-

the cause of which has never

hitherto been ascertained.

The most

probable con'

jecture

is

(as

Mr Haworth
occasionally

has observed), that

then-

eggs in this climate, like the seeds of some vegetables,

may

lie

dormant

for several sea-

sons,

some extraordinary but undiscovered coincidence awake them into active


and not hatch
until

life.'

Until four or five years since,

V.

Antiopa

had not been seen

for nearly forty years,


in different

when

it

was exceedingly abundant


kingdom.
Suffolk,

parts of the
in

In the year 1819, a few were taken

and

Mr
it

Samouelle captured one the followhas not been seen.

ing spring that had lived through the winter, since

which period
its

It has received
first

English

name from having been


it

observed

at

Camberwell, whither
found

might have been attracted


larvae feed.

by willows, upon which the


terfly is in the
is

The
It

butfre-

beginning of August.

quents woods, and

strong and rapid in flight."*

" This species has been once taken in Scotland,


near Beith in Ayrshire."
*

James Wilson, Esq.


Entom.
ii.

British

96.

270

ADMIRAL RED.
Vanessa Atalanta.

PLATE XX.

Fig.

1.

Leivin, pi. 7. Donovan, \-\ii. pi. 260 Pap. Atalanta, Linn. Pap. major nigricans, &c. The Admiral, Ray's Ins. The Admirable, Jlbin, p. 3 Admiralis Atalanta, 126

the Alderman, Iiennie.

The

upper side of
a
fine

this

beautiful insect
:

is

deep

Llack, with

silky gloss

the

upper wings

have a broad band of red running from the anterior

margin obliquely across the surface nearly to the


hinder angle, where
it is

considerably incurved, be-

yond which are six white spots, small and rounded, except the two at the anterior margin, of which the inner one is large and quadrate, and the other some-

what crescent-shaped

beyond these there

is

a faint
:

bluish streak parallel with the apical margin

the
in

under wings have a broad border of red behind,

which there

is

a series of small angular black spots,


at the inner

and two semicircular patches of blue


angles.

On

the under side of the anterior wings the


is

oblique band

ochreous-red, becoming paler at the


;

hinder extremity
is

towards the base of the wing there


blue,

narrow waved streak of

and two others of

1.]

anes&i

ZXimmitis
II7//A-

'a/rulla

Red, Admiral

.///

ADMIRAL RED.
red,

171
be-

one of which

is

united to the central band

yond the

latter are

the extreme tip

two irregular blue streaks, and of the wing is of a tawny colour, in


the

which are two o f the smaller white spots surrounded


with a dusky ring
:

hinder wings

are

finely

marbled with undulating lines and spots of black,

brown, and yellowish-grey, the

latter

forming a large

patch near the middle of the anterior edge.


fringe of the

The
nettle.

wings

is

white, interrupted with black.

The
It

caterpillar is solitary,

and feeds on the

prefers the seed of that plant to the leaves,

and

usually protects itself from the weather by drawing

a few leaves around


threads.

it,

which

it

secures by silken

It is greenish, or nearly black,

with a ma-

cular line of yellow along each side.


It is

common

in England,
all

and occurs

in
It is

plenty apparently in

parts of Scotland.

some most

frequently seen towards the end of autumn, and delights to alight

on the flower of the


It is

dahlia,
all

or

late flowering aster.

found in

parts of

some Eu-

rope, in the United States of America, and the countries

of Africa skirting the Mediterranean.


in the island of

In the
it is

East Indies, and

Teneriffe,

re

placed by a very closely allied insect, which beautifully

exemplifies the nice and occasionally almost

imperceptible gradations by which nature sometimes


passes from one species to another.

The

latter is

named
it

V. vulcania,

and the distinctive marks which

presents are so slight, that they might seem rather between those few days that intervene from the end

172

ADMIRAL RED.

a casual modification of the characters of V. atalanta,

than the indication of any specific difference

yet the

two have a

totally different range of geographical

distribution.*

" This insect very rarely appears,"

says a popular writer, speaking of V. atalanta, " until

late in

September, and then so perfect and fresh


its

in its

plumage, as to manifest

recent production

from the chrysalis.

In some years they abound, and

we may

see twenty of these beautiful creatures extheir brilliant

panding and closing


fruit trees

wings under the

on our walls, or basking upon the disc of


at

some autumnal flower; and


hardly a specimen
is

another,
;

perhaps,

to be obtained

nor do they

seem, like the wasp, to be scarce or abundant according to the deficiency or plenty of the season, but
influenced by other causes.
flies

Many

of our butter-

are produced by successive hatches, supplying

the places of those which have been destroyed, and

here
dual

it is
;

difficult to

mark

the duration of an indivi-

and

others, as the nettle, peacock,

and wood

tortoise, in

many instances

survive the winter, hidden

in

some

recess or sheltered apartment, appearing in

the spring time-worn and shabby.

But

V. atalanta

appears only in the autumn, not as a preserved creature,

but as a recent production


its life

and hence

we

can

ascertain the duration of

to be

comprised only

* A figure of V. Vulcania will be found in Loudon's Mag. of Nat. Hist., v. p. 752, where it is described by an intelligent observer as intermediate between V. Atalanta and C.

Cardui.

Both Cramer and Herbst have figured

it

as a va-

riety of V. atalanta.

ADMIRAL RED.
of
its

173

September

to the

end of October, by which time


lias

food in our gardens

pretty well disappeared. the


the
it,

Some sheltered wall, garnished with the bloom of ivy, may prolong its being a little longer, but
rendering the
life

cold and the dampness of the season soon destroy

of this creature, the most beautiful

of our lepidopterous tribes, of very brief duration."*


*

Journal

01 a Naturalist, p. 290.


174

PAINTED LADY.
Cynthia Cardui.

PLATE XIX.

Fig.

2.

Pap. Cardui, Linn. Donovan, ix. pi. 202 Lewin, pi. 6 Vanessa Cardui, Samou Curtis The Painted Lady, Wilkes, pi. 107 Harris, Aur. pi. 11.

The

genus Cynthia approaches so closely to the


if it is

foregoing, that

held to he distinct,

it

can only

be regarded with propriety as a suhgenus.


chief difference
in
is

The

in the

form of the wings, which

Cynthia are scarcely angular, and the hinder pair

are rounded and simply scolloped without

any prois

jecting

lobe.

The

club

of

the antennae

very

short and abrupt, and the palpi are long, gradually

narrowing to a point.
species found in
base,

The upper wings


are

of the only
at

Britain

tawny-brown

the

the

middle ochre-red,

inclining to carmine,

with a very irregular transverse patch of black, and


a large portion at the apex black, adorned with five

white

spots,

the

inner

one

largest,

and placed

obliquely,

the others

two

in the

somewhat rounded, and the middle rather minute. Near the margin

PAINTED LADY.
there
is

175

an indistinct series of white crescents, be-

yond
is

this a

row

of faint yellow spots, and the fringe


black.

white,

interrupted with

The secondary

wings are tawny brown

at the

base and inner side,

and black anteriorly, the remaining portion ochreyred, spotted with black, the latter

forming three rows

behind
of

the

first

consisting of five round spots,


;

some

them

indistinctly ocelliform

the second of a se-

ries of crescents,

and the third of pretty large patches

placed on the projecting points of the hinder border.

The

anal angle

is

ornamented with a pretty large

black spot, with a streak of blue behind.

On

the

under

side, the

primary wings are whitish

at the base, in

and have a large spot of that colour anteriorly,

addition to those that correspond to the upper side


the tip
circled
ocelli
;

is

light

brown, the two smallest spots en-

with

black,

which makes them resemble


is

and the whole disk

tinged with a heautiful

tint of

carmine, deepest towards the base, and inter-

mixed with ochre-yellow externally.


side of the hinder

The under

wings

is

delicately variegated with

light-brown, greyish-white, and yellow; the darker

portions intersected with white ramifications, in such


a

manner

as to produce in

ance of leaves springing from a stem.


hinder extremity there
is

some places the appearTowards the a row of five ocelli, the


it

outer one small and obsolete, that next to

and the

innermost one being largest, and powdered with blue


in the

middle, the intermediate two powdered with


is

green: a row of purplish-blue crescents

placed be-

76

PAINTED LADY.

hind these, and the extreme


low.

mugin

is

brownish-yel-

The body is

clothed with reddish-brown hairs

above, and with white beneath.

The

caterpillar is very spiny, of a

brownish-grey

colour, with interrupted yellow lines along the sides.


It is solitary, of the

in this respect differing

from

all

those

genus Vanessa except

V. atalanta,

and feeds
malchry-

on different species of

thistle, also

on the

nettle,

low, artichoke, and several other plants.


salis
is

The

nearly of the same hue as the larvae, and

thickly spotted with gold.

This species

is

generally scarce, but appears in

certain indefinite
[t

periods in considerable numbers.


in

was very abundant near London

been less frequently met with since.

1826, but has " Near Dur-

ham, but not common," G. Andrevcs, Esq. In Scotland


it is

seen occasionally throughout the southern


;

division of the countiy

and we once saw several


in

individuals in the

Edinburgh Botanical Garden,


It is

the end of March, which had evidently just issued

from their winter


being found
in

retreat.

very widely spread,

America, the two extremities of

Africa, and in Java.

PLATE

21.

Apatura Iris
Purple. Emperor.

177

PURPLE EMPEROR.
Apatura
Iris.

PLATE XXI.
Pap. Iris, Linn. Donovan, Purple Emperor, Harris

Purple

pi. 37. <$

Lewin,

pi. 16

The

Highflyer, Wilkes.

Antennae
cave
:

long, the club elongate-ovate

and conthe basal


latter

palpi long,

and projecting beyond the head,


;

where they meet and form a kind of beak


conical, the intermediate

and terminal joints nearly of equal length, the


curved
loped

one very long, slender, and


the others slightly scol;

wings somewhat triangular, the edge of the


entire,

primary pair nearly


:

eyes not pubescent

the anterior legs small

and imperfect in both sexes.

The

caterpillar has

the head divided behind into two long horns (PI. III.
6g. 6).
is

The

chrysalis has the


tail.

head piece

bifid,

and

suspended by the

The
named,
certain
tint.

surface of the wings, in the species above


is

dark

brown,

changing

when
of

seen

in

lights

into

purplish-blue

very

rich

This

brilliant

reflection is not visible in the


is

female,

and that sex

also

distinguished

by the

wings being of a paler brown, and having two ad

178
ditional

PURPLE EMPEROR.
white spots towards
the outer extremity

of the upper wings.

In both sexes there are four

macular patches of white on the upper wings, the

two outermost

consisting of

two small spots each,

the two innermost more continuous, but somewhat

curved and interrupted at the nervures.


of these patches
is

The

largest

placed in a line with a bar of

white, which traverses the under wings in an oblique


direction, emitting a salient angle near the middle of
its

outer edge.

pale
far

Midway between this band and a tawny streak which circumscribes the wings not
is

from the margin, there

a round black spot sur:

rounded by a ring of ochre-red

a streak of the lat-

ter colour is also observable at the anal angle,

and on

the extremity of the adjoining nervure.


side,

On

the under

the upper wings are rust- brown, inclining to

black in the middle, with a large ocellus towards the

hinder angle, and two black spots not far from the
base, in addition to the white
to those

marks corresponding

on the upper side

the under wings have

the transverse white band rather broader than above,

and the
and a

ocellus appears smaller

the base avid hinder

portion are greyish, with something of a pearly lustre,


faint

undulating brown line runs along the


is

margin.

The body

black above, the under side

and leg9 greyish-white.

Both the

caterpillar

and chrysalis are pale green


tip,

the horns of the former reddish at the ing a yellow stripe

and havIt feeds

down

the outer side.

on the

common

sallow and oak.

PL'RPLE EMPEROR.
This
fine insect,

l'[)

which

is

highly prized by collecdifficulty with

tors botli for its beauty,


it is

and the

which

obtained, has been occasionally found in


it

many

of the southern counties of England, but

does not

It has been found in some Coombe-wood, Great and Little Stour Woods, in Essex, Dodnash and Raydon Wood?, in

extend

far to the north.

plenty in

Suffolk, &c.

Owing
it is

to the strength
fly

and thickness

of

its

wings

enabled to

with greater velocity

than any other British butterfly, and to maintain a


lofty

and continuous

flight

almost like the soaring of

a bird of prey.
scribed
that

Its habits

have been so well de-

by Haworth

in his

Lepidoptera Britannica,

we cannot refrain from extracting the passage. " The Purple Emperor of the British Oaks is not
Aurelians.

undeservedly the greatest favourite of our English


In his manners likewise, as well as in the

varying lustre of his purple plumes, he possesses the


strongest claims to their particular attention.

In the

month
state,

of July he

makes

his

appearance

in the

winged

and invariably

fixes his throne

upon the sum-

mit of a lofty oak, from the utmost sprigs of which,

on sunny days, he performs

his aerial excursions


his loftiest flights

when
sumes

the sun

is

at the meridian,

take place, and about four in the afternoon he rehis station of repose.

He

ascends to a

much

greater elevation than any other insect, sometimes

if

mounting higher than the eye can follow especially he happens to quarrel with another Emperor, the
;

monarch

of

some neighbouring oak: they never meet

180

PURPLE KMPEROR.
all

without a battle, flying upwards

the while, and


as possible, after

combating with each other


which they
tical sprigs

as

much

will frequently return again to the iden-

from whence they ascended.

The wings

of this fine species are of a stronger texture than

those of any other in Britain, and more calculated


for that

gay and powerful

flight

which

is

so

much

admired by entomologists.
of

The

females, like those

many
;

other species, are very rarely seen on the

wing

in three days I captured twenty-three (nine of

them

in one day),
fly

and never took a female

at

all.

The males

very high, and are only to be taken

by a bag-net, fixed to the end of a rod twenty or There have been instances, though thirty feet long.
very rare, of their settling on the ground near puddles
of water, and being taken there.

When
more

the Purple

Emperor

is

within reach, no

fly is

easily taken;

for lie is so very bold

and

fearless,

that he will not

move from
him
off;

his settling-place until


tip

you quite push

you may even

the ends of his wings,

and be suffered to strike him again."


181

WHITE ADMIRAL.
Lxmenitis Camilla.

PLATE XX.

Fig.

2.

Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii, pi. 124 DonoPap. Camilla, Linn Lewin. pi. 8 White Admiral, Pettier van, viii. pi. 244 and Curtis The "White Admirable, Harris' Aurelian,

pi.

30.

Antenna
and elongated

thickening

gradually from

near the

middle almost to the apex, the club being slender


;

palpi not approximating

at

the

tip,

the basal joint shortest and nearly oval, the second

one very long, and the terminal one elongate-ovate,

ending suddenly

in a point

wings not much longer


;

than broad, rounded and entire


alike
in

eyes pubescent
pair

legs

both sexes,

the

anterior

short and
in

slender, the tarsus

formed of a single joint ending

a small claw, the other claws nearly resembling those


of

Vanessa.

Caterpillar with obtuse fleshy projecfig. 7).

tions on the back, fringed with hair (PI. III.

Chrysalis bifid at the head, and suspended by the


tail.

This elegant insect

is

about the size of larger spe-

cimens of the Small Tortoise-shell Butterfly, the expansion of the wings being nearly two inches.

The

182
colour
is

WHITE ADMIRAL.
dull black above, variegated with

obscure

Both wings are traversed by a broad oblique white band, which is very irregular on the updark spots.
per pair, being widely interrupted in the middle, and
divided by the nervures into separate spots, the anterior portion directed

inwards

where the band

is

in-

terrupted, there

is

a minute white spot, and a larger


it

one on a

line

with
tip,

externally

two others are

placed near the

and a fourth midway between the

white band and the base of the wing.

On

the hinder
;

wings the band

is

attenuated towards the anal angle

on the

latter is

a patch of rust-red surrounding two

black spots, and two rows of obscure dark spots occupy the space between tho band and the hinder extremity.
is

The

prevailing colour on the under side


;

brownish-yellow

all

the white spots of the upper

side are visible, with the addition of a

few

others,

and most of them have a

faint pearly lustre.

The

base of the hinder wings, and under side of the body,


are pale blue, and the yellowish-brown portions are

streaked and spotted

with black.
;

The

fringe

is

white, spotted with black

the antennae rust-brown

on the

tip

and under

side.

The

caterpillar,

been observed in

which does not appear to have England, is described by the conthe head, dorsal

tinental naturalists as green, with

appendages, and sides of the belly reddish.

The

honeysuckle
placed

is its

favourite food.
species, this insect

Like the preceding

must be

among our

rarer British Butterflies.

Some

WHITE

AD31IRAL.

183

of the south-eastern counties of England formeily

produced

it

in tolerable plenty, but of late years


it

it

has

been nowhere abundant, although


in

has been noticed

a considerable number of places.

The

following

localities

may be

cited

Woods near Rye, Sussex,


It

New

Forest,

Coombe-wood, Hartley-wood, Essex,


does not appear to inha-

Berkshire, and Suffolk.


bit the
flies

north of England nor Scotland.

Few butter-

are greater favourites with aurelians than this,

and none have been more highly eulogized for the " The graceful elegance gracefulness of their flight.
displayed by this charming species," says

Mr Ha-

worth, "

when

sailing

on the wing,

is

greater perhaps

than can be found in any other we have in Britain." " In its beautiful flight," says another writer, " when
it

skims

aloft, it rivals

the Purple Emperor, which


It

it

strongly resembles in appearance.

seems> howfor

ever (unlike the


it

latter),

to avoid the

sunbeams,
it

frequents the glades of woods, where

rapidly in-

sinuates itself

placid flight through


side of

by the most beautiful evolutions and the tall underwood on each the glades, appearing and disappearing like
little fairies."*

so

many

The
some

insect

is

not rare on

the Continent, where there likewise occur four others

pertaining to the genus,

of

them very

closely

resembling the present species.


* Rev. Revett Sheppard, in Miss
lectors'

Jermyn's Butterfly Col-

Fade Mecum, 2d

edit. p. 121.

184

Genus

HIPPARCHIA.

With
proaches

the exception of Polyommatus, which apit

in the

number

of species, this

is

by

far

the most extensive genus


flies.

among

the British Butter-

As
it

at present constituted,

however,

it is

not

of a very

homogeneous

nature, several of the insects

which

includes not only differing considerably from

each other in habit, but also in the form of the


wings, the proportions of the joints of the palpi, and

other essential parts of structure.

None

of the in-

digenous kinds are remarkable for the brightness of


their colours, the prevailing tints being

deep brown,

relieved

and variegated with ochre-yellow and brown,

ish-red

and the under side

is

often ornamented with

eye-like spots.
riably of
lated,

The

caterpillars are

almost inva-

some shade

of green,

and are thus assimitheir safety,


to

no doubt with a view to

the

colour of the plants on which they feed, viz. the different kinds of grasses.

Their bodies are nearly


hairs,

naked, or covered only with short


are two projecting points behind,

and there

which make the


antennse are va-

anal extremity appear bifid.

The

riable in length, the club generally spindle-shaped,

or tapering at both ends, and curved

in

H.

semele,

GENUS HIPPARCHIA.
however,
it

185 The
palpi

is

short and abrupt.

are

longer than the head, rather remote from each other,

and not converging, the point curving downwards


species, not half the length of the second,
tuse, while in others
it is

the radical joint short, the terminal one, in certain

and obante-

more than one

half longer

than the second, and acute at the apex.


rior

The

wings are sometimes angular, at other times

rounded, the hinder pair denticulated in most, but


entire in

H.

Cassiope, Davus, Hero, and


of

Pamphilus

the basal

areolet

the secondary wings closed.

The
with

fore-legs are very short in both sexes, the others


bifid claws.
is

The

chrysalis

is

double-beaked,

and

suspended perpendicularly.


136

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia JEgeria.

PLATE XXIII.

Fig.

4.

Leivin, pi. Pap. JEgeria, Linn. Donovan, xiv. 77, pi. 498 19 Wood Argus, Wilkes Speckled Wood Butterfly,

Harris.

The
gularly,

upper side

is

brown, the anterior wings with

ten or eleven pale yellow spots on each, placed irre-

and having a black ocellus with a white pupil

towards the apical angle.

The hinder wings have


These are four
in

one or two yellow spots anteriorly, and a row of eyes


parallel with the hinder margin.

number, and consist of a round black


rior

spot, with a
;

white pupil, surrounded by a yellow ring


without a pupil.

the ante-

one being much smaller than the others, and

The

fringe of both wings

is

pale
it

yellow, the dark colour of the


at the nervures,

wing interrupting
wings
;

and making

it

appear like a series


is

of crescents.

The under

side of the

pale

yellow, clouded and streaked with

brown

the hinder

pair with undulating transverse lines,


five pale dots,

and a row of
sometimes

encircled with brown, the space beis

tween which and the outer margin

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY.


glossed with violet.
the

187
sides of

The upper and under


with
the

body

are concoloious

corresponding

faces of the wings.

The

caterpillar

is

covered with a matted pubes-

cence of a green colour, and

marked on
It feeds

the sides

with yellow or whitish lines.


grasses, but prefers the

on various

common

couch-grass.
is

The Speckled Wood Hipparchia


cies,

a vernal spe-

the

first

flight
is

taking place in the beginning

of April.

This

succeeded by two others, one

in

June, the other


over
niclce
all

in

August.
;*

It

appears to extend
list

Britain.

It is

included in a

of Papilioit

found near Dover

we have

received

from

the north of Scotland, and have often seen

it

in the

neighbourhood of Edinburgh, in Roxburghshire, and other southern counties, and it is far from scarce in

most parts of England.


received, however,
it

From

the notices

we have
in

appears to be rather scarce

the vicinity of Newcastle and


*

Durham.
vol. 5.

Loudon's Mag. Nat. Hist.

188

WALL BUTTERFLY.
Hipparehia Megcera.

PLATE XXII.

Fig.

3.

Pap. Megaera, Linn. Donovan, viii. pi. 279. Orange Argus, Lewin, pi. 21 Great Argus, Wilkes "Wall Butterfly, Harris.

The

greater part of the anterior wings

is

orange-

yellow inclining to brown, with the hinder margin,

and several transverse irregular bands on the


dark-brown
the
tip,
;

disk,

each wing with a large ocellus towards


iris

with a black

and white pupil, sometimes

having a smaller one adjoining.

The

hinder wings are

dark-brown, with two transverse patches or bands


posteriorly, that next the

margin broadest, and bear-

ing a

row

of ocelli, varying from three to five in

num-

ber, the lateral ones frequently

without a pupil.
the

neath,

the upper wings are pale, with


faintly

Bebrown

bands

marked

the ocellus, however,


;

is large,

and surrounded with a brown ring


nearly ash-grey,
traversed

the under pair

sprinkled with black points,

and

by two narrow undulating brown


is

lines, be-

tween which and the hinder margin there


series of six ocelli, that

a curved

next the anal angle being

WALL BUTTERFLY.
double
;

89

behind this there

is

waved band of
is

pale

yellow.

The

fringe

of the wings

whitish and

brown

alternately.
caterpillar is pubescent, of a light green, with

The

a whitish line on each side.

Far from being a scarce species, and apparently


found in
all

parts of the

country.

It

occurs in

April, July,

and August.

190

THE GRAYLING.
Hipparcfiia Semele.

PLATE XXII.
Pap. Semele. Linn.
pi. 17

Figs.

1.

&

2.

Donovan,

viii.

pi.

259

Letvin y

The Gravling

Butterfly, Harris.

One
The

of the larger species, the expansion of the


six lines.

wing sometimes reaching two inches and


greater part of the surface
is

brown, varying

greatly in the intensity of the shade.

Towards the

hinder edge of the anterior wings, the female has a

wide and irregular band or patch of pale yellow, extending nearly across the surface, in which are placed

two remote
iris
;

ocelli,

with a white pupil

and

blacl<

the male has merely a yellowish patch round

each ocellus.

The

basal half of the hinder wings,


is

as well as the posterior border,

brown

in

both

sexes, the intermediate portion being pale or reddish-

yellow,

more or

less

obscured with dusky, and hav-

ing a small ocellus with a white pupil towards the


anal angle.

On

the under side, the anterior wings

are

tawny
is

at the base,

the anterior and posterior

margins brownish, the


disk

latter

pale-yellow, and the

marked with white the two ocelli are conspi;

Jfefe

'

THE GRAYLING.
:

191

cuous the posterior wings are clouded with white and dark brown, the basal half darkest, and the dark part terminating near the middle, in an irregular
sinuated line
;

there

is

likewise a small ocellus cor-

responding to that on the opposite surface.

The

caterpillar

and chrysalis are both light-green,


rocky and stony places,
in such

the former with brownish legs.

The

butterfly frequents

and occurs rather plentifully

situations in

most parts of the country.


thur's

The rocky
localities
in

sides of

Ar-

Seat,

and similar
it

throughout the

south of Scotland, afford


certain years,

considerable plenty in

and we have seen several examples

from Sutherland and other northern counties.


the

Among

numerous Heath

localities

cited by English entomolo-

gists,

we may mention Newmarket, Dartmoor, Nacin Suffolk,

ton

and Lexden Heath

in

Essex.
in-

In the neighbourhood of Newcastle,

Mr

Wailes

forms us that
limestone,
it

it is

almost confined to the magnesia*)


states

and another correspondent

that

is

not unfrequent in stony places near

and in Castle Eden Dean, during the


July.

Durham, month of

192

MARBLED WHITE BUTTERFLY.


Hifparchia Galathea.

PLATE

XXIII.

Fig.

1.

Pap. Galathea, Linn. Donovan, viii. 15, pi. 258. c Wilkes" English Butterflies, pi. 100. Lewin, pi. 28.

The
equal

colours of this

handsome species are black

and greenish-yellow, each of them occupying almost


portions
of the surface.

The upper wings

have a large somewhat oval yellow spot at the base,


three large

patches of the same colour near the

middle, divided into spots by the black nervures, two


small

ones near the anterior angle, and a row of


;

small points parallel with the margin

the fringe of

the latter with alternating spots of black and yellow.

There

is

likewise a large yellow spot at the base of

the under wings, a broad irregular band of the

same

colour in the middle, traversed by the black nervures,

and a row of small yellow spots near the

hinder extremity.

The under

side

is

paler than the

upper, the greenish-yellow colour greatly predomiall the wings having a row of large triangular marks on the hinder margin. There is a small ocellus near the tip of the upper pair, and five others on the

nating,

hinder wings, forming an irregular row, interrupted

PLATE

L\"

Large Usath
4.

Mipparchia.jaerM
Speckled
W,

MARBLED WHITE BUTTERFLY.


i
is

193

little

beyond the middle

that next the anal angle

double.

The body

is

black above, and densely

clothed, as well as the base of the wings, with yel-

lowish hairs.

Varieties occur in which one of the

colours occupies greater part of the

wing

that in

which the black predominates has been taken near

Dover;*
neath.

in the other,

which has been named Len-

comelas, the secondary wings are entirely white be-

The
line

caterpillar

is

yellowish-green, with a dark

along the back, and another on each side.


is

The
It is

head

reddish- brown, and there are two small spines

of the same colour on the hinder extremity.

found
tense).

in

May

on the Timothy grass (Phleicm praregarded as very

This pretty butterfly


but
its

is

local,

localities

are pretty widely scattered over


It is usually

the south of England.


glades, or in bogs

found in moist

and marshy ground, but some-

times frequents places of a very different description.

The

following are a few of the stations in which

it

has been observed in greatest plenty.

Near Dover,

Teignmouth, woods
renth

at
It

Baylham
is

Hall. Ipswich,

Danear

Wood, &c.
is

likewise

abundant

York, which
as
it is

probably

its

most northern residence,

not

known

to occur in Scotland.

* This variety
tab.
iij,

fig.

4),

is figured by Esper {die Sohmetterttnge, and a similar one is represented in Loudon's

Mag. Nat. Hist.

v. 335.

*94

LARGE HEATH.
Hipparchia Tithonus.

PLATE XXIII.

Figs.

%&

3.

Pap. Tithonus, Linn Pap. Pilosella\ Fair Donovan xii. pi. 405 The Gate Keeper, Harris'' AareL, pi. 44.

Upper wings
(he base

ochre-red, or reddish -yellow, with

hrown, and the anterior and outer sides

widely margined with dark brown.

On

the outer

e anterior angle of the reHdish-yellow portion o the

wing there
black, with

is

a pretty large round ocellated spot of


in the rent re.

two minute white points

The hinder wings arp likewise brown, with a large reddish -yellow mark in the centre, which hears a
minute ocellus on the side nearest the anal angle.

On

the under side, the upper wings are coloured as

above, but the hinder pair are greyish-brown, with

a very irregular cross band of ligbt grey behind the

middle,

in

whicb there are usually four minute white

points approximating in pairs, and surrounded

by a

brown cloud.

The male

is

considerably smaller

than the female, more deeply coloured, and has a

brown cloud

in the

middle of tbe coloured portion

of the fore wings.

LARGE HEATH.
The caterpillar, which (Poa annua), is of
in

195

feeds on the annual

meadow
but-

grass

a green colour, with a red-

dish line on each side, and a


terfly appears

brown head.
is

The

June,

and

of frequent occur-

rence in England, and


Scotland.

many

places in the south of


196

MEADOW-BROWN BUTTERFLY.
HipparcJiia Janira.

PLATE XXIV.
Pap. Janira, Linn.
<$

Figs.

1.

&

2.

Pap.

Donovan,

ix. 69. pi.

Jurtina $, Linn. P. Jurtina, 320 Letcin, pi. 18.

This

species

is

considerably larger than the pre-

ceding, the wings of the female sometimes expand-

ing nearly two inches.

The ground

colour

is

brown,

varying considerably in shade, but usually darkest


in

the male.

In that sex, the upper wings are in

general entirely brown, with a small ocellus towards


the apex encircled with reddish-yellow female, there
is
;

but in the

a large transverse patch of oehreis

yellow beyond the middle of the wing, in which

placed a large black ocellus, with a white pupil, and


the space between this patch and the base
is

very

obscurely tinged with reddish-yellow.

The hinder
but those

wings are usually unspotted

in the male,

of the female have frequently an obscure yellowish

mark
wings

in the middle.
is

The under
in

side of the primary


far

tawny-orange, with a paler band not

from the hinder margin,


lus,

which

is

placed an ocel-

as

on the upper surface, sometimes having a

PLATE

24.

MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLY.


double pupil.

197

The hinder wings


line
:

are

tawny-brown
teris

from the base to the middle, where the colour


minates in an angular
pale, excepting the margin,

the space beyond this

which

is

of the

same

co-

lour as the base.

The
if

pale portion sometimes bears

two

or three small black eye-like spots, and the whole

surface seems as

dusted with black.

Both the

caterpillar

and chrysalis are

light green,

the former with a white line along each side, and


the latter streaked with brown.
It feeds

on several

common
first

grasses,

particularly

the

Smooth-stalked

Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis). The butterfly is seen on the wing in the beginning of June, and,

next to the White Cabbage species,


regarded as the most " habiting Britain.
says

may perhaps be common insect of its tribe inAmid the tribes of insects,"
little

Mr

Kapp, "

particularly influenced

sons, there are a few which appear

affected

by seaby

common events well known to


any year
;

the

Brown Meadow

Butterfly, so

every one, I have never missed in


those

and
the

in

damp and

cheerless
is

summers
scarcely

when even

White Cabbage Butterfly

to be found, this creature

maybe
and
its

seen in every tran-

sient gleam, drying its wings,


to

and tripping from flower


life,

flower, with animation

nearly the sole

possessor of the field and

sweets.

Diy and
it

ex-

hausting as the
terfly is

summer may
it,

be, yet this

dusky butprofusion
that arid

uninjured by

and we see
foliage.

in

hovering

about the sapless

In

summer

of 1826, the abundance of these creatures

198

RINGLET BUTTERFLY.
a3 to be

was so obvious
rent persons." *

remarked by very

indiffe-

THE RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


Hyparchia Hyperanthus.

PLATE XXIV.
Pap. Hyperanthus, Linn

Fig.

4.

Donovan,

viii.

pi.

271

The

Ringlet, Harris'' Aurel.

pi. 35.

The

whole upper surface

is

of a uniform

brown

colour, generally without eye-like spots, but not un-

frequently having
distinctly formed.

two or three on each wing not very

The under
two

side

is

pale brown,

the anterior wings with


the
tip,

or three ocelli towards

which are sometimes large and conspicuous,


the hinder wings have usually five

especially in the females, and occasionally almost obliterated


:

ocelli,

them placed close together towards the anterior margin, and three others in a line behind, the inner one being usually smallest.
variable in size,

two

of

The body and base


dark-brown
hairs
;

of the wings are clothed with


is

the fringe

light

grey

and the

antennae variegated with white, and having the club


of a rust-red colour.

The

caterpillar feeds chiefly


this

on the Annual

Meait is

dow-grass in
*

country

on the Continent
T>.

Journal of a Naturalist.

288.

MOUNTAIN RINGLET.
also found

199
-

on the Mil Hum effusum. It is greyish white, with a narrow brown line on the back some;

times, however,

it is

entirely blackish.

This sombre-coloured, but not inelegant butterfly,


is

pretty abundant is

all

parts of Britain, frequent-

ing meadows, the open parts of woods, and the sides


of corn-fields.

The

variations

which

it

presents in

the magnitude and

number

of the ocelli are very nu-

merous.

MOUNTAIN RINGLET.
Hipparchia Cassiope.

PLATE XXIV.

Fig.

3.

StePap. Mnemon, Haworth, Entom. Trans Fabricius phens's lllus. Haust. vol. i. pi. 8. P. melampus, Herbst.

P. Alcyone, Borkh.
Mcch
less

than the preceding species, the wings


lines.

expanding about 16
with a silky gloss,

The

colour

is

dark brown,

the

upper wings having a red


at the

band towards the apex, somewhat interrupted


nervures, and
five

marked with a row of from three to black spots the short band of the hinder wings
:

consists of a

few continuous red marks, each bearing

a small black spot.

The under

side of the anterior


in

wings

differs

from the upper only

having the disk

200
more

MOUNTAIN RINGLET.
or less tinged with rust-red
:

the hinder wing?

are ash-brown beneath, at least in one of the sexes,

having three black spots behind, surrounded by a


reddish
iris.

The
is

fringe of the

wings

is

brown

the

antennae black above and white below.

This species
its

readily distinguished from


size.

any of

associates

by

its inferior

The
pair.

red band on
it is

the wings varies greatly, and in

some instances

without black dots in the upper

The

insect

is

very local in this country, almost the only localities

being in the mountainous districts of Cumberland

and Westmoreland.
south of France,

On

the continent,

it

inhabits

Switzerland, and the mountainous countries of the


in considerable plenty.

PLATE

25.

'
"

'<*k

ArrqrL -brawn.

-.

,,

901

ARRAN BROWN BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia Ligea.

PLATE XXV.
Pap. Ligea, Linn.
vol.

Fig.

1.

Stephens' Illust.
i.

of Brit. Ent. Haust.

pi. 6.

In

this

species,

the expansion of the wings


lines.
is

is

from eighteen to twenty-two


the upper side
is

The

colour of

brown, and there

an abbreviated

reddish band towards the extremity of each wing

On
in

the upper pair, this band bears four black ocelli,


;

with white pupils


the male.

the latter, however, are wanting

The

hinder band likewise bears three

ocelli,

presenting the same sexual difference.


is

The

un-

der side

somewhat

paler than the upper, the

mark-

ings on the anterior wings not differing materially from

those on the surface: the most striking peculiarity


of the hinder pair
is

an irregular white band, widest

near the anterior edge, which extends nearly across


the wing
;

behind

this are three


a

round spots, comblack ocellus, with

posed of a red ring enclosing


a white pupil.

All the wings are surrounded with

a white fringe, spotted with brown.


are white beneath.

The antennas

202

SCOTCH AKGCS BUTTERFLY.


caterpillar
is

The The

green, blackish on the back,


sides.

and having longitudinal white stripes on the


butterfly
is

very rare in this country.

We
Isle of

nave not heard of any other locality than the

Patrick it was first found by Sir Walker and A. MacLeay, Esq. It is not an uncommon species in several northern countries of Europe, frequenting

A rran, where

meadows and woods.

SCOTCH ARGUS BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia Blandina.

PLATE XXV.
Pap. Blandina, Fabricius.

Fig.

2.

Donovan,

xii. 87. pi. 426.

The colour is brown, generally of a very deep shade,


sometimes approaching to black.

Each

of the upper

wings has a red band externally, which usually bears


four ocelli, with bluish-white pupils, the

two

fore-

most being united


solete,

one of them
in

is

occasionally ob-

and they likewise vary


is

number.

The

red
:

band on the hinder wings


is

short and indistinct

it

somewhat interrupted

at the

nervures, and has

usually three small black ocelli, with white pupils.

The markings
on both sides

of the upper wings nearly correspond


;

but the hinder

pair,

beneath, are

crossed behind the middle by a broad irregular band

SCOTCH ARGUS BUTTERFLY.


of grey, inclining to blue, in which one or
ocelli are visible.

203
two minute

In addition to this band, the fe-

male has the base of the wings and the hinder margin greyish.

The

fringe

is

light

brown

in

the male,

but inclining to white in the female, and interrupted

with brown.

The
is

caterpillar is light
;

green, with

white longitudinal stripes


ribbed,

head reddish.

brown and The egg

and of a whitish colour, speckled with


discovered in the Island of

brown. This insect was


first

Arran many years ago, and has been found abundantly since in
curs in

many

parts of the country.


district

It oc-

some plenty over a


occasionally near

of considerable
in

extent in Dumfriesshire
shire
in

near Minto

RoxburghIn

Edinburgh, and probably

most of the southern counties of Scotland.


it

England,

has been found abundantly in Castle

Eden

Dean; and

Mr

Wailes informs us that

it

exists in

profusion in one or

two

places in the magnesian lime-

stone district not far from Newcastle.

204

SCARCE SMALL RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia Davus.

PLATE XXVI.

Fig.

1.

Pap. Davus, fab Pap. Hero, Donovan, Lcwin, pi. 23, figs, 5. G.

vi. pi. i:i

The
lines
;

expansion of the wings

is

from

15 to 20

the colour of the surface obscure ochrey-yel-

low, inclining to brown, the fringe and interior edge


of the hinder wings dull white
:

towards the hinder

margin of the upper wings, there are usually two


ocelli

without pupils, and a curved row of three or

four others, likewise without any central dot, not far

from the hinder margin of the secondary


neath,

pair.

l>e-

the

upper wings are brighter yellow than

above, the apex greyish-white, each with a cross band


of

white beyond the middle, and exterior to


ocelli,

it

two

remote

having a black

iris

and a white pupil,


are very pubes-

and occasionally a small imperfect one between them.

The secondary wings underneath


cent,

greenish-brown from the base nearly to the

middle, where that colour terminates in an irregular


line,

and

is

succeeded by a narrow and very unequal


;

white band, usually interrupted


this
is

the space behind

light

brown, inclining to yellow, and orna-

PLATE

26.

Htpparctua. tiitvus

Falydama Marsh Kinglet FampftUus SmallffeatJi B

MARSH RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


merited with six
ocelli,

205
iris

consisting of a black

with

a small silver- white pupil, and surrounded externally

by a yellowish-white

ring.

In number and size the

ocellated spots vary considerably,

and the anal one

on the secondary wings

is

sometimes double.

This scarce insect frequents marshes and moist


heaths, and has occurred

more frequently than

else-

where

in

the vicinity of Manchester, and on Shorn

Moor

in Yorkshire.

Ashdown

Forest has also been

cited as a locality.

MARSH RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia Polydama.

PLATE XXVI.

Fig.

2.

Hip. Iphis & Polydama, Steph. Jermyn Pap. Typhon ; Scarce Heath, Haworth Pap. Polydama, Haworth, Jermyn. Pap. Tiphon, Esper.

This
which
surface

species

is

about the size of the preceding, to

it is

very closely related.

The

colour of the

is

rusty ochre-yellow, obscured with brown,

the anterior wings frequently with one or two blind


ocelli

towards the

hinder margin

the

secondary

wings greyish-white on the abdominal edges and

round the outer margin, and fringed with rather long


whitish hairs, usually bearing a blind ocellus near
the anal angle, and occasionally one or

two others

206

MARSH RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


it.

on a line with

Underneath, the primary wings are

greenish-brown at the base, rather bright yellowish*

brown

in the

middle, and greyish at the apex, mark-

ed at some distance from the hinder margin with an


abbreviated white bar, beyond which are generally

two remote
and black

ocelli,
iris,

with a minute silver-white pupil

encircled

by a whitish ring

one of

these ocelli sometimes obsolete.

The

basal half of
hairs
\

the hinder wings

is

brown, with long greenish


is

beyond

this

there

a very irregular whitish band,


is

sometimes interrupted, tbe space beyond which


greyish-brown (often with a fulvous cloud

in the fe-

male near the middle), and

five or six ocelli,

some

of

them usually small and


one sometimes placed
tennse are

indistinct,
in the

and the anterior

white band.

The

an-

brown above, ringed with white, the club


and chrysalis dark green, the former
which

tawny.
Caterpillar

with a dark line along the back.

This

insect,

may

ultimately prove to be

only a variety of the preceding one, occurs not unfrequently on marshy heaths in the months of July

and August.
in

Mr Wailes
It

finds
it

it

frequently in such

situations near Newcastle:

also occurs near York,


in

North Wales, &c.


last

was seen

great abunin
,

dance

summer

in

Sutherlandshire, as well as

others of the

more northern counties of Scotland


it

and we have received


shire.

from Argyll and Perth-

207

SMALL HEATH BUTTERFLY.


Hipparchia Pamphilus.

PLATE XXVI.

Fig. 3.

The Small Heath Pap. Pamphilus, Linn. Lewin, pi. 23. Golden Heath or Gate Keeper, Harris, Aurel. pi. 21

Eye, Petiver.

This pretty
It
is

little

butterfly

is

very

common

in all

parts of the country,

on heaths and upland pastures.

appears

first

in the beginning of June,

and there
of

a second flight in September.


is

The expansion

the wings

usually about 13 or 14 lines: the co-

lour of the upper side light ochre-yellow, the outer

margin of the wings

slightly

dusky, and surrounded

with a fringe of rather long whitish hairs.

The

pri-

mary wings on the under

side are ash-coloured on


tip,

the anterior edge and at the

the latter ornament-

ed with a conspicuous black ocellus, with a white


pupil,

and a pale ring externally

the situation of

this ocellus is indicated

on the upper side by a dusky


are pubescent, green-

spot.

The secondary wings

ish-brown at the base, the centre ash-coloured, and


the hinder part brownish-grey, with a few whitish
points encircled

are always indistinct,

by a yellow ring-, which, however, and often obliterated. The

antennae are brownish) with white rings.

^08

SILVER RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


caterpillar

Both the
the former

and chrysalis are greenish


It feeds

somewhat dusky on the back, and haon the

ving a white line on each side.

Crested Dog's-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus).

Besides the above species of Hipparchice, the

names
genous
to have

of

two others have been inserted

in

our indithe

lists, viz.

H. Hero and H. Arcanius, on

doubtful authority of a single specimen of each, said

been found

many

years ago by

Mr

Palstead.

As
it is

both species are abundant on the continent, ex

tending even to the more northern parts of Sweden,


not improbable that they

may

likewise inhabit
their

this country,

and we have therefore subjoined

distinctive characters.

SILVER RINGLET BUTTERFLY.


Ilipparchia Hero.
Pap. Hero, Linn

Pap.
tis,

Sahacus, Fab
v. pi.

Hipp. Hero, CurUpper wings


pale

B. E.

205.

Brown,
margin,
the
ly,

inclining to yellow.

anteriorly, with an orange stripe close to the posterior

near which

are

two

small remote ocelli

hinder wings with an orange stripe posterior-

and four large

ocelli,

with black hides.

On

the under side, the primary wings are orange at the


posterior margin, which
line,
is

adorned with a silvery


ocelli
;

and two small remote

the

secondary

wings with a broad orange posterior band, enclosing

HIPPARCHIA ARCANIUS.
five
line,

209

large

and two small


is

ocelli,

forming a curved
silver.

behind which there

a narrow stripe of

Taken near Wythyham, on

the borders of Ash-

down

Forest, Sussex.

Hipparchia Arcanius.
Pap. Arcanius, Linn.

Hipp. Arcanius,
B. E.
v.

Jermyn

Curtis,

205. *

"

The

superior wings are fulvous on both sides,

with the terminal border of a dark brown above,


but lighter beneath, and having opposite the apex a small ocellus with a white pupil and yellow
iris.

The

surface of the inferior wings

is

obscure brown,

with a small yellow spot placed at the anal angle, and

surmounting a yellow crescent.


traversed obliquely

Their under side

is

reddish, tinged with green at the base; the middle

by a white angular band, which


its

bears at
ocellus,

its

commencement on

inner side a black


its

having a pupil of bright white, and on


ocelli,

outer side four or five similar

the

two anterior of

which, and the anal one,


than the others.

when
is,

present, are smaller

There

besides, a curved silvery

line along the posterior border.

" The caterpillar

is

green, with dark dorsal lines


It lives

and yellow
lia t a."

lateral rays.

on the Mtiica

ci-

*
British example that has

The only
found
in the
*

oecured was

same

place as

H. Hero.
i.

Godart, Pap. de Frame.

174.

210

The

three following genera

compose the family


helow the middle

LyccenidcB of

Dr Leach, and
of

the Poli/ommatidce of

S wainson. Most
size,

them are

insects

but

all

are distinguished

by delicate markings,

and many by great brilliancy of colour. The caterpillars are oval and depressed, and termed onisci-

form, from

their resemblance to the small

podce of the genus Oniscus.

MyriaThe genus Thecla

has antennae gradually thickening to the apex, palpi


with the terminal joint short, slender, and oval, eyes

pubescent, and the claws undivided and very minute.

The upper wings

are triangular and entire,

but the secondary pair produce one or two caudal

appendages near the anal angle.


are

All the species

brown above, and usually have the under side adorned with narrow undulating lines of pale yellow
or white.

The

larvee are

never found on herbace-

ous

plants,

but confine

themselves to trees

and

shrubs.

"3

\.Theela.3otul46 male 2
/>'/>:
>A-

ofaQuercus
Purple Sati
rto

fern* Aht.iL-

211

BROWN

HAIR-STREAK.

Thecla Betulee.

PLATE XXVII.
Pap. Betulae, Linn.
250.

Figs.

1&2.
viii. pi.

Lewin, 42 Donovan, Brown Hair-Streak, Harris.


pi.

This

is

the largest British species of the present

group, the expansion of the wings sometimes reaching eighteen lines.

The

colour of the upper side

is
;

dark brown, with a silky gloss, the fringe whitish


towards the middle of the anterior wings there
is

blackish ill-defined mark, usually with a faint yellow

cloud beyond

it

in the male,

and a large kidney-shaped

orange patch

in the female.

The secondary wings

in both sexes are covered with fine silky hairs internally,

are

and the two projecting lobes at the anal angle marked with reddish-yellow. The under side is entirely tawny yellow, inclining to red at the hinder
extremity, particularly of the posterior wings, with
lines,

two narrow transverse undulating white

edged

with black, the anterior one abbreviated, and forming only a dusky streak on the upper wings, edged,

with white.

The

antennae are ringed with white


is

and the apex of the club

rust-red.

212

BROWN HAIR-STREAK.
caterpillar
is

The

green, with yellow streaks along

the back, and transverse rays of the same colour on


the sides.
It feeds

on the common birch, blackthorn,


appears about the beginning of

plum, &c.
August, but

The
it is

fly

not often met with in this country,

although abundant in most other parts of Europe.

The

following English localities


afforded

may be
it

mentioned,

a few of which have

in

some plenty.

Coombe-wood, woods near Ipswich,


Andover, Dartmoor, Devonshire.

Reydon wood,

PURPLE HAIR-STREAK.
Thecla Quercus.

PLATE XXVII.
Pap.

Figs. 3
pi.

&

4.

460

The

Quercus,

Linn.

Letcin,

43.

Donovan,

xiii.

pi.

Purple Hair-Streak, Harris.

Thecla Quercus,

Steph.,

Jermyn, &c.

Rather

a smaller species than the preceding, the

extent of the wings being generally from thirteen


to fifteen lines.

The

colour of the upper side

is

dark

brown, the entire surface, in one of the sexes, faintly


glossed with purple, and in the other there
is

a large

oblong patch of deep glossy blue at the base of the

upper wings, divided posteriorly into two branches,


the hinder one being prolonged towards the
angle.

anal

On

the under side the wings are pubescent,

of an ash-grey colour

with a silky

lustre,

and

tra-

PURPLE HAIR-STREAK.
versed by a continuous undulating white

213
streak,

edged with brown anteriorly

beyond

this there is a

double series of faint whitish crescents, with a few

dusky dots on the primary wings, and the secondary


pair are ornamented with

two fulvous
pupil.

spots,

one on

the anal angle, and the other forming an ocellus with a yellow
iris

and a black

The
is

caterpillar,

which invariably feeds on the oak,

of a greyish-brown colour, with a dark

brown head

the incisures and a

row

of dots along the back yellow.

The most common


it

species of Theclain this island,

especially in the southern districts of England,

where
It
far as

may be found abundantly

in

every oak wood.

extends northwards in considerable plenty as

Newcastle, in the neighbourhood of which,


informs us that
it is

Mr Wailes
Beyond

far

from uncommon.
it

that locality, however,

seems to become scarce,


regarded as a rare species.

and

in

Scotland

it

may be

The

only Scotch examples that

we have

seen were
in the vi-

from Roxburghshire, and the oak woods


cinity of Inverary in Argyllshire.

214

BLACK HAIR STREAK.


Thecla Pruni.

PLATE XXVIII.

Fig.

1.

Pap. Pruni, Linn. Ochsenheimer, Pap. Eur., torn, i Polyommatus Pruni, Godart, Lepid. de France Thecla Pruni, Curtis, Brit. Ent. vi. pi. 264.

Expansion
inch,

of the wings

somewhat more than an

the surface brownish-black, the upper wings

with a small oblong spot near the middle anteriorly,

and the hinder pair with a

series of three or four

crescent-shaped red marks near the posterior border.

The under

side

is

yellowish-brown
line

the primary

wings with a transverse silvery

towards the hinit,

der margin, beyond which, and parallel with


is

there

a series of reddish spots, each of


;

them bounded
middle,

by a small black streak


an irregular silvery

the secondary wings have

line nearly across the

behind this a row of black spots, edged with white


anteriorly,

and a marginal

series

of black

cres-

cents.

The
rays,

caterpillar is green, with longitudinal whitish


lines.
is

and numerous short transverse


all

The
and

head, as in

the larvae of this group,

small,

$'f>.

?n

1.

Theda-fruni. Black

/,,<,,

ier hair-streak
//.

o.Ihccla


BLACK HAIR STREAK.
of a yellow colour, with two black points
of eyes.
(Plate III. Fig. 8.)
in the

215
form

This species has been very often confounded with


the following, which
is

of

much more

frequent oc-

currence in this country, and has been generally re-

garded as the true T. Pruni.

Authentic indigenous
first

examples of the

and described
sect

we believe, by Mr Curtis, who states


latter were,

figured

that the in-

was found by

Mr

Seaman,

in Yorkshire, in

such

abundance, that
cabinet.

it is

It is well
it is

now to be seen in almost every known on the Continent, in some


rather

parts of which

common.

WHITE LETTER HAIR STREAK


Thecla TV-album.

PLATE XXVIII.

Fig.

2.

Donovan, xiii. pi. 437 Thecla Pap. Pruni, Lewin. pi. 4-1 Pruni, Jermyn, Stephen's Illus. Haus. i. 77. Dark or Black Hair Streak, Harris. Polyommate W-blanc, Go-

dart, Hist, des

Pap. de France

Pap. W-album, Hubner.


with a silky gloss, the

Upper

side dark brown,

upper wings of the male having a greyish spot near


the middle, towards the anterior border.

The un-

der side

is

light

brown, with a narrow transverse


white
line,

slightly interrupted

placed towards the

hinder margin in the primary wing?

216

WHITE LETTER HAIR STREAK.


pair,

middle in the secondary

and forming two acute

angles posteriorly, in such a

manner

as to resemble

the letter

behind

this there is

an irregular band

of orange-red, widest towards the anal angle, and

bounded on the inner


itself,

side

by a black

line,
;

which

is

sometimes edged internally with white


sometimes tipped with white.

the margin
is

as well as the projecting tailed point,

black,

The

caterpillar

is

green, with three spots of deep

ml

on each of the posterior segments of the belly,


series of small
its

and a double

dots along the back.

When

about to undergo

metamorphoses
it

it

be-

comes brown.

According to some authors

feeds

on the elm, while others mention the black thorn as


its

appropriate food.

This insect, as already mentioned, has been described

by most British Entomologists as the P. Pruni of Linnaeus, who does not appear to have been
it.

acquainted with

Of
some

late years
districts,

it

has occurred
it

in great plenty in

but in general

may be accounted
says

scarce, particularly in the northern

parts of the kingdom.

Mr

Stephens,

" The boundless profusion," " with which the hedges, for

miles, in the vicinity of Ripley, were enlivened the

by

myriads that hovered over every flower and


last
I

bramble blossom,
thing of the kind
of their
that
1

July (1828), exceeded any

ever witnessed.

Some

notion

numbers may be formed, when I mention captured, without moving from the spot,
in less than half an hour, as

nearly

200 specimens


GREEN HAIR-STREAK.
T

217
bramble- bush,

they

successively
I

approached

the

where

had taken up

my position.
numbers
I

How to

account

for their prodigious

am

perfectly unable,

as the

same

fields

and hedges had been carefully ex-

plored by

me

at the

same and

different periods of

the year for several preceding seasons, without the

occurrence of a single specimen in either of


stages
;

its

and

it is

worthy of remark, that the hedges


village,

to

the north
ly free,

and north-west of the

were perfect-

although the brambles, &c. were in plenty."*

GREEN HAIR-STREAK.
Thecla Rubi.

PLATE XXVIII.
Pap. Rubi, Linn.

Fig.

3.

Leicin,

pi.

44

Donovan,

xiii.

pi.

443.

The Green
or

Butterfly, Wilkes, pi. 118

The Green

Fly,

Bramble Fly, Harris.


of

Expansion
the

the

wings

about an

inch, the

surface of a uniform

brown tint in both sexes, with nervures somewhat darker, the female sometimes

having a faint whitish oval dot near the middle of


the upper wings, not far from the anterior border.

The under
row

side

is

"

fine

green, with a transverse


or less obliterated, be-

of white dots, often

more

hind the middle of the secondary wings."


* Stephen's Illus.,

Haust.

i.

77.

^18

GREEN HAIR-STREAK.
caterpillar is pubescent, light green or green-

The

ish-yellow, with a

row

of triangular yellow spots on


feet.

each side, and a white line just above the


feeds on brambles, broom, and

It

many

other plants.

The
of
It is

fly

appears in the end of May, and beginning


;

June

a second brood

takes flight in August.

not a very

common

species, but its ascertained

localities indicate that it is pretty generally distri-

buted throughout England and the southern division


of Scotland.
It

occurs in Darenth

Wood, Bromley

Thickets in Essex, in Devonshire, &c.


seen

We
some

have
of

many specimens from

the neighbourhood

Raehills,

and other parts of Dumfriesshire, and have


the butterfly occasionally in
of the

observed

central districts of

Roxburghshire, " Keswick, and

some

of the Yorkshire Wolds," G. JVailes, Esq.

219

Genus LYCJENA.

The

species of this beautiful group are readily

distinguished

by the following

characters.

Antennae
the

with a slender stalk, the club rather thick, abrupt,

and ovate,

sometimes a

little

compressed

at

apex

palpi longer than the head, the

two lower

joints scaly, the apical one,

which

is

slender, point-

ed,

and about half the length of the second, ap;

pearing naked
in

legs

all

formed

for walking,

and alike

both sexes

eyes naked.

The secondary wings


and somebut
All the
slightly toothed,

are nearly straight on the abdominal edge,

what divergent, the anal angle


not projecting like a
tail

as in the Theclce.

species are remarkable for the brilliant coppery

hue

of their wings,

whence they are known in


Butterflies.

this

country
of

by the name of Copper


herbaceous plants,

Most

them

frequent marshy places, and the caterpillars feed on

220

LARGE COPPER.
Lyccena dispar.

PLATE XXIX.
Curtis, Brit. Ent.
i.

Figs.

&

2.

pi. 12
vii.

pothoe, Donovan,

Hippothoe, Jermyn.
P l. 132.

Pap. dispar. Haw Pap. Hip217 Leivin, pi. 40 Lycaena L. dispar, Swainson's Zool. Illus.
pi.

The

male of

this fine insect is bright

shining copall

per colour above, with a black margin round


wings, which
is

the

crenated in the hinder pair

the base
se-

of the primary, and the abdominal

margin of the

condary wings
middle of the

is

likewise blackish, and on the disk

of the former are

two small black

spots,

and near the

latter

a narrow curved black streak.

The female has

the upper wings broadly margined

behind with black, two or three spots of the sqme


colour arranged longitudinally on the disk,
transverse

and a

row of

six or seven black spots a little be;

yond the middle


tirely black,

the hinder wings are almost en-

except the nervures, and a broad band

near the apex, which are coppery red. both sexes are similar
;

Beneath,

the upper wings coppery, but

with less lustre than the surface, having three black


spots placed longitudinally, and a transverse

row beyel-

yond the middle,


low ring
;

all

of

them surrounded with a


is

near the posterior margin there

anothei

LARGE COPPER.
transverse series of simple black spots,

221

beyond which
;

the colour

is

ash-grey, inclining to blue

the under
light blue,

wings are ash-coloured, slightly tinged with

and having a bright coppery band


gin,

at the hinder
it

mar;

with a row of black spots on each side of


is

be-

fore this there

an irregular row of black spots,

cinctured with bluish-white, then a transverse black


streak,

and

five

remote black spots near the base.

round the external margin and abdominal edge of the wings is white.
fringe

The

The

caterpillar

is

described to be of a green colour,


is

with white dots, and

said to feed

on a kind of
Curtis,

dock. " This splendid species," says


first

Mr

" was

discovered in Wales by the celebrated botanist


It

Hudson.

has

subsequently been captured in

considerable abundance

by Messrs Standish, who


in

went

to Wittlesea

Meer, Huntingdonshire,
it.

expec-

tation of finding

They inform me
it

that the

end

of July
sect,

is

undoubtedly the right season

for this in-

although they met with

the beginning of

August, flying among reeds, about the centre of the

Meer
reeds.

near Yaxley

that

it

is

very active, and in

windy weather conceals

itself

amongst the highest

Upon

these the caterpillar probably feeds, as

they found the butterfly upon that plant just emerged from the chrysalis, drying its wings.' * Donovan
states that the

specimens from which

his figures

were

drawn, were obtained from Scotland.


British

Entom

vol.

i.

fol. 12.

222

SCARCE COPPER.
Lyccena Virgaurece.

PLATE XXTX.
pap. Virgaureae, Linn.
41,
3,
fig. 1

Fig.

3.

Donovan,
Illus.

v.

173,
i.

3-

Lewin,
1

pi.

and

2,

<$.Steph>

Haust.

pi. 9, fig.

and

6-

fig- 2,

?.

This
male

species

is

rather less than the preceding, the

brilliant

copper colour above, inclining to yel-

low, the wings margined externally with black, and

the hinder pair having a few black spots near the


posterior edge.

On

the under side,

the

primary

wings are pale yellow, with three simple black spots


before the middle, placed longitudinally
there
is
;

behind

this,

row of black dots, and the hinder margin is clouded with dusky the secondary wings are dusky towards the base, with
a very irregular transverse
;

about twelve or fourteen small black spots,

five of

them

remote from each other

placed before

the

middle, the rest forming an irregular cross band,

behind which there

is

a series of white marks.

The

wings of the female are thickly spotted and clouded


with black above.

The

caterpillar

is

pubescent, and of a dull green,


line,

with a yellow dorsal

and pale green streaks on

SCARCE COPPER.
the sides.
It lives

223
virin-

on the golden rod (Solidago

ganrea), and some other similar plants.


sect
is

The

very rare in this country, and does not ap-

pear to have been found for

many

years.

Donovan

says that a specimen was once taken in Cambridge


the Isle of Ely, and Huntingdonshire, are likewise
said to

have afforded

it;

and Lewin

states that

he

once caught two individuals in marshes, but without

mentioning the precise

locality.

224

PURPLE-EDGED COPPER.
Lycccna Chryseis.

PLATE XXX.

Fig.

1.

Pap. Chryseis; Purple-edged Hesperia Chryseis, Fabr Sowerby, B. M. 1st. pi. 13 Lyceena Copper, Haioorth Chryseis, Jermyn, Sle/ih.

Fulgid copper
margin of
all

colour above, the base and outer

the wings brown, glossed with purple,

and the centre of each wing marked transversely with


a short, slender, black streak.
rior

The

disk of the ante-

wings beneatli

is

orange, the anterior margin ash-

grey; and over the surface there are numerous ocellated spots, with a black pupil

of

and white iris, three them towards the base placed longitudinally, and the rest forming two irregular bands, of which the the posterior marginal one is somewhat obsolete
:

wings on the under side are glossed with blue


base,

at the

and bear numerous scattered ocellated dots,

forming irregular transverse rows towards the apex


the latter ornamented with an orange band.
fringe
is

The
The

brown
is

at the base,

and white externally.


heard
are those

This

also a very rare insect in Britain.

only localities which

we have

of,

'

DARK UNDER-WING COPPER.


cited

225

by Miss Jermyn,
in

viz.

Epping Forest, Essex,

and Ashdownham

Sussex.

DARK UNDER-WING COPPER


Lyccena Hippotho't.

PLATE XXX.
Pap. Hippothoe', Linn.

Fig.

2.

Lycsena

Hippothoe, Stephens.

Dark Under-winged Copper, Haworth.

Expansion
row
dary
external

of the wings from

15 to 17

lines,

the colour of the surface bright fulvous, with a nar-

black border, which

is

entire in
in the

the

primary wings, but crenated internally


:

secon-

besides

this,

there

is

a minute transverse

black

mark

in the

middle of each wing.

The

su-

perior wings are yellowish beneath, inclining to ash


colour, with

numerous black spots cinctured with


hand
posteriorly, spotted

white; the inferior pair ash coloured, with many


ocellated dots, and a fulvous

on each side with black.

In the markings on the

upper

side,

the female resembles the same sex of


;

the preceding species


tirely black,

but the hinder wings are en-

except a posterior band of yellow, creouter side.


of this insect have

nated on

its

Only one or two specimens

been found in Britain, and they seem to have been


226

COMMON COPPER.
In France
it is

procured from the county of Kent.

not very scarce, and frequents meadows and marshy


places.

COMMON COPPER.
Lyccena Phlceas.

PLATE XXX.

Fig.

3.

Leivin, pi. 41 Pap. Phlseas, Linn The Copper Butterfly, Harris

Lycaena

Donovan, urn.

pi. 466.

Phlaeas, Jer-

myn, Stephens.

Upper
margin

wings fulgid copper colour, the posterior


the

black, and

disk of each

wing bearing

from 8 to 10 black spots, two of them arranged longitudinally towards the base, the rest transversely
in a zig-zag

band, some of them confluent.

The
outer
is

hinder wings are brownish-black, with a coppery

band
edge.

posteriorly,

dotted with
side

black

on

its

The under
is

of

the

primary wings

spotted in a similar manner to the upper side, but


the colour
paler,

and the hinder margin greyish,


:

with three black crescents internally

the secondary
indistinct-

wings drab coloured beneath, with many


ly

marked
This
is

dots,

and a posterior tawny band.

the smallest species of the genus, the ex3

pansion of the wings seldom exceeding 12 or


lines,

and

differs

from the others

in

both sexes be-

COMMON COPPER.
ing nearly alike.

227

It is liabie to considerable varia-

tion in its markings,


in

and specimens have been found which those parts of the surface usually copper
It is rather

colour were nearly pure white.

com-

mon
and

in

all

parts of Britain,

and seems

to breed se-

veral times in the year.


in

It likewise

occurs in Asia

North America.

The

caterpillar is said to
stripe,

be clear green, with a yellow dorsal


feed on the Sorrel.

and to

'228

Genus

POLYOMMATUS.
tlie

Distinguished from
by
liaving the

two preceding genera


tail-like ap-

wings

entire,

without any

pendages, and without any distinct teeth near the


anal angle.

The

antennae are rather short, and ter-

minate

in

an abrupt compressed club, ending in a


rising

narrow point
ject a
little

from one

side.

The

palpi pro-

beyond the head, are nearly

parallel,

and

have the basal and terminal joints almost of equal


length, the latter acute,

and somewhat naked, or cothe otheis

vered with

scales

only,
hairs.

being clothed
terminate
in

with

scales

and

The
in

tarsi
all

pimple claws.
butterflies,
i

This genus includes

the small blue

which are seen

such numbers during

summer months in pastures and grassy glades. They are adorned on the surface with the most dehe
licate

and varied shades of blue and azure, and beIt is this

neath with a multitude of eye-like spots.


latter

circumstance that has suggested the generic


it

name,
are

being formed from the Greek words


'Uty.ctTx,

7roXv$,

many, and

eyes.

In most of them the sexes

dissimilar in colour; but in

P.

aslus, agesiis,

and Artaxerxes, the sexual differences are not so


wrongly marked.
are not

The

larvae of several of the species

known, but most of those with which we are


also they

acquainted feed on grasses and herbaceous plants, en

which

undergo their metamorphoses.

immatusArgiolusMaU 2Femal
.

blue,

llfus,

Ads.

Bedford blue Maxarine blue


229

AZURE BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus Argiolus.

PLATE XXXI.
Pap. Argiolus,
xiv. pi. 481

Figs.

1.

and

2.

LinnLewin, pi. 36. figs. 4, 5, 6 Donovan, The Azure Blue Butterfly, Harris.

Expansion
tinged

of the wings about 13 or 16 lines;

the surface of the male delicate light blue, slightly

with

lilac,
;

the

wings narrowly edged be-

hind with black

the female lighter blue above,

with a broad dusky border in the primary wings,

and a transverse

series of spots of the

same colour
Be-

near the hinder edge of the secondary pair.


neath, the colour
is

grey, faintly tinged with blue,

the upper wings with a slender curved spot or streak


in the

middle, and a posterior band of five or six


streaks, that next the anterior
:

narrow black
placed by
lar

margin

itself

the hinder wings

marked

in a simi-

manner, with the addition of several scattered

spots towards the base.

The

fringe

on the superior

wings

is

white, interrupted with black


pair,

when seen
of

from above, but on the hinder


der side of
all,
it is

and on the un-

nearly white.

The number
;

6pots varies greatly in different individuals

at times

230

BEDFORD BLUE BUTTERFLY


many

they are very distinctly marked, and frequently


of

them

are obsolete, or entirely obliterated.


caterpillar is pubescent, of a greenish-yellow,
;

The
is

deepest on the back

the head and legs black.

It

found on the Buckthorn and Holly.

The
viz. in
is

butterfly,

which appears twice

in

the year,

May, and near the end of July plentiful in many parts of England.
in

or in August,
It is of fre-

quent occurrence
shire,

Kent, Somersetshire,
;

Hampin
in

and Devonshire
Suffolk.
it

also near
It
is

London, and

Norfolk and
north,

rather scarce

the

although

is

found not unfrequently near


hollies

Newcastle,
in

in places

where

abound

and

also

Castle

Eden Dean.

BEDFORD BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus Alsus.

FLATE XXXI.

Fig.

3.

Lewin, pi. 39. f.3, 4. Pap. Alsus, Donovan, ix. pi. 322. fig. ] Bedford Blue, Leach. Small Blue Butterfly, Haworth.

Tins

is

the smallest of British

Butterflies,
line3

the

wings sometimes not exceeding 10

between

the tips, and seldom surpassing an inch.


face
is

The

sur-

brown, with a silky gloss, one of the sexes

slightly tinged with blue, especially at the base of

MAZARINE BLUE BUTTERFLY.


the wings.
rliscoidal

231

The under

side

is

ash coloured, with a

black crescent, edged with white, on each

wing, and a transverse series of ocellated dots to-

wards the hinder margin


series
is

on the hinder wings this

very irregular, and there are several scatFringe of the wings

tered spots towards the base.

white.

This delicate

little

butterfly, the

smallest of the

European Polyommati, seems


merous
us that
district
localities, scattered

to occur, but not in

great abundance, in most parts of the kingdom.

Nu-

over the southern parts of


it.

England, have been cited


it

for

Mr
also

VVailes informs

is

common on
;

the magnesian limestone


it

near Newcastle:

is

found

in

woods

near

Durham

and we have seen specimens from

most of the southern counties of Scotland.

MAZARINE BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus
Acis.

PLATE XXXI.
Polyommatus
f.

Fig. 4.

6.

cSc

Leach

Pap. Argiolus, Iliibner.


about 13 or 14

Stephens Fap. Cymon, Lewin, Polyom. Cymon, Jermyn. Lycaena Cymon,


Acis,
pi. 33.

Expands
above,

lines,

the male deep blue

glossed with violet, having a narrow black


all

border to

the wings, and a white fringe.

The

232
female
is

MAZARINE BLUE BUTTERFLY.


dark brown above, with the base of the

wings
ish.

faintly tinged with blue,

and the fringe grey-

The under

side

is

ash grey, inclining to blue

at the base of the wings, the anterior pair of the latter with

an oblong spot, cinctured with white, near


it,

the middle, and a band of ocelli behind

usually

most numerous

in

the male.
is

On

the disk of the

posterior wings there

also a streak of black,

two

or three spots anteriorly towards the base, and a very


irregular

band of

ocelli,

having a black pupil and

white

iris,

behind the middle.


to fre-

Rather a scarce species, and usually found


quent chalky
districts.
It

has occurred in Norfolk,

Dorset, and Yorkshire; also in Surrey, Cambridge,

&C.

PLATE

32

LARGE BLUE BUTTERFLY.


P
'

tahu Arion.
Fig.

PLATE XXXII.
Linn

Leitin. pi. 37

Don.

Considerably
wings.

larger than

any of the preceding,

sometimes measuring an inch and a half across the

The upper

side

is

pale violet-blue, with p


all

broad dusky border round the hinder margin of


the wings, the male having a group of black

spots

on the disk of the upper one


is

pair, of

which the

interior

transverse and

somewhat curved, and


all

the fe-

male has a similar group on the disk of

the wings.

The under
the

side

is

ash-coloured, inclining to brown

anterior

wings with

two

ocelli

towards

the

base, an irregular

band of 6 or

7 others

behind the

middle, and a row of lunules.

with a small white

mark adjoining each

the posterior wings bluish at

the base, where there are four scattered spots, the disk
bearing- a black lunule, behind

which there
;

is

an in-

terrupted band of eight large ocelli

the posterior

margin ornamented with a row of triangular or crescent-shaped black spots


;

fringe white spotted with

brown

benei.th.

234

ALCON BLUE BUTTERFLY.


insect, which is extremely rare in and not of frequent occurrence on the Con-

This beautiful
Britain,
tinent,

is

said

by Lewin

to

have been taken on Dohills

ver

Cliffs,

Marlborough Downs, and on the


mentions
the
in

near
at

Batb.

Miss Jermyn

commons

Broomham
it

Bedfordshire, and

certain places in

North Wales, as having afforded

it.

More

recently

was found by

Mr

Dale

in

the neighbourhood of

Bedford.

ALCON BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus Alcon.

PLATE XXXII.
Polyommatus Alcon,

Fig.

2.

Hesperia Alcon, Fabr Lalreille Pap. Alcon, Hubner.

SuRFACEof the male violet-blue, with a rather wide


brown border
to
all

the wings, and a dark crescent


;

on the disk of the upper pair of the female dusky Under brown, tinged with blue towards the body.
side greyish in both sexes, with a central crescent-

behind

shaped spot, bordered with white, on each wing; this there is a curved row of rather large

rounded black
angular marks,

spots,
all

and two exterior rows of

tri-

of

them

encircled with white


is

the

basal half of the hinder wings

tinged with blue, and

bears a few scattered spots in addition to those cor-

CHALK-HILL BLUE BUTTERFLY.

235

responding to the markings of the superior wings


fringe white, spotted with brown.

As

this insect

appears to have been found only

once in

this country,

and

is

not figured

by any

Bri-

tish author,

we have been

obliged in this instance to


fi-

deviate from our usual practice, and introduce a

gure taken from a foreign specimen.


entirely correspond to

It

does not

Mr

Stephens's description of

the supposed indigenous example discovered by

Mr
be

Jones

in

Buckinghamshire

and should the

latter

found, as has been conjectured, to be only a variety


of

P. Avion, we must exclude the present species

from our native catalogues.

CHALK-HILL BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus Corydon.

PLATE XXXII.
Pap. Corydon, Donovan,
Illus.
terfly,
i.

Fig.

3.

vii.

pi. 131.

f.

1.

<$

.Stephens

W.Lewin,

pi. 36

The Chalk-Hill Blue But-

Harris.

One
the male

of the larger species, generally measuring


lines
is

17 or 18
lustre, the

across

the wings.

The

surface of

a very light silvery blue, with a fine silky hinder margin of


all

the wings having a

blackish band,
series of

surmounted

in the hinder pair


:

by a

dusky, somewhat ocellated spots

the sur-

236

CHALK-HILL BLUE BUTTERFLY.


female brown,

face of the

each wing with a pale

central

spot,

having a black pupil in the primary


side of both
in

wings.

The under

sexes

is

similar

but the secondary wings

the female

are

more

deeply coloured, and the spots larger and more distinctly

marked

the anterior wings whitish,

marked

nearly as in P. Avion: the hinder ones of a similar


colour, greenish at the base, the ocellated spots ar-

ranged

in

two curved bands, that next the base conthe second, which
in
is

sisting of four,

placed rather

behind the middle, of eight;


these bands, there
is

the centre, between

an angular white spot; and on

the hinder margin a series of black spots, with a

white

iris

triangular black spot, with

surmounted by a streak of orange, and a its apex directed inwards


Fringe white, spotted at regular
;

an oblong white patch connects this series with the


central band.
tervals with
in-

brown

on the under side of the secon-

dary wings entirely white.

Somewhat

restricted in

its

distribution, but occurIt chief-

ring in certain localities in great profusion.


ly frequents districts

where chalk abounds, and from


in

having been long found

plenty on a range of

hil-

locks between Dartford and Darenth

Wood,

it

has

received the

name

of " Chalk-Hill Blue."

It inha-

bits the vicinity of

Dover, the

Isle of

Wight, "
in

Blakenham,

Moulton,

and

Eriswell

Suffolk

Little "

stone-quarries near
caterpillar, of

Peterborough, &c. &c.

The

which we have never seen any debeen stated to feed on Wild Thyme.

scription, has

237

CLIFDEN BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus Adonis.

PLATE XXXIII.
Hesperia Adonis Fab

Figs.

1.

&

2.

Pap. Argus, $
tus Adonis, Steph.

Donovan,

Pap. Jermyn

Adonis, Lewin,
iv. pi. 143.
f.

pi. 38. fig. 1-3.

1.

Polyomma-

Clifden Blue, Harris.

Expansion
face of the

of the wings 14 or 15 lines, the sur-

male of the purest and most beautiful


the wings edged with
is

azure, or silvery blue, changing with the light into


lilac,

the hinder margin of


line,

all

a black

beyond which there

a white fringe,

distinctly spotted with

brown both above and below.


slightly glossed with

The female

is

brown above,

blue at the base, having a small discoidal black spot

on the primary wings, and on the others a posterior


fulvous streak, with slightly ocellated spots, some-

times
wings.

continued across

me

margin of the upper


is

On

the under side, the colour

brownish-

grey, with the base of the wings greenish-blue, the

markings disposed nearly as


discoidal white spot
is

in

P. Cori/dnn, but

the

small, forming only a trans-

verse streak.

Of

frequent occurrence in
the

many parts

of England,

especially in

southern counties.

It

occurs in

238
most of the
cies,

CLIFDEN BLUE BUTTERFLY.


localities
it,

cited for the preceding spe-

and, like

appears to be partial to districts in

which chalk

is

found.

The downs near


in Suffolk,

Brighton,

Moulton and Dalham

Newport, Coombe
numbers.

Wood, &c.

afford

it

in considerable

239

COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus
Aleocis.

(See Vignette.)
Pap. Alexis,

Hubner

Argus, Donovan,
Butterfly, Harris
var.

Polyom. Thestylis, Jermyn, var.


the size of the preceding, which
is
it

iv. pi. 143.

Pap. pi. 38 Blue (two upper figs. Pap. Hvacinthus, Lewin, pi. 37. f. 4-G,

Pap. Icarus, Lewin,

About
much

very-

resembles, but

readily distinguished
is

by the

colour of the surface, which


the male, and

bright lilac-blue in

by the

fringe of the

wings being white


is

and unspotted.
wings

The hinder border


;

narrowly mar-

gined with black


is

the anterior edge of the upper

white, and the hairs on the

body and base

of the wings incline to that colour.

The

female

is

generally

brown above, powdered with blue towards


and ornamented with somewhat ocellated on the
with the
base in-

the base of the wings (sometimes, however, the surface


is

entirely purplish-blue),

a posterior fulvous band,

hinder pair, each lunule having a central black spot.

Beneath, brownish-ash
clining to green, the
ocelli

colour,

upper wings usually having two near the body, a slender central streak lying

transversely,

and a curved row of

ocelli

near the

240
middle,

COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY.


succeeded by a continuous row of dusky

crescents,

edged with reddish-yellow externally

and

beyond

this there is a

row

of small

dusky spots on
being black.

a whitish

ground,

the

margin

itself

The

posterior wings generally with four ocelli near

the base, an angular white spot near the middle, fre-

quently having a black streak

in its centre,

a curved

band of 8 or 9

ocelli,

succeeded by a series of mark-

ings similar to those on the superior wings, but the

crescents and fulvous patches larger and

more con-

spicuous

a white blotch near the middle unites the

band of
even

ocelli

with the fulvous crescents.


is

This Bpecies
in

so variable in

its

markings, and

the form of the wings, that

some entomolodistinct speIt is

gists are of opinion that


cies

more than one

may

be included under the name.

a very

abundant
is

insect, and, unlike the rest of its associates,


It

distributed over the whole country.

frequents

pasture-lands
in in
is

and grassy meadows,

first

appearing

England about the end of May, but not generally


Scotland
till

the middle or end of June.

There
is

a second brood in August.

The

caterpillar
It

pu-

bescent, and of a green

colour.

appears to be

polyphagous, but probably subsists chiefly on grasses.

241

SILVER- STUDDED

BLUE BUTTERFLY.

Polyommatus Argus.

PLATE XXXIII.
Pap. Argus, Linn.
Blue, Harris

Fig.

3.

$ Pap.

Lewin,

pi. 39. fig. 5-7.

Idas, Linn.

Silver-studded Polyom. Argus, Jerlilac,

mya, Steph.

Male

deep blue above, inclining to

with a
all

broad black band round the hinder margin of


wings, the nervures likewise
lour
;

the

more

or less of that co-

the costa and fringe white, the latter occa-

sionally obscured

with brown at the base.

The

unin-

der side

is

bluish-grey, the blue

becoming more

tense at the base, adorned with


spots
;

numerous

ocellated

on the hinder margin of the posterior wings


an interrupted orange-tawny band, containa

there

is

ing six bright silvery-blue spots, crowned with


series of black crescents.

The female

is

entirely
is

brown above, with a tawny marginal band, which


obsolete on the interior wings.

The
oblique

caterpillar is dull green,

with the head and

legs blackish, a ferruginous line along the back,

and

ones of the

same
It
trefoil.

colour,

bordered with

white, on the sides.

feeds on broom, sainfoin

and various kinds of

The

butterfly

is

rather

242

SILVER-STUDDED BLUE BUTTERFLY.


in

common
and
is

many

parts of the south of England,

rare.

north as York, where it is not must be very scarce, however, northwards of that city, and it probably does not occur at all in

found as

far

It

Scotland.

Pohh'hn/'itti/*
.

r
'
'/>

I
.

'flir

[h

Irtareiirrt


243

BROWN ARGUS BUTTERFLY.


Polyommatus
Agestis.

PLATE XXXIV.
Pap. Agestis, Hubner
Idas,

Fig.

1.

Donovan,

x.

pi. 322.

Pap. Lewin, 2 Polyom.


f.

pi. 39.

f.

1-2

Idas, Jermyn.

Po-

ly om. agestis, Stephens.

Expands

about an inch, the colour in both sexes


fine

dark-brown, with a

silky gloss,

all

the wings

having a posterior band of deep red spots, and the

primary pair a small black spot in the centre


fringe varied with white

the

and brown.
to that

The under
on the sur-

side

is

greyish-brown, with numerous ocellated spots,


the hinder wings with a white blotch on the

and a rufous band corresponding


face
disk.
;

Readily distinguished from the females of any of


the preceding species,

by the wings being without any tinge of blue, either above or below, and from
either of the following,
interior pair.

on the disk of the

by wanting the white spot It occurs in some

plenty in Sussex, Kent, Dorset, Somerset, and


other parts of England, appearing
first in

many

June, and

again in August.

244

DURHAM

ARGUS.

Polyommatus Salmacis.

PLATE XXXIV.

Figs.

'2.

and

3.

Polyommatus Salmacis, Stephens.

band of orange-red on
solete in the male,

Silky brown above, with a macular posterior all the wings, somewhat oband a white spot on the disk of
is

the primary wings, which, however,

occasionally

wanting

in

both sexes, but especially


is

in the female.

The

fringe

white, slightly variegated with

brown
grey-

at the base.

The

colour of the under side

is

ish-brown, the anterior wings with a discoidal white


spot,

beyond

this a

curved band of similar spots,

with a minute dusky pupil, succeeded by a band of

orange spots, bounded on both sides by- a dusky


crescent,

surmounted with white, the outer margin


:

defined by a dusky line

the hinder wings have a


scattered white spots

similar marginal band, several

towards the base, a larger one near the centre, and


a very iiregular

row behind the middle, with a broad


patch connecting
it

white central
band.

with the yellow

Most

of these spots have a minute

pupil in the male, but greatly

dusky more conspicuous in

the female.


ARTAXERXES BUTTERFLY.
245

Found in some plenty at Castle Eden Dean, ncaT Durham, and also on the magnesian limestone district

near Newcastle, where


in July.

it

occurs in considerable

numbers

ARTAXERXES BUTTERFLY.
Polyommatus Artaxerxes.

PLATE XXXIV.
Hesperia Artaxerxes, Fabr.
f.

Fig.

4.

8, 9.

Donovan,

xvi.

Pap. Artaxerxes, Lewin,~p\. 541. Polyom. Artaxerxes,


pi.

38.

Jermyn, Steph.

Dark

brown above,

glossy, each of the anterior


all

wings with a discoidal white spot, and


on the upper wings.

of

them

with an orange-red band posteriorly, but very indistinct

On

the under side, the

markings of the wings do not


spots are nearly

differ materially
this,

from
the

those of P. Salmacis, excepting in


all

that

without a black pupil.


is

In

some

specimens, a minute white spot

observable on the

disk of the posterior wings on the upper side.

The
curious.
riod,
is

history of this

little

butterfly

is

somewhat
peit

The only

locality

known,

for a long

was Arthur's

Seat,
it

near Edinburgh, and

only of late that

has been

found elsewhere.

Fabricius appears never to have seen a specimen,


the description in his System being taken from a

246
drawing by

ART A XERXES BUTTERFLY.

Mr

Jones of Chelsea.

It

was long

much valued by the English collectors, some of whom, we are informed by Donovan, were in the
habit of placing a drawing of the insect in an ob-

scure corner of their drawers,

that

their

cabinet

might obtain credit


rarity! chiefly with the

for possessing

an object of such

Others undertook a journey to Edinburgh,

view of procuring specimens.


all

It

occurs in such plenty on Arthur's Seat, that

the

English cabinets, and the principal foreign ones, are

now abundantly

supplied from that locality.

It

has

likewise been taken

among

the

Pentland Hills, at

Flisk in Fifeshire, near Queensferry, and in the vicinity of Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire.
It

appears in
series of
will

July.

The examination

of an extensive

specimens of the two preceding insects,


bably lead most people to the
belief, that

pro-

the marks

which have caused them


cally different, are far

to be regarded as specifisatisfac-

from being stable or

tory.

The appearance

of the caterpillars, both of


likely

which are unknown, will afford the most means of determining the point.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

'IDflfi nhent QL555.G7D91 1855


British butterflies,

0031^^

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