PROTECTIVE COLORATION. 99 



of Burgundy " fritillary (Nemeobius lucinci) shows a similar 

 relation between markings and habitat, and there are other 

 instances, some of which will be referred to later. 



The striping is not, as a rule, to be found during the whole 

 life of the caterpillars ; when just hatched they often show no 

 markings at all, and are uniformly green. But a minute green 

 caterpillar is sufficiently protected; it is only when it becomes 

 larger that the striping becomes necessary as an aid to con- 

 cealment: this, at any rate, is the usual view. 



Longitudinal Striping found in all the Species of the Butterfly 



family Satyridse. 



Now, the Satyrids all possess striped larvae. There does not 

 appear to be a single known exception to the rule ; this is the 

 case not merely with the European forms, but with the genera 

 and species from other continents. It must be remembered, 

 however, that a very large number of these butterflies are only 

 known in the perfect state. The statement "Larva unknown " 

 is of constant occurrence in the descriptions of species even 

 European. Furthermore, they all, with one doubtful exception, 

 feed upon grasses, sedges, and such plants. The doubtful 

 exception is a North American species of OSneis (a genus 

 which occurs in Europe, but not in England); Mr. Scudder 

 relates that he found a larva of this butterfly in such a position 

 with reference to a partially-eaten patch of lichen, as to suggest 

 that it was a lichen feeder. On other occasions, however, it 

 was always found on sedges ; so that its feeding upon lichens 

 is doubtful. Here, again, it must be remembered that excep- 

 tions may be met with as our knowledge increases. We find, 

 therefore, that all the members of a large and widely dis- 

 tributed family of butterflies are, so far as we know, striped in 

 the caterpillar stage and met with upon grasses and other low 



