THE PURPLE EMPEROR. 129 



umnanagable leaves they yet manage not only to eat but also 

 to roll, as well as those of the nettle and other spiny vege- 

 tables. 



Of the following genus, Apatura, is the " Purple Emperor of 

 the Woods/'* well worthy of the title in favour of his regal 

 attire, as well as his soaring pride of station and of flight. 

 Though his reign in the south of England is not unfrequent, 

 he is rarely captured, because it is seldom that he lowers his 

 course sufficiently for the crossing of our humble paths. 

 Making at once a throne and footstool of the oak tree's 

 " leafy crown," he thence laughs in scorn at the anxious 

 up-turned face of baffled entomologist. Then, taking to a 

 rapid bird-like flight, he soars disdainfully above the gauzy 

 hand-net, which, though attached sometimes to a handle of 

 thirty feet, expressly for his capture, is often lowered in 

 despair, as the free-born monarch of the woods rises in 

 unheeding progress through the blaze of a July sun. When, 

 however, he is surprised by accident, within our reach, he is 

 equally distinguished by that bold and lofty bearing which 

 becomes his rank, and, from disdaining to show the alarm of 

 meaner insects, sometimes graces (a sacrifice to his own 

 courage) the triumph of the proud collector. 



We have spoken already of the Emperor's voluntary flights 

 towards the source of day, which, lowered with the descending 

 luminary, are said usually to carry him by four o'clock (p.m.) 



* Apatura Iris. 



i 2 



