205 



The White Admiral (Limenitis Camilla). Nearly as abundant, and in situ- 

 ations similar to the preceding, and more easily taken, even in the heat of the day; 

 for, although their flight when on the wing is rapid in the extreme, they seem to 

 be so absorbed, when in contact with the nectaries of the bramble blossom, as to 

 forget all but the immediate luxury of suction. Nothing can be more interesting 

 than to observe the contrast of the upper and under wings, as they slowly shut and 

 open on the flower : a person not conversant with this peculiarity would have a 

 difficulty in persuading himself that the insect with the closed and opened wings 

 was one and the same. 



Silver-washed Fritillary ( Argynnis paphiaj. With the exception of the 

 splendid Swallow-tailed Machaon, none of the above insects so prominently catch 

 the eye of the passing traveller as this species of the Fritillaria. Its size, its gaudy 

 bright bay or chesnut colour, chequered with black spots and streaks on the upper, 

 contrasted with the metallic lustre of the silvery iridescent tinge of the under, side 

 of its lower wings, cannot fail of striking the attention of the dullest observer. 

 In the heat of the day, on almost every hedge-side few or more may be seen. But, 

 to contemplate them in perfection, let me recommend the Entomologist who passes 

 through Carlsruhe, to tarry awhile and expose himself to the burning rays of a 

 July sun, on the bare, exposed, widely extended, and almost boundless gravel es- 

 planade in front of the Ducal residence. No hint will be necessary to induce 

 him to seek, if not shelter, at least variety, in addition to their grateful though 

 almost overpowering fragrance, within the lengthened lines of orange trees all in 

 richest and healthiest bloom, and there will he have an opportunity of seeing what 

 the Paphia really is when under the influence of sunbeams which seem to awaken 

 every nerve, and muscle, and passion into action, in the full enjoyment of the 

 odoriferous banquet provided by these balmy blossoms. Not by twos or threes, 

 but by almost hundreds, I saw them, now hovering, now reposing on the orange 

 flowers. Bishop Heber, in a beautiful passage on the sum of happiness enjoyed 

 by the lower classes of creation, speaks of the flying fish as leaping from the water, 

 not as is generally supposed, from apprehension of danger, but " apparently in 

 the gladness of their hearts, and in order to enjoy the sunshine and the temporary 

 change of element." " Those writers (he adds) who described the life of these ani- 

 mals as a constant succession of alarms, and rendered miserable bv fear, have ne- 

 ver seen them in their mirth, or considered those natural feelings of health and 

 hilarity which seems to lead all creatures to exert, in mere lightness of heart, 

 whatever bodily powers the Creator has given them."* I was never more struck 

 with the force of this remark than on the day I witnessed the countless assem- 

 blage of the silver Fritillaries on the orange blossoms before the palace of Carls- 

 ruhe. There was a quivering sense of delight in every motion. So intoxicated 



* Heber's Journal, vol. 1, p. xxiii. 



