296 The Field Naturalist's Qtmi^terly Nov. 



ill-defined row of unequal-sized dark fuscous spots. The 

 hind-wings are ashy-grey, inclining to pale silvery blue to- 

 wards the base, with a short slender oblique streak at the 

 extremity of the discoidal cell ; parallel with the bluish hind 

 margin is a band of bright orange, on each side of which is 

 a rather indistinct row of dark fuscous spots ; on the disc 

 are numerous other dark spots of various sizes, all possessing 

 a pale circumference. 



As examples of the prices which have been obtained for 

 the large copper, an auctioneer in 1893 disposed of (as re- 

 corded in the ' Field ') some 31 specimens of this butterfly 

 (part of the collection formed by the late Rev. Henry Burney), 

 when the 31 produced in the aggregate no less than £138, 

 15s,, or on the average a little over £"4, los. each, and two 

 wings attached to a pin were sold for 30s. at a previous sale. 

 Again, at the commencement of the present year, nine other 

 specimens were disposed of, when the average worked out at 

 a little over £^, i8s. for each of the nine specimens, £"] being 

 obtained for a fine female example. 



That the large copper is now absolutely extinct there can 

 be no doubt, for, needless to say, collectors have ardently 

 searched the fen districts for many years since its disappear- 

 ance about 1848, but no specimen has been taken since that 

 date. 



In consequence of its not being absolutely identical with 

 any Continental species (the nearest ally being Rntilus), there 

 is much interest attached to it. Fortunately its life-history 

 is comparatively well known, though the very earliest stages 

 of its existence are only partially known : the late Mr Edward 

 Newman, who was well acquainted with the insect, states 

 that the young larvae were never, to the best of his belief, 

 observed. 



The egg was laid towards the latter end of summer, on the 

 leaves of the water-dock {Riimex hydrolapathum), and the 

 young larvae probably hatched about a month later and 

 hybernated at the bases of the leaves. 



According to Newman the larva " is full-fed in June, and 

 then lies flat on the dock leaf, rarely moving from place to 

 place, and, when it does so. gliding with a slug-like motion, 

 the legs and claspers being entirely concealed. The head is 



