and the character of the larvae, have all been resorted to with a view 

 to the classification of this beautiful Order; but at present the suc- 

 cess attending these investigations is far from complete. Dr. Hors- 

 field, in his profound and laborious Work on the Lepidoptera of 

 Java, has adopted the views of the Wiener Verzeichnis^ and has de- 

 veloped his plan with that talent and candour which mark all his 

 undertakings. He has elaborately investigated the larvae, and, making 

 them the basis of his arrangement, has worked out the subject by 

 ample descriptions and invaluable dissections of the trophi and dif- 

 ferent members; and has further illustrated his views by admirable 

 figures of the larvae, pupae and perfect states; and to those who are 

 desirous of studying the Papilionidae, a better Work cannot be re- 

 commended. 



I have been led to these remarks by the consideration of a por- 

 tion of our British Butterflies, comprising the three genera Thecla, 

 Lycasna and Polyommatus, termed by Dr. Leach the Lycaenidae, 

 and forming the Vermiform Stirps of Dr. Horsfield, being distin- 

 guished in the larva state by their breadth and obtuseness ; and the 

 legs being concealed under the body, gives them the appearance of 

 Onisci, or Wood-lice. 



Thecla (PI. 264) is distinguished from Lycaena by a more elon- 

 gated club to the antenna?, which is not compressed, and by its pu- 

 bescent eyes; but except in the colour of the wings, I can see little 

 that can be relied on to separate the Lycaenae from the Polyommati. 

 I shall therefore avail myself of this opportunity to subjoin the de- 

 scriptions of all the species contained in the two latter groups. 



Gen. 778. Lyc^na Fab, 



1. Phlseas Linn. — Don. v. \^. pi. 466. — Wood,/. 56, 



Expansion of wings 15 to 16 lines. Shining coppery scarlet ; superior 

 wings with the costa and posterior margin deep brown, with 8 or more 

 black spots on the disc ; inferior wings of the same colour, with an abbre- 

 viated coppery fimbria, on the inner margin of which is frequently a row 

 of black spots, each sometimes bearing a blue spot, posterior margin with 

 4 black spots and rarely an acuminated tail near to the anal angle which 

 is acute : underside, superior wings orange with several very black spots 

 with yellow edges, the posterior margin cinereous as well as the under 

 wings which bear many minute brown spots and a row of reddish larger 

 ones along the posterior margin. 



Mr. Dale has a variety with the red bar in the under wings 

 nearly obliterated, and they have been found entirely black : some- 

 times, from disease or accident I apprehend, the coppery parts are 

 white. 



Mr. Dale has observed a constant succession of the three broods, 

 from the beginning of April even to the 5th of November one year. 

 It is the commonest of our copper butterflies, being found every- 

 where in England, and in different parts of Scotland, on heaths, 

 grassy commons, banks and roadsides. 



The caterpillar feeds on the Sorrel {Rumex Acetosa, PI. 396). 



o 



