LIMENITIS. 143 



Paftilio prorsa, Linn., Mus. Ludov. Ulr., p. 303 (1764, nee 



Linn., Syst. Nat. 175S et 1767). 

 Papilla sl/'llla, Linn., Syst. Nat. (xii.), i., pt. 2, p. 781, no. 



iS5 A i 767) ; Esper, Sehmett., i., pt. 1, p. 187, pi. 14, fig. 2 



(i777)- 



Limenitis Camilla, Curtis, Brit. Ent, iii., p. 124 (1S26); 

 Steph., 111. Brit. Ent. Haust., i., p. 52 (1127). 



Limaiitis slbylla, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 23, pi w, 

 figs 2, a-e (1878) ; Lang, Butterflies Eur., p. 162, pi. 38, 

 fig. 1 (1S82); Buckler, Larvae of Brit. Butterflies and 

 Moths, i., p. 36, pi. 7, fig. 1 (1S86); Barrett, Lepid. 

 Brit. I si., i., p. 117, pi. 17 (1892). 



This is one of the many insects which are almost confined 

 in England to woods in the southern counties, where it was 

 formerly much more abundant than at present. It has an 

 elegant sailing flight through the glades and along the edges of 

 woods, and appears in June and July. The contrast of black 

 and white in this Butterfly makes it a very conspicuous object 

 on the wing. Its flight is sustained, but not very lofty. 



Haworth (" Lepidoptera Britannica," p. 30) remarks: "The 

 graceful elegance displayed by this charming species when 

 sailing on the wing, is greater perhaps than can be found in 

 any other we have in Britain. There was an old Aurelian of 

 London, so highly delighted at the inimitable flight of P. Camilla 

 that long after he was unable to pursue her, he used to go to 

 the woods, and sit down on a stile, for the sole purpose of 

 feasting his eyes with her fascinating evolutions." 



The Rev. Revett Sheppard, writing in Miss Jermyn's "Butter- 

 fly Collector's Vade Mecum " (ed. 2), p. 121, likewise says: 

 " In its beautiful flight, when it skims aloft, it rivals the Purple 

 Emperor, which it strongly resembles in appearance." (This 

 appears to me to be rather an exaggerated statement.) "It 

 seems, however, unlike the Latter to avoid the sunbeams, for it 



