4 LEPIDOPTERA. 



brown, tlirouf^li which sometimes ])asses, as a dusky meander- 

 iiii^ thread, a darker snbterminal line ; cilia dull purple. 

 Hind wings rounded behind, the anal angle not stpiared ; of 

 the same colour as the fore wings; having the central 

 and second lines of the latter accurately continued to tlie 

 ■dorsal margin, and often containing a ])aler band as in those 

 wings; also the faintly darker shade is continued outside, 

 and often the obscure subtcrniinal line; cilia dull ]>urple. 

 Female very similar, but a little stouter, and having the fore 

 wings more pointed. 



I'ndersides of all the wings dull tawny; the central and 

 second lines of the fore wings, and their continuations on 

 the hind, all repeated and more distinct, dull black; the 

 marginal shadings and subterminal lines also in some degree 

 represented. i?ody purplish-brown ; legs whitish-brown, but 

 purple-brown in front. 



Excessively liable to fading during life, so that it is difKcult 

 to say what actual variation really exists. Freshly emerged 

 specimens usually are rich crimson, but every shade of dull 

 crimson to dull reddish-brown, and pale brown, maybe taken 

 without other symptoms of age ; indeed I have one of a very 

 iiniform pale yellowish-drab, with cilia uninjured and all the 

 markings distinct, and another in which the fore wings are 

 ])ale yellow-brown, and the hind still crimson, to all ap])ear- 

 ance protected by the fore wings from the fading effect of 

 (probably) the sun's rays. The oidy definite variation of 

 which 1 am aware is a more blackish-brown form found 

 ui>on marshy iieaths in Norfolk, of which Lc>rd A\"alsingham 

 possesses a very fine example, and of which I have less 

 strongly marked specimens. 



It is a curious circumstance in this species that tlie fadina' 

 process does not continue after death ; ])reserved specimens, 

 if properly cared for, maintaining their crimson — or other — 

 colour without further alteration. 



On the wing in June, and as a second generation at the 

 end of Jnlv and in Ant.'Ust. 



