90 LEPIDOPTERA. 



There is in tliis species some tendency to local variation in 

 colour. Those from the Eastern Counties of England are 

 often of a browner tinge of colouring, even brownish- 

 chestnut; those from some parts of Scotland rich purple-red, 

 and very handsome. Some of those reared in confinement, 

 and especially when forced at a high temperatiire, are devoid 

 of dark dusting, and have the transverse lines very faint, so 

 that their general tint is softened and rather more brownish- 

 buff. In the cabinet of Mr. S. J. Capper is a second-brood 

 specimen in which the second line is obliterated, or rather 

 only represented by an ill-defined shade, while the nsual 

 obscure central line has become sharp and distinct. One of 

 the first brood, in that of the Eev. J. Greene, is broadly 

 shaded over all the wings with grey, except a broad whiter 

 costal stripe toward the apex of the fore wings. 



On the wing in May and June, sometimes as early as the 

 latter part of April, and in a partial second generation 

 in August and September. The latter, however, is rarely 

 observed out of doors ; it seems to be a sort of result of domes- 

 tication, and this is said even to have extended in one case 

 to a still more partial third appearance in the winter. 



Larva more than usually humped ; head rather small, light 

 brown, face yellowish-brown ; third segment swollen and 

 provided with two small sub-lateral knobs; fourth excessively 

 thickened beneath, produced into a large projecting pad upon 

 which the third pair of legs is placed; sixth humped on the 

 back and sides, the dorsal swelling surmounted by two 

 darker points ; seventh and eighth somewhat swollen, the 

 former at the sides ; on the ninth is another large dorsal 

 hump carrying two darker warts ; and two raised knobs 

 appear on the twelfth; general colour grey-brown, purple- 

 brown, red-brown, or brownish-green, with faint darker or 

 paler marblings, and usually some suggestioi:i of paler dorsal 

 and sub-dorsal lines ; legs coloured in accordance with the 

 body. 



