202 A CATALOGUE OF THE LEPIDOI'TERA OF 



montli and CuUercoats at that season. Rare, near Stockton. — 

 J, Ilogg^ Esq. Darlington and Seaton Carew. — Wm. Backhouse, 

 Esq. Sunderland, occasionally abundant. — E. Backhouse, Jun., 

 Esq. "Near Horden. — W. J. T. Bungey. — Pelaw Leazes, and 

 near Whitesniocks." — Or)isby''s Durham. " Twizell." — P. J. 

 Selhy, Esq. 



13. Vanessa, Fab. 

 1. y. Atalanta, Linn. 



Papilio Atalanta, Lhin. S. Nat. ii. 779. — Don. Brit. Ins. 

 viii. 19,;?/. 2G0.—Hiib. Pap. 79, 80.— Wood Ind. Ent. 

 t. 1, f. 31. Vanessa Atalanta, Steph. Illust. Haust. i. 

 46. — Staint. Man. i. 38. 

 Larva. Huh. Gesch. Pap. I. Nymph. C. a. 2. — Dup. Icon, 

 pi. 12,/ 41. 

 This beautiful Butterfly appears about the middle of August, 

 and continues on the wing till October, when it retires to its 

 winter quarters, and re-appears in sirring. In some years it 

 abounds, as in the present (1857), and attracts general attention 

 by the brilliant red fascia (hence its name of "Red Admiral") 

 and pure white spots on the intensely black upper surface of the 

 wings. The under surface of the posterior wings has been well 

 described as "defying the efforts of the finest pencil." It is a 

 bold, fearless insect, and, with a little caution, may be approached 

 and closely examined, especially when sipping the honey from 

 the flowers of the Ragwort, and spreading its gay wings to the 

 autumnal sun. It will even permit the observer to touch it 

 without being alarmed. It is generally diffused over the two 

 counties, and is mentioned in the Stockton and Twizell Faunas, 

 and in " Ornsby's Durham." Wallis gives it as " the large stately 

 Butterfly, called The Admiral.^'' 



Stephens says, I. c, '' the Caterpillar feeds on the Urtica urens 

 and TJ. dioica, preferring the seeds;" and Hubner figures it as 

 feeding on the seeds of the latter plant; but I have never 

 detected it, and am satisfied that this information is erroneous, 

 and that Duponchel is correct when he says (p. 105), " Cette Che- 

 nille vit solitairement sur toutes les especes d'orties, principale- 



