11 European Butterflies axd JlfoTHs. 



II. V. Lcvana (Linn.). — The smallest species of the genus, expanding under ll inches. 

 The hind margins of the fore-wings have two slight projections, and the hind-wings have a 

 projection in the middle, making the outer margin nearly rectangular. The first brood, found 

 in April and May, is fulvous with black spots ; there are three white spots near the tip of the 

 fore-wings, and rows of black spots across all the wings. Under side brownish-red, mixed 

 with violet and pale yellow, with pale yellow veins and transverse lines. The second brood 

 (['■. Prorsa, Linn.), found in July and August, is black, with a red marginal line, and a white 

 transverse band, interrupted on the fore-wings. The under side is similar to V. Levaita, but 

 redder; and the yellow markings are replaced by white. Intermediate varieties ( V. Porima, 

 Ochs.) are also occasionally met with. It has been erroneously reputed British, and is local 

 in damp woods throughout Southern and Central Europe, and Northern and Western Asia. 

 Larva black, sometimes striped with brown, with black or brown spines, and with spines on the 

 head. Lives gregariously on nettles in June and September. V. Prorsa is figured, with its 

 larva, at PI. 7, Fig. 4, a, b. 



GENUS 11. — MELIT.^- A (FABR.). 



These butterflies are rather below the middle size, and their wings may be described either 

 as fulvous above, with rows of black spots, or blackish, with rows of fulvous spots ; beneath, the 

 fore-wings are paler, with fewer dark markings, and the hind-wings are brown or red, with three 

 pale bands edged with black ; of which those at the base and on the border are often broken into 

 spots. The larvae are thickly covered with spiny tubercles, and live in autumn under a common 

 web. After h}-bernation they disperse, and may be found under dry leaves. The pupa: are thick, 

 and obtuse in front. The butterflies are found in summer in flowery places and meadows near 

 woods. They are generally called " Fritillaries" in England, and differ from the " Fritillaries " of 

 the following genus by the absence of silvery markings on the under surface of the wings. This 

 genus is found throughout Europe, North Africa, the greater part of Asia, and the west of North 

 America. In other parts of North and South America it is represented by the allied genus 

 Pliyciodcs. The species allied to J/. Athalia form the most difficult group of this genus, and are 

 not yet perfectly understood. 



1. M. Maturna (Linn.). — Dark brown, with rows of reddish spots, with whitish ones between 

 them. Hind-wings beneath orange, with four spots near the base and another outside them, a 

 central band divided by a black line, and a row of small crescents before the border, all pale 

 yellow; no black spots between the border and the central band. Expands from \\ to if inches. 

 Erroneously reputed British. It is found throughout Central Europe and Asia, from Paris to the 

 Altai, but is always very local. It is found in May and June in open glades and flowery slopes 

 in the neighbourhood of woods. Larva black, with black spines and rows of yellow spots, the 

 uppermost divided by a black line. Lives on young ash-trees, snowball-tree, sallow, plantain, and 

 scabious in May. The butterfly is figured at PI. 8, Fig. i. 



2. M. Cynthia (W. V.). — Wings of the male black, spotted and banded with white ; a row of 

 red spots near the border of the hind-wings, and one or two red spots on the fore-wings. P"emale 

 brownish-yellow, with black transverse stripes ; under side of hind-wings as in Mafiinia, but much 

 duller, and there is a row of black dots before the marginal lunules. Expands about ij inches. 

 Common in Alpine meadows in July and August, generally above the tree limit. The larva 

 is black, with yellow rings, and a row of yellow streaks on the sides ; spines black. It feeds 

 on plantain and violet in June. The male butterfly is represented at PI. 8, Fig. 2. (J/. Iduiia, 



