JMelit.^a. 1 5 



Dalm., found in Lapland, differs from the male of Cynthia in having more and paler spots on 

 the wings, arranged in rows, and no white spots at the base of the fore-wings above.) 



* 3. M. Aitriiiia (Rott.), {Greasy Fritillary). — Fulvous, tesselated with black, and spotted with 

 pale yellow. The outer fulvous band of the hind-wings contains a row of black dots. Hind- 

 wings beneath pale brick-red, rather shining, with spots at the base, as in JMatiirna, a central 

 band, edged on both sides with a black line, and marginal spots all pale yellow ; before the last 

 is a row of black spots in pale rings. Expands from \\ to I4 inches. It is local in Britain, 

 frequenting marshy meadows from May to August. It is common in most parts of the Continent, 

 North Africa, and Northern and Western Asia. The local varieties of several species of JSIclitcea 

 are very numerous; among those of J/. Aiirinia we may notice the Alpine form, J/. Merope (De 

 Prunn.), which is smaller, paler above, and dusted with blackish ; and the South European varieties, 

 M. Provincia/is (Dup.), larger and more suffused ; and J/. Desfontaiiiii (Godt.), which is dark 

 reddish-brown. The larva of J/. Auvinia is black, with rows of white dots ; spines yellowish, 

 black at the tips ; head black ; legs reddish-brown. Feeds on scabious, plantain, speedwell, 

 foxglove, &c., in April, May, July, and September. Figured in all stages at PI. 8, Fig. 3, a — d. 

 {M. BcBtica, Ramb., from Andalusia, resembles J/. Aiirinia, var. Dcsfontainii, but the outer 

 yellow band of the under side of the fore-wings is edged with black dashes.) 



4. M. Didyuia (Esp.). — Reddish fulvous, with marginal and central rows of black spots, and 

 others more scattered. Hind-wings beneath sulphur-yellow, with large black spots, and two 

 reddish-yellow bands. Expands from i.^ to \\ inches. Very variable; locally abundant in 

 Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western and Central Asia. A specimen was 

 recently taken in Scotland. Frequents open places near woods, especially on a dry soil. I have 

 found it on the high flowery slopes overhanging the Rhine, above the vineyards. It flies from 

 June to August, and thus later in the summer than most of the smaller Fritillaries. Larva 

 bluish, dotted with white, with black transverse bands, and a yellowish line on each side. Back 

 and sides whitish-yellow; head and spines brownish-yellow. Lives on plantain, &c., from April 

 to June. The butterfly is represented at PI. 8, Fig. 4. 



5. ]\L Trivia (W. V.). — Very similar to J/. Didyma, but generally rather smaller, and duller in 

 colour ; the black spots before the margin are more distinctly crescent-shaped, and are connected 

 with each other as well as with the margin, thus enclosing marginal fulvous lunules. The bands 

 on the under side of the hind-wings are of a paler reddish-yellow, and the black spots on their 

 edges run more together. Found from June to August in Eastern Europe and Northern and 

 Western Asia. Larva ashy-grey, with bluish spots, a blackish stripe on the back, pale yellow 

 spines, white at the tips, head reddish-brown, and legs whitish. Feeds on different species of 

 mullein in June. 



* 6. M. Cinxia (Linn.), (Glanvi/Ie Fritil/ary). — Wings fulvous, with several rows of black lines, 

 the last row of fulvous spots but one dotted with black on the hind-wings. Hind-wings beneath 

 straw-colour, with two rust-coloured bands edged with black, and with black spots in the outer 

 band and before the margin. Expands from U to 2 inches. Common in meadows in May and 

 June throughout the greater part of Europe, and Western and Northern Asia. It is an extremely 

 local insect in England, and is met with most commonly on waste ground near the coast, in the 

 Isle of Wight. Larva black, dotted with white, the head and feet reddish, and the spines short 

 and black. Feeds on plantain, speedwell, &c., in April, May, August, and September. Figured 

 in all stages at PI. 8, Fig. S, a—d. (J/. Ardiiinna, Esp., found in South-Eastern Europe, 

 resembles J/. Cinxia, but there are several yellow bands on the under side of the hind-wings, 

 much broader than in Cinxia, which always enclose black dots.) 



