NYMPHALID/E. 125 



those of the later hyberuated examples. This view would 

 seem also to account for the August emergence observed in 

 the hottest seasons. It is interesting to find that in the 

 spring and early summer, before the hop plants have grown 

 up, the larva is able to content itself with plants so far 

 removed, botanically, as the species of Ribcs, as well as with 

 the common nettle. On the Continent there are known to be 

 two broods — in June and August. 



It is an exceedingly graceful insect, of fairly swift flight, 

 but lazy ; fond of sunning itself in roads, on warm walls, or 

 on the ground upon dead leaves in sheltered valleys. Here 

 if the sun becomes overclouded, it will sometimes close its 

 wings and almost lie down, in such a manner that, to 

 distinguish its brown and green marbled under side from the 

 dead leaves is almost impossible. In the sunshine in autumn 

 it loves to rest upon Gcntaurca and other composite blossoms, 

 especially that of Etipatorium cannahinuin (Hemp agrimony), 

 and is fond of frequenting gardens. I know of no observation 

 of its favourite place of hybernation. 



It is one of the receding species which we so greatly regret. 

 There is little doubt that at no very distant period it occurred 

 all over the south, middle, and east, as well as the west of 

 England. Before 1836 it is said to have been common as 

 close to London as Peuge, and Stephens says that it was 

 abundant in Hertfordshire prior to 1833. Mr. Fitch tells me 

 that at one time it was plentiful in Epping Forest, and Mr. 

 Edward Doubleday recorded that it was found there in pro- 

 fusion about the year 1818; Mr. Dale recorded it as equally 

 common in Dorsetshire about the same time, and Mr. E. 

 Newman in Kent. Records exist for many other counties — as 

 in Cambridgeshire before 1842, Hunts in 1832, Bucks, 

 Warwickshire, and even Middlesex. In 1857 it was common 

 in Northamptonshire. Gloucestershire, Somerset and North 

 Wales, also in various parts of Lancashire; about 1858 the 

 Rev. C. M. Perkins used to take it freely in his garden at 

 Wootton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire ; and other observers 



