NYMPHALID/E. 129 



The larva has also been found by Mr. Jeuner, of Lewes, 

 abundantly upon aspen (Pirpnlua trcmnla), and by other 

 observers on Pijrwi aria and sallow, and even, rarely, upon 

 osier, bii-ch, chen-y, pear, and apple. The usual food plant, 

 however, is elm, and the eggs are laid in regular order, in a 

 large batch, on a twig. The resulting larvffi remain in com- 

 pany, feeding up rapidly, and completely stripping the 

 branch upon which they reside, of leaves, so that it becomes 

 most conspicuous. When full fed, however, all crawl hastily 

 down the tree, and search for a suitable place for pupation, 

 and if an old wooden fence happens to be near, quite a 

 considerable number of larvae, or pupse, may sometimes be 

 secured upon it. If the larvffi strip a branch before they are 

 full fed. they remove to another, and commence operations on 

 the young leaves at its extremity. In 1857 Mr. Merrin, of 

 Gloucester, reporded that he found a female early in September 

 which, contrary to the usual habit, had paired before hyberna- 

 tion. Eggs were laid and speedily hatched, and some of the 

 larva) fed until half an inch long, and then apparently laid 

 up for hybernation, as did other larva3 found by him, at the 

 same time, upon shoots of elm near the ground. It does not 

 appear, however, that these larvte survived the winter, and 

 this circumstance can only be regarded as an abnormal 

 effort to produce a second brood. Mr. J. A. Tawell records 

 that he once found several larvie feeding upon nettle, and 

 reared them upon that plant, the resulting specimens being 

 of the size of V. urtica:. I have seen one of these 

 specimens ; it is in all respects, except size, a typical 

 Pohjchlaras. 



After emergence this handsome butterfly may generally be 

 seen for a few weeks frequenting trees, settling on their 

 trunks, also on the roofs and walls of houses, and other con- 

 spicuous and sunny situations ; or if the sap is running from 

 an elm, birch, or oak tree, it will be found eagerly feeding 

 thereupon. It may also be found in the daytime upon 

 ■• sugar," which has been placed on trees overnight, to attract 



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