132 LEPIDOPTERA. 



marginal black band, with yellow lines, and broader blue 

 spots. Female similar. 



Under side of fore wings with the basal half blackish- 

 brown, enclosing a large yellowish spot ; then pale yellow to 

 near the hind margin, which, with the apex, is dusky brown, 

 with a row of dull bluish crescents. Hind wings black- 

 brown to beyond the middle, then pale brown shading to 

 blackish-browu at the hind margin, where is a row of 

 bluish or slate-coloured crescents. In the middle of the 

 wing, in the blackest portion, is a small light brown dot. 



Rather a brilliant species, variable in the intensity of the 

 orange-red colour, in the brightness of the yellow spots, and 

 in the size and intensity of the black markings. Occa- 

 sionally some of these coalesce or appear to be united by 

 a blackening of the median nervure in the centre of the 

 fore wings. The yellow cloud near the anal angle is some- 

 times much reduced in size, or even nearly absent, and the 

 same occurs, very rarely, in those near the costa. On the 

 other hand, I have found specimens from north-western 

 localities in which these costal spots were nearly white. 

 Conversely, one taken in Surrey has the yellow extended 

 almost into a band across the wings, while another has the 

 two round black spots reduced to mere dots. A peculiar 

 phase of variation in this species, in which there is a scarcity 

 of the reddish colouring, and general thinness of scales, so 

 that the specimens look greasy, or semi-transparent, or have 

 a smoky tinge, appears, almost certainly, to be produced by 

 feeding the larvae on withered, unsuitable, or insufficient 

 food. Mr. W. H. Wright has furnished me with such 

 specimens, deficient in the bright-red colour, reared under 

 such conditions ; and others may be found in many collec- 

 tions. Mr. F. Merrifield, of Brighton, has given great atten- 

 tion to the effect of high or low temperature in producing 

 variation of colour in this species. He finds that pupse kept 

 at a temperature of about 80° Fahrenheit produce, in about a 

 week, butterflies of a bright colour, wfth the yellow spots 



