i6o LEPIDOPTERA. 



who also describes the action of casting the larval skin, and 

 the appearance of the spines after that operation, they being 

 remarkably small and rudimentary, wet and flaccid, and the 

 first pair even shorter than the rest ; yet in fifteen minutes 

 this pair had attained its much greater length, and in half 

 an hour all the other spines had grown considerably, both in 

 length and rigidity. 



On Viola canina (common dog violet). From the middle 

 or end of August to June. Mr. Fletcher found that the 

 young larva) prepared for hybernation immediately after 

 hatching, without feeding — except a light, and surely innu- 

 tritious meal, upon the egg-shell which they had just left. 

 Hybernation takes place on the ground close to the violet 

 plants, or upon their stems, and feeding does not recommence 

 until the beginning of April. It feeds principally in the 

 sunshine, and is far from scarce ; yet, handsome and striking 

 in appearance as it is, is very seldom found. 



Pui'A very handsome ; head with two divergent points ; 

 thorax with a sharp dorsal keel ; then a deep dorsal depres- 

 sion in which are two sharp points ; then another very 

 prominent keel at the commencement of the abdomen ; 

 beyond which the abdominal segments have dorsal and sub- 

 dorsal points inclining backwards. Wing cases well defined, 

 and projecting laterally. Dull fawn-colour, varied with 

 paler, and with fine brown reticulation ; a line of brown 

 down the sides, and a stripe of darker brown, beneath, on 

 each side of the abdomen.* In the dorsal depression are large 

 glittering golden spots, and the tips of the abdominal points 

 have a similar golden lustre. (Buckler.) 



The butterfly has a brilliant golden or bronzy appearance 

 on the wing, in the bright sunshine, as it glides swiftly along 

 the wood glades and flutters round the bramble blossoms. 

 which flowers it mainly frequents. Principally attached 

 to woods, though in favourite districts it will fly along 

 the lanes and roads, and has even been known to make its 



