292 LEPIDOPTERA. 



Dactylis gloiiicrata, Triticum rcpcns, Holcus lanatus, Phalaris 

 anmdinacca, and many other grasses. It is slow in coming 

 to maturity, and also irregular, some larvas becoming full-fed 

 early in ilay, others not before the end of that month or even 

 the early part of June. 



Pupa long and slender, rounded, with a sharp anal point, 

 and with the end of the tongue case detached from the 

 abdominal portion of the body, along which it lies ; eye-cases 

 prominent. Pale brown, with the wing-cases, leg and 

 antenna-sheatlis. and spiracles, dark brown, and a dark shade 

 down the back. In a chamber formed of a drawn-together 

 leaf of one of the broader grasses, or two or three leaves of the 

 narrower ; attached to the silken lining of the chamber. 



A very lively active species, of swift and powerful flight, 

 yet not disposed to leave its favourite haunt for any distant 

 excursion. It prefers broad wood-j^aths, the outskirts of 

 woods, lanes, heaths, quarries, hill-sides, and rough pastures. 

 Loves to sit upon the leaves of undergrowth, either bushes 

 or herbaceous plants or even tall grasses ; has a curious trick 

 of turning half round upon the leaf the moment it has 

 alighted, or even sometimes walks round a little with half- 

 raised wings, in a brisk and self-satisfied way, when alighted 

 in the full sunshine. At other times when at rest the wings 

 ar(^ closed over the back. The swiftness and energy with 

 which it dashes ofE from its perch, in pursuit of an insect of its 

 own species or any other, is very pretty to see, though often its 

 motions are not easy to follow. Its method of depositing its 

 eggs was noticed by Mr. H. Ullyett, near I'olkestone, and 

 recorded in the Entomologists Monthln Magazine : " As I 

 was resting awhile in the Warren last July, with a perfect 

 shower of butterflies round me, I had a good opportunity of 

 watching a female Si/lvamis deposit her eggs. She Hew from 

 one stem of grass to another several times, as if she were 

 rather particular in her selection, and having found a suitable 

 one she slid gently down it. The [' sliding '] movement was 



