THE PAINTED LADY. 401 



in August, are in their full splendour, and, unless the collector 

 prefer rearing them from the caterpillar, he should select the 

 month of August as the time for the capture of specimens for 

 the cabinet. 



Although it can fly rapidly when it chooses, it seldom 

 takes the trouble to do so, and appears, indeed, to be so en- 

 gaged in searching for and taking food that it may be 

 captured without the least difficulty. Eipe and fallen fruit is 

 always a great attraction for this Butterfly. One of the most 

 magnificent sights I ever saw was due to this predilection for 

 fruit. An egg-plum tree had been entirely neglected, and its 

 fruit permitted to ripen on the boughs and then fall to the 

 ground. A lot of insects took advantage of such an oppor- 

 tunity, and the tree and its vicinity swarmed with wasps, 

 ants, and other lovers of sweets. 



But the most striking point was the host of Atalanta 

 Butterflies which surrounded the tree. They were approaching 

 in every direction ; the branches were crowded with them, 

 and the fallen fruit vipon the ground was so covered with 

 them that neither fruit nor ground could be seen for the 

 Butterflies, as they waved their black and scarlet wings gently 

 up and down. So completely occupied were they with their 

 rich banquet that they took no notice of me as I stood by 

 them, and even permitted me to pick them up with my fingers. 

 The sun was shining brightly on this wonderful assemblage, 

 and brought out the grandly contrasted colours until they 

 shone with tropical splendour. I never saw such a sight before, 

 and am not likely to see such a one again. 



On Plate XIII. Fig. 3 is shown the pretty Butterfly called, 

 on account of the variegated colouring of the under surface, 

 the Painted Lady. Its scientific title is Vanessa cardui. 

 The shape and position of the markings can be seen by 

 reference to the illustration. The colour of the upper wings 

 is deep black. The five spots near the tip are pure white, 

 and the pale markings on the disc of the wings are warm 

 chestnut. There is a slight white scalloping along the edge of 

 the wing. The lower pair of wings are coloured in much the 

 same way, but the only white portion is the scalloped edging 

 The bases of the wings are thickly covered with scales of ix 



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