Transactions. 53 



would require to begin at the beginning, for they are all 

 beautiful of their class. To give a true and correct descrip- 

 tion of the fair Cynthia cardui, or painted lady, would 

 require some one better gifted in entomological language 

 than I have any pretension to ; and as it is always better 

 not to give a description at all than attempt to give one un- 

 worthy of the subject, the fair Cynthia is a highly elegant 

 species. She is well named the Painted Lady ; in France 

 she is styled the " Belle dame," or fine lady. 



That fine genus of butterflies commonly known as the 

 Fritillaries are all distinguished by the adornment of fine 

 silvery spots and streaks, with which the under side of the 

 wings is adorned, while the upper surface is chequered 

 with black upon a ground of rich golden brown. Of all the 

 British Fritillaries Argynnis paphia is, perhaps, the most 

 lovely, from the exquisite softness and harmony of the fine 

 silvery pencillings with which the under surface of the wings 

 is adorned, and which gives them the appearance as if they 

 were carefully indented with silver or pearl on the rich 

 greenish ground of the under wings, although some of the 

 other species are brighter, gayer, and more sparkling. lu 

 my own estimation there is no British butterfly equal to the 

 red admiral, Vanessa atalanta, in grand vividness of colour.. 

 V. atalanta will stand in comparison with any other insect. 

 He is certainly a most brilliant species ; and he appears also 

 to be quite aware of his own beauty, as it comes sailing along 

 through the sunny lanes, gracefully inclining from side to 

 side as if he meant to show off his colours to the best ad- 

 vantage. He is also a very bold insect. He will sometimes 

 light within two yards of you. When he sits on a flower 

 beside you, opening and shuting his wings, just make a dash 

 at him with your net, and miss him. Catch him again, if 

 you can, I have often done this when I did not want him, 

 just to see the very independent way he would say good bye 

 to you. The wings of this insect are so intensely black, with 

 brilliant scarlet bands and borders, relieved by the cool white 

 spots at the outer and upper corners ; also by choice bits of 



