40 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES 
constant difference, and can therefore be no guide. The markings, however, on the posterior wings are somewhat different, those of Selene being 
of a rather more regular character, and the dot near the base round and distinct, whilst in Euphrosyne it is almost always shaded off indistinctly 
into the dark colour at the base of the wing. Ihave noticed also, and endeavoured to have it expressed in the plate, that the rings of white upon 
the antennz are broader in Selene, giving them a lighter and more checkered appearance. But though there is some difficulty in distinguishing the 
insect on the upper side, it will be scen that the under sides are very dissimilar. Both specimens are from the collection of Mr. Westwood. The 
Caterpillars are from Hiibner. The dark variety of Euphrosyne, which on the under side is the same as in ordinary specimens, is from 
the collection of Mr, Westwood, and the pale variety is the one figured by Mr. Stephens. Melitwa Dia, the petite violette of the French, so called 
from the beautiful purple blush that suffuses the posterior wings on the under side, is from the specimen in the collection of Mr. Stephens, and 
the Caterpillar likewise from Hiibner. 
Melitza Tessellata is from the old and somewhat coarse etching of Petiver, and perhaps does not convey a very accurate idea of the insect, but 
I have been induced to give it, in order that this and the preceding plate might contain all the small Fritillaries reputed British. H. N. H. 

SPECIES 4.—MELIT@A SELENE. THE APRIL OR SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY. 
Plate ix. fig. 1—4. 
Syvonymrs.— Papilio Selene, Fabricius. P. Silene, Haworth. Papilio Euphrasia, Lewin Pap. pl. 13. 
Melitea Selene, Stephens. Curtis Brit. Ent. pl. 386. Duncan Papilio Euphrosyne, var. Esper. 
Brit. Butt. pl. 13, fig. 3. (AZ. Silene.) Harris Aurelian, pl. 31, fig. i-k 
Argynnis Selene, Ochsenheimer, Boisduval, Hiibner. © (Verz.) 
This species varies in its expanse from 1% to nearly 2 inches. Jt is fulvous on the upper side, spotted with 
black ; four irregular bars run across the discoidal cell, succeeded first by a single spot extending from the costa, 
and then an interrupted row of four spots, then a row of seven small round black dots, and a row of black lunules 
reaching to the margin, which is edged with black ; the hind wings are similarly marked beyond the middle, but 
the base is black, with numerous fulvous angular shaped marks, amongst which a spot on the centre ‘of the 
discoidal cell, with a round black dot in the middle, is most conspicuous. The fore wings on the under side are 
nearly marked as above, except that the spots are smaller, and the apex is varied with ferruginous and straw- 
coloured ; the hind wings beneath are most beautifully tesselated with white, straw-colour, buff, dark ferruginous, 
and silver, the several markings being edged with black lines and the veins being black. The red mark in the 
middle of the discoidal cell, with a black dot in the centre, is here conspicuous, succeeded by an oblong silvery 
patch, between which and the outer angle are three smaller silvery patches, there being also a marginal row of 
six wedge-shaped silvery marks on the outer margin. The hind wings, as shown in our figures 2 and 9, are much 
narrower than in M. Euphrosyne ; so that the space between the longitudinal veins is narrower, and the markings 
consequently not so broad, 
The caterpillar is black, with a pale lateral stripe; the spines are half yellow, and two on the neck are larger 
than the rest, and project forwards. The chrysalis is dirty greyish-coloured. 
This species is common in various places in the South of England; Dartmoor, Lyndhurst, Newcastle, and 
Durham, have also been mentioned as its localities. ,It frequents heaths and waste grounds. Although occasionally 
captured in May and July, the beginning of June appears to be the period for the exclusion of the first brood, 
the second being produced in August and September *, 
It is liable to vary considerably ; Mr. Stephens describes a specimen with the upper surface of the wings 
whitish. 

* In Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist., No. 21, are some observations by the Rev. T. W. Bree relative to the double broodedness of this species ; 
in reply to which, Mr. Newman stated, in No, 22, that this species appears in the summer fifteen days later than M. Euphrosyne, and lasts till 
the end of July, after which it never reappears. Mr. Dale, however (Ent. Mag. 1, 357), speaks of it as double-brooded, and that the two broods 
vary in the same manner as those of M. Euphrosyne. 
