96 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES 



with ten very distinct black ocellated spots, each with a slender ])alo iris : three of those spots are placed longitu- 

 dinally, the others forming a waved band across the wing, the two inner ones being small, more or less confluent : 

 this is succeeded bv a row of obscure unequal-sized dark spots. The bind wings beneath are of a pale silvery blue, 

 which becomes oreyer as it recedes from the body, with a slender oblique bar at the extremity of the discoidal cell, 

 and about twenty-five black spots, various in size, those towards the base of the wings being placed irregularly 

 and ocellated with white, as well as the transverse irregular row formed of nine spots beyond the middle of the 

 wing. This is succeedeil by a row of dark spots, followed by a subniarginal fulvous bar, between which aud the 

 grey extremity of the wing is a very indistinct row of similar spots. The caterpillar is described by Mr. Stejthens 

 as " somewhat hairy, bright green with innumerable white dots ; io feeds upon a kind of dock. The chrysalis is 

 at first green, then palc-ash coloured, with a dark dorsal line and two abbreviated white ones on each side, and 

 lastly sometimes deep brown." The fen districts of Cambridge and Huntingdonshire are the localities for this 

 beautiful species, which apjiears not to be known as a native of any other part of Europe. Benacrc, Suffolk, and 

 Bardolph fen, in Norfolk, have also produced it. It is also said to have been taken by the botanist Hudson in 

 Wales ; but IMr. Stephens thinks it probable that this locality belonged to P. Ilippothoe. Donovan states that the 

 specimens from v.-liich his figures are drawn were from Scotland ; but 5Ir. Ilaworth says, " Nunquam in Scotia ut 

 amicus mens E. Donovan ex informatione erronea dixerit." 



Within the last twenty years the insect has become common in collections, owing to the immense numbers 

 taken by collectors in the former localities, which, however, as I understand, has almost extirpated the species. 



Boisduval, who at first gave it as Hippothoe, has since figured it under the name of Polyommatus dispar, 

 observing, "ccjoli Polyommatus n'est tres probablement qu'une variete locale d'Hippothoii, remarquable par 

 sa taille. II est au moins un tiers plus grand qu'IIippothoe du Continent ; scs ailes sont d'un fauve plus vif, et 

 alios ont souventuu reflet un pen purpurin." 



The end of July and the beginning of August is the period of the appearance of this insect in the perfect state ; 

 it is found flying amongst the reeds growing in the fens, and is very active. In Loudon's Magazine of Natural 

 History, (No. 37,) Mr. Dale has noticed a variation in the form of the wings of this species. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXX. 



Insects. — Fig. 1. Lvcaena Vngaurcse (the scarce copiicr Butteiflj), male, 2. The female. 3. Showing the under side. 4. The 

 Caterpillar. 5. The Chrysalis. 

 Fig. 6. Lycjena Hippothoe (the dark under-winged or tawny copper Biitteifly). 7. Tlie female. 8. Showing the under side. 

 Plants.— Figs. S and 10. Solidago Virgaurca; (the Golden-red). 



Hippothoe and Virgaurece are sulliciently distinct on the upper surface, the former hcing of a pure tawny hue, whilst the latter ]»rescnts an 

 intense and brilliant copper colour, somewhat more orange aud Hcry in its tone than Dispar. The under sides arc very distinct ; that of Hippothoe, 

 however, closely resembles that of Dispar. The Caterpillar and Chrysalis are from Godart. — H. N. 11. 



SPECIES 4.— CHRYSOPHANUS HIPPOTHOE. THE DARK UNDER-WINGED COPPER BUTTERFLY. 



Plate xxs. fig. C— 8. 



SvNONYMEs — Papilio Hippotho'ii, Linnreus ; Rosel, Ins. Bel. c). 

 2, t. 37, f G— 7, male; Haworth, Ent. Trans, p. 333 (nee Lcwin 

 and Donovan). 



Lyciena Hippolhoc, Stephens ; Curtis ; Duncan, Brit. Butt.pl. 30, 



fig. 2 : Wood, lud. Eutomol. pi. 2, fig. 58, male ; pi. 3, fig. 58. 

 female. 



Vobiommatus Hippothoe, Boisduval. 



C hijrysopJiamis Hippothoi, Iliibner (Verz. bek. Schmett.) 



This species, which has been regarded by many Entomologists as specifically identical with the preceding, 

 differs from it in its constantly smaller size, the fore wings never expanding more than an inch and a half. It is, 



