93 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES 



in;iro-in is clouded with a row of dusky spots. The posterior wings are dusky at the base, and they are marked 

 with about twelve small black spots, those towards the base of the wing being placed irregularly, but those near 

 the middle placed in a series across the wing, each with a small patch of white below it, so as unitedly to form 

 an interrupted white bar. Near the anal angle are a few orange spots, and the angle itself is rather acute, and has 

 an emai'gination adjoining it. 



The caterpillar is pubescent, and of a dull green colour, with a pale yellow line on the back, and pale green 

 streaks on the sides. It feeds on the golden rod, sharp dock (Rumex acutus), &c. The chrysalis is brownish 

 yellow with dusky red wing-covers. 



No specimens of this species having occurred for a great number of years, the claim of this insect to be regarded 

 as indigenous has begun to be questioned. It has at all times been very rare. According to Lewin, 

 two specimens of it were taken by himself in marshes ; and Donovan states that one was once taken in 

 Cambridge. The marshes in the Isle of Ely and Huntingdonshire are also stated as localities of this butterfly, 

 which appears in the perfect state at the end of August. I possess a specimen given to me by the late Mr. 

 Haworth as an undoubted native sj)ecimen. 



POLYOMMATQS,* Latkeille (op, recentior). 



( f 6/vowj7«(7/«s, .'^leplieui ; Curtis; Ilorsfichl ; ncc Boisduval. .-/c^ks, GeolTroy, Scopoli, Boisdiival. Li/ca-nUyfiim. A. Ochscnli. Fabricius.) 



Referring to the observations made under the genus Chrysophanus (pages 91 and S)2), as to the close relation- 

 ship existing between that genus and the present (which comprises the Blues of collectors), it will be sufficient in 

 this place to observe that this genus is distinguished by having the upper surface of the wings generally of a blue 

 coloiu', especially in the male, but occasionally brown in the females, with a row of fulvous spots near the outer 

 margin ; the under surface generally greyish with numerous ocelli, with black pupils surrounded by white irides. 



The antennse are filiform, and terminated by an abruptly-formed elongated compressed club terminating in a 

 lateral point. The palpi are longer than the head, with the terminal joint naked and sharp. The fore legs have 

 been described as alike in both sexes, but such is not the case (see ante, p. 81, note, and my Introd. to Mod. Class, 

 of Ins., vol. ii., p. 358, fig. 100. 12. la). The tarsi are furnished with minute simple ungues extending beyond 

 tlie minute pulvilli. The wings are entire and without tails, the posterior being scarcely denticulated at the 

 Anal angle. The larv;e are onisciform, with the head and feet very small and scarcely perceptible, the body laci- 

 niate, the l)ack elevated and generally beautifully coloured. The pupa is rather long, naked, and of a whitish 

 colour, with some dusky spots on the back and sides. The species generally undergo their transformations on the 

 stem of a plant, but occasionally beneath the surface of the earth. 



The genus extends all over Europe. Species are also found in the north of Africa, the Cajjc of Good Hope, 

 Madagascar, tlie Isles of France and Bourbon, the East Indies, and North America. Boisduval also mentions a 

 s])ccies from New Ireland. I possess several sjiecies from New South Wales ; and Ca])tain Ross brought one 

 from the Arctic regions. Mr. Swainson, however, informs us that they are almost \niknown in South America. 



noA.!S, niriii\, ;iiul o/jfia, ani-vi', iu allubiou to the numerous ocelli on the under side of tlie M-iiitrs ol'U.i 



