22 THE GENERA AND SPECIES OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 
day they were again dispersed. The markings of Cynthia Cardui are so like those of V. Atalanta, 
that an inexperienced collector might mistake it for a faded specimen of that species ; they are, 
however, very distinct when closely examined, the reddish-orange marks on the right fore-wing 
having been compared to a map of England and Ireland, which, in some strongly marked speci- 
mens, they slightly resemble. The Caterpillar (No. 3) feeds on various plants of the Thistle 
tribe, and is represented upon a plant of Cricus lunceolatus (the Spear Plum Thistle). Like the 
Caterpillar of 7. Atalanta, it is solitary in its habits, and also draws up the leaves upon which 
it is feeding in a similar manner, with web-like threads. It is also found at the same seasom 
July. The Chrysalis (No. 4) is suspended by the tail, and has the gold-like spots which distin- 
guish all the Sub-Family Vunessidi. The generic name, Cynthia, appears to have been taken, 
after the arbitrary fashion adopted by Linneus, from that of a pagan divinity, being one of those 
of the goddess Artemis, derived from the name of Mount Cynthus, in the Island of Delos, 
where she is said to have been born ; the name Cynthius being sometimes given to her brother 
Apollo, for the same cause. The specific name, Curdui, refers to a species of Carduus, or 
Thistle, upon which the Caterpillar frequently feeds. 
The genus Vunessa. The insects in this genus are rather remarkably distinguished by the 
hairy clothing of their eyes. They have the outline of the fringed border of the anterior wings 
rendered more or less irregular in form by one or more angular projections, and the hind-wings, 
except in the case of 7. Atalanta, have a short tail-like projection, somewhat analogous to that 
we have seen distinguishing the Papilionide, though much less conspicuous, and which we shall 
find again in a more slender form in the genus Thecla. The anterior pair of legs are rudimental 
and unfitted for walking, as in the genus Cynthia. The Caterpillar is furnished with spines. 
The Chrysalides, which are very angular, exhibit the appearance of gold and silver spots, 
caused by a fluid which is seen through the transparent external membrane, imparting a metallic 
gloss to the yellow shell or skin over which it circulates. The name of this genus appears to 
have been adopted by Fabricius from Phanes, one of the appellations of Eros or Cupid, and 
would, therefore, be more correctly written Phanessa instead of Vanessa. It was possibly given 
in allusion to the beauty of most of the species ; those which are found in the British Islands 
not ceding the palm to any of their exotic congeners. 
Vanessa Atalanta (the Red Admiral, No. 5). This insect, which might be more conveniently 
classed as Cynthia Atalanta till the two groups have been thoroughly revised, is one of the 
handsomest, and at the same time, one of the commonest of our native Butterflies. The under 
side of the hind wings (No. 6) is very richly marbled with deep brown, and exhibits some slight 
traces of the rudimental ocelli which distinguish the scarlet border on the upper surface. In 
Cynthia Cardui, however, these marks become mere distinct on the under side than the upper, 
as may be observed on reference to the representation of that insect, showing the under side, at 
No. 2. This may be made the ground of separating Atalanta and Cardui, otherwise appearing 
in all respects so closely allied. It is said that the females of /. Atalanta have a small white 
speck on the red bar near the back of the anterior wings. The Caterpillar of the Red Admiral 
(No. 7) feeds on the common Stinging Nettle ; and the perfect Butterfly appears in August. 
This fine species occurs throughout Europe, in the North of Africa, and in other distant 
localities, being a very widely dispersed species. 
