38 THE GENERA AND SPECIES OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 
of stunted Plantains, or to the under side of an angular stone, where they are generally found 
in pairs. Last season it is stated that but few appeared in that locality, the writer informing us 
that they have insect foes which destroy many of the larvee ; and that even in the perfect state 
one of the hunting spiders, a large round-bodied species, preys upon this butterfly, lying in wait 
till the victim alights upon some low plant, and then darting upon it with unerring aim. I be- 
lieve that human enemies, in the shape of indefatigable collectors, have also had a share in de- 
creasing the supply ; for since the study of Entomology has become a fashionable pursuit, pro- 
fessional collectors have sprung up, who drive a pleasant and profitable trade—hurrying off to 
any newly discovered locality favourable to some rare species, and not leaving the spot while a 
single specimen is to be secured. The perfect butterfly appears in May, in favourable seasons ; 
but in cold springs the Caterpillars are still feeding at that time, and it is not seen till the 
middle of June. It is found also at Sandrock, and near Ryde in the Isle of Wight, and at 
several places in Hampshire and Devonshire ; also at Dover and Birch-Wood in Kent, and at 
Leamington in Warwickshire ; and even as far north as Yorkshire, where it has been taken in 
more than one locality. 
Melitea Athalia (the Heath Fritillary, No. 5). This insect is rare near London, but in 
other districts it is sometimes abundant ; and always much more so than the preceding species. 
It may be distinguished from IZ, Cinzia by the rather deeper ground colour of the upper surface 
of the wings, and by the broader but rather more irregular character of the transverse bands. 
On the under side (No. 6) it differs also by the much stronger colouring of the markings, by 
the narrower proportion of the exterior brown band of the hind wings, and by the absence of 
black and brown spots. The Caterpillar, (No. 7) feeds upon the Plantains, and also upon the 
common Heath, as represented in the plate. There are many interesting varieties of this insect, 
especially the very pretty one supposed to be the 7. Pyronia of Hiibner. This variety has the 
upper surface of the front wings almost without markings, except a dark border, while the hind 
wings are entirely black, with a few tawny dots. On the under side, the light parts are nearly 
white, with brown markings ; the lower half of both pairs of wings being also nearly black, 
with veins and afew marks of obscure tawny. The Papilio tesselatu of Petiver, is also con- 
sidered to be a variety of this species. In this variety the upper surface of the wings is pale, 
and marked with extreme regularity ; the marks having a much more even and tesselated ap- 
pearance than in the typical species. The fore wings are more fulvous underneath, and the hind 
wings entirely straw colour, with black veins, having at the base three large yellow spots bor- 
dered with black ; also a broad band of deeper straw colour, bordered with black, running 
across the centre of both wings, &e. This elegant variety appears to have been pretty constant 
in Petiver’s time, and was found each season in some plenty, in Caen Wood, at Hampstead, 
whence it was formerly called the Hampstead Beauty. 
Several places in the metropolitan counties, and also in Devonshire and Bedfordshire, are 
mentioned as localities in which Melitwa Athalia has been recently taken, especially on heaths, 
and in open places in woods. It has also been taken at Tenterden in considerable numbers. 
