PYKAMEIS. 203 



Anterior Legs of the male densely hairy; the tibia a little shorter than the femur; the tarsus 

 than the tibia. Tibia subcylindric, unarmed. Tarsus subcylindric, tapering towards the 

 apex, which is obtusely conical. Anterior Legs of the female with the femur, tibia, and base 

 of tarsus densely hairy; the proportions of these parts as in the males. Tibia subcylindric, 

 sparingly spiny within. Tarsus with the first and second joints spiny below, the latter rather 

 more than one fifth the length of the former; both armed at the apex, as are the two followiii'T 

 joints, with a stout spine on each side, covered by a more or less distinct tuft of hairs at the 

 base of the following joint ; third joint little more than half the length of the second, trans- 

 verse ; fourth joint shorter than the third, transverse, obliquely truncate at the apex ; fifth joint 

 short, transverse, about equal to the fourth. 

 Middle and Posterior Legs moderately stout ; the femur in the former longer than in the latter, 

 equal to the tibia. Tibia? with two latero-internal rows of spines, and lateral less regular series ; 

 spurs stout, elongate. Tarsi spiny above, laterally, and, except the fifth joint, below ; the spines 

 of the lower surface stout, long, arranged in two nearly regular series. Middle tarsi with the 

 first joint about three times the length of the second ; the posterior tarsi with the first joint 

 little more than double the length of the second; third joint considerably shorter than the 

 second ; the fourth than the third ; fifth about equal to the second. Claws rather stout, curved, 

 grooved below. Paronychia very hairy, bilaciniate ; the outer lacinia strap-shaped, as long as 

 the claw ; the inner short, subtriangular, or with the inner lacinia rudimentary ; the outer 

 elongate, triangular, slender. Pulvillus jointed, shorter than the claws, or merely rudimentary. 

 Abdomen stout, about half the length of the inner margin of the posterior wings. 



Larva cylindric; all the segments, except the head and prothoracic segment, armed with 



verticillate spines. 

 Pupa more or less angular and tuberculate ; the head rather obtusely bifid. 



Pyrameis differs from Vanessa in having the wings less angular, the palpi less hairy ; and of somewhat different form ; 

 the club of the antenna? rather more pointed ; and in other less obvious characters. 



The Larv;e of those species of which the metamorphosis is known are brown or olive, tending more or less to green, 

 with an interrupted pale longitudinal band on each side. Like those of the preceding genus, all the segments, except 

 the head and prothorax, are armed with long spines, set round with whorls of stiff bristles. In their habits they are 

 different, being always solitary, drawing together the sides of a leaf with silken threads, and thus forming a cylindrical 

 dwelling. Those of Pyrameis Atalanta feed on the common nettle, those of P. Cardui on thistles, and, according to 

 Abbot, those of V. Huntera on Gnaphalium obtusifolium. 



The PuPiE are angular, tuberculate, with the head bifid, of some shade of brown, grey, or olive, more or less 

 ornamented with golden spots. This state generally lasts, in temperate climates, about fifteen days. 



The Perfect Insects are disclosed from the pupa? in the summer and autumn months ; but many hybernate, and 

 consequently are frequently met with in the spring. They are butterflies of rather powerful flight, but often alighting 

 on flowers and fruits. Pyrameis Atalanta is exceedingly fond of the juices of our autumnal fruits, especially the 

 greengage ; Pyr. Cardui is more attached to flowers, the thistle and other Composita? being its favourites. 



The last-mentioned species offers, perhaps, a wider Geographical Range than any other butterfly. It is found 

 throughout the whole of Europe, Africa, and Asia; in the New World it has been met with from Hudson's Bay to 



