HOLLY BLUE. 137 



The caterpillar feeds on the buck-thorn, ( Rhamnus catliar- 

 ticus,J and the holly, f Ilex AquifoUum.J 



In this species the wings expand to nearly an inch and a 

 quarter in width. The fore wings are of a uniform rather 

 dull pale blue; the hind wings the same: the fringe of all the 

 wings is white. 



The female differs from the male in being generally of a 

 smaller size, the blue of a paler hue, and the fore wings 

 broadly margined with black or blackish brown. The hind wings 

 are also marked with a row of black or dark brown spots within 

 the margin, which are sometimes so large as to be almost 

 confluent. Their upper edge is broadly margined also with 

 black. 



Underneath, the whole surfice is of a uniform pale silvery 

 greyish blue, crossed towards the outside of the fore wings with 

 an irregular row of small black dots. The hind wings have 

 also a few minute dots on different parts of their surface, the 

 principal one on the middle of the upper edge: the spots as 

 well as the dusky markings vary considerably in size, and the 

 former in number in different individuals. 



The caterpillar is of a greenish yellow colour, with, a bright 

 green line along the back, the head and legs being also black. 



The chrysalis is smooth, brown and green, with a dark 

 line along the back. 



The figures are from specimens in my own cabinet. 



