SMALL TORTOISE-SHELL. 165 



spots. The body and base of the wings are clothed 

 with long brownish hairs, and the antennae are va- 

 riegated with white. 



The caterpillars of this species feed on the nettle, 

 and for some time after they are excluded from the 

 egg, live together in little family associations, but 

 disperse as soon as their increasing size renders a 

 larger supply of food necessary. They are of a 

 blackish colour, with four yellowish stripes, two 

 along the back, and one on each side ; the body be- 

 set with strong branched spines. 



This is by far the most common insect of the 

 genus, occurring abundantly in all parts of England, 

 and extending to the northern extremity of Scotland. 

 Considerable numbers pass the winter in a torpid 

 state, and issue from their retreats on the first warm 

 days of March. In the south of Scotland, where 

 it is known by the name of the Devil's Butterfly, 

 and Witch's Butterfly, we have occasionally observed 

 it on the wing even before that period, and it has 

 been noticed in the Isle of Wight on the 8th of Ja- 

 nuary.* There appear to be at least two broods 

 annually, one in June, and another in September. 

 In the south of Europe it is likewise a prevalent 

 species, and in Italy it continues on the wing in 

 fine weather the whole winter. Its metamorphoses 

 are admirably delineated by Swammerdara under 

 the name of the Common Dutch Day Butterfly.f 



• Loudon's Mag. of Nat. Hist. v. p. 595. 

 T Book of Nature, pi. xxxiv. and xxxv. 



