peacock's eye. 167 



black crescent. The under side of the wings is 

 shining dark -brown, with transverse undulating lines 

 of deep black, the five bluish -white spots of the up- 

 per wings appearing as pale points, and another si- 

 milar spot is observable in the middle of the hin- 

 der wings. The body is blackish, and clothed with 

 rust-coloured hairs : the legs dull yellow. 



The caterpillar feeds on the two common species 

 of stinging nettle. It is of a shining black colour, 

 with numerous white points somewhat disposed in 

 transverse lines, and having the hinder legs rust-red. 

 This highly beautiful insect, which the earliest of 

 our British naturalists styles " omnium regina," is 

 much less extensively distributed than the preceding 

 species. Although abundant in most parts of Eng- 

 land, there appear to be certain districts even in the 

 south where it is not common, aud it gradually be- 

 comes scarce as we advance northwards. The most 

 northern place where it has occurred in plenty, is 

 the vicinity of York, and it probably does not extend 

 beyond the Frith of Forth. Throughout the south 

 of Scotland, indeed, it is seldom seen, although it 

 nas been stated, through some mistake, to be a com- 

 mon species in that quarter. We know it to have 

 occurred sparingly near Edinburgh, and also in Rox- 

 burghshire and Dumfriesshire. 



