128 HOLLY BLUE. 



The caterpillar feeds on the buck-thorn, {Rhamnus ratharticus,) 

 and the holly, (Bex Aqtdfolium.') 



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 surface 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 princi])al one on the middle of 

 the upper edge: the spots as well as the dusky markings vary con- 

 siderably 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. 



