286 NETTLE TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY. 



ORDER III. LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 



10. BUTTERFLY TRIBE. 



Butterflies undergo three distinct changes ; from the 

 egg to the caterpillar state, from this to a chrysalis, and 

 from the latter to perfect or winged insects. 



Large White Butterfly. The caterpillars of this butter- 

 fly, which feed on the cabbage, are of a cinereous colour, 

 with black spots, and marked with three yellow lines. 

 They are chiefly to be found betwixt the months of June i 

 and October. The Butterflies deposit their eggs in clus- 

 ters, in an erect position, on the under sides of the leaves. 

 The caterpillars are sometimes so numerous, as to commit 

 great devastations among the cabbages. 



Nettle Tortoise-shell Butterfly. This and the last are 

 the most common of all the English Butterflies. These 

 first appear abroad about the month of April, and lay 

 their eggs upon the tender parts of the stalks of nettles, 

 in the beginning of the following month. The caterpil- 

 lars, as soon as they issue from the eggs, form a web in ' 

 which they find shelter from the winds and rain. As soon 

 as they have attained their full growth, they fasten them- 

 selves by the tail under the leaves or to the stalks of the 

 nettles, and, thus suspended, change into chrysalids. In i 

 this state they continue about twenty days, when they 

 undergo their final change into Butterflies. 



