96 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



of gridiron-like chequering of black. Perhaps there is 

 rather more black in athalia, but the point of distinction 

 on the upper surface is the presence in cinxia of a line of 

 black dots (absent in athalia) parallel to the hind-margin 

 of the hind-wings. The under-surface (Fig. 93) less closely 

 resembles that of athalia. The fore-wings are orange, 

 with a yellow outer margin and tip. The hind-wings have 

 first a line of yellow spaces along the outer margin, then a 

 line of orange ones with black dots, next a line of yellow 

 ones with black dots, followed by a line of orange spaces 

 enclosing one yellow space, and the base of the wings is 

 yellow, with black dots. There are besides several black 

 dots not yet mentioned, especially on the fore-wings. The 

 markings are distinct, for many of the spaces referred to 

 are defined by clear black lines or nervures. This butterfly 

 varies considerably in different specimens. 



M. athalia, Rott. (Heath Fritillary or Pearl-bordered 

 Likeness Fritillary) (Figs. 94 to 97), gets its first common 

 name from the kind of locality the imago frequents 

 heaths and openings in woods. The second name is not 

 a good one, as it leads to confusion with two species 

 of Argynnis. M. athalia, though very local, is usually 

 abundant where it occurs at all. Its chief home is 

 in the south of England : it is rare in the north. It 

 has been taken abundantly in parts of Cornwall, Devon, 

 Sussex, Kent, and Stafford, and has occurred in Bucks, 

 Essex, Gloucester, Suffolk, and Wiltshire. Like the last 

 butterfly it varies considerably in its markings, and a 

 good series will be required for the cabinet. 



The Heath Fritillary is later than the other two 

 species of the genus. The eggs are laid in July, on 

 several plants, among them being the Narrow-leaved 

 Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), the Broad-leaved Plantain 

 (P. major), Wood Sage (Teucriitm Scorodonia\ Germander 



