102 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



they are the first to tell us of the summer that is coming, 

 and the last to remind us of that which has passed. 



V. C-album, Linn. (Comma) (Figs. 98 to 101), on 

 account of the deep indentations and therefore jagged 

 outline of its wings, might at first sight be easily mistaken 

 for a dilapidated specimen of the Large or Small Tortoise- 

 shell, but it will not be long before their more sought 

 after relative is recognised and, with good luck, cap- 

 tured. V. C-album should be looked for in open glades 

 of woods or along country hedgerows, especially where 

 brambles grow, for it has a great partiality for these plants. 

 Powerful flight would hardly be expected as an accom- 

 paniment of deeply-indented wings, but such is one of 

 the features of this butterfly, which at times may be 

 seen sailing aloft round the tops of the trees, just as 

 is often the case with other species of its genus. 



Though at one time widely distributed over England 

 and Wales and in many places common, V. C-album 

 seems now to be gradually becoming scarcer and scarcer. 

 The districts round which it chiefly centres appear to be 

 North Wales and the counties on each side of the 

 English and Welsh borders. Outside these localities 

 collectors, if they find it at all, will do well not to expect 

 to meet with it in numbers. 



It is uncertain whether C-album is single- or double- 

 brooded. The winter is passed in the perfect state, and 

 the butterflies reappear about May. They are seen from 

 that date onwards, but the chief flight occurs in Septem- 

 ber and October. The larvae, which feed principally on 

 the Hop (Humulus Lupulus), the common Nettle 

 (Urtica dioica), and the Red Currant (Ribes rubruni), 

 may be found in July and August, and perhaps in the 

 spring, while the pupae occur in September, if not before 

 also. 



