154 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



collector's net, for its flight is particularly weak. It should, 

 however, be noticed that it has a special liking for bramble- 

 blossoms, and a careless stroke at a butterfly on such a 

 perch usually results in an unsightly rent in the net. 

 Though the insect before us is not so fragile as E. 

 ianira or E. hyperanthes, a large number of specimens 

 will need to be taken, for like them it varies considerably 

 in size, depth of colouring, and in the number and 

 development of the eye-spots. Though not by any means 

 so universally plentiful as ianira it is a fairly common 

 butterfly in most parts of England, and is found in the 

 south of Scotland. It should be sought for on heaths, 

 by the sides of brambly hedgerows, and in dry fields. 



The eggs are laid on grass in July, and the young 

 larvae appear in August. After feeding for a time they 

 retire, while still quite small, to the roots of the food- 

 plant to hibernate. In May they recommence feeding. 

 They pupate at the end of June, and the perfect insects 

 may be found in July, August, and even September. 



The larva (Fig. 164) is slightly spindle-shaped and has 

 two points at the anal extremity. Both head and body are 

 beset with rough points, each of which emits a short, stiff 

 hair. The segments may be clearly distinguished, and 

 each is transversely divided into sections. The colour is 

 either some tint of green usually dull, or pale brown, the 

 head being tinged with pink. There is a dark medio-dorsal 

 stripe, as well as on each side two pale ones bordered 

 above with a darker tint. 



The stout pupa, less than iin. in length, is pale drab in 

 colour, considerably marked with brown. 



The imago (Figs. 165 to 167) has the costal margin of 

 the fore-wings convex, the hind-margin of the fore-wings 

 nearly .straight, and the hind-margin of the hind-wings 

 scalloped. The ground-colour of the upper surface is a 



