172 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



orange-red spots near the anal angle of the hind-wings 

 and a tiny blue one at the very corner. The under- 

 surface (Fig. 190) is a light and brighter brown. Within 

 the black border is a fine, light line on the hind-wings, 

 and within this on the same wings is a row of semi- 

 circular black spots, largest near the anal angle, where 

 they are adorned with blue. Within these again is a 

 band of orange-red extending to the fore-wings, where it 

 decreases in width, and disappearing before reaching the 

 tip. This band is followed by a row of black spots, 

 edged towards the base of the wings with bluish-white ; 

 these spots also gradually disappear on the fore-wings. 

 Within these again is an interrupted white line, extending 

 across all the wings roughly parallel to the hind-margin. 



T. quercus, Linn. (Purple Hairstreak, or Thecla of 

 the Oak) (Figs. 191 to 193), is the commonest species 

 of the genus. It is found throughout England, especially 

 in the south, and is well known in Ireland, as well as in 

 Scotland. Besides being the commonest of the genus, it 

 is undoubtedly the most beautiful ; the purple sheen, 

 when its wings are viewed in the proper light, reminding 

 one of the Purple Emperor. The Purple Hairstreak, too, 

 delights to frolic with its mates around the oaks (and 

 sometimes limes and ashes) in its woodland haunts. It 

 usually keeps well out of the way of the net among the 

 higher branches of the trees, but occasionally descends 

 within reach of its expectant foe. 



In July the eggs are laid on the Oak (Quercus Robur) ; 

 they hatch in the following spring, and the larvae arc 

 full-fed in June, at the end of which month the chrysalides 

 may be found. The imago comes out in July and con- 

 tinues into August. 



The larva (Fig. 191), which is of the usual onisciform 

 shape, has a retractile head and distinct divisions between 



