Il6 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



the latter as immigrants. It seems likely, however, that 

 all may have yellow borders at first, which become paler 

 after hibernation. 



V. atalanta, Linn. (Red Admiral) (Figs. 118 to 121), 

 is another very powerful flyer, and at times given to 

 soaring. It is, perhaps, more difficult to take than the 

 Peacock, unless it should be observed sucking the nectar 

 from flowers. So intent is it sometimes in this occupa- 

 tion, that it may be quite easily removed from the 

 blossom with the fingers. Like others of its genus it 

 sometimes visits at night the sugar that has been placed 

 as a lure for moths. Though usually very generally 

 distributed throughout Great Britain and Ireland, it is 

 very much more common in some seasons than in 

 others. During last season 1892 atalanta favoured us 

 with its presence in more than the usual numbers. 



The eggs are laid in May and June on the common 

 Nettle (Urtica dioicd)^ while the larvae have also been seen 

 feeding upon Pellitory-of-the-Wall (Parietaria officinalis). 

 In June, July, and August the larvae are found, and the 

 chrysalides in the last two months, while the imagines 

 are on the wing from August until October, and again 

 till June after the winter's sleep is past. 



When full-grown, the larva (Fig. 119) is about i^in. 

 long, and has the characteristic spines. It feeds in a 

 tent-like structure formed of the leaves of its food-plant, 

 held together with silk. Though specimens often closely 

 approximate to cardui in general appearance, the spines, 

 which vary greatly in colour, are longer than those of 

 that species, but not so long as those of to or antiopa. 

 Their disposition is four on the third and fourth seg- 

 ments, seven on segments five to twelve, and four on 

 the thirteenth. So far as the ground-colour is con- 

 cerned, this varies through black-brown, russet-brown, and 



