2l6 THE BOOK OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



spiracles; the segmental divisions are yellow, and the belly 

 and legs of a deeper and clearer green. It feeds at dusk, 

 and no doubt during the night, near the tops of the 

 blades of grass. The resemblance of the full-grown larva 

 to a grass-blade is very remarkable. 



When full-fed the larva spins the grass stems together 

 low down by a network of white silk and changes to a 

 long yellowish-green pupa, in which the dorsal stripe of 

 the larva is retained. 



By comparing lineola (Fig. 251) with thaumas (Fig. 252), 

 it will be seen that the bar on the upper surface of the 

 fore-wings of the male is in the former short, divided, 

 and usually indistinct ; while in the latter it is long, 

 curved, continuous, and very distinct ; that the under- 

 surface of the tip of the antennae is black in the former, 

 buff in the latter ; that the fulvous patch on the under- 

 surface of the hind-wings near the anal angle present in 

 thaumas is wanting in lineola^ and that the coloration of 

 the upper surface of lineola is much more suffused than 

 that of its congener. 



H. actaeon, Rott. (Lulworth Skipper) (Figs. 253 to 

 256), is one of the most local of our butterflies, being 

 found only in certain spots along the south coast of 

 England, between Swanage and Sidmouth, the best-known 

 localities being Lulworth Cove, where the butterfly was first 

 discovered in 1832, and Burning Cliff, between that place 

 and Weymouth. It used sometimes to be very abundant 

 in detached sheltered spots facing south, but is probably 

 less common now than formerly. H. actczon is an active 

 little butterfly, very difficult to follow in its flight, but it 

 may often be taken in dull weather resting on teasles, 

 thistles, and brambles. Specimens for the cabinet ought 

 to be secured within a few hours at most after leaving 

 the chrysalis 



