HAKD&OOK Of BUTTERFLIES. 73 



the most beautiful butterfly of this group is the Silver-washed 

 Fritillary (A. Paphia), which is streaked with silver on the under 

 surface of the hind wings, instead of being spotted. It is com- 

 mon in woods, but is not always easy to catch. The spiny cater- 

 pillars ot the species of Argynnis feed on violets. There is 

 another genus of Fritillaries (Melitaa) which includes three black 

 and tawny species, all very local. They are not spotted with 

 silver, and their lame feed on plantain. 



There are three very common and beautiful butterflies the 

 larvoe of which feed on nettle. These are the Small Tortoiseshell 

 (Vanessa 7r/zV<), the Peacock (V. 70), and the Red Admiral 

 (Pyrameis Atalanta], In the two first each wing has a slight 

 projection, giving them an angular appearance ; but that on the 

 fore wings of the Red Admiral is less acute, and there is none 



Peacock Butterfly ( Vanessa. Id). 



on the hind wings. The Small Tortoiseshell is bright reddish, 

 with black spots on the fore wings, and the basal or inner half of 

 the hind wings black ; the borders of all the wings are dusky, 

 with a row ot" small blue spots. It expands two inches, or a 

 little over. The Peacock is of a dull red colour, with a large 

 black space on the hind wings, partly bordered with buff, and 

 filled up with blue markings ; the fore wings are spotted with 

 black and yellowish on the" costa, or front edge ; and there is a 

 roundish composite yellow, black, and blue spot towards the tip. 

 The Red Admiral is black, with a red band on the fore wings 

 and a red border on the hind wings, and some white spots 



