104 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



much less distinct in the male than in the female, th 

 sex figured in the plate. 



The under surface is of a soft russet ground, adorned 

 with a wreath of the ringlet-spots from which the insect 

 takes its common name. These are black eye-spots, white- 

 centred and set in a clear ring of pale tawny colour. 

 The most usual form and proportions of these spots are 

 shown in the figure (with closed wings), but there arb 

 many varieties met with, the following "being the most 

 remarkable that have come under my notice. 



One, and not a very ancommon one, has no light 

 rings round the black spots on the under side. 



Another has the rings reduced to a range of mere 

 light specks, the black eye-spots being entirely absent. 



Then again, another has the black pupils exceedingly 

 large and rich, forming a most elegant variety. 



The spots on the upper side in the male are some- 

 times quite imperceptible. 



The ground colour of the upper side is occasionally of 

 a pale drab or fawn colour. 



The caterpillar of this species is very like that of the 

 last in colouring, and feeds on the same grasses. 



The butterfly, which is out in June and July, 13 a 

 common and widely distributed species, frequenting 

 woods, shady corners of hedge-rows, &c. 



