SMALL COPPER BTTTTEEFLY. 147 



THE SMALL COPPEE BUTTERFLY. 

 (Chrysophanus Phlceas.} (Plate XIII. fig. 1.) 



WE now arrive at a genus characterized by the splendid 

 golden or burnished coppery lustre and tint of their 

 firings ; of which, however, the present little species is 

 the only one that remains to us, should the " Largt 

 Copper " be really (as it is feared) extinct. 



This little, but lively representative of the genus, is 

 one of our commonest and most widely distributed but- 

 terflies, flashing about in the sunshine, joining in a 

 dance with the no less lively blues, or settling on the 

 lilac flowers of the scabious, &c., whose soft tones set 

 off to the best advantage the metallic effulgence of this 

 little gem. 



The caterpillar feeds on sorrel leaves ; is green, with 

 three red stripes. 



The chrysalis and caterpillar both resemble in shape 

 those of the Hair-streaks. 



The butterfly is supposed to be tfnpfe-brooded, coming 

 out in April, June, and August ; and is so common, 

 fchat no localities need bo given. 



