The British Butterflies Described 



two black spots and a dash (see figure) on the same 

 wing. These are entirely wanting on the upper side of 

 the male, but are present on the under side. The male is 

 a little smaller than the female. Beyond question this 

 butterfly is the most destructive of all the British 

 species ; fortunately it is largely held in check by 

 ichneumon flies. Once I brought home a dozen or 

 two caterpillars of this species from an isolated locality 

 on the Mull of Kintyre, hoping to obtain some possible 

 varieties. Not one butterfly did I hatch ; they had all 

 been stung, and mostly by a large grey dipterous 

 fly (Plate XI., Fig. 4), although some few contained 

 the little blackish imp which is their usual parasite. 

 This little fellow it is who spins the small cocoons 

 round the shrivelled skin of the victim (see Plate XI., 

 Figs. 3, 5)- 



The eggs are laid singly or in small groups on the 

 backs of leaves, and are somewhat long ; they are 

 straw-coloured, and stand up on end, so they are not 

 difficult to find and collect, or destroy if too numerous. 

 The caterpillar is yellow, speckled with black, and 

 slightly spiny ; it is also one of the easiest and most 

 satisfactory to preserve. The chrysalis may be found 

 during the winter attached to walls and fences. The 

 butterfly is common throughout the summer. 



SMALL GARDEN WHITE (Pieris rap<e\ Plate I., Fig. 4. 

 This butterfly is very like the last, but much smaller. 

 Both species are generally found together. On the wing 

 and in the caterpillar state they find the same nooks 

 and corners in which to pass the winter as chrysaJids. 

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