The British Butterflies Described 



quite a black appearance at a little distance. This 

 variation is mostly found in the New Forest. The 

 butterfly is common in many districts of England, but 

 is rare in Scotland. 



The caterpillar is covered with long spines, nearly 

 black, and has a pale line along the back and sides ; it 

 feeds on Dog Violet and Wild Raspberry. The chrysalis 

 is rather stout, hangs by the tail, and is greyish, with 

 shining points. The perfect insect is out in July and 

 August. 



THE GREASY FRITILLARY (Melitea aurinia), 

 Plate IV., Fig. 9. This may not seem a pretty or 

 poetical name for a butterfly. Beauty, poetry, and the 

 "fitness of things," might have suggested a more 

 appropriate title ; but, as Dickens has said, " the wisdom 

 of our ancestors is not to be disturbed by unhallowed 

 hands," and as the technical name is in this instance 

 some compensation, we may have to let it go at that. 

 " Greasy " the butterfly is not, but only looks as if it 

 were, when slightly worn ; and, owing to some peculi- 

 arity in the arrangement of its scales, this slight wearing 

 is very soon accomplished. Happily it is not a difficult 

 insect to rear, and fine specimens without a suspicion of 

 greasiness in their appearance can thus be had for the 

 cabinet. This butterfly is quite distinct from any other 

 British Fritillary, inasmuch as it has two very distinct 

 ground colours on the upper side of its wings, a rich 

 orange-brown and a pale ochreous yellow. The bands 

 of this latter shade are bordered with dark brown ; a 

 reference to the coloured figure will show how these 

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