Small Copper 



black margins and a small black spot in the centre of 

 the fore-wing. The female is larger and not so brilliant ; 

 the black marginal band on the fore-wing is broader, and 

 has a row of black spots in addition to the central black 

 spot. The hind-wings are much dingier, except for a 

 brighter band round the outer margin next the black 

 outline. It was out in July and August in the Fen 

 lands of the south-eastern counties. Various causes 

 have been assigned as the reason for its disappearance. 

 Draining of, and burning rubbish on, these wastes, and 

 the constant persecution the insect had to endure from 

 mercenary natives who, once they discovered there was 

 money in it and the more money, doubtless, the scarcer 

 it became-^-all lent their quota of assistance towards 

 finally exterminating this fine butterfly. 



THE SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY (Polyommatus 

 Phl<eas\ Plate XII., Fig. 8. Less in size but hardly 

 less brilliant in colour, the Small Copper is not likely to 

 share the fate of its larger relative. A lively, restless, 

 little imp it is, and has well earned the title of " the 

 flea," by which it is known in some districts. 



As it is the " only Copper we possess now," a detailed 

 description is unnecessary, but I would direct the young 

 collector's attention to the fact that there are some nice 

 variations of this common little species apt to be over- 

 looked, perhaps the most striking being a white form, 

 and another and commoner one having a row of blue 

 spots on the upper surface of the hind-wings. 



The caterpillar feeds on various species of Sorrel, 

 and is green with three red lines. 



75 



