Glanville Fritillary 



colours are disposed. It is a rather variable species, 

 and is widely distributed. It is found in glens and 

 damp meadows and is generally abundant where found, 

 though local. 



The caterpillar is black, with a greyish line along the 

 sides, and a small white dot above this between each 

 segment. The chrysalis is ashen, with red and black 

 spots ; it is rather " dumpy," and may be found on 

 various low plants early in the summer, and again, in 

 some southern localities, in the autumn. Like nearly 

 all the Fritillaries the larvae hibernate while very small, 

 so it is best to leave them in their natural state until 

 fairly well fed. Narrow-leaved Plantain, Scabious, and, 

 some observers say, Foxglove and Speedwell, are its 

 favourite foods. The times of flight are May and 

 August. In many Scotch localities, Argyllshire, Ayr- 

 shire, etc., this species is abundant. 



THE GLANVILLE FRITILLARY (Melitaa Cinxia), 

 Plate V., Fig. i. This little butterfly is one of the 

 " threatened species." If due care and discretion be not 

 exercised, there is a possibility of its becoming extinct in 

 this country. " Threatened people live long," but it 

 were wise not to push our little friend too far ; and 

 wiser still if collectors who live in or near its favourite 

 haunts would not only try to preserve it, but also make 

 some attempt to spread its range into other localities 

 apparently suitable for its propagation. We have far 

 too few native butterflies to run the risk of losing any 

 we have. And as the food-plant is the Ribbed or 

 Narrow-leaved Plantain, it follows that even were this 



B.B. 49 7 



