DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 105 



The spiny larva is black with numerous white dots ; 

 the third and fourth segments have two spines, the fifth 

 has four spines, the sixth to twelfth have six spines, and 

 the thirteenth two short spines ; it is gregarious, occur- 

 ring on the tops of stinging nettles in June and July. 



The perfect insect appears in August, and frequents 

 gardens and lanes during that and the following month ; 

 its brilliant colours, as we see it with its wings expanded, 

 contrasting curiously v?ith its sombre appearance when 

 the wings are erect. It lives through the winter, and 

 is frequently seen on bright sunny warm days disporting 

 itself on the wing, more especially in March and April. 



The splendid Camberwell Beauty (Vanessa Antiopa) 

 is rarely met with in this country, and few have had 

 the pleasure of seeing a living British specimen ; it is 

 readily known by the broad whitish hind margins to 

 the purplish chocolate wings. It appears in the perfect 

 state in August and September, and hybernated speci- 

 mens may occur in April and May. 



FAMILY II. NYMPHALIM:. Subfamily Fanessidi. 



VANESSA POLYCHLOROS. THE LAKGE 

 TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTEKFLY. 



This handsome species occurs throughout the south 

 of England, but does not seem to be generally common. 

 Of late years it appears to have become much scarcer 

 than formerly. 



The expansion of the wing is about 2J inches. The 

 fore- wings are deep fulvous, witli black spots, namely, 

 three large black spots on the costa, two smaller in the 

 centre, and two near the inner margin, a dark border 

 runs along the hind margin. The hind-wings are deep 



