264 INSECTS. 



We now come to the third family, Erycinidse. This 

 contains but one British species, Nemeobius Lucina, 

 the male of which resembles the Nymphalidse in the 

 non-development of the fore-legs, while the female is 

 six-legged like other butterflies. This, though distinct 

 from the Fritillaries in the last family, resembles them 

 in the colouring, and is commonly known by the same 

 English name, Fritillary. It has no silvery spots 

 beneath. 



The fourth family, Lycrenidse, contains those beautiful 

 little blue butterflies (PL X., f. 3), which, haunting the 

 same chalky districts that are the natural home of the 

 blue harebell, are so often to be seen hovering over its 

 delicate blossoms so near, indeed, do these two little 

 creatures approach in hue, in size, in fragility, in grace 

 and beauty, that it needs little more than the languid 

 dreaminess of an idle hour in a warm spring morning 

 to see the flowers take wing, and to hear them whisper- 

 ing the secret of their delight to their less aspiring 

 sisters, yet clinging to the slender stems which hold 

 them to the earth. Besides these the family contains 

 the brilliant little Copper Butterflies of the same size, 

 and often to be found in their company, their dark, rich 

 sparkling colour forming a beautiful contrast with the 

 delicate hues of the little blues. The brown and orange, 

 or purple Hair Streaks (Thecla) are also of this family. 



The species of Thecla, may, all but one, be recognised 

 by two small tails on each hind wing. The colours are 

 brown with orange spots, or, in the Purple Hair Streak, 

 brown, with a rich purple tinge. The one tailless species, 

 the Green Hair Streak, is brown, without the orange 

 spots, and may be recognised by its green underside. 



The species of Blue Butterflies vary in hue, and the 



