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CHAPTEE XIV 



THE BROWNS AND HEATHS 

 Family SATYRID^E 



THIS family contains eleven British species, often spoken of 

 collectively as the ' Browns,' since in most of them the prevailing 

 tints are various shades of brown.. They are decidedly dingy in 

 comparison with the beautiful butterflies we have been previously 

 observing ; but to this statement we must allow one marked 

 exception, for the family includes the beautiful Marbled White, 

 which stands out prominently among its fellows for brilliancy and 

 boldness of colour. 



The caterpillars of the ' Satyrs ' have no spines, but their bodies 

 are covered with very minute hair-bearing warts that give them a 

 soft velvety appearance. The hinder extremity tapers off con- 

 siderably, and terminates in two points. 



The chrysalides are nut angular like those of the preceding 

 species, and though generally suspended by the tail, are sometimes 

 found quite free among leaves and grasses on the ground. 



The perfect insects are rather feeble fliers, and generally take so 

 little notice of intruders that they are easily caught in the hand. 

 Their wings are devoid of angles, and they have only four perfectly 

 developed legs. 



The Marbled White (Melanargia Galatea) 



Our first member of this family is the exception to which we 

 have already alluded as a relief to the general dinginess of the 

 'Browns.' Its colours above are cream and black, arranged 

 as shown in Plate V, fig. 2. The under side (fig. 77) is marked 

 with white, black, and greenish grey, with a row of eye-like 

 spots parallel with the hind margin of the hind wings. 



