5 2 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



lunules. On the band appear two very large black eyes with 

 blue pupils in yellow and black rings. The under side is 

 much paler than the upper, and the white spots of the fore- 

 wings are united into an almost continuous band, as on the 

 hind-wings. 



THE LARGE SILVER-MARKED FRITILLARIES. GENUS 



ARGYNNIS. 



Argynnis, Fabr., Illiger, Mag. Insekt, vi., p. 283(1807); Latr., 

 Encycl. Meth., ix., p. 10 (1819); Doubl., Gen. Diurn. 

 Lepid., p. 171 (1848); Schatz, Exot. Schmett., ii., p. 118 



Various authors have selected A. aglaia and A. paphia as 

 types of this genus, but the former seems to have the better 

 claim. At present, however, these species are usually regarded 

 as congeneric, so that the point is of no immediate conse- 

 quence. 



This genus includes the larger silver-spotted and silver- 

 streaked Fritillaries, and our British species may easily be dis- 

 tinguished by their comparatively large size (they usually 

 measure from two to three inches across the wings), their 

 fulvous hue above, spotted with black, and the conspicuous 

 silver streaks or spots of the under surface. The antennae have 

 a short broad club, the fore-wings are more or less pointed, 

 with the hind-margin slightly oblique, and sometimes a little 

 pointed, while the hind-wings are rounded and dentated. The 

 palpi are prominent, and much thickened, though the terminal 

 joint is small and pointed ; two sub-costal nervules are thrown 

 off before the end of the cell on the fore-wings, and there is a 

 short median spur. 



The larvae are covered with branching spines, and generally 

 feed on violets. 



The genus Argynnis is peculiar to the Northern Hemisphere, 

 and is almost confined to the temperate regions. It is only 



