2 88 



LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



back. It is straight, with somewhat projecting wing-cases, and 

 a pointed projection on the thorax.* 



The larva feeds on a variety of umbelliferous plants, and is 

 often found in gardens on the Continent, feeding on the com- 

 mon carrot, but its favourite food in England is Pcucedamtm 

 palustre. The Butterfly is found from May to August, and 

 the insect may be met with in all stages during the summer 

 months. 



Fifty or a hundred years ago this Butterfly appears to have 

 been fairly common in many parts of the South of England, 

 though it is doubtful if it extended further north than York- 

 shire. But drainage and cultivnt'on have driven it away almost 



Achivus mac ha on, pupa. 



everywhere, and it is now practically confined to the undrained 

 fens of the Eastern counties, being most abundant and gene- 

 rally distributed in Norfolk, though it is also found in some 

 parts of the adjoining counties. In the fen district proper it 

 is now very local. It is found in meadows and on the edges of 

 woods, and though not a mountain Butterfly, is fond of career- 

 ing about hill-sides. The tails are very fragile, and a large pro- 

 portion of netted specimens have them damaged, though the 

 Butterflies themselves may be otherwise uninjured. 



* Cf. the long and interesting account ot the transformations of this 

 insect given by Buckler. 



