TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLIES. 



191 



near the spot, and refused to leave it, evidently 



searching for the 



leaf on which she 



had deposited her 



eggs. The branch 



was then restored 



to its place in the 



tree, as nearly as 



could be done. The 



Butterfly at once 



saw and recognised 



it, proceeded to the 



same leaf, and deposited more eggs upon it. 



Vanessa polychloros. 



THE SMALL TORTOISESHELL, or COMMON TOR- 

 TOISESHELL ( Vanessa urticce], is coloured much like 

 the preceding insect, but the hues are rather brighter 

 and the whole pattern of the wings defined more 

 clearly, and looking more compressed. It is too 

 familiar to need any detailed description. The cater- 

 pillar feeds on the common stinging-nettle, and may 

 be found in great numbers upon it, sometimes being 

 so numerous as to blacken it with the caterpillars 

 clustering upon the leaves, which are drawn together 

 with the silken threads spun by the larvae. The pupa 

 is suspended by the tail, and is very angular. Its 

 colour is brown, mottled and spotted with black, and 

 having several" patches of a brilliant gold, as if bur- 

 nished gold leaf had been laid upon it. This beau- 

 tiful colouring has given to the pupa the name of 

 Chrysalis, this being a Greek word signifying any- 

 thing that is gilded. The golden hue is unfortunately 



