A GORGEOUS SPECTACLE. 193 



most enthusiastic admiration for the Red Admiral, 

 and am never tired of examining it in the cabinet, or 

 watching it as it flits at liberty in the open air, with 

 the swiftly graceful flight that has earned for the 

 insect the name of Atalanta. 



The larva of this Butterfly is a nettle-feeder, and is 

 quite common. The chrysalis, which may be found at 

 the end of summer, is suspended by its tail from the 

 roof of this habitation, and there hangs until the per- 

 fect insect makes its escape. This chrysalis, like that 

 of the preceding insect, is adorned with brilliant golden 

 patches on the sides, and its general colour is warm 

 grey, mottled with black. 



Ripe and fallen fruit has always a great attraction 

 for this Butterfly. One of the most magnificent 

 sights I ever saw was due to this predilection for 

 fruit. A fine egg-plum tree had been entirely 

 neglected, and its fruit permitted to ripen on the 

 boughs and then fall to the ground. An army of 

 insects took advantage of such an opportunity, and 

 the tree and its vicinity swarmed with wasps, ants, 

 and other lovers of sweets. 



But the most striking point was the host of 

 Atalanta Butterflies which surrounded the tree. 

 They were approaching in every direction ; the 

 branches were crowded with them, and the fallen fruit 

 upon the ground was so covered with them that 

 neither fruit nor ground could be seen for the Butter- 

 flies, as they waved their black and scarlet wings 

 gently up and down. So completely occupied were 

 they with their rich banquet that they took no notice 

 of me as I stood by them, and even permitted me to 



O 



