196 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



body is covered with a great number of long spines, 

 which may, perhaps, defend it from the poisonous 

 spikes of the plant on which it feeds. The chrysalis 

 is green in colour, brighter when the change is first 

 made, and darker when the future Butterfly is nearly 

 developed. 



IN the accompanying illustration is shown one of 

 our handsomest Butterflies, the celebrated PURPLE 

 EMPEROR, or EMPEROR OF MOROCCO (Apatura Iris). 

 This genus differs from Vanessa in having the club 



of the antennae long instead of knobbed, and the club 

 nearly straight. The eyes are without hairs, the hind 

 wings scalloped, and the first pair of legs are not used 

 for walking. Only one species inhabits England. 

 Its popular name of Purple Emperor is a very 



