192 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



towards the tip of the wing; the whole on a lightish ground. 

 The lower wings are of a reddish tawny colour, with many black 

 spots, a circular row of which borders the wing. The caterpillar is 

 bristly, brownish, with yellow lateral broken lines. It lives in 

 solitude on many species of thistle, on the artichoke, the milfoil or 

 yarrow, &c. It makes for itself a web, rather like a spider's nest, 

 and lives therein. The pupa is greyish, with numerous golden 

 dots. The perfect insect shows itself, almost without interruption, 

 from spring till autumn. It flies rapidly, and in certain seasons is 

 abundant. 



The Vanessa (Grapta) C-album (Fig. 165), or Comma butter- 

 fly, is not common in this country. Above, its wings are tawny, 



spotted with black. Below, they 

 are more or less brown, with 

 different tints, and sometimes a 

 little blue. On the underside of 

 the lower wings is a white spot 

 of the form of a C. " This spot/' 

 says old Geoffrey, " caused this 

 butterfly to have the name of 

 gamma given to it, and its colour 

 of Diable enrhume (sic), as also 

 the singular cut of its wings, has 

 caused it to be called by others Robert le Diable." Its caterpillar 

 lives on the nettle, the honeysuckle, the currant, the hazel, and 

 the elm. It is of a reddish brown, with a white band on the 

 back. Reaumur calls it the Beadle, comparing it to the church 

 beadles, who usually dress in glaring colours. 



These brilliant VanesscB, of which we have just briefly described 

 some remarkable species, have been the cause of superstitious terror. 

 This must at first sight seem incredible, but it has arisen thus : 

 When they have just quitted the pupa, a red-coloured liquid drops 

 from them. If a great many butterflies are hatched at the same 

 time, and in the same place, the ground becomes, as it were, 

 sprinkled with drops of blood. Hence the origin of the pretended 

 showers of blood which, at different periods, have terrified the 

 ignorant, too much imbued with religious superstitions. 



At the beginning of the month of July, 1608, one of these sup- 



rig. 165. The Comma Butterfly ( Vanessa 

 C-album). 



