CHAP. VIII. MIGRATIONS OF BUTTERFLIES. 265 



which we shall notice more particularly as having 

 fallen under our personal observation. 



(279.) The occasional migration of butterflies has 

 been noticed by several authors ; and the appearance of 

 great numbers of a particular species which in or- 

 dinary years is of rare occurrence has not unfre- 

 quently happened, even in this country. The Camberwell 

 Beauty ( Vanessa Antiopa Lin., fig. 75.) is well known 

 to be one of our rarest butterflies ; but Lewin records, 



that, in March, 1790, a great number were seen flying 

 and soaring about for the space of twelve or fourteen 

 days ; and then, as if with one consent, they migrated 

 from us, and were no more seen. * The thistle butter- 

 fly, or Painted Lady ( Vanessa CarduC), appears also in 

 great numbers, at uncertain intervals, and is, no doubt, 

 a migratory species. But, in particular parts of Tropical 

 America, the migration of butterflies is annual and con- 

 stant, although, from having been little understood, the 

 circumstance has been mentioned as if it was an acci- 

 dental occurrence. These migrations are conducted, 

 however, in a very different manner from those of the 

 locusts. The individuals do not fly in compact bodies, 

 but are, in general, scattered in small parties of twos 

 and threes, at least, we never witnessed them in such 

 large parties as the natives assured us they were, in 

 some years, to be seen. The direction taken by the 



* Lewin's Brit. Ins. p. & 



