WALL GRAYLING. 73 



and dry sunny banks. Still, there are many spots 

 where one sees both the Lasiommatas together. 



The colours on the upper side are a rich 'tawny or 

 fulvous ground, with dark-brown markings, and pure 

 black eye-spots. The under side of the hind wings is 

 pencilled with sober colours, but in a design of great 

 beauty and delicacy ; and especially to be admired are 

 the double-ringed " eyes," a band of which runs parallel 

 with the outer margin of the hind wings. 



The caterpillar feeds on grasses ; is green, with three 

 pale lines down the back, and one more clearly marked 

 on each side. 



The butterfly appears in May, and again in August 

 and September; and is everywhere common throughout 

 the country. 



It is called the Wall Butterfly from its frequent 

 habit of choosing a road-side wall for a perch, whence, 

 on the approach of man, it darts off; returning again, 

 however, on the departure of the obnoxious person. 



THE GKAYLING BUTTEEFLY. 

 (Hipparchia Semele.) (Plate V. fig. 6, Female.) 



THIS fine insect is the largest British species of the 

 genus, and also of the family, some of the females mea- 

 suring two inches and three-quarters from tip to tip 

 across the expanded wings ; and it also exhibits more 

 vivacity of colouring than most of its brethren. 



Above, the wings are deep brown, marked with 

 broad patches of paler colour, sometimes making a 

 bright contrast in the female, but much duller and 

 more uniform in the male. 



The female also exceeds her lord considerably in 

 stature, and, in fact, by her side he looks rather a mean 

 and shabby fellow. 



The device on the under side of the hind wings, 



