86 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



membrane underlying the transparent yellow outer 

 skin of the chrysalis, and it may be imitated, as dis- 

 covered by Lister many years ago, " by putting a small 

 piece of black gall in a strong decoction of nettles ; this 

 produces a scum which, when left on cap-paper, will 

 exquisitely gild it, without the application of the real 

 metal." 



The present species is a highly elegant insect, well 

 named the Painted Lady, and in Erance the " Belle 

 Dame." 



The colouring of the upper surface is composed of 

 black and very dark brown, with irregular markings of 

 an orange red, tinged partially with a rosy hue. Near 

 the tip of the front wings are several pure white spots. 



Beneath, the great beauty lies in the delicate pen- 

 cilling of the hind wing with pearly greys and browns, 

 and contrasted with this, the warm roseate blush and 

 aurora tint on the upper wing. 



The caterpillar is thorny and brown, with yellow 

 stripes down the back and sides. It feeds on various 

 species of thistle, but sometimes also on the nettle and 

 other plants. 



The chrysalis is brown and grey, with silver spots. 



The butterfly first appears about the end of July, and 

 is seen till the end of September, and occasionally in 

 October. I took a beautiful fresh specimen in October, 

 while strolling through a nursery garden at Wands- 

 worth. 



Those seen in early spring are hybernated specimens. 



The appearance of this butterfly in any given locality 

 is a matter of great uncertainty, though it capriciously 

 visits, and even abounds occasionally in almost every 

 place. 



It is a bold insect, and, though agile in its move- 

 ments, not difficult to catch, for, if disturbed or missed 

 at the first stroke, it returns to the charge quite fear- 

 lessly. 



