RED ADMIRAL PEACOCK. 87 



THE EED ADMIEAL. 

 (Vanessa Atalanta.} (Plate VIII. fig. 1.) 



IN grand simplicity and vividness of colour, the Eed 

 Admiral perhaps surpasses every other British butter- 

 fly, and reminds one forcibly of some of the gorgeous 

 denizens of the tropics. Intense black and brilliant 

 scarlet in bands and borders are the two chief elements 

 of this splendour, relieved delightfully by the cool 

 white spots at the outer and upper corners, and by the 

 choice little bits of blue at the inner and lower angles 

 and near the margins. The painting of the under sur- 

 face entirely beggars description. There is, in addition 

 to the red band, a good deal of blue on the upper wing, 

 and the lower wing is covered by an intricate em- 

 broidery of indescribable tints all manner of browns, 

 and greys, and blacks, with golden and other hues of 

 metals, are here pencilled and blended with magic effect. 



The caterpillar, which feeds on the common nettle, 

 is thorny, yellowish grey in colour, with light yellow lines 

 on each side and black markings. 



The chrysalis is brownish, with gold spots. 



The butterfly usually comes out in August, and may 

 be met with till early in October. The hybernated speci- 

 mens of this are more rarely seen than those of any of 

 the other common Vanessas. 



Like others of its genus, the Eed Admiral is familiar, 

 and even saucy, in its manners, seeming to prefer the 

 haunts of men to the solitudes that other insects love, 

 flaunting boldly before our face in gardens and high- 

 ways, where most we meet it. 



It is found commonly all over the country. 



THE PEACOCK BUTTEEFLY. 



(Vanessa lo.) (Plate VIII. fig. 2.) 

 THE form and markings of this species, so distinct from 

 every other of our butterflies, will be seen by reference 

 to the plate ; and as to its colouring, I will not do it 



