100 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



THE GEEASY OE MAESH EEITILLAEY. 

 (Melitcea Artemis.) (Plate XI. fig. 4.) 



THE Hack markings on the upper side of this but- 

 terfly closely approach those of the last two species, but 

 the interstices, instead of being filled up with a uniform 

 fulvous tint, as in those, are " coloured in " with several 

 distinct shades, some with pale tawny yellow, others with 

 deep orange brown. This latter tint forms a band parallel 

 to the outer margin of each wing, the band on the front 

 wings having a row of pale spots in it ; that on the hind 

 wings a row of black spots. Beneath, the upper wing 

 has an appearance of the markings having been 

 " smudged " together, and a shining surface, as if it had 

 been greased, whence the common name of the insect ; 

 the hinder wings are like those of the two last, yellowish, 

 banded with brownish orange, the outer band of which 

 bears a series of Hack spots each surrounded by a pale 

 yellowish ring. 



The front edge of the front wing is slightly concave 

 in its outline, about the middle, whereas it is convex in 

 Cinxia and Athalia. 



The caterpillar is black, with reddish brown legs. It 

 is gregarious, feeding under protection of a web upon 

 the leaves of plantain, devals-bit scabious, and some 

 other plants. 



The chrysalis is drabbish, with darker spots, and is 

 said to suspend itself by the tail from the top of a tent- 

 like structure made of blades of grass spun together at 

 the top. 



The butterfly appears in June (sometimes a little 

 earlier or later), and frequents marshy meadows, moist 

 woods, &c., but is a very local insect, abounding most in 

 the south. The specimens, however, that I have seen from 

 the north, are much larger, brighter, and more distinctly 

 marked than the " southerners." The nearest localities 

 to London are, Hornsey, and Copthall Wood at the top 

 of Muswell Hill; West Wickham Wood, and High- 

 Beech Epping). It is also found near Brighton (plen- 



