46 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



Brighton by a collector, who, at the moment, thought 

 it was only a Common Blue, so precisely similar did it 

 look when flying. 



As to the manipulation of the net, it will be better 

 to leave the young collector to find that out for himself; 

 which, if he has the use of his hands, he will quickly 

 do when he gets into the field. He will soon perceive 

 that with most of the swifter butterflies, it is of no use 

 to make a rush at them. A surprise answers better 

 than a charge ; for they easily take alarm at open 

 violence, and then go off straight ahead at a pace that 

 renders pursuit, over bad ground especially, most 

 trying, if not hopeless work. So the " suaviter in modo" 

 principle is best here as elsewhere : gently follow up 

 and watch your butterfly till he pauses over or settles 

 upon a flower, or whatever it may be ; then, with 

 caution, you can generally come within striking dis- 

 tance without giving alarm, and one vigorous, well- 

 aimed stroke usually settles the matter; if, after that, 

 he is outside of your net instead of in, you will find it a 

 difficult matter to get another chance, at least, with most 

 of the larger and strong-flying kinds. But there is much 

 diversity of disposition among these creatures, and some 

 are unscared by repeated attacks. These points of cha- 

 racter the collector will soon learn when he has been 

 among these lively little people for a season. 



The different species have also their own favourite 

 positions, on which they delight to perch. 



Thus the Clouded Yellow loves the low flowers of 



