CLOUDED YELLOW. 73 



Mercury, to insure success in the fair open race, if that 

 can be called a fair race at all, between a heavy biped, 

 struggling and perspiring about a slippery hill-side, such 

 as Edusa loves, and a winged spirit of air, to whom 

 up-hill and down-hill seem all one. 



In truth, the best way to get Edusa is to watch and 

 mark him down on a flower, then creep cautiously up 

 till within range, raise the net quietly, and strike rapidly 

 downwards over the insect, who usually darts upward 

 when struck at ; and, in nine cases out of ten, Edusa 

 will be fluttering under the net. It is not the most 

 heroic style of sport, this, but it fills the boxes ad- 

 mirably. 



The caterpillar is of a deep green colour, having on 

 each side a white line, marked with yellow and orange. 

 It may be sought for in June and July, on various 

 plants of the leguminous order, which form its food, 

 such as None-such Trefoil (Medicago lupulina), Lucerne 

 (M. Sativa), and Clover. 



The chrysalis is in shape between that of the Brim- 

 stone, and Cabbage butterfly, green with a yellow stripe, 

 and rust-coloured dots. 



The butterfly seldom is seen on the wing till July, 

 but August is its great season ; and it lingers with us 

 till late in autumn. 



I remember the pleasure with which, on a chill, 

 stormy day in October, I watched the sports of a pair 

 who were my sole companions while sketching, in a 

 remote, rocky nook of the South Welsh coast. Very 



