78 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



. 



White ; and, by virtue of this incognito, does in a. 

 probability often escape from the terrors of the net, 

 which would speedily entrap him, were his real cha- 

 racter known to the young hunter ; for this butterfly is 

 one of those called, in entomological slang, " a good 

 thing" a term expressive neither of superior excel- 

 lence nor beauty, but meaning that the insect can't be 

 met with everywhere, or every day, and when seen is 

 always to be caught. 



A closer view, however, shows it to be very distinct 

 from all the other " Whites ; " its decided black veinings 

 on 'a milk-white ground, in conjunction with its large 

 size, being sufficient for its immediate recognition. 



The outline of the wings, as well as the play of the 

 veining lines on their surface, is extremely elegant. It 

 will be observed, that instead of the feathered fringe 

 that surrounds the wings of most butterflies, they are 

 bordered in this species by a stout nervure, forming a 

 sharp black outline, and giving a peculiarly chaste 

 finish. 



The under side differs in no mentionable respect 

 from the upper a very rare circumstance in this tribe. 

 From being very sparingly coated with scales, the wings 

 are semi-transparent, differing much in this respect- 

 from those of the Garden White butterflies. 



The female generally has the veins of the fore wings 

 of a browner tint than in the males. 



This butterfly is one of the very local species, though 

 its food plants are everywhere to be found, in more or 

 less abundance. 



