PAINTED LADY. 117 



racteristics in common, in point of habits, as well as of 

 appearance and construction. The caterpillars are all 

 thorny, and the chrysalides are adorned with brilliant 

 metallic (generally golden) spots, from which appearance 

 was derived the name " chrysalis" l since applied, but 

 somewhat improperly, to the pupce of all butterflies. 

 This golden effect is produced by a brilliant white 

 membrane underlying the transparent yellow outer 

 skin of the chrysalis, and it may be imitated, as dis- 

 covered by Lister many years ago, " by putting a small 

 piece of black gall in a strong decoction of nettles ; this 

 produces a scum which, when left on cap-paper, will 

 exquisitely gild it, without the application of the real 

 metal." 



The present species is a highly elegant insect, well 

 named the Painted Lady, and in France the "Belle 

 Dame." 



The colouring of the upper surface is composed of 

 black and very dark brown, with irregular markings of 

 an orange red, tinged partially with a rosy hue. Near 

 the tip of the front wings are several pure white spots. 



Beneath, the great beauty lies in the delicate pen- 

 cilling of the hind, wing with pearly greys and browns, 

 and contrasted with this, the warm roseate blush and 

 aurora tint on the upper wing. 



The caterpillar is thorny and brown, with yellow 

 stripes down the back and sides. It feeds on various 



i See the meaning of Chrysalis and Aurelia, on page 12. 



