LARGE COPPER BUTTERFLY. 149 



the flower of the Eupatorium canndbinum and show 

 the under sides of its wings, was something ever to be 

 remembered. I once took sixteen in about half an hour 

 on one particular spot, where the above-mentioned plant 

 was very plentiful ; but unless the sun was very bright 

 they were very difficult to find. In those days the 

 larva was unknown, and I attribute the disappearance 

 of the butterfly to the discovery of the larva, to the 

 unceasing attacks of collectors, and to the burning of 

 the surface-growth of the fens, which is done in dry 

 weather when they are to be reclaimed." 



The two sexes of this butterfly differ very remark- 

 ably in the appearance of the upper surface. This, in 

 the male, is of an effulgent coppery colour, narrowly 

 bordered with black, and having a black mark in the 

 centre of each wing. The female is larger, has a redder 

 tinge, with a row of black spots on the front wings, 

 and the hind wings nearly covered with black, except- 

 ing a band of coppery red near the margin, extending 

 also more or less distinctly along the courses of the 

 veins. Underneath, both sexes are nearly alike, the 

 'hind wing of a general light blue tint, with a red band 

 near the margin, and spotted with black. 



The caterpillar is green, darker on the back, and 

 paler at the sides, it feeds on the water dock. 



The butterfly used to be found in July and August, 

 being formerly especially abundant about Yaxley and 

 Whittlesea Mere, and has been taken also at Benacre, 

 Suffolk ; and Bardolph Fen, Norfolk. 



