LEPIDOPTERA. 



8 9 



(Thecla) the purple hairstreak (T. quercus) is a familiar example. This butterfly 

 has the wings brown black, shot with purple, and abounds all through Europe 

 wherever oak forests exist. It flits round the foliage, laying its eggs, and resting 

 on the leaves, and is a common British butterfly. The green hairstreak (Th. rubi) 

 is a smaller species than the rest, with a bright green under side, and is not 

 uncommon in some districts flying around bramble-bushes in summer. In the allied 

 genus Polyommatus, we mention the large copper (P. dispar) as one would speak 



1 2 3 



GROUP OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



1, Large white admiral ; 2, Golden rod copper, female ; 3, Male of same ; 4, Small copper ; 5, Azure or 

 Clifden blue ; 6, Silver studded skipper ; 7, Duke of Burgundy. 



of a departed friend, for, although formerly abundant in the fens of Cambridge- 

 shire and other counties, it has not been seen alive for over half a century in 

 Britain. The small copper (P. phleas) is, however, very abundant both in England 

 and on the Continent. It is shown in No. 4 of the above illustration. Of the 

 golden-rod copper (P. virgaurece) figures are given in Nos. 2 and 3 of the same 

 illustration. This species is abundant on the Continent, though unknown in 

 Britain. It flies in July and August, and the larva feeds on the golden-rod. The 

 elegant little butterflies known as blues (Lyccena) have the upper side of the 



