FRITILLAKIES. 125 



violet (on which in some species their caterpillars feed) is 

 usually overlooked, because usually concealed. Nature has 

 been said, in the wings of Butterflies, to have painted her 

 canvas on both sides ; so she has ; but it is on the upper one, 

 though often not more delicately pencilled than the lower, 

 that she is accustomed to display the most brilliant and effec- 

 tive colouring. It is otherwise, however, with the majority 

 of the genus Argynis, comprising the richest and largest of 

 the butterflies, called " Fritillaries, "* reddish brown and black, 

 disposed in regular streaks or chequers, something resembling 

 the Fritillary or chequered daffodil, comprises nearly their 

 whole of outward bravery ; but on the reverse of their ample 

 scalloped wings there is abundance of rich adornment. 



There is the "Dark Green Fritillary, "f with sober-suited 

 pinions, black and brown ; but their linings are golden green, 

 studded and bordered with spots of silver. And, again, there 

 is that Paphian Fritillary, known as the " Silver- Washed.":): 

 Even in her exterior painting, black and orange, she is more 

 lively than the last ; but is only seen in all her splendour, 

 when, folding her wings, she invites the sunshine to play 

 upon the silvery streaks and golden green which ornament 

 their under surface. 



These, which are the most beautiful, are also the most com- 

 mon of the British Fritillaries, being met with in most parts of 



* G. Argynis. t Argynis Aglaia. J Argynis Paphia. 



