134 COPPERS. 



" Coppers."* Of these the most common, also the smallest, 

 is a splendid little flatterer, f with the primary wings of red 

 metallic lustre, spotted and bordered with deep black ; the se- 

 condary, brown and black, margined by a coppery band en- 

 countered not unfrequently, early in the summer, also in 

 August. This is the little Copper Captain, the fiery Mars of 

 his radiant tribe, so renowned for making war upon his own 

 kindred, and even daring to engage with antagonists of twice 

 his bulk, but without his metal. The caterpillar of this most 

 common of the Coppers, is greenish yellow, onisciform, and, 

 like the majority of those belonging to its tribe, it is a feeder 

 upon sorrel and other herbs of the field. 



Contrasted with the Metallic Coppers, and often seen side 

 by side, are the "Aerial Blues.":): These are the little blue 

 butterflies, which, loving to disport over the thymy down, the 

 grassy glade, and flowering meadow, do literally " paint them 

 with their own delight." Now, rising in sportive pairs or 

 trios, they enliven the fragrant air. Now, basking on the yel- 

 low buttercups, or chalk-sprung flowers of their own colour, 

 they reflect, in the hues of their expanded wings, every tint 

 of the summer sky, from deep, deep blue to lightest azure, 

 or the glowing lilac, which precedes the sun-set red; while 

 ever and anon, closing their pinions, and opening thereby the 



* G. Lycxna. f Vignette to Butterflies in General. J G. Polyommatus, 



