304 INSECTS AT HOME. 



All those who have studied the Lepidoptera must have been 

 stvuck with the marvellous variety and contrast of colour that 

 can be produced by one or two hues. This insect is nothinj^ 

 more than black and orange, and yet is a singularly handsome 

 one. The upper wings are warm orange, edged with a deep 

 border of black, in which are a few pale orange spots in the 

 female, the black band of the male being unspotted. There 

 is also a bold black spot near the upper edge. The lower 

 wings are coloured in much the same way, except that the 

 orange is pale, and approaching to yellow. There is, however, 

 a warm orange spot on the disc. Both pairs of wings are 

 edo"ed with a very warm border of orange, brighter and warmer 

 in the upper than in the lower pair. Beneath, the colour is 

 yellow, warming into orange on the disc of the upper wings, 

 and the spot on the lower wings is brown, with a white centre. 



This handsome Butterfly is Avidely spread, and occasionally 

 occm-s in considerable numbers, especially in and near our 

 Southern coasts. I have a number that were taken by my 

 brother at Sheerness, and others taken by myself in Oxford- 

 shire and Wiltshire. It is found in best condition at the end 

 of summer, and through the autumn ; but, as it is ahibernator, 

 individuals are seen in the early spring, somewhat shabby 

 and worn in appearance, and lacking the brilliancy which 

 distinguishes the newly-developed insect. 



The larva is grass-green in colour, and is covered with a 

 great number of tiny bristle-bearing warts. It feeds on the 

 clover, and consequently clover fields are much haunted by the 

 perfect insect. The eggs are long and narrow, and have been 

 compared to ninepins in shape. They are affixed to the leaf 

 by one of the ends, so that they stand upright. The larvoe are 

 hatched about Midsummer. One of them is shown on Wood- 

 cut XL. Fig. d. The chrysalis, or pupa, is attached by its 

 tail and a belt, like that of the Cabbage Butterfly, and does 

 not seem to be very particular as to its position, generally 

 being upright, but sometimes horizontal. 



We now come to the beautiful family of the Vanessidse, 

 which includes some "of our handsomest and best-known 

 Butterflies. Among other distinctions, in all these insects, the 

 first pair of legs are very small, and not used in walking. 



