90 



It is found all over Europe, except in the polar regions, in Northern Asia, 

 and Asia Minor, also in the north of Africa. It is, or at least was, a com- 

 mon butterfly in all parts of England and Wales, but appears to have become 

 very scarce in the north of England, as Mr. Eobson has only seen a solitary 

 specimen since 1860 in the Durham district. Dr. Buchanan White makes the 

 same remark in reference to Perth, adding " The series of cold summers 

 following that year seem to have destroyed the species." In the south of 

 England it is still a very common butterfly, and also in Ireland. It occurs 

 in the Isle of Man, and is found in Scotland as far as Argyleshire. 



The first English author who appears to have noticed it was Dr. Christo- 

 pher Merrett, who in his "Pinax," published at London in 1667, described 

 it thus, " Oculo nigro, pupilla Candida, alisq ; Dracontii modo varius," which 

 means that it is freckled after the manner of Dragon-wort. Ray informs us 

 " It is not unfrequently seen after midsummer/' and calls it " the Golden 

 Marbled Butterfly, with black eyes ; but Petiver calls it the ' London Eye/ " 

 Lewin informs us that it is very common in lanes, road sides, and barren 

 places in woods, and that it frequently settles on the trunks of trees. 



SUB-GENUS HIPPAECHIA. 



This sub-genus corresponds to the section Eumenis of Hubner and Rupi- 

 ciles of M. Duponchel ; and contains forty species or more, including the 

 largest of the family. 



M. Marloy has published a short notice upon the caterpillars in the 

 "Annales" of the French Entomological Society for 1838, stating that the 

 chief cause why they are so seldom met with is that they conceal themselves 

 and remain inactive during the day, but come forth to feed by night, when 

 they may be found in great numbers with the help of a lamp. The cater- 

 pillars of Circe, Briseis, Fidia, and Semele form large cocoons underground, 

 composed of grains of earth fastened together with a little silk. Their chrysa- 

 lides are short, ovoid, glabrous, with the head obtuse and tail pointed. 



Another point of distinction may be seen in the perfect insect, which has 

 the antennae with a short abrupt club. 



HIPPARCHIA SEMELE. 

 Grayling or Black-eyed Marble. 



SEMELE, Linn. Sem'ele, the mother of Bacchus, the God of wine. 

 This fine butterfly is the largest British species of the family, some of the 

 females measuring two inches and three-quarters in expanse. The males are 



