102 



The species varies in the expansion of its wings from an inch and a half 

 to an inch and three-quarters. The upper surface of the wings of both sexes 

 is of a brownish-white, the base being darker, and the fringe of a pale grey. 

 There are rudimentary eyed spots near the hind-margin of the hind-wings, 

 and also a rudimentary one near the tip of each fore-wing. The underside 

 of the fore-wings is somewhat similar to the upper, except that the eyed spot 

 is distinct, and that there is a distinct white bar near the spot. On the 

 underside the hind -wings are of a silvery grey, with an irregular interrupted 

 white bar across (the interruption forming the ground of the formerly sup- 

 posed specific distinction ; and there is a row of small eyed spots near the 

 hind-margin, varying in number from two, to six or even seven. Sometimes 

 there are as many as five on the fore-wings. The obliteration of the ocelli 

 also varies much, in some specimens they are replaced by pale fulvescent or 

 whitish spots, and in others they are almost obsolete. Again many specimens 

 have the upper surface bearing very distinct ocelli, which vary in number 

 from two to six. This form is the Laidion of Borkhousen, and is the same 

 as that called TypJion in Kirby's " European Butterflies/' arid Davus in 

 Newman's " British Butterflies" ; and is the one found in Ireland, and most 

 most generally distributed in Britain, and on the Continent of Europe. 



Yar. Polydama, Haw. Differs from the preceding in the white bar across 

 the under surface of the hind-wings being continuous, instead of interrupted. 

 I have Haworth's original specimen, taken in Yorkshire by Mr. Watson. 



Yar. ISM, Thunberg. It is of a very much lighter shade, with the ocelli 

 entirely wanting, or only traceable as pale dots, and the transverse bar is 

 little different from the ground colour. It is the Lapland form, but occurs 

 with the type in the Orkneys and the north of Scotland. 



Yar. Philoxenus, Esp., Manchester Ringlet. Is of a much darker hue 

 Laidion, and the eyed spots are much larger and more distinct. The white 

 transverse bar is generally continuous like that of Polydama, but sometimes 

 interrupted like that of Laidion. Four, five, or even six distinct black, white 

 centred spots, in pale rings, are on the underside of the hind- wings, and two 

 or three on the fore-wings, and there is a like number on the upperside. 

 This form is the Philoxenus of Esper, is called Davus in Kirby's " European 

 Butterflies/' and Rothliebii, in Newman's " British Butterflies/' and occurs 

 commonly on Chat Moss, near M anchester, and other parts of Lancashire ; 

 Thorne Moor, in Yorkshire ; and other localities in the North of England. 

 Dr. Buchanan White gives Cloak Moss, near Dalbeattie, as the only Scottish 

 locality. It occurs on the Continent of Europe, but is probably only found 

 in low-lying districts, and the caterpillar feeds on Rkynchospora alba, a plant 

 which is often not a native of the localities frequented by Laidion, Some 



