181 



spin a fine web at the root of their food, close to the ground ; and under 

 this cover they pass the winter in a torpid state. In February or March, 

 according to the mildness of the spring, they begin to feed again, at this 

 time they are but small, of a dull black colour, and thick set with short -blunt 

 spines, finely haired. As spring advances they increase in size, and in May 

 are full-fed. The beginning of June they prepare for their transformation, 

 suspending themselves by the tail, and in a few hours the chrysalis appear. 

 In this state they remain for three weeks ; when the first fine morning brings 

 them out to dry and expand their wings, ready for flight. The female differs 

 but little from the male," 



J. F. Stephens, in his "Illustrations of British Entomology," 1828, writes 

 of Adippe : " Not quite so abundant as Aglaia, but frequently met with in 

 the woods near London, at the end of June and through July. It is also 

 found in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Berks, Dorset, Devon, and 

 Hants ; in the latter county very commonly in the New Forest." 



An allied species, viz., Niobe, Linn., has been recorded as British. 

 Stephens, in his "Illustrations of British Entomology," writes of it: 

 " Stewart gives this as a British species, but without any authority ; I may 

 say, however, that among the insects purchased by Mr. Dale, from the pro- 

 fessed indigenous collection of the late Dr. Abbot, of Bedford, was a single 

 specimen of this species, which was considered by the Doctor as a variety 

 of Adippe" (and rightly, J. C. Dale). 



Curtis, in his " British Entomology," 1830, writes : " Niole, Linn. Godart 

 thinks this is the Adippe of Linnaeus; and the same opinion might lead 

 Stewart to record it as a British insect. Dr. Abbott's English collection 

 contained a specimen, which Mr. Dale now possesses ; and as it is found in 

 Sweden and the South of France, there is nothing unreasonable in believing 

 that it may occasionally make its appearance in this island." 



The next record is of a single specimen which was taken in the New 

 Forest in the summer of 1870, by Mr e Gerrard of Lyndhurst, and sold by 

 him to the Eev. Windsor Hambrough, see " Entomologist," Yol. Y., p. 351. 

 This was shown at the National Entomological Exhibition, held at the 

 Westminster Aquarium, in 1878, and recorded in the "Entomologist," 

 Yol. XL, p. 162, with this comment, " upon its correctness there seems some 

 doubt." 



Another is recorded on p. 83, Yol. VIII., of the same magazine, as being 

 taken by Mr. Gregson, in August, 1871, at the Devil's Gallop, near Winder- 

 mere. A more extensive capture of the species was said to have been made 

 in 1874, in a wild gorge, in Kent, between Wye and Ashford, and recorded 

 in the " Entomologist," Yol. YIL, but the whole tale seems to have been 

 a fabrication, see " Young Naturalist," Yol. I., p. 395. 



