156 SILVER-SPOT BUTTERFLY. 



flies. The steel rim of the net unfortunately struck 

 the insect so forcibly as nearly to cut it in two, and 

 render it useless as a specimen for the cabinet. The 

 mutilated body was lying on the grass, and we were 

 awaiting the further appearance of this " untaxed 

 and unforbidden game," when an individual came in 

 sight, flitted to the branch of a tree, and then darted 

 in a straight line on the body of his deceased com- 

 panion. He rested there but a moment, and then 

 flew boldly away. The branch of the tree could not 

 have been less than twelve or fourteen feet from the 

 place where the dead butterfly lay. The other, to 

 have acted as he did, must have had distinct vision at 

 that distance. May I, my deai' Arnold, while I com- 

 municate the circumstance, beg you will follow it up 

 by further observation, and ascertain, if possible, at 

 what distance insects of the diff'erent kinds seem 

 capable of distingiiishing objects. 



There is a butterfly very similar to the one last 

 mentioned, but the silver tints on the lower sides of 

 its wings are arranged in spots, and not in streaks. 

 It is called, therefore, the silver-spot butterfly 

 (Argj/nnis Aglaia). Tliis insect is not found at 

 Portarlington, but has been observed by Mr. Hynd- 

 man at Briansford, with the preceding species. Two 

 butterflies, which I have never seen on the wing, have 

 been taken by the same gentleman : one the grayling 



