NATURAL HISTORY. 507 



common in some parts of England, especially in the fenny 

 parts of Cambridgeshire.* 



It flies with exceeding rapidity, nearly in a straight line, and 

 is very difficult to capture. 



The colour of the wings is black, variegated most beauti- 

 fully with yellow markings, and near the extremity of each 

 hinder wing is a circular red spot, surmounted by a crescent 

 of blue, and the whole surrounded by a black ring. 



VANESSA. (Lat. a proper name.) 



Adippe (proper name), the Silver-spotted Fritillary. 

 Atalanta (proper name), the Red Admiral. 



The FRITILLARIES are well deserving of notice for the 

 delicacy of their colouring, and the beauty of their markings. 

 The Silver-spotted Fritillary is remarkable for the peculiar ap- 

 pearance presented by the under surface of the wings, which 

 look as if they had been studded with pieces of burnished silver 

 leaf. It is found mostly on thistles in woods, and is very com- 



* 1 once saw it in the water meadows near Oxford. 



