BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF THE GREEN LANES. 159 



therefore, to obtain such species for the cabinet is as 

 soon after they have assumed the winged condition 

 as possible. 



In exactly the same places where the Brimstone 

 was most abundant, and far away where it never 

 wanders, you may find the little " Blues " (Poly- 

 ommatus). Surely these are among the prettiest of 

 all our indigenous species. Perhaps in company 

 with them may be seen the equally abundant little 

 " Copper," one of our few native butterflies possessing 

 that genuine metallic lustre which is seen to such 

 admirable perfection in some large species of tropical 

 lepidoptera. The Blues and little Copper are about 

 the same size, and they are usually found in the 

 same places, just flying above the grass of the lanes, 

 or flitting from shrub to shrub on the adjacent heath. 

 No wonder the latter species is so abundant, for it 

 has two or three broods every year, which, as they 

 emerge from the chrysalis, keep up a constant supply 

 of individuals on the wing. If you examine any 

 kind of dock you are almost sure to meet with the 

 eggs of this pretty insect. The large and small 

 Tortoise-shells (Vanessa polycliloros and V. urticse) 

 are also common, but not the less attractive species. 

 The wings of these two are angled, and the markings 

 pretty nearly resemble the semi-transparent blotch- 

 ings on a tortoise-shell comb. Indeed, many of the 

 popular names of our British butterflies are very 

 expressive of their leading features. The small 

 Tortoise-shell is especially common, and it will be 



