BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF THE GBEEN LANES. 161 



tinental specimens it is usually of a cream colour. 

 This is not the only species of British butterfly that 

 plainly proves how, since the geographical separation 

 of England from the continent, decided and per- 

 petual local variations have set in. The Caniberwell 

 Beauty selects the white willow as the favourite spot 

 whereon to lay its eggs, and many of the specimens 

 caught during the summer of 1872 were obtained 

 near these willows trees. 



We doubt whether even the tropics, with all its 

 marvellous wealth of colours and patterns, can pro- 

 duce butterflies more attractive than our common 

 Peacock and Red Admiral. The former ( Vanessa io) 

 a popular name, taken from the eye-like spot on the 

 tail feathers of Juno's bird, is quite a sufficient 

 description by which any boy can recognise this 

 butterfly. The interior of both wings is orna- 

 mented with similar large eye-like spots, and as the 

 insect loves to settle on the ground, and to open and 

 close its wings as if to show off its beauties to tne 

 utmost, you cannot fail to soon identify the species. 

 The late Isaac Taylor, in his 'World of Mind,' 

 alludes to this habit of the peacock butterfly opening 

 its wings, and suggests that it does so because it 

 has a sense of colour and form, and therefore delights 

 in its own adornment. Here again the common 

 stinging-nettle is resorted to as it is by nearly all 

 the species of Vanessa for egg-laying purposes. 

 The nettle seems to be a great favourite, in spite of 

 its stinging properties, for the larvae of no fewer 



