LARGE TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY. 



11 



from their white mother-of-peavl-Hke lustre, contrasting with the 

 reddish surrounding colouring. These six bright spots (three on each 

 side of the chrysalis) gradually changed in tint, until on the 29tli of 

 June they were altering to a golden, and thence to a reddish tint. In 

 the first colouring, the abdomen was mainly of an ochrey tint, grizzled 

 with black above ; the thorax much redder, as also the elevations 

 above the wings. 



My own specimens of chrysalids being probably injured during 

 transmission, or in larval stage, did not develop ; but on the 28th of 

 July, Mr. Gibb forwarded me a perfect specimen, developed from his 

 own chrysalids of this Vanessa poli/chloros, or Great Tortoise-shell 

 Butterfly, about two and a half inches in expanse of the wings. 



Thus from Mr, Gibb's specimens and observations during the spring 

 and summer of 1894, we have a complete account of the attack at 

 Ossemsley Manor Farm, near Lymington, — this ranging through the 

 various successive stages of observation of the butterflies early in the 

 year ; the presence of eggs on twigs ; the webbed head-quarters of the 

 caterpillars containing cast coats of the successive moults ; the obser- 

 vation of the handsome striped caterpillar, with their branched spines 

 as seen at full growth, together with observation of the devastation 

 which they had been making to leafage ; the change to chrysalis state 

 going on, in some cases, on or about the 25th of June; and to complete 

 and prove the observation as specified of the Vanessa polychloros, the 

 development of the butterfly. Also, on the 30th of June, Mr. Gibb 

 mentioned that he heard that the attacks of the Tortoise-shell Butterfly 

 caterpillars had been very great this season on Elm and other trees, 

 but were then past. 



Prevention and Remedies. — This attack occurs so very seldom to 

 any seriously hurtful extent that remedial or preventive measures are 

 rarely called for. 



In cases (like that of the 1894 infestation) where the large butter- 

 flies were observed in the spring, it certainly would be desirable, so 

 far as the safety of the leafage of fruit-trees and of some kinds of 

 timber-trees was concerned, to kill all that could be captured. Pro- 

 bably, as this species is rare as well as beautiful, a hint given to any 

 neighbouring entomologist would secure very efficient help in this 

 matter. 



If patches of eggs are noticeable, these should be cut off, and a 

 good watch kept for the webby or spun nest which makes a head- 

 quarters for the caterpillars in their early stages. The gnawed leafage 

 and the fallen dirt would be a guide to the whereabouts of these. On 

 timber-trees it would be hard to get at these nests, but on Cherry or 

 other orchard trees something might be done by sending a boy up the 



