LEPIDOPTERA. 



89 



(Thecla) the purple hairstreak (T. quercus) is a familiar example. This butterfly 

 has the wings brown black, shot with purple, and abounds all through Europe 

 wherever oak forests exist. It flits round the foliage, laying its e^gs, and resting 

 on the leaves, and is a common British butterfly. The green hairstreak (Th. rubi) 

 is a smaller species than the rest, with a bright green under side, and is not 

 uncommon in some districts flying around bramble-bushes in summer. In the allied 

 genus Polyommatus, we mention the large copper (P. dispar) as one would speak 



W0'' 



\1fel 

 ^ 







GROUP OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



1, Large white admiral ; 2, Golden rod copper, female ; 3, Male of same : 1. Small copper ; 5, Azure or 

 Clifden blue ; 6, Silver studded skipper ; 7. Duke of Burgundy. 



of a departed friend, for, although formerly abundant in the fens <>t' Cambridge- 

 shire and other counties, it has not been seen alive Eor over half a century in 

 Britain. The small copper (P. phleas) is. however, very abundant both in England 

 and on the Continent. It is shown in No. 4 of the above illustration. Of the 

 golden-rod copper (P. virgaurece) figures are given in Nos. 2 and :) of the same 

 illustration. This species is abundant on the Continent, though unknown in 

 Britain. It flies in July and August, and the larva feeds on the golden-rod. The 

 elegant little butterflies known as blues (Lyccena) have the upper side of the- 



