816 THE entomologist's record. 



multis maeulis nigris magnisque ; alls posticis subtus margine lunato, fortiter 

 nigre cincto." 



We consider that this description requires to be completed, which 

 is only natural, considering thatM. Riihl had at his disposal only some 

 specimens taken by M. de Buren at Berisal. Since then this butterfly 

 has been found by us in the neighbourhood of Plan-Cerisier, near 

 Martigny, and studied with the utmost care, from the egg to the 

 perfect insect. The following are the results of our observations, con- 

 firmed, moreover, for the most part by such distinguished entomolo- 

 gists as MM. Daub, Piingeler, Wisckott, Seebold, Dr. Petry, &c. — 



1. While leaving to M. Riihl his right of discovery, we correct the name of 

 hcrisalU, which is not Latin, by giving it that of heri><(ilendK (Riihl emend Favre). 



2. This Melitaea is by no means a variety of athalia, but a true species, quite 

 distinct from all its congeners ; consequently M. Riihl has got on a wrong tack. M. 

 athalia has only one brood, at any rate with us. 



3. The life-history of the caterpillar of M. herisalensis is entirely different from 

 that of other species of this genus met with in these parts. It lives exclusively on 

 Linnria vuhiari>i and L. minor, on the latter for choice after it is half-grown. There 

 are two broods, the first lasting from the end of September to the middle of May, 

 and the second from the middle of July to the middle of August. In its earliest 

 stape it lives in societies in a web made of a light silky substance ; when half-grown 

 the larvfe separate and hide under stones and rubbish, or in cracks in the ground. 

 The larva pupates against rocks and walls, and remains in this state from ten to 

 fifteen days before emerging. 



4. The imago of the first brood begins to appear from the middle of May to the 

 middle of June, and that of the second from the middle of August to the middle of 

 September. It lays its eggs exclusively on Linaria vulgaris. The perfect insect 

 measures from 40mm. to 43mm. across, at least in specimens of the first brood, 

 those of the second are generally a little smaller. 



The following are the constant characteristics of this species : 

 (1) The elongated form of the wings. (2) The two black lines form- 

 ing the first band near the base of the upper ■\\ings are always straight 

 and parallel without exception. (8) The borders of the lower wings, 

 edged with black, always cover the lunules which are visible in the 

 other species of this genus. (4) The underside of the lower wings is 

 quite characteristic, having the light median band very narrow, 

 the arrangement of the surrounding ground colour of vivid reddish- 

 yellow being such that the general appearance of the underside of 

 the lower wings approaches closely to that of M. deione. To these 

 characteristics may be added also the following which are equally con- 

 .stant : On the underside of the upper wings, in the space corresponding 

 with the lower portion of the median band, this species always (and 

 invariably) has a black mark like a Y placed horizontally and opening 

 outwards -< thus, a mark which is never met with in the other species, 

 not even in M. deione, which, as we have just said, resembles it the 

 most closely ; this mark is also visible on the upper part of the same 

 wings. On the underside of the hindwings, between the basal and 

 median rows of spots, is a triangular spot, whose lower acute angle 

 rests on the last spot of the basal band, which gives a slight resemblance 

 to M. deione, but to no other species. It is also distinguished by its 

 flight which is more sustained and less jerky. Moreover, its form and 

 characteristics are so constant, that one never meets with specimens 

 which might serve as a connecting link with any other species of the 

 genus. It is, therefore, really and truly a real and separate species, 

 perfectly distinct from every other. 



Its habitat is on very warm slopes where the food-plant grows and 



