Life History of the Camherwell Beauty. 345 



containing the very ancient flora of the " fern ledges " 

 himself, and did not trust to the " findings of the strati- 

 graphers." 



Thanking you, in anticipation for kindly inserting this 

 note, 



I remain yours sincerely, 



G. r. Matthew. 



Life History of the Camberayell Beauty 

 Butterfly. 



( Vanessa Antiopa.) 



The subject of this paper is one of the commonest but- 

 terflies. Its geographic distribution comprises the whole 

 of temperate North America, temperate Europe and 

 England periodically. Dr. A. S. Packard says that it has 

 probably been imported from Europe. In the streets of 

 Montreal it may often be seen. Tlie perfect insect hiber- 

 nates, selecting for its long winter sleep an old hollow 

 tree and sometimes a place under some loose stones. 



On the advent of a warm sunny day, while the snow is 

 on the ground, these lovely creatures may be seen disport- 

 ing themselves in the birch woods. They are really 

 looking for a good square meal. The sap of the maple or 

 birch trees constitutes their entire food at this time of 

 year ; at other times they are fond of over-ripe pears and 

 plums. 



About the middle of May they have other business to 

 attend to besides gorging themselves with sap. Their 

 thoughts turn seriously to love. The males, carefully 

 brushed up, playfully pursue their mates, the lady antiopa, 

 as usual, seemingly doing her best to get away from them, 

 a fact of which the reader will readily recall many similar 

 cases in the higher studies of natural history. 



