THE ATALANTA. 157 



which is found in nautical matters generally. Per- 

 haps the discrepancy might have been avoided by 

 calling the butterfly Cleopatra, that lady being her 

 own admiral. 



Few insects are so conspicuous, or have so magni- 

 ficent an effect on the wing, as the Atalanta; its 

 velvety-black wings, with their scarlet bands, white 

 spots, and azure edges, presenting a bold contrast of 

 colour that is seldom seen, and in its way cannot be 

 surpassed. It is certainly a grand insect ; and it 

 seems to be quite aware of its own beauty as it 

 comes sailing through the sunny glades, gracefully 

 inclining from side to side, as if to show its colours 

 to the best advantage. Perhaps its best aspect is 

 when it sits upon a teazle-head, quietly fanning its 

 wings in the sun; for the quiet purple and brown 

 tints of the teazle set off the magnificent pure colours 

 of the insect. 



These brilliant colours are only found on the 

 upper surface of the wings, the under surface being 

 covered with elaborate tracery of blacks, browns, 

 ambers, sober blues, and dusky reds, so that when 

 the wings are closed over the creature's back, it is 

 hardly to be distinguished from a dried leaf, unless 

 examined closely. 



This distinction of tint often proves to be the in- 

 sect's best refuge ; for, if it can only slip round a tree 

 or a bush, it suddenly settles on some dark spot, shuts 

 up its wings, and there remains motionless until the 



11 



