THE SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY. 8$ 



on Plate 57, Fig. 2, and Fig. 25 on next page, are not often 

 met with ; the ground colour is greenish, but much suffused 

 and clouded with black. Now and then gynandrous specimens 

 are obtained, the one side normal male and the other side typical 

 female, or var. valesina. 



The egg when newly laid, in July, is whitish tinged with 

 green, ribbed, and cross-furrowed, the alternate ribs not 

 extending to the top. As the caterpillar matures, the egg- 

 shell appears blackish and the ribs hoary. 



The caterpillar when full grown is velvety black with two 

 bright yellow lines along the back ; the spines are of a 

 reddish-ochreous colour with the extreme tips and branches 

 black. There are only two on the first ring, and these are 

 inclined forward over the head. The chrysalis is of a pale 

 ochreous colour, streaked and mottled with brownish ; the 

 hollow part of the back has a brilliant golden sheen, and the 

 points on the rest of the body are gold tipped. Suspended by 

 the anal hooks to a silken pad spun on a twig, rock, or other 

 object in the vicinity of its feeding-place, it is capable of much 

 activity in the way of wriggling when touched, and displays the 

 beauty of its metallic adornment to the greatest advantage when 

 so engaged. 



The caterpillar hatches in August, and after eating its egg- 

 shell and nibbling a leaf or two of dog-violet ( Viola canina), 

 goes into winter quarters whilst in its second skin, and con- 

 sequently very small ; the spines, which are such an imposing 

 feature of the adult caterpillar, have not yet appeared. In April, 

 after feeding again, it moults the second time, and the spines 

 are then disclosed. 



Sometimes caterpillars continue to feed in the autumn 

 instead of hibernating. This, at least, has happened to Mr. 

 Frohawk on two occasions, notably in 1893, when he had 

 several individuals of a brood, from eggs laid by a female of 

 the valesina form, that departed from the usual custom of their 



