THE MARSH FRITILLARY. 103 



was more or less common on parts of the Kentish coast between 

 Folkestone and Sandgate, but it seems to be equally certain 

 that the species has long been absent from that part of England 

 as well as from other localities that have been mentioned, except 

 the Isle of Wight, where it is still to be found. It flies in May 

 and June, and seems to have a preference for the rougher parts 

 of the undercliff ; but I have seen butterflies and caterpillars too 

 on the higher slopes of St. Boniface. Whenever the caterpillars 

 are met with, it will be well to remember that only the full- 

 grown ones should be taken, as the smaller ones do not thrive 

 very well in confinement. A little self-denial in this matter will 

 bring its own reward in the shape of fine specimens for the 

 cabinet, and the pleasant reflection that the useless sacrifice of 

 a number of caterpillars has been avoided. 



The butterfly is widely spread and generally common on the 

 Continent, and in the Channel Islands it is plentiful in Alderney 

 and Guernsey. Its range extends into Asia Minor, Central 

 Asia, and Siberia. ,- 



The Marsh Fritillary (Melitcect aurinia). 



This species, of which several forms are represented on 

 Plate 73, is subject to considerable variation in depth of 

 colour, and also in size and intensity of the markings, in all 

 localities. The varieties here referred to are more or less 

 characteristic of the countries in which they occur. To mention 

 all the forms, or even those to which varietal names have been 

 given, would occupy more space than is available for the 

 purpose. 



Reddish-orange or bright tawny, veins black, breaking up the 

 yellow or yellowish transverse bands ; there are three or four 

 transverse black lines, the first and second, counting from the 

 base of the wing, not always distinct ; basal area more or 



