12 BUTTERFLIES 



PLATE VI 



THE RINGLET (2) 



You can easily see why this butterfly is called 

 the Ringlet, for on the lower surface of its wings 

 it has a number of eye-like spots which are 

 generally so close together that they form a sort 

 of chain, made up of several rings. But the odd 

 thing is that these spots vary very much indeed 

 both in size and number. Generally there are 

 eight quite large ones on each side, three on 

 the front wings and five on the hind ones. But 

 sometimes there are nine, and sometimes there 

 are seven ; and just now and then there are only 

 three or four very tiny ones, while you may 

 sometimes catch a Ringlet butterfly which has 

 no spots at all. The upper surface of the wings 

 is always dark smoky brown all over, with only 

 a few very faint spots of a lighter colour. 



The best place in which to look for Ringlet 

 butterflies is in grassy paths through woods, 

 where it is sometimes very common indeed. The 

 caterpillars, which feed upon different kinds of 

 grass, are very much like those of the "large 

 heath." But they only come out to feed during 

 the night, so that if you want to find them you 

 will have to look for them with a lantern. They 

 are fully fed about the beginning of June, and 

 the butterfly makes its appearance in July. 



