THE BROWN ARGUS 19 



PLATE X 



THE BROWN ARGUS (1) 



Although this pretty little butterfly belongs to 

 the family of the " blues," it has no trace of blue 

 in its colouring at all, but is dark brown above, 

 with a row of orange spots along the margin 

 of both the front and the hind wings, and either 

 grey or reddish-brown below. It is very common 

 in most places, and more especially on chalky 

 downs, where you may often see it gambolling 

 about in company with two or three "common 

 blues." And you may also see it flitting about 

 in almost any meadow, just when the hay is 

 ready for cutting. It appears twice in the year, 

 first in May, and then again in August. 



In shape, the caterpillar of this butterfly is 

 rather like a fat little slug. It is covered with 

 short white hairs, and is green in colour, with a 

 dark brown stripe along the back, and a narrow 

 pink streak on either side. You may sometimes 

 find it feeding upon the leaves of the hemlock, 

 stork's-bill, and sun-cistus. And when it has 

 finished growing it turns into a little green 

 chrysalis with a deep pink stripe on each side. 



