THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 27 



narrow limits of his cell, however attractive it may- 

 be made ; so that he must either he remorselessly- 

 secured for a collection of dry specimens, or allowed 

 to take his free flight to the woods, according to the 

 feelings of the lord or lady of the castle in which he 

 is held in durance. The female, however, almost as 

 handsome, with the exception of the changeful me- 

 tallic azure that distinguishes the male, may prove 

 more tractable ; and, if so, whenever she lifts her 

 wings and closes them face to face, displaying the 

 exquisite markings of the under side, she will form 

 a most attractive object till she has laid her eggs, 

 which, as with all insects, will form the last per- 

 formance of her brief existence. 



Above the Purple Emperor is one of the com- 

 monest, but not least beautiful, of our native But- 

 terflies — the "Cabbage White," of our gardens, as it 

 is popularly termed. The one shown is a female, 

 distinguished from the male by its larger size, and 

 also by the bright black spots which decorate the 

 anterior wings. The habits of the handsome cater- 

 pillar of this common insect are well worthy of close 

 observation, especially when it begins to sling it- 

 self up for change, a process which will be minutely 

 described in the Chapter on British Lcpldoptera; 

 where also an account Avill be found of the fearful 



