INSECTS IN THEIR PERFECT STATE. 141 



Greeks, as we know by the indication, on many- 

 existing statues, of the beautiful occllce or eye-like 

 spots, which distinguish both the upper and under 

 wings. 



The best way of procuring fine specimens of this 

 beautiful native insect is to look among beds of 

 nettles, about the beginning of July, for the Cater- 

 pillars; which, clothed in their suit of rich sable 

 velvet delicately spotted with specks of white, as 

 with minute pearls, and ornamented with their 

 curious branching spines, are very conspicuous 

 objects, that may be distinguished even from a 

 distance in such situations, feeding in large com- 

 panies on their favourite vegetable; their colour 

 and number making them at once remarkable. 

 (See Plate II. No. 2.) Some of the nettles, not 

 the young shoots, but those parts with matured 

 foliage, should be placed in the Vivarium with 

 them, and they will always prefer nettles from 

 their native bed, some larvae refusing any foliage, 

 even of the same land, except of the identical 

 plant on which they were hatched. Those of Va- 

 nessa Io, however, are not so particular ; they will 

 in general feed greedily if the food be fresh ; and, 

 after a certain number of times casting the skin, 

 will suspend themselves by the tail in their own 



