of Guernsey and Sark. 



63 



1. — The egg, which is invariably deposited by the parent 

 butterfly on the particular plant on which the caterpillar which 

 will presently emerge from it is to feed. 



2. — -From the eggs proceed the catepillars or larvae which 

 feed greedily on their proper food-plants, increasing rapidly in 

 size, and shed their skin several times to meet their growing 

 requirements during the period from their first exclusion from 

 the egg to their becoming full-grown. 



3. — When full-fed they change into a chrysalis, or pupa ; 

 tha transformation is a remarkable one thtt well repays close 

 observation ; and after remaining in this third state a certain 

 time, suspended from a wall or plant, or in other convenient 

 locality, the period varying according to the species, or to the 

 time of year, the butterfly (then called the imago or perfect 

 insect) emerges with all its parts already fully developed, 

 except the wings ; which are at first short and limp, but in a 

 wonderfully short time expand and become fit for flight, the 

 observer may see the wings growing as he watches. 



Having thus briefly sketched the various changes through 

 which butterflies pass, I have much pleasure in bringing before 

 you, this evening, the result of many pleasurable excursions in 

 search of our local species. 



From Guernsey and Sark I am able to record twenty-seven 

 species of butterflies. The following is the list, arranged 

 according to the classification in Newman's British Butter- 

 flies." 



1. — Argynnis Aglaia (Dark Green Fritillary). The upper 

 surface of the wings is bright brown, ornamented with black 

 spots ; the under surface of the hinder wings is dark olive-green 

 with silvery spots. This is a large insect, some of my speci- 

 mens measuring two inches across the wings. The caterpillar 

 feeds upon dog violet (viola canina). I have never found it 

 in Guernsey, but have captured many specimens on the slopes 

 of the cliffs in Sark. It appears on the wing towards the end 



