64 



The Butterflies 



of June and battered specimens may still be found alive at the 

 end of August. 



2. — Argynnis Lathonia (Queen of Spain Fritillary). A 

 beautiful species; the upper surface of the wings fulvous 

 brown, the whole spotted with black. The under surface of 

 the hinder wings is adorned with twenty-four beautiful silver 

 spots. Newman gives the time of appearance as September, 

 but in Sark I believe it to be double brooded as I have seen 

 specimens in June and in October. Although common on 

 the Continent this species is of the utmost rarity in England^ 

 In Guernsey I have seen it twice and given it chase, but never 

 captured it. I have, however, a beautiful specimen captured 

 by the late Miss Eenouf, in her garden in Burnt-lane, and 

 kindly given me for my collection. In Sark it is much com- 

 moner and I have taken many specimens. 



3. — Melitsea Cinxia (Glanville Fritillary). This species is 

 tawny-orange colour above, and the whole surface reticulated 

 (net-like) and spotted with black. The markings of the under 

 side are so varied that any description must fail to give a correct 

 idea of any individual specimen. This exceedingly local 

 British species is very common in all the four Channel Islands. 



The whole economy of this species is so interesting that 

 I have copied out in full the graphic description written by the 

 Rev. F. Dawson in 1844. 



" As this fritillary is rare in almost every part of the 

 kingdom, some account of its favourite haunts and habits may 

 not prove uninteresting. It cannot be accounted by any 

 means common here (in England) being confined to a few 

 localities only, though where it does occur, it is in general to 

 found in some abuudance. It is not to be expected in cul- 

 tivated districts, but breeds on steep and broken declivities near 

 the coast, which the scythe and the plough never as yet have 

 invaded, and in such spots it may be met with, earlier or later 

 in May according to the season. Near Sandown, Isle of Wight, 



