66 



The Butterflies 



securely, sheltered and least exposed to the wintry storms ; 

 but when the caterpillars are sufficiently advanced in growth, 

 they ascend to the higher part of the steep, and feed, and 

 undergo their transformation. " 



4 * Were the chrysalids formed below, they would probably 

 have too much moisture and too little sun , whereas, by being 

 formed higher up they have a sufficiency of both to bring 

 them to maturity. This butterfly is single brooded, but there 

 is a succession of them, varying in duration according to the 

 season. The earliest date on which I have met with it is 

 May 1st, the latest in July ; but in the latter case the specimens 

 were bred in captivity. I never remember to have seen it so 

 late in the state of liberty ; not later indeed than the middle 

 of June." 



" They are very difficult in rear from the caterpillars, and 

 those I have bred are not only disclosed much later than in the 

 state of freedom, but are not nearly so fine and perfect. They 

 in general fly slowly and gracefully, except when alarmed, 

 gliding gently from flower to flower." 



" I have taken as many as two dozen without moving from 

 the spot where I stood, as they successively visited the stems 

 of the grasses round me. This fritillary was much less plenti- 

 ful last season than heretofore ; and in some of the former 

 haunts has quite disappeared. It has many foes ; for besides 

 the march of improvement in cultivation, which gradually 

 invades its haunts, the same natural causes which promote its 

 abundance also multiply its enemies. Two necrophagous 

 beetles (Silpha obscura and S. Tristis), destroy the caterpillar ; 

 and a large ground spider, very numerous in the spots which it 

 frequents, feeds on the perfect insect. It lies in wait until the 

 butterfly alights on the low plants, or on the ground, then 

 rushing forward seizes it by the neck, and holds it captive with 

 such tenacity, that both insects may almost be pulkd in pieces 

 ere it will relax its grasp." 



