100 



magnitude of the respective ocelli; and the wings are frequently differently 

 ocellated on the left and right sides. Mr. Stephens goes on to add il that 

 the above are all that he possesses, and has had an opportunity of examining." 



The form in which the eyed rings are represented only by the white dots 

 of the centres, is called Arete, Mull., or else ~Polywieda> Hubner ; and in 

 Dr. Staudinger's large catalogue the only locality given for it is the Yalley of 

 the Anioor, but it is met not uncommonly at Dover, and it also occurs in 

 Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Yorkshire, and other parts of England. Mr. Wailes 

 had a specimen without any spot whatever, taken in Durham, Mr. Plobson has 

 another ; and Mr. Kirby has one, taken in Germany, in which the outer half 

 of the fore-wings, and the edges of the hind-wings, are grey instead of brown. 

 These varieties are extremely interesting, as showing how a character, for- 

 merly supposed to be of specific value, can be modified, and indeed entirely 

 lost, without inducing the slightest doubt as to the propriety of uniting all 

 these dissimilar individuals under one specific name. 



The egg is of a yellowish white colour at first, but soon turns to a pale 

 brown, the shell remains clear and shining. It is dumpy, conical in shape, 

 with rounded top, and very faintly reticulated. 



The caterpillar is of a pale straw colour, with a dark brown dorsal line, 

 which is broadest and most distinct at the anal segments, gradually narrowing 

 and becoming fainter as it approaches the head. It is spindle shaped, and 

 covered with roughish warts, which emit short white hairs. It feeds on 

 Triticum repens, and other common kinds of grasses. 



The chrysalis is short and very obese, with a rather rounded head ; and of 

 a pale brown colour, with spots and markings of a darker shade. It is sus- 

 pended by the tail to the lower part of a blade of grass, but often so slightly 

 that it falls on to the ground, where it remains. 



The butterfly emerges from the chysalis in the early part of July, and con- 

 tinues on the wing until August. The egg is laid singly on the grass stems, 

 and hatches in about fourteen days. The young caterpillars feed very slowly 

 during the autumn, and conceal themselves at the roots of the various 

 grasses on which they feed, but crawl out again and recommence feeding very 

 early in the year, and by the end of March are often half-grown. They feed 

 during the night and cannot readily be found, unless diligent search be made 

 with a lantern, among the long grasses so commonly growing along the 

 hedgerows and ditches, more especially in the neighbourhood of woods. 

 Towards the end of June they attach themselves by the anal claspers to a 

 slight web, and hanging with the head downwards : are transformed into 

 chrysalides. 



The Ringlet is common in woods throughout Europe, except the extreme 



