162 



Morayshire ; thus apparently upholding Mr. Stainton's theory — that the 

 flight of Antiopa most probably came from Norway, especially as it was most 

 plentiful between the Humber and the Tyne. 



Several were captured in 1873, mostly hibernated specimens, one being 

 taken in the month of January : a few only occurred in the autumn, the 

 yellow borders to the wings suggesting chat they were bred in England, and 

 were the produce of the hibernated specimens of the previous autumn. In 

 1872, a single specimen only was taken in the spring — another proof that 

 the numerous specimens recorded in the autumn were invaders. 



In 1874, only a single specimen was .seen, and that at Newcastle : in 1875, 

 a few were recorded; in 1876, four specimens; in 1877, three only; and a 

 few in 1878. 



In the wet season of 1879, the great year for Cardui, not a specimen of 

 Antiopa was recorded, although curiously enough it was common again in 

 1880. It was scarce again in 1881 ; in 1882, there is only one record, and 

 none in 1883; it was also scarce in 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887. 



In the " Entomologist/' Vol. XX, p. 156, Mr. Dingwell writes, " M. 

 Wurzburger, who stated that Antiopa was never found in England in the 

 caterpillar stage is wrong. I have an imago bred from one of the twenty 

 seven caterpillars found on a willow, and of course with the yellow border. 

 As the person who sent them gave them without even being asked, he would 

 have no object in deceiving me." Mr. Capper also writes in the same maga- 

 zine, " I have three British specimens with borders quite as yellow as three 

 bred continental, which I have placed beside them for comparison." 



VANESSA UBTICJS. 

 Small Tortoise-shell. 



Urtic^:, Linn. Urti'cse, from the generic name of its food-plant, the 

 Stinging Nettle. 



This is one of our most common butterflies, and therefore but little thought 

 of in comparison with others of greater rarity. It is, however, a handsome 

 species, and forces itself upon our attention by coming into our houses to 

 hibernate. In its general markings it much resembles the Large Tortoise- 

 shell, but the colouring is by far the richer and brighter. 



It varies in the expanse of its wings from one inch and three-quarters to 

 two inches and a quarter, the female being the largest, but specimens have 

 been found which expand no more than one and a quarter inches across 

 the wings. The prevailing colour is bright reddish orange, there being 

 at the hind margins a dark band in which are situated semi-circular blue 



