150 
Genus ARGYNNIS. 
Although constituted by a very limited number 
of species, this genus ranks among the most import- 
ant we possess, as comprehending a few of the lar- 
gest and most richly ornamented of our native butter- 
flies. When viewed from above, however, there is 
no appearance of much embellishment, the surface be- 
ing rather remarkable for uniformity of tint, consist- 
ing of some shade of reddish-brown, streaked and 
chequered with black ; a mode of colouring which 
has probably caused the old name of Fritillary to be 
applied to them, from their bearing some resemblance 
to the tessellated markings of that flower. But the 
under side is decorated with largo spots and streaks 
of beautiful silver white, which renders them very 
conspicuous objects, even when contrasted with 
species most richly coloured in other respects, but 
destitute of this metallic brilliancy. They are the only 
British insects of their kind that exhibit this “ silvery 
glitterance,” besides the two last species of the pre- 
ceding genus. To the latter, indeed, they approxi- 
mate very closely in other particulars, but may be 
distinguished from them, as well as from other cog- 
nate genera, by the following characters: — Antenn® 
rather long and slender, with a very abrupt, spoon- 
