GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL. 
163 
undulating lines of brown, and an obscure row of 
bluish crescents towards the tip. Three pale spots 
are observable on the anterior part of the upper 
wings, and one near the middle of the hinder pair. 
“ The caterpillar is bluish or brownish, with a 
lateral stripe of orange ; the spines are slightly 
branched and yellowish. While young, these larvae 
live together under a silken web, which they spin 
for their protection ; but they disperse after they 
have changed their first skin. They feed on the 
willow and elm, and also on some kinds of fruit- 
trees, particularly the cherry. The chrysalis is 
flesh-coloured, with golden spots near the neck.’’* 
Although abundant in most parts of the conti- 
nent of Europe, the Great Tortoise-Shell (or Ehn 
Butteifly, as it is sometimes called), cannot be rank- 
ed among the most common of our day-flying Le- 
pidoptera ; at least, it is scarce in many districts, 
and appears in plenty in others only in certain years. 
It occurs in all the southern counties of England, 
and in the Isle of Wight ; we have traced it as far 
north as Dunlceld, and have seen notices of its ha- 
ving been frequently observed in many of the inter- 
mediate counties. There seems to be but one flight 
in the season, which usually takes place about the 
middle of July. On the Continent, it appears both 
in spring and towards the close of summer. 
• Encyclop. Methodique : Papillon, p. 305. 
