peacock’s eye. 
167 
black crescent. The under side of the wings is 
shining dark -brown, with transverse undulating lines 
of deep black, the five bluish-white spots of the up- 
per wings appearing as pale points, and another si- 
milar spot is observable in the middle of the hin- 
der wings. The body is blackish, and clothed with 
rust-coloured hairs : the legs dull yellow. 
The caterpillar feeds on the two common species 
of stinging nettle. It is of a shining black colour, 
with numerous white points somewhat disposed in 
transverse lines, and having the hinder legs rust-red. 
This highly beautiful insect, which the earliest of 
our British naturalists styles “ omnium regina,” is 
much less extensively distributed than the preceding 
species. Although abundant in most parts of Eng- 
land, there appear to be certain districts even in the 
south where it is not common, and it gradually be- 
comes scarce as we advance northwards. The most 
northern place where it has occurred in plenty, is 
the vicinity of York, and it probably does not extend 
beyond the Frith of Forth. Throughout the south 
of Scotland, indeed, it is seldom seen, although it 
nas been Btated, through some mistake, to be a com- 
mon species in that quarter - . We know it to have 
occurred sparingly near Edinburgh, and also in Rox- 
burghshire and Dumfriesshire. 
