LARGE COPPER. 
221 
transverse series of simple black spots, beyond which 
the colour is ash-grey, inclining to blue ; the under 
wings are ash-coloured, slightly tinged with light blue, 
and having a bright coppery band at the hinder mar- 
gin, with a row of black spots on each side of it ; be- 
fore this there is an irregular row of black spots, 
cinctured with bluish-white, then a transverse black 
streak, and five remote black spots near the base. 
The fringe round the external margin and abdominal 
edge of the wings is white. 
The caterpillar is described to be of a green colour, 
with white dots, and is said to feed on a kind of 
dock. 
“ This splendid species,” says Mr Curtis, “ was 
first discovered in Wales by the celebrated botanist 
Hudson. It has subsequently been captured in 
considerable abundance by Messrs Standish, who 
went to Wittlesea Meet - , Huntingdonshire, in expec- 
tation of finding it. They inform me that the end 
of July is undoubtedly the right season for this in- 
sect, although they met with it the beginning of 
August, flying among reeds, about the centre of the 
Meer near Yaxley ; that it is very active, and in 
windy weather conceals itself amongst the highest 
reeds. Upon these the caterpillar probably feeds, as 
they found the butterfly upon that plant just emerged 
from the chrysalis, drying its wings.”* Donovan 
states that the specimens from which his figures were 
drnwn, were obtained from Scotland. 
* British Entom. vol. i. fol. 12. 
