175 
c. Polaris, Standinger, Cat. p. 16, 1871. — Urticce, Stett. Ent. 
Zeit. 1861, 345. This is a constant Polar form of the insect in 
which the wings are very dusky, the inner-marginal or dorsal 
spot being joined to the costal spot. 
8. — V. lo, Linn. Syst. Nat. x. 472 ; Faun. Siiec. 274; Esp. 5, 2 ; 
Hub. 77, 78 ; 0. I. 1, 107. 
Expands from 1‘75 to 2-75 in. All the wings are dull red, 
with the hind margins brown. The fore wings have two black 
costal marks, external to which is a large eye-like spot composed 
of various colours, principally blue, and below this two small spots 
of light blue. The hind wings have a large blue and black eye 
surrounded by light brown. The under side is very dark brown, 
varied with nearly black lines. PI. XLI., 1. 
Time of Appearance. — April to October ; the imagines hyber- 
nating. 
Habitat. — Gardens, woods, &c., throughout Europe, with the 
exception of the Polar Piegions, Andalusia, and Sicily ; it is also 
found throughout temperate North Asia and Asia Alinor ; common 
in England, and well known as the “ Peacock ” ; scarce in 
Scotland. 
Larva. — Black, with minute white spots and covered with 
black spines. Feeds on the common nettle, Urtica dioica, from 
June to August. 
VARIETIES. 
a. loides, 0. I. 1, 109. A small form of the insect not confined 
to any particular locality. 
b. Sardoa, Stand. Cat. p. 16, 1871. A variety found in the 
Island of Sardinia, and differing from the type in being larger and 
more deeply coloured. 
