LEPIDOPTERA. 
89 
(Thecla) the purple hairstreak {T. quercus ) is a familiar example. This butterfly 
has the wings brown black, shot with purple, and abounds all through Europe 
wherever oak forests exist. It flits round the foliage, laying its eggs, and resting 
on the leaves, and is a common British butterfly. The green hairstreak (Th. rubi ) 
is a smaller species than the rest, with a bright green under side, and is not 
uncommon in some districts flying around bramble-bushes in summer. I 11 the allied 
genus Polyommatus, we mention the large copper (P. dispar ) as one would speak 
6 7 4 5 
GROUP OF BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 
1, Large white admiral; 2, Golden rod copper, female ; 3, Male of same ; 4, Small copper ; 5, Azure or 
Clifden blue ; 6, Silver studded skipper ; 7, Duke of Burgundy. 
of a departed friend, for, although formerly abundant in the fens of Cambridge¬ 
shire and other counties, it has not been seen alive for over half a century in 
Britain. The small copper (P. phleas) is, however, very abundant both in England 
and on the Continent. It is shown in No. 4 of the above illustration. Of the 
golden-rod copper (P. virgaurece) figures are given in Nos. 2 and 3 of the same 
illustration. This species is abundant on the Continent, though unknown in 
Britain. It flies in July and August, and the larva feeds on the golden-rod. The 
elegant little butterflies known as blues ( Lyccena ) have the upper side of the 
