THE GRAYLING 
63 
markings from pale olive through various shades of ochreous- 
olive to brown, exhibiting a great range of hues in different 
specimens. 
Striking aberrations of the Marbled White in this country 
are exceedingly rare. Albinistic and melanistic examples have 
at times been met with, but extreme forms of either are of 
great rarity. A remarkable melanic specimen was captured 
on July 16th, 1871, near Rochester, Kent. A unique albino 
S. galathea was taken between Dover and Walmer in July, 
1843. It is entirely without any trace of black or dark pigment 
on any part of the wings, body or limbs. 
Genus EUMENIS, Hiibner, 1818 
THE GRAYLING 
Eumenis semele (Linn., 1758). 
(Plate VI, facing page 65) 
Owing to the remarkable resemblance of this butterfly 
when at rest on the ground to its environment, and its acquired 
habits .while resting, which enhance the value of its obliterative 
colouring, it presents one of the most perfect examples of 
protective resemblance occurring among our native butterflies. 
It appears as though its one object in life is sitting on the 
sun-baked ground and to be scorched up in the dryest and 
hottest spots it can find. Although its flight is rapid, it is 
only of short duration, generally about 15 or 20 yards, and it 
again suddenly settles, when it instantly closes its wings ; 
lowering the fore wings down between the hind pair and 
remaining motionless, it becomes practically invisible. Unless 
it is seen to alight on a certain spot and carefully marked 
down, it is most difficult to detect, as it invariably selects a 
spot resembling the colouring of its under surface. Not less 
remarkable is the habit this butterfly has acquired of lessening 
its shadow by listing, at times so much so as to lie almost 
flat on the ground. The Grayling never rests with expanded 
wings, and is seldom found settled on flowers, but it has been 
seen on “ sugared ” trees, and on the trunks of firs. It seems 
to avoid any kind of moisture. 
