io8 
NYMPHALIDAE 
types. Occasionally all the black markings are confluent and 
cover the whole of the median area of both fore and hind 
wings, while the marginal portion is more or less plain. 
Other examples have strongly-rayed margins and the spots 
are transformed into median bands. The under surface is as 
variable as the upper. 
Albinism occurs in A. aglaia, and is similar in colouring to 
that occurring in A. cydippe. All such extreme aberrations 
are of great rarity. 
Genus ARGYNNIS, Fabricius , 1807 
THE HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY 
Argynnis cydippe (Linn., 1761). 
(Plate IV, facing page 45) 
Haunts and Distribution. The High Brown is essentially a 
woodland butterfly, therefore it is never found far from the 
outskirts of woods. In England it occurs in most of the 
forests and larger woods throughout the country, but is 
restricted in its distribution, as it does not occur north of 
Cumberland, and in Ireland a few specimens were recorded 
from Co. Galway in 1887, but these may have been accidentally 
introduced, as it is not known to be an Irish species. Abroad 
its range is very extensive, being found through the greater 
part of Europe and Asia. 
The flight of this butterfly is swift and powerful, and in 
its favourite haunts, the openings and rides of woods, it 
delights in flying rapidly about in search of its favourite 
flowers, such as the Thistle and Bramble. In the glades and 
openings, where it is abundant, these fine butterflies may be 
seen flying down from the trees as soon as the sun appears, 
during cloudy weather, and when the sun becomes obscured, 
they again return to the trees to rest, where also they retire 
for the night, resting amongst the foliage. 
Time of Appearance. This Fritillary is a single-brooded 
species. In normal seasons it appears on the wing in July 
