NYMPHALIDAE 
114 
During the past thirty years, excepting 1918, 1919and 1934* 
A . paphia has usually been far less abundant than formerly ; 
towards the close of last century its abundance in the New 
Forest was extraordinary. It used to be in such profusion 
that it was common to see forty or many more assembled on 
the blossoms of a large bramble bush, in company with many 
White Admirals, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, and here and 
there among the swarm one or two of the ab. valezina. When 
the congregation was disturbed, they would rise in a fluttering 
mass and the majority would again settle to continue their 
feast on the sweet blossoms of the bramble. 
In unsettled wea¬ 
ther of cloud and 
sunshine, it was an 
interesting sight to 
see the A. paphia 
dropping from the 
trees into the rides 
as soon as the sun 
appeared; their num¬ 
bers resembled a 
shower of falling au¬ 
tumn leaves, and as 
soon as the sun was 
obscured, they would 
rise to settle amid 
the foliage from 
The Silver-washed Fritillary 
(Female ab. New Forest, July, 1892). 
whence they came—where this butterfly also passes the night 
and dull weather by day. On calm, line evenings I have 
frequently observed them fly to the topmost branches of the 
tallest trees to rest for the night amongst the foliage. 
Hibernation. The Silver-washed Fritillary hibernates in the 
larval state, viz. as a minute larva measuring only 2 2 mm. 
long. Immediately after emerging from the egg, in the 
beginning of August, it enters into hibernation, and rests 
close to the empty egg-shell in a crevice in the bark, which 
forms its only protection throughout the winter months. It 
remains without moving from the beginning of August until 
the end of March, consequently the tiny larva exists for 
about eight months without having eaten any food except the 
