Genus NYMPHALIS, Kluk y 1802 
THE CAMBERWELL BEAUTY 
Xymphalis antiopa (Linn., 1758). 
(Plate XIII, facing page 164) 
The Camberwell Beauty, also known as the White-bordered 
and the Mourning Cloak, is one of, if not the most lovely of 
all British butterflies. In .pattern and colouration it is unique 
not only among the British species, but also among the 
butterflies of the world. 
This handsome insect was first noticed in this country in 
1748. From that year no records exist of its appearance 
until 1789, when numbers were observed flying about Willow 
trees at Faversham, Kent, and four years later it was abundant. 
In 1819 large numbers of dead specimens were seen floating 
on the sea oil the Durham coast. Again in 1S46 it was 
common, and several made their appearance in 1859. I n 
1872 it appeared so numerous that specimens were observed 
throughout the country, especially in the eastern counties, 
extending from Kent to the Moray Firth. In that year, 
known as the great “Anliopa year," a large number were 
captured during one week in August at Shirley, Surrey, being 
attracted by exuding sap from a clump of ancient Oak trees. 
In 1880 large numbers again occurred in various localities, 
since when there has been a general scarcity. But hardly a 
year passes without one or more being recorded. It must 
here be mentioned that for some years past large numbers 
of this beautiful butterfly have been imported and purposely 
liberated in different parts of the country, especially in the 
neighbourhood of London, also in parts of Surrey and Sussex, 
and also in parts of Scotland ; therefore all records of the 
appearance of this butterfly for the past ten years may be 
regarded as worthless, as it remains very doubtful whether 
such specimens have been liberated, or are actual genuine 
immigrants. The introduction of foreign examples of any 
species of British butterflies is a useless and unwise practice, 
as it completely upsets all records of the appearance of our 
migratory species. 
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