CHAPTER X. BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. THE most attractive of all insects are the Lepidoptera, especially those which from their habit of flying about during the day are called diurnal Lepidoptera or Butterflies. As other perfect insects, so these pass through three stages of existence,-caterpillar, chrysalis, and imago, or winged insect. The most beautiful, as well as pleasing, emblem among the Egyptians was exhibited under the character of Psyche-the soul. This was originally no other than a butterfly, but it afterwards was represented as a lovely female child with the beautiful wings of that insect. The butterfly, after its first and second stages as an egg and larva, lies for a season in a manner dead, and is enclosed in a sort of coffin. In this state it remains a shorter or longer period; but at last, bursting its bonds, it comes out with new life, and in the most beautiful attire. The Egyptians thought this a very proper picture of the soul of man, and of the immortality to which it aspired. But they made it more particularly an emblem of Osiris, who having been confined in an ark or coffin, and in a state of death, at last quitted his prison, and enjoyed a renewal of life. This symbol passed over to the Greeks and Romans, who also considered the butterfly as the symbol of Zephyr. The day-flying butterflies are neither so large, so numerous, nor so brightly coloured in our northern climate as in the Tropics, yet we have two or three which, both for size and colouring, compare favourably with those of more sunny lands. The first of all our British butterfles, entitled fully to its name, is the "Emperor"; and although it hovers over the tops of the highest oaks, and is considered a habitant of woods, he may consider himself fortunate who succeeds once during his life to capture a specimen for himself. Entomologists delight to recount their adventures in quest of this royal game, and some have achieved great success. It is a but terfly of rather depraved tastes, as proved by the fact that swine's dung, dead stoats, and such unsavoury odours have proved the best means of luring them to their destruction. The White Admiral, although a woodland species, is certainly local, and is confined to the southern portion of England. The tortoiseshells, and allied species, are usually met with outside the woods, and not in the woods themselves. Perhaps the most decidedly woodland species are the Fritillaries. The large Silver-washed Fritillary1 is to be seen in extensive woods, and seems to be fond of hovering about the blossoms of the bramble. The Pearl-bordered Fritillary, or Euphrosyne, is not an uncommon woodland butterfly, and in some woods is found in considerable numbers in May and June. The small pearl-bordered (Selene) is much less common, although it affects similar localities. Finally, the Heath Fritillary occurs in open places in woods, as well as on heaths, especially if heather be found. there. But wherefore "Fritillaries"? This group of butterflies is distinguished by the silvery spots and streaks with which the under side of the hind wings is adorned ; while the upper surface is marked or chequered with black on a ground colour of goldenbrown, and in this device they obscurely resemble the old-fashioned liliaceous flowers called "Fritillary," whence it is conjectured that the name of the insects has been derived. The caterpillars are cylindrical and spiny, feeding chiefly on some species of violet. The chrysalis is humpy and irregular, suspended by the tail. Spiny caterpillars and suspended chrysalids are not confined to the Fritillaries. The Ringlets are usually very modestly attired in brown of various shades, with a pair or more of round black spots on the wings not unlike an eye, hence called oscelli. The "Speckled Wood" is sometimes called the Wood Argus,1 or many-eyed, from the rows of black spots, resembling eyes, which adorn the wings. Its scientific name is Egeria, after a nymph celebrated by the Romans as the wife of Numa, who became so disconsolate at his death that she melted into tears. The caterpillars are warted, and not spiny, feeding on different kinds of grasses. The Wall Butterfly is a lover of the sunlight, and is most addicted to lakes and sunny banks. But the most common of the family is the Meadow Brown, fluttering in sunshine and in shade over pastures and hill-sides, along the road, and occasionally straying into woods. One of the ancient deities of classical authors is said to have had fifty daughters called Nereides, and one of these was "Janica," whose name this butterfly bears. The Ringlet 2 has its upper surface almost entirely of a uniform sepia brown, with slight eye-spots. These are very distinct on the lighter brown under surface, surrounded by a very pale ring. The greenish caterpillar feeds on grasses during the night, and for that reason is seldom seen, unless sought after with a 1 Pyrarga Egeria. Hipparchia hyperanthus. |