1. [Argynnis paphia.]
  2. [SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY.]
  3. [Melitæa aurinia.]
  4. [GREASY FRITILLARY.]
  5. [Melitæa cinxia.]
  6. [GLANVILLE FRITILLARY.]
  7. [Melitæa athalia.]
  8. [HEATH FRITILLARY.]
  9. [Vanessa c-album.]
  10. [COMMA.]
  11. [Vanessa polychloros.]
  12. [LARGE TORTOISESHELL.]
  13. [Vanessa urticæ.]
  14. [SMALL TORTOISESHELL.]
  15. [Vanessa io.]
  16. [PEACOCK.]
  17. [Vanessa antiopa.]
  18. [CAMBERWELL BEAUTY.]
  19. [Vanessa atalanta.]
  20. [RED ADMIRAL.]
  21. [Vanessa cardui.]
  22. [PAINTED LADY.]
  23. [Limenitis sibylla.]
  24. [WHITE ADMIRAL.]
  25. Family: APATURIDÆ.
  26. [Apatura iris.]
  27. [PURPLE EMPEROR.]
  28. Family: SATYRIDÆ.
  29. [Melanargia galathea.]
  30. [MARBLED WHITE.]
  31. [Erebia epiphron.]
  32. [MOUNTAIN RINGLET.]
  33. [Erebia æthiops.]
  34. [NORTHERN BROWN, OR SCOTCH ARGUS.]
  35. [Pararge ægeria.]
  36. [SPECKLED WOOD.]
  37. [Pararge megæra.]
  38. [WALL BROWN.]
  39. [Satyrus semele.]
  40. [GRAYLING.]
  41. [Epinephele janira.]
  42. [MEADOW BROWN.]
  43. [Epinephele tithonus.]
  44. [SMALL MEADOW BROWN.]
  45. [Epinephele hyperanthus.]
  46. [RINGLET.]
  47. [Cænonympha typhon.]
  48. [MARSH RINGLET.]
  49. [Cænonympha pamphilus.]
  50. [SMALL HEATH.]
  51. Family: LYCÆNIDÆ.
  52. [Thecla betulæ.]
  53. [BROWN HAIRSTREAK.]
  54. [Thecla w-album.]
  55. [WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK.]
  56. [Thecla pruni.]
  57. [BLACK HAIRSTREAK.]
  58. [Thecla quercus.]
  59. [PURPLE HAIRSTREAK.]
  60. [Thecla rubi.]
  61. [GREEN HAIRSTREAK.]
  62. [Polyommatus dispar.]
  63. [LARGE COPPER.]
  64. [Polyommatus phlæas.]
  65. [SMALL COPPER.]
  66. [Lycæna bætica.]
  67. [LONG-TAILED BLUE.]
  68. [Lycæna ægon.]
  69. [SILVER-STUDDED BLUE.]

  1. [Lycæna astrarche.]
  2. [BROWN ARGUS.]
  3. [Lycæna icarus.]
  4. [COMMON BLUE.]
  5. [Lycæna bellargus.]
  6. [CLIFDEN BLUE.]
  7. [Lycæna corydon.]
  8. [CHALK-HILL BLUE.]
  9. [Lycæna argiolus.]
  10. [AZURE BLUE.]
  11. [Lycæna semiargus.]
  12. [MAZARINE BLUE.]
  13. [Lycæna minima.]
  14. [LITTLE BLUE.]
  15. [Lycæna arion.]
  16. [LARGE BLUE.]
  17. Family: ERYCINIDÆ.
  18. [Nemeobius lucina.]
  19. [DUKE OF BURGUNDY.]
  20. Family: HESPERIDÆ.
  21. [Syrichthus malvæ.]
  22. [GRIZZLED SKIPPER.]
  23. [Nisoniades tages.]
  24. [DINGY SKIPPER.]
  25. [Hesperia thaumas.]
  26. [SMALL SKIPPER.]
  27. [Hesperia lineola.]
  28. [ESSEX SKIPPER.]
  29. [Hesperia actæon.]
  30. [LULWORTH SKIPPER.]
  31. [Hesperia sylvanus.]
  32. [LARGE SKIPPER.]
  33. [Hesperia comma.]
  34. [SILVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER.]
  35. [Carterocephalus palæmon.]
  36. [CHECKERED SKIPPER.]

The remaining pages of this volume will be devoted to a description of the species mentioned in the foregoing list, together with notes on habits and other points. Assisted by the splendid coloured plates, which are produced from actual specimens, and the notes in the following pages, the young collector should have no difficulty in identifying the specimens he secures.

CHAPTER III
THE BRITISH BUTTERFLIES DESCRIBED

The Swallow-Tail (Papilio Machaon), [Plate I.], Fig. 1.—I find, in Scotland, where I live, that the first question put by friends looking over one’s insect treasures usually refers to this butterfly. “Is that a British butterfly?” they ask; and on being assured that it is, they tender the information that they never saw one like it in this neighbourhood; and it takes much explanation to make them understand how rare and local some butterflies and moths are.

Alas! he is our one and only Swallow-Tail—the connecting link between our small island family and the great host of tropical and subtropical Swallow-Tails that flaunt their gorgeous colours under sunnier skies. And we hope he may long remain with us. The incentive to travel and capture this butterfly in his native haunts is not so great as it may have been half a century ago. For a few pence, or by exchange, the larva or chrysalis can be had from a dealer, and with ordinary care and attention it is not a difficult species to rear, and thus see alive.

That this species is already getting scarcer should be a warning to all who are interested in the preservation of our native fauna. Its extermination might not be a very difficult task; and although it is common in many places on the Continent, its reintroduction into England would certainly be attended with great trouble and difficulty.