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The Great Stinging-Nettle.
Urtica major vulgaris. J. B.
L. 3. Ch. 1.
V.
Cl. 3. S. a. 5.
The GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL-BUTTERFLY. When the Caterpillars of this Fly are young, they feed together on the Leaves of the Elm-Tree, &c. About the Middle of June they are full fed, and usually tie themselves up by the Tail under the Copings of Walls, or some such Shelter; in the Beginning of July the Fly comes out, and delights to settle in dry Path-ways, as also on the Bodies of Trees, &c. is swift in its Flight, and requires Nimbleness to take it. The Chrysalis is very apt to produce Ichneumons instead of its own Butterfly, those Creatures having laid their Eggs therein. This Fly lives all Winter.
See Reaumur, Pl. 23. Pag. 382. Vol. 1. List. on Goedart, Pag. 3. N. 3, Merian, Vol. 2. Tab. 2. Albin, Pl. 55. Rosel, Cl. 1. Tab. 2.
L. III. ch. I.