In a well-marked variety, common in the south of Europe, Madeira, &c., this enlargement reaches a great development, nearly the whole of the upper wings being suffused with a deep orange, though in all other respects the insect does not differ from our common form. This beautiful variety has been described as a different species under the name of Gonepteryx Cleopatra; but M. Boisduval has proved that they are identical, by rearing both the ordinary Rhamni and the Cleopatra from the same batch of eggs.
The female Cleopatra does not differ materially from Rhamni. I look on this variety as very interesting, as a probable instance of the direct effect of increased warmth of climate in intensifying colour.[[9]]
Plentiful as this butterfly is in all the southern counties, and extending in more or less abundance as
far northwards as the lake district, it there becomes scarce; and I can find no instance of its having occurred in Scotland.
Of course, its prevalence in any district is naturally regulated by the abundance of its food-plants, the buckthorns.
Gardens, fields, and lanes are equally the resort of this favourite insect; and there the newly-hatched specimens are to be found on the wing from August to October.
THE CLOUDED YELLOW, OR CLOUDED SAFFRON. (Colias Edusa.)
([Plate III]. fig. 3, Male; 3A, Female.)
This richly-coloured and nimble-winged fly is ever the darling of the collector. None make a finer show in the cabinet, and few tempt pursuit more strongly than does this golden beauty when on the wing.