The colours on the upper side are a rich tawny or fulvous ground, with dark-brown markings, and pure
black eye-spots. The under side of the hind wings is pencilled with sober colours, but in a design of great beauty and delicacy; and especially to be admired are the double-ringed "eyes," a band of which runs parallel with the outer margin of the hind wings.
The caterpillar feeds on grasses; is green, with three pale lines down the back, and one more clearly marked on each side.
The butterfly appears in May, and again in August and September; and is everywhere common throughout the country.
It is called the Wall Butterfly from its frequent habit of choosing a road-side wall for a perch, whence, on the approach of man, it darts off; returning again, however, on the departure of the obnoxious person.
THE GRAYLING BUTTERFLY. (Hipparchia Semele.)
([Plate V]. fig. 6, Female.)
This fine insect is the largest British species of the genus, and also of the family, some of the females measuring two inches and three-quarters from tip to tip across the expanded wings; and it also exhibits more vivacity of colouring than most of its brethren.
Above, the wings are deep brown, marked with