The butterfly is found from the end of June till the end of July; its favourite resorts being oak-woods in the southern counties.
Localities:—Colchester; Epping; Hartley Wood, near St. Osyth, Essex; near Rye, and in other parts of Sussex; at several places in Kent; near Winchester; and in Black Park, where Dr. Allchin informs me he took a large number in one day.
The superlatively graceful motions of this butterfly on the wing, as it comes floating and sailing through the wood openings, have long been celebrated; and the story has been often quoted from Haworth, of the old fly-fancier, who, long after he had become too feeble and stiff-jointed to pursue or net a butterfly, used to go and sit on a stile which commanded a well-known resort of his favourite Sybilla, and there, for hours together, would he feast his eyes on the sight of her inimitably elegant evolutions.
THE PURPLE EMPEROR. (Apatura Iris.)
([Plate VII]. fig. 2.)
By universal suffrage, the place of highest rank among the butterflies of Britain has been accorded to this splendid insect, who merits his imperial title by reason of his robe of royal purple, the lofty throne he assumes, and the boldness and elevation of his flight.
A glimpse of this august personage on the wing is enough to fire the collector with enthusiastic ambition
for his capture; sometimes a matter of the easiest accomplishment, sometimes just as hopelessly impossible, according to his majesty's humour of the moment.