L. 3. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. b. 1.
The MARMORIS, or MARBLE BUTTERFLY. On the 8th of July, 1748. I took with my Net several Females of this sort of Fly, which is very common amongst the Hay-Grass. I put them in a Box, taking Care to hurt them as little as possible, with full Hopes that some of them would lay their Eggs; and according to my Wishes the next Morning I had 160 Eggs, which, when first laid, were of a fine yellow Colour, but in less than a Minute’s Time they became perfectly white, and are not glutinous like many other Sorts. On the 27th and 28th of the same Month the young Caterpillars appeared, and were put on common Grass to feed: They continued extremely small for some Months, and, notwithstanding great Care was taken of them, only three Flies were produced, the rest all dying in the Caterpillar State.
The different Changes observed in these three were as follows.
| Caterpillars changed their Skins. | Went to Chrysalis. | The Flies were bred. | ||||||
| The | { | 1st April,11 | May 6 | May 26 | June — 14 | July — 11 | } | 1748 |
| { | 2d April, 28 | May 21 | June 6 | June — 30 | July — 23 | } | ||
| { | 3d May, 1 | May 21 | June 9 | July — 4 | July — 27 | } | ||
The Caterpillars that produced these Flies changed to Chrysalis on the Ground, without fastening themselves to any Thing, and were fed all the Time with common Grass, and it is presumed changed their Skins twice before the 11th of April.
Figure 1. The Bent Grass. 2. Brown Millet-Grass. 3. Yellow Ladies Bedstraw. 4. The Great Fox-tail Grass.
1. Gramen segetum, panicula speciosa. Park. 2. Gramen miliaceum majus panicula spadicea. Petiv. 3. Gallium luteum, C. B. 4. Gramen Alopecuroides majus. Ger.
L. 3. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. b. 2.
The MEADOW BROWN-BUTTERFLY. The Caterpillar was found by Mr. Dandridge on the common Grass, with which he fed it ’till the 24th of May, when it fastened itself up by the Tail, and changed into a short thick green Chrysalis streaked with black, and on the 11th of June came out the Butterfly, which is one of the most common sorts the Fields afford, and yet the Caterpillar is rarely found.
See Albin, P. 53.
The Water Elder.
Opulus Ruellii. Instit. R. Herb.
L. 3. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. b. 3.
The GREAT ARGUS-BUTTERFLY breeds twice a Year: The first Time is in May, the second in July. Merian says, the Caterpillar feeds on Grass, and that it changes to a small green Chrysalis, from which proceeds this elegant Fly, adorned with brown and black Spots, having two white Horns spotted with black, and Eyes of a beautiful Colour. This Butterfly is very common; its Flight is not swift: It delights to settle on dry Banks and Walls, and in Path-Ways, and is not difficult to take. Its Caterpillar is seldom found.
See Merian, Vol. 2. Chap. 4.
The Passion-Flower.
Granadilla Pentaphyllos Flore cæruleo magno. Boerh.
L. 3. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. b. 4.
The WOOD ARGUS-BUTTERFLY. This also breeds twice a Year: The first Brood appears at the Beginning of May, the second at the Beginning of July. It flies slowly, and is to be taken in Woods, green Lanes, &c. Reaumur informs us, that the Caterpillar feeds on Grass; that it changed to a Chrysalis on the 19th of June, and that ten Days after the Fly was bred.
See Reaumur, Plate 27. Pag. 431.
The Spanish Broom.
Genista Iuncea, J. B.
Caterpillars having little Hair, producing Butterflies, whose Head and Body are much larger (for their Size) than any other Butterflies: Of which there are several belonging to this Section, whose Caterpillars have not as yet been discovered.
L. 3. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. c. 1.
The GRIZZLED BUTTERFLY. Mr. Rosel tells us, that the Caterpillar of this Fly was found on the Mallow, with the Leaves of which he fed it till the End of June, when it spun a Web amongst the Leaves, and changed to a Chrysalis, the Butterfly of which was bred the May following. This Fly is to be taken in Woods and Meads, at the Beginning of May: and although small, it flies swiftly, so that you must be very quick to take it.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 10. Merian, Vol. 1 Chap. 48.
The common Mallow.
Malva vulgaris. Park.