S-1141001_COMPLETO.pdf

PLATE XLVI1I.
114
WEAVER'S FRITILLARY.
Melitcea dia, STEPHENS. JEEMYN. WESTWOOD.
Papilio dia, JJINN^EUS. STEWABT. TUETON.
Argynnis dia, OCHSENHEIMEB. HUBNEE.
MR. Richard Weaver has taken this rare fly at Sutton Park,
near Tamworth, and Mr. Stanley near Alderley, in Cheshire.
Certain "Malignants" having doubted the former captures, I
feel constrained to rescue an honest man's character from the
undeserved imputation. In a letter I received from the late Dr.
Shirley Palmer, of Tamworth, Warwickshire, dated so recently
as the 23rd. of October, 1852, he says, "I know not whether
you are personally acquainted with that extraordinary man. He
possesses the most correct eye for the discrimination of species
of any individual whom I have hitherto met with. On several
occasions the poor fellow has experienced rather shabby treat­
ment from the entomologists of London and Paris, and I have
had to vindicate him from charges of unblushing falsehood and
gross negligence, of which I know him to be utterly incapable.
His assertion respecting the capture of any rare insect, if made
by himself, may be most implicitly relied on." I formerly,
Avhen at Bromsgrove school, knew Mr. Weaver personally myself,
as a most successful, because a most indefatigable collector,
and the opinion of such a man as the late lamented Dr. Palmer
be may AVCII be contented with, should this record of it meet
bis eye. 'Satis est equitcs plaudere.'
The caterpillar feeds on the SAveet-scented violet, ( Viola
oclorata,) and there arc tAvo broods in the year.
This species measures a little OAxr an inch and a half in
the expanse of its wings. The fore Avings are of a reddish