Chromatic Splendor: The Copper, Argus, and Blue of Morris's 1890 Lepidoptera

The three butterfly species depicted in the original hand-colored plates from the sixth edition of "A History of British Butterflies" by Morris, published in 1890, are a fascinating ...

The butterflies depicted in the plates are special, both historically in the context of British lepidopterology and scientifically in terms of their morphology and behavior. 1. Arran Brown (Erebia ligea) - The image labeled "22" likely depicts what is commonly known as the Arran Brown, previously known as Arran Argus. It's a species that prefers grassy habitats and flies low to the ground. These butterflies have brown wings with eye-like spots on the upper side, which can confuse predators into attacking the wrong part of the body. 2. Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops) - The image labeled "23" seems to represent the Scotch Argus. This butterfly has dark brown wings with orange bands containing black spots, each centered with a tiny white dot. It is commonly found in damp grassy areas and is especially interesting due to its limited distribution, being primarily found in Scotland and parts of Northern England. 3. Small Ringlet (Erebia cothurnatus) - The image labeled "24" probably shows the Small Ringlet, which in some texts may be referred to as Small Mountain Ringlet or Small Heath...

Given the historical significance and the artistic presentation of these illustrations, an alternative fitting title for the combined image could be "Vintage Lepidoptera Elegance: Ha...

The butterflies depicted in these plates, the Greasy Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary, and Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, are all members of the Fritillary subgroup, which is part of the...

'1. 2. Catagramma astarte 3. 4. Haematera pyramus' Late 19th century colour lithograph of butterflies.

'1. Danaus plexippus 2. Tiramala limniace' Late 19th century colour lithograph of butterflies.

Rare pair of original hand-colored prints from Sir Albertus Seba's cabinet of natural curiosities. Prints come from published volumes in Amste...

'1. 2. Pseudolycaena marsyas 3. 4. Evenus regalis' Late 19th century colour lithograph of butterflies.