  In this paper we study the existence and linear stability of bright and dark
breathers in one-dimensional FPU lattices. On the one hand, we test the range
of validity of a recent breathers existence proof [G. James, {\em C. R. Acad.
Sci. Paris}, 332, Ser. 1, pp. 581 (2001)] using numerical computations.
Approximate analytical expressions for small amplitude bright and dark
breathers are found to fit very well exact numerical solutions even far from
the top of the phonon band. On the other hand, we study numerically large
amplitude breathers non predicted in the above cited reference. In particular,
for a class of asymmetric FPU potentials we find an energy threshold for the
existence of exact discrete breathers, which is a relatively unexplored
phenomenon in one-dimensional lattices. Bright and dark breathers superposed on
a uniformly stressed static configuration are also investigated.
