MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA FOUND IN NAIRNSHIRE 13 



shire ; but hitherto, for this branch of natural history, the 

 writer has had this district for many years all to himself. 

 As the result of his labours, however, there are no rarities, 

 no startling discoveries, in the following list, and its chief 

 merit must therefore be only some additional aid in settling 

 more accurately the northern distribution of several species. 

 Ninety-nine per cent are personal local captures, there being 

 scarcely one which is not now represented in the author's 

 cabinet. It is possible that an individual or two may be 

 misnamed, but they have all been identified with the greatest 

 care. A few doubtful insects were submitted to an expert 

 in London, and afterwards minutely compared with the 

 special description in Newman's " Natural History of British 

 Butterflies and Moths." So far there has been no desire on 

 our part to possess a full series of the British Lepidoptera, 

 but simply an earnest attempt to make the local collection 

 as complete as possible. 



Argynnis aglaia. Occasional. On the hillsides and open woods 

 partially covered with Pteris aquilina : only a few captures. 

 A. euphrosym. Occurs in considerable numbers in Ferness 

 Woods and along the whole valley of the Findhorn. 



Vanessa urticce. As common as it is pretty. Bold enough to 

 familiarly enter our houses, it sometimes hibernates in our 

 rooms during the winter. 



Pyrameis atalanta. Variable in its appearance in Ardclach, but 

 usually scarce. Several good specimens were taken at Ferness 

 in August 1893. P. cardui. -Took several insects in the 

 garden of the Schoolhouse at Ardclach t in 1882 and 1884, 

 but have not observed any since. 



Erebia medea. Appears in great numbers every year on the banks 

 of the Findhorn. This season it was out on the 6th July. 



Epinephek janira. Generally abundant in every meadow. 



Cixnonympha damis. Occurs on the moors, but not common. 

 C. painphilus. Frequent on our heaths and rough pastures, 

 and ascends to the highest elevations in the parish. 



Theda rubi. Never plentiful, but may usually be met with now and 

 again in our woods and heaths all over the district. 



Polyommatus phlozas. Common in the lower reaches of Nairnshire, 

 but crosses the Findhorn very sparingly towards the moors. 



LycKita icarus. Frequent all over the parish. 



