A FEW NOTES OK SOME INSECTS TAKEN IN SWITZEKLAND. 240 



I could not resist the temptation, and so taking a limp felt hat off my head, 

 I began to pursue some of the many butterflies which settled on the path. 



The first captured, and which species seemed to be decidedly the most 

 abundant, was a variety of the Scotch Argus, {Hipparchia Blandina,) dis- 

 tinguished by black occelli, with bluish pupils on a band of red. This 

 butterfly appears to confine itself to the mountainous districts, as I did not 

 meet with it in the lower valleys. 



Having walked on some distance, and being then much higher on the 

 mountains, what was my surprise and pleasure to see, settled on a flower 

 close to the path, a "Glorious Apollo." I cautiously approached him, but 

 being unaware, after I had struck at him, that he was under the lining of 

 my hat, I suffered him to escape, which he did apparently uninjured; of 

 course I was bitterly disappointed, but was repaid by the capture of two others 

 subsequently. This insect, {Parnassius Apollo,) is very bold; the flight strong 

 and vigorous, and the body thick and leathery, offering great resistance to 

 the pin; the scales also appear not easily rubbed off. 



Near the Tete Noire I noticed several specimens of Argynnis, "Adippe" 

 I believe, which I could not capture. 



The Grasshoppers were exceedingly plentiful, including the large green 

 species; and the noise made by them towards the evening was surprising. 



Towards noon the butterflies deserted us, and all the insects I saw were a few 

 Beetles. Many Hawks, some of very large size, occasionally were seen floating 

 about among the mountains. Ferns of all kinds were remarkably abundant, 

 and I could promise the botanist a rich harvest in Switzerland. 



The next day, in a walk along the plain from Martigny to Villeneuve, I 

 observed a specimen of the Scarce Swallow-tail Butterfly, (Papilio Podaliriits,) 

 Pale Clouded Yellow B., {Colias Hyah,) was also extremely abundant, as 

 well as the Painted Lady, {Cynthia Cardui.) 



My next and last opportunity for entomologizing was at Lausanne, where 

 I spent a few days. In a neighbouring wood I took among others, Argynnis 

 Paphia and Leucoj^hasia Sinapis, tolerably abundant; Polyommntus Adonis 

 and P. Cory don, scarcer; Hipparchia Hyper anthus, or a large variety thereof; 

 H. Janira, and also a pale variety; Pieris Cratcegi and Zygena Filipendulce, 

 and a variety. 



In the fields I obtained Papilio Machaon and Colias Hyale; Cynthia Cardui 

 was extremely plentiful, but difficult to capture, being easily disturbed; it is 

 also almost impossible to procure a perfect specimen: there were hundreds in 

 a field of clover which we entered. I purchased a specimen of Gonepteryx 

 Cleopatra, which is just like G. Bhamni, with the exception of having a 

 brilliant suffusion of orange on the anterior wings. At the proper season it 

 is very common, and found in company with G. Bhamni. Vanessa C-album 

 is also common, and Lyccena Chryseis may be procured without difficulty. 



In conclusion, I would remark that the naturalist would find ample com- 

 pensation for a visit to Switzerland in the variety and beauty of the plants 



VOL. II. 2 K 



