LKPIDOPTEEA OF SUSSEX. 49 



to mention that all those named by Miss Catlow are found in the vicinity 

 of Lewes: — 



From our being almost surrounded with chalk hills, we possess the greater 

 part of the genus Polyommatus. P. argiolus, (Azure Blue,) not rare in early 

 spring, settling on the young leaves of the Hawthorn, (Cratcegus Oxyacantha,) 

 near Mill-Field, Cliffe Hill, and near Kingston. P. alsxis, (Bedford Blue,) 

 plentiful; little colonies of them on a sunny bank, studded with the beautiful 

 yellow blossoms of Hippocrepis comosa, (Horse- shoe Vetch,) at the foot of 

 the Downs. P. acis, (Mazarine Blue,) I once had the good fortune to take a 

 single specimen on Hamsey Common. P. Corydon, (Chalk-hill Blue,) abundant 

 on CliSe and Firle Hills about the 10th. and 12th. of August. P. Argus, 

 (Silver-studded Blue,) not very common, although some few examples may be 

 found annually in June in "Bible bottom;" and the beautiful little P. agestis, 

 (Brown xArgus,) is scattered over the less exposed slopes of our Downs 

 sparingly. We have the two brilliant pretty Blues included in Miss Catlow's 

 list, P. Adonis and Alexis, both in abundance, appearing in June, and a second 

 brood in August. These favourite Downs are well-known localities for TJigmele 

 alveolus, (the Grizzle Skipper,) PampJiila sylvaniis, (Large Skipper,) and P. 

 comma, (Pearl Skipper;) this last-named insect, although abundant in one 

 particular spot, is not generally distributed here. It is stated by Miss Jermyn, 

 in her "Vade-mecum," as being plentiful in this same locality. 



In this long valley, called Ox-settle, at the base of that classical promon- 

 tary. Mount Caburn, we frequently meet with the rare Colias Hyale, (Pale 

 Clouded Yellow;) and although a periodical visitor, is not, as was supposed, 

 septennial in its appearance: examples having been taken for two or three 

 successive seasons, and for the same period none have been observed. I well 

 remember the first time I beheld this comparatively rare Butterfly on the 

 22nd. of August, 1842. What a discovery I had made, and what an addition 

 to our local list! It was flying in considerable numbers over a large piece 

 of Clover, {TrifoUum pratense,) on the Downs between the villages of Rod- 

 mill and Rottingdcan, and was even more numerous on that occasion than its 

 congener, C. Edusa, (Clouded Yellow.) In the autumn of 1851, a friend cap- 

 tured several examples in the same district, and also nearer Brighton. 



Colias Edusa may be said to be a tolerably common insect in this neigh- 

 bourhood; and in fact generally along the coast on the extremity of the 

 Downs, between Newhaven and Worthing, appearing annually more or less. 

 During the fine autumn of 1845 it was unusually abundant, and fine specimens 

 were taken as late as November 4th. and 5th: it was very plentiful again in 

 1847. 



If we proceed in a northerly direction from hence in our rambles, we shall 

 soon come to a favourite oak wood, the Flasket, a very productive spot for 

 the entomologist or botanist. It is here where the beautifully-tessellated 

 Hamearis Lucina, (Duke of Burgundy,) is seen, and not of rare occurrence; 

 also the sober-coloured Thrda quercus, (Purple Hair Streak,) circling round 



VOL. III. H 



