DUBLIN UNIVERSITY ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 49 



the more Alpine plants of such localities, and was fortunate enough to 

 meet with an old shepherd who had sufficient knowledge of flowers and 

 interest in their study to assist me in my views. He obtained for me, 

 from the most elevated ridges of the Monne, a good-sized box of speci- 

 mens, that furnished me with many truly Alpine forms : — Ranunculus 

 Pyrenceus, Dry as octopetala, Hutchinsia Alpina, Gentiana acaulis, and G. 

 verna; Galium Pyrenaicum, Androsace villosa, and A. cornea; Primula 

 integrifolia, and JErinus Alpinus ; Paronychia serpyllifolia, with its cu- 

 riously silvered bracts, amid which nestled its half-concealed flowers. 

 These, together with superb pyramids of Saxifraga cotyledon, and many 

 other novelties, attested the diligence of my collector, and warrant my re- 

 commendation of his services to future travellers. His name is Michael 

 Lacarret ; he is well known in Cauteretz, and a good specimen of the 

 Pyrenean shepherd, with his stalwart frame, his flowery locks, and 

 characteristic berret. He is well to do in the world, and resides, with 

 his flock, in winter, at Coarraze, near Pau, accompanying them and his 

 servants, in the summer, to the lofty pasturage of the Monn6 and the 

 Maillardon. 



The arable land around Cauteretz was chiefly devoted to the growth 

 of hay, and the numerous mountain streams were ingeniously applied to 

 purposes of irrigation. Two, three, or even four crops are not unusually 

 the results of the care bestowed upon the land. 



At this high elevation meadows of maize, which equally profit by 

 frequent irrigation, were not unusual, indicating the high average tem- 

 perature of the summer, and the dryness of the air in this mountain 

 valley. Even in the milder atmosphere of the southern counties of Eng- 

 land and Ireland, possessing a far higher average temperature than 

 Cauteretz, the growth of this valuable grain is impossible, or unremu- 

 nerative, from the greater amount of moisture in the air, and less pow- 

 erful heat of the summer sun. 



Of the animal productions in the environs of Cauteretz I can only 

 speak in general terms. Stuffed specimens of the chamois (here called 

 the izzard), and excellent venison furnished by its flesh — not an unfre- 

 quent dish at our table d'hote — were my only opportunities of forming 

 an acquaintance with this wary little antelope, that can only be seen 

 alive on the most inaccessible peaks of the Vignemale. The Mygale 

 Pyrenaica is an object of curiosity to the inhabitants themselves, and the 

 ibex and the bear, though undoubted natives of these mountains, are 

 fast approaching the fate of the wolf of Britain. Insect life was more 

 abundant and noticeable. The order Hemiptera seemed to have nume- 

 rous representatives; and Orthoptera, of the family of the Gryllidse, with 

 green, blue, and scarlet wings, flitted on every rock ; the stag-beetles 

 were frequent in the Pare ; and every sunny dell was enlivened by the 

 rich colours of numerous, and to the English collector rare, species of 

 the butterfly tribe. Of the latter I easily procured as many speci- 

 mens as I could conveniently and safely pack away of the Apollo, the 

 Machaon, the Morio, and other smaller, but not less beautiful, forms. 



On the great source of repute to Cauteretz — its mineral springs — it 



VOL. IV. h 



