46 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. II 



sects, especially Cynthia cardui, appear constantly 

 in some parts, and periodically in others." But the 

 most extraordinary fact recorded of this kind is one 

 related by this author, respecting the white W. hair- 

 streak butterfly ( Thecla W. album of Hubner, which 

 was at first regarded by Mr. Stephens as the Thecla 

 pruni of Linnaeus). Previous to 1827 this butterfly 

 had never been observed by him in the vicinity of 

 Ripley, where he had for several seasons been in 

 the habit of collecting, as we, who have had the 

 pleasure of accompanying him in some of his ex- 

 cursions near that town, can testify. But in the 

 month of July in that year, " the boundless profu- 

 sion with which the hedges /or miles were enlivened 

 by the myriads that hovered over every flower and 

 bramble blossom, exceeded any thing of the kind I 

 have ever witnessed ; some notion of the numbers 

 may be formed when I mention that I captured, 

 without moving from the spot, nearly two hundred 

 specimens in less than half an hour, as they suc- 

 cessively approached the bramble-bush where I had 

 taken up my position." It will be observed that the 

 insects were not confined to a single spot, but ex- 

 tended for miles ; their numbers must consequently 

 have been incalculable, and this is the more re- 

 markable since Mr. Stephens adds, "that the hedges 

 to the north and northwest of the village were per- 

 fectly free, although the brambles, &c., were in 

 plenty." 



