A MONTH IN THE RHONE VALLEY IN 1909. 125 



A Month in the Rhone Valley in 1909. 



By ROSA E. PAGE, B.A. 



The spring and early summer of 1909 had been unusually cold and 

 rainy ; reports from all parts were most unfavourable ; in the middle 

 of July we were warned not to attempt the mountains, as people who 

 had ventured thither were spending their time round hotel fires, the 

 clouds being quite low down. 



However, buoyed up by the hope that we might be more fortunate 

 than those who had gone out earlier in the season, and that species 

 might be later than usual, we arranged to spend the first few days at 

 Eclepens. Here, indeed, we had magnificent weather, but did not find 

 insects so plentiful as in 1907. 



On Friday, July 23rd, we went in search of Apatara ilia, five or 

 six of which were seen, but proved to be very much on the alert and 

 difficult to net. Limenitis Camilla was flying in the wood, but did not 

 come within reach. Returning to the road, and continuing up the 

 hill in the direction of Cossonay, we captured several Apatura ilia and 

 one A. iris, which Avere alternately skimming up and down the road, 

 and settling on mule-droppings. Many others were flying from tree 

 to tree, but could not be coaxed down, when once they had settled. 

 Goneptenjx rhaiimi, Lcptosia sinapis, and Pieri.i ??a/jt were all in splendid 

 trim, gently flitting from flower to flower, along the tall hedges. 



The marsh proved disappointing; Enodia Iiyperanthus was 

 abundant, mostly of the ab. vidua form ; a few Lycaena avion and 

 L. alcon were netted in good condition ; Melanavgia galatea was 

 numerous, but going over. On the 24th, the steep path near the 

 mouth of the tunnel was taken. On the ground above, Pavnaasius 

 cipollo var. pseudonniiiion, Nisoniades taf/es, (ronepiteri/x rhatirni, and 

 Cuenoni/inpha arcania var. daviciniana were found, all in good condition, 

 but Xonhiianitia ilicis was worn. 



Farther on, through the Avood, w^e found nothing of note, so 

 returned to the Cossonay toad about 4 p.m., hoping to see more 

 Apatnva ilia. In this we were disappointed, not a specimen was to be 

 seen, although the road was still bathed in brilliant sunshine ; evidently 

 it Avas too late in the day. 



The next morning we went straight to the Apaturid haunts, but 

 although scA'eral A. ilia Avere seen, Ave failed to net them. Returning 

 to the La Sarraz Road, we turned off to the right, and took the rough 

 road up the hill and through the oak-Avood. On the slopes, among 

 the scrub, Avas hfioria lathouia, evidently just out ; a fcAV Goneptenjx 

 rJiauini and Avuynnis niohe were resting on the floAvers, and a couple of 

 Sculitantidefi baton Avere netted. In the AVOod Avere Litnenitis Camilla 

 flying round the trees, and across the glades, together Avith Apatava 

 ilia. We Ave re very pleased to see Pararye achiiie for the first time; 

 these AA-ere plentiful, but A^ery much Avorn. Very finely marked 

 Coenonyrnp/ia arcania Avere taken, both in the woods and on the edge 

 of the marsh. 



On examining the captured specimens, A\'e found that, while 



Apatnva iris Avas in first-rate condition, A. ilia had lost much of its 



freshness ; we Avere evidently too late for the latter species in spite of 



the season having been so much retarded. We were, hoAvever, amply 



June 15th, 1910. 



