184 THE entomologist's record. 



away with me a true impression of the real wealth of Swiss butterfly- 

 life in its most favourable aspects, for the best weather occurred during 

 the early part of my stay, when only a comparatively small number 

 of species had made their appearance. Still I had no great cause for 

 complaint. I made the most of my time, and, during the six weeks I 

 spent in the Valley of the Rhone, I came across no fewer than one 

 hundred and six species of butterflies, of which I was able to take 

 specimens of all except three species, which, to anyone accustomed to 

 collecting only in the British Isles, is not a bad result. 



Acting on the advice of Mr. Wheeler, who most kindly furnished 

 me with a mass of the most valuable information with regard to 

 routes and the most favourable localities, I decided to work the Rhone 

 Valley from different centres, keeping to the lowlands generall}' on 

 account of the earlj- nature of my visit — May 16th to June 25th. 

 Aigle was chosen as the first centre, and, when I arrived here about 

 10.30 on the morning of May 16th, the outlook was distinctly 

 promising, for the sun was shining brilliantly. The first insects seen 

 were Pterin rapae, I'araiije vieiiaera, Celastriiia ari/iolus, and (inneiiteryx 

 rhanrni, which were flying in the spacious garden attached to the Hotel 

 Beau- Site, where I stayed during my stay at Aigle. 



After lunch, I walked along the main road in the direction of St. 

 Triphon. The weather conditions were now less favourable, for heavy 

 clouds were forming, shutting out the sun at intervals. Immediately 

 after leaving Aigle, some grass land to the left of the road attracted 

 my attention on account of the number of insects flying about. A 

 good proportion of the butterflies were " blues," and, on netting them, 

 the commonest proved to be Cyanin's sewiargus, in prime condition. 

 It was indeed a most pleasurable experience to see this rare British 

 species flitting about as commonly as one sees Polyoniniatus icarus in 

 our English meadows. Flying in company with C. seuiiarf/ns, in 

 equally prime condition, and almost as common, was Cujiido osiris 

 (sebnis), although I did not distinguish between the two species at the 

 moment of capture. Ctipido niininius, in fewer numbers, was flitting 

 here and there. Euddo'e canlamines was common, but showing signs 

 of wear. A few Colias Jiyale were frequenting the blossoms of clover 

 and other flowers, and I very much admired the fine powers of flight 

 possessed by Papilio marhaon, which I saw on the wing here for the 

 first time. At the foot of the wooded hill, Leptosia sinapis was common 

 and in good condition, with occasional worn Brenthis euphrosyne : 

 while hybernated specimens of Gonepteryx rliamvi and Vanessa io were 

 dashing backwards and forwards. A solitary worn specimen of 

 Erynnis alceae was taken here, with single examples of Issoria lat/icnia, 

 worn, and Brenthis dia. After an hour's collecting in this place, I 

 moved further on, crossing the road, and taking the footpath leading 

 through the St. Triphon marshes. Here, in the fields adjoining, I 

 found enough butterflies to engage my attention. The majority of 

 the species already noted were seen here in greater numbers, and, in 

 addition, Melitaea aiirinia, nicely varied, but getting rather worn, 

 with M, cinxia, in prime condition, were found. An Krebia flying 

 steadily just above the grass attracted attention, and on netting, it 

 proved to be PJrebia medusa, its fine condition showing it to be evidently 

 just emerging. Hesperia malvae was occasionally noted. An insect 

 with a pronounced " copper " flight turned out to be Loireia dorilis, 



