THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE RHONE VALLEY. 185 



two or three specimens of both sexes being taken. Entlienionia 

 rus.sula was not uncommon, several being disturbed from the grass. 

 EucUdia i/li/phica and Strenia dathrata were absolute pests, starting up 

 at every step, whilst Scoria dealhata was also very common, a cocoon 

 of this species being found on a grass stem. Kmatiin/a atninaria and 

 Melanippe sociata were other species of moths noticed. After heavy 

 clouds had taken possession of the sky, very few insects were seen on 

 the wing, although a few CijaniriH fieimaniiis and ( 'npido oains (^sebruK) 

 were picked oil' the grass stems. 



On the following day, May 17th, it rained almost incessantly from 

 early morning until late afternoon. In the evening a search for " blues " 

 at rest in the locality of the previous day did not prove productive, as 

 only two r. sf'iDiarijiis were seen. The continued rainfall had evidently 

 driven the insects further down amongst the herbage, which was too 

 wet to permit of a more thorough search being made. 



The next morning opened fine, but colder after the heavy rain of 

 the previous day, and the aspect of the sky was not very reassuring. I 

 took the train to Martigny for Branson, in the hope of being able to 

 find Sculitantidcs nrion in the latter locality. On reaching Martigny 

 the sky was clearer, and the sun was shining with increased power ; 

 afterwards it turned out a gloriously fine day, with the sun shining 

 brilliantly, although a rather strong wind prevailed. Solitary examples 

 of (rlaiicopsi/che ci/llarns and ( 'elastrina an/iohis were taken soon after 

 leaving Martigny. On the roadway leading through the fields to the 

 Rhone, numbers of Cj/aniris sciiiiari/iis and Cupido osiris (si'biiis) were 

 sitting. Near the bridge Colias hijale was flying in numbers, and an 

 occasional C ednsa was noticed. Crossing the bridge over the Rhone, the 

 footpath to the left was taken along the banks of the canal. Flitting about 

 the path were numbers of I'lebciits anii/roipioiiion in tine condition, with 

 occasional Paraiye we(/aem, equally fresh. A single Ei-cres alceton was 

 taken here, and both Hcsperia malrae and H. serratulae were netted. 

 One or two specimens of Iphiclides podalirius were flying up and down 

 the canal channel, but always at a tantalising distance from the net. 

 Pijratr-i'is atalanta and Vanessa io were both noticed hereabouts. A 

 search for Sculitantidi's orion amongst the rocks and vineyards on the 

 opposite bank of the canal was unsuccessful, A few hsoiia lat/ionia 

 were seen ; its habit of settling on the bare patches, and then dashing 

 off as one approached, being very provoking. Returning to the Rhone 

 bridge, I made for the rocks in the vicinity of Branson village. As I 

 approached, a small dark butterfly was netted as it flew off" the rock 

 face, and proved to be S. nrion in excellent condition. I worked all 

 the rocks liereabouts very carefully, but only found five more specimens, 

 two of which were too worn to keep. Large green lizards were basking 

 on the rocks in the brilliant sunshine, and from a neighbouring copse 

 a nightingale burst out in full song. Numbers of butterflies were 

 flitting about the grass and lucerne plots lying between Branson and 

 the Rhone. Picris rapae and /'. jiapi were common and typical, and a 

 single ragged Pontia daplidice was netted. Aporia cratari/i was fairly 

 common, and in fine condition. A few Melitara cin.ria and M. partlienie 

 were flying about the grass plots. Amongst the "blues," Plebrim 

 ariiijroiinoiiion and Pidi/omiiiatns i,:ari(s, including ab. icarinioi, were 

 fairly common ; Aijriadex thetis was less common, and Ariria astrarrlie 

 occurred sparingly. All were in fine condition, in fact, the fine 



