BUTTERFLIES OF THE RHONE VALLEY. 259 



to net. Lycaena arion was not uncommon flying about the steep 

 slopes, and showing a strong tendency to variation in the direction of 

 var. obacura. I added two other species to my list in the capture of 

 odd examples of Ari/i/iinis adippe and Hippaychia scinde, both recently 

 emerged to judge by their condition. Occasionally Kripinu laratcrae, 

 lli'speriit cart/iaiiii, and H. alrcus were noticed on the steep hillsides, and, 

 at the blossoms of privet Nordinannia (T/iecla) ilicis, in fine condition, 

 was quite common. A few Loweia alciplirun var. (/ordinn, were on the 

 wing, and Aricia ostiarche occurred sparingly. About eleven o'clock, 

 clouds came up rapidly and obscured the sun, which remained 

 hidden for the remainder of the day. On patches of lucerne, between 

 Branson village and the Rhone, large numbers of Plebeius arrpis [ae(io)i) 

 were found at rest. Three more specimens of Scolitantides orion were 

 found on the rocks near Branson, their condition suggesting that they 

 belonged to a second brood, for all were in prime condition, whereas 

 the majority of those seen and taken in this locality on May 18th, 

 were more or less worn, some, in fact, being very tattered specimens. 

 One or two batches of larviB of Vauesxa io were seen on nettle, and one 

 batch almost full-fed was found feeding on hop. On returning, I 

 found that the sunshine had induced the caged ? M. parthenie to 

 oviposit, for about 80 ova had been laid in batches along and near the 

 midribs of the scabious leaves, but on the leaves of plantain none was 

 laid. 



The following day the outlook was again far from favourable, the 

 sky being overcast and the temperature low, with occasional showers 

 and a rather gusty wind. I walked under the cliffs from Martigny 

 to Vernayaz, but saw very few insects during the journey, and before 

 I reached Vernayaz heavy rain came on and continued for the rest of 

 the day. The continued absence of ideal collecting weather was 

 certainly somewhat discouraging, but, despite the unfavourable con- 

 ditions, each day I kept coming across new species, and the pleasure 

 of making their acquaintance and watching their habits was some 

 compensation for the meagreuess of the bag. On this day the new 

 arrival was Jircnthis daphne, a lovely insect, brightly coloured, as all 

 the family are on the upper surface of the wings, and exhibiting on 

 the underside a charming blend of colours, of which the rich purple 

 suffusion of the hindwings is the most conspicuous feature. One or 

 two Lnu'eia alciphron var. nordius were seen, whilst occasional MeUtaea 

 cinxia were still to be met with flitting about the footpath. On the 

 stonj'^ slopes a single Erehia stip/ne was taken, and Parar(je maera was 

 found resting on the rocks. I attempted to work the marshes for 

 Pohfovunatiis amandns, but I found only one or two, with a few each 

 of Coennnymplia {phis, Mditaea dicti/nna and Aiii/iadcs si/lraniiK, the 

 long grass being too wet for comfort. 



The following day, June 12th, was wretched in the extreme, a 

 blustering wind with a pelting rain prevailing all day. Early the next 

 morning the rain was still falling, but at 9 o'clock it ceased, and 

 although it was still dull, I set out for the walk under the clififs to 

 Vernayaz, for I still kept hoping for favourable conditions to test the 

 entomological wealth of this particular locality. From 10 to 11 o'clock 

 the sun shone brightly, and I had a busy and interesting time. In the 

 marsh butterflies were swarming; of these, Enodia hyperanthus, showing 

 signs of wear and wanting in variety, Pohjomniatus aiiiandus,oi which I 



