1914 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45 



Many beautiful butterflies sport around. I can mention but a few of them. 

 The pretty Speckled Wood {Lasiommata ccgeria) is everjivhere in evidence. The 

 lovely Peacock {Vanessa io) and the Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) show well 

 against the surrounding foliage. The Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) 

 flits over the brambles, on which its larva3 feed. Once in an age a Queen of Spain 

 Fritillary (Argynnis lathonia) makes its appearance — blown over, it may be, from 

 France. The Bath White {Pieris daplidice) sometimes shows itself, and formerly 

 the Black Veined White {Aporia cratcegi) could often be seen. 



Years ago, in such a wood, I saw what English entomologists seldom see — a 

 specimen of the Camberwell Beauty (Vanessa antiopa). It came sailing over 

 the tree-tops and lit upon an oak sapling immediately before me, and then opened 

 its lovely wings. A moment — and it was gone! And I saw it again no more. 

 Where oak trees are plentiful in the forest, the monarch of English butter- 

 flies, the stately Purple Emperor, may sometimes be seen, and there the Purple 

 Hairstreak will surely be found, 



Eemarkable instances of insect mimicry will engage the attention in such a 

 wood. Here by the road-side is a bush of Broom — the Planta genista of olden 

 times; from which the great Plantagenets of English History derived their sur- 

 name: 



" That name Count Geoffrey did assume 

 When, riding to the chase, 

 He wore in his casque, instead of plume, 

 A nodding crest of the yellow Broom, 

 In its fresh and fragrant grace." 



As the traveller approaches the shrub, he will be surprised tu see a number of 

 supposed leaves of the plant detach themselves from the twigs and flutter away. 

 They are specimens of the tiny Green Hairstreak (Thecla rubi). 



At another time, noticing the long cylindrical catkins of the birch, he will be 

 astonished to see that which he had taken to be one of them move away with 

 alternate loops and strides. It is a larva of the Large Emerald Moth (Geometra 

 papilionaria L.). 



In the woodland lane the ear is — " charmed with concord of sweet sounds." 

 Suppose yourselves in such a lane — call to your imagination its sights and sounds. 



Let us recline beneath this tree, 



So ragged with lichens — ragged and gray; 

 Its fretwork of leaves shall our canopy be. 



Our carpet the moss where the sunbeams play. 



And we'll list to the pipes of the robin and wren. 



To the flute of the merle so loud and clear. 

 To the trumpet call of the cuckoo, and, then. 



To the deep bassoon of the stock-dove near. 



See you the black-cap 'mid the leaves; 

 With his glad song his bosom heaves; 

 His efforts rouse to rivalry 

 The pride of all Pan's company 



Of choristers, sweet Philomel, 



And now soft cadence and rich swell. 



And hurried note and note prolonged. 

 Echo the glades and thickets through; 

 As oft, when Sol is borne from view, 

 In his car of crimson clouds they do, 



Till heaven with listening stars is thronged. 



— T. W. F. 



