226 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECOKD. 



a nice form of which I got on the high alps far above Abries. This is 

 very culpable, as I ought not to have been guilty of such a lapse. 

 When I say that insects were rare at Gresy, it must only be considered 

 as comparative. Enodia dryas abounded on the isolated lucerne heads, 

 but the males were badly worn, and the females chipped. A tiny race 

 of Polyommatus icarus ab. icarinus was also abundant, and so was 

 Erebia aethiops, in the very finest condition, the spotting remarkably 

 heavy, as usual, and the best specimens just as easy to scratch. 

 Hipparchia arethusa was in good condition, but small and scarce, and 

 no females, and whilst all other species were early, the drought seemed to 

 have thrown the species here late. Colias Injale, instead of being at its 

 best, was nearly over, but C. edusa was in excellent order, and Agriades 

 bellargits, rarely seen abundantly in mid-August, was well out, even 

 females falling to the net. The Coenonympha pamphilus undersides 

 were particularly brown. A single small male of Loioeia dorilis and a 

 couple of rather worn male Polyommatus hylas were found with an 

 abundance of Agriades corydon and a single Hesperia alveus, as well as 

 plenty of Urbicola comma. A pair of Limenitis Camilla were taken, the 

 male very small, hardly so tiny, however, as some of those from Digne. 

 The second-brood specimens of Leptidia sinapis were also much smaller 

 than usual. Of species usually common, of which few only were seen, 

 one may note Epinephele tithonus, Pararge megaera, and P. maera, 

 and whilst Epinephele ianira was common enough, E. lycaon was not 

 seen at all. 



Next day, August 22nd, the continued fine hot weather tempted 

 one to get as high as possible, and hence, by a morning train, I made 

 the ascent of the Eevard. It was a lovely day, but the summit is 

 much too grazed for insects. Still, the day was not altogether wanting 

 for sport. On the highest point of the Eevard, several frne large 

 Papilio machaon flew like birds, swift and w r ary, settling with open 

 wings, quickly drawn up, and ready to dart off at the slightest sign of 

 a too near approach. It was splendid sport catching the alert and 

 beautiful creatures, a memory to last till the summer holidays come 

 round again. Here, too, were a few female Parnassius apollo, in none 

 too good condition, suggesting that the species was nearly over. 

 On the thyme blossoms in one of the gullies, Gonepteryx rhamni was 

 abundant; here, also, was Aglais urticae, Pieris brassicae, Polyommatus 

 icarus, Argynnis niobe, and Hipparchia alcyone, all in fine condition, 

 with a single Polygonia c-album. Over the pasturages, magnificent 

 < 'olias cthi.sa were flying swiftly, some of the largest I have seen, C. hyale 

 also occurring therewith. The commonest insect, however, was 

 Urbicola comma. Hesperia alveus occurred, but was too worn to keep 

 examples. The only Crambids observed w r ere (.'rambus geniculens and 

 a very pale form of ( '. tristellus. All these specimens were captured at 

 an elevation of 5000ft. 



Entomological Societies and Scientific Records. 



By S. J. BELL. 

 As one of those secretaries whose reports, by implication rather than 

 by overt statement, are attacked in the Eev. C. E. N. Burrows' article 

 on " records," I crave permission to enter a protest on behalf of the 

 unfortunate reporting secretary. 



