A midsummer's collecting at la granja. 35 



summer at least, I was too early for some of the things which Mr. 

 Sheldon appears to have found abundant at the same date the year 

 before. Probably north central Spain is subject to uncertainties of 

 climate during the spring months, as I notice that entomologists in 

 recording their experiences frequently say "it was a very late season." 

 It may be that we invariably start too earlj-, and need to readjust our 

 ideas of the climate. 



We arrived at La Granja about 6a.m. on June loth. "Mine 

 host " was not yet visible, and we had some difficulty with two voluble 

 females about rooms, but when he appeared in about an hour's time, 

 things were easily settled. After breakfast Jones and I started on a 

 tour of exploration. The morning was rather cool, and sunshine 

 uncertain. We had not gone far before our attention was arrested by 

 the evidence of a remarkable set back which vegetation had experienced. 

 Everywhere the shrubs, and especially the bushes of oak, a curious, 

 soft, woolly-leaved kind, were in a parlous plight. The young leaves, 

 about half-grown, were hanging down along the sides of the branches, 

 dying, or dead. At first we thought they were suffering from some 

 kind of blight, but a little investigation soon showed that it was the 

 result of cold and violent weather. Most probably there had lately 

 been a heavy snow-storm accompanied by some frost. Almost all the 

 young growth was destroyed, and the renewing of the foliage took 

 place, more particularly of the oaks, during my stay. This rough touch 

 of winter, after spring had reached the threshold of summer, could not 

 but have a deleterious efiect upon the " bugs." To this I ascribe the 

 lateness, and oftentimes the scarceness of many species, which we had 

 to deplore during the whole of our visit. In this our first walk, June 

 15th, there was very little of insect life to attract attention. It rained 

 in the afternoon, and the bad weather, rain, and cold, continued for 

 the next five days, during which my companion pathetically observed 

 that "he had never seen his own shadow." On the 19th, indeed, it 

 was so cold that we lunched and dined in great coats, and wearing 

 caps. On Sunday, June 21st, the sun came out as a giant, and we 

 had nothing but fine weather until the end of our visit, July 16th. 

 Unfortunately, Jones had to leave on the 26th, so only enjoyed six 

 days' collecting out of his fortnight's sojourn. I will not attempt to 

 give the results of our collecting day by day, during my own pro- 

 longed stay, but will offer a few general observations, supplying in 

 conclusion a complete list of captures with occasional notes. 



Iphiclides podalirius var. feisthaiiielii was fairly common, but often 

 very worn. Jones devoted the greater part of one morning to 

 this insect at damp patches on the road. One female secured is 

 remarkably large and beautiful. Papilio machaon was in no way 

 remarkable, except that it appeared to be very scarce and rather small. 

 Of the Pierids, Aporia crataciji was in very poor condition on our 

 arrival, but new emergences appeared later, and I took one very fine 

 ab. ? jiava. All the Pieris napl which came under my notice were 

 var. napaeae, but I am not prepared to say that the type was not 

 present. Fontia daplidice, scarce and worn at first, was in fair numbers 

 and excellent condition in the middle of July. One or two Anthocaris 

 belia var. ausonia during the first week. Both Jones and I saw one 

 and the same EucJdoe cardamines 5 , and no more. The entire absence 

 of Leptidia sinapis was a matter of surprise. Of the genus Colias, 



