COLLECTING IN SWITZERLAND IN 1908. 79 



pas were mostly resting on the path with wings closed verticallv, thus 

 becoming inconspicuous in the brilliant light ; when struck at they 

 instantly heeled over, thus eluding capture ; other Erebias seemed to 

 be on pairing intent. 



On the 31st we took the bridle-path to the Col de Bahne, the 

 famous point of view for Mont Blanc. Dipping down to the valley of 

 Trient, we found Erebia >ity(fne and a few fair h\ nianto in some 

 meadows, then, ascending by steep zigzags through the Forest of 

 Magnin (where we took a few more K. sU/ijne), we came to more open 

 ground, covered with Alpine rhododendrons. Here we expected to 

 find Brenthis pales and i'oUas palaeno, but were disappointed. Arriving 

 at the summit of the Col, we found a high wind blowing, and saAV no 

 insects with the exception of two Colias iHilaoio, single examples of 

 Parnassiiis deli us (?), Anthrocera exulans, a few Af/lais nrticae, and 

 J^ieris rapae. The absence of insects was probably due to the 

 rhododendrons having practically finished flowering. A few gentians 

 peeped out from the short grass, and in places there was a wealth of 

 violas and forget-me-nots. But the view of the Mont Blanc range, 

 with the glorious sun shining on the snow-covered peaks, is one never 

 to be forgotten, and coming upon one suddenly just as one reaches the 

 summit, after a weary upward grind of some hours, affects one 

 indescribably. We sat here a time, unable to take our eyes from the 

 fascinating panorama before us, then climbed higher still to the Croix 

 de Fer to obtain a still finer view, and, led by the advice of a nimble 

 goatherd, took a short cut down the steep mountain slopes, which we 

 are not likely to forget, especially as it commenced to rain and the 

 grass became somewhat slippery. However, not another insect 

 appeared, and we reached the Col de la Forclaz, having had a most 

 enjoyable day, but with a very poor bag. 



August 1st, not looking very promising, we worked in the aftermath 

 of some meadows near the hotel, and got a nice series of Krebla 

 ti/ndarus. These were not numerous and were restricted to one spot in 

 the meadow. They needed much looking over, but included a good 

 proportion of females. On comparing them with those taken last year 

 in the Laqumthal, 1 find the two spots near the apex of the fore- 

 wing far better defined in the Forclaz specimens than in those from the 

 Laquinthal. Urhicala euiiivia was evidently just coming on, and a 

 very few Vanessa io were taken. 



August 2nd was fine and sunny, so Ave spent the morning on the 

 glacier path. Besides the insects taken here previously, an occa- 

 sional worn Pa/iilio iiuahaon and PaiiiassiKs apullo were seen ; one 

 Pohjoiiniiatiis damon, Ariria astrarclie, and a few A;/i iades corijdon were 

 taken. On the 3rd we climbed to the summit of the Vanelot, no 

 insects appearing until we arrived at the rhododendrons. There we 

 took some very nice PJrenthis vales and CoUas palaeno, and a few 

 Issnria lathonia, all very fresh, just above the chalet, in little dells 

 below the ridge. The < '. palaeno settled on juniper-bushes, and, when 

 disturbed, flew very strongly up and over the ridge on to the Tete- 

 Noire side of the mountain, while B. pales flew close to the ground, 

 settling for a second or so on flowers of Arnica inontana and Hieraci ion 

 aiiiautiaciuii. jjy 3.30 p.m. the flight of these insects appeared to be 

 over. 



On Tue,*day, the 4th, we ascended the Arpille, from the summit of 



