IN SUNNY SPAIN. 85 



water was required to get a series. They confine themselves strictly 

 to the bog ; insects that flew beyond the marsh ahiiost always proved 

 to be E. tit/ioHKs. Satj/nis cin-e were very plentiful, but mostly passe, 

 on patches of dried up grass, rising in numbers, but not flying far, 

 and repeatedly returning to their original resting-places. 



It seemed strange to see -S'. circe skimming over grass after the 

 Digne experiences of the same insect settling on the higher branches 

 of cherry trees. Most of the other species on the slopes here were 

 passe: a new brood of liiiinicia phlaeas var. eleiis, however, appeared to 

 be out, together with Gonopteriix rhannii, which were observed suspended 

 from thistle-heads overhanging the higher courses of the brook. We 

 tried for Laeosapis rohoris, but although we found the ground, not one 

 was to be seen. We were (as we expected) too late. 



Along the road leading to the farm were, however, Sati/rKs circe, 

 S. alctjone, S. statiliniis, and Hii>}iaic]iia seiuele, mostly resting on tree- 

 trunks ; a few Heodes vin/aiireae var. )nieffii, chiefly $ s, and a few 

 very fresh C. pain/ihiliis var. li/lliis were sunning themselves on 

 some yellow composite flowers by the roadside. A new brood of 

 very small Colias cdiisa, with one or two bright Pi/raiiwis cardiii, 

 appeared on August 4th. The C. editsa were flying on the same 

 ground, with a few examples of ordinary size. Whilst at La 

 Granja we received the utmost kindness and attention from everyone. 

 It would perhaps be as well to warn future visitors of the probability 

 •of parcels from England (if sent by parcels' post) being kept at Segovia. 

 In this way we were denied the use of a large collecting zinc which we 

 had arranged to be sent out to us. The post offices, moreover, are 

 only open for inquiries between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. 



We left La Granja on Monday, August 5th, at 5. 130 a.m., for an 

 hour's diligence drive to Segovia, en route for Madrid and Cuenca. 

 The air was quite still, and peculiarly cold — shepherds leading their 

 flocks of black sheep and goats to pasture were enveloped in thick 

 plaids. One could understand the danger to health due to subtle 

 changes in the temperature of the atmosphere of these heights. 

 Presently the sun appeared over the mountain summits, and gradually 

 under its glowing beams the mists were dispersed, and the " campo," 

 with its great herds of black cattle, opened out before us. 



Madrid appeared to us verj' hot after the delightful air of La 

 Granja. We were told, however, that it was exceptionally cool all over 

 Spain for the time of year. We left by the 5.80 p.m. train for Cuenca. 

 This is the daily train, which stops at every station, arriving at Cuenca 

 at midnight. Here we were very comfortably lodged at the Hotel 

 Comercio — a "fonda," Avhere we were surprised to find the food very 

 good. There was no butter, however, and only goat's milk was 

 provided, although cow's milk is obtainable at the "lecheria." 



Cuenca is a delightfully situated and most picturesque Moorish 

 city, with a fine Gothic Cathedral. The people, of Moorish descent, 

 retain much of the ancient dress and many of the old customs. They 

 group themselves so picturesquely in the streets as to give delight 

 to the artistic eye. The shops appeared to be well stocked, and all 

 manner of tinned provisions could be obtained here. On the 7th we 

 walked up the Huecar gorge, through which has been constructed a 

 fine new road. We were too late again ; things entomological were 

 much Avorse than at La Granja, every vestige of herbage being dried 



