258 [NoTember, 



continuing to the end of June. It was addicted to the blossoms of heliotrope, 

 and it was a charming sight to see several puirs flying round and settling upon 

 this plant, the intense colour of tlieir wings foruiiug a striking contrast to the 

 ■white of the flowers. I took several specimens of the var. omphale, which are 

 smaller, yellower, and have longer tails. 



L. phlaeas. — Differed both in form and habit from the British pMaeas, all 

 being heavily suffused with greenish black, slightly larger, and the tails at the 

 outer angle are long and prominent. 1 did not find this species much in open 

 country, but in sheltered ravines and brambly passages between rocks it was in 

 great profusion. 



Polyommatus telicanus. — Only found by the banks of streams and in the 

 immediate vicinity of its foodplant, the Purple Loosestrife, round which there 

 were often scores to be seen. Very inconspicuous and swift in flight. The 

 most elusive " blue " I have met with. 



P. argus. — Common in June and July, flying round the Polygonum 

 rumicis. 



P. astrarche. — Smaller than British. The red spots are brighter, more 

 uniform, and extend quite to the costa. The pupils of the eyes are also larger 

 than in British specimens. Common in ravines in April and May. 



P. icariis. — Abundant in the usual habitats from April to September, 

 One afternoon I observed a congregation of thousands in a cave-like opening 

 in a ravine. Variation much as usual, but no blue females seen. 



P. cyllurus. — Three specimens only. Flies in bare rocky places in April. 



P. argiolus. — Common where ivy occurs, appearing as early as March. 



Spilothyrus alceae. — The commonest skipper, flying freely over the plains 

 and visiting thistles arid centaureas. I also found a good many at the loose- 

 strife in company with P. telicanus ; July and August. 



S, altheae. — Not so common as the last, but of similar habits. I have a 

 note of its appearance in April. 



Hesperia sidae. — One specimen only, taken in a ravine in May. 



H. malvae. — Common on hillsides in April and May. Blacker than 

 British, and the submarginal band very indistinct. A very variable species, 

 •which appears to merge imperceptibly into its allies. 



H. orbifer. — On the wing a little later than malvne, but frequents similar 

 eituations. 



Adopaea thamnas. — Common in ravines as early as May and not long on 

 the wing. There is a decided difference between Macedonian and British 

 forms. All the former are distinctly larger and the colour is brighter orange. 

 The underside is more uniformly fulvous orange, and I have one example in 

 which the lower surface of both wings is wholly of that colour. 



Faircotes, Harlow. 



October, 1919. 



