1879.] 3 



minded prejudice, whicli makes so many of our most enthusiastic 

 collectors aud best observers restrict tbemselves entirely to British 

 sj)ecies. 



It seems, however, as though a wider and more enlightened 

 spirit was springing up, and, in hopes that a few more years will 

 show a great advance in this branch of natural history, I venture to 

 give the results of my first attempt to learn something of the Lepi- 

 doptera of Europe. Having never seen the east of Switzerland, and 

 hearing that it was wilder, less overrun by tourists, and richer in rare 

 plants and insects than the west and north, I arrived at Chiavenna, 

 about two hours fi-om the head of the Lake of Como, at 11 a.m., on 

 July 6th. The scenery of the valley, on account of the luxuriance of 

 its vegetation aud the height and steepness of the surrounding moun- 

 tains, reminded me somewhat forcibly of the inner valleys of Sikkim ; 

 and the steamy heat, which prevailed after some wet days, called to 

 mind the glorious months I had spent in the sweltering gorges of that 

 incomparably rich and interesting countiy. 



Swallowing a hasty meal, which, to my surprise and disgust, con- 

 sisted, in the land of rice, fruit, and tomatoes, solely of roast beef and 

 bad potatoes, I went up the Yal Bregaglia, at the foot of which 

 Chiavenna lies, and was soon fully occupied with the numerous 

 butterflies which were out. Several species, including PoJyommatiis 

 Gordius, Lyccsna Avion, Pararge Mcera, Fap. Podalirius, Melitcea 

 didyma, and many others — were abundant ; but on this day, as on 

 others, I was obliged to pass by many Geometrce and other insects, 

 which would have been no doubt, to a more experienced and 

 enlightened Lepidopterist, the best worth observing and collecting. 



Evei'ything must have a beginning, and when one is in light 

 marching order, without setting-boards, pill-boxes, or other apparatus, 

 it is impossible to preserve everything one meets with. 



A number of rare ferns were growing near the pretty waterfall 

 on the north side of the valley, and showed, as well as the vines, that the 

 climate of this valley, though so close to the glaciers, is a very mild one. 



Next morning I started early by diligence for the Engadine, and 

 about half-way up the valley got down to walk over the pass, as the 

 sun was well up and the day fine. Parnassius Ajjollo appeared at 

 about 3500 ft., and was easily captured ; Argynnis Amathusia was the 

 next good thing, flying, in company with Aylaia and Pales, over the 

 as yet unmown meadows ; MelitcBa Dictynna, M. Parthenie, and M. 

 PJicehe were also taken, the former in abundance ; and Erebia Ceto and 

 Melampus a little higher. Curiously enough, I saw, in this valley, 



