1~)2 [December, 



tion is very rich, and differs in some respects from that of the 

 corresponding valleys north of the Alps, the large chestnut trees, 

 extending up to nearly 4000 feet, being the chief feature. 



At Ceppo Morelli, about half way up the valley, Parnassius 

 Apollo occurred, most of thq specimens, when flying, resembling I'ed ' 

 butterflies, from the under-side of the wings being covered with 

 pollen of a red species of lily, on which the butterflies alighted. A 

 very large specimen of Saturnia pyri, <^, measuring 5| inches across 

 the wing, flew to the light in the hotel in the village, much to the 

 astonishment of the visitors. 



A little above Ceppo Morelli the somewhat local Parnassius 

 Mnemosyne was very abundant, forcibly reminding one of Aporia 

 crateegi on the wing. 



As one ascended the valley, the Apollos disappeared, and were 

 replaced by three species of Erehia : Ceto, Medusa, and Evias (all of 

 which species I may mention I took last year in the valleys on the 

 north side of Monte Eosa) ; also Pararge Siera and (Eneis A'ello, 

 which latter was in its usual tattered condition. 



At Macugnaga, 5115 feet, so early in the year, there was naturally 

 but little to be seen beyond a few^ P. napi, var. hryonice. 



On returning to Stresa, on the 10th of June, several additional 

 species were to be found in the meadows, among others, beautiful 

 violet specimens of Polyommatus Gordius, and a few Argynnis Adippe, 

 var. Gleodoxa. 



On arriving, on the 12th of June, at Locarno, situated at the 

 northern extremity of Lago Maggiore, another opportunity presented 

 itself for seeking new species in a fresh locality, but a day spent in 

 the woods was productive of but poor results, as I only succeeded in 

 meeting with a few Neptis LnciUa, Lyccena Orion, Coenoiiyviplia 

 Arcanius, and a solitary specimen of Vanessa polycliloros. 



I made Bignasco, in the Val Maggia, my head quarters for a few 

 days. The Val Bavona, which branches out of it, afforded good col- 

 lecting ground as far as St. Carlo, at the bead of the valley. In 

 addition to many species already recorded, Polyommatus Hippotlwe^ 

 var. Eurybia, and Lyccsna Eumedon occurred not unfrequently. The 

 beautiful Syntomis Phcegea was common up to 5000 feet. Vanessa 

 Afitiopa, Aporia crafcegi, Leticophasia sinap)is, G. rliamni, were common 

 all round the lake district. 



The question to be solved is, why there should be such a far 

 greater amount of " butterfly life " in the valleys than in the plains. 

 I think it is due, in a measure, to the fact that the valleys during the 



