98 THE entomologist's recoed. 



collecting foi- observation purposes, for one finds that one has largely 

 to make one's own observations to fill out the natural history of the 

 butterflies, whose life-histories we are attempting to do with some 

 degree of fulness, and, when we came across butterflies common to 

 Britain and the ground we were on, notes had to be taken of the 

 actual personal peculiarities of the species. This does not add to the 

 " bag," and it is wonderful how long a small observation takes, 

 especially if set down in writing on the spot. Lepiidia sinaj)is was one of 

 these that came in for its share, and so also did Brentlds euphrosyne of 

 which a few worn ones were seen ovipositing on the edge of the pines 

 that, in one place, form a Avedge-like extension down the mountain- 

 side. These observations have been, or will be, recorded elsewhere. 

 Then at the little tricklings crossing the path, on the thyme-clad slopes, 

 the ways of Lycaena avion, Agriadcs caryddn, Aricia astrarclie and 

 Plebeius aeyon had to be carefully noted, and interesting species, indeed, 

 they are. With them, at the water, were some fine large Hesperia 

 alreiis, Plebeius arr/us and Adojiaea lineola, the latter in fine condition, 

 whilst its ally, A. thaiinias, a much larger insect here, was quite worn 

 and beyond hope. Here too, I was much interested with the little 

 Ennychia octoniacidata, its fine glossy black wings with their white 

 spots being kept well up from the damp ground, whilst the insects 

 drank and swilled with the best of their comrades. Two very large 

 ^ Polyomviatux Jiylas were taken, one very fine, and one worn, 

 suggesting that this insect is on the wing for some time, in the same 

 brood. Here, on the higher slopes, too, Melampias vielampus commenced 

 to appear, with the blues, many (J s at almost every rill, whilst Krebia 

 yuante was more abundant, but no ? s. The specimens of (Tnophos 

 obfiiscata disturbed were remarkably dark, whilst, among others, one 

 very finely marked I VI specimen of Setina aiirita was taken, the 

 prevalent form, however, being distinctly spotted and not streaked. 

 On the Centaiirea and scabious flowers, Adscita yeryon was not un- 

 common, and in good condition, charming little metallic green items 

 when resting fully in the middle of a scabious head. The J s of 

 Heodes viryaureae were in beautiful condition, not a $ observed, so 

 that the species was evidently only just emerging, and usually 

 with traces at least of the black discoidal spot on the forewings, 

 generally said to be characteristic of var. mieyii ; a single ? Chryso- 

 p/ianus /tippothoe in one damp spot, where a streamlet had spread 

 out on a little flat on the slopes, with a few worn ^ s, showed 

 that the species was already over. Near here, too, Brenthis aniatJnisia 

 was not uncommon but evidently passe, whilst two S' Melitaea didyiiia 

 showed that the species was only just coming out ; a single ^ 

 Gonepteryx rhaiiini, evidently newly-emerged, was disturbed fron:i 

 a flower, and gently letting itself down the slopes, smiled sweetly 

 at a hasty attempt to net it, that must have missed, smartly as Ave 

 struck, by yards. A single Avorn Melitaea phoebe also told its own tale. 

 One species, however, interested us, and of this we brought aAvay 

 a nice series. This was what, for want of better knoAvledge, Ave 

 call the mountain-form of Melitaea athalia ; my friends may call it 

 what they like, I call it what I can. Here, where the pines come 

 down the slopes quite low, a little trickle wells OA'er the path and 

 makes a nice big A\'et patch ; and to this we found the Meliti^as 

 attracted, not in sAvarms, but a fcAV at the time, alA\'a3's three or 



