NOMIADES. f07 



Papilio acis, Denis & Schiffermiiller, Syst. Verz. Schmett. 



Wien, p. 182, no. 5 (1776); Herbst, /. c. pi. 310, figs. 



la-c (1804). 

 Polyommaius acis, Godart, Enc. Meth. ix. p. 703, no. 245 



(1823); Steph. 111. Brit. Ent. Haust. i. p. 86 (1828); 



Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl. i. p. 94, pi. 14, figs. 2, 2a, b 



(1881). 

 Polyommatus seiniargus, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 



46 (1879). 

 Lyccena semlargus, Lang, Butterflies Eur. p. 129, pi. 31, fig. 5 



(1882). 

 Lyccena acis, Newm. Brit. Butterflies, p. 133 (1881). 



The Mazarine Blue Butterfly is common throughout the 

 greater part of Europe and Northern Asia, but has always 

 been a scarce and local insect in England Sixty or seventy 

 years ago, however, it used to be taken in most of the 

 counties of England and Wales, though only occasionally 

 common in very restricted localities. Since that time it has 

 gradually disappeared from its former haunts, and for many 

 years past only single specimens have been taken casually at 

 long intervals. Latterly even such captures have become very 

 rare, and the insect is supposed to be now almost, if not quite, 

 extinct as a British species. It frequents dry meadows in June 

 and July, being single-brooded, and used to show a certain 

 preference for chalky localities, though by no means confined 

 to them. I have taken it in Germany among Polyommaius 

 icaruSjhut seldom commonly; and I could hardly tell the insects 

 apart, except in the net, or from a view of the under side. I 

 am therefore of opinion that collectors who would take the 

 trouble to net any blues they may notice, especially in out-of- 

 the-way parts of the country, may possibly meet with an oc- 

 casional specimen of this species. This advice has, I know, 

 been given before, and, doubtless, largely acted on without 



