MY FIRST VISIT TO THE ENGADINE. 

 By H. T. Stainton, F.L.S. 



During the last ten years the fame of this valley has been 

 constantly on the increase, and having heard so much of its 

 Entomological riches, from many who were most competent 

 judges, I determined, as soon as I had a convenient oppor- 

 tunity, to visit the locality myself. I have now had the 

 good fortune to make my first visit to the Engadine, in this 

 month of July, 1865, under peculiarly favourable circum- 

 stances. The weather, with the exception of half a day, wns 

 everything that could be desired ; and, moreover, I met there 

 some old friends, who are among the first Entomologists of 

 Germany. So that pleasant companionship, fine weather, 

 pure mountain air, splendid snow peaks and glaciers, rocky 

 crags of fantastic shape, the brilliant velvety verdure of 

 Alpine meadows, and a first acquaintance with the Fauna 

 and Flora of the Alpine world, — all combined to make my 

 four days' stay in Pontresina a brilliant epoch of my life. 



The last halt before starting for the Engadine was Zurich, 

 and from Ziirich we started on the morning of the 10th in 

 pouring, drenching rain, the only consolation to be derived 

 from which was that we should not be annoyed with dust, 

 and should see any waterfalls that might be running down 

 the mountain-sides to perfection. Nor were we disappointed, 

 for directly we entered upon the startlingly-grand scenery of 

 Lake Wallenstadt, the watery torrents streaming down the 

 opposite rocks were magnificent, — one in particular, near the 



1866. B 



