A FEW NOTES FROM BERISAL DURING JUNE. 57 



the stones and rocks prevented the day from being (even entomo- 

 logically) wasted. 



Of the Argynnids, only Brenthis euphrosyne was abundant ; 

 one pupa, found on June IGth, produced a butterfly in ten days. 

 Mr. Griffiths also found a jnipa of B. amathusia. Issoria lathonia 

 was pretty common near Refuge II., but not in very good con- 

 dition. Among the Melitseids, M. phoehe was found in abundance 

 as a larva and pupa, the first imago appearing on June 17th, 

 and a female being bred in captivity as late as August 22nd. 

 The cold summer in England seemed to have a very retarding 

 effect on these and other larvae, they ceasing altogether to feed 

 during dull chilly weather, and always exposing themselves on 

 their thistle-tops to such sunshine as was to be had. The com- 

 monest pupa of the genus above and below Berisal was M. 

 dictynna, the butterflies emerging in the following July. The 

 pupae hang, regardless of aspect, on perpendicular rocks and 

 stones, frequently on such as afford no very obvious projection 

 or irregularity for convenience of pupation. Many developed 

 parasites, and some freshly turned examples were found being 

 devoured by large ants. The butterfly was scarcely out before 

 our departure on June 22nd, but I believe Mr. Griffiths secured 

 one specimen. M. partlienie var. varia, also M. athalia, were 

 met with, and M. cinxia had been out some time, judging from 

 its condition. A few M. aurelia were taken near the Ganter 

 Bridge, and a specimen bred from a stone-hung pupa on July 

 26th. Males of M. clidyma were out in superb condition by 

 June 18th, soon becoming commoner, and females were taken 

 half-way down to Brigue on 17th and 22nd. One pupa was 

 found which yielded a male imago on July 19th. 



Rarely has one the pleasure of recording seven species of 

 Vanessidse on a single occasion, but on June 19th. Aglais urticce (fine 

 and fresh), one Eugouia jiolychloros (also fresh), and hybernated 

 examples of Pyrameis atalanta and cardid, Euvanessa antiopa, 

 Vaiiessa io, and Polygonia e-album were all to be seen between 

 Berisal and Refuge II. 



Species of the genus Erebia naturally were not out in full 

 force during our stay. E. evias was, however, abundant both 

 above and below Berisal, E. ceto began to appear on June 18th, 

 and Mr. Griffiths netted the first E. tyndarus in the Ganterthal 

 on the same day. Pararge hiera was abundant, especially above 

 Berisal, and P. mcera began to appear below on June 18th. A 

 few larvae were found on grass, and pupae suspended from stones, 

 of this species. Coenonympha arcania var. darwiniana was re- 

 corded first on June 19th. 



The " skippers " were represented by Hesperia carthami, H. 

 alveas, H. serratulce, H. nialva and H. sao, Nisoniades tages, and 

 Pamphila sylvanus. 



Several species of Noctuae and Geometrae were found at rest 



