82 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
it occurs all over the park, and sometimes even on the outskirts, 
though at other times it is confined to only two or three 
localities. 
The further following remarks respecting its habits, selected 
from my note book, may also, perhaps, be interesting. I have 
already, in the ‘ Entomologist,’ (vol. xix., p. 13) given the dates 
of appearance of the imago, but I may add that it is always 
regulated by the flowering of the holly, which it closely follows, 
I have never known it to precede it. The majority of males 
appear earlier in the spring, the females later on, the latter 
seldom before most of the males have disappeared. A few males 
emerge, however, at the same time as the females; likewise a 
few females are always to be found among the males at the earlier 
part of the season. Both sexes soon become worn ; particularly 
is this the case in windy weather, when they are blown helplessly 
against the prickly holly round which they fly. Usually the 
males are more abundant than the opposite sex in an overwhelm- 
ing proportion, but last season (1885) proved entirely the 
opposite, when the former were in the minority. 
Most butterflies do not venture forth until the sun has well 
warmed the atmosphere and absorbed the dews, but the little 
L. argiolus is an exception to this rule. Frequently have I 
witnessed it flying round the tops of the hollies, even as early 
as 5.30 in the morning, as soon as the rising sun has cast its 
rays upon them. It also remains on the wing later in the day 
than most of its allies, 6.30 p.m. in the month of May being not 
at all an usual time for it to be seen about in its haunts. The 
period that it seems to enjoy mostly is just before noon. On 
dull days L. argiolus is very seldom to be seen, but can be taken 
by beating with a long stick the hollies, under the oily leaves of 
which it hides itself, and to which it bears a close resemblance 
in colour when at rest. A striking protective resemblance.may 
also be noticed between the flowers of the holly and the butterfly 
when it alights upon them, the spots on the under surface of the 
wings matching the little bunch of blossom. 
This insect does not appear to like windy weather, but that 
does not prevent it flying provided there be any sunshine. Very 
little wind penetrates into the woods, on account of the thick 
foliage of the evergreens, but it is noteworthy that the butterfly 
prefers exposed situations on the outskirts of woods, or in open 
