307 



NOTES ON LYC^NID^ IN NORTH KENT. 

 By J. W. TuTT, F.E.S. 



Mr. Sabine's communication on " Lycana varieties or 

 hybrids in Kent" (Entom. 181) is interesting, so far as he seems 

 to have found the pale " icarws-coloured " varieties widely 

 distributed, though the fact has been known to the Rochester 

 collectors for a long time. The " butterfly-catchers " who collect 

 for "sport" used to take (1871 — 75) a large number of these 

 forms, with the type, everywhere on the chalk-hills between 

 Rochester and Maidstone, on both banks of the Medway. 



Mr. Sabine states that Mr. South's suggestion (Entom. 79) 

 elicited no response, and supposes that the specimens taken by 

 him " are peculiar to this spot." I should like to know what spot. 

 Mr. Sabine, whilst taking to himself the whole value of a 

 discovery, and apparently asking for information, takes great 

 care to keep his locality a secret. 



The form occurs in all places with the type, as I previously 

 noticed, between Rochester and Maidstone, and through North 

 Kent almost to Gravesend. I should not be surprised if Mr. 

 Sabine's locality is a corner of this greater area. My specimens 

 of this form came from Cuxton and Bluebell Hill, near 

 Rochester. I have paid but little attention to the butterflies 

 during the last five or six years, but have no doubt that it still 

 occurs. I know that a Rochester collector took some in August, 

 1885, on Bluebell Hill. 



I cannot suppose that it is a distinct species. As a lad 

 (between the j^ears 1871 and 1875), when I captured several, 

 there was never the slightest doubt in my mind other than that 

 it was a peculiar form of Lycana hellargus. In some butterfly- 

 book I then possessed I remember reading an extract to the 

 effect that lilac-coloured hellargus were captured by one of our 

 older entomologists, and the cause was put down, I believe, to a 

 thunderstorm or some other atmospheric effect occurring. 

 Perhaps some of the readers of the ' Entomologist ' can point 

 out the extract. The under side distinguishes it at a glance. 

 It is perfectly typical. 



The hybrid theory I consider is too far-fetched, although 

 both Messrs. South and Sabine in opinion incline to it. Will 



