75 
My own observations, which extend over a large area of the 
Stroud district, support those of the observers already named. 
From 1881 to 1884 not a single one was found by myself or my 
students; in 1885 only one was obtained, though I gather from 
some kind correspondents that a few, perhaps less than a dozen 
in all, were seen or captured. 
Wherever the “ Large Blue” is found in Europe it is every- 
where exceedingly local; and when we find an insect of strictly 
local habits gradually becoming less abundant, there is a strong 
presumption that it is on its way to early extinction. 
The lover of butterfles is naturally reminded of the fate of 
the Large Copper Butterfly Polyommatus dispar, once common 
in our Cambridgeshire fens, but now no longer to be found 
there or elsewhere. 
Another of the ‘“ Coppers,” P. Hippothée, which Mr Kirsy 
considers was once doubtless living in England, has not been 
found recently, nor does any authentic record of its occurrence 
exist. 
While there appears to be a general consensus of opinion 
that the ‘‘ Large Blue” is slowly but surely dying out, there is 
by no means so much agreement as to the causes of this disap- 
pearance. In the case of the Devonshire locality, the annual 
burning of the furze and breaking up of the ground, which we 
know to have taken place, are, without doubt, a sufficient cause. 
Mild and wet winters, followed by cold springs, are no 
doubt inimical to insects of all kinds, especially to those which 
hybernate in their larval state; and many are of opinion that 
the long spell of bad seasons which has followed 1870—1 
sufficiently explains the gradual diminution of the “Large 
Blue.” 
The rapacity of collectors has been put forward as another 
cause, but with such a wide range as is afforded the insect by 
the numerous hills and valleys of the Cotteswolds from Cleeve 
to Dursley I can hardly think that this proposition is worthy of 
consideration. 
Although a long series of unfavourable seasons undoubtedly 
diminishes the numbers of any species, we must remember that 
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