76 
this Butterfly has probably existed on the Cotteswolds since 
the close of the last Glacial period, and has survived vicissitudes 
of weather quite as remarkable as any with which we have 
acquaintance. 
Iam more disposed to attribute its increasing rarity to the 
breaking up (either for the purposes of planting trees or 
reclaiming waste land) and consequent diminution of those 
unbroken stretches of food plant so necessary to the life of an 
insect which only ranges over very limited areas. Long 
continued unfavourable weather prevalent at the time during 
which these causes were operating would certainly hasten the 
end. Should our forebodings of such a result happily prove 
unfounded, it would be a matter for rejoicing, but should they | 
as seems probable, turn out well grounded, this brief account, 
together with the accompanying sketch of Lycenw Arion, would, 
I hope, be an interesting memento in our Transactions. 
Note.—Since writing the foregoing, the summer of 1886 has passed, 
and I had the pleasure of seeing about half a dozen of the 
Butterflies. Correspondents report altogether about a dozen 
more seen during the season. 
