AZURE BLUE. 151 



Several species of this genus are often found toge- 

 ther. For example, in the Isle of "Wight, last August, 

 I took P. A rgiolus, Corydon, Adonis, Alexis, and Agestis, 

 all within ahout one hour, and a space of a few yards 

 gquare in the corner of a field. 



THE AZURE BLUE BUTTERFLY. 



(Polyommatus Argiolus.) 

 (Plate XIII. fig. 3, Male ; 3 a, Fcmalo.) 



Colouring: — Upper side, beautiful lilac blue — tho 

 male with a narrow black border (fig. 3), the female with 

 a broad one, sometimes extending over the outer half of 

 the wing (fig. 3 a). Under side, very delicate silvery 

 blue, almost white, with numerous small black spots. 

 No red spots. 



Caterpillar, green, with darker line on back. Fee da 

 m the flowers of holly, ivy, and buckthorn. 



The butterfly appears in May, or sometimes in April, 

 and again in August, frequenting woods and hedges, 

 especially where holly and ivy abound. 1 noticed im- 

 mense numbers about the ivied walls of Chepstow 

 Castle. 



As the name " Azure Blue " is in general use, I have 

 retained it above, but that of " Holly Blue," sometimes 



