154 BRITISH BUTTEKFLTESL 



f I 



THE LARGE BLUE. 



(Polyommatus Arion.) (Plate XIV. fig. I.) 



This is the largest of all our " Blues," and, next to the 

 last, the rarest, though still taken in some numbers 

 every year. 



Colouring : — Upper side, dark blue, granulated with 

 black scales that give it a dull aspect, having a black 

 border, and a series of large black spots arross the front 

 wing. Under side, greyish drab, suffused with greenish 

 blue near the body ; towards centre, many black 

 spots in indistinct light-coloured rings, and a double 

 border of the same. No red sjyots. 



The caterpillar is unknown. 



The butterfly appears in July, frequenting rough, 

 flowery pasture-grounds, but is exceedingly local. A 

 famous place for it is Barnwell "Wold, about a mile and 

 a half from the village of Barnwell, near Oundle, 

 ^Northamptonshire, where the insect was discovered by 

 the Rev. W. Bree many years ago ; but it is less abun- 

 dant there than formerly, from the repeated attacks of 

 collectors, who catch all they can find. Other localities, 

 mentioned in various works, arc — Brington, Hunting- 

 donshire ; Shortwood, and some other spots, near 

 Cheltenham ; Charmouth, Dorsetshire ; Dover ; Downs 



