BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 333 



the coast as far north as Lantosca or Bollena. The 

 male Cleopatra may be attracted and captured by 

 waving a light green muslin net, This is of course the 

 colour of the female. Dark green will not do. 



Another point which must strike any one who 

 compares the Northern Lepidoptera with those of this 

 district is the great size and beauty of these latter. 

 The largest European species are Jasius (Fig. 112), 

 Machaon, Podalirius, Circe (Fig. 113), with its sober 

 uniform of black and white, and L. Populi. We have 

 all these except the last. The gigantic moth Saturnia 

 Pyri measures six inches across the wings. When 

 it flies into your room and upsets your candle you 

 might easily mistake it for a bat. One often finds the 

 great, shaggy, brown cocoon on walls and tree trunks. 



If insects from this district are measured against 

 individuals of the same species from the north of 

 Europe, a striking difference is frequently apparent. 

 Thus, we have found specimens of S. Carpini, 

 measuring an inch more than the type.* In an un- 

 bearably hot corner of the mountain district, a variety 

 of Satyrus Dry as occurs, which is so much larger and 

 handsomer than the type that one can hardly believe 

 it to be the same insect. Even this great prize could 

 not tempt us to pay a second visit to the fiery furnace 

 where it flies. A magnificent variety of Lyccena Arion 

 is to be found near Nice. Other instances might be given. 



Many of the butterflies of the Maritime Alps are 

 so local that you may live within a short distance of 



* Mr. W. T. Kir by tells me that he considers this fact to be remark- 

 able, because the tropical representatives of European or Japanese 

 butterflies are generally smaller. But the fact here stated is confirmed 

 by Mr. G. H. Bryan, Sc. D., F.B.S. : see Science Gossip, March, 1899. 



