The British Butterflies Described 



South a second brood appears in August. It reaches as 

 far north as Perthshire, and is frequently met with in 

 the West Highlands. 



THE LARGE COPPER BUTTERFLY (Polyommatus 

 Dispar), Plate XII., Fig. 7. I am afraid there is now 

 only one British locality where this fine butterfly can be 

 successfully pursued. Strange to say it is not one or 

 the few places where it was found so abundantly a 

 century ago. Neither is it any use going after it there 

 with a net, or any other of the usual appliances. 



The correct place and method are no great secret, 

 being, as it is, in the very heart of London to wit, 

 Stevens' Auction Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden. 

 A cheque-book there is a more reliable, and, if properly 

 handled, sure means of bringing a specimen into one's 

 collection. I don't suppose there is anybody now alive 

 who remembers having seen the Large Copper flitting 

 about its native Fen lands so long ago as 1850 or 

 thereabout, for the precise date is difficult to discover. 

 The Large Copper has become as extinct as the dodo 

 or the great auk. Fortunately, many specimens are 

 still to be seen in old and well-preserved collections, 

 and not a few of these have already passed through the 

 hands of the auctioneer. There are various Continental 

 " Coppers " which more or less resemble the " dear 

 departed." And it is as well that the points of differ- 

 ence should be well known, as these foreigners can be 

 had for a few pence. Dispar sells at as many pounds. 



The male and female differ very much from each 

 other, the male being a clear scarlet copper tint, with 

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