THE SPRING AZURE BUTTERFLY. 283 



enemy again advance, the combat is again renewed ; 

 but should a cloud obscure the sun, or a breeze chill 

 the air, their ardour becomes abated, and contention 

 ceases. 



The papilio phlaeas enjoys a combat even with 

 its kindred. Two of them are seldom disturbed, 

 when basking on a knot of asters in September, 

 without mutual strife ensuing. Being less affected 

 by cold and moisture than the argus, they remain 

 with us longer, and these contentions are protracted 

 till late in the autumn. The pugnacious disposi- 

 tion of the argus butterfly soon deprives it of much 

 of its beauty ; and, unless captured soon after its 

 birth, we find the margins of its wings torn and 

 jagged, the elegant blue plumage rubbed from 

 the wings, and the creature become dark and 

 shabby. 



This spring, 1827, fostered into active life an 

 insect unknown in our district, or at least unnoticed 

 before by me; a pretty little blue butterfly, for 

 which I know no common appellation, and so have 

 named it the " spring azure," (papilio argiolus). 

 It appeared quite at the end of April, and in some 

 numbers, but was yet a transient visitor with us, 

 as after the first week in May only a lingering spe- 

 cimen or so was visible. Few wild flowers are 

 then in bloom ; but, leaving all herbaceous plants, 

 it frequented chiefly the holly, the laurel, and the 

 black currant, feeding on the honey secreted by 

 the nectaries in their blossoms. If this butterfly 

 be anywhere common, it may be mistaken by in- 



