INTRODUCTION 25 



compared with the regions to the eastward, and the collection 

 of the insect fauna was undertaken with the greatest enthusiasm. 



While trees were absent, the vegetation was extremely varied. 

 The area about camp was a veritable garden of brilliant blos- 

 soms, suggesting subtropical luxuriance, rather than the subarctic 

 zone. Most beautiful of all were the orchids {Orchis aristata 

 and Cypripcdium gutlatwm), which grew everywhere in the 

 greatest profusion. The purple flowers of Geranium crianthiun 

 and Polemonium cceruleum were in evidence on all sides, while 

 in spots the air was rendered odorous by extensive patches of 

 Viola langsdorffii. Among the other plants were Lupinus 

 vootkatensis, Mimulus langsdorffii Fritillaria kamlschatensis, 

 Habcnaria d Hat at a, Campanula langsdorffiana, Pcdicularis 

 capitata, Hctichcra glabra, Galium borcalc, and Hcraclcum 

 lanatum. The latter exercises a most profound attraction for 

 insects of many kinds. As a rule the umbels were found 

 crowded with Diptera of numerous species, saw-flies {Ten- 

 thredo), beetles {Leptalid), parasitic Hymenoptera and moths. 



The most marked feature of the insect fauna was not so much 

 the number of species — of which 175 were secured — but rather 

 the vast number of individuals. The writer has never witnessed 

 a more active scene of insect life. 



Surprising as it may seem, especially in comparison with pre- 

 vious localities, the Lepidoptera formed the most conspicuous 

 feature of the insect fauna. The air was vibrant with the flut- 

 tering wings of butterflies, of which seven species were quickly 

 captured, including Parnassius sminthcics D. & H., Brent his 

 myrina Cram., Ccenonympha kodiak Edw., Eurymus palaino 

 L., Pieris napi hulda Edw., Pieris napi acadica Edw., and 

 Pamphila palcemon Pall. The most abundant of all was Bren- 

 this myrina, which hovered about in thousands, the blossoms of 

 Geranium attracting them in large numbers. C&nonympha 

 was also very common, while Parnassius was abundant only 

 on the hill tops. Pamphila was quite rare. 



Moths also were common. Noctuidee of five species were 

 found upon the umbels of Heraclcum lanatum, including 

 Hadena tenera sp. nov. Smith, and Anarta etacta sp. nov. 

 Smith. Of Geometridae five species were taken, Rhcu7naptera 



