110 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



times seen much later. It is generally met with on 

 limestone or chalky soils ; and, from a long list of 

 localities I have looked over, it seems to be distributed 

 over England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. 



THE MAZAKINE BLUE. (Polyommatus Acis.) 

 (Plate XIII. fig. 5, Male ; 5 a, Female.) 



Colouring : Upper side, male, deep purple, or maza- 

 rine blue, with a border of black (fig. 5) ; female, dark 

 brown (fig. 5 a). Under sides of both sexes similar, 

 pale greyish drab, tinged at the base with greenish blue, 

 numerous black spots in white rings. No red spots. 



Though this elegant butterfly was frequently met 

 with some years ago, it has lately become one of our 

 rarest species, and I can give no locality where it can: 

 be now found. It has been reported as taken lately at 

 Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and somewhere in South Wales, 

 also in other places, but only singly. 



Collectors, on visiting any new district, should net 

 all the Blues they are not quite sure are common 

 ones, and this may perchance turn up among them 

 sometimes. 



The caterpillar is said to feed on the flower heads of 

 common Thrift (Armeria vulgaris). 



The butterfly may be looked for in July. 



THE LAEGE BLUE. 

 (Polyommatus Arion.) (Plate XIV. fig. 1.) 



THIS is the largest of all our " Blues, 7 ' and, next to tliej 

 last, the rarest, though still taken in some number! 

 every year. 



Colouring : Upper side, dark blue, granulated with! 

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

 border, and a series of large black spots across the fronm 

 wing. Under side, greyish drab, suffused with greenisll 

 blue near the body; towards centre, many blacH 

 spots in indistinct light-coloured rings, and a double 

 border of the same. No red spots. 



