26 THE BOOK OF THE OPEN AIR 



wander forth from their usual haunts, loftiest, sky-fronting pinnacles of the 



and may be seen exploring the un- oaks. As for the common reproach 



wonted closes of lawns and gardens, that the high-soaring Purple Emperor 



in quest of the measure of moist cool- can be lured to earth by any carrion 



ness which they need. For though bait, provided it be corrupt and filthy 



butterflies are such lovers of sunshine, enough, the accusation gains most of 



their delicate lives cannot endure the its force from the very unworthiness 



absolute drought of the desert ; and of its defamation. So far as it is 



in the fieriest July weather the beau- true, it only deserves to be overlooked 



tiful sight may often be seen of a and unrecorded ; and in point of fact, 



thirsty cloud of Blues or Whites as little heed will commonly be paid 



fluttering and settling on a wet patch by a court of Purple Emperors to any 



where water has been spilt in the earth-born carrion that may defile 



dusty roadway, or at the moist edge the low shore of the wood beneath 



of a pool or running stream. them as by the white clouds of heaven, 



Deep in the southern oakwoods in afloat a little above. 



July the great Purple Emperors hold As July passes into August, the 



court round the airy crests of the whole fashion of nature takes a deeper 



boughs, amid a silence so songless and and statelier range. The characteris- 



solemn that the rustle of their own tic butterflies of latest summer and 



high, flashing wings may sometimes early autumn are those species of large 



be heard in the sunshine above the size and rich depth of colour, of which 



murmur of omnipresent insect life the residue outsleep the dark interval 



that is the warp and woof of the of winter, to appear in the sunshine 



stillness. There is indeed a majesty of the reviving year. Through August 



about the soaring, indifferent flight of and September the deep red wings of 



this brilliant butterfly of the forest the Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and their 



solitudes which sets it apart on a kin assemble in regal troops on the 



regal pinnacle of distinction ; only the large flowers of later summer in the 



Swallowtail can equal it in its con- gardens, or on a few well-loved 



scious supremacy, its indifferent joy blossoms of the field or streamside, 



in spacious flight, and even the Swal- such as the tall hemp agrimony of the 



lowtail does not aspire to haunt for reed beds, with its mauve, cottony 



hours and days together only the plumes, the marjoram flower of the 



