154 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



THE LAKGE BLUE. 

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



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

 last, the rarest, though still taken in some numbers 

 every year. 



Colouring : Upper side, dark Hue, granulated with 

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

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

 wing. Under side, greyish drab, suffused with greenish 

 blue near the body; towards centre, many black 

 spots in indistinct light-coloured rings, and a double 

 border of the same. No red spots. 



The caterpillar is unknown. 



The butterfly appears in July, frequenting rough, 

 flowery pasture-grounds, but is exceedingly local. A 

 famous place for it is Barnwell Wold, about a mile and 

 a half from the village of Barnwell, near Oundle, 

 Northamptonshire, where the insect was discovered by 

 the Eev. W. Bree many years ago ; but it is less abun- 

 dant there than formerly, from the repeated attacks of 

 collectors, who catch all they can find. Other localities, 

 mentioned in various works, are Brington, Hunting- 

 donshire ; Shortwood, and some other spots, near 

 Cheltenham ; Charmouth, Dorsetshire ; Dover ; Downs 



