AZURE BLUE. 151 



Several species of this genus are often found toge- 

 ther. For example, in the Isle of "Wight, last August, 

 I took P. Argiolus, Gory don, Adonis, Alexis, and Agestis, 

 all within about one hour, and a space of a few yarda 

 square in the corner of a field. 



THE AZTJEE BLUE BUTTERFLY. 



(Polyommatus Argiolus.) 

 (Plate XIIL fig. 3, Male ; 3 a, Female.) 



Colouring : Upper side, beautiful lilac blue the 

 male with a narrow black border (fig. 3), the female with 

 a broad one, sometimes extending over the outer half of 

 the wing (fig. 3 a). Under side, very delicate silvery 

 blue, almost white, with numerous small black spots. 

 M> red spots. 



Caterpillar, green, with darker line on back. Feeds 

 m the flowers of holly, ivy, and buckthorn. 



The butterfly appears in May, or sometimes in April, 

 and again in August, frequenting tooods and hedges, 

 especially where holly and ivy abound. 1 noticed im- 

 mense numbers about the ivied walls of Chepstow 

 Castle. 



As the name " Azure Blue " is in general use, I have 

 retained it above, but that of " Holly Blue," sometimes 



