62 FLOWER-FIELDS OF ALPINE SWITZERLAND 



and we are aware that during the brief period of 

 inclemency a very astonishing change has been 

 taking place in our surroundings under cover of 

 the heavy mists. Nature has been speedily busy, 

 robing the fields in garments fit for June. Before 

 the mists closed down upon us a few days ago 

 insect-life was noticeable mo.3tly by its scarcity. 

 Except for the Orange-Tip and Dingy Skipper 

 butterflies, and for the Skipper-like moth, Euclidia 

 Mi, flitting among the Saponarias, Daisies, and 

 Geums, and for a dainty milk-white spider on the 

 rosy heads of Piimula fminosa, there was little 

 of " life " among the flowers. But now the butter- 

 flies are legion, a brilliant pea-green spider has 

 joined the white one, and lustrous little beetles — 

 among the most beautiful of Alpine creatures — 

 are either frolicking or basking in the glorious 

 sunshine on the wild Peppermint and other 

 fragrant herbs. As for the flowers themselves, 

 they have more than doubled in kind, if not 

 actually in beauty and in number. 



Indeed, there is such transformation in the 

 meadows as makes us rub our eyes and wonder 

 if we have not slept the sleep of Rip van Winkle ! 

 The Gentians have all but gone, the Anemone 

 also, and Primula farinosa has become most rare. 



