BUTTERFLIES OF .MONTANA. 17 



Collecting: Butterflies at High Altitudes. 



My first high altitude collecting was at 11,500 feet at Seven Lakes, 

 Pike's Peak. It was in August, 1892. Ice formed at night, and all insect 

 life was quiet. During the warm days butterflies were abundant. For 

 the first time I saw Parnassius in all its splendor. But to capture it was 

 difficult. Not being accustomed to the high altitude I was unable to make 

 vigorous effort, and after a short chase would drop to the ground gasping 

 for breath. Our camp was in the valley on the bank of one of the "Seven 

 Lakes," in the home of Parnassius smintheus. They were out by the 

 thousands. A few miles from camp, toward the main summit, an irriga- 

 tion or water ditch had the surface of the water covered as far as we 

 could see in either direction with dead or struggling larvae of smintheus. 



Above timber line and up to the line of perpetual snow there is in 

 summer a profuse growth of Alpine flowers. One who has not seen high 

 altitude vegetation cannot comprehend the beauty, splendor, and pro- 

 fusion of high altitude or alpine flowers. They are a sight never to be 

 forgotten. Above timber line there is in summer a profuse growth. On 

 sheltered or sunny slopes there is a varied vegetation, the flowers making 

 a beautiful sight. One of these visions is the most gorgeous I have ever 

 seen or ever hope to see. 



I was caught in a shower of rain, hail, sleet, and snow, and had 

 hastened to a large rock. By clinging with both hands and feet I was 

 somewhat protected. After an hour the storm passed, and the sun came 

 out bright and warm. Sunshine always brings out insects, if they are 

 about. The storm left a deposit of snow an inch or two in depth over the 

 surface of the mountain for miles around. Above the snow, showing 

 their varied colors, were thousands of flowers of different tints, from the 

 genera Actinella, Allium, Mertensia, Silene, Castilleia, Polygonum, Geum, 

 Sedum, and Potentilla. Hovering over these flowers were hundreds of 

 butterflies, displaying their gorgeous colors. It was a rare sight, and a 

 rare combination of snow, alpine flowers and alpine butterflies. The in- 

 sects were Parnassius smintheus, Colias ochraeus, Colias meadii, Argyn- 

 nis eurynome, Phyciodes nycteis, Argynnis helena, and Lycaena rustica. 



Such a blending and contrast of colors is rarely seen, and forgetting 

 everything I stood for a long time drinking it in. This view is indelibly 

 stamped on my memory. It cannot be forgotten. Soon the mournful 

 squeak of the pika on the rocks nearby called my attention, as it was the 

 pika I was after. In a short time the snow had disappeared, and the six 

 mile walk to camp was cheerfully made. 



It has not been my good fortune to climb high mountains. I have 

 done no collecting above 14,000 feet. Among the Rockies of Montana 

 my work has been at altitudes below 10,000 feet. My next attempt at 



