LEPIDOPTERA OF LA SAINTE BAUME, VAR, S. FRANCE. 15 



motive of preserving its religious uses. And to those to whom 

 it appeals, there is an extraordinary charm in the devotional 

 atmosphere surrounding the place. For centuries it has been 

 a sacred spot to the warm-hearted and highly imaginative 

 Provencals. The centre of this feeling is a Grotto three-quarters 

 of an hour walk above the Hotelleiie, in which, according to tradi- 

 tion, St. Mary Magdalene spent the last thirty-three years of her 

 life in penitential devotions. This large cave has been transformed 

 into a spacious church. At the back is a narrow natural plat- 

 form in the rock, upon which the Saint is said to have performed 

 her devotions, called Le Eocher de la Penitence. Below is a 

 reclining figure in marble of the Magdalene, a gift of the famous 

 Mgr. Dupanloup. The Grotto has for centuries attracted annu- 

 ally great numbers of pilgrims, among whom have been both 

 Popes and Kings. It is still in the present day the most highly 

 esteemed goal of Provencal devotees. 



There is a beautiful'little modern chapel in the Hotellerie, 

 containing some good mural paintings. Here Mass is celebrated 

 every morning, and all the staff and many of the visitors attend. 



The Plateau du Plan d'Aups is reached by carriage and good 

 roads, ascending in the usual sweeps and zigzags, either from 

 Aubagne via G6menos on the west, or via Nans from St. Maxmin 

 on the east. There is also another way from Auriol, joining the 

 G^menos road outside the village of Plan d'Aups. 



The plateau itself, of curious geological formation, is a stony, 

 arid plain, covered with stunted vegetation and a few small 

 isolated fir trees ; flowers, at least at midsummer, are few. The 

 mountains of Sainte Baume wall it in on the south side, and 

 corresponding hills of less altitude, and more irregular, on the 

 north ; at the east and west are deep valleys, through which 

 the above roads descend. The north side of the plateau is 

 curiously seared by irregular ridges of rock running from east to 

 west, about which is a considerable growth of broom and scrub, 

 often concealing dangerous holes and fissures between the up- 

 standing rock. All this is good ground for " Hairstreaks," and 

 •' Blues " especially. 



On the first two days the wind rather interfered with collect- 

 ing, afterwards the weather was perfect. On June 2'2nd, there- 

 fore, I confined my work to the north side of the plateau where 

 the shrubs and rocks afforded some shelter, and there were many 

 warm corners. One of my first captures was an excessively 

 small female Chrysophanus alciphron var. gordius. This insect, 

 I fancy, is very far from common in this neighbourhood. I only 

 took one other this year ; that also a female. But their condi- 

 tion did not in the least suggest that the species was over. 

 Last year I only took one male. C. phlaas, the only other 

 *' Copper " seen, was also quite a rarity. Perhaps later broods 

 would be more abundant. At this date Thecla spini was just 



