THE UPPER ENGADINE IN 1914. 153 
fallen to our lot on our continental] holidays. In fact memory seems 
to give us “all sunshine.” ‘‘ Very cold, wet to snow, and thunder in 
afternoon,’ 1s the comment in my notes. To which is added “ the 
whole place full of soldiers.’ If my memory serves me rightly this 
was the worst day I have ever experienced in Switzerland when not 
travelling. There has always been some sunshine, but there was none 
on August 6th, 1914. 
Quick change in Alpine weather is what one expects, and the early 
morning of August 7th gave signs of a fine day. The Suvretta road 
was our morning ramble. There was but little fresh to record, insects 
were abundant and the sun seemed less powerful. Geometers that are 
readily disturbed by day now seemed more numerous, or was it that 
butterflies were less obtrusive. Larentia caesiata was in numbers, a 
much paler and larger form than our Scottish insect, and tremendously 
wary. Cidaria verberata was worn, and a specimen of Thera variata 
was taken, large, very pale and considerably worn. A fine example of 
Dasydia tenebraria was disturbed from a rock and captured. The Aryynnis 
niobe in this area produced but few silver spotted specimens, most were 
var. evis. On some rocks along a newer road leading to the Alpina a 
couple of Hrebia yoante were disturbed, the forerunners of a fine series 
taken here later. There were swarms of Frebia tyndarus and H. melam- 
pus, Aricia medon, Argynnis niobe, and A. aylaia all along the path-side 
wherever the hay was still standing. In the afternoon it was thought 
that a walk to Pontresina and back would be a change. In passing the 
‘Wald-park, where chamois and other Alpine animals are enclosed in 
large paddocks, a number of Parnassins apollo were seen for the first 
and only time. The two taken were males. The only other capture 
was a large example of Pieris brassicae, near Pontresina. Just close by 
the Wald-park cottage a beautiful wasp had a nest on the bank among 
the grass. The colony was small, numbering seven in all. The species 
was a bold and handsome one. There was an abundance of Geometers 
on the trunks of the trees in the woods at the foot of Piz Rosatsch, 
which flew readily as we passed quickly through in anticipation of more 
rain. 
August 8th is an empty day so far as my notes are concerned, with 
the exception of the words ‘‘ letters and telegrams sent.” We were 
evidently attempting to get into touch with our friends at home, think- 
ing that possibly by now the congestion and irregularities of the various 
mobilisations were abating, and that it would soon be possible for com- 
munications to traverse France. In the morning about the lovely 
Alpina I took a male Chrysophanus hippothoé in bred condition and a 
few Hesperids, and in the afternoon the path on the margin of St. 
Moritz lake to the Meierei and the Stiitzer See, a delightful walk of quiet 
beauty was taken. This latter had been avoided hitherto as much asa 
thronged highway would be, but now it could be enjoyed for its almost 
solitude. 
The next day we determined on a whole day in the Suvretta Thal, 
going as far as we could after the road was left for the path, consonant 
of course with collecting all the time. I wished to get up to the little 
lake, which practically marks the watershed where the drainage in the 
Val goes down to the Val Bevers, near the eastern mouth of the Albula 
tunnel. Probably had I been alone I should have essayed this long 
tramp and neglected the insect fauna. But as the day was almost 
