THE SWISS SPECIES OF THE GENUS HESPERIA. 87 
but in the mountains they overlap. In the latter case, if any number 
are taken, the condition of the specimens will be helpful. 
Another form of variation in the basal spots is not uncommon. 
These spots are normally three in number, but the centre one shows a 
strong tendency to decline in size, and is, not unfrequently, absent. 
The two remaining ones, however, retain a perfectly typical appear- 
ance. Yet another variety of these spots is occasionally observed. 
The costal one is much elongated, projecting towards the median band, 
always, however, being rounded at the two extremities; there is also 
an increase in width in the median band, so that the spot is nearly 
united to it. In the extreme form of this aberration, the costal spot 
and the median band are joined, the spot diminishing in width towards 
the point of junction; the upper, or basal end of the spot, being still 
rounded. This extreme form is very rare, I have only seen the one 
example in my own collection ; the transitional form, however, 1s more 
frequently met with. Any form of the var. eatensa is rare in serratulae. 
Out of the large number of the species I have taken or examined, from 
a variety of widely separated localities, I have only found a few speci- 
mens showing a tendency to this form of variation; and in most 
instances the projection from the central spot of the of the band is very 
slight, just sufficient to break the even edge of the typical formation ; 
but in a few cases it is strongly developed. It is interesting to note, 
however, that the tendency to produce these aberrations does exist in 
serratulae, although to a less pronounced degree than in any other 
species. © 
Of varieties of the upperside the ab. caeca is the most striking, and 
transitional specimens, with the white spots very much reduced but 
still present, are not uncommon, particularly among the 9s. I have 
taken both sexes, however, quite without markings. The ab. tara- 
soides I have not seen, but specimens with enlarged white markings 
occur both in the plains and mountains. 
Grove B. 
H. carthami, Hb. 
Carthami is found more frequently in sub-alpine regions than in 
the plains. It can be taken at moderate heights throughont the 
Valaisian Alps, but seems not to occur in the Canton Vaud. In the 
lowlands I have only taken it in the Rhone Valley (Martigny district). 
It is, without doubt, the best known species of the genus; yet, on 
looking it up in various works, I was surprised to find the. greatest 
divergence of opinion as to whether it is double- or single-brooded. 
According to the late Canon Favre it is double-brooded in the Rhone 
Valley, occurring there in April and May, and again in July and 
August (Wheeler, Butts. Switz.). Mr. Wheeler adds, however, that he 
has taken it at Follaterre, quite fresh,on June 12th. Kane (Hurop. 
Butts.) records it as double-brooded, flyimg in May and June, and July 
and August, and adds, “earlier brood smaller and browner than the 
second ’’; while Mabile (Seitz, Macro-lepidop. of the World) notes it in 
May and June, and again from July until the autumn. Kirby (butts. 
of Europe) states that it flies from May to August, implying one 
extended brood; which from my own observations I am sure is the 
correct solution. Favre's dates are probably the extremes he noted in 
