115 



in finding the species when I looked for it, It was first noticed on 

 2nd September, a sunny Sunday morning, when my son saw two 

 or three individuals disporting themselves near Beachy Head. 

 Monday was wet, Tuesday I was in London, and on Wednesday I 

 was not able to go in quest of them ; but a specimen was seen flit- 

 ting along a grassy bank within the Hmits of the town of East- 

 bourne. Thursday was, therefore, the first chance I had of making 

 a raid upon them. Accordingly, a start was made in the direction 

 of Beachy Head, and, on reaching the " hollows " along the cliff 

 front, three specimens were quickly secured, but the sky becoming 

 densely clouded further search was useless. Friday and Saturday 

 were blank days, and, as I was due back in London on the following 

 evening, and had not been able to satisfy myself as to whether the 

 species was really fairly common, I was becoming desperate, when, 

 by good luck, we woke to one of the brightest Sunday mornings 

 that we had had during our stay by the sea, and lost no time in 

 making a start to investigate the matter. How bright those grassy 

 " down-sides " looked in the brilliant morning sunshine after the 

 recent copious rain-showers, and how the few butterflies that were 

 on the wing seemed to enjoy the genial warmth ! but edusa thrust 

 itself upon our notice even before these joyful scenes were reached, 

 for, on stepping from the end of the parade on to Vv^hat was once 

 one of the snuggest bits of collecting ground in the district, but now 

 little better than a rubbish heap, a fine male was seen, radiant in the 

 glory of his newly-acquired plumage, flitting about the few knapweed 

 blossoms that still remained ; it really looked too beautiful to be ruth- 

 lessly slain, but I fear man's hunting instinct had the mastery of his 

 finer feelings in this case. Continuing our ramble, we made for the 

 "hollows" furthest from the sea front, they being the more sheltered 

 from the wind, and soon found more edusa, but the edge of an ugly- 

 looking cloud appearing over the downs, bade us look out for 

 squalls, and seek the only shelter in the neighbourhood — a corn- 

 rick, with a strong list to leeward ; nor were we any too quick in 

 doing so, for we had hardly nestled under its welcome cover when 

 a driving shower swept over, drenching the herbage, which was of 

 much heavier growth than is usual on these chalky hill sides, owing, 

 no doubt, to recent rains. But the sun soon shone forth again, 

 brighter than ever, making the rain-drops sparkle like diamonds on 

 the pastures, and the butterflies to resume their gambols with re- 

 doubled energy, edusa being among the first to leave its shelter. 

 But, oh ! the rain, that terrible marplot to the butterfly hunter ; it 

 was down upon us again, and this time harder than ever, and how- 

 ever welcome the lee-side of a corn-rick may be during a shower on 

 the open downs, such a position becomes, after a time, exceedingly 

 monotonous ; and, although the rain did eventually cease, the sun 

 showed no disposition to show his face again, and we accordingly 

 took discretion to be the better part of valour, and beat an 

 ignominious retreat towards home, but not until we had satisfied 



