202 [September, 



ported from the fag end of winter to delightful summer surroundings, 

 even though the weather in the south of France was not at first all 

 that could be desired ; generally the mornings were fine with hot 

 sunshine, but about mid-day the clouds began to gather on the 

 mountains, and the afternoons were generally dull. Whenever the sun 

 shone there were butterflies in a profusion, such as one sees in the 

 most favoured parts of Switzerland. My collecting began on April 

 22nd. The commonest butterfly everywhere was Thecla ruhi, next to 

 that Lyccena melcmops, which also seemed universal. On the Col de 

 Notre Dame Papilio Macliaon and Podalio-ius were in great abundance, 

 sometimes to be seen in flights of half a dozen or so. I noticed that 

 the two species seemed really to dwell apart, Machaon on the north 

 side of the hill, near the top, Podalirius on the south side ; they 

 would, however, sometimes mingle in flight. Erehia epistygne was 

 common on the top of the hill until I left at the end of the month ; 

 it is quite invisible unless the sun is shining brightly (I have noticed 

 the same habit with several Erehice in Switzerland, notably E. Pronoe). 

 It is not an easy insect to take, especially if there is any wind 

 blowing. We certainly missed more specimens than we caught. 



During our stay at Digne till April 29th we saw very few 

 examples of Thais Medesicaste, though almost every locality in the 

 immediate neighbourhood was visited, I fancy that the steep cliff on 

 the right bank of the Bleoze is the best place ; here I saw, but could 

 not capture, the var. Honoratii, the "piece de resistance" of Digne. 

 I was told that very few have been taken there this year. The two 

 specimens I brought home were taken on the Col de Notre Dame. 

 Eour specimens only of Lyccena Sehrus fell to my lot, and two of 

 these were taken at rest on flowers in dull weather. Rhodocera 

 Cleopatra was fairly common ; as to this I cannot agree that it is co- 

 specific with R. rliamni ; both forms occur at Digne and are utterly 

 unlike in their habits and mode of flight in both sexes. Only a few 

 examples of Anthocharis Bella were taken, and but two of A. 

 euphenoides at this time. Most of the common European spring 

 butterflies were to be seen, including many specimens of Vanessa 

 Antiopa, but nothing special except Melitcea Aurinia var. provincialis, 

 which was common everywhere. 



On the 29th of April we left Digne for the Eiviera, and during 

 our journey halted for a few minutes at Entrevaux. I should imagine 

 this to be a very good place for butterflies, though not an inviting 

 town to stay in. The day was hot and fine, and I observed several 

 Grapta Egea and one specimen of Apafura Clytie, which settled close 



