SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



103 



BUTTERFLIES IN MID-WALES. 

 By T. A. W r . Rees, F.R.M.S. 



\J OT many butterfly-collectors exist in Mid- 

 Wales. We, of the ring-net, have to train a 

 disciple, to know of a companion. So it happens 

 that we find local insects in spots which we have 

 all to ourselves. In the dells, where the light 

 streams down through occasional openings in the 

 dark woods, we know of no fellowship save that of 

 the humming-bee or sportive butterfly. 



Few are the tourists that know the loveliness 

 which clothes the vale of Teify. Few, therefore, 

 are their sons who go insect hunting, while parents 

 and sisters go to view and sketch the land. 



Speaking of Llandyssul as a locality, the comma 

 butterfly (Vanessa, c-album) is here found in company 

 with the silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia), 

 often sporting with papliia in her lofty gambols, 

 to return to the same twig or flower which before 

 had formed its resting-place. Even more than 

 the painted-lady (Vanessa cardui) is the comma 

 noted for this habit of repeatedly visiting the same 

 spot. Not long ago, when spending a day among 

 these woods, I saw one perched on a twig. Bang ! 

 blackberry blossoms, sprays and comma were all 

 in net. Taking in the situation long before I could 

 further act, my butterfly slipped craftily out under 

 the net. After I had become aware of the trick, 

 and had disengaged my net, behold, there, on a 

 leaf not two yards away, was perched the comma, 

 as unconcerned as ever. The exact operation was 

 repeated, and again, after a somewhat hurried 

 flight through the glades, it returned, and was 

 espied on a neighbouring bush. The third attempt, 

 however, proved effectual, and the " artful dodger " 

 was secured. 



I have noticed that on the breezy heaths where 

 the dark-green fritillary (Argynnis aglaia) loves to 

 roam over the fern-tops to visit the straggling 

 brambles ; the high-brown fritillary (A . adippc) is 

 not so abundant. But down in the valley where 

 the sweet clover grows luxuriantly, or beneath the 

 forest trees, adippe is more frequently met with 

 then aglaia, and seems much more widely dispersed 

 over the fields. 



The grayling (Satyrits semele), is a very local 

 insect, and being more marked in its leisurely flight 

 than the meadow-brown (Epincphck jaiiira), and 

 ringlet (Epincpliclc liyperanthus) is easily distinguished 

 from them. The under side of the lower wings 

 are marvellous examples of Nature's art. This 

 insect is here confined, I believe, to the dry hill- 

 side near Fairdregawr Farm, and the rough fields 

 near Dollan Woods. Across the river on the 

 upper meadows near Dollan, is to be found the 



marbled-white (Mclanagria galathea), this spot being 

 one of the Welsh homes of this lovely insect, which 

 is also found somewhere between Tenby and 

 Carmarthen. 



Down near the river, sporting through the forest 

 glades, is seen the wood-argus (Pyrargc cgeria), with 

 eye-like markings and lively flight ; and in various 

 spots around the neighbourhood, the brown and 

 purple hairstreaks (Tliecla betula and T. quercus). 

 The first brown hairstreak I captured, was seated 

 on the leaves of the common hawthorn (Cratagus 

 oxyacantha). Very kindly taking into consideration 

 the fact that I then had no net with me, the 

 butterfly calmly allowed me to take it between my 

 thumb and forefinger, for which privilege I felt 

 duly indebted. 



As for the rollicking painted-lady, she spreads 

 her charms over many a flower, but has chosen 

 her capital, Craig Wytheirn, the rocky site of a 

 bard-sung battle between the Cymri of Gwalia and 

 the fair-haired sons of Hengist. On this lofty ridge 

 she enjoys full view of hill and dale and gushing 

 river, lulled through the night by the cawing of the 

 rooks from away across the tree tops, and enjoying 

 by day the company of many of her more immediate 

 relatives, the Vanessidas. 



There came a red-letter August in 1S92. The 

 clouded-yellows (Colias cdusa) roamed over every 

 hillside, frequently straying among the flowers of 

 the valleys. Here, as in all places that season, 

 edtisa was the gem of every spot. She even rested 

 on the trellis of the garden arbour, to sun her 

 gorgeous wings of yellow and black. 



The prettiest name I think I have ever heard 

 bestowed upon a fragile quivering creature is that 

 given in the language of the Cymri to the butterfly. 

 Never dreaming of the pompous name of Rlwpalocera, 

 the Welsh peasant calls the little wanderer that 

 flits before his eyes adown the glowing clover his 

 " little summer hen " (Iar fach yr haf). This term 

 of endearment is at once homely and touching. It 

 breathes of the pure air, of an atmosphere where 

 pity and love for these lowly creatures reign 

 supreme. The same mind that grasps the glories 

 of the beloved nightingale's vesper, when evening 

 is still, drinks in the beaut}- of the fluttering 

 butterfly, when the summer noon is filled with the 

 low hum of active insect life. 



I think the most inquisitive of butterflies are the 

 small-tortoiseshell (Vanessa urtica), and speckled- 

 wood (P. egeria). I have often been surprised by 

 one of these insects settling on me. 

 Llandyssul, Cardiganshire; Fel 



