FAUNA OF GALASHIELS AND DISTRICT 181 



is, however, very uncertain in its appearance, sometimes 

 disappearing from the district for years. It is occasion- 

 ally taken on Gala Hill and in the Ellwyn valley. The 

 caterpillar feeds on Thistles. 



Erebia blandina, the Scotch Argus, though rare in some 

 parts of the country, is of common occurrence in this 

 district, being abundant in August on Gala Hill, Langlee 

 Hill, and Gattonside Moor. 



Satyrus semele, the grayling or rock-eyed underwing, is 

 rather a rare insect here, only a few specimens having 

 been taken. It frequents railway embankments, and is 

 fond of resting on barren stony spots. 



Epirephile janira, the meadow brown, is a common country 

 insect, and abounds in the meadows near the Ellwyn or 

 Caddon. 



Epirephile hyperanthus, the ringlet, is also common here, 

 and resembles the preceding in its habits. 



CiENONYMPHA DAVus, the large heath or marsh ringlet, 

 though common in many parts of Scotland, is a rare 

 insect here, only occurring in Threepwood Moss near 

 Lauder. 



Cu^NONYMPHA PAMPHiLus, the small heath butterfly, is another 

 very common insect, and occurs in profusion in all the 

 surrounding district. The larvae of this butterfly and 

 of the preceding five are Grass-feeders. 



PoLYOMMATtrs PHL^AS, the Small copper, is of frequent 

 occurrence in our neighbourhood, and, although a small 

 insect, is an exceedingly elegant object on the wing. 

 There are several broods in the year, and the larvso 

 feed on the common Sorrel. 



PoLYOMMATUS ICARUS, the Commou blue, is one of the common- 

 est of our native species, and, although a small butter- 

 fly, is one of the most pugnacious of its race, and 

 when animated will not suffer any of its tribe to 

 approach the flower on which it rests with impunity. 

 It will assail and drive away the red admiral, although 

 six times its size. The larvae feed on wild Strawberry. 



