Il6 THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



would flutter down quite close to the leaf, immediately rise with 

 a disappointed air and fly a little further, only to be deceived 

 again and again. 



" The ova are deposited amongst the Poa grass, and hatch in 

 September. Towards the end of October the larvae go down 

 and hibernate throughout the winter and spring, coming up to 

 feed again in May ; they are generally full-fed about the end of 

 June ; and the insect appears in July or August. The larvae are 

 nocturnal feeders, coming up to feed on the grass just about 

 dusk. The method of procuring the larvae is by no means 

 enviable, even to the most ardent entomologist, as in the 

 uncertain light it necessitates crawling on one's hands and 

 knees amongst the grass, and there is always the risk of 

 grasping those little brown slugs in mistake, which resemble 

 the larvae very much in shape and colour. No artificial light 

 can be used, as the larvae immediately drop down amongst the 

 grass if this is done. The only alternative, therefore, is to use 

 one's eyes to the best advantage until the darkness makes that 

 impossible. 



" They are not difficult to rear in confinement if the larvae are 

 kept properly supplied with food." 



This butterfly, which as a British species was discovered in 

 the Isle of Arran in 1804, only occurs in the north of England 

 and in Scotland. Its localities in the latter country are Glen 

 Tilt and other valleys in the Perthshire highlands, Strathglass 

 in Inverness, Altyre woods at Forres ; Selkirk, Roxburgh, and 

 various parts of Argyleshire ; around the Lowther Hills, Dum- 

 frieshire ; also in Arran and the Isle of Skye. In most of the 

 places it is plentiful. In England it occurs in the counties of 

 Durham, Westmoreland, Cumberland, Lancashire, and York- 

 shire. It is common in Castle Eden Dene, Durham ; at 

 Grassington, in Yorkshire ; at Witherslack and Arnside, in 

 Westmoreland ; and at Grange and Silverdale, in Lancashire. 

 Abroad, it is distributed through Central and Southern 



