I46 THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



In a state of nature the caterpillar feeds on wych-elm ( Ulmu s 

 montana), but it will eat the leaves of the common elm (Ulmus 

 campestris). It is to be obtained in May and June by beating 

 wych-elms in localities where the butterfly is known to 

 occur. 



The butterfly is on the wing in July, and usually disports 

 itself around the elm trees, but it is fond of bramble blossoms, 

 and may often be netted when feasting on those flowers. It is 

 a local species, but, as a rule, plentiful enough in its localities. 

 It is rare in Hampshire and Dorsetshire, scarce in Sussex, and 

 not found in many parts of Kent. Ripley, in Surrey, was a 

 well-known locality for it in the early part of the last century, 

 and the caterpillars were found there commonly quite recently. 

 In Essex it is generally common near Maldon. And, according 

 to Barrett, it is " plentiful in various parts of Suffolk ; very 

 scarce in Norfolk ; found more or less plentifully in Herts, 

 Hants., Cambs., and Northamptonshire ; very rare in Notting- 

 hamshire ; but again to be found in North Lincolnshire ; and 

 common in several localities near Doncaster, Barnsley, and 

 elsewhere in Yorkshire. This appears to be its northern 

 limit, and in this respect it contrasts curiously with Thecla 

 betidce [The Brown Hairstreak], since it extends farther north 

 in the east than that species ; yet in the west is recorded no 

 farther than Cheshire and Shropshire, where I found it thirty- 

 five years ago upon Benthall Edge. In Herefordshire it is 

 recorded but rarely ; more commonly in Worcestershire ; also 

 in Derbyshire and Needwood Forest, Staffordshire ; common 

 around Burton-on-Trent and elsewhere in Leicestershire ; and 

 in Oxfordshire, Bucks, and Berks. But its metropolis seems to 

 be Wiltshire, where Mr. Perkins has found it around Marl- 

 borough and Savernake in thousands, as well as in Gloucester- 

 shire." It has also been obtained in Monmouthshire, but its 

 extreme western limit seems to be Weston-super-Mare, Somer- 

 setshire. Abroad it is widely distributed in Europe, except the 



