OBTAINING EGGS OF BUTTERFLIES. 13 



are laid in June, in little groups of two, three, or more, on the under- 

 side of the leaves of Relianthemum vuhjare. 



In June, by following up a female Polyommatus bellargus when on 

 egglaying intent, one can obtain eggs quite freely by picking the leaves 

 one after the other as she quits the plants on which she has been 

 engaged. 



The egg of Lycaena avion is deposited in June among the flowers of 

 Thymus serpyllum, being circular in outline, and covered all over, except 

 a central depressed spot on top, with fine raised irregular reticulation, 

 which, in profile, stands out strongly. 



Pick the flower-heads of Anthyllis vulneraria in June for the eggs 

 of Cupido minima ; although they are placed low down on the calyces 

 of the Anthyllis flowers, and thus hidden from casual observation, they 

 may be easily detected on careful search. Females enclosed over a 

 plant of Ajithyllis vulneraria, and allowed plenty of sun, will lay eggs 

 freely among the flowers. 



The eggs of Nemeobius lucina are readily found on the underside of cow- 

 slip leaves in late May and June, not more than four or five on a leaf ; 

 also to be found similarly on primrose leaves. They may also be readily 

 obtained by enclosing caught $ s on potted plants of cowslip or 

 primrose. 



The eggs of Melitaea aurinia can be obtained freely by enclosing 

 caught females in a leno sleeve over a plant of Scabiow succisa, the 

 eggs being laid in heaps on the surface of the leaves. In nature, the 

 egg- batches may be found by careful searching and turning over the 

 scabious leaves in their haunts. 



Captured 2 s of Brenthis euphrosyne, taken in late May or early 

 June, lay their eggs freely on the 'leaves of Viola canina. So also do 

 those of B. selene, choosing indiscriminately the upper- and underside 

 of leaves and the stems. 



The imagines of Melampias epiphron will lay their eggs in confine- 

 ment, if placed in a suitable receptacle with a supply of grasses on 

 which the larva will feed, e.g., Nardus stricta, Air a fiexuosa, etc. 



In late June (and during July) the beautiful eggs of Limenitm 

 sibylla, covered with deeply-set hexagonal basins, and sharp prominent 

 spiny points, giving rise to fine gossamer-like hairs, are laid on the edge 

 of the underside of a honeysuckle leaf. 



Eggs of Colias edusa maybe obtained in June by placing a $? under a 

 bell-glass with a sod of white clover ; they are laid on the upper surface of 

 the leaves ; the eggs in a batch often hatch irregularly, even when the 

 whole is deposited within a few hours. The $ s should be supplied 

 with a little honey and water for food, and will lay their eggs pretty 

 freely so long as the weather is bright and sunny; during dull weather 

 the butterflies will not lay. 



Immigrant females of Pontia daplidice lay their eggs occasionally 

 in June, on Reseda luteola. 



In May, the flowering stems of Cardamine pratensis and Alliaria 

 officinalis should be collected for the orange-coloured (yellow when first 

 laid) eggs of Euchlo'e cardamines, which are usually laid (one on each 

 flower- head) on the pedicel of a flower nearly over. 



The long spindle-shaped eggs of Leptidia sinapis are to be found 

 readily in May on Vicia cracca and Lathyrus tuberosus. 



The globular, greenish-yellow or greenish -white (when newly-laid) 



