30 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. [February 



butterflies were numerous — amongst them being Argvnnis pales, Erebia 

 lappona, E. tyiidarus, Procris staticcs, C. lutcaria and S. aurita var. Ramosa. 



A. pales is, so to speak, one of the most "individual" of the 

 Argynnidoe. It has two forms ; that of the higher Alps being smaller 

 and more angular than that taken below 7,000 feet. 



E. lappona is interesting in that precisely the same form occurs in 

 Norway. As is the case with E. tyndarus, its flight is a peculiar floppy 

 one. 



S. aurita var. Ramosa is very rare and local, only occurring above 

 the pine zone, and the only occasion on which we came across it 

 was in this descent into the Rhone Valley. 



Coleopterists will be interested in the specimens taken by my 

 friend within a few yards of the renowned Rhone glacier, more than 

 7,000 feet above the level of the sea. They include Althous Niger, 

 Diacanthiis osneus, D. rugosus, Calathus melanoceplialus, Anchomenes 

 melanoccphalus , Cicindela gallica, Gavabus arvensis, Otiorhyncus scabiosus, 

 Oriena niger, Pterosiiclms clioromela, Harpalus vulgaris, Rliagium 

 bifasciatum, a species of Malthodes, and several species of Aphodii. 



We passed the night at the Rhone Glacier Hotel, and made an 

 early start on the morrow for Meirengen. 



High above the Rhone Valley, and shutting it in on the north, 

 runs a great mountain chain, the most easterly pass in which is 

 formed by the saddle of the Grimsel. This mountain slopes down to 

 the valley southwards for 1,300 feet, under the name of Maienwand. 

 Being here completely sheltered from the north, the growth of 

 Rhododendrons, Gentians, Anemones, and other flowers, is most 

 luxuriant, and insects flit about in large numbers. The extreme 

 fertility of this mountain slope is most remarkable, when we consider 

 its position in the centre of the great glacier system of Switzerland. 

 It was a source of regret to me that we did not stay longer there. 

 The day was perfect for entomology, and we might have made some 

 noteable captures, though it would have been under considerable 

 difficulties as the hill side was so steep. 



The most interesting insect taken was Melitcea cynthia, the only 

 fritillary (with the exception of M. iduna, in Lapland), with white 

 patches on the upper side of the wings. It is only to be taken above 

 the tree-limit, and near the snow-line. 



Of the mountain Erebias, 1 took a small but select series of the 

 very local and rare E. mnestra, also specimens of E. melampus, and 

 E. epiphron var. Cassiope. 



There were many C. hyale flying about, and two specimens taken 

 are noteworthy for Lheir variation in colour and general features. 



