Goss : Lyc^na Arion on the Cotswolds. 



163 



along the quarry in which I had taken up my position. It was 

 immediately captured, and closing its wings in the net and feigning 

 death, showed me the under side of a large specimen of Arion. On 

 taking it out of the net it proved to be a female fresh from the 

 chrysalis. After waiting for sixteen years my wish to see and catch 

 this species was gratified, and having killed and securely pinned the 

 specimen, I gave vent to my feelings by prolonged cheering. 



In the course of an hour and a half's work I netted about a dozen 

 more specimens, but many of them, even thus early in the season, 

 were worn and chipped, and were therefore allowed to fly away. I 

 was really glad of the excuse for setting them at liberty, for I never 

 yet collected any very local species without being uncomfortably 

 conscious that I was contributing, to some extent, towards its 

 extermination. 



The only other species which I met with in this spot were L. 

 Argiolus, Adonis^ Alexis and Agestis, and Acidalia orriata. 



As Arion seemed so scarce in this locality, my companion advised 

 a change of ground. After making our way to the inn to which our 

 carriage had been sent on, and enjoying a good " drink " we pro- 

 ceeded westwards, and after about three miles ride arrived in our 

 new hunting grounds. 



The new locality consisted of a beech wood with numerous glades 

 and lawns, and was one of the most picturesque spots I have ever 

 visited, reminding me of some of the best scenes in the New Forest. 

 In the open spaces the ground was carpeted with flowers, chiefly wild 

 thyme, milkwort, trefoil, common bugle, &c., with here and there a 

 clump of the beautiful fox glove, besides many Orchidaceos. 



Of the Orchidaceoe I noticed the following species : Orchis maculata^ 

 Orchis pyramidalis^ Gymnadenia conopsea^ Listera ovata^ Ophi'ys apifera 

 (very common) and Ophrys arachnites. Of the last named rare species 

 I only found one specimen, and it was the first time in my life that I 

 had ever met with it. 



In this charming spot Arion was far from uncommon, and I some- 

 times saw three or four specimens at the same time. As a rule they 

 flew slowly and lazily about the low herbage, or settled on the wild 

 thyme, but occasionally they rose higher and flew swiftly about 

 among the trees, out of reach of the net. Although generally a 

 gentle flyer and easily taken, I found that when frightened they were 

 tolerably strong on the wing, and often led me a long round before 

 consenting to be captured. 



I marked down several females which alighted on wild thyme, in 



