MAY. 
123 
hollow dots^ which shine like 
new copper. A strong odour 
proceeds from it., resembling 
that of prussic acid^ or al- 
mond kernels. It is not un- 
common throughout the year, 
in meadows and ploughed 
fields. I also saw two new 
butterflies^ the Grey-veined 
White f Pontia Oleracea ), 
and the beautiful little Spring 
Azure (Polyommatus Lu- , ^ v 
( Catosoma (JaLidum.) 
cia ) ; these last were quite 
numerous^ but confined to a small space of the road, and a part 
of the field adjacent ; they are exceedingly playful ; chasing 
each other through the air^, and though often alighting on the 
ground^ remaining scarcely an instant before they are in 
flight again^ flitting about over one particular spot^ which 
they seem reluctant to leave. Notwithstanding they are so 
restless^ they are not difficult of approach^, and are easily 
caught. The colour of their wings_, a delicate azure blue^ is 
exceedingly brilliant. 
Cn — In the hard- woods^ I observed several plants springing 
up through the fallen leaves of autumn, many of them having, 
in growing up, pierced through a dead leaf. They generally 
consist of one leaf, hollow or sheathed at the bottom, but 
some have another smaller leaf^ appearing in the sheath of 
the first. Their colour is peculiar ; they are of a polished 
green, with more or fewer brown spots, many of which run 
into each other, and cover a large part of the surface. A 
single stem springs from the leaf, surmounted by a very ele- 
gant drooping flower, of a bright yellow. 
F, — It is the Yellow Dog-tooth Violet ( Frythronium Ame» 
ricanum J, which blooms abundantly in the beech woods. 
G 2 
