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LETTERS FROM 
flies, and two or three belonging to the 
genus polyommatus , which appeared quite 
different from the British species. As I had 
no net with me, I was unable to catch any 
of these butterflies, except one or two of the 
swallow-tails, which fled heavily and slowly. 
Green lizards were in great abundance. 
Wearied with chasing butterflies, I sat down 
by a large prickly-pear bush, to admire the 
brilliant colours and graceful movements of 
these little reptiles, as they pursued each 
other from leaf to leaf, appearing to vie with 
each other in feats of agility. 
In an hour or two I was joined by my 
companions, whose resolution had failed 
them when about half-way up the mountain, 
but they gave such a description of the 
beautiful view they had enjoyed, that I 
almost regretted having remained behind. 
We determined to visit this spot again the 
