45 
bellargus the position of one of the most variable, probably the most 
variable, of our “blues,” the $ so much more variable than icarus, the 
? s so much more than corydon. 
One asserts this, prompted by a feeling that it is not too prevalent 
an opinion, and mentions it in passing to a few details yet to be 
mentioned with regard to bellargus, as to variation, etc., first as regards 
habits, which should be kept’ to the front, as otherwise I confess 
perhaps too liable to be relegated to a back ground. 
In contrast with what one has usually considered characteristic of 
the species, one notes that as often as not (probably), the only 
specimen of bellargus seen on the first day of its season (first or second 
brood indiscriminately) has been a 2—on one occasion (I olkestone) 
—tAvo days before a $ has been seen. 
And again, as regards a second example of a solitary 2 1905, on 
Surrey Hills, more than a mile from any hippocrepis or from any 
bellargus specimen otherwise, a typical 2 bellargus was taken (and 
released) in September. . 
Then as regards markings : during the last four years m Ivent, m 
Sussex, in Surrey, during constant collection of bellargus in both 
broods, Ave haA 7 e observed in all broods a tendency in ab. striatus, to 
blue band in 2 s on secondaries, and a definite tendency to obsoleti ; 
Avhile in Sussex and Surrey, previous to 1898, nothing of this kind 
ever fell to ones lot. (From 1898 to 1904, being abroad, no English 
collecting Avas done.) . ... 
And—still as regards 2 s—in 1903 was especially noticeable m 
Surrey the tendency to alteration of colours during the progress of 
the autumn. Towards the end of the brood the later 2 s were more 
often plain, and dull, brown, drab-black, AA r itk reduced orange 
crescents (particularly hindwings), reduced striation of fringes, and 
increase of tendency of gray apices to forewings. This probably is 
habitual Avith prolonged, late autumn broods, or those where termina¬ 
tion has been affected by cold, some approaching closely the only two 2 s 
affected (as was known to be the case) by frost which I have seen. 
These would be parallel to the grayish-coloured S s, also approaching 
those taken after frost. . . 
In the variations of the $ , the blue of particular mdiwcluals 
seems much more variable than in corydon. The blue band Avithin 
the margin of hindwings seems peculiar to bellargus among 2 s of 
u Blues.” 
Turning to the variation of $ , it often seems as if the frequency 
and kind of variation of the less aberrant individuals is liable to be 
under-estimated. • ,, , , , r o i.- > 
Of course the deep iron-gray, as well knoAvn in the late Mr. Sabine s 
collection, the pale silvery steel, the absolutely altered by bleaching 
AA'ith pinkv tinges, and the extreme of commoner shades, as green and 
violet, are too well-known to be mentioned, except as not immediately 
under consideration. 
But the remaining numbers, including an enormous percentage 
after excluding the aboA 7 e, still include many exceptions, such as the 
very pale, the pure blue of a deeper colour than any average specimen, 
the^ grayish and A 7 ery deep-coloured individuals, anti still yet some 
exceptionally brilliant, before the rest can be put down as a fairly 
homogeneous residue, even yet slightly green or slightly violet. Some 
