Page:VCH Cornwall 1.djvu/258

 A HISTORY OF CORNWALL the south coast. At present it does not appear to be so abundant as it was fifteen years ago. Spiller says that about Godolphin it is triple-brooded in most years, the emergences occurring in early May, in July, and in October. The Grayling (Satyrus semeli) is abundant on the high heath land, the commons, and the sunny- parts of the cliff from Morwinstow to Dizzard Head, and common on most of the heath and dry waste land of the county generally. On sheltered broken cliff land on the south coast it is often present in great numbers, but sits so close baking itself in the sun that it might easily be overlooked. The Large Meadow Brown (Epinephile janira) is abundant both on the mainland and at Scilly. Very small specimens are occasionally taken about Ludgvan and Gulval in the third and fourth week in August in perfectly fresh condition, which Barrett thought probably belonged to a partial second brood. Many of the Scillonian specimens are richer in colour and more velvety in texture than the type. Bleached forms and varieties with extra ocelli on the upper wings are taken by Spiller every year at Godolphin. The Small Meadow Brown (E. tithonus) shows a marked affection for a Cornish hedgebank covered with a tangle of bramble canes. It is common and widely distributed over the county, but is neither so general nor so abundant as the preceding species. Bleached examples and varieties with bi- and tri-pupilled ocelli occur at Godolphin, and in 1903 Spiller took a melanic form there with two extra ocelli. The Wood Ringlet (E. hyperanthes) is local, but fairly common. About Poundstock and Millook it is usually common on the shady side of the taller hedgebanks and among the woods ; and for several years has been plentiful in one particular haunt in the valley of the Gannel. In 1902 it was abundant near the bottom of the Cascade Wood, Trebartha, and round the upper pond. It occurs on the banks of the Tamar and the Lynher, and in colonies along the southern half of the county as far west as Falmouth. Casual specimens have been taken in the Land's End district. The Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) is common and generally distributed throughout the east and north-east of the county, fairly common in the middle, and local in the west. The Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) has been taken twice and seen occasionally by the Rev. G. Lupton Allen at Millook, and A. K. Peter describes it as fairly common some years about Poundstock. At least three single specimens have been captured around Bude and one at Kilk- hampton. Two were obtained at Trebartha in 1902, and it has been taken in the valley of the Lynher. The Green Hairstreak (T. rub'i) is fairly common but local in the east, somewhat scarce as a rule in the middle, and rare in the west of the county. In good years it is of frequent occurrence about Millook and Launceston, in 1902 it was common at Trebartha, and is often taken at Saltash and Whitsand Bay East. It was fairly common in 1901 near Liskeard and Looe, plentiful in 1903 about Boscastle, and was taken at Lostwithiel and at Bodmin. Rollason reports it from Polperro and Truro, and Miss Snell has sent in specimens from St. Agnes. Spiller has taken two specimens at Godolphin, Marquand one near Penzance, and Mrs. Clark one at Hayle. The Purple Hairstreak (T. quercus) is common and locally abundant in the east of the county and about Millook, is not infrequently taken about Liskeard and Bodmin, but is scarce further west. It has been recorded by Rollason from St. Austell and Burngullow, and by Spiller round the oaks at Godolphin, but has not been found in the Penzance district. The Small Copper (Polyommatus phlocai) is common and generally distributed throughout the county. It is in some seasons remarkably abundant in places along the south coast. Silvery white, pale golden, and black varieties have been found at various times, and Spiller chronicles one from Godolphin with the left fore-wing quite white. The Silver-studded Blue (Lycaena aegon) seems to be practically restricted to the western half of the county. It is locally not uncommon on the moorlands of the Land's End country, is common on all the heaths and downs of the Lizard peninsula and of the Breage and Sithney parishes, is not infrequently obtained most seasons about Falmouth and Truro, and occurs regularly at Perranporth. Only occasional specimens have been recorded east of Burngullow, chiefly from Looe and Whitsand Bay. The females vary much in colour, some being almost indistinguishable from L. minima, while others show a great deal of blue. The Brown Argus (L. astrarche) is local and apparently nowhere common in the county. It has been taken at Perranporth, Mithian, and for the last three years at Carbis Bay. In the south it appears to be commonest at Praa Green, but has been taken occasionally at Godolphin and once or twice about Penzance. Reading found it in the extreme east of the county nearly fifty years ago, but there is no recent record. The Common Blue (L. icarus) is generally distributed, and in most districts abundant, especially near the sea. Colour variations are numerous. Though there is no chalk in the county the Chalk Hill Blue (L. corydon) has been obtained several times. Stephen Clogg found it tolerably abundant on the railway banks near Terras, Pill, and other places. 1 Baily reported the occurrence of a single specimen at Paul, near Penzance ; and Marryat took two near Whitsand Bay East. 1 Newman, British Butterflies, 132. 206