Page:VCH Surrey 1.djvu/157

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INSECTS Mr. Barrett reports it from Haslemere. The Brown Argus (L. agesfis, Hb.) occurs all along the chalk range about Guildford, Horsley, Betch- worth, Buckland, Reigate, Box Hill and Croydon. I have not noticed it on the Bagshot Sands or London Clay. The Common Blue (Lyccena alexis, Hb.) is generally distributed throughout the county on chalk, sand and clay, and is often plentiful in meadows and fields. The Adonis or Clifden Blue (L. adonis, Fb.) is very local, but common in several localities on the chalk hills and in chalk pits about Gomshall, Betchworth, and especially in the chalk pits and on the upper slopes of Reigate Hill, close to the Suspension Bridge. It also occurs in certain localities on the south of the Hog's Back and in one spot near Guildford. Mr. Sydney Webb says that it had become extinct on Reigate Hill more than twenty-six years ago, but was successfully re-established there by him in 1876 by the introduction of a number of living fertile females from Folkestone, which were set at liberty on the hillsides and in the adjoining chalk pits. The species is certainly now abundant in the last-named localities, where early in June, 1900, I saw hundreds of specimens. Although the food plants are generally distributed throughout the chalk district, the species is absent from the majority of suitable localities. The Chalk Hill Blue (Lycana corydon, Fb.) is less local than the last species, and is more or less abundant throughout the chalk district from the Hog's Back on the west to the borders of Kent on the east. It is especially plentiful in the Sheep Leas, West Horsley, and about Rei- gate. It also occurs about Riddlesdown and Kenley. The Mazarine Blue (L. ads, Fb.) is reported by the late Mr. Brewer to have been taken on Reigate Hill and near Headley, but I know of no captures within the last thirty years. The Small Blue (L. alsus, Fb.) is common in many places in the chalk district, both in chalk pits and on the slopes of the hills. The Holly Blue (L. argio/us, L.) is generally distributed throughout the county along hedgerows and wood sides and also in gardens, especially where holly and ivy are plentiful. It is generally abundant amongst the hollies on Holmwood Common, between Dorking and Leith Hill, and also amongst the hollies on Bookham Common, and about ivy on old buildings and ruins. In the spring of 1900 it occurred abundantly all over the county, especially in the metropolitan district about Weybridge, Claygate, Esher, Thames Ditton, Long Ditton, Surbiton and Wimbledon. It seemed especially to affect the flowers of certain species of laurels and laurustinus, and was most abundant in the suburban gardens of Surbiton and Kingston. The Duke of Burgundy (Nemeobius lucina, L.) is sometimes com- mon in the beech woods adjoining the Sheep Leas, West Horsley. It also occurs sparingly in Sir Lucas Pepys' wood between Mickleham and Headley, and according to Mr. T. H. Briggs, near Effingham. Mr. Sydney Webb reports it as occurring very sparingly on Margery Hill near Reigate, and Mr. Barrett says it is to be found near Haslemere, but that it is very local and uncommon in point of numbers.