A HISTORY OF SUSSEX Many specimens have been taken on the south-eastern edge of Gnat Wood by 'sugaring' the tree stems. Dr. Hodgson (formerly of Brighton) told me that a few years ago he found eight or nine larvae of this species on one sallow bush in Abbots Wood. The species occurs in most of the oak woods in the Weald. It is reported from Ashburnham, Battle, Buxted, Isfield, the Holmbush and Tilgate Forest. From west Sussex it has been recorded from the neighbourhood of Bosham, Harting and the Hundred of Manhood, also from St. Leonards Forest near Horsham, and from Ticehurst. The Marbled White {Arge galathea, L.*) although local is abundant in many localities, especially along the coast between Eastbourne and Seaford. It also occurs in profusion in Abbots Wood and the adjoining woods and fields near Hailsham. It has also been recorded from Firle, Sompting, Tilgate Forest, Horsham and Charlton Forest. The Wood Argus {Satyrus egeria, L.) is generally distributed in woods and lanes, but is less common than formerly, Mr. Jenner says it is disappearing from many localities. It is reported as being generally common in west Sussex, as near Cocking, Bury, Charlton Forest, Midhurst and in the Slindon Woods. The Wall Butterfly {S. megcera, L.) is generally distributed and often abundant. The Gray- ling [S. semele, L.) is common both on the sandy heaths and on the chalk downs. The Meadow Brown {S. ianira, L.)* is abundant every- where in meadows and on hillsides, and the Large Heath {S. tithonus, L.) is common everywhere throughout the county by hedgerows, road- sides and in woods. The Ringlet [S. hyperanthus, L.') is not so gener- ally distributed as its congeners, but is locally common in woods in both east and west Sussex. I have found it in abundance in the woods near Hailsham, and Mr. W. M, Christy has reported the occur- rence of the variety arete near Stoughton. The Small Heath {Chorto- bius pamphillus, L.) is everywhere common in fields, woods and on heaths and hillsides. The Green Hairstreak [Thecla rubi, L.) is not uncommon in rough pastures, woods, and along hedgerows. Mr. Fletcher says it is especially common where Genista tinctoria abounds. It used to be abundant amongst the whitethorn bushes on the east side of Gnat Wood near Polegate. The Purple Hairstreak (T'. quercus, L.) is not uncommon in oak woods in both east and west Sussex. I have seen it swarming in Abbots Wood around the tops of oaks. The White Letter Hairstreak {T. w-album, Knoch.) is said to be at the present day
- Danais plexippusyh. has been occasionally taken in the county. Mr. Fletcher says of it : 'A
very rare immigrant. At Hayward's Heath in 1876 (£»/. ix. 265) ; at Kcymer in the same year (£«/. X. 73) ; at Worthing two seen and one taicen in August, 1887 ; one seen at Eastbourne in 1 890.' (Tutt. Brit. Butterflies, 370).— H.G. ' Mr. Fletcher says that there appears to be a partial second brood on the wing in the late summer and early autumn. Specimens with irregular whitish patches on the wings are reported from Polegate, the neighbourhood of Emsworth, and from Charlton Forest. — H.G. ^ The Marsh Ringlet {Camnympha tspkon [Jat'us], Rott.) was formerly recorded as having occurred in Ashdown Forest. This is doubtless an error. The species is confined in the United Kingdom to some parts of Scotland, Ireland, north Wales, Cumberland, Westmorland, north Lancashire, Cheshire, Durham, Yorkshire and north Staffordshire. — H.G.
