In this species the colour of both sexes on the upper side is a _warm, dark brown_, having on all the wings a border of dark orange spots. The female hardly differs from the male, except in having this border broader, and more extended on the front wing; where, {160} in the male, it is sometimes very indistinct. The under side much resembles that of the female of _Alexis_, the border of orange spots being even more distinct on the front wing than on the hind one. It will be observed on referring to Plate XIV. that on the under sides of all the butterflies there figured, there is an irregular black spot situated near the front edge of the upper wing and midway in its length--this is called the "_discoidal spot_." It will also be observed that the common Blue (fig. 4) has, on the area of the wing, between the discoidal spot and the root of the wing, two spots, which are _absent in this species_. This forms a very ready mark of distinction, though it requires a good many words to explain it. The _caterpillar_, which feeds on _Erodium Cicutarium_, and perhaps on _Helianthemum_ (Rock Cistus), is green, with pale spots on the back, and a brownish line down the middle. The _butterfly_ appears in May and June, and again in August, and is common in very many localities in the south, being particularly abundant on the downs of the south coast and the Isle of Wight. * * * * * {161} THE ARTAXERXES BUTTERFLY. (_Polyommatus Artaxerxes._) (Plate XIV. fig. 7.) _Colouring_, same as in the last species (_Agestis_); but on the upper surface, the orange border-spots are often hardly perceptible on the front wing, and there is a distinct _white_ spot in the centre of the front wings. The _under side_ also is precisely like that of Agestis, with the black spots removed from the centre of the white rings, which are thus changed into _large white spots_, as shown in the figure. There has been a great deal of discussion among entomologists, as to whether this be a distinct _species_, or only a variety of _Agestis_. I believe it to be the latter, but do not attach much importance to the question; and as this butterfly is found under the name of _Artaxerxes_, in almost every cabinet, and is rather a famous little insect, I have thought it best to give it a separate heading under its usual title, and collecting readers may still label it in their cabinet either as above, or as "_P. Agestis, var. Artaxerxes_," and probably will be equally right either way. The popular nature and limited extent of this work will not, however, admit of the subject being entered into scientifically, and I can only here state that I have {162} seen specimens from various parts of the country, that include every intermediate variety between the ordinary _Agestis_ of the south, and the _Artaxerxes_ of Scotland. The Durham Argus, formerly called _P. Salmacis_, forms one of these gradations.