Normally the eggs of the spring butterflies are laid on the under side of the calyces of flower-buds of holly (_Ilex_). The caterpillars feed on the flower-buds and also on the young green berries. They are full grown in about a month, change to chrysalids, and the butterflies emerge in July and August. Among other pabula that have been mentioned are the flowers of dogwood (_Cornus sanguinea_), berry-bearing alder (_Rhamnus frangula_), and spindle (_Euonymus europæus_). [Illustration: _Pl._ 112. =Holly Blue.= _Eggs enlarged; caterpillar and chrysalis._] [Illustration: _Pl._ 113. =Holly Blue.= 1, 2, 6 _male_; 3, 4, 7 _female (spring)_; 5 _male_; 8, 9 _female (summer)_.] In confinement the caterpillars will eat young leaves of holly and probably of ivy also, but where flower-buds are available they prefer them and ignore the tender leaves. The Rev. Gilbert Raynor, on May 18, 1901, observed a female deposit an egg on an unopened flower-bud of rhododendron in his garden; and he also mentions that he beat a number of the caterpillars of all sizes from holly during the first week of July in the same year. Mr. Dennis reported that on October 9, 1902, all stages of the species were to be found at Earl's Colne, Essex. Butterflies of the first flight are usually to be seen in April and May, and of the second, which is perhaps only partial and may not be represented at all, in July and August. Specimens have been observed as early as the last week of March, and, as adverted to above, as late as October. For a few years in succession the species may become increasingly numerous, and then suddenly become quite scarce for a year or two. Most probably this is the result of favourable or unfavourable weather conditions. The taller hollies, where these grow in gardens, open woody places, on hillsides, or even in hedgerows, are frequented by these butterflies in the spring; and the ivy-clad walls, etc., are their haunts in the summer. The species is widely distributed, and often common, over the whole of the south of England and Wales. North of the Midlands, as well as in Ireland, it is more local, and occurs, I believe, only in the first brood. Possibly in the South of Ireland there may be a second brood. Barrett states that there is no reliable record for Scotland. Abroad, its range extends throughout Europe and Northern Asia, except the Polar Regions, to China and Japan. It also occurs in North Africa. The Small Blue (_Zizera minima_). The butterfly on Plate 115 is sometimes referred to as the "Bedford Blue" and also as the "Little Blue."