Vatural History in the English Counties. 267 



Lewel Plantation, near Dorchester j AVrlon rufipes and sangulnea ! 

 Acanthia rare. — 20th. Stafford, near Dorchester. Peltastes necatorius ; 

 A'crida Kirbei ; A'crida aptera, which has a transparent ocellus, although 

 lately asserted to the contrary ; but it is not seen without lifting up the left 

 elytron. (See Curtis's British Entomology, A'crida.) — 25th. Plumley 

 Wood. -Bombyx coryli ! and also the larvae, by D. Senel, Esq. ; Pontia 

 (remarkably small) rapae, by one or two persons considered distinct. 



^ September 1st. Calepteryx virgo ! ! ! Corixa affinis, plentiful in Glan- 

 ville's Wootton, &c. &c. I never saw Corixa affinis before, and I have 

 often tried our pond. 



Lymexylon navale is confirmed as a British insect, also taken in Windsor 

 Forest by Mr. Griesbach. I once had a specimen of ^ombyx menthrasti, 

 and six of O^phion vinulae, hatched from the pupae of ^ombyx vinulus, 

 which is certainly a curious fact. I had of Mr. Latham a Penthophera, 

 somewhat similar to nigricans, but with a thinner body, which he said he 

 took himself; but, as he had it not in his own cabinet, I think he may be 

 mistaken. The Stylops is certainly a new genus, and the only one in 

 the order I took this year. I am, &c. — J. C. Dale, Glanville's Wootton, 

 Sejit. 19. 1830. 



Buckinghamshire. 



The Kingfisher. — There appearing to be some disagreement between the 

 author of Omithologia and other of your correspondents as to the rarity of 

 the kingfisher (^Icedo Fspida), or the frequency with which it makes its 

 appearance, I beg to state, that on the small stream which takes its rise 

 near West Wycombe, and, running through this place (Landwater and 

 Woodburn), falls into the river Thames near the latter village, the king- 

 fisher is almost a constant visiter. From the summer-house at the end of 

 my own garden, not quite 150 yards from the main street of this town, the 

 bu*d has been frequently, very frequently, seen by myself flying up and 

 down the river. On the banks of the river Lea, in the neighbourhood of 

 Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, this beautiful bird was also often seen 

 when I resided in that vicinity ; and a stuffed specimen, shot near that 

 place, now ornaments my hall. I remain. Sir, &c. — James G. Tatem, 

 Wi/combe, Jan. SI. 1831. 



Cornwall. 



TTie Cornwall Literary and Philosophical Institution was established in the 

 year 1818, for the diffusion of scientific information and the excitement of 

 literary emulation in this county; which, from its peculiar character, 

 depends more on science for its prosperity than any other part of the 

 kingdom, and at the same time affords greater facilities for the acquirement 

 of scientific knowledge, were these facilities rendered generally available. 

 The antiquities and history of Cornwall opened also a wide field for 

 literary research, and it was hoped that this Institution might prove a 

 nucleus around which the literati of the county might concentrate. A 

 Society, embracing in part the objects of this Institution, had been esta- 

 blished a short time previously under very flattering auspices ; but, its field 

 of operation being restricted to geology and mineralogy, there appeared 

 ample space for another Society in the wide scope of chemistry, mechanics, 

 natural and experimental philosophy, and natural history in its various 

 branches, both indigenous and exotic. A considerable sum was raised for 

 the purposes thus contemplated, by proprietary subscriptions of 10/. 10*., 

 and also by annual subscriptions ; and with this the foundation of the pre- 

 sent museum was laid, and an extensive collection of chemical and philoso- 

 phical apparatus purchased ; which was, for several years, used by various 

 gentlemen in elucidating different branches of science and literature by 



