Retrospective Criticism, 89 



than thirty years past, I have in two instances only observed 

 this species before the month of June, and only once before 

 April. Cynthia cardui, also, is in much the same predica- 

 ment: it is common enough (in particular seasons) in the 

 autumn, and, like the Vanessa?, hybernates ; but, with one 

 single exception, I do not recollect to have observed it earlier 

 than June. I subjoin the dates of the first appearances of 

 these two insects, so far as I have noted them ; and should 

 feel obliged to any of your entomological readers if they 

 could assign a probable reason why the vernal appearance of 

 these two species should be so much later, and of rarer 

 occurrence, than that of other Papilionidae which hybernate. 

 It can hardly be supposed that the insects in question require 

 a greater degree of warmth, and a more powerful sun, to recall 

 them into active life ; when it is known that each of them, and 

 especially Atalanto, can endure the chills of autumn, and is 

 among the very last that linger on with us till a late period; 

 visiting our gardens, and spangling the ivy bushes, the asters, 

 georginas, &c, long after most other butterflies have retired 

 from view. In the Isle of Wight, I have seen V. Atalanttf bold 

 on the wing so late as the 9th of November, 1804; and, in 1 8 1 8, 

 I observed a specimen, in this parish, floating on the surface of 

 a pond, and alive, on the 5th of December. Vanessa Atalanta 

 appeared March 13. 1805 (Isle of Wight), April 27. 1819, 

 June 7. 1822, June 12. 1804, June 12. 1811. Cynthia cardui 

 appeared April 6. 1827 *, June 12. 1804, June 30. 1830. — 

 TV. T. Bree. Allesley Rectory, Nov. 10. 1832. 



Vicia sylvatica L. with difficulty raised from Seeds artificially 

 sown; and a Warwickshire Habitat of it. (Vol. V. p. 768.) — 

 Sir, I was greatly puzzled, in the first instance, to discover 

 what village in Warwickshire was meant by " Hort's Hill, 

 Hey's Wood, just ten miles from Coventry," which is men- 

 tioned by Aliquis (Vol.V. p. 768.) as the prolific habitat of 

 Ficia sylvatica. I know of no such village or place as " Hort's 

 Hill" in Warwickshire ; and presume that it is a mere misprint 

 for Hartshill, which is about ten miles from that city. This 

 error, if error it be, ought to be corrected. After several trials, 

 I have always found this beautiful vetch difficult to raise from 

 seed. I have now -in the garden a vigorous young plant of 

 it, raised this last spring, the only one that came up out of 

 many seeds sown, at different times of the season ; as, e. g., 

 autumn and spring, and the early part of the summer ; and in 

 different situations, in the borders and in pots. I am, Sir, 

 yours, &c. — -TV. T.Bree. Allesley Rectory, Nov. 10. 1832. 



* I could not observe a single specimen either of Atalanta or cardui 

 throughout the whole autumn of 1827. 



