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OBSERVATIONS ON THE SCARCE SWALLOW TAIL, 



(PAPILIO PODALIRIUS.) 



By J. E. 



As the Lepidoptera are more attractive than the generality of our native 

 insects, and as the butterfly has " found favour even in ladies' eyes," the announce- 

 ment of the capture of one of the rarest and most elegant, the scarce Swallow 

 Tail, Papilio podalirius, will be hailed, we doubt not, with joy, and still more 

 happy will he be who can obtain a specimen of it. In a late number of Mr. 

 Curtis's .British Entomology, a specimen of this Papilio has been figured, which 

 was taken near Windsor, by W. H. Rudston Read, Esq. and others have lately 

 been purchased, as British, by G. Robertson, of Limehouse, and Dr. Bromfield, 

 of Hastings. The principal object of calling attention to this subject is the hope 

 that when this butterfly is generally known, others will come forward and furnish 

 additional proof of British specimens having been taken ; for although, like many 

 others, it only apppears occasionally, yet when seasons are congenial to its habits, 

 it will appear probably for many successive years. It is now known to be found at 

 Hamburgh, which is as far to the north as York ; therefore, the erroneous idea that 

 its northern range renders its appearance here impossible, is no longer tenable. 

 There is one thing, however, that collectors ought to be warned of, P. podalirius, 

 and many other insects rare in Britain, are common enough on the Continent, and 

 are easily obtained from thence, even in the larva state, and we are sorry to 

 have reason to believe there are individuals who see no objection to selling such as 

 British, in order to enhance their value. 



THE ALYSSUM CALYCINUM. 



The Alyssum calycinum has been lately discovered in Charnwood Forest, 

 about half way between Gracedieu and Whitwick, in a botanizing excursion, by 

 the Messrs. Churchill and Arthur Babingtons, and the Rev. Andrew Bloxam. 

 It was found growing sparingly in a small field adjoining some rocks, amongst 

 Medicago lupulina. Specimens have been sent to Mr. Watson, Professor Hen- 

 slow, and other eminent botanists. This is the first time that the plant has been 

 noted as growing in England. It was, however, discovered in two places in Scot- 

 land last year, at Dirleton Common, Haddingtonshire, and on the coast of Forfar, 

 and a notice of it communicated to the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, 

 by Professor Graham ; it is also introduced into Mr. Watson's remarks on the 

 distribution of British plants. 



