244 [A P ril « 



species than those I have mentioned, which are plentiful in fen- 

 districts elsewhere, might, if properly worked for, be found to occur 

 here also. 



If, however, the present drainage scheme under consideration 

 should be carried out, many of the plants, as well as most of the 

 species at present found, must necessarily disappear. In conclusion : 

 should many of the localities which have hitherto, I believe, been 

 scarcely visited by an entomologist, be worked systematically, I an- 

 ticipate that some interesting Lepidoptera will be added to our "West 

 Norfolk fauna. 



8, Union Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk : 

 February 1st, 1882. 



SOME POINTS IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PAPILIO MACHAON. 

 BY WILLIAM BUCKLEK. 



In offering my notes on the history of this species, I know I am 

 going upon ground to some extent already well trodden, and it is, 

 therefore, not on the plea of telling anything quite new that I put them 

 forward ; but, knowing that there is now T , more than ever, an interest 

 felt in obtaining exact information as to the process of growth or 

 development in the earlier stages of various forms, and being con- 

 scious that I have done my best in this case, I still hope that my work 

 may be of use ; I only wish I could impart to others anything ap- 

 proaching the pleasure I myself felt in watching and recording what 

 follows. 



In 1868, I had reared the larvae from two eggs found in Burwell 

 Fen by Mr. W. R. Jeffrey, and two more in 1871, from eggs found by 

 Mr. C. Gr. Barrett, in Horning Fen, and had taken several figures in 

 either case, but, when in 1879, Mr. W. H. Edwards of Coalburgh, West 

 Virginia, put some questions to me on the number of moults and other 

 points connected with them, I found I could not give such positive 

 answers as I could have wished. 



I determined, therefore, to rear the larva, if possible, again, and 

 Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher most kindly helped to bring my project within 

 range of possibility by sending me three eggs, on June 4th, 1880, 

 which he had found the day before in Wicken Fen, and on the 12th a 

 few more, laid on Peucedanum pahistre, and eventually three of these 

 proved infertile. 



