170 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
or cultivation. It is there every beginner may see that most 
beautiful of our butterflies, Papilio Machaon, in a state of nature. 
To those who are denied the opportunities of seeing the diurnal 
Lepidoptera of the tropics, it is some consolation to observe this 
handsome creature sailing along, or sunning itself on some 
uncommon marsh flower. Such a sight cannot fail to give 
pleasure to one with an appreciation of nature, whether he be 
entomologist or botanist. 
Wicken Fen is to be found near the north bank of the River 
Cam, some fifteen or sixteen miles below Cambridge, and near to 
the small village of Upware. The best way to get from London is 
by Great Eastern Railway to Waterbeach Station, which is a little 
distance after passing Cambridge. We are then some five miles 
from Wicken Fen ; but we have taken the precaution to write to 
Mr. William Denson, mine host of the little inn at Upware, bear- 
ing the odd sign of “ Five Miles from Anywhere.” We have 
written with the primary object of securing one or two of the 
limited number of beds to be there obtained; and, secondly, to 
ask him to meet the train with his conveyance that he may drive 
us and our luggage to his hospitable house. To one who has 
never before visited the fens, this drive is of interest, for it 
is through a most characteristic piece of cultivated fen-land, 
which has been reclaimed from what must have been at one time 
a very extensive tract of marsh. Wide and deep ditches are on 
each side of the road, while beyond is a broad expanse of perfectly 
flat landscape, relieved only by clumps and rows of tall poplar 
trees to be seen here and there in the distance. It is well we are 
riding, for the long straight roads, with such monotonous scenery, 
would sadly discourage a pedestrian. In about an hour we are at 
our journey’s end, and, after the adventure of all being ferried 
across the river, we find Mrs, Denson awaiting us with a savoury 
and thoroughly country dinner, for which our long journey has 
prepared us. 
ro 
Naturally our first question on arrival is about Wicken Fen. — 
It is pointed out to us, and, from a little distance, appears like a 
brown overgrown meadow. We start away to our work and take 
the road from the river, and, passing a few houses, we come 
to some ash trees on our right. These are quite historical in 
entomologists’ annals. About 1850 it was here Mr. Bond took at 
sugar Acronycta strigosa, in company with Cidaria sagittata, both 
