136 APOLLO BUTTERFLY. 



This insect was first introduced into our British 

 lists, in consequence of it having been supposed, 

 through some mistake, that a few continental speci- 

 mens in the possession of Lord Seaforth, were pro- 

 cui'ed from the Island of Lewis, one of the Hebrides. 

 Since that time, it has been oftener than once figured 

 and described as a British species ; but no authentic 

 instance is on record of its having been observed by 

 any one — a circumstance which may fairly be as- 

 sumed, in the case of such a marked and conspicu- 

 ous object, as a sufficient indication that it is not an 

 inhabitant of this island. We have been assured, 

 however, that it was noticed on the wing last sum- 

 mer in some part of the west coast ; and, though in- 

 clined to think that this must be a mistake, we will- 

 ingly avail ourselves of the excuse which it affords 

 for retaining in the mean while such an ornamental 

 insect among our indigenous species. On the Con- 

 tinent, it inhabits the Alps, Cevennes, the mountains 

 of Auvergne, and various parts of Norway and Swe- 

 den, in considerable numbers. Its flight is said to 

 le slow and heavy. 



