BUTTERFLIES. 263 



attracted by the box, and resort to it in great num- 

 bers as soon as it is in blossom. I was struck, how- 

 ever, by the fact that, in 1844, they seemed impati- 

 ent of waiting till the buds had expanded, and ac- 

 tually proceeded with their jaws to force them open, 

 to get at the immature pollen. 



I observed very many engaged in this process, 

 wherever there were box-trees, on the 29th of 

 March, and for several days afterwards. 



BUTTERFLIES. 



Papilio machaon.* THIS splendid butterfly was 

 formerly found in the greatest profusion throughout 

 the whole extent of the fens between Cambridge and 

 Ely. It is still in tolerable plenty some seasons ; but 

 the numbers appear annually diminishing, from its 

 being so much sought after. Large numbers are 

 caught by the poor people, in the hope of disposing 

 of them to collectors. It is probable that in a few 

 more years it will become rare. There appear to be 

 two broods in the year ; the first shewing itself on 

 wing from about the middle of May to the end of 

 June, the second from the middle or end of July 

 to the middle of August. f The larvae are found 



dead in the blossoms, or lying on the ground underneath, and 

 those which got home formed little or no honey. I have heard 

 the same remark made by many persons to whom I mentioned it, 

 both in England and Ireland." Notice by a Correspondent. 



* Steph. Illust. (Haust.)vo\. i. p. 6. 



t Stephens is rather inclined to the supposition that there is a 



