THE SCARCE SWALLOW-TAIL A BRITISH INSECT. 
229 
(3.) Rev. Dr. Abbott. —Mr. Haworth observes,— 44 My friend the Rev. Dr. 
Abbott, of Bedford, has informed me that he took in May last, near Clapham 
Park Wood, in Bedfordshire, a specimen of podalirius in the winged state.”— 
(Haworth, Pref., p. xxvi.)* 
Mr. Dale informs me that he now possesses the specimen of podalirius referred 
to, and that it is a 44 ? not in very fine order.” 
(4.) W. H. Rudston Read, Esq., F.L.S., &c.—Mr. Read informs me that he 
captured podalirius 44 when a boy at Eaton, before I was a collector, and then 
only preserved it because it was beautifulhe refrained “ from publishing an 
account of it, being unable to state the date or any particulars of the capture ; 
but nevertheless several years ago mentioned it to Mr. Hope and Mr. Stephens, 
and had it not been for Mr. Dale or Mr. Curtis, who requested the loan of it, 
its capture as British would have been unknown except to York collectors."— 
(Read in letter to P. Rylands.) 
With reference to the remarks made by Mr. Neville Wood in the third volume 
of The Naturalist (p. 348) Mr. Read thus writes:— 44 Had nothing occurred 
to ruffle my course, you would long e’er this have been apprised that Mr. Wood’s 
statement (viz., that 4 Mr. R. had expressed himself not quite certain as to its 
actually being a British specimen ) was erroneous. That I might have said 4 1 
did not believe it to be an indigenous species ,’ I do not deny, but how in the 
world could I have said that, having taken the insect, I did not believe it to be 
a British specimen ?, for being taken in England constitutes that appellation.”— 
(Read in letter to P. Rylands.) 
This closes 44 the case for the defence,” which I think is sufficiently strong. It 
would indeed be difficult to demonstrate that podalirius is an indigenous species; 
but to how many other species whose right to be considered as British is never 
disputed, is the same remark applicable ! The fact, however, is evident, that in 
several instances P. podalirius has occurred in both the caterpillar and perfect 
state in Great Britain ; and after reading the evidence now brought forward, he 
who refuses its adoption into the British Fauna must be prepared to prove that 
the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.R.S., W. H. Rudston Read, Esq., F.L.S., the Rev. Dr. 
Abbott, and Mrs. Plymley (to say nothing of Mr. Dale and the others included 
under the first division) are undeserving of credit, and are wilfully imposing on 
their fellow naturalists to the prejudice of the science they profess to admire. 
In Conclusion, I would again thank Messrs. J. C. Dale and Rudston Read 
for their courteous attention, 
Bewsey House , Warrington , Nov. 4, 1838. 
* Dr. Abbott also at the same time announced the capture of daplidice and lathonia ; Mr. 
Stephens has confirmed Dr. Abbott’s account respecting these species, having since taken them 
himself : he nevertheless still looks with w suspicion” upon Dr. A.’s capture of podalirius / 
