480 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
44 The caterpillar of this species feeds upon Rice, Fennel, Carrot and especially 
on Selinum palustre, upon which I have found it of every size, in July, on the 
extensive marshes of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Whittlesea-Mere. The 
Butterfly has been taken from the end of May to the beginning of August at the 
same places, and also in Dorsetshire. It is very active on the wing, but is easily 
taken at sunset resting on plants. 
44 2. P. podalirius , Linn.—Curt. Brit. Ent. , pi. 578, ? 
44 It is with much satisfaction that I commence this volume (XIII.) with a 
figure of the Scarce Swallow-tail, because it is a great ornament to this work, and 
will relieve those who have stated that it has been found in Britain, from the 
imputations that have been cast upon them. For my own part I never could 
see any reason to doubt Dr. Berkenhout’s authority, who describes both species, 
and adds P. podalirius is 4 rare in woods ;* Mr. Haworth in his Lep. Brit. 
says Dr. Abbot informed him that 4 he took in May last (1803) near Chapham 
Park Wood, in Bedfordshire, a specimen of Papilio podalirius in the winged 
state;’ and the Rev. F. W. Hope in a letter to Mr. Dale, dated 1822, says,— 
4 1 have captured the long-desired and much-doubted P. podalirius ; and since 
then I have seen another on the wing;’ and yet in 1828 Mr. Stephens states 
that as 4 no authentic instance of its capture is recorded, it seems absurd to 
consider it any longer as a British species ; 7 He is no less mistaken with regard 
to its Northern range, for Dr. Bromfield informs me that 4 it is very abundant 
near Berlin, and in Russia up to Moscow; and M. Hoffman assures me that it 
is found even at Hamburgh/ 
44 All doubts are now cleared up by the specimen before us, which was taken 
by W. H. Rudston Read, Esq., when he was at school at Eton College; and to 
him I am indebted for the loan of the specimen, which is darker than any other 
I have seen. The following extract is from his letter:— 4 1 captured it myself 
in my hat near a large nursery garden at Slough, two miles from Windsor, in 
1822. The month I cannot tell, but it could not be in August, as then we were 
always absent on vacation/ ” 
Mr. Curtis’s figure is really exquisite. I would also refer Mr. Pigott to 
Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library , Entomology, Vol. III., British Butterflies , by 
James Duncan, where figures and descriptions both of Papilio podalirius and 
P. machaon will be found. 
Should you think that the above will answer Mr. Pigott’s purpose, perhaps 
you will give it a place in the pages of The Naturalist. 
Believe me to be, Dear Sir, 
Sincerely yours, 
Laie-Park Cottage , near St. Andrews, Henry Buist. 
April 13. 1830. 
