a > a ek Sierras at Cree ae sy hs “Ph” pert ie # se 5 rah ae Sanur DM oa SHES oi ta ae eter Gotl G8 Ove seen SomeAne oe S ies eer pigace Fe rads pipe SR RTM 7 - *: rap TR Aatwcedet ¥, aed , nv : = SEs prune tenet rita easy sheet e we ae WP. Pa GD NB Tet AIBA Dap tetetreel i La aire } ees Lied gh) ae ‘hi W Mr is fi Ba 4 hi" iris yy) n re ay baat Whe f NATURALIST: MONTHLY JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY THOMAS SHEPPARD, -K.GsS.) Bese as, Scorn: CURATOR OF THE MUunicIpAL Museums, HULL. PAST PRESIDENT OF THE HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB, OF THE GEOLOGICAL SociETY; Hon. SECRETARY OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ Union; Hon. Lire MEMBER OF THE SPALDING GENTLEMEN'S SOCIETY; OF THE DONCASTER SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY; ETC. Hu. AND THOMAS WILLIAM WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S. LECTURER IN BrioLoGy, TECHNICAL COLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD; WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J; GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F-.L.-S. GEORGE D. PORRTDE, EES.) Fess: Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M-Sc., F.G:S. JOHN W. TAYLOR. T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U. WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. L909: 210004 LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LTD., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C AND AT HULL AND YORK. _ ate @ P sk Sate pill ting - re vir ' aay) oi LC Se (Aten! | We eee, Wee es rae ! ee - i) om a 4. ; PRINTED AT BROWNS’ SAVILE PRESS, a ; SAVILE. STREET AND GEORGE. STREET, HULL ”» Piste Or, ewes: Poisonous Fungi (Amanita phalloides Fr.) .. to face page 65 Greater Horse-shoe Bat (R. ferrum-equinum) British Bats Ottonia ramosa_ )\ Ottonia bullata Jf Phytoplankton of the English Lake District —Ennerdale Water Ditto—Crummack Water | Derwent Water f Ditto— Windermere an nl is Portrait of W. H. Hudleston, F.R.S., F°G.S., etc. Collecting: Geology v. Zoology Ottonia conifera \ Ottonia evansii J Allium ursinum (Wood Garlic) Rev. W. C. Hey Am. serpentinus (Reinecke’s original figure of) ) Hildoceras serpentinum (Rein. sp.) .. net a 1. Am. falcifer, Sow. sp. 2. Am. strangwaysi, Sow. sp. | 3. Am.mulgravius (of collectors) ) Harpoceras mulgraviuni 06 Stone Hammer-Heads found in East Yorks. Cornicularia kochil, Camb. Ottonia valga and Ottonia clavata + » 71 71 87 . “< _ JANUA A) RY No. 624 (No. 402 of current series) | A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY ; T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., Tue Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D, .F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITTI, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. . Contents :— : PAGES Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—Lincolnshire Naturalists; Dr. W. E. Hoyle; Norwich “ “ Museum Association; Museum Conference at Rochdale; Liverpool Biologists; , *Cancer'; ‘Granny’ Crabs; Cumberland Intrusive Rocks; Eskdale and Wasdale Granite; Geology of Harrogate; Yorkshire Zoologists; Our Dumb Friends ... piers 2 Yorkshire Naturalists at Doncaster eis 5 eee AD MRM i aT bay cap ter 6-T On a Specimen of Eryon antiquus Broderip, from the Yorkshire Lias (Illustrated) —T. Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot. ... a ae au =a BS a3 me pe 8-10 On the Status of the Stone Curlew in Yorkshire—E, W. Wade,i1M.B.0.U.... bee .. 11-16 Notes on the Lepidoptera of South Yorkshire in 1908—B. Morley... a ~ wt LO The Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods—C. Crossland, F.L.S. ... ae =e ny ad) SER Economic Mycology—G. Massce,F.L.S._ ... es" ahs are en oi nt Me, ... 28-29 Field Notes... ans aes a xe ey Bo fe oan a Ar ag ue Aaa 30 Reviews and Book Notices... Me see ste iis pe Bi aa ae 10, 20, 27, 29, 31 Northern News ah Se wive ade < ae Se Sek e a = NP Jab y 16 (82 Ailustrations ... Cte Nee aT C7 ee D Sabe re Bre eto k Xce cate ds Le Ne is 5,8 LONDON : Nae A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E, Ga) ips And at Hutt anp York. Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. JAN “ ail PRICE. 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET. ~~ Ry SR. RS oo PO ) Nee CLA . i : Yorkshire Naturalist] Union oe Only a limited Edition available. A" \ j NORTH 4 YORKSHIRE: | _ Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physicaf 4 Geography. . BY JOHN GILBERT BAKER, : F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.1.A., V.M.H. Late Keeper of the Herbarium and Library of the Royal Gardens, Kew Late President and Perpetual Vice-President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, BY Matthew B. Slater, F.L.S. 680 pages, coloured geological, lithological, etc. maps, suitably bound in Cloth, Price 15/- net. This volume is a companion to Lee’s ‘‘ Flora of West Yorkshire,” and, together with Robinson’s ‘‘ Flora of East Riding,” completes the Flora of the County. TO BE OBTAINED FROM A. Brown & Sons, Ltd., Savile Street & King Edward Street, Hull. FOR SALE. Set of ‘The NATURALIST’ From Vol. IV. (1878) to Vol. XXXIII. (1908) inclusive ; 13 Vols. bound, the remainder in parts; each Volume complete; also the Vol. for 1864. Offers to Mr. H. B. BROWNE, Hymers College, HULL. THE NATURALIST FOR 1909. NOTES AND COMMENTS. LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS. THE annual meeting of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union was held at Lincoln on December 3rd. There are 112 members in the Union. The Rev, E. A. Woodruffe Peacock presented 60,000 notes onthe Flora of Lincolnshire, and it was decided to have them: published. The Rev. A. Hunt read a paper on ‘Pre-historic Man in Lincolnshire.’ In this he said it was ‘possible to reconcile the teachings of scientific results with the scriptural narratives. There was a Bronze Age in the Bible .. . Bronze (translated brass in. the Pentateuch) was mentioned forty-five times. Iron was only mentioned four times.” Mr. W.-Denison Roebuck, of Leeds, was elected president for, 1909. DR. W. E. HOYLE. We should like to sincerely congratulate Dr. W. E. Hoyle, of the Manchester Museum, on his appointment as Director of the new Welsh, National Museum at. Cardiff. Dr. Hoyle’s excellent work at the Owen’s College Museum is well known, and the collections under his charge have long been looked upon by his confréres with envy. . Dr. Hoyle has also taken a keen and practical interest in the work of the many Manchester scientific societies, and, consequently his departure will be much regretted. : At the Leicester meeting of the British Association he was the President of the Section for Zoology, and gave an admirable address on the classification of the Cephalopoda, a subject he has made a Special study. NORWICH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION. We have received the First Annual Report of Proceedings of the Norwich Museum Association, founded in 1907 for the object of extending the sphere of usefulness of the Norwich Museum. A series of lectures has been given on such subjects as ‘ The food of birds,’ ; ‘ The House-fly, etc., and other insects as carriers of disease’; ‘Some Fungoid Diseases of Plants ’ ‘The Nature and Properties of Soils,’ etc., etc. These are given by specialists, and have been well attended, and much appre- ciated. 1909 January I. 2 Notes and Comments. MUSEUM CONFERENCE AT ROCHDALE. A Conference of Museum Curators was held at Rochdale recently, representatives being present from Accrington, Blackburn, Bolton, Bootle, Bury, Hull, Keighley, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Stockport and Warrington. The Museum and Art Gallery are of recent erection—the former being small. It contains, however, representative collections of local geolo- gical and archeological objects. Papers and exhibitions of interest to Curators were brought forward by Dr. W. E. Hoyle, Messrs. W.-S. Laverock, S. L. Mosley, R. Bateman and F. Williamson. Lieutenant-Colonel Fishwick, the Chairman of the Rochdale Museum Committee, entertained the visitors. LIVERPOOL BIOLOGISTS. The Liverpool Biological Society has again earned the grati- tude of all naturalists by publishing so excellent a volume of Proceedings and Transactions as that just issued for 1907-8.* Besides a review of the work of the Society during the year, it contains the Presidential Address of Mr. W. T. Haydon, on “The Seed Production of Pinus sylvestris’; ‘The Twenty-first Annual Report of the Liverpool Biological Committee and their Biological Station at Port Erin’; a marvellous record of detailed and systematic work, by Prof. Herdman; a ‘ Report on the Investigations carried on during 1907, in connection with the Lancashire Sea-fisheries’ laboratory, at the University of Liverpool, and the Sea-Fish Hatchery at Piel, near Barrow,’ by Prof. Herdman and Messrs. A. Scott and J. Johnstone —a report of two hundred pages; and Mr. W. J. Dakin writes on ‘ Methods of Plankton Research.’ CANCER.” An unusually valuable feature in this volume is the Mono- graph on Cancer—the Edible Crab, by Mr. Joseph Pearson, which forms No. 16 of the Liverpool Marine Biological Com- mittee’s Memoirs—a series indispensable to the working zoologist. In this monograph, which contains over two hundred pages, and numerous beautifully prepared plates, is presented an account of the Edible Crab, which may be safely said to contain all that is at present known of the physiology and anatomy of the species. We heartily congratulate the Liver- pool Society and Mr. Pearson on its production, * Vol. XXII., 1908. 554 + xviii. pp., and plates. ee Naturalist, | Notes and Comments. 2 “GRANNY ” CRABS. An interesting item of information is given with regard to certain worn and dilapidated crabs, known as ‘grannies,’ which are caught in abundance during July and August. These are not necessarily old nor female, but they are promptly killed, and thrown into the sea again by the fishermen. These crabs are unsaleable, and are said to have a strong bitter taste. It is considered, however, that these particular crabs are merely individuals which are approaching the time when in every second year, a crab this size will cast its skin. The probability is therefore that instead of being harmful, and likely to ‘infect’ their neighbours, they would, if left alone, cast their shells, and, after passing through a period as ‘ soft ’ crabs, again be normal, clean-looking healthy individuals, suitable for the market. Unless stopped, it is probable that much harm will be done to the local crab fisheries by the wholesale slaughter of the ‘ grannies.’ CUMBERLAND INTRUSIVE ROCKS. At a recent meeting of the Geological Society of London, Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse read a paper ‘ On some Intrusive Rocks in the Neighbourhood of Eskdale, Cumberland,’ In this he pointed out that there appear to be five well-marked groups of intrusions in this district :—(a) The andesitic dykes in the neighbourhood of Allen Crags and Angle Tarn; (b) The dykes of the spherulitic and felsitic group on Yewbarrow and High Fell; (c) The dioritic (‘bastard granite’) bosses of Peers Gill, Lingmell Crag, and Bursting Knotts, with their associated dykes; (d) The Eskdale Granite, with the granite-porphyry dyke running from Great Bank to Wasdale Head, and thence to Kirkfell Crags ; and (e) The dolerite dykes, having a general north-west to south-east trend. The dykes of series (a) bear a very strong petrological resemblance to the Borrowdale volcanic rocks, into which they were intruded. Furthermore, they are weathered to much the same extent and have developed the same secondary minerals, among which epidote is conspicuous. They appear to be of Borrowdale age, and roughly contemporaneous with the lavas and ashes into which they are intruded. The spherulitic and more acid series (b) are considered to be also of Borrowdale age, though probably somewhat later than the andesitic series. The rocks of the dioritic group (c) are considered to be the 1gog January 1. 4. Notes and Comments... oa OAS et) WA a aCe oe ¢ holocrystalline and hypabyssal equivalents of the Borrowdale Lavas, and the author is of opinion that they also are. of Ordovician age. ESKDALE AND ASD EET GRANITE. The Eskdale and Wasdale Granites (d):are much more acide and show little sign of alteration, except that due to. weathering : and ‘dislocation. They are undoubtedly intrusive into the: Borrowdale Series, but seems to be pre-Fmassic. Thus the. intrusion is probably Devonian, like the neighbouring granite of Shap, which, with.the exception of its large phenocrysts of orthoclase, is not dissimilar to some of the varieties of the Eskdale Granite. The.basic intrusions (e),have. been examined. only where they come into proximity to the granite. They: may well be connected with the great Tertiary basic flows of ; Anttim, as has been suggested by Mr. Harker. The granite’ becomes ‘progressively more. and more acid as its margin is. approached, until, in some places, the percentage of silica’ amounts to 96.16. This is explained by the assumption that the magma, as a whole, was more acid than the eutectic mixture of quattz and orthoclase, and that consequently the excess of silica separated in the eee portions, which were the first’ to Souaity GEOLOGY OF HARROGATE. A second edition of the “ Geology of the Country north and east of Harrogate,’ prepared by Mr. C. Fox-Strangways, has just been published by the Survey, and we should like to’ congt atulate both the Survey and Mr. Fox-Strangways upon the general excellence of the work. It is also illustrated in a’ way which is quite refreshing for a government publication’ the reproductions of photographs by Mr. Godtrey Bingley’ being ‘very fine indeed. There is also a coloured geological | map of the district. After dealing in detail with the various beds in the area, there are chapters on the physical structure, economic geology, ' the Harrogate springs, etc., the last being of particular value. There are appendices devoted to well-sections and bibliography, both of which.are carefully compiled, and unusually complete. * YORKSHIRE ZOOLOGISTS. . The Vertebrate Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, pegeatly held a most successful meeting at Leéds, which extended | {rom early in the afternoon until late in the evening. Mr. Riley, Naturalist, Notes and Comments. 5) Fortune presided. The papers and lantern exhibitions; enumer- ated on the cover of the ‘ Naturalist’ for December, were given, and much of the valuable information brought forward will be permanently recorded in thé pages of this journal.’ Reports of the year’s work of the Vertebrate Section and of the Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Committee were also presented ; Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, the Chairman of the latter, being» present. These reports are being printed in the ‘ Transactions:of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.’ ‘The next meeting of the Section will be held at Leeds on February 13th. inn OUR DUMB FRIENDS. Having regard to the care now being taken of our dumb friends, we notice our contemporary, ‘Punch,’ in ‘the accompanying sketch, draws attention to the possible extremes which may be reached. r——— . [RABBITS / re n= TS / Sor ae [Reproduced by the special fermission of the Proprietors.of ‘ Punch’. Hygiene for our Dumb Friends. Harassed Landowner. ‘1 can’t understand why you complain. I’ve put in all the air-shafts, fire-escapes, emergency exits, etc., that you require.’ Urban Sanitary Inspector. ‘But, my dear Sir, where is the provision for the Great AGE: should that bird elect to settle on your land.” ‘ 1909 January 1. 6 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT DONCASTER. THE forty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was held at Doncaster, on December toth. Partly on account of the wretched weather which prevailed, and no doubt partly on account of the meeting being held on a Thursday, the attendance was not what has been experienced in recent years ; nevertheless, there was a goodly number present, and the Doncaster Scientific Society did its best to look after the interests of the visitors. The meetings were held in an excellent suite of rooms in the Mansion House, kindly lent by the Don- caster Corporation. In the morning an excursion was held to Cusworth ; where, nothing daunted by the elements, an enthusiastic if small party had a very profitable outing, and many interesting fungi and other specimens were shewn at the Conversazione as a result. The various sections of the Union had representative meet- ings in the afternoon, at which the reports were adopted and officers for 1909 were elected. At the meeting of the General Committee, the Executive’s Report on the year’s working was presented, and, together with the financial statement, proved very satisfactory. It was shewn that in each of the Union’s Sections and Committees, work of a valuable character had been carried out, thus making the Report a useful record of natural history observations in the county during the year. The Report was, perhaps, the most complete and most satisfactory that has ever been issued in the nearly half a century of the Union’s existence. The Excursions for 1909 were arranged as under :— York, S.E., Market Weighton, Saturday, May 8th. Mid-W., Bowland, Whit week-end, May 31st to June 2nd. N.E., Runswick, Saturday. July 3rd. N.W., Sedbergh, August Bank Holiday week-end, 2nd to 4th. S.W., Cawthorne, Saturday, August 21st. The Annual Fungus Foray will be held at Castle Howard, September 18th to 23rd. The Annual Meeting for 1909 will be held at Scarborough, in December, and the members of the Scarborough Field Natur- alists’ Society have kindly invited the Union to be their guests. The officers elected for 1909 were :—President, Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, J.P., M.B.O.U., Rillington; Tveasurer, Mr. H. Naturalist. ”) Yorkshire Naturalists’ at Doncaster. 4 Culpin, Doncaster ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. T. Sheppard, Museum Hull. The evening meeting was largely attended, and Mr. H. H. Corbett, the President of the Doncaster Scientific Society, was in the chair. Dr. Wheelton Hind delivered his Presidential Address, entitled ‘On the Present Position of the Geology of the Carboniferous Rocks of Great Britain,’*—a most appro- priate subject in view of the interest now being taken in the Carboniferous Series by many members of the Union, and also having regard to the part probably shortly to be played by Doncaster in reference to the output of coal. In his introductory remarks, Dr. Hind stated :—' The honour done me in electing me as President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union is one which I can assure you I have appre- ciated most highly, my only feeling is one of regret that I have not been able to attend the meetings and excursions of the Society. When I accepted the position, I fully intended to do my duty, and to take a part in the excursions, but many causes have prevented my good intentions being fulfilled. I must thank most cordially those who proposed and elected me to the proud and important position of your President, and I am proud to feel that this honour is an appreciation of what- ever little work I have been able to accomplish in the geology of the Carboniferous rorks and their fossils. ‘TI cannot pass to the subject matter of my address without alluding to the great loss which the world of science, and this Society in particular, has suffered in the death of Henry Clifton Sorby. It is not given to every one to establish a new depart- ment in science, or to attain the age of eighty-two with a brain _ capable of the highest scientific work; and fate was kind in sparing his to science for so long. The science of Petrology will be his lasting monument.’ A Conversazione was subsequently held in the large room at the Mansion House, at which was an excellent series of microscopes, and geological, botanical, and other specimens, many of extreme interest. Refreshments were also provided by the Doncaster Society. Votes of thanks were passed to the Doncaster Society and the Corporation for their entertainment, and for the use of the rooms. Das: * This will be published shortly in these pages. 1909 January I 8 cE : : ’ Dee a ON A SPECIMEN OF ERYON ANTIQUUS BRODERIP, FROM THE YORKSHIRE LIAS. . T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scor. Aull. : Mr. A. M. Murley has handed to me a glacially striated nodule from the Boulder Clay at Waxholme, East Yorkshire, measuring 44 inches by 3} inches. This has been split, and reveals an excellent impression of a Crustacean, which Dr. Bather kindly identifies as ‘ Evyon (Coleta) cf. antiquus Broderip, or a closely allied form.’ The nodule is presumably derived from the Lower Lias of the Yorkshire Coast, from which horizon in other parts of Britain this species has been recorded, though this appears to be the first example from Yorkshire. The half of the nodule containing the specimen shows the carapace, abdomen, and one large chelate thoracic leg. The lower part of the abdomen is bent under the body; the tail-fan, if present, being hidden in the nodule. l saute The total length of the specimen is 10.5 centimetres. The carapace is about six centimetres wide, though the state of the specimen prevents a definite measurement. The hinder border of the cephalothorax is fairly concave forwards. At a distance of four centimetres from the posterior border, there is a triangular indentation, though the small tooth-like spine, described by Dr. Woodward as occurring on a specimen from Naturalisr a Sheppard: Eryon antiquus Broderip, /rom the Lias. ‘Gg Lyme Regis,* is not well indicated on the Yorkshire example. At a distance of 4.5 centimetres occurs a second indentation called the cervical notch by Dr. Woodward, extending into the carapace to the extent of 1.25 centimetres. The carapace in front of this is coarsely tuberculated, and its edge is serrated. In front of the carapace are the impressions of two anten- nules; the antennules themselves, to the length of nearly a centimetre, (together with the greater portion of the right claw, etc.), occur in the upper portion of the nodule, and clearly indicate their segmented character. Unfortunately in the Yorkshire specimen, the smaller thoracic legs are not shown. As in the Lyme Regis example, described by Dr. Woodward, however, it possesses only one of the first pair of chelate thoracic legs, the comparative length of which is such a distinctive feature of E. antiquus. The total length of the example preserved in the nodule now being described, is 8.25 centimetres. The abdomen, so far as it is exposed, measures 4.25 centimetres. Its widest part appears to be at the first segment, which is slightly over 4 centimetres across. The extremities of this are curved, are better exposed than the other segments, and clearly shew the points of attachment of the legs. Each segment, which is coarsely granular, bears a well-defined keel on the centre of its tergal arch. In the nodule, to the left of the first segment, is a small claw, evidently belonging to one of the smaller legs. As already explained, the tail-lobes or swimmerets are not exposed. The surface of the carapace is strongly granulated. The central or dorsal line is marked by a ridge or keel, in addition to which two rounded ridges further sub-divide the carapace longitudinally. Various species of Eyron are recorded from the well-known Solenhofen Limestone, and have been described by Spence- Bate. That writer draws attention to the rarity with which the eyes are found in these fossil forms, and Dr. Woodward also emphasises the point, though he refers to one or two instances in which the eye occurs. In the specimen now being described, however, the left eye is exceptionally well shown, * On Eryon antiquus Broderip sp. from the Lower Lias, Lyme Regis, Dorset. Geol. Mag., Oct. 1888, pp. 433-441. See also Q J.G.S., 1866, PP- 494-502. + Geol. Mag., 1884, p. 307. 1g09 January 1. 10 Reviews and Book Notices. and is a prominent globular mass, 4 millimetres in diameter. The opposite side of the front of the carapace clearly shows the position formerly occupied by the right eye. Dr. Woodward’s paper is illustrated by examples of modern representatives of this ancient family of Jurassic Crustaceans, which were secured during the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition, and to which reference should be made. The lower part of the nodule containing the crustacean, is in the collection of Mr. A. M. Murley, of Hull. The upper part of the nodule which contains the antennules, the complete claw, or first chelate thoracic leg, and portions of the segments of the abdomen, as well as an excellent impression of the fossil in his possession, he has kindly given to the Hull Museum. — hg Hazell’s Annual for 1909. London: Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ltd., 3/6 net. This volume appears at a most opportune time, coming at the close of a year which has been fruitful of change, new legislation, and the rapid development of science and invention. It will prove of very great service to everyone who desires to keep in touch with current events. The busy man to-day has not the time to turn up the many books of reference to get the latest information on given subjects. ‘ Hazell’s Annual’ for 1909, furnished as it is with a complete reference index, enables the reader to turn up in a moment the latest information on almost every topic of current interest. In this volume he will find such articles as ‘ Housing and Town Planning,’ ‘ Parliamentary Session,’ ‘ Slump in Trade,’ ‘ Religious Review of the Year,’ ‘The Unemployed Problem,’ ‘The Conquest of the Air,’ and many other important topics. The review of scientific progress in 1908 is particularly welcome. The Editor is Mr. William Palmer, who is to be congratulated upon his new volume. The Changeling. A Nature Story for Boys and Girls, by Sir Digby Pigott, C.B. London: Witherby & Co. 183 pp., 2/6 net. The sub-title of this little book—‘ What a boy whose eyes had been opened, saw of the real life of the wild creatures round his home,’ explains itsscope. There area dozen chatty chapters dealing with ‘ The Bees,’ ‘ The Rooks,’ ‘ The Cliff Climbers,’ ‘ The Wild Geese,’ ‘The Mammoth,’ etc., and numerous illustrations (some coloured), by the author and C. Tresidder, add further interest to the book. The story has reference to a boy whom the fairies changed, and enabled him to get an insight into the ways of the birds, and mice, and foxes. On one of his travels he took part in the cliff- climbing on Flamborough Head, of which operation a sketch is given, which looks suspiciously like a well-known picture-postcard view of these ‘gallant men’ of Bempton. And ‘Tommy’ was particularly lucky when he went to Flamborough, as in the first haul of ‘ many as good made that day there were a few cormorant’s eggs, a clutch of three greenish blotched kittiwake’s eggs, and a couple of razor-bill’s . . . But nine out of ten were pear-shaped guillemot’s eggs.’ A good haul indeed, so good, that we wonder if Tommy really was there after all ! Guide to the Town of Brandon, and the oldest Industry in Britain, by W. G. Clarke. W. Broughton & Sons, Thetford, 46 pp., 6d. This is so well written, printed and illustrated, that it is a pleasure to possess it. The author is well known for his work amongst the pre-historic weapons of Norfolk, and his description of the well-known flint-knapping industry is full of interesting detail. The guide is well illustrated, and very cheap at sixpence. Naturalist, ~~? 1 ON THE STATUS OF THE STONE CURLEW IN YORKSHIRE. * E. W. WADE, M.B.O.U. IF scarcity be the touchstone of our interest in any bird, then surely the Stone Curlew is the most interesting resident species in Yorkshire, the northern limit of its breeding range in Britain. Some 150 years ago, prior to the introduction of the present system of agriculture on the high wolds and waste lands of the county, when huge stretches of sandy warren and sheep-walk existed, the bird must have been as common as it still is in some parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, but at the present day it is almost extinct in our county. This change of conditions may be traced to the introduction of the turnip, by which alone the present rotation of crops became possible. About the middle of the seventeenth century, the turnip began to be used in agriculture, but it was not till after 1760, when the growing demand for farm produce, owing to the increase of population and wealth from manufactures; began to have its effect upon prices, that the poorer soils were taken into cultivation. This movement reached its culminating point in the years 1795-1814, at the period of famine prices produced by the wars following the French Revolution, during which the enclosure of the wolds was carried on in earnest; and soils, which previously were thought too poor to pay for cultivation, were brought under the plough. The present order of rotation of crops on the wolds is :— 1.—Turnips. 2.—Barley. 3.—Seeds, e.g., Clover, Ryegrass, Sanfoin. 4.—Oats. Sir Mark Sykes, the father of the present Baronet, played a great part in this movement. There are old men still living on the wolds who can remember the ploughing up of some of the warrens, which they date sixty-three years back, and garnish their tale with stories of poaching escapades of the old days, and the last of such lands devoted to the cultivation of the rabbit was broken up within the last ten years only. The father of Ned Hodgson, of Bempton, lived at a time when open * Read at a recent meeting of the Vertebrate Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. 1909 January 1. 12' Wade: Status of the Stone Curlew in Vorkshtre. watren existed between that place and-Bempton, land covered with the whins, coarse grass and; short’ heather, typical of the old sheep-walks. Whereas then, 150 years ago, cultivation was carried on in the valleys only, and the igh wolds and poorer soils were devoted to warren and sheep-walk, now, every acre of land that’ can be made to produce anything under the plough is cultivated. To a bird like the Stone Curlew, a lover of waste places and open country, this enclosure has meant gradual extinction. The records of the status of the bird in Yorkshire are but scanty ; for, unlike the Great Bustard, which it closely resembles in habits, it is not a sporting bird, and therefore no one thought it worth while keeping a record of the species. I think we may safely take it, however, that it ran on all fours with its large relative, and that Mr. Nelson’s excellent account of the Great Bustard in “ Birds of Yorkshire,” will also give us the best picture of the history of the Stone Curlew in our county. Doubtless it bred extensively on the plains of York, where patches of scanty heather and uncultivated land here and there are the only remaining traces of the sandy wastes formerly existing, but we have no record of any of these, except Tollingham Moor and Cliffe Warren, situated on either side of the Market Weighton Canal, some four or five miles south-east of Market Weighton, and between Cliffe and Holme- on-Spalding Moor, on the borders of what was once the great Wallingfen. | Tollingham Moor, named by Dresser as a breeding place of the species, was ploughed up previous to the sixties, but upon Cliffe Warren, up to 1873, the species was well known to residents ; one of whom, Mr. Jno. Reynolds, now living at South Cliffe, can remember seven or eight pairs breeding near there, and still describes the wary nature of the bird, which would run from the eggs with head depressed, skulking behind each tuft of herbage, for one hundred yards, before taking to flight. Eggs taken ‘from here were in the collection of the late Mr. N. F. Dobrée, of Beverley, and are still in that of Mr. F. Boyes, taken in the period 1868 to 1873. Mr. Boyes yet speaks with pleasure of listening to the wild musical cry of the bird, when it flew from the warren to its feeding ground in the evening. On the warrens of Lincolnshire—Brumby, Risby, Manton, etc., the bird bred in precisely similar localities till recent years, and an odd pair may perhaps linger there still, unless the march Naturalist, Wade;.. Status of the Stone Curlew.in Yorkshire. i of civilization has wiped it out: Here my first study of .its habits commenced. ‘These, however, are memories of the past. Turning to. the present, there are but two localities where the Stone Curlew. persists in Yorkshire as a breeding species, viz., one in the North Riding and the other on the Yorkshire W. olds. Of.the former, Mr. Oxley Grabham wrote in the ‘ Natur alist? ; for September 1897, with a photograph of * the eggs of one of the last two or three remaining pairs of the bird which breed in Yorkshire.’... The locality is an open secret ‘in the North Riding, and to. my certain knowledge, eggs have been ‘ lifted ’ there more than once in recent years, but happily the birds, have increased, as Mr. Riley Fortune reported at the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Protection Meeting on November . 21st, 1908, that five pairs. bred there this year, and another pair in a locality close at hand. The second breeding place and last stronghold of the Mork shire Stone Curlew is the Yorkshire Wolds, an entirely different. ground from the flat, sandy warrens named previously. Rising in a series of gentle undulations from the plain of Holderness, on their Eastern horder, the Wolds attain their greatest eleva- tion on the west, north-west, and north edges, where they drop suddenly into the Plain of York, the Vale of Pickering, and the sea at Bempton Cliffs. Traces of their former wildness remain, in the valleys carved out by ice, and showing sometimes, sides almost as cleanly cut as when the glaciers left them ;. in the patches of thin soil here and there, too barren, even for. modern agriculture to tackle, occasionally in land given over to scanty heather, coarse grass, and whin bushes, the covering, of the old sheep-walks., But for our present purpose, their, most salient feature is the broad sweeps of open country,, fields of one hundred acres or more, covered with a soil largely, composed of chalk and flints, out of sight of the villages, which,, as a rule, nestle in secluded hollows. Here the Stone Curlew; finds skulking ground enough, harmonising with his own, inconspicuous plumage, and space where his quick eye detects, the approach of an enemy afar off, and gives him opportunity, to escape destruction. Here, in out-of-the-way .corners,; scattered in odd pairs wherever it can escape persecution, the bird leads a precarious existence. _ In the ‘ Birds of Yorkshire,’ mention is made of forty parle: being seen in a flock at Ganton in October 1874. - The greatest; sa) January, me 14 Wade: Status of the Stone Curlew in Yorkshtre. number seen together of which I can obtain any record in present times is eight, on 4th April, 1907, in a locality which shall be nameless, an earlier date than I can find any mention of either in Stevenson’s ‘ Birds of Norfolk’ or the ‘ Birds of Yorkshire.” Probably when flocking for the autumn migration, more might be observed if any record could be obtained. The birds soon separate, and each pair scatters to its own breeding ground, which is generally pretty near the same locality each year. The persistence of the Stone Curlew in returning to its old haunts was well illustrated on Brumby Warren in Lincolnshire, a favourite breeding place before the extension of the blast furnaces. Here, although footpaths were made through its favourite haunts, and its eggs were persistently robbed, it continued to struggle on for some years, in full sight of the glare of the furnaces, whilst the town ex- tended over the warren till the bird finally became extinct. No doubt, to this persistence alone, we owe the fact of the birds still breeding in our county. We will suppose that it has selected the fallows as its nesting-place. If the eggs are hatched before the ground is broken up for turnips, well and good, for it is a position where their colour makes them all but visible. Next year the same field is sown with barley, and the bird lays there again. Ifthe eggs escape the roller, they will be destroyed by the hoe or the sprinkler, and until the next year, when the field rests quiet in seeds, they have no chance of hatching safely, 1.e., for two out of four years rotation they are certain to be destroyed. Londesboro’ may be taken as a typical instance of the bird’s chance of reproducing its species on cultivatep ground. In forty years it has tried three times to establish itself there, on each occasion the eggs have been taken, the last date being May 1906, when the birds were destroyed or driven away, and have not returned. This part of the Wolds is too much cultivated, and the fields too small for safety. For- tunately the Stone Curlew has shewn some adaptability to circumstances. Thrice I have seen the nest in plantations, whether because the bird had kept to the old breeding-ground after it was planted, or had gone there for safety, I cannot say, but in the photo shewn in ‘ Birds of Yorkshire,’ the nest was in a spinney thickly planted, among young trees ten feet high. In such a place of course, opportunities for escape before the searcher can observe the bird are obvious. No doubt the habit is exceptional, as only two other instances are mentioned, Naturalist, Wade: Status of the, Stone Curlew in Yorkshire. 15 viz., one by Newton, and one by Stevenson. The favourite breeding-site appears to be a low spur of wold, not too much exposed to the wind, where a good look-out can be kept ; but I have seen the nest on bare chalk pebbles, and on grass, and even on the side of one of those steep valleys so peculiar to the Wolds, where the out-look is very much restricted. On the Wolds, the nest is usually lined with chalk pebbles ; on the Suffolk Warrens, with rabbits’ dung. I have even seen grass in it here. No doubt the object of the lining is to isolate the eggs from the damp ground. The eggs are always two, of which one is sometimes addled. The earliest eggs I have seen were on 5th May, very ‘hard sat,’ and the latest on 11th May, fresh, the former in a plantation, the latter on the open wold. The period of incubation, as stated by Mr. E. G. Meade Waldo, in ‘ British Birds,’ August 1907, is twenty-six to twenty-seven days, which I have verified from my own experience, so that we have our wold birds laying at the unusually early date of 15th April or thereabouts, and almost a month’s interval between the earliest and latest eggs. If the eggs are taken, a second or even a third clutch is laid. I have heard of fresh eggs being taken on Brumby Warren as late as 11th July. One egg is generally more incubated than the other, shewing that the bird has to guard them against natural enemies. The young, when hatched, are covered with a beautiful light buff down, with two fine black streaks down the back. Their first instinct seems to be to crouch with head along the ground, and closed eyes, and their colouring makes them almost invisible on the flinty soil. At the nest the parent bird is incredibly shy, being absolutely invisible. Apparently it runs from the eggs, and does not fly up, for it is in my experience, impossible to see it at all, and an hour or two’s watching is of no use to detect it. Only if the eggs are well incubated, and the intruder remains too long near the nest, the bird’s cries of distress may be heard, and it may be seen standing sentinel on the ridge of a distant hillside, with head drawn back into its shoulders. Once I detected it watching me from behind a molehill, its eye just projecting above the soil. The natives, as a rule, know the bird only by its habit of flying over the valleys before stormy weather comes. How many pairs there may be on the Wolds it is impossible to say. They are so scattered, so shy and invisible, that one might go over the ground where they were a dozen times and never see them. Mr. Hewett, at the meeting of the Yorkshire 1gog January 1. 16 1 wey Moxthern News: Naturalists’ Union, on November 21st, 1908, said he knew of four or five nests, and the writer could beat that number of pairs of birds. The important question for us is ‘ What chance has the bird of surviving?’ It must be constantly disturbed, now and then it is shot, especially on migration, when odd birds have been obtained near our coasts even in winter; and in so small a stock, the danger of inbreeding is a. serious one, unless the num- bers are recruited by immigrants from other districts. Its rate of reproduction is also a very slow one. The eggs are sometimes taken by dealers, as I have heard of their being offered in Beverley in exchange during recent years, and their protection in so wide an area appears hopeless. Game pre- servers, however, might forbid their keepers to shoot the old birds. On the other hand, the cultivation of the Wolds appears ta: have reached its highest point. The natives take no interest in the bird. Its extreme shyness, and the protective colouring of bird and eggs in such an environment. are encouraging. That it can be driven away seems improbable, for its nature is. to return to the haunts where it was bred, until it becomes extinct, and we may gather some hope from the history of the bird on the chalk downs of Hampshire. Gilbert White, in his ‘ History of Selborne,’ 1768-1788, speaks of the plentifulness of the Stone Curlew, and the ease with which it could be detected. His successor, Thos. Bell, who re-edited his letters in 1877, says :—‘ In thirty years I have never seen one, alive or dead.’ But Messrs. Kelsall and Munn, in ‘ Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight,’ 1905, say :—‘ Some recent observers, living at Selborne, have fancied. that the species has disappeared from the neighbourhood, but we have good reason to believe that it still nests within a very short distance of the historic village. For some reason or other, the Stone Curlew has developed very suspicious and wary habits, and though many eggs are destroyed when the young wheat is rolled, they usually manage to rear a brood.’ If, then, this is true of the chalk downs of Hampshire, why not of our own Yorkshire Chalk Wolds ? —————— In an article appropriately headed ‘ Namesakes in Science,’ in a con-, temporary, we notice a ‘son of his father,’ makes his debut as an artist~ naturalist. - He is evidently following in his father’s footsteps. | Oddly enough, his first published sketch is of the Lyre Bird. _, Naturalist, 17 NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF SOUTH YORKSHIRE IN 1908. B. MORLEY. THE past season has been a most interesting one in the Skelman- thorpe district, and, from the collector’s stand-point, a great improvement on the season of 1907. With certain exceptions, insects have been vastly more plentiful, especially during the summer months. The severe wintry weather did not seem to have been very disastrous to hibernating larve, and many had commenced feeding when the arctic conditions became so very pronounced in mid-April. That adversity, however, did not seem to diminish their numbers much, for when spring-like conditions did obtain the herbaceous feeders were very abun- dant. The tree feeders did not fare so well, for seldom in our experience have the larve of Nanthia citrago, X. silago, etc. been so scarce. Another exception was the larve of Agrotis agathina. This was exposed to the full blast on the high grounds of its haunts, at a time when it should have been feeding, and no doubt caused its numbers to be thinned considerably. When ‘sugaring’ was commenced in mid-June, there was further proof of the herbaceous feeders having been in abun- dance, as on to the middle of September ‘ sugar’ was seldom a failure; on favourable nights insects absolutely swarmed. During 1907, on what were apparently good nights, nothing much came to the patches. During this season on the other hand, insects were always about on what apparently seemed to be unpropitious nights, a fact that was once or twice especially noteworthy. For example, the night of July 18th was miser- ably cold and damp, with a north wind and an occasional drizzle—a night most collectors would have voted hopeless ; and yet it justified the undertaking of a fairly long journey, for in- sects came to the patches freely, and useful collecting resulted. During their respective times of occurrence, the following were in extraordinary abundance, and though most are regarded as common species, it will be of interest perhaps, to give a detailed list :—Xylophasia rurea, X. polyodon, Triphena pronuba, T. comes, Noctua augur, N. baja, N. festiva, N. brunnea, N. c-nigrum, N. xanthographa, N. plecta, Agrotis exclamationts, Mamestra brassicae, Apamea basilinea, A. oculea, A. gemina, Leucania pallens, L. impura, L. lithargyria, Miana strigilis, M. fasciuncula, M. arcuosa, Euplexia luctpara. 1909 January I. 18 Morley: Lepidoptera of South Yorkshire. The following were very common:—Hadena_ dentina, H. thalassina, H. adusta, H. pisi, H. oleracea, Aplecta nebulosa, Mama typica, Xylophasia scolopacina (at Haw Park, Wakefield), X. lithoxylea, Mamestra furva, Cymatophora duplaris, Cosma paleacea, Orthosia suspecta, and many others were frequent visitors to the ‘sugar’ patches. Flowers also proved to be well worth attention. Sallows, of course, produced nothing worthy of special mention, owing to the wintry weather when they had come into bloom. The flowers of campion and wound-wort had many visitors, including Plusia chrysitis, P. tota, P. pulchrina, with many of the species mentioned above. Ragwort also was much patronized. Heather had much attraction for Noctua glareosa, N. dahlii, Hydrecia nictitans, and many others. After mid-September, ‘sugar’ lost its attraction for the noctue, and nothing of much interest occurred as a result of its use during autumn. Other noctue, for which neither ‘sugar ’ nor flowers have little attraction, now claim notice. An effort made to turn up Hydrecia petasitis resulted in the species being found common at Huddersfield and Normanton. It no doubt occurs in most places in the West Riding, where butter-bur is plentiful. Polia cht was exceedingly common, and was perhaps the most interesting species of the year in the Skelmanthorpe district. Its habit of sitting on the walls in the day time, gives the collector fine chances of taking his choice without much trouble. Careful search this season was rewarded with good results, its variety olizvacea was common, as was also a very heavily marked form, not referable to olivacea. Another form frequently found has the wings a drab colour, with all the markings obliterated, except the black cht mark, which is very small and well defined. It is a very fine and beautiful form, probably of recent development, and the most decided variation from the type we have noticed in the Skelmanthorpe neighbourhood. Dasypolia templi has been common on the street lamps in this district, and two specimens are reported to have been taken at Lartington, near York. On the moors near Penistone, larve of Bombyx var. callune were common, and the imagines of Cloantha solidaginis, Larentia multistrigaria, L. cesiata, Oporabia filigrammaria and Anarta myrtilla were very plentiful. The season seems to have been a good one for Acherontia Naturalist, Morley: Lepidoptera of South Yorkshire. TQ. atvopos ; numerous reports of its capture from various parts of the county are to hand. In the neighbouring village of Shepley a dead one was found in a spider’s web. It was tethered fast in the web, and had probably been killed by the spider, surely a record of spider pugnacity, for besides having its clumsy captive to contend with, its efforts in securing the monster would be accompanied by a squeak sufficiently un- nerving to fill with fear much higher organisms than spiders. The insect was a male, and, considering its ignominious death, was in fair condition. The Geometre have always been below the average, which is rather surprising, considering the fine summer we have had, but probably the cause may be traced to the miserably bad weather of last year. Many usually common species have scarcely put in an appearance, and others have not been noticed at all. However, Selenia lunaria, a scarce species in the West Riding, has been taken both at Barnsley and Skelmanthorpe. A visit to Thorne Waste on July 11th, although a wet day, resulted in the following being taken commonly :—Macaria liturata, Timandra amataria, Eubolia limitata, and other common geometre. Jno statices and Zygena filipendule were also both common there. Of butterflies there is little to report, the Skelmanthorpe district is a very poor region for the Rhopalocera. Melanism seems to be on the increase, and is especially noticeable in Aplecta nebulosa, the var. vobsoni being common (at Haw Park); and the local races of C. viminalis, A. agathina, M. strigilis and C. duplaris seem to be entirely black. X. polyodon, L. multis- trigaria, L., cesiata, A. oculea, B. repandata, P. pilosaria are all species very much subject to melanism ;- indeed, extreme black ones of each species are of common occurrence. Another species in which melanism was not suspected has been brought to our notice in Himera pennaria. Mr. H. Dyson, of Skelmanthorpe, reared a brood from eggs obtained from an apparently quite ordinary female, and nothing more than an ordinary bred series of insects was expected as the result. All the brood, however, are of a dark reddish brown colour, darker than any we have previously seen, and many of the males have the basal half of the fore-wings heavily suffused with lead colour, giving them a very dingy appearance. From other districts friends have supplied me with the following valuable records. Mr. Porritt has taken in a wood near Sheffield, Macaria liturata var. nigrofulvata, a variety sup- 1gcg January 1. 20 Reviews and Book Notices. posed to be almost confined to Delamere Forest, in Cheshire. Mr. Fletcher, of Wakefield, reports Acvonycta leporina and Cymatophora fluctuosa from his district. From Hull, Mr. Porter reports larve of Cirredia xerampelina and Agrotis obscura common at Spurn. The Rev. T. B. Eddrup reports Sphinx convolvult from Horbury. Much attention has been paid to the breeding of Abraxas grossulariata in a number of districts, and fine series of varieties resulted. The varieties varleyata, hazeleighensis, and nigro- sparsata are a few of the named forms that have been reared, along with many other equally curious and striking varieties. PABA LS Traité de Géologie: I. Les Phénomeénes gévlogiques, par Emile Haug, professeur Ala Faculté des Sciences de l'Université de Paris. Un vol. in-8° raisin (26¢ x 16¢), de 540 pages, avec 195 figures et cartes et 71 planches de reproductions photographiques (Librairie Armand Colin, rue de Mézieres, 5, Paris), broché. 12 fr. 50 [10-6d. ]. For some time there has been an opening for a French treatise dealing with geological phenomena, which shall be intermediate between the elementary text-book and the more technical memoirs which are scattered in the proceedings of scientific societies, and are consequently not generally accessible. In the present work M. Emile Haug has supplied the want, and places upon permanent record an admirable series of essays suitable for the educated public. M. Haug first describes the continental and ocean centres, which are the seats of phenomena of sedimentation. He assists us in the working out of the material which constitutes the crust of the earth, ending, by the continuous erosion (de-gradation) of terrestrial features (relief), in the formation of a level surface (pénéplaine), the last phase of the cycle of “ geological phenomena.’ Leaving these quite elementary ideas, the author places the reader in the presence of the most important problems of modern geology. The ‘ Traité de Géologie’ offers on that account equal interest for the amateur and the professional geologist. Both will appreciate the copious bib- liographical notes placed at the end of each chapter, which will guide the reader in making further researches. The work is illustrated by 195 figures and plans, and 71 excellent plates of photographic reproductions; but the paper wrappers to the volume hardly survive the post. We cannot understand why our friends across the channel should so frequently place such valuable work in suci flimsy covers. British Mosses (2nd edition), by Sir Edward Fry (Witherby & Co., price 1/6), is an interesting little book in its way, and will be read with profit by beginners in the study of this charming group of plants. It draws attention to the position held by mosses in the classification of Cryptogams, and traces in detail the life-history of an ordinary moss, through its half-dozen stages—when tie complete cycle is run. Instances are quoted of many that take a short cut across the circle, and dispense with one or more stages in their reproduction. A table is given of nine different methods of reproduction adopted by these plants. Attention is drawn to the remarkable variety of form and structure in the leaves and capsules. The booklet concludes with an outline of the important part these little plants at present play, and have played in the past, on tle earth’s surface. Fu Os Naturalist, 21 THE FUNGUS FLOR\ OF MULGRAVE WOODS. C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S. TNE eighteenth Annual Fungus Foray in connection with the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was held September rgth-24th, at the picturesque sea-side village of Sandsend, for the investi- gation of Mulgrave Woods and adjoining pastures. All the members of the Mycological Committee attended, with two exceptions. Besides several other members of the Union interested in the subject, there were mycologists present from Cumberland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire—twenty- two in all, including two ladies—Miss Decima Graham, Carlisle, and Miss Peniston, Leeds. The Marquis of Normandy granted special permission to visit the parks and extensive woodlands on the Mulgrave estates. This kindness was supplemented by the Vicar of Lythe allowing the members the use of two commodius school- rooms at Sandsend, from Monday to Thursday. The use of these as general meeting-room and work-room very much facili- tated the proceedings, and tended largely to bring about the successful results obtained. Excellent accommodation was secured at three boarding-houses, the school-rooms being used as headquarters. The Committee made the most of these privileges and opportunities by having all the necessary books and appliances at hand for working out the finds. The grand old Mulgrave Woods have long been favourite hunting grounds for Yorkshire mycologists.. They are rich in vegetation, with the ground almost constantly moist ; these conditions, accompanied by shade, encourage the growth of a great variety of fungi on decaying woody and herbaceous remains. Here fungi are not dependant on rainfall for the necessary amount of moisture ; hence these woodlands at any time supply material for a mycological student. One could not help feeling what a vast field there is the year round for a local student, did one exist. A preliminary run out was made on the Saturday afternoon, when it soon became evident that an abundant supply of these interesting organisms could be relied upon. Two or three species of Leptonia were plentiful in the pastures ; this caused the most experienced member present to remark that when 190g January tr. 22 Crossland: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods. this happens, it is an almost certain sign that fungi generally are abundant in the woods, and so it proved. The collecting was done in small parties so that more ground could be covered. The entrances to the woods being close at hand, no time was wasted in long drives or railway journeys, either at the beginning or ending of each day’s investigations. In addition to the woods, there was plenty of pasture and meadowland to look over. Each season, in all districts, there is a varying preponder- ance of a few families of agarics over others ; some are plentiful, others scarce. This season at Mulgrave, many genera abounded notably Tvicholoma, with twenty-tour species found ; Mycena, thirty-two; Russula, twenty-eight; Cortinarius, twenty- nine; Lactarius, twenty ; Philiota, ten; Inocybe, thirteen ; Hygrophorus, eighteen; and so on. Other genera were com- paratively equally prevalent ; even Jew’s ear was abundant at Sandsend in a fence formed of aged elderberry trees. During the five days very much more material was met with than on any previous occasion. Among it were many common species. that occur everywhere. Attention was given to all branches of the subject, more particularly, perhaps, to micro species. At the rooms all the spacious table accommodation was occupied by named specimens left there for the benefit of the less-experienced students. One part of the interest lies in seeing the immense variety in size, shape, and colour displayed by the Agarics alone, when laid side by side. On Monday evening Mr Massee gave an address on “Economic Mycology,’ dealing more especially with fungi that attack potato tubers, causing them to rot. One of these—a Thielavia, has been proved to have four distinct stages, each one of which, prior to the life-history of the fungus becoming fully known, was considered a distinct species. Mr. Massee’s preliminary remarks appear on page 28. A special paper on the Thiclavia, with figure, will appear later. The same evening Mr. Wager discoursed on ‘ The Develop- ment of Spores in the Basidiomycates,’ tracing the fusion of a couple of nuclei into one, and its subsequent division into two or four, mostly four, in the young basidium. Later, or con- currently with the formation of the resultant nuclei, two or four projections (according to the species) spring from the upper part of the basidium. These develop into narrow cones (sterigmata), through each of which a nucleus passes upwards Naturalist, Crossland: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods. 23 from the body of the basidium into a bulb-like formation at the tip of the sterigma, which eventually ripens into a spore. On the Tuesday evening Mr. H. C. Hawley read a paper on ‘ New Fungi found in Lincolnshire,’ and also referred to a number of interesting species found on a single decaying thistle at the Brafferton excursion last May. Mr. J. W. H. Johnson read a paper on ‘ Fungi which have developed on material taken from polluted West Riding streams.’ Much interest was taken in the proceedings by the villagers, many of whom asked permission to come in to the exhibits room to see the collection of fungi on the tables. Several brought in specimens they themselves had collected to ask what they were. One or other of the members were always at hand to give them attention. Sensible utilitarian questions, such as ‘ Which are edible ?’ ‘ Is that good to eat ?’ etc. were put. Tothem, the edible aspect appealed the most ; they could see no other recompense in the study of fungi. Their attitude reminded the writer of a friend of his, who, on seeing him over- hauling a toadstool, asked if it was fit to eat; on the reply “No, this one isn’t’ being given, the queriest says: “ What are you bothering with it for then?’ This neatly sums up the common notion in respect to the study of toadstools. There were eighteen or twenty edible species on the tables, pointed out to the visitors. This side of the study was encouraged, but at the same time, the enquirers were advised to gather none to cook only well-marked species, about which there could be no possibility of mistake, such as the parasol mushroom, shaggy caps, lvory caps, blewits, etc. In June, it was noticed by the writer that St. George’s mushroom—Tvichoima gam- bosum—one of the best of edible toadstools, was very abundant in the fields. At the close of the Foray, and after a few boxes of micro- material had been gone through by several members at home, the total determined reached 612 ‘species’ and 12 vars. The analysis of the list shows that three—Tvicholoma carneolum, Pholiota sororia and Inocybe commixta—are additions to the British Fungus Flora, twenty-seven new to the county, and seventy-six to vice county N.E. 256 are additions to the previously known fungus flora of Mulgrave Woods and adjoin- ing pastures, which now amounts to 816 ‘species.’ It must be understood that many are but stages in the life- 190) January I. 24 Crossland: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods. history of fungi that may have two or even three conditions. As these become better known throughout the county, a reduction in the numbers of previously supposed species will be necessary to get at a more accurate census of the fungi of the county. The weather was all that could be desired for collecting purposes ; rain began to fall on Tuesday morning, but soon cleared off. Several species of special interest were met with, one being Bolbitius Boltont Fr., about which some uncertainty has been expressed as to whether it was a native of Britain (Mass. ‘ Brit. Fung. Flo.,’ II., p. 205). It is quite distinct from B. flavidus in the depressed, darker disc and subadnate gills. Sandsend proved a most suitable place for headquarters. being close to the ground to be investigated. The school-rooms were ideal places for general work and exhibit-rooms. An easily obtainable sea-side saunter afforded a charming break in the work for those who had the time and the inclination to indulge in this delightful and invigorating pastime. With us these were few; the woods and the work-room having the preference. A few, including Messrs. Massee and Clarke, were so absorbed in working out material brought in, that they did not get even into the woods. At the business meeting on the Wednesday evening, a vote of thanks was heartily passed to Lord Normandy for leave to explore the estates, and to Vicar Harland, for allowing us the use of the school-rooms. The Committee for the current year was re-elected. Castle Howard is recommended to the Union as the place for the next foray—September 18th-23rd, Igog. In the following bald list, those new to Britain are marked *' to Yorkshire, +. The remainder are all additions to the Mulgrave district, previous records having been strictly ex- cluded. Crucibulum vulgare. | T. luvidum. Lycoperdon echinatum. | + ZL. squarrulosum. L. caelatum. T. saponaceum. Bovista pusilla. | T. sulphureum. + T. cerinum. Lepiota vachodes. | T. tonides. L. carcharia. | * T. carneolum. t L. glioderma. | IT. gambosum (In June). Aymillavia vamentacea. | T. nudum. Tricholoma sejyunctum. | T. saevum. T. ustale, T. paneolum. Naturalist, Crossland: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods. Tricholoma melolencum. and Var. porphyrolencum. T. humile. T. sovdidum. T. paedidum. + Cliticybe comitalis. . phyllophila. . pithyophila. . dealbata. ampla . . gigantea. . geotropa. . cvathiformis. . expallens. Collybia nummularia. C. esculenta. t+ C. exsculpta. Mycena lineata. M. flavo-alba. M. gypsea. M. pullata. M. metata. M. aetites. M. amicta. M. tenella. M. vovida. M. stylobates. M. hiemalis. M. setosa. M. capillaris. Omphalia hydvogvamma. Pleurotus ostveatus. P. chioneus. Entoloma prunuloides. Leptonia solstitvalis. L. euchroa. Nolanea pisciodora. Eccilia rhodocylix. Claudopus depluens. + Pholiota tervrigena. P. ombrophila. P. squarrosa var. Mitillert. P, flammans. P. tubeyculosa. * P. sovoria. 4 + Inocybe hirsuta. t I. hemacta. I. scaber. I. Bongardit. I. carpta. = DIGG). 1 Igog January 1. I. scabella. I. violacea-fusca. I. commixta. Hebeloma glutinosum. HA. crustuliniforme var. minor Cke. = hiemale Bres. HA. nudipes. H. nauseosum. Flammula gymnopodia. F. gummosa. F.. alnicola. F. sapinea. F., ochrochlora. Naucoria melinoides. N. semiorbicularis. N. tabacina. N. temulenta. N. evinacea. Galera ovalis. Tubaria furfuracea. Var. trigonophylla, Bolbitius Boltont. B. fragilis. B,. titubaus. Cortinarius (Phleg.) sebaceus. . (Phleg.) varitcolour. (Myxa.) livido-ochvaceus. (Ino.) violaceus. (Derm.) anomalus. (Tela.) macropus. (Tela.) bovinus. (Tela.) vigtdus. (Hygt.) saturninus. (Hygr.) castaneus. . (Hygr.). vigens. Agaricus sylvaticus. A. campestris var. hortensis. A. comptulus. Stropharia inuncta. S. coronilla. S. mervdavia. Paneolus phalenarum. Psathyra elata. P. conopilea. P. spadiceo grisea. Coprinus soboliferus. C. Gibbsit. C. cordisporus. Paxillus lepista. EOS Or OLO OPO) { P. extenuatus. 26 Crossland: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods. Hygvophorus russo-coriaceus. | Typhula erythropus. H. sciophanus. i + T. gracilis. {t H. mucronellus. Pistilavia quisquilars?. AA. nitvatus. | P. puberula. Lactarius insulsus. L. trivialis. Extdia recisa. L. piperatus. E. albida. L. rufus. Nematelia encephala. LL. fuliginosus. Calocera stricta. L. mitissimus. L. camphoratus. Melampsova epitea. On Salix L. cimicarius. viminalis . L. obliquus. M. civcee. On Circea lutetiana Russula drimeia. Coleosporium senecionts. On Senecio vulgaris. t R. atvo-purpurea. ite : . peop ess Puccinia sanicule. On Sanicula europea. R. veternosa. P. obscura. &cid. On Bellis R. decolovans. perennts, abundant. R. ochracea. P. centauree. On Centaurea Marasmius prasiosmus . nigva. M. fuscopurpureus. P. lychnidearum. On Lychnis t M. Wynne. diurna. M. candidus. P. glomerata. On Senecio Jacobea Panus conchatus. P. veronicarum. On Veronica montana. Boletus crassus. Phragmidium violaceum. On Polyporus dryadeus. Rubus fruticosus. ; + P. lacteus Trviphvagmium ulmarie. Un é s Spivea ulmaria. Polystict idiatus. : : Oe eeage Ustilago violacea. Fomes connatus. Povia medulla-panis. j ; Epichloe typhina. Merulius corium. P YP Nectria cucurbitula. N. aquifolit. + Hydnum sordidum. he Hypomyces aurantius. Radulum orbiculare. Phlebia contorta. Xylaria polymorpha. Odontia fimbriata. Ustulina vulgaris. Hypoxylon multifome. Solenia anomala. Var. ochracea. H. vubiginosum. Corticitum calceum. Phyllachova graminis. Hymenocheta fuliginosa. Diatrype aspera. H. corrugata. Valsa ceratophora. Peniophora rosea. V. lecphemia. Contophora sulphurea. Eutypa Achari. C. puteana. t E. scabrosa. Rosellinia pulveracea. Clavaria formosa. Sordaria minuta. C. abietina. S. curvula. C. tncarnata. Spovormia intermedia. C. dissipabilis. Raphidospora rubella. C. ligula. R. acuminata. Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 27 | Heptameria doliolum. i. Stictis radiata. and Var. conoidea. Phacidium multivalve. Pleospora meliloti. Hypoderma virgultorum. Gloniopsis curvata. ‘Hysterium pulicare. Pilobolus Kleintt. Pilaiva anomala. Spinellus fusiger. Chetocladium Jonesit. Geoglossum glutinosum. Piptocephalis [repens ?). Mitrula olivacea. Peronospora grisea. Geopyxis cupularts. Humaria carbonigena. Lachnea coprinaria. Spheronemella fimicola. + Gloeosporium podograria. Dasyscypha ciliaris. Cylindrium flavovivens. D. puberula. : Botrytis Tilletiz. Ciboria ochyoleuca. + Ovularia interstitialts. C. luteovivescens. Ramularia calcea. ; Seen cel oneteloresr: | Periconia pycnospora. | A. herbarum. Dendryphium comosum. H. epiphylium. | Stilbum fasciculatum. Hi. immutabrle. | Stysanus stemontes. H. alniellum. | ¢ Tubercularia brassice. Mollisia lignicola. | Bactridium flavum. Ryparobius sexdecemsporus. | Fusarium roseum. A scophanus carneus. | Epicoccum herbarum . A. argenteus. A. ochraceus. Clathrotychium rugulosum. A. equinus. Perichena depressa. Ascobolus immersus. ' Arcyrvia cinerea. Saccobolus neglectus. Trichia fragilis. S. Kervernt, T. chrysosperma. Coryne urnalis. Spumaria alba. The members and friends present at the Foray have been supplied with a lithographed MS. copy of the complete list of the 612 ‘species’ found on this occasion. —————— Guide to the Specimens Illustrating the Races of Mankind (Anthropology) exhibited in the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History). Illustrated by 16 figures. 32 pp., 1908. Price 4d. This cheap handbook is the work of Mr. R. Lydekker, to whom has been entrusted the formation and arrangement of the series in its present form. The specimens illustrate Man solely from the zoological point of view, 7.e., his bodily structure and his geographical distribution. This subject has been much neglected in our national museum, and it is to be hoped that one result of this excellent little handbook will be that more help will be given to the authorities at South Kensington in the way of photographs and specimens. Wild Life in a Southern Country, by Richard Jefferies. London: Thos. Nelson & Sons. 384 pp., I/- By an arrangement with Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., Messrs. Nelson have produced this charming book as one of their shilling series. We feel that it is only necessary to draw our readers’ attention to the low price at which the book can now be bought.. It is well and artistically bound, the paper is good, the type clear, and there is a portrait of Jefferies. How it is possible to publish the volume at the price is a mystery. 1909 January r. 28 ECONOMIC MYCOLOGY. G. MASSEE, F.L.S. Kew. THE importance of the correct determination of species cannot be over-estimated. Whatever branch of botany is followed, its real value depends upon being quite certain as to the par- ticular species dealt with. It has been clearly. demonstrated that many of the apparent contradictions, so general in mor- phological and cytological dissertations, have originated in mistaking one species for another. A describes some pecu- liarities of structure or otherwise, present in a given species. B promptly follows in line to corroborate or refute the dis- covery, mistakes his species, and much argument follows. Notwithstanding the value of being able to correctly dis- criminate species, the fact that being able to do so fails to ad- vance our knowledge in any way as bearing on the why and wherefore of such species, in other words, it does not touch the great problem concerning origin, affinities, etc. As a body we are justly proud of our ‘ Fungus Flora of Yorkshire,’ nevertheless, we must endeavour to maintain a correct sense of proportion, and not become slaves to list-making alone. We have now a thoroughly representative Fungus Flora of our county, and the addition of a few more or less, can make no difference from the standpoint of pure knowledge. The area of our county is too insignificant, as is also that of Great Britain, to be admitted as a factor in the distribution of Fungi over the globe. Many Fungi are unique amongst plants in appearing under very different forms, during different periods of their develop- ment, the different forms often growing on different host- plants. These various forms were at one time considered as independent species, and received special names. Such names must remain until proof is forthcoming, that two or more such forms are in reality but stages in the life-cycle of one species. This is the kind of work that Yorkshire mycologists might attempt. Between sixty and seventy thousand species of Fungi are known ; out of these it is certain that at least twenty five thou- sand so-called species are nothing more than phases of other higher forms. There are some hundreds of such in the list of names of Yorkshire Fungi, and it becomes the duty of Yorkshire Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 29 mycologists to remove such from the list, by connecting them with the higher forms to which they belong. If such work cannot be carried out to finality, yet much can be done in the field and at home to suggest such affinities. All the Hypho- mycetes, popularly known as moulds, are only forms, not entities, the same is true of the species of Phoma, Cladosporium, etc. Ifthe substance on which these are growing is kept under observation, it may be for weeks, or even months, a second stage will follow the first. If this sequence of development is constantly repeated, it is highly probable—but not definite proof—that the two forms are related to each other. The definite proof consists in producing one stage from the spores produced by the alternate condition, a work of no insuperable difficulty. During the summer our plane trees are often defoliated early in the season, owing to a minute fungus called G/@os- porium nervisequum. In the spring a second form of the fungus appears on the wounds made by the first on the dead fallen leaves. This second form was known as Pseudopeziza platant. In consequence, the name Glwosporium is dropped, as it is known to be only a stage of the ascigerous Pseudopeztza. Our object up to the present has been to obtain the greatest possible number of names of Fungi inhabiting Yorkshire. Our future ambition should be to reduce the lst of names as much as possible, along the lines indicated above. It may be thought that the Agarics are not included in the category of duplicate forms. This is not so, many so-called moulds are only the conidial forms of Agarics.* National Museum. The Danish Collection: Pre-historic Period. Guide for Visitors, Copenhagen, Prepared under the direction of Dr. G. A. Auden. 10908. [58 pp., not numbered]. The great majority of English visitors to the well-known Museum at Copenhagen are unfamiliar with the Danish language, and consequently do not reap the full benefit from a perusal of the unrivalled collections there exhibited. Recently a German edition of the guide-book appeared, dealing with the pre-historic section, and thanks to Dr. Auden, there is now an English edition. This is a concise account of the chief objects of interest in this rich institution, and the more important specimens are figured. Per- sonally we snould like to thank Dr. Auden for this further evidence of his practical interest in the study of Archeology ; and, at the same time, we must record our regret that he has left the north, where his help was needed. * In addition to these useful and suggestive preliminary remarks, we hope shortly to print an account of the life-history of the Thizelavta, with figure, by Mr. Massee. 1909 January I. 30 FIELD NOTES. BIRDS. A Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel in very fair condition was shot at Barugh, near Barnsley, on October 17th, and is now in my possession. I intend to present it to the Barnsley Naturalists’ Museum. The local occurrence of this species are all recorded in ‘ The Birds of Yorkshire,’ by T. H. Nelson, the nearest being as follows :—One on the Don at Sprotborough, 1837; one on Sutton Common (near Askern) ; occasionally near Leeds; one in’ Halifax. street, 16th .December, 1831. In T. Lister’s notes, besides the above, he gives one shot near Halifax (Varley’s notes, 1874), but, if I understand Mr. Nelson rightly, this specimen was wrongly identified.—W. Barra- cLouGH, Barnsley, October 28th, 1908. Honey Buzzard near Carlisle-—A Honey Buzzard was shot near Carlisle on the 23rd October. It has not been recorded during the last thirty years for Cumberland. It has been lent to the Carlisle Museum.—L. E. Hope, Carlisle. Fork-tailed Petrel at Carlisle.—On November 17th, a Fork-tailed Petrel was picked up at Stanwix, Carlisle. It was in an exhausted state and died a few hours after capture. The bird has been given to the Carlisle Museum and proved on dissection to be an immature female. It was in fairly good condition and not emaciated as might have been expected of a storm driven*bird.—L. E. Hope, Carlisle. Eared Grebe on the Solway.—An example of the Eared Grebe was shot at Bowness on the Solway on December 3rd ; a female in winter dress, but showing traces of nuptial dress on the neck and cheeks. This southern species rarely occurs on the Solway.—L. E. Hope, Carlisle. —:0 :— ENTOMOLOGY. The Death’s Head Moth near Carlisle.—The Death’s Head Moth 4. atvopos has been taken commonly here during October. I have had four sent to the Museum as follows :— October 12th, 9, Carlisle; October 13th, 9, Abbey Town, Carlisle ; October 15th, 9, Shap (Westmorland) ; Newbiggin, Carlisle, October 14th, J. A female was also caught at New- biggin, October 5th, and another female on October roth, at Carlisle ; also a female, October roth, at Bowness-on-Solway.— LE. Hope, Carlisle: Naturalist, —_ REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. (N.S.) Vol. III., Pt. 1, 1908; pp. 1-222+ i-xxvil, Newcastle. 5/6. We have received the volume for 1908 of the Transactions of this energetic Society, and it includes many valuable papers, several dealing with the more neglected branches of natural history. There are also several excellent illustrations. An appeal for funds for the publication of the Society’s work resulted in over {245 being received. In addition to the Report for 1906-7, is a full report of Field Meetings, 1906, by Mr. R. Adamson ; some miscellaneous notes by the Curator, Mr. E. Leonard Gill, from whose pen also appears an excellent appendix on ‘ The Hancock Museum and its History.’ Miss M. V. Lebour gives a second instalment of her Memoirs on the Trematodes of the Northumberland Coast, and Mr. G. W. Temperley writes on ‘ The Northumberland Coast in September— an Ornithological Ramble.’ There are two papers dealing with arachnida : Mr. A. Randell Jackson writes “On some rare Arachnida captured during 1907, and ‘ Allendale spiders ’ is by the Rev. J. E. Hull. Lt.-Col. C. H. E. Adamson gives part II. of his Catalogue of Butterflies collected in Burmah. A useful paper is by R. S. Bagnall, ‘,On some New Genera and Species of Thysanoptera.’ There are also two valuable geological papers, viz., a ‘ Preliminary Note on a case of Thrust and Crush-Brecciation in the Magnesian Limestone, Co. Durham,’ by Dr. D. Woolacott, and a lengthy and well-illustrated memoir on ‘ The Glacial Phenomena of the country between the Tyne and the Wansbeck.’ Altogether, the volume is an ideal one for a provincial Society, and we should like to congratulate our New- castle friends upon the way in which they are investigating the so-called “unattractive ’ branches of natural history. Report ol the Immigrations of Summer Residents in the Spring of 1907: also Notes on the Migratory Movements during the Autumn of 1906. By the Migration Committee of the British Ornithologists’ Club, and edited by Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. Being Vol. XXII., Bull. B.O.C., 202 pp. and 3t maps. Whitherby & Co., 6s. net (paper cover). his, the Third Annual Report, is to hand, and is on similar lines to its two predecessors, excepting that, in addition, it gives some short notes on the autumn migrants of 1906. This work should be read by all British students of bird migration, although, as we have previously poimted out, it is not quite satisfactory. In places, it certainly gives one the impression in the series of immigrations through England, as is illustrated by the maps, that chosen data of a species have been inserted so as to fit in with the first, second, or third immigrations as the case may be. We must again protest that the bare term “Yorkshire” is insufficient for the purpose, and only confuses the Yorkshire student of bird migration, by irretrievably mixing many im- portant and distinct bird movements ; although we are pleased to observe that the few notes from the lighthouse at Spurn are given under ‘ York- shire Lights.’ We would suggest that in future Reports, the terms “West Yorkshire, “East Yorkshire, and ‘ Yorkshire Coast’ should be used ; and the same rule would, most probably, apply to most sea-board counties. At the same time, the thanks of all students of bird migration should be accorded to this Committee, and more particularly to Mr. Bon- hote, for his work in endeavouring to classify the data of so many important observers stationed all over England and Wales—Lincolnshire, (an im- portant county in this respect), being very poorly represented. It may be of interest to non-believers in ‘ March Cuckoos,’ that the Committee acknowledge the authenticity of no fewer than six reports of Cuckoos from the south-western counties from March 26th to March gist. H.B.B. 1g0og January I. NORTHERN NEWS. Dr. S. F. Harmer, F.R.S., of Cambridge, has been appointed keeper of Zoology at the British Museum, South Kensington. We are glad to see that the Manchester Microscopical Society con- tinues its excellent work in the way of lecturing, etc., in the surrounding district. ‘“Eluma purpurascens, a Woodlouse new to the British Isles’ is figured and described by Denis R. Pack-Beresford in the ‘ Irish Naturalist ’ for December. The Hon. W. Rothschild describes ‘ A new species of Bat Flea from Great Britain’ in ‘ The Entomologist’ for December; under the name Nycteridopsylla longiceps. Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse favours us with a copy of his Presidential Address to the Liverpool Geological Society, in which he deals with the modern hypotheses relating to the solar system. Dr. Francis Galton has delivered an address to the Royal Society of Literature on ‘Suggestions for improving the literary style of Scientific Memoirs. This has been largely circulated, and.it is hoped will prove beneficial. : We are glad to see that the Millport Marine Station is issuing a ‘ Reprint Series,’ No. I. of which has recently reached us. It is a paper ‘on Tyvi- chorhiza, a new Hydroid Genus,’ by E. S. Russell, and is reprinted from the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. The Sixth Annual Report of the Advisory Committee of the Bradford Botanic Garden bears further evidence of the success of the gardens in Lister Park. Our Bradford friends are to be congratulated upon the earnestness with which they have carried out this work. An interesting slab of Triassic sandstone from the Storeton Quarries has recently been placed on exhibition in the Liverpool Museum. It shews sun-cracks, ripple-marks, impressions of foot-prints, and illustrates almost all the varied traces of life of the Trias found in the district. A yellow-browed Warbler was found dead in a hedge at North Cotes, Lincolnshire, on October 19th. This is the second record of the bird for the county (‘ British Birds,’ December 1908). In the same journal, Mr. G. H. Caton Haigh records that he shot a Sabine’s gull off Gramthorpe Haven, Lincolnshire, on September 28th. The Annual Report of the Ipswich Museum, recently to hand, indicates . that an extraordinary amount of good work has been accomplished during the past twelve months in connection with the re-arrangement and re- labelling of the specimens. The Ipswich Museum is also fortunate in securing much substantial help voluntarily. We have received the Annual Report of the Huddersfield Naturalist and Photographic Society for 1907-8. This contains brief reports of the various recorders, which are worthy of preservation. The report is a twelve-page pamphlet, measuring 4253 imches—a very inconvenient size. It would have been much better if the ordinary 8vo size of previous reports had been followed. Lieut-Col. Eschalaz has presented an admirable museum to the inhabitants of Waterloo, near Liverpool. It is largely devoted to British Birds. The donor points out that ‘To shew one or two birds of each species in a case, would by no means convey the proper idea of these birds as they congregate on the edges of the cliffs; consequently, as many as are required to give a true representation of what they look like in their natural’ state are introduced.’ Naturalist | eae” 4a eo “ee a a: a ee ee ne ——- ae ae «are > oe oo we No. 625 (No. 408 of current series) A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., Tue Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D, .F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITI, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Contents :— PAGES: Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—The Palzontographical Society; The South Eastern Naturalist ; Hornets; Ray Society's Publications; British Marine Annelids, And their | Colours; A Lancashire and Cheshire Naturalists’ Union; tt Geologists; Labels showing Geographical Distribution... : =e oe Me ae) 8B-8T The Gargeny breeding in East Yorkshire—JW. H. St. Quintin, F. Zz. S. Hes a ate 38: The Rock-Soil Method and Ballota nigra Linn. in Lincolashice Rev, E. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, F.L.S., F.G.S., etc. or ae re ee ae vee oa .. 39-44 A Yorkshire Botanist—7.S. ... 3 4 45-48, The Migratory Movements of certain Shericiieda’s as huemned on ‘the Dublin ‘Goust —Prof. C. J. Patten, M.A., M.D., Sc.D. eu Bee ne ay ey “2 ye 49-52 Wasps at West Ayton, Yorks.—Rev. W.C. Hey, M.A.. ae 53-54 | The Changing Distribution of the ity «tailed Titause in ise West Riding—Hory | B. Booth, M.B.0.U.. Ree : i 55-57 In Memoriam (iNostrated!Jaseon 7 eh A. R. Dipek vy eee D. Says 2G. s. os 58-60 Field Notes... en Lie net a tee an Ti eee Bs eu3 38, 44, 154, 60-61 Some New Bpoke a paloey ohh 1. Bes RR AREA BG SA AA an OR SOR One oe WRONG 8 (FEE Reviews and Book Notices (Illustrated) ... i wis ane se ae iy ue 57, 61-63 SNOERAIPSROTE Wa ee crea. cng” sng Pisano nde ip tan NP” cdsbedlh Boyt) Gee oe. a 4 SLD EUT ET rc VARS SSS iar ny Ri MUSE Ss a, A edt a MAR a a ee PU CY P| a, - 5; LONDON : : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FarrincDoy AVENUE: E'€, And at Hutt aNnpD YorK. Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U% PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET. ¥ _ Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. SECTION FOR VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. (President—Mr. Riley Fortune, F.Z.S.). Two Meetings of the above Section will be held at the Leeds Institute, Leeds, at 3 p.m. and at 6-30 p.m. respeetively, on Saturday, ii i February 13th, 1909. Short lectures will be given as follows :—Dr. C. J. Patten, M.A., on ‘Four Hours’ Continuous Observations: of the Feeding Habits of Richardson’s Skua,’ Mr. E. E. Gregory on ‘ The Pleistocene Vertebrate Remains of the West Riding,’ Mr. A. Whitaker on ‘Our British Bats’ {illustrated by lantern-slides), and Dr. E. S. Stewart, M.B.O.U., >A Recent Ornithological Expedition into Spain.’ . The following gentlemen will exhibit lantern-slides :—Mr. Jasper Atkinson, Mr. Riley Fortune, F.Z.S., Mr. Oxley Grabham, M.A., -M.B.O.U., Prof. C. J. Patten, M.D., Sc.D., Mr. Walter Wilson, and Mr. W. Hewett. Agenda :— At 3 p.m. there will be a meeting of the WILD BirDs' AND EGGS’ PROTECTION ComMITTEE. Members will then be at liberty to exhibit specimens, contribute notes, or ask questions. Dr. Stewart and Mr. Gregory will then give their papers. The evening meeting (6-30 p.m.) will commence with Prof. Patten’s lecture, and will be followed by Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Hewett, and concluded by the _/ exhibition of lantern-slides. All members and associates of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union interested in Vertebrate Zoology are invited to attend, and to bring any notes, specimens, photographs, lantern-slides, etc. ; and are requested to bring forward any matters of interest connected with the work of the Section, and to take part in any discussion. Any member or associate is at liberty to introduce a friend. Please Note.—As it is desired to make these meetings as representative as possible of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union and of the County of Yorkshire— it is particularly requested that officials of the Affiliated Societies will draw the. attention of their members to this notice. Any further particulars can be obtained from the Honorary Secretary of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, at the Museum, Hull; from Mr. H. B. Booth, * Ryhill,’ Ben Rhydding ; or from any of the officials of the Vertebrate Secticn, Se a ee ee Ae ee NOTES AND COMMENTS. THE PALZXONTOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. On the last day of the old year we received the volume of the Paleontographical Society for 1908, which contains many valuable monographs. Dr. A. Smith Woodward contributes part IV. of the ‘ Fossil Fishes of the English Chalk,’ and in- cludes Elofopsis crassus from Barton-on-Humber, described by Dr. Woodward in these pages in 1907. There is a further instalment of the reproductions of Sowerby’s figures of Inferior Oolite Ammonites. Drs. Gertrude Elles and Ethel M. R. Wood contribute part VII. of the Monograph of British Graptolites. Mr. Philip Lake gives part III. of ‘ British Cam- brian Trilobites.. Mr. Henry Woods contributes a further © instalment of his ‘ Cretaceous Lamellibranchiata,’ in which some Speeton Clay fossils are figured and described. These monographs are indispensable to workers, are wonderfully cheap, and we should like to support the appeal that is made for further subscribers. The subscription is one guinea per annum, and should be sent to Dr. Smith Woodward, at the British Museum (Natural History). THE SOUTH EASTERN NATURALIST. With the above title has been issued the ‘ Transactions of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies for 1908,’* under the editorship of Mr. J. W. Tutt. Besides detailed reports on the various sections of the Union’s work, it contains the Presidential Address of Sir Archibald Geikie, F.R.S., on “The Weald ;’ ‘ Gilbert White and Sussex,’ by W. H. Mullens ; “Spiders of the Hastings District,’ by W. R. Butterfield and W. H. Bennett ; ‘ Medizval Timber Houses of Kent and Sussex,’ by J. E. Ray; ‘ Hastings Castle,’ by H. Sands; ‘Notes on Dewponds,’ by E. A. Martin; ‘Some Local Marine Sponges.’ by E. Counold; ‘ Birds exhibited at the Congress Museum,’ by N. F. Ticehurst, and ‘ The Pleistocene Vertebrates of South- East England,’ by W. J. Lewis Abbott. The volume is illus- trated by a number of plates, and reflects the greatest credit upon our friends in south-east England. * London: Elliot Stock. Ixxi + 121 pp. 2/6 net. 1909 February 1. 34 Notes and Comments. HORNETS. With reference to the query raised in these columns (page 53), as to whether the Hornet has been recorded for York- shire or not, we are glad to take the opportunity kindly afforded by Messrs. Cassell & Co., of reproducing an excellent illustration of male, queen and worker Hornets, which has appeared in their Hee ee ey ee Photo by] Hornets. [John J. Ward. (1. Male; 2. Queen; 3. Worker). interesting ‘ Nature Book,’ already referred to in these columns. The illustration will serve to show the quality and kind of those appearing in Messrs. Cassell’s publication. It will also, we hope, enable our readers to keep a look out for the species, and thus add to the few localities for which it is known in the north. Notes and Comments. (o>) on RAY SOCIETY’S PUBLICATIONS.* The working zoologist has every reason to be thankful that such societies as the Ray Society are in a position to publish monographs on such a lavish scale as that before us. Other- wise the book could not be produced at a cost less than several times the price of the present volume, if produced at all. The Carnegie Trust has also given assistance for three years in regard to the artist, and section making, consequently the volume has been produced at a minimum of cost to the pur- chaser. The Society and author have also had the advantage of the knowledge and experience of Mr. John Hopkinson, the Secretary of the Ray Society, who has had much to do with the production of the work, and to whom the author duly acknow- ledges his great indebtedness. BRITISH MARINE ANNELIDS In dealing with the British Marine Annelids, the author has had an extremely difficult task, partly on account of the paucity of really reliable literature on the subject; partly because of the difficulty in securing fresh material, and partly on account of the various classifications adopted by various authors. Prof. McIntosh does not feel warranted in adopting any of the recent classifications of the Polycheta, e.g., that of Prof. Benham in the Cambridge Natural History: ‘ because none relieves the difficulties encountered in the older and more simple classification into errant and sedentary forms by Audouin and Edwards.’ Some idea of the difficulties exper- ienced in dealing with the literature upon the subject is shewn in the case of Nephthys ceca, where two of these large pages are devoted to a list of synonyms, varying in date from 1758 to 1906. AND THEIR COLOURS. The annelids dealt with in the present volume are surely amongst the most beautifully ornamented of the invertebrates, and, as the author points out, they vie with the gaudy tints of butterflies and birds, or the burnished splendour of beetles. This is strikingly borne out by the numerous coloured plates, upon which are shewn some of the most charming representa- tions of these gaily coloured annelids that could possibly be * «The British Annelids,’ Vol. II., Part I. Polycheta, Nephthydidz ito Syllidze, by Prof. W..C. McIntosh, M.D., F.R.S. 232 pp., plates. Issued to the members of the Ray Society. London: Dulau & Co., 25/- net. 1go9 February 1. 36 Votes and Comments. imagined. We can safely say that we do not remember in recent years having seen anything like these for delicacy of colouring and minuteness of detail. We have recently had an opportunity of testing the plates by comparison with living examples of some of the species represented ; and the accuracy of the colouring and of the drawing was demonstrated. A LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. An effort is being made to form a Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Natural History Societies, on the lines of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, and towards this end Mr. E. Ranson, of 174 Willows Lane, Accrington, has issued a circular to various societies in the two counties, convening a meeting to be held in Manchester shortly. It is quite possible, however, that there are some societies with which he is not acquainted, and the secretaries of these, as well as anyone interested in the move- ment, are requested to communicate with Mr. Ranson on the matter. We also learn that it is proposed to revive the ‘Lancashire Naturalist’ in April, at 4d. per month. If the suggested Union becomes an accomplished fact, and the ‘Lancashire Naturalist’ becomes its official organ, it should have a longer lease of life than its predecessor. LIVERPOOL GEOLOGISTS. The Liverpool Geological Society has issued its volume of Proceedings for 1907-8, and it contains a useful record of local work, and two papers, the work of members, have reference to field work afar off. Dr. Dwerryhouse also con- tributes his Presidential Address to the Society. There are two important papers on the Trias, one on ‘ The Mineralogical Constitution of the Storeton Sandstone,’ by J. Lomas; and the other on ‘Some Markings, other than Footprints, in the Keuper Sandstones and Marls,’ by Mr. H. C. Beasley. Mr. Mellard Reade has watched the construction of a new Sewer -Outfall, and as a result is able to give some useful notes on the Post-Glacial beds at Great Crosby ; with lists of foraminifera by Joseph Wright. Together with Mr. P. Holland, Mr. Reade gives some Analyses of Longmyndian Rocks. Mr. T. H. Cope writes some notes on some remarkable ‘Comparisons in the Weathering of Basalt,’ and Mr. Lomas writes on Marine Peat at Liverpool. A melancholy interest attaches to this volume. It is the last one in which the name of Mr. Joseph Lomas,'who Naturalist, ——$—————$_ Northern News. 37 has done so much for the Society, and for geological science, will appear in the list of members. His recent lamentable death in a railway accident in Algeria, where he was carrying out some geological work, will be deplored by many besides his Liverpool colleagues. LABELS SHEWING GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. With the kind help of Mr. H. B. Browne, M.A., the collection of exotic Swallow-tail Butterflies in the Hull Museum is being arranged, and with each species is being shewn a small map of _ the world, on Mercator’s projection, upon which the dis- tribution of the species is indicated in red. In this way the local- ities in which the various forms occur canly-be \seen dai, —_ FIELD NOTES. MOLLUSCA. Shells in British Barrows.—Referring to my notes in ‘ The Naturalist ’ for December, Mr. A. S. Kennard, F.G.S., has written to me expressing surprise that Helicella cantiana is found among the other shells from Birdsall Brow. He says :— ‘We have always looked upon it as a modern (7.e., Roman or post Roman) introduction. I fancy that it must be an acci- dental occurrence. It is certainly always absent from pre- Roman beds.’ The presence of this later species in a neigh- bouring barrow (67 Birdsall Brow) to that (65 Birdsall Brow), in which Caecilianella acicula is found, further confirms the view that these shells may have got into the barrows in other ways, at a later date than the interment, and that they may not be contemporaneous with the human remains. I do not wish to press this unduly, but think due weight should be given to their presence in coming to a definite conclusion on the point of the age of the shells in the barrows.—E. P. BLACKBURN, Gloucester. Mollusca at Clapham.—The Conchological Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Clapham in September, was represented by the undersigned, Attention was paid to a portion of the district not hitherto investigated, that lying eastwards of Clapham and about Austwick. Twenty-one species were noted, as follows :— Natural st, Reviews and Book Notices. 61 Arion ater P. votundata A. subfuscus Hygromia eranulata A. civcumscriptus H. hispida A. hortensis A. tntermedius A griolimax agrestis Hyatinia cellaria H. alliaria H. vufescens Vallonia pulchella Helicigona arbustovum Cochlicopa lubrica H. helvetica Pupa cylindracea HA. crystallina Claustlia bidentata H. pura C. cravenensis. Pyramidula rupestris making altogether six species of slugs, and sixteen of land- shells ; no fluviatile species were noted. The Clausilia cra- venensts were brought by the geologists from the higher land, and Mr. R. Fowler Jones was the finder of Avion ater and A. subfuscus. Of Agriolimax agrestis, in addition to the type and var. reticulata, which abounded, one example was found of var. lilacina.—W. DENISON ROEBUCK, Leeds. SOME NEW BOOKS. GEOLOGY. Stanford’s Geological Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland (with plates of characteristic fossils) by Horace B. Woodward, F.R.S., F.G.S. Second edition. 190 pp. and 50 coloured geological maps and plates of fossils. 12/6 net. In this compact little volume Mr. H. B. Woodward has succeeded in compressing an excellent summay of the geology of the British Isles. There is an admirable introduction referring to the general geological structure of the Islands, an account of the igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, a chapter on the mineral products, detailed descriptions of the geology of the various counties, descriptions of the features observable along the principal lines of railway, and an account of the geological structure of Ireland. There are also the clearly-coloured maps (with key), and tables of characteristic fossils. In the present edition Mr. Woodward has included much relating to. Ireland ; the maps have been brought up to date; and in other ways the work has been made as useful as possible for its size. Mr. Woodward’s name on the cover is quite a sufficient guarantee for the general accuracy and excellence of the publication. The amateur geologist will be par- ticularly pleased with the clearness of the maps, and also with the fact that the principal collecting grounds are indicated. Genesis of Metallic Ores and of the Rocks which enclose them, by Brenton Symons. London; ‘The Mining Journal.’ 1908. xxxiii. + eee this work the author has been instigated by the desire to afford to young students a popularly written book, as devoid of technical expressions as the nature of the subject will permit. The author by no means confines himself to his favourite Cornwall, nor to the British Isles, but draws. illustrations and examples from every district of the globe. The use of the word “ geologic’ amongst others, indicates the influence of America and American authors upon him. He also has his portrait as frontispiece, which is also usually a bad sign, no matter how good looking the author may be. The volume is divided into three ‘books’ :—(1) Sedimentation of Rocks and Ores; (2) Metamorphism of Strata; and (3) Segregation of Metallic 1909 February 1. 62 Reviews and Book Notices. Ores in Veins. These are further sub-divided into chapters, and each subject seems to be very exhaustively and thoroughly dealt with. There are also 154 illustrations (without the portrait), which help to make his points clearer. A perusal of the book leaves one with the impression that what Mr. Symons does not know about ores and veins and lodes and vadose solutions, and the ‘oneness’ of rocks is not worth knowing. The book would have been much improved in appearance if some less funereal type had been used for numbering of the pages, and if a much greater margin had been allowed. But then perhaps the author would not have been able to say :— ‘Go little book, from this my solitude ! I cast thee on the waters—go thy ways ; And if, as I believe, thy vein is good, The world will find thee after many days.’ The Geology of Coal and Coal-Mining, by Walcot Gibson, D.Sc., F.G.S. London: Edward Arnold. 341 pp., 7/6 net. This volume is the first of a series of works on economic geology by experienced geologists ; and if the rest in any way approaches the present one in the excellence of its matter, the clearness of its style, and the wealth of its illustrations, it will indeed be a magnificent series. Dr. Gibson’s extensive experience in the British and South African Coalfields enables him to speak first-hand on the various questions discussed ; consequently the volume has a much greater proportion of original matter than would otherwise have been the case. After an introductory chapter, the author deals in detail with the varieties of coal, the chemical and physical char- acters; coal as a rock, its formation and origin, distribution ; fossils as zonal indices, studies of exposed and concealed coalfields, etc. He then deals with the principal coalfields of Britain, and next refers at some length to the coalfields of various parts of the world. Perhaps one of the most important, as well as the most interesting parts of the book is that dealing with the value of fossils as zonal indices. “Too much stress cannot possibly be attached to this side of the subject. Dr. Gibson’s field-work enables him to speak with more than usual emphasis as to the value of zonal fossils, and his remarks on this subject should be read, marked, learned, and inwardly digested by every geologist, mining engineer, as well as by the increasingly large number of monied gentry who have an interest in coal which is other than scientific. This chapter is profusely illustrated by photographs, etc., of typical fossils. There is also a very good index. The publishers kindly enable us to reproduce one of the illustrations herewith. Naturalist, i Reviews and Book Notices. 63 An Introduction to Geology, by W. B. Scott, Ph.D., LL.D. New York: The MacMillan Company. 816 pp., 2nd edition, 22/- net. This excellent volume is intended to serve the same purpose in America that Sir Archibald Geikie’s well-known ‘ Class-book ’ does in this country, and there can be little doubt that Dr. Scott has rendered a great service to American yeology in producing the book. That it is appreciated is shewn from the comparatively short time that has elapsed between the publication of the first and second editions. In the interval, the author has had the advantage of many suggestions, of a good proportion of which he has availed himself. A perusal of the pages, and of the beautiful series of illustrations, almost makes an English geologist envious of his American brothers in their wealth of geological phenomena on a grand scale. The chapters on ‘The Atmosphere,’ “Running Water,’ ‘Snow and Ice,’ “ Lakes,’ etc., are particularly striking from the admirable illustra- tions which are given, many of which are such as could only have been taken from America. The chapters devoted to the later geological deposits and their extraordinary contents are illustrated in a style that would make an English writer hesitate. The volume has been prepared in an unusually substantial and careful manner, and will doubtless long be the book of its kind across the water. To English geologists it will prove of great worth for purposes of comparison. Scientific Confirmations of Old Testament History, by G. Frederick Wright, D.D., LL.D., etc. Bibliotheca Sacra Co., Oberlin. Ohio, U.S.A. 422 pp., $2 net. Prof. Wright’s reputation as the leader of the school of glacialists in America; his brilliant books on ‘ The Ice Age in North America,’ ‘Man and the Glacial Period,’ ‘Greenland Ice Fields,’ etc.; and his gift as a lecturer—a gift appreciated by many English geologists who have heard him—demand that any production from his pen should receive the careful consideration of the scientific world. In the present book, which has now been published some little time, Prof. Wright hopes to do ‘ something to re-establish confidence in the historical statements of the Old Testament, and, at the same time, of so unfolding the marvellous geological events of the post-Tertiary period, as to incite the general reader to a closer study of its significant and overwhelming facts, which inviteinvestigation on every hand.’ Prof. Wright has visited the districts he describes, and whilst much of the matter dealt with in the volume does not come within the scope of this journal, we cannot but admire the ingenious way in which many of the extraordinary occurrences recorded in the Bible are here explained. The geologist will find much in the volume to interest him—particularly that part relating to the author’s investigation of the loess of Northern China, a deposit which he carefully examined and here describes in detail. With regard to the ‘ Evidences of a Deluge in Europe,’ we notice that Prof. Wright is a disciple of the late Prof. Prestwich. He accepts Prest- wich’s view of the origin of the rubble drift, and shelters himself behind Prestwich’s great reputation ; though at the same time he has been over much of the ground described by that author. There can, of course, be no question of the great floods covering the northern hemisphere at the close of the glacial period, and there is also evidence of a great destruction of animal species, whose remains are found with paleolithic man. Con- sequently the arguments brought forward by Prof. Wright should receive every consideration in dealing with this matter. In perusing this book, we naturally were anxious to see how far the well-known works of Sir Henry H. Howorth had influenced our author. Oddly enough, we can only find one reference to that writer, as follows :—‘ No doubt the greater part of the arguments for the Flood, drawn from the loess by Sir Henry Howorth and others, are explained by fuller knowledge of the irregularities produced by the slowly-melting ice-sheet.’ We don’t quite know whether Sir Henry would be altogether pleased with this interpretation of his three big books ! 1909 February 1. 64 NORTHERN NEWS. A ‘ fossilised mushroom’ has been presented to the Beverley Museum. We notice the Editor of a paper complains that for several days he could not put his hat on without pain ! We notice a recent writer on Yorkshire ornithology states that the Stone Curlew ‘ran on all fours,’ with its large relative, the Great Bustard. The Yorkshire Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Committee begs to acknowledge the receipt of two guineas from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. A list of Lincolnshire heronries appears in ‘ The Zoologist ’ for December. In the same journal is figured a nest of the Short-eared Owl, with eight eggs ; ‘the first ever recorded for Notts.’ Mr. W. E. Clarke contributes some notes on the Occurrence of Evers- mann’s Warbler at Fair Isle; an addition to the British Fauna, to the “Annals of Scottish Natural History’ for January. The fine collection of Anglo-Saxon jewellery formed by the late Sir John Evans, and bequeathed to his son, has been presented by Dr. A. J. Evans to the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. A second edition of the well-known ‘ Borough’ Guide to Hull has been called for (A. Brown & Sons, 2d.). It is prepared by Mr. T. Sheppard, and contains many improvements upon the previous edition of two years ago. In describing the furs exposed tor sale in a well-known emporium, the “Western Mail’ says :—‘a really interesting study in natural history is afforded by the tigers, leopards, zebras, and monkeys, not to mention smaller animals, such as the minx.’ We regret to announce the decease of William Salkeld, on the 29th October, at Christchurch, N.Z., at the ripe age of seventy-six. He was a native of Cumberland, as his name would seem to indicate ; taxidermist by trade, and a skilled and experienced ornithologist. Nature Study is evidently making headway, judging from the following answers selected from some boys’ recent examination papers :—‘ Africa is a very dark place, nearly covered with trees and animals’; ‘To kill a butterfly you pinch its borax’ ; ‘ The bloodvessels are the veins, arteries, and artilleries’ ; ‘ A ruminating animal is one that chews its cubs’ ; ‘ The masculine of vixen is vicar.’ The December ‘ Entomologists’ Record’ has one note that can be appreciated by a non-entomologist. An old gentleman, observing a boy’s very crude attempts at catching moths, advised him to go to the library and take out an elementary book on entomology, which would enable him to be more successful. A little while after, on seeing the same boy still persuing his old methods, he enquired why he had not read a book on the subject. ‘I did,’ was the unexpected reply; ‘ but it did not help me at all.’ The book he had read proved to be ‘ Advice to young moth-ers ! ’ Mr. W. E. L. Wattam sends the following Errata in the Index of ‘ The Naturalist’ for 1908. The Fungi records Coprinus cordisporus Gibbs., n. sp., and Humaria globosa-pulvinata, n. sp., C. Crossland, indexed under ‘Species and Varieties New to Britain,’ should have appeared under ‘Species and Varieties New to Science.’ All the records of Arachnida, Flowering Plants, Fungi, and Mosses and Hepatics indexed under ‘jSpecies . and Varieties New to Science,’ should have appeared under ‘ Species and Varieties New to Britain.’ All these records are, however, properly indexed under their respective County sub-headings. ‘The record Enicmus ~ fungicola near the end of ‘‘ Fungi, Yorks,*’ should come under ‘‘ Coleoptera, Norks: 7 7 Naturalist, in : NUMBER. “ONE Bn he NET. No. 626 : (No. 404 of current series) cs A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF ‘ 3. “Oa _ NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., THE Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D, .F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. Contents :— . PAGES Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—Large Larch Saw-fly in the Lake District; A Poisonous Fungus; The Food of Birds, A Thousand Chester Records ; New Botanical Finds; New Spiders; Derbyshire Glaciers, A Geographical Observation, Glaciers and Place-Names; The National Trust; How to tell the Birds from the Flowers—The Crow, The Crocus ; Animal Analogues—The Bee, the Beet, The Beetle, Ants and Pheasants . 65-70 Notes on Bats (Illustrated)—Arthuy Whitaker ... he Ab pli frie Paucity of Redwings in the West Riding—Harry Be Booth, M. B. 0. oie aes ee Sais ab {> oy!) Euphrasias of North-east Yorkshire—J. G. Baker, F.R.S. ... hie me ie oa Butt 1? The Hornet in Yorkshire—Rev. W.C.Hey, M.A. os pes iy; 80 Fossil Plants from the Marske and Upleatham Quarries, Verkohive Rout George J. Lane, F.G.S., and T. W. Saunders... 81-82 The Migratory Movements of certain Shore= Birds as opeerved on ‘the Dublin lcnnst —C. J. Patten, M.A., M.D., Sc.D. tes au Re : ae ae ..» 83-86 Some British Earthmites (Illustrated)—C. F. Gros, £e., oe : 87-88 Two Ancient Burial Cairns on Brimham Moor, Yorkshire—A. Westie pe vOne: P.. 4, S. I. 89-92 Some Lincolnshire Boulders—?’. M. Burton, F.G.S., F.L.S. ae “en Bh a .. | 93-96 The Oxford British Plant List—G. Claridge Druce, M.A., F.L.S. BAS ee Ka me .. 97-99 Additional Note—I’. Arnold Lees, M.R.C.S. ... ah ae ate as a ae ee ... 99-100 The Sycamore—P. 0. Keegan, Be IDs ; os Be ... 101-105 Freshwater Rhizopods from the Sheffield Disteiee jases B Bhowe, RB. S¢x 4 ..2 105-108 _ Beetles of Lancashire and Cheshire—F. G- Bay ford, F.E.S. sh i 3) se ... 108110 ‘Field Notes (Illustrated) ... ay . ... 111-114 The Phytoplankton of the English Tate District (Illustrated —1 m. Uprest F. Lis -S., aud Ges; WestiM As DsSc. Pik. Suk; - ... 115-122 In Memoriam (Illustrated) Wilfred H. Hudleston, F. R. S., Fe. G. S., etc. ay as ... 123-124 Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Meetings ... Pe Nea D. 125-126 Reviews and Book Notices... ... we 77, 80, 86, 92, 96, ‘100, 110, 114, 124, 126-127 Northern News Bs Las Be AM wes set a st jas oe bse se 79 88, 128 Illustrations ... sed as any asi 4 ree woe cl TOT TTR 2 Plates I., 11., t11., IV,, vi, VI., VIL, VI. ; , LONDON : ' BEAL A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, \ E. C. And at Hutt aND York. ~ Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. Ks Wn 7 BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS? UNIO Vv ‘ ces 8v0, Cloth. 292 bp. (a few copies only left), price 5/= net. ee Piak fis ntains various Te papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Fungi of the cou ity, ai Conaplete, 8vo, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. 2 _ THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C. S., &c. This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most mplete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero- ams and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382 reshwater Alge, making a total of 3160 species. 680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15/= net. ie NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. Bi By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.1.A., V.M.H. ‘ig And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding: by Marruew B. ise F.L.S. This Volu ne ms the 3rd of the Botanical Series. & “ay } 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6 net. I HE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F. L.s _ This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated li st t all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species. Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price 6'= post free. : eS, THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B!A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044 BEES, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution. ‘ Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net. “LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. | By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1340 species « of acro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement, ontains much new information which has been accumulated by the author, including over 50 additional species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c. In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. i ‘The~ Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and ate issued i eparately- paged series, devoted each to a special subject The Parts already published are sold to the pcblie s follows (Members are entitled to 45 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878).19; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879), 2/- ; 5 (1880), 2/- ; 6 (1881), 2/- ; 7 (1882), 4/6; 8 (1883), 2/6; 9 (1884), 2/9; 10 (885), Ty Syeiees bb (1885), 2.6; 12 (1886), 2/6; 3 (1887), 2/6: 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 26; 17 (1891), 2i6; 18 (1892), 1) 9. 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1494), 5/-+ (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), ‘1/3; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 248 (1902), BE : (1902), 1/-: 30 (1903), 2/6: 31 (1904), 1/-; 82 (1905), 7/6; 38 (1908), 5 -. HE. B ps OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.0.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F. 1 ‘Su 1.B.0.U., and F. BOYES. Also being published (by Subscription, One Guinea). notated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YOR SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Aiso in course of publication in the Traus- actions. THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts uy, 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. 3 ; {LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W. C. HEY, M.A. by T. SHEPPARD, F.G. oe Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHE AD, F.L. S3 Treatenen Colle: Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GIL BERT BAKER, F. FUL-S., PrRor. PERCY F. KENDALL, -M.Sc.,. F:G:S.,. TH: NEESON; M.B-0.U., GEO; T. PORRIT F.L.S., F.E.S.; JOHN W. TAYLOR, and WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. (Annual Subscription, paya in advance, 6/6 post free). «nEMBERSHIP i in the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Natural : and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union. A donation of Seven Guineas constitutes a life-membe ship, and entitles the member to a set of the completed volumes issued by the Union. Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union at a discount of 25 bey per cent. off the prices quoted above. S's All communications should he addressed to the Hon. Secretary, a ; T. SHEPPARD, F. G. S., The Museum, Hull. < FHE NATURALIST, 1909. PLATE I. Poisonous Fungus (Amanita phalloides Fr.). ad NOTES AND COMMENTS. LARGE LARCH SAW-FLY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT. In the December ‘ Journal of the Board of Agriculture,’ Mr. C. Gordon Hewitt, of the University of Manchester, con- tributes a paper on the ravages of the large Larch Saw-Fly (Nematus erichsonit) in the Lake District. The life-history of the insect is dealt with, and the way in which it damages and eventually kills the larches is pointed out, and methods of prevention are given. A map of the Lake District accompanies the report, which indicates where the Saw-Fly is present, where the trees are rather badly attacked, and where the trees are very badly attacked, the last being in the vicinity of Bassenthwaite Lake, Buttermere and Thirlmere. A POISONOUS FUNGUS. .n the November issue of the same Journal is an admirable illustration of Amanita phalloides Fr., one of the most dangerous of our poisonous fungi. This, by the kindness of the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Department, and of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, we are kindly permitted to repro- duce for the benefit of our readers (Plate I.). Many cases of poisoning by this fungus are on record, and in not a few instances. the results have proved fatal. The species usually occurs in woods, and for this reason is not likely to be confounded with the common mushroom. The colour of the pileus varies from. greenish to nearly white, according to the shade. ‘ The presence of a ring and a volva, together with the persistently white gills and pale yellow or greenish pileus are the more striking features of this fungus, and are sufficient to brand any specimen possess- ing them with the strongest suspicion.’ With this form, at any rate, we do not recommend a certain Yorkshire mycologist’s method of ‘ first trying ’em on the missus ! ’ THE FOOD OF BIRDS. The Board of Agriculture has recently issued an important Supplement to its Journal, which we should recommend our readers to obtain. It is entitled ‘ The Food of some British Birds,’ and is a record of the twenty years’ observations on the contents of the crops of various birds, by Mr. Robert Newstead, of Liverpool. The work consists of nearly one hundred pages, and can be obtained for 4d., post free, from the Board of Agri- culture, 4 Whitehall Place, S.W. In view of the allegations 1909 March 1 E 66 Notes and Comments. ‘made against the birds by horticulturalists and others, this record of facts should be carefully perused. As the report points out, there are, on this subject, two points requiring special investigation. ‘ It is necessary to examine and tabulate the contents of the crops of certain birds in each month of the year, so that an opinion may be formed of the benefits or injuries caused by birds at allseasons. Secondly, it is necessary that some estimate should be made of the available food in the district where the birds were feeding when killed, in order that it may be decided whether the food discovered in the crops were selected from choice or from necessity.’ A THOUSAND CHESTER RECORDS. In his introductory remarks, Mr. Newstead points out that the records of the materials upon which the memoir has been largely built are based upon 871 post-mortem examinations of the stomach contents, and the ‘ pellets’ or ‘ castings’ of 128 species of British birds. In the case of the Starling and a few other birds, these have been supplemented by a number of definite observations made in the field, bringing the total to considerably over 1100 records. From an_ entomological standpoint these are probably the most extensive yet com- piled in this country, and as such, form a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the food of British birds, especially in relation to agriculture and horticulture. The majority of the material examined was collected in Cheshire, and as the con- ditions there are probably similar to those obtaining in other areas, it can be safely said that the records demonstrate the important part played by the majority of our British birds in checking the increase and lessening the ravages of garden and field pests. NEW BOTANICAL FINDS. Probably as an indirect result of the trio of new British plant lists, which were noticed at some length in our last volume, botanists in the north and centre of England appear to have had a ‘fillip.’ Not only has Selinum carvifolia been turned up in Nottinghamshire, but a new British Broomrape (Ovrobanche procera Koch,) in West Yorks., and the larger chestnut-brown seeded Water-Blinks (with free flowers) in Merionethshire and elsewhere ; and Mr. Clement Reid led to this by detecting both sorts of seeds, shining and dull black, in the lacustrine leaf-bed deposits ! Naturalist, Notes and Comments. 67 NEW SPIDERS. The Rey. O. Pickard-Cambridge, M.A., F.R.S., has favoured us with a copy of his paper on ‘ New and Rare British Arach- nida, noted and observed in 1907,’ reprinted from ‘ The Pro- ceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field ‘Club,’ p. 161, 1908. This forms a valuable summary of the work accomplished among the Arachnida in Great Britain -during 1907, and is illustrated by one plate. The species noted for the North of England are as follows :—Ischnothyreus velox Jackson (new to science), found in hot-houses at Alnwick, Northumberland, and at Chester: Pvosthestma lutetiana L. Koch, from Port Erin, Isle of Man; Hahnia pusilla L. Koch, and Theridion impressum, L. Koch, from Delamere Forest, Cheshire ; Euryopis flavomaculata C. L. Koch, from Newton Moss, Penrith ; Robertus neglectus Camb., from the Hull Dis- trict ; Leptyphantes angulata Camb., from Northumberland ; Hilaira pervicax J. E. Hull, from Whitfield, Northumberland ; ‘Centromerus concinnus Thorell, from Hull; C. probabilis sp. n. and C. firmus Camb., from Northumberland ; Maro minutus ‘Camb., from near Huddersfield ; Maro falconertt from Dela- mere Forest, Cheshire; Evigone spinosa Camb., a species new to Britain, found on Saltend Common, near Hull (for a description of this species see the ‘ Naturalist,’ 1g08, p. 378-9) ; E. longtpalpis Sund., from Kirkby, Lancashire, and the Humber Shore, near Hull; E. arctica from Cheshire; Entelecara jackson Camb., from Delamere ; Avaeonus crassiceps Westr., from Newton Moss, Penrith ; Panamomops bicuspis from Hull. This report also contains some interesting information con- cerning species introduced into greenhouses, etc., with foreign plants. DERBYSHIRE GLACIERS. Under the suggestive title ‘ Observations of the Effects of “Glaciers in Derwent Valley, Derbyshire,’ by E. M. Wrench, M.V.O., F.R.C.S., we were recently tempted to peruse a paper in the Journal of the Manchester Geographical Society. In it we found much about the relationship between geology and geography, Classics in Education, Roman Roads, Fog, Kelts and Norsemen, but very little about ancient Derbyshire glaciers. Mr. Wrench, however, has found ‘ scoriated rocks,’ which had been ‘ overlooked by Sir Archibald Geikie because his experi- ence was confined to the effects of glacial action upon hard 190g March 1. 68 ‘Noles ana Comments. rocks, the granites of Scotland, and the slates of Wales.’ It is. apparent that Sir Archibald should take a few lessons in field geology, under the guidance of Mr. E. M. Wrench, M.V.O., Bak: CS: A GEOGRAPHICAL OBSERVATION, Mr. Wrench has made yet another observation. He has traced the size and extent of the ‘Derwent Glacier’: and located its marks. ‘The flow of such a glacier in a valley of such easy gradient, would not be more than a few inches per day, or two hundred yards in a year, and if so, its progress would occupy several centuries, and confirm Lord Avebury’s calculation of the duration of the Glacial Period lasting one hundred and fifty thousand years!’ Doubtless Lord Avebury will be duly grateful for this striking confirmation of his theory. GLACIERS AND PLACE-NAMES. Mr. Wrench writes ‘ Lastly [thank heaven !] many place names are derived from the glacial features of the soil, such as Tozenhurst=Raggedwood, mentioned in Geological Survey as possibly glacial moraine; Wormster = Wormstall= Dragon’s den. The River Derwent, clear water, from the clean sweep of the shale from the valley.’ Quite so ;. and just in the same way the name Wrench must be of glacial origin, as it belongs to an. aL VeO. ERNE Se THE NATIONAL TRUST. We have recently received the thirteenth Annual Report of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, and it is very pleasant reading. The land upon which the ‘Grey Wethers ’ occur, near Marlborough, already referred. to in these columns, has been secured to the nation for all time ; Ludshott Common (542 acres) and the adjoining wood- land (174 acres) can be secured for £1800, and of this all but £150 has been subscribed. Other tracts of land are announced. as gifts to the Trust, and are now preserved to the public for ever. In many instances these ‘ breathing-spaces ’ have been: snatched from the hands of the speculative builder. The Report also contains a lengthy list of lands, historic buildings and monuments under its charge, from which it is apparent that its excellent work will be much more appreciated in the future by the public than it is to-day. The Secretary, Mr.. Nigel Bond, of 25 Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., will Naturalist,_ Notes and Comments. 69 be glad to send copies of the Report to anyone interested, and to few better purposes can spare cash be placed than in supporting the Trust’s efforts to keep our country as we now know and love it. HOW TO TELL THE BIRDS FROM THE FLOWERS. We have received two extraordinary publications, written by R. Williams Wood, one of which bears the above title. They shew to what an extent Nature Study has progressed in America! At the top of each page is an illustration, and below this the description in verse. In order that our readers may see the nature of these, we reproduce one or two of them. THE CROW. THE CROCUS. Some are unable, as you know, To tell the Crocus from the Crow ; ‘The reason why is just because They are not versed in Nature’s laws. The noisy cawing Crows all come, Obedient to the Cro’custom, A large Crow caw-cus to convoke, You never hear the Crecus croak ! 1909 March 1. 70 Notes and Comments. ANIMAL. ANALOGUES* is the title of the second little volume, and this starts off with— THE BEE: DHE BEET. THE BEETLE. Good Mr. Darwin once contended That Beetles were from Bees descended ; And as my pictures show, I think, The Beet must be the missing link. The Sugar-Beet and Honey Bee Supply the Beetle’s pedigree : The family is now complete The Bee, the Beetle, and the Beet. ANTS AND PHEASANTS. aoe! aly a Ts .: . a Vics! wMlacd wi! Aa < THE ANT. THE PHEAS-ANT. The Ant is known by his ant-ennae, Whereas the Phea-sant hasn’t any, And that is why he wears instead A small red cap upon his head ; Without his Fez, indeed the Pheasant Would be quite bald, and quite unpleasant. * Paul Elder & Co., San Francisco. 28 pp., 50 c. net. ~ Naturalist, NOTES ON BATS. (PLATES Ul. and m1.). ARTHUR WHITAKER, Worsborough Bridge. THE phenomenally cold weather during April and early May of last year caused bats to remain in the torpid condition usual during hibernation for a longer period than they generally do, and May 27th was the first date on which I noticed these creatures flying in any numbers. The evening of that day was particularly warm and still, and in taking a walk round Rockley Dam, a sheet of water about a quarter-of-a-mile long, surrounded by woods, I found that many bats were on the wing. I netted several, all proving to be the common Pipi- strelle (P. pipistrellus).. One of these, a female, I kept alive, putting it in a small cage by itself. On the roth of July it gave birth to a single young one, at 3-30 to 4 p.m., clinging head downwards to the cage side at the time, and receiving the young one in its right wing, which was held partially extended for the purpose. Unfortunately, the young bat did not live many days. All my observations in connection with it agree with those previously published,* but the period of gestation is now shown to be not less than 44 days. On the 15th of July 1908, a box of bats from Wells was forwarded to me by rail. They had been caught two days previously, and I found the box contained one Lesser Horse- shoe (R. hipposiderus) and four Greater Horseshoes (R. ferrum- equinum). One of the larger species was a female, and had given birth to a young male in transit. The latter was lying on the bottom of the box ina dying condition, but though this was evidently the case, it showed great tenacity to life, clinging to its mother very firmly when I put them together in a small cage. When she became restless and detached and left it, the young bat, though but a day old, hung by one foot from the top of the cage for over fifteen minutes, a favourite resting position for adult bats of this species (See Plate II., fig. 1), but surely an extremely exhausting one for a newly-born individual. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat died a few hours after it came into my possession. It was a female, and contained a fully developed embryo ready for extrusion, * “ Naturalist,’ 1907, pp. 75, 76, etc. 1g09 March 1. to Whitaker: Notes on Bats. | One interesting fact relating to the young Horseshoe Bats is, that at birth, instead of being practically naked as are the young of the Vespertilionide, they are clothed with a very short, and soft, silky down, especially noticeable on the back, shoulders, and top of the head. Not only was this most conspicuous in the case of the newly-born Greater Horseshoe, but it was even plainly apparent in the embryo of the lesser species. The call of the young Greater Horseshoe Bat was fairly loud, and consisted of several chirrups, repeated in quick succession, at intervals. I kept two or three of the adult Greater Horseshoe Bats alive for some time, and most interesting pets I found them. Hanging head downwards, often by one leg only, they slept most of the time, suspended from a bar fixed across the top of their cage (a large meat safe). Sometimes they hung separately, but more often they slept all hanging together in a cluster. When this was done, a perfectly regular and almost exactly geometrical group was frequently formed. Each of the trio held the perch with one leg only and hung facing inwards, so that the three faces were almost touching. Each had the left wing folded over its own breast, and beneath this tucked its disengaged leg, whilst with the right wing almost fully extended for the purpose, it did its share towards enclosing the whole group, which was by this means effectually screened and shielded from draughts, by the covering of three overlapping and encircling wings. When living moths were put,into their cage, the bats would catch them, but only seemed able to do so when the insects we e in motion. An insect which kept quite still seemed perfectly safe ; whilst on the other hand, the more rapid its movement, the more infallibly did one or other of the bats secure it by a sudden dart from its perch, seizing the insect in its mouth, and returning to the perch to eat it. Moths which were actually flying were caught much more easily than those which fluttered on the cage floor or sides. These bats took to feeding on meal-worms readily, and like all other bats I have kept, no sooner tasted them than they developed so great a liking for them that I could only get them to take any more natural food with difficulty. They ate on an average five dozen meal-worms each per day, and would take these from my fingers, or forceps, as they hung from their Naturalist, THE NATURALIST, 1909. — paige 1 Bae ee ae Greater Horse-shoe Bat (R. ferrum-equinum). Prate III. British Bats. 1. Greater Horseshoe; 2. Lesser Horseshce; 3. Long-eared; 4. Noctule; 5: Hairy-Armed Bat; 6. Pipistrell ; 7. Daubenton’s; 8. Natterer’s ; 9. Whiskered Bat. (4 life size). Whitaker - Notes on Bats. aS perch, consuming them so rapidly that I had the greatest difficulty in keeping all three bats supplied when all were ‘dining at the same time. During the first few days of their captivity they always pressed any insect given them against the skin of the wing, (7.e., the inter-brachial membrane) until they had secured -a good grip of it. Later, when they had bécome more accustomed to meal-worms, they almost abandoned the_ practice, no doubt realising that it was unnecessary. Moths given to them were invariably so treated. This habit is excellently described in an interesting article on “ The ‘Greater Horseshoe Bat in Captivity,” * written by that most accurate’ observer of bats, Mr. YT: A. Coward. It is. well illustrated on Plate II., Figs. 6, 7 and 9. On July 27th the two Greater Horseshoe Bats then in my keeping had a most terrific fight sometime during the night, for in the morning I found one dead, the wings being torn and lacerated in several places, and the face and nostrils covered with blood) The other bat had only bled slightly at the nostrils and was little the worse. I had not previously seen the slightest sign of ill-feeling between them. The surviving bat escaped from its cage at dusk on July 28th, and although I saw it flying about the garden for some little time, I did not manage to re-capture it. One evening, about a week later, my friend Mr. Armitage felt confident he saw a bat of this species flying at dusk at a -considerable altitude over the field adjoining our garden. This supposition was confirmed in a rather remarkable manner, for -on the 4th of September, more than five weeks after my pet had escaped, Mr. Armitage and I again saw it, when together. We were returning from a ramble, and at g-15 p.m., more than an hour after dusk, we were surprised to see it busily engaged in catching moths, as they flew about some thistle flowers growing on the railway bank at Worsborough Bridge, and directly in the path of light which fell from the back window -of the signal box at the level crossing. We saw the bat several times between g-15 and 10 o'clock, .as it flew by, or hovered about in the light from the window. Its large size, pale colour, and delicate, fluttering flight, rendered it quite unmistakable, and though I again tailed to * Vol. 52, Part II., Manchester Lit. and Phil. Society Memoirs. 1909 March mie 74 Whitaker: Notes on Bats. re-capture it, it allowed us to approach within a couple of yards several times. Once or twice it appeared to almost settle on the ground. I was very much interested, and pleased to again see my lost pet, more than five weeks after its escape, yet within fifty yards of the place where I had kept it. Records of the occurrence of the Hairy-armed Bat (P. leisleyt)*in Yorkshire are few,* and any new ones are. consequently of interest. I have recently had the pleasure of examining six preserved specimens, three of which were in the possession of Mr. G. Parkin of Wakefield, and the others in that of Mr. W. G. Chambers of Stanley. All were taken at the same time, 1.e. towards the end of September 1902, at Oulton near Rothwell, where they were found in the roof of a cottage along with ‘about forty others,’ all ‘apparently of the same species.’ I was interested to find that of the six preserved specimens J] examined, three were apparently males and three females. Probably all the bats in this large colony were Hairy-armed Bats ; the six I examined were all undoubted examples of this species. Every note I have been able to make with regard to this. species and the nearly allied but far more abundant Noctule (P. noctula) confirms the opinion that the following peculiarity is habitual to them. Both species seem to gather in large colonies for hibernation, and these colonies are most often found occupying the roofs of buildings. They seem to comprise individuals of each sex in about equal numbers. In spring they split up into much smaller colonies, and usually take up arboreal quarters. These summer colonies will almost in- variably be found to consist chiefly, if not entirely, of bats of one sex. Referring to my diary for confirmation of this, I find that every note I have made on these species, without a single exception, goes to support the statement. Take, for instance, the following :— .. 14/7/08.—Hole in beech tree, Rockley, Colony Noctules 10 M., 1 F. 5/9/06.—Hole in beech tree, Stainbrough, Colony Noctules, 7. TM 22/8/06.—Hole in oak tree, near Barnsley, Colony Hairy-armed, 7 F. 20/7/06.——Hole in beech tree, Rockley, Colony Noctules, 8 M. 29/6/07. Hole in beech, Rockley, Colony Noctules, 22 M., 2 F. 13/5/04.-—Hole in beech, Stainbrough, Hairy-armed Bats, 2 M. These are only some of many notes, all indicative of the same habits. To multiply instances is unnecessary and.would only occupy too much space. eee * See my notes on this species in ‘ Naturalist,’ 1907, pp. 384, 385, etc. Naturalist, Whitaker: Notes on Bats. 7 wn _ Insupport of my opinion that the winter colonies are usually larger in buildings, and of both sexes, I may say that all the usual arboreal quarters I know, which are made use of in summer, are deserted during the winter months, and that a colony apparently always occupies a certain church tower at Worsborough Dale in winter, for great numbers of Noctules maybe seen flying in its immediate vicinity in early spring and late autumn, but not in summer. The colony of Hairy-armed Bats found at Oulton in a cottage roof in late autumn of 1902, and the large colony of Noctules occupying a house roof at King’s Lynn, Norfolk, for many successive winters and springs, as recorded in a note by Mr. H. B. Booth,* consisted of individuals of both sexes ‘in about equal proportions.’ There is scope for much interesting speculation as to the peculiarly erratic manner in which gregarious instincts are displayed in our British bats. One cannot see that it is at all necessary for their mutual protection, for they seem to have hardly any enemies. Apparently it is not for warmth. On cold, damp days, I have several times found Noctules occupy- ing lonely quarters, whilst on September Ist, 1906, one of the hottest days I ever remember, Mr. Armitage and I examined a colony of eleven Noctules in the hole of a tree in Stainbrough Park, and found them packed in a solid cluster in one corner of their den, actually wet with perspiration. The thermometer at the time stood at 94° in the shade and 110° in the sun. I have found the Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) scores of times, both in summer and winter, resting singly in cold, damp chinks of tunnels and stonework, yet if the same species be searched for in August, usually the hottest month of the year, small colonies of six to ten, or more, will be almost invariably found squeezed together in one hole. August and early September seem to be the only time when bats of this species are gregarious. Of Natterer’s Bat (M. natterert),, Daubenton’s Bat (M. daubentont), and the Whiskered Bat (M. mystacinus), I have always found odd specimens, even in mid-winter, though large colonies of each of these species have been recorded. The same thing applies to the Pipistrelle. I have found odd ones even in winter, and on the other hand, I have found colonies consisting of not merely scores, but hundreds of individuals. * Saunders: Fossil Plants from Marske, etc. Several years ago, the late Rev. J. Hawell did some excellent pioneer work in the Marske quarry, which resulted in the identification of seventeen species. He also found a Dictyo- zamutes for the first time in England, which proved to be a new species, and was named Dzctyozamites hawellt. The following is a list of plants found by us since September 1908, duplicates having been given to the Hull and Middles- borough Museums. Many of these specimens have been sub- mitted to Prof. Seward for diagnosis. We also wish to acknow- ledge the valuable assistance of Mr. Elgee of the Middles- brough Museum, who has given us access to plants previously determined, and helped us in our determinations. I. EQUISETALES. | Otozamites beani L. & H. $3 graphicus Leck. AG parallelus Phill. 45 feistmantelli Zig. Nilsonia compta Phill. 35 mediana Leck. * tenuitnervis Nath. Dictyozamites hawelli Sew. Equisetites columnaris (Brongn.). | is beani (Brongn.). | II. LYCOPODIALES. Lycopodites sp. III. FILicALes. Teniopteris major L. & H. | V. GINKGOALES. Ac vittata Brongn. _ Ginkgo digitata Brongn. Sagenopteris phillipst Brongn. | Batera gracilis Bun. Cladophlebis denticulata Brongn. | 5» phillipst Nath. an hatberensts ? », ¢indleyana Schemp. Laccopteris polypodioides ? Czekanowskia murrayana L. & H. Beania gracilis ? Can. ' & vant 7 ~ IV. CYCADOPHYTA. VI. CONIFERALES. Base of flowerof WMiamsonia L.&H. | Ayaucarites sp. Fructification of » L.&H. | Pagiophyllum williamsoni Brongn. Williamsonia gigas L. & H. | Brachyphyllum mammilare Brongn. ey pecten L. & H. Chetrolepis setosus ? Phill. We have other specimens in our possession pending deter- mination. Further finds will be reported from time to time in “The Naturalist.’ We note that Otozamites beant occurs in Upleatham quarry, but is very scarce in Marske ; Tentopteris vittata is found in larger specimens in Upleatham ; Nilsonia compta is plentiful in the central part of Marske quarry ; Dic- tyozamites is extremely rare. On much the same geological horizon near Carlton, Mr. Lane found recently two new species which Prof. Seward determined as follows : Zamites sp., resembles Z. buchtanus (Wealden Flora). Zamuites sp., probably new. We feel convinced that further effort will be successful. Naturalist, 83 THE MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS OF CERTAIN SHORE- BIRDS AS OBSERVED ON THE DUBLIN COAST. C. J. PATTEN, M.A., M.D., Sc.D. (Continued from page 52). SANDERLING (Calidris arenaria) I have recently obtained some information which tends to modify one’s views concerning certain migratory movements of this species. Until the year 1906, I believed that it was absent from the Dublin coast from about four to six weeks, which, speaking generally, extended from the end of June to the beginning of August. In the ‘ Aquatic Birds,’ I mention that the migratory move begins in August, or even towards the latter end of July, but though I was under the impression that the supposed adult birds, seen early in August, could hardly as yet be returning from their breeding-quarters in the far north, I had an idea, shared by the late Mr. E. Williams, that such birds only partially migrated, and had flown down from Scotland, or perhaps from the Orkneys or Shetlands, having reached this latitude, but going no further north when on the vernal migra- tion. However, the recent observations made by Mr. A. Wil- liams go to show that this bird, like the Turnstone, frequents the Dublin coast throughout the year. In accordance with my own observations, Mr. Williams has noticed the Sanderling remaining until well on in June, when on its vernal migration, and returning at the end of July during the Autumn move. He informs me that prior to 1906, he made no records in early or mid-July. However, in that year, much to his surprise and delight, he discovered this species on the Dublin coast on dif- ferent occasions in July, and not only a few stragglers, but flocks consisting of fifty birds, all, apparently, in nuptial plumage. To Mr. Williams, then, is due the credit of discovering this bird frequenting the Dublin coast, at a period of the year when it was supposed to be away north, and I hope this investigation will receive the publicity of ornithologists. Iam much indebted to him for his interesting information, and in a recent letter, he further informs me that he has seen the birds on several occasions during July 1907 and July 1908. But interesting though this discovery may be, it hardly seems to point to the fact that the birds might remain to breed within the confines of the British Isles. Indeed, there is every reason to think that 1909 M arch 1. 84 Patten: Migratory Movements of Certain Shore-Btrds. the Sandertlings here recorded were non-breeding birds, for they were seen in flocks rather than pairs. As yet I have not had the opportunity of examining the genitals of the specimens which Mr, Williams obtained in July, but may remark that in several which I collected on the 16th August 1899, and again on the 7th August, 1900, all in apparent nuptial plumage, both ovaries and testes were minute and undeveloped. Here, then, the more positive evidence in the form of ripe ova which I found present in a Turnstone, shot in July, is wanting. Turning again for a moment to the latter species, I would point out that in as much as it occurs in two distinct phases of plumage during the height of the breeding season, indeed throughout the summer, the question of the possibility of its breeding in Ireland should not be lost sight of. The phases of plumage assumed are :—(a) a plumage apparently similar to the dress worn during the first winter ; such, I believe is assumed by birds one year old ; (b), a highly variegated plumage, apparently similiar to the nuptial plumage, which one would expect would not be assumed until the birds were two years old.* A priori, one would expect the latter birds to breed somewhere or other ; if not in our latitudes, why have they passed northwards ? To return to the Sanderling, here the case is different. We have not external evidence to show that the so-called ‘ nuptial- plumed ’ birds, seen in summer are really other than immature, that is to say birds one year old. For after the first autumn moult the bird of the year* follows closely the plumage of the adult. Indeed, it is almost impossible to distinguish the two forms of plumage when the birds are on the strand, as only the wing coverts and tertials of the former show signs of immaturity. During the ensuing spring, the freckled and variegated mark- ings of chestnut, brown, and black come out on the head, neck, and upper parts, and the birds to all intents and purposes have assumed the nuptial plumage. In the absence of a thorough histological examination of the reproductive organs which | hope to have the opportunity of carrying out, I venture to say _ * But I would say guardedly, that, in the absence of positive informa- tion, it is conceivable that the so-called ‘nuptial-plumed’ birds are in reality immature, and only one year old. That is to say some immature Turnstones may assume a nuptial-like plumage, others not, in their first year, just as the ‘ hood ’ of the Black-headed Gull appears in some, and not in others of this species in the first Spring. * Bred in northern latitudes, and not arriving in Autumn till early September. Naturalis:, Patten - Migratory Movements of Certain Shore-Birds. 85 that it is more than likely that the Sanderling, while assuming what is practically similar to the nuptial plumage when only one year old, at that age it does not breed. In this way its migratory movements are brought into line with those of other LimIcoLinE birds, which, in a great body, push northward in spring. The really mature birds pass us en route for more northern climes ; those that are immature, whether they have assumed a nuptial-like dress or not, tarry behind, and may be seen collected into small wisps or flocks on various parts of our coasts throughout the entire summer. For example we find, on the one hand, hundreds of Dun- lins in apparent nuptial plumage, with their conspicuous black breasts; on the other hand, numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits, in plumage apparently similar to that worn during the winter, remaining throughout the summer along our coasts. Such I believe are instances of species which do not breed when one year old, and this appears to me to be the general rule. . In conclusion I may add a few words regarding what we somewhat loosely term the ‘ tameness ’ of shore-birds on certain occasions when on migration. With few exceptions, notably the Phalaropes, and in a much less degree the Dunlin, and per- haps the Ringed Plover, shore-birds, as a race are wary, and do not allow of near approach. It is true that the immature birds are, on the whole, not so shy as the adults, but some, for instance, the Redshank, Greenshank, and Curlew are always wary, except on their breeding-grounds. Whether immature or adult, shore-birds on migration usually arrive on our slob-lands very tired-out, and that this fatigue is due almost entirely to the prolonged exertions of the wing-muscles during vast flights over sea, is evident from the way in which these birds will try every method of escape before taking wing. Sometimes they will race along the strand for a hundred yards or more when pursued, and will even take to the water and swim a short distance, especially if a sand- bank be close by. At other times they will remain crouched until almost walked over, and on a breezy day will suffer them- selves to be carried with the wind, the wings. being hardly brought into requisition. Any one who has made a special point of watching shore-birds just after their arrival, cannot fail to be struck with their tired, apathetic appearance, their silence, and the dislike they evince to taking wing. 1909 March 1 86 Book Notice. Nothing could be more conspicuous than this to the trained eye, accustomed as it is to the remarkable activity on foot and on wing of LIMICOLINE shore-birds. Well do I remember the extraordinary ‘tameness’ of a Bar-tailed Godwit, the first that I had met. When a lad of nineteen, I was walking along the damp grass-grown edge of the slob-lands of the North Bull, early in the month of Septem- ber, when, suddenly, a rather big-looking bird, with long legs and beak, popped up from a drain, and ran in front of me. From its demeanour it looked more like a domestic fowl running from the farmer, than a wild shore-bird. Suspecting it to be wounded, I gave chase, and only to avoid actual capture did it take wing, again alighting a few yards further off. Being at that time anxious to collect as many species as possible from Dublin Bay, and unacquainted with the fact that the bird was plentiful in autumn and winter and obtainable at another time without difficulty, I entreated a passing gunner to procure it for me. Looking back, this act seems unsportsmanlike ; however, I preserved my specimen, which, as far as plumage is concerned, could not have been more perfect, displaying an unusually rich buff shading on the under parts. On skinning the bird, I found how emaciated it had become from its journey, further evidence that its ‘ tameness ’ was due to fatigue. Since then I have frequently come across ‘ tame- ness’ in many species, notably in the Curlew-Sandpiper, the Knot, the Wimbrel, the Golden and the Grey Plover, in every instance due to the circumstance above described. ee My Life: A Record of Events and Opinions, by Alfred Russel Wallace. New edition. London: Chapman & Hall. 408 pp., price 6/-. Not since ‘Huxley’s Life and Letters’ appeared have we been so interested in reading the life-story of a naturalist, as we have been in the present volume. It has the further advantage of being an autobiography, and consequently we get first-hand, Dr. Russel Wallace’s own narrative of his glorious career. In the present edition, some of the items not directly relating to the author have been omitted, and consequently it is a much more handy form than the first edition. In many respects Hulxey’s life was similar to that of Wallace. Both have had their hardships and trials; and Dr. Wallace’s account of his early days, and of his financial speculations, are full of useful lessons. To the naturalist, however, his descriptions of his four years in the Amazon Valley, his visit to the Malay Archipelego, etc. will perhaps appeal the most; though to some, his racy descriptions of Lyell, Darwin, Huxley, Spencer and others will be of extreme interest. But there is not a page in the volume which has not some useful or interesting piece of information. It is plentifully illustrated by photographs, sketches, etc., and is well produced. Naturalist, THE NATURALIST, 1909. Chas 2 texy: Pe 1988 a. Ottonia ramosa. b. Palpus. c. Part of ventral surface. a, Ottonia bullata. 6. Palpus. ¢. Last joint of hind leg. PLATE IV. d. Last seement of first leg. é., /. Hairs of body. g. One highiy magnified. d. Hair of leg. e. Hair or papilla of back, highly magnified. ty oat oe 1 os P, ? fons ‘ o* in OG, eye A y - eee « ahs A, f a 4 ' é y : % Jy ABs eos ened | Pay eb # Fe RELA i Wh qatedy t oe ionrer we eres St ele , SOME BRITISH EARTHMITES. Trombidiidz .* (PLATE Iv.) C. F. GEORGE, Kirton-in-Lindsey. In 1877, Professor Kramer initiated a genus, or sub-genus of Trombidium, which he named Oftonia, the distinction being based on the fact that the eyes had not the long petiole as in Trombidium, but were rather embedded in the skin of the cephalothorax. I take it that the mite I am about to describe belongs to the sub-genus, I call it therefore Ottonia ramosa. So far as I know, it has not previously been figured or recorded. It is a rather small mite for a Trombidium. Mr. Soar gives the length of the body as 1.28 mm., and the breadth .38 mm. It is of a rose madder colour with a dash of pink, very beautiful ; in shape, it is something like fuliginosum, but not quite so elon- gate, the distal end of the fourth joint of the palpus is furnished with two distinct claws, (see Plate IV., figure B). In holoser- aceum and fuliginosum, it is single (see in ‘ The Naturalist’ for 1908, figures on page 333 and Plate XLI1.). This peculiarity seems to be the rule in the smaller species of Trombidium. The eyes are each provided with two ocelli and are embedded in the skin of the cephalothorax, the distal joint of the fore legs is larger than the others, club-shaped, and flattened sideways (see figure D). The other legs are formed on the same plan as the mites already described ; they have not the peculiar footpad found in fuliginosum. The female genital aperture has the usual copulatory discs, three on each side (figure c). The papille on the body are most remarkable ; they are all rather coarsely barbed, but many on the back, and especially those at the sides and posterior part of the body, in addition to the barbs, have the ends divided into two, three, or more branches (hence the name rvamosa). These branches are almost as thick as the main stem, and look more or less like tassels (see figure E., F. and G). The papille are not placed so close together as in some mites, and seem to be arranged in irregular longitudinal rows. When the mite is mounted in Canada balsam, without too long preparation, the colour is retained to a considerable extent in the papille, which then * For previous papers see the 1907 volume of ‘ The Naturalist.’ 1909 March 1. $8 Northern News. look very handsome. Hermann, in 1804, pointed out the value of the papille as characteristic marks of species, and gave figures of several of them in his great work. Mr. Soar, in May 1894, and Mr. Wm. Evans, of Edinburgh, kindly sent me a most beautiful specimen of it last year. Evidently it is widely dis- tributed. Ottoma bullata.—This pretty little mite was sent to me alive, by Mr. W. Evans, of Edinburgh, It was of a fine scarlet lake colour, and under a low power of the microscope it looked very rugged. This appearance is produced by the structure and arrangement of the hairs or papilla, which are very remarkable, and characteristic. When highly magnified they seem to be little hollow globes, with a circular opening at the top, and a stalk at the bottom, which fits into a socket like a candle in its stick ; the flange of the candlestick being cut into several teeth or leaflets, something like the calyx of a flower (see figure E). The globular part is covered with minute hairs, which project beyond the circular opening ; and are generally arranged in rows from above downwards, forming lines similar to the meridian lines on a globe. The papille vary in size, and are not arranged in lines, but in irregular rosettes or circles. The mite also has other remarkable hairs, such as those on the under side of the palpi (figure B.), which are finely pectinated ; and again others flattened rather feather-like towards their distal ends, as in figure c., on the upper side of the legs and palpi. The eyes are very prominent, and situated on each side of the cephalothorax. The palpi have two claws at the distal ends of the fourth joint. The legs are as usual, rather short, the fore ones being slightly the longest, and have the last joint clubbed, and slightly longer than the others. They are without the peculiar foot-pad between the claws possessed by T. fuli- ginosum. The sternite is also pecuhar, but is not shewn in the figure. When mounted in Canada balsam, a good deal of colour is retained, and the papillae seem to alter slightly, becoming less globular, and more cup-shaped, like Mr. Soar’s drawing (figure E.). —— +) & —_——_ We have received from Mr. R. W. Goulding, of Louth, a copy of 4 most interesting paper, read to the Louth Antiquarian and Naturalists’ Society. It is entitled ‘The Building of Louth Spire, 1501-1515,’ and is based upon information obtained from the earliest volume of the Louth Churchwardens’ accounts. The Spire is built of Ancaster Oolite, quarried at Willeffurth (= Wilsford), Keylby (= Kelby), and Hessilbrugh. The total cost of the work appears to have been £305 7s. 5d. Naturalist, 89 TWO ANCIENT BURIAL CAIRNS ON BRIMHAM MOOR, YORKSHIRE. A. LESLIE ARMSTRONG, P.A.S.I. By permission of the Right Hon. Lord Grantley, I was enabled to make a careful examination of two of the ancient burial mounds of ‘ Graffa Plain,’ Brimham Moor, on Tuesday, August 4th, 1908. Mound No. 1, of circular form, and about 12’ o” in diameter, is situated about 150 yards north-west of the first large group of rocks, upon the south-eastern boundary of the moor, and about 50 yards south-east of the trackway lead- ing to “‘ Riva Hill Farm,’ and it occupies the summit of a slight hillock, upon a comparatively level portion of the heath, which rises rapidly to the south of it in a bold sweep, terminating in the outstanding rocks of Graffa Crags and Brimham Beacon. The entire absence of any heather upon the mound, and the profusion of bright green bilberry plants which covered it and at the same time rendered its outline more noticeable, told plainly of a different character of subsoil from that of the sur- rounding moor; but prominent as the mound appeared, its actual elevation was deceptive, being barely two feet above the natural level, and the uneven character of the upper surface suggested previous disturbance to be more than probable. _< ADDITIONAL NOTE. F. ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., By way of rider to the foregoing, I would add certain facts, privately communicated by G. C. Druce, which should prove stimulating to those North of England Field Botanists, who are inclined not to hide their light under a bushel. We have at least three ‘ new,’ undescribed British Plants, and two of them Yorkshire species! to which attention should be called, and herbaria examined for with as little delay as possible, so the results may appear in my Supplement. These are :— 1. Montia lamprosperma Chamisso, the shining chestnut- brown faintly reticulate seeds of which have been detected in Leaf-bed deposits by Clement Reid, as well as the dull black ones of the MW. fontana, and the shining black reticulate ones of M. rivularis. Mr. Druce says M. lamprosperma seems a quite distinct species, as in it the ‘ Flowers are free’ whereas they are joined, not free in the hitherto accepted British forms. The semina are very imperishable so that dried specimens on her- barium sheets can be easily needled over for ripe non-cast seeds. 2. Orobanche procera Koch (a form of reticulata, Wallroth), which grows tall upon Thistle, Carduus ertophorus in West Yorks., and ‘ Centaurea’ (?) in Lincoln at Summer Castle. It is to the obstinate acuteness of Mr. H. E. Craven, of Roundhay, who forced its non-agreement in character with O. elatior Sutt., 1909 March Te 100 Reviews and Book Notices. upon my and Mr. Druce’s attention, that we owe what Druce calls this ‘splendid’ addition to the British and York flora. It grows tall, the regularly curving trumpet-mouthed corollas are very glandulous-hairy, and massed on the upper third of the spike ; and has occurred several times of late years in the Thorner district. 3. The other species is Avenarta stellariotdes Willd.—a colon- ising-alien from the Caucasus and the Euxine, probably brought first to the Halifax, and later Elland and Mirfield riparian area (1895-1908! ), along with foreign barley, but since noticed thirteen years back it has spread down the waterway of Calder. It seeds freely, branches dichotomously, has Stitchwort-lke leaves, and starry, white-petalled flowers of some degree of showiness. According to Nyman, its synonym is Avenaria cerastotdes Poiret non D.C. The Stellaria arenaria L., for which I took it is the A. spathulata Desf. teste Index Kewensis, a species of Spain and North Africa. I may add that our Yorkshire Stations for the Elecampane want verifying.* The Wilstrop siding one had lanceolate lower leaves, the Thorp-Arch broad ones, but I write from memory it is a quarter of a century since I saw either 7m situ. But in these matters alone, surely there is good work, and enough for our men of York to do in the coming summer—which may we all see ! — se Scandinavian Britain, by W. G. Collingwood, M.A., F.S.A. London = 35:2: C1") 272 pp., 3/6: This is a further volume of the ‘ Early Britain’ Series published by this well-known house. So far the books issued comprise one of the most concise and valuable accounts of the early history of our country that we have ever read. They are all written by the leaders of the subjects dealt with. The present one is quite up to the high standard attained by its predecessors, and Mr. Collingwood’s name on the title page is a guarantee of its excellence. We regret space does not enable to deal with it to the length that we should like, but we can heartily recommend it as the best account of the influence of the Scandinavian invasion that we have read. A Hill Country, by Russell F. Gwinnell. 26 pp., with Geological Map. George Philip & Son, Ltd. 1/- net. , This is a charming lesson in geography and geology ; written in a way which will appeal to the numerous visitors to the northern Clyde Basin. The area in question, from its diversity of geological structure and scenery, is particularly suitable to being handled in the way the author's familiarity of the area enables him to do. It can be safely said that Mr. Gwinnell has taken full advantage of the very important lessons in the physical features of the district with which he deals; even the place-names adding their share to his narrative. * My son saw it in abundance last autumn in the recorded station near the sea on the north side of the stream at Hayburn Wyke.—J. G. B. Naturatist Ior THE SYCAMORE. (Acer platanophyllum, St. L ). Pp. Q@. KEEGAN ED.D”, Patterdale, Westmorland. TuHIS massy and stately tree is not a native of Lake-land, although Westmorland is far-famed for its production. In fact, as Wordsworth states, ‘it has long been the favourite of the cottagers, and with the Fir, has been chosen to screen their dwellings.’ It is frequently observed as an apparently spontaneous outgrowth in sundry wild and sequestered places, as well as in copses, so that we may infer that the rich gravelly soil, the hilly conditions, the open woodland, and the general climatic conditions of the northern districts are well suited to its organic temperament, and respond to the special exigences of its root growth and stem development. Its grand and massive form, the deep tones of its dense foliage, and its easy acces- sibility render it specially interesting to the student of the chemistry of plants, and as an introduction to that study, no better subject can be found. STEM.—The wood is moderately hard, and of varying weight (specific gravity 0.57 to 0.74), uniformly white, and with no distinction between alburnum and duramen. The medullary rays on tangential section are pointed spindles up to about 0.7 mm. high, and 5 or 6 cells thick in the middle, the number of rays in 1 mm. of arc is about 12; the vessels are numerous and uniformly distributed, of 60 » width, have spiral thickening, parts of their lateral walls are entirely inlaid with bordered pits, while their slanting transverse walls are pierced by simple pores; the fibres have very stout walls, beset with a few simple pits ; some parenchyma occurs along- side the vessels. In the bark the parenchyma forms tangential bands inter- mixed with sieve-tubes which have a watery ‘latex’; the fibres are disposed in the inner bast in a few narrow concentric layers extending between the rays, and almost all the parenchyma cells adjacent to these layers contain a single crystal of oxalate of calcium, while the outer bast and inner cortex are thickly sprinkled with groups of stone-cells richly provided with similar crystals ; the pericycle forms a somewhat interrupted ring of fibres separated_at intervals by sclerenchyma; the periderm 1,09 March 1 102 Keegan: The Sycamore. of rather wide cells is formed in the first year in the sub- epidermal layer, and remains thin and living for a long time, till finally plates of secondary periderm develop below it, and ultimately produce a nearly smooth, hard, dry, chocolate- coloured rhytidome, which eventually splits and peels off in scales. The Sycamore is a starch-tree, 7.e., while the starch completely disappears from the bark in winter (mid-November till 3rd March), that of the wood remains only slightly reduced in quantity all the time. St. Albans, 1908, 76pp. Naturalist, Bayford: Beetles of Lancashire and Cheshire, 109; Mr. Sharp pays a well-deserved tribute to the self-denying zeal of the working-men naturalists, who did such splendid work in the first half of last century. Unfortunately, these early naturalists had not realised how important the study of distribution would become. Consequently for the purposes of a list, their collections, if still in existence, furnish little or no assistance. Coleopterists are rarely numerous in any county, but Lancashire and Cheshire appear to have had less than the average number. We demur to the inclusion of Samuel Gibson, of Hebden Bridge, who by residence and by the collect- ing he did around Huddersfield, Halifax and Hebden Bridge, may, in fairness be claimed by Yorkshire Coleopterists as one of themselves. On the other hand, we miss the name of Rev. H. Higgins, who first discovered Cymindis vaporariorum L. in Lancashire: and of T. Blackburn of Bowdon. We find that Mr. Sharp has omitted a number of records of species which appeared in the older lists, e.g., Mr. Gregson recorded Blethisa multipunctata L., from Crosby, Pelophila borealis Payk. from Bromborough, and Pelobius tardus Herbst. from Rufford ; and Dr. Ellis recorded Platynaspis luteorubra Goeze. from Hightown. An important omission is that of Mordella fasctata F., a specimen of which taken by Rev. H. H. Higgins at Rainhill was stated by Dr. Ellis in 1886 to be then in the Derby Museum, Liverpool. This discounts considerably Mr. Sharp’s remarks on the genera Mordellistena and Mordella. On the contrary, we are pleased to see that Mr. Sharp has re-instated Lampyris noctiluca L. on the authority of three Coleopterists and his own. It was first recorded by Mr. Gregson ‘in plenty on the clay banks beyond New Ferry,’ but despite this definite record, Dr. Ellis omitted it from his list, for the insufficient reason that he himself had not met with it. Notwithstanding the fourfold confirmation, Mr. Sharp makes no mention of this early record. Another point which we should have liked Mr. Sharp to have settled once for all is the occurrence of Helophorus mul- sanit Rye. He merely says ‘ Fowler records this species as taken commonly at Liverpool by Crotch, but it is otherwise unrecorded from the district.’ This, however, is not the case. Dr. Ellis records ‘one specimen from the Hightown shore, May 1882.’ F. Archer says of it: ‘abundant in the ditches Altcar rifle ground. This is also new, being distinct from H. dorsalis Marsh.’ The latter species he does not record, and 1909. March tr. 110 Book Notice vet in the face of his definite statement as to the distinction. between H. dorsalis Muls. [= H. mulsantt Rye.] and H. dor-. salis Marsh, Dr. Ellis, without the slightest justification, transferred Archer’s record of the former species to the latter. Now, there may be good reasons. for disregarding Archer’s definite statement and the records of Crotch and Dr. Ellis, with which must go the authority of E. C. Rye, who presumably satisfied himself that Archer and Crotch had rightly diagnosed the species. If such there be, we submit that Mr. Sharp should have given them, so that we might have considered them for ourselves, and accepted or rejected the conclusion to which he appears to have come. It may be added that Mr. Sharp omits H. dorsalis Marsh for which the only record is the HERE: one: of Dr. Ellis; re- ferred to above. Despite what we have said, this list marks a great advance on the restricted list of Dr. Ellis, which only enumerated some. 850 species, and Mr. Sharp deserves our thanks for its com-. pilation. If our suggestion as to organised excursions, etc., be adopted, and an accession of species be the result, we shall look to him to furnish us with a fuller and more complete list which will be exhaustive in its inclusion of previously recorded species and at the same time selomninea lh critical as to their right to a place in the list. —30eo_—_- Waterloo Museum, Liverpool. Complete History of the Echalaz ‘Collection. By Lieut. Col. Echalaz. Croydon. 325 pp. This excellent and well-printed volume is a detailed description of the collection of British Birds, etc., recently presented to the Waterloo Museum by Lieut-Col. Echalaz. Printed in large type, and on thick paper, the first impression one gets is that it puts the publications of our national museum at South Kensington in the shade! There are seventy cases in the collec- tion, and these are described to some length. In each instance, particulars of the capture of the bird are given, with other general information, ad- mittedly extracted from Saunders’ ‘ Manual of British Birds.’ Most of the specimens are the victims of the gallant colonel’s gun, but with regard to the Great Northern Diver, there is an exception to this rule. With this wary bird the Colonel had not his characteristic luck—one shot fell about an inch too short of the bird, and he believes he wounded another. The colonel appears to have always been a sportsman. At the age of twelve he was allowed a single-barelled gun, and at fourteen, he shot his first hare, and first pheasant. There is a portrait of the Colonel as frontispiece, and his life-history is given in the first chapter. In this he deplores the fact that he was never in active service, but he trusts that, as he had faced a wounded tiger, he would have acquitted himself both as a soldier and an Englishman, had he been called upon to face the bullets of any enemy. Personally, we feel rather glad, for his sake, that he was not called upon to ‘face bullets’; we should not imagine it at all a pleasant proceeding. There are several plates from photographs of the cases, many of which are good ; but some, we hope, hardly do justice to the specimens, N aturalist, III FIELD NOTES. MAMMALS and BIRDS. Otter and Kingfisher at Horncastle.—In the Canal which runs through the town of Horncastle, an Otter has recently been seen disporting itself at the end of a stone- mason’s yard, and within a few feet of his work-shop. At the writer’s oft-repeated request, it was not disturbed, and occasionally lay on the bank in full view. At the same place a Kingfisher (now also undisturbed), has been frequently seen during the last two years, diving for food. Can there be any connection between these two incidents? The mason says ’ that there are shoals of small roach or dace about this part of the canal.* On one occasion an unfortunate Kingfisher rose from his dive with such impetus, that he struck against the brick wall bordering the water, and was killed. — Rev. J. CoNwAy WaLtTeER, Langton Rectory, Horncastle, December 16th, 1908. A Birdland Tragedy.—Early in December last, a painter brought me the mummified body of a Swift, which he had found in a hole under a spout. Apparently the bird had somehow or other managed to become entangled in a piece of cord, and hang itself. I sent the bird over to a meeting of the Bradford Naturalists’ Club, and they, with their usual thoroughness, held a post-mortem examination, and what appeared to be a lot of string, turned out to be a portion of a lady’s veil. This had been tightly twisted round and round, and had gathered an external coating of dirt and soot, which gave it the exact appearance of thick string. Attached to the veil there were three or four inches of ordinary garden wire netting. By a method of deduction we get a probability something like the following :—A veil blew from a lady’s hat, and caught in some wire netting, and waving in the breeze, took a Swift’s fancy for nesting material. All might have gone well if the piece of wire had not become fixed near to the entrance of the nesting hole. A few struggles with it caused the veil to twist round the bird’s neck and foot. Then a series of struggles to get free must have resulted in the bird putting such an amount of twist into the veil, that it became tightly drawn, IN EEE EE ——E—eE—E————————————————E—————— * The abundance of food has no doubt attracted both the Otter and Kingfisher.—Ebs. 1909 March ts II2 Field Notes. and the bird died of exhaustion in the hole. It is noteworthy 3 that the bird in its struggles to get free must always have turned one way. thus giving the veil such a “ hard twist,” that it resembled string. After the post-mortem, the body was decently interred in the Cartwright Museum, Bradford.—R. FortTuNE, Harrogate. Honey Buzzard in Northumberland.— Whilst rambling in Whittle Dene, Ovingham-on-Tyne, with a friend on Sept. 25th, 1g08, we found a large bird, still alive, but in a feeble condition. It died after being removed to our house. After skinning and setting it up, it was identified by the Hancock Museum authorities at Newcastle, as a Honey Buzzard. The bird had evidently been fasting, for it was very thin, and hardly weighed much more than a pound.—DouGLas CLAGUE, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Naturaiist. Field Notes. LLs ORTHOPTERA. A Cockroach new to Yorkshire.—Last August, Mr. Malone kindly gave me a large Cockroach from the Bradford market, which was altogether new to me. I sent it on to Mr. R. Shelford, of the Oxford Museum, who kindly named it Nyctibora brunnea Thunb. It is a South American species. Of course it is ‘only an introduction,’ but we must bear in mind that all our big cockroaches have been introduced with commerce. Some of them, however, have come to stay ; have found congenial habitations, and have multiplied enor- mously. It is therefore of interest and importance to know the time of their coming.—J. W. Carter, Bradford. Leucophea surinamensis Linn. at Bradford.—In 1906 I had a specimen of this Cockroach brought in from the Brad- ford market. During 1907-8 Mr. F. Rhodes gave me several from a hot-house in Lister Park, Manningham, where it has become firmly established.—J. W. CARTER, Bradford. _—10i— MOLLUSCA. Vertigo alpestris at Ingleton.—The members of the Leeds Branch of the Conchological Society held a joint ramble with the members of the Manchester Branch, at Ingleton, on the 12th September, 1908. Thirty-six species of landshells, and nine slugs were recorded during the day. Mr. J. W. Taylor was fortunate in adding a second authentic locality for Vertigo alpestris. This species, and Vertigo minutissima are the most uncommon of the genus that are known to occur in York- shire. It is interesting to add another locality to the very few already known for these rare species. It is perhaps as well to state that it occurred under stones on the top of a wall in Beesley Glen. This appears to be the general habitat for this species, as it is found under similar conditions in other localities. It was first recorded from a garden wall at Bingley, by Mr. J. A. Hargreaves in 1887.—F. Boortu. —: 0:— BOTANY. The Hybrid Oak in Yorkshire and other parts of Britain.—There appears to be no definite record of the occur- rence of the Hybrid Oak (Quercus Robur x sesstliflora) in Britain. During the summer of 1908, I found it in the following 1909 March 1. H 114 Reviews and Book Notices. Watsonian vice-counties :—west Kent, Cambridge, Chester, west Lancaster, south-west Yorkshire, and Westmorland with North Lancashire. Dr. W. G. Smith and Mr. A. G. Tansley gathered some specimens of Oaks in North-East Yorkshire last June, and these were examined by Mr. Tansley and myself : among the specimens were one or two of the Hybrid Oak. Mr. W. M. Rankin has forwarded me specimens, a few of which belong to the Hybrid, from a locality in mid-west Yorkshire. Mr. Tansley also reports to me the finding, in June 1908, of the Hybrid Oak in Hereford and Worcester. Herbarium specimens which I have examined, prove its occurrence also in Sussex, Bedford, Derby, Dumbarton, and Perth. I am very shortly publishing elsewhere an account of the characters, status, and distribution of all the British Oaks.—C. E. Moss, Cambridge. —_— 6 Transactions of the Rochdale Literary and Scientific Society. Vol. IX., 1905-1908. II4 + XXXiv. pp. This record of this Society's work for the last four years is a good one, and contains many useful papers. Perhaps that which will appeal to our readers the most is on ‘ Fossil Arthopoda and Pisces from Middle Coal Measures of Sparth, Rochdale,’ by William A. Parker. In this the author enumerates the various finds made from time to time in the now well- known ironstone nodules in the shales at Sparth Bottoms. The paper is illustrated by representations of the more interesting fossils found. There is a paper on ‘ Manchester’s contribution to the Chemistry of the Nineteenth Century,’ by J. H. Brittain; ‘ Marine Shells: their Variety and Beauty,’ by Rev. A. Hann, and ‘ The Underground Waters of Roch- dale and Neighbourhood’ (with analyses), by T. Stenhouse. There are also exceedingly useful papers on such subjects as Rochdale Newspapers, the Meteorological Elements of Rochdale, Two Reputed Manor Houses of Rochdale, Inscriptions on Rochdale Gravestones, etc., as well as others of a purely literary character. This Society is obviously doing excellent work in its district, and, in its Transactions are preserved many important communications. Animal Romances, by Graham Renshaw, M.B., F.Z.S. London : Sherratt & Hughes. 206 pp., 7/6 net. Some little time ago in noticing this wr.ters ‘ Final Natural History Essays,’ we expressed the hope that they might not be © finai.’. This hope has been realized, and we can safely say that ‘ Anima' Romances‘ is even more interesting than its predecessors. It cons sts of a series of essays, written first-hand from actual studies in the field, in this way shewing a marked contrast between many, very many ‘ natural history’ books that are now being placed upon the market. The present volume deals not so much with the zoology and history of the mammals, asowith Dr. Ren- shaw’s previous books, but in the present case the author has attempted to present the animals as actually living and moving before the reader. Dr. Renshaw now deals with elephants, giraffes, hippopotamus, eland, jackals, penguins, etc., etc., and the essays are written in a style and with a literary ‘ finish’ that is quite refreshing. The only fault we have to find with the volume is the increase in the size of its pages, the actual letterpress being the same as in previous volumes, though this may have been done to better accommodate the many excellent piates. Naturalist, T15 THE PHYTOPLANKTON OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT. (PLATES V., VI. and viil.). Wn. WEST, F.L.S., AND G. S. WEST, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S., I.—INTRODUCTION. During an investigation of the British freshwater phyto- plankton, materialjhas been collected on several occasions from the various lakes of the English Lake District. These collec- tions were made as part of a general comprehensive scheme for the investigation of the plankton of the British lakes. We have been enabled to carry out this research during the last few years, chiefly by means of several grants from the Government Grant Committee of the Royal Society.* The general Alga-flora of the English Lake District is fairly well worked out. The earliest paper of importance was a list of Desmids found in the neighbourhood of Windermere by Bissett,+ and this was followed by two papers by A. W. Ben- nett.{ Wejhave ourselves explored the greater part of this area very thoroughly for Algz of all kinds, and have at different times contributed papers dealing either exclusively or partially with the Alge of the English Lake District.|| The first collections of plankton were made in June 1903, and we had the advantage of beginning this plankton investi- gation after having previously acquired a very complete know- ledge of the general Alga-flora of the bogs, streams, pools, and lake-margins. This has enabled us to thoroughly appreciate the differences between the phytoplankton and the general Alga-flora, and to endeavour to find out something concerning the}existing relationships between them. Considering the size of some of the English lakes, they are situated in a very compact area, the whole of which is incor- * A general summary of this work, treated largely from a comparative standpoint, has quite recently been presented to the Royal Society. + J. P. Bissett, ‘ List of Desmidieze found in gatherings made in the neighbourhood of Lake Windermere during 1883,’ Journ. Roy. Micr. Soc.’ 1884. + A. W. Bennett, ‘ Freshwater Alga of the English Lake Distrckretcy. ‘Journ. Roy Micr. Soc.’, 1886; ‘ Freshwater Alge of the English Lake District, II.’, zbid. 1888. || W. West, ‘ Alge of the English Lake District,’ ‘ Journ. Roy. Micr. Soc.,’ 1892; W. and G. S. West, ‘ New British Freshwater Alge,’ abid. 1894; W. and G. S. West, ‘ Notes on Freshwater Alge, II.’, ‘ Journ. Bot.’, MOCK VITT., 1900; IEE, zb7d; XILI., 1903; etc. 1909 March 1. 116 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. ated within a radius of about 15 miles from a centre, taken at Dunmail Raise (about half-way between Grasmere and Thirl- mere). Within this area many high mountains are embraced, four summits being over 3000 feet, and four others exceeding 2900 feet. In all, there are more\than forty mountains over 2000 feet in height in this small area. The lakes are numerous, and ten or twelve of them are moderately large, although rather narrow,§Windermere having a length of over ten miles, Ullswater a length of over seven, and Coniston Water a length of over five miles. There are at least a dozen more smaller lakes, no less important than the larger ones from an algological standpoint, and in addition, a con- siderable number of mountain tarns. As might be expected in a western mountainous region, the rainfall is very heavy, varying from about 50 inches in the outer zone, to about 150 inches in the more central region of the highest mountains. The rainfall at Seathwaite at the upper end of Borrowdale, is the heaviest in the British Islands, and is only approached by that registered in the Cullin Hills in Skye. This heavy rainfall, and the frequent torrential character of it, is no doubt responsible for washing many of the bog species of Alge into the plankton, and affords an explanation of the presence of certain species in the limnetic region of the lakes. We have already pointed out the important relationship between the geological character of a district and the con- stituents of its Alga-flora, more especially of its Desmid-flora.* The entire Lake District is an Older Paleozoic area, in which a northern outcrop of Ordovician strata is separated from a southern Silurian outcrop by an extensive mass of pre-Devonian igneous material. The veally rich Alga-floras are all on the Older Paleozoic or Precambrian areas, and the English Lake District possesses a richer Alga-flora than any other part of England, although not quite equal to that of the north-west of Scotland or the west of Ireland. The phytoplankton of the lakes is similarly rich in species, although not so prolific as the limnetic flora of the lakes of north-west Scotland. * W. and G. S. West, ‘ Alga-flora of Yorkshire,’ ‘ Trans. Yorks. Nat. Union,’ V., 1900-1901, p. 5; G. S. West, ‘ Treatise on British Freshwater Alge,’ Cambridge, 1904, p.6; W.andG. S. West, ‘ A further Contribution to the Freshwater Plankton of the Scottish Uocks,’ ‘ Trans. Roy. Soc., Edin.’, XLI., Part IL, 1905,0p. 5Et. Naturaiist- — THE NATURALIST, 1909. PLaTE V. 3 s e ee ‘ ' a 1 & ‘ . : ‘ ee t ay ote “4 ia) << i ‘ ' * . + 2? ee * ¥ LJ * F. J 5 7 \ t ° g ; . z I \ . e b ~ . ad ¢ \ Ss ne N se Brown, ' \ eg ” on eo - *. ¢ 3 6 re) 7 2 Ennerdale Water (x 100), sen Brows Ennerdale Water (x 100). FRESHWATER PLANKTON, eae ONY ‘ s a ore ‘ - = ie « a j a4 f ’ ae if * \ g " \ 4 o %.. a * a 5 i wattay t Py * i tes _* a a o « =, Z lice Oe, ES Ween Ce * hae ar we : ad " Ge : * es « ; ~ 2% : “ab THE NATURALIST, 1909. Crummack Water (x 100° Brows. 00). FRESHWATER PLANKTON, 2 Derwent Water (x West: Phytoplankion of English Lake District. i | In all, eighteen lakes were examined for their phytoplankton, the tow-netting being done by boats wherever they were avail- able. Where boats could not be obtained, the plankton- collections were made either by the tedious process of baling a large volume of water through the nets, or by allowing the water of the outlet to flow through the nets for some time, The nets used were such as we have described before, and consisted of the strongest silk bolting-cloth, with a very close and uniform mesh (170 meshes in a linear inch). We have quite recently been receiving regular monthly collections from Windermere, Wastwater, and Ennerdale Water, in order to obtain an adequate idea of the periodicity of the various constitutents of the phytoplankton of three representative lakes. As yet, only the Windermere collections are complete for twelve months, and a separate section of this paper is devoted to their consideration. Il.—DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE LAKES EXAMINED. GENERAL NOTICE OF THE LAKES INVESTIGATED. The dates are those on which the plankton-collections were made. 1. Buttermere, Cumberland. May 1903. Altit. 331 feet. About one and a quarter miles long, by three-eighths of a mile broad. Average depth about 55 feet; maximum depth, 94 feet. The lake is in the midst of mountains, and lies quite away from any village. The plankton contained a few good Desmids and a quantity of Peridimium Willer. Tabellarva fenestrata was the most conspicuous of the Diatoms, and of the Rotifers, Notholca longispina was abundant. 2. Crummock Water, Cumberland, May 1903. Altit. 321 feet. About two and a half miles long, by five-eighths of a mile broad. Average depth, 88 feet; maximum depth, 144 feet. The lake is in the vicinity of high mountains, one summit having an altitude of 2791 feet, being distant less than one mile. There are no villages in the vicinity, and therefore little contamination of the water. The plankton collected could be described as a DINOBRYON-PLANKTON. The dominating species was Dzno- bryon cylindricum, and with it was a quantity of Celospherium Kiitzingianum. Theoonly conspicuous Diatom was Melosira granulata. Of the Chlorophycee, Ankistrodesmus Pfitzert was quite common, a sterile species of Mougeotia with very long cells was frequent, and a number of Desmids were of general 190g March 1 118 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. occurrence. The most noticeable of the latter were Cosmarium abbreviatum var. planctonicum, Xanthidium antilobeum var. depauperatum, Staurastrum furcigerum forma eustephana, a form of Sé. anatinum, St. Arctiscon, and Spondylosium pulchrum var. planum. A few of the larger Entomostraca were present, and also a few Rotifers, of which Notholca longispbina and Polyarthra platyptera were the most frequent, the latter occur- ring in considerable quantity. 3. Ennerdale Water, Cumberland. May 1903. Altit. 369 feet. Two and a half miles in length by three-quarters of a mile broad. Average depth about 62 feet; maximum depth 148 feet. The lake has a somewhat desolate situation, and only two or three houses are near it. It is the most western of the lakes, and lies between mountains which rise on each side to 2000 feet. It has aseparate drainage basin, not being connected with any of the other lakes of this area, and the valley above it is strewn with numerous moraines. The plankton was domin- ated by Peridinium Willei, and numerous Desmids. Ceratium hirundinella was also common. The smaller species of Desmids were very abundant, the most conspicuous being Gonatozygon monotenium, Staurastrum lunatum var. planctonicum, St. dejectum, St. curvatum,St. jaculiferum, Arthrodesmus triangularis, Cosmarium subarctoum, and C. bioculatum. The most interest- ing of the larger Desmids were Cylindrocystis diplospora var. major, Micrasterias Sol, M. pinnatifida, Cosmarium connatum, Staurastrum furcigerum, St. Arctiscon, St. longispinum, and St. sexangulare. The Entomostraca were very numerous, and included various Copepods, Bosmina longirostris, and an abun- dance of Nauplii. Many of the dead individuals had been attacked by species of Safrolegma. Only a few Rotifers were present, the two most conspicuous being Anurea cochlearis and Notholca longispina. A few specimens were observed of a solitary species of the genus Dinobryon which we have described as new under the name of D. crenulatum. 4. Derwent Water, Cumberland. June 1903. Altit. 238 feet. About three miles in length by a little over a mile in breadth. Average depth about 18 feet ; maximum depth 72 feet. This lake receives the drainage of the Borrowdale moun- tains, and although the small town of Keswick is not far from its northern shore, there is probably little contamination from Naturalist, ey Win Sata ae Pirate VII. THE NATURALIST, 1909. (x 100). ) Windermere (June (x 100). Windermere (Sept.). FRESHWATER PLANKTON. West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 11g that quarter. The June plankton is a DINOBRYON-PLANKTON, consisting for the most part of immense quantities of Dzno- bryon cylindricum var. divergens. Peridinium Wallet was not uncommon. Desmids were very scarce, and few species were represented. Rotifers were few. Quantities of the pollen- grains of Pines were present in the plankton. 5. Bassenthwaite Water, Cumberland. May 1903. Altit. 223 feet. About four miles long by three-quarters of a mile wide. Average depth about 18 feet ; maximum depth about 70 feet. This lake is in the extreme north-west of the English lake-area, and lies about two miles west from the summit of Skiddaw (3054 feet). There is doubtless a slight contamination of the water from farms and residences in the vicinity of the lake. Diatoms were the dominant feature of the plankton, the most conspicuous species being Tabellaria flocculosa, T. fenestrata, Synedra pulchella, and Nitzschia palea. Very few Desmids occurred, Spondylosium pulchrum var. planum being the most frequent. Dinobryon cylindricum var. divergens was scarce, as was also Peridinium Willei. There were few Rotifers. 6. Thirlmere, Cumberland. June 1903. Altit. 553 feet. About three and a quarter miles long by about half a mile broad. In 1894 this lake was first used as the water supply for the City of Manchester, and its level raised 20 feet. It has a maximum depth of about 128 feet, and there is scarcely any possibility of contamination of the water. The June plankton consisted mostly of Crustacea (with an abundance of Nauplii) and Rotifers. Tabellaria flocculosa and T. fenestrata were both common, and were both in the form of chains. The most interesting member of the phytoplankton was Rhizosolenia moysa, some individuals of which had formed resting-spores. 7. Wast Water, Cumberland. June 1903. Altit. 204 feet. About three miles long by about half a mile broad. It is the deepest of the English lakes, having an average depth of 135 feet, and a maximum depth of 258 feet. It contains a very large volume of water, which is practically free from all con- tamination, and rising from its south-eastern shore are the world-famous screes. It receives the drainage from the western side of Scafell (3162 feet) and Scafell Pike (3210 feet), and from the southern slopes of the Steeple, the Pillar, and Kirk Fell. The June plankton contained large numbers of Crustacea and Rotifers. Of the latter, Polyarthra platyptera and Notholca longispina were most conspicuous. The Desmids were few in 1g09 March 1, 120 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. number, but included some particularly fine specimens of Staurastrum jaculiferum. Cocconema gracile and a few other Diatoms were observed. The most interesting member of the phytoplankton was Elakatothnix gelatinosa Wille, this plankton- alga not having been observed from any other lake in the British Islands. We are receiving periodic collections from this lake, and the August and September collections, 1908, contained quan- tities of Elakatothrix. 8. Brothers’ Water, Westmorland. September 1906. Alltit. 520 feet. A small lake about three-quarters of a mile long by a quarter of a mile broad. Its greatest depth is about 70 feet. The dominating constituents of the September plankton were Desmids and the spiny Flagellate Mallomonas longiseta. In fact, the latter was so numerous that the plankton could be correctly termed a MALLOMONAS-PLANKTON. The principal Des- mids were Stauvastrum Arctiscon (very common), a large stout variety of St. brevispbinum, X. antilobeum var. triquetrum, and Cosmarium depressum. Ceratium hIirundinella was common, and a few specimens of C. cornutum were observed. Large colonies of Dinobryon cylindricum var. divergens occurred rather sparingly. Many Crustacea and Naupli were present, and the three Rotifers Anurea cochlearis, Notholca longispina, and Polyarathra platyptera were equally abundant. Fine specimens of Acanthocystis chetophora were frequent in the plankton. 9g. Hayes Water, Westmorland. September 1906. Alltit. 1383 feet. A small mountain lake with.rocky shores, about a quarter of a mile long, lying under the western slopes of the High Street Range. It contained a mixed plankton of which Gymnodinium paradoxum was the most conspicuous constituent. Oscillatoria tenuis and Tabellaria flocculosa were both common. There were few Desmids, but Ankistrodesmus Pfitzert was plen- tiful, mostly in process of formation of autospores. As would be expected, much dark-coloured organic matter was in sus- pension in the water. 10. Red Tarn, Westmorland. May 1903. Altit. 2356 feet. This is a small mountain lake, about a quarter of a mile square, on the eastern side of Helvellyn, and immediately below the summit (3118 feet). The surroundings are rocky, and there is no possible source of contamination. The plankton was mixed in character. Dinobryon cylindricum and Tabellaria flocculosa were equally common. Of the other Diatoms, Synedva radians’ Naturalist West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 127 and Cocconema ventricosum were the most noticeable. Large numbers of small Desmids were present, of which Cosmarium abbreviatum var. planctonicum was the most abundant, although Staurastrum denticulatum and bi- and tri-radiate forms of S¢é. jaculiferum were exceedingly common. Peridintum Willet was frequent, and a few specimens of Anurea cochlearis were ob- served. 11. Ullswater, Westmorland. May 1903 and September 1g06. Altit. 476 feet. About 73 miles long by three-quarters of a mile broad. Average depth 83 feet ; maximum depth 205 feet. This is one of the larger lakes, mostly with rocky shores, and its upper end is situated among high mountains. The water is somewhat contaminated by the hamlets of Patterdale and Glenridding, and also by the water running from the Green- side Lead Mines. As a result of this slight contamination, the plankton is great in bulk, but poor in quality for the size and situation of the lake. It is an ASTERIONELLA-PLANKTON both in May and September. In May little else exists besides the enor- mous quantity of Astertonella formosa, only a few specimens of Tabellaria flocculosa and Dinobryon cylindricum var. divergens being observed. In September the great mass of Asterionella has amongst it a sprinkling of other Diatoms, a few Desmids, and a considerable quantity of Dinobryon cylindricum var. divergens. Tabellaria flocculosa occurs in long chains and Tabellaria fenestrata var. asterionelloides is frequent. The Desmids are chiefly Spondylositum pulchrum var. planum, Staurastrum brevispinum (large variety), and St. cuspidatum var. maximum. Oocystis lacustris and Spherocystis Schroetert, both of which are typical plankton-species of the Protococcoidee, were not un- common. Anurea cochlearis was also present. 12. Hawes Water, Westmorland. September 1go6. Altit. 694 feet. About two and a half miles long by about three- eighths of a mile broad. It is rather an isolated lake, with a maximum depth of 103 feet, and an average depth of about 40 feet. The September plankton was somewhat mixed, but was mostly a Diatom-plankton, with a large admixture of Celos- pherium Kiitzingianum. The Diatoms were chiefly zig-zag chains of Tabellaria fenestrata, Cocconema gracile, C. cvmbiforme, and Synedra Acus. Ceratium hirundinella was common, and sterile filaments of Mougeotia elegantula were frequent. A few Desmids were observed, amongst which Staurastrum jaculiferum was the most abundant. Others were St. denticulatum, Arthro- 1g09 March 1. 122 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. desmus crassus, Spondylositum pulchrum var. planum, and Gonatozygon monotenium var. pilosellum. Anurea cochlearts was frequent. 13. Grasmere, Westmorland. June and September 1903. Altit. 208 feet. About a mile long by half a mile broad. It has a somewhat rocky margin, and its greatest depth is 180 feet. The water may be slightly contaminated by the village of Gras- mere. The September plankton was largely a combined Dia- tom and Dinobryon-plankton. The Diatoms consisted almost exclusively of Astertonella formosa and Tabellaria fenestrata var. astertonelloides. The Dinobryon was D. cylindricum var. divergens. Cerattum hirundinella was fairly common, and C. cornutum and Peridinium Wallet occurred in small quantity. A few Desmids were fairly general, among which Xanthidium subhastiferum var. Murrayi and Staurastrum cuspidatum var. maximum were the most conspicuous. The most noteworthy Desmids were Cosmarium controversum and Micrasterias Mahabuleshwarensis var. Wallichit, the former being known from North Wales and N.W. Scotland, and the latter only from the plankton of lakes in Sutherland and the Shetland Islands. A sterile species of Mougeotia was frequent, and the filaments exhibited a coiling comparable to that observed in several of the Scottish lakes.* (Fig. I c. and D.). Species of Mougeotia occur in a living condition in the plankton of very many of the British lakes, throughout the greater part of the year, and the coiling of the filaments undoubtedly shows the development of a limnetic character, due to adaptation of the plants to an existence in the plankton. The coiling of the filament very con- siderably increases its floating capacity. Several of the Myxophycee were not uncommon, more par- ticularly Oscillatoria Agardhit, Anabena Lemmermannit, and Microcystis stagnalis. Two Rhizopods were observed—Arcella vulgaris and a long-spined species of Acanthocysits. The June plankton consisted of a mixture of large quan- tities of Dinobryon cylindricum var. divergens and Peridinium Willei. Amongst these flagellated organisms were a number of Rotifers, more especially Hydatina and Anurea cochlearis. * W. and G. S. West in.‘ Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot.’, XXXV., 1903, p. 524; also in ‘ Trans. Roy. Soc. of Edin.’, XLI., Part III., 1905, pp. 497 and 510. (Zo be continued). Naturalist, THE NATURALIST, 1909. Pate VIII, 123 Su Memoriam. WiGRRE Dh st UDLES EON. FIRS... FiG.S:, ete: (1828-1909). (PLATE VIIL.). ANOTHER gap in the group of prominent Yorkshire Geologists occurred on Friday evening, January 29th, when Mr. W. H. Hudleston passed away, after a very brief illness. The day previous, though he was in his eight-first year, he was in his usual health, being remarkably active and energetic for his age. Mr. Hudleston was born at York, and his early years were devoted to the study of ornithology. Between 1853 and 1860 he travelled extensively in Europe and northern Africa ; and at the celebration of the jubilee of the British Ornithologists’ Union, held in London a month before his death, he was one of four original members who received a gold medal. In his boyhood days he was a play-fellow of the late Henry Clifton Sorby, whose death we only recently had to deplore. He was then known as Simpson, his father being Dr. Simpson, of Harrogate. He joined the Geological Society of London in 1867 in the name of Simpson, but a fortnight later changed his name to that more familiar to us. In the ’seventies he devoted much time to the study of the Yorkshire Secondary Rocks, and his well-known monographs on the Paleontology of Yorkshire Oolites, which appeared in the ‘Geological Magazine,’ and in the Reports of the Paleonto- graphical Society, are amongst the earliest and best known of his published papers. These at once stamped his reputation as a careful student of fossil forms, and though written so long ago, they are in constant use by workers in these fields to-day. In the ’seventies also he was for three years the secretary of the London Geologists’ Association, and became its President in 1881. From 1886-1890 he was one of the Secretaries of the Geological Society, and was its President for the years 1892-4. The Wollaston Medal, the highest award of the Geological Society, was bestowed upon him in 1897, and in the following year he was President of Section ‘C’ of the British Association, at the Bristol Meeting. Yorkshire geologists particularly regret the departure of a most amiable and able leader of excursions, and on the many occasions upon which he conducted parties around the quarries in the Scarborough district, his value was realized. 1g09 March 1. 124 Reviews and Book Notices. In 1888 Mr. Hudleston was the President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, and conducted an excursion to Robin Hood’s Bay. At the annual meeting held at Sheffield, he gave his presidential address ‘ On the Geological History of Iron Ores,’ which, oddly enough, was printed in the ‘ Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association ’ for May 1889. Mr. Hudleston was the subject of one of the well-known “Eminent Living Geologists’ series, which appeared in the ‘Geological Magazine’ for 1904. This is accompanied by an excellent portrait and list of his papers up to that date. On Plate VIII, is a reproduction of the portrait, which appears to be the only one of Hudleston extant. fbive —_@@—_—__ Vol. Il. of The Book of Nature Study, edited by Prof. J. B. Farmer (London, Caxton Publishing Co., price 7/6 net), is to hand. It is quite equal to its predecessor, already noticed in these columns. It is well illustrated by reproductions from photographs, diagrams, etc., in the text, and coloured plates. Mr. O. H. Latter has several chapters on Insects, Spiders, Worms, etc.; Dr. Marion J. Newbigin describes the animals and plants of fresh-water and marine aquaria; and Prof. J. Arthur Thompson describes the chief haunts of animals, in a very instructive and entertaining manner. ‘The volume is tastefully bound in green cloth. Bird-Hunting through Wild Europe, by R. B. Lodge. London: Robert Culley. 333 pp., 7/6 net. The author of this book has been fortunate in visiting several of the most inaccessible parts of Europe, in search of birds and eggs and photo- graphs, all of which he has ‘taken,’ and his exploits are unblushingly detailed in this volume. _And they are very entertaining, though not many writers now-a-days so openly refer to their many achievements amongst rare birds and eggs. Probably, however, Mr. Lodge contributes to various funds for the protection of rare birds and their eggs! Some of his help-mates on his expeditions he forbears to name, at their own request, which we can quite understand. Judging from the ‘ List of Species met with,‘ the author has had ‘ bags’ such as many might envy, and his book contains particulars of the travels and hardships and trials in securing these. As with most authors of his kind, there is just a little bit too much of the difficulties he has experienced, which renders a perusal of the book rather irritating at times. That he is an exceptionally well-equipped person for the purpose is apparent from his own concluding paragraph :— ‘Thus ended our expedition full of interest, in spite of some occasional hardship and discomfort and constant and continual hard work. For bird and egg collecting, combined with photography, in wild countries, is no child’s play, and requires absolute fitness in condition and general health, and plenty ot enthusiasm for the work, without which it is impossible to stand the strain and bodily and mental fatigue.’ The book is illustrated by a large number of fine photographs of birds, nests and eggs, scenery, and occasionally samples of the female population, with which latter we cannot congratulate him on the choice of his subjects, though possibly it was policy to select these for reproduction! In speaking of the nest of the Bittern, we notice he suggests that a photograph has not yet been taken. We would point out, however, that such a photograph, by a well-known Hull ornithologist, was published in a contemporary some little time ago. Naturalist, 125 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION MEETINGS. A largely-attended meeting of the VERTEBRATE SECTION of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was held in the Leeds Institute, on Saturday, February 13th. When it is considered that the meetings (with a short one of the Wild Birds’ Protection Committee) lasted from 2 p.m. to 9-30 p.m., it will be understood that it was necessary to be interesting in order to keep the audience for so long a time. The President of the Union, Mr. St. Quintin, occupied the chair during the afternoon meeting, and Mr. R. Fortune, President of the Vertebrate Section, for the remainder of the time. For the Wild Birds’ Protection Committee, it was reported that watchers had been arranged for at Spurn and Hornsea Mere, and several interesting letters were read from last season’s watchers, etc. Dr. E. S. Steward, of Harrogate, read an extremely interesting paper upon his experiences during a bird-nesting expedition into south Spain, making many of his hearers long to have the same opportunities of studying numbers of our rarer British birds, where they are found nesting in abun- dance. Mr. E. E. Gregory followed with a paper upon ‘ The Pleistocene Verte- brate Remains of the West Riding.’ This, too, was full of interest, especi- ally to the members of the new Mammalia, etc., Committee, affording a splendid guide to their future investigations in this direction. It was illustrated by specimens found in several Yorkshire caves. After an interval for tea, Prof. Patten gave a short account of ‘ Four hours’ contin- uous observations of the feeding habits of Richardson’s Skua.’ The obser- vations were made in Dublin Bay, and the account of how the Skua procures his food, by preying upon the gulls and terns, was made especially interesting through being illustrated by lantern slides from Prof. Paten’s sketches, made on the spot. Mr. Whitaker's notes on ‘ British Bats’ were profusely illustrated by lantern slides. Members were particularly pleased to hear Mr. Whitaker, who is our recognised Yorkshire authority upon these mammals. The lecture was enlivened by some very amusing anecdotes. Mr. Oxley Grabham then gave a short and very racy lecturette upon some of the birds of the Yorkshire Coast, etc., illustrated by a fine series of lantern slides. The account of Spurn and its bird life, beautifully illustrated as it was, gave a splendid idea of the locality, and of the work done there by the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Birds’ Protection Com- mittee. Mr. Grabham showed some charming slides of White Hedgehogs, which he obtained from the neighbourhood of Pickering, stating that there appears to be a strain of albinos in the district. Messrs. Jasper Atkinson and Wm. Hewett showed a fine series of slides, chiefly bird studies, but as the time was getting late, they were put througi the lantern, accompanied by very few remarks. Several other lots of slides were not exhibited, owing to want of time. At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. W. Wilson exhibited a White Carrion Crow, particulars of which will duly appear in ‘ The Naturalist.’ The bird presented a very weather-worn appearance, the long tail and flight feathers being much worn and frayed. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, and to all contributing lectures and slides, brought a most interesting meeting to a close. On the same date, the YORKSHIRE MARINE BroLoGy COMMITTEE, in conjunction with the Leeds Conchological Club, had a meeting. Prof. Walter Garstang, M.A., D.Sc., of the Leeds University, as Chairman of the Section, gave an interesting address. After referring to the able work of his predecessor, the late Dr. H. C. Sorby he described the methods of work of such a Committee by which he thought good results might be achieved. He also dwelt upon the importance of recording every obser- 1909 March 1. 126 Reviews and Book Notices. vation, no matter how unimportant or minute it may appear. He gave instances where valuable observations, made by ardent field naturalists of the working-man type, were lost to science, through not being recorded. He thought by careful attention to every little detail in recording matter or observation, much might be added and saved for reference in the future. Preceding Dr. Garstang, Mr. J. W. Taylor addressed the members of the Leeds Conchological Club on the physiology, morphology and dis- tribution of Hygromia fusca and H. granulata. Further suggestons and remarks from Mr. Arnold T. Watson, F.L.S., of Sheffield, Rev. F. H. Woods, B.D., Driffield, Mr. S. Lister Petty, Ulverstone, Mr. T. Sheppard, F.G.S., Hull, and Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., Leeds, with a vote of thanks to the two lecturers, brought a very profitable and enjoyable meeting to an end.—F. B. REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union Transactions, 1907.* It is said that all things come to those who wait. The members of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union have waited patiently for the Transactions, 1907, and have, at last, received them. One feels afraid to write what one thinks about the present part. As in the previous issues, a very mportant feature is the excellent lists of County Flora and Fauna. Miss S_ C. Stow contributes a lst of ‘ Lincolnshire Galled-plants’; Mr. G. W. Mason a list of Lincolnshire Moths (Spinges and Bombyces) under the title ‘ The Lepidoptera of Lincolnshire, Part 1.’ It is somewhat diffi-. cult to understand this title when we remember that in the Transactions for 1906, Mr. Mason contributed a list of ‘ Lincolnshire Butterflies.’ Have butterflies ceased to be considered Lepidoptera in Lincolnshire, or is it intended to publish a new list as a subsequent part ? Some of the records in Mr. Mason’s list are of great interest, particularly the Oleander Hawk Moth, taken at South Somercoates, and the Reed Tussock Moth, taken by Mr. F. Arnold Lees, near Market Rasen in 1878. The Rev. Thornley and Dr. W. Wallace contribute a remarkably good list of ‘ Lincolnshire Coleop- tera ’ (Geodephaga), and there are other papers (including the President’s address on ‘ The Pygmy Flint Age in Lincs.’) and notes. It is a very great pity that such valuable contributions as some of them are, should not have been published with much greater care. To be as mild as possible I do not hesitate to say that this issue of the Transactions is not creditable to anyone; errors and misprints are by no means uncommon, in fact, the latter are very abundant; no rule seems to have been recognised in the use of italics, and capital letters are used where small letters should be, and small letters where capitals should be. In one paragraph of 134 lines on page 208, some eighteen corrections are required ; page 207 is not much better. I certainly did not know before that a Rhynchonella was a Lamellibranch, which is the only inference to be drawn from the sentence—‘ Rhynchonella and other Lamellibranchs are abundant.’ On page 209 is a plant name certainly new to me, and, I believe, new to science, to wit—‘ Alchemillavyl ugaris’; several other misprints appear on this page. On page 212 ‘ Cochlevavia’ stands for Cochlearia, and ‘ Lyeopus’ for Lycopus, and on the next page Lychnis jlos-cuculi set out as ‘ Lychnis Floscuculi’; but what is most conspicuous on this page is the use of more than one and the same fount of type for the grand array of initials. By the way, is not the adopted system of recording very superficial ? I believe that frequently the recorder sits in the brake with surface-soil map on the knee, and notes down the various plants grow- ing on the roadside, the conveyance often travelling seven miles an hour. The pointing in many cases is very unsatisfactory, and makes some of the passages look sheer nonsense. Three examples may be given (two over pointed, and the other without points) :— * Louth, pp. 219-271. Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 127 ‘A series of variegated clays, with layers of sand, shale, and limestone, partly marine and partly fluviatile ; the former, with ostreas, at the top, and the latter at the base with paludinas and other fresh-water shells.’ “The Cornbrash, a coarse rubbly limestone, with sandy layers, which was deposited in a shallow sea.’ ‘Mr. T. S. Bavin has presented a series of specimens from a bore made to locate coal in which the Keuper is found to be at the West of the County 850 feet in thickness.’ In a professedly scientific publication, it is somewhat surprising to find the following passage (which must surely have been misplaced, being intended for one of those famed penny twaddlers)—‘ Well may we sing with Robert Louis Stevenson in his Garland of Verse— “The world is so full of a number of things I am sure we should all be as happy as kings.” We had a right royal welcome at Grantham. The day however [!] was much enjoyed.’ * The object of the Union is presumably expressed, though badly, in the following sentence appearing in the report of the ‘ Field ). eetings ’ :— “ The meetings are of such value as to oh’ in « great amount of information for the County lists for public?+ ie In the copy before ulustrating ‘ the junction of the Foss Dyke and the Tr- 7_plicated, one plate facing page 163, the other * ts have been made, unsuccessfully, tO-Sthiy. _.e result being that ~ xen opened, it y ,, there is nothing to s* oresent part ste udle of 1908, though a d- -c-Sheet indicates .1y Tate, it was published i .. The address of John -.ueaux which is reprinted, _ we think, from the Union’s Transactions for 1895, h2- 4 ouew that its author has been dead for some years. The above d- .. the list of errors, misprints, and other faults, but they are _ shew the necessity of someone taking a few lessons ro” .c., before the next issue of Transactions, and thereby -< scientific work being more creditably published. LINDUM. Part VII. of T. C. and E. C. Jack’s ‘ Wild Beasts of the World’ (1/- net), deals with *%he Bears, Sea-Lions, Walrus, Seals, Hedgehogs, Voles, etc., and is illustrated with the usual finely-coloured plates. Speak- ing of Walrus tusks, we notice the author (Mr. F. Finn), states that they are largely used for making artificial teeth. That was certainly the case when the natural history books of years ago were written, but artificial teeth of this material are difficult to get now-a-days. We have been trying to get such a set for a long time, but so far without success ! The Vertebrate Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union has re- printed its Report for 1908, in advance. It contains excellent summaries of work carried on in the three Ridings, written by Messrs. R. Fortune, E. W. Wade, and T. H. Nelson, as well as particulars of the work of the Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Committee. The Writers’ and Artists’ Year Book, 1909 (A. and C. Black, 1/-), is indispensable to those who add to their income by writing. It gives a classified list of the various publications, their rates of payment for MSS., etc. There is a complete list of such journals ; lists of publishers, agents, etc. Some useful advice is given as to the preparation of MSS. ; correcton of proofs, etc. We notice that ‘The Naturalist’ does not appear under ‘Science and Natural History ’ in the Classified Index on page 117, though it appears in its place amongst ‘ Journals and Magazines,’ on page 42. 1909 March tf. 128 NORTHERN NEWS. According to the ‘ Pall Mall Gazette’ a roach of 3 lb. has been caught in the Dove and Dearne Canal, at Elsecar, Yorks. We have heard of about ‘ making a noise like a turnip,’ but a contem- porary, in the heading to a paragraph, records that a ‘ Privet hedge barked ! ’ An excellent portrait of a past President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey, Bart., appears in ‘ The Shooting Times ’ for January 16th, 1909. It is not often the ‘ Yorkshire Weekly Post’ is hoaxed, but the following extracts from a report of a meeting of a Junior Field Naturalists’ Club are interesting :—‘ Mr. W. J. W. Slowe, B.E.N.A., gave a lucid description of the finding of Balaena mysticetus in the Hornsea Mere, a specimen of which he passed round for examination. Mr. H. Donaldson reported an excursion. to Broomfleet, and exhibited a fossil sponge which he had procured from the Laurentian deposit there. Mr. A. J. Moore, M.C.S., read an interesting paper on ‘‘ Some Local Freshwater Mollusca.’’ The best collecting ground in the Hull district is Sutton Drain. In this drain Ostvea edulis, Aguila chrysaetus, can be procured, also the interesting species, mephitis mephitica. » The Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association celebrated the Darwin Centenary at its meeting on the 15th February. Mr. Harold Wager, F.R.S., gave an address on ‘ Charles Darwin.’ Mr. Wager exhibited the Darwin-Wallace medal, while the President of the Club, Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., exhibited a lithograph facsimile of the illuminated address. which the Yorkshire Naturalists presented (by deputation visiting Down) to Mr. Darwin in 1880, in celebration of the ‘ Coming of Age ’ of the ‘ Origin of Species,’ also the original letter from Mr. Darwin, acknowledging the compliment. Afterwards a resolution was adopted, congratulating Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace on his living to see the fiftieth anniversary of the reading of his and Mr. Darwin’s papers to the Linnean Society. The following will be the presidents at the meeting of the British Asso- ciation at Winnipeg from August 25th to September 1st :—Pvesident— Professor Sir J. J. Thomson, F.R.S.; Sectional Presidents—A (Mathe- matical and Physical Science)—Professor E. Rutherford, F.R.S.; B (Chemistry).—Professor H. E. Armstrong, F.R.S.; C (Geology)—Dr. A. Smith Woodward, F.R.S.; D (Zoology)—Dr. A. E. Shipley, F.R.S. ; E (Geography)—Colonel Sir Duncan A. Johnston, K.C.M.G. ; F (Economic Science and Statistics)—Professor S. J. Chapman; G (Engineering)—Sir William H. White, K.C.B., F.R.S.; H (Anthropology)—Professor J. L.. Myres ; I (Physiology)—Professor E. H. Starling, F.R.S.; K (Botany)— Lieu.-Colonel D. Prain, F.R.S. ; L (Educational Science)—Rev. Dr. H. B.. Gray ; and Sub-Section (Agriculture)—Major P. G. Craigie (chairman). Mr. Hans Schlesch, who has frequently favoured the Hull Museum with mollusca, has now presented to that institution the whole of his extensive collection of Land, Fresh-water, and Marine Shells. This collection is well known for its completeness, and for the many type specimens it contains. Mr. Schlesch has been a most enthusiastic collector, having visited many different countries to obtain specimens, and on giving up his hobby he has decided to favour the Hull Museum with the result of his life’s work. The collection contains specimens from France, Germany, Russia, Denmark, and other parts of Europe; China, Japan, India, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, the United States, etc. Large cases containing many thousand specimens have already been received, and the remainder is on the way. He has also presented his library of works bearing upon the specimens in the collection. Naturalist, . A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY 4 se T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., sm THe Museum, Hutt; T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D, .F.L.S., a TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., “Ke Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, Pe) T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. oe RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Neer Contents :— f PAGES z Notes and Comments :—Important Work on Diatoms, Evolution of Diatoms, Plankton, , Degraded Diatoms; The Doncaster Museum nis bs Is as AS .-. 129-130 Albino Carrion Crow in Yorkshire (Illustrated)—JV alter Wilson.. 3& cs ee x; 131 Peloria in Plants (Ilustrated)—E. Snelgrove, B.A. ... )) Partsui4y 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W. C. HEY, M.A. THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited by T. SHEPPARD. F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F, KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T H. NELSON, M.B.O.U.. GEO, T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, and WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. (Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 6/6 post free). mtMBERSHIP in the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Naturalist, and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union, ‘A donation of Seven Guineas constitutes a life-membeiship, and entitles the member to a set of the completed volumes issued by the Union. - Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union ata discount of 25 per cent. off the prices quoted above. All communications should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, 2: T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., The Museum, Hull. 129 NOTES AND COMMENTS. IMPORTANT WORK ON DIATOMS.* The completion of this great work, which has been appearing in parts throughout the past eleven years, will be hailed with pleasure by all students of the Diatomacee. Though ex- _pressly intended to deal with those forms that are found on all the coasts of France, it will be found to contain most, if not all of the species of the North Sea and English Channel, and is hence equally valuable to English students. The plates are certainly among the finest drawings of these beautiful micro- scopic Alge that have ever been published. Specially worthy of notice are the discoid forms of Actinocyclus, Coscinodiscus and Eupodiscus, and the wealth of detail in such species as the Naviculas of the Diplonets section. EVOLUTION OF DIATOMS. M. Peragallo’s views on the evolution of the Diatoms are set forth in a sort of postscript to the preface accompanying the issue of the final part, and are in some respects both novel and interesting. He holds that the earliest forms of diatoms were of the kind he denominates ‘ Centriques’ (corresponding to Van Heurck’s ‘ Crypto-Raphidee ’), and comprising all forms of circular or angular outline, and those having spines or other processes, and that these descend directly from animal forms, either from the Radiolariz, or in part from the Peridinee. PLANKTON. The ‘ Centriques’ are those species that we find to-day float- ing on the ocean in what is known as the ‘ Plankton’ and are distinguished from the ‘ Pennées ’ (Peragallo’s other division) not only by their form arranged at about equal distances around a centre, and by the absence of a raphe, but also by their repro- ductive method, which is by the generation of spores, whereas the “ Pennées ’ reproduce their kind by conjugation. The author describes how the free-floating, but individually motionless “Centriques ’ developed in the ‘ Pennées’ to a naviculoid or boat-shaped form with a raphe or longitudinal slit which is now generally acknowledged to be in some way the organ of the mysterious power of motion of diatoms. This division con- stitutes Van Heurck’s ‘ Raphidee.’ * ‘Diatomées Marines de France,’ by M.M. H. et M. Peragallo. J. Tempére, Grez-zur-Loing (S-et-M) France. 500 pp., 139 plates, 2187 fig., 150 francs. 1gog April 1. 1.30 Notes and Comments. DEGRADED DIATOMS. Finally he looks on the ‘ Pseudo-Raphidez’ as a sort of degraded forms that have adopted a mode of life limited by their growing attached to Alge, and consequently have lost their raphe by disuse, and with it their power of movement, the median blank space indicating the position formerly occu- pied by the raphe. Of course this theory involves the trans- ference of the Nitzschias (whose motions are among the liveliest) along with the Surirellas and Epithemias from the Pseudo- Raphidez to the Raphidee. There is very much to be said for this view. It is certain that the most ancient fossil deposits. such as Richmond, Virginia, and Oamaru, New Zealand, consist almost entirely of the discoid forms, while in our modern seas. and rivers, the Naviculoid forms constitute the great majority.. ORIGIN OF DIATOMS. t is questionable whether M. Peragallo will find many who: agree with him as to the animal origin of diatoms, while ad- mitting that now they belong to the vegetable kingdom ; but this is a difficulty which may probably disappear with further knowledge of these lowly forms of life, which may be said to belong in one sense or another to either kingdom. We regret to be unable to extend the great praise due to the artist for the plates to the printer or proof-reader. The list of corrigenda is a long one, and does not comprise all that there should be. Ree THE DONCASTER MUSEUM. At the request of the Doncaster Corporation, the Curatcr of the Hull Museums recently prepared a ‘ Report on the Pro- posed Museum at Doncaster,’ which has been printed and discussed by the Doncaster Town Council. In it Mr. Sheppard draws attention to the smallness of the space available in the few rooms at Beechfield, which it was proposed to set apart for museum purposes, and urged that the whole of the ground floor should be available. Suggestions were also made as to the scope of the proposed Museum, dealing principally with the desirability of keeping it Jocal in character. It is pleasing to find that practically the whole of the recommendations have been adopted by the Doncaster Corporation, and consequently that ‘own wll shortly have its pesymanent public Museum. Naturalist, 131 ALBINO CARRION CROW IN YORKSHIRE. WALTER WILSON. Tuis was reported in ‘ The Naturalist ’ for October 1906, and May 1907, and in ‘ Birds of Yorkshire,’ Vol. I., page 242. The last report recorded in ‘The Naturalist’ was from Barden, April 3rd, 1907, since then it appears to have frequented the Hetton Moors, between Rylstone and Malham, during the summer of 1907, where I saw it in company with another crow, probably its mate. In August of that year it was shot at several times by grouse shooters on the moors, but always escaped, a fate which did not favour its mate, which was shot towards the end of that month. Albino Carrio Crow. During the winter of 1907-8 it appears to have retired to the Fountain Fell district, along with a number of other crows. This last summer (1908), it again made its appearance in the Winterburn district, but this time it was not as bold, and escaped from many attempts to secure it, until finally it was shot in May, near Eshton Tarn, by a keeper of Sir M. Wilson, Bart, who had been baiting for it with dead rabbits for some weeks. Sir M.W. Wilson of Eshton Hall, has had the bird set up for his private collection. The measurements are: length, 174 inches; bill, 24 inches ; wing (expanse), 124 inches; tarsus, 2} inches. ? 1gog April I. PELORIA IN PLANTS. E. SNELGROVE, B.A: THE accompanying figures (from photographs), show a Foxglove grown in a Sheffield garden during the past summer. The re- semblance of the top flower to a Campanula is very striking, so much so that people who saw it growing, described it as such. Peloria in Foxglove. Two facts are plainly brought out in the photographs :— (x) that the top flower, unlike the o hers, is regular; (2) that it is opening as early as the lowest flowers of the raceme. The occurrence of this kind of thing, viz., a regular flower p oduced on a plant that normally bears irregular flowers, is known as pelovia. The name explains nothing, for it only Naturalist, Snelorove: Peloria tn Plants. 133 means a monstrosity or sport. Perhaps that is all that can be said with certainty. Darwin notes that those flowers nearest the axis are most subject to peloria, and thinks such occur- rence ‘may be connected with a different flow of nutriment towards the central and external flowers.’ He seems to have in mind chiefly the disk flowers of a composite like the Daisy. In such a case the growth of irregular ray flowers seems to be pre- cisely the opposite to what has occurred in our present example. In the ‘ Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists’ Club,’ 1902, p. 49, there is a note (with plates), on a similar instance of peloria, but it occurred on every branch of the plant, the number of carolla lobes was in each case doubled, and the number of stamens was also double, distinctly leading to the suggestion made that two flowers had become one. Examples are often met with (in fact in some years are quite common) of Daisies, Buttercups, Wallflowers and Dame’s Violet producing broad, flat, flowering axes, on which flowers are crowded, and often run into one another. The Toadflax, again, is said (I have not seen it) to produce sometimes a five-spurred flower. Two conclusions are fairly clear :— (1) The examples of peloria in Composite and Umbel- liferae, as quoted by Darwin, are quite different from all the other examples here adduced, unless (as certainly does not appear to be the case), he suggests that flowers like those of the Dandelion, are normal, and the disk flowers of the Daisy ‘abnormally symmetrical.”’ What is the meaning of the statement that ‘ flowers nearest the axis ae most subject to peloria?’ The ray flowers of a composite are not nearest the axis. (2) The obvious explanation of the malformations of Buttercups, etc., known as fasciation, 1s that two (or more) flowers have grown together. This explanation may stand for the Foxglove feloria, but what of the five-spurred Toadflax ? It might be suggested that the cas: of the former was one of reversion to regular form, but the number of corolla lobes is against such a conclusion. Perhaps all we can say is— (a) Buttercups, etc., exhibit fasciation. (b) Toadflax correlated variation, and the Foxglove some- thing of both. 1909 April 1 134 THE PHYTOPLANKTON OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT. Wn. WEST, F.L.S., AND G. S. WEST, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S. (Continued from page 122). 14. Codale Tarn, Westmorland. June 1903. Altit. 1528 feet. A small mountain tarn receiving the drainage from parts of Tarn Crag (1801 feet) and High White Stones (2374 feet). The plankton contained various filamentous Chlorophycee, such as Microspora abbreviata and species of Mougeotia. Washed in from the shores of the tarn were filaments of Binucleara tatrana, fragments of Stzgonema minutum, and a few filaments of Ham- matordea Normanit. Numerous Desmids were present, among which should be mentioned Cosmarium ornatum, C. bioculatum Arthrodesmus Incus, Staurastrum anatinum, and Gymnozyga monutformis. The most abundant Diatom was Tabellaria flocculosa, and long ribbons of Eunotia pectinalis were frequent. Peridinium Willei was again much in evidence. 15. Easedale Tarn, Westmorland. May 1903. Altit. 915 feet. A small lake, about a third of a mile in length, with rocky shores. The dominant features of the plankton were numerous Pic. I. A. and B.—Filaments of Mougeotia sp. from the plankton of Easedale Tarn (200), showing a curious anastomosis which may be due to aborted conjugation. C. and D., Coiled filaments of Mougeotia sp., from the plankton of Grasmere (200). D. consists of one cell only. Naturalist, West: Phytoplankton of English Lake Drstrict. L35 Desmids, and a large quantity of Peridiniwm. Willer. The Desmids included Pentium truncatum, Muicrasterias radiata, Arthrodesmus triangularis var. subtriangularis, Hvyalotheca mucosa, H. neglecta, Staurastrum Arctiscon, St. gracile var. nanum, St. anatinum var. Lagerheimu, St. Ophiura, and St. Brasiliense var. Lundell. The two latter have not previously been found in England. The principal Diatoms were Tabel- laria flocculosa, Eunotia pectinalis, and Vanheurckia rhombotde : var. saxonica. A sterile species of Mougeotia was common, and a curious anastomosis of two filaments was observed. The connections between the filaments may have been the result of aborted conjugation, and were cut off either completely or partially from the cells of the filaments (Fig, I A. and B.). The Rotifers Polyarthra platyptera, Anurea cochlearis, and others, were frequent, and a number of specimens of Nebela flabellulum were observed. Fragments of Binucleara tatrana were fairly common in the plankton. 16. Stickle Tarn, Westmorlaud. May 1903. Altit. 1540 feet. This is a mountain tarn about a quarter of a mile in length and breadth, lying just under and to the eastward of Langdale Pikes (2401 feet). The dominant feature of the plankton was Peridinium Willer. Very few Desmids occurred, although Staurastrum pseudopelagicum deserves special mention, as it was observed only from this lake, and from Windermere. Diatoms (even Tabellarias) were few, and Dinobryon cylin- dricum var. divergens existed in small quantity. Entomostraca were in fair abundance, and much dark-brown organic matter was present. Binucleara tatrana was again observed in the plankton. 17. Windermere. Altit. 130 feet. This is the largest of the English lakes, having a length of about 104 miles, and a maxi- mum breadth of about a mile. Average depth 78 feet ; maxi- mum depth 219 feet. The lake is on the boundary between Westmorland and the northern extremity of Lancashire. Its margins are largely rocky, with a good deal of woodland, but the hills immediately around it are not very high. Its waters are no doubt contaminated by the proximity of the villages of Bowness and Ambleside. Material was collected from this lake in June and September 1903, and periodical monthly collections were made from September 1907 to August 1908. These are considered in detail in a special part of this paper. 1999 April 1 Phytoplankton of English Lake Dvstrict. West 136 ae Alea woe lige cl lamer: | sro ‘ me en odd) (syperq) UnINUL PSS | ee : ie “Q2Ig MnNDIUNA UWNnWAagT Sailg ySO\\ 4olpwm “rea *puny vaodsordyp sushoospudy (9 x{" y a (a ee "ISPION wunpasojid ‘rer val ae x x $ Areg 9d WNIUPJoOU0M UOdA20IDU04 SS IPERS sal ose x x1xX : (aqtteys) ‘dds vadsosds x x x “"|X1X|X (a[1194s) “ds vucustz x|x| xX BS male x OBIS : (o[t103s) «dds § x ae ome ris ie teks IVIM YIN{UDSaja DIjoasno [Ay X|X| x1 x si 9) lass : : ‘Ylosey (yuaqey) vywr0a1qqv “ a | ee | cal es ‘yueqey (‘ziny) vuwwumy vsodsosnrpy Sle : S ‘ZINN (TYONW 3 “qoM) YwU0Z - x1 xX “|X x “UIT (eu) TDD “IBA “ZANT S1714QNS VIAYIO7 X|X]X |x X|xX< iy xX |X a oa ; ; (efiteys) “dds wnimosopz) “AD AHAOUOTHD LrigxStlvrEr\ziritlorl6|gyZigilSirl|Elzix 2/2/8/e/e|e/slz/els|2l2lzlye|a|z aN Slola|al/és Z iss < afe)a)a a B 5} ae e\olS(S1B/Gl/s|SIS/E/S15/Sia]8 iS ia a @ at] 2 a{/S | 5 BPO Ss / S/S 1s] Sl @Sle | elsj=/3/s SP] Pe (Se ae al 8 i Pe a ‘SaIOadS P| Sealer fe g |e s|S|2l . of . o. ‘SSeH (‘qorq) snaur ae sefe efor [ee] epee dee selyg]eele- : : BID 28 an ISOM “SDB MV smsspaa “ SASS 9) ee See Sle a ge ze ze ‘quolya, swadsanuor SHUMSBPOMYAY SCIPS SS OH aT Gan OI Sas Re ey (SOT eld ISOM "SD WM IWAN “WEA SoM WndAafysyyqns Xe ; org ‘qolg wmnywursun “IeA “qoIg wmnyyysisa Y 2| bes xe | fae | 75 belli ese Lilor|SrjPxlEr\zr{r1jor'6|e|Zilo|S lr} e}alx *pNe[IOULSI MA *purpriequing IIOM wnumd ‘rea ‘yory (‘yreq) wnayond wnisojtpuods “SJTOXT wngujsaa Syey wnsafyaz ‘yuoqey (‘Yulng) avyndupnxas ar ‘qa1gq wnjynyngound ISOM “SD YM Wnodvjadopnasd ee ‘qorq, wnydsowdjod ‘YSPION Sadiswo] “1eA s ISOM “S “DP "MA wunnaia IRA Fe uosddy, wnxopvavd oe Be oa ‘puny vaniydo 4SOM\ 1S: *) » “AA aaninauningns "IVA SJR WNWUosINUM ‘puny wnyjuvopsam ‘djeq wipjafuy py ISAM "SD PM MnoMopund ‘eA syjey UT, TE2NSS ce) 22 MA (990M) UNnvpWaprq “eA OD ‘yory (req) wnurdsisuo) VIDIPDAVAL CULIOF < see 2 Bs DIVIPDAIQ CULIOF JSAM WadAafynovl <8 x ae ISOM SS) VY MA AAD]NdaAAL 0 7* "qorg wmnxapyfur alah gy Vquera) wmnAIIDXaY ou : ‘yung apupad “TIM. wnuou rea “ ce ce Sie ec - + : a SJTOY apvawad : Ber 3B se ar re ‘qoig mndasio4n{ He oo ene Or ae Do awe ‘qaiq wnspvaAa 5 ao 30 20 . ‘yory (8eN) wnqwynouyuap - ae a0 .- a e sis ‘* “qorg wnyzoalap eS . -+ Be _ ASOAK 4 UNUWIXDUL “eA ‘qoig wnqgvpidsna ‘ ae ee oan ad SOM WNIDOUANI WNASDANDiS Salads Igog April 1. lankton of English Lake District p Phyto West 140 KyeefecleebycfocfocdocdefPocdec]e cde cde cde des PSS 1 IP Oe Ce esi eS ess les] SIP SIP Ibe If 21/2 Silos x feefecdeedsc|ectee sedoxcdecdecderdecteefocde- KIectecdeetoscbocdecdes]e ete cde ede ede ed -lo@—_— Evidently our contributor, Mr. T. Petch, B.Sc., Government Mycologist in Ceylon, is in his old form for work. Amongst the pamphlets recently received from him may be mentioned ‘ Insects and Fungi’ ; from “ Science Progress’; ‘ The Genus Endocalyx, Berkeley and Broome (with plate and description of E. cinctus n. sp.), from the Annals of Botany ; and ‘Die Pilze von Hevea brasiliesins (Para Kautschuk)’; from ‘ Zeitschrift fur Pflanzenkrankheiten.’ The following method of collecting aquatic coleoptera, in vogue in America, may be worth trying by our readers interested :—‘ To collect in flowing streams, a loosely-woven cloth should be stretched across and through the stream, and the stones, gravel and sand overturned and stirred up a short distance above it. The dislodged beetles will be swept into the cloth to which they will cling for support, and it is only necessary to draw up the cloth, and reap the harvest.’ The writer adds that on one occasion he secured 700 beetles in this manner, after stirring up about two feet of sand and gravel. Naturalist. - 143, HAWKWEEDS. JOHN CRYER. IN an interesting article in the ‘ Journal of Botany ’ for January and February, the Rev. A. Ley, M.A., dealt. with the groups and species of ihe West Yorkshire hawkweeds and their dis tribution as far as they have been ascertained. Much work, however, remains to be done before the list of West Yorkshire hawkweeds and the distribution, are at all adequately known. Grassington and the immediate neighbourhood are fairly rich in hawkweeds, as the following lst of species gathered by the writer will testify :— (1) Hieractum hypochaerotdes Gibs., var. saxorum F. J. Hanb. (2) britannicum F. J. Hanb., var. ovale Ley. (3) stlvaticum Gouan., var. asymmetricum Ley. (4) var. subcyaneum W. R. Linton. (5) . cymbifolium Purchas (0) ‘5 duriceps F. J. Hanb. (Type) (7) . scanicum Dahist. (8) sciaphilum, Uechtr., var. tvanstens nov. var. (9) stvyumosum sp. Nov. (10) sparsifolium Lindeb., var placerophyllum Dahlst. (TI) ;. tridentatum Fr., var. acrifolium Dahlst. (12) rigidum Hartm., var. calcavicolum F. J. Hanb. On comparing the above with Mr. Ley’s list it will be noticed that numbers 9g, 11, and 12, are not recorded for the West Riding of Yorkshire, and numbers I, 2, 6, 7 and 8 are not recorded for Wharfedale, and the rest are not recorded for Grassington and the immediate district. H. sarcophyllum Stenstr. is recorded by Mr. Ley for Lang- cliff, Ribblesdale. The writer gathered a fine specimen at Malham, August 2nd, 1906, also a specimen of H. britannicum F. J. Hanb., var ovale, Ley, and one of H. cerebridens Dahlst., in the neighbourhood of Malham. Fine specimens of H. scanicum Dahlst. were found growing near Leeds in September of last year, along with H. cacuminatum Dahlst. Mr. Ley says of this latter, ‘rare in Britain.’ H. Gothicum Fr., described by Mr. Ley as ‘not common,’ was found by the writer in fair abundance near Shipley, August 1907. 1909 April 1. 144 Cheetham : Yorkshire Mosses, H. prenanthoides Vill., grows in abundance near Buckden, and typical H. anglicum Fr. is to be found near Buckden and Kettlewell. Mr. Ley has seen all the above specimens, and I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to him for his generous help in naming them. —_2o__ YORKSHIRE MOSSES. Cc. A. CHEETHAM. DICRANODONTIUM LONGIROSTRE B. & S. var. ALPINUM Schp. Whilst on a visit to Buckden last November, with Mr. A. R. Sanderson, we found this moss in plenty, high up the hillside where the woods and moors join. It 1s the Campylopus alpinus of ‘ Lees’ Flora,’ and this will be a second locality for it, the other being Inglebro’, where it occurs in sheets in the turf on the south shoulder. Mr. A. Wilson, F.L.S., who has found it in West Lancashire on Greygarth and Thrushgill Fells, says that the additional locality is very interesting, and he suggests that it may be found on other high peat-covered fells. On the same occasion we found the var. calvescens Hobk. of Hylocomium squarrosum B. and S. DICRANODONTIUM LONGIROSTRE B. and S. ‘This is the type of which the above is now considered a variety. It occurs in shade in woods on humus, whilst the variety is found in the open on turf or peat. In January last I found this moss in Guy’s Cliff Woods, Pateley Bridge, which is a new drainage area for it, the previous records being :— ~ Wharfe, Bolton Woods, Dr. Wood (I gathered it here last Christ- mas) ;Calder, Heptonstall, J. Nowell. PHASCUM FL@RKEANUM Web. and Mohr. On the occasion of the annual meeting at Doncaster last D cember, I gathered this moss in Cusworth Park. I¢ is an additional species to the West Riding list. BARBULA GRACILIS Schweeg. A moss which I found at Knaresbro’ in May 1908, and which I submitted to the Moss Club as B. Hornschuchiana Schultz, has been determined to be the above species by Mr. W. E. Nicholson and Mr. H. N. Dixon, F.L.S. This is also a new speci’s to the West Riding. Natura:lsts Reviews and Book Notices. 145 ANCECTANGIUM COMPACTUM Schweg. The only locality given in our flora for this is Whernside. On a visit to the upper part of Rawtheydale (Uldale) in Feb- ruary Igog, I saw it in quantity and in very fine ‘ fruit.’ BARTRAMIA POMIFORMIS Hedw. var, CRISPA B. and S. In the last-named locality I found this moss, which is new to West Yorkshire. In growth and shape of leaf it is very near to B. Halleriana Hedw., which also grows in the district. The two can be better distinguished by habit and colour whilst fresh, than from dried specimens and single leaves. I am indebted to Mr. W. Ingham, B.A., and the above- mentioned gentlemen for assistance in the verification of these mosses. —_+e— Behind the Veil in Birdland, by Oliver G. Pike, F.Z.S. London : The Religious Tract Society. 106 pp., 10/6 net. In this large and handsome volume Mr. Pike has selected and repro- duced twenty-four from his thousands of photographs, and of these, four are of mammals, as they are considered to be in ‘ Birdland.’ The two dozen plates are evidenily qularecments from photographs, and pre- sumably are all taken direct from life. Accompanying each plate is some descriptive letterpress; but unfortunately, as with some other bird- photographers, the author dwells far too much upon the hardships and risks and trials of photographing birds: the number of hair-breadth escapes being really appalling. In fact, some of these almost get the flavour of the stories of another kind of naturalist, viz., the one who ‘ goes a angling ’—A gannet nearly knocked him into the sea; it took him two days to get a photograph of a Great-crested Grebe ; another two days was occupied in photographing two sparrows, etc. All this is, of course, probably true ; but we have seen hundreds of quite as interesting photo- graphs of quite as difficult ‘ sitters,’ which were taken in reasonable time and without any risk to life or limb. The volume is marvellously cheap at half-a-guinea, and we congratulate the author on finding a title that has not been used before—a daily increasing difficulty ! British Butterflies and other Insects. [Edited by Edward Thomas. London: Hodder & Stoughton. 127 pp., 6/- ‘ There is a difference between a grub and a butterfly ; yet your butter- fly was a grub.’ Such is the Shakespearian entomologicai observation quoted in this volume. And we might add—“ There is a difference between “ British Country Life” and “ British Butterflies and other Insccts,” yet the latter was once part of the former.’ And whilst there is nothing to indicate that such is the case, the new book is simply the entomological articles reprinted from Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton’s two charming volumes on ‘ British Country Life’ already noticed in these columns. In this present attractive and cheap form, however, our readers wili doubtless be giad to have these ‘Insect’ articles by themselves, and we think the publishers have acted wiselv in presenting them in their present form, particularly if it repays them for their enterprise in producing such really admirable books so cares There are articles by A. Collett, G. A. B. Dewar, Richard South, A. W. Rees, and F. P. Smith, all being written in a style redolent of the Sate and woods and heaths. The coloured plates from photographs are aiso well in keeping with the book, and considerably add to its attractiveness. 1g09 April 1. NOTES ON ROOKS. F. M. BURTON, F-L.S.,F-G.S. Rooks are unusually abundant in the Gainsborougn neigh- bourhood, and, in one way or another, are always in evidence from early morning until darkness sets in at night; so that opportunities for observation are numerous. Within a radius of about a mile from my house, and, for the most part within half that distance, there are, at least, twenty separate rookeries, big and little; most of them on the slope of the Keuper escarp- ment above Gainsborough facing west, and so protected from the cutting easterly winds so common in this district. When the nesting period is well over, and during the winter months, all the birds roost in woods on the east of the town, repairing there from the low lands of the Trent valley, their favourite feeding-place, in large or small flocks, with a solitary straggler here and there bringing up the rear as the day closes in; and in the mornings, when daylight returns, they all fly back with loud cawings, to feed in the valley again or on the newly turned-up plough lands. In addition to the worms and grubs of the marshes and plough-lands, anything in the shape of a nut has a special attraction for them ; and they will strip a tree year after year, when once they find it out. I have several solitary walnut trees in the fields around my house, and long before the nuts are ripe and ready to be gathered, the rooks carry them off. I have seen a tree black with these marauders, and have watched the birds flying off with the nuts in their beaks. Fora long time I could not make out what they did with them, until one day, on digging into a heap of-soil left ready for the garden, some of the nuts turned up. The rooks had learnt that the thick, green coating of walnuts, if buried in the ground, will come off; and though the nuts by this process are not properly ripe, indeed far from it, I have been obl ged to take a lesson from the rooks and follow their example, on the principle of ‘half a loaf being better than no bread.’ It is not only the walnuts that they steal, but any- thing suggestive of a nut as well. JI have a Turkey Oak on my lawn, the fruit of which, with its rough bristly protection, is regularly attacked by the rooks. Some of the acorns may be carried off and eaten, but, at all events, the greater part is thrown down, and left lying under the tree ; and, whether good Naturalist Burton: Notes on Rooks. 147 for food or not, it is clearly a point of honour with them to strip the tree every year. Rooks in general avoid the near presence of man. In the winter, however, when the ground is frozen hard or the land buried in snow, they will venture to approach the food put out for the starving birds, using, however, the greatest caution in doing so. I have seldom, even in the worst seasons, seen a rook near my windows, but they will sit on the branches of the trees near the food, and if a piece of bread or anything falls to the ground they will make a dash for it and carry it off. I have seen them sometimes fly close past the stage on which the food is placed, and either seize a piece or knock it off with their wings, and then pick it up. They will also fly after a bird carrying off food in its beak and force it to drop it. In the early mornings too, when no one is about, they will take away the small bones hung out for the Tits. In fact, they steal and bully whenever they can. The following is an account of the most extraordinary event in the social economy of these birds that I ever met with. The crest of the steep escarpment on the east of Gainsborough, already alluded to, was cut through in the old coaching days to lower the gradient and reduce the slope; the spoil being banked up on the road below, thus raising it up considerably above the fields on its north side. Walking down this road one day, I saw through the hedgerow in one of the fields, a large circle of rooks assembled on the grass, several deep, all with their heads turned towards the centre where one solitary bird was standing. The circle, I should say, was about thirty feet in diameter. Presently, out stepped an old bird from the ring, and with that half-walk, half-fliight motion, common to some of the larger birds, went up to the rook in the middle, and attacked it with its beak, stabbing it on the head for about a minute, after which, suddenly the whole body of the birds rose up and flew away leaving the victim alone in the centre. It was not dead, and it tried to stand, supporting itself with its wings ; in which way, falling and stumbling as it moved off, it managed to reach the opposite hedge, which was not far off, and I saw no more of it. The gate leading into the field was some distance off, and I had no time to spare. The victim, judging from the size of the old rook which stepped out to kill it, appear_d to be a young bird, one perhaps of the first year, inexperienced in rook law. xgcg April 1. 148 Northern News. It would most probably die. That they meant to kill it is certain, and had not my presence, or something else, disturbed them, they would have doneit. What it had done I cannot say. It might persistently have stolen twigs from the nests of other birds—a dire offence with rooks—or, perhaps, got at their eggs. Some flagrant breach of rook-law had, doubtless, been committed, and, after trial by a jury of its fellows, it had been condemned to death. It was a remarkable scene, and from the conclave of birds assembled to witness the execution, and their complete and orderly silence, the proceeding had something distinctly impressive about it. Doubtless this tragedy has been witnessed by others, but I should imagine by very few. Mr. W. Warde Fowler in his ‘ Tales of the Birds,’ recounts a similar incident, and, though it is told as a tale, no doubt he either witnessed it himself, or had it from some good and credible source. The fact of this tragedy having been seen by others, and not being an isolated case, renders it more interesting, as it points to a high state of established order, and even morality, in the lives of these interesting birds and their dealings one with another. ——_—<) &—_— Mr. Horace B. Woodward, F.R.S., assistant Director of the Geological Survey of England and Wales, retired from public service on December 31st last. We trust that he may long be spared to enjoy his rest from official duties, though doubtless he will still find much to occupy his time. We learn from ‘ Nature’ that Mr. Silva White, the Assistant Secretary of the British Association, has resigned. Ata recent meeting of the Council cordial thanks were expressed to Mr. White, ‘ but it was resolved that the Assistant Secretary should not be a member of the Council; and as this was the chief condition under which he would continue in office, his resiona- tion was accepted.’ “The Yorkshire Herald’ for February 1st, has three columns devoted to “ A Yorkshire Naturalist—Mr. William Hewett and his work, who has collected nearly 40,000 specimens.’ It is illustrated by sketches of Mr. Hewett, Sabine’s Gull, Puffin, and ‘ Hewett’s swing.’ The last is not prophetic, but is from a photograph of Mr. Hewett in mid-air at Buckton, collecting eggs of Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin. We learn that the British Museum ‘ take second place’ with regard to Guillemot eggs, Mr. Hewett’s being the finest collection in the world. He also is said to possess a complete collection of British land, marine, and fresh-water shells. In an examination recently on ‘ Evolution,’ Mr. Hewett wrote twenty-three sheets of foolscap in three hours. He has a certificate for shorthand, knows French, and has recently been asked for a summary of his life’s work by an American publishing firm. We also learn that the Rev. T. B. B. Ferris, M.A., formerly vicar of St. Thomas’s, York, said, ina letter to the ‘ Herald,’ dated April 27th, 1882, ‘Mr. Hewett, a most enthusiastic naturalist.’ Those who know Mr. Hewett will agree with this ; those who don’t, won't recognise him again from the “ protrait ”’ given in the * Herald.’ ~ Naturalist; 149 THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CARBONIFEROUS GEOLOGY.* Dr. WHEELTON HIND, F.R.C.S., F.G.S. THE choice of an address to a Society consisting of so many sections is an anxious one. . Either the address must be on very broad lines, dealing with general principles, or, if tech- nical, and addressed to one section only, the majority of those who are learned in other branches of natural science suffer in the interests of the few. I was told, however, that I was expected to specialise on this occasion, by those whom I dare not disobey, and it seems to me that it will not be amiss to examine the present state of our knowledge of Carboniferous Geology, and to draw attention to important questions which are urgently needing solution, though to compress this subject into a presidential address will be difficult. In the year 1888 was published a Volume of Reports of the British Sub-Committees on Classification and Nomenclature of the International Geological Congress, in which was amongst others, a ‘ report on the Carboniferous, Devonian and Old Red Sandstone.’ In it are given tables of fhe general succession of the Carboniferous Rocks in various districts of Great Britain and Ireland, but in only one single instance (p. 143), is even the Generic name of a fossil mentioned. Since that date, fortunately, our knowledge of Carboniferous paleontology and fossil distribution has advanced, and | think we may claim that to-day the broad lines of life zones of the Carboniferous Rocks have been laid down, and firmly estab- lished on a sound footing, and the work of the future will have a foundation on which to build. To-day it is a fairly easy task to read the sequence in any district, and on broad lines to correlate one district with another In the first place, it is important to recognise that the lower Carboniferous Rocks were deposited on a sinking land of very irregular surface, so that portions only sank beneath the waves in time to receive deposits characterised by a fauna younger than that which obtains in the older beds. This fact is well illustrated by the comparison of the Bristol and North Wales Carboniferous Limestone series. The basement conglomerate EEE * Being the Presidential Address to the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, delivered at Doncaster, December roth, 1908. 1909 April 1. 150 Hind: Carboniferous Geology. of North Wales is succeeded by Seminula beds, a sub-division of which is comparatively high up in the Bristol succession. Many of the present difficulties of British Carboniferous. Stratigraphy are due to the fact that portions of the British Isles were dry land throughout the whole Carboniferous period. The whole of the North of Scotland, the Southern Uplands, the Lake District, parts of North-west and Mid Wales and Shropshire, the Mourne Mountains, and parts of Co. Wicklow, were not submerged even in lower Carboniferous times. Out to the East, over Belgium, the Carboniferous sea was laying down deposits of Limestone, which can now be correlated with the lowest part of the Bristol Series, but still further East, in Germany, practically none of the lower Carboniferous Rocks are found at all, and the Carboniferous Series there commences with the Culm, containing a fauna which identifies those beds with the Pendleside Series of the Midlands. In Russia, the lowest part of the Carboniferous Limestone is characterised by a fauna (Productus giganteus) which is asso- ciated in Belgium and Great Britain with the highest beds of the Series. Not only locally, therefore, in the British Isles, but also across Europe there “is an extensive overlap of the higher members of the Carboniferous Series, and it is of the utmost importance to work out the causes and conditions of this over- lap, this question being one of world-wide inportance. It would seem, too, that the key to the riddle is in the County of Yorkshire, and that the solution of the problem of the relation- ship of the Yoredale Series and the Pendleside group will go far to settle the whole question of European Carboniferous Geology. The succession of Carboniferous Rocks in the Bristol area has been described in detail by Dr. Vaughan.* The Avon gorge shews, with one fault and one slight repetition, a complete sequence of the Carboniferous Limestone series. Since that publication, Dr. Vaughan, Dr. Sibly and others have shewn that a similar sequence exists in the Mendips and in South Wales. Dr. Vaughan was able to shew that the whole sequence could be divided into broad life zones by the study of the Corals and Brachiopods, and that these life zones could be traced through South Wales. And there is very little doubt that these * ©. J. Geological Soc., Vol. LXI., pp. 181-307. Naturalist, Hind: Carboniferous Geology. 15! life zones exist in Belgium, and that it will be a comparatively easy matter to correlate with some approach to exactness, the Carboniferous Limestone Series of the Meuse and Bristol, a view expressed by Lohest, many years ago, and previous to the publication of Dr. Vaughan’s work. Dr. Vaughan shews the Bristol sequence to be about 2300 feet thick, and thus he sub-divides it as follows :— About roo feet E VISEAN. Dibunophyllum p : \ noo feet » Seminula S 2) » S rf 850 ,, TOURNAISIAN, Syvingothysis PAEXO) Zaphventis Za2N ‘ Zu So) He Cleistoporva [ah BOOM, Modiola M oo ” Speaking generally, the fauna of the Bristol area is not rich in genera or species, except in Corals and Brachiopoda ; Lamellibranchs, Gasteropoda, and Cephalopoda are exceedingly rare. Fish remains occur abundantly at certain horizons, but are rare in the Dibunophyllum beds. There are no shellbeds, such as are not uncommon in the Upper Limestones of the Midlands, indeed there is a very great difference in the faunas of the Dibunophyllum beds in these two areas, both in numbers of species, gene a, and individuals. In the Bristol district the Dibunophyllum beds pass up into a series attaining about 100 feet of limestone, which Dr. Vaughan has classed as (£.), which are characterised by brachiopods of a late Dibunophyllum type, which are common also in the Midland area. And on these limestones repose the so-called Millstone Grits of the British district, said to be about g80 feet thick, on which le the Coal Measures, which, from the flora, would seem to represent only the upper moiety of the Coal Measures of the Midlands. Mr. Bolton has published the description of marine bands and their fauna passed through in an exploration heading at the Ashton Vale Colliery.* Unfortunately we know nothing more of the fauna or flora of this goo feet of beds. The fauna of the marine band described by Mr. Bolton, has some resemblance to that asso- clated with the Gin Mine of the North Staffordshire Coalfield, *Q. J. Geol. Soc., Vol. LXII., pp. 445-469. 1909 April 1. 152 Hind: Carboniferous Geology. and the latter bed is fairly high up in the Coal Measures of that Coalfield. The fish fauna is decidedly of a Coal Measure facies, and Mr. Bolton remarks that Plant remains of a Coal Measure type occur in black shale, a few feet below the marine bands. When compared to the Carboniferous succession in the Midlands where the Dibunophyllum zone is succe ded by more than 1000 feet of the Pendleside Series, and these beds in turn are overlaid by from 300-3000 feet of Millstone Grit, and that the Gin mine lies 5000 feet above the base of the Coal Measures in North Staffordshire, the question arises at once as to what do these goo feet of Millstone Grit of Bristol really represent ? Dr. Kidston has shewn that the greater part of the Coal Measures of the Bristol area are represented by a Flora of high facies, and I am of opinion ,from the evidence of the Mollusca, that the Pennant Series of coals correspond to the Black Band Series, and that portion of the Coal Measures immediately below them. Therefore the goo feet of Grits represent, in point of time, all the Series between the Dibunophyllum beds, and a horizon high up in the Coal Measures. A marine band has been discovered in the South Wales Coalfield, near its base at Glan, Rhymney, and Beaufort. This probably represents the marine band described by Mr. Bolton. We also now know that the genus Zaphrentis is not con- fined to the lower beds in other areas, but in the Midland province and Scotland the same species which characterises the Zaphrentis zone of the Bristol area, occur with other species of this genus in the Upper Dibunophyllum beds.* CLEE: HILEOA RipAze The Carboniferous Limestone of the Clee Hill Area rests conformably on a series of upper Devonian rocks. The lime- stones exposed at Oreton and Farlow would appear, from the fauna contained in them to belong to Zaphentis division of the Bristol sequence. These limestones are succeeded by some shaly beds which in turn are overlaid by a Millstone Grit and the Clee Hill Coal Measures. There is no question that the age of the Coalfield is other than Coal Measures, a fact demonstrated by the flora, so that in this area there must be an unconformity to account for the * Vide Carruthers, ‘Geol. Mag.’, Dec. v., Vol.V., pp. 63 and 158. Naturalist? Hind: Carboniferous Geology. 153 absence of the whole of the Visean group of the Carboniferous Limestone, NORTH WALES. * Mr. Stobbs and I have shewn that the Carboniferous Lime- stone Succession in North Wales approximates much more to the Midland type than to that of the Bristol area. The principal point of importance that we made out was the absence of the whole of the lower part of the Bristol sequence, the basement conglomerate being succeeded by Limestones of various horizons in the Visean ; and that in the most extreme cases, only about 500 feet of Seminula beds are represented. ‘We were able to shew that the lowest Limestones of North Wales are characterised when present, by the presence of Daviestella Llangollensis. In certain localities Craignant, Llannt, Bron y Garth, Hafod near Corwen, Fron y Cysyllte, the Seminula beds are absent, and there is an overlap of Dibunophyllum beds, which rest unconformably on Silurian and Ordovician rocks. Towards the top of the Dibunophyllum zone the beds be ome cherty in places, and a sub-zone distinguished by the presence of Cyathaxoma and Amplexi-zaphrentis is developed. The Limestones are succeeded at Teilia and Prestatyn by the Teilia beds, a series ef thin limestones and shales, con- taining a typical Pendleside fauna and flora, and probably in places, some of the regularly and thinly bedded Pendleside Limestone have been replaced by Cherts. The Cherts of North Wales, therefore, are in the upper part of the Dibunophyllum and Cyathaxonia zones, and in the lower part of the Pendleside Series. At Allinson’s quarry, near Oswestry Racecourse, and near Bwlch Gwyn, north of Minera and at Halkin Mountain, the cherts contain corals, Cyathaxoma and Brachiopoda, and are certainly part of the Carboniferous Limestone. The succession in North Wales may be explained as follows : Coal Measures belonging to the Lower Coal Measures of Lanca- shire, about the Arley Seam, and with the marine beds of Gas- tyiocevas listeyt in any area. Sandy Shales. Pendleside Series of Teilia and Holywell. Cyathaxonia beds. Upper Dibunophyllum. Lower Dibunophylium. Seminula beds. Basement Conglomerate. The Pendleside Series of Teilia and the Holywell and gorg Apri! 1. 154 Hind: Carboniferous Geology. Bagillt road, Nant-figilt afford an exposure of about 1000 feet, and yield a typical Pendleside fauna. They are succeeded by sandy and micaceous shales of Talacre dingle, and these are overlaid by the Gwespyr sandstone, which is a very thick bed of sandstone full of plant remains in a detrital state. I consider it probable that the Gwespyr sandstone is the representative of the Millstone Grit, but we have no fossil evidence yet whether this is a Sandstone above or below that horizon, but there is little doubt that the Coal Measures of North Flint contain the representative of the Arley mine of the Lancashire Coalfield. THE MIDLANDS. The Carboniferous sequence of the Midlands is important. The area over which this particular sequence obtains extends from Ashbourne in Derbyshire to Settle in Yorkshire, and is represented in the following diagram :— Millstone Grits Gastrioceras listrrt. Glyphioceras bilingue beds Pendleside Series Glyphioceras spirale beds. Glyphioceras reticulatum beds. Posidonomya bechert beds. Prolecanites compressus. Cyathaxonia beds. Upper Dibunophyllum. Carboniferous Llmestone Lower Dibunophyllum. Base never seen. The base of the Limestone has never been seen, and owing to the Tectonic structure of the area, we are totally ignorant of the thickness of the Limestone, or on what rocks it is super- posed. Having collected Carboniferous Limestone fossil; for many years in this area, I was aware that I had never obtained a fauna from which Productus giganteus was absent, and that the upper part of the Series was very rich in those corals which Dr. Vaughan associated with the Dibunophyllum zone. Naturalist, Hlind : Carbontjerous Geology. 155. Dr. Silby * obtained very similar results in his study of the southern part of the district, and filled in several details. I have not been abl? to satisfy myself that any beds of a lower facies than the Dibunophyllum zone exist in Derbyshire, but the exposure of Settle reveals some Seminula beds underlying beds with a typical Dibunophyllum fauna. The interesting point in Dr. Sibly’s paper is the recognition of the wide vertical expansion of the Dibunophyllum zone in the North Staffordshire-Derbyshire district, which measures, accord- ing to him, at least 1700 feet ; whereas in the Bristol district, the whole zone is represented by only between 400—500 feet of limestones. The Limestone with cherts, characterised by the presence of Cyathaxonia and other small corals, is well developed on the Staffordshire side of the anticlinal, and reaches near Warslow and Wetton roo0-150 feet in thickness. At Wetton (Pepper Inn), and Butterton, North Staffordshire, these beds are overlaid conformably by black shales and Limestones, with a typical Pendleside fauna, Pterinopecten papyraceus, Posidonomya bechert, Nomismoceras rotiforme, Gly phioceras striatum, indicating the lowest zone of that series. Here the succession in the Upper Dibunophyllum Series is very similar to North Wales. Cherty in places, it is succeeded by a Cyathaxonia zone also cherty, passing conformably into the lowest Pendleside zone. Beds with a_ similar faunal sequence are to be seen at many places further North. The Hodder Valley, Winterburn, Lothersdale, the Cracoe Hills and near Settle. This large Derbyshire-Staffordshire Carboniferous area 1s also remarkable because of the enormous development of the Series of rock to which Mr. Howe and I gave the name Pendleside Series. This Series, in the Midlands, consists of a group of dark limestones and shales at the base, passing up into their well bedded dark limestones, which are succeeded by a black shale group, Then the shales become sandy, and pass up into standstones, ganister-like grits, and are overlaid by the Millstone Grit series. I estimate the extreme thickness of these beds to be about 1200 feet, and the greatest thick- ness seems to be at Pendle Hill. The Series is of interest because it can be accurately zoned by a succession of cephalopod forms, which appear to indicate definite horizons which can be traced from the centre of Europe to the West coast of Ireland. 1909 Apri ey 156 Northern News. The Series appears to thin out rapidly south of Stoke-on- Trent, and North of Settle, the characteristic fauna has not yet been found in any beds between Settle and the Valley of the Clyde. The series also thins out to the West, being represented on the West coast of Ireland by about 80 feet of dark shales with calcareous nodules, and apparently representing the middle part of the Series. the characteristic Goniatites being Glyphioceras reticulatum and G. diadema. No trace of the fauna has been found in the Ingleboro’ area, where Mr. Cosmo Johns has demonstrated the following succession :—Upper Dibunophyllum, Lower Dibunophyllum, Seminula beds, Base- ment Conglomerate. A change in the method and character of deposition has set in between Settle and Ingleboro’, which is of great impor- tance. Within these few miles the lithological and faunal character of the sequence has largely altered, a fact well recognised by the older geologists with regard to the lithology, but the faunal change was not at all appreciated. About the latitude of Settle the rich cephalopod fauna and the characteristic limestones and shales of the Pendleside Series disappear, and no trace has been found of them in the Yoredale Series. Moreover, wherever the Pendleside Series occurs it succeeds a Visean fauna of the highest facies. The coral fauna which always underlies the Posidonomya bechert beds, throughout the area in which it is developed, consists of Cladochonus bacillaris, Michilinia tenuisepta, ZLaphrentis Enniskillen, and other species of the genera Amplext-zaphrentis and Cyathaxonia, but in addition the Upper Visean beds of the Pendleside area are very rich in brachiopoda, Mollusca and Fish Remains. For example, a rich fish fauna is found in the Red beds or the highest limestones of the Yoredale Series in Wensleydale, and this fauna differs entirely from the fish fauna of the Pendleside Series, and agrees very markedly with the fish fauna found in the upper part of the limestone of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. (To be continued ). The Yorkshire Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Committee begs to acknowledge the receipt of two guineas from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. We are glad to see that Mr. G. W. Lamplugh, F.R.S., has been elected a Vice-President of the Geological Society. Professor W. W. Watts has been similarly honoured, his place as Secretary having been taken by Dr. A. Smith Woodward. Naturalist, 157 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. Richmondshire : an account of its History and Antiquities, Characters and Customs, Legendary Lore, and Natural History, by Edmund Bogg. Leeds: James Miles. 696 + xxili. pp., price 7/6 net. This is not a dear book, and doubtless many of the readers of this journal who have joined the rambles of the County Naturalists’ Union in recent years, will welcome it. Amongst the 240 illustrations from photographs and drawings are many familiar places. Most of these are easily recognis- able, though that labelled ‘ Wiliam Horne, F.G.S.’ of Leyburn, sat in his ‘ bleeding ’ chair, would never have been identified were it not for the name given. The first chapter is ‘ A Geological Sketch of Richmondshire,’ b the Rev. J. C. Fowler. With him, we agree that ‘it is difficult in a few The Lady’s Slipper Orchis. pages, to give an adequate outline of such a wide and broken district of hill and dale as Richmondshire,’ and in his 6} pages (including illustrations), he has not done justice to the subject. So ‘ sketchy’ is this ‘ brief sketch’ that 1t would have been better omitted. There is a ‘ Pterodactyl (chalk) ’ figured, a ‘ Carboniferous’ ammonite, etc. We are not quite sure what is meant by the sentence—‘ the causes of the Glacial phenomena are in theory and various, one of the latest ideas being that the sun is a variable star.’ .Igog April 1. 158 Reviews and Book Notices. There are two ‘ Botanical Sketches’ (of ‘ Richmondshire ’ and ‘ Wensley- dale ’ respectively), by F. Arnold Lees. These are all that can be desired, are written in a pleasant style, and, of course, are most reliable. The description of the lady’s slipper orchis is not accompanied by quite the number of adjectives that we should have expected from this enthusiast ! An excellent illustration is given of the specimen gathered in 1907, which we are kindly permitted to reproduce. These botanical notes, together with the geological chapter already referred to, seem to comprise the “natural history ’ section of the volume. Mr. Bogg’s own work is in his familiar style. He has obviously well traversed the ground he describes ; he has also consulted the literature dealing with the places he refers to, and thus gives a pretty full account of the attractions of Richmondshire and its borders. Now and then the ‘ yarns’ which are included in order to give the work an interest, seem almost to have been ‘ dragged in’; but they are pardonable. In their ‘English Literature for Secondary Schools’ Series, Messrs. MacMillan and Co. have recently published ‘ Selections from White’s Natural History of Selborne,’ under the Editorship of T. A. Brunton, M.A., of the Manchester Grammar School (136 pp., cloth, 1/-). The book contains thirty of White’s letters, which are illustrated by blocks from photographs by T. A. Metcalfe and others. Such volumes as this should * do much to increase an interest in Nature amongst the scholars in our secondary schools. Richard Jefferies: His Life and Work, by Edward Thomas. Hutchinson & Co. 340 pp., Io/- net. Notwithstanding the fact that other writers have referred to Richard Jefferies and his work, we think the present volume, by Mr. Thomas, occupies a place quite apart from the others. It is most welcome. The author is a sympathetic and appreciative follower of Jefferies, and seems to have quite grasped Jefferies’ feelings and sentiments. He has lived, too, for over twenty years in that part of Wiltshire that Jefferies knew so well ; and from the country people there has gathered much interesting information relating to Jefferies and his family. From Mr. Thomas’s previous publications, notably ‘ The Book of the Open Air,’ already re- terred to in these columns, he is evidently the right man as Jefferies’ biographer. He deals at some length with the ancestry, childhood, youth and earlier life of his subject, and then in turn deals with his first novels, first country essays, first country books, etc. There is an excellent biblio- graphy, and the volume is illustrated by reproductions of portraits, a facsimile letter, etc. To read Mr. Thomas’s volume is a pleasure, and results, if possible, in appreciating Jefferies’ works even more. We have received No. 8 of Orkney and Shetland Old-Lore (The King’s Weigh House, Thomas Street, Grosvenor Square, London), an admirable publication; which we recently referred to in these columns. It deals with several matters of interest to antiquaries and folk-lorists. To shew that the publication is by no means ‘dry,’ we give an extract from a paper on ‘ Orkney Dialect,’ which we think our readers will be able to follow :—Twa feuly ald Orkna billies tullzied aboot a peerie uddie bit o’ a plantacreu an’ hed a laa plea ower id i’ the Coort o’ Session. The ane ’at waas soomoned gaed bae mistak till the tither’s laaweer. Da scoondrel waas ower ceeval an’ telt da man ’at he waas wirkan for da tither, bit wad gae ‘im a letter intradeusan ’im tae anither honest (?) aaweer ’at wad be blide tae tak ap ‘is case. Da man set awa wi’ da letter, bit on ‘is wey he tou’t he wad hae a leuk at her jeust for a’ the warl as gin he’d been a ald wife. The letter waasna lang bit sheu waas tae the point, for sheu jeust said : ‘ Twa Orkna fat geese ; pluck thu the ane an’ I’se pluck the ither.’ Bae me singan certy dat billy got siccan a gluff dat he gaed straight tae the tither ane an’ dey settled da ploy atween themsels baith an’ hed a foy ower id.’ Naturalists Reviews and Book Notices. 159 A Monograph of the British Desmidiacez, by W. West, F.L.S., and G. S. West, M.A., F.L.S., A.R.C.S. Vol. III. Ray Society. 274 pp., 31 plates, price 25/- net. The third volume of this useful work has appeared, and is devoted entirely to the genus Cosmarium, of which fifty species, and a number of varieties were figured and described in the second volume. To these the present volume adds 174 additional species, with a considerable number of varieties. From some remarks in the introduction (Vol. I.), in which the authors suggested that the genus Cosmarium might some day have to be split up into smaller genera, one may infer that they feel this number to be out of all proportion to its importance, and in this we are disposed to agree, though we think there may be some difference of opinion as to the suggested remedy. A careful examination of the descriptions and plates of this genus does not encourage the idea of finding sound grounds for generic differences, but rather suggests that even for spe cific and varietal discrimination, the most has been made of some minute points of difference. The author says (page 128) ‘ We are gradually arriving at the con- viction that external form is the dominating factor in the determination of the species groups in Desmids.’ Along side this extract, we quote from the description of Cosmarium regnesi (Plate 78)—‘ the new semi- cells regain the more pronounced character of the species after having partially lost it by repeated divisions.’ This appears to be an admission that the external form is liable to mutation at different periods of its life history. It is evident that every fresh form that is described as a new species does, as a matter of fact, something to bridge over the differences between certain other species, and as this process is continually going on, a time will inevitably come when it will be necessary to recognise that the number of real species is very limited, and that much simplification of the study of this genus may be obtained by a judicious process of ‘ lumping.’ But before this can be undertaken successfully, there remains much work to be done in watching the growth and development of many of the forms. In many cases we notice Messrs. West add the significant remark— “Zygospore unknown. Perhaps some of our local students of the fresh water Algz will take the hint, for in Yorkshire, notably in the moorland districts of the West and North Ridings, we have a very considerable Desmid Flora. Of the plates accompanying the present volume, it is sufficient to say that they fully maintain the clearness and delicacy which are such marked characteristics of the previous volumes. We notice nothing is said as to any further issue, but, judging by the extent of ground already covered, and the genera that have not yet been described, one may presume that another volume (or perhaps two) will appear in due course. Re Ee: We have received from Messrs. J. M. Dent & Co., the first part of ‘Trees and Shrubs of the British Isles, Native and Acclimatised,’ by C. S. Cooper and W. P. Westell, and coloured and ‘ black and white ’ plates from drawings by C. F. Newell. The work is to be completed in sixteen parts at 1/- net each. The frontispiece is a coloured representation of the Strawberry tree; and there are a number of ‘ black and white’ plates, shewing the structures of leaves, etc. ; the drawing of some of which might be improved. With each species is given a description of its dis- tribution, flowers, leaves, etc. We cannot find any new features in the work, but when complete, it will form a large, attractive and cheap volume. . We have received the Records of Meteorological Observations taken at the Observatory, Edgbaston, 1908, by Alfred Cresswell. It is issued by the Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society, is sold at two shillings ; and whilst it is not a pamphlet that will be read from cover to cover, it certainly contains a very valuable record of systematic observations. The pity is that similar publications are not issued from many other districts. zgog April 1. 160 NORTHERN NEWS. The price of ‘ The Country Side ’ has been doubled. A contemporary sends an ‘invitation to our blind readers.’ A photograph of “A Tame Wild Squirrel’ appears in a contemporary. We are glad to see from several West Riding newspapers that credit is due to the Crosshills Naturalists’ Society ‘for discovering the lesser shrew on the edge of Rombalds Moor, last records of such a bivd going back about twenty years.’ In Memoriam. ‘The Naturalists’ Quarterly Review’ (Dartford), reterred to in these columns in anything but affectionate terms, closed its career with its eighth number. Its loss is mourned by the publisher and Mr. P. W. Westell. No flowers. R. I. P. We notice from ‘ The Museum News’ that Mr. F. A. Lucas is to give a lecture at the Brooklyn Institute on ‘ The Coming Extermination of the Elephant.’ We hope the forthcoming big-game hunt of the ex-president of the United States is not to be quite so serious. We are glad to see from a report of a recent lecture in Leeds, that ‘ the lecture was followed by a large number of exnibits of foraminifera and polycystina of species of a genus or of examples of Geneva, so that the members might get an understanding of how, with inheritance, variation invariably follows.’ In the Eastern Morning News of March 8th, the ‘ Discovery of a New Elephant’ is announced as having been made in Japan. ‘It occurs as small yellow or red crystals, and ‘has been appropriately named Nipporium. Its symbol will be Np., and its atomic weight has been ascer- tained to be probably 100. Evidently ‘ Nipporium ’ is Latin for ‘ Little Nipper.’ Lady Isabel Browne contributes an exceedingly valuable paper on ‘The Phylogeny and Inter-relationships of the Pteridophyta’ to the ‘ New Phytologist,’ part VII. of which appears in the February issue. That it is not meant for the ‘man (or woman) in the street ’ is obvious from the two following sentences taken at random in this lengthy paper :— A similar shifting in other directions might have brought about the adaxial position of the Spenophyllaceous sporangiophore, or having produced a marginal and abaxial position of the sorus from an adaxial position. If Mr. Tansley is right in regarding the branching of the frond of many Botryopteridee in more than one plane as a vestige of a primitively radial construction the branching of the Sporophylls of some Sphenopyllales in the dorsiventral and lateral planes may be an indication of primitavely radial symmetry.’ From the Lancashire newspapers we learn that ‘a unique fossil’ has recently been found in South Lancashire. At the meeting of the Manchester Geological and Mining Society, recently, Mr. Alfred J. Tonge exhibited a portion of the impression of a fossil tree which has been found in the Chequerbent Arley Mine of the Hulton Collieries, at a depth of 250 yards. from the surface. ‘It is remarkable,’ Mr. Tonge said, ‘from the fact that the tree has been traced for a length of 115 feet. It is a lepidodendron. It is lying in the bassy shales about three feet above the Arley seam, and is of flattened ovate form. The measurement, taken at a distance of 14 feet from the root end, gives a width across at that point of 2 feet 10 inches or measured along the circumference of the bark a little over 3 feet. The Chairman said the specimen seemed to be unique on account of its length and slenderness. It was characteristic of this kind of fossil for the bark to be preserved when the woody portion of the tree had disappeared. [t was so with the first fossil remains of an animal found by Sir Charles Lyell ! ! * Naturalist,. No. 628 (No. 406 of current series). A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., Tue Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D, .F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Contents :— Notes and Comments :—Speeton and South Africa; African Fungi; Seeds from Peat a 161.162 The Present State of Our Knowledge of Carboniferous aan Wheelton Hind, PRG Sos Gast! sce LY ... 163-170 Thrush Stones and Helix Hednrane iby a Warten Woodrufje- PeasceRe F.L S, F. G. s. ... 171-174 Proceedings of Provincial Scientific Societies (IIlustrated) 2... 2. «4. 15-177 Recently Discovered F:ngi in Yorkshire—C. Cross/and, F.L.S. ... Wi, Aa ier ... 178-182 New Botanical Books ... on aan St ae oes oy as Se a He ... 183-185 Geological Papers ... one See tie ue 185 The Phytoplankton of the English Pane ‘District Mlustrated)—1n ml. West, F.L.S., and GES. West, MA's DiSc.) PLS. eee es Y i Se a ei ae ... 186-193 Some British Earthmites (Illustrated)—C. F. Gaice! #18 194-195 Remains of a Chimzroid Fish from the Coral Rag of North Gridie ton F' C. Teak) F. G. S. 196 Museum News va ses bh ee Ne ay Ls ren A uh aM we 197 News from the Mcaxties eds ay fe 198 The Broad-leaved Wood Garlic or Raiasons Gdiueeruten): jas, E. teDonate id as .-- 199-202 Field Notes... ’ A au tee se BM ay ota . . 203-205 Reviews and Book Notices (Musécated) ” Ae ba Bae Re soe 162, 195, 196, 206-207 Northern News we at ae Ae oe AN wi ae Bek ae a ... 2025205; 208° = illustrations ... aus on 54 aan aaa oe yea ae mes ... 176,187, 192, 201, 202, 207 Plates IX,, X., XI. LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON_AVENUE, (F.C. And at Hutt aNp York. | Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U.. a PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET. > PTR PUBLICATIONS OF | The Workshire Waturalists’ Union. BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, Volume I. 8vo, Cloth. 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price B/= net. Contains various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and-Fungi of the county, Complete, 8vo, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C:S., &e. This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero- gams and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382 Freshwater Algze, making a total of 3160 species. 680 ~p., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15]= net. NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.I.A., V.M.H. And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, by MaTTHEW B. Starer, F.L.S. This Volume forms the 3rd of the Botanical Series. 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth, Price 10/6 net. THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S. This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list ‘ef all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species. Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price 6 = post free. THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S. This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044 species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution. . e Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition, Price 6/6 net. LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1840 species of Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. ‘The Second Edition, with Supplement, contains much new information which has been accumulated by the author, including over 50 additional species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c. In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. \ The Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued in separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject The Parts already published are sold to the public as follows (Members are entitled to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878).19; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879), Q/-; 5 (1880}, 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; 7 (1882), 4/6; 8 (1883), 2/6; 9 (1884), v/9; 10 (8&5), 1/6; ‘11 (1885), 26; 12 (18st), 2/6; 13 (1887), 2/6; 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 26; 17 (1891), 2/6; 18 (1892), 1 9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-; 21 (1895), 1/-; 24 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/2; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3; 29 (1902), 1/-; 30 (1903), 2/6; 31 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (190%), 5 -. THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., ; M.B.O.U., and F. BOYES. Also being published (by Subscription, One Guinea). Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK-= SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. A.so in course of publication in the Traus- actions. THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14, 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W. C. HEY, M.A. THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited by T. SHEPPARD. F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T, W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of |. GII-BERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T H. NELSON, M.B.O.U.. GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, and WILLIAM WEsT, F.L.S. (Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 6,6 post free). MEMBERSHIP in the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Naturalist, and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union. A donation of Seven Guineas constitutes a life-membeiship, and entitles the member to a set of the completed volumes issued by the Union. Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union at a discount of 25 per cent. off the prices quoted above. - All communications should he addressed to the Hon. Secretary, T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., The Museum, Hull mea ON Nhe ees ¥ 161 NOTES AND COMMENTS. SPEETON AND SOUTH AFRICA. We have recently received Vol. VII., Part 2 of the Annals of the South African Museum, which is devoted to ‘ Descrip- tions of the Palzontological Material collected by the Members of the Geological Survey of Cape Colony and others,’ and con- tains an elaborate paper on ‘The Invertebrate Fauna and Paleontological Relations of the Uitenhage Series,’ by Dr. F. L. Kitchin.* On glancing at the plates at the end of the volume, the striking resemblance with the fossils of the Speeton series is at once observed. Dr. Kitchin, in his remarkably full and critical review of the various memoirs dealing with the Uiten- hage series, rejects the theories of the Liassic and Jurassic age of the beds, and brings forward very good evidence to shew that they are of Lower Cretaceous age, justly advocating that the evidence of the Cephalopoda must carry the greatest weight in arriving at a decision. The author then discusses the evidence afforded by each individual species, and unques- tionably makes out a very good case. He is also very much up-to-date with regard to the literature of the subject, and has even drawn upon specimens from Yorkshire museums and pri- vate collections in working up his case. In this connection it is remarkable to find, for instance, that Holcostephanus atherstont of Sharpe, from South Africa, is practically identical with the Olcostephanus (Astieria) asteria described by Mr. C. G. Danford in the Yorkshire Geological Society’s Proceedings for 1906, (publ. 1907). To find this extraordinary similarity between specimens occurring in so widely divided districts as Yorkshire and South Africa is certainly surprising. In conclusion, we should like to take this opportunity of congratulating Dr. Kitchin upon the thoroughness with which he has prepared this important contribution to paleontology. AFRICAN FUNGI. Mr. W. N. Cheesman, F.L.S., of Selby, who joined the British Association at South Africa in 1905, made an extensive collection of fungi. This included no fewer than twenty-five new to the flora of Africa, one being new to science. In the Linnean Society’s Journal for February 1909, Mr. Cheesman describes these finds, and in the same publication Mr. Thomas Gibbs gives a Note on the Coprophilous fungi, in which he describes the new species under the name of Coprinus cheesmam, * West, Newman & Co., London. pp. 12-250, plates, price 12/6, 1909 May 1. L 162 Reviews and Book Notices. SEEDS FROM PEAT. From the same journal we have received a reprint of a useful paper ‘On a Method of Disintegrating Peat and other Deposits containing Fossil Seeds,’ by Mrs. E. M. Reid, B.Sc. The excellent work accomplished by Mr. Clement Reid, F.R.S., and Mrs. Reid is well known ; hence the present contribution is most welcome. It has been found that by boiling peat with about equal quantities of dehydrated soda, it becomes quite disintegrated, and the most fragile of seeds and other plant remains are uninjured. In this way specimens of peat from Hornsea, Bielsbeck, Kirmington and other places, which for- merly were quite intractable, have been made to yield a large series of plant seeds, etc. —_+e— In ‘Man’ for March, Mr. J. R. Mortimer contributes a note on ‘ The Stature and Cephalic Index of the Pre-historic Men, whose Remains are preserved in the Mortimer Museum, Driffield.’ In this he shews that the early long-headed, or dolichocephalic individuals were an inch taller than the round-headed or_brachycephalic individuals. Who were the Romans, by Prof. William Ridgeway, is the title of a clever essay published by the British Academy (Oxford University Press, 44pp., 2/6.) Init Prof. Ridgeway shews that the old idea that the Romans were an homogeneous people, there being no ethnical distinction between Patricians and Plebians has, at any rate, the advantage of simplicity ; but as in so many problems of natural science, so in history does it often occur that the more the matter is probed, the more complicated it becomes. In his characteristically masterly manner, the author gives an account of the early occupants of the Mediterranean region, and traces their growth and change as time went on. The Care of Natural Monuments, by H. Corwentz. Cambridge University Press. 185 pp. 2/6 net. This is a further contribution to the subject dealt with by Prof. Baldwin Brown, in his book on ‘ The Care of Ancient Monuments,’ which was noticed in these columns when it was published. The present volume is the outcome of a paper read by Mr. Conwentz at the Leicester meeting of the British Association, and deals with the preservation of all manner of natural features, giving special reference to the methods in vogue in England and Germany. Evidently they look after these things wellin Germany. A collector of a large number of specimens of the Lady’s Slipper Orchis has there been sentenced to a fortnight’s imprisonment, notwithstanding that he had not been previously convicted. The question of publishing ‘ distribution’ maps, etc. is also discussed, and it is pointed out that soon after the publication of a map shewing the nesting sites of rare birds, dealers flocked there in search of eggs. A graceful tribute is paid to the work of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, and the methods it adopts for preserving the fauna and flora, and of recording the physical features of the county. A word of praise is also meted out in favour of the authors of the maps and memoirs dealing with botanical survey; in which work Yorkshire has taken an active part. Mr. Conwentz regards these as ‘ a standard of voluntary work, which has not been attained in any other country.’ The book concludes with the ‘quotation from Shakespeare— who is here so vile that will not love his country.’ Quite so, but there must be many such, or all the legislation would not be needed. Naturalist, 163 THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CARBONIFEROUS GEOLOGY. Dr. WHEELTON HIND, F.R.C.S., F.G.S. (Continued from page 156). The whole fauna of the Yoredale Series is a Carboniferous Limestone fauna, and not a Pendleside fauna. This question of the relation of the Yoredale Series to the Pendleside Series is one of the greatest importance, and one that I believe work in this county of Yorkshire alone will settle. To understand this matter, a correct conception of the Yoredale phase of Carboniferous Limestone deposit is essential]. In the Midland province the Carboniferous Limestone is prac- tically one mass, but as the beds pass North, the limestones are in part replaced by intercalations of shales and sandstones, and this replacement at the expense of the limestone increases as the Series is traced North; that is to say beds of detrital material are substituted for organic, and this change indicates the influence of land whence were derived the grits and muds which separate the limestones. How far the Seminula beds, which lie under Ingleboro, can be traced North is a question for future investigation, but Prof. Garwood has shewn that Seminula beds exist at the base of the Carboniferous Limestone Series at Arnside and Kendal, and Mr. Cosmo Johns that a small patch of probably Tournaisian beds is preserved in Pinskey Gillin Ravenstondale. NORTHUMBERLAND. I believe work is now being carried on in Northumberland which will settle the sequence there. At any rate, in Durham and Northumberland a Dibunophyllum fauna extends right up to the Millstone Grit of that area. Dibunophyllum, Cyclophyllum, Lonsdaleia, and other Corals are found in abundance in the Main Limestone of that district, together with a rich Visean fauna, and there can be no doubt that the whole Yoredale phase of the area is typically Upper Dibunophyllum. The Northumbrian sequence of Carboniferous rocks differs considerably from those which obtain further south. I quote Prof. Lebour’s account given in the appendix of his handbook on ‘The Geology and Natural History of Northumberland 1g0g May 1. 164 find: Carboniferous Geology. and Durham, and the Memoirs of the Geological Survey on Parts of Northumberland,’ which, though not based on palezon- tological lines, will serve to shew the lithological succession :— CALCAREOUS SERIES. Fell Top or Upper Calcareous division (From Millstone Grit to horizon of Great Limestone) 350-1200 feet. Calcareous division from the Base of the Great Limestone to the bottom of the Dun or Redesdale Limestone inclusive, 1300- 2500 feet. SCREMERSTON. Carbonaceous Division.—From the Dun Limestone to the top of the Tuedian Grits, 800-2500 feet. TWEEDIAN. Fell Sandstones. Cement Stone Beds and Rothbury Limestones. Lower Freestones. Basement Bed in all from 1000-5100 feet. One immense change has taken place with regard to the lower part of the Series, Calcareous deposits being almost entirely replaced by detrital sediments, in which marine fossils are rare. A second, not shewn in the scheme, is the number of seams of coal which are found through the series. The division into Calcareous and Carbonaceous is con- venient only, but it has no paleontological basis. The whole of the Calcareous Series I consider belongs to the Upper Dibuno- phyllum zone, together with possibly all but certainly the greater portion of the Scremerston or Carbonaceous division. In the Memoir of the Geological Survey on Berwick-on-Tweed, Mr. Gunn stated (p..17), that the total thickness of the Calcareous division down to the Dun or Redesdale Limestone is 1500 feet. There must therefore be a very great expansion of the Dibunop- hyllum zone in this area. Probably, however, owing to the detrital nature of the deposit and the relative paucity of lime- stone, deposition took place at a much quicker rate than in areas receiving mainly a pure calcareous or organic deposit. The various memoirs of the Geological Survey give lists of fossils from the various divisions of the Carboniferous rocks in Northumberland. The lst in ‘ The Geology of Plashetts and Kielder,’ p. 12-15 of the Carboniferous Series is without doubt characteristic of Dibunophyllum fauna, and no other. The figures I have quoted as representing the thicknesses of each sub-division are those given by Prof. Lebour (Op. supra cit.), so that the Dibunophyllum zone, most of which is the upper sub-division, has an extent of from 1650-3700 feet throughout which Productus giganteus ranges. Naturel'st Hind: Carboniferous Geology. 165 The question of the homotaxial equivalent of the Tuedian group will be more difficult to settle. They have a great affinity lithologically, and paleontologically, with the Carboni- ferous Sandstone Series of the East of Scotland, of which the plant remains give very valuable evidence, but those groups of fossils on which at the present time we rely as zonal indexes for the Limestone are practically absent, owing to the nature of the deposit. But having determined the horizon of the lowest coral and brachiopod bearing limestone, it will not be impos- sible to assume the relative age of sandstone which imme- diately underlies it. EAST OF SCOTLAND. The Lower Carboniferous succession of the East of Scotland, consists of the following members :— CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE SERIES. Upper Limestone group Coal-bearing group. Lower Limestone group. CALCIFEROUS SANDSTONE SERIES. Burdiehouse Limestone group. Cement Stone group. The succession and paleontology of these beds have been well worked out, and the results published in the Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Scotland ; the Geology of East Fife ; and Central and Western Fife and Kinrossshire. The Hurlet Limestone is taken as the base of the Carboni- ferous Limestone Series, and its fauna is certainly that of the Upper Dibunophyllum zone. Consequently some portion of the Calciferous Sandstone Series must be of Lower Dzbuno- phyllum age, and this bears out the contentions of the late J. G. Goodchild, that a good deal of this Calciferous Sandstone Series was the homotaxial equivalent of the Carboniferous Limestone further South. On consulting the memoirs mentioned above, it will be noted that the Calciferous Sandstone is much more fossiliferous in the East of Fife than in the West, and the marine character of the deposits more pronounced. WEST OF SCOTLAND. The Liddlesdale and Eskdale beds are interesting, and yield a lamellibranch fauna which I consider low. But further than this I am not prepared to dogmatise at present. 1909 May 1. 166 flind : Carbontferous Geology In the West of Scotland the succession is somewhat similar but the Calciferous Sandstone Series is much less obvious, its deposition having been interfered with by volcanic outbursts. No marine organisms have been found in them, the only finds that have been obtained are remains of plants, ostracods and fish. The Lower Limestone Series is very rich in fossils, and especially so in Corals and Brachiopoda. The fauna has been diligently collected over the whole area, by several geologists, and most groups have been sub- mitted to specialists, and it may be said that the distribution of the Carboniferous fauna of the West of Scotland is well known. As in the East, there is a Lower Limestone Series separated from an Upper Limestone Series, by a coal and ironstone-bearing Group, and that the Lower Limestone Series is characterised by a fauna typical of the Upper Dibunophyllum zone. The fauna, also, in a somewhat more limited extent, is found in the Upper Limestone Series. For example, the Lower Carboniferous fish fauna passes up into the Upper Limestone Series, and then comes the change, and the upper fish fauna is found in the Millstone Grits and Coal Measures. The Cephalopod fauna of the Upper Limestone Series calls for special remark. In the list compiled for the handbook of the British Association for the Glasgow Meeting, Mr. J. Neilson records the presence at Gare of several Goniatites, which in the Midlands are associated only with the Pendleside Series, such as Glyphioceras reticulatum, G. striatum, G. vesica and from both Upper and Lower Limestone Series of G. diadema and Dimorphoceus gilbertsom from shale over the Hosie Lime- stone at Thornton. Productus giganteus and a large number of Brachiopoda pass up into the Upper Limestone Series, but corals are much less frequent. The interesting Cephalopod, Pleuronautilus nodosocarinatus occurs in the Upper Limestone Series. This is a rare fossil, and has a limited range in the Midlands, at the upper part of the Pendleside Series and Millstone Grit It has also been found in the Yoredale series of Swaledale. Some 680 hundred feet of Grits, Sandstones, Fireclays with their coals, ironstones, and limestones, intervene between the Castle Cary, on the uppermost limestone of the Upper Naturalist, Hind: Carbontferous Geolocy. 167 Limestone Series, and the base of the Coal Measures, except in Ayrshire, where the Coal Measures rest on the Carboniferous Limestone. There is evidence elsewhere of volcanic activity at this horizon. It is in this Millstone Grit Series that the great change takes place from the Lower to the Upper Car- boniferous flora, and about this horizon has recently been found, by Mr. D. Tait, of the Geological Survey, an interesting lamellibranch fauna, which I have described in the ‘ Tran- sactions of the Royal Society, Edinburgh.’ * The important fact revealed by this fauna is its relation to the fauna of the Coal Measures of Nebrasca, U.S.A., and till this discovery, most of the specimens had not been previously recognised in Western Europe. This fauna has been traced through several counties in Scotland. Since publication, one or two species have occurred in the millstone grits of the Midlands. ISLE OF MAN. I have shewn that the Carboniferous successsion in the Isle of Man f is to be referred to a few hundred feet of the Upper Dibunophyllum zone, and the base of the Pendleside Series. The sequence is very similar to that which obtains in the Mid- lands. The Poolvash Limestones and the black limestones of Scarlet, and the black marble quarry and their faunas can be well matched by examples from Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Yorkshire. IRELAND. Very excellent work has been done by Drs. Matley and Vaughan on the Carboniferous Series exposed from Rush to Loughshinny. Their latest views are that the whole Series represent Dibunophyllum beds, Cyathaxonia, and the, Pendle- side Series as high up as the horizon of Glyphioceras spirale. The paleontological reasons for this view are given at length ; but in addition, the thicknesses of the Series, r1Io feet, strongly favours the correctness of this interpretation. No work on definite zonal lines has been carried out in the south-west of Ireland, but certain facts are known. Prole- canites compressus, the fossil which characterises the uppermost = Wile OUIAVIL, Jerr IMlas Bere + ‘Trans. Yorkshire Geol. Soc.’, Vol. XXI., pt. 2, pp. 157-154. ~ @. J. Geol. Soc., Vol. XEIV.,:p. 434. 1g0g May 1. 168 find: Carboniferous Geology. beds of the Cyathaxonia beds and the lowest bed of the Pendle- side Series, is found high up in a pure limestone, with a Visean fauna at Little Island, Co. Cork. In Calcareous shales at Old Head of Kinsale, Posidonomya bechert occurs in abundance. Similarly all through the West of Ireland, limestones with a high Visean fauna are succeeded by beds with a typical Pendleside fauna. Good sequences are to be seen at Foynes Island, Lisdoonvarna, Cliffs of Moher, and in the neighbour- hood of Ennis.* In the district of the Burren, in the North of Co. Clare, the whole of the Carboniferous Limestone Series is exposed in unbroken succession, and here it will be no very difficult task to make out the zonal horizons, though quarries are few, and the weathered surfaces will largely have to be relied upon to furnish the fossils. I believe the district is already under examination at the hands of competent geologists. Probably in Tyrone and at Cultra, Co. Down, beds very low down in the Carboniferous Series occur, charactersed by Modiola Macadamu, but these areas require reinvestigating with our present knowledge of the distribution of Carboniferous Corals. THE CUM. In North Devonshire occur a Series of Carboniferous beds, known as the Culm. The district has been mapped and described by Mr. Ussher. Mr. Newell Arber has published papers dealing with portions of the Series from a standpoint of the flora and fauna respectively, and Messrs. J. G. Hamling and Inkerman Rogers have collected most carefully from the various horizons exposed. Apparently resting on Upper Devonian rocks from which specimens have lately been obtained by Mr. Hamling, doubt- fully referred to Clymenia, are a series of Cherty beds and Radiolarian Limestones, known locally as the Codden Hill beds. These contain the following fauna :— TRILOBITES. Phillipsia leet. Griffithides acanthiceps. minor. As longispinus. . cliffordi. Proetus Sp. 3 pollent. ” * Hind., ‘ Proc. Roy. Inst. Acad.’, Vol. XXV., Sept. 13, No. 4. Naturalist, flind: Carboniferous Geology. 169 CORALS. Paleacis humilis. | Pleuvodictyum decheanum. Zaphrentis cf. Z. enniskillent. CEPHALOPODA. Pyolecanites compressus. | Nomismocevas sptivorbis. mixolobus. Pericyclus sp. ” LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. Chenocardiola footit. BRACHIOPODA. Chonetes cf. laguessiana. | Pyroductus plicatus Sarres. and many Radiolarians. These beds are succeeded by black shales and limestones at Venn, which are crammed with Posidonomya becherr. The fauna they contain is sparse in species, and is as follows :— Posidonomya bechert. Glyphioceras striatum. Pseudamustum fibrillosum. fs sphericum. Glyphioceras spirale (upper part) | Orthoceras cylindvaceum. crenistria. and plant remains. These limestones are succeeded by the Middle Culm Grits, which contain plant remains. Above them comes a most interesting series of beds, best seen on the shore at Instow and near Clovelly, which contain concretions which yield the following fauna :— Pterinopecten papyraceus. | Dimorphoceras gilbertsont. Posidoniella levis. Orthoceras sp. Gastrioceras listert. Celacanthus elegans. $5 cavbonarium. | Elonichthys aitkent. A fauna with the distinct facies of the Lower Coal Measures of Lancashire: and above this are the beds known as Upper Culm, which contain a typical Coal Measure Flora and Fauna Carbonicola acuta and C. aquilina. The fauna here demonstrates a succession beginning with the Coddon Hill beds, with zone fossils indicating these to be the homotaxial equivalent of the Pendleside Series of the Midlands, and passing up into Coal Measures, where, unfortunately, coals are conspicuously absent, and only represented by the . beds of Culm, which were once worked for painters material. In the South of Devonshire, and passing West from Exeter to Cornwall, that portion of the Culm Series characterised by Glyphioceras spirale is present. The Codden Hill or Prole- canites compressus beds appear to be present, and to be cherty in character, and are characterised by the presence of Glyphioceras 1909 May 1. 170 Hind: Carboniferous Geology. sphericum and Posidonomya becheri.* I have seen the following species from Doddiscombleigh :— Glyphioceras reticulatum. | Seminula ambigua. Stroboceras sulcatum. | A Rhynchonellid. Posidonomya becheyrt. Mr. Ussher states ¢t :—‘ As regards the relative position of the Codden Hill beds and Posidonomya Limestones and Shales, ‘wherever these two types are recognisable on the North or South Crop, the Limestone Series is invariably the uppermost.’ Glyphioceras spirale is a common fossil in the upper beds of the Lower Culm (Posidonomya beds) at Bampton, Waddon-Barton and elsewhere, both in the Northern and Southern crops. SOUTH WALES. At Bishopton in the Gower peninsula is a most typical sequence—the Dibunophyllum beds of the phases D2 and D3, the latter being represented by the dark limestones and shales of Oystermouth Castle. On these rest the Bishopton beds, con- sisting of a Series of cherty beds passing up into Black Shales with Postdomella laevis and Glyphioceras bilingue. I think it prob:ble that the cherts may represent in part the Codden Hill beds, but there seems to be a gap of the higher Series from the zones Posidonomya becheri to the incoming of the Glyphioceras . bilingue beds, probably not any very great thickness of beds, but the zones here afford evidence of a local unconformity. Mr. I. Rogers has discovered Glyphioceras reticulatum in the Culm, near Barnstaple, so that the following life zones all occur in the Culm of Devonshire :— Gastrioceras listert. Glyphioceras rveticulatum. Glyphioceras spirale. Posidonomya techervt. Prolecanites compressus. And there can be little doubt that the Culm of the South-west, and the Pendleside Series of Co. Clare and the Midlands are homotaxial equivalents. | This view is amply borne out on examining the Carboniferous succession in Belgium and Ger- many, where the Namurien and Culm are characterised by a fauna and flora identical with that of the Pendleside Series. * Mem. Geol]. Sur. England and Wales; ‘The Geology of Country round Exeter,’ p. 9. ; } The Geology of the Quantock Hills, and of Taunton and Bridge- water, p. 25. (Zo be continued). Naturalist LZ THRUSH STONES AND HELIX NEMORALIS L. E. ADRIAN WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK, F.L.S., F.G.S. THRUSH stones have interested me from my childhood onward, and I have collected tens of thousands of broken shells from them at various times. Sometimes thousands of shells may be found at a single anvil, on peat, fresh-water or estuarine alluvium, for stones or bricks are rare on such soils. They have always to be carried to the spots where the birds find them by man. When they are most pressed for animal food in severe winters or dry springs, the thrushes are not backward in finding fair substitutes for hard stones for anvils. The becks of the incline towards the great fenland, and of our smaller valleys, freeze, thaw partly, break up into floes, jam, and freeze again, presenting irregularities of surface, which the birds are quick enough to turn to good use. A stone standing slightly above the road or footpath level, the lowest bars of gates, the sharp points of low-set barbed-wire, or even ‘the stubs’ in a laid fence are not forgotten when other means fail them. The whole subject is interesting, but does not give any approximate scientific results, until a fairly simple and ready field-method of recording the relationship of the banding to the interspacing on the shells is brought into use. When an elastic formula is found, the nexus between the shells of a given spot, their environment, and the thrushes is partly disclosed, and becomes explicable. Any method of recording to be of true use must be sufficiently simple to be applied, not only to specimens in collections, but at once in the field to the living molluscs. If it is too complicated, the relationship between the supply of shells on a given spot and those that are badly pro- tected for want of banding, or by limited banding, and so are easily discovered by the birds, cannot be worked out. When a long series of H. nemoralis is brought together from one place and is examined critically, it will be discovered that there is a common relationship and law of banding and inter- spacing prevalent among these local specimens. It has also a distinct relationship to their former environment. For in- stance, the form 12045 of the old notation, may be met with for 200 yards on one side of a stream and then be absent for miles, till it is picked up again, and is discovered to have a 1909 May 172 Woodruffe-Peacock: Thrush Stones, etc. similar range on the bank of another stream. Personally, I have never taken this form anywhere except by flowing water. Again, when the forms of banding of various soils and locali- ties are brought together and are compared, the general band- ing law of the species is clearly seen. For H. nemoralis, it is most usefully stated in a formula, as 112234425, which notes both the banding and inter-spacing widths. In these figures, reading from left to right, the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth indicate the bands, and their general normal width ; while the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth figures indicate the inter-spaces and their general normal width. In other words, the space between the upper side of the first band, and the lower side of the fifth band is divided into 24 imaginary band- spaces of equal width. As 24 is a number that can be divided by many other numbers without leaving a fraction, no other number about its size could be found equally useful. Even when the shells are not typical, such as the varieties major (Fér.), minor (Mog.), compressa (Terver.), or conica (Pascal), the formula applies. In practical band and interspace recording in the field and study, I find it impossible to take off the banding formula of a shell in one long line as it is printed here. I used to write the typical formula down with the bands at wide distances, and below an imaginary line, the interspaces between them. Then I took the shell which I was about to record, and studied it to see which had the greater width, the fifth band or third interspace, and from this drew a criterion for the data of the shell ; writing its formula in the same way below that of the typical shell formula. I know it so well now, I have no occa- sion to write the type formula; but that of the shell I still write in the same way, and strongly advise all analysts to do so. The eye is much helped by two lines of figures—one for the five bands, and one for the four interspaces, though they cannot be printed in that way conveniently. In reading off the printed formule, too, much assistance is gained by noting the central figure specially, which is always the third band record for every shell. Specimens that are accurately represented by the type or any other simple formula are comparatively rare. So a prac- tical method has to be discovered to show at a glance that the recorded bands and interspaces are wider or narrower than the width of the one twenty-fourth of the whole banding area. Naturalist, Woodruffe-Peacock : Thrush Stones, etc. 173 This is quickly done by adding a colon after the figures that want less than one type-band increase, and a point after those that require diminishing to a like extent. By doubling or quadrupling the figures, a perfectly exact formula for any shell may be obtained. Difficulties of several kinds are met with by doing this, both in the field, and in clearness of recording, so in practice such formule are unworkable. Three shells from a high hedge bank on sandy glacial gravel will illustrate at once this method and its: flexibility. Here are their formule :—112225(425), 11/21.3:4516, and 1:1.2:2.1:6.51.5:. There is nothing in anyway unusual about them. In the first shell the upper band was missing, and the lower ones confluent. Small figures always imply that the band and interspace, or the bands and interspaces, as the case may be, are absent, but that the space covered by them may be thus approximately accounted for. In the second shell, as their formula records them, the two first interspaces are too large, and the third band too small. The third shell is a more difficult task to take off correctly ; the fourth band alone is typical, all the other bands and interspaces require diacritical marks of increase or decrease. Along with these specimens two other shells were brought home from the Oxford clay of adyke side. —W. FOwLer, May 5th, 1909. 5 0) = GEOLOGY. Vertebra of Codfish in the Holderness Gravels.— A vertebra from the glacial gravels at Kelsey Hill, found by Mr. George Sheppard, has been kindly identified by Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S., as that of a cod-fish. This is an addition to the fauna from this deposit, though the species has been re- corded from the pre-glacial beach at Sewerby.—T. SHEPPARD. 1909 June 1.| 1B 226 SOME NEW BOOKS ON EVOLUTION. The recent commemoration of the Centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and of the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species has resulted in the appearance of a number of treatises on Evolution, some of which have already been noticed in these columns. To the Cambridge University Press, however, is due the credit of pro- ducing the most valuable, most complete, and we may say the most gener- ally interesting volume. It is entitled Darwin and Modern Science, and is edited by Prof. A. C. Seward. (595 pp., 18/- net), We should like first to record our thanks to Prof. Seward for being so instrumental in placing before the world this magnificent work ; not only has he edited the volume, but he has translated some of the articles which were written in German. Darwin and Modern Science is the outcome of a suggestion made by the Cambridge Philosophical Society to publish a series of essays as a record of the celebrations, and in the twenty-nine chapters contained in this volume is certainly the most authoratative and comprehensive survey of the influence of Darwin’s work that has ever been made. Each essay has been specially written, and in most cases, the services of the very best person has been secured. An idea of the variety and scope of the volume can be ascertained from the following essays selected aphazard. ‘ The Selection Theory, Prof. Weismann; ‘ Variation,’ Prof. Hugo de Vries ; “Chas. Darwin asan Anthropologist,’ Prof. Ernest Haeckel ; ‘ The Influence of Darwin on the Study of Animal Embryology,’ Prof. Sedgwick; ‘ The Value of Colour in the Struggle for Life,’ Prof. Poulton ; ‘ Geographical Distribution of Plants,’ Sir William Thiselton-Dyer ; ‘ Geographical Distribution of Animals,’ Prof. Hans. Gadow; ‘ Darwin and Geology,’ Prof. Judd; ‘ Mental Factors in Evolution,’ Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan, and ‘Evolution and the Science of Language,’ by Mr. P. Giles. Amongst other contributors we find Sir Joseph D. Hooker, Prof. J. Arthur Thomson, Prof.W. Bateson, Prof. E. Strasburger, Prof. G. Schwalbe, Mr. J. G. Fraser, Prot We. B: Scott, IPigoN, Wo al, Se@ut, lero, (Gs lille. Prof. j= Locks sVine Francis Darwin, Prof. Goebel, Prof. TEL HO6ffding, Prof. G. Bouglé, the InNGrT 125 IN, Waggett, Miss Jane Ellen Harrison, Prof. J. B. Bury, Sir George Darwin, and Mr. W. C. D. Whetham. What could bea more fitting monument to the memory of Darwin than the collected tributes of these well-known writers ? And what could be more welcome to the professor or to the layman than this summary of the present attitude of our leaders in scientific thought with regard to Darwin's teaching ? We are glad to learn that any profits from the sale of this volume are to be handed over to a University Fund for the Endowment of biological research ; the best wish we can express is that the volume may meet with the success it deserves. Life and Evolution, by F. W. Headley. Duckworth & Co., 272 pp., 5/- net. The fact that this volume has reached a second edition speaks for itself. It is the outcome of a series of lectures delivered by the author ; the style is pleasant, and the illustrations are numerous, and for the most part good, though some are rather crude. The book is in nine sections, viz., Plants and Animals; The Sea and its Inhabitants ; Gills and Lungs ; Reptiles and their Kin; from a Reptile to a Bird; The Flight of Birds ; The Minds of Man and Animals; The Struggle for Existence, and Natural Selection. The sections dealing with birds and their flight, etc., are especially complete, and seem to indicate that the author is perhaps most ‘at home’ with that part of the subject. The book is well pro- duced, and is certainly very cheap. The Transformations of the Animal World, by Charles Depéret. Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibaer & Co., 360 pp., 5/-. We are delighted to find that the well-known International Scientific Series is to have a new lease of life, Naturalist, Some New Books on Evolution. 227 and that under the editorship of Mr. F. Legge, a further series is to be published, in uniformity with the well-known red-backed volumes which served so useful a purpose a quarter of a century ago. It is also appro- priate at the present time that one of the first new volumes should deal with the evolution of the theories on evolution ; and such is Mr. Depéret’s book, being really the authorised translation of Les Tyvansformation du monde Animal. It cannot be said that M. Depéret exaggerates or over- estimates the part Darwin played in the doctrine of evolution; and in the present work there is an unusually complete account of earlier and later workers in the same field. In his preface the editor asks, ‘ Does the study of fossils offer us any example of a regular chain of animal forms shewing the gradual transformation of one type into another? Or, is natural selection the only means that Nature employs to produce varia- tions ? To such questions the teaching of Darwin, as he left it, hardly suggested an answer. The present work makes a special point of these ‘questions. Haeckel: His Life and Work, by Prof. W. Bolsche. Watts & Co., 128 pp., 6d. The Rational Press Association has issued a new and revised edition of ‘ Haeckel’s Life and Work,’ and, as it can be obtained for six coppers, it should be widely read. It is well written, and is an education in itself. The translator, Mr. Joseph McCabe, gives an introduction and a supple- mentary chapter. Haeckel isa worker who has been greatly misunderstood, and a perusal of this book will do much towards giving one a better and more accurate idea of the man and his teaching. Mendel’s Principles of Heredity, by W. Bateson. Cambridge: The University Press, 396 pp., 12/- net. We learn from the Preface that ‘ the object of this book is to give a succinct account of the discoveries in regard to Heredity made by the appli- cation of Mendel’s method of research. Following a clue which his long lost. papers provided, we have reached a- point from which classes of phenomena hitherto proverbial for their seeming irregularity can be recog- nised as parts of a consistent whole. The study of Heredity thus becomes an organised branch of physiological science, already abundant in results, and in promise unsurpassed.’ Most of our readers will be familiar with the thorough manner in which Prof. Bateson does any work he takes in hand, and in the present instance it can be safely said that he has carried out the object for which the volume was written. Not only has he given a careful and detailed account of the present position of the questions of heredity as a result of the influence of Mendel’s work, but he has reprinted Mendel’s two papers, and has supplied a biographical notice. There is also a bibliography of papers, etc., bearing upon the subject, which exceeds three hun- dred entries—evidence alone of the importance of this subject in recent years. A perusal of the book convinces us of the force and truth of the author’s remark that ‘ Had Mendel’s work come into the hands of Darwin, it is not too much to say that the history of the developments of evolutionary philosophy would have been very different from that which we have witnessed.’ Perhaps the most surprising feature in the volume is the extraordinary number of objects, zoological and botanical, which are referred to in connection with the theory. We find peas, barley, primulas, canaries, moths, fowls, sheep, mice, etc. The coloured illustrations of some of these objects, shewing the results of experiments, etc., are surely as nearly perfect as it is possible to make them. Those of the sweet peas and moths particularly call for comment on account of their excellence. As is the rule with publications issued by the Cambridge University Press, misprints are almost absent ; but in the one item appearing under ‘corrigendum,’ /ime 18 should read line 19. 1g09 June 1. 228 THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CARBONIFEROUS GEOLOGY. Dr. WHEELTON HIND, F.R.C.S., F.G.S. (Continued from page 170). BELGIUM. In Belgium the Visean Limestones have long been known to yield a characteristic fauna, now recognised as corresponding very perfectly with that of the Upper Dibunophyllum zone. In the Valley of the Meuse and Sambre, and at Clavier, these beds are succeeded by a Series of black shales, cherts, and thin limestones, which yield a characteristic Pendleside fauna. A fine section at Bioul, North-west of Dinant, shews the junction of the Dibunophyllum zone and Pendleside Series. The passage is a gradual one from a lithological standpoint, limestones gradually becoming replaced by shales. The Pendleside fauna I obtained here in a short time is as follows :— Listyvacanthus beyrichi. Posidonomya membranacea. Phillipsia sp. Posidontella laevis. Chonetes aff. Laguessiana. Pseudamusum fibryillosum. Camarophoria papyracea. Glyphioceras (too crushed to Productus plicatus Sarres. determine). Spirvifer bisulcata. Orthoceras striolatum. Athyris planosulcata. a scalare. Orbiculoidea nitida. Ostvacoda in abundance. Lingula mytiloides. Some few years ago I was invited by Mr. Dupont. then in char eof the Musée de Vhistoire Naturelle at Brussels, to examine end report on fossils collected by officers of the Service du carte from Clavier. Among others, the following typical species occurred :— Posidoniella laevis. Glyphioceras bilingue Pseudamusa fibvillosum. 5 spirale. Posidonomya membranacea. Glyphioceras diadema. Chenocardiola foot. Stroboceras sulcatum. Prolecanites compressus. Phillips cf. pollent. nd from shales at Vise, I determined :— Postdonomya bechert. Ptevinopecten papyraceus. Posidoniella laevis. As lcng ago as 1881, D-. Purvis in his paper ‘Sur la deliné- a ur la Constituiion de l’etage honillier superieur de la B lgique,* show d that the Carbonife ous Limesione of * Bull de l’acad. Royale de Belgique, 3rd Series, Part I1., No. 12. Naturaust, Hind: Carboniferous Geology . 229 Belgium was succeeded by a group of beds which he sub- divided :— TERRAIN HOvILLIER. Gres grossier d’Andenne. Schistes et Psanimites avec mince couches de houille maigre. Schistes a Mytilus. Schistes et Phtanites avec Gontatites and Posidonomya passant vers le bas au calcaire impur avec Brachiopodes. Calcaire Carbonifeére. The upper group he correlated with the Millstone Grit Series, and the lower with the Yoredale beds of the Midlands, z.e., the Series now called Pendlesides. Dr. Purves calls attention to the universal occurrence of this Series in Belgium, now known by the name Namurien, and quite recently in the Mons Coalfield, owing to the driving of exploration galleries, M. Cornet has shewn that the Series is present there.* He has found there a very large fauna containing the majority of the zonal indices on which I rely for the identification of the various sub-divisions of the Pendleside Series in England. M. Cornet includes in his list :— Prolecanites compressus. Posidonomya_ bechert. P. membranacea. Glyphioceras veticulatum. Pr beyrichtianum = diadema. and he then says, discussing the fauna as a whole: ‘ Telle qu'elle est, la liste qui procede montre l’homotaxie, des conches de Bandour et, par extension, de notre assise des phtanites Hia, avec le Pendleside Series que notre confrére anglais M. Wheelton Hind, place a la base du terrain honiller du Lan- cashire, etc., entre le Carbonifére inférieur et le Millstone Grit.’ In addition to the fauna, Mm. Cornet and Renevier have shewn that the flora which we knew to be associated with the Pendleside Series in the British Isles, is fully represented in Belgium. Dr. Purves 7 considers the total thickness of the Namurien Series at Andenne to be 180 metres, of which Le Gres Grossier is I2 metres. It is of equal importance to note that notwithstanding the much diminished thickness of the Pendleside Series in Belgium, as compared to the Midlands, that the majority of the zone * In Terrain Honilles sans hondle et sa faune dans le Bassi der Cou- chant de Mons ann de la Soc. Geol. de Belgique t. XX XIII. memoirs, PP. 139-152. ° { Sop. Supra cit. p. 24. Ig09 June 1. 230 Flind: Carbontferous Geology. forms are present, and we may conclude tha‘ s:dim nta y deposition was much more rapid in the English area than in Belgium, where the thickness of the beds agrees more neatly with that which obtains in the West of Ireland. GERMANY. In Germany, probably because the Culm forms th> base of the Carboniferous rocks, and that it rests on Upper Devonian with Clymenza, it has always been referred to as Lower Car- boniferous, and even considered as the equivalent of part of the Tournaisian of Belgium. I have hinted in several publica- tions that as the fauna was identical with that of the Pendle- side Series, and also with the Namurien of Belgium, that the Culm of Westphalia and Nassau must be the representative of that Series. Last summer, in company with two well-known geologists of this Society, Messrs. Cosmo Johns and Culpin, we had the good fortune to be conducted over the ground by Prof. Kayser, of Marburg, and to make a detailed examination of his extensive collection of fossils from the Culm. Unfortunately, nowhere are there any extensive sections in the sequence, and there appear to have been several basins of deposit, in which the lowest bed, as indicated by its fauna, does not always appear to belong to the same zone. Often the Culm beds repose on a Diabase of Upper Devon- ian age, which naturally obscures the sequence. The Diabase is intrusive in the Clymenia beds of the Upper Devonian, so that the conditions and sequence are very similar to that which obtains in Devonshire. The beds of Culm at Breitscheid are considered to be the lowest of the Series, and they contain :— Pyolecanites compressus. | Trincoceras hibernicum. Glyphioceras crenistria. | Dimorphoceras gilbertsont. Glyphioceras mutabile. Orthoceras scalare. Pericyclus virgatas. Orthoceras ct. saluum de Kon Brancoceras ovnatissimum. | and Corals. This is a fauna which indicates the highest Visean or Dibuno- phyllum horizon in Great Britain and Ireland with the type fossil of the passage beds between the Dibunopfhyllum zone and Pendleside Series. The Breitscheid fossils were obtained from impersistent lenticles of limestone, and as far as I can understand, the fauna has been met with also at Erdbach and Liebstein. Naturalist Hind: Carbontferous Geology. 231 The Middle Culm is more fossiliferous, and is well exposed at Herborn. The Series consist of Calcareous shales. the Posidonien Scheifer, with small nodules, resting on 7-8 metres of black chert, which itself reposes on a Diabase of Upper Devonian age. The succession is as follows :— Grunwacke or Grit .. se oe .. 100 200 metres. Posidonomya becheri shales 20 ee 20% 2 2'5 5 Chert : ae Db ae a 8 fe Upper Devonian Diabase The flora and fauna of these beds is typically that of the Lower Pendleside Series, with the exception that Pterinopfecten papyraceus has not been found there. I just mention the most important :— Adiantites antiquus. Posidonomya bechert. Gly phioceras. Orthoceras scalave (often called Orthoceras strviolatum. with us O. Koninckt). Avtculopecten lossent. Actinopteria persulcata. Camarophoria papyracea. Listvacanthus beyricht. and Trilobites. This fauna has been described by Prof. V. Kcenen. I regret to say that I did not visit the Culm of Westphalia, but thanks to Professor Kayser, I was able to study his fine collection of fossils from that area, and with. his information as to the sequence, have arrived at the following results :— Prof. Kayser’s collections were from two _ localities— Hagen and Aprath, near Elberfeld. The general sequence is as follows :— Flotzeere Sandstein with plants .. ..2000 metres Culm tonschiefer with Glyphioceras veticulatum e200 if Dark thin-bedded Limestones, with Hagen fauna at base .. Ang De ae bi ce FOLG) Silicious Limestone, with Goniatites Ss 7 QO asf Cherts, with Aprath fauna oc Se Phtanites with Prolecanites compressus ei or 5 4 Devonian Rocks The Apath fauna contains a fauna typical of the very lowest of the Pendleside series. Nomismoceras votiforme Pyrolecanites compressus. Tvincoceras hibernicum Productus plicatus Sarres Pteuvodyctium dechianum. and, as might be expected, the oldest facies of any fauna in the sequence. (To be continued). 1909 June 1. 232 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT MARKET WEIGHTON. On Saturday, May 8th, the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union commenced their 48th year’s field work in the county by investigating the country around Market Weigh- ton, where the wolds, dales, commons, woods, quarries and canal give that variety which is the charm of the life of the naturalist. As is usual on this Society’s excursions, the weather was ideal, and the sixty members present were in every way satisfied. A pleasing feature was the number of local teachers, members of the East Riding Nature Study Association. Brow. ee Photo by] The Market Weighton Canal. [S. H. Snuth. The geologists, under the leadership of Mr. J. W. Stather, examined the Goodmanham Valley, which, besides many fine physiographical features, contained sections in the Lias, Red and White Chalk, and Gravel. In the Chalk some important zonal fossils were recorded, including large specimens of Terebratulina gracilis. This party also paid a visit to the church at Goodmanham, on the site of which, according to Bede, the great pagan temple was destroyed by its converted priest. Naturalis-, Yorkshire Naturalists at Market Weighton. 233 The botanists were under the care of Messrs. W. Robinson, J. J. Marshall and W. Ingham. They were able to report that the moss Dicranum undulatum still grew in its only known station for the whole of the British Isles. Fungi were not very common, but the ordinary Morel was found, as well as Mztro- phera semilibera. In addition, Pluteus cervinus and Hypholoma fascicularis were obtained by Mr. A. E. Peck. The conchologists were in full force, and were under the leadership of Messrs. Taylor, Musham, Roebuck and Hutton, but they were not successful in finding Acanthinula aculeata. Mr. S.H. Smith favours us with a lengthy report of the birds observed. In this he records that the nest of a missel thrush with three eggs was found in a willow tree fork, only two feet above the ground. ARACHNIDA. — Mr. T. Stainforth writes that the following spiders, which have been identified by Mr. W. Falconer, were obtained on the route taken by the botanists, entomologists, ee. Dyrassus lapidosus Walck. ‘Clubiona veclusa Camb. » etvtvialis L. Koch. ES comta C. L. Koch. Dictyna arundinacea Linn. os uncinata Westr. Amaurobius fenestvalis Stroem. Theridion sisyphium Clerck. Bathyphantes gracilis Bl. Gongylidium rufipes Sund. . dentatum Wid. . Enidia bituberculata Wid. Diplocephalus permixtus Camb. *Cnephalocotes obscurus Bl. *Wideria cucullata C. L. Koch. Corniculavia unicornis Camb. Pachygnatha degeertt Sund. x clerkit Sund. Meta segmentata Clerck. Epeiva diademata Clerck. Oxyptila trux Bl. Pivata pivaticus Clerck. Taventula pulverulenta Clerck. Lycosa amentata Clerck. *5 pullata Clerck. - lugubris Walck. Epiblemum scenicum Clerck *Hasavius falcatus Bl. and the Harvestmen, Platybunus triangularis Herbst., and Nemastoma lugubre O. F. Muller. Species marked with an asterisk are additions to the East Riding List published in the ‘Transactions of the Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Clab, Vol. 1V.,; Part. 2, 1900; pp. 57-102, COLEOPTERA.—Mr. Stainforth writes that the following species have been identified among those taken on the excursion :— Notiophilus biguttatus Fab. A palustris Duft. Nebria brevicollis F. Elaphrus viparius L. Pterostichus madidus F. vulgaris L, Amara ovata F. Anchomenus dorsalis Mill. 3909 June 1 Bembidium lampros Herbst. Dromius quadrinotatus Panz. Haliplus ruficollis De G. Laccophilus obscurus Panz. Hyphydrus ovatus L. *Philhydrus coarctatus Gredl. Creophilus maxillosus L. Philonthus e@neus Rossi. 234 Field Notes. Philonthus marginatus. F. Silpha rugosa L. 5 jStenus juno F, Hister unicolor L. 5, buphthalmus Crav. Aphodius luvidus F. Necrophorus humator Goez. Chrysomela staphylea L. Silpha opaca L. Melasoma popult L. Sn ICLOMCLGTCCU Men Pyrasocuris gunct Brahm. The most interesting of these are Silpha thoracica, one specimen ot which was taken by Mr. E. Sawyer, and Philhydrus coarctatus, both additional records for the East Riding. Melasoma popult was very abundant. Las —2deo— FIELD NOTES. BIRDS. Cream-coloured Snipe at Horncastle.—In the middle of January last, Mr. A. Hill, of Horncastle, shot, in a grass field, within 200 yards of the Horncastle Market Place, a cream- coloured Snipe, which was afterwards stuffed for Neville Lucas Calcraft, Esq., J.P.,of Gautby.—J. Conway WALTER, Horncastle. Tragic Death of a Linnet.—Birds frequently meet with an untimely end through be- coming entangled in their nesting “materials. In the March number of ‘The Naturalist,’ I recorded the death of a Swift by strangu- lation; early this month a friend of mime noticedmed Linnet flying about a patch of gorse with a lump of wool attached to its leg. A week later he was searching the same gorse when he came across the same bird, but unfortunately the wool had become entangled with the twigs near the nest, and the bird was hung head downwards quite dead. As in the case of the Swift, the bird in its struggles had _ turned continually in one direction, and the wool, as will be noticed in the photograph, is’ very tight and hard at the beginning Photo by| (R. Fortune, F.Z.S. of the twist.—R. FORTUNE. Naturalist 235. POLYMORPHISM IN FUNGI. * G. MASSEE, V.M.H., Etc., Kew, * NowbeERE else in the Vegetable Kingdom do we meet with such sharply differentiated stages. collectively constituting an individual, as are to be met with in some groups of Fungi. Such stages of an individual are, in many instances, so markedly dissimilar in general appearance, structure, and mode of life, that in past times they were respectively looked upon as entities or species, containing an individuality of their own, and were considered as constituting distinct genera belonging Thielavia bastcola Zopf.—1, first conidial {AM/zlowia) stage: 2, second conidial (Torul7) stage ; 3, Perithecium or fruit of the highest or ascigerous stage; 4, ascus containing eight spores, produced in the peritheciuin. Figs. 1, 2 and 4, mag. 400 times; Fig. 3, mag. 50 times. to widely separated families. Numerous fungi consist of two or three such stages in their complete life-cycle, others have half-a-dozen or more. * Address delivered at the Annual Fungus Foray, held at Sandsend. See ‘Naturalist, Jan. 1909, pp. 21-29. 1g09 June 1. 236 Massee: Polymorphism in Fungzt. In many instances these different stages all grow on the same substance and at the same spot, following each other in the proper sequence. In numerous other instances, as in the rusts and mildews of cereals and other plants, different stages of the fungi grow on totally different kinds of plants, the spores or reproductive bodies of one stage being usually conveyed by wind from one host-plant to another. In other instances, insects are the agents that convey the spores produced by one stage to the place where infection is necessary to produce the following stage. This occurs, for example, in a fungus called Sclerotinia heteroica, one stage of which grows on the young leaves of Vaccinium uliginosum. The spores produced by this form of the fungus are unconsciously conveyed by insects, and deposited on the stigmas of Ledum palustre. It may be necessary to explain this transportation of spores on the part of insects, which is entirely due to the fact that insects, in common with. other living organisms, must eat to live. The form of the fungus growing on Vaccinium leaves, which resembles a minute white mould, secretes a sweet, scented substance, approved of by certain small insects as food. While partaking of this food, the proboscis of the insect becomes dusted with the spores of the fungus. The flowers of Ledum palustre also contain some- thing that can be utilised by the same insect, and is accordingly visited in turn. In the act of obtaining the nectar, the spores adhering to the proboscis of the insect are deposited on the stigma of the Leduwm flower. This appears to be entirely a matter of chance, but the chance obviously happens sufficiently often to secure the continuance in fair abundance of the fungus under consideration. The spores deposited on the stigma of' Ledum germinate quickly, grow down the style, and enter the ovary, where a dense mass of mycelium or spawn is formed. This spawn remains in a resting condition until the following spring, when it gives origin to spore-bearing bodies resembling miniature champagne glasses, supported on long stalks. The spores from these structures are dispersed by wind, and those that happen to alight on the young leaves of Vacciniwm set up infection, which results in the production of the first mould- like condition of the fungus. What at first sight might be considered as a series of coincidences connected with the life- history of the fungus briefly detailed above, must be considered as part of the scheme of evolution and struggle for existence on the part of the fungus. Both its host-plants suffer trom Naturalist, Massee: Polymorphism in Fungt. 2n7 its attack. The Vaccinium has certain of its leaves more or less injured, and the Ledum that becomes infected loses many of its seeds without any obvious compensation. On the other hand, the fungus has so arranged the sequence and period of spore formation, that the spores borne on the Vaccinium host are just mature when the Ledum is in bloom, whereas the pro- duction of spores in the phase of the fungus parasitic on Ledum, are delayed until the following spring, when young Vaccinium leaves are present in abundance. When different stages in the life-cycle of a fungus grow on different host- plants, the term hetercecism is applied. Now hetercecism, the most brilliant botanical discovery of the nineteenth century, made by de Bary, had its origin in what was considered as a farmer’s superstition. The well- known rust of wheat—Puccinia graminis, had from time im- memorial, been considered by farmers as in some way dependent on a fungus occurring on barberry bushes. De Bary, a cele- brated German mycologist, determined to test this popular idea, and inoculated wheat plants with spores obtained from the fungus growing on the leaves of a barberry bush, and was surprised to find the well-known rust of wheat appear in due course at the points infected. Repeated experiments proved that the rust of wheat and the “cluster-cups ’”’ on barberry were stages of one and the same fungus. This discovery has led to the reduction of numerous forms, at one time considered as good species, to the condition of stages in the life-history of other species. THIELAVIA BASICOLA.—A Yorkshire fungus, although not an example of hetercecism, includes three markedly different stages in its complete life-cycle. In fact, the three stages are structurally so distinct that they were originally placed in three different genera, which belonged respectively to three different families of the Fungi. More than half a century ago, Berkeley discovered a fungus forming black stains on the root and lower part of the stem of garden peas, and a cultivated species of Nemophila. To this fungus, which proved, from the standpoint of knowledge at the time, to be an undescribed species, Berkeley gave the name of Torula basicola (Fig. 2). About twenty-five years ago I found a small, snow-white mould-like fungus on the base of the stem, and on the dead leaves of Blysmus compressus in the neighbourhood of Scar- borough. This was considered as a new genus, and was called 1909 June 238 Museum News. Milowta -nivea. Muilowia was considered by Professor Sac- cardo as possessing such distinct characters, that he established a new tribe of the Hyphomycetes called Milowiez, with the genus Milowiaasthetype. Atastilllater date, Zonf, a German botanist, discovered a black ascigerous fungus parasitic on the roots of a species offSenecio in Germany. This fungus proved to be new, and received the generic name of Thielavia (Figs. 3 and 4). Zopf observed that the fungus called Torula basicola was growing along with his new fungus Thielavia, and on cultivating the Torula, he found that it gave origin to the Thielavia, hence Zopf proved that the Torula was a conidial condition of his new genus T/ielavia, which he accordingly named Thielavia basicola. Zopf also observed the presence of a white fungus accompanying the Torula, which from his des- cription, tallied with my genus Milowia, but had no opportunity for growing this form. Subsequently I met with Mzlowza, and found that the spores of this form gave origin to the Tornula stage, the spores of which in turn, after a period of rest, produced the highest ascigerous condition of the fungus, Thielavia_ basicola. All the three stages follow each other on the same host- plant. The two conidial forms, Malowia and Torula develop on the living plant, and are parasitic; whereas the highest ascigerous form only appears when the host-plant is dead and decayed, hence its tardy discovery. Tiielavia, in its Torula stage, was recently sent to Kew for determination from the neighbourhood of Doncaster, where it had destroyed a row of young peas. The fungus is recognised as a destructive parasite, on the roots of many different kinds of cultivated plants, both in Europe and in the United States. A pleasant afternoon was spent on May 15th, when a repre- sentative gathering of Curators and others interested in Museums assembled at Burnley, on the invitation of the Chairman and Secretary of the Burnley Art Gallery and Museum Committee. The collections are housed in the historic Towneley. Hall, which, together with its excellent grounds, was purchased by the Burnley Corporation many years ago. The fine hall is a museum in itself. One room illustrates Old Burnley, and there are a few geological and archeological exhibits. Amongst the latter is a fine flint dagger, found at Burnley. It is of the rare type illus- trated in this journal for July, 1908, p. 231. After tea, which was kindly provided in the Hall, various museum appliances, etc., were shewn, and papers were read on ‘ The Use of Illustrations in Museums,’ by Mr. P. Entwistle (Liverpool) and ‘Museum District Survey Work,’ by Mr. Sid Mosley (Keighley). Naturalist, 239 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. The Genitalia of the Noctuidze, by F. N. Pierce, F.E.S. Liverpool : A. W. Duncan. Price 7/6. It is not surprising that the volume before us has been awaited for some time with considerable interest by entomologists; for, although books for students of the Lepidoptera are legion, we have never before in Britain had one treating on the branch of the subject which Mr. Pierce has made practically his own. True, we had many years ago two papers in the ‘ Transactions of the Linnean Society’ dealing with the genitalia of the Butterflies, by Mr. P. H. Gosse and Dr. F. Buchanan White respec- tively, and still later in the United States of America some attention has also been paid to the genitalia of the Noctuide. But Mr. Pierce can fairly claim that his book makes an innovation in the methods of study of this branch of entomology so far as the lepidoptera are concerned. In some other orders the great value of the genitalia in the determination and classi- fication of species has long been appreciated, as instance the magnificent work on the European Trichoptera by the late R. McLachlan, F.R.S.. In that order, indeed, and in the more obscure groups of the Neuroptera, species are now determined almost entirely by the structure of the geni- talia, as experience has proved that they are the only characters which are different in practically every species, and at the same time constant in themselves. We do not suppose that the genitalia will ever become as useful in the determination or classification of the lepidoptera, because in the first place, the vast majority of the species are so obviously different from each other, even in marking, shape, wing and body characters, etc., that no possible doubt about their distinctness or place in the group can exist ; and in the second place, the genitalia do not appear to be by any means so infallible a guide as in the other orders we have alluded to. For instance, Mr. Pierce tells us (p. 27), that he can see no difference in the form of the genitalia of Leucania pallens and L. favicolor, except that the latter is larger. Then those of Xvlophasia polyodon, X. sublustris, and X. lithoxylea he says (p. 41) ‘ are wonderfully alike.’ More recently, Mr. Pierce’s exami- nation of the genitalia of the tortrices Pedisca nevana and P. geminana showed practically no difference. Yet the differences in other respects in all these are so evident that probably every lepidopterist who knows them in the field will continue to regard them as distinct species. On the other hand, it is clear that we have for years been regarding as single species, some, which had the genitalia been examined, would long ago have been separated into two, and in one instance, into as many as four species! This case occurs in the moth which, under the name of Hydvecia nictitans, has been supposed to be abundant everywhere, and familiar to every collector. By the differences in the genitalia Mr. Pierce easily makes the four species, nictitans, paludis, lucens and cyina- nensis out of it. It must in fairness be said here, however, that some twenty years ago, Mr. J. W. Tutt separated to his own satisfaction, from the habits, shape, and wing markings alone, paludis and lucens from nictitans, a verdict in which, at the time, but few lepidopterists were willing to follow him. Examination of the genitalia, too, has settled the specific differences between Covemia ferrugata and C. unidentaria, between Nona- gvia avundineta and N. neurica, and between Retinia buoliana and R. pinicolana, but of which few lepidopterists had previously any doubt. On the other hand, Mr. Pierce’s method seems to have settled the specific identity of Noctua conflua with N. festiva, of Agrotis aquilina with A. tritict, and Dianthecia capsophila with D. carpophaga. The style of the book is attractive. In the Introduction, we have a concise but clear account of the manipulation required for an examination of the genitalia, followed by an explanation of the terms used in the des- criptions—some of them entirely new to the lepidopterists’ vocabulary— 1909 June 1. 240 Northern News. and illustrated by a well-executed plate representing ‘ Typical Male Geni- talia."_ Then come the descriptions, clear and intelligible, of the genitalia of the various species, under the heading of ‘ Classification of the Noc- tuide based on the Structure of the Male Genitalia’; and followed lastly by 32 plates containing 350 figures of the genitalia of practically all the British species of Noctuide. These figures are really splendid, and have evidently been most carefully drawn from the specimens. Although highly magnified, every detail is so clear, that, together with the descrip- tions, it should be impossible to get wrong in the examination of specimens. We congratulate Mr. Pierce most heartily on his book, which must take a high place among entomological literature. Grae — NORTHERN NEWS. Our contributor, Mr. J. J. Burton of Nunthorpe, has been elected a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Amongst the recently-elected Fellows of the Royal Society we notice the names of Dr. F. A. Bather, Mr. A. J. Jukes-Browne and Prof. W. J. Lewis. We regret to record the death of Frederick Edward Hulme, whose works on familiar wild flowers have proved such a boon to young nat- uralists. Sir Thomas Henry Holland, of the Indian Geological Survey, towards the end of the year will succeed Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, as Professor of Geology at the Manchester University. A grant of £10 has been voted by the Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club to Mr. H. E. Forest, the amount to go towards the publication of “The Vertebrate Fauna of North Wales. A series of twelve examples of Geotvupes typheus from Tatton Park,, shewing the development of the horns in the male, has been given to the Warrington Museum by Mr. G. A. Dunlop. A contemporary asks ‘ every friendly reader’ to send notes. ‘ Do not think anything too trivial to send. If it interests you it will probably be of genera! interest, and in that case will be worthy of publication!’ Prob- ably this explains the reason for the recently increased price of that journal. Evidently birds sing differently in different places. Under ‘ Birds of Note’ in a natural history contemporary, we were surprised to find the Gull, Eagle, Nightjar and Peregrine. The same journal is starting a column in which to record ‘some of the errors in natural history, which are constantly disseminated by the press’ &¢# tu, Bruté! A Nature Study Exhibition organised by the Nature Study Society, will be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W., on Friday and Saturday, June 4th and 5th. It will be open each day from to a.m. to sundown. It will include Aquaria, Vivaria, and other means of observing animals, with photographs and microscopic illustrations. From the report of the previous Exhibition organised by this Society, which has been sent to us, there is every probability of the forthcoming one being very successful. At the recent Annual Meeting of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society it was announced that there had been a slight falling off in the attendances at the museum during the year. Nothwithstanding the fact that the fees paid for lectures was £68, as compared with £123 for the pre- vious session, there was stil! a loss on the year’s work of £8. The question as to the future of the Society's museum was raised, and apparently it is not yet decided whether it shall be taken over by the Corporation, or go to the University. One of the most valuable acquisitions during the year was the skeleton of a woman found in the Scoska Cave, Littondale. . Naturalist No. 630 (No. 408 of current series). A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF . NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., Tue Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., TECHNICAL COLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Contents :— PAGES Notes and Comments :—Memories: Francis Galton; Croton Oil; A Boot Story; A Seal Story ; An Impression; The Darwin Celebrations at Cambridge ; The Boulders of the Cambridge Drift ; Boulder Clays = ae ie Ba ee as a4 co ... 241-243 In Memoriam—Thomas ‘Mellard Reade, F.G.S.—T.S. Ly Re ae te ere any 244 The Present State of Our Knowledge of Carboniferous Geology—Dr. Wheelton Hind, ETAT 27S RIB Sige RPO ce A Re hi CD a ee ee i OR 2) The Broad=leaved Wood Garlic or Ramsons (Illustrated)—Jas.E. McDonald _... w+« 252-256 Museum News fe os rs A ‘he. i ee petite sae ae ie we pa 256 Thrush Stones and Helix nemoralis L.—E. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, F.L.S.,F.G.S._ .... 257-259 The Phytoplankton of the English Lake District (Mlustrated)—Wm. West, F.L.S., and Gas eR An DL Spt Ds Sette uh ues Wain tS te Aa UR A YD SL A .) 260 2BR Field Notes... Sa te ae ans Bo cle Se sa wee pe ies Nae A ... 268-270 News from the Magazines __... ste et me Sa 4 Ns ene ws au a 271, Reviews and Book Notices _... pa Poe Se er See oe ay: u.. | 244, 251,259, 272: Illustrations ... at wae ae m8 ar oF At mea Ses Les 250, 252, 254, 255, 265 LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C. : And at HuLi anp YorK. Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. : PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. ~~~ | _ Freshwater Algz, making a total of 3160 species. PUMPS ome See RE Ad ok tala, yh Se Pi PUBLICA 7 IC Ne oes a oe aie The Workshbire Waturalists’ Union. BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, Volume I. 8vo, Cloth, 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price 5/= net. Contains various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Fungi of the county Complete, 8vo, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &c. This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero- — ains and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382 680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15/= net. _ NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. } By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.I.A., V.M.H. And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, by MatrHeEw B. Srater, F-L.S. This Volume _ forms the 3rd of the Botanical Series. 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6 net. THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S. — This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list of all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species. Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price G/= post free. THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S. This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044 — species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution. Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net. LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. ‘The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1340 species of Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement, contains much new information which has been accumulated by the author, including over 50 additional species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c. ; In progyess, tssued tn Annual Parts, 8vo. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. The Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued in separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject. The Parts already published are sold to the public as follows (Members are entitled to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878), 1/9; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879), Q/-; 5 (1880}, 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; -7 (1882), 2/6; 8 (1883), 2/6; 9 (1884), 2/9; 10 (1885), 1/6; 11 (1885), 2/6; 12 (1886), 2/6; 13 (1887), 2/6; 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 2/6; 17 (1891), 2/6; 18 (1892), 1/9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-; 21 (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/3; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3; 29 (1902), 1/-; 80 (1903), 2/6; 31 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (1906), 5/-; 34 (1908), 2/6. THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.0.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., M.B.O.U., and F. BOYES. 2 Vols., Demy 8vo 25/= net. ; Demy 4to 42/= net. Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK-~ SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Also in course of publication in the Trans- actions. THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14, 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W. C. HEY, M.A. THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited oy by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., Museum, Hull; ‘and T. W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College, — Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., GEO. T, PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S,, and R. FORTUNE, F.Z.S. (Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 6/6 post free). ee a A MEMBERSHIP in the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Naturalist, and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union. A donation of Seven Guineas constitutes a life-membership, and entitles the member to a set of the Transactions issued by the Union. Subscriptions to be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, H. CULPIN, 7 St. Mary’s Road, Doncaster. ; Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union at a discount of 25 * per cent. off the prices quoted above. EN All communications should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, ¢ T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., The Museums, Hull, SAN \ Pbk te ry IGEN Ee yd ae a PE OE Sa an i wi eS =e tele 2G ath aeeag DNS Pay sg eg lp hc §ob Sef. <5) THRUSH STONES AND HELIX NEMORALIS L. E, ADRIAN WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK, F.L.S., F.G.S. (Continued from page 174). The following signs require explaining. A single ‘[’ before a formula, implies entire confluent lip banding, as [l1l23s425. In this shell the fifth band ws absent, excepting at the lip. The sign ‘[U’ implies the confluence of the three upper bands at the lip, as [U(112)234425; a most unusual form. The sign ‘[L’ the confluence of the two lower bands, as [L11232:524; this form is common enough. The sign ‘{[UL’ implies the confluence of the three upper bands together, and the confluence of the two lower together, with the third interspace clearly marked, as [UL(112)s24(425). Frequently the fifth band is not the normal width below, and there are many shells which can only be indicated thus : 11223442[32]. There is also a very rare shell on which the bands. are not in exactly the normal position. It can be in- dicated thus [ol]11234425. The absence of a band is indicated by the size of the figure, as 111334526, where the third band was not present. There is also the production of an extra band or bands. Such forms may be recorded as—[11223[111]525. Much more rarely we find it thus—[11223[112]425, or [11223 {11111]325. Then there is the contrast, where the band has a white interspace, as 1122[lil]4425. All these are typical specimens from this parish. There are two sources from which specimens may be obtained for comparing the supply furnished by any locality with those that are destroyed by the thrushes at their anvils on the spot. The first supply is the ‘ dead shells ’—perfect specimens— which may be found at any place frequented by H. nemoralis L. In the case of these specimens, as soon as | have taken off the banding and interspacing, I crush them underfoot, so as not to record them again. The second source of supply is the living molluscs, which may be obtained on the ‘crawl’ any damp summer evening. As one grows older and more sympathetic, I suppose, one grows more and more chary of taking life need- lessly. At least I find, I personally hate more and more the act of destroying the molluscs to preserve their shells in the county collection. So I take a vasculum out with me when I 1909 July 1. R 258 Woodruffe-Peacock:: Thrush Stones, etc. am working living shells, record the banding and interspacing on my note-sheets as I pick them up, and slip them into the tin when done with. As I return from collecting, I place them at some well-recognised spot, I never collect at—my dumping grounds, as I call them. The relationship of colouring and banding to soils and local environment I must leave to future papers on the local records I have collected, with the help og friends. I can speak with some little experience now, as I have burnt ten thousand sheets recording one specimen each. Willingly would I have kept them for use, but as they were on five different methods of recording, I could do nothing with them. It is difficult to record shells properly on any method—to translate one method into another is beyond my wit, at least. Though the shells are destroyed, the facts they illustrated are substantiated by the notes I possess on the method suggested here. Why /ibellula (Risso) should vary from seventy to eighty per cent. on fresh water alluvium, and be entirely absent at thrush stones in a Lincolnshire limestone quarry, I cannot say. Why there should be less casfanea (Moq.) than either /zbellula (Risso) or rubella (Moq.), under all the varying circumstances, I have met with, seems inexplicable. The more you know, the more profound seem the problems which confront you. Perhaps, with the assistance of other workers, some of them may finally be solved. It would seem, too, that there is a relationship between ‘indistinct,’ ‘intermittent,’ or ‘ broken banding,’ and certain souls. On arid parti- or multi-coloured sea-sand banks, with little grass growth, this type of banding is unusually frequent, and seems to act as a protection to the mulluscs against their enemies. Neo-Lamarckism, or the modern evolution, would account for the prevalency of such banding in suitable localities. I know this is not the explanation generally given, but it seems to accord best with the facts which may be observed. Two quite independent matters seem to be confused by the common interpretation. First, the physical cause for broken banding first arising ; and secondly, the far more important question from the evolutionists’ point of view :—What has maintained it, and made it hereditary ? Facts and fancy are widely distinct, but are yet allied. True science loves facts, but is ever seeking to arrange them by methods suggested by imagination, 2.e., co-ordinated fancy. It may only be a coincidence and nothing Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 259 more between the varying forms of environment and the band- ing, or other peculiarities of their associated land shells. The facts would not remain inexplicable were our knowledge full enough. I will give an illustration from another shell. Ina Hibaldstow limestone quarry, where Gentiana Amarella L. abounds the season through on the arid rock of the quarry floor, Helix hortensis Miiller + liliacina (Taylor), in its dark form, may always be found in small quantities at thrush stones. When the colour of the flowers of this plant is taken into con- sideration, the fact is remarkable. When we know that this quarry is the only locality for this dark variety of H. hortensts known in Lincolnshire, and the plant is found nowhere in the same quantity and variety in size, the fact is still more remarkable. I have no large quantity of banded shells from soils suffi- ciently varied, to test whether a simple formula like that I have suggested for H. nemoralis can be worked out for them. There is, however, a law of destruction by thrushes in the case of H. aspersa L., and H. hortensis, my notes are sufficient to prove. I must leave it to others who are interested to work out a formula and the law fully by its aid. Helix virgata Da Costa appears to me the most difficult banded shell we have to make a useful formula for. ———@ &——_ The Scientific Feeding of Animals, by Prof. O. Kellner. Duckworth & Co., 1909. 404 pp., 6/- net. For some time there has been the need for a good treatise on the scientific feeding of animals, and we certainly consider that the publishers could not have supplied the want better than by a translation of Prof. Kellner’s well-known work, which has already appeared in seven languages. Dr. W. Goodwin, of the South-Eastern Agricultural College, has made the translation, and has placed all English students and practical farmers and breeders of cattle under a deep debt of gratitude. The volume is not too technical, and is well produced. British Birds in their Haunts, by the late Rev. C. A. Johns. Edited and revised by J. A. Owen. London: George Routledge, 326 pp., 7/6 net. Notwithstanding the recent flood of ‘ bird’ books, we cari say that the present volume is one that we are glad to see, and is one of the few that we can recommend to tie serious student. It is sound and thorough, and nct full of the silly twaddle which most people who have a field glass and library think they can produce for the benefit of the bird-loving world. Besides much useful and reliable information about the various species, the accounts abound with interesting narrative. But the feature of the volume which will appeal to most ornithologists is the excellent series of sixty-four coloured plates, upon which there are two hundred and fifty-six figures. These are particularly faithful representations of the birds, being neither too gaily coloured, nor too clumsily drawn. Having regard to the price of the book (7/6 only), the illustrations are certainly the best of their kind that we have seen for some time, and are likely to prove most useful to the field ornithologist. 1909 July 1, THE PHYTOPLANKTON OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT. Wn. WEST, F.L.S., AND G. S. WEST, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S. (Continued from page 193). After carefully considering the occurrence of Asterionella in the British lakes, we are compelled to agree with Wesenberg- Lund that Whipple’s explanation is insufficient to explain the great maxima which occur with a considerable degree of regu- larity in so many of these lakes. Whipple’s observations were carried out in reservoirs and in the laboratory, and not under conditions such as obtain in large lakes of considerable depth. In the first place, it is unlikely that any living individuals would exist at the bottom of a deep lake ; and assuming they did, it would be quite impossible for them to be raised up from the bottom, either by storms or convection currents, in suffi- cient quantities to cause an enormous maximum in the plankton. Moreover, although Asterionella attains its maxima in both spring and autumn, many other plankton-diatoms have only one maximum, and in some species this is attained in the winter and in others in the summer. In stormy times, large numbers of individuals are probably carried into the plankton from the littoral region, and this doubtless accounts for the sudden maxima of certain plankton Diatoms a few days after a storm, such as in those cases recorded both by Whipple and Wesenberg-Lund. We think, however, that the supply of plankton-recruits from the littoral region would be totally insufficient to cause the enormous maxima which occur regularly in certain plank- ton-species unless the other determining factors were of the most favourable nature. These determining factors would most probably be temperature, food-supply, and aération of the water. It would appear that temperature is a factor of importance, as the vernal and autumnal maxima occur at approximately the same water-temperature. This temperature (about 7°—8°C.), is probably the optimum for Asterionella gracillima. In the spring the food-supply would be at its greatest because of the large quantity of decomposed organic matter accumulated in Naturalist, West: Phytoplankton of English Lake Dtstrict. 261 the water. In the autumn, there would also be an increase in the available food-material due to the death and decomposition of short-lived summer forms, and also to the slight concentra- tion of dissolved material in the water poured into the lakes. The aération would obviously be greatest in the times of greatest disturbance of the surface-water. It is also probable that the intense light of the summer is detrimental to any great increase of Astertonella. Cyclotella compta has two maxima, one in June, and one in September, but these are not nearly so well marked as in Astertonella. On the whole, most of the Diatoms attain their greatest abundance in the autumn. A few species never completely disappear from the plankton, and can be found in the living state throughout the entire year. Such are Suvirella robusta, Asterionella gracillima, and Tabellaria fenestrata var. astertonel- lowdes. The characteristic var. asterionelloides of T. fenestrata was most abundant in September, with the highest water-tempera- ture, and scarce during the cold winter months. The typical chain-form of this species with a zig-zag disposition of the frustules, which is also the normal littoral and pond form, was only observed in the plankton in the month of June. There is no evidence in this lake of any seasonal change from spring forms with a zig-zag-disposition of the frustules to pelagic summer and autumn forms with star-dispositions, such as is mentioned by Wesenberg-Lund to occur in Denmark. The chain-form was not observed in the plankton until the star- dispositions were quite common, and it was only seen in that one month. It would thus appear that the var. asterionellotdes is well established in Windermere, and that the small maximum is due solely to the multiplication of perennial colonies. Prac- tically no variation in the frustules of these colonies was ob- served, the somewhat elongated proportions being very con- sistently maintained through the entire year. Myxopuyce&. Of the few members of this group found in the plankton of -Windermere, Celospherium Kiitzingianum is,the most conspicuous, attaining its greatest abundance in September (temp. 14.4°C.), in which. month four out of the seven recorded species of blue-green Algze occur. Oscillatovia Agardhii occurs in gradually diminishing quan- tity from September to December (temp. 14.4°—3.2°C.). 1909 July 1. A Lake District. 5 Phytoplankton of Engli West 262 ttre eT ae erie eecas ella tame eet er Peete | te |||) OO Deadlies 3 SOM UNWIND “IRA “qQoig, wnywpidsna ub sue |) duu |) sau) seug |) sue || so | oe a ii a) |) yey hee a nie (vpyppaay BULIOJ) JSOA\ Mndafrnavl es sun |) aati |) sau |) eee} seme) POT OO. ure] Ge aye i) sia Oa ae ceo y “vs JSOM, WNIVAANI ub eye |fP 2° Jie 29 ISOM “S 4) YM wnaiwdvjadopnasd e at sue ]) guar) 29 : ae 22 i aon) diswe | say |) ati a 5 gi ‘ CAEN sadisuo] “rer eS a iT em | Pcs al | | So) awe |! aut |} sen |) 3) ay || ds) 7s oR : UDINE WMNXOPVADE WASVANDIS | ree = on a rs Bie ISM “S *D ON (oe 10q) LEME TOES ‘IVA “YIOSe'] ee SNULSAPOAY JA PF sail oo | Rac aR Beal leaer dill 5 Woe Smal h eal lle 6 ’ ae SOM “SD YM wnyposadnudap “res ‘zynxq (‘Gersgp) wnydopiun BG see |) aE giles “ : || saue|| a) ay | OO aISBY, 8S D x “AA Hd TEA “IVA JSOA\ WendafysvYyqns wnipiyjUdY suit alte: os ‘ait . . ee nam oo ae . . oe ae oe “qoig ee “ee aa 2 sik ve on a8 ISA\\ “S “9D » M (}plog) wnrpuoysv “rea ‘puny (‘3eN) ine ss siege |) Ge | aia ff °° : : : Sis || at 3 | ISOM Mey Otay 2.0) BINN (itns))) EIDE ‘IBA “JSPION wnpiiungqns 4 sue | oe ae 6 a P: ‘YSU SUtsog wniuvmso”g seat || 3c HO. came ml ee : ae See | as Il en | ko ie see os oe oe fs (opt10qs) ‘ds vstsouds Sia Soa aes : oe 3|) gs eA ae : i ZINST (“AYO W “IGOA\) VvUoZ xv1L414701Q Att : Se aE so os ‘Ylesey (‘yuoqray) vywiaasqqv vaodsosarpy Il ij} agar |) pace} 9 2O gue} O° | gene | aan sei oi aN ok aus or ‘+ (ajttezs) “ds wnruosopsp “DAIAHAONOTHD Sela eilonle elas liosic alimplic Zia ZloSis & IRQlaAq(/SP lee (Aalie a] OF (ABs ol wal og hee Sala Io |d Ie ISFIFs celica ics | Fics $ ¢ ‘ $ .4 OF) a eae eee tas . eee oe ae Sice ilee NS) oleh res ee ae ™ ‘Sdloadds Soe tomeloe ak | Some itco deat tooo. (2 ° *Q061 “LO6I SS SS SS SSS ‘uourutos Ayirey ! ‘uonboryut G alli 2 ‘are ‘ een, ‘900, ‘Juepunqe pue ! 99, ‘uourUIOD © ) ‘ , ‘ore1 AIDA—: SNY} pozyeotput st Aouenbosy At} ePoI oY} 9[qe} Sty UT ‘NOLMNVIdOLAHd HO HIEGVL Naturalist, 263 Phytoplankton of English Lake Dtstrict. West “ ra or aor : a vs 2 a ae + “ginyy sepia Son ese rn ; xe ais ote ate we ++ -ZyNy VSOIpHA VINILAD N jt oe oe a o- o. oa oa . o. o* o. UO}}IS (MPI “IN “W) sisuauojora “ Sch |) ea fe Pegi oe AC, | Dale I eee | ee | ge d as cies Fa ae -* *ZeUIsaG, VULINGDI VIAVIWVALT soul oe oe “* o. o. a. oa . oe o “+ o. OD “SSPE psousof “ce sui |} goo |) oy9}9) || Gee) |" sue |] sue |] ae || le) |) G9) || eis) || es) ||) : a PEK a at "+ ‘qToFyT vwmrppiavAd V]JaUoLAAS P wil: oo oe ai jue) 2 o. . ane o an ot “query (q9Sz}1N) vuln “ oT ; ok as mG SE ‘unin (‘zjny) SuvIpYA DApauts sveae:|l srcuea calf Seay) crete af 0 -Rie| MS REIRSON SS) a Sl | Bete a We Ce og ue “8 a ‘zany (YOY) VsojnII0pf a sa || see | ge |p au jjamarl! Suan) acto) smee!) aaaey) ee a 3) : a % “UNI Saplojjauorsajsy “TVA 0 wt I os oe re aol a sire are on oo : a0 os oO -< “zany (‘q8uA47q) pywagsaual DUAYIJAQV.L, Perel es i coats ee ee ice T alicees [Pee re | Tas) * * a sa a - aSDAA (SD DW AA VSAOM DIWALOSOZ1Y si || see || ae) aay apa) ee ee Pe Pa Pe I ape | ase) at ; a i sis 0 Je -* zany Vidwmor 07]9}0]IAD un || 6s) | 9) ae au | egen|| eer | 2? 3 : oa we . ci i ‘S]TeY VIVjNUvAS DALSOIA YT ‘WalMVIUOVg sai | gene || guar || °° si ae aig ri ‘yrose’y (*zynyz) SvdId $1784900]4) TEEN pe shee tok oa fee Sal Veins | gee atl ke so |fectEen ses ois ie os a zh “UIA S24gsnIv] DAOGSVAIA T, wif |] Fane || OO || So en [| umgay Cadac py a I . Re mg a oe “-yepoyy muajaosyIg susksoswyds TETG [ose oe a. oan oe an o os oe UW U . os os oe vs aay ‘zIny UUNDAG snI9090K MOT wate || 2 : iG x8 “i ws “+ 4saAy ugvun? wmnydoosydan sue |} at ? a a eh - cae yepoyy sz4jsnav] syskI0Q ayer || 9% ¢ ase iG ue RE poom wnggayynd wmnyayqsonjq éseall enc oe Pe Ai ce % WS9M “SD ‘Ig *y) Supmoiy “eA sjTey (ep10g) smyvav{ snwmsapodjsiyup Bite fea acam Re aan (Ro ea ia : ar oj via rh ‘uuog wmndafynpunjs ss sugar || atjehe || SIP SNe PE 8 Rae fee ace Ne : at uy we ‘ysousyy (diny) wnuvkaog wnA4svipaq sage | am || °° os oie ca oe Me ‘quolyy SUvsaja VULAOPNT siaist |] © By ae a? oR ‘+ ‘qorgq unuosojdy wnipmusaqy gue || Pe |e Sadie parm cole) |] oe + oTTOM wenungd “rer ‘ry (Tee) wnaysind wnisojkpuods cigs || soue|) aoee|| sue |) au) OO) Om ees | once lh age ams) sat! " 4SOM SD) PM Mnd1U0;IUD]G “TEA STTEY WNIVUN] WNASDAND]S ‘sny| Aint ounf asc 2 eSSoe, iro Co tey) eG ns: West, Treatise Brit. Freshw. Alg. 1904, p. 80, fig. 25. * Wesenberg-Lund, /.c., 1908, p. 60. + Lemmermann in ‘ Archiv. ftir. Hydrobiol. u. Planktonkunde,’ III. 1908, pp. 357, 361. 1 Gos. Westan Journ, imme soc. Bot arene TOOOm pple Limos , N aturaiist, West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 267 This Alga occurred in a more or less fragmentary condition, in the plankton of Codale, Easedale, and Stickle Tarns. It was obviously merely washed in from the shores, and has there- fore been excluded from the table of phytoplankton. It is not uncommon at the margins of subalpine tarns and lakes, especially if boggy, but is not always easy of recognition. The filaments are from 6-9 p» in diameter. 2. GONATOZYGON MONOTZNIUM De Bary var. PILOSELLUM Nordst. in Wittr. & Nordst. Alg. Exsic. 1886, No. 750; fasc. Zt, £880, p. 48. This rare variety has not previously been recorded for England. It is well characterized by the short spinate pro- jections which replace the minute granules of the type form. The cells were 9-11 » in diameter, and in this variety they are generally somewhat narrower than in the type. with slightly less dilated extremities. We have recorded it from the plankton of Loch Fadaghoda in the Outer Hebrides. and we have found it in other localities in Wales and Ireland. 3. CYLINDROCYSTIS DIPLOSPORA Lund. var. MAJOR West in 5 oun Meimny Soc} BO, ONE. 1892, p. 131, t. 20" fy 3); Wee Gese West im ~ Journ. Koy: Micr. Soc:)) 1894, pr 4, tex, iG 4h NMonoer., brit. Desm. la) reo4) p.-61 ts 4-1, 42,43; This large variety was not uncommon in the plankton of Ennerdale Water. Long 125 ~; lat. 62 p. It is known to occur in several British localities, and the first English record was from Riccall Common in East Yorkshire. 4. MICRASTERIAS PINNATIFIDA (Kiitz.) Ralfs, “ Brit. Desm.’, MOACsepS 774 b-LO) te sy) WE ea Gia S West, ~ Monogr,” Brit. Desm~ pil. 905) p80. t. 4b) i712, 13. This pretty little species is known to occur in the bogs of the Windermere drainage basin, and we have observed it sparingly in the plankton of Ennerdale Water. It appears to be confined to the old formations of the western mountainous areas of the British Islands ; and in parts of the west of Ireland and north-west Scotland it is frequent in the bogs and lakes. 5. MICRASTERIAS RADIATA Hass. ‘ Brit. Freshw. Alg.’, 1845‘ pascon ee Oorls 2 (meireimad | Wace Go S: West, \)-c., pas t. 51, f. 1-9. M. furcata Ralfs and other authors. Like the preceding species M. vadiata is one of the western types of the old formations. It occurred in the plankton of Easedale Tarn, this being the first English record. Long. 187 p; lat. 170 w; lat. isthm. 23 p. 1909 July x (Zo be continued). FIELD NOTES. MAMMALS, Porpoises in the River Hull.—Several porpoises have lately visited the River Hull. They ascended the river on Tuesday, May 17th, at 4 o‘clock in the morning. As they passed under Sculcoates Bridge unsuccessful attempts were made to procure them with boat hooks. They were afterwards seen at Hull Bridge, near Beverley, still swimming up the stream. At least one got as high up the river as Hempholme Lock, and narrowly escaped being shut up in the lock-pit which it had entered, just making its exit in the nick of time. This lock is some twenty miles from the Humber, and to the knowledge of frequenters of this stream for many years, no porpoise has previously been known to ascend it. One of these enterprising animals being in a dazed condition, was caught and killed by a house-boater on the Friday, in the neighbour- hood of Mikla Dike. It proved to be 48 lbs. in weight, was forty-six inches long, with a girth of twenty-five and a half inches. Its skin bore evidence of having been peppered with small shot, which, no doubt, accounted for its easy capture.— i. M. OsTER, EHrull: —!0:— BIRDS. White Wagtail in Wharfedale.—Whilst strolling along the banks of the River Wharfe at Arthington on April 6th, I was rather surprised to see two White Wagtails amongst a number of Pied Wagtails. The Pied and White Wagtails were often very near each other, and I was able with little difficulty to see the characteristic differences in the plumage between the two.—S. Hote, Leeds. Curious Accident to a House Martin.—A House Mar- tin in difficulties was recently discovered in the middle of the road at Harrogate. The bird was unable to fly, as a long hair had become entangled in its foot, and had then twice encircled the left wing. After the hair was removed the bird flew away. This is a sample of the many curious accidents to which birds are liable-—R. FoRTUNE, June 11th, 1g09g. Golden Oriole at Gainsborough.—On the 12th instant, walking with my daughter by the side of the Bale, a narrow wood bounding Thonock Park, on the south, we had the good fortune to see a Golden Oriole feeding on the bank between this wood and the high road. We watched it several times as it Naturalist Field Notes. 269 kept flying on in front of us; and in one place we got to within about a dozen yards of it before it flew away. It was very busy picking up insects from off the bank, as 1s its wont before the fruit time arrives.—F. M. Burton, Highfield, Gainsborough, May 19009. Wood Pigeon Diphtheria.—There has been great interest taken in this enquiry, although, according to the reports, Yorkshire birds seem to have escaped the contagion. I have been on two estates this April, and there the keepers seem to think the birds shot have been in good condition. Strange to say, on April 3rd, I picked up a dead Stock Dove at Eshton that had undoubtedly died of this infectious disease, its gape being one mass of cheese-like matter. Its eyes were bright, so that it had probably been dead only a day or so; the body thin, breast-bone very prominent; plumage exceptionally good.—W. H. PARKIN. Broken Eggs under Herons Nests.—Whilst on a visit to the heronry near Gargrave on April 3rd, 1909, I again noted dropped eggs under the nests. On this occasion there were only three broken under say ten brooding birds’ nests. In other years I have noted considerably more, in fact, one year it was possible to tell easily which nests were occupied by the broken egg or eggs underneath—these mostly fresh or only very slightly incubated eggs. I have always assumed that this loss was due to the indifferent platform nests. Possibly the early eggs become affected by the frost, and, on being sat, break more easily and are thrown out.—W. H. Parkin. Rook Law.—Keferring to Mr. F. M. Burton’s article in “The Naturalist ’ for April; some years ago I witnessed the following occurrence, on what is known as a shard, 1.¢., a large island in the middle of the river Lune at Lancaster. Some two miles up the river is the village of Halton, where there is a large rookery, and from this I noticed a number of birds come flying and chattering. They settled on this shard, opposite the house I was then living in. The proceedings were almost identical with those described by Mr. Burton. The birds on alighting gathered in a circle several yards across, leaving one of their party in the centre. Silence at once ensued, and after a few seconds only, eight rooks deliberately - advanced towards the bird in the centre, and quickly killed it with their beaks. It never offered to escape or defend itself. Immediately the work was done, the whole assembly rose in the air, and with loud cawings, flew back to the rookery. 1909 July 1. 270 Field Notes. I went across to the island at once, and found the bird quite dead, but warm. I could find no trace of cuts or blood.— H. B. Turney, Ulverston. —!0:— FLOWERING PLANTS. Euphrasia Rostkoviana Hayne—a new Yorkshire Eye- bright.—On September roth, 1908, I found this rare Eyebright near Warthill Station in v.c. 62. It is an addition to the flowering plants of Yorkshire. Its census number for Great Britain is 35 out of 112, and therefore it is a decidedly rare plant. It is very tall compared with the other BritishEyebrights and grows scattered over waste ground.—WM. INGuHaM, B.A., 14th May, 1909. —20:— MOSSES. Tortula cernua Lindb.—A Second Yorkshire and also British habitat.—On page 1 of ‘The Naturalist’ for 1gor is an account of the discovery of this new moss to the British Flora near Aberford. On May ist, 1909, Mr. T. C. Thrupp of Doncaster sent me a specimen which he found by the side of the River Don, between Doncaster and Conisborough, 1n V.c. 63, and it proved to be Tortula cernua, and in good condition. From Mr. Thrupp’s account it seems to be better established near Doncaster than at Aberford, where I understand it is scarce.—WwnM. INGNAM, B.A., 14th May, 1909. —:0 :— GEOLOGY. Mammoth’s Tusk at Robin Hood’s Bay.—At a recent meeting of the Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society, there was exhibited a part of a Mammoth’s tusk about eighteen inches in length, found in the boulder clay in the neighbourhood of Robin Hood’s Bay. It had evidently had a good deal of hard wear as a ‘ boulder.—D. W. BEvan, Scarborough, May 23rd, 1909. —:0 :— NEUROPTERA. Libellula fulva Mull. Re-discovered in its Old Station near Askern.—On Whit Monday, May 31st, I took a freshly emerged Dragon-fly at Shirley Pool, near Askern. Not knowing the species, I sent it to Mr. Porritt, who identified it as L. fulva. Mr.S. L. Mosley recorded the species from near Askern in 1888, but from that time to the present it has been Jost as a Yorkshire insect.—H. H. Corsett, Doncaster, June 1909. Naturalist, to “I = REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. The Young Beetle-Collector’s Handbook, by Dr. E. Hofmann. With an Introduction by W. Egmont Kirby, M.D. 3rd Edition. London, Swan, Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd. 178 pp. We can thoroughly recommend this book to the beginner in the study of the Coleoptera. For so cheap a work, the twenty coloured plates with which it is adorned are excellent. and will prove of great assistance to the young student in naming the larger species. For tne smaller species, however, since these are only figured life-size, the illustrations are not quite so useful, although they will enable the tiro to identify genera. As is natural in a book of this character, little attempt is made to describe the smaller species, the greater part of the text and plates dealing with the larger beetles, which it is usually the young collector’s first desire to obtain. ua few of the beetles referred to are continental ; species found in Britain, although far outnumbering the continental-only ‘forms, being distinguished by an asterisk. The letterpress, paper, arrangement and general ‘ get- up’ of the book are commendable, and tie volume, is provided with an index. Part 13 of Wild Beasts of the World (T. C. and E. C. Jack) contains excellent coloured plates of several of the large rmammals, including the giraffe, and the okapi. Fossil Plants, by E. A. Newell Arber. Gowan and Gray, Ltd:, 1909. 75 pp., Od. net. This is issued as No. 21 of this firm’s well-known sixpenny ‘ Nature Books,’ and contains reproductions from sixty clear photographs of typical Carboniferous plants, together with several pages of scientific matter by Mr. Newell Arber, whose incorrect initials—E.H.—twice on the cover, seem unfamiliar, To the student of Coal Measure plants these photographs shew almost as well as do the actual hand specimens or microscope sections. They are all correctly named, and work out to more than ten a penny ! The Natura! History of Igneous Rocks, by Alfred Harker, M.A., F.R.S., London. Methuen & Co. 384 pp., 12/6 net. We are glad to have the opportunity of drawing attention to the excel- lent volume by a former member of the editorial staff of this journal, Mr. Alfred Harker. The subject has not previously been dealt with in the form Mr. Harker now presents it, viz., from a purely geological or “natural history’ standpoint. The substance of the volume was first prepared in connection with a course of lectures delivered by the author at Cambridge, and all students of petrology will welcome the information in the present readable and easily accessible form. The first portion of the book deals with igneous rocks and igneous action ; it then deals with the crystallization of igneous rock-magmas, regarded as complex solutions. In this work Mr. Harker gives the results of his life’s work amongst the igneous rocks, and his descriptions are much simplified by the numerous drawings and diagrams in the text. ‘The Natural History of Igneous Rocks’ will certainly at once take its place in the front rank of solid contributions to the more difficult branches of geological research. We believe we have described the publishers of the work correctly, but the title is so messed up with a quite unnecessary rubber stamp, that all we Canwetaccens sewer.) COmmsOuen WC. OndOx Notes and Jottings from Animal Life by the late Frank Buckland. New Edition. Smith, Elder and Co. 414 pp., 3/6. Although the title- -page of this volume is dated 1909, the preface 1s still dated 1882. But the book is well known, and the many quaint stories of animal life are quite refreshing. The stories relate to almost every phase of life. We have had to put our copy down two or three times but a friend at last assured us that the type really was like that! Several pages have been printed twice. 1909 July a NEWS FROM THE MAGAZINES. ‘Four Centuries of Legislation on Birds’ is the title of a paper by Mr. W. G. Clarke in the June Antiguary. i In ‘Notes on Thysanoptera (Tubulifera) new to the British Fauna’ (Entom. Monthly Mag. for June), Mr. R. S. Bagnall describes Tricho- thrips semicecus from Greatham, near Hartlepool. The Country Side’s year-old child, Country Queries and Notes, has been re-christened Science Gossip. The title may be the title of Science Gossip, but the voice is the voice of Country Queries and Notes. Mr. Bernard Hobson writes an interesting and well illustrated article ‘With the International Congress in Mexico,’ in the number of The Journaj of the Manchester Geographical Society recently to hand. We learn from the Museums Journal that Mr. Frederick Stubbs, of Oldham, has been appointed to the restricted post of Curator in the Stepney Borough Museum. He is to work under the direction of the Borough Librarian, and be subordinate to that official. A child in a Lancashire school was asked what was meant by ‘ the quick and the dead.’ The answer was ‘the quick is those who can get out of the way of a motor car, and the dead is those that doesn’t ! ’— York- shive Ramblers’ Club Journal. Mr. Percival Westell has turned spring poet, and in The Selborne Maga- zine for April writes a poem, the first line of which is quite original :— ‘ Hark ! to the joyous lark!’ Probably his next poem will be ‘ Hark to the Cuckoo!’ The ‘ phrases’ of a Nightingale are given in a contemporary. One is ‘ Sosososososososososo, czirhaying,’ and another “ Sesesesesesesesesesesese, coar o sze-oi. The last one we heard giving forth ‘ phrases’ like that ended up with ‘rats’! In the New Phytologist for April, Mr. B. M. Griffiths describes two new members of the Volvocacee (Pyvvamimonas delicatulus sp. n. and Chlamy- domonas sp. n (?) from near Kidderminster, and Mr. A. W. Bartlett writes on ‘An Abnormal gynceceum in Stachys sylvatica Linn.’ In the Quekett Club Journal for April, Messrs. E. Heron-Allen and A. Earland have an important paper ‘On a new species of Technitella [T. thompsoni) from the North Sea, with some observations upon selective power as exercised by certain species of arenaceous foraminifera.’ A writer in the February Zoologist records that a Great Bustard was shot at Cloughton, near Scarborough, last Christmas, by Mr. Bennett, who ‘took it home, and had it cooked instead of Turkey for Christmas dinner.’ In the ‘ Zoologist ’ for March, Mr. W. H. St. Quintin points out that the ‘Great Bustard’ turns out to be a female Silver Pheasant. From the cover of The Country Side for May 8th we learn that ‘ lt would be an insult to the intelligence of our readers ’ to fill pages ‘ with disserta- tions upon such subjects as ‘‘ How Plants Grow ”’ or ‘“* The Development of the Frog.’’’ On opening the paper the first article is found to be entitled ‘How Birds Fly’! In the same issue of this journal, which professes to advocate the protection of birds, etc., is an advertisement :— ‘Will any reader who can procure a clutch of fresh Nightingale eggs communicate, etc. We notice the following modest statement in an article on Mendelism in a contemporary. ‘I have not read any of the work of the scientists mentioned [Bateson, Punnet, Hurst) but Mendelism seems to me to be only an elaborate and precise enunciation of principles which I have myself laid down in articles publisned at intervals during the last twenty years. . . . I see nothing in Mendelism which I have not been saying for many years.’ We need not say who the writer is ; only one man would write it. And oddly enough his work does not receive the credit he thinks it should by any of the ‘scientists’ quoted. In fact they do not mention his name, Natural.st ) . | one Ry iy Seger mies > «ep meet~ og No. 631 (No. 409 of current series), Pi A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND, EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., *i Tue Museum, Hutt; . AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD, ‘ WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Contents :— ate PAGE . Notes and Comments :—Salmon Scales; A Pre-historic Man Hunt; A Case of Somnath Stone Memorials and Jacob; Prof. (os S. West... , 273-274 t Dimorphism in the Eggs of Turdus musicus—(Ilustrated) —C. te ‘Patten, M. A. »M. D. , Sc.D, 275-277 Plants on a Bradford Waste Heap—John Cryer fe ds ee ay eas ee re 278 Permian Fossils in the Doncaster District—H. Culpin. ... ES “ee .-- 279-280 Some British Earthmites—Trombidiidz—(lMlustrated)—C. F. Geiwee, M. R. C. Seen ..: 281-282 © Northumbrian Coast Spiders—(Ilustrated)—Rev. J. E. Hull sis . 283-286 The Phytoplankton of the English Lake District (mlustrated)—Wm, West, FLL. S., Noe G. S. West, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S. . 287-292 Some Neolithic Hammer-=Heads hte East Yorkshire (Iilustrated) — T. Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A.(Scot.) ns . 293-294 Cornicularia kochii Camb.—A Spider New a. ) Great Britain—With a shes to the British Cornicnlarie—Wm. Falconer... ty . 295-298 Yorkshire Naturalists at Bowland ... ie soe We a xe ia ae Yi . 299-302 AA LOKENINOEES 5.0. WP Dac cen yy lesa shea in Met Ig a Nese ieee cea |= ean i feee Srvease /s/nh lees 280, 294, 303 Meporeviews and Book Notices (2.0) 0) aes gree fase fice ol ese Viorgeenc | tee ay lees) sy, 286, 304 ___ Northern News sao Sean sein ZR exer ML Neee iN oatoniaM- seam i eey. Ao, sae Laeaste eit (2% teaet)s esua aad News from the Magazines et oe a ah ny, xa et =H es a3 .. 274, 302 Petting. 1) eee ad. ak eA cee bao oc 875, 989, 988 a8, -ag Plates XVI,, XVII. j LONDON: A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, NY Gale | And at HuLy AND York. \ Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. . e: Nyy 3 “PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NETHy uo out 7 A reat IA OEUN SN ere aT WY Nc ST Te as LIC aT TONE The Workshire Watur, BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, Volume I. 8vo, Cloth, 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price 5/= net. a on 6 7 ony hes me = , J. Say ERT, iio y * Tac. ( lists’ Union. — Complete, 8vo, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &c. This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most — _ complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero- “ry penis and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382: — Rss all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species. - species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c. ’ as follows (Members are entitled to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1(1877), 2/3; 2 (1878),1/9; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879), ‘THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S. THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S. a ‘species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution. “THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14, reshwater Algz, making a total of 3160 species. 680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15/= net. NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.1.A., V.M.H. \% And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, by MattHEw B. StaTeEr, F.L.S. This Volume ‘ forms the 8rd of the Botanical Series. ; 1 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6, net. This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list: Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price 6 = post free. Bo This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044 Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition, Price 6/6 net. LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1340 species of Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement,. contains much new information which has been accumulated by the author, including over 50 additional Ne estes Seeeb ves aaa In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. The Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued in separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject The Parts already published ate sold to the public: ~ 2/-; 5 (1880}, 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; 7 (1882), 2/6; 8 (1883), 2/6; 9 (1884), 2/9; 10 (1885), 1/6; 11 (1885), 2.6; 12 (1886), 2/6; 13 (1887), 2/6; 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 26; 17 (1891), 26; 18 (1892), 1.9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-;, 21 (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/3; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3; 29 (1902), 1/-; 30 (1903), 2/6; 31 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (1906), 5/-; 34 (1908), 2/6. THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., M.B.O.U., and F. BOYES:. 2 Vols., Demy 8vo 25/= net. ; Demy 4to 42/= net. Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK=- © SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Also in course of publication in the Trans- actions. et PVE a FO A 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W. C. HEY, M.A. THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHEAD, E.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., GEO. T..PORRERE e F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S., and R. FORLUNE, F.Z.S. (Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 6/6 post free). A few copies of the late RICHARD SPRUCE’S work, “ON CEPHALOZIA (a Genus of Hepaticz),” (106 pp.), are in the possession of Mr. M. B. SLATER, F.L.S., of Newbiggin, Malton, who will be glad to suppty them at 4/6 per copy. FOR SALE. A Small Number of Back Volumes of ee THE NATURALIST at very low rates. Apply at once, stating requirements, to tes THE EDITORS, THE MUSEUM HUL ; ee a5 273 NOTES AND COMMENTS. SALMON SCALES.* Under this title Mr. J. A. Hutton has published a most instructive lecture, which is illustrated by several plates. In this the author demonstrates that it is possible to write a fairly good account of the life history of a salmon from an examination of a single scale. Assuming that the date of the capture of the fish is known, Mr. Hutton shews that it is possible to say when the fish was hatched, when it migrated to the sea ; its subsequent travels in and out of the river ; when it spawned, etc. ; all this and more from a careful examination of the lines of growth on a scale. A PRE-HISTORIC MAN HUNT. In the ‘Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union,’ which will be independently noticed elsewhere, is a paper with the tempting title, ‘ Pre-historic Man in Lincoln- shire,’ by the Rev. A. Hunt, whose extraordinary contributions to Lincolnshire ethnology we have previously had occasion to refer to. He dilates upon Eolithic Man, Paleolithic Man, and Cave Man, and then we find that none of these occur in Lincoln- shire! The paper then professes to give an ‘inventory of all the pre-historic remains found in the county, and we again hear, of course, of the mythical ‘ Pygmy Race.’ A-CASE OF COURTESY. In connection with this paper, the Curator of a certain museum (not in Lincolnshire, but close by), was asked some time ago to supply a complete list of all the pre-historic remains in his collections. The list was a lengthy one, and took some trouble to prepare, but was duly forwarded. “Though appar- ently nearly all the information supplied is used in the lists appearing in the address, no reference whatever is made to the museum, nor to the fact that a list had been supplied. The omission is all the more pointed, seeing that the specimens in two other museums are specially indicated. As_ the museum in question contains, if not the finest, one of the finest collections of Lincolnshire antiquities extant, the omission can hardly be put down to ignorance. Speaking of the Brigg boat, we find Mr. Hunt writing (p. 293) that it ‘is the finest specimen * 32 pp. and 14 plates. London: Sherratt & Hughes, 1/- net. Igog Aug. I. 274 News from the Magazines. of a Neolithic boat yet found and preserved to us in England. It is still to be seen in our county, in a special shed built to pre- serve it near Brigg station.’ Does it not seem like Fate, that, before Mr. Hunt’s paper was published, this grand relic should have left the county, and have gone to that very museum that Mr. Hunt has forgotten all about ? STONE MEMORIALS AND JACOB. We learn in this paper that vast sheets of ice are known as glaciers! In a photograph of ‘ Early British Pottery,’ there are some pieces which are certainly not early British, nor late British. The custom of raising mounds over the dead is by no means confined to ‘Egypt, India, America and Britain.’ Sir J. Lubbock is now Lord Avebury ; and what can anybody make of ‘ Incompleteness of the circle in the Barrow, points to design. Yet neither care nor trouble seem to have been spared in their funeral rites.’ The exploded idea of bodies in barrows being buried ‘facing the sun’ is trotted out. Some objects are described which are certainly not pre-historic. We learn, with surprise, that neolithic people did not eat fish. Didn’t the pygmies make fish-hooks ? We are correctly informed that there are over 370 barrows in England ; seeing that Yorkshire alone has yielded over double that number, and by we get to the piffle at the end, about Stone and Bronze Ages in the Buble, our patience is well-nigh exhausted. ‘In the Beginning—no date given’!1!. ‘There are Stone Memorials, Jacob,’ etc., etc. ‘Bronze translated brass is mentioned forty-five times ; Iron, four times,’ and surely ‘flint’ is mentioned too, though we fail to see how this will help us in our ‘ researches.’ PROE IG oO. Wisk: We are pleased to hear that our contributor, Dr. G. S. West, son of Mr. W. West, of Bradford, has been elected to the Chair of Botany and Vegetable Physiology at the Birmingham University. We trust that Prof. West may long live to carry out the excellent work he is doing at Birmingham. ———3» e&—_—_— The April Bradford Scientific Journal has an ‘ Introduction to the Study of Grasses,’ by Dr. W. G. Smith; ‘ Annelid Hunting Round Brad- ford,’ by the Rev. H. Friend; ‘ Vegetation of Some Disused Quarries,’ by Mr. S. Margerison; ‘ Bradford Spiders,’ by Mr. W. P. Winter; and ‘ The Stonechat in Yorkshire,’ by Mr. E. P. Butterfield. In this last article the author contends that the species is not nearly so common as one might be led to believe from Nelson’s ‘ Birds of Yorkshire.’ Naturalist DIMORPHISM IN THE EGGS OF TURDUS MUSICUS. C. J. PATTEN, M.A., M.D., Sc.D. Sheffield. BEING recently engaged in research into some points in avian embryology I solicited from gardeners, fruit-growers, and others, donations of eggs of some of our common species. A liberal response brought to me a number of eggs of the House-Sparrow, Blackbird and Song-Thrush, and in more limited numbers eggs of several other species. Some interesting variations in the shells came under my notice, especially in the case of the House- Sparrow and Song-Thrush. In the present paper I will deal only with the latter. I need merely give a passing notice (C. J. Patten, photo). ale : 2. 3. 4, Dimorphism in the Eggs of Turdus musicus. No. 4 is entirely devoid of spots. In Nos. 1, 2 and 3 the spots, and more especially the large blotches, are reddish-brown. In No. 3 there is, however, a large blackish blotch in addition. The unspotted egg (No. 4) is the longest ; No. 2 comes next, both of these eggs being more pointed than the shorter ones Nos. 1 and 8. The measurements areas follows :—No. 1—2°8cm. by 2°2cm.; No. 2—2°9 cm. by 2'2cm.; No. 3—2°8 cm. by 2:1cm.; No.4—3cm, by 22cm. It may, therefore, be observed that in breadth the eggs are practically of the one measurement. regarding variation in size in which in three clutches each egg measured only 1°8 cm. or 7 mm. below the average as given by Saunders (‘ Man. Brit. Birds,’ Sec. Edit., p. 4), while regarding variation in the distribution and size of the spots, I may men- tion that in two clutches they were exceedingly small, and wholly confined to the pointed ends. I now wish to refer in some detail to a clutch in which one egg was entirely devoid of spots. I do not place so much im- portance in the discovery of a Thrush’s egg without spots ; it is generally known among ornithologists that such cases are by no means rare, but when the contents were examined in conjunction with the shell, some interesting points cropped up. 1909 Aug. I. 276 Patten: Dimorphism in Eggs, etc. These I will refer to in a moment. The clutch in question, of which I give a photograph, consisted of four eggs. They were found on May 30th, 1908, in a perfectly normally-built Thrush’s nest, well lined with a wall of dung, bits of rotten wood, and caked moss. The nest was built in a laurel-bush, and, when first discovered, the bird was sitting, and her identity thus secured. The off chance of the unspotted egg being that of a Starling is rendered all the more remote by the fact that Star- lings were not breeding in the immediate neighbourhood, nor indeed can I find an instance of a Starling Jaying in a Thrush’s nest. That Thrushes have laid in Blackbirds’ nests is a known fact, and there is no reason to doubt that occasionally a Black- bird may take possession of a Thrush’s nest. Moreover, the Blackbird has been known to lay blue unspotted eggs. In the present instance, I do not think for a moment that the egg was introduced by another bird into the nest, yet, from the observa- tions made upon it prior to its being blown, suggestions seem to arise regarding the possibility of its being other than a member of the clutch. In measurement it is slightly longer than any of the spotted eggs, but the difference is so trivial as to call for no significance. Indeed, as may be seen from the measure- ments given below, all the eggs of the clutch exceed the average measurement in length. Its broadest measurement corres- ponds with two others of the clutch, while the remaining one is only I mm. narrower than these. In breadth all the eggs of the clutch may be said to attain to the average measurement laid down. But in the colour and texture of the shell, the un- spotted egg, examined unblown, showed two marked: peculiar- ities. The gloss, which was present in the spotted shells, was absent, and the texture of the shell was rougher and more porous. The other feature attracted my attention still more, namely the difference in the ground-colour. This was much more apparent when the specimen was viewed in strong sunlight. The shell of the unspotted egg appeared lighter in shade, and of a truer blue colour than the shells of the three spotted eggs. But the latter, which shewed a slight greenish tinge, became, when blown, almost identical in shade with the unspotted shell. The reason soon became obvious, for, on blowing out the con- tents, I was surprised to find that the unspotted shell contained only a remarkably small and very pale yellowish-white yelk, which, amidst the mass of glary albumen was very inconspicuous. Hence the strong hight, more or less transmissible through the shell, did not mingle to any extent with a rich and large yellow yelk-ball, and thereby produce a greenish effect. Naturalist, Patten: Dimorphism in Eggs, etc. 27 I was much interested with the aborted condition of the yelk, and it further occurred to me to obtain, if possible, evi- dence regarding fertility. This I was enabled to do after much delicate manipulation. For the eggs were fresh, and, though the vitelline membrane gave way as the contents were being extruded, still, after a careful search which occupied several hours, I managed to secure the germinal disc, and to isolate it from the yelk in each egg. In the case of the three spotted Shells, the germinal discs, which measured 4 mm. in diameter, showed evidence of fertility, for development had proceeded as far as the early indication of the embryonic shield, the primitive streak being barely visible. In the disc of the abnormal egg, there were no traces of developmental activity having taken place, and, to the best of my belief, fertilization had not ensued. Here, then, is an interesting association, viewed in its physiological aspect, between variation in shell structure, absence of the pigmental deposit from the villous membrane of the parent’s uterus, an abnormally small sized yelk-ball, which was unusually light in colour, and non-fertility. That there should be any necessary association between arrested activity of the secretion of the pig- mental deposit, which is not laid down until the shell is formed, and non-fertilization of the ovum itself, is not at all evident, and further investigation into the matter would be interesting. I may conclude with a brief reference to the pigment spots on the three other eggs of the clutch. In addition to a general distribution of small circular spots, great irregularly-shaped blotches are to be seen. With the exception of the lower spot on the face of egg No. 3, they are reddish-brown in colour ; indeed, these eggs, especially Nos. 1 and 2, might almost pass for that type of Ring-Ouzel’s egg, which one occasionally meets with, displaying a clear bluish ground-colour with discreet brownish blotches. The difference in the black pigment spots seen on some Thrushes’ eggs and the rusty reddish-brown on others, depends upon the thickness with which they are deposited. The pigment is naturally dark reddish-brown, and when laid on thinly, appears as such ; a thick coating appears almost black.* . In this clutch, therefore, the pigment was evidently sluggishly secreted and deposited, until after attempts were made to spot three eggs, the secretive power of the gland finally ceased, leaving one egg altogether free from spots. eee * Just as in the case of the super-posing of hundreds of coloured blood-corpuscles, straw-yellow in shade, gives one the idea of rich red blood. 1909 Aug. 1. iS) “I co PLANTS ON A BRADFORD WASTE HEAP. JOHN CRYER. LAsT year on a waste heap near Bradford a very interesting series of plants was found growing luxuriantly. Most were casuals ; a few were aliens. Amongst the former were Lepi- dium ruderale L., Coronopus didymus Sm., Medicago denticulata Willd., Medicago arabica Huds., Carum carvi L., Solanum megrum L., Marrubium vulgare, L. Of the last there were two very fine plants, the principal shoot of each being two feet in height, and the lower lateral branches sixteen inches in length. The Chenopods were well represented. In addition to Chenopodium album L. and its varieties, C. viride L. and C. paganum Reichb., there were fine examples of C. opulifolium Schrad, C. serotinum L., C. Vulvaria L., and two large beds of C. murale L. The grasses were also well represented by Panicum crus-galli ¥.., Setaria viridis Beauv., Setaria glauca Beauv., Polypogon monspeliensis Desf. (in abundance), Gas- iridium lendigerum Beauv., Festuca myuros L. (in abundance), and Bromus madritensis L. Amongst the aliens were Carthamus tinctorius L., with its large head of richly coloured orange-red flowers, and Trigonella caerulea Ser., with its rich, silky lilac flowers. Three alien grasses were Bromus tectorum 1.., Bromus unioloides H. B. and K., and Deyeuxia forsthii Kunth. = Agrostis retro-pacta Willd. Agrostis retro-pacta Willd. is not recorded in Dunn’s ‘ Alien Flora of Britain,’ nor in Druce’s ‘ List of British Plants.’ Mr. A. Baydon Jackson, Secretary of the Linnean Society, to whom I sent a specimen, writes :—‘ An interesting find, as it has not been noted as an alien before in England, so far as I am aware.’ It is, I understand, a common Australian grass, and must have been brought over with wool. EAR ERRATUM.—On page 253 of the July issue omit the 4th line from the bottom and read :—‘ This explains the scar of leaf (F1) encircling,’ etc. A ‘fine specimen of the bony sunfish’ was caught at Filey on July 20S Ue It measured ‘ about 2 ft. 6 in. in length, and was almost as much across. We are pleased to find that Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse, F.G.S., the Presi- dent of the Geological Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, has been appointed lecturer in geology at the Queen’s University, Belfast. At the same time we are sorry that this promotion means that Dr. Dwerry- house leaves Yorkshire. Naturalist, 279 PERMIAN FOSSILS IN THE DONCASTER DISTRICT. HH, CULPIN: The Permian rocks in the neighbourhood of Doncaster include two limestones separated by a red marl, 30 to 100 feet thick, which contains lenticular deposits of gypsum. The Upper Limestone is about 50 feet thick, and is in beds or layers, with a fossiliferous band near the top. The Lower Limestone is usually about 230 feet thick, and is a massive rock with few signs of bedding. The fossils it contains occur in great abun- dance near its base. Between the top of the Upper Limestone and the base of the Lower Limestone, organic remains are very rare. The following fossils have been collected recently from these limestones in colliery shafts and railway cuttings near Doncaster. They have been named through the kindness of Dr. A. Smith Woodward, F.R.S., and are here recorded in the hope that investigation may be stimulated. The activity expected in the near future in the search for coal will provide facilities for the examination of the overlying Permian rocks which it will be a pity to let pass. From the top of the Upper Magnesian Limestone, the speci- mens obtained were—Liebea hausmanni (Goldfuss), Schizodus obscurus (J. Sowerby). These occurred at Bullcroft Colliery, Carcroft, and on the Doncaster avoiding line, near Newton. From the basement beds of the Lower Magnesian Limestone the collection included—Liebea hausmanni (Goldfuss) (d) (e) ; Schizodus obscurus (J. Sowerby) (a) (0); Bakewellia antiqua (Miinster) (a) (b) (d) ; Leda speluncaria (Geinitz) (b) ; Pleuro- phorus costatus (Brown) (a); Straparollus permianus (King) (a); Dtelasma elongata (Schlotheim) (e); Camarophonia schlotheimt (v. Buch) (0); Spirifer alatus (Schlotheim) (0) (c) ; Lingula crednert (Geinitz) (b) (c); Productus horridus (J. Sowerby) (a) (0) (c); Fenestella sp. (b); Penniretepora sp. (b).* Some interesting references were made both by Sedgwick and by King—by the former in his ‘ Magnesian Limestone ’ ( Trans. Geol. Soc. London,’ 2nd series, Vol. III., 1829); by the latter in his ‘ Permian Fossils’ (‘ Palaontographical Society,’ * (a) = Brodsworth Colliery; (b) = Bentley Colliery; (c) = Maltby Colliery ; (d@) = Cadeby Cutting, Dearne Valley Railway ; (e) = Cutting, S.E. of Doncaster to Conisbrough Road, Dearne Valley Railway. 1909 Aug. I. 280 Field Note. 1850)—to the organic remains in the Magnesian Limestone rocks near Doncaster. Sedgwick pointed out their abundance, generally among the lower and more coherent beds, in the escarpments on both sides of the Don, and at Stubbs Hill and Wentbridge Hill. He stated that many casts of Axinus (Schizodus) obscurus occur at Wentbridge Hill in the lower beds of yellow limestone, and that it is found in a much more perfect form in the lower beds of Stubbs Hill. ‘He mentioned more than once the beautiful small casts of a deeply striated shell, apparently Zurbo, which occur in the pisolitic yellow limestone between Marr and Hickleton. Casts of a small smooth shell, apparently of the same genus, are rarely found, he said, in the lower beds of yellow limestone near Conisbrough. King refers to the striated turbos as probably Turbo man- cuniensis (p. 206), and to the smooth ones as probably Turbo permianus (p. 206). King also alludes to the abundance of Schizodus obscurus at Stubbs Hill, and states it has been col- lected near Elmsall (p. 190). King’s other references to the district are in regard to Mytilus squamosus, a specimen of which he figures from Ham- pole (p. 160) ; Bakewellia antiqua from Hampole, Stubbs Hill, and between Marr and Hickleton (pp. 169 and 170) ; Pleuro- phorus costatus from Stubbs Hill (p. 182); and Dentalium sorbu, discovered by the late Henry Clifton Sorby, from ‘ Con- nigsborough, near Doncaster’ (p. 218). All these localities are on the Lower Magnesian Limestone. Ree ts me BIRDS. Crossbills at Louth.—Kecently, flocks of Crossbills have been seen in the gardens on the east side of Louth. In the- early morning of July r4th,* a flock of about a dozen was seen by Mr. I. Robinson, Mount Pleasant, in his garden. He ob- tained two of the birds—both females—one young, the other adult. The next morning he saw a flock of more than a score, and obtained another young female; he again saw them in the afternoon of the same day. The taxidermist to whom they were taken saved one of the crops for me; its contents con- sisted entirely of ‘ Greenfly.’ Two of the birds had the lower mandible curved to its left, the other to its right. —C. S. CARTER, Louth, July 17th. * A few days later a fine female Crossbill was seen in a garden near Brough, E. Yorks.—Ebs. Naturalist, SOME BRITISH EARTHMITES. Trombidiid2z. €. F. GEORGE, M.R.C.S. Johnstoniana errans.—This very remarkable mite was des- cribed by Dr. George Johnston in his ‘ Acarides of Berwick- shire ’* His description, which is accompanied by figures of the hairs of this mite on their bulbous base, one palpus, and two parts of the hind leg, is so clear and minute, that there can be no mistaking the identity of the creature. He describes it as blood red, with scarlet thorax legs and palpi ; smooth to the naked eye. He points out that it is not a characteristic Rhyncholophus, but stands as it were between that genus and Trombidium. Now, dissection shews that it is nearer to Trombidium than to Rhyncholophus ; for the great distinction between these two genera is, that in RAyvncholophus the man- dibles are straight and fitted for piercing, whilst in Tvombidiam they are sickle shaped, and adapted for tearing. Figure B. is a mandible of this mite, and may be compared with that of Trombidium holosericeum (see page 333 of ‘ The Naturalist ’ for 1908, fig. 1.). In ‘ The Naturalist ’ for 1907, page 180, will also be found a figure of the mandibles of Evythreus, which is one of the Rhyncholophida, and shews distinctly the great difference between the mandibles of the two families. At present Trombidium is divided into two sub-divisions, viz., Trombidium and Ottonia, and as the specimen now being described differs so greatly from both of them, I have ventured to make it a third sub-division, which I call Johnstoniana. It differs from the two other sub-divisions as follows :— (a) The body is longer than broad, only very slightly wider at the shoulders, the sides are straight and almost parallel, and the posterior end is widely and regularly rounded. (b) There is a distinct mark of division between the body and the cephalothorax ; the latter is conical, and pointed in front. (c) The eyes, each of which has two ocelli, are raised on short pedicles, and situated on the upper side of the cephalo- thorax, but wide apart. (d) The palpi, one of which is drawn much enlarged (fig. C), besides the large claw at the end of the fourth joint, have two accessory small claws. Tvrombidium has no accessory claw, and Ottonia only one. These accessory claws are made out with difficulty, but can best be seen by examining the palpi before the mite is mounted. * ‘The Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club Transactions,’ Vols. II. and III. 1909 Aug. I. 282. George: Some British Earthmites (Trombidtide). (e) The legs are altogether remarkably different from either of the other two sub-divisions. They are longer, and the hind legs are considerably longer than the others ; and, instead of being more or less flattened from side to side, they are round, except where the claws are situated. They are studded with mamillary elevations irregularly situated, and having a stiff colourless curved bristle arising from their centres. Some of these are bent at right angles (figs. D, Eand F); others only curved, but all point backwards. Perhaps they are best seen on the last joint of the hind leg (fig. £). The front pair of legs are the next in length, and have the distal joint somewhat swollen, club-like. The sternite (fig. H) which is situated between the eyes, is rather short, and some- thing like an inverted ‘T,’ (1). It has on each side, about the middle of the stem, a rather large stigma, and on the skin above are a few stiff dark-coloured spines. The upper end of the sternite is also en- larged, and has two stigmata within the enlargements. Con- siderable care is re- quired to get a good mount of thisorgan. Mr. Evans has sup- plied me with three examples of this mite of different de- grees of develop- ment. The last was an adult female,and contained _ several round and rather large red eggs. It was found in damp moss on a_ stone- faced fence on the road side near Edin- burgh, on October 31st, 1908. There was a wood on one side, and open fields on the other. About 29 years ago I found two mites with simi- lar legs, so that doubtless this mite a. Johnstoniana errans. 6. Mandible. c. Palpus. d. Portion of hind leg. e. Last joint of hind leg. g. Curved hairs on body. h, Sternite, {angles. Hair on mamilla bent at right is pretty widely dis- tributed. Naturalist, 283 NORTHUMBRIAN COAST SPIDERS. Rev. J. E. HULL. Un ess otherwise noted, all the spiders enumerated below were collected by myself during a month’s stay in the neighbourhood of North Sunderland, in September Igo08. Since that time the kindness of two or three friends has enabled me to add a few names to the list, some of considerable importance. Previously, next to nothing had been done on the coast of Northumberland, for casual visits to the neighbourhood of Whitley Bay, by myself in 1896, and by Dr. Jackson a few years later, produced very meagre results. The most notable of the Whitley records was that of Tmeticus reprobus Cb. (then a little-known spider, and recorded by me as a new species under the name of Tmeticus denticulatus), and of Evigone arctica White, found there by Dr. Jackson in 1902, when it was new to the British list. Of the more recent captures by far the most interesting is 95 ~ 1. Cnephalocotes incurvatus Cb. 9 —cephalothorax. ge - —caput, from above. 3. 53 5 —tibia of left palpus, from within. 4 —tarsus and metatarsus of first pair of legs. 5. Lophocavenum nemorvale Bl. 9 —epigyne. 6. Lophocarenum parallelum Bl. 9 —epigyne. ” ” Cnephalocotes incurvatus Cb., of which two males were taken on the links opposite the Farne Islands. The type specimen (also a male) was sent to Mr. Pickard-Cambridge from Aberdeen 1g09 Aug: 1. 284 Hull: Northumbrian Coast Spiders. nearly forty years ago, and remained unique until the discovery of these Northumbrian examples. It was described in the Linnean Society’s Transactions, vol. xxvii, 1873, under the name of Walckenaéra incurvata, and appears in Mr. Pickard Cambridge’s Igoo list as Tapinocyba incurvata. Since 1900, however, the limits of the genera Tapinocyba and Cnephalocotes have been better defined, and the figures now given are suffi- cient to show that the present spider undoubtedly belongs to the latter. It appears to lie between Cnephalocotes curtus Sim. on the one hand, and C. elegans Cb. and C. interjectus Cb. on the other. The elevation of the hinder part of the caput is greater than in C. curtus, and less than in the other two, and the tibial process of the palpus is an exaggeration of that which is found in C. interjectus. In the structure of the palpal tarsus, it approaches very near to C. curtus. Viewed from above, the occipital elevation is pretty distinctly outlined by dusky lines which at first sight give the spider the appearance of a Tapino- cyba, the lateral lines looking very much like the furrows which are found in the males of that genus. The female is as yet un- known, but now that a definite locality is known for the species, it ought to be forthcoming shortly. Lophocarenum nemorale Bl. is now recorded for the second time for Northumberland. In 1871 it was taken by Dr. Hardy on Cheviot Hill, and quite recently I have found both sexes in Allendale on the moors at about 1400 feet. It was quite plenti- ful in tidal drift between Seahouses and Beadnell, and during the present year I have received it from similar situations in the neighbourhood of Cresswell. It would seem, therefore, to have a decided preference for maritime and sub-alpine localities, though by no means unknown elsewhere. So far as I know, this is the best authenticated example among spiders of a peculiarity of distribution which is well known in other branches of natural history. Prosthesima mgrita Th., so far as Northumberland is con- cerned, has a similar distribution, as the only previous record was for Cheviot. Engone arctica White, and EF. longipalpis Sund. are now known to abound all along the north-east coast. They literally swarmed in the tidal drift, the former being the more abundant of the two. Both of them also occurred casually on the sand- hills. These two species seem to be essentially maritime. Lophocarenum parallelum Bl. was equally plentiful with si Natural.st, Hull: Northumbrian Coast Spiders. 285 L. nemorale Bl. at the same time and place ; but, unlike that species, it does not appear to ascend into the hills. Its upward limit in Allendale seems to be about 700 feet. Two other rare spiders have since been sent to me from the tidal drift—Typhochraestus digitatus Ch., a fine pair from the same spot as the spiders noted above (October 1908), the second occurrence of the female in the county, and the first of the male ; Cnephalocotes elegans, both sexes (May 1909—just through the last moult) from Cresswell, the second record of the male for Northumberland and the first of the female. The characteristic spiders of the sandhills (as distinguished from the comparatively level links on the landward side of them) are Clubiona phragmitis C.1..K., Tibellus oblongus Wlk.. and Trochosa picta Hahn. Along with these are swarms of Lepty- phantes tenuis Bl., L. blackwallii Kulcz., and Meta segmentata Clk., which, though they may be found almost anywhere, are particularly abundant among the marram grass. Very few of the spiders occurring on the links have any claim to be considered distinctively littoral, but several species appear to flourish better there than elsewhere. Among these may be mentioned Oonops pulcher, Pholcomma gibbum, Bolvphantes luteolus, Gongylidium apicatum, Neriene bituberculata, Tiso vagans and Areéoncus humilis. _ The two species of Evigone and Tmeticus reprobus Cb. are the only spiders which are exclusively maritime. The former occasionally wander to some little distance inland, but 7. veprobus seems to be confined to the immediate neighbourhood of high water mark, where it is to be found under loose stones. It is generally distributed around the British Isles, but not yet recorded for the mainland of Europe. The following is a list of all the species—sixty-one in num- ber :— Oonops pulcher Templ. Drassus lapidosus Walck. D. troglodytes C.L.K. Prosthesima nigrita Sund. Micaria pulicaria Sund. Clubiona reclusa Cb. C. phragmitis C.L.K. C. diversa Cb. C. trivialis L. K. Agreca proxima Cb. Amauyrobius fenestvalis Str. Textrix denticulata Oliv. Theridion bimaculatum L. 1g09 Aug. I. Pholcomma gibbum Westr. Phyllonethis lineata L. Robertus lividus Bl. Tapinopa longidens Wid. Bolyphantes luteolus Bl. Stemonyphantes lineatus L. Linyphia clathrata Sund. L. montana Clerck. L. hortensis Sund. Leptyphantes blackwalliz Wulcz. L. tenuis Bi. L. evic@us Bl. Bathyphantes variegatus Bl. 286 Reviews and Book Notices. Pedina scopigeva Gribe. Centromerus bicolor Bl. C. stlvaticus Bl. Tmeticus veprobus Cb. Microneta beata Cb. Gongylidium fuscum Bl. G. apicatum BI. G. vetusum Westr. Evigone arctica White. E. longipalpis Sund. Tiso vagans Bl. Typhochvestus digitatus Cb. Lophomma herbigvadum BI. Lophocavenum nemorale Bl. L. parallelum Bi. Wideria antica Wid. Walckenaéva acuminata Bl. Corniculavia unicornis Cb. Ceratinella brevis Wid. Evo furcata Vill. Meta segmentata Clerck. M. meriane Scop. Pachygnatha degeevit Sund. Xysticus crvistatus Clerck. Oxyptila trux Bl. Tibellus oblongus Walck. Tvochosa tevvicola Thor. T. picta Hahn. Taventula pulverulenta Clerck. Lycosa amentata Clerck. L. pullata Clerck. L. nigriceps Thor. Heliophanus flavipes Clerck. Dicymbium nigrum BI. Neriene bituberculata Wid. Gonatium vubens Bl. G. vubellum Bl. Savignia frontata Bl. Ave@oncus humilis Bl. Cnephalocotes tncurvatus Cb. C. elegans Cb. My thanks are due to Mrs. Fletcher, North Sunderland Vicarage ; to Mr. Tait, North Sunderland ; and to Mr. W. Flowers, West Thirston, for spiders collected and kindly sent on tome. Also to the Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge, for kindly confirming my identification of some of the rarer species. Figures of Cnephalocotes incurvatus are here given to supple- ment those of Mr. Pickard-Cambridge in the Linnean Society’s Transactions, volume xxviil., plate 46, fig. 20; also of Lopho- cavenum nemorale 9 and L. parallelum 9, which are not figured in any British work, and only very imperfectly in Chyzer and Kulczynski’s ‘Aranee Hungarie.’ Me gga A Short Guide to the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street, London, S.W. 48 pp. Price td. Some little time ago when visiting the Jermyn Street Museum, we pur- chased an elaborate guide for 6d., and were much impressed with the detailed accounts of large collections, which had been removed to other museums, some miles away. This state of things has now been remedied, and we are delighted to find that the Jermyn Street Museum has brought out a carefully compiled guide at the popular price of one penny. A perusal of this is some slight indication of the wealth of the geological specimens in this institution. By the aid of this ‘ short guide ’ the visitor can at once find his way to the objects he is particularly interested in. Further help in this direction is given by the insertion of five plans. An Official Guide to Towneley Hall, Burnley, written by Mr. John Allen, has just been issued by the Burnley Museum Sub-Committee. It is a well- illustrated account of this ancient mansion, now an attractive Art Gallery and Museum. Quite apart from its associations, there is much in Towneley Hall of interest to the artist, antiquary, or naturalist. In view of the ex- treme value of the Foldy’s Cross, and the fact that it 1s one of the few of this type that are dated (1520), we certainly think that it should be placed under cover. Natura Ist, 287 THE PHYTOPLANKTON OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT. Wn. WEST, F.L.S., AND G. S. WEST, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S. (Continued from page 267). 6. MICRASTERIAS MAHABULESHWARENSIS Hobson _ var. WaArmenu (Grun.) W.-&iG.S. West, Jc. p. 122... 54, 1.7, 8; t. 55, f. 1-3. M. Wallichu Grun. This interesting Desmid occurred in the plankton of Gras- mere. Inthe British Islands it was only previously known from the plankton of certain of the lochs of Scotland and the Shetland Islands, in which places it has recently been discovered. Long. 197 »; lat. 150-165 »; lat. isthm. 32 p. 7. COSMARIUM CONTROVERSUM West in ‘Journ. Roy. Micr. Soc.’, 1890, p. 280, t. 6, f. 31 [both description and figure imperfect]. This rare species has previously been recorded from both Wales and Scotland. It occurred in the plankton of Grasmere, but was very rare. The following is an amended description of the species :— C. submagnum, 1!-1r4-plo longius quam latum, profunde constrictum, sinu angusto-lineari extremo ampliato ; semli- cellule pyramidato-trapeziformes, angulis basalibus rotundatis, lateribus leviter convexis, angulis superioribus rotundatis, apice late truncato; a latere vise ovato-elliptice ; a vertice vise elliptice, tumore parvo ad medium utrobique. Membrana granulata, granulis rotundatis et uniformibus, in series obliquis decussatis 14 et series verticalibus indistinctis 18—rg (nonnun- quam vix conspicuis), ad marginem semicellularum wniuscu- jusque granulis 30-35 visis, in centro semicellularum cum scrobiculis rotundatis conspicuis inter granulos. Pyrenoidibus binis. Long. g0-96p; lat. 72-77p; lat. isthm. 22-32 p; crass. 45 p. 8. ARTHRODESMUS TRIANGULARIS Lagerh. var. SUBTRIAN- GULARIS (Borge) W. & G. S. West in ‘ Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.’, XXIII, 1905, p. 24. A. Incus var. subtriangularis Borge in ‘Botaniska Notiser,’ 1897, p. 212, t. 3, f. 4. A. triangularis var. hebridarum W. & G. S. West, ‘ Journ. Linn. Soc.’, XXXV 1903, p. 542. 1909 Aug. I. 288 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. This characteristic plankton-variety of A. triangularis occurred in several of the lakes, but not in any great profusion. Long. 35-42 »-; lat. sine spin. 25-32 p, cum spin. 77-83. A most interesting form with a triangular vertical view occurred in the plankton of Easedale Tarn. This constitutes one of the connecting forms between the genera Arthrodesmus and Staurastrum. It was observed intermingled with the more usual elliptical variety, and might be called ‘ forma ¢/1quetra’ (Fig. 5D). Fic. 5. A., Xanthidium subhastiferum West var. Murrayi W.& G.S. West, x 430; B., Arthrodesmus crassus W. & G. S. West, x 500; C., A. triangularis Lagerh. var. subtriangularis (Borge) W. & G. S. West, «x 500; D., A. triangularis var. subtriangularis forma triquetva, * 500; E., Staurastrum jaculifer'um West, X 500. g. ARTHRODESMUS CRASSUS W. & G. S. West in ° Journ. Linn. Soc.’, XXXV., Nov. 1903,. p.-541, t. 14, f. 8, 9. Stauras- trum Sarsii Huitfeldt-Kaas, Planktonunderségelser, I., Norske Vande, Christiania, 1906, pp. 55, 156, t. 1, f. 11-17. This species occurred in great abundance in Ennerdale Water. Long. 19.5-23; lat. (sine spin.) 19g-21p; lat. isthm. 10 #; crass, 11.5-13 w. (Fig. 5 B). It appears to be a true plankton form in the British lake-areas. Huitfeldt-Kaas, who found the same Desmid in the Norwegian lakes, made the mistake of regarding the fibrillar structure of the enveloping mucus as an armature of spines. 10. XANTHIDIUM SUBHASTIFERUM West var. MURRAYI W. & G.S. West, 1 cf 1903) p.' 540, toa: Natura'ist, West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 289 This distinctive variety has only previously been observed from the Scottish lakes. It was abundant in Grasmere and Windermere, especially in the latter, in which it was quite a conspicuous feature of the plankton. It also occurred in Hawes Water. Long. 56-61 p; lat. sine spin. 56-62 », cum spin. 92-97 p. (Fig. 5 A). II. STAURASTRUM ANATINUM Cooke & Wills var. LAGER- HEIMII (Schmidle) nob. S¢. Lagerheimit Schmidle in Bih, till Kes vee Akad. Handl..Bd.-21, Nov 8189823, f.00. «Sz Landmarki Huitfeldt-Kaas, l. c. 1906, pp. 54, 155, t. 2, f. 32, 33: This variety differs only from typical S¢. anatinum in the shorter processes, which are scarcely more than half the normal length. It occurred in Ennerdale Water and in Easedale Tarn. Long. 53-05; lat. cum proc. 72-88 p. St. anatinum and several of its varieties occur abundantly in the British lake- plankton. The var. Lagerheimit is known from Norway and Northern Sweden (Finmark). 12. STAURASTRUM ARCTISCON (Ehrenb.) Lund. in Nov. Act. i SoG sclent./0 psala, ser. 35-V [Nh 1871, p.70; t. 45. 1., 8, This handsome Desmid appears to be very general in the British plankton, although exceedingly rare in other situations. It was particularly abundant in Brothers’ Water. 13. STAURASTRUM CUSPIDATUM Bréb. var. MAXIMUM West in “ Naturalist,’ Aug. 1891, p. 247; W. &G. S. West in‘ Journ Emm Soc. /bot. , XX XV.; 1903; pe 545, ta 17, a.,13.>. St. cuspi- datum Bréb. var. longisbinum Lemm. in ‘ Botan. Centralbl. Bay, EXXVI> 1808. p: 4 (sep.): St. -Dager Honttelt-Kaas, L.Gengo, pps.55; Loot: 2,1. 30,30. In the plankton of all the British lake-areas this large variety of St. cuspidatum occurs in abundance. It exhibits consider- able variability in the length of the spines, although they are invariably stronger than in typical S¢. cuspidatum. Surround- ing the base of each large spine is a ring of about six large pores, through each of which a short projecting piece of denser mucilage can frequently be seen extending into the surrounding and less dense gelatinous envelope. These structures are sometimes very conspicuous, and have caused Huitfeldt-Kaas to describe them as spines. I4. STAURASTRUM JACULIFERUM West in ‘ Journ. Linn. 1909 Aug. I. T 290 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 2oc: Bot. 5 Xx XTX! 1892, Pp. 7 2,t. 22.7 r2i) aba 1903, p. 543, t. 17, f. 1-4. This species is fairly general in the plankton of the English lakes, and a particularly fine form is abundant in Wastwater (Fig. 5 E). This form attained a diameter of 80 » with the spines. I5. STAURASTRUM BREVISPINUM Bréb. forma Major. Cells very large, but otherwise typical. Long. 59-63 »; lat. 52-57 p This form was abundant in the plankton of Brothers’ Water (Fig. 6 E). In size it approaches var. altum W. & G. S. West, but has not the proportions characteristic of that variety. 16. STAURASTRUM OpuHiurA Lund. in Nov. Act. R. Soc. Scient. Upsala, ser. 3, VILI., 1871,.No.'2; p: 60,.404,8 7: This species was only observed in the plankton of Easedale Tarn. It has been seen in no other part of the Lake District, and this is its first record for England. This is the more remarkable since St. Ophiura is one of the most conspicuous constituents of the Scottish and Welsh plankton. The speci- mens observed were g-rayed, and had a diameter (with processes) of 142 p. 17. SPHZROZOSMA VERTEBRATUM Ralfs var. PUNCTULATUM W. & G. S. West in ‘ Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.’, XXIII., 1905, p. 28. S. punctulatum West in‘ Journ. Bot.’, Dec. 1891, t. 315, ales 28 This variety occurred in both Brothers’ Water and Enner- dale Water, but was much more abundant in the latter. The cells are more angular than those of the type-form, and the punctulation of the cell-wall is a marked feature of the variety. 18. EUDORINA ELEGANS Ehrenb. We find this member of the Volvocacee fairly general in the plankton of British pools and lakes. It always attains its greatest maximum in the autumn, during the decline of tem- perature. Huitfeldt-Kaas (1. c. 1906, p. 36) has placed Spherocystis Schroetert in the Volvocaceee under the name of ‘ Gl@ococcus mucosus A. Br.’, but we are inclined to think that he has con- fused this characteristic plankton-alga with Eudorina elegans. Wesenberg-Lund also believes thisconfusion to havetaken place. We should not be surprised if Huitfeldt-Kaas had done this, Naturalist West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. 291 as some of his other observations point to similar misconcep- tions. He describes the fibrillar structure of the mucous envelope of certain Desmids as ‘ spines.’ We would point out that the cells of the Eudorina-colony are arranged more closely, and much more regularly than those of Spherocystis, and that each cell frequently contains several pyrenoids. Moreover, the bases of the cilia, where they pass through the mucous envelope, can always be seen in Eudorina, even in badly preserved specimens. Fic. 6. A.-D., Elakatothvix gelatinosa Wille from the plankton of Wastwater. A. and B., Colonies, x200; C., portion of colony, xX 500; D., very small colony, 500. E., Staurastrum brevispinum Bréb. forma major from the plankton of Brothers’ Water, 500. 19. ELAKATOTHRIX GELATINOSA Wille in ‘ Biol. Centralbl.’, XVITII., 1808. This interesting Alga has only previously been observed in the lakes of Norway. It is not uncommon in the plankton of Wastwater, more especially in August, September, and October, but the British specimens do not exactly agree with those described from Norway. The cells are slightly narrower, and their disposition within the enveloping mucus is often somewhat irregular, although their long axes are arranged more or less lengthwise in the colony. The exterior of the mucous investment is very firm and tough, and the colonies have the general form of a somewhat irregular spindle. Long. agog Aug. I. 292 West: Phytoplankton of English Lake District. cell. 16-25 »; lat. cell. 3-4; long. colon. 130-340 p; lat. colon. 13-48 p. (Fig. 6 A-D.) Wille has also described an American species—Elakatothrix americana—with shorter and broader cells (vide ‘ Wille in Rhodora,’ Aug. 1899, p. 150). BACILLARIE#. 20. RHIZOSOLENIA MORSA W. & G. S. West in ‘ Trans. Roy.-lmsh Acad”, XXXII; sect. Bo parmells 1900; ps maar t. 11, f.5—7. R. enensis H. L. Smith var morsa W. & G. S. West in ‘ Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin.’, XLI., part III., 1905, p. 509, te 6:23" This Diatom occurred in abundance in Thirlmere and Windermere. It is now known to occur in all the British lake- areas, and also in the Australian plankton. In the June plank- ton of Thirlmere resting-spores were noticed. These were relatively small, and were formed towards the middle of the cell. They were broader than long, and furnished with strong walls. Long. spor. gp; lat. 12. (Fig. 2). 21. TABELLARIA FENESTRATA (Lyngb.) Ktitz. var. As- TERIONELLOIDES Grun. This plankton-variety is fairly general in the English lakes and the elongated form of the frustules is maintained much more constantly than in the Scottish lakes. In the plankton of Grasmere colonies with very long frustules were plentiful. Long. frust. 86 #; diam. colon. 170 p. The first British record of this variety was in 1902, when we recorded it from Lough Neagh and Lough Beg, but since then it has been found abundantly in all the lake-areas. MYXOPHYCE. _ 22. LYNGBYA BIPUNCTATA Lemm. in ‘ Forschungsb. Biol. stat. Plon’) VEL 1960; p. 138.2) 1G tht. IX moO, pens ae This species was frequent in both Codale and Easedale Tarns. Diam. trich. 1.4; long. cell, 4-5.5 p. Close to each end of every cell is a strongly refractive granule, the rest of the cell-contents being homogeneous, and of a pale blue-green colour. The filaments were flexuose, but not twisted into any regular spirals, as is sometimes the case. It appears to be very closely allied if not identical with L. Lagerhermit (MOb.) Gomont. The narrow plankton-species of Lyngbya require further investigation and considerable revision. (To be continued). a Naturs «st, THE NATURALIST, 1909. PLATE XVI. Fig. 2. Fig. 1. 2 Fig. 3. Stone Hammer-Heads found in East Yorkshire. i figine Je Sp ‘ ak ut 293 SOME NEOLITHIC HAMMER-HEADS FROM E. YORKS. T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scor. (PLATE XVI.) THE archeological section of the Hull Museum has recently been enriched by a number of interesting objects. Amongst these are some hammer-heads of more than usual value, from the careful way in which they have been constructed, and also from the fact that they are of somewhat uncommon types. In each case the entire surface of the stone has been carefully worked, in order to give the shape to the implement, though in one instance, namely the Bempton specimen (fig. 2), it is quite possible that a well-rounded beach pebble may have been selected, the implement being shaped from it with less trouble than would have been the case from a rough piece of stone. Perhaps the neatest weapon is that shown in fig. 3, which was found at Sproatley in Holderness. This is made from a highly crystalline fine-grained igneous rock, probably obtained from the local drift, and is very symmetrically shaped. In proportion to the weapon, the hole for the haft is large. It seems to be rather different in type from any figured by the late Sir John Evans in his ‘ Ancient Stone Implements of Great Britain.’ The weapon is roughly egg-shaped, the sides and ends being convex, whilst the top and bottom are slightly concave. It is 3 inches in length, 22 inches in width, r¢ inch in thickness, and the hole is an inch in diameter at the outsides, being slightly less in the centre. It weighs 7} ounces. A somewhat similar type of weapon is that shown in fig. 4, though the top and bottom are convex, and the extremities are rather more pointed than in the Sproatley example. It was found in the Carrs at Burton Agnes in 1890 by a game- keeper, and was presented to our collection by the Rev. C. V. Collier, F.S.A. The stone is of a hard quartzite or altered sandstone, such as occurs in the local drift, but the chief interest in the weapon is the fact that it is in an unfinished state. The sides have not been rounded off as in the Sproatley example, and although an attempt has been made to bore a hole for the shaft from each side, the work has not been com- pleted, there being less than one-eighth of an inch still to cut through. It well illustrates the probable method of boring the hole, viz., by means of sand and a stick, the scratches round and round being distinctly visible. The length of the implement is 1909 Aug. ie 204 Field Note. 34 inches; it is 2 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. The hole for the handle is r¢ inch across on each side. It weighs 9 oz. A hammer-head of somewhat unusual type is illustrated in fig. 2. This was recently found at Bempton, and the aperture for the haft is remarkably well drilled, being perfectly circular, and well polished inside. Its shape can best be ascertained from the photograph. The material is a very hard quartzite, probably a beach boulder. It is 24 inches long, 14 inch wide at the widest part, 1 inch in thickness, the hole for the handle being ;%,ths of an inch across, slightly narrowing towards the centre. It weighs 7 oz. Perhaps the most remarkable of the series, however, is the specimen shewn in fig. 1, which was found at Hotham. It is made of polished flint. The specimen is interesting, as it has not been perforated in the ordinary way by boring, the nature of the material of course making such a feat well-nigh impossible. What has happened is that the early hammer- maker has selected a large slab of flint, which has had a natural hole or flaw through it, and the hammer-head has been worked round the hole. It is 3 inches long, 2} inches wide, 2 inches deep, and weighs g$ ounces. The only other perforated hammer of this material of which I have any knowledge is also an East Yorkshire specimen, in the collection of Mr. Thomas Boynton, F.S.A. It is not of Yorkshire flint, but is made from one of the tougher travelled flints such as occur in the glacial clay of East Yorkshire. ————_— + e —_—_ Quick Nest-Building by Blackbirds.—In preparation for the camp of the East Lancashire Royal Engineers at Ben Rhydding, a quantity of timber (for fuel, etc.) was carted from the railway station on to the camp-field, on Thursday, May 27th. Short of two days later, on Saturday morning, May 2oth, this pile contained a Blackbird’s nest, with one egg in it. This pair of birds would probably have to build another hurried nest, as the wood was quickly put into use with the arrival of the regiment on the latter date.-—H. B. Booru, Ben Rhydding. As a supplement to Mr. Booth’s note, I may mention the case of a Mistle Thrush, which came under my notice several years ago. A nest of this species was to be found regularly year after year in a forked branch of a certain tree. Visiting the tree one Sunday, there was not the slightest signs of a nest, On the following Saturday the usual place contained a nest and four eggs.—R. FORTUNE. Naturalist THE NATURALIST, 1909. PuaTE XVII. Brows. Cornicularia kochii, Camb. ee 205 CORNICULARIA KOCHI! CAMB.—A SPIDER NEW TO GREAT BRITAIN. WITH A KEY TO THE BRITISH CORNICULARIA. WM. FALCONER, Linthwaite, Huddersfield. (PLATE XVII.). IN a paper entitled ‘On some Rare Arachnids obtained in 1908,’ and issued in the ‘ Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne,’ New Series, Vol. III., part 2, rg09, Dr. A. Randell Jackson describes and figures a new spider under the name of Cornicularia valida, founded on a solitary female, which he took from amongst fallen leaves under a thorn bush on the banks of the Dee, at Saltney Ferry in Cheshire. Through the kindness of its discoverer, I have been able to compare this female with others which lately came into my possession, and which were collected in April of the present year by Mr. T. Stainforth of the Hull Museum, on the North Lincolnshire coast, and sent to me for identification. Included also in the collection were a couple of males, which are undoubtedly of the same species. On exami- nation, the latter were determined to be examples of the C. kochit Camb., described and figured in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ 1872. Mr. F. P. Smith, of London, was of the same opinion, and the Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge, on a male being submitted to him, confirmed the identification, though he doubts its identity with the spiders so named both by Kulezynski in his ‘ Araneze Hungariez,’ and by Simon in his ‘Les Arachnides de France’ and ‘Histoire Naturelle de Araignées.’ C. valida Jackson is therefore the hitherto un- recognised female of C. kochit Camb., (the name becomes a synonym), while the male of the latter is here for the first time recorded as an inhabitant of these islands. The Corniculariz are small spiders, ranging in size between two and three mm., usually with black bodies and reddish or yellowish legs, and may be met with amongst the moss, fallen leaves and herbage of woods and marshes. They are members of the group Erigonee, and belong to that section of it, which is characterised by an elongated oval cephalothorax, a sternum longer than wide; and in the female sex by a palpus which has the tibia much longer than the patella, and more or less enlarged from base to summit, and the tarsus strongly acuminate. From the other genera comprised in the same section, they may 1909 Aug. t. 296 Falconer: Cornicularia kochit, Camb. be thus distinguished. In Wvrderia Sim. the posterior row of eyes, instead of being straight or nearly so, is curved strongly backwards. In Walckenaera Bl. the front is wider and the eyes occupy only a portion.and not the whole of its width. In Prosopotheca Sim. the posterior eyes are much larger and closer In Tigellinus Sim. the tarsi of the first pair of legs, instead of being about the same length as, are much shorter than, the metatarsi ; while the tibial spines are also longer and stouter. Eight species of Cornicularie have now been recognised in the British Isles. Two only of these, C. cuspidata Bl. and C. untcorms Camb., can be considered at all common: the rest are amongst our rarest spiders. Of C. pavitans and C. pudens Camb., the solitary type females from the Cheviots, 1871, and of C. lucida Camb., two males from Dorset, 1870 and 1900, alone exist, while C. karpinskit Camb. has been taken twice— in Lanarkshire and Cumberland, 1900. The males of four species—C. cuspidata Bl., C. unicornis, C. karpinskii and C. kochw Camb., are provided with a very distinct tubercle spring- ing from the centre of the ocular area. In two species, C. vigilax Bl. and C. lucida Camb., there is no such process. Apart from minor differences, the presence or absence and the form and size of this tubercle, will, therefore, together with the structure of the palpus, especially of the tibial joint and of the palpal organs, most readily distinguish the males of the genus from each other ; while the formation of the vulva, and the position and size of the eyes will render the same service in the case of the females. Fam.—ARGIOPID&. id Sub-fam.—LINYPHIINE. Group—ERIGONE#. Section— WALCKENAERINI. CORNICULARIA KOCHII Camb. Length of male, 2°6 mm. The cephalothorax of this spider is a very dark brown, devoid of punctate impressions, but somewhat rugulose behind at the sides and back. The abdomen is black and clothed with short hairs. The falces and mouth parts are a lighter dark brown, and the joints of the palpus, except the digital joint, which is a little darkened, are pale yellow. None of the above parts pre- sent any exceptional feature. OcULAR TUBERCLE. This process (figs. 1, 2 and 3) in this Naturalist, La oe a pene Falconer: Cornicularia kochit, Camb. 297 spider is most characteristic. It is not only of a different shape and much larger and stronger than in the other species, being quite discernible in spirit with the unaided sight, but is also deeply divided at its extremity into two distinct, divergent lobes, which are convex above, concave beneath, and curved slightly downwards, with their edges ciliate with short, stiff, straight, equal, pale-coloured hairs. The under surface of the column is furnished towards the base with a number of longish, stiff, irregular, spreading hairs. In C. cuspida Bl., the tubercle is simple and obtuse ; in C. unicornis (fig. 7) and C. karpinskii Camb. (fig. 9), besides being much smaller, it is only indistinctly bilobed at the apex. PaLpus. THE TIBIAL JOINT is prolonged above in a very large, long, irregular, curved apophysis, which is divided almost to the base into two narrowly separated (latterly a little diver- gent) portions, slightly unequal in length and directed forward. The inner and longer limb, somewhat bent in the terminal part, lies close to the digital joint, and is narrowed and slightly sinuous towards the apex. Near the base on its outer margin, it bears astrong tooth. The outer limb is further removed from the digital joint, is abruptly acuminate at the apex, and sup- plied a little below that point with a stout, obtuse, oblong branch directed downwards and outwards. The other males do not possess the last-named process. In C. unicornis Camb. (fig. 6) and C. karpinskit Camb. (fig. 8) the tibial apophysis is likewise divided almost to the base. In the former, however, the limbs diverge, and the inner one bears a tooth ; in the latter, the limbs converge, and the inner one is without a tooth. In C. cuspidaia Bl. the apophysis is undivided. THE PALPAL OrGANs are bulky, complex, and prominent, the most noticeable features being (1) on the outer side at the base, a stout dark brown C-curved process (fig. 5a); (2) at the extremity, obliquely inclined outwards, a long, black, circular, spine (fig. 5b); (3) on the inner side, springing directly from beneath the apical spine, a long, strong, curved, red-brown tooth directed backwards towards the base of the palpal organs. Eyes. Eight in number, rather small, the fore centrals being decidedly the smallest ; arranged in two rows, which are curved away from each other, enclosing an oval space. The curve of the posterior row is very slight, that of the anterior row isstronger. Both the hind and fore centrals are much closer 1909 Aug. I. 298 Falconer: Cornicularia kochit, Camb. to each other than to the laterals of the same row. The latter pair are almost contiguous, being less than half their diameter apart. The former are more separated, being fully a diameter apart. The quadrilateral which they form is much longer than wide, and narrower in front than behind. The male from which the above description and the draw- ings were taken, together with most of the females, is now in the Hull Museum, and may be seen there by anyone interested in the matter. C. kochit Camb. has now occurred in close proximity to the sea in three English counties :—in Cheshire, one female, 1908 (Dr. Jackson) ; in Yorkshire, at Saltend Common, near Hull, where other very rare and unexpected spiders have occurred, one female, May 1909 (T. Stainforth) ; and in Lincolnshire, first on the occasion of the Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club Excursion, 17th April, 1g09, two males, four females on the coast between South Ferriby and Barton-upon-Humber (T. Stainforth) ; later, in May, two females (T. Stainforth), and three females (E. A. Parsons) in the same place, one female between Barrow Haven and Barton Haven (T. Stainforth), and one female between Barrow Haven and New Holland (T. Stainforth). I am informed by Mr. Stainforth that the localities on both sides of the Humber are similar in character—the flat portion of land covered with the usual estuarine plants (sea aster, sea pink, maritime plantain, etc.), which lies between the barren mud flats of the river and the clay embankments, and is sub- merged only at the highest tides. The specimens were found on the dried mud beneath or amongst the coarse matted grasses and the estuarine plants. TABLE OF THE BRITISH CORNICULARIZ. MALES. A.—Ocular area with a vertical tubercle. I. Tubercle obtuse and simple. Tibial apophysis undivided 56 8 SiG an . .CUSPIDATA Bl. II. Tubercle bilobed at apex. Tibial apophysis divided almost to base. 1. Tubercle very large, deeply divided at apex into two distinct divergent lobes. Outer limb of tibial apophysis with an oblong branch near its extremity Kocuir Camb, 2. Tubercle small, indistinctly bilobed at apex. Outer limb of tibial apophysis without a branch. (a) Limbs of apophysis diverge. Inner limb with a tooth near its base. : . _.UNICORNIS Camb. (To be continued). Naturalist, 299 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT BOWLAND. In their peregrinations the members of the Yorkshire Natural- ists’ Union during the past half-century have visited many parts of the county, but rarely have they got so far from the madding crowd as during Whit week-end, when the district around Bowland, or Bolland, was investigated. Newton-in-Bowland was decided upon as the headquarters, and its great distance from the railway, whilst adding a charm to the outing from a naturalist’s point of view, had its disadvantage as regards comfort and approach. Newton, a compact old-world village, with substantially built farmhouses, mostly erected in the latter part of the seventeenth century, is most pleasantly situated. In the heart of the village is a small quarry, which delighted the geologists by the great number of well-preserved Carboniferous Lime- stone fossils that it contained, notably a large quantity of crinoid ‘heads ’—specimens not usually obtainable. Under the guidance of the President of the section, Dr. Dwerryhouse, this party had a profitable time, and on the side of one of the numerous streams were successful in finding several charac- teristic zonal fossils. The geologists were on classic ground. In Knoll Park are enormous rounded hills resembling huge pre-historic tumuli in being so symmetrical. Instead, however, of their containing the remains of British chiefs, they are entirely composed of the dead shells of various molluscs, and in amongst them are corals, zoophytes and trilobites. In fact, the hills are to all intents and purposes, reefs formed in a Carboniferous sea, the great mounds being formed by the accumulation of the shells, etc., of the one- time inhabitants of the water. These reefs were eventually solidified, surrounded by shales containing a different fauna, and the whole buried by thousands upon thousands of feet of strata. The geological history of the district from then to the present time is an exceedingly interesting one, but we can only briefly refer to the last chapter. In comparatively recent times the whole of the superincumbent strata have been denuded— even the shales surrounding the knolls have been largely swept away. But the result is wonderful. There, in the valley, are the heaps of shell remains—now high and dry ; otherwise but little changed from that long distant time when they were formed on the ocean floor. 1909 Aug. 1. 300 Yorkshire Naturalists at Bowland. It is true that geologists have different ideas as to the way these hills were formed, but Mr. R. H. Tiddleman was the first to suggest their origin in the way already described, and cer- tainly the very critical examination, made on this occasion, resulted strongly in favour of Mr. Tiddleman’s theory—at any rate so far as these particular hills are concerned. One hill especially, which fortunately had many sections, was examined yard by yard, from base to summit, the investiga- tion extending until a very late hour. From this it was clear that the beds on the top were practically level, whilst the strata dipped outward at a high angle all round, after the manner of a colliery waste-heap. From the various exposures in the district—both in the limestone and in the shale, which in a few places had survived the sub-aerial and glacial erosion— several very fine and rare specimens were secured. The party included a few antiquaries, who were successful in securing an interesting, if gruesome, relic of the ‘ good old days.’ This consisted of a set of gallows irons, which were doing duty for a very modern purpose on a farm. The botanists, ornithologists, and, in fact, all the sections found the district a veritable paradise, the appearance of the countryside being much improved by the recent rains. The botanists were favoured with the leadership of the Rev. W. Crombie and Miss Peel, and were successful in finding the places where quite large series of interesting plants were growing. It rarely happens that there is such a variety of unusual forms as were seen by the botanists on this excursion. Mr. J. Turner writes :—‘ Probably the most characteristic plants of the hedgerows were the primrose and the water avens. The common meadow-rue was also noted. A very striking feature of Dunnow Wood was the broad-leaved garlic, which appeared to be exterminating the wild hyacinth. The rock- rose was growing in profusion on the top of the scar, where also the hairy violet was found, and orpine or live-long was growing on the face of the rock. The Old Hodder is a veritable botanical paradise, and here the marsh cinque-foil was recorded, though not in flower. Indeed, the season was rather backward, and consequently some plants that were diligently sought were not found. This was the case with the Alpine cinque-foil and Solomon’s Seal. The whole district is exceedingly rich in the variety of its plant forms, and might, with advantage, be visited at the end Naturalist, Nene EE i Yorkshire Naturalists at Bowland. 301 of July, when the later species will be making their appear- ance.’ A complete list of the plants noted on this excursion was prepared, and has been forwarded to the Secretaries of the Botanical Section for preservation. Mr. H. B. Booth, who had charge of the Vertebrate Section, writes :—‘ A total of seventy-two species was noted, viz., twelve mammals, fifty-six birds, one reptile, one amphibian and two fishes. The district was chiefly interesting on account of the variable distribution of the ordinary common species, some being abundant, others comparatively scarce, and other species which might have been expected, could not be detected. For instance, it seemed hardly like being in Yorkshire, to be where the Rook, Jackdaw, Hedge-Sparrow, Yellow-Hammer, etc., were rarities, or almost unknown. The following mammals were noted :—Mole, Common Shrew Stoat, Fox, Rabbit (abundant), Hare, Water-Vole, Field Vole (common*), Long-tailed Field Mouse, Common Rat, Squirrel and Hedgehog—the last two apparently being uncommon. A feature of the district was the abundance of the common rat far away from human habitations and out-buildings. We found them almost everywhere—along the riverside, the moun- tain-side (Whitendale), and in the keepers’ traps in the woods and fields. Miss M. N. Peel had given a very good forecast of the avi-fauna of the district in the programme for the excursion. No great rarity was noted. As so little has been previously reported from this district, and as the chief interest lies in the somewhat unusual distribution, the species in the following list are given in their comparative abundance or scarcity. + * The rejected * pellets ’ of owls were numerous in the woods. All those examined contained the bones and fur of small mammals, and apparently of the same species—one ‘pellet’ also containing the elytra of a Dor Beetle. All the nine skulls that I took home for examination were those of the Common Field Vole (Microtus agrestis). This destructive little animal must be very numerous in the district—we noticed its runs in several places. It is well that owls are protected, as I do not know any place in the West Riding where a plague of Voles would be more likely to occur.— isl Js Iee +It will be understood that the quantative terms applied to the different species do not imply that they were present in equal numbers. For instance the Lapwing and Grey Wagtail both come under the term ‘ Com- mon. That is as we should consider each of them ‘common’ in the West Riding. 1g0g Aug. 1. 302 News from the Magazines. The following were abundant :—Song Thrush, Blackbird, Starling, House Martin and Willow Warbler ; comparatively common—Robin, Dipper, Blue Tit, Grey and Yellow Wag- tails, Meadow Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Swallow, House- Sparrow, Chaffinch, Swift, Cuckoo, Red Grouse, Pheasant, Lapwing, Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Curlew ; fairly com- mon — Mistle-Thrush, Ring-Ouzel, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Wren, Goldcrest, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler (rather Jocal), Pied Wagtail, Sand Martin, Lesser Redpoll, Skylark, Kingfisher, Sparrow-Hawk, Heron, Ring-Dove, Partridge, Water-Hen, Golden Plover, Redshank, and Lesser Black- backed Gull (seen on several occasions). The Greenfinch and Tree-Pipit were not so common as might have been expected ; and the following species were only seen or heard on one occa- sion—Redstart, Hedge-Sparrow, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat (in Knowlmere Park), Twite (on Newton Fell), Rook,* Carrion Crow, Nightjar (in Whitendale), Woodcock and Corncrake. It was rather a surprise that the following species were not met with at all, as the district appeared to be very suitable for them—Wheatear, Whinchat, Jackdaw, Magpie, Yellow-hammer, not any of the Buntings, nor any species of duck. No Owls were seen nor heard, but there was ample proof of the presence of the Tawny and Long-eared Owls by their numerous rejected pellets. The Slow-worm (on top of crag, Dunnow Wood), was the only reptile ; and the Frog the only amphibian noted. Trout were plentiful in the Hodder, and we saw a large Salmon, quite thirty-six inches long. It was very sluggish, and only moved slowly away when touched.’ Dr. Dwerryhouse presided at the general meeting at which the reports of the various sections were presented. ase —_+e—_ Mr. W. Eagle Clarke writes on the ‘ Chicks of the Sanderling,’ and Mr. A. D. Sapsworth on the ‘ Peregrine Falcon on the Yorkshire Cliffs,’ in the July British Birds. In the Mineralogical Magazine for July is a paper ‘On a New Method of Studying the Optical Properties of Crystals,’ by the late Dr. H. Clifton Sorby. In the July Bradford Scientific Journal are the following papers :— “Local Dart or Hover Flies,’ by J. H. Ashworth ; ‘ Fertilisation of the Sweet Pea,’ by P. Clapham ; ‘ Where the Honey comes from,’ by ‘ Etain ’ ; ‘Living Things and Things Inanimate,’ by J. H. Rowe; and ‘ Annelid Hunting Around Bradford,’ by Rev. H. Friend. eS SS SS ER SE AS ES * The nearest rookeries appear to be at Dale Head (about 54 miles), Bromley Wood, (Clitheroe), and Chatburn. We were informed that formerly there was a rookery at Newton. Naturatist, FIELD NOTES. MOLLUSCA. Arion ater L. as a Wart Curer.—I have just heard for the second time from the same man how he was cured of a large wart by the application of a black slug. In 1852 or thereabouts he had a very bad wart on the back of his hand. An old woman suggested to his mother that he should see a local tinsmith [Richardson, of Queen Street] about it. He was taken, and the tinsmith rubbed the hand gently, and told him to get up early next—or some other—morning before the sunrise, and look for a black slug. The wart had to be rubbed by the slug, and then the slug had to be impaled on a hawthorn spine, and as the slug melted away, so would the wart. ‘So it was,’ he declared to me, though he could not say how long it took to disappear. In Rhys’ ‘ Celtic Folklore,’ in the first volume, this treatment is mentioned, but the doctor’s inform- ant forgot what became of the slug. The whitethorn here has no magic significance, I think. The rest is, of course, sympathy.—S. L. Petry, Ulverston. —!0:— COLEOPTERA. Gracilia minuta F. at Selby.—I beg to record the occur- rence of this interesting little longicorn here as an importation, a local fruiterer calling my attention to hundreds which were in a hamper conveying French-grown carrots. I submitted specimens to the Rey. A. Thornley, who, quoting ‘ Fowler,’ writes— In dead twigs in hedges, etc., and often in old hampers etc., local, common, having been recorded for London district, Devon, Hastings, Bristol, Cambridge, Burton-on-Trent, Sun- derland (two specimens) perhaps imported. (Not recorded from Scotland). Mr.Thornley has recorded it himself from Notts. and Lincoln. Has it been recorded from Yorks. ‘im- ports ’ or otherwise ? *—JouNn F. Musuam, F.E.S., Selby. —:0 :— BIRDS. Brown Rook in N. Lines.—A brown, almost chocolate- coloured rook has recently been observed at the rookery near Baysgarth Park. Mr. A. B. Hall informs me he has seen it several times, and that Mr. Frank Bygott, who resides near the rookery, has a similarly coloured bird, stuffed, which he shot many years ago.—G. W. Mason, Barton-on-Humber. * The species is recorded for Hull by Mr. T. Stainforth in ‘ Trans. Hull Field Nat. Club,’ Vol. 3, pt. 1, 1903, p. 109; and has been taken at Clap- ham and Thackley by Mr. F. Booth ; recorded in the Y.N.U. Annual Report, 1908, p. 21.—EDs. Igog Aug. I. 304 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. A Guide to the Whales, Porpoises and Dolphins in the British Museum (Natural History), has recently been issued at 4d. It can be looked upon not only as a reliable guide to the fine series of aquatic mammals in the National Collection, but as a general introduction to this fascinating branch of natural history. That it has been written by Mr. R. Lydekker is suffi- cient guarantee as to its reliability. There are thirty-three illustrations. The Bradford Public Libraries’ Committee has issued a Catalogue of the Lees Botanical Collection in the Reference Library. 36 pp., price 3d. This contains a list of the botanical books and pamphlets purchased from Dr. Arnold Lees, as well as of a few geologicalitems. To facilitate reference there is an Index of Subjects, and an Index of Authors. These special catalogues are useful, and this appears to have been carefully compiled. Birds and their Nests and Eggs by G. H. Vos. London: George Rout- ledge, 148+223+240 pp. 3/6. This volume contains, in one cover, the three series, under the same title, which had been previously issued at 1/- each, already noted in these columns. The original pagination, titles, etc., are, however, maintained, giving the volume a patchy appearance. Naturally, the remarks already made in reference to the matter and illustrations also apply to this book. It has the advantage, however, of a brief index, and the volume will make a cheap and acceptable gift to a schoolboy. ——> &___—__ NORTHERN NEWS. The following observation from a recent issue of a ‘natural history ’ journal shews with what ability a properly-trained naturalist can explain anything :—‘ The reason for the rarity of snakes [in Ireland] is possibly the abundance of pigs, which are great devourers of snakes.’ Mr. L. Glauert, F.G.S., has recently contributed a paper on ‘A New Species of Sthenurus’ to the Geological Society of London. This species of Kangaroo had been recognised amongst bones found in the Mammoth Cave, Margaret River, Western Australia. The mantle of Gilbert White has evidently fallen upon the Vicar of Pontfaen, near Fishguard, who writes that ‘ House-martins who [sic] have built nests under the eaves of his house, have been regularly fed by hedge sparrows, which took rice from chickens, and carried it to the nests.’ Mr. C. Waterfall has been lecturing before the Hull Junior Naturalists’ Society on ‘ The Causes contributing to the Rarity of Plants.’ ‘ Butterflies Chasing Children at Selby ’ is the title of a note in ‘ Wild Nature Week by Week,’ specially contributed to the ‘ Yorkshire Evening Post.’ We hear that the children have passed a good night at the hospital, but are still suffering from shock. We regret to learn that Scotter Common, Lincolnshire, has been fired, probably through carelessness, and that about 200 acres of this fine common have been cleared of vegetation, and considerable damage has been done to game, etc. From Mr. T. Petch, B.Sc., the Government Mycologist in Ceylon, we have received a number of reprints, the most interesting of which deals with ‘ The Phalloideze of Ceylon.’ Judging from the many excellent plates, these curious fungi are provided with veils. The compositor has evidently not grasped the fact that the specimens belong to the vegetable kingdom, which perhaps accounts for the unfortunate misprint ‘ Nat. sire ’ on the plates. Naturalist, RR Ag tt No. 632 . ee (No. 410 of ourrent series). A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND, EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., Tue Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF ¥ J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., | Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., | JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.0.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. ua RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. ; Contents :— Notes and Comments :—Charles Darwin as Geologist; A Useful Hammer; eee Find ear at Huddersfield; A National Folk-Lore Museum ... , ... 305-206 Oystercatcher Nesting at Spurn—(Illustrated)—Ovley Giabhaw, B M. ae M. B. 0. U. bs ... 307-308 Natural History of Runswick—T.S. se eh, ... 809-313 On the cacwagtcal Distribution of Mollusca in nee Lonsdale—Rev. G: BE. Y. Kendall, A., J. Davy Dean, and W. Munn Rankin, M.Sc., B.Sc. ae ... 314-319 Fungi e the Neighbourhood of Selby—C. Crossland, F.L.S. ie. se aks es we 320 a Erratic Boulders at Bardney Abbey—F. M. Burton, F.L.S.,F.G.S. 322 r The Phytoplankton of the English Lake District Giastrated) see West, FLL. Ss. ate ) G. S. West, M.A.,D.Sc., F.L.S. . 323-331 Cornicularia kochii Camb.—A Spider New to Great Britain—With a Key t to ma British Cornicularie—Wm. Falconer... ... 332-333 Field Notes... ack ot YF BM Ms Ms a A We v3 ae 820822 Reviews and Book Retces a as ELT Male ae ue ae ane ee ... 306, 333, 336 | Northern News... ws ss 336 4 News from the Magazines Aas ae a nie aah 308 Proceedings of Provincial Scientific oe ee ati Los is ee 313, 320, 334, 335 Ailustrations ... er ae ee Pe ae a ae Ae er ... 307, 308, 310, 323, 324, 332 LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C. 0 And at Hutt aNnD York. AAD aahibie rn er gy, Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. % SD t : Wi LoW ‘ Ae eens PRICE Gd. NET. BY POST 7d. NET\ “anal uae Noha Bae Mya baste Nea woke: th ui gi Bi Ne r or | it ty a ne : : -PUBLI ATION: OR sy ee ca : Che WDorkshire WMaturalists’ Unio BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS? UNION, Volume I. 8vo, Cloth, 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price 5/= net. oy Contains various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Fungi of the county. — Rie hae Yale Complete, 8v0, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &c. This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero- eas and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 848 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382 reshwater Algz, making a total of 3160 species. 680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15]/= net. NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.I.A., V.M.H. And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, by MATTHEW B. SLATER, F.L.S. This Volume forms the 8rd of the Botanical Series. 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6 net. THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S. R This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list of all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species. a Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price 6/= post free. ‘ THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S. | j This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044 species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution. Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net. LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. The First Edition of this work was published in 1888, and contained particulars of 1340 species of Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement contains much new information which has been eae wilated by the author, including over 50 additional species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c. In progress, tssued in Annual Parts, 8vo. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. The Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued in separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject. The Parts already published are sold to the public as follows (Members are entitled to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878), 1/9; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879), 2/-; 5 (1880), 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; 7 (1882), 2/6; 8 (1883),,2/6; 9 (1884), 2/9: 10 (1885), 1/6; 11 (1885), 2/6; 12 (1886), 2/6; 13 (1887), 2/6; 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6: 16.(1890), 2/6; 17 (1891), 2/6; 18 (1892), 1/9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-; 21 (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/3; 24:(1898), 1/-; 25 (1899); 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3; 29 (1902), 1/-; 30 (1903), 2/6; 31 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (1906), 5/-; 34 (1908), 2/6. THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., M.B,O.U., and F. BOYES. 2 Vols., Demy 8vo 25/- net. ; Demy 4to 42/- net. Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK- SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Also in course of publication in the Trans- actions. THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14, 18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. : y LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W.C. HEY, M.A. THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield ; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S., and R. FORTUNE, F.Z.S. (Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 6/6 post free). a a RR a Re a A ES TR LL ST ER MEMBERSHIP in the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Naturalist, and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union. ' A donation of Seven Guineas constitutes a life-membership, and entitles the member to a set of the Transactions issued by the Union. Subscriptions to be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, H. CUuLPIN, 7 St. Mary’s Road, Doncaster. : $ Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union at a discount of 25 per cent. off the prices quoted above. I All communications should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., The Museums, Hull. FOR SALE. A Small Number of Back Volumes of THE NATURALIST | at very low rates. Apply at once, stating requirements, to “ae. THE EDITORS, THE MUSEUM, HULL. 2 AJ RIAL aw * NOTES AND COMMENTS. CHARLES DARWIN AS GEOLOGIST. Under the above title the Cambridge University Press has published the Rede Lecture, delivered by Sir Archibald Geikie, at the recent Darwin Centenary Celebrations at Cambridge.* We can cordially recommend this little volume to our readers. In it Sir Archibald points out that hitherto sufficient importance does not appear to have been attached to Darwin’s geological work. It was the science of geology that first commanded Darwin’s attention, and doubtless its study had much to do with the line of research he followed, with such brilliant results. Sir Archibald, in his familiar masterly manner, deals with Darwin’s geological work ; his South American, etc., researches whilst on the ‘ Beagle’; his brilliant discoveries with regard to coral islands ; his work on the formation of soils, etc. A USEFUL HAMMER. As illustrating the fact that Darwin was a true field geologist and always provided with a hammer, the story is told that whilst some officers were surveying in the island of San Pedro, a fox (Cams fulvipes), a new species, was sitting on the rocks. He was so intensely absorbed in watching the work of the officers that Darwin was able, by quietly walking up behind, to knock him on the head with his geological hammer. “This fox, more curious or more scientific, but less wise than the generality of his brethren,’ is now in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. INTERESTING FIND AT HUDDERSFIELD. Forty years ago a description of a fossil cone from the Coal Measures was given by Carruthers, and he named it Volk- manna binneyana—now known as Colamostachys binneyana. Although many specimens are known, in not a single instance has the cone been found in connection with vegetative organs of any kind. In the July ‘ New Phytologist’ Mr. H. Hamshaw Thomas describes and figures a specimen shewing the cone with four whorls of Calamite leaves attached at the base. From the size, shape, and arrangement of these, it may be con- cluded that they are of the type known as Colamocladus (=Asterophyllites) grandis Sternb, and thus an important advance has been made in this particular branch of palo- botany. The specimen upon which Mr. Thomas’s notes are based was found in a calcareous nodule from the Halifax Hard Bed of the Lower Coal Measures of Huddersfield. * 91 pp., cloth, 2/. net. 1909 Sep. I. U 306 Book Notice. A NATIONAL FOLK-LORE MUSEUM. Mr. Henry Balfour’s Presidential Address to the Museums’ Association, delivered at Maidstone on July 13th, is printed in the ‘Museums’ Journal’ for July. In this Mr. Balfour, whose excellent work at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford is’ well known, advocates the formation of a National Folk Lore Museum. He points out that in the Guildhall Museum, London; - the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries in Edinburgh, and in some other museums, more or less definite attention is paid to obsolete and even obsolescent industries, customs and appli- ances in the British Isles. The British Museum, however, is everything except British as far as ethnology is concerned. There is reticence in dealing with our own nation which is specially noteworthy in view of the name which is applied to this great institution. We trust that something tangible may be the result of Mr. Balfour’s appeal —— > &___—_—_ My Life Among the Wild Birds in Spain, by Willoughby Verner. Bale, Sons & Danielsson. 468 pp., 21/- net. This book contains a chatty record of the cvéme de la créme of bird- nesting. Colonel Verner, as his writings elsewhere have shown, has been unusually fortunate in his frequent visits to Spain, and with pluck and perseverance, has visited and photographed the nesting sites of a whole host of vava aves; he has certainly been in an ornithologist’s paradise. He has the further ability of recording his reminiscences in a pleasant style, and with the aid of pencil and camera has produced a volume the only drawback to which we can find is that it is perhaps a little expensive for the ordinary lover of birds. In reading the narrative, it is pleasant to find that the Colonel is by no means a nest-robber, and he is exceedingly bitter in his remarks against those systematic collectors of eggs who, largely for pecuniary gain, bring disrepute to the genuine ornithologist. Amongst the illustrations are scores that will appeal to the British naturalist, those of the Great Bustard, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Red Kite, Goshawk and Crane being unusually good. The photographs of eggs and nests that are reproduced include several that most English collectors will hardly ever hope toseeinnature. There are many interesting experiences related in this volume, which we should like to relate, did space permit ; but we must refer our readers to the book itself. There is one, however, which we must mention. A nest of a Bonelli’s Eagle, after a heavy climb, was found to: contain but one egg. It was taken, anda tame goose’s egg was substituted. Soon after, a naturalist, ‘who never collected eggs, but only photographed them,’ came to this identical old-world place, in search of ‘copy.’ Some little time after, Col. Verner received an issue of ‘Country Life,’ containing a most graphic account of the identical nest, and with the apparent purpose of ‘ for all time recording his ignorance of Eagles and their eggs, the un- fortunate writer went into the most minute details as to how the egg he had so gallantly obtained was ‘“‘ white and somewhat pointed at both ends,”’ in fact, an unmistakable tame goose’s egg.’ As a contrast, Col. Verner gives a photograph of the egg that was in the nest before the goose’s egg was substituted. So that even in the wilds of Spain, miles away from ‘ any- where,’ one should really see the bird lay the egg before being certain it is genuine! In Yorkshire this same trick has been served on more than one occasion, and in all probability at the present time coloured pigeon, etc., eggs are reposing in collectors’ cabinets with altogether different labels on them, Naturalist . 3°07 OYSTERCATCHER NESTING AT SPURN. OXLEY GRABHAM, M.A., M.B.O.U. Every member of the Yorkshire Wild Birds’ Protection Com- mittee, and all those who are interested in our county’s birds, will be pleased to hear that the Oystercatcher nested at Spurn this season, after an interval of twenty years. Mr. Digby Legard and I received a telegram from Robinson, our watcher, saying that he had at last, after much trouble, found the nest of the Oystercatcher, so we immediately set off for Spurn, and on the morning of June 21st, were fortunate enough to get Photo by] Nest and Eggs of the Oystercatcher. (Oxley Grabham. two or three successful photographs. We were very anxious not to frighten the bird, so we did not keep her off her eggs for long, but she was by no means wild, and was soon back on her nest after the camera was rigged up. The nest was on the Humber side, and, as can be seen from the photograph, was a mere scratching in the sand and shingle, partially surrounded by dead sea weed, which had drifted up on the shore. I was in great hopes that the eggs would hatch out safely, and Robinson kept me periodically informed that the hen bird was sitting all right. He could see her a long way off with his glass without going anywhere near the nest, but Igo9 Sep. 1 308 News from the Magazines. I am very sorry to say that although all went well until July 11th, on which date the bird was still comfortably sitting, on July 15th, when Robinson went down, the eggs had been washed away. There had been a tremendous storm of wind and rain, and the water had come some six yards or so beyond the nest. This is a most unfortunate occurrence, and although the birds were Photo by \ Oyster Catcher on Nest. [Oxley Grabham x about, Robinson could not see that they had any intention of nesting again when he last wrote to me on August Ist ; but we may hope now that they have started nesting once more in the district, that they will do so next year. Robinson states in his letter that there were more young Terns on the wing in the middle of July than he had ever seen before. ~~ >— NEWS FROM THE MAGAZINES. n The Entomologist for May, Mr. Claude Morley writes that two new species described in his ‘ British Ichneumons’ turn out to be from New Zealand, and are not British. A list of the ‘Land and Freshwater Mollusca in the Scarborougn District’ is contributed to the July Journal of Conchology by Mr. J. A. Hargreaves. British Birds for August contains a ‘Photographic Supplement,’ in which is reproduced a series of photographs taken by Miss E. L. Turner, showing the extraordinary behaviour of a Water Rail. Homalium brevicolle Tnoms., a new British beetle, is described in tie May Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine. The specimen was captured in carrion at Great Salkeld. In the July Ivish Naturalist Mr. R. F. Scharff figures and describes a speckled otter, trapped in Lough Sheelin. The only other record of a speckled otter the author has noticed is of one supposed to be in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle. As that specimen seems to have disap- peared, the Irish example is unique. Naturaisis Se) NATURAL HISTORY OF RUNSWICK. The two hundred and seventeenth meeting of the York- shire Naturalists’ Union was held at Runswick, on Saturday, July roth, and was well attended. The geologists, with Mr. J. J. Burton, F.G.S., as their guide, had a profitable day on the Liassic shale between Runswick and Kettleness. The botanists had the advantage of the leadership of Dr. W. G. Smith (Edin- burgh), Dr. T. W. Woodhead, Mr. P. Fox Lee, and Mr. C. A. Cheetham, and in addition to mapping the vegetation features of the area, were successful in securing some interesting plants. The general meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. J. J. Burton, at which the reports of the sectional officers were presented. Three new members were elected. The mem- bers passed a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the late Lord Ripon. His lordship had been a member of the Union since its formation, and always took a keen interest in its work. The following reports have since been received :— Mr. J. J. Burton, F.G.S., writes :—‘ The geologists had a good field day in a portion of the coast, which gives favourable opportunities for close inspection of the sections of Lias shewn in the cliffs between Runswick Bay and Kettleness point. The bay at Runswick is the mouth of an ancient pre-glacial valley through which a stream of considerable importance must have found its way to the sea. It is now completely blocked with boulder clay, and only a few streams of minor importance have cut into it. Boring operations in the im- mediate neighbourhood have shewn that this boulder clay deposit extends inland so as to connect up this choked valley with the drainage system of the large stream which has cut its way through the rocks, and formed the ravine at Staithes, where it enters the sea. It is one of the numerous cases in Cleveland where the blocking up of the old river valleys by ice has permanently changed the course of the rivers which once ran through them. The beds of some of the streams flowing through the boulder clay in the bay were examined, and shewed a surprising number of erratics. Many of these were from the Cheviots. Teesdale whinstone and large blocks of limestone were very numerous ; so also were Shap Fell granites. One of the latter blocks measured roughly 4 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet g inches. Many other far-travelled boulders were noticed, but the identity of some was not clearly established. 1909 Sep. I. B10 Natural History of Runswick. Travelling along the beach towards Kettleness, the suc- cession of strata shewn on the sketch section was passed over, and was, in most cases, easily identified by the discovery of the fossils characteristic of the zone, although the difference in ornamentation and structure of some of the species is so slight, that it may be accidental in development, and not permanent in character, and therefore of doubtful value in assigning variety thereto. 1.—Lower Oolite. 2.—A. communis. 3.—A. serpentinus. 4.—A. annulatus. \ J 5.— Prof... D’Arcy W. Thompson for the Pycnogonida, and Mr. A. E. Shipley for the Pentastomida, the Tardigrada, and for the Introduction to Arachnida and King Crabs. THE VOLCANIC ORIGIN OF COAL. With the above heading we are treated to a pamphlet almost medieval in its simplicity. It has been written by Col. A. T. Fraser (late R.E.), who has been to Java and seen stratified volcanic material there. This has given him an idea. Why should not coal, marble, and goodness knows what else have been thrown up from a volcano? _—_He says ‘ that coal should be shewn to be an old volcanic product is of the utmost impor- tance, because it must lead, in spite of opposition only to be expected, to finding that many whole series of strata the world over are after all due to seismic forces, rather than slow aqueous deposition, thus simplifying the science of geology. When rocks are seen of which it is difficult to assign the age, having a nonde- script character, it would be safe to set them down, at least provisionally, as volcanic.’ 500 pple — mete 1909 Oct. 1. 338 Notes and Comments. MARBLE AS A VOLCANIC ROCK. We then learn (p. 13), that ‘One cannot visit the Italian marble quarries of Carrara without receiving the impression that the marble beds were ejected, accompanied by high- pressure steam, from a fissure, and showered down ; and it is the same with the marble of Mount Parnassus in Greece. The geological peculiarities of Java will therefore well repay careful examination ; and identification of its volcanically- laid strata seems capable of becoming a turning point in geolo- gical theory,’ etc., etc. This pamphlet has a moral: Keep away from Java! BETWEEN PATRINGTON AND EASINGTON : AUGUST. A white road, stretching far, with margins green Of cool, soft grass, and hedges thin and low, But bright with undergrowth, and the soft glow Of sunfloods pure, enriching the fair scene. A wealth of Bramble-blossom, and the sheen Of frail and painted wings, where light winds blow From the wide Humber’s tranquil summer-flow O’er harvest fields, where patient sowers glean. A grace of wild flowers peeping here and there, From the low grass and herbage of the way, Where Nature maketh seeming holiday With bloom and butterfly and leafage fair, But where sweet Purpose, from her dalliance gay Shall seeming loss with teeming wealth repair. EDWARD LAMPLOUGH. GLACIAL AND POST-GLACIAL FEATURES. In the ‘ Geographical Journal’ for July Mr. G.W. Lamplugh, F.R.S., writes ‘ Physiographical Notes No. 1,’ in which he con- trasts the fresh-looking features of the mounds of glaciated areas with the adjacent valleys where obviously considerable erosion has taken place since the Glacial Period. He cites ‘the morainic mounds of the Vale of York and of Flamborough Head, and the moundy sands and gravels of Holderness, in their anomalous relation to the huge post-glacial deposits of the Humber and of the Vale of York, and to the erosion-features generally observable where post-glacial streams have traversed drift-covered country. The phenomena of deeply incised Naturalist, Book Notice. 339 post-glacial valleys associated with glacial features only slightly modified, are, indeed, so common in the north of England that it is needless further to particularise their occurrence.’ The explanation given is that the mounds were protected by the snows, whilst the floods formed as the results of thaws quickly cut the valleys and spread fans of gravel on the low ground. COAST CHANGES IN YORKSHIRE. The Research Department of the Royal Geographical Society is issuing a series of Memoirs on ‘ Changes on the East Coast Region of England during the Historical Period.’ The first of these, dealing with coast changes in East Yorkshire and in the Humber Estuary, by Mr. T. Sheppard, has just been published by the Society in the form of a ‘ Preliminary Sum- mary Report.’ This is divided into sections under the heads of Geological Notes, Lake Dwellings, Historical Evidence, Lost Towns of the Coast, Erosion of the Holderness Coast, Spurn, Hedon, Hull, Lost Towns of the Humber, Ravenser, Erosion in the Humber, New Land in the Estuary, and Thorne Moor and Hatfield Chase. Ye Thoughts on Natural Philosophy and the Origin of Life, written and published by A. Biddlecombe. 5th edition. Newcastle-on-Tyne. 39 pp., fas With this pamphlet the author has kindly sent us a circular, upon which two paragraphs are marked as ‘interesting and conclusive.’ We think it best to give them as far more likely to draw our readers’ attention to the nature of the pamphlet than are any words of our own :— ‘One objection that might be made to the compulsory adjacency and collision of the portions of matter is that, if matter had been projected from points along a straight line at sufficient speed, it would have continued so to progress infinitely, without adjacency and collision ; and this no doubt is true. But it is only necessary to state the objection for it to be elimi- nated from the discussion. Matter has now adjacency and collision, therefore as it could not have had it under the supposed conditions of the objection, it is certain that matter has never taken (either originally or at any time) wholly that mode of progression. ‘The only other line is the curve, and around any imaginary figure we can draw an imaginary curve, or circle ; and for our purpose the curve or curves must permit, if necessary, of infinite extension from the centre to the circumference. It is therefore clear that the portions of matter must have moved (either originally or always) through points in an imaginary circle or circles. The necessity does not exist to bore the reader with long mathematical calculations, the thing is so simple that the calculations and drawings can be made at will. But it is clear that as the portions of matter moved through points in the circle, they must eventually have had adjacency and collision; and as a result spin, and vertical movement and force, followed by gravitation, electricity and magnetism, together with all the natural phenomena with which we are acquainted, including the sensations of heat and light, as the result of material motion.’ 1g09 Oct. 1. 340 FURTHER PROOFS OF THE FLOW OF THE TRENT ON THE KEUPER ESCARPMENT AT GAINSBOROUGH. F. M. BURTON, F.L.S., F.G.S. TuHat a river once flowed on the top of the Gainsborough escarpment, which could, to all appearance, have been none other than the Trent, I have shown in ‘ The Shaping of Lindsey by the Trent.’* Since the publication of this work I have met with further proofs bearing out and confirming this view. To make the matter clear it will be well to recall the position and status of the Trent at the time it ran in this old course. The mean level of the Trent near Gainsborough is about twenty feet above O.D. The Keuper escarpment on the east of the town is eighty feet higher than the river, or about one hundred feet above O.D. When the escarpment was consider- ably higher than it is at the present time, a subsequent stream of the Humber captured the Trent somewhere about, but considerably higher than the region of Newark, and turned that river from the ‘ Lincoln Gap,’ through which it formerly flowed, into its present course. At the time of the capture the Trent valley had no existence, but it was carved out at a later period by the Trent, as that river gradually cut through the soft yielding marls of the Keuper on the west, thus leaving the hard Upper Keuper rocks standing out, and forming the present-day escarpment, which runs, with some few breaks in its continuity, from Hardwick Hill on the north, to Newton Cliff, and beyond, on the south. The land on the summit of the escarpment at Gainsborough rises a little as we proceed eastwards, and attains a height of one hundred and twelve feet above O.D., after which it slopes gradually away to the Lower Lias clays beyond ; and on this slope, in a field which has recently been drained, I met with distinct traces of a river bed, exactly like the one I have before described, agreeing with it in all respects, both as to its level and its contents—quartz, quartzites and sandstones—all of which are smoothed and rounded by river action, and imbedded in a matrix of yellowish clay. The river in this locality probably ran, at the time, in two channels, separated from each other by about seven hundred yards—one on the present brink of the escarpment, and the a * See ‘The Naturalist,’ 1907, p. 261. Naturalist, Northern News. 341 other on the east side of the twelve feet elevation—and if so, they may very likely have met again, about a mile away on the south, near Warren Wood, where the land is of a sandy nature, and where I have, on occasions, seen the hedgerows nearly buried with blown sand. The higher land in the midst would thus stand out as an island, possibly drowned at times, when great floods prevailed. Another confirming proof of the existence of the old Trent bed, connected with the formation of its valley, has lately come to my knowledge. I had often thought it probable that some relics of river-action might be met with on the side of the escarp- ment at Gainsborough, in the shape of water-worn blocks and fragments of the hard sandstone layers, which occur in this region of the Keuper—though, from the steepness of the slope and the nature of the rock, such traces could only be few—and I have had, recently, the good fortune to meet with some of them. The town cemetery lies at the top of the escarpment, and, in digging a grave lately, some pieces of the sandstone, broken up and rounded, evidently by water action, have been thrown out. &. eo Pe ANCHOMENUS VERSUTUS GYLL, A BEETLE NEW TO THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. J. W. CARTER, Bradford. ON July 8th, rgog, during a ramble about Ryehill reservoir, near Wakefield, in company with Mr. Bayford, of Barnsley, I had the pleasure of taking a single specimen of Anchomenus versutus Gyll—a species evidently new to the north of England. At first I regarded it as a very dark form of the common A. parum- punctatus F., but on a critical examination, I came to the conclusion that it was A. versutus, and in this Mr. W. Holland, of the University Museum, Oxford, who kindly examined the specimen, agrees ; and writes, ‘ A. versutus certainly, and a nice one at that.’ —_~e— We notice some Lancashire geologists have been ‘ working the Lias Chalk.’ In a recent Lancashire angling match ‘all fish may be weighed in but Jacksharps and Horse Mussels.’ Mr. C. Crossland, F.L.S., has just issued, for private circulation, a second reprint of his ‘ Fungus Flora of the Parish of Halifax,’ in which the addi- tional records since 1894 have been included. 1909 Oct. 1. HYBRID BETWEEN ORCH/S MACULATA AND HABENARIA CONOPSEA IN YORKSHIRE. W.B. ALEXANDER, York. On July 22nd I was gathering some spikes of Habenaria conopsea when I noticed one which, in some respects, resembled Orchis maculata. Both species were growing in considerable numbers in a small piece of wet ground near the head of Thornton Dale, about six miles from Pickering, where the novelty was obtained. On closer examination I find that it is intermediate in almost Every iespecun—— (1) The specimen has the scent of conopsea. (2) The spike is more compact than in that species, but less than is usual in maculata. (3) The colour is rosy pink, brighter than that of conopsea, about the colour of the darkest type of maculata. There are darker red markings on the lip, like those of maculata, but not so distinct as usual in that species. (4) The shape of the flower is decidedly intermediate bet- ween the two species, and it is shghtly larger than conopsea in size. The lip is more divided than in conopsea; the wings are broader, and turn more upwards than in that species, but less than in maculata. The spur is almost as broad as in maculata, but is nearly as long as in conopsea, and has a similar curve. (5) The rostellum is like that of conopsea, and does not pro- ject as in maculata. But the pollinia are like those of maculata, and have not the strap-shaped discs of conopsea. The pollinia are small and yellow compared with those of either of the supposed parent species, this defect being what might be ex- pected in a hybrid. On the other hand, the lower ovaries have already increased considerably in size, looking as if they were going to seed pro- perly. This hybrid is recorded as British in the last edition of the ‘London Catalogue.’ It was found in 1898 by Mr. H. Pierson near Sevenoaks (see ‘Journal of Botany,’ 1899, p. 360), and on the Continent has been named by Camus Orchis Legrandiana and Gymnadania Legrandiana.—J. G. BAKER. Naturalist, sts 343 WYCH-ELM SEEDLINGS. W. P. WINTER, Shipley. Tus season has been remarkable for the prevalence of the seedlings of the Wych-Elm (Ulmus montana With.). It may, perhaps, be well to place this on record with a note as to some characteristic features of the young plants. The two cotyle- dons are stalked, fleshy, obovate in outline, with distinct auricles at the base directed downwards. The two pairs of leaves above the cotyledons form with them three decussate pairs, and in this respect the seedlings differ from the descrip- tion by Tubeuf as translated in Lubbock’s ‘Seedlings,’ where the first leaves are described as alternate. These first two pairs of leaves are shortly stalked, coarsely serrate, with only occasional signs of biserration, | They are only slightly asym- metrical, have small stipules at their bases, and both surfaces are rough with hairs, many of which are glandular. Above these leaves the stem becomes more hairy and carries one or two or, more rarely, three small scale-like leaves above the gap between those previously described. Arranged alternately with these is again a similar small set (one, or rarely two). Succeeding to these are leaves in the ordinary leaf-spiral, but not quite so asymmetrical as usual, with stipules of the usual size. The scale-like leaves certainly suggest modified stipules, and the usual passage from the opposite arrangement of the cotyledons and the two first pairs to the alternate (% diver- gence) and afterwards to spiral phyllotaxy is noteworthy. SS The Discovery and Settlement of Port Mackay, Queensland, by H. Ling Roth, Halifax: F. King & Sons. I14 pp. Mr. Ling Roth is well known to the scientific world for his ethnological researches ; and consequently any work from his pen will receive serious attention. In the present case we think he has acted very wisely in placing upon record much valuable information relating to the early history of Port Mackay—information which will be of much greater value each year as time goes on. The author was in Queensland some thirty years ago, and took careful note of the district and its numerous attractions. Since then he has kept a keen watch, recording such items as he thought desir- able. The first part of the book contains narratives from the books ot early visitors to Queensland, including those of Jukes, the geologist. There is a full account of Capt. Mackay’s expedition, and of the settlement of the town and district of Mackay. The closing chapters deal with the ethnology and natural history of the area; the Hymenoptera Aculeata being exceptionally well dealt with. There are nearly one hundred illus- trations, including maps and charts. 1909 Oct. 1. Dai THE CROSSBILL MIGRATION. On the morning of July 18th an adult female Crossbill was picked up dead under the telegraph wires in King’s Road, Ilkley, by my neighbour, Mr. George Priestman, who gave it me to skin. The right wing was broken, and the neck slightly bruised, presumably where it had struck the wire; otherwise the bird was in excellent condition, the body being plump and the plumage very good.—HERBERT WALKER, I[kley. Mr. E. C. Houltby, one of our local taxidermists, tells me that when crossing to Hamburg on the ‘ City of Leeds,’ eighty- three miles off Spurn, at 6-5 a.m., August Ist, he saw a young Crossbill come aboard. It seemed fairly tame, and began to eat crumbs. It remained on board until about eleven o’clock.— C."S: CARTER, Louth: : A number of Crossbills came on board a ship off Scarborough the end of June, and seven or eight were caught, and were brought into the Forth. They were seen by my son.—Kevy. R. STEAVENSON, Wroxeter. Small parties of Crossbills were seen near Harrogate in the middle of July. There has evidently been two extensive and distinct immigrations of Crossbills to the British Isles, one at the end of June, and another about the middle of July. As an instance of the great extent of the immigration it is worthy of notice that records were sent from the Orkneys and the Lizard on the same date, and from almost every county on the East Coast, in addition to many visiting ships on the North Sea. The earlier immigration is noticeable, especially when the fact that Dr. Steward when in Finland in June last, saw parties of Crossbills making their way northward, is considered. In addition to the above records and those which appeared in the August ‘ Naturalist,’ Mr. Boyes in ‘ The Field,’ records a party of a score or so at Beverley, and Mr. Wade, in ‘ British Birds,’ records them at Dalton and Beverley. Mr. St. Quintin told me that they had been seen at Scampston, where they had lit- tered the ground with the green cones of the larch. Messrs. Boyes and Wade remark upon a fact which is very noticeable, and which has been put on record by many other observers, viz., that the birds had been feeding extensively on Green Fly. There must be many other occurrences in York- shire, and observers would do well to forward a record of them to ‘The Naturalist..—R. FORTUNE. Naturalist YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT SEDBERGH. Aucust Bank-holiday week-end was one of those rare occasions upon which the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union were not favoured with fair weather. With hardly a break the rain fell continuously ; and even the hospitality of the White Hart Hotel hardly seemed to atone for the daily walks through the dripping vegetation, the wades through the swollen streams, and the tramps across the bleak fells. The illness of the local secretary, Mr. W. Robinson, was also a serious draw- back; but with the guidance of Messrs. Cosmo Johns, E. Hawkesworth and W. Ingham, the counsel of Mr. John Handley, and the exceedingly valuable local help given by Mr. J. M. Iveson, a profitable week-end was spent. And in the evenings, after dinner, the members got dried, and compared notes. Good discussions also arose as a result of papers by Mr. R. H. Philip on ‘ The Diatoms of Sedbergh,’ and Mr. Cosmo Johns on ‘the Nature of the Interior of the Earth.’ Another took place in reference to botanical and geological nomenclature. On the excursions the geologists first proceeded to the Cautley Valley, where the rocks, though greatly faulted: and folded, are fairly well exposed, and are accompanied by much volcanic and igneous material. Exposures of lavas and beds of ashes, apparently contemporaneous with the deposition of the Bala limestone, were visited, as was also the splendid section about a mile away, described by Professor McKenny Hughes as the most complete section in the lower beds of the Silurian and the upper beds of the Bala series. Some time was devoted to an examination of the two dissimilar conglomerates at the base of the Carboniferous rocks, as they are rarely found, as here, in near juxtaposition. Another day was devoted to Douker Gill and Nor Gill. The former exhibits the results of the Dent Fault, and in one place the Coniston Flags abut against the Carboniferous limestone, and almost throughout the whole course of the stream the rocks show the crushing effects of the Fault. In Nor Gill a very interesting section is exposed, showing a great mass of red conglomerate, as to the exact age of which there is some dispute. It has generally been looked upon as the basement bed of the Carboniferous system in England, and in Scotland as of Upper Old Red Sandstone Age. There certainly is a conglomerate 1909 Oct. 1. 346 Yorkshire Naturalists at Sedbergh. at the base of the Carboniferous rocks in the Sedbergh district, but it varies in several respects from the red one mentioned, and in Nor Gill the relationship of the two is clearly seen. There is no gradual passage from the red deposits to the over- lying rocks, and they seem to terminate abruptly, and are succeeded by alternations of grey, or greenish, conglomerate, pebbly limestones, and calcareous shales, the derived material getting gradually less in quantity as a way is made up into the beds of Carboniferous limestone, which here is tilted at a very high angle by the proximity of the Dent Fault. On the third day the party visited Spen Gill, which exhibits probably the most complete section known of the upper beds of the Bala series and the lower Silurians. Owing to the ex- tremely wet conditions prevailing it was difficult to trace out all the beds, but a good idea of the section was obtained, and numbers of characteristic fossils found. The volcanic rocks of Wandale and Odd Gill were also visited, as was Helm Gill in the Dent Valley, all with satisfactory results. A section worthy of mention was examined near the Golf Club House. It consisted of a large surface of limestone, grooved and striated, precisely as if by glacial action. Some of the grooves were quite deep. Immediately upon them, however, rested another bed of limestone, under which the strie extended. It was apparent that the polished and grooved surface was caused by land-slips, the direction of the grooves being down-hill. The botanists found a rich field, and were well pleased with the abundance of rare and beautiful forms. They investigated Cauiley Spout, Howgill, Marthwaite and Killington. For this section Mr. Ingham writes :— In addition to the FLOWERING PLANTS seen owing to the information kindly given by Mr. John Handley, there are two worthy of notice that came under my own observation, Thalictrum montanum Wallr. is a small and distinct Meadow Rue growing on the rocks well up Cautley Spout. This species is given as growing on Dalton Crag in the ‘ Flora of West Lancashire.’ Euphrasia Rostkoviana Hayne was abundant on the banks of the River Lune. It was a striking Eye-bright with its large size and large flowers. J sent a specimen to Mr. Wheldon, of Liverpool, and he at once named it E. Rostkoviana, and gave the following characteristics (1) Corolla lengthens after flowering ; Naturalist, Yorkshire Naturalists at Sedbergh. | 347 (2) very large flowers ; (3) tall stem, branched below (4) stem and leaves clothed with a mixture of white bristles and long glandular wavy hairs. In ‘The Naturalist,’ July rgog, I recorded this same Eyebright from near Warthill Station, five miles from York. MosseEs. The programme for the excursion gave a good list of mosses found in the Sedbergh district, and in the following notes I propose, with one or two exceptions, to mention additions to those mentioned in the circular. The most interesting moss found was Campylopus atrovirens var. gracilis Dixon. growing almost buried in-mud by the side of one of the waterfalls in the upper part of Cautley Spout. It was first described as a new variety by Mr. Dixon in the “Journal of Botany,’ 1902, page 374. Its distribution is Merioneth, Carnarvon, Cumberland (Lake District), Forfar, and North Ebudes (Skye), etc. Its occurrence at Cautley Spout makes an addition to the Yorkshire Moss Flora. It is quite distinct from the type in being green above, and brown below ; the type being black below, and in its very long and very narrow leaves with its very narrow, long, toothed, hyaline leaf points. This moss is additional evidence of the Lake District character of the Flora of Cautley Spout. The moss Breutelia arcuata grows in the same site. Rhabdowetsia denticulata, specimens of which I have lately received from Mr. C. A. Cheetham and Mr. Albert Wilson from Cautley Spout, I was pleased to locate on the face of vertical rocks near one of the upper falls. The beautiful Plagiobryum Zievti was growing close by, and Grimmuia apocarpa var. gracilis. The three Andveaeas mentioned by Mr. Cheetham in the circular were all found on the same rock, and A. alpina in fruit. The A. petrophila is the var. flaccida (teste H. N. Dixon). Zygodon Mougeoti was plentiful at the Spout. Rhacomi- trium fasciculare, R. heterostichum (a broad-leaved form), Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, and Plagiothecium denticulatum var. majus were other mosses there. On the side of the Spout and near the three Lycopodiums was Campylopus flexuosus. Sphagnum papillosum var. con- fertum in huge bosses was the only Peat Moss seen there. A large form of Brachythecium plumosum with very long leat points grows on the rocks near the water. HeEpatics of Cautley Spout. Preissia commutata in fruit was on the rock ledges. 1909 Oct. I. 348 Book Notice. Radula complanata, Blepharostoma trichophylla, Lejeunea cavifolia, and Frullania Tamarisci occurred only sparingly, and mixed with mosses. Metzgeria conjugata was found in a large pure patch. On the moor near Helm Gill were two forms of the Peat Moss, Sphagnum acutifolium. In the Gill itself, descended only at one spot for mosses, the most interesting species was Tvichostomum crispulum, The other records at this spot were Dichodontiwm pellucidum, Eurhynchium rusciforme, E. striatum, Hypnum fal- catum, and Plagiothecium denticulatum. Barbula rigidula is abundant on the walls by the roadside from Sedbergh to Dent. The Hepatic Metzgeria pubescens was in Flinter’s Gill. There were many mosses in this Gill, but during the short visit only the common species were seen. At the foot of trees on the bank of the River Lune opposite Ingmire Hall, the rare moss Pterogonium gracile grows in large tufts. Sedbergh is a paradise for birds, but the time of year was unfavourable, most of the songsters being silent. Amongst the rare birds nesting in the vicinity are the peregrine falcon, spar- row and kestrel hawks, merlin, buzzard, long-eared, barn, and tawny owls, and occasionally also the short-eared owl. Curlews and golden plovers were found to be abundant on the moors. At the general meeting held on Monday evening, Mr. Robin- son was fortunately well enough to preside. Reports of the work accomplished were given by Messrs. Hartshorn, Ingham, Bairstow, Hawkesworth and Johns. Votes of thanks were passed to the landowners, and also to Messrs. Robinson, Handley and Iveson, for their great help in connection with the excursion. TS: ———_+ es —___. The Young Naturalist, by W. Percival Westell. Methuen & Co. 48o0pp.6/- Uncle Westell has shuffled his cards, added a pack or two, plenty of new ‘ pictures,’ and gone ‘nap.’ Anyway, ‘ The Young Naturalist,’ which seems to incorporate most of what he has previously written in other volumes, with the addition of numerous really good photographs, and some coloured plates, is the best thing he has done yet, and will doubtless have a large sale. It is certainly a remarkably cheap book, and will be useful to a beginner as it covers almost every branch of natural history. Though there is a slight improvement in this direction, there is still one person Mr. Westell cannot forget in his writings, and that person is Mr. Percival W. Westell. Naturalist, 349 A NEW VARIETY OF SEDGE. P) FOX: LIFE, Dewsbury. ADDITIONALLY to my discovery this year of the Hairy Sedge in its remarkable prickle-glumed form, spinosa Mort., by the canal side at Mirfield ; in the early part of July this year I hap- pened to be in the sloping pastures on the eastern bank. of the beck of the pretty little valley, couched—a _ boat-shaped depression—in the bleaker higher land to the south of Wood- kirk Church. This is known as the Heybeck.* It is within three miles of Dewsbury, and yet it is a beauty spot retaining some of its original ruralness ; and it was, indeed, one of the happy hunting-grounds of a former generation of working-men naturalists, who used to visit it for its gay tassels of Dyer’s Greenweed, the golden peasebloom sprays of which give the prominent colour note—yellow, with rose-purple of Betony,—to the dryer turf-clothed spoil heaps of pit ‘trials’ now long ago forgotten. These, however, make the pastures hereabouts vary vastly in character. In one place a spring of chalybeate water oozing through the soil on the brow will make a quag in which many water-loving plants congregate ; though where the seeds come from it is hard to say, and almost as miraculous is it to suppose they have been there in the soil, awaiting a birth-moment for thousands of years ; whilst in another, not a hundred yards away, xerophiles such as the pill-headed Carex will occur in plenty. As Dr. Lees says, ‘the moral for the field-worker is that all require searching, missing none, if the full tale, and the secret of ‘‘ Associations ”’ is to be told.’ Here, then, it was that comparing the constituents of field after field, I came across, in one quite open moss-swampy strip of sloping ground, grazed over, a few clumps of an unusual graceful-looking hair-pedicelled Cavex, with recurving bright green leaves, and curving pensile spikelets, aggregated from the upper sheath, which was quite new to me, although, of course, 1ts kinship to the wood-lover sylvatica was apparent. Clearly on the track of ‘ a good thing,’ for the unknown has ever * Hey—a corruption of Anglo-Sax hege—meaning an enclosure, just as beck means a little stream; and no doubt the name was first given when the glebe was enclosed at some period of the kirk’s history. 1909 Oct. dis 350 Lees: Note on Carex sylvatica var. capillariformis. an attraction for the botanist, I had hopes the plant might turn out to be C. strigosa—as Dr. Lees tells me, a little-known, much- misnamed species, which is not partial to limestone, and yet the only certain S.W. Yorkshire habitat of which is in shade by the stream at Heptonstall Eaves, where it runs over calcareous Yoredale shale. The individual catkined shoots were nothing like so ropust as C. sylvatica, and were moreover growing in the open, asso- ciated with Hypericum quadrangulum, Equisetum palustre, much Hyfnum moss in matted growth through which grew Orchis maculata, Juncus acutiflorus, supinus, and the Sedges C. leporina, flacca (glauca), ivta and another. The hedge- wood about includes Alder, Hazel, Wild Cherry, Acer cam- pestre, Viburnum Opulus, Salix cinerea and Sloe, with Dog-rose and Rosa arvensis. Some five yards higher up the open wet slope of the pasture, upon my third visit Dr. Lees detected Lysimachia nemorum—strong evidence that a wood or thicket, nothing so wet soiled as now (where the collieries and other agents have interfered with natural drainage) once existed, where now cattle are pastured—a district of varied woodland, the very name of which, too, connotes the silvan of some bygone time. . In agreeing to this, Dr. Lees suggests that a fitting name for this extreme, debased (through long interference with normal stresses of growth) form or variety of Carex sylvatica Huds., would be capillariformis, as in its hair-like spike stalks, in twos or threes from the uppermost sheath it simulates Carex capillarts. NOTE ON CAREX SYLVATICA var. CAP/ILLARIFORMIS. F. ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., Leeds. Mr. LEE’s Hey-beck-dale Carex, which I have seen 27 sztw, adds another spoke to my wheel or thesis of Change—not fixity, even yet—both in Plant Character as in Distribution. As ‘Ichabod ’—the glory hath departed !—must be written of many a nook and corner of our land once replete with floral and arboreal Treasure valleys, so such constituents as have survived this denudation, or conversion, under long-acting newer conditions not wholly lethal, change too ; and in (at least) Naturalist, Museum News. 351 their vegetative parts, leaf, flower, stem, etc., adapt their ‘characters ’—as we call this or that ‘ feature "—to what best helps their continuing to live. The Hey-beck open marsh Carex shews no trace of hybridisation, and in its individual perigynia and the nutlets within is exactly type C. sylvatica (Huds.), (elliptic, obscurely veined, with a long cloven smooth beak, and trigonous nut), so that, as with most ‘ varieties,’ the differences which yet make up a strikingly dissimilar facies are in vegetative developments, rather than ‘specific ’ essen- tials. In proposing for it the style of a Varzety, its title may not unfitly suggest that Carex capillaris L. of Gordale, which the late Prof. Babington placed next to stvigosa Huds. in his diagnostic arrangement :—Carex sylvatica Huds. var. capil- lariformis mihi. g spike one, distinct or part of top catkin ; Q spike, curved, brief, 7 to 15-flowered, all (except the upper- most) from short sheaths, on very longly exserted capillary pensile pedicels, three to five times the length of spike. Two or three stalks aggregate and spring from the topmost Sheath but one (in some cases, not all). The uppermost female spikelet with only 5-7 perigynia and so looking ovate, springs from the same sheath as the male spikelet. Spikelets and glumes of a bronzy green-brown. Habit, tufted from a brief rhizome, Height, 8-12 inches. Frondage of a full yellow- green, outcurving vase-like from tuft, 2 to 3 millimetres in breadth of rough leaf. The whole plant has a healthy appearance in its seat, virile, hardy, perfecting its fruits abundantly, evidently quite capable of holding its own in competition with pasture grass ; but that it is a specialised descendant from a dry woodland slope two hundred, or it may be only a hundred years back, I am con- vinced ; and supported in that by the panning-out presence of the Woodland Loosestrife (now creeping like L. nuwmmularia through the wet matt grass). Its immediate associates now have come, I doubt not, with the perhaps recently broken-out spring in the pasture above, much later than the Carex silvatica and ovalis and Lysimachia nemorum. The grass swamp is a recent one ; I looked in vain for Triglochin, that surest sign of an old soil regime passing away. Amongst the additions to the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, during the last twelve months, we notice local specimens of the Common Crane, Ruff, Gadwal, skull of Bos primigenius and Lesser Shrew, 1909 Oct. I. Oo On NO SOME NEW YORKSHIRE BEETLES. T. STAINFORTH, Hull, Durinc the past two years I have paid particular attention to the Coleoptera of the East Riding shore of the Humber. Much of the material collected yet awaits examination, but the follow- ing notes on the occurrence of some species new to the Yorkshire list which appears in the Victoria County History, may not be without interest. HARPALUS ROTUNDICOLLIS Fair. A single male specimen of this species was found on August 29th last year, under drift at the foot of the embankment on the Humber shore near Hull, between Marfleet Creek and Lord’s Clough. Careful examination and comparison with specimens from the south of England proved it to be this species, and my identification has been confirmed by Mr. E. G. Bayford, of Barnsley, and Dr. W. Wallace, of Grimsby. As far as the lists at my disposal show, this is the most northerly record for the species, and Fowler states that he has never ‘ found it in the north, and that it does not appear in the Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, Scotch or Irish lists.’ BLECHRUS MAURUS Sturm. This species occurs commonly in the same locality as the preceding, but it makes its habitat under the lumps of chalk on the top of the embankment. They seem to affect the lumps which are embedded in the clay, and on turning such a piece over half-a-dozen specimens have been seen together. They are so active, however, as to be difficult to catch, and uf they escape among the crevices between the lumps of rock, capture is well nigh impossible. The species occurs less commonly in a similar situation on Saltend, and I found a single specimen between the grass and the stone capping of a clough on the side of Hedon Haven. The dates of capture were July 28th, August 2oth, and October 5th, 1908. C@LAMBUS PARALLELOGRAMMUS Ahr. On September 2oth, 1908, this little water beetle swarmed in the brackish pools on the land side of the embankment on the Humber shore, near the new Joint Dock at Marfleet near Hull. The pools had become very low, and were swarming with beetles, chiefly consisting of this species, Agabus con- spersus, Dytiscus marginalis (some of which were dead or dying), and Philhydrus maritimus. Naturalist, News from the Magazines. 35 1s) PHALERIA CADAVERINA F, On May 30th of this year, whilst turning over some drift seaweed on the sand on the Humber side of Spurn at the Kilnsea end, a single specimen of Phaleria cadaverina was secured. In the same locality on June 13th, I discovered another specimen, which the wind carried away as I was about to put it into a tube. Further specimens, however, will prob- ably be found if the drift on the Humber side of the point is examined. This and the next species, Heliopathes gibbus, are two good additions to Yorkshire Tenebrionide. HELIOPATHES GIBBUS F. On May 25th, 1908, I obtained two, and on June 13th, 1909, one specimen of Heliopathes gibbus at Spurn. The first two were found at the roots of grass tufts on the sandhills, and the last example under the seaweed drift on the Humber side of Spurn. NEWS FROM THE MAGAZINES. A strikingly illustrated article on ‘The Evolution of the Flower,’ by S. L. Bastin, appears in Cassell’s Nature Book, part 34, recently issued. A masterly paper on ‘Glacial Erosion in North Wales,’ by Prof. W. M. Davis, appears in the August Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. We are glad to find that the Lancashive Naturalist has flattered us by imitating many of the features of The Naturalist. ‘Afforestation as a National Duty’ is the title of an instructive paper by Mr. S. Margerison, in the Land Agents’ Record for March 20th. Mr. R. Standen describes some varieties of Dretssensia polymorpha, with an excellent plate, in the August Lancashive Naturalist. Prof. Patten has a paper on ‘ The Ornithology of Skerries, Co. Dublin,, in the September Irish Naturalist. In the September Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine there is an excellent coloured plate upon which are figured Myrmecoris gracilis, Avena octavtt, Phytosus nigriventris, Ovochares angustata, Stichoglossa semirufa, Lomechusa strumosa, Lemophleus monilis, and Diastictus vulneratus. Mr. Robert Newstead has an interesting paper ‘On a recently dis- covered Section of the Roman Wall at @hestec: in Vol. II., No. 2, of the Annals of Archeology and Anthropology. Mr. Richard South writes a note on Peronea variegana and aberrations in Durham in the September Entomologist. In the July Lancashive Naturalist Mr. W. H. Sutcliffe has an illustrated paper on ‘ Pal@oxyris prendellii from the well-known Coal Measures at Sparth, Rochdale.’ Mr. S. Duncan noted a Spoonbill on the North Humber shore on Aug. 15th (British Bivds tor September). In the same journal it appears that Kent has again produced a ‘new British bird ’—nay, new to Europe! This is the Brown Flycatcher, which has ‘never before been recorded as occurring west of Chamba, Kashmir. Whilst it is stated that there are many reasons why this bird is not an ‘escape,’ we should hesitate to make these frequent additions to the British list on the strength of single specimens. 1go9 Oct. 1. 354 ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MOLLUSCA IN SOUTH LONSDALE. Rev. C. E. Y. KENDALL, B.A., J. DAVY DEAN, anp W. MUNN RANKIN, M.Sc., B.Sc. (Continued from page 379). At present it is impossible to determine the exact distribu- tion of this shell. Evidence that it is locally abundant may be seen from examination of various limestone ‘ pavements’ at Silverdale and Hampsfell (Grange). After heavy rains numbers of dead specimens are washed down from the loose sub-soil above, and may be found in the crevices and on the ledges of the rock below the * pavements.’ 2. Coniston Limestone. Pupa cylindracea da Costa. Associated species :— Agriolimax agrestis L. Cochlicopa lubrica Miller. Pyvamidula votundata Miller. The principal feature connecting this formation with those of the Carboniferous Limestone is the abundant presence of this species. It takes the dominant position on the Coniston Limestone, and is abundant in exposed situations within the tooo feet zone. The absence of Pyramidula rupestris is noteworthy, and the habitual occurrence of P. votundata is important. The association is a non-calcareous one. It is noteworthy that in all its extension across the Lake District no distinctively calcareous plant species, with the possible exception of a few lichens and mosses, may be found on this rock. In Ribblesdale, however, it is somewhat more productive showing a much closer affinity to the Carboniferous Limestone. NON-CALCAREOUS PASTURES. HEATHS (Calluna and Grass Heaths). Associations shewing conditions uncongenial to ordinary plant life. Limax arborum Bouchard-Chanteraux. Associated species : A griolimax agrestis L. Pyvamidula rotundata Miller. Vitrea alliavia Miller. On the heaths this species would appear to be the dominant one, for though ‘ the Tree Slug,’ it is by no means confined to trees. It occurs in the open at Ambleside, and on the higher parts of Coniston Old Man, reaching an altitude of 2600 feet. Naturalist, Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 355 As is usual, apparently, on the more open grounds, the typical form of L. arvborum is replaced by the darker deeply-banded variety. It is fairly common in the vicinity of moisture, and exhibits the gregarious habit, five or six examples often con- gregating under one stone. The above species were taken with it at an altitude of about 1000 feet, but occurred only spar- ingly. V. alliaria, a species which seems able to adapt itself to almost any conditions, finds refuge in dry weather under stones in boggy places. MARSH LANDS OR WET GRASSLANDS. § 1. CALCAREOUS LAKES AND PonpDs (Hard-water). OPEN WATER. REED BE Lt. MaRrsH. Limnea peregey Mull. | Physa fontinalis L. L. tvuncatula Mill. Planorbis albus L. \Limnea palustris Mull. | Aplecta hypnorum L. Valvata piscinalis Mull. | Planorbis contortus L. | Pisid. pusillum Gmel. 5, fontanusLightfoot. ,, obtusale Pf. Bithynia tentaculata L. | Carychium minimum M. Valvata cristata Mull. | Vertigo pygme@a Drap. Pisidium nitidum Jen. |Punctum pygmeum k milium Held. Drap. C. lubrica Mull. Vitvea vadiatulata Ald. | 4 crvstallina Mill. | Euc. fulvus Mill. Between Reed Belt and Marsh. Schoenus Belt. (Schenus nigricans L.). Succinea elegans, var. ochracea Betta. Associated with Limnea truncatula Mill. The above are the molluscan fauna associations of a typical calcareous lake. Neritina fluviatilis and Ancylus fluviatilis are absent, being typical denizens of the non-calcareous rivers. The former existence of large expanses of water in the dis- trict is shewn by the extensive development of lacustrine marls at Burton and Silverdale. The contents of the marls strongly confirm the present associations of the calcareous lakes, and throw some interesting light on former conditions of aquatic life. Hawes WATER at Silverdale, with its beach of exposed chara-marl, is still the largest sheet of water in the calcareous region. The species of the open water are not numerous. The present Limnea pereger are of the usual lacustrine type, but those in the marl fall into two groups, one lacustrine and the other a form similar to that common to calcareous streams at the present time. Physa fontinalis is absent in the marl, 1909 Oct. 3. 350 Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. being a species of later date. Of those in the reed-belt L. palustris is recent and does not occur in the marl; Bithynia tentaculata is abundant, living and in the fossil state ; Planorbis contortus sparingly fossil and recent. The following shows the probable grouping of the marl species. OPEN WATER REED BELt. MarsH. L. peregey Mull. B. tentaculata L. [foot.| Pisidium pusillium Planorbis albus L. Planorbis fontanusLight- Gmelin Pe crista L. an contortus L. a obtusale Pf. Valvata piscinalis Mill. | Valvata cristata Mull. Spherium corneum L. Pisidium nitidum Jen. " milium Held. | There are evidently no river deposits as Ancylus fluviatilis and Neritina fluviatilis are absent, and the conditions of hfe when the deposits were laid down would seem to be similar to those obtaining to-day, viz., a deep lake fed by springs, with a shelving shore fringed with reed beds. Hale Moss is a small patch of a few acres, mostly white with marl and litter, covered by shallow peat, occupying what was the deepest (30 feet) hollow of the ancient Burton Lake. The proportion of shells in the marl here is very much less than in that at Hawes Water. The following species occur in the marl, and may be grouped thus :— OPEN WATER. REED BELT. MarsH. L. pereger Muli. Valvata cristata Mull. |L. truncatula Mull. Valvata piscinalis Mill.| Pistdium nitidum Jen. | Pisid. pusillum Gmelin ,. einereum Alder. ,, obtusale Pf. The noticeable fact here is the absence of the Planorbis eroup and shallow water species—pointing to the existence of a well-filled lake of great dimensions, which has now entirely disappeared. In the marl deposit, L. peregey far exceeds in number all the other species. The shells are not lacustrine in form, but are very similar to those of the Irish marls. In regard to this deposit, Mr. A. S. Kennard says: * Judging from your list, the deposit is not a shallow water one, and was laid down in two to three fathoms’... . ‘ Planorbis is a shallow water form, and not hkely to occur ina deep water deposit. . 358 ‘ Bithynia tentaculata is rather a shallow water form, whilst the hall-mark of shallow water is Limnea stagnalis and Limnea palustris.’ As will be seen, Planorbis and Bithynia are absent, only deep water species being found. Naturalist, Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 357 On the present moss occurs—Swuccinea elegans var. ochracea Betta., associated sparingly with— Vitvea crystallina Mull. | Limnaea truncatula Mull. The surface of Hale Moss, as that part of the old lake is called to-day, which is not under cultivation, is well sprinkled with tufts of the rare plant Schenus nigricans L. Between the tufts the marl lies bare without any peat. In wet weather the Succinea craw] freely on the surface, and in drier weather burrow beneath the marl, or crawl into the roots of the Schcenus. In winter they are to be found in hibernation, securely fixed to the ‘rushes’ some inches above the base of the stem. This Succinea is unlike any other British form. The peculiar extended spire, and the angularity of the last whorl would seem to place it as intermediate between the two species S. elegans and S. oblonga. It may perhaps be due to xerophilic conditions, marking an advance from an amphibious to a land mollusc. § 2. CALCAREOUS RIVERS AND STREAMS. No good example in the district. § 3. NoN-CALCAREOUS LAKES AND PoNDs (Soft-water). 1. Ponds. OPEN WATER. REED BELT. MARSH. Limnea pereger Mull. Spherium corneum L.. |Limneatruncatula Mill. Planorbis spivorbis Mill. | A plecta hypnorum L. Pisidium pusillum | Gmelin. Succinea elegans Risso. This association is typical of a non-calcareous pond with very little reed belt, and a marshy tract at one end which becomes in summer a dense mass of high grass and sedges. _2. Very shallow ponds :— OPEN WATER. REED BE tT. MARSH. Sphervium lacustve Mill. Nil. Nil. Such ponds often become practically dry in summer, only moist clay remaining. Sh. lacustre, a species with very closely fitting valves, is well adapted for retaining life even under these conditions, and may be found buried in the dry mud. 1909 Oct. 1. 358 Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 3. Large Lakes. Example—Lake Windermere. OPEN WATER. REED BELT. MARSH. Limnea peregey Mull. | Physa fontinalis L. — Planorbis albus L. | Succinea elegans Risso Ancylus fluviatilis Mull. | = | Arion subfuscus Drap. Agriolimax levis Mull. | | Zonitoides nitidus Mill. | |Euconulus fuluus Mull. Ancylus fluviatilis occurs principally near the outflow, that is in practically fluviatile waters. Avion subfuscus is the domi- nant species on the lake margin. Z. mitidus is typically a non-calcareous marsh species, corresponding to the allied species Z. excavatus on drier ground. In this section also comes :— Anodonta cygnea L., which is characteristic of a non-cal- careous lake or pond with a muddy bottom. It is abundant where it does occur, just as in the canal it takes entire possession of the deeper water. No definite association of the habitat can be given; probably it is solitary. It is worthy of note that the largest known specimens (measuring nine inches in length) have been taken from a pond near Garstang. Sub-section 3a.—SOFT WATER CANALS. and Kendal Canal). | OPEN WATER. REED BELT. Acroloxus lacustyis L. Limnea palustris Mill. Planorbis umbilicatus Limnea pereger Mill. 5A auvicularia L. Planorbis albus L. Valvata piscinalis Mull. Mull. Anodonta cvgnea L. oe vortex L. Pisidium amnicum Mill. a fontanus Spherium lacustve Mull. Lightfoot. Physa fontinalis Drap. Bithynia tentaculata L. Valvata cristata Mull. Spherium corneum L. On Rocks Neritina fluviatilis L. (Dreissensia polymorpha Pallas).* 44 milium Held. Pisidium fontinale Drap. (Example—Preston MarsH. L. truncatula Mull. Pis. pusillum Gmelin. Succinea putris L. a elegans Risso A griolimax agrestis L. ai levis Mill. Arion ater L. ,, hortensts Fer. Vitrea crystallina Mill. », vadiatula Alder. Z. nitidus Mill. Euc. fulvus Mill. Hygromia granulata Ald. 5g hispida L. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. As will be seen and as might be expected, the molluscan fauna places the canal intermediate between non-calcareous lakes and non-calcareous rivers. In the open water section there is a striking abundance of both Anodonta cygnea and Neritina fluviatilis, the former a species prevailing in the deeper non-calcareous ponds, and the latter typical of slow-flowing * An introduced alien. Naturalist Book Notice. 359 rivers. Physa fontinalis, which comes on the outer margin of the Reed-belt, is very abundant, especially in the late winter and early spring. Bzthynia tentaculata is perhaps the dominant species following the Physa period, while Limnea pereger and Limnea auricularva encroach locally for a short period about May. There is an abundant molluscan fauna on the grassy margin of the canal, but there is, of course, little in the way of a true marsh. Swuccinea elegans is typical of this habitat, and very abundant, and there are thriving colonies of Hygromia granulat and H. hispida in the patches of Potentilla anserina. § 4. NON-CALCAREOUS RIVERS AND STREAMS. (All the Rivers, Streams and Becks in the district come under this heading). (a) THE SMALLER STREAMS (Becks). OPEN WATER. REED BELT. | MARSH. Ancylus fluviatilis Mull. Nil. Pisidium pusillum Limnea pevegey Mill. Gmelin. The above is characteristic of a swiftly-running beck and the full association is dependent on the gradient. In some of the swiftest reaches of the becks Amncylus—the typical molluse of running water, alone is present, while the Prsidia occupy the more muddy shallows of the lower beck. (6) Rivers (Example—R. Lune). OPEN WATER. | REED BELT. MARSH. Ancylus fluviatilis Mill. | Physa fontinalis Drap. ? Limnea pereger Mill. Pisidium amnicum Mull. eA auricularia L. Valvata piscinalis Mill. Neritina fluviatilis L. Unio margaritifer L.. The species common to both the lower and upper reaches are Limnea pereger, Ancylus fluviatilis and Neritina fluviatilis, the latter gradually disappearing towards the source. (To be continued). tb ——— The Hull Museum continues to pour out its penny pamphlets. We have recently received No. 59, A ‘ List of East Yorkshire Spiders, etc.’ by T. Stainforth. This includes 177 spiders, 14 phalangidea, and 5 pseudo- scorpions. Nos. 60 and 61 are the usual Quarterly Records, the former containing notes on Hull plans, forgeries, skull of fossil Bison, etc., the other including notes on old Hull ships and shipping, the Brigg pre-historic boat, slavery relics, and medieval antiquities. A further (third) edition has been issued of the Guide to the Albion Street Museum, Hull, and con- tains much new matter. 1909 Oct. 1. gn aPemoriam. THOMAS SOUTHWELL, Ro. MAB ONO: (1831-1908). ALL those interested in natural history, and museum work generally, and particularly those who knew him personally, will regret to learn of the death of Thomas Southwell. He had the kindhest of dispositions, and was a delightful companion either in the study or in the field. It is only a few weeks ago that he spent several days in Kent with the members of the Museums Association. He had just returned from Norway, where he had been recuperating his health after a severe illness. Though as lively and affable as ever, it was not difficult to tell that his age was beginning to shew itself ; though few then thought he would leave them so soon. Thomas Southwell was one of the old-fashioned type of naturalist, and was equally at home with the flowers or insects or birds ; though the vertebrates were perhaps his favourites. His writings were always of a useful character ; perhaps his best known work being ‘ Seals and Whales of the British Seas.’ He also edited the third volume of Stevenson’s ‘ Birds of Nor- folk,’ and a new edition of Lubbock’s ‘ Fauna of Norfolk.’ The ‘ Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society,’ and the ‘ Zoologist,’ contain a number of articles from his pen ; the annual reports on the northern seal and whale fishery appearing in the latter journal, being of particular value. He took a great interest in the Norwich Castle Museum, his Guide to which was exceedingly popular. He was born at Kings Lynn in 1831, and died at Norwich on the 5th September. TAS: Round the Lake Country, by Rev. H. D. Rawnsley. Glasgow: J. Mac- Lehose. 1909. 227 pp., 5/-. Those who know aaa of the Lake District, know of Canon Rawnsley. And those who know Canon Rawnsley well, know the Lake District better for it. He has lost no opportunity of drawing attention to the beauties of that charming area, and in the present work he still further advertises the natural history, archeological and poetic attractions of the lakes. The book is in twelve chapters, and deals with the Coast, the Arnside Lily-woods, the Ravenglass Gullery, the Bewcastle and Gosforth Crosses, Gowbarrow Fell, etc. Each is sympathetically written ; the archeological part of the work being perhaps predominant. There are excellent illustra- tions of famous old crosses, some of the originals of which are surely too valuable to be allowed to remain in the open in all weathers. Naturalist, 361 FIELD NOTES. MAMMALS. Badgers near Harrogate.— Badgers are not uncommon in the district surrounding Harrogate, but it is not until recently that they have approached the confines of the town. One was caught early this year at Plumpton in a rabbit trap, he was very thin, and had apparently found difficulty in obtaining sufficient food. Early in July one was captured alive between Beckwith- shaw and Rigton, and another one near Plumpton. These occurrences seem to point to the fact that these interesting animals are penetrating into the Crumple Valley, where they have hitherto been unknown, coming probably out of the Tad- caster district. Some years ago ‘ earths ’ in the neighbourhood of Allerton and Ribston were re-occupied after having been untenanted for many years. Lord Mowbray informed me that they suddenly appeared in Allerton Park, occupying old ‘ earths’ where they had been unknown for a great number of year3.— R. FORTUNE. Spotted Otters.—In connection with the note at the foot of page 308, recording the capture of a speckled otter at Lough Sheelin, Ireland, the following curious entry copied from the Hawkstone Catalogue, written by Harry Shaw in 1848, may be of interest :—‘‘ In Scotland the vulgar have an opinion that there is a king among the Otters, spotted with white ; that its skin is endowed with great virtue as an antidote against in- fection, a preservative of the warrior from wounds, and ensures the mariner from all disasters upon the seas. The Viscount Hill possesses one of these curious skins: the Otter from which it was taken was killed in North Wales.”” The Hawk- stone collection was removed to Peplow Hall (Mr. Beville Stanier’s) in 1904, since which date I have examined and catalogued the entire series. The skin is not there now, and seems to have perished years ago. Several specimens had to be destroyed, being in bad condition, but the skin was not amongst these.—H. E. FORREST. Black and Brown Rats.—At the beginning of the present summer, Mr. H. A. Auden kindly sent me several specimens of the old English Black Rat (Mus rattus) which had been caught at Widnes, in Lancashire. I kept two of them alive in a home- made cage, and have them yet. On looking into their nest in the middle of August, we found six young ones, about three 1go9 Oct. I. 362 field Notes. weeks old, and of these six, four are of the ordinary black type, and two of the brown alexandrinus type. Mr. W. J. Clarke, of Scarborough, tells me that he has on several occasions bred these rats, but has only once succeeded in rearing a litter, and he further informs me that all his young ones were of the ordinary black type. I did not know myself until my rats bred that the two forms were produced in the same litter, and from black parents. I thought that each form, the black M. rattus, and the brown, M. alexandrinus bred true. Probably all these rats found in this country at the present day are imported specimens which have come off ships. Even when obtained inland, I have traced their presence as due to assistance from the coast, by barges, etc., and I very much doubt whether there be left in the kingdom a pair of the old indigenous English Black Rat, which has disappeared before its more powerful grey congener, save in one or two very isolated districts.—OXLEY GRABHAM. i OP COLEOPTERA. Ptilinus pectinicornis L. at Barnsley.—Early in July I discovered specimens of this curious beetle emerging from a willow post in my garden, and had the pleasure of observing the habits of the female as she excavated the tunnel in which to lay her eggs.. Having enlarged the exit, she then commenced to make the tunnel by working in an upward direction perpen- dicular to the further extremity of the exit tunnel, which was at right angles to the face of the tree. As the wood fell down in fine frass, it accumulated immediately below where she was working. At intervals she descended backwards, and in that position pushed the frass with her hindmost feet, towards, and ultimately out of the hole. The males emerged a few days before the females, as seems to be the rule amongst internal feeders. It does not appear to have been noted before that the female as compared with the male, apart from the re- markable differences in the antenne, is almost perfectly cylindrical, the male being depressed on the upper surface, and broader in proportion to the depth between the upper and under surfaces.—E. G. BAYFORD. Gracilia minuta F. in Yorkshire.—In addition to the records cited in recent communications to ‘ The Naturalist,’ both Barnsley and Doncaster occur in the list of Yorkshire Naturalist, Field Notes. 363 Beetles in the Victoria County History of Yorkshire. Leptidea brevipennis Muls., admitted to the British list by Messrs. Beare and Donisthorpe, on insufficient grounds, I think, has also oc- curred at Barnsley. Although I have several times met with Gracilia minuta in a free state, on what one might call neutral ground, I have not yet found it in such circumstances that I should feel justified in claiming it as an indigenous species. It has excellent powers of flight, and in bright sunshine, is very lively, reminding one more of a large gnat than a beetle. The mere fact that it has been found some distance away from business premises, is not of itself sufficient to characterise it as indigenous. The only real proof that-it is such, is the finding it in one or other of its stages, preferably an immature specimen, still in the pupal chamber. Similarly, every year specimens of Sivex gigas are brought to me, some of them having been taken in country lanes on the outskirts of the town, but there is not the faintest reason for supposing them indigenous to the district. Timber for pit props is in abundance all over the district, and so are fruiterers’ hampers, in which Gracilia minuta and Leptidea brevipennis are imported into the country.—E. G. BAYFORD. —:0:— MOLLUSCA. Colonization of Helicella virgata at Hubbard’s Hills, Louth.—In my notes on ‘ Mollusca of Hubbard’s Valley’ in ‘ The Naturalist,’ February 1904, I recorded that in the Autumn of 1900, I deposited about half-a-dozen living specimens of Hel1- cella virgata on the grassy slope at the south end of the hills, in the hope that a colony might be established. This high bank is on the outcrop of the Lower Chalk, and the predominating plants on the area where the molluscs were deposited are rest- harrow, rock-rose and knapweed. Nothing was seen of the molluscs until the 12th of August, 1902, when one example was found. Four years again. elapsed without any record of them. On October 3, 1906, I saw four living and two dead ; on February 18, 1907, I found three dead shells ; on October 17, 1907, three living ones were seen by Mr. V. Howard. On September 3, 1908, I counted twenty-three living specimens, and on September 19, 1909, I counted fifty-three living on an area about twelve feet square. How many more there might 1909 Oct. 1. 364 Museum News. be, or how far they had extended their range along the bank, I had not time to ascertain, but was satisfied they had be- come well established.—C. S. CARTER, Louth. Arion ater L. as a Wart Curer.—The Avion or Black Slug has from time immemorial been believed to possess great and wonderful healing properties, and its use in various forms are said to have a beneficial effect upon many ailments. Until comparatively recent times the Slug held a notable place in Medicine, and formerly occupied a place in the Materia Medica. The marvellous faith and belief in its efficacy as a specific for the removal of warts was formerly widely diffused in our own and other countries, and faith in the potency of the remedy probably still lingers in the more secluded rural districts, while the method of using the slug for this purpose being practically similar in widely distant parts, points to a very ancient and common origin of the belief in its efficacy. The rubbing of the wart with the body of the Slug, described by Mr. Petty,* has for its basis the belief that the wart and the Slug become thus mutually impregnated with each others nature, so that when the Slug is afterwards securely impaled on a thorn. and left to slowly die and waste away, the wart being now, by the mingling of their humours, akin to the dying Slug, is sympathetically affected, and disappears also. It may be added that if the wart does not disappear simultaneously with the desiccation of the body of the Slug, the patient has not placed implicit faith in the remedy, or has failed to observe the necessary secrecy !—JNo. W. TAYLOR. see getline The people of Maidstone are to be congratulated upon the excellent museum in their midst, a portion of which is kept in the Chillingham Manor House—a building which is a museum in itself. Mr. Allchin, the Curator, has recently issued an admirable handbook, in which the building and its contents are described and well illustrated (142 pp., 1/-). The collection is particularly rich in geological and archeological treasures, the British, Roman and medieval relics being unusually representative, as might be expected from so interesting an area as that round Maidstone. The natural history department is also very well described, and includes one of the finest collections of bees in the country ; largely as a result of the efforts of one of the staff. We are glad to see that an improved and en- larged edition of the Guide is promised, and in this the few misprints in the present edition will doubtless be corrected. Amongst these ‘ Concert,’ (p. 119) should be ‘ Consort ; and ‘ Woodcrinus’ (plate XI.) should be ‘ Woodocrinus.’ Plate XI., by the way, contains an illustration of an excellent slab of crinoid ‘ heads’ from Richmond, Yorkshire. * ‘Naturalist,’ August, p. 303. Naturalist, REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. From Messrs. Milner & Co., of Halifax, we have received three volumes of their ‘XXth Century Science Series,’ which are remarkable alike for their cheapness and the excellence of their contents. Each consists of about 130 pages, is illustrated, and well bound in an attractive red cloth cover. We only hope the volumes will have the circulation they deserve. Prof. A. C. Haddon writes on Races of Man and their Distribution, the name of the author alone being a guarantee of the excellence and reliability of the matter. This volume forms a summary of the subject such as has been wanted for some time. Mr. Joseph MeCabe, who is well known for his translations of various foreign works on Evolution, writes on Evolution : a General Sketch from Nebula to Man, and deals with the subject in eignt chapters, the last being ‘ A forecast of the end.’ Physiology of the Human Body is suggested as a text-book for students, and is by that voluminous writer, Dr. Andrew Wilson. The Viking Club continues to issue its valuable publications. Its Saga Book (Vol. VI. pt. 1, 161 pp.) just to hand, is of more than usual interest to northern antiquaries. Prof. A. Bugge writes on ‘ Seafaring and Ship- ping during the Viking Ages’ ; some interesting comparisons are drawn between Brunanburh and Vinheid in ‘ Ingulf’s Chronicle and Egil’s Saga,’ by the Rev. C. W. Whistler ; and there are also readable papers on ‘ The Vikings in Spain,’ by J. Stefansson ; ‘ The First Christian Martyr in Russia,’ by F. P. Marchant; ‘The Sites of three Danish Camps, etc., in East Anglia,’ by B. Lowerison ;’ ‘ A Ship Burial in Brittany,’ by P. Du Chatellier and L. Le Pontois, etc., etc. Several of these are illustrated. Parts 11 to 16 of the Club’s Old Lore Series have also been published, and deal with Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Sutherland records. Amongst the many items are several curious records of superstitions, witchcraft, fairies, etc., etc. These publications reflect the greatest credit upon the Editor, who has had a difficult task. A second edition of Observing and Forecasting the Weather : Meteorology without Instruments, by D. W. Horner, has been issued by Messrs. Witherby & Co. (48 pp., 6d. net). It is an improvement on the first edition, already noticed in these columns; and the illustrations are better. The West Riding County Council Vacation Courses is the title of an attractively prepared pamphlet, issued for the benefit of the teachers attending the County Council Course at Scarborough in August. It contains a number of papers, including ‘ The Queen of Watering Places,’ by Dr. J. Irving ; ‘A Few Remarks on Botanical Excursions,’ by Mr. O. V. Darbishire ; ‘The Teaching of Science and Domestic Subjects to Girls,’ by Prof. A. Smithells, and ‘ Filey : its Brig and Cliffs,’ by Mr. T. Sheppard. Few volumes have appeared in recent years which have shewn such a wide range of reading and research on the part of their writers, as does Folk Memory or the Continuity of British Archeology, by W.. Johnson. (Oxford: the Clarendon Press. 416 pp., 10/6 net). And few volumes can be said to possess such a mass of sound scientific deduction as does ‘Folk Memory.’ Evolution is the author’s key-note, and in a fascinating way Mr. Johnson shews how in many directions we have survivals of primi- tive forms. That he is thoroughly up-to-date with regard to his reading is proved by his numerous references to ‘ Forty Years’ Researches,’ by Mr. J. R. Mortimer, and to other works of even more recent date. To find fault with any part of the book is difficult ; to enumerate the various subjects dealt with is impossible in the space at our disposal, but we can give our readers an idea of the nature of the subjects dealt with by the following hap-hazard selection :—Evolution of stone and bronze imple- ments, of canoes from the old ‘dug-outs,’ of Tombstones, crosses, burial mounds, garden implements, roads, etc., etc. There are also chapters on dene-holes, dew-ponds, megaliths, flint-knapping, linchets, incised figures on 1gog Oct. I. 366 Reviews and Book Notices. the chalk downs, fairies, etc., etc. There is a bibliography which is of the greatest service to students, and a very good index. If the book has a drawback at all, it is that once started, it must be read from cover to cover, and for this other work must be neglected! But it’s worth it. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of the S.Y. ‘ Scotia’ during the years 1902-4, under the leadership of Dr. W. S. Bruce, Vol. IV., Zoology, Part I. ‘Zoological Log,’ by D. W. Wilton, J. H. H. Pirie and R. N. R. Brown. Edinburgh: The Scottish Oceanographical Laboratory. 105 pp., plates and maps. 10/6. This is an elaborately prepared report of a carefully made zoological log kept during the voyage of the ‘ Scotia.’ In the evenings when the party met together, the appointed recorder extracted from the various members the various observations they had made during the day. These were written down on the spot, and too much praise cannot be given to the assiduous way in which the records have been made. In this way mammal, bird, fish, reptile, mollusc and other forms of life are noted and described, and as by far the greater part of the voyage was made in a land little known, amongst animals even more unfamiliar, the scientific value of this log is enormous. This, however, is much increased by the reproduction of over a hundred photographs of antarctic life. The photo- graphs of the birds are perhaps the most striking, the extraordinary atti- tudes of the penguins being particularly ludicrous. Many of our readers who saw the photographs of the Emperor Penguins, etc., on the occasion of Mr. W. Eagle Clarke’s presidential address to the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, will be interested to know that many of them are reproduced in this report. These alone are worth more than the price asked for the vol- ume. Asa frontispiece is an excellent coloured plate of Weddell Seals and Emperor Penguins, and there are also maps shewing the course taken by the ship. We must congratulate Dr. Bruce and his colleagues on tie valuable nature of their zoological work, and upon the magnificent manner in which the results of their observations have been given to the world. The Vegetation of some Disused Quarries, by S. Margerison. Gaskarth, Bradford, 52 pp., with 33 illustrations, 1909. 3/-. The title of this paper, which is reprinted from the Bradford Scientific Journal, 1908 and 1909, suggests to the West Riding botanist a most familiar subject, but one which holds out little of interest ; the sub-title, however, is more promising—‘ The Conquest of New Ground by Plants.’ This aspect of plant life has excited considerable interest in recent years, both here and abroad, and has just received a fresh filip by the translation of Ernst’s ‘ New Flora of Krakatau.’ An opportunity like the latter rarely occurs, but we have in our limestone screes, cuttings, pit-hills and quarry tips, ample opportunities for studying the problems of invasion and succession, and though the areas mentioned are usually small, it is surprising how similar the processes are in the main. Commonplace as the subject of the paper at first seems, it is obvious that the author has found for himself a most interesting piece of work, one which has grown in importance as the study has progressed. The quarries investigated are in Calverley Wood, between Bradford and Leeds, and are along an escarpment in the Millstone Grit series, about a third of a mile long, and consist of rough rock, flagstones and ragstones, with bands of muddy and sandy shales resting on a bed of dark grey shale. The steep slope is planted with trees, probably on the site of primitive forest. It is of the dry oak type, with Quercus sesstliflova as the charac- teristic tree, one of the type very common in this part of the West Riding. The quarries range in age from one hundred years or more, down to some closed so recently as 1905. The method of enquiry was to examine the quarries in detail, and compare the vegetation on the tips and exposed surfaces, according to age. Starting with the youngest, he notes the ‘making of the soil’ and the organisms—bacteria, moulds, alge, lichens, mosses and ferns, together with a few phanerogams, chiefly with good wind Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 367 dispersal mechanisms—which form the ‘ pioneer vegetation,’ and lead on to and prepare the way for a ‘richer soil—humus,’ in which the higher plants become more and more prominent. A suggestive chapter on ‘ Soil- gatherers and Soil-binders,’ in which more examples might usefully have been given, paves the way for the consideration of ‘ Succession,’ of which three transitional stages are recognised which result eventually in a closed association of hair-grass, bracken, blue-bell and soft grass, with a canopy of oak, birch and sycamore, found in the oldest quarries. ‘So is the vege- tation gaining upon our own local raw stones; multitudes of germs have perished, but the work goes on. The kindly green clothing, from stain of alga or moss protonema to deep: verdant shade of woodland gradually envelops all. Individuals live, struggle, and die, but Nature sees to it that the mass of life gains all the time,’ and we can well believe the author found his work ‘ intensely interesting—as is all field work.’ The photographs, which are very numerous, are excellent. The map is clear and of a suitable scale, and there are some interesting sketches of ling, showing variation in growth,among the quarries ; the sections of the leaves, however, are inaccurate. The reprint before us is consecutively paged, but the reference numbers in the text are to the pages in the journal in which the papers appeared. In such cases it would be better to retain the original page numbers, and if desired, separate numbers could be added at the bottom of each page. These, however, are minor points. Mr. Margerison is to be congratulated on having done an excellent piece of work. Before Adam, by Jack London. S. Werner Laurie. 308 pp. The author of this book has dreamed dreams. He isa freak of heredity ; at any rate, he says so. And he tells us of all the wierd things he did when he was on the world once before. ‘ With the doing away of one wife Red-Eye proceeded to get another. He decided upon the Singing One. She was the granddaughter of old Marrow Bone, and the daughter of the Hairless One. She wasa young thing, greatly given to singing at the mouth of her cave in the twilight, and she had but recently mated with Crooked Leg.’ And so on. They fought. Red-Eye evidently got the Singing One, and the author doesn’t know how many wives since! Then there was Lop Ear, Long Lip, Swift One and Chatterer. But though they were all in the trees and scratched themselves, etc., their narratives do not seem to possess that interest that the author has been able to impart unto other of his writings. British Mountaineering, by C. E. Benson. [London: George Rout- ledge. 1909, 224 pp., 5/- The author of this work is evidently an enthusiast, and appears to be at home in ‘chimneying,’ ‘scrambling,’ ‘rambling,’ ‘ bouldering,’ etc. The results of his experiences are here given for the benefit of those who dare to follow in his footsteps—and the number of such ‘ ramblers’’ seems to be on the increase. He also gives advice as to the kind of corkscrew, boots and nails, compasses, maps, screws, etc., to be used, and even gives details of ladies’ wearing apparel necessary on such occasions. Remedies are also given for frost-bite, cuts, hamorrhage, broken arms, legs, ribs, etc. ; for fracture of the skull, and internal injuries. here is a special chapter on the dangers of mountaineering, and in every way the author is enthusiastic in the cause of this healthy exercise. There are several photographic illustrations of ‘ face climbs,’ ‘ difficult cracks,’ ‘ tough bits,’ ‘chimneys,’ etc., from which it would appear that the author has been successful in securing snap-shots of enthusiasts in absurd positions in exceedingly dangerous situations. Possibly it is to their credit. Anyway we strongly recommend the book to any who are thinking of spending a holiday in trying to break their necks in scaling difficult rock faces. The Greatest Life, by Gerald Leighton, London: Duckworth & Co. 275 Pp., 5/- net. In this work we find Dr. Leighton away from his snakes and lizards, 1909 Oct. I. 368 Museum News. and dealing with a problem which deals with the origin and development of character. ‘The Greatest Life is that which most nearly approaches the highest ideal which has been conceived by human intellect, irrespective of the source of that ideal ; and the problem that such a life involves is— How may a man attain toit?’ In dealing with the present religious prob- lems, Dr. Leighton points out that ‘Man will not for ever be content with the child-treatment in his mental sphere, and indeed his discontent is becoming more and more apparent every day. In all religious systems which permit of individuality of thought, this sympton is prominent. From a thousand pulpits comes the cry that modern education is making men less religious. It is not true. Mén were never more religiously in- clined than they are to-day, but they are demanding a presentation of religious truth which shall be a living one, and not a fossil. The food sup- plied is indigestible and insufficiently nourishing. They ask for meat and, at the best, are offered milk. Our systems of religious teaching have not kept pace with the march of human intellect.’ The author deals with the Making of a Man ; the Development of the Soul ; Evolution of Phy- sical Immunity; the Making of a Man’s Mind; Mental Immunity ; Moral Immunity, etc., etc. There is much in the book to think about. From the press of Mr. T. Werner Laurie has been issued Gilbert White and Selborne, by H. C. Shelley. It is by no means a novel subject, but one that is always refreshing. In it the author gives a well-thought-out account of the Man, the Village, and the ‘ Natural History,’ and ds success- ful in making an entertaining narrative, which, though perhaps ¢ontaining little that is new, is more compact than say Mr. R. Holt-White’s ‘ Life and Letters.’ The volume is printed in large type, is well illustrated,-and has an artistic cover. C fie MUSEUM NEWS. We notice from the Sixtieth Annual Report of the Ipswich Museum that many important ‘ Bygones’ have recently been added to the ceilec- tion. The Shells, Minerals and Butterflies in the Stockport Museum have recently been re-arranged, and an Index Catalogue of the Minerals is in preparation. Mr. C. Davies Sherborn has presented to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, a valuable collection of specimens of the hand-writings of naturalists, consisting of about eight thousand letters and other docu- ments. We have received part 3 of Vol. I. (pp. 219-355, 10/- net), and Vol. IIL., part 1 (139 pp., 7/6 net) of the Annals of the Natal Government Museum, edited by the Director, Dr. Ernest Warren, and published by Messrs. Adlard & Son, London. Both are well printed and illustrated by several excellent plates. In the former, Mr. G. A. Boulenger describes some Fresh-water fishes, batrachians and reptiles (including new species) from Natal and Zululand, and also writes on Clarias capensis. Mr. C. T. Regan describes some fishes from the coasts of Natal, Zululand and*Cape Colony, and the Rev. Father Franz Mayer gives a short study on Zulu Music, the word ‘Music’ being applied to the noise made by the wierd primitive ‘ instru- ments’ which are illustrated. There is also a charming group of Zulu ‘musicians.’ The Director has a lengthy and scholarly monograph on Natal coast Hydroids. In the second publication the Rev. A. T. Bryant has a remarkable paper on ‘ Zulu Medicine and Medicine-Men’; the Director writes on ‘ Laf@a dispolians n. sp., a Hydroid parasite,’ and on ‘Natal Termites’ ; and Dr. Broom has some interesting observations on ‘the Dentition of Chrysochloris, and on ‘ the Tritubercular theory,’ a sub- ject recently referred to in these columns, Naturalist, i No. 634 (No. 412 of eurrent series). A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., THE Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD, ‘WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITI, F.L.S., F.8.S., Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. . Contents :— ‘ Pours PAGE Notes and Comments (illustrated) :—Non-glacial Striz ; Mens cloacinus in the Rhetics; A new Species; Professor P. F. Kendall ; lee fe oes Aer . 369-370 Thymus ovatus in North Yorkshire—/. G. Baker, F-RS. ehowen A He 371 Nordmann’s Pratincole in vababice (astratedy ae addition to the » County fee eae R. Fortune, F.Z.S; - 372 A Veteran ‘Climmer’ (lliustrated)E. W. W. whe ue es a aie _ 873- 375 Interesting Diatom near Hull (Illustrated)—R. H. Philip . ai) \ aes . 376-37F On the Geographical Distribution of Mollusca in South onibie ety! C., E, y. Kendall, B.A., J. Davy Dean, and W. Munn Rankin, M. Son S ce gy aa . 378-381 The Study of a Fircone (INustrated)—M7s. E. Hughes Gibb nA as poy Awd ... 385-383 Genera and Species in Fungi—M. C. Cooke, LL.D., M.A. 2 AOL Oys WA, etc: af ».. 389-392 Yorkshire Naturalists at Cawthorne—T7.S. __... eis oa ER: ry Pah axe «.. 893-397 Reviews and Book Notices... ... ... BES MSs cha cee UIQPAaC tL, WS 375, 382-883, 397 Northern News oy. =) EE CoRR SE ARORA iy ED Sal ea ae ait) 370 Proceedings of Provinétal. Scientific ‘Societies ae yee aS mS seh ... 3871, 384, 399 Field Notes... sie wee ee ook ae sie ae a bt at Ae ae ... 398-399 Museum News wii ies ee AN 4! “hes ee kis ne aor Ne af aN 377 News from the Magazines ae and eae Aye “aek te ae BS ai ae ie 400 Illustrations ... Se aes Pee ae Rads ou xe 5 i oa ... 369, 372, 373, 376, 386, 388 LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.@=x' And at Hui anp York. y . Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. ( PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET. \/%), + YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ SECTION FOR VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY. (President—Riley Fortune, Esq., F.Z.S.) Two Meetings will be held at the Leeds Institute, Leeds, at 3 p.m. and 6-30 p.m. re- spectively, on Saturday, November 2oth, 1909. é Business (at the Afternoon Meeting :— To consider and pass the Sectional Reports for 1909, and to elect Officers for 1910. To consider and pass the General and the Financial Reports of the Yorkshire Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Acts Committee for 1909, and to elect the Officers and Committee for 1910. The Convener of the Yorkshire Mammals’, Amphibians’, Reptiles’ and Fishes’ Committee will read an Interim Report, and and will propose the re-election of this Committee. At the Evening Meeting (6-30 p.m.) the following Papers will be read :— “ Bird-Life at the Zoo,”” by Mr. Riley Fortune, F.Z.S. ; ‘‘ The Extinct Vertebrates of the East Riding,” by Mr. Thos. Sheppard, F.G.S.; and ‘‘ The Relationship ot Food to Migration,” by Mr. Rosse Butterfield. Lantern-slides will be exhibited and described by Mr. Oxley Grabham, M.A., M.B.O.U., Mr. Sydney H. Smith, and others. Any Member or Associate of the Y.N.U. is invited to attend, and to bring any notes, specimens, lantern-slides, etc., and is requested to bring forward any matters of interest connected with the work of the Section, and to take part in any discussion. Will Officials of the Affiliated Societies kindly notify their Members. NOW READY. ~ Cransactions of the bull Scientific and Field Raturalists’ Club. VOL Wie PARTE PRICE 2/- NET. CONTENTS :— ; ; Notes on a Collection of Roman, etc., Antiquities from South Ferriby in North Lin- colnshire. Part II. (Plates II., III., [V., V., VI., VII. and VIII). Thomas Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot. Additions to the Diatomacez of the Hull District. R. H. Philip. (Plate IX.). | Catalogue of the Specimens in the ‘ Lether’ Collection and of the Cornbrash Fossils in the Hull Museum. T. Sheppard, F,G.S., and H. C. Drake, F.G.S. On a Specimen of Zryon antiquus Broderip from the Yorkshire Lias. 2 T. Sheppard, F.G.S. Fungi in East Yorkshire in 1908. Wilfrid Robinson, B.Sc. Palzontology in East Yorkshire, etc., in 1908. H.C. Drake, F.G.S. List of East Yorkshire Spiders, Harvestmen and Pseudoscorpions, etc. 4 T. Stainforth. East Yorkshire Botanical Notes. J. Fraser Robinson. Additional Localities for the Flora of the East Riding. J. J. Marshall. The Committee's Report on the Work of the Club during 1907-8. ; - SHort Notes :—Note on Mollusca, J. W. Boult; Some North Lincolnshire Spiders, T. Stainforth ; A Tribute: W. R. Bromby, E. L. SOLD BY A. BROWN. & SONS, Kinc Epwarp STREET AND SAVILE STREET, HULL. 369 NOTES AND COMMENTS. NON-GLACIAL STRIZE. The accompanying illustration is from a photograph of an interesting section on the Sedbergh golf-course, which was. examined by the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union on their recent visit to the district. It shows the Silurian grits, polished and striated, as if by glacial action. The strie, how- ever, continue beneath the bed of rock shown on the right of the photograph, and are evidently caused by a Jand-slide. Photo by] (Dr. T. R. Burnett. Grooved Rock, Sedbergh, looking west. MYTILUS CLOACINUS IN THE RHASTICS. In the recently issued ‘ Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’ Field Club,’ Mr. J. W. Tutcher gives an interesting account of ‘The Strata exposed in constructing the Filton to Avonmouth Railway’; with paleontological notes. In these he describes and figures Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov. from the Rhetic bone bed, Aust Cliff. In 1903 Mr. H.C. Drake, F.G.S., spent some time collecting in the bone bed at Aust Cliff, and some of the specimens he obtained are now in the Hull Museum. Amongst them is a Myétilus, which we have submitted to Mr. Tucher, who informs us that it is the same as he describes as cloacinus. 1909 Nov. 1. , A 2 370 Northern News. A NEW SPECIES. The following is the description given by Mr. Tutcher :— ‘ Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov. Anterior outline slightly arcuate, ventral margin rounded, posterior margin gently convex, as far as the hinge line, which is straight, and equals one-third the length of the shell; beak angle, 40 degrees ; valves ob- tusely carinated from the beaks to the antero-ventral border, sloping evenly from the carina to the posterior margin, and sharply on the anterior sides; growth halts well marked. The specimens are generally casts; some fragments of the shell which have been observed do not exhibit any ornament. Dimensions :—length, 42 mm., width, 21 mm., thickness, 12 mm.; geological position, lower Rhetic. The specimen figured is a nearly complete cast from the bone bed at Aust Cliff. Examples have also been collected from the bone beds at Sedbury and at Charlton. This fossil appears‘ to be not un- common on the bone bed horizon, but, as far as I can discover, it has been found at no other level.’ PROFESSOR P. F. KENDALL. Our readers will be pleased to hear that a member of the Editorial staff of The Naturalist has been selected for the position of President of the Yorkshire Geological Society, which for the past half century had been held by the late Marquis of Ripon. Professor Kendall’s excellent work in Yorkshire, as well as the great influence he has personally had in furthering geological study in the county, have been such that his selection as President of the County Society was an easy matter. We only hope that his connection with the Yorkshire Society may be as long as that of the late Marquis of Ripon, Professor Kendall was President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union a few years ago. ———— ees The Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union will be held at Scarborough on Saturday, December 11th. In the index to ‘ Bookprices Current’ just issued, we find the first entry on page 688 is ‘ Entomology (continued) : Pearson, W. H., Hepa- ticee of the British Isles.’ One wonders what the position of these insects is from a Cataloguer’s point of view. Sir Thomas H. Holland, K.C.I.E., F.R.S., has been appointed to the Chair of Geology at the University of Manchester, in the place of Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, who has resigned. Prof. Dawkins served on the Geological Survey between 1861 and 1869, and was appointed curator of the Manchester Museum and lecturer in geology at Owen’s College in 1870, and Professor of Geology and Paleontology on the foundation of the Manchester University. Naturalist, 371 THYMUS OVATUS IN NORTH YORKSHIRE. J. G. BAKER; F-R:S:, Etc, Kew, IN a paper which appeared in the ‘ Journal of Botany ’ for 1908, page 34, Messrs. Domin and Bruce Jackson distinguished four so-called species of Thyme in Britain, viz., T. ovatus Miller ; T. glaber Miller ; T. precox Opiz, and T. Serpyllum L. T. Serpylium is distinguished by its narrow leaves, long trailing shoots, and capitate inflorescence, and is, I believe, the common Thyme of Yorkshire. From this, T. ovatus differs by its broader leaves, inflorescence consisting of distinct whorls of flowers, and by the absence of long trailing shoots. Two specimens from North Yorkshire are now before me as I write, one from banks between Sandhutton and Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, collected by the late Mr. T. J. Foggitt, and a second collected by myself from Kitscrew Wood, near Hovingham. T. ovatus Miller is the plant figured as T. Chamedrys by Boswell- Syme in the third edition of ‘ English Botany,’ but is not the true IT. Chamedrys of Fries, which is the same as T. glaber of Miller. This T. glaber of Miller is reported by Mr. G. C. Druce from Widdy Bank, on the Durham side of the Tees, but I have not seen either this species or T. pre@cox from Yorkshire, though I note that Mr. Druce (Report of the Botanical Exchange Club’ for 1908) gives T. glabey as a Yorkshire plant. T. glaber differs from T. Serpyllum by its glabrous stem and _ broader bright green glabrous leaves and short shoot. —_ 3 ——— The Annual Report of the Marine Biological Association of the West of Scotland for 1908 shews that good work is being done at the Millport Station, and that it is being encouraged in a practical way. Vol, I., No. 1 of the Journal of the Torquay Natural History Society (48 pp.), has recently been issued, and besides the Society’s Sixty-fifth Annual Report, contains some original contributions, and some reports of lectures. Some of the latter, particularly those occupyng two or three lines, might well have been omitted. We hurriedly turned to the paper with the tempting title, ‘Ancient Phoenician Settlements in Cornwall and Devon,’ but only to find the subject dismissed in two and a half lines. Possibly there was a reason for this. Amongst the contributors we notice the names of Messrs. A. J. Jukes-Browne, H. J. Lowe, A. R. Hunt, etc. The longest, and perhaps the most useful contribution, is a list of the Diatoms of the Torquay district, and in this we were pleased to notice that the author had to thank a Hull naturalist for help in determining difficult species. It would have been an advantage if the same person had also read the proofs, as misprints are far too frequent. Ifa little more margin had been allowed to the pages, their appearance would have been improved. 1909 Nov. 1. 372 NORDMANN’S PRATINCOLE IN YORKSHIRE. AN ADDITION TO THE COUNTY AVIFAUNA. R. FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Earty in August I heard that a Collared Pratincole had been shot in the North Riding. This species is of sufficiently rare occurrence to make the event worth investigating. I found that it had been shot in mistake for a Golden Plover, by Mr. W. S. Charlton, of Northallerton, at Reedholme, near Danby Wiske, on August 17th. Mr. Charlton was after duck at the time, and was waiting beside some water in the shelter of a bank, when a flock of Green Plover flew over. The Pratincole was flying with them, and was the only one ofits kind. Photo by] [R. Fortune, F.Z.S. Nordmann’s Pratincole (Glareola melanoptera). Shot near Danby Wiske. Mr. Charlton was kind enough to allow me to have the bird for photographing, and it was sent on by Mr. Lee, of Thirsk, who stuffed it. Upon arrival I saw that it was not the common Pratincole, and it proved to be a specimen of Nordmann’s or Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola melanoptera, and the first to be recognised as a Yorkshire specimen. It differs distinctly from Glareola pratincola, in the secon- daries not being tipped with white, and in having the under wing coverts and axillaries jet black instead of chestnut. The specimen resembles the figure of the bird of the year in Dresser’s ‘Birds of Europe,’ with the exception of having the dark bridle- like marking round the throat, though this is not nearly so conspicuous as in the adult plumage of G. pratincola. Naturalist, B73 A VETERAN ‘CLIMMER.’ On 11th September, Harry Marr, one of the old Bempton climbers, died suddenly at Buckton from heart failure. A son of the soil, born and bred in Bempton, and a typical East Yorkshireman, his speech, manners and gait smacked strongly of the Shakespearian ‘ Flavour of the saltness of time,’ and all frequenters of the cliff must regret the disappearance of this picturesque figure, one of the few remaining links with a past [Photo by Oxley Grabham.] Harry Marr and his ‘climming’ outfit. generation. He was sixty-three years old at the time of his death, and had earned his living from boyhood by working on the land, like most of the climbing fraternity. In appearance he was tall and handsome. At the age of thirty, not being engaged at the hirings, and consequently having little to do, he joined Ned Hodgson’s gang on the Bempton and Speeton Cliffs—that veteran who 1g09 Novy, I. 374 A Veteran ‘ Climmer.’ taught so many young ideas how to climb—and after a season’s apprenticeship with him, went to Londesborough, Senr., com- pleting with his uncle, Rd. Marr, the gang which climbed the cliffs from Cat Nab to Scale Nab, including the famous Dor, the same ground which he had climbed to the end of the rg09 season, and which, had he lived, he would no doubt have con- tinued climbing till he was seventy, for, in spite of increasing age and stiffness, the old man felt as much at ease on the rope as ever. His greatest difficulty seemed to be getting over the edge of the cliff—once on the swing, and he was perfectly at home. The faculty of climbing had, in fact, become ingrained in him, and had he been compelled to roll over the cliff edge, it seems probable that he would have gone on with it, for when twitted by his friends with getting too old for the job, he always cheerfully replied that ‘he could climm best of owt.’ His life apart from climbing, consisted of the usual routine of an agricultural village, and calls for no comment. It is in the personalty of the man and his climbing experiences that our interest lies. At sixty-three he was the oldest climber on the cliff, though in length of service at the game, the veteran Ned Hodgson, who gave up some ten years ago, could beat him. When he com- menced, climbing was not the serious business that it is now, there being insufficient eggs to make it worth while gathering them every day, and many off days were spent in working on the land. The number of men in each gang was three, as against the present four, and all the cliff was rent free, the men arranging between themselves what ground each gang was to work. No such thing as rent was ever known till the increase of eggs, owing to the protection afforded by the Act of 1880, gave some of the men an incentive to owst the older climbers from part of their ground, and they went to the farmers and offered to pay for the privilege of egg-gathering. The regula- tion head-gear was a box-shaped top hat, known as a ‘ mullah,’ also fashionable for executions, both processes being intimately connected with the use of the rope. The lowering was done by running the rope over one thigh, not round the waist as now, and the climber must have had much more work, as the lowering man could not have had so much holding power, whilst long hauls were brought up, and only two men were pulling at the top against three now. One man named Coultas used to climb the broken cliff between the Rowlup and Dor by himself on Naturalist Reviews and Book Notices. 295, a single rope, a thing never dreamt of now. The climbing is getting reduced to an exact science, more gear and more help being used than in the old days, when a man trusted more to his own strength and agility. The old man possessed an imperturbable good temper, with a quiet dry humour, and a dialect of the past centuries, which made him an entertaining raconteur ; and though his narratives were perhaps somewhat overdrawn where the first person singular was concerned, who shall grudge him the enlarged perspective with which old age views its younger exploits ? His death removes a notable landmark from the ranks of the climmers. ‘Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys and destiny obscure ; Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile The short and simple annals of the poor.’ +s oS—_—— Consider the Butterflies How they Grow, by L. P. Stubbs. Elliot Stock. 62 pp. Judging from the title of this book, its price, its frequent references to the Holy Scriptures, and the texts written here and there, it is evidently intended as a Sunday School prize, though the ‘ butterfly ’ on the cover is surely very different from anything in the heaven above, in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth. Mr. Stubbs’ narrative of the life of a butterfly is interspersed with poems about the Nettle’s lament over a chrysalis, the Nettle’s surprise, Butterfly on wing recognises Nettle, Nettle recognising Butterfly in the air, etc., which, however, ‘ readers of a strictly scientific taste may omit,’ as he also may the message to King Hezekiah, King David’s sigh, the address of Jehovah to the patriarch, etc. For a somewhat similar purpose we presume Nature, by J. H. Crawford (Swan, Sonnenschien & Co., 5/-) has been published. It is illustrated by all sorts and sizes of blocks, and deals with ‘ Sunlight in Strange Places ’; ‘ The Library and the Press’ ; ‘ Atmosphere in the Schools’ ; ‘ St. Valen- tines’; ‘ Nature’s Easter’; ‘Madonna of the Pastures’ ; “ Midsummer Afternoon,’ etc., etc. We should also like to congratulate the publishers on possessing the biggest and messicst rubber stamp with ‘ presentation copy’ upon it, that we have seen. It would have looked better if it had not been placed diagonally across the title page, though possibly its size necessitated this. The Manchester University Press has published Birds Useful and Birds Harmful (6/-), by Otto Herman and J. A. Owen, both well-known scientific writers, and not of the talk-about-nothing style, which is becoming so common a feature with ornithological books now-a-days. In its original form the present work was prepared by Mr. Herman at the request of the Minister for Agriculture in Hungary, for the guidance of farmers, fruit- growers and gardeners. The mass of useful information it contains, however, will appeal to many others besides these ; and a perusal of the work will surely do much to prevent the slaughter amongst our useful birds which is continually going on. Would that it were possible to place this book in the hands of every gamekeeper in this country, and make him read it! The volume also has useful chapters on bird structure, bird protection, nesting-boxes, etc. 1909 Novy. 1. 376 INTERESTING DIATOM NEAR HULL. Ro Ho. PHILIP: In the ‘ List of Diatomacee occurring in the neighbourhood of Hull,’ published in 1859 by George Norman, appears the follow- ing record:—‘ Amphiprora constricta Ehr. Very common in brackish water. Pure near Marfleet, Victoria Dock Timber Pond, Marsh Chapel, Garrison Moat, Dairycoates, under Railway Arch.’ I had frequently sought for this form in the neighbourhood of Marfleet, but without success until early in May this year, when, on the occasion of a visit of the Hull Scientific Club to the excavation now going on for the new dock, I found it in great abundance and pure of any mixture with other species, in water oozing from the face of cuttings and forming pools at the bottom of the excavation. 9 y AE om an lt | i Nf a i it Stauronella constricta Ehr. (Mer.). Syn. Amphiprora constricta Ehr, Stauroneis amphoroides Grun. This diatom has given a great deal of trouble to the author- ities by its anomalous structure, and by three leading diatomists it has been assigned to three distinct genera. Ehrenberg gave it the name of Amphiprora constricta, under which it appears in Norman’s list. Donkin, who found it on the Northumberland coast, called it Navicula simulans, and Grunow describes it as Stauronets amphorovdes. When Mr. F. W. Mills and myself were revising Norman’s list, it seemed to us that the last of these names was the most appropriately descriptive, so it appears in the illustrated Naturalist, Museum News. 377 “Diatoms of the Hull District’ under that title. Since then, however, Mr. C. Mereschkowsky has published an interesting paper (‘ Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.’, S. 7, Vol. VIII., pp. 424- 434, Pl. VIII.), in which he points out that it has features which separate it distinctively from any of the three genera to which it has previously been assigned. He considers that the only proper method of dealing with it is to place it in a genus by itself, and proposes to give it the name of Séauronella constricta (Ehr.) Mer. It is rather curious that, although according to Norman’s record it was not at all uncommon in his day in this neighbour- hood, it seems to be very little known to some of the leading diatomists of our time. Dr. Van Heurck for instance, who describes it under Donkin’s name of Navicula simulans, states that he does so only from Donkin’s work, never having himself seen any authentic specimen. M. Peragallo also (‘ Diatomées Marines de France’) figures under the name of Stauroners constricta (Ehr.) Sm. ,a dwarfed and emaciated form, which one can hardly recognise as the same thing as that found at Mar- fleet, and says, ‘ I have never seen the large forms of this species recorded for the Ocean and the Arctic Seas. Small forms such as that I have drawn are perhaps special to the warm seas.’ It is possible, therefore, that outside of this district, it is some- thing of a rarity, and even here I have only found it once pre- viously (in the Victoria Dock Timber Pond). The Dairycoates and Garrison Moat localities, named by Norman, have long ceased to exist. The figures in Dr. Smith’s ‘ British Diatomacez,’ usually so excellent, do not do justice to this species. In the valve view, the sides are made to taper towards the median constric- tion, which is not the case in any specimen I have seen. In the girdle face aspect, the drawing of two young frustules that have hardly completed self division, gives but a poor idea of the well-developed connecting zone of a mature specimen. —__~o Mr. Wm. Blackstock has presented a good collection of minerals to the Haslingden Museum. A collection of butterflies, etc., said to be valued at about £2000, has been presented to the Accrington Museum by Mrs. Robertson-Aikman. From the annual report of the Kings Lynn Museum we learn that amongst the additions are one hundred skulls of Norfolk Birds ; a ‘ Cam- berwell Beauty,’ taken at Hillington in 1884, and several rare moths, including three taken in West Norfolk, which are additions to the British insect fauna. 1909 Noy. 1. 378 ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MOLLUSCA IN SOUTH LONSDALE. Rev. C. E. Y. KENDALL, B.A., J. DAVY DEAN, anp W. MUNN RANKIN, M\Sc., B.Sc. (Continued from page 359). Neritina is a true non-calcareous species, while Ancylus occurs in both calcareous and non-calcareous rivers, and can exist in shallower and swifter streams than the former. L. auricularia 1s rare, and is of a small acute form. Unio mar- garitifer 1s local, but abundant in the deeper pools of the lower river. This interesting species is characteristic of a northern fauna, its range extending from the Conway and Dee throughout the north-western counties into Scotland, right into the High- lands. It is a favourite food of the otter, and seems to abound in rivers where this animal is common. (c) THE SMALLER RIveErRs (Example—R. Bela.) OPEN WATER. REED BELt. MarsH. L. pereger Mill. Planorbis carinatus Mill ? Neritina fluviatilis L. Bithynia tentaculata L. This is a much slower moving river than the Lune, and shews interesting features. In the reaches examined Ancylus was absent. Limnea pereger and Planorbis carinatus seem plentiful. The latter is a southern and eastern type, and is only local in the north-western counties. This is the only locality for it in Lonsdale. Note.—We have no records for the marsh section of these non-calcareous streams. Captain Farrar gives the following for the margins of the becks of the Lake District, which note is of interest, and may apply to the examples already taken. OPEN WATER. MaArsnH. L. pereger Mill. Agriolimax levis Mill. Ancylus fluviatilis Mill. Hygromia fusca Mont. Pupa anglica Fer. He states that H. fusca occurs ‘ wherever sedges border the swiftly-running becks.’ Pupa anglica is a moss feeder, and though occurring often in woods, this may be its true position. 5. Heatu Moors. § I.—Lowrann: Ditches and pools on the mosses. OPEN WATER. REED BELT. MarsH. Limnea pereger Mull. Limnea palustris Planorbis spivorbis L. Mill. | Pisidium obtusale Pf. | Rarely A plecta hypnorum, Naturalist, — Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 379 All these species are usually somewhat dwarfed in size, and are stained and corroded by the peat. The dominant species is P. spirorbis, which is usually very abundant. This species would seem to be restricted to the marshy ends of non-calcareous ponds, which are a dense mass of grass and small water plants, and to peat-drains and marshes. It ranges throughout the country in habitats of this kind. The form prevailing through- out this district is the var. leuwcostoma of Millet. § II].—UPLAND. We have as yet no records of these. WOODLANDS. The woodlands of the district fall into two distinct types— the Ash type, characteristic of the Mountain Limestone, and the Oak-birch type, dominated by Quercus sessiliflora, charac- teristic of the Silurians and Millstone Grit Series. The former type prevails between the valley bottoms and the pavements on the plateaux of the scar limestone. Below, the soil is damp and deep, and the shade noticeable, above, the soil is shallow and liable to drought, and the shade little better than that of scrub. The lower woods shew an admixture of Oak, the upper scrubs have little high growth, and are con- stituted of the shrubby associates of the Ash wood of the lower mid-slopes. Woods of this type are the most luxuriant of our British associations, not only in individuals, but also in species. The physical conditions are wholly favourable to an abundant life. Beech woods are not native to the district, but where sub- stituted in the Ash woods of the deeper and damper soils, show life conditions of a fairly distinct character, which justify a separate consideration. The Oak-birch type of woodlands is that which prevails over most of the Pennine areas off the Limestone. It includes many wood associations though of a lower grade than is the case with the Ash wood type. In the higher associations there is lacking the variety of the scar woods, while in the dry heathy woods which stand at the bottom of a series of wood associa- tions, the life conditions of soil and exposure are distinctly unfavourable to plant life, except of very specialised character. This poverty is reflected in the molluscan association. 1909 N ov. I. 380 Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. J.—AsH Woop FORMATION, (a) DAMP SEcTION: deeper soils of the lower wood. Clausilia laminata Mont. Associated with :— Avton ater L. Vitrea crystallina Mill. Vitrea cellarvia Mill. Euconulus fulvus Mill. » nitidula Drap. Pyramidula votundata Mull. », alltavia Miller. Helix hortensis Mull. » vadiatula Ald. Ena obscura Mill. This handsome species with a reputed partiality for the Beech and Ash, is characteristic of the bottom woods of the purer Ash. In such localities it is abundant under the large moss-covered stones or among the fallen branches and twigs. Vertigo pusilla Mill. Associated species :— Vitvina pellucida Mull. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. Vitvea alliavia Miller. Pupa cylindvacea da Costa. Euconulus fuluus Mull. Vertigo substriata Jeff (rare). Pyramidula vupestvis Drap. . alpestris Alder. Hygvomia vufescens Penn. Clausilia laminata Mont. Vallonia costata Mull. = bidentata Strom. This species, as evidenced by the association, is marginal to the lower wood, and is found among moss under stones in damp situations, or under top stones of a low crumbling wall, and can be taken in abundance throughout the limestone area. At first sight it would seem that the allied species V. alpestris should take its place here, but though often occurring with V. pusilla on the borders of Ash woods, its real position is in the damp section of the Oak-birch woods, as will be shewn under that heading. V. pusilla, too, is not confined to the north- western counties in the same way that V. alpestris is, occurring frequently in the Midlands, and being even recorded for Devon- shire. Hygromia granulata Alder. Associated species :— Vitvina pellucida Mill. Hygromia vufescens Penn. Vitrea cellaria Mull. 56 hispida L. », alliavia Miller. Helicigona avbustorum L. 5, nitidula Drap. Helix hortensis Mill. This species again is found on the margins of the Ash- woods, more especially just close to a low Ash or Hazel copse. Its abundance places it at once as one of the locally dominant species. It occurs in large colonies in the patches of Potentilla anserina, etc. Sub-section—BEECH Woops. The noticeable feature of the Beech-woods is the fondness for them of the hispid shells—those which have a more than Naturalist» Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 381 ordinarily fibrous epidermis. In this connection the habitat of H. obvoluta in the south is of interest, for being of the same nature, it is confined also to Beech woods. Acanthinula lamellata Jeff. Associated species :— Vitrvina pellucida Mill. Acanthinula aculeata Miill. Vitvea alliavia Miller Carychium minimum Mill. », pura Ald. Acicula lineata Drap. Euconulus fulvus Mill. A. lamellata, a Northern type, is extremely local, but dominant over A. aculeata, where it does occur. A. aculeata belongs really to the Oak-Birch section of the northern district, but is well distributed throughout. The association of A. lineata is not always maintained. The association is charac- teristic of the leaf carpet which, lying in damp soil in the woods, is thickly permeated with fungoid growth. Hygromia hispida L. Associated species :— Vitvina pellucida Mill. Cochlicopa lubrica Mill. Vitrea cellavia Mill. Carychium minimum Mill. » nitidula Drap. Hygromia rufescens Penn. » Pura Ald. This species, which is usually of a smaller and more hispid form than the true type, is universally distributed, but occurs in marked abundance among dead beech leaves, especially towards the margin of the woods. We have taken it thus in great abundance, and of a large size in similar habitats in the Midlands, which would seem to strengthen the evidence as to its preference for the Beech. The distribution of this species in the Ash woods of the Carboniferous Limestone is maintained to an altitude of about 400 feet, thus forming a connecting link with the higher and drier woods, the association becoming restricted to V. nitidula and V. pura. (o)—Dry SeEcTION: Shallow soils of the upper woods. Clausilia bidentata cravenensis Taylor. Associated species : Pyramidula vupestvis Drap. Clausilia laminata Mont (rare). Pupa cylindracea da Costa. Ena obscura Mill. Clausilia bidentata Strém. This well-known characteristic Craven shell is found in abundance on the limestone scars sheltering the lower wood. It is not a ground species like C. daminata, and is rarely taken on the trees. Unlike C. bidentata, it is entirely confined to the Carboniferous Limestone. 1909 Nov. t. (Zo be continued). 382 REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. NEW BOOKS ON EVOLUTION. The Berlin Discussion of the Problem of Evolution, by E. Wasmann. Full report of the Lectures given in February 1907, and of the evening discussion. Kegan Paul, Trench, Tribner & Co. 1909. 266 pp., 6/- net. They seem to have exciting times in Germany, and in this volume Father Wasmann gives a record of a remarkable discussion which took place in a large crowded hall. A work purporting to be a record of this discussion was published by Dr. Burdinski, but it is alleged this does not give a full and impartial account of Father Wasmann’s lectures. Evidently the Catholic priest has had a good hearing, a good criticising, and has given a good reply to his critics. The various remarks of the various professors and others who were on the platform and spoke, are dealt with seriatim. In Father Wasmann’s opinion, they did not succeed in refuting him, and they provided him with the best possible proof that his opinions, as those of a Christian and a scientist, ‘do not clash with the principles of teally free research.’ Whether the discussions here reported have ad- vanced the study of evolution or not, we must leave our readers to judge for themselves after they have read the book. The Making of Species, by Douglas Dewar and Frank Finn. London: John Lane. 400 pp. 7/6. It sometimes happens that ‘ two great minds think alike,’ and evidently one result of such an event is the present book. It is the outcome of con- versations which ‘we, the joint authors, had last summer... One of us took a degree in natural science at Cambridge, and subsequently entered His Majesty’s Indian Civil Service, but continued his zoological studies in India asa hobby. The other, a naturalist from childhood, nevertheless ('], took a classical degree at Oxford, then received a technical zoological training, adopted zoology as a profession, and held for some years a position in the Natural History Museum at Calcutta.’ It might have been added that the initials of one author are D. D., whilst oddly enough, the initials ofthe other are F. F. With these extraordinary qualifications, our authors decide to give biological science a fresh impetus, as at the present time, ‘especially in England, it is in an unhealthy condition.’ Their facts and philosophical studies are therefore blended, and the authors modestly affirm ‘it is our belief that were Darwin alive to-day, his sympathies would be with us, and not with those who call themselves his followers.’ There is no doubt his sympathies would be as the authors imagine! The theory of natural selection as enunciated by Darwin ‘ needs considerable modification,’ and consequently Messrs. Dewar and Finn have indicated the directions in which the Darwinian theory requires modification. Post- Darwinian books on evolution are divided into four classes, all of which ‘are characterised by defects.’ Zoological science stands in need of con- structive books on evolution ; and the present volume is considered to supply that need. We learn that De Vries, Wallace, Prof. Poulton, and many others are obviously palpably wrong, and as we read on we cannot help humming to ourselves, ‘ Down with church and down with steeple ; down with parson, down with people ; down with every blessed thing, but us. But our patience is sorely tried when we come to several pages headed ‘ Kay Robinson’s Theory’ ; and then we remember having seen various favourable notices of ‘ The Making of Species ’ in a certain weekly ! Personally we are sorry we cannot give to this new volume the praise that the authors obviously consider it deserves. Our own humble opinion is that the foundations of the Darwinian theory have not been shaken by a B.A. (Cantab) and a B.A. (Oxon). The publishers have done their work well, though the first word on the first plate is a misprint. Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 383 POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. Several volumes dealing with natural history from a popular stand- point have recently reached us. Foremost amongst them are the 3rd and 4th volumes of The Book of Nature Study (The Caxton Publishing Co.), the first two of which we have already noticed. Vols. III. and IV: are entirely botanical, well-written on up-to-date lines, and are well illustrated by plates (some coloured) and diagrams. Volume III. is in two sections—the first containing chapters on the life and growth of seedlings, the growth of the shoots from the bud, the growth of plants independently of seeds, and the importance of hairs in plant life, being written by Miss C. L. Laurie. The second section deals with some Common Flowering Plants, contains an Introduction, and chapters on Spring Flowers and. Early Summer Flowers, and is by Dr. W. H. Long. In Vol. IV. Dr. Long continues his studies of Common Flowering Plants, and has also chapters on the Scots Pine, and on the arrangement of the plants des- cribed in their families or natural orders. Dr. F. Cavers, whose valuable contributions are well known to readers of ‘The Naturalist,’ writes on “Ferns and their Relatives, Mosses and Liverworts, the Higher Fungi, Lichens and Moulds, Yeast and Bacteria’; Miss Laurie continues with _ articles on ‘ Woodland Vegetation, Plant Associations, and the Vegetations of Commons, Heaths and Moors.’ These are all subjects that have been dealt with in this journal from time to time, and we can therefore strongly recommend these volumes to our readers. Messrs. Cassell & Co. have published a second volume of ‘ The Nature Book’ (12/-). the first of which we had pleasure in recommending some little time ago. The present is even more interesting than the first of the series, and having regard to the general excellence of the matter, the many illustrations from photographs, and the general appearance of the work, is a very cheap and desirable volume. Every branch of natural history seems to be dealt with. Amongst the contributors we notice the names of Douglas English, F. M. Duncan, J. J. Ward, the late Joseph Lomas, and many others. A charming feature is the number of coloured plates mounted on tinted paper. Messrs. Gowans & Grey, Glasgow, have sent us Nos. 18, 19 and 20 of their wonderful Sixpenny Nature Books, each of which contains sixty beautiful reproductions from photographs, and descriptive letterpress. No. 18 deals with Pond and Stream Life; No. 19, Wild Birds at Home (3rd series), and No. 20, Alpine Plants at Home. The Natural History of Selborne, by Gilbert White, and The Naturalist on the River Amazons, by H. W. Bates. Edited by H. B. Browne. Each 96 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 6d. The Editor of these two little volumes, in his capacity as Senior English Master at Hymers College, Hull, has exceptional opportunity of judging the needs of scholars in our public schools, and has made selections from the two volumes by White and Bates, so as to make the works of value and interest to young readers. By means of footnotes obscure passages are made clear, or supplementary information is given. The books are excellent ; we only wish such volumes had been in use at schools twenty years ago ! An Ancient Scottish Stronghold: the Story of Dumbarton Castle, by W. Chambers. Dumbarton: Bennett & Thompson, 74 pp. As the profits from the sale of this pamphlet are to be devoted to the fund for the establishment of a chair of Scottish History in Glasgow Univer- sity, it is sincerely to be hoped it has a large sale. A carefully-written account of the castle is given, shewing the various uses to which it has been put from the earliest times; and there is an impartial description of the famous crannog of Dumbuck, though no reference is made to the “antique ’’ carvings which were then discovered upon modern American “ blue-point ’ oyster shells. 1909 Nov. 1. 384 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Part 34, for 1908 [issued 1909]. Hull, A. Brown & Sons. 2/6 net. This massive volume of some four hundred pages is not perhaps one that will be read straight away from cover to cover ; nevertheless it is exceedingly valuable. Fortunately the Union has two sets of publications, its monthly journal taking the notes more generally interesting and requiring more immediate publication. But there are many more lengthy papers, which, whilst not particularly appealing to readers of a monthly magazine, nevertheless require publishing in some form handy for reference. -The present part contains the last four annual reports of the Union, in which are set forth the results of work of various departments ; a record of which any Society might be justly proud. Mr. C. Crossland then follows with the full lists of species collected on the Maltby and Grassington Fungus Forays ; these being supplementary to the recently issued Fungus Flora of the county. Mr. T. Sheppard contributes his bibliography of the geology of the northern counties, for 1902-1908. ‘These lists formerly appeared in The Naturalist, but are better in these annual Transactions, as they include the particulars of all the geological papers, books and memoirs issued bearing upon the northern counties of England. It will be understood that they are of value to the student, and it is somewhat complimentary to find that they are used by H.M. Geological Survey. The present compilation contains details of over 1600 references. Following this are reprints of the well-known excursion programmes issued by the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union during the past four years, which contain most valuable natural history records bearing upon all parts of the county. The Goole Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Society has issued Vol. I. of its Transactions for 1908-9 (42 pp.), in which we are glad to find that, notwithstanding its meagre membership of thirty-four, there is no lack of enthusiasm, and there are evidently some careful workers. Besides the list of officers, etc., and the Committee’s report, there are notes on ‘ The Flora of Westfield Bank,’ by Mr. A. E. Greaves, who also has a note on ‘The Flora of the New Railway Embankment and of the Site of the New Dock in Bridge Street,’; Mr. T. G. Kirby writes on ‘ The Birds of the District,’ with notes on unusual visitors by Mr. T. Bunker. Mr. W. Jackson gives ‘ Notes on some Mycetozoa found in the neighbourhood of Goole’ ; and reprinted from the ‘ Goole Times’ are ‘Some references to the ancient History of Goole and Marshland,’ by Mr. L. Holmes, and a ‘Visit to Adlingfleet.’ If we must grumble, we should like to complain of the small size of the pages (7” x42”) instead of ordinary 8vo, and if a further publication is issued by the Goole Society, we should like to suggest that it contains a detailed history of the Goole Scientific Societies and their work ; say by our old friend Mr. Bunker. The Liverpoo! Botanical Society is to be congratulated on the uniform excellence of its first volume of Transactions (Liverpool University, 109 pp., 4/-), which has been printed at York. Every contribution is of great value and interest, and we hope that the Society may long continue ‘to do such good work. Prof. R. J. H. Gibson writes on ‘ A Classification of Fruits ona Physiological Basis’ ; and on “The Problem of Photosynthesis,’ ; Messrs. A. Wilson and J. A. Wheldon describe Cladonia luteoalba, a new Lancashire Lichen ; Honkenya peploides, a Maritime pleiogamous species’ is con- tributed by Mr. F. N. Williams ; Messrs. J. A. Wheldon and W. G. Travis give an exhaustive list of South Lancashire Hepatics ; Mr. Travis has a useful paper ‘On Plant Remains in Peat in the Shirdley Hill Sand at Ain- tree, S. Lancs.’ ; Mr. C. T. Green records the occurrence in Britain of an intere sting micro-fungus, C7intvactia cingens. An unusually useful contribu- tion is the Biographical List of Deceased Lancashire Botanists, with a chronological enumeration of their published works and papers. This is by the Editor, Mr. A. H. Dallman, and Miss M. H. Wood. Naturalist,. THE STUDY OF A FIRCONE. Mrs. E. HUGHES GIBB. WHAT is a fircone ? and is it worth serious study ? The first of these questions is carefully answered in the following article ; the second one the reader must answer for himself at the end. In case, however, he may be deterred by the dry look of many figures and diagrams, and may be tempted to guess at a negative, and to drop his enquiry, I will venture here at the beginning to express my belief that anyone who will allow himself to be attracted by the alluring spiral lines of the fircone, and will give a little time and attention to the study of its arrangement, will find himself amply rewarded, nor will he be likely to go away without some new, perhaps even some startling thoughts to which those spirals point the way. One might venture to say that some of the deepest philosophy of life is epitomised within these cones ; but this is no unusual phenomenon in a world in which the infinitely great is so com- monly to be discovered hidden within the bosom of the in- finitely small. Every fircone is a strongly compressed spiral, which, through ite compression, presents the appearance of a cone with one series of spirals running to the right, and another series to the left. The true spiral which in its coil passes through every scale in the fircone, is invisible, and must be found by calcula- tion. Physiologically a fircone is a transformed branch, the leaves of which, undertaking a different work from that of the ordinary pine ‘ needles,’ have changed their form to suit their purpose ; and have become hard, woody scales, behind which the winged seeds may safely shelter.* * One may remark in passing that these transformations of organs to different uses are quite common in the plant world, every coloured petal being, in fact, a leaf altered with a purpose, and many green sepals, or flower-envelopes, being capable of developing brilliant colouring in order to serve as petals when these are lacking, or have been devoted to other uses (e.g. in Christmas rose, whose true petals are converted into small green honey pouches), returning to their plain green colour when the need to attract insect visitors is over. The case of the fircone, then, is no unusual one; and, as in the coloured flower the transformed leaves are compressed into close whorls instead of being distributed along the stem in the usual way, so in the fircone the scales are pressed together as closely as possible. 1909 Noy. 1. B2 386 Gibb: The Study of a Fuircone In studying the general arrangement of leaves upon the stems of plants, botanists have found that, although the fact is so often masked by circumstances that it is by no means patent to ordinary observation, the fundamental principle of leaf arrangement is a spiral form, in which if we count the number of coils made by the spiral round the stem, and the number of leaves it passes through in each complete turn, a series of numbers is shewn, of which any two contiguous ones when added together will make the next in theseries. These are the so-called phyllo- taxian numbers, usually written with No. of coils as' numerators and No. of “J. Bua of Ith coil. 2 snd of UH, leaves as denominators, sil thus :—4, 2, 3, gs, v an hus:—3, 3 §, as zs, and ideas so on. wy In fig. 1 representing six _ Sndot Bh . cor. leaves growing up a stem (taken from Puattosporium ike S ie undulatum) the coil, repre- “. sented by the dotted line, Re melaford ae passes through three leaves coil. = .in its first complete turn, From Pittosporium he freee 2a bi Sip en PPD. and through two more in its sl exueton coll. second turn, thus exhibiting the first two numbers of the above series :— 4, 2. The sixth leaf stands directly above the = first, shewing that for this particular plant the order of the leaf arrangement is completed in five leaves. However long the shoot might be, the positions of those five leaves round the ees stem would just be repeated over and over : : From Common again, and as the sixth leaf stood over the Holly. first, so would the eleventh, sixteenth, twenty- first, and every fifth leaf onward, the coil passing through three and two leaves alternately in never-ceasing monotony of rhythm. The rose has a similar series of. five leaves, and sings to the same simple song of coil and leaf, 3 ,2 ; 3,2; 3, 2. A slightly more complicated arrangement is shewn in fig. 2, from the common holly, whose prickly leaves have been cut off in order to shew clearly the arrangement of their growth on Naturalist, Gibb: The Study of a Fircone. 387 the stem... Here three coils are made, and-eight leaves passed before one (the ninth) is found growing exactly above the first. Carrying the eye up, it wil! be observed that exactly the same order prevails in every series of eight leaves, the seventeenth and twenty-fifth standing in a direct line above the first, and beginning respectively a new series. Here instead of the 2 arrangement we have then the 3 ; and the regular rhythm of coil and leaf is not 3, 2; 3, 2; as with the Pittosporiwm and the rose, but 3, 3, 2; 3, 3,2; a simple enough little bird-note still. These rhythms of the plant world are very fascinating to search out, but they are often by no means easy to discover, as they are masked by many circumstances. Sometimes there is suppression of certain. leaf buds which throws out all the series ; again there may be suppression of internodes between the leaves, and two leaves which would normally be separated by a space of stem may grow from the same joint in a pair. The common laurel when growing in its usual spreading way with its branches horizontally extended, has adopted the habit of arranging its leaves alternately so that the third leaf stands above the first, and the series appears to be completed in one coil passing through two leaves. This is very confusing ; but if the investigation is pursued it is soon discovered that young sturdy shoots growing perpendicularly, have their leaves arranged all round the stem (instead of all facing one way on each side of it), and that now the szxth leaf is placed above the first, and the coil runs through three and two leaves alternately, shewing the 2 arrangement. The reason for the other plan is obviously to obtain full sunshine and air for every leaf on the trailing horizontal branches. If they had kept to their normal manner of growth, certain leaves would have been pointing towards the earth. During the transition from one arrange- ment to the other, the placing of the leaves is often extremely confusing. This case serves as a good example of the ways in which leaf-arrangement may be modified by circumstances. It is interesting to remark here that upon the numbers which make up the series of leaves as arranged on the stem, depend the numbers of petals and sepals (or transformed leaves) in the flower. Thus the holly, with its sequence of eight leaves, has four sepals and four petals, four stamens and four divisions in its pistil; that is its flower is composed of two leaf-series compressed into four whorls of changed leaves—sepals, petals, 1909 Nov. 1. 388 Gibb: The Study of a Fircone. stamens and pistil—for a new purpose. So the flowers of Pittosporium undulatum and of the rose have their parts in fives, corresponding with their leaf arrangement in a series of five. Here again, however, it must be remembered that cir- cumstances often change and confuse the issue, and not in every case can the story be easily read. If an effort be made to find the perfect series of phyllotaxian numbers in the diagram of the common holly, given above, the result will probably be puzzling. In order to do so it is necessary to break into the series of its leaf-arrangement and begin at the end of the first coil. Since the series runs: 2) 3)2= 3° 3-25 uae will now. read (3, 2.3 3.3, 2.5 Baaze and so on; and the coil will pass three leaves in one turn, five in two turns, eight in three turns, thirteen in five turns, and twenty-one in eight turns (3, 2, §, 5, s%)- Now the fircone is built on just the same general principles as these which I have been endeavouring to make clear ; only in its case 58 is the order of its leaves; that is the coil, if pulled out by the yard so as to shew its true formation, would be seen to pass through twenty-one scales in eight coils before one scale would be found Shewing the manner of srowing exactly over the first, and the formation of secondary i é : spirals on a spruce fir- time of its rhythm is 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, cone having 8 spirals B's Die. a na ON a nee repeated going to the right and : ; 5 to the left. endlessly as with the others. Looking at the drawing of a fircone (fig. 3), with numbered scales, shewing the order of the hidden spiral which passes through them all, it will be seen that the twenty-second scale stands just above the first, and the com- pression of the cone is brought forcibly forward by that fact, for within that short space the original spiral has made no fewer than eight coils, passing through twenty-one scales in its way. (To be continued). Naturalist, 389 GENERA AND SPECIES IN FUNGI. MG COOKE, IED.) MrACy AjL.S:.,, VME. ete: Some forty or fifty years ago there was a great outcry amongst botanists of heresy in the camp, and two factions raged against each other. These came to be called ‘ splitters ’ and ‘ lumpers.’ The former indulged in an inordinate increase in the number of species in flowering plants—the latter in the delimitation of species to the old lines. The chiefs in these camps were, for the ‘ splitters’ (to a large extent, though not to the full of the fanatics) Professor C. C. Babington, and for the ‘lumpers’ Dr. Joseph D. Hooker and George Bentham. If I remember rightly, the common Water Ranunculus was proposed to be divided into some ten or a dozen species, and an inconspicuous Crucifer into about sixteen species. In France, especially, the splitters went mad in their scheme of reform. Dr. Hooker, on his return from the Sikkim Himalayas, laughed at this fanaticism, and recommended the advocates to take a few journeys abroad, and examine the floras of other countries, and not attempt to legislate on the strength of their knowledge of local floras, and then they would discover how one species dissolved into another, and how absurd it was to characterize individuals, and convert them into species. This is the head and front of my offending, that I recognize genera and species as purely artificial groups, constituted by human authorities for the purposes of classification, but that really there are no such things in nature; and in justification of this view, I affirm that it may be discovered that in all genera there are abnormal forms, or intermediate links which do not belong strictly to any genus, but are intermediate, or ‘ missing links’ which join one genus to another, and combine them into one continuous harmonious whole, gliding the one into the other without a gap between, and thus the whole scheme of vegetation is a unity—or, as Dr. Christopher Dresser has intimated, is “ Unity in Variety.’ In Lindley’s ‘ Vegetable Kingdom,’ in nearly every natural order, a scheme of affinity is given as in Malvacee— Geraniaceze Sterculiacece —Malvacee —Byttneriacee Chlenaceze showing how Malvacee is linked with four other natural orders. And the same process might be adopted for all Genera and, 1909 Nov. 1. 390 Cooke: Genera and Species tn Fungt. indeed, for all species. And if this doctrine is true as regards natural orders, why is it not true of families, genera and species ? Indeed, it may fairly be presumed that if it is true in the one case, it is in the others. I am often deeply grieved that these views did not present themselves to me many years ago, when I had so many facilities for discovering ‘ missing links’ ell over the world, which could not occur within the limits of a local flora. In the present instance I am only concerned to apply this hypothesis to a single group of Fungi, and that the Hymenomy- cetes, although I do not doubt in the least of its being applicable all round, My illustrations will consequently be confined to this single group, which will be sufficient to illustrate my theory. Of course, as no one’s attention has been called to observa- tion in this direction, the illustrations collected will necessarily be few, but they may be largely increased when other observers take to the field. For instance, Calocera, with the habit of Clavaria and the fructification of Tvemella, is a missing link, and may be included in Clavariacez or in Tremellaceee without being a good member of either, and may be included in either order with equal justice, according to the will of the author, since it unites the two orders without belonging to either. Again, Tvemellodon has the external features of Hydnum, but the fruit of Tremella, so that again it is an anomaly in the Hydnacee as well as Tremellaceze, and we may write it thus :— Hydnacee — Tremellacee — Clavariacee So again if we revert to the Clavariacez we shall find that the exotic genus Lachnocladium, which is usually included in the Thelephoracee, has the habit and appearance of a Clavaria with the texture and spores of Thelephora, and was included by Fries in Thelephoracee, but by Saccardo in Clavariacee, and may be stated thus :— Thelephoraceze — Clavariacee — Tremellacez In Thelephoraceze the entire genus of Cyphella has the habit and appearance of Peziza, but the structure of the Thele- phoracee, and, even in some cases, the fructification when quite mature, passes into that of the Discomycetes, so that the genus is a ‘ missing link’ between the Hymenomycetes and the Discomycetes. Naturalist, Cooke: Genera and Species in Fungi. 301 Clavariaceee — Thelephovacee — Discomycetes Again in the Tremellacez are such species as Tremella sarcoides of Fries which, when fully developed, becomes Ombrop- Mila sarvcoides with the ascigerous fruit of the Discomycetes, but in the young state, and when undeveloped is only an ab- normal Tremella, and is really the link between Tremella and Bulgaria. . In the Dacryomycetacee is to be found the little yellow Peziza shaped Dacryomyces chrysocomus, which finally is dis- covered to merge into the genus Calloria, and thus form the link between Dacryomyces and Pezizacee. These examples might be multiplied for all the families of the Hymenomycetes. For instance there is an exotic form of Dedalea quercina, which I pointed out to the late Rev. M. J. Berkeley, and with which he agreed that in all essentials it was a Lenzites, and thus linked Dedalea (Polyporacez) with Lenzites (Agaricacez) although neither a good Dedalea nor a good Lenzites. Moreover, there are two or three species of Foreign Lenzttes which are admitted to be abnormal, and link that genus with Trametes (Polyporacez) and thus the Agaricacez glide imper- ceptibly into the Polyporacee. We might also indicate in Gasteromycetes a genus Gyro- phragmium, consisting of a single species, native of Algeria, which forms so close a link with Cofrinus and Montagnites (both of which belong to Agaricacez) that it has been called Montagmites Dunalu, and also Agaricus ocreatus, but it is the link between the Hymenomycetes and the Gasteromycetes, combining features of both natural orders, joining them through Secotiwm and Polyplocium, all of which are genera unknown to our local flora. And now perhaps I may indicate some of those which I consider as “ links’ between different geneva, which are perhaps even more numerous than those between ‘families’ and “natural orders.’ Any one who is acquainted with Clitocybe will remember that there is a section called ‘ Difformes.’ Now, it is a patent fact that many of the species in this section approximate so closely to Tvicholoma that many persons consider it equally entitled to a place as a section of Tvicholoma to that of Clitocybe, and one or two of these species might be selected as veritable links between Tricholoma and Clitocybe. 1909 Nov. 1. 392 Cooke: Genera and Spectes tn Fungz. Then again, there is the species called by Fries Pleurotus decorus, but which has recently been placed in Tricholoma, as more fitting, but which is neither a good Pleurotus nor a good Tricholoma, but which is a good link between the two. Lepiota lenticularis is again so abnormal a species of Lepiota that some authors have ventured to transfer it to Amanita, where it is equally out of place, and it appears to me that it is one of the links between Lepiota and Amanita, of which I recognize two or three others. Schulzeria is simply Lepiota without a ring, as Amanitopsis is Amanita without a ring, and but little imagination is necessary to discover connecting links between the ringed and ringless forms. If we leap to Mycena we shall have no great difficulty in discovering links with Collybia such as Collybia psathyroides, which again suggests a barren Psathyra, but beyond this we have links between Collybia and Marasmius, which are indis- putable. Doubtless the original Collybia coherens is better placed in Marasmius, but, are not one or two others, if not veritable species of Mavasmius, at least strong links between the two genera, such as Coll. stipitaria. Then again, such genera as Amanitopsis, Schulzeria, and Pilosace, which only differ from Amanita, Lepiota, and Psalliota by the absence of a ring, and are virtually ‘links’ rather than genera in themselves. We cannot fail to observe that Psalliota cretacea (Fries) is not by any means a good species, but such as has been termed an ‘ abnormal’ species, and has been attributed to Lefiota, to which it is probably the link between that genus and Psalliota. Nor can we forget that several species of smooth spored Inocybe are scarce distinguishable from Cortinarius. There are one or two species of Psathyrella which are manifestly links with Coprinus. The old species Clitocybe gigantea (Sow) is now generally recognized as Paxillus giganteus, although it is by no means a good species of Paxillus, and, to my mind, it is doubtful whether it should be regarded as Paxillus at all, but as a ‘ link’ between Clitocybe and Paxillus. (To be continued). Naturalist 393 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT CAWTHORNE. CAWTHORNE, on the outskirts of Barnsley, with its pit shafts and waste heaps, was the rendezvous of the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union on Saturday, August 28th. Notwithstanding the artificial excrescences on the landscape, the district contains much that appeals to the naturalist. Under the guidance of the Rev. C. T. Pratt and Mr. W. Hem- ingway, the geologists secured, from the shale heaps, beautiful club-mosses and ferns, so well preserved, that even their most minute structures could be examined. Some new and undes- cribed forms were obtained. Other sections were under the guidance of Dr. Fryer and Mr. A. Whitaker, and were fortunate in adding new species of coleoptera, mollusca, etc., to the local lists. After tea a general meeting was held in the rooms of the Barnsley Naturalists’ Society, under the presidency of Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S. At this, reports of the day’s proceedings were given by Messrs. Whitaker, Broadhead, Cheetham, Hutton, Morley, Lee, and Sheppard. There were representa- tives from twenty affiliated societies present. Mr. P. Fox Lee writes :—‘The botanists mustered in force and thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant walk, although there was but little of special rarity in flowering plants noted. The flora is a typical Coal Measures one, but in such delightful country, there must surely be in existence many other good species than seem to have been already recorded. The best finds of the day in Cannon Hall Park and Deffer Wood were Capnoides (Corydalis) claviculata Druce, Myrio- phyllum (sp. ? one of the Water Milfoils, not in flower), Hydro- cotyle vulgaris L., Agrimony, and Scirpus setaceus L. The lake in the Park was quite gay with the blossoms of the yellow water lily and Sparganium simplex Huds., with Nitella opaca Ag., also in the extensive grounds the Weymouth and Austrian pines with Picea glauca (bearing fine g-inch cones) were flourish- ing, in the company of huge British timber trees. Near the old disused canal on the way to Barnsley was a grand display of the tall, erect racemes of Verbascum Thapsus L., the great Mullein. CoLEOPTERA.—Mr. E. G. Bayford writes :—‘ Notwithstand- ing the beautiful weather, beetles did not appear to be par- ticularly numerous. The following species, mostly common 1909 Nov. 1. 304 Yorkshire Naturalists at Caw-horne. ones, were met with. No doubt more would have been’ dis- covered had not the route been too lengthy for much settled work. Notiophilus biguttatus F. | Tachyporus chyysomelinus L. Nebria brevicollis F. | hypnorum F. Pterastichus vulgaris L. Platystethus avenarius Foure. e stviola F. | Anthobtum ophthalmicum Payk. Anchomenus angusticollis F. | Choleva fusca Panz. parumpunctatus F. Coccinella decempunctata L. Bembidium mannerheimi Sahl. | Epuraea aestiva L. Dyromius quadvimaculatus L. | Antherophagus nigricornis F. Anacaena globulus Payk. Sinodendron cylindricum L. Megasternum boletophagum Marsh. Agriotes obscurus L. Tachinus flavipes F. Phyllodecta vitellinae L. HyMENopTERA.—In this order the most noticeable and at the same time the most abundant species was without doubt the common wasp (Vespa vulgaris L.). An arm of a large tree in Cannon Hall Park, from which the extreme end had been broken, had been utilised for nesting purposes. The whole of the branch, some twelve feet in length, and part of the trunk itself, were fully occupied, and presented a scene of admirable activity. Wherever a little water had been collected in the numerous depressions in the clayey soil, and on the large umbels of the Angelica and Cow Parsley, which in Deffer Wood were fine and extremely abundant, wasps were present in numbers. Since 1893 I have not seen so many in one day’s outing. At the same time wasps do not appear to be specially plentiful elsewhere in the Barnsley district. Bombi were also much in evidence, and a specimen of Odynerus parietum was observed. ARACHNIDA.—Mr. Wm. Falconer reports that Mr. W. P. Winter and himself, the only members of the party interested in the Arachnida, found the route followed a most excellent one, leading as it did through an ideal woodland district_ Spider-collecting, however, requires much closer application over a more restricted area than they were able to give, owing to the distance traversed, so that only a very imperfect investiga- tion was possible. Search was practically confined to the first portion of the route, time not permitting any work to be done in the Cawthorn Park Wood. Beside the ponds in Cannon Park, Lycosa amentata Clerck and two species of Gidothorax (Gongylidium) fuscus Bl. and rvetusus Westr. swarmed, and from beneath the rugged bark of the adjacent sycamore trees, one male Epetra umbratica Clerck (new to the West Riding), many examples of Segestvia senoculata Linn., Amaurobius fenestralis Stroem, and a few Styloctetor penicillatus Westr, and Clubiona Naturalist Yorkshire Naturalists at Cawthorne. 395 corticalis Walck. were obtained. For the last two there are only two other Yorkshire records. From the yews growing by the side of the drive leading into Deffer Wood were beaten a few immature specimens of both sexes of Epetva sturmitr Hahn. This is the first definite Yorkshire record of this spider. In the wood itself, a wet spot yielded Bathyphantes approxt- matus Camb., one female (new to West Riding) ; the bracken debris produced C£dothorax agrestis Bl., Tapinocyba pallens Camb, and Wideria cucullata C. L. Koch ; and on tree trunks Drapetisca socialis Sund. abounded. The best finds of the day however, were an adult pair of Ceratinella scabrosa Camb., and a female Walckenaera, which has not yet been determined satis- factorily, both new to Yorkshire. Altogether, forty-three species of true spiders, five of harvestmen, and one of pseudo- scorpions were met with. In the following complete list, a denotes species obtained by both, B by Mr. Winter only, and c by himself only. A. Segestyvia senoculata Linn. B. Epeiva umbratica Clerck. (new Clubiona corticalis Walck. to W. Riding). Amaurobius fenestralis Stroem. Neon veticulatus Bl. Drapetisca socialis Sund. C. Labuila thovacica Wid. Linyphia triangularis Clerck. Leptyphantes tervicola Leptyphantes blackwallit Kulcz. (Clee Cocke Bathyphantes variegatus Bl. Bathyphantes approximata Microneta viaria Bl. Camb. (new to W. Riding). (Edothorax fuscus Bl. B. gracilis Bl. CEed. vetusus Westr. B. concolor Wid. Dicymbium nigrum Bl. Microneta beata Camb. Styloctetor penicillatus Westr. Sintula diluta Camb. Cornicularia cuspidata Bl. (Edothorax agrestis Bl. Pachygnatha degeertt Sund. Lophomma herbigradum Bl. P. clerchit Sund. Diplocephalus picinus Bl. Meta segmentata Clerck. Tapinocyba pallens Camb. Xysticus cyistatus Clerck. Walckenaera 9( ? species) Lycosa amentata Clerck. (new to Yorkshire). L. lugubyis Walck. Wideria cucullata C. L. Koch. Oligolophus morto Fabr. Ceratinella scabyosa Camb. O. agrestis Meade (new to Yorkshire). O. palpinalis Herbst. ; Epeiva stuymi Hahn. Obistum muscorum Leach. Pivata piraticus Clerck. B. Clubiona rveclusa Camb. Epiblemum scenicum Clerck C. comta C. L. Koch. (Walls of Cawthorn Museum). Stemony'phantes lineata Linn. Oligolophus tridens C. L. Koch. Diplocephalus fuscipes Bl. Nemastoma lugubre O. F. Mull. Bolyphantes. luteolus Bl. ConcHoLocy.—Mr. J. E. Crowther writes :—‘ This section was officially represented by its President, Mr. W. Harrison Hutton, Messrs. Rushwath and J. E. and T. Crowther. Alight- ing at Darton station, and proceeeding in the direction of Barugh Bridge several species were found on the roadside, 1g09 Nov. 1. 396 Yorkshire Naturalists at Cawthorne. including Arion intermedius several species of Vitria, Hygromia hispida, Helix hortensis and Clausila bidentata. In the canal at Barugh several fresh-water species were noted, including Limnaea stagnalis, L. auricularia, Planorbis carinatus P. con- tovtus, Valvata piscinalis, Bithymia tentaculata and Paludestrina jenkinst. In a pond near Cawthorne were Planorbis albus, with Pisidium pusillum and its var. grandis. In the Lake at Cannon Hall Park dead shells of Limnaea auricularia, L. pereger, Anodonta cygnaea and Unio pictorum were found ; in one of these a crayfish had made its home. Deffer and Cawthorne Park Woods proved rather unpro- ductive. Euconulus fulvus and Vitria crystallina in the former, and Avion subfuscus in the latter were all that were noted. On the roadside near Kexbro Helix hortensis was found in some variety, lilacina being the most notable.’ The dryness of the weather in some degree accounted for the shortness of the list of land shells. Paludestrina jenkinsi was first found by the writer on May 22nd of this year when some members of the section paid a visit to the district. This species was first dis- covered at Plumstead in 1889 by Mr. A. J. Jenkins, and has since been found in many parts of this country, sometimes (as in the present instance) in incredible numbers. How it is that it suddenly appears in such numbers and in such widely distinct places is one of the problems that has not yet been satisfactorily solved. One suggestion is that it is introduced in timber from the Baltic, which may be very likely in this in- stance as large numbers of pit props must be imported into the district every year, though this particular part of the canal has not, I believe, been used for traffic for over twenty years, and it seems unlikely to have been overlooked by such energetic conchologists as Wilcox, Hebden and Whitwam, who must have worked the district many times. Another suggestion is that this species has cycles of abun- dance, sometimes appearing in large numbers in one year and then in gradually decreasing numbers (as in the Spen Valley instance), till conditions favourable for another revival occur, and that many of the older conchologists either overlooked them altogether, or mistook them for the young of larger species. The following is a complete list of the mollusca noted during the excursion :— Naturalist, Reviews and Limax maximus A grviolimax agrestis Milax sowerbyt Vitvina pellucida Vitria crystallinus 5, cellaria » allavia » nitidula » pura Euconulus fulvus drion ater », subfucis », tntermedius », hortensis Pyvamidula votundata Book Notices. 397 Cochlicopa lubrica Clausilia bidentata Limnaea auricularia 30 pereger 3 stagnalis Planorbis albus a cavinatus 36 contortus Physa fontinalis Paludestvina jenkinst Bythinia tentaculata Valvata piscinalis Unio pictorum Anodonta cygnaea Spherium corneum Hygvomia hispida », lacustre on vufescens Pisidium amnicum Helix hortensis Pe pusillum Mr. W. Harrison Hutton writes that he found a typical half-grown specimen of Milax sowerbyi near the museum at Cawthorne. It was about two inches down, amongst the roots of vegetation—a quite characteristic habitat. LS: ——_ > ___. HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY. Liverpool Castle and its Builders, by C. H. Hand. Liverpool: Hand & Comms 77 Pps 2) omen: Having regard to its apparent size, it is astonishing with what rapidity one can read through this little book. But it is printed on one side of thick paper only, in large type, and has a wealth of margin. Still it is none the worse for that, and as it is fortunately lettered on the back (a rare feature in thin books now-a-days) it can be at once detected on the bookshelf. Mr. Hind gives an entertaining account of the vicissitudes of the Castle from the time of King John, points out its present site in Liver- pool, gives an illustration of the last remnant of the Castle, and refers to the confusion which has taken place in the past between the ‘ Castle’ and ‘Manor House.’ He also draws attention to an error in the pageant of 1907—a not very difficult matter, unfortunately ! York in English History, by J. L. Brockbank and W. M. Holmes. Lon- don: A. Brown & Sons. 292 p The publishers of this work have been fortunate in issuing it at a time when York is so prominently before the public. Though much has been written about our northern capital, we must say after a careful perusal, that the present volume is as refreshing toread and as well and accurately written as any that have appeared in recent years. The authors have traced the history of the place from pre-historic times ; and have taken full advantage of the unrivalled series of episodes that have there occurred. Inter alia it is interesting to find how helpful is a local museum in illustrating the history of its district ; the specimens now in the York Museum, which are figured, being of great value in this connection. A quite unusual feature in the volume is the way in which the chapters are sub-divided into paragraphs, each averaging half a page in length, the contents being indi- cated in clarendon type. In this way the interest is kept up, and reference can be made to any particular point at a glance. We don’t believe the ‘Celt and his Coracle,’ or the River Ouse, ever looked like the representa- tion on page 8, not even in the ‘ Times of Eburach’ Having been printed at the Savile Press, the typography, of course, is all that can be desired. 1909 Nov. I+ FIELD NOTES. BIRDS. Green Sandpiper and Dunlin at Thirsk.—Mr. R. Lee informs me that a green Sandpiper was obtained at Thirsk about September 17th. A little girl picked up a Dunlin which was running about the road with a broken wing, evidently damaged by flying against the telegraph wire. It died the following day.—R. FORTUNE. Bird Notes from Scarborough.—A pair of Pied Fly- catchers has each summer for the last three years built its nest, and reared its young in the same tree at Langdale End. Dippers have successfully hatched out a brood on the Scalby Beck, within one hundred and fifty yards of the open sea.—STANLEY CROOK, Scarborough. Dotterel near Boroughbridge.—Dr. Steward informs me that when shooting to-day (October oth) near Borough- bridge, a Dotterel was obtained by one of the party. The plumage was in a transitory condition between summer and winter. The locality and the time of year make the event worth recording.—R. FORTUNE. The Crossbill Migration.—During the month of July, the Crossbill visited the Whitby district in considerable num- bers. At Carr Mount Gardens, about three miles from Whitby, about forty were seen on the roth, and one was picked up dead under some telephone wires, which had probably been the cause of its death. On the 14th, another was found in a dying state, near Whitby, and about the 19th a third was shot out of a flock of a dozen or so, which for a few days frequented a large garden on the outskirts of the town. All three were females or young birds.—-THos. STEPHENSON, Whitby, October 11th, 1909. Late Nesting of the Barn Owl.—At Plumpton, near Harrogate, a pair of Barn Owls had young in the nest on Sep- tember 17th. They left the nest or were taken between that date and the 19th. The curious fact in connection with these birds is that it is their invariable practice to hatch their young either at the latter end of August or the beginning of September. Dr. Steward and myself have had them under observation for some years. They usually nest in the same tree, but occasion- ally frequent another one near at hand. No attempt is made at nesting during what may be considered the regular months, so that the brood is not a second one, as anyone finding them » Naturalist, Northern News. 399 so late might be led to believe. Whatever the cause may be which leads them to defer nesting operations until so late in the season, it certainly cannot be scarcity of food, as the estate upon which they nest certainly furnishes ample, both furred and feathered.—R. FORTUNE. —:0:— LEPIDOPTERA. Yorkshire Micro-Lepidoptera.—Mr. Francis Buckley, of Greenfield, and his brother, who have worked the Micro- lepidoptera of their district assiduously for several seasons, some time ago brought me a number of specimens for examina- tion, and afterwards sent me a full list of their captures. As these include some very interesting species for Yorkshire, it is time they were placed on record. Amphysa walkerana :—Common. Peronea comariana—Only recorded previously from Bram- ham and Kildale in the county. Phiaodes tetraquetrana—A quite black form of this common species occurs frequently. Euchromia mygindana— Quite common.’ Pamplusia monticolana— Common.’ Coccyx cosmophorana— Common among small firs at Green- field.’ Previously only known as a Yorkshire species from two specimens taken on Skipwith Common, by the Rev. C. D. Ash, in 1903. Coccyx ustomaculana—A bundant. Pyrodes rhedtana—New to South West Yorkshire. Ochsenhermerta bisontella—Abundant ; previously only re- corded from Huddersfield. Solenobia inconspicuella—Greenfield. Lithocolletis vacciniella. Mr. Buckley also told me that the black form of Fidonia atomaria is of common occurrence on the Greenfield moors.— Gro. T. Porritt, Huddersfield, October 12th, 1909. a _ In the Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, Mr. M. A. C. Hinton has a valuable paper * On the Fossil Hare of the Ossiferous Fissures of Ightham, Kent, and on the recent hares of the Lepus variabilis group.’ This is illustrated by views of the skulls, etc., and there are numerous elaborate tables of measurements of bones. 1909 Nov. 1. 400 NEWS FROM THE MAGAZINES. Mr. R. Standen writes ‘ Notes on the Cave Spider—Meta merandi in The Lancashive Naturalist for September. Mr. A. H. Patterson contributes some fascinating ‘ Rough Notes on the Fish and Fisheries of East Suffolk’ to the October Zoologist. A valuable paper on ‘The Insect and Allied Pests of the Hop’ appears in The Journal of the Board of Agricultural for October. Mr. J. Wilson has a thoughtful paper on ‘ The Scandinavian Origin of the Hornless Cattle of the British Isles’ in The Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Duhlin Society (N.S. Vol. XII., No. 15, 1909). It has some notes on old Yorkshire, Durham, etc., breeds. There is an interesting article on ‘ The Genus Cheymes in its relation to: Forestry,’ by Dr. R. S. MacDougall, in the Journal of the Board of Agri- cultuve for September. This principally refers to the disease of the larch tree, which seems to be extending in recent years, and it gives a life history of the aphis. We learn from The Quarry that the steady demand for Whitby jet goods which has taken place recently looks like bringing about a revival of this industry. The stocks of raw material having been almost used up, arrangements have been made for the re-opening of the mines between Staithes and Rosedale. The Hull Literavy Club Magazine (Vol. III. part 5), besides containing reports of the various papers read at the club’s meetings, contains the President’s address on ‘ The Evolution of an English City’ [Hull], and ‘Friends from My Bookcase,’ by Alderman Brown, in which many local books and MSS. are described in detail. With the October number of the old-established Geological Magazine, the Editor appeals for further support to secure that the journal may be continued. In order that it may be on a business footing in future, it will be necessary to increase the price to 2/- per month, and from fifty to one hundred additional subscribers must be obtained. We are glad to see that The Country Home has been considerably en- larged and improved, without an increase in the price. With the October issue the publishers, The Sphere and Tatler Ltd., have produced a most desirable magazine for all lovers of the country, at the small price of 6d. The articles deal with gardening, nature study, old English homes, china, pets, greenhouses, etc., and the illustrations are as beautiful as they are numerous, Christ's College Magazine, No. 70 (Cambridge University Press), is a ‘Darwin Centenary Number,’ and contains much interesting matter relat- ing to our greatest naturalist, including some letters hitherto unpublished. Mr. T. E. Pickering writes on ‘ Darwin’s Shrewsbury Days’; Mr. A. E. Shipley, on ‘Charles Darwin at the Universities, Edinburgh—Cam- bridge’ ; The Master of Christ’s College on ‘ Christ’s College in the years preceding the entry of Charles Darwin’; ‘Darwin and the Linnean Society,’ by Dr. B. Daydon Jackson ; ‘ Letters from Charles Darwin to Alfred Russel Wallace ’ with notes by Mr. Francis Darwin ; ‘ Present-day Darwinism,’ by L. Doncaster ; ‘ Darwin’s ‘‘ Animals and Plants”’,’ by Mr. F. H. A. Marshall ; and ‘ Plants named after Darwin,’ by Dr. B. Daydon Jackson. As a frontispiece is an excellent view of the room occupied by Charles Darwin at Christ’s College, of which all ‘ Christians ’ at Cambridge are justly proud. Naturalist, igs aaa a a SN a ee ge DECEMBER 1909. a MO ee nso NOs O3Sh 6 (No. 413 of ourrent series). A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND, EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., THE Museum, Hutt; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFERBES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., Prof.-P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. ‘ RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. Contents :— PAGE Notes and Comments :—The late Dr. W. H. Dallinger, F.R.S.; A Oe Saab ; The Bielsbeck Deposit; Migration of Terns, etc. oe . 401-402 The Disappearance of the Plaice—Prof. W. Garstang, M.A,, D. Sel ee vie a ... 403-407 The Study of a Fircone (Illustrated)—Mrs. E. Hughes Gibb au; BK pee ... 408-411 Genera and Species in Fungi—M. C. Cooke, LL.D., M.A., A.L.S., VM. H., aN -.» 412-414 Fungus Foray at Castle Howard—C. Crossland, F. L. Seed icces aes vee (M2... 415-422 Some British Earthmites Trombidiidz (lIllustrated)—C, F: George, M. R.C. s. 43 ... 423-424 The Annelid Fauna of Worcestershire—Rev. Hilderic Friend ... on us se ..- 425-429 The Chemistry of some Common Plants—P. Q. Keegan, LL.D. ae . 430-434 On the Ueceraniical Distribution of Mollusca in South hnsdale? Ran C.. Ee Y. Kendall, B.A., J. Davy Dean, and W. Munn Rankin, M.Sc., B.Sc. we . 435-437 Notes on East Riding Spiders in 1909—E. A. Parsons and T. Stainforth ae ed ... 438-440 Field Notes... f Soa nee aod te oye te . 441-443 Reviews and Book Nutices ne a. BAS An 407, 411, 422, 424, 429, 434, 444-446 Northern News aA we ae AGF a San Act Bs Pee on ... 443, 446 Proceedings of Provincial Scientific Societ! es. 3a ae re ros nee ee ee 447 News from the Magazines ae wat Ss Nez SG re Are: ie als Ae ... 402, 448, illustrations ... aa at cas aes Si we oe ce PB: ree a as ... 408, 410 Plate XVIII. Title-page, List of Plates, List of Contributors, and Index to this Volume. LONDON : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C. And at Hutt anp York. ‘ Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U. ANN xsonian Poe’ \ oe i / ~~ { DEC 12.1906 PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET.\ WEY dob ke eee, 6 ‘ ve . 3% VRS oye Aa HO PMMA NM Si 9 LID Bip ol ta NOW READY.00 0 0 ae eee eee TRANSACTIONS OF THE 4 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS? UNION PART XXXIV. 384 Pages. 2s. 6d. Net. ee This publication contains a series of reports and records invaluable to naturalists in _ the northern counties. The Reports of the Union contain particulars of the Yorkshire records made in various branches of natural science during the past four years. ; __Lists of the Fungi recorded at the Grassington and Malton Forays are given by Mr. C. Crossland, F.L.S. Mr. T, Sheppard, F.G.S., contributes a list of the papers relating to the Geology of the Northern Counties, during the past seven years. This contains over 1600 references. ‘ There are also reprints of the last twenty-nine excursion programmes of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, which contain full reports on the natural history of the various districts visited. ee es ee Cransactions of the Dull Scientific and Field Waturalists’ Club. NOLS? Pan TeMT, PRICE 2/- NET, CONTENTS :— Notes on a Collection of Roman, etc., Antiquities from South Ferriby in North Lin- colnshire. Part II. (Plates II., III., 1V., V., VI., VII. and VIII). Thomas _ Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot. Additions to the Diatomacez of the Hull District. R. H. Philip. (Plate IX.). Catalogue of the Specimens in the ‘Lether’ Collection and of the Cornbrash Fossils in the Hull Museum. T. Sheppard, F.G.S., and H. C. Drake, F.G.S. On a Specimen of Eryon antiquus Broderip from the Yorkshire Lias. T. Sheppard, F.G.S. Fungi in East Yorkshire in 1908. Wilfrid Robinson, B.Sc. Palzontology in East Yorkshire, etc., in 1908. H.C. Drake, F.G.S. List of East Yorkshire Spiders, Harvestmen and Pseudoscorpions, etc. T. Stainforth. East Yorkshire Botanical Notes, J. Fraser Robinson. Additional Localities for the Flora of the East Riding. J. J. Marshall. The Committee's Report on the Work of the Club during 1907-8. SHorT Notes :—Note on Mollusca, J. W. Boult; Some North Lincolnshire Spiders, T. Stainforth; A Tribute: W. R. Bromby, E. L. SOLD BY A. BROWN & SONS, Lrp., KING EDWARD STREET AND SAVILE STREET, HULL. THE NATURALIST, 1909. PLatE XVIII. b.—End of fourth joint of palpus. f.—One of these much enlarged. a.—Ottonia valga. | d and e,—Papille of body. ¢.—End joint of first leg. g.—Crista. a.—Ottonia clavata. c,d and e.—Papilla much enlarged. b,—Papille of body. /.—Palpus. British Earthmites. ei 401 NOTES AND COMMENTS. THE LATE DR. W. H. DALLINGER, F.R.S. We regret to record the death of Dr. Dallinger, which took place at Lee, Kent, on November 8th, at the age of 67. Dr. Dallinger was well-known as a biologist and microscopist ; but perhaps appealed to the widest circle as a popular lecturer. He was born at Devonport in 1841, and entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1861. His first scientific researches dealt with the life history of putrefactive organisms. In connection with this work he received a grant of £100 from the Royal Society ; and was elected F.R.S. in 1880. Three years later he was elected President of the Royal Microscopical Society, and he also occu- pied the presidential chair of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. His work with the microscope continued to occupy much of his time until his death. In 1891 he brought out a revised edition of Carpenter’s Text Book on the Microscope. On the occasion of the British Association meeting at Montreal, he was elected LL.D. of the Victoria University at that place ; and the degree of D.Sc. was conferred upon him by Trinity College, Dublin, in 1891. A CLIMBING SNAPDRAGON. In the October number of the ‘ New Phytologist ’ (pp. 284- 298), an interesting sport of the Common Snapdragon (A ntir- vhinum majus) is described by Dr. T. W. Woodhead and Miss M. M. Brierley. This form appeared in the garden of Mr. H. G. Brierley, at Brimscar, Huddersfield, in the summer of 1908. During this windy season some thirty individuals of the white variety showed a strong tendency to climb ; many of their lateral branches were transformed into tendrils, which developed right and left-banded spirals in various positions on the branches, while others twined in a manner similar to that of the Convolvulus. A second season’s plants grown from cuttings, as well as a second generation grown from seed, showed this tendency to persist, some of this year’s specimens having as many as sixty-six branches on one plant, showing the climbing habit. Many of the branches developed coils in such positions as to be quite useless for clinging to a support, but others completely encircled neighbouring branches, and thus possessed all the advantages of a typical climber. The microscopic structure of the climbing branches was examined, 1909 Dec. 1. C2 402 Notes and Comments. and showed all the histological modifications characteristic of climbing plants in which the habit has long been hereditary. The paper is illustrated by three plates and numerous text figures showing these remarkable modifications. THE BIELSBECK DEPOSIT. The final report of the Committee for the investigation of the Fossiliferous Drift Deposits at Kirmington, Lincolnshire ; and at various localities in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was presented at the Winnipeg Meeting of the British Association. It dealt with excavations made by the Committee at Bielsbeck, a plan and sections of which are given, together with a list of the bones of Elephas primigenius and Bison priscus which were secured. MIGRATION OF TERNS, ETC. During the year large numbers of young birds have been marked by having rings fixed on their legs. The rings supplied by “Country Life’ and ‘British Birds’ have distinctive numbers, so that wherever or whenever the bird turns up, it will be easy to find out where it was originally hatched. Mr. R. Fortune writes to us, pointing out that many interesting facts relating to the movements of birds are sure to be brought to light, through the endeavours of ornithologists all over the kingdom. | In connection with the movement in the North of England, the following facts have come to light. An Arctic Tern, which was ringed by Mr. Fortune on the Farne Islands on July 17th, was obtained at the Barnes Ness Lighthouse, near Dunbar, on August 23rd, and ‘ British Birds’ reports that a Sandwich Tern, ringed at Ravenglass, on June 30th, was recovered at Silloth on August 2oth. In both these cases it is interesting to note that the birds were thirty to forty miles north of their breeding places, at a time when we should be expecting them more southwards. An interesting record also from ‘ British Birds’ is that of a Black-Headed Gull, which was ringed at Ravenglass, on the West Coast, on June 2oth, and was shot at Middlesborough, on the East Coast, on September 18th. peels a ee Country Life for October 16th, contains an interesting article, illus- trated by some remarkable photographs, upon the breeding of the Dor- mouse in the North Riding of Yorkshire, by Mr. Oxley Grabham, Naturalist, 403 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE PLAICE. Pror. W. GARSTANG, M.A.. D.Sc. In 1875 the plaice caught in the North Sea was 549 cwts., and in 1892 it was 168 cwts.; in the same period haddock dropped from 837 cwts. to 436 cwts., prime fish from 63 cwts. to 29 cwts., and rough fish increased from 30 to 49 cwts., and the total was 1565 cwts. in 1875 as against 638 cwts. in 1892. In 1867 the total was 2012 cwts. Official statistics since 1892 told very much the same tale. One of the methods of tracing the migration of the fish in the North Sea is by means of labels or tallies, and inducing to the fishermen to return them, and then’ mapping them out. Plaice marked and put into the sea between the Thames and Belgium, that is in the southern part of the North Sea, in the Spring, migrate northward, travelling great distances. Fish marked and placed in the sea off the Danish coast make out towards the open as the summer advances, and partly return in the following winter. The summary of these and other experiments shows that the fish tend seawards and northwards in the summer time. Fish marked and placed in the water in the north of the North Sea, are practically caught in the south in the winter months, but found to be return- ing northwards in the summer. These fish are apparently coming to spawn, and it was a curious fact that in the first year of these experiments all the fish caught coming south were males. Later, when the females were found coming south, the females were of a larger size. As a matter of fact, the fish put in in the first year had been rather a small lot, and the male plaice spawned when smaller than the female. All the fish migrating to the south in the winter time were mature fish, and the reason we had no females in the first year of the experi- ment was that the females caught and marked had not reached maturity. Plaice spawned from January to March, but chiefly in February, and to prove whether the southern part of the North Sea really was the spawning ground of the plaice, a special net was made for dredging up the minute eggs of the plaice, and dredgings made all over the North Sea proved the truth of the theory; the eggs were in far greater numbers in the southern part of the sea than in the northern part. If one looks at the section of the backbone of any fish, he 11909 Dec. 1. 404 Garstang : The Disappearance of the Plaice. will find a number of rings or marks. The age of the fish can be determined by counting these rings. But inside the heads of many fish is a little bone of a flattened or oval shape, called the ear bone or the otolith. It is not strictly the ear bone, but a little nodule inside the hearing organ, helping in some myster- ious way to enable the fish to appreciate vibrations in the surrounding waters. These bones have first an inner white disc, then a dark ring, and next a light ring, and so on white and dark rings alternately. A large number of 6-inch fish was caught, and in the otolith of nearly all of these there were two light and two dark rings. The light rings correspond to the summer growth, and the dark rings to the winter growth. Plaice grew about two inches each year, and one 17 inches long, proved to be seven years and seven months old. The females grow faster than the males. At eight years the female is over eighteen inches, whilst the male is less than fifteen inches. This is probably due to the fact that the males spawn a year earlier than the female, and so stunt their growth. The ordinary sizes of plaice are at three years, eight inches, and at five years, twelve inches. In the southern waters the percentage of males which are mature are: at three years, 20 per cent.; at four years, 60 per cent. ; five years, go per cent. ; six and seven years, 1oo per cent. There are scarcely any females in the southern grounds mature at four years, and not more than half until they are six years. In the northern seas there is a year’s difference in the time of spawning. Here the majority of the males are not mature until they are five or six years old, as against four years in the southern waters. In the females there is no majority of maturity until they are six years old, and then the large majority of them are mature. A line drawn off the Continental coast encloses no fish but what are mostly less than eight inches in length. The next zone further out they are generally from eight inches to ten inches ; in the next zone, ten inches to twelve inches ; and in the next, including a part of the Dogger Bank, twelve to fourteen inches. Towards the north the plaice become larger and larger, on the west portion of the Fisherbank and in the Gut and northern part of the Dogger they are sixteen inches to eighteen inches, and still further north eighteen inches in length. As to: age, inside the first zone—(z.e., along the Danish and Dutch coast)—they are less than three years old; in the next zone Naturalist,, Garstang: The Disappearance of the Plaice. 405 they are two and three years, still further seaward, including the Lower Scruff and the Lowestoft Deep Water, they are three to four years, on the south part of the Dogger three to five years, further seaward on the north part of the Dogger, on the west of the great Fisherbank, four to five years, and then above the Gut four to six years old. The fish are in large numbers in the first zone, but as they move seawards and increase in size they also decrease in numbers. Experiments show that whereas rooo fish twelve inches in length are secured in an hour’s fishing on the east side of the North Sea, only 50 per hour are caught further out to sea. This was in the Spring of the year. From July to December the mass of fish had moved a little further from the coast into the sea. Below eight inches the males exceed in number, above that size the males lose their preponderance, at fourteen inches they rapidly fall off, and over eighteen inches there are practically no males at all to be found. The mass of White Sea plaice is found to be mature; the number of mature plaice there enormously exceeding the num- ber of immature plaice, and they extend over a very great range of size. The average size at which the females become mature there is sixteen inches, so that the females begin to spawn at exactly the same size as in the North Sea. But on examining the otoliths of these sixteen-inch fish in the White Sea they are found to be very much older than the sixteen-inch North Sea fish, so that they grow very much more slowly. A White Sea female plaice begins to breed at the age of eleven or twelve years, whereas in the North Sea they begin at six years. The males begin to breed in the White Sea at eight or nine years of age. The plaice there are very considerable in number until they are twenty-two inches in length, and they are then not less than twenty years old. From these and similar facts, it might safely be inferred that on a virgin fishing ground, like the White Sea, the males continue to spawn in practically undiminished numbers for at least five years, and the females for at least eight years. In the North Sea there are practically no males over eight years, whereas the females occasionally grow to be twenty years old, but such are extremely scarce ; they are twenty-four inches in length at least. The bulk of the fish found on the central grounds of the North Sea are immature. Of 6147 fish caught and marked, and then liberated in the 1g09 Dec. I. 406 Garstang: The Disappearance of the Platce. North Sea, 1409 have been caught and returned within twelve months. In the years from 1903 to 1906 the recapture of the marked fish was, of the very small, rr per cent. per annum ; from eight to nine inches, 21 per cent. ; ten to eleven inches, 33 per cent.; twelve inches, 35 per cent.; fourteen inches, 40 per cent. ; larger fish, 24 per cent, or a percentage of 23 of all sizes. Now if the fishermen caught 40 per cent. of the four- teen-inch marked plaice within a year, it may be fairly estimated that they caught 40 per cent. of the unmarked fourteen-inch plaice. The trawling is evidently so intense that amongst the fish of a marketable size the fishermen are catching from 33 to 40 per cent. in one year. If 1000 female plaice were placed in the sea, say of eight or nine inches, and three years old, 20 per cent. would be caught in the first year, leaving 800 four year olds. The fishermen would catch 30 per cent of these in the following year, leaving 569 five year olds. At that age the female plaice begin to breed, but only in a very small proportion. One tenth (56) of these might be estimated as breeders. The fishermen caught 40 per cent., leaving 336, of which two-thirds (224) were breeders, and, after that time all would be mature. The result is that from the rooo fish there would be only 728 breeding operations during the eight years following the onset of maturity, which means that only about three-quarters of the three year old stock would ever breed once at all. In the unfished sea out of a thousand plaice the total breeders, after allowing for depletion by natural enemies such as sharks, would be 4841 in the same number of years by the same table. The net result is more than interesting, and is of vitalimportance. The fishing in the North Sea under the present conditions gives only one breeder for every six or seven that would have been secured in the unfished primitive times. Asaresult of the intense fishing, the age of the spawners or the age of breeding is reduced. In the unfished area the average age that most fish start spawning is about eight years ; in the North Sea now it is six years. This means that we are putting a premium upon early breeding, and again this is a matter for consideration whether we are not thereby lowering the stamina of plaice, and encouraging a race of small plaice. In the English Channel, where trawling is an old occupation, they begin to breed at a very early age; in the south of the North Sea they begin breeding a year later, and in the north of the North Sea a year later still, whilst in the White Sea Naturalist, Reviews and Book Notices. 407 which is virgin ground to the trawler, the plaice do not spawn until two years after the North Sea plaice. If fishermen only caught the twelve-inch and larger plaice, and left the small alone, they would still depend on one-sixth of the original stock. The impoverishment of these fish should be stopped by Act of Parliament, but there are difficulties. If a size limit were enforced the trawlers would go elsewhere, the intensity of fishing would become even greater among the larger or breeding stock, and therefore whilst on one hand we saved the immature fish, with the other hand they destroyed the eggs from which these small fish were produced, by the catch of the spawn fish. In my opinion it is safer to destroy 20 per cent. of the smaller plaice than add to any extent to the destruction of the fish on which the production depends. It has been found that if we transplant the small plaice from the inshore grounds to the Dogger Bank, they grow enor- mously quicker than those left on the eastern banks. On the Horn Reef an eight inch plaice grew one and a half inches in one summer; transplanted in the Dogger Bank it grew five inches in the same time. If we look at that from the point of view of weight, it will be seen that whilst the Horn Reef plaice had grown to six ounces, the transplanted one had grown to one pound. Some use might be made of this wonderful growing power of the fish on the Dogger Bank. An expenditure of £1000 would ultimately, yield from £4000 to £5000, if spent on transplantation. nO): The Earth: in relation to the Universe, seen and unseen, by Polaris. Part I., Book 2. Registered. Darlington: Bailey & Co, 1909. 86 pp. In this extraordinary book, the writer deals with an immense variety of subjects, freely quoting from all manner of publications usually to the extent of about half of each page. Amongst the references to quotations we find, quite close together, G. K. Chesterton, ‘ British Weekly,’ ‘ The Naturalist, Proverbs of Solomon, Romans, R. L. Stevenson, Psalms, Carlyle, etc., etc. The chapters are headed ‘ The Test of Truth’; “Con- centrations’; ‘Of Water and of the Spirit’; ‘The Golden Mean’ ; ‘Individuality’; ‘ The Golden Rule’; ‘ Bdellium and the Onyx Stone’ ; ‘The Powers that be’; ‘The Real and Unreal’; and ‘ Havilah.’ We have had this pamphlet on our desk some time, but regret we have not had opportunity to read it. Having noted its contents, we leave such of our readers as are interested to procure it themselves. We have received the admirably illustrated Report of the National Trust for places of historic interest or natural beauty, which contains an account of an excellent year’s work. Those who take an interest in the preservation of England’s beauty spots, should get a copy of this publica- tion. One will be gladly sent on application to the Secretary, at 25 Victoria Street, Westminster. 1909 Dec, 1. 408 THE STUDY OF A FIRCONE. Mrs. E. HUGHES GIBB. (Continued from page 3858). The next thing to notice is the perfect orderliness with which the numbers arrange themselves ; thus if we ascend one of the spirals going to the right, we shall find that the number of every scale is eight more than that of the preceding one ; 1) 9fa7 EtG) On 4. 22, 20;andeso.on: Following a left-hand spiral (these are less obvious in the drawing than they are in the real cone) each scale is in its number, five beyond that of the preced- UM SROME Pie, rere 9, 14, 19, and soon. Or if we choose to follow the steeper apparent spirals to the left which present themselves to us in this sketch, we shall still find a perfect sequence of numbers, with 13 between each : O; 225.355 407 omg etc. In fact, whichever way we travel, there is no haphazard along the road, but a bewildering orderliness which gives the impression that every pathway of figures has been prepared with superhuman ingenuity. To discover the origin of this perfect numerical arrangement we must study the base of a straight, well-grown fircone (one from a spruce fir is much the best for the purpose). Holding it with the bottom to- wards us, it will be seen that a certain number of spirals start from the base and ascend to the right, whilst another set go to the left. Let us count each set. In the fircone sketched, eight spirals Bie. 4. ascend to the right and five to the left, and Showing the placing this is the most usual arrangement, but it of the first 8 scales is reversed in some spruce and Scotch fir at the base of a fir- - cone: cones, and in larch cones there are three spirals going one way, and five the other. Now if the lower scales are broken off for some little distance up the cone, it will be seen that no matter how thick or how thin the portion being stripped, there are always five scales in each whorl or round of the cone (see figure 4). Three of these stand quite clear and free, and two are overlapped on one edge. Let us number the free ones 1, 2, and 3, and the overlapped ones 4 and 5. Three more scales, 6, 7 and 8, overlapped on both edges by members of the first five, peer out between 1 and 3, 4, and 2, and 5 and 3 res- Naturalist, Gibb: The Study of a Fuircone. 409 pectively, and manage to shew a little strip of their base running to the centre of the cone. If we strip off 1, 2 and 3, the result will be that 4, 5 and 6 will be left clear, 7 and 8 will be overlapped on one edge only, and three new scales will peer between as did 6, 7 and 8. In short, the old order will instantly be restored with a general shift round ; and we may continue to strip the cone with the same result (like turning a wheel) to the end. Here again the phyllotaxian numbers are met in a new way. The three free scales, the five which form the whorl, the ezght which complete the series of the secondary spirals—these are our old friends shewing themselves in the very heart of the cone. The ring of five scales which encircles the bottom of the cone is the starting point of the five secondary spirals running to the right or left, as the case may be. Each one of these five scales is the origin of a spiral, and it will now be easy to see how these coils are formed, and how we may correctly number each scale upon the cone. It is necessary here to make the preliminary remark that the object of the spiral arrangement of leaves being to secure as much light and air as possible for each, a corkscrew-like progression is not the plan adopted, and 2 will not be found next to I (as may easily be seen upon consulting the diagrams), the coil making a sweep of one-third around the stem before the second scale finds its place, a similar one before the third is placed, and then with two more sweeps dropping 4 between I and 2, and 5 between 2 and 3. When this first circle is finally disposed, the sixth scale is invariably placed next to I, either on its right or left, according to which way the five secondary spirals are to proceed ; 7 will be in the same position with regard to 2, and so on; and the five secondary spirals are started. Having marked one of the three free scales at the bottom as No. 1, we could now correctly number the whole cone without difficulty, so as to shew the course of the invisible central spiral. If the one chosen has eight spirals to the right and five to the left, the numbers of the first five scales from left to right will run I, 4, 2, 5, 3; and following the spirals to the left which are started respectively by each of these, every scale must be marked with a number five in advance of the preceding one; I, 6, 11, 16 and so on. If.the cone has five spirals to the right and eight to the left, the numbers of the first five scales will be the same, only running from vight to left, and the resulting spirals to the right will be numbered in the same way. 1909 Dec. 1. 410 Gibb: The Study of a Fircone. The eight secondary spirals running in the opposite direction have still to be accounted for, and if the diagrams shewing the manner of their origin are carefully studied, very little explana- tion will be necessary. In fig. 5 the double spokes represent the first five scales ; the single ones mark the position of the next three, making the series of eight which starts the eight spirals running to the right, each of these eight scales, as will be seen, originating a spiral of its own in which every pro- gressive member numbers eight more than its antecedent. The dotted spokes are to shew how every point of space around the stem is gradually filled as the general spiral proceeds, not ae FIG. 5. Fic. 6. Fic. 7. Showing the man- Showing the manner Shewing the manner of ner of formation of formation of formation of second- of secondary spir- secondary spirals on ary spirals in a larch als on a spruce a cone having 5 cone having 3 spirals fircone having 8 spirals to the right to the right and 5 to spirals going to and 8 to the left. the left. the right and 5 to the left. one single scale being placed exactly over another till 21 have been arranged. The beautiful method displayed in the irregular placing of the first eight scales is clearly seen if diagrams Nos. 3 and 4 are compared. No. 3 shews how the first and fourth scale and the second and fifth cling together, leaving wider spaces between ; No. 4 illustrates how cunningly these wider and narrower spaces have been calculated to accommodate the occupants designed to fill them, and how marvellously the whole plan works in a perfect order. Figs. 6 and 7 tell their own story, and hardly need comment or explanation. Anyone who has taken the trouble to follow carefully the details given in order to lay bare the hidden story of the fircone, Naturalist,. Reviews and Book Notices. All must be impressed with the extraordinary amount of thought, ingenuity, accuracy and variety in unity which is compressed within this small space. The fircone, of all natural objects, appears to be the fittest symbol of Nature in her widest sense. It is the spiral and not the circle which is written upon the face of the Universe, and upon every particle therein. We ourselves in our ceaseless journey around the sun, are describing a spiral course, for the sun himself moves on—perhaps in some greater unknown spiral of his own. The great central spiral upon which all things are strung is ever being sought but never to be found by mortal man. Darwin in his wonderful discovery of that great secondary spiral, Evolution, was ready to believe that he had come upon it, yet he came to recognise in the end that, great and almost in- spired as his vision into origins was, it could not gather all into its mighty coil. That which can do so must of necessity extend so tar above and beyond our little earth that it is futile for man to expect to read and decipher it in his present state of existence. The secondary spirals indeed often he within our mental reach, and in the study of their origin we may perhaps learn to infer something of that wonderful rhythm which sings deep down in the heart of things, the rhythm of the coil and the leaf, of the upward movement and of life, the rhythm which, if we knew it, would make all things plain for us, and all things in harmony. This, at least, is the philosophy of the fircone. ——:0 :—— Paleontology. Invertebrate, by Henry Woods, M.A. Fourth Edition. Cambridge: the University Press. 1909, 388 pp. The excellence and usefulness of this well-known handbook is proved by the fact that a fourth edition has been called for in a comparatively short time. Of its kind the book is the best. The numerous illustrations are largely drawn in order to give the student an idea of the principal features which require attention. A very helpful feature is the list of monographs dealing with the various sections dealt with. History of the Geological Society of Glasgow, 1858-1908. Edited by P. Maenair and F. Mort, Glasgow, 303 pp. This work has obviously been a labour of love on the part of the Editors, who are secretaries of the Society. Few provincial Societies can claim as many prominent scientific men as members as can the Glasgow Society, and its history is refreshing toread. A valuable feature is the biographical portion, in which notices of many well-known hammer-men, past and present, are given. The volume was issued to commemorate the Jubilee of the Society, and contains chapters on the fifty years’ work under the heads of Physical and Dynamical Geology, Mineralogy and Petrology, Stratigraphical Geology, Paleontology, and Glacial Geology. There are many portraits, including those of Kelvin, John Young, H. W. Crossley, Dugald Bell, Sir Archibald Geikie, Prof. Lapworth, Dr. B. N. Peach and Dr. R. H. Traquair. We are sorry there is not one of Croll. 1909 Dec. 1. 412 GENERA AND SPECIES IN FUNGI. M. C. COOKE, LL.D., M.A., A.L.S., V.M.H. ete: (Continued from page 392). Not only does Polystictus abietinus and also Poria vaporaria sometimes assume the distinguishing features of Ivfex, but also other species of the Polyporei normally pass into Irpex, and thus unite the Polyporacee with the Hydnacee. But if we quit genera and the larger groups, and direct attention to species themselves, the most indefatigable field hunters will be able to furnish many instances which have come under their own observation, in which allied species have exhibited so close an affinity that it has been difficult to decide to which species the abnormal forms actually belong. Let any one examine at a foray a hundred specimens of Amamta phalloides and Amanita mappa, and I venture to predict that they will be able to show a complete series of grada- tions in which it would be impossible to determine where the one species ends and the other begins. The larger the experience of the mycologist in field work the more ready will he be to acknowledge the many instances, which have presented themselves in which abnormal forms or ‘missing links’ have presented themselves, in which it seemed impossible to determine, with any certainty, to which of the two species the delinquent actually belonged. And it is these ‘ missing links ’ which constitute the gradation of species into species, and genus into genus, so as to combine and form a graduated series, sliding and melting the one into the other, and forming one continuous and harmonious whole. It would be absurd to suppose that any one who is acquainted solely with a local flora could realize this transition, or recognise more than a very few of the ‘ missing links,’ but the more his experience is expanded, the larger the number of these ‘abnormal’ species (as they have been called) will have come under his notice. In the present notes I have confined myself almost entirely to British examples, whilst a large number of exotic examples have constantly floated through my memory to strengthen me in my hypothesis. I find myself strengthened in this belief collaterally by re- membering that Worthington G. Smith, some quarter of a century ago, advocated a view which would be practically Naturalist, Cooke: Genera and Species tn Fungi. 413 identical, although in different terms, and applied chiefly to species. This theory was, that having regard to varieties and ‘abnormal’ species, their origin must be traced to hybridiza- tion, and that most varieties, and many ‘ intermediary ’ species were hybrids. Of course the objection to this hypothesis was then as it is now, that sexual characters have not been dis- covered and defined in Hymenomycetal Fungi, and conse- quently, as hybrids are the result of sexual association, there could be no hybrids. Still the ultimate conclusion was the same, that one species was linked to another naturally, and that the whole scheme of existence in the Agaricine was unity, and a graduated sliding scale in which one species glided imperceptibly into another through the intervention of varieties or abnormal species. What also is the meaning of George Massee’s application of the theory of evolution in ‘ The Evolution of Plant Life’ and * Phycomycetes and Ustilaginez,’ except that during past ages, as well as the present, one form has been developed from another, and that in plant life the parts glide imperceptibly the one into the other, and constitute an unbroken chain of organisms which we recognise as the ‘ vegetable world.’ Thus, then, we observe that it is no new theory that one form, or so-called species, merges into another by links, which are now sometimes obscure or missing, but which unite, not only all the members of one natural order with another, but also the larger groups such as the Fungi with the Alge, and other of the Cryptogamia, although we may have to travel back thousands of years to realize their association. This, then, is a slight and imperfect sketch of what we mean when we say that there are, in nature, no such hard and fast lines of demarcation as those artificial groups which we call orders, genera and species. It may be hard to believe this all at once, but it is a hypo- thesis which age and experience will strengthen, and should not be discarded, because so many of the links have died out, or are otherwise missing. Finally, we are reminded how many species (so called) have been figured, or described, by old authors, of which no repre sentatives have been seen in these latter days, and which were probably good and genuine figures and descriptions, but are 1909 Dec. 1. 414 Cooke - Genera and Spectes tn Fungz. now treated with undue suspicion, such as perhaps also adheres to the more recent announcements of forms which have been met with but once or twice in a generation, and then all, except perhaps the names, have passed into oblivion. Surely there is some interest in these ‘ missing links ’ when regarded in connection with the hypothesis which I have at- tempted, imperfectly, to illustrate ; and one of the most useful occupations for the field hunter of the present day would be, not so much to hunt for new species, as to recognise the manifold links which unite the old ones. The latest confirmation of these views will be found in W. G. Smith’s ‘Synopsis of the Basidiomycetes’ (page 2)—‘ The Basidiomycetes are highly plastic and variable. No one species is constant in all its characters, and a single example seldom wholly agrees with any other single example of the same species. Examples which appear to be intermediate between allied and sometimes between not allied species, are frequently met with, About one species in ten is perhaps fairly well and distinctly marked, but all species will at times present aberrant characters. Any one character is liable to fail in the determination of species. therefore all the characters must be studied together.’ And in a letter from the same authority, he states :—‘ There is a striking instance in Paxdllus porosus (Berk.). I had a drawing of this species unnamed for years! I kept it with Boletus. It has as much claim to a place in the latter genus as in the former. The hymenium is wholly porous.’ In this connection I cannot forget the constant warning of the late Rev. M. J. Berkeley against Jong descriptions of species to which many modern authors were addicted. ‘Any good description,’ he said, ‘can be contained in three lines, and exceeding that it is but the picture of an individual.’ And he was accustomed to quote the custom of old authors, and espec- ially of Linnzus. Because, as he observed, the description of a species should contain the features which distinguish it from allied species, and no more, all other features are merely the variations of individuals, just as a sandy-haired man with blue eyes differs from a black-haired man with brown eyes, or a black pig from a white one. He justly observed, that a com- petent mycologist would distinguish at once the salient features which characterized one species from another, and did not require many words to write it down. Nor need he ever hesitate for a specific name whilst he kept this feature in view. Fancy and complimentary specific names he regarded as simply evidence of incompetence, or idleness in the person using them. Naturalist 415 FUNGUS FORAY AT CASTLE HOWARD. @. CROSSLAND, F:L.S: Tue twenty-second Yorkshire Fungus Toray (the nineteenth annual) organised by the Union, was held at Castle Howard, September 18th to 23rd. Castle Howard was a wise selection on account of the great wealth of old woodland in the neigh- bourhood. Permission to the Union to investigate the myco- logical flora of this magnificent and extensive estate was kindly and readily granted by the Ear] of Carlisle. The district is classic ground from a botanical standpoint. Dr. Spruce, the eminent botanist, (who investigated the moss flora of the Pyrenees, and then for fifteen years braved the hardships attending the exploration of the flora of the Amazon and the Andes, so vividly portrayed in ‘ Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon and Andes,’ edited by his friend, Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace), was a native of Ganthorpe, a little village near Castle Howard. Here, and later at Welburn, his father kept a boarding-school, As a youth, Spruce diligently studied the plant life of this and the Malton District. By the way, Spruce derived his first knowledge of, and love for mosses, from Samuel Gibson, a well-known artizan-naturalist of Hebden Bridge. Our old and valued member, Mr. M. B. Slater, J.P., who attended the foray on the Monday, has been a keen and con- stant student of the mosses and hepatics of this locality, in company atone time with Dr. Spruce, whom he often visited during the doctor’s sojourn at Welburn, and afterwards at Coneysthorpe. ’ This also is the district where Mr. Massee first took up the study of fungi, during his residence at Bulmer. To him the ground was fainiliar, and his visit pleasantly renewed his former acquaintance with his old gathering grounds, where several species new to the British flora were found by him, years ago. The general meeting-room was the Guest House near the Castle, and most suitable for our purpose; but, unfortunately, we had to billet at the village of Welburn, about a mile and a half away. This reduced the time generally given to the work-room, as we were unable to put in the usual hour before breakfast. Dinner only was served at headquarters. A beginning was made on Saturday in the woods in the 1909 Dec. I. 416 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. immediate vicinity of the station (Ox Carr Wood and Ben Wood), prior to going up to the work-room. It was near an old stump in a field corner at the end of Ben Wood that Pluteus cervinus var. rigens, a new British record, was found. It is our usual custom, as soon as we get settled at head- quarters, to look through the garden, if there is one. Here was one which appeared to have been neglected very much by previous tenants. The present holder is a new-comer, and seems anxious, if possible, to straighten things up a little. Several parasitic fungi were at work. Uvomyces fabe was on most of the bean leaves ; Peronosopra parasitica on shepherd’s purse ; Phytophthora infestans on the potato plants and in the tubers ; Fusicladium dendriticum, the cause of the ‘apple scab,’ was abundant on the apples; this is one of the most injurious of tungus parasites which attack the apple. It is dealt with in No. 131 of the valuable ‘ Leaflets ’ issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, which may be had for the asking, and in Massee’s book on ‘ Plant Diseases.’ Moma fructigena, another parasitic fungus pest, was not seen on the apples, but it was picked up on a half-mummified fallen plum. Of course, these and other fungus pests find their way to the best regulated gardens and orchards, but if they are attended to in time, their spreading propensity is curtailed. Guides to the woods were kindly provided by the agent on Monday and Tuesday. Day after day interesting species were brought in; one especially so to the writer. This was Mycena pelianthina Fr.=Agaricus denticulatus Bolton, a remarkably fine species for this genus. It belongs to the Calodontes section, which have dark-edged denticulate gills. The denticulations in pelianthina consist of bunches of purple cystidia, while similar structures spring singly, but plentifully, from among the basidia on the gill sides, imparting a rather remarkable appearance to these organs. This beautiful agaric was first found at Halifax, in 1787, by J. Bolton, who described and most appropriately named it A. denticulatus. Fries, later, named the same thing A. felianthinus. It has rarely been found, but was met with at Castle Howard during the 1892 foray. The estate is heavily timbered, and portions of the woods are said to be continuations of original forest ; there are many fine old oaks, a few of which the suns of five hundred summers at least, have shone upon. Other parts have been plentifully Naturalist, Crossland: Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. 417 planted, thanks to the forethought of the third Earl of Carlisle. The fine avenue, stated to be the longest in England, is formed of clusters of twelve to eighteen grand old beeches, the effect being magnificent. Plantations abound on other parts of the estate. An obelisk in the park, erected by the third Earl in 1731, records, in the following words, the laying out of the plantations, etc., a task commenced in 1702 :— “If to perfection these plantations rise, If they agreeably my heirs surprise, This faithful pillar will their age declare As long as time these characters shall spare ; Here then with kind remembrance read his name Who for posterity performed the same.’ We thank him heartily, and remember him most kindly. The approximate age of most of the trees is here indicated. “Signs of rapid decay are evident among them, and now and again one of the monarchs, of the avenue is blown down. In their old age the beeches are rapidly becoming subject to the attacks of Armillaria mucida, a beautiful, white, but slimy parasitic agaric. This appears to be spreading among the aged beeches. It is a fungus which, so far as observations in this country have gone, confines its attentions to this tree, and here it has plenty of scope. It is a wound parasite, reaching its prey, by aid of its spores, through wounds in the bark, caused generally by the breaking away of branches. It has been proved possible to artificially inoculate healthy trees in this way. Its brother parasite, Armillaria mellea, is much more destructive, as 1t attacks various species of orchard and forest trees. There was very little of it to be seen at the time of our visit, however ; but it was there. Polyporus squamosus, a para- sitic polypore, was also at work on the beeches. A fine specimen growing out of the stump of a broken branch was carefully cut off, along with the stump, and taken to Kew Museum, as a specimen of a timber tree parasite. Ustulina vulgaris and a few other saprophytic fungi were found on decaying parts of the beech trunks. Respecting the general run of ground fungi, the season is about three weeks later than usual, and the crop much lighter. Cold summers like the last, if we can call it a summer, retards the mycelial development of saprophytic fungi in the ground, in decaying timber, and among rotting leaves. There has been plenty of moisture, but even this very necessary element, unaccompanied by heat, has not the desired effect. The 1909 Dec. i D2 418 Crossiand: Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. growth of the ordinary mushroom has suffered from the same cause, Weather influences notwithstanding, it is almost certain that some uncommon species or another will turn up at each foray. The noble Agaricus augustus=Psaliota augusta was met with ; while not found plentifully in Britain, it constantly is here. It has several Yorkshire records. In Sweden it is common on old, deserted ant-hills. Query—Can it be culti- vated in a conidial condition by the ants, and when these intelligent and diligent insects desert old nests, the fungus is left to its own resources, complete its life cycle ? There was variety ifnot quantity. Rarely are eleven species of Pholiota found at one foray, or eight species of Amanita, or sixteen of Hygrophorus ; of the latter, pratensis and conicus were very abundant. Collybta radicata was extremely common, and in great variety in size and appearance. So with Lepiota procera, at least half-a-dozen forms could have been selected from the tables which inexperienced students might easily have taken for distinct species ; the principal difference being in the markings on the stems, and the manner in which the outer envelope of the sporophore in its infant stage had been broken up during subsequent development. A. phalloides was one of the eight species of Amanita, the most poisonous agaric likely to be gathered by inexperienced fungus hunters. Two or three specimens of a whitish, branched, white-spored Clavaria, which does not fit any published description, were brought in. It has been thought best to hold this over awhile to see if further specimens are discovered before publishing a diagnosis, should it prove to be new. It is allied to C. um- brinella. | The specimens are in the care of Mr. A. D. Cotton at the Kew Herbarium. Space cannot be afforded for a tithe of the numerous in- teresting notes which might have been written concerning many of the fungi collected. Twenty-two myxomycetes were noted, some being in great profusion in both plasmodia and mature conditions ; prob- ably the well-wooded district and quantity of decaying wood accounts for their prevalence. A mass of Fudligo varians left the rotting wood on which it was brought in, and found its way during the night on to a plate, where it ripened out. All the necessary apparatus in the shape of books, micros- Naturalist, Crossland; Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. 419 copes, etc., were provided by the committee, and were at the service of anyone present. Mr. Massee brought beautifully-mounted slides, showing the grass disease Cladochytrium gramineum Busgen. This disease produces scorched, sickly-looking patches in the grass. A dark-coloured mould, Hormodendron hordeit Zopt. was found on Circeéa lutetiana, which may be considered the first formal British record. The total number of species determined, including a few taken home for further study by several members, is four hun- dred and ninety, and eight varieties. Of these, two hundred and forty-four are previously recorded for Castle Howard and Bulmer. Of the remainder, one is a new species to be called Flammula carnosa Massee, and to be fully described in a future issue. Cercospora calendula Sacc., on cultivated marigold in the Inn garden, Welburn ; Acremoniella atra Sacc., on moss and dead leaves ; Hormodendron horde Zoph., and var. vigens of Pliieus cervinus are new to Britain. The following are new discoveries for the county :— Scleroderma vulgare var. levigatum. Polyporus cervebrinus. Amanita strobiliformis Vitt. Heilvella atva Konig. On the ground Tricholoma argyraceum (Bull). in Ray Wood. Clitocybe vivulosa (Pers.) Fr. Sphevospora confusa (C. Wk.) Sacc. Among grass near Carrmire Gate. | On the ground in Ray Wood. Collybia tylicolor Fr. | Helotium phyllogenon Rehm. Agaricus xanthodermus Gen. On the nerves of decaying poplar Pstlocybe catervata Mass. | leaves. Coprinus nacrocephalus Berk. Molisia mutabilts. Hygrophorus lepovinus Fr. | Septoria ulmi Kye. On elm leaves. Brought from Scarborough by | Septoria hevacli Fckl. On cow pars- Mir Beck. | nip leaves. Marasmius impudicus Fr. Chalava longipes Cke. On decaying Marasmius cohevens (A. & S.) Fr. bark. (=Mycena cohervens Fr.) All were gathered in the neighbourhood of Castle Howard, excepting Hyg. leporinus. It was considered by all present that the foray had been one of the most successful and enjoyable, with one exception, hitherto held by this section. There was a good attendance, and each one put a bit of zest into the work, either in collecting or determining, or both. In addition to Yorkshire members, there were members and friends from Kew, Boston, Derby, Alderley Edge, and Liverpool. A box of specimens was sent from Scarthingwell Park by the Leeds Naturalists, per Mr. W. D. Roebuck. The weather was all that could be desired for collecting cgog Dec.t. 420 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. purposes. On the Monday there were several friends from the Malton Society, including Mr. M. B. Slater. In the evening Mr. Massee gave a most interesting and instructive address on ‘ The Origin and Tendencies of Parasitism in Fungi.’ Mr. Clarke occupied the chair. Mr. Massee was heartily thanked for his lucid, well-arranged address. We hope to print a pretty full account in a later issue. On the Tuesday, Mr. Massee presiding, Mr. Clarke read an interesting paper on ‘The Common Mushroom: its Varieties and Allies.’ The paper practically dealt with the whole British portion of the genus Psaliota, of which our common mushroom is the best known, and most useful member. All the informa- tion that has hitherto become known regarding the toothsome mushroom, including some of Mr. Clarke’s own observations, were included in the paper, which was illustrated by a large series of coloured drawings, life-size, hung round the room. The thanks of the committee and friends were warmly accorded to Mr. Clarke for the paper. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the Earl of Carlisle, for so kindly allowing us to have the run of the estate. The agent was also thanked for providing guides. The annual business meeting of the section was then held. Mr. Massee was re-elected Chairman ; Mr. C. Crossland, Con- vener and Representative on Executive ; Committee as last year, with the addition of Mr. James Needham, all subject to approval at the next Annual Meeting of the Union. After discussing the place for next year’s foray, it was eventually decided to recommend Arncliffe and Mulgrave. It was thought well worth while to pay yet one more visit to: Mulgrave to see what can be added to its already very extensive mycological flora. The following are the additions to the Castle Howard and Bulmer district. | Those marked { are additions to Vice- County N.E. :—- Lycoperdon celatum. + L. amianthina. Amanita phallotdes. | Aymillavia mucida. A. mappa. | Tricholoma equestre. A. excelsa. | T. grammopodium. A. spissa. + Clitocybe tumulosa. Amanitopsis fulva. | C. geotropa. Lepiota excoriata. C. tuba. L. gracilenta. C. metachroa. L. granulosa. C. ditopoda. + Var. rufescens. | Collybia butyracea. Naturalist, Crossland : Fungus Foray at Castle Howard. 421 Collybia ingrata. C. conigena. C. acervata. C. atrata. + Mycena olivaceo-marginata. M. pura. M. lactea. M. polygramma. MM. leptocephala. M. filopes. + MM. amicta. M. acicula. + M. juncicola. + Omphalia philonotis. O. campanella. t+ O. camptophylla. O. bullula. O. integrella. Pleuvotus ulmarius. Pluteus phlebophorus. {+ Entoloma porphvropheum. E. qubatum. E. speculum. Leptonia solstitialis. L. aspvrella. Nolanea nigripes. Pholiota togularis. P. vadicosa. + P. aurivella. P. spectabilis. P. adtposa. Inocybe tncarnata. I. echinata. I. hiulca. I. eutheles. I. destricta. Hebeloma glutinosum. H. mesopheum. Flammula flavida. + F. connisans. F. ochrochlora. Naucoria conspersa. + Cyrepidotus alveolus. C. epigeus. Bolbitius fragilis. Cortinarius (Derm) tabularis. (Derm) anomalus. (Derm) sanguineus. (Tela) torvus. (Tela) avmillatus. (Tela) wlipodius. (Hygr) castaneus. Agaricus agustus. A. campestris. t+ Var. pratensis. A. hemorrhoidarius. A. comptulus. Stropharia squamosa. Also var. thrausta. S. hypsipoda. 1909 Decs 1. SHGGAG Hypholoma pyrotrichum. Paneolus sphinctrinus. P. fimicola. P. evicea. Psathyva pennata. Coprinus fimetarius. C. lagopus. C. Gibbsit. C. ephemerus. C. hemerobtus. Gomphidius viscidus. Paxillus lepista. Hygvophorus (Camar.) bicolor. H. (Hygro.) calyptreformis. H. (Hygvo.) unguinosus. H. (Hygro.) nitratus. Lactavius (Piper) involutus. Russula furcata. R. cutefracta. R. fetens. Marasmius evythropus. M. Hudsont. M. polyadelphus. Lentinus cochleatus. Boletus vaccinus. B. crassus. Polvporus elegans. . intybaceus. . sulphureus. . mollis. . nidulans. . lacteus. . eprileucus. cC@stus. . fragilis. Fomes ulmarius. F. fervuginosus. Portia mollusca. P. sanguinolenta. Dedalea unicolor. Hydnum alutaceum. Cratevellus cornucopioides. Hymenochete tabacina. Cyphella Pimit. Thelephora caryophyllea. T. palmata. Clavaria muscotdes. C. abietina. C. disstpabilis C. acuta. Typhula muscicola. Hirneola auricula-jude@. Calocera cornea. C. stricta. Melampsora ciycee@. Uromyces vumicts. Puccinia pimpinelle. On Myrrhis odorata. P. sanicule. P. tavaxact. On Taraxacum. SURO MCOMULULUne 422 Book Notice. Puccinta oblongata. On.L. cam- + Phacidium multivalve. Nectria coccinea. [ pestris. Pilaiva anomala. Hypoxylon coccineum. Spinellus fusiger. Eutypa spinosa. Peronospora parasitica. Diaporthe vostellata. P. ficaria. Sordaria cuvvula. t+ Phoma longissimum. Raphidospora acuminata. | Septoria rosarum. Heptameria doliolum. | Monilia fructigena. Didymosphevella conoidea Wiessl. | + Rhinotrvichum niveum. Helvella ephippium. Periconia pycnospora. + Geopyxis cupularts. + Fusicladium dentriticum. Peziza vepanda. Stilbum tomentosum. P. succosa. S. vulgare. P. pustulata. Graphium flexuosum. | Humarta deerrata. Lachnea dalmeniensis. | aad L. hemisphevica. L. albo-spadicea. MyxXoMyCETES— Dasyscy pha ciliaris. Clathroptychium vugulosum. t Evinella Nylandert. Cribraria macrocar pa. Cyathicula coronata. C. argillacea. Helotium ferrugineun. Aycyria incarnata. H. ochvaceum. A. cinerea. H. lutescens. Didymium favinaceum. Hi. virgultorum. D. spumarioides. Var. fructigenum. D. effusum. FH. epiphyllum. Craterium confusum. Mollisia fallar. C. aureum. t Pseudopeziza albella. Badhamia varia. Orbilia luteo-vubella. B. panicea. —$————_ Notes on the Origin of Kingston-upon-Hull, and of the Port of Hull, also on the Camin Charter, the Meaux Register (including the ‘ old’ River Hull Tradition), and Glimpses of Medieval Hull, by J. Travis-Cook. London: A. Brown & Sons. 68 pp., 2/-. In this book Mr. Travis-Cook, who has written much in past years in reference to old Hull, offers ‘the latest, the best, and the ripest fruits (for what they may be worth) of much labour in this particular vineyard.’ He would take back Hull’s history some six hundred years earlier than would most writers; though he is admittedly indulging in ‘ historic imagination.’ He concludes that ‘our founders were a ‘little band of eight families ; farmers as well as warriors, possessing one plough of eight oxen. This may be so, or it may not ; but without any evidence it is difficult to say. When, however, we are told ‘we may even go a step further, and conceive the existence of a prior British hamlet or fortress on the spot where our founders landed,’ we must cry halt, or that one step will lead us into a hole. In British times, as is amply proved by geological evidence, this area was under water, and even in Roman times the land around what is now Hull was not habitable. Whilst we admire the author’s patriotism in endeavouring to make the old town of Hull even more ancient, we can only regret that his ideas are unsupported by evidence. His sketch-maps, also, shewing Hull in the VI. and XIV. cen- turies, though ingenious, are not convincing. Still, these ‘ ripe fruits’ are to be eaten, and if we don’t swallow too many, no great harm will result. But there is much other interesting information in the book dealing with Hull in later times, when (the silt having formed) the author is on firmer ground. It is well produced and cheap. Naturalist, 423 SOME BRITISH EARTHMITES. Trombidiidz. (PLATE XVIII). C. F. GEORGE, M.R.C.S., Kirton-in-Lindsey. Ottonta valga.—This very interesting little creature has several marked characteristics. I have no doubt that when alive it is a very handsome mite. I have met with only one specimen, however, which was found by Mr. Wm. Evans, of Edinburgh, who took it in moss, at Aberfoyle, in 1905. and sent it to me in February 1gog9. All colour had then disappeared from long action of the preservative fluid. It is rather small in size, and almost as broad as it is long; Mr. Soar’s figure makes it appear as quite oval. This, however, is probably the result of slight pressure by the cover glass, as when I first examined it without any pressure, it was rather wider at the shoulders than elsewhere, as is commonly the case in most of these mites. Mr. Soar gives the length as 0.96 mm., and breadth, 0.64 mm. The two front legs are longer and stronger than the others, the last joint is much the largest. It is flat- tened from side to side, and somewhat quadrangular (see figure c), it is also turned outwards, making the creature look ‘ splay- footed—hence the name valga. It is possibly the mite described and figured by Koch (15.24) as Tvombidium plancum. The hairs or papillae of the body are remarkable, being spindle shaped and pectinated, and also provided with a number of rather long fine hairs, requiring a fairly high power, and good light to see them perfectly (see figures c, d and 7.) Each hair or papilla is set in a socket, like a candle in its stick. The edge of the flange is, however, plain, not cut into teeth, like some of those belonging to ‘ bullata’ or conifera. The two claws at the end of the fourth internode of the palpus are nearly equal in size and thickness (figure 6). There is also a row of short, thick hairs or spines on one side resembling a comb (see fig. 0). The crista also (fig. g) differs considerably from any previously figured by me. Ottonia clavata. This is one of the largest and most beautiful mites of this division. It is the colour of red sealing-wax, and in shape resembles T. fuliginosum. The eyes are very prominent, and situated at each side of the cephalothorax. The front legs, as usual, are the longest and strongest, and have 1909 Decirks 424 Reviews and Book. Notices. the last joint somewhat clubbed, as in figure a. Many of the hairs on the legs and palpi are beautifully feathered (see figure f). The fourth joint of the palpus terminates in two claws (figure f). The papillz on, the dorsum are not crowded, and in structure are very peculiar, reminding one of a savage war- club. They are enlarged towards the distal extremity, and look as if studded with spikes (see figures c, d and e). Even when mounted in balsam they retain much of their colour, which adds greatly to their beauty. I am sorry to say that I have only seen one specimen of this mite, which deserves more detailed description. I think, however, that the peculiar papille are sufficient to differentiate it from other members of the family. ‘ It was sent to me in December 1907, by Mr. W. Evans, of Edinburgh, who found it, I believe, in April 1906. —»@— Text-book of Petrology, by F. H. Hateh. London: Swan Sonnen- schein. 5th edition, 1909. 404 pp., 7/6 net. The scope of this work is perhaps best described by its sub-title— A summary of the modern theories of Petro genesis, a description of the rock- forming minerals, and a synopsis of the chief types of the igneous rocks and their distribution as illustrated by the British Isles.’ So many additions have been made to our knowledge of British Petrology in recent years that the present edition of Hatch’s well-known text-book has been practically entirely re-written, and besides several new illustrations, the present volume contains many new features. These include a fuller list of references to literature, more complete lists of chemical analyses, the separation of the part dealing with the classfication of rock-types from that dealing with their distribution, and a Table for the Determination of the Chief Minerals of Igneous Rocks in thin section. There isa very good index. Radioactivity and Geology, by Prof. J. Joly. London: Constable & COM S77 sD Psa OMlet: Most of those who were fortunate enough to squeeze in the crowded lecture theatre at the Dublin Meeting of the British Association, and hear Prof. Joly’s presidential address to Section C., as well as those who were left outside, hoped that his address would eventually appear in a more extended form. This hope has been realized, and the book is before us. There is no doubt that the author takes a foremost place in the application he has made of the recent discoveries in radioactivity, to geological science. It is quite possible that geologists have been too hasty 1n forming generalisa- tions as to the influence of the properties of radioactive elements upon such subjects as the age of the earth, etc., and even Prof. Joly admits that his book contains much that is speculative. Still, if his observations and conclusions were not published, they could not be discussed and criticised, and progress would be slow. As it is his views are carefully and clearly expressed, and no one more than the author will welcome a conscientious and serious criticism of the ideas put forward. No doubt as time goes on, views will change as to the importance of the radioactive elements in the history of our planet; but, nevertheless, Prof. Joly will always receive credit for his pioneer work in a difficult direction. Amongst the subjects discussed are the foundations of Radioactive Science ; Underground Tem- perature and Radioactivity, the Instability of the Earth’s Crust ; Moun- tain Structure ; the Interior of the Earth ; the Age of the Earth, etc. Naturalist 2 = on 4 THE ANNELID FAUNA OF WORCESTERSHIRE. Rev. HILDERIC FRIEND, Great Malvern. THOUGH it is twenty years since I began the study of our Annelids, and I have during that period made note of every- thing which has come in my way respecting County Records, I find that I have never yet seen a single allusion to the species which exist in Worcestershire. I can hardly believe that the subject has been absolutely neglected ; and should be glad to learn that someone connected with the different Natural History Societies of the County has published lists in some of the local publications. Should such lists exist, my records will be supple- mentary ; but if there are no published reports, I shall be happy in being able to lead the way, by publishing the results of my own observations. The County of Worcester is undoubtedly rich in species, and my lists already contain some records which are of more than ordinary interest. Our native Annelids fall into several groups. The best known section is that which contains the larger earthworms. Next to this comes the group which includes the fresh water species, such as the different species of Tubifex and their allies. Then we have the large class of white worms or Enchytraeids, which are found on land, by the side of water, or sometimes even leading a purely aquatic life. In addition to these we have a fourth group, consisting of very minute water-worms, which do not live in the mud like the Tubificide, but are usually found living a free life among the alge and weeds. These include the pretty and interesting Nais and its congeners. We will begin with the best known. It was with these that Darwin was concerned when he wrote his ‘ Vegetable Mould,’ but, whereas he assumed that the British species of earthworms amounted to fewer than ten, we now have a list of indigenous species numbering thirty at least. For a long time all the earthworms were known by the generic name of Lumbricus, which Linneus employed ; but Savigny in 1826 used the term Enterion. As knowledge progressed, it was found that there were different genera, and the name A/lolo- bophora was adopted for a group which displayed a form of head whose insertion into the peristomium differed from that of the type. A third genus, containing worms of a semi- aquatic nature, was also separated off, and named Allurus, on account of the different form of its tail. 1909 Dec. 1. 426 Friend: The Annelid Fauna of Worcestershire. More recent research has led to the further splitting up of the genus Allolobophora, so that we have learned to use such terms as Dendrobena, Eophila and Helodrilus, Octolasion, Hypogaeon and Aporrectodea, Eisenta and Bimastus ; while Allurus has been changed to Eisemtella. If these changes are at times confusing, they at any rate serve to indicate that our knowledge of the subject is more extensive than of old, while they also remind us that the student of system finds wide differences between species which seemed at one time to be very nearly related. So far as our native species of Lumbricus are concerned, they are Clearly defined and readily identified. They may be said to consist of terrestrial annelids of a purplish colour, with some- what flattened tails, a head or prostomium which entirely bisects the first segment or peristomium ; and having a girdle which is uniformly composed of six segments, the four innermost of which carry the tubercula pubertatis. The male pore is on the fifteenth segment, and is conspicuous in some species, but obscure in others. There are but five species of Lumbricus at present known in the British Isles, and one of these (Lumbricus friendt Cognetti) which I first discovered and described some years ago (as Lumbnicus papillosus Friend), is at present known ‘only in the South of Ireland in the British Isles, and has only been found elsewhere at considerable elevations in the Pyrenees and the Alps.’* The remaining species, four in number, are all found in Worcestershire. J have not made an exhaustive survey of the county, and cannot therefore give a long list of localities ; but this hardly seems necessary in the case of species which are so generally and widely distributed. It may be well, perhaps, to add the characteristics of each species. I. LUMBRICUS TERRESTRIS L., is the largest English species. of the true Lumbrict. It sometimes attains a length of six or more inches, and preserved specimens range from six to fifteen centimetres. Eisen speaks of examples from Scandinavia, which are twice that length, and have more than six segments to the girdle. He isa good observer, but I fancy his record was an early one, made when there was much confusion between this species and Allolobophora longa Ude. I have never, in all * Southern, Contributions towards the British and Irish Oligoch@ta, 1909. Naturalist, Friend: The Annelid Fauna of Worcestershire. 427 my experience, seen a genuine Lumbricus with more than six girdle segments, and these extend in the present instance from segments 32 to 37, the tubercula being on segments 33 to 306. It may be graphically presented in the form of a fraction, thus— a The male pores on the fifteenth segment are connected with prominent papille. Found around Malvern, known to every part of the British Isles, and widely distributed in Europe (Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, etc.), and North America See Rosa, Revisione det Lumbricidt, p. 25. 2. LUMBRICUS RUBELLUS Hoffmeister. Considerably smaller than the former, but similar in colour and general appearance, so that robust forms might easily be confused with the smaller forms of L. terrestris L. But they are instantly differentiated by means of the girdle and male pores. In the case of L. rubellus the pores cannot be seen, while the fractional index for girdle 27 — 32 zi e : sata; in Northern Europe, this species also and tubercula is 53—3; is said to attain a much larger size than with us, but the girdle segments do not change. Found around Malvern ; general distribution as in the case Gin Ewierresi77s -L. 3. LumBricus FESTIVUS Savigny. In size and general appearance hardly distinguishable from L. rubellus. The male pores are, however, prominent, and the index for girdle and tubercula is — Hence the two are at the extremes of the line of development. This will be best understood by reference to the following table, which gives a bird’s eye view of the seg- ments on which the tubercula are situated. For finding the girdle one has only to add a segment to each end. SPECIES. Segments carrying tubercula pubertatis Lumbricus vubellus Hoffmeister .. .. ..|28})29/30/31[..|.. i ¢ a, slerel ioe ¥ i .¥ oe Site Be. ahs Fortilieig an 30/31 2 a ti petal oa a Pier Rosa if Ss re 5.4)(5 ollo ol OU BA ic allac||aol/e olla c z 2 , iryyee us ee ay Sg See I -|- -131/32/33/34]- -|- i || ol on; a3 ieee ie seneenitent ce i; salio olla ala ole cleealsaiey 35 " eller: oad * poe: iemmeete : : ne alla olf i; dloslasissise 35:36 elles ‘ | ee Cognetti be she SAE SR lze ; Ne See | (BZis35) Sale y7dle yy, Ay oon eee RS jal | SallecleulieollRallocllolls osm sO eyAbie 1909 Dec. 1. 428 Freend: The Annelid Fauna of Worcestershire. This latter worm has had a somewhat romantic history. It was first named Enterion festivum by Savigny in 1826, and eleven years later Dugés gave particulars respecting it under the name which it now bears. It was then lost to sight for upwards of half a century. At last I discovered it in England, where it had never been recognised before, except very doubt- fully from Berwick-on-Tweed (Johnston’s ‘Catalogue of Worms,’ p- 59). As it was apparently new to Britain and to science, I named it Lumbricus rubescens (‘ Nature,’ 1891, p. 273). It was afterwards re-discovered on the Continent, and is now placed beyond all doubt. I found it some years ago in asso- ciation with L. vubellus, and gave some account of my observa- tions in a paper (‘ Naturalist,’ October 1892) entitled ‘“Hybridity among Worms,’ to which Dr. Rosa (‘ Revisione det Lumbricidt,’ p. 27), makes special allusion. The fuller history of this interesting species may be read in various journals, including the issues of the ‘ Bradford Scientific Journal’ for the present year. Found at Malvern ; and also recorded for various parts of England, Wales, and Ireland, by myself. I have also received it from Normandy. It is abundant around Paris. 4. LUMBRICUS CASTANEUS Savigny, is the smallest of the true Lumbrict in Great Britain. In colour and shape it is similar to the last, but if the girdle segments are our guide, it comes next to L. rubellus, Hoff., the fractional index being —— It is very active, and has a habit of gliding rapidly backwards when wanting to avoid danger. It is greatly to be hoped that further research in unexplored parts of Britain may bring to light other genuine species of Lumbricus. L. studeri Rib. has never been reported, though one does not see why it or L. melibeus Rosa, should not be found. The notices of L. tyrteus Savigny still need confirma- tion. It is only possible for me, in the present paper, to refer to one other species, as it is necessary, for the sake of clearness, to reserve all the Allobophoras for treatment together. I allude to Allurus, a semi-aquatic worm which occurs everywhere in Great Britain, and is liable to considerable variation. We have undoubted evidence of the existence of more than one species in these islands, but so far, the material collected has been insufficient for the purposes of science. 5. ALLURUS (EISENIELLA) TETRAEDRUS Savigny. This little Naturalist, Friend: The Annelid Fauna of Worcestershire. 429 worm was first described by Savigny as Enterion tetredrum, on account of its square tail (whence also the name Allurus). It was kept under notice thenceforth by all the authorities such as Dugeés, Grube, Eisen, Oerley, Rosa, and others ; but, though recorded by Johnston in 1865, was reported as new to Britain in 1888. In that year it was found in Dorset, and as the discoverer shortly afterwards became my neighbour and per- sonal friend in Carlisle, his narration induced me to take up the pursuit. Beddard of London, and Benham of Oxford were just then giving the subject attention, and it may be said that a new era in the study of British Annelids dates from that period. Beddard has continued the work ever since, and in 1895 produced his magnum opus: a ‘ Monograph of the Oligocheta.’ Rapid strides have been made since that year, so that if the work were brought up to date, it would probably contain twice as many species, while the margins would have to be wide enough to receive as many more. Allurus differs materially from Lumbricus in externals. The type is from one to two inches in length, usually a dirty brown, but varying much in colour, with a square tail, the male pores on the thirteenth segment, the girdle extending from the twenty-second to the twenty-seventh, or thereabouts, and the tubercula from the twenty-third to the twenty-sixth,represented thus—,,—s. Found.at Malvern, Powick, and elsewhere. It is to be met with wherever there is water, and is not only recorded for every part of the British Isles where search has been instituted, but also for almost every country in Europe, for Teneriffe, Val- paraiso, and elsewhere. In my next contribution the different species of Allolobophora at present known to occur in Worcestershire will receive atten- tion. The white worms and water worms will be reserved for a later paper. <<} &—_—_—_— Memorials of Charles Darwin. London. 50 pp., 6d. It may quite possibly never again happen that so many interesting memorials of Charles Darwin will be gathered together as were recently at the British Museum (Natural History). The catalogue of these memo- rials, issued at the small price of 6d., is therefore a most valuable record. The guide book has been prepared by Dr. W. G. Ridewood, under the superintendence of Dr. Sidney F. Harmer, who has written an interesting Preface. Over two hundred and fifty exhibits are minutely described ; the specimens being exhibited in twenty-four cases. 1909 Dec. ue 430 THE CHEMISTRY OF SOME COMMON PLANTS. P. Q. KEEGAN, LL.D., Patterdale, Westmorland. Harr Moss (Polytrichum commune).—This plant forms tufts and cushions of pure greenery in woods and on open land where the heather grows. The chemistry of mosses as compared with those of ferns and fungi, 1s decidedly tame and bald—a cir- cumstance that is evidently connected with the structure of their cells, especially of their cell-walls. Most, or at least a great deal of their chemical constituents seem to be absorbed, grasped in, or bound up in a very intimate manner with the cellulosic skeleton of the cell. On 11th June, a dried gathering of the plant in fruit yielded to boiling benzene about one per cent. of a white, waxy matter. The alcoholic extract was acid and faintly bitter, and had no tannoid or tannin, it gave a red- brown colour with iron alum, and very small precipitates with bromine water, and with acetate of lead ; also it gave reactions of cane-sugar, while a red-brown substance was extracted by ammonia from the residue insoluble in water, which consisted mainly of a resinous substance dissolving in sulphuric acid, with a brown colour passing to.a splendid violet. There was no extractible proteid or starch; there was, however, a con- siderable quantity of mucilage taken up by dilute caustic soda solution, and a substance soluble in amyl alcohol, which dis- solved brown in sulphuric acid. The ash of the plant was very small in quantity, and contained 41.9 per cent. soluble salts, 16.3: silica, 4.5 limes 1-4 oxide of iron;,'429 P20?) 571s Or with some manganese. The above analysis recalls that of lichens rather than that of ferns or mushrooms, notwithstanding the total absence of the highly tinctorial lichen acids and high quinone derivatives associated therewith. In fact, it occurred to me during and in view of the analyses that mosses must be a class of plants specially created, so to speak, and absolutely distinct from all other members of the vegetable kingdom. Their cell-wall, as aforesaid, is the chief seat of the chemical constituents. It contains no lignin, but has pectin, and only yields cellulose reactions after boiling with dilute alkali ; hence the soluble carbohydrates are here converted with special facility into insoluble ones, and these again into cellulose. By prolonged boiling under pressure in dilute caustic soda, Czapek obtained a phenolic body, which he named sphagnol, Naturalist Keegan: The Chemistry of some Common Plants. 431 and also a tannoid or tannin which is iron-greening and _ pre- cipitates gelatine; both of these constituents being originally present in the cell-wall as compounds (esters) of cellulose. The unparalled local, geographical, and climatic distribution of mosses is evidently indissolubly connected with the mar- vellous structure, and constitution of the skeletal framework of the cell: CoMMON REED (Phragmites communis)—This plant forms a sort of hedge by the margins of lakes and in marshy places. ‘The wavy swell of the soughing reeds ’ is a spectacle familiar, to the wanderer in these haunts. This grass belongs to the tribe Festucez, which also includes many of the abundant and familiar species of our meadows and pastures. The rootstock is thick, jointed, and extremely creeping, it contains much sugar, is very nutritious, and has 6 per cent. pure ash yielding 57.7 silica according to Fittbogen. The leaf is traversed by a large number of nerves highly sclerified and lignified, and is protected also by bands of sub-epidermal fibres, with very thick walls ; the organ exhibits great power of transpiration. On 2oth August the dried blades yielded about 2 per cent. wax, with much carotin ; this wax forms a fine closely adherent layer on the lower epidermis, and contains a solid hydrocarbon, so that it rapidly separates from boiling alcohol; little or no chloro- phyll was withdrawn from the leaf by boiling benzene, or by boiling acholol alone, it is only when the leaf is first extracted by benzene and then boiled in alcohol that the green pigment is dissolved in great‘quantity, depth, and intensity. The alco- holic extract (after benzene) contained a distinctive quantity of a tannoid which seems to be quercetin or fisetin, it exhibits great tinctorial power, the reactions with iron, lead, and alum salts being unusually clear and brillant ; there was no tannin or free phloroglucin, but cane-sugar was indicated, and a large quantity of a resinous substance which dissolved in sulphuric acid with a deep brown colour passing to a splendid violet. There was a good deal of pectosic mucilage and reserve starch (unextractible), and crude fibre (52.4 per cent.), but no oxalate of calcium. The ash of the leaf amounted to 7.4 per cent., and contained 20 per cent. soluble salts, 45.4 silica, 10.4 lime, 4.8 E2O>~ 2.7, SO? and 4 chlomme » there was a good deal of manganese, but no soluble silica or carbonates. The foregoing analysis throws clear light on the phenomena of grassy vegeta- tion. We see how thoroughly the chlorophyll is ‘ protected ’ 1909 Dec. t. 432 Keegan: The Chemistry of some Common Planis. by the solid wax from the attack of external agencies. The wax also serves to ‘ protect ’ the leaf from the withering effects of excessive transpiration. The chlorophyll itself is of extra- ordinary depth, and richness of tint, notwithstanding the enor- mous amount of silicia in the ash, which is indicative of im- perfect and exhausted vegetative power. There are no mycor- hiza in or on the roots, and there is a strong excretion of water from the leaves, and with it ‘silica and salts of. lime. The process of deassimilation does not seem to surpass the tannoid and resin stage, no true tannin being produced, except perhaps a little in the floral parts. The soluble carbohydrates pass to lignin with considerable facility, and the absence of acids in- dicates the comparative immobility of the albumenoids. TuFTED VEtCcH (Victa cracca).—This tall conspicuous plant, crowned with a rich purplish blue raceme of flowers, springs up in hedges, waste places, and amid the grassy herbage of open sunny fields and pastures. The chemistry is com- paratively tame and uninteresting. The official analysis of the dried plant reports 27.4 per cent. albumenoids, 1.4 fatty matter, 20 fibre, and 6.8 ash. On 18th July, the dried over- ground parts contained 1.7 per cent. of carotin and wax, with no glyceride. The alcoholic extract seemed to have traces of a tannoid like luteolin, and also some alkaloidal substance, a resinous matter, and a little cane-sugar and citric acid ; there was no tannin, glucose, or bitter principle. There was much mucilage, and oxalate of calcium, but no extractible pro- teid or starch. The ash amounted to 6.8 per cent., and con- tained 19 per cent soluble salts, 2.2 silica, 40.6 lime, 4P?05, 2.51 SO, and 2.2 chlorine; there was a little manganese and very much insoluble carbonate. Altogether the analysis is tame and bald ; the chief feature being the paucity or absence of benzene derivatives, and the presence of an abundance of lime. It would seem that the totality of the tannic chromogen was concentrated in the floral parts, but the pigment thereof is by no means pure; it cannot be compared with that of the Cranesbills, for instance, although lke the latter, it forms remarkable pure blue compounds with the organic salts of manganese. The black or olive shade of the seeds seems to be due to tyrosin. Gartic HepGE-Mustarp (Alliaria officinalis)—This fine plant flourishes under hedges and in shady waste places. In the first year the stem is very short, and the root becomes fleshy Naturalist) Keegan: The Chemistry of some Common Plants. 433 with the starchy reserve materials then stored up; in the following year vegetation is resumed very early, and the stem now grows very rapidly, the flowers appear soon, and the root reserves are consumed. The whole plant when bruised emits a strong smell of garlic, due to the action of the ferment my- rosin on a glucoside yielding sulphide and sulphocyanide of allyl. On 24th May, the whole dried leaves yielded 2.7 per cent. of wax and carotin with a little fat-oil, but no resin; the alcoholic extract contained a red-brown substance, whose solution with iron salts gave a nearly black colour, with chloride of tin a bright yellow colour, and with iodine a deep violet flocculent precipitate which seems to indicate a derivative of pyrogallol, perhaps sinapin or sinapic acid; there was only a little mucilage and no sugar of any kind, and very httle extract- able starch. The ash of the overground parts yielded 56.4 per cent soluble salts; 3.1 ‘silica, 14:8 litte, 9:5 magnesia, 9.5 P2Oriaal SO, and ©_4, chionne- there was only a little won, manganese, or carbonates. The analysis indicates a strange fixity of the albumenoids and the carbohydrates; and this fact seems to account largely for the invariability of the plant under the influence of culture, and its incapability of forming hybrids with nearly allied species. LESSER CELANDINE (Ranunculus ficaria)—This is Words- worth’s favourite flower, and therefore worthy of special reverence by all scientists who revere the poet who shunned the town and clung to the country. The subterranean organs (tubers) are morphologically comparable to those of certain Orchids, and likewise have endophytic mycorhiza ; they con- tain an irritant camphoraceous substance (anemonal), also starch, cane-sugar in August, glucose and other sugars in Feb- ruary. On 16th May, the dried leaves and petioles contained I.2 per cent. of wax, with a good deal of carotin and traces of fat-oil ; also a tannoid yielding the reactions of luteolin, some glucose and cane-sugar, a little resin, but no saponin or free phloroglucin ; also much pectosic mucilage and starch, with a little oxalate of calcium and proteid ; the ash amounted to 13.7 per cent. in dry, and contained 61.2 soluble salts, 6.8 silica, 9.2 lime, 2.2 magnesia, with a little manganese, 3.5 P20%, 4.4 SO’, and 12.8 chlorine; there was very much soluble carbonate. The carotin which tinges the corolla does not occur in a granular form; the epidermal cells contain a highly refractive yellow oil, and the subepidermal layer is densely 1909 Dec. 1. dy 434 Reviews and Book Notices. filled with minute starch-granules ; the nectaries are in the corolla, which also produces crystals of oxalate of calcium. In some varieties of this plant the pollen is aborted, the ovules infertile, or the embryos when produced are undifferentiated. The analysis reveals a brisk movement of the albumenoids, and a considerable productiveness of carbohydrates. HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY. A Manual of Roman Antiquities, by W. Ramsay, Revised by R. Lan- eiani. London: C. Griffin & Co. 573 pp., 10/6. This well-known manual has now reached its eighteenth edition ; and whilst it is very familiar to and has long been used by classical scholars, we should like to draw attention to the book as likely to prove of very great service to the increasingly large number of people who, particularly in the northern counties, are taking an interest in the Roman remains of which the country is so rich. Whilst the manual deals with almost every possible branch of Roman history, that relating to their military and naval life, their method of building encampments, etc., is of particular value. In this connection the contributions of Prof. Lanciani, who has done so much in connection with the excavations near Rome, are of ex- treme interest. By the use of small but clear type, with carefully placed headings, and wealth of footnotes and references, the volume is kept within reasonable compass. At half-a-guinea it is exceedingly cheap. The Rivers of Axholme, with a history of the navigable rivers and canals of the district, by @. Dunston. London: A. Brown & Sons. 155 pp., 4to, Maps. 10/- Those who know the keen business ability of the author may at first be surprised at the fact that he has turned antiquary, and written a book. But it is soon apparent that there is method in his — work ; and whilst it contains some most useful and most valuable information, we find he has soon descended from the peat to the coal measures ; and from facts about the old form of Hatfield Chase to figures bearing upon the workable coal which undoubtedly will some day entirely change the aspect of this rare tract of natural country. Mr. Dunston first tackles Abraham de la Pryme, who was gifted with a powerful imagination, and then quotes the Survey Memoirs and numerous other authorities in reference to the geological history of the area. He has also unearthed a number of very interesting plans shewing the condition of Hatfield Chase and its adjoining watercourses in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These have been reproduced in a way that is all that can be desired, and in themselves are of great historical value. After dealing with the early history of the Island; Axholme during the middle ages; before and after the drainage ; he deals in turn with the history of each of the various navigable rivers and canals in the district ; but these chapters are of most interest from a commercial standpoint. There are some valuable appendices, dealing with XVIth century enquiries, Vermuyden’s agreement with Charles L., Smeaton’s report, etc. Of peculiar interest is a reproduction of a fine painting of ‘ King Charles I. killing deer driven into Thorne Mere.’ This shews the way in which some hundreds of deer were driven into the lake by beaters, and were then surrounded by about fifty boat-loads of * sports- men,’ who simply butchered the helpless animals. Truly a kingly sport ! Naturalist 435 ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF : MOLLUSCA IN SOUTH LONSDALE. Rey. C. E. Y. KENDALL, B.A., J. DAVY DEAN, Anp W. MUNN RANKIN, M.Sc., B.Sc. (Continued from page 381). Clausilia bidentata parvula Turton. Associated species :— Vitrina pellucida Mill. Pyramidula votundata Mill. Vitrea lucida Drap. Helix hortensis Mull. » cellavtia Mull. Pupa cylindracea da Costa. » alliavia Miller. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. » pura Alder. This form differs from the true bidentata in habit and in nature of habitat, and may well prove to be like C. rolphit almost subterranean. It is found with the Vitvee under the loose mossy stones in the dry upper wood. Limax cinereo-niger Wolf. Associated with :— Agriolimax agrestis L. Hygromia hispida L. Ayion hortensis Fer. Pupa cylindracea da Costa. Vitrea alliaria Miller. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. Pyvamidula votundata Mull. The above is a sub-association connecting with the one just given, and is characteristic for the loose stones lying among the dry carpet of ‘ Yew-needles’ and Holly leaves, as distinct from the luxuriant moss-growth under the Ash. Sub-section—HAZEL AND ASH COPSE. Dominant—Pomatias elegans Miller. Associated species :— Vitvina pellucida Mill. Helix hortensts Mill. Vitrea ceilavia Mill. Hygromia vufescens Penn. » nitidula Drap. Ena obscura Mill. This species, restricted in Britain to the Calcareous soils of England and Wales, reaches at Meathop one of the most northerly stations. Asin the case of Clausilia parvula (Turton), the period of hibernation is an extended one, usually from Mid-October to the first week in May. Its habitat is described by Reeve as being chiefly in the vicinity of water, not in wet places, but at the roots of shrubs near the sea coast. At Arn- side and Silverdale, it is abundant on the Hazel-covered slopes which face the shore, but it is equally abundant in the Hazel and Ash copses near Haweswater. We have also taken this species in abundance on the chalk in Sussex, where it occurred on a dry bank sheltered by a Hazel copse. LIMESTONE PAVEMENTS. Dominant :—Helix nemoralis L. Associated species :— 1909 Dec. 1. 436 Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. Arion ater L. Hygromia vufescens Penn. A pyiolimax agresits L. Helix aspersa Mull. Pyramidula vupesivis Drap. Pupa cvlindracea da Costa. This species, though by no means restricted to calcareous soils, is characteristic of the limestone pavements. On the Hygromia rufescens Pennant. Associated with :— Arion ater L. Vitrea nitidula Drap. Agriolimax agrestis L. Helix hortensis Mill. (rare). Vitvea cellavia Mill. 5, nemoralis L. (locally). », alliavia Miller. Cochlicopa lubrica Mill. This species might at first sight appear to be universal, but apart from the neighbourhood of gardens, and the influence of such artificial habitats, its place would seem to be on the margins of the Oak-Birch woods of a somewhat damp type, occurring plentifully among the nettles and brambles. Vertigo alpestris Ald. Associated species :— Vitvina pellucida Mull. Pupa cylindvacea da Costa. Vitrea alliavia Miller. Vertigo pusilla Mull. Euconulus fuluus Mill. Sphyvadium edentulum Drap. (rare). Hygromia vufescens Penn. Clausilia bidentata Strom. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. This species is characteristic of the marginal wood, and while associated constantly with V. pusilla, it is evident that its true place is here rather than in the Ash woods. Its centre of distribution is further north. It is the Vertigo of the Lake District, while V. pusilla gradually disappears in that direction, ranging further south, however, than V. alpestris. While abundant in the Limestone area, it is even more abundant in the Silurian region. It is thoroughly well distributed, and where it occurs is found plentifully in damp situations on the low mossy walls. Zomitoides excavatus Bean. Associated with Pyramidula votundata Mill. (Dominant), and :— Limax arborum B. Ch. | Vetvea nitidula Drap. Agriolimax levis Mill. » erystallina Mull. Ayrton subfuscus Drap. | Euconulus fulvus Mull. Vitvina pellucida Mull. Punctum pyvgmeum Drap. Vitrea cellaria Mull. Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. » alliavia Miller. | This species is characteristic of the purer Oak woods of a somewhat damp type, and of which this association is typical. It is, however, not so abundant in this district as it is in the Oak woods of the Coal Measures in South Lancashire and Cheshire, in which the characteristic flora is blue-bell, soft grass and bracken. (0) Dy : Heathy Section. Beyond an occasional Pyrvamidula rotundata there are no conchological features that can be at present given. Naturalist, Geographical Distribution of Mollusca. 437 lower ground in the district it is extremely local and rare. The association is that of a woodland fauna of a drier type merging on pasture. Dominant :—Balea perversa L. Associated species :— Pyramidula vupestvis Drap. Clausilia bidentata Strém. This species, rarely taken here on trees, is abundant in the very driest positions, so abundant, in fact, as to constitute quite a feature. It occurs frequently also on high exposed walls, in clusters under the topmost stones. IJ.—TuHE OAxk-BIRCH FORMATION. (a) Damp. Grassy section. Vertigo substriata Jeff. Acanthinula aculeata Mill. These two species while not associated together as a rule, are typical of the Oak-Birch woods. A. aculeata is one of the commonest snails of the Lake District proper, and V. sub- striata seems to be most abundant in the damp woods of the Silurian region, and is only taken locally on the Limestone. A. aculeata is well established also in the Oak-Birch woods of the Lune Valley. Dominant :—Clausilia bidentata Str6m. Associated with :— Vitrina pellucida Mull. Hygromia vufescens Penn. Vitrea alliaria Miller. Pupa cylindracea da Costa. Pyramidula votundata Mull. Cochlicopa lubrica Mill. The extraordinary abundance of this species is most notice- able, especially towards the margins of the woods. It is one which would seem to avoid the Oak-Birch woods of the Dry Heath section. In the damp Ash-Oak woods of the limestone, it is also one of the dominants and like H. arbustorum, there _ shows a Beech influence, becoming abundant again further north in Beech woods. In the purer Ash woods it is largely replaced by C. cravenensis, and when it does occur tends towards the var. sutton Westl. Helicigona arbustorum L. Associated species :— Arion ater L. Pyvamidula vufescens Penn. Limax maximus L. Helix hortensis Mill. » marginatus Mull. The true habitat of this species is the wood-margins of the northern Silurian region. It is very abundant in the damp woods of the Lake District, and in a more stunted form it extends its range to a considerable elevation. South of the Kent Valley it persists only in isolated colonies, chiefly in damp meadow grass bordering a wood slope. It is very scarce indeed on the Limestone. 1909 Dec. x. 438 NOTES ON EAST RIDING SPIDERS IN 1909. E. A. PARSONS anv T, STAINFORTH. IN spite of the inclement weather prevailing during this season of rg09, the result of the work accomplished amongst spiders in the East Riding has been highly satisfactory. Not only have 22 species been added to the local list which appeared in the ‘ Transactions of the Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club,’ (Vol. IV. part 2, 1909), but many additions have been made to-the Yorkshire MS. list, which is in course of preparation by Mr. W. Falconer, of Slaithwaite ; and speci- mens of both sexes of Cornicularia kochit Camb., a species new to Great Britain, have been taken on the Yorkshire shore of the Humber, and at several points on the North Lincolnshire shore. (See ‘The Naturalist,’ Aug. and Sept.). To Mr. Falconer we are deeply indebted for his courtesy in identifying all the species referred to in this paper. The most fruitful source for new records, as in past years, has been the Humber foreshore and Spurn Point. HUMBER SHORE. Differing in character from any other part of the Riding, the Humber shore yields several peculiar forms. The most important discovery apart from that of C. kochit, was Lycosa purbeckensts, var. minor, F.O. P.Camb., a notable addition to the Yorkshire list. On a coldish day, early in May, the compilers obtained two males and one female of this species, hidden at the roots of saltmarsh plants on Saltend Common. On May 15th, another female was found in the same locality. On May 2oth, a male was captured on the Humber shore between Hull and Hessle. ° On May 23rd Saltend was again visited, and in the bright sun- shine, the species was observed running about in great numbers on the saltmarsh plants, both at this point and on the ‘ growths ’ of the Humber shore, between Marfleet Creek and Lord’s Clough. On May 2oth, an example of each sex was taken on the shore, between Hull and Hessle. On June 13th, a single female was captured on the clay at the Kilnsea end of the Humber side of Spurn It seems probable, therefore, that the species occurs on the Yorkshire Humber shore from Spurn to Hessle, and possibly further west. It would be interesting to learn whether it is to be found on the Lincolnshire side of the estuary. Naturalist, Notes on East Riding Spiders in 7909. 439 The form purbeckensis was described and figured by F. O. P. Cambridge in the ‘ Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist.’ Ser. 6, Vol. XV., p. 32, and has been found at Poole Harbour and other localities in the south. The var. minor is also described by F. O. P. Cambridge in the same journal, and was first taken in April on the shores of the Solway. The species has also been recorded from Northumberland.* Lophomma subequale Westr. A single female of this rare species was captured on Saltend Common on September 8th. Araeoncus humilis Bl. was found on the Humber Bank, between Hull and Hessle, on May 29th, 2 males and 8 females in all being captured. Cormcularia kochia Camb. As mentioned previously, this is an addition to the British List. The first male specimens taken in this country were found on the Hull Society’s excursion to Barton, N. Lincs., on April 17th. The first Yorkshire example was afe male found on the foreshore at Saltend in May. The male was found in Yorkshire for the first time on ‘the shore between Brough and Ferriby, on the 22nd August, when two specimens were taken. A further male was captured at Saltend on September 18th. SPURN. From Spurn the following are additions to the previous list : Prosthesima latreilli C. L. Koch. An adult female and immature examples of both sexes were found on June 13th. They occurred at the roots of the grasses on the sand dunes, their jet black hue making them very conspicuous against the yellow surroundings. This is a new record for the county. Lophocarenum nemorale Bl. This, also a new Yorkshire record, occurred commonly, under drift seaweed on the Humber side of the headland, on May 30th ; female specimens only being taken. Prosopotheca monoceros Wid. A female of this species was found at Spurn on the 13th of June. Europhrys aequipes Camb. Mr. Falconer describes this as an excellent addition to the Yorkshire list. Examples of both sexes were taken. HOLDERNESS. (r) From the marshes of Holderness the following new records have been obtained :— Leptyphantes pallidus Camb. A female was taken on the *“ Naturalist,’ Apr. 1902, p. 115. 1909 Dec. 1. 440 Notes on East Riding Spiders in zg09. Sutton Drain Bank on May 14th, and another female was ob- tained on a visit to Tunstall in the following month. Baryphyma_ pratensis Bl. On May 5th a female of this species, an addition to the Yorkshire list, was taken on the Sutton Drain Bank, near the Bridge on the road between Sutton and Wawne. Pulfin Bog, on the River Hull near Beverley, which is noted for some rare plants, has also yielded three additions to our list of local spiders, viz. :— Tmeticus expertus Camb. 2 females were taken on July 7th. Gongylidium distinctum Sim. On the same date a single male of this species was found. It is the only example yet taken in the county. Lycosa herbigrada Bl. One male was taken running about among the marsh plants. . (2) The Wotps of Holderness have added three species new to our list. These are :— Clubtona terrestris Westr. An example of each sex was taken in Birkhill Wood, near Cottingham, on June 5th. On October 16th, one male and five females were obtained ina beech wood at South Cave. Microneta comgera Bl. On June 5th two males of this spider were captured in Birkhill Wood. Styloctetor penicillatus Westr. A female was taken in Birkhill Wood on June 5th. Tmeticus abnormis Bl. A single male was found among dead leaves in a large beech wood near South Cave, on October 16th, 1900. Leptyphantes tenebricola Wid. Of this species a male was captured in a wood near South Cave on July 5th. Prosopotheca monoceros Wid. A male was taken on October 16th in a beech wood near South Cave. In a garden in Hull, a male Attus pubescens Fabr. was ob- tained on the 28th of June. DERWENTLAND. On the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Excursion to Market Weighton, on May 8th, 3 species were added to the local list, Viz: Cnephalocotes obscurus Bl. A female was found among heather on the road to Holme-on-Spalding Moor. Wideria cucullata C. L. Koch. In the same place a female of this species was also taken. Hasarius falcatus Bl. Examples of this spider were also found among the heather. Naturalis 441. FIELD NOTES. BIRDS. Crossbills in Durham.—The Crossbills, in their somewhat more than ordinary migration to England this year, were first noticed in a wood in the East of the County of Durham, in the last week of June (1909). By the middle of July they were pretty frequent in the Wear Valley, near Durham and Wolsing- ham, and in the last week of the same month, were noticed in the woods in the Upper Browney Valley, feeding on the green cones of the larch. At the same time they were in the Derwent Valley, and also over in Hexhamshire in Northumberland.— J. W. Fawcett, Saltley, Towlow, Co. Durham. Common Scoter at Doncaster.—On Saturday, September 18th, at about 8-30 p.m., when near the Town Moor, Doncaster, I heard ducks flying overhead, their call notes being un- familiar to me. On the following Monday, on telling Mr. Phillips about them, he said that he had been shown a duck that had been found wounded near the place where I had heard them, and that it was a Scoter. On the 2ist inst., I obtained the bird from its captor, and found it to be an adult male Common Scoter, in good plumage. It has been set up for the Doncaster Museum. The middle of September is a remarkably early date, and Doncaster a remarkable locality for such a marine species.—H. H. CorRBETT. Cream-coloured Variety of the House Sparrow.— The keeper from Cusworth a few days ago brought me a very interesting Sparrow. The wings, tail and sides of the neck are very pale cream colour; throat and side of head, under parts and back fawn colour, fading to pale cream colour.— H. H. CorsBett, Doncaster. Glossy Ibis near Doncaster.—On Wednesday, October 27th, I saw a Glossy Ibis exposed for sale along with other wild fowl, in a game-dealer’s shop. I learnt from the shop- keeper that it had come in that day from Misson, near Bawtry. It is a young bird, with the head and neck spotted. It is being set up for the Doncaster Museum.—H. H. Corsett, Doncaster, Glossy Ibis at Whitby.—A remarkably fine specimen of the Glossy Ibis was shot on the Old Hall Farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, on October 2oth. The place where it was shot is a quiet sheltered marshy spot (about a mile from the sea), where it had frequented for some days. It was an adult bird 1909 Nov. 1. 442 Field Notes. in winter plumage, the sex, unfortunately, not being ascertained. The specimen was secured by the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, and the skin has been preserved and mounted for the Whitby Museum.—TuHos. STEPHENSON, Whitby. —! 0 i— COLEOPTERA. Atomaria fimetarii Herb. at Doncaster.—tThis some- what rare beetle has been found in considerable numbers in Coprinus comatus here this September. It does not seem to have been recorded for the West Riding previously, but it is interesting to note that the late W. C. Hey took it at York in the same species of fungus some years ago.—H. H. CORBETT. Leistus montanus on Skiddaw.—In the ‘Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society for 1909 ’ it is stated that Leistus montanus Steph. has not been taken recently on Skiddaw. I have therefore pleasure in recording that on August 5th, 1909, I took eight specimens of this rare beetle under stones on Skiddaw summit. They were fairly abundant, and only lack of time prevented the capture of a larger number. My identifi- cation has been confirmed, with his usual kindness, by Mr. E. A. Newbery. Nebria gyllenhalit Sch., swarmed in the same spot—G. B. Watsu, Middlesbrough. —! 0 :— LEPIDOPTERA. Abundance of Scoparia conspicualis.—Last August, my brother, Mr. J. A. Butterfield, shewed mea specimen of Scoparia conspicualis, which he had taken in Bolton Woods, and I may add that the species has been unusually abundant this year in this district. On a single tree trunk I counted about twenty individuals.—E. P. BUTTERFIELD, Bingley. —: 0 :— HYMENOPTERA. Sirex noctilio (= S. juvencus) is a rare insect in the Louth District. It is therefore of interest to record that on October 7th, while looking over a collection of natural history objects, made by the children of Rev. Geo. Hall, Ruckland Rectory, my attention was drawn to a male and a female, S. noctzlio, Naturalist, Notthern News. 443 which the children had recently caught in the Rectory grounds. —C. S. Carter, Louth. Sivex gigas has been not uncommon in South West York- shire, and elsewhere this vear, judging from the reports and specimens brought to me, but I have not seen noctzlio. S. juvencus is distinct from both species, but most, or all, of the old records of javencus refer to noctilio.—G. T. PORRITT. —:0:— MOLLUSCA. Milax sowerbyi in Grimsby.—When walking down Ainslie Street, Grimsby, about 10-30 a.m. on the 17th October, near a grass enclosure, I noticed a number of slime tracks on the pavement. From one of them I picked up a slug, which proved to be Milax sowerbyi. This species has not been previously recorded for the Grimsby District (Division 4).— Cy Sj CARTER, Louth: —:0 :— GEOLOGY. Plants from the Peat.—At a recent meeting of the Hull Geological Society it was announced by Mr. W. H. Crofts, that he had obtained a portion of a seed pod of the Iris (J. pseudo- corus) from the peat exposed during the excavations for the dock at Immingham, North Lincolnshire. At the same meet- ing Mr. J. F. Robinson exhibited a well-preserved seed-pod of the March Pea (Lathyris palustris) from the peat exposed during the construction of the New Dock at Hull.—T. 5. Shap Granite at Hull.—Mr. Pauley has presented to the Hull Museum a fine Boulder of Shap Granite obtained from the Boulder Clay exposed during the construction of the new Joint Dock at Hull, at a depth of 2oft. from the surface. It is sub-angular in shape, and measures 16 inches x 14% inches, and is 3 ft. 8ins. in greatest circumference.—T. 5S. gee A contemporary figures a ‘tame wild’ lizard! A certain natural history magazine is getting conscientious. We learn under ‘ Answers to correspondence’ that ‘No queries have been sent in so no veplies can be published |’ We learn from the report of the Committee of the British Association appointed to determine the precise signification of topographical and geological terms used locally in South Africa, that Poortje=a little poort. We don’t quite know what a ‘little poort’ is, unless it is what a geologist asks for when he is Gouph (pronounced ‘ cope ’) ‘a Bushman word, meaning as dry as can be.’ We notice that a Yorkshire geologist is the Chairman of this Committee. 5 ; 1909 Dec. 1. REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES. The Green Algae of North America is the title of an elaborate and care- fully compiled memoir by Mr. Frank Shipley Collins, issued by the Tufts College, Mass. It is illustrated by numerous plates, and is a very creditable piece of work. The Old Cottages of Snowdonia, by H. Hughes and H. L. North. Ban- gor: Jarvis & Foster. 75 pp., 3/6 net. Most visitors to north-west Wales must have been struck with the variety and beauty, yet simplicity, of the Welsh cottages. The authors of this book have the advantage of a knowledge of architecture, and are keen draftsmen, consequently their numerous sketches of exteriors and interiors, with details of doors, etc., as well as plans of the buildings, are of permanent value. Their descriptions are charmingly written, and it is clear that they areffaithful disciples of William Morris. Simplicity is the greatest lesson taught by the study of these cottages. The volume is in every way well produced. The Norfolk and Suffolk Coast, by W. A. Dutt. T. Fisher Unwin. 413 pp., 6/- net. This is one of ‘The County Coast Series,’ and is an admirable and charming guide to that exceptionally interesting coast between Kings Lynn and Ipswich. The author has the advantage of being personally familiar with the places about which he writes, which is an advantage ! His work amongst the pre-historic and later antiquities also enables him to speak with more accuracy than usual with regard to the various relics of the ancient country with which he deals. He also refers to coast erosion, local history, natural history-—in fact, practically everything than an educated visitor is likely to wish to know. The book is admir- ably illustrated, many of the views having been carefully selected ; these alone give quite a Dickensian tone to the volume. There is a good index, and the price is very reasonable. Old English Towns, by William Andrews. London: T. Werner Laurie. 238 pp., 6/- net. In this the late William Andrews has written an account of the principal features in connection with twenty-seven of the old towns of this country. The exigencies of space prevent more than a very meagre summary of the history of each place ; and the author has evidently given more prominence to ‘curious’ information than to a really sound and scholarly history of the places dealt with. He has also had no idea of proportion ; the account of an old miracle play at Hull (where the author lived) taking up almost as much space as that devoted to the entire history of Leeds—a city which “is certainly not an attractive place!’ The book, however, is probably not written for the serious student, but rather to help to pass a few hours in the hands of those who like to know a little of the past history of our country, and it will serve this purpose well. It is not too technical, and the illustrations are very well chosen and well reproduced. The Mineral Kingdom, by Dr. R. Brauns, translated, with additions, by L. J. Spencer. London: Williams & Norgate. It is a pleasure to draw the attention of geologists, collectors, teachers and others to this admirable publication, which is being issued in twenty- five parts at 2/- net each, seven of which have already reached us. We hope to refer to the work again on its completion, but in the meantime we can say that it is by far the finest of its kind on the market, and it is certainly the cheapest. The coloured illustrations of minerals, usually so difficult to reproduce with any degree of accuracy, are very fine, the colours and even the metallic tints being perfect. There are to be ninety-one of these plates in the complete work, which is 4to in size, and will have 440 pages, with nearly 300 illustrations in the text. The fact that large editions have already appeared in German, Russian, Italian and Bohemian, speaks well for its popularity, and English readers are to be congratulated that the work now being issued is in the capable hands of Mr. Spencer of the British Museum. Several British minerals are figured. ~ Naturalist Reviews and Book Notices. 445 Woz’ls, by J. Carlill. Hull: A. Brown & Sons. 118 pp., 1/- net. We learn that ‘ the contents of this book is copyright ’; nevertheless, it contains a number of exceedingly humorous and original stories in East Yorkshire dialect. They refer to aspects of village life, and each one has a moral. There is a useful glossary. The Origin of Vertebrates, by Walter Holbrook Gaskell. Longmans Green & Co. 537 pp., 21/- net. Amongst the wealth of literature now being produced under the head of ‘ Natural Science,’ there now and then appears a volume which is a distinct and original contribution to science, which contains the honest and detailed researches of a truly qualified writer, and one which, whether the whole of the theories therein propounded are accepted or not, takes a permanent and prominent place in the great structure of Truth, which all scientific workers are, or should be, helping to erect. Such a volume was Bower’s ‘ Origin of a Land Flora,’ recently noticed in these columns. And side by side with it, and occupying a similar position, is ‘ The Origin of Vertebrates,’ recently published. It is twenty years ago since Dr. Gaskell, as a result of his work in the physiological laboratory at Cam- bridge, produced the first of a lengthy series of papers dealing with this question, but these do not appear to have been either supported or con- demned ; in fact, criticism of the question seems to have been withheld. Dr. Gaskell therefore now brings forward his theory in a volume, and we trust that his honest and laudable desire, viz., that it shall be discussed and criticised, and any flaws in his arguments exposed, will be carried out. The matter, however, is not one which will be accepted or rejected in a short time. In the first place, the number of specialists who are qualified and able to deal with the matter fully, is not large. But unquestionably as time goes on, workers will consider the theory on its merits, and whilst we should not like to say that all Dr. Gaskell’s conclusions will be accepted, he will doubtless have the satisfaction of finding that his work is appre- ciated, and that he has most substantially contributed towards this fas- cinating and important subject. During his investigations, the author states that he could not help being struck by the force of the comparison between the central nervous systems of Vertebrata and Appendiculata as put forward again and again by the past generation-of comparative anatomists, and wondered why it had been discredited. There in the infundibulum was the old cesophagus, there in the cranial segmental nerves the infracesophageal ganglia, there in the cerebral hemispheres and optic and olfactory nerves the supra- cesophageal ganglia, there in the spinal cord the ventral chain of ganglia. But if the infundibulum was the old cesophagus, what then? The old cesophagus was continuous with and led into the cephalic stomach. What about the infundibulum ? It was continuous with and led into the ventricles of the brain, and the whole thing became clear. The ventricles of the brain were the old cephalic stomach, and the canal of the spinal cord the long straight intestine which led originally to the anus, and still} in the vertebrate embryo opens out into the anus. Not having been edu- cated in a morphological laboratory, and taught that the one organ which is homologous throughout the animal kingdom is the gut, and that therefore the gut of the invertebrate ancestor must continue on as the gut of the vertebrate, the conception that the central nervous system has grown round and enclosed the original ancestral gut, and that the vertebrate has formed a new gut did not seem to him so impossible as to prevent his taking it as a working hypothesis, and seeing to what it would lead. From this the author takes us on, step by step; each chapter being remarkably clear, and as it is followed by a concise summary, it is possible to easily grasp his meaning. His concluding remarks are :—‘ Throughout, from the dawn of animal life up to the present day, the evidence given in this book suggests that the same law has always held. In all cases, upward progress is associated with a development of the central nervous system. The law for the whole animal kingdom is the same as for the individual. Success in this world depends upon brains.”’ ’ 1909 Dec. 1. 440 Northern News. Mr. Alexander Ramsey perseveres with his § Seientifie Roll and Magazine of Systematised Notes’ (Bacteria), No. 24 of Vol. II. of which has recently been published. ‘The Scientific Roll’ is a classified bibliography as elaborate as that being conducted by the Royal Society, as detailed as that of the ‘ Conciltum Bibliographicum ’ of Switzerland, and in bulk (so far as its MS. condition is concerned) greater than that of the 9th and roth editions of the ‘ Encyclopedia Britannica.’ In part 35 of Cassell’s excellent Nature Book a writer on ‘ Fossils and their Story’ is evidently more familiar with his camera than his hammer. His first illustration is of Gryphea [sic.] incurva, ‘ shewing operculum,’ there is a ‘ fossil sponge in flint chalk’; a Gault Ammonite figured as “fossil Nautilus’; he cannot spell Hugh Miller’s name correctly ; Stroph- omena is ‘a Brachiopod Shell Fish’; and Lias Limestone with gryphceas is called ‘ gryphite’ limestone. As photographs, his illustrations are excellent. The Home-life of a Golden Eagle. By H. B. Macpherson. London: Witherby & Co. 44 pp. and plates. 2/6 net. Messrs. Witherby & Co. know how to produce an attractive book, and the reproductions of the thirty-two photographs by Mr. Macpherson, mounted on tinted paper with wide margins, certainly are all that can be desired. Judging from the plates, the author might almost have lived in a hut within a couple of yards of the eyrie, and taken repeated snap-shots from the time the eggs were laid to the flight of the young bird. We never remember seeing a more complete series of photographs of bird life—-they are truly remarkable. How they were secured can be ascertained by reading the pages of letterpress. In common with most bird-photographers, Mr. Macpherson gives accounts of his dangers and escapes from death. They all escape. Studies in Fossil Botany, by Dr. Dukinfield H. Seott. Second Edition. Adam and Charles Black. 1909, 683 pp., 10/6 net. Some years since at an important conference, one of the members was missing, and was not seen for a whole day and night. The next morning it transpired that he had received Dr. Scott’s ‘ Studies in Fossil Botany,’ and had locked himself in his room in order that he might not be lured away from it. That was eight or nine years ago, and since then a whole army of workers has been contributing much useful information relating to the structure and affinities of fossil plants. Dr. Scott’s ‘ Studies’ were founded on a series of lectures delivered at the University College, London, and in their present form they embody all the discoveries since made. They are essentially concerned with the morphological and evolutionary aspects of Fossil Botany, in connection with the study of which such great strides have been made in recent years. Dr. Scott’s essays are illustrated by over two hundred blocks from micro-photographs and drawings ; some of the latter being by Mrs. Scott. Students of this fascinating branch of paleontology are fortunate in having one so capable as Dr. Scott to present the views of recent investigations in such a readable and scholarly form. There is an excellent index, and the price of the book is very reasonable. ae We regret to learn of the death of J. Ogden, the President of the Oven- den Naturalists’ Society. The report of the excursion of the Yorkshire Geological Society to Lincolnshire, which appeared in the Yorkshire Observer has been re- printed locally. At the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain in the New Gallery, Regent Street, W., the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was strongly represented, the following members having had pictures accepted and hung in the Scientific Section :—R. Fortune, 5; T. Roose, 4; G. A. Booth, 3; W. Wilson, 2; J. Atkinson, 1; Digby Led- gard, 1. As about five times the number accepted are rejected each year, these gentlemen are to be congratulated upon their success. Naturalist, 447 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. The Annual Report of the Huddersfield Natural History and Photo- graphic Society (1909. 8pp.), 1ontains arecord of the year’s work, together with brief natural history records by C. Mosley (Lepidoptera) ; E. Fisher (Ornithology); W. E. L. Wattan (Botany); and T. W. Woodhead (Geology). From the librarians’ report we learn that nine books were not returned as per rule. We have received the ‘ Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society List of Members, 1909, and Annual Report for the year 1908’ (Coventry, 48 pp). This is a useful record of the Society’s fiftieth year’s work, and of the work of its various sections. ‘{Expenses attending dinner in celebration of Fiftieth Anniversary, £9 5s. td.’ would seem to indicate that ‘ attending dinner ’ is rather a serious matter in Birmingham ! The Transacitons of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club (Vol. XIV. pt. 1) contains a valuable series of papers on Hert- fordshire geology, archeology and natural history. The late Sir John Evans describes some paleolithic implements ; Mr. Kidner has a paper on the Chalk, and there are articles on birds, insect and fungus peats, lepidop- tera, soils, etc. ; and the editor, Mr. John Hopkinson, has an exhaustive meteorological report. Of particular interest to northern naturalists is Canon Norman’s Presidential Address on ‘The Celtic Province: its Extent and its Marine Fauna.’ The Editor is to be congratulated upon the excellent list of contributors. We notice the new President is a York- shireman, Mr. George Lamplugh, F.R.S. The Bradford Antiquary, N.S., part 13. 1909. 2/6 net. Bradford people are proverbially religious, and we naturally expect to find (and are seldom disappointed), papers dealing with old churches, chapels and parsons in antiquarian publications emanating from Bradford. The ‘ Bradford Antiquary’ is no exception, but in addition there are interesting articles on old Bradford and old Shipley maps, a Bradford artist (a Hull man!), place names, Cheldis, Clapham, and the Bradford Manor Court Rolls, etc. There is also an appreciative notice of the late Charles A. Federer. The contributors are Messrs. H. Speight, L. Dawson, J. A. Clapham, T. T. Empsall, H. E. Wroot, W. Scruton, B. Wood, W. E. Preston, J. H. Rowe (Editor), and Miss Tempest. This interesting publica- tion also contains the first part of a Transcript of the Marriage Register of Bradford. Transactions of the Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club, Vol. IV., Part II., 1909 (pp. 55-114; plates IJ.-IX.). Price 2/-. This Society continues to give proof of its vitality in both the charac- teristics connoted in its title. This, the latest issue of its Transactions, covers the years 1907 and 1908. It is in no way inferior to the earlier numbers, and in common with them is notable for the wide field covered by the observations it records, and especially so for those in departments of Natural History which are rarely taken up by members of Natural History Societies. Articles on Paleontology, Geology, Botany, Arachnida, Mollusca, and Diatomaceze, compete for special mention, and all deserve it. Some of them have seen the light, or been noticed in ‘ The Naturalist ’ previously. They are none the less welcome in this collected form, show- ing, as they do, the sum of work done in a restricted area, partly in Yorkshire and partly in Lincolnshire. Different tastes are all catered for. The Naturalist will view with pleased surprise the excellent list of East Riding Arachnida, compiled, and for the most part collected, by Mr. Stainforth. The reader with Antiquarian or more general tastes, will be attracted to the excellent series of seven plates with full descriptive letterpress by Mr. Sheppard, of a collection of Roman and other antiquities found at South Ferriby. Those:of a literary or poetic turn will be gratified to find a beautiful ‘In Memoriam’ sonnet over the well-known initials, ‘E. L.’ Emphatically a publication which entitles the members of the Hull Society to feel satisfied that real work is being done under its auspices, and should stir up other Societies to emulate the example it Sets. Garis. 1909 Dec. 1. 448 NEWS FROM THE MAGAZINES. The Belfast Museum Publication, No. 19, is ‘ A Catalogue of Spinning Wheels and Accessories ’ (illustrated and sold at one penny). A remarkable photograph of a “ Skull of the great Irish Deer’ appears on page 17 of the useful Quarterly Notes No. 14.’ issued by the Belfast - Museum. It is the first skull we have seen that has a distinct hybernian expression. Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger points out (Jvish Naturalist, November), that a specimen of Spivanthes gemmipara recorded in a natural history weekly, and, of course ‘|properly identified.—E.K.R.]’ turns out to be not a new record, but Epipactis palustris ! In the Bradford Scientific Journal for October, there are many interest- ing notes. Mr. Cuthbert Hastings describes ‘Gaping Ghyll’; Miss M. A. Johnstone writes on ‘ A Fossil Stump’; Mr. H. B. Booth describes “the Summer Migrants’; and Mr. F. A. Lees writes on © The Lees Her- barium and Library at Bradford.’ he Ivish Naturalist gives the following sample from one of Uncle Westell’s books :—‘ Creatures who are famous for their hunting powers, creatures who, possessing sharp teeth and sharp claws (known as the law or correlation, and for information upon which we are very largely indebted to the French Naturalist, Curvier), live by means of stalking and tearing to pieces their prey.’ Mr. G. T. Porritt records that of the only two specimens of Abraxas varlevata he bred this year, the produce of seven hundred collected pupe, one has both the left-side wings male, 7.e., with the usual white rays characteristic of the sex, but the right-side wings female, 7.e., without white rays, as is usual in that sex. Apparently it is a gynandrous speci- men. (Entomologist, October). British Biyds for November contains an account of its scheme of marking birds by means of numbered rings. During the year, 4750 rings have been issued, 2200 of which have been used. Of these, some thirteen seem to have been recovered, nearly all near the places where the birds were ringed ; one being found ‘ dead in nest,’ so had not got far. Probably better results will be reported next year. Mr. Cuthbert Hastings has been pot-holing, and gives his experiences in a contemporary. On Great Shunner Fell, he was told of a pot hole that had no bottom, and another near by was still deeper. Investigation shewed that the deepest was under twenty-three feet. He went to investigate a cave near Grassington, which a dalesman assured him he had followed for a very long distance, and that a friend of his had gone much further. Inves- tigation shewed that the actual distance that could be followed was five yeards {sic.]. We learn that a Yorkshire Anglers’ Club has started pot- holing. Mr. Edward Mitford of Hunmanby Vicarage, in The Field, Nov. 6th, records the shooting of a specimen of the Glossy Ibis at Hunmanby on Oct. 15th. The plumage of the head and neck indicates an immature bird. The measurement between the tips of the outstretched wings is little over 3 ft. There were two others observed at the same time, one of which was seen again. Mr. F. Boyes writes in the same journal for Nov. 13th, that he has reason to believe a Glossy Ibis frequented for a few days a wet pasture field near their river. The description was given by to him by a shooter, a reliable man, who knows most birds which frequent the river side. Naturalist 449 Ci aoolth re Pe VN DEX: COMPILED BY W. EL. WATIAM: It is not an index in the strictest sense of that term, but it is a classified summary of the contents of the volume, arranged so as to be of assistance to active scientific investigators, the actual titles of papers not always being regarded so much as the essential nature of their contents. CONTRIBUTORS: Alexander, W. B., 342. Armitt, Mary L., 38 Armstrong, A. Leslie, P.A.S.1., 89-92 baler ss GapHeR=S-, | GkC-5170, 3425 3771 Barraclough, W., 30 Bayford, E. G., F.E.S., 108-110, 362- 363, 393-394 Bevan, D. W., 270 Blackburn, Rev. E. P., 60 Booth, F., 113, 125-126, 204 Booth, H. B., M.B.0.U., 31, 55-57, 78- 79, 294, 301-302. Brown, James M., B.Sc., 105-108. Burton, F. M., F.G.S., F.L.S., 93-96, 146- 148, 268, 322, 340-341 Burton, J. J., F.L.S., F-G.S., 390-311 Butterfield, E. P., 442 Carter, ©: S), 280; 321, 344, 363-364, 442, 443 Santer), ES.) Liss, 322.0941 Cheetham, C. A., 144-145 Clague, Douglas, 112 Cooke; M. ©. rrp: etc!, 389-392, 412- 414 ‘Corbett, H. H., M.R.c.S., 270, 441-442 Craven, H. E., 203 Crook, Stanley, 398 Crossland, C., F.L.s., 21-27, 178-182, 203, 220-223, 320, 415-422 Crowther, J. E., 395-397 Cryer, John, 143-144, 278 ‘Culpin, H., 279-280 Dean, J. Davy, 314-319, 354-359, 378- 381, 435-437 DrakeriaG.. G.S., 196 Druce, G. Claridge, M.A., F.L.S., 97-99 Dwerryhouse, Arthur R., D.SC., F.G.S., 58-60 1909 Dec. I. Falconer, Wm., 295-298, 332-333, 394- 395 Fawcett, J. W., 441 Fortune, Riley, F.Z.S., 54, I1I-I12, 203, 234, 268, 294, 321, 344, 361, 372, 308 Honest. Heh 26m Foster, H. M., 268 Fowler, W., 225 Friend, Rev. Hilderic, 425-429 Garstang, Prof. W., M.A., D.SC., 403-407 George, C. F., M.R.c.S., 87-88, 194-195, 281-282, 423-424. Gibb, Mrs. E. Hughes, 385-388, 408-411 Grabham, Oxley, M.A., M.B.O.U., 307- 308, 361-362 Hey, Rev. W. C., M.A., 53-54, 80, 142, 204-20 Hind, Dr. Wheelton, F.R.C.S., F.G.S., 149 -156, 163-170, 228-229, 245-251 Moles, 208 Isto, ILy 1B, BO Hull, Rev. J. E., 283-286 Ingham, Wm., B.A., 270, 346-348 Keegan, P. Q., LL.D., 101-105, 430-434 iNendally Rev. (C2 E. Yo, Bex. 314-3i0, 354-359, 378-381, 435-437 Lane, Rev. George J., F.G.S., 81-82 Lee, P. Fox, 313, 349-359, 393 Lees, F. Arnold, M.R.C.S., 99-100, 350- 3! Mason, G. W., 303 Massee, G., F.L.S., 28-29, 235-238 McDonald, James E., 199-202, 252-256 Morley, B., 17-20, 203-204 Moss, (C; Es DISG:, mn3-1m4! 450 Classified Index. CONTRIBUTORS—continued. Musham, John F., F.E.S., 44, 303 Parkin, W. H., 269 Parsons, E. A., 438-440 Patten, C: J., M.A., M.D.; SC:D:, 40-52, 83-86, 275-277 Peacock (REV. > AGW ests: aG.S) 39-44, 171-174, 257-259 IRS SE IL. 303) Philip, R. H., 376-377 Porritt, G. T., F.L.S., F.G.S., 57, 239-240, | 399, 443 Quintin, W.-H. St., J.P., 5.2... 38, 212- 213 Rankin, W. Munn, M.SC., B.SC., 314-319 | 354-359, 378-381, 435-437 Roebuck, W. Denison, F.L.S., 60-61 Saunders, T. W., 81-82 Sheppard, Thos., F.G.S., F.S.A. (Scot.), | etce., 6-7, 8-10, 45-48, 123-124, 213, | 225, 232-234, 293-294, 299-302, 309- | 313, 345-348, 360, 393-397, 443 smith, W. G., PH.D., B:SC., 312 Snelgrove, E., B.A., 132-133. Stainforth, T., 233-234, 352-353, 438- 440 Steavenson, Rev. R., 344 Stephenson, Thomas, 398, 441 Taylor, John W., 364 Thompson, C., B.sc.,; 214-219 Thompson, J., 38 Thompson, M. L., F.E.s., 311 Turner, J., 300-301 Turney, H. B., 269-270 Wade, E. W., M.B.0.U., I1-16, 373-375 Walker, Herbert, 344 Walsh, G. B., B.sc., 442 Walter, Rev. J. Conway, 111, 234, 321 Wattam, W. E. L., 64 West, G. S., M.A, DISC., FE SsaurL5nees 134-141, 186-193, 260-267, 287-292, 3237331 : West, Wim, F:L.S., 115-122) sieqomeme 186-193, 260-267, 287-292, 321, 323- 331- Whitaker, Arthur, 71-77 Wilson, Walter, 54, 131 Winter \Wielss4a Woods, Rev. F. H., B.D., 311-312 BOOK NOTICES. ALG. The Green Alge of North America, 444 ARACHNIDA. Cambridge Natural History—Crus- tacea and Arachnids, 337 BirpDs. Boaraston, J. Maclair—British Birds and their Eggs, 92 Grant, Ogilvie, W. R.—Report on the Immigrations of Summer Residents in the Spring of 1907, etc., 31 Hermann, O. and Owen, J. A., Birds Useful and Birds Harmful, 375 Johns, Rev. C. A.—British Birds in their Haunts, 259 Lodge, R. B.—Bird-Hunting through Wild Europe, 124 Macpherson H.B.—The Home Life of a Golden Eagle, 446 Pike, Oliver, G., F.z.s.—Behind the Veil in Birdland, 145 Verner, Willoughby—My Life Among the Wild Birds in Spain, 306 Vos., G. H.—Birds and their Nests and Eggs, 304 COLEOPTERA. Hofmann, Dr. E.—The Young Beetle- Collector's Handbook, 271 Sharp, W. E., F.E.s.—The Coleoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire,. 108-110: CRUSTACEA. Cambridge Natural History—Crus- tacea and Arachnids, 337 DIATOMS. Peragallo, M. M. H. et M.—Diatomeées. Marines de France, 129-130 DESMIDs. West, W., F.L.s., and West, G. S., M:A.,, F.L.S., A.R.C.S..—A Monograph of the British Desmidiacee, Vol. III. (Ray Society), 159 EVOLUTION. Bateson, W.-—Mendel’s Principles of Heredity, 22 Bolsche, Prof. W.—Haeckel: His Life and Work, 227 Depéret, Charles—-The Transforma- tions of the Animal World,, 226-227 Dewar, D., and Finn, F.—The Making of Species, 382 Headley, F. W.—Life and Evolution,. 226 Naturalist,, Classified Index. 451 BOOK NOTICES—continued. McCabe, Joseph—Evolution or General Sketch from Nebula to Man, 365 Seward, Prof. A. C.—Darwin and Modern Science, 226 Wasmann, E.—The Berlin Discussion of the Problem of Evolution, 382 FLOWERING PLANTS. Brotherston, R. P.—Stocks, 183 Catalogue of the Lees Botanical Collec- tion at Bradford, 304 Cavers, F., D.sc.—Life Histories of Common Plants, 183 Cooper, C. S. and Westell, W. P.— Trees and Shrubs of the British Isles 159 Groom, Dr. P.—Trees and their Life Histories, 185. Henslow, Prof. G., M.A., F.L.S.—The Heredity of Acquired Characters in Plants, 184 Hulmes, F. E.—Familiar Wild Flowers, 185 Hulmes, F. E.—Familiar Swiss Flowers 185 Iggulden, W.—Tomatoes, 183 Margerison, S.—The Vegetation of some Disused Quarries, 366-367 Praegar, R. Lloyd—A Tourist’s Flora of the West of Ireland, 336 Stevens, W. J.—-Lawns, 183 Ward, John J.—Life Histories of Familiar Plants, 183-184 Ward, H. Marshall—Trees: A Hand- book of Forest Botany, etc., 336 Wright, Walter, F.R.H.s.—Asters, 183 FUNGI. Smith, Worthington George—Synopsis of the British Basidiomycetes, 183 GEOLOGY. Arber, E. A. N.—Fossil Plants, 271 Bather, Dr. F. A.—Visit to the Paleontological Exhibit in the Science Hall, Franco-British Exhibition, 185 Bather, Dr. F. A.—The Preparation and Preservation of Fossils, 185 Bather, Dr. F. A.—Nathorst’s Methods of Studying Cutinised Portions of Fossil Plants, 185. Brauns, Dr. R.—The Mineral Kingdom Browne, A. J. Jukes—Genera of Veneride in Cretaceous and Older Tertary Deposits, 185 British Museum Guide to Museum of Practical Geology, 284 1909 Dec. 1. Fox-Strangways, C.—Geology of the Country North and East of Harro- gate, 4 Gibson, Walcot, D.sc., ¥F.G.s.—The Geology of Coal and Coal-Mining, 62 Grew, E. C.—The Romance of Modern Geology, 96 Gwinnell, R. F.—A Hill Country, too Harker, Alfred, M.A., ¥F.R.S.—The Natural History of Igneous Rocks, 271 Hang, Emile—-Traite de Geologie, 20 Hatch, F. H.—Text-book of Petrology, 424 Joly, Prof. J.—Radioactivity Geology, 424 Lewis, W. J.—The Pleistocene Verte- brates of South East England, 185 London Geological Society, Centenary of, 195 Newton, R. Bullen—Fossil Pearl Growths, 185 Newton, R. Bullen—Relics of Colora- tion in Fossil Shells, 185 Scott, W. B., PH.D., LL.D.—An Intro- duction to Geology, 63 Smith, Rev. F.—The Stone Ages in North Britain and Ireland, 224-225 Symons, B.—Genesis of Metallic Ores and of the Rocks which enclose them, 61, 62 Wedd, C. B. and Drabble, G. C.—The Fluorspar Deposits of Derbyshire, 18 Weeds, Henry, M.A.—Paleontology, Invertebrate, 411 Wright, Fredk., D.D., LL.D.—Scientific Confirmations of Old Testament History, 63 MAMMALIA. Gaskell, W. H.—The Origin of Verte- brates, and LEPIDOPTERA. Gillanders, A. T., F.E.S.—Forest Ento- mology. Pierce, F. N., F.E.S.—The Genitalia of the Noctuide, 239-240 Stubbs, L. P.—Consider the Butterflies how they grow, 375 South, Richard, F.£.s.—The Moths ot the British Isles, 57 Thomas, Edward—bBritish Butterflies and other Insects, 145 MAMMALS. British Museum Guide to Whales, Porpoises and Dolphins, 304 452 Classified Index. BOOK NOTICES —continued. Buckland, Frank—Notes and Jottings from Animal Life, 271 Duckworth, Dr. W. L. H.—The Com- parative Osteology of Man and the Higher Apes, 195 Gaskell, W. H.—The Origin of Verte- brates Groser, Horace G.—The New Book of Animals, 57 Jacks, T. C: and E. €.—Wild Beasts of the World, 127, 271 Renshaw, Graham, M.B., Animal Romances, 114 SoS Mosses AND HEPATICS. Fry, Sir Edward—-British Mosses, 20 Wallace, Alfred R., 0.M., F.R.S.—Notes of a Botanist (Richard Spruce) on the Amazon and Andes, 45-48 MUSEUMS. British Museum Guides—Races of Mankind, 27 British Museum Geology, 286 British Museum Guides—-Whales Por- poises and Dolphins, 304 Colchester Museum, Publications of, 256 Canines National Museum, Guide to, 29 Halifax Museum, Handbook of, 197 Horniman Museum, Publications of, 256 Hult Museum, Publications of (Nos. 53, 54, 56, 57, and 58), 207; (Nos. 59, 60, and 61), 359 Ipswich Museum, Annual Report of, 32 Keighley Museum, Pamphlets of, 197, 250 Tincole Museum, Publications of, 107 Maidstone Museum, Handbook of, 364 Middlesborough Museum, Guide to, 256 Museum Geographical Label, 37 Natal Government Museum, Annals of, 68 Nocwich Museum Association, ceedings of 1907, I Perthshire Natural History Museum, Report of, 1908-9, 334 South African Museum, Wolk WANK, IPE INS adeye Warrington Museum, Publications of, 250 Waterloo Museum, Liverpool, Publica- tion of, I10. Guides— Practical Pro- Annals of, PAL#0-BoTANY. Arber, E. A. M.—Fossil Plants, 271 Scott, Dr. H. D.—Studies in Fossil Botany. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. Polaris: the Earth in relation to the Universe, seen and unseen, 407 Woodward, H. B., F.R.S., ¥F.G.S.— Standford’s Geological Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland, 61 SCIENTIFIC History. Andrews, Wm.—Old English Towns, Bellamy, F. A.—A Historical Account of the Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire, 1880-1905, 206 Benson, C. E.—British Mountaineer- ing, 367 Bogg, Edmund—Richmondshire: its History and Natural History, 157- 158 Bradford Antiquary, 334, 447 Brockbank, J. L. and Holmes, W. L.— York in English History, 397 Bradford Scientific Journal, 177 Chambers, W.—The Story of Dum- barton Castle, 383 Cambridge University—Darwin Cele- bration Works, 242 Collingwood, W. G., M.A., Scandinavian Britain, 100 Conwentz, H.—The care of Natural Monuments, 162 Cresswell, Alfred—Records of Meteoro- logical Observations, 159 Darwin, Charles—Memorials of, 429 Darwin, Wallace Celebration, 195 Dunston, G.—The Rivers of Axholme, PS. A. 434 Dutt, W. A.—The Norfolk and Suffolk Coast, Farmer, Prof. J. B.—The Book of Nature Study, 124 Fishwick, Lt.-Col. and Ditchfield, Rev. P. H.—Memorials of Old Lancashire, 3}3}3} Galton, Francis, F.R.s., etc.—Memories of my Life, 241-242 Hand, C. H.—Liverpool Castle and its Builders, 397 Horner, D. W.—Observations Forecasting the Weather, 365 Hughes, H., and North, H. L.—The Old Cottages of Snowdonia, and " Naturalist, Classified Index. 453 BOOK NOTICES—continued. Johnson, W.—Folk Memory, 365 Lancashire Naturalist, 198 Ramsay, W., and Lanciani, R.—A Manual of Roman Antiquities, 434 Rawnsley, Rev. H. D.—Round the Lake Country, 360 Ridgeways, Prof. W.—Who were the Romans ? 162 Smith, Geoffrey—A Naturalist in Tas- mania, 251 Travis-Cook, J.—Notes on the Origin of Kingston-upon-Hull, 422 West Riding County Council Vacation Course Handbook, 365 Woolwich and West Kent, a Survey and Record of, 244 SOCIETIES’ REPORTS. Bootham School (York) Natural His- tory Society, Annual Report of, 177 Bradford Natural History and Micro- scopical Society, Recorders’ Report, 1908, 175 Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society, Annual Re- port, 1908, 447 Carlisle Natural History Society, Trans. of, 1909, 334 Cleveland Naturalists’ Field Club, Proceedings of, 1907-8, 313 Derbyshire Archeological and Natural History Society, Journal of, 1909, 175 Derwent, Vale of, Naturalists’ Field Club, Transactions of 1908, 157 East Riding Antiquarian Society, Transactions of, Vol. XV., 334 Glasgow Geological Society, History of, 411 Goole Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Society, Transactions of, Vol. I., 384 Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club, Vol. XIV., 447 Huddersfield Naturalist and Photo- graphic Society, Annual Report, 1907-8, 32 ; for 1909, 447 Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, Proceedings of, 335 Leeds Geological Association, Tran- sactions of, 1905-8, 175-176 Leicestershire Literary and _ Philo- sophical Society, Trans. of, Vol. Pelli Pant li 334 Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union, Tran- sactions of, 1907, 126-127; Tran- sactions of, 1908, 335 Liverpool Biological Society, Tran- sactions of, 1907-8, 2-3 1909 Dec. 1. Liverpool Botanical Society, Tran- sactions of, Vol. I., 384 Liverpool Geological Society, Proceed- ings of, 1907-8, 36-37 Liverpool Naturalists’ Field Club, Proceedings of, 1908, 175 Manchester Field Naturalists’ and Archeologists’ Society, Proceedings of, 1908, 313 Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, Proceedings of, Vol. LIII., Paria lise7 National Trust, Report of, 407 Northumberland, Durham and New- castle-on-Tyne Natural History Society, Transactions of, 1908, 31 North Staffordshire Field Club, Tran- sactions of, 1908-9, 313 Nottingham Naturalists’ Society, Tran- sactions of, 1908, 177 Paleontographical Society, tions for 1908, 33 Rochdale Literary and Scientific Society, Transactions of, 1905-1908, GT Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society, Annual Report, 1908, 177 Scarborough Philosophical and Arch- ological Society, Annual Report, 1908, 177 Scotland, West, Marine Biological Association, Annual Report of, 371 South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, Transactions for 1908, 33 Torquay Natural History Society, Journal of, Vol. I., 371 Viking Club, Transactions of, Vol. VI., 305 Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, Annual Report of, 177 Yorkshire Geological Society, Proceed- ings of, 1908, 176-177. Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Tran- sactions of, Part XXXIV., 384 Yorkshire Philosophical Society, Pro- ceedings of, 1908, 320 Transac- VERMES. Annelids, The British, Vol. II., Part I. (Ray Society’s Publications), 35-36 MISCELLANEOUS. Allen, John—-Guide to Towneley Hall, Burnley, 286 Biddlecombe, A.—Thoughts on Natural Philosophy and the Origin of Life, 339 “Book Auction Records,’ 219 454 Classified Index. BOOK NOTICES—continued. Books of Nature Study, 383 Carlill, J—Woz'ls, 445 Clarke, W. G.—Guide to the Town of Brandon, 10 Crawford, J. H.—Nature, 375 Country Home, 57 Gadow, Hans, F.R.S.—Through Southern Mexico, 206 Haddon, Prof. A. C.—Races of Man and their Distribution, 365 Hazell’s Annual, 1909, 10 Jefferies, Richard—Wild Life in a Southern Country, 27 Jefferies, Richard—Nature near Lon- don, 96 Lankester, Sir E. Ray, K.C.B., F.R.S.— From an Easy Chair, 195 Leighton, Gerald—The Greatest Life, 367-368 London, Jack—Before Adam, 367 Orkney and Shetland Old Lore—158 Pigott, Sir Digby, c.s.—The Change- ling, 10 Roth, H. Ling—The Discovery and Settlement of Port Mackay, Queens- land, 343 Scherren, Hy., F.z.s.—Popular Natural History of the Lower Animals (Invertebrate), 80 Shelley,, H. C.—Gilbert White and Selborne, 368 Thomas, Edward—Richard Jefferies: His Life and Work, 158 Walter, Rev. James Conway tory of Horncastle, 77 Wallace, Alfred R., 0.M., F.R.S.—Notes of a Botanist (Richard Spruce), on the Amazon and Andes, 45-48 Wallace, “Alired) ak’ Wiy," ite sees Record of Events and Opinions, 86 Westell, W. P.—The Young Naturalist, A His- 348 White’s Natural History of Selborne, Selections from, 158 Wilson, Dr. Andrew—Physiology of the Human Body, 365 Wright, J. C.—Saint Gilbert, the Story of Gilbert White and Selborne, 92 Writers’ and Artists’ Year Book, 1909, 127 ILLUSTRATIONS: ALGAE: PHYTOPLANKTON. Phytoplankton of the English Lake IDigidinlerr, IE We We, WIL Rhizosolenia morosa, 187 ; Chart of six most abundant. Constituents of the Windermere Plankton, 194 ; Peridinium Willei Huitfeldt-Kaas, 265; Figures of other Species, 288, 291, 323, 324 ARACHNIDA., Cnephalocotes incurvatus Camb. 9Q, figures of parts of, 283 Cornicularia kochii Camb., Plate XVII. 332 Johnstoniana errans, 282 Lophocarenum nemorale Bl. 9 epigyne only, 283 Lophocarenum parallelum Bl. @ epigyne only, 283 Ottonia bullata, Plate IV. conifera, Plate X. - evansii, Plate X. 5 ramosa, Plate IV. <7 valga, Plate XVIII. clavata, Plate XVIII. BrirpbDs. ” 9 Crow, The, 69 Linnet, showing tragic death of, 234 Oystercatcher, Nest and Eggs of at Spurn, 307 Oystercatcher, on Nest at Spurn, 308 Pratincole, Nordmann’s (Glareola mel- anoptera), 372 Swift, Mummified, 112 Thrush, Song, Dimorphism in Eggs of, 275 CRUSTACE. Eryon (Coleia) cf. antiquus Broderip, 8 DIATOMS. Stauronella constricta Ehr (Mer). Syn. Amphiprora constricta Ehr. Stau- roneis amphoroides Grun., 376 FLOWERING PLANTS. Allium ursinum (Wood Garlic), Plate XI. ; stages of germination of, 201- 202; 252-255 Crocus, The, 69 Holly, Common, Phyllotaxy of, 386 Pittosporium undulatum, Phyllotaxy of, 386 Spruce Cone numbered so as to show secondary spirals, 388, 408, 410 FUNGI. Amanita phalloides Fr. Plate I. Thielavia basicola Zopf, 235 Naturalist, Classified Index. 455 ILLUSTRATIONS—continued. GEOLOGICAL, ETc. Am. serpentinus, Reinecke’s original figure of, Plate XIII. Am. falcifer, Sow. sp., Plate XIV. Am. strangwaysi, Sow. sp., Am. mulgravius (of Collectors), XIV. Flint Axe-head found at Flamborough, 207 Glossopteris browniana Brongt., 62 Hammer-Heads, Stone, found in East Yorks., Plate XViE Harpoceras mulgravium, Plate XV. Plate Plate Hildoceras serpentinum (Rein. sp.), Plate XIV. : Rock, Grooved, Sedbergh, looking West, 369 Sowerby’s, H. C.—First Geological Slides, 176 Strata at Kettleness, Yorks., Diagrams of, 310 SPECIES AND VARIETIES N HYMENOPTERA. Ant Solitary, 211 Hornets, Male, Queen and Worker, 34 MAMMALIA. Bat, Greater Horse-shoe (R. ferrum- equinum), Plate IT. Bats, British, Plate III. PREHISTORIC ARCHZOLOGY. Hammer-Heads, Stone, found in East Yorks., Plate XVI. PoRTRAITS, VIEWS AND GROUPS. “Climmers,’ 209 Hey, Rev. W. C, Plate XII. Hudleston, W. ee F.R.S., Plate VIII. Market Weighton Canal, 232 Lomas, Joseph, F.G.S., 58 Marr, Harry, 373 Museum Geographical Distribution Map, 37 EW TO BRITAIN BROUGHT BE Ges yicuCae FORWARD IN THIS VOLUME. ARACHNIDA. Erigone spinosa Camb. found on Saltend Common, near Hull, noted 67; Male of Cornicularia Kochi Camb., with plate, found on coast between South Ferriby and Barton- on-Humber, Wm. Falconer, 295-298, 332-333 COLEOPTERA. Homalium brevicolle Thoms, captured at Great Salkeld, noted, 308 FLOWERING PLANTS. Notes on Montia lamprosperma Chamisso detected in _ leaf-bed deposits, Orobanche procera Koch (a form of reticulata, Wallroth, found at. -Dhomer, “West Yorks: sand Arenaria stellaroides Willd found at Halifax, Elland and Mirfield, F. A. Lees, 99-100; Further Note on Orobanche reticulata Wallroth, form procera (Koch), H. E. Craven, 203; Agrostis retro-pacta Willd. on Bradford Waste Heap, J. Cryer, 278 FUNGI. Tricholoma carneolum, Pholiota sororia and Inocybe commixta, found during Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Foray in Mulgrave Woods, 1908, C. Cross- land, 23, with full descriptions, 179. Bovistella paludosa Lev., Nolanea minuta Karst, and Tapesia retincola (Rabh.) Karst, with full descriptions, C. Crossland, 178-180; Cercospora calendula Sacc., Acremoniella atra Sacc., Hormodendron horde Zoph, and variety rigens of Pluteus cervinus recorded at Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Fungus Foray at Castle Howard, C. Crossland, 419 SPECIES, AND (VAKIERIDS NEW. TO).SCIENCE DESCRIBED IN ALGAE. Phytoplankton Dinobryon crenu- latum, with figures, W. West and G. S. West, 323-325 ARACHNIDA. Ischnothyreus velox Jackson, found at 1909 Dec. 1, TAS VOLUME: Alnwick, Northumberland, and at Chester, noted, 67; British Earth- mites—Trombidiida— Description of Ottonia ramosa, with plate, C. F. George, 87-88; Description of Ottonia evansii, with plate, C. F. George, 194-195 Classified Index. SPECIES AND VARIETIES NEW TO SCIENCE—continued. 450 FLOWERING PLANTS. Discovery of Carex sylvatica var. capillariformis at Heybeck, near Woodkirk, P. F. Lee, 349-350; Further note and full description of same Sedge, F. A. Lees, 350-351 FUNGI. Coprinus cheesmani found in South Africa, noted, 161 Coprinus cordisporus Gibbs, further note, C. Crossland, 178 Flammula carnosa Massee at Castle Howard, C. Crossland, 419 MOoLiusca. Notes on Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov. found in Rhetic Bone Bed, Aust Cliff, 369-370 NOTES AND COMMENTS. January.—Lincolnshire Naturalists— Dr. W. E. Hoyle—Norwich Museum Association—Museum Conference at Rochdale—Liverpool _— Biologists— ‘Cancer ’—‘ Granny’ Crabs—Cum- berland Intrusive Rocks—Eskdale and Wasdale Granite—Geology of Harrogate—Yorkshire Zoologists— Our Dumb Friends—1-5 February.— The Paleontographical Society—-The South Eastern Nat- uralist—Hornets—Ray Society's Publications—British Marine Anne- | lids and their Colour—A. Lanca- shire and: Cheshire Naturalists’ Union — Liverpool Labels showing Geographical Dis- tribution, 33-37 March.—Large Larch Sawfly in the Lake District—A Poisonous Fungus —The Food of Birds—A Thousand Cheshire records—New Botanical Finds—New Glaciers—A Geographical Observa- tion—Glaciers Birds from the Flowers, 65-70 April.—Important Work on Diatoms— Evolution of Diatoms—Plankton —Degraded Diatoms—Origin of Diatoms—The Doncaster Museum, 129-130 May.—Speeton and South Africa— African Fungi—Seeds from Peat, 161 162 Spiders—-Derbyshire | and Place-names— | The National Trust—How to tell the | } June.—The Flamborough Peregrines— Swings—The Girls’ Realm extended —Eggs as Tops—The Descent of Darwin—The British Association Report—The Solitary Ant—A Primi- tive Dreadnought—209-212 July.—Memories: Francis Galton— Croton Oil—A Boot Story—A Seal Story—An Impression—The Darwin Celebrations at Cambridge—The Boulders of the Cambridge Drift— Boulder Clays, 241-243 August.—Salmon Scales—A Pre- historic Man Hunt—A Case of Courtesy—Stone Memorials and Jacob—Prof. G. S. West, 273-274 September.—Charles Darwin as Geolo- gist—A Useful Hammer—Interest- ing Find at MHuddersfield—A National Folk-Lore Museum, 305- 306 October.—The Cambridge Natural History—Crustacea and Arachnids— The Volcanic Origin of Coal—Marble as a Volcanic Rock—Between Pat- rington and Easington: August— Glacial and Post- Glacial Features— Coast Changes in Yorkshire, 337-339 November. — Non-Glacial Strize —— Mytilus cloacinus in the Rhetics— A New Species—Professor P. F. Kendall, 369-370 December.—The late Dr. W. H. Dallin- ger, F.R.S.—A Climbing Snapdragon —The Bielsbeck Deposit—Migration of Terns, etc., 401-402 CHESHIRE. Arachnida: Ischnothyreus velox Jack- son (new to Science) from Chester ; Erigone arctica from Cheshire, Hahnia pusilla L. Koch, Theridion impressum L. Koch, Maro falconerii, Entelecara jacksonii Camb., from Delamere Forest, noted, 67 Birds: Comments on Mr. Robert New- stead’s paper on ‘ The Food of some British Birds,’ 65-66 Coleoptera: Comments on Mr. W. E. Sharp’s ‘Coleoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire,’ by E. G. Bayford, 108-110 Societies: Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, Proceedings of, 335 Naturalist. Classified Index. 457 CUMBERLAND. Alge: Phytoplankton—Phytoplank- ton of the English Lake District, with plates, W. West and G. S. West, I15-122; 134-141; 186-193; 260- 267; 287-292 ; 323-331 Arachnida: Euryopis flavomaculata C. L. Koch, and Araeonus crassiceps Westr. from Newton Moss, Penrith, noted, 67 Birds: Honey Buzzard shot at Car- lisle; Fork-tailed Petrel found at Stanwix, and Eared Grebe shot at Bowness, L. E. Hope, 30 Coleoptera: Homalium _ brevicolle Thoms. captured at Great Sheffield, new to Britain, noted, 308; Leistus montanus Steph. and Nebria gyllen- hallii Sch. on Skiddaw, 442 Geology and Palzontology: Notes on Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse’s paper on Cumberland Intrusive Rocks, 3-4 Hymenoptera: The large Larch Sawfly (Nematus erichsonii) in the Lake District, noted, 65 Lepidoptera: Captures of Death’s Head Hawk Moth in Cumberland, 1908, L. E. Hope, 30 Personal Notices: Death of Wm. Salkeld, 64 Societies: Carlisle Natural History Society, Transactions of, 1909, 334 DERBYSHIRE. Geology and Palzontology: Comments on Mr. E. M. Wrench’s paper on “Observations of the Effects of Glaciers in Derwent Valley, Derby- shire, 67-68 Societies: Derbyshire Archeological and Natural History Society, Journal of, 1909, 175 DURHAM. Birds: The Crossbill Migration, J. W. Fawcett, 441 Societies: Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-on-Tyne Natural History Society, Transactions of 1908, 31; Vale of Derwent Natura- lists’ Field Club, Transactions of 1908, 175 ISLE OF MAN. Arachnida: Prosthesima lutetiana L. | Koch from Port Erin, noted, 67 PANCASHIRE. Arachnida: Erigone longipalpis Sund. from Kirby, noted, 67 Birds: Rook Law, as witnessed on the River Lune, H. B. Turney, 269-270 Coleoptera: Comments on Mr. W. E. Sharp’s ‘Coleoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire,’ E. G. Bayford, 108- 110 Flowering Plants: Occurrence of the Hybrid Oak (Quercus Robur X sessiliflora) in West and North Lancashire, C. E. Moss, 113-114 Mammalia: Note on the youug of the old English Black Rat (Mus rattus), captured at Widnes, O. Grabham, 301-362 Mollusca: On the Geographical Dis- tribution of Mollusca in South Lons- dale; C. EB. Y. Kendall, J. D. Dean, and W. M. Rankin, 314-319, 354- 359, 378-381, 435-437 Museums: Warrington Museum, 1g09 Dec. 1. Publications of, 256; Waterloo Museum, Liverpool, 110 Personal Notices: Appointment of Dr. W. E. Hoyle as Director of Cardiff Museum; Memorial Notice of Mr. Joseph Lomas, F.G.S., with portrait, A. R. Dwerryhouse, 58-60; Memo- rial Notice of Thomas Mellard Reade F.G.S., 244 Scientific History: Fishwick, Lt.-Col. and. =) Ditchield. = Reva 2b Memorials of Old Lancashire, 333 Lancashire Naturalist, 198 Societies: Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, Proceedings of, 335; Liverpool Biological Society, Transactions of, 1907-8, 2- 3; Liverpool Botanical Society, Pransactions — Oly Oly sll oe Liverpool Geological Society, Pro- ceedings of, 1907-8, 36-37; Liver- pool Naturalists’ Field Club, Pro- 458 Classified Index. LANCASHIRE—continued. ceedings of, 1908, 175; Manchester Field Naturalists’ and Archeologists’ Society, Proceedings of, 1908, 313; Manchester Literary and Philosop- hical Society, Proceedings of, Vol. LIII., Part II., 334; Rochdale Literary and _ Scientific Society, Transactions of, 1905-1908, 114 LINCOLNSHIRE. Arachnida: First British record of Male of Cornicularia Kochii, with plate, found on coast between South Ferriby and Barton on-Humber, Wm. Falconer, 295-298; 332-333 Birds: Yellow-browed Warbler found dead at North Cotes and Sabine’s Gull shot at Gramthorpe Haven, noted, 32 ; Kingfisher at Horncastle, J. C. Walter, 111; List of Lincoln- shire Heronries, noted, 64; Cream- coloured Snipe shot at Horncastle, J. C. Walter, 234; Golden Oriole at Gainsborough, F. M. Burton, 268- 269; Flocks of Crossbills at Louth, C. S. Carter, 280; Brown Rook in North Lincolnshire, G. W. Mason, 303; Note on Cuckoo reared by Wagtail at Horncastle, J. C. Walter, 21 Coleoptera: Trachyphleus aristatus and T. olivieri captured at Boston, noted, 198 Flowering Plants: Distribution of Ballota nigra Linn in Lincolnshire, E.-A. W. Peacock, 39-44 Fungi: Geaster fornicatus found at Torksey, W. Fowler, 225 Geology and Palzontology: Investiga- tion of some Boulders near Bardney, EM: Burton, 93-96) erratic Boulders at Bardney Abbey, F. M. Burton, 322; Further proofs of the flow of the Trent on the Keuper Escarpment at Gainsborough, F. M. Burton, 340-341 Hymenoptera: Sirex noctilio (=S. juvencus) at Louth, C. S. Carter, 442 Mammalia: Otter at Horncastle, J. C. Walter, 111 Mollusea: Pisidium supinum Schmidt (=P. conicum Bandon) at con- fluence of rivers Brant and Witham, and Planorbis spirorbis Mull var. leucostoma at Skirbeck, Goston, J. F. Musham, 44; Thrush Stones and Helix nemoralis L., the banding and environment of the latter being fully discussed, E. A. W. Peacock, 171-174; 257-259; Paludestrina confusa at Theddlethorpe St. Helen, C. S. Carter, 321; Colonization of Helicella virgata at Hubbard’s Hills, Louth, C. S. Carter, 363-364; Milax sowerbyi at Grimsby, C. S. Carter, 443 Museums: Lincoln Museum, Publica- tions of, 197; Louth Museum, Note on, 256 Pre-historic Archeology: Note ‘on Deposit of Pre-historic Boat found at Brigg in 1905, at Hull Museum, 211-212 Societies; Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union, Note on Annual Meeting of, 1; Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union, Transactions of, 1907, 126-127; Transactions of, 1908, 335 NORTHUMBERLAND. Arachnida: Ischnothyreus velox Jack- son (new to Science), found at Aln- wick, Leptyphantes angulata Camb. from Northumberland, Hilaira pervi- cax J. E.Hull, fromWhitfield, Centro- merus probabilis sp. n. and C. firmus Camb., from Northumberland, noted 67; Northumbrian Coast Spiders, 9, and WL. parallelum Bl. 9) jE: Hull, 283-286 Birds: Honey Buzzard at Ovingham- on-Tyne, D. Clague, 112; Little Gull at Seahouses, R. Fortune, 321; The Crossbill Migration, J. W. Fawcett, 441 Societies: Northumberland, Durham with list of same, and figures of and Newcastle-on-Tyne Natural parts of Cnephalocotes incurvatus History Society, Transactions of, Cb. 9, Lophocarenum nemorale BI. 1908, 31 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Flowering Plants: Occurrence of | Societies: Nottingham Naturalists’ Selinum carvifolia in Nottingham- shire, noted, 66 Society, Transactions of, 1908, 177 "Naturalist, Classified Index. 459 WESTMORLAND Algz: Phytoplankton: Phytoplank- ton of the English Lake District, with plates, W. West and G. S. West, 115-122, 134-141, 186-193, 260-267, 287-292, 323-331 Flowering Plants: Occurrence of the Hybrid Oak (Quercus Robur X sessiliflora) in Westmorland, C. E. Moss, 113-114. Lepidoptera : Captures of Death’s Head Hawk Moth in Westmorland, TOOS) Le. EA hlopey sO). lnemcamle Moth at Rydal, M. L. Armitt, 38 Mollusea: On the Geographical Dis- tribution of Mollusca in South onsdaley CE Y. Kendall |ieD: Dean, and W. M. Rankin, 314-319 ; 354-359, 378-381, 435-437 YORKSHIRE. Arachnida: Robertus neglectus Camb., Centromerus concinnus’ Thorell, Erigone spinosa (new to Britain), E. longipalpis and Panamomops bicuspis, all from Hull, and Maro minutus Camb. from near Hudders- field, noted 67; Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Market Weighton, T. Stainforth, 233; Cornicularia kochiu Camb. (female), found at Saltend Common, near Hull, noted, Wm. Falconer, 298; List of Species observed on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Cawthorne, including several new to Yorkshire, W. Falconer, 394-395; Notes on East Riding Spiders in 1909, E. A. Parsons and T. Stainforth, 438-440 Birds: Status of the Stone Curlew in Workshire, HE. W. Wade, 11-26; Note on Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel shot at Barugh, W. Barraclough, 30 ; Gargeny Teal, breeding of, at Scamp- ston, W. H. St. Quintin, 38; White Starling at Ripley, R. Fortune, 54 ; Red-throated Diver at Grassington, W. Wilson, 54; Fork-tailed Petrel at Doncaster, R. Fortune, 54; Long-tailed Titmouse, as to the changing distribution of in the West Riding, H. B. Booth, 55-57 ; Paucity of Redwings in the West Riding, H. B. Booth, 78-79; Note on the death of a Swift, R. Fortune, 111- 112; Albino Carrion Crow shot at Eshton Tarn, with illustration, 131: Notes on Rooks, F. M. Burton, 146- 148; Manx Shearwater found near Rotherham, R. Fortune, 203; Note on successful breeding of Peregrine on Buckton Cliffs, 209; Osprey at Scampston in April, W. H. St. Quintin, 212-213; Tragic death ofa Linnet, with illustration, R. For- tune, 234; White Wagtail at Arthington, S. Hole, 268; Curious 1909 Dec. 1. accident to House Martin, R. Fortune, 268; Wood Pigeon Dip- theria, W. H. Parkin, 269; Broken Eggs under Heron’s Nest, W. H. Parkin, 269; Quick Nest Building by Blackbirds at Ben Rhydding, H. B. Booth, 294; Supplementary Note in case of Mistle Thrush, 294 ; Birds noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Bowland, H B. Booth, 302; Nesting of Oyster- catcher at Spurn, with illustration, O. Grabham, 307-308; The Cross- bill Migration in Yorkshire, a series of observations contributed by Herbert Walker) C5.) Canter ak’ Steavenson and R. Fortune, 344; Spoonbill seen on the North Humber shore, noted, 353; Nordmann’s Pratincole shot near Danby Wiske, with illustration, R. Fortune, 372 ; Green Sandpiper and Dunlin at Thirsk, R. Fortune, 398; Nesting of Pied Flycatcher and Dipper in Scarborough District, S. Crook, 398; Dotterel near Boroughbridge, R. Fortune, 398; The Crossbill Mirgation at Whitby, T. Stephenson, 398; Late Nesting of Barn Owl at Plumpton, near Harrogate, R. For- tune, 398-399 ; Common Scoter at Doncaster, H. H. Corbett, 441; Cream-coloured Sparrow at Cus- worth, H. H. Corbett, 441; Glossy Ibis at Doncaster, H. H. ‘Corbett, 441; Glossy Ibis at Ruswarp, T. Stephenson, 441; Glossy Ibis at Hunmanby, noted, 448 Coleoptera: Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Market Weighton, T. Stainforth, 233-234; Gracilia minuta F. at Selby, J. F. Musham, 303; List of Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Runswick, 311; Gracilia minuta F. at Manningham, J. W. Carter, 322; Anchomenus 460 Classified Index. YORKSHIRE—continued. versutus captured at Ryehill Ineserayome, = Ie Wao oCannieig, S08 = Capture of Harpalus rotundicollis Fair, Blechrus maurus’ Sturm, Celambus parallelogrammus Abhr., Phaleria cadaverina F., and Helio- pathes gibbus F., on the East Riding | shore of the Humber, T. Stainforth, 352-353 ; Note on the Habits of the female of Ptilinus pectinicornis L. at Barnsley, E. G. Bayford, 362 ; Gracilia minuta F., and Leptidea brevipennis Muls., Note on York- | shire records of, E. G. Bayford, 362- 363; List of Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Cawthorne, E. G. Bayford, 393-394 ; Atomaria fimetarji Herb at Don- caster, H. H. Corbett, 442 Crustacez: Eryon (Coleia) cf antiquus | Broderip found at Waxholme, East Yorkshire, with illustration, T. Shep- pard, 8-10 Diatoms: Notes on Stauroneis amp- horoides Grun. (Stauronella con- stricta Ehr (Mer.) Syn Amphiprora constricta Ehr, found at Marfeet, near Hull, with illustration, R. H. Philip, 376-377. Fish: Ischyodus egertoni Ag., a Chimeroid Fish, Remains of, found | in quarry at North Grimston, H. C. Drake, 196; Vertebrate of Codfish | found in the glacial gravels at Kelsey Hill, T. Sheppard; 225; Trout and | Salmon noted in River Hodder on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Bowland, H. B. Booth, 302 Flowering Plants: Euphrasias found in) North=Bast Yorkshire, Jj. G. Baker, 79; Comments on Montia lamprosperma Chamisso, Orobanche procera Koch. found at Thorner, and Arenaria stellaroides Willd, found at Halifax, Elland, and Mirfield, all new to Britain, F. A. Lees, 99-100 ; Occurrence of the Hybrid Oak (Quercus Robur X sessiliflora) in Yorkshire, €. E. Moss, 113-11¢ ; Peloria of Foxglove in a Sheffield garden, FE. Snelgrove, 132-133; Wharfedale Hawkweeds, list of, J. Cryer. 143-144; Further Note on Orobanche reticulata Wallroth form procera (Koch.), new to Britain, HE. ‘Craven, 203); Euphrasia Rostkoviana Hayne found near Warthill Station, W. Ingham, 270 ; ’ Plants of a Bradford Waste Heap, with mention of Agrostis retro- pacta Willd as first British record, J. Cryer, 278; Plants noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Bowland, J. Turner, 300-301 ; Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Runswick, W. G. Smith and P. F. Lee, 312-313 ; Note on Hybrid between Orchis maculata and Habenaria conopsea found at Thornton Dale, W. B. Alexander, 342; Further note thereon, named Orchis Legrandiana and Gymnadania Legrandiana, J. G. Baker, 342; The characteristic features of Ulmus montana With (Wych Elm), W. P. Winter, 343 ; Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Sedbergh, with especial mention of Thalictrum montanum Wallr, and Euphrasia Rostkoviana Hayne, W. Ingham, 346-347; Discovery of Carex sylva- tica var. capillariformis, new to science, at Heybeck, near Wood- kirk, P. F. Lee, 349-350; Further note and full description of same sedge; = ih. Ae) Weess e502 pure Thymus ovatus in North Yorkshire, with description of other so-called species of Thyme in Britain, J. G. Baker, 371; Botanical notes on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Cawthorne, P. F. Lee, 393; Note on a climbing form of Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) in garden at Grimscar, Huddersfield 401-402 Fungi: Fungus Flora of Mulgrave Woods, Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Fungus Foray, 1908, with list of 256 species not previously recorded for Mulgrave Woods, including 27 new county records, and _ three species, Tricholoma carneolum, Phohota sororia, and Inocybe com- mixta, new to Britain, C. Crossland, 21-27; Third supplementary list of Fungi discovered in Yorkshire since issue of ‘ Yorkshire Fungus Flora,’ C. Crossland, 178-182, 220- 223; Geaster fornicatus found at Masham, C. Crossland, 203; Fungi found in the neighbourhood of Selby, four being new to County List— Corticium violaceolividum Fr., Penio- phora pubera Fr., Valsa salicis Cke (= Diaporthe salicella Sacc.), and Gonytrichum caesium Nees, C. Cross- land, 320; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Naturalist, Classified Index. 401 YORKSHIRE—continued. Union Fungus Foray at Castle- Howard, with list of new additions for that locality, including Flam- mula carnosa Massee new to science, and Cercospora calendula_ Sacc., Acremoniella atra Sacc., Hormoden- dron hordeii Zoph., and _ variety rigens of Pluteus cervinus, all new to Britain, C. Crossland, 415-422 Geology and Palzontology: Note on Mr. C. Fox-Strangway’s books on the Geology North and East of Harrogate, 4, Eryon (Colia) cf. antiquus Broderip from nodule in Boulder Clay at Waxholme, with illustration, T. Sheppard, 8-10; Fossil Plants from the Marske and Upleatham Quarries, Yorks., by L. Lane and T. W. Saunders, 81-82 ; Remains of Chimzroid Fish, Ischyo- ‘dus egertoni Ag, found in quarry at North Grimston, H. C. Drake, 196 ; Note on transported Lias near Filey, W. C. Heys, 204-205; Illustration of Flint Axe-Head found at Flam- borough, 207 ; The Ammonites called A. Serpentinus, with reference to Yorkshire specimens, with illustra- tions, C. Thompson, 214-219; Vertebra of Codfish found in glacial gravels at Kelsey Hill, T. Sheppard, 225; Mammoth’s Tusk found in Robin Hood’s Bay, D. W. Bevan, 270; Permian Fossils in the Don- caster District, with list of same, H. Culpin, 279-280 ; Some Neolithic Hammer-Heads from East York- shire, with plate, T. Sheppard, 293- 294; Notes on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Bowland, T. Sheppard, 299-300 ; Note on finding in Halifax Hard Bed of the Lower ‘Coal Measures of Huddersfield of perfect specimen of Colamocladus (= Asterophyllites) grandis Sternb. 305; Notes on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Runswick, J. J. Burton, 309-311 ; Comments on Glacial and Post-Glacial Features in Yorkshire and Coast Changes in Yorkshire, 338-339; | Non-Glacial Striz on Sedbergh Golf-course, with illustration, 369; Note on Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov. from Rhetic Bone Bed, Aust Cliff, in Hull Museum, 369-370; The Bielsbeck Deposit Report, Note on, 402; Seed pod of Iris pseudacorus and of Lathyrus palustris, found in peat exposed 1909 Dec. 1. Lepidoptera : Mammalia: Mollusea (Marine) : during construction of docks at Hull, T. Sheppard, 443; Shap Granite Boulder from same place, T. Shep- pard, 443 Hymenoptera: Wasps at West Ayton, W. C. Hey, 53-54; The Hornet asa Yorkshire Insect, W. C. Hey, 80; Note on the Solitary Ant, with illustration, 211; Note on Wasps observed on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Cawthorne, E. G. Bayford, 394; Note on Sirex gigas in South West Yorkshire, by (Ge ile Wteraenias. zis Lepidoptera in South Yorkshire, 1908, with note on melanism in Himera pennaria and first county record of Macaria liturata var. nigrofulvata, B. Morley, 17-20; Ephestia kihniella Zell captured at Skelmanthorpe, B. Mor- ley, 203-204; Sterrha sacraria cap- tured at Grange-over-Sands, B. Morley, 204; List of species of Yorkshire Micro-Lepidoptera cap- tured in the Greenfield district by Mr. Francis Buckley and his brother, G. T. Porritt, 399; Scoparia con- spicualis at Bolton Woods and Bingley, E. P. Butterfield, 442; Breeding of gynandrous specimen of Abraxas varleyata, by Mr. G. T. Porritt, 448 Notes on Bats, with plates, A. Whitaker, 71-77; Por- POIses Tiny they Raver, ull Ee Me Foster, 268; Mammoth’s Tusk found at Robin Hood’s Bay, D. W. Bevan, 270; Species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Bowland, H. B. Booth, 301; Cap- tures of Badgers in the vicinity of Harrogate, R. Fortune, 361. Mollusca: Further note on Helicella cantiana occurring in Barrows at Birdsall Brow, E. P. Blackburn, 60 ; List of species found eastwards of Clapham and about Austwick, W. D. Roebuck, 60-61; Vertigo alpestris at Ingleton, F. Booth, 113 ; Paludes- trina jenkinsi found at Skipton, F. Booth, 204 ; List of species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Cawthorne, J. E. Crowther, 3957397 List of species noted on visit of Yorkshire Nat- uralists’ Union to Runswick, F. H. Woods, 311-312 462 Classified Index. YORKSHIRE—continued. Mosses and Hepatics: Notes by Richard Spruce on the mosses of the moors near York, 47; Notes on six Yorkshire mosses, two being new to the West Riding, C. A. Cheetham, | 144-145; Few mosses noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Market Weignton, 233; Tortula cernua Lindb. found near Doncaster, W. Ingham, 270; #Ricciocarpus natans L. found near Doncaster, W. West, 321; List of species noted on visit of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Sedbergh, W. Ingham, 347-348 Museums: Beverley Museum, note on, 256; Bowes Museum, note on, 256 Doncaster Museum, formation of, 130; Halifax Museum, Handbooks of, 197; Hull Museum Publications, Nos. 53, 54, 56, 57 and 58), 207; Nos. 59, 60 and 61, 359; Keighley | Museum, Publications of, 197, 256; | Middlesborough Museum, Publica- tions of, 256 Neuroptera and Trichoptera: Libellula fulva Mull, re-discovered in its old station near Askern, H. H. Corbett, 270 Orthoptera: Nyctibora brunnea Thunb, (new to Yorkshire), and Leucophea surinamensis Linn at Bradford, J. W. Carter, 113 Paleo-Botany: Fossil Plants from the Marske and Upleatham Quarries, Yorkshire, G. L. Lane and T. W. Saunders, 81-82; Finding of Cola- mocladus (= Asterophyllites) grandis Sternb, in Halifax Hard Bed of the Lower Coal Measures of Hudders- field, 305; Seed pod of Iris pseuda- corus and of Lathyrus palustris found in peat exposed during construction ofnew docks at Hull. T.Sheppard, 443 Personal Notices: Memorial Notice of Richard Spruce (1871-1893) and his work, Or Sheppard, 45-48 ; Memoriam Notice of Wilfred H. Hudleston, F.R.S., F.G.S., etc., with portrait,, | I. Sheppard, 2235124) ; Memoriam notice of Wm. Croser Hey, with portrait, 213 ; Election of Dr. G. S. West to the Chair of Botany and Vegetable Physiology, 274; Appointment of Mr. H. H. Corbett as Curator of Doncaster Museum, 336; Election of Professor P. F. Kendall, M.sc., F.G.S., as Presi- dent of Yorkshire Geological Society, 370; Memoriam Notice of Harry Marr, with portrait, E. W. Wade, 3/33 /5 Physieal Geography: Comments on Coast Changes in Yorkshire, 339 Pre-Historie Archeology: Investiga- tion of Ancient Burial Cairns on Brimham Moor, Yorkshire, A. L. Armstrong, 89-92; Illustration of Flint Axe-Head found at Flam- borough, 207; Note on Deposit of Pre-historic Boat found at Brigg, Lincolnshire, in 1905, at Hull Museum, 211-212; Some Neolithic Hammer-Heads from East York- shire, with plate, T. Sheppard, 293- 204 Reptilia: Slowworm at Bowland, H. B. Booth, 302 Rhizopoda: A Preliminary List of Freshwater Rhizopods obtained in the Sheffield District, James M. Brown, 105-108 Scientific History: Bradford Anti- quary, 334, 447; Bradford Scientific Journal, 274, 302 ; Brockbank, J. L.,. and Holmes, W. L.—-York in English History, 397 ; Catalogue of the Lee’s Botanical Collection at Bradford,. 304; West Riding County Council Vacation Course Handbook, 365 Societies: Bootham School (York), Natural History Society, Annual Report of, 177; Bradford Natural History and Microscopical Society Recorders” Report, 1908,ea 75 Cleveland Naturalists’ Field Club, Proceedings of, 1907-8, 313; East Riding Antiquarian Society, Tran- sactions of, Vol. XV., 334; Goole Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Society, Transactions of, Vol. 384 ; Huddersfield Naturalists’ and Photo Society, Annual Report, 1907-8, 32, for 1909, 447; Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club, Transactions of Vol) IV.) bt. li 900) 447i wleeeds Geological Association, Transac- tions of, 1905-8, 175-176; Scar- borough Field Naturalists’ Society, Annual Report, 1908, 177; Scar- borough Philosophical and Archzo- logical Society, Annual Report, 1908, 177; Whitby Literary and Philoso- sophical Society, Annual Report of, 177; Yorkshire Geological Society, Proceedings of, 1908, 176-177 ; York- shire Philosophical Society, Report of, 1908, 320 Naturalist, Yorkshire Naturalists’ Birds: Botany: Classified Index. . YORKSHIRE—continued. Union: Note on Meeting of Vertebrate Section, held at Leeds, 4-5; Annual Meeting at Doncaster, 1908, T. Sheppard, 6-7; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Fungus Foray in Mulgrave Woods, moos, ©. Crossland, ! 21-271; “G Massee’s paper on Economic My- cology, read at Yorkshire Fungus Foray, 1908, 28-29 ; Errata in Index of ‘ The Naturalist ’ for 1908, W. E. L. Wattam, 64 ; Reports of Meetings of Vertebrate Section and Marine Biology Committee held at Leeds, F. Booth, 125-126; Presidential Address of Dr. Wheelton Hind, PRaGse H.GrSs. On elie) Present State of our Knowledge of Car- Zoophytes: 463 Naturalists’ Union at Market Weighton, T. Sheppard, 232-234; ‘Polymorphism in Fungi,’ paper read at Annual Fungus Foray of Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Sandsend, 1908, by G. Massee, V.M.H., F.L.S., etc., 235-238; York- shire Naturalists’ Union at Bowland, T. Sheppard, 299-302; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Runswick, T. Sheppard, 309-313; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Sedbergh, T. Sheppard, 345-348; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Cawthorne, 393-397; Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Fungus Foray at Castle Howard, C. Crossland, 415-422 Gonothyraa hyalina from boniferous Geology,’ 149-150; 163- the Humber, J. Thompson, 38 170, 228-229, 245-251; Yorkshire | MISCELLANEA. Arachnida: British Earthmites—Trom- bidiide—Descriptions of Ottonia ramosa (new to science), and O. bullata, C. F. George, with plate, 87-88 ; Ottonia conifera and Ottonia evansil (new to science), with plate, C. F. George, 194-195 ; Johnstoniana | errans, with figures, C. F. George, 281-282 ; Ottonia valga and Ottonia | clavata, 423-424 ; cularie, Wm. with plate, C. F. George, Falconer, 295-298 Shore-birds on the Dublin Coast, Observations on their migra- tory movements, C. J. Patten, 40- 52, 83-86 ; Comments on Mr. Robert Newstead’s paper on ‘ The Food of some British Birds,’ 65-66; Dimor- phism in the Eggs of Turdus musicus (Song Thrush), C. J. Patten, 275- 277; Migration of Terns, etc., 402 The Oxford British Plant List, G. C. Druce, 97-99 ; Additional Note thereon, F. A. Lees, 99-100 ; Sycamore (Acer platanophyllum, St. L.), P. Q. Keegan, ro1-105 ; Occur- rence of the Hybrid Oak (Quercus Rober X sessiliflora) in England, C. E. Moss, 113-114; Method of obtaining seeds from Peat, 162; Life History of Allium ursinium (Wood Garlic), with figures, J. E. McDonald, 199-202, 252-256; The characteristic features of Ulmus montana With. (Wych Elm), W. P. Winter, 343 ; The Study ofa Fircone with illustrations, Mrs. E. H. Gibb, 1909 Dec. 1. Key to the British Corni- | Coleoptera: Fungi: Geology 385-388, 408-411 ; The Chemistry of some Common Plants—Polytrichum commune (Hair Moss), Phragmites communis (Common Reed), Vicia cracca (Tufted Vetch), Alliaria officinalis (Garlic Hedge-Mustard), and Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine), P. Q. Keegan, 430-434; Note on a climbing form of Snap- dragon (Antirrhinum majus) in garden at Grimscar, Huddersfleld, 401-402 American method of capturing aquatic Coleoptera, 142 Fish: The Disappearance of the Plaice, Prof. W. Garstang, 403-407 Economic Mycology, G. Massee, 28-29; Note on Amanita phalloides, Fr., with coloured plate, 65; Note on Mr. W. N. Cheesman’s collection of South African Fungi, 161 ; Polymorphism in Fungi, with illustration, G. Massee, 235- 238 ; Genera and Species in Fungi, MG: Cooke, 389-392, 412-414 and Palzontology: The present state of our knowledge of Carboniferous Geology, Dr. Wheelton Hind, 149-156, 163-170, 228-231, 245-251; The Ammonites called A. Serpentinus, with illustrations, C. Thompson, 214-219; Notes on the Boulders of the Cambridge drift, 243; Notes on Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov., from Rhetic Bone Bed, Aust Cliff, 369-370 Mammalia: Notes on Bats, with plates 464 Classified Index. MISCELLANEA—continued. A. Whitaker, 71-77 ; Spotted Otters, H. E. Forrest, 261; Black and Brown Rats, O. Grabham, 361-362 Mollusea: Thrush Stones and Helix nemoralis L., the banding and en- vironment of the latter being fully discussed, E. A. W. Peacock, 171- 174; Arion ater L. as a wart cure, S. L. Petty, 303 ; Further note there- on, J. W. Taylor, 364; Notes on Fossil Mytilus cloacinus sp. nov., Personal Notices: ‘A’ Mr. Vermes: The Curators at Rochdale, 2; Ditto at Burnley, 238; Museum News, 197, 238, 256, 351, 359, 364, 368, 377 Darwin (Charles Darwin), W. C. Hey, 142: On Charles Darwin, 105; Memorial Notice of Thomas Southwell, F.z.s., M.B.O.U., T. Sheppard, 360 ; Note on death of the late Dr. W. H. Dallinger, F.R.S., 401 Annelid Fauna of from Rhetic Bone Bed, Aust Cliff, Worcestershire, Rev. H. Friend, 369-370 425-429 Museums: Conference of Museum CORRIGENDA. Page 162, line 29, for ‘‘ Corwentz,’ 189g, line 9, for “‘ C. Stevensonii,”’ vead “‘ Collybia Steven- 99 sonii. Aot, line 26, fos ’ vead ‘“‘ Conwentz.”’ 204, line 22, for ‘‘Shipton”’ vead ‘‘ Skipton.” 222, line 5, for “‘ No. 1399,” vead “ No. 1349.” 233, line 1, for ‘“ W. Robinson,” vead “‘ J. F. Robinson.” 233, line 4, for ‘‘ British Isles,’ read ‘“‘ Yorkshire.” 253, Omit the fourth line from the bottom, and read :— “This explains the scar of leaf (F1) encircling,” etc. 268, line 39, for “‘ Bale,’ vead “ Belt.” 339, line 46, for “‘ vertical,’”’ vead “ vortical.”’ 346, line 20, for “‘ Limestone,” vead “ Grit.” 360, line 3, for ““ 1908,” read “‘ 1909.”’ Brimscar,”’ 4ot, line 30, for ‘‘ banded,” vead ‘‘handed.’, 443, line 19, for “‘ pseudocorus,’, vead ‘‘ pseudacorus.” 443, line 23, for “‘Lathyris” vead ‘‘ Lathyrus.’ vead ‘‘Grimscar.”’ Naturalist, 4 SPN 2 AN i id Napa este Now 3 Te Now READY. } Hull Museum Publications, No. 63. A Descriptive Catalogue OF THE DOBREE COLLECTION EUROPEAN NOCTUAE. ' COMPILED BY Ee BROW NE VEAL Assistant Master, Hymers College, Hull. 172 pp. PRICE ONE SHILLING NET. POST FREE 1/3 NET. Can now be obtained from Messrs. A. BROWN & SONS, Ltd., Publishers, George Street, HULL. ‘THE NATURALIST’ (2) for 1909. Edited by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., and T. W. 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