1 featiete
hche =
ve? : . ence
pene
pee st 0
ce
ote l¥F
ea
pene
sae
rade re te
gree
Lol lett { dee’ errs YPOwrPrWe TT) eee | | = 3 Sete en Bares
o = | pyeh | naked St ale oe : ‘g Ae
eee) ae aya LAA an scy athe sdaabayi Tt ey a1
~ =|" re ~** ‘e a YY | ot Pa y ene) ; PANG gS on
Vv YY aanae: every » Am < ty PY Pe BL AA ay” | ww PF) =~
TT he 2A RURAL ‘yer aN na A “ eae Le
ARNAD | as e. obs *s ena nna” ANAL, | rf
array ite ay SAAR RA
SGRRD,..03 Ay pid
yee yr. \ Pay
‘ae wy Sussanullags
ia" .
™
TTY}
at APARAMA ips
aT" TA A ce , ohibe at
g one ; ‘ 7 | aft a@
Ry yy Aya” ~~~ % DEF iy in lf “hen Pr | pants of
an ; 3 wer ate | sy yyv" THT
r
a “90, a NI An POE pil Me
ia OES a6 Ww \ - ~ > ae . Dado ,
: ' ze ol , ip \ tw
tian -3 sew Li NYT : 3 NN an
a a re WS ees, ;
een! Ya BAA py & y L ak . py ‘ » & ey OVS; o aa E ) ” . a Se “yA id Lo Pe | x %
: cae fey Gs — nid T ert easy. : Ape ‘Aya ye eeeee phn fix,
Las Vw Ss a art Vv» ii f ®A. 7] sms whis- df
3 ae COIN cal | Pega" os ae s®aa ial ww apaenn ay ~
aa NAP Sieeeee > m® page’ “Nee ne bE LT iii Wogel "YT TT Tait
5 » “_ Po Oy ee fF Ah 2
Nini Ww Th inet aim main el . aD TRS iT aaa oe Ml it de ft eS .o eR lok: Aare Papen army, o*
NX
Pas | 2 Ue
a a THES REPUTE oo \
pence Stee sogiteoeent
Ow Ges (3 SS) Ak 23S O78
p>: :
The! “Ute.
ee: 1H i iil | Se yrtaviee :
= nner i s id
ie akectectia et BBs
MMM dit) as
a ede | & ! ~
ag GES "owe "iobbe we Os POR y er é \ |
Nha wel Sseel Nyve Weve yng wee by, PT
My pa dT AS . re he OLE
3 o™ : eeeo¥seelc
vr
~~ ¥. AA Tics
BRISTOL.
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
| MCMXXVIII.
wh
FOURTH SERIES, VOL. VI, Part I., 1923.
| Price Four SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS -
OF THE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
&.
“>
“ Rerum cognoscere causas Ving, Sl 9 24
=. ro) ° 4
Vay wy
2nal i seu
Seer att
BRISTOL;
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
MCMXXIV.
*
R,
BOURTH SERIES, VOL. VI., Part I., 1923.
PRICE FouUR SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
Gs / \ ¥
-4 Be We
ey ee
ie '
i \ iii
it i
ei
il
I (
RTT
|
““ Rerum cognoscere causas.’’—VIRGIL,.
BRISTOL.
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
MCMXXIV.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
FOURTH SERIES. VOL. VI. PART I. (1923).
PAGE
@licers for 1923 te se eure Si ae eg oe — 4
Officers of Sections for 1923 nee ae bo sie Ses ee 4
List of Members on nar sas iis a sa are bas 5
Honorary Members re hs ae ss aes sige ane 8
Report of Council ... ree ber ae ae: sds a es 9
Treasurer’s Report mae a4 Sie és a, re coe 0
Librarians’ Report whe ase ae aoe Sace se ee
Exchange List aus a ve aes sais alee sate wae 12
Report of Entomological Section aa ve ae oat se = 4A
Report of Geological Section ee Bre = Be set Poe eh
Report of Ornithological Section ... oe oar adie said ety °. 4h
Account of the Annual and etal Meetings... sis ae lent. . 2184
The Diamond Jubilee: A Retrospect ... sis 24
“The Apterygota of the South-West of pee ss by ine Président:
H. Womersley ye 28
“ The Intelligence and Sense Ora of Deseon dies fs by T. F. Hewer 38
“Notes on the Fauna of the Bristol Channel,” by L. H. Matthews... 46
“Spartina Townsendi in West Gloucestershire,’’ by Ida M. pone
120s eae Se 49
“ Bristol Botany in 1923, ‘i ies Tae W. “White, F a. S. = 51
“The Avonian of the Wickwar Ridge, Glos.,’’ by F. S. Wallis, Phi Di 57
“The Avonian of Cheddar peney to the aod ey pene EH. Bamber,
MOC (5) sai 5 75
“The Old Red Aan Bar Cagleinaa Tieton ae Portis-
head—Clevedon Area,” by S. H. cee! MAL oC Dy E.Gis.,
and E. Greenly, D.Sc., F.G.S. Mes : or P 92
For information concerning the Bristol Naturalists’ Society
generally, or concerning its meetings, please apply to the present
Hon. Secretary and Editor :—
Miss IDA M. ROPER,
4, WOODFIELD ROAD, REDLAND,
BRISTOL,
All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way of
exchange, gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating thereto
should be addressed to :—
Hon. LIBRARIAN, Bristor Nat. Soc.,
THE MUSEUM, BRISTOL.
OFFICERS FOR 1923.
President :
H. WOMERSLEY.
Past Presidents :
Dr. C: Luovp Morcan, LL.D., F.R.S., F.G.S,
Prof. SYDNEY YOUNG, D.Sc., F.R.S.
A. B. PROWSE, M.D., F.R.C.S.
CK. RuDGE, RoC Pee MERIGs:
J. WwW. WHITE, Evy:
Miss IDA M. RopER, F.L.S.
G. C. GRIFFITHS, F.E.S.
Sir ERNEST COOK, D.Sc.
Vice-Presidents :
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc. Prof. O. V. DARBISHIRE, Ph.D.
Council :
H. F. BARKE H. J. GIBBONS J. RAFTER
T. CHARBONNIER C. HUNTER J. W. TutcHER
F. W. EVENS J. V. PEARMAN Mrs. VAUGHAN
Hon. Treasurer :
W. A. SmitH, M.A., M.B., 70, Pembroke Road, Clifton.
Hon. Auditors :
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc. CHARLES BARTLETT, A.C.A.
Hon. Secretary and Editor :
Miss IDA M. ROPER, F.L.S., 4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol.
Hon. Reporting Secretary :
W. GRIFFITHS.
Hon. Librarian :
A. B. PROWSE, M:D., BRC S,
Miss I. M. ROPER, F.L.S., Hon. Sub-Librarian.
Officers of Sections.
Entomological :
President—G. C. GRIFFITHS, F.E.S., 3, Leigh Road, Clifton.
Secretary —CHARLES BARTLETT, 8, Woodhill, Portishead, Somerset.
Geological :
President—S. H. REYNOLDS, M.A., Sc.D., F.G.S, The University, Bristol.
Secretary—F. S. WALLIS, Ph.D., F.G.S., 15, Ravenswood Road, Redland.
Ornithological :
President—Pror. C. LLovD-MorRGAN, F.R.S.
Acting Presideni—A. L. FLEMMING, M.B., Ch.B. (Bris.), 48, Pembroke Road.
Clifton.
Secyetayy—COLDSTREAM TUCKETY, 5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton Down.
Ihe
y, « &—
List of Members,
A_ Associate Member.
* Has contributed Papers to the “
Adams, Miss S. E.
Alexander, D. A., M.D.
Amory, T. H. :
Audcent, H. y. ...
Bacchus, A.D.R., F.E.S.
Badock, Stanley H.
Baker, B. A., F.G.S.
Barke, H. F., } a) OF a
Barrow, L,., M.L Mech.E., EGS.
Bartlett, Chas.
Baxter, 7. Wed. M.A; BSc
Blood, B. N., M.D.
Blood, Geo. E.
Boley, A. E. ...
Bolton, Miss E., M.Sc. .
Bolton, H. D.Sc. ERSE,, EGS.
Brebner, Mrs. G.
Carter, Miss F. ...
Cay, Arthur
Chamberlain, W.
Charbonnier, T.
Charbonnier, Mrs. T.
City Librarian
Clarke, A.
Cockle, Miss I. .
Cogan, Miss R. ?
Cook, Sir Ernest, D. Sc.
Cook, Lady a ss
Cooper, ie
Cottle, A. W.
Darbishire, Prof. O. V., Ph.D.,
F.L-S. :
Darell, D., EGS. sae
Davies, IN T., F.R.M.S.
Davies, T. ist BA a
Dear, G. L. ;
Drew, Miss H., MLA.
Dunscombe, Miss
Evens, F. W.
Fitzjames, R. H.
Flemming, A. L,, M.B., Ch.B., :
Ford, Roger
Francis, H. A.
December, 1923.
+ Life Member.
Proceedings.”’
Redland House,
Bristol
30, Berkeley Square, Clifton
29, Beaufort Road, Clifton
34, Belvoir Rd., St. Andrew’s, Bristol
Durdham Park,
29, Abbotsford Road, Bristol
Holmwood, Westbury-on-Trym
37, Clyde Road, Bristol
27, Berkeley Square, Clifton
Wolverley, King’s Norton, Birmingham
8, Woodhill, Portishead
95, Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol
5, Brynland Avenue, Bishopston
9, Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton
508, Stapleton Road, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
The Museum, Bristol
22, Victoria Road, Cotham, Bristol
14, Charlotte St., Park St., Bristol
Lyndhurst, Leigh Woods, Bristol
51, Oakfield Road, Clifton
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
Central Library, Bristol
16, Woodstock Rd., Redland, Bristol
64, Worrall Road, Clifton
3, Elton Road, Clevedon
27, Berkeley Square, Bristol
27, Berkeley Square, Bristol
43, Station Rd., Ashley Down, Bristol
Black Horse, Kingswood, Bristol
The University, Bristol
Hillfield House, near Dartmouth
Avon House, Keynsham, Bristol
Down House, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
10, Canowie Road. Redland, Bristol
Colston Girls’ School, Bristol
4, The Quadrant, Redland, Bristol
8, Rokeby Avenue, Redland, Bristol
17, St. Martin’s, Knowle, Bristol
48, Pembroke Road, Clifton
Hartfield, Cotham Park, Bristol
10, Victoria Square, Clifton
a
Ra Re
LIST OF MEMBERS,
Gait, R. P.
Gass, T. A.
Gibbons, Ea
Goodall, Rev. Canon eh W.
Goulding, Thomas
Griffiths, G. C., F.E.S.
Griffiths, Miss D. M.
Groitiths, Ge]...
Griffiths, William
Griffiths, Miss G.
Grove, Otto
Gummer, Horace
Harding, Miss E. M. ...
HMellyar))R- EH,
Heslop; ji. RP.
Fewer Pik. 7.
Hodgson, C.J =.
Hooper, D., LL.D.
Horder Miss M. G.
Hoyle, W. E., D.Sc.
Humfrey, C.
Humpidge, T. C.
Humphries, Lady soe
Hunter, C., M.Sc., F.L.S.
Ivens,) H. 'P.
Ivens, W. B.
Jenkins, Mrs.
Jenkins, F. G.
Jenmnyn, Coli i, as:
Jervis, W. W., M.Sc., F.G.S.
Knight, H. H.
Knowlson, James F. are ’sd) ..
Knowlson, Mrs.
Lee, Miss E. M., M.Sc.
Linton, Dr. Marion, M.B.
Llewellin, W. M., C.K. ..
Mappin, S. W. ...
Matthews, L. H.
Miller, M.
Morgans, Thos. MICE,
Morgans, Mrs. ...
Mountfort, G. R.
Nierenstein, M:, Ph.D.
Norgrove, J. W.
Nuell, F. H
Odell, Miss D. A.
Palmer, L. S., M.Sc., Ph.D,
51, Howard Road, Westbury Park
12, Osborne Ave., Ashley Down, Bristol
8, Nugent Hill, Cotham, Bristol
19, Elmdale Rd.,Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
6, Nelson Street, Bristol
Penhurst, 3, Leigh Road, Bristol
Penhurst, 3, Leigh Road, Bristol
73, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol
23, Beaufort Road, Clifton
23, Beautort Road, Clifton
Cider Institute, Long Ashton, Bristol
Herbert Lodge, Cotham Park, Bristol
Bower Ashton, near Bristol
18, Redland Grove, Bristol
34, Henleaze Gardens, Westbury-on-
Trym
24, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
5, Cotham Terrace, Bristol
11, Greenway Road, Redland, Bristol
Highweek, Brislington, Bristol
National Museum, Cardiff
3, Madeira Mansions, Weston-super-
Mare
6, Manilla Road, Clifton
Eastfield Lodge, Westbury-on-Trym
The University, Bristol
18, Alexandra Road, Clifton, Bristol
49, Ravenswood Road, Bristol
10, Napier Road, Redland, Bristol
6, Brandon Villas, Charlotte St. S.,
Bristol
Highcliff, Weston-super-Mare
The University, Bristol
The Lodge, All Saints Villas, Chel-
tenham
9, Downfield Road, Clifton
9, Downfield Road, Clifton
55, Logan Road, Bishopston
21, Oakfield Road, Clifton
8, Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol
100, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol
Hillcroft, Nore Road, Portishead
7, All Saints Road, Clifton
7, Elton Road, Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
7, Elton Road, Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
8, Royal Park, Clifton
30, Cavendish Road, Bristol
22, Alma Road, Clifton
63, Springfield Road, Bristol
22, Berkeley Square, Clifton
The College of Technology, The Uni-
versity, Manchester
MAaDmR DB *
RS RS
LIST OF MEMBERS. 7
Pearman, J. V.
Pepperell, Rey se
Perrycoste, Miss H. M. ae
Prowse, A. B., M.D.
Ratter) J., M.A.
Reynolds, S. H., Sc.D., F.G.S....
Richardson, Frank
Robbins, F. an
Rogers, W. H. M.
Roper, Miss I. M., F.L.
Rose. FH. L.R.C.
lee 1S:
Rudge, CG K. “IeR.C.P. MR. :
Rudge, Miss BC
Rutter, Miss E. M.
Salmond, P. W.
Samson, B.
Sampson, Miss iba
Sandwith, Mrs.
Sandwith, N. Y.
Selman, Miss M. M.
Shaw, Miss M. G.
Sinnott, Jas. :
Smith, Miss A. M.
Smith, Miss E. J.
Smith, Stanley, D.Sc., F.G.S. ...
Smith, W. A., M.A., M.B.
Smith, Rev. W. a
Smith, Mrs. W. ..
Stanton, DW) .:.
Stanten, Mrs.
Stewart, D. McDonald, 1 EGS.
sully, Hl. T.
Rsior 10a 2) ae
Thompson, H. S.
buckett,C.
The Grange, Winterbourne, Glos.
46, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
Clifton Hill House, Clifton
5, Lansdown Place, Bristol
6, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
13, All Saints Road, Clifton
15, Percival Road, Clifton
38, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
18, Fairlawn Road, Montpelier
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol
8, Chantry Road, Clifton
. 145, Whiteladies Road, Bristol
145, Whiteladies Road, Bristol
Cambridge House School, St. John’s
Road, Clifton
20, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol
30, St. John’s Road, Clifton
26, Canynge Square, Clifton
Keble College, Oxford
9, Buckingham Place, Clifton
4, Kenilworth Road, Redland, Bristol
15, Beaufort Road, Clifton
70, Pembroke Road, Clifton
70, Pembroke Road, Clifton
The University, Bristol
70, Pembroke Road, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
25, Woodstock Road, Bristol
Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
Fonthill Villa, Keynsham
33, Southleigh Road, Clifton
5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
Urner, HH. W., B.A, (Oxon. ), E.G.S. The University, Bristol
Tutcher, je W.
Vaughan, Mrs. ...
Wallis, F. S., Ph.D., F.G.S.
Walton, J. C. Ee :
White, Jas. W., ELS.
White, Mrs. BF
Wickes, AGA S Re Se Are
Wills, Sir George, Bt. ...
Wills, W. Melville
Wilson, E. A., F.L.S.
Womersley, H.
Wingate, Miss H. M., M.A.
Worsley, Miss I.
Yabbicom, T. H., M.I.C.E.
57, Berkeley Rd., Bishopston, Bristol
42, Fernbank Road, Redland, Bristol
15, Ravenswood Road, Bristol
18, West Park, Bristol
18, Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol
18, Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol
16, Oakfield Grove, Clifton
Burwalls, Leigh Woods, Bristol
Bracken Hill, Leigh Woods, Bristol]
Southey House, College Green, Bristol
17, Devonshire Road, Westbury Park,
Bristol.
40, Alma Road, Clifton
Rodney Lodge, Clifton
23, Oakfield Road, Clifton
8 LIST OF MEMBERS
Honorary Members.
Prof. George S. Brady, M.D., LU.D., D.Sc, F.RS., F.U.S., Park Hurst,
Endcliffe, Sheffield.
Henry J. Charbonnier, Haw Lane, Olveston, Tockington, R.S.O., Glos.
Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan, LL.D., F.R.S., F.G.S., 5, Victoria Square, Clifton,
Bristol.
R. M. Prideaux, F.E.S., Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
W. G. Scott, 25, Duke Street, Cardiff.
Prof. H. S. Hele Shaw, M.I.C.E., LL.D., F.R.S., 64, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S.W. 1.
Prof. W. J. Sollas, M.A., LU.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., F.G.S., University Museum,
Oxford.
Sir W. A. Tilden, D.Sc., F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the Imperial
College of Science, S. Kensington, S.W. 7.
William Whitaker, B.A., F.R.S., F.G.S., Wellesley Court, Wellesley Road,
Croydon.
Prof. Sydney Young, D.Sc., F.R.S., Trinity College, Dublin.
REPORT OF COUNCIL.
To December 31st, 1923.
ap present year is the Diamond Jubilee of the Society, being the 60th
anniversary of its formation, and although no functions were held to
mark the occasion there have been a few changes in procedure in order
to give members and others an opportunity to take a greater interest in
the objects of the Society. In March an open lecture was given by Mr.
E. E. Lowe, Director of Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, to which members
were invited to bring their friends, and the meeting was honoured by the
presence of Sir Ernest Cook, representing the Lord Mayor of Bristol (who
was prevented from attending in person), by the Vice-Chancellor of the
University and by the Director of Education of the City. Sir Ernest Cook
congratulated the Society on its many years’ activity, and spoke of the
attractions which it offers to the residents of a big city.
In another direction it was decided to permit those who wished to follow
up their knowledge of Natural History to join one or more Sections without
membership of the Parent Society being required. They are thus brought
into close companionship with the working members, and the fees are left
at a nominal sum in the expectation that such students would be glad to
become full members to obtain the advantages of the Library and to receive
a copy of the ‘“ Proceedings.’’
Three Excursions were arranged, but the unsettled weather of the
summer seemed to bring about a small attendance, but the indoor Exhibition
meeting in November at the University was well attended, and much satis-
faction was expressed at the varied subjects, which were being studied by
the individual workers.
The newly-formed Ornithological Section showed by its exhibits that it
had secured some good recruits.
It must, however, be frankly recognised that the Society is not receiving
the support of the citizens, which might be expected to follow from the
efforts of Council, and it seems probable that other interests fill up all
spate time. Only 9 new members have joined in the year, whilst 15
resignations from various causes have brought the membership to 131,
including 15 Associates under the old election.
The formation of the South-Western Naturalists’ Union begun at the
end of last year, was publicly inaugurated in May by the holding of its first
Congress at Bristol. Our Society being affiliated to the Union members
were able, as Associates, to take part in all its meetings and excursions,
and Council was much gratified at the success, since a strong part of the
Union’s Executive is drawn from amongst our active members.
IDA M. ROPER,
Hom. Secretary.
10
BG COSOMONSCANMOHO | M
5 (j=)
r
‘sIO}IPNY
re
RB
VOV ‘LLATLYVA SHTAVHD
MOOD ‘H ISHN
‘qO9IIOD puNojy pue po}Ipny
rae SRIET E SUIpulq-yoog
puey ur yses
yeuTged TOF JueI
sulpulq-yoog
: "*qysnoq syxyoog
ArerqyT pue easier 21n409’T
es solpInzesryy
soseysog
DOUCINSUL IVT
. eee oe Zurjutig
CCG Le Sarees tore 7; 40-3805)
wou ,S}SITeInJeN “M'S
sqyedy 007 pure suOnMo)
oe ACY
—SoT}9190G 0} suondrimosqng Ag
‘€c6l UVAA AHL BOA LNNOOOV IVAHNAD
mw @GCoccccooomMme
PE Loe
puna suypulq- Yoog 0} suorenog
pIeMIO} DUPE
‘O39 «¢ SBUPP2990Ig 5, JO aes
ee : 8 suoljeu0g
peyoe]Joo sivs1y
a suondrosqns
zs soo s00eI}0
a drysieqmay ayy
oes oe peyelossy
"++ ATBUIPIO
—Ssuol}diosqns sieqmeyt of,
“ALADOS SLSTIVYALVN TOLSIYG FHL TM yunoooy al WAWASVAUL NOH FHL
Ad
11
LIBRARIANS’ REPORT.
For the Year 1923.
|" is gratifying to record that the Library is made more use of under the
pleasant surroundings available at the Bristol Museum. Members who
are actively pursuing Natural History work in connection with the
Sections are the chief readers, and from this other members can recognise
that the Library is of real value, and deserves still further attention both
by consultation and by no opportunity being lost to increase the number
of modern works of reference. In connection with this Council has voted
a grant of £30, with which important books have been purchased under
the advice of the different Sections.
A better method would be the presentation, by members, of modern
books, since the low subscription will not permit of adequate outlay.
It was mentioned in last year’s Report that many publications received
in exchange could not be put on the shelves for want of binding, and were
therefore not fulfilling the intention of placing the latest current views on
scientific work at the disposal of our members. We are glad to say, how-
ever, this drawback is now being overcome through the generous gift of
£50 for the purpose from Mr. Horace Gummer, who thus continues to show
his active interest in the progress of the Library. It is hoped, therefore,
that during the coming year a large amount of current literature will be
bound, and made available.
The following gifts have been received, and thanks are given to the
donors for them :—
“Somerset Archaeol. and Nat. Hist. Soc. Proceedings,’ 1922, from
Mr. T. Charbonnier.
‘“ Boletin Annual da Sociedade Broteriana,”’ 12 vols., 1884-1897, from
Dire WW. White, PF L.S.
“Journal of Botany,” 5 vols., 1912-1916, from Mr. R. V. Sherring,
ELS.
‘‘ Quarterly Journal of the Geological Soc. of London,’’ 52 vols., from
the Society per the Geological Section.
Reynolds, ‘‘ Geological Excursion Handbook for the Bristol District,”
2nd edit., 1921, from Mr. H. Womersley.
‘‘ British Association Reports,” 1920, 1921, 1922, from Miss Roper,
Bey: S sand Dr. FaS. Wallis.
‘‘An Aolian Pleistocene Deposit at Clevedon ”’ (pamphlet), 1922, from
the author, Dr, E. Greenly, F.G.S.
‘““ Geological Magazine,” 1923, from the Geological Section.
“The Entomologist ’’ and ‘‘ Entomological Monthly Magazine,’’ 1923,
from the Entomological Section.
“ British Birds,’ 1923, from the Ornithological Section.
By subscription we have received :—
The Ray Society, ‘‘ British Marine Annelids,” vol. 1v., pt. 2, by Prof
McIntosh.
‘ British Desmidiacee,”’ vol. v., by West and Carter.
‘‘ Zoological Record,’ vol. 58, 1921.
ARDHOR, BY -PROWSE, t:-Col. R.A-M:C. (Ret.),
Hon Librarian.
IDA M. ROPER, F.L.S., Hon. Sub-Librarian.
12
EXCHANGE LIST.
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire
Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club
Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
University of, Speleological Society
British Association
Museum (Natural History), S.W.
Cardiff Naturalists’ Society
Chester Natural Science Society
Cornwall, Royal Geological Society of
, Royal Institution of
————, Royal Polytechnic Society
Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club
Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society
Ealing Scientific and Microscopical Society
Edinburgh Geological Society
— Royal Botanic Society
Essex Field Club
Geological Society of London
———— Survey and Museum, London
Geologists’ Association
Glasgow, Geological Society of
——— Natural History Society of
Philosophical Society
Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club
Isle of Wight Natural History Society
Liverpool Geological Society
————— Literary and Philosophical Society
Botanical Society
Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society
——— Microscopical Society
———— Museum Library
Marlborough College Natural History Society
Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society
North Staffordshire Field Club
Nottingham Naturalists’ Society
Plymouth, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society
Quekett Microscopical Club
Royal Irish Academy
Royal Microscopical Society
Rugby School Natural History Society
Torquay Natural History Society
Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society
Naturalists’ Union
Philosophical Society
OuR ‘ PROCEEDINGS ”’ ARE SENT AS A FREE GIFT TO :—
British Museum Library Edinburgh, Advocates’ Library
Cambridge University Library Oxford, Bodleian Library
Dublin, Trinity College Library Patent Office Library, London
AUSTRALIA.
Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science
New South Wales, Geological Survey of
Royal Society of
Queensland Museum, Brisbane
Victoria, Royal Society of
EXCHANGE LIST.
CANADA.
Canadian Institute, Toronto
Hamilton Scientific Association
Nova Scotian Institute of Natural Science (Halifax)
INDIA.
Agriculture, Imperial Department of
Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
FRANCE.
Lyons, Société Linnéenne de
Rennes, University of
NORWAY.
Det Kongelige Universitet Christiana
SWITZERLAND.
Lausanne, Société Vaudois des Science Naturelles
Zurich, Naturforschende Gesellschaft
UNITED STATES.
American Museum of Natural History, New York
Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
Boston, Mass., Natural History Society
Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, Coldspring Harbour
California, University of, Berkeley
Californian Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Cincinnati Natural History Society _
—, Lloyd Library
Colorado College, Colorado Springs
, University of, Boulder
Denison Scientific Association, Ohio
Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.
Illinois, University of, Urbana
Indiana Academy of Science
Michigan Academy of Science
Missouri Botanical Gardens
New Mexico, University of, Albuquerque
Ohio, State University, Columbus
Oklahoma State University
Philadephia Academy of Natural Sciences
———————, Wagner Free Institute of Science
St. Louis Academy of Science, St. Louis
Smithsonian Institution, Washington
Tufts’ College, Mass.
United States Geological Survey, Washington
National Museum, Washington
Yale University, Connecticut
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
Buenos Aires, Muses National de Historia Natural
URUGUAY.
Montevideo, Museo Nacional de
MEXICO.
Mexico, Sociedad Cientifica
13
14
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
1923.
OTWITHSTANDING the drawbacks of the season of 1923 from an
Entomological point of view, the members recording it as the worst
within their recollection, with insects generally very scarce, increasing
interest has been taken in the Meetings and valuable contributions to local
captures in the field have been made, especially as regards new and rare
species.
Mr. H. J. Charbonnier communicated a paper upon “‘ Mimicry,’’ which
was illustrated by examples of lepidoptera supplied by the President, and
hymenoptera, diptera and coleoptera by the Hon. Secietary.
Dr. B. N. Blood gave a very instructive paper upon the sub-family
Trichogrammatinae (Fairy flies) of the Chalcididae, and exhibited specimens
mounted as microscopic slides, including the following species recorded in
the Society’s “‘ Proceedings ’’ for 1922, pp. 253-8, Oligosita collina, from
King’s Weston Down, Glos., and Brachista nigra from Shapwick, Som., new
to Britain ; and Ophioneurus signatus from Henbury, Glos., also new to
Britain, associated with the beetle Rhynchites betulae.
Mr. G. C. Griffiths read notes upon the migrant butterfly Anosia plexippus,
illustrated with examples of its various local races from different parts of the
World, together with their mimics.
Mr. J. V. Pearman reported it was his good fortune to secure specimens
of a Bark fly new to Science, and two others newto Britain. The new species
of Psocid, not known at the British Museum, had been named Caecilius
corticis Pearman, male winged and female apterous, one taken in Leigh
Woods, Som., and one at Winterbourne, Glos., in June and July. Also,
two other species of Psocidae :—Pseudopsocus Rostocki Kolbe, at Winter-
bourne, Glos., completely wingless, which had previously been found only
in 1881 in Germany ; and Psyllipsocus Ramburii de Selys, at Brean, Som.,
fully winged.
Mr. C. Bartlett read some notes upon the British species of Zygaena
and Pyvocris, exhibiting specimens or every species, including an example
of the very rare black variety of filipendulae and yellow varieties of filipendulae
and hippocrepidis.
A large number of other specimens of all Orders have been exhibited
and remarked upon by the Members, of which the following are worth
recording :—Hydrophilus piceus, Nailsea Moors, Som., by Mr. W. Griffiths ;
Osmylus pulvicephala, Blaize Castle Woods, Glos., by Mr. H. Womersley ;
Ranatva linearis, Nailsea, Ibid. Acidalia immutata, Weston-in-Gordano,
Som., by Mr. C. Bartlett.
The membership has decreased by three, and now numbers twenty-six.
CHARLES BARTLETT,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
15
GEOLOGICAL SECTION,
1923.
ITH a net increase during the year of two members the membership
of the Section now stands at 28. By a new ruling of the B.N.S.
Council it is now permissible for persons to join the Section at the
nominal subscription of 2s. 6d., without being enforced to also join the
parent Society and pay an entrance fee. It is hoped that members will do
their best to obtain recruits under this new regulation. Owing to a welcome
grant of money from the parent Society, the Geological Magazine is now
up to date, and by a further annual grant of 15s. from the same source we
shall be able to continue to subscribe to the Geological Magazine and
Palezontographical Society.
At the first meeting of the year, Dr. S. Smith, M.A., gave an original
lecture indicating the slow way in which geological ideas have crystallised
through the centuries. Geology is generally regarded as a young science, but
the lecturer claimed great antiquity for our cult.
The President (Prof. S. H. Reynolds, M.A., Sc.D.) gave a very interesting
account of the Geologists’ Association excursion to Norfolk, dealing with
a phase of geology that is unfortunately not seen in our own district.
Mr. J. W. Tutcher gave an account of his workin the Keynsham district,
which has been printed in the last number of our “‘ Proceedings.”’
Other papers of local interest were read by Mr. F. B. A. Welch and
Mr. T. A. Ryder on the Inferior Oolite of the Cheltenham District and the
Avonian of the Forest of Dean respectively. Both these lectures presented
a number of facts from their own observations in the field.
Mr. W. W. Jervis struck a novei note in his lecture on the action of
Man and his Environment, showing that man’s status as a geological
agent is often neglected. He is, however, an agent of a fairly high magnitude
and should be included in all our calculations.
During the year a very successful exhibition meeting was held in the
winter and excursions to Clevedon and the Low Level Road in the summer.
By kind invitation of the Geological Section of the Bristol Field Club mem-
bers were also invited to excursions to Burrington Combe and the Avon
Gorge.
Attention is again drawn to the geological note book, which was initiated
and presented by Mr. J. W. Tutcher. It is felt that with such a number
of new roads being constructed there must be numerous temporary exposures
known to members of which it is important and desirable to make a record
to form a valuable book.
FRED. S. WALLIS, Ph.D,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
16
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION,
1923.
HE same Officers continue to assist the working of the Section, and
during 1923 six meetings were held at private houses of the Members
or at the Museum. Papers were read on Reptilian characters in Birds,
on Migration, Peculiar Qualities of the Trachaea of various Ducks and Geese,
and on Collecting ; also one meeting was devoted to affording information
about general questions of Bird life, of which notice had been given, and
another at Midsummer to talking over jointly with the Bristol Field Club
the observations and results obtained during the past season.
The President, Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan, gave his inaugural address on
““Some recent observations of Bird Life’’ at the University in February,
to which an invitation was extended to the Parent Society. Apart from
these indoor meetings the Members have carried on independently a good
deal of field work, and the following list gives some of their results, which
have been discussed at the meetings. These include various photographs
illustrative of the life history of Birds ; a compact and light electrical appliance
for releasing a camera at any distance instantaneously ; exhibits to prove
the Food of Birds ; examples of the Curlew-Sandpiper, Knot, Arctic Tern,
Redshank and Dunlin ; Greater and Lesser Horseshoe and Long-eared Bats,
including one albino specimen of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. As an oppor-
tunity offered for examples of these Bats to be brought forward, they were
gladly included to overcome the drawback of no special Section devoting
itself to Zoology as a whole.
In other directions the Section has started to keep observational records
of Migration, and to extend this work it is intended to do some bird “ ringing ”’
next year. ‘
It has also purchased, thanks to the generosity of certain members and
Council, a cabinet, with the intention in the years to come to make part
of its work the formation of a type collection of local Birds.
COLDSTREAM TUCKETT,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
17
Account of the Annual and General Meetings.
THE 601TH ANNUAL MEETING.
January 18th, 1923.
Mr. H. Womersley was elected President for the second year,
ame Sir Hrnest Cook, D.Sc.; and Prof. O. V. Darbishire, Ph.D.,
F.L.S., Vice-Presidents, with minor alterations in Council.
Mr. Womersley gave his first Presidential Address on the
“Chemistry of the Cell,” and the effect it has to produce living
organisms.
He pointed out that whilst a cell may exist alone, they are
not isolated entities in general, but are connected by filaments of
protoplasm ; and the separate units become differentiated by their
position and environments. In every instance each cell is con-
trolled by its nucleus amongst both animals and plants, and dealing
only with those of animals, variations are to be found in the size
of cells, as for example in eggs, or caused by growth, as in some
Infusoria and Protozoa ; then the single nucleus may be distributed
or remain distinct by dividing itself during cell increase. These
changing groups of cells are what constitute in one aspect living
organisms, from which Science sets out separate species.
Another character that is regarded as establishing ‘‘ Life’’ is
the chemical contents ofthe cells. These consist of special materials
called Proteins, which are complex compounds of nitrogen, carbon,
oxygen and hydrogen, with traces of iron and phosphorus. Pro-
teins, as was fully explained, whether simple or joined in special
ways, have properties very easily altered by the interchange of
molecules of oxygen and hydrogen, from which result the formation
of smaller molecules of ever varying compounds. In like manner
the nucleus is chemically complex and its recurrent activity depends
on a supply of suitable liquid food from the proteins.
In one set of cells, such as yeast and the ferments, reaction in
this manner is not common amongst all the organisms, but is
confined to one or two special groups of substances, as demonstrated
in saliva, pepsin, rennet and the like.
These chemical changes of proteins within the cells, usually
with the aid of ferments, combined with the power of growth of
the cells, form together the two essential attributes of living matter
18 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS.
THE 500TH GENERAL MEETING.
February Ist, 1923.
‘Some Recent Observations of Bird-life,’ by Prof. C. Lloyd
Morgan, F.R.S.
The Society having revived the Section of Ornithology this
was its inaugural meeting, and the address by the Honorary Presi-
dent of the Section was also regarded as the paper to the Society
for this meeting.
Prof. Lloyd Morgan first described the stages of progress of
the born naturalist, who began with what he might term without
offence superficial observation and eventually reached the stage
when he held the whole in something like an evolutionary picture.
Drawing an analogy, he said that the chapters in the life-history
of birds might be entitled immigration, mating, nesting, care of
young and emigration. Of late a fresh paragraph had been inserted.
in that series. It came between immigration and mating. It was
a stage that had been very largely overlooked until lately, and it
might involve—he thought it did involve—a re-interpretation of
the meaning of many of the sentences in those chapters. After a
brief reference to the work of Mr. Edgar Chance in tracing the
history of the cuckoo—a work on which he thought Mr. Chance
ought to be congratulated—the speaker dealt at length with Mr.
Elliott Howard’s observation of the period between the immigration
of the male birds from the south and their mating with the females
which arrive in this country anything from 5 or 6 days to three
weeks later. He spoke of the nature, disposition, impulse and
instinct of birds, and warned his audience against erecting any of
these into a metaphysicalentity. A point of general interest arising
from Mr. Howard’s re-interpretation of the chapter on mating was
his discovery that the best period of singing was before the arrival
of the females. After the male had secured his mate in his “‘ terri-
tory’ his song fell off. He was not, therefore, singing to please
the lady: Rather, as Mr. Howard suggested, after the male had
selected his ‘‘ territory,” the female arrived and was attracted by
his song.
A number of slides bearing on the subject was shown.
THE 501st GENERAL MEETING.
March 8th, 1928.
‘‘ What is Bred in the Bone,’ by Mr. E. E. Lowe (Director
of the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery).
It was pointed out that physical and mental characters shown
by man and animals were of two distinct kinds :—(1) congenital
ones, e.g., lop-ears in certain rabbits, or a crooked finger in a child,
and the mane, horns or whiskers at a due age—each bred in the
bone ; and (2) those acquired during life by special efforts and
training of body or mind, e.g., great enlargement of muscle, or
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS. 19
activity of fingers in piano playing, and the education of the mind
to its highest attainments—each acquired during a life time, and
not transmitted to the offspring.
At one time it was held by scientists that the inherent or
congenital characters were acquired as the result of successive
generations gradually adding a small step towards the present
physical state, as the giraffes lengthening their necks, or wading
birds their legs by securing more food thereby. Nowaday opinion
is against this view, as experiments of constantly cutting off the
tails of mice for many generations have no effects on the offspring,
nor has the custom practised by a tribe of Red, Indians of flattening
the skulls of their children produced any sign of permanent change.
Rather it is held that natural selection is the operating cause,
that is, the variations from the average which occur amongst
ofispring, are present at the moment of birth, and inherent in the
mixture of characters which takes place at the fertilization of the
nucleus of the female egg. The offspring best fitted for the battle
of life survives, and similar results are obtained in following genera-
tions, from the fresh variations that arise and are best able to
overcome the life conditions prevailing. Examples of such slow
changes are found in whales losing their hind legs, man his tail,
leaf butterflies and many insects securing mimicry of their sur-
roundings.
The lecturer admitted it was a sad fact to be faced, that all
the education now being acquired had no direct beneficial effect on
our children, and only indirectly benefited the race. It should
be clearly realised that education, valuable as is the highest study
for the individual, cannot bring about what it is popularly supposed
to do, transmit an increased mental endowment to our children.
The truth of this is manifest by reason of the extremely early
age at which the reproductive cells of all animals are set aside in
one definite part of the body long before sexual maturity is attained.
It is likely that the theories of Mendel and Weismann may point the
track along which variations arise, by certain characters proving
to be dominant over others in human beings, as for instance, red
hair is “‘ recessive’ and may appear at intervals only, being usually
kept down by the dominant brown colour, or the artistic or musical
abilities of parents may be long suppressed. Mental and physical
defects on the other hand seem to be dominant, so as to constantly
recur, and to this unfortunate power the presence of defective
children appears to be due, from the union of one mentally deficient
or tainted parent.
Amongst ordinary healthy families variations occur from the
inborn nature of the children, even though all are brought up with
similar surroundings and equally good education, and this cannot
be altered, but to assure improved health, and to obtain long life,
it is needful to take care through the generations to mate together
only healthy stocks, and in short we ‘‘ must choose our parents
properly.”
20 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS.
THE 502np ANNUAL MEETING.
April 5th, 1928.
** Giants,” by Prof. EB. Fawcett, Ff Ras
The occurrence of a man of a height in excess of ordinary
stature is not restricted to any special race or colour, as on occasions
giants may be met with amongst them all. From history, how-
ever, it is to be noticed that certain races appear to furnish more
examples, such as the Irish, ‘‘ where men of uncommon stature
are often seen,’ the people of Patagonia, the northern races, who
furnished the celebrated Prussian Guards, and other people whose
skeletons have been measured. A table to show the height of
giants brought out clearly the different nationalities.
Height gave advantages to a man as well as having draw-
backs, and incidents were related how giants had been known
to light their pipes from street lamps, or to shake hands with
people in the boxes of theatres, or to cause companions to resort
to running in order to keep pace with the giant on an ordinary
walk. On the other hand giants were not always well formed,
or intelligent or healthy.
Although rumour magnified the height of some giants to
between 8 and 9 feet, it may be considered certain 7 to 8 feet is
near the true mark. Lantern slides to illustrate details were
shown, and a number of questions answered.
THE 503rp GENERAL MEETING.
May 3rd, 1923.
‘The Intelligence and Sense Organs of Dragonflies,’ by
T. F. Hewer.
(Printed in full on page 38).
Exhibits by Mr. W. Griffiths of four examples of the Comma
butterfly, Polygonia c-album, and the water beetle, Hydrophilus
piceus, taken early in April, and new to the district ; by Mr. Cold-
stream Tuckett, of a whiskered bat, Myotis mystacinus.
FIELD EXCURSIONS.
Three excursions were arranged during the Summer of 1923,
but the July one was not held on account of the weather.
June 9th. Ramble from Mangotsfield to Pucklechurch across
the fields through Syston. ‘There were only nine members present,
and during the enjoyable walk the following special plants were
noticed :—The white flowered Trifolium pratense and its variety
parviflorum, Barbarea arcuata, and the fine example of Buxus
balearica planted on the Syston Court estate. The ancient churches
on the way were also visited and aroused much interest.
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS. 21
September 8th. Ramble from Keynsham to Bitton, keeping
near the River Avon. The attendance again proved disappointing
andonly numbered ten. The chief object was to pay a visit to the
Vicarage garden made so celebrated by the fifty years labour of.
the late Canon H. N. Ellacombe. In the absence on holiday of
the present Vicar, Rev. F. H. W. Taylor, the gardener delighted
the members by describing the many foreign shrubs and herbs
that still flourish under his fostering care.
THE 504TH GENERAL MEETING.
October 4th, 1923.
pecnes Rice Plant of India,” by David Hooper, LL.D.
The lecture dealt with rice from three points of view, ie.,
historical, agricultural and chemical. The lecturer said that rice
was probably used first by the Aboriginal tribes of India, and is
noticed in the Athana-Veda along with barley and beans. The
earliest mention of its cultivation was connected with China, a
ceremony being established in 2,800 B.C. by the Emperor Chin-
nung. The chief wild habitat of the plant was roughly from
Southern India to Cochin China. The Karens of Burma believed
that every rice plant had its spirit, and offered prayers whenever
the crop was bad. Rice played an important part in the marriage
ceremonies of Hindus, being poured over the head of the bride
as an emblem of life, regeneration, etc. This was probably the
origin of rice-throwing at weddings. Rice was also used at a birth,
when naming a child, for the purpose of averting evil, from witches,
and. at funeral ceremonies. There were three harvests of rice in
India every year, and a harvest festival for each, when the rice
was worshipped. The different kinds of rice might be classed as
follows :—The awned and awnless, the coloured and colourless.
It was calculated that in India 89 million tons of rice were prepared
at a value of £190,000,000. The paddies are first dried in the
sun, then husked in hullers, the cuticle is next removed by friction,
and the white rice is then put through a polishing machine. The
average period rice took to mature was two months, but some
varieties took three, four, or even five to grow. ‘The names given
to some rices have reference to the size, shape, colour or scent of
the grain, but in others it denotes the nutritive quality, or may
refer to the fact that they are sacred to some deity. Rice is always
held in great veneration, special rices being offered to dieties,
others are regarded as food fit for royal tables, and poetic and
humane instincts are revealed by the names of rices which signify
moon over the mountains, horse rice and ant rice, the little insect
not being forgotten. The lecture concluded with a chemical
analysis of rice, and the disease beri-beri.
Exhibit by Mr. H. Womersley of living Hymenopterous parasites
on a Coleopterous larva,
22 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS.
THE 505TH GENERAL MEETING.
November Ist, 1923.
Exhibits of Natural History by the Members.
All sections were well represented, even excelling in quality
those of last year. Amongst the exhibits were :—The President,
Mr. H. Womersley, dragonflies, beetles, a rare lacewing, various
spring tails, and the Berlese apparatus for collecting same ; humble
bees’ nest, with inquilines, scavengers, &c., abnormal gulls’ eggs,
female butterflies with male coloration by Mr. W. Griffiths ; water-
colour drawings of Hemiptera, by Mr. A. D. R. Bacchus, and
chalcidae and new specimens of mymaridae by Dr. Blood ; photo-
graphs of sea birds from Scilly Isles and bird life in the garden,
Mr. R. P. Gait and Mr. G. R. Mountfort ; bats and various small
mammals, Mr. C. Tuckett ; the food of owls and herons, Miss
Selman ; various forms of vegetative reproduction, Miss Roper,
Prof. O. V. Darbishire, and Mr. C. Hunter; a collection of beautiful
local fungi, Mr. H. J. Gibbons and Mr. C. Wall; British alpine
flowers, Mr. F. W. Evens ; floral sports, Mrs. Sandwith ; vertebrate
remains, Prof. S. H. Reynolds ; evolution and development of the
lobes of fossils, Mr. J. W. Tutcher ; fossils shown at the Geological
Association, Mr. H. F. Barke; flint implements found locally,
made by Palaeolithic man, Mr. R. H. FitzJames.
Coffee was served during the meeting.
THE 506TH GENERAL MEETING.
December 6th, 1923.
‘“ The Story of the Geological Science,’ by Dr. S. Smith, M.A., F.G.S.
We were apt to think that geology was one of the youngest
of the sciences, whereas it was really the oldest. Every child was
born a scientist and asked questions about his surroundings.
' Primitive man did likewise, asked these questions, and answered
them in his own crude fashion ; he expressed his ideas as a tale
of the struggle between giants and beasts. Man passed from the
hunting stage to the pastoral; he saw the mitacle of seed time
and harvest, and attempts to solve the universe soon became a
religion. ‘Then came the ancient Greek philosophers, who, though
acquainted with physics and mathematics, contributed little to
geology, the earliest philosophers indulging in poetic and yet
brilliant flights of fancy that often came very near the mark.
Thales thought that there must have been an all-prevailing sub-
stance forming heat and cold, and that water might have been the
originator of all living things. Eratosthemes recognised the double
movement of the earth, The Greeks were, however, philosophers
=
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS. 23
and not scientists. After the Greeks came the Romans, who were
more practical than the Greeks ; they applied the principles of
geology, without being aware of the fact, by constructing roads
and laying water pipes. They were, however, more fond of games
than science. By the fall of the Roman Empire the whole world
fell into chaos. Then came the Dark Ages, people trusting their
possessions to strong walls and their learning to the Church. There
came several great events which contributed greatly to revival
of learning :—(1) The conquering Arabs, who were Alchemists ;
(2) the Crusaders, who returned bringing with them glass windows
and rugs; (3) the Turk, who broke into Europe, scattered the
monks, who fled and spread their knowledge ; (4) the Renaissance ;
(5) the discovery of America, opening up new thought as well as
new lands. Several men assisted greatly about this time—Galileo ,
Dante, Leonardo de Vinci, and Palassy, who studied fossils. After-
wards Berringer wrote books on fossils and later John Woodward
collected them. In 1670 the world accepted the origin of fossils,
as we do to-day. Then, coming to more modern time, two schools
atose, one thinking the earth had been formed by action of water
only, the other by volcanic means as well. The penny post, the
railways, and sea steamboats in the early 19th century, shortening
distances and rendering exchange of ideas easier, accelerated
scientific progress.
Exhibits by Mr. .W. Griffiths and Miss Griffiths of larva of the
carniverous water beetle Dytiscus marginalis; unusually small
eggs of the Guillemot and the vocal chords of the Widgeon.
24
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE: A RETROSPECT.
The 60th year of this society’s existence was completed on
May 8th, 1923. Early in 1862 the late Prof. Adolph Leipner (who
had made Bristol his home in 1854) and six other Bristol citizens
—Mr. Stephen Barton, Dr. John Beddoe, Mr. W. J. Fedden, Dr.
Henry E. Fripp, Mr. C. T. Hudson, and Mr. W. W. Stoddart—
formed themselves into a Provisional Committee, and proceeded
to sound the scientific mind of Bristol upon the question of forming
a society, with the aim and object of investigating “‘ every branch
of science that finds culture amongst us.’’ No fewer than 168
gentlemen replied favourably, and on 24th April invitations were
sent, asking their attendance at the inaugural meeting in the Philoso-
phical Institution, Park Street, on Thursday evening, May 8th,
1862. Inthe absence of the Rev. Canon Mosely, who was to have
presided, the. Rev. Canon Guthrie was voted to the chair. The
report of the Provincial Committee was read, and, together with
the proposed rules, adopted after full discussion. Officers were
then elected on the proposal of the Rev. W. James, seconded by
Dr. Beddoe—the former remarking that ‘“‘ there could be no real
opposition between the truths of science and of religion.” Thanks
were voted to the committee of the Philosophical Institution,
which, in reply to an application, had resolved ‘‘that this com-
mittee has heard with real pleasure of the formation of the Bristol
Naturalists’ Society, and that the rooms of the institution be
placed at its disposal during pleasure.”
Mr. W. Sanders, F.R.S., the first President, held office until
his death in 1875. Mr. Leipner, really the ‘‘ Father ”’ of the society,
acted as hon. secretary until 1893, when he became President, but
his lamented death took place only a few months later. His won-
derful zeal enabled him to fulfil the duties of hon. librarian also,
until 1879.
THE, UEBRARY.
The first list of books, printed in 1866, included 14 volumes.
The present library, which contains many works to be found no-
where else in the city, consists of about 3,000 bound volumes and
periodicals of corresponding societies all over the world come
regularly in exchange for our annual ‘‘ Proceedings’’—48 from
Great Britain and Ireland, 10 from other parts of the Empire, 28
from the United States, and also a few from France, Norway,
Switzerland, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and Peru. Until 1871
the library was housed in the Philosophical Institution. From
that date until 1884 the books were in Prof. Leipner’s own house.
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE; A RETROSPECT. 25
Then University College kindly found space for them; but, with
the steady growth in numbers, another home was found needful
in 1890, and this was in the Literary and Philosophic Club House
in Berkeley Square. Since the spring of 1922 the committee of
the ‘‘ Bristol Museum and Art Gallery’’ has kindly provided ac-
commodation.
The place where the ordinary meetings have been held since
we left the Philosophical Institution in 1871 was for some years
the ‘‘ Bristol Museum and Library,” and then the hospitable doors
of “‘ University College’’ opened to us in December, 1883. This
kindly welcome has been continued by the ‘‘ University’ ever since
it came into being.
Excursion meetings have always been a feature of the society’s
work, though, of late years, the multiplicity of engagements of all
kinds has greatly diminished the numbers attending these pleasant
outings. At the first one, July 8th, 1862, botany, entomology
and geology were all represented. At the second (20th August)
archeology claimed a considerable share of attention—the account
printed in the local papers recording that “‘the main halt was at
Coaley hill tumulus,” into which a few ardent souls “‘ dexterously
wriggled their way.” As has always been the case with local
societies, resembling ours, the fascinating subject of archeology
has invariably been a great attraction ; though an ill-judged attempt
to exclude it, and certain other subjects, from our sphere of activity
was made many years ago. ‘The idea in the minds of the revolu-
tionists was, seemingly, to limit our work to ‘“‘ Natural History ”’
pure and simple.
SPECIALISING.
During the 60 years’ life of the society various sections have
been formed from time to time for special study of different branches
of science—not only botany, zoology, and geology, but also chemis-
try and photography, physics, microscopy, engineering, and others.
Directly due to the broad basis wisely laid by the founders of the
society, the papers printed in the annual ‘‘ Proceedings’’ have in-
cluded some dealing with a wide range of subjects—anatomy
(human), archeology, astronomy, chemistry, cosmography, electri-
city, engineering, epidemiology, ethnology, folklore and superstitions,
histology, magnetism, mental science, meterology, microscopy,
philology, photography, physics, physiology, sanitary and social
science, technology, etc., in addition to those upon botany, zoology
and geology.
LADIES AS MEMBERS.
In regard to membership, the numbers reached 250 in 1887 ;
but from the first there have been considerable fluctuations. At
present the total is about 150, and this smaller number is probably
26 THE DIAMOND JUBILEE: A RETROSPECT. |
mainly the result of the multiplication in recent years of competing
societies, each limiting its work to one special branch of science ;
but is undoubtedly partly due to the unwholesome craving by
the younger generation for mere amusements.
¢
At its foundation, membership was limited to ‘‘ mere man,”
but only five months after the Society’s birth, the Council, in accord-
ance with the wish of many members arranged an excursion “‘ suit-
able for’ the gentler sex. The ‘ Fairy Queen’ was chartered, and
took members and their guests to Portishead and back, leaving
Cumberland Basin at 11 a.m., and returned at 7 p.m.
The very next month the Council was authorised to invite
ladies to the evening meetings,—‘‘ whenever the subjects are likely
to be of a nature to interest a female audience!”’ This hazardous
experiment seems to have succeeded ; but nearly five years more
elapsed before ladies were admitted to membership, though only
as ‘“ Associates ’’’ ; and the right to the equality of full membership
was not gained until October 1872. No official position was held
by any lady until 1896, when Miss M. K. Moore was appointed
Reporting Secretary ; and for five years carried out her duties in
an exemplary way. Since then we have had a lady, Miss Roper
F.L.S., as President, who filled the position in a most able manner,
It should be mentioned that we still have with us one of the original
members,—our highly esteemed fellow-citizen, Mr. Augustine F.
Woodward,—who joined 1862, and remained on the roll until 1882.
A third class of members, paying only one quarter the full
subscription was started in 1895, in response to representations by
certain members of the Geological Section, who said that there was
a large number of ‘‘ working men” geologists and others, who
would willingly subscribe half-a-crown a year though they could not
afford either the full subscription (10s.) or that of the Associates
(5s.). Five years experience sufficed to prove the untrustworthiness
of these representations ; for only a very limited number of people
joined at this reduced rate, and the difficulty of obtaining payment
from members of all classes was always in inverse ratio to the size
of the subscription. ‘The half-a-crown membership was, therefore,
wisely abolished.
PAPERS AND PUBLICATION,
The first paper read to the Society was upon “‘ Insect respira-
tion,’ at the inaugural meeting. Dr. Brittan was the author ; and
lantern illustrations were given by Dr. C. T. Hudson. At the
second meeting there were papers on Geology, Histology, and Zoo-
logy ; and a ‘‘ Giant Puffball’? was exhibited. From the first the
evening meetings have been regularly held in the winter months ;
aud in the summer one or more general excursions have been
arranged. For some years the meetings were closed at an early
|| oa
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE: A RETROSPECT. 27
hour, e.g., the Minutes of the 22nd meeting record that ‘‘ A discus-
sion ensued, which was cut short by the announcement from the
chair at half-past nine, that it was time for the meeting to separate.”’
Among the publications of the Society have been the ‘‘ Flora ”’
of the district, the ‘‘ Fungi,’ and certain sections of the ‘‘ Fauna ’’—
the Birds, the Diptera, the Lepidoptera, etc. There have been
also many valuable papers on local Geology—especially worthy of
mention being the classic one upon the Avon Gorge by the late
Arthur Vaughan, D.Sc., whose zonal classification of the carbonifer-
ous limestone has been adopted, by all geologists.
The Society has undoubtedly fulfilled to a large extent the aims
of its founders ; and the volume of really good. scientific work which
it has accomplished forms a very strong claim for a more widespread
and generous local support than it has hitherto received.
Javea oye 12
28
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1923.
“THE MODERN STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY...
By H. WoOMERSLEY.
N order to interest members in the relationship from the evolu-
tionary aspect of the Orders of Insects to each other and to
the other branches of the Arthropoda, the metamorphic life histories
of many families were sketchec in detail, special attention. being
given to such parts of the bodies as were likely to rank as primitive
or directly derived from generalized forms, towards which fossils
contribute only a small amount of information.
The basis of many descriptions was from local examples
studied by the lecturer, chiefly {rom the lower forms of Insects,
such as the Spring-tails, Bri.tle-tails, and such like, ) A
list of Mr. Womerley’s captures amongst these wingless Insects
in the South-West of England is appended as an encouragement
to study them.
These closely reasoned details of anatomy served to show
how evolution forged the connecting links up to the Hymenoptera
and Diptera. It was considered probable that to a primitive
worm, living in water and coming to the land, the origin of the
Arthropoda and all its classes must be placed.
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEsT OF ENGIAND,
With the exception of Marquand’s paper on ‘‘ The Penzance
Collembola and Thysanura’”’ in the Tvans. Penzance Nat. Hist.
Soc., 1881, and. Parfitt’s “‘ List of Devon. Thyeamina we ti7a7s:
Devonshire Assoc., Vol. 23, 1891, no one has to my knowledge
worked on these insects in the S.-W. Counties of England.
In the present list, besides my own records, I have endeavoured
to incorporate the species recorded in the papers referred to, but
under their present names.
This list enumerates some five certain species of Thysanura,
and 57 species and eight varieties of Collembola. Of these several
of the older records, owing to changes of nomenclature and sub-
division of species, need to be confirmed. My own records number
41 Collembola and 3 varieties and 5.species of Thysanura.
The nomenclature followed has been chiefly that of Borner
and Linnaniemi.
Finally, it is with the greatest pleasure that I acknowledge
my indebtedness to Mr. J. Meikle Brown, B.Sc., F.L.S., F.E.S.,
for his help in naming or confirming most of my captures, etc.
Class =) TNS CPA:
Sub-Class — APpTERYGOTA (Oudemans).
Order — Thysanura (Latreille).
Family — Machilidae.
I, Genus — _ Premachilis (Silv.).
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND. 29
1. P. hybernica (Carp.).
The Machilis polypoda of Lubbock’s Monograph occurs fairly
plentifully amongst stones at the roots of trees in Leigh Woods,
Somerct (January and February, 1923) ; also at Cadbury Camp,
Ticker.ham, and is not uncommon on the rocks in Blaise Castle
Grounds, Glos. (August, 1923). Recorded by Marquand for the
Land’s End Di.trict under M. polypoda. Sidmouth, 1890 ;Parfitt.
II. Genus — _ Petrobius (Leach).
2. P. Carpentari (Bagn.).
Occurs plentifully, but localised under railway arches on
Somerset side of Avon Gorge, and also on the cliffs between Weston-
super-Mare and Kewstoke.
Whether the species recorded as M. maritima by Marquand
for Land’s End is this species, I am unable to say, not having
handled specimens from there.
Parfitt records Machilis maritima from Ilfracombe, Torbay,
Babbacombe, etc., but the correct species must await re-deter-
mination.
Family — Lepismatidze (Burmeister).
III. Genus — Lepisma (Ljinn.).
3. L. saecharina (Linn.).
The common, silver fish occurs practically everywhere, and
occasionally does slight damage to paper, books, ete. I have
records from Glos., Somerset and Cornwall. Exeter ; Parfit.
[L. sp. ? near parisiensis (Nic.) ].
Recorded by Parfitt in numbers in old woodwork, North
Devon.
Family — Campodeadae (Lubb.)
IV. Genus — Campodea (Westwood).
4. (C. lankesteri (Silv.).
Fairly plentiful under stones around Bristol,
5. (C. lubboeki (Silv.).
Also plentiful and generally distributed around Bristol in
similar localities to above.
Marquand, records C. staphylinus for Land’s End, but whether .
true staphylinus, or another of the now recognised species, is
uncertain without fresh captures.
My remark ve Marquand’s record of Campodea staphylinus
equally applies to Parfitt’s records. |
Order — Collembola (Lubb.).
sub-Order — Arthropleona (C. Borner).
Section — Poduro-morpha (C.B.).
Family — Poduride (C.B.)
I. Genus — _ Podura (Linn.) Tlbg.
30 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND.
1. P. aquatica (Linn.) Nic.
Abundant everywhere around Bristol on the surface of stagnant*
ponds. Probably occurs throughout the S.-W. area. Marquand
records it for Land’s End. Common, Devon ; Parfitt.
Family — Hypogastruride (C.B.).
Sub-family — Hypogastrurine (C.B.).
‘II. Genus — Hypogastrura (Bour. C.B.)
(Achorutes, Temp. Lubb. L.).
2. H. armata (Nic.).
Taken under bark Combe Dingle, Bristol, Feb., 1922; Blaise,
Nov. 18, 1923; and Leigh Woods, Nov. 18, 1923 ; Heathfield and
Shaldon, Devon, June, 1923.
3. H. purpurascens (Lubbk.).
On embankment wall Somerset side of Avon Gorge, Nov. 17,
1922, and under bark Blaise Castle, Feb. 24, 1923, on face of cliffs,
Kewstoke, Soms., Oct. 21, 1923, also at Land’s End, Marquand,
Dartmoor, 1890. Parfitt.
4. H. viatieus (Linn.) Tullb.
Abundant on rotting potatoes, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, Feb. 14,
1923. Recorded by Marquand for Land’s End under the name
Achorutes murorum. Between tide marks on banks of Exe at
Exeter ; Parfitt. |
The use of this insect in clearing sewage filter beds is of great
interest, and it is to be noted that the spot where I found this
species is only a field away from the site of an old sewage farm.
This possibly has something to do with the presence of these insects.
5. [H. unungviculatus (Tullb.) J.
Marquand’s Podura Tullbergi may be this species. It requires
confirmation.
6. H. rufesecens (Nic.), Exeter 1890-91 ; Parfit.
7. [H. ? assimilatus (Nic.) ].
Marquand records Achorutes assimilatus (Nic.) as occurring
plentifully in a beer cellar in November.
III. Genus — Xenylla (Tlbg.).
8. X. grisea (Axels.).
Under bark Kewstoke Woods, Weston-super-Mare, Aug. 25.
1922.
Sub-family — Achorutine (C.B.).
Tribe — Pseudachorutini (C.B.).
IV. Genus — _ Pseudachorutes (Tlbg.).
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND. 31
9. P. asigillatus (Born.).
Under bark Blaise Castle, Feb. 24, 1923, and also in similar
habitat Leigh Woods, Bristol, March 30, 1923.
V. Genus — _ Anurida (Laboulb.).
10. A. maritima (Guer.).
Plentiful under stones on shore between high and low water |
mark at Weston-super-Mare and Portishead, also from Land’s
End ; Marquand. ‘The clusters of large yellow eggs may be found
in April in similar situations. Plymouth ; Parfitt.
Tribe — Achorutini (C.B.).
VI. Genus — _ Achorutes (C.B.) Templ.
Neanura (Macgily.).
1. A. museorum (Templ.).
Generally distributed under bark or stones, Flax Bourten,
Bristol, Feb. 24, 1923; Blaise, Feb. 4. 1923 ; Weston-super-Mare
March 25, 1923. Land’s End ; Marquand.
Family — Onychiurine (C.B.)
VII. Genus — Onychiurus (Gerv.).
12. O. burmeisteri (Lubbk.).
Generally distributed under stones. Land’s End; Marquand.
Exeter ; Parfitt.
13. O. ambulans (Linn.) Tullb.
Equally common. Heathfield, Devon, June 6, 1923. Land’s
End ; Marquand. Chudleigh, 1878 ; Parfitt.
14. O. armatus (Tullb.).
In the stem of an agaric, Blaise, Feb. 4, 1923. Plentiful in
moss, Blaise, Nov. 19283.
15. QO. fimetarius (Lubbk.).
From Land’s End; Marquand.
Section — Entomobryomorpha (C.B.)
Family — Isotomide (Schfir.).
Sub-family — Isotominge (Schfir.).
VIII. Genus— Anurophorus.
16. A. larieis (Tullb.).
Under bark of living Scotch firs and larch, 1883, Devon;
Parfitt.
IX. Genus — _ Isotoma s. str. (Bourl. C.B:).
3 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND.
17. I. viridis (Bourl.).
Common everywhere amongst moss and under stones. Mar-
quand records it under the names of viridis, viaticus and anglicana,
now considered varieties.
Iinnaniemi regards Parfitt’s records of I. palustrisy vars.
viridis and aquatilis as referable to this species. His palustris,
viaticus and, anglicana should also belong to this species.
18. I. olivaecea (Tullb.) var. griseeseens (Schafir.).
The I. grisea of Marquand from I,and’s End is probably this
variety of olivacea (Tullb.).
Parfitt’s grisea var. intricata is probably this species.
19. I. maritima (Tullb.).
Parfitt took this species under marine rejectamenta, Babba-
combe, 1890.
X. Sub-Genus Isotoma (Vertagopus) (C.B.).
20. V. arborea (Linn.) Agren. |
Common under bark during the winter. Land’s End; Mar-
quand. Devon; Parfit.
21. V. sensibilis (Tullb.)
Under bark Blaise Castle Woods, March 17, 1923.
22. V. cinerea (Nic.).
Under bark Weston-super-Mare, March 25, 1923.
XI. Genus — _ Proisotoma (C.B.).
23. P. minuta (Tullb.).
Under rotten bark Heathfield, Devon, June 6, 1923.
XII. Genus — Arehisotoma (Linnaniemi).
24. A. besselsi (Pack)=Isotoma spitzbergensis= Lub.
An extremely interesting species of northern habitat, common
under stones on shore between high and low water mark at Weston-
super-Mare, March 25, 1923. Also at Shaldon, Devon, June 7,
1923. Easily distinguished by its characteristic mucro. The
only previous record from the South of England is ‘‘coast near
Beachy Head; Brown, 1921 (EH.M.M.).”
XIII. Genus— Folsomia (Willem.).
25. F. fimetaria (Linn.) Tlbg.
Under bark Shapwick, Aug. 26, 1923, Weston-super-Mare,
Jan. 20, 1922.
Do. var. ealdaria (Axels.).
A large specimen 3 mm. approx. taken at Weston-super-Mare
same date could be referred to this variety.
tHE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND. 339
26. F. quadrioculata (Tullb.).
A single specimen of this interesting and delicate creature
was taken under dead leaves in Leigh Woods, Jan. 14, 1928. Plen-
tiful amongst dead leaves Blaise, Nov. 10, 1923.
XIV. Genus — __Isotomurus (C.B.)
27. I. palustris (Miall.).
On surface of water at Shapwick in the Spring of 1921. Later
under stones Durdham Downs and in my garden ; Henbury, March
31, 1923. Heathfield, Devon, June 6, 1923. Marquand records it
tot Land's End.
Family — Tomoceride (Schifir.).
Sub-family — Tomocerine (C.B.).
XV. Genus — Tomoeerus (Nic.).
28. T. minor (Lubbk.).
4 plumbeus (Lubbk.)=tridentiferus (Tullbg.).
Common everywhere under stones. bark, etc. Heathfield,
June 6, 1923. Land’s End ; Marquand.
29. T. vulgaris (Tullb.), Dartmoor ; Parfit.
30. T. (Pogonognathus) longicornis (Lubbk.)
" plumbeus (Linn.) Tullbg.
Has a remarkably long coiled antenne. Under bark almost
everywhere. Blaise Castle, etc., Heathfield, June 6, 1928. Land’s
End ; Marquand. Devon; Parfitt.
31. T. (P.) plumbeus (Templ. Agr.).
Parfitt records it from near Sidmouth as T. niger (Bourlet).
Family — Entomobryide (C.B.).
Sub-family — Entomobryine (C.B.).
Tribe — Entomobryini (C.B.)
XVI. Genus— Entomobrya (Rond.)
= Degeeria (Nic.)
32. KE. nivalis (Linn.).
Common everywhere in herbage bushes, etc. Marquand’s
D. annulata is probably this species. Devon ; Parjitt.
33. KE. multifaseiata (Tullb.).
Equally common. Marquand’s D. nivalis is most likely this
species. Devonshire ; Parfitt.
E. multifaseiata var. brooki, Babbacombe, 1890 ; Parfitt.
34. E. museorum (Nic.).
Fairly plentiful. Recorded by Marquand for Land’s End as
wo) micoleti.
34 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND.
35. E. intermedea (Brook) recorded for Dartmoor ; Parfit.
E. intermedea var. elongata Exeter, 1891; Parfitt.
36. E. lanuginosus (Nic.).
Recorded from Exeter as a variety of multifasciata:; Par fi 4
37. E. arborea (Tullb.) Devonshire; Parfitt, as a variety of
multifasciata.
38. E. nicoleti (Lulb.). Generally distributed in Devon ; Parfitt.
39. E. albocineta (Temp.).
Common under every piece of loose bark. Heathfield, Devon,
June 6, 1923. Marquand for Land’s End, D. cincta. Exeter ;
Parfitt.
XVII. Genus — Lepidocyrtus (Bourl.).
40. L. ecyaneus. Tulbg.
Very abundant and generally distributed under stones. Heath-
field, Devon, June 6, 1923. Recorded for Land’s End by Marquand
under L, violacegus and purpureus.
Parfitt records this as L,. violaceus and purpureous.
41. L. lanuginosus (Gomel.).
Leigh Woods, Dec. 1922. Land’s End, Marquand, as LL.
lignorum and gibbulus ; Devon, Parfitt as L. lignorum, gibbulus
and, seneus. a
42. L. eurvicollis (Bourl.).
In my own garden May, 1923. Land’s End; Marquand.
Sidmouth ; Parfitt. Not uncommon Blaise, Nov. 10, 1923, Leigh
Woods, Nov. 18, 1923.
XVIII. Genus — Willowsia (Shoe.)
= Sira (Lubk. ad. part).
43. W. buskii (Lubb.).
Under elm bark Exeter, 1891 ; Parfitt.
XIX. Genus — Sara (Lbk.) Shoebthm.
44. §. nigromaculata (Lbbk.), taken by Parfitt under chips,
Exeter, 1890.
Recorded for Land’s End by Marquand.
Tribe — Orehesselini (C.B.). . .
XX. Genus — Orechesella (Templ.).
45. O. cineta (Linn.) Lbk.
Plentiful everywhere in herbage. Heathfield, Devon, June 6,
1923. Land’s End; Marquand. Exeter District ; Parfitt,
O. var. vaga.
Equally common.
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND. 35
46. O. villosa (Geoff.), Lubk. |
Equally plentiful, but under stones. Heathfiield, Devon,
June 6, 1923. Land’s End; Marquand. Exeter District; Parfitt.
47. OO. flavescens.
Amongst bracken and dog’s mercury in Bs Bourton Combe
in Spring, 1921.
XXI. Genus — Heteromurus (Wankil,).
48. H. nitida (Templ.).
The Templetonia cry:tallina of Lubbock’s Monograph ; gen-
erally plentiful under stones. Land’s End,; Marquand.
Sub-family — Cyphoderine (C.B.).
Tribe — Cyphoderini (C.B.).
XXII. Genus Cyphoderus (Nic.)
49. (C. albinos (Nic.).
The Beckia albinus of Lubbock occurs everywhere in nests
of ants, especially A. (D.) flava. Heathfield, Devon, June 6, 1925,
B. argentea of Marquand is probably this species. Exeter ; Parfitt
as NS: argentea.
aif Sub-order — Symphepleona (C.B.).
Family — Sminthuride (Lbk.).
Sub-family — Sminthuridine (C.B.).
Tribe — Katiannini (C.B.).
XXIII. Genus Sminthurinus (C.B.).
50. §S. aureus (Lbk.).
Recorded by Marquand for Land’s End.
Sub-family — Sminthurine (C.B.)
Tribe — Bourletiellini (C.B.).
XXIV. Genus Bourletiella (Bank) C.B.
dl. B. insignis (Reut.).
Common in a meadow at Shaldon, Devon, June 4, 1923.
Almost certainly in the Bristol District.
52. B. bicinetus (Kock.).
— cinctus (Tullb.)
Amongst herbage at Blaise, June 23, 1923. A small yellow
species with two dark brown bands.
var. repanda (Agr.) Axels.=sulphurea (Kock.).
Amongst herbage with above at Blaise, June 23, 1923.
Tribe — Sminthurini (C.B.)
XXV. Genus — Sminthurus (Latr.) C.B.
36 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND.
53. §. viridis (Linn.).
Common in every short grassy meadow during summer. Very
variable. Heathfield, Devon, June 6, 1923. Land’s End; Mar-
quand. Exeter ; Parfit.
XXVI. Genus — Allaema (C.B.)
54. A. fusea (Linn.).
Common in Blaise Castle Woods, late summer. Jand’s End ;
Marquand as Smynthurus fuscus.
Sub-family — Dieyrtomine (C.B.).
XXVII. Genus — __— Dieyrtoma (C.B.).
55. D. fusea (Lbk.).
Common amongst herbage and under stones and bark. Heath-
field, Devon, June 6, 1923. Land’s End; Marquand.
XXVIII. Genus — Dieyrtomina (C.B.).
56. D. minuta (O.F.) var. ornata (Nic.) Lubk.=Papirius ornata
of Lubk.
Both light and dark forms are equally common amongst
herbage under stones, bark, etc. Land’s End; Marquand as
P. ornatus and nigromaculatus.
Parfitt records this species under the old names of P. ornatus
and P. nigromaculatus from Sidmouth and Exeter.
| D. minuta var. flavosignatus (Tullb.), taken by Parfitt, Dur-
yard, Exeter, and recorded as Papirius flavosignatus.
XXIX. Genus — Ptenothrix (Born.).
57. P. atra (Linn).
Parfitt records this as Papirius polypodus (Linn) for Exeter,
1891.
BIBLIOGRAPHY CONSULTED.
Bagnall “Records and descriptions of some British Campodeaide,”
E.M.M., 1915, 1918; also Vasculum, Vol. IV.
‘“On some British Machilide,’ Jour. of Econ. Biology., 10.
* Thysanura,”’ Lanc. & Ches. Fauna Cte. Reports, 1916-17.
‘Short notes on some New and Rare British Collembola,’’
Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Northumberland and Durham,
etc., New Series, Vol. III., Pt. 2.
Brown ‘“ Apterygota from Yorkshire and Derbyshire,
June, 1918.
a “The Apterygota from Yorkshire and Derbyshire,’ Ibid,
Feb., 1919,
9
Naturalist,
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND. oT
Carpenter
Carpenter &
Evans
Carpenter &
Phillips
Collinge
““ Additional Notes on the Apterygota of Yorkshire and
Derbyshire,’ Ibid, Aug., 1923.
E.M.M., 1921, pp. 19, 143.
“Two New Collembola found in Britain,’ Ann. & Mag.
INiG@ieeT1ISts,, SCia0, VOl. Xl. “p. 320 septs, L923.
‘Contributions to the Nat. Hist. of Lambay, Co. Dublin.”’
Ivish Nat., Jan. and Feb., 1907.
“The Irish Species of Petrobius,”’ Ivish Nat., Dec. 1913.
Clare Island Survey Pt. 32, ““Aptetrygota,’ Aug., 1913:
Proc. Roy. Irish Academy.
“The Apterygota of the Seychelles,’”’ Vol. XX XIII., Sect. B,
No. 1, 1916. Proc. Roy. Irish Academy.
““Collembola from Franz Joseph Land,” Pyvoc. Roy. Dublin
Soc., Nov., 1900:
“Collembola and Thysanura of the Edingburgh District,”
Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc., Edinburgh, 1898-9.
“The Collembola of Spitzbergen and Bear Island,’ Pvroc.
Roy. Ivish Acad., Vol. 36, Sec. B, 2. July, 1922
“Thysanura and Collembola of the Midland Plateau,’’
Birmingham Nat. Hist & Philos. Soc., 1910.
Davenport,C.B. “The Collembola of Cold Spring Beach,” Cold Spring
Imms
Linnaniemi
Lubbock
Marquand
Parfitt
Reilly
Schott
Shoebotham
Harbor Monographs, No. II., 1903.
“ Anurida,”’ L.M.B.C. Monographs XIII., 1906.
“Die Apterygoten Fauna Finlands,’’ Pt. II., 1912. Acta
Societatis Scientiarum Fennica.
“Monograph on the Collembola and Thysanura,’
Society, 1873.
“On some Spitzbergen Collembola,” Jouy. of Linn. Soc.
(Zool.); Vol. XXVI., 1898.
“On some Australasian Collembola,”’ Jbid, Vol. XXVII.,
USO:
“The Thysanura and Coleoptera of the Land’s End District,”
Rep. & Trans. Penzance N.H.A. Soc., 1880-1.
“Devon Collembola and Thysanura,”’ Tvans. Devon Ass.,
Vol 23,1391;
“New British Machilide,”’ Annals & Mag. Nat. Hist., 1915.
“North American Apterygogena,”’ Pyvoc. Calif. Acad. Soc.,
Ser. 2., Vol. 6, 1896.
““Notes on Collembola, Pt. 4. Synopsis of Classification
from ‘ Borner,’ with list of British Genera,’ Annals.
Mag. Nat. Hist. No. 114. June, 1917.
7
Ray.
38
The Intelligence and Sense Organs of Dragonflies.
BY PE Ee WER
(Read May 3rd, 1923).
Before dealing with the Sense Organs of Dragonflies it will
be necessary to give some brief outline of the nervous system
of these insects. In the Dragonfly, as in other insects, there is a
so-called brain lying above the oesophagus; that is in reality
only the first three of the series of ganglia, which are so closely
fused together as to be indistinguishable in the adult. From the
first of this group of three are given off the extremely large optic
ganglia, one on either side. The ganglion of the second segment
gives off nerves to the antennae ; and the third is the origin of
the sympathetic system. The first ganglion of the brain gives
off the nerves to the lateral ocelli, or simple eyes ; the paired nerves
to the single median ocellus are said to arise from the second. ganglion,
but in close relation to the first.
Below the oesophagus and connected with the brain by two
commissures, which pass on either side of the oesophagus, is the
second ganglion of the head region ; this like the brain represents
the ganglia of three segments combined. It gives off three pairs
of nerves, one to the mandibles, one to the maxillz, and one to
the labium : it narrows posteriorly and finally gives origin to the
two exceedingly slender ventral nerve cords, running very close
together backwards in to the neck and thorax. It becomes con-
tinuous with the first thoracic ganglion, which is in its turn con-
nected with the second, and that with the third. All three give
off nerves to the muscles of their corresponding segments.
The nerve cord continues double to the end of the abdomen,
and is enlarged into eight abdominal ganglia, which give off motor
nerves supplying the muscles.
In some insects, or at any rate in their larve, there is a peri-
pheral nervous system, quite unconnected with the central one,
but forming a kind of general nerve network beneath the cuticle
and the muscle layer. In ‘dragonflies, however, these are all
apparently connected with the ventral ganglia; many of them
supply small sense organs such as minute sensille, cones or tym-
panulze on special parts of the cuticle ; others end in special enlarged
cuticular cells, and serve to produce the effect of general sensation
over the body surface.
We may now turn our attention to the sense organs of the
Dragonfly. The first and chief of these are the eyes. The sense
of sight is extraordinarily well developed, as might be imagined
from a consideration of the great size of the optic ganglia. This
sense alone suffices for the chase and capture of prey ; it is, how-
THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES, 39
ever, supplemented by a well-developed. sense of taste, located in
the labium and epipharynx. The sense of touch is well developed
in most parts of the body, but particularly in the mouth parts
and abdominal appendages.
Correlated with the great powers of sight is the almost entire
absence of any sense of smell. The antennz, which were originally
the seat of this sense, if indeed it was ever well developed in these
insects, are much reduced and incapable of anything beyond
feeble sensation.
The sense of hearing, as we understand it, is also practically
absent, though there are certain minute organs in the legs which
are capable of receiving vibrations, and may be looked upon as
feeble auditory organs. ‘These are dealt with below.
The eyes are of two kinds, simple eyes or ocelli, and compound
ot facetted eyes, made up of various separate elements. The ocelli
are used for near vision, their range probably lying between a few
millimetres and about one inch. The compound eyes on the other
hand observe objects from an inch or so up to several feet off;
while their perception of movement, as distinct from form, ranges
very much further, probably up to 50 feet, or more in some cases.
The ocelli are three in number and are so placed on the
epicranium that they isolate a small triangular area called the
vertex ; the median ocellus lies at the apex of the triangle, which is
anterior, while the two lateral ocelli occupy the base angles. The
median and lateral ocelli differ considerably in structure. The
former is always the larger and is oval, with its major axis placed
transversely ; the lateral ocelli are smaller, simple oval bodies.
The median ocellus consists of a thick convex corneal lens,
made up of a very large number of delicate layers of chitin, all of
which are transparent, but not all colourless. Below the lens is
a layer of very elongated corneagen cells continuous with the
cuticle cells of the head, but colourless and transparent. These
cells actually secrete the corneal lens and support it. And lastly
a retina, formed by two series of visual cells or retinule, distal
and proximal; these latter are surrounded by a layer of black
pigment.
In the median ocellus the retina forms a thick half ring with
two ends directed forward. This is strong evidence in favour of
the generally accepted view that this organ is formed by the fusion
of two originally separate ocelli.
The visual cells of the retina are arranged in sets of three.
Hach set gives rise, along the inner junctions of its compound cells,
to a very remarkable organ called the rod or rhabdome, which is
consequently, in transverse section, of triradiate form. It is semi-
transparent and of a pale yellow colour ; it is generally believed
40 THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES.
to be a light transmitter, that is, an organ which turns the energy
of the light waves into nervous energy, and conveys impressions
to the brain. :
The visual cells of the proximal group appear to be much
better developed than those of the distal group, the latter being
considerably shorter. Mr. R. J. Tillyard, the eminent Australian
entomologist, has failed to detect any rhabdomes in the visual
cells of the distal group in the genus Avwstrolestes, but has found
them in A‘schna.
This may mean that Dragonflies, which only have rhabdomes
in the proximal series of cells, can only focus their ocelli on objects
at two fixed distances. In both cases the form of the lens show
that objects viewed must be brought very close up to become
visible.
The lateral ocelli possess a structure exactly similar to that
of the median ocellus, except that they are symmetrical in all
sections.
It is a matter of common knowledge that the compound eyes
of all insects are made up of an enormous number of small divisions,
distinguishable externally by means of the hexagonal facets. In
the Dragonfly the number of these ranges from about 10,000 in
the smaller Zygoptera, to 28,000 or more in the larger Aischninea.
Each of these hexagonal facets on the outer surface of the
cornea corresponds with a single element of the compound eye,
known as an ommatidium. ‘This element has been compared with
an ocellus, but we shall see there is sufficient difference in structure
to make this comparison inadvisable.
It was, moreover, until recently quite generally held that the
compound eye arose as an aggregation of simple eyes, similar to
the ocelli, and that the hexagonal form of the facets was produced
by mutual pressure between numerous originally rounded elements
crowding closely together. Such crowding would certainly produce
hexagonal form, but the previous assertion as to such an origin
of compound eyes is refuted on paleontological grounds, if on
no other ; for the compound eye is an exceedingly archaic structure,
found well developed right back to the Lower Cambrian.
Moreover, in the Dragonflies at any rate, the compound eyes
develop in the embryo, whereas the ocelli do not begin to develop
until near or at the close of the larval life.
Fach unit or ommatidium of the compound eye has a corneal
lens,the external surface of which constitutes the hexagonal facet.
This lens is deposited by the agency of the corneagen cells, which
are easily made out in the eye of a freshly emerged adult dragonfly.
The corneal lens is slightly biconvex and is made up of a thinner
outer layer, representing the original cuticle, and a thicker inner
layer of several fine laminze superimposed one upon another. The
MIE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES. 41
inner laminge are formed as a series of definite strata secreted by
the corneagen cells; these latter appear to degenerate rapidly
after the completion of the lenses, and their nuclei cannot be made
out in the eyes of the mature insect.
Beneath the corneal lens lies the crystalline cone. This is a
highly refractive body formed from four elongated transparent
cells, the nuclei of which lie close to their outer or distal ends,
and are known as Semper’s nuclei. These very peculiar nuclei
appear to be filled with small clear refractive bodies closely
packed between large pigmented granules. ‘The inner end or apex
of the cone does not end in a point, but the ends of the four cells
stand slightly apart, forming a slight hollow into which the distal
end of the retinula, or group of visual cells, of the retina, is inserted.
Each of the cones is surrounded by a number of darkly pigmented
cells, which form the iris.
Below each crystaline cone there lies the exceedingly long
portion of the ommatidium, known as the retinula. This is formed
of four visual cells, placed close together with their long axes
parallel. These cells are considered to be highly specialized unipolar
nerve cells, placed with the pole or nervous end in contact with the
fenestrate membrame.
Each of the four visual cells composing the retinula bears a
row of exceedingly fine fibrils, arranged like the teeth of a fine
comb ; these fibrils pass inwards to the centre and unite to form
the great rod or rhabdome, which is supposed to receive a stimulus
from the rays of light focussed on it ‘by the dioptric apparatus of
the eye, that is, the lens and crystalline cone, and to transmute
this into the form of a nervous stimulus, which is transmitted to
the brain.
The visual cells are pigmented throughout, but especially
thickly for about one-fifth of their length; this portion is the
retinal pigment.
The bases of the retinule rest upon the fenestrate basement
membrane, which forms the inner boundary of the eye proper.
This membrane is formed of a peculiar fibrous connective tissue
It is pierced at regular intervals by the nerve fibres, which pass
from the retinulez to the brain, and also by regular rows of larger
circular holes, through which tracheae of considerable size pass
into the eye. Thus the fenestrate membrane resembles in appear-
ance the bottom of a colander pierced with holes of two sizes.
It is generally agreed that the eyes of insects possess no power
of accommodation. There are no eye muscles and the lens is
absolutely fixed, both as regards position and shape. In other
words the lens is incapable of being flattened for the perception
of distant objects and rendered more convex for near ones. It
seems that the fixed focal length without accommodation is quite
42 THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES.
satisfactory, and that this is supplemented by the use of the ocelli
for very near objects, which would otherwise be quite out of focus.
To an ordinary observer a Dragonfly would appear very short
sighted, since it sees objects best at distances ranging from a few
inches to five or six feet. Compared, however, with other insects
the Dragonfly may be reckoned long sighted. It has been stated
that no insect can see beyond a distance of six feet ; this may be
true as regards perception of form, but in the case of the larger
Dragonflies perception of movement extends to much greater
distance. All the large British Dragonflies can be frightened by
waving a net in the air at a distance of twenty yards or more,
unless they happen to be looking in an opposite direction.
The antennee are the next most visible sense organs, but their
importance is infinitesimal compared with that of the eyes. They
are of small size, both in the larva and in the adult, but appear
to be slightly larger and functionally more active in the former.
The reduction of their functions is clearly correlated with the
increase of power of the compound eyes in the adult. The largest
antenne are found in some of the older, that is, more primitive
Zygoptera, such as Synlestes, whilst the smallest occur in the
Libellulide and Aeschning, where the eyes reach their maximum
development.
The sense of smell, which has proved to be located in the
antenne, has in the Dragonfly become entirely subordinated to
that of sight. It is doubtful whether it was ever at all well de-
veloped in the Order. The scent of carrion, which so powerfully
attracts so many insects, would be a matter of no moment to the
Dragonfly, which feeds exclusively on living insects. On the
other hand, their well developed sense of taste is sufficient to
enable them to reject any obnoxious morsel caught on the wing.
In the antenne of the larva of 4ischna, Zawarsin has demon-
strated the existence of a minute sense organ, known as Johnston’s
organ. This may have an auditory function, but Mr. Tillyard
thinks it is more probably connected with testing the purity of
the water. It lies in the second segment, but is not visible unless
appropriately stained, as it is purely a nervous formation. It
consists essentially of a ring of large bipolar nerve-cells, whose
fibres run back to form two bundles passing into the two main
divisions of the antennary nerve. It is difficult to imagine how
such an organ could respond:to anything except the vibration or
movement of the antenneze as a whole. As it is only found in the
larva Mr. Tillyard’s suggestion as to its water-testing function
seems the most tenable of any. Each segment of the antennz
carries a few sensille or sensory hairs. ‘These are organs of touch.
Zawarsin also found tympanule on the first and second seg-
ments of the antenne. These are tiny circular depressions, with
eczema
THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES. 43
a taised wall covered over with a chitinous membrane, which acts
like the drum of the human ear. Each of these minute organs is
supplied with a nerve, and is responsive to waves of sound. It is
the most elementary form of auditory organ imaginable.
All these minute sensory structures are present in the antenne
of the larva. In the imago tactile hairs and tympanule only are
present. The former are far less numerous than they are in the
larval form, but the latter are apparently more highly developed,
as the French entomologist, Lespes, who did a good deal of
work on this subject, states that they contain statoliths, that is,
small solid particles suspended in a fluid. These are present in
the internal ear of many of the lower animals and serve the purpose
of equilibration and orientation ; as the organism moves they are
brought into contact with various sensory cells lining the cavity
in which they are contained, and these convey information of the
direction of movement to the higher nerve centres.
It has often been asserted that Dragonflies deprived of one
or both of their antenne are quite unable to direct their flight.
This would be expected, if the tympanule were of any importance
in orientation as is suggested by Lespes. In order to test this
assertion Mr. Tillyard carefully cut off, sometimes one and some-
times both, of the antenne of various Dragonflies he captured and
then liberated them. He treated many species in this way and in
no single instance did the operation affect the insect in the least ;
they continued their normal occupations of hawking for insects
and so forth, just as if nothing had happened. I have myself
verified this statement. This suggests that it is not loss of the
antenne, but shock caused by damage to the nerve, if the operation
is clumsily done, that causes them any temporary inconvenience.
The organs of taste are fairly well developed and abundant.
They are situated chiefly on the epipharynx, in the form of two
curved rows of yellow specks, each one being supplied with a
sensory nerve ; some of these are also found on the labrum. In
addition to these organs of taste, there are on the epipharynx two
stiff brushes of hair pointing inwards; these, in common with
the hairs on other parts of the epipharynx, labium and hypo-
pharynx, are generally regarded solely as organs of touch.
On all the legs of Dragonfly larvae, and probably also in the
imago, there are some peculiar chordotonal organs, supposed to
be organs of hearing. The larva of 4schna has three sets of these
organs on each leg, two on the trochanter and one on the tibia,
close to the knee joint. Each set consists of a number of minute
organs called otaria. Each otarium is a small slit covered by
smooth chitin, under which is found a tiny rod or style: This
tod is hollow and carries a bundle of excessively fine nerve fibrils.
The total length of such an organ is only 1/100 mm.
44 THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES.
Chordotonal organs differ from tympanule in that the auditory
vibration is received on a rod instead of on a stretched membrane
or tympanum. Possibly such an organ only registers vibrations
of a much lower frequency than those which produce sounds.
Their presence on the legs of the larva suggests that they may
respond to currents set in motion by other animals in the water,
and thus warn the Dragonfly of the approach of either an enemy
or a victim. They would be particularly useful at night time,
when the eyes are probably of little use. In addition to these
definite localised organs there are sensory hairs, with a tactile
function, on many parts of the body.
To sum up, the Dragonfly shares with the Bird the distinction
of possessing the keenest vision of any animal in its phylum. In
both cases the exceptional development of the sense of sight is
correlated with an aerial existence. ‘The senses of taste and touch
are normally developed, but those of smell and hearing are very
poor, the former being almost, if not quite, absent, while the latter
is confined to organs of excessively minute size. To these five
senses, as ordinarily understood, we must add that of direction
or orientation, which is probably located in the tympanule, with
the eyes as very efficient supplements. ;
The intelligence of Dragonflies, or what in insects passes under
that name, is solely a function of the sense organs. ‘There are, as
far as we know at present, no higher nervous centres comparable
with the associative part of the cortex of the brain of higher animals,
in any insects. All the movements and actions of whatever kind
are simply produced as the results of various stimuli or provocations
originating without or within the body.
Much has been written about the intelligence so-called of
various insects, such as the wasp ; and many people seem to imagine
that some kind of higher sense, a diminutive form of their own,
must be possessed by creatures which exhibit such orderly and
deliberate actions. As far as I can see this is quite unnecessary,
even on hypothetical grounds ; and actual known details of the
mechanism of the sense organs and general nervous system of
insects give not the slightest indication of anything more complex
than ordinary unconscious reflex action, which itself is marvellously
complicated.
Reflex action reduced to its lowest terms may be explained
as follows :—Some source of irritation is applied to the skin of an
animal, a Dragonfly let us say, and the sensory nerve supplying
this region conveys a sensation to one of the higher nerve
centres. The stimulus is now transmitted to another nerve,
within the substance of the ganglion, and this causes a set of
muscles to contract and move one or more of the legs in such a
THE INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE ORGANS OF DRAGONFLIES. 45
way as to remove the offending pin or other cause of irritation ;
this requires no intelligence at all.
Exactly the same process is involved when an insect goes out
to hunt for food, only in this case many sets of nerves and muscles
ate brought into action. The physical feeling of hunger has a
reflex effect upon the higher nerve centres, which bring about
increased activity of the creature, especially applied towards
movement in search of prey. It is useless to give more examples
of these phenomena.
Such views as these, which of course are violently contested
by many, do not surely in any way belittle the marvellous way in
which insects perform the manifold duties of their daily life ; to
my mind it makes them appear even more wonderful, since it
involves such a complicated mechanical arrangement of cells, all
of which have their appointed work to do in conjunction with
their neighbours.
46
Notes on the Fauna of the Bristol Channel.
By L. H. MATTHEWS.
THE marine fauna of the upper waters of the Bristol Channel
seems to have been almost entirely neglected by Naturalists,
and the following notes may serve to draw attention to a subject
which would repay a closer study.
The Bristol Channel, with its muddy waters and strong tides,
supports a much richer fauna than one would expect, and probably
it is through the unattractive nature of the shore that it has missed
the attention which it deserves. The high tides and variations in
salinity (decreasing from east to west) found along the North
Somerset Coast result in a fauna adapted to withstand these
usually adverse conditions, anc much interesting work remains
to be done in the investigation of the faunistic distribution, both
along the coast and vertically on the shore.
These observations, by no means the result of detailed investi-
gation, chiefly record the commoner invertebrate animals that
occur. Practically all these can be found on the shore at low tide,
and in limiting these notes to those animals that occur above low
tide line, a considerable list of Fishes has been excluded. Most of
my collecting has been done at Portishead in the extreme north
corner of the county, but some of my notes refer to other parts
of the Somerset coast. Many species doubtless occur in additional
places to those recorded here, but all localities are given from my
personal observations.
COELENTERATA.
HYDROZOA.
Tubularia indivisa Linn. Abundant at low spring tides on
Battery Point, Portishead, and at the extremity of Brean Down.
Obelia geniculata Linn. Common at low tide on Battery Point,
Portishead.
SCYPHOZOA.
Aurelia aurita Lamarck. Large specimens are of frequent
Occurrence in the dock at Portishead during the summer months.
I think it is probable that this jelly-fish breeds in the dock and that
the fixed Scyphistoma stage is to be found there.
ACTINOZOA.
Urticina felina Linn. Very common on rocky ground at low
spring tides from Portishead Pier to Clevedon and at Brean Down.
Undoubtedly also occurs on suitable ground between Clevedon and
Brean Down.
Actinia equina Iinn. Fairly common from half-tide to low
water on rocky and stoney ground at Portishead.
NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL, 47
ANNULATA.
POLYCHATA.
Polynoe wmbricata Linn. Fairly common under stones at low
tide at Portishead.
Nereis virens Sats. Fine specimens up to 2 feet in length are
common at low spring tides at Portishead. They occur under
stones partly embedded in mud and in pockets of mud in the rocks.
Nereis diversicolor Miller. Very abundant in mud and under
stones at Portishead.
Ampiutrite sp. Common at low spring tides at Portishead.
It constructs fragile tubes of mud, usually on the under-surface of
stones.
Sabella alveolata Linn. Common at low spring tides and below,
at Portishead. Its tubes form quite large reefs.
CRUSTACEA.
CIRRIPEDIA.
Balanus perforatus Brugiere. Very common at low water on
rocks from Portishead to Clevedon and at Brean Down ; doubtless
also between these last two points.
ISOPODA.
Ligia oceanica Tinn. Very common at high tide mark all
along the coast.
Idotea baltica Pallas. Fairly common amongst Fucus and
Ascophyllum from half to low tide at Portishead.
AMPHIPODA.
Talitrus locusia Pallas. Abundant all along the coast under
weeds and stones at high water mark of spring tides.
Orchestia littorea Montagu. Abundant everywhere at high
water mark, under weeds and stones.
Gammarus locusta Linn. Abundant all along the coast among
weeds and under stones between tide marks.
Corophium Bonelli Milrie-Edwards. Plentiful among weeds at
the inner end of Portishead Dock.
SCHIZOPODA.
Macropsis Slabbert van Beneden. One female specimen in a
surface tow-netting in Woodhill Bay, Portishead on Aug. 17, 1921.
MACRURA.
Crangon vulgaris Linn.
Pandalus Montagui Leach. Both common at Portishead.
Pasiphea sivado Risso. Frequent in winter at Portishead.
48 NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF THE BRISTOL CHANNEL.
ANOMURA.
Galathea squamifera Leach. Common at low tide at the end
of Brean Down.
Eupagurus bernhardus Linn. Frequent at low tide mark at
the end of Brean Down.
BRACHYURA.
Carcinus menas Pennant. Very common between tide marks
all along the coast.
Cancer pagurus Linn. I have met with two small specimens
at low spring tide at Portishead.
Portunus puber Linn. Several specimens in Portishead Dock
in the summer of 1921.
MOLLUSCA.
PELECYPODA.
Mytilus edulis Linn. Very abundant on submerged objects in
Portishead Dock.
Cardium edule Linn. Fairly common in the mud at the inner
end of Portishead Dock.
GASTEROPODA.
Chiton cinereus Iinn. Very common on rocks and stones
between tide marks all along the coast.
Patella vulgata Linn. Very common on all rocky parts of the
coast.
Littornina littorea Linn.
L. obtusata Linn Both fairly common on rocky ground at low
tide at Portishead.
L. rudis Maton. Very common on rocks and among stones
high up the beach on all suitable parts of the coast.
Buccinum undatum Linn. Several’specimens found at extreme
low tide at the end of Brean Down.
Purpura lapillus Linn. Very plentiful between tide marks at
the end of Brean Down.
A WINIC AWA:
Botryllus violaceus H. Milne-Edwards. Common on submerged
objects in Portishead Dock.
49
Spartina Townsendi in West Gloucestershire.
By IDA M. ‘ROPER, F-.L.S.
A PLANT new to our Gloucestershire district (v.c. 34) has been
observed during the past year growing on the mud of the
shore of the River Severn. It is Spartina Townsend: H. and J.
Groves, one of the three species of Cord Grass found in England.
We are glad to welcome its establishment at a fresh locality amongst
us, and thereby make a new county record.
In the ‘‘ Proceedings’ of the Society for 1919 and 1921 it is
related how Spartina was planted about the mud below Clevedon,
Somerset, as an attempt to carpet the shore by its growth, and
thereby prevent the scouring away of its surface, and eventually
to protect the earth saltings and sea bank from serious damage.
The plant, however, appears not to be able to withstand the
strong tidal currents and gales in the Clevedon locality, and the
lapse of 11 years makes this clear by the uncertain and feeble
growth shown. It is to be hoped greater success will come to the
Grass in the higher stretches of the Severn with the conditions less
adverse.
There can be little doubt that some roots of the Clevedon
plants are the source of the new start within our Channel, in the
same way that the few clumps visible off Berrow, Somerset, had
their origin from there.
Examining the general aspect of the shore in the Gloucester-
shire locality, and starting from near Berkeley Pill below Sharpness
Point, moving westward, it will be seen that there is a sea bank
erected of height varying from 6 to 20 feet, carefully faced with
stonework and coping. On the district beginning about one-and-a-
half miles below the Pill and extending for nearly the same distance
further along, the force of the tides is particularly felt, and as an
additional protection to the sea wall, boulders have been placed in
large heaps, piled high and weighing several hundred tons, at
distant intervals stretching from the shore to ceawards, for the
(purpose of breaking the rush of water during storms. ‘These serve
as large quoins, as often seen on a smaller scale on sandy beaches
and placed there for a similar purpose.
It is behind five of these masses of stones that the Spartina
has found a sheltered foot-hold, where it appears to be growing
and likely to spread into small meadows. Its success may do
no service to the shore, but the carpet of Grass may help to lessen
the tidal scour against the foot of the wall facing.
At Severn House Farm and a short way northwards, there
are at present some seventeen clumps of Spartina, and their dimen-
sions vary from 12 feet by 10 feet to 6 feet by 6 feet, with a few
smaller. All of these are close to the shore bank and well sheltered.
50 SPARTINA TOWNSENDI IN WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
About three-quarters-of-a-mile to the west there are a number
of clumps scattered distantly in the mud on the shore, 30 to 50
yards from the bank, in three sheltered bights between the stone
groins. ‘The effective shelter within the bights measures, one about
50 yards long with twenty-five clumps, and two of 100 yards long
each with fifty clumps.
It seems certain the establishment of the growths is dependent
on the quieter water conditions at these spots, which meet the
tequirements of Spartina. It will be recalled that the plant sends
roots downwards into the mud to serve as an anchor, and another
set of rootlets from the base of the stalk just below the surface, to
throw up at intervals young shoots to form new plants around
the first, and thus to produce circular clumps.
Lower down the Severn the swirl of the tides at their unchecked
speed carries off the mud close to the clumps and so leaves the
young rootlets exposed to heat or cold, and consequent loss of
power to produce new shoots. On this site no such effects are
apparent, and the growth can go forward with the vigour that
distinguishes this species. Seeds, however, may be swept away,
but time will show, and this year the clumps are all flowering freely.
The plants stand 4 feet high in places, with smaller ones close to
the drier shore line.
51
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923.
By Jas. W. WHITE, F.L.S.
TONG the more puzzling problems that confront the field-
botanist from time to time are those relating to mysterious
appearances, disappearances and reappearances of our native
plants. For these in many instances no satisfactory explanation
is forthcoming, nor can one be obtained by experimental research
on account of the difficulty or even impossibility of reproducing
in a laboratory the conditions that govern natural processes. For
a striking example one can cite the sudden arrival of a quantity
of Filago minima in a frequented sandstone pasture where it had
never been seen before and where, after that one season, it could
not be found again. Or the equally surprising reappearance of
Euphorbia Peplis on southern seasands that had been searched
for it unavailingly during a long period. ‘These remarks have been
suggested by a few similar, though doubtless less remarkable,
occurrences which are mentioned in the following notes. Events
such as these make us so loth to accept the extinction of any species
when no considerable alteration of the ground has taken place.
The pleasurable announcement can now be made that by
the efforts of Messrs. A. G. Tansley, of Cambridge, H. S$. Thompson,
and some local sympathisers, a small enclosure on the peat of
Sharpham Moor has been purchased for experimental and ecological
study, with a view also to the preservation of many peat-loving
species of interest. This enclosure is the home of a hybrid sedge
unknown elsewhere in Britain, and of Callitriche truncata, lately
identified by Mr. Thompson and new to the Bristol district. In
order that the plot may be permanently available for the desired
purposes it has been vested in the Society for the promotion of
Nature Reserves.
Ranunculus radians Revel. The typical plant is most abun-
dant in quarry pools at Wickwar. Revel’s original description
with his subsequent emendations are quoted at length in Notes on
British Batracha by W. H. Pearsall in Druce’s Report B.E. Club,
1921, p. 445.
R. Flammula 1, A specimen from Nailsea provided a curious
example of an adventitious flower. One of the carpels of the
undeveloped ovary bore at its base a small but perfect stalked
floret.—Miss Rober.
Helleborus viridis . On the Roman Encampment, Leigh
Woods, a plant had produced irregular flowers in which the normal
staminodes or tubular petals were replaced by ten foliaceous ones,
similar to, but much narrower than the sepals.—H. J. Gibbons.
(1) Since writing the above an able paper by J. C. Shenstone, F.L.S.,
dealing with the subject has appeared in the Journal of Botany for Dec., 1923
52 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923.
H. foetidus L,. Since our woodlands were opened up by
felling the trees for war purposes the Stinking Hellebore has become
more abundant, and this is especially noticeable on the borders
of Westridge Wood, Wotton-under-Edge.—C. Wail.
Berberts vulgaris 1. Between Bitton and Wyck, G.—R. C.
Trapnell.
Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. var. transiens Druce. A large patch
is permanent in the corner of a playing field at Tyndall’s Park,
Bristol. A marked feature of this variety lies in the linear basal
pinne of the upper leaves that exceed the terminal lobe in width.
It is a stout, branched plant with darkish yellow flowers, the pods
being those of vulgaris.
B. arcuata Rchb. Well marked on a ditchbank between
Pucklechurch and Mangotsfield, G.—Miss Rober.
Draba muralis . Is said in Fl. Brast. p. 155, to be now un-
known in Gloucestershire. I learnt lately that it grows at Kings-
cote, East Gloucester ; and therefore my statement should apply
merely to the Western vice-county.
Viola odorata I, var. sulfurea Lamotte. A good patch on
Combe Down, Westbury, G., April, 1922.—R. C. Trapnell. Var.
subcarnea. Strongly marked in Blaise Castle Woods, G.—Id.
V. hirta x odorata. On Stinchcombe Hill and Combe Down,
Westbury, G. Upper end of Brockley Combe and on Brent Knoll
in plenty, S.—Id.
V. Riviniana Rchb. var. diversa Greg. Very good examples
in Highwood, Patchway, G.—Miss Roper. Star Common, Tyning’s
Farm and above Cheddar Gorge on Mendip, $.—C. G. Trapnelil.
All were confirmed by Mrs. Gregory.
Dianthus deltoides 1, Has been almost destroyed by fire in
our only locality. Merely the leaves of two plants could be found
on a search by C. G. Trapnell and N. Sandwith.
Lychmis alba xX dioica. Several very well-marked hybrids
near Clapton-in-Gordano, S.—R. C. Tvrapnell.
Cerastium vulgatum 1, var. holosteoides Wahl. A _ small,
slender state of this variety, differing from the common form of
the species by its glabrescent foliage and the paucity of hairs on
the stem, has been reported from damp rocks in shade, Leigh
Woods, by H. S$. Thompson and C. G. Trapnell ; and by N. Sand-
with from Brockley and Goblin Combes.
Moenchia erecta Gaertn. On pennant near Hanham, G.—
N. Sandwith.
Althea officinalis 1. ‘Two large clumps on the Severn bank
near Hill, G—Evrnest Nelmes.
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923. 53
Tilia cordata Mill. Leaves of various plants are sometimes,
though rarely, fashioned into ascidia or pitchers. These have
been found on Tzlia cordata in Leigh Woods by Miss Roper, and
are known to occur on Paulownia imperralis and Pelargonium
zonale. In Journ. Bot., 1923, p. 288, it is mentioned that J. F.
von Jacquin wrote to his father at Vienna, circ. 1788, that Bauer,
the well-known plant artist at Prague, was drawing for him some
pitcher leaves from a Lime. The peculiar formation by splitting
of the leaf is explained by Worsdell in his Teratology.
Impatiens parviflora DC. An alien species that was noted
by Miss Agnes Fry on the Mulberry Farm, Failand, in July, 1919;
and has this year been again gathered in the same spot.
Ilex Aquifolium 1, A yellow-berried Holly may be seen on
Durdham Down growing in the midst of a Hawthorn.
Onons spinosa lL. var. mitts C. Gmel. Several procumbent,
spineless and extremely viscid plants near the Severn Tunnel
pumping station. Examination of stamens showed them to be
mainly abortive, and no fruit could be found.—N. Sandwith and
C. G. Trapnell.
Medicago maculata Sibth. Is apparently sown nowadays as
a fodder plant, and grows luxuriantly in grass fields near Cromhall
and elsewhere.—C. Alden.
Anthyllis Vulneraria I. vat. tricolor Rouy & Foucaud. Ona
limestone slope near Shipham-on-Mendip, S. Calyx nearly white,
teeth purple with long silky hairs. Flowers from yellow to deep
orange-red. First record for the British Isles —H. S. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson adds, however, that he is inclined to doubt the
stability of this variety distinguished by the French authors, at
least in this country. He thinks that the colour characters may
change from year to year. There is certainly a no more variable
species in Leguminose than the Kidney Vetch.
Vicia angustifolia I, var. Bobaritti Koch. ‘The typical plant,
in good quantity, grows on Wotton Hill, G.—C. Wall.
Crategus oxyacanthoides 'Thuill. A second bush is reported
from Yate Lower Common, G.—C. and N. Sanduwith.
Mespilus germanica lL, Hedge near Almondsbury, G., and in
Goblin Combe, S.; doubtfully native—C. G. Trapneil.
Oenanthe Lachenali C. Gmel. Does not appear to be on
record from Max meadows, S., whence Mr. Thompson reports it
to be plentiful in a boggy ditch.
Doronicum Pardalianches 1, On a hedgebank near Bradley
Court, Wotton-under-Edge.—C. Wall.
Tragopogon porrifolius 1, Adventive on the border of an
allotment at Horfield, G.—Miss Roper.
54 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923.
Hypochers glabra I, Old Down, Tockington, G., and Purn
Hill, Bleadon, $.—C. G. Trapneil.
Centaurea nigra 1, This aggregate has latterly been split by
the specialists into a number of varieties and forms. Of these
Miss Roper has had determined the two following, viz., C. nemoralis
Jord. var. subintegra Britton f. radiata in Hallen Bog, G.; and
C. obscura t. radiata by the Yeo Reservoir, Blagdon, S.
Atropa Belladonna \,. Vike some other wild flowers this
handsome but most poisonous plant has profited greatly by the
thinning of woodlands on the Cotswolds, becoming abundant
over many acres and forming masses of bushes often four feet
high.
Veronica agrestis 1. Since writing a note on this Speedwell
last year I have come across a striking confirmation of my point—
the real difficulty in separating agrestis from Buxbaumii when the
corollas have fallen. On some dried specimens forwarded to the
Bot. Ex. Club B. Isles in 1915, one expert reported in favour of
V. Buxbaumii, while another wrote ‘‘ V. agrestis,”
Mentha hivcina Hull. (M. aquatica x longifolia). Still plen-
tiful in an ancient shady lane above Weston-in-Gordano, S., where
it was discovered by Miss Roper in 1918. ‘The leaves are. like
those of M. longifolia, but are petiolate. In size and the relative
length of its teeth the calyx is intermediate between those of the
parent species. Of the two forms placed under M. pubescens
Willd. by British authors this is nearer to /ivcina than to Sole’s
palustris, and it is stated to be much the rarer of the two. Another
locality for the hybrid has recently been detected in the Chew
Valley near Compton Dando by N. Sandwith.
M. piperita L.. var. vulgaris Sole. Along a grassy roadside
near Karthcott Green, G.—Evnest Nelmes. An addition to the
county flora. From a note in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, Oct. 22,
1922, it appears that Nelmes sent a specimen to a Kew botanist,
who stated that it agreed perfectly with the description by Sole
and others. The writer of the note was under the impression that
this plant had never been collected since W. Sole did so, and
certainly it is remarkable that although he recorded it from at
least half-a-dozen localities no one else seems to have seen it in
any one of them. Still, the variety cannot be so rare as has been
supposed, for Dr. Druce mentions it as represented in his herbarium
from five stations, all far removed from the Bristol district. It
differs from M. piperita officinalis in having broader, more ovate
leaves, rounded or subcordate at the base instead of being wedge-
shaped, and in bearing much shorter, oblong spikes of flowers.
In 1883 the late Mr. David Fry found vulgaris in a swampy spring-
head at Walton-in-Gordano, S., and cultivated it in his garden
at Corston. Nothing more was heard of it until 1915, when Mr.
*
pref"
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923, 55
Bucknall reported its reappearance, and at the present time it
seems to have a good hold.
Statice binervosa G. E. Sm. Observed on Brean Down for
the first time by T. Bruges Flower about seventy years ago, and
very few persons have seen it since. C. G. Trapnell tells me that
it is still there in an almost inaccessible cranny of the crumbling
cliff.
Chenopodium urbicum 1, In 1893 one large plant appeared
neat the Avon under Sneyd Park and did not recur. Now that
a new road to Avonmouth is being constructed along the river-
side a quantity of this fine Goose-foot has come up during the
‘present autunm, some of it within a few yards of the original spot
and more along the recently-formed embankment towards Shire-
hampton. As only local stone and rubble is being used on the
work it is possible that the new arrivals sprung from seeds long
buried on the alluvial flat.
Polygonum Bistorta L. On the edge of an old quarry at
Wickwar _ G.
Rumex mantimus 1, A dozen or so plants in a ditch at Hill,
about two miles from the Severn, 1921. The next year one plant
only in that ditch, but many in another part of the village. This
summer fewer were noticed in the old spots, but there were several
in still another place.—Wulliam Nelmes. A new record for our
Gloucestershire division.
Viscum album I, Ona Whitebeam growing on a rocky slope,
Leigh Woods.—H. J. Gibbons.
Quercus Robur I, The ancient Oak near Gaunt’s Earthcott
mentioned in Fl. Brist. p. 547, decayed and ruinous in 1910, has
at length perished in entirety and its remains have disappeared.
Scirpus setaceus L. Occurs in dense turfy patches—an un-
usual growth for this species—on Cromhall Common, G.—C. Alden.
A large form or variety, with bracts 1”—1#” long, on peaty ground
in Walton Moor near Clevedon,—C. G. Trapnell.
Carex avenarnia J, var. remota Marss. On the foreshore at
Burnham.—H. J. Gibbons.
C. extensa Good. One tuft below the seabank between Severn
Beach and Avonmouth. A first record for Gloucestershire.—C. G.
Tvapnell.
Spartina Townsendi H. & J. Groves. Another county record
is afforded by this intrusive grass having established itself on a
sheltered bit of the Severn shore near Berkeley, G. Brought up
Channel by tides from the original plantation on the Somerset
coast,
56 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1923.
Agrostis tenuis Sibth. var. pumila 1. On Backwell Hill, $.—
H. J. Gibbons.
Arrhenatherum elatius M. & K. var. biaristata Peterm. Although
only lately recognized in the Bristol district, this variety appears
to be quite frequent. Mr. Gibbons has found it in Cranbrook
Road ; in St. Philip’s ; about Patchway and Filton, G. ; and near
Wraxall and Clevedon, S.
Polypodium vulgare V,. var. serratum Willd. In Markham
Bottom, S. An extreme and beautiful state of the variety with
some of the lower pinne bifid or trifid.—H. J. Gibbons.
ALIENS.—A pium leptophyllum Mill. A native of S. America
that has become widely distributed in temperate countries. Madia
sativa Molina. Also American. Anthemis mixta l, From Southern
Europe. All at Portishead Dock.—C. and N. Sandwith. Helian-
thus petiolaris Nutt. North American. At Avonmouth Dock.—
Miss Roper. Rumex salicifolius Weinm, a N. American Dock,
has been known in St. Philip’s, Bristol, since 1918, and still
flourishes. Hordeum trifurcatum Jacq. ‘The Nepaul Barley. A
specimen found on rubbish at Brislington by Mr. Gibbons and
dissected by Miss Roper proved to be a known abnormal form,
The outer paleze, instead of ending in long awns, have at their tips
hooded appendages standing out at right angles, and often con-
taining a pair of adventitious florets. ‘These hoods, therefore, are
considered by some botanists to be bracts and not palee.
57
The Avonian of the Tytherington-Tortworth-
Wickwar Ridge, Gloucestershire.’
By F. S. WaALLis, Ph. D,
Introduction and Previous Work.
Topography and General Stratigraphy.
Description of the Zones.
Description of the Chief Exposures.
Zonal Classification of all Exposures,
Physiographical Conditions of Deposition.
Comparison with neighbouring areas.
Summary of Conclusions.
Bibliography.
DOA OU CoN
1.—INTRODUCTION AND PREVIOUS WORK.
The object of the present work, undertaken at the instigation
of Prof. S. H. Reynolds, was to map, in terms of Vaughan’s zonal
system, the northern portion of the horseshoe-shaped ridge of
Avonian rocks which partly surrounds the synclinal basin of the
Bristol Coalfield. Prof. S. H. Reynolds and Mr. D. E. Innes
(XII.)2 have already traced the zones between Over and the
Tytherington-Grovescr.d railway section, whilst the Misses E.
Bolton and M. C. Tuck (1) have completed a similar work in the
Wickwar-Chipping Sodbury district.
The area dealt with, in the present paper, links together these
two former researches and completes the Avonian Zonal map of
this portion of the Bristol District.
The surface extent of the Avonian was taken from the 1-inch
Geological Survey Map, though new exposures have made it
necessary to differ from the Survey mapping in a few cases.
Maps :—6-in. O.S. Sheets LVI. $.W., LXIII. S.E. and N.E.
and LXIV. N.W. (Glos.)
In 1824, two papers (II. and XIV.) were published containing
fragmentary allusions to the Avonian of this area.
In 1839, Murchison (VIIL., p. 452) mentions that although the
area between Tytherington and Tortworth appears to be of simple
geological structure, in reality the limestone ‘‘is broken into a
number of distinct masses by transverse dislocations.’’ He also
refers to the faulted nature of the ground south of Tortworth Park
and describes the ‘‘ firestone’”’ as a ‘‘ reddish sandstone.”
Handel Cossham (III.) briefly notices the area and Sanders
includes it in his classical map of the Bristol Coalfields (1864).
Etheridge (IV.) gives a detailed map of the district (1 in. to
1 mile), but deals chiefly with the distribution of iron-ores in the
Pennant Series. He maintains that Tortworth gorge is due to
faulting.
(1) See Abstyact of Proc. of Geol. Soc. No. i,iii., p. 25.
(2) Roman numerals in parentheses refer to the bibliography.
58 THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
The area is also included in the revised l-in. Geological Survey
Map (Sheet XXXV.) published in 1872.
Mr. H. B. Woodward (XVII., pp. 17-27) uses the old litho-
logical classification in describing the area, and again draws
attention to the highly faulted nature of the area south of Tort-
worth.
Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan (V.) describes, with a horizontal section,
the fine railway section between Tytherington and Grovesend, and
postulates a reversed fault between the Avonian and Dolomitic
Conglomerate at the eastern end of the section. This interpretation,
is not tenable when zonal methods of research are employed.
The same section is also described with horizontal sections by
the Rev. H. H. Winwood (XV. and XVI.). The last two authors
differ in only one respect, for whilst Prof. Morgan believed that the
Tytherington tunnel follows the strike and hence only cuts through
some 20 to 30 feet of vertical thickness of strata, the Rev. H. H.
Winwood allowed 178 feet for the beds concealed in the tunnel.
The present research agrees with the former interpretation.
Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan (VI., p. 29) explains the apparently
anomalous course of the stream, which flows northward through
Tortworth, as due to superimposed drainage, and believes that the
Tortworth Gorge is not due to faulting. In VIL., p. 5, he states
that he has been able to trace the ‘‘ Firestone’’ from Wickwar
round the ‘‘ horseshoe’’ to Tytherington.
The late Dr. A. Vaughan (XIII., pp. 219-225) gives a detailed
paleontological account of the Tytherington-Grovesend railway
section and compares the sequence with that at Avon, Sodbury,
and Failand. A few isolated exposures in the area are also de-
scribed (pp. 239-240).
Prof. S. H. Reynolds (X., pp. 189-191) gives a full description
of the Tytherington-Grovesend railway section, whilst in IX., p. 194,
he states that the old quarries near Pump House, on the west of the
Charfield-Wickwar road, are in the Syrvingothyris zone.
2.—TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL STRATIGRAPHY.
With the underlying Old Red Sandstone the Avonian of this
area forms a well-defined wooded ridge round the northern portion
of the triangular-shaped basin of the Bristol Coalfield.
Apart from the isolated Wick’s Hill (300 feet), the highest
portion of the area (300-350 feet) lies immediately to the north-east
of the Tytherington-Grovesend railway and comprises Tytherington
Hill, Baden Hill and a part of Milbury Heath. The remaining
portions of the ridge lie very near the 200-feet contour.
Few surface streams drain the area. Three small streams,
rising near Bibstone, Charfield and West End (west of Wickwar)
respectively, flow mainly in a westerly direction and finally run
together east of Cromhall Common. The westerly direction is then
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 59
continued to Tapwell Bridge, whence, as Dyer’s Brake, a northerly
course is pursued through Tortworth Lake to the Little Avon at
Middlemill. A small stream, draining the valley in which Tyther-
ington village stands, flows in a south-easterly direction to the
Frome.
The portion of the stream from Tapwell Bridge northwards
has been justly claimed as an instance of superimposed drainage
(VI., p. 29), aud, in addition, the present writer believes that
Ladden Brook originally flowed northwards and formed the upper
reaches of this stream. Subsequently, the River Frome captured
the head-waters of Ladden Brook and thus part of the original
drainage of the Little Avon was diverted southwards.
The three small streams rising near Bibstone, Charfield and
West End respectively, and also the one draining the Tytherington
valley are consequent streams of a date later than the capturing
of Ladden Brook by the Frome. (These stream courses are best
seen on Bartholomew’s 4-in. map of Bristol and Bath; Sheet
No. 28).!
It is tempting to suppose that the Tortworth gorge is due to
pre-Triassic faulting (IV., p. 42), but the fault lies to the west, and
the gorge, as stated by Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan (VI., p. 29), has been
eroded by stream action in a similar manner to the Avon and
Blaize Castle Gorges. ‘Tortworth Lake is artificial.
The dependence of topography on the nature of the strata is
well seen and forms an aid to mapping in an area of few natural or
artificial exposures. For example, the softer Cy + S, dolomites
and shales always form an area of relatively low ground between
the Caninia-Oolite and S; + Se» massive limestones.
About two-thirds of a mile north-east of Tytherington, the
Avonian outcrop suddenly diminishes to a little less than one-half
its original width. ‘This I suggest is due to the interaction of two
axes of folding. Although the synclinal fold (axis north and south)
of the Bristol Coalfield is the dominant feature in this area, there is
a smaller anticlinal fold (axis N.N.E., and $.S.W.) lying about 1
mile to the west of Cromhall. It appears that the southern end of
this N.N.E.-S.S.W. axis ‘‘ nosed’ its way into the side of the main
synclinal fold and was responsible for the sudden diminution in
width of the Avonian outcrop.
The small width of outcrop of the remaining portion ot the
western limb of the ridge is probably also due to the proximity
of this minor anticlinal fold on the west.
The area is affected by five faults. Two of these occur to the
north-east of Tytherington and are comparable to those postulated
by Prof. S. H. Reynolds and Mr. D. E. Innes (XII.) tc the south-
1. Prof. Reynolds has kindly drawn my attention to some MS. maps of
Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan (dated 1908), in which similar views to those outlined
above, are given.
60 THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
west of Tytherington. A large fault occurs to the west of the
Tortworth Gorge, whilst still further to the east there are two
minor shifts. The present interpretation of the faults in this area
differs from that shown on. the Survey Map.
3.—DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONES.
Cleistopora Zone.
EXPOSURES.
There are no good sections of this zone, though its outcrop
can be easily traced by numerous insignificant exposures and also
by the well-marked depression it occupies. The continuity of
outcrop is broken on the north-west by Dolomitic Conglomerate.
The zone is best exposed in an old quarry, west of Tortworth
Lodge.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
Shales, grits and thinly-bedded muddy limestones. ‘The lime-
stones, many of which are crinoidal, are often much decomposed
into a soft ochreous rock. |
In Km grits and shales predominate, in K, the limestones are
subsidiary to the shales, whilst in Ke limestones form the major
part of the sequence.
Heematitic limestones of a type (‘‘ Bryozoa Bed’’) have been
recognised in two localities, viz., Tytherington-Grovesend railway
section, and in an old quarry on Milbury Heath.
FAUNA.
Cleistopora aff. geometrica (K. & H.) .. common at top.
Lepteena analoga (Phill.) .. 2 .. COnmtton
Syringothyris principalis, North .. . do.
Chonetes cf. hardrensis (Phill.) .. a do.
Cleiothyridina royssit (L/Ev.) .. A do.
Camarotoechia mitcheldeanensis, Vau. .. do.
Orthotetes crenisivva (Phill.), mut. K, Vau. very common
Productus ci. martini, Sow. common at top
Spirtfer aff. clathratus, M’ Coy emend, Vau. do.
Rhabdomeson, sp. .. Ls : . common
Fenestellids .. Ee bie ae ae do.
Crinoids ae oH a ss .. very common
Zaphrentis Zone.
EXPOSURES.
The zone is well exposed in the T'ytherin gton-Grovecend railway
section, Slickstones Quarry (N.E. of Bibstone), and in a quarry
in Tortworth Park near Leyhill Lodge. 7
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 61
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
At the base of the zone are massive limestones with intervening
shales. The shales graduelly diminish, and in upper Z, and lower
Ze dark dolomitised crinoidal limestones (Petit Granit type) form
the whole of the sequence. In upper Z2g compact dolomite (cf.
laminosa Dolomite type) alternates with recurrent bands of Petit
Granit.
At the base of Z, in the Tytherington-Grovesend railway
section is a band of oolite.
No chert has been found.
FAUNA.
clathvatus subzone (Z}).
Zaphrentis delanouet, HF. & H. .. common
Spirifer aff. clathratus, M’Coy. emend, Vau. very common
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut, Z Vau. common
Leptena analoga (Phill) .. ye se do.
Syringothyris cuspidata (Mart.) mut.
cyrtorhyncha, North .. oa - do.
Chonetes cf. hardrensis (Phill.) .. .. common
Camarotoechia mitcheldeanensis, Vau. .. do.
Cleiothyridina glabristria (Phill) .. 3. MCOMIMOM At atop
Schizophoria resupinata (Mart.) .. re do.
Rhipidomella aff. michelimi (1; Ev.) do.
Cletothyridina royssw (1, Ev.), mut. B Vau. rare
Productus cora, @Orb. mut. C. Vau. .. do.
koninckt subzone (Z9).
Zaphrentis honincti EH. & H. .. .. very common
ZLaphrentis omahust EK. & H... .. common
Syringopora 0, Vau. : ne do.
Cleiothyridina glabristria (Phill. Ne . do.
Schizophoria resupinata (Mart.) .. do.
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.), mut.Z, Vau. do.
Tylothyris laminosa (M’Coy emend. eer
mut. y (North) eat
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill. lea eee Be do.
Murchisoma, sp. . e — - do.
Phillipsia, sp. (pygidia) he oe i do.
Psammodus rugosus, Ag. .. a re do.
In the collection of the Bristol Museum is a tooth of Psammodus
yugosus, Ag. (Reg. No. C. 4936: Donor, Earl of Ducie). Although
Tortworth is the only locality given on the label the matrix incicates
Slickstones Quarry (N.E. of Bibstone). Careful search in that
quarry resulted in the finding of two fragments of fish teeth. and
hence the presence of a ‘‘ Fish Bed’”’ on the same horizon as the
‘* Fish Beds”’ in the Avon Gorge, is established.
62
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
Syringothyris zone.
EXPOSURES.
The beds of this zone are well seen in the Tytherington-
Grovesend railway section and Ley Hill Quarries.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
In ascending order :—
(1)
Thickly-bedded, nearly unfossiliferous, blue-grey, finely
divided dolomites (Laminosa-Dolomite). Small patches of
crystalline calcite are common and appear by their shape
to represent the re-crystallised infillings of the cavities of
fossils. The beds appear to have been formed by the
dolomitisation of crinoidal limestones. In some instances
the crinoid ossicles have resisted the metasomatic change.
A series of fossiliferous crinoidal limestones (the Sub-Oolite),
This ban@ is non-oolitic in the lower part but becomes
oolitic as the Caninia-Oolite is approached.
A thick band of white oolite (Canimza-Oolite).
In slice, the ooliths are seen to be congregated together
in well-defined bands separated by areas of crystalline
calcite. It would seem that strong, very local currents
heaped up the ooliths and packed them tightly together.
On a weathered surface the bands of ooliths are very resistent,
and hence current-bedding is clearly depicted by the differ-
ential rates of weathering of the ooliths and matrix.
Evidence of pene-contemporaneous brecciation is
afforded by the presence, near the current-bedded portions,
of pieces of rounded and angular oolite embedded in the
main mass. The uppermost surface of the Caninia—Oolite
is irregular, showing that there was a short period of sub-
aerial denudation before the deposition of the Caninia—
Dolomite.
Unfossiliferous thinly-bedded structureless dolomites with
subsidiary shales (Caninia-Dolomite). The freshly-fractured
surface of a dolomite from this level is often marked with
curious red dendritic stains.
Fauna. (Sub-Oolite band only.)
Laphrentis koninchi, KH. & H. ... yee
Zaphrentis omalust, HK. & H. .. a: do.
Caninia cylindrica {Scouler). ie ae do.
Michelinia megastoma (Phill.) .. a do.
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill) .. very common
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. C. Vau. do.
Tylothyvis laminosa (M’Coy emend. if Nore
mut y North.. ye .. common
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 63
Seminula Zone.
EXPOSURES.
The zone covers a large area and is best seen in the Church
and Camp quarries at Tytherington, a series of quarries on the
south-eastern flank of Tytherington Hill, and the Churchwood
Farm quarries.
semireticulatus Subzone (4).
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
Unfossiliferous dolomites with subsidiary shales followed by
massive limestones with shaly partings. At the base of the massive
limestones is a band of oolite, whilst towards the top is a thin bed of
Seminula-Pisolite. Owing to the absence of fossils and the
presence of similar lithological types in upper C2 and lower $1
it is impossible to draw an exact line of demarcation between these
two subzones.
FAUNA.
Lithostrotion martin, EK. & H. .. .. very common
Syringopora ct. distans (Fischer) 2.) Commo
Seminula ficoidea, Vau. .. a: .. very common
Productus 8, Vau. .. - Mi: a do.
Productus cova, d@ Orb. mut. C. Vau. .. common
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill.) .. se do.
Productus semtreticulatus (Mart.).. 12) tare
Cyrtina carbonaria, M’Coy. i oy “hdO:
cova subzone (SQ).
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
Massive limestones, sandstones, and conglomerates. The
limestones include a thick bed of fossiliferous oolite (Seminula-
Oolite). About 11 feet from the base is a band of calcareous
sandstone (Firestone). The latter deposit is lenticular in all
directions, with a maximum thickness (9 feet) at the Church
Quarry, Tytherington. Vaughan placed this sandstone at the top
of S, (XIII, p. 222), but as Cyrtina carbonaria has now been
found 11 feet below it in the Church Quarry, Tytherington, it would
seem more correct to place it at the base of Sz.
Sandstones and coarse conglomerate occur at the top of
the subzone, and by the gradual disappearance of the intervening
limestones the deposits pass into the so-called ‘‘ Millstone Grit.”
64 THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
FAUNA.
Lithostrotion martini, EF. & H. .. .. very common,
occuts in large
masses.
Lithostrotion basaltiforme (Phill.) .. common
Syringopora gentculata, Phill. .. ne do.
Seminula ficoidea, Vau. .. .. very common
Productus cova, @ Orb. mut. Se, Vau. .. common
Chonetes papilionacea (Gear DSh) eerie ae do.
Productus aff. hemisphericus (Sow.) ie do.
Dibunophyllum Zone.
6 Subzone (Dj).
In the area under consideration a calcareous development of
this subzone is either absent or non-exposed.
The following details were seen in a small cutting at the
southern end of the Wickwar tunnel (this lies about three-quarters
mile to the south of the eastern limb of our area. Ref. 6 in. O.S.
Map, Glos., Sh. LXIV. S.W.).
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
Massive highly fossiliferous limestones with few shaly partings.
Some bands are strongly oolitic, others crinoidal and others are
composed of a compact reddish limestone with Productus hem-
sphericus. ‘These latter features are strictly comparable to certain
beds in the Avon Section. Bands of Chonetes and Productus are
very conspicuous.
There is a perfectly conformable and gradual passage into the
‘Millstone Grit”’ phase of deposition and for a short period the
calcareous and grit phases alternated with each other.
FAUNA.
Syringopora distans, Fischer.
Syringopora geniculata, Phill.
Dibunophylium 6, Vau.
Cyathophyllum murchison, EK. & H.
Chonetes aff. comoides (Sow.)
Productus hemsphericus, Sow.
Productus giganteus, (Mart.)
Crinoids.
From the above evidence it would appear that a D, calcareous
horizon is present in the southern portions of our area. Careful
search for the subzone has, however, produced negative results,
and for want of evidence we must assume, for the present, that
grit conditions established themselves at the end of Sj, times.
It should be noted that, though at Sodbury Prof. S. H. Rey-
nolds has recorded a thickness of 84 feet (Geol. Mag. 1923, p. 114),
at Wickwar this subzone is only represented by about 55 feet of
strata,
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 65
4,-—DESCRIPTION OF THE CHIEF EXPOSURES.
(a) TYTHERINGTON-GROVESEND RAILWAY SECTION.
Although this fine section has been described by various
authors, notably Prof. C. Lloyd Morgan (V.) and Dr. A. Vaughan
(XIII., pp. 219-225), it is desirable to re-describe it, as an attempt
has now been made to delimitate the zones.
At the southern end of the Grovesend Tunnel the beds are
clearly of Old Red Sandstone age, consisting of massive sandstones
with occasional beds of marl and conglomerate. Prof. Morgan
places the first undoubted bed of Carboniferous Limestone about
270 yards south of the tunnel mouth, but at the present time no
Avonian rocks can be traced until a point 320 yards south of the
tunnel is reached. The Survey mapping of the junction line
between the O.R.S. and Carboniferous was certainly too far north.
Prof. Morgan shifted the line southwards, and though it 1s impossible
to dogmatise in the present state of the exposures, it would appear
that even his line is a little too far north.
Although the exposures are very bad between the first Avonian
beds and the bridge crossing the railway, the general succession of
the Cleistopora zone up to the middle of Ke can be recognised on
the northern railway bank. In some cases even the shaly bands
have survived the “* grassing over.” )
68 THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
tay Lis.
Shale band 5-6
Massive compact Limestone, including a band of
Seminula Pisolite 50.0
Shale band 5-6
‘“ Firestone,” 2 bands with intercalated band (3ft. to 4ft.)
packed with Lithostrotion martini Did
Shale band 5-6
Massive fossiliferous limestone, partly oolitic 9 0
Semtnula-Oolite 10 O
Massive very fossiliferous Limestone, partly oolitic 1 O
Massive Limestone with band (12!t. to 15ft.), entirely
composed of Lithostrotton martint 1384 0
Approx. 143 6
The ‘‘ Firestone’’ is not entirely unfossiliferous. Recognis-
able fragments of Tylothyr1is laminosa and Seminula ficoidea can
generally be found after careful search. In thin section the
‘* firestone’’ is composed of a mosaic of angular and subangular
quartz grains with a little interstitial calcite. Ilmenite (generally
in form of leucoxene) is present in small quantities, and a few
foraminifera can be recognised. It is a calcareous sandstone.
A prominent feature of this quarry is the large masses of
Lithostrotion martini at several horizons. Cyrtina carbonaria (two
specimens) was found in this quarry about 11 ft. below the
_‘* Firestone.”
The sequence in the Camp Quarry is almost identical with
that found in the Church Quarry. The shale bands are, however,
more carbonaceous and the ‘“‘ Firestone’’ is only 7 ft. thick.
Lithostrotion bassalttforme occurs in fairly large masses in this
quarry.
The vertical exposed zonal thicknesses in the Tytherington-
Grovesend Railway Section may be summarised as follows :—
Seminula Zone .. 145 feet (bottom andtop beds not
exposed).
Syrinegotyi1s Zoue 2 400)
Zaphrentis Zone SBOE a.
Cleistopora Zone BS cc Le
1,285
Both in lithological and faunal characters the Church and Camp
Quarries at Tytherington are almost identical with Qu. 5at Wickwar.
(XIII, p. 238 and VII., p. 3, sketch map).
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 69
(b) I'YTHERINGTON HILL.
A series of quarries occur along the south-eastern flank of
Tytherington Hill. All these quarries are in the Seminula zone,
and many of them contain the ‘‘ Firestone.’ In the northernmost
of these quarries (not marked on the 6-in. map) the ‘“‘ Firestone ”’
occurs in a weathered condition, the resultant reddish-brown
sugary tock being very friable.
(c) OLD Quarry, MILBuRY HEATH.
The only interest of this exposure, which lies 230 yards S.E. of
Cardiff Villa, Milbury Heath, is that 1t includes the best exposure
of the ‘‘ Bryozoa Bed”’ in our area. The rock is of the same type
as that which is poorly exposed in the Tytherington-Grovesend
railway Section.
5.—ZONAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALI, EXPOSURES.
Many ot the exposures are of a poor character (under hedges,
etc.), and though of great importance in mapping, they have not
been included in this list. All references are given to the 6-in. O.S.
maps of Gloucestershire.
Cletstopora Zone.
Tytherington-Grovesend Railway Section, both
notth and south of Bridge over Railway .. Km-Ke 63 S.E.
Old Quarry, 230 yards S.E. of Cardiff Villa,
Milbury Heath .. Km&Ki63 N.E.
Old Quarry, W. of Boathouse, Tortworth Lake Ki 56 S.W
Old Quarry, W. of Tortworth Lodge .. aS 56 S.W
Zaphrentis Zone.
Tytherington-Grovesend Railway Section—
Grovesend Quarry (not marked on 6-in. map)
and part of railway cutting to N.W. of quarry Zi1&Ze2 63 S.E.
Small copse 400 yards N.W. of Barmer’s Lands
aria ©... Zed 63 N.E.
Old Quarry on N. W. side of Badenhill Common Z1 63 N.E.
Small exposures around Tortworth Lake (ex-
treme northern portion is K zone) .. 7; 64 N.W.
Quarry $.W. of Leyhill Lodge, Tortwotth Park ZA 64 N.W.
Slickstones Quarry, N.E. of Bibstone oie 64 N.W.
Old Quarry, S. of Hammerley Down pemee 64 N.W.
Ley Hill Quarries Ze .. 64 N.W.
Old Quarries, E. of Charfield Wickwar Road,
and 300 yards S.E. of Churchwood Farm Ze 64 N.W.
Syringothyris Zone.
Tytherington-Grovesend Railway Section-—
Hardwick Quarry and railway cuttings both
FE. and W. of the Tytherington Tunnel .. C1&Ce2 63 SE.
70 THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
Exposure at point where footpath crosses the
road (not marked on 6-in. map) N.E. of Hill
‘Covert, near Tytherington .. Co 63 S.E.
Quarry 500 yards N.W. of Tytherin eton Church ¢ 1 63 S.E.
Old Quarry 500 yards N. of Tytherington Church Ci 6a, S-E.
Old Quarry 300 yards N. of Tytherington Church
(not marked on 6-in. map) . Ne 63 S.E.
Old Quarry on E. side of Badenhill Common.. Ci 63 N.E.
Old Quarry W. of Jones’s Wood i. Og 63 N.E.
Old Quarry on S.E. margin of Stanley Wood Ci 63 N.E.
Ley Hill Quarries i Cet’ GANG NN
Old Quarries, Poor End Ca 64 N.W.
Old Quarries, on W. side Wickwar-Charfield_
Road and 260 Lice S.E. of Churchwood
atm: ; é er 64
4
=
Seminula Zone.
Tytherington-Grovesend Railway Section .—
small exposure at S.E. end of section and
Church and Camp Quarries, Tytherington .. Si&S2 63 SE.
Series of Quarries on S.E. flank of i Tytherington
Hill Ae Bs -81&S2 635.E.&
63 N.E.
Old Quarry N.E. corner of Priest Wood (not
marked on 6-in. map) Ais .. 91&82 63 N.E.
Old Quarries at Churchwood Farm .. S1&S82 64 N.W.
6.—PHYSIOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF DEPOSITION.
For convenience the scene may be opened at the end of Old
Red Sandstone times. Sandstones, shaies and conglometates were
being deposited, and our area was either the actual scene of fluviatile
conditions, or was situated near the mouth of a river. Land lay to
the north whilst the open sea stretched southwards.
The waters of the southern ocean now gradually spread north-
wards, and with these waters came a large influx of animal life into
our area. This marks the commencement of Avonian times. As
in the other parts of the Bristol District, the change was perfectly
gradual and for some time the sandy sediments of the Old Red
Sandstone alternated with the calcareous deposits of the Avonian.
It is probable that during Km times the area formed part of a
large, shallow lagoon, although *he only direct evidence of this is
the ‘‘ Bryozoa Bed.’ During the remainder of the Cleistopora
period our area was occupied by shallow muddy seas.
_ At the beginning of the Zaphrentis neriod we find the muddy
waters of Cletstopova times being replaced by clear, deeper waters
with an abundant coral and brachiopod fauna. In our area,
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. 71
however, there was a recurrence to the shallow-water conditions,
for near the base of the clathratus subzone is an oolitic band evidently
deposited in shallow water. After this temporary shallowing,
standard marine conditions were finally established and the
Zaphrentis limestones with their abundant invertebrate life were
laid down.
The entrance of the Syvingothyris fauna appears to have been
coincident with a general shallowing of the Avonian sea throughout
the Bristol District. This period is now represented by the
laminosa-Dolomites, which, though originally deposited, as crin-
oidal limestones, suffered almost contemporaneous alteration into
dolomites. During the remainder of Ci times a thick series of
oolites were deposited, and from the evidence of current-bedding
and also from pieces of angular or rounded oolite being found
embedded in the main mass of dolite, it appears that shallow waters
with strong and eddying currents prevailed.
At the end of Canimia-Oclite times the sea retired to the
south for a short time and the area suffered sub-aerial denudaticn.
The effects of this short denudational period are well seen in the
Grovesend-Tytherington railway section. In the Avon Gorge isa
-similar junction line between Ci and Ce, though here Prof. Rey-
nolds believes that subsequent solution is the correct explanation
| (XL, p. 224). This difference is only to be expected from the
geographical position of the two places, for throughout Avonian
times our area was nearer the northern coast-line than the re-
mainder of the Bristol District.
The thinly-bedded shales and. dolomites of C2 and $1, appear
to have been laid down in a second calcareous lagoon area.
In upper Si and lower Se times standard marine conditions once
more asserted themselves and limestones, sometimes oolitic, were
deposited.
Up to this point there has been no feature of outstanding
interest differentiating the physical history of this area from
that of the remainder of the Bristol district. At the beginning
of Se times, however, the coast-line advanced towards the south,
and in-shore conditions prevailed in our area. The ‘‘ Firestone ”’
was formed during this period. Though the total length of time
of this in-shore period was short, it includes a standard-marine
phase. The deposit may indicate the first appearance of the large
southward-flowing river of ‘‘ Millstone Grit”’ times, and represent
a large sand-bank.
Normal marine conditions re-asserted themselves at the close
of this episode, though they only lasted for a comparatively short
time, and towards the close of the Seminula period, permanent
in-shore conditions were established. This latter phase is the
ie THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE,’ GLOS.
so-called ‘‘ Millstone Grit,” and probably represents a time when
our area was near the mouth of a southward-flowing river.
At the Manchester Meeting of the British Association (1915
Trans. of Sects., pp. 429-431), Dr. A. Vaughan roughly sketched
out the extent of the ‘S.W. Channel” during the Avonian Period.
From the evidence of previous writers and the present paper
it appears that during Avonian times there was a progressive
movement of the northern shore-line of this ‘‘S.W. Channel” in
a southerly direction. This movement can be regi:tered by noting
the level in the Avonian sequence at which “‘ Millstor.c Grit ’’ condi-
tions were established.
In the Clee Hill District the ‘‘ Millstone Grit’ appears at the
end of Ze times (Dixon, G. M., 1910, p. 458), whilst further south
in the Forest of Dean, it did not appear until towards the end
of the Syringothyris zone. (Sibly, G. M., 1912, p. 420). In
our area and also at Chepstow (XIII, p. 251) nearly the
whole of the Seminula zone was deposited before the advent of the
‘€ Millstone Grit,’ whilst in the southerly prolongations of the sides
of the ‘‘ horse-shoe”’ the Dibunophyllum fauna had time to make
its appearance (I., p. 31, and XII., p. 100). South of these areas,
however, the whole of the Dibunophylium zone was deposited before
the ‘‘ Millstone Grit’ conditions asserted themselves. Thus in-
shore conditions began at approximately the same time in both
our area and the Chepstow area, and from a consideration of the
geographical position of these areas it appears that the Avonian
coastline at this period had an east and west trend and was not
very far north of our area. |
There is a marked thinning of the Avonian deposits in a |
northerly direction in the Bristol District. At Burrington the
estimated thickness is 2,610 feet (Q.J.G.S., 1911, pp. 344-352), and
in the Avon Gorge 2,540 feet (XI., p. 242), whilst at Tytherington
the beds are reduced to 1,280 feet. This attenuation is due to
paucity of calcareous sediments as the northern shore-line is
approached, and not to any intra-formational unconformity or
non-se quence.
7.—COMPARISON WITH NEIGHBOURING AREAS.
The area shows a very close resemblance to the type section
of the Avon Gorge, the most striking difference being :—
(1) Non-differentiation of horizon y owing to the absence of |
Caninia immediately above the konincki-subzone. |
(2) Greater thickness of the Sub-Oolite band (C1) and the
Caninia-Dolomite (C2).
(3) Absence (or non-exposure) of chert in any part of the
sequence.
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS. We:
(4) Apparent in-coming of ‘‘ Millstone Grit’’ conditions at top
of S2 and the absence of Se (top) Modiola Phase and the
whole of the Dibunophyllum Zone.
Prof. S. H. Reynolds has recently (Geol. Mag. 1923, pp. 111-119)
written a paper on the ‘‘ Lithology of the Sodbury Section.” The
_ general faunal and lithological succession is remarkably similar in
both areas, the chief difference being the non-caleareous develop-
ment of the Se (top) and D1 (base) subzones, in the Tytheringron
area. ‘The existence of markec current bedding in the Caninia-
Oolite and the apparent absence of chert in both areas is note-
worthy.
Both the faunal and lithological sequence in our area is similar
to the Over-Tytherington area (XII.) and the Wickwar-Chipping
Sodbury Ridge (1).
By place the ~ Firestone” at-base-of Se, it occurs on
the same level in both the Tytherington and Wickwer areas
(XIII., p. 238 and VIL, p. 3, sketch map).
8.—SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS.
The chief results of this paper may be summarised as follows :—
(1) All zones, with the exception of the Dibunophyllum zone,
have: been recognised in the area.
(2) The great expansion and fossiliferous character of the
‘‘ Sub-Oolite Bed,’ as compared with the type section of
_the Avon Gorge is noteworthy.
(3) The early advent of ‘‘ Millstone Grit’ conditicns is import-
ant, and especially so when considered in relation to the
time of that event in the neighbouring districts.
I am greatly indebted to Prof. S. H. Reynolds, M.A., ScD’,
who kindly went over the Tytherington-Grc vesend railway section
with me, photographed it, and ako examined my thin sections
from that area.
I also wish to thank the Earl of Ducie, who courteously gave
me permissicn to examine the exposures on the Tortworth Estate.
PLATE I.-—Zonal Map of the Tytherington-Tortworth-Wickwar
Ridge.
II.—Fig. 1.—Grovesend Quarry.
2.— do,
3.—Hardwick Quarry.
4,.—Railway Cutting between Tytherington Tun-
nel and Station.
,» %.—Church Quarry, Tytherington.
Owing to high cost of printing, Pl. II. has not been reproduced.
The photographs have been placed on record in the Geological Note
Book of the Geological Section of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
2)
74
THE AVONIAN OF THE WICKWAR RIDGE, GLOS.
9.—BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The following papers are referred to in the preceding text by
their
I,
II.
ITI.
XIV.
XV.
XVI
serial numbers only :—
Bolton, Miss E., and Tuck, Miss M. C., ‘‘ The Carboniferous Lime-
stone of the Wickwar-Chipping Sodbury Area, Glos.”’
Abstract of Proc. Geol. Soc., 1920-1, pp. 30-1.
Buckland, W., and Conybeare, W. D., ‘‘ Observations on the South™
Western Coal District of England.’ Tyvans. Geol. Soc.»
Series 11, Vol. 1 (1824), pp. 210-316.
Cossham, Handel, ‘‘ The Northern End of the Bristol Coalfield.’
Trans. N. of Eng. Inst. of Mining Engineers, Vol. X. (1862),
pp. 97-104 and 113-116 (discussion).
Etheridge, R., “On the Physical Structure of the northern part of
the Bristol Coal-Basin, chiefly having reference to the Iron
Ores of the Tortworth Area.’”’ Proc. Cott. Nat. F.C., Vol. IV.
(1868), pp. 28-49.
Morgan, Prof. C. Lloyd, “‘ Geology of Tytherington and Grovesend.”’
Bris. Nat. Soc. Proc., New Series, Vol. VI. (1888-91), pp. 1-17.
Handbook to Brit. Ass. (Bristol, 1898), pp. 11-37.
Excursions Brit. Ass. (Bristol, 1898). Tortworth (No. 17).
Murchison, R. I., ‘‘ The Silurian System ”’ (1839).
Reynolds, Prof. S. H., ‘““ A Geological Excursion Handbook for the
Bristol District,’? 1912—First Edition.
Do. 1921—Second Edition.
“The Lithological Succession of the Avonian at Clifton.’
Q.J.G.S., Vol. LU XXVITI. (1921), pp. 213-243.
and Innes, D.E., ‘‘ On the Carboniferous Limestone of the
District between Over and Tytherington, Glos.” Bris. Nat.
Soc. Proc., Fourth Series, Vol. IV. (1914), pp. 99-103.
Vaughan, Dr. A., ‘‘ The Paleontological Sequence in the Carboniferous
Limestone of the Bristol District.” Q.J.G.S., Vol. LXI.
(1905), pp. 181-307.
Weaver, T., ‘‘ Geological Observations on part of Gloucestershire and
Somersetshire.”’ Tvans. Geol. Soc., Series II., Vol. I. (1824),
pp. 317-368.
Winwood, Rev. H. H., ‘‘ On the Tytherington and Thornbury Section.”
Report Brot. Ass. (Bath, 1888). Tvans. of Sections, pp.
658-9. |
‘“ Notes on a Geological Section between Tytherington and
Thornbury.” Proc. Cott. Nat. F.C., Vol. IX. (1890), pp.
325-333.
XVII. Woodward, H. B., ‘ Geology of East Somerset and the Bristol Coal-
fields.” Mem Geol Surv. (1876).
---0$~ (}99J UJ) S4N0JUOD eUu0Z S [re] RS] 2407 Z PM) PHOT KY we BueD jog "0:0,|
oft t sdig ney =4
SOTA JO aT29S
ITIYHNOdYD
00
(%
2}
r ss ' BY
yamneades
\ Snojedia
\ SEQ
Neon
Y
75
The Avonian of the Western Mendips from the
Cheddar Valley to the Sea.
By AGNES E. BAMBER, M.Sc., F.G.S.
CONTENTS :
1. INTRODUCTION.
(a) Previous Work.
(b) Geographical Extent.
2. GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE and Physical Features.
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONES.
(a) Surface Extent and Lithological Characters.
(b) Faunal Lists and Notes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EXPOSURES.
LIst OF THE CHIEF EXPOSURES.
COMPARISON OF THE AVONIAN OF THE WESTERN MENDIPS WITH
(a) The Avon Section.
(b) Burrington Combe.
7, CONCLUSIONS.
S Oe
1.—INTRODUCTION.
(a) PREVIOUS WoRK.
The Western portion of the Mendip Area is covered by the
_ 1” Geological Survey Map published in 1863.
Principal T. F. Sibly in his paper ‘‘ On the Carboniferous
Limestone of the Mendip Area’”’ (Q.J.G.S. vol. Ixii., 1906) includes
this area and has determined the zones exposed in many of the
quarries.
The exposures at Uphill, Brean Down, Little Down Quarries,
Bleadon and Banwell have been described by Prof. S$. H. Reynolds
in his Geological Excursion Handbook for the Bristol District.
The present work embodies the results obtained from detailed
mapping of the faunal zones of the Carboniferous Limestone.
(b) GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT.
The area is 9 miles long in an E. to W. direction, and has
a maximum width of 24 miles in a N. and S. direction. It forms
the western portion of the Mendip uplift. It includes five isolated
Carboniferous inliers, which passing from west to east are as
follows :—
(1) Brean Down.
(2) Uphill.
(3) Bleadon Hill.
(4) Banwell Hill.
(5) Wavering Down.
Along the northern side of our region are the villages of Banwell,
Hutton and Uphill, and on the southern side those of Bleadcn,
Loxton, Compton Bishop and Cross. On the E., in the Triassic |
76 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
valley between Winscombe Hill and Banwell Hill, lie Winscombe
and Christon. The area is served by two lines of railway, the
main Great Western Railway and its Cheddar Valley Branch, and
can be reached from Bristol (distance 15-20 miles) by the main
Bridgewater road or by the Weston and Uphill road.
2.—GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The area forms the western half of the most westerly
of the four Mendip periclinal uplifts. Its axis is elongated in
an E. and W. direction. The hills rise abruptly from an almost
perfectly level plain, composed in the E. of Triassic deposits,
mainly Red Marl, and in the W. of alluvium and blown sand.
Brean Down is nearly surrounded by the sea. ‘The gently rising
ground in the gap between Uphill and Bleadon Hill is formed of
Liassic deposits, which with the Keuper have been faulted into
their present position. Dolomitic Conglomerate wraps round the
bases of the eastern hills.
The dip and consequently the dip slopes are everywhere
steeper on the northern than on the corresponding southern side
of the pericline, the folding force being directed from the S.
The filling, wholly or partially, of most of the gaps, valleys
and even gullies with Triassic deposits proves conclusively that
they are pre-Triassic in origin. The presence of small patches
of Keuper on the tops of the hills, and of Triassic deposits in
hundreds of pipes and cavities in the limestone, shows that the
area was once submerged under the Triassic sea. Subsequent
erosion has done little more than remove the covering of Secondary
rock, and is revealing at the present time a landscape fundamentally
pre-Triassic.
To the E. of Purn Hill, as the pericline approaches its minor
axis, the curve of its N.—S. anticlinal arch becomes less sharp.
On Bleadon Hill denudation has exposed the lower portion of the
Zaphrentis zone, and has reduced this part of the uplift to a low
plateau with steeply sloping sides. Between Banwell Hill and
Wavering Down, where a long broad valley bounded on all sides
by steep scarp faces has been formed, the whole Avonian series
has been worn away from the central portion of the uplift, ex-
posing the Old Red Sandstone.
To the W. of Purn Hill the whole of the southern limb of the
anticline has been reduced below the present level of the alluvium
and Brean Down and Uphill stand as detached portions of the
notthern limb.
The area in the neighbourhood of Hutton Combe and Elborough
has a somewhat complicated structure. The eastern and main
part of Elborough Hill is a small denuded anticline, the axis of
which runs almost E.—W. Sy, beds appear at the surface on both
limbs of the fold and beds rather low in y are exposed in the centre.
A fault brings y-beds against this anticline on the 8.W.
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. vay
On the west of this fault the rocks which have been following
the general W. to E. strike of Bleadon Hill curve sharply round
to the N.W., and are thrown against the above-mentioned anti-
cline by a N.—S. fault which shifts their outcrop northwards.
To the south of the anticline y-beds have been faulted in between
it and the Z»o-beds of Bleadon Hill.
Fossil evidence obtained from exposures at Walborough,
Uphill shows that the same horizon is exposed there as in the
cutting immediately to the north, the repetition being probably
due to a strike fault. A fault in the quarry north cf Bleadon
and Uphill station is in line with this, and it is possible that the
two faults were originally continuous. The post-Triassic faulting
in the district, however, makes this uncertain. An overthrust
fault parallel with this is seen where the rocks are considerably
crumpled at the northern end of the cutting. Brean Down supplies
evidence of faulting of a similar kind. On the south side there
are numerous small faults characteristic of a shatter belt, and
a strike fault can be seen in the Raven’s Cave. The dolomites of
the south-eastern shore are repeated on the north-eastern side
of the Down by a fault perhaps the continuation of one seen to
the south of Uphill Quarry, which repeats a similar series of beds.
Post-Triassic faulting has brought the Lias and Keuper against
the limestone between Uphill and Bleadon Hill.
There are no surface streams or springs on the limestone
anywhere in the area, the K-shale, when exposed, being well above
the saturation level. The River Axe flows south of the uplift in
a westerly direction until it turns rather sharply north and utilizes
the gap between Brean Down and Uphill.
3.—DESCRIPTION OF THE ZONES.
The zonal notation of the late Dr. A. Vaughan has been
adopted throughout this paper. The dividing line between the
Tournaisian and the Visean has been placed at the top of Ce (as
in the Belgium paper)*. The persistence of the Ze fauna through-
out hor. y makes it reasonable to include hor. y in the Zaphrentts
zone.
TOURNAISIAN.
Cleistopora Zone, K.
Ko—Perplicata subzone.
SURFACE EXTENT.
The upper part (Kg) only is exposed. It is seen in the railway
cutting and portion of the tunnel on the Cheddar Valley Railway
south of Shute Shelve. Its outcrop is everywhere grass covered,
but there is no reason to suppose that it does not pass downwards
conformably to the Old Red Sandstone which is occasionally seen
in very small exposures on the north side of Wavering Down.
* Correlation of Dinantian and Avonian Q.J.G.S., vol. 71, 1915.
78 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
No exposures of the K-zone have been previously recorded
from this area.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
In descending order the sequence is as follows :—.
(1) Thickly bedded limestones, crinoidal often fossiliferous,
with a considerable amount of chert. The limestones are partially
stained red and have red shaly partings.
(2) Thinly bedded black limestones and shales.
In the former series there is'considerable silicification and
dolomitization of the rock, and fossils are often silicified. The
red stain is due to haematite, which in the dolomitised band re-
places the fossils in the cavities left by their solution. Microscopic
examination shows that the metasomatic and other changes
occurred in the following order :—(1) dolomitization, (2) intro-
duction of hematite, (3) silicification. In the lower series the
limestones are as a rule hard and very crinoidal, some bands are,
however, very shaly, the limestone passing gradually into a hard
calcareous shale which does not split well, and has a tendency
to conchoidal fracture. In the lower parts the limestone bands
are less marked and the shales softer.
Zaphrentis Zone Z.
horizon y
Zo—konincht subzone
Z 4—Cclathratus subzone
| horizon B
Including
SURFACE EXTENT.
The main part of the zone is exposed only on Bleadon Hill,
where it forms the top of the down, and on Wavering Down, where
it forms the highest portions (excepting Crook Peak). B and Z
are both poorly exposed and have not previously been recorded in
this area. The outcrop of the former is found only along the
notthern side of Wavering Down, and that of the latter on Waver-
ing Down and a small area on the east of Bleadon Hill. Horizon y
forms the southern portion of Brean Down, all but the northern
portion of Uphill, and the southern portion of Banwell Hill. It
is further seen both to the N. and S. of the Zz outcrop on Bleadon
Hill and to the S. of that on Wavering Down. It forms the upper
end of Hutton Combe.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
Horizon B is exposed in two small quarries (see list of exposures,
p. 87), and in both cases a few feet only are seen. A complete
account is therefore impossible: In the lower part (Shute Shelve
quarry) there are thickly bedded red and grey crinoidal limestones
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 79
with bands of shale. Lithologically these form a continuation
of Ke. In the upper Hill Farm Quarry, there are thinly bedded,
black or grey crinoidal limestones, which show a marked tendency
to split parallel to the bedding. Between the limestones are
thick bands of light coloured shale with limestone nodules. Micro-
scopic examination of these reveals finely broken material with
organisms, including Arche@ocidarts spines.
The upper portion only of Zi is exposed and there is no
continuous section of Ze. The best exposures of both occur at
Wringstone Rocks and Webbington Quarry, where the rocks
consist in the main of thinly bedded black dolomitized lime-
stone, much of which is of the ‘ petit granit’ type, but there are
marked bands of brachiopod limestone at certain levels.
Purn Hill provides an exposure of y which is practically
complete. Parts of this horizon are also excellently exposed at
Uphill, Brean Down (south side) and at various points on the
south-east of Elborough Hill. The horizon consists of thickly
bedded fine grained, black or grey limestones of the ‘ petit granit’
type, often slightly dolomitized.
Throughout the zone silicification is common. At certain
levels in the upper part of B and in Z, the fossils are silicified,
while nodular and lenticular chert-masses are found in Z1 and in
abundance in y, where masses are frequently arranged parallel
with the bedding. Certain scars, notably Wringstone Rocks and
Purn Hill, owe their prominence to the presence of chert. For
the same reason steep strike slopes are found wherever the out-
crop of the upper part of y occurs.
Syringothyris Zone. C.
SURFACE EXTENT.
The zone is exposed in every mass in the area. It forms the
northern portion of Brean Down, of Uphill, and of Banwell Hill,
the greater part of the northern and southern flanks of Bleadon
Hill, and most of the southern slopes of Wavering Down. ‘The
topmost beds form scars, e.g., White Cliff on Bourton Farm and
Crook Peak. The best exposures are to be seen:at Crook Peak,
Little Down Quarries, Bleadon Quarry and Uphill Quarry.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS,
Although this zone consists mainly of oolite, the rocks show
considerable variety of lithological character. ‘The sequence given
in descending order is as follows :—
(1) Massive thickly bedded very fossiliferous oolites, partly
crinoidal and foraminiferal.
(2) Massive white oolite in which the bedding planes are
often obliterated and which contains few fossils.
‘ ) Oolites partly crinoidal and foraminiferal, with dolomite
ands.
80 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
(4) Massive white oolites with few or no fossils.
(5) Dolomites over and underlain by slightly dolomitised
crinoidal and foraminiferal limestone
At a level immediately above (4) the limestone is very hard,
largely crinoidal, and is much stained with hematite. It contains
Chonetes cf. comoides, Bellerophon and Euomphalus. This band
is found wherever the horizon is exposed and forms a useful deter-
mining level. It is on the same level as the ‘ Bellerophon-beds’
found elsewhere in the Mendip and Bristol district. It is well seen
at the Fort Quarry, Brean Down, the most westerly of the north-
eastern quarries of Brean Down, at the Little Down Quarries,
Bleadon, and in the quarry at Hutton Combe. ‘These beds rest
upon a fine white oolite, which passes down into crinoidal and
foraminiferal limestone.
The thickness of the lower white oolite is not great and it
varies in different parts of the area, thus at Brean Down Point
it is thinner than at Hutton Coombe, where it is about 20 feet
thick. The dolomite is ill-exposed, but is more fossiliferous at
the base, where dolomitization is incomplete, than in the upper
portion.
Since there is no continuous section of the dolomites, and
very few fossils have been found in them the dividing line between
Ci and Ce has been placed as in other areas immediately above
them. y)
VISEAN.
Seminula Zone. §.
Si or semireticulatus zone.
The outcrop of the Seminula zone is limited in extent. The
lower beds only are exposed, and these come to the surface on the
extreme N.FE. and S.E. corners of Bleadon Hill, on the N.E. of
Banwell Hill, and on the $.W. and $.E. of Wavering Down.
LITHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS.
The rocks exposed consist in the main of massive, thinly
bedded limestones, many of which are more or less completely
dolomitized.
The limestones are mainly fossiliferous and oolitic, but vary
considerably in the character of the ooliths. Many of them show
pene-contemporaneous brecciation. The oolite which fills the
interior of the brachiopods is as might be expected, of a finer
character than that of the rest of the rock. This helps to give a
characteristic patchy appearance to some of the bands. Where
dolomitisation has attacked the rocks it often affects the matrix,
but not the ooliths. Again within the patches of finer oolite the
matrix is almost undolomitised, though the dolomitisation may
be complete in the calcite or aragonite originally enclosing these
patches. It is possible that some of these patches may have been
of the nature of pebbles (probably soft) formed during the breccia-
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 8l
tion of the original bed. Whatever their origin they seem to point
to the relatively great resistance of the finer oolites to dolomitiza-
tion, a conclusion which seems to be confirmed by the tesult of
acid tests on the coarse and fine oolites. There are also bands
of fine oolite with a calcite matrix, the grains having sometimes
been formed round fragments of foraminifera.
Associated with the coarse oolites are china-stones, some-
times banded. The development of these is very local, and in
some places they are very narrow and soon die out.
(b) FAUNAL LISTS AND NOTES,
KEY.
A = abundant. r = _ rather rare.
a@ = very common. R == rare.
C = common. 1 = _ one specimen only.
c = fairly common. x = at certain levels.
FOSSILS. ZONES.
K Z C | $s
ESSE eae rae (eee PON (aon | eee, |
Kel B | Z1| Ze) ¥ | Ca CalSy
Zaphrentis delanouet, KE. & H. ... aie ve Rolle
Zaphrentis omaliusi, H.& H. ... ae Ree aallaa
Zaphvrentis omaliusi vat. densa, Catruthers oe C
Zaphrentis konincki, H.& H. ... ae On Alvan Niello
Ambplexus coralloides, Sow. eos on se Cl xr
Amblexus sp. (small with short septa) ca Cc
Amplexus sp. (vermiform) or tak | .
Caninia cornucopia, Mich. sath sii ate ACA
Caninia cornucopie var. ane oe sa é
at
base
Caninia patula, Mich. ae C
Caninia cylindrica Scouler mut. y Vaughan ne Rea
R
Caninia cylindrica Scouler mut. Sy; Vaughan r
Cyathophylium @ Vaughan if R
Cyathophyllum Y Vaughan Cc
Cyathophyllum QP small form r |e
at
Carcinophylium mendipense, Sibly ae
at
Lithostrotion tvregulare (Phill.) Bs
Lithostrotion martini, EK. & H. ... e | | a
Lithostrotion basaltiforme, Phill. var. bristolense
Vaughan Cc
Michelinia favosa (Goldf.) sibs seg one oR
Michelinia megastoma (Phill.) ae ae Cia
Syringopora Vaughan ae Sat CarG
Syringopora ci. reticulata, Goldf, ae Car Cane
Syringopora cf. distans (Fischer) oe se CAce
Camarotaechia mitcheldeanensis, Vaughan ...J A | c
top
Camarotaechia pleurodon (Phill.) Vaughan... oe
Actinoconchus lamellosa (1, Eveillé) ... Aes
Actinoconchus planosulcatus (Phill.) ... sista R
Cliothyris voyssii (1, Eveillé) —... sisi tee Carer ce tk
a CROFT e
Chothyris glabristria (Phill.)
82
FOSSILS.
Cliothyris cf. glabristria (Phill.)
Chiothyris cf. expansa (Dav.)
Seminula ambigua (Sow.)
Seminula ficoidea, Vaughan
Small Athyrids seminuloid in form
“ Spirifer aff. clathratus, M’Coy,’”’ Vaughan
Spirifer aff. clathvatus var. cf. attenuata, Sow..
Spirifer ? cf. styiatus, Martin
Spirviferina berplicata, Nort hai ss2
Spiriferina probably insculpta, North |
Syringothyris principalis, North :
Syringothyris cuspidata mut. cyrtorhyncha,
North
Syringothyris cuspidata mut. exoleta, North
Tylothyrvis laminosa, M’Coy, mut. North
Tylothyris laminosa, M’Coy, emended North as
Leptaena analoga (Phill.)
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. K Vaughan _
do. mut. Z Vaughan ...
do. mut. C Vaughan ...
Reticularia cf. veticulata (M’Coy) te
Rhipidomella aff. michelini (1 Eveillé),
Schizophoria vesupinata (Mart.) as
Productus bassus, Vaughan ate
“ Productus cf. martini, Sow,” Vaughan
Productus sp. near martini, Sow. :
Productus (Pustula) subpustulosus, Thomas
Productus cf. semireticulatus, Mart.
Productus cf. concinnus, Sow.
Productus aff. cova d’Orb. mut. c ! Veughen i
Productus aff. cova d’Orb.
Productus § Vaughan
Productus corrugatus, M’Coy
Productus aff. hemisphericus, Sow.
** Chonetes cf. crassistria, M’Coy,”’
Chonetes cf. laguessiana, de Kon.
Chonetes cf. havdvensis, Phill.
Chonetes aff. papilionacea (Phill.)
Chonetes aff. comoides (Sow.)
Fenestella spp. .
Ihabdomeson spp.
Modiola sp. ote
Conocardium sp....
Euomphalus sp. ...
Pleurotomaria
Bellerophon sp.
Phillipsia tail...
Psephodus tooth...
Vau ghan :
K
Ks
CG COO
‘owe!
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
ZONES.
y4
fi bs
$$$ | — |
B Zt] Zsl VY | Cy] CalSe
Oo
Qo
ou
Cc
top
only
eC
top
only
R
Cc
top
only
Cc
c
1
a
Cie
ty
c
jeu
a
ax |ax
Care
Cre
Ca
re
A
Yr
a
Cc
Cx
top
pa i
top
1G
Cc
Cx
Ala
ax |ax
a
a
cx
cxjax|ax|C
ax|ax|Cx]C
Cc
atl
lev’l
1
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 83
HORTHER: NOTHS ON THE FOSSILS.
(1) For the following reasons it is considered in this paper
that the entry of large Caninids though presumably somewhat
earlier than in the Avon section, marks the base of hor. y:—
(a) With the exception of the presence of C. paiula and
C. cylindrica hor. y is faunally continuous with Zo.
(b) C. patula and C. cylindrica have not been found at levels
far below Syringopora ct. reticulata, a characteristic y and C, form.
(c) The only continuous section of the top of Ze and y is
at the N.W. end of Purn Hill, where the exposures are too poor
to provide much useful faunal evidence.
Horizon y is characterised by the extreme abundance and
co-occurrence of Zaphrentis konincht, Zaphrentis omaliusi, Caninia
cornucopiae and Canima cylindrica, and by the abundance of
Productus (Pustula) subpustulosus. ‘The variety of Caninia cor-
nucopiae has steeply sloping tabule and a well-marked fossula.
The occurrence of Conocarduim sp. and Spiriferina cf. insculpta
is interesting, since they were mentioned by Vaughan as occurring
in y in Belgium.
(2) The lowest beds of Cy are characterised by the very
common occurrence of Chonetes cf. comotdes, Pleuratomaria sp. and
Euomphalus sp. and the maximum of Schizophoria resupinata.
Zaphrentis koninckt persists into Cg, but is not common. The
large Caninias so abundant at the base die out rapidly as the .
series is ascended, in a manner which suggests that the cause is
the shallowing of the sea and the resulting change in conditions.
(3) The most interesting points in the fauna of the C2 beds
are the presence of Bellerophon and other large gastropods in the
middle portion and the incoming of Viséan forms at the top.
Cyathophyllum g is represented by small forms in the lower
beds. Productus cf. concinnus and Productus aff. cora occur in
the middle beds and soon become common. Productus @ enters
near the top, where also Productus corrugatus occuts very sparingly.
Seminula ambigua, Cliothyris ci. expansa, Camarotaechia pleurodon,
Carcinophyllum mendtrpense, and Lithostrotion cf. wregulare all enter
at the top, rendering the C-S division somewhat artificial.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EXPOSURES.
In order to avoid unnecessary repetition only special points
of interest will be described.
Purn Hill.
Uphill Quarry to Walborough.
Brean Down.
Little Down Quarries, Bleadon.
Cross.
Bleadon and Uphill Station Quarry.
Hutton Coombe.
Seo et So
84 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
1) PuRN aaa.
Purn Hill shows a series of exposures in which it is possible
to examine almost every bed from the top of Ze. to the lowest beds
of Ce
On the western face of the hill the limestones, particularly
when cherty, form prominent scars, probably remnants of old
sea cliffs. The rocks are mainly highly crinoidal limestones and
provide an excellent collecting ground, although the fossils do
not show up well either on the weathered or on freshly broken
rock surfaces. In the quarries by the road there is a considerable
amount of faulting, but the throw of these faults is very small.
Good specimens of Chonetes cf. comoides and Schizophoria
vesupinata can be obtained from the road quarries.
2. UPpuHiILL CUTTING TO WALBOROUGH.
Uphill Quarry is the best exposure of lower C and the top of
hor. y in the area, and shows the following section :—
Dolomitised limestone with shattered bands 47 ft.
Ca Light grey limestone, crinoidal and fossi-
liferous ee sf He .. AA ft.
y Crinoidal limestone (Petit granit) A vas OTE
167 it:
Part of the quarry south of the engine shed shows hor. y in which
Canina cylindrica mut. y, Caninia cornucopiae and Michelimia
megastoma ate abundant and stand out with diagrammatic dis-
tinctness.
The shattering referred to by Prof. Reynolds of the rocks in
the northern part of the quarry is confined to certain beds in the
dolomites. These bands are almost unfossiliferous, and they show
a marked regularity in their occurrence, which gives this end of
the quarry a striped appearance. ‘The shattering is probably due
to earth movement subsequent to the deposition of the rocks, but
may be contemporaneous with their deposition. Immediately
south of the quarry is a very small gully, produced by a strike
fault which repeats about 100 feet of the rocks exposed in the
quarry. On the S. side of this gully the rocks, which have been
dipping in the quarry at an angle of about 25°, are turned almost
on end. A high dip is maintained for some distance §., but it
becomes less on approaching Walborough. ‘The exposures are not
very good owing to the weathered state of the rocks, but sufficient
fossil evidence has been obtained to show that these beds belong
to y and not to Z,, as has formerly been stated. Horizon y with
abundant Caninia cylindrica is exposed at Walborough.
I saflu Yystsuy :aleos )
AQ eur suojye dew ssoise UO0l}D9G wydaq (9)
sop ysysuq | | 0 eS
K KZ ee eee Ge ae
d \
ES 3 X 0
WWE. SESE BPTI SSIES ARIS
sh TT ss vy loo9
J dq 399 J
Jay eu suoje deur ssoise uoly9¢ ItH vopeerg (®)
"SUOT}PIIG [EyUOZTIOLY Il ‘BIJ
Aye
herarny Aye oY
5,
POPs One
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 85
3. BREAN DOWN.
The quarries on Brean Down and the southern shore have
already been described very completely by Prof. Reynolds and
there is little to add here. ‘The exposures east of the fort in rocks
below those of Fort Quarry show the same development of dolomites,
crinoidal limestones and oolites as is met elsewhere at the same
horizon. On the southern side of the Down shattered dolomites,
similar to those at Uphill, are seen where the blown sand against
the face ends. Patches of breccia on the face of the cliff are pre-
sumably fault breccia. The cliffs on the south of the Down are
horizon y, but the greater portion of the Down lies in C, and Cp.
Syringopora ct. distans (Fischer) is found in the Fort Quarry (Co),
ie., at a lower level than elsewhere in the area.
4. LITTLE DOWN QUARRIES, BLEADON.
In the Little Down Quarries 210 feet of the upper part of Ce
is finely exposed. The small quarry, now occupied by a cottage,
to the S. of the main quarry, is in $j, and has in its upper part
bands crowded with Productus aff. cora. ‘The following table gives
the lithological succession :—
White oolite .. .. 96 ft.
Limestone, oolitic crinoidal, fotummeral
Co and partly dolomitised ae .. 49 ft.
Oolite:-.. an i? ou: a sia cd0Ete
Dolomite ks; eS, we bs ws GUO hte
210 ft.
The white oolite is similar to that on the same horizon at
Burrington!. The quarry is riddled with pipes containing Triassic
material and often lined with calcite crystals.
5. CROSS QUARRY.
This quarry lies just north of the Bridgewater road, about a
mile due east of Axbridge. It shows about 58 feet of $1 on which
rest, in the eastern part of the quarry, about 15 feet of Dolomitic
Conglomerate. ‘The following table shows the succession :—
Oolite showing penecontemporaneous
brecciation ce tat Ou
Oolite showing — penecontemporaneous
brecciation with china stones oe om tbe
Dolomite containing Ss a ia OTE:
Si Fine oolite .. ; & Ae Sit:
Dolomite ind See har iu,
Oolite showing penecontemporaneous
brecciation ot es ie sy, 50) Ee
Dolomitised limestone a3 rae en de dt.
56 ft.
1. See Burrington paper, pp. 348 and 369,
86 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
China stones are thin and non-persistent. The oolite with
which they are associated shows penecontemporaneous brecciation.
At certain levels there are Chonetes and Productus bands, and in
the middle of the series is a bed containing abundant Euomphalus
and Pleurotomaria. All the fossils with the exception of
Lithostrotion basaltiforme mentioned in this paper as characteristic
of S, have been found in this quarry.
In the mass of Dolomitic Conglomerate on the east side the
lower beds are of the usual type, but the upper ones are coarse
and contain large blocks of oolitic limestone surrounded by red
marl.
6. BLEADON AND UPHILL, STATION QUARRY.
This quarry is in many ways the most interesting in the area,
showing as it does post-Triassic faulting and an exposure of volcanic
rocks.
The Great Western Railway main line has been cut through
the quarry leaving a small portion containing the volcanic ex-
posures on the western side. The eastern part of the quarry
shows no volcanic rock. The limestones form a syncline, dipping
northward on the southern side of the quarry, and sloping upward
to the post-Triassic fault which brings the Iias and Keuper down
on the northern side. The cutting to the north shows a series of
Red and Tea Green Marls and succeeded non-sequentially by
the Lower Lias}.
1. Hurron CoomMBe.
The quarry in Hutton Coombe shows a level in Cg, including
the Gastropod beds and the Cz beds below it. ‘The Cy dolomites
are for the most part overgrown, but the topmost beds are fairly
well exposed.
The white oolite immediately underneath the Gastropod
beds is almost entirely unfossiliferous and fossils are scarce in the
more foraminiferal limestones below.
The beds are dipping at a high angle of 50°—60° S.S.W. and
striking N.N.E.
(V.) LIST (OP (THE EXPOSURE >:
(Small holes dug for stone walls, and all very small exposures
are omitted).
6in. Ordnance
K ZONE. Horizon. Survey sheet
Old well in field S. of Barton Drove and
N. of Broad Knoll) 1.2 Ko XVI | oe:
Hillside exposure, Shute Shelve vest of
railway) Bs ei A} i y
1. L. Richardson, Q.J.G.S., vol. xlvii. (1911) p. 55.
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 87
Horizon.
Railway cutting, Shute Shelve
Cutting in road (east of railway) ..
Z ZONE (including hor. 6 and hor. y).
North Side.
Hillside exposure on Elborough Hill im-
mediately N. of Christon Plantation
Quarry in Hutton Coombe $.E. of Yew
Tree Cottage and E. of the road
Ditto (west of the road) ..
Quarry in Hutton Coombe W. of Canada
Neher) eae
Hillside exposure S. of Roman road and
S. of Christon Plantation
Roadside exposure S.E. of Christon Plan-
tabion ..
Small cave in mode Ss. of eamrell Womu-
Ment...
Quarries on Bleadon Hill, ‘S of ‘Roman
road
Quarries on G. W.R. main line N. of Blea-
don and Uphill station
Uphill quarry and Walborough
Shore exposure S. of Brean Down
South side.
Small quarry by road S. of Bleadon and
Uphill station .. gx
Purn Hill :
Ravine in Hellenge Acte, Bleadon
Pathside exposure on Bleadon Hill, near
Christon
Quarry N. of Crook Peak « on n Webbington
road a8
Wringstone Rocks
Old Me in field §. of Barton Drove and
N. ot Broad Knoll -.
Old quarry on Hill Farm, S. of Winscombe
C ZONE.
North side.
Quarries on Banwell Hill, N.-W. of Ban-
well Castle
Old quarry W. of Plantation House, Ban-
well
Cutting on Banwell toad S. of Caves Farm
3)
9)
6in. Ordnance
Survey sheet
9) 99
y SVL NAW
: XVI. NE
‘ | NW.
XVI. SE.
Ze SaNOt wy) ws, ”
Zy +>3 eae)
Li &ls, XVI SW
is es S.E
pb +9 23
p 2? ”?
Cs XVII N.E
N.W.
88 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
6in. Ordnance
Horizon. Survey sheet
Small quarry W. of Higher Leaze : :
Quarry in Hutton Coombe and sides of
coombe .. m8 th we Cpreenea * a
Quarries N. of Lower Ganda Re ans Co i Ny
Hillside exposures S. of Hutton quarry .. ) vi 4
Old quarry near Uphill Farm... Cy SOV Ds aN,
Exposures on yea road N. of St. Nicholas’
Church 3) 223 9?)
Uphill quarry ; a 3 si Rf
Quarries on EF. & N. E. of Brean Down - u 8 ce
Old quarry near Fort, Brean Down Ay Co 3 i
Cliffs around Brean Down ay se, Coes ys a
South side.
Quarries S: of Purn Hill By Ly Cy VEY SB,
Ravine in Hellenge Acre, Bleadon 5 As He ah
Cutting and quarry, Wonderstone re x it Ps
Old quarry on Manor Farm, Shiplate .. Co XVII. S.W.
Old quarry behind School, Loxton ME ,, (EOD Wie a
Old quarry N. of Manor Farm, Loxton .. ed ae i
Old quarry by side of path, N.-W. of Lox-
tom quatries -... Cy 7 i
Top of Crook Peak, and S. sides of the
hill eure Co An ay
Hillside exposures 0 on iS flanks of Waver-
ing Down * o. Ca SCs " S.E.
White Cliff on Bounten Farm ne Co * Ne
Fore Cliff and Yew Tree Cliff (N. of Cross) 2 i 83
S ZONE.
North side,
Old quarry E. of Banwell Wood .. Si XVIL. NUE:
Old quarry on path from Elborough Baa a XV 1 NW:
Cutting on road N.W. of Elborough Wood 4 bi
Old quarry S.W. of St. Mary’s, Hutton .. us me me
South side.
Old quarry E. of Shiplate House .. , XVII. S.W.
Quarries and hillside exposures on road S.
of Crook Peak a Ae om a i ne
Denny’s Hole bel sas ny i. sh S.E.
Quarry N. of reservoir at Cross .. ies ‘ * "
Roadside exposures, Post Office, Cross .. ° Be 3
THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 89
VI. COMPARISON OF THE AVONIAN OF THE WESTERN
MENDIPS with
(a) THE AVON SECTION,
(b) THE BURRINGTON SECTION.
(a) THE AVON SECTION.
Dr. T. F. Sibly has compared the Avonian of the Mendips
with that of the Avon, having regard more especially to the
paleontological sequence. The work carried out in the Western
Mendips confirms his observations and conclusions, though detailed
mapping shows the levels of the Hutton Coombe district to be
somewhat higher than he supposed. Only special points therefore
need be mentioned here.
Cleistopora Zone—Kgy subzone.
The lithological characters are similar to those of the Avon
Section, but dolomitizaticn is more general and silicification is
more frequent.
ZLaphrentis Zone.
Lithologically and paleontologically similar to the Avon
Section and others in the South-west Province. Silicification is
again more prevalent than in the Avon Section, being common in
Z 4, occurring occasionally in Z, and abundantly in y in the West
Mendips, while in the Avon Section cherts are found only in Z.
Other evidence that the conditions of deposition were not absolutely
identical is found in the greatly increased thickness of this zone
(due to the tremendous increase in thickness in y). Points of
interest regarding the fossils fourd in the Z beds of the Western
Mendips are the following :—(1) the occurrence of a small Amplexus
in 6B; (2) the abundance of Productus (Pustula) subpustulosus, of
Cammia cornucopie and its variety with steeply sloping tabule
in y; (3) the common occurrence of Zaphrentis densa in y.
Syringothyris Zone.
In common with the rest of the Mendip area this zone shows
less dolomitization in the lower part than is seen in the Avon
Section, while the Caninia dolomites of the Avon are represented
by a series of oolitic and foraminiferal limestones with subsidiary
bands of dolomite or slightly dolomitised limestones. Oolites
occur on the same horizon as the Canimia oolites of the Avon.
Though china-stones have been found at Broadfield Down, 10
miles to the N.-E., and calcite mud-stones in the Avon Section
at the top of Ce, neither has been found in C2 of the W. Mendips,
typical lagoon phase conditions being absent.
90 THE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA.
Seminula Zone—S, subzone.
In the W. Mendips, oolites sometimes showing penecontem-
poraneous brecciation, with subsidiary bands of dolomite and a
small and local development of china-stones occur on the same
horizon as the calcite mud-stones, china-stones and dolomitized
limestones of the Avon. It is evident that lagoon phase conditions
extended to the area, but were established later and less com-
pletely than in the Avon Section. Oolite bands sometimes pass
laterally into china-stones.
Dr. Sibly in discussing the relative acceleration of the Mendip
coral fauna, as compared with the brachiopods, gives a list of
corals which appear at lower levels in the Mendips than in the
Avon Section!. To this list may be added Syringopora cf. distans
low in Ce, Lithostrotion basaltiforme at the base of S,, and
L. irregulare at the top of Cg.
(b) THE BURRINGTON SECTION.
As might be expected the lithological and paleontological
characters in the Western Mendips are very similar to those of
Burrington, in fact to a large extent identical, so points of difference
only will be noted here.
Cleistopora—K 9 zone.
Siliceous rocks and dolomitised limestones, while present in
the Western Mendips area, have not been recorded at Burrington.
This can probably be accounted for by the incompleteness of the
exposures there.
Zaphrentis Zone.
Some chert occurs in Z,g in the Western Mendips, but it is
by no means characteristic of the subzone. The development of
chert elsewhere in the zone is similar to that of Burrington. Spirifer
aff. clathratus is common in Z», in the Western Mendips, but not
at Burrington. Pyvroductus (Pustula) subpustulosus is abundant
throughout y in the Western Mendips, but common only at one
level at Burrington. Pvoductus cf. semireticulatus, on the other
hand, is common at Burrington, but not in the Western Mendips.
Syringothyris Zone.
The most important differences lie in the greater amount of
dolomitisation in the zone, and the more varied fauna at the top
in the Western Mendips; thus Caninia cylindrica mut. $1,
Camaratechia pleurodon, Syringothyris cuspidata mut. exoleta occur
in addition to the white oolite fauna of Burrington.
Seminula Zone—S, subzone.
The portion exposed is similar in type to the Burrington
Section, except that china-stones present in the Western Mendips
are not recorded at Burrington.
1. Q.J.G.S., vol. 62§(1906) p. 355.
t
t
eo
Sng
Seca? FR, ‘ied
|
|
«iil
Weston Bay
yeaa A e *
f ROO
nh ieee ages
Te
apt RE
10)
50
2A]
Walborough ..
8
Line of Section &Y
Bridgewater
Bay
Scale of Miles
ee Eee
oes
es
y)
ES
hi, oS Sen:
N eS
os
fj
tion >
Line of Sec
Alluvium.
4Secondary Rocks.
Carboniferous
{ Limestone.
}O/d Red Sandstone.
Ao Tai
—
=Christon
Wee
REX oS
a EERE
Ne os
S
= ia RS OX
x3
\ 20° Indicates Direction and Angle of Dip
Poh Pauit.
Fl.--F’ Probable Fault.
Other signs are those used
on the Ordnance Survey maps.
we ay
om ——_— 1
Pia aa fom!
= ?
=
o
400~-—>
7
a
oo
.
‘ F ri
i
: 1
—_—
{
one
: = = i
fi
oe
ES 7 <
i
: om
i
f
j
—25 fo...
4
J
Se
:
a
i
E:
Weston
Bridgewater
Bay
Bay
Line of Section 3
Scale of Miles
ae
ty IN
ad
ie
fom
—
AAD
ae 4
00 | v 1,9,
Denny’s=Hole*—>. Bees >
OIE
—w_
By condary Rocks. ¥ 20° Indicates Direction and Angle of Dip
Rl farboniferous FOF Fault.
imestone, F.=--F’ Probable Fault.
I 2 3 ,
(0) | Other signs are those used
Old Red Sandstone. on the Ordnance Survey maps.
;
ig
t
e
$
#
ay
Jp gs il Soda tah as eA a csc UNS teers aitea
asin aa wo LRN NON OMe Trae giao tsnbepomee
HE AVONIAN OF CHEDDAR VALLEY TO THE SEA. 91
CONCLUSIONS.
(1) The detailed study of this small area of the Mendip
country affords a further proof of the applicability of Vaughan’s
zonal classification of the Carboniferous Limestone.
(2) The conclusions arrived at by Dr. T. F. Sibly and stated
in the summary of his Mendip paper have been confirmed.
(3) Comparison with the Avon and Burrington Sections show
the following similarities and contrasts :— — |
(a) With the exception of the Cy S, beds an essentially
similar lithological sequence occurs.
(b) The lagoon phase conditions of $; in the Avon Section
are met with in the Western Mendips, but were not completely
established there.
(4) Ke, B and Zj,, hitherto unrecorded from the area, have
been proved to be exposed.
(5) Conocardium1 and Spiriferina, probably an early form
of S. insculpta, have been recorded from a level low in y, and
Cyathophyllum 62 from the lowest beds of Cy.
1 Conocardium has been recorded from y of Belgium,
but not previously from the Bristol area.
2 Cyathophyllum 6 has been previously recorded only
from y in the Mendips.
In making the above comparisons and arriving at the con-
clusions stated, the following papers have been used :—
A. Vaughan.—‘‘ The Paleontological Sequence in the Carboniferous
Limestone of the Bristol Area.’ Q.J.G.S., vol. xi. (1905).
T. F. Silby.—‘‘ The Carboniferous Limestone (Avonian) of the
Mendip Area,” ibid. vol. lxii. (1906).
A Vaughan.—‘‘ The Avonian of the Avon Gorge,’ Proc. Bristol
Nat. Soc., 1906.
S. H. Reynolds and A. Vaughan.—‘‘ The Avonian of Burrington
Contbe,”. O.J.G.S., vol. Ixvii, (1911).
9. H. Reynolds.—‘‘ The Lithological Succession of the Carboniferous
Limestone (Avonian) of the Avon Section at Clifton,” ibid.
vol. Ixxvii. (1921).
In conclusion I should like to thank Professor S$. H. Reynolds
and Dr. Stanley Smith, the former for his help and advice at times
which could not always have been convenient, in all matters relating
to the work, the latter for his help in the field and with the palzeonto-
logical details, and both for their kindly criticisms and sug-
gestions in the preparation of the manuscript and for the encourage-
ment they have given me. I must also thank Dr. F. S. Wallis
for help of a similar kind. For naming some of my specimens
my thanks are due to Miss H. M. Wood, M.Sc., Dr. F. J. North
and Dr. Stanley Smith. I am also indebted to Mrs. Whitby,
T. Bisdee, Esq., and others, who have very kindly allowed me
to examine exposures in private grounds.
92
The Old Red Sandstone and Carboniferous Limestone
of the Portishead-Clevedon Area.
By S. H. REyYNo.ips, M.A., Sc.D., F.G.S., and E. GREENLy,
D.Sc., F.G.S.
|e a communication read before the Geological Society of London
an account is given of the geological structure of the Portis-
head—Clevedon area, but details as to the exposures are in the
main omitted. They are given in the present paper.
I. THE PORTISHEAD AREA AND THE RIDGE VEE OM
PORTISHEAD TO LADYE BAY, CLEVEDON (Ss Bu):
OLD RED SANDSTONE.
These rocks are exposed at intervals all along the coast from
Ladye Bay, Clevedon, to Woodhill Bay, Portishead. Of the inland
exposures on Weston and Portishead Downs attention may be
drawn to one in a small quarry west of Farley, and to others about
midway between Charlcomb Wood and Weston Lodge, also to one
by the Down road } mile east of Hollywood Lodge. Old Red
Sandstone is seen near the top of both the Fore Hill Lanes, and
in the old quarry at Portishead station, and is well exposed in the
grounds at Fircliff, Woodhill. The best section is that behind
the factory at Portishead Pier station, the details of which are
given in the next paragraph.
CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE SERIES.
Km. By far the best section of these beds is in the old quarry
at Portishead Pier station. The succession is :—
Ft. Ins.
Bryozoa-bed red crinoidal limestone to top of
section .. 18 0
Red calcareous sandstone, sandy ‘limestone and
shale) 4/2: 25 0
Massive, red, highly ‘ferruginous ‘limestone with
crinoids, ostracods and ill-preserved lamel-
Km libranchs va) meena
50ft.3in. | Red calcareous sandstone and sandy shale pera | | ig
Red sandy limestone ! 1 0
Red calcareous sandstone and sandy shale, mostly
in thin bands .. a ne a oot eG
Massive red sandstone... 4 0
Shale with thin sandstone bands, “ill exposed . 16 0
Old Red |Massive red sandstone .. 8 0
Sand-— / Highly fissile, thin-bedded micaceous sandstone 140
stone | Massive thick-bedded red sandstone .. 2 Sb @
154 ft. Gap, no exposures, about .. : 60 0
Red and yellow sandstones and shale, somewhat
disturbed A be .s ie HE E2080
OLD RED SANDSTONE, ETC., PORTISHEAD-CLEVEDON AREA. 93
BryozoA BED.—This is seen at the following points :—
). Inthe old quarry at Portishead Pier Station
). Forming the small cliff at the southern end of the shore
section to the south of Battery Point.
(3). In the section at the northern end of the road round the
Marine Lake. Here the rocks are intensely disturbed.
Part of this section is repeated at the northern end of the
Esplanade.
(4). In the small quarry at the Knoll, where there are signs of
disturbance and slickensiding.
(5). Of the three little old quarries on the eastern slopes of
Woodhill, south of Royal Terrace the two northerly ones
are in the Bryozoa bed, which in the most northerly is
folded into a sharp anticline. The rocks are now very ill
exposed.
(6). There is a small exposure of red limestone, probably
Bryozoa bed, at the bend of the road near the top of St.
Mary’s Lane.
(7). The small quarry standing back from the road, near the
top of Nightingale Valley, shows 8 feet of Bryozoa bed—
red highly crinoidal current bedded limestone.
(x). At the west end of Lawn Ripple, Bank Hill.
K,. The most southerly of the Woodhill quarries is in Kj,
fairly massive limestone partly dolomitized, from which a normal
series of K, fossils has been obtained. The base of Ky, including
the ‘‘ palate bed’’ with Psephodus laevissimus, was formerly ex-
posed above the Bryozoa bed in the most northerly quarry. Another
exposure of the K, beds is in the small roadside quarry near the
top of Nightingale Valley, where 5 feet of very fossiliferous, rather
thin-bedded, grey limestone with shaly partings overlie the Bryozoa
bed.: Several specimens of Cleistopora were found here.
There are small exposures of K, near the western end of
Lawn Ripple.
K., The well-known section to the south of Battery Point
is in Ky. It is briefly described by Vaughan (Q.J.G.S., vol. 61
(1905), pp. 228-230). He records a considerable list of fossils.
Abundant Kg fossils were collected from a hillside exposure
and debris about } of a mile W.-S.-W. of Capenore Court.
The upper part of Kg is exposed in the Walton Castle section.
B and Z,. The exposures at Eastwood, Portishead, are on
this horizon. The best are :—
(1). Inanold quarry by the road above Portishead Pier station,
where the rocks dip 40 N.-W.
(2). In an old quarry west of Royal Terrace, where the rocks
are practically vertical.
(3). I have a record of a visit with Vaughan in June, 1905, to
a section of 6 and Z,, which was then visible at the bend
of the road east of Battery Point.
(1
(2
94 OLD RED SANDSTONE, ETC., PORTISHEAD-CLEVEDON AREA.
(4). There is a fine section of B and Z, at Battery Point and
along the shore to the east. The fossils show much
beekitization. é
Fore Hill Quarry affords a fine section of B and Z,, the lower
beds being noticeable for the very large amount of chert present.
The same type of limestone with silicified crinoids is ill-exposed
on the hillside to the north-west of St. Mary’s Well. B and Z,
containing the usual fossils are ill-seen in exposures by the side
of the road leading up to Nightingale Valley, and Z, is expesed
on the hillside below Manor Farm.
Plumley’s quarry, Walton-in-Gordano, affords a good section
of Band Z,. The lower beds are very fossiliferous, the fossils being
much beekitized. The upper beds, which are partly dolomitized,
contain much chert. The beds are a good deal disturbed and
show folding and probably overthrusting.
The scarp of Castle Hill overlooking the golf course is formed
of Z,, and there is a good section of B and Z, between the Farm
and the Castle.
Ze and y. The best sections of these rocks are those in the
Weston Big Wood Quarries. Vaughan (op. cit., p. 230) gives a
list of fossils from this locality. In the eastern quarry now in
work a thickness of over 200 feet is seen, in the western quarry
only about 110 feet. The rocks are throughout massive crinoidal
limestone, largely dolomitized and highly fossiliferous. The rocks
are vertical or overfolded to the north-west, in part of the western
quarry to as much as 20°.
The same rocks are seen in small excavations recently re-
opened and enlarged just north of the large quarry at the lower
end of Nightingale Valley. They are again well exposed in the
small quarry at Walton-in-Gordano and in the crags above the.
road north of the quarry. In all these exposures the rocks consist
of the usual highly fossiliferous dark dolomitized crinoidal lime-
stone.
C, Laminosa dolomite. ‘The best section of this horizon is
at the large quarry near the southern end of Nightingale Valley.
The big bedding plane forming the northern wall of the quarry
may be taken as the top of the Laminosa dolomite, and a section
chiefly consisting of rather massive red dolomite is poorly exposed
in the approach to the quarry. There are poor exposures of
Laminosa dolomite in Holly Lane.
C, Caninia-Oolite. This is well seen in the quarry at th€
bottom of Nightingale Valley, where a thickness of about 95 feet
isseen. ‘The upper beds, which show well-marked current bedding,
are traversed by close-set parallel joints at right angles to the
bedding. At about 25 feet from the base is a band full of
Orthotetes crenistria1 and crinoids. Small ill-preserved brachiopods
1. Vaughan (op. cit., p. 230) records Orthotetes and Chonetes as abundant
at the base of the Caninia oolite.
OLD RED SANDSTONE, ETC., PORTISHEAD-CLEVEDON AREA. 95
are common in the overlying limestone for a thickness of about
20 feet.
There are many small exposures of the Canimnia oolite in
Weston Big Wood, and in the woods which fringe the Down from
Weston-in-Gordano to Walton Castle. The Holly Lane Quarries
are in Canimia oolite much shattered.
Cy Caninia dolomite. The highest beds exposed in the old
quarry at the bottom of Nightingale Valley are Canima dolomite.
Coal Measures (Pennant) red or grey micaceous sandstone or
grit. These rocks are only seen along the northern shore. The
largest exposure is north of the Royal Hotel, Portishead. Three
small patches appear through the Trias on the shore near Eastwood
and Woodside.
Il. THE CLEVEDON AREA (E.G).
OLD RED SANDSTONE.
This formation consists mainly of red micaceous sandstone
often rather pale, and frequently false-bedded ; alternating with
more deeply coloured red and green-mottled mud-stones, locally
calcareous. A well-defined corn-stone is exposed in a shallow cave
just beyond Ladye Point. In the sandstones there are pebbly
bands, whose pebbles (rarely exceeding an inch in diameter),
include venous quartz, quartzite, and red jasper, all of which might
have been derived from the Mona Complex. The formation is
seen for a few yards at the north end of Clevedon Beach close to
the Pier, but the best section, which is about 100 feet in height, is
at Ladye Bay. There is also an inland section behind Severncliffe.
The zone of passage to the Carboniferous rocks does not appear
to be exposed. Even at Clevedon Beach, as the strike of the Old
Red Sandstone diverges from that of the adjacent K-beds at an
angle of some 20°, the passage must be cut out by a small fault.
THE CARBONIFEROUS LIMESTONE.
As the K-beds, owing to their crumbly character, are apt to
elude observation, it will be useful to record even small and poor
exposures of them.* Beginning at Walton, they are well exposed
for a few yards at the corner of Hillside Road, 90 yards north of St.
Mary’s Church, and on the roadside bluff 100 yards west of the
Church, while crumbling shale can be detected in the upper banks
of the churchyard, near a spring which is evidently thrown out by
them. They have been reported in the hotel garden (Walton Gar-
dens),and along Argyle Road,as wellas to the north of the Rectory.
Green shales can also be detected just at the base of the Triassic
rocks near B.M. 147-7 in Park Lodge Lane, as well as at the adjacent
pond. Where the foundations of the Franciscan Friary have been
* For the coast-sections see Proc. B.N.S., 4th Ser., vol. v., pp. 138-9. It
may be added, however, that Prof. Re ynolds has found that the landing stage
on Clevedon Beach is built upon the outcrop of the Bryozoa bed.
96 OLD RED SANDSTONE, ETC., PORTISHEAD-CLEVEDON AREA.
cut back through the Triassic beds into the hill they may be seen
tolerably well at the back of the buildings. Finally they reappear
from below the Trias in the floor of Stancliff old quarry, and at a
small but interesting exposure on the path at the south endof that
quarry, where they can be seen dipping south-eastward at high
angles, with their upturned edges roofed by the Triassic dolomite.
The existence of Clevedon Bay, and of the closely-built-over hollow
behind it, are due to the easy erosion of the K-beds.
The Z-beds, highly fossiliferous limestone, usually rather
massive, and irregular upon the bedding planes, rise above the
K-beds of the Beach in a sharp escarpment some 40 feet in height,
which, running-on inland, enabled me to trace their boundary along
Sea Vale Road, and (with less accuracy) under Bellevue Road
as far as the Hill Road Crag disturbance. ‘They are well seen on
the Hill Road Crag itself, from Newton House to where it overlooks
the Alexandra Gardens, also on the road along the Crag’s brow,
and on the escarpment of Dial Hill as far as Old Park House. In
Channel Road there is an excellent section in the Rectory Garden,
extremely rich in brachiopoda, and another (not so good) in the
stable-yard opposite. At the back of Stancliff House they again
rise above the K-beds in a low but sharp escarpment, which can be
traced all the way to the Ladye Bay fault. On the other line of
strike ; they are finely seen on both sides of East Clevedon Gap, and
can be traced by their debris north-west of ‘‘ The Arches ’’ House.
Reappearing beyond the Trias of the Fir Wood, they are well seen
in the grounds of Mount Elton (in the drive of which they are some-
what sharply folded), and of some of the houses to the west. There
are good roadside sections in the steep curve of Park Road, also
between Christchurch and the passage-bed crag of Highdale Avenue.
A quarter of a mile further on there is a good section at the house
called ‘‘ The Quarry’’ in Jesmond Road; beyond which are the
fine sections on the Old Church Headland, as described by Vaughan.
The Laminosa Dolomites are, normally, fine, grey, saccharoid
rocks (sometimes with a very faint rosy tinge). The beds appear
on the Hill Road Crag at Newton House, and are seen on the road
above the crag on either side of Hallam Hall. Thence they can be
traced as far as Holly Lane, and roughly separated from the
adjacent outcrops of the Z- beds and the oolite, by means of
weathered rubble in ploughed land. The rocks are well seen on
the brow above the thickets just before descending into Holly
Lane and along the southern cuttings of the lane. Along the
southern line of outcrop; they can be traced down through the —
steep woods on the eastern side of East Clevedon Gap to near the
Court Farm, and, beyond the Gap, round the steep dip-slope
south-east of “‘ The Arches’’ House. ‘They reappear in the southern
grounds of Mount Elton and on the dip-slopes of Highdale Hill, in
the Avenue section, and on the steep road near the School. Hang-
stone quarry is a steep dip-slope section, and there is a similar
OLD RED SANDSTONE, ETC., PORTISHEAD-CLEVEDON AREA. 97
though much smaller one in the grounds of Clevedon Hall, after
which they are seen again at a small outlier on the dip-slope of the
Church Hill, where the junction section is described by Vaughan.
The Caninia-Oolite is conspicuous on the Hill Road Crag
behind Hampton House and is well seen on the open ground above,
where its highest beds are softer and somewhat darker than usual,
though the Caninia-Dolomites have not been observed here. A
long old quarry at Hillcote, and some poor exposures towards
Hillside Lodge bring us on to the wooded crag under Woodside,
on which, and along the steep dip-slope of Bennet’s Ripple, there
is almost continuous exposure all the way to the great quarries
of Holly Lane, where there are signs of thrusting, and an extra-
ordinary development of calcite veins. In the eastern quarry
there is a fossiliferous band which cannot be far from the base,
and both quarries have now been cut back to beds which appear
to be the top of the underlying dolomites, though only for a few
yards. There is also a fine crag in Bella Vista Woods. ‘Triassic
denudation has reduced the oolite on the southern outcrop to
three masses, all of which are outliers on a steep dip-slope. The
first, nearly overstepped by Triassic conglomerate, is at the Court
Farm and in the adjacent woods ; the next, above East Clevedon
crosstoads, is exposed in Coombe Hill behind the cottages, and in
the grounds higher up. The third is first seen in the cellar of
Mr. Turner’s house in Highdale Avenue, then in the Avenue itself,
and among the cottages lower down, with a final good roadside
cutting in the steep street close to Clevedon Triangle. Every-
where the rock is characteristically massive, but the true bedding
planes may often be detected by means of a regular interbanding
of slightly differing oolitic texture. A massive limestone which
occurs on the Hill Road Crag and on the Dial Hill outlier appears
to be a modification of this oolite which is produced in the vicinity
of disturbances. +
THE COAL MEASURES.
These are usually referred to the ‘‘ Pennant’’ division of
the group. They are highly false-bedded medium-grained sand-
stones of a clear grey tint where unstained, with abundant flakes
of carbon and with some pebbles here and there (mainly of vein-
quartz with a few of quartzite). Obscure plant-remains are not
uncommon. The best exposure (just outside the mapped area) is
at the large quarries of Conygar, but the rocks are well seen on the
escarpment and at the north end of Court Hill crags and again in
Bella Vista Woods. There is also a quarry close to Park Cottage,
whence the rapidly narrowing outcrop is traceable by weathered
tubble in ploughed land to its disappearance near the lower-level
reservoir.
+ For the overlying ‘‘china-stone”’ of the Caninia Dolomite see Pree. B.N.S.
4th ser., vol. v., p. 139.
T. O. ELWORTHY & SON
Printers and Stationers
NEWMARKET AVENUE
BROAD STREET, BRISTOL
Price Four SHILLINGs.
_ ANNUAL REPORT
PROCEEDINGS
Meet oe). ae OF THE
A
1 é 9
eg
A
NS
a if
{ il
|
‘BRISTOL. .
PRINTED. FOR THE SOCIETY.
Dart hides 2 4 _MCMXxXv.
ibe
eee eee
HOURTEH, SERIES, VOL. V1., Part II., 1924.
PRICE Four SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
BRISEBOL:
PRINDE DS POR: DHE SOCIETY.
MCMXXV.
eas We idle
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HOUR “SE RINS.”: VOL. VI., (PART IL. (1924).
PAGE
Officers for 1924 oa eh high ae at 22 N02
Officers of Sections for 1924 wa ae ay aya ane Be GLOZ
List of Members ot. ne ue ce ath i vet ee slOS
Honorary Members ... wh ae a ihe om be we LOSES
Report of Council _... iat baat sh. ee oe ae OG
ireasurer’s) Xkeport ... me at at ae any W. oe LOW,
Librarians’ Report... 3 ies on ae ie sara ee LOS
Report of Entomological Section se ahs i hte ae ee elOS
Report of Geological Section af wate as Sin a: weer ee
Report of Ornithological Section ... ae och wr Wore oe ele
Account of the Annual and General Meetings ... ay as ee ANZ,
The Diamond Jubilee of the Entomological Section ... ee ee
“ Adaptation in Plants and Animals,”’ 2 the President, Prof. OG?
Darbishire Aap : ihe aha
“The Aculeate Peter of Cteesenie and Poet by
ieee Perkins, FUR.S. a e. ws, SS
* Recent. Earthquakes,’’ by T. V. T. Baxter, M.A., B. Se. ee eae s)
“The Apterygota of the South-West of sig oe ve Part etly soy JE
Womersley sash . : testa! OG
“ Bristol Botany in 1924,” a Tas Wee White, ob Te. S. sae Ree ee ke:
“Old Red Sandstone at St. Monica’s, Durdham Down,” by F. S.
Wallis;; Ph.D. .... ae ae se oe bce LS,
For information concerning the Bristol Naturalists’ Society
generally, or concerning its meetings, please apply to the present
Hon. Secretary and Editor :—
Miss IDA M. Roper,
4, WooDFIELD ROAD, REDLAND,
BRISTOL.
All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way
of exchange, gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating
thereto should be addressed to :—
Hon. LIBRARIAN, BRISTOL NAT. SOC.,
THE Musreum, BrRIsrot.
102
OFFICERS FOR 1924.
President :
Prof. ©. V. DARBISHIRE, (Ph.D, (Rages:
Past Presidents :
Dr... C.; Luova MorGAN, LED. °F:RS. 3 Grae
Prot; SYDNEY YOUNG: D.Sc; Fakes:
A.’ Bu. Prowse. .M.D.) EURCS,
Ck Rupee, LE RiGee Rees.
Jo W.. WHITE, FoLS;
Miss. Ipa M. Roper, -£.L.S.
Sin VRNEST Cook, ESE,
H. WOMERSLEY.
Vice-Presidents :
Sin ERNEST Cook, D:Se-. J. W. TutcHer.
Council :
T. CHARBONNIER C. HUNTER J. RAFTER
F. W. Evens Dr. M. NIERENSTEIN Mrs. VAUGHAN
ib. GA J. V. PEARMAN DSC. HOM ARETON
Hon. Treasurer :
W. A. SmitH, M.A., M.B., 70, Pembroke Road, Clifton.
Hon. Auditors :
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc. CHARLES BARTLETT, A.C.A.
Hon. Secrstary and Editor :
Miss Ipa M. Roper, F.L.S., 4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol.
Hon. Reporting Secretary :
W. GRIFFITHS.
Hon. Librarian :
KB. PROWSE, VIDS ERC.
Miss I. M. Roper, F.L.S., Hon. Sub-Librarian.
Officers of Sections.
Entomological :
President—G. C. GriFFiTuHs, F.E.S., 3, Leigh Road, Clifton.
Secretary—CHARLES BarTLETT, 8, Woodhill, Portishead, Somerset.
Geological :
President—S. H. REyNotps, M.A., Sc.D., F.G.S., The University, Bristol.
Secretary—F. S. WaL.tis, Ph.D., F.G.S., 15, Ravenswood Road, Redland.
Ornithological :
President—Prof. C. LLtoyp-MorGAN, F.R.S.
Acting President—A. L. FLEMMING, M.B., Ch.B. (Bris.), 48, Pembroke Road.
Clifton.
Secretayvyy—COLDSTREAM TUCKETT, 5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton Down.
A
103
List of Members, December, 1924.
A Associate Member.
* Has contributed Papers to the “
+ Life Member.
Proceedings.”’
Adams, Miss S. E.
Alexander, D. A., M.D.
Amory, T. H.
Audcent, H. L.
Badock, Stanley H. ...
Baker, B. A.,’F.G.S.
Barke, H. ie B.C.
Barrow, L., M. I.Mech.E. Oe GS
Bartlett, Che c
ecker, lee V.) DL.) M.A. B. Sey
Blood, B. N. M.D. a ae
Boley, A Beau ss.
Bolton, Miss E., M. sy a :
orton Et. D. SC ik: 3 io
F.G.S. :
Bowen, Miss M. ‘IBS Se: 4:
Brebner, Mrs. G.
Carter, Miss F. .
Cay, Arthur
Chamberlain, R. E.
Chamberlain, W.
Charbonnier, T..
Charbonnier, Mrs. any
City Librarian .
Clarke, A. ae
Cogan, Miss R.. ‘
Cook, Sir Ernest, ‘D. Se
Cooper, His ee
Cottle, A. W.
Darbishire, Prof. O. V., Ph.D.,
ELS: Lys omnis
Darell, D., eGS.
Davies, Lady Pe
Davies; 'A. T., FR. M. S.
Davies, T. jou
Dear, G. L. A
Drew, Miss H., M. AL,
Dunscombe, Miss
Evens, F. W.
Fitzjames, R. H.
Flemming, A. L., M.B., ChB.
Ford, Roger ue
Francis, Ha AGS
Gait, R. P.
Gibbons, H. J. .
Goodall, Rev. Canon R. Ww.
Redland House, Durdham Park,
Bristol
30, Berkeley Square, Clifton
29, Beaufort Road, Clifton
34, Belvoir Road, St. Andrew’s, Bristol
Holmwood, Westbury-on-Trym
37, Clyde Road, Bristol
27, Berkeley Square, Clifton
Wolverley, King’s Norton, Birmingham
8, Woodhill, Portishead
95, Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol
5, Brynland Avenue, Bishopston
508, Stapleton Road, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
The Museum, Bristol
73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park,
Bristol
22, Victoria Road, Cotham, Bristol
14, Charlotte St., Park St., Bristol
Lyndhurst, Leigh Woods, Bristol
19, Brecknock Road, Knowle, Bristol
157, Whiteladies Rd., Clifton
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
Central Library, Bristol
16, Woodstock Rd., Redland, Bristol
2, Bellevue Rd., Clevedon
27, Berkeley Square, Bristol
43, Station Rd., Ashley Down, Bristol
Black Horse, Kingswood, Bristol
The University, Bristol
Hillfield House, near Dartmouth
77, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
Avon House, Keynsham, Bristol
Down House, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
10, Canowie Rd., Redland, Bristol
Colston Girls’ School, Bristol
4, The Quadrant, Redland, Bristol
8, Rokeby Avenue, Redland, Bristol
17, St. Martin’s, Knowle, Bristol
48, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
Hartfield, Cotham Park, Bristol
10, Victoria Square, Clifton
51, Howard Rd., Westbury Park
8, Nugent Hill, Cotham, Bristol
19, Elmdale Rd., Tyndall’s
Bristol
Park,
104
LIST OF MEMBERS
A Goulding, Thomas...) ...... 6, Nelson Street, Briste!
* Griffiths, G. C., F.E.S. (dec’d.) Penhurst, 3; Leigh Rd). tanictol
Griffiths, Miss D. M..... ... ....» Penhurst, 3, Leigh Ra] Bacto!
Griffiths, (Go qi See, 73, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol
Griffiths, William 23, Beaufort Rd., Clifton
Griffiths, Miss G. 23, Beaufort Rd., Clifton
Gummer, Horace Herbert Lodge, Cotham Park, Bristol
Harding, Miss E. M... Bower Ashton, near Bristol
Helly arti Ea. 18, Redland Grove, Bristol
A Heslop, aipaage: 34, Henleaze Gardens, Westbury-on-
Trym
*A Hewer, T. F. 24, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
Hodgson, €C."J. .-. 5, Cotham Terrace, Bristol
Hooper, D, EL-D. 11, Greenway Rd., Redland, Bristol
Horder, Miss M. G. Highweek, Brislington, Bristol
Howard, C. K: S. Glenavon, Long Ashton, Bristol
Humifrey, C. 3, Madeira Mansions, Weston-super-
Mare
Ehuimphries, Lady 945.5). Eastfield Lodge, Westbury-on-Trym
iy Hunter’ C) M:Se.FiMe.S: The University, Bristol
Ivens, H. P. 18, Alexandra Rd., Clifton, Bristol
A Ivens, W. B. 49, Ravenswood Rd., Bristol
Jenkins, Mrs. 10, Napier Rd., Redland, Bristol
Jenkins, F. G. 6, Brandon Villas; Charlotte ’)St.7S.
Bristol
Jervis, W. W., M.Sc., F.G.S...... The University, Bristol
itnight; EH, Ei p..4 The Lodge, All Saints Villas, Chel-
tenham
Knowlson, Mrs. 9, Downfield Rd., Clifton
A Lee, Miss E. M., M.Sc. 55, Logan Rd., Bishopston
Linton, Dr. Marion, M.B. 21, Oakfield Road, Clifton
Llewellin, W. M.. C.E. 8, Cotham Lawn Rd.. Bristol
Mappin, S. W. ... 100, Pembroke Rd., Clifton, Bristol
*4 Matthews, L. H. Hillcroft, Nore Rd., Portishead
Miller, M. ... ‘ 7, All Saints Rd., Clifton
** Morgans, Thos., “M. if fo E. 7, Elton Rd., Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
Morgans, Mrs. ... 2s 7, Elton Rd., Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
A Mountfort, G. R. 8, Royal Park, Clifton
Nierenstein, M., Ph.D. 30, Cavendish Rd., Bristol
Norgrove, J. W. 22, Alma Rd., Clifton
Nuell, F. H. 63, Springfield Road, Bristol
+ Palmer: 4S: MSc: erp: The College of Technology, The Uni-
versity, Manchester
Pearman, J. V. Aust Farm, Lawrence Weston, Glos.
Pepperell WR: Ormond House, Russell Grove, West-
bury Park, Bristol
* Prowse, A. B., M.D. 5, Lansdown Place, Bristol
Rafter, J:, M.A: a 6, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
** Reynolds)" S. Elyse De F. ie S) 13, All Saints Rd., Clifton
Richardson, F rank E i /.' 15, Percival: Rd. Clittom
Robbins, F. ‘i 38, Tyndall’s Park Rd., Clifton
+ Roper, Missi: M., oe Oo
4, Woodfield Rd., Redland, Bristol
Rose Ee Renee ee
* Rudge, C Ku URC Pow Be 6.
Rad ge; Wiss ee Ay eee ae
8, Chantry Rd., Clifton
145, Whiteladies Rd., Bristol
145, Whiteladies Rd., Bristol
LIST OF MEMBERS
Rutter, Miss E. M.
105
Cambridge House Schwol, St. John’s
Rd., Clifton
A Salmond, P. W. 20, Tyndall’s Park Rd., Clifton
Sampson, Miss D. 30, St. John’s Rd., Clifton
Samson, F.. ; 4, Woodfield Rd., Redland, Bristol
* Sandwith, Mrs. ... 26, Canynge Square, Clifton
wa poandwith, N.Y. Vis Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Selman, Miss M. M. ... Kington Langley, Chippenham
A Sinnott, Jas. : 15, Beaufort Rd., Clifton
A Smith, Miss A. M. 70, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
A Smith, Miss E. J. 70, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
Smith, Stanley, D. Sc., ees. The University, Bristol
Smith, W. A., M.A., M. B. 70, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
ae Simithy, Rev. W.. 17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
A Smith, Mrs. W. 17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
Stanton, DW. 42, Alma Rd., Clifton
Stanton, Mrs. 42. Alma Rd., Clifton
Sully. H. ¥. Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
Mayior. ies... Fonthill Villa, Keynsham
Thompson, H. S. 33, Southleigh Road, Clifton
duckete, C. es Su jse-> 0, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
Muugaer, Els. NWV.,. B. A. meen):
EGS: Pee eee: University... DMStol
e Duteher, J. W. 57, Berkeley Rd., Bishopston, Bristol
Vaughan, Mrs. 42, Fernbank Rd., Redland, Bristol
* Walliss FS. Ph.D, F.G. s. 15, Ravenswood Rd., Bristol
Walton, T. C. Veal Bee 18, West Park, Bristol
White, E. Barton, F.E. ge Mental Hospital, Fishponds, Bristol
*% Wihite: jasew., F.L.S. 18, Woodland Rd., Clifton, Bristol
White, Mrs. : 18, Woodland Rd., Clifton, Bristol
= Wickes, W. H. .. 16, Oakfield Grove, Clifton
Wills, Sir George, Be Burwalls, Leigh Woods, Bristol
‘i Wills, W. Melville Bracken Hill, Leigh Woods, Bristol
fot. George S! ‘Brady, M.D., LL.D., D.Sc.,
Wilson, E. A. ei
Womersley) FE...
Wingate, Miss H. M., M.A.
Worsley, Miss I. ;
Nabbicom, i) .H., MICE.
Southey House, College Green, Bristol]
Sunny Meads, West Town, nr. Bristol
40, Alma Rd., Clifton
Rodney Lodge, Clifton
23, Oakfield Rd., Clifton
Honorary Members.
Endcliffe, Sheffield.
HOR Se Pals Parks Erunse,
Henry J. Charbonnier, Rose Cottage Bungalow, Olveston, Gloucestershire.
ae ae ae LED RS) b.GS. 3) |Victora Square, ‘Cliton,
ristol.
R. M. Prideaux, F.E.S., Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks,
Ws G. Scott, 25, Duke Street, Cardiff.
Eero. S. tHele-Shaw, M.I.C.E.; LL.D., F.R.S., 64, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S.W.1.
“ae Lo MEA ED) ORS. Keo.) b.G.S., University Museum,
xfor
Sir W. A. Tilden, D.Sc., F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the Imperial
College of Science, S. Kensington, SWVi7e
William Whitaker, B. ie F.R.S., F.G.S., Wellesley Court, Wellesley Road,
Croydon.
Prof. Sydney Young, D.Sc.
Kent.
LR S.iamaty College, Dublin.
106
REPORT OF COUNCIL
To December 31st, 1924.
NDER the new President, Prof. O. V. Darbishire, the usual activities
have continued, and in order to make the Society’s existence known
more fully to the public an advertisement has been inserted this year
in the loca! newspapers to announce in advance the holding of each Meeting,
and to invite the attendance of anyone interested to the annual open night.
On this occasion we welcomed Prof. W. M. Tattersall of Cardiff University
College, who gave us a Paper with illustrations on “‘ Rhythm in Nature,”
which was listened to with pleasure by members, and a limited attendance
of the public.
To bring forward the objects of Natural History in the possession of
many members the hour before each meeting is now used for the exhibition
of such, when it is felt that the social spirit of Naturalists may be increased,
and encouragement given to the younger recruits. To make a success of
this departure it is hoped that a greater effort will be made to send exhibits,
with short descriptive labels, if the extuibitor cannot be present to describe
them.
The Summer excursion to Berrow and Brean Down had to be abandoned,
because the limited number of members who were prepared to attend did
not justify the completion of the arrangements made. This is to be regretted,
because excursions were asked for, and one of the aims of a Society, such as
ours, is to go together into suitable surroundings to study and discuss the
ways in which Nature carries out her handiwork.
The Geological Society of London has honoured Mr. J. W. Tutcher,
one of our Vice-Presidents, by conferring on him the Lyell Fund Award,
and to celebrate the occasion the Geological Section held a dinner in his
honour.
The Society has suffered seriously from losses by death during the year,
and with much regret we record the death of Mr. George E. Blood, for 49
years a member; Mr. E. A. Wilson; Mr. A. D. R. Bacchus, a worker on
Conchology and Hemiptera; Col. T. Jermyn, a keen Entomologist, and an
authority on Indian Lepidoptera; and within the last month, Mr. G. C.
Griffiths, for 52 years a member, a past President, and since 1898, not only
the President of, but an enthusiastic worker for, the Entomological Section.
We have only added 7 new members, and start the new year with a
membership of 121, and the Society is losing the valued services of its Hon.
Librarian and its Hon. Treasurer. Dr. A. B. Prowse has laboured for 21
years to make the Library the success it is, and the Council has paid him the
highest honour in its power by making him an Honorary Member. Dr.
W. A. Smith has managed the financial side of the Society so successfully
that in spite of a limited income, the balance has always been substantial.
IDA) M.) ROPES
Hon. Secretary.
107
Vov Tlatlava saliva
SA01PN
‘MOOO ‘H ISHN
‘4001109 punoy pue poyIpny FEB =FSTE toquiso0(]
1 9 027 1 9 037
O2-GL-L$ puey ur ysey *
Ge LVS sulpuiqyoog =“
& Io L yysnog syoog “
O:-0=£ Ee ‘ gnsofe}eg IOF spieg xoepuy “ 9 0° €9 ri ee SuIpuIqyoog s9ouR[eq “
OL FI F cosuadsg aes pue SUISTZIOBApyY I OL $9 : es ose ee pieMioy oourreg °
O 0+ I a sorpinzein, “ Oran Pe e 2S sree ae
9 8 0 QouvINSUT OIL pue quay “‘ (alae Gea Fae el oa : suorzeuog “
Ona) =7, : ; soseysog pue sunuug “ 0= =O sr at ie ate peyoa][oo siesliy “
9 FI 09 E61 ‘sdeu YQIm _, SsuUIpss00Ig ,, JO SOD “ O- OL as ae Bi ou epe ur suorydiiosqns “
0 FILO UOIUY) ,SISIFEINJEN “AA'S O--0F 6 oe a es : sooyq oouelqjuq
9 O10 sqyedyoo. PRE SUOUIUOZ) QO: St-g§ ae Sse a8 ex pe yeloossy
faa ates | an Avy 0 S ZF vee wee wee see soe Axeulpig
—-: Sa1}a100G 03 suOT}dLIOsqus Ker | —: suoijdiosqns siloqtoyy OL
ms. 7, pss 7
ws) ‘P06 UVAA AHL WOU LNNOOOV TVYANAD as @ |
“ALIIOOS SLSIIVUNLYN TOLSINA FHL GM Jnosoy Ur YAYASVAUL NOH FHL
108
LIBRARIAN S REPORT
For the Year 1924.
HE Library from its central position, continues to be well used, and
it is noticeable that this is largely for reference to the books on the
spot, rather than for borrowing them to study at home.
The general members, although they do not read the books as much
as might be desired, have not overlooked the advantages of the Library,
because the donations to it of modern books have shown a marked increase
this year.
After holding the office of Hon. Librarian for 21 years Dr. A. B. Prowse
has felt obliged to resign, but before giving up it has been a pleasure to him
to see the books well arranged on the shelves at the Museum, and many
valuable current publications prepared and passed through the binder’s
hands. This desirable improvement has been made possible by the liberality,
at the end of last year, of Mr. Horace Gummer placing funds for bookbinding
in the hands of the Treasurer. The money has been all spent, and there are
still arrears waiting to be bound, so that a further sum of £25 from members
could be spent to advantage.
The Society had the pleasure to give to the Bristol University a long
series of publications issued by the U. a A. Geological Survey numbering 317
bound and 150 unbound volumes with 5 atlases, and for this gift Council has
received appreciative thanks.
To add to the usefulness of the Library, Council decided to appoint
a small Committee of sectional members to prepare a Card Catalogue of the
Articles contained in the numerous publications on the shelves, in order
to secure ready reference to any subject therein likely to be of assistance
to individual study. The work is progressing, and some advantages from
it may be available shortly.
The Sections continue to present various monthly publications and
several other useful books. Gifts, too, have been received from Mrs. Bacchus,
in memory of her late husband, from Mr. T. Charbonnier, Dr. A. L. Flemming,
the late’ Mr. G. C. Griffiths; Mr. William Griffiths, Dr. A. B. Prowse, Miss
Roper, Royal Colonial Institute, and Mr. H. S. Thompson, as well as a col-
lection of MSS. of scientific Papers prepared by the late Mr. W. W. Stoddart,
whilst an active member of our Society. Thanks are given to donors for
their welcome contributions.
By subscriptions we have received :—
The Ray Society, ‘“‘ The British Charophytes,’’ Vol. IJ, by Groves and
Bullock-Webster.
“The: Zoological Record. Voetwoo A922:
ARTHUR B. PROWSE, Lt.-Col., Hon. Libranan.
IDA M. ROPER, Hon. Sub-Librarian.
109
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION.
1924.
HIS Section having been formed May 12th, 1864, celebrated this year
T its Diamond Jubilee. Our President, who died December 2nd, had
written its History, which is published in the present issue, and points
out that only two Presidents have held the office in the long period of sixty
ears.
; The abnormally wet year was very unfavourable for Entomology,
and no field excursion was held, but it is evident from the attendances and
exhibits at the meetings that interest is being maintained, and good work
done ; many rare and some new species have been exhibited, amongst the
most noteworthy being :—
DipTeRA. Tipula ivrovata, from Lawrence Weston, and Orthocladius n1vel-
pennis, Charterhouse, Mendip, by Mr. H. Womersley.
HemIPTERA. Pachytonella parallela and Atpophilus bonnaiveit, Mr. A. D.
R. Bacchus.
LEPIDOPTERA. Sterrha sacvaria, male. Fort Efford and Heliothis peltigera, Paign-
ton; Mr. A. H. Peach; Colias edusa var. helice, Tickenham; Mrs.
Sandwith ; Chrysophanus phieas var. Schmidii1, Lyndhurst; Mr. R.
E. Chamberlain; Limenitis sibylla var. nigyina, New Forest; Mr. G.
C.Gmithiths.
OpoNATA. Zitschna grandis, Devizes; Mr. C. Bartlett.
ProtTurRA. Acerentomon doderoi; Mr. H. Womersley.
PsocopTERA. Cecilius corticis, Winterbourne and Leigh, a new species ;
also Pseudopsocus Rostochi Kolbe, new to the British list, and the second
European record; Mr. J. V. Pearman.
On November 14th, the President read a Paper upon a subject to which
he had given research, viz.: ‘“‘ The Frenulum of the Lepidoptera,”’ illustrated
by photographs, microscopic slides and the Australian butterfly Euschemon
Rafflesia.
The Section especially, and Entomology in Bristol and district, has suf-
fered very serious losses by death during the year. A. Douglas R. Bacchus,
a victim of the Great War, was a student of the Hemiptera, and his enlarged
coloured drawings of the various species showed his ability in this direction ;
his collection is now in the Bristol Museum. Turenne Jermyn, F.E.S.,
passed away on August 29th after a few days illness. In India he formed
a fine collection of butterflies, and settling in 1913 at Weston-super-Mare,
he continued to do splendid work amongst the Diptera and Hymenoptera
especially. It will be difficult to tind a successor, and as a hard working,
genial and popular member of the Section he will be much missed. George
Charles Griffiths, F.E.S., joined the Society in 1872, was President of it in
1917-19, and President of the Section since 1899, and Hon. Curator for
Entomology to the Bristol Museum. A man of quiet and retiring disposition,
with much kindness of heart, and a true naturalist, he was particularly
interested in the Lepidoptera, of which he had a fine collection of foreign
Rhopalocera, especially Papilionineg. A Paper on his special study of the
frenulum of the Lepidoptera read at the Entomological Society of London
appears in their Transactions for 1898; this was followed by further inves-
tigations, which were recorded in Tutt’s British Lepidoptera, vols. I, II
and V. The Section is indebted to their late President for kind hospitality
for some years, the meetings having been held at his house, where his ex-
tensive collections were always available for exhibition and study. Those
who have passed away leave a high example, and to those bereaved our sincere
sympathies extend.
CHARLES: BARTLETT;
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
110
GEOLOGICAL SECTION.
1924.
8
Tutcher as Vice-President. Under the new regulations whereby
individuals may join a Section without of necessity becoming a member
of the Society, the membership has increased to 45. It is hoped that during
the coming year many of these new members will seek the fuller privileges
of the Library and ‘“‘ Proceedings.”
Gita Officers of last year were re-elected, with the addition of Mr. J. W.
Our Vice-President was awarded the Lyell Fund by the Geological
Society of London, and at a dinner arranged for the purpose, Mr. Tutcher
received the congratulations of the Section on this well-deserved recognition.
The Section continues to place the Geological Magazine and Paleon-
tographical Society’s Monograph in the Library, and with vie subscriptions
paid has a credit ‘balance of £1 3s. 2d.
At the opening meeting of the year, Dr. H. Bolton gave a thoughtful
paper on “ Palzontology,’’ and showed how a new era was dawning in that
science. He urged the greater use of imagination in dealing with fossils.
Mr. E. K. Tratman, B.D.S., gave an interesting account of a visit to some
Derbyshire Caves, and dealt with the problem of the formation of Blue John.
The lecture on “ Earthquakes,” by Mr. T. V. T. Baxter, M.A., B.Sc., was
repeated to the Parent Society, and a summary of that will be printed in the
“Proceedings.” Dr. S. Smith showed how geology has played a leading part in
the movements of races and ventured the opinion that all wars were ultimately
traceable to mineral resources. Mr. E. B. Tyrrell, B.A., traced the depen-
dence of Geography on Geology, illustrating his remarks by well-chosen
examples, while Mr. G. E. Bush detailed the recent growth of the Kilve
oil-shale industry. In the subsequent discussion the need for more exacting
work on the Lower Lias of this area was emphasised.
The joint excursions with the Bristol Field Club (Geological Section)
included visits to Fishponds (Pennant Quarry), Yate, Portishead, Avon
Gorge, Swildon’s Hole and Aust, and have been unusually well attended.
B.S. WALES;
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
111
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION.
1924.
It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death of Colonel
Jermyn. Living at Weston he did not attend the Sectional meetings.
but in many other ways helped on its work. Another of our most active
members, Miss Selman, has left Bristol, and we can ill afford to lose one who
took so practical an interest in Ornithology, and who was always ready to
do anything for the Section that she could. After the foregoing it may
seem rather an anti-climax to refer to the weather, but at the same time it
has consistently contrived to step in just at the critical moment throughout
the bird-season and destroy the effects of weeks of observation.
if some respects the past year has been an unfortunate one for the Section.
However, on the other side of the scale we can set some very definite
achievements. Two of our members, following up previous years observa-
tions, established the fact that the Curlew is still to be found breeding on
Mendip. The last record of which we are aware is that of Dr. D. Munro
Smith in 1909, but we think there is no doubt it has bred there regularly.
The confounding of certain confirmed sceptics was in itself pleasant, but
what certainly added to the pleasure was the fact that a well-known “ Bird-
Man.”’ spent some time on the Mendips this year with the main object of
observing the Curlew, but was unsuccessful in hitting up a pair.
In the 1923 Report it was stated the Section was about to take up the
Witherby Marking Scheme for Birds in order to try and help discover more
about their life-histories. Three members have between them ringed 62
birds. The average returns of marked birds varies with different species
from about 2 per cent. to about 5 per cent., but it may well be some years
before any of the birds marked by the Section are reported.
There have been five meetings during 1924, and amongst the many
exhibits shewn at each meeting were the following :—Transverse section of
the eye of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) by Dr. Flem-
ming, specimens of the Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) and Natterer’s
bat (Myotis natterert) by Miss Selman, a photograph of the Stormy Petrel
(Hydrobates pelagicus) by Mr. Gait, and a specimen of the Little Auk (Alle
a. alle) by the Honorary Secretary. The subject matter of the meetings
varied as usual from points of structural interest to matters that dealt with
purely field work. The Section aims to have first a short paper occupying
about 15 minutes which should raise as many debateable points as possible,
to be followed by discussion and exhibits illustrating the paper, and then
by other discussions on any point of Ornithological interest. The success
of meetings depends therefore on individual efforts, and members can bring
out their own points of interest apart from the giving of papers. One way
of attaining these objectives might be by making more use of the books in
the Library where (amongst others) one may see last year’s volume and
current numbers of British Birds, subscribed for by the Section.
COLDSTREAM TUCKETT,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
112
Account of the Annual and General Meetings.
THE O6lst ANNUAL’ MEETING,
January 17th, 1924.
Professor O. V. Darbishire, Ph.D., F.L.S., was elected Pre-
sident, and Mr. J. W. Tutcher a Vice-President, with minor alter-
ations in Council. The retiring President, Mr. H. Womersley,
gave his Annual Address for his year of office, 1923, entitled,
~
“The Modern Study of Entomology,” (See Page 28).
THE. 507TH GENERAL MEEVING.
February 7th, 1924.
‘Modern Views on Evolution,” by Prof. O. V. Darbishire, Ph.D.
The lecture was an account of de Vries’ Mutation Theory.
It referred to the story of how de Vries found (fnothera Lamarck-
iana in 1875 in a field near Hilversum in Holland, and his discovery
of two species in the same field.
In 1886 de Vries transplanted 9 plants of O. Lamarkiana to
his experimental garden at Amsterdam, in the hope of actually
observing the origin of new species. His hopes were realised
when during his breeding experiments, he came across a number
of Sports or Mutations, which bred true from seed, and have
continued to do so.
The Mutation theory of de Vries has been the subject of
extensive research all over the world, and has resulted in a flood
of literature. His original material has been criticised as being
not a pure plant, but a hybrid. At the same time there is no
doubt that mutations of the constancy described by de Vries do
occur plentifully among animals and plants. The occurrence of
a mutation we have good evidence to believe, is accompanied by
a more or less profound change in the Nucleus of the plant or
animal cell. It is a phenomenon totally different from hybridi-
sation.
de Vries believes that by mutation new species may originate.
There is evidence that this is the case. At the same time, we
must admit, that to define the word “species’’ is not an easy
matter.
Supposing even that de Vries theory could account for the
origin of species, using this term in the conventional Linnean
sense, we cannot even then be sure that mutation plays any part
in the evolution of new genera.
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS I-83
Members congratulated Mr. J. W. Tutcher, one of the Vice-
Presidents, on the honour conferred on him by the award of the
Lyell Fund from the Geological Society of London.
THE 508TH GENERAL MEETING.
March 6th, 1924.
“Rhythm in Nature,” by Prof. W. M. Tattersall, D.Sc., (Unsver-
sity College, Cardtff).
Rhythm is one of the most widespread phenomena in nature,
so general and so familiar as almost to escape notice. The earth
itself is part of a rhythmic universe. The regular alternation of
night and day, the phases of the moon, the rise and fall of the
tides, the succession of the seasons and all that they mean to
plants and animals, seedtime and harvest, are rhythmical pheno-
mena with which we are all familiar. Our very lives are almost
dependent on rhythm. The regular alternation of sleep and activ-
ity, the regular hours for our meals, our work, our pleasure, in
fact the very orderliness and rhythm of our very existence, are
sufficient evidence of the fundamental importance of this pheno-
menon. From a biological point of view two classes of rhythm may
be distinguished. (1) Those due to response to an external factor.
(2) Those not dependent on environment, but of a vital nature
corresponding to something inherent in the organism. Examples
of the latter class may be cited in the rhythmical beating of the
heart and the action of the lungs. Rhythms of the first order,
while not more important than those of the second, are more inter-
esting because it is possible to discover the primary causes of
rhythm and to speculate on the possible meaning and results
of the whole phenomenon. Examples of this kind of rhythm
are very numerous, and include the periodic nature of the luminosity
of some marine organisms; the formation of wood in trees in
temperate climates; the growth of fish scales; the rhythmic
behaviour of Convoluta, and the migrations of birds and fishes.
Examined in detail, the rhythmical behaviour of these organisms
is found to be due to some external factor, such as light, tidal
movements, and so on, and analysis shows that the rhythmic
nature of the external stimulus results in the rhythmical response
of the organism. Rhythms can therefore be regarded as tropisms,
1.€., obligatory responses to regularly applied stimuli. Obser-
vations on certain organisms exhibiting rhythmical behaviour
have shown that an established rhythm in a physiological process
often persists after the original stimulus has been removed. For
instance, Convoluta will exhibit rhythmical movements for a time
after removdl from the shore to an aquarium where it is freed from
the effects of the tides to which the rhythmical behaviour is due.
In other words, the organism ‘‘ remembers,’ and automatically
114 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
responds. May we not see in these observations the beginnings
of what are known as instincts, and possibly though this is much
more speculative, the beginnings of conscious memory? It is
at least an interesting speculation. Life is essentially a rhythmic
phenomenon, and it seems almost inevitable that, with the progress
of time and research, all important biological phenomena, whether
concerned with the inner functioning of the organism or with its
behaviour in relation to its environment, will be shown to be
rhythmic in character, or at least evolving in that direction.
The lecture was illustrated by a series of admirable lantern
slides.
THE 509TH GENERAL MEETING.
April 3rd, 1924.
“some Key Features in the Structure of Birds; {by ne
Flemming, M.B., Ch.B. (Bris.).
The task of classification was difficult from the fact that
something like 19,000 species of birds had been described, but
owing to the scientific work of men like Pycraft, Chalmers-Mitchell,
Beebe, Garrod, and Nitzsch, much of the existing confusion had
been cleared up. The work was highly technical, and based on
fundamental anatomical data, and not on superficial features,
which might be so misleading. There were certain tits, for instance,
exactly alike in anatomy and in the pattern of their plumage
although totally different in colour, and, on the other hand, two
varieties of woodpeckers existed, indistinguishable as regards
colour and yet possessing differently formed feet. And adap-
tations to similar surroundings might lead birds of such different
origin, as the diver and the auk, to be erroneously classed together.
Classification, he said, was based on such things as anatomy of
skull, arrangements of muscles, variations in intestinal coils and
feather tracts. The reptilian origin of birds was suggested by many
points in their structure, such as skin, articulation of skull with
jaw and with spine, brain, and claws cn wings of certain nestlings.
The features peculiar to birds were their lungs and air sacs, their
crop and digestive system, and the structure and composition of
their feathers.
Exhibit by Mr. W. Griffiths of a male specimen of the moth,
Lycia Murtaria, bred so early as 2nd April.
THE 510Ts GENERAL MEETING:
May Ist, 1924.
I. “ Homeeomorphy * by Mr: J. W. Tuteher:
Homeeomorphy might be described as the imitation of one
species by another, and was the phenomenon of species nearly
alike in superficial appearance, but unlike in structural details.
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 115
Phylogeny was the history of the race, ontogeny was the history
of the individual. The science dealt with the tendency of different
stocks to develope in similar ways. The modern procedure of
tracing phylogeny by ontogenetic methods had resulted in the
detection of numerous cases of homceomorphy amongst fossil
organisms. Unrecognised homceomorphs, occurring at different
dates, might be responsible for the misidentification of strata
to such an extent that serious economic and financial loss might
be caused in mining or well-sinking operations. The development
of ornament on the shells—taking ammonites as an example—
illustrated one of the numerous ways in which homceomorphs
were produced. Different stocks tended to develope ornamen-
tation in the following order—smooth to striate, then to costate
(or ribbed), then to tuberculate (that was, with tubercules on the
ribs)—in progressive series (or anagemesis) and then to reverse the
order from tuberculate back to smooth in a retrogressive series
(catagenesis). At some point of the development (in either direc-
tion) species of different stocks might reach a similar stage of orna-
mentation. In such cases, other characteristics being equal, these
would have superficial resemblances, thus becoming homceomorphs.
ii) Wiysteries of Seeds,” by Mr. J. W. White, F.L-S.
Although the persistent application of biological research to
botanical problems during the last few decades had solved many
riddles, there still remained in Nature’s processes plenty of in-
comprehensible things. Some plants produce a prodigious quantity
of seeds. Such an example was the teasle-headed trifolium found
near Shirehampton, and if all its seeds germinated, there would
not be standing room between Bristol and the sea in a few seasons.
And yet, owing to some unknown restrictive law or influence, a
little-varying average number of such species perpetuated the race
year after year by a germination limited to a minute proportion
of the seeds available. More information was also needed on those
mysterious appearances of flowering plants after deep excavations
of the soil; luxuriant crops, often new to the locality, that had
been attributed to spontaneous germination or to special creations,
but which undoubtedly pointed to a prolonged vitality of wild
seeds when buried under certain conditions. Then there was the
question of the masses of vegetation that sprang upon deposited
dredgings from harbours and tidal rivers, and the occupation of
burnt woodland in temperate countries by particular species.
Another undoubted mystery is that while the most aggressive
weeds in the New World are immigrants from Europe, no American
weeds in turn have invaded our cornfields. As to the nature and
duration of seed vitality, some Orders of seeds deteriorate more
quickly than others; seeds of wild plants remain fertile longer
than cultivated ones; and seeds buried in the soil deepest retain
their vitality longest.
116 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
Tit. “ Psocids,” by Mr, J..V. Pearman
These small orthopterous insects are characterised by the
presence of prominent globular eyes and of horny appendages
on the first maxille, the mandibles also not having an equal number
of teeth. There are two to three joints in the feet. There are
winged and wingless species, and some in which the males are
winged, and the females wingless. When present, the wings are
four in number. Colouration varies very much. The psocids feed
on algz, lichens, and dead insects, and are in the main, woodland
animals. The eggs, laid in batches of six to nine, hatch out into
wingless insects, much resembling the adult forms. The two
well-known “ book lice’’ are minute whitish psocids, which feed
on dust. There are 50 British species, the classification of which
in the insecta is a matter of great difficulty. Quite recently Mr.
Pearman has himself added three new species to the British list
of psocids, of which one, new to science, was found at Winterbourne,
and named by Mr. Pearman Ce@cilius corticis. This species is pecu-
liar, as the young insects continue to reside beneath the egg-covering
web until mature.
THE 5lltH GENERAL MEETING.
October 2nd, 1924.
“Recent Earthquakes,* by Mr. T. V. T. Baxter, MAS Cam ©
BSc. ond!
(Abstract printed on page 161).
Exhibits by Prof. O. V. Darbishire of Lichens from N. Wales ;
by Miss Roper of fungi and mosses; by Mr. H. S. Thompson of
a flower of the Fringed gentian to show mimicry of a species of
Primula.
THE, 512TH GENERAL | MEETING
November 6th, 1924.
Exhibits of Natural History by the Members.
All sections were well represented. In geology may be men-.
tioned one to show the six systems of the crystallisation of minerals
by Mr. H. W. Turner, giving a clear understanding of the specia-
lised work of nature; local fossils attractively set cut from the
Rhetic and Lower Lias of Aust Cliff by Mr. J. W. Tutcher; and
others by Mr. H. F. Barke from the Cotswolds near Cheltenham ;
and a fine fossil of the wing of an insect, obtained from the coal
measures of Coalpit Heath, by Dr. H. Bolton.
In Entomology among other exhibits was a long series by Mr.
H. A. Francis, of British wild bees, a more brilliant coloration
©
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 117
by Mr. G. C. Griffiths, of day-flying moths and of swallow-tail
butterflies from the Tropics, and another of butterflies from Hamp-
shire by Mr. R. E. Chamberlain, while the injury suffered by eco-
nomic culture was exemplified by Mrs. Sandwith with the living
grubs of a hover fly, a pest of daffodil bulbs.
In Bird Life, Mr. R. P. Gait illustrated by excellent photographs
the doings of the stormy petrel, tern, and various gulls in their
natural haunts on the Scilly Isles, supplemented by photographs
by Miss G. Griffiths, of other birds at the Lizard; and Mr. C.
Tuckett had micrographs of numerous lice which, as parasites,
worry living birds.
In Botany were exhibited some of the results of summer
rambles by the members, including Mrs. Sandwith’s beautifully-
preserved specimens of many species of the clovers collected
locally ; Miss Roper’s instructive lot of the poisonous plants of
the countryside; Miss Bolton’s various fruits to illustrate the
marvels of ingenious means of fruit dispersal; and Prof. O. V.
Darbishire’s examples of seaweeds, living and mounted.
Among other items was an exhibit by Mr. H. S. Thompson,
of a beautiful edition of Curtis’s “ Flora Londinensis,’’ of 1777—
1798, with the 342 hand-coloured plates of the wild flowers Curtis
was able to gather for the most part round London before it became
suburban ; although Bristol contributed some share to the charm
of the volume by several rage plants collected here, and for the
first time described and figured in the book.
Coffee was served during the meeting.
THE 513TH GENERAL MEETING.
December 4th, 1924.
I. “Geological Methods of Water Finding,” by Mr. H. F. Barke,
PEC:
Underground water exists mainly in a state of rest, saturating
porous rocks and filling all pores and fissures, and not in the form
of underground streams, as frequently seen in caves. Rocks
classify themselves into two classes—-the permeable, such as loose
sandstones, which hold and yield water; and the impermeable,
such as clay, which do not yield any, but serve when lying below
a permeable rock to prevent the water from sinking further. By
means of diagrams thrown on the screen it was shown that when
porous strata lie on clay springs occur on the line of junction, and
that where a ridge or hill is composed entirely of porous rock the
line of springs is in the bottom of the valley, and that in conse-
quence wells sunk on such hills have to reach to a depth equal to
that of the valley below, so that no villages have been built on
them. A failure of geological methods to find water in certain
cases was on account of hidden foldings and faulting of the im-
pervious strata.
118 |= ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
Il, \“ Some Local ‘Birds, by: Mr C7 fucker
The lecturer showed some remarkably intimate lantern slides
of his subject, and gave his audience a very fair indication of the
extreme delicacy of the ornithologist’s task. To secure a view of
a bird under its natural conditions, he said, required no little skill
and patience. One invaluable way of locating a bird was by
getting to know its call note, and once that was heard, it was then
mainly a question of settling down somewhere in the neighbour-
hood of where the bird was. Time would then give the desired
opportunity of catching a glimpse of it, but the utmost quietness
was essential, as birds disliked movement intensely.
Exhibits by Mr. F. W. Evens of three species of Mycetozoa
from Leigh Woods, Arcyria incarnata, Trichia persimilis and T.
scabra ; by Miss Roper of the Truffle root gall from the base of an
oak.
|
i th aeeiil
119
The Diamond Jubilee of the Entomological
Section
By THE LATE GEORGE C. GRIFFITHS, F-.E.S.
HE formation of Sections in the Bristol Naturalists’ Society
took place in 1864. In May of that year the Society passed
rules for the registration of objects of Natural History,
the subjects suggested being Zoology, Botany, Paleontology and
Mineralogy. On the 12th of that month the Entomological Section
was founded, and is therefore the senior of the group. The first
President of this Section was Mr. Stephen Barton, F.E.S., whose
residence in Australia had enabled him to add many new species
of Coleoptera to our lists. The “ beetles’ were always his favourite
order, and of these he amassed a vast collection, but he also took
great interest in the other groups of insects, and was respected
and beloved as President of the Section until his death in 1898.
He was succeeded in the office by the writer, who at the present
still holds it. The first Secretary of the Section was Mr. Edwyn
C. Reed, who, however, only held the post for a few months, as he
left for South America in 1865. He became Curator of the Museum
of Santiago, and afterwards of that of Concepcion, Chili, and was
the author of a Monograph of Chilian Butterflies, ‘‘ Mariposas
Chilenas,’’ and lists of Chilian insects. Copies of these works he
presented to the Entomological Society of London, of which he
was a Fellow until his death in 1910. Throughout his life he re-
tained his interest in the Bristol Society, and when in England
-would read papers to the Section on various subjects.
‘Mr. John Barber was elected Secretary of the Section in
January 1865, but resigned in July of the same year, when Mr.
George Harding, F.E.S., succeeded him, and retained office until
1896. He did much good work in local Lepidoptera, and also col-
lected Exotic Coleopiera. He was succeeded by the present Sec-
tional Secretary, Mr. Charles Bartlett, who collects both Coleoptera
and Lepidoptera, and has done much valuable work in arranging
the collection of British Coleoptera in the Bristol Museum.
Looking through the older records of the Section, one must
be struck by the magnificent enthusiasm of its members for col-
lecting locally. Many were the prizes found round Bristol for
the first time, and the care bestowed on the lavve and pupe enabled
fine results to be shown at the meetings, and at the British Asso-
ciation, when at Bristol. The large collections in the possession
of the two Presidents gave opportunities to gain a wide knowledge
120 THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
of exotic and foreign Insects, and the affinities of these were often
discussed from the formation of the Section until the end of the -
last century. After that date short Papers on the structure,
life-history and nests of various insects were added to the scope
of the meetings, and all the time Entomological books and maga-
zines were being purchased and circulated. The study of special
Orders received sympathetic encouragement, and if certain seasons
proved insects to be scarce locally, the probable causes were jointly
discussed. Altogether the members were clearly a happy family,
carrying out regularly active work and urged on by high aims.
The late Mr. A. E. Hudd, F.E.S., was the author of a “‘ Catalogue
of the Lepidoptera of the Bristol District,’ published in the Pro-
ceedings of the Society between 1877 and 1884, and in this he was
assisted by other members of the Section. To the close of his life,
Mr. Hudd preserved notes of additional records of Lepidoptera
to the district, and these are now in the possession of the writer.
To Mr. Hudd also we owe the excellent list of the Lepidoptera of
Somerset, which appeared in the Victoria County History in 1903,
and was followed by two supplementary lists.
One of our Hon. members, Mr. H. J. Charbonnier, is the author
of a List of Diptera of the Bristol District (ProesB Nese Ser ely:
Vol. III, Part II, 1912) and some of our present members, Messrs.
Womersley, Audcent, Pearman and Bartlett, with others, have
helped in adding to our knowledge of local Diptera. Dr. C. K.
Rudge has attended the meetings over many years, and once
astonished the members by showing an insect living and breeding
in cayenne pepper! If the past history of the Section shows
vigorous life amongst a moderate number of citizens in pursuit
of recreation, the modern account can be regarded equally with.
admiration and encouragement. The members of the Section,
now numbering 26, are not content with the well trodden paths of
Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, still pursued by some, but are seeking
out ‘‘ fresh fields and pastures new.”’
Mr. A. D. R. Bacchus, F.E.S., whose recent death is much
to be deplored, devoted his principal attention to the Hemzptera,
which he illustrated with beautiful enlarged drawings, Mr. H.
Womersley is working on the Thysanura, and Mr. J. V. Pearman
on the Corrodentia, each of whom have added new species to our
records, Mr. C. Tuckett on the obscure and difficult group of the
Mallophaga, whilst Miss Ida M. Roper, F.L.S., has given special
attention to the Gall-gnats, and Miss M. M. Selman to the Dragon-
flies. With these branches added to enlarge its interests the
continued success of the Section is assured, and will equal in its
work that of the previous sixty years.
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION 121
Sn Hlemortam
GEORGE CHARLES GRIFFITHS,
F.E.S.
Entomology in Bristol and the West of England has suffered
a serious loss through the death of the writer of the above article.
Our esteemed President, Mr. George Charles Griffiths, F.E.S.,
died at his residence, 3, Leigh Road, Clifton, on December 2nd.
Mr. Griffiths spent all his business career at the Old Bank, Corn
Street, Bristol, as their accountant, until his retirement, about
12 years ago. His life-long hobby was entomology, and he had
amassed a large and fine collection of British Lepidoptera and butter-
flies of the world. On his special subject he had the fullest know-
ledge, and was ever ready to help and encourage students ; at the
same time, his kindly disposition endeared him to everyone with
whom he came in contact.
He was a past-President of the Society, having been a member
for over 50 years ; President of the Entomological Section, succeed-
ing the late Mr. Stephen Barton in 1898 ; a member of the Entomo-
logical Section of the Somerset Archeological and Natural History
Society, and of the South-Western Naturalists’ Union, being their
referee for the Lepidopiera. Mr. Griffiths was also the honorary
curator of the insect collection in the Bristol Museum, and its
arrangement and care were largely the work of his hands, as the
Greville Smyth Room bears witness.
The deceased leaves a widow and daughter to mourn his loss.
The funeral was at Portbury Church, the Rev. Charles Sutcliffe,
late vicar of Holy Trinity, Stalybridge, officiating, and the following
public bodies were represented: The National Provincial and
Union Bank; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery; Bristol Natur-
alists’ Society, and the Entomological Sections of the Bristol and
Somerset Societies.
Crise
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1924.
‘“* Adaptation in Plants and Animals.”
By ProF. O. V. DARBISHIRE.
SHORT time ago Professor Lloyd Morgan gave the field
naturalist, especially the ornithologist, some idea as to how
to proceed in his work. He should study in detail the
habits and behaviour of some particular bird, and thus make out
its biography. Observations made in this way in the field and
possibly rather mechanically recorded, should then be analysed
biologically, and studied in reference to those conditions, external
and internal, which in any way appear to effect that particular
bird. This method, biographical first, and then biological, can be
applied with equal purpose and interest by the field naturalist who
is not an ornithologist in particular, or even a zoologist in general,
but say, only a botanist. May I explain this by reference to a
simple example taken from the plant world.
Everybody is familiar with the ivy-leaved toad-flax. It
occurs on walls, and has its root organs hidden in the crevices
between the stones of the wall. It is a plant characteristic of this
particular type of locality, and it is evidently well adapted to
growing there. Careful study of this one species, or preferably
one or a few more individuals of this species, throughout one
whole year at least, will give us its biography. We next analyse
the biographical notes biologically, and we may then be able
to see in what respect certain characteristic features of this plant,
as regards structure and behaviour, can be interpreted as being
adaptations to the special surrounding conditions. It is about
such adaptations that I wish to speak to-night.
We examine the leaves of our plant, all of which expose their
upper surface to the light. The leaves are succulent and fleshy.
Succulent leaves we find are of common occurrence in other plants
growing in the same locality, such as the stonecrop, navelwort,
and other species. This succulence is, in fact, an adaptation to the
water shortage, one of the conditions prevailing in the wall. There
is little soil and vegetation, which might store rain-water. The
succulent leaves are able to store water and thus prevent it being
given off too rapidly by transpiration. We will further observe
the plant flowering in the summer, when the flowerstalks carry the
flowers well into the light into such a position that they can be
seen by the insects, like the honeybee, the visits of which are
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 123
necessary for pollination. Later in the autumn the flowerstalks,
now bearing little capsules containing seeds will bend away from
the light and push the capsules into the darkness of some recess
or crack in the wall there to burst and shed their seeds. This is
again an adaptation to the conditions under which this species is
growing. The seeds are shed in a place where on germination the
seedling will find suitable conditions for growth.
The following are some simple and striking examples of
adaptation exhibited by animals; the white protective colouring
of the fur of the arctic fox and hare, the spreading toes of the
camel of the sandy desert, the protective mimicry of the leaf—
and stick—insects, and so on.
_There is no difficulty in understanding the meaning of the word
adaptation in the case of the few examples here cited. In studying
cases of adaptation we will come across one remarkable fa¢t. In
most localities we find many animals and plants often very unlike
in appearance to one another, yet clearly all well adapted to living
under identical conditions. Adaptation to the same prevailing
surrounding conditions need in fact not be the same in all animals
and plants. Thus the navelwort makes sure of its seedlings ob-
taining a foothold in some cranny of the wall by having very
numerous and very light seeds, which are carried easily by the wind
to which they are exposed when the capsules burst. The seeds
are thus blown into the cracks of the wall when germination com-
mences very soon. Navelwort and toad-flax grow under similar
conditions but each has its own particular method or adaptation
for securing a suitable locality for the seeds to germinate in. In
the case of the outer limits of a saltmarsh we have only one plant
completely adapted to the adverse conditions obtaining there,
namely the glasswort. But generally speaking we find many
plants and animals characterising one particular locality. These
organisms are adapted not only to the physical, chemical and
climatic conditions of the locality, but also to living in close asso-
clation with other animals and plants. You will see then how
complicated the study of adaptations really is. It necessitates
careful observation not of the plant or animal taken each by itself,
but on the contrary in close reference to its surroundings. This
forms the subject of Ecology, another name really for Biology.
We can easily analyse our observations made in the field to
the extent of saying what are the typical adaptations exhibited
by the animals and plants of any particular locality, without
necessarily being able even to suggest the advantage to the living
organism of any one modification. It is, forexample, easy to under-
stand the long roots of the marram grass in the salt water—free
sand of a sand dune area, in view of the shortage of water near the
surface of the sand. But it is not so easy to explain the leaf
124 ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMATS
succulence of plants like the searocket growing in the generally
rather narrow strip occupied by succulent strand plants between
the outer area where the sea wheat grows and the inner one occupied
by the marram grass.
All representatives of the flowering plants show an adaptation
to their dry-land-and-air habit. They possess pores or stomata
by which air has free access to the interior of the plant, and water
in the form of watery vapour can pass out by transpiration, though
under the control of the living plant. Leaves, stem and root have
their air passages, all of which are connected with the pores just
mentioned, and air has thus access to every internal part of the
plant. In seaweeds, as typical water plants, pores and air passages
are entirely absent, and air is obtainable only when dissolved in
the surrounding water. The bladders found in some seaweeds
are not comparable with the air passages of the land plants. Pores
and airpassages are thus an adaptation to the dry-land-and-air
habit of the land plant, their absence to the water habit of the
true water plant.
When a land plant descends completely into the water and
makes the water its home, what happens to its pores and air pas-
sages ? Does it discard all these structures and assume the struc-
ture of the typical water plant? No. It does not. Tradition
and historical prejudice of the race, 1.e., phylogenetic traditions
inherited by every plant: from its ancestors prevent this. We may
get a modification of the characteristic adaptation to the land
habit. The pores generally go, it is true, but the air passages
remain, because the plant has not quite learned to breathe air
dissolved in water. So the land plant in descending into the water
to become submerged suffers from a shortage of air, mainly oxygen
for breathing purposes, and has adapted itself by increasing the extent
of the air passages in order to store the oxygen, which is liberated
during the chemical processes that go on in the green plant.
We can see this very well in the case of the mare’s tail, a plant
which now of aquatic habit has descended from land plants. We
may say that the mare’s tail has adapted itself to living in the
water, but what it has really done is to modify an old land plant
adaptation. Portions of our plant which are not submerged but
stand out of the water have pores just like an ordinary land plant.
Aquatic flowering plants which have all descended originally from
land plants are still unable to carry out their sexual reproductive
processes when submerged, and therefore come to the surface to
flower. Land plants descending into the water cease to form
cork and root hairs. They reduce the amount of vascular tissue
developed. But these structures make their appearance when the
plants return to the land.
Experiments carried out in this Laboratory by Mr. Norris,
and reported on in the “ Proceedings ’”’ of this Society, show how
fai
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 125
a plant can be made to change its structure according to the nature
of its surroundings. Maize seedlings grown in well aérated soil,
like sand, will exhibit a certain but limited number of small air -
spaces, as Shown in a section of the root. If we grow such a seedling
standing in water where there is much less free air available than
in sand, air spaces will increase considerably. According to the
kind of soil we take we can get varying degrees of adjustment
of the volume of air space to the needs of the plant. All this is
adaptation or rather modification of an already present adaptation.
The ‘maize plant exhibits in the first place an adaptation to the
land-and-air habit, but it possesses an extraordinary adaptability,
and it is thus able to live in soils of a varying state of aération.
This adaptability itself is then really a most valuable adaptation.
Instead of being adapted to one particular and narrowly limited
condition of aération only the maize plant can grow in soil of almost
any degree of aération. Only a thorough biographical study of
the plant will show us this.
May I take another example, namely that of the beech leaf.
An ordinary green leaf shows below the epidermis of the upper
side one or more layers of narrow palissade cells containing nu-
- merous small green starchbuilders or plastids. The green colouring.
matter which they contain is very sensitive to light. The small
starchbuilders therefore move to the long side walls of these palis-
sade cells in strong light so as to be as little exposed as possible
to this light. They move to the ends of the cells in diffused light
in order to catch every ray of this hght. In the case of the beech
the leaves on the sunny side of the tree have two layers of palis-
sade cells, and thus they have considerable power to protect the
plastids against the strong light. The leaves of the shady side
of the tree have one layer only, as there is not the same need to
protect the plastids against the light. So here again we have a
wonderful modification of an adaptation. The quality of the
adaptation does not change, but only its quantity. The seedling
leaves of the beech have an adaptation suited to diffused or weak
light, as the young plants will generally at first be growing in the
darker portions of the forest. The shade condition occurs in
seedlings even when the parent plants have been growing fully
exposed to strong light. The first leaves of a twig too are shade
leaves, but during the summer the later leaves, if necessary, modify
the general adaptation in accordance with the degree of strength
of the sunlight.
The value of this adaptability or power to modify an already
existing adaptation is of course very great. It enables the beech
leaf to deal with strong light. It enables the maize root to grow
in almost any type of soil. It has enabled certain flowering plants
of the dry land successfully to invade the water, and not only
freshwater, but to a more limited extent, brackish water. like the
126 ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
horned pondweed, and, even pure seawater, like the grass-wrack.
Seaweeds, true water plants as you will remember, cannot modify
their narrowly limited adaptation to their water habit, and have
. therefore not really succeeded in invading the land. There are
a few plants which might be called exceptions however. A small
species of Fucus is found on saltmarshes near the sea, and Pelvetia
canaliculata grows above ordinary highwater mark where it is
but rarely submerged. But neither of these plants have adopted
any of the adaptations characteristic of dry-land-and-air plants,
nor have they really modified any of their typical water habits.
Nothing new comes in when the land plant first made itself at home
in the water. It merely modified an adaptation already there.
This great power of secondary adaptation, this adaptability places
the flowering plants on a higher plane than the seaweeds in this
respect. However the latter may be as perfectly adapted to their
life in the sea as the former are to theirs on the dry land. Con-
ditions on the latter are more variable and increased adaptability
is a great asset.
Let us now take an example from the animal world. The
whole shape and structure of the fish represent adaptations to a
completely submerged form of life. The lung-fishes are, of course,
excluded from this generalization. The fish is a water animal
proper, just as the seaweed is a water plant proper. But just
as dry-land-and-air plants have invaded the sea so have land-
and-air animals. The whale is a land animal the ancestors of which
invaded the sea. The whale has not freed itself of its land-and-air
traditions, and has not learned to breathe when submerged. But
it has so far modified its limbs suitable for progress on land as to
be externally as like a fish as possible. The tail of the fish stands
vertically up, it is true, and that of the whale horizontally. But
that is a minor detail. The whale has not adopted any new organ,
but only modified its old organs adapted to life on the land. Tra-
dition is so powerful that it has not been able to get rid of the
necessity of coming to the surface of the water to bréathe. ‘This
shows again the paramount power of tradition in evolution. It
is this phylogenetic tradition which has such a fatal effect on a
race when it has become so all-powerful in the life of any species
that the latter has lost entirely, or almost entirely, the power of
adaptability, that is of modifying old functional adaptative struc-
tures.
A change of climate, or of other surrounding conditions, a
slow and gradual change of course, may effect deeply the well
established fauna and flora of any district. We know that great
changes have occurred. In the carboniferous period there was
no alternation in the seasons as we have to-day. This we can
see from the absence of annual rings in the stems of fossil plants.
The climate was uniformly warm and damp in this epoch. Again
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS ea
the slow shrinkage of the earth causes its crust to give rise to
higher hills, deeper valleys, and more rapid streams, thus producing
altered, and often quite new conditions. Those organisms which
were incapable of modifying their structural adaptations in accor-
dance with any climatic or other change will gradually have died
out. This may account for the disappearance of most, if not all,
animals and plant types, known now as fossils only. Many of the
fossil and extinct animals and plants appear to have been as per-
fectly adapted to their environments as those of to-day are to
theirs, but with their perfect adaptation may have been associated
a loss of adaptability. Almost every area of the world is inhabited
to a greater or lesser extent by animals and plants, and these
must have spread from certain common points. This transmigra-
tion to new localities, often probably with new surrounding con-
ditions, could only have been successful if the plants and animals
thus migrating to fresh fields and pastures new had to some extent
at least the power of adaptability.
The evolution and ancestry of the horse is fairly well-known
in outline, and it would, I think, be instructive to refer to it at
this point.
The Eohippus of the Eocene period, was a small animal about
the size of a whippet, that is about 12 inches high. It lived in the
forest, and in the grass, and had four perfect toes on each fore-
foot, and one rudimentary one, the five digits indicating the five-
toed fore-foot of an ancestor. The hind-feet had three proper
toes, and one rudimentary bone each.
The, Mesohippus of the Oligocene still lived in the forest,
and had three functional toes on fore and hind-feet, though an
additional rudimentary one on each fore-foot. The animal was
18 inches to 24 inches high. The smaller number of toes reaching
the ground indicate increasing fleetness of foot.
The Hipparion of the Miocene, still had three proper toes
on each foot, and still a rudimentary one on each fore-foot, but of
the three properly developed toes only one in each case actually
reached the ground. The presence of a solitary digit touching the
ground we know to be an adaptation to fleetness of foot, a necessary
and important adaptation in the open and exposed prairie which
this animal, now more of the shape of the horse of to-day, in-
habited. Its milk-teeth still preserved the ancestral form with
little or no cement, the permanent teeth, however, already showed
the heavily cemented condition of the horse of to-day, an adap-
tation to the special food obtainable on the prairie. The Hipparion
migrated all over the world from its cradle in America, leaving no
successors however, there. The race died out in America. It
continued to develope, or its successors continued to develope,
in the Old World. The horses in America now are recent intro-
ductions from the old Old World.
128 ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
The Pliohippus of the Pliocene was the first really one-toed
horse, though each foot still had two more rudimentary, but quite
functionless toes. In shape and size of body and skeleton, this
horse was almost like the horse of to-day. Its height was about
40 inches.
Then in the Pleistocene came the Equus, the species of which
were the immediate ancestors of the recent horse of to-day, with
its long head and big cemented teeth, and height up to 60 inches.
The whole structure of body and shape are most perfectly adapted
to fleetness of movement.
This sketch of the pedigree of the horse of to-day, all the an-
cestors of which have died out, except those developed since the
Pleistocene, shows clearly how the five toes of the hypothetical
earliest slowly moving ancestor of the horse living in the forest,
and probably actually on the trees have gradually by a modi-
fication of the foot well adapted to the forest habit given rise to
the one-toed foot of the fleet horse of the open prairie. In this
area none but the fleetest could survive, and only in those forms
in which a modification of the many-toed foot occurred was sur-
vival possible. Nothing really new came with the horse of to-day,
and we can only trace modifications of already present adaptations.
Not the best adapted, but the most readily adaptable, the best
able to modify old adaptations, survived. The example of the
horse illustrates the development of a morphological feature in |
close correlation with a special functional adaptation to new
surroundings in the case of a single animal.
Living together in communities ants, both in their bodies
and in their activities, represent a very high state of social evolu-
tion. There are between 3,000 and 4,000 species of ants, many of
which appear to be very highly adapted structurally and func-
tionally to living together in very special ways. Not only are their
limbs highly specialized and adapted, but the ants have learned to
carry out certain communal activities which have become the
inheritable property of the various species and races. Thus the
driver ants of Brazil march in the form of well organized armies,
led by big-headed officers and scouts, and raid the nests of other
ants to secure their larve and pupz as food. Certain slave-making
ants have got so used to having everything done by their slaves
that they have quite forgotten how to do anything themselves.
The herding ants live in close symbiotic association with other
insects, as aphides, the latter serving as domestic cattle serve
man. We have agricultural ants which in the case of the harvester
ants are known to sow the seeds of their favourite grass, the ant
rice, and so on. These communal activities are really very special
functional adaptations of the ants and serve the purpose of obtaining
food for themselves and their offspring. These adaptations are
closely connected with structural adaptations, and have become
de .
a > a
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 129
traditional, and are now instinctive or automatic in nature. A
certain amount of adaptability is noticeable, but only within very |
narrow limits. This communal organization of the ants appears
to be most complete, and this has made them the most widely
spread of animals. But it is an inherited property, and not an
organization that is undergoing development and steady im-
provement at the hands of an intelligent and thinking race.
Now let us take a sudden jump—-to man, by way of contrast to
the smallant. Isman very highly specialized, and very well adapted ?
He certainly is, but in a quite different way from the ant. Let us
for example look at his hands. Are they specialized, like the
hands or fore-feet of the horse, or the wings of the bird, or the fins
of the fish, or the fore-feet of the mole? These organs are all
functionally adapted and specialized to do some one very special
thing. But we can do almost anything with our quite unspecia-
lized hand. We can swim on the sea in ships, and below the
water in submarines, we can fly in aeroplanes, we can move quickly
on bicycles, or in motorcars, we can dig furrows in the soil by
mechanical ploughs. Yet we have only an unspecialized hand
to do all these things, a hand which still has the original five digits -
of our ancestors, ail in working order. How are we able to do all
these wonderful things? When man first took into his hands a
rough stone to use as a weapon, instead of catching his prey with
his hands, and when subsequently he fashioned this stone in various
ways, and thus made his first stone implements, he had started on
his career as man the inventor. The evolution of the hand had
reached its end. The evolution of the tool had begun. The
aeroplane is only a very highly developed tool which enables us
to fly. The bird had to develope wings in order to fly, but by this
very specialization of its limbs its other activities became limited.
Our most prized possessions are the organs of our body fixed
by long tradition, which are, however, able to control the tools
which are indefinitely adaptable. Our tradition does not take
the form of highly specialized organs adapted to one purpose only,
but it has handed us simple organs that can do almost anything,
and then not only what we as individuals have learned in the
course of our short lives, but the gigantic store of learning of the
whole race handed down from generation to generation is at our
disposal. Education, knowledge, inventions, art, literature, all
these we are adapted to learn from our parents, and pass on to
our children, because we can speak and learn and teach, and store
up and pass on experience. No other animal can pass on cultural
achievements as man does. Our mind is sufficiently independent
of traditional instinct, and we can control and develope outside
our bodies tools by our intelligence and imagination in direct
response to externa! influences and problems. Side by side with the
want of specialization of our limbs has gone the development of
130 ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
the brain of man, a modification only of an adaptation already
present in our ape-like ancestors. We are adapted to learn and
to be trained. Education plays an important part in our lives.
We are adapted to profit by it. We can pass on what we have
learnt by books or by word of mouth. , Education is teaching
and training the boy of to-day. Education is not necessarily im-
proving the race. It may succeed in doing so however, by edu-
cating the parent under the influence of whom the next generation
is going to grow up.
I hope now that I have made it clear what I mean by an adap-
tation and by adaptability. Increased specialization means loss
of adaptability. Man’s greatest adaptation lies in the loss of special-
ization in his limbs accompanied by unlimited adaptability.
But what is the origin of an adaptation ? The appearance of
a quite new adaptation would mean an advance in the history of
a species, in its evolution. When therefore we solve the question
of the origin of a new adaptation we will have learnt of the method
along which evolution proceeds. Let us return for a moment to
the beech leaf. The first leaves on the seedling you will remember
are shade leaves. Expose the plant to strong sunlight, and we
get sun-leaves. The influence, the direct influence of the strong
light, has given us the two palissade layers. This is a case of
direct adaptation, but it is only a quantitive adaptation of a kind
or quality of adaptation which is already there, the palissade layer.
In fact we will find that every so-called direct adaptation we can
observe in animal or plant is in reality only a quantitative, and
often, a very slight modification of an old quality or less specialized
adaptation. The quality of the adaptation is very largely a matter
of tradition inalienably connected with, and inherited by every
member of a particular race. Races tend to diverge from one
another, and can be distinguished by certain traditional “ family ”’
characters. The quantity or degree of adaptability of an adap-
tation is often more or less dependent on the direct influence of
external conditions, and is not necessarily inheritable. Under
this heading plants and animals under similar conditions tend to
exhibit the phenomenon of convergence.
The Cactacez are characteristic of the deserts of Central
America, the Euphorbiacez of the deserts of Central Africa. Cer-
tain species of Ceres and Euphorbia are in their adaptation to the
adverse conditions of their surroundings, almost indistinguishable
in their general external development. Intense adaptation to
severe local conditions has led to a morphological evolution along
convergent lines. Historically all organs are, however, controlled
by traditions which have led these two Natural Orders along
divergent lines. This is clearly shown in the general structure
of their vegetative organs, and the detailed structure of their
reproductive organs. Examples of this divergence and conver-
Baek te
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 13]
gence respectively can be found to a still more striking extent
in the animal world. The Mollusca and the Vertebrates show a
morphological development along divergent lines. In the func-
tional adaptation to light, in the development of the eye, they
exhibit evolution along convergent lines.
There is no evidence that direct influence of the surrounding
conditions can produce in a race a new adaptation qualitatively.
If this were so, and the new adaptation were inheritable we would
have to believe in the inheritance of acquired characters. This
means that characters acquired quite newly during the life time
of the individual under the influence of external conditions are
transmitted to succeeding generations. There is no evidence that
this occurs at all. Some recent work by. Kammerer of Vienna
has proved to his satisfaction that characteristics acquired during
the hfe of an individual can be transmitted to the offspring. But
his evidence is not convincing. What he calls a new character
is really only a modification of a character, or adaptation already
present. He appears to be talking of adaptability really, and not
new adaptations. But we should observe an open mind in this
‘matter as we know so little about it.
Lamarck (1809) the first great evolutionist believed in the
direct adaptation of the living organism to external conditions.
Every variation occurring in a plant or animal to him was purposeful
and of advantage to the particular organism. Such an adaptation
if inheritable might become so well established as to give rise to a
new species. The purposeful elongation of the neck of one of its
ancestors gave us the giraffe, according to Lamarck. Every change
would therefore already represent an adaptation. :
Darwin (1859) imagined a large number of slight variations
arising by chance in an organism. The most useful variation out
of many useless ones would be picked out by natural selection in
successive generations till it had become an important adaptation.
This too might lead to the formation of a new species.
Samuel Butler named one of his books: ‘‘ Luck or Cunning.”
Is it luck and chance variation that gives us a new adaptation,
that may develope into a new species, as Darwin thinks, or is
it purposeful cunning in the species, as Lamarck believes? Butler
supports Lamarck’s view. Both processes would be so _ slow,
however, as to be undetectable by us. There is not much evidence
in favour of either. Most evidence is in favour of a more sudden
change in plant or animal, whereby a new but big chance variation
makes its appearance suddenly, a mutation, as de Vries (1900)
calls it. A sudden mutation, if yielding a useful adaptation, and
if inheritable would pass on to the next generation. Selection
would weed out any unsuitable mutation. Whatever the method
may be it results in plants and animals becoming gradually better
adapted to their surroundings.
132 ADAPTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS:
There still remains an unanswered question. What originally
started the mutation or variation? No answer can be given to
this question yet. The appearance of a mutation appears however
to be connected with a. more or less profound change in the nucleus.
That is really all we know.
The power of the green plant to pick out the red rays of the
sun-light, and to absorb them, and in the twinkling of the eye to
build up from the water supplied from the root and carbon obtained
from the air, sugar and starch, is a most wonderful adaptation to
the conditions obtaining on this earth. Plants are in this way
storing up energy from the sun. This we in turn get from the plant
directly by taking plant products as food, or indirectly when eating |
meat. Thus we are able to work and walk. The green plant is
adapted to obtaining its energy directly from the sun, we indirectly
by feeding directly or indirectly on plant material. What I have
called an adaptation here is really a most complicated system of
adaptations deeply correlated, and it is impossible for us at present
to picture their beginning or their mode of origin, though we may
recognise and appreciate their value.
We can collect animals and plants and we can determine the
conditions under which they live. We can determine by careful
observation and study what the chief adaptative characters of cer-
tain animals and plants are. We may even be able to show what
advantage any particular adaptation confers on its owner. I
would like to sound a warning note here. We should be careful
not to endeavour to give a meaning to every structure we find in
animals and plants. There are many striking structures in both
the advantage of which to the owner are quite unclear. We must
also beware of interpreting plant and animal structures in terms
of human activities. Not every spine we find in plants is a protec-
tion against the grazing habits of animals. Thorns in the haw-
thorn are closely connected with exposure to cold winds and to
shortage of water. We do not know how adaptations arose in the
first place. It is the keen, observant, and studious field naturalist
who in the end may show the experimentalist of the laboratory
along what lines to proceed in order to settle this question. Even
if he does not succeed in doing this he can still provide the experi-
mentalist with a great deal of most valuable observational material.
I hope that my disconnected remarks will give at any rate, to some
of you who are mostly field naturalists, some food for thought.
—— ee a
The Aculeate Hymenoptera of Gloucestershire
and Somersetshire.
bake Cov re PRKINS.« MeAc DeSci FARIS... BVZ'S.
HE following list of species of Aculeate Hymenoptera is made
up of those which have been, or now are recorded from the
two counties of Gloucester and Somerset. These counties
have been taken together for the reason that a number of the old
records give as a locality “ Bristol,’ and it is well-known that this
included species captured on each side of the Avon, while in a
number of cases it is not known whether the actual locality of a
species was in Somersetshire or Gloucestershire. Some of the
species obtained by the old Bristol collectors are so extremely
local or rare in England, that it was considered inadvisable to
leave these out of the list, as must have been done had the .
counties been dealt with separately.
Between 1830 and 1860 Bristol and Clifton produced two of
the most successful collectors of this group of insects of that or
of any other period. Apparently both were specially attracted
by the group. Dr. Thwaites appears to have begun his collecting
somewhat earlier than. Walcott. At any rate he is several times
mentioned as having been the first to obtain some particular
insect. What became of his collection I do not know. Walcott’s
collection is incorporated in the general collection of the Museum
of Zoology at Cambridge. The writer examined this collection
with considerable care about 25 years ago. It was remarkable
for the fine series of many species then considered extremely local
. or rare and contained specimens of almost all the species known as
British in Walcott’s time. The specimens were nearly always in
beautiful, fresh condition and clean, and their general condition,
I should say, superior to those in the collection of F. smith, who
often collected indifferent examples, and was less clean in his
manipulation.
Walcott had fine series of some species poorly represented in
Smith’s collection, and so far as I remember the naming was not
more incorrect than in the latter. Unfortunately hardly any
individuals of this model collection had any label of locality or
date, but a few supposed British, but really foreign species, which
were received in exchange from the British Museum, and were
probably derived from Leach’s collection were marked “in ex-
change British Mus.”’
134 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF ‘GLOSS. AND SG:
The late Prof. Alfred Newton put himself to some trouble to
find out whether some further details might not be obtained con-
cerning Walcott’s specimens, but except that the collection was
presented to the Museum by Walcott’s widow, and, if I remember
rightly, that he himself died abroad, nothing was discovered.
If one assumes that the greater part of the collection was made at
‘“ Bristol’”’ then this must be an extremely rich neighbourhood
in Aculeata, but it is certain that either Walcott himself, or others
for him, must have collected in very different localities, for he had
fine series of species then only known from Scotland and the North
of England.
It is remarkable that Smith, who received many specimens
from Walcott, should not have taken the trouble to obtain from
him a list of all the rare and local species that he possessed, and
to record them in his books. As a matter of fact he is almost
never mentioned, except in connection with some “ Bristol
insect, though once he is said to have collected a certain stylopised
bee near Brighton, and in other cases to have received specimens
of rare species from Brighton. Considering the number of rare and
local species that we know to have been obtained by him at Bristol,
it is fair to assume that numbers of others well represented in
his collection, yet not included in this county list, may still
be obtained in that district.
Before leaving the subject it may be mentioned that several
species unknown in Britain in Smith’s day could have been found
in Walcott’s collection, either unindentified or wrongly named.
The most important of these was, I think, the wasp Odynerus
tomentosus. Specimens of this were found mixed with O. pictus
in the collection itself and others in a drawer of duplicates and
unidentified material. O.pictws so common in the West of England,
was not so in Smith’s localities, and Walcott sent him specimens,
having superabundant material himself. That these tomentosus
were British can hardly be doubted, for though they have no
locality label, some of them had a small label with the actual date
of capture in Walcott’s writing, and some of the pictus had similar
labels with the very same date. The mere fact that he had taken
the trouble to use such a label at all, as, he very rarely used any,
might perhaps be a slight reason for supposing that he obtained
these in some place other than Bristol, but on the other hand
some Bristol insects, which he sent Smith, had quite similar labels
with date of capture only.
Probably no collector in the two counties since the days of
Walcott and Thwaites has paid such particular attention to the
Aculeata as they did.
V. R. Perkins, though interested in all Orders of Insects,
collected the Aculeata, for which he had a special fondness, for
more than 40 years in the neighbourhood of Wotton-under-Edge.
Te ee ea
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 135
This locality, as he justly observes, is not one which the special
student of these Hymenoptera would select as a collecting ground,
nor is it likely that it would compare favourably with the Bristol
district, and moreover he did not go far afield. His observations,
and the list itself have a real value from the fact that the former
were practically continuous for so long a period. During two
recent summers I have had the opportunity of collecting on some
6 or 7 days of August in the same locality, and in the very same
spots, in which V. R. Perkins did most of his collecting, and where
in 1885-90 we frequently collected together. One fact impressed
me considerably, viz.: that the Aculeata fauna must have con-
siderably changed in the last 20 years, though the condition of
the locality was on the whole little altered. There is no reason
to suppose that many, if any, of the formerly existing species had
been lost, for many of these were obviously present, and for the
fact that some were not seen the unfavourable weather may have
been responsible. But the incursion of new species was quite
remarkable.
In the 1902 list there is no record from Wotton-under-Edge
of the following: Halictus decipiens, common in 1922, with H.
levigatus, Andrena ovatula (2nd brood), Bombus soroensis (abundant
everywhere), Cevatophorus morio, Blepharhipus nigritus (in numbers),
Cuphopterus signatus, Metacrabro lituratus, Vespa norvegica (abun-
dantly), all in the same year, while Megachile ligniseca was found
in a neighbouring village, and V. R. Perkins had himself in his
later collecting found Sapyga clavicornis in some numbers, and
a few years ago Nyson dinmudiatus appeared for the first time.
Collectors, who happen to be restricted to some home locality
for most of their collecting may therefore feel some assurance
that at any time new and desirable species are likely to turn up,
even in very well worked places. I imagine that similar changes
or addition to the Wotton fauna have taken place in the Lepidop-
tera, for Polta cht, unknown there in earlier days, had become a
common and widely distributed species, and other similar cases
were noticed.
Above I have spoken in depreciation of Wotton as a collecting
ground for Aculeata in general. It is therefore pleasing to be
able to refer to its richness in Crabronide.
Those species peculiar to light sandy soils and sandhills are
naturally not found there, but within an area of a few acres on a
stiff clay have been found the following: ¢tbiale, clavipes, capi-
tosus, styrius, leucostoma, cetratus, podagricus, gonager, palmipes,
varius, anxius, elongatulus, dimidiatus, signatus, cribrarius, vagus,
mcrostictus, A-cinctus, lituratus, chrysostomus, sexcinctus, and
cavifrons. There cannot be many localities, which have yielded
sO many species in so small an area. Contrast this with the Bee
genus Andrena, where of the species which emerge from mid-
136 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
June onwards, whether as first or second broods, only three very
common species have ever occurred in the district, viz.: minutula,
gwynana and (once only) ovatula!
It is to be regretted that the Wotton collection should not
have been secured by some local Museum, since it takes a prominent
place in the Gloucestershire list. I should have been glad to have
examined the specimens of some of the species that I suspect of
being wrongly determined, but I have been unable to learn the name
of the purchaser. The collection of the Bees which filled about a
dozen cabinet drawers was within the means of most Museums,
as the whole was bought for five shillings. The other Hymenop-
tera, seeing that the boxes were included in the price, were prac-
tically given away with these !
Nearly all the labour of compiling the Somersetshire list was
undertaken by my friend the late Col. T. Jermyn, who was for some
years the chief collector of these insects in that county, at any
rate since the time of Walcott and Thwaites. All the species in
his collection, and I think all the specimens, have been submitted
to me for naming, or for confirmation of the names, and his col-
lection included many specimens which he received from friends,
Capt. R. D. Troup (abbrev. in list R. D. T.), and Messrs. H. Aud-
cent (H. A.),.and 1. Slater (H..S,). - He also furmished Gem ten
an extensive list of species of the Bristol district, drawn up by
Mr. H. J. Charbonnier (H...J..C.), with Col. Linley Siarameaiie
county list (L. B.), and with one enumerating the species collected
near Weston-super-Mare by Mr. H. M. Hallett (H. M. H.). Col.
Jermyn’s death is a severe loss to Entomology in Somersetshire,
and especially so to his friends. A box of insects received from him
shortly before his death, which I have only now been able to exa-
mine, contains at least three species which I had not seen before
from Somersetshire, Bombus muscorum, and latreillellus, and
Psithyrus distinctus. By far his most important capture was the
Bee Sphecodes scabricollis in 1919, of which only a single example
(without special locality) in the Kirby collection of the British
Museum, caught some !20 years ago, was known as British. This
specimen he most generously added to my collection.
The first of the initials (T. J.). is sometimes varied in the list,
when the specimens were collected by some other member of his
family. Other initials used are (E. 5.) for Edward Saunders,
and (A. T.) Rev. A. Thornley. I have also received a short. list
from Mr. A. H. Martineau of Crewkerne, including both Glouces-
tershire and Somersetshire species. The Wotton-under-Edge
species were collected entirely by my uncle and by myself, usually
by both of us. For a complete list of Ants of both counties I
am greatly indebted to Mr. H. Womersley.
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 137
In the recently published list of Devonshire Aculeata I have
remarked that large areas are still quite unexplored by collectors
of these insects, but this list is probably far more nearly complete
than that of Gloucestershire and Somersetshire, which have been
still less collected over. Of the two counties the latter may be
expected to considerably exceed the former in the number of
species represented. It is safe to say that in each large additions
are sure to be made.
In this list of the two counties the Apordea number 125, the
Sphecoidea 62, the Vespoidea (including Chrysidide) 53, and the
Ants 16 species, a total of 256. In the recent Devon list I enu-
merated 324 species, and as the common Cevopales maculatus was
accidently omitted, and I became aware of the occurrence of 3
or 4 other species too late for inclusion, the total should be some-
what increased. It is quite certain that the apparent richness of
Devonshire is due to the fact that more extensive and intensive
collecting has been done there, than in the other two counties.
APOIDEA.
HYLACIDZ.
HyL2&us (PROSOPIS).
1. #H. spilotus Forst. (masoni). G. Recorded from Stapleton
(Hen yerc.).
2. H. communis Nyl. A common species in both counties,
often resting on gate-posts and visiting flowers of Rubus,
Sedum, Reseda and onions.
3. H. pratensis Geoffr. (signatus). The largest species of the
genus often found on Reseda in gardens, but apparently
local or rare in either county. G. Wotton-under-Edge,
tonmerly abundant, but not recently. S. Freshiord (H.
VEUCSE
4. H. hyalinatus Sm. A very common species in many locali-
ties.
ara wconmusus Nyl. G. -Wotton 3. Olveston (HB. J., C.). -S.
islemistewers (R. C.’L, P.).. Kewstoke Woods (H.-M. H.).
Oy Bee minuius VF. (brevicorms). G. Wotton and Kilcot. 5S.
Minehead (L. B.). Usuaily found on Rubus and white
Umbelliferee, and will occur in many other localities.
fei ee picwpes Nyl. Hirst recorded as British frem “ Bristol ”
by F. Smith, who described it as a new species (varipes
Sm.). Smith’s type of the male was the present species,
but the female was a variety of hyalinatus. The bramble
stems from which he bred the species were sent to him by
Dr. Thwaites.
138 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
COLLETIDZ.
COLLETES.
1. C. glutinans Cuv. (succincta). JI have only one record for
Gloucestershire, but the species is common in Somerset-
shire in places where heather or ling are abundant, fre-
quenting these flowers. It is an abundant moorland
insect and Epeolus rufipes its parasite usually occurs with
itie Go elanham, (He hareae
2. C. marginata Sm. G. Olveston in June y(n ge ea
Minehead (L. B.).
3. C. fodiens K. An abundant species in sandhills and partial
to the flowers of ragwort, yarrow, etc. Very common
along the coast near Burnham; Dunster (H. a.). Not
recorded from Glos.
4. C. daviesana Sm. Probably the most widely distributed of
the genus, not only burrowing in sandy soils, but some-
times forming large colonies in the soft mortar of walls.
G. Wotton; Hanham and Olveston (H. J. c.).. S. Fresh-
ford: (Hy J.'¢:). @ Crew kemie se ©. gra:
ANDRENID&.
ANDRENA.
1. A. albicans Mull. Probably the commonest species of the
genus, and found in all kinds of localities.
2. A. carbonana L. (pilipes). S.. Only reeorded arom Wein
Wioodsy (Eames):
3. A. flavipes Panz. (fulvicrus). S. “ Common locally ~ about
Weston-super-Mare (T. J.); Wembdon (Rr. D. T.). In
Glos. recorded only from Wotton, I believe erroneously.
I have seen none thence which were correctly named.
(A. tibialis K. is recorded only from Wotton, but was
probably wrongly determined. (Rhediand ia).
S. Sand Bay, very numerous with its host M. circum-
cincia (H. M. H.).
C. acuminata Nyl. G. Wotton and Hawkesbury; Redland
(4. J. c.). S. Leigh Wods (A. E. Hud); Wesicmiiaw gs).
Common at Crewkerne (R. C. L. P.). Parasitic on M. cen-
tuncularts and versicolor.
ANTHIDIUM.
A. mamcaium L.. G. Wotton; Redland Giregecs as.
Cheddar (H. J. c.); Cannington (H. s.); Weston-super-
Mare, common and sometimes very abundant (T. J.).
STELIS.
S. aterrima Pang. G. Bristol (H. A. Francis); @litton (ide
F.. Smith) S.° The’ Mendips (i: Sammdersy
S. pheoptera K. Wotton district, rare. Taken also by the
old Bristol collectors.
S. ornatula Kl. (8-maculata). Bristol. First obtained by
Dr. Thwaites, who bred it from the nest of Osmia leucome-
lana; Walcott also collected it, I believe in Leigh Woods.
. OSMIA.
O. yufa L. An abundant and generally distributed bee.
ar
re
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 147
O. pilicornis Sm. G. Wotton, formerly common, scarcer
recently ; Durdham Downs (Thwaites) ; Painswick (Mar-
tineau). S. Leigh Woods, taken abundantly on Bugle
by the old collectors. Kewstoke Woods (H. M. H.); Bun-
combe (R. T.) ; Brockley Combe, Flax Bourton and Weston
ep.)
Peer onelais IG, Wotton (V-R:. P: about, 50: years
age, but not since). Bristol taken freely by Walcott
about 1840, but not recorded since.
O. cerulescens L. Common and widely distributed.
O. ventralis Panz. (leatana, fulviventris). G. Common, often
in gardens. S. Jermyn’s, and other lists fail to record
the species for Somersetshire, but I observed it in a garden
near Crewkerne in August 1924 on garden Composites,
and it must occur in many localities.
OO aurlena Panz. S. Sand Bay (H..M. H.); Uphill (Tt. J.).
Recorded by V. R. P. for Wotton, Glos., but if this is correct,
it must be very irregular or rare, as ] have never seen it
there.
O. bicoloy F. G. Common on the Cotswolds both on the
open hills and in woods. Stroud and Selsey (Martineau).
Scam bay (H. M. H.); -Polden Hills (7. j.). It was
found very numerously by the old Bristol collectors on
Durdham Downs and in Leigh Woods. On the open hills
at Wotton it covers the snail shell, in which it nests, with
cut lengths of grass stems; in woods with the scales that
fall from beech twigs.
O. leucomelana K. G. Wotton and the Forest of Dean ;
amowiel (H-' 1. C.); Stroud (Martinean). S. Taken ‘by
old collectors in abundance in the Leigh Woods and both
Walcott and Thwaites obtained its parasite Stelis ornatula
thence. Sand Bay (H. M. H.). It will be found in many
localities in the county.
O. spinulosa K. Abundant on the open hillsides of the
Cotswolds in some seasons, frequenting knapweed, cistus,
and other plants. We have found tts cells in the smaller
snail shells on the hills near Wotton (R. c. L. P.); Stroud
(Martineau).
BOMBID.
BOMBUS.
B. muscorum L. This name is now applied to the pale
Southern form of B. Smithianus of the Shetlands. S. A
worker, belonging without doubt to this species, was taken
by Col. Jermyn at Shapwick August 1919.
B. helferanus Seidl. (venustus). Common and widely distri-
buted in both counties.
]
~
5:
mse
~
I
he
iS)
14.
16,
B. agrorum F. Common everywhere.
B. ruderarius Mull. (derhamellus). Common in both counties.
. sylvuarum L. G. Abundant and generally distributed.
4
oS:
4
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
S. Shapwick and Ashcott commonly, and Nailsea, “‘ seems to
be a local species ” (T. J:); Shepton Mallet (anjmeie Very
common at Isle Brewers and Crewkerne on Bartsia (R. c.
L.) Psy
B. pratorum L. Very common.
B. jonellus K. G. Occasionally at Wotton. S. Banwell
and Weston (T. J.). Numerous at Shapwick in August
PO24 (RNC) BMS
B. lapponicus F. G. A stray specimen of the female twice
taken at Wotton by V. R. P. No doubt the species will
occur on Exmoor, being abundant on Dartmoor. :
B. lafidarnus L. Abundant.
B. sovoensis F. Very abundant on the Cotswolds for some
miles on either side of Wotton in recent years, though
formerly unknown there. S. Near Crewkerne August
1O24 VAR. (Cob. Pa). :
B. lucorum L. Common everywhere.
B. terrestris L. Equally common.
B. hortorum K. A very common species.
B. ruderatus F. (subterraneus). Common. Jermyn remarks
that the all-black var. harrisellus is the commonest form
in Somersetshire, and he has not found the brightest varie-
ties. On the Cotswolds the palest var., resembling hor-
torum, is frequent, but all the other varieties are also com-
mon.
B. subterraneus L. (latreallellus). G. ather common in the
Wotton. district in some seasons. S. Ashcott, a single
maley (te gi
B. distinguendus Mor. G. Much rarer than subterraneus L.
in the Cotswold district, and not observed at all round
Wotton in most seasons. I have no record at all for
Somersetshire, but it is almost certain to occur in the
Exmoor district at least.
(B. cullumanus K. G. According to Smith this species
was obtained by Walcott, as also was sovoensis, on the
Downs near Bristol. The latter species (Cat. Brit. Hym.
Ed. 1) he calls collinus Sm., considering cullumanus (on the
authority of Schiodte) to be the true male of soroensis.
It is curious that Smith makes practically the same remark
about the specimens of either species, viz. that Walcott
captured both near Bristol, and also received both from
the Brighton Downs. Both are represented in Walcott’s
collection, but one wonders whether some error may not
have been made in the localities.)
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 149
PSITHYRUS.
1. P. vupestris F. G. Very abundant in the Cotswolds dis-
trict in good seasons, and no doubt generally distributed.
S. Freshford (uw. J. c.); Nailsea, Ashcott, Banwell and
Nvestom (1, J.) ;. Isle Brewers (R: C. L. P.).
Pie westais Kourc. G--Very common. 5S. ~ Abundant and
generally distributed ’’ (T. J.). |
3. P. distinctus Perez. G. Wotton, and near Badminton,
irregular, not noticed at all in most seasons (R. C. L. P.) ;
Dean Forest (Rr. J.). S. Weston-super-Mare and Banwell
ey if)
4. P. barbutellus K. G. Abundant and generally distributed.
Smeauneaston (UB); Cheddar (Hy Jj. ¢.); Banwell,
Weerom and Shapwick (7. J.); Crewkerne (R. C..L. P.).
5. P. quadncolor Lep. G. Abundant and generally distri-
buted. S. Shapwick, Banwell and Weston-super-Mare
vine. isle Brewers and Crewkeme (R:‘C..L. P:).
6. P. campestris Panz. G. Very abundant in some seasons
: on the Cotswolds. S. Shepton Mallet and Freshford
fEyiece, yisle Brewers and Crewkerne (R. C. 1. P.).
SPHECOIDEA.
SPHEGID&.
SPHEX (AMMOPHILA).
ie eesaumiosa LL. 5... Burnham:(1. B.); Sand Bay (#. M. H.);
Berrow (H. s. and T. J.); Shapwick, commonly including a
var. with 2-cubital cells (T. J.). No doubt common in many
localities. |
Paonia) ocop. >. ‘Burnham. (L. B.);.Berrow’ (H..'S.).
Neither of these two widely distributed species appear to
have been recorded from Glos. at present.
MIMESID.
PsEN (MIMESA).
1. P. yumcolor v.d. L. S$. This species, which often abounds
on coast sandhills, has only been recorded from Taunton
(H. J. c.). The male without dissection is hardly distin-
guishable from P. dahlbomi, which is generally a woodland
insect, and I have not seen the Taunton specimens.
2. P. dahlbomi Wesm. G. Not rare in woods: at Wotton in
some seasons, but none could be found in 1922 and 1923.
Se trmham! (A. J. ¢-).4 One would rather expect it to be
umnicolor, q.v.
PSENULUS.
P. pallipes Panz. G. and S.. This small and common insect
is not recorded from many localities, but it is no doubt
common in both counties. It frequently abounds in
gardens.
() THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
PEMPHREDONID.
PEMPHREDON.
Three species of this genus are common and generally
distributed in the S.W. of England, and special localities
need not be given. The other P. wesmeli is not at present.
known from either county, and seems less rare in N. Britain.
WI =
P. iugubnis F.
P. shuckard: Mor.
P. lethafer Shuck.
CERATOPHORUS.
C.. morio v.d. L. Bristol (Walcott). G. Wotton for the
first time in 1922 (R. Cc. L. P.);.\Redland (mayen:
DIODONTUS.
BD. tristisi.v.dy Lind: -sG: . Wotton:
—
.
2. D. mnutus F. G. This sand-loving species has been re-
corded from Wotton, burrowing in banks and the mortar
of walls (v. R. P.), but I have not seen the specimens, and
the species burrowing in the mortar of the walls of V.
R. P.’s garden was tvistis; Redland! (mH: J) ¢))) oy gpemean
Down (T.J. and, H. M. H.); -Axbridge (Rev. "51 Oe maiaicy,
inveljeh. Cis MSs. -tetes):
3. D.duperus Sh. G. Wotton. (v. RB. P.), probably im vemor:
University gardens, Bristol (H. J. C.).
The great confusion of species in this and the following
genus, even in good collections such as S. Smith’s and
many others, renders the records very uncertain, unless
the specimens have had a very close examination.
PASSALGSCUS. 8
P. cormger Sh. G. Abundant at Wotton in good season.
S.. Wembdon (R. D. T.); Crewkerne (Martineau).
XS
P.cansignis v.d. L.. Gr. Wotton; Olverstom..(aaaene an:
Batheaston (L. B.); Freshford (a. J.°c:) ; ‘Crewkeme (k 7e
pee.) ;
P.c grachs (Curt: G.. Wotton; Redland? (oie) ae
ee
Crewhkemmenie, C40) P.)
4. P.monilicornis Dahl. G. Wotton, not rare. S. Mendips
(E. Saunders) ; Crewkerne (Martineau).
STIGMUS.
S. solskyt Mor. G. Wotton, in gardens and in the woods ;
Olveston (H. j. c:). S. Burnham (2... B.) 3. alvertem
(ROGCi tee
THE ACULEATE HYMENO PRERA OF GLOSS: AND ‘SOM. et
SPILOMENA.
S. troglodytes v.d. L. G. Kilcot, near Wotton 1888, in old
gate posts (R. Cc. L. P.); Filton, in pierced bramble stems
(ig. C.). -S. Leigh Woods (H. J. c.); Crewkerne (Mar-
tineau).
CRABRONID&.
CLYTOCHRYSUS. |
C. sexcinctus. F. (saunderst). G. Wotton in some numbers
on one or two occasions (R. C. L. P.). S. Wells, burrowing
in an old willow, in company with cavifrons, 4-cinctus and
others, August 1907 (R. C. L. P.).
C. cavifrons Th. G. Wotton, sometimes common; Redland
(Eemie2c i 5, batheaston (tL. B.)'>’ Preshford (a. jj.) ¢:)\;
Kewstoke Woods (H. M. H.); Shapwick (T. J.) ; Crewkerne
Martineau) ; Wells, very commonly (R. C. L. P.).
C. chrysostomus Lep. Common in both counties, and gener-
ally distributed.
METACABRO.
M. lituratus Panz. (kollart). G. Wotton, first noted in 1922
(pene. 2.) S. Minehead) (Rothney); , Banwell (7. J.);
Bridgwater (R. D. T.); Crewkerne (Martineau) ; Hazelbury
near Crewkerne, common on white Umbellifere, August
[924° (R..C.°L: P,).
M. 4-cinctus F. (interruptus). G. Common in some seasons
in the Cotswolds. S$. Burnham (L. B.) ; Minehead (Roth-
ney); Cannington (H. Ss.) ; Kewstoke Woods (T. J.); Wells
(R: ©. L. P.)., Taken freely in the Bristol district by the old
collectors.
SOLENIUS.
S. vagus L. G. Wotton, much more abundant in 1922 than
hesed LO be: Nediama: (Haj. .c.)) 2S.) Burmham (iy B.):
Weston, Nailsea, Shapwick and Ashcott, common (T. J.).
S. microsiictus H.S. G. Wotton, August 1922 (R. c. L. P.).
In my earlier collecting between 1885 and 1890 I captured
several specimens in this district, and they were the sole
representatives of (supposed) S. vagus in my collection at
that time, this common species apparently being then
absent from the spots where I collected.
CRABRO.
Cs cyibrarius’ EF... G., Wotton. S.; Batheaston., (L.. 8B.) ;
Cheddar (H. J..c.); Brean Down (H. M. H.); Exford and
Minehead (T. J.); Crewkerne (Martineau). Evidently of
general distribution in suitable places.
C. peltartus Schr. S. Burnham (L. B.); Kewstoke Woods
(Ba Te). .
152 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
ACANTHOCRABRO.
A. vagabundus Panz. Is recorded from Wotton by V. R. P.,
but it does not appear a likely locality for this insect, and
there is probably some error. F. Smith, who named some
of his earlier captures, had specimens of other species mixed
with the few vagabundus that were in his own collection.
~ HOPLOCRABRO.
H. 4-maculatus ¥. G. Forest’ of Dean\ (Richie ae.
Dulverton. A huge colony amongst the roots and adherent
earth of a large elm tree that had been blown down (R. C. L. P.
CUPHOPTERUS.
1. C. dimidiatus F. G. Wotton, sometimes common. Red-
land and Olveston (H. J. c.). S. Kewstoke Woods (T. J.).
2. C.signatus Panz. G. Rare at Wotton, where it has occurred,
usually singly.
BLEPHARIPUS.
1. B. leucostomus L. Common in both counties.
2. B. mgritus Lep. (pubescens). G. Wotton and Alderley, not
rare in 1922; only a, single male found \previously,) 3.
Freshford (H. J. c.); Backwell 14th June 1924 (T. J.).
3. - B. cetvatus Sh.. G: Wotton, rare... S. Dulverton) and isle
Brewers (R. 4G, L4P:).
4. B. capitosus Sh.- G. Wotton, but not common m 1922
(R..C. L. P.)....S. . Freshford \(H...J. ¢.) ;) (Dulvemongenium-
Gan tly 1(R Cele eae
B. gonager Lep. G. Generally common at Wotton; Alder-
ley and Badminton (R.'c. L. PB). S.\ Freshfora) (a es).
-
ABLEPHARIPUS.
A. podagncus v.d. L.¢ G.. Very abundant -anyWVoresg:
Bristol (Hw, J..c.). SS: Brean Down, (Uae Hair paner
occur in many localities.
CROSSOCERUS.
|. C. palmmpes L. G. Wotton, abundant im ‘some seacans.
Painswick (c. J. w.). S. Only recorded from Taunton
(H. J. c.), and Brean Down (H. M. H.).
2. C. varus Lep! G. Often common’ at “Wotton enero:
(@. J. c.). S:) Brean’ Down (H. M. Hi); Wemibdoqs im:
a: are)
3. C. ovalis Lep. (anxius). G. Occasionally at Wotton and
Alderley (Re. qnP
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. ES36)
4. C. wesmelt v.d. L. A common sandhill species. S. Brean
Down (1. Mi H.);, Berrow (Rk: D.7T.)) The’ Glos. record
Wotton is almost certainly a mistake; probably the sup-
posed wesmeli was ovalis, the old record of which was based
on captures by myself.
5. C.) elongatulus v.d.-L... The commonest of the genus and
generally distributed, found in most gardens on leaves of
currant bushes, etc., often in company with less common
species.
IRHOPALUM.
P. tibiale Lep. G. Wotton, but many years ago (Vv. R. P.).
I believe this species was obtained in numbers by the
old Bristol collectors.
PHYSOSCELIS.
P. clavipes L. G. Common in the Cotswold district, and no
doubt elsewhere. S. Only recorded from Batheaston
(L. B.) and Shepton Mallet (H. J. c.), but it is probably to
be found in all districts.
LINDENIUS.
LE. albilabyis F. S. Brean Down (H. M. H.); Crewkerne
(Martineau). This common insect is not recorded from
Glos. at present.
ENTOMOGNATHUS.
EB. brevis v.d..L. G. Wotton; Redland and Olveston
Gey. @-).\)o. )Minehead (L.B,).
OXYBELIDZ.
OXYBELUS.
ire O.wuelums |. S. Burnham (L. B.); Berrow (T. J.). \ This
common insect does not appear to have been recorded
from Glos.
Zum wargentaius) Curt. (mucronatus). 5S. Burmbham (Lv. B.);
Berrow (T. J.).
NYSSONIDZ.
GORYTES.
G. mystaceus L. Not rare in either county, and common in
some places.
HOPLISUS.
This genus is not recorded, but its parasite Nysson trimacu-
latus was found at Minehead by Rothney.
ARPACTUS.
A. tumidus Panz. G. Wotton, but not common. S. Only
recorded from Kewstoke Woods (T. J.), but its special
parasite is noted from Minehead.
154
ay
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
DIDINEIS.
D. lunicorms Fab. Bristol (Walcott).
NYSSON.
N. spinosus F. I have no record for this common parasite
of G. mystaceus from Glos., but Jermyn reports it as common
at Burnham, and from Kewstoke Woods.
N. trimaculatus Rossi. S. Minehead (Rothney).
N. dimidtatus Jur. G. Occurred for the first time in 1922
at Wotton. S. Minehead (L. B.). [tie arasnieon
Arpactus.
MELLINIDZ.
MELLINUS.
M. arvensis L. G. Wotton (v. R. P.). I teelsomercoubnr
about the correctness of this record, which might have
been an error of observation, and Crabvo dimidiatus or some
such species observed. I feel sure the insect has not been
found in Wotton in my time, or for about 40 years. S.
Common in many places from Leigh Woods to Exmoor,
and at Crewkerne.
M. sabulosus F. S._ Burnham: (L. B:))
TRYPOXYLONIDZ.
TRYPOXYLON.
T. figulus L. Common in both counties.
T. clavicerum Lep. Also common.
T. attenuatum Sm. Not rare. G. Wotton; Bristol, com-
mon to the old collectors. Redland (H. J. c.). S. Cleve-
don (Watkins); Taunton (H. J. ¢.); Ashcotey@. 73)
PHILANTHIDA.
CERCERIS.
C. ornata F. S. Portishead (H. J. C.’s liste y Nomspecies
is yet recorded from Glos., and at least two others should
be found in Somersetshire.
LARRIDZ.
TACHYSPHEX.
T. pectinipes L. G. Wotton; Painswick and Olveston,
(H. J.C). S. Burnham (L. ‘B.): 9 Berrow™ Genes
doubtless in many other localities.
Ts nicole, Panze" S.’ Birnham in 1923° (7.92).
ASTATIDZ.
ASTATA.
A.” boops Schr... G. . Wotton: (Vv. R):P)))) pute aa
occurred there for many years. S$. Minehead (Rothney).
—-. i. ae
nN =_—
© OC
=,
BO
Oo oR w&
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 155
VESPOIDEA.
PSAMMOCHARID#.
PSAMMOCHARES.
®
ieearigepes IL. -S. Shapwick 1922 (R. J.).
P. cinctellus Sp. G. Willsbridge, on an old wall (H. J. C.).
S. Minehead (Rothney).
Peagernmus Sc. G." Wotton, not rare. S. Shapwick
(ke q.) 3; Wembdon ((R. T.).
weaconauy, Perk. G.. Forest of Dean (R. €-1: P.). S. Shap-
witke(T"J.)'
P. plumbeus F. S. A common sandhill species, very abun-
dant at Burnham (various collectors). Berrow, abundant
se a
pe blebs L. This species so common generally in Devon,
and frequent on the moor, as elsewhere, appears to be
unrecorded from Somerset. It must surely be found in
the county, and the much more local consobrinus ought
to occur on the North coast sandhills. The female is
markable from the fact that it hibernates as an image,
and is often seen in March.
P.~spissus’ Sch. G.’ Wotton, commonly in woods. Not
recorded in Jermyn’s Somerset list, but it must certainly
occur in the county, being a common insect in the S.W.
of England, and was taken by the old Bristol collectors at
Bristol.
P. chalybeatus Sch. A common sandhill species. S. Burn-
hemiy{L: B.);° Sand -Bay (H.°M: #))’; \Berrow (R. T.).
P. gibbus F. A common and generally distributed species.
P. unemcularis Th. G. Occurred freely in the woods near
Wotton about 1885.
ie pecinipes yaa) G. Recorded by V. RK. P. as rare at
Wotton, but a few years ago it was common, and a female
was captured with only two cubital cells on either wing,
so that it greatly resembled Evagethes bicolor (R. Cc. L. P.).
SALIUS.
S. fuscus L. Common in both counties.
S. exaltatus F. G. ‘Not common in ‘the Cotswold district ;
Morest, on, Dean (Ryjz and R. Cc. U.P.). (S.,. Extord: (t. 7.) ;
isle oirewers and Crewkerme (R.\C. lL: P.).
S. notatulus ES. 'G. Olveston (Hw. A.).*° S: «Shapwick (R. J.).
S. “obtusivenitnis Sch. S. Near Crewkerne, ‘August 1924
Pere. P.),
S. pusillus Sch. G. Wotton, numerous in 1914, and Kilcot ;
Horest OF Wean-(RY*e."1, P).° S.’ Only recorded from
Minehead (Rothney). Generally a common species.
156
6.
na Core
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
S. parvulus Dahlb. G. Kilcot (R. C. Li Ply aS ae —
corded from Minehead (Rothney), and I have myself
captured it at Isle Brewers.
CALICURGUS.
C. hyalinatus F. G. A single specimen was captured at
Wotton by V. R. P. many years ago.
AGENIA.
A. vanegata L. G. Common at Wotton in. some seasons,
Alderley and Badminton (R. c. L. P.) ; Selsley (Martineau).
S. Sand Bay (M. J. and H.M.H.); Mendips (E. Saunders) ;
Minehead (Rothney) ; Clevedon (Watkins).
A. hurcana F. G. Wotton, Alderley, Badminton, etc. ;
Stapleton (H. J. c.); Selsley (Martineau). Often with the
preceding. I took dozens of the two mixed in a single
morning on old hawthorn trees in Badminton Park in 1886.
CEROPALES.
C. maculata F. G. Common locally in the Cotswold district.
S. Only recorded from Minehead (Rothney) and Shap-
wick (T. J.). It is a common insect, and will be found in
many localities.
VESPIDZ.
VESPA.
V.crabro L. G. More or less local and irregular in appearance
in the county, but occurs in many places. It used to be
very common in the Forest of Dean. S. Batheaston
(L. B.) ; Weston-super-Mare (T. J.) ; Crewkerne (Martineau),
and no doubt in many other localities.
V. vulgaris L. Abundant.
V. germanica F. Abundant.
V. rufa L. G. In some seasons as common as the preceding.
S. ‘Commion “(1 9.))
V. sylvestris Scop. Common in both counties.
V. norvegica F. G. Notin V. R. P.’s 1892 list, but abundant
throughout the surrounding hills in 1922; Stapleton and
Olveston (H. J. c.). S. Batheaston (L. B.); Quantocks
(ee !
V. austriaca Panz. (arborea). G. Once captured many years
ago by V. R. P. I have seen one or more other old records
for G., but cannot remember the exact locality or author
now.
EKUMENIDZ.
ODYNERUS.
O. crassicornis Panz. One specimen at Shapwick in 1916,
but not found again (T. J.).
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. eave
2. O. gracilis Br. G. Wotton and Alderley, sometimes common
fe sey.) ‘Olyeston(E jy) C.j2" S. Ereshtord (H..7.'C.),:
Minehead (L. B.). A common species always attracted by
the flowers of Schrophularia, when this grows in its localities
See Orsmuaius F. G: .Not common at Wotton. ‘S. Burnham
(E.B.); Sedgemoor (rR. T.); Shapwick (T. J.).
ANCISTROCERUS.
Ieee cavosus Th.) Abundant in. both counties. The only
British species of which the female hibernates.
2 A. pies Curt.. A common species in the S.W. of England,
occurring freely in both counties.
3. A. trimarginatus Zett. Especially common on sandhills. G.
The record for Wotton must I think be an error. The
species was collected freely by V. R. P. in North Devon
and there may have been a confusion in the localities,
Wotton being a very unlikely place for the Wasp. S.
Minehead, abundant and Weston (T. J.); Sand Bay (H.
Mev:); Burnham (L.'B.):
4. A. panietimus Curt. A common species, abundant in Glos.
>. -batheaston -(L. B.)'; Freshford (H)\y. C.); Weston (7.
ieee Crewkerne (R. Cc. L: P. and Martineau).
5. A. antilope Panz. G. Wotton, common in some seasons,
often flying over raspberry canes in gardens. S. Not
recorded in Jermyn’s lists, but I found it, with all the
common species of the genus in my brother’s garden at
Crewkerne’ (R: Cc. L. P.).
6. A. trifasciatus Oliv. G. Irregularly at Wotton, but not very
searee im some Seasons (R. C. L.'P.); Redland. (Hw. J: C.). S.
-Freshford (H. J. c.); Weston, Banwell and Shapwick (T. J.).
7. A. panetum L. This variable species is very common and
generally distributed.
HOPLOMERUS.
1. H. spimpes L. G. Formerly there were large colonies in
the woods at Wotton, but I could not find any in the last
few years; Alveston (H. J. c.). S. Numerous localities ;
Wembdon, Weston, Dunball, Sedgmoor and Brean Down.
2. H. melanocephalus Gm. S. Freshford (H. J. c.); Mendips
(Saunders). Taken freely at Bristol by the old collectors.
Walcott sent specimens captured in May 1839 and 1840
to). Smith:
3. H.levipes Sh. Bristol, taken commonly by the old collectors.
I believe the actual locality was Leigh Woods. S. Blag-
don (R. T.); Shapwick (T. J.); Batheaston (1. B.).
158 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
SAPYGIDZ.
SAPYGA.
1. S. 5-punctata F. G. Wotton, rare; parasitic on Osmia
cerulescens. S. Only recorded from Sand Bay (H. M. H.).
2. S. clavicornis F. G. Found in some numbers by V. R. P.
near Wotton during the later years of his collecting. It is,
as he observed, parasitic on Chelostoma florisommis. |
TIPHIIDZ.
TIPHIA.
T. femorata F,.) S:, Burnham +(y.B)).
2. 1. mnuta v.d. L. G.. Not rare in, the peighbounieed yor
Wotton 1888-1890 (rR. c. L. P.). This small insect is easily
overlooked, and has not been recorded from Somerset,
though it is common to the West in Devon.
—
THYNNIDZ.
’ METHOCA.
M. wchneumonides F. G. Forest of Dean (F. White).
MyYRMOSIDZ.
MyYRMOSA.
M. melanocephala ¥. G. Wotton and Alderley; not rare
in some seasons, the male sometimes on white Umbellifere.
5) iBerrow (0. lial
MUTILLIDA.
MUTILLA.
M. europea L. S. Shapwick, where it has been captured
by Miss May Jermyn, Mr. A, H.-Martineau and others ;
Weston (H: F c.’s list.).
CHRYSIDIDZ.
This family of small but beautiful insects must have
been sadly neglected by collectors in these counties judging
by the records I have seen. Walcott of Bristol had a very
fine collection of Ruby Wasps, but how many of them
were captured in that neighbourhood is quite uncertain
CLEPTES..,
C. pallipes Lep. G. Common in gardens in Wotton.
ELAMPUS.
E. auratus L. G. Wotton, not very common. Bred from
burrows of Pemphredon lethifer. S. Shepton Mallet (H. J.
c.)):) Isle Brewetsi( 36 Ca ie)
HEDYCHRIDIUM.
H. ardens Curt: \3-| Bemowy (yaa):
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM. 159
CHRYSIS.
iC. wma L_.--Common everywhere.
Pew sweit Sh.) 5.’ Shepton Mallet (a. J. c:).
Sour. wrtauia LG. Wotton.’ S. Shepton, Mallet (Chrysts
ornata Sm. captured by Hewitson at Bristol, has been
supposed to be an extraordinary variety of this species).
FORMICOIDEA.
PONERIDZ.
PONERA.
(P. punctatissima Rog. This species is rarely found at any
great distance from houses, and very often in hothouses,
and has little claim to be indigenous. It has been recorded
from Minchinhampton G. by Farren White).
MYRMICID&.
| MYRMECINA.
M. gramimmcola Latr. G. Wotton (v. R. P.); Stinchcombe
Hill and Stonehouse (Farren White); Durdham Down
(Bacchus). S. Batheaston (D.).
TETRAMORIUM.
I. cespitum L. S. Batheaston (D.); Bossington Hill,
Hawkecombe (Crawley).
LEPTOTHORAX.
L. tuberum F.. G. Durdham Down, Bristol (Bacchus).
2. L. nylandert Forst. G. Near Stonehouse (D.); Sea Mills,
near Bristol (Bacchus).
3. L. acervorum F. G. No doubt common in many localities,
as at Wotton and near Badminton. Stonehouse, Leonard
Stanley, Forest of Dean, etc. (Farren White); Bristol on
the banks of the Avon (Bacchus). S. Porlock Hill and
Horner Valley (Crawley).
med
e
MYRMICA.
M. levinodis Nyl. A common and generally distributed
aepecies,
—
.
2. M. ruginodis Nyl. Common and generally distributed.
3. M. scabrinodis Nyl. Abundant.
4. M. lobicorms Nyl. S. Exmoor (Farren White); Leigh
(Smallcombe).
FORMICID2.
LASIvs.
1. L. fuliginosus Latr. G. Wotton, common; Selsey and
Cheltenham (Farren White). S. Porlock (Crawley) ; Shep-
bom Waller i.) J, 'C:)'; Batheaston(i. B.).
160 THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF GLOS. AND SOM.
2. L. umbratus Nyl. G. Stonehouse, abundant, and Forest of
Dean (Farren White); Olveston (H. J. C),
Race mixtus Nyl. G. Common at Dursley (Smallcombe).
S. Long Ashton and Leigh (Smallcombe).
L. flavus de Geer. Abundant generally.
L. niger L.* Very common.
L. alienus Forat. G. Stonehouse, Stinchcombe Hill and
Symonds Yat (Farren White); Durdham Down (Small-
combe and Bacchus). S. Minehead (Farren White) ;
Steep Holm (Hudd).
ae
FORMICA.
F. rufa L. Common in many localities.
F. fusca L. Abundant and generally distributed.
Race glebaria Nyl. G. Common. Brinscombe, Minchin-
hampton Common, Stinchcombe Hill and Haresfield Beacon
(Farren White); Stroud (W. B. Davies); Hulls round
Wotton, frequent at Kilcot 1887-1890 (rR. c. L. P.). S.
On marshes near the seashore at Porlock (Crawley).
We
BET
161
Recent Earthquakes.
pia bo BAXTER MCA. CAMB: BSC: LOND.
(Read October 2nd, 1924)
HE object of this Paper was to consider a selection of those
recent major earthquakes which have been studied by seismo-
logists, and to illustrate the chief results established by
modern seismology.
An earthquake is caused by a portion of the inner crust of
the earth giving way under increasing stress. The stress may
accumulate slowly or rapidly, and its own cause is conjectural.
Although earthquakes are probably but a minor accompaniment of
vast continuous slow processes within the earth, yet an enormous
flow of energy is liberated from the focal space of a major seism,
perhaps as much as fifty billion kilowatts.
This energy is transmitted by the rocks deep within the earth,
in the form of waves or tremors, some of which travel through
the earth in 21 minutes. Rocks transmit tremors because they
are elastic, 7.e., a cube of rock resists an effort to change its volume,
or an effort to change its shape. Rocks have two elasticites ;
and since the volume or compression elasticity exceeds the shape or
screw elasticity, (while the speed of transmission depends partly
on elasticity), we shall not be surprised when we find evidence that
there are two kinds of tremors from distant earthquakes, of which
one kind outstrips the other in the race through the earth from
the focus of a shock to the more distant part of the earth’s surface.
When an earthquake occurs, accurate records can only be
obtained by automatic instruments, whether in the epicentre,
where human attention is temporarily otherwise occupied, or at
the antipodes, where tremors are too feeble for human observation
to record. The modern seismograph consists essentially of a base
to conduct the tremors, a frame, a steady point or line, a recorder,
and a damping device. In a typical instrument a horizontal
boom rests with an end socket against a pillar, and near the other
or distal end carries a weight ; a certain line in this weight remains
steady during the seism. The distal end is supported by a wire,
fixed to the pillar at a point not quite vertically above the socket,
but a little towards the weight ; the outline much resembles the
mast, boom and stay of a ship. Ifa jerk is applied to the pillar,
opposite ends of the boom move in opposite directions, and the
steady line justifies its name. In the Milne-Shaw instrument,
the recorder consists of a thin vertical blade of light, reflected
by a mirror coupled to the distal end of the boom.
162 RECENT EARTHQUAKES
Supposing tremors to be in transit, we see that the mirror
vibrates about its own fixed vertical axis, and the reflected blade
of light moves to and fro. This wandering blade always falls
upon a horizontal cylindrical lens, which compresses the blade
into a pencil, whose point.of light always falls within a very narrow
slit in the lid of a box. This box contains a ribbon of sensitized
paper moved by clockwork athwart the slit; and, as long as the
earth tremors are passing, the point of light traces a train of waves
on the paper. Development renders the waves visible. Tremors
from a shock up to eight thousand miles distant through the earth
are feeble on arrival, and the Milne-Shaw instrument magnifies
up to 400 times.
There yet remains the damping device. The principle of
resonance, which causes the unpleasant vibration of the omnibus
floor when the vibration period of the top gear approximates to
that of the floor as the vehicle labours uphill, causes the steady
line of the boom to err from its steadiness, and to be disposed
to take up certain of the earth’s vibrations as they pass. In
order to keep the line steady, a copper disc projects from the
boom and lies between, without touching, the poles of an electro-
magnet. The least motion of the disc is resisted by the action
between eddy currents and magnetic field, and the steady
line is enabled to fulfil its function.
The seismograph records enable the observer to determine
the direction of travel of tremors, their time of arrival, range
and time of vibration, the angle of emergence from the earth,
and indirectly their speed of travel through the earth. By com-
bining the records of three arms of the instrument, an estimate
of the actual path of vibration of a particle of rock can be made.
It is important to realize that an arm which records horizontal
vibrations will only record motion to and fro across the arm, and
will ignore any motion directed along the arm.
We will now consider four. well-established inferences, which
can be deduced from the study of seismograph records: The
vecord presents a triple division. The photograph shown of the
Petrograd record of the Asia Minor shock of 1909 displays first,
a set of short waves, then a jerk and a set of rather longer and
wider waves; next, a band of very wide and more open waves.
These are P (primary), S (secondary), L (long) waves respectively
P waves precede S by a definite interval of time, which increases
with distance from the focus or origin of the shock.
Paths of the tremors. Prof. C. G. Knott gave reasons why
the conclusion is drawn that P and S tremors travel through (not
round) the earth along slightly outward-bent chords. The L waves
travel round the earth. Briefly the evidence consisted of seismo-
graph time-readings, which show that, while times of transit for
P and S are practically proportional to chord distance from focus
——— =
RECENT EARTHQUAKES 163
to observer, the times for L are proportional to distances round
the earth’s surface.
The speed of P probably increases from 5 miles per second
to 8 miles per second, while L travels at 2 miles per second.
Rapid determination of an epicentre. An epicentre, or area
of greatest intensity, is usually of considerable size. An observer,
whose seismograph begins to record a distant shock, reads the
seconds by which P preceded S. The tables of Prof. Milne and
Turner at once tell him the distance of the shock. He draws on
a map a circle having himself as centre, and that distance as radius,
and often his knowledge of seismic distribution, will fix the prob-
able epicentre, a few minutes after he observed the P waves to
arrive. As soon as he obtains the observations of two other ob-
servers, suitably situated, he can draw two more circles on his
map; and their common area will be very near to the epicentre.
Other methods exist, in which two sets, or even one set, of obser-
vations will yield the epicentre.
P tremors are pull and push, S are screw tremors. The slide
of the Kingston, Jamaica, shock of 1907 indicates that at Washing-
ton, D.C., 1,400 miles N. of Kingston, the seismograph arms pointed
one E and W, and one N and S. The E and W arm recorded P
tremors 44 minutes before the N and S arm began to move. When
the N and S began to move, there was a slight jerk on the record
of the E and W arm. Now the arm only records motion across
its own direction; hence the P tremors had N and § vibration
only. But this was the line of travel from Kingston to Washington,
and therefore P tremors are compressional, or pull and push vi-
brations. Further, S tremors moved the N and S arm; and
so S tremors contain vibrations athwart their line of travel, or
screw tremors. This argument is based here upon one case only,
for conciseness, but other corroborative cases exist.
A conjecture. Now S tremors are sometimes absent from
records taken within the antipodes, of radius about 60 degrees,
opposite toa focus. Since P and S tremors travel through the earth,
it has been concluded that a central core exists impervious to S.
Now S are screw tremors, and a liquid has no screw elasticity ;
hence arises the conjecture that the rigidity of the earth disappears
about 2,400 miles from the surface, and the inner core behaves
like a liquid.
Safe buildings and safe sites. The San Francisco earthquake
of 1906 occurred at an hour when many workers had lit their
morning fires to prepare a meal before going to work, and the
damage by earthquake was apparently inextricably entangled
with that by fire.
The careful survey instituted by the United States Government
succeeded, however, in gathering a large body of accurate obser-
vation whose analysis reveals several useful principles.
164 RECENT EARTHQUAKES
It appears that for ordinary houses, not specially designed
or strengthened, the damage was divisible into four classes, charac-
terized by degree of intensity, which was found to depend on
the nature and environment of the ground. On bare rocky ridge
tops the damage was slight ; on slopes of rock, covered with thin
soil, the danger was rather greater; the gravelly soils of valleys
seemed to convert tremors into slow waves of increased range,
with the result that buildings, particularly those freshly built, or
ill-tied, or top-heavy, suffered more severely, though collapse
was rare; the made ground and swampy soil, occupying the low
lying parts of San Francisco, bordering and encroaching upon the
old creeks near the bay east of the city, proved to be a disastrous
foundation for all buildings, except those of special design and
construction.
it was observed that even on deep loose and marshy foun-
dation, structures of steel frame, founded on very deep piles,
withstood the shock, and that well-bonded buildings of brick
and cement, some years of age, on similar deep piles, stood equally
well, excepting weakly-tied corners, and tall chimneys and chimneys
tied to walls. The most treacherous foundation was of made
ground filling old creeks ; and in such cases there appeared to be
bodily sinking and sliding of blocks of ground.
Tectonic and volcanic earthquakes. One theory attributes the
stress, which ends in an earthquake, to a shrinking of the outer
crust on cooling, and consequent cracking along planes of weak-
ness; another has it that the inner core cools and shrinks away
from the outer crust, which proceeds to fall inwards. A third
theory asserts that a viscous liquid subterranean ocean of lava
extends round the world at a depth of some scores of miles, that
the rocks of the sea-beds are heavier than those of the highlands,
and so the roots of the sea-beds float deeper in this lava ocean
than those of the continents, that from time to time, at intervals
of perhaps millions of years, the viscous lava becomes heated to
fluidity through radio-activity, and large redispositions of land
and ocean result. These are the major seisms of which our ex-
perience is happily ignorant, while our earthquake phenomena
are very minor incidents, which arise out of restricted activity
in isolated corners of the lava ocean.
However the truth may be, some seisms are obviously vol-
canic, and some are not; the latter are called tectonic, unless there
is a doubtful volcanic connection. The epicentral area of a vol-
canic shock is restricted, on account of a very localized and shallow
origin; but the intensity within the epicentre may be of the
greatest order, and the tremors detected at the Antipodes.
Tectonic shocks are often associated with relative movement
between opposite faces of faults, which may extend over scores
or hundreds of miles. This causes the focus to be very long, and
ae
RECENT EARTHQUAKES £65
often very deep. The epicentral areas of great tectonic shocks
are therefore usually very large, and such great shocks are in-
variably of the earth-shaking class.
The geographic effects of a volcanic earthquake were well
illustrated by the Sakurajima shock of 1914 in Japan. Four
thousand acres were covered with lava, ash was deposited to a
distance of 30 miles from the origin, with a maximum thickness
of 70 inches thinning out to zero, and several villages were des-
troyed. The loss of life was very small, because Dr. Omori had for
three years received increasing warning from his .seismographs
that the district was becoming acutely seismically sensitive, and
through his representations preparations had been made to remove
the people in good time. |
The topographic effects of tectonic shocks may be illustrated
by the San Francisco seism of 1896, and that of Mino-Owari in
1891. The latter shock was of the same order as that of Tokio
in September 1923. The Tokio earthquake originated, perhaps
through collapse of blocks of sea-bed, at a distance of 60 miles
S.W. of Tokio; the focus according to Dr. Davidson was shallow
and 12 miles below the floor of Sagami Bay. Most of the nearer
coast was lifted to a maximum of six feet ; but the sea floor of the
Bay was depressed in one place by 230 feet, and raised elsewhere
by 270 feet. A high sea wave come in from the elevated bed.
Distribution of setsmic areas. From a study of the records
of 160 thousand earthquakes, de Montessus de Ballore in 1903
concluded that 53 per cent. of all known shocks have originated
along a. zone from the Alps through the Caucasus and the Hima-
layas, and 38 per cent. along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. In
fact 91 per cent. have originated along one or other of these two
belts of discontinuous seismic activity. It is interesting in con-
nection with a theory mentioned above, to note that along these
two zones we also find some of the steepest gradients, and the
youngest mountain ranges in the world.
Conclusion. The introduction of accurate seismographs has
enabled much mapping of seismic centres to be performed. Safe
and unsafe areas and types of buildings can be indicated. A
limited degree of prevision has been achieved by the late Dr.
Omori, and it may be hoped that continued effort in this direction
will meet with further success.
166
The Apterygota of the South-West of England.
By H. WoOMERSLEY.
Pari fe
INCE the publication of my first list of interesting insects
in the Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, 4 S.,
Vol. VI., p. 28, 1923, I have continued to collect and observe
them in the area covered by the activities of the South-Western
Naturalists’ Union, viz.: Gloucestershire, Wilts, Somerset, Dorset,
Devon and Cornwall, and more especially in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Bristol. In addition to my own, I have received a
number of specimens from other Naturalists whose names I have
duly mentioned.
Although no species new to Science can so far be recorded
for the area, yet a number of our species are of great interest to
the student of Insect Distribution.
We now have on record | species of Protura, 9 of Thysanura,
and 71 species (one only in its varietal form) and 11 varieties of
Collembola. |
Again I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. J.
M. Brown, B.Sc., F.L.S., F.E.S., for his continued yaluable Help.
Class — ), INSECTA.
Sub-Class — APTERYGOTA (Oudemans).
Order — Protura (Silv.).
Family — Acerentomide.
Genus — Acerentomon.
1. A. doderoi (Silv.).
Under old bark, Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, February 23rd,
1924. Also in similar habitat at Oldbury Court, Fishponds,
Bristol, March 15th, 1924. This is the first record for this inter-
esting order of insects from the West Country.
Order — Thysanura.
Family — WMachilide.
Genus — Proemachilis.
1. P. hybernica (Carp.).
This seems to be generally distributed around Bristol. I
now have additional records from Tyntesfield, July 6th, 1924,
Brockley Combe, July 12th, 1924; also from Nympsfield, near
Stroud, June 28th, 1924; Evens.
Genus — Petrobius (Leach).
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 167
2. P. carpentari (Bagn.).
This appears to be the characteristic Rock jumper of the
Bristol Channel, at any rate, on the English side. I have no
records from the Welsh side. It is far more widely distributed
than P. maritima, reaching as my previous records show, almost
to Bristol, along the Somerset side of the Avon. Search for it
in suitable localities, higher up than the mouth of the Avon, so
far has been negative.
I have also taken it at Sand Point, Somerset, July 5th, 1924,
mostly immature, but a few adults, and Mr. C. W. Bracken has
sent me specimens taken at Fistral Beach, Newquay, August
28th, 1924.
6. P. maritima (Leach), Carp.
Specimens of this species, so far, I have only received from
Fistral Beach, Newquay, August 28th, 1924, through the kindness
of my friend Mr. Bracken. These specimens, however, differ in
minor details from the original description of Carpenter.
Family — GCampodeade (Lubbk.).
Genus — Gampodea (West).
7. G. devoniensis (Bagn.).
Desembed from Torquay by Bagnall, EH. M. M. 1918, p. 277.
8. G. gardneri (Bagn.).
Two specimens along with C. lankesteri under stones, Law-
rence Weston, Bristol, May 24th, 1924.
Family — Lepismatidz (Burm).
Genus — Thermobia.
9. T. furnorum (Revelli).
This species is recorded from Great Bedwyn, Wilts., by Mr.
C. P. Hurst, in the Report of the Marlborough College Society
for 1923.
Order — Gollembola (Lubbk.).
Sub-Order — Arthropleona (Borner).
Section — Poduromorpha (C.B.).
Family — Hypogastruride (C.B.).
Sub-family — Hypogastrurine (C.B.).
Genus —- Hypogastrura (C.B.).
(xXchorutes: emp. Lubbk. Wb.)
3. H. purpurascens (Lubbk.).
On cliff-face along with S. aureus, var. ochropus, Oldbury
Court, Bristol, 1924. Under stones, Lawrence Weston, Bristol,
May 13th, 1924.
H. purpurascens var. trispina (Axels.).
Under bark, Leigh Woods, Som., November 18th, 1923.
168 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
4. H. viaticus (Linn.) Tullb.
Abundant on wet farm yard ruts, Lawrence Weston, May
24th, 1924.
Genus — Xenylla (Tlbg.).
8. X. grisea (Axels.).
Under bark and in moss, Cadbury Camp, Tickenham, Som.,
April 6th, 1924. In moss, Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, April
5th, 1924. On shore under wood debris, Minehead, June 8th,
1924.
58. X. humicola (O. I.) Tlbg.
Under bark in farm yard, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, May
24th, 1924.
Genus — Willemia (Born.).
59. W. anopthalma (Born.).
One specimen of this species occurred in moss from Blaise
Castle Woods, Bristol, February 23rd, 1924.
Sub-family — Achorutine (C.B.).
Tribe — Pseudachorutini (C.B.).
Genus — Pseudachorutes (Tlbg.).
60. P. suberassus (Tlbg.).
Several specimens were found at Leigh Woods, Som., Novem-
ber 21st, 1923.
Genus — Friesia (D.T.).
61. F. claviseta (Axels.).
One specimen under bark along with Acerentomon doderoi
at Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, July 19th, 1924.
62. F. mirabilis (Tlbg.).
In moss Charterhouse on Mendip, Som., April 19th, 1924;
also from similar habitat, Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, July 19th,
1924.
Genus — Anurida (Laboulb.).
10. A. maritima (Guer.).
_ Additional to previous list, I have found it at Exmouth,
Devon, June, 1924; .Sand. Point, Som), July;oth, (1924 ame
specimens were sent me from Lansallas Bay, Cornwall, August
Sth, 1924, bythe late Col.Jermyn.
63. A. granaria (Nic.).
I found specimens under stones in Banwell Caves, Som.,
February 3rd, 1924, and also under stones in the open at Bristol,
1924.
Family — Onychiurine (C.B.).
Genus — Onychiurus (Gerv.) Born.
SA -
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 169
14. O. armatus (Tlbg.).
Under stones in Banwell Caves, Som., February 3rd, 1924,
and under bark, Oldbury Court, Bristol, March 15th, 1924,
15. O. fimetarius (Linn.) Lubbk.
Under stones in Banwell Caves, February 3rd, 1924.
Section — Entomobryomorpha (C.B ).
Family — Isotomidz (Schffr.).
Sub-family — Isotominze (Schffr.).
Genus — Isotoma s. str. (Bourl. C.B.)
17. |. viridis (Bourl.).
Oldbury Court, Bristol, March 15th, 1924.
19. 1. maritima (Tlbg.).
A number of specimens of this small greyish I[sotoma were
taken amongst marine debris on the shore at Portishead, Sep-
tember, 1924.
64. I. notabilis (Schffr.).
This interesting and delicate spring tail I have taken in moss
by means of the Berlese funnel, Cadbury Camp, Tickenham, Som.,
April 6th, 1924; Kewstoke Woods, Weston-super-Mare, April
13th, 1924; Charterhouse on Mendip, April 19th, 1924; Blaise
Castle Woods, Bristol, July 19th, 1924.
Genus — Archisotoma (Linnaniemi).
24. A. besselsi (Pack.).
Abundant on the shore at Sand Point, nr. Weston-super-Mare,
July 5th, 1924. Probably occurs on the coast throughout our
area.
Genus — Folsomia (Willem.).
26. F. quadrioculata (Tlbg.).
Abundant in moss, Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, April 5th,
1924; also at Cadbury Camp, Tickenham, Som., April 6th, 1924.
Family — Tomoceridz (Schafir.).
Genus — Tomocerus (Nic.).
28. T. minor (Lubbk.).
Oldbury Court, Bristol, March 15th, 1924.
30. T. (Pogonognathus) longicornis (Lubbk.).
Oldbury Court, Bristol, March 15th, 1924.
Family — Entomobryidz (C.B.).
Sub-family — Entomobryine (C.B.).
Tribe — Entemobryini (C.B.).
Genus — §Sinella (Brook) Burm.
170 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
65. §. cavernarum (Doniez.).
This cave-inhabiting species I found under stones in the
caves at Banwell, Som., February 3rd, 1924.
Genus Pseudosira (Schott) Born.
66. P. domestica (Nic.).
Mr. J. V. Pearman took several of this indoor species at Aust
Farm, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, July, 1924, and I took one
myself on my study table August 10th, 1924. This genus differs
from Sira in having the dentes scaled ventrally.
tripe — Orchesellini (C.B.).
Genus — Orchesella (Templ.).
47. ©. flavescens (Bourl.).
This, in my opinion, the most magnificent spring-tail, was
again taken in its previously recorded habitat amongst dog’s
mercury at Flax Bourton Combe, Som., May 17th, 1924.
Sub-Order -— Symphepleona (C.B.).
Family — Neelidz (Fol.).
Genus — Neelus (Fol.).
67. WN. murinus (fol.).
These minute creatures may be obtained in moss by aid of
the Berlese funnel. J have taken them from Blaise Castle Woods,
Bristol, January 26th, 1924, and since.
Genus — Megalothorax (Willem.).
68. M. minimus (Willem.).
This species, which is even smaller than the last, approx.
0.2mm., occurs in similar habitat. I have it from Blaise Castle
Woods, March 2nd, 1924; Oldbury Court, Bristol, March 15th,
1924; also Kewstoke Woods, Weston-super-Mare, April 13th,
1924.
Family — $§minthuridg (Lubbk.).
Sub-family — Sminthuridinz (Born.).
Genus — §minthurides (Born.).
69. §. maimegreni (Tlbg.). var. elegantula (Reut.).
One specimen of this usually aquatic species I took under
a damp stone, Banwell, Som., February 3rd, 1924.
Genus Sminthurinus (C.B.).
50. §. aureus (Lubbk.).
The type of this species occurred at Bristol, November 2nd
and 7th, 1923; also at Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, November
10th, 1923.
THE APTERYGOTA OF "THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND Lot
S. aureus var. ochropus (Reut.).
This black variety of S. aureus occurred plentifully on rock-
faces in Oldbury Court Grounds, Bristol, March 15th, 1924, along
with H. purpurascens. A few were also found in similar habitat
at Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, April 5th, 1924.
Sub-family Sminthurinz (C.B.).
Genus — Bourletiella (Bank) C.B.
(Deuterosminthurus, Bérn.)
52. B. bicinetus (Kock.).
On dog’s mercury, Flax Bourton Combe, Som., May 17th,
1924.
B. bicinctus var. repanda (Agr.) Axels.
Abundant everywhere on dog’s mercury in the Exmouth
district, June 1924. On clover, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, Sep-
tember 6th, 1924.
B. bicinctus var. pallipes (Lubbk.).
A black to violet variety—was plentiful but localised along
with var. repanda between Woodbury and Exmouth, Devon,
Jame 7th,- 1924; also on clover, Lawrence Weston, Bristol,
September 6th, 1924. |
70. 8B. bilineatus (Bourl.).
This small, but prettily marked Sminthurid was fairly numerous
on heather Woodbury Common, near Exmouth, Devon, June
19th, 1924.
71. B. hortensis (fitch.).
In moss, Blaise Castle Woods, July 19th, 1924.
Sub-family — Dicyrtomine (C.B.).
Genus — Dieyrtomina (C.B.).
96. D. minuta (O.F.).
The type of this insect occurred amongst herbage in Blaise
Castle Wocds, Bristol, May !1th, 1924.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY CONSULTED.
BROOK ‘Notes on some httle known Collembola and on the British
species of the Genus Tomocerus,’’ Jour. Linn. Soc. (Zool.),
Vole Veli) 9; 1884:
SSS “ A Revision of the Genus Entomobrya Rond. (Degeeria
INTC) at hbid pe 270),
Ve2 THE
BAGNALL
BUCKLE
COLLINGE
COLLINGE AND
SHOEBOTHAM
FOLSOM
HURST
SHOEBOTHAM
SILVESTRI
WILLIAMS
€
APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
‘“Protura,’’ Knowledge, 1912.
(-Probura.33 Vasculum, Vol. V3 19 tae
“On the Ecology of Soil on Agricultural land ”’ (Apterygota,
p. 94), Jour: E¢ol, May; 1923,
‘““ Notes on Amerus Normani,”’ Jour. Econ. Biol.
“Description of Two new species of Collembola,’’ Jour.
Econ. Biol., Vol. IV, 1909.
“Description of a new genus of Collembola of the Family
Neelide, Fol.” Ibid.
““ Notes on some Collembola new to Great Britain,’’ Ibid.
“ The Apterygota_ of Hertfordshire,’ -Jb7d., Vol. VY, 1910.
““Neelus murinus, representing a new Thysanuran Family,”
Psyche, Vol. VII, pp. 391-392, 1894496.
“ Review of the Collembolan genus Neelus and description
of N. minutus n. sp.” Psyche, Vol. IX. pp. 219-222, 1901.
“ Apterygota’’ Williams Galapagos expedition. Zoologica,
Vol. V, No. 4-16.
“Annual Report of the Marlborough College Society for
1923.
‘““Some records of Collembola new to England with des-
cription of a new species of Oncopodura,’’ Annals Mag.
of Nat. Hist., Vol. 8, 1911.
“Thysanura, Termitide, and Embiide collected in Meso-
potamia and N.W. Persia by W. E. Evans, B.Sc., and
Dr. P. A. Buxton,’’ Proc. Entom. Soc. of London, 1923,
Pe. vaud 11.5... 208;
“A Summary of the Present Knowledge of the Protura.”’
Entomologist, August 1913.
Tike:
Bristol Botany in 1924.
Baas. WV WHITES be.
FEW months ago there passed away a life-long lover of plants,
whose observations had been of service in the compilation
of the district Flora. David Williams was gardener on the
Failand House Estate for more than forty years, and during the
whole period it was evidently his delight to make friends of the
flowers that grew upon and around the property on which he
was employed. In his annotated Catalogue of British Plants,
one finds a mention of practically all the flowering plants—if the
more difficult genera which he did not attempt to deal with be
omitted—that have been recorded from the Failand neighbour-
hood, he being the first to notice some of the more interesting.
Assuredly no part of the Bristol area has been more closely exa-
mined. Among the entries are a few that should have had a
welcome in the Flora. Thalictrum flavum, in a field off the lane
from Failand to Portbury from 1886 onwards, had disappeared
by 1912. Ranunculus hederaceus, too, in a streamlet near Failand
House, seemed to die out after many years. Fragaria elatior
was found “wild” in 1884 between Failand and Charlton House.
Caucalis daucoides grew between Shirehampton and Avonmouth,
1886—1892. Of Chenopodium urbicum he writes, with acute
discernment, “Two plants in Durbins, Failand, 1907. Growing
with C. rubrum, but distinct with seeds much larger.’ A quaint
story under Solanum nigrum makes interesting reading seeing that
the berries of this species are commonly banned as poisonous.
“ Constant as a garden weed at Failand House where a gentleman
visitor ate them freely. As he was fond of black currants, and
could not get the bushes to grow in Natal where he spent twelve
years, he said he took to eating Solanum berries because they
resembled currants, and got to like them.” The garden weeds
Williams encountered, and that persisted often for many years,
in spite of a fairly intensive cultivation make a surprising list that
includes many rarities, British and foreign. Their source could
seldom be traced, unless it lay in imported manure, and chicken-
corn, but their occurrence was always recorded with a kind of
sympathetic interest, and it can be imagined that they were regret-
fully destroyed. How far more complete would be the knowledge
of our flora if here and there among his fellows there were some
who could take such notes as these with the care and industry that
characterized our friend.
In the Journal of Botany for January there appeared another
ecological study of our Channel coast-line from the pen of Mr.
174 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1924
H.S. Thompson, who on this occasion discusses in scientific fashion
the vegetation and other features of Steart Island and Steart
Point, two unattractive bits of salt-marsh, sand and alluvial mud
lying at the mouth of the Parrett. The facts revealed are not of
peculiar importance botanically as no species or variety was noted
that does not occur on the neighbouring seaboard between the
Brue and Brean Down. But it is cheering to find that some hand-
some flowering plants—Horned Poppy and Sea Holly in particular
—that have become lamentably scarce on the more frequented
mainland still survive in fair quantity. It has been assumed
hitherto, on good authority, that Steart Island pertained to the
vice-county of North Somerset, and belonged accordingly to our
botanical district. But Mr. Thompson contends that as the
main channel of the river Parrett actually separates it from the
coast at Burnham, Steart Island should be attached to the southern
division of the county.
A more detailed account and analysis of the Steep Holm
flora than had been availabe has been published in the June num-
ber of the same Journal by Dr. R. C. McLean and Mr. H. A. Hyde,
as the result of a visit to the island by a party of Cardiff natura-
lists. Whereas the total number of flowering plants and ferns
had been previously estimated at 150, these botanists give a list
of 220, so far recorded from the Holm. This list includes, however,
a few errors and extinctions.
Draba muralis L. Very sparingly on Kingdown Crags,
Mendip; H. S. Thompson. It was gladly noted also that the
entire-petalled form of the Cheddar Pink is persistent on those
rocks.
Lepidium latifolium 1. Naturalized in a lane near Tocking-
ton, Gi “Veiss Roper.
Sagina ciliata Fr. Abundant at Sand Point, S., on the grassy
top of the ridge; all very glandular; H. S. Thompson.
S. nodosa Fenzl. The form of dry limestone, in one spot on
Hampton Down, Bath; Rev. E. Ellman.
Geranium sanguineum L. A fine plant on a ledge in Cheddar »
Gorge; B. A. Lowe. Long known at Ebbor, but this is the first
report from Cheddar.
G. purpureum Vill. (G. modestum Jord.). On the north side
of St. Vincent’s Rocks: C. Wail. A new record for West Glou-
€eSter:
Evodium neglectum Baker and Salmon. Sand dunes, Burnham,
S.; W. Watson. Probably the plant previously recorded from
the locality as E. cicutarium var. glandulosum.
Melilotus arvensis Wallr. (M. officinalis Lam.) Well estab-
lished between Burnham and Highbridge; Lady Davy.
Trigonella ornithopodioides DC. By the top of a wood at Han-
ham Green, G. Stems up to 10 inches long; H. J. Gibbons.
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1924 175
Agrimoma odorata Mill. Charlton Woods, Portbury, ols
Rev. E. Ellman and Noel Sandwith.
Rubus. In reviewing the work of an American botanist
(Journ. Bot. LXII, pp. 83-86) the Rev. H. J. Riddelsdell writes
some pertinent paragraphs well worth the attention of field-
workers who attempt to deal with bramble problems in this country.
The suggestion that variations in the genus may be often due
to an inherent fluidity which arises from some unknown cause
independent of crossing, and that forms are actually changing
from year to year, well expresses what has long been a supposition
of my own. For I can conceive no more likely explanation of pecu-
liar loss of recognized varieties and the appearance of others in
our own area.
Sedum sexangulare L. Looks more than ever like a native plant
at Wyck Rocks, where it now covers large spaces of exposed lime-
stone on both sides of the valley ; Colin Trapnell.
Bidens tripartita L. Growing as a strand plant at the mouth
of the Brue. Doubtless carried down by drainage from the peat
moors; H. S. Thompson.
Sonchus arvensis var. glabrescens Hall. A rare form of the
Corn Sow-Thistle. Casual at Avonmouth Dock, G.; C. and N.
Sandwith.
Cnicus ertophorus Roth. var. anglicus Petrak. Frequent on
hillsides and field-borders between Marshfield and Cold Ashton,
G.; H. S. Thompson. Rather rare in West Gloucester, and
unrecorded from this locality which has been seldom visited.
Evythrea pulchella Fr. (E. vamostssima Pers.) Is still quite
scarce on our coast line. It may be worth noting that while in
the dry summer of 1915. Mr. Thompson saw plants | inch high
bearing a single flower, he gathered in the same spot during the
late abnormally wet season specimens of 11 inches.
Solanum nigrum. L. In view of the poison-taint that still
sullies the reputation of this plant the quoted note by David
Williams is of some value. This is a cosmopolitan weed. In
America, where the “stubble-berry’’ is abundant throughout
the Northern States, its leaves have been commonly used as a
resolvent, and the plant is classed among the non-poisonous medi-
cinal herbs of the country. In Equatorial Africa it is equally
prevalent. Mr. E. Brown reports from Uganda that the natives
do not uproot it from their cultivations, but eat it as a potherb,
cooking the leaves and young shoots like Spinach. There is indeed
no unassailable evidence that berries of the Black Nightshade
are more deleterious than those of its relative, the Tomato. A
suggestion has been made that the toxic alkaloid of the family
(solanine) may be erratic and uncertain in its distribution; but
the opinion expressed in Fl. Brist, that whenever unpleasant
176 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1924
symptoms follow consumption of these fruits the trouble is due
to idiosyncrasy of the individual, is more likely to prove correct.
Cynoglossum officinale L. Persistent in fields to the south of
Lansdown above Weston, S., but never more than two plants in
the same place; B. A. Lowe. A new locality. The peculiarity
stated, with others pertaining to this species, is mentioned in
LS BIASE,
Lithospermum officinale L. A clump near the Chewton end
of Workhouse Lane, Keynsham, S.; W.H. Stephens. The extreme
scarcity of the plant in the Keynsham district, pointing apparently
to its intense dislike to Lias, renders this note of interest.
Lysimachia vulgaris L. In the Avon Gorge near the Black
Rock, G.; Miss Roper. 7
Verbascum Blattaria L. Plentiful and Juxuriant in thickets
on a steep slope of Purn Hull, Bleadon, S.; A. S.” Thompson:
The finder writes that he has never seen so many plants together
nor any in so secluded and wild-looking ground, difficult to ap-
proach. |
V. virgatum Stokes. In two or three spots among the sand
dunes at Berrow; and on the site of old glass works at Nailsea, .
S.; C. and N. Sandwith. Like other Mulleins this rarity is a pro-
lific seeder. One hopes, therefore, that it may become perma-
nently established in the localities given.
Chenopodium polyspermum L. var. spicatum. Waste ground
near the Bishop’s Palace, Redland; H. J. Gibbons.
Myrica Gale L. Is generally described as dicecious, but the
careful examination of a number of plants on Shapwick Moor
by Miss Roper in the early spring showed that four other variations
exist in the arrangement of the sexes. Staminate and pistillate
catkins grew on adjoining twigs, or together on the same twig
of a bush; while a third mingling of the sexes was noticed one
above the other in the same catkin. In addition, catkins were
found consisting solely of hermaphrodite flowers.
Pinus sylvestris L. The largest of those ancient and interesting
Scotch Firs in the peat of Walton Moor near Clevedon, (see F1.
Brist. p. 552) have lately been felled. It was grievous to see their
big boles being hauled away in May last.
Orchis hircina Crantz. In the Report of the Botanical Section
of the Somerset Arch. and Nat. Hist. Society presented in January
by the Secretary, W. D. Miller, is this entry: ‘“ Orchis lircina
Crantz, Burnham; Miss Stewart.’ On enquiry for details of so
astonishing a discovery in Somerset of a rarity hitherto known to
occur solely in two or three south-eastern counties, the matter
was found to be shrouded in an impermeable veil of secrecy, such
as, happily, is seldom encountered under like circumstances. It
must not be thought there was the least wish for unrestricted
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1924 Lag
publicity, but as Burnham lies within the Bristol district it seemed
imperative that those who for the time are responsible for local
botanical history should be acquainted with the facts. The veil
was ultimately raised, and in early July I had the pleasure of
seeing this splendid orchid for the first time. There were many
fine plants upon the site—so many as 84 have been counted—
some at least three feet in height. They grow within the fencing
of a private domain, on an artificially made bank adjoining the gar-
den, and under trees that were planted say 40—50 years ago.
Their number and luxuriance shew that the soil and situation,
where it is surmised they must have flourished for some years,
is entirely congenial. Although so extremely scarce in Britain
this Orchis (Satyrium and Himantoglossum are its synonyms) is
frequent throughout France, Belgium and Central Europe, whence
the seed could be readily procured.
O. wncarnata L. The true plant in a boggy field near Falfield,
G.; Miss Roper.
Habenana bifolia Br. On high ground above Cheddar Gorge ;
F. Samson. In this district the plant is usually found in moist
peaty soil. |
Potamogeton panormitanus Biv. Bern. A pondweed gathered
on Walton Moor some years ago by Mr. H. S. Thompson was
submitted to Mr. Arthur Bennett who thus named it, “a species
which all Italian botanists simply regard as a synonym of P.
pusillus L., but which Hagstrém has clearly shown to be distinct.”’
It is possible that much of our so-called pusillus is really this plant.
See Bristol Botany in 1920-21.
Aponogeton distachyon Thunb. Is still thriving in the pond
at Englishcombe, where Dr. Prowse and I have lately seen it in
flower, (See Fl. Brist. p. 612.) Here we have a subtropical
species adapting itself to our climate, and doing quite weil in
waters that must be sometimes frozen.
Ins feetidissima L. var. cityrina Bromf. Near Kelston, S. ;
Rev. E. Eliman. A single clump, that may have been planted.
Narcissus poeticus L. Sparingly in woodland on the Battle-
fields, Lansdown; B. A. Lowe.
Carex muricata L. The plants included under this name
in Fl. Brist. are now known to comprise two species, viz. C. contigua
Hoppe and C. Paivei F. Sch. The latter has been identified near
Keynsham by N. Sandwith, and may certainly be expected else-
where about Bristol.
C. extensa Good. In fair quantity at a spot on the Channel
shore between Portishead and Walton Bay; H. J. Gibbons. This.
new locality for a rare sedge is most welcome.
C. pseudo-cyperus L. var. minor Hampe. Peat moor: near
Shapwick, S.; N. Sandwith. A very distinct and pretty variety.
178 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1924
Alopecurus bulbosus Gouan. Between Highbridge and Burn-
ari) 3) 7 a Govons.
Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Seems to have gone from the
shingly shore at New Passage, but a larger colony has been ob-
served higher up the Severn at Aust Cliff. While quite distinct
in this, its typical form, there are intermediates that connect
it with F. elatior.
ALIENS.
Lotus stiliquosus L. (Tetragonolobus Roth.). In July the Rev.
IK. Ellman reported this leguminous perennial to be abundant
in a rough hilly pasture S.W. of Marshfield, G.—so plentiful in fact
over several acres as to suggest that it must have been sown,
although no mention can be found of its cultivation either at home
or abroad; and observation tends to shew that cattle do not like
it. This field is said to have been in cultivation until 1915, when
it was laid down for grazing on account of scarcity of labour ;
but the plant is remembered there for at least forty years. The
adjoining fields, in which the plant also occurs in less quantity,
had likewise borne crops for a long period. L. siliquosus has only
lately been noticed in this country. It occurred in Berkshire
in 1913; and Dr. Druce tells me he has recently found it quite
naturalized near the Thames at Henley in a chalky pasture, and
very plentiful. Nothing is known of the methced of importation.
On the Continent this Lotus is not uncommon in damp meadows
near streams.
Iva xantlifolia Nuttall. Twenty plants or more on some
waste ground near Wee Lane, Stapleton, G.; H. J. Gibbons. A
North American composite. Annual, often eight feet high. Com-
mon in the N. Western States, and known as Marsh Elder or Half-
breed Weed. This seems to be its first appearance in the Bristol
area, though it has been met with once or twice elsewhere.
179
Note on an Exposure of Old Red Sandstone at
St. Monica’s, Durdham Down, Bristol.
By &..S. Wats, PhD.
(Bristol Museum).
N 1921 (reappointed 1922, 23 and 24) a British Association
Committee, with Dr. H. Bolton as chairman, was formed “ To
investigate the stratigraphical sequence and paleontology of
the Old Red. Sandstone of the Bristol District.”” During the
course of this investigation an exposure of more than usual in-
terest was observed at St. Monica’s, in that, besides displaying
the junction beds between the Old Red Sandstone and Carboni-
ferous strata, an interesting Fish-bed was noted. This research
has been carried out under the auspices of the Bristol Museum
and Art Gallery. |
The quarry is situated on the northern edge of the Durdham
Down plateau, in the north-west corner of, and abutting a north
and south footpath to the west of the Hospital grounds (O.S.
6-in. map. Sheet LXXI. Glos.).
Operations were commenced in 1921, and the whole of the
stone required for the Hospital buildings, with the exception
of the freestone dressings, was supplied by the exposure here noted.
The upper beds of Avcnian age are shortly to be described
by Prof. S. H. Reynolds and Dr. Stanley Smith in the Geological
Magazine. The Old Red Sandstone is conformable to these Avonian
rocks, and a gradual transition between the typical deposits of
both periods is clearly shown. The actual line of demarkation
has been determined arbitrarily in consultation with the above
mentioned authors.
The descending sequence (Dip. 38°N. 120°E) is as follows:
ttt) WS)
Carboniferous | Red shales with bands of decalcified
(Avonian K,,.). | limestone
180 NOTE ON AN EXPOSURE OF OLD RED SANDSTONE
iy ins.
( 1. Slaty-grey fissile shale, very persis-
| tent and weathering to a deep-
| red colour ... nS eee) te ALO)
| 2. Thinly-bedded reddish (weathering
| green) Gduartzites .. oa gt ees 4
| 3. Red and green sandy shales ets 0)
| 4. Two soft sandstone beds with inter-
| vening shaly band Bros oO)
| 5. Soft thinly-bedded shaly sandstones
OLD | passing laterally into red shale ... 1 10
RED < 6. Massive greenish sandstone .. 2 sa 0
SANDSTONE | 7. Massive sandstone, with intervening
| shaly bands, becoming shaly and
| fissile towards the tOP) aoe ee? aha 0
| 8. Conglomeratic sandstone... 2) 0
| 9. Fossiliferous quartz - conglomerate.
| (Fish-Bed) . i 4 0
| 10. Conglomeratic sandstone, with shaly
| partings
11. Soft muicaceous shaly sandstones
L (Base not visible) ... co srt als 0
Total are shee : AOE ee
Additional points of interest have been summarised in the
following notes (numbering as in above tabulation) :—
1. This distinctive fine-grained shale, containing no ad-
mixture of sandy particles is clearly of a different origin to the
other Old Red Sandstone rocks. Though apparently formed
under deeper water conditions than the remaining rocks in the
section, Avonian life had not yet made its appearance, and hence
the bed is classed with the Old Red Sandstone.
2. Bands | and 2 are the only deposits in which calcareous
material is absent. The quartzite is composed of a mossaic of
quartz grains of uniform size (0.4 mms.), closely interlocking and
crowded with inclusions. Rounded fragments of a fine-grained
quartz mosaic, riddled with hematite are common. Muscovite
and felspar are present in small quantities.
3. Small thrust planes occurring within these sandy shales
give rise to swellings in the band and arching of the immediately
overlying strata. 7
4. The fine-grained, micaceous sandstones are chiefly com-
posed of angular to sub-angular quartz grains of uniform size
(0.08 mms.) devoid of inclusions. Abundant muscovite, and a
few flakes of a green, pleochroic (darkest when its length is parallel
to the light vibrations) mica. The mica flakes are often bent and
twisted against the resistant quartz grains. The cement is com-
posed of small rhombs of dolomite with scattered grains of calcite.
NOTE ON AN EXPOSURE OF OLD RED SANDSTONE 18]
5. The sandstones are very similar to 4, except that, the
more abundant cement is indeterminable.
6. Coarse-grained sandstones with varying amounts of soft
greenish cementing material. In thin sections the quartz grains
are seen to be of two types—large (0.40 mms.), well rounded,
abundant inclusions, many of vein quartz, and some showing strain
shadows, and smaller (0.8 mms.) angular to subangular, and de-
void of inclusions. A green pleochroic mineral with high inter-
ference colours (Ottrelite ?) occurs as pipes and strings in some of
the larger quartz grains. Grains of calcite, rounded fragments
of fine grained quartz mosaic, and a coarser-grained gneissose
quartzite, flakes of muscovite and grains of microcline are fairly
common. The cement is composed of small dolomite rhombs,
with scattered calcite grains (differentiated by micro-chemical
staining methods). The cement also occurs as small rounded
included pebbles.
7. Symmetrical: or oscillation ripple marks occur in the
shales at the base and top of this division. At the base the ripples are
parallel to the strike, whereas at the top they cross the strike at right
angles. They probably denote wave action in the absence of currents.
The sandstone is reddish and compact, but in the portions
immediately adjacent to the shales a number of lenticles (measuring
up to 10-11 cms. in length) and rounded pellets of a fine-grained
sandy micaceous shale occur. The lenticles are always arranged
with their long axes parallel to the bedding planes. This feature
is paralleled by the occurrence of mud pellets on the sandy fore-
shore at Uphill, Som., and other places. The mud pellets are
generally oval shaped (from 1-6 cms. in length) or may be spherical.
The coast at Uphill is sandy with mud flats exposed at low tide.
The incoming tide picks up small quantities of this mud, rolls it
into lenticles or spheres and finally deposits it on the sand area.
Some pellets are taken back by the receding tide, but many come
to rest on the sandy foreshore, generally in a small depression formed
by the swirling action of the retiring waters.
The rock is chiefly composed of closely packed quartz grains
of varying sizes from 0.12 to 0.65 mms. Rounded fragments of
a fine-grained quartz mosaic, a coarser-grained gneissose quartzite,
small calcite plates, a cement similar to that found in 6, and a
small cavity filled with chalcedonic quartz are all present. :
8 and 10. Both are termed conglomeratic sandstones, the
quartz pebbles not being sufficiently abundant to justify the term
conglomerate. Otherwise the rock is identical with 9.
9. This is the Fish-bed level, and the rock is a polygenetic
conglomerate. Large rounded quartz pebbles of vein and milky
quartz (of varying grades up to 5 cms. diameter), smaller jaspers
and rounded pellets of a fine-grained sandy micaceous shale are
the chief constituents. Sometimes this latter material is squeezed
in between the other pebbles, and acts asa cement. In thin section
the chief cement appears as a mass of interlocking quartz grains,
182 NOTE ON AN EXPOSURE OF OLD RED SANDSTONE
(0.40-0.16 mms.), with numerous inclusions some of the ottrelite ?
pipe variety, and generally coated with hematite. Calcite plates
a coarse-grained gneissose quartzite, and rounded masses of a fine-
grained quartz mosaic also occur.
11. This sandstone is composed of small angular quartz
grains embedded in a hematite-stained cement. The quartz
grains are approximately of two sizes, 0.04 and 0.08 mms. respec-
tively, arranged in definite alternate bands parallel to the bedding
planes. Muscovite and green mica are present as twisted flakes,
and dolomite rhombs may be distinguished in the cement.
It is a significant fact, that, as far as present research has
progressed, organic remains in the Old Red Sandstone, generally
occur in a conglomeratic rock which, though on different horizons,
has very constant features. The only known exception is at
Portishead, where fish remains have also been found in a fine-
grained micaceous flaggy sandstone. Remains of three distinct
fishes have been found in the Fish-bed at St. Monica’s. They all
occur in a very broken state, and the unweathered nature of the
freshly-quarried rock renders specific determinations difficult.
The most conspicuous are the incomplete portions of the
scales of Holoptychius nobilissimus, Ag. The fusiform body of
this fish was covered by a number of cycloidal ganoid scales, of |
which the crescent-shaped area of fine tubercles, arranged radially
between the posterior ridged portion, and the anterior finely
granulated area are prominent characteristics. Another feature is
the concentric arrangement of the granules on the anterior portion.
The furrows in the longitudinally ridged posterior part are finely
pitted, whilst the ridges are slightly tubercular. A maximum
width of 5 cms. was observed on one specimen in situ.
The small, thin, rhomboidal scales of Glyptopomus kinnairdt,
Huxley, are easily recognised. The variable sculpture consists
of a system of ridges and valleys, with smooth bands on two sides
to allow for the overlapping of adjacent scales.
Less common are the paddle-like pectoral appendages (arms)
of Bothriolepis cf. hydropmla, Ag. The proximal portions are
broad and denticulated on the outer margin, whilst the distal
segments are of a more slender character. No portions of the
body armour of this animal have been found.
In Proc. B.N.S., Vol. I, n.s. 1874-6, p. 143, Dr. S. Martyn
describes two small exposures near the top of Stoke Hill in which
he found fish remains in an Old Red Sandstone conglomerate.
Neither exposure can now be definitely located, but from an ex-
amination of the specimens now in the Bristol Museum collections
there is little doubt that the exposures occurred on the same horizon
as the Fish-bed at St. Monica’s.
My thanks are due to Mr. E. D. Evens, B.Sc., for much helpful
discussion on the mineralogical content of the rocks, and to Messrs.
H. Willcock and Sons (Contractors) for kindly allowing me free
access to the exposures.
HR He Piases “ ld ay ah ‘ iu # Ty a j Bi! Dee eed aa
UAE N es UN tenn (Ne fe
rat by ‘i vy \ Rarypaiinic nay. @)
1h Saal iy
od
‘FOURTH SERIES, VOL. V1., Part IIl., 1925.
PricE Four SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND.
PROCEEDINGS
OR THE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society. —
HH
ho ———
it |
vial
1 DEC 11 1926 *
| at. 14-940 i,
; ““ Rerum cognoscere causas.’’— Ve as MUSe ;
Vie ;
BRISTOL.
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. a
MCMXXVI., |
POW tobe obienhs. VOW. Vi, “Part IL) :-1925.
PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS.
~ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
aN
\ a
ic
=
iil
HI i]
Me
Alls
toby re — ce
is
ran
i !
““ Rerum cognoscere causas.’’—VIRGIES
ue Ge
ay es”
fa?
-
TAHA
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETR
MCMXXVT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
le erikeicey: SH RES > VOR: Vals. PARE: TES 1925,
Officers for 1925 ;
Officers of Sections for 1925
‘List of Members
Honorary Members ...
Report of Council
Treasurer's Report ...
Librarians’ Report ...
Report of Botanical Section
Report of Entomological Section
Report of Geological Section
Report of Ornithological Section bee
Account of the Annual and General Meetings
In Memoriam: Arthur B. Prowse, M.D.
“ine Plants. of the Sea,’ by the President, Prof..O. V. Darbishire
bid Photography,” by RK: P. Gait
“ The Apterygota of the South-West of England,” .Part III, aie Lele
Womersley : ae
“A Short Account of British Psocids,’ ee a V. Pearman
“ist ef slugs found in the Bristol District,” by A. D: R. Bacchus
oe Botany i 1925; ecks 3
Chambesiam eR E....
Chamberlain, W.
Charbonnier, T....
Charbonnier Mrs. T.
City Librarian
Clarke, Av. =.
Cogan. Miss R.
Cook.Sir Ernest: De Sc.
Cottle, AWW:
Waspishise,. Prot. ’©O.. V.,° PhD:
neat a aia Pe ee
DavaessAst ) FLR M.S. =.
Davies, T i
Deacon; WEBER ors 2
Drew, Miss H., M.A.
Dunscombe, Miss
Pilis* Bb) ips
Evens, F. W.
Bitzjames; Rei: eho assis Va as
Premmuine, Ay 1. M.B.y.eh. B.
Ford, Roger Ag Saige 2 Vaca tee
Redland House, Durdham Park,
Bristol
63. Picton meance. otokes: Crott
30, Berkeley Square, Clifton
29, Beaufort Road, Clifton
34, Belvoir Road, St. Andrew’s, Bristol
Holmwood, Westbury-on-Trym
Evendine, Stoke Bishop
34, Park Row, Bristol
Wolverley, King’s Norton, Birmingham
8, Woodhill, Portishead
95, Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol
18, Victoria Road, Clevedon
20% ot. Michael’s Park; Bristol
5, Brynland Avenue, Bishopston
508, Stapleton Road, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
The Museum, Bristol
73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park,
Bristol
12, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
22Nictoria Road, Cothani, Bristol
14> Charlotte St. Pars St Bristol
iyndhurst, Leigh Woods, Bristol
15, Belluton Road, Knowle
19, Brecknock Road, Knowle, Bristol
i57, Whiteladies Rd., Ciifton
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
Central Library, Bristol
16, Woodstock Rd., Redland, Bristol
2, Bellevue Rd., Clevedon
40, Alma Rd., Clifton
Black Horse, Kingswood, Bristol
The University, Bristol
_ Hillfleld House, near Dartmouth
Avon House, Keynsham, Bristol
Down House, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
45, Sydenham Hill, Bristol
Colston Girls’ School, Bristol
199, Redland Road, Bristol
99, Berkeley Rd., Bishopston
8, Rokeby Avenue, Redland, Bristol
17, St. Martin’s, Knowle, Bristol
48, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
Hartfield, Cotham Park, Bristol
188 LIST OF MEMBERS
Fox, Mrs... ceo 0s. ue. Bshington. HoOmse) areca: sea!
Francis, H. As ..2 2. 1. 4.8 ) MO} Victoria, Square hae
SS bey wees wae A ee ae rSING blett’s. JAS Sem @ eo maersaeereretao|
Gait, KP. vis wae can 4. OL loward Rd) Wespimaya nc
Gibbons, H. J. . «1.8; Nugent Hill, Cotham. daria
Goodhall, Rev. Canon R. W.... 19, Elmdale . Rd Pymelalt eeeadt.
Bristol
A Goulding, Thomas. 4.2. <=. “6; Nelson St2 Brisa
Griffiths, William ~... ...... Pembroke Hall) Pembroke Ra Cliiton
Griffiths, Miss G. ep
Gummer, Horace .... .... Herbert Lodge, Cotham Park, Bristcl
Guppy, HB. Mob Bs. RSE: 32, Daglands Rd., Fowey, Cornwall
S Hallett. .Miss-]- Jn ee Coe 3, Logan Rd) eishepsnon
S Hallett; Miss Tei... Soe 3; Logan Kha isiepcren
Harding, Miss E. M.... ... ... Bower Ashton, near Bristol
Hellyar, R. He. 0h i 18 Redland Groves Brite)
A EESIGp, ike to a, ae 34, Henleaze Gardéers MWestinty-en-
Trym See)
*4 Hewer, T. Fo .e0 0 ul. pa 24s West Shubbery, Redianarerictal
Higham A..Pli... 2.0 J.55 21.0 “Western Darth Press Oincer trict
Hodgson, C, J.°.0) 0. ee Se 8, Cotham drerrate, tise
Horder, Miss M. Give > 15, Cotham: Brews Getrmama
Howard, C. K; S. “23. — 2... ~ Glenavon, one Ashton) merce
Humirey, C. 1. as. s+ «7 3, Madeira Mansions, Weston-super-
Mare
Humphries, Lady .:. ... ... Eastfield Lodge, Westbury-on-Irym
* Punter C4 MSG e ers: .. ‘the University, Bristel
Ivens, H. P. eee ho 8S 8S Alexandra Rae Gir omers aoe
A. -Ivens, W: B.0 0s. 0. oo a 49) Ravenswood Ray riceal
S .Jahans, G., B/Sev? 2) 2. 26 ep tonsa ic sane
Jeffcoat, Rev. R., M.A...... ... “5, Berkeley. Square, Ciiton
Jenkins, Mrs. “220... 3..2 2.2 10, Napier Rady Red heme eaenes
Jenkins, FOG... 0. Wn a 31, Berkeley Square eam
S Jennings, D. A. ws aes see Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol
Jervis, WW: MSc: -F.G.S) =. 5 «The University, Bresal
S Jones, b. Gyn GS. foto 28. Chiton- Vale: Citiueas
Knight, H. H., M.A. uA, “The: Lodge; : AN -Samge satis erie
tenham
Knowlson, Mrs. Je Oe 9 Downitield Rae hiteom
S Kromler, A. fell wiv vse Seo. 45, SOE clea ze, iSite mers
A -Léej; Miss E. Mi; M:Ser**.. ois 9d; Logan Rd 2 Bishepsres
Liewellin, W.°Mia- GiB. 2.0 74..°--8, Cotham Lawn Rdzbmsses
SS” SEATCAS feed MOO he VE TEA Walcot Paradesitecialn
S » MacDonald). Bewsec.e os.) ssa50 OC, Hampton Park baseer
S .Madkins; W.E., B: Aue ....... Fairfield Secondary School, Bristol
Mappin, S. Won a.) 8 2100) Pembroke Kd) Glnaiome iemcner
Martineau, P. E. ioctl we. 8 Hallside, Cleveland. Walk Bath
A Matthews, lee Els Js 43270. 2 Soalleroft, Nore: Rd, Porshe.
SS: May, J. Li on OR ae DOLSLO EG: clean ents em
Melvin, Aci Dsinev. pie weee ks 10) WW eS Mat] y Golineteenta
Miller Vistithiy ne) hee Seite ee All Sarton te drone lee!
** Morgans, | Thos.) SiC. i. 7, Elton Rd. Tyndall's ami, aertseo:
Y
nin *
eNgrengees
Ma He
LIST OF MEMBERS 189
Morgans, Mrs.
Mountfort, G. R.
Nierenstein, M., Ph.D.
Norgrove, J. W.
NWuiell 1h) H.
Onne Het Al...
Painmer 2S); -M.Se..- PhD:
Peach, A. H.
Pearman, J. V
Pepperell, ix.
Pook, J. W. nae
Powell, J?-J.,,M.D.
Putnam S.A.
Ratter; Ji, M.A.
Reynolds, S. H., Sc.D., F.GS.
Richardson, Frank rae
Robbins, F.
Robbins, G. A.
Roper, Miss I. M., FE.
Rudge; C.K: RC;
Rudge, Miss ee 1,
Rutter, Miss E. M.
db
Ps
PevGew kw: sC: \..:
Salmond, P. W.
Salmond, Mrs.
Sampson, Miss D.
SamMsOmeit 24), ...
Sandwith, Mrs....
Sandwith, N. Y.
Selley, A.
Seliey Rat. ps
Selman, Miss M. M. ee
Shaw, Miss By
Sinnott, Asses
Smith, Miss A. M.
Siti, Miss) EJ. .....
Sith. otanley, ‘D.Sc.,
Smita W. A. M.A., M.B.
simith, Kev: W....
Smith, Mrs. W.
Stanton, D.W..
StAMcom, WITS...
Steel, Miss E. M.
storey, R. G.
Silly. bs 1:
Saylor, kos...
Thompson, H. S.
Trelease, C. Kr
Trelease, Mrs.
EGS
J; Biton Rd.y Tyndall's. Park, Bristol
8, Royal Park, Clifton
30, Cavendish Rd., Bristol
22, Axle. ads, Chiton
63, Springfield Rd., Bristol
Westleigh, West Town, near Bristol
the College of Technology, The: Uni-
versity, Manchester
5, Hanbury Rd., Clifton
6, Westbury Park, Bristol
Ormond House, Russell Grove, West-
bury Park, Bristol
Waterloo House, Clevedon
2, Gloucester Rd. Bishopston
Silverthorne Lane, St. Philip’s, Bristol
6, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
13 “All Saints: Rds, Cliiton
15, Percival Rd., Clifton
38, Tyndall’s Park Rd., Clifton
3, Lower College St., Bristol
4, Woodfield Rd., Redland, Bristol
145, Whiteladies Rd., Bristol
145, Whiteladies Rd., Bristol
Cambridge House. School; -.St.
Rd. -Clitton
The University, Bristol
John’s
20, Tyndall’s Park Rd., Clifton
20, Tyndall’s Park Rd., Clifton
30; St: John's -Rd>,-Chitton
4, Woodfield Rd., Redland, Bristol
26, Canynge Square, Clifton
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
116°-Coronation: Rd Bristol
116, Coronation Rd., Bristol
Kington Langley, Chippenham
Walton-in-Gordano, Scm.
15, Beaufort Rd.,. Clifton
70, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
70, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
The University, Bristol
79, Pembroke Rd., Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace. Cliftcn
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
42, Alma Rd., Clifton
Ay, Alina ANd. Clitten
5, Caledonia Place, Clifton
8, Oxford Chambers, St. Stephen’s St.,
Bristol
Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
Fonthill Villa, Keynsham
33, Southleigh Rd., Clifton
37, Fernbank Rd., Redland
37, Fernbank Rd., Redland
190 LIST OF MEMBERS
Tuckett, C. : ui be. 00) Beaufort Buildines Gian
OL UTMer EL. See UB A. (Oxon.), b>
GUS. cece » isso es. hesUmiyersity,, bristar
= 4 Litchen aea. | uae... 807, Berkeley Rds Bishopsten. sce)
on) Siayane lire Bs B. A. ... «... 17, Camden Terrace; Clifton: Vale
S.- Tyrrell) Miss. les fiw ering 27; Camden; Vernacee Meeemaniees
Vaughan, Mrs. tine.i) 1..04 18, 42, Fernbank Rd: Rediana@eBaistel
Si) Wall, -G: Hibiiteds tees de Ive SRG Ramidiails Reeane tui
- Wallis; FE: S3- PhD. F’G:Ss «.2>-1d) Ravenswood hd. arisve
Walton, TG. HH. sii tend ope MeAlS, West Patk israel
Ss Weaver, Miss M. ... ... ... 95, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol
Ss Welch; -F.- B.A}; B.Se:) 2 ert The University wemsie
White, E.-Barton,F .Exs; ... Menta] Hospital, Fishponds, Bristol
* White, fas.2We, JF bwS3 iaatie 18, Woodland Rd., Clifton, Bristol
White, Mrs. wJowlede jose. 18, Woodland: Ra sehitontemiscer
** Wickes, W. H: ... ... 16, Oakfield Grove, Clifton °
Wills, Sir George, Bt., wee Dh Burwalls, Leigh Woods, Bristol]
ii Wills, W, Melville sth n.d on. Bracken Hill, Leigh Wootls sie!
Wingate, Miss H.M., M.A. ... 48, College Rd., Clifton
iA Womersley, H., F.E.S. ... .... Sunny Meads, West Town, nr. Bristol
- Yabbicom, 1. B, -MGLCiE wn... 223; Oaktield Rave itatan
Honorary Members.
Prof..George S. Brady, M.D:, LED. -D:Sc.,. FAR S33 Base tienes
Endcliffe, Sheffield.
Henry: J. Charbonnier, Rose Cottage Bungalow, Olveston, Gloucestershire.
Prof. C. Lloyd-Morgan, LL.D:, F.R-S., F.G.S!, 5, Victoria. sq ware se nirom,
Bristol.
R. M. Prideaux F.E S., Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
A. B. Prowse, M.D., F.R.C.S., 5, Lansdown Place, Clifton (deceased).
W. G. Scott, 25, Duke ‘Street,’ Carditt:
Prof: H. S. Hele: Shaw, M.1:C.F:.% £0.D.,-F-R:S. 64, Victoria sstrcetey con.
minster, S.W.1.
Prof,-Ws}: Sollas, Vi:A SE iby URIS eke Seb a S., University Museum,
Oxtord.
sir W. A. Tilden, D:Sc., F.R.S:; Professor of Chemistry: im the mmpernal
College of Science, S. Kensington, S.W.7
William Whitaker, B.A., F.R.S., F.G.S., Wellesley Court, Wellesley Road,
Croydon (deceased).
Prot. Sydney Young, D.Sc.; F:R'S:, Trinity College) Dubhae
REPORT OF COUNCIL
To December 31st, 1925.
HE activities of the working members have been well main-
iT tained during the year, but it is difficult to awaken an in-
creased interest in the Society amongst the general public.
The Sections have attracted a number of new members at low
fees, and a few of them have joined the Society as full members,
in addition to ten others enrolled through the ordinary channels.
A few inevitable resignations have taken place, but none caused
by death, although we record with much regret the passing of
two Hon. members: Dr. A. B. Prowse, who had filled so many
offices during his forty years of membership, died a few months
after his election, and Mr. William Whitaker, F.R.S., the veteran
- geologist resident at Croydon, who had been an Hon. member
for the long period of forty-seven years.
The open night in March, when a Lecture was given by our
Mousmemocr,. Prot. W. J. Sollas, F.R.S., of Oxford Museum,
the attendance of members -and the outside public was most gra-
tifying. Quite 250 were present, which must have extended the
knowledge of the Society's existence amongst the citizens. The
Summer Excursion, however, was not well supported, although
Stinchcombe Hill has many attractions for the Naturalist.
Another form of activity has been the revival of the Botanical
Section, which had long ceased to be in operation, and with our
President at the head of it, and Miss Bowen as the Secretary, it
has great claims on those who desire a knowledge of our local
Flora, and botanists should avail themselves of its advantages.
Baty im the year Mr. F. W::Evens, a member of the Council,
brought forward the question of the better protection of Wild
Plants, and a resolution by him was carried to urge-public author-
ities to encourage this effort, and if necessary to establish sanc-
tuaries in appropriate places. The resolution was sent to a number
of kindred Societies, and to The Times, and excited considerable
interest and correspondence, stimulated by leading articles in the
Press. Mr. Evens still has the matter before him, and hopes to
combine with other bodies to obtain further results.
The members were invited to visit in a body the new buildings
of the University to show appreciation of all the University is
192 REPORT OF COUNCIL
doing to encourage the Society to arouse an interest in Nature and
its ways amongst the public. They inspected the arrangements
and beauty of the architecture, and were joined by the Bristol
Field Club, so that a good number of Naturalists took part in this
pleasant function.
The Secretary represented the Society at the Jubilee of the
North Staffordshire Field Club, with whom we. have been long
associated. The occasion was marked by a week of motor coach
excursions from Stoke-on-Trent to the beauty spots of the ad-
joining counties, and the fifteen delegates who attended were
cordially welcomed and spent an enjoyable time together.
The Proceedings for 1924 were published early in the year,
and distributed to the British and Foreign Societies with whom we
exchange. It contained records of much original work carried
out within the district. Correspondence with scientific students
in all parts shows that articles published years ago in our Pyo-—
ceedings are still consulted and sought for as valuable guides, so
that the sales of back parts have been exceptionally good.
The Government Committee on the Severn Barrage applied
for a geological paper that we published on the district affected,
and the demand for Vaughan’s The Avoman of the Avon Gorge
has nearly exhausted the supply.
IDA M. ROPER:
Hon. Secretary.
193
[ Ne Ne
SAO} PN |
(LHe vies Aaa i)
MOOS” HH. LSANaa
‘qOIWIIOD Puno; pue pozIpny 'CZBI “ISTE toquasacy
6 Viesoly & Pl Soir
tip SeaaGe teat we = ee! SUIpPUlgy Oog Be Ole Ol te he ea ne in puny surputqyoog
TOE ORC. Oe: ae ‘yUNODDYW yeIoUus4y Con Gleey kee a = yUNODIOW Tereues)
—_ {PUCU. ULeUSe ane: ‘—; PIPBMIOT sourleg “
OF poll bal Gl ea oy oa oi “* surpurqyoog * Ca eevalan| a apace uo ysetezuy
On S160 soryinjeiyy “ Gh Ge eek ce sae a! ‘suorywontdne 7 OOS es
oa ee sOUBINSUT WII pue judy ‘“ Omi Oi tere eG ea suiysyqug
CO oho ie eA i sosejsog pue surjung “ Shee Eh oaeae a zone = SuTpulqyoog
OueOin Ore: iS P7G 101 a SeUlLPOODOIe = Jon
Desert plants and Economic fruits by Prof. O. V. Darbishire ;
dried plants of Steep Holm by Mr. H. S. Thompson; and from
Scotland and the Lake District by Mr. F. W. Evens; coloured
pictures of Alpine flowers by Prof. S. H. Reynolds.
In Ornithology, a fine series of photographs of local Birds and
their nests by Messrs. R. P. Gait and C. Tuckett.
Coffee was served during the Meeting.
THE 520TH GENERAL MEETING.
December 3rd, 1925.
I." Early Man,” by Mr. KR. EL, Pitzjames:
Emphasis was laid on the fact that though tens of thousands
of his implements lie in our museums, there are only three fossil
finds of man in Early Pleistocene deposits which are accepted by
all the experts. These are: (1) Pithecanthropus, found in Java,
has a skull intermediate between the highest anthropoid ape and
the lowest man ; in close proximity was found .a human thigh bone,
which may have belonged to the same individual. (2) Heidelburg
man, found in Germany. Unfortunately, only the lower jaw was
found. It is simian in character, but with human teeth. (3)
Piltdown man, with an essentially human skull, which may be
associated with a simian jaw close to it in the same layer of gravel.
The great geographical distance apart of these three separate
finds indicates the immense range of distribution of these ancestral
types. Most scientists are of opinion that these three fossil men
relate to three different species of man, all of which have died
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 205
out, as was indicated on a genealogical chart, and that they are
not the direct ancestors of man. The distance in time separating
us from that remote age can only be measured in geological terms.
It was possibly at the time when the present North Sea did not
exist, and England was so much more elevated that the estuary
of the Thames stretched out as far as the Dogger Bank, where
it joined a mighty Rhine, whose outlet to the sea was as far north,
perhaps, as the Faroe Islands.
The Middle and Late Paleolithic periods (the length of each
of which is calculable only in geological terms) was passed hurriedly
in review, and the paper ended with a reminder that there are, or
were till very recently, savage tribes living, not in the Neolithic,
but the Paleolithic stage of culture. There are backward races
who do not know the art of agriculture, and there were in Australia
in historic times people who had not the art of making fire.
Hh Pb be Mycetozoa : some questions, | by. Mir.) F «4 W. vens:
The Mycetozoa are a little group of living organisms, of which
mainly identical species are found in all parts of the world. They
flourish on decaying leaves, stems, rotten trunks, straw heaps and
the lke. For fruiting they produce spore-cases, which vary
greatly in form and are often of brilliant colours.
} The particular feature of their strange life history 1s the for-
mation of plasmodium from the swarm spores, and this may be
described as a mass of’ naked protoplasm, creeping about and
abounding in nuclei. The sequence of the life stages, and the world-
wide distribution suggest they are a primitive type of life, which
has stood aside from the main stream of evolutionary progress.
They would seem to hover on the borderland of the animal and
vegetable kingdoms, and this doubtful status gives rise to four
questions : what and whence are they, how do they act, and the
causes producing such habits and functions. These questions
were examined in detail and illustrated by some fresh specimens
as well as by charts and microscopic slides.
Exhibits by Mr. H. J. Gibbons of the fungus Crucibulum
vulgare ; by Miss Roper of an Ichneumon fly bred from gall on
Willow leaves formed by the Saw fly, Pontanza salicts.
$n Memoriam
ARTHUR BANCKS PROWSE,
M.D., F.R.C.S.
ORN near Plymouth in 1856 Arthur Bancks Prowse died at
his residence in Lansdown Place, Clifton, Bristol, on April
26th, 1925.
He duly qualified as a Medical man, being the third generation
of his family to follow that profession, and took his degree of M.D.
in 1881 in London. He passed with honours in all the subjects
and thus showed at the start of his career that thoroughness in
all he undertook, which was a characteristic feature with him
for the rest of his hfe. And it may be pointed out that Dr. Prowse
undertook many subjects of study and work, shown by a long list
of activities in varied directions.
Setting the plans of his life on a broad base he exercised con-
trol in carrying them out, as weil as using the utmost method,
whereby he maintained interest in them to the last. The out
standing influences, apart from his medical career, were his strong.
and ever present Evangelical religion, admiration for any effort
well-done, and his love for all that concerned his native county
of Devon. For these no labour was too exacting or prolonged,
and the benefit of such sentiments came to the Bristol Naturalists’
Society in the 42 years of his membership. He was elected a
member on May 28th, 1883, and within two years started to hold
every office in its service, one after another, except the Secretaryship,
until within four months of his death. The chief periods were
fifteen years as Hon. Treasurer and twenty-one as Hon. Librarian,
with three years Presidency. 1901-1903.\ The Library tecemed
his unceasing attention, and when he left it, his early desire to
make it really useful to members had been attained. He arranged
the books and publications under subjects, catalogued them, and
found means to have much binding carried out, so that when he
secured the use of the present fine room at the Museum the books
were a credit to any Natural History Library. He has gone from
us soon after Council had gladly conferred upon him the position
IN MEMORIAM 207
of Honorary Membership, the highest honour within its power to
offer, and the Society has lost a wise adviser and a sincere worker
for its prosperity.
Amongst the Papers he contributed to the Proceedings were
two on Ancient British Remains on Clifton Downs and near Long
Ashton, and he followed up in private this taste for Antiquity
by a thorough search in the county to trace the line of the Wans-
dyke from Maes Knoll to below Dundry, and for this painstaking
set of observations he has this year been thanked in the Proceedings
of the Somersetshire Archeological and Natural History Society.
He also contributed a “ Retrospect ’’ of our Society on 1ts Diamond
Jubilee in 1923, full of details within his personal knowledge.
Flowers, however, were his chief love in the world of Nature,
and of these he had an extensive knowledge, which would surprise
those who were not admitted to intimacy with him. During his
long churchwardenship of nearly thirty years at Clifton Parish
Church he turned God’s Acre into the charming scene of beauty
that we now know, decorated with its peaceful avenue of trained
Lime trees, and full of the influences of Nature from the many
rare flowering shrubs he reared and planted there.
In his own tiny garden he cultivated curious plants, or. others
gathered on his holidays to Scotland or Dartmoor, to be disclosed
only to the few who overcame his reserved disposition.
The methodical turn of his mind showed itself clearly during
the War after he was appointed Administrator of the 2nd Southern
General Hospital in Bristol, with the rank of Lieut-Colonel, and
his work and medical skill caused him to be looked upon as a good
friend to all the soldiers under his care.
Thoroughly upright and trustworthy he formed his own well-
thought out opinions, and if these did not always meet with accep-
tance from others, they were genuine and did not lessen the re-
spect felt by everybody for his character and personality.
EM OR,
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1925.
‘* Plants of the Sea.”’
By ‘Pror: 0. V. DARBISHTRE:
O-DAY I am going to talk to you about the plants of the sea.
I hope that will tempt some of those present to take up the
collection and study of seaweeds.
Let us imagine ourselves approaching the sea from inland.
Long before we reach the coast we can observe the influence of
the sea on vegetation. Trees become reduced in height. Instead
of growing upright they bend over, and away from the direction of
the sea, and develope their foliage mainly on their landside. This
is due to the seawinds. Eyen smaller herbs show us that the
. area is wind-swept. The leaf of the dandelion under the influence
of the seawinds is succulent and fleshy as compared with the thin
papery leaf of the inland plant.
As we get still nearer the sea we may find a sandhill area, if
the fore-shore 1s sandy, a saltmarsh tf it is muddy, or a rocky coast.
It is the latter only which is of interest to us here as the number
of sea-plants growing on a sandy or muddy shore is negligible.
Before we actually reach the first seaweed proper we may come
across some characteristic flowering plants like the scurvy grass
and others with their succulent leaves. On the bare rock we may
observe the brillantly orange coloured lichen Xanthonia partetina.
This may form a distinct band running along the coast.
When we leave the last true land-plant behind us we enter
a quite new world. The land-plant with its dependance on fresh-
water in the soil does not descend into the salty sea. The more
conspicuous members of the vegetation of the dry land are vas-
cular plants only. We cross the frontier of lichens and enter the
area which at high tide is covered by the sea, and we find no vas-
cular plants (with very few exceptions) but merely non-vascular
members of the lower flowerless plants. Very few sea plants
venture ashore or even into freshwater.
The plants in the sea live more or less submerged in seawater.
They are water plants proper. The most remote ancestors of our
present day land-plants are supposed to have arisen from organisms
which came from the sea. When they emerged from the sea they
were very simple in structure, but as they developed they became.
OP AOE POLES gt + Odie tH
btm enenityy «oo
PLANTS OF THE. SEA 209
adapted to the land habit. Shortage of water and the threat of
being dried up owing to their exposure to the air compelled them to
get the water current under control. Thus they developed the
epidermis, and the cork layers which are impervious to water, 1n
order to reduce transpiration. They also developed pores or
stomata and lenticels in order to keep in touch with the outside
air. They developed vascular tissues in order to transport water
and food material over long distances. Land-plants may descend
into the water, but mainly freshwater, as aquatics, but they never
completely give up their land characters, except in a few instances.
They still retain, however, much modified, their air spaces though
much enlarged, and their vascular tissues though much reduced.
The remote ancestors of the seaweeds too were already to be
found in the sea. But the most highly developed seaweeds of
to-day have grown out of their simple ancestors without emerging
from their watery cradle. They therefore represent as no other
plants growing in water do, pure water plants. They have no
vascular tissue. They have no air-spaces, they have no stomata
and no cork. This is a list of the most important differences
which separate vegetatively seaweed from landweed.
Everybody knows that the sea does not cover the whole of
the coast permanently. There are tides, ordinary tides, neap tides
and spring tides. During the lowest neap tides some of the alge
remain exposed to the air for several days, and during the: biggest
spring tides some alge become uncovered which are otherwise
never exposed to wind and rain. The degree of exposure naturally
depends on the height at which the particular alga grows. These
zones of exposure on the coast correspond very accurately with
the zone-like distribution of certain seaweeds along the coast.
This is very clearly seen if we follow out the occurence of the large
olive brown alge (Pheophycee) from high water mark to low
water mark. The budding algologist should make himself familiar
with these large brown alge, and he can then see at what level
he is collecting. I will enumerate these important plants and
briefly describe them.
Pelvetia canaliculata, the channelled wrack, occurs quite high
up on the coast forming a distinct zone running along the rocky
_ shore in the form of a darkish line. The plants are small and are
moistened only by flying spray, and as the waves dash up against
the rocks. They are 2-ins.—6-ins. in height, and form dense
bunches.
Fucus spiralis (or platvcarpus), the spiral wrack, is like the
previous species attached by a flat disc. It has a flattened frond,
provided with a midrib, and reaches a height of about 12-ins.
The flattened oval shaped reproductive receptacles are winged
along two sides.
210 PLANTS OF THE SEA
Ascophyllum nodosum, the knobbed or knotted wrack, is the
first of the big brown weeds, measuring up to nearly 10 feet on
occasions. It is attached by a disc, and has bladders in the stem.
These act as buoys when the plants are submerged. A small red
alga, Polysiphonia fastigiata, is very generally found growing
epiphytically on this wrack. The reproductive receptacles of the
latter are pearshaped.
Fucus vesiculosus, the bladderwrack, is found mostly below
the knotted wrack, but may occasionally ascend above it, when
however it loses its bladders and remains sterile. The bladders
are arranged roughly in pairs on either side of the midrib. Except
that they form oils and fats instead of starch the brown alge
generally build up their food in the same way as the green land- -
plants. They are green under their brown covering. By boiling
in water the brown colouring matter can be removed, and the
fronds then become a brilliant green, which is of the same nature
as the chlorophyll of the land-plants.
Fucus serratus, the serrated wrack, can easily be distinguished
by the serrate margin of its bladderless flat fronds.
Most of the plants so far mentioned are exposed at practically
every tide, and they are therefore adapted to such exposure, and
are not injuriously affected by rain and sun-heat. The channelled
wrack is of course exposed longest. The larger weeds grow very
close together and form a dense covering of vegetation under
which numerous small alge and animals shelter during low tide.
Their sexual cells mature in small depressions or conceptacles on
specialised branches or receptacles. When exposed these branches
force out the small orange coloured spermcells into the open, and
also the darkish eggcells. When the tide comes up the motile sperm-
cells soon come into contact with, and fertilise: the non-motile
egecells. The latter soon germinate and attach themselves to the
rock, at first probably sheltered by their large parental plants.
This process can easily be observed by collecting some of the |
spermcells and eggcells in a watch glass and keeping them a few
days for examination under the microscope.
There now follow a number of weeds which become increasingly
less exposed.
Laminaria digitata, one of the kelps or tangles, has a flat
frond, and a slightly flattened cylindrical stalk. It is attached
by numerous root-like fibres. The new frond arises at the junction
of old frond and stalk.
Himanthalia lorea, the seathongs, consists of a small button-
like portion hardly more than an inch in height. From this grows
out a huge receptacle which is strap-shaped in form and much
branched. It may reach a length of 5 or 6 feet.
Sa
—_
_-
———— Poe
ee
SF]
,
"e8Sperp vesdeeq(u
°79U 9dezINg(U
‘esonbttts sAiptteH(Tt
BSoqTng eztTysoyooeg( x
“eyuatnoss etzery(e
“BUTIBYOOGS BTASUTWBT( T
ee roqutadAy eTTeUTWBT( Y
*"¥IBW L94eM MOT CO
*snjeiIges snong( 2
“S910T BST TBYYUBUITH( J
“SuSOTNOTS3eA snong( a
*uMSO pou um [TAydoosy( p
*B1B4TSIp BTIeutwey( o
*stTeitds snong(q |
“D> *SLBTNO TT eueo B8TIAATSd(B
"4 *NOLLVNV TdXa
PLANTS OF THE SEA Pas
Laminaria saccharina, the sweet tangles or sea belt, is a flat
and long kelp with a fibrous attachment organ, and an uneven
puckered surface.
Alaria esculenta, the eatable fucus, is a broad and very long
weed, up to 12 feet and more in length, with a very marked midrib.
The frond grows at its lower end, and the reproductive leaves are
found laterally on the stalk.
Laminaria hyperborea, the tangles or sea-girdles, a kind of
kelp, differs but little from L. digitata. It has a cylindrical stem
however, and exhibits a sharper demarcation between frond and
stalk. It is a very much larger and stouter plant.
Halidrys stliquosa, the pod-bearing fucus, has small aoe -like
bladders. This plant is often found to be quite 8 feet in length.
It has a small disc as attachment organ.
Sacchorluza bulbosa, sea-furbelows, is but aye seen actually
growing, as it occurs only well below low water mark. Even
when portions of it project above the water it is not often noticed
by the young collector, and distinguished from Laminaria hyper-
borea. Specimens can generally be obtained fresh only by going
into the water. Young plants should be got if at all possible.
Young specimens possess narrow ribbon-like fronds, and a thin
stalk attached to the rocky substratum by numerous fibres. Then
there arises a short distance up the stem a collar-like outgrowth
which gradually grows down and covers the fibres by a bell-shaped
structure which in its turn sends our numerous fibrous attachment
organs. It may in the end be 12-ins. across and 6 to 8-ins. high.
A slight twist in the lower part of the stem which is flattened
supplies the whole plant with a universal joint so that the water-
currents can make it bend in any direction without injury. The
life history has only been made out during the last decade. The
spores escape from sporangia situated on a frill-like portion of the
stem, and they grow up to female and male prothallia. The former
carry the eggcells and these when fertilised give rise to the ordinary
Sacchormza-plant. So we have here a definite alternation of gener-
ations characteristic of the higher plants, ferns, mosses and so on.
Among the larger brown alge are found too many smaller
ones, which can however only be properly separated by the aid
of the microscope. I do not wish to refer to these here further.
The red alge (Rhodophycee or Floridee) differ very much
from the brown weeds. They are generally smaller and more
delicate and therefore also more sensitive to changes of temperature
and saltiness of the sea water. They are for this reason only,
or mainly found near low water mark. Rockpools which contain
water even when the tide is out, frequently harbour good numbers
of red alge, otherwise met with only at low tide and lower on the
212 PLANTS OF THE SEA
coast. In the forests formed by the larger laminarians every
available spot is covered by small red algee. The rocky substratum,
and the lower portions of the laminarians have growing on them
many specimens of calcareous alge, and then we get numerous
delicate fronds of the larger but still small Rhodophycee, like.
Plocamium coccineum, Hvydrolapathum sanguineum, Delesseria
sinuosa, and many others. Sarcophyllis edulis, and Rhodymenia
palmata are rather coarser in build, and are found higher up the
coast. Some red seaweeds are found higher up, but at low tide
these are generally well protected by lying under the larger brown
plants. The red colour of the Rhodophycee can be removed,
though rather slowly, by boiling in fresh water when the green
becomes visible. Starch is formed, but it is slightly different from
the starch of the potato.
The green alge (Chlorophycee) are characteristic of the higher
portions of the coast. In many cases we can see them practically
swarming up a freshwater brook which runs into the sea, and
which would interfere with the growth of red or most brown alge.
We have filamentous species of Cladophora and flat species of
Ulva and Monostroma, but most of these can only be distinguished
by the aid of the microscope. I will leave these also.
Seaweeds die, sea animals die, and much dead animal and
plant matter 1s washed into the sea. This decays through the
activity of numerous Bacterva and a few fungi which break up the
organic compounds of the dead animals and plants and return
them as simple and inorganic compounds to the sea. In this way
chemical elements are kept in circulation in the sea.
The area of the sea which is inhabited by seaweeds is very
small when compared with the vastness of the oceans. A few
fish may feed on seaweeds, but most of them obtain their food
from the drifting population or plancton, animal and plant, of the
upper layers of sea some miles out from the coast and beyond,
over the whole ocean. According to Johnstone grazing Jand may
yield 76 pounds of flesh, for food purposes, per acre per year, but
the North Sea vields only 15 pounds of fish for food per acre, per
year. On the other hand grazing land actually produces 1,500
pounds of organic matter per acre per year, but for the same time.
and area the Baltic produces 1,350 pounds. This large amount of
organic matter is produced almost entirely by certain small plant-
organisms belonging to the Diatomacee and Dinoflagellate (Peri-
diniee). It is the latter which give rise to the phenomenon of
phosphorescence of the sea.
Seaweed is used as manure 1n this country, and its rich nitrogen
contents, and the absence of fungus spores make it desirable.
Successful experiments have been made in France in feeding horses
PRANTES Oa THE SEA 213
on sea weeds. Certain species again are used extensively in China
and Japan for human consumption.
Seaweeds can easily be prepared for the Herbarium. They
should be deprived of all superfluous salt by rinsing rapidly in clean
seawater. They may then be floated out under seawater on paper
and finally pressed between absorbent paper. Some muslin should
be placed over each specimen to prevent it adhering to the absor-
bent paper. Slight pressure only is subsequently necessary. The
use of a microscope is necessary when trying to separate some of
the smaller species.
Apart from Harvey’s Phycologia Britannica, published about
70 years ago, there is no good book on British seaweeds in the
English language. There is every chance however of one appearing
at no very distant date. There does exist however, a French
book? which is modern and useful, though it does not include all
British species. I can recommend it to the beginner.
I hope that these few remarks will encourage some members
of our Society to take up the study of seaweeds. In the Bristol
district seaweeds are found at Pill, and, of course, in larger numbers
at Portishead.
1 Les Algues Marines des Cotes de France, by E. Wuitner. Published by
Paul Lechevalier, 12, Rue de Tourmon, Paris, VI, 1912, with 112 plates
and 134 figures. Price 15 francs.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.—The drawing shows an imaginary portion
of the English coast, and the succession of the larger brown seaweeds. The
order in which these make their appearance has been put in after careful
levelling measurements carried out by the author at Port Erin, I.0o.M.,
and the alge are not drawn strictly in proportion as regards size, but very
nearly.
214
Bird PHotapeny.
By RR PAGarr.
HERE are many aspects to the subject of Bird Photography,
but the most important from the ornithologist’s point of
view is that it affords a means by which the intimate family
life of birds can be studied at close quarters, the photographic
records of which can be utilized to fix the knowledge gained, or to.
impart it to others.
I commenced bird photography merely to obtain photographs
of birds and their nests, but after a year or two I found that some
other element had crept into my hobby, which it was difficult to
define. There was an added attractiveness about the whole
business, which had nothing to do with the mere acquisition of
successful negatives. This new attraction I found to be the
element of sport, the matching of one’s wits against those of wild
creatures ; the alteration of one’s methods to suit individual cases
and the charm of the unexpected, all helped to make bird photo-
graphy as exciting a sport as most other out-door pursuits, which
provide relaxation, exercise and fresh air for the city dweller.
The whole appearance of a bird seen from the peep-hole of a
hiding tent seems to be quite different to the ordinary view seen
through a pair of binoculars, and one notices all kinds of details
of plumage, which often escape the attention of the ordinary
observer. For instance one finds that the oyster catcher has a red
rim to the eye as well as a red bill and legs; the little dabchick
seen at close quarters has more reddish brown on the breast than
had been noticed before, and the kingfisher seems to be sprinkled
with amethyst dust all over the crown of his head.
Individuality of character is another point which impresses
one forcibly. Two pairs of yellow wagtails building in the same
field of horse beans were found to be very different in temperament.
Against one nest, quite near a road, a small sack was placed on a
stick about 20 feet away from the nest, whilst, owing to circum-
stances, a full sized hiding tent had to be erected within six feet
of the other nest, which was situated far away in the middle of
the field. The first pair of birds deserted, whereas the second ©
pair took no notice of the tent whatsoever. A moorhen, quite
used to passers-by, with her eggs just pipping refused to come
anywhere near her nest to be photographed, but a dabchick faced
a hiding tent, which had only been put up the previous night,
and she could only be moved from her nest by the vigorous ejection
of a cap through the door of the tent.
One treasures up many a little comedy or delightful experience
seen during the long waits ; the jays, which came down to try and
D GULL
my
BLACKHEADY!
ahghting on Nest.
R. P. Gat.
Photo. by
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY Pe)
steal those moorhen’s eggs and were driven off by father moorhen ;
the cock chaffinch, who tried each of his five youngsters with a
-aterpillar, which was far too big for them, and then finally jammed
:t down the throat of one unfortunate nestling with a “‘ Well! you
have got to have it” sort of air; and that tremendous twenty foot
dive, which a kingfisher did whilst we were waiting for the dab-
chick to return.
It would be misleading for me to describe bird photography
as an easy task, for the difficulties which attend systematic photo-
graphy call for an inexhaustible amount of patience, perseverance
and determination. The rewards, however, are pictures which
are of some definite value, a knowledge of the habits of birds un-
obtainable by ordinary methods and the good health resulting
from long days spent tramping the countryside in search of subjects.
With regard to the apparatus required, a good strong camera
of the wood and brass type, which focusses on to a screen, is ab-
solutely essential, and it must. be mounted on a perfectly rigid
threefold wooden tripod, which will bear both weight and the
effects of high winds without moving or vibrating.
The lens is of course the principal item, and should be the
best obtainable (either Ross, Goerz, Cooke or others of the first-
class makers) working at least at 6. After trying many lenses,
including a telephoto, I have personally found a 7-in. Goerz lens
working at 6, which covers a half plate, give excellent results
when used in a quarter plate camera, the long focal length giving
a maximum of size, and the quality of the lens the necessary sharp-
ness to enable the negative to be enlarged many diameters.
Great care must be taken with focussing the nest or twig on
which one hopes to get one’s bird, and should preferably be done
with the aid of a magnifying focussing glass, or disappointment
will be the result when the negative is placed in the enlarger.
Plates and developer are naturally the choice of the individual,
but after a long trial I find that the Imperial Eclipse plate (backed)
gives the maximum amount of detail with the shortest exposure,
and is admirably suited for the purpose. The next requirement
is the hiding tent, which can be either elaborate or simple as the
worker requires. One that I am using at present is 34 feet square
by 4% feet high, made of unbleached calico dyed in a bath of
weak permanganate of potash. The framework consists of 3-in.
bamboo poles, 5 feet in length, cut in half and joined by the ordinary
fishing rod brass joints. Galvanised iron wire, fitting into brass
sockets, form the top square, and when guy ropes are attached
to the corners and pegged down, it is simply amazing the amount
of rough weather and high winds that a tent of this kind will stand.
The whole of the outfit collapses into a 34 foot bag.
The camera lens is better for having a brass tube attached
216 BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
to it to act both as a hood and to enable the lens to be projected
through the tent without fear of the fabric being blown over it ;
also a hood minimizes the eye-like appearance of the lens, which
has. such a disturbing effect on birds.
As to general methods of working, our subjects are usually
found during one week-end and prepared for photography during
the next. The distance from the nest at which the hiding tent is
first erected depends on the nature of the bird, and whether there
are eggs or young in the nest. With a curlew 30 feet would not
be too far to commence operations, but a bird like the reed bunting
would tolerate a tent within less than half that distance. The
tent should be moved closer once or twice before the appointed
day for photography, and any cutting out of branches, etc., or
removal of undergrowth done gradually, leaving the final pre-
parations until immediately before entering the hiding tent.
If time is of no object a preliminary observation of the site
from the hiding tent is often invaluable, as it reveals the direction
and the method of the bird’s approach, which is frequently the
reverse to what one would expect. A factor which is of more
importance in bird photography than in most other branches of
the art is background. It is most annoying, after spending a
couple of hours in a hiding tent, to find that one’s bird is so mixed
up with the background that it is difficult to pick it out. A careful
examination of the focussing screen will frequently suggest some
alteration, which will bring the subject against the skyline, or the
elimination of twigs, grass, etc., behind the focus point will form
a space sufficient to throw the bird into relief.
Before settling down in the tent be sure that you are comfort-
able, everything is to hand and above all, that you can see your
focus point easily. A friend to help you focus, and then to walk
openly away in full view of your bird will add a hundred per cent.
to your chance of success, indeed with some birds this subterfuge
is the only method.
Correct exposure will only come with practice, but it should
not be forgotten that as the subjects are close to the lens, a longer
exposure is required than in ordinary photography, especially
if the bird is dark in colour. Slight over-exposure and short
development with a weakened developer will usually give the best
results. A favourable stop is F.11, and the exposure 1/25th or
1/10th of a second, unless the site is highly lit, when the lens may
be stopped down to F.16, or even F.22, on the sand of the seashore,
according to the colour of the subject.
The above remarks are a rough outline of the subject of bird
photography, and are intended to induce bird lovers to take up this
fascinating branch of ornithology. Further information and every
assistance will be accorded to any member who joins the Ornitho-
logical Section of the Society.
ZAG
The Apterygota of the South-West of England.
By H. WomERSLEY, F.E.S.
Part Ill.
ONTINUED working at this primitive and exceedingly inter-
esting division of the Insecta has produced several notable
records for the area.
One species of Isotomine taken at Lawrence Weston, near
Bristol, by Mr. J. V. Pearman, is new to science, and has been
described and figured by myself as Protanurophorus pearmani
in the E.M.M., November, 1925. The genus itself is also new, and
is based on a species P. oxontensts discovered at Oxford by Mr.
R. S. Bagnall, to which our own species is very closely allied.
Protanurophorus is a very interesting genus. being intermediate
between Anurophorus and Tetracanthella (not yet found in our
area), Protanurophorus possessing two anal horns while Anuro-
phorus is without and Tetracanthella has four.
Another new British record L[olsomia fimetarioides (Axels)
allied to the common F. fimetaria, but differing in having an
additional tooth to the mucro, situated proximately, is also des-
cribed in the same article.
Such discoveries as these greatly stimulate the study of these
lesser known groups of insects, and if others would but give some
time to them, the area covered by the 5.W.N.U. should produce
much of real scientific interest and value.
The species so far known to occur in the above Faunal Area
number 82, two only in their varietal form and 13 other varieties.
My best thanks are again due to Mr. J. M. Brown, B.Sc.,
Rees. this. ete, and to Mr. R- S. Bagnall, F.L.S., for much
valuable expert help, and also to the several members who have
collected specimens for me.
Order —— Gollembola (Lubbk.).
Sub-Order — Arthropleona (Borner).
Section — Poduromorpha (C.B.).
Family _~ Hypogastruridz (C.B.).
Sub-Family — Hypogastrurinz (C.B.).
Genus —— Hypogastrura (C.B.).
Uxchorites Remp. Eubbk. 1).
2. H. armata (Nic.). :
Under bark, West Town, Som., April 11th, 1925. In nesting
marerial of Nalpa, Chelvey, Som., April 12th, 1925.
3. H. purpurascens (Lubbk.).
Dursley, Glos., March 24th, 1925.
218 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
82. H. strenuus (Brown).
The record of H. purpurascens (see p. 30) for (a) face of cliffs,
Kewstoke, October 21st, 1923, is this species, and most probably
the record (6) embankment wall, Avon Gorge, November 17th,
1922, applies to the same. This species was diagnosed by Brown
in 1923, and appears to favour a littoral habitat, such as occupied
by species of Petrobius.
Genus — Xenylla (Tlbg.).
8. X. grisea (Axels.).
Under moss, West Town, Som., February 22nd, 1925. Under
bark, Dursley, Glos., and in moss, Bream, Forest of Dean, March
24th, 1925. |
Sub-Family — Achorutinz (C.B.).
Tribe —— Pseudachorutini (C.B.).
Genus —— Pseudachorutes (Ilbg.).
58. P. subcrassus (Tlbg.).
In moss, West Town, Som., April 10th and 25th, 1925.
Genus — Friesia (D.T.).
61. F. claviseta (Axels.).
Few in moss, West Town, February 22nd, 1925; Goblin
Combe, Som., March 15th, 1925.
amily —- Onychiurinz (C.B.).
Genus — Onychiurus (Gerv.) Born.
12. QO. burmeisteri (Lubbk.).
Nursery Gardens, Cleeve, January 25th, 1925. Cannington,
Som., September 5th, 1925.
14. 0. armatus (Tullb.).
Cleeve, January 25th, 1925. Generally distributed. Seven
Wells Combe, Quantocks, Som., September 6th, 1925.
O. armatus var. inermis (Axels.).
In moss, Dursley, Glos., March 23rd, 1925.
Genus — Tullbergia (Lubbk.) Born.
75. TT. krausbaueri (Born.).
’ A few under stones, Backwell Quarry, Som., May 10th, 1925.
76. TT. quadrispina (Born.).
A-few under stones, Backwell Quarry, May 10th, 1925; West
Town, Som., September 7th, 1925.
Section — Entomobryomorpha (C.B.).
Family — |sotomidze (Schfir.).
Sub-Family — Isotominze (Schfir.).
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 219
Genus — Protanurophorous (Bagn.).
78. P. pearmani (Womersley).
Under lichen, on oak, at Lawrence Weston, Glos., by Mr.
a Vv. Pearman, April, 1925. This species 1s new to science. (See
E.M.M., November, 1925.)
: Genus | — Anurophorous (Tullb.).
16. A. laricis (Tullb.). |
Under lichen on gorse, Backwell Hill, Som., April 19th, 1925.
Lawrence Weston, Glos., April, 1925. (J.V.P.)
Genus — Isotoma s. str. (Bourl. C.B.).
18. I. olivacea var. griscescens (Schfir.).
Plentiful in Talpa nests at Chelvey, April 12th, 1925. Under
bark, Brockley Woods, Som., July 18th, 1925.
66. I. notabilis (Schffr.).
West Town, February 22nd, 1925;- Goblin Combe, Som.,
March 15th, 1925. Bream, Forest of Dean, Glos.; March 24th,
1925. |
73. |. minor (Schafir.).
inemoess,; “Goblm Combe, Som.; March 15th, 1925 ;- Dursley,
Glos., March 24th, 1925, One specimen.
Sub-genus -— Vertagopus (C.B.).
21. V. sensibilis (Tullb.).
In moss, Dursley, Glos., March 24th, 1925.
22. V. cinerea (Nic.).
Gleeve, Som., January 25th; 1925.;. Plymouth, May 29th,
1922,
Genus — Proisotoma (C.B.).
23. P. minuta (Tullb.).
In Talpa nests, Chelvey, Som., April, 1925.
Genus —- Folsomia (Willem.).
26. F. quadrioculata (Tullb.). ;
in moss, West Town, Som., February 22nd, 1925; Bream,
Forest of Dean, and Dursley, Glos.,-March 24th, 1925.
72. F. fimetarioides (Axels.).
Under stones in Bristol Coal Wharf, Glos., March 7th, 1925.
This is the first British record. (See E.M.M., November, 1925).
Family — Entomobryidz (C.B.).
Sub-Family — Entomobryine (C.B.).
Tribe — Entomobryini (C.B.).
220 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OFSGENGIARD
Genus — Lepidocyrtus (Bourl.).
73. L. albus (Pack.).
Under bark, Backwell Common, Som., March 14th, 1925.
SO. Lb. sexoculatus (Schott.).
One specimen under stones, Broad Plain, Bristol, Glos., July
0th, -1925\* “several the following day. Under bark, Brockley,
September 10th, 1925.
65. L. (Sinella) cavernarum (Doniez.).
Under bricks, Seven Wells Combe, Quantock, September 6th,
1925.
Genus — §$ira (Lbk.).
44. §. nigromaculata (Lbk.).
Plentiful at West Town, Som., June 28th, 1925, and since.
Genus — Pseudosira (Schott) Born.
66. P. domestica (Nic.).
Hot house, Cannington, Som., September 5th, 1925. Knowle,
BristelSom.:..1925:
fnibe — Orchesellini (C.B.).
Genus — Orchesella (Templ.).
46. ©. villosa (Geof.).
Plymouth (C. W.; Bracken); June 6th, 1925:
47. Q. flavescens (Bourl.).
Bourton Combe, July 4th, 1925, Brockley Woods, Som.,
July 19th, 1925. My previous records must be referred to var.
pallida (Reut.). : :
47a. @. flavescens var. pallida (Reut.).
Bourton Combe, July 4th, 1925; Brockley Woods, Som.,
July 19th. 1925. “(See above?)
Sub-Order -— Symphepieona (C.B.).
Family — Neelidz (Fol.).
Genus - Megalotherax (Williem.).
65. M. minimus (Willem.).
Goblin Combe, Som., a few, March 15th, 1925.
Family — $minthuride (Lubbk.).
Sub-Family — Sminthuridinze (Born.).
Genus — §minthurinus (C.B.).
50a. §. aureus var. ochropus (Reut.).
One specimen on Quarry Wall, West Town, Som., April 13th,
1925. One specimen on lichen-covered rocks on Gutter Tor,
Dartmoor, May 30th, 1925.
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 22)
74. §. niger (Lubbk.).
In hot house, Cleeve, Som., January 25th, 1925. Cannington
Beecemper oth, 1925:
Genus — Arrhopalites (Born.).
77a. A. coecus var. attenuatus (Carp. and Evens).
One specimen, probably this species, under stone, West Town,
Som., May 10th, 1925. |
Sub-family — | Sminthurinz (C.B.).
Genus — Bourletiella (Banks, C.B.).
51. B. insignis (Keut.). —
Common at Shapwick, Som., July 11th, 1925.
52. B. bicinetus (Kock.).
Brockley, sont:,. July 19th, 1925.
52a. B. bicinctus var. repanda (Agr.).
Cawsand, Cornwall, May 29th, 1925; Brockley, Som., July
19th, 1925.
Genus — Allacma (Born.).
54. A. fusea (Linn.).
Brockley Woods, Som., July 19th, 1925.
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.
BAGNALL “ihe: British. species. of the Genus. letracanthella,’
a=, POUP.
Econ. Bol: 1918:
CARPENTER “ Zool. Results’ of the Abor Expedition, Collembola.’. Re-
covds of the Indian Museum, Vol. VIII., Pt. V.
FoLsoM ““N. American Achorutinc, Neanurince and -Podurine.”
US. Nat. Museum. Proc:, No- 2134, 1916:
——-—_— (oN. American. Tomocerinee,’’ Ibid., No. 2037,-1913.
HANDSCHIN wmbie: Onychiuninender Sciwiez, "* 920:
ImMMs . Collembola from India, Burma and Ceylon.” Pyvoc. Zool.
Soc. of London, 1912.
LUBBOCK ~ Notes onthe “Lhysanira,’ Pt, Tib and IV. +*Lvans. Linn.
See, 1867:
WOMERSLEY ‘‘ Two new British Collembola.’’ E.M.M., Nov., 1925.
222
A Short Account of British Psocids.
By J. V. PEARMAN.
HE object of this paper is to draw attention to a neglected
group of British insects, of which no connected account has
been published since McLachlan’s Monograph in 1867 (Entom.
Monthly Mag., Vol. III). Considerations of space have necessi-
tated condensation, and the omission of much of interest ; I have
aimed to be suggestive rather than informative.
GENERAL. DESCRIPTION,
Frequently confused with certain small insects of other orders,
Psocids may be most readily identified by the peculiar inflation
of the facial mid-region (clypeus) and the large globular eyes.
The majority are four-winged with proportionately large wings
carried along the sides of the body, but meeting by their hinder
edges over the back. In these species the thorax is large and con-
vex, giving the insects a hump-backed appearance, and the legs
are relatively long and slender. Although capable of flight they
do not readily take to wing, trusting rather to their fleetness of
foot and powers of jumping. The abdomen, which in life measures
about half the total body-length, is oval and soit ; it shrinks much
in dried specimens.
Apterous and semi-apterous species occur differing from the
winged species by the relatively larger and more globose abdomen
and the smaller, simpler thorax, which is not elevated above the
level of the top of the head.
Most species are more or less gregarious. They are to be found
in almost any situation which provides growths of pleurococcus
for food and crevices for lurking places, especially on the bark,
and amid the foliage of trees. A few occur in dusty or damp places
in houses, feeding on micro-fungi and organic detritus.
Many of them are beautifully coloured and marked, but
unfortunately the colours are to a great extent lost or altered
after death. |
All species, in all stages, are capable of producing from an
organ near the mouth a silken thread similar to that of a spider,
but the utilisation of this power varies among the species. With
some it seems to be used merely to provide a safety line when
exploring unfamiliar surfaces. One species spins a close web over
its hiding place; others weave a covering over their eggs.
LIFE GENS ORY:
The eggs are laid on or near the feeding ground, and may be
either naked or enveloped in a secretion which hardens to form
a close fitting sheath. The manner of disposal varies. Some
A er CCOUNT OF BRITISH PSOCIDS DIS)
species place them hap-hazard, others aggregate them in smaller
or larger patches, either irregularly or in neat quadrilateral for-
mation, and many spin a close web over each patch. The common
form of egg is a symmetrical smooth oval, but that of Hyferetes
and allied genera is somewhat boat- -shaped, ridged and pitted.
There are considerable specific differences in size, both absolutely
and relatively to the parent, and in the number laid.
Although unmistakably stamped with its psocid characters,
the young insect is of a simplified form. When newly emerged
immaturity is grotesquely emphasised by the disproportionately
large head, small abdomen, and relatively thick legs. In the early
larval condition all three segments of the thorax are small, simple,
and of nearly equal dimensions, the tarsi two-jointed, and the
antenne with fewer segments than in the adult.
As growth proceeds, in stages marked off by periodical moult-
ings of the integument, the adult proportions are gradually assumed,
and, in the winged forms, the future wings develop as fleshy pads
but do not acquire their true character until after the final moult.
Ocelli, three simple eyes placed triangularly midway between the
true eyes, are usually correlated with the possession of wings.
Apterous species are, in general, very similar to larval forms.
_ There does not seem to be any detailed account of the complete
transformations of any species. There are probably five or six
moultings (ecdyses), and the duration of each stage (imstar), and
the total period of development is dependent upon weather condi-
tions, and the quantity of food available.
Embryonic development also awaits thorough investiga-
tion. With some species the eggs hatch in a few weeks, with others
they may remain unhatched for nearly three quarters of the year.
As regards at least some of the latter it may possibly be found
that the independent larval condition is reached at an early date,
the immature psocid remaining quiescent within the shell for a
lengthy period. If this surmise be correct it would help to ex-
plain the occurrence of a winter larva in certain species (at least
four) whereas it seems more usual for the winter to be passed over
in the egg.
From records of captures it is possible that there is occasionally
hibernation by adults. Some species normally occur very late
in the year, but the season of greatest abundance is during the
months of June, July and August. The earliest appearing species
are found in May. In general our Psocids are single brooded ;
perhaps a few are double brooded.
Immature forms are sometimes subject to attack by an ecto-
parasite, probably a Chalcid,* and in all species examined the
intestinal tract has been found to contain numbers of gregarines.
* My attempts at rearing the parasite have been unsuccessful.
224 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF BRITISH PSOCIDS
EXTERNAL’ ANATOMY:
Only so much of the anatomy as is primarily of use in. the
discrimination of species can be discussed.
The general characters of the nead are sufficiently indicated
in the figures (fig. 4). The ocella may be distinct or closely aggre-
gated to form a single tubercle. The antenne have two short,
stout, basal joints, and a flagellum of 11 (most winged species),
13 (Tvoctide), or over 20 (Airopide, etc.) segments. It is difficult
in a line drawing to show the true form of the mandibles. . Their
stout basal portion bears a ribbed molar area which in the right
mandible is convex, and in the left concave with a surrounding
ridge. The apical incisory part terminates in one or more pointed
teeth. Internally between the two areas is a deep channel in which
he the maxilla and pick when the mouth is closed. The “ pick,”
the homology and functions of which are not definitely established,
is variously divided at the tip.
Thorax and abdomen (fig. 1-3) call for no comment. Towards
the apex of the abdomen, beneath, is found the genital armature,
a complex assemblage of processes differing in details among the
species.
Except in Tvoctes, where the hind femora are much enlarged,
the legs are slender but strong. The ¢arvsz are either two—or
three-jointed, the terminal joint bearing a pair of claws furnished
with elongate processes (empodia).
The wings (fig. 5) are shaped somewhat like those of the Hy-
menoptera, and, like them, locked in flight. In the Psocoptera |
this is accomplished by the engagement of two ridges formed
by a bending downwards of part of the hind margin of the fore-
wings, and a corresponding upward bending on the fore margin
of the hind wings... (LL. fig..5):
The venation, especially of the forewings, was the basis of
the first satisfactory plan of classification and still affords the
readiest means of separating genera. We may regard the main
nervures as parts of two reciprocal systems of forked veins. The
upper system consists of the Radius (Ik) with its branches (Ra, 0)
and-the Stigmal vein (S), the lower comprising the Medius (M)
with its branches (Ma, b, c) and the Cubitus (C) and its branch.
Thus the Cubital, or Posterior, Cell (CP) 1s regarded as the homo-
logue of the Pterostigma (PS), and these two areas usually undergo
sympathetic modifications, though not always to an equal degree.
For instance in the genera Stenopsocus and Graphopsocus {fig. 8)
each is connected to the adjacent longitudinal vein by a transverse
veinlet (hyphen) ; in Psocus (fig. 6) the cubital cell coalesces with
the medius and the pterostigma tends towards the radius. Ex-
ceptions are seen in Mesopsocus where a greatly enlarged cubital
cell is associated with a comparatively small pterostigma, and
A. SHORT ACCOUNT OF BRITISH PSOCIDS 225
in Pertpsocus where the cubital cell is wholly absent. (Figs.
5S
The manner in which the two systems of veins are joined
(R-+M) should be observed. (Fig. 12.) Examples of the three
conditions sessile, hyphenate and petiolate, are shown in figs.
6—8.
The keys which follow are sufficient for the determination of
eenera- The nomenclature in the list of species is that most
usual in British references ; some generic names of doubtful value
have been ignored. Species not yet recorded from the Bristol
area are indicated by prefixing the letter N.
KEYS FO: GENERA.
References, unless otherwise noted, are to forewings ; lettering as in figures.
T=tarsal joints. A= antennal joints.
I. Wings functional.
GP wanting
T3. PS wanting EMBIDOTROCTES 4
T2. PS clavate (fig. 9) PERIPSOCUS
T2. PS oblong (fig. 10e) EcTOPSOCUS
GP free
T3. PS clavate GP tented, moderate
(fig. 10a, 11a) ELIPSOCUS
PS prolate GP tented, very large
(fig. 5) MESOPSOCUS 4
PS simple GP simple (fig. 7) /_. PSYLLIPSOCUS
T2. (CP usually domed)
PS clavate (fig. 100, c, d,)
Veins ciliated
Hind wings R+-M intimate CAECILIUS
Hind wings R+-Mhyphenate REUTERELLA 4
Veins bare PTERODELA
PS prolate (fig. 10g)
R-+M petiolate KoLpia 6
R+M hyphenate BERTKAUIA
PS oblong (fig. 10f) TRICHOPSOCUS
CP adherent to M. PS free (fig. 6) T2. Psocus
CP hyphenate to M. PS hyphenate to R (fig. 8) T2.
PS clavate GRAPHOPSOCUS
PS elongate, narrow STENOPSOCUS
II. Wings wanting cr much reduced
2; ;
Winglets minute, ocelli present Korsia Q
Winglets absent, ocelli absent
Antenne long, colour pitchy black BERTKAUIA &
Antenne short, colour buff brown REUTERELLA Q
226 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF BRITISH PSOCIDS
T3.
A 2+11.
Completely apterous PSEUDOPSOCUS
Winglets present, minute Mesoprsocus 9
A 2+13 (Insects minute, form flattened)
Hind femora much dilated and angulated Troctrs
Hind femora slightly dilated, not angulated EmBipotrocres
A 2420, or more.
Completely apterous HYPERETES
Winglets present
Body without scales, winglets rounded.
Ocelli present, winglets with
evident neuration NYMPHOPSOCUS
Ocelli generally absent, winglets
without neuration
Colour whitish ATROPOS
Colour pitchy LEPINOTUS
Body with scales, winglets pointed PTEROXANIUM
EIST SOR, BREDISE PSOCOPTERA.
Psocus Laty. | CAEBCILIUS Curt. | Ectopsocus McL.
longicornis Fabr. fuscopterus Laity. briggsi McL.
ne bulosus Steph.| N atricornis McL.
bifasciatus Lair. flavidus Steph. | PsyLiipsocus Selys.
variegatus Laty. | N obsoletus Steph. ramburii Selys.
fasciatus Fabr. burmeisteri Brau.
sexpunctatus Linn. perlatus Kolbe.| NyMpHopsocus End.
N quadrimaculatus Laiy.| N_ kolbei Tet. destructor End.
N bipunctatus Linn. piceus Kolbe.
N morio Latr. ATROPOS Leach.
| TricHopsocus Kolbe. pulsatoria Linn.
STENOPSOCUS Hagen. dali McL. | N annulata Hagen.
immaculatus Steph.
stigmaticus Imhoff.. KOLBIA Berth. | LEPINOTUS Heyd.
N quisquiliarum Bert. inquilinus Heyd.
GRAPHOPSOCUS Kolbe. ;
cruciatus Linn. | BERTKAUIA Kolbe. | HyYPERETES Kolbe.
lucifuga Ramb. guestfalicus Kolbe.
MESOPSOCUS Kolbe. (= prisca Kolbe) | N britannicus Harr.
unipunctatus Mull.
REUTERELLA End. | PTEROXANIUM End.
ELIpsocus Hagen. helvimacula End. squamosum End.
flaviceps Steph.
hyalinus Steph, | PTERODELA Kolbe. | TROCTES Burm.
westwoodi McL. pedicularia Linn. divinitorius Mull.
abietis Kolbe. quercus Kolbe. bicolor Banks.
cyanops Rost. N formicarius Hagen.
PERIPSOCUS Hagen.
PSEUDOPSOCUS Kolbe.| N alboguttatus Dalm.| EMBIDOTROCTES End.
rostocki Kolbe. subpupillatus McL. rectivenis Pear.
pheopterus Stebh.
a-a CLAVATE
ef OBLONG |
2
PROLATLE
(Qaeda
IA.
228 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF BRITISH PSOCIDS
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES:
1. Type of winged fsocid. 2. Type of larval and apterous psocid.
3. Jype of Troctes. 4. M. unipunctatus, Head, front view,—O. ocelli ;
F, frons ; C, clypeus ; E,epistoma ; L, labrum ; M, mandibles ; Mx, maxilla ;
Pe pick ki labium: do Lhe “same swings. 6. Psocus variegatus,
apex of forewing. 7. Psyilipsocus, the. same: 8. Graphopsocus,
the same. 9. . Peripsocus, the*same. 10. Types of PS—a, Elipsocus,
b, Cecilius, c, Reuterella, d, Pterodela, e, Ectopsocus, f, Trichopsocus, g,
Bertkauia. 11. Types of free CP—a, Elipsocus, 0b, Ceecilius. 12;
Types of R+M junction—-v» petiolate, y, sessile, z, hyphenate.
229
List of Slugs Found in the Bristol District.
| By ADR BAccHUS.
LTHOUGH perhaps better known in Bristol for his work on
ae kayncota.and the Pormicide, ‘the late: Mr. A:-D.. R.
Bacchus had studied the Mollusca with equal enthusiasm.
After the War, when he settled in Bristol, he recorded several
species as new to Gloucester West, Somerset and Wiltshire. Several
of his Notes were published in the Journal of Conchology, Vol.
XVI. The following List of Slugs was compiled by him in 1921
and 1922, and will undoubtedly prove of great value to all future
students of this somewhat neglected: Group. His characteristic
zeal in unearthing old records is well shown in the following List.
His untimely death from injuries received while on active service
is an irreparable loss to Zoology, not only in the Bristol district,
but throughout the South Western area.—N. G. Hadden.
BRITISH SLUGS;
| Glos. W. | Som. N:
Pe TeStACerLA HALIOTIDEA, Drap.... | Xx |
ey scururuM, 'G."B. Sowerby | | x
aE NTAUGET, Férugsac | xX | x
4. Limax MAximus (Linn.) | x | Xx
5. IL. CINERO-NIGER (Wolf) | | x
6.01. TENELLUS, Miiller |
7D. Flavus, Linn. ..: eee X | X
8. I. ARBORUM, Bouch. Chee cd | x
9. AGRIOLIMAX AGRESTIS (Linn.) | x Xx
[Os A. LAEVIS, Miller ... | x
ii MitAx GAGATES (Drap.) | x x
12. M. SowERBYI (Férussac) | x | X
13. ARION ATER (Linn.) | x | x
Pe. ee SUBRUSCUS (Drap.) - | x x
15. A. HORTENSIS (Férussac) 0) x | Xx
LO, ee, CIRCUMSCRIPTUS (Johnston). .: | x | xX
17. A. INTERMEDIUS, Normand | | Xx
18. GEOMALACUS MACULOSUS, Allman | Found only in a few
| localities in Ireland.
X Bristol District. 1 In vice county but not in Bristol district.
230 LIST OF SLUGS FOUND IN THE BRISTOL DISTRICT
Testacella haliotidea, Drap. First record, G. Garden, Carville,
Alexandra Park, Bristol, May, 1888, J. W. Cundall; Kings-
down Parade, W. W. Stoddart ; Clifton Gardens, Miss Jones ;
Hampton Park (rare).
T. scutulum, G. B. Sowerby. First record, S. Leigh Woods,
rare, T. G. Ponton,. 1862, (Leipner’s Bristol Mist Sera iG.
Gardens). Gliften,,.l.3G.. Pomton, e562;
T. mauget, Ferussac. First record, G. Found in 1812 in Miller
and Sweets’ (now Garaway’s) Nurseries by Mr. Drummond.
Original site now built over. Gardens at Redland, Cotham,
Horfield, etc. S. Bath, Brislington, Clevedon. One dead
shell found by D. B. near allotments at Westbury-on-Trym ;
am told they are common on allotments, April 27th, 1921.
_var. grviseo-rubescens. Bristol, November, 1883, J. W.
Cundall. |
var. aurea. Gardens, Cotham, 1883, Miss F. M. Hele.
Limax maximus (Linn.). First record, G. Common, Redland,
T.G. Ponton, 1883';. Gardens; Cliiton, Mise jomeew lars,
Sea Mills, two or three under stones, November, 1920, D. B. ;
Blaize Castle, Henbury, under bark; May,2182i a>.
Clevedon, October, 1920, D. B.
L. cinero-mger (Wolf.). First record, (see var. maura).
var. maura. 5S. Cleeve Combe, Norman (Som. Moll.,
1860;. ‘p: - 139).
L. flavus, Linn. First record, G. Common in Bristol gardens,
EK. C. Jellie (Naturalist, 1867). 5. - Type: andy var erisce,
Bath, 1884, C. J. Waterfall. S. Clevedon, common, October,
1920, D. B. G. Common in garden at 29, Abbotsford Road,
April, 1921.
L. arborum, Bouchard-Chantereaux. First record, S. Cleeve and
Brockley Combes, Norman (Som. Moll., 1860). G. Stroud,
common on beech, October, 1883, EF. |. Biot y 2S) tiege-
don: October..|1920--D-B: .
Agriolimax agrestis (Linn.). Common everywhere in fields.
A. levis, Muller. First record, S. Among stones by side of lane
from Walton to Portishead, and among decaying vegetation
by side of sluice on Portishead Moor, Norman (Som. Moll.,
1860). Confirmed first part of record October, 1920, D.B.
Milax gagates (Draparnaud). S. Specimens in Bristol] Museum
labelled Bath, J. E. Daniel.
var. pblumbea. S. One sent to. J. W. Taylon Dy ar:
from Clevedon, who wrote “‘ remarkably fine specimen.”’
var. benoiti. G. Three half-grown specimens found in
overgrown road at Redland, D. B. Mr. Taylor writes: “if
the yellow keel persists till adult, should be var. benottt.”
for
LIST OF SLUGS FOUND IN THE BRISTOL DISTRICT 23)
M. sowerbyit (Ferussac). First record, G. Clifton, Rev. B. J.
Clarke (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1843); Gardens, 1884,
W. B. Waterfall. S.. Gardens, Clevedon, Norman (Som.
en 1560), Confirmed by D.B., October, 1920. G. ‘Ked-
land in overgrown road; Westbury allotments.
Arion atey (Linn.). First record ?
var. aterrima. (Body shield and creeping disc uniformly
black.) G. One on roadway, Redland Green, May 11th,
rat DB.
var. castanea (uniformly brown). S. Bath, June, 1884,
©) 2 Watertall. ©“G.:: Blaize Castle, May 14th, 1921, D. B.
var. plumbea. S. Bank above Leigh Woods, D. B. G.
Overgrown road, Redland, D. B.
var. aurantia. G. Under an old sack outside allotments,
Westbury-on-Trym, three or four, April, 1921, D. B.
vane aloa. ~S.~ Leigh Woods, fairly common. D. -B.
Sub-var. cinero-nebulosa (2) is fairly common. (Foot-sole pale
yellow, tentacles blackish.)
var. bicolor, sub-var. scharffit (Back black, sides yellowish).
S. The commonest form in fields and hedgerows at Clevedon,
October’ 1920, -D:- B.
A smyescus (Drap.). 5. Clevedon, October, 1920, D. B..° Flax
Pomtoneapil,. 1920. D. B.-G. Stoke Bishop side, of
Coombe Dingle, May, 1921. Disused road, Redland Green,
very common, May, 1921. (Some grey-green in colour.)
A. hortensis (Ferussac). First record, G. Too common in Bristol
gancdens, 2. ©.-Jellie -(Natiuralist, . February, 1867). S.
Common in Clevedon gardens. Norman (Som. Moll., 1860).
Common almost everywhere.
A. civeumscriptus (Johnston). First record, ©. Bristol, W. B.
Waterfali, 18—. G. Bank above Leigh Woods, April, 1921,
DB. 7G. . Under stones at Stoke Bishop side of Coombe
pmecle, -D.;B- Blaize Castle, May 14th, 1921, :D....B.
A. intermedius, Normand. 5S. Clevedon, October, 1929, D. B.
Zoe
Bristol Botany in 1925.
By “JAS We OW ere eS
WEST COUNTRY volume hitherto unknown has been brought
to my notice by a friend who possesses a rare faculty for
finding scarce books of local interest. The Bath and Bristol
Magazine; or Western Miscellany, was published at Bath. It
seems to have been issued quarterly, and to have ceased with the
twelfth number. The third and last volume—1834—is the one
under review. Its contents provide a vivid glimpse of provincial
journalism a century ago, for they were indeed miscellaneous :
theology, biography, poetry, science, philosophy, reviews and
whimsicalities ’’ all being included. The “‘ Originator,’’ however,
had been bitterly disappointed by the result of his adventure ;
and for this failure he held Bristol to be mainly responsible.
‘ Against the people of that city,” he says, ‘“‘ we bring no other
charge than this, that their past history and present habits do not
warrant the expectation of success to anv literary periodical de-
pendent upon them for its support and circulation. For every
single copy of our miscellany sold in Bristol there is a score sold
in Bath. Bridgwater, again, with its population of three or four
thousand, sells quarterly more copies than does the city of Bristol,
with its hundred and twenty thousand souls, in a year. Moreover,
in Bridgwater the Western Miscellany is supported as a literary
undertaking: in Bristol it is neglected and opposed.’ Added
to this lament we have in detail—for the distracted editor was a
verbose writer—a sad story of pecuniary loss, of waspish criticism,
and of the ‘virulent slanders”’ that. were cutting short) tite
life of his illused magazine.
For ourselves as field botanists to whom the historical record
has an appeal the primarv interest of the book hes in two articles.
The first is a lengthy—but by no means laudatory—review of
Babington’s Flora Bathoniensis, then just issued. The author's
adoption of a natural system of classification in place of the Linnean
sexual arrangement received half a page of condemnation! The
change was intolerable to this reviewer, who in fact was not happy
in what he said nor in his way of saying it. The other article is
of more importance. It is a Botanical Notice of Somersetshire by
“A.G.’’, a subscriber and evidently Dr. A. Gapper of Bridgwater,
who later took the name of Southby. He was an acute and able
observer. He assisted Hewett Watson in compiling the New
Botanists Guide, 1835-1837 ; and Topographical Botany so far as
the counties of Gloucester and Somerset were concerned. But
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1925 233
this list of Somerset localities begins with St. Vincents Rocks, the
Downs, Sea Mills, Brandon Hill and Wyck Cliffs! Dr. Gapper,
apparently, was as badly informed on county boundaries as were
many other folk of his generation, who, as Turner and Dillwyn
stated “had in many instances no means of determining whether
localities ought to be arranged under Gloucestershire or Somer-
setshire.”’ Be that as it may, and although a majority of the
plants mentioned are among rarities of the district well known
at the present day, it must be owned that had this list been avail-
able when the Flora of Bristol was written some of its entries would
have taken another form. And there can be no doubt that the
authors of the Flora of Somerset and its Supplement, had they
survived, would have made a like admission. The occurrence
of Lactuca virosa on St. Vincent’s Rocks, vouched for by Swete,
is here antedated by twenty years, and the note is probably re-
sponsible for the plant being mistakenly credited to Somerset
in the New Bot. Guide. The rare Orobanche elatior at the same
locality is similarly antedated. The first records for Pvrus tor-
minalits in Leigh Woods ; Moenchia erecta and Trigonella ornitho-
podioides on Brandon Hill; Obione portulacoides near the Powder
House; and Lathyrus palustris on the Turf Moor must all be
wedcterbed 40 Dr. Gapper. On the Turf Moor he noted. Cicuta
virosa and Rynchospora fusca, two plants that seem to have died
out and are possibly now extinct in the county. Ranunculus
lursutus at Cheddar; Sedum Telebhium in Leigh Woods; and
Inula Helenium at Penpole are new to us. The Scirpus caricinus
he detected at Burnham remained there unsuspected until Mrs.
David Fry came upon it more than 50 years later. As can be seen
this botanist missed very little in the districts he visited. Grateful
thanks are due to Mr. H. S. Thompson for unearthing an article
of such interest.
No species new to our area has shewn itself during the season,
though some welcome varieties have been detected. Aliens,
imported with exotic food-stuffs, are still plentiful about our
docks and fowl-runs. One or two plants long lost to sight have been
rediscovered, and one feels that hardly anything can be more
vratifying than the confirmation of an old record that after many
years may have faded into doubt.
Thalictrum minus L. As stated in Fl. Brist. the belief was
entertained at one time that two forms of Thalictrum existed at
Cheddar, though no sufficient reason was ever stated, and the view
was ultimately dropped. Lately, however, Mr. A. J. Wilmott
of the British Museum has revived the idea. He finds some ex-
amples almost subglabrous with short, stout fruit, and others
that are glandular with longer fruit ; and he will be glad to receive
for further study specimens collected when the fruit is quite ripe.
234 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1925
Ranunculus Drouetw F. Schultz. Pond near Brockley, S. ;
Miss Roper.
Helleborus vindis 1. Between Hinton and Wellow, S.: Rev.
E. Ellman.
Papaver Lecogit Lamotte. Dunkerton, S.; Id.
Viola Riviniana Rchb. f. villosa Neum. Densely pubescent,
especially on peduncles. In quantity with V. silvestvis and Rivi-
niana hybrids, in Churchill Batch Wood, S.; Colin Tvrapnell.
Arenaria serpyllifolia L. var. viscidula Roth. (glutinosa Koch).
=A. viscida Lois. On walls in Bleadon village, S.; Jd.
Vicia sepium L. subvar. alba Rouy. Between Abbots Leigh
and Lower Failand, S. A new station for this beautiful form ;
Miss Bolton.
Rubi. The Rev. H. J. Riddelsdell and MrijGesG) Brawva:
working together, have recently observed the following in our
district. R. wmbricutus Hort., Wraxall, S. R. Baker, F. A. Lees,
and R. lentiginosus Lees, Clifton Down, G. R. Schlechtendalit
Whe. Wood at Wraxall, S. R. scaber W. and N. (a weak form)
by an abandoned colliery, Old Nailsea, S.
Petroselinum segetum Koch. (Carum Benth.) Lovers’ Lane,
Hatlen, G. Wraxall, 35.,; Miss Rover.
Smyrnium Olusatrum L. Appears to be spreading. Abun-
dant in a field-hedge and lane at Elberton; and by the Roman
road at Lawrence Weston, G. Id.
Hedera Helix L. var. borealis Druce. Hedge bottom, Alveston,
Ge id.
Sedum Telephium LL. Mr. H. S. Thompson finds in his her- -
barium a sheet of this Orpine gathered at ‘“‘ Woodborough, Sep-
tember, 1881’; and has little doubt that it came from the bank
by the railway on the Axbridge side of Winscombe, where at the
present time it is well and widely established ; a locality hitherto
unrecorded. I learn that the date of Thos. Clark’s specimen from
Cheddar Gorge is 1824.
Drosera rotundifolia L. On the peat moor near Ashcott where
Sundews are plentiful Mr. Thompson noticed one that had cap-
tured and consumed a Meadow Brown butterfly. With so large an
insect such an occurrence must be extremely rare.
Onopordum Acanthium L. Bank of the Brue at Bason Bridge,
S.;: W. Watson.
Matricaria inodora L. flore pleno. Mrs. Sandwith found a
double-flowered Mayweed among the double Pyrethrums culti-
vated in her garden at Tickenham.
BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1925 235
Tanacetum vulgare L. This aromatic herb, partial to water-
sides, and local in distribution, is abundant in a damp meadow
by the Little Avon at Middlemill, G.
Cnicus Forstert is the hybrid between C. palustris and C.
pratensis. Boggy field, Churchill, S. With the parents; Mzss
Roper. C. pratensis var. polycephalus. On Ashcott Moor, S.; Id.
Tragopogon porrifolius L. Railway bank, Keynsham, S. ;
8 or 10 plants flowering in May; R. E. Taylor.
Orobanche minor L. Parasitic on Sedum album (locality not
given); C. Wall. No published record of this host is known,
but about the same time Mr. N. G. Hadden noticed a similar asso-
ciation in his garden at West Porlock.
Verbascum Blattaria and V. virgatum. We are glad to know
that these conspicuous flowers still survive by the railway near
Winscombe, S., where they were established before the construction
of the line. The less common creamy-white flowered form of
V. Blattar1a has a rosy flush on the underside of the two upper
corolla segments, a peculiarity that has been mentioned by writers
in Journ. Bot. and elsewhere.
V. phlomoides L. “A Mullein shown to me by Mr A. T.
Davies from quarry ground at Tytherington, G., first noticed in
1924, proved to be this handsome continental species. On visiting
the locality this year I found upwards of 20 plants, some of them
over six feet in height;’’ Mzss Rober.
Euphrasia Kernert Wettst. Limestone cliffs, Avon Gorge
G., 1924; A. E. Wade and G. C. Brown in Report B. E. Club.
First record for the Gloucester division of the district.
Mentha longifolia Huds. (sylvestris LL.) Has re-appeared at
Walton-in-Gordano after being apparently lost for 40 years. See
Fl. Brist. p. 466. Streamside near Keynsham towards Queen
Charlton,S.; Myrs. Bell. By the Upper Frome near Gurney Slade, S.
M. piperita L. var. officinalis Hull. By the Upper Frome at
Gurney Slade with the last species. In small quantity with M.
Iurcina above Weston-in-Gordano, S..
M. rubra Huds. Streamside below Queen Charlton, S. ;
Mrs. Bell.
M. arvensis var. Alliont Bor. Cog Mill, Frampton Cotterell,
G.; Miss Rober.
Rumex sanguineus L. Two large plants on a laneside at the
foot of Stinchcombe Hill, G. ;
Uytica dioica 1.. var. angustifolia Wimm. and Grab. Bank
of the Frome at Fishponds, G.; H. ]. Gibbons. This variety was
originally described by Fischer in 1819 (pro specie) as having ‘‘ upper
leaves linear-lanceolate.’’ These should also be ‘‘ rounded but
hardly cordate at the base,’’ Bab. Man. Mr. Gibbon’s specimen
236 BRISTOL BOTANY IN 1925
closely corresponds. The plant by the roadside at Stone Edge
Batch, Tickenham, of which I have an excellent specimen, is said
to be no longer there. I last saw it in 1917.
Orchis Morio L. Two plants on Durdham Down; C. Wall.
An interesting survival.
Ophrys muscifera L. About a dozen flowering stems were
seen in May in another part of the same woodland above Tickenham
where the plant was discovered some years ago; D. H. White.
Habenaria bifolia R. Br. (Platanthera Rich.) One plant on
Stinchcombe Hill, G., during the Society's Summer excursion ;
Mrs. Sandwith.
Narcissus biflorus Curt. Several clumps by the Chew above
Stanton Drew; not the locality recorded by Mr. D. Fry; Miss
Roper.
! Ornithogalum umbellatum L. A fair quantity in a meadow
at Bishport, S., verifying a record made 75 years ago by Dr. Thwaites
in Swete Fl. As the leaves were narrowly linear, not recurved
but erect when young, this may be the var. angustifoliwm Boreau,
but as the plants did not blossom the number of flowers on a stem
could not be counted in confirmation: Jd.
Gagea lutea Gawler. Border of wood by Markham Bottom,
S.; Colin Trapnell.
Scirpus sylvaticus L. By the Chew below Compton Dando,
S.; H.S. Thompson. The sedge has long been known on the upper
reaches of the :m Ven.
Chara fragilis Desv. Pond at Rudgway, Alveston, G.; very
rare in our Gloucestershire-division; C. Tvapnell,
C. delicatula Agardh. Now classed as a full species. Large
quantities this year in rhines on Walton Moor, S. Approved by
Migtel AG roves: a.
AMTENS:
Lepidium graminifolium L. A common weed in central and
southern Europe. Some stout bushy plants by the Avonmouth
Docks! C. and N. Sandwith. Brassica adpressa Boiss. and B.
juncea Coss. Both plentiful with the preceding! Jd. Staphylea
pinnata L. The bushes recorded by Capt. Gordon from a stream-
side near Wickwar still flower sparingly though very closely trimmed;
Miss Roper. Tngonella fenum-grecum L. Garden weed, St.
Michael’s, Bristol; Mys. Bell. Carum coptucum. Unknown to
me. ‘‘Bristol’’; C. and N. Sandwith. Linana dalmatica Mill.
A native of Eastern Europe ; has escaped from cultivation on the
Burnham sand-hills, where it was first noticed in 1913 (Herb.
Kew.). Artemisia btenmis Willd. North American. Avonmouth
Docks, G. and Gas Works, Bath, S. Amaranthus deflexus L.
Fowl run, Syston, G.; H. J. Gibbons. Nectaroscordum siculum
Lindl. Still exists on ‘St. Vincent’s Rocks where it was planted
years ‘ago. “See PI. “Brisip. o9t
23
The Avonian Succession between Wickwar
and Chipping Sodbury (Glos.).
Bye VarcArer Cluck: Misc... F.GS,
I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS WORK.
Il. STRATIGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE AREA.
Iii. LiItHoOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF ZONES.
yee LISTS -OF FOSSILS.
V. DESCRIPTION OF EXPOSURES.
VI. COMPARISON WITH OTHER AREAS AND CONCLUSIONS.
LE ANTRODUCTION AND-SUMMARY OF
PREVIOUS, WORK:
HE Avonian or Lower Carboniferous which forms the rim
of the Bristol Coalfield is exposed between Almondsbury
and Chipping Sodbury, as a narrow but continuous outcrop
of limestone, the ferm of which is that of an irregular horseshoe
open to the south. At the places above mentioned, the hmbs of
the horse shoe are overstepped by Mesozoic rocks, and the rim is
concealed both on the west and on the east for scrae miles. The
present paper is concerned only with the eastern hmb—the part
of the outcrop between Wickwar and Sodbury.
The limestones of Wickwar and Sodbury were mentioned by
Buckland and Conybeare as far back as 1824,! and the area is allu-
ded to by H. B. Woodward in the Geological Memoir on the District
in 1876.2, The Wickwar quarries were described in detail by Prof.
€.Eloyd Morgan in 18983 and by Prof.\S. H. Reynolds in 1921.4
A general account of the faunal zones of the Lower Carboniferous
within the area was given by the late Arthur Vaughan in 1905.5
The present paper amplifies with further detail the work
already done by the authors named, and hnks up the Tytherington-
Wickwar area fully described by Dr. F. S. Wallis® with the Sodbury
Railway Cutting the faunal succession of which has been worked
out in detail by Arthur Vaughan7 and the lithology minutely
exammed Dy krot..S. H. KReynolds® -The author's earlier work
Mela Geol. SOG, oer 2,. VGA, pp. 215 and:249.
2 Geology of East Somerset and the Bristol Coalfields (Mem. Geol. Survey)
pp..17 and 21.
Handbook British Association, Bristol, Excursion 17, Tortworth.
Geological Excursion Handbook for the Bristol District, pp. 192—4.
Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., Vol. LXI, pp. 236-9.
LOC VeDWtSi< INGL.. SOG) och, 4,, Vols VI, pp. 97-74.
boc. cit.
Geol. Mag., 1923, pp. 111-119.
mana nu B Yd
238 AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY
was carried out in collaboration with Miss Edith Bolton. This
work was considerably extended by Miss Bolton, and published
in abstract.t Since the publication of this abstract the inves-
tigations have been further extended both in scope and detail.
Ii. STRATIGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY Oi. fet ace.
Between Wickwar and Chipping Sodbury—a distance of about
four miles—the outcrop of the Lower Carboniferous is where fully
exposed nearly a mile wide, but the unequal extension of the Lias
over the Paleozoic on the eastern side, and the patches of Trias
on the western, partially conceal the boundaries and render the
width of outcrop very irregular.
The underlying Old Red Sandstone is only exposed in the
northern part of the area west of Wickwar, and in the immediate
vicinity of Brimsham Bridge; between these places the Lias
oversteps both the Old Red Sandstone and Tournaisian and finally
rests on the Seminula-zone. The junction between the Carboni-
ferous Limestone and the Millstone Grit is concealed by Trias,
except between Yate Court and Yate Rocks, a distance of three-
quarters of a mile, and for a similar distance east of Sodbury.
To the south of Sodbury the Carboniferous entirely disappears
under Lias, but the G.W.R. cutting half a mile west of Chipping
Sodbury Station exposes a fine section from the base of K to the
top, of Dr.
The Lower Carboniferous rocks dip westwards at angles
varying from 28 degrees to 45 degrees. A complete calcareous
succession extends up to the top of Dz, but D:z is represented by
an arenaceous facies since Millstone Grit conditions here come
in earlier than in the Avon Section.
The limestones form nearly level country standing about
300 feet above sea level, but rising slightly to the south. The
Lias occupies gently rising ground, but gives place abruptly to the
steep scarp of the Cotteswolds which at a distance of about 23
miles to the east runs parallel to the low Avonian ridge.
III. LITHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF ZONES.
Dr. Vaughan’s zonal notation is used throughout this paper.
TOURNAISIAN.
CLEISTOPORA-ZONE. K.
The beds of this horizon are not well exposed at any point in
the area since they weather easily and tend to hecome overgrown
by vegetation. Where seen their junction with the underlying
Old Red Sandstone is a conformable one. A fine grained sandy
——
I The Pre Geol. Soc., 19207 p--30,31-
ae
na
mmm
a
=
trans
SopBun)
a
D ZONE
o ZONE
iM rd
Koon
C ZONE
Z ZONE
K ZONE
=
‘ -
ca
:
¢
2. if
a
ir
a
a
.
=
os
Me
4
‘
7 i
i <.
s, my
fn
=
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY 239
iimestone which weathers yellow and probably iies low down in
the series is exposed a little to the north of Wickwar Church in a
lane leading from the Railway Station. The slight depression at
the junction of the road from the Station with the Charfield Road
is due to the presence of these soft K-beds.
The zone is again exposed 24 miles further south near Brim-
sham Bridge. By following the stream eastwards from the bridge,
blocks of highly fossiliferous K-material can be obtained from
its bed. The lowest K-beds immediately overlying the Old. Red
Sandstone are thin-bedded sandy limestone. Exposures of horizon
a (the Bryozoa bed) have not been found although they have
been particularly looked for.
ZAPHRENTIS ZONE. Z.
Wickwar.- Zi. Whe lowest Z-beds are exposed in an old
quarry (qu. | on map) north of the village and east of the Char-
field Road by the side of a copse. They consist of dark crinoidal
limestone weathering to a yellowish grey. The beds are much
weathered and overgrown.
Z, and y. The higher part of the zone—Z,. and y is well
exposed in a quarry (Qu. 2) west of the Charfield Road. The Z2-beds
are highly crinoidal, dark and often dolomitized limestones, in
places of “ petit granit ’’ type, similar to beds of the same horizon
in the Avon Section. Small round patches of crystailine calcite,
due to the recrystallization of calcareous mud are a prominent
feature,*
The highest beds exposed (Hor. y) are strongly dolomitized,
and therefore not very fossiliferous, nevertheless, crinoids and a
few zaphrentids which have escaped dolomitization have been
obtained.
Bnmsham Bridge. Z-beds are only poorly exposed here.
The lower beds consist of thinly-bedded dark crinoidal limestones
which proved highly fossiliferous. No satisfactory exposures of
Z2 were found.
Chipping Sodbury. Coarse crystalline limestone succeeded
by beds of the petit granit type are exposed on the north bank |
of the Frome, north of the main street. Z-beds have not hitherto
been recorded here.
SYRINGOTHYRIS: ZONE. C.
Wickwar. About 10 feet or so of the lowest beds of the
Syringothyris-zone are exposed in quarry 3. These are dolomites
in which only a few crinoidal ossicles have escaped destruction.
eesce EEL. Dixon and A. Vaughan, Quart. Jouvn. Geol. Soc., Vol:
Peeve (LOl1), pp. 483, and S. H. Reynolds, 2bid, Vol. LX XVII (1921),
pp: 221.
CHIPPING SODBURY
BETWEEN WICKWAR. AND
AVONIAN
{
a
240
"MVMMOIA\ LV SAIMUVNG AO WVAOVIC,
Uasoy SPW w
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY 241
Quarry 4 exposes the “sub-oolite’’ bed, a fossiliferous level
below the Caninia-oolite which is a constant feature throughout
the district, and specially thick in the Wickwar-Tytherington
area to the north.t The overlying white oolite is less markedly
oolitic, and is more fossiliferous than in the Avon Section. The
higher beds of the zone (Caninia-dolomites) occupy the hollow
between the quarry and quarry 5, but are not exposed.
Brnimsham Bridge. The laminosa-dolomite level is repre-
sented by fine grained unfossiliferous dolomites, followed by hght
coloured crinoidal dolomitized limestone. Above this comes the
.Caninia-oolite which has the usual white, current-bedded, unfossl-
iferous character. The Wickwar-Sodbury road runs in a de-
pression formed by the rapid weathering of the oolite and on the
west side of this, in a field sloping southwards to the stream, light
coloured dolomite (Caninia-dolomite) is exposed as bare patches
outcropping through the soil.
Chipping Sodbury. Limestones of the Syringothyris zone are
now being quarried on the east of the Wickwar road, opposite the
Church. The beds mainly belong to the laminosa-dolomite, and
they consist of dark crinoidal, dolomitized limestones and _ fine
grey dolomites and include an algal band.
The “‘sub-oolite’’ occurs as a fossiliferous band at the top
ot the quarry. On the opposite side of the road a path leading
westwards to the large town quarries exposes bands of dolomite
and algal limestone.
SEMINULA ZONES: ©.
M“ickwar. lhe top of S: and lower Sz are exposed in Qu. 5.
The lowest beds consist of dark limestone with thin black shale
partings, followed by massive lhmestone, chinastone, oolite, an
unpersistent development of pisolite, and an algal band. A thin
bedded grit band (firestone) is taken as the base of S2. Above the
grit occurs about 40 feet of massive limestone with well marked
bands of Lithostrotion, and some oolite. No further good expo-
sures of S-beds are met with until Bury Hill, 2 miles south of
Wickwar is reached, but the outcrop of this zone-is easily traced
in isolated exposures, under hedges, etc., not meriting detailed
description.
Bury Hill. The section seen in the Bury Hill Quarry includes
the upper fifty feet of S:, and the whole of Sz. The S; beds consist
of oolitic limestone algal in places, and S2 of a varied series including
limestone of various types, as well as shale and grits. At the base of
the S2 series is fairly massive limestone with shale partings, this is
followed by the Seminula-oolite, with its algal bands and penecon-
temporaneous breccias. The highest part is often strongly algal,
and is more argillaceus than the rest. Above this thick develop-
mE. S. Wallis, Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., Series 4, Vol. VI, Pt. I (1923), p. 66.
242 ~AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY
ment of oolites comes a remarkable development of red and green
grits, often laminated and ripple marked, and inter-bedded with
brightly coloured shales, and thin bands of concretionary (algal)
limestones.
Chipping Sodbury. The large town quarries at Chipping
Sodbury show beds from practically the base of Si, to the highest
calcareous D beds. Sr: consists of Concretionary (algal) limestones
and calcite mudstones, with some oolite and shale partings. A
bed of gritty limestone is taken marking the base of S2, this is suc-
ceeded by more massive limestone and oolite. The upper beds as
at Yate Rocks and Bury Hill are thin bedded grits and shales
often ripple-marked. There appears to be no chert present in
Sz in the Wickwar-Chipping Sodbury area.
DIBUNOPHYLLUM ZONE. OD.
The early advent of Millstone Grit conditions in this area
limits the calcareous development to fifty-five feet only. The base
of the Trias, here very massive and calcareous, is seen to overlie
the D-beds in the railway cutting south of the Wickwar Tunnel.
The calcareous D-beds are massive, highly fossiliferous limestone,
including crinoidal and oolitic bands with a few shale. partings.
The limestone passes gradually into grits, and for a short period
the calcareous and grit phases alternate with each other.
To the west of Qu. 5 at Wickwar are small exposures in a
field behind the Meads Farm buildings. Grit bands and a massive
red limestone in part oolitic, occur there. | |
Old quarries at Bury Hill expose reddish oolitic limestone with
many fossils. Underlying these beds, although not well exposed
there appear to be a very white pure limestone containing Pyvo-
ductus hemisphericus (very similar to a band occuring at the base
of D at Wick Rocks 7 miles further south), and below this white
oolite. A disused quarry at Yate Rocks exposes oolite and crinoidal
limestone separated by a band of red and green shale, and following
the stream westwards Millstone Grit 1s found immediately after
crossing the ford. The Ridge Quarry, a mile further south, is in
coarse reddish oolite and gritty limestone, and again a little to the
west Millstone Grit crops out through the soil.
To the right of the path leading from the west of Chipping
Sodbury into the large town quarries, lower D: is exposed in a
sloping face of rock, consisting of oolitic and rubbly limestone
enclosing masses of pebbly grit. An exactly similar band is des-
cribed by Prof. S. H. Reynolds! in D beds in the Sodbury cutting.
A new quarry north-west of the large town quarries exposes
slightly higher beds including very white limestone, containing
Productus hemisphericus followed by coarse white fossiliferous
oolite. :
{; .Geoly M agi 1923) ol Lo.
le
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING
By List OF FOSSILS:
SODBURY
243
Zaphrentis konincki E. & H.
Zaphrentis konincht E. & H. var.
Zaphrentis omaliusi E. & H.
Caninia cylindrica Scouler
Caninia cylindrica Scouler mut. y Vaughan
Caninia cylindrica Scouler mut. S Vaughan whe
Paleosmilia (“‘ Cyathophyilum ’’) murchisoni E. &.H
Carcinophyllum 6 Vaughan
Dibunophyllum 0 Vaughan
Lithostrotion ivvegulare Phiil.
Lithostyotion martini E. & H.
Diphyphylloid Lithostrotion
Michelinia megastoma Phill.
Chetetes septosus (Flem.)
Syringopora distans Fischer
Syrvingopora geniculata Phill.
Syringopora 9 Vaughan ... me
Rhipidomella michelini (L’ Eveillé) i
Schizophoria vesupinata (Mart.)
Leptena analoga Phill.
Productus bassus Vaughan
Productus cf. semireticulatus (Mart. -
Productus (Pustula) subpustulosus Thomas :
Productus hemisphericus Sow=P. cova d’ Orb.—
Vaughan Pais ees
Productus giganteus (Mart. i
Chonetes aff. comoides (Sow.) ..
Chonetes cf. hardrensis (Phill.) ...
Chonetes paptlionacea SMe chip ekgens sol a a
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill:) mut. K. Vaughan
Orthatetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. Z. Vaughan
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. C. Vaughan
Camarotechia mitcheldeanensis Vaughan
Chiothyris glabristria (Phill.)
Chothyvis roissyi (L’Eveillé)
Seminula ficoidea Vaughan
Reticularia cf. lineata Mart. ie sce Pag aie Sigg Fes
Spirifer tornacensis de Kon. (Sp. aff. clathratus
Vaughan): ... RV ge Sen a eee Lk een Ae
Spiviferina perplicata North
Tylothyris laminosa M’Coy ace Bae Si he
Syvingothyris cuspidata Mart. mut. SBN at
North EO Sea ae A
Cyrtina carbonaria MW’ Coy ..
? Modiola sp.
Bellerophon sp.
Euomphalus sp. .
Loxonema sp. BEER tore en LE
Crinoids BE esa = pels cvs i ee ee Soe gh
Polyzoa ane
fasiy reeth’ ...
Tt
| ox
| 1z
3)
ES
*
GE
244
(1)
Ou.
Ou.
Ou.
wy
Nw ROD
sod
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY
V~ DESCRIPTION. OF (EXPOSURE a=
WICKWAR.
(For position of quarries see p. 240).
1. is in Old Red Sandstone which dips to the west at 35 degrees.
2. exposes about 70 feet of Z2 and 10 feet of Hor y. Weathered
specimens of Zaphrentis are common amongst the loose ma-
terial at the foot of the quarry.
3. 1s on. the same strike as Qu. 2, but higher beds are exposed
in the west ofthe quarry A little above the conspicuous
bedding plane at the entrance to the quarry, fish teeth have
been found, and may be taken as indicating the existence
of “ fish beds’ comparable to those at the same level in the
Avon Section. Rare specimens of Caninia cylindrica mut ¥
are found about 10 feet below the top of the quarry. The
remaining 10 feet are unfossiliferous, only crinoids having.
escaped dolomitisation. The division between Z and C has
been drawn here.
. 4, exposes C beds. The large bedding plane which forms one
ce
side of the quarry is in the “ suboolite’”’ bed, and is crowded
with Chonetes aff. papilionacea and Orihotetes crenisina.
, In S contains a large amount of loose material in which
fossils are well weathered out. Cyrtina carbonaria and Diphy-
bhylloid Lithostrotion are very abundant.
The succession from the top of the quarry is:==
=<
ct
ae
=)
a
Massive limestone :
Massive limestone crow ded witht Lathosty otion
Oolite Rad
Massive dark ieniesione Be
Limestone crowded with Senta
Limestone crowded with Lithostrotion ...
Dark massive limestone ...
Thin bedded grit band ;
Massive dark ‘limestone with Lithostrotion (weathers yellow)
Algal limestone : eS
ao ee development in oolite
Oolite 5 nes ee
Pisolite a es
White bolic: with ‘Lie Str Brion pie
Limestone ;
Limestone crowded ein Sen nias Produce Litposvouon
Massive limestone
Shale
Limestone
Shale
Dark limestone
Shale ae
Dark massive limestone with thin shale partings Ss oe on ae
i)
IDUMOOCOWMNWON KKB KB OMe OK WONG
—
_—
—
DROW DWDOnNNONAKOCONCONDOCWSO
Total ge 3, 0)
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY 245
The Grit band (16) is taken as the base of Sn.
ee bURY TILL.
(2 miles south of Wickwar to the west of the main road to
Chipping Sodbury.)
The quarries which are now worked are chiefly in Sr and afford
a fine section of the grit and shale that are developed at the top
of Sz, including a band of shale with lamellibranchs. Well-marked
algal bands are present in the limestone. Crumpling and faulting
in the top beds give evidence of some disturbance at this level
which is seen also at the same level at Yate Rocks, and in the
large Town quarry at Chipping Sodbury.
The following gives the succession from the top of the quarry :—
ft ans;
60. Grits Soa ae we: fee ies sg i a sa Ae ih oA
09. Shales and grits ... Sos: Pa en te ihn Paogiag 6!)
58. Green and red grit ee ee ae on cs
57. Green and red shale :
96. Shale and thin limestone bands"
55. Algal limestone ....
54. Gritty limestone, current bedded
53. Shale and limestone
92. Nodular concretionary limestone
51. _Red and green shale 5
90. Shales and grits
49. Grit
48. Shale in
47. Calcite mudstone
46. Chinastone :
45. Oolite with shales
44. Shale with algal limestone bands
43. Pisolite ee rere
42. Shales and erits
41. Green and red laminated orit
40. Shale and limestone
39. Limestone
38. Red and black shale Bey
37. Limestone with shale partings ...
36. Black and yellow shale ... Aes
35. Limestone
34. Algal limestone and shale
—
SS) DPRHOOSCSSOSANRDSSTCOWOAMMWHAWDOMOCOAMODSOCOOUWwODcCSCS
33. Shale
32. Algal limestone te a ee
31. ‘‘Cotham marble ”’ (concretionary) beds
30. Concretionary limestone
29. Shale and limestone
28. Algal limestone
27. Limestone and shale :
26. Thin bedded algal limestone ...
25. Light coloured algal shale with limestone bands
24. Limestone ae ve st nae
23. Black and brown Shale
22. Limestone
Zi. Shale ae at 5 4% oe
20. Thin limestones seal shales. Limestones include chinastones
and oolites
19. Calcareous and nodular shale band
—
SB NK SUIUNWORFNNWNNEK KKH NRK DUNNER HONNUINYRKE HER BNOH
mm D
246 AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY
fi ans’
18. Dark algal and oolitie limestone . 2 6
17. Massive oolite with breccia and Py Here and ‘Seni pete 10 Q
16. Massive limestone, oolite and brecciated, and with shale :
partings sp a: =p oe A) 16 0
15... Shale 1 6
14. Limestone 8 6
13;: .Shale 1 0)
12. Limestone 4 0
11. Black shale eis 2 0)
10. Fine grained dark Tacsteae fi 6 6
9 Massive dark limestone—well dev eloped algal nodules 14 ts 36
8. Black shale ; 0) 10
7. Massive limestone with Sri = tae 16 0
6. Impersistent band of shale and limestone 1 6
8. Massive limestone 3 8
4. Black shale ©) 4
(Break of a few ft. not quarried), coe
3. Massive limestone ee IRE Lees a8 es 2 ae 0)
2. Shale and thin limestone Se ae cae ra + 1 0)
1. Massive limestone ee 7H digs a rar =i 9 0
Total ae PS 0
Professor Reynolds contributes the following note on band 52:
“This band forms one of the most remarkable developments of
algal limestone known in the Bristol district. The algal material
occurs in the form of spheroidal nodules generally about 2 inches
long, very evenly distributed throughout the band. A section
showed the structure to be concentric, and that the nodule chiefly
consisted of successive layers of Mitcheldeama and Spongiostroma.
There are old quarries in D to the N.W. of these which yield
well weathered out fossils, especially “ Cyathophyllum”’ (Pale@os-
militia) murchisont.
(3) YATE Rocrs (hal mile(s of Burry Hull
The section of S-beds exposed in the quarries at Yate Rocks
is very similar to that of Bury Hill, but upper S2-beds are not
so clearly seen. The quarry at present working is in S-beds, and
les to the north of a stream which flows across the outcrop from
east to west, and which is responsible for the removal of the Lias
from the lower Avonian and Old Red Sandstone. A disused
quarry lying on the south side of the stream is on the same strike
as that in operation while two others expose slightly higher beds.
. The succession in the large working quarry on the north bank is
as follows :— fh >
30. Limestone
29. Red and yellow shale
28. Oolite 2 nee aoe se oe
27. Limestone with Binie partings. “I band markedly oolitic .
26. Oolite oer Hes
25. Algai limestone with shales
24, Shale a
23. Concretionary limestone
22. Black and red shale with algal nodules.
—
rODDDOOrL OS
—
—OONnNND Ov
am
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY 247
Ltrs TSS
21. Massive dark hmestone ... ie 5 0)
20. Shale—black and red with Chisned Cees of Pyoaucits nals 0 3
19. Massive dark limestone ... ex Ae 4) et 6 6
18. Red limestone with shale partings ee cs eile an: 0
17... Wed and green shale Se ie ae an ro ine 1 10
16. Massive etcone ; 4 0)
15. Thin lmestone and red ane yellow anate 1 O
14. Massive limestone . 12 10
13. Pinkish grey limestone including one “band _ crow ded with
Producus and Seminula decalcified near bedding planes = 5
12. Algal limestone (nodular) showing signs of brecciation at top) 7
Pi. Grey massive limestone... ees ei nots is crue} ey, 0)
10. Shale parting . ae 0
9. Massive dark limestone ... Ah io Ge peters
8. Limestone—black on a freee riace weathering white,
with Lithostrotion, Productus and Seminula ae a alo 0
in eeme grey oolite:-... ota cis ne Age nis SG 0)
6. Fine grained grey limestone nS wn ie ith LUNES 0
© ees Baie al bedded limestone... aa ae Hts oan ae 3 6
+. Eine grey fossiliferous oolite . ©... is i ae A AG 0
3. Fine grained limestone calcite veined = is ey ae 8 6
ae fine grained limestone Mig poe Ae 0
1
Grey fine grained slightly gritty limestone. forms beddieg
plane at east end of quarry a see
Total fags: 6
There is no exposure at Yate of the grits and shales at the top
of S2, nor of D:, but immediately west of the ford, Millstone Grit
occurs in the bed of the stream. A very white pure limestone
crowded with Productus hemisphericus is exposed along the road-
side about 150 yards south of the ford. This is very similar to
a band occurring at Wick (7 miles to the south) at the base of D.
Working eastwards from the large quarry exposures are met with
of strata ranging from C to K. Thus Canznia-dolomite is seen in
isolated outcrops in a field leading from Brinsham Farm down
to the stream ; Canzinia-oolite and laminosa-dolomite are exposed
in old quarries to the east of the road from Wickwar to Chipping
Sodbury, and still further eastwards loose blocks of fossiliferous
Z and K material may be found on the banks of the stream.
(4) CHIPPING SODBURY.
No exposures of K have been found along the banks of the
Frome. Z-beds are exposed on its north bank behind the main
street of the town.
The quarry east of the Wickwar road exposes the following
succession in Cy,
4. Limestone with crinoids, Orthotetes and Chonetzs the fit: ins,
“suboolite’” «bed. : «.. ie £8 th oak bain TO 0
3. Fine grained grey dolomite at loini vas eS 0
2. Dark calcite-veined algal limestone Ae = St Sr
1. Dark, dolomitized crinoidal limestone} “CO™™® ... mine! akte0
Potatoes 7S ®)
248 AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY
The most easterly of the quarries W. of the Wickwar road
exposes Sr: and part of S2 as follows :—
5 aoe moa gee
16. Oolite very fossiliferous ... ee Yass ae pe roa. 0
15. Massive limestone sa ee af at re rte) 0
4, Gretty limestone <: a et sigs Prt 6
13. Black limestone (Chinastone type) a ae Noe eerie 0
12. Shale parting na a Fh ae 3
11. Compact limestone, algal ‘and banded . oe ae: es) 9)
10. Limestone with pisolite ... th: awe re Be ates 0
9: - Oolite ae ae Be be the ae te ees) )
8. Oolite, patchy distribution of grains, especially at top
where it passes into Chinastone with Conn ea ie SULIACE. «sas yk.
7. Grey limestone with Seminula ... Bs ig ie sae aaa 0)
6. Shale parting ve ae cet aoe sae Rae ps) 2
5. Dark fine grained limestone i <8 a Rey 3p ee
4. Calcite mudstone. Top band ‘‘Cotham marble” with
mammillated surface ae ihe ao ie ge eeplte 0
3. Calcite mudstone with shale... < ae ste ae nea 6
2. ‘“‘Concretionary ’’ limestone _... ak ay: i Saran 4
1. Black shale ies cee sae Pee on sod on 2
Total 32 WOO 7
The main quarry slghtly further west. shows the following
succession (upper Sz) :—
Lt cf SOUS.
6. Ripple marked grits, shales, and subsidiary limestone ig. 4 6D 6
5. Mainly massive fossiliferous limestone, oolitic and algal in
parts... 24 6
4. Algal limestone and shale with one gritty limestone band
at the base. ..- 23 0
3. Argillaceous and algal limestones and red and green shale 38 6
Z, GLY. calcite—veined limestone with subsidiary shales ge 0)
1. Massive limestone, mainly oolite seis i i <0) OE 0
Total ... 240 6
The Stub Fadine Quarry a third of a mile further north is
mainly in lower S2, whilst a new opening to the north-west of the
main quarry exposes Dx.
VI. COMPARISON WITH OTHER AREAS AND CONCLUSION
1. As would be expected, the succession between Wickwar
and Sodbury bears a strong resemblance to that of the Tyther-
ington-Tortworth Ridge, but in the former area the calcareous
tacies extends into Dr, whereas © in the latter arenaceous beds
succeed Sz.
2. The Wickwar-Sodbury succession differs from that in
the Avon Gorge in the following respects :—
CPA at eras
AVONIAN BETWEEN WICKWAR AND CHIPPING SODBURY 249
(@) the absence of chert in Z and S.
(6) the more fossiliferous and less markedly oolitic character of
of the Caninia-oolite.
(c) the thick grit and shale development at the top of Sz.
(d) the coming on of Millstone Grit conditions in Dy.
(é) the rare occurrence of Caninia in ¥.
) the abundance of Cyrtina carbonarta in 2.
Pr oue presence of a distinct band at. the top of Sz, yielding
lamellibranchs.
For comparison the thickness of the zones in the Avon and
Sodbury sections are given here, with the estimated thickness
at Yate Rocks. The zones at the latter are not fully exposed, but
boundaries have been placed as accurately as possible, and the
thickness calculated from the map.
Avon Sodbury Yate Rocks
feet. Teet: Leet.
D Oo Osis 84 ae 150
S 707 ane 574 nie 950,
3 420 ae 422 ae 410
iS Oe i vos: Zio in 280
K 463 390 350
In conclusion I wish to thank Prof. 5. H. Reynolds and Dr.
5. Smith for help and criticism, and Dr. F. S. Wallis for giving me
the results of his examination of the Wickwar cutting.
The cost of publication of this paper has been partly defraved
by a grant from the University of Bristol Colston Society.
290
The Avonian Succession of Spring Gardens and
Vallis Vale, Frome, Somerset.
| ByG. 1s Buse. Bsc.
CONTENTS.
I.. INTRODUCTION AND PREVIOUS WORK.
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
[11 “CONCLUSIONS:
I. INTRODUCTION AND PREVIOUS. Wome
HE inliers of Upper Paleozoic Rocks at Spring Gardens and
Vallis Vale, Frome, are the most easterly exposures of the
Old Red Sandstone and Carboniferous Limestone in the
South of Britain. They lie at the eastern end of the Beacon Hill
Pericline—the most southerly, and at the same time the most
easterly of the four main periclinal uplifts which form the Mendip’
Hills.
The area is contained within sheet XIX of the one-inch Geo-
logical map, and sheet XXX, S.W. Somerset, six-inch Ordnance
Survey map; the Geology of the district has been dealt with
in the following works :—
DE LA BECHE — Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain,
Vol. I, 1846.
di. Sipuy ‘The Carboniferous Limestone (Avonian) ot the
7 Mendip: Area,” O.7.G:S.; Vol ExT isuey,
Alluded to as “ Mendip Paper.”
S. H. REyNoLDs Geological Excursion Handbook for the Bristol
District, 2nd Ed., (1921), pp. 147—150.
To the general account of the Carboniferous Rocks that these
works have furnished, the present paper adds a more detailed
description of the structure, lithology and paleontology.
The two inliers between them expose an almost, but not
entirely, complete succession of Lower Carboniferous beds from
the base of the Cleistopora- -Zone (Km.) to the Lower Part of the
Seminula-Zone (Sx).
Il. GENERAL, DESCRIPIION.
(1) Sprinc GARDENS INLIER.
This small inher of Old Red Sandstone and Carboniferous
Limestone is situated about one mile due north of Frome, and
extends from Whatcombe Farm north-eastwards to a little beyond
the cottages at the foot .of Cuckoo Lane. The Strata are eae
great extent concealed by alluvium, and only four exposures have
been observed.
‘VAUV HIVA SITIVA GNV SNACUV) DNINdS AHL AO dvIN
Nn
°
os,
<=
°
5
noe
Ss
busadc
Suapleg
: 7 is i
-_ i a>
és :
; 4
“a | ,
fh, A -
~
a ‘
Dae ae
SF =
t
i oes
oe
2-
—
ad
: —_———
>
oe
coins,
>
AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE 25]
(a) Road-side exposure, 400 yards east of the Dolphin Inn.
About ten feet of Old Red Sandstone are here seen consisting of
compact, highly micaceous, red sandstones, evenly bedded with
thin shaly partings.
(Gis Creed:s Farm. An.excellent exposure of beds very low
down in. the Cleistopora-Zone is seen behind the outbuildings of
this farmstead. The beds strike almost due E—W but are much
disturbed and display considerable thrusting and even inversion.
Lithologically they closely resemble the Km beds as seen in the
Avon Gorge,! and St. Monica’s Home, Westbury. The following
succession was measured at the N.E. end of the farmyard :—.
fee ESE
HO. ohaly limestone ... tet geaiset a I 0
9. Compact gritty limestone with shaly partings is Dkcahan 4 0
8. Compact gritty limestone, more shaly ie 0 2)
7. More massive, coarser grey limestone ... bah HS oe 1 6
6. Shaly beds : 4 0
9. Thin bedded limestone and shales ne a 6 0
4. Calcareous shale with thin bands of limestone. 5h sta AO 6
3. More massive compact limestone it aes af} ghecuw ae 0
2. Shales with thin limestone ps as as Sena 0
1. Soft micaceous shales—to base of section ee ae Stee 0
Total ean: ~)
(c) Footpath leading to Selwood Farm from Coalash Lane,
[90 yards N:E. of the Dolphin Inn.. The limestone is exposed in
the path close to the wicket gate. The highest bed here seen is a
much decomposed, very crinoidal limestone, containing abundant
bryozoa. Below this is a dark grey or bluish, compact, crinoidal
limestone crowded with Eumetria sp. identical in character with
specimens collected by Dr. Stanley Smith and Prof. $. H. Rey-
nolds from Ki beds at St. Monica’s Home, Westbury ;
(d2) Selwood Farm. A disused quarry at the S. end of the
outbuildings afforded the following section of Ki beds which were
seen dipping N.W. at 20° :—
t
9. Platy red limestone : foe att ee Race
4. Platy fine-grained grey limestone st ie ie Seow 6) 9
3. Massive red crinoidal and bryozoal limestone 8 0
2. Well-bedded grey limestone with bryozoa 5 0
1. Alternate bands of red and grey limestone thin- bedded—to
base of section oe Bt ie Ae ee ae a 0)
Total Seo its: 3
Peo pyauchan, Proc, Bristol Nai. Soc:, Ser..4, Vol..2 (1906), p. 98,
pee. keynolds, ‘O:/.G.S., Vol. 57 (1921); p. 216.
S)
mii tveynolds: and. S. Smith, Geol. Mag,. Vol. LXII (1925), p. 467.
2
252 AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE
LISHOLOGM OF KG:
The chief interest lies in the bryozoal limestone (band 3 in
the above section). On comparing thin sections with others from
the Avon Gorge and various Mendip localities these differences are.
seen. The bryozoa are unusually abundant, forming, together
with crinoid ossicles, the bulk of the rock. Further, in this rock
it is the matrix which is picked out with iron, whilst the bryozoa
are clear. Sections from the “ Bryozoa Bed,’’ of the Avon Gorge,
and from elsewhere in the Mendips, show the matrix clear and the
bryozoa iron-stained.
(2) VALLIS VALE.
Vallis Vale is a steep-sided valley or combe, a mile anda
half north-west of Frome, which has been excavated by the Egford
Brook and Mells stream.
These streams have cut through the overlying, almost hori-
zontal Mesozoic strata (Bathonian, Lias and Rhetic) and have
exposed the strongly inclined Carboniferous beds beneath. The
latter dip to the north, and the dip becomes increasingly steep
as one ascends the series until at the north-west end of the area
the beds are vertical. The strike at the south end of the valley
is S. of W.—N. of E., but swings round slightly until at the
northern end it becomes almost due E. and W. The tilted beds
of Carboniferous Limestone have been planed down to a level
surface, and this surface has been much bored by molluscs and
other organisms.
The Lias rests on the Carboruiecone at the southern end of
the exposure, and the Rhetic at the northern end, but these are
overstepped by the Bathonian which throughout the greater part
of the exposure hes directly upon the Paleozoic platform.
The lowest beds of Carboniferous occur at the southern en-
trance to the combe, and in working upstream the succession is
traversed in ascending order.
SUBZONE OF SCHIZOPHORIA RESUPINATA (Zz) 240 FEET.
The beds of this subzone are exposed by three quarries, the
first situated on the right bank, and the second and third on the
left bank of the Egford brook. The base of the subzone is not
exposed.
The upper limit of Z. is taken as marked by the incoming of
Camma patula.
LITHOLOGY OF Z2--DEDS.
Bands of very dark encrinital limestone, comparable with the
“Black Rock’ of the Avon Gorge, but not strongly dolomitised,
alternate with lighter red bands. The most remarkable feature
of the exposure is the great development of bands of nodular chert.
AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE 253
In addition to the bands of nodular chert there is a large
lenticular mass of strongly banded chert seen at the foot of the
quarry-face in the first quarry. The maximum thickness of this
mass is 10 feet. The surrounding limestone is also strongly siliceous.
Mr. H. C. Sargent very kindly examined photographs and speci-
mens of this chert for me and is of the opinion that the occurrence
is of a similar kind to that described by him from North Flint-
shire.!
These stand out well in the weathered face of the quarry,
showing whiter than the limestone, and contain in addition to
crinoid ossicles, ostracods and spines of Productus and Palechinus.
A minor thrust traverses the beds just above this chert mass.
There are also two prominent, almost vertical, joint cracks ter-
minating against the upper surface of the mass. ‘These are largely
filled with ochreous iron, in varying stages of oxidation, and with
large radiating masses of crystalline barytes. Charles Moore has
described “‘ infillings ”’
5
of Lias trom the Same quarry 2
HORIZON y. 280 FEET.
In this paper the term “ Horizon + "’ is used in the same sense
as Dr. Sibly uses it in his “‘ Mendip Paper.’’ That is, it is regarded
as being the top of the Zaphrentis Zone. It is characterised es-
pecially by the entrance and acme of Caninia patula, and by the
abundance of C. cylindrica. he beds are poorly exposed in several
small disused quarries on the left bank of the stream.
LiTHOLOGY oF HORIZON ¥.
The incoming of C. fatula corresponds with the occurrence of
gocks.of Petit Granit structure. The matrix of this is black and
almost completely dolomitised. In the second quarry on the
left bank small quantities of galena occur in the fault breccia of
another minor thrust. Towards the top of this quarry the rock
has a peculiar banded structure suggesting the flow-structure of
some rhyolites. The harder grey bands are silicified whilst the
lighter yellowish bands are dolomitised. Penecontemporaneous
brecciation with subsequent silicification and dolomitisation is
suggested as a probable explanation.
Towards the top of Horizon + dolomitisation is less complete
and organic remains, such as ostracods, Productus spines, and
crinoid fragments form the bulk of the rock.
ii. €. Sargent. Ihe North Flinishive Cherts, Geol- Mag. 1921, p. 265;
1923, p. 168.
2 C. Moore. On abnormal conditions of Secondary Deposits, &c.,Q.].G.S.
Vol. XXIII (1867), pp. 488-91.
254 AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE
FAUNAL LIST... 25 and y-
Psammodus vugosus, Agz.
Zaphrentis delanouet, E. & H.... rare
Zaphrentis konincht, E. & H.... rare: Z5, common! +
Zaphrentis omaliusi, E. & H.... very common.
Caninia cornucopie, Mich. common.
Caninia patula, Mich.
Caninia patula var. densa, Saleé do.
Caninia cylindrica, (Scouler) do.
Syringopora 8, Vaughan common.
Cyathaxonia sp. rane.
Michelinia favosa (Goldt.)
common y.
in y only.
Michelinia megastoma (Phill.) do.
Cyathophyllum 0, Vaughan rare ¥.
Leptena analoga (Phill.) ae ad ey common.
Spirifer torvnacensis de Kon. (=‘'S. aff. clathratus ’’)
Vaughan ; rae do.
Spirifer tornacensis var. attenualus Sow, rare.
Syringothyris cuspidata mut. cyrtorhyncha North common.
Rhipidomella michelini (L’ Eveillé) do.
Chonetes hardvensis (Phill.) rare.
Schizophoria vesupinata (Mort.) +87 be i common.
Cliothyris voissyt (L’Eveillé) ... ae x ee do.
Cliothyris glabristvia (Phill.) ... eS vee 5 Ree do.
Orthotetes cvenistria mut Z., Vaughan com wos do.
Reticularia lineata (Mart.) za Bb ta Si do.
Productus ‘‘ aff cova’’ mut. Z., Vaughan ie so do.
Productus subpustulosus Thomas pe e very common.
Productus fimbriatus (Sow.)... Ee: ey ae rare.
Productus aculeatus (Mart.) ... 4 sar ace do.
Edmondia sp., ... MA oa .o ne ae do.
Conocardium sp. ba iac Poke Ie ae ue a do.
Euomphalus sp.... ae eo ee oy are do.
FAUNAL NOTES Z2 AND ¥.
Z2 beds form a poor collecting ground, fossils are not numerous
and are badly preserved, the corals especially are usually replaced
by sulica. Caninia cylindrica’ appears low in the sub-zone, but
does not become common until the top of y. Spirifer tornacensis
is by far the most abundant of the brachiopods, and reaches its
maximum towards the top of the sub-zone.
In Horizon y corals are becoming commoner, Mzichelinia
favosa and M. megastoma appearing for the first time. Zaphrentis
konincki becomes very abundant towards the top as does also
Productus subpustulosus.
SY RINGOPHY RIS: ZONE. (0)) 2939 FEE:
The provisional base of C is here taken as denoted by the
incoming of Chonetes comordes associated with large Canima cylin-
drica, Michelinia favosa, \{. megastoma and a small Syringopora,
S. cf. reticulata, which is the form obtained low in C. at Burrington
Combe. Unlike the Avon Gorge Section there is no sub-division
into laminosa-dolomite, Caninia-oolite and Caninia-dolomite. It
is convenient in this paper to use the terms Upper Syringothyris
2 obey xe baal
AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE 255
Zone (Cz) and Lower Syringothyris Zone (C1), each defined by its
characteristic assemblage of fossils.
PimOHeGy OF THE.C: BEDS.
_ The Cx beds consist mainly of very massive dark grey lime-
stone, less crinoidal, but more dolomitised than that of Z. and y.
The dolomitisation is very irregularly developed. Ostracods and
foraminifera are abundant and well-preserved throughout C; and
Ca.
The C, beds are similar massive hmestone but lighter in colour
than those of C:. Narrow and inconstant bands of breccia are
common. These may be due to penecontemporaneous or desi-
cation brecciation, and if so are an indication of the shallowing
of the sea’ shown at this horizon throughout most of the South
Western Province.
MAINA LIST. = Cxvand ©,
Caninia cylindrica (Scouler) ... a ee i) Very -ColMmon at base:
Amplexus coralloides Sow. ree me Na ae: common.
| Amplexus sp. nov. ae wie ao ey do.
Zaphvrentis koninchi Eee fe cy: ty very common.
Michelinia megastoma Phill. ... ve bis sae Tare:
Michelinia favosa Goldf. 524 Ee ie oe a common.
Syringopora reticulata (Goldf.) ace eo var do.
Chisiophylloid corals... ca re. fe: sel do.
Cyathophyllum @, Vaughan... am ane Be: do.
Palg@osmilia (Cyathophyllum) ans eu a TAT.
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill.) ... os re ae common.
Chonetes comoides (Sow.) a is be a common at base.
Orthotetes crenistria mul C. Vaughan OK ie very common.
Syringothyris cuspidata Mart. Re oe us common.
Schizophoria vesupinata (Mart.) ae ae an do. (at base)
Martinia glaber Mart. ... obit? an: do.
Rhipidomella aff. michelini (L ‘eyeillé) ee ie do. (at base)
Cliothyris glabristyia (Phill.) ... a ay ae ei Vd Ox
Spirifer tornacensis de Kon. ... ane ey ore do. (at base)
Tylothyris laminosa (Mc.Coy) ate ee nee rare.
Reticularia lineata (Mart.) cog A ae aie common.
Productus subpustulosus Thomas ae 1s nee do.
Producius fimbriatus Sow. ae Ras oa Ae do.
Productus hemisphericus, Sow. (including P. aff. cora
Wamehan) ... ne we en ee he rare.
Productus costatus Sow. a, vad Ree he do.
Bellevophon sp. ... na ae =e ek ce common at top.
Euombhalus sp.... ae a ere oe ae common in bands.
FAUNAL. NOTES C.
Large typical Caninia cvlindrica are very common near the
base. Towards the top of C: C. evlindrica approaches the S. mu-
tation.
Orthotetes crenisiria attains a very large size, and is very
common at the base of Cr, it becomes less common towards the top.
256 AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE
Chonetes comotdes 1s very abundant near the base of the zone
and attains a large size.
ZLaphrentis koninckt is extremely abundant towards the top
of C2, and attains a diameter of half an inch, it quickly dies out,
and is not recorded from §:.
A very large form of Amplexus is abundant at two levels, near
the base of C2, and again near the top.
The common occurrence of many Clistophylloid corals, and
occasionally of Pal@osmilia @ foreshadows the oncoming of the
Viséan fauna.
SEMINULA ZONE (S.).
These beds are well seen in the last quarry at the Hapsford
end (N) and in the quarries in the Mells branch of the Se
Only the lower part of the zone is exposed.
SUBZONE OF PRODUCTUS SEMIRETICULATUS (Sr). 324 FEET..
In the first quarry on the left hand side of the Mells branch
of the Vale the light-grey foraminiferal limestone of the upper-
most C2, beds gives place to distinct calcite-mudstones and china-
stones. Lithostrotion martint occurs abundantly in these whilst
it has not been found below them. The base of these mudstones
thus forms a convenient line for the base of Sz.
SUCCESSION - OF : THE °S;, {BEDS
4. Oolitic limestone with bands of chert nodules ... ae sage 20 feet.
oa... Oohticimestone ..: ore “ti uh he Sd ee:
2. Limestone with shaly partings ee ire aie te zc isk wae
1. China-stones and calcite mudstones B48 A ia ar 30
324 feet.
The china-stones when fractured smell strongly of petroleum.
The mudstones and china-stones (band (1) above) contain
bands very rich in bryozoa, as in the Avon Gorge Section; they
are immediately succeeded by normal limestones (2) much dolo-
mitised in patches. The beds are separated by thin red shaly
partings, and one of these is crowded with remains of P/ullipsia.
The oolitic limestone (3) was originally a fine white oolite, but
subsequent dolomitisation has largely destroyed the oolitic struc-
ture, and only a few perfect ooliths, which show good radiating
structure, have escaped. The uppermost 20 feet of limestone (4)
is only shghtly oolitic and contains numerous bands of chert nodules.
These alternate with bands of limestone packed with Lithostrotion
martint. Near the archway at Bedlam the beds are vertical,
and even appear slightly overfolded.
4
b!
y
F-
=
AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS
PAUNAL, ELS? -S;.
Caninia bristoiensis Vaughan ...
AND VALLES VAGCE
Zoi
common (at base).
Syrvingopova distans (Fischer) ... do.
Lithostrotion martini E. & H. very common.
Palgosmilia sp. common.
Clisiophylloid corals do.
Koninchophyllum sp. rare.
Spirifer trigonalis (Mart.) by :
Orthotetes crenistvia mut. C. Vaughan»
common in one band
-very common.
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill.) . do.
Cliothyris cf. glabristria (Phill.) common.
Athyris expansa Phill. ... do.
Seminula ficoidea Vaughan doe,
Productus aff. cova d’Orb. do.
Productus semireticulatus (Mart.) do.
Productus elegans McCoy iane:
Phillipsia scabra H. Woodw. ... rare:
Phillipsia eichwaldi Fischer common in one band.
Bellerophon sp. ... common.
Euomphalus sp.... do.
FAUNAL NOTES Si.
Lithostrotion has now become the dominant coral genus, and
associated with it are many as yet undifferentiated Clisiophylloid
forms.
Koninckophyvllum. The specimens differ from the typical D
form! in having well-developed, long minor septa, and a long well
developed fossula recalling strongly that of Cvathophyllum @ Vaughan,
Troi GC:
iii “be interesting to note that Vallis Vale is the type
locality of P. scabra, H. Woodward.
TLE,
CONCLUSIONS.
The detailed work done in this small area confirms the con-
clusions, and amplifies the work done by Principal T. F. Sibly in
his Mendip Paper. In the vertical sections the development at
Vallis is compared with those at Burrington Combe and the Avon
Gorge. The thicknesses of the two latter are taken from the
diagram in the “ Burrington Paper.’? The progressive increase
in thickness of the Z. and y beds referred to by Dr. Sibly, is brought
@ut,vat Vallis this may be due in part to minor thrusting. The
most striking feature is the swelling out of the S: beds.
Comparing the total thickness of the Vallis sequence (from
Z2—Sx) with that of the corresponding beds at Burrington, and
mm the Avon Gorge the figures are: Vallis 1,377 feet, Burrington
Ijoo0 feet, Avon. Gorge 822. feet.
& Nich.
The Avonian of Burrington Combe.
I Koninchophyllum magnificum, Thom.
a9, Ht. Reynolds and A. Vaughan:
we es:, Vol. LXVII, 1911
258 AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE
Avon Gorge. Burringlon. Va tins,
Gap NO €Xp..
K
Oo KaS:
Vertical scale: 1ineh= (oe reee
AVONIAN BETWEEN SPRING GARDENS AND VALLIS VALE 259
The faunal peculiarities may be stated as follows :—
1. The common occurrence of Chsiophylloid corals of a simple
type at the top of the Tournaisian and base of the Viséan.
2. The enormous abundance of a large species of Amflexus in
the Syringothyris Zone.
3. The recording of Cyathaxonia sp. from Zz.
4. The early occurrence of certain Productids—Overtonia fim-
briata, and forms near P. hemisphericus (=P. corrugato-
hemisphericus) in the Syringothyris Zone.
Lithologically the main differerce between the Vallis sequence
and that of the Avon Gorge is the absence in the former of con-
spicuous oolites and dolomites from the Syringothyris Zone. A’
further peculiarity of this area is the great development of massive,
banded chert, and of bands of chert nodules in the Z. beds.
Piame-ereatly indebted to Prot..5.:H. Reynolds, M.A., Sc.D,,
and Dr. Stanley Smith, M.A., D.Sc., for constant help and advice,
fo Wee A. Welch, B.Sc., for help inithe field, and. to Mr. T,
me Ikeyder, .5c., for help in naming specimens.
The cost of the publication cf this paper has been defrayed
by a grant from the University of Bristol Colston Society.
Nato
GB _DATHS?
BRISTO
Sy
ei Si el aay 1 SAR aD LR ay ce SY geal e OMIA, ©. itl See i Hil Mei ities 252
id a at # " + >
, re Sess i ( FADE 4 i
FOURTH SERIES, VOL. VI., Part IV., 1926.
PRICE Four SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
{ . / OF THE
j ‘Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
5 “h g “a i ae
‘ Rerum cognoscere causas.’;
,
Wy
BRISTOL.
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
| MCMXXVII.
7
ax 1, A)
Wage
“4
BOUIN ssh nits »VOL. VIL; Part 1V., 1926.
PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
OD TEE
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
TT ME ey
i | int : WA
DN rel iN
e RilN wi { pe = pie
i
ig
“ Rerum cognoscere causas.’’—VIRGIL, ~
. , olseee ae
BRISTOL. S Warionay WOE
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.
MCMXXVII,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
OUR E Si EES yi VOL, Nin y PART. TV, 1926:
Officers for 1926 :
Officers of Sections for 1926
List of Members
Honorary Members
Report of Council
Treasurers ‘Report
Librarians’ Report
Report of Botanical Section
Report of Entomological Section .
Report of Geological Section
Report of Ornithological Section au:
Account of the Annual and General Meetings ..
In Memoriam: Charles King Rudge, M.R.C.S.
Report of the Delegate to the British Association we
/ Form: and Function,’ by the President, O. V. Darbishire .
xe Bird irip to the Scilly Isles,”. by RK. P-. Gait
“Insect Pests and their Biological Control,’’ by H. nee EES.
“The Hornworts and their occurrence in Britain,’’ by Cecil Sandwith
(ristol Botany in 1926,” by Jas. W. White, F.L.S.
“The Effeet on the Avon Section of the Construction of Portway,”
pyro, Keynolds;; M.A. Sc.D, - f
“New Sections of .Avonian Rocks in the “neighbourhood of (Bristol,
byen. W. Coysh, B.Sc. : ay
Bi saa of Rhaetic and Lower Lias in S. Bristol,’ by A.W. S cear
PAGE
264
264
265
268
269
271
212
273
274
275
273
276
282
284
285
292
297
303
312
318
324
328
For information concerning the Bristol Naturalists’ Society generally,
or concerning its meetings, please apply to the present Hon. Secretary and
Editor :—
Miss IDA M. RopkEr,
4, WOODFIELD ROAD,
REDLAND, BRISTOL.
All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way of exchange,
gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating thereto should be addressed
to :—
Hon. LIBRARIAN, BRISTOL NAT. Soc.,
THE MUSEuUM,
BRISTOL.
264
OFFICERS FOR 1926.
President :
Prof: O. V. DARBISHIRE, Ph.D., B.A. (Oxon), Bie
Past Presidents :
Dr: C. LroyD MorRGAN;, LL.D:, FoR SEG.
Protos YOUNG, 2).0c,, Fakes: Miss IpA M. Roper, F.L.S.
jit Woe WHITE, eS: H. WomERSLEY, F.E.S.
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc.
Vice-Presidents :
C. BARTLETT. Dr. W. A. SMITH.
Council :
B. A. BAKER Dr. M. NIERENSTEIN Miss RUTTER
F. W. EVENS J. V. PEARMAN J. W. TuTCcHER
R. H. HELLYAR J. RAFTER T. C. H. Wanton
Hon. Treasurer :
R. P. Gait, 51, Howard Road, Westbury Park.
Hon. Auditors :
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc. CHARLES BARTLETT, A.C.A.
Hon. Secretary and Editor :
Miss Ipa M. Roper, F.L.S., 4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol.
Hon. Reporting Secretary :
Mrs. VAUGHAN.
Hon. Librarian :
Miss I. M. Roper, F.L.S.
T. CHARBONNIER, Hon. Sub. Libranan. .
Officers of | Sections.
Botanical :
President—O. V. DARBISHIRE, Ph.D., B.A. (Oxon.), F.L.S. ®
Secretary—Miss Bowen, B.Sc., 73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park.
Entomological :
President—CHARLES BARTLETT, 8, Woodhill, Portishead, Somerset.
Secretary—J. V. PEARMAN, 6, Westbury Park Road, Bristol.
Geological :
President—S. H. Reynoips, M.A., Sc.D., F.G.S., The University, Bristol.
Secretary—F. S. Wattis, Ph.D., F.G.S., 15, Ravenswood Road, Redland.
Ornithological :
President—Prof. C. Ltovp-Moragan, F.R.S.
Acting President—A. L. FLEMMING, M.B., Ch.B. (Bris.), 48, Pembroke Road.
Secretary—-COLDSTREAM TUCKETT, 5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton Down.
List of Members, 1926.
A Associate Member. S Section Member.
* X¥—- *
nan
* Has contributed Papers to the
+ Life Member.
' Eroceeqiness |
GI) 1: Caen
Alexander, By AG MD.
ExWIOInye le) EL. *
feucieemt, Et. 1...
Badock, Stanley H....
Baker.) A, F.G:S:
iBarke Ei F., Ful:cC:
Barke, Mrs.
Barrow, It.
Bartlett, Chas.
Ipasater, I. Vi. r, M.A., BSc.
Beck, Re :
Bell, Mrs. A. Ge
Blood, BON: M.D.
bole yer. E... say
Bolton, Miss E., M. Sc. a F es.
Bolton. HD. iso. FURS E
F.G. S, te
Bowen, Miss M.. ‘Ba Se
Bowland, J. zn
Brebner, Mrs. G.
Bush, poe. S.
Carter, Miss F
Cay, Arthur
Chamberlain, R. E.
Chamberlain, W.
Charbonnier, T.... Bt
Charbonnier, Mrs. T.
City Librarian
Clarkes (A...
Cook, Sir Brnest, 10) Se.
Cottle, A. W.
Coysh, A.W.
Darbishire, Prof, O:-V., Ph.D.
Darell,.D:,; F:G.S. :
Davies, AY eBags RMS.
Davies, T. EY
Deacon, IMIS rene Rt
Drew, Miss H., M.A.
Dunscombe, Miss
BMISOR, 2.
Evens, F. W.
bitzjames, RK: HH! .
Hlemming, A. 1.; M.B., Neiaey
Ford, Roger ,
Fox, Mrs.
“MelMech E.. F.C.S.
63, Picton Lane, Stokes Croft
30, Berkeley Square, Clifton
29, Beaufort Road, Clifton
34, Belvoir Road, St. Andrew’s, Bristol
Holmwood, Westbury-on-Trym
37, Clyde Road, Redland
34, Park Row, Bristol
34, Park Row, Bristol
Wolverley, King’s Norton, Birmingham
8, Woodhill, Portishead
95, Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol
18, Victoria Road, Clevedon
25, St. Michael’s Park, Bristol
5, Brynland Avenue, Bishopston
508, Stapleton Road, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
The Museum, Bristol
73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park,
Bristol
12, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
22, Victoria Road, Cotham, Bristol
Bishops Knoll, Sneyd Park
14 Charlotte sts. Park St. bristol
Lyndhurst, Leigh Woods, Bristol
56, Brecknock Road, Knowle, Bristol
157, Whiteladies Road, Clifton
10: West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
Central Library, Bristol
16, Woodstock Rd., Redland, Bristol
40, Alma Road, Clifton
Black Horse, Kingswood, Bristol
15, Belluton Road, Knowle
The University, Bristol
Hillfileld House, near Dartmouth
Avon House, Keynsham, Bristol
Down House, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
45, Sydenham Hill, Bristol
Colston Girls’ School, Bristol
199, Redland Road, Bristol
59, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
8, Rokeby Avenue, Redland, Bristol
17, St. Martin’s, Knowle, Bristol
48, Pembroke Road, Clifton
Hartfield, Cotham Park, Bristol
Brislington House, near Bristol
266
nAnnN aN
AS
yee DF) OG)
us)
i)
S
LIST OF MEMBERS
Prancis Herat aa
Bye:
Gatos.
Gibbons, H. J.
Goodall, Rev. Canon Re W.
Goulding, Thomas
Gummer, Horace
Hallett, Miss J.
Hallett, Miss L..
Harding, G. Dermott
Harding, Miss Dermott
Harding, Miss E. M....
leliviar jak. Ee ie
HMesiop, ji ik. PB.
Higham), “AWE 0s..
Hodgson, Colter. ka
Horder, Miss M.G. ...
Humphries, Lady
Ivens, H. P.
Ivens, W. B.
Jeffcoat, Rev. R., M.A.
Jenkins, Mrs. :
Jenkins, F. G.
Jennings, D. A. be
Jervis, W. W., M.Sc.,
Jones, “hG,, Gis:
Knight, H. H., M.A.
Knowlson, Mrs.
Kromler, A.
Lee, Miss E. M., M.Sc.
Llewellin, W. M., C.E.
Loyd. i.
iucas, EL...
MacDonald, T. :
Madkins, W. E., ee
Mappin,)S..W- ...
Marshall, Miss D.
Martineau, P. E.
May; jets:
Miller, M.
Morgans, Thos., M. P; 8: E. (dec’d.)
Morgans, Mrs.
Morris, Deis:
Nierenstein, M., Ph.D.
Norgrove, J. W.
Nuell, F. H. :
Onn HAL
PiCSh,
10, Victoria Square, Clifton
1, Niblett’s Hill, St. George’s, Bristol
51, Howard Road, Westbury Park
8, Nugent Hill, Cotham, Bristol
19, Elmdale Road, Tyndall’s Park,
Bristol
6, Nelson Street, Bristol
Herbert Lodge, Cotham Park, Bristol
3, Logan Road, Bishopston
3, Logan Road, Bishopston
10, Royal York Crescent, Clifton
10, Royal York Crescent, Clifton
Bower Ashton, near Bristol
18, Redland Grove, Bristol
34, Henleaze Gardens, Westbury-on-
Trym
Western Daily Press Office, Bristol
5, Cotham Terrace, Bristol
81, Redcliffe Street, Bristol
Eastfield Lodge, Westbury-on-Trym
18, Alexandra Road, Clifton, Bristol
49, Ravenswood Road, Bristol
5, Berkeley Square, Clifton
10, Napier Road, Redland, Bristol
31, Berkeley Square, Clifton
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol
The University, Bristol
8, Clifton Vale, Clifton
The Lodge, All Saints’ Chel-
tenham
9, Downfield Road, Clifton
45, Summerleaze, Fishponds
Villas,
55, Logan Road, Bishopston
8, Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol
The University, Bristol
14, Walcot Parade, Bath
50, Hampton Park, Bristol
Fairfield Secondary School, Bristol
100, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol
54, St. John’s Road, Clifton
Hillside, Cleveland Walk, Bath
25, Abbotsford Road, Bristol
7, All Saints’ Road, Clifton
7, Elton Road, Tyndall’s Park, Bristol]
7, Elton Road, Tyndall’s Park, Bristol
15, Charlotte St., Park St., Bristol
30, Cavendish Road, Bristol
22, Alma Road, Clifton
63, Springfield Road, Bristol
Westleigh, West Town, near Bristol
Mars
isan oe
*
LIST OF MEMBERS 267
Parker, J.
Peach, A. H.
Pearman, }. V.
Pepperell, R.
Pook, J. W.
Powell, ale M.D.
Rattver,, ]., M.A. 5 He
Reynolds, Se ier Se i G. S)
Richardson, Frank re
Robbins, G. A. ;
Roper, Miss I. M.., F. Te oe
Rudge, C. K., b.R.C.P.
Rudge, Miss E. L.
Rutter, Miss E. M.
Salmond, P. W.
Salmond, Mrs. ...
Sampson, Miss D.
Samson, F.. a
Sandwith, Mrs. :
Seley. A.
Selley, F.
Shaw, Miss T.
Sinnott, Jas.
Sisson, J. E.
Skene, Macgregor,
Slee, Miss W. ..
Smith, Stanley, Ds Sc., nes
Smith, W. A., M.A., M. B.
Smith, Rev. W..
Smith, Mrs. W.
Stamton, D. Ww.
Stanton, Mrs.
storey; K. G.
Sully, H. T.
taylor, RE. ...
Thompson, H. S.
Trelease, 'C. a
Trelease, Mrs.
Tuckett, C. 2
Muckett, K.E. ...
iunwer, Hi.. W.; BeAr (Oxon.),
1 € ey
Tutcher;-J..W.
iyarell . B., B.A.
Tyrrell, Mrs.
Vaughan, Mrs. ...
MWalhs, F..S., Ph.D, B.G.S.
Walton, dee o FL.
Weaver, Miss M. hd
White, E. Barton, FE. So
(dec’d.)
12, Conway Road, Brislington
5, Hanbury Road, Clifton
6, Westbury Park, Bristol
Ormond House, Russell Grove, West-
bury Park, Bristol
Waterloo House, Clevedon
2, Gloucester Road, Bishopston
6, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
13, All Saints’ Road, Clifton
15, Percival Road, Clifton
3, Lower College Street, Bristol
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol
145, Whiteladies Road, Bristol
145, Whiteladies Road, Bristol
Cambridge House School, St. John’s
Road, Clifton
20, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
20, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
30, St. John’s Road, Clifton
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol
26, Canynge Square, Clifton
116, Coronation Road, Bristol
116, Coronation Road, Bristol
Walton-in-Gordano, Som.
15, Beaufort Road, Clifton
Heath House, Gadshill Road, Eastville
The University, Bristol
Hazeldene, Glastonbury Road, Wells
The University, Bristol
70, Pembroke Road, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
8, Oxford Chambers, St. Stephen’s St.,
Bristol
Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
Fonthill Villa, Keynsham
33, Southleigh Road, Clifton
37, Fernbank Road, Redland
37, Fernbank Road, Redland
5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
The University, Bristol
57, Berkeley Road, Bishopston, Bristol
17, Camden Terrace, Clifton Vale
17, Camden Terrace, Clifton Vale
42, Fernbank Road, Redland, Bristol
15, Ravenswood Road, Bristol
Compton Bishop, Som.
95, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol
Mental Hospital, Fishponds, Bristol
268 LIST OF MEMBERS
* White, Jas. W., F.L:S. ..: ...: 18, Woodland Road, @liften semsrel
White, Mrs. ws see wee ~618, Woodland Road; Clittenm@sretel
“af Wickes Hy ae 16, Oakfield Grove, Clifton
Wills, Sir George, Bt., LL.D.... Burwalls, Leigh Woods, Bristol
iy Wills, W. Melville... ... .... Bracken Hill, Leigh Woods, Bristol
5 Womersley, H., F.E/S. .:. ... ‘Sunny Meads, West Town, mr Srctol
* Yabbicom, £. H:, M.1.C.E. .... 23; OakfieldviRoad Giger
Honorary Members.
Prof. George (5S. Brady, M.D.) Li). Se.) RCS., seas
Henry J. Charbonnier, Rose Cottage Bungalow, Olveston, Gloucestershire.
Prof. C. Lloyd-Morgan, LL.D., F.R.S., IA\G.S., 59, )Peversley, vmoad ior:
Leonards-on-Sea.
R.M. Prideaux, F.E.S., Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Wi. G. Scott, 25) Duke Street, Cardifi.
Prof. H. S. Hele Shaw, M.I.C.E., LL.D., F.R.S., 645 Victoria’ Streets. rest
minster, S.W.1.
Prof. W..J. Sollas, M:A., LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., E.G.S_, University Miasenmm,
Oxford.
Sir W..A. Tilden, ‘D.Sc.; F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry mime; im pena:
College of Science, S~Kensington, S.W.7. (Deceasediz
Prof. Sydney Young, D.Sc., E.R:S:, Ennity College Dulbiime
269
REPORT OF COUNCIL.
To December 31st, 1926.
URING the past year the working members have continued
D with great success their activities in different branches, and
in entomology have added records of several new species
of British insects, as well as increased our knowledge of their life
history and habits. The assistance that these members are willing
to give to less expert students ought not to be passed over as it
is by the great number of young people, who could obtain know-
ledge and recreation by coming in contact with them through
membership of the Society.
The number of Sectional members who pay only a very low
fee and do not belong to the parent Society, has remained about
the same, in spite of the opportunities offered, but the membership
of the Society as a whole has sunk still lower, because the general
public shows no interest in our activities and will not join us for
encouragement and mutual assistance.
During the year death has fallen with severity on our members
and we have lost two of our oldest supporters: Dr. C. King Rudge,
who had filled many offices since his election in 1870, and had
taken the keenest interest in the Society’s welfare up to the last ;
and Mr. Thomas Morgans, who joined in 1879, and had served
on Council at various periods for 17 years, and was ever ready with
sound advice and financial help. Further, we have lost Mr. Charles
Hunter; a zealous worker for the Society, and Dr..H: B. Guppy,
the eminent naturalist and traveller; and amongst our Honorary
members Sir William Tilden, Professor of Chemistry in the Imperial
College of Science, who had been in touch with us for the past
AS years. 3
The holding of an Open Night in March for the benefit of the
public was but poorly supported, although it was honoured by
Di. J. Allen, F.KR.S., Director’of the great Marine Biological
Laboratory at Plymouth, who gave a lecture on the latest research
work in Fishery.
The Summer Excursion to Beacon Hill, on the Eastern flank
of the Mendips, received more support than in past years, but
deserved to have been still better attended, because of the enjoy-
ment of our pursuits and the opportunities it afforded for good
fellowship and exchange of ideas between members.
270 . REPORT OF COUNCIL
Amongst minor happenings of the year the Secretary repre-
sented the Society at the Jubilee Dinner of the North Staffordshire
Field Club at Stoke-on-Trent, for the winding up of the celebrations
of its year. Blaize Castle Woods have been acquired by the City
as public property. This is gratifying, because members will
have the opportunity within easy reach to study at all seasons of
the year the varied wild life in its many sheltered nooks.
The Proceedings for 1925 were published early in the year,
and distributed to the British and Foreign Societies with whom
we exchange. The contents maintained a high standard of original
work with some excellent illustrations. The Papers on the Geology
of the Bristol district were continued, and in this connection much
gratification was felt that Prof. S. H. Reynolds, who has so long
been President of our Geological Section, held the position of
President of the Section of Geology at the British Association
Meeting at Oxford. It was taken as an honour paid by the scientists
of the Kingdom to the work on Carboniferous Limestone and its
zones carried out under his leadership by the school of Geologists
labouring at Bristol with such wide spread effect.
Council agreed towards the close of the year to the affiliation
of the Bristol Field Club as a Field Section under Law XXII.
The arrangement will take effect with the New Year, and should
be beneficial to all our members and recruits, because the work
of this Section will be devoted entirely to out-of-door study of the
different branches of Natural History in rambles round the out-
skirts of the City. It is hoped that these facilities for rambles
will meet a desire often expressed, and will cause a rally of new
members to support the Section and in many instances to join the
Society and participate in the advantages of the Library and
yearly Proceedings.
IDA M. ROPER,
Hon. Secretary.
2i1
NBO NP ACSI NEM SIS SS CRSIalo)
“SACJUPN
LOO “H -ESaNaa
yOo1I09 PUNOF pue posyIpny ‘OZBI ‘ISTE Tequis.aq
& 0 997 § 0 9917
6 ZI 9I puny surpurqyoog
9 Z $9 “-yunosDW [Blouses Sete, ah puny sulpuiqyoog
—‘purey Ul yse5 ~ Ga Ce: yuNnoosoY [e19udr)
Oe Cl= 07 : sulpulqyood “‘ ——. PIEMIOW JOUETECQ= =
(eal eve sosuodxy oinqooy ‘ (hy bes Be ae yisodoq uo ysorozuy
OR See Soryinyzeir) * Oe) uoIsInoxy uo FyOIq “
0 OL I ae! doUeINSUT IIT pue Judy * Oe eat, ‘930 “suoTzeoTjqngd fo s[eg “
0 ZI6 ‘++ AToUOTIeIS pue oseysog ‘suTqULIg “ 9 916 pam SUMsHa al 0} suolzeuod “
0 OL zg SCOle OR G7 SOU Be Ota I ONIO) 0 01e< is popo[oo sreoy “
Oy O1ees P1099XJ_~[eIISO[OOZ OF =Grac1 SOU BADE ul suorydiissqns =‘
022120 DUIZeBSCI, [POTSOTOO*) Oa O° 41 sooq ooueijuyq “
6 eI 0 uoluy ,SISTPeINyeN “AA ‘S 0 S 0 AI MPT Jepuy
9 OL O syyedqooy pure suowulo) OF 50. =Z "** 92 CIDOSSY.
0 1 Bis Ary 0 Sf 1F¥ AreuIpIO
—1: setja1In0s 04 suonMdtiiosqns Aq —: suotjdiszosqns sioquiayy OL
Beer ey. ke ae
tS) O66 UuvVax GEL: TOP SENAOODVY IVaaNaD 4d
"ALAIOOS SLSIIVYNLVN TOLSIYG AHL YM wnoooy ul YAYNSVAUL NOH FHL
ate
LIBRARIANS’ REPORT.
For the Year 1926.
Weer at the Library has been carried out steadily, so that the binding
of loose parts is practically complete, and only the current volumes
of exchange societies remain unbound. Donations towards this
yearly expenditure are needed, but members can eongratulate themselves
that an excellent Library of Natural History brought up-to-date is now
available for their use, and it would be gratifying if the books were consulted
by a very much larger number of members.
The Catalogue on the table gives the required information to find the
volumes on the shelves, but the absence of a gift of a cabinet for the card
index of subjects, or the provision of money to buy one, is a matter of regret,
because the information in the books would be then more available, and
might induce the younger members to read them and take up a special subject
of study.
The Library is very centrally housed, and the building operations,
which the Museum Committee is engaged in, do not interfere unduly with
the facilities and comfort of readers, although the room at present may
seem somewhat crowded. Members will gladly submit to some inconvenience
to assist the general improvement of accommodation for the Natural History
collections of the City.
Dr. Rudge was a frequent visitor to the Library for many years after
he had ceased to be the Librarian, and by his death we have lost one who
tried to pass on his enthusiasm for living organisms to those whom he found
consulting the books.
His daughters have presented several standard works from his Natura]
History books, which are very acceptable, and our thanks are given to the
donors.
The Sections have continued to give various monthly publications,
including the last issue of the Paleontographical Society to carry on our
series.
Additions to the Library in 1926.
Austen, E. E. ; . Handbook of the Tsetse-Flies, 1911.
Bentham and Hoolen! British Flora; 2 Vols., 1892:
Bouvier,o 1. 16 see » Lhe Psychic Life of Insects; 19222
Goebel, K. von... .... Wilhelm Hofmeister, 1926 (By Purchase).
Grosse, Pobiea 2. ee he Oceana L860:
haley. ately .. .. Anatomy of Vertebrated Animals, 1871-
Do. 1.28 Anatomy of Invertebrated Atmnals io77-
Jetireys, JG: ... ... British Conchology, 5-vols, 1862-9.
Journal of Linnean Society (Zoology), 1890-1906.
Journal of a Naturalist, 4th Edit., 1838.
Marshall, A.M. .... ..... Junior Course of Practical Zoology, 1392
Prior, G. T.; ::.. 0... i. Guide'to Meteorites, 1926:
Rye, BC. xa) on ie) emits: Beetles L866:
Shuckard, W. E. British Bees, 1866.
Wilson, G. and Geile: a Memoir of Edward Forbes, F.R.S., 1861.
IDA M. ROPER, Hon. Librarian.
T. CHARBONNIER, Hon. Sub-Librarian.
213
BOTANICAL SECTION.
1926.
HE Botanical Section has indeed justified its re-formation during this
T first year of its renewed existence.
We have been able to hold ten meetings—helpful meetings, thanks
to some of the original members and encouraging meetings, thanks to the
five new members. There have been several outstanding features of the
year. In January Miss Roper showed doubling flowers of Cardamine pratense
with petaloid stamens and in November types and varieties of Plants. Mrs.
Bell in June brought a delightful collection of Stonecrops, Sedum roseum,
S. Forsterianum, S. album, S. dasyphylium, S. acre, S. anglicum, and in
September three interesting Linarias and Mirabilis Jalapa (The Marvel of
Peru). Miss Marshall in September brought flowers from Cornwall; Mr.
Stuart Thompson in December gave us an interesting quarter of an hour
with Irish flowers.
Mr. Gibbons and Miss Bowen brought some forty Fungi for the open
evening of the Society, and it is here when we work on Fungi that we miss
Mr. Charles Wall, who died during the Easter holidays. To the first meetings
of the year he came, always with a vasculum full of fresh plants, usually
Fungi or garden shrubs in bloom. To many of us who love the living plants
better than the herbarium specimens, it was a delight to have the opportunity
of meeting such a botanist as Mr. Wall, and it is a sorrow to have to record
his death.
M. BOWEN, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION.
1926. )
HE activities of members of this section during the year have been
«i principally confined to three main heads, Photography, Ringing, and
Discussion of Exhibits at Winter Meetings.
With regard to the first, following out previous observations members.
have definitely marked down a new breeding place locally of the Redshank,,
and obtained photographs of the sitting bird. It is hoped that it may be
possible in the coming season to obtain a more representative series. Members.
have also been able to obtain a photographic series of the Dipper, which
breeds locally quite commonly, but is perhaps even more difficult to photo-
graph than the Redshank. The localities usually occupied, the time of the
year, the weather, the almost unbelievably quick and (to the photographer)
the irritatingly irrational movements of the bird with its perpetual dipping
or curtsying, in fact every conceivable difficulty, is most unwelcomely forced
on the bewildered photographer. Going rather further afield, many beautiful
and interesting pictures have been obtained in the Scilly Isles, but an account
of the trials and tribulations of the three members who went is to be found
elsewhere, and will be related to the Society as a whole at one of its monthly
meetings.
With regard to Ringing, The objects and advantages of thus marking
birds have been previously explained. Some of the birds ringed by the
section include, Swallows, Wheatears, Red Backed Shrikes, Sparrow-hawks,
Moorhens, Lapwings, Ringed Plover, Razorbill, Manx Shearwater, Shag,
Cormorant and many of the Gulls. It is hoped that more members will
undertake this very useful work.
The section has well maintained its reputation fcr the variety and scien-
uific interest of its exhibits It has been suggested that a portfolio or record
of photographs by members should be kept by the section. This should
be facilitated by the fact that we have added to our numbers several actively
interested Bird Photographers, and the record should be one of supreme
interest and value to the Society as a whole.
COLDSTREAM TUCKETT, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
274
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION.
1926.
WING to difficulty in securing accommodation, only four
meetings were held during the year (that for April being
merged with the Society’s General Meeting). The ill-health
of Dr. Rudge precluded advantage being taken of his offer of
hospitality, but the situation was relieved by the generosity of
Mr. J. W. Norgrove and Mr. A. H. Peach in placing rooms at the
disposal of the Section. Arrangements have now been made to
meet at the University, in the Botany Library, on the same days
as the Botanical Section. To suit the convenience of members
living at a distance, meetings commence at 6 p.m.
There has been no lack of exhibits. Especially interesting
was Mr. R. Beck’s illustration of the parasitisation, of the micro-
lepidopteron Sylepta ruralis by the ichneumon Pimpla vestigator
and by the diptera Exorista ruralis and Chetolyga sp. Miss I.
M. Roper outlined the life history of the locally rare aphid Te-
traneura ulmt, exhibiting specimens of the insect and of its galls
on elm leaves. In addition to scarce and striking species of local
Lepidoptera, Mr. A. Kromler displayed a nice collection of “‘ in-
cidentals ’’ of other orders including several fine longicorns (Coleop-
tera) and sawflies. Many other interesting species and varieties
of Lepidoptera have been shown by Mr. C. Bartlett (Pres.) and
Messrs. Norgrove and Peach.
At the merged April meeting Mr. Beck dealt with the Acarine
disease of Bees (noticed on page 278), and at the December meeting
Mr. H. Womersley summarised his researches on the Protura,
briefly describing the new forms he had discovered locally.
No excursions were made during the year, but mutually ar-
ranged working expeditions were successfully carried through.
To enable the Section to continue the series of “‘ The Entomo-
logist ’’ presented yearly by the late G. C. Griffiths, the subscription
has been raised to 2s. 6d.
It was with deep regret that members learnt of the death of
Dr. C. King Rudge in October. Dr. Rudge joined the Section in
1900, and, until hindered by ill-health, manifested a keen and
active interest in its welfare. He was nominated as President in
1925, but declined election.
Ja Ve BEARMAN
- Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
279
GEOLOGICAL SECTION.
1926.
HIS year the number of resignations and elections have balanced
each other, so that our membership remains at 48.
We record with much regret the death of Mr. Thomas Morgans
who has been a member of the Section for 25 years.
All the officers for 1925 were re-elected, vzz.: President,
Proies tl. Reynolds; M.A.) Sc:D.; _ Vice-President, Mr. J. W.
Tutcher ; :Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. F. S. Wallis; and Auditor,
Mrs. E. Vaughan.
Mie wamances- show .a credit balance of £2. 16s.. ld... Six
evening meetings were held during the year with an average atten-
dance of 21. The President in continuation of the description of
his recent world tour dealt with phases of the geology of South
Africa and United States of America, and especially with questions
of economic importance. In pursuance of our recent custom of
inviting at least one ‘‘ outside ”’ lecturer to visit the Section during
the year, Dr. J. A. Douglas, M.A., of Oxford, gave an interesting
account of his geological work in the Andes. Mr. P. E. Martineau,
our Bath member, struck an original note in his Paper on the Bristol
Avon. It is hoped that at some future date Mr. Martineau will
again favour the members with the results of his further researches
into the early history of our Bristol Avon. Mr. F. B. A. Welch,
B.Sc., gave an account of his recent work on the geological structure
of the Central Mendips.
The Exhibition meeting attracted an unusual wealth of speci-
mens, and the Summer excursions to Abbot’s Leigh and Keynsham,
held jointly with the Geological Section of the Bristol Field Club,
were each attended by 14 members.
We would take this opportunity of placing on record our
congratulations to Prof. 5S. H. Reynolds on his occupation of the
Presidential chair of Section C at the British Association meeting
at Oxford.
The Section still continues to place the Geological Magazine
and Paleontographical Society’s Monographs in the Society’s
Library, and a few members have continued their work on the card
index of the QO. J.G.S.
By SHWALEIS,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
276
Account of the Annual and General Meetings.
THE 63RD ANNUAL MEETING.
January 21st, 1926.
The election of officers was confirmed with Dr. W. A. Smith,
becoming a Vice-President. Prof. O. V. Darbishire was elected”
President for the third time, and delivered his second Presidential -
Address, entitled “‘ Plants of the Sea ” (printed in full on page
208).
THE 52ist GENERAL, MEETING.
February 4th, 1926.
“Olaus Magnus, a 16th Century Naturalist,”
by Mr. P-—-E- Martineau.
Olaf Stora (Latinised Olaus Magnus), a Swedish Churchman,
was born in 1490 and died in 1558. He spent the last thirty years
of his life in Rome, being exiled at the Reformation. He took
part in the Council of Trent in 1546, and towards the end of his
life became titular Archbishop of Upsala. His great work, Historia
de Gentibus Septentrionalibus, was published at Rome in folio,
1555. It was translated from Latin into various languages, and
the 8th edition, an English one, was published in London in 1658.
The book deals with Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Finland and
Iceland, discussing, with very numerous illustrations, the language,
ethnology, manners and customs and folk lore of each country.
But its chief value is in the Natural History section where, among
scraps of folk lore and traditional natural history, there are frequent
glimpses of accurate observation and sound inference.
_For instance, in a certain fiord iron rings are fastened high up
the cliffs; to Olaf’s knowledge they were set there by a certain
king about the year 1,000 and in 500 years they had gone so high
up the rocks as to be out of the reach of seamen. Therefore, says
the Archbishop, the sea must have shrunk or the land must have
risen, but if the sea had shrunk we should have heard of it from
England, so the land must have risen, but he knows not how or
why.
ees in Iceland, he observed that the fire of burning moun-_
tains did not come from the top, but from half way up, and he has
sound remarks on the geysers.
He tells us that ermines change in winter from brown to white
and he wonders whether it is for the purpose of defence.
Whales he deals with at great length; he knew the sperm
whale (a very rare visitor to Northern waters), and he tells of
threshers killing a whale off the coast of England in 1532.
His folk lore stories are amusing. Elks are better for drawing
sleighs than reindeer, because they can go 200 miles without food
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 217
The lynx does not hunt, but robs wild cats of their prey. Squirrels
foretell the future, if you can catch them, and they cross streams
on rafts of bark. The hedgehog attacks the bear with the object
of making him shake down fruit from trees. Bears are useful
animals to take to sea, they are an excellent defence against pirates.
Seal skins bristle as the tide goes down.
On the polypus or cuttlefish he has much to say, and also
on the Kraken or sea-serpent which is 200 feet long with a 20-ft.
mane. One lived near Bergen. As a rule it eats small animals,
but when it attacks a ship and eats men great wonders are to happen
in the kingdom. Such an event happened in the year 1022 and King
Christian was immediately deposed.
In giving an account of this 16th century naturalist, the lecturer
had the help of many lantern slides from the original woodcuts.
Exhibit by Miss Roper of Xylania carpopmila, a “ Candle-
snuff ’’ fungus, from the Leigh Woods.
ol ntba5s22NpD° GENERAL MEETING.
March, 4th. 1926.
eiichcry Kesearches “by Dr, FE. J. Allen, F-RS.;
(Director of the Plymouth Marine Brological Laboratory).
The great sea-fisheries of the country, are of two kinds—trawl
fisheries and drift-net fisheries. The trawl works along the floor
of the sea and captures such fish as cod, haddock and plaice which
hve there. Drift-nets hang suspended from the surface of the sea
and catch such fish as herrings, mackerel, and pilchards, which
swim freely in the body of the water. Both fisheries are subject
to great variations in their abundance of fish captured from year
to year, and much research has been done to ascertain the causes of
these fluctuations. The history of the fish has been studied from
the development of the egg to the larval stage and then gradually
through the life of the fish until it is adult and of a suitable size
for capture. The food and habits both change during the life
of the fish, and has been examined at each stage.
It has been found that certain years give good breeding figures,
when a large number of young are present in the sea, while others
are bad and only a small number of the fry survive.
This is probably due to the fact that in some years the food
available for the fry is abundant, whereas in others it is scanty.
When we seek for the causes of this fluctuation in the food supply,
we find it is due to differences in the physical conditions of the water,
such as temperature, and also to the varying amounts of sunlight
available for plant growth.
Different features of the research work were illustrated by means
of numerous lantern slides.
The lecture was open to the public and was well attended.
278 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
THE 523rD GENERAL MEETING.
April 8th, 1926.
“The Acarine Disease of the Honey Bee,” by Mr. R.- Beck.
Interest in bee-keeping has greatly increased in the last 25
years, which has led to much improvement in the hives, to facilitate
easy removal of the honey, and to increase cleanliness. Further,
many county Bee Associations are formed to make known exper-
iences, and prevent lack of perseverance, whilst the County Bee
teachers give many demonstrations.
The two diseases of Bees most dreaded are “‘ foul brood ”’ and
the Acarine internal one. There is no remedy for the first except
burning, but the second has yielded since 1905 to scientific enquiry,
and the lecturer, said he had recently held 87 examinations for it,
and was able now to decide in a few minutes if the disease was
present in a hive. The cause of the trouble is a mite, so small
that it needs 7 male or 5 females to cover a millimetre space. The
mite gets entrance inside the Bee at a valve under the wing, in order
to breed in the trachea or breathing tube of the Bee, which causes
suffocation.
All these points and many more were made clear by excellent
lantern slides, and incidently the lecturer advised the owners of
apple orchards to arrange to have hives placed in them in the
Spring to secure the utmost fertilization of the blossoms.
THE 524rH GENERAL MEETING.
May 6th, 1926.
I. .“ The Age ofthe Earth,” by Mr. Tl Alikyalen ese
For nearly a century, astronomers, geologists and physicists
have been attempting to estimate the age of the earth as an in-
dividual member of the solar system. The results obtained varied
considerably and the methods used were open to much adverse
criticism. It was not until the discovery of the radio-active
elements, nearly thirty years ago, that any satisfactory method
of estimating the age of the earth was available. The discovery
that the element uranium is slowly disintegrating, and that among
its end-products are helium and lead, afforded a means for a more
accurate and reliable estimate. The rate of breakdown of uranium
can be calculated and from that and the measured amounts of the
element and its products in a rock, it is possible to arrive at the age
ofthat rock. The lead from uranium varies, in certain respects, from
the ordinary lead of commerce. From data of the above nature,
and also from other considerations based on radio-active phenomena,
it has been possible to assign to the earth an age of approximately
1,600 million years. The immensity of this figure can be better
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 279
realised when one knows that man has been on the earth for less
than half a million years, and that recorded history only dates
back a mere 6,000 years or so.
IJ. ‘Our Knowledge of Animal Mind,” by Mr. R. H. Hellyar.
The lecturer gave a short review of the manner in which we
became acquainted with mind in the lower animals. His aim
was to contradict a general and popular idea that it was impossible
to judge an animal’s mind, because our own mental outlook was
so widely different. He first touched on the philosophical side,
calling attention to the great problem of the principles of human
knowledge, and went on to point out that all knowledge of mind
was by observation and inference of behaviour. There were
different levels of mankind ; some minds were much simpler than
others. Yet they felt capable of judging their thoughts and
feelings from behaviour. There was no short cut to a man’s
mind. Mental states in others, whether animals or men, were -
deduced from their physical expression.
This method of obtaining knowledge of mental states in
others applies equally to animals as well as man. With the lower —
animals, however, there is a danger of putting our own ideas into
their minds. This must be always guarded against, for it is a very
natural action on our part.
Mr. Hellyar went on to explain the use of the famous Lloyd
Morgan canon—“ Never interpret a particular action in terms of
a higher, more complex, motive, if a simpler explanation will serve
equally well.”” The practical value of that canon in psychology
was enormous, for it counteracted the anthropomorphic tendency
in judgment of behaviour, the invariable tendency to humanise
animals.
The paper concluded by emphasising the various ways in
which animal psychology aided our understanding of the great
problem of mind, the lecturer pointing out that the “ richest
future of natural history lies in the study of the mind.”’
THE SUMMER EXCURSION.
June 19th, 1926.
This was made to Beacon Hill in the East Mendips, by motor
coach and private cars. The magnificent views over a _ large
countryside during the drive, and at Beacon Hill were much
admired, as well as the visit to the pond in its grove of rhodo-
dendrons in full bloom. After an enjoyable tea the geologists
had the unusual experience of standing in the crater of a long
extinct volcano surrounded as they were by igneous rocks and
tuff, whilst the entomologists did well on the heath, and the botanists
found many plants, which they were pleased to meet with in a new
locality. Some of the more noteworthy were: Ranunculus
280 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
Godronu, Viola palustris, Geum nivale, Aprum inundatum, several
orchises, such as Lzsteva ovata, Orchis maculata, Habenana vindts
and H. chloroleuca, Polygonatum multiflorum, Carex disticha, C.
_ pallesceus, C. binervis, Lastrea spinylosa and Botrychium Lunana.
The drive home through Temple Cloud, Stanton Drew, Chew
Magna and Barrow was a fitting end to a very pleasant excursion.
THE 525TH GENERAL MEETING
October 7th, 1926.
“Geology and Man,” by Dr. F. S. Walls, F.G:S:
Man was primarily an agent of Denudation, and it was in that
connection that his work was mainly felt. The total amount of
material excavated by Man in the British Isles since Roman times
had been calculated to be in the neighbourhood of 40,000 million
cubic yards. Taking the latest figures.regarding the amount of
material weathered away from the British Isles as about 2.7-in.
in 2,000 years it could be proved that in a well populated area
Man was about twice as effective as Nature in planing down the
general surface of the ground.
The effects of subsidence—especially in the salt mining districts
—were fully dealt with, and the various theories of subsidence
explained.
London, as the largest city in the world, offers a good field
for investigating the changes wrought by Man on nature. Before
it was inhabited the district formed an extensive marsh, though
now the river was confined within a deep channel, and the original
contours of the land were difficult to trace.
Climate was another factor in the process of the natural
denudation of rocks, and Man wielded an indirect action over
geological work by removing forests and laying bare to the sun
areas previously kept cool and damp under trees. A marked
characteristic of Man’s action was its intermittency, for while his
geological activities were increasing in extent they were constantly
changing in direction. Finally, natural denudation removed by
preference the softer and more easily destroyed rocks, whereas
Man selected rocks of economic importance, or those which stood
in the way of his engineering schemes.
The lecture was illustrated by lantern slides. .
Exhibits were shown by Miss Roper of three species of fungi:
Clavaria Kunzu, Craterellus cornucopioides and Cyaths stratus.
THE 526Ta GENERAL MEETING:
November 4th, 1926.
Exhibits of Natural History by the Members.
All the Sections were represented and the exhibition showed
that steady, progressive work was being continued.
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 281
In Geology a model of the Isle of Wight, fossil corals, sponges,
insects and reptiles from South Africa, were shown by Prof. S. H.
Reynolds, local fossil sponges by Mr. J. W. Tutcher, and fossil
shells from the Eocene at Barton Cliffs, Hants., by Mr. M. Miller.
In Entomology, Mr. H. Womersley showed some new species
of Protura, the most primitive insects known; Mr. J. V. Pearman
some local Psocids, small orthopterous insects, three of which
were additions to the British list ; and Mr. J. W. Norgrove a collec-
tion of Lepidoptera.
In Botany were exhibited the results of summer work, in-
cluding a complete series of the genus Bromus by Mrs. Sandwith ;
alien plants that have become naturalised by Miss Roper; an
instructive series of parasites, semi-parasites and saprophytes by
Mr. H. S. Thompson ; Alpine flowers by Mrs. Bell; paintings of
Palestine flowers by Miss Reynolds; Mycetozoa by Mr. F. W.
Evens ; a fine collection of living fungi arranged by Miss Bowen
and Mr. H. J. Gibbons, and succulent and growing plants by Prof.
©. V... Darbishire.
In the Ornithological section were some excellent bird life
studies by Mr. R. P. Gait and Mr. C. Tuckett, who also showed
some photographs of bats hibernating and prepared bats’ skins.
Coffee was served during the Meeting.
THE 5271tH GENERAL MEETING.
December 2nd, 1926.
b> Insect Rests and their Biological Control,”
bya Mr- TL. Womersley,- EF ES:
(Printed in full on page 297.)
i Seedlings,” by Miss M. Bowen, B.Sc:
Seedlings of even the commonest plants are not always easy
to recognise. The first two leaves or cotyledons are usually very
simple and quite unlike the complicated foliage leaves which
follow. In their simplicity, however, there are variations, and to
follow up these there is much instruction. The cotyledons of the
ordinary Holly, for example, have no sign of prickles In Mustard
and the Corn Cockle one is bigger than the other; whereas in the
Dove’s foot Cranesbill half of one is bigger than the other half.
The cotyledons store food to start growth, as in Peas and Vetches,
when they remain under ground, but usually they are too thin and
small for such storage and come into the air to function as leaves
and make food. Ona larger scale the Avocardo Pear from the West
Indies, to be bought of some Bristol greengrocers, stores food in
advance, for the seed has two cotyledons as large as an egg. If
kept in a little water, the two swollen “leaves? come apart, and
the young roots and shoot grow into a handsome young seedling.
Excellent lantern slides illustrated the subject.
2OzZ
Jn Hemoriam
CHARLES KING RUDGE,
M.R.C.S.,. UR: C-P:
Y the death of the late Charles King Rudge, at the great age
of eighty years, the Naturalists’ Society has lost one of its
most faithful and oldest members.
Member of an old Staffordshire family, Mr. Rudge was born
at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 1846. When a youth of
twenty-one he began his medical studies at the Bristol Royal
Infirmary and continued there until qualified to practice. As a
student he gained the approbation of the famous Dr. Long Fox,
and secured the Medical Suple Gold Medal and Prize. For a period
of twelve years Mr. Rudge occupied the post of Surgeon at the
Bristol Dispensary. His private practice commenced and con-
tinued in the Whiteladies Road for the long period of nearly fifty
years. Few doctors were better known or more highly thought
of, and his loss will be felt by many to whom he was not only
a doctor, but a sympathising friend. Dr. Rudge was a man of
many and diverse interests. A keen churchman, he was an active
worker in the local section of the Medical Missionary branch, and
in this and other sections of the same service he retained his interest
to the last. The Church of England Mens’ Society had no stauncher
adherent, whilst on the practical side he warmly supported and
worked for the Sailors and Seamens Mission. Whilst Natural
History was his chief study during mature years, he was a member
of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archeological Society, and a
student of Bristol’s past history.
The study of Natural History was one of the greatest joys of
his life, and here again he showed catholicity of interest, his studies
ranging from the life histories and habits of British mammals and
birds, the coastal fishes of the North Devon coast, and the marine
fauna of the tide pools to entomology, his investigations in the
latter being confined to the Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera.
For some time he devoted considerable attention to the trachea
of birds, dissecting out a large number for the study of the syrinx
IN MEMORIAM 283
or organ of voice production. The study of mimicry, and the
protective devices of animals was a perennial joy to Dr. Rudge,
his spirit of thoroughness causing him to keep in close touch with
modern literature upon the subject.
Dr. Rudge had an intense desire for the growth and welfare
of the Naturalists’ Society. This found expression in many ways.
Whilst he rendered excellent personal service in his efforts to gain
new members, and notably so during his occupancy of the Presi-
dential chair he was no less persistent in urging other members to,
do the same. He served the Society in several capacities, being
Honorary Secretary jointly with two others frem 1896 to 1897;
Honorary Librarian 1891-1904; Vice-President 1901—2-3 ; and
President 1904-5-6. He was "Secretary to the Microscopical
section from 1887 to 1890.
~The many calls of professional life and his numerous asso-
ciations with public bodies left little margin for the publication
of scientific papers, and three only, in addtion to three Presidential
addresses were contributed by him to the Society’s Proceedings.
These were “ British Shore Fishes and their Habits,’ 1888 ;
““Mammals of the Bristol District,” 1908; and “‘ Food of Animals
and Strataggms employed in obtaining it,” 1913. As an exhibiting
member he was one of the most constant, and few years occur
from 1888 onwards in which he did not produce exhibits of special
interest.
It is not easy to estimate fully the worth of such a man as
Charles King Rudge. Reticent to a degree about his own achieve-
ments, he yet influenced many other student naturalists. Behind
a somewhat abrupt manner, and a sharp method of interrogation
(really due to inherent shyness) he did not always succeed in
concealing his most kindly disposition and a very generous nature. —
Many sadly tried patients found him courteous and kind to a
degree, religious and philanthropic missions always had a warm
helper, and amongst us are those who testify to the scientific merits
of one who sought the good of his fellows.
jal as
284
Report of Delegate to the British Association.
T the Oxford Meeting of the British Association I attended
the Conference of Delegates of Corresponding Societies, and
the address on the first day was given by the President,
Sir John Russell on the subject of “ Regional Survey.”’
He is Chairman of a very strong Committee at work on this
subject, and he urged on the Delegates the importance and ad-
vantages of taking up surveys in an organized manner amongst the
members of Natural History Societies. The study of the district
within easy reach affords opportunity for them to have a pleasant
recreation, and get together valuable information to be utilized
later by professional workers to carry out schemes for making
the best use of the resources and capabilities around them.
A regional’ Survey carried out by amateurs includes many
aspects, both above and below ground, such as charting the drainage
basins, the suitability of certain areas of land either for dwelling
houses, recreation grounds, woodland or cultivation ; and the help
of geology comes in by the study of strata, exposures, well-sinkings,
or the presence of minerals.
When all these particulars can be marked on large scale maps,
the amateur has provided the professional, whether town planning,
manufacturer or others, seeking suitable localities for development,
with helpful and accurate knowledge.
Sir John Russell gave many useful directions for guidance in
carrying on such a survey, and amongst others advised the observer
to record the rotation of crops on arable farms, whether three,
four or five crop rotation was employed, rather than to name the
actual crop grown in a given year.
On the second day of the Conference other matters of general
interest were before the meeting. After discussion a recommen-
dation was passed that local Societies should make systematic
records of temporarily open geological sections, well-sinkings, and
the like, and the Bristol Naturalists’ Society was mentioned by
name as an example already working on these lines. Also, that
Government should lessen the restrictions concerning cinemato-
graph films sent to England, when such were records of scientific
observations and intended for purposes of education.
A Committee was re-appointed to co-operate with the Torquay
Natural History Society to continue the investigation of Kent's
Cavern.
IpA M. Roper.
August, 1926.
285
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1926.
‘Horm and Function.’
By O. V. DARBISHIRE.
T one time, many thousands of years ago, man probably did
not lead a settled life, and stay in one locality during all the
seasons. He went to a warmer part of the country in winter,
and to a cooler part in the summer. At first, too he did not till the
soil and grow extensive crops of a few selected plants, as he would
rarely visit the same spot even a second time. For this reason
it was absolutely necessary for him to be quite familiar with all
the wild plants he would come across in his wanderings. He would
know his plants well by their external form. He would know
where the plants which were of use to him grew. He had to
recognisé plants by their external and visible form, because in
that way only could he find the roots and rootstocks which con-
tained the food he was in search of, but which were hidden below
the surface of the soil. Roots and other underground organs of
the plant contain generally the excess of material built up by the
plant during the last season. The life of himself and his family
might depend on the food obtained in this way. Every member of
the family would therefore have to learn to recognise plants by their
form, and not only the useful ones but also those which were poisonous,
in order to avoid eating a dangerous plant. In this way the out-
ward form of plants was carefully studied and slight changes prob-
ably noted. Man was interested in the form of plants only because
the form was the means of recognising important plants.
Gradually man came to lead a more settled life, and with this
came the tilling of the soil, and the cultivation of the few most
important plants. A knowledge of the wild plants became less
important. Eut even then many plants and especially again
their roots were collected in wood and field, not so much possibly
on account of their food value as on account of their medicinal
properties. The ancient Greeks had a special class of men, who
were known as Rhizotomoi, who went out into the country and
ecilected roots. That was their trade. These men of course
studied the form of the plants they were interested in so as to be
able to recognise them under all conditions, and at all seasons.
They would thus always be able to collect any particular kind of
root that was required. The form of the plant here again was only
of interest because by it the collector could find the underground
organs he was in search of
286 FORM AND FUNCTION
Among the cave-dwellers and with early man generally probably
everybody had learnt something about plants and their recog-
nition. But with the advance of civilisation and the accompanying
division of labour, this knowledge of plants. was acquired by the
few only, as in the case of the Rhizotomoi just mentioned. The
interest in the root had however become traditional and this
tradition had its effect on the old Herbals, where every plant
shown in an illustration is drawn with its root system complete.
That is not done now any more. It must have been the traditional
interest in the economic importance of the root and the necessity of
recognising the form of foliage that gave us the first plant naturalist
or botanist. He had got interested in the leaves of the plants
near his home, and then became still more interested when he
found some new form or variation. At first then form of foliage
and nature of root were connected, but gradually the interest
became centred more and more round the study of the varying
form of the stem and leaf and flowers, as these organs could be
seen. The root would gradually become neglected
Theophrastes recounts how the officers sent by Alexander the
Great to India, were struck by the different appearance of the
leaves of the trees they came across in India, when compared with
the leaves of their native trees in Greece. They) were im) Search
of trees to obtain wood to build ships. They hunted for trees
with the same foliage as that of the trees of their home. They
found and carefully noted the difference in the foliage of the trees.
Although thus in most cases the study of the plant form
had originally an economic motive, to find plants that provided
food, or some drug, or wood, as in the case of Alexander’s officers,
people must in time have looked at plants and examined them
irrespective of their economic, or medicinal or commercial value.
In that way the form became a matter of study by the naturalist
through all the ages, up to the time of Linneus, and after him,
up to the present day. Linnzus had the greatest knowledge of
forms of animals and plants. Form meant a great deal to him.
According to his view species owed their origin to special creation.
Hybridisation was possible, but up to certain limits species were
separately created. The species was thus an immutable unit.
The mechanical description and separation of the plantform was
therefore of the greatest importance in separating species. The
species in the Linnean sense depends absolutely on accurate obser-
vation and description of form and structure. A slight variation
from the type was of no value and no interest as it did not lead
to anything. The careful work of Linneus gave a great stimulus
to the study of animal and plant forms and placed it on a very
sound footing. Directly and indirectly Linneus must have been
responsible for the separation of a very large number of species.
FORM AND FUNCTION hori
‘During the earlier part of the 19th century the great know-
ledge of plantforms obtained from all over the world led to a closer
study of the plants at home, and more especially of the lower
plantforms. The improvement in the microscope too made possible
a more detailed study of the many stages in the life histories of
both higher and lower plants, which had hitherto been but in-
adequately determined. The life histories of moss and fern were
worked out, and one result of this work was the growth of an
almost new branch of Botany, namely Morphology. This was
concerned mainly with a study of the mechanical organisation of
the plant body. The morphologist divided the plant body into
root and shoot. The shoot he again divided into stem and leaf.
Leaf, stem and root are the morphological members of the plant
body, quite irrespective of their functions.
Animal morphology was always on a different footing as it
really dates back to Aristotle, though his pupil, Theophrastes, too
discussed some questions of pure plant morphology. He discussed
the question as to whether the supporting pillars of the Indian Banyan
_Tree were root organs or stem structures. They are as a matter
of fact adventitious roots. But he thought that they might be
stem structures.
Although, then, animal morphology is a much older science,
one of the most important morphological technical terms was
not introduced till 1843, when Owen, the great zoologist, invented .
the word homologous. An homologue is the same organ in different
animals under every variety of form and irrespective of functi6n.
The term is used by botanists too.
Quite gradually during the 17th and 18th centuries the study
of physiology had been growing up, mainly animal and human.
Physiology and Morphology were then two quite distinct and separate
branches of the study of animals. They are still largely so up
nonwrile. present day. The zoologist of today is largely a
morphologist studying comparative structure and development of
homologous organs, or making out new homologies. Animal
morphology and animal physiology still very largely go their
own way, though during the last few years experimental zoology,
genetics, and the study of special physiological processes in general
but from a purely zoological point of view, are the subject of
research even of the pure morphologist. It was Owen again who
in 1843 invented the term analogous. An analogue is a part or
organ in one animal which has the same function as another part
or organ in a different animal. This term too is used by botanists.
Plant physiology really came into prominence very much later
than animal physiology. Animal and human physiology was of
greater importance, especially in connection with medicine and
its bearing on the health of the human organism. Plant physiology
had no such importance attaching to it. So plant morphology
288 _ FORM AND FUNCTION
and plant physiology too went their own way, and general and
special plant morphology are still very important branches of
botany, to-day. The systematist is only a morphologist of a special
kind interested in the classification of plants.
Animal structure is far more complex than plant structure.
It is for this reason often very difficult to establish homologies
between certain organs of certain animals. It is perhaps not so
difficult on the whole in the case of plants, though the variety of
form among nearly allied plants may be almost greater than in
animals. This greater simplicity of plant structure has made it
possible perhaps for the botanist of to-day to acquire a more
extensive knowledge of physiology than the pure animal morpho-
logist.
The morphologist considers form, the physiologist considers
function. Should they work independently or should they co-
operate in their studies ? Is there any definite relationship between
form and function? They must obviously stand in some re-
lationship to one another.
The leaf is a definite morphological member of the plant
body. It has a definite morphological dignity or status. But
the form of this member, of the leaf, may vary. The foliage leaf
of the oak has a flat green blade. The scaly leaf of the butchers’
broom is a small membranous bract arising on the flat surface of a
leaf-like stem. The stem has here taken on the form of the leaf
and carries out the function ordinarily associated with a flat green leaf.
The green oak leaf and the scaly bract of the Ruscus are said
to be homologous morphologically. The green oak leaf and the
flattened green cladode of the butcher’s broom are analogous in
function, 7.e. physiologically. The wings of the bird, the forefeet
of the horse, and the arms of man are all homologous organs, yet
they are not analogous organs. They are the same members but
have different functions. The fins of the whalé and the fish are
analogous in function, but not homologous from a morphological
point of view. Morphology is the study of the varying form of a
limb or member of animal and plant body regardless of function.
But as everyone must have observed, and as has just been pointed
out some kind of relationship does exist between form and function.
The green leaf is an assimilating organ. We know that the
green leaf shows a very wonderful adaptation to this function.
The form of the leaf varies and its variety exhibits more in detail
the special adaptation to this function necessitated by different
localities. We can often from its form make out what the function
of an organ is. But still this does not tell us exactly in what
causal relation if any form stands to function. Does function in-
fluence or even create form, or vice versa. This is really the old
question again which evolutionists are trying to solve. It is the
question which interests every naturalist.
PR ne ar
FORM AND FUNCTION 289
Lamarck maintained that the form adopted by animal or
plant was a direct response of the organism to the influence of
external conditions, and the desire of the organism to carry out some
definite function by that organ. The change thus induced was
purposeful. This view was strongly supported by Samuel Butler,
who explained how it was that animals and plants could thus
adapt the form of their limbs to their functions. The experiences
of the ancestors acquired during life were passed on to the suc-
ceeding generations and unconsciously remembered by these, and
made use of in unconsciously fashioning new, or improving old
organs. The form of an organ was thus considered to be directly
influenced, and even created by the function which the organism
desired it to perform.
The ultra-Darwinian says that all changes in form are acci-
dental, and never purposeful. Any particular organ can perform
a certain function only because it has a particular form and structure
which happens to enable it to carry it out. The form of an organ
therefore determines its function. Natural selection however
would in the end settle whether a form should persist or die out.
Darwin believed that the continuous selection of small useful
variations in the struggle for existence develops an efficient and
well adapted organ able to carry out a definite function. De Vries
would say that any change in form is due to a sudden also chance
jump or mutation. But still the organ would determine the
function rather than vice versa. Natural selection would in this
case too pick out the more efficient organ for preservation.
So we are really at the old deadlock again. We may believe
in organic evolution, but we do not yet know anything about its
mechanism. How does a plant or an animal first acquire a useful
organ. I have already said that the function which an organ has
to perform may have a selective influence and may allow only the
useful organ to survive. A plant with a form which carries out
its function inefficiently will go under. But there is no evidence
that function can directly create a new form of organ. What I
have said so far, however, holds good only to a certain extent.
Function may not create a new organ like the leaf, or the chlorophyll
apparatus, as quite new qualities. But it may quite directly
influence these qualities quantitively. It may influence the
already existing leaf form and structure. The beech leaf growing
on the south side of a tree has a structure differing from that of a
leaf growing on the north side of the tree. The former has two
layers of palissade cells as a greater protection against too strong
light which would injure the green granules. The latter has only
one layer. Function has not created a new leaf, but it has modified
its form, but that modification cannot be inherited, and is thus not
permanently acquired by the organism. We do not know how
the main qualities of plant and animal organs arose, but we can
290 FORM AND FUNCTION
get some idea of the quantitively modifying influence of function
on form. This is easily observable in plants, but not quite so
easily in the case of animals. One reason for this is that plants
are generally fixed and stationary and are compelled to be accurately
adapted to the conditions under which they live. Most animals
can move from one place to another and thus select within limits
the locality most suited to their structure. Function can therefore
more readily modify a quality of the plant organ quantitively.
The small extent of the airspaces in the land-grown specimen of
Hippuris as compared with the very extensive airspaces in the
water-grown plant affords a good example of this.
The naturalist, the botanist, can be a morphologist pure and
simple, studying form and its variations with the greatest interest.
Though not possessing any great knowledge of plant physiology
he can yet add to the interest of his work. by observing the con-
ditions under which the various forms occur, and then connecting
the change in form with the different way in which under certain
conditions the functions have to be carried out. External con-
ditions influence quantitively the form of an organ through its
function, and in the end we can from experience conclude directly
from the form what the prevailing external conditions are. This
is the subject of Ecology and Biology. The same remark may
be applied to the Zoologist.
We can say then that a very definite relationship exists between
form and function. We need and cannot commit ourselves to say
whether there is any deep causal relationship between the two.
We can only say that especially in plants, function may to a certain
extent modify the form of an organ.
A very interesting subject can be mentioned in this con-
nection. The conditions under which animals and plants live on
this earth are often very uniform over large areas which may be
continuous or discontinuous. If the conditions acting on these
forms of plants through the same function are almost identical
we would expect that in the end the same kind of form would be
selected in the case of all plants growing under these identical
conditions. There are numerous examples of this development
along convergent lines. Let us look at the leaf, stem and root
of the green flowering plant. The roots grow in the soil, the upright
stem and the flat leaves with their veins. Are they not extra-
ordinarily similar in their general form, whatever family they may
belong to. But they are growing roughly under similar conditions.
The typical flowering plant may serve as our standard. We get
the same kind of arrangement of stem and leaf in the moss, though
the moss leaf is in no way connected or related morphologically
to the leaf of the flowering plant. The organs are analogous but
not homologous. We also get the same arrangement in many
seaweeds. The fronds of the red Delesserta sinuosa are leat-like,
FORM AND FUNCTION 291
and have midrib and veins, resembling oak leaves. In the green
alga, Caulerpa prolifera, we have roots, rhizome, and upright
assimilating organs, resembling the organisation met with in the
higher plant. But there is no connection by descent between
these plants. Similar function goes with similar structure.
The common lichen Peltigera pretextata, made up of fungus
and green alge to form a compound organism, exhibits in certain
small leaves, the isidia, an internal structure recalling that of .
the leaves of flowering plants, even to the development of pores,
resembling the stomata of these leaves. This is a striking example
of evolution along convergent lines. Function and form clearly
go together in this case.
Yet another example may be quoted. The Cactacee of
Central America resemble to an extraordinary extent certain
Euphorbiaceze of Central Africa. The conditions under which in
both cases the plants grow are those of a hot and dry desert. The
succulent and little branched stem, and the absence of any flat
leaves in the mature plant characterise the representatives of both
families. On closer examination we can detect differences. These
differences are due to the cast iron traditions of the particular
families, to which the species belong. The external form, and
even the internal structure may undergo certain changes and
become better adapted to their surrounding conditions, but not
beyond certain limits. A member of the Cactacez can always be
distinguished from a member of the Euphorbiacee if not by the
internal structure of its vegetative organs at least by that of
its flowers. These are naturally least affected by the prevailing
local conditions. Plant family traditions are very strong, and
will apparently not allow a quantitive modification of their quali-
ties beyond certain points. When that point has been reached,
should adaptation be insufficient, the death of the species or even
race may follow. Thus we see here again in what relation function
stands to form, and that the former does not control the latter
completely.
The object of these disjointed remarks has been to give you
food for thought. The study of form pure and simple is intensely
interesting, and it is a study without end. It may be made a
little more interesting when taken in conjunction with even a
slight knowledge of the functions of the organs we come across
in such an endless variety, both in the animal and plant world.
292
A Bird Trip to the Scilly Isles.
ByoOR? P= Gare
HE following Article is an account of a trip to the Scilly Isles
during the Summer of 1926, undertaken by the President
and Secretary of the Ornithological Section of the Society,
together with the writer in search of photographs of sea birds.
After a somewhat eventful journey due to the unsettled con-
ditions following the general strike, we eventually arrived by
means of train, car and steamer at St. Mary’s Island, which was
to be our headquarters. Most newcomers to the Scillies are struck
by the number of islands, for although only five of the large ones
are inhabited there are dozens of others ranging from those of
three-quarters of a mile in length to mere rocks almost submerged
at high tide.
As the uninhabited variety were to be our hunting grounds
our first excursion was in search of a boat, and we were very lucky
in securing the services of an experienced boatman, for changing
currents, sudden gales, reefs, bars and submerged rocks of every
description render anything in the amateur boating line in the Scilly
waters nothing less than sheer madness, to say nothing of the
skill required to effect a safe landing on those rocky shores, more
often than not in a running sea of some considerable force.
Annet is the most well-known of the bird islands, and has
perhaps the greatest variety and number of nesting sea fowl.
Imagine a low rocky uninhabited island about three quarters of
a mile in length by a few hundred yards in breadth, exposed to
the full fury of the Atlantic storms, and terminating in the “ Hay-
cocks,’ a line of cruel isolated piles of rocks over which the sea
breaks in great spouts of foam. Annet in June can best be des-
cribed as one huge rock garden. Great patches of sea pinks grow
clump against clump, all over the island, matching in Nature’s
own perfect tone with the grey lichen-covered rocks; in fact so
profusely do they cover the ground that in parts no other colour
is discernible, and the island shows as a pink mass from six miles
to seaward. Stonecrop and spurrey add their colours to the
picture, the whole being set in a sea of the most wonderful shades
of blue, purple and green.
On rowing towards the jumble of rocks which constitute the
shore of Annet, searching for a likely landing place, we disturbed
several large flocks of puffins which were resting on the water.
They flew shorewards with rapidly vibrating wings, many of them
disappearing into their breeding holes, with which the island is
simply honeycombed.
yayny “D| soOW NO ‘YAHOLVOUALSAGQ, Aq oj04d
AMEND SERIE TO TH SCILLY ISLES 293
On our scrambling up the beach a great cloud of Gulls,—
herring, great and lesser black backed—arose from the breeding
colonies making a prodigious clangour, whilst oystercatchers
added to the din by flying in circles around our heads, giving
vent to their feelings in a continuous piercing note.
Laden with photographic outfits, walking in the deep cushiony
sea pinks was a tiring business, and a careless step on an innocent
looking patch of sandy soil landed one knee deep in a puffin’s or
shearwater’s burrow, with a fair chance of a bad sprain if nothing
worse. Amongst the boulders of the beach on our left, herring and
lesser black backed gulls were nesting in their hundreds. Many
a laughable sight was to be seen in these colonies ; grotesque love
making attitudes, fights between rivals, egg raids, and the swift
retribution dealt out to the robbers by the rightful owner of the
property.
Curiously enough the herring gulls kept to the beaches, but
there were several large colonies of lesser black backs, with a
sprinkling of great black backs, inland amongst the sea pinks.
An examination of the eggs showed an extraordinary range
of variation in colour and markings varying from a rich chocolate
spotted and streaked with black to an almost plain light green
with scarcely a mark. So much did the eggs of herring and lesser
black backed gulls resemble each other in size and markings that
the only method by which they could be distinguished was to watch
the owner settle down upon them.
Amongst these gulls several small great black backs and large
lesser black backs were frequently observed, so that the only deter-
mining feature became the colour of the legs and feet, which are
pink in the case of the former and yellow in the case of the latter
bird.
Oystercatchers’ eggs were found all round the edge of Annet,
on the patches of shingle, under the granite rocks, and out amongst
the sea pinks, and a series of studies were obtained of this bird
by means of panchromatic plates (with or without screen), which
successfully brought out the orange coloured eye rim and the
gradations of the long bills.
Judging by the behaviour of these oystercatchers, and a
number of imperfect clutches of eggs, they have to keep a close
watch on the gulls, as these inveterate egg stealers never neglect
an opportunity of a meal at some other bird’s expense. It was
interesting to watch from a hiding tent the oystercatchers nego-
tiating limpets. They would slip the tip of their long bills under
the edges of the shells and lever them off with the greatest ease,
picking out the contents at their leisure.
2904 A BIRD TRIP TO THE SCILLY ISLES
In a few suitable places some clutches of ringed plovers’ eggs
were found, but the sandy shores of St. Mary’s, Tresco and Tean
were much more favoured by these birds than Annet.
The most important bird inhabitants of Annet are the stormy
petrel and the manx shearwater. The usual place for the stormy
petrel to lay its eggs is on bed roek where the boulders of the beach
meet the turt.
To find them one has to either listen for their curious purring
note, or try to detect the musky odour which they emit. Having
located a bird a considerable amount of hard work is required
to shift the stones to a depth of perhaps four feet or more,before
this delightful little bird can be found sitting on her single white
egg in her dark retreat.
To find a manx shearwater is an easier process, one has only
to follow up a likely looking burrow amongst the hundreds avail-
able, until one receives a painful nip in the hand, which means
that the bird is at home. Very awkward are these manx shear-
waters on the ground, being unable to stand upright, and having
to shuffle along in a clumsy manner till they reach an eminence
from which to take off, but once in the air the reverse is very
evident, as they glide over the waves with an easy graceful flight
reminding one somewhat of enormous swifts.
Both stormy petrels and shearwaters are largely nocturnal
during the incubation season, only coming out at night when
their weird cries in the darkness sound like lost souls visiting
the scenes of their misdeeds on earth.
The great black backed gulls kill a large number of shearwaters
and puffins, and bundles of bones and feathers with every particle
of flesh torn off them littered the whole island. For this reason
war has been waged on these bloodthirsty members of the bird
community for some seasons past, and the previous year a big
bag of these birds and shags was made by an organized party of
guns. The effect of the slaughter was disastrous from our point
of view, as both species proved to be very hard to photograph,
whereas in previous years they had presented no difficulty.
We were lucky enough to be able to spend one day on Mincarlo,
a steep pile of rock on which it is rarely possible to land owing to
its exposed position and precipitous sides. No vegetation grew
on Mincarlo, excepting a few patches of giant mallow, but it was
a fine island for puffins, razorbills and shags, which nested amongst
the rocks in large numbers, together with a few guillemots, in-
cluding at least one of the bridled variety.
The photographic problem presented by the razorbill is to
obtain a negative that shows the eye, which is so inconspicuously
hidden in the fine black feathers of the head, that no amount of
~
=
: 2
=e
a
4 : —
Be
é
‘ X
.
05 ‘d “Y) ONILLIG ‘NYAT, NOWNOD [4q 07044
AV BIRDVERIP PO) LPHE) SCILLY ISLES 295
over exposure seems to be of any use, and one has to hope to repro-
duce the reflection of light in the pupil when the head is turned at
certain angles to the sun.
Meledgen, far down to the west, however, was the best island
for shags and cormorants. Meledgen requires an absolutely calm
day for landing, being merely a collection of huge water worn
boulders, amongst which the only level place that we could find
was a piece of wreckage thrown high up on the crest of the rocks.
Here the shags and cormorants had built their nests in great
numbers, the shags underneath the rocks and the cormorants out
in the open, but owing to the reason mentioned before, they were
very shy of facing the camera. Personally it will be a long time
before J shall forget Meledgen! A broiling hot sun brought out
the characteristic evil stench of these nests in an appalling degree,
and being confined to the close quarters of a hiding tent made
matters considerably worse, so that never did the “ chuff, chuff ”’
of our boatman’s motor engine sound more welcome than when he
arrived to take us away that afternoon.
Two small islands not far from St. Mary’s are chosen by those
delightful birds the common tern as their special breeding terri-
tories, but why they should occupy them in preference to the
many others of a similar character available is known only to the
birds themselves The fact remains that these places are used year
after year and everything is done by the bird authorities in Scilly
to encourage them to continue to do so.
There is something very engaging about terns, they are so
graceful and dainty in their flight, their general appearance is so
delicate, the black cap, grey upper and white under parts, and the
red bill and legs, all blend into something which is very pleasing.
Observations of common terns in their breeding colonies gives
one the impression that they must be of a very nervous or erratic
disposition, as the whole colony will frequently take to flight for
apparently no reason whatever, and after a considerable amount
of wheeling and chattering settle down to their eggs for anothér
spell, only to be up again on the flight of a single bird from her
eggs.
As far as Scilly is concerned this erratic behaviour applies to
their egg laying as well, and no one can be at all precise in pre-
dicting where the eggs can be found ; an island on which not a single
egg can be seen will be simply covered with eggs perhaps a few days
or it may be a month later.
Whilst watching a common tern fishing one day off St. Mary’s,
it was suddenly attacked by a peregrine falcon, but the tern easily
eluded the swoop of the larger bird, and the falcon eventually
gave up the chase in disgust.
296 A, BIRD: TRIP TO, fie. SCILEV WSEES
When unable to leave St. Mary’s because of the rough seas,
we turned our attention to the wheatears, rock pipits, and stone-
chats, which abound on the island. Rock pipits are very fond of
building their nests in the ancient fortifications on Garrison Head,
and we found four nests in the cracks between the granite blocks,
one nest containing a very fine cuckoo’s egg. This particular site,
although it was just possible for a cuckoo to enter with a squeeze,
closely approached one of those positions which often occur, where
the ornithologists who believe that a cuckoo never deposits her egg
with her bill, would find it hard to justify their theory.
In addition to the above mentioned land birds, wrens, common
buntings, skylarks, linnets, sedge warblers, blackbirds and thrushes
were common on St. Mary’s, but on the other hand a well-known
bird man who was summoned to a neighbouring island some years
ago to see a rare bird, found that he had made a special journey
to see a common starling.
During our visit we ringed a number of birds under the Witherby
scheme, details of which will be found in the Report of the Ornitho-
logical Section.
In conclusion few places can be found to equal Scilly for sea
bird photography, both for variety of species, and for ease of working
in comparision with the dangerous cliff work, which has to be
accomplished in other parts of Great Britain, whilst the delightful
sea views, the novelty of the islands, their interesting flora and
kindly inhabitants weave a spell round the visitor, which sooner or
later fetches him back for another bird trip to the Scilly Isles.
3
tl
f
q
Insect Pests and their Biological Control.
By H. WomeERSLEY, F.E.S.
T the present time the study of Entomology has become far
more than the collecting of butterflies, moths, and other
insects. The scientific investigation of their life histories
and their economic effect on agriculture has in recent years become
a matter of increasing importance. In this, the correct identi-
fication of an insect, especially in the lesser known groups, plays an
important part and it is here that the systematist and collector
takes his place ; but of even more value is the biological study
of insects, and the biological entomologist, in his thirst for
knowledge must find out the why and wherefore of an insect’s
existence, what it lives on, and its effect on other forms of life.
From this economic point of view insects roughly divide them-
selves into three groups, according to their harmful, neutral or
beneficial characters. In this article only the insects will be some-
what briefly discussed, which are of direct benefit to agriculture.
Such useful insects are to be found in most Orders, especially
the more recent ones as the Coleoptera (Beetles), Hymenoptera
(Ichneumon flies), Diptera (true Fhes) and the Neuroptera (Lace-
wing flies), etc. Amongst the Beetles the most important and
probably the most familiar to our members are the Lady-birds
(Coccinellidz). These many-spotted little fellows are most vora-
cious and feed gluttonously both in the larval and imago stage on
many of the pests of the agriculturalist and gardener, such as on
blight (Aphides or green-fly) and scale insects (Coccide). The
eggs of the lady-bird are yellow, turning brown as they are ready
to hatch, and are laid in small clusters on plants infested with
aphides. The grub is an ugly blackish creature with six legs and
a large black head. Immediately on hatching it commences to
feed on the nearest green-flies, and hardly pauses in its. work of
destruction. In fact its appetite is so enormous that one has
been observed to devour as many as 30 to 40 aphides without a
break. As the immediate supply of food is finished it rambles
further afield in search of more. After several changes of skin,
it becomes a pupa or chrysalis much resembling a pear shaped
blob of dirt, attached to any convenient leaf or stem. At first the
pupa is somewhat variegated, but as the change to the adult pro-
ceeds it darkens considerably. On emergence the Lady-bird itself
also hunts for suitable food and then after pairing the eggs are
laid and the cycle begins again.
Several broods may occur during a suitable season, which
depends largely on the supply of food. The last brood passes the
298 INSECT PESTS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
winter in the mature stage hibernating in all sorts of nooks and
crannies, under bark, etc., often in very large numbers. Attempts
have recently been made to get them to hibernate in these large
numbers in captivity, so that they may be used effectually to control
such pests as have been mentioned. As yet this has not been very
successful.
Amongst the true flies quite a number play an important part
in preserving the balance of Nature in the insect world, keeping
down to a proper level injurious species. Those of you who have
gone in for rearing moths from their larva have no doubt experienced
much disappointment when instead of the moths expected, you have
found your breeding cages inhabited by flies much resembling the
ordinary house fly. At the same time you would have found the
small reddish puparia at the bottom. These flies which have been
parasites on your moth larve are a species of Tachinid flies, and
as a rule are very bristly. There is a large number of species,
and it is only the expert systematist who can competently distin-
guish them. Most kinds, are parasitic on caterpillars, and do an
immense amount of good in keeping some of these caterpillars
in their proper proportions. The eggs are laid in or on the body of
the host, and on hatching, the grub or maggot of the fly eats its
way into the caterpillar, only to leave it when it is itself ready
to pupate.
In another class of Diptera of considerable service to mankind
in keeping down pests are the Syrphid or Hoverer flies, those
brightly coloured yellow banded ones, so much resembling wasps,
that one sees hovering over the flowers in our gardens on a hot
day. The eggs of some of these flies are laid, as in the case of the
Lady-bird, amongst the patches of green-fly, and it is on the latter
that the grub, a somewhat squattish legless slug-lke creature of
various shades of green to brown, lives. These aphides it devours
with almost as much avidity as does the grub of the Lady-bird.
The Hoverer pupa too, somewhat resembles that of the beetle first
mentioned, but the fly itself does not feed, and is content to let the
control of these pests rest with its larva.
In the Order Hymenoptera, to which belong the wasps and
bees, are many insects of economic value. Here again the
lepidopterist will have discovered various species of Ichneumons
in his breeding cages instead of the moths he expected. In general,
members of this order resemble the wasps although more slender,
and of variable size, ranging from the minute Fairy-flies, only a
millimetre or so in length, to the large wood wasp Sirex gigas and
its allies. Many species in the female sex are, provided
with a very elaborate ovipositor, which often is so large as to give
the creature a very formidable appearance. This organ is so
constructed to enable the ichneumon to reach its prey, sometimes
INSECD PESTS AND’ THEIR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL 299
hidden under a good thickness of timber, through which it must
penetrate before the egg can be laid in the host grub. Such an
ichneumon is Rhyssa, parasitic on the caterpillar or grub of the
wood wasp already mentioned. The eggs of Ichneumons are laid
in or on the body of the host larva, or in some cases the egg. In
the case of the grub feeding species, the parasite eats its way
into the body of the host, and until full fed remains inside, quite
invisible, feeding all the time on the body of the host. While thus
feeding, until fully fed and ready to assume the pupal stage, it
avoids touching any of the vital organs, when it may or may not,
pupate within the body of the host.
Most of you will have seen the caterpillar of the large white
butterfly, and may have noticed on some convenient wall or paling
such a caterpillar fully fed, but that has failed to pupate. Attached
to it will be a cluster of small silken cocoons. These are the cocoons
of a little ichneumon, a species of Braconid, the grubs of which
have been busy inside the caterpillar of the butterfly. Many other
species of Braconids are useful.
On Kingsweston Down a small somewhat yellowish species
may be seen doing its best to keep down the yellow and black
banded caterpillar of the Cinnabar moth. I have myself observed
as many as four of these ichneumon laying their eggs in one cater-
pillar. The surprising thing about some of these fellows is that
so many of the parasitic grubs should find sufficient sustenance in
the body of one caterpillar.
Other species of parasitic Hymenoptera belong to the Chalcids
and the Ichneumons proper. Many Chalcids and Braconids play
a large part in keeping in check the aphides and also species of
Psocids. If you observe carefully you may see in the autumn
brownish aphides attached to the leaves of nettles and such like.
On further examination these will be found to be nothing more
than hard dry skin, and in most cases will have a small round hole
in them. They have been parasitized by a small ichneumon,
which has emerged from the hole. Some species of Psocids may
be found that have been affected in a like manner.
In the Neuroptera, the Lacewing flies or Golden Eyes are of
economic importance. They are very delicate green or brown
lacey winged insects, with a pair of beautiful golden eyes. They
are by no means rare, and you have probably seen them at some
time or other. When at rest their wings are folded roof-like over
the body. The eggs of some species are very interesting, being
laid in clusters, each egg attached to the leaf or twig by a short
stalk. The grub somewhat resembles that of the Lady-bird in
general appearance, and likewise has a most insatiable appetite
for greenfly. They are somewhat variable in colour with a distinctly
pointed head.
300 INSECT PESTS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
From these ‘instances it will be readily seen how important
is the balance of Nature in the insect world, and _ how,
should the natural enemies of a harmful species disappear, the
pest itself might become a serious and costly problem.
Abroad, the biological control of insect pests has received a
much wider application than has been possible or necessary in this
country. Probably nowhere else has it been so successful, however,
as in the Islands of Hawai. This has largely been the work of
Dr. R. C. L. Perkins, and other eminent professional entomologists.
I shall only briefly survey the work of these men by taking a few
of the cases they have had to tackle.
First of all was one of the Froghoppers, known in Hawai as
the Sugar-cane leaf hopper, Perkinsiella saccharicida. Like most
of the pests investigated in these islands this insect was an intro-
duction, and owing to the amiable climate, and the fact that none
of its natural enemies were introduced with it, it flourished ex-
ceedingly. So much so that although first noticed about 1897,
by 1902 the sugar production on one plantation fell from 19,000
tons to 7,000 tons in about three years. As a result, strong efforts
were made to combat it, and after various haphazard attempts to
introduce parasites, which might or might not attack that particular
species of hopper, Perkins and a colleague in 1904 visited Australia
to study the insect in its natural environment, and if possible obtain
living material of its natural enemies.
Several species were obtained and introduced, but only one
became successfully established. This was a species of Chalcid
(Paranagrus optabilis Perk.) from Queensland, which laid its eggs
in the eggs of the leaf hopper. Another species of somewhat similar
_ habits was brought at the same time from Fiji. After some eighteen
months from the introduction of these parasites the damage caused
by the leaf hopper jell to about half and the next year about 75 per
cent. of the plantations were under control. Such success as this
however was not considered sufficient, and search was made for
further enemies. After many trials’ a species of Capsid bug
(Cyrtorrhinus mundulus Bred.) was obtained from Fiji and Queens-
land. This insect lives by sucking the eggs of the leaf hopper, and
its introduction following that of the Chalcids was so successful
that now it 1s exceedingly difficult to find specimens of the Sugar-
cane leaf hopper.
Another pest successfully controlled was a beetle, the sugar
cane borer Xhabocnemis obscura Boisd., which first made its presence
felt about 1865. Search for its native haunts and enemies was
made in many parts of the Orient and finally Muir found it in
large numbers in Lazat, breeding in Penang and Sago palms. Fur-
ther it was found to be attacked by a Tachinid fly (Ceromasia
INSECT PESTS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL 301
sphenophori Vil.). Having made these discoveries the question
arose how to transport living specimens of this fly to Honolulu.
This was a very difficult proposition and after many attempts it
was found necessary, owing to the short life cycle of the fly, to
divide the journey into stages, and at each place to erect suitable
breeding cages. In these cages cane, infested with the beetle
grubs that had been parasitized by the fly, could be kept and the
fly bred. Finally in 1910 the flies were successfully brought to
Honolulu. It was then only necessary to establish them in the
Islands. Some were liberated directly while the others were
retained for building up an increased stock. It was found as few
as 100 to 250 puparia would serve to colonize an entire plantation,
and even after only nine months flies were found from a half to one
and a half miles away, having by that time passed through five
or six generations. By 1913 they were thoroughly established with
considerable benefit to the sugar crop. One plantation alone re-
- corded a drop in the number of beetles collected of from 27,000-ozs.
to 1,568-ozs. It is now only occasionally when climatic conditions
favour it that the beetle gains the ascendency.
Another pest of the sugar canes is the Anomala beetle (Anomala
orientalis) which has been successfully controlled by a wasp (Scola
manilie) from the Philippines, while the Avocardo mealy-bug was
mastered by a Chalcid from Mexico.
The indigenous leaf-rollers Ontodes accepta and O. blackburm
were controlled by a Braconid and a Chalcid from Japan. The
Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratiiis capitata and the Australian fern
weevil Syagrus fulvitarsis are well on the way to complete control,
and aphides and their like have been subjugated by various species
of lady-birds.
Apart from being used to contro] pests belonging to their own
kingdom we can also look to Hawai for successful efforts at con-
trolling the spread of noxious plants by means of insects. About
70 years ago a plant which has since spread to such a degree as to
become a nuisauce was introduced into the Islands by the famous
botanist Hildebrand for ornamental purposes. This was the
Lantana of Mexico L. camara. Efforts to introduce the insect
enemies of this plant have resulted, not in its eradication as in
some of the insect pests previously mentioned, but in preventing
its increase, especially on ground already cleared. Eight different
species of insects have been pressed into service for this purpose :
1. A Tortricid moth which enters the flower stalk and con-
sumes it.
2. A fly, Agromyza, which lives as a grub on the berries.
3. A Tingid bug destroys the leaves to such an extent as
to cause the plant to fail to blossom.
302 INSECT PESTS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
4. Two species of blue butterflies of the genus Thecla, many
members of which in this country are bud feeders,
do their bit.
Several other plants are being controlled in ways such as have
been described, and here I would just mention that attempts are now
being made in Australia to control the blackberry pests by means
of the Peach-blossom moth. Visits have been also recently paid
to Britain and Europe in search of parasites of the Earwig, which
is doing considerable damage to the blossom of Australian and
New Zealand fruit trees.
In conclusion let me emphasize the fact that the introduced
parasites must themselves be closely watched, for we know so
little about them, that under the changed and more agreeable
conditions they may not remain true to their host, and may sub-
sequently become pests themselves.
303
The Hornworts and their occurrence in Britain.
By CrEcit’ SANDWITH.
HE Ceratophylla or Hornworts are totally submerged aquatic
flowering weeds of curious habit. The flowers are monoecious,
the ¢ and @ axillary, and borne at separate nodes. They
are minute, the ¢ bearing numerous stamens, the @ a single ovule.
These water plants are widely distributed throughout the world,
and may be found in millponds, fenland ditches and meres. Prof.
Gltick* of Heidelburg has made an intensive study of the leaves
of these plants from an anatomical and biological point of view.
The Ceratophylla have no roots, but are provided with rhizoid
branches, which morphologically represent sprouts, and biologically
act as roots to anchor the plant in the mud, and to nourish it.
The rhizoid leaves are much smaller and finer than the ordinary
water leaves, and are sometimes undivided. They are lighter in
colour than the water leaves, and collapse when taken out of
the water. The linear segments of the rhizoid leaves bear 3-4
tiny prickles, composed of only one cell, while the terminal seg-
ments of the ordinary water leaves are formed differently, having
tissue and ending in a sharp tooth, or prickle. These leaves remain
stiff when taken from the water, and are of a darker colour.
The phylogenetic position of the Ceratophyllacee has for
many years provided an embarrassing problem to British systematic
botanists. The family has been variously placed in different Floras
thus: between Euphorbiacee and Callitrichacee—between Empe-
tracezee and Callitrichaceea—Salicacee and Coniferee—Callitrichacee
and Urticacee—Empetraceee and Conifere—Empetracee and
Hydrocharitacee ; this last being the position given in the new
edition of the London Catalogue. Ceratophyllum was originally
placed next to Haloragacee, and this arrangement was followed
by de Candolle, who placed it between that family and Lythracez ;
and its position near to Lythracee, though apparently indefensible,
is still maintained by Coste in his Flore de France, and by Gremli
for Switzerland. Most of our modern British handbooks of botany
continue to follow the Bentham and Hooker system of the arrange-
ment of families, and thus, because the plant has no petals, place
it in the Apetale. Then, because it is not like any of the other
apetalous families, they place it at the end of the Apetale. Thus,
in the last edition of the London Catalogue, Ceratophyllum appears
at the end of the Apetalz, and just before the Monocotyledons,
and no longer between the Apetale and the Gymnosperms, since
*Glick, H. Biologische und morphologische Untersuchungen iiber Wasser-
und Sumpfgewachse. 2, Teil, Jena, 1906, pp. 191-203.
304 THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN
the editors of this edition of the Catalogue have realized the ab-
surdity of keeping the Gymnosperms amongst the Angiosperms.
The Apetale, as was recognised by Bentham and Hooker them-
selves, constitute the. most hopelessly artificial group, and in
many instances an individual of the apetalous families is now
known to have a closer phylogenetic affinity with a petal-bearing
family, than with the apetalous family which follows or precedes
it.
The most reasonable and likely position, but perhaps one
quite unexpected by British botanists, is that given to Cerato-
phyllum by Engler and Prantl in the Pflanzenfamilien, popularly
known as the Engler System, which has been followed by Prof.
Moss in the Cambridge British Flora, and still more recently by
Mr. Hutchinson in his new and highly suggestive book, The Families
of Flowering Plants (1926). In both these works the family is
placed in the Ranales, nearest for the purpose of British botanists
to Nympheacez, and separated from it by the tropical family
Cabombacez, which is intermediate in character, possessing leaves
somewhat lke those of Ceratophyllum, but also bearing long
peduncles, and quite conspicuous petalous flowers like very minute
waterlilies. As the Ranales have now been shown fairly con-
clusively. to represent the earliest type of flowering plants, and
in spite of the Engler System, to deserve the position which Ben-
tham and Hooker gave them, Ceratophyllum may well be one of
the very earliest genera of aquatic angiosperms; and this sup-
position is further justified by the evidence of its world-wide
distribution, and the fact that it varies very little. It may possibly
have evolved from Nympheacee through Cabombacee by losing
the petals, and developing a single carpel, though still maintaining
the numerous stamens which are characteristic.
The strongest evidence, however, in support of this position
is derived from the structure of the embryo. Nor were the inves-
tigations which led to this view so modern as might be thought.
It was propounded by A. Brongniart* (1826), and adapted by Asa
Gray in an excellent paper on the subject read im 1637759 ite
writes that the fruit and seed of the genus Ceratophyllum were
first correctly figured and described by Gaertner in 1778, “a fact
worthy of note, as erroneous views about the structure of the seed
have been introduced into every subsequent systematic work
that has fallen under my notice, in which an account of that organ
has been attempted. The only error in the description of Gaertner
is that of considering the proper cotyledons as a separate organ
.... but his work was prepared at a period when the nature
of the embryo was imperfectly understood.’’ The paper goes on
*Memoire sur ja génération et le développement de ]’embryon dans les
végétaux phanérogames.
tPublished in Ann. Lyc. nat. hist. New York, iv, 41-50 (1848).
THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE’ IN BRITAIN 305
to deal with the “‘ erroneous views ’’ before mentioned and remarks
that it would be unnecessary to go into the matter, as Gaertner has
given a correct description of the seed, were it not for the extra-
ordinary fact of its inadvertant adoption by de Candolle, Lindley
and others, and the writer expresses surprise that Chamisso has
revised the genus and indicated several new species without taking
any notice whatever of the structure of the seed. True affinities
were overlooked, because the real structure of Ceratophyllum was
misunderstood. Later in the same paper he writes “ It is desirable
that classification and nomenclature of ovules should be extended
to seeds and generally employed in systematic description.’’ Asa
Gray quotes Brongniart’s AZemotrve freely as providing the only
remarks extant which throw any light upon the true affinities of
Ceratophyllum, and he deplores the fact that they have also the
misfortune of having been wholly overlooked by succeeding syste-
matic writers. Brongniart, compares at some length the differences
and points of resemblance between the genera Ceratophyllum and
Nelumbium, and also the chief points of difference and affinity
between the Ceratophyllacee and Cabombacez in the structure of
ovule and seeds.
Seeing that our British systematic botanists of the past could
not agree as to the position of Ceratophyllum in their respective
Floras, it is not surprising that their descriptions should vary
likewise. It is interesting to refer to such works as Sowerby in
English Botany (1868), Bentham’s British Flora (1892), Babington’s
Manual of Botany, Hooker’s Students’ Flora (1884), Sir Wm.
Jackson Hooker’s Flova (1855), and the more recent Cambridge
Bnitish Flora. All of these differ, more or less, either in actual
description, or on the point as to whether all forms occurring in
Britain should be included under the aggregate C. ayguaticum
H.C. Watson, or separated into two distinct species, C. demersum L.
and C. submersum L. Here again, surely, unnecessary difficulties
have arisen.
In 1753, Linneus, in the Species Plantarum, clearly described
two species, founded on Hortus Cliffortianus 446 (1737) ;
(1) Ceratophyllum folis dichotomo-bigeminis fructibus tri-
spinosis. Hort. cliff 446.
(2) ©. submersum foliis dichotomo-trigeminis fructibus
muticis. Hydroceratophyllum folio levi octo corni-
bUS 2 arimatonevahl. cact. 1019. Afinis snimium
precedenti, ut fere varietas.
Vaillant in 1719 divided the two species very simply and
clearly :
(1) Hydroceratophyllum folio aspero, quatuor cornibus
armato.
(2) Hydroceratophyllum folio levi, octo cornibus armato.
306 THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN
He expresses surprise that Ray and Tournefort have taken
“our armed Hydro for Millefolium aquaticum. The second species
d’Hydre cornu is neither described nor named as far as I know
by any author. One can easily distinguish it from the first species
by the leaves which are soft, smooth and generally une fois plus
découpées, and by the capsules which have not the long spines that
one notices in the other species.”
I have recently examined all the fresh specimens I could
procure of both species of Ceratophyllum, and have also been
through the dried material at the National Herbaria, South Ken-
sington and Kew, and the Father Reader collection at Bristol
University, and also by the kindness of Dr. G. Claridge Druce,
Mr. C. E. Salmon, and Messrs. J. W. White and H. J. Gibbons of
Bristol, I have had the opportunity of examining the specimens
of Ceratophyllum from their herbaria ; and I find without exception
that this character of the leaf division, so clearly described by
Vaillant more than 200 years ago, still holds good for dividing the
two species, and correlates with the character of the length of the
terminal spine or style.
Although C. submersum never produces the two lateral spines
or protuberances on the dorsal and ventral edges towards the base
of the fruit, which are characteristic of forms of C. demersum, this
character, which has been so much stressed in the past in our British
Manuals, must be treated with caution, since these lateral spines
or protuberances develop as the fruit becomes mature, and are often
almost invisible when it is young ; in fact I have gathered specimens
of C. demersum in Norfolk, in which on the same plant, some of the
younger fruits have developed no basal spines, while the older ones
have the long spines of typical C. demersum L. (oxyacanthum
Cham.). Care must also be taken to observe whether the lateral
spines and terminal style have not been broken off or eaten, should
these appear shorter than is required for C. demersum. Another
character that has been used in the past for distinguishing the
two species is the presence or absence of tubercles on the surface
of the fruit. This again is untrustworthy as a constant character.
Though the fruit of C. submersum is usually roughly tuberculate
in a way that is never apparent in that of C. demersum, yet I have
seen fruits of the former in several localities near Bristol with an
apparently smooth surface. Finally, while C. submersum appears
to prefer brackish waters near the sea, it would be quite untrue
to say, as has been suggested, that it does not occur in any inland
counties, as I have seen specimens obviously referable to this species
from both Worcestershire and Leicestershire.
By using the characters of the leaves, and the relative length
of the terminal spine or style, in conjunction with the other, perhaps
more familiar, characters when used with the caution suggested
et nn
THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN 307
above, our two British species seem to be clearly and easily dis-
tinguishable. Our real difficulties arise when we come to con-
sider the question of varieties.
In 1829 Chamisso* arranged the genus and described six
species, of which only the following need be dealt with in a study
of the British representatives ;
(1) under C. demersum L :+
oxvacanthum == type.
Chamisso definitely identifies his oxyacanthwm with the
plant described by Linneus as demersum. Oxyacanthum,
therefore is nothing else but demersum L., and the name
can only stand if demersum is taken merely as an agere-
gate of various varieties a, b; c, etc., as was done by
K. Schumann in the Flora Brasiliensis. It cannot possi-
bly be treated as a “‘ var. b”’ of demersum L., as has been
done in recent lists.
ia), \under C. submersum L :
apiculatum.
_muticum = type.
He definitely identifies his muticum with the plant des-
cribed by Linnzeus as submersum.
Chamisso admits that muticum is different from apiculatum,
having more divided leaves, etc. He definitely figures apiculatum,
and also describes it as having two lateral knobs near the base of the
fruit (where oxyacanthum produces spines). In the full-face figure
he draws the style just as long as the fruit, in profile a little shorter.
Chamisso admits that his aficulatum is described from Californian
specimens, as he could not get any from Europe. He adds that
it does occur in Europe, but very rarely.
From all this evidence it is clear that Chamisso ought to
have put his apiculatum under C. demersum, and this has been done
recently by Prof. C. Schréter of Zuricht and others. The apiculatum
of Chamisso, however, is certainly not the apiculatuwm which was
figured and described under C. demersum by Prof. Moss in the
Cambridge British Flora. The plant figured by Moss has the short
style, knob-less tubercled fruit, and much-divided leaves of C.
submersum |
The evidence for the supposed existence of apiculatum Cham.
in Britain rests largely upon gatherings which have been passed
through the Exchange Clubs, and discussed in their Reports.
-rinncea, 1v., 503—o (1829).
t In “ The Families of Flowering Plants,’’ Mr. Hutchinson has unfortunately
chosen the fruit of the Amazonian var. cristatum K. Schum., as repre-
sentative of C. demersum L., in the figure which he has devoted to
the family.
¢~ Lebensgeschichte der Bliitenpflanzen Mitteleuropas, Lieferung 22, Band
Re Stutteart: 1917,
308 THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN
Amongst the specimens kindly lent to me by Dr. G. C. Druce there
is an interesting sheet of C. demersum from a ditch in Huntingdon-
shire sent by Mr. Alfred Fryer with the following note: “ This is
the form I recorded as C. apiculatum Cham. in J. of Botany, vol.
29, 282. The specimens on which I founded that record had no
spines at the base, but two minute tubercles in their place. After-
wards, on gathering a large series of examples, I found on the same
branch fruits (1) with no spines at the base, (2) with two tubercles,
(3) with one spine, (4) with two spines, (5) with a winged spine.
As all these varieties in the fruit occurred in apparently full-grown
examples, and as the absence of spines seemed in no wise to depend
on the maturity of the fruit, 1am induced to believe that our fenland
plant is better placed under Mr. Watson’s aggregate C. aquaticum.
Possibly all Chamisso’s “‘species’’ or ‘“‘ sub-species’’ have no
substantial existence in nature, but may be, like our fenland
varieties, states of one plant. Prof. Babington names our fenland
plant C. demersum, a name which may fairly be given to its usual
state; but, looking at habit and foliage alone, we certainly have
a plant that is well described and figured in E.B. ed. III. pl., 1267
as C. submersum. Also in some seasons and situations, the fruit
has neither spines nor tubercles. The style too is variable in
length.”
- I have seen a specimen in Dr. Druce’s collection of this de-
batable plant of Mr. Fryer’s, and I consider it without any doubt
to be C. demersum. The leaves are those of that species and the
single fruit which has been preserved had the long style, but it has
obviously been broken off near the middle. I cannot agree with
Mr. Fryer’s conclusion about the two species of Ceratophyllum. I
think that he was finding plants of C. demersum in which the fruits
showed all the normal gradations of development, even on the same
specimen. On his own evidence this plant cannot possibly be
identified as C. aficulatum Cham. As to the figure of C. submersum
in English Botany, mentioned by Mr. Fryer, the foliage there figured
is clearly that of C. demersum ; it is evident that Syme, like other
British botanists, had failed to discover the importance of the leaf
character for distinguishing the two species.
In Herb. C. E. Salmon there are two sheets of C. submersum
from a pond at Castle Morton, Worcestershire, which have caused
much discussion, and are of importance as they throw light upon
‘Prof. Moss’s conception of Chamisso’s apiculatum. They are named
C. submersum by the finders, A. J. Crosfield and R. F. Towndrow,
and have been passed by such critical authorities as Mr. Arthur
Bennett and the Rev. E. S. Marshall. However, there is a note
below in which Prof. Moss says: “‘ This plant is in my opinion
C. demersum var. apiculatum=C. apiculatum Cham. I have never
gathered C. submersum in any inland county, and have only seen
British specimens from Southern England, Somerset to Norfolk.
THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN 309
The var. apiculatum is intermediate between C. demersum and C.
submersum, and it is somewhat arbitrary to refer it to one of the
species rather than the other, but I prefer to put it to C. demersum,
simply because this plan enables one to determine the two species
in absence of ripe fruit. J agree that in fruit characters the variety
is not far from C. submersum, and I should not complain if the two
species were reduced to one. C. E. Moss.”
All these arguments appear singularly weak and unsatis-
factory, and reveal a misunderstanding of Chamisso’s description
and figure. The Worcestershire plant seems to me to be pure and
simple C. submersum, as does the plant figured as apiculatum in
the Cambridge British Flora. Both show the leaf and fruit charac-
ters which are typical of C. submersum whereas Chamisso’s apicu-
latum, as I have explained above, should have the style at least as
long as the fruit, and two lateral protuberances near the base,
characters which place it under C. demersum. I have not yet seen
in British exsiccata any specimens that could be referred to Cha-
misso’s apiculatum.
To summarise, there are in Britain two well defined species
of Ceratophyllum :
(1) C. demersum L.=oxyacanthum Cham. Leaves dark green,
stiff, once or twice dichotomously forked, with 2-4 linear
segments, which are serrulate, or denticulate-spinous ;
fruit smooth or sometimes pitted, at maturity producing
near the base two lateral spines, and at the summit a
spine which, with the style, at least equals and usually
far surpasses the length of the fruit.
(2) C. submersum L.=muticum Cham. Leaves a clear green,
longer than those of C. demersum, thrice dichotomously
forked, thus usually with eight very finely serrulate
capillary segments; occasionally one of these fails to
develop at the final lateral forkings. The fruit is hard
and often covered with raised tubercles, which are scarcely
visible when the fruit is young; there are no lateral
spines near the base, and the style is much shorter than
the fruit. The whole plant is softer and more collapsible
than C. demersum.
The existence in Britain of apiculatum Cham., which should
be treated as a variety of C. demersum, is at present doubtful, and
I have seen no dried material that can be referred to it. I have,
however, a form of C. demersum under observation near Meare,
N. Somerset, which has the long style when immature, and no
lateral spines, only rudimentary protuberances, in some fruits
apparently absent. The style appears to shorten as the fruit
matures, or the slender tip is deciduous ; while the protuberances
near the base, if present at all, do not appear to lengthen. It
310 THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN
would be futile to make any definite statement about this plant
without further investigation into the constancy of these characters
at different stages of development and under different conditions ;
but there is at least a possibility that it is some such plant as this
which will approximate most closely to Chamisso’s description
and figure of apiculatum.
An interesting feature of the Worcestershire C. submersum
discussed above is the curiously flat thickened leaves, arranged in
a palmate fashion, from which the fine capillary segments spring
like whips, giving the plant an unusual appearance. The linear
segments also are more asperous than is usual, and the colour
a deeper green, though not the reddish-brown tint of C. demersum.
Plants brought from West Gloucestershire by Mr. E. Nelmes of
Kew, as well as two sheets in the Father Reader Collection, and a
recent gathering of my own at Worle in North Somerset, present
these same slight facial differences, which do not in any way de-
tract from the strong characters that divide C. submersum trom
C. demersum. C. submersum appears to fruit more freely than the
so-called ‘‘common ”’ species. Prof. Gltick, writing of C. demersum,
observes that, if the plant depended solely upon its fruit for repro-
duction, it would soon become extinct, as from -his experience
fruit is only produced under peculiarly favourable conditions,
the plant reproducing itself in a vegetative manner by means of
shoots.
In the Bristol district the distribution of C. swbmersum is
fairly clear, at any rate in N. Somerset, where it occurs in brackish
rhines and ponds near the coast at Congresbury, Kewstoke, Wood-
spring and Worle. Mr. Nelmes has also found it at Hill, near
Falfield, W. Glos. The Rev. E. S. Marshall’s records of C. sub-
mersum at Worle, as well as Mr. H. S. Thompson’s recent rediscovery
of the same species at Congresbury, are of great interest, as they
confirm the old records of Dillenius made 200 years ago, which
were ‘“‘the first British records for the species’ (White’s Bristol
Flora). At the present time it is C. demersum which needs further
study in the district both as to its distribution, and also the degree
of variation in the characters of the mature fruit. Both species
of Ceratophyllum produced an abundance of fruit in 1926. The
flowers are water-pollinated, and it is purely theoretical to suppose
that this year of unusual rainfall may have produced the necessary
conditions favourable to the plants.
>
om
o
> >
THE HORNWORTS AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN 311
EXPLANA DION -ORMPUATE,
. Fruits of C. submersum L. From Congresbury, September, 1926.
Photograph by C. Tuckett and C. J. James.
. Leaf whorl of C. submersum L. From Congresbury.
Leaf of C. submersum L., trifurcate showing eight segments. Nat.
SIZE.
C. demersum L.=oxyacanithum Cham. From Hickling, Norfolk,
August, 1926. Fruit showing the long style and basal spines.
Photograph by C. Puckett and C..]. James:
. Leaf whorl of C. demersum L., rhizoids. From Meare, December,
1926. Nat. size.
Ordinary leaf whorl of C. demervsum L. Leaves ending in 2, 3 and
4 segments. (After Glick).
Leaf of C. demersum L., bifurcate showing four segments.
C. demersum L., var. apiculatum (Cham.) K.Schum. From California.
(After Garcke.)
C. demersum L. 1. Ordinary winter leaves. 2. axil. 3. primary
leaves. 4. Horizontal to the axil and extending downwards
=rhizoid, with well developed rhizoid whorls having fine leaves.
(After Glick).
a
d2
Bristol Botany in 1926.
BY JAS. W.- Warr) OE eS:
HE pollard willows that stand along the banks of our rivers
and lowland ditches are often of great age—mere hollow
shells—and then their trunks, though still producing crowns
of leafy shoots, are filled more or less with a mass of moist humus
and decaying heartwood from which the roots of flood-borne or
bird-sown flowering plants can derive nutriment sufficient for
their growth. Even in their prime these pollards invariably carry
on their bowl-shaped tops quantities of accumulated humus that
support numerous plants as epiphytes.
In 1893 Messrs, Willis and Burkhill of Caius College published
Observations on the Flora of the Pollard Willows near Cambndge.*
About 4,000 trees had been examined either on the banks of the
Cam and Ouse, or in adjacent fens and meadows. The plants
recorded from their bowls numbered nearly as many. They be-
longed to 61 genera included in 28 Natural Orders. There were
listed eleven genera of Grasses ; six each of Rosacee and Composite
and four of Umbelliferee. In that district there could be no possi-
bility of these plants having been introduced by floods. A careful
analysis shewed that the seeds of more than half had been probably
deposited by winds, while most of the remainder were due to the
visits of birds and their nest-building. Plants with smooth, heavy
seeds. were entirely absent. With two exceptions none were found
in trees more than 200 yards from others of the same species upon
the ground ; the conclusion being that a seed is rarely carried a
long distance by its distributive mechanism. One of the woody
shrubs—an Elder—-was found to have pushed its roots right down
through the trunk of the willow into the soil below, and that may
have happened in other cases.
Some time later Mr. Burkhill suggested to me that a similar
investigation in the Bristol district would not be without interest.
Nothing was done however until last year, when Mr. H. S. Thomp-
son who was fly-fishing in the Chew Valley suffered his thoughts
to stray from the trout in the river to the trees that overshadowed
it. Here, as in Cambridgeshire, pollard willows invited attention
to the adventitious vegetation thriving in their bowls. Mr.
Thompson examined these along a stretch of several miles, and
the results are now quoted from his report to Nature, published
in November, 1925. More than a hundred species of Phanerogams
were recognised, nine tenths of them occurring between Keynsham
* Proceedings Camb. Philosophical Society.
BRISTOL BOTANY Bis
and Compton Dando, and all being natives of the Chew Valley.
On April 30th twenty-three flowering plants were counted upon
a single tree leaning low over the stream. Dog-rose, Blackthorn,
Hawthorn, Ash, Elder and an Elm were among the shrubs that had
become established.
Adventive Gooseberry bushes had already been commented
on in Fl. Brst. The fine Woolly-headed Thistle and the Great
Mullein were conspicuous. Leguminosze were curiously absent ;
Mr. Thompson did not observe a single clover, vetch or Lotus.
But the seeds of this family are heavy and sink in water.
Whenever rainfall is exceptional near its source on Mendip
the Chew is subject to rapid flooding, the rise being sometimes as
much as ten feet above the normal level. Many of the plants noted,
therefore—perhaps the majority—-could have been brought down
and stranded on the trees by floods; but a large proportion cer-
tainly owe their position to seeds conveyed by wind and birds.
Foremost among botanical events of the year is the issue
of a new edition (the eleventh) of the London Catalogue of British
Plants, a work regarded as an authoritative guide for arrangement
and nomenclature by students and collectors of the native flora.
In the seventeen years that have elapsed since the publication
of the tenth edition critical botany has made much progress ;
some questions of nomenclature have found settlement on generally
accepted principles, and the views of experts on genera to which
they have devoted special study have been obtained. The in-
clination of modern systematists is towards the recognition of a
multiplicity of varieties and hybrids. As a result of this parti-
cularity the new list is lengthened by several hundred additions
——Rosa, Rubus and Hieracitum furnishing the bulk. It should be
instructive to take one of the smaller Nat. Orders—Orchidacez
for example—and see how the flora of Bristol is affected by alter-
ations in the Catalogue. Orchts lircina Scop. now stands alone
as Himantoglossum hircnum Sprgl. agreeably with Continental
usage. Similarly O. pyramidalis L. becomes Anacamptis Rich.
as was long ago proposed. O. latifolia L. has been split up; the
larger portion going to O. pretermissa Druce and a smaller to O.
purpurella Stephenson, both as new species. A doubtful remnant
of the Linnean aggregate is still preserved. O. maculata L. dis-
appears: the small plant of heathy ground (ertcetoruwm Linton) is
now O. elodes Gris., and our common “‘ Spotted Palmate ”’ becomes
O. Fuchs Druce. Habenaria is no longer a genus: the Butterfly
orchids are now Platanthera, and the Frog Orchis is Celoglossum.
The genus Gymnadenia is revived with a long string of conopsea
hybrids and a second species—odoratissima—which presumably
has been recognized in this country. The generic name Epipactis
314 BRISTOL BOTANY
is resumed in place of Helleborine although Dr. Druce insists that
the latter has priority. It has a new species (E. leptochila Godfery)
to which the plants named FE. media in Fl. Brist. must be referred
for reasons recently stated by Col. Godfery in the Journal of Botany.
E. atroviridis is discarded as being merely a form of latifolia; and
we can welcome the return of E. palustris in lieu of the usurping
“longifolia.’’ Such marked changes as these: give some idea of
the amount of work that must be done and the difficulties encoun-
tered in the compilation of a new Catalogue.
Ranunculus ophioglossifolius Vill. One of the rarest British
flowering plants that occurs sparingly and uncertainly in very few
localities. The record of its discovery in our district as published
in Journ. Bot. for August, p. 221, is given below. But the finders
modestly omit to state that their success was the reward of a syste-
matic search for the plant in all likely situations during several
years. “‘On June 26th we came across this very rare British
species in a new locality in West Gloucestershire, within the limits
of Mr. J. W. White’s Bristol area. The place may be adequately
described as a typical piece of common-land, situated between
Yate and Wotton-under-Edge. It thus lies some ten to fifteen
miles N.E. of Bristol, and about twenty-five miles S.W. of the
East Gloucestershire locality .... It is always possible that
R. ophioglossifolius may be passed over as R. Flammula, but
besides the better-known scientific characters, the distinctly
greenish (not golden) yellow of the smaller flowers, resembling
more the colour of R. sceleratus, should easily distinguish yh
C. ivand N: Y. Sandwith,’:
R. parviflorus L. Still on Brean Down, S., where it was first
noted in 1883. A large patch exists on the S.E. side of the pro-
montory ) .W. (De iMaller.
Helleborus fetidus L. Extended quarrying at Churchill Batch
is destroying the plants occurring thereabout.
Nymphea alba L. The present thriving colony in a railway
pond towards Edithmead, Burnham, as noted in Fl. Brst., was
planted by a neighbouring farmer about 1860; W. D. Muller.
Papaver hybridum L. Garden weed, Sand Bay, Kewstoke,
S.5) Hy Je Gzbtons:
Barbarea arcuata Fr. By the Chew near Chew Magna, a
H. S. Thompson.
Lepidium latifolium L. As was foreseen to be inevitable
(Fl. Brist. p. 163), the roadside bank at Berrow where this fine
Crucifer flourished for generations has been demolished by the
builder.
BRISTOL BOTANY 315
Viola variata Jord. var. sulphurea Drabble. Arable field, Old
Down, Tockington, G. Not recorded for the county in Drabble’s
British Pansies, 1909; Muss Roper.
V.tepida Jord. ‘A perennial with underground parts of
stem.” (E. Drabble). Arable field, Burrington, 8. fd.
Medicago minima Desr. var. vecta Burnat. Quarried ground
at! Pwertom,-S., 1915 to 1920; Miss Roper and 7. H. Green.
Rosa agrestis Savi var. belnensis Ozan. On the Cadbury
ridge towards Clevedon, S.; Muziss Roper. Had been previously
observed at Uphill; Marshall and at Sand Point; N. Sandwith.
Apium inundatum Rchb. Roadside pond, Beacon Hill,
Mendip; Miss Roper.
Eptlobtum hirsutum x parviflorum. Clapton Wick, near
Clevedon, S.; Miss Roper.
Lomcera Capnfolium L. Churchyard wall at Charlcombe,
Bath; Major R. Orme.
Valertanella Auricula DC. (V. vimosa Bast.). Avonside, Bath,
1918; 7. AH. Green.
Antennaria dioica Gertn. The usual tiny patch peculiar to
the species in our area, in a large field near the head of Goblin
Combe, S.; Miss H. M. Dixon. A single plant discovered near
Cheddar in 1922 by Mr. Hamlin is said to have increased fivefold.
Anthemis arvensis L. WHarptree, near Bath; W. D. Miller.
me Hoos ke Syston, Common, G., mtroduced; AH. |. Gibbons.
Senecio sylvaticus L. var. auriculatus Meyer = S. lividus Sm.
Peat moor, Catcott Burtle, S.
Centaurea nemoralis Jord. Churchill Lane, Sandford Hull,
Sa. 2: jeprey.
Symphytum peregrinum Ledeb. Abundant for many yards
along a track leading from the Halen Road towards Lawrence
Weston, G.
_ Cuscuta europea L. There has been a remarkable diminution
of this parasite in the Avon valley. I hear from Mr. Miller that as
the result of many hours’ search above and below Bath he could
find only one small patch.
Datura Stramonium L. Has been known for several years
on a rubbish heap by Catcott Drove, S.; W. D. Miller. And it
is particularly interesting to find that several plants still appear
on the shore at St. Thomas’ Head, Woodspring, a continuity of
nearly forty years.
Linana spuna Mill. Fuller's Farth works, Combe Hay, S.
in peloria condition ; Major R. Orme.
316 BRISTOL BOTANY
Limosella aquatica L. May be lost to the Bristol district,
and to the county. The swamp on Syston Common where it
grew has been filled up and obliterated.
Mentha nemorosa xX vinidis=M. Nouletiana Timbal—Lagr.
In 1906 the late Rev. E. S. Marshall gathered near Berrow, S., a
Mint that he labelled “‘ M. longifolia var. nemorosa.’’ This, however,
has the slender interrupted spikes and deeply incised toothing of
M. viridis together with the velvety pubescence of M. nemorosa,
and I venture to think is really the hybrid. The plant probably
survives as Miss Roper saw it in the locality many years later.
Recently Mr. H. J. Gibbons brought a corresponding hybrid from
a cottage garden north of Clevedon.
Leonurus Cardiaca and Ballota ruderalis still grow near Por-
tishead Dock, S.; Mrs. Sanduwith.
Pingucula vulgaris L. ““ Has been very carefully looked for
year after year in its two localities on the moors, but only four
or five plants in all have been seen. Owing to peat-cutting and
drainage I fear the species is doomed.” W.:. D. Muller.
Chenopodium glaucum L. var. muicrophyllum Murr. Has
appeared on more than one local rubbish-tip; Miss Roper. The
species is a native British plant.
Polygonum mite Schrank. In some quantity north of the Shap-
wick railway, with P. Hydropiper and Rumex manitimus; W. D.
Muller.
P. Bellardi All. Casual by the Docks at Avonmouth, G.
Mrs. Sandwith. A bushy plant of erect habit with pitted seeds
and flowers smaller than those of P. avenartum. Agrees well with
French specimens from the Lot and Garonne. I have it also
from St. Philip’s Marsh (1904) and from Bradford, Yorks. (1919).
Corylus Avellana L. Mr. Miller remarks that to his knowledge
there is not a Hazel outside gardens within five miles of Burnham-
on-Sea.
Daphne Mezereum L. Eaker Hill Wood, Chewton Mendip,
has been again carefully searched for this rarity. Although the
original bush has disappeared two others have been located. —
Salix aurita L. Moor between Ken and Clevedon; C. and
N. Sandwtth.
Ceratophyllum submersum L. Abundant in an ancient pond
or spring-head near Congresbury, S., fruiting quite well; 4. S.
Thompson. Dillenius saw it near Congresbury in 1726. In a
ditch at Hill, G.; E. Nelmes.
O rnithogalum nutans L. In a low meadow by Box Brook,
near Bath, badly trampled by grazing horses; Miss F. R. Long-
man. O. umbellatum is reported to still exist on the sand-hills
SSE ox
BRISTOL BOTANY Sy
near Burnham where it was found in 1888 by Mr. D. Fry; but
seems to have gone from the Uphill locality.
Lemna trisulca and L. minor were both flowering freely on
June 19th in-a rhine near Shapwick Station, S.; W. D. Miller.
Alisma lanceolatum With. Rhine in Sand Bay, Kewstoke,
Se, ull.) [: Gibbons.
Eleocharis aciculans R. and S$. Still flowers in shallow waters
of the canal at Bath; Major R. Orme.
Carex contigua x vulpina. A rare hybrid, apparently new
to the-county. Near Whitchurch, 5.; M.S. Thompson.
Poa annua L. var. reptans Hausskn. A _ perennial variety,
throwing out many stolons. Tyntesfield Park, Wraxall, S.; Muss
Roper.
ALIENS.
The year’s list of foreign (and mostly evanescent) casuals
from our docks and fowl-runs is longer than usual; the result
mainly of observations by Mrs. Sandwith, Noel Sandwith, Major
Orme and H. J. Gibbons. Cuzcer anetinum L. Artemisia gnapha-
lodes Nutt. Carthamus lanatus L. Tagetes micrantha Ll. Amaran-
tus deflexus L. A. Blitum L. A. patulus Bert. A. stlvestris Dsf.
A. spinosus L. Salsola Tragus L. Alternanthera ficoides L.
Polycnemum arvense L. Rumex Patientia L. Panicum colonum L.
Setaria verticillata L. Eleusine indica L. Bromus inermis Leyss.
Evagrostis minor Host.
318
The Effect on the Avon Section of the
Construction of Portway.
Bx.'S: H. REYNOLDS’ MAS Sen:
HE construction of Portway has considerably modified the Avon
Section improving parts and rendering them more accessible,
but reducing the accessibility of other parts. It is fortunate
that comparatively few of the chief exposures have been des-
troyed. In view of the great importance of the Avon Section and
the numerous detailed references to particular exposures contained
in papers by Vaughan and others it has been thought that a some-
what full account of the modifications in the section may be of
service.
I am greatly indebted to Dr. F. S. Wallis who kept a careful
watch on the section throughout the whole period of the con-
struction of Portway, and to Dr. S. Smith, for help in ‘ Enpasiiens
the chief exposures.
’ The following three papers will be referred to in the sequel
ander (lp 2)e 3):
(1) A. Vaughan, “ Paleontological Sequence in the Carboniferous
Limestone of the Bristol Area,” Q. Journ. Geol. Soc.,
LXI, (1905); pp. 131-307.
(2) A. Vaughan, “‘ The Carboniferous Limestone Series (Avonian)
of the Avon Gorge,’ Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., 4th series, I,
(1906 issued for 1905), pp. 74-168.
S. H. Reynolds, “‘ The Lithological Succession of the Avonian
at Clifton,” Q. Journ. Geol: Soc., L.XXV ER iO aoe:
213-243.
fa
(ee)
“——
CLEISTOPORA (K) BEDs.
The Km section! is improved. That in the Upper Avonmouth
line is unaffected, that in the lower, formerly only to be approached
by trespassing on the railway line is now fully accessible. The
Bryozoa-Bed has been cut back with the result that the pseudo-
breccia band? and the Palate3 Bed are both now well exposed.
The riverside exposure of the Bryozoa-Bed has been covered-up.
The condition of the main part of K1 and lower K2 remains
unchanged, the beds are still very badly exposed. The widening
of the road has however, provided a fine section of Upper K2 and
B 62 yards long. As this section in view of its shaly character is
12) pint 03: 2 (3) p. 218. 3 (2) p. 98 and (3) p. 219.
EFFECT ON AVON SECTION—CONSTRUCTION OF PORTWAY 319
bound to be quickly overgrown it was measured with the following
result :—
fitee
—
sr
=)
n
At the base, shale with several considerable bands of ence)
fossiliterous limestone At: : 1
Limestone
Shale with subordinate laneatone bands
Limestone with shaly partings ...
Shaly fissile hmestone ae
Shale
Limestone
Shale with thin limestone pando,
Limestone
10. Shale a
11. Bryozoal limestone with shaly parting
72>) Shale a: a iF
13. Limestone with shaly parting
14. Shale with nine little limestone bands some "of them dic:
continuous
15. Limestone
16. Shale with limestone Pande
17. Limestone
18. Shale with thin enecrone anden
19. Limestone ah Aina
OCOD ue oh
_Or-OWNo-O Or COONNHK WHWKE WD
20. Shale
21. Limestone
22.-> Shale
23. Fossiliferous limestone predominantly argillaceous ‘but in
| eel ame
on) =) DRDWFEPONWNO SCOGBORDOD~MOCOCCSo
part nodular 12
24. Fairly thick-bedded limestone mainly crystalline and highly
fossiliferous, seen by the roadside below Sea Walls 12
ZAPHRENTIS BEDs (Z).
The mass of rock which formerly projected between Press’s
Quarry and the Black Rock Quarry has been cut back, and is more
accessible than used to be the case. The small overthrust fault
which traverses it is rather better seen. Although much material
especially Bryozoa bed, has been dumped in the Black Rock
Quarry the exposures are unaffected, except at the southern end,
where part of the exposure of horizon y is hidden. Certain fossili-
ferous bedding planes at the northern end are also covered up.
The riverside exposures of horizon y and Z2 remain as they
were.
SYRINGOTHYRIS (C) BEDs.
The Gully Quarry has been in the main filled up, but at present
the dump has not reached the base of the cliff. Even if it does so,
the excellence of the section is not likely to be much affected.
The pool of water which used to collect in the Gully Quarry in the
early part of each year has gone, and so has the opening of the
powerful spring which fed it. The riverside exposure of Caninia
Oolite remains unaffected.
i
320 EFFECT ON AVON SECTION—-CONSTRUCTION OF PORTWAY
The removal of the railway has rendered the fine section of
the top of the Caninia oolite and of the Caninia dolomite to the
south of the Gully quarry, formerly only to be reached by tres-
passing on the line, freely accessible. The mass of rock showing
a fine exposure of the “‘ Suboolite ’ bed,4 which formerly existed
between the railway and road has completely disappeared. The
road has been cut down to a lower level than that at which the
railway formerly stood, and the exposures have been thereby 1m-
proved. Evidence of shght disturbance at the top of the Caninia
dolomite is now better seen than formerly.
SEMINULA (S) BEDs.
There has been some change at the extreme northern end
of the Great Quarry adjoining the cutting, but the Diphyphyllum
bands marking the base of S., and the bands with algal nodules
a few feet higher in the sequence may still be seen.
While the appearance of the Great Quarry 1s much changed
by the disappearance of the rifle butts, and the introduction of
tennis courts, and the level of the whole floor has been raised
somewhat I do not think that any interesting exposures have
disappeared. Features like the “ front slope ’’® and “‘ back slope ’’6
of Vaughan remain, though in a somewhat reduced form. The fine
riverside exposure, especially of the “‘ Concretionary Beds” near
the southern-end remains unaffected.
DIBUNOPHYLLUM (D) BEDs.
There has been more change in the D-beds than in any other
part of the sequence, but the section as seen at the present time is
rather better exposed than the original one.
The removal of the railway and the associated cutting back
of the rocks have on the whole improved the Divsectiom =) Iie
pseudobreccias are particularly well seen, and while in the old
section owing to the rapid weathering of this type of limestone, its
features when in the fresh condition could rarely be observed, the
present section shows the features of the fresh rock admirably.
Point Villa’ which formerly stood near the mouth of the tunnel
has been removed, as have the platform north of the tunnel, and
the little approach cutting.’ The highly fossiliferous section of
D1 formerly to be seen by the riverside to the north of Point Villa
has disappeared, the rocks being cut right back to the level of the
railway cutting.
The riverside exposures of the D beds north of Point Villa
have been partly destroyed.
4 (3) p. 223. ° 5 (8)-PL XT. 6°'(2) p. 119 Gnd een iene
p p
i) (2h eo 8 (3) p 234
BFEECT ON AVON SECTION—CONSTRUCTION OF PORTWAY 32]
The changes alluded to above have altered the exposures of
the Dibunophyllum Beds so much that it has been thought de-
sirable to remeasure this part of the succession. Commencing
with the lowest beds exposed just south of the Zigzag path we
have the following succession :—
temp ltise
1. Reddish limestone, top bed with Productus and Lithostrotion 4 6
2. Shaly parting ye ne oy ee ag) Z
3. Thick-bedded limestone, lower beds considerably calcite-
veined, upper ill-exposed owing to weathering ... meh LO 0
4. Thick shale band ae ais ee ee oa: nae 0
We now come to a part of the section where the rocks are
well-exposed owing to the cutting back of the road.
5. Grey limestone a good deal calcite-veined, lower surface
(seen up the bank) mammillated, fossils not conspicuous 22 0
6. Pseudobreccia band nae 0 8
7. Grey limestone with reddish stains and abundant Productus
hemisphericus, upper part of the band shows irregular
passage into pseudobreccia Sts ia se gee
Shaly parting we =i ey ea)
Grey limestone, lower surface mammillated. Includes two
bands of pseudobreccia the lower of which shows the
features of this rock when unweathered. Corals are
conspicuous just above this band ik) 0
10. Limestone, large rubbly and associated with a good deal
of shale. The strata are poorly exposed and the upper
beds which show some slickensiding are partly walled
No a
©
WD. aces vos me aa Se as sah NA" 0
Vee Limestone, aed in the main and with a mammillated
base —..... 8 0
12. Limestone, when exposed chiefly coarse oolite but ‘largely
walled Wipe" eac h fe orery) ole 0
13. Limestone, chiefly coarse ‘red and grey oolite. oe Raed 0
14. Shale ee oe ae tie dik ss (seen) ~ 2 6
From this point for a distance of about 70 yards, 7.e., to near
the end of the abandoned tunnel there are occasional exposures
of oolitic limestone. Then we have :—
15. Red grit - 5 ()
16. Oolitic limestone, the lower part enclosing numerous s quartz
grains and small pebbles 2 6
M7. Shale and thin-bedded grit 4 0
18. Massive grit 8 0
19. Oolitic and crinoidal limestone . ; 1 9
20. Shale irregularly mingled with | coarse ‘oolitic limestone and
containing quartz ee ae to an inch in ee Sak 1 3
21. Grit os Ole th)
22. -Irregular calcareous erit “with quartz pebbles passing up
into sandy limestone fe : 3 0
Bands 15-18 are also seen in the remains of the cutting at
the mouth of the tunnel.
322 EFFECT ON AVON SECTION—-CONSTRUCTION OF PORTWAY
Band 22 is probably the equivalent of the band of grit with
quartz pebbles which prior to the making of Portway was exposed
just south of Point Villa, and is taken as the lowest member of
D2 in the vertical section given in (3) p. 242. The band as now
exposed is, however, considerably more calcareous than that seen
prior to the cutting back of the rocks, which in this part of the
section has taken place to a distance of some fifteen yards.
ft.
—
=)
iy
23. Shale in the main, but now concealed by ie and walling,
about a ah nae etl
24. Massive red grit partly concealed by walling ..
25. Rubbly limestone and pseudobreccia ... ae
26. Limestone, ill-exposed ah
27. Rubbly limestone and pseudobreccia body
28. Limestone generally oolitic much stained and shattered
29. Pseudobreccia ae
30. Limestone generally oolitic
31. Pseudobreccia
32. Limestone, generally oolitic 2
33. Pseudobreccia with abundant Lithostrotion irvegulave
SCWOWOTONFWTD
DOADAMARDODHDOOCO
Band 33 is cut off by a mass of walling on the south of which
it appears to be represented by little more than a clay parting.
Heo ELSE
34. Oolitic limestone ... As a eee 0
35. Rubbly oolitic limestone, » upper | ‘beds more ‘shaly Le sp ES 0
36. Massive oolite.... ads ipo eu 0
37. IeSemGODreccia, oir... : ve 4 #06) feet
38. Oolitic limestone, with pisolitic (algal) bodies near base 3 6
39. Banded limestone, oolitic in places aie eat AD 0
40. Limestone, rather coarsely crystalline and oolitic 0 9
41. Compact grey limestone well bedded (truncated by a small
thrust) 2 0
42. Limestone, upper part nodular and highly fossiliferous, lower
part has character of, pseudobreccia 2 0
43. Massive grit passing down into oolitic gritty limestone, top
nine inches sandy pseudobreccia ... Se ras bs ete, 0
The remainder of the section as far as the bottom of Bridge
Valley Road is now completely concealed by a big wall some 130
yards long. Prior to the construction of this Dr. F. S. Wallis
measured the following strata :—
te MTS
44. Grey massive lmestone, fossiliferous... es ae Li a 0
45. Coarse red oolite ... ‘ eo a ~f oh Jee 0
46. Red grit or quartzite... ae at sh Me Laie SHO 0
47. Shaly parting 2 aR eee 6
48. Red grits with finely laminated shaly partings: 11 0
49. Alternately red and green mel laminated shale showing
slight disturbance ... a as ae “is Se ae: 0
50. Hard red grit or quartzite 6 0
51. Alternately red and green shale. showing slight disturbance 18 0
52. Black carbonaceous shale ae ill- Pee plant
remains : te mE sk pag 1 0
53. Alternately red and green ‘shale 4 0
54. Thin-bedded quartzite and shale much disturbed and ex-
Ree to the great faults... ods i . 47 0
EFFECT ON AVON SECTION—CONSTRUCTION OF PORTWAY 323
It is probable that a thickness of strata amounting to perhaps
50 feet remains unrecorded between bands 43 and 44.
The cutting back of the projecting mass of Observatory Hill
at the bottom of Bridge Valley Road has produced a fine section
of the disturbed and shattered rocks just below the big overthrust,
-and although they are hidden in parts by strengthening masses of
masonry, the disturbed strata are better seen than they were before
the construction of Portway. |
The removal of Clifton Bridge Station exposes the section to
the south of the tunnel, but unfortunately access to it has been
shut off by an unclimbable fence.
324
New Sections of Avonian Rocks in the
Neighbourhood of Bristol.
By “Av W: Coys Bisse
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPOSURES.
FAUNAL LISTS.
CONCLUSION.
Sap oe
li INTRODUCTION:
HIS communication records three new and hitherto undescribed
exposures of Avonian rocks. An excellent Scenon jan ik
beds was seen in the excavations for the foundations of
Downside Residential College, near Westbury-on-Trym, and since
the area between Clifton and Clevedon was mapped by Prof. S.
H. Reynolds,t two new quarries have been opened at Abbot’s
Leigh and Beggar’s Bush Lane.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPOsSti>
(a) ABBOT’S LEIGH.
A quarry, situated about 400 yards north-east of Abbot’s
Leigh Church, shows the Bryozoa bed and the lower part of Kz.
A trial excavation a little north of the quarry exposed the Old
Red Sandstone. The succession is as follows :—
ie ee INS
6. Thin bedded fossiliferous nested with oy partinegs Sc gaa 0
5. Massive limestone, finely oolitic : : oe ei) 0
4. Massive coarse oolite, often false- bedded on: as oor ere 0
3. Crinoidal and oolitic limestone . Oat TO
2. Bryozoa bed, red crinoidal, limestone ‘becoming oolitic near
the top oe 6 0
1. Shale with nodular argillaceous limestone (Kin. ) (seen) 2 0
The chief interest in the section is the development of shallow
water oolitic limestone above the Bryozoa bed. Similar beds
occur below the Bryozoa bed at Burrington and Failand, but are
not seen in the Avon Section.2, They are also seen below the
Bryozoa bed at Skrinkle Haven, Pembrokeshire.3
Oolites are therefore common at this horizon, though they
are only developed locally, conditions being favourable for the
deposition of lenticular beds in very shallow water.
i Proc Bristol Nate Soc 475.4 Volo 4, 2Pt 3... (koi)
2S. H. Reynolds. QO 7/:G;S. Vol LXXVIE (1921) ps ies
3 ‘Geology of the South Wales Coalfield’? Pt. XIII. The Country around
Pembroke and Tenby. Mem. Geol. Surv. 1921, p. 97.
NEW SECTIONS OF AVONIAN ROCKS 329
(b) DOWNSIDE.
The following fine section of the middle and upper parts of
K: was seen in the excavations at Downside :—
TC oases
27. Rubbly and thin-bedded argillaceous limestone with shale
partings ees aA ae (seen) 4 2
26. Thin-bedded limestones, “weathering yellow , =~. ie Stee 9
25. Compact limestone, with shale bands ae ae 3 8
24. > Crystalline fossiliferous limestone Lae ae eae 3
Zo,» hale i i) 2
22. Dolomitized crinoidal and bryozoal ‘limestone with shaly
bands. P. bassus, “ Eumeiria”’ sp. oH ae cates 0
242) Shale oe she ANE ee a ee we ae 1 0
20. Limestone, gritty, slightly dolomitized, with Pvroductus
bassus ke hs ae sabe coke Ale re I 2
nor Shale hk nae - 0 9
18. Compact limestone crowded with “ Eumetria” SP anes: ) 3
17. Crinoidal limestone with shale partings 2 9
LG.” Shale fe 0 6
15. Fossiliferous limestone with shale partings mainly Chonetes
cf. havdrensis ee he ae 3 6
14. Massive hmestone 2 0
£3) “shale 2 0
12. Shale with limestone bands I 6
11. Alternate limestone and shale ... ee KO)
10. Limestone with Chonetes stoddarti 0 9
oy. Shale 1 +
8. Limestone OS akO
fie) Shale 1 0
6. Limestone OSs ALG.
5. Crystalline limestone, crinoidal, weathering red, with bryo-
zoans, ostracods, and small gasteropods (cf. Bryozoa-
bed)
4. Limestone with thin shale partings
3. Shale oe a
2. -Compact limestone *
1. Green shale with thin limectone ibande
Ne Sop
oOnNOoONnN
The strata, which dip south, are cut by several small strike
faults. The succession is similar to that at St. Monica’s, Westbury-
on-Irym,* bed 5 of the above section being correlated with bed 5
in the paper quoted. Thin sections of this limestone are indis-
tinguishable from slices of the true Bryozoa bed from Abbot’s -
Leigh. The remains of bryozoans and crinoids are impregnated
with haematite. This forms a good example of the danger of
attempting even local correlation by means of lithological types,
for although the true Bryozoa bed may be at a constant strati-
graphical horizon, it is obvious that similar conditions prevailed
locally for short periods during Ki and Kz, times, for at Portishead °
a similar limestone occurs in the upper part of K;.é
4 5S. H. Reynolds and S. Smith. Geol. Mag., Vol. LXII (1925), pp. 468-69.
pO WeGsS Vol. LXL(1905)) p 230
326 NEW SECTIONS OF AVONIAN ROCKS
Bed 18 is crowded with “ Eumetria’”’ sp., in an excellent state
of preservation. Unfortunately no internal characters of the
shell have been recognised, and it is therefore impossible to assign
a definite name to this species, which appears to be identical with
that found at St. Monica’s.®
(c) BEGGAR’s BusH LANE.
A quarry in Cr occurs in a small wood on the Melville Wills
Estate. It is situated behind a farm, about three-quarters of a mile
south-west of the main Portishead road, 300 yards from the right
of Beggar’s Bush Lane. The beds seen are of oolitic and fora-
miniferal limestone, 34 feet thick, below which are 4 feet of par-
tially decalcified limestone, crowded with Chonetes papilionacea.
The rocks are slightly dolomitised in places. They are very much
weathered, and have crumbled on the surface to a calcareous
friable condition.
3, BAUNAL Pisa:
(2), ABBOT S LEIGH) ii.
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. K. Vau.
A large species of Bellerophon occurs abundantly.
very common
Camarotoechia mitcheldeanensis Vaughan do.
Chothyris voyssv (1’Eveillé) do.
Leptaena analoga (Phill.) do.
Spirifer tovrnacensis de Koninck and 1 vars. common
Psephodus laevissimus Agassiz? one specimen
Iehabdomeson sp. a rare
Fenestella sp. rare.
Crinotds ...
(iD) DOWNSIDE.) 1kx..
Productus (Avonia) bassus Vaughan ...
very common
common in bands
Productus sp. nov.=P. cf. martini Sow. , Vaughan rare
Chonetes cf. harvdrensis (Phill.) common
Chonetes failandensis S. Smith rare
Chonetes stoddarti Vaughan ak
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. K. Vau.
common in bands
very common
Camarotoechia mitcheldeanensis Vaughan do.
Chrothyris voysv (\’Eveillé) common
Leptena analoga (Phill.) do.
Spirifer tornacensis de Koninck and ° vars. very common
Rhipidomella michelini (1 tae do.
“ Eumetria’”’ sp.
common in one band
Reticularia lineata (Martin) rare
Syringothyris principalis North rare
Euomphalus pentangulatus Sow. rare
Dielasma cf. hastata ee rare
Spirorbis... rare
Loxonema sp. ; rare
Rhabdomeson sp. common
Fenestella sp. rare
Ostracods common
very common
Crimoidst 2.
6 Ibid, p 472.
7 Collected by Mr. H. F. Barke from Abbot’s Leigh.
NEW SECTIONS OF AVONIAN ROCKS OL
(c) BEGGAR’S BUSH LANE. (C1.
Michelinia cf. favosa (Goldfuss) as Ste te rare
Productus (Pustula) pustulosa (Phill.) ae Sx. rare
Productus (Pustula subpustulosa Thomas ... rare
Productus sp. nov.=P. cf. martini Sow., Vaughan
(small narrow form) es a a0 rare
Chonetes papilionacea (Phill. x an ee aa very common
Chonetes aff. comoides (Sow.) ... ah ae very common
Orthotetes crenistria (Phill.) mut. C. eee = common
Tylothyvis laminosa (McCoy) emend North. La rare
Euomphalus cf. pentangulatus Sow. ... oe oe rare
Bellerophon sp. large form... aa ri Ses common
Naticopsis sp. ... a a: a Bad rare
Murchisonia sp. dis a ne bes ae rare
4. CONCLUSION.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to Prof. S. H. Reynolds
and Dr. S. Smith for their kind assistance, to Messrs. Oatley and
Lawrence, the architects, for permission to examine the Downside
Exposures, and to the owners of the quarries for similar facilities.
328
Exposures of Rhzetic and Lower Lias
in South Bristol.
BY A. W: GoyvsH,, BSE:
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
RHATIC ROCKS.
Liassic ROCKS.
(1) ZONAL SUCCESSION.
(72) FAUNAL NOTES.
4. CONCLUSIONS.
wh —
lL. INTRODUCTION:
ECENT temporary building operations have rendered it
possible to examine certain Rhetic and Liassic strata at
Knowle and Bedminster Down.
The object of this paper is to record these observations, no
mention being made of permanent exposures.
2a, RHALTIC CROCKS:
In 1891, E. Wilson, F.G.S., described the Rhetic Rocks of
Pylle Hill (Totterdown).t A cutting for a road on the southern
side of Knowle Hill recently exposed corresponding beds. The
Upper Rhetic was not completely seen, but the strata which succeed
the Keuper Marls are as follows :—*
Tey shale
(2) Limestone, argil-
[aceous light col [Cees valoniensis (Defrance)
Upper +0 unedss scloseday = «10 Saurichthys acuminatus Ag.
Rhatic (ates and ripple- | |
marked
Gyrolepis alberti Ag.
(h). Shale, dark blue O 6
(a) Lamestone ma Chlamys valoniensis (Defrance)
Pteria contorta (Portlock)
pact, dark blue Protocavdia phillipiana (Denker)
neon a aoa Cae Schizodus ewaldi Born.
ea tincne eee Acrodus minimus Ag.
eater Gyrolepis alberti Ag.
Rhetic | (fedcb) Black shales |
with three | FeO
bands
(aa) Black shales
with sandy band; 1
at the base J
Keuper Tea Green Marls.
f{Gyrolepis alberti Ag.
\ Coprolites
aS
I OF:G:S. Vel, 2X Vll (891); pp: 545-549".
2 The small letters correlate the horizons with those given by Wilson in
the Pylle Hill Section.
-EXPOSURES OF RH#TIC AND LOWER LIAS IN S. BRISTOL 329
The above succession is practically identical with that of
Pyle Hall?
Near the Knowle Tramway Terminus, a few feet of Upper
Rhetic beds were exposed. They consist of Cotham Marble
underlain by blue shales with ostracods. (Darwinula spp.) The
Cotham Marble shows the typical mammillated upper surface
described by B. Thompson.* It is immediately overlain by White
Lias.
Je EWASSIC ROCKS:
(2) ZONAL SUCCESSION.
Only Hettangian strata have been observed, the following
zones and horizons having been recorded :—
Oppel’s Zones. Horizons.
ANGULATA.
ANG UipAnUSt see) fe LEASICUS.
MEGASTOMA.
| JOHNSTONI.
PLANORBIS PLANORBIS.
|) LIASSICA.
a
LANGPORTENSIS.
These will be briefly referred to below.
(a) LANGPORTENSIS. (White Lias.)
The section exposed at Knowle was as follows at the top:
ft.) 1s.
ieooun Bed ... Le se at: bs ah ae oe 4
6. Clay Eee eee ag rete oa i ss es aa Re OM, 90) aD
5. Fossiliferous rubbly limestone ... a Ba: nee Sane | 0
4. Clay his “fe aoe ie es sa ee sae =a Osun) oa)
3. Compact blue-grey limestone ... aos Sot ae renee 7
Oe Clay Ne ea ae oe eB Med NS AM PRO idee
iP CORHAM MARBLE
4 3
(D) . TATET.
Cream and blue argillaceous limestones, with shaly partings.
The limestones in thin section show patches of clear crystalline
calcite 5 resembling Calcisphera.
a) see section. “Q.J.G.S., Vol. XLVII (1891), facing p. 546
4 Ibid, Vol. L (1894), pp. 393 and 409.
5 See Sorby. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., Vol. XXXV (1879), p. 84.
330 EXPOSURES OF RHETIC AND LOWER LIAS IN S. BRISTOL
(c) LIASSICA.
Poorly exposed. Limestone, weathering to a brown marly
surface, covered with Ostrea liassica Strick.
(2d) PLANORBIS (horizon).
Blue and cream coloured limestones with clay partings,
characterised by Psiloceras planorbis (Sow.) and Psiloceras cf.
plicatum (Quenst.).
Cd
(€) JOHNSTONI.
4
This horizon has not been seen in situ, but a block from a>
trench at Bedminster Down with Caloceras intermedium (Portlock)
establishes its presence.
(f) MEGASTOMA.
The presence of this horizon is postulated on the occurrence
of fragments of Wehmneroceras sp., an ammonite characteristic
of these beds. At one time a non-sequence between johnstont
and liasicus deposits was assumed,® but in 1922, Mr. J. W. Tutcher ©
recorded the possible presence of the “‘ megastoma zone.’’7
The evidence at Bedminster Down gives further support to
his view, but the deposit is probably very thin.
(g) LIASICUS.
A specimen of Alsatites aff. luastcus (D’Orb.) was found at
Bedminster Down in rubbly lmestones, thin sections of which
show abundant ostracods and foraminifera, Textularia being
common among the latter.
This horizon has recently been recorded at Radstock.®
(A) ANGULATUS (horizon).
These beds consist of thick clays overlain by blue limestones
containing Schlothermia cf. angulata (Schloth.).
6 Ibid, Vol. LX XIII (1918), pp. 279-281.
7 Pyroc. Bristol Nat. Soc., Vol. 5 (1923 for 1922), p: 276:
8 Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., Vol. LX XXI (1925), Table facing page 598.
EXPOSURES OF RH#TIC AND LOWER LIAS IN S. BRISTOL 331
(42) FAUNAL NOTES.
ry 6 =
FAUNAL LIST. Ringe ee
(excluding ammonites). 5 z .
Astarte consobrina Chapuis and Dewalque
Cardinia cf. ovalis Cd
Gervillia sp. ... oP a
Gresslya galathea Ag. %
Lima gigantea (Sow.) ss is
L. hettangiensis Terquem.
L. cf. punctata (Sow.) .
L. succincta (Schloth.) me oan i
L. valoniensis (Defrance) Dumortier i eh
Macrodon ct. hettangiensis (Terquem) 5
Ostrea ivvegularis Miinst. ee ie
O. liassica Strickland an
Opis sp. nov. ... a
Pecten calvus Goldtuss : @
Perna cf. infralassica Quenst. -
Pholadomya glabra Ag. ; i
Pleuromya tatei Richardson and Tutcher.. ,
P. tater var. langportensis Richardson and Tutcher ze
Protocardia philliprana (Dunk.) ;
_ Pseudomonotis decussaia (Miinst.) ... - bs
Unicardium avenacea (Terquem) ... ae 7
Volsella (Modiola) hillanoides (Chapuis and Dewalque) i
V. levis (Sow.) ae: ae *
V. langportensis Richardson and Tutcher
V. liasina (Terquem) ‘
V. minima (Sow.) : a
V. wickest Rich. and Tutcher €
Ornithella sarthacensis (A. a’ es oe a
Nautilus sp. ... ii
Isocrinus angulatus (Oppel) oy
echinoid spines .
turbinate casterepods (small casts). i
A CONCLUSIONS.
(1) The Rheetic succession on the southern side of Knowle Hill
is essentially similar to that at Pylle Hill.
(2) The lzastcus and megastoma horizons hitherto unrecorded from
the immediate neighbourhood of Bristol have Lise
recognized.
(3) The sequence of the Hettangian is more complete than in
the Radstock area, but the White Lias is much thinner,
being less than 5-ft. as compared with 18-ft. at Clandown.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. J. W. Tutcher for
his help in the identification of-the fossils and for much kindly
advice and criticism.
®
WBHARRIS An)
PRINTING 4 jp
C
}
26
g
J
AUG 25 |
‘PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY
Prick Four SHILLINGS. ~
ts’ Society.
1S
A ee
NF tn
aAwauwwwe
Hh
It
fi
, VOL. VI, Part V., 1927,
MXXVIII
OF THE
BRISTOL.
tol Natural
?
|
oe
SERIES
i)
‘
PROCEEDINGS
_ ANNUAL REPORT
ie
BOK oil oy VOL WEY Iss Part’ Vi.) L927,
PRICE FouR SHILLINGS.
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
PROCEEDINGS
Ore iat
Bristol Naturalists’ Society.
Mat
TUMATTTTTTU TTI
Us! |
Wo) / deal
fi ) eatin me SN *
\ et
mitt jet (. wi ce
ty Y i
LA | N rm: J
INE: ;
i
‘“ Rerum cognoscere causas.’’—VIRGIL.
BRISTOR:
PRINTED: POR THE SOCIETY.
MCMXXVITTI.
o iit
a
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
POWRGLE SSE REE Sie OPV. PART Vo L927;
PAGE
Officers for 1927 ape we any Lae ay te oe 836
Officers of Sections for 1927 ee a a: any Be 2. 0 386
List of Members oa nae oe ee Bs ey ae oe OOM
Honorary Members ... Pe bane ooh Ue Fale oats a ... 34]
Report of Council ... se ap = a ee i Min POEL
ibreasmrer's Report |... ik ae Set ae ht cee ... 344
iibrarians Keport ... dee oe re be Si 2°). w=. 345
Report of Botanical Section a a? ae hele ser fam Od
Report of Entomological Section ... oy ae Mh san i AGdG
Report of Field Section ab a a the ae ae nog. OAS
Report of Geological Section Ee sa sit ate ne eee ro! Se)
Report of Ornithological Section ... on Se ce aie wi COAL
Account of the Annual and General Meetings ... oe sal a 2350
Report of the Delegate to the British Association 538 sh cee OO
so Lotemism, by the-President, James Raiter, M.A.’ ... Eis Od,
pietises in Evolution,’ by HH. L. Hawkins, D.Sc., F.G.S.. » ... : 367
ep pverygota of, 5.W.. England; Part 1V, by H. Womersley, F.E.S. 372
eebristol botany in 1927, by J. Ws White; M.Sc, F.L.S. ..: 380
“The Life-history of Psocus sexpunctatus,’’ by. J. V. Pearman, F.E.S. 384
eeWiptera Am Appeal, “by, H.-L. Audcent»” .:. mrs fete
peAvonian. succession at Clevedon Coast,’ by G.°E. Bush, B.Sc. .... 392
“ Sections of Old Red Sandstone in Bristol District,’’ by F. S. Wallis,
Bhp) iG. S: a at So ae oe OO
For information concerning the Bristol Naturalists’ Society generally,
or concerning its meetings, please apply to the present Hon. Secretary and
EiGitor :——
Miss IpA M. RopErR,
4, WoOODFIELD ROapD,
REDLAND, BRISTOL.
All Books, Pamphlets, Reports of Proceedings sent by way of exchange,
gift or otherwise, and all correspondence relating thereto should be addressed
0) sae
Hon. LIBRARIAN, BRISTOL NAT. Soc.,
THE MUSEUM,
BRISTOL.
336
OFFICERS FOR 1927.
President :
JAMES RAFTER, M.A.
Past Presidents :
Dr. C.-LiLoyvp MORGAN, LED. FuR{S) 7G
Proto YOUNG. Drsc?, EURSS, Miss IDA -M, RoPpER EUEZs,
feo W. Waite, eVCSc. Ess. H. WomERSLEY, F.E.S.
Sin ERNEST Cook. 1?Sc: Prof. O. V. DARBISHIRE, Ph.D., F.I..S.
Vice-Presidents :
W. A. SmitH, M.A., M.B. Prof. S. H..ReYNoLDS, MeAy se. Dy G.>,
Council :
B. A. BAKER Re Ei ey AR J. | PEARMANE EES;
n.Vo 2 BAXTER, Bsc; Me MILcER Miss RUTTER
F. W. EvENS M. NIERENSTEIN,..PhiD, J:° W 2uTenERe ve Se:
Hon. Treasurer :
R, P.-Gatr, 51, Howard Road, Westbury Jark:
Hon. Auditors :
Sir ERNEST Cook, D.Sc. CHARLES BARTLETT, A.C.A,
Hon. Secretary and Editor :
Miss IpA M. Roper, F.L.S., 4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol.
Hon. Reporting Secretary :
Mrs. VAUGHAN.
Hon. Librarian :
Miss 1: MM. ROPER: EoES,
T. CHARBONNIER, Hon. Sub. Librarian.
Officers of Sections.
Botanical :
President—O.. V. DARBISHIRE, Ph.D., B.A» (Oxon.)% Kas:
Secretary—Miss Bowen, B.Sc., 73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park.
Entomological :
Prestident—CHARLES BARTLETT, 8, Woodhill, Portishead, Somerset.
Secretary—J. V. PEARMAN, F.E.S., 9, West Mall, Clifton.
Field :
President—J. W. TutcuEr, M.Sc., 57, Berkeley Road, Bishopston.
Secretary—Miss M. D. HILrEy, 30, Cotham Road, Bristol.
Geological :
Prestdeni—S. H. ReyNowps, M.A., Sc.D., F.G.S5. The. University, spmsroly
Secretary—F. S. WALLIS, Ph.D., me ‘15, Ravenswood Road, Redland.
Ornithological :
Hon. President—Dr. C. LLtoyp MorGan, F.R.S.
President—A. L. FLEMMING, M.B., Ch.B. (Bris.), 48, Pembroke Road.
Secretary—-COLDSTREAM TUCKETT, 5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton Down.
nHN
Nn NN
AS
GQ An =nAnnnn OH
A Associate Member.
List of Members,
S Section Member.
* Has contributed Papers to the
337
1927
+ Life Member.
“ Proceedings.”’
Adams, S. B.
Alden, (e ; Sn
ender. or ie M.D. a
Amory, . H..
MMOS. . \a.
Ashton: IP: ...
Audcent, H. L.
Badock, Stanley.H.; LL.D: :..
Baker, B.-A, F.G.S:
iBbanke “Hak. FIC;
Barke, Mrs.
Bartow 1. MilMech.B. F.C.S.
Bartlett, Chas.
isaxter, (Es Vu T.,; M.A. ‘BSc
Beacham, G. H.
Beacham, Mrs.
Beck, R. a
Bell, Mrs. AwG:
Berry, K.-C.
Boley, Aw. Gan: ee
Bolton, Miss E. MSc. FES
Bolton, HD: Sc. PROSE.
E.G. a
Bolton. Mrs. ....
Bowen, Miss M., B. Se.
Bowland, iB
Brebner, Mrs. G.
Browning, Miss B
Pushers Ee AS. eae
Bush; Mrs. RE.“ },.
Capel, Miss one
Garison: KG...
Carter, Miss F....
Cay, Arthurs.
Chamberlain, R. De
Chamberlain, W,
Charbonnier, T. Bae
Charbonnier, Mrs. T.
Churchill, Miss E.
City Librarian ...
Cleave rR. Cick oc.
Clough,-J..W.'S.
Clough, Mrs.
Clough, Dr. N. ue
Clough, Miss A..M.... 2...
Cook, Sir Ernest, D.Sc=
Coombs, F. C. ee
Cooper, J.
Conley AL Wii sas
Coys A W ..B.Se:
19, \Charlotte*st.. bark ot. s5ristol
63, Picton Lane, Stokes Croft.
112, Pembroke Road, Clifton
29, Beaufort Road, Clifton
45, Pembroke Road, Clifton
17, Miles Road, Clifton
34, Belvoir Road, St. Andrew’s, Bristol
Holmwood, Westbury-on-Trym
..37, Clyde Road, Redland
34, Park Row, Bristol
34, Park Row, Bristol
Wolverley, King’s Norton, Birmingham
8, Woodhill, Portishead
95, Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol
18, Raglan Road, Bishopston
18, Raglan Road, Bishopston
18, Victoria Road, Clevedon
25, St. Michael’s Park, Bristol
120, City Road, Bristol
508, Stapleton Road, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
The Museum, Bristol
58, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
73, St. Alban’s Road, Westbury Park
12, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
22, Victoria Road, Cotham, Bristol
23, Oakfield Road, Clifton
Bishops Knoll, Sneyd Park
56, Coldharbour Road, Bristol
193, Cheltenham Road, Bristol]
89, Pembroke Road, Clifton
14, Charlotte St., Park St., Bristol
Lyndhurst, Leigh Woods, Bristol
56, Brecknock Road, Knowle, Bristol
157, Whiteladies Road, Clifton
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
10, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
121, Somerville Road, Bishopston
Central Library, Bristol
5, Henleaze Road, Bristol
42, Downs Park East, Bristol
42, Downs Park East, Bristol
30, Henleaze Avenue, Bristol
30, Henleaze Avenue, Bristol
40, Alma Road, Clifton
3, Pembroke Road, Clifton
43, Station Road, Ashley Down,
Black Horse, Kingswood, Bristol
15, Belluton Road, Knowle
Bristo]
338
S)
nnn
Nnnsr
Darbishire, Prof.:OoV~.. PhD,
Darel) D> F-GeS,
Davies, 1 eo heey
Dawies *\\V 2 Eee, Se.
Daws, Miss lis
Deacon, Mrs.
Drew, Miss H.
Dunscombe, Miss
Ellis; iF ;
FEEVATS MeN es ore as
Evens 32 2bs bs: Ser
Evens, F. Ww.
Fitzjames, R:. H.
Plemming, A: W,,. MB; ChB:
Ford, Roger
HOS NETS pce Niet adie tee
Francis, Fok. (decd.). «.
in, li: ae
Fryer, Miss : A.
Gait aiken.
Gibbons, abe) 6 ;
Goodall, Rev Canon R. Ww.
Goulding, Thomas ...
Grahame, Miss M. ...
Graves, W.
Grignon, Miss, .>
Gummer, Horace
Hallett, Miss F.
Hallett, Miss J.
Hallett, Miss L. ne
Harding, G. Dermott
Harding, Miss J. Dermott
Harding, Miss E. M. sa
Hawkins. EH:
Eellyar ix. He.
ieslop. jak. (P:
Higham: P.
Hiley, Miss M. D.
Hiley, Miss W.
Flodgson Co...
Hole, J E. :
Horder, Miss M. Ges
Hudson, Miss
Humphries, Lady
Hurst, G. W. S.
Hurst, Mrs.
Imlack, Miss
Kaglis, Dee.)
ivens, Ho P?
Ivens, W. B.
-M.A. (dec’d.)
LIST OF MEMBERS
The University, Bristol.
Hillfield House, near Dartmouth
Down House, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
Colston School, Stapleton
109, Forest Road, Fishponds
45, Sydenham Hill, Bristol
Colston Girls’ School, Bristol
72, Pembroke Road, Clifton
59, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
46, Horfield Road, St. Michael’s, Bristoi
83, St. Albans Road, Westbury Park
8, Rokeby Avenue, Redland, Bristol
17, St. Martin’s, Knowle, Bristol
48, Pembroke. Road, Clifton
Hartfield, Cotham Park, Bristol
Brislington House, near Bristol
10, Victoria Square, Clifton
1, Niblett’s Hill, St. George’s, Bristol
6, Chantry Road, Clifton
51, Howard Road, Westbury Park
8, Nugent Hill, Bristol
19, Elmdale Road, Tyndall’s Park
Bristol
6, Nelson Street, Bristol
21, Cornwallis Crescent, Clifton
2, Upper Cranbrook Road, Bristol]
41, Filton Avenue, Horfield
Herbert Lodge, Cotham Park, Bristol
3, Logan Road, Bishopston
3, Logan Road, Bishopston
3, Logan Road, Bishopston
10, Royal York Crescent, Clifton
10, Royal York Crescent, Clifton
Bower Ashton, near Bristol
7, Miles Road, Clifton
18, Redland Grove, Bristol
34, Henleaze Gardens, Bristol
Western Daily Press Office, Bristol
30, Cotham Road, Bristol
30, Cotham Road, Bristol
5, Cotham Terrace, Bristol
46, Claremont Avenue, Bishopston
81, Redcliff Street, Bristol
4, Belgrave Place, Clifton Park
Eastfield Lodge, Westbury-on-Trym
34, Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton
34, Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton
16, Miles Road, Clifton
The Lodge, St. Agnes’ Gardens, St. Paul’s
18, Alexandra Road, Clifton, Bristol
49, Ravenswood Road, Bristol
NnAnnn
Ann Hr YW Y
Y
YN
An NN
Oya Oy ry ne Oa eRe yin A A)
Jeticoat, Rev. R., M.A. ...
Jenkins, Mrs.
Jenkins, F. G.
Jennings, D. A
hes, WoW Lae BG sel.
Johnson, Miss E.
jones, i. G.,-F.G.S.
Jones, Miss M. B.
Kearns, H. G. H.
Keeler. Re Fi... .
Knisht, A. H., M.A.
Knowlson, Mrs.
Kromler, A.
Lee, Miss E. M., M.Sc.
Ikee, Mrs: F. RR: ait
Llewellin, W. M., C.E.
low.) AD ys. ‘
Lucas, He ].; Bice
Lynn, Miss a
Macpherson, Miss B. B.
Madkins, W. E., B.A.
Mappin, S. W.
Marshall, Miss D.
Martimeau, Pi Eo <..
McMurtrie, G. E. J.
NING Viele scam bau:
Malis. 4
Mogg, G. ..
Morgans, Mrs. Thos,
Morris, D. Dies
Mullock, Miss ...
Nierenstein, M., Ph.D.
Norgrove, J. W.
Nuell, F. H.
Onn, H. A. ake
Osmond, D. A.
Barker, |.
Peach, A. H.
Pearman, J. V., ae is: Pa
Pearman, Mrs.
Pepperell, Kk.
Pepperell, Mrs.
Petry, Miss M. P:
ole »Nins;: At Ho ss.
Powell. J. J.,ijM.D....
Preddy, Mrs. K.
Iatter, |, MEA.
Reynolds, S. H., Sc.D., F.GS.
Richardson, F aa aihe
Roper, Miss I. M., F.L.S._
Rudge, Miss E. ee re
Rutter, Miss E.M....
LIST OF MEMBERS 339
5, Berkeley Square, Clifton
10, Napier Road, Redland, Bristol
31, Berkeley Square, Clifton
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol
The University, Bristol
The College, Fishponds
8, Clifton Vale, Clifton
8, Gloucester Road, Bishopston
The University, Bristol
76, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
The. Lodge, All Saints’ Villas, Chel-
tenham
9, Downfield Road, Clifton
45, Summerleaze, Fishponds
55, Logan Road, Bishopston
50, Alma Vale Road, Clifton
8, Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol
The University, Bristol
14, Walcot Parade, Bath
15, Arlington Villas, Clifton
4, Belgrave Place, Clifton Park
Fairfield Secondary School, Bristol
100, Pembroke Road, Clifton
54, St. John’s Road, Clifton
Hillside, Cleveland Walk, Bath
Eastfield House, Westbury-on-Trym
7, AIL Saints: Road, Clifton
18, Windsor Road, St. Andrew’s Park
483, Fishponds Road, Bristol
16, Park Road, High Barnet, Herts.
19, Charlotte St., Park St., Bristol
22, Berkeley Square, Clifton
30, Cavendish Road, Bristol
22, Alma Road, Clifton
63, Springfield Road, Bristol
Glenlyn, Station Road, Nailsea
Agri. Station, Long Ashton
16, Hampstead Road, Brislington
5, Hanbury Road, Clifton
9, West Mall, Clifton
9, West Mall, Clifton
37, Fernbank Road, Redland
37, Fernbank Road, Redland
6, Chantry Road, Clifton
60, Charlton Road, Keynsham
2, Gloucester Road, Bishopston
121, Somerville Road, Bristol
6, West Shrubbery, Redland, Bristol
13, All Saints’ Road, Clifton
Id)eercival: Koad, Chiton
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristo]
17, Wellington Park, Bristol
Cambridge House School, St. John’s
Road, Clifton
340
HNN NNNnHHNUNY ms A ARNNnH W a
NY
nN
nN
DiGi a)
Salmond, P. W..
Salmond, Mrs....
Sampson, Miss D.
Samson, F. he
Sandwith, Mrs.
Scott, Miss M.
Selley, 3
seélley, E5 oe
Shaw, Miss T. ...
Shield, E. H.
Shield, Mrs.
Silveston, Miss...
Sinnott, Jas.
Sisson, i, iE.
Skene: Macgregor, F, is ca
Smith, Stanley. Disc.
LIST OF MEMBERS
EGS.
Smith, WA: MA, M.B.
Smith, Rev. W. (dec’d
Smith, Mrs. W. :
Stanton, D. W.
Stanton, Mrs.
Stevens, Mrs. E. S.
Stevens, F. H.
Stevenson, Rev.
Stevenson, Mrs.
Stone, Miss I. R.
SLOME sateen. ane
Stone, Miss N. G.
Storey, R. G.
Sully bag
Sully, Mrs.
Sutton, EiaC.
Taunton, wcc.
Taylor, KE:
Taylor, W. ye
Malorne NV. Ek soe
Getley poe Bises 7.
Petley, Miss Us Misc:
:)
ithomas; Miss Dai sees
Hhomas, apes he.
Thompson, H. S.
Trelease, Mrs. C.
Duckett. C;
Tuckett KNC. ie
‘Surmeniy vale W Bw As
F.G.S. ss
Turner, Mrs. EC.
Tutcher, J. W., M. Se)
Tyrrell, 52, BA
Tyrrell, Mrs.
Vassalll Tk
Vaughan, Mrs.
Virgin, Miss
as Oxon.),
20, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
20, Tyndall’s Park Road, Clifton
5, Hatherley Gardens, Crouch End, N.8
4, Woodfield Road, Redland, Bristol
26, Canynge Square, Clifton
29, Pembroke Road, Clifton
116, Coronation Road, Bristol
116, Coronation Road, Bristol
Walton-in-Gordano, Som.
78, Sefton Park Road, Bishopston
78, Sefton Park Road, Bishopston
32, Pembroke Road, Clifton
15, Beaufort Road, Clifton
Heath House, Gadshill Road, Eastville
The University, Bristol
The University, Bristol
70, Pembroke Road, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
17, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
42, Alma Road, Clifton
87, Cotham Brow, Bristol
9, Osborne Villas, St. Michael’s, Bristol
St. Monica’s Home, Westbury-on-Trym
St. Monica’s Home, Westbury-on-Trym
46, Ashton Road, Ashton Gate
46, Ashton Road, Ashton Gate
46, Ashton Road, Ashton Gate
8, Oxford Chambers, St. Stephens /St,,
Bristol
Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
Woodrange, Westbury-on-Trym
3, Apsley Villas, Cotham, Bristol
16, Egerton Road. Bishopston
Fonthill Villa, Keynsham
Tenby, St. Oswald’s Road, Redland
12 Pembroke Vale, Clifton
The Museum, Bristol
Cambridge House, Royal York Crescent,
Clifton
79, Somerville Road, Bishopston
79, Somerville Road, Bishopston
33, Southleigh Road, Clifton
37, Fernbank Road, Redland
5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
5, Beaufort Buildings, Clifton
The University, Bristol
Bridge House, Sea Mills, Bristol
57, Berkeley Road, Bishopston
17, Camden Terrace, Clifton Vale
17, Camden Terrace, Clifton Vale
Oldbury Court, Fishponds
42, Fernbank Road, Redland, Bristol
12, Kingsley Road, Cotham, Bristol
LIST OF MEMBERS 34]
Walker, L. E. ... 9, Crowndale Road, Knowle, Bristol
Somveatlis. EF. S., Ph. er Sak G. .... 15; Ravenswood Road, Bristol
Walton, T. Ger eh eee Compton Bishop, Som.
Seavvaters A.B, ... -....%...° «.. o3, Woodstock Road, Redland, Bristo!
Suewwaters, Mrs. 3.. ... .«. “s. 936, Woodstock Road, Redland, Bristol]
Nmmvvecerss: An ©. ...9°:-. 4.08 «.. 53, Woodstock Road, Redland, Bristol]
Smear. Fl. eee lon, Selton Park Koad, Bishopston
Weaver; Miss M. Hi eee es. OO, inesdown barade,. bristol
MVebib, Ei. Vicars .%.. 58, Belmont Road, St. Andrews, Bristo}
White, E. Barton, M.D. on FE. Ss Mental Hospital, Fishponds, Bristol
= White; Jas. W., M.Sc., Ee EES: 18, Woodland Road, Clifton
vate: Mins. 41.1027). san ee. LS, Woodland Road; Chitton
* Wickes, W.-H. . 84, St. Michael’s Hill, Bristol
Wills, Sit George, Bt. icles D. Burwalls, Leigh Woods, Bristol]
f:. Wills, W. Melville type) wae:). Dracken Hill, Leigh Woods, Bristol
mewomersiey, FH. bans. ...(... Sunny Meads, West.Town, near Bristol
Seavoolcatt, |. MW. con 2.5 °...2.Bryars, Filton
Sew wootlom, 9. ©. Al 3. 2.2 s..: -80% Sts Paul's, Road, Clifton
See Worsley, Mass 1) cia). |... ~ Rodney Lodge, Clifton
fomaipoicom, «i. H.: Mercer
ideciGl inst. aoe ues oo ew Oalkedeld: Koad, Ciiton
Se app, Wi: 1: acm 2. =... 4/1; Devonshire Road, Westbury Park
Seyveadon, Miss N.- i... .. ... 61, Gerrish Avenue, Redfield, Bristol
S Young, Miss F. Poe a: lastneld a.oad, Redland. Bristol
Honorary Members.
iO acorpe mo: brady, MD LL:D. D.Sc, FUR.S.,F.L.S.
Henry J. Charbonnier, Rose Cottage Bungalow, Olveston, Gloucestershire.
Evo C,. 1 loyd-Morgan, 2..D,, PRIS;,. F.G.S., 59): Pevetsley Road, St.
Leonards-on-Sea.
R. M. Prideaux, F.E.S., Brasted Chart, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
MiG. Scott, 25, Duke Street, Cardiff.
Prot, i.°S. Hele Shaw, M.I'C:E., LL.D., F.R.S., 64, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S:NVV 31.
Prof. W. J. Sollas, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., F.G.S., University Museum,
Oxford.
Ereiroydaney Young, -D.sc.,,F.R.S. Trinity College, Dublin,
342
REPORT OF COUNCIL.
To December 3\st, 1927.
URING the year more activity and interest in Natural History
has been displayed by the members, and much good work
carried out in the Sections. The different Reports show
that new records have again been made in the district, and amongst
the Insects some are new to Britain, and even to Science.
Members, however, have not brought to the General Meetings
as many Exhibits as are desirable, although objects of interest
must come under their personal notice or are in their possession.
Explanation and discussion about them can be carried on in advance
of the Meetings, and some of the active workers are willing to
make a point of being present. In order to make a success of these
facilities 1t is hoped members will co-operate and bring some
Exhibit to each Meeting.
The work of the newly formed Field Section, which les in
rambles, and out-of-door studies, has proved of considerable value
to help forward the objects of the Society, as a number of fresh
people have taken part in that portion of our activities, and it
is hoped they will continue to enjoy the benefits obtainable and
add to them, in the interest of Science, the many advantages
offered by full membership.
Seventeen new members have joined this year, and only
one resigned, but unfortunately four have been lost by death.
Col. T. H. Yabbicom was our oldest member, who joined in 1864,
two years after the foundation of the Society, and had regularly
kept in touch with its activities ever since. He became: at once
the first Secretary of the Botanical Section, and held the office
for ten years. Mr. H. A. Francis, a worker on the Hymenoptera,
was formerly an active member of the Entomological Section,
besides being for a time Reporting Secretary and on Council.
Rev. W. Smith was a steady supporter of the Society’s Meetings,
and Miss Helen Drew, the distinguished Headmistress of the Colston
Girls’ School, used her influence on our behalf chiefly for the study
of Geology.
The customary Open Night was held in March, but only a
moderate number of the general public were sufficiently interested
in our welfare to take this opportunity to hear Prof. F. E. Weiss,
F.R.S., of Manchester University, give a scientific account of the
Vegetation of the Mediterranean Region.
REPORT OF COUNCIL. 343
The Field Section carried out the arrangements for the Summer
Excursion to Vallis Vale near Frome, and the support given by
members caused a gratifying attendance.
The mingling of all the Sections proved so successful that it
is decided to carry on the good work by holding a Dinner during
the Winter session.
The Proceedings for 1926 were published early in the year
and distributed to the British and Foreign Societies with whom
we exchange. The contents fully maintained the high standard,
and some excellent illustrations of bird-life were included.
Great satisfaction was expressed that three members of our
Society were included when the University conferred degrees,
honorts causa, on a small group of local people, who had assisted
in the furtherance of education. Mr. Stanley H. Badock received
the degree of LL.D. in recognition of his abilities and help to
raise the University to its high standard; Mr. J. W. Tutcher,
a recognized authority on Jurassic Rocks, and Mr. J. W. White,
the eminent British Field botanist, received the degree of M.Sc.
for their Natural History work carried on as amateurs for so many
years.
Amongst other happenings of the year was a visit by the
President-and the Hon. Secretary to Cardiff to take part im the
three days celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of the Cardiff
Naturalists’ Society, with whom we have always had happy re-
lationship. Many distinguished representatives of kindred Societies
were present, and the excellent arrangements led to an enjoyable
and stimulating gathering.
On our part we have extended an invitation to the South
Western Naturalists’ Union to hold its 1928 Annual Congress in
Bristol, and we feel we can rely on members to join in giving it
a cordial welcome.
DAUM, ROPER,
Hon. Secretary.
WoW SLEW IIMS Sa -
“SHOpH |
“MOOO ‘H LSANYH
‘yOoIIOO puNo} puke pojIpny
Gave rGhem 2 ss es puny surpurqyoog
sas niche eZ yuNO.OW [e1oues
—: puey ul yseg ‘
sulpulqyoog “
sesuodxy oinyoy ‘“
SoryMyerry *
A ULOPIe Ty
9OUPINSUT IIT pue yUuay ‘
AIouOoTVeIS pu 98e}SOG ‘Sulpuisey =
ieee Se 9261 IO} Sey nese otal On ISO). +
ae ate P1099 [eo1s0[007
OWING See "M'S
. ACY
—! $atzaI90S 0} suoMgdriosqas Ag
=
[op)
_
Lom
ih
Lime h he
m™ONMOON mm
ANON D-NHNON ®
ae)
n
SR
SOS) Sree eras
“s)
LO AOA N = lO = CO
QR
ite) L661 HVAA ABL, HOH INNOOOV
344
‘IVYAHNAD
“LOB ‘ISIE Tequiaseq
puny surpurqyoog
yUNODOYW [e19UI+)
—! pIemIoOy sourpeg
yisodeq uo 4sa10}UT
suoTeolqnd FO ees
90 MOS ‘WOT}JD9S Ploy
puny sunystiqnd 0} SUOT}eUCC
poqoo][Oo sresIIy
SOURAPE Ul suojdiosqns
soo ooueijuy
AT Mey Ispuy)
9] C1INOSSY
AIeuUIpPIO
—: suortjdiiosqns s1oquiayy
‘ALHDOOS SLSITVYNLVN TOLSIYA FHL YM yoy ul YAYASVAYL “NOH FHL
CAE
410,
345
LIBRARIANS’ REPORT.
For the Year 1927.
arrangement of the volumes on the shelves to keep the subjects
in the most available form. The binding of the current volumes
has been carried out, but no member has made any contribution to this
yearly outlay, which is so essential. Thanks, however, are given to three
members who have kindly continued to present to the Library the yearly
issues of certain Natural History publications to keep our series up-to-date.
Several gratifying incidents have occurred in connection with the
valuable sets of books which we possess. Chief of these is shown by the
gift, which we announce with much satisfaction, of the first five volumes,
and the seventh, of the “‘ Journal of Botany,’ dating from 1862. These
early numbers are almost unobtainable, and possession of them adds one
more important set of reference books to the credit of the Library, as it
makes complete our series of a botanical Journa] carrying influence in all
parts of the World. The donation is from Mr. R. V. Sherring, F.L.S., whose
connection with the Society is of long standing, and who thus maintains
a life-long belief in the advantages of being able to verify facts from trust-
worthy volumes on one’s own shelves. He has further shown his interest
by presenting the scarce first twelve volumes of Curtis’ “‘ Botanical Magazine,”’
a publication which Naturalists still hold in high esteem, its issues extending
from 1792 to the present day.
NA oe in the Library has been maintained with due attention to the
Applications have come from the Musée Royal de Belgique, and from
the San Diego Society, California, that our Society would favour them
with a set of our Proceedings for inclusion in their Libraries, and would
add their Institutions to our Exchange List. Council had much pleasure
in agreeing to this, and in return the Museum of Belgium has forwarded to
us 36 volumes of ‘‘ Mémoires,’’ which are so highly thought of amongst
scientists.
Further, a set of our Proceedings, which contain the records of ‘‘ Bristol
Fungi,’’ compiled by the late Mr. Cedric Bucknall, has been added by request
to the Library of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology, London.
By direction of the Board of Education the Science Museum, South
Kensington, has registered our Society upon its books, whereby members
can obtain on loan from the National Library of Science volumes of mono-
graphs and current publications issued by Universities, and scientific Societies
of the World. This concession is already proving of great assistance to the
researches of members engaged on specialized subjects; and in addition
a set of our Proceedings now forms part of the National Reference Library.
The Sections of Entomology, Geology and Ornithology still maintain
the acceptable practice of presenting the monthly publications to carry
on our series, including the last issue of the Paleontographical Society.
In spite of the progress to make our Library of genuine use to Naturalists
it must be admitted that the members as a whole do not show the interest
expected, or take advantage of the opportunities provided for study and
recreation.
IDA M. ROPER, Hon. Librarian.
T. CHARBONNIER, Hon. Sub-Libranan.,
346
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION.
1927.
LYHOUGH 1927 was, perhaps, the worst of a succession of
bad years for field work, and, in consequence, few note-
worthy. captures have been recorded, there has been a
gratifying revival of activity and interest in entomology. —
Resignations since 1925 had reduced the membership to 16 ;
gains and losses during the year give a net increase of 5, and the
section now consists oi !8 ordinary and 3 honorary members.
In May, by invitation of the President (Mr. C. Bartlett),
a meeting was held at Portishead, at which 10 members attended
and were hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett. Two
other excursions, to Leigh Woods and Haw Wood, Henbury,
coming in the holiday season were less well supported.
At the indoor meetings there has been an average attendance
of 8, and nearly all members have contributed to the many inter-
esting exhibits shown. Papers have been read by Dr. E. Barton
White, F.E.S., on ‘“‘ The Life Histories of Polia xanthomista Hubn.
and P. lichenea Hubn.’’—in which the development and habits
of the two species were outlined and their early stages illustrated
by coloured drawings, and by Mr. C. Bartlett on “ Varieties of
Abraxas grossulaniata \..’’—epitomising the investigations made
into the various colour forms of this moth, some striking varieties
of which were exhibited. An interesting account was given by
Mr. H. Audcent of an entomological holiday at Saclas (France),
where a great quantity of material was gathered, some of which
is being worked through by Mr. Audcent and other members
of the section. At the December meeting a debate on “ Mimicry ”’
was opened by Mr. H. Tetley, B.Sc., when members compared
their impressions gathered from observations on British insects,
specimens exemplifying mimicry being exhibited. So much interest
was evinced that the debate is being continued in the new year.
The section is contemplating the compilation of records of
the local insect fauna, and a sub-committee has been appointed
to formulate working arrangements. This valuable work is handi-
capped by lack of funds, and it is hoped that accessions to the
membership will make it possible to undertake the recording as
well as ease the financial burden of continuing, on the present
small subscription, to maintain the series of the entomological
periodicals in the Society’s library.
From the Entomological Section of the Somerset Archelogical
and Natural History Society (with whom this Section is in friendly
correspondence) have been gratefully received copies of their
Reports for the years 1920-26, containing the Somerset records ,
of various orders of insects. J. V. PEARMAN,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
pe
347
BOTANICAL SECTION.
1927.
a small credit balance. Eleven evening meetings have been held
during the past year, at which nearly 300 exhibits of Plants have
been shown to carry on the study of the local Flora, and to discuss their
peculiarities and general life history.
Ge small show an increase 1n membership by six, and financially
Of particular interest there has been: Lolium temulentum var. arvense ,
Anthoxanthum aristatum (new to the district) by Mr. H. J. Gibbons; Sweet
Chestnut catkins, wholly pistillate by Miss 1. M. Roper ; Paulownia impertalts
from Clifton, where it has not flowered for six years, by Mr. H. S. Thompson ;
[satis tinctovia, Anthemis nobilis, and Centaurea scabiosa (white form) by
Mis. EE: M: Bell.
The Section has settled down to active usefulness, and the enthusiasm
which urged the re-formation of the Sectiontwo years ago has been maintained,
but it is wished still more members would join to avail themselves of it.
MABEL BOWEN, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION.
1927.
manifested from the beginning shows no sign of flagging. This is note-
worthy since the abnormal wetness of the year has seriously incon-
venienced the activities of the field workers. Parties of members, however,
have made numerous excursions for observations on the domestic life of birds,
nesting habits, etc. It is a matter for congratulation that the little band
of workers, who are following a definite programme of bird-life study and
photography have not allowed their labours to be interrupted by climatic
hardships, and have been rewarded for their zeal by securing fresh records
and gaining valuable information.
EE is always a pleasure to write the Annual Report, because the enthusiasm
As betore, during the Winter months, well attended meetings have
been held at the houses of various members, for whose hospitality the Section
is grateful. At these meetings numerous topics have come up and discussion
has been well helped by interesting exhibits.
A fifty per cent. increase in membership augurs well for the Section’s
future.
The writer regrets that this is the last occasion on which he will pen
these notes, but the regret at relinquishing the Secretaryship, necessitated
by heavy inroads on his leisure, is lessened by the fact that he leaves it in
the capable hands of Mr. H. Tetley, B.Sc., and by his complete confidence
in the Section’s continued progress through 1928.
COLDSTREAM TUCKETT, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
348
FIELD SECTION.
1997.
Bristol Naturalists’ Society, and started to operate as a Field Section
of that Society. This report therefore, covers the first year of
affiliation, and shows that the new arrangements have worked smoothly.
The Summer excursions were very successful and an average attendance
of 36 proves the continued interest of the members. The attendance of
members at the Winter meetings of the Parent Society has also been most
encouraging, though it is hoped that in the future arrangements can be
made so that the subjects discussed may be of even more direct value to
field workers.
C: January 12th, 1927, the Bristol Field Club became affiliated to the
Four excursions were held during the Summer months. In May, Mr.
H. Vicars Webb led a party through the grounds of Oldbury Court, Fishponds.
By kind permission of Mr. Harry Vassal]l members were privileged to walk
through the private portions of this estate, and many opportunities were
afforded of examining the spring life of both plants and birds.
On June 18th, the Section combined with the parent Society in an
excursion to Vallis Vale. Mr. H. F. Barke acted as leader, and over 60
members and friends were present.
The July excursion was led by Mr. H. Womersley through the Bourton
and Cheston Combes, over Backwell Down, which proved terva incognita
to many members. Characteristic Carboniferous Limestone fossils, a varied
insect life and plants in the vicinity of Wurple Pool were collected.
In September, under the leadership of Mr. G. H. Beacham, Cadbury
Camp was visited. The cross country route from Portbury vid Clapton-
in-Gordano gave the geologists opportunity to find several small exposures
containing abundant weathered Zaphrentids.
During the Spring and early Summer Mr. H. Vicars Webb conducted
six Bird-life Excursions, the dist1ict visited being Stapleton, Oldbury Court
Estate, St. Anne’s Wood, Flax Bourton, Abbot’s Leigh and Portbury Woods.
The rambles gave favourable opportunities for distinguishing the songs
of migrant an‘ resident songsters, and several nests of an interesting character
were found for the parties.
Four Botanical Excursions were arranged by Mr. H. C. Sutton in April,
May, July and September, the districts visited being Stapleton Glen and
Frenchay, Blaise Castle Woods, Charlton Common and Leigh Woods re-
spectively.
These excursions served a useful purpose, for under efficient leadership
small groups of members were enabled to carry out detailed study, and it
is hoped that a similar series will be arranged during the coming Summer.
Congratulations are due to our President, Mr. J. W. Tutcher, who has
been awarded the degree of M.Sc., honoris causd, by the University of Bristol.
Mr. Tutcher’s geological and photographic work is of international reputation
and the distinction is richly deserved.
The membership of the Section now stands at 93, 6 new members having
been elected during the year.
M. DORIS HILEY, Hon. Secretary.
349
GEOLOGICAL SECTION.
1927.
MONG the activities of this Section foremost place must be given to
A the monthly meetings. Six have been held during the past year,
and the continued interest of members is shown by an average atten-
dance of 29.
The Exhibition Meeting was specially instructive and interesting in
that it brought to light the “ finds ”’ of several of our members during their
Summer holidays. Prof. S. H. Reynolds has recently gathered together
a mass. of information concerning breccias. Collected literature on ‘this
subject is meagre, and few members realize the existence of such a variety
of types. It was the class of lecture well suited to the needs of our members.
Mr. J. W. Tutcher, M.Sc., gave an account of his recently published work
(in collaboration with Dr. A. E. Trueman) on the Liassic rocks of the Rad-
stock district. It was pointed out that the peculiar character of these
deposits may be explained by their close proximity to the Mendip axis,
and also that the variations in thickness are due to intra-Liassic folding
and penecontemporaneous erosion.
Prof. H. L. Hawkins’ Paper on “ Crises in Evolution ”’ appears in another
portion of these Proceedings. The Section hopes to continue this practice
of inviting an extra-Bristolian to lecture each session. They help to keep
the Section in touch with the trend of thought in other centres of geological
research.
Dr. F. S. Wallis in speaking on the Old Red Sandstone of the Bristol
district showed that in this area the main scenic feature in those remote
times was a large delta, through which emptied the waters of a river which
originated in a mountain system to the north-west, somewhere in the region
now designated Anglesey.
On another occasion Dr. S. Smith explained the various structures
in a coral, basing his remarks on the better known sea anemcne. He also
dealt with coral islands, and introduced a new note into the threadbare
controversies by explaining the presence of calcareous alge and _ bacteria.
. Arising from the affiliation of the Bristol Field Club with the Bristol
Naturalists’ Society as a Field Section, a class for discussion of geological
topics has been formed. This is held on the same evening as the monthly
meetings, and many members have taken advantage of the informal atmos-
phere in this class, and the opportunity it affords forexamination of specimens.
Two excursions were held during the Summer months. Wick was
visited under the leadership of Dr. S. Smith, who explained the inter-
relationship of scenic features and solid geology; whilst Mr A. Selley led
a party to Failand for the purpose of collecting in the Bellerophon beds.
Many members also attended the excursions arranged by the Field Section.
In July the University of Bristol awarded the degree of M.Sc., honoris
causd, to our vice-president Mr. J. W. Tutcher. Hearty congratulations to
him !
During the past year the task of preparing an authors’ index to all
the Papers in the 60 volumes of the Q.J.G.S. in the Society’s Library has
been completed. This has involved the writing of about 3,500 cards; a
useful work, which some members have found very interesting.
We record with deep regret the death of two members: Miss H. Drew,
M.A., and Mr. C. Trelease.
The Geological Magazine and Monographs of the Paleontographical
Society for 1927 have as usual been presented to the Library.
The membership at the close of the year stands at 46, with a balance
in hand.
Be OW ALES,
Hon. Secretary and Tyveasurer.
350
Account of the Annual and General Meetings.
THE 64TH ANNUAL MEETING.
January 20th, 1927.
Mr. James Rafter, M.A., was elected President, and Prof.
S. H. Reynolds, M.A., Sc.D., a Vice-President, with minor alter-
ations in Council. The retiring President, Prof. O. V. Darbishire,
Ph.D., F.L.S., gave his Annual Address for his third year of office,
1926, entitled “* Form-and Function of. Plants... (See page, 285);
THE, 528TH -GENE RAL: MEE® ING;
February 3rd, 1927.
“Studies in’ Bird. Lite,” by Mr ik ree Gane
The lecturer gave an account of the season’s photographic
work in the field carried out by three members of the Ornithological
Section.
Reviewing the whole breeding season, he found that they
had attempted some difficult subjects, which had taxed all their
previous experience, but some interesting data had been collected.
A considerable portion of the early spring had been devoted to
the dipper, a bird of the rushing moorland and mountain streams,
which was not too common in North Somerset. Almost the
whole of the River Chew was surveyed in their attempts to find
a nest of this interesting water bird. Finally one was discovered,
but in a position which bristled with photographic difficulties ;
and after exposing 23 plates during six separate occasions, only
one passable result was obtained.
The next subject was the red shank,.a wader, which was
common along the mud flats of the Bristol Channel, and even
the River Avon. A nest of this species was found in what is
apparently a new breeding haunt in North Somerset. The bird
is exceedingly shy, and only one photograph was secured of the
female as she returned to her eggs. A week later the eggs were
hatched, and, as is common with most waders, the young chicks
had almost immediately wandered away from the vicinity of the
nest.
An interesting set of pictures were taken of a hedge sparrow
feeding a young cuckoo, ending with this feathered parasite perching,
fully-fledged, on the bough of a tree. This was followed by an
interesting account of the nesting habit of the kestrel, whose
nest, containing the downy young hawks, was found in the hole
of an oak tree, about a few feet up—an unusually low position.
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS So
Curiously enough, about 10 feet above the kestrel’s nesting-
hole there was a thriving and noisy family of great spotted wood-
peckers, but they evidently, when hatched, formed an item in the
menu of the young kestrels, as the nest later contained numbers
of black and white feathers.
A trip to the Scilly Isles in search of sea birds provided an
excellent series of negatives of that striking wader, the oyster-
catcher, of razor-bills, puffins, great black-backed gulls, shags,
cormorants and rock pipits.
TEE 520nm GENERAL MEETING
Manche oudy 1927.
ene stlora-ol thes Mediterranean,” by Prof: F.. KE: Weiss, FURS.
(Victoria Umiversity, Manchester.)
Visits to Spain, Corsica, Italy and Greece had given an oppor-
tunity of seeing something of the vegetation of the Mediterranean
flora. General agreement was obtained in what they might call the
facies or general aspect of the Mediterranean flora, which was that
of a vegetation determined by a winter rainfall of not too great
an amount and a hot and dry summer. This was responsible for
the formation of the macquis, so typical of the Mediterranean
region. But even the macquis varied in its nature and richness
considerably, and its constituents were somewhat different in the
eastern and western portion. This was no doubt due to the greater
amount of rainfall. On the Eastern or Mediterranean shores of
the Iberian peninsula the climate was, of course, much drier and
colder in winter, not having the benefit of the Gulf Stream, but
cold winds from the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrennes. In some
parts, however, as on the slopes of Mont Serrat, near Barcelona,
the typical scrub-like macquis was met with,
A better example of unspoilt macquis could be seen in Corsica.
There they had the lower reaches of the hills around the shore
covered with rock-roses (cistus), white and pink in colour, forming
handsome bushes some 3-ft. in height. On their coasts it was not
uncommon to find an interesting brightly coloured parasitic plant
growing, which was allied to a group of tropical parasites. Other
shrubs found in the macquis were the Mastic Tree, not more than
6 feet or 8 feet in height ; the Arbutus or strawberry tree, 10 feet
Lope geet: im height; and’ the Pree Heath, usually only -5: feet
to 6 feet in height, while in Teneriffe and Portugal it might be
20 feet to 30 feet high, forming a proper tree. Two evergreen
oaks, the Cork and the Turkey Oaks were also constituents of the
macquis, but were usually only small trees. The myrtle, too,
might be regarded as typically a plant of this formation. Among
the herbaceous plants one encountered a number of Labiates,
including the lavender and rosemary, and indeed the macquis
352 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
was often remarkable for the sweetness of its scent. As they
went further east in the Mediterranean the climate became drier.
The macquis gave way so as to consist of spiny shrubs, many of
them being spiny forms of plants which in this country were spine-
less. The Labiates had thick and felty leaves, and many of them
were scented. As they travelled east the number of plants related
to those of Asia naturally increased, for in Tertiary times Greece
was united to Asia Minor, and the islands of the Aigean were the
tops of the mountains of that connecting land. Geological evidence
showed that in Tertiary times there was even a closer correspon-
dence between the floras of the east and west.
THE 530TH GENERAL “MEETING
| April: 7th, tO2T-
Discussion. ~~ What-is*a; Species...
The question was discussed from the botanical, geological,
and zoological points of view.
Dr. McGregor Skene, for the botanical section, said the deline-
ation of the individuality which made up the plant and animal
kingdoms into groups was a necessity for any scientific treatment,
and it was this which made the conception of a unit type of group”
or species essential. The specics was the invention of Linnzus,
who, however, failed to define it. The variety, also recognised
by Linneus, was a unit more susceptible of definition, for we
could to-day relate it to a constant hereditary composition. The
study of varieties must be the aim of the systematic and other
branches of biological science. But the species retained its im-
portance as a convenient unit, and it was possible that it, too,
might have objective reality.
Dr. Stanley Smith for the geologists, thought that the idea
of regarding a species as a consanguineous group of organisms
in the same stage of evolution was convenient from certain points
of view. The paleontologist and the worker on modern life are
agreed, but the former is limited to the study of the hard parts
only whilst the latter can test the essential parts and follow out
experimentally the life histories. Palaontological research strongly
points to the simultaneous change of a group rather than the
inheritance of the acquired characters of an individual. Hence
the recognition of a species was an entirely different matter to the
definition of the term to cover such dissimilar organisms. The
species becomes a convenient label to connote a particular form,
and the differences between two species may after all be due to
conditions of living. As an example, some molluscs from a stream
were kept in an aquarium in hard tap water, and, in the absence
of common stream weeds, were fed on lettuce. The result was
that their shells became thicker than was the case with those
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 300
‘growing in the stream. The application of the term ey Drove
too restricted in some cases and too wide in others.
fit Ve Pearman, F.E.S., considered the question from:
the Zoological aspect. It might be supposed that the best test
of the admitted objective existence of species could be applied
through physiological behaviour. In some degree this is so.
The usually accepted criteria are those of sterility and fertility
as between the supposed species or as affecting their offspring,
sterility implying specific distinctness. Cases were mentioned
showing that the results of experiments along these lines were
erratic and inconclusive. On the other hand differentiation of
species by morphological characters was equally unsatisfactory,
but the defects of this method (often the only one available) were
due largely to the arbitrary selection of only a few characters
for comparison. It was suggested that if ALL the homologous
observable features of organisms were compared, and discrimination
of species based on positive and constant differences, the sum
of the whole of the morphological details of an individual would
define its specific position with a sufficiently close approximation
to the actual facts of its evolutionary descent, which is the ultimate
obiect of our systems of classification.
An interesting discussion followed, in which many members
took part, but the meeting left the problem in its existing state.
THE SUMMER EXCURSION.
June hsth, 1927.
This was made to Vallis Vale, near Frome, when about 60
members took the opportunity of visiting the Eastern Mendips.
The arrangements were carried out by the Field Section, and
the increased attendance showed the .appreciation of members
for this annual form of enjoyment in close touch with Nature.
The journey by motor coaches was through beautiful country
by way of Vobster Valley outwards, and Limpley Stoke along the
course of the wooded Avon, on the return.
Vallis Vale was entered at Great Elm under the leadership
of Mr. H. F. Barke, and after tea the President welcomed the
members and their friends, and thanked the organizers.
The visit to the Vale was a great success, as it is rich in all
kinds of natural objects and afforded each science a treat. The
geologists inspected many of the open quarries, and saw a splendid
series of the unconformable junctions between the secondary
rocks and the carboniferous limestone, collecting characteristic
fossils in plenty. The botanists were rewarded by the sight of
numerous species of plants, for which the district is well-known.
The entomologists were kept busy in their studies of many kinds
of life during their wanderings amid the bushy ground; whilst
354 ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS
the ornithologists were specially interested in their observations
on bird life as they followed the stream through the valley.
THE 53lst GENERAL MEETING,
October 6th, 1927.
“Form and Variation in Nature,’ by Mr. A, P, Higham.
Variety enters largely into Nature’s scheme. In all directions
cell activity followed a principle by which plant and animal forms
were built up, but there was an ancillary principle under which
infinite variety was assured. That variety was found in the in-
ternal constitution as well as in outward form, but so regularly
that the constitution of every species and variety of species was
maintained constant and distinct. It was not enough to say that
the foot of a fly differed from the foot of a spider; the law of
differentiation was found to a far wider extent. For instance,
every variety of spider had its peculiar shape of feet, etc., and a
similar remark might be passed with regard to each section of
nature.
The lecture was illustrated by numerous photo-micrographic
slides, prepared by himself, of transverse sections of plants, of
fungi, and a series of insects’ feet and other organs.
THE 532npD GENERAL. MEETING
November 10th, 1927.
Exhibits of Natural History by the Members.
Specimens of photographs, drawings, and microscopic slides
showed that steady, progressive work had been done by all sections
during the year. In the botanical section, Miss I. M. Roper ex-
hibited a series of the ranunculaceee family and photographs of
spiral torsion; Dr. Macgregor Skene specimens of blanching of
plants and bacteria; the University gardener, a good collection
of cacti and tropical plants; Mr. F. W. Evens, mycetozoa ; and
Mr. T. V. T. Baxter, microscopic slides of structure of plants.
Mr. A. Selley exhibited a bunch of wild flowers picked that day
at Clapton-in-Gordano, and Mrs. Sandwith a basket of strawberries,
fruit and flowers.
For zoology, Mr. H. Tetley, showed the skeleton of the crucifix
fish from British Guiana. The geological exhibits were fossil
reptiles from South Africa and Texas; rocks and photographs
from Isle of Eigg, and Agassiz’s great work on fossil fish, by Prof.
S. H. Reynolds; and cretaceous and jurassic Trigonize by Mr.
J. W. Tutcher. Entomology was represented by Mr. J. V. Pear-
man, who showed local psocids and their eggs; Mr. M. Miller,
cocoons from High Alps, Switzerland ; Mr. W. C. Taunton, exotic
coleoptera ; Mr. H. Womersley, diptera, mycetophillide or fungus
gnats, daddy longlegs and apterygota ; and Mr. R. Beck, drawings
Pilbara er GR mee:
ACCOUNT OF THE ANNUAL AND GENERAL MEETINGS 395
of 229 varieties of two-spot ladybirds and 36 varieties of lady-
birds taken in 1927.
Coffee was served during the meeting.
TH 533RDY GENERAL MEETING.
Mecemiber 1st,/1927.
veooiitiessibinds by Mr. de etley, B.Sc:
The flightless condition in birds may be put down to one of
three causes. Firstly, the wing power atrophied owing to disuse
on lands where there were no predaceous animals. This happened
chiefly on oceanic islands, and the Dodo of Mauritius is an example.
Secondly, the birds developed running power at the expense of
their wing power, as in the ostrich. And thirdly, they became
highly specialised for aquatic life, and the wings were transformed
into efficient paddles, as in the penguins.
All these birds have the normal bones of a bird’s wing, and
there seems to be little doubt that they are derived from birds
that could fly originally, but have since become specialised. At
the present day they are practically confined to the Southern
Hemisphere, the only exception being the ostrich, which is found
in Arabia, and two other birds, which occur in islands through
which the Equator passes, and the great auk which has been
exterminated by man within the last 100 years, and was to be found
in the North Atlantic.
The ostrich and its allies have been evolved separately on
the continents where they are found. They differ so much in
structure, that it does not seem possible to derive one from the
other. The ostrich has gone furthest in specialisation and can
be compared with the horse. In both there has been a reduction
in the digits of the feet in correlation with increase in running
power. hough now practically a southern form, it seems likely
that the ostrich was originally a northern form, fossil remains
having been found in India and Samoa.
Penguins are entirely southern forms, and include the Em-
peror Penguin, the largest existing example, which is remarkable
for laying and incubating its egg during the Antarctic winter at
temperatures below 70 deg. Fahrenheit.
Exhibits by Mr. M. Miller of the fruit of Pyrus Japonica from
a Wotton-under-Edge garden; by Miss Roper of a Mildew Ozdium
Euonymz on the leaves of the garden Euonymus recorded in Britain
in 1900, and now found in: Gloucestershire for the first time.
356
Report of Delegate to the British Association.
HE Meeting of the British Association for 1927 was held at
Leeds, and the President of the Conference of Corresponding
Societies was Sir Francis G., Ogilvie, LL.D.) the (Chamman
of the Geological Survey Board.
His address was mainly devoted to Regional Surveys, and he
strongly urged local Societies to carry out a Vegetation Survey
of their own districts.
This is the second year in succession that the Presidential
Address has been devoted to the subject of Regional Survey, which
leads to the conclusion that much importance is attached to it,
to enable public Authorities in due time to make use of the accumu-
lated knowledge of all parts of the country. Sir Francis advocated
that every active member of a Society undertaking field work
should provide himself with a map of the 6-inch Ordnance Survey,
and mark upon it his own observations on the vegetation.
He also wished that an intelligent knowledge of local Maps,
to be displayed on the walls, should be taught in elementary
schools, for the scholars to understand better about hills, valleys
and streams.
After the Address the Protection of Wild Flowers was discussed,
and the chief outcome was a unanimous decision that Lists of
rare plants ought not to be circulated, and the presence of such
in each county should not be publicly mentioned.
Local Authorities moreover could help to protect the growth
of common flowers in woodlands by exhibiting freely the Bye-
laws and enforcing them in special instances. This would educate
public opinion and prevent the gathering of roots.
At the second meeting Mr. T. Sheppard, of Hull, described the
advantages of Nature Reserves for the protection of bird life,
and described the three chief ones maintained in Yorkshire under
private control. Although the National Trust has fortunately
taken over the ownership of many Reserves, these are now becoming
so scattered that difficulties of maintenance may arise. It was
advocated that each County should form a local Trust for the
ownership of any local spot that needed protection.
Ipa M. ROPER.
September, 1927.
3af
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, 1927.
‘* Totemism ”’
By JAMES RAFTER, M.A.
OME apology is due from me for offering this subject to a
Society founded for the study of Natural History. In
place of the usual scientific disquisition I venture to give,
in extract form, the result of much sifting of the numerous books
mentioned in the list appended hereto.
There are four words which I shall be using this evening, the
first of course being totemism, and the others: totem, exogamy
and fetishism. I give a definition of each one: Totemism is
defined as “the use of totems, with all the social and religious
observances connected with them.”’ A totem is a class of material
objects which a savage regards with superstitious respect, believing
that there exists between him and every member of the class an
intimate and altogether special relation. The name is derived
from an Ojibway word ‘‘totam.”’ It was first introduced into
English literature in the nineteenth century.
Exogamy is the custom which prohibits a man from marrying
a woman of his own tribe. It is a product of savagery, but it has
few or no superstitions. There is a great difference between
totemism and exogamy, for whereas the former has vanished from
civilized races without leaving many traces amongst their descen-
dants, the latter has bequeathed to civilization the momentous
legacy of the prohibited degrees of marriage. Totemism probably
existed before exogamy became established.
Fetishism, on which by the way I do not propose to enlarge,
is a word applied to any object, large or small, natural or artificial,
regarded as possessing consciousness, volition and supernatural
qualities, and especially magic power. The fetish is, in short, a
mascot—a luck bringer.
The totem is inherited, and it may not be changed at will.
A fetish, on the other hand, is acquired by personal choice, by
purchase or by inheritance, and it can be sold or discarded at
will of the possessor in most cases.
It must be borne in mind that savage man is unable to dis-
tinguish between the animate and inanimate, and imagines every
surrounding object to be, like himself, instinct with life. Trees,
the wind, the river (which he calls the “long person ’’) all possess
358 TOTEMISM
life and consciousness in his eyes. Light and darkness, heat and
cold, were regarded as active and alert agencies. The sky was
the All-Father, from whose co-operation with Mother-Earth all
living things had sprung. This condition of belief is known as
Animism.
If inanimate objects and natural phenomena were thus endowed
it is readily understood that the creatures of the animal world
were placed upon a still higher level. The savage observed that
the denizens of the forest and prairie possessed greater cunning
in forest craft than himself ; that their hunting instinct was much
more sure ; that they seldom suffered from lack of provisions, and
that they were more swift of foot. They were, in fact, his superiors
in those faculties which he most coveted and admired. Various.
human attributes and characteristics became personified, and even
exaggerated in some of his neighbours of wood and plain. The fox
was proverbial for craft, the wild cat for stealth, the bear for a
wrong-headed stupidity, the owl for a cryptic wisdom, the deer
for swiftness. So deeply was he influenced by this seeming super-
iority that if he coveted a certain quality, he would place himself
under the protection of the animal or bird which symbolized it.
Again, if a tribe or clan possessed any special characteristic
such as fierceness or cunning, it was usually called by its neigh-
bours after the bird or beast which symbolized its character. A
tribe would learn its nickname from captives taken in war; or
it might even bestow such an appellation upon itself. After the
lapse of a few generations the members of a tribe would regard
the animal whose qualities they were supposed to possess as their
direct ancestor, and would consider that all the members of his
species were their blood-relations.
This belief is known as totemism, and its adoption was the
means of laying the foundation of a wide-spread system of tribal
rule and custom, by which marriage and many of the affairs of
life were, and are wholly governed. Probably all races have passed
through this stage at some early period in their history, and its
remains are to be found deeply embedded in our present social »
system. For example, some of the ornaments worn by English people
at the present time are believed to bring good luck and protection
from harm. The saying goes “Scratch a Russian and you find
a Tartar.” Applying that saying to ourselves we might say
“Scratch an English man or woman and you find a substratum
of superstition,’ which is really a survival of the days when we
were barbarians.
The civilized person who attaches that very ancient charm,
the Swastika, or any other charm for the matter of that, to his
watch-chain, or her bangle, is unconsciously following in the
TOTEMISM 359
footsteps of many pagan ancestors, but with this difference—that
the idea of “luck ”’ residing in the trinket is weak in the civilized
mmd, whereas in the savage belief the “luck’’ resident in the
fetish is a powerful and living thing, an intelligence which must
be placated with prayer, feast and sacrifice.
It is strange that black cats are supposed to bring good luck.
Yet in the days of witchcraft, and not a great many years ago
either, such animals were invariably associated with women who
were done to death, because they had the misfortune to possess
an evil reputation. Now-a-days black cat figures in abundance
are exposed for sale in our best emporiums.
A mental peculiarity of the savage mind should be considered.
Like civilized man the savage is curious. The first faint impulses
of the scientific spirit are at work in his brain; he is anxious to
give himself an account of the world in which he finds himself.
He draws no hard and fast line between himself, and the things
in the world. He regards himself, as I have before mentioned,
as literally akin to animals and plants and heavenly bodies ; he
attributes sex and procreative powers even to stones and rocks,
and he assigns human speech and human feelings to sun and moon
and stars and wind no less than to beasts, birds and fishes. This
is admirably borne out in that delightful book ‘‘ Uncle Remus,”’
wherein animals talk to each other, 1oke, scheme, and play tricks
upon one another just like human beings. ,
There is much difference of opinion as to the origin of totemism.
The myths of savages about its origin are of no historical value.
These myths vary as much as the civilized makers of modern
hypotheses. Some claim descent from the totem object; others
believe that an original race of animals peopled the world ; animals
human in character, but bestial (a belief, by the way, not so far
removed from the modern theory that we are all descended from
apes). These animals became men, while retaining rapport with
their original species ; or, their spirits are continually re-incarnated
in women, and are born again. Some Australian tribes believe
that the All-Father, whom they call “ Baiame,’’ gave totems
and totemic laws to man.
_ The view of Dr. Frazer, the author of “ The Golden Bough ’’-
is that each totem group was charged with the superintendence
of some department of Nature, from which it took its name. The
control was by magical means to procure for the members of the
community, on the one hand, a plentiful supply of all the commo-
dities of which they stood in need ; and on the other hand, an im-
munity from all the perils and dangers to which man is exposed
in his struggle with Nature.
360 TOTEMISM
Australia, with North America, provides the examples of
those institutions which seem to be “nearest to the beginning.”
in Australia the aborigines are the least sophiscated among peoples.
The North American tribes on the other hand have been much
contaminated by our civilization, hence the lesser value of their
records.
There is infinite variety in the ways in which clans or tribes
sprang from the animal or vegetable world. The accounts are
fascinating, and one might occupy a whole evening in dealing
with that aspect of the subject alone. It follows that the object
selected as a totem has some relation to surroundings ; for example,
a pearl oyster, or a dugong totemic group would not be found in
Central Australia; similarly neither is there, say, a porcupine
grass group on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. In accor-
dance with the distribution of animals or plants we find a corres-
ponding distribution of totemic groups. Groups thus formed
gave each other soubriquets, such as Emu, Frog, Ant, Snake,
Grub, and so forth.
As I have said before, the members of a clan or group call
themselves by the name of the totem, and commonly believe
themselves to be actually descended from it. The following
examples will explain how this comes about: The Turtle clan
of the Iroquois tribe in North America say they are descended
from a fat turtle, which, burdened by the weight of its shell in
walking, contrived by great exertions to throw it off, and thereafter
gradually developed into a man. Thus at some period or the
other the totem has changed into human form through the medium
of the Great Spirit. The Californian Indians say they are descended
from Coyotes. The loss of their tails, which they still deplore,
was produced by the habit of sitting upnght. The Bear clan of
the Ottawa tribe ascribed its origin to a bear’s paw, without ex-
plaining the precise nature of the relationship. However, this
may be, the Bear clan of the Ojibwas was held to resemble the
bear, its totem, in disposition. The members were surly and
pugnacious, and the war-pipe, and the war-club were committed
to their custody. The Crane clan were so called as they were
thought to possess naturally a loud ringing voice, and they were
the acknowledged orators of the tribe. In China, among the
Lolos of Szechwan, their surnames always signify the names of a
tree or animal or both, and these are considered the ancestors
of the family bearing the name. Coming nearer home it is said
that in Connemara and the islands off the west coast of Ireland
there are persons who claim that they have seals’ blood in them,
and that is why they are such good swimmers. This undoubtedly
dates back to the days when totemism flourished. The same
may be said of the Scottish Isles.
TOTEMISM 361
Turning to the religious aspect of the question, few generations
would elapse before the sense of ancestral devotion to the totem
would become so strong as to be exalted into a fully developed
system of worship of it as a deity. That the totem developes
into the god is proved by the animal likeness, and attributes of
many deities in lands widely separate. It accounts for the jackal
and ibis-headed gods of Egypt, the bull-like deities of Assyria,
the bestial gods of India, and so on.
Some consider totemism as a religious institution. It is
also a material and moral force, and is bound up with the organi-
zation of Society. It is the earliest form of religion, and of society
everywhere. Egyptian mythology is probably the oldest of all
those known to us. Its gods are mainly personifications of such
natural forces as the sun, the rain, the wind, as affect the welfare
of the crops, and they were held in extreme awe, and their anger
greatly dreaded. The gods of the Egyptians were remote and
awe-inspiring, and had lost most of their human characteristics.
Many of them are represented as having the forms of animals and
birds, e.g. lioness, cow, jackal and ibis. There is no doubt in my
mind that this is a relic of the totemism which existed in the early
stages of that nation’s development.
Although regarded with reverence and looked to for help the
totem is never, where totemism is not decadent, prayed to as a
god, or as a person with powers which we call supernatural. The
supreme or superior being of low savage religion or mythology
is never a totem. He may be able, like Zeus in Greek mythology,
to assume any shape he pleases. In the myths of some Australian
tribes he ordained the institution of totemism.
The North American Indian regards his totem as a mixture
of man and beast and god. In Samoa the so-called totem is the
vehicle of a god; in Australia no such idea is found. Not wor-
shipping ancestral spirits, an Australian will not, like an ancestor-
worshipping African, explain his totem as an ancestral spirit.
The “‘ religious ’’ status of the totem is lowest among people
where its influence on social regulations is greatest, and vice versa.
The breaking of a totemic law or custom was regarded as a serious
crime. These laws were observed with a rigour beside which the
rules of the religions of civilized peoples appear lax and indulgent.
The individual, as a rule by no means invariable, may not kill or
eat the name-giving object of his kin, except under dire necessity.
There are customs of burying and lamenting dead animals
which are regarded with reverence by this or that “family ”’ or
“clan.’’ One clan amongst the Samoans was said to offer “‘ first-
fruits ’’ to its sacred animal, the eel; while the clan that revered
362 TOTEMISM
the pigeon kept and fed a tame one. But in Samoa, though the
sacred animals of clans or families are in all probability survivals
of totemism, they are not regarded by the people as the vehicle
of class or family gods, and therefore receive honours not paid
to the hereditary totems of Australia which have nothing god-
like. At one time the lobster was generally considered sacred
by the Greeks, and not eaten. If the people of Semphos, an
island in the AXgean Sea, caught a lobster in their nets, they put.
it back into the sea ; if they found a dead one they buried it and
mourned over it as one of themselves. The solemn burial of a
sardine by a riverside is a ceremony observed in Spain on Ash
Wednesday.
A point to note in savage opinion is the belief in magic and
sorcery. The world and all the things in it being vaguely con-—
ceived of as sensible and rational, obey the commands of certain
members of the tribe, chiefs, jugglers, conjurors, and what you
will. Rocks open at their order, rivers dry up, animals are their
servants, and hold converse with them. These magicians cause
or heal diseases and can command even the weather, bringing
rain or thunder or sunshine at their will. There are few super-
natural attributes of Zeus or of Apollo that are not freely assigned
to the tribal conjuror.
Among minor savage beliefs.is the common faith in friendly
or protecting animals, and also the notion that “‘ natural deaths,’
as we call them, are always unnatural, that death is always caused
by some hostile spirit or conjuror.
The savage has very strong ideas about the persistent exis-
tence of the souls_of the dead. They retain much or them old
nature, but are often more malignant after death than they had
been during life.
By virtue of the close connection between man and the animals,
the souls of the dead are not rarely supposed to migrate into the
bodies of beasts, or to revert to the condition of that species of
creatures with which each tribe supposes itself to be related by
ties of kinship or friendship, with the usual inconsistency of mythi-
cal belief, the souls of the dead are spoken of, at other times, as
if they inhabited a spiritual world, sometimes a paradise of flowers,
sometimes a gloomy place which mortal man may visit, but whence
no one can escape who has tasted of the food of the ghosts.
There are also various rites connecting the dead man with
his totem at his funeral. Men may identify themselves with their
totem, or mark themselves as of this or that totem, by wearing
the hide or plumage of the bird or beast, or by putting on a mask
resembling its face. This explains the meaning of what we are
TOTEMISM 363
apt to regard as fearsome-looking masks and head-dresses when
the natives are engaged in their tribal dances. It is merely a
fanciful choice, as some of us imagine, but one strictly regulated
by the totem.
ihe wdestee of religious” regard for the revered object
increases in proportion as it is taken to contain the spirit of an
ancestor, or to be the embodiment of a god ; ideas not found among
the most backward savages. It is only when such a system as
totemism, with its intricate taboos and stringent laws bearing
on the various relationships of life, comes to be adopted that a
“moral ’’ order arises. Speaking for myself I am inclined to the
social aspect of totemism combined with the desire to ensure a
good supply of food and water.
As the totem is an ancestor, so all ancestors are looked upon
with reverence, and deference to living progenitors becomes a
virtue. In such way a code - morality is slowly but certainly
produced.
As regards marriage—Darwin supposed that man was at first
a jealous brute who expelled his sons from the neighbourhood of
his women, thus securing internal peace of his fire-circle—there
were no domestic love feuds. The sons therefore of necessity
sought wives elsewhere and so were exogamous. As man became
more human, a son was permitted to abide among his kin, but
he had to capture a mate from another tribe.
In the savage world it is an all but universal rule that people
of the same hereditary totem may not intermarry, even if the
lovers belong to tribes, however remote or separated by the breadth
of the continent.
The rule of non-intermarriage within the totem was in some
myths, of divine institution ; in others it was invented by the
primitive wandering totemic beings; or was laid down by the
wisdom of mere men who saw some unknown evil in consanguineous
unions.
To eat the totem is sometimes thought to be automatically
punished by sickness or death, but this danger does not attach
to marriage within the totem. Such transgressors would be
punished by the men of the clan. The rule that marriage must
be outside of the group name was strong in Australia. Frog
may not marry frog, or Emu emu. The usual savage superstition
which places all folk in mystic rapport with the object from which
their names are derived gradually gave a degree of sanctity to
Frog, Emu and the rest. And so they became what are called
Totems. |
364 TOTEMISM
With regard to the child: the Arunta tribe of Central Aus-
tralia held the belief that children are incarnations of pre-existing
animal or vegetable spirits. Many native beliefs regarding the
birth of children are exceedingly strange and quaint, so much
so that the discussion of such is naturally more fitting for a medical
debating Society.
As a tule the child takes the class and totem names of its
mother. One thing has struck me in preparing this paper, that
when inheritance is through the mother, otherwise matrilineal
descent, instead of through the father, totemism appears to per-
sist ; but if there is a change to paternal lineage, the tendency
is for totemism to decay.
The mention of “ decay’ brings me to my next point—No
race is known which is in the act of becoming totemic, as in all
peoples which can be studied totemism is an old institution, and
in most is manifestly decaying or being transmuted. Over a large
area of the globe, embracing Europe, the greater part of Asia,
South America and Polynesia, North Africa, and the extreme
north of North America inhabited by the Eskimo, totemism 1s
now unknown. But amongst many of the peoples of these regions
certain beliefs and practises have been reported, which seem to
bear traces of a former prevalence. Totemism, wherever it exists,
has a tendency to disappear under missionary influence.
In India the decadence of totemism has been caused chiefly
by the spread of Hinduism, and with it the extension of the caste
system. It is now found only among the non-Aryan tribes, and
chiefly among the Dravidians, there being about 70 animal, veget-
able and mineral totems.
The connection between a man and his totem is mutually
beneficent, the totem protects the man, and the man shows his
respect for it in various ways, by not killing it if it be an animal,
and not cutting or gathering it if it be a plant.
Some clans avoid looking at their totem, and others are careful
not to speak of it by its proper name, but use descriptive epithets
instead, ¢.g., pie Délaware Indians have three totems: the wolf,
“ round-
foot, crawler”’ and “‘not chewing,” the last referring to the
turkey’s habit of swallowing its food. These clans call themselves
by these descriptive names ; so I have no doubt that the Black
Feet Indians obtained their name in similar fashion—possibly
from the paws of the black bear.
2? ce
In this connection I should add that parts of animals were
taken as totems. This is clearly to be seen in the case of Egypt,
the origin and early development of which is obscure. Each
TOTEMISM 365
district in that country had its own peculiar object of adoration
in some animal. But no matter what changes took place in the
country’s long history, the same attitude towards these animals
prevailed to the end. One district venerated the ibis, one the
crocodile, one the cat, one the ram, one the gnat, and so on,
When the objects of adoration took human form they were
identified with various animals, and were represented on the
monuments with the heads of the appropriate animals. The
animals remained sacred, as their numerous mummies attest.
At Bubastis the cat was venerated, and the goddess Bast had
her seat.
That our British ancestors possessed a totemic system is
undoubted. The clan Chattan of the Highlands are “the sons
of the cat.” One battalion of an Irish tribe was cat-headed, or
rather, wore the totem crest of acat. The swine gods and other
animal deities possessed by the British Celts assist this theory,
as do the remains of many folk-customs in England and Scotland.
Now a word or two as regards Heraldry. Heraldry is but
so many family symbols which have come down to us from the
distant days when our forefathers painted them upon their shields,
or wore them upon their helmets as the badge of their tribe, and
thus of its supposed beast progenitor or protector. The animals,
birds and fishes which so plentifully besprinkle our modern coats
of arms were not originally chosen haphazard, but because of all
they meant to the wearers. To this day some of the North American
Indians display their carved totems on poles outside their dwellings
Or on graves.
The more or less permanent settlement of the tribes along the
North American coast has led to the division of the population
into ranks or castes, and to a continually higher value being set
on the crests or badges as marks of rank and wealth, and as symbols
of descent from a distinguished ancestor. The same remark
applies to us, for no one would think of looking for coats of arms
among the slum population of our cities. Heraldry, therefore,
may be regarded as a legacy of totemism.
A few remarks as to totemic customs. Among the Menemini,
a member of the Bear clan, who, when hunting, met a bear would
apologise, and ask forgiveness before killing it. The Abenaki
tribe painted their totems on their arms, breasts and legs. The
Sauks or Musquakies held dances in honour of their totem. The
Wolf gens will pray to the wolves ‘‘ We are your relations, pray
don’t hurt us.” . But notwithstanding this fact they will hunt
wolves without hesitation. In Australia a man who was lax
as to his totem was not thought well of, and was never allowed
366 TOTEMISM
to take any important part in the ceremonies. Some Australian
tribes would not harm his totem if he could avoid it, but at a pinch
he would eat it in default of other food. In order to injure another
person he would, however, kill that person’s totem.
In Ashanti the totem animal is revered. It is addressed
as “‘ grandfather,’ a title of respect used in addressing the kings
of that country. Among the Bechuanas the chief is always ad-
dressed by the name of the totem, as “‘O Crocodile,” ““O Lion.”
His totem is held sacred and the animal, plant or other object
is regarded with fear and reverence. I should add, however,
that totemism is decadent among the Bechuanas. The Bataung
tribe has the lon for its totem, and they carefully abstain from
touching its flesh, for, say they, “how could one think of eating
his ancestor ?”’ The chief of the tribe may not even wear a lion’s
skin by way of royal mantle.
Men of a clan whose totem is any kind of tree may not go
under the shade of the tree. Thev may not use its produce in any
shape unless it is an indispensable article of diet or household
use. The Salt clan abstain from taking raw salt, but will use it
in flavouring their food or drink. :
It is surprising to what lengths some clans will go in totemic
matters, e.g. the members of the Tiger clan may not marry in the
month of Magh (December-January), because the name of Magh
rhymes with Bagh, the Hindi word for Tiger. This is said to be
due to timidity of superstition. Speaking of India, totemism
is now in decay. An unintentional breach of a tabu is no longer
believed to entail any serious consequences, though looked upon
with social disapproval.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
MyTH, RITUAL AND RELIGION, Andrew Lang.
NATIVE TRIBES OF S.E. AUSTRALIA, A. W. Hewitt.
FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW, 1869-70, Article by J. F. M’Lennan.
THE GOLDEN BouaGu, Dr. J. G. Frazer.
TotemisM, Dr. ]. G. Frazer.
THE SECRET OF THE TOTEM, Andrew Lang.
N.W. CENTRAL QUEENSLAND ABORIGINES, foth.
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, Articie ‘“‘ Totemism.”’
NATIVE TRIBES OF CENTRAL AUSTRALIA AND OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA,
Spencer and Gillen.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL Essays, Andrew Lang.
SOCIAL ORIGINS AND PRIMAL Law, Lang & Atkinson,
JOURNAL OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL INST., Vo]. 39.
GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH HERALDRY, W. H. St. John Hope.
FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT Gops, J. S. M. Ward.
THE Dawn oF CiviLizaTion, Prof. Maspero.
THE Livinc Races oF MANKIND, H. N. Hutchinson.
Bs)
‘ ‘io
' .
|
- |
ey Pe
4
—
Ga tt
Ee:
[R.
NEST.
REED WARBLER AT
Photograph by]
Crises 1n Evolution.
(Summary of Paper read to the Geological Section, October 2Cth, 1927)
By HerBert £. HAWKINS, D.Sc., F.GS.
Professor of Geology, University of Reading.
We iGrises in Evolution | do not refer to such events: as the
puMmication- or the’ Origin of Species,” or the inal of a
schoolmaster in Tennessee. I wish rather to consider the
way in which Evolution works, and to enquire as to whether its
course is absolutely even, or whether (under some stimulus or
other) there may not have been occasional spasms of especially
rapid change.
Paleontologists have a unique opportunity of watching the
effects of evolution. They, and they alone, can see the results
_as they have piled themselves up in the sequence of time. Others,
the neontologists, can experiment and speculate on the mechanics
of evolution, but they cannot prove that it has any real result
because of lack of time. It is, however, foolish to make any
distinction between neontology and paleontology. Every biolo-
gist who has studied anatomy has therein done paleontological
work ; for as soon as an organism is dead it is paleontological
material, and no longer biological. There is no fundamental
difference between an anima] that died five minutes ago and one
that died five million years ago; the quality of evidence avail-
able in both is essentially the same.
You must all be familiar with the outlines of the history of
geological thought ; that in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the
prevalent views of Cosmogony can be summed up in the word
“Catastrophic.’’ For various reasons, mainly preconceived, it
was necessary to produce the whole stratigraphical sequence in
six days. This had to be achieved by frequent alternations of
constructive and destructive effort. As the exponents of this
view became more acquainted with the facts of Geology, the
number of catastrophies steadily increased, until the theory became
farcical. Naturally a “ Reformation ’’ occurred, leading to a
Renaissance of Reason. The counterblast was provided by the
school of the Uniformitarians, who interpreted the whole of the
past in literal terms of the present.’ Perhaps this school had its
most convincing exponent in Lyell, and reached its culmination
in Darwinism. In Darwinism we get the idea of a gradual, almost
infinitely slow, progress of life from one form to another under
368 CRISES IN EVOLUTION
conditions precisely paralleled to-day, and this is surely the paleon-
tological equivalent of Uniformitarian creeds.
Since otherwise sane men were Catastrophists, and otherwise
reliable minds embraced Uniformity, it may be presumed that
the truth lies somewhere between. |
If I may be allowed a personal confession, I may say that I
believe in analogy as a means of teaching, and especially as an
incentive to research. Perhaps this belief results from a sort of
Monotheism that assumes the laws of cause and effect to work
similarly in all spheres.
Look at human history and you will find that there has been
progress of sorts (sometimes it may have been “‘ progress back-
wards ’’), and that it has been in the main gradual and uneventful
—produced unconsciously by very small contributions made in
each generation. At the end of a couple of centuries there is an
obvious change in the quality of the people or of their government ;
but it would usually be hard to find exactly when the change
came. Nevertheless, every now and then, without any particular
display of comets or other celestial portents, something may have
happened to change the whole course of history—something which
passed unnoticed at the time. Reducing this analogy to the
individual scale, you know that there have been times when you
did something or did not do it, in the ordinary round of events ;
and yet because you did or failed to do it everything has gone
differently since. Critical moments do not always seem critical
at the time. As an illustration one might cite the discovery of
America. There can be no doubt that that event led to developments
in that quarter of the globe which have had, and must continue
to have, a great influence on world-history. But America was
discovered as a quite ordinary piece of land in the course of a
not at all extraordinary expedition that was looking for something
else. The discoverer of America, however far sighted, could not
have realised what a tremendous thing he had done—it is only
now that we can begin to appraise it. It is something of that
sort that I mean when I speak of Crises in Evolution.
When we study the existing fauna and flora, we find some
creatures possessing structures that are miracles of perfection
in their adaptation to particular uses. Further, in many such
cases, it is difficult to imagine that such structures would be of
any use whatever unless they were practically perfect. Some of
the Sea-Urchins have a marvellous biting-apparatus built of forty
separate ossicles and worked by a very great number of beautifully
balanced muscles. “‘ Aristotle’s lantern ’’ is certainly meant for a
biting organ (whatever additional functions it may serve), and
those Sea-Urchins that have it can put it to very effective use
CRISES IN EVOLUTION 369
Some of the earliest Echinoids known (those from the Silurian),
which were in many respects but a foreshadowing of what the Sea-
Urchins were to become, had absolutely perfect ‘‘ Lanterns.”
On the other hand, we know that the various Sea-Urchins that
have no ‘“ Lanterns’’ have lost them by slow degrees. We can
trace the gradual deterioration of the apparatus in Ontogeny and
Paleontology.
It is, therefore, unnecessary to imagine the slow degeneration
of a structure that has lost its value,—we can watch it happen.
But it is difficult to form a clear idea of the opposite process. Once
a structure exists it can slowly decay ; but can it start its existence
aS a promise (just as it closes it as a memory), and, with uncanny
foresight, develop through a long series of ineffective stages until
at last it becomes workable ? Let us look for some analogy (not
too remote) to give an answer.
At certain stages in geological history very great readjust-
ments seem to have occurred in the population of the world. These
stages often appear to coincide with paroxysms of orogenic move-
ment; but this association may be due to breaks in the chain of
evidence quite as much as to “lurches forward ” in the progress
of Evolution. It is generally agreed that life, however originated,
began in water. If life first appeared in the sea, there must of
necessity have been a considerable period when the rivers, lakes
and land were barren of life (whether or not they were fit to sup-
port it). We know very little about the land in Lower Palzozoic
times ; but at the beginning of the Upper Paleozoic we find a
fair amount of evidence. There were, by then, animals and plants
living in fresh water; and (to take a case) the fishes of the Old
Red Sandstone give some indication of being new-comers. In
the rivers and lakes of the Devonian period these fishes had scarcely
any dangerous competitors. They were in strange surroundings,
and had ample room there. It is noteworthy how many weird
forms arose, and how far from the direct line of fish-evolution
they wandered.
Again, with the oncoming of the Carboniferous period there
were exceptional opportunities for the spread of swamp-vegetation.
Huge areas of “‘ Dismal swamp ”’ developed; and it is doubtful
if any flora before or since contained more extremes of speciali-
zation than were to be found in that of the Coal-Measures.
In Carboniferous times some fishes began to breathe air in-
stead of water, and some compressed their larval stages into egg-
shells, thus dispensing with the need for permanent aquatic life.
We have no evidence of strictly land-animals before the Permian ;
but the terrestrial Reptilian fauna of the Permian and Trias is a
stock source of inspiration for humorous artists. Many more
370 CRISES IN EVOLUTION
orders of Reptiles were in existence then than have ever lived
together since ; and they showed vast diversity of form, ornament
and habit. In the relatively short space of a single period they
dominated the world; they held sway (albeit losing more than
they gained) throughout the Mesozoic era, and (for reasons that
we can suspect but hardly understand) abdicated at the close
of the Cretaceous.
All through the Mesozoic there lived a humble little group
of insectivorous Marsupials rarely surpassing a rat in size. These
creatures probably appeared in Triassic times, but they gave no
challenge to the Reptiles; they “lay low and said nuffin.” But
the terrestrial reptiles collapsed during the Cretaceous submer-
gence ; and when the land rose again to form the Cainozoic. contin-
ents it supported hardly any large animals. The little sheltered
“rats ’’ which, till then, had not dissipated their energies in riotous
evolution, found almost limitless worlds to conquer and few foes
to overcome. And in the early periods of the Cainozoic era, the
Mammals produced almost as many and as grotesque types as
had the Reptiles in the Permo-Trias.
“Invasion ’’ of new territory, and concomitant extravagance
of variation, happened with some degree of suddenness; the
retreat to the final collapse was slow. If it 1s indeed a fact that
within the short space of a period the reptiles overran the world,
and at the same time produced all fundamentally important types
of reptilian Orders, it would seem a precisely analogous fact that
the Mammals behaved in exactly the same manner when they got
the chance. These are only two cases out of very many that could -
be cited to support the belief that absence of competition serves
to encourage rapid specialization.
Some explanation of the coincidence may perhaps be found
in the last chapter of Darwin’s “ Variation of Animals, etc.”’
Darwin states that “variability mainly depends on changed
conditions of life.’’ Possibly it would be nearer to the facts to
say that variability reveals itself most effectively under changed
conditions of life. When the first definitely terrestrial vertebrates
appeared they were certainly enjoying “changed conditions,”’
and there lay before them a world covered with plants waiting to
be eaten, and little competition. Any variant (not actually
suicidal) that might be born would have as good a chance of survival
as the most orthodox type. Until the world became thickly popu-
lated, and an internecine struggle for existence began, there was
no real check on “‘individualism.”’ At the present time, all sorts
of ‘“‘ monstrosities’ are born; but in the struggle for existence,
those types that do not conform to the normal, as well as those born
with a fatal defect, stand a poor chance. So we find that pioneers
CRISES IN EVOLUTION S¥Al
—such as the first land reptiles, the first land-plants, and the
first mammals—have a tendency to “‘run amok” in variation
through. lack of competitive control.
Here we find our analogy with the case of the Sea-Urchins’
“Lantern.” If a change of habitat can cause rapid evolution in
phylogeny, it seems reasonable to postulate that a change of
habit will have a comparable effect in morphogeny. In the case
of the Echinoids, they will have been (and still are), the only
members of their phylum to masticate their food. The assumption
of that habit, even if imperfectly carried out with makeshift tools,
will have eased the burden of competition, and have placed the
Sea-Urchins in a class apart from their companions. By analogy
this would result in rapid morphogenetic evolution.
By way of summary we can propound two questions—both
probably answerable in the same way. Can organisms transported
into a new environment show more than the normal rate of phyletic
evolution ? And can structures necessary for the performance of a
vitally important function develop rapidly in morphogeny ? The
answer to the former question seems certainly to be in the affir-
mative. Absence of competition does mean acceleration of evolu-
tion. And since evolution as determinable by Paleontology must
always be more on a morphogenetic than a phylogenetic plane, the
fact that we can see evidence which we regard as “ genealogical ”’
implies that we have looked through a morphogenetic glass. Hence
the analogy that we chose to lead us towards an answer to the
second question proves to be no analogy after all, but the very
object of our quest !
Perhaps a final outburst of analogy will make my position
clear. The course of world evolution as evidenced by stratigraphy
seems to include occasional (probably periodic) spasms of upheaval
followed by long eras of slow degradation—a sort of “‘ heart-beat
rhythm.” Is it too speculative to suggest that the course of
organic evolution, if expressed graphically, would show a similar
succession of “escarpments and dip-slopes”’? Although a mixed
analogy is scarcely less distressing than a mixed metaphor (being
in fact the same, as are morphogeny and the paleontological
view of evolution), I think that the combination of Geology, Phy-
siology and Physiography (with all its wide implications) in this
paragraph explains more fully than a bare “ad hoc’’ statement
my conception of “ Crises in Evolution.’’
372
The Apterygota of the South-West of England.
By H. WomERSLEY, F.E;S. |
Payt LY,
URING the period since Part III of this List was published
I have concentrated my attention on the Orders Protura
and Thysanura (Machilide). The results of these researches
have been published in the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine,
1927, Vol. lxii, pp. 140-154, 236.
Of the Protura we have in our area five species belonging to
-two families and four genera. Of these, three species are new to
science. In the Thysanura a systematic survey of the Machilidz
along the shores of the Bristol Channel is being made, and has
already brought to light a new species of the genus Petrobius
from the Devon and Somerset coasts.
While a number of new localities for Collembola are to be
recorded, only four species are new in our area. For the first
time a few records from Lundy are available, but it is hoped in
the near future to thoroughly investigate the Apterygota of the
Island.
For help in these insects I am greatly indebted to Messrs
J. M. Brown and R. S. Bagnall and Prof. F. Silvestri, as well as
the various persons who have sent me specimens,
Ovdeyv—Protura (Silv.).
Famly—Acerentomide (Berlese),
Sub- Family—Acerentomine (Wom.).
Genus—Acerentomon (Silv.).
1. A. BAGNALLI (Wom.).
This is the species recorded by myself as A. doderot from
under old bark, Blaise Castle Woods, Bristol, February 23rd,
1924. I have taken it in the same locality since in very consider-
able numbers.
2. A. NEMORALE (Wom.).
Two specimens in the rotten sap-wood of an old stump, Brockley
Combe, Som., April 17th, 1926.
Genus—Acerentulus (Berlese).
3. A. CONFINIS (BERLESE).
Fairly common under stones, Brockley Combe, Som., March,
1925; October, 1926; Backwell Hill, Som., 1926-27.
Sub-fam—Mergentomine (Wom.).
Genus—Parentomon (Wom.).
Pig. I. Aceventomon bagnaili. Wom.
Fig. II. Aceventulus confinis. Berlese.
Photo by} |G. Janes
THE APTERYGOTA’ OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 313
4, P. CLEVEDONENSE (WOM.).
A most interesting addition to our British list, necessitating
a new genus and sub-family. Norton Wood, Clevedon, Som.,
September 21st, 1926. Also Backwell Hill, Som., October 16th,
1926. All under stones.
Family—Eosentomide (Berlese).
Genus—Eosentomon (Berlese).
5. E. RIBAGAI (BERLESE). ;
All the Eosentomons that I have taken in our area appear
to belong to this species. My records are Backwell Hills, Som.,
November 27th, 1926 and December 19th, 1926; Brockley Combe,
Som., December 26th, 1926; Keynsham, Som., October 30th,
1926, all under stones. It has also been taken by Mr. R. S. Bag-
nall at Babbacombe, S. Devon, 1918.
In addition to the above records I have also taken solitary
immature specimens of the genus Acerentomon (1) under a stone,
Cranham Woods, Glos., September 13th, 1926 and (2) under a
stone, Brockley Combe, Som., 1926.
Order—T hysanura (Latr.).
Family—Machilide.
Genus—Petrobius (Leach) Carpenter.
2. P. CARPENTERI (BAGNALL).
This species occurs everywhere along the North Devon coast
from Lynton to Clovelly, and also on Lundy Island. July 23rd
to August 6th, 1927; Man Sands, South Devon, September, 1927
(C. Bartlett) ; Aust, Glos., September 24th, 1927.
12. P. MARITIMUS (LEACH) CARPENTER.
i Specimens of this species were caught on the cliffs at the
Ness, Shaldon, S. Devon, September 11th, 1927. These specimens
however, show some slight variations from the diagnosis given
by Carpenter. The tip of the mandible bears more prominent
teeth than his description would lead one to expect. In mature
specimens however there is a strong tendency, especially in the
female, for them to be worn away. The spine on the 9th stylet
is not as long as figured, being only about one-fourth the length
of the stylet. Other details agree with his careful description.
Also taken at Man Sands, September, 1927 (C. Bartlett). Speci-
mens 9 taken on Scilly Isles, 1927, by Mr. O. W. Richards were
probably this species.
13. P. SILVESTRI (WoM.).
This new species from the North Devon coast is not so plentiful
as the preceding. It is very closely related to P. mantimus of
Leach and Carpenter, and the specimens sent me from Fistral
Beach, Newquay, by Mr. C. W. Bracken, and which I recorded
374 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
as maritimus, are really this new species. I have taken it at
Clovelly, Lee Bay, Morthoe, Ilfracombe and Lynton. It also
occurs locally on the Glamorganshire coast along with P. carpentert
at Barry Island, August 29th, 1927. I have also recently received
specimens of this and the preceding species from Porlock, Som.,
September, 1927 (A.B. Llewellyn). Scarce; alone swithaameny
large numbers of P. carpentert at Brean Down, Som., and Kewstoke,
Som., September 21st, 1927; Sand Point, Som., September 23rd,
1927; Man Sands, S. Devon, September, 1927 (C. Bartlett). The
@2 taken on Lundy Island, July, 1927, and sent by Mr. O. W.
Richards are this species.
Famly—Lepismatide.
Genus—Thermobia (Berg.).
9. T. DOMESTICA (PACK) = FURNORUM (ROVELLI).
Large numbers of this species of silver-fish (fire brats) were
taken by Mr. A. Kromler at Messrs. Packer’s factory, Bristol,
Glos., November 23rd, 1927.
Family—Campodeide.
Genus—Campodea (Westwood).
Hep Cy LANKESIE RIT (SIV):
In hot house at West Town, Som., September 6th 1926.
65) Co LUBBOCK (SILv.):.
Lawrence Weston, Glos., May 24th, 1925; Feeder Road,
Bristol, January 23rd, 1923 ; in garden at Mark, near Highbridge,
Som., October 15th, 1927.
13. C. MEINERTI (BaAGN.).
This appears to be the commonest species in North Somerset
in natural soil, 7.e., not on rubbish tips, etc., such as are favoured
by C. lubbocki. I have specimens from Backwell Hull, Som.,
February 3rd, 1924 and in 1926; West Town, Som., January
6th, 1926; Cadbury Hill, Congresbury, Som., April 21st, 1926 ;
in a garden at Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
14. C. FRAGILIS (SILV.).
One immature specimen, West Town, Som., November 6th,
1926.
Orderv—Gollembola (Lubbk.).
Sub-order—Arthropleona (C.B.).
Sectton—-Poduromorpha (C.B.).
Famly—Poduride (C.B.).
Genus-—Podura (Linn.) Tlbg.
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND Sys)
la AQUATICA (LINN.) TLBG.
Recorded from Savernake in Marlborough College Society’s
report, 1923: (AP.G.M.).
Family—Hypogastruride (C.B.).
Sub-Family—Hypogastrurine (C.B.).
Genus—Hypogastrura (Bourl.) C.B.
(Achorutes, Templ. Lubbk., Linn.).
hey fhe ARMADA (NIC.).
One specimen under bark Savernake Forest, January 30th,
1926.
Sub-Family—Achorutine (C.
Tv1be—Pseudachorutini (C.B.
Genus—Friesia (D.T.).
B.).
).
62. F. MIRABILIS (TLBG.).
A single specimen under lichen on Castle Rock, Lynton,
August Ist, 1927. The terminal anal spine was apparently wanting.
Genus—Anurida (Laboulb.).
10. A. MARITIMA (GUER.).
Oi rock mpools at Woolacombe, N. Devon, July-29th, 1927.
63... A..GRANARIA (NIC.).
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927.
Tribe—-Achorutini (C.B.).
Genus—Achorutes (C.B.) Templ.
11. A. MuscoRuUM (TEMPL.).
One specimen under bark Savernake Forest, January 30th,
1926. In similar habitat at Clovelly, Devon, August 3rd, 1927.
Famiuy—Onvychiurine (C.B.).
Genus—Onychiurus (Gerv.).
13>"O. AMBULANS (LINN.) TLBG.
Goatchurch Cavern, Burrington, Som., August 15th, 1925
(Miss J. Barrington).
14. O. ARMATUS (TLBG.).
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927; Lundy Island, July 26th, 1927;
Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
15. QO. FIMETARIUS (LUBBK.).
Goatchurch Cavern, Burrington, Som., August 15th, 1925
(Miss J. Barrington).
Genus—Tullbergia (Lubbk.) C.B.
310 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST: OF -ENGEADD
16. VT; QUADRISPINA (C_B.)3
One specimen from Clovelly, August 3rd, 1927.
Sectton—Entomobryomorpha (C.B.).
Famiuy—lIsotomide (Schffr.).
Sub-Family—Isotomine (Schaffr.).
Genus—Protanurophorus (WoM.).
78. P. PEARMANI (WoM.).
Two specimens from under lichen on fallen bough, Backwell
Hill House grounds, West Town, Som., January 2nd, 1926.
Genus—Anurophotus (Tlbg.).
LO Ae WARTOIS 3 1 LBG.):
Under bark of larch paling, West Town, Som., February
13th, 1926; Masbery Hill, Som., June 19th, 1926. Under lichen,
Swanage, May 29th, 1926. Under bark, Stoke Bishop, Bristol,
yume von, 197670) Vor
Genus--Isotoma s, str, (Bourl.) C.B.
ie Le VIRTDISs BouURE.):
Under twigs, Savernake Forest, January 30th, 1926. In
sphagnum, Grimspound, Dartmoor, June 5th, 1927; Lundy
Island, July 26th, 1927.
19. I. MARITIMA (TLBG.).
Under shore debris, Kewstoke, Som., May 21st, 1927.
64. I. NOTABILIS (SCHFFR.).
One under bark, Savernake Forest, January 30th, 1926.
Two under stones, Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th —
1927.
73. I. MINOR (SCHFFR.).
One in Mr. Garnett’s hot house, West Town, Som., February
13th, 1926. Under twigs, stones, etc., Savernake Forest, January
30th, 1926.
Sub-Genus—Vertagopus (C.B.).
20. V. ARBOREA (LINN.) AGREN.
Common under bark, Savernake Forest, January 30th, 1926.
Score Woods, Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927.
Genus—Folsomia (Willem.).
20. FF. FIMETARIA (LINN.) TLBG.
Savernake Forest, January 31st, 1926.
<-
Tie SAPTERYGOPFA OF THE ySOUTHSWEST OF ENGEAND STi
20,, [. QUADRIOCULATA (1LBG.).
Savernake Forest, January 3lst, 1926. In sphagnum, Grims-
pound, Dartmoor, June 5th, 1927.
Genus—Isotomurus (C.B.).
27. I. PALUSTRIS (MIAL.).
In sphagnum, Grimspound, Dartmoor, June Sth, 1926 ;
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927; Mark, near Highbridge, Som.,
October 15th, 1927.
Family—TYomoceride (Schffr.).
Sub-Family—Tomocerine (C.B.).
Genus—Tomocerus (Nic.).
28. T. MINOR (LUBBK.).
Score Woods, Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927; Mark, near
Hichbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
30. T. (POGONOGNATHUS) LONGICORNIS (LUBBK.).
Score Woods, {lfracombe, July 24th, 1927.
Family—Entomobryide (C.B.).
Sub-Famly—Entomobryine (C.B.).
Tmbe—Entomobryini (C.B.).
Genus—Entomobrya (Rond.).
gz. i. NEVALIS (LINN.).
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927; Mark, near Highbridge, Som.,
October 15th, 1927.
38. E. NICOLETI (LUBBK.).
In dead flowers of Arum, Burrington, Som., May 14th, 1927 ;
Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
39. E, ALBOCINCTA (TEMPL.).
Under bark,. Savernake Forest, January 3lst, 1926. Under
lichen, Castle Rock, Lynton, August 8th, 1927.
Genus—Lepidocyrtus (Bourl.).
40. L. CyANEusS (TLBG.).
Savernake Forest, January 3lst, 1926; Ufracombe, July
24th, 1927; Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
41. L. LANUGINOSUS (GOMEL.).
Savernake Forest, January 31st, 1926; Ilfracombe, July
Zh, 19275 Mark, near’ Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
84. L. RIVULARIS (BOURL.).
In dead flowers of Arum, Burrington, Som., May 14th, 1927.
In sphagnum, Grimspound, Dartmoor, June 5th, 1927.
378 THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND
85,7. PARADOXUS,) (UZEE.).
Specimens taken at Devonshire Road, Bristol, in 1924 are
this species.
(oe SL; ALBUS) PACKS):
Goatchurch Cavern Burrington, Som., August 15th, 1925
(Miss J. Barrington).
Tvibe—Orchesellini (C.B.).
Genus—Orchesella (Templ.).
45. ©. crncta (LINN.) LUBBR:
Savernake Forest, January 3lst, 1926; Ilfracombe, July
24th, 1927; Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
45a. O. CINCTA, var. vaga.
From same localities.
47. O, FLAVESCENS (BOURL.).
Leigh Woods, Som., August Ist, 1926, along with var. pallida
enn te)
40.7 (©. 7 VILLOSA> (GEOR)
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927; Mark, near Highbridge, Som.,
October Voth W927;
Genus—Heteromurus (Wankel.).
23.0 NEA (DERPI
Savernake Forest, January 31st, 1926; Goatchurch Cavern,
Burrington, Som., May 14th, 1927; Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927 ;
Mark, near Highbridge, Som., October 15th, 1927.
Sub- Famly—Cyphoderine (C.B.).
Tribe—Cyphoderini (C.B.).
Genus—Cyphoderus (Nic.).
AQ. C. ALBINUS (NICc.).
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927.
Sub-Order—Symphypleona (C.B.).
Famly—Neelide (Fol.).
Genus—Neelus (Fol.).
67 Neu RIN Ss (ems):
Under stone, West Town, April, 2nd,.1927; Mark) near
Highbridge, Som.,- October Voth, 1927:
Famly—Sminthuride (Lubbk.).
Sub-Family—Smuinthuridine (C.B.).
Tmbe—Katiannini (C.B.).
Genus—Sminthurinus (C.B.).
THE APTERYGOTA OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF ENGLAND 379
86. S. QUADRILINEATA (TLBG.).
In hot-houses, Backwell Hill House, West Town, February
Ista 1926.
74. S. NIGER (LUBBK.).
im greenhouse, IHracombe; July 24th, 1927: These ‘speci-
mens should probably be referred to var. ochracea (Axels.).
Genus—Arrhopalites (C.B.).
Tia. A. COECUS var. ATTENUATUS (CARP. & EVENS).
Goatchurch Cavern, Burrington, Som., August 15th, 1925
(Miss J. Barrington).
Tnbe—Bourletiellini (C.B.).
Genus—Bourletiella (Banks) C.B.
52. B. BICINCTA var. REPANDA AGR. (AXEL.).
Ilfracombe, July 24th, 1927.
Tribe—Sminthurini (C.B.).
Genus—Allacma (C.B.).
w4. 2 a7 eae
roe :
.
’ ‘ ay
, ~
)
—
t
i
: Ke
»-
\
—-
—
o>
\
>
*
, f
‘ f me 7
¢
5 ‘
, '
ie
‘ee
&
yy
™ oi letaial | | jell AR{ Agri” *s OP ciara a i. an aN '. By
Vow enh 8 pAnestal a Aan” Lhe AEE aN A
a» - ey He A Le say |
OPN) tb. don! bo pennant | PPV Varta oP the A Ak 4 AVAL! Te ai
a a enya 4 SULLEATT AT] TPA, Lindale! TY PY, tafe
te Wr ae Sed 1 bln ~ oe ey Oy aa pipe y— a ange ®A ha a ‘ be le
& ri SAR a sy» : a \tF ~ ms [ £ =~ fy Mm, ; | " Ra » Ay r
| ‘ q ear Canary “a 7 my YY re me Bier
HTH Drill tL lent ol eo ° ri es Pom Nei nN "
Piece AMiamata. a 8/0 Le oho s2. 2°25
~~ SR. ay fe A) ae t Ee ¥
Year tine, ABO MP ab 457 ah
AAU a AMAR. Bee o
f ~~ FONT aay
ee & ‘
a a PL a Lares qi ; q TF
Salt Anas MAUR GA, has aGRRe AnanehAuhg rely MaAasaary®
“hg 08 Bana, SLs ae ne Na a doe F , :
wee try room WwW Aaland A ep hidh DR
BARRA anna RH
“8 ola) s ‘
& Pt aA ae » DO > of
ma | } Ki ~*~
= eee a AC NOAEL Sal 5 ia. ~.
ite: BD a 4 AAD. D af ; TT
PPsAPda
‘ rors we
~aneanacen@ he” :
togtauert hss. “20 Ae ee
aaa" lola lo inlaid Boles fg GS
*“3yg0u™" v-
& Mwvterveuve et 4
pm ii es oe weeety,
ih it eer "ee sein wert. i) why ae
a ; s | WU)
Z imfe- 4s rae . lt A vayuree-: Ui, '
BP mee °c "ete hd
psT°e 7 ; | i Ne
vg vie Cyt? 4 ie wWy ym - yee 4 oe | ture.
ane eal Meal tA MTT eb TL {|
es : ve Ce
rer UNE Y PETES eT Tait tiNy Pew” ee 9 ytVave-t
» evel, yell Mer Wahab de yous y luv
fv *Pantuy *Veve o. ofyr ei Oak dealt ete 1 Add FA
perme ~ -y-w~ ME ‘s Poums Beri, Ds Th wee! 2a = |
ai :
LT Ae ee
wu
3 9088 01308 8