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THE
MAT U RA t Sok:
A
MONTHLY JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
EDITED BY
THOMAS) SHEPPARD. E.G.Ss
CURATOR OF THE MuniciPpAL MuSEvuMS, HULL.
AUTHOR OF “GEOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN EAST YORKSHIRE”; ‘‘ THE MAKING OF EAST YORKSHIRE”
EpItoR OF MorTIMER’s “Forty YEARS’ RESEARCHES”; AND OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE
East Ripinc ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, AND HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB
PRESIDENT OF THE HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB, OF THE HULL
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE HULL SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY; HON. SECRETARY OF
THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION ; MEMBER OF THE COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES
OF THE BriTIsH AssociATION, Museums’ ASSOCIATION, YORKSHIRE RoMAN ANTI-
QUITIES COMMITTEE, THE YORKSHIRE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, THE EAST
RipinGc NATuRE StTupy ASSOCIATION, THE EAST RIDING ANTIQUARIAN
Society, AND HuLi LITERARY CLuB; Hon. LIFE MEMBER OF
THE SPALDING GENTLEMEN'S SOCIETY ; OF THE DONCASTER
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY; ETC.
‘
AND
OMA S. WiILELAM: WOODHEAD, PhobDs, 7B. r.S-
LECTURER IN BroLoGcy, TECHNICAL COLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD;
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S. GEORGE T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E-S.
Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S. JOHN W. TAYLOR.
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U. WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
1907.
LONDON:
A. Brown & Sons, LTp., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C./79 GG
AND AT HULL AND YORK.
PRINTED AT BROWNS! SAVILE PRESS,
DOCK STREET, HULL,
VIT.
Want
1X.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
SORE
XVI.
XVII.
» XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
a XXI.
XXIT.
3 XXIII.
XXIV.
ie ROGVE
b i) > O.QVAle
af XXVIT.
2p XXVIII.
aD XXIX.
a ».9.0.¢
LIST OF PLATES
On the edge of the Moor
John Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., I’.L.8., ete. ...
Basking Shark at Redear
Frullania dilatata ys
tamarisci J
Of various species of Fr nllamiey sae
Fig. 4.—Jubula hutchinsize ... - )
Fig. 5.—Polyotus magellanicus Re j
Reproductive Organs of Frullania dilatata
Figs. 7 and 8.—Sporophyte of generation of
Frullani dilatata a oe Hee
Verticicladinm Cheesmanii Crossl. ..
Daubenton’s Bat and Young one
Young of Pipistrelle or Common Bat
Parts of Chrysopa perla and C. flava
British Eggs of Pallas’ Sand Grouse
Shells from British Carboniferous Rocks ...
British Tunicata
British Pipe Fishes i
Pipistrelle and Long-eared Bats
Transverse Section of Wood of Oak
Sir Michael Foster, K.C.B., &e.
Flamingo Group in the American Museum
of Natural History
Speeton Ammonites
The Bempton Cliffs
The Linnet
Malformed Antler of Red Deen nee eee ae
on-Sea, Lincs. d ;
Kittiwakes on Nests
Guillemots on Pinnacle Rocks, Fane Gade
Eider Duck and Nest; Lesser Black Back
Gull .. 5
iKiétiwalkes and Guiltsmota: on ihe. Staple
Island; A Group of Puftins
Puffins; Cormorants and Sandwich Tenis
on ‘their Nests
Herring Gull and Nest at Hay sker
XK VI.
XXXIX.
XL.
XLI.
XLII.
ROCK VL:
XXXVIII.
aay Grey Wane in Nest ai
Sallow and Willow Catkins ... ......
‘The Grey Wethers’ (Sarsen Stones),
Marlborough cape ee za pee
(Enothera Lamarkiana Ser. at St. Anns-on-
the-Sea aa ay oe ae Ae
} Nests of Coot and Crested Grebe ... Be
Ritteria mantonensis, n. sp.; Eatoniana
plumifer... SRY dake $5 a
Diseased Bones of Bear ae ; Ae
The Hairy-armed or Leisler’s Bat (Vesperugo
leisleri) ... Ae ae se 4
John Farrah, F.L.S8., F.R.MET.S. . a?
2)
2?
33
99
384
ate 4
Ame SCENT MRO (ae Mek
No. "600
(No. 878 of current series).
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
“NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE Missa ® OF Bien Shc
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
THe Museum, Hutt; t
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD ;
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
Proi. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :—
PAGES
Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—Liverpool Biologists, Liverpool Geologists, Leeds (tN
eolonistsy Nature Photographics: 2a el isapetis cee, oy uledah eee he (nce Tree Sy
Prominent Yorkshire Workers—
- It.—John Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.1.A., V.M.H. (Uiustrated) ... ba 5-8
Notes on a Curious Faculty in Spiders—Rev. O. Pickavd-Cambridge, M.A., F.R.S. ... nis 9-10
Note on a Large Basking Shark at Redcar (lilustrated)—T. Sheppard, FiGiSoy +e 10
Notes on Yorkshire Bryophites (illustrated)—F. Cavers, D.Sc., F.L.S. ore 11-16
Life Zone in British Carboniferous Rocks—W heelton Hind, M.D., B.S., F.R.C.S., Fr G. Ss. 17-23
_ The Chemistry of Some Common Plants—P. Q. Keegan, LL.D. ... ees. ea hate ws 24-25-
_Yerkshire Naturalists at York... ...... ; 26-28 |
On the Small Quantity of Air Necessary to Stistain Life i ina a Bat—H. 2 B. Booth, M. B. 3.0. U. 28
Field Notes... ro RS aif $4 oe Be “on Ae ae ae Hor 25, 29-32
Reviews and Book Notices is al Sates hte a8 shea rte Feo 7 gk A Pn er ee aed 32
Northern News om ae Ai see Ne pe ne aoe EH aaa oon Re 8, 16, 23
lilustrations ... Li i ti de RM ee ounces ice Gry 1,345
Plates I., Il., Ul., 1V., V., Vie, VuL., Vil. : 4
LONDON :
A. Brown & Sons, LimiTED, 5, FARRINGDON AVE
And at HuLit anp York.
Printers and Publishers to the Y.N. U.
‘PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET.
”
oOo bdo -
ro
eostem ND Of
Yorkshire ‘Naturalists’ Union. . cs
‘NATURALIST’ REPRINTS, Etc., FOR SALE.
POST FREE.
(Of a few of these there are several copies.)
. Inaugural Address, Delivered by the President, Rev.W. Fow er, M.A.»
in 1877. 6d.
. On the Present State of our knowledge of the Geography of British
Plants (Presidential Address). J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. 6d.
The Fathers of Yorkshire Botany (Presidential Address). J. GILBERT
BAKER, F.R.S. 9d. .
. Botany of the Cumberland Borderland Marshes. J. G. BAKER, F.R.S. 6d.
. The Study of Mosses (Presidential Address). Dr. R. BRATHWAITE,
F.L.S. 6d.
. Mosses of the Mersey Province. J. A. WHELDON. 64d.
. Strasburger’s Investigation on the Process of Fertilisation in Phanero-
gams. Tuomas Hick, B.A., B.Sc. 6d.
. Additions to the Alge of West Yorkshire. W. West, F.L.S. 6d.
. Fossil Climates. A. C.°"SEwarp, M.A., F.R.S. 6d.
. Henry Thomas Soppitt (Obituary Notice). C. CRossLanp, F.L.S. 6d.
. The Late Lord Bishop of Wakefield (Obituary Notice). WHILLIAM
WHITWELL, F.L.S. 6d.
. The Flora of Wensleydale. JOHN PERCIVAL, B.A. 6d.
. Report on Yorkshire Botany for 1880. F. ARNOLD LEEs. 6d.
. Vertebrates of the Wertern Ainsty (Yorkshire). Epcar R. WaAITE,
F.L:S: 9d:
. Lincolnshire. JOHN CorpDEAUX, M.B.O.U. 64d.
. Heligoland. JoHN CorpvEaux, M.B.O.U. 6d.
. Bird-Notes from Heligoland for the Year 1886. NHetnricnH GATKE,
GuMeZeS.c1s.
. Coleoptera of the Liverpool District. Part I1V., Brachelytra. JOHN
W. Extis, L.R.C.P. 6d.
. Coleoptera of the Liverpool District. Parts V. and VI., Clavicornia
and Lamellicornia. JOHN W. ELLis, L.R.C.P. 6d.
. The Hydradephaga of Lancashire and Cheshire. W. E. SuHarp. 6d.
. The Lepidopterous Fauna of Lancashire and Cheshire. Part LI.,
Rhophalocera. JOHN W. ELLIS, L.R.C.P. 6d.
. The Lepidoptercus Fauna of Lancashire and Cheshire. Part II.,
Sphinges and Bombyces. JOHN W. ELLIs, L.R.C.P. 6d.
. Variation in European Lepidoptera. W. F. DE Vismes Kang, M.A.,
M.R.I.A. 6d.
. Yorkshire Lepidoptera in 1891. A. E. Hatt, F.E.S. 6d.
. Yorkshire Hymenoptera (Third List of Species). S. D. Bairstow,
F.L.S., W. DENISON ROEBUCK, and THOMAS WILSON. 6d.
. List of Land and Freshwater Mollusca of Lancashire. ROBERT
STANDEN. 9d.
. Yorkshire Naturalists at Gormire Lake and Thirkleby Park. 6d.
WANTED.
Quarterly Journal Geological Society, Vols. 1-22.
Phillip’s Life of William Smith.
British Association Reports for 1839 and 1840.
Proceedings of Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society, Vol, I;
Barnsley Naturalist Society’s Quarterly Reports, Set.
GOOD PRICES GIVEN.
Apply—Hon. Sec., Y.N.U., Museum, Hull.
Please mention ‘The Naturalist’ in replying to Advertisements.
THE NATURALIST, 1907. Pirate |.
On the Edge of the Moor.
(See p. 4).
THE NATURALIST
FOR 1907.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
LIVERPOOL BIOLOGISTS.
In a substantial report of 208 pages,* Prof. Herdman, with the
assistance of Messrs. A. Scott and J. Johnstone, gives a valuable
account of a year’s work at Liverpool and Piel. An idea of the
An Over=crowded Mussel Skear.
nature of the contents of the volume may be gathered by
the following list of reports, etc., which it contains :—Intro-
duction and general account of the work; ‘ Sea-fish Hatchery
at Piel’; ‘Classes, Visitors, etc.; at:Piel’; ‘Report on the
Tow-nettings’; ‘ Faunistic Notes’; ‘Mussel Transplantation’ ;
‘Trawling Observations’; ‘Marked Fish Experiments’; ‘ Para-
sites of Fishes’; ‘Ichthyological Notes’; ‘Sewage Pollution
* No. XIV. Report for 1995 of the Lancashire Sea-Fisheries Laboratory
at the University of Liverpool, and the Sea-fish Hatchery at Piel. . Liverpool,
1906.
2 Notes and Comments.
at Llanfairfechan’; ‘Oligodynamic Action of Copper’; and
‘Sea Fish Hatchery at Port Erin.’
We regret that the demands upon our space enable us to do
little more than draw the attention of naturalists to this useful
report. The effect on the growth of mussels by overcrowding
on the skears is admirably shown, and good work was done by
transplanting young mussels in over-crowded areas, to places
where they had better opportunity of flourishing. Under
favourable conditions, mussels grow fully half-an-inch a year,
but when they are too thick upon the skears progress is not
so rapid. vacate
In the same report a curious instance of arrested metamor-
phosis in a flounder is referred to. As will be seen from the
Flounder, showing arrested metamorphosis.
figure, the left eye does not occupy the normal position, but is
very distinctly on the (secondary) dorsal margin of the head,
and, indeed, is easily visible from the ‘blind’ side of the
specimen. The fish was also pigmented on both sides. For
the illustrations we are indebted to Prof. Herdman,
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 3
LIVERPOOL GEOLOGISTS.
Tuart our geological friends in Liverpool are as enthusiastic as
ever, is shown by the regular appearance of the ‘ Proceedings
of the Liverpool Geological Society,’ in a brilliantly coloured
cover. Part 2 of Vol. X., containing particulars of the work
accomplished in the Society’s forty-seventh session, is recently
tohand. The principal items are :—(1) The President’s Address
(presumably by Mr. H. C. Beasley), in which he concludes that
‘The secrets of the Trias are only to be discovered by the study
of the desert regions of the world existing as they do in each
of the continents’; (2) ‘ The Colorado Canyon and its lessons,’
by W. M. Davis, of Harvard; (3) ‘The Pleistocene Clays and
Sands of the Isle of Man,’ by T. Mellard Reade and Joseph
Wright. What would the Liverpool geologists do without these
two veterans, who must be congratulated on their enthusiasm,
and on the persistency with which, by means of their lists of
foraminifera, they endeavour to drive nails in the coffin of the
glacialists. But this coffin is not yet made,* and if ever it is,
we doubt whether the numerous lists published by Messrs.
Reade and Wright will have had anything to do with it. On
the other hand, the day may come (and may it be long post-
poned), when the last of the ‘submergers’ will be sent to sea,
Viking-like, and be heard of no more; as it is, they ‘pass on
and on, and go from less to less.’ Mr. J. Lomas gives an ac-
count of his examination of ‘The Dwyka in South Africa,’
which is illustrated by two blocks from photographs. Mr.
W. D. Brown writes ‘On Some Erratics of the Boulder Clay in
the Neighbourhood of Burscough,’ and gives the results of
experiments upon boulders by artificial sand blast. Ina lengthy
and elaborate paper, Messrs. T. M. Reade and Philip Holland,
conclude their useful researches among ‘Sands and Sediments.’
This is illustrated by two excellent plates.
LEEDS GEOLOGISTS.
Our Leeds Geological friends must be congratulated upon
placing on record an account of their doings during the years
1g00-5.+ This record appears in a pamphlet of 52 pages, and
contains particulars of the officers for each year, titles of papers
read, etc., from the twenty-seventh to the thirty-first session.
There are abstracts of papers on ‘The Airedale Glacier,’ by
* Some think that a coffin will not be required—as the glacialists will be
cremated |
+ ‘Transactions of the Leeds Geological Association,’ Part XIII., 1900-1,
1901-2, 1902-3, 1903-4, 1904-5. Price 1/6. Jowett & Sowry, Printers, Leeds.
1907 January 1.
4 Notes and Comments.
H. B. Muff; ‘The Geology of Ingleborough,’ by J. H. Howarth;
‘The Aims of a Local Geological Society’ and ‘ The Causes of
Volcanic Action,’ by D. Forsyth ; ‘Geological Photography,’
by Godfrey Bingley ; ‘Glacier Lakes of the Cleveland Hills,’ by
P. F. Kendall; ‘The relation of the Geology to the Vegetation
of the West Riding of Yorkshire,’ by W. G. Smith; ‘Some
Drift Deposits near Leeds, |Re-printed from the ‘ Proceedings
of the Yorkshire Geological Society,’]| by E. Hawkesworth ;
‘River Capture in Yorkshire,’ by Rev. W. Lower Carter;
‘The Eastern Extension of the Yorkshire Coalfield,’ by P. F.
Kendall ; and ‘Report of the Magnesian Limestone Com-
mittee,’ by A. R. Dwerryhouse. Lists of other papers to be
consulted on the various subjects referred to are given, and
add to the value of the abstracts.
Presumably the ‘lack of funds,’ referred to in the Preface,
which has accounted for the delay in the appearance of these
Transactions, is also responsible for the brevity of some of the
abstracts, and the omission of some papers altogether. The
appearance of the publication would have been improved had the
various lists of officers, etc., been put all together at one end of
the pamphlet, instead of cutting up the reading matter. Mr.
Hawkesworth’s map would also have been much clearer if the
‘gravel patches’ had been shaded. We commend the Editors
on the prominence given to /ocal papers—that by Mr. J. H.
Howarth being particularly valuable—and trust that in future
the finances of the Society will enable them to produce details
of their proceedings more promptly and more fully.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS.
We have frequently, recently, called attention to the excellence
of the illustrations appearing in books on natural history. A
little volume just issued by Mr. T. N. Foulis* is an example.
It is a companion to that noticed in this Journal for December,
1905, but, if anything, the illustrations are even more attractive
than in that volume. There are seventy in all, after photo-
graphs by Charles Reid, and to these letter-press has been
provided by the Rev. C. A. Johns, compiled from ‘ British
Birds and their Haunts’ and other sources. By the courtesy
of the publishers we are able to reproduce one of the most
charming of the illustrations —entitled, ‘The Edge of the
Moor.’ ii(Plate tT.)
* ©T go A-walking Through the Woods and O’er the Moor.’ 23, Bedford
Street, London. 79 pp. Price 2/6 net.
Naturalist,
Mitirh! Sah
nition ams
=F
a
ae
"
1
i
+
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE II.
PROMINENT YORKSHIRE WORKERS.
I1].—JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.TA., V.M.H.
(PLATE II.)
AT the meeting of the British Association, held at York a few
months ago, an opportunity was afforded of welcoming back to
Yorkshire many prominent workers in the field of natural
science. To few, however, was a more sincere welcome
accorded than that given to the veteran Yorkshire botanist,
Mr. John Gilbert Baker, who, notwithstanding his years, took
a prominent part in the work of Section K, and was as
enthusiastic and active as many there who were about half-a-cen-
tury his junior, and surely it must be admitted that tew have done
so much for the furtherance of the study of plants of their
county as Mr. Baker has done for Yorkshire. Without the
many years of untiring energy in studying the flora of the
broad-acred shire which he has given, our knowledge of the
plants of this beautiful county would be much more meagre.
As it is, we can take pride in the fact that the plants of our
county are as well known as are those of any similar area in the
British Isles, and this has been made possible by the industry,
example, and encouragement of John Gilbert Baker.
Whilst listening to the paper and debates in Section K, in
August last, Mr. Baker must have been forcibly impressed with
the difference in the state of our knowledge of botany at the
present time compared with the year 1847, when, as a
scholar at the Friends’ School, at Bootham, in the same city,
the subject of our sketch had developed sufficient interest in
botany to be appointed Curator of the herbarium of that school.
And from that time until to-day he has had his hobby well
before him, and has kept abreast with the study of plant life as
it has progressed with the years. This, of course, so far as
was humanly possible, as, particularly during the last decade,
such rapid strides have been made in such a multitude of
directions that it is not now possible fer any single individual to
be familiar with the details of the various branches of even
botanical science.
Mr. Baker was born at Guisborough, in Cleveland, on
January 13th, 1834, and naturally has always an affectionate
regard for the plants of his native place. At the meeting of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union held at Guisborough last year, he
1907 January I.
6 Prominent Yorkshire Workers—John Gilbert Baker.
kindly contributed an account of the botanical attractions of the
area, which proved very useful to those taking part in the
excursion.
Soon after he was born, his parents removed to Thirsk, and
we find that in 1843 he was attending the school belonging to
the Society of Friends at Ackworth, a school which has trained
so many first-rate naturalists. By 1846 he was carefully
collecting and studying the plants found growing in the vicinity
of his school. In 1850 he had made his first contribution to
botanical literature, in a paper entitled ‘On the Occurrence of
Carex Persoonit in Yorkshire,’ printed in the ‘ Phytologist.’
Four years later he was:so thoroughly familiar with the flora of
his county that he issued a valuable Supplement to Baines’
‘Flora of Yorkshire.’ In the following year he read a paper,
at the Glasgow meeting of the British Association, on the
classification of British plants according to their geological
relations. This paper was one of the first, if not the first, on
this important subject.
For seven years, commencing 1859, he acted as distributor
for the Botanical Exchange Club, and wrote its reports. It is
interesting to remember that this Club is still in existence, and
is carried on on almost the same lines as it was when Mr.
Baker was its secretary.
By 1862 he had published his ‘ North Yorkshire: Studies of
its botany, geology, climate, and physical geography.’ This
volume, which was dedicated to Hewett Cottrell Watson, was
printed at Thirsk. It contained 366 pages and four maps.
Unfortunately, a fire at the author’s residence, which occured in
1864, soon after the publication of the work, consumed the
entire stock, thus making this a scarce volume. In 1888 the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union commenced to reprint this work in
its Transactions, and early last year the final part of this second
edition was completed, and issued to the public. This second
edition, which has been brought down to date, was reviewed in
these columns for June last. It contains 688 pages, and maps,
and a carefully compiled list of the mosses, prepared by Mr.
M. B. Slater of Malton, a life-long friend of Mr. Baker’s.
Not only did the fire referred to destroy the stock of the first
edition of ‘North Yorkshire,’ but it also burnt Mr. Baker’s
extensive library and herbarium. By the efforts of the members
of the Botanical Exchange Club, and other botanists, however,
the loss was to some extent repaired.
In the same year the ‘ Naturalist ’—then under the editorship
Naturalist.
Prominent Vorkshtre Workers
-John Gilbert Baker. 7
of the late C. P.. Hobkirk—was favoured with its first con-
tribution from Mr. Baker’s pen in a ‘ Review of British Roses.’
A ‘Monograph of British Mints’ was published by him in
‘Seemann’s Journal of Botany’ in 1865, and in the following
year Mr. Baker’s worth was recognised in London, and he was
appointed first Assistant in the Herbarium of the Royal Gardens
at Kew. Prof. D. Oliver was at that time the Keeper, and Sir
J. D. Hooker was the Director.
Conjointly with Sir W. J. Hooker, who died in 1865, Mr.
Baker published, between 1865 and 1867, ‘Synopsis Filicum :
a synopsis of all known Ferns, with figures of the Genera and
Sub-Genera.’ A second edition was called for in 1875, and in
1892 Mr. Baker brought the list of species to date in the ‘Annals
of Botany.’
With Dr. G. R. Tate, he, in 1866, published the ‘ New Flora
of Northumberland and Durham.’ In the following year the
Linnean Society published his ‘Geographical Distribution of
Ferns.’ Between 1868 and the present time he has frequently
contributed to Oliver and Dyer’s ‘ Flora of Tropical Africa,’ and
between 1867 and 1899 he wrote various popular monographs
of Narcissus, Lilium, Iris, Crocus, Agave, Yucca, Aquilegia,
Hellebore, etc., to the ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle.’ Between 1868
and 1872 he contributed descriptions of new and rare plants
from the garden of Mr. W. Wilson Saunders, of Reigate, to
Vols. I., 1IL., 1V., and V. of ‘Refugium Botanicum.’ During
the years 1870-1880 Volumes XI. to XVIII. of the Journal of the
Linnean Society contained Baker’s Monograph of the Liliacez.
And so on, year after year, have appeared most valuable and
extensive monographs and papers dealing with the plants of
England and abroad.* His latest piece of work has been the
preparation of an account of the Botany of the County for the
Victoria History. At the present moment he has in preparation,
in conjunction with Miss Ellen Wilmott, ‘A Book of Roses,’
the coloured plates for which have been drawn by Mr. Alfred
Parsons, A.R.A.
A large number of genera and species of plants has been
named in honour of Mr. Baker. Amongst them are the
following :—Genera: Bakeria, Seemann (Araliacez), sunk by
Bentham and Hooker; Bakeria, André (Bromeliacez) ; and
* An idea of the number of these may be gathered from the fact that
83 papers on Ferns are enumerated in Christensen’s ‘Index Filicum,’
and 43 on various botanical subjects are listed in the Royal Society's
Catalogue for 1864-1873.
1907 January I.
8 Northern News.
Bakererella,- Van Tieghem (Loranthacez). Species: Rosa
Bakert Dereglise; Rubus Bakeri, F. A. Lees; Galium Bakert
Lyme; Anthurium Bakert, Hook. fil; Allium Bakerit, Regel ;
Eucharts Bakert, N. E. Brown; Crinum Bakerz, Schumann 3
Iris Bakert, Foster; Draceena Bakert, Scott-Elliott ; Rhodo-
lena Bakert, Baillor, ete.
A valuable part of Mr. Baker’s work has been his carefully
prepared biographical notices of various botanists. In 1902
the Tyneside Field Club printed his paper on the ‘ Early
Botanists of Northumberland and Durham,’ and to the Yorkshire
Naturalists Union, in 1885, he gave an address on ‘ Fathers of
Yorkshire Botany,’ which was printed in the Union’s Botanical
Transactions.
Notwithstanding the enormous amount of his writings, and
his practical botanical work, Mr. Baker has done much by
lecturing, etc., to train other botanists, not a few of whom,
occupying prominent positions to-day, express their indebted-
ness to him for his painstaking addresses.
In 1869 he was appointed lecturer on botany to the London
Hospital ; for thirty years (between 1874 and 1904) he was
lecturer at Kew Gardens ; from 1882 to 1896 he was lecturer on
Botany to the Society of Apothecaries at Chelsea Gardens. In
1866 hé*was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society. The
Victoria Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society was awarded
to him in 1897, and the Gold Medal of the Linnean Society
in 1899. These are only some of the many well-deserved
honours that have been bestowed upon him by the various
learned societies in Britain and abroad. As might be expected,
he was amongst the first of the Presidents of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union, occupying the presidential chair in 1884-5,
during which he gave addresses on ‘ Recent Progress in English
Botany’ and ‘ Fathers of Yorkshire Botany.’—T. S.
que wae
Arrangements are being made for a Course of University Extension
Lectures which Professor L. C. Miall has consented to give in the last year
of the tenure of his Professorship. The subject of the Course will be ‘ The
Early Naturalists, their lives and works.’ Final arrangements are not quite
complete, but the course will probably begin on January grist. The lectures
will deal with Natural History before John Ray ; Early workers with the
microscope ; The Growth of System from Linnzeus onwards ; Life Histories
of Insects; Theories of the Earth and the origin of Species ; Summary of
progress from Ray to Cuviér, etc. Further particulars may be had on
application to Dr. W. G. Smith, the University, Leeds. A proposal has
been made by some of Professor Miall's friends inside and outside the
University that, on the occasion of his retirement in June next from his
Chair, his,services should be commemorated by the painting of his portrait
for the University, and a committee has been formed to carry this out.
Naturalist,
: 9
NOTE ON A CURIOUS FACULTY IN SPIDERS.
Rev. O. PICKARD-CAMBRIDGE, M.A., F.R.S.
Wareham.
In the ‘Naturalist’ for November, 1906, No. 598, p. 401, Mr.
W. W. Strickland (Singapore) gives an account of two spiders
of the family Sa/ticide, in whose fore-central eyes he noticed a
change from one colour to another, ‘evidently under the control
of the spider’s will.’ Being unable to account for this, and the
Curator of the Singapore Museum being equally ignorant of
such a faculty in spiders, Mr. Strickland tells us that he wrote
to Mr. R. I. Pocock, giving an account of this wonderful faculty,
and he (Mr. Pocock) replied, saying that the faculty ‘ was quite
unknown to naturalists.’ Will you allow me to point out that
such a faculty is not quite unknown to naturalists. The late
Mr. John Blackwall, whose researches on Araneology were
extensive, and are well known, writes (Annals and Mag. Nat.
Hist., Pt. 1, Vol. XVIII, No. 120, p. 299) where he is
speaking of one of the Zhomzstde (Thomisus—now Oxyptila),
pallidus, ‘this species, with Thomzsus cristatus, Thomisus
bifasctatus, and some others, has the power of changing the
colour of the anterior intermediate pair of eyes from dark red-
brown to pale golden-yellow by a very perceptible gnhternal
motion. No such motion appears to occur in the other eyes,
which are always black.’ Mr. Blackwall has also, I believe,
noticed this faculty in some other publication, to which I am
unable at this moment to give the reference. I may add, how-
ever, that I have on many occasions noticed similar changes,
but. always in my experience in some spider of the family
Salticide. The only doubt I had was about the ‘faculty,’
whether the phenomenon was produced at the will of the
spider, or whether it was simply caused by a movement, very
slight perhaps, and almost imperceptible at times, of the spiders
caput, occasioning, of course, the light to fall upon the convex
transparent cornea of the eye at a different angle, and so reflect-
ing a different light within the eye. The internal variation in
colour, however caused, is very noticeable in some at any rate,
perhaps in all of the Sad¢éicid@; 1 have observed it especially
in one, a tolerably common species, Hasarius falcatus Clerck
(Salctcus coronatus Blackw). In an adult male example of
this spider, examined not very long ago (which had been in
spirit for over nine months), the large fore-central pair of eyes
was as transparent and as brilliant as if the spider were still
alive ; and certainly in this dead spider there was a change of
3go7 January I.
10 Sheppard: Note on a Large Basking Shark at Redcar.
internal colour visible when the caput was slightly moved one
Way or another.
In reference to the supposed internal movement of the eyes
at the will of the spider, | may perhaps refer to a published
observation of my own at p. 538 of ‘Spiders of Dorset,’ 1881.
This is to the same effect as the remarks I have made above,
but I had for the moment forgotten it.
a
NOTE ON A LARGE BASKING SHARK AT REDCAR.
(PLATE III.)
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.
Hull.
Ear_y in August last an enormous shark, measuring 23 ft. ro ins.
in length, and ‘11+ ft. across the tail,’ became entangled in
the salmon nets at Redcar, and for a time was a great attraction
to the visitors. It was variously described as a grampus, a
blue shark, a basking shark, etc. Mr, T. H. Nelson, of
Redcar, to whom we are indebted for the accompanying
photograph (Plate III.), was absent whilst the shark was on
view, but afterwards, in order to settle the matter, kindly
obtained a portion of a comb-like body from the gills, and a
piece of the skin. These were submitted to Sir William
Turner, F.R.S., of the Edinburgh University, who has been
good enough to examine them, and reports that they belong
to the Basking Shark (Se/ache maxima).
The comb-like bronchial appendages, which were so in-
teresting a feature in the Redcar specimen, are exceedingly
curious, and formed the subject of a paper* by Sir William
Turner, which was printed in the /ournal of Anatomy and
Physiology, Vol. 14, 1880, pp. 273-286.
This comb-like structure was Suh first thought to be a variety
of whalebone, to which material it is to some extent similar, and
indeed the fish was referred to as a whale by the early writers.
Sir William, however, proved that the type of the structure
resembles the dentine of a tooth, and is not of the same nature
as whalebone. Its purpose was probably as a sort of a filter,
and answered the same purpose as the baleen plates in the
mouth of a whale, consequently ‘‘ they provide us with an
excellent example of objects which, though different in structure
and mode of origin, yet fulfil corresponding physiological
properties.”
* The Structure of the Comb-like Bronchial Appendages and of the Teeth
of the Basking Shark (Se/ache maxima).
Naturalist,
PLATE III.
NATURALIST, 1907.
THE
“ABOPIY JV YARYS Suryseg
[yee
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
PLATE IV.
risci.
Frullania tama
Frullania dilatata.
Jf
NOTES ON YORKSHIRE BRYOPHYTES.*
IV. Frullania and Jubula.
E. CAVERS, DSc bles,
Professor of Biology, Hartley University College, Southampton.
Tue genus Frudlania, one of the most sharply defined and easily
recognised among leafy liverworts, is represented by over 300
species, the great majority of which are tropical. Only six
species occur in Europe; five of these are found in Britain,
and four in Yorkshire (/. délatata, F. tamarisct, F. microphylla,
F. fragilifolia). The two first named are the commonest,
and they are perhaps the most elegant of our native liver-
worts (Plate V.). Most of the species of Arullania grow as
epiphytes on bark of trees, but some grow on rocks; for
example, /. dilatata is nearly always found on trees, whereas
F. tamarisct appears to grow most frequently on rocks, though
also found sometimes on trees. Our native species often form
fairly large matted layers, the overlapping branches being
closely pressed to the substratum, but in some tropical species
the plants hang from the branches of trees in ‘huge masses,
sometimes half a yard long, and too bulky to be grasped in
the arms.’ +
The genus /ubu/a has a curious geographic range. The
type-species, /. huéchinsi@, was discovered in Ireland, and
besides occurring in several scattered Irish localities, plants
more or less varying from the type have since been found
along the western side of England, Wales, and Scotland, and
a few years ago in West Yorkshire. /wbu/a apparently occurs
nowhere else in the temperate regions, but it has a wide dis-
tribution in the tropics, especially in Central and South America.
Further reference will be made to this genus, which is by some
writers merged in Frudlanra, though it stands well apart from
the latter in many respects. The greater part of this paper,
however, deals with Frul/anta, especially /. dtlatata and
F. tamarisct, abundant living material of which was available
for investigation.
In Frullania, as in leafy liverworts in general, there is a
main axis bearing lateral branches in two opposite rows, and
both main axis and branches consist of a cylindrical stem from
which arise two rows of sideleaves and a single row of under-
* For previous articles see the ‘ Naturalist’ for September and November,
1903, and July and August, 1904.
+ Spruce, Hepatice amazonice et andine, p. 38.
1907 January rt.
T2 Cavers: Notes on YVorkshtre Bryophytes.
leaves. Here and there the plant is attached to the substratum
by a tuft of rhizoids (‘root-hairs’) springing from the base of an
underleaf. The leaves are spirally arranged, so that one under-
leaf corresponds to two sideleaves. Each sideleaf is attached
to the stem by a narrow insertion, which is exactly transverse
in the young leaf, but later becomes shifted so as to run slightly
forwards above (the line of insertion changes from | to\, looking
at the stem from the side, with the growing forward end on the
left), and the leaf curves so that its fore edge covers the hinder
edge of the next leaf in front (the ‘incubous’ arrangement). The
underleaves, however, keep their original transverse insertion.
Each leaf is divided into two lobes. In the underleaves,
this division is not very deep; the middle of the free part of the
leaf is more or less deeply notched, the two teeth being of about
the same size and*shape. In the sideleaves, the two lobes are
sharply separated to the base; the relative size of the lobes
varies in different species and individual plants, even on the
same plant, but the upper lobe is always the larger. While
the upper lobe is a flat or curved plate, the lower lobe has the
form of a pitcher which serves for storing water. This pitcher
(‘lobule’ or ‘ auricle’) is open behind and is joined to the upper
lobe by a narrow stalk inserted near the mouth of the pitcher,
and on this stalk there is usually a short outgrowth (‘stylus’)
consisting of a single row of cells or a triangular plate (Fig. 1).
The pitchers, which sometimes contain small organisms (e.g.
Nostoc and other alge, rotifers, insect-larvee), differ considerably
in shape in different species, besides varying to some extent in
the same species or on the same plant. In /. d/atata they are
usually helmet-shaped, with a wide oblique opening; in the other
British species they are more cylindrical with a narrow trans-
verse opening. In many of the tropical species (Fig. 1) the
pitchers have curious shapes; the mouth is often drawn out like
a scoop and is sometimes toothed, the closed end may be covered
with small outgrowths, and in one case (/ replicaza) the pitcher
is reversed, having the opening facing forwards.
In order to get a clear idea of the organisation of Frullanza,
it is necessary to study the early stages of development, by
means of sections through the tip of the main stem or of a
branch. The growing point has an apical cell, shaped like a
pyramid with a slightly curved base, projecting forwards, and
three flat sides, two of which meet in the middle line above,
while the third is parallel with the lower surface of the stem
(Fig. 2). From the three flat sides are cut off three sets of seg-
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE V.
Fig. 1.—Various species of Frullania, seen from lower surface, magnified.
A, F. tamarisci ; B, F. dilatata (the underleaves removed); C, F. repandistipula ;
D, F. ringens; €, F. arecae; F, F. ecklonit.
Fig. 3.
A. Diagram to show the Barly divisions in the segments
(see Fig. 2); S, S, S, are the cells which contribute to the
stem; Lr, L2, L3, form respectively the lobe, lobule, and
Fig. 2. aot ene stylus of a sideleaf ; A, A the two lobes of an underleaf.
. 3 ‘ B. Leaf of F. dilatata grown in moist surroundings ; the lobule
X, is the apical cell of the main axis; the has remained flat instead of forming a pitcher. C. Cross-
last nine segments cut from it are numbered; section of F. dilatata, showing stem, lobe, pitcher, stylus
X1, X2, are the apical cells of branches. and underleaf.
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Cavers: Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes. 14
ments in spiral succession, the apical cell growing in size after
each segment is cut off by a wall parallel with one of the sides.
In each lateral (more strictly dorso-lateral) segment there
first appears a wall dividing the segment into an upper and
a lower cell, the latter being the larger; then the lower cell
divides by a curved wall cvtting off an inner cell which con-
tributes to the formation of the stem, while the two outer cells
of the segment give rise to a sideleaf. In each of the ventral
segments, the first division separates an inner cell, which con-
tributes to the stem, from an outer cell which produces an
underleaf, and which divides by a vertical wall. In each case,
therefore, the young leaf begins its growth with two cells placed
side by side around the stem. At first these two cells grow
out independently, their independent growth lasting for a short
or long time in different cases, and it is to differences in this
respect and in the mode of growth of the two primary leaf-lobes
that the immense variety of leaf-forms in the foliose liverworts
is due. The later growth of the leaf takes place at the base,
near the stem, the oldest cells being therefore at the apex and
margin. In the underleaf the two lobes become triangular, and
after a time grow together at the base, and grow at about an
equal rate, but in the side leaf the upper lobe soon outstrips the
lower and becomes much larger, bending over the growing
point; all the leaf-lobes bear a club-shaped gland-hair at the
tip, and sometimes also at the margin and the base, secreting
mucilage which keeps the growing point moist. The lower
cell of the lateral leaf (two-celled stage) usually divides at first
into two, and the cell nearest the stem forms the ‘stylus’ which
is also tipped by a mucilage hair but undergoes little develop-
ment. The rest of this lower half-segment then grows out
to form a rounded or oval plate, and after a time its growth
becomes restricted to the middle, so that it gradually becomes
hollow and eventually forms a pitcher.
When /rullanza plants are grown in air saturated by moisture,
é.g., by keeping pieces of bark with: /. dlatata, or rock with
f. tamarisct, in a covered glass dish and watering liberally, the
new branches are found to bear, instead of pitchers, flat rounded
or triangular lobules (Fig. 3). In this connexion it is interesting
to compare with Frullania the closely allied genus /wbula, in
which the plants are dark green in colour and more delicate
in texture than in Frudlania (Fig. 4). Lett * gives the habitat
* *Hepatics of the British Islands,’ 1902, p. 54.
1907 January I.
14 Cavers: Notes on Vorkshire Bryophytes.
J. hutchinsine as ‘rocks and stones over which water trickles,
and very moist places in shaded situations near waterfalls,’ and
Spruce gives a similar habitat for the South American plants
referred to this species. In the numerous British and South
American specimens I have examined, the lobules though
varying considerably in form, even on the same branch, are
flat or slightly concave, strongly recalling the young lobules
of /. dilatata and F. tamarisct as well as the mature lobules
of Frullanias cultivated in very damp surroundings. In the
Hawaiian species, /. piligera, described and figured by Evans, *
the lobules are mostly of the pitcher type, and this species
grows ‘on the ground and on trunks of trees in damp places,’
resembling in habitat the pitcher-bearing /rudlanzas and not
the thoroughly moisture-loving /. hutchinsine.
Water-storing arrangements of various kinds exist in several
genera outside of Frudlanza and its allies, but well developed and
stalked cylindrical pitchers of the /7//anza type are rarely met
with in other genera. One of the few examples is the genus
Polyotus (Lepidolaena) which is restricted to the temperate and
cold regions of the Southern Hemisphere. In this genus (Fig. 5)
the pitchers are developed more freely than in Aru/lania,; each
sideleaf usually has a pair of pitchers, and they are sometimes
borne on the underleaves as well.
In Frullania the stem consists of uniform cells, and is some-
what flattened above and below; the number of cells rarely
exceeds ten in the median horizontal plane (Fig. 3). The leaves
are only one cell in thickness, except at the base, where they
are often two-layered close to the junction with the stem. The
cells are about uniform in size and shape, but in /. ¢amarisct
and /. microphylla there is usually a line of longer and wider
cells along the middle of the upper lobe, which doubtless serves
the function of a mid-rib, and in /. fragi/zfolia similar cells
occur singly or in groups. Each cell contains several chloro-
plasts lying in the layer of protoplasm lining the cell wall, and
numerous oil-bodies occur in the central part of the cell. The
originally thin and colourless cell walls usually become strongly
thickened, especially at the angles, and deeply stained red,
brown, or purple. The outer walls usually project somewhat,
especially on the upper side of the leaf; these projections are
usually well marked in /. ¢amarisct, and doubtless give this
species its characteristic glossy appearance. The lateral
* The Hawaiian Hepatice of the tribe /ubuloidee. ‘Trans. Connecticut
Acad.’, 1900, p. 407.
Naturalist,
ae "
ite
PLaTE VI.
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
"SOBS-19JeM SNOTOUINU YIM
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‘(}X9} 99S) PAOMADATL 9130x9 Ue ‘snosueyaseul SNJOAJOg—*S *31-4
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THE NATURALIST, 1907. Pirate VII.
ea
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Bonoae
qqeauage
Fig. 6.—Frullania dilatata.
A, a perigonial leaf (male bract), from ventral surface, showing two antheridia; B. C,
antheridium in apical view and in longitudinal section; D, longitudinal section of perianth
with two archegonia; E£, transverse section of same; F, longitudinal section of perianth
showing embryo in fertilised archegonium, with unfertilised archegonium on the right;
G, a series of longitudinal, and H,a series of transverse, sections of embryos of different
ages; 1, J, K, L, longitudinal sections of older sporogonia, to show development of spores
and elaters.
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Cavers: Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes. 15
walls of the cells bear very thin places, or pits, through which
dissolved substances can pass more readily. The degree of
wall-thickening and of coloration depends largely on the habitat
of the plant, especially as regards light, the thickest and most
deeply coloured cell walls being found in plants growing in the
most exposed places. From the results of cultures, | have found
that in Frud/ania and various other liverworts the thickness of
the cell walls is largly influenced by the amount of moisture in
the surroundings, while their coloration depends solely on the
intensity of the light. Cutin is not developed on any part of
the plant (except on the outer surface of the capsule and in the
outer coat of the spores), hence water can be absorbed at all
parts, and is stored during drought, not only in the pitchers and
in the cavities of the leaf cells, but also in the thick cell walls.
Plants kept constantly moist not only dispense with. pitchers,
but also with thickened cell walls. The coloration of the walls
may act as a screen against too strong light, or may be a pro-
tection against cold in addition. Experiments have shown *
that in plants of /. ¢amariscz with deep coloration the gaseous
exchanges concerned in assimilation and respiration are less
active than in green plants of the same species.
Each branch of the stem arises just behind one of the side
leaves. According to Leitgeb, t the whole of the lower half of
a segment is used up to form the growing point of the branch
(Fig. 2), so that the leaf behind which the branch arises has no
lobule. This is usually the case in /. dlatata and F. tamarzsct,
which Leitgeb investigated, but from sections and cleared
apices of several other species of /yw//anza, | am inclined to
believe that in some cases, at any rate, the branch represents only
the posterior part of the half segment, and that what appears to be
the first underleaf of the branch is really the lobule and stylus
derived from the rest-of the half segment; this would agree
with the interpretation of the branching in /rud/ania suggested
by Spruce and by Evans.
All the British species of Frud/ania are dioecious, though
fF. dilatata is said to have the male and female branches some-
times on the same plant. In this species, as was noted by
Hofmeister, | the male plants usually occur at a higher level on
the substratum than the female plants, to which the anthe-
rozoids are washed down by rain or dew, thus reaching the
* Jonsson, Comptes rendus, 1894.
+ Untersuchungen tiber die Lebermoose, Heft 2, pp. 22, 25.
+ Vergleichende Untersuchungen, p. 37-
1907 January 1.
16 Northern News.
archegonia. The same is the case with /. ¢amariscz, and in
both species the plants are always dioecious, so far as I have
seen, and the males are produced very sparingly towards the
upper edges of the patch, and are much thinner and smaller-
leaved than the females. The antheridia are developed on
special short branches, with the under leaves rudimentary or
absent except at the base of the branch, and the side leaves
(‘male bracts’ or ‘perigotiial leaves’) consist of two nearly
equal lobes, which are joined below and curve towards each
other to form a pocket; the lobule is not developed as a
pitcher. In the axil of each of these leaves stand two anthe-
ridia, as a rule, but the number varies from one to four
(Fig. 6 A). The antheridium is somewhat egg-shaped, and is
carried on a slender stalk. The cells forming the apical part of
the antheridium wall are elongated (Fig. 6, B C), and when the
ripe antheridium absorbs water these long cells swell up, sepa-
rate from each other, and spring outwards (or perhaps. are
forced out by the swollen antherozoid mother cells) and leave a
wide opening through which the antherozoids escape.
The archegonia are borne in terminal groups on the main
axis and on short branches; each group contains, as a rule,
only two archegonia, but three are often seen, and less
frequently four. The first archegonium arises from the apical
cell, the second from its youngest segment. The three seg-
ments below grow out together and remain joined, forming a
tube (perianth) which is at first narrow, but later widens at the
base (where the growth takes place, as in ordinary leaves),
and eventually forms a wide sac with a narrow tubular pro-
longation (the earliest formed part) at the top. The perianth
consists of a single layer of cells, except at the very base, which
is two-layered ; in /. dilatata the outer surface bears numerous
small projections (Fig. 6, D, E, F; Fig. 8). The leaves just
below the perianth begin to grow in the usual way, but the two
lobes become equally developed, or nearly so, and are usually
triangular and more or less sharply pointed ; these ‘ involucral
leaves’ or ‘female bracts’ bend over the developing archegonia
and help in protecting and keeping them moist.
(To be continued. )
elt
Mr. W. Jerome Harrison favours us with a copy of his paper on ‘ The
Desirability of Promoting County Photographic Surveys,’ read at the York.
meeting of the British Association. (See ‘ Naturalist,’ September, 1906,
p. 290.) With this is printed the remarks made in the discussion following
the paper.
Naturalist,
Vill.
PLATE
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
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17
LIFE ZONES IN BRITISH CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS.*
Part I1.—The Fossils of the Millstone Grits and Pendleside Series.
WHEELTON HIND, M.D., B.S, F.R.C.S, F.G.S.
THERE is much to be done yet to work out the life-zones of the
Millstone Grits and Pendleside series. A certain amount of
detail has already accumulated, and I think it may be well to
put on record what is known on the subject.
It must be remembered that the Pendleside series and Mill-
stone grits are a very local deposit, the maximum thickness of
each coinciding. I have pointed out on many occasions that
the Pendleside series thins out north and south. I have not met
with the deposit, in the Pennine area, north of Settle. It is
absent in Coalbrook Dale and Cannock Chase, where the
Carboniferous Limestone is succeeded by Coal Measures, with-
out unconformity, but the series is represented at Chokier,
Mons, and Clavier in Belgium, and in the homotaxical equiva-
lent of the Culm of Magdeburg and other German localities.
In the West I have estimated that it is represented by some
60 feet of shales and concretionary limestones in Cos. Clare and
Limerick. A comparison of the faunas demonstrates that the
Lower Culm of North Devon is the homotaxical equivalent
of the Pendleside series of the Midlands.
So also with regard to the Millstone Grit series; the maximum
thickness of this series occupies an area which may be roughly
said to extend from North Derbyshire to Bolland and Craven.
In North Staffordshire the Grits thin out very rapidly, so that they
are not represented in the Carboniferous sequence further south.
Northwards, beds of grits succeed the Yoredale phase of the
Carboniferous Limestone as far as Northumberland, but, as
grits, are absent in the Scotch sequence where they are repre-
sented by about 687 feet of sandstones and shales, which inter-
vene between the Castle Carey Limestone and the Slate band
ironstone, the roof of which is characterised by the presence of
Carbonicola robusta.
In the coalfields of the Midlands we find the marine beds of
the Ganister series, with Gastrioceras listert, G. carbonarium,
Dimorphoceras gilbertsont, Pterinopecten papyraceus, Posidoniella
levis and Orthoceras, below the maximum of C. robusta, and at
present only a fragment of P. papyraceus, and some two or
three specimens of Poszdontella levis have been obtained in the
* For previous paper see ‘ Naturalist’ for August, 1906.
1907 January 1.
18 flind: Life Zones in British Carbontferous Rocks.
series assigned to the Millstone Grit in Scotland, though some
of the beds contain a rich marine fauna, largely new to the
Eastern Hemisphere.
Mr. Kidston has shown that the change from a Lower Car-
boniferous flora to the Upper occurs in the Millstone Grit series
of Scotland, about the horizon of the Roslin sandstone.
In the South, the sandstones of the Middle Culm most pro-
bably represent the Millstone Grits, but it is doubtful if they are
presented to any extent in the South Wales or Bristol coal re-
fields. In Belgium, we know that the Millstone Grits are
absent. In the West of Ireland, a fairly well developed series
of flagstones, grits, and inter-bedded shales with marine bands
evidently represent the Millstone Grit.
Although in the localities mentioned above, the Carboniferous
sequence differs enormously, as yet no apparent unconformity
has been proved anywhere between the Carboniferous Limestone
and the Coal Measures. Whatever beds overlie the Carboniferous
Limestone appear to be conformable to it.
Within the last two years an important fact has been made
out for the Carboniferous areas of North Wales, the Pennine
system, and the East of Ireland, that is, the upper beds contain
everywhere a definite coral fauna, characterised by the presence
of Cyathaxonia, Amplexizaphrentis, and Cladochonus; thus a
definite top is obtained for the Carboniferous Limestone series,
and in other words a definite base for the succeeding Pendleside
series.
It is at the top of these Cyathaxonia beds that the great change
takes place in the Molluscan fauna, and in the Midlands in the
Fish fauna. The Corals, Echinodermata, and Polyzoa became
almost entirely annihilated, and a new fauna of mud-loving
animals took their place, but land conditions remained constant,
for the great floral change only took place at a much later period,
as I have previously stated. The great Carboniferous faunal
break must therefore be placed at the top of the Cyathaxonia
beds, and it is here that the line dividing Upper and Lower
Carboniferous must be drawn.
The Cyathaxonia beds at Warsoe-end House, near Pendle
Hill; Congleton Edge quarry, Cheshire; Torrs’ quarry near
Bradbourne, Derbyshire, contain Prolecanites compressus, a
fossil which characterises the junction of Upper and Lower
Carboniferous rocks, and passes up into the lower part of the
Pendleside series, but does not range far up.
This fossil is plentiful in the Coddon Hill beds of the Culm,
Naturalist,
Hind: Life Zones tn British Carboniferous Rocks. 19
which I consider to be at the base of the Culm series. It is
associated there with Trilobites, and rare casts of corals, and
an important lamellibranch Chenocardiola footit, that is found only
in the base of Pendleside series in the Midlands and in Ireland.
P. compressus occurs in the Carboniferous Limestones of
Little Island, Co. Cork; Scarlett, Isle of Man; and Kendal,
Westmorland; associated always with an upper Dibunophyllum
fauna.
In the Pendleside series I have obtained specimens from
? Telia, N. Wales, the shales of the Hodder, at Hodder Place,
Pendle Hill, Lancashire; Morredge, N. Staffordshire, so that
in Prolecanites compressus we have the index of the junction of
upper and lower Carboniferous rocks and Stroboceras sulcatum
seems to have the same range.
There is not always a cessation of the deposit of limestone
associated with the faunal change, but the limestones associa-
ted with the incoming Pendleside fauna are different in texture,
cleavage, colour, and ring.
The new fauna is characterised by the immediate appearance
of Pterinopecten papyraceus, Positdonomya membranacea, P.
bechert, Posidoniella levis and Glyphiocerus reticulatum, Nomts-
moceras rotiforme, to mention certain members of a fauna which
is given in full lower down.
This faunal succession has been demonstrated at the follow-
ing places :—In North Staffordshire ; at Pepper Mill, Wetton,
limestones with Cyathaxonita and Amplexizaphrentis are suc-
ceeded by Shales and Limestones with Plerinopecten papyraceus,
Postdonomya bechert, Positdontella levis and Nomismoceras rott-
jorme. At Mixon Hey P. papyraceus, Postdonomya bechert
Posidoniella levis. A station in the River Hamps, near Onecote,
yields Postdonomya membranacea and Prolecanites compressus at
Tissington Station, Derbyshire, Pterznopecten papyraceus and
Postdonomya bechert succeed the uppermost beds of the Car-
boniferous Limestone.
. In the river Hodder the same fossils are found as at Wetton,
and in addition Prolecanttes compressus, Phillipsta pollent. The
series exposed in the Hodder is a most interesting one, and I
hope to publish a paper on the subject at an early date. In
Yorkshire the P. dechert beds have been found succeeding the
Cyathaxonia beds at the Cracoe fells.
The same fauna is found at the following localities :—in
the River Wharfe a little west of Linton Church, Linton; at
Lothersdale; Mill Beck, near Hetton ; Dinckley Hall, R. Ribble;
1907 January 1.
20 Find: Life Zones tn British Carboniferous Rocks.
Ramsclough, near Thornley Hall; West Bradford, Bolland ;
Holden; Agden Clough; and Stream near Browsholme Hall,
Bolland ; Sulber Lathe, Flasby ; Newton Gill, 1 mile E. of Long
Preston.
The Black Limestones of the Isle of Man contain, as had
been known for a long while, Poszdonomva bechert in abundance,
Pterinopecten papyraceus, Nomismoceras rotiforme, Glyphioceras
veticulatum, Orthoceras morristanum, O. sulcatum, and many
plants.
In North Wales at Teilia, Prestatyn and Holloway, the
junction of Cyathaxonta beds with thin black Limestones
containing Pterinopecten papyraceus, Posidonomya becheri and
P. membranacea and other members of the fauna and flora are
well seen.
This Life Zone is traced West into Ireland, and is well seen
on the Coast near Lough Shinney, Co. Dublin, and in Co. Clare,
where I have demonstrated the presence of Poszdonomya mem-
branacea, Pterinopecten papyraceus, P. becheri, in beds which
succeed the Carboniferous Limestone.
Here, then, is a wide and extensive Zone which may well be
called the Zone of Postdonomya bechert, which may be considered
to include the first 200-300 feet of the Pendleside Limestones.
I am purposely vague as to the extent, because the whole
series, as I stated above, thins out rapidly N. and S., and at
Pendlehill I believe this Zone to be thicker than elsewhere.
In certain localities I fear that the other Zones in the series
are not so perfectly demonstrable, nevertheless they exist, and if I
say what I know about them, others may be able to fill in details.
Above the P. bdechert Zone we find a horizon in which
Glyphioceras spirale occurs abundantly. The maximum of this
fossil occurs in Cheshire, at Congleton Edge, about 500 below
the 3rd grit and about the same distance above the top of the
Cyathaxonta beds. This shell is very common in the Lower Culm
of North and South Devon, and has occurred at Foynes’ Island,
Co. Limerick, Lough Shinney, Co. Dublin, and Pendle Hill.
At Congleton Edge occurs a most interesting section, which
has been described by me so frequently. The quarry is opened
to work some strong Quartzose Sandstones containing plant
remains and thin streaks of Coal, for the purpose of forming
the floors of iron furnaces.
The upper band of this rock is succeeded by two feet of
greyish yellow marl, with calcareous nodules, rapidly thinning
out towards South. This is succeeded by a foot of black
Naturalist,
flind: Life Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks. 21
stratified hardened shale, crammed full of G. spfzra/e. In the
same bed are a few specimens of G. déadema and Orthoceras
steinhauert. Above are 14-15 feet of Shales with calcareous
nodules, which contain the following fauna ; succeeded by 5 feet
of a shell bed composed of closely-packed valves of Schzzophoria
resupinata, Which shows a curious character in its radiating ribs,
which probably may be relied upon to distinguish the form at
this horizon, viz., the lines every now and then thicken and come
to an abrupt end, as if there had been an attempt to commence
to form spines and this had failed. I have seen the same
character in specimens from an Orthis bed in the Millstone
Grit elsewhere.
Corals. Posidoniella semisulcata.
Amplexizaphentis (rare). Pleronites angustatus.
Palaeosolen parallela.
Brachiopoda. Protoschtzodus orbicularis.
Seminula ambigua. wer: A
: & Sanguinolites, v. scriptus.
Scaldia benedentana.
Sedgwickia ovata.
Schizodus axiniformis.
Chonetes cf. laguessiana.
Dialasma hastata.
Lingula mytiloides.
<5 scotica.
Productus aft. cova. Gasteropoda.
an longispinus. Loxonema sp.
5 scabriculus. Macrocheilina sp.
oF semtreticulatus. Raphistoma junior and others not
Schizophoria resupinata. identified.
3 (Rhipidomella) michelinz. Euphemus uret.
Spiriyer glaber. 3 sp.
». trigonalis. Pteropoda.
», Ozsulcatus.
Derbya sp.
|
| Conularia quadrisulcata.
Cephalopoda.
Lamellibranchiata. Temnochetlus coronatus.
Aviculopecten gentilis. Ephippioceras bilobatum.
Actinopteria persulcata. Stroboceras sulcatum.
Ctenodonta laevirostris. Coelonautilus, cf. cariniferus.
Allorisma sulcata. Glyphioceras diadema.
Edmondia sulcata. ‘. spirale
53 rudis. Orthoceras steinhauert.
#3 MACCOY 1. 33 teres.
Leiopteria squamosa. Crustacea.
Modiola transversa.
Myalina peralata.
Mytilomorpha rhombea.
Nucula gibbosa.
», aegualis.
Ceratiocaris oretonensts.
Dithyrocaris testudinea,
Bry0zoa.
Millepora interporosa.
Nuculana attenuata. Plante.
Parallelodon obtusus. Smooth stems.
$3 bistriata. Stigmaria
Posidoniella levis. Trigonocarpon.
1907 January I.
22 Hind: Life Zones tn British Carboniferous Rocks.
This is a large and curious fauna to find high up in the
Pendleside series, but although elsewhere in the Midlands this
bed has not been positively identified, other rich faunas occur
in the grits at higher horizons at Pule Hill and in the neighbour-
hood of Pateley Bridge.
Owing to the fact that the Millstone Grits are thinning out
along Congleton Edge, the exact horizon of the shell bed here
is equivocal. 12 miles N.W. the grits are in full force, and
consist of 5 beds :—Rough Rock, 2nd Grit, 3rd or Roches Grit,
Kinderscout Grit, and Farey’s or the Pendle Grit; at Congleton
Edge only two grits are present, and these are thin. They are
presumed to represent the 1st and 3rd Grits. It may be that
the Crow stones immediately below the fossil bed represent
Farey’s Grit, but the presence of G. spirale and G. diadema
points to a Pendleside facies rather than Millstone Grit.
Glyphioceras diadema has a broad horizontal distribution. It
occurs in profusion in the North of County Clare, some 2-4 feet
above the top of the Carboniferous Limestone. I have suggested
that here the Poszdonomya becheri beds are absent owing to an
overlap of higher beds. (Proc. Roy.-Irish Acad., Vol. XXV.,
section B., pp. 93-116.)
At Chokier, Belgium, the same fauna occurs, and it is in-
teresting to note that in each of these localities, ordinary
specimens of G. diadema are accompanied by a variety with
very coarse ribs and a wide umbilicus. (Op. Supra. czt., pl. vi.,
figs. 10-11.)
The Zone of Glyphioceras reticulatum (maximum) requires
working out in more detail. In the Postdonomya bechert beds
it appears first as a large shell with coarse reticulate marking.
Higher up, and probably below the maximum of G. spzrale, it
occurs in profusion in some localities, persists through the grits,
appearing in force in the shale below the 3rd grit at Wadsworth
Moor and Eccup, near Leeds. In the Pendleside series it is at
its maximum in the black shales and nodular limestones of the
Pendleside series, of Horsebridge Clough and High Green
Wood, near Hebden Bridge.
The fauna here contains the following :—
Brachiopoda. | Posidoniella minor.
Productus (scabriculate form). | 5 variabilis.
Lamellibranchiata. Schizodus antiquus.
Pterinopecten papyraceus. Sanguinolites cf. sulcatus.
Posidoniella levis. Nucula equalis.
"3 kirkmant. Letopteria longtrostris.
Naturalist,
Northern News.
23
Gasteropoda. Gastrioceras listeri fide Spencer.
Macrochetlina elegans. Nomismoceras spirorbis.
ve gibsoni. Orthoceras morrisianum.
ay reticulata. a5 steinhauert.
Ceohal d an konicktanumn.
Spe oP oea- . aciculare.
Glyphioceras phillipst. i ir UDER.
” ESOL: Celonautilus quadratus.
” implicatum. Solenochetlus cyclostomus.
” reticulatum. Temnochetlus carbonarius.
Glyphioceras davisi. Pleuronautilus pulcher.
re diadema. |
“8 calyx. | Pisces.
+ platylobum. | Cladodus mirabilis.
Dimorphoceras discrepans.
Orodus elongatus.
‘5 gilbertsont.
59 loonyt. |
Acrolepis hopkinsi.
Elonichthys aitkent.
I know no other locality so rich species as the Hebden Bridge
localities, but bullions rich in G. vefzculatum occur in the Dane
Valley and below Morredge, near Leek. In both localities I
estimate the bed to be about 250 feet below the Kinderscout Grit.
Glyphioceras bilingue is a much rarer shell. It appears in
the Pendleside series, for the first time, only some little way
above the Poszdonomya bechert zone.
In the North Staffordshire district I have obtained it from
Shales in contact with the red rock fault, River Dane East of the
Railway Viaduct, and in the River Dove at the foot of Park Hill,
where it occurs with Chaenocardiola foottt. 1 also obtained it
in the banks of the stream at Wildmoor Bank Hollow, off the
Macclesfield and Buxton Road. Here its position is apparently
below the Kinderscout Grit.
(Zo be continued.)
a s
There are apparently different ways of studying nature. Judging from
a report in the Hudl Daily Mail, ‘fifty of the senior scholars attending the
National School,’ at an East Riding village, ‘had their final, and most
enjoyable, ramble of the season.’ After noting the flowers, birds and insects,
‘a move was made to St. Augustine’s Stone . . . and each scholar possessed
himself of a small specimen of the rock . . . prayers brought the ramble to
a close’—prayers for the preservation of objects of natural beauty, we
presume !
At a recent meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological
Society, Mr. W. Mansbridge read a paper entitled ‘ Notes ona Melanic Race
of Agrotis ashworthii, and exhibited a long series of moths bred in 1905 in
illustration of his remarks. Mr. Mansbridge reviewed the evidence for and
against the view that A. ashworthii and A. candelarum are the same species,
and suggested the name subsfriafa to distinguish the new form. The
opinion of the meeting was to the effect that more evidence of identity was
required, especially as regards early stages and structural details of
candelarum.
1907 January I.
24
THE CHEMISTRY OF SOME COMMON PLANTS.
P. Q@3 KEEGAN, Lieb
Patterdale, Westmorland.
Rock LicHen (Parmelia saxatilis)—This organism is very
commonly observed on roadside unmortared walls, and some-
times on withered time-worn hawthorn barks, etc., and is a
fairly good representative of the class to which it belongs. It
is divided by systematists into two varieties: one, refiruga,
containing, according to Hesse, atranorin, protocetraric acid,
and saxatic acid; the other, ompha/lodes, containing atranorin,
saxatic acid, and an acid like protocetraric acid. It may be
advisable to observe here that the chemistry of lichens is very
difficult and greatly confused for two reasons, viz., the difficulty
of purifying the constituents extracted by solvents, and the fact
that these constituents are liable to vary in composition and in
relative amount at any particular period. Therefore, I shall
merely present the results of my own rough analysis of this
species, prosecuted in the ordinary way. The dried substance
treated with boiling benzene yielded 0.75 per cent. of a brownish-
yellow extract, which with sulphuric acid gave green, red and
brown colours, and has a white opaque matter insoluble in cold
benzene like stearine. The treatment with boiling alcohol (after
benzene) afforded a crystalline deposit on cooling, and also on
adding water, and the liquid gave with perchloride of iron a
violet colour, with solution of bleaching lime a transient violet,
with ammonia water it dried up to a red-brown mass, with lime
added and the filtrate acidified by HCl a bright red precipitate
was presently deposited ; the liquid contained no free phloroglucin
or sugar. The hot water extract gave reactions similar to the
foregoing, it had neither sugar nor albumenoid. Dilute caustic
soda further withdrew a small quantity of mucilage coloured
red-brown, but still no albumenoid. Dilute HCl did not extract
any starch or lichenin. The residue (crude ‘ fibre’) amounted
to 63.7 per cent. of the original. The ash amounted to 5.4 per
cent., and yielded 13.3 per cent. soluble salts, 55 silica, 2.2 lime,
17.5 oxide of iron; 4.1,P2O° and 1.1 °SO®% ; there was adittle
manganese, but no carbonates. It would appear that in the
above analysis the benzene extracted atranorin, and the alcohol
a mixture of protocetraric and saxatic acids. The well-known
dyeing property of the lichen is mainly due to the former acid,
which seems to be a derivative of betaorcin C8H!°O? =dimethyl
resorcine, and to result from the hydrolysis of the lichen proteids.
Naturalist,
Field Note. 25
Like the indigo of certain plants, it is thrown out or excreted in
the form of minute granules on the exterior of the hyphae in the
cortical portion of the upper surface. It would appear that when
a decrease of the albumenoids takes place the quantity of this
lichen-acid increases, so that it may be regarded as a sort of
waste-product of the living plant, and not a true product of
deassimilation.
ParSLEY FERN (AJlosorus crispus).—This plant is distinctly
local in habitat ; it nestles under huge boulders or largish stones
on the mountain side, or under walls in shady lanes. Generally
it affects rough and stony ground appurtenant to wild and well
watered areas. The exterior aspect of its fillets differs from
most of its class, resembling more those of certain dicotyledons ;
but its chemistry is pretty similar to that of its ally and
associate, the common bracken. The dried overground parts on
19th July yielded 3.25 per cent. of wax with only a little carotin
or glyceride ; there was much tannoid reacting like quercitrin,
also a resin and a little tannin (insoluble in strong alcohol)
which precipitated gelatine and bromine water, much sugar,
proteid and starch, some mucilage non-coagulable by acids, but
no oxalate of calcium ; the ash amounted to about 5 per cent.,
and contained 60.1 solubie salts, 14.2 silica, 5.2 lime, 5.9
magnesia, 8 P2005, 3.5 SO3, and 4.2 chlorine, with much
manganese and very much soluble carbonates, thus attesting the
eminent richness of the plant in organic acids. The remarkable
feature, however, is the large quantity of soluble salts con-
jointly with the considerable amount of silica. We conclude
that the carbohydrates engaged in the fruiting process have
undergone a very active though incomplete oxidation, while the
silica depositing incidental to a failing life-energy has already
become manifest. Later on in November, the proportion of
soluble salts diminished to below one half, and the silica per-
centage rises to about 31. There is thus a considerable
similarity in the life-cycle and the physiological processes to
those of the more splendidly developed bracken ; but this fern
évidently possesses more vitality and enjoys a longer life.
ae Se
ENTOMOLOGY.
Chzrocampa celerio at Wakefield.—I have recently
added to my collection a specimen of Cherocampa celerio,
which was taken on the outside of a shop window in Wakefield
on October 24th last by Mr. H. Lumb.—Geo. T. Porritt,
Huddersfield. December 1oth, 1906.
3go7 January 1.
26
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT YORK.
THE forty-fifth annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
Union was held at York on Saturday, December 15th. The
meeting was of peculiar interest, from the fact that it was the
two hundredth meeting of the Union.
In the morning those who arrived early were conducted
round the premises of the British Botanical Association at
Acomb, where Dr. Burtt, the director, kindly exhibited the
various botanical preparations made under his supervision.
The sections met in the Museum at 3 p.m., and at 3-30 an
exceptionally well attended gathering of the general committee
was held in the Lecture Theatre, under the presidency of Mr.
W. Eagle Clarke. The report on the year’s work was care-
fully considered, and the opinion was generally expressed that
the work of the Union during the year was quite equal to that
of any previous year. In some sections work of exceptional
importance had been accomplished, details of which had
appeared in the Union’s official organ, the ‘ Naturalist.” For
the forthcoming year it was announced that some of the
committees had arranged to undertake special investigations.
It was decided to hold meetings for 1907 as under :—
For York, N.E.—Robin Hood’s Bay (Whit week-end,
May 18th to 2oth).
ss S.E.—South Cave (Saturday, June 22nd).
+ S.W.—Thorne Waste (Thursday, July 11th).
at Mid. W.—Kettlewell for Arncliffe (August Bank
Holiday week-end).
f N.W.—Horton-in-Ribblesdale (Sept. 7th).
Fungus Foray—Grassington for Grass Woods and Bolton
Woods (September 21st to 26th).
An invitation from the Halifax Scientific Society for the
Union to hold its next annual meeting at Halifax was accepted,
the place being particularly appropriate, seeing that the Union’s
new president, Mr. C. Crossland, F.L.S., is a Halifax man.
The hon. treasurer, Mr. J. H. Howarth, J.P., had pleasure
in reporting that, probably for the first time for‘many years, the
expenses of the Union for the year had been slightly less than
the receipts, and that when the arrears of subscriptions had
been paid the financial position of the Union would be most
satisfactory. This success was partly due to the new arrange-
ment with the ‘ Naturalist,’ which had worked so well for all
concerned.
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at York. 27
After tea the annual general meeting was held in the
Museum. At this, reference was made by several members to
the recent press reports in which it appeared that allegations
had been made at a meeting of the Hull City Council against
the suitable nature of the exhibits at the Hull Museum. On the
proposition of Mr. G. T. Porritt, of Huddersfield, seconded by
Mr. H. H. Corbett, of Doncaster, the following resolution, to
be sent to the Hull City Council, was unanimously passed :—
‘That the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,
assembled in annual meeting at York, desire to congratulate the
Corporation of the City of Kingston upon Hull, upon the ex-
cellent condition of their Municipal Museum, which now occupies
a foremost position among English provincial museums, and
upon the immense advance it has made since the appointment of
the present curator, whose energy, tact and scientific judgment
are fully manifested throughout the galleries of the institution.
The members of the Union are well acquainted with the
Museum, and an annual meeting of the Union has been held
there. The Union, therefore, feels justified in expressing an
opinion which it believes may not be unwelcome.’
Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, F.R.S.E., of the Royal Scottish
Museum, Edinburgh, who was warmly received, then delivered
his presidential address, entitled ‘ Bird Life in the Antarctic.’
The president referred to the fact that the ornithological collec-
tions acquired by the Scottish and National Antarctic Expeditions
had been submitted to him for examination and description.
Amongst the numerous specimens brought home by these two
expeditions were several which, from the fact that they were
previously unknown, rendered them of the utmost value to
zoological science. In connection with the nesting habits and
life history of several hitherto little-known birds, much interest-
ing information was imparted by Mr. Clarke (see ‘ Naturalist’
for ‘ Naturalist’ for July, 1906, p. 201).
Of particular interest was a fine series of charming lantern
slides from photographs taken in the Antarctic on the expeditions
referred to. These showed many quaint phases of bird life, and
were much appreciated.
A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Eagle Clarke for his
address, on the proposition of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor
of York, and a similar compliment was accorded to Dr. Gram-
shaw, the president of the York and District Field Naturalists’
Society, for taking the chair during the delivery of the presi-
dential address. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the
1g07 January I.
28 Small Quantity of Atr Necessary to Sustain Life in a Bat.
York Philosophical Society for the use of the Museum and
Lecture Theatre, and to the York Naturalists’ Society for their
entertainment and efforts to make the meeting the success
it was.
After the address a pleasant evening was spent in the
Museum, where the York Society had arranged some special
exhibits, a concert, and also provided refreshments.—T. S.
ON THE SMALL QUANTITY OF AIR NECESSARY TO
SUSTAIN LIFE IN A BAT.
H. B. BOOTH, M.B.O.U.
Shipley.
On September 23rd I received a securely fastened brown
paper parcel from a friend in Shropshire. Inside were two
Pipistrelle Bats, each closely wrapped several times round:
with tissue paper, and just filled a 2-oz. tobacco tin. Around
the tin was a short note saying that one of the bats was dead,
and, although the other one was just alive when put in, it would
not reach me so. The time occupied in the post was 18 hours.
To my great surprise, on taking off the numerous wrappings, I
found one of the bats was still warm, and showed signs of life.’
My first impulse was to immediately put it out of its misery, but
as it gave some signs of moving, J put it aside in a larger box.
Several hours after it was crawling slowly about, and squeaked,
and snapped at my fingers when touched. I now spent fully
half an hour catching house-flies, and it took about a score from
the point of a pin, and became quite lively. It lived for a
fortnight longer, and during most of that time it was on view to
the public in the Museum Room of the Cartwright Hall, and
may possibly have succumbed eventually to an excessive house-
fly diet. Both bats had been in a cigar box parcel about 24 hours
before being sent on to me.
Although I much regret if any cruelty has been thoughtlessly
imposed on the above individual, yet I think the facts of the case
worth recording, as it appears wonderful to me what a small.
quantity of air is really necessary in order to keep a bat alive.
No doubt this will be partly due to the out-of-the-way crannies
in which many bats spend most of their lives, and where, in
many cases, there is no circulation of air, and partly because
they are hibernating animals. The bat which survived was.
mature, and the one received dead was an immature, although:
a full-grown, specimen.
Naturalist,
=
FIELD NOTES.
MAMMALS.
Otter near Barnsley.—An otter was shot a fortnight ago
in the Dearne Valley about 14 miles north of Barnsley. Some
years they are not uncommon south of Barnsley, in the neighbour-
hood of Darfield, but I do not remember hearing of them so far
up stream before.—E. G. BAyFrorp.
00)
BIRDS.
Little Auk and Albino Swallows at Skipton.—A mature
specimen of the Little Auk, in splendid plumage, was killed at
Skipton on November 8th, 1906, immediately after a two days’
north-west gale. Two Albino Swallows were bred at Embsay,
near Skipton, this summer, and got away safely. It is hoped
they may return next year.—W. WILSON, Skipton, December
8th, 1906.
Purple Sandpiper in Upper Airedale.—On December
2nd I received a bird for identification from Malham, which
proved to be a Purple Sandpiper, and new to the local list of
the Bradford Natural History and Microscopical Society. For
several days before there had been strong westerly winds,
almost amounting toa gale at times, and no doubt this bird,
which was rather battered, had been blown out of its course
from the sea shore.—H. B. Boorn, Shipley.
Albino Blackbird in Lincolnshire.—In the summer of
1904 I saw a male blackbird, with a perfectly white head, a little
way out of Great Ponton. In 1905 I saw the same bird; and
again this year, I notice not oniy the white-headed bird, but
also one with much white about its neck and nearly a white
tail; and another with many white feathers in its wing's, possibly
descendants of the first-mentioned bird. I and others have seen
them several times lately, always within a range of about four
fields. —H. Preston, Grantham, December 2nd, 1906.
—:0 :—
FISHES.
Short-finned Tunny landed at Grimsby.—During the
third week in December there was quite a mild sensation in
Bradford, caused by a large fish which was on view at the
game shop of Mr. W. L. Blakeley, at the bottom of Horton
Road. It was supposed to be a Salmon hybrid, and it was
said that none of the fisherfolk at Grimsby had ever seen any-
1g07 January I.
30 Field Notes.
thing like it before. Mr. F. King, of Grimsby, who sent this
fish to Bradford, states that it was caught five miles to the
north-east of the Dogger Bank on December toth, 1906. The
local evening papers of the 17th December stated that it had
the head of a Salmon, the body of a Porpoise, and the tail of a
Shark (!!), so that it attracted considerable attention. I found
it to be one of the larger species of the Scombrid@ (Mackerels),
and with the aid of ‘Our Country’s Fishes,’ was able to identify
it with certainty as the Short-finned Tunny (Ovcynus thynnus).
Although the Tunnies are common further south, and are a
source of much economic value as food in the south-west of
Europe and on the shores of the Mediterranean, yet they are of
sufficient rarity in the British seas as to merit the following
description of the present specimen :—
Colour and Scales.—Back, dark blue, shading to netted grey
on the sides, and to silvery white below. The scales above the
pectoral fins larger and forming a corslet, from which smaller
scales extended towards the tail. Otherwise almost scaleless.
Measurements, etc.—The total length from the snout to the
centre, or root, of the tail (measured along the back) was 3 feet
gt inches. The tail, which was keeled at the sides, was large
and deeply forked ; the span from tip to tip of the lobes being
134 inches. The first dorsal fin contained 14 spines (the last
one very small), and almost joined the second dorsal fin, which,
although damaged, still showed its triangular shape. There
were ten finlets behind, one being very small. The pectoral fins
(which fitted into grooves), did not reach to within about 4 inches
of the parallel of the second dorsal fin, and measured g and
7 inches respectively along the upper and lower edges, and were
edged with white on the inner lower margins. Ventral fins,
almost joining, not more than an eighth of an inch apart.
Eight finlets underneath, between the anal fin and tail. The
greatest girth would be about 30 inches ; it was very solid and
fleshy and J was assured by the owner that this fish scaled
nearly 100 lbs. Unfortunately its flesh was wasted, as it was
exhibited and unidentified until it was too stale for food.—H. B.
Bootu, Bradford.
—:0 :—
ENTOMOLOGY.
Sphinx convolvuli at Bradford.—Two specimens of SS.
convolvuli were taken at Saltaire during August, on the 8th and
11th respectively. Both were taken to Mr, S. Hainsworth, one
of which he exhibited at a meeting of the Bradford Natural
Naturalist.
field Notes. BI
History and Microscopical Society.—J. W. Carter, Bradford,
November 21st, 1906.
Acherontia atropos at Bradford.—The capture of two
specimens of A. atropos, in August, has been reported to me.
Both were taken at Shipley, one of which is recorded by Mr.
Hainsworth, the other was brought to Mr. F. Rhodes at the
Cartwright Hall by Mr. Pitts.—J. W. Carter, Bradford,
November 21st, 1906.
Leucophza surinamensis, Linn., etc., at Bradford.—A
few months ago a specimen of a Cockroach, which had been
taken in the Bradford market, was given to me, and was put on
one side for turther examination.
A few days ago I determined it to be Leucophea surinamensts,
Linn., and sent the specimen to Mr. Porritt, who kindly confirms
my determination, and states it is the first recorded example for
Yorkshire.
Since my list of Cockroaches for this district was published
(‘Nat.’ Jan., 1897, p. 26), four species have been added, viz.,
Per:planeta australasie, Fabr.; Panchlora exoleta, Klug.,
which is frequently taken in the market; Rhyparobia madere,
Fab. ; and Leucophea surinamensts, Linn., not a bad list of
these generally detested insects.—J. W. Carrer, Bradford,
November 17th, 1906.
—:0 :—
MOLLUSCA.
Succinea oblonga Drap. in Westmorland.—In August
last, whilst staying at Grange-over-Sands, I spent some time
in collecting Mollusca in the surrounding district, and at
Meathop, not far from Grange, I obtained a number of
Succinee, which I have submitted to Mr. Charles Oldham
and others, who pronounce them to be, what I had myself
suspected, Swccinea oblonga Drap. The shells approach the
form now generally recognised as var. avenarta Bouchard, and
agree closely with specimens from Brunton Burrows, Devon,
and from Irish localities. This find constitutes an important
record for the county.—H. Breston, Havant.
—:0 :—
GEOLOGY.
Exposure of New Red Sandstone at Middlesbrough.—
The extensive enlargement of the Middlesbrough docks, still in
progress, has in the excavation in the north-west part of the
workings, exposed upper New Red Sandstone to a depth of
1g07 January I.
32 Reviews and Book Notices.
35 feet (about 12 feet below made ground), containing, irregu-
larly stratified in the loose marl, a large quantity of gypsum,
varying in tint from an almost pure white to a very deep red.
In the marl, numerous large rhomboidal crystals of selenite
were obtained, being found in separate pockets. Although
there are disused gypsum pits in the neighbourhood, I have
been unable to find any record of the presence of such crystals.
I collected some specimens, which are preserved in the Dorman
Memorial Museum, Middlesbrough.—W. Y. Veircu, Middles-
brough.
en el
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Sussex—
Entomology. A. Constable & Co.
The Entomological portion of another of the Counties of the Victoria
History has been issued. Sussex, entomologically, is one of the best
investigated of our Counties, and as the compilation of the lists of species
in the various orders has been done by thoroughly competent specialists,
we are not surprised to find this portion of Vol. I. as satisfactory as it is
voluminous. The whole is edited by Mr. Herbert Goss, F.L.S., and he and
Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher, M.A., are chiefly responsible for the Lepidoptera,
though it is easy to see that the veteran Sussex entomologist, the Rev.
E. N. Bloomfield, M.A., has had a considerable share in the work on most
of, if not all the orders.- Besides these, the services of other equally well-
known authorities, have been enlisted. The Rev. Canon Fowler, M.A., F.L.S.,
for the Coleoptera; Messrs. Edward Saunders, F.L.S., and Mr. Claude
Morley, for the Hymenoptera; Mr. W. J. Lucas, F.E.S., for the Neuroptera
and Trichoptera; Mr. Malcolm Barr, F.L.S., for the Orthoptera; Mr. J. H.
A. Jenner, for the Diptera; and Messrs. E. A. Butler and A. C. Vine for
the Aphides, etc. Every order seems to have been carefully, and so far as the
species are known, exhaustively done, and an improvement on some of the
earlier County lists, is that in all the orders, precise localities for the species
are given. . It would be invidious to select any one list as better than another,
though naturally, from the fact that one of our hardest working, and best
authorities on the ‘ Micros,’ has spent so large a portion of his life in the
County, the Lepidoptera take up a far greater space than any other. The
Coleoptera come next, then the Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Neu-
roptera and Trichoptera, and Orthoptera, respectively. It may be worth
while stating here, for future reference, that the only Sussex specimen of
Hadena peregrina (of which there are probably only some half-dozen British
caught examples known), recorded in this Sussex list, has, since the dispersal
of the late Dr. P. B. Mason’s collection, in which it stood, found a resting
place in my own cabinet.
The vaiue of these county histories to entomological science cannot be
estimated, for although there are a few most admirable county lists of
Lepidoptera, and more would undoubtedly have been forthcoming; this
splendid undertaking has stimulated the publication of them at an infinitely
more rapid rate than would otherwise have been the case. Besides
this, we now get the advantage of lists of species in all the orders in
one volume, and can ascertain at a glance what has been done entomo-
logically in each county ; and every specialist knows where to refer to for
the information he requires. Every naturalist should possess the volume
relating to his own county, and every Municipal Library ought to contain
the whole series.—G. T. P.
Naturalist,
SG
ea a . Ba) No. 601
(No. 379 of current series),
STTURALST
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
\
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
Tue Museum, Hutt;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD ;
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
hi.
: Contents :—
PAGES
Notes and Comments (Illustrated):—The Lincoln Boring, Educational Museums and
Local Museums, The Selby Museum, Liassic Dentaliide, Coast Erosion Again .. 33-36
The American Grey Squirrel in Yorkshire—W. H. St. Quintin, J.P. ... is ay a 37
Further Notes on a Solitary Wasp (Illustrated)—W. M. Egglestone ... : ... 38-39
Spondylus latus in the Chalk of North Lincolnshire (IMustrated)—H. C. Bie ete 40.
‘Lincolnshire Mites (Iliustrated)—C. F. George, M.R.C.S. __... ae ee “ais is a. 41-45
Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes—F. Cavers, D.Sc., F.L.S. ..- Ss # ry: a ... 46-49
Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas—C. Crossland, F.L.S.... 50-57
The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union in 1907. .. «- — + “a RA EET SLC. ... 58-59
Note on a Variety of Limnza stagnalis—J. W. Taylor ne are 60
Field Notes (Illustrated) . ot sa ia Aa th x se ae 36, 61
"39, 45, 5, 51, 62-64
Northern News
: Hllustrations
Reviews and Book Notices (Illustrated) As
37, 40, 61, 64
35, 38, 40, 42, 44, 61, 62
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. Yorkshire Lepidoptera in 1891. A. E. Macy) BS. 260: i]
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. List of Land and Freshwater Mollusca of Lancashire. ROBERT j
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33
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE LINCOLN BORING.
AT a recent meeting of the Geological Society of London, Prof.
E. Hull read a paper on the boring for water at Lincoln, of
which an account has already appeared in these columns.* In
the discussion which followed, Mr. Percy Griffith described the
boring as the deepest and longest extant, and the difficulties
met with as of an altogether unusual character. The loss of
the boring-tool, for instance, involved a delay of sixteen months
for its recovery. The corporation of Lincoln then authorised
the continuation of a 9-foot shaft to a depth of 1500 feet from
the surface at their own expense. A pilot boring, 3 inches in
diameter, was then driven from the bottom of the well, and at
a depth of 1561 feet, water was met with which resisted all
efforts to prevent it from rising into the well. The concrete
well-bottom was, however, put in successfully, having a guide
pipe fixed in it to allow of the boring being continued through
it. The boring was then resumed of a diameter of 32 inches,
and, on the depth of 1561 feet being reached, the water rushed
into the well, and in thirty-six hours overflowed at the surface.
As the boring was continued to a lower level, the surface-flow
increased until it reached a maximum of 180,000 gallons per
day (24 hours). An enormous quantity of fine sand was blown
into the well by the first rush of water, and some time was lost
in removing this before boring could be resumed. The 32-inch
boring was carried to a depth of 2015 feet from the surface ;
and steel tubes, of 30 inches internal diameter, were lowered
into the boring to a depth of 1600 feet from the surface, or
about 4o feet into the sandstone. The work was commenced
in August 1901, and had therefore been five years and four
months in progress. The cost to date was about 420,000.
Pumping was now going on, and so far had proved the yield
of the well as being about 750,000 gallons per 24 hours, at a
depth of 200 feet.
EDUCATIONAL MUSEUMS
In No. 8 of the Museum Gazette, which is published at the
Hazelmere Educational Museum, an editorial note appears,
without warning and apparently without incentive, as under :—
‘We differ fofo celv from those who hold that museums in
* ‘The Artesian Boring for the Supply of the City of Lincoln from the
New Red Sandstone,’ by Prof. E. Hull. ‘Nat.,’ Sept. 1906, pp. 338-339.
1907 February 1.
(e
34 Notes and Comments.
villages or small towns ought to restrict themselves to local
objects. By all means have in such museums the best collec-
tion possible in illustration of what can be got in the district,
but let it be a department, not the whole affair. What are
called local museums are difficult to make anything like com-
plete, and the endeavour to make them so may stimulate some
of the worst vices of the mere collector. However successful,
they remain meagre and unattractive. For educational purposes
they cannot approach one of general scope. The curators of
such museums are like a [szc.] wing-maimed bird, or a [sic.]
pugilist in shackles. As a rule, we fear that merely local
museums rarely attain the dignity of a curator, but languish
for a few years under an honorary secretary, who once was
zealous, and finally hand over to some more liberally constituted
institution the remains of the Herbarium, and a few stuffed
birds. It is better to do things well whilst we are about them.’
AND LOCAL MUSEUMS.
Just so! The last sentence quoted is just the point. But is
it possible ‘to do things well’ in a village or small town, in
any other way than by making the collection strictly local ?
Nothing is so conducive to making such museums ‘ receptacles
for rubbish’ (respecting which we have heard so much of late),
and of little value educationally, or in any other way; and a
curator of a small local museum had far better be like a ‘ pugilist
in shackles’ than a pugilist let loose, in which latter case the
harm he might do might be serious! To some extent it depends
on what the A/useums Gazette calls ‘a village or small town,’
but in the north we should put Chesters (Northumberland) and
Pickering and Driffield in Yorkshire under that head. In each
of these places (and others might be cited) is a local museum
of very great value—historically, educationally, and in other
ways too. We might mention larger places, such as Perth,
York, and Chester, where there are strictly local museums of
the greatest value and importance, museums which are well
known in the north at any rate, if not at Hazelmere, and each
of these museums is particularly valuable because of the local
character of its exhibits, and each also ‘attains the dignity of a
curator’!
THE SELBY MUSEUM.
We have in Yorkshire, at Selby, an ‘educational museum’
well known to the editor of the A/useum Gazette, seeing that
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 35
Selby is indebted to its son, Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson, for it.
We presume therefore we may take this as a type of an
educational museum. We were sorry to see from a report
of an address, recently delivered at Selby by Dr. Hutchinson,
that this museum is not appreciated as it ought to be. We are
gratetul to Dr. Hutchinson for what he has done for Selby, and
should certainly be the last to in any way deprecate the good
work he has accomplished there. But might not the museum
be more interesting and more educationally valuable, if it were
strengthened in its local collections? We are not quite sure
whether the curator in this educational museum is like a pugilist
who is not in shackles, or like a bird which is not wing-maimed,
or whether the Selby institution ‘attains the dignity of a curator’
at all. But we feel sure that the Selby Museum would be more
valuable, educationally, if within its walls we could see a repre-
sentative collection of the antiquities, plants, shells, birds,
insects, etc., of the interesting district in which the museum is
situated. It is all very well for a museum in a small town to be
‘frankly fragmentary—here a little and there a little’ as the
Museum Gazette prides itself in being, but as to the best kind
of a museum, educationally, in a small town, there are more
opinions than one. We hold a brief for the /oca/ museum,
and whilst no museum can or should ever be ‘ complete,’ a local
museum can surely be more so than a general museum.
LIASSIC DENTALIIDZE.
In a recent issue of the ‘ Quarterly Journal of the Geological
Society,’ Mr. Lindsall Richardson has an important paper on
Dentalium giganteum, Phillips. (Natural Size).
the above subject, in which the various Liassic species of Den-
talium are figured and described. Particular reference is made
to Dentalium giganteum, Phillips, myriads of which ‘may be
seen covering the upper surfaces of some of the sandstones
¥907 February 1.
36 Notes and Comments.
situated near to the base of the Zone of Ammonztes margaritatus
at Hawsker, Staithes, Rockcliff, Hummersea, Huntcliffe, and
Coatham Scars, on the coast, and inland at Hutton, near Guis-
borough, and in Danby Dale.’ The specimens are often three
inches long, The illustration herewith, reproduced by the per-
mission of the Geological Society, is from the Moore collection
at Bath, and is from the Middle Lias, Cleveland.
COAST EROSION AGAIN.
The interest which has been aroused in reference to coast
erosion is resulting in some valuable information being placed
on record. From a recent impression of the A/z// News, we
find a letter in which the writer ‘Having carefully followed
the evidence given by a number of witnesses before the Royal
Commission on coast: erosion, as to the cause or otherwise |!| of
the wasting away of the Holderness Boulder Clay Cliffs,’ informs
his readers that ‘ My opinion as to the wastage of these clay
cliffs is based on close observation. I include boulder clay as
a rock. Itis by its mechanical effects that the sea accomplishes
most of its erosion. The mere weight with which the ocean
waves fall upon exposed [szc] coasts breaks off fragments of
rock from the Cliffs.’ This is just the sort of information the
Royal Commission wanted !
see ee
MAMMALS.
Otters near Barnsley.—Every season during this last few
years, otters have bred in Bretton Park, near Barnsley. They
have come up the river Dearne as far as Clayton West and
Skelmanthorpe, and have been seen near Darton.—FRED
Lawton, Skelmanthorpe.
Otters near Barnsley.—The otter is not so uncommon in
the upper waters of the Dearne, to the north of Barnsley, as
Mr. Bayford’s paragraph (‘ Naturalist,’ January, p. 29) might
lead us to suppose. Two otters were seen about two years ago
by a friend of mine in Bretton Park, and one was seen last
summer in Cannon Hall Park. In November, two old ones and
two young ones were seen at very close quarters by several
in the Mill Dam, to the West of Cannon Hall Park; and the
head keeper has told me, that, when the recent snow was on
the ground, he could distinctly trace three otters into some
shrubs near the Dam. An otter-hunting friend told me in the
summer of 1905, that he saw the footprints of an otter in the
Park.—C. T. Pratt, Cawthorne Vicarage.
—————
Naturalist,
37
THE AMERICAN GREY SQUIRREL IN YORKSHIRE.
Weel. Sh. QUINDIN ise,
Scampston, E. Yorks.
Ar the end of June 1906 I was given about three dozen of the
American Grey Squirrel, bred at large in one of the home
counties... I ought to have announced the fact at the time,
but I did not realise how widely such small animals might
stray from the place where they were enlarged. Now, how-
ever, I find that they have established themselves at various
places within a radius of four miles from Scampston, and I
hear of one being killed near Pickering, which is over six miles
away, ‘as the crow flies,’ with the River Derwent to cross!
I therefore now think it time to appeal to readers of the
‘Naturalist’ to do what they can to protect these beautiful
little animals, which, I am assured, have been found quite
innocent of any damage to woods and plantations in other parts
of England, where they have been at liberty for some years.
In my own case I the more gladly accepted these little ‘ aliens,’
as some disease closely resembling mange had reduced our
native Red Squirrels almost to vanishing point. These Grey
Squirrels seem to find a great deal of food on the ground, even
in summer time. As far as I could tell, last June and July
they were largely eating grass. But they readily avail them-
selves of any hospitality offered, and mine regularly visit a
food-box fixed to a prominent tree in sight of the windows,
in which we place maize, hemp-seed, and nuts. Recent visitors
to the London Zoological Gardens will have been charmed by
the numbers and familiarity of the Grey Squirrels, which soon
made their escape from the enclosure intended for them, but
fortunately had the good sense to remain within the grounds,
to the great entertainment of the children with their paper bags
of nuts and buns.
———
We regret to record the death of Mr. John Ward, of Longton, Staffs.,
a keen geologist, whose work we have more than once referred to in these
columns.
Mr. Clement Reid’s notes on ‘ Coast Erosion,’ read at the York Meeting
of the British Association (See ‘ Naturalist,’ Sept., 1906, pp. 327-9), as well as
Mr. E. R. Matthew's remarks thereon, appear in the November Geographical
Journal.
The Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge favours us with a copy of his paper
“On some New and Rare British Arachnida,’ which has recently appeared in
the ‘Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field
Club.’ It includes particulars of several northern country records.
1j07 February 1.
w
(0)
FURTHER NOTES ON A SOLITARY WASP
(Odynerus parietum, Linn.).
WwW. M. EGGEESTONE,
Stanhope, Co. Durham.
I READ with some interest Dr. George’s ‘Notes on a Solitary
Wasp’ in the January number of the Waturalzst, 1906, as I had
a little experience with one of these interesting creatures during
the same year.
On the 17th of August, 1905, I saw a Solitary Wasp on one
of the gate posts at the entrance to the offices of the Weardale
Rural District Council at Stanhope, but on my nearer approach
it made off.
This entrance consists of an iron gate and two cut freestone
square pillars or posts, the columns of which, between the base
plinth and the moulded capitals, are square, and have, on the
front face, a panel formed by a sunk or incised line three-
quarters of an inch wide and half an inch deep running up each
side and across the top and bottom of the column. Thinking
the black wasp I saw had some business on hand I examined
the pillars and found on one of them two pairs of nests, built of
mud and fixed in the angle of the incised line above mentioned,
The cells are seen below the ‘ X’ in the illustration.
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 39
These nests were nearly together, one of the double cells
being fixed in one angle and the other in the opposite angle.
I dissected one pair of cells, and found in the upper one six
green caterpillars rolled up very much like those illustrated on
page gi in Peckhams’ book on Wasps.* Some of these cater-
pillars were still alive. In the lower cell I found two larger
caterpillars. The nests were about three quarters of an inch
long and joined together one above the other. _ I left the other
double cells intact for further observation.
On the 22nd of August, on going to my office, I found the
black wasp very busy at work on the top of the untouched
double cell, so much so, that I got close to it and watched it for
some time. Then the wasp dropped to the ground close to
where I was standing and busied itself among some soft mud.
Having evidently gathered up some of the mud, the wasp flew
back to the cell, and set to work to strengthen the previously
closed orifice. When it had accomplished its task, the little
black worker flew overhead and I saw it no more. The top of
the cell where it had been working was wet. I kept a watch on
these mud cells, expecting some development in the spring, but
one day in December I found that the cells were broken away,
nothing being left but the ragged edges where the mud had
stuck to the stone, resembling, but on a smaller scale, the
remains of a broken swallow’s nest. The cells were probably
accidently destroyed by children. I saw no Solitary Wasps
during the year 1906.
—_9@__
Darwinism and the Problems of Life. A study of familiar animal
life. By Conrad Guenther, translated by Joseph McCabe. London,
1906, Owen & Co. 436 pages, 12/6.
Both the translator and publisher of this work earn our gratitude for the
facilities they have now given for enabling English readers to possess, in
a convenient form, Prof. Guenther’s most interesting volume. In it the
author’s aim is to vindicate the value and importance of Darwin’s work, and
the book is largely devoted to proving the truth of Darwin's doctrine.
‘ Every care has been taken to distinguish between facts and probabilities,
and it has been clearly pointed out what general deductions may or may not
be drawn from Darwinism. The ease with which the theory of evolution
is grasped too readily, disposes people to regard Darwinism as the one true,
natural, and sound view of the world-process. . . . The manner of presenta-
tion is simple, because the work is written for the general reader. No
knowledge of science is pre-supposed, and the reader is briefly informed on
all the questions that have a bearing on the theory of evolution.’ From a
perusal of the volume, it is obvious that the author has carefully consulted
the now very extensive literature dealing with the subject discussed. The
book, though massive, is very light, and the large size and clearness of the
type makes its perusal particularly pleasant.
* «Wasps, Social and Solitary,” by Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Peckham, 1905.
1907 February 1.
40
SPONDYLUS LATUS IN THE CHALK OF
NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE.
H. C. DRAKE.
Hull.
I HAVE to record a fine specimen of Spondylus latus recently
obtained from the larger chalk quarry on the Humber side at
Barton, North Lincolnshire. It is 35 mm. in height, and is of
the same width, and occurred in the Holaster subglobosus zone.
This species does not appear to have been previously recorded
for the chalk of Lincolnshire. One specimen only is on record
for Yorkshire, and was found by Mr. W. Hill in the railway
cutting near South Cave station. This specimen, which measured
23 mm. each way, is now in the Woodwardian Museum at Cam-
bridge. The Lincolnshire specimen can be seen in the geological
gallery in the Hull Museum.
ee oe
A male Hoopoe was shot on the Moors near Whitby, and sent to Messrs.
Rowland Ward & Co. for preservation, in November.
The recently issued ‘Transactions of the Perthshire Society of Natural
Science contains two admirably illustrated geological articles by Mr. G. F.
Bates.
A puffin was caught alive in Springvale Road, Sheffield, in December.
It was mistaken for a coot, and placed in a pond in one of the parks, where
it died. It is being preserved.
In an article dealing with the Water-Pipit (duthus spipoletta) as a
visitor to England, in the December Zoologist, Mr. M. J. Nichol refers to a
record of the species at Tetney, Lincolnshire, in 1895.
It has been found that the oak beams supporting the picture galleries in
the Bowes Museum are perishing of dry rot. An outlay of at least £15,000
will be necessary to replace them by iron girders, and as a consequence the
Museum will remain closed until April, 1908.
Parts 4, 5, and 6, of ‘The World's Commercial Products’ have been
received, and deal with sugar, tea, coffee, andcocoa. (Sir Isaac Pitman &
Sons, 7d. net. cach). Each is admirably illustrated by process blocks from
photographs, and the coloured illustration of the Tea Plant in part 6 is really
excellent.
Naturalist,
41
LINCOLNSHIRE MITES.
RHYNCHOLOPHIDA..
C. F. GEORGE, M.R.C.S.
Kirton-in-Lindsey.
Tuat these mites have been little recorded by English Acarolo-
gists is evident from the fact that when Professor Sig Thor
of Christiana wrote his pamphlet on Norwegian Rhyncholophida
in 1900, he records in his bibliography the names and works
of no fewer than twenty-one writers, and only one of them is an
Englishman! ves. Mr. O. P. Cambridge, the learned writer on
British Spiders. His paper on ‘ Calyptostoma Hardy’ may be
found in ‘The Annals and Magazine of Natural History,’ vol.
16 (4th series), London, page 384. Yet these mites are by no
means rare, even in Lincolnshire ; they are curious, and form,
when well mounted, good and beautiful objects for the micro-
scope. They are most frequently found under stones, or chips
of wood, near plantations, and also in damp moss from tree
trunks, ditches, etc. The first genus of Rhyncholophidea, Smarts,
was founded by Latreille in 1807. The Type species was
figured and described by ‘Hermann’ in 1804, under the name
of Zrombidium expalpe. \t is perhaps not very common, as I
have only one mount of this species, which I found many years
ago. The mount is not a good one, but is sufficiently so to
enable an arachnologist to name the species. When alive, the
proboscis is so retracted that the animal appears to have no
mouth organs; hence the name ‘expa/pfe.’ The pressure used
in mounting, though not great in this instance, has been
sufficient to show them partially; as is well shown in Mr.
Soar’s drawing, fig. A, made from my slide. During life they
can be protruded or retracted at the creature’s will. The mite
is darkish red in colour, long oval in shape, and rather thickly
covered with scales, under which the skin is seen to be marked
with circles, or pits, having a double contour (see fig. B), from
the centre of which spring these bent scales. This skin structure
requires to be carefully observed, as it distinguishes this mite
from the next species ; the eyes are also very remarkable, being
arranged in three pairs, as shown in fig. A. Mr. Soar gives
the measurements as 2.34 mm. long, and 1.44 broad. Fig. C.
represents the projecting mouth organs and palpi greatly
enlarged ; the legs were too much doubled up and distorted,
during mounting, for them to be figured; the name of this
mite is now Smarts expalpis Herman. The next mite of this
1907 February I.
42 George: Lincolnshtre Mites.
Genus Smaris hardyi, Mr. Soar has been able to figure with the
legs extended (Fig. D), and it will be seen that the tarsus of
the first pair of legs is considerably enlarged in club shape, the
second pair less so, the third pair only slightly, and the fourth
Water Mites.
scarcely at all thickened. They are all provided with powerful
double claws, and the penultimute. internodes are scarcely as
long as the tarsi, except in the last leg, where it is a little
longer than the tarsus. The legs are covered with strong and
~ Naturalist,
George: Lincolnshire Mites. AZ
pointed curved hairs, which are simple, z.e. not feathered. The
body is rather lozenge-shaped, with rounded angles, and is
broad at the shoulders. It is covered with rather short bent
leaf-like scales, slightly pectinated on the surface, in at least
some cases. The colour of the mite is dark orange red. The
skin under the scales is marked out in a rather complex pattern,
a small portion is shown much enlarged at fig. E, taking one
of the button like bosses as a centre there radiates from it
3, 4, or 5 broad bands, sometimes looking almost like the spokes
of a wheel. Professor Berlese in his Acarus Nuovz, 1905, Table
XV., fig. Va, gives a similar figure, the mite from which it is
taken (see fig. V), appears to be very much like S. hardyz, but
is called by him |S. caelata. I found S. hardyi in 1879, and gave
an outline figure and some notes in the November number of
Sczence Gosstp for that year ; it will also be found mentioned by
Murray in his ‘ Aptera,’ page 140. The palpi and mandibles
are shown much enlarged in fig. F, these last are seen to be
lancet shaped, and carry a single barb almost at right angles to
the blade. The mandibles of all the Rhyncholophide are more
or less lancet shaped, and formed for piercing, and are mostly,
if not always, more or less barbed. This is very different from
the mandibles of the Zrombidid@, which are sickle shaped, and
fitted for tearing. The mandibles therefore are the great
structural difference separating these two families. Fig. G
represents what I take to be the larva of S. hardyi, it is re-
markable in having three claws to each tarsus, the adult having
two only.
The next Genus I have to mention is Smaridia Duges and
the species, S. ampudligera Berlese. This is a very beautiful
mite, of a rather brick red colour, and covered all over with
dark cinnabar coloured scales, thickly planted all over the body,
and also covering the legs, which are paler in colour than the
body of the mite. The shape of the creature is well shown
in Mr. Soar’s drawing, fig. H. The eyes of the mite are not
drawn ; even in life they are difficult to see, being covered with
the scales ; but in a balsam mount made long ago, all colour
has disappeared, and the eyes can not be made out. They are
placed on the cephalothorax between the first and second pair
of legs, there is also a line or furrow down the middle of the
thorax, called the dorsal groove or furrow, not seen in the
balsam mount, but well enough marked in the living creature ;
and in this dorsal furrow there is a rod of chitin, enlarged
almost like a battledore at either end, and having two very fine,
1907 February 1.
George: Lincolnshire Mites.
dS
rather long, tactile curved hairs, springing each from the
centre of a circular disc on the widened end of the rod. These
can only be seen with great care under the microscope, in a
balsam mount, but are much more evident in a freshly dissected
Water Mites.
mite. This dorsal groove and line are seen in many of the
Rhyncholophide, and varies somewhat in detail, and so forms a
help to diagnose certain species of the family. The tarsi of all
the legs are more or less enlarged, the front ones considerably
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 45
more than the others, the penultimate internodes are longer
than the tarsi, especially those of the last leg, which are about
double the length of the tarsus. The length of the mite is
1.60 mm., the length of the first leg 1.62 mm. Fig. I represents
the mouth organs much enlarged. These when extended
measure about 0.39 mm. The body is like a sac, and can be
wrinkled at the will of the creature, which often causes the
scales to appear irregularly placed. Fig. K shows the scales at
the edge of the body, and L those on the legs ; the proboscis is
retractile, but not to the same extent asin Saris. To appreciate
the mite properly it must be seen alive, as well as mounted and
dissected.
The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Devonshire—
Entomology. A. Constable & Co.
The Victoria Histories are apparently being issued rather more rapidly
than they were at first, and now we have before us the Entomological
portion of one of the three of our largest English Counties, Devonshire.
We confess to a little disappointment in going through it, perhaps because
Devonshire has for some years been one of our own favourite collecting
grounds, and we cannot help thinking that more might have been made of
it. No doubt nearly all the recorded species in all orders are included in the
lists, but some of them, as the Orthoptera, show a want of acquaintance
with recent literature, which otherwise should have enabled the compiler
not only to add considerably more localities, but to indicate a number of
species as common or even abundant, which he evidently considers as
scarce. Then in the lists of Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Hemiptera, and
Aphididz, no localities whatever are given; and even in such comparatively
popular orders as the Coleoptera and Hymenoptera, most of the species are
also without localities, or any indication as to their distribution. Personally,
we regard such lists of species, in a large county like Devonshire, as little
better than useless. Indeed, in the list of Neuroptera, old records are given
of species which are not now regarded as British at all, and which probably
never did form part of our fauna. The list of Lepidoptera is the most satis-
factory, but even it leaves a good deal to be desired. We are specially
surprised to find no mention made of the specimen of Ophiusa stolida taken
by Mr. J. Jager on the South Devon Coast, September 23rd, 1903. This very
striking and beautiful noctua, though the first, and as yet the only one
taken in Britain, was in such beautiful condition as to indicate that it had
been bred on the spot where captured, its food plant being abundant there.
There is no excuse whatever for its exclusion ; it is, in fact, far more entitled
to be regarded as a native than is Cucudlia abrotani, which the author in-
cludes in the list. This portion too has been badly edited. Some of the
records have been incorrectly copied, and in one case a species (Crambus
uliginosellus) is included, as recorded by ourselves, as having been captured
by Mr. D'Orville. We know absolutely nothing of the circumstance !
Errors in spelfing are plentiful, and evidently the proof sheets have been
carelessly read. The part has been edited by Mr. Herbert Goss, F.L.S.,
and the following specialists are responsible for the compilation of the lists :
Coleoptera, the Rev. Canon W. Fowler, M.A., F.L.S.; Lepidoptera, the
late Mr. C. G. Barrett, F.E.S. ; Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and
Aphidide, Mr. G. C. Bignell, F.E.S.; Neuroptera and Trichoptera, Mr.
C. A. Briggs, F.E.S. ; and the Diptera, Mr. Ernest E. Austen.—G.T. P.
1907 February I.
40
NOTES ON YORKSHIRE BRYOPHYTES.
IV. Frullania and Jubula.
(Continued from page 16.)
F. CAVERS, D.Sc., F.L.S.
Professoy of Biology, Hartley University College, Southampton.
THE sequence of the cell-divisions in the development of the
sporogonium is extremely regular in /yu//anza,* and has been,
on the whole, correctly described and figured by Hofmeister,
Kienitz-Gerloff, Leitgeb, and Leclerc du Sablon. The first
wall in the fertilised egg-cell is transverse to the long axis of
the archegonium, and the lower cell (Aypobasal) then divides
by a vertical wall, while the upper cell (epzbasa/) divides trans-
versely (Fig. 6, G). Each of the two upper cells then divides
by two sets of vertical walls that cut each other at right angles.
In the meantime, the two hypobasal cells have divided again by
vertical walls, so that the embryo now consists of three tiers,
each having four nearly equal cells. In some cases I have
found one or more (as many as three in a few cases) further
transverse divisions in the epibasal half of the embryo before the
appearance of the vertical walls; this is normally the case in
other /ungermanniacee. The hypobasal cells soon project
from the surface and divide rather irregularly, forming the
blunt foot which presses into the tissue forming the stalk of the
fertilised archegonium. The cells of the uppermost tier divide
by tangential walls into four inner cells, which have denser
protoplasm than the outer ones, and which form the arche-
sporium, while the four outer cells produce the wall of the
capsule. The tier of cells between capsule and foot divides by
longitudinal walls, which separate eight outer cells from four
inner ones; this tier forms the seta or stalk of the capsule.
The four primary archesporial cells divide repeatedly by
longitudinal walls, resulting in the formation of a lens-shaped
layer of about two hundred cells, the central cells being longer
than the marginal ones (Fig. 6, G—L). These cells then be-
come differentiated into two sets. Some of them divide
transversely so as to produce rows of cells; the others grow in
length, but remain undivided, forming long cylindrical cells
attached to the inner surface of the capsule wall above, and to
the floor of the capsule below (Fig. 6, K L). The rows of
* The details of development of antheridium and archegontum are
omitted from this paper, since they do not differ from the normal process in
other liverworts. See Scott, ‘Structural Botany,’ Part 2; Campbell,
*‘Mosses and Ferns,’ 2nd Ed.
Naturalist,
Cavers : Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes. 47
cubical cells alternate regularly with the long undivided cells ;
the former gave rise to the spores, the latterto g¢ § § §
the elaters. The arrangement as seen in a cross einerve
section of the capsule is shown intheaccompany- S S S §
ing diagram; S=spore-forming and e=elater- eI e re
forming cells. According to Leclerc du Sablon,* Sara: S015
the spore mother cells and elaters lose their cell walls at one
stage, and afterwards acquire fresh walls, but this seems to be
an error, due, probably, to imperfect methods of preparation.
The walls are mucilaginous, and stain deeply in microtome
sections, but there appears to be a definite wall at all stages, as
in other liverworts.
The spores of /rul/anta are roughly spherical (but rather
irregular owing to their becoming flattened by contact in the
longitudinal rows), and about 1.06 mm. in diameter; the outer
coat (exospore) is thick, brown in colour, and shows a number of
shallow circular pits, the surface of which bears small tubercles.
Each elater becomes somewhat flattened at the lower end ;
it contains a broad brown spiral band, passing into a ring at
the trumpet-like lower end (Fig. 7, AD). In the developing
elater the protoplasm becomes differentiated into an axial strand
and a peripheral layer, which becomes spirally wound on the
inner surface of the wall (Fig. 7, A). The elaters show this
stage, and are still colourless after the spores have acquired
their final form, and have the outer coat fairly thick and golden-
brown, so that the elaters keep for a long time their primary
function of conveying food materials to the developing spores.
The cells in the lower part of the fertilised archegonium (calyptra)
contain dense protoplasm with oil-drops, as do the cells in
the tissue of the thickened archegonium stalk. The elaters
alternate regularly with the longitudinal rows of spores, con-
sequently, those nearest the central line of the capsule are the
largest. There are from 80 to 100 in each capsule in / dlatata
and F. ¢famarisct.
The wall of the capsule at an early stage becomes two-
layered. The cells of the outer layer have thick rod-like fibres
on their lateral walls, especially at the angles between adjacent
cells; these rods appear as dots in a surface view of the capsule
(Fig. 7, C), and are especially marked, and deeply coloured brown
at the two opposite points at the bases of the valves into which the
capsule wall splits (Fig. 7, E). On the walls of the inner layer
of cells the thickenings form an irregular network (Fig. 7, D).
* Annales des Sci., Nat., 1885.
1907 February t.
48 Cavers : Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes.
The divisions in the seta are very regular, and in cross
sections there is seen a central group of four cells covered by
three concentric layers of cells (Fig. 7, B). The seta is not so
sharply marked off from the capsule as is usually the case in
liverworts, for at the base of the capsule there is a mass of thin-
walled tissue which may, as suggested by Spruce, be regarded
as corresponding to the hypophysis or expanded upper part of the
seta found in many mosses. Hence, when dehiscence occurs,
the four valves of the capsule wall do not become free right
down to the point of junction with the cylindrical seta, and
Frullania capsules are usually described as opening for only
about two-thirds of their length.
The calyptra, formed by the active growth of the fertilised
archegonium, becomes five or six cells thick, and is raised on a
massive stalk, leaving the unfertilised archegonium at the base
(Fig. 6, E). The old archegonium neck at the top of the
calyptr.i can be seen inside the perianth (Fig. 8).
The opening of the capsule has been accurately described by
Goebel.* The capsule wall splits from above, downwards, into
four valves, which spring backwards so as to lie almost
horizontally at first, each valve carrying with it a share of the
elaters and the rows of spores lying between them. Just before
this, while the whole capsule is drying, the elaters contract, and
their lower ends become free from the floor of the capsule, while
the more firmly fixed upper ends remain attached to the inner
surface of the capsule wall. The whole process is due to the
shrinking of the membranes in the capsule wall and in the
elaters; when elaters from a dehisced capsule are placed in
water they elongate again, and the spiral band becomes more
loosely coiled. The spores are discharged with great force, and
may be thrown out to a distance of three or four inches, so that
the act of dehiscence might well be termed an expiosion, quite
different in degree, though not in kind, from the process
observed in other liverworts, and in a few seconds from the
rolling back of the valves the exploded capsule shows only a
few spores that have remained entangled between the elaters.
It is difficult to analyse this sudden action, but it is possible
that the elaters themselves bend or twist on being set free at
their lower ends, in addition to being passively moved outwards
with the valves, and causing the spores to be jerked out.
The earliest divisions in the germinating spore take place
* “ Flora,’ 1895, Heft 1.
Naturalist,
Cavers. Notes on Yorkshire Bryophytes. 49
before the rupture of the exospore or outer coat. The young
plant at first grows in all directions, so that instead of forming
a filament (germ-tube), as in most liverworts, it consists of a
small oval mass of cells. At one end of this mass the super-
ficial cells grow out to form rhizoids, while one of the cells at
the other end becomes larger than the others, and divides by
intersecting walls, forming a three-sided apical cell. The first
few leaves are simple rows of cells, then come small bilobed
cell-plates, the lower lobe of the side leaves only becoming
pitcher-like after about a dozen of these simple leaves have been
formed. The under leaves are at first represented only by small
tufts of rhizoids, and when rhizoids occur on the mature plant
they always grow out from the basal part of an under-leaf.
Isolated leaves of /. dilatata and F. tamariscz, or even
small pieces including only a few cells, are capable of giving
rise to new plants when cultivated. By growing leaves and
leaf-fragments in culture solutions, the writer has several times
obtained well grown plants, and can verify for both these species
the account given for /. dilatata by Schostakowitsch,* who
showed that the growth proceeds from a single leaf-cell; this
cell divides so as to form two tiers with four cells in each, and
the four upper cells then give rise to a small ovoid mass of cells,
one of which forms the apical cell of the young plant.
Small disc-like cell masses (gemma) are sometimes formed
on the leaves of /. dlatata and F. tamarisct by the growth and
division of a single leaf-cell. These gemmae give rise to new
plants, as also do the outgrowths on the perianth of /. dlatata
when cultivated. t
For kind assistance in the supply of specimens of Hepatice,
I am indebted to Messrs. W. Ingham, S. M. Macvicar, M. B.
Slater, G. Stabler, and G. Webster, to whom I take this oppor-
tunity of expressing my thanks.
The majority of the illustrations in this paper have been re-
produced from photomicrographs kindly taken for me by Prof.
E. L. Watkin, M.A., Hartley University College, Southampton.
In the investigation of the Hepatica, | have been materially
assisted by a grant allotted by the Government Grant Committee
of the Royal Society.
* ©Flora,’ 1894.
+ Berggren (/Jakttagelser dfver mossornas kénlosa fortplanting, etc.,
Lund, 1895) says that the pitchers of /. fragzlzfolia, which readily become
detached from the plant, give rise to leafy shoots on being set free. See the
writer's paper ‘On a sexual reproduction and regeneration in Hepatice,’
‘New Phytologist,’ vol. 2, 1903.
—)
1907 February tr.
50
FUNGUS FORAY AT FARNLEY TYAS.
€. CROSSLAND; ELS:
Halifax.
THE sixteenth annual foray of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
Union was held at Farnley Tyas, September 22nd to 27th,
the object being the investigation of the neighbouring fields
and woods. Permissions were granted by Lord Dartmouth
and the West Riding County Council. The head-quarters
were at the ‘‘Golden Cock.” There were present Messrs.
A. Clarke, Huddersfield; W. N. Cheesman, Selby; Harold
Wager, Leeds; Thos. Gibbs, Derby; R. H. Philip, Hull;
C. H. Broadhead, Wooldale; J. Needham, Hebden Bridge;
H. C. Hawley, Boston, Lincs.; Thos. Smith, Alderley Edge;
H. Humphrey, Stockport ; J]. W. H. Johnson, Thornhill; Rev.
F. H. Woods, Bainton; and a Wakefield representative.
There were also representatives from the following Societies:
Huddersfield, Milnsbridge, Slaithwaite, Berry Brow, Honley,
Moldgreen, Primrose Hill, and Lindley. Each _ brought
parcels of Fungi gathered in their own and other localities, such
as Golcar, Kirkheaton, etc., too far away to be worked from this
centre, though within the Huddersfield area.
This village has long been one of the occasional joint meeting-
places for the many Field Naturalist Societies in the Hudders-
field district. These Societies, especially the Huddersfield
Botanical Society, have for nearly a quarter of a century included
fungi in their investigatoins. It was partly on this account that
the Committee decided to hold the foray here. ‘There being a
very suitable room at the Inn, with plenty of light and table
space, it was thought an exhibition of the specimens collected
might be made that would be of interest and value to all present.
Mr. A. Clarke provided a series of diagrams showing the
order of classification, together with generic labels printed in
large type, which were distributed on the walls and tables.
These greatly facilitated the arrangement in proper order of the
various species collected. Small wooden stands and pins were
also made use of to show species in an erect and more natural
position than if laid in a heap on the table.
A few uncommon species were brought from Hebden Bridge
by J. Needham; others from near Wakefield by J. W. H. John-
son; and a consignment was sent from Luddenden Dean, near
Halifax, by H. Waterworth, for exhibition purposes only, and
are not included in the list of local species.
Naturalist,
Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas. 51
The foray opened by a short run out to Storthes Hall Wood
on the Saturday afternoon. Evidence was not lacking that there
must be no expectations of overflowing baskets at the end of
each day’s excursion. The gamekeepers had noticed the dearth
of fungiin the woods. The delightful weather of the previous
six or eight weeks had not been conducive to prolific fungus
growths. However, observation having taught us that, weather
which retards the majority of species may be favourable to a
few, there was no despondency. The elements were favour-
able for collecting such as could be found, and it has often been
noticed that when prospects are not specially good things
altogether out of the ordinary line, worth perhaps a wagon load
of old acquaintances, have been almost certain to crop up. It
was so this time. There were one or two other compensations :
the woods were near and easy to work.
In a delightful place in Mollicar Wood one party enjoyed
themselves for a short while sitting on a log, as they could find
no fungi by walking about. This proved to be the best way of
searching at that particular place. Presently, after a little fun
had partially subsided, one said, ‘‘ 1 see something over there; ”’
another, ‘‘ And I see something over there.’ ‘This caused a spurt in
various directions, which led to the finding of one of the rarest
hings collected during the foray—Boletus parasiticus in fine
form attacking Scleroderma vulgare. This Boletus has only two
previous Yorkshire records—Scarborough and Hebden Bridge—
the latter too late to be included in the Yorks. Fungus Flora.
The Hebden Bridge specimens were also on S. vulgare.
Varying fortune was experienced during the week’s investiga-
tions both in woods and pastures. While some pastures were
rather barren, others yielded fairly abundantly. One in particular
was remarkably good. This was an old pasture on the bank
of the stream, about an acre and a half in extent, and partly
surrounded by woodland. Here a party of five or six in a
twenty minutes’ search gathered thirty-eight species on the cattle
dung and among the grass. Certainly, they were mostly species
of common occurrence, yet there were three or four which have
only a couple of previous Yorkshire records.
The pastures were all in good ‘“ heart,’ and showed no
signs of suffering from lack of moisture: they were almost
spring green. Pasture species, comparatively speaking, were
more in evidence than denizens of the woodlands. At no pre-
vious foray have thirteen species of Clavaria been found, which
number is nearly half those hitherto recorded for the whole of
1907, February r.
52 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas.
Yorkshire, while one—C. incarnata—is a new county record.
One field, within a few hundred vards of head-quarters, pro-
duced no fewer than six species, including tncarvnata. This latter
is not a very conspicuous Clavavia among grass, being only 4-14
inches high, and was found partly by accident. Several of the
company, desirous of having the exhibits as perfect as possible,
cut out circular sods along with the fungus, and placed them on
the tables in a growing condition. It wason one of these, under
the pileus of a tall Hygrophorus pratensis, that C. incarnata was
spotted. We were unable to find more in the field where the
sod came from. In another field were some remarkably fine
tufts of C. fusiformis and C. coralloides, tufts of the latter being
6-7 inches across. ‘ Fairy rings”? were scarce both in meadow
and pasture, hence ring-dwellers, such as Marasmius oveades and
one or two others, were conspicuous by their absence, which 1s
quite unusual. The not common, Hygrophorus ovinus, was
plentiful. Six of the twelve British Panaeoli were collected,
while only one of the forty-three species of Lepiota was seen.
At Maltby last year nine species were noted. There was almost
a total absence of Armillaria mellea, although the district is fairly
well wooded, and this species is usually one of the most common
as a tree parasite.
In the woods there was a good variety of the genus Aussula-
Over one-third of the British species were seen, but only in small
quantities, except the very commonest, as ochrolenca emetica and
cyanoxantha. ER. rosacea was one of the prettiest funguses at the
foray.
A fine range of A manitopsis vaginatus both in size and shades of
colour was brought in, a specimen of the var. fulva being remark-
ably bright. Collybia maculata was the commonest woodland agaric.
An extra effort made by a member of one of the local societies
discovered the uncommon polypore, Strobilomyces strobilaceus, in
Storthes Hall Wood. Mr. A. Denison, of the Milnsbridge
Society, brought some remarkable dried specimens of a woody
agaric, which he had collected about two years ago growing on
the pine-board floor of a joiner’s shop at Milnsbridge. They
proved to be Lentinus suffrutescens Fr., and are the first recorded
British specimens.
The spores of Mucor mucedo and the conidia of Botrytis
vulgaris and Cladosporium herbarum had found a decaying banana
skin by the road side in Storthes Hall lane, and were increasing
a millionfold. | |
A specimen of Hypholoma fasciculare was seen growing from
Naturalist,
Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas. 53
inside a bracken stem, a peculiar habitat: its usual home is a
dead stump.
Several of the members devoted Wednesday to the examina-
tion of material gathered for microscopic species.
At no previous foray has so much local interest been taken
in the work both in collecting and in the classification of the
exhibits. The number of people who visited the exhibition
during the week cannot be less than a couple of hundred.
There were numerous drawings and photographs of fungi on
exhibit, and all necessary books and appliances were provided
for working out the unfamiliar specimens.
It was scarcely possible under the circumstances to record the
wood in which each species was gathered, but this matters little,
as the woodlands in the neighbourhood are very similar in
character. They consist principally of oak, with a slightly varying
admixture of sycamore, wych elm, beech, ash, and birch; in
some parts cf Storthes Hall Wood the latter is prevalent, along
with its undergrowth companions, bracken and the flexuous
hair-grass. Had the foray been held three or four weeks later
the number of specimens collected would have been much
greater.
With a view to keeping the list within as narrow limits as
possible, all species previously recorded from the Huddersfield
area are here omitted. This plan will also serve to show at a
glance the ‘additions made to the Huddersfield fungus flora
during this meeting. One species is new to Britain, and séven
species and varieties new to Yorkshire. Besides these there are
numerous confirmations of hitherto single records which are
quite as valuable as new ones, if not more so. The peculiar
Piychogastey albus was met with on a decaying stump. Some
authorities think this may be the conidial condition of some
Polypore.
On the Monday evening Mr. Massee was to have given an
address on “ Modern Mycologists,’’ but being unable to be
present, Mr. Wager kindly consented to give his lecture on
“« Recent Researches on Reproduction in Fungi” on that even-
ing instead of Tuesday. There was a large and appreciative
audience. On ‘Tuesday evening Mr. Gibbs detailed some
interesting observations, illustrated by drawings, on a series of
South African micro fungi he had been investigating. These
were collected by Mr. Cheesman in 1905 during the British
Association Meetings.
The business meeting was held on the Wednesday evening.
1907 February 1.
54 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas.
Four new members were elected, and the Halifax Scientific
Society affiliated with the Union.
Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Lord Dart-
mouth and the West Riding County Council for the permissions
to investigate their respective estates.
The following constitute the Mycological Committee for.
1907 :—G. Massee, President; C. Crossland, Sec.; Rev. W.
Fowler, Harold Wager, Alfred Clarke, W. N. Cheesman,
Thos. Gibbs, C. H. Broadhead, J. W. H. Johnson, and R. H.
Philip.
The place of meeting for 1907 is Grassington for Grass
Woods, Bolton Woods, etc., September 21st to 26th.
All the species not otherwise located are from the woods and
fields in the neighbourhood of Farnley Tyas, and are marked
in the following list F.T. The other local initials used are :—
M.= Milnesbridge; Sl.=Slaithwaite; H. rue B.B.= Berty:
Brow; Sk.=Skelmanthorpe ;
*— First Yorkshire record.
** — First British record.
BASIDIOMYCETES.
(GASTROMYCETES. )
Crucibulum Tul.
C. vulgare Tul. F.T.
On fallen twigs.
Lycoperdon Tournf.
L, echinatum Pers. F.T.
In woods among dead leaves.
L..depressum Bon. F.T.
On the ground in a wood.
L. spadiceum Pers.
Bovista Dill.
B. nigrescens Pers.
In pasture.
Mutinus Fr.
M. caninus (Huds.). F.T., Ravens-
thorpe. H. Parkinson.
(AYMENOMYCETES)
AGARICACE4.
Agaricee.
Leucospore.
Tricholoma Fr.
T. sejunctum (Sow.). F.T.
On the ground in woods.
T. inamoenum Fr. F.T.
In pasture.
Clitocybe Fr.
C. dealbata (Sow. )
C. tumulosa (Kalchbr. ).
Lehr
Ing ibe
eae
W.= Wooldale;
= Kirkburton.
C. infundibuliformis (Schzeff).
M.B. In woods,
Collybia Fr.
©: confluens (Pers.). Foi.
Among dead leaves.
Mycena Pers.
M. pullata (B.&Cke.). SI.
M:alcalina) Er Eo:
M. epipterygea (Scop.),.
In pastures.
M. stylobates Pers. F.T.
On dead herbaceous stems.
M. hiemalis (Osbk.). F.T.
On decaying bark.
Omphalia Fr.
11a
ed Re tS) a)
OP intescellal(Pers.) sn tates
Pleurotus Fr.
P. tremulus (Scheff.). F.T., Sl.
On bare ground.
Rhodospore.
Pluteus Fr.
P. phlebophorus (Ditm.). Sl.
Among rotting logwood chips.
Entoloma Fr.
E. prunuloides Fr. F.T.
E. nidorosum Fr. F.T.
Both in pastures.
Clitopilus Fr.
C. carneo-albus Wither. SI.
Ochrospore.
Pholiota Fr. /
P. togularis (Bull.). F.T.
On the ground in a wood.
Naturalist,
Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas.
P. mutabilis (Schzff.). B.B.
On dead stump.
Hebeloma Fr.
H. sinapizans Fr. F.T.
SH. nudipes hia io -.
Naucoria Fr.
N. semiorbicularis (Bull.). F.T.
In pastures.
Galera Fr.
G. tenera (Schezeff.). F.T., SI.
* Var. pilosella Pers. F.T.
Tubaria Sm.
* T. cupularis (Bull. ).
Bolbitius Fr.
B. titubans (Bull.). F.T., B.B.
M.B. In pastures.
Cortinarius Pers.
C. (Ino.) violaceus (L.).. F.@.-
@a(ino:)shircinusviin Hak:
C, (Tela.) paleaceus Fr. F.T.
C, (Hygr.) acutus (Pers.). F.T.
All on the ground in woods.
eal:
Meianospore.
Stropharia Fr.
S. merdaria Fr.
On cow dung.
Hypholoma Fr.
H. pyrotrichum (Holmsk. ).
Among grass.
Panzolus Fr.
P. retirugis Fr.
P. sphinctrinus.
P. fimicola Fr.
Psilocybe Fr.
BP. eriezca (Pers.):
P. coprophila (Bull.).
On dry cow dung.
* P. canobrunnea Fr. F.T.
On manure heap.
Psathyra Fr.
P. corrugis (Pers.).
In cornfield.
Coprinus Pers.
C. deliquescens (Bull.)
Among grass.
. Gibbsii, Mass. & Crossl.
. stercorarius (Bull.). F.T.
The preceding two on dung.
. hemerobius Fr. F.T.
Paxillez.
Hygrophorus Fr.
2 Clarkin (BecGbi)p yas.
. ovinus (Bull.). F.T.
. lactus bre bedieesl:
. miniatus Fr. F.T.
. calyptrzeformis Berk.
All in pastures.
Lactariee.
Lactarius Fr.
L. minimus W. G. Sm.
lngalis
Ie dt
Riedl
ies
Ii dts
M.B.
195 10:
dea be
Golcar.
neal Be
Bee
Q@ Oe
jsngengengenges)
SI.
SI:
1907 February 1.
Sic, |
{
Russula Pers.
R. adusta Pers.
R. densifolia Secr.
. semicrema Fr.
. furcata Pers.
* Var. ochroviridis Cke.
sanguinea Fr. F.T.
> rosaced Fer eV. bok.
purpurea Gillet. (=R. Quweletiz
Fr., var. purpurea). F.T.
laicten hire hese
cutefracta Cke. M.B.
rubra.) babel
. granulosa Cke. F.T., H., W.
~ integra irs “SI.
. puellaris Fr. Sl.
. ochracea A.&S. F.T.
All the Russulz were found on
the ground in or near woods.
Cantharellez.
Cantharellus Adams.
*C. Friesii O-
Ped hes ISIE
Med be
Sl.
SI.
wan we
dm ad ad Pe
On woodwork of coal-frame,
in garden, Spa Baths, Slaith-
waite.
C. infundibuliformis Fr. F.T.
Marasmiee2.
Marasmius Fr.
M. sclerotipes Bres. (Collybia
tuberosa). F.T.
Growing from sclerotia on dead
stump.
Lentinus Fr.
**L. suffrutescens Fr.
Growing from
joiner’s shop.
POLYPORACEA2.
Boletez
Boletus Dill.
B. parasiticus Bull. Mollicar Wood,
on Scleroderma vulgare.
Polyporee.
Polyporus Mich.
P. rufescens Fr.
On dead stump.
P. adustus F. Huddersfield.
On tree stump.
M.B.
the floor of
Ide Abe
P. chioneus Fr. F.T.
Poria Pers.
P> molluscay Er, Eads
P. sanguinolenta (A.&S.). F.T.
Last two on rotting branches.
HYDNACEA:.
Hydnum L.
H. argutum Fr.
On dead wood.
IDSA te
56 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Farnley Tyas.
THELEPHORACE:.
Stereum Pers.
S. sanguinolentum Fr. F.T.
Corticium Fr.
€:. calceum Fr. F.2.
Peniophora Cke.
P. velutina (Berk.). F.T.
On decaying ash wood.
Cyphella Fr.
C: capula Fr. F.T-
On dead herbaceous stems.
Thelephora Ebrh.
iD. laciniatam bers. bediers Sle
On the ground in woods.
CLAVARIACEZ:.
Clavaria \ ahl.
@. muscoides Wes Es Debra.
coralloides L. F.T., B.B.
. umbrinella Sacc. F.T.
All three in pastures.
- cinerea Bull. F.T.
. cristata Holmsk. F.T., M.B.
| cusesa, bully SB:
All three in woods.
. fusiformis Sow. F.T., M.B.
*C. incarnata Weissm. F.T.
C. tenerrima Mass & Cross].
All in pastures.
Typhula Pers.
i Nenythropus. Eira.
On dead herbaceous stems.
Pistillaria Fr.
P. tenuipes Mass.
In pastures.
P. puberula Berk. F.T.
On dead leaves in a wood.
TREMELLACEA:.
Calocera Fr.
(Gy roves, [Ne 18510.
On rotting branch.
UREDINACE2.
Coleosporium Lév.
> sonchil(PRers;) sbeebs.
On Tusstlago farfara.
Uromyces Link.
U. polygoni (Pers.). F.T.
On Polygonum aviculare.
Puccinia Pers.
P. menthazs Newsome.
On Mentha viridis in garden.
P. rubigo-vera (DC.). F.T.
Uredospores on grass.
P. poarum Niels. F.T.
fEcidiospores on Tusstlago far-
fara.
P. glomerata Grev. - F.T.
On Senecio aquatica.
200 20
QO
Eieles
BAe
ASCOMYCETES.
(PYRENOMYCETES).
Cordyceps Fr.
(A mmilitacisn(\es)sa0 ews:
On dead beetle among grass.
Hypocrea Fr.
H. rufa (Pers.).
On dead wood.
Xylaria Hill.
X. polymorpha (Pers.).
On dead stumps.
Poronia Willd.
Py punctatashicmeetied.
On dry horse dung in pasture.
Hypoxylon Bull.
Beals
M.B.
H. rubiginosum (Pers.). F.T.
Eutypa Tul.
E. lata bal bews.
On dead branches.
Sordaria C.& DeN.
S. coprophila (Fr.). F.T.
On horse dung.
S. decipiens Wint. F.T.
Saicurvolas Debye see
Sporormia DeN.
S. intermedia Awd. F.T.
The last three sp. on rabbit dung.
Spherella C.& DeN.
GY tisaearcee (Wwib), 1851.
On the leaves of garden straw-
berry.
Sphezrotheca Lév.
S. pannosa (Wallr.). F.T.
On cultivated rose bushes.
S. castagnei Lév. F.T.
On garden peas.
Erysiphe Hedw.
E. communis (Wallr.). F.T.
On Polygonum aviculare.
(DISCOMYCETES.)
Peziza Dill.
P. badia Pers. F.T.
On the ground in a wood.
Dasyscypha Fr.
D. virginea Fekl. F.T.
On dead herbaceous stems.
D. Soppittii Mass. F.T.
D: ciliaris Sace. FT:
Both on dead oak-leaves.
Ciboria Fckl.
C. luteovirescens Sacc.
On dead leaf-stalk.
helo Fr.
H. claroflavum Berk.
On rotting branch.
H. citrinum Fr.
Var. pallescens Mass.
On decaying wood.
H. aciculare Pers. F.T., Sl.
On moss-covered stumps.
ING dhe
185 1
1815 Me
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 57
H. cyathoideum Karst. F.T. Penicillium Link.
On dead plant stems. P. glaucum Link F.T.
Mollisia Fr. On dead plant stems.
M. lignicola Phil. F.T. P. candidum Link. F.T.
On decaying wood. On Polyporus squamosus.
Ryparobius Boud. Botrytis Mich.
R. argenteus. F.T. B. vulgaris Fr: F.T-
On rabbit dung. On decaying banana skin laid
Ascophanus Boud. on the road side.
A. minutissimus Boud. F.T. B. fascicularis Sacc. F.T.
On rabbit dung. On dead stems of cow parsnip.
A. equinus F.T. Sepedonium Link.
On horse and rabbit dung. S. chrysospermum Fr. F.T.
Saccobolus Boud. | On dead Boletus.
S. neglectus Boud. F.T | Arthrobotrys Corda.
S. Kerverni Boud. F.T. | A. superba Corda. F.T.
On cow and rabbit dung. 7 oe rabbit dung.
orula Pers.
. PHYCOMYCETES. | T. herbarum Link. F.T.
Pilobolus Tode Cladosporium Link.
P. crystallinus Tode. F*.T. C. herbarum Link. F.T.
P. Kleinii Van Teigh. F.T. Stilbum Tode.
Both on cow dung. S. erythrocephalum Ditm. F.T.
Mucor Mich. On rabbit dung.
Ms smncedomIE ak sbe £gerita Pers.
On decaying banana skin laid | 42 candida Pers. F.T.
_ on the road side. Fusarium Link.
Spinellus Van Teigh, F. roseum Link. F.T.
S. fusiger Van Teigh. On decaying plant stems.
On Boletus. Fn Ge
Cystopus Lév.
oe candidus Lév. F.T. MYXOMYCETES.
On shepherd’s purse in garden. Stemonitis Gled.
Phytophthora Deby. S. fusca Roth. F.T.
P2 infestans; DeBy. 1. E- Trichia Haller.
On potatoes. Ihe Wale, TPs LSA
DEUTEROMYCETES. Chondrioderma.
Sphzronemella Karst. Ge difforme Rost. F. rr.
S. fimicola Marchal. F.T. The last three on rotting wood.
On rabbit dung. Craterium Trent.
C. confusum Mass. F.T.
HYPHOMYCETES. On dead leaves.
Cylindrium Bon. Fuligo Hall.
C. flavovirens Bon. F.T.
F. varians Somm. F.T.
On dead oak-leaves.
|
On decaying wood.
+e —
Where the Forest Murmurs. Nature Essays. By Fiona Macleod.
London, 1906. 389 pages. Price 6/- net.
In this little volume are gathered together several articles by this well-
known writer, which have appeared in Country Life, and which her admirers
will be glad to get in a more permanent form. Undoubtedly the authoress
has every sympathy with Nature, and with all that is beautiful. She is also
able to express her thoughts in beautiful language. Here and there, how-
ever, the desire for ‘fine’ writing, with exceeding short sentences following
one another in rapid succession, and the constant repetition of the same
words over and over again, grows just a little wearisome. On a single
page we learn ‘The last enchantment of mid-winter is not yet come. . .
The forest-soul is no longer an incommunicable mystery. It is abroad.
It is a communicable dream. In that magnificent nakedness it knows its
safety. . . It is not asleep as the poets feign.’ It is ‘chronic’!
1907 F ebruary Hn
58
THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION IN 1907.
At the Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,
held at York on December 15th, the following officers were
elected :—
President—C. Crossland, Halifax.
Secretary—T. Sheppard, The Museum, Hull.
Divisional Secretaries—Y ork, S. W.—H. H. Corbett, 9, Priory
Place, Doncaster ; A. Whitaker, Savile House, Wors-
borough Bridge, Barnsley. York, Mid. W.—Riley
Fortune, Lindisfarne, Dragon Road, Harrogate.
York, N.W.—W. Robinson, Greenbank, Sedbergh.
York, N.E.—J. J. Burton, Rosecroft, Nunthorpe,
R.S.O., Yorks. York, S.E.—J. W. Stather, Brook-
side, Newland Park, Hull.
Sectional Officers.
Vertebrate Zoology :—
President—Riley Fortune, Harrogate.
Secretaries—T. H. Nelson, Redcar. A. White, Leeds.
E. W. Wade, Hull. H. B. Booth, Shipley.
Entomology :—
President—Wm. Hewett, 12, Howard Street, York.
Secretaries (for Lepidoptera)—A. Whitaker, Barnsley ; and
T. A. Lofthouse, Middlesborough. (Hymenoptera,
Diptera, and Hemiptera) W. D. Roebuck, Leeds.
(Neuroptera, Orthoptera, and Trichoptera) G. T.
Porritt, Huddersfield. (Coleoptera) E. G. Bayford,
Barnsley.
Conchology :—
President—J. E. Crowther, Elland.
Secretary—W. Denison Roebuck, Leeds.
Botany :-—
President—W. G. Smith, Ph.D., Headingley.
Secretaries—H. H. Corbett, Doncaster ; J. Fraser Robinson,
Hull.
Geology :
President—Cosmo Johns, Sheffield.
Secretaries—A. J. Stather, Hull; E. Hawkesworth, Leeds.
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union tn 1907. 59
Committees of Research.
Yorkshire Micro-Zoology and Micro-Botany Committee :—
Chairman—M. H. Stiles, Doncaster.
Convener—R. H. Philip, Hull.
Yorkshtre Coleoptera Committee :—
President—M. L. Thompson, Saltburn-by-Sea.
Convener—E. G. Bayford, Barnsley.
Glacial Committee :
Chairman—Prof. P. F. Kendall, M.Sc., Leeds.
Conveners—J. H. Howarth, J.P., Halifax; J. W. Stather,
Hull.
Yorkshire Bryological Committee :—
Chairman—M. B. Slater, Malton.
Convener—J. J. Marshall, Beverley.
Mycological Committee :
President—G. Massee, Kew.
Convener—C. Crossland, Halifax.
Yorkshtre Fossil Flora and Fauna Committee :—
Chairman and Convener—R. Kidston, F.R.S., Stirling.
Geological Photographs Committee :—
- Chairman—Prof. P. F. Kendall, Leeds.
Convener—A. J. Stather, Hull.
Yorkshire Coast Eroston Committee :—
Chairman—F. F. Walton, Hull.
Convener—E. R. Matthews, Bridlington.
Yorkshire Marine Biology Committee :-—
Chairman—Dr. H. C. Sorby, F.R.S., Sheffield.
Convener—Rev. E. H. Woods, B.D., Bainton Rectory, nr.
Driffield.
Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Committee :—
Chairman—W. H. St. Quintin, J.P., Rillington.
Conveners—R. Fortune, Harrogate ; T. H. Nelson, Redcar.
Yorkshire Botanical Survey Committee :—
Chairman—Dr. T. W. Woodhead, Huddersfield.
Convener—Dr. W. G. Smith, Leeds.
Committee of Suggestions for Research :-—
Chairman—Prof. P. F. Kendall, M.Sc., Leeds.
Convener—Dr. W. G. Smith, Leeds.
Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera Committee :—
_Chairman—G. T. Porritt, Huddersfield.
Convener—W. Denison Roebuck, Leeds
1907 February tr.
60
NOTE ON A VARIETY OF LIMN-EA
STAGNALIS.
J. W. TAYLOR.
Leeds.
THE interesting specimen of Zimnc@a stagnalis, found by Mr.
Hutton (see p. 61), exhibits clearly and distinctly a character
which is liable to occur in almost any of our Mollusca. Analogous
specimens are occasionally found amongst the terrestrial species,
but the peculiarity is much more frequently met with amongst
the freshwater shells ; Zémncea peregra and Physa fontinalts
being especially subject to this mode of ornamentation. White
spiral banding of this kind is always adventitous, never com-
mencing ab ovo, but in every case originating during the free
life of the animal. It is probably an effect arising from injury
to, or laceration of the outer margin of the mantle by fish or
some other predatory creature, by which the secretory glandules
are injured or destroyed, and as the particular glands secreting
the outer or epidermal layer are the most externally placed, they
are the most liable to injury and destruction.
Injury to the secretory cellules results in a deficient secretion
of the protective outer epidermis, which in the Limnzeidz gives
the colour to the shell, so that its absence or unusual delicacy
and thinness exposes the white calcareous stratum beneath, and
enables it to become strikingly perceptible and in strong con-
trast to the horny-brown colour of the adjacent uninjured shell
surface, each injured gland or group of glands giving rise toa
slender or broader white or whitish line, which revolves spirally
around the whorls in strict correlation with the direction of the
coiling, while the rate of increase in its breadth is in correspon-
dence with the general enlargement of the shell itself.
If the laceration of the marginal glands is not so severe as
to totally destroy, but merely tears the glandular fringe, the
injury may in process of time become healed, and the white
revolving lines on the shell, due to the injury, will be gradually
obliterated by the overgrowth of epidermis of normal density
and appearance.
If, however, the injury to the pallial margin be more serious,
then the more deeply seated lime cells may also be destroyed,
in such case, not merely is the outer epidermal layer involved ;
but the substance of the shell itself may show its effects by the
shell wall being distinctly cleft.
Naturalist,
FIELD NOTES.
BIRDS.
The Hoopoe in Lincolnshire._On my way from the Black
Hut, which stands on the bank of Kelsey Beck, in the parish of
Cadney, on December 17th, I saw a pair of Hoopoes. Though it
was mid-winter, I was surprised to see that they had what I took
to be fnlly developed crests. I found, on getting home and
looking into Saunder’s Manual, that it is generally after stormy
weather that these birds are observed on the east coast. We
had certainly experienced enough rough weather just before |
saw them.—D. WoopruFrFE-Peacock, Cadney Vicarage, Brigg.
=: 0 ——
SHELLS.
Variety of Limnza stagnalis found near Leeds.—The
specimen figured herewith I took in a pond south-east of Leeds,
on November 23rd last. It will be seen that it has a single
white narrow band in the centre of the whorl. The shell is
1;°; inches in length.—W. Harrison Hutton, Leeds.
Os
DIPTERA.
Note on Volucella pellucens at Worksop.—On July 27th,
1906, whilst working amongst my insects between 9g and 10 p.m.,
I was surprised to see a fine specimen of this Dipteron fly into
the room attracted by the gas which was burning. The night
was a very hot and still one, and the windows were wide open.
Oddly enough, exactly the same thing happened just a year
previously on July 28th, 1905, under exactly similar circum-
stances.
It seems strange that such a sun-loving species as Volucella
pellucens should be on the wing at night. —E. MAupE ALDERSON,
Worksop, October, 1906.
At the recent annual meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo-
logical Society, Mr. S. J. Capper was elected President, and Dr. J. H. Bailey,
Mr. E. J. B. Sopp, Prof. E. B. Poulton, Messrs. J. R. Charnley, H. H. Cor-
bett and W. Mansbridge, Vice-Presidents.
1907 February 1.
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
Upper Nidderdale, with the Forest of Knaresborough.*
Certainly no county has such a wealth of valuable books dealing
with its history, topography, etc., as has Yorkshire. This is
largely due to the charms of the county, but is to some extent
attributable to the number of able writers which the county
has been able to boast. Amongst the living authors who have
done so much in praise of Yorkshire, Mr. Harry Speight holds
a prominent place. His most recent book, ‘ Upper Nidderdale,’
_Old Lead Mines, Merryfield Glen.
is before us, and should do much to make this part of the
county more appreciated even than it is at present. A little
over a year ago his ‘ Nidderdale, from New Monkton to
Whernside,’ was issued, and had a ready sale. The present
work is practically a reprint of that book, with the exception of
that part relating to the district below Knaresborough, which
is now omitted. Whilst it appeals particularly to the antiquary,
* Being a record of the History, Antiquities, Scenery, Old Homes,
Families, etc., of that Romantic District. By Harry Speight. Elliot
Stock, 1906. Pages 368+1xxii. Price 5/- net.
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 63
there is much in the volume of general interest, and no one
visiting the neighbourhood, and anxious to learn what is to
be known about it, can afford to be without ‘Upper Nidder-
dale.’ The volume is very full in so far as it relates to the
history of the various old families living in the area. There
are numerous illustrations, mostly of an excellent character.
One of these we are kindly permitted to reproduce.
Transactions of the Hull Scientific and Field Natu-
ralists’ Club for the year 1906. Vol. III., Part IV., with
Title page and Index. Edited by Thomas Sheppard, F.G.S.
Price 2/6 net. A. Brown & Sons, Ltd., 1907. 8vo.
We have once more to congratulate our Hull friends on the
production of the account of another year’s excellent work, and
on the part now before us, with its wealth of illustrations, which
this time runs to an admirable coloured plate of the only known
British Eggs of Pallas’ Sand Grouse, four eggs, of which Mr.
T. Audas is the proud possessor.
The part opens with a detailed account, by Mr. Sheppard,
of a collection of Roman Antiquities from South Ferriby, in
North Lincolnshire. The place is outside the East Riding, but
only just on the other side of the Humber, and being his birth-
place, the Editor is fully justified in preserving so complete an
account of the interesting Roman remains, so fully described
and illustrated in this paper, six plates being devoted to it.
The next paper, by John Nicholson, deals with ‘Some
Holderness Fighting Words,’ which would convey the idea
that the East Yorkshireman is a particularly quarrelsome
person, so great is his wealth of fighting words. The author
might have added another word, ‘Snappers,’ the by-name of
the 15th or East Yorkshire Regiment of the Line. Pure natural
history follows, Mr. Boult’s pessimistic account of East York-
shire Lepidoptera (hardly Entomology as he phrases it) in 1g06,
and Mr. T. Dobbs’ report on East Yorkshire Conchology in
1906, are succeeded by a Bibliography and List of East Riding
Hymenoptera, in which the sparse total of 23 species is recorded
as against nearly 600 in the Yorkshire County List.
An excellent memoir, with portrait, of the great Hull Ento-
mologist, William Spence, joint author of the famous Introduc-
tion to Entomology, is full of interesting detail.
Mr. R. H. Philip—a speaking likeness of whom, in conjunc-
tion with other four ex-presidents of the society, forms the
frontispiece—describes the work done in Diatoms in 1906;
1907 February 1.
64 Northern News.
Mr. Arthur R. Warnes does the same for Fungi, and Mr. T.
Stainforth for Coleoptera. In connection with the latter it is
satisfactory to note that it is proposed to devote a cabinet in
the Hull Museum to a type collection of British Coleoptera.
Mr. Sheppard’s very appropriately written Presidential
Address is worthy of one who combines with that office the
Curatorship of the splendid museum Hull can now boast of,
and who is this year honoured with one of the awards of the
Geological Society of London.
Mr. J. Fraser Robinson treats of Botanical Notes of 1906,
rounding off the series of local reports of investigation, and the
Report of the Committee gives a record of unabated enthusiasm
and well-deserved success.
We look forward for more and similarly satisfactory records
of future work.—R.
NORTHERN NEWS.
In the journal of the Quekett Microscopical Club (Vol. 9, No. 57), Mr.
C. D. Soar has an interesting paper entitled ‘ Notes and Observations on
the Life-History of Fresh-w ater Mites.”
A ‘Knowledge’ Book Club, in connection with ‘ Knowledge and Scientific
News,’ formed in December, was discontinued owing to lack of support in
January, and the books are to be offered for sale in February.
‘Ornithological Notes from Derbyshire,’ for the year 1905, is one of the
many interesting papers in the ‘ Journal of the Derby shire Archzeological
and Natural History Society ’ for 1906, recently published.
Under the heading ‘Myrmacophilous Notes for 1906,’ in the December
‘Entomologist’s Record,’ Mr. H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe enumerates several
captures in Northumberland, Durham, and Cumberland. The same journal
also contains particulars of ‘ Additions to the Coleoptera of the Northumber-
land and Durham district,’ 1906, by Mr. R. S. Bagnall.
The recently issued ‘Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association’ (Vol. 19,
Pt. 10) contains a record of the Association's ‘long excursion’ to the York-
shire Coast in 1906, illustrated by some excellent photographs by Mr.
Godfrey Bingley. The same Proceedings also contain a paper on ‘The
Geology of the Yorkshire Coast between 1 Redcar and Robin Hood's Bay,”
by Mire Ro S: Herries:
The Geological Society of London will this year award its medals and
funds as follows :—The Wollaston medal to Prof, W. J. Sollas, M.A., F.R.S.
the Murchison medal to Mr. Alfred Harker, M.A., F.R.S; the Lyell
medal to Dr. J. F. Whiteaves of Ottawa; the Wollaston fund to Dr.
Arthur Vaughan, B.A.; the Murchison fund to Dr, Felix Oswald, B.A. ;
and the Lyell Fund to Mr. T. C. Cantrill and Mr. Thomas Sheppard.
It is gratifying. to find that the study of nature is spreading! At a
meeting of Suffolk guardians recently, it was reported that in consequence
of workhouse fare an inmate known as the ‘human hairpin’ had become as
‘fat asa mole.’ Possibly the above paragraph will help us to understand
what was meant by the item, a ‘human flea,’ on the list of exhibits at
the recent excellent conversazione of the Doncaster Scientific Society.
Naturalist,
"Wee Tage ©
No. 602
(No. 380 of current series).
MARCH 1907. |
J A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
‘NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
| THe Museum, Hutt;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
t TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
Contents :—
4 PAGES
Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—Roseberry Topping, British Eggs of Pallas’ Sand-
. grouse, Distorted strata in the Little Don Valley, Nottingham Naturalists, Bradford
Naturalists, Recorders’ Reports, ‘ Fossil Mushrooms,’ British Tunicata, The MN eae ‘
The Slaughter of Kingfishers ... 65-71
‘A Yorkshire Variety of a Rare British Tardigrade (IMustrated)—G. Ss. West, ur Als, CF, L s. 72-13
Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats (Illustrated)—Avthur Whitaker Oh fas «- 74-83
Notes on Chrysopa perla-and C. flava (IMustrated)—E. Maude Alderson, F.E.S. ... a. 84-89
4 ife Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks (Illustrated) —Waheelton Hind, M.D., B.S.,
PUR:G.S3 Fh GiS.. “esse ae AY .. 90-96
Recently digcoverct Fungi ih Workshice (Illustrated)—C. Crossland, F. je Ss. as «. 97-105
Bird Notes, York District—Sydney H. Smith Lak at aS am bs 106
The Protection of Birds in the West Riding—R. Fortune, F. Z. 5 ke ..- 107-110
otes on the Common Swift in the Bradford District—Harry B. Booth, M. B. oO. UL ..» 111-114
The Protection of the Birds at Spurn, etc... SORT ENED, ama REM Nerves BCI er:
Ecology of Woodland Plants near Huddersfield (Illustrated) hes Le eA hi, ... 116-119
Old Halifax (Illustrated) ... tes te ori Ps pm itaes 305 a ae he ... 120-122
Ancient Barton +e 122-128
In Memoriam, Sir Michael Foster, K. Cc. B., F. R. s., ’D. c. L., D. ‘Sc, etc, (illustrated) 124-125
‘ Dr. W. M. Burman of Wath-on-Dearne saaigai we ae e 125-127
RS Wilson Hemingway oth bas rh oe ae ous ... 127-128
Reviews and Book Notices (Illustrated) . =A ae Rie isa ep vw "83, 15, 119, 123
Northern News sae wee nee 2 ae Os fr ... 89, 96, 105, 110, 128
"65, 66, 67, 69, 72, 116, 120, 121, 123, 126
eee nop
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THE NATURALIST, 1907. PraTe XIII.
British Eggs of Pallas’ Sand Grouse.
(Actual Size).
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
ROSEBERRY TOPPING.
Wuen the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union visited Guisborough
last year (see ‘ Naturalist,’ Nov. 1906, pages 393-394), Mr. J. J.
Burton pointed out that the levels and thicknesses of several of
the zones appearing on Roseberry Topping are incorrectly given
by the Geological Survey. He therefore kindly prepared the
Lower Qolzée.
Sogper absent ----——---
A. communts Zone.
A. SerpenFinus.
A. annulafus.
A.spinatus .
Opper Aimnongarcl
lowerd. ~ ae-
Warnstone adyKe.
A. capritornus
Section through Roseberry Topping, N.N.W. to S.S.E.
Horizontal scale, 880 feet tolinch. Vertical scale, 200 feet to 1 inch.
section, reproduced herewith, which may be taken as approxi-
mately correct. Mr. Burton is engaged in investigating this
curious hill, respecting which there are a number of interesting
problems, and we hope to give our readers the results of these
investigations later.
BRITISH EGGS OF PALLAS’ SAND-GROUSE.
By the permission of the Editor of the ‘Transactions of the
Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club,’ we are able to present
our readers with a coloured plate, representing, in actual size,
the only four British eggs (two clutches) of the Pallas’ Sand-
grouse known to exist. From a note in the Transactions just
referred to, we gather that both clutches were obtained on the
high wolds west of Beverley, one on June 15th, and the other
on July 5th, 1888. They are by no means the only eggs laid
during that extraordinary immigration of 1888, as some of the
broken egg-shells were found on the fields. The eggs herewith
figured (Plate XIII.) came into the possession of the late Johnson
Swailes of Beverley, whose fine collection (minus these four,
which are owned by Mr. T. Audas) is now in the Hull Museum.
1907 March 1.
E
66 Notes and Comments.
It is gratifying to find that the sand-grouse eggs are in Hull,
and are likely to remain there, though at present they are several
hundred yards away from the museum !
DISTORTED STRATA IN THE LITTLE DON VALLEY.
In the recently issued ‘Transactions of the Manchester
Geological and Mining Society’ (vol. 29, part 9), Mr. Wm.
Watts gives some useful geological notes on ‘Sinking
Lansett and Underbank Concrete-Trenches in the Little Don
Valley.’ During this work many interesting geological sections
were exposed, which are reproduced in the paper by means of
photographic blocks. One of these, by permission of the Insti-
tution of Mining Engineers, we are enabled to reproduce. This
shows the distorted strata in the discharge-tunnel, the beds in
the foreground evidently forming the arch of an anticline. An
account of the author, and his work, with portrait, appears in
‘Yorkshire Notes and Queries’ for February.
NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS.
The ‘Fifty-fourth Annual Report and Transactions of the
Nottingham Naturalists’ Society’ is to hand, and contains a
useful account of the year’s work, together with one or two
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 67
notes of distinct local value. The report contains obituary
notices of Prof. J. F. Blake and Prof. H. Marshall Ward, both
of whom were at one time prominent members of the Nottingham
Society. We are permitted to reproduce the portrait ot Prof.
Blake, which will be interesting to readers of this journal,
The late Professor Blake.
having regard to his contributions to the geology of various
parts of the north of England. Amongst the other items in
the report are—‘ Weather Charts and Weather Forecasts’ (the
Presidential Address of Mr. H. Mellish), and ‘ The Stickleback :
its Personal and Family History’ (with plate), by Dr. H. H.
Swinerton. The Hon. Secretary of the Society, Prof. J. W.
1907 March 1.
68 Notes and Comments.
Carr, gives a list of new Nottinghamshire spiders and false-
scorpions, together with some notes on new and rare Notting-
hamshire plants. Our contributor, Mr. H. Wallis Kew,
describes a recent addition to the British false-scorpions.
BRADFORD NATURALISTS.
No. 11 of the Bradford Scientific Journal has appeared, and
we are pleased to notice that with the twelfth issue there will
be an index to the parts already published. In the present
part is an account of the Ice Age in Wharfdale, by Mr. F. Hall,
in which some sections in the drift, etc., are described; and
there are notes on Local Cockroaches by Mr. J. W. Carter ;
Local Flies, by Mr. J. H. Ashworth; and some interesting
notes concerning the Nightjar by Mr. A. Badland, in which
he describes the sound of the bird as ‘a weird, long-drawn
KeereeeeereeeOrrrrrrreerrr.’ This paper is illustrated by a plate
containing photographs by Mr. J. W. Forrest, showing the
eggs, young, and the adult bird on the nest. A useful feature
is the summary of natural history observations during the year
1906, which includes the various reports of the recorders of
another Bradford society, the Bradford Natural History and
Microscopical Society. The Bradford Scientific Journal gives
evidences of continued enthusiasm on the part of the Bradford
naturalists. There is one little point, however, that we do not
quite like with regard to the journal, and that is the nature of
the advertisements. That on the cover, in which we are told
to drink Blank’s tea, which may be blended ‘scientifically,’
being particularly ugly.
RECORDERS’ REPORTS.
Another Bradford Society, the Bradford Natural History and
Microscopical Society, has favoured us with a copy of its
recorders’ reports for 1906, which occupy a pamphlet of sixteen
pages, and are principally reprinted from the Bradford Scientific
Journal, Mr. J. Beanland contributes Phanerogamic Botany ;
Mr. Malone, Cryptogamic Botany; Mr. H. B. Booth, Verte-
brate Zoology; Mr. F. Rhodes, Conchology; Mr. J. W.
Carter, Lepidoptera, and a note on Local Cockroaches; Mr.
J. Ashworth, Diptera; Microscopy by Mr. F. C. Sewell; and
Geology by Mr. J. H. Ashworth. We notice that the Society
has resolved to print the whole of the records made since its
formation, and that the Society’s financial position warrants it.
Mr. Badland, who is largely responsible for the Bradford
Scientific Journal, is the President of the Natural History and
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 69
Microscopical Society, and this possibly accounts for the apparent
co-operation of the two societies as regards printing. We do
not know the local circumstances, but we should have thought
that it would have been advisable for the two societies, covering
a somewhat similar ground, to have amalgamated. It is quite
possible that many of the members are paying subscriptions to
the two societies.
“FOSSIL MUSHROOMS.’
Visitors to the well-known chalk quarries on the south
Humber shore, near South Ferriby and Barton, will be familiar
with the small circular ‘sea-urchins’ which occur in some
‘Fossil Mushrooms.’
numbers in the lower part of the pits. They are best seen
protruding, mushroom-like, from the bed of chalk immediately
below the ‘Black-band,’ or zone of Belemnitella plena. This
‘Black-band’ is cleared away for convenience in blasting opera-
tions, leaving a shelf of exposed chalk, below which is an
excellent collecting ground. The quarrymen, who secure these
specimens, are evidently not believers in the deep-sea origin
of the chalk; the pointed teeth occurring there, are, by
them, known as ‘fossil birds’ tongues,’ the Ammonites were
once snakes, and the echinoderms were mushrooms. As
‘proof’ of the last, specimens are produced with the ‘stalk’
still adhering, this having been cut from the solid by the work-
men. Two such specimens are shown on the bottom row in
the above illustration, the centre specimen being “chznoconus
castanea from another part of the pit; all the remainder are
Discotdea cylindrica.
1907 March tr.
70 Notes and Comments.
BRITISH TUNICATA.*
The Ray Society is well known for the excellence of the
work it accomplishes in connection with its memoirs relating
to the more neglected branches of natural History. In recent
years these have been produced with remarkable regularity,
largely as a result of the energy of the society’s honorary
secretary, Mr. John Hopkinson, who, it need hardly be said,
is a Yorkshireman. Its latest publication is vol. 2 of ‘ British
Tunicata,’ an unfinished monograph, by the late Joshua Alder
and the late Albany Hancock, which should be of particular
interest to northern naturalists. Mr. Hopkinson has edited
the memoir, and, with the addition of a wealth of beautiful
plates, has produced a handsome and useful volume, the first
part of the work having been issued two years ago. Of
additional interest is an account of the life of Alder, by the
Rev. Canon Norman, and the life of Hancock, by Dr. D.
Embleton, with an addendum by Canon Norman. A portrait
of Hancock appears as frontispiece to the volume.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS.
To the plates, too much praise cannot be given; they are
such as will be of the very greatest service to students of this
neglected order. In addition there are numerous illustrations
in the text. Both sets of illustrations are photographically
reproduced from the drawings of Alder and Hancock, under
the supervision of Mr. Hopkinson. By the courtesy of the
society and its editor, we are able to present our readers with
one of the plates (plate XV.), which will speak more for their
excellence than will any words of ours. Some of the speci-
mens will probably be familiar ta those who are in the habit
of collecting amongst the flotsam and jetsam of our coasts.
On the plate—Figs. 1-4=Styelopsis grossularia (Van Ben.)
Traust.: 1, a group, natural size; 2, a single individual from
this group, twice natural size; 3, an individual, probably a
variety of this species, with a young one attached, three times
natural size; 4, the same, natural size. Fig. 5=Styelopszs
glomerata (Alder): a cluster, natural size. Figs. 6-8= Thyla-
cium aggregatum (Rathke) V. Carus: 6, a group, one half natural
size ; 7, a single individual, natural size; 8, a group, probably
a variety of this species, of the size and form of var. maculatum,
El
* xxviii. + 164 pp. and 50 plates, 1907. Issued to the members of the
Ray Society for 1906. 25/- net.
Naturajist,
PLATE XV.
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
British Tunicata
Notes and Comments. 71
but apparently not spotted, natural size. Figs. 9-11= 7hyla-
ctum Sylvant V. Carus: 9, a group of small ones ; 10, a group
of rather larger ones; 11, a single individual, much larger; all
with young ones attached, and natural size. Figs. 12-14=
Thylactum variolosum (Gaertn.) : 12, a mass, twice natural size;
13, showing mode of growth on an Ascidian, natural size; 14,
a larva, magnified. Figs. 15 and 16=Pelonaza corrugata Forb.
and Goods. : 15, Test, natural size; 16, part of branchial sac,
magnified.
THE SLAUGHTER OF KINGFISHERS.
We heartily agree with the following note which appears
in a local magazine in Hull, and can only regret that Hull is not
the only place where this senseless slaughter is allowed. When
will the police authorities understand that their duties do not
end in seeing that the placards are duly posted in more or less
prominent places in their districts? The attention of the police
has been called to this case. We have also been advised of
similar slaughter of kingfishers near Huddersfield. As we
have previously pointed out, however, in Yorkshire at any rate,
the ‘Wild Birds’ Protection Act,’ so far as the police are con-
cerned, is very largely a farce. ‘ Hull is not a lovely city. The
objects of beauty are not very many, and the praiseworthy
endeavours of some of its citizens to multiply them, only make
slow progress. But sometimes, even within the boundaries of
its smoky fields, nature is kind. Flowers still open in summer,
and sometimes from brighter scenes come birds which bring us
a message of grace. So it has been this winter in the parish
of Newland. Wanderers in our fields might see the glorious
vision of the little kingfisher, with its tropical luxuriance of
colour, winging his way along the waterside, for just now he
finds more food here than inland. Such a thing should be the
pride of a great city, better than an art gallery in himself.
Alas for our civilisation! This is the barbarian’s chance.
Parliament has passed the Wild Birds’ Protection Act, the
Hull Corporation and the East Riding County Council have
scheduled the kingfisher for protection all the year round, what
does it matter? Men go out with their guns and slaughter
every one they can find. We have reason to believe that no
fewer than ten of these birds have been killed in this way during
the last few weeks. Such a thing is a disgrace to the com-
munity, and anyone who could give evidence for the conviction
of the perpetrator of it would be a public benefactor.’
1907 March 1.
we
A YORKSHIRE VARIETY OF A RARE
BRITISH TARDIGRADE.
G. S. WEST, M.A., F.L.S.
Birmingham University.
DurinG the recent examination of some old algal material from
Penyghent, W. Yorkshire, I came across a dilapidated specimen
of a Tardigrade, the like of which I had no recollection of having
seen before. Further search through the material fortunately
resulted in the finding of several individuals in a much better
state of preservation.
The animal appears to be a variety of Afacrobiotus papillifer
MAGCROBICTUS PAPILLIFER }-Manray , VAR.
A.—Animal seen from the side, x 500.
B.—Single dorsal process showing the two minute apical spines, x 1000.
C.—Pair of claws, x 1000.
James Murray (‘The Tardigrada of the Scottish Lochs,’ Zvazs.
Royal Soctety, Edinburgh, vol. xli., part ili., No. 27, 1905,
p- 692, t. iii., f. 15 a-c). The specific name ‘ papillifer’ is in
reference to the conical papillae or processes along the dorsal
surface and sides of the body. These projections are disposed
in transverse and longitudinal rows, each one having an acu-
minate apex.
The Yorkshire animals were collected in April, 1896, and
occurred among mosses, and the submerged portions of sedges
and rushes in a small rivulet on the western slope of Penyghent
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 73
at an altitude of about 1400 feet. They were of rather small
dimensions, having a maximum length of ;45-inch (= 190 p).
They do not agree very strictly with the Scottish specimens,
differing chiefly in the fewer processes along the sides of the
body and in the presence of numerous small rounded warts or
tubercles between the processes. These small tubercles are
much scattered, but cover the whole dorsal surface and upper
parts of the sides of the body not occupied by the processes,
diminishing in size, and ultimately disappearing towards the
ventral region (fig. A). The five median pairs of processes,
which form part of the double series which extends down the
back of the animal, were not acuminate, but slightly truncate
at the apex, and furnished with two minute spines (vzde figs. A
and B). The cuticle of the processes was also noticed to be
much thinner than the rest of the body-cuticle (fig. B).
Each leg was furnished with two equal pairs of strongly-
hooked claws, one claw of each pair being somewhat larger
than the other (fig. C).
The pharynx and teeth differed in no respects from the
Scottish specimens described by Mr. James Murray. No eggs
Were seen.
Macrobiotus papillifer has only previously been observed from
Loch Ness and Loch Morar in Scotland. It is closely related
to WZ. tuberculatus Plate.
SO
FLOWERING PLANTS.
The montane form of Myosotis sylvatica.—Referring
to Mr. Pickard’s Botanical and other Notes at Arncliffe in the
December number of the ‘ Naturalist’ (pp. 425-8), the small
montane form of MZyosotzs sylvatica therein mentioned was, |
believe, first placed on record by myself as Phanerogamic
Secretary to the Botanical Sect. of the Yorks. Nat. Union in
the 1883 Report (see ‘Trans. Miscellaneous Botanical Papers,’
Welw, p: 204).
This form is given in ‘Speight’s Craven Highlands’ as one
of the noticeable plants of the Malham district, doubtless on
the authority of the above report. I was climbing Gordale
Scar one sunny day in June, 1883, and about half way up my
attention was arrested by a patch of blue colour on a shelving
bank. This I found to be a much dwarfed mass of JZyoso¢is in
full bloom, and I at once thought of JZ. a/pestris, the true alpine of
Mickle Fell. On examination, however, the plants proved to be
but the montane form of JZ sy/vatica.—P. Fox Leg, Dewsbury.
1907 March 1.
74
NOTES ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF BATS.
ARTHUR WHITAKER,
Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley.
In the ‘ Naturalist’ for November, 1905 (pp. 325-330), I gavea
few notes on this subject relating principally to the Noctule Bat
(Ptervgtster noctula), and expressed a hope that I might be able
to supplement them in the future. This I am now in a position
to do.
I entered upon 1906 with the firm intention of rearing some
of our British Bats in captivity. I find, however, that the
difficulties of doing this are very great, and once again have
to record partial failure, though I have succeeded in carrying
my observations a degree further than was the case last year.
As this article deals with a number of incomplete observations,
it will facilitate matters to enumerate these at once, and there-
fore I here give a table of the instances which have come under
my personal observation, during the past few years, of the
breeding of bats.
(1). Pipistrelle. Specimen accidently killed during last
(Pipistrellus pipistrellus). week of July, 1901, contained a fully
developed embryo, which would probably
have been extruded within forty-eight
hours.
(2). ditto Specimen netted May 28th, 1905 (con-
fined along with two males and two
other females). Died on July 14th, 1905,
and was then found to contain a very
small embryo, probably not more than
half developed.
(3)- ditto Specimen caught June goth, 1906, gave
birth to a single young one, July 2nd, 1906.
(4). ditto Specimen caught June 7th, 1906, in the
New Forest (confined along with one
other female) gave birth to a young male
on July 18th, 1906.
(5)- ditto Specimen caught at Barnsley June 16th,
1906 (confined along with last mentioned
female) gave birth to a male on July roth,
1906.
(6). Noctule. Naked young male about a week old,
(Plerygister noctula). taken from hole in a tree occupied by a
colony of adults, Barnsley, June 29th,
1905.
(7)- ditto Adult female taken from above-men-
tioned colony gave birth to a young male,
June goth, 1905.
(8). Lesser Horseshoe. Specimen taken Wells (Somerset), July
(Rhinolophus hipposiderus). 20th, 1906. Died July 24th, 1906. Found
to contain a fully developed embryo ready
for extrusion.
(9). Daubenton’s. Specimen taken Barnsley, June 1gth,
(WZyotis daubentonz). 1906. Gave birth to a young female
same night.
Naturalist,
Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats. 75
In every one of the nine instances above mentioned, it will
be noticed that a single young one only was (or would have
been) produced. This substantially confirms the statement
often made that in this country it is a rare occurrence for a bat
to give birth to ‘twins,’ as they are affirmed to do on the
continent.
The dates given above indicate that July is the month when
the majority of bats are born, though it will be noticed in
the cases of Daubenton’s and the two Noctules, the latter
part of June was the time. In most cases, I should think, the
young will not be abie to fly by themselves until the latter part
of August, but this is more or less conjecture.
One of the most interesting conclusions to be drawn from
the above table (see No. 4) is that in the case of the Pipistrelle
the period of gestation is not less than forty-one days. Although
the exact period is not ascertained, it is probably about six
weeks, and this agrees with the only other information we seem
to have on this point, that given by Mr. G. Daniell (Proc. Zool.
Soc. 1834), who ascertained that in the case of the Noctule the
period of gestation exceeded thirty-eight days. Further and
more definite information on this point is wanted, however.
Of Nos. (1), (2), {6), and (7) on the above list a full account
was given in my previous article, and nothing further need be
said about them.
The Pipistrelle referred to in No. (3) was never in my own
possession, but was caught by a lad in Barnsley, who managed to
knock it down with his cap on the evening of June 30th, whilst
it was flying. He told me that the bat gave birth to a young
one sometime during the second night after he obtained it. He
also stated that on the day following the birth of the young one
the mother escaped from him whilst he was playing with it in
the daytime, and crawled up the house wall out of his reach,
creeping behind the spout, where it remained hidden during the
day, the newly-born young one being beneath its wing at the
time. At dusk it came out and commenced to fly about the
yard, but it flew so heavily and slowly that he re-captured it
again without difficulty. The following day it again made good
its escape from a rabbit hutch in which he had placed it, but he
could see it squeezed in its former position behind the spout,
and he promised me he would re-capture it at dusk and let me
have it. Unfortunately, it rained heavily, and the bat did not
move at all in the evening, but the following morning it was
missing, and no further traces of it were seen.
1g0o7 March 1.
76 Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats.
The Daubenton’s Bat referred to (No. 9 on the list) was one
of a party of four, which were feeding at dusk, on June 18th,
1900, over the surface of the Serpentine in Stainbrough Park.
I succeeded in netting it as it approached near to the side.
This was at about ten o’clock at night.
The following morning, at about eight o’clock, I found it
hanging in the corner of the cage in which I had placed it the
previous evening, and under its right wing was a ‘baby,’ to
which it had given birth during the night. The young one was
of a dark purplish flesh colour, the wing membrane being only
very slightly darker in colour than the skin of the rest of the
body. It was blind, and naked save for a few fine, straggling
hairs on the muzzle. It clung tenaciously to its mother during
the whole time it lived (except when I separated them to photo-
graph), and was calling continually with a very soft, ‘sucking’
kind of chirrup, scarcely audible at a distance of a few feet, and
very diffierent indeed from the loud, deliberately repeated call
of a baby Noctule.
The mother quite failed to give her young one any attention,
and when, at dusk of the night following her capture, I
endeavoured to feed her, she obstinately refused to take the
least particle of food or drink. Upon examination, I found the
reason for this was that her tongue was inflamed and much
swollen, from what cause I do not know. The bat was evidently
in a ‘bad way,’ and I found I could do nothing for it, and con-
sequently was not surprised, though much disappcinted, to find
next day that both the young bat and its mother were dead.
The relative sizes of the young female and its mother (given
in inches and decimals of inches), measured carefully im-
mediately after death, were as follows :—
Length of head and body .... Adult 1.70 ~=Immature 1.15
ene thy oferta lr .rt ccc lant a. | AGL sic Immature .6
Q
re)
EXpanse Of Wings)... ...... =) Adulties5 Immature 3.3
On Plate X. are reproduced four photographs of the bat
with its one-day-old youngster by its side, taken by my friend
Mr. Wakefield.
The most interesting observations which I have been able to
make during the past season were made in connection with two
Pipistrelles referred to on the foregoing list as Nos. 4 and 5.
During the early part of June I took a short holiday in the
New Forest, Hampshire, and on the day previous to my return
I met a gamekeeper, who, in answer to inquiries of mine,
Naturalist,
Whitaker: Notes on ihe Breeding Habits of Bats. V7
informed me of a colony of bats that occupied the roof of his
cottage, which was situated in the middle of the forest, and to
which I arranged to pay a visit that evening.
Arriving there about half-an-hour before dusk, I was some-
what disappointed to find that, although the roof was evidently
inhabited by a very large colony of bats, as their squeakings
plainly testified, the fact that it was an old tiled roof, affording
numberless openings for the egress of its occupants, would
inevitably prevent me from securing many specimens with the
single small butterfly net, which was all I had to capture
them with. . On the keeper’s advice, I decided to try the back
slope of the roof, from which he said most of the bats emerged,
but I was again disappointed to find that the only available
ladder was so short that I had to stand on its topmost rung
(which necessitated my holding on to the spout with one hand)
in order to reach to the roof; in addition to this, I had to
splice my net to a broom handle before it would reach to the
exit holes, which were all in the vicinity of the ridge. On the
whole, under these adverse eircumstances, | was not at all
surprised at only securing three specimens, which were all that
emerged from the hole I had elected to guard. From other
holes in the roof the bats, which were all small in size, came
pouring in little streams, from about fifteen minutes after sun-
set to some three quarters of an hour later, but for long after
that time the noisy squeaking proceeding from the inside of the
roof proclaimed the fact that some individuals had not come
out. Apparently they had no intention of doing so, for I heard
them squeaking inside fully an hour and a half after the bats had
quite ceased to issue from the roof. If I were to make a guess
at the strength of the colony, I should put it down at between
three and four hundred, and I think the bats were probably all
Pipistrelles ; certainly most of them were. The three specimens
I obtained were all females of this species.
The following day I returned to Yorkshire, and, owing to an
unfortunate accident, the label got scrubbed off the trunk in
which these bats were packed, and the box was consequently
missing when I reached Sheffield. That was on the Friday
afternoon. In spite of the fact that every effort was made to
recover the box, I did not receive it until the following Wednes-
day evening, and I was consequently not at all surprised to find
the bats in the last stage of exhaustion. One or two Whiskered
Bats, which I had also obtained in the Forest, were, in fact,
dead on arrival, and although the three Pipistrelles lived for a
1907 March 1.
78 Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats.
short time, I only managed to nurse one of them round into
proper health again.
On June 16th I netted a female Pipistrelle as it was flying
at dusk by Worsbrough Reservoir, and this I placed in the same
cage as the female still living, of whose capture I have just
given an account.
These two bats were both fed exclusively on mealworms,
which they would pick up for themselves from the floor of their
cage after the first week of captivity. The New Forest femele
was, for the first two months, in much better health than her
companion, and would consume nearly twice the quantity of
food, managing to dispose on the average of about forty meal-
worms per day, a greater quantity than I have known any other
individual of this species to consume.
Sometime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 18th, forty-one
days after its capture, the New Forest Pipistrelle gave birth to
a young male. On looking into her cage at the latter hour, I
saw her crawling about on the bottom with the youngster under
her right wing.
The following day, sometime in the afternoon, the other
female gave birth to a young one, also a male.
Both the young Pipistrelles at birth were of a dull flesh
colour, blind, and naked save for a few slight hairs on the
muzzle. The wing membranes and ears were decidedly darker
than the rest of the skin in colour. They were very small at
first, so small, that when tucked under the maternal wing their
presence would not be detected unless one were either looking
for them or happened to notice an occasional suspicious undul-
ation of the membrane of the mother’s wing near her shoulder,
as the little one squirmed about underneath.
The difference in the rate of growth between these two young
bats was really remarkable, and undoubtedly due to the fact
that at birth, and for some time afterwards, the New Forest
parent was in much better health than the Worsbrough one.
The baby first born began to grow darker in colour day by day,
especially the wing's, ears, interfemoral membrane, muzzle, etc.
I first saw its eyes open on the eighth day after birth, but it did
not seem to use them much, for it would only open them when
handled, and often crawled about with them closed as long as it
lived.
The fur began to show at the end of the first week, and as it
became more noticable, imparted a silky, golden apperance to
the back, and a more silvery one to the chin and breast, and
Naturalist,
Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats. 79
was especially noticeable if the bat was viewed sideways. The
skin of the bat, as well as the wing's, etc., grew steadily darker
and darker in colour, and at the end of three weeks it was
almost black, except on the belly, which was very dark purplish
flesh colour (see Plate XI). The hair first commenced to grow
on the shoulders and back, then on the head and chin, and
lastly on the breast. The belly was still almost naked at the
time of its death, which occurred when it was thirty-three
days old.
The other baby bat which, it will be remembered, was only
born one day later, lived until it was forty-three days old, but it
hardly grew at all, and at the time of its death was blind, naked,
and almost unchanged from the day it was born. That it should
survive so long when evidently deriving insufficient nutriment
from its mother, who was in bad health during the whole of the
time, is a wonderful indication of the extraordinary amount of
vitality possessed by these creatures. Both mothers were fed
almost exclusively on mealworms during the whole of the time,
so that it was evidently not in any way a question of diet.
This great difference in the rate of growth between the two
young ones in captivity indicates that much depends upon the
state of the parent’s health, and it is quite possible that, in a
state of nature, growth may be even more rapid than it was
in the case of the more healthy of these two young ones.
I found the association between the young bats and their
parents not nearly so close as I had anticipated. When they
were but a few days old, I not infrequently found them hanging
quite alone several inches away from their respective mothers,
and this applies to the youngster which was quite well and
growing fast at the time, as well as to the one which was
certainly from the first somewhat neglected by its mother.
After they were a couple of weeks old I often found them at the
opposite side of the cage to their mothers. This separation
did not seem to cause the young ones any trouble or uneasiness,
for they would sleep thus contententedy for many hours without
showing any signs of anxiety. Often I should find the two
young ones asleep touching one another.
When touched or disturbed, or when wanting their mothers,
they would lift themselves well up on the wrists, and raising
the head very high, turn it anxiously about from side to side,
uttering a deliberate chirrup resembling the soft smacking of
one’s lips, which was very faint when the creatures were young,
but steadily grew in power as the days went by. This noise
1907 March rf.
80 Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats.
was made by the bat with widely open mouth ; and after calling
for a time, it would set off on a searching expedition for the
mother, crawling slowly, but with a firm grip of anything to
which it could cling, and keeping up the search with great
perseverance until it was successfully ended. The youngsters
seemed to recognise their own mothers easily, and would take
little or no notice of the wrong parent. When one was looking
for its mother, and got near to her, it would grab hold with its
mouth of any part of her it could catch. If the mother happened
to be busy feeding at the time, she would often take no notice
of it, but drag it carelessly about with her, whilst it clung with
a kind of dogged perseverance to the fur of her back, her
interfemoral membrane, or any part of her which it happened to
have got hold. Whenever the adult bat paused, the youngster
would try to improve its grip, and work into a safer and more
comfortable position, and eventually it would manage to squirm
either over the mother’s shoulder or under her interfemoral
membrane, and so get under her wing ; when this was the case,
the mother would nearly always bend her head under her wing,
and apparently tuck the young one into a mutually comfortable
position, and at such times the young one could be heard
making a very soft, but rather musical, twittering.
After the mothers had fed, they always used-to suckle their
respective young ones immediately. If ‘baby’ were under the
wing of one of them when she came out to feed, it did not seem
to hamper her movements seriously until it came to ‘ pouching’
a mealworm, but this operation—always difficult for a bat to
perform on Zerra firma—the presence of the young one seemed
to render ten times more difficult.
In case some readers of this article are unaware of what is
meant by the term ‘pouching,’ a short digression may be
pardoned, in order to make the term clear.
Bats secure the insects they feed upon in a natural state
whilst they are on the wing, and as the ‘gape’ of a bat is
comparatively small, and many of the insects fairly large and
strong, it is not the easiest matter for a bat to secure a firm
grip of its prey until its struggles are overcome. To avoid the
risk of losing their captures owing to this difficulty, these
creatures have acquired a curious habit. When they have
seized an insect, and whilst they are still flying, they bend the
hind legs and tail forward under the body, and then bend their
heads down into the bag of skin thus formed by the membrane
connecting the legs, tail, and wings. The insect is then in a
Naturalist,
2 . -
aa re
a a , uy
‘.cake
(7h? * ope ;
‘ie ¥ ian, 8. ay: ~
Le >" :
iy ‘
‘sw
ap)
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE X.
Daubenton’s Bat and Young one.
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XI.
Fic. 1.—One day old. Fic. 2.—Seven days old.
Fic. 3.—Fourteen days old. Fic. 4.—Fourteen days old.
Fic. 5.—Twenty-one days old. Fic. 6.—Twenty-one days old.
Young of Pipistrelle or Common Bat.
Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats. 81
kind of trap, and is pressed against the interfemoral membrane,
as this portion of the skin is termed, until the bat has overcome
its struggles and secured a good grip of it. Excellently though
this little manceuvre works whilst the creatures are flying (as is
probably always the case in a natural state), it will at once be
seen that there are difficulties in the way when the bat is on the
ground; and in captivity, its food is, of course, always given to
it as it crawls about on the floor of its cage. Under these
altered circumstances it is séanding upon its feet, and when it
endeavours to pouch an insect, it curves its tail under the body,
raises itself upon its wrists, brings the feet as far forward as it
dare, tucks down the head, and then generally discovers too
late, as it goes topping over on its back, that it is unable to go
through the performance without losing its balance. Bats are
soon ‘rigwelted,’ and its prey is almost always dropped in its
struggle to regain a normal position. After a bat freshly intro-
duced to captivity has done this a few times, it seems to fully
realise the difficulties of its new life, and its excitement and
annoyance become greater every time the performance is re-
peated. So that usually, after a short time, every mealworm
given to a bat results in the little creature losing its centre of
gravity, and the observer losing his gravity altogether. After
afew weeks of captivity they become a little more expert ; but
feeding from the ground is always a difficult matter to some
species, especially the Pipistrelle.
Now, my two female Pipistrelles, which had young ones,
had been feeding themselves from mealworms, which I simply
threw into the cage for them, so long that I never anticipated
they would require assistance ; but after a time I noticed that
they seemed not to consume much of the food that I put in for
them, and both bats were getting into a rather weak condition.
This was about a month after the birth of the young ones, and
from that time I paid a great deal more attention to them, and
found that the reason of their illness was difficulty in feeding,
owing to the young ones often clinging to them and hampering
their movements, and so preventing them from getting sufficient
food. I was careful after finding this out to feed them again
by hand, and also to make them take at least thirty minutes
exercise every day, flying round the room w7¢houd their young
ones. By these means I managed to bring them both back
again into good health. But their illness resulted in their
giving insufficient nutriment and attention to their offspring, so
that I was bitterly disappointed, just when I was beginning to
1907 March i.
EF
82 Whitaker: Notes on the Breeding Habits of Bats.
congratulate myself that I should safely rear the young ones, to
lose them both. The one which was most advanced died first,
on the 21st of August, at the age of thirty-three days, and the
other lingered on without developing until Sept. 2nd, when it
also died.
At the time of death the former of these immature bats was
carefully examined and measured, and its size, compared with
that of an average adult, was as follows : —
Adult. Young.
Head and body...... 1.55 Aged’ 4 weeks; 1.28
Tah), ss), eaoeeat eek? I.11 e .62
Wing expanse ...... 8.50 S 3.64
Har (length) <..:..... 42 A 28
Tracusi(enethy) 2.0 “19 Pi
el Ie] oe aa Se Ge A -50 35 -35
OLGA «teen ceases eit 45 65
The above comparative measurements should convey a good
idea of the relative sizes of the two; but it will be noticed that
I give the age of young, at four weeks. The specimen my
measurements were taken from was, it is true, nearly five weeks
old; but seeing that during the last week of its life it had not
developed, much allowance should be made, and probably a
young one in good health would easily attain the development
indicated in four week’s time.
Many of the most interesting points still remain unsolved,
and require careful observations in the future. During the
thirty-three days through which the most interesting of these
two young Pipistrelles was in my keeping it subsisted entirely
on its mother’s milk, and took no solid food. It became strong
enough to crawl quite briskly about, but showed no sign of
any inclination towards flight, save that during the last week
or ten days I observed it frequently open and stretch its wings,
and once or twice beat them in the air in a ‘ flipperlike ’ manner,
but only one at a time. When young birds begin to do this,
it is a sure indication that they will soon make more serious
attempts at flight, and doubtless the analogy holds goods with
regard to bats.
I several times allowed my adult Pipistrelles to fly in the
same room, with the young ones attached, when the proceeding
was always the same. The mother would crawl up my jacket
sleeve with the young one under her wing, and then, even when
realising that she was at liberty to go, would hesitate for some
time, turning her head about from side to side. After this she
Naturalist,
PLATE XVIII.
1907.
NATURALIST,
THE
‘ng
ca Se
of Oat WORT
83.)
(See p.
Transverse Section of Wood of Oak (x 30 diameter).
Reviews and Book Notices. 83
would extend both wings fully and flatly, and lift them gently
up and down six or eight times, evidently to feel that ‘ baby’
was not clinging in a position which would incur risk to either
of them ; often she would not be quite satisfied, but would tuck
her head down, and move it slightly. After these preliminaries
had been gone through, she would launch off, but seldom flew
more than five or six lengths of the room, and that with a slow,
straight, and heavy flight. It was so obviously hard work for
her that I did not often encourage the proceedings, especially
as she often had difficulty in turning after flying the length of
the room, several times being unable to do so, and colliding
with the wall and falling to the ground, which I feared might
result in injury to the young one. Sometimes, also, she would
fly round the room four or five times, gradually falling towards
the floor, like a bat only half awake.
When the young ones were very small, however, I once or
twice got their mothers to fly pretty briskly with them, and as
this was in the daytime, I had a good view of the procedure,
and found that the ‘baby’ clung to the mother’s nipple with
its mouth, and allowing its body to hang quite down, merely
brought up its feet and clung to her fur with them also. In
this position the youngster was quite conspicuous, as its mother
flew about, at close quarters, in the daylight, hanging down
like a little ball attached to her breast.
Mr. Wakefield very kindly took photographs of one of my
young Pipistrelles week by week, and a series of these are
reproduced on Plate XI., showing it at one, seven, fourteen,
and twenty-one days old. The gradual increase in size and
darkening in colour is well shown in these photographs ; but
the hairiness which should be slightly apparent even in fig. 2
does not become noticeable until fig. 5.
Familiar Trees. By Prof. G. S. Boulger. Cassell & Co., London.
Messrs. Cassell are bringing out, in fortnightly parts at 6d. net each,
Prof. Boulger’s ‘Familiar Trees.’ The present edition, which has been
revised throughout and enlarged, is being produced in 29 parts, several
of which have already been issued. The author's name above is a guarantee
for the accuracy of the descriptions given. Each species is carefully de-
scribed and figured, the photographs of the characteristic trees of each
type being all that can be desired. There are also no fewer than 114 coloured
plates, mostly admirably done, illustrating the fruit, flowers, foliage, or the
entire tree. Of great value also are the 114 full-page plates, showing the
structure of the different woods, from micro-photographs. One of these the
publishers have kindly enabled us to reproduce (see plate XVIII.). The
work should have a very large sale, and will doubtless do much to popularise
the study of the trees which form so picturesque and prominent a feature
in almost every British landscape.
1907 March i.
84
NOTES ON CHRYSOPA PERLA AND
C. FLAVA.
By E. MAUDE ALDERSON, F.E.S.,
Worksop.
In the following notes I have endeavoured to compile a
summary of the observations which I jotted down in my
entomological diary during the breeding of the above two
species of Chrysopide.
The most interesting points seem to me to be the existence
of what I have regarded, perhaps incorrectly, as a sub-imaginal
stage in the life history of the genus, and also the presence
in each species of some very characteristic markings on the
head. These are so striking and so diverse (in the species
which I have seen and in the few drawings I have been able
to find in books) that I should think they must form a very easy,
if superficial, means of identification of species in the larval
stage.
The presence of the sub-imaginal stage, if correct, seems
to form a strong link between this group and the Hphemeride.
C. perla.—On June 29th of last year (1905) I obtained a
F of Chrysopa perla, and found, on opening the chip box in
which I had placed her, that she had deposited several ova.
She remained alive until July rst, and at the end of that time had
laid about a dozen ova. Each ovum was deposited separately.
They were placed at random all over the box; and of a bright,
shining bluish-green colour, almost exactly the shade of the
green parts of the body of the parent. The ova were on long
foot-stalks, 5-6 mm. in length, and were very beautiful objects.
As I was leaving home within the next few days, I took the
ova with me in order to observe them closely. By July 3rd
they had lost their brilliance, and assumed a greyish tinge.
This gradually deepened until the period of hatching, when they
appeared wholly grey, the change in colour being evidently due to
the young larve showing through the transparent shells. The
young larve all emerged after just a week—July 7th-8th. They
were grey in colour, and soon became very active. I fed them
with ‘green fly,’ and they grew surprisingly quickly. I could
not observe any change of skin, but at the rate at which they
increased, I should think they must have moulted two or three
times at least.
The young larvee were most active at night; and as I kept
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 7907. PLATE XII.
f
if
/}
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Ss
1. Ova of C. flava. 2, Sub-imago C. flava. 3. a. Thoracic _} Segments—showing warts
B. Abdominal) C. perla---larva.
4. Abdomen—underside—C. perla. 5. Head of C. perla. 6. Head of C. flava.
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Alderson: Notes on Chrysopa perla and C. flava. 85
them in a small tin box with a glass lid, it was most interesting
to watch them hunt their prey. They seemed most voracious
little creatures, and would move restlessly about at a great
pace until they met with an aphis. They did not appear to be
guided by sight in finding food, but rather by sense of feeling.
When they came across an aphis they would strike with great
rapidity, fixing their sucking spears into the body of the un-
fortunate victim, which never, so far as I could see, would offer
the slightest resistance. It was a wonderful sight to see the
subsequent proceedings. Both insects would remain perfectly
still, and by the aid of an ordinary lens it was quite possible to
see the vital juices of the aphis pass through the sucking spears
into the body of the Chrysopa, until in a very short time the one
became an empty sack of skin and the other a full-fed gour-
mand. After a short rest the same process would be repeated,
many times a day, and also during the night, for I frequently
found the larvee still feeding when I looked at them after dark.
I think it probable, too, that they sometimes mistook one
another for aphides, as their numbers certainly decreased, and
they seemed to have little powers of discrimination. In the
case of C. flava, one larva was actually seen devouring a
larva of Dictyopleryx bergmanniana, which had been introduced
with the rose leaves. The larvae became much more sluggish
as they grew older, probably owing to their increased bulk, as
they grew with great rapidity.
The following is a rough description at seven days old :—
Head.—Pale greenish, with three characteristic jet-black
marks.
Antenne.—Madder brown.
Sucking Spears.—Pale madder brown ; darker at the tips.
Eyes.—Jet-black.
Thorax.—Whitish green at sides and beneath, brown
madder above; two rather crescent-shaped marks at sides, jet
black.
A black dividing line runs all down the centre of the back,
and on each segment are placed four warts (two larger and two
smaller), two on each side of the dividing line.
The thoracic warts are black, and the /arger ones are placed
nearer to the central line.
The abdominal warts are whitish grcen, and the positions are
reversed, the smaller one being placed next to the dividing line.
The underneath parts of the larve are whitish green, with
two madder lines running down the abdomen.
1907 March x.
86 Alderson: Noles on Chrysopa perla and C. flava.
The larve pupated July 18th-1g9th, the larval stage lasting
just ten days. The cocoons were of white silk, like small
pellets of cotton wool, about 4mm. x 3 mm. One spun up on
the muslin of the cover, the others amongst the debris at the
bottom of the jar. I kept the jar in the house during the
whole of the winter montis, and on May 24th, 1906, I found
that one imago had emerged. Unfortunately I missed seeing the
actual emergence, and with the exception of one crippled speci-
men, which I found afterwards, no further emergences took
place.
C. flava.—On July 14th of the same year I obtained ova
from a wild C. flava. The eggs were laid in a group on
the lid of the box, the foot-stalks being united by their middles
into a bundle. The ovum was elliptical and of a bright green
—the exact colour of the body of the parent. They began to
hatch on July 20th, emergence apparently taking place from the
apex of the ovum. There were thirty-nine ova in the group,
but only a small proportion of these, some eight or nine,
emerged. The day before hatching two conspicuous brown spots
appeared, one on each side of the ovum, which were evidently
the eyes of the embryo. The eggs did not change colour nearly
so much as in the case of the C. perla. The apex of each egg
became a yellowish green shortly before the brown spots
appeared, and both ends and sides became transparent as the
embryo became more fully formed. After hatching, the larve
remained perfectly inactive on the ova, and continued so for
some time. I could not discover what they did during this
period, but I do not think that they devoured their egg shells.
On touching them with a camel’s hair brush they at once became
very active, and once removed from the empty eggs they did
not return to them, but ran about very quickly.
The larva is about 2 mm. in length, of a shining transparent
white, of a pearly lustre; the eyes large and black; the suck-
ing spears and legs white. The most striking feature in the
appearance of this larva, in all stages of growth, is that it
appears divided into three portions : (1) the thoracic segments ;
(2) first four abdominal segments; (3) last five abdominal
segments. When very young (1) appears blood-red ; (2) much
darker red, owing, I suppose, to the intestines showing
through the transparent skin ; (3) wholly transparent and of a
yellowish tinge. After a few days the distinguishing marks on
the head began to appear. They are black, the same as the
eyes, and are rather like two crescents, placed back to back.
Naturalist,
Alderson: Notes on Chrysopa perla and C. flava. 87
There are also two similar lines, one on each side of the head,
running to the eyes. The tibiz appear to be fuscous in shade,
and give the legs the appearance of having dark bands round
them. I am unable to say how many changes of skin are
effected, but I should think, judging from the rate of growth,
about four or five at the least. At five days old some of them
appeared to be in their third skin. They are extremely active
larve, and use the last segment of the body as claspers to
walk with.
Rough description at ten or eleven days old :—
FHlead.—Yellowish. (The characteristic marks had disap-
peared).
Lyes.—Black.
Antenne and Sucking Spears. —Madder brown.
Body.—Yellowish white; central line and markings crim-
son; warts on thorax black; side lines crimson.
The claspers at the extreme end of the abdomen seemed
very prehensile. Not only did the larve walk by means of
them, but they also used them as a means of attachment to
some substance on a change of skin. During this process the
larva hangs head downwards, attached by the tail, and by
repeated efforts gradually frees itself from its old skin, the feet
being disengaged last. In one instance, through my inter-
ference, the larva became detached, and for a whole day rolled
about helplessly at the bottom of the box, unable to extricate
its legs. It fed, whilst in this condition, whenever an aphis
came sufficiently near to be seized; but after some time, as it
seemed unable to free itself, I came to its assistance, and with
a fine pair of forceps liberated each leg separately, when it was
at once able to stand.
On August 5th I left home, so on the 3rd I confided the
larve to the care of Mr. J. T. Houghton, of this town, who
made the following notes for me during my absence :—
Aug. 3rd—Received larve.
»» 5th—QOne seen devouring a larva of Ductyopteryx
bergmanniana.
,, 6th—First one pupated in a rose leaf.
,, 8th—Two more pupated amongst debris at bottom of
the jar.
,, 9th—Last one spun up without cover of any kind.
I kept the jars containing the pupz indoors all the winter,
and on May 24th, 1906, I discovered at 1-15 p-m. that two perfect
imagines had emerged, and that a third was half out of its
1907 March tr.
88 Alderson: Notes on Chrysopa perla and C. flava.
cocoon. This last remained in the same position until about
2 p.m., when it freed itself, and to my surprise, instead of
gradually developing into a perfect insect, remained enveloped
in a thin, transparent pellicle. Soon after this it apparently
lost its hold of the cocoon, and began rolling about at the
bottom of the jar in its efforts to find some object to which to
attach itself. I placed it on a piece of twig, but it seemed
quite unable to cast off its sub-imaginal skin, and after two or
three days, as it gradually got weaker, I dropped it into a tube
of formalin for preservation.
One other imago emerged after this, but the time elapsing
between the emergence from the pupa case and the casting of
the sub-imaginal skin is evidently very short in a healthy speci-
men, and I was not fortunate enough to see it. The pupa case
appears to open by means of a small lid at one end. The cast
skins are perfectly transparent, and consist of the covering of
the body, legs, and head. The thorax splits, in order to allow
the insect to emerge. In the sub-imago the wings are only
3 mm. in length, the fore wing appearing slightly shorter than
the hind wing, and resting above it. The antenne are quite
short, and are folded vound the eyes like a ram’s horns. They
appear to lengthen rapidly, and when fully extended remain
curled underneath the body. I could not help wondering if
this lengthening of the antennz might not throw some light on
the subject with regard to the genus Ade/a in the Micro-
Lepidoptera. It has always puzzled me, and perhaps others,
how the long antennz in this genus can be folded in the pupa
case. Might not this lengthening out be a possible solution of
the mystery ?
The eyes of the sub-imago are of the same bright green as
in the perfect insect, the body also of the same shade, and the
bright yellow line on the thorax as distinct as in the full
emergence. The wings also show their iridescence through the
thin membrane that covers them.
I feel uncertain if this stage ought to be regarded as a part
of the pupal existence or as a true sub-imaginal one. I can find
no information about it in the books I have, so I have preferred
to call it the latter, especially as it seems to me to represent a
distinct stage in the life history. It is evidently of very short
duration in a healthy subject, as except in the case of the insect
which I preserved, I never saw any of the others except as
imagines.
Emergence seemed to always take place in the morning.
Naturalist,
Northern News. 89
Unfortunately only four of the pupz produced insects. One or
two of the cocoons showed signs of a coming emergence, the
lids turning yellowish, but nothing further resulted.
I am afraid these few notes are very imperfect, but I found
the study of these Chrysopide so interesting that I hope at
some future time to be fortunate enough to again have the
chance of investigating their life history.
Should any readers of these pages obtain ova which they do
not require, I should be very glad if they would send them
to me, particularly those of other species than the above.
—— ~+e—__
The editor of the Wuseum Gazette does not mind confessing that thus
far the journal threatens to involve a larger loss than is pleasant.
A marine laboratory is to be erected at Cullercoats, at a cost of £3000,
by Mr. Hudleston, who has agreed to let it to the Armstrong College at a
yearly rental of 3 per cent. on his outlay.
Prof. E. B. Poulton has a lengthy and valuable paper on ‘ Predaceous
Insects and their Prey,’ in the ‘Transactions of the Entomological Society
of London,’ recently published. It occupies over 80 pages.
We are pleased to note that Dr. W. E. Hoyle, of the Manchester Museum,
is to be the President of Section D (Zoology) at the next meeting of the
British Associations at Leicester. Prof. J. W. Gregory will preside over
Section C (Geology).
In a recent East Yorkshire paper it is recorded that two ducks were shot
lately with one barrel. One of the ducks was found to have a trout in its
bill which weighed one and a half pounds! It is not stated what was in
the bill of the other bird. Probably a fib!
Mr. G. W. Lamplugh, F.R.S., favours us with a reprint of his ‘ Notes on
the Occurrence of Stone Implements in the Valley of the Zambesi around
Victoria Falls,’ which have recently appeared in the Journal of the Anthropo-
logical Institute. The specimens in question were collected in the Zambesi
district by the author in 1905.
The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has received information that
the American Gooseberry mildew (Spherotheca mors-uve@)has been discovered
in more than one place in England, and as there is reason to believe that the
disease, in at least one case, is of some years’ standing, they think it desirable
to warn all fruit-growers of the dangers involved. Particulars of methods to
be adopted to eradicate the pest can be obtained free on application to the
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London, S.W.
The Rev. J. Conway Walter of Langthorpe sends us a pamphlet con-
taining two poems, (1) ‘ The Destruction of St. Peter’s Church, Mablethorpe,
by the Sea, in 1287,’ and (2) ‘The Old Black Oak, or a Fenland Record.’
As regard the first, it is an attempt to represent in rhyme a catastrophe ia
local history, of which no full and connected account has yet been published.
We learn that on January ist, 1287 :—
‘The night, it was dark; and the wind, it howled,
On Malbertoft’s desolate shore.
Above the storm-ridden heaven's scowled ;
Below was the breaker’s roar.’ ete.
Mr. W. J. P. Burton has an interesting paper on ‘The Ancient Volcanoes
of Derbyshire’ in the ‘Transactions of the Burton-on-Trent Natural History
and Archzological Society,’ recently issued. The same publication contains
a paper dealing with the ‘Nests and Eggs of Local Birds’ (Burton-on-
Trent), by Mr. C. Hanson.
3907 March 1.
gO
LIFE ZONES IN BRITISH CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS.
Part II.—The Fossils of the Millstone Grits and Pendleside Series.
(Continued from page 23.)
(PLATE XIV.)
WHEELTON HIND, M.D., B.S., F.R.C.S., F.G.S.
Salter’s original specimen came from the Grits of Pule Hill;
unfortunately the zone was not stated. The place where
G. bilingue is most common is on spoil heaps on Pule Hill and
at Marsden Station. It occurred in small nodules in a band of
shale passed through when driving the L. & N. W. Railway
tunnel. The exact position of the band in the series is therefore
uncertain, but in the Valley of the Noe, Derbyshire, it occurs
well down in the Pendleside series. Messrs. Barnes and Holroyd
collected the following fauna at Pule Hill :—
Celonautilus quadratus. | Nuculana stilla.
Glyphioceras diadema. Schizodus antiquus.
5 bilingue. Sanguinolitos tricostatus.
an reticulatum. Postdontella levis.
Gastrioceras listert. Pterinopecten papyraceus.
4 carbonarium. Aviculopecten fibrillosus.
Euphemus uret. Rhizodopsis sp.
Macrocheilina gibsont. | Strepsodus saurordes.
745 reticulata. | Elonichthys aitkent.
So much, then, for the Pendleside series, which passes above
insensibly into the Millstone Grit, and with this passage
Gastrioceras listert gathers strength, both in numbers and size.
Of this species Spencer remarked : (Proc. York. Geol. and Poly.,
1898, Vol. XIII, p. 390) ‘In the Yoredales (Pendleside series)
this shell is of small form, and good specimens are somewhat
rare... . . In the Yoredale Shales of Todmorden small lime-
stone nodules occur, in which small specimens of this species are
found in a good state of preservation ; all the specimens I have
seen are of small size, but as we have their crushed forms
through the shales of the Millstone Grit, they seem to gradually
increase both in numbers and size.’ I have never found this
species myself below the Grits, but I was fortunate enough to
acquire Mr. Spencer’s fine collection, in which undoubted
specimens of G. /zster’, small in size, are labelled Horsebridge
Clough.
G. carbonartum, which is associated so abundantly with
Naturalist,
Hind: Life Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks. gI
G. listeri in the lower portion of the Coal Measures, does not
seem to come in till late on in Millstone Grit times.
Some years ago a collection was made from the Shales of
Eccup, presumably underlying the 3rd Grit, on behalf of the
Carboniferous Zone Committee of the British Association, before
I became Secretary to the Committee. I, however, worked over
a good deal of the material, and the list fairly represents the
fauna :—
Lamellibranchiata. | Cephalopoda.
Aviculopecten gentilis. Celonautilus subsulcatus.
Pterinopecten papyraceus. Glyphioceras reticulatun..
Postdoniella levis. Orthoceras morristanum.
FA kirkmant.
Nucula equalis. Brachiopoda.
Nuculana stilla.
Ctenodonta levtrostris.
Schizodus antiquus.
A large sulcate Kdmondia.
Myalina peralata.
Productus, a scabriculate form.
Lingula mytiloides.
Orbiculotdea nitida.
The late James Spencer, of Halifax, watched the excavations
and shafts sunk for the Halifax waterworks under Wadsworth
Moor.
He describes (Trans. Manchester Geol. Soc., Vol. XIII.,
pp. 209-212) the sections, and I make out the following species
in his collection from that horizon, which he determines as the
shales between the 3rd and Kinderscout Grits.
Glyphioceras reticulatuim. Celonautilus quadratus.
He phillipsit. Orthoceras aciculare.
, bilingue. Posidoniella levis.
Dimorphoceras gilbertsoni. 9 minor.
a loonyi. | Pterinopecten papyraceus.
Temnocheilus sp. Ptychomphalus ip.
Solenochetlus cyclostomus. Productus sp.
_ Spencer states that Gastrioceras listert and Nomismoceras
sptrorbis occur here, but I cannot find specimens in his collection.
Barnes and Holroyd have described a fossiliferous grit on the
flanks of Pule Hill, near Marsden, which occurs in Netherley
Quarry on Pule side. I visited the quarry on one occasion with
them. They consider the bed to be either high up in the
Kinderscout Grit or low down in the 3rd grit. The list of fossils
contains no species typical of the horzion. Cephalopoda and
Brachiopoda are conspicuously absent. Gasteropoda in the form
of casts are referred by them to eleven species, of which the
1907 March 1.
92 flind: Life Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks.
most common are two forms of Auphemus. The following
lamellibranchs also occur :—
Myalina verneurlliz. Schizodus antiquus.
» flemingi. Posidoniella ? sp.
Sedgwickia attenuata.
Such a fauna has been met with nowhere else in the grits,
and should be looked for in other localities.
I found a large angular boulder, some years ago, in a small
stream at the head of the Elkstone Brook, near the Mermaid
Inn at Morredge, N. Staffordshire. This was a grit containing
casts of Schzzophoria, Productus, Orthotetes, etc. Judging from
its condition, and from the fact that there is little or no drift on
Morredge, which is more than 1000 feet above sea level, I don’t
think this rock was far from its parent bed, which I hope to find
one day in the neighbourhood of the Roches.
A most important shell bed occurs in the neighbourhood of
Pateley Bridge and Harrogate. It is well seen at Cayton Gill,
Clint Quarries, at several places near Pateley Bridge, and Hazel
Hill near Sawley. The Grit series here is estimated at 1900 feet
thick, and the shell bed is 1000 feet up in this series.
The fauna is large and peculiar, totally different from that
which is generally regarded as characteristic of the Millstone
Grits. Brachiopoda and Cephalopoda are rare.
At Clint Quarries I obtained the following species :—-
Brachiopoda. Lamallibranchiata.
! Aviculopecten dissimilis.
Chonetes, cf. laguessiana. Leiopteria laminosa.
Derbya sp. | Parallelodon {cast.], sp. (P. obtiusus).
a ~ 2 yy, ey ie oy « = a . .
Productus cora of late mutation. Sanguinolites sp.
oe |
Ac longispin us. | Cephalopoda.
Pe scabriculus. |
Stroboceras sulcatum.
Orthoceras sp.
Pisces.
Petalodus acumenatus (tooth).
Phizodopsts sauroides (scale).
Spirifer bisulcata.
Spiriferina cristata. |
Seminula ambigua.
Schizophoria resupinata.
In a small quarry, one mile from Pateley Bridge, on the
Ripon Road | obtained :—
Derbya sp. | Amustum concentricum.
Productus cora, a late mutation. Leiopteria squamosa.
a longispinus. Cypricardella sp.
Schizophoria resupinata. Parallelodon obtusus ?
aS (Rhephidomella) micht- Edmondia sp.
lint. Loxonema rugifera.
Seminula ambigua. | Euphemus sp.
Spiriferina cristata, Stroboceras sulcatum.
Aviculopecten sp. | Fenestella.
Naturalist,
Hind: Life Zones tn British Carboniferous Rocks.
The Derdva is very large and very common in the lower
beds of the quarry. Casts show very beautifully the internal
structure of the shell and the centre plates which distinguishes
this genus from Orthotefes.
At Hazel Hill, in the parish of Sawley, near Ripon I
obtained
Productus cora, a late mutation.
Ae longispinus.
Chonetes, sp. laguessiana.
Derbya sp.
Schizophoria resupinata.
Lamellibranchiata.
Aviculopecten dissimtlis.
si stellarts.
a5 semtcostatus.
Pterinopecten whitet.
Edmondia maccoyt?.
Ae rudts
Letopteria sp.
Lithodomus genkinsont.
Mytilimorpha sp.
Parallelodon sp.
Paleolima sp.
Protoschizodus curtus.
Sanguinolites sp.
Tellinomorpha cunetformts.
Gasteropoda.
Macrocheilina sp.
Naticopsis sp.
Euphemus sp.
Cephalopoda.
Stroboceras sulcatum.
Epipphioceras bilobatum.
Orthoceras sp.
This fauna is a remarkable one to find so high up in the
Carboniferous series. Possibly the shell bed on Pule Hill may
represent it. A very large number of species are of Lower
Carboniferous forms which do not appear in British strata, as
far as we know, in the 2000 feet of rocks immediately below.
It would be interesting to know where they were living in the
meanwhile. The fauna indicates much clearer waters during
the period in which the shell bed was laid down than the
characteristic fauna of the Millstone Grit.
In North Staffordshire a marine band with Gas¢rioceras
listert, Pterinopecten papyraceus, and Posidontella laevis always
underlies the rough rock or Roches Grit. Workings to reach
the coal on the Grit below turn out a shale rich in com-
pressed specimens and fragments of these fossils in the
neighbourhood of Ipstones and Oakamoor. The fauna is found
in shales below the first Grit at Knypersley.
Mr. Spencer’s experience in Yorkshire is very similar, and
we may consider it a fact that the abundance of Gas/rioceras
/istert increases at higher horizons in the Millstone Grit until a
maximum is reached in the Bullion, Mountain-mine, or Hard
Bed Coal of the Halifax district.
At Caton Green, a few miles from Lancaster, in the Lune
Valley, a series of shales below some grits have been worked
1907 March 1.
94 find: Life Zones tn British Carboniferous Rocks.
for brick making. Several pits are opened showing sections of
sandstones and shales, cut in the most westerley a dark grey
shale worked containing many round bullions or concretions.
Most of the bullions yield no fossils, but I obtained there
Pleuronautilus nodosocarinatus, Solenochetlus, Sp. nov. a body
chamber of which I think I have from Congleton Edge Quarry,
500 feet below the third Grit. Poszdonzella laevis and Elonichthys
aitkent.
Dr. A. H.. Foorda(Geol.. Mac, DeciayaViol., \iLLijawsge:
p. 481), has recognised in addition So/enochetlus latiseptatus,
Pleuronautilus armatus, and Actinoceras sulcatulum from these
beds. This fossiliferous horizon occurs somewhat nearer the
top than the base of the Millstone Grit series.
P. nodosocarinatus has been found high up in the Yoredales
of Swaledale, and in the Arden Limestone series of the West of
Scotland. From this locality it was described by Armstrong
under the WV. nodzferus, but Roemer has previously described
the shell and the name WV. nodosocarinatus. A sharp look out
should be kept for traces of this very fine and characteristic
species in the Millstone Grits of the Midlands. A fine specimen
lately found during excavations by the Corporation at Harrogate
is now in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington.
At Holt Head, near Slaithwaite, near Saddleworth, Mr.
Barnes found a bed of shale crowded with the valves of a shell
which I figured and described as Sanguznolites ovalis. (Pal. Soc.
Brit, Carbs -Lamell, “Pt V:, p44, Plia4b, ies. 14-1775) ine
horizon is probably below the 3rd Grit, and the fauna which
accompanies it consists of :—
Nuculana stilla. Posidoniella levis.
Nucula gibbosa. Lingula mytiloides.
Schizodus antiquus. Ostracoda.
This, then, is the extent of our knowledge of the molluscan
fauna of the Pendleside series and its distribution, and I can
only hope it may be useful in stimulating local geologists to
take up the subject of life zones in the Millstone Grit rocks.
Taking it as a whole, the fauna is a fairly extensive one, and in
certain localities is most prolific.
Before terminating this paper, I propose to give lists of the
fish and flora which are found in the Pendleside series. These
lists are comparatively meagre, but I have no doubt that they
can be considerably increased by research.
Dr. Wellburn compiled the following table showing the
Naturalist,
Hind: Life Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks. 95
distribution of fish remains in the Pendleside series for the
Report of the British Association Committee for Life Zones in
British Carboniferous rocks: to this I have added a column for
the Pendleside series of North Wales.
?
Wales.
Pisces.
Staffs.
Burnsall and
Thorpe Fells.
Dean.
Todmorden.
Pule Hill,
Marsden.
Crimsworth
Astbury,
Cheshire,
N. Derbyshire.
Derne Valley.
Whitewell.
River Hamps,
Cladodus mirabilis... ... % | |
s
” °
Orodus elongatus
Acanthodes sp. Se
Marsdentus summtti
99 acuta
. sp. A:
Strepsodus saurotdes ...
Rhizodopsis sauroides
Celocanthus hindet ... ...
5 sp. Bai es
Radinichthys circulus sed | *
” Sp.
Elonichthys aitkint
6 sp. nov. ...
- obliquus ...
Acrolepis hopkinsi a
33 wilsont. aay tree | *
AGL SOTIUS SP)sm eee es * |
OF BR OR
The following table shows the distribution of the flora of the
Pendleside series, all of which have been determined by Mr.
Kidson. There is abundant room here for local collectors to
extend the list and localities.
; h oO
= £ ae | aah} aE z
mts B ‘S SI = |
Ss ¢ 3 es - |Qos
ce S oa oN tect eee! e
: ~ fe co) ts) ¢
a ss = 2
Plante. a Be aD i a 3 |3 2s
ay is Q fe ISoeu
a9 Z Mi Oye ee
Scorer a ores
a jO
INOAT OOO? CHEETOS. oes soso oae| ‘i >
a tenutfolius .. os . |
fs OKAUHOUALE 206 Sag ano|) |
Archaopteris tschermaki... ... *
6 sp. ies Nesebar 2
Asterocalamites scrobiculatus ... pal ires
Dactylotheca aspersa ... 1... = |
Lepidodendron branchlets ... ... - | |
=A veltheimianum ... eee |
Lepidophyllum n. L. lanceolatum 5 | |
1907 March 1.
96 Northern News
Teilia, N. Wales.
Plante.
Polvash,
I. of Man.
N. Staffs.
N. Derbyshire.
Pendle Hill.
grd Grit.
Congleton Edge,
300 feet below
Lepidostrobus sp. as
Neuropteris antecedens...
Rhabdocarpus, n. sp.
Rhodea, n. sp.
Phacopteris glabellata ...
59 tnequilatera
Sphenopteris quercifolia
me pachyrachis are wore aes
Bs », var. stenophylla | *
rs 5 99 CLLOES aco ee
ae yy» 95 Subgentculata |
of en SCHICOQNE. ea) |
Stigmaria ficoides ... |
HE EE
* * * * *
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV.
Fic.
1. Posidonomya becheri, a left valve, from shales in the Mixon Hey Brook,
Staffordshire, one mile below Mixon Hey Farm.
2. Posidonomya membranacea, a right valve, from shales in the same
stream, about half a mile above Onecote Grange.
3. Chaenocardiola footiz, 2 left valves, from shales in the River Dove, near
Glutton Bridge.
Aviculopecten fibrillosus, the convex valve, from the Quarry N.W. of
Holly Wood, Congleton Edge.
Aviculopecten fibrillosus, the smooth flattened valve, same locality.
Glyphioceras bilingue, an enlarged view, showing the mouth of the
specimen, from shales in Wild Moor Bank Hollow, about two
miles N.W. of the Cat and Fiddle Inn.
7. Glyphioceras bilingue, a partially decorticated specimen, but uncrushed.
8. Glyphioceras reticulatum, a young specimen, from shales in the River
Dane.
8a. Glyphioceras reticulatum, a section showing the chambers of the shell,
same locality.
9. Glyphioceras spirale, a crushed specimen, from the Quarry on Congle-
ton Edge.
10. Lingula scotica, a very rare Brachiopod, hitherto only found in Scotland
and Northumberland; with (a) Ovrbiculoidea nitida, same
locality.
11. Prolecanites compressus, showing the characteristic suture lines, from
the old Limestone Quarry, Astbury.
ONC 5
All the specimens are in my own collection.
Mr. G. T. Porritt has a note on Hereditary and Sexual dimorphism in
Abraxas grossulariata, var. varleyata, in the January ‘Entomologist’:
Monthly Magazine.’
The Belfast Municipal Art Gallery and Museum is following the example
of another institution in publishing quarterly notes. Nos. 3 and 4are before
us, and have been reprinted from the local press.
Naturalist,
XIV.
PLAT
RALIST, 1907.
THE NATU
of
RECENTLY DISCOVERED FUNGI IN YORKSHIRE.
C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S.
Halifax.
THE present is considered a suitable time to bring together,
under one heading, the Fungi discovered in Yorkshire since the
publication of the Yorkshire Fungus Flora in 1905. This will
enable mycologists to post their copies up to date without
much trouble. Many species have been recorded in the pages of
the ‘ Naturalist’ in the interval; in all such cases references to
pages and date are given. To facilitate the placing of these
records in their proper sequence, the number in the flora which
each must follow is added. Two are included which were
accidentally omitted when the work was compiled.
It will be seen that two are new to science, 7 new to Britain,
and 46, and 3 vars. new to Yorkshire. This brings the present
total of known Yorkshire species to 2681.
The number of new vice-county records has also been con-
siderably added to:—S.W., 46; Min W., 8; N.W., 69;
N.E., 32; S.E., 57. These, however, can easily be inserted
in the Flora by aid of the ‘ Naturalist,’ ‘Transactions,’ and the
Trans. of the Hull Sci. and F. N. Club.,’ ’05-6, by any one suffi-
ciently interested in the subject.
NEW SPECIES.
Clavaria gigaspora Cotton n. sp.
Czespitose but distinct at the base, or solitary, greyish with
tinge of yellow, whitish at base of stem, small, up to 3 c.m.
high, branched, flesh tough, smell and taste absent ; branching
irregular, sometimes almost palmate, branches erect, occasion-
ally forked, often wrinkled, solid, terete or compressed, much
compressed at the acute axils, ultimate branches attenuated,
apices blunt; stem 1 c.m. long, or shorter, slender, not very
distinct ; internal structure of densely packed hyphz 4-4.5 p
diam. forming a firm, tough tissue, rather horny when dry ;
basidia large, 60-70 x 15 p, contents finely granular, sterigmata
four, rather stout, 8-10 » long, spores broadly elliptical, slightly
oblique, ends somewhat narrowed, average 12-16 X 7.5-8 p,
very variable (10-20 x 7-9»), guttulate, then granular, hyaline,
smooth.
S.W.—Habitat. Amongst moss on rocky, heathy slope,
road side between Flappit and Crossroads near Cullingworth.
—C. Crossland and Thomas Hebden, Nov. 1906.
To follow No. 1218.
1907 March tr.
98 Crossland: Recently discovered Fungt tn Yorkshire.
A small dingy yellowish-white plant, scarcely over-topping
the moss in which it grows. It appears to resemble certain
forms of C. cinerea and C. cristata, but is readily distinguished
from either by the large spores. The structure is also some-
what exceptional, being composed of very fine, densely matted
hyphe, which run out into unusually large basidia.
Clavaria gigaspora Cotton sp. nov.
Planta tenax, irregulariter ramosa, alba v. pallido-alutacea,
ad 3 c.m. alta. Caulis tenuis, circiter 1 cm. longus. Rami
breves, erecti, teretis, saepe rugosi, infra ramulos compressi ;
ramuli ultimi sensim attenuati, apicibus sub-obtusis. Basidia
majuscula 60-70 X 15 p, intus granulosa. Sporae late ellip-
soideae, grandis, 14 X 7 # (10-20 X 7-9 p) hyalinae, laeves.
Ad terrum muscosam, prope. Cullingworth, Yorks.
Brittanniez.
Verticicladium Preuss.
Sterile hyphe creeping, fertile erect, septate, verticillately
branched, branchlets subulate ; conidia continuous, solitary at
the tips of the branchlets, soon falling away.
Verticicladium Cheesmanii Crossl. n. sp. Plate IX.
Effused in pale red-brown patches, sterile hyphe creeping,
septate, contents granular, deep red-brown, 4-5 » thick, fertile
hyphe erect, pale red-brown, 2-3 times branched, 4 p thick,
slightly wider at base of branches, branches spreading, ultimate
branchlets mostly in pairs, opposite, occasionally solitary,
subulate, slightly inflated at base, erect, 13-15 X 3-5 #; conidia
broadly elliptical, ends obtuse, pale red-brown, 6-8 X 3.5-5 p/.
Mip W.—Hab. On decorticated wood. Stainor Wood
near Selby.—W. N. Cheesman, Nov. 1906.
To precede Stachylidium.
Verticicladium Preuss.
Hyphz steriles repentes, hyphz feraces erectae, septatae,
verticillatim ramosae, ramuli subulati, conidia continua, solitaria
ad apices ramulorum.
Verticicladium Cheesmanit Crossl. sp. nov.
Effusum, stratis pallido-spadiceis, hyphis sterilibus_ re-
pentibus, septatis, cytoplasma granulari, rufo-spadiceis, 4-5 p
crassitudine, hyphis feracibus erectis, ramosis bis vel ter,
4 p-crassitudine, leviter latioribus, ad basin ramorum, pallido-
spadiceis, ramis patentibus, ramulis ultimatis generaliter binis’
et oppositis, subinde solitariis, subulatis, leviter inflatis ad
basin, erectis, 13-15 » X 3.5 p, Conidiis late ellipticis, polis
obtusis, pallido-spadiceis, 6-8 X 3.5-5 p, cito disjunctis.
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PiaTE IX.
Verticicladium Cheesmanii Crossl.
Fic. 1.—Portion of patch on decorticated wood, natural size.
Fic. 2.—Enlarged about 640 diams.
Del ed nat. C. Crosst nv.
Crossland: Recently discovered Fungi tn Vorkshie.
a >
NEW TO BRITAIN.
Geaster triplex Jungh.
S.W.—Hebden Bridge, on the ground in Pecket Wood,
June 1905 (J. Needham).
‘Unexpanded plant acute, exoperidium recurved (or when
not fully expanded, somewhat saccate at base), cut to the
middle, or usually two-thirds, to five or eight segments.
Mycelial layer adnate. Fleshy layer generally peeling off
from the segments of the fibrillose layer, but usually remaining
partially free as a cup at base of inner peridium. Inner
peridium sub-globose, closely sesstle. Mouth definite, fibrillose,
broadly conical. Columella prominent, persistent, elongated
(see fig. 49). Threads thicker than spores. Spores globose,
roughened, 3-6 m.c. (‘The Geastrae,’ C. G. Lloyd, June 1902,
pages 25-27, figs. 47-49).
To follow No. 12.
Hebeloma subsaponaceum Karst.
S.E.—Allerthorpe Common, near Pocklington, on the
sTound, under beeches (*“ Nat.” Sept.,’05, p. 267; Ic. Jan. 6,
100m Pe 7)=
To follow No. 460.
Cantharellus hypnorum Brond., Rev. Myc., 1892, p. 65;
Race, Syll. ip. 32, 1695.
S.W.—Ferrymoor near Cudworth (* ‘Nat.’ Oct. 1905,
p- 295). For description and note see I. c., Jan. ’06, pp. 7-8.
To follow No. 905.
Lentinus suffrutescens Fr.
S.W.—Milnsbridge near Huddersfield, growing from the
wood flooring of a joiner’s shop (F. F. ’06, ‘ Nat.’ Feb. ’07,
pp. 52 and 54). Spores probably on the timber when imported.
Certe A. Clarke.
To precede No. 948.
Lachnea gilva (Boud.). Sacc. Syll., n. 747. Peszza gilva
Boudier, Icon. 37.
S.W.—Hebden Bridge, on sandy ground, among moss, by
the river side. For description and note see ‘ Nat.’ Jan. ’06,
pp. 8-9.
To follow No. 1840.
Zygodesmus fulvus Sacc., Michelia ii., p. 147.
Var. olivascens Sacc., Mich. ii., p. 585.
Mip. W.—Stainor Wood, Selby, on decaying wood, ’o6
(W.N. C.).
To follow No. 2386.
1907 March 1.
100 Crossland: Recently discovered Fungt in Yorkshire.
Graphium xanthocephalum Sacc. Certe. G. Massee.
N.W.—Masham, on bamboo canes used as plant supports
in greenhouse. Jan. ’o6 (W. A. Thwaites).
To follow No. 2455.
NEW TO YORKSHIRE.
Lycoperdon cruciatum Rostk.
S.W.—Maltby and Stubbins Woods, among moss and dead
leaves. (F.F. ’o5, ‘ Nat.’, Nov. ’05, p. 338, where Z. velatum
Vitt. is suggested, and l.c. Jan. ’06, pp. 6-7, with photo. and
diagnosis. Some authorities consider this to be Z. ve/atum Vitt.
To follow No. 23.
Lycoperdon Cookei Mass., Mon. Lycop. n. 52, pl. xiii.,
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, on the ground in woods (F.F. ’06,
‘Nat.’, Feb. ’07, p. 54, as LZ. spadiceum Pers., which is supposed.
to be a synonym).
To follow No. 24.
Lycoperdon depressum Bon.
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, on the ground in woods (F.F. ’o6:
“Nat.’, Feb. ’07, p. 54).
To follow No. 25.
Amanita cariosa Fries. Hym. Eur. p. 24.
S.W.—Huddersfield, Sept. 1895 (Dr. Cooke, Tr. Brit. Myc.
Soc., 7903, ps 13).
To follow No. 48.
Lepiota granulosa var. rufescens B. & Br., Ann. Nat. Hist.,
n. 1834; Cke., Illustr., pl. 2134.
S.W.—Firbeck (F.F., ’05, Tr. 33, 1907).
Clitocybe subinvoluta (Batsch.).
S.W.—Firbeck, on the ground among grass (F.F., ’o5,
“Nat.”, Dec. jospesoo>: Tr. 33, (07):
To follow No. 159.
Mycena lineata (Bull.).
S.W.—Roche Abbey Valley (F.F. ’05, Tr. 33, ’07),
To follow No. 217.
Volvaria Taylori Berk., Outl., p. 140.
S.W.—Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield. Typical specimens.
found on grass plot in front of his house by E. J. Walker, Nov.
1906, Certe. A. Clarke.
Naturalist,
Crossland: Recently discovered Fungi tn Yorkshire. 101
Differs from V. violacea, which it somewhat resembles, by
the gills being remarkably attenuated behind, and by the small,
brown volva.
To follow No. 317.
Pholiota heteroclita Fr.
S.W.—Hewenden Bridge near Cullingworth, Sept., ’05, on
dead poplar.
To follow No. 403.
Pholiota tuberculosa (Scheff.).
S.W.—Heaton Wood near Bradford (Bradford Sci. Jour.,
alle IQO7,. p, 347).
To follow No. 409.
Hebeloma longicaudum (Pers.). Var. radicatum Cke.,
Hdbk., p. 164.
S. W.—Firbeck (F.F. ’05, Tr. 33, ’07).
Hebeloma nudipes Fr.
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, on the ground in a wood (F.F. ’o6,
Nat, Peb. ‘07, p. 55):
To follow No. 463.
Tubaria cupularis (Bull.).
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, among grass in pasture (F.F. ’o6,
TINA ts. 5 ACD. O77). P2455).
To follow No. 515.
Cortinarius (Phleg.) triumphans Fr.
S.W.—Cullingworth, on the ground under birch trees.
(Thos. Hebden).
do precede No. 537-
Cortinarius (Phleg.) scaurus Fr.
S.W.—Maltby Wood, on the ground among moss, decaying
pwies, etc. (Poh. O57 ‘Nat.’; Nov. 05, p..340 ; “Tr.! 33, /07):
To follow No. 551.
Cortinarius (Ino.) arenatus (Pers.).
S.W.—Firbeck, on the ground in a wood (F.F. ’o5, ‘ Nat.’,
Nov. ’05, p. 340% Tr. 33,707).
To follow No. 570.
Cortinarius (Tela.) helvelloides Fr.
S.W.—Maltby, on the ground in a wood (F.F. ’o5, ‘ Nat.’,
iNav. "Os, p- 340% airs 33,07 ).
To follow No. 597.
1907 March 1.
102 Cvrossland: Recently discovered Fungi tn Vorkshire.
Cortinarius (Hygr.) uraceus Fr.
S.W.—Firbeck, on the ground in a mixed wood (F.F. ’o5,
“Wat. Nov 05, p. 3405, Dr.133) <a7)
To follow No. 615.
Hypholoma leucotephrum (B. & Br.).
S.E.—Holmpton, Withernsea, near base of tree trunk,
among grass on road side, Oct. 1905 (Hull S. & F. N. C. Tr.,
700; p. 292):
To follow No. 666.
Psilocybe canobrunnea Fr.
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, on dry manure heap (F.F. ’o06, ‘ Nat.’,
Feb.307,0p-855):
To follow No. 692.
Hygrophorus (Hygr.) spadiceus Fr.
S.W.—Firbeck, in pasture (F.F. ’05, ‘Nat.’, Nov. ’05, p.
339):
Differs from AZ. contcus in virgate pileus, and thicker gills
not narrowed behind.
To follow No. 8or.
Russula furcata Pers. Var. ochroviridis Cke.
S.W.—Slaithwaite (F.F. ’06, ‘ Nat.’, Feb. ’07, p. 55).
To follow No. 860.
Cantharellus Friesii Quel.
S.W.—Slaithwaite, in cold frame in garden (F.F. ’o6,
‘Nat.’ Feb ’67,!p! 56):
To follow No. 904.
Corticium populini Fr.
S. E.—Hull, on pine pit-props, probably in this case imported
(T. Stainforth, Jan. 1907).
To follow No. 1156.
Clavaria incarnata Weiss.
S.W.—Farnley Tyas, in pasture (‘ Nat.’, Feb. ’07, pp. 52
and 55).
To follow No. 1242.
Uromyces junci (Desm.).
S.W.—Askern Bog, Aécidium stage on Pulicaria dysenterica
(iicNat.”; “Oct. \o6,sp. 274)
To follow No. 1307.
Naturalist,
Crossland: Recently discovered Fung? in Vorkshire. 103
Sporormia pascua Niessl.
S.W.—Sheffield, on rabbit dung, April, 1903 (7. Gibbs),
Distinguished from S. octomera Phil. and Plow. by the short
foot and broad subtruncate apex of the ascus.
To follow No. 1617.
Humaria Phillipsii Cke.
N.W.—Masham._ For description, synonyms, and notes,
see ‘ Nat.’, Jan. ’06, pp. 9-10.
To follow No. 1811.
Lachnea cinnabarina (Schw.).
S.W.—Hebden Bridge. For description and notes see
PNat.; jan. (Oo, p13:
To follow No. 1824.
Helotium Hedwigii Phil.
S.W.—Hardcastle near Hebden Bridge, on fallen elm-twigs,
June, 1897 (J. Needham). Accidentally omitted from the Flora.
Distinguished from allied species by the lower half of stem being
white, and by the remarkably swollen, woolly base.
To follow No. 1952.
Myxotrichum deflexum Berk.
S.W.—Copley near Halifax (‘ Nat.’, Aug. ’05, p. 254).
To follow No. 2150.
Penicillium hypomycetis Sacc.
S.W.— Maltby Wood, spreading over a group of sporangia
of Lrichia fragilis (¥.F. ’o5, ‘ Nat.’;»Dec: ’05,'p.-371).
To follow No. 2320.
Rhinotrichum Bloxamii B. & Br.
Mip W.—Stainor Wood near Selby, Nov. 1906 (W. N.
Cheesman).
To follow No. 2328.
Stemonitis laxa Mass. | Comatricha laxa Rost. |.
S.E.—Hull, very small sporangia on a pine log, West Dock
Reservation, septay1903)( Erans, Hull 5. & FF. N.-C.. 1905;
p- 202, I Peten),
To follow No. 2500.
Stemonitis flavogenita Jahn.
S.E.—Hedon; Thearne; Hornsea; Snake Hill, South Cave,
(Gs 1905,0p.11202,) ia Peteh).
‘This species was, till recently, designated S. ferruginea
1907 March tr.
104. Crossland: Recently discovered Fungi tn Vorkshire.
Ehr., and East Riding specimens have been distributed under
this name. The discovery of Ehrenberg’s type specimen proves
that his S. ferruginea is the modern S. Swzz¢hzz and necessitates
a change of nomenclature’ (Jour. of Botany, vol. 42, p. 194).
To precede No. 2502.
Amaurochete atra Rost.
S.E.—On pit props just landed ex steamer from Norway,
Fish Dock Extension, Hull, Sept., 1903 (Tr. Hull S. & F.N.C.,
1905; p; 203, Wa Peteh):
To precede No. 2503.
Lamproderma irideum Mass.
S.E.—Thorp Garth, Aldborough, on twigs in a stick heap,
Aug. 1903; Hornsea, plantations north of the Mere, May, ’o4,
(he? m@Oss3p34203;, G.eP3):
To follow No. 2505.
Margarita metallica Lister.
S.E.—Abundant on hawthorn branches in the winter in the
neighbourhood of Hedon, Dec. 1902 and 1903; Rose Hill;
Newton Garth; Aldborough; Thearne; Tansterne; and Hamble-
ton (kes ps 208; L-7 Pa).
To follow No. 2512.
Dianema depressum Lister.
S.E.—Hambleton ; Tansterne; Bale Wood, Aldborough,
Jan: 794: (lic.p. 208,01. .P:).
To follow No. 2513.
Trichia lutescens Lister.
S.E.—Dryham, North Cave, Aug. 1903, on sticks, probably
hawthorn, forming a fence whose base rested in swampy
ground by the roadside (I.c. p. 295, T.P.).
To follow No. 2530.
Didymium clavus Rost.
S.E.—Thearne ; Aldborough, in dead grass and leaves (l.c.
py ZOE, abate.)
To follow No. 2543.
Physarum calidris Lister.
S.E.—-Thorp Garth, Alborough, Aug. ’06 (l.c., p. 200, T. P.).
To follow No. 2562.
Naturalist,
Northern News. 105
Physarum Phillipsii Balf. fil.
S.W.—Halifax, on rotting rope in warehouse, July 1895,
collected by the late H. T. Soppitt.
To follow No. 2563.
Badhamia decipiens Berk.
S.E.—Tansterne fox cover, on wood, moss, etc., in dry
diteh, Aug. ‘03 (Tr. Hull S. & F. Ni C., 05; p: 199;) Ea P.)-
To precede No. 2567.
Badhamia verna Rost. (Physarum vernum Sommf.).
S.E.—Hedon, abundant on dead hawthorn branches, Dec.
Oar (he:.ip., 200; 2):
To follow No. 2568.
Badhamia foliicola Lister.
S.E.—Tansterne fox cover, in abundance on dead hawthorn
twigs in a dry ditch, Aug. ’03 (Jour. of Botany, vol. 42, p. 129).
To precede No. 2569.
The discovery in Yorkshire of twelve of the last thirteen
species is due to the excellent field investigations in quest of
Mycetozoa, or Myxomycetes, carried on by Mr. T. Petch,
B.A., B.Sc., during 1903-4. A few were new to Britain.
Altogether Mr. Petch found in the East Riding upwards of
sixty species of this group, Vzde. Trans. of the Hull S. and
F. N. Club, ’05, pp. 196-208. Here we have another example of
what may be accomplished in field research by persistent work
as opportunity affords.
In a paper upon ‘Local Birds,’ by Mr. C. F. Innocent, read recently
before the Sheffield Naturalists’ Club, the following classification was
suggested as more detailed than the usual meagre division into residents
and migrants.
(A) Residents :—
1. Eu-residents: resident all the year through, e.g. house sparrow.
2. Pen-residents: resident all the year through, except for a few
weeks, e.g. starling.
(B) Migrants :-—
3. Pseudo-residents : resident as species, but migratory as indi-
viduals, e.g., robin.
4. Winter residents: e.g. fieldfare.
5. Summer residents: e.g. swallow.
6. Eu-migrants: which only visit on autumn or spring passage to
winter or summer residence, e.g. ringed plover.
(C) Erratics -—
7. True waifs and strays: e.g. puffin.
8. Archzeo-residents: which formerly lived in the district and of
which individuals occasionally return to former haunts of the
species, e.g. eagle.
1907 March 1.
106
BIRD NOTES.—YORK DISTRICT.
SYDNEY H. SMITH.
York.
I CANNOT but comment on the large numbers of Redwings that
have visited us this winter. They literally swarmed all over
the country during December, but I am afraid their flocks were
sadly decimated by the severe weather in January. Fieldfares
do not appear as plentiful as in previous years, and for some
weeks I have only remarked these handsome immigrants in
small batches of four to twelve birds. Hooded Crows, locally
termed Grey Backs, appeared about the middle of October, and
were in full force by November, many thousands roosting
nightly in Crompton Wood, their usual winter quarters, sharing
the branches with parties of immigrant and local Carrion Crows
and a tremendous body of Rooks and Jackdaws. At dusk the
immense circling flock of dusky birds made all the din they
possibly could, and was apt to leave a lasting impression on
the mind of a student of nature. A small party of Grey and
Pied Wagtails frequents the shallows along the River Foss.
Thanks to the Birds’ Protection Order, the brilliantly plumaged
Kingfisher is more often seen on both Ouse and Foss, some-
times I notice one right in the heart of the city. A few Siskins
have been caught on the Malton Road, and several Bramblings
seen in private gardens during the recent hard weather, when
they fed along with Sparrows and Chaffinches. On the flooded
meadows at East Cottingwith duck appeared in their usual
number (about 400 birds), chiefly Mallard and Wigeon, with
a few Teal, Scaup (occasional), Pochards, Tufted, and Golden-
eye. A gaggle of geese pitched one night, but it was too dark
to distinguish the species (probably brent or grey), and half-
a-dozen handsome Whooper Swans spent two days on the fresh
water, departing in the night to other parts. Mr. Snowden
Sleights, the local fowler, sent me two female Goosanders early
in January ; every year a few females turn up at Cottingwith,
but no males. According to Messrs. Booth and Riley Fortune,
a small party of males appears in the Washburn Valley every
year. The question to be settled is, are these birds all of one
immigrant party, the sexes mutually agreeing to separate during
their stay in Yorkshire ?
Naturalist,
107
THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS IN THE WEST RIDING.
R: FORTUNE, E:Z-s-
For some time the Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Com-
mittee of the Y.N.U. has been endeavouring to get the
existing Wild Birds’ Protection Act of Yorkshire into line,
so that the Same order should apply to the three Ridings.
It has not been found practicable to do this. The East Riding
has met us in a fair spirit, the North Riding has quite ignored
our suggestions, up to date. The West Riding authorities
have dealt with our suggestions in a very broad manner, and it
is very pleasing to record that this authority seems particularly
alive to the requirements of wild birds.
A new Schedule or Order has just been issued, and it may
be interesting to note the additions to this. Practically we
have got all the birds we wished to have scheduled, and it is
particularly gratifying to note that both the Raven and Peregrine
Falcon are now absolutely protected during the whole of the
year.
All birds, with the exception of our familiar friend the
House Sparrow, are protected from the last day of February
to the 12th day of August; but with the exception of those
specially mentioned in Schedules A and B, owners or occupiers
of land, or persons authorised by them, are at liberty to destroy
them should they so desire. The birds named in Schedules
A and B are protected absolutely, not only against the general
public, but also against owners or occupiers, who must not lift
their hands against them.
Schedule A gives protection to the species included from
the last day in February to the r2th day of August. There are
four additions to this list, viz., the Great Northern’ and Red
Throated Divers, Gadwall and Quail. There is absolutely no
necessity for the inclusion of the first two species, as they
are not likely to be seen in the West Riding between the dates
named, if at all. The same remark might also apply to the
Gadwall ; but as it is a species which is increasing as a resident
in Norfolk, there is no reason why it should not extend its
range to Yorkshire. At any rate no harm can be done by
anticipating this event somewhat. The Quail nests in some
part of the county every summer, and every inducement should
be given it to continue to do so.
There are about sixteen omissions from the previous list,
1907 M arch Tie
108 fortune: The Protection of Birds tn the West Riding.
but as they have been moved up and placed amongst the birds
protected all the year round we cannot complain.
Schedule B is the most interesting. The birds in this list
are absolutely protected against everyone all the year round.
To this Schedule no fewer than twenty-six species have been
added. The Peregrine Falcon and the Raven, both practically
extinct as breeding species, have now a chance to regain their
lost ground. Other nesting species included for the first time
are the Corn Crake, which, without doubt, has decreased in
numbers very considerably of late years. The Dotterel, of
which only about a single pair attempts to nest in the Riding.
These birds are shot on migration in spring for the purpose
of obtaining feathers for dressing flies for fishing, but as
feathers may be obtained from the Starling answering quite as
well, if not better than those of the Dotterel, it is scandalous
that the rare bird should be brought under contribution when
the slaughter of a few Starlings can do no harm. The Black
Headed Gull, a much maligned species, which observation has
certainly proved that, in the West Riding at any rate, they
do no harm, but a great deal of good. I have investigated
several cases of alleged interference with grouse eggs by this
bird, but in no case was the bird guilty. The Kittiwake Gull
is also included. This bird does not nest or frequent the West
Riding, but occasionally an individual may be blown inland
from the coast. He may now visit us safely, at least according
to law. The Hedge Sparrow and Tree Sparrow are bracketted
together under the head of Sparrows; the first is of course not
a Sparrow but a Warbler. It is pleasing to know that our
unassuming little friend has been placed upon the list. The
gentlemanly Tree Sparrow is such a very local bird, nowhere
very abundant, that he deserves to receive sanctuary. He may
be readily distinguished from his vulgar relation by his chestnut
head, two white bars on the wing, and his more musical note.
The Spotted Crake and Water Rail, two very rare nesting
species, may now attend to their household affairs in security.
Many have been shot every autumn, but this is now prohibited.
The Stone Curlew, nearly extinct as a nesting bird, may now
possibly increase in numbers. The Turtle Dove, which is ex-
tending its range in the county, may now do so in security.
The Twite, an interesting and very local species, is placed on
the list for the first time. [ know of one place in the fell district
where the manager of a local bank, for several mornings in
succession, sallied out to shoot Twites, killing from twenty
Naturalist,
Fortune: The Protection of Birds in the West Riding. 109
to forty each time ; it is pleasant to know that such ‘sportsmen’
are now answerable to the law for their dastardly conduct.
Of non-breeding species the Bee Eater is included, and if we
bear in mind the Bentham episode, we cannot but feel that it is
only just that it should be so. The slaughter of Rough Legged
Buzzards, which sometimes visit us in numbers, will for the
future be prevented, and in like manner the young Sea Eagles
which visit us are to have every protection. The Golden Eagle
was on the list before. The wanton destruction of Pallas’ Sand
Grouse, should they again visit us, will probably be prevented,
and the inclusion of all the British breeding Terns may save
some senseless destruction, should any of them by chance pay
a visit to the West Riding.
Professional bird catchers are to be prevented from following
their nefarious calling, for those favourite cage birds, Bullfinch,
Goldfinch, Linnet, and Chaffinch, must not now be caught at
any time of the year. They have all suffered considerably in
the West Riding, the first three especially, and while not being
against the keeping of cage birds, the cruelties I have seen
practised in the wholesale capture of wild birds, makes one
extremely glad that they are now thoroughly protected. The
Heron too is safe against the selfish angler who cannot bear
anyone but himself to catch a fish, probably the antipathy to
the Heron arises in many cases because he can catch fish ; the
fact that he feeds considerably upon other fare seems to be
entirely overlooked. The bold little Merlin, the Lady’s Falcon,
must not now be molested at any time, nor must our useful
friend the Kestrel.
In addition, the eggs of all the birds mentioned in Schedules
A and B, ninety-three of which at any rate nest in the county,
are also protected, formerly there was a separate schedule for
the eggs of certain species, but it certainly simplifies matters
when it is understood that the eggs of all the birds scheduled
are not to be taken. Probably no naturalist is opposed to egg
collecting when conducted reasonably, but the senseless manner
in which rare local species are harried merits the condemnation
of every true ornithologist.
There are many species scheduled in A for protection
during the nesting season—as, for instance, the Fulmar,
Avocet, Smew, etc.—which it seems absurd to place upon the
list. This I pointed out to the West Riding authorities, but
they were determined not to omit any species which had been
scheduled before. Hence the unnecessary inclusion of certain
1907 March 1.
110 Northern News.
names. The same applies in Schedule B, where birds are
protected all the year round which are not with us in the
Winter months, as, for instance, migratory species like the
Corncrake, Dotterel, Nightingale, Sandpiper, Terns, &c. But
this we need not cavil at, so long as the species really necessary
are included. On the whole, the Union and its Committee
dealing with these matters are to be congratulated in ac-
complishing what has been done.
The eggs of the Lapwing, which, in the previous order,
were not allowed to be taken after the end of March, may
now be taken up to and including the 15th day of April.
The first date was absurd, as there are no eggs, or at least
very few, in the West Riding until the first few days in April,
and as in some parts of the Fell districts a considerable trade is
done in Lapwings’ eggs, it was felt that some hardship was
entailed by not allowing the farmers a little opportunity for
reaping a profit. The birds will not suffer from this extension,
for, as a rule, there is a great percentage of loss amongst
the early eggs from early frosts, want of cover, and the
harrowing, etc., of the fields.
Special attention is drawn to the fact that the setting of
Pole Traps is illegal, and also to the fact that the police have
instructions to take proceedings against all persons offending
against the Order. This is pleasant news, as last year the
police had to be nearly goaded into taking action against
some persons who endeavoured to destroy the Peregines at
Ingleborough.
There is, I think, some idea that in the near future the
whole of the Bird Protection Orders throughout the kingdom
will be overhauled and brought into line, so that the present
existing confusion may be avoided. The simplest plan in my
mind would be to protect ALL birds; but allow the various
authorities to withdraw the protection from certain species
(with the sanction of the Home Office) which have become a
nuisance, as we know many species are likely to be if they
become too numerous.
——_»@——
A paper on ‘The Boultham Well at Lincoln,’ by Wm. McKay, with
details of the strata passed through, to a depth of 1561 feet, appears in
part 1. of vol. 30 of the ‘ Transactions of the Manchester Geological and
Mining Society.’
We learn from ‘The Museum News’ that ‘The success of Dr. Hyatt's
lecture on ‘‘Jumbo's Teeth and other Teeth” needs no further proof than
the fact that ro2 children in the lecture room (which seats only 60 persons
comfortably), listened with close attention and interest, for forty minutes.’
Naturalist,.
toa
NOTES ON THE COMMON SWIFT IN THE
BRADFORD DISTRICT.
HARRY B. BOOTH, M.B.0.U.
I HAvE had many opportunities of watching the habits and
peculiarities of this rushing, dashing bird, that makes light of
distance and space, and disdains to set foot on earth. I have
been rather well situated, having been able to easily watch one
particular colony which annually visits Heaton Grove, at
Frizinghall, a suburb of Bradford. During my residence of
nearly thirteen years at Frizinghall, they were all the summer
constantly before my eyes (even from my bedroom window), and
oftimes when I could not see them they were heard, and I loved
to hear their harsh screaming notes in concert. Since leaving
Frizinghall six years ago, I have, on the top of the tramcar,
usually passed the same colony several times each day.
Up to last season (1906), the colony has generally consisted of
thirty to forty pairs, but last summer there would not be more
than twenty pairs present. This decrease is rather singular,
because Swifts are steadily increasing in this district. Their
arrival and departure at this breeding place during the last
nineteen years has been extremely regular; with the single
exception of the cold wet spring and summer of 1903, they have
always arrived at the breeding quarters on the t1oth, 11th, or
12th of May, and as a colony they have departed on the 18th,
19th, or 20th of August. Taking the arrivals and departures of
this colony which I have chronicled, I find that they have spent
exactly an average of 101 days each year around this nesting
site. In 1903 they did not put in an appearance until May 18th,
and they stayed until September rst, thus not only coming
a week later, but increasing their stay with us to 107 days.
Possibly this extra week’s delay at their nesting quarters was
occasioned by the difficulty of obtaining sufficient food in order
to bring the nestlings forward.
The above dates refer to the arrivals at and departures from
this nesting place. A single bird, or a pair, will usually arrive
in the surrounding district between the 1st and the 7th of May,
and on two occasions they have been noted on the 3oth of April.
After the arrival of the first harbingers they gradually increase
almost daily. If the weather should be fine and clear then,
many of the new arrivals spend a good deal of time over the
surrounding hills and moorlands, but if very cold, wet, or
1907 March ae
112 Notes on the Common Swift tn the Bradford district.
‘muggy,’ or with a strong north-east wind blowing, they repair
to the valley near to the river. During the early part of their
arrival | have never seen any near to the nesting colony at
Frizinghall, if, indeed, they are the actual birds which frequent
it later. It may be, these early Swifts pass on to other districts
to breed. Anyhow, about the r1th of May, the birds (about
half the number that will eventually occupy it) will be seen
circling round and flying about the nesting site. After their
departure about the 19th of August, it is usual for several birds
to return to the vicinity of their breeding quarters a few days
after, and sometimes they will remain for several days, but they
rarely stay later than the 26th or 27th of August. By their
appearance I usually take these latter to be birds of the year.
It is rather a curious fact that immediately the Swifts have
finally left their feeding area at Frizinghall, several House
Martins take their place. These latter do not breed, so far as I
know, within about a mile away, and I have never seen them
there when the Swifts were about. I mention that as a curious
fact in connection with ¢A4zs colony, and not because I wish to
impute any antagonism between the Swifts and House Martins,
which are usually good friends, and will be seen flying and
feeding together in many places. For the last two or three
weeks before their departure, if the weather be fine, many of
the Swifts again visit the higher moorlands, as the first-comers
did in the spring.
Last season I was greatly surprised to see a Swift hawking
for food by the river, and evidently quite at home, on Oct. 7th.
The weather was mild, with plenty of insect food about, and I
watched it for half-an-hour in the morning, but it had apparently
disappeared in the afternoon. This is more than a month later
than I had previously seen the species in this district. Last
year the remaining moiety of the Frizinghall colony departed on
August 19th, but a few birds returned on the 24th and 25th,
from which dates I had not seen any until the one on Oct. 7th.
Almost every year very late occurrences of the Swift are reported
from some part of the country—generally near to the coast—and
they are most often erroneously chronicled as ‘ Late Say of the
Swift.’ The observer usually states that none have been seen
for some time previously, and no doubt this habit of the Swift
in occasionally returning misled Gilbert White into believing
that they were temporally coaxed out of their hibernating quarters
by the mild weather.
My observations seem to show that with this species the date
Naturalist.
Notes on the Common Swift in the Bradford district. 113
of their departure is fixed more by the forwardness of the young
brood, and by their ability to undertake the long journey, than
by the state of the weather, or of their food supply at the time
of leaving. I find that in the finest summers, and consequently
when there is the largest supply of winged insect food, this
colony usually breaks up a day or two earlier than in the colder
and wetter seasons, and they will leave sometimes when there
is apparently an unlimited supply of food about. Nesting
appears to be their sole object here, and as soon as this is com-
pleted their restless and active spirits fall an easy prey to the
migration ‘ fever.’
Several writers have stated that during fine, warm, clear,
and still nights in June, the male Swifts remain the whole night
on the wing, while the females are sitting. Certain it is that
often on such evenings and just before dark, several birds will
gradually soar and circle higher and higher until they are no
longer visible. Several years ago I spent some time in watching
this curious vesper flight with a good field-glass, but each time
I lost the birds in the darkness before any apparent descent had
been commenced. However, about a quarter of an hour later,
by standing beneath the eaves where a part of the colony nested,
I frequently, quite distinctly, heard the fluttering in the darkness
of one or more birds against the wall up above me, which con-
vinced me that it was the return of the birds that I had been
watching, to their nesting holes for the night.
Gilbert White states definitely that he has seen Swifts pairing
in the air. This statement has been greatly ignored by most later
writers, and some have even doubtedit. I have never witnessed
this myself, but Mr. Fred Jowett, a careful observer, reports the
following occurrence: At Saltaire, on May 26th last year, at
8-20 a.m., he was noticing a pair of Swifts which were flying
and sailing at a good elevation. Suddenly they appeared to-
gether as if one bird, slowly descending in a vertical line during
this time, and shortly after they separated and flew about as
when first noticed. Mr. Jowett afterwards heard from a gentle-
man who lives near that he had witnessed exactly the same
action two mornings before, at the same place, and at about the
same hour. It may be that this habit is better known than
I suspect, but that it is not often recorded.
At this season of the year it is interesting to note with what
eagerness Swifts will pick up, and take away, any small feather,
straw, or light substance that is carried into the air by the wind.
It is easy to discover where they are nesting. During the
1907 March 1.
H
114 The Protection of the Birds at Spurn, ete.
screaming, tearing, rushing flights of the males in large circles
on fine morning's and evenings, it will be noticed that each bird
will pass quite close to the entrance of the hole wherein its mate
is sitting, sometimes even going out of its way to do so.
> >
THE PROTECTION OF THE BIRDS AT SPURN, ETC.
An Appeal.
Ata meeting of the Wild Birds and Egg’s Protection Committee,
held at York on Saturday, Feb. 16th, the president, Mr. W. H.
St. Quintin, J.P., M.B.O.U., ete., in the Chair, it was resolved to
appeal to the naturalists of Yorkshire for subscriptions towards
a fund, to be employed in effectually protecting the birds ot
Spurn Point, etc., by keeping watchers there during the nesting
season.
Spurn Point is the only nesting place in Yorkshire of the
Lesser Tern, and one of the only two places where the Ring
Dotterel nests. The Oyster Catcher and Sheld Duck are also
to be found nesting there, and it is feared that unless adequate
protection is afforded, these birds may soon be wiped out as
nesting species.
If funds will allow, the committee would also like to place
a watcher at Hornsea Mere, where many interesting species
nest, and also give rewards for the protection of isolated
nesting birds, to ensure their safety, as was done with the
Bempton Peregrines last year.
The following sums have already been promised —
feo he
Wait St. Quintin: |<. val RAO?
‘E.-HeNelson'. ..:. 2 oe 1OULO
Oxley Grabham ses ee LE FOr KO
C. E. Elmhurst ae yt bho nO
Hi: B... Booth, ..... wok Se T6030
R. Fortune Se sus 4 ak O40
T. Sheppard... bs a LE ES
Left from last year... we FAY OiD
Further subscriptions, which will be duly announced in
this journal, are urgently needed, and may be sent to Mr. a
Sheppard, the Secretary of the Union, or to Mr. T. H. Nelson,
Redcar, or Mr. R. Fortune, Harrogate, Secretary of the com-
mittee.
Naturalist,
PLATE XVII.
THE NATURALIST, 1907
Rigs
ies ae
=
| ‘
| be,
Sc Dae a ee Re:
Pipistrelle Bat about to take flight.
‘I.
(See p. 115.)
2. Long-=eared Bat asleep on Bracken.
Reviews and Book Notices. EFS
It will be necessary to start the watchers about the middle
of April, therefore the committee trust to have a speedy and
generous answer to their appeal. Naturalists’ Clubs in the
County are specially asked to assist.
In view of the difficulties the police have to contend with in
administering the Wild Birds’ Protection Acts, from the fact
that very few of them are able to recognise either the birds
themselves or their eggs, the committee propose to appoint
referees in various districts in the county, whose duties will be
to assist the authorities by identifying any birds or eggs which
may be submitted to them.
alas ees
Every Boy’s Book of British Natural History. By W. Percival
Westell. London: The Religious Tract Society, 1906. 279 pages, numer-
ous plates. Price 3/6.
Mr. Westell knows how to produce a book. A short time ago we noticed
his ‘Country Rambles,’ which had an introduction by Mr F. G. Aflalo.
Then followed ‘ British Bird Life,’ with an introduction by the Rt. Hon. Sir
Herbert Maxwell, Bart., M.P. The present volume has an introduction by
Lord Avebury. We are wondering who will write the introduction to
Mr. Westell’s next! On the cover of ‘Every Boy’s Book of British Natural
History’ we find the name of Lord Avebury in larger type than that of the
author, and we hasten to peruse his Lordship’s contribution. We find xearly
two pages from his Lordship’s pen! and nearly two pages of very general
information too. We look for an opinion of the book—one paragraph after
another—and at last, in the last line but one, we find it :—-‘ The photographs
are charming’ / and on the very next page Mr. Westell informs us that
‘Mr. Sedgwick is responsible for the whole of the photographs, and also
for chapters 2 and 3 dealing with the camera and the uses to which it can
be put.” The book is largely devoted to the birds ; and, whilst we have
not checked every entry, the items in the present work are apparently
entirely copied—perhaps just a little ‘boiled down’—from ‘British Bird
Life.’ The chapter on Mammals and Fish are admittedly largely drawn
from Aflalo’s ‘ Natural History of the British Isles’; Messrs. Arnold have
given great assistance by their Life Histories of Fish, Insects, and other
forms of British Wild Life ; Mr. Lucas’ books on Butterflies and Moths have
provided information on these subjects, and Mr. A. E. Burgess has given
valuable assistance in connection with the botanical section. In this way,
and with the help of the photographs and chapters by the Rev. S. N.
Sedgwick, and the Introduction by Lord Avebury, has been produced
Westells ‘Every Boy’s Book of British Natural History.’ It is, never-
theless, very attractive in appearance, most of the illustrations are really
very fine (two of which we are kindly permitted toreproduce, see Plate XVII.),
and there is no doubt it will appeal largely to the young naturalists for
whom it has been prepared. There is an index occupying nearly three
pages, and the price is very reasonable.
Messrs. Watts & Co. are to be congratulated on being able to produce
Haeckel’s ‘ Evolution of Man,’ in two volumes at the phenomenally low price
of 6d. each. The volumes form Nos. 26 and 27 of the Rationalist Press
Association’s cheap reprints. The first, dealing with Human Embryology,
or Ontogeny, contains pages’ 1-178, and 209 illustrations; the second is
devoted to Human stem-history, or phylogeny, and contains pages 179-364,
and 199 illustrations. We are not surprised to find on the cover the words
‘Second impression, completing 50,000 copies.’ At the price, no one ought
to be without ‘ Haeckel’s greatest work.’
1907 March 1.
116
ECOLOGY OF WOODLAND PLANTS NEAR
HUDDERSFIELD.
‘¢THr Ecology of Woodland Plants in the Neighbourhood of
Huddersfield,” which recently appeared in the Journal of the
Linnean Society,* has won for its author the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy of the University of Ziirich. This is a guarantee
of the quality of the work, but it must not be thought that the
paper is of ‘Swiss manufacture.’ Even a casual perusal will
reveal much careful investigation which could only be done on
the spot, and the facts which form the basis of this paper were
already recorded before Dr. Woodhead went to Ziirich early in
1905. There, we have good reason for saying it, his work
received the hearty approval of Professor C. Schréter, one of
the leaders in Plant Ecology, and one can see the impress of
this great master on the finished publication.
Readers of ‘The Naturalist’ have already had a sample
of the kind of investigations in ‘Notes on the Bluebell’
(‘ Naturalist,’ 1904, February and March). The present paper
opens almost where the ‘ Bluebell’ paper left off, the first study
being Birks Wood, the one which was figured in 1904. Reduced
figures are given of maps originally prepared on the Ordnance
Survey ‘25 inches to one mile’ sheets. One of the maps is a
soil-map of the wood; another shows the distribution of oak,
beech, Scots elm, sycamore, and conifers in the same wood.
The other three maps show common plants of the under-
growth. A comparison of these excellent maps shows at a
glance that the Bracken (P/erzs) occurs mainly under the trees
* Vol. XXXVII., 1906, pp. 333-406.
Naturalist,
Ecology of Woodland Plants near Huddersfield. 1g
with open canopy (oak and birch), and is almost absent under
shade-trees (beech, elm, and sycamore). The Bluebell (Scz//a),
as already described in ‘The Naturalist,’ is more influenced by
soil, being most abundant where there is a few inches of humus
over loam, and almost absent on light sandy soil and clay.
Two Grasses (Holcus mollis and Deschampsia or Atra flexuosa)
are also abundant, Holcus mainly on the moist humus soils,
and Azra on the lighter sandy parts. The author has already
shown the common occurrence of Scz//a, Pleris, and Holcus as
the chief constituents of the undergrowth of the Yorkshire
valley wood, and that they occupy three distinct zones in the
soil (see fig. 11 in ‘ Bluebell,’ ‘ Naturalist,’ March, 1904). These
three plants are thus non-competitive in the soil, and also to
some extent non-competitive in their erial parts, since Scz//a is
almost finished before Pfer7s comes. To describe this kind of plant
association Dr. Woodhead suggests the term ‘complementary
association.’ Birks Wood is taken as an example of a typical
mixed deciduous wood of the Coal Measure area of this part of
Yorkshire. The second study isa typical mixed deciduous wood
ot the plateau and slopes of the Millstone-Grit area. The woods
actually investigated were those near Armitage Bridge, which
lie on the slopes of the Netherton Plateau The two maps
showing the dominant trees and the principal plants of the
undergrowth respectively are somewhat disappointing. The
difficulty of making charts of woods on steep slopes is here
exemplified, and it is one which occurs in all steep-sided valleys.
It seems to us that here the cartographer will be forced to
abandon the horizontal representation of these woods on the
Ordnance Maps, and in the case of studies of particular woods,
must resort to some convention by which the wood will be
represented as flat. The ecological results obtained in the
Millstone Grit woods again show the influence of light and soil.
The higher slopes have a shallow, sandy soil covered with thin
peaty humus; the lower slopes have a deeper and moister soil,
resulting from weathered shales. The Bracken favours the
ground under open canopy and shuns the shade: on the lower
slopes the conditions resemble a Coal Measure wood, and the
undergrowth is somewhat similar; on the dry, sandy upper
slopes the Bracken is less favoured and occurs in patches, while
its rhizomes, being unable to penetrate deeply, are found inter-
laced with and competing with those of the more abundant
Ling and Bilberry. The Bracken thus occurs as one of the
dominant plants of two plant associations, the distinction of
1907 March 1.
118 Ecology of Woodland Plants near Huddersfield.
which is emphasised in this paper. We summarise here the
distinctive features :—
Name of Association... | Meso-pteridetum Xero-pteridetum
Character of plants ... | Mesophytic (little ad- | Xerophytic (adapted to
apted to drought) drought)
Soil... ... ... ... ... | Deep,moist,withhumus | Shallow; liable to dry-
ness ; peaty humus.
Distribution in time and
SPACew. weiss eissene Complementary, | Competitive.
( Scilla festalis Calluna Erica
Characteristic species- Hlolcus mollis | Vaccinium Myrtillus.
| Lamtum Galeobdolon | Deschampsia flexuosa.
This exact definition of these two plant associations is a
distinct step in the right direction.
The next study is a comparison, by means of two maps, of
the dominant woodland trees with the plants of the under-
growth. The two maps are a disgrace to the Journal of the
Linnean Society. They include sixty-six square miles to the
south of Huddersfield, and we know that the author prepared
them with great care on large-scale maps. In the publication
they have been reduced to a single-page demy octavo, and are
also badly printed. The symbols are almost illegible, and
the features intended to be shown can only be made out
with great difficulty. The wood map indicates where trees
have been found buried in the peat, and one sees how much
higher the old woodland area has been. The Huddersfield
district is shown from these maps to consist of three zones :
(1) Moss-moor on peat, with Cotton Grass dominant and Bil-
berry, etc., on the more elevated and better-drained ridges ;
(2) Millstone-Grit Plateau, an ericaceous zone, with Ling, Bil-
berry, etc., on shallow peat; (3) Lower Coal Measure area,
with deeper and moister soils, and a meso-pteridetum as the
undergrowth of the woods. The names used are not quite
aptly chosen. Geologically, the Millstone-Grit Plateau includes
the Moss Moor, and in a vegetation study one would rather see
terms used which indicate the nature of the vegetation.
The influence of geological formations is shown by two
maps (p. 364), from which it is evident that the xerophytes
are present on the drier soils of the Millstone Grit, while the
mesophytes frequent the moister soils of the Coal Measures.
The second part .deals with the anatomical structure of
woodland plants which grow sometimes under the shade of
trees, sometimes on dry or moist soils in the open. The nature
of the changes can, be seen from the figures which the Linnean
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 11g
Society has permitted us to reproduce. Other plantsexamined and
figured are Bluebell (Scz//z), Hair Grass (Deschampsia flexuosa),
Yorkshire Fog (Holcus mollis), Hogweed (Heracleum), Dog’s
Mercury (Mercurialis perennts), and Yellow Dead Nettle
(Lamtum Galeobdolon). These figures indicate that while most
species of plants occur in definite plant associations, and are
limited to certain conditions of erial and soil conditions,
they have considerable powers of adaptation to change of en-
vironment. This fact cannot be lost sight of in ecological
botany, and the details shown by Dr. Woodhead emphasise
the importance of careful examination.
The bibliography appended to this paper is a long one, and
is well worth careful perusal, if only to gather some idea of the
complex nature of these ecological studies.
The paper as a whole is an excellent example of the results
which may be expected from careful ecological survey, although
the author himself states that much still remains to be investi-
gated regarding the relation of plants to their environment.
Under the guidance of the painstaking and careful author of
this paper, these more exact studies are in progress, and the
results will be looked for with keen interest.—W. G. S.
The Science Year Book: Diary, Directory, and Scientific Summary.
King, Sell, and Olding. Price 5/- net.
This indespensable volume increases in usefulness each year. No
working scientific man can afford to be without it. The present issue
has many improvements. To astronomers particularly is it invaluable,
and contains much information. There is a review of ‘Science in
1906,’ in which the more important discoveries, etc., are enumerated; a
useful but apalling glossary of scientific terms that have been recently
introduced; a directory of Periodicals, Public Institutions, Societies,
Universities, etc.; a Biographical Directory, and a daily diary. As a
frontispiece is a portrait of Lord Rayleigh. An abridged edition, without
the diary, but containing all the articles, is on sale at 3/-.
The Romance of Animal Arts and Crafts. By H. Coupin and
John Lea. London: Seeley & Co., Ltd., 1907. 356 pages and 27 plates.
Price 5/-
This is a companion to ‘The Romance of Plant Life,’ noticed in these
columns for December last. It is a substantial book, and has a gaily coloured
cover. This volume, too, is for the young naturalist, and contains much
interesting information. The fact that it is a ‘Romance’ prevents criticism
so far as scientific accuracy is concerned. The sub-title perhaps explains
its scope ‘being an interesting [!] account of the spinning, weaving,
sewing, manufacture of paper and pottery, aéronautics, raft-building, road-
making, and various other industries of wild life.’ The animals are classified
according to whether they are ‘excavators and miners,’ ‘makers of mounds,’
‘masons,’ ‘carpenters,’ ‘ trappers,’ ‘harvesters,’ etc., etc. ; and the authors
have been able to gather together quite a wonderful series of stories which
should not fail to instruct the individual who is so handsomely catered for
now-a-days—‘ the young naturalist.’ The book is cheap, and is indexed.
1907 March 1.
I20
OLD HALIFAX.*
In this handsome volume the Hon. Curator of the Bankfield
Museum, Halifax, has published an admirable piece of work.
He has permanently placed on record much information relating
to old Halifax, and particularly to the part played by the
Halifax coiners. This information could only have been
obtained by years of patient research, and is of such a nature
that, had Mr. Roth not secured it whilst opportunity offered,
it would have been exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for
a future worker to have gathered the facts together. There
is much in the book which we must pass by, as it hardly
comes within the scope of this journal. There are illustrations
and descriptions of what some Hull—and Halifax town councillors
might call ‘rubbish,’ but which we are delighted to see Mr.
Roth has secured for the Bankfield Museum. Many of the
Fig. 1.—Object found in Shibden Park.
objects he figures and describes were likewise once familiar
objects in other districts, and are preserved in various museums ;
a few, however, we make acquaintance with for the first
time. All interested in bygone times, and all collectors of
relics of the past, should see the numerous illustrations in the
book under notice. At least one of the 17th century tobacco
pipes figured on p. 281 appears to have been made in Hull,T
and some years ago a large hoard of Portuguese and other
counterfeit silver coin was found in Hull whilst excavating
for one of the docks. These are very similar to and of about
the same date as the Portuguese counterfeit coin made in
Halifax, so fully described by Mr. Roth. From these and
* ©The Yorkshire Coiners, 1767-1783, and notes on Old and Prehistoric
Halifax.. By H. Ling Roth. F. King & Sons, Halifax, 1906. Pages
XXvii. + 322, with numerous illustrations. Price 21/- net.
+ See illustrations in ‘Early Hull Tobacco Pipes and their Makers.’
(Hull Museum Publication No. 6).
Naturalist,
Old Halifax. I2I
many other pieces of information in the book, there would
appear in the past to have been more connection between Hull
and Halifax even than might be assumed from the well-known
beggar’s litany.
It is the third part of the volume, dealing with ‘ Prehistoric
Halifax,’ that will appeal more to the readers of this journal.
In this the author justifiably deplores the careless way in which
the tumuli in the district have, in early times, been ruthlessly
rifled, resulting in more harm than good being done, particularly
as in most cases the objects obtained have been for ever lost
or destroyed. More recently, however, the Blackheath Barrow,
near Todmorden, has been carefully opened, the valuable results
of which are described in detail by Dr. J. L. Russell in the
final chapter. The scientific results achieved by these more
Fig. 2.—Bronze axe found at Mixenden.
| ekki. a ss = a ee SS Ree
systematic excavations contrast with the few facts left to us as
the result of the ‘prospecting’ of earlier workers. Mr. Roth
describes in detail the various vases; flint, polished stone and
bronze implements, etc., of British date which have been found
in the Halifax neighbourhood. How much more interesting
and valuable his story would have been if the Bankfield Museum
had been in existence, say, during the last hundred years, and all
the local objects found had been placed therein! Of a few of the
implements figured, however, we are by no means sure of the
authenticity, an opinion apparently shared by the author himself.
The objects figured herewith (fig. 1), ‘found in the outcrop of
Hard Bed Clay in Shibden Park,’ z/an implement, is unique. In
the other illustration which we are kindly permitted to repro-
duce, is a bronze axe head of the Palstave type, found at Mixen-
1907 March 1.
122 Ancient Barton.
den. There are over 200 figures in the book, which greatly
add to its value, the reproductions of Mr. Oddy’s drawings
being of exceptional worth. It may seem a little ungrateful
to find fault with such a useful work ; but how much more
valuable it would have been had there been a good index. The
‘index of names’ which has been given is only likely to prove
of use very locally. The index is missed all the more when
the somewhat peculiar arrangement of the articles in the book
is taken into consideration.
—_o_—_—
ANCIENT BARTON.
Ir is half a century since Mr. H. W. Ball published his ‘ History
of Barton-on-Humber,’ a work which is now out of print.
Since then much more valuable information has come to light
as the result of the continued researches of various workers.
Prominent amongst them is Mr. Robert Brown, junr., whose
recent work is before us.* This is a solid and scholarly con-
tribution to the literature dealing with the early history of
North Lincolnshire. It is divided into three sections, viz.,
‘Romano-British Times,’ ‘ Anglo-Saxon Times,’ and ‘ Norman
Times.’ Further sections are promised, dealing with later
periods. The picturesque old town of Barton, with its
glorious Saxon Church of St. Peter, its haven, and its old-world
associations, lends itself peculiarly to a detailed description
such as is sustained in Mr. Brown’s volume. The British
remains found and occurring in the neighbourhood unquestion-
ably point to the occupation of the area in pre-Roman times.
Of relics of the Roman rule there are scores—in fact, in
evidences of all the more important historical periods the
district abounds. These have been carefully gathered together
by Mr. Brown, and we trust soon to see the completion of his
work. On the vexed question of the site of the Battle of
Brunanburh the author has an interesting chapter. For many
years this theme has been a favourite one with antiquaries
living in South-East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, and it
is perhaps not remarkable that in each case the author of a
paper on the subject has thought the site of this famous fight
to have been in the district in which he lived. Mr. Brown
writes, ‘I think we shall have reason to conclude that the great
* *Notes on the Earlier History of Barton-on-Humber.’ By Robert
Brown, junr., F.S.A. Vol. I., to the end of the Norman Period, A.D. 1154.
London: Elliot Stock. 133 pages and plates.
Naturalist,
PLATE XVI.
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
‘sLiysosinasg sndumaooddiry (a)
*sngv ‘S$ (a)
"saysiy adid YSg ou.
-aqydy °S (9)
Se Mie Hs si anh Hs
“stuLsofraiquiny *S (d)
‘uoiprydo snyyousuds (v)
were TTS LES CeE REESE S Ee Sees eee ey ¢ tilkoue
Reviews and Book Notices. 28
fight was partly in the parishes of Wooton, Barton, and
Barrow, but chiefly at Burnham, in the parish of Thornton
Curtis.” We must at once admit, however, that Mr. Brown
has brought forward much more evidence in favour of the
opinion he holds than has -been usually the case. The volume
has several illustrations, not the least interesting being the
restoration of the Church of St. Peter as it appeared in the
time of Edward the Confessor. We presume and hope an
index to the whole work will appear with the final part
published.
————— i
An Outline of the Natural History of our Shores. By Joseph
Sinel. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., 1906. 347 pages.
This is the best book on this subject ee we rae seen for some time,
having regard to the reasonableness of the cost. Mr. Sinel's position at the
Plaice on Shell gravel, masking its outline, and modifying its colouration.
Zoological station, Jersey, has given him exceptional opportunities of col-
lecting and observing the fauna of the shore, and of these he has taken full
advantage. Ina thoroughly scientific and up-to-date manner, and in plain
language, the author describes almost all the forms of life likely to be met
with by an ordinary worker on the coast, and the numerous illustrations, of
which over 120 are from photographs, enable even a beginner to identify his
specimens with ease. _ In addition to a concise review of the various divisions
of the animal kingdom, there are chapters on collecting and preserving
marine specimens, methods of microscopic mounting, etc., and on the
Marine Aquarium. Two of the illustrations we are kindly permitted to
reproduce (see plate XVI.).
1907 March 1.
124
Sn Memoriam.
SIR MICHAEL FOSTER,
olGelébs, HIG SES IDECsIlng IDSs, ILILsIDb5 inter
1836-1907.
(PLATE XIX.)
Ir is with every sincere regret that we have to place on record
the death of Sir Michael Foster, which took place as we were
going to press with our last issue. In Sir Michael, Britain loses
one of her leaders in scientific thought. He occupied a position
in the nation’s scientific welfare to which it will be exceedingly
difficult to find a successor. Asa physiologist he was the best
known, but he was one of those who had so many interests, and
took a leading part in such a variety of different channels, that
‘he will be missed by very many indeed. Such was the
esteem in which he was held by his fellow naturalists, that in
1899 he occupied the Presidential chair of the British Association.
Another position of importance was that of the Secretary of the
Royal Society, which he occupied for twenty-two years.
In both London and Cambridge, Sir Michael accomplished
much as a teacher of Physiology, and in this way his influence
has been far greater than can possibly be estimated.
In 1898 he was president of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
Union, and many of our readers will remember the cheering
Address he delivered at the Union’s Annual Meeting at Scar-
borough, which was printed in this journal for July, 1899. He
then took for his subject ‘Integration in Science,’ and after
describing in detail the various ways in which science was
specialised, so that even the Fellows of the Royal Society were
‘no longer able to understand one another’s speech,’ he urged
the Union to see that the old type of naturalist did not die out.
‘It is for you,’ he said, ‘to gather and preserve the bits of
knowledge which help to bind together diverging inquiries
carried on in other places; it is for you to keep free from the
rust of disuse the simpler way of asking questions from Nature
without the complicated machinery which others use; the simpler
way, which often brings answers of no little moment in their
right places; the simpler way, which others may be apt to
overlook.’
His contributions to literature are mostly relating to his
favourite subject—physiology. He also helped in the editing of
the well-known ‘Scientific Memoirs of Thomas Henry Huxley.’
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XIX.
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In Memoriam—Dr. W. M. Burman. 125
In his later years, he served his country as a Member of
Parliament, and on such occasions as he spoke his utterances
had always the greatest respect of the House. When his
multifarious duties permitted him to spend a little time at his
home in Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, he devoted his attention
to his fascinating hobby—that of gardening—and even here he
was able to make most useful contributions to scientific botany.
Quite apart from his scientific attainments, however, will his
death be deplored by a large circle of friends. To know him
was to love him, and few had the greater respect of his fellow
men than had the subject of these notes.—T.S.
ee
Dr. W. M. BURMAN oF WaATH-ON-DEARNE.
ON the last day of the old year, there passed away at Grange
over-Sands, a veteran naturalist of the Gilbert White school.
Dr. W. M. Burman was born at Wisbech, on the 23rd June,
1825. His father, two years later, removed to Wath, and
there successfully built up an extensive practice in which, in
later years, the deceased joined him, and continued after his
death. It is interesting to note that this practice is now in the
hands of the third generation ; the eldest and only surviving son
of the subject of this notice, after assisting his father for some
years, having succeeded to it on the Doctor’s retirement to
Grange some ten years ago.
Naturalists, like poets, are said to be born, not made; be
that as it may, we are sure the doctor was a born naturalist.
There is little doubt that when very young he came under
the influence of the clergyman, who, veiling his identity under
the initial ‘ W,’ contributed a list of the indigenous butterflies
and moths of the district to the ‘Wath Village Magazine,’ in
1832. Later still, he enjoyed the friendship of another resident
entomologist, the Rev. C. H. Middleton. In these congenial
surroundings, notwithstanding the uncertain calls of a practice
as extensive in area as in clientele, he gained a knowledge of the
local fauna of an almost all-embracing character. He could
remember when the glow-worm was a common insect in the
lanes of ‘The Queen of Villages,’ where also the marbled
white butterfly was not uncommonly met with. Botany,
Entomology, and Astronomy were the chief branches of science
in which he was at home, and he was ever ready to assist
young beginners with advice; no question, however elementary,
but would be answered in the most kindly manner, without a
3go7 March 1.
126 In Memortam—Dr. W. M. Burman.
trace of impatience. As an entomologist he had studied most
of the orders in a general way, while giving preference to the
Lepidoptera. For this order he contributed many local records
to Mr. W. E. Brady’s ‘List of the Macro-Lepidoptera of
Barnsley,’ which was published in the ‘Transactions of the
Dr. W. M. Burman.
Barnsley Naturalists’ Society,’ 1883-1885. He devoted some
considerable time to sericulture, and had reared most of the
silk-producing Bombyces. For the last twenty years he had
paid a good deal of attention to the Coleoptera, and at various
times had spent a holiday at many of the famous collecting
grounds, such as the New Forest (where he was successful in
taking Anthaxia nitidula), Braunton Burrows, etc., ete.
Of the two orders mentioned, he had made fairly good
collections, while Hymenoptera, Diptera, Arachnida, and
Naturalist,
In Memoritam— Wilson Hemingway. 127
Acaridae contributed to its variety. The writer has pleasant
memories of many happy hours spent with his old friend in the
field and in his library surrounded by the many interesting
natural objects with which it abounded. Though old when
years are counted, his heart was ever young, his enthusiasm
for nature study never waned. Although seventy-one when he
retired from practice, and removed from Wath to Grange,
he soon discovered kindred spirits there, with the result that
the Grange Natural History Society was founded. Of this
society he was the Secretary and prime mover. His delight
on discovering Anchomenus marginatus in abundance at Grange
was intense, his letters describing his captures abounding with
careful details of first-hand observations. On December 3rd
he lectured before the Grange Society on ‘ Incidents in an event-
ful life,’ and a few hours later took a chill, which developed into
pneumonia, and terminated fatally on the evening of the 31st.
Thus at the ripe old age of eighty-one, came to an end a life
of usefulness and many-sidedness. Here we are mainly con-
cerned with the natural history side of his career, but it would
be misleading to infer that this was the extent of his usefulness.
He was all that we have said and more, indeed it is difficult
to write with becoming restraint of the gap which the loss of
our old friend has made in the lives of those who were privileged
to enjoy his intimate friendship. Ever ready to take an intelli-
gent and active part in any public or private work which com-
mended itself to him, his place will be difficult to fill.
He was interred in the cemetery at Wath on January 4th.
E.G. B:
Serene: cole
WILSON HEMINGWAY.
It is with deep regret we have to announce the death of Mr.
Wilson Hemingway of Dewsbury. Mr. Hemingway had been
a member of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union since 1893, and
for long before that date as an Associate through his member-
ship of the now defunct Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society. Besides
taking a great interest in the work of the Union at its meetings
and excursions, which he often attended, he occupied a foremost
place in connection with other Literary and Educational Institu-
tions. He was one of the first members of the Bronté Society
as well as the Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society, and a good sup-
porter of the present Technical School and of its forerunner the
old Mechanics’ Institution.
1907 March tr.
128 Northern News.
My last conversation with him was about three months ago,
when he detailed to me some of his experiences at the Flam-
borough excursion and the Farnley Tyas Fungus Foray of the
past year. Mr. Hemingway was a genial companion in the
field, as the writer can testify on many an occasion.
In the Flamborough group (‘The Naturalist,’ 1906, p. 248),
his life-like portrait * occupies a prominent place to the left of
the picture. —P. F.L.
— <¢ oS -——
NORTHERN NEWS.
‘Le Bambou, son etude, Sa Culture, son Emploi’ is the title of a periodical
published at Mons, Belgium, which is devoted exclusively to the culture and
uses of Bamboo. The first volume has just been completed.
Mr. A. G. Tansley, of the University College, London, has been appointed
Lecturer in Botany at Cambridge in succession to Mr. A. C. Seward, who
has succeeded the late Prof. Marshall Ward in the Chair of Botany.
A White Blackbird and a Pied Sparrow are reported as living in the
grounds of the Hancock Natural History Museum. When last we heard of
them they were on the right side of the walls of the Museum.
At a recent meeting of the Doncaster Scientific Society the following
gentlemen were elected honorary members of the Society :—Messrs. E. G,
Bayford, C. Crossland, P. F. Kendall, G. T. Porritt, T. Sheppard, and
J. W. Taylor.
Still further evidence of the spread of nature knowledge. The posters
recently issued by the ‘authorities’ in reference to the new regulations
relating to dogs, officially informs us that ‘dogs shall be animals for the
purposes of the following sections,’ etc.
In the February Geological Magazine, Prof. E. J. Garwood has some
‘Notes on the Faunal Succession in the Carboniferous Limestone of West-
moreland and neighbouring portions of Lancashire and Yorkshire.’ The
same magazine has an excellent portrait (with memoir) of Mr. W. Whitaker,
[Bvalon Nola sey MCE
In an article on ‘ Marble and Marble Working’ in ‘ The Quarry’ for
February, we learn that ‘ Crinoidal... applies to marbles made up of
fossilised shell fragments. In some cases the shell formation is retained
entire, in others it has been replaced by calcite crystals.’ Before making
any criticisms, geologists should read the article immediately following on
‘The value of detonating caps in blasting!” A little further in the same
journal a blasting accident is recorded at Penrhiwceiber, we hope an
attempt to pronounce the name had nothing to do with it.
Another writer on crinoids, in ‘The Country Side,’ informs us that a
pentacrinus consists of a cup-shaped body with a crown or arms ‘attached
by a stalk belonging to the Pentacrinidaz.’ The stalk consists of ‘ring-
like or pentagonal joints,’ and ‘The whole group is Paleozoic, . . . these
particular ones are Jurassic, ranging from the Trias to the present day,’
‘In view of this scientific statement,’ the author adds ‘it will be wiser to add
nothing upon the ‘*‘star-stone’s” magical properties.’ — It will.
* With his hat upon -his knee.
Naturalist,
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
Tue Museum, Hutt;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., 4 WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :—
_ Notes and Comments (Illustrated):—A new False Scorpion, The Malton Museum and CNA
its History, Mammal v. Animal, Naturalist Associations and Naturalist Magazines,
A Deformed Belemnite, Griffithides Barkei ite . ae uae a ..- 129-135
A Large Trout near Harrogate (Illustrated)—R. Fortune, F.ZS. LN te erm iteey(| 8 Lee 134
Cornus Suecica on the York Moors—Harold J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. Oot p . 135-186
The Driftless Area of North-East Yorkshire and its Relation to the Geographical
Distribution of certain Plants and Insects—Frank Elzgee ne Me ».. 137-143
Notes on Yorkshire Lepidoptera in 1906—W’. Hewett ar us a Ne Ras ... 144-146
On Peculiarities in Attis Spiders—W. W. Strickland, B.A. BE SE ON ae a
Note on a Liassic Concretion—/. M. Burton, F.L.S., F.G. s. us Ee ne kau ... 149-150
Two New Yorkshire Hepatics—Wi. Ingham, B.A. ... an B Lee oe tee Pa Gy BS
The Chemistry of Some Common Plants—P. Q. Keegan, LL.D. ... Vai sad oe ... 1538-155
In Memoriam—The Rt. Hon. Lord Liverpool, F.S.A. A wee Bi AN ae a 156
Field Notes ES a:
133, 152, 156-158
143, 148, 150, 158-159
Spee EY eae ties, 136, 155, 160
wee ane nee ane aes ane 189,182, 188, 184
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129
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
A NEW FALSE SCORPION.
In the Report of the Nottingham Naturalists’ Society, which is
reviewed elsewhere, Mr. Wallis Kew has a note on ‘ Chernese
cyrneus: a recent addition to the known False-scorpions of
Britain.’ An illustration, which we are kindly allowed to
reproduce herewith, and a very detailed description, accompany
Mr. Wallis Kew’s note. The specimen in question was ob-
tained in Sherwood Forest, and of course is much magnified
in the illustration. The specimen now added to the British list
had previously been found in Corsica and other places abroad,
and is of interest, as it is the largest of our false-scorpions.
THE MALTON MUSEUM
At the Annual Meeting of the Malton Naturalists’ Society,
recently held, it was announced that as the room in the Institute
Buildings, in which the socicty’s collections were housed, was
required as a smoke and games room [!], the museum would
have to be transferred elsewhere. It is sincerely to be hoped
that a suitable suite of rooms will be secured for the exceedingly
valuable specimens which the society possesses. Largely as the
result of the labours of the late Samuel Chadwick, the Malton
Museum contains a series of archeological and palzontological
specimens of the greatest value, and most of the objects are
of peculiar interest to Maltonians, as they have been obtained
in, or close to, the town. British, Roman, and later relics of
1907 April 1.
130 Notes and Comments.
exceptional interest are included, whilst the fossils from the
Corallian and other local deposits are known throughout the
country for their excellence. It is sincerely to be hoped that
Malton will be able to provide a suitable set of rooms—worthy
of the collection—and thus enable the town to possess a local
museum of great educational value.
AND ITS HISTORY.
At this meeting, Mr. M. B. Slater, who has done so much
amongst the Yorkshire Mosses, gave an account of the history
of the society. ‘The commencement of the society,’ said Mr.
Slater, ‘was immediately after a meeting of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union, which was held at Malton in 1883. The
late Prof. W. C. Williamson, then the President of the Union,
was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of Malton
people present.’ Many of these were induced to take an interest
in natural history, the local society was formed, and grew, and
even at the present time has a balance in hand, although last
year’s subscriptions have not been collected !
MAMMAL v. ANIMAL.
Mr. E. Kay Robinson, having referred to ‘Birds and Animals’
when he should have said ‘ Birds and Mammals,’ and having
been corrected by a number of readers of Zhe Country Side,
seeks to justify his action in a recent issue of that journal. His
substitution of the word ‘animal’ for mammal was the result
of what he hopes will be Azs ‘ final decision’ of a ‘ very trouble-
some question.’ ‘In ordinary conversation,’ Mr. Robinson adds,
‘we think of an animal as a hairy, hot-blooded creature with
four limbs.’ And in ‘ordinary conversation,’ too, a whale
would be looked upon as a fish, we suppose. But this ‘ ordi-
nary conversation’ is incorrect, and just as inaccurate as it
would be in ordinary conversation to refer to, say Mr. Robinson,
as a raving maniac; nothing could be further from the truth.
Why, therefore, in a professedly popular journal, endeavour to
perpetuate an error? Mr. Robinson admits that, e¢ymologically
speaking, ‘mammals’ is the correct word. Reference is made
to the ‘scientists’ who strive to force upon us their strict dis-
tinction between mammal and animal, and we learn that ‘there
is no sufficient excuse for the zzvention of such a word as
‘mammal’ to replace the popular word animal. He has
watched, with sympathy, the attempts of scientific writers to
popularise the word mammal, but in his opinion they have
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 131
completely failed. ‘So 7 propose to drop the word mammal...
and to use the word ‘‘animal” instead.’ But, though Mr.
Robinson may consider he has thus decided the future use
of the word in scientific and popular literature, he condescends
to ask to receive the opinions of ‘naturalist friends’ on the
* proposed zznovation ;’ hence these words. But we can assure
Mr. Robinson that his ‘proposed innovation’ is merely a
childish and unpardonable error, which, until recently, was
made by most very small boys and girls, and also by illiterate
‘grown-ups.’ But we are thankful to say that in many of our
schools to-day, the average intelligent child would be able to
say that a whale was not a fish, and that animals were not
necessarily all ‘four-limbed, hot-blooded, and with hair.’
Possibly, however, we are taking too seriously the nature
of Country Side, but at present we have certainly the impres-
sion that it is intended to appeal to nature lovers, who, of all
people, ought to be able to express themselves correctly.
NATURALIST ASSOCIATIONS.
In connection with the journal just referred to, is a ‘ British
Empire Naturalist Association,’ the aim of which would hardly
seem to be to encourage an interest in nature study, so much
as to encourage the sale of the journal. An application for
particulars of the ‘B.E.N.A.’ means that one becomes a
member of this association, willy-nilly, and a ‘card of member-
ship’ is sent, which allows the holder ‘and all members of the
same household’ to have ‘all the benefits’ of the association.
One of these is that one may write ‘ B.E.N.A.’ after his name,
but not M.B.E.N.A., as the ‘use of ‘‘ M.” to signify ‘‘ Member,”
is only necessary in the case of societies which have separate
grades, as ‘‘ Fellows,” ‘‘ Members,” and ‘‘ Associates.” In the
B.E.N.A. we are all equal.’ Lest the owner of this pennyworth
of title should not be recognised, he can wear a badge, presum-
ably to be obtained in due course, on receipt of stamp. One
of these B.E.N.A. ‘nature lovers’ has just distributed 400
butterflies, and 430 birds’ eggs, and wants further specimens.
Strangely enough, one of the objects of the association is to
secure protection for wild life |‘animal,’ bird, and insect pre-
sumably], wild plants, and interesting antiquities, conszsently
weth the legitimate interests of the sportsman and collector!
After perusing the ‘objects’ on the slip of paper sent, one
gets an idea of another ‘object’ of the association, when
turning the leaflet over, one is greeted with a recommendation
1go7 April 1.
132 Notes and Comments.
in large type, to a certain firms ‘ dog-biscuits, dry.’ (Similarly
the prize for an ‘Eyes and No Eyes’ competition in the Country
Side is divided amongst a number of successful competitors,
who guessed the right tablet of Coal Tar Soap!). There is a
list of the members of the B.E.N.A., but as we are informed that
‘It must*be understood that this list is not accurate,’ we need
not seriously consider it. In one Yorkshire town at any rate,
‘all the members’ of one household are enjoying the benefits
of the ‘B.E.A.N.S.,’ or whatever it is, and they represent six out
of the seven for that town!
AND NATURALIST MAGAZINES.
Another advertising concern, which has already been referred
to in these columns, the Waturalists’ Quarterly Review, bas
reached its /#fti number, notwithstanding the fact that the
nature of its contents is as Davis-Westellian as ever. Under
‘A Few Notes on Nature’s Year,’ Mr. Westell gives some
characteristic notes. We are told ‘to note the network of the
bare trees, the robin sings again, rabbits become frolicsome,
the song-thrush sings, February fill-dyke, earth-worms begin
to move, beetles move, the mad March hare to be seen, and the
woodpecker laughs.’ And no wonder! The same issue con-
tains a lengthy notice of ‘Every Boy’s Book of Natural History,’
the writer of which apparently has a very different opinion of
the merits of that work from that held by the writer of the
review in our columns recently.
A DEFORMED BELEMNITE.
From time to time we have drawn attention to belemnite
deformities, and have figured specimens from the chalk and
from the Speeton Clay. Mr. C. G. Danford has favoured us
Deformed Belemnites jaculum.
with a further example, which is figured herewith. As will be
seen from the tapering of the alveolar end, the species is Belem-
nites jaculum, which is characteristic of bed C of the Neocomian
clays at Speeton. It is nearly four inches long, and at the
point of the guard is indented and twisted, obviously by damage
or disease, during the life of the animal.
Naturalist,
Field Note. 133
GRIFFITHIDES BARKEI.
In the ‘Yorkshire Geological Society’s Proceedings,’ Dr.
Henry Woodward describes a specimen of Griffithides barket
from Angram, in Nidderdale. This trilobite was found by Mr.
E. Hawkesworth in the black carbonaceous shales occurring
below the Millstone Grit, and a figure of the species, four times
Griffithides barkei.
natural size, we are able, by the society’s permission, to repro-
duce. Dr. Woodward is not justified in describing the trilobite
as a new species, though he points out certain differences
between Mr. Hawkesworth’s specimen and that found by Mr.
Barke on the same horizon in Glamorganshire.
is
MAMMALS.
Remains of Bos primigenius near Doncaster.—Mr. Lloyd
Roberts, the engineer for the South Yorkshire Joint Stock
Railway, lately showed me a horn-core of Bos that had been
found during excavations for the new line near Loversal. The
core, of which the distal end is missing, measures 20 ins. along
the outer side of the curve. Circumference at proximal end
14.5 ins., and at the broken distal end 6.25 ins.—H. H.
CorsBett, Doncaster.
1907 April 1.
134
A LARGE TROUT NEAR HARROGATE.
R. FORTUNE, F°Z-S:
A LARGE Trout was captured on September 28, 1906, at Beaver
Dyke near Harrogate. Some little time after it was caught it
weighed 8 lbs. Its length is 26 inches, and depth 6} inches.
It was obtained when the reservoir, belonging to the Corpora-
tion, was being cleaned out. Beaver Dyke has, for some time,
been renowned for its large trout, but never before has this
weight and size been approached.
It was a matter of surprise to find that the water contained
very few trout, only about fifty being observed, and yet it is
a!
hardly surprising, for the amount of damage done by a fish
of this size would be considerable, for, as a rule, these large fish
are rabid cannibals, and worse than pike in their powers of
destructiveness. The water is well rid of the monster.
A few Chub and Dace, and a quantity of Gudgeon were
seen, probably it may be a puzzle how they got there, seeing
that they are not found in the Oak Beck, or at any rate only a
short distance from its joining the Nidd. There can be no
doubt but that they have been introduced by anglers, who have
had small specimens when spinning for trout, and at the end
of the day have emptied their bait cans in the reservoir.
Cray fish are found here abundantly, many of them growing
to a large size.
Naturalist,
V35
CORNUS SUECICA ON THE YORK MOORS.
HAROLD J. BURKILL, M.A., F.R.G.S.
Tuis plant is recorded in Mr. J. G. Baker’s ‘North Yorkshire ’
as occurring in three localities, v7z. Hole of Horcum, Cross Cliff
Banks, and near Hackness. Mr. Gordon Home’s ‘ Yorkshire
Coast and Moorland Scenes,’ published some two or three years
ago, gave (erroneously) the Hole of Horcum as the only locality
for the plant south of the Cheviots.
In may therefore be of interest to Yorkshire botanists to
place on record the notes on this plant I have been able to
make during the past fifteen years, partly from information
supplied by others, and partly from my own observations.
(1) From information given me by the two authors mentioned
above, I should say that the records for the Hole of Horcum
possibly refer to the same patch of Cornus which is inside the
Hole. In neither case, however, has the recorder seen the plant
growing there.
(2) Cross Cliff Banks. This locality, mentioned by Mr. Baker,
is probably identical with the one well-known to some members
of the Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society, where there is a
small bed of the plant, the precise position of which is carefully
kept secret, and observations made every year by the society.
In spite of these precautions, this patch may be in danger of
extermination from ruthless collectors, as when I visited it in
August 1904, a considerable amount of damage had been done
to the plants by someone a few days previously. It was, how-
ever, fairly plentiful in 1905.
I have not heard the term ‘Banks’ applied to this part of
Cross Cliff, but as this is by far the best known habitat of the
plant, I have no doubt it is the one reported some years ago to
Mr. Baker.
(3) Near the Derwent towards Hackness. This locality
given by Mr. Baker is not one that I can identify. There are
some likely places near Langdale End Village, and again lower
down the valley on the hillside to the west of the stream, but I
have not heard of the plant from this neighbourhood. Mr.
Baker himself cannot give further information about this spot
than he has in his book, and Mr. Wilson, the Hackness school-
master, who has succeeded in instilling a love of botany among
his pupils, told me in 1905 he did not know of it in the district.
(4) The largest patch of the plant I know of is between the
1907 April r.
136 Northern News.
Hole of Horcum and Goathland, and was pointed out to me by
Miss Barker, of Scarborough, in 1904. Here it is strongly
established, and extends for a distance of about one hundred
yards in the heather. When re-visited in 1905 the plant seemed
to have spread further down the hillside.
(5) Mr. R. H. Barker pointed out to me a small patch of the
plant nearer Scarborough than the Cross Cliff locality known to
the Scarborough Field Naturalists. As the plant here is nearly
extinct, being apparently smothered by other plants, I prefer
not to give the precise position, but it is not the place mentioned
by Mr. Baker as being near Hackness.
(6) The plant was gathered some years ago near the head of
Staindale, but I have not been on the hillside where it was found,
and cannot say if it is still there.
(7) Last October I was told it had been gathered on one of
the slopes of Troutsdale by a Scarborough botanist. This
locality seems in every way a suitable one for the plant, and I
should not be surprised to hear it occurs in more than one spot.
Thus the plant is well established on the moors between the
coast and Newton Dale, and I should think there are probably
several other localities besides the seven I have mentioned
above. It may be grubbed up by collectors in some of the
smaller patches, and so exterminated ; but it seems to me that
it does not get killed off when the heather is burnt, as it occurs in
places where this is done at intervals, and near the largest patch
I have mentioned the heather has evidently been burnt more
than once during the last twenty or thirty years. I have not,
however, come across the Cornus on a recently-burnt patch of
moor, so my opinion is open to contradiction by observers who
have more chances of studying the plant than I have in occa-
sional holiday trips to the Scarborough district.
I was at Hawnby for three weeks this last summer, but did
not meet with the plant on that part of the moors, though I
was out on the hills nearly every day.
I understand Mr. Gordon Home has a second edition of his
book in the press at the present time, and that the statement
referred to above has been corrected.
—_~e—
The first annual meeting of the Lancashire Amalgamation of Natura
History Societies was held at the Accrington Mechanics Institute, on
March 9th. Seventeen delegates attended. It was decided to commence
an organ of the Union, to be called the ‘ Lancashire Naturalist." This is to
contain 16 pages a month, and is to be sold at one penny. If successful,
greater things will be attempted.
Naturalist,
137
THE DRIFTLESS AREA OF NORTH-EAST YORKSHIRE
AND ITS RELATION T0) THE GEOGRAPHICAL
DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN PLANTS AND
INSECTS.
FRANK ELGEE,
Middlesbrough.
One of the most remarkable features of the glacial geology of
Yorkshire is the driftless area occupied by the moorlands of
Cleveland, which also form one of the great botanical aspects
of the county. In the words of Sir Archibald Geikie, ‘these
uplands appear to have formed an insular space round which
the ice sheets swept, but which remained unsubmerged.’ There
is no question of any marine submergence whatever in this area,
for Professor Kendall has conclusively proved to all who have
examined the evidence fairly that a complicated system of extra-
morainic lakes was held up in the valleys open to the ice sheets.*
But the region occupied either by the ice or the lakes does not
seem to have received the attention, from a natural history point
of view, which it ought to have had. It has frequently been
supposed that the driftless region was a barren desert, and only
supporting a few Arctic plants, during the Ice Age, but no
evidence can be adduced to substantiate this opinion. I hope
to show that far from such being the case, the area in question
probably maintained a fairly numerous fauna and flora during
the Glacial Period. The object of this paper is, therefore, to
briefly indicate what, in my opinion, was the botanical and
zoological condition of the area at the climax of that period.
The driftless region measures, roughly, about thirty by
eighteen miles, and embraces nearly the whole of the moorlands
of north east Yorkshire. The dales on the north side of the
watershed were, during the maximum extension of the ice,
occupied by extra-morainic lakes, but the great valleys of Bils-
dale, Bransdale, Farndale, and Rosedale were free of either
ice or water. To the south the area was bounded by Lake
Pickering.
With the oncoming of the glaciers, the animals and plants
inhabiting the lowlands of England would either be driven
southwards or exterminated. The views of Dr. Scharff and
others are that parts of the British fauna and flora survived
* See ‘ Naturalist,’ 1903, pp. 14-15.
1907 April 1.
138 Elgee: The Driftless Area of North-East Yorkshire
in the south of England, and in sheltered places, throughout
the Ice Age. With the retreat of the ice, the fauna and flora
again spread into their former haunts, probably with the addition
of further species from the Continent. But the south of the
country need not have been the only place where the pre-glacial
fauna and flora survived. It seems quite possible that many of
its members escaped destruction on the extensive driftless area
of north-east Yorkshire. The great dales south of the moor-
land anticlinal would afford ample shelter for numbers of
animals and plants, whilst even the higher moors may not have
been devoid of vegetation. Let us glance at some of the likely
inhabitants of the region during the Ice Age.
The Flora.—When we consider the Arctic range of many
of the moorland plants and the rigorous climates to which they
are exposed, I think we need have little hesitation in concluding
that they probably lived on the driftless area throughout the
Glacial Period. Among them we may mention the Cotton
Grass, Bilberry, Crowberry, Heather, Bracken, Birch, Sallow,
the Lesser Twayblade, Potentilla, Zrzentalis europaea, and the
famous northern species the May Lily, the Dwarf Cornel, Carex
pauctfiora, etc. In other words, the moors during the Ice Age
must have been much the same as they are to-day so far as
vegetation is concerned. It, however, necessarily follows that
the moors must be of pre-glacial origin, though some of them
are certainly of post-glacial age. Among these latter may be
mentioned Eston Moor, the most northerly of all the Yorkshire
heather-clad areas. As pointed out in my paper in this journal
for August, 1906, p. 269, the whole of the Eston outlier was
overridden by the Cheviot Glacier ; consequently, its moors are
of post-glacial age. The drift here is very thin, and the hard
sandstone crops out at the surface, forming the usual poor
moorland soil. Some of the moors of the North Cleveland
watershed are also of post-glacial origin, viz., Girrick, Wapley,
and Easington Moors, which were heavily glaciated. It would
seem as though the plants of the driftless area spread on to the
lands deserted by the ice, and possibly in some cases across the
lowlands of Cleveland. Round about Seamer, near Stokesley,
Marton, etc., there are many place-names indicating that moors
existed on the Cleveland plain since the period of the Scandi-
navian invasion of the district. This view receives confirmation
when we learn that the superficial deposits at the above-named
localities are chiefly of glacial sand and gravel, and Graebner
has pointed out how heather moors develop on bare sand, fer se
Naturalist,
Elgee: The Driftless Area of North-East Vorkshtre. 139
(Graebner, Die Heide Norddeutschlands). Cultivation has now
reclaimed all these waste spaces, though whether they were
always free from trees is doubtful.
The Fauna.—In considering the present moorland fauna
we have to bear in mind that some of the species are of pre-
glacial origin, and survived on this region, and that some have
emigrated into the area after the Ice Age. It is not always
easy to distinguish between the two, but a fairly safe guide is
to be found in the present geographical distribution of the
species. Those of northern origin, or that range into cold
climates, are the most likely to have escaped destruction by
taking refuge in the uplands; whilst those species of southern
origin probably left the district, to reappear with the ameliora-
tion of the climate. The former class is well represented by
many species of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera among the insects,
some of which are exclusively confined to the typical moorland
plants enumerated above. Taking the Lepidoptera first, the
following is a list of the species known to occur on the driftless
region, with their geographical distribution and their food plants
in the larval state. None of them, as a rule, are found else-
where except on moors.
Agrotis strigula, North Europe (Calluna and Erica).
Agrotis agathina, West Central Europe (Calluna and Erica).
Celena haworthit, North and North Central Europe (Cotton
Grass).
Anarta myrtilli, North, Central, and South West Europe
(Erica).
Flepialus velleda, North and Central Europe (Roots of
Bracken).
Plusia interrogationis, North Europe and North Asia, in the
British Islands becoming commoner northwards (Calluna
and Erica).
Eupithecta nanata, Central Europe (Calluna and Erica).
Eupithecia minutata, Holland and Germany, probably a heath-
frequenting form of 4. absinthiata which is found in
North Europe (Calluna and Erica).
Acidala fumata, North, and the mountains of Central
Europe, North Asia (Calluna, Erica, and Vaccinium).
Larentia caestata, North, and the mountains of Central
Europe, North West Asia, and America (Erica and
Vaccinium).
Scodiona belgiarta Central Europe (Erica and Calluna).
1907, April 1.
140 Elgee: The Driftless Area of North-East Yorkshire.
Aspilates strigillaria, Central Europe (Erica and Calluna).
Cidaria populata, North Europe, Asia, and America
(Vaccinium).
Cidarta testata, North Europe, Asia, and America (Calluna).
Ematurga atomaria, Europe, West-Central, and North Asia
(Erica, Lotus, Trifolium).
Panagra petraria, Central Europe, West-Central, and North
Asia, and Japan (Bracken).
Phycts fusca, North Europe and North America (Erica).
Polia solidagints, North and Central Europe, North-West
Asia (Vaccinium).
Venusta cambricarta, North and Central Europe, North Asia,
Japan, North America (Mountain Ash).
In looking over this list we find that fifteen species are found
in North Europe and North Asia, and therefore habituated
to colder climates than that of Britain, and joining this with the
further fact that species of the genera Colzas, Pachnobia, Plusza,
Anarta, Cidaria and Eupithecta are inhabitants of the Arctic
parts of Europe and America, there seems little reason to doubt
that many of the above species were enabled to live on the
driftless region throughout the Ice Age. On the other hand
there are some moor Lepidoptera which may have re-occupied
the region in post-glacial times. Among them are Saturnia
carpint, an insect of Asiatic origin; Bombyx rubi, Lastocampa
guercus, and Sfzlosoma fuliginosa, which, besides feeding on
heather, live on many other kinds of plants.
The survival of insects on the driftless area receives sepa
able verification in the following quotation from Heilprin’s
“Geographical Distribution of Animals’ (p. 280) :—‘ The
officers of the British North Pole Expedition, under the command
of Sir George Nares, brought home a surprisingly rich fauna
from the region [Grinnell Land] lying between the seventy-
eighth and eighty-third parallels of latitude, comprising no less
than forty-five species of true insects and sixteen arachnids, the
former distributed as follows: Hymenoptera, five species (two
humble-bees); Coleoptera, one; Lepidoptera, thirteen; Diptera,
fifteen ; Hemiptera, one; Mallophaga, seven ; and Collembola,
three. Among the Lepidoptera are a number of forms belong-
ing to genera common in the temperate zones, such as Codzas,
Argynnis, Lycaena, etc., which appear the more remarkable,
seeing that the species of this order are more limited in Green-
land (with an insect fauna numbering eighty species), and that
Naturalist,
Elgee: The Driftless Area of North-East Vorkshtre. 141
no forms are met with either in Iceland or Spitzbergen, although
upwards of three hundred species of insects are represented in
the former.’
Among the Coleoptera several distinctly northern and Alpine
species now existing in North Yorkshire in all probability lived
within the ice free region, e.g., Pterostichus aethiops and P.
vitreus, both Alpine species ; and Miscodera arctica, recorded by
Mr Lawson Thompson, from Stanghow Moor. Doubtless
others have survived, especially those which live on the moor-
land plants, such as Haltica ericett, Ceuthorhynchus erica, etc.
If these northern and Alpine species lived in sheltered places
on the uplands during the Ice Age, it does not follow that no
southern forms managed to struggle through thereon. If, as
the Ice Age progressed, any species of southern origin con-
trived to escape on the driftless area, we ought still to find
them either on the region itself or, allowing for dispersal since
the close of the Glacial Period, just outside its bounds. The
evidence, too, would be complete if the species also occurred in
the south of England, but not in the intermediate area.
Although such a case seems highly improbable, yet we actually
have one in the Solitary Ant (WutZla europaea), of which two
specimens have been discovered in East Yorkshire, the first by
Mr. Hey in 1903; and the second by myself in 1904.*
As this insect is a rare and interesting species, it will be
worth our while to dwell a little longer on its geographical
distribution, and see by what means it has arrived in East
Yorkshire. Before the above records were made, the most
northern locality for MJutilla europaea, according to Mr.
Saunders, was Colchestsr in Essex ; nor since his great work
on the Hymenoptera Aculeata of Britain appeared, have any
except the Yorkshire examples been found north of that town
(as he informs me in answer to a letter I wrote asking if such
were the case).
We have here a very remarkable example of discontinuous
distribution within our island, but before attempting an explana-
tion of it we must glance at the further distribution of the
species in England and Europe. In England it occurs
principally in the sandy regions of Surrey, Dorset, Hampshire,
and Berkshire, whilst on the Continent it is found in Sweden,
Finland, Russia, Austria, Germany, and Italy.
If now we examine the distribution of the genus Mutilla in
OO
; * ‘Naturalist,’ 1903, p. 455; and 1GO5, p. 4o.
1¢go7 April 1,
142 Elgee: The Driftless Area of North-East Yorkshire.
Europe we find that its head-quarters are in France, and that
the further north we go the rarer it becomes. Thus, in France
there are thirty species, in Germany eleven, in Sweden two, and
in Finland two. Russia has ten species (it is not stated whether
all these are found in South Russia or not ; some occur in the
neighbourhood of Elizabethgrad), Italy seven, and Greece three.
Two species occur in Britain, JZ. europea and M. ephippium,
both practically limited to the south-east of England. From
these facts it seems clear that the Mutille have spread over
Europe from the south, and this inference is further confirmed
by the fact that in North Africa twenty-one species live in Algeria,
two in Tunis, two in Tangiers, twenty in Egypt, etc. Moreover,
six species are common to Europe and Africa.
It is known from geological data that North Africa and the
‘south of Spain were at one time connected by a land bridge,
and across this 'and must have come the European Mutille.
The genus is certainly not of European origin, as over 1000
species are known from all parts of the world, chiefly the tropical
parts of Africa, Australia, and South America. In the New
World, the further north we go the rarer the genus becomes, as
the following figures show :—
South America 133 species.
Central America 25 species.
North America 15 species.
The same decrease towards the north is shown here as in Europe.
It must, therefore, be concluded that ages ago the Mutillz
originated in tropical regions, whence they have spread over a
greater part of the earth. Mutclla europea and its congener
entered England when our island was part of the Continent, and
probably formed part of the oldest fauna of Britain, and belonged
to the Lusitanian invasion of Dr. Scharff. It would then
gradually spread over the country in pre-glacial times; with the
oncoming of the Ice Age it would be exterminated in the
glaciated area, but would manage to survive in the south and
on the driftless area. This region is quite suited to its habits,
possessing a sandy surface soil such as the insect loves. Of
course, the bees on which it is parasitic must have survived as
well. Moreover, the very fact that the ant lives at the present
day in Sweden and Finland proves that it can withstand a cold
climate. In this way would the curious distribution of this
insect in England appear to be accounted for, and if we
accept the opinion of Dr. Scharff ‘that the climate of Europe
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 143
during the Glacial Period was by no means so severe as we are
often led to believe,’* the conclusions in this paper are
strengthened. Many facts of geographical distribution can only
be explained on the assumption of pre-glacial survivals.
Since the close of the Ice Age many of the upland survivors
have no doubt spread on to the land formerly occupied by the
glaciers, and in this respect it is worthy of note that the spot
where I found JZ. europea was the summit of the Brown Rigg
oxbow, that grand memorial of the Ice Age in the neighbourhood
of Robin Hood’s Bay, described by Professor Kendall. The
species has, therefore, apparently spread from the driftless
region.
Further investigations are needed to firmly establish the
views above set forth. More cases of the same nature as
Mutilla europea are required, and I hope will be forthcoming.
The great valleys of Bilsdale, Rosedale, Farndale, etc., would
well repay working, as they exhibit no traces of ice action ;
besides, their natural history has not received that thorough
investigation which it certainly deserves.
For the facts concerning the distribution of the Lepidoptera,
I am indebted to Meyrick’s ‘ Handbook’ ; for those concerning
the Mutillz to the catalogues of the British Museum, and to the
‘Hymenoptera Aculeata of the British Islands’ by Mr. Saunders.
——_e—__
‘One and All’ Gardening, 1907.—London: The Agricultural and
Horticultural Association. Price twopence.
The Editor opens the work with an article on Country in Town,
giving details of the movement for beautifying our towns and cities with
garden features. The Hon. H. A. Stanhope writes on Some Useful Native
Plants ; James Scott on Secrets of Garden Flowers and The Formation of
Soil; Horace J. Wright, F.R.H.S., on Onions ; Co-operative Gardens and
Houses, by the late G. J. Holyoake; Ivy Gardens; Rhododendrons as
Winter Flowers; Shakespeare’s Gardens; The Colour of Flowers, etc.
There is a Poet’s Calendar of all the Months in the Year, by the late
Nora Chesson.
Blackie’s Nature Knowledge Diary, compiled by W. P. Westell
(6d. net), is a pamphlet of ruled pages, resembling a school register, with an
‘introduction.’ It contains a ‘Monthly Weather Chart,’ with ruled squares,
and marked ‘bar’ and ‘inches’ on the left. Then follows several pages ruled
with headings, ‘ Date,’ ‘ Barometer,’ ‘Thermometer,’ ‘ Seaweed,’ ‘ Rainfall,’
etc. The book, however, is probably likely more to repel an interest in
nature by the scholar than to encourage it. After justly urging the observer
to make a ‘note on the spot,’ ‘ which is worth a cart-load of ‘ recollections,”
it is pointed out that ‘no record can be too trifling.’ For a note book it may
not, but we hope that when the scholar has filled his ‘Diary’ he will not
print it under the head of ‘County Rambles,’ or some such title !
———————
* ‘European Fauna,’ p. 68.
1907 April 1.
144
NOTES ON YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA IN 1906.*
W. HEWETT.
THE past season has not been a good one for Lepidoptera, and
Yorkshire Entomologists agree that ‘sugar’ has, with odd
exceptions, been a failure all the season, and very few of even
the commonest species have been reported as abundant.
The most noteworthy records are the following :—
Mr. Fieldhouse reports the capture of a hermaphrodite
Fidonia atomarta, with one male, and one female antenna,
one hind and two fore wings light like the female, and the other
dark like the male.
Mrs. Lee, Huddersfield, took a specimen of the variety
Varleyata of Abraxas grossulariata at large at Huddersfield,
and Mr. Lee took one Aydraecia petasitis.
Mr. G. T. Porritt bred a brood of variety Varleyata of Abraxas
grossulartata, the form breeding absolutely true. He also took
a black form of /idonta atomaria on Harden Clough Moors,
Huddersfield, and Tephrosia biundularta at Huddersfield this
year; this last had not been seen in the district for probably
forty years. Selenta lunarta, a species which is always a great
rarity at Huddersfield, was taken by Mr. W. E. L. Wattam.
Mr. B. Morley, Skelmanthorpe, reports one long succession
of failures from beginning to end of season, and says it has
been very difficult to find anything to capture.
Cloantha solidaginis swarmed at Dunford Bridge at the end
of August.
Mr. George Parkin, Wakefield, reports the capture of a
specimen of Cherocampa celerio, the sharp-winged Hawk Moth
at Wakefield, taken on the outside of a shop window on
October 24th last, by Mr, H. Lumb. This specimen is now
in the collection of Mr. Porritt. He also states that the dark
variety of Odontopera bidentata is rapidly replacing the type
form in the Wakefield district, just as the dark variety of
Amphydasts betularta replaced the type of that species. Mr.
Parkin also notes the sparrow as feeding on imagines of Arctza
lubricipeda in his garden, and says sparrows are also par-
ticularly fond of ‘Yellow Underwings’ (Zrzphena pronuba).
Mr. Beck, Bradford, records Vanessa cardut on Rombalds
Moor, September 15th.
* Being the Report of the Entomological Section of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union,
Naturalist,
Hewett: Notes on Vorkshire Lepidoptera tn 1906. 145
Mr. Stanger, Leeds, reports Cr/zx spinu/a plentiful at Beeston,
June 6th. Polza cht, very dark, but not common, August 8th,
and states that he bred a black variety of Odontopera bidentata
at Leeds, and found Vanessa zo, the Peacock Butterfly, flying in
profusion at Bardsey, August 15th.
Mr. E. B. Tomkinson, Doncaster, reports Argynnis paphia
and Argynnts euphrosyne, both at Edlington in August, Vanessa
cardut at Edlington and Askern, and Thecla W-album at
Edlington, Sphinx ligustri larva and imago from Hatfield,
Calligenta miniata from Sandal Beat, Acronycta alnt at
Edlington, and three Cerigo cytherea at Edenthorpe. He
obtained, last winter, twenty-six pupz of Amphydasis betularia
at Edlington, seventeen of these emerged black, and the others
the ordinary form. He also captured a male Orgyia gonostigma
flying in Greenhouse Park early in September.
Mr. L. S. Brady of Sheffield thinks melanism increasing in
his district. The number of melanic specimens of Venusza
cambricarta was certainly in greater proportion this year than
formerly.
Mr. Hooper, Emby, near Wakefield, reports the capture of
four male Dasypolia templt.
Mr. W. Hewett records the capture of a beautiful lilac
coloured temale variety of Sphinx populé at York, from which
he obtained a large batch of eggs; and also records Hadena
glauca from Rombalds Moor; Cenonympha davus and Hyria
aurorarta from Thorne Moor, July.
Mr. J. Harrison, Barnsley, says the season seems to have
been very bad; he has come across Prays curtisellus and
Catopteryx cana very freely (previously only odd specimens
seen). He also bred and captured seven or eight varieties
of Pedisca solandriana, including the northern variety.
Mr. Porter, Hull, says Cirrhedia xerampelina has been
scarce this year, and Agrot’s ravida gets scarcer year by year.
Mr. J. W. Boult, Hull, says he captured a few Cwnonympha
davus on Thorne Moor, in June, and saw a swift fly after a
male Bombyx callune, but it went down among the heather and
the swift lost it. He has seen sparrows capture Chelonia caja,
Liparis dispar, and other moths, as he released them, when
rearing large numbers for varieties. He also saw a sparrow
catch a cockchafer and fly away with it.
Mr. T. A. Lofthouse, Middlesbrough, says the season has
been fairly good there. Took a single specimen of Celena
1g07 April 1.
K
146 Hewett: Notes on Yorkshtre Lepidoptera in 1906.
haworthit at sugar in his garden, also two or three Anchocelis
lunosa and a few Epunda lutulenta, also the variety capucina
of Mirselia oxyacanthe, in the Ayton district : although the type
is generally common in his garden, has never seen the variety
there, the place one would expect to find it if smoke has any-
thing to do with melanism. Noctua depuncta, one or two
specimens occurred ; a few Vanessa carduz also noticed. Autumn
larve scarce.
Mr. Arthur Whitaker of Barnsley says ‘sugar’ a complete
failure until October set in, when a few of the late species were
attracted by it. A few Cymatophora fluctuosa were taken in its
usual habitat in June. A specimen of Sphinx convolvuli was
found at Hoyland, near Barnsley, early in September. He
bred a black specimen of Odontopera bidentata from larve
taken last autumn in Barnsley. The sudden appearance of
a perfect swarm of Callimorpha jacobee on a waste unculti-
vated piece of land which he has known well for many years,
afforded interesting ground for speculation as to how the
insects reached, or were imported to the place, where he
had never seen a specimen before. The nearest locality, he
believes, where it previously occurred is distant somefive miles
from the field in question ; some fourteen years since the field
was used for growing grain and other crops, and jacobee
certainly occurred nowhere near it. Owing to subsidence
resulting from some shallow colliery workings, the surface
of the field became too rough to cultivate, and was abandoned ;
after this it gradually became over-run with ragwort, and
for many years he had looked upon it as an ideal spot for
Jjacobee, and wondered if the species would ever become
established there. He was over the ground often last year, and
saw no sign of it, and it came as a great surprise to him to find
the perfect insects there in abundance, early in June this year.
Mr. Staniland, Doncaster, reports Lobophora hexapterata,
and Cidaria silaceata at Wadworth in June, Axaztis plagiata,
Edlington, August, Chestas spartiata, Edenthorpe, October,
Cucullia umbratica, Edenthorpe, July, Zuo statices, Wheatley
Wood, Asthena sylvata, Edlington.
Mr. Thomson, Barnsley, took a dark form of Agriopzs
aprilina at sugar at Deffer Wood, Barnsley, in October; base
and centre of top wings almost black, sub-marginal band
greenish bronze edged with white, outer band black, and hind
wings perfectly black.
Naturalist,
147
ON PECULIARITIES IN ATTIS SPIDERS.
W. W. STRICKLAND, B.A.,
Tue Attis spiders are so extremely variable, that I doubt whether
any sort of approximately exhaustive list has been made of their
species. I have been several times to the Buitenzorg Gardens,
and seated myself at the spot where I saw the first Attis spider
that changed the colour of its eyes,* and many varieties have
continually appeared. One of them was a small spider of a
livid green colour, the same size as the green spider with
yellowish markings previously described. To my great satisfac-
tion I found that it too had the faculty of changing the colour
of its eyes from black to green ; what was better still, I succeeded
in catching it in a pocket-handkerchief, and taking it alive to
the museum. Here Major Owens put it into a large glass
bottle, and it speedily showed off its remarkable faculty, both
to him and to the Curator, Mynheer Koningsbuyer. Finally, on
my return to Batavia, I caught two specimens of a smalier
kind of Attis, which possesed the same faculty. They were
the colour of light whitey brown paper with a few darker
markings. The change of colour of their eyes was from nearly
black to nearly white (a very light whitey brown). Both the
specimens were bottled and sent to our authority in spiders,
Mr. R. I. Pocock, but whether they reached him alive I cannot
say, as he has not yet acknowledged their receipt. At Garoot,
a mvuuntain station on the Preanger (Battlefield), where the
climate is relatively cool, a good many Attis spiders were caught ;
two species of large brown ones, with nearly black eyes, and
a medium vivid whitey brown kind with nearly black stripings
and mottlings. There was also a fourth kind, intermediate in
colour between the brown and the whitey brown ones. All
I caught I bottled alive, and they lived together in tolerable
harmony so long as they had nothing to eat; one day, however,
in a bottle containing three of the large dark brown kind and
one smallish whitey brown one I put a fly, thinking it would
help to keep them alive and vigorous. The way one of the
large brown Attides leapt upon the fly and killed it would have
delighted those members of the sporting world to whom bull
baiting and cock-fighting appeal irresistibly. Next morning,
however, I found that the introduction of the fly had had tragic
results. One of the large spiders was dead and another dying.
Whether the fly had caused a surfeit, or been of a poisonous
——— ee _______ EEE
* See ‘ Naturalist,, November, 1906, pages 401-402.
1907 April I.
148 Reviews and Book Notices.
kind, or, what is most likely, the spiders had fought over the
remains with fatal consequences, is uncertain. I now put a
smaller specimen of the whitey brown spider into the bottle,
also with fatal results. The larger specimen already there, flew
upon the intruder with merciless ferocity and bit it. I with-
drew the victim as quickly as possible, but it was already
almost dead, and very soon breathed its last.
When left in the bottle without flies, these Attis spiders
make the best of things, spin a small hammock and sit there,
apparently perfectly happy, for an indefinite time. They
seemed to keep awake, but may ultimately hybern- or astivate.
There are, then, at present known, four kinds of Attis
spiders that have the faculty of changing the colour of their
eyes :—
(1) A relatively large kind with exceptionally large pair of
eyes, abdomen green: eyes change from black to green.
(2) A smaller kind: yreen with yellow stripes and markings:
eyes change from black to green.
(3) Another, livid green: same size as (2), eyes change from
black to green.
(4) A still smaller kind: very light whitey brown with
darker markings: eyes change from nearly black to very light
whitey brown.
Three of these kinds are insignificant in size, and it was
only the mere chance of the observing of this faculty in the large
and apparently very rare Attis spider that caused me to observe
it in the smaller ones. It is not surprising, therefore, that the
faculty has apparently never been observed before by naturalists,
whose chief object is often to secure as great a variety as
possible of species in spirits.
>2o———
Birds Shown to the Children. By M. K.C. Scott. Described by
J. A. Henderson. 112 pages, 48 coloured plates. Price 2/6. T.C. & E.C.
Jack, Edinburgh.
Flowers Shown to the Children. By Janet Harvey Kelman.
Described by C. E. Smith. 154 pages and 48 plates. Price 2/6. T. C.&
E. C. Jack, Edinburgh. :
“* These two volumes are of the ‘Shown to the Children’ Series, edited by
Louey Chisholm, and Messrs. Jack are to be congratulated on producing
two very tasteful little volumes, which will undoubtedly appeal to the young
children for whom the books have been specially written. The coloured plates
are usually very fine indeed, and are not misleading by being over-coloured.
In the second book the plates are arranged according to the colours of the
flowers, so that the child can readily find the picture and description of a
specimen he may meet with whilst on a walk. In each case the commoner
species are dealt with, and there is just sufficient letterpress—of the right
kind—to interest and instruct the youthful reader.
Naturalist,
149
NOTE ON A LIASSIC CONCRETION.
F. M. BURTON, F.L.S., F.G.S.,
Gainsborough.
A RATHER remarkable concretion has been met with in a well
which has recently been dug near a cottage at Blyton, a village
about four miles from Gainsborough, situated on the Lower
Lias. It consists of indurated clay, of a round disc-like shape
as big as a small cart wheel, thinning off at the outer rim.
When broken—and it had to be broken in pieces before it could
be got out—the interior showed, in places near the circumference,
vertical, fusiform cavities, 24 inches in height and about an inch
apart, crowded on their surfaces with small, almost pulverulent,
dog-tooth crystals of calcite, much stained with impurities,
giving the mass somewhat the appearance of a huge ammonite
with its septa.* In the middle portion the nodule is 44 inches
thick, and judging from the curve of the outer rim, when entire
it must have measured quite 3 feet in diameter, and probably
more. Besides these vertical openings near the outer rim, there
were many slits and cavities in the middle portion of the nodule,
all lined with similar crystals, but on the outside of it there was
no appearance of anything, the surface was homogeneous and
smooth throughout. There is, of course, nothing unusual in
this inner shrinkage and crystallisation, the cause of it is well
known. Some organic remains which had collected (perhaps
in a slight hollow of the matrix assuming its shape) had become
enveloped in a crust of clay, and the organisms, shrinking first
before the outer integument, secreted the crystals and caused
the fissures which are found in it.
Blyton lies on the fringe of the Am. angulatus zone of the
Lower Lias, and on examining the heap thrown out in digging
the well I found an ordinary septarian nodule, so frequent in
these deposits, with some thin pieces of hardened limestone
containing worn fragments of Gryphea and other fossils. The
well is 14 feet deep, and as the lowest zone of the Lower Lias,
Am. planorbis, occurs in this neighbourhood at about the same
horizon—being found near Corringham, Springthorpe, Lea,
Gate Burton, and Marton—this concretion may belong to that
zone which, in some places, shows signs of having been deposited
a
* The specimen sent to us is certainly remarkable for the regularity of
shape, and distance apart, of the lenticular cracks, which are, of course,
fusiform in section.—EDs.
1907 April 1.
150 Reviews and Book Notices.
in estuarine beds near the mouths of rivers, where organic
accummulations of this nature might, one would think, be more
likely to occur than in the angulatus zone above it.
I am sending characteristic specimens of this concretion to
the Museums at Hull and Lincoln, which latter, to my great
content, is now an accepted fact. May it, in course of time,
imitate the former in its usefulness !
—— -&& ——
Messrs. Charles Griffin and Co. have issued the twenty-third annual
Year Book of Scientific and Learned Societies of Great Britain
and Ireland: a record of the work done in Science, Literature, and Art
during the Session 1905-6 by numerous Societies and Government Institu-
tions. Not only does it contain useful information in reference to the
various scientific societies—large and small—throughout the kingdom, but
what is of more value to working naturalists—lists of the papers read at the
meetings and published in the transactions of these societies.
Quarterly Record of Additions, No. XIX.—Notes on a collection
of Roman Antiquities from South Ferriby in North Lincolnshire
(two parts). Guide to the Municipal Museum (second edition). (Hull
Museum Publications 37-40).
These latest issues sufficiently prove that the high standard of excellence
set at the initiation of the series is being maintained. A cursory examination
of them will show the value of making a museum a municipal institution.
Most people would imagine that after nearly five years of such strenuous
work as the Curator has done at this museum, the number of additions as
well as their comparative interest would decline. The latest quarterly
record would quickly disabuse any such notion. It opens with a highly
interesting account of Leather Jacks, illustrated by figures of specimens now
in the museum ; and is followed by a comprehensive sketch of relics of our
grandfathers’ days. As we look at the figures of moulds for ginger bread,
we are carried back to our school-boy days when birds and beasts, such as
could only exist in the Never-Never Land, ornamented with gold leaf, were
not uncommon objects in old dames’ windows. Whether this is a proof of
a greater conservatism in the West Riding than in the East, or merely
indicates that the writer is contemporanecus with the grandfather of the
author of this pamphlet, we need not stay to consider. It is enough to know
that in Hull, at anyrate, these vanishing land-marks of our progressive
civilisation are being zealously collected and preserved. Our grandchildren
will have cause to put a much higher value upon them than perhaps it is
possible for us to do, for they will never have that familiarity which the
proverb tells us breeds contempt.
The two pamphlets relating to Roman Antiquities from South Ferriby
are very valuable indeed, and deserve careful perusal. Beyond stating that
these antiquities are mainly brooches and the like, there is no need to say
more. Without the pamphlets themselves, any notice would be inadequate.
The second addition of the guide is a distinct improvement on the first,
except in one particular, vzz., the absence of the index. The descriptive
matter has increased from 35 to 40 pages, and a comparison of the plans in
the different editions will show more eloquently than words how much the
contents of the Museum have been added to. With this in hand, a visitor
to the Museum will make a more intelligent survey of its contents. One
interesting fact deserves special mention. We refer to the varied
nationalities of the visitors. Ina very limited period Denmark, The United
States, Canada, Norway, and Australia were each represented, in addition
to other visitors from widely different portions of our own country. In this
way the excellent institution which Mr. Sheppard directs has a sphere of
influence co-extensive with the globe.—E. G. B.
Naturalist,
I51
TWO NEW YORKSHIRE HEPATICS.
WM. INGHAM, B.A.
Lophozia atlantica (Kaal.) Schffn.
In the Journal of Botany, April 1902, Mr. Symers M.
Macvicar published a short account of this plant as a new
British Hepatic. It was gathered at Dirlot, Caithness, August
8th, 1901, by the Rev. David Lillie of Watten.
The plant is of about the size of Lophozia gractlis, but it may
be separated from that by the absence of small-leaved attenuated
stems, and by the leaves being very concave, also by the pre-
sence of Amphigastria or Stipules. The leaves are either two-
lobed or three-lobed.
I found this plant at Hebden Bridge during the meeting of
the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union there on 11th June, 1904. It
grew in large patches on the blocks of Millstone Grit, and is no
doubt a characteristic Hepatic of West Yorkshire on that rock.
If any reader has gathered what is apparently Lophozza gracilis
on this rock-formation, by re-examination he will probably
find it is Z. atluntica. The former seems confined to limestone ;
at least that is my experience.
The stipules (never found on ZL. graczlis) are well developed
on the Hebden Bridge specimen. Kaalaas, who described the
plant, allowed too little weight for this feature, but Dr. Arnell
has pointed out their presence in Swedish specimens, as an
important distinction from Z. gracilis. During my examination
a short time ago of the Hepatics collected by Mr. Waterfall
of Bristol, Lophosta atlantica turned up, gathered by him on
roth July, 1886, on Mellbreak Fell, Cumberland, and last year
Mr. Macvicar found it in v.c. 100, Clyde Isles.
In Norway it has been recorded near Stavanger, and on the
Island of Stérdo, and it has been found on the Faroé Isles by
Herr C. Jensen.
Its distribution as far as known, is entirely western, hence
the name adlantica.
Lophozia badensis (Gottsche) Schffn. (J. acuta a.
Lindenb.; J. luridula Wils.).
This Hepatic, which has been much confused with Z. ¢ur-
binata (Raddi) Steph., and also with small forms of Z. Muellert
(Nees). Dum, was published as a new British species in the
Journal of Botany for February 1907.
The original description of this plant is given in ‘ Musct
1g07 April 1.
152 field Notes.
Asiae borealis,’ by S. O. Lindberg and H. W. Arnell, October
1888.
Mr. Macvicar and myself find the following points the most
useful in distinguishing Z. badenszs from L. turbinata (the latter
such a characteristic Hepatic on the magnesian limestone of
West Yorkshire).
In Z. badenszs the leaves have a broad base (in L. ¢urbinatza,
a narrow base, except generally in the male plant), the antical
base is decurrent, and the cells smaller and slightly thickened
at the angles (in Z. ¢urbinata the leaves are not decurrent at the
antical base, and the leaf cells are larger without thickenings at
the angles), and the stem has brownish copious rhizoids, with
the postical side of stem brownish (in Z. turbinata the stems
are concolorous, with comparatively few rhizoids, and the leaves
are generally more remote and lie flat).
Habitats. —Finmarken, Dovrefjeld (Jerkin), Foldalen, Sweden,
Findland.
Scotland—Apyrshire, Jan. 17, 1883 (C. Scott); Edinburgh,
Sept. 12, 1904 (J. McAndrew) ; Fife, Nov. 21, 1903 (W. Evans) ;
E. Rosshire, Oct. 1903 (Miss K. B. Macvicar).
England—Sussex, Feb. 1907 (W. E. Nicholson). Yorkshire,
Castle Howard (Spruce) ; Knottingley, in Magnesian Limestone
quarry, Oct. 14, 1898 (W. Ingham); Marr, near Doncaster,
Sept. 1@, 1902, this plant very flaccid and mixed with mosses
on wet floor of quarry (W. Ingham) ; Bowes, by the R. Greta,
during the Y. N. U. Excursion, Aug. 3, 1903 (W. Ingham).
COLEOPTERA.
Rare Beetles from the Doncaster District.—Among
some Beetles lately sent by me to Mr. Donisthorpe for
identification, the following rare species are worthy of note.
Antstoma lucens Fair. taken in Wheatley Wood, August, 1904.
Salpingus foveolatus Ljun. taken in Wheatley Wood, March .
1903. Philonthus addendus Shp. taken at Potteric Carr, March
1904. Philonthus proximus Kr. taken at Finningley, August
1903. Ischnoglossa prolixa Gr. taken in Sandal Beat, May 1905.
On Thursday, February 28th of the present year, I visited
Wheatley Wood along with Mr. Bayford and my son, when
we had the good fortune to take eight specimens of the very
rare Carpophilus sexpustulatus F. They were obtained from
dead Hoodie-crows on a ‘keeper’s tree!’ This is a most
unexpected habitat for the species. —H H. Corsetr, Don-
caster, March 6th, 1907.
Naturalist,
ES
THE CHEMISTRY OF SOME COMMON PLANTS.
J (ANA AMID (EAA 6 | GEIe Diss
Patterdale, Westmorland.
Common Orcuis (Orchis mascula).—This plant varies consider-
ably in stature, colouration and scent, but it is certainly a
highly remarkable native or denizen of cold, elevated and moist
localities. As might be anticipated, its chemistry presents
some rather remarkable features. On zoth June the overground
parts yielded only 1.7 per cent. in dry of wax, with some fat-oil
and a mere trace of carotin; the alcoholic extract contained a
kind of tannin (or rather a resinous glucoside), which does not
precipitate gelatine, and with iron salts gives a brownish-green
colouration, it precipitates bromine water, and yields a decom-
position product resembling a phlobophene when boiled with
dilute HCl; there was no tanoid, but some resin which dissolved
in sulphuric acid with a brown colour passing to a splendid
violet ; there was much sugar, mucilage, and oxalate of calcium,
but no soluble proteid or starch ; the ash amounted to 6.5 per
cent., and yielded 47.3 per cent. soluble salts, 5.1 silica, 20.5
lime, 3.8 magnesia, 7.8 P20°%, 3.8 SO3, and 7.8 chlorine. It is
evident from the foregoing analysis that the special feature of
the plant is the great richness in carbohydrates and the organic
acids produced thereby, the oxidation proceeding much further
than in the case of the Parsley Fern, while the large amount of
water in the tissues favours and makes the persist the phenomena
of the dissolving power of the ferments (diastases) on the starch
or other carbohydrates originally produced. Volatile oils and
resin are the chief products of deassimilation. The root-knobs,
which in this species are undivided, contain, according to De
Dombasle, a volatile oil and a pungent bitter principle, and
according to Robiquet have no starch. Another author asserts
that in the autumn the old bulbs contain no starch and the
young bulbs have very much starch, whereas during the
flowering time it is absent in both. In July I found that the old
bulbs had much starch, but there was none in the new organs,
and there was no tanuin, but much gummy matter (mannan) not
precipitated by peracetate of mercury and not coloured by
iodine.
Boc AsPHODEL (Warthecium ossifragum).—Bogegy heaths and
spongy bogs, the swampy and marshy areas of wild moorlands
are the habitats of the elegant golden spires, stiffish stems, and
1907 April 1.
154 Keegan: The Chemistry of some Common Plants.
spear-shaped leaves of this attractive plant. The chemistry is
of special interest of itself, but as compared with that of the wild
hyacinth, orchis, and other Monocotyledons it becomes of very
eminent importance. About the year 1861 Waltz analysed the
plant and found therein a white bitter principle of very rancid
taste and a white non-volatile acid, both soluble in ether ; but it
is difficult to make out exactly what either of these constituents
is. On 3rd August the dried overground parts yielded 2 per
cent. wax with a little carotin, and a yellow substance soluble
in sulphuric acid with a deep brown colour; the alcoholic
extract was bitter and acid, and contained a tannoid which
precipitated bromine water, and seemed to be like quercitrin, but
on boiling with dilute HCl it gave a granular crystalline deposit
soluble in ether, and with sulphuric acid a brown solution; it was,
therefore, a resinous bitter principle (probably identical with the
scillin of Squill) ; there was also a considerable amount of free
resin, a little sugar, very little mucilage, a good deal of soluble
proteid, much starch, but no oxalate of calcium; the ash
amounted to 4.3 per cent., and contained 66.3 per cent. soluble
salts, 4.5 silica, 8.7 lime, 5.9 magnesia, 5 P?O5, 6.2 SO3, and
17.5 chlorine. The special features of this analysis are
extremely remarkable, viz., much starch in conjunction with
much chlorine, and much organic acids along with very little
mucilage or lime or its oxalate. In many of the allied monoco-
tyledonous plants there is no starch, although there may be
much mucilage and acids and much chlorine at the same time.
The tissues of the Bog Asphodel are comparatively dry, it
absorbs little water from the soil ; those of the other plants are
very moist, and, as we have seen, a large percentage of water
favours and prolongs the conversion of starch into sugar and
the production of mucilage, and of soluble carbohydrates
generally. On the other hand, the tendency in the Bog
Asphodel is towards the production of insoluble carbohydrates,
roughly the crude fibre amounts to 58 per cent. (that of the
Orchis is only about 4o per cent.). The slender root fibres
contain much starch internally. The aqueous extract of the
whole plant yielded when fused with potass protocatechuic acid
and phloroglucin.
Bistort (Polygonum bistorta).—This is not a native plant in
Lakeland, but it has strongly asserted and secured itself in
certain special spots. It is what may be called a decisively
chemical plant. On 5th June the dried leaf blades yielded 2 per
cent. wax with a moderate quantity of carotin and a trace of
Naturalist,
Northern News. 155
volatile oil ; the alcoholic extract contained quercetin and a
phlobaphenic tannin which precipitates gelatine and bromine
water, a trace of free phloroglucin, little or no sugar, and a
resin which dissolves in sulphuric acid with brown to deep
violet colour ; there is considerable pectosic mucilage extracted
by dilute soda, some pararabin, no starch, and considerable
oxalate of calcium ; the ash of leaves and petioles amounted to
8.5 per cent., and contained 41.4 per cent. soluble salts, 3.4
silica, 22,7 lime; 7-3 «magnesia... 3:75 P2702, 13-50%) andin54.
chlorine. The analysis indicates the general features or condi-
tion of a normal plant, z.e. a plant whose vegetation is flourishing
and wherein the albumenoids and soluble carbohydrates are
fulfilling, so to speak, their chemical activities, oxidation pro-
ceeds far, and the products of deassimilation are well represented.
The flowers contain a tannin same as in the leaves; the pink
pigment is not fully developed, but is shown off to best advan-.
tage by the configuration of the perianth ; the ash of the spike-
like raceme amounts to 6.4 per cent. in dry, and contained 27.5
per cent. soluble salts, 20.3 lime, 9 magnesia, 14.7 P*O°%, 5.4
SO, with considerable manganese and little carbonates.
The twisted, much branched rhizome contains much starch
which is edible and nutritious, also oxalate of potass, and a large
quantity (about 20 per cent.) of soluble and insoluble tannin
which is not a glucoside, and does not yield gallic or ellagic acid
when fused with caustic alkali or heated with dilute sulphuric
in a closed tube.
A ‘young man, aged 26,’ advertising in a contemporary, ‘desires a
place as Assistant with Museum.’ He is ‘an excellent collector and setter
of Lepidoptera,’ and can also make Bird-skins. He ought to find a post
readily.
We regret to record the death of Councillor J. E. Robson, of Hartlepool,
at the age of 74. He was a member of the Yorkshire Naturalist’s Union.
Also of Mr. B. Hirst, of Oldham, who has been connected with the same
society since 1890.
Sir Archibald Geikie has been elected President of the Geological Society
of London for the third time. Though near seventy years of age, he is able
to occupy many important offices, not the least of which is Secretary of the
Royal Society, which post he has held since 1903.
Nos. 1 and 2 of Vol. 16 of the ‘Irish Naturalist’ have been issued
together, and form perhaps the finest part of that journal yet issued. It is
entirely devoted to ‘Contributions to the Natural History of Lambay,
County Dublin,’ and is admirably illustrated.
At a recent meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological
Society, Mr. C. H. Forsyth exhibited about 90 species of North Lancashire
tortrices, collected near Lancaster. These included Sciaphila penziana
from Arnside, Conchylis alternana, Aphelia ossiana, Grapolitha penkleriana,
and Dicrorampha saturnana.
1907 April. 1.
Sn Memoriam.
THE’ Rt: ‘Hon. LORD: LIVERPOOL, FiS-A:
WE much regret to learn, on going to press, of the death of
the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, at his residence at Kirkham
Abbey. Lord Liverpool, who was perhaps better known under
his late title, Lord Hawkesbury, was much esteemed in the
county. As president, for many years, of the East Riding
Antiquarian Society, he has taken an active part in the further-
ance of the study of the antiquities of East Yorkshire; he
regularly attended the society’s meetings, and for several
years its Annual Volume of Transactions has contained a
lengthy review from his pen. The last volume issued, which
contained 168 pages and 8o plates, was entirely devoted to
his work. His lordship was a life member of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union, having joined that association in 1890.
One of the last occasions on which he made a _ public
appearance, was on the occasion of the opening of the Wilber-
force House Museum at Hull, in August last. It was then
seen that he was suffering from a painful throat trouble, from
which he does not appear to have ever recovered.
——_~<} @—__—-
FIELD NOTES.
TRICHOPTERA.
Halesus digitatus at WHuddersfield.—Among some
Trichoptera, recently given to me by Mr. B. Morley, taken by
himself during last year at Skelmanthorpe, was a fine specimen
of Halesus digttatus. The species has not previously been
recorded for south-west Yorkshire, although the closely allied
Hl, rvadiatus seems to be abundant on all our larger ponds.
Other recorded Yorkshire localities for H. digztatus are Bishop’s
Wood and Castle Howard, but then only as casual specimens.
—Geo. T. Porritt, Huddersfield, February 6th, 1907.
—:0 :—
MOLLUSCA.
L. maximus vars. aldrovandi and bicolor in Lincoln-
shire.—In the spring of 1906 I had occasion to remove my
collection into more convenient quarters; when doing this I came
across two bottles, labelled, and each containing a preserved
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 157
slug, which had been laid aside and forgotten. Both slugs
were found in my small garden, 8 Bridge Street, Louth, which
is very cold anddamp. Mr. Roebuck has identified one of them,
found in 1903, as Limax maximus var. aldrovandt Moq-Tand.
The other specimen will be noted in the forthcoming part of
Mr. J. W. Taylor’s Monograph.
On July roth, 1906, 11 p.m., I had the good fortune to find,
in the same place as the above, a very fine example of var. dzcolor.
It might almost have been the model for Mr. Taylor’s excellent
figure of that variety in the Monograph.—C. S. Carrer, Louth.
The example especially alluded to above by Mr. Carter, was
a beautiful but somewhat aberrant example of my variety dzcolor
of Limax maximus, in which, although the ground tint remained
of a perfectly pure white, and the spotting upon the shield, as
well as the interrupted longitudinal banding upon the body,
were of the usual intense black, yet the space or area occupied
by the markings was greatly increased, and noticeably en-
croached upon, and in parts totally obscured the snow white
ground colour.
In this connection, it may be advisable to avail myself of this
opportunity to point out that the Zzmax cinereus var. albus of
Am Stein, which has hitherto been regarded as a synonym of
Lessona’s var. candida of Limax maximus, is not referable to
that form as has so long been thought, but really belongs to
my variety dzcolor, which is a variation of extremely rare occur-
rence, and Mr. Carter has been indeed fortunate to find two
such beautiful examples within so restricted an area.—J. W.
TayLor, February 20th, 1907.
—:0 :—
BIRDS.
Malham Tarn Birds in Winter.—The following birds
were seen on the Tarn this winter :—Tufted Duck, Pochards,
Teal, Mallards (I saw a batch of each of these from ro to 20 in
each). Wigeon (a few). Little Grebe (this bird is there all the
year round). Waterhens (plentiful). Grey Wagtails (a few
birds). Wild Geese (I heard these at night, but did not see any
during the day, although they are to be heard and seen every
winter around the Tarn) ; and a couple of Golden Eye Ducks.
Pochard Duck.—I have a single record of this having nested
there this last season (1906). A specimen of the Great Crested
1907 April 1.
158 Reviews and Book Notices.
Grebe and one of the Goosander have both been secured there
in the past few years.
The Tufted Duck breeds there every season.
I might add that Mr. Walter Morrison, the owner of Mal-
ham Tarn, protects all Zaw&s on his land around the Tarn and
the neighbouring moors. —W. WILson, Skipton, Jan. 20th, 1907.
Birds shot in Huddersfield District * during December
1906 to January 1907.—Jan. 12th—Two Kingfishers shot
near ‘Old Black House,’ Dalton. Jan. 15th—Pair Bull-
finches shot at Dalton Bank. Jan. 24th—Common Snipe near
‘Old Black House,’ Dalton. Dec.—Mallard.
These birds, of course, are simply stuffed for ‘show cases.’
—E. FisHer, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield.
—_»e—___.
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
YORKSHIRE GEOLOGY.
The ‘ Proceedings’ of the Yorkshire Geological Society for
1906 7 have been issued, though, judging from the very small
proportion of papers it contains that have been read or discussed
at the society’s meetings, the word * Proceedings’ hardly seems
the most appropriate. The publication, however, contains
many contributions of interest, and some of distinct value.
It commences with the papers on the Origin of the Trias, by
Prof. Bonney and Mr. J. Lomas, respectively, which were read
at the York meeting of the British Association. A summary of
the discussion which also took place is likewise printed. On the
Ingleton district the number is, as in past years, particularly
strong. In fact, recently, few areas have been so frequently
described as has this part of West Yorkshire. Prof. T.
McKenny Hughes contributes Part IV. of his Notes on Ingle-
borough; the present dealing with the Stratigraphy and
Paleontology of the Silurian; it is well illustrated. Mr.
R. H. Rastall has a paper on ‘The Ingleton Series of West
Yorkshire’; Mr. A. Wilmore describes the structure of some
Craven Limestones; Dr. A. Vaughan contributes a ‘ Note on
the Carboniferous Sequence in the Neighbourhood of Pateley
Bridge’; and Dr. H. Woodward describes a Carboniferous
Trilobite from Angram, in Nidderdale. These papers alone
* There zs a Wild Birds Protection Act in force !—EDs.
+ Vol. XVL, part I. 136 pp. and 14 plates. Price 5/-.
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 159
are evidence of the increased interest now being taken in the
Carboniferous Series. Mr. E. E. Gregory has a brief record
of a striated rock surface near Bingley, and the Rev. E. M.
Cole gives a summary of our knowledge of the Roman relics
found at Filey. The author demonstrates that far too much
importance has been attached to the discovery made on Carr
Naze in 1857.
A contribution of considerable interest is ‘On the Speeton
Ammonites,’ by Mr. C. G. Danford. In this the Yorkshire
Society is to be congratulated in obtaining a communication
from this careful worker. It cannot, however, be commended
on the way in which the blocks have been produced in illustra-
tion of his notes. The Rembrandtesque effect of the illustrations
may, Or may not, be artistic, but it certainly does not enable
the species to be readily identified; in fact, some of the
illustrations are quite worthless, and represent so much waste
money. It is a pity the County Society did not exercise a little
more tact in connection with these plates; had they done so
they would have been of some practical use to workers amongst
the Speeton fossils. When another society published Mr. Dan-
ford’s paper on the Belemnites of the Speeton Series a year
previously, it was illustrated in a way which was all that
could be desired. The Ammonites Mr. Danford describes in
the Yorkshire Geological Society’s volume were exhibited and
described at the Flamborough meeting of the Yorkshire Natural-
ists’ Union in June last. (See ‘ Naturalist,’ July 1906, p. 241).
i)
One of the most recent productions from Browns’ Savile Press, Hull, is
Essays upon the History of Meaux Abbey, and some Principles of
Medizval Land Tenure. ~ Based upon a Consideration of the Latin
Chronicles of Meaux (A.D. 1150-1400). By the Rev. A. Earle of Wansford,
Driffield. 192 pages, price 3/6 net. It deals with the Abbey of Meaux, at one
time so prominent in the East Riding, but of which now not a trace remains
above ground. Mr. Earle tells his story in an interesting way, and enables
the student of local history to get much valuable information without having
to peruse the lengthy ‘Chronicles,’ which only the very enthusiastic would
dare to undertake,
A Picture Book of Evolution. By Dennis Hird. Part I., con-
taining lessons from Astronomy, Geology, Zoology. Watts & Co., 1906.
202 pages, price 2/6 net.
This little book is professedly for the beginner, and it can certainly be
recommended to anyone wishing to obtain a concise statement of the doc-
trine of evolution. The work is apparently based upon six lantern lectures
which have been prepared by the author, the illustrations being very largely
those used with some of the lectures. Throughout, the author tells his story
in simple language, and the wealth of illustration makes the book par-
ticularly suitable as a present.
3907 April a.
160
NORTHERN NEWS.
We are pleased to note that our contributor, Mr. W. N. Cheesman, of
Selby, has been elected a Justice of the Peace.
The greater part of the collection of rock specimens obtained during the
voyage of the ‘ Beagle’ in 1831-6, has recently been housed in the Sedgwick
Museum at Cambridge, and Mr. A. Harker, M.A., F.R.S.,givesa description
of them in the March ‘ Geological Magazine.’
We regret to record the death of Miss Caroline Birley, formerly of Man-
chester. She was an exceptionally keen collector of fossils, and had a large
collection. She regularly attended the meetings and excursions of the
Geological Section of the British Association.
In the Annals of Scottish Natural History, for January, Dr. J. W. H.
Trail appeals for a ‘Natural History Society of Scotland.’ The same
journal contains a note “On the occurrence of the Siberian Chiff-Chaff in
Scotland: a new bird to the British fauna,’ by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke.
Our contributor, Mr. T. Petch, who recently received an appointment in
Ceylon, favours us with a reprint of an elaborate paper on ‘ The Fungi of
Certain Termite Nests,’ which appeared in the ‘ Annals of the Royal Botanic
Gardens,’ Peradeniya. It is illustrated by several very excellent plates.
The Grimsby Corporation is considering the question of the adoption of
the Museums and Gymnasiums Act, under which a penny rate may be
adopted for the purpose of maintaining a Museum, ete. In this way it ‘is to
be hoped that the useful collection belonging to the Grimsby Naturalists’
Society, may become public property.
On February 24th the members of the Yorkshire Geological Society
eir late Hon. Secretary, the Rev. W. Lower Carter, at the
Hotel Metropole, Leeds. Prof. P. F. Kendall presided, and there was a
representative body of Yorkshire Geologists present. Mr. Carter was the
recipient of an illuminated address, a petrological microscope, a set of slides
of typical rock sections, a library table, and a geological hammer. To Mrs.
Carter the members had presented a set of furs.
On the ‘ Geological Section’ at the back of the elaborate Menu prepared
+n connection with the dinner given to the Rev. W. L. Carter recently, the
following names occured as typical ‘fossils’ in the beds shewn :—Szrcartera
cammeri, Semicosmophyllum onlyjohnsit, Clevelandia nonsubmergis, Forni-
cula odorata, Cotsworthia cosmogonica, Muffia turritissima, Howarthrus
scribibundus, Pastoria perpredatoria, Neupotatorella statheri, Monaspee-
tonia Bridlingtonensis ( V. Zambesii), Dwerryhousia pototilensis, Cashia
nummis (V. nobilissimus), and Bingleya camerophora. The ‘fundamental
rock’ was shewn as Latina cantina, and when this is borne in mind it may
be possible to identify most of the ‘ fossils’ enumerated,
Invitations have already been issued in connection with the meeting of
the British Association to be held at Leicester from July 31 to August 7th
The Association has not previously met at Leicester. Sir David
Gill, K.C.B., LE2D., is;the President-elect, and the following presidents
of sections have been appointed :—Section A. Mathematical and Physical
Science, Prof. A. E. H. Love, F.R.S.; Section B. Chemistry, Prof. A.
Smithells, F.R.S.; Section C. Geology, Prof. J. W. Gregory, HoRoo-1;
Section D. Zoology, W. E. Hoyle, D.Sc. ; Section E. Geography, GAG.
Chisholm, M.A., B.Sc. ; Section F. Economic Science and Statistics,
Prof. W. J. Ashley, M.A. ; Section G. Engineering, Prof. S. P. Thompson,
F.R.S.; Section H., Anthropology, D. G. Hogarth, M.A.; Section I.
Physiology, A. D. Waller, M.D., F.R.S., Section K. Botany, Prof. J. B.
Farmer. F.R.S.; Section L. Educational Science, Sir Philip Magnus,
B.Sc., M.P.
entertained th
next.
Naturalist,
oe A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRING fe ays 07
No Gog”
(No. 382 of current series).
> * A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
Tue Museum, HULL;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,;
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
_T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., _ WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :—
Notes and Comments (Illustrated):—The York Report of the British Association, Local oe
v. General Museums, The Selby Museum, The Fourth International Ornithological
Congress, And its Report, Flamingoes, Yorkshire Wild Birds and -Eggs Protection
Committee, Derbyshire Naturalists, Speeton Ammonites, Another New Magazine,
4 Marine Biology, Lancashire and Cheshire Entomologists. ... ae A ou ... 161-166
heories of Evolution—Agnes Robertson, D.Sc. ... Bee ns . 167-171
' White Lesser Black=Backed Gull, and the reported Nesting he the bute Gull, on
the Farne Islands in 1906—Harry B. Booth, M,B.O.U. ... “fs one ope LUZ,
Notes on Succinea oblonga, Drap., and other species at Grange-over-Sands, Eanes’
—J. Wilfrid Jackson. ae ay Malrauinin vom .. LTB-1T4
Notes on Lepidoptera in the Wilsden District i in oe deraee Butter, field Ve bos . 175-176
Geological Notes on the Robin Hood’s Bay District—Pvof. Percy F, Kendall, M.Sc., F.G. S. 177-179
Lincolnshire Mites (Illustrated)—C. F. George, M.R.C.S.... be} aud Ne WK ... 179-180
The Victoria History of Yorkshire ... Me ac ee ues es na es ... 181-186
In Memoriam—John Emmerson Jackson... ae ae oe ss an un ie See 187
Field Notes a sup ay Ste oe Ane si ate eae ... 188-190
Reviews and Book Notices (Ilustrated) . wi es aug re as de . 190-191
Northern News 53 e. ae “ae eas as a Hae ee ase Bei 1m, 180, 186,192
Bilgatcations Sa cee We male ics ae Men AL ISSR A" ae
Plates XX., XXI.
seven Inetituti
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Apply—T. SHEPPARD, Museum, HULL.
Please mention ‘The Naturalist’ inreplying to Advertisements. _
tes
161
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE YORK REPORT OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
Earty in April we received the York Report of the British
Association, which includes a summary of the work accomplished
at the seventy-sixth meeting of the Association.. It contains not
quite as many pages as usual, but is nevertheless a valuable
record of the progress of science during the twelve months
preceding the York Meeting. The volume contains the various
presidential addresses, reports of committees, abstracts of
papers read at York, etc., etc. Those of particular interest
to northern readers were printed in this journal for September
last.* A perusal of this report, it must be confessed, means.
that one meets with matter which was well published in various.
places seven months ago! Seeing that all the presidential
addresses, reports of the various committees’ investigations,
abstracts of papers, etc., etc., were in type and circulated in
August last, and that such papers as were not ready had to be
in the secretary’s hands within a few days after being read, it
is difficult to understand why it should take eight months to
arrange the pages in order and put a cloth cover on them.
Surely some means could be devised for the more prompt
appearance of these volumes.
LOCAL v. GENERAL MUSEUMS.
From the February issue of the ‘Museum Gazette’ it is evident
that the writer in that journal is more in accord with our own
opinion of the value of local museums than was apparent by a
perusal of his first note on that subject, which we noticed in the
February ‘ Naturalist.’ We do not confine the word ‘local’ to
those collections ‘obtained within a radius of five miles from
the Parish Church,’ nor did we ‘draw on our imagination’ in
citing certain local museums. And we hope we are able to.
distinguish between a local and a general museum. We should
call the Driffield Museum a typical example of the former, as it
is devoted exclusively to the geology, and antiquites, of a definite
geographical area, the Yorkshire Wolds. The Hospitium at
York—devoted to the antiquites of that ancient city—is another,
‘though it is no fault of ours that the writer in the ‘Museum
Gazette’ has never heard of it. The Selby Museum may be
taken as a typical general museum, on a small scale.
SU eget Seber Os ee eee ee
* Several at greater length than they appear in the report just to hand.
1907 May 1.
: L
162 Notes and Comments.
THE SELBY MUSEUM.
In the same number of the ‘Museum Gazette,’ after quoting
our statement that ‘We were sorry to see from a report of an
address recently delivered at Selby by Dr. Hutchinson, that
this museum is not appreciated as it ought to be;’ a writer,
presumably Dr. Hutchinson, says ‘ This statement ts an error,
for nothing of the kind was suggested.’ On this point, however,
we can have no misunderstanding! Whether Dr. Hutchinson
made this statement or not, it was certainly so reported in more
than one of the dailies, and in another magazine, the ‘Museums
Journal’ (Vol. VI., p. 144), an account of the same address
appears, in which it states that Dr. Hutchinson ‘very much
regretted that more use was not made of Selby Museum by the
inhabitants.” Our statement, therefore, was quite correct.
However, as we now learn that the ‘Museum Gazette’ does not
disparage local museums, but encourages them, and considers
that every educational museum should have its local department,
we have little to complain of, and we feel glad that the criticisms
previously offered have enabled us to get a better idea of the
views of the ‘Museum Gazette’ on the local museum question
than was previously possible. *
THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL
CONGRESS.+
This handsome book, which forms Volume XIV. of ‘ Ornis,’
has been edited by the Secretaries of the Congress, Dr. E. G. O.
Hartert and Mr. J. L. Bonhote, under the direction of the
President, Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe. Its ‘get up’ is perfect,
and reflects every credit upon the printers, Messrs. Witherby
& Co. There were five sections to the Congress, dealing
respectively with (1) Systematic Ornithology, Geological
Distribution, Anatomy, and Paleontology; (2) Migration;
(3) Biology, Nidification, Oology; (4) Economic Ornithology
and Bird Protection; and (5) Aviculture. To each of these
sections various communications were made by different
* Since writing the above we have seen the March issue of the ‘ Museum
‘Gazette,’ in which an article on ‘Museums and Museums’ appears. In this,
much that appears in the February issue is repeated. We quite agree that
it is a pity that misunderstandings should needlessly arise amongst those
who are interested in the same pursuits, and we share with the ‘ Museum
Gazette’ the desire to further the study of Natural History. To put the
whole matter in a nutshell, however, the ‘Gazette’ first expressed a pre-
ference of ‘ Educational Museums’ to ‘ Local Museums.’ We prefer ‘ Local
Museums’ (which should also be educational) to ‘ Educational Museums,’
pure and simple.
+ London, 1907. Dulau & Co., 696 pp. and plates.
Naturalist,
Notes and. Comments. 163
authorities, and no fewer than forty of these were published
in the volume. And when it is remembered that the: work is
printed with clear type on excellent paper, and is illustrated
by numerous blocks in the text and several plates (some of the
latter being coloured), it will be seen that not only is it a charm-
ing memento of this successful Congress, but it represents a
sound and substantial contribution to ornithology.
AND ITS REPORT.
An idea of the variety of these papers may be obtained by the
following titles, taken at hazard :—‘ What constitutes a Museum
Collection of Birds?’ ‘The Migration of Birds,’ ‘The First Bird
List of Eber and Peucer,’ ‘On Extinct and Vanishing Birds,’
‘Monographie de la Sterne de Dougall,’ ‘ Description of New
Species of Neotropical Birds,’ ‘On the Origin of the Differences
between Nestling Birds,’ ‘Sequence in Moults and Plumages,’
‘Bird Protection,’ ‘On the Colour Variation in the Eggs of
Palearctic Birds,’ ‘The Food of Birds,’ ‘The Sparrow,’ etc.
Needless to say, amongst the authors are many of the leading
naturalists of the day. As his presidential address Dr. Bowdler
Sharp took for the subject, as might have been anticipated, the
history of the ornithological collections in the British Museums
and in this he refers to the great benefit to ornithological science
that would accrue were the officers of the various important
museums throughout the world to give a history of the collec-
tions under their charge.
FLAMINGOES.
Whilst many of the articles are of altogether exceptional
worth, there is one which strikes the writer as of unusual
interest and importance. This is by Mr. F. M. Chapman, and
deals with the method of exhibiting birds in museums. The
illustrations to these, indicating the way in which our American
friends can show their specimens, are very fine indeed, and
might be well taken as models to such other museums as
have the space and funds necessary for such exhibits. The
flamingo case, for instance, ‘is twenty feet long and eight feet
wide, and contains twenty-nine birds.’ The background (birds)
is painted by one artist, the landscape by another, and the birds
are mounted by a third individual. The effect, however, is
extraordinary, and the case appears to be nothing else than a
huge flamingo colony (see Plate XX., which we are kindly per-
mitted to reproduce). Methods of storing skins, etc., etc., are
1907 May I.
164 ‘Notes and Comments.
also dealt with. The only regret one has on closing this volume
is that it will be four years before another such record is
produced !
YORKSHIRE WILD BIRDS AND EGGS PROTECTION
COMMITTEE.
Mr. Riley Fortune reports that the response to the appeal
by the above committee for funds to enable it to protect
the nesting places of rare birds in the county has not been
so generous as might naturally be expected. The aid of the
Coastguards and Climbers has been promised for the pro-
tection of the Peregrines at Bempton; arrangements have
also been made for the protection of another pair of Pere-
grines nesting in the county. The paid watcher has com-
menced his duties at Spurn, and, as his whole time will
be devoted to looking after the birds, we may hope for very
good results. Other localities will be dealt with as funds allow,
and we hope that members of the Union will do all they can to
help us. farsa
Amount previously acknowledged ... Xo NOS SEES
Bradford Naturalists’ Club ... oe Si ee LAO
W. D. Roebuck so oe ai ables titaats OS
HS WS AW adee src. 2h 72.9 16,06
York and Dist. F. Nat. Society SP OO cine
Scarborough Field Naturalists’ Society ... 0 5 0
W. Wilson Drone
DERBYSHIRE NATURALISTS.
The twenty-ninth volume of the Journal of the Derbyshire
Archeological and Natural History Society, 1907, issued under
the able editorship of Mr. C.. E. B. Bowles, is one of the finest
publications of a provincial society that we have seen for some
time. It contains over 300 pages, and has a wealth of plates and
plans that would do credit to any of the leading London societies.
There is also an ample variety in the nature of its contents. OF.
the very many articles, the following are perhaps of principal
interest to our readers :—‘Some Notes on Arbor Low and other
Lows,’ by T. A. Matthews, ‘Crich Ware,’ by G. le Blanc Smith,
‘Recent Cave Diggings in Derbyshire,’ by W. Storrs Fox,
‘Ornithological Notes for 1906,’ by Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, ete.
Bound up with this Journal is the valuable and voluminous
report upon the excavations on the Roman site at Melandra
Castle, conducted by the Manchester and District branch of the
Classical Association.. This may be taken as a model which
might be followed by others excavating sites of this character.
Naturalist,
PLATE XX.
THE NATURALIST 1907
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Notes and Comments. 165
SPEETON AMMONITES.
By the kindness of the Yorkshire Geological Society we
are able to give our readers a reproduction of one of the best
of the plates (see Plate XXI) illustrating Mr. Danford’s paper
‘On the Speeton Ammonites,’ which recently appeared in that
Society’s Proceedings. The originals of the figures are now in
the Geological Museum, Jermyn Street, London, and are about
twice the size shown on the plate. The specimens figured, are
(1 & 1a.), Olcostephanus (Polyptychites) bidichotomus Leym.,
(2 & 2a.), O. polyptychus Keys, and (3 & 3a.), O. keyserlingt
Neum. and Uhl. It should be added, however, that good
examples of Ammonites are now-a-days exceedingly difficult
to obtain at Speeton—at any rate, this is the experience of
most collectors, Mr. Danford being a possible exception to
this rule. '
ANOTHER NEW MAGAZINE.
In April, the first part of a new monthly magazine, the
‘Lancashire Naturalist,’ made its appearance, under the editor-
ship of Mr. W. H. Western, of Darwen, who is also the printer,
a fact which probably accounts for this 16 pp. magazine being
sold at the low price of one penny. The new venture is the
official organ of the Lancashire Union of Natural History,
Literary and Philosophical Societies,“and it is to be hoped that
the affiliated societies will liberally subscribe to this journal and
thus ensure its success. We doubt, however, the advisability
of printing the general reports of the various societies’
general meetings ; particulars of important local exhibits or
records might with advantage be extracted, but the space
these full reports occupy might be put to better service by
the insertion of original articles—it should surely be an easy
matter to fill sixteen pages once a month in this way. The
journal hopes to ‘chronicle all interesting events, and to assist
in recording the flora, fauna, etc., of our county.’ If this local
character is maintained, the new magazine may become an
important and valuable addition to our monthly literature.
MARINE BIOLOGY.
The ‘Twentieth Annual Report of the Liverpool Marine
Biology Committee’* is to hand, and contains a record of a
year’s useful work accomplished at Port Erin. It is pleasing
* Liverpool University, 56 pp., and illustrations.
1907 May I.
166 Notes and Conments.
to find that there is a marked increase of visitors to the
Aquarium; and, as the Report points out, ‘an institution
where over fifteen thousand summer visitors are shown a
number of the most interesting of our common sea-side animals
and plants in a living condition and among natural surroundings,
with labels, pictures, and other information, must surely be
doing something to encourage nature study, and to foster an
appreciation of biology.’ Perhaps the most interesting exhibit
was ‘the Octopus of the Irish Sea, A/edone ctrrosa’ (which
The Irish Sea Octopus.
we are enabled to figure herewith). A good supply of this
Cephalopod was obtained in the early spring, and the tank in
which they lived was a great attraction to the visitors. As an
appendix to this Report is printed an admirable address on
‘Some Problems of the Sea,’ by Prof. Herdman. Mr. Andrew
Scott has also some useful ‘ Notes on Special Plankton Investi-
gations,’ which, like the other articles in the Report, is well
illustrated.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGISTS.
The vigorous Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological
Society has just issued its thirtieth annual report,* and gives
evidence of a successful year’s work. It contains a record of
all the important exhibits at the meetings; the Vice-President’s
address, by Prof. T. Hudson Beare; a portion of ‘A Preliminary
Catalogue of the Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Lancashite and
Cheshire’ (a valuable contribution), by Oscar Whittaker ; and a
‘Note on the Remarkable Race of Agrotzs ashworthit,’ by Mr.
W. Mansbridge. A portrait of Mr. F. N. Pierce appears as
frontispiece.
* Fifty pages. Price 2/6. ‘ Visltor’ Printing Works, Southport.
Naturalist,
THEORIES OF EVOLUTION.
An Historical Outline.
AGNES ROBERTSON, D.Sc.
I.—INTRODUCTION.
ALL the animals and plants to-day inhabiting the world can be
classified into small groups known as ‘species.’ This is recog-
nised even by those who are not naturalists. We call an animal
having a certain set of characters a horse, and a plant having a
certain set of characters a dandelion, using these names without
hesitation, although the individuals which we identify in this
way differ considerably among themselves. We have in our
minds a conception of a typical horse and of a typical dandelion,
and an animal or a plant conforming to one of these types more
closely than to any other, we regard as belonging to the horse
or dandelion ‘species.’ The world, then, is peopled with a huge
number of species which, on the whole, are sharply distinguish-
able, and further, these species are not altogether isolated, but
can be classified into groups by means of the characters which
they possess in common. For instance the Field Buttercup,
the Lesser Celandine, and the Water Crowfoot, though no one
would ever confuse them, yet resemble one another closely enough
to be placed in the same group of similar species, or, as we say, in
the same ‘genus.’ Again, it is found that these genera can them-
selves be arranged in larger groups called ‘orders.’ The
species belonging to a genus resemble one another more closely
than they do those of any other genus, and in the same way the
genera belonging to the same order show more resemblance to
one another than to the genera belonging to any other order.
Similar orders can be grouped into larger classificatory units, and
so on.
So far, we have been speaking of the organic world
descriptively; the fact that organised beings naturally fall
into a classification of the kind just outlined would be allowed
by everyone, and is not a matter of theory, but merely of
observation. But when we turn to the question of ow this
state of things has arisen, we plunge at once into the region of
hypothesis. There are two main contrasting views ; those of
Special Creation and of Descent with Modification. According
to the first view, the species of the animal and plant world were
1907 May 1.
168 Robertson: Theories of Evolution.
created just as we know them now, and have persisted un-
changed to the present day. The only way to test the value of
a hypothesis is to ascertain how far it affords an explanation of
observed facts, and it is on account of its failure to afford such
an explanation that the doctrine of ‘ Special Creation’ has been
rejected by biologists as a ‘ working hypothesis.’ On the other
hand, the theory of Descent with Modification gives a luminous
conception of the general scheme of organised life. According
to this theory species are not immutable, but all living beings
had a common origin somewhere in the remote mists of
antiquity. The descendants of the original form, or forms
(which are supposed to have been exceedingly simple in structure)
have developed with progressive modification along innumerable
lines, attaining at last to the state of differentiation and com-
plication which we witness to-day. The theory of Descent
with Modification gives a real meaning to the existence of
classificatory units, such as genera, orders, etc., for these are
regarded as actual expressions of the degree of blood-relation-
ship ; a genus, for instance, consists of a group of species which
have a close affinity, being descended from a comparatively
recent common ancestor.
The doctrine of Special Creation seems to have been accepted
almost unquestioningly in ancient and medizval times, though in
certain classical writings a disbelief in it is vaguely foreshadowed.
The idea that species are mutable was first definitely expressed
by Sir Walter Raleigh in the seventeenth century. In his great
work on ‘The History of the World,’ speaking of the days of
Noah’s flood, he says, ‘But it is manifest, and undoubtedly
true, that many of the Speczes, which now seem differing, and
of severall kindes, were not then z2 rerum natura.’
Buffon (1707-1788) was one of the first scientists to clearly
suggest that species might have been gradually evolved. It is
not worth while to dwell at length upon his views. He was by
no means a great naturalist, but he was an amazingly brilliant
writer ; some of his epigrams, such as ‘Le style c’est homme
méme,’ live to the present day. He had occasional vivid flashes
of scientific insight, and was the first to realise that fossils give
evidence of the existence of extinct animals. Buffon appears to
have been much afraid of incurring the odium of his orthodox
contemporaries, and though he sometimes dared to state the
possibility of Descent with Modification quite clearly, at other
times he definitely denied such views. According to Professor
Packard, ‘The impression left on the mind, after reading Buffon,
Naturalist.
Robertson: Theories of Evolution. 169
is that even if he threw out these suggestions and then retracted
them for fear of annoyance, or even persecution from the bigots
of his time, he did not himself always take them seriously, but
rather jotted them down as passing thoughts.’
Il.—ERASMUS DARWIN AND LAMARCK.
The germs of the doctrine of Descent with Modification seem
to have been in the atmosphere in the last decade of the eight-
eenth century, for between 1790 and 1800 the conclusion that
species were not immutable was reached independently in
Germany by Goethe, in France by Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, and in
England by Erasmus Darwin. The last named, who was a
physician, a poet, and grandfather of Charles Darwin, published
in 1796 a remarkable book called ‘ Zoonomia,’ which contained,
amidst much speculation irrelevant to our purpose, a profession
of faith in the doctrine of evolution. After discussing the
metamorphoses which individual animals undergo, and_ the
essential likeness of structure of all the higher animals, he
goes on to say, ‘would it be too bold to imagine, that in the
great length of time, since the earth began to exist, perhaps
millions of ages before the commencement of the history of
mankind, would it be too bold to imagine, that all warm-blooded
animals have arisen from one living filament, which THE GREAT
FIRST CAUSE endued with animality.’
Erasmus Darwin not only believed in evolution, but tendered
one or two suggestions as to ow the process had been brought
about. His main idea was that useful modifications, such as
the hard beaks of certain birds, the elephant’s trunk, and the
rough tongue and palate of cattle, ‘seem to have been gradually
acquired during many generations by the perpetual endeavour
of the creatures to supply the want of food, and to have been
delivered to their posterity with constant improvement of them
for the purposes required.’ He also foreshadowed the theory of
Sexual Selection, which we shall have occasion to speak of later
in dealing with the work of Charles Darwin. The fact that these
suggestions of Erasmus Darwin met with little recognition at
the time is scarcely surprising when we remember that they
were put forward more or less casually, and that no effort was
made to establish them by proof.
The name of the French biologist Lamarck, who first
published his views at the beginning of the nineteenth century,
is better known in the history of evolutionary thought than that
1907 May 1:
170 Robertson : Theories of Evolution.
of Erasmus Darwin. The opinions held by the two men were
very similar, but Lamarck, who was primarily a scientist, worked
out his theories much more completely and circumstantially, and
they received more attention from naturalists than the compar-
atively tentative ideas of a poet and dreamer such as Erasmus
Darwin. Lamarck was born in 1744. His father destined him
for the Church, but his own taste was for military things, and
as soon as his father died he joined the French army, then
campaigning against Germany. He distinguished himself so
much in an action, which took place the day he enlisted, that he
was made an officer on the spot. He was soon obliged to leave
the army owing to ill-health, with a pension of only about 420a
year. He was obliged to work at a bank to make this pittance
up toaliving wage, andat the same time went throughsome medical
studies. He worked at botany in his spare time, and produced
his ‘Flore Frangaise,’ which brought him under the notice of
Buffon, who made him tutor to his son. For fifteen years he
lived precariously by his pen, but during the Reign of Terror he
obtained the appointment of Professor at the Musée d’ Histoire
Naturelle. His colleague, Geoffroy St. Hilaire (then twenty-one),
was responsible for the Vertebrate Zoology, while Lamarck
cheerfully undertook everything else! In 1809 his great work,
the ‘ Philosophie Zoologique,’ saw the light.
Lamarck had, in many ways, an unfortunate life. For many
years he had a great struggle to make both ends meet, and for
the last ten years of his life he was blind. His daughter Cornélie
devoted herself to him absolutely, and became his scientific
secretary. His poverty and his blindness do not complete the
full tale of his sorrows, for, in the words of Professor Packard,
his biographer, ‘ Lamarck’s life was saddened and embittered
by the loss of four wives.’
To try and state Lamarck’s philosophy in a few words is
extremely difficult. He believed that, in the main, two great
factors had codperated in producing organic evolution. The
first of these was a tendency inherent in all organisms to pro-
gress from the simple and undifferentiated to the complex and
highly differentiated. The second was the power of organisms
to adapt themselves to their environment through habit and the
use and disuse of organs, and to transmit to their offspring the
adaptations so produced. For instance, Lamarck would suppose
that the giraffe was descended from a short-necked ancestor,
whose perpetual efforts to browse on higher and higher branches
of trees produced a certain elongation of its neck. This
Naturalist,
Northern News. 171
elongation, he believed, it would transmit to its offspring,
which would continue to make efforts to reach higher and
higher, so that in each generation some progress would be
made towards the immensely elongated neck of the modern
giraffe. We know, of course, of many instances in which habit
and use profoundly modify an organ during the life of the
individual : the size and strength of the blacksmith’s arm would
be a case in point. But Lamarck demands more than this, for
such modifications as a giraffe’s neck could never be produced
if each generation had to start afresh from the beginning.
Lamarck’s theory stipulates that characters acquired during
the lifetime of an organism shall be transmitted to the next
generation, and it is here that the main difficulty comes in.
For no one has at present been able to offer indisputable proof
that such transmission takes place.
(To be continued).
—__32e—_—__
At the recent annual meeting of the Craven Naturalists’ Society Mr.
J. T. Davison was elected President.
At the annual meeting of the Hull Geological Society, held on April rith,
Mr. T. Sheppard was elected President.
We are pleased to notice that Miss Mary Johnstone, B.Sc., LL.A., the
head mistress of the Grange Road Secondary School, Bradford, has recently
been elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society.
Mr. S. B. Steelman points out that on the Lincolnshire Wolds the var.
doubledayaria of Amphidasys betularia appears to be the dominent form
there, as in the South-west Riding of Yorkshire (April ‘Entomologist ’).
The ‘ Journal of Conchology’ caters well for its Lancashire readers; the
April issue contains two lenghty contributions, viz., ‘The Land and Fresh-
water Shells of Morecambe, Lancaster and district,’ by J. Davy Dean;
and ‘ Bibliography of the Non-Marine Mollusca of Lancashire,’ by J. W.
Jackson.
On a plate illustrating an article on ‘A permanent record of British
Moths in their natural attitudes of rest,’ by Mr. A. H. Hamm (Trans. Ent.
Soc., issued Jan. 23rd, 1907), are some of the best examples of ‘ protective
colouration’ that we have seen for some time.
Since our last impression was published, ‘ Hull Museum Publications,’
Nos. 41 and 42, have appeared. The first is an admirably illustrated guide
to the new Wilberforce House Museum, and the second is the twentieth
Quarterly Record of Additions. The latter has illustrated accounts of
Querns, Mantraps, Coins, etc., etc. The same institution has recently
acquired the fine collection of British and Roman Querns formed by the late
Dr. H. B. Hewetson, at Easington.
Part IV. of ‘The Birds of the British Islands,’ by Charles Stonham
(E. Grant Richards, 7/6), has appeared, and completes the first volume of
this work, upon which no expense appears to have been spared to make ita
really attractive publication. With the present instalment are two excellent
coloured maps—the first being an orographical map of the British Islands,
and the second ‘ The Zoological Regions of the World.’
1907 May 1.
172
WHITE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, AND THE
REPORTED NESTING OF THE IV)RY GULL, ON
THE FARNE ISLANDS IN 1906. :
HARRY B. BOOTH, M.B.O.U.
Mr. H. A. Paynter (of Alnwick), the Honorary Secretary and:
Treasurer of the Farne Islands Association, in his interesting
report for 1906, states:—‘I heard that a pair of Ivory Gulls
nested on the Wamses, but I did not see them.’ In a recent
letter to me on this subject, Mr. Paynter says that when the
occurrence was reported to him, it was too late for him to
verify it.
It is exceedingly unlikely that this species should breed at
any spot in the British Isles, and in company with Mr. Fortune
I visited the Farne Islands twice during the breeding season of
1906. On the North Wamses there was a white gull, which I
spent a considerable time in stalking and watching with my field
glasses, whilst my friend was engaged photographing. Our
boatmen said they had been informed that it was a rare Arctic
species, and they considered it to be half as large again as
the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. In this they were deceived by
its conspicuousness—it was exactly the same size—and I made
it out to my entire satisfaction to be a partial albino of the
Lesser Black-backed Gull, and paired to a normal one of the
same species. It was of a slightly dirty white shade, with the
exception of a few faint streaks of grey, chiefly on the second-
aries, which showed from above, but more particularly from
below, when the bird was just overhead. Its beak and legs
showed the faintest tinge of yellow, its eye appeared to be
of the normal colour, and its note and cry were similar to those
of the other Lesser Black-backs. In early August I attempted to
single out its offspring, but could not do so as they ran away
with the other young gulls of various sizes, and in a small herd
like chickens. I was prompted to examine them out of
curiosity, for even if they should develop into partial albinoes,
they would not necessarily show any difference whilst in the
downy stage. However, I could not detect the slightest
variation in any of the young gulls in the vicinity.
I should like to testify to the admiration and esteem in
which I regard Mr. Paynter for the great share he has played
in the protection of the breeding birds of the Farne Islands—
an illustration probably unequalled in the history of Bird
Protection.
Naturalist,
Ping oh
ye
PLATE XXI.
1907
NATURALIST,
THE
Speeton Ammonites.
173
NOTES ON sUCCINEA OBLONGA, DRAP.,
AND OTHER SPECIES AT oe,
OVER-SANDS, LANCS.
J. WILFRID JACKSON,
Manchester.
On Good Friday, March 29th, a small party spent the day in
hunting for shells in this favourite locality. The weather was
‘magnificent, the temperature being more like July than March.
Our main efforts were devoted to ascertaining the distribution
of Succinea oblonga, taken for the first time, in August last year,
by Mr. H. Beeston of Havant (‘ Naturalist,’ Jan., 1907, p. 31).
Our first efforts were, however, disappointing, and we decided
to try fresh ground some little distance away from the ditch
where Mr. Beeston discovered his specimens. In this we were
more successful, and were soon rewarded by finding a dead adult
specimen. This was shortly followed by others, among which
were a few full-grown living ones. We then became aware
that the sides and bottom of the damp ditches in which we were
working contained numbers of juvenile examples, all on the
crawl, along with a number of other species.
We were surprised to keep coming across numbers of dead
slugs, chiefly Agrzolimax agrestis and A. levis, which had the
appearance of having been drowned—no doubt during the
recent floods, when many of the marshes in this district were
covered by the heavy tide. The animals were mostly in an
extended condition, and some were covered with a whitish mould.
The other species of mollusca noticed living in the ditches and
their vicinity were Hygromia hispida, fine specimens and very
hispid ; Succinea elegans, a few juvenile examples ; Carychium
minimum, abundant ; Punctum pygmeum ; Cochlicopa lubrica ;
Agriolimax agrestis, A. levis; Arion ctrcumscriptus ; Limnea
pereger var. maritima, L. truncatula,; Aplecta hypnorum ;
Pisidium pusillum, and P. obtusatle.
‘Crossing over out of Westmorland to the Lancashire side oe
the river Winster, we made our way back to Grange, examining
other likely habitats for S. oblonga on the way. Near to a
triangular piece of brackish water and marshy bit of ground we
were surprised to find the species again in evidence (all young
specimens) at the roots of grass on the top of a low wall—a
most unusual habitat for Succtnee. Flood work was again
noticeable, and numbers of dead land shells were strewn
1907 May 1.
174 Jackson: Succinea oblonga at Grange-over-Sands, Lancs.
about among the debris, and it is quite possible that the
Succinee had been driven out of their usual marshy habitat
by the inroads of the sea.
Among the dead shells nothing striking was noticed, the
species being mostly of the commoner kinds, such as Hygromia
rufescens, H. hispida, Vitrea cellaria, etc., though more time
spent at this place might have resulted in the acquisition of
some of the rarer kinds, as is often the case in the north
of Ireland after floods. The finding of this species in the above
two widely separated places, coupled with the fact that Mr.
Beeston also obtained some immature specimens of Szccinee,
which he believes to be S. oblonga, in another situation on the
same marsh last August, leads us to think that it will prove
abundant all over the marsh.
It is interesting to compare this habitat with that of Braun-
ton Burrows, in Devonshire, both of which, whilst dissimilar in
physical and general aspects—the one being among the sand
dunes, the other (near Grange) being on ‘ salt-marsh ’—agree
in the fact of the species inhabiting places near the sea and
where the water is brackish.
We proceeded to Eggerslack Wood, where we were soon
amongst an abundance of Acanthinula lamellata. This species
was first found here in October, 1905, by the writer,* when only
a single specimen was taken. In August last Messrs. Booth
and Rhodes were more fortunate, obtaining thirty or more
specimens in a short time. tT
On the occasion of our joint visit the shell was very much
‘in evidence, almost every dead beech leaf having one or more
examples adhering to it. The shells were mostly of a somewhat
depressed form.
Another object of our visit—Aczcula lineata—we were not
so fortunate with, only about eight examples being noticed,
three of which were white. A number of the usually more
prolific species was observed during our collecting.
It would be interesting here, also, to note that Mr W. H.
Heathcote, of Preston, found Avion ater var. alba sub-var.
marginata in abundance at Woodhead, near Grange, when
collecting on Easter Monday, as well as a fine example of
Helix aspersa var. exalbida, the first record for Lancashire.
* See ‘Journ. Conch.,’ Vol. 11, 1906, p. 361.
+ Op. cit., Vol. 12, 1907, p. 19.
Naturalist,
R45
NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA IN THE
WILSDEN DISTRICT IN 1906.
ROSSE BUTTERFIELD.
From the end of June to the end of the season I worked with
the object of ascertaining what changes had taken place in the
local lepidopterous fauna during recent years.
The latter part of June and the whole of July and August
were very favourable months. September was characterised by
a copious amount of sunshine, but a prevailing north-east wind
militated against successful collecting. October, on the whole,
was fairly good, while November was a very wet month.
The predominating entomological features of the year were
the abnormal abundance of Acronycta pst, Neuronia popularts,
Amphipyra tragopogonts, and Dasypolia templi. N. popularis
swarmed around the gas lamps on suitable nights from August
rgth to the first week in September. Hitherto only one or two
isolated examples of this species have been recorded for this
district. D. ¢empli appeared as early as the second week in
September. On the night of the 18th October, the lamps in the
immediate suburbs of Bradford attracted an unprecedented
number of males of this species. This moth is, I believe, one
of the commonest Noctuz within the city boundary. It is,
however, a very capricious insect, and although the night in
question was dark, damp, and overcast, such conditions were
accompanied by a cold northerly wind.
In addition to the foregoing, Hugonia alniaria, Venusia
cambrica, and Melanippe galiata deserve special mention as
being unusually common, and in a _ lesser degree Noctua
elareosa.
Putting out of the question certain moths which formerly
occurred, but which appear to have disappeared, Apamea
basilinea and Hadena oleracea, which are usually common, were
characterised rather by their absence, as also was the first
brood of Melanippe fluctuata.
In June, July, and September sugar failed as an attraction
to insects. Xylophasia monoglypha on some nights appeared in
numbers, the type greatly preponderating. A few Orthosia
suspecta and a single Mana literosa were all worthy of mention
which came to sugar in those months. The flowers of the Rag-
wort and Ivy proved an absolute failure, although both flowered
freely. Ragwort is the chief attraction to Noctua dahli, yet in
1907 May 1.
176 Butterfield: Lepidoptera tn the Wilsden District.
spite of this flower failing, I observed a few. In October insects
came freely to sugar. Orthosta macilenta was extremely
abundant; other common ones were Mzselza oxyacanthe (mostly
var. capucina), Agriopis aprilina, Calocampa exoleta, Agrotis
suffusa, a few Scopelosoma satellitia, also two C. vetusta. 1
believe only one example of the latter species has heretofore
been recorded in the Bradford district.
Melanic forms do not appear to have been particularly con-
spicuous. It is noteworthy that dark specimens of Scoparia
cembrae and S. ambigual’s were observed, and I secured several
nearly black specimens of the ubiquitous Woctua xanthographa.
Mr. Porritt, in his interesting paper on ‘ Melanism in Yorkshire
Lepidoptera,’ read before Section D. at the British Association
at York (1906), does not include in the list therein given the
two latter species. It is singular that the only specimen of
Amphidasys betularia, captured by my father, Mr. E. P. Butter-
field, was a normal type. I secured a few black Boarmzia
repandata from Blackhills. Among the black forms captured
were a few Cidaria immanata and Miana strigilis. My father
and I caught at sugar one night two striking dark forms of
Agriopis aprilina. The most interesting capture of the year
was a rather dark example of Agvotis agathina in perfect
condition. It was caught whilst it was circling around a lamp
at the base of Harden Moor.
Among moths which are associated with the moor, or rather
moor edges, Acidalia fumata, A. tnornata, Eupithecia nanata,
and 2. minutata were fairly common, as were also the Tortrices
Penthina sauciana, and Amphysa gerningana, and the pretty
Tinee Lxapate congelatella. On Harden Moor I caught three
Cloantha solidagints. Whilst searching with a lamp for this
species, I noticed an abundance of the larve of Hadena pist.
Scodiona belgiaria appears to have been rather scarce, for I only
saw two males.
Among the Geometers caught in September were several
Oporabia autumnaria. This has not previously been recorded
for the district. Mr. Porritt, in his ‘Yorkshire Lepidoptera,’
does not give it specific rank, though it is included as a species
in ‘The Entomologist Synonymic Reference List.’
Butterflies, as usual, have been conspicuous by their absence
—that is to say, in the immediate neighbourhood of Bradford—
with the exception of Cabbage Whites; a Small Tortoise Shell,
caught on December 4th, is the only record I have!
Naturalist,
177
GEOLOGICAL NOTES ON THE ROBIN
HOOD’S BAY DISTRICT.
Professor PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S.
Tue Whitsuntide excursion of the Y.N.U. to Robin Hood’s Bay
will afford the members of the Geological Section an opportunity,
of which they will probably not be slow to avail themselves, of
studying a series of rocks unsurpassed in Britain for the com-
pleteness of their development and the excellence of the
exposures, both on the coast and inland. The physical features
are of equal interest to the stratigraphy, and the paleontology
to both. But the geological fare is even more generous still,
and students of geological tectonics and of glacial geology will
find entrées as subtly compounded as the most fastidious palate
could demand. The fzéce de resistance is, of course, the
Jurassic series, and with Spring Tides (the moon is new on
Whit Sunday) the magnificent exposures on the scars and in
the cliffs will be easy of access.
The whole Liassic succession can be made out in the Bay
with the sole exception of the lowest Zone, that of Asmmonztes
(Pstloceras) planorbis, and of that evidence is occasionally
obtainable in blocks thrown up from submerged reefs. At
Blea Wyke can be seen the only certain occurrence in Yorkshire
of the Zone of Lytoceras jurense and of the overlying Blea Wyke
Beds which form a complete passage from the Lias into the
Inferior Oolite. These are succeeded by the most important
development of the Dogger to be found in the country, and that
is followed by the great Estuarine Series with its occasional
marine beds, which have played an important part in the
correlation of the Lower Oolites of Yorkshire with their south-
country equivalents.
All these Jurassic beds are well furnished with the fossils.
characteristic of their age and of the conditions under which
they were deposited. The principal problem which these rocks
present is connected with the movements of a large fault
which is exposed in the upper part of the cliff at Peak, and
bifurcating seaward produced Peak Steel, a triangular reef of
Middle Lias let in between the Lower Lias of Robin Hood’s
Bay and the Upper Lias of the foreshore to the south of
the point.
1907 May 1.
178 Kendall: Notes on the Robin Hood’s Bay District.
Peak Fault seems to belong to a system of dislocation
completely surrounding the folded, but not faulted, mass of the
Cleveland Hills in much the same way that the Craven and
related faults surround the unfaulted mass of Carboniferous
rocks of the Yorkshire Dales. The analogy may be traced
even further, and just as it has been argued that contempor-
aneous movements of the Craven system of faults affected the
deposition of the Carboniferous and Permian rocks, so, and
with even greater clearness and certainly, it can be inferred
that the Cleveland system of faults affected the deposition of
Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments. It is not improbable that
the Cleveland phenomena are the actual complement of those of
Craven, and that if either the secondary rocks had been partially
preserved in the western area, or the paleozoic rocks exposed
in the eastern one, we might see that repetition of movements
of the dislocations had continued intermittently from Car-
boniferous times, or earlier, down to Cretaceous times, or later.
It can be readily demonstrated that some of the folds were lines
of persistent movement.
The Peak Fault, which belongs to the same series as the
Speeton Fault and the dislocation that runs across the peninsular
ot Scarborough Castle, has long been a subject of speculation
among geologists, and within the last two or three years Mr.
Rastall and Mr. Herries have both written on the subject. The
feature to which most attention has been directed is the effect
of the fault upon the contrasted development of the Upper Lias
and Lower Oolites upon opposite sides of the fault.
On the downthrow (seaward) side the Dogger shows a very
large development, and includes important fossiliferous marine
beds, and the Blea Wyke beds and the Lytoceras jurense beds
are of great magnitude. While on the upthrow (landward) side
the succession, which is splendidly exposed in the great range
of old Alum Works extending from Peak Tunnel to Stoupe
Brow, shows a greatly attenuated Dogger, consisting of only a
few feet of sandstone, with some inches of basal conglomerate
resting on the Alum Shales of the Upper Lias, the jwvense zone
and the Blea Wyke beds being absent. Various explanations
of the discrepancy have been offered, and they will form
excellent provocation to those dialectic encounters for which
the geologists have long been renowned. i
Glacial Geology will, no doubt, have its day, and if there
should chance to be a geologist present whose jaded palate can
still respond to the stimulus of glacier lakes and overflow
Naturalist,
George: Lincolnshire Mites. 179
channels, he can indulge his taste with the original and
authentic brand of those delicacies. The coast sections of the
glacial deposits are, or at least were last autumn, in a very
favourable condition for observation. One noteworthy feature
then visible was a basement layer of coarse rubble consisting of
local rocks, chiefly Jurassic Sandstone, with a few fragments of
Lias. In this deposit no foreign boulders have as yet been
detected.
a
LINCOLNSHIRE MITES.
RHYNCHOLOPHIDA— (continued).
C. F. GEORGE, M.R.C.S.
Kirton-in-Lindsey.
ERYTHREUS appears to be a fairly common Lincolnshire mite,
as I have found several specimens at different times. Mr. Soar
has succeeded in making a very characteristic likeness of the
creatures (fig. 7), as well as a capital, and almost diagramatic
sketch of the palpi and mandibles (fig. 8). This genus differs
from the preceeding ones in having the mandibles only retractile,
and their lancet-like shape and barbed extremities are well
shown in the figure. The palpi are seen to be of five joints ;
the last and smallest joint is bag-shaped, and attached rather
near to the base of the fourth, altogether the organ is very
similar to that found characteristic of the Trombidide. The
colour of the mite varies considerably ; sometimes it is rust
coloured and at others a rather deep red, the hairs being con-
siderably darker than the body of the mite. They are rather
short, stout, and thickly pectinated. Those on the body are
rather blunt at the free end and sometimes slightly curved,
whilst those on the legs and palpi are sharply pointed. The
eyes are simple, very convex, bright, like red sealing-wax, and
give the mite a rather fierce appearance under the microscope;
they are two in number, embedded in the skin, one on either
side of the cephalothorax, and in the middle between them is a
dorsal groove containing a chitinous rod, looped at either end,
having two very fine, rather long curved hairs in each loop,
best seen in a recently dissected mite. The legs are long, the
tarsus of each leg compressed sideways, and that of the first
pair larger than the others. The Epimera are in four groups,
1907 May 1,
180 Northern News.
rather small and far apart. There are, no doubt, a good
number of species in this group requiring examination and
description. I should be glad to receive specimens, living or
Figs. 7 and 8 Erythrzus.
dead, for examination and dissection; they would come by
post in a corked bottle or a closely fitting box containing a little
slightly moist moss.
——. +e —
The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries desire to announce that a new
edition of their leaflet on the Black Currant Mite has been published, in
which information on the treatment of this pest with lime and sulphur has
been incorporated. Fruit growers whose bushes have been attacked with
the mite are advised to experiment with this process. Copies of the leaflet
may be obtained gratis and post free on application to the Secretary of the
Board of Argriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London, S.W.
Letters so addressed need not be stamped.
Naturalist,
181
THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF YORKSHIRE.*
THE first Yorkshire volume of this magnificent work has at last
appeared, and is certainly well up to the admirable standard
already attained by this monumental series. Yorkshire is to
have nine volumes devoted to it—three dealing with the county
generally and two having reference to each of the three Ridings.
The volume just issued is perhaps that which will interest
readers of this journal more than will any of the subsequent
volumes, as it contains an account of the geology, botany, zoology,
and pre-historic remains of the county. Yorkshire, and the York-
shire Naturalists’ Union particularly, can be congratulated upon
the prominent part which workers in the county have played in the
production of the volume, though certainly in scanning its pages
names of contributors which one might have expected to have
seen are missing, whilst others, equally unexpected, appear.
The valuable monographs issued by the County Society have
probably had much to do with the selection of many of the
authors of the chapters under notice.
After the usual preliminary matter, we find the first article
is on the Geology of Yorkshire, by Professor Kendall. For
this we have nothing but praise, and it can be safely stated
that it represents one of the finest productions from the pen of
that author, and unquestionably he has given a summary of
the geology of the county in a way which only a thorough
master of every branch of the subject could have done. In this
contribution, which extends to just upon one hundred pages, it is
evident that the writer is thoroughly acquainted not only with
the principal sections in the various strata referred to, but, what
is of more importance, with the literature relating thereto.
Professor Kendall has always been a keen worker at bibliography,
and this contribution to Yorkshire geology is an admirable
instance of the value of such work. In carefully perusing the
pages it cannot be seen that he has omitted references to any-
body’s work ; in fact, he has, if at all, erred on the side of giving
too much prominence to the work of certain individuals. One
great, though pardonable omission is the adequate recognition
of the valuable contributions to Yorkshire geology which have
been made by Professor Kendall himself. As was truly stated
at a recent gathering of geologists, the study of the features of
our broad-acred shire and the causes to which they are due,
* Vol. I., 524 pp., 12 plates and 4 maps. Constable & Co., price
(together with Vols. II. and III.) 45 guineas.
1907 May 1.
182 The Victoria History of Yorkshire.
received an impetus a few years ago when Professor Kendall
first came to the county, and from that moment to the present
time might aptly be termed the Kendallian era in our knowledge
of the very early History of Yorkshire. Probably no one has
contributed more in a variety of ways to the elucidation of
the many intricate problems in our county as he has, and
whilst anyone familiar with his work might detect its influence
upon the contribution under reveiw, it is more than possible
that an outsider might study the article and have a very im-
perfect idea of the proportion of it which is really the result of
Professor Kendall’s own researches. This contribution to
Yorkshire geology forms a fitting and firm foundation ‘to the
series of monographs which are to follow. There is also a really
beautiful geological map of the county, in four sections.
The next article is on Paleontology, by Mr. R. Lydekker,
who is unquestionably well qualified to deal with the subject ;
but in perusing his very brief contribution, one is struck with
the obvious disadvantage under which he has laboured by not
being familiar with the district upon which he writes, nor with
the various collections of organic remains preserved in different
parts of the county. We must congratulate this author, not-
withstanding, upon the thoroughness with which he has examined
the recent literature on the subject. The result of this, however,
is that too much prominence appears to be given to the work of
certain investigators of recent years, whilst that of the pioneers in
paleontological research, to whom we owe so much, seems to
almost be taking a secondary position. For example, we should
be the last, in any way, to deprecate the excellent work now being
done in the south eastern corner of the county; and, largely
as the result of the frequent contributions during the last few
years by the Curator of the Hull Museum, there is no doubt
that the specimens under his charge have received a publicity
which, though deserving, has not been followed in the case of per-
haps even more interesting examples in other parts of the county.
Mr. Lydekker has had very largely to depend upon published re-
cords and as a consequence one finds that the Hull Museum, or the
specimens it contains, or Mr. Sheppard, are referred to on almost
every page of this contribution, and on some pages several times.
Speaking, at any rate for the vertebrate remains found in
recent deposits, it can be safely stated that the records given in
this volume might be very largely increased.
The botanical section occupies 160 pages, and has been
prepared under the guidance of Mr. J. G. Baker, the veteran
Naturalist,
The Victoria History of Yorkshtre. . 183
Yorkshire botanist. Not to have secured the services
of Mr. Baker would, indeed, have been a calamity. His
familiarity with the botanical features of the county and his
various contributions on the subject ‘including his recently
issued second edition of ‘North Yorkshire’) are a sufficient
guarantee of the excellence of the work, and in this section
every acknowledgement is made to various Yorkshire workers
and to the publications of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.
The botanical section is divided into ‘ Introduction’; ‘Botanical
Districts’ (1. the North Riding: 2. the East Riding: 3. the
West Riding); ‘Mosses’; ‘Liverworts’ ; ‘Marine Alge’ ;
‘Lichens’; and ‘Fungi.’ Mr. Baker gives the following
approximate estimate of the number of plants known in the
county :-—
Flowering plants and ferns... fi) @OsO:
Mosses ... a ia. ie fi? 400;
Hepaticze ok St Se if, SP LEgo:
Lichens =: aS, ae =a gt BNBOO:
Algze nak ah a. aan i) “2200.
Bungi<*:.: fs. re sy “REO B626.
Total species... 5926.
Mr. Baker’s contribution is accompanied by an admirable
coloured map of the county, divided into twenty-two botanical
districts, based on the river basins.
Weare agreeably surprised to find thata fairly comprehensive
account of the marine zoology of the county appears, from the
pen of Mr. John Oliver Borley. In this the author gives a
description of the nature of the coast-line and its bearing upon
the fauna. He supplies lists of the species according to their
northern, southern, etc., types, and follows with apparently
carefully compiled lists of the various forms of marine life
occurring on the coast, for which he is admittedly indebted
very largely to the ‘ Naturalist’ and to the ‘ Transactions of the
Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’ Club.’ At the present
moment, when there seems to be a desire on the part of York-
shire naturalists to renew the study of the marine zoology of the
coast, the appearance of this list seems particularly appropriate,
and forms a Suitable basis for future work. It is quite possible
that a few records already published may have been overlooked
by Mr. Borley, but it is more than probable that his lists can be
enlarged by even a few carefully planned collecting excursions
1907 May I.
184 The Victoria History of Yorkshire.
to Filey Brig, Flamborough Head, or other suitable points.
Probably something in this direction will be accomplished
during the coming summer.
The account of the non-marine mollusca of the county seems
very brief indeed, occupying four-and-a-half pages only. This
is probably due to the fact that it has been- prepared by Mr. B.
B. Woodward, of the British Museum, who naturally cannot be
familiar with the district he is describing, as are at least half-a-
dozen prominent conchologists in the county. Perhaps the
omission from the list of contributors to the present volume of
the names of undoubtedly the best qualified conchologists in
Yorkshire, we had almost said Britain, is the greatest surprise
we have had in perusing it. Mr. Woodward points out that of
the 146 species of non-marine mollusca now known to inhabit
the British Isles no fewer than 122 have been recorded from York-
shire. He regrets that there is, as yet, no complete memoir
dealing with the land and fresh-water shells of the county as a
whole, and this regret we certainly share with him. He points
out that such a list was begun by Taylor and Nelson, in 1877, in
the ‘Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,’ but it
remains a fragment. We believe the conchological section of
the Union is now considering the question of the completion of
this list, and the sooner this appears the better. Possibly, had
it existed, Mr. Woodward’s contribution to the Victoria History
would have been more substantial. It is gratifying to notice
that ‘the compilation by Mr. T. Petch of a published record of
the land and fresh-water mollusca of the East Riding, with
additions (Trans. Hull Sci. and F. Nat, Club, iii., 121-181), is
the best planned local list it has been his good fortune to meet
with, especially in the matter of the maps, and it is a great pity
it has not been extended to the whole county.’
Dealing with the insects there is a very satisfactory con-
tribution of eighty pages, under the general editorship of Mr.
G. T. Porritt, who has supplied the lists of Orthoptera,
Neuroptera, Trichoptera, and Lepidoptera.* Mr. Denison
Roebuck is responsible for the Hymenoptera, Messrs. E. G.
Bayford and M. L. Thompson for the Coleoptera, and Mr. P.
H. Grimshaw for the Diptera. There does not appear to be a
* The list of Lepidoptera contains the following records, which have
been made since the second edition of Mr. Porritt’s ‘List of Yorkshire
Lepidoptera’ appeared :—Plusia moneta, Euchromia mygindana, Orthotenia
antiguana, Catoptria fulvana, Acidalia emutaria, Ephippiphora grandevana,
Gelechia atriplicella, Bedellia somnulentella.
Naturalist,
The Victoria History of Yorkshire. 185
list of Hemiptera, though surely there must be some printed
records, although possibly these are not numerous. It will be
for the new Yorkshire Hymenoptera, Diptera, aud Hemiptera
Committee to remedy this defect. As might be expected, as a
result of the exceptionally complete and excellent monographs
already issued in the county, much of the material occurring in
the contribution under ‘insects’ has already appeared elsewhere,
though, of course, it is necessary in a work such as the Victoria
History that it should occur again.
The Arachnida (Spiders, Harvest-men, and False-Scorpions)
are dealt with by the Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge, and include
about 221 species for Yorkshire, out of about 540 known for
Great Britain and Ireland. Mr. Pickard-Cambridge gives a
useful bibliography.
The Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing has written a contribution
dealing with Crustaceans, and gives an exceedingly readable
and useful account of them; in fact, he seems to have taken
every possible care to gather together the various scattered
records and to have presented the information in an attractive
form. We cannot find that he has omitted anything of im-
portance, and he has certainly examined the literature on the
subject in a way which merits praise.
For the Fishes, Reptiles and Batrachians, Birds, and Mam-
mals, Mr. Oxley Grabham is responsible, and his contribution to
these subjects occupies, for fishes 8 pages; reptiles and
batrachians, 14; birds, 28; mammals, 6. With this limited
allocation of space of course it is not possible for Mr. Grabham
to have done every justice to these important departments.
With regard to the fishes, the author has added his own notes,
together with others supplied by Messrs. W. J. Clarke and T.
Newbitt, to the list, ‘now, however, considerably out of date,’ in
‘The Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire.’ This chapter, however,
had to be written at very short notice. Of the birds, we observe
Mr. Grabham includes 326 species in his list. Amongst these is
a red-throated pipit which the late Mr. John Cordeaux reported
as seen near Kilnsea, though it was not obtained. We also
observe that reference is made to the fact that quite recently
ten eggs anda stuffed specimen of the Great Auk located at Scar-
borough have, with the exception of one egg, now been lost to
the town, and that there are two stuffed specimens in the York
Museum. These, of course, have no connection with the county,
as Mr. Grabham recognises, as the information is given in
square brackets. He refers also to the forthcoming ‘ Birds of
1907 May 1.
186 Northern News.
Yorkshire,’ and whilst, of course, the somewhat brief account in
the Victoria History is necessarily of a different type altogether
from that about to appear in the two thick volumes dealing with
the birds of the county, it is much to be regretted that the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was not able to get its monograph
before the public first. In examining Mr. Grabham’s list we
notice a preference for the records of specimens which have
been shot near York or are in the York Museum, but this is
quite pardonable. ‘Mr. G. Hewett of York’ seems unfamiliar,
and we take this opportunity of informing Mr. Grabham that
Mr. Hewitt’s christian name is William. In the account of the
Cetacea it might have been worth while to have added that the
specimen of Sibbald’s Rorqual caught at Spurn some years ago
is the type specimen of that species, as was described in this
journal for August, 1901.*
(Zo be continued).
2 OS
‘We have received the Annual Report for 1995 of the Public Museums
and Meteorological Observatory of Bolton. It has been prepared by the
Curator, Mr. T. Midgley, and contains a record of a useful year’s work.
Under the title ‘Nature's Night-Watchman,’ Mr. Frank Finn figures
and describes several species of owls in the April ‘Animal World.’ His
photographs of the different species are very useful.
At a recent meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological
Society Mr. Sopp exhibited the cockroach Phoraspis leucogramme,
taken in the Liverpool docks, this being a Brazilian species not previously
recorded as having occurred in Europe.
An interesting illustrated pamphlet on ‘ Allotments,’ by T. W. Sanders*
F.L.S., has been issued by the Agricultural and Horticultural Association
(one penny). It is the eighth issue of the ‘One and All’ practical gardening
handbooks, edited by Edward Owen Greening. The author gives practical
illustrations of the obtaining and working of allotments, and the editor adds
some detailed advice ‘how to proceed.’
From the ‘ Keighley Museum Report, 1906" we learn that it has been
decided that Airedale shall be the District represented by its Museum, and
towards securing specimens from this area, the Curator, Mr. S. L. Mosley,
proposes to devote a very large portion of his leisure time, and all ‘ holidays.’
The labels etc., printed at the Keighley Museum are reprinted on 8vo, sheets
of paper, and issued as ‘Keighley Museum Notes.’ Of these 58 have already
appeared. They principally deal with botanical and entomological subjects.
Miss M. V. Lebour favours us with a reprint of her paper on ‘Larval
Trematodes of the Northumberland Coast’ (Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of
Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-on-Tyne, New Series, Vol I.,
pt. 3). The authoress deals with this very neglected order in detail, and
gives particulars of the various species of mollusca which are infested with
Trematodes. Illustrating the paper are plates showing Monostomum
flavum, Cercaria ubiquita, C. pirum, Monostomum (Cercaria {lophocerca),
C. oocysta, Distomum (Echinostomum) leptosomum, and Bucephalus
haimeanus.
Naturalist,
187
Sn Memoriam.
JOHN EMMERSON ROBSON.
NorTHERN LepipopTerists have sustained a great loss in the
death of John E. Robson of Hartlepool, which event took place
on February 28th last, after an illness of some weeks’ duration.
Mr. Robson was seventy-four years of age. For a very long
period he was known in the north of England as an ardent and
successful lepidopterist, and since his connection with the
‘Young Naturalist’ (afterwards the ‘ British Naturalist ’),
equally so throughout the country. Mr. Robson edited the
journal just alluded to for the fourteen years from 1879 to 1893,
the first several years in conjunction with Mr. S. L. Mosley.
The journal was very popular and did much good, and will long
be remembered on account of the lively but thoroughly good-
natured discussions between prominent lepidopterists of the time
on various entomological problems. Mr. Robson also issued
‘A List of British Lepidoptera, and their named Varieties,’
but his greatest literary work was probably ‘The Lepidoptera
of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-on-Tyne,’ the
concluding part of which he was engaged upon at the time of his
death. He had been busy on this work for some years, and
three parts had already been issued, bringing it to the end of
the Tortrices, and leaving only the Tinez and Pterophori to be
dealt with. We are glad to know that this part will not suffer
through the author’s death, as Mr. E. R. Bankes has kindly
undertaken to see it through the press, and it would have been
impossible to have placed it in better or more suitable hands.
Mr. Robson was an enthusiastic and genial companion as. we
know from experience, and a charming correspondent. He
had been a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London
since 18go.
Besides his business and entomological pursuits, Mr. Robson
took great interest in public work, especially educational, and
was formerly on the old School Board, and more recently on the
Education Committee at Hartlepool. He was, too, until his
death, a member of the Borough Council, of which body his
father was Mayor so long ago as 1855. The funeral took place
at Hartlepool Cemetery on March 4th, and was of a public
character, being attended by the Mayor and Corporation and
very many of the leading inhabitants of the town, whilst the
streets en route to the cemetery were lined with people assembled
to show their respect.—G, T. P.
1907 May 1.
188
FIELD NOTES.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Cram 5us falsellus : An addition to the Yorkshire List
of Lepidoptera.—When on a visit to the Rev. C. D. Ash, in
early July, last year, I netted a fine specimen of this Crambus
at dusk in his garden at Saxton, near Tadcaster. —T. ASHTON
Lorruouse, Middlesborough.
Tortrices, etc., at Guisborough.—The following were
taken on the occasion of the Y.N. U. meeting held at Guisborough
in August, 1906 :—
Peronea sponsana.
Penthina variegana.
Hedya dealbana.
Grapholitha ramella.
Aphelia osseana.
Prays curtisellus.
Cerostoma radiatella.
Plutella cruciferarum.
Grapholitha penkleriana. Argyresthia nitidella.
Pedisca corticana. Argyresthia gedartella.
Pedisca solandriana. | Argyresthia spiniella.
T. Asuton Lorrnouse, Linthorpe, Middlesborough, April 1907.
Lepidoptera taken jin the Cleveland district during
1906.—In most cases the species named below are additions to
the local list. :-—
Eudorea crategella. At sugar. Kil- | Trycheris aurana. Great Ayton.
dale. Xanthosetia zoegana. Marske and
Tortrix unifasciana. Redcar. Redcar.
Peronea caledoniana. Battersby. Eupecilia atricapitana. Redcar.
Argyrotoza — conwayana. Great Epigraphia steinkellneriana. Salt-
Ayton. burn.
Ptycholoma lecheana. Guisborough. Tinea semifulvella. Great Ayton.
Hledya lariciana. Kildale, only two VE Pei PRET Middles-
previous Yorks. records for this borough in April.
species. - ieee:
Hedya neglectana. Middlesborough. Dep eee costosella, Marske and
Sciaphila subjectana. Bred from UG Ss
near Middlesborough and Red- | Depressaria angelicella. Kildale. ;
car. Gelechia Stain Swainby in
Sciaphila hybridana. Redcar. Cleve einhelc :
aes sordidana. Among alders Gelechia dodecella. Kildale.
at Great Ayton in September. | Gelechia ligulella. Kildale.
Pamplusia mercuriana. Battersby. | Gelechia rufescens. Redcar.
Retinia pinivorana. Great Ayton. Ornix anglicella. Swainby in Cleve-
Stigmonotainternana, Estonin June. | land.
Stigmonota regiana. Bred from | Coleophora albicosta. Eston.
sycamore, Kildale. | Coleophora fabriciella. Great Ayton,
T. Asuton Lorruouss, Linthorpe, Middlesborough.
Naturalist,
Field Note. 189
BIRDS.
A Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetta) & was picked up
dead at Corwen on Sunday, April 14th. It had evidently met its
fate by colliding against the telegraph wires, under which it was
found. Its lower mandible was completely broken. The body
of the bird was in a very wasted condition and the stomach
contained only a few grains of sand. As this species is most
secretive and loth to fly unless positively obliged, there is very
little doubt the bird was migrating.—A. NewstTeap, Grosvenor
Museum, Chester.
Rare Birds in Craven.—On 2oth March, 1907, I saw a fine
Pink Footed Goose feeding on the bank of the River Aire near
Skipton ; it is not often we hear of this bird being so far inland.
Last October a Great Crested Grebe, an adult bird in winter
plumage, was shot at Malham.
In February this year a fine specimen of an adult Oyster
Catcher was shot near Skipton, probably one which had lagged
behind from a batch of these birds which were seen here a few
days earlier.—W. WItson, Skipton-in-Craven, April 22nd, 1907.
An Albino Carrion Crow was reported in the last October
issue of this journal by Mr. H. B. Booth, as seen on Burnsall
Fell, Skipton-in-Craven.
One of the Duke of Devonshire’s keepers has informed me
that he saw the bird many times during July and August, and
distinguished it as a Carrion Crow by its croak, which he heard
on several occasions. The bird was also seen and identified by
Mr. Alf. Downs, the Duke’s agent, on August 3rd, 1906. It
appears to have frequented that part of the moor around Crook-
rise, near Skipton, and was always accompanied by three other
Carrion Crows, probably its nest-mates. The crow was last
noticed in this district on September 3rd, 1906, near Embsay
Crag, Barden Moor. I have since had reported to me that a
White Carrion Crow was seen above Penyghent Gill, during the
month of November last, in company with three other crows.
If these are the same birds, it is interesting to note that this
supports the suggestion that broods in this species keep to-
gether until they attain maturity. Many other persons saw the
bird during July and August, 1906, and identified it as a
Carrion Crow. The latest report I have is that it was seen
on April 3rd, 1907, near Barden.—W. WILson, Skipton-in-
Craven, April 20th, 1907.
1907 May 1.
190 Reviews and Book Notices.
YORKSHIRE MOSSES.
Leskea catenulata (Brid.) Mitt.—In some way this moss
has been omitted from Mr. Slater’s list in the new edition of
North Yorkshire. It is given on page 130 under the name of
Pseudoleskea catenulata in the list of plants on the summit and
higher slopes of Micklefell, and I gathered it there in 1906.
Orthothecium rufescens. (Dicks.) B. and S.—This
distinct moss I got at Easter this year at the bottom of Park
Gill, Buckden. It is not mentioned in the account of the
Langstrothdale and Buckden Mosses by Mr. W. Ingham, B.A.,
in the Sept., 1904, ‘Naturalist,’ and does not seem to have
been reported in Wharfedale proper, though known from Mal-
ham to Arncliffe.—Curis. A. CHEETHAM.
—_+oe—
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
The Rev. E. A. Woodruffe-Peacock, F.G.S., of Cadney, Brigg, continues
to publish his useful ‘ Rural Studies Series,’ the last issued, No. 9, dealing
with ‘ Pasture and Meadow Analysis’ (J. W. Goulding & Son, Louth, 20 pp.,
1/-). In this the author gives an account of his method of carefully analysing
the flora of a meadow by dividing an area into squares and carefully
investigating the contents of each square.
The Common Wild Birds of Great Britain, by David T. Price,
M.D. Gurney & Jackson, 1907, 62 pp., 1/- net. We have tested this book,
and it appears to be thoroughly reliable and to admirably answer its
purpose as ‘ A ready aid to distinguish the Common Wild Birds of Britain.’
The birds are arranged according to their habitats and sizes, and by a
series of cross-references it is quite an easy matter to distinguish most of
the birds likely to be met with in a ramble in any part of the country. It is
just the book for a beginner who does not want to be troubled with details
of the birds he is very unlikely to see.
List of British Seed=-Plants and Ferns, by James Britten and
A. B. Rendle, Department of Botany, British Museum. 44 pp. 4d.
British Botanists will feel indebted to the compilers of this List for
placing at their disposal the results of the International Rules of Botanical
Nomenclature, adopted by the Botanical Congress at Vienna, 1905, in so far
as they affect British plants For the convenience of Botanists they have
correlated the names adopted in the three principal handbooks, viz.,
Bentham’s ‘Handbook,’ Hooker's ‘Students’ Flora,’ and Babington's
‘Manual,’ so that one sees at a glance the changes that have been made in
cases where the name is not adopted in the List. The List has been
shortened by the omission of Channel Island plants and critical forms of
genera, such as Rubus, Hieraciwm, etc. Much time and money was spent
by the Congress in framing these rules, and it is hoped their general
adoption will lead to something like stability in Botanical Nomenclature.
Text Book of Fungi, including Morphology, Physiology, Pathology,
Classification, etc. By George Massee. Duckworth & Co., London,
1906. 427 pages. Price 6/- net.
Mr. Massee is well known in the north. His attendance at the annual
Fungus Forays of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union has enabled many
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 19I
mycologists to benefit by his personal acquaintance in the field ; and as joint
author of the Fungus Flora of Yorkshire, and as Chairman of the Yorkshire
Mycological Committee, he has greatly helped forward the study of the
lower forms of plant life with which he is so familiar. In the work under
notice he has placed all students under a debt of gratitude for the careful
Fusicladium pirinum, a destructive Parasite on Pears.
1. Fungus forming minute, velvety, dark-coloured patches on a pear leaf. 2. Fungus
forming scurfy patches, and causing cracking of the flesh of a pear. 3. Conidiophores
bearing conidia. Figs. 1 and 2 reduced; fig. 8 magnified.
way in which he has put in a presentable form all the modern views on
the subjects referred to in the sub-title, as well as by giving an introduc-
tion to the comparatively new lines of research. A useful chapter on
‘Biologic Forms’ is contributed by Mr. E. S. Salmon. Not the least
valuable part of the book is to be found in the numerous illustrations and
the descriptions thereof, which from an economic point of view are in-
valuable. We believe they are all from Mr. Massee’s own pencil, and
prove him to be a most capable artist as well as a learned author. By
the courtesy of the publishers, we are able to reproduce one of the 141
figures.
The March ‘ Naturalists’ Quarterly Review’ has secured one or two new
contributors. Mr. Westell (W. Percival, F.R.H.S., M.B.O.U.) informs us
that in April the ‘ Lambs become s¢vonger,’ in this way, presumably, differing
from the young of other animals. In the usual praises for new books we
once again learn ‘that these are quite the finest photographs we have ever
seen,’ and that ‘this is one of the very best volumes we have ever seen,’ etc.,
etc. The same ‘reviewer’ apologises for describing ‘The Evolution of Man’
in a previous issue as ‘The Evolution of W/ars/’ An advertiser (whose name
we might perhaps guess), wants ‘list of duplicates with lowest prices’ of
‘finely marked recent clutches of British Birds’ Eggs.’ Is it possible that
the same individual writes upon the advantages of the Acts for the Pro-
tection of Birds and Eggs ?
1907 May 1.
oe NORTHERN NEWS.
The recent leaflets issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries deal
with Crimson Clover, Dodder, Poultry Fattening, The Dogs Act, 1905,
Insurance of Farming Stock against Fire, and Cleansing of Water Courses.
A significant post-script appears to the last named :—‘ This leaflet does not
apply to Scotland!’ Stands Scotland where it did ?
Hints on self-advertisement. ‘As a member of the School Nature-Study
Union, and as a writer of books and lecturer on Natural History subjects
designed to interest, elevate, and amuse young and growing children, etc.,
etc.’... ‘Listen to what Sir Herbert Maxwell says in his Introduction to
one of my books.’ (Extracted from an articleon ‘Nature Teaching, through
the senses to the mind,’ by a F.R.H.S., M.B.O.U.).
The Report of the Corresponding Societies’ Committee of the British
Association, and of the Conference of Delegates (York Meeting) has been
issued, and may be obtained at the offices of the Association for one shilling.
In addition to the papers read, and the discussions which took place at the
Conference of Delegates at York, it contains particulars relating to the
various societies affiliated with the Association, as well as a useful biblio-
graphy of papers which have appeared in the various societies’ proceedings.
The B.E.N.A.’s have been having a ‘beano.’ Forty-nine of the readers
of ‘The Country Side’ have guessed correctly a ‘What is it’ problem (a
thimble) ; the prize has been divided, and each ‘ successful competitor’ has
received the sum of fivepence. May we suggest that these forty-nine show
their gratitude by purchasing a B.E.N.A. badge with the proceeds, and be
thus easily identified. In the same journal we learn that ‘country people
love to keep a jay in a wicker cage!’
Ata recent meeting of the York Naturalists’ Society a discussion took
place on ‘the Young Naturalist.’ From the press report we learn that ‘ Mr.
William Hewett, a born entomologist of fame, drew timely attention to the
fact that it would be a sad day if all the children, youths, and maidens in the
land were made mere collectors of rare plants, insects, etc. The county of
York could not afford to have a single species exterminated by too ardent
collecting, of which there was always a lurking danger present.’ To this
we say Amen!
Perhaps the principal article in the April ‘Reliquary’ deals with ‘Damme.’
To this city of the Netherlands a good American once paid a visit. ‘ There
was no hotel, the door of the one estaminet was too narrow to admit his
trunks, and, sitting down upon them in the deserted Grand Place, he softly
whispered the word which is at the head of this chapter.’ In the same
journal Mr. T. P. Cooper, of York, has a paper on ‘The Story of the
Tobacco Pipe.’ In this he figures, as early York-made pipes, two or three
examples which were most probably made in Hull.
As an illustration of the way in which even common objects can be
examined with fruitful results, Mr. C. Gordon Hewitt has recently issued
“A Preliminary Account of the Life History of the Common House Fly’
(Memoirs and Proceedings Manchester Lit. & Phil. Soc., Vol. 51, part 1).
In the the same proceedings, Mr. R. L. Taylor draws attention to the
remarkable luminosity produced by rubbing or knocking together various
forms of silica. A correspondent in a local paper some time ago pointed
this out as a property peculiar to the white pebbles found on the coast at
Whitby.
The taste for natural history is growing, and ‘Punch’ is the latest
journal to have a column devoted to ‘Nature Studies.’ The subject in the
issue before us is ‘ The Motor Bus,’ though the Latin name of the species is
not given, which seems unfortunate. Judging from the description, however,
we presume it is a variety of a Slitheranda damdzim (L). In another part
of the same issue, under ‘ Zoological Sequels,’ are given some advertisements
for patent medicines for animals.. Amongst these we find ‘Leopards try
Pumacea. It touches every spot.’ Another is a cure for lobsters blushing,
which reminds us of a story. [Thanks, but this is a natural history
journal.—Eb. |.
Naturalist,
aan “ys a rs
a hed ot as
No. 605
383 of current series).
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
EDITED BY '
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Contents :— ‘a
, PAGES 7
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Museum, The Inclosures Acts in Lincolnshire and East Yorks., Lakeland Ravens, C
Plant Associations and Golf, A Darlington ‘Find,’ The Scarborough Museum, j oe
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Whe Birch Trees P.O. Keegan, LEDs 6 0h) oat and awe sale ane te A ye, 20
Theories of Evolution—Agnes Robertson, D.Sc. 14.00 escent nee nee eee 209-215 Be
The Peregrines at Bempton—E. W. Wade, M.B.O.U.... 00 0.000 iG ees
The Victoria History of Yorkshire... ... ert, Varia eainm ereeetuy ny UPL: ah
History of the British Museum (Natural History) Collections... das “35 & ... 219-220 |
In Memoriam—Edward Halliday _... : an oe ee os ue 221
a9 John Francis Walker, M.A., F. G. Ss. FF Zz. ‘S. Bled (oa ake! Mt aLagi a fle et 221 ae
Field Notes... e a as Segre easy 5) ROR Ie ross ie =e mE «+» 218, 222 ¥
Reviews and Book Be rs 197, 215, 221, 295 ©
Northern News nee Hee ae ds mas ne oe val Be oy ie Se ... 220, 224 os
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THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &c.
This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most :
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THE BRADFORD SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL.
The Bradford Scientific Journal for April completes the first
volume of twelve parts, and contains an index. The journal is
to be congratulated on its success, and particularly from the
fact that a very fair proportion of the articles have been of local
interest. The present part has a useful and well illustrated
paper on ‘The Vegetation of some Disused Quarries,’ by
S. Margerison. Amongst the other items are ‘Our Birds in
Winter,’ by C. A. E. Rodgers, and ‘ The Diversion of a Wharfe-
dale Stream into Airedale,’ by E. E. Gregory.
THE BRADFORD MUSEUM.
In an editorial we notice that our Bradford friends have ‘ one
regret. Our scheme for the furtherance of the Bradford Museum
still languishes in abeyance. Not for want of enthusiasm
amongst local Scientists, nor for want of appreciation by
the public, who have evinced a lively interest in the little that
has been done. The obstacle zs officral indifference, tf not actual
opposition on the part of our municipal authorities. North, south,
east, and west of the borough we find museums. Leeds,
Keighley, Halifax, Huddersfield, and now Spen Valley, all
show us how it is done, and still Bradford occupies its position
of ‘splendid’ isolation.” We’share the hope of the Bradford
naturalists that before long the Corporation will exhibit a
larger public spirit and provide a museum worthy of the city.
A good deal of the material which has been put on exhibition,
we understand, is utter rubbish, valueless for any educational
purpose, and in some cases actually the laughing-stock
of the informed naturalist. It is surprising that Bradford
having so excellent a building for the purpose of a small
museum should be content to allow it to be wasted. We
are ashamed of Bradford.
THE INCLOSURES ACTS IN. LINCOLNSHIRE AND
EAST YORKS.
The Footpaths Preservation Society has reprinted Dr.
Gilbert Slater’s most valuable paper on ‘The Inclosure of
Common Fields considered Geographically,’ which appeared
in the ‘Geographical Journal.’ This contains several plans
1907 June 1.
N
194 Notes and Comments.
and diagrams, and the subject is dealt with in a way which is
of great value to a naturalist. Some peculiar cases of the effect
of the Inclosures Acts on the village communities of Lincolnshire
and the East Riding of Yorkshire are referred to. ‘In the Isle
of Axholme every cottager possessed a right of common over
the vast swampy pastures which separated the Isle from York-
shire on one side and Lincolnshire on the other; the owners
of land, as such, had no rights of common. In consequence,
the cottagers were able, when the marshes were divided, drained,
and inclosed, to defeat the proposal to also inclose the arable
fields, and these remain to the present day, to a very great
extent, open and intermixed.’
LAKELAND RAVENS.
From a recent issue of the Yorkshire Post we regret to learn
that the few ravens that continue to nest in Lakeland are
exposed to continual persecution by well-to-do egg collectors.
Recently a pair that had nested on a crag on Melbreak was
robbed of five eggs. Two parties went to secure the nest.
Both took 2oft. ladders for the purpose, but finding them too
short, agreed to join them together, and divide the spoil. A
spin of a coin decided the fate of the odd egg. The eggs of the
raven are protected in Cumberland, but it is a mere paper pro-
tection. The nests are regularly harried by collectors, and
probably in a short time the Lake District will know the noble
bird no more.
We suppose there are police in the Lake District ? though
possibly they are of the variety of some of those in south-east
Yorkshire, where a police inspector was recently noticed to be
one of a party enjoying ‘sport’ amongst protected birds, though
as they were ona boat ona river they may possibly not have
been in a place within the meaning of the Act!
PLANT ASSOCIATIONS AND GOLF.
A recent writer in one of the dailies has found an original
excuse for losing a golf match. He was so absorbed in the fact
that the Fescue grasses occupied the hillocks and the higher
and drier slopes, whilst others of softer texture and harder
names flourished in the ‘damp hollows.’* He continues: ‘In
* This kind of hollow is frequently referred to by golfers.
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 195
a particular little hollow, at which I had a good look because
my ball came to rest in it, I could not detect a single stalk of
Fescue grass. The verdant carpet seemed to me to be com-
posed chiefly of the poa grasses. Thirty feet higher up, at the
same hole, there were nothing but the Fescues.’ Who says
there is nothing in the study of plant associations after that ?
A DARLINGTON ‘§ FIND.’
Some little stir has been caused in local circles by the
‘discovery, at Darlington, of a bone two feet in diameter and
three feet long, found at a depth of six feet, ‘immediately below
a bed of glacial clay and above the gravel.’... ‘Theories
innumerable have been propounded by geologists, scientists,
anatomists, and others who have inspected the find, but nothing
at all probable has as yet been forthcoming. It will be produced
at a meeting of the Darlington Naturalists’ Field Club, when
anyone interested may attend and take part in the inquest which
is to be held. What the verdict may be it is impossible to say,
but for the guidance of the jury we append the jaw-breaking
designation of some of the largest known extinct animals, and
they may choose any they wish :—Anthracotherium, anapol-
therium, dinotherium giganterum, ichthyosaurus, lopiodon,
mastodon giganteus, megatherium, mosasaurus, palzosaurus,
paleotherium, plesiosburus, teleosaurus, and tetracaulodon.’
We have printed the names as they appear in the local press!
Mr. Edward Wooler has kindly favoured us with a photograph
of the ‘discovery,’ and as was suspected, it turns out to bea
part of the lower jaw of a whale—probably part of a gate-post
—as fifty years ago hundreds of these jaw-bones were sold for
this purpose and distributed over the country. In East York-
shire dozens such still exist.
THE SCARBOROUGH MUSEUM.
We have received the Annual Report of the Scarborough
Philosophical Society for 1906, in which is included the report
of the Scarborough Naturalists’ Society. We are glad to
motice that, through the energy of its members, its debt has
been wiped off, the much needed renovations of the property
have been partly carried out, and there is a good balance in
hand. The floor of the geological room, which had collapsed,
thas been concreted. Substantial alterations have also been
‘carried out in other parts of the Museum, and a generous gift of
£100 enables the Society’s library to have proper attention.
atgo7 June 1.
196 Notes and Comments.
SCARBOROUGH NATURALISTS.
It is also evident that the Field Naturalists’ Society at
Scarborough is doing useful work, judging from the Recorders’
reports. We learn the membership ‘is probably about equal
to that of last year.’ Amongst the more interesting items we
notice that a small colony of Black-headed Gulls nested near
Scarborough. ‘On May 16th there were about forty nests, but
all had been plundered, either by human or avian depredators,
and not an egg was to be found.’ Reference is made to the
‘self-denial’ of the climbers at Speeton in allowing the young
peregrines last year to fly, and to the fact that this is the fourth
occasion upon which peregrines have nested within the Scar-
borough district since 1g00.
RECORDERS’ REPORTS.
Mr. W. J. Clarke is responsible for the report on the
Vertebrata, Mr. W. Pearson for Coleoptera, Mr. A. S. Tetley
for Lepidoptera, in which report it is recorded, somewhat un-
expectedly, that ‘the season of 1906 has been a good one for
Lepidoptera,’ Mr. E. R. Cross for Flowering Plants, Mr. W.
Gyngell for Conchology, Mr. E. B. Lotherington for Micro-
Botany and [Micro-] Zoology, and Mr. R. Gilchrist for Geology
and Arachnida. All these gentlemen have carefully recorded
the season’s work, and in several departments additions to our
knowledge have been made. If we might make a suggestion
for the benefit of future reports, it is that the scientific names
of the species referred to be printed in italics (this is done,
partly, in the Botanical Report), and that greater care be taken
in the matter of proof-reading. Amongst some of the more:
glaring misprints are ‘Fuses,’ ‘Cornbrach,’ and ‘ Slathwait.’
The commas also appear to have been dropped in anyhow in
parts of the report. Perhaps the most unexpected item was:
that Prof. Kendall had sent for inspection ‘a special model of
the Glaciatioro, in North Yorkshire.’ Something Italian, surely!
MODEL OF EBBING AND FLOWING WELL,
In Evan’s ‘How to Study Geology,’ which we are noticing
elsewhere, an interesting illustration is given of the model of
the ebbing and flowing well at Austwick Hall, the property of
T. R. Clapham, Esq., which was constructed by the late Richard
Clapham about the year 1851. By the courtesy of the
publishers we are able to reproduce this diagram. for the benefit
Naturalist,.
Reviews and Book Notices. 197
of our readers. A. is the side of a large slate cistern, in which
is a fountain. B. is a. cylindrical cistern of lead, from the bottom
of which, at E., projects a syphon C., the other extremity of
which is carried down the garden for a distance of fifteen yards
to a stone well D., the outlet of which is then at F. B. is
supplied with water from the tap shown. This tap’ has to be
regulated to give a certain supply. As the cistern B. gets filled
with water to the level of the dotted line it is filling the right
51
seh
limb of the syphon also. When the water has risen to the
dotted line, all air being driven from the tube, the action of the
syphon begins, and as the base of the syphon pipe is greater
than that of the tap, the water in B. is drawn off until it falls
down to E., when air gets into the syphon and stops its action
until the cistern B. is again filled from the tap. When the
syphon is drawing all the water from B. it is flowing into the
well D., and is, of course, emptying itself during the time that
B. is again being filled.
—_2e——
The Kingdom of Man, by E. Ray Lankester, D.Sc., F.R.S., ete.
Constable & Co., 1907. 192 pp., plates, 3/6 net. This volume contains
three essays by Professor Lankester, which, under other titles, have
previously appeared elsewhere. The first, ‘ Nature’s Insurgent Son,’ was
the Romanes lecture for 1905; the second was the presidential address of
the British Association, delivered at the York meeting last year, and contains
an account ‘of the progress made in the last quarter of a century towards
the assumption of his kingship by slowly-moving man.’ This address was
dealt with in these columns at the time it was delivered. The third paper,
reprinted from the ‘Quarterly Review,’ is an account of the recent attempt to
deal with the Sleeping Sickness of South Africa, The volume takes its title
from the first of the essays named. All three will be familiar to our readers,
though many may desire to possess them in this convient form, particularly
as numerous additional illustrations are inserted. We notice, ina description
of a photograph of six Eoliths of the ‘shoulder-of-mutton’ type, ‘the
descriptive term ‘‘trinacrial”’ is suggested by me for these flints in allusion
to the form of the island of Sicily which they resemble (Original).’ Future
writers please note.
1907 June 1.
198
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT ROBIN
HOOD’S BAY.
May 18th to 20th, 1907.
Durinc Whit week-end (May 18-20) over forty members of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union stayed at Robin Hood’s Bay.
This number was augmented on Bank Holiday, and a few
remained longer. As has been the practice in recent years,
the evenings were devoted to the reading of papers and
discussions thereon, and in this way additional value and
interest was added to the work accomplished during the
field excursions.
As might be expected from the nature of the district, and
its geological traditions, the hammermen were predominent,
and had an exceptional opportunity of examining the sections
in the cliffs and in the quarries adjacent. These places have
also long been known as haunts of interesting birds, which, on
this excursion, were the means of attracting several camera
and field-glass ornithologists ; the old-fashioned type—the egg
collector pure and simple—is now almost as rare as are some
of the birds he has all but exterminated.
The numerous steep-sided, well-wooded ravines around ‘Bay
Town’ proved irresistible to many besides the botanists, and
the shore yielded shells and sea-weeds to those interested in
marine fauna and flora, the last being an attraction not always
present on our rambles.
The geologists had the advantage of the leadership of Prof.
P. F. Kendall, who was as familiar with the problems of ‘solid’
geology as with those of the glacial series, in connection with
which latter his work in north-east Yorkshire is now so well
known.
On Saturday morning an early start was made, and the
beach, scars, and cliffs between ‘Bay Town’ and Ravenscar
were examined ; sections in the Lias, ‘ Dogger,’ and Estuarine
Series being available. Particular attention was paid to the
fault in the strata at the Peak. This yielded evidence that a
movement in the earth’s crust was taking place during the
deposition of the beds, the thickness of the layers of sandstone,
etc., varying on each side of the fault. The continuance of the
fault seawards and the way it bifurcates was easily seen on the
scars. The area traversed was a favourite hunting-ground for
geological specimens, and several were secured. A fitting
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood's Bay. 199
finish to the day’s ramble was the ascent of the cliff at Raven-
scar by means of a ‘ path,’ which would be an excellent one for
rabbits.
On Saturday evening, under the chairmanship of the
President of the Union, Mr. C. Crossland, F.L.S., a well-
attended meeting was held at the Union’s headquarters, the
Grosvenor Hotel. Prof. Kendall gave an address on some of
the geological problems of the district, paying particular
attention to ‘Persistent faulting,’ which caused a good
discussion.
On the following day the botanists investigated the woods
and fields, the ornithologists hied to the cliffs, and the geologists
were conducted over the old Alum Works at the Peak. The
Liassic shales, which had been exposed during the working of
this by-gone industry, yielded a large number of Ammonites
and other fossils. The relative positions of the ‘Dogger’ and
Estuarines were also demonstrated, though on account of the
varied applications of the word ‘Dogger’ it was seen that
misunderstandings might easily arise in regard to its precise
place in the geological sequence in the area.
After dinner there was even a larger attendance than on the
preceding evening. Mr. F. Elgee read a paper on ‘Glacial
Survivors,’ and introduced a subject of which, doubtless, more
will be heard at future meetings of the Union. The secretary
exhibited and described the bronze bridle-bit and other objects
from a British Chariot burial which he had recently excavated.
On Monday most were early astir, and, as on previous days,
owing to the not unfavourable weather, many paid visits to the
fields and shore before breakfast. None could say that the
excursions of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union are idle holidays!
The geologists walked to Hawsker, where they descended the
cliff by another ‘ path,’ which fortunately was dry. From there
they walked round on the beach to Robin Hood’s Bay, and had
some excellent collecting.en route. In addition to the Liassic
shales and the capping sandstone, the party had the opportunity
of examining a six-inch bed, the diminutive representative of
the Cleveland Ironstone, which further north is so well developed.
At the general meeting, held later in the day, the repre-
sentatives of the various sections made their reports, which are
referred to below. The President congratuled the Society on
its present position. At this meeting no fewer than fourteen
new members were elected, and two societies became affiliated
with the Union. Votes of thanks were passed to the land-
1907 June 1
200 Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood’s Bay.
owners for permission to visit their estates, and particularly to
J. W. Barry, Esq., who personally looked after the party visiting
Fylingdales and gave every assistance in his power. To Prof.
Kendall for leading the geologists, to the readers of the papers,
and. to the Divisional Secretary (Mr. J. J. Burton), for the
excellence of the local arrangements, similar compliments were
paid.
Later in the evening Mr. Burton read some valuable notes
on the sylvan vegetation of Fylingdales, which had been kindly
prepared by Mr. Barry for the benefit of the Union.
In the matter of the weather the party were favoured—one
short shower being all that was experienced—and top-coats
were not needed on either of the three days. Judging from
the reports in the press, elsewhere in the county the weather
had been anything but pleasant ; verd. sap.
Botany.—Mr. J. HARTSHORN writes :—Most of the Botanists
did not reach Robin Hood’s Bay until Saturday at noon, or
later, hence the principal ramble was the official one on the
Monday through Ramsdale, returning by the moorland edge to
Fyling Hall. This was in every way a success, and very largely
due to the kindness of J. W. Barry, Esq., who personally con-
ducted the party over his grounds, and acted as guide in
the Dale.
Near the Hall there was much of interest, and some fine
Araucarias were especially admired. Throughout the valley
such was the richness and profusion of bloom that the compiling
of a complete list of the species present was impossible in the
time available. The reluctance of the members to leave the
stream was forgotten when, almost immediately, a mass of
Chickweed Winter-green (Z7vientalis europea) was discovered.
In characteristic situations were seen the Butterwort, Sundew
(Drosera rotundifolia), Sweet Gale, Needle Green Weed or
Petty Whin, and Bog Bean.
During the week-end over 130 species of flowering plants
were noted, mostly in bloom. Especially beautiful was a hedge
bordered uniformly by an unbroken band of Stitchwort (.S¢e//arza
holostea). In the adjoining meadow the Green-winged Meadow
Orchis was growing in plenty. And on the cliffs there was
found in fruit the Spurge Laurel. Other interesting plants seen
were the Wood Vetch (Vicia sylvatica), Slender Vetch (V.
gemella), Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplentum opposttifolium),
and a white specimen of the Early Purple Orchis (Orchzs mascula).
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood's Bay. 201-
MarINE Motiusa.—The Rev. F. H. Woods, B.D., writes :—
The Mollusc Fauna of Robin Hood’s Bay does not appear to be
very extensive, but is not without interest, being determined by
the rocky character of the coast. No examples were found of
those genera which live in sand and mud, while those which feed
on the alge and live in or upon the rocks were very fairly repre-
sented. For this reason there was a large preponderance of
univalves over bivalves. Of the two borers, Pho/as crispata is very
characteristic of the Yorkshire Coast, being exceedingly abundant
at Redcar and frequent at Bridlington. The louse-like mail shell,
Chiton cinereus, was very abundant, and one was found very near
high-water mark. One remarkably fine specimen, over an
inch long, of the lesser hairy mussel, Modiola phaseolina, was
found. The blue-striped limpet, He/czon pellucidus, was very
abundant, and the beautiful little pink limpet, Zectura virginea,
was fairly frequent. The most interesting were the smaller,
and often minute shells. About two table-spoons of fine shingle,
taken from the surface of the drift, were exhaustively examined
under a lense. There were three distinct species of /zssoa.
Curiously enough, while 2. s¢vzafa was very abundant, &. parva,
which can be gathered by the thousand on a favourable day at
Bridlington, was comparatively scarce. Of the third species, #.
punctura, there were two specimens. This is found rather
sparsely about the Yorkshire coast, and appears to be a northern
species. All three are remarkably beautiful seen under a lense.
Of the two Pleurotomas, P. turritella | found at Bridlington occas-
ionally, the other I have not found nor seen before. Except for the
channelled mouth it is remarkably like a Rzssou parva. It is pro-
bably, however, an immature specimen. There was also a very
good example of Zornatinus truncatulus. A single valve of a shell
of the Venus type appears to be an immature C7zrce minima. It is
certainly not Venus Gallina, which in its young state is easily
recognisable. Among the drift were also many examples of
several common shells in a very young state. Well worth
mentioning is the Odostomia sptralis, a shell found fairly
frequently along the Yorkshire coast, but I have not seen it
elsewhere. The specimens here are always very small, about
jis of an inch or less, but I have carefully compared them with
the smallest in the Barlee type collection at Oxford, and have
no doubt about their identity. The other Odostomza, is very
common about the coast, but is evidently immature; it may be
conoidea or possibly acuta, but it agrees with none in the Barlee
collection.
1907 June 1.
202
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood's Bay.
The following is a complete list of those found :—
Pholas crispata.
Saxicava rugosa.
Circe minima ?
Cardium fasciatum ?
Mytilus edulis.
“e modziolus (young).
Modiola (Mytilus) phaseolina.
Pecten opercularis (young).
Anomia ephippium.
A patelliformis.
Chiton cinereus.
Patella vulgata.
Helcion pellucidus.
Tectura (Acmea) virginea.
Trochus cinereus.
Littorina littorea.
3 obtusata.
COLEOPTERA.—MR
following beetles were
Ramsdale :—
Notiophilus biguttatus, F.
Bembidium obtusum, Stm.
Patrobus excavatus, Payk.
Tachyporus chrysomelinus, L.
a hypnorum, F.
Conosoma pubescens, Gr.
Philonthus decorus, Gr.
Adalia bipunctata, L.
Coccinella 10-punctata, L.
an 7-punctata, L.
Brachypterus urtice, F.
Micrambe vini, Panz.
M. L. Thompson
met with along the route through
Littorina rudis.
Lacuna divaricata.
| », puteolus (fragment).
Rissoa parva.
ah ah var. znterrupta.
ay Sere:
», punctura.
Odostomia spiralis.
ns conotdea ?
Natica catena (small fragment).
Purpura apillus.
Nana incrassata.
Buccinium undatum.
Pleurotoma turricula.
0 ? species.
Cyprea europea
Tornatinus truncatulus.
reports that the
Adrastus limbatus, F.
Rhagonycha pallida, F.
Gastroidea polygoni, L.
Longitarsus suturellus, Duft.
Polydrusus plterygomatlis, Sch.
Phyllobius pyri, L.
argentatus, L.
Sitones tibialis, Hbst.
Liosoma ovatulum, Clair.
Celiodes quercus, F.
f guadrimaculatus, L.
Ceuthorrhynchus pollinarius, Forst.
Proceeding across the moor above the dale through the peat
bogs to Robin Hood’s Bay, additional species were found, with
the help of Mr. J. T. Sewell.
Cicindela campestris, L.
Carabus monilis, F.
Bradycellus cognatus, Gyll.
Harpalus eneus, F.
5 latus, L.
Pterostichus madidus, T.
A vulgaris, L.
Calathus flavipes, Fruic.
3 melanocephalus, L.
Anchomenus albipes, F.
Bembidium nigricorne, Gyll.
+ atroceruleum, Steph.
These were :—
Agabus bipustulatus, L.
Hydroporus pubescens, Gyll.
Gyrinus natator, Scop.
Drusilla canaliculata, F.
Homalota analis, Gr.
Xantholinus linearis, Ol.
Geotrupes stercorarius, L.
<< sylvaticus, Pz.
| Dolopius marginatus, L.
| Haltica ericeti, Al.
| Strophosomus lateralis, Pk.
Ceuthorrhynchus erice, Gyll.
(To be continued).
Naturalist,.
203
THE FALSE-SCORPIONS OF CUMBERLAND.
G, A. and R. B. WHYTE.
Edinburgh.
THE only species of Chernetidea recorded, to our knowledge,
from Cumberland previous to our visit were Chernes nodosus
Schrank, and Odzstum muscorum, Leach. These were sent
by the late Rev. F. O. Pickard-Cambridge to his uncle, Rev.
O. Pickard-Cambridge, before the year 1892. The former
(C. nodosus) was sent from Carlisle, and the latter (O. muscorum)
was merely recorded as from Cumberland.
We here record five species of false-scorpions, four of which
are new to the county list—the fifth being O. muscorum.
Cheiridium museorum Leach.
This very small species was obtained in five different barns
near the head of Derwent Water. One hay-loft is worthy of
special note, for in it we discovered a colony, the numbers
of which exceeded our counting powers. We took over sixty
specimens from one stone, on which there were innumerable
nests. A few young, never more than three at a time, were
found in them. The actual habitat of C. museorum was under
loose stones, which lay on the top of the walls close under
the roof. Some moults and one or two living specimens were
obtained by sifting dust and hay-seed from the dark, un-
disturbed corners of the loft. We watched with interest an
adult Chezridium museorum feeding on a mite. The mite
was held firmly in the chelicerae, and the life-juices were
sucked out.
Chernes rufeolus Simon.
We found a single specimen of Chernes rufeolus on April
11th, and a week later obtained many more. This rare false-
scorpion was found under the stones set fast in the earth
floors of three old barns. The nests were also obtained, and
proved to be of this species by the moults inside them.
C. rufeolus has only been obtained in a few of the southern
counties in England, and never in Scotland, so that this is the
most northerly record for Britain.
Chernes dubius Cambridge.
This species, which is smaller than its congener, Chernes
rufeolus, was discovered in some numbers under stones firmly
embedded in the soil, both in the woods and in the open
country, south of Derwent Water. It is a chernetid which
1907 June 1.
204 Whyte: The False-scorpions of Cumberland.
closely resembles the stones on which it lives, and consequently
a careful search is required to find it, especially as it is so
small.
We obtained about fifty specimens, many of which were
immature. Empty nests were also found, and these probably
belonged to Chernes dubius, as they were on the same stones,
and no other species were present
Obisium muscorum Leach,
This, the commonest false-scorpion, was found in abundance
wherever it was searched for, from the Styhead Pass to the
slopes of Helvellyn. Most of these were in nests, and the
majority had the egg-mass attached. Those free were always
smaller and of a darker colour, probably all males. The
difference in size is accounted for, as the females were swollen
with eggs.
Chthonius tetrachelatus Preyss.
On April 14th, six of this species were found under flower-
pots in the hot-houses of Mr. James Moorsom, on his grounds
mear Keswick. C. ze¢trachelatus is the commonest false-scorpion
found in hot-houses ; but it is also found under stones in the
Open country.
[By the courtesy of the Editor, the writer of this note has been permitted
to read the above paper, and is able thus early to congratulate the authors
on the substantial additions to the known fauna of Cumberland, and on the
interesting observations with which the records are accompanied. Through
the kindness of a mutual friend, the Rev. Robert Godfrey, M.A., specimens
of the five Pseudoscorpions referred to have, moreover, been seen and ex-
amined. In 1903, when the writer published a preliminary paper on ‘ North
of England Pseudoscorpions'’ (3), it was only possible to quote for Cumberland
Mr. Cambridge's records of Chernes nodosus and Obisium muscorum (1), and
the repetition of these records in ‘The Victoria History of the County of
Cumberland’ (2), where the latter species is noted for Carlisle, Armathwaite,
and Wreay : common in woods amongst dead leaves. More recently, through
the kindness of Dr. A. R. Jackson, this species (Odzstum muscorunc) has been
seen from Scafell ; and Chetridium museorum from Penrith, three specimens
found in a starling’s nest, as already recorded by Dr. Jackson (5). Perhaps
the most interesting of the new records is that of Chernes rufeolus, a species
recently added to the British list by Mr. Cambridge (4). It appears to occur
chiefly in stables and farm- buildings, the writer having collected or received
it from such places in Kent. Essex, Wiltshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire—and
now from Cumberland. (1) Cambridge, O. P.—‘On the British Species of
False-Scorpions.’ ‘ Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Anti-
quarian Field Club,’ XIII. (1892), pp. 199-231. (2) Cambridge, F. O. P.—
‘The Victoria History of the County of Cumberland,’ I. (1901), p. 157.
(3) Kew, H. W.—‘North of England Pseudoscorpions.’ ‘The Naturalist,’
1903, pp. 293-300. (4) Cambridge, O. P.—‘On some New and Rare British
Arachnida.’ ‘ Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian
Field Club,’ XXVII. (1906), pp. 72-92. (5) Jackson, A. R.—‘ Rare Arachnida
captured during 1906.’ ‘Proceedings of the Chester Society of Natural
Science,’ Pt. VI. (1907), pp. 1-7.—H. Wallis Kew. ]
Naturalist,
THE BIRCH TREE.
Betula alba, L.
Pee Gl KOBE GrAUN lp ey
Patterdale, Westmorland.
Tue sylvan bank, the pastoral hollow, the steeply acclivitous
ledge, and the fell rising into mountain solitude are invested
by the silvery bark and feathery evolution of foliage of this the
‘queen of the woods.’ The tree belongs more to lowlands and
uplands than to mountains, but it serves frequently to charmingly
hide or relieve the savageness of the mountain wastes, whereto
it imparts an aspect of picturesqueness and witchery. It shuns
the dingle and the coomb, imperatively demands light, and is
highly accommodating as regards power of resistance to great
extremes of heat and cold. For all these and other reasons,
this tree intrudes itself very forcibly on the attention of the
naturalist and the nature-lover ; and a brief description of its
chief anatomical, chemical, and physiological characteristics
will therefore, it is hoped, prove acceptable.
Szem.—The wood is of medium hardness and weight (specific
gravity 0.5 to 0.76), entirely white, homogeneous, with no dis-
tinct alburnum, z.e. it is a sap-wood tree, no heart-wood. The
medullary rays are mostly in one row (three or four rows in old
wood), are 6 to 8 per millimetre of arc, rather irregularly
spaced, and about 1 mm. high; the vessels are rather large,
being about 85 » average width, are isolated or disposed in
radial rows of two to four through the whole width of the
annual ring, their lateral walls are very thickly beset with
minute pores, and their transverse wall is scalariform; the
fibres are about 12 » broad, have thickish walls beset with a
few simple pores; the parenchyma is sparse and occurs in very
straight transverse bands, or else isolated. In the bark, the
liber parenchyma forms tangential bands of one to four rows
of cells, which are narrow and high, and have large simple
punctures on their radial walls ; the sieve-tubes are elongated,
have wide lumen and thin walls provided with sieve plates ; the
bast fibres appear as isolated bundles in the first year of growth,
and later on sclerenchyma is formed between these groups so
that ultimately a completely closed sclerous ring (peri-cycle) is
developed; there are no secondary bast-bundles, they being
replaced by groups of scleroblasts (stone-cells) representing
highly lignified parenchyma. After the fall of the epidermis
in the three year old branches, a suberous envelope of flat
1g07 June rt.
206 Keegan: The Birch Tree.
brown cells is developed; in about three or five years later,
a cubical white thin-walled tissue is interposed in thin layers
between the zones of the still forming brown cells ; and so it
proceeds up till the age of fifteen to twenty years, at which time
the periderm presents the appearance of numerous alternate
layers (each of about ten rows of cells), of which the two or
three external ones have thin walls, and the internal ones have
thick walls; by the decortication of one of these layers situated
on the outside, the cells of an internal layer are torn or broken,
and the white resinous matter (betulin) which they contain,
escapes and plasters the entire surface of the periderm with a
chalky incrustation. The Birch is a fat tree, z.e. the starch
completely disappears from bark and wood during the winter,
and reappears a month or six weeks before the swelling of the
buds in spring. The wood shows traces of tannin and phloro-
glucin in the pith and medullary rays, much glucose in summer,
much oily matter in winter, about 30 per cent pentosan, 0.7
nitrogenous substance, and o.3 ash, which has 26 per cent
soluble salts, 35.4 lime, 8.8 magnesia, 10.5 P#O5, etc. The
trunk bark contains 34 per cent. of a white resin or camphor
(betulin), 4.8 soluble and insoluble tannin, about 4 gummy
matter, 60 impure suberin, and 2.3 ash in fresh which has 6.4
per cent soluble salts, 2.6 silica, 52 lime, with traces of magnesia,
phosphoric acid, and considerable manganese. The spring
bleeding period of the Birch, commences at the end of March,
first from the root, and then step by step towards the crown,
and lasts some six or seven weeks. The sap contains about
1.8 per cent. dry matter, of which from 0.8 to 1.4 consists of
glucose, and the remainder of nitrogenous matters, malic acid,
and ash mostly of potass. The young spring shoots on dry
ground are covered with a white resinous secretion in the form
of vesicular papilla, a circumstance that seems referable to the
vigorous rapidity of their early growth.
Leaves.—The mesophyll is composed of one layer of palisade
cells, narrow and close joined, and a lacunar tissue of equal
thickness, made up of cells of varying size with air-spaces
between each; the cuticle is feeble; the cells of the upper
epidermis are much larger than those of the lower epidermis,
their lower portion is blocked with mucilage, and there are
scarcely any hairs on either surface of the adult organ; the
stomata are small, and have no accessory cells, their number
per square mm. is about 237; the leaf is only 200 p thick; at
the base of the petiole are three vascular bundles united into a
U, higher up, the ends of these branches emit two bundles, and
Naturalist,
Keegan: The Birch Tree. 207
at the blade form a V, the system is therefore ‘ open,’ whereas
in Alder and Hazel it is ‘closed.’ On 4th August, the leaves
had 58 per cent. of water, and the dried substance contained
3 per cent. wax and resin with a little carotin, some palmitic
acid, and traces of volatile oil, 11 albumenoids, 4.3 tannin and
quercitrin, considerable glucose and starch, a large quantity
of pectosic mucilage with tartrate and oxalate of calcium (mostly
in the lacunar tissue), and 3.5 ash which had 34 per cent. soluble
salts, 4 silica, 25.3 lime, 8.4 magnesia, 11.3 P2O° and 4.4 SO3.
The ash of the yellow and red autumn leaves rose to 5.8 per
‘cent., and contained 6.9 per cent. silica, 39.8 lime, and 1.4 P?O®%.
The chlorophyll of the leaf is disorganised about mid October ;
but the nerves and parenchyma still retain considerable starch
much later on. The resin glands of the young leaf become less
active in September, and completely dry up in October.
Flower and Fruit.—The inflorescence is in the form of catkins,
the male flower being terminal, entirely naked, and born from a
bud of the previous year, while the female flower is axillary, and
springs from a bud of the current year, formed of five or six
membranous scales, and borne on a lateral peduncle. At the
time of fertilization in the female catkin there is visible only a
single rounded scale, bearing at its base six pistils; there is
no sign of a placenta or of ovules. Later on these pistils unite,
and at maturity of the organ there is seen three bilocular carpels
monosperm by abortion. ‘The fruit is a flattened samara with a
membranous and transparent wing at each side. The seed is
anatrope (the nucellus straight, and the chalaza distant from the
hilum), without raphe, and pendulous ; the cotyledons are flat,
and there is no endosperm ; it ripens in October, but the ger-
minative capacity is lost in about six months. According to
Jahne, the fruit (shell and seed) contains 10.5 per cent. water,
18.2 fatty matter, 14.4 albumenoids, 11.4 sugar and dextrin,
27.2 fibre, and 4.2 ash which (pure) has 27 per cent. potass,
9g silica, 23.7 lime, 9.2 magnesia, 10.9 P?O% and 4.8 SO8. The
reserve materials are aleurone and oil only, no starch. The
Birch is a pretty prolific seed-producer, but few of our native
trees generate more seed that is sterile, only about 20 per cent.
thereof being fit to germinate.
Physiological Summary.—A study of the chemical changes
occurring in the Birch leaf during its life, teaches that the vege-
tation of this tree so far approaches perfection. There is no
serious decrease in the production of starch, cellulose, or lignin,
the albumenoids and sugars diminish considerably in autumn,
while there is no special or heavy fixation of insoluble matters
1907 June 1,
208 Keegan: The Birch Tree.
(silica, lime, or magnesia salts) in the old organ. With respect
to the wood there are tndications of a rapid growth of all the
tissues simultaneously with defective differentiation. For in-
stance, in May and June, z.e. the period of great vegetative
activity, the outer wood-rings of the stem and branches. are
almost devoid of starch, ze. there is only a feeble reserve of
starch in the wood, the vessels are still free and open for the
circulation of sap, and the amount of tannin produced is very
small, so that everything forbids the differentiation of the
wood elements into alburnum and duramen. In the region
of the bark, moreover, the rapid growth and so far perfect
vegetation lead the way to a subsequent inanition, whereby
a powerful periderm is constructed. The pressure of the
actively growing internal tissues rends the epidermis, imparts a
potent stimulus to the phellogen (cork-cambium), and the
attractive phenomenon of the silver-barked Birch is the result.
The production of tannin being, however, comparatively poor,
the outer bark. is white, and not brown, as in most other
instances.
But whereas the vegetation so far as the foliar organs are
concerned, is comparatively perfect and unexhausted, the
chemical development, so to speak, of the tree is decidedly
backward. Thus the young leaves produce a not insignificant
quantity of volatile oil, resin, and tannoid, while, nevertheless,
in the old organs the amount of tannin and phloroglucin is
distinctly insignificant. The mature bark contains only some
5 per cent. of tannin and only a trifling indication of free phloro-
glucin. Thus it appears that the process of deassimilation is
very incomplete, and stands in this respect in marked contrast
to that of the nearest ally, vzz. the Alder. In fact, this is the
chief reason of the comparatively short life of the Birch tree,
vis. some 110 years. The wood never becomes perfect, no true
duramen is formed ; indeed, when cut and exposed to the air,
it putrifies very rapidly and completely owing to a serious
poverty in tannin and resin. The copious ‘ bleeding’ in spring
is dependent on a portion of the crude sap, taken up by the
roots, being pressed into the mature air-containing vessels,
which (as aforesaid), although mature, are nevertheless so free
from the thickening and incrusting substances ordinarily charac-
teristic of ‘perfect’ wood, that the circulating sap (the spring
maximum of starch production in the wood having ‘been
attained), readily finds a place of rest, so to speak, on its
passage upwards, and from whence it may be ioe withdrawn
by the simple process of tapping.
Naturalist, —~
THEORIES OF EVOLUTION.
An Historical Outline.
AGNES ROBERTSON, D.Sc.
(Continued from page 171.)
IIl.—NATURAL SELECTION.
We must now turn to the most famous theory ever brought
forward to account for the origin of species—that of Natural
Selection or the Survival of the Fittest, which was propounded
independently by Darwin and Wallace. Charles Darwin (1809-
1882) was the son of a doctor, and the grandson of Erasmus
Darwin, whose evolutionary views we have already mentioned.
His intellectual development was not rapid; at Cambridge he
merely took the poll degree, and he says of himself at the age
of twenty-two, ‘I should have thought myself mad to give up
the first days of partridge-shooting for geology or any other
science.’ Charles Darwin is, in fact, a most striking instance
of the truth of Keats’ saying—‘ Nothing is finer for the purposes
of great productions than a very gradual ripening of the intel-
lectual powers.’ He always had a taste for collecting, and at
Cambridge he came under the influence of Professor Henslow,
with whom he went for long walks and discussed natural
history. Through Henslow, soon after he went down from
Cambridge, he received the offer of the position of naturalist
on H.M.S. Beagle, then just starting for Tierra del Fuego
and the East Indies with a view to surveying the southern
extremity of America. He closed with the offer, and these
travel years had a most profound effect on his after-life. On
the voyage he began to reflect on the problem of the origin of
species, and after his return home, in the summer of 1837, he
opened his first note-book on the subject, a subject at which he
worked continuously for the next twenty years. Curiously
enough, in 1858 Alfred Russel Wallace, who was studying the
natural history of the Malay Archipelago, sent him an essay he
had just written embodying the identical idea which he had him-
self reached, namely, that of Natural Selection! Darwin, by the
advice of his friends, published some extracts from his existing
manuscripts with Wallace’s paper, and the next year saw the
appearance of the first edition of the ‘Origin of Species.’ It
is a lasting honour to English science that, instead of the
1907 June 1.
O
210 Robertson: Theories of Evolution.
embittered struggle for priority which has sometimes occurred
when the same discovery has been made independently and almost
simultaneously by two workers, Darwin and Wallace each
showed the greatest anxiety to give each other all possible
credit. Wallace arrived at the idea of Natural Selection much
more rapidly than Darwin. He tells us that after three years
pondering on the subject it came to him in a sudden inspiration
while he was suffering from a severe attack of ague in the
Moluccas ; he sketched out the whole theory in a day and sent
it straight to Darwin.
The ‘ Origin of Species’ is a long book, which from cover to
cover consists of one closely-wrought argument of which no
shortened and condensed account can be anything but un-
satisfactory ; however, I will try in the briefest possible way
to summarise the main contentions. In the ‘Origin of Species’
Darwin attempted to answer two distinct questions :—
1. Were the animals and plants of the present day created
just as we now know them, or have they been gradually evolved ?
In answer to this question Darwin brings forward much
evidence to show that the Evolution hypothesis is the only
tenable one.
2. If it be granted that Evolution has occurred, how has it
been brought about ?
Darwin’s answer to this was that it had been mainly brought
about by the action of Natural Selection on small spontaneous
variations, occurring in all directions, good, bad, and indifferent.
In discussing the ‘ Origin of Species’ considerable confusion
often arises because these two questions are not kept distinct.
People talk as if Darwinism or Natural Selection were the same
thing as Evolution, and as if the idea of Evolution would stand
and fall with the idea of Natural Selection. But in reality, if
Darwin’s hypothesis of Natural Selection were disproved, this
would leave the Evolution theory quite untouched, since the
hypothesis of Natural Selection is simply put forward to explain
how Evolution occurs. A concrete illustration may perhaps.
make this clearer. Suppose a passenger on a ship takes
observations of the stars at intervals, and to explain
his observations puts forward the theory that the vessel is.
moving, and that the movement is taking place: in a certain
direction. Then suppose that other evidence, such as the
presence of sails, leads the passenger to form a second theory—
namely, that the agency by which the ship is moved is wind.
Now imagine that he presently discovers that the ship is really
Naturalist,
Robertson : Theories of Evolution. 21
worked by steam, and that the sails are comparatively useless
—imagine, that is, that he proves to be wrong in his second
theory, which he propounded to answer the question, ‘ ow does
the ship move?’ This error does not in the least shake the
truth of his first theory, namely, that the ship ts moving tn a
certain direction. The question of how this is brought about is
secondary, and has nothing whatever to do with the primary
question as to whether movement in a certain direction is or is
not occurring.
We will now shortly consider Darwin’s Natural Selection
hypothesis. There is much evidence that since man first began
to domesticate animals and plants these have changed enormously
under his hands. For instance, there are now more than a score
of distinct breeds of pigeons, which an ornithologist, if he met
them in the wild state, would probably name as distinct species,
but which, according to the common opinion of naturalists, are
all descended from the common rock pigeon. According to
Darwin, who made a special study of these birds, all the
different races have been produced by ‘artificial selection’
carried on through many generations. The expression ‘artifical
selection’ almost explains itself, but it may perhaps be well to
say a few words about it. No two individuals belonging to
a species are exactly alike, and domesticated animals are
particularly apt to vary. A man possessing domesticated
animals or plants showing considerable variation among them-
selves will naturally choose those to breed from in each
generation which possess in the highest degree the characters
which he particularly wants; that is, he will pick out the most
favourable variations. For instance, if he is breeding race-
horses, he will select his fleetest animals in the expectation
that their offspring will resemble them. Or if he has a fancy
for pigeons with exaggerated tails, he will always by preference
breed from the individuals with the longest tail feathers. The
idea of improving domesticated animals and plants by selection
is by no means a modern one, though it has only been reduced
to a definite method in comparatively recent times. The effect
of artificial selection in producing differing races of domesticated
animals and plants is quite extraordinary. This is brought
home to us when we think of the difference between the race-
horse and the dray-horse, the greyhound and the bloodhound,
the crab-apple and Cox’s orange pippin, and realise that it is
more than probable that these differences have been produced
by selecting and breeding from those individuals in each
1907 June I.
212 Robertson : Theortes of Evolution.
generation which possessed in the highest degree some special
quality at which the breeder was aiming. The material upon
which the breeder has to work is the variations which
spontaneously arise. He cannot compel a variation in the
direction which he desires, but he can make use of it if it
happens to arise. The variability of domesticated plants and
animals is particularly marked, but species in the wild condition
vary much more than is generally supposed. Misapprehension
on this point arises from the fact that systematists are inclined
to take no account of variations from the type form of a species
unless the variation is sufficiently well marked to be named and
classified as a sub-species or variety. Darwin held that between
species and variety there is no hard and fast line. If this is
true, and species are only strongly marked and well defined
varieties, it follows that species belonging to a large genus
will be more likely to present varieties than species belonging
toa small genus. For a large genus is a group within which
the manufactory of species in past times went on with special
vigour, the numerous species of the genus existing at the
present day being a legacy from this former activity. If this
activity is not only a matter of the past, but continues into
modern times, we shall find a number of species now actually
in the making—that is, many of the species in the genus will
show sub-species and varieties. Darwin tested this sup-
position by tabulating the plants and beetles of twelve
countries according to the size of the genera and the number of
recorded varieties, and found that it was borne out by the facts.
If we grant that variations exist, and that no sharp line
can be drawn between species and varieties, the question next
arises—how is it that varieties become so far differentiated from
their parent species as to be converted into fixed and stable
species, and how is it that these species show such wonderful
adaptations to their surroundings? In other words—what
factor in the natural evolution of species takes the place of that
‘artifical selection’ by which man produces his domestic races ?
The answer is that this factor is the ‘ natural selection’ brought
about by the struggle for existence between living things.
Since many more animals and plants are brought into the world
than can possibly survive, variations, however slight, which
happen to be in any degree profitable to the individuals
exhibiting them, will tend to the preservation of such individuals,
and will very likely be inherited by their offspring. This pro-
cess is conveniently known by Herbert Spencer’s name of the
Naturalist,
Robertson : Theories of Evolution. 213
Survival of the Fittest. Animals and plants are subject to
immensely severe competition, on account of the high rate at
which they all tend to increase if they are unchecked. The
excess of individuals produced over the number which have any
chance of surviving is quite startling. Linnaus calculated that
if an annual plant produced only two seeds, and its seedlings
two each, and so on, in twenty years the descendants of the
original plant would number one million! So it is clear that
stringent checks to increase must be perpetually operating to
keep the numbers of plants and animals down to those which
we meet at the present day. Darwin dug and cleared a piece
of ground three feet by two feet so that there could be no
choking from other plants, and marked all the seedlings of
native weeds that cameup. Of 357, 295 were destroyed, chiefly
by slugs and other insects, and yet he had eliminated what is
probably the chief cause of seedling mortality, namely, germin-
ation in ground already stocked with other plants. Weare too
apt to think of the struggle for existence among plants and
animals as being a struggle against the elements only. But
since SO many more animals and plants are produced than can
possibly survive, the struggle is really in the first place a
competition with other organisms, notably individuals of the
same species, since they frequent the same districts, require the
same food, and are exposed to the same dangers. In the
struggle for existence Natural Selection may be compared to a
sieve which is perpetually sifting out all but the more favourable
varieties. ‘It may metaphorically be said that natural selection
is daily and hourly scrutinising, throughout the world, the
slightest variations ; rejecting those that are bad, preserving
and adding up all that are good; silently and insensibly work-
ing, whenever and wherever opportunity offers, at the improvement
of each organic being in relation to its organic and inorganic
conditions of life.’
As a corollary to the theory of Natural Selection, Darwin
brought forward a subsidiary hypothesis, that of Sexual
Selection, which had been originally suggested by his grand
father, Erasmus Darwin. According to this theory the
secondary sexual characters in the male arise through
the struggle between the individuals of the male sex for
the possession of the female. In those animals in which the
‘law of battle’ prevails, weapons such as antlers are gradually
evolved, because the individual possessing these in the most
highly developed form will be most successful in the struggle
1907 June tr.
214 Robertson: Theories of Evolution.
with his compeers, and so will be most likely to leave offspring”
Further, the brilliant plumage and beautiful song of some male
birds is attributed to a more peaceful rivalry in which the birds
compete for the favour of the female, displaying before
her their plumage and their voice. The female is said in
such cases to actually select the most attractive male. Wallace
is in entire disagreement with Darwin as to the possibility of
the plumage and song of the cock bird being evolved in response
to the taste of the hen. He thinks that where the male has
gayer plumage than the female this simply means that the need
for protection represses in the female the bright colours which
are normally produced in both sexes by general laws. He also
believes that brightness of colour is correlated with vigour,
and hence the male exceeds the female in brilliancy owing to his
higher vigour and vitality. It further follows from this
correlation that the more vigorous males which succeed best in
the struggle for the female will be the most brilliant, and hence
vividness of colour will be selected incidentally by the ‘law of
battle.’
Numerous criticisms of the theory of Natural Selection have
been brought forward from time to time. The most serious
collection of difficulties in the way of theory is probably that
brought together by Darwin himself in the ‘Origin of Species,’
for his intense intellectual honesty made him state all possible
drawbacks to this theory in a more forcible and telling way
than his opponents could! Perhaps there is no more cogent
difficulty than that of accounting for the zzczpient stages of useful
modifications. Many adaptations, which are obviously useful
when highly developed, do not seem likely to have been of any
advantage to the creature in their rudimentary stages. A second
difficulty of a slightly different type is that of the wdzlity of
specific differences. On Darwin's theory utility is the sole test
by which a variation stands or falls, but in many cases the very
constant differences distinguishing two allied species have, so
far as we can judge, no utility whatever. In Mr. Bateson’s
words :—‘as to the particular benefit which one dull moth
enjoys as the result of his own particular pattern of dulness as
compared with the closely similar pattern of the next species,
no suggestion is made.’
These difficulties are very real, and they show us that the
‘Origin of Species,’ magnificent as it is, ought not to be accepted
as the last word on the subject. Darwin himself (unlike some
modern ‘ Darwinians!’) never looked upon Natural Selection as
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 215
the one and only key to evolution, but regarded it as ‘the most
important, but not the exclusive, means of modification.’
Further, we must remember that Darwin never attempted to
explain “ow the variations arise upon which Natural and Sexual
Selection work. He simply assumed that organisms do vary,
and that these variations take place in all directions. As has
been tersely said, ‘ Natural Selection may explain the Survival
of the Fittest, but it cannot explain the arrival of the fittest.’
(To be continued).
————
Animal Artizans and other studies of Birds and Beasts, by C. J.
Cornish, M.A., F.Z.S. Longmans Green & Co., 1907, 274 pp., 7/6 net.
This volume, on account of the thickness of the paper on which it is printed,
is very massive. It contains a collection of the late C. J. Cornish’s contri-
butions to the ‘ Spectator,’ ‘Country Life,’ etc., and in this form will be very
welcome to the admirers of that writer. In her preface his widow has
reason to believe ‘that some account of his life and work might be welcome
to those of his readers who never knew him personally and to others who
admired his often unsigned writings without being aware of the identity of
their author. And it seemed appropriate that such an account should be
embodied in the preface to this book.’ In her memoir Mrs. Cornish describes
the life and doings of her late husband, with details of trivialities which are
perhaps pardonable in the circumstances. There are thirty-five essays
gathered together in the book, on a great variety of subjects, and some are
very suggestive. The illustrations, however, are not quite as successful as
one might wish. The artist has not grasped the full value of light and
shade, and the pictures have consequently a ‘thin’ appearance; the flight
of swans on the plate facing page 82 seems to represent their ‘ghosts’
rather than the birds themselves.
The Stone Implements of South Africa, by J. P. Johnson.
Longmans, Green & Co., 1907. 53 pp-, price 7/6 net. In this volume, which
is illustrated by 258 line drawings of implements, the author has given an
account of his researches amongst the stone implements of South Africa.
Some idea of the nature of the work may be gathered from the following
extract from the preface :—‘ The object of this little volume is to co-
ordinate the various discoveries of stone implements I have made during
the last four years—discoveries that I venture to think mark a new era in
our knowledge of the Stone Age of South Africa. No attempt will be made
to review the abundant, but unsatisfactory, literature already in existence.’
Notwithstanding this, there is evidence that the author is fairly familiar
with the recent contributions to our knowledge of man’s early weapons, not
only in Africa, but much nearer home. He uses typical Palzeolithic
(Acheulian) implements as his datum line; earlier types are ‘ primitive’ and
later are ‘advanced.’ He recognises Eolithic, Palzolithic, and Neolithic
types, but takes them as stages in the general progressive evolution from
very primitive to advanced forms. He describes ‘ pigmy’ implements, and
also the ostrich-egg shell beads for the manufacture of which these
diminutive forms were used. We were relieved to find that he did not wish to
invent a special pigmy race of men to account for their presence. His study
of the stone implements of South Africa shows that ‘the sequence is the same
as in Britain and other parts of the Old World, though it is not so complete,
having lagged behind somewhat.’ There is no index, and the price is quite
sufficient.
1907 June
216
THE PEREGRINES AT BEMPTON.
E. W. WADE, M.B.O.U.
WE may congratulate ourselves that the efforts of the Y.N.U.
in protecting the Bempton Peregrines are once more rewarded.
It had been rumoured that the birds were not at their old
haunts, but, like most birds, they are very quiet when occupied
in family cases, and as the situation of the eyrie, halfway
between Old Dor and the Pig-Trough, is so chosen as to be
invisible except from the bottom of the cliffs, where no one had
been previous to the commencement of the climbing season,
they had entirely escaped notice. At Whitsuntide, however,
when egg-gathering began and their security was disturbed by
the climbers, the birds at once showed their disapproval of the
intruders. The cock bird did not remain long on the scene, but
so long as any human beings appeared on the cliff-top the hen
soared round in wide circles, uttering harsh cries more in anger
than distress, for who had the right to dispute her hitherto un-
challenged supremacy on the face of the cliff? Now and again
she closed her wings, and, swift as lightning, descended
vertically down the face of the cliff, scattering to right and left
the swarms of sea-birds. Then, by simply extending her
broad wings, she rose to the level of the cliff-top again.
Apparently the wings were never flapped except to steady her
flight, for, without visible motion of these, she repeated the
manceuvre a dozen times, sometimes twisting completely round
in the air or turning over with the wings extended in order to
alter the direction of her flight, but always with the same per-
fect ease, which made Gulls, Guillemots, Razorbills, and Puffins
appear clumsy and slow in comparison. Numerous feathers
scattered about on the various grassy nabs along the cliffs attest
the voracity of this prince of robbers, but sea-birds and cliff-
pigeons, which apparently form the whole diet, are numerous,
and one need not grudge the few required for his larder. A
descent to last year’s eyrie showed that the falcons had moved
a little to the west, where they are better hidden from observation,
and unfortunately in a position where a photograph cannot be
secured. The climber entertains a prejudice against this bird,
which they say frightens the Guillemots off their eggs, which
thus become spilled and broken; but as the same Guillemots sat
on the ledges all round the eyrie all the while the birds were
under observation, and apparently showing not the slightest
trace of fear, we may dismiss this objection as prejudice only.
Naturalist,
Da eg
THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF YORKSHIRE.
(Continued from page 186).
PRE-HISTORIC MAN.
THE section of this volume dealing with pre-historic remains
(other than earth-works, which are being described later) has
been written by Mr. George Clinch, F.G.S., who must be
congratulated upon the thoroughness with which he has
accomplished his task. In perusing his notes, it is obvious
that not only has the writer made himself conversant with
the voluminous literature on the subject, but he has also visited
the principal collections in the county. Mr. Clinch gives a
useful summary of the relics (pottery, dwellings, etc.) of the
Neolithic Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, etc. His notes
are illustrated by a large number of drawings and photographs
of typical vases, implements, weapons, ornaments, carved
stones, etc. He has obviously and admittedly been greatly
assisted in his work by the fact that two such excellent
memoirs as Canon Greenwell’s ‘British Barrows’ and Mortimer’s
‘Forty Years’ Researches’ have appeared, dealing very largely
with the county ; and, in addition, the museums in this broad-
acred shire are also exceptionally well furnished with relics of
early man. As might be expected, the spelling of both personal
and place names indicates a want of familiarity with the county,
and this might have been prevented by allowing any of the
numerous Yorkshire antiquaries to have read the proofs. In
some instances the same individual has his name spelt in two
or three different ways.
With regard to the Rudston monolith, Mr. Clinch may be
pleased to know that its depth underground has been demon-
strated by excavation ; also, there were formerly four or more
stones forming the Devil’s Arrows near Borough-bridge (see
‘ Naturalist,’ Feb., 1903, pp. 34-5). To his list of pre-historic
antiquities in Yorkshire many additions might be made. This
list is ‘an attempt to put on record all the more important
discoveries of pre-historic relics in Yorkshire.’ Curiously
enough, Mr. Clinch omits from this list some of the specimens
he describes in the text. There are several localities in which
important finds have been made not referred to in the list, and
South Ferriby should not have been included, as the place is in
Lincolnshire. The mark at Ferriby on the Yorkshire map
containing Mr. Clinch’s notes, therefore, does not apply, though
1907 June 1.
218 Field Notes.
it might be allowed to stand to indicate the locality in which
probably the finest bronze spear head in the north of England
was found (which is in the possession of Canon Greenwell), but is
not referred to in the list. The stone and bronze axes referred to
under ‘Hull’ were not found at that place, but near Hull, as
recorded in Sir John Evans’ books, and the only pre-historic
implement ever found at Hull, curiously enough, is not mentioned
in the list, as it is in the Wilberforce historical museum, which
presumably was not examined by Mr. Clinch when he visited
Hull. We also notice that some forgeries have been included
as though they were genuine. Perhaps the most unexpected
omission from the list of place names is ‘ Ulrome,’ where so many
important discoveries at various periods have been made, some
of which Mr. Clinch describes elsewhere.
These omissions, however, are of somewhat minor importance,
and speaking generally, the account of Yorkshire’s pre-historic
remains as given by Mr. Clinch is very well done indeed.
Mr. A. F. Leach writes an account of the schools of the
county, which is a very useful compilation, and appears to
have been very conscientiously done. This contribution occupies
86 pages.
The concluding chapter (24 pages) deals with Forestry, and
is written by the Rev. J. C. Cox, whose volume on Forests we
recently had the pleasure of noticing in these pages (‘ Naturalist,’
1906, pp. 95-97). We then dealt at some length with Dr: Cox’s
researches amongst the old records relating to the Forests of
Yorkshire; and in the present chapter these are somewhat
extended. The name of Dr. Cox at the head of this important
contribution is a sufficient guarantee of the thoroughness of
the work.
ee
BIRDS.
Arrival of Migrants near York.—The following are the
dates of the arrival of migrants near York. In most cases the
dates are later than last year, the cold weather being no doubt
responsible for the somewhat erratic arrival of the birds.
March 24.—Wheatear. | April 27.—Sandmartin.
April 19.—Willow Warbler. May 1.—Cuckoo.
55 19.—Sandpiper. »5 &-—Whinchat.
5, 22.—House Martin. > 8—Swift.
,,5 22.—Swallow. », 10.—Landrail.
5) 23.-—Whitethroat. 5, 13.—Nightjar.
SypNEY H. Situ, York.
Naturalist,
219
HISTORY OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL
HISTORY) COLLECTIONS.*
Tue Trustees of the British Museum and the staff at Cromwell
Road are to be congratulated upon the preparation of a valuable
History of the Collections, two volumes of which have already
appeared. The first deals with the libraries and the departments
of Botany, Geology, and Minerals; and the second is devoted to
the special accounts of the several collections of Zoology, written
respective assistant keepers and assistants. The general by the
History of the Zoological Department will be issued as a
third volume shortly.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of
placing upon record particulars of the origin and growth, not
only of our national collections, but of all those in the museums
throughout the country. As it is, a perusal of the volumes
under notice proves that anything like a reliable record of even
our national treasures is exceedingly difficult to obtain; in
many instances the history of an important specimen: is lost,
and thus much of its value is also gone. Difficult as it un-
doubtedly has been to prepare the present history, there is no
doubt that had it been longer delayed it would have been
impossible to have got the information together.
The history of the British Museum dates from 1753, in
which year an Act of Parliament was passed for the purpose of
purchasing the well-known collection of Sir Hans Sloane. We
observe no mention is made in this official guide of the sub-
sequent Act which was passed authorising the raising of the
funds required by means of a lottery!+ As time went on the
collections grew, and in 1860 it was decided that the Natural
History Series be removed from the British Museum, and three
years later the site of the International Exhibition at South
Kensington was purchased for these collections. The volumes
under notice chronicle the various changes that have taken
place in the staff, arrangement, etc., of the Natural History
Museum, as well as the yearly acquisitions. This last-named
item is a very important one, and when it is remembered that in
one department in one year no fewer than 116,000 additions were
made, whilst most of the departments acquire thousands, or tens
of thousands per annum, it will be seen that the question of
* Vol. I., 442 pp., 1904, sold at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell
Road, 15/-. Vol. II., 782 pp., 1906, 30/-
+ See ‘ Naturalist,’ 1905, p. 120.
ago7 June 1,
220 Northern News.
cataloguing the specimens is a very serious matter. In addition
to this chronological record is an alphabetical list of the donors
of the specimens to each of the departments, together with
particulars of the objects obtained from them.
In the chapter devoted to a History of the Libraries is a
‘List of Current Serial Publications Presented to the British
Museum (Natural History),’ which appears to be incomplete,
as we know of one or two items regularly presented which do
not appear in this list. It is also unsatisfactory to find so many
of the sets of Transactions, etc., are incomplete. Surely the
various societies referred to would complete their sets of
Publications in the national museum were they approached—or,
at any rate, if they could not do so, a small outlay on the part
of the authorities would secure the desired publications and
thus preserve them for all time. Strangely enough, we notice
that the colonial and foreign publications presented are nearly
all in sets commencing ‘No. I.,’ whereas from our own country
complete sets are distinctly in the minority.
We have pleasure in drawing attention to these valuable
publications—they should be in every reference library, and
every naturalist will find them of distinct value. The authorities
at the Natural History Museum are to be commended on the
production of the volumes.
>} &——
The Council of the University of Leeds has decided to establish separate
chairs of zoology and botany.
‘This year rooks are said to be thicker than ever,’ we read, ‘and rook
pie is therefore likely to be cheap.’ A beautiful instance of ‘caws’ and
effect.
On account of the illness of the Curator of the Haslemere Museum the
publication of the Museum Gazette is suspended for the present. We trust
that Mr. Swanton may soon be well again. It is hoped to re-issue the
journal in January next.
As his presidential address to the Geologists’ Association Mr. R. S.
Herries took for his subject ‘On the Constitution and Management of
Scientific Societies.’ It is printed in Vol. XX., pt. 1., of the Society’s
Proceedings, just issued. This paper should be carefully read by all those
concerned in the management of such societies.
In the new ‘ Lancashire Naturalist’ we notice the Spring Vale Ramblers
are to have two rambles ‘from Clitheroe to Clitheroe,’ which savours of a
fishing trip. By the way, fishermen must be grateful to Mr. Alan R. Haig-
Brown, who, in the same journal, makes the following contribution :—‘ Do
fishermen juggle with the truth! I sometimes think they get the reputation
thereof, because, being out often, and alone with Nature, they see sights
which to the stay-at-home seem incredible.’ The next time we hear our
angling friends relating details of the incredibly big fish which they xearly
caught, we must remember that, with the possible exception of a basket and
flask, they were at the time ‘alone with Nature.’
Naturalist,
221
Sn Memoriam.
EDWARD HALLIDAY.
WE were very sorry to receive the announcement of the death
of Mr. Edward Halliday, of Halifax, which event took place on
April 5th last. He was in his eightieth year, and was almost
the last of the old band of working men lepidopterists of a
generation ago, being a contemporary of James Varley, William
Talbot, George Liversedge, and many others. Halliday retained
his. interest in lepidoptera up to the last; and at the
excursion and meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union
at Hebden Bridge—one of his favourite localities—on June 11th,
1904, was quite enthusiastic over the species which occurred
there.
Ger PY
——-~> @—__—
JOHN FRANCIS: WALKER, M.A-, F.G:S., F.Z.S,
WE regret to hear of the death, on May 24th, of John Francis
Walker, M.A., F.G.S., F.Z.S., of Bootham, York, at the age
of sixty-seven. He was a member of an old York family, and
for many years took a keen interest in the York Philosophical
Society, of which he was a vice-president. He was also a
frequent donor to the York Museum. He was perhaps best
known from the keen interest he took in geology—particularly
in collecting. His series of fossil brachiopoda, over which he
spent many years in getting together, is exceptionally complete,
and has formed the subject of several papers in the Annual
Reports of the York Philosophical Society, and elsewhere. At
the recent York Meeting of the British Association he was
elected Chairman of a Committee for the investigation of the
Neocomian Beds at Knapton. Mr. Walker was a life-member
of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.
ES
ee NS
Birds I have known.—A. H. Beavan. T. Fisher Unwin, 256 pp.
Second Edition, 2/- This appears to be a reprint, on thinner paper, of the
work noticed in these columns for May, 1905 (pp. 158-9). The cover is
certainly more attractive than that of the first edition, and at its present
price it is a very cheap volume.
1907 June 1.
222
FIELD NOTES.
MAMMALS.
Note on Bats.—In the ‘ Naturalist’ for January (p. 28) Mr.
H. B. Booth has a note on ‘the small quantity of air necessary
to sustain life in a bat.’ The following may be of interest to
Mr. Booth and others who are studying these physiologically
puzzling animals :—
W. Derham, in his ‘Physico-Theology’ (London, 1737),
Book I., Chap. i, p. 28, gives the results of some experiments
on many animals. ‘Birds, dogs, cats, rats, mice, etc., when
placed under the receiver of an air pump, died in less than half-
a-minute, counting from the very first exsuction. A mole....
died in one minute.... <A bat (although wounded) sustained
the pump two minutes, and revived upon the re-admission
of air. After that he remained four-minutes-and-a-half and
revived. Lastly, after he had been five minutes, he continued
gasping for a while, and after twenty minutes I readmitted air,
but the bat never revived.’ A frog lasted eleven hours, and
certain invertebrates twenty-four hours. Besides suffering from
lack of oxygen, these subjects would probably be damaged by
exploded or distended vessels and tissues.
In a footnote on p. 71, in Vol. I. of the English translation
of Cuvier’s ‘Animal Kingdom’ (1834) there is an account of the
observations of Dr. Marshall Hall on the lethargic sleep of
several hibernating mammals which ‘can bear with impunity
the abstraction of atmospheric air.’ This faculty ‘enabled a
bat to preserve life for eleven minutes when immersed in water.’
—Frep Stusss, Oldham, April 18th.
==2 © 3==
BIRDS.
Water-rail and Gannett at Mablethorpe.—About a week
ago a water-rail entered, by the open window, the dining-room
of Mr. J. H. Joyce, of Mablethorpe. On examination it was
found to be almost foodless. About the same date a Solan
Goose, or Gannet, was found dead from exhaustion about two
miles from Mablethorpe.—J. Conway WALTER, Langton, Lincs.,
April 2oth, 1907.
Naturalist,
223
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
How to Study Geology: a Book for Beginners, by Ernest Evans.
Swan Sonnenschein, 1907, 272 pp. In this little book the Natural
Science Master at the Burnley Municipal Technical School has presented, in
a form very suitable for a beginner, a series of essays on geological
phenomena, illustrated by a profusion of blocks—some old—mostly new.
Mr. Evans has for some time been lecturer to the Co-operative Holiday
Association, and presumably the present work is the result of his notes
which have been put together in connection therewith. By a series of simple
experiments, also, many geological phenomena are explained. We hardly
expected to find ‘Signs of the Ice Age in Great Britain’ dismissed in less
than half a page. Fig. 8, showing two sets of inverted strata on the sides
of an intruded mass, is surely an impossible section; on Fig. 12 ‘left’ should
be ‘right’ and ‘right’ should be ‘left’; we have never seen a brick wall
built across a glacier, as apparently shown on Fig. 31; and on Fig. 50 we
are informed that ‘the amount of reduction of the figures is denoted by x4,
which means reduced one half,’ whereas the amount of reduction, except in
a very few cases, is zo¢ denoted; on page 53, line 8, ‘size’ should be ‘ side.’
These, however, are minor matters, which can be put right in the next
edition.
‘In Starry Realms,’ 372 pp.. 1907; ‘In the High Heavens,’ 384 pp.,
1907; and ‘ Great Astrononers,’ 372 pp., 1907.
Messrs. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd., are to be congratulated upon the
way in which they are issuing some very useful and popular works on natural
science at a reasonable rate. We have already referred to some of these
publications in these columns recently. We have received the three
well-known volumes named above, by Sir Robert Ball, F.R.S., cheap
editions (3/6), which the firm have just placed on the market, and there is no
doubt they will meet with a ready sale. In this way much is being done to
popularise the natural sciences. In the first volume named Sir Robert has
necessarily had to revise the chapters on ‘ Shooting Stars’ and on ‘ Photo-
graphing the Stars.’ He also anticipates that the recent discoveries in
Radio-Activity ‘will shortly cause some modification to be made in our
present views as to the sustentation of the sun’s heat.’ In the second volume
the discoveries recently made in reference to the satellites of Jupiter are
referred to, and in this he also deals at some length with the nebular
theory. Further consideration of this subject only makes Sir Robert
feel more confident that the nebular theory does really express the law of
nature. The additional matters in the third volume, as might be expected
rom the nature of the volume, are not of much moment.
Thomas H. Huxley, by J. R. Ainsworth Davies, M.A. J.M. Dent & Co.,
1907. 288 pp. Naturally in the excellent ‘English Men of Science
Series,’ now being issued by Messrs. Dent, a volume devoted to Huxley
must be amongst the first, and Mr. Davies has written a very interesting
narrative of the life and work and hardships and successes of one whose
name is a household word, though it must be admitted that to some he is
perhaps better known as an ‘agnostic’ than as a man of science. But all
who peruse the present small volume must marvel at the great work he did
—too well known to all readers of this journal to require particularisation
here. It is sufficient to state that it is a readable and concise account of the
achievements of this great master, though there is much already familiar to
those who have read the ‘ Life and Letters,’ an admirable work which has
admittedly been made good use of in the present volume. A useful feature
are the appendices (a) Chief Biographical Sources (21 items): (4) List of
Published Works (276 items); and (c) Classification of more Technical
Works. There is a good index.
1907 June Tr.
224
NORTHERN NEWS.
The April issue of ‘Yorkshire Notes and Queries’ contains the first
instalnient of a useful ‘ Bibliography of Yorkshire.’
At the request of the Executive Committee, Mr. H. Culpin, of 7, St. Mary’s
Road, Doncaster, has accepted the position of Treasurer to the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union.
The ‘leading article’ of a recent issue of ‘The Country Side’ is devoted
to rabbit fleas, weasel fleas, dog fleas, cat fleas, fowl fleas (not lice), and
other entertaining topics.
The seventy-third Annual Report of the Bootham School (York) Natural
History, Literary, and Polytechnic Society is to hand, and contains evidence
of a continued interest being taken in Natural History in the school.
Under the title ‘Bibliotheca Pretiosa,’ Messrs. Sotheran & Co. have
issued a well illustrated catalogue of unusually choice books and manu-
scripts of literary and historical interest. The price is half-a-crown.
The opening address to the Geographical Section of the Birmingham
Natural History and Philosophical Society, by Prof. W. W. Watts, F.R.S.‘
has just been published by the society (55, Newhall Street, Birmingham) at
one shilling.
In the May ‘Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine’ Mr. E. A. Newbery
describes Enicmus fungicola, Thoms., a species of Coleoptera new to Britain.
This was obtained in some numbers in dry fungi on a tree at Edenhall,
Cumberland.
Mr. Harper Gaythorpe favours us with a reprint of his paper on ‘ Pre-
Historic Implements in Furness,’ in which stone, flint, and bronze weapons
are described. (Trans. Cumb. and West’d. Ant. and Arch. Soc. New
Series, Vol. VI.).
At a recent meeting of the Bradford Natural History and Microscopical
Society, Mr. J. W. Carter, F.E.S., the newly-elected president, delivered a
presidential address, in which he reviewed the work of the Society, which
was formed in 1875. Mr. Carter was one of its earliest members.
Our contributor, Mr. T. Petch, who is now the Government Mycologist
of Ceylon, sends us his Report, as well as pamphlets dealing with ‘ Bud rot
of the Cocoanut Palm,’ ‘ Root disease of Hevea brasiliensis,’ and ‘ Descriptions
of New Ceylon Fungi.’ We understand Mr. Petch is to visit England in
October.
Drawn up by Prof. W. A. Herdman, F.R.S., is an admirably illustrated
‘Guide to the Aquarium’ of the Liverpool Marine Biology Committee at
Port Erin Biological Station, Isle of Man. The illustrations have been
principally prepared by Mr. H.C. Chadwick, the Curator of the Station,
and the Guide is sold at the small price of threepence.
Newspaper Natural History. One of our dailies deplores the loss to
shipping, due to the efforts of ‘the worm, Zesfudo navalis’! A Welsh paper
offers for sale a Shire Stallion, ‘very muscular, good bone, sz/ky feathers.’
In drawing attention to the meteorological advantages of Scarborough, the
Scarborough Post records that last year the total sunshine was 158,025 hours,
an average of 430 hours of sunshine a day. No wonder Dr. H. R. Mill, at
the British Association at York, gave us a warning as to the accuracy of
meteorological records published at our holiday resorts! In Huddersfield
a ‘Chip Potato Plant’ is offered for sale, and Punch suggests that in the
same department may be found a Navy Cut Tobacco Plant, and a Stewed
Celery Bed. Inthe Huddersfield Chronicle we notice the following displayed
advertisement :—‘ Mr. ————,, the old botanist from the ————— Society,
will undertake to name any local wild plant every Sunday evening until
further notice John Bray, proprietor, Arms Hotel, Street
— Brewery Ales, Spirits, and Cigars of the choicest quality.’ Hudders-
field always has been a good botanical centre!
Naturalist,
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF iM
"NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
: EDITED BY
; ug 4 ba SHEPPARD, F.G.S., tay
4 THE Museum, Hutt; :
: AND : te
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., vi
‘ TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. a
: :
; WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF Te
; J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
y Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, Bo
ba T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. Ae
Contents :—
t PAGES
‘Notes and Comments (Illustrated):—Another New Magazine, And its Contributors, eet}
? Booming Bempton, Wade's ‘Birds of Bempton Cliffs,’ ‘The Birds of Yorkshire,’ | :
, Stonham's ‘ Birds of the British Islands,’ Dentalium giganteum, Sir H. Howorth and eae
Glacial Nightmares, Mr. Lamplugh’s British Association Address, Bird Migration ... 225-230
_ Note on a Malformed Antler of a Red Deer (Illustrated)—T. Sheppard, F.G.S. ... «.. 281-283 "
The Birds of the Farne Islands (Illustrated)—R. Fortune, F.Z.S. ooh) | HSER eet ante eae Ood SES if
The Marten in Lakeland—Edward T. Baldwin ... Le a ey ee aed a ... 239-240
_ Theories of Evolution—A gnes Robertson, D.Sc. ... oui a ote Ce! allee w 241-249
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood’s Bay (litustrated) ; ae eh Sa B «.. 250-255
Field Notes... .. Loa SUMMA uD h LS:
ij ‘Lincolnshire Mites dice necatC: YF. bioveey M.R. C. s. wed his ee <n . 259-260
~ Reviews and Book Notices (Illustrated) ... ue we ae ake 4a th 230, 240, 261-263 Ha)
4 aoecrn News cue a ee a aye ues aS Ay se wee ere 233, 238, 258, 264 s
‘Milustrations ... “sh Oe ... 226, 228, 240, 254, 260, 262, 263 Me
‘Plates XXII., XXUL., XXIV., XXV., XXVL, XXVIL., XXVIIE., XXIX., XXX., XXXI. |
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THE NATURALIST 1907 PLatTeE XXIIT
THE LINNET: SPECIMEN PLATE FROM M? CHARLES STONHAMS
“THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS” (Margins much reduced )
225
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
ANOTHER NEW MAGAZINE
Durinc the past few years we have chronciled the appearance
of many new magazines. Most have had a meteoric existence
—came into the world with a great glare, as quickly ‘fizzed out,”
and left not a wrack behind. Others had a more lingering
career; but eventually sickened and died. One or two
still linger, though apparently suffering from ‘ galloping con-
sumption.” In most cases their fate was evident from the first.
A few, a very few, seem still healthy. To these last had been
added ‘ British Birds,’ * which, judging from the first part just
received, is most likely to be a success. The study of birds in
recent years has been followed by an enormous number of
serious students, as well as by a still greater number of
drivelling dabblers, many of whom evidently consider that to
buy (or borrow) a field-glass, to spend a week-end spying
sparrows, and to have excess to a few monographs are the only
qualifications for writing books and articles to periodicals.
Page after page of the most blithering piffle are in this way printed.
In ‘British Birds,’ however, there will be none of this. With
such capable editors as Messrs. H. F. Witherby and W. P.
Pycraft we can depend upon having nothing but the best, and
‘Part I.’ of the new publication certainly is evidence of this.
AND ITS CONTRIBUTORS.
The articles it contains are :—‘ Additions to the List of
British Birds since 1899,’ by Mr. Howard Saunders, ‘A Study
of the Home Life of the Osprey’ (with three excellent plates),
by P. H. Bahr, ‘Remarks on the supposed New British Tits
of the genus Parus,’ by P. L. Sclater, ‘Nesting Habits observed
abroad of some Rare British Birds,’ by F. C. Selous, as well as
notes and correspondence by W. Eagle Clarke, J. H. Gurney,
J. L. Bonhote, and Charles Whymper.
It cannot be said that there is no room for such a periodical
as ‘British Birds.’ It will unquestionably do good. And, with
a possible exception, it will do no harm to its contemporaries.
BOOMING BEMPTON. =
It is apparent that the attractions of the Cliffs of Bempton
and Speeton are at last being recognised in the way they deserve.
* Vol. I., Pt. 1, June rst. 32 pp., 1/- net. (monthly). © Witherby & Co.
London.
1907 July 1.
226 Notes and Comments.
The North Eastern Railway Company has issued an admirable
coloured poster of the Bempton Cliffs, after a painting by F.
W. Booty. By the courtesy of the Company we are enabled to
present our readers with a reproduction of the poster, in colours
(Plate XXII.).. From this it will be conceded that the North
Eastern Company—which is so ready to grant every facility to
the natural history and other societies using its lines, is also to
the fore in issuing artistic posters. In addition, the Company
has issued an attractive pamphlet, written by the Secretary of
Guillemot Eggs on Black Shelf, Bempton.
the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, setting forth geological,
ornithological, and other features of the area. This pamphlet,
which can be obtained on application to the Chief Passenger
Superintendant, N.E.R., York, is illustrated by reproductions of
photographs by Mr. E. W. Wade and others.
WADE'S ‘BIRDS OF BEMPTON CLIFFS.’
Messrs. A. Brown & Sons, Hull, the publishers of the
‘Naturalist,’ have issued a second edition of Mr. Wade’s well-
known pamphlet on the Birds of Bempton Cliffs. This contains
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. ror SOL
After painting by F. W. Booty.
The Bempton Cliffs
Notes and Comments. 227
all that appeared in the first edition, with much additional
matter, which extends the pamphlet to forty-one pages without
the i!lustrations. The latter are now all printed on plate paper,
which adds much to their value. Besides being issued in more
handy form, the price of the present impression is one shilling,
just half that of the first edition. It will doubtless have a
ready sale.
Our attention has also been called to a handbill issued by one
of the ‘climbers’ of Bempton, who modestly describes himself as
‘known as the old Cliff Climber throughout Great Britain!’
But of this the least said the better.
THE ‘BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE.’
We are pleased to announce that by the time this is in our
readers’ hands the publication of the ‘ Birds of Yorkshire’ will
be an accomplished fact, and within a few days the subscribers
will have received their copies. There has been delay, but
when the work is seen in its two excellently printed and well
illustrated volumes, the delay will be pardoned. In the issue
of this work the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union is to be con-
gratulated on the completion of still another of its monographs,
the material for the present one having been accumulated
during the past twenty years. Quite recently have been
completed the Fungus Flora, the Algz Flora, and the List of
Lepidoptera of the County, as well as Baker’s North Yorkshire.
The present—the most formidable of all—adds to this excellent
list, and the row of volumes is one of which any society might
be justly proud. We hope to give an extended notice of the
‘ Birds of Yorkshire’ in our next issue.
STONHAM’S -BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS.’
We have previously drawn attention to this sumptuous work
in these columns. The illustrations unquestionably will attract
the attention of those who are interested in birds. By the
kindness of the publishers we are able to let readers of the
‘Naturalist’ see the nature of the plates by the reproduction of
a drawing of one of the small birds (Plate XXIII.). This speaks
for itself. The size of the plates, however, is about twice that
of the specimen given. The publisher, Mr. E. Grant Richards,
of 7, Carlton Street, Regent Street, S.W., will be glad to supply
a detailed prospectus of the work on application.
1907 July 1.
228 Notes and Comments.
DENTALIUM GIGANTEUM.
In our issue for Feb. (pp. 35-36), we gave a figure of some
specimens of Dentalium giganteu:» on a piece of Lias. It was
then stated that on a certain horizion in Yorkshire this species
was extraordinary plentiful. This was demonstrated at the
recent meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, when
huge slabs of rock, entirely covered with the shell, were seen
strewn on the beach immediately north of Robin Hood’s Bay.
Fortunately a fair sample, which is figured herewith, was
Photo by Godfrey Bingley.
Slab of Lias, with Dentalium giganteum.
Robin Hood’s Bay.
secured for a certain institution at Hull. It measures twelve
by eight inches, and is about three inches thick. As will be
seen from the photograph, the upper surface is thickly covered
with the shell—which also occurs throughout the slab—several
being visible on the underside.
SIR H. H. HOWORTH AND GLACIAL NIGHTMARES.
In the ‘Geological Magazine’ for June, Sir Henry H.
Howorth is once again on the track of the glacialists. Of
the general line of his argument we do not propose to deal,
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 229
even were we capable of doing so. On one point, however,
Sir Henry has apparently a convenient memory—or lack of it!
It will be remembered that some time ago he put forward the
theory that the Scandinavian erratics on our east coast were
‘Viking anchors’! or ballast lost or thrown over from Scandi-
navian ships. A lengthy list of records of boulders of rhomb-
porphyry, etc., at great depths below the surface, and at
localities inland * caused Sir Henry to write to the ‘ Geological
Magazine’ (1897, pp. 154-5) as under :—‘I am bound to say
that... the reports of the British Association, and especially
Mr. Sheppard’s recent researches, make it zmposszble for me
to maintain any longer the extreme position I took up in my
controversy. Iam convinced now that the rocks are certainly
Norwegian, and that these Norwegian boulders have actually.
been found in undisturbed Boulder-clay and in its associated.
beds, and that, therefore, if they are to be explained, some other
explanation than the one I gave must be forthcoming.’ That
was ten years ago. The same writer, who then found it
impossible to maintain his theory any longer, now says :—
“I am more than ever convinced that a great proportion of the
foreigners in the shingles, especially the so-called Scandinavian
boulders, are derived from ballast, either from wrecks or dis-
carded from ships, and are entirely misleading in their
testimony.’ Where are we now? Sir Henry has accomplished
impossibilities !
MR. LAMPLUGH'S BRITISH ASSOCIATION ADDRESS.
Mr. Lamplugh’s address to Section C of the British
Association at York? is also referred to. ‘That Mr. Lam-
plugh is right in his views about inter-glacial beds I have no
doubt. ... The conclusions which he now publishes, as if
he was the first to generalise in their sense have been pressed
for nearly thirty years in many papers and two big works by
one Howorth. None of these publications are noticed in his
address.’ We have previously found Sir Henry complaining of
his two big books being ignored, so that in this respect Mr.
Lamplugh is not alone. Possibly there is a reason for it. As
regards the Interglacial beds, we must congratulate Mr.
Lamplugh on being in the same boat as Sir Henry Howorth.
If they don’t pull together they will at any rate ‘row,’—towards
Norway and the Maelstrom, surely! where ‘the waters seamed
* *Glacialists’ Magazine,’ 1895, pp. 129-131.
+ See ‘ Naturalist,’ 1906, pp. 304-317 and pp. 360-366.
1907 July 1.
230 Reviews and Book Notices.
and scarred into a thousand conflicting channels, burst suddenly
into frenzied convulsion—heaving, boiling, hissing—gyrating in
gigantic and innumerable vortices, and all whirling and plung-
ing on to the eastward.’ We can just imagine it.
BIRD MIGRATION.*
The nature of this valuable report, issued by the British
Ornithologists’ Club, was described in detail in our issue for
May last year. The present report is on the same lines, and
is similarly lavishly illustrated by maps showing the distribution
of the various species referred to. Messrs. C. B. Rickett and
C. B. Ticehurst have been added to the Migration Committee.
Mr. J. L. Bonhote is largely responsible for classifying the
records, and Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has prepared the maps.
These most useful reports of the ‘ B.O.C.’ will unquestionably
go a long way towards solving the complex problems of bird
migration.
in
A Text-book of Plant Diseases, by George Massee (Principal
Assistant (Cryptogamic) Royal Herbarium, Kew). Duckworth & Co., 8vo.
pp. xx., 472. Third edition, 6/- net.
This is the third edition of Mr. Massee’s book, which speaks well for its
popularity. We have had the book in constant use for several years, and
proved its value to gardeners, nurserymen, and others. While the most
important diseases are described and illustrated and the means of prevention
and cure given, we find that the criticism of the average English gardener
is that while several diseases not known in this country are described, a
number of parasites frequent on plants in general cultivation, and some of
these very destructive, are omitted. In a future edition it would be well to
extend the types in this direction. This edition agrees closely with the
second, except that eight pages have been inserted in front of the introduction
dealing with the black scab of potatoes, American gooseberry mildew, and
a cluster-cup disease of conifers ; and the price has been slightly increased.
The Gamekeeper’s Manual, by Alexander Porter. David Douglas,
Edinburgh. 140 pp., 3/- net. The fact that this is the third edition of this
popular manual shows that the work of the Chief Constable of the counties
of Roxburgh, Berwick, and Selkirk is appreciated, and serves a useful
purpose. It deals with poaching, day trespass, preservation of game, poison,
taking or destroying eggs, owners’ and occupiers’ rights, The Wild Birds
Protection Acts, the powers and duties of a gamekeeper, etc., etc., and the
author is naturally a well-qualified person to deal with the subject. It is
interesting to note with regard to the Wild Birds Protection Act that ‘there
is no special power given to anyone to enforce the Act. Any Person, on
seeing an offence committed, may demand the offender's name and address,
and if he refuses or gives a false name or address he renders himself liable
for an additional penalty for so doing.’ There is much in the book that
might well be perused by others besides gamekeepers !
* Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. Edited by W. R.
Ogilvie-Grant. Volume XX. ‘Report on the Immigration of Summer
Residents in the Spring of 1906.’ London, Witherby & Co., 1907, pp. 189.
Price 6/-
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PLATE XXIV;
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
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2351
NOTE ON A MALFORMED ANTLER OF A RED DEER
(Cervus elaphus),
FROM THE PEAT AT SUTTON-ON-SEA, LINCS.
T. SHEPPARD. F.G.S.,
Curator of the Municipal Museums, Hull.
WE have recently received a curiously malformed antler of a red
deer, which was found in 1906 by Mr. H. Bocock at Sutton-on-
Sea, Lincolnshire. It occurred in the peat bed, generally known
in these parts as the ‘submerged forest,’ immediately opposite
Sutton. Mr. Bocock has previously found normal antlers of
the red deer in the same deposit, but has never seen anything
like the specimen now being described. I am indebted to a
Lincolnshire friend for his interest on our behalf.
As will be seen from the photographs (Plate XXIV.), the
antler is by no means normal; the tines branching out in a very
irregular fashion. There are in all seven large tines remaining,
and formerly there were nine, but two were cut away in order
that the specimen might more readily fit against a passage wall
to be used as hat pegs! Of the two tines cut away I am
informed that one measured 7} ins. and the other 4 ins. in
length. Of those remaining, what.is apparently the brow tine
is 14 ins. in length, and 7} ins. in circumference where it joins
the main stem. The next tine to this in the ascending order is
a little over a foot in length, and is 9 ins. in circumference at
its base, and from this one of the branches referred to has
been sawn.
In addition to the large tines, there are numerous small
excrescences which are apparently partially developed tines.
The ‘horn’ or shaft of the antler is, as will be seen from the
photograph, unusually short and broad, and somewhat flattened.
Its greatest measurement (round the corona) is 2 ft. gins. Just
above the base of the horn proper it is 124 ins. in circumference.
Immediately above the brow tine, at a distance of 4} ins. above
the last measurement, it is 1 ft. in circumference ; 4 ins. higher
still it is 1 ft. 2 ins.; a further 4 ins. and it is 12} ins. ; and
immediately above the last tine it is 7 ins. in circumference,
from which place for about 8 ins. the antler gradually tapers
to a point. ae
The antler has evidently been cast, and appears to have two
places of attachment to the skull; the principal one being
1907 July 1.
232 Sheppard: Note on a Malformed Antler of a Red Deer.
somewhat the shape of a shoe-sole, 5} ins. long, 2% ins. in
width at the broad end and, 12 ins. wide at the narrow end.
Adjoining this, though apparently separated by a portion of the
corona, is a smaller place of attachment, oval in shape, measur-
ing 14 ins. by rt ins.
The total weight of the specimen is 18 lbs. It is exceedingly
hard, and dark coloured from its contact with the peat.
From the unusual thickness of the horn, from its irregular
shape, the number of tines branching at all angles, and lastly
from the nature of the places of attachment to the skull, it
seems evident that it really represents a pair of antlers, which,
owing to some accident or disease, have grown together as one.
Through the kind offices of Dr. A. Smith Woodward, F.R.S.,
of the British Museum (South Kensington), the specimen was
recently exhibited at a meeting of the Zoological Society of
London, and the Fellows did not remember having seen anything
quite like it previously. Sir Edmund G. Loder, Bart., who was
present, kindly informs me that he has known stag's in Scotland
which had only one antler each year. In each case the antler
was exceptionally fine, in one instance having six points. In
these instances there had never been an antler on the other side.
In the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society’ * is printed a
short note ‘On some Abnormal Remains of the Red Deer
(Cervus elaphus) from the Post-Pliocene Deposits of the South
of England,’ by Mr. Martin A. C. Hinton. In this the author
places on record the discovery in various post-pliocene deposits
in the south of England of certain remains of the red deer which
present characters of abnormal nature. Three specimens are
described : the first is a fragment of the frontal and antler of a
very young individual, from the Pleistocene of Ilford; the next
is from a fissure deposit of the same age in the Isle of Portland;
and the third is from the Holocene alluvium of Moorfield, Slandon.
The instances described show that whilst there is not the enlarge-
ment and thickness shown in the Sutton-on-Sea example, the
antlers have unquestionably grown in an abnormal way. In the
opinion of the author (p. 212) ‘it is probable that these specimens
belonged to individuals which had suffered injury to the testes
at an early period of life, which resulted in making the retention
of youthful characters possible for a longer period than is usually
the case.’ In the same journal, in 1905 (pp. 191-197), Mr. R. I.
Pocock has a paper on ‘The Effects of Castration on the
* 1905, Vol. I., pp. 210-212.
Naturalist,
Northern News. 233
Horns of a Prongbuck.’ In this, illustrations are given of
deformed antlers in modern species due to the same cause, and
from this it would appear that in all probability the extraordinary
formation of the Sutton-on-Sea antler is due to some such injury
to the animal at an early period of its life.
=< <a
Among the donations to a northern museum we notice ‘a double shell-less
hen’s egg.’
Dr. F. A. Bather, of the Geological Department, South Kensington,
represented the British Museum at the celebration recently held in Sweden
in commemoration of the Bi-centenary of the birth of Linnzeus.
At the Annual Meeting of the Leeds Geological Association, held a few
days ago, the treasurer announced a balance in hand of over £6. The present
membership of the Association is 87. Mr. F. W. Branson was elected
President for the ensuing year.
We are pleased to acknowledge a further donation of two pounds from
Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, J.P., a guinea from the Hon. Mrs. Carpenter, 5/-
from Mr. W. J. Clarke, 5/- from the Leeds Co-operative Naturalists’ Field
Club, and half-a-guinea from Mr. D. Legard towards the Protection of Birds
in Yorkshire.
The Liverpool Botanical Society is about to prepare a Flora of South
Lancashire (z.e., that portion of the county which lies south of the Ribble), and
asks for the co-operation of botanists and others who are able to assist.
Information is desired relating to any collections of South Lancashire plants,
or old herbaria containing such, or private MS., notes or records dealing in
any way with the botany of South Lancashire. Particulars of any plants
will be of value, as the distribution of even the commonest species is
imperfectly knownitin some parts of the area. Communications should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec., South Lancashire Flora Committee, Mr. W. G.
Travis, 107, Delamare Street, Liverpool.
In addition to the reports of the Society and its Museum for two years,
the ‘Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Dur-
ham, and Newcastle-on-Tyne’ (Vol. I., pt. 3) contains the following papers
of interest ;—‘ On the Crustacean Fauna of a Salt-water Pond at Amble,’ by
Dr. G. S. Brady (with descriptions of new species) ; ‘The Spiders of the Tyne
Valley,’ by Dr. A. R. Jackson (an excellent list); ‘ Notes on New and Rare
Local Beetles,’ by R. S. Bagnall and Prof. T. H. Beare (reprinted from
another source); ‘ Derwenthaugh Land in Derwent Gut,’ by Rev. A. Watts
(with details of borings); ‘The Landslip at Claxheugh, Co. Durham,
September, 1905,’ by Dr. D.. Woolacott ; and ‘Larval Trematodes of the
Northumberland Coast,’ by Miss M. A. Lebour. Most of the articles are
illustrated by plates.
On the 22nd May, the Lincoln City and County Museum was informally
opened to the public, and since then the attendance has been very fair. It
will be remembered that the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union has all along
had for one of its aims the formation of a County Museum. This aim has
now been achieved, and the Natural History Collections in the Museum are
principally presents from the Union or its members. It is a great pity that
the Lincoln Corporation lost the opportunity of making the existence of the
county museum well known by having a public opening. There must be
scores of valuable objects in the possession of private individuals who would
be pleased to send them to a permanent home in the county, but as it is, few
of these can possibly know of the existence of the Museum under Mr. A. Smith's
charge. ‘Tis sad to admit, but even Museums must advertise.
1907 July 1.
234
THE BIRDS OF THE FARNE ISLANDS.
R. FORTUNE, F.Z.S.
Harrogate.
Tue Farne Islands are a group of rocky islets off the coast of
Northumberland, having altogether an area of about eighty
acres. Here sea fowl in countless numbers resort to breed.
I remember visiting these islands twenty years ago, when a
sort of half protection was afforded the birds. This ‘protection’
really meant that those who were supposed to be looking after
the birds did so chiefly for their own profit. The fishermen
made ceaseless raids, taking large quantities of eggs, and
collectors did likewise.
However, all this is now changed. the birds are looked after
during the nesting season by a party of gentlemen banded
together under the name of the Farne Islands Association.
Four or five keepers are kept upon the Islands during the
whole of the nesting season, and their sole work is to look
after the birds. This is, of course, not done without consider-
able expense. There is no fixed subscription to the Association,
each member gives what he likes or can afford. It is pleasing
to find that there are several members of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union in the Association.
To Mr. Paynter, of Alnwick, the Hon. Sec. of the Association,
the thanks of all Naturalists are due for his untiring efforts on
behalf of the birds.
The best way to approach the islands is from the little
fishing village of Seahouses, where, at the Bamborough Castle
Hotel, passes may be obtained. Every visitor must sign a
form promising not to take eggs. Visitors are not allowed to
stay very long on any of the islands, and especially is their
time restricted where the Terns nest.
What with looking after the visitors and keeping their _
‘weather eyes’ open for raids from the fishermen, the keepers
in fine weather have their time fully occupied. In bad
weather they have a fairly easy time, as landing upon the
islands is practically impossible.
Altogether about fourteen species of birds find a sanctuary
here. Zhe bird of the islands is, without a doubt, the Lesser
Black Back Gull. He is everywhere, and although undoubtedly
a fine and handsome species, I cannot help thinking he is
Naturalist,
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THE NATURALIST, 1907.
PLATE XXV.
Fortune.
R.
Young Kittiwakes on Nests.
Kittiwakes on Nests.
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
PLATE XXVI,
Fortune.
R.
Near view of the Pinnacles with their crowd of Guillemots.
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Fortune: The Birds of the Farne Islands. 235
far too numerous, as he is a sad rascal, robbing the other
birds regularly both of their eggs and young. When the
young Terns are hatching it is impossible for the keepers to
drive the Gulls away until they have had their fill. Young of
other species have to pay toll in a like manner. Although
taking the eggs of other birds whenever an opportunity offers,
they do not seem fo interfere with those of their own species.
Herring Gulls are present in small numbers. It is quite
impossible to identify their nests and eggs without seeing the
birds upon them, so closely do they resemble those of the
Lesser Black Backs.
One of the sights is that of the renowned Pinnacle Rocks, a
group of basaltic pillars rising to a considerable height. They
have perfectly flat tops, and are tenanted with a huge crowd of
Guillemots. It is a most interesting sight; from the main
island the spectator can look right on to the heaving mass of
birds, and one cannot help wondering whether by any chance a
bird leaving its egg for a short visit to the sea could ever
regain it again. Our own Yorkshire coast furnishes a most
interesting spectacle of Guillemots in the nesting season, but
nothing to approach the Pinnacle Rocks for large numbers in a
small space. A few Guillemots nest on some of the ledges on
the main island, and we found one or two laying their eggs
amongst the Cormorants’ nests on the Wamses.
One of the most pleasing results of protection is the great
increase in the numbers of the charming Kittiwake, the most
handsome and most gentle of all the Gull tribe. There can
surely be no finer sight than a colony of Kittiwakes sitting upon
their nests, their beautiful plumage affording a striking contrast
to the dark rocks upon which their nests are placed, the smallest
ledges being sufficient for a foundation for them. On the
Farnes these birds are delightfully tame and confiding, and
the visitor is thoroughly repaid by being allowed to enter into
the mysteries of their home life. The nests are placed on the
sides of the Pinnacles and on the cliffs of the Staple Island.
Razorbills are very few in number, only about half-a-dozen
pairs nesting on the Farne Island. Very few birds nest on this
island, so that it is not of great interest to the ornithologist.
It has, however, an interest of its own.
Another gratifying feature is the great increase in the
number of Eider Ducks. They are found practically every-
where nesting amongst the rocks, vegetation, or on the open
beach. Some are wonderfully tame, even occasionally allowing
1907 July 1.
236 Fortune: The Birds of the Farne Islands.
the visitor to stroke them upon the nest. Should a duck leave
her nest in a hurry without covering the eggs with down, as
they sometimes do, it is a bad look out when she returns, as it
is a certainty that they will have been carried off by the Lesser
Black Back Gulls. What astonishes me is that the Gulls have
never yet tumbled to the fact that beneath the heap of down
reposes a tempting array of dainties which they know well.
how to appreciate. The male Eider, in his striking plumage,
is a great contrast to the sober attire of the female; he keeps
well out to sea, and rarely comes on land, but should the female
leave her nest for a little relaxation he is speedily in attendance.
Puffins are also very numerous on one or two of the islands.
Upon Staple Island the soil is riddled with their burrows, so
much so that it is almost impossible to walk over the surface
without ones foot sinking into a Puffin’s burrow. The Lesser
Black Back Gulls cannot get at the Puffin’s eggs, as they are’
deposited some distance in the burrow, but when the young
come forth they play havoc amongst them. The Puffin is a
very quaint fellow, with a grotesque bill, the most gaudy
portion of which he sheds during the winter months.
Oystercatchers are fairly common, and may be seen on most
of the islands. On the Staple Island there are the remains of
an old lighthouse, on the top of the old wall of which a pair
of Oystercatchers regularly place their nest.
Ringed Plovers nest on the shingly beeches of some of the
islands, but they are not abundant.
Cormorants were nesting in two colonies on the Wamses
and on the Harcar; the Megstone, their former abode, being
deserted by them owing to their nests being continually washed
away by the sea. I learn, however, that a few pairs returned.
to the Megstone later in the season, and were able to rear
their broods. Unfortunately, upon the Wamses and Harcar
are large numbers of Gulls. When visitors approach the
islands the Cormorants take flight. Immediately they go the-
Gulls fly to their nests and clear out every egg in the nests in no
time. At the first visit paid by Mr. Booth and myself, in June
1906, we thought it would be an impossibility for the Cormorants
to rear any young; we were therefore greatly delighted upon
paying a second visit in early August to find young birds in
almost every nest. A period of bad weather, during which
visitors could not land upon these islands, had allowed the birds
to stick close to their nests, thus protecting their eggs from the
ravages of the Gulls.
Naturalist,
a > oe
“a
e;
'
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XXVII.
a toer IN e Nes 5%
wate. 4
Eider Duck and Nest.
Eider Duck on Nest.
Lesser Black Back Gull. R. Fortune.
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLaTE XXVIII.
Kittiwakes and Guillemots
on the Staple Island.
A Group of Puffins. R. Fortune.
Fortune: The Birds of the Farne Islands. 237
It was upon the Wamses we had a good view of a so-called
Iceland Gull, which, however, as we anticipated, turned out to
be a variety of the Lesser Black Back.
A few Shags may be seen about, but they do not nest upon
the islands.
Next to the Kittiwakes the Terns appear to me to have the
most interest, and special attention is paid to their protection.
Four species nest here, viz., the Common, Arctic, Roseate, and
Sandwich Tern. By far the most abundant is the Arctic Tern,
the Farnes being their southern breeding limit on the East
Coast. Common Terns are not so numerous. It is practically
impossible to distinguish them from their Arctic cousins when
on the wing. An odd pair or two of Roseate Terns nest
amongst the commoner species. They may be recognised when
in the air by their cry, which differs from that of the other two.
On the ground they are easy enough to detect, but unless the
bird is seen upon the nest it is impossible to distinguish between
the eggs of all three species. A few Arctic Terns nest on the
Brownsman, but the headquarters of these birds are upon the
Wide-opens and Knoxes. These two islands are quite different
in character from the others. The Knoxes is a low island
covered with sand and pebbles, with a somewhat higher rock
formation at one end. This island is practically sacred to the
Terns, which lay their eggs all over the place amongst the
pebbles or on the sand in a most indiscriminate manner,
usually without the slightest attempt at a nest. So close do
they deposit their eggs to the edge of the water that quantities
are destroyed every season when the wind brings the waves a
little higher than usual. There is also a fine colony of Sand-
wich Terns, which seem to prefer to nest ona higher ground
than the others, and form a very conspicious object clustered
together on the top of an elevated place.
Numbers of Terns nest on the Wide-opens also. Whena
visitor lands it is a perfect babel of harsh cries, for though these
birds are dainty and handsome creatures, their cry is harsh to
a degree. They have a curious habit of suddenly ceasing their
outcry and taking a sweeping flight out to sea, returning to
re-commence their clamour.
On the Wide-opens the Arctic Terns make a better attempt
at nest building, but this may be on account of the materials
being handier to obtain. Eider Ducks are very plentiful on the
Wide-opens, nesting amongst some luxuriant vegetation; on
the Knoxes they nest on the bare sand.
1907 July 1.;
-238 | Northern News.
Of land birds the principal representative is the Rock Pipit,
which nests commonly upon the suitable islands.
Space will only allow of a very short account of the birds
upon these most interesting Islands. To any naturalist who
contemplates paying them a visit I can promise a thorough
treat. The immense numbers of the birds, and the great
variety of species to be seen cannot be surpassed in any Rawr
-of our country.
In conclusion, one cannot help but be delighted with the
efforts of the Farne Islands Association, who have provided a
_real sanctury for many interesting species. If the Lesser Black
Back Gulls could be kept back somewhat, I am sure the rest of
the birds would benefit considerably. One matter which no one
can contemplate with any pleasure, and which tells considerably
against our own county, is the fact that a lot of these dainty and
charming Terns are, at a considerable expense, thoroughly pro-
tected throughout the nesting season, laying their eggs ‘and
bringing up their young in comparative security simply for the
-purpose of finding Sport (?) for a lot of, well, I can only call
them unthinking, individuals upon our coast, who slaughter
them unmercifully on their passage south.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. -
Plate XXV.—Kittiwakes on Nests.
Young Kittiwakes on Nests.
Plate XXVI.—Near view of Pinnacles, with their crowd of Guillemots.
Plate XXVII.—Eider Duck and Nest.
Eider Duck on Nest.
Lesser Black Back Gull.
Plate XXVIII.—Kittiwakes and Guillemots on Staple Tana:
A Group of Puffins.
Plate XXIX.—Puffins.
Cormorants on their Nests.
Sandwich Terns on their Nests.
——> @_———
At the recent meeting of the Yorkshire Geological Society in the Isle of
Man, Dr.. Wheelton Hind read:a paper on ‘Dendroid ‘Graptolites in’ the
Carboniferous Rocks of Britain.’ One of the specimens exhibited was
found on Pendle Hill, Yorkshire, the other in the Isle of Man. F
The police have at last got a conviction under the Wild Birds Protection
Act! At Horncastle recently a boy caught.a crow ina field. took it home,
and wrung its neck. The bird had been-tamed and taught to talk by a local
doctor. The boy was ordered to pay the costs—half-a-crown. In Teesdale,
on the other hand, Peregrines are allowed to be caught in Pole-traps without
comment.
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XXIX.
Puffins.
Cormorants on their Nests.
Sandwich Terns on their Nests. R. Fortune.
Go hier Sela on
=
eeigr coe
tee
!
re
Ag
Minty
es -
at
239
THE MARTEN IN LAKELAND.
EDWARD T. BALDWIN.
Wuen in Borrowdale again this spring I tried, somewhat
unsuccessfully, to obtain records as to the ‘ Mart’ (Martes
sylvestris), subsequent in date to those sent this time last year
(Vide ‘Naturalist’ for 1906, pp. 221-222).
However, I found that one ‘a very fine one, I believe) was
got, in November or December, 1906, by a man called Gillbanks
between the well-known Lodore Falls and the Bowder Stone.
With this exception, I could not hear of any recent captures.
I had an interesting chat with Thomas Jackson, of Rosthwaite,
who, in his time, was a noted ‘ Mart’ hunter, but who now no
longer ‘follows it,’ as the local saying is. It appears that the
two young ‘ Marts’ I mentioned as having been got last spring
close to the Bowder stone were obtained by his nephew, and
were not trapped (as I said), but worried by his terriers.
Jackson says that the most he ever got in any one year was
sixteen, but that he had twice got eight. He thinks that there
is no doubt that they are plentiful still, and especially mentioned
Eel Crags as a favourite locality. Eel Crags are a range
of almost sheer precipice facing Dale Head (2473 feet) and
Hindscarth (2285 feet). There, a good deal of foil is to be
seen, and in winter the tracts are plainly visible in the snow.
The track of the ‘ Mart,’ by the way, is something like that of
the hare. Another ‘strong bield’ is close to Eagle Crag, and
here lately, amongst a quantity of mart foil, were found two
small metal bands with numbers, such as are usually attached
to the legs of carrier pigeons. Eagle Crag is the huge hump
of rock which guards the entrance to the beautiful but wild
and desolate Langstrath Valley, at the head of which towers
the massive Bowfell (2960 feet). Jackson told me of a pair of
peregrine falcons, which were successful this year in nesting
and bringing off their brood. The locality I think it as well
not to disclose. He considers the foumart, or polecat (Mustela
_ putoria) virtually extinct in that district.
Wandering over these great grassy Cumberland fells, the
absence of bird life strikes one very forcibly. Very little but a
few meadow pipits and stone chats, with an occasional raven,
carrion crow, or buzzard is, as a rule, to be seen. But at the
time when the bracken clock hatches out (generally at this time
of the year), numbers of the lesser black-headed gull (Larus
1907 July 1
240 Reviews and Book Notices.
ridtbundus) make their appearance ; this year, however, owing
to the cold and delayed spring, scarcely one was to be seen. The
contrast between the teeming bird life in spring (ex. e7., curlew,
peewit, golden plover) on many of the Scottish hills and the
meagre stock on these Cumberland fells is remarkable, and Iam
not convinced that the absence of suitable food is the right
explanation.
—_—_ 3 e—__-
Ornithological and Other Oddities, by Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S.
John Lane, 1907. 295 pp., plates, 1o/- net. The cry is still ‘they
come!’ Another bird book—‘ Ornithological Oddities.’ In this volume the
late Deputy-Superintendant of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, gathers to-
gether his various contributions to numerous journals and dailies, and with
the aid of fifty-six illustrations produces a volume, bound in a light green
cover, with a bird upon the back. As might be expected, the essays
principally deal with eastern species, though several of the chapters are of
Australian Barn Owl.
general interest, e.g., ‘The Study of Sexual Selection,’ ‘The Courting of
Birds,’ ‘ Hybrid Birds,’ ‘Love among the Birds,’ etc. There is also a
chapter on ‘Blushing Birds.’ Amongst the ‘other’ oddities are ‘Monkeys I
have met.’ The book contains numerous ancedotes written in Mr. Finn's
familiar style. The photographs (one of which we are permitted to
reproduce herewith) are mostly very good—that of ‘Japanese monkeys ;
father, mother, and child’ (p. 246) is certainly funny—the parents are
busy with a usual occupation, whilst the ‘child’ sits by watching the
‘hunt,’ with an expression forcibly reminding one of that of little Oliver
when he wanted ‘more.’
- Naturalist,
THEORIES OF EVOLUTION.
An Historical Outline.
AGNES ROBERTSON, D.Sc.
(Continued from page 215.)
IV.—EMBRYOLOGY.
Embryology is a source from which some help is derived in
the study of evolution. Every animal and plant begins life as
a unicellular organism, but whereas some continue unicellular to
the end of their lives, others go through developmental processes
of varying degrees of complication before they reach the mature
form. Evolutionists believe that the whole organic world has
been evolved from some very simple form of life, perhaps not
differing greatly from certain unicellular organisms of the
present day, so that in phylogeny (the ancestral history of the
species), and ontogeny (the developmental history of the
individual), the starting point and the goal are the same,
which suggests the tempting view that the path between is the
same also. An idea of this kind was put forward in 1810 by
Oken, and later more definitely enunciated by Von Baer. The
‘recapitulation theory,’ as it is called, states that in the
developmental stages passed through by an embryo we can
recognise the different stages passed through in previous ages
in the evolution of the species, or in the words of the epigram-
matist, ‘Every animal in the course of its development climbs
up its own genealogical tree.’ But this conclusion can only be
accepted with great reservations, since at the best embryology
only gives us a much abbreviated and altered picture of the
phylogenetic history, for the embryo attains its end by many
short cuts, and ancestral traits are often obscured by adaptations
which fit the immature organism for the special conditions of
its life.
V.—HEREDITY AND HYBRIDISATION.
It has always been a matter of common observation that
children resemble their parents, but it is only of late years that
scientific methods have been brought to bear upon the subject
of heredity. In early days the mechanism by which characters
1907 July 1.
Q
242 Robertson: Theortes of Evolution.
were transmitted was unknown because the nature of fertilisation
was completely misunderstood. For a long time after the dis-
covery of the male fertilising element in the seventeenth
century it was believed that the spermatozoon itself developed
into the offspring, and that the only part played by the female
was in nursing and protecting it. We now know that the
essential thing in fertilisation is the union of two nuclei, the egg
nucleus of the female and the sperm nucleus of the male.
In investigating the laws of heredity experimentally it is
obvious that results will be more easily obtained if we choose
for the parents individuals which differ considerably ; that is to
say, we shall get more information by observing the manner in
which a character peculiar to one parent appears in the offspring
than by investigating a character common to both. For
instance, if we fertilise the ovules of a yellow-seeded pea with
pollen from a green-seeded pea, and find that the next gener-
ation bears only yellow seeds, we may infer that the seedling's
have inherited their seed-colour from the female parent, whereas
if we had used yellow-seeded peas for both parents we should
not know whether the yellowness in the next generation was
due to the influence of the male parent, or the female parent, or
both. The way in which the presence of the greatest number
of differentiating characters can be secured is by working with
hybrids, that is to say, crossing individuals belonging — to
different races.
The most remarkable work that has ever been done on plant
hybrids is that of Mendel, and is of such extreme importance
that I must treat of his classical paper at some length.
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) was the son of a peasant in Austrian
Silesia, and entered an Augustinian Monastery, of which he
eventually became Abbot. All his experiments were made in
the convent garden, and his great paper on pea hybrids was
published in an obscure local journal in 1865. It was quite
overlooked by biologists for more than thirty years, but since it
has been unearthed we might almost say that it has revolutionised
our ideas as to the nature of living things. Mendel began his
work by looking about for some species which should be as
convenient as possible to grow and to experiment with, and
the different races of which should be quite fertile when crossed
together, and should produce fertile hybrids. He finally hit
upon Pisum sativum, the ordinary eating pea. This species
has the great advantage of always fertilising itself when left
alone, so that there is no risk of accidental crossing: Twenty-
Naturalist, —
Robertson: Theortes of Evolution. 243
two different races of peas were chosen for the experiment.
First of all the seeds of all these strains were grown separately.
for two years to make sure that they were genuine races and
not mixtures. They were found to come quite true and con-.
stant from seed. In crossing his peas, Mendel concentrated his
attention on certain definite differences between the races. He
decided to investigate the inheritance of sharply defined pairs of
characters by the possession of one or other of which the
different races could be distinguished. These were :—
1. Difference in form of ripe seeds. Round or wrinkled.
2 oF ,, colour of cotyledons. Yellow or green.
Zn " ,, colour of seed-coats. Coloured or white.
4. at ,, form of ripe pods. Inflated or constricted.
5: 3 ,, colour of unripe pods. Green or yellow.
6. r ,, position of flowers. Axial Or terminal.
a: 5 ,, length of stems. Tall or dwarf.
A set of experiments was made with each of these pairs of
differentiating characters. For example, in the first set of
experiments plants bearing round seeds were crossed with
plants bearing wrinkled seeds, and in the second set plants
with yellow cotyledons were crossed with plants with green
cotyledons, and so on. Seven sets of hybrid plants were thus
produced. It might have been supposed that these hybrids
would turn out to be intermediate in their characters between
the parents (for instance, that the peas resulting from a cross
between a round pea and a wrinkled pea would be intermediate
in form between the two), but it was found that this was not
the case. All the hybrid peas were round—no wrinkled ones
were found at all. The same results were got with the other
six pairs of differentiating characters—in each case one of the
two characters had got the upper hand, and the other did not
appear at all; the offspring of the tall peas and the dwarf peas
were all tall—the offspring of the.peas with inflated pods and
the peas with constricted pods were all inflated, and so on. It
is convenient to distinguish the two opposing characters of each
pair respectively as domznant (D) and recesszve (R), the dominant
character being that which appears in the hybrid to the exclusion
of the recessive character which remains latent. On the hybrids
being self-fertilised and their offspring again examined, a most
curious result came to light. I will only describe the case
of the round and wrinkled peas, as the other cases fall exactly
into line with this. The first generation of hybrid peas were
1997 July 1.
244 Robertson : Theories of Evolution.
all round, but when these were sown and the flowers of the
next generation self-fertilised, a mixture of smooth and wrinkled
peas were obtained. There were no intermediates, and usually
some of the peas in the same pod were round and some wrinkled.
From 253 hybrid pea plants 7,324 seeds were obtained, of which
5,474 were round and 1,850 were wrinkled, z.e., there were almost
exactly three times as many round peas as wrinkled peas
(2.96:1). This proportion was found to hold good for each '
of the seven pairs of characters worked with; on an average
the proportion in the seven trials was 2.98 : 1, which is
practically 3 : 1.
To understand what these numbers mean we must follow
the hybrids to further generations. Take first the one quarter
which show the recessive character, e.g., the wrinkled peas.
These, when self-fertilised for a number of generations, continue
to produce nothing but wrinkled peas, so that they may be
regarded as a pure wrinkled race. But the remaining three-
quarters which show the dominant character, roundness, when
self-fertilised, do not all behave alike ; they break up into round
and wrinkled peas in a constant numerical proportion.
Mendel required some theory to account for these remarkable
numerical relations, and he put forward one which is extremely
simple and complete. He supposes that ¢he germ cells are pure
with respect to certain characters, that is to say, in the case of
two opposing characters, such as roundness and wrinkledness
of seeds, each egg and sperm can only transmit one or other
attribute, and not both. He makes also the further postulate
that on an average one half of the germ cells carry one
character and one half the other character. The hybrid plants
produced by crossing a round pea with a wrinkled pea would
on this hypothesis bear eggs, half of which carry the character
of roundness and half of wrinkledness, and in the same way
sperm cells, half of which carry each character. When the
hybrid is self-fertilised the eggs and sperms mate according to
the laws of chance. Let us consider the case of four eggs and
four sperms mating in this way :—
EaGs. SPERMS.
De—_____———+5D
ene
As the result of this mating we get
rDD; 2DR, TRR;
Naturalist. ;
Robertson: Treories of Evolution. 245
‘but as the recessive character will be masked by the dominant
one, the DR plants will, to all appearance, resemble DD, so
that we shall get three apparent dominants to one recessive,
which is the observed proportion. The fact that these dominants
are not really all alike, but are made up of some pure dominants
and some hybrids is shown in the next generation, in. which, on
Mendel’s theory, the recessive (wrinkled) peas will produce only
offspring constant to the recessive character, while the dominant
(round) peas will give rise to a mixture of round and wrinkled.
The whole thing may be represented diagrammatically :—
Original parents :— D x R
First hybrid generation :— D(R)
zl
| | |
1DD : 2D(R) ; 1RR
|
| | |
DD 1DD : 2D(R) : IRR RR
When the numerical proportions that would be expected on this
scheme are worked out, it is found that they are closely in
accordance with those obtained in Mendel’s experimental work :
from which we may infer that the theory of the purity of the
germ cells has good claim to rank as a sound working hypothesis.
“In so far as Mendel’s law applies, therefore, the conclusion is
forced upon us that a living organism is a complex of characters,
of which some, at least, are dissociable, and are capable of being
replaced by others. We thus reach the conception of wzz¢-
characters, which may be re-arranged in the formation of the
reproductive cells. It is hardly too much to say that the
experiments which led to this advance in knowledge are worthy
to rank with those which laid the foundation of Atomic laws of
Chemistry.’ * |
_Mendel’s experiments have been confirmed and extended by
later workers, and results such as he got have been found to
hold true very widely both for plants and animals. In plants,
such pairs of opposed characters as hairiness and glabrousness,
sugary and starchy endosperm (maize), pinnate and palmate
leaf-form (Przmula), etc., have been found to fulfil Mendelian
predictions, as also a great many characters in animals. There
* W. Bateson. Jr. Roy. Hort. Soc., rgor.
31907 July *
246 Robertson : Theortes of. Evolution.
are some very curious pairs of qualities which work out accord-
ing to Mendelian expectations. For instance, when a race of
wheat known to be highly susceptible to rust disease is crossed
with one which is immune to the disease, in the first generation
all the plants are susceptible, in other words, susceptibzlity is
dominant. In the next generation three-quarters are susceptible
and one quarter immune !
The phenomenon of gametic purity is of far greater theoretical
importance than that of dominance. There are many cases in
which the first generation from the cross, instead of showing
the complete dominance of one or other character, shows some-
thing quite different, often an apparent reversion to a more
primitive type. For instance, the cross between an albino
mouse and a black and white waltzing mouse has been found to
resemble a wild mouse. Among plants there is a white sweet-
pea called ‘Emily Henderson’ which has round pollen grains,
while most sweet-peas have long pollen grains. ‘Emily
Henderson’ is not, however, a pure race, since some of the
plants, which in every external character exactly resemble their
fellows, have /ong pollen grains. If the long-pollened and
short-pollened ‘Emily Hendersons’ are crossed together the
long pollen is dominant over the round, but, as regards flower-
colour, instead of the whiteness which we should expect, we
get a purple flower with a chocolate standard, which is supposed
to be the ancestral form from which all sweet-peas have been
derived! It would seem that the present races of sweet-peas
are a series of ‘analytical dissociations ’ of the characters of the
original ancestor, and that when two of them are crossed we
sometimes get the characters re-combining and giving an
appearance recalling the ancestral form.
It is impossible in this extremely brief outline to do more
than touch upon the fringe of Mendelian work. I have left out
of account everything but the simplest possible cases. For
further information I should like to refer the reader to a little
book on ‘Mendelism,’ by R. C. Punnett (Macmillan), in which
the present aspects of the subject are clearly discussed.
VI.—THE MUTATION, THEORY.
According to the Darwinian theory the Origin of Species
has been an extremely slow and gradual affair, depending chiefly
upon the preservation and accumulation by natural selection of
minute individual variations of a favourable kind, while similar
Naturalist,
Robertson: Theories of Evolution. 247
minute variations of an unfavourable kind tended to the ex-
tinction of the creatures exhibiting them. The type of
variability expressed in these minute individual differences is
called ‘normal’ or ‘fluctuating’ variability, and is characterised
by the fact that it conforms to the law of chance. As an
instance, we may take some statistics given by Galton of the
strength of pull of 519 men between 23 and 26 years of age.
Strength of pull. Number of cases.
Under 50 lbs. 2
” 60 ” 8%
5 70 5 27 %
” 80)" 55 aga
” gO x)’ 21 %
», 100 ,, 4%
Over 100 ,, Bie
We notice from this table that the largest class have a pull
of 70-80 lbs; that is to say the moderately strong individuals
are more numerous than are the extremely strong or extremely
weak, and we also notice that the numbers decrease gradually
as we pass towards either extreme. In other words, ‘normal’
variability behaves just as we should expect if it conformed to
the laws of probability.
In speaking of Darwin’s. work I have mentioned the
difficulty of the ‘uselessness of minimal variations;’ an
adaptation in its fully devoloped form may be very useful to
the creature possessing it, and yet it is often difficult to see how
its rudimentary beginning could be useful enough to be pre-
served if it were due to the gradual accumulation of the minute
changes due to fluctuating variability. This difficulty, along
with other considerations as to the nature and inheritance of
normal variations which I cannot enter upon here, have led
some biologists to the view that species have not arisen by
fluctuating variations, but have progressed by jumps, separated
by periods of stability ; such jumps have been named ‘mutations.’
In discussing the possibility of mutations the analogy has been
suggested of a polygon which is ina position of stable equilibrium
when it is standing on one face. When it is tipped up it is not
in a position of equilibrium at all, and either falls back on to the
original face or forward on to the next face. In the second case
it has, as it were, gone through a mutation and reached a second
position of stability.
A number of cases have been reported in which a ‘mutation’
seems to have been completely stable. The Ancona sheep
1907 July 1.
248 Robertson : Theories of Evolution.
appeared in Massachussetts in 1791 as a sudden variation ; it
was kept and bred from because it had bent legs which pre-
vented its jumping into neighbouring fields, and it has formed
a distinct and permanent race ever since. In 1761 Duchesne
found a strawberry plant in his garden with simple instead of
ternate leaves; this bred true and is still in cultivation. I
mention these cases because they are so very well marked, but
the advocates of the mutation theory do not demand such large
jumps as these for the evolution of species. The question, ‘What
is a species?’ is one for which no biologist has yet found a
satisfactory answer, but still we have a working notion of what
we mean when we speak of a species. We mostly use the term
in the sense of classifactory binomial unit of Linnzeus [e.g.,
Veronica chamedrys=the Germander Speedwell]. But later
investigations have shown that many systematic species are not
really units at all, but comprise a number of distinct races,
which are found on cultivation to breed true indefinitely. In
some extreme instances the number of races lumped together
under one specific name is very large. Dvraba verna, the little
Whitlow-grass, has over 200 local races, which are uniform
and come true from seed! These sub-divisions of a species
have received the name ‘elementary species,’ and the ‘mutation’
of a species generally does not imply a greater jump than that
from one elementary species to another.
The great worker on the subject of mutations has been Prof.
Hugo de Vries. There is a kind of Evening Primrose, Gnothera
Lamarckiana, which is unknown in the wild condition. Not
very long ago De Vries discovered it growing in thousands,
apparently as an escape, in a field near Amsterdam. He
noticed that while the majority of the plants were of the true
CG. Lamarckiana type, others differed widely from it in such
characters as height, leaf-form, leaf-surface, pigmentation, and
soon. For the sake of more satisfactory observation he dug
up, in 1886, nine large rosettes of the type form, and transferred
them to his own experimental garden. The seeds of these
produced 15,000 young plants, all but 10 of which were of the
true G. Lamarckiana type, while the divergent ten belonged
to two quite new types, to which De Vries gave new specific
names. In the same way in later generations a great majority
of normal and a small minority of divergent types were produced.
Seven new forms were thus obtained, and were found to come
true from seed. These new forms De Vries regards as elementary
species, and considers that in Lamarck’s Evening Primrose we
Naturalist,
Robertson : Theories of Evolution. 249
have caught a species in the mutating period, in other words,
in the act of giving birth to a number of new species. De
Vries imagines that all species have periods of stability during
which they only vary according to the laws of fluctuating
variability, and then pass through a mutating period, to which
a period of stability again succeeds.
De Vries supposes that the struggle for existence is not so
much between individuals of a species as between different
elementary species. When a group of elementary species
arises by mutation, natural selection determines which of these
elementary species shall survive.
On general grounds the chief point in favour of the mutation
theory is that it does not require so long a period for the
evolution of the organic world as that demanded by the
Darwinian theory, and is thus more in harmony with the
calculations of physicists as to the age of the earth.
De Vries’ theory has been much criticised. A great deal
depends on the previous history of G2. Lamarckiana. De Vries
assumes that it is an ordinary pure species, but it has been
suggested that it is possibly a hybrid. The fact that it is
unknown in the wild state, and the sterility of some of the
pollen and ovules, lend support to this suggestion. The
‘mutations’ isolated by De Vries strongly recall the ‘ analytical
variations’ of Bateson, obtained by hybridising sweet-peas, etc.
So it seems that the question of the real existence of mutations
must remain an open one till further experimental evidence is
brought forward.
VII.—CONCLUSION.
There are a number of important branches of evolutionary
work which I have not even touched upon in this brief outline
—amongsst others the contributions of Weismann and the work
of the modern biometrical school. I have confined myself to the
briefest possible mention of those lines of research which seem
to me most hopeful for the future. It is experimental work on
heredity, such as that undertaken by those who have confirmed
and extended the conclusions of Gregor Mendel, which gives
the clearest promise of further light on these huge and com-
plicated problems.*
.* I should like to refer any reader who wishes to follow up the subject
to ‘Recent Progress in the study of Variation, Heredity, and Evolution,’ R.
H. Lock (Murray, 1906).
1907 July 1.
250
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT ROBIN
HOOD’S BAY.
May 18th to 2oth, 1907.
(Continued from page 202).
GEOLOGICAL SecTion.—Mr. Cosmo Johns writes :—The
policy of the section in concentrating its attention on some
special geological feature in each district visited was abundantly
justified during this particular occasion. The variation in thick-
ness of the Dogger on both sides of the Peak fault—the
significant fact that on one side it rested on the Alum Shales
and was itself reduced to six feet, or occasionally even less in
thickness, while just across the fault it was much thicker, and
succeeded Liassic rocks in normal sequence, with the upper
zone well represented—all lent weight to the view that we were
here dealing with a most notable example of inter-formational
or persistent faulting. It is rarely, however, that such move-
ments can be so clearly demonstrated.
It is unfortunate that no fuller exposure of the Middle and
Lower Lias is visible on the downthrow side of the fault, so
it was not possible to determine whether the pre-Oolite move-
ment had been preceeded by inter-Liassic dislocations. Quite as
interesting as the normal movements were the evidences of the
direction of movement having been reversed at some time, and
the possible connection of this later adjustment with the
bifurcating fault on the beach was discussed. What was clear,
however, is that the earth movements of the Cleveland area
present a series of problems as complex, and therefore as
interesting, as any in Britain. That they are chiefly, if not
entirely, due to gravitational stress makes it just possible that,
when worked out, they might throw some light upon the
structure of the Paleozoic rocks that lie buried at some
unknown depth below.
It was this concentration of attention on the earth move-
ments that caused the Dogger to loom so largely during the
meeting. A ferruginous sandstone—which had probably been
a calcareous sandstone—with a few badly preserved derived
fossils, which would otherwise have been hardly noticeable,
became of great importance. Forming as it does the base of
the Oolites, and carrying in itself the proofs of the pre-Oolitic
movement, it was traced along the length of coast visited. It
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hoods Bay. 251
had been hoped that some definite evidence of the extent of the
pre-Oolitic denudation would be obtained, but the worn condition
of the fossils found made it clear that the time available during
the excursion was insufficient for the purpose.
VERTEBRATE SeEcTION.—Messrs. H. B. Booth and R.
Fortune write:—The members of the Vertebrate Section
had a very enjoyable time.
Saturday and Sunday were devoted to working the coast-
line. Herring Gulls were found to be nesting on the whole
range of cliffs between Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby, many
of the nests being easily accessible from the top. Jackdaws
and Starlings were also nesting freely on the cliffs. At Hawsker
we found the Cormorants nesting, altogether about forty birds
were seen, about half of which were intent on family matters ;
apparently about one-third had not assumed adult breeding
plumage. A small colony was also seen south of Robin Hood’s
Bay at the Peak. The return journey from Hawsker was
devoted to working the various ravines, ideal places for warblers.
The result was extremely disappointing, as they appeared to be
almost devoid of bird life; two nests of Carrion Crows were
seen and one of a Magpie. The investigation of the large
patches of gorse growing on the hill-sides was also disappoint-
ing. Linnets, which we expected to find in great abundance,
were not at all plentiful. Although ideal places for the Stone-
chat, we did not see a single bird of this species, and the
Winchat was comparatively scarce. The absence of the Corn
Bunting and the Rock Pipit was also very noticeable. The
Cuckoo was not seen until our return, when half-a-dozen were
encountered together, apparently mating.
Monday was devoted to the investigation of the Fyling
Woods, Ramsdale, and the moors above. Wood Warblers,
Chiff Chaffs, and Garden Warblers were found to be common
and in full song. Green Woodpeckers and. Tawny Owls were
comparatively abundant, and it was pleasing to hear the
peculiar note of the Grasshopper Warbler. Both the Kestrel
and Sparrow Hawk were seen, and Carrion Crows and Magpies
appeared to have a firm footing in the district. The absence of
Pheasants was remarkable, as was also the absence of the
Spotted Flycatcher. The district is eminently suitable for both
birds, and their apparent scarcity or non-existence was much
commented upon. The Blackcap Warbler was both seen and
heard, but, in common with most parts of Yorkshire, was not
1907 July 1.
252 Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood's Bay.
anything like as abundant as the Garden Warbler. Three
species of Tits were seen, but this family was not as abundant
as might have been expected, and the apparent absence of the
Creeper was remarkable.
Dippers and Grey Wagtails were found frequenting the
stream, and a few Curlews ‘and Red Grouse on the moors. It
was pleasing, also, to ‘notice the Merlin, and disappointing not
to see the Ring Ouzel.
As we were in the vicinity, the opportunity was taken of
paying a hasty visit to Kettleness to see how the colony of
Herring Gulls was faring there. The Marquis of Normanby
has this year.given his keepers instructions to prevent the raids
upon the eggs of these birds. This kindly forethought has,
however, not had the effect of putting a stop to the plundering
altogether, as there was abundant evidence that the eggs have
been taken in numbers. . The Herring Gull nests in greater
numbers here than upon any other portion of the coast, and it
seems a pity that they should be so persecuted (see Plate XXX.).
Altogether, 61 species of birds were seen, many of them
nesting.
Only seven species of Mammalia were recorded. - A Badger’s
earth, with fresh footprints of the animals showing, was
inspected in Ramsdale. Apparently the species had formerly
been fairly abundant here. Circumstances caused their practical
extermination, and now they appear to be re-establishing them-
selves. From notes kindly supplied by Mr. Barry, and read
at the meeting, we learnt that Polecats are still found in the
neighbourhood, but we were not lucky enough to view one.
Moles, by their hills, were apparently much more numerous
on the moors above than on the lower ground. Long-tailed
Field Mice, Common Shrew, and Field Voles were noted.
The only specimens of Reptilea, etc., seen were Viper, and
Frog, and one Fish, the common trout, which did not appear
to be very plentiful.
"’ Mosses.—Mr. J. J. Marshall gives the following list :—
Orthotrichum pulchellum, on Elder. _Gymnocybe palustris.
Bryum capillare, Cloughton. Hypum palustre.
Pogonatum aloides, side of Peat Bog. | Rhacomitrium aciculare,
Grimmia pulvinata. Hypnum exannulatum.
Webera nutans.
All are from Byiaedaiee woods or moor, except the one
from Cloughton.
= Naturalist,
PACES PNONONG
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
*mUNPAO *M
‘AIYSMUP] 3V ASIN pur [NH Surssayy
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Ffood’s Bay. 253
Func1.—Mr. C. Crossland reports that the two Mycologists
—C. H. Broadhead and himself—had a good time, which would
have been still better could they have lingered longer in
Ramsdale Wood, a typical place for their purpose, on the
Monday. They were, however, repaid in other ways; the
route laid out by Mr. Barry, who personally guided the party
on that day, proved to be full of interest from many points of
view. Though we kept moving on from one point of interest
to another, fungi were not altogether lost sight of. One desirable
Discomycete—Pesiza sepiatra—was found growing on some
petrified moss we went to look at under a great overhanging,
dripping rock near the waterfall; and a spring “n‘oloma—E.
clypeatum—on the ground in the wood corner. The very pretty,
but not uncommon Omphalia umbellifera was met with on heathy
ground in one of the glacial slacks visited.
On the two other days the search for fungi was conducted
more leisurely. As predicted in the circular, many spring
species, which do not appear at any other time of the year,
were found. Mr. Fortune and Mr. Booth, while in quest of
other game, came across a splendid group of St. George’s
mushrooms—77richoloma gambosum—in a field near the head-
quarters ; these were growing in half a ring four or five yards in
diameter : the formation of a complete ring was prevented by
the field wall. They were the largest specimens the writer has
had the pleasure of seeing, many being over 5 in. across the
pileus, with plenty of substance about them, as will be seen by
the accompanying photo. Being one of the very best of edible
species, they were not left to perish in the field, but gathered
by two or three members who knew their real worth and parcel’d
up for home consumption. Pastures are their home, but Mr.
Fortune saw a few in one of the woods. The uncommon Agaric
—Bolbitius flavidus (Bolton)—was found on cow dung in pastures
on the cliffs in two places. There were about a score of other
fungi belonging to various groups of the larger kinds, which are
of fairly common occurrence.
Nearly two-thirds of the 74 species found belong to what are
understood as micro species, although some which grow in
colonies ate prominent enough to the naked eye. Ten or eleven
days were spent in working these out. There is one species new
to Yorkshire—TZriposporium elegans, a beautiful little brown
mould with a ‘three-legged arrangement of its conidia, hence
its generic name. There are five first records for this
(N.E.) division of the county—&. flavidus, mentioned above ;
1907 July. a
254 Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hoods Bay.
Hypoxylon atropurpureum, on dead alder-branches ; Leptospheria
fuscella, on dead furze; Mollista carduorum, on dead thistle
stems ; and Pseudopesisa rubt, on dead bramble stems ; all in or
about Stoup Beck ravine. The last four, besides being new to
N.E. Yorks., confirm hitherto solitary county records, and are
perhaps as valuable as new ones; so far as records are con-
sidered to have any value. Collybia tenacella, on dead fir-
needles in Fyling Hall shrubbery, and Pseudopestza sphaeroides,
Photo by R. Fortune.
St. George’s Mushroom.
Robin Hood’s Bay.
on dead stems of rose campion, Stoup Beck, have also, up to
the present, been met with but once before in Yorkshire.
The beautiful white Dasyscypa virginea, which grows on.
various decaying twigs and herbaceous stems, was definitely
seen on decaying branches of furze, rose, bramble, woodsage,
and honeysuckle within the space of a couple of yards, in a furze
cover. The tiny D. fugiens, which grows on damp, rotting
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hoods Bay. 255
rushes, was seen in plenty ; unless great care be taken to keep
the rush stems very moist, this delightful little Disco., ;3, to
xk inch across its disc, disappears before it can be examined.
Likely places proved most prolific in micro species when care-
fully investigated.
The rose rust Phragmidium subcorticatum—/Zcidospore
stage—was common on wild rose bushes.
(To be continued).
————_ < _ —___
FIELD NOTES.
BIRDS.
Dunlin in Wharfedale.— Whilst watching several common
Sandpipers feeding on the shore of a tarn on the moors above
Burley, in Wharfedale, I had the pleasure of seeing an adult
male Dunlin, in full summer plumage, feeding in the shallow
water round the edge of the tarn. The bird at intervals uttered
its characteristic love call, which was uttered by the bird whilst
standing in the water. Mr. W. H. Hudson speaks of this call
as being ‘uttered in the air, or as the bird descends to earth
with set, motionless wings and expanded tail.’ On visiting the
tarn two days later I found that it was still there, and I am
inclined to think that there may have been a nest somewhere
near; but not being able to spare the time, I could not make
a thorough search.—S. Hote, Leeds, May 30th, 1907.
Quail in East Yorks.—A Quail was picked up on the 4th of
June under the telegraph wires at Buckton, East Yorks.—E. W.
Wabpe, Hull.
Note on the Cuckoo.—On May 24th, about 7 a.m., I saw a
Cuckoo carrying an egg inher bill. I had her under observation
for about an hour, during which time some Meadow Pipits were
chasing her away from their nests. No doubt she was trying
to deposit her egg in one of them, but the Pipits were successful
in driving her away.—W. Whitson, Skipton-in-Craven.
—20 i—
LEPIDOPTERA.
Eupithecia coronata in Yorkshire.—On June 7th and 8th,
in a large wood on the outskirts of Sheffield, I took three
specimens of £. coronata. This species has hitherto only
been recorded for Yorkshire as having occured at Scarbro’
on the authority of Stainton’s Manual. Its usual food plant,
1907 July 1.
256 Field Notes.
Clematis vitalba, does not grow anywhere in the wood, which
disposes of any probability of the moth having been introduced
by artificial means.—L. S. Brapy, Sheffield, June 11th, 1907.
—:0:—
MOLLUSCA.
Clausilia bidentata m. dextrorsum in Lincs.—On April
18th Mr. Vernon Howard, M.A., visited Haugham Pasture, an
old wood on the lower chalk near Louth, and there collected
mollusca ; amongst those he kindly submitted to me was a
good example of Claustlia bidentata m. dextrorsum.—C. S.
CarRTER, Louth.
—:0:—
FLOWERING PLANTS.
The Butterfly Orchis in East Yorkshire.—Habenaria
bifolia, a plant rarely found in the East Riding, at least on or
east of the Wolds, has been discoverd in a fine patch near
Tibthorpe, Driffield (see remarks in ‘Flora E. R. Yorks.’)—
(Miss) L. F. Piercy, Tibthorpe, June 13th, 1907.
—:0:—
MOSSES.
Luminosity of Schistostega osmundacea.—A short time
ago the luminosity of this plant was alluded to in the ‘Naturalist.’
As is well known, the spores of mosses produce a branched
filamentous protonema on germination. The cells of this
protonema (which contain chloroplasts) are of remarkable form,
convex above and conical below. The light which enters these
cells is first refracted and then reflected from the sides of the
cone in such a way as to go across the conical parts of the
cells, where it is again reflected from the sides, and on emerging
into the air is again refracted. In this way some of the light
which enters the cells leaves them again in the direction of the
observer. As this moss always grows in cave-like places, it
gets but a moderate amount of light for photosynthesis, and
there is no doubt but that the peculiar morphological character
of its protonemal cells is an ecological adaptation. I first saw
this moss twenty-nine years ago in a cavernous place about
three miles west of Buxton, and I shall never forget the strange
sight.—Wwm. West, Bradford.
Inglebro’ Mosses.—Hypnum giganteum Schp. This! moss
grows in considerable quantity in the rills joining the Fell Beck
just above Gaping Gyll. This is a new locality for, A:
giganteum, which is rare in West Yorks. Wor
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 257
Some other mosses not previously recorded for Inglebro’
are :—
Oligotrichum incurvum Ldb. | Heterocladium heteropterum B. & S.
Brachyodus trichodes Fiirnr. | Hypnum ochraceum Turn.
Blindia acuta B. & S. | Hypnum stramineum Dicks.
On the same excursion the Inglebro’ records of the following
montane mosses were confirmed :—
Dicranodontium longirostre B. & S., Bartramia ithyphylla Brid.
var. alpinum Schp. Plagiobryum zierit Ldb.
Gygodon gracilis Wils. Bryum filiforme Dicks.
Tetraplodon minoides B. & S. Pseudoleskea catenulata B. & S.
Amblyodon dealbatus P. B.
Curis. A, CHEETHAM, Armley.
—:0 :—
FUNGI.
Volvaria parvula.—Mr. C. H. Broadhead, of Wooldale
Nurseries, near Thongsbridge, has sent me several specimens
of this most interesting little agaric. They were found
growing on soil in one of his greenhouses this week.
'C. Crossianp, Halifax, June 26th, 1907.
—:0 :—
MISCELLANEOUS.
Yorkshire Earthquakes.—In an article under the title
‘Yorkshire Earthquakes’ in the ‘Naturalist’ for January, 1905,
Dr. Charles Davidson intimates that any notices of the effects in
Yorkshire of the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755, if any such
were observed, would be of considerable interest to him. I
have just noticed in a pamphlet entitled ‘Notes on Old
Peterborough,’ by Andrew Percival (Published in 1905 by the
Peterborough Archeological Society, p. 40), a quotation from
‘an Ipswich paper’ ‘in 1755,’ as follows :—‘ By a letter from
Thirsk, in Yorkshire, we learn that very lately a terrible shock
of earthquake was felt, inasmuch that several large rocks were
removed to considerable distances ; several large grown elms
were swallowed up by the earth so that no part of them remained
to be seen but the uppermost branches. A man driving a cart
near the place, the horses were so much frightened by the
shock that they broke loose from the carriage and ran away.
The horses seem to have behaved very sensibly.’—H. E.
Wroot, Bradford.
The effects of the weather at Harrogate in 1907.—It is
perhaps worth while to make a note of the disastrous results
caused by the inclement and changeable weather this spring.
1907 July 1.
R
258 Northern News.
In this district, at the time of writing (the middle of June),
many ash trees are quite bare; Chesnuts have leaved and
flowered for a very short time. The leaves of many have, how-
ever, quite shrivelled up, as if by the action of frost. Rose trees
and many others are suffering in the same way. The chesnuts
are now putting forth a lot of new leaves, and look most
peculiar. The various flowering plants have had a very short
show, the blossoms being ruined almost as soon as they
opened.
The reverse is the case with fungi, which appear to be
unusually numerous. The St. George’s mushroom is par-
ticularly plentiful.
Birds have suffered exceedingly, and one comes across
many deserted nests with eggs or dead young ones. Several
times I have seen a nest full of young birds, ground breeding,
washed out of the nests and drowned. Warbler’s nests are
suffering very much, and the other day I even found a Tree
Creeper washed out.
There is a great scarcity of some species of migrants,
notably in Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats, Grasshopper
Warblers, and Landrails, and also, I think, Cuckoos. The
arrival of migrants this year was most erratic.
Despite this depressing news, it is most gratifying to find
the House Martin nesting in some of the haunts which have
been without them for years.—R. FORTUNE.
‘Collecting Lepidoptera in the Lake District in 1902, 1903, and in 1905,
1906’ is the title of some notes by Mr. A. H. Foster in the June ‘ Ento-
mologist.’
The York and District Field Naturalists’ Society is issuing elaborate
excursion programmes, giving hints of species likely to be met with on the
rambles. But aren’t a// secretaries ‘ organising’ ?
An important paper on ‘The Geology of the Zambezi Basin around the
Batoka Gorge (Rhodesia)’ is contributed to the May ‘ Quarterly Journal of
the Geological Society’ by Mr. G. W. Lamplugh, F.R.S.
We learn from the ‘Quarry’ that in recent Pompeiian explorations two
beautiful ‘ Blue John’ vases were found—evidence that the famous ‘ Blue
John’ mines of Castleton were worked some two thousand years ago.
We regret to hear of the death of Mr. C. Mossop, of Barrow-in-Furness,
late goods manager of the Furness Railway. Mr. Mossop took a keen
interest in natural history. He was President of the Barrow Naturalists’
Field Club in 1902, and his portrait appears in the Club's Report for that
year.
The Council of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
has nominated Mr. Francis Darwin, Foreign Secretary to the Royal Society,
and author of the ‘ Life and Letters of Charles Darwin,’ to be President of
the meeting next year, when, for the fourth time in its history, the Associa-
tion will assemble in Dublin. ;
Naturalist,
LINCOLNSHIRE MITES.
RHYNCHOLOPHIDA:.— (Continued).
C. F. GEORGE, M.R.C.S.
Kirton-tn-Lindsey.
RuyncuoLorpuus. The members of this genus, though resembling
Erythreus, will be seen to differ in many important particulars.
They have longer legs, some of them very long ones, especially
the hinder pair, and from this fact one of them has been called
Jongipes ; possibly it may be the one figured ; of this, however, | am
not sure. The internode above the tarsus of the hind leg is very
long, much longer than any other. These mites are very active
and good runners, and hence perhaps not easily caught. They
are said to be common, but I have not found this to be the case.
All the tarsal joints are flattened from side to side, those of the
first pair are the largest (see figure 4), and are provided with a
sort of hair pad on the under side, which gives them good foot-
hold irrespective of the claws. I have one taken in this
neighbourhood in 1877, which is mounted in Balsam for the
microscope, and not very well displayed; I had, however, been
furnished with a few specimens from Guernsey by Mr. Luff,
which appear to be identical, and it is from these specimens,
preserved and. mounted by me, that Mr. Soar has made the
drawings which illustrate this article. The mite is of a red
colour, the body rather densely covered with short bristles,
thickly pectinated (see figure 6).. The palpi are shown much
enlarged at figure 3. The fifth joint is pear-shaped and larger in
proportion to the fourth than in Z7rythreus ; the proboscis is
also furnished at the tip with a very curious circlet of hairs,
best seen in the living or unmounted mite. The eyes are very
different from those of Zrythreus ; instead of a single ocellus on
each side, there are two ocelli joined together on a kidney-
shaped process.‘see figure 2), embedded in the skin. Another
remarkable organ is the chitinous rod, which lies in the dorsal
groove in the centre between the two eyes, and is furnished at
the anterior end with a rather large and globular capitulum
(figure 2), seen greatly enlarged at figure 5 ; it is furnished with
several longish hairs, or spikes, which are pectinated, and also
two stigmatic openings, each having a very fine and rather long
tactile simple hair. The posterior end of the rod is also slightly
enlarged, and likewise bears two stigmatic openings, with their
1907 July r
2690 George : Lincolnshire Mites.
accompanying tactile hairs—well shown in the figure. The
mite figured is afemale. The position of the vulva is evident, a
point of some importance.
Raynckolowhus. sh
Fig. 1. Female Rhyncholophus, ventral surface.
Piguet, 55 Fs dorsal surface:
Fig. 3. Palpi and rostrum, much magnified.
Fig. 4. Anterior tarsal joint.
Fig. 5. Chitinous rod with capitulum.
Fig. 6. Single pectinated hair from the body.
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XXXI.
The 42gir, Gainsborough (Oct. 12th, 1904).
Showing the after-waves, locally called ‘The Whelps.’
ee es eee eee ee
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
*THE SHAPING OF LINDSEY BY THE TRENT.’ *
In the ‘ Naturalist’ for 1895, Mr. F. M. Burton contributed a
paper on ‘The Story of Lincoln Gap.’ A year previously his
presidential address to the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union was
entitled, ‘How the land between Gainsborough and Lincoln
was formed.’ The fascinating line of research then formulated
by Mr. Burton has since been followed up, and in his present
attractive volume is given an exceedingly readable and clear
account of the origin of the Lindsey landscape. Proper stress
is laid upon the important part played by rivers in the formation
of the present surface features of the area, and by the aid of
diagrams and several excellent plates Mr. Burton indicates
the old courses of some of the rivers, explains how and why
these were changed, and deals in an interesting manner with
the work being done by the present streams. Mr. Burton’s
book should do much to popularise the study of geology in
north Lincolnshire, and this we know, from personal experience,
is what the author wishes. Being produced at Browns’ Savile
Press, the ‘get up’ of the volume is all that can be desired.
We are enabled to give our readers a specimen of the plates (see
Plate XXXI.).
The Report and Proceedings of the Manchester Field Natu-
ralists’ and Archzologists’ Society for the year 1906 is to hand.
It contains a hundred pages, principally devoted to reports of excursions.
The longest article is on the Society's excursion to the Winchester district.
It is a pity the millinery, etc., advertisements are not kept on separate
sheets of paper. They could then be torn out without the volume suffering.
We have received Part I. of ‘The Book of the Open Air’ (1/- net, to be
completed in 12 parts, Hodder and Stoughton), a book which promises well.
It is edited by Mr. Edward Thomas, and is produced in a way which warrants
every praise. The first instalment contains (1) An open-air diary for April,
and ‘Introduction,’ by the Editor; ‘In praise of rain,’ by W. W. Fowler;
‘The Otter’s Holt,’ by A. W. Rees; ‘The Flowers of Early Spring,’ by Rev.
Canon Vaughan; ‘Some English Butterflies,’ by A. Collett; ‘Birds as
Architects,’ by D’Esterre Bailey ; ‘The Venus Eve,’ by G. A. B. Dewar ;
‘Ancient Ponds,’ by W. Johnson; and ‘The Making of Scenery,’ by E. Clodd.
These articles are mostly charmingly written—the last named being a perfect
poem. Adding much to the attractions of the publication are some drawings
and photographs, well reproduced by the three-colour process. These are
mounted on thick tinted paper, and there will be fifty of them in the complete
volume. If the remainder keep to the standard of those already issued, they
will alone be worth the cost of the book. It would be ungrateful to find the
smallest fault with this beautiful publication.
* By F. M. Burton, F.G.S., A. Brown & Sons, London and Hull. 60 pp.
and plates. Price 2/6.
1907 July 1.
262 Reviews and Book Notices.
Mr. J. Donkin, F.R.1I.B.A.. favours us with a copy of his ‘Conservancy
or Dry Sanitation versus Water Carriage’ (E. & F. Spon, London.
Price 1/-). This is clearly written and illustrated by diagrams. It should
be read carefully by all interested in sanitation.
Under the title of ‘Douglas English Nature Books,’ Messrs.
Bousfield & Co. have issued two admirable shilling books. The first
contains Ioo illustrations from photographs from life of the Shrew Mouse,
the Dormouse, the House Mouse, the Field Mouse, the Meadow Mouse, and
the Harvest Mouse. A fair sample of these excellent photographs is repro-
duced herewith by permission of the publishers. But of even more interest
rhe Dormouse.
and value are the ‘Notes on some smaller British Mammals.’ by Mr. English
—which occupy 30 pages. No. 2 of the series contains a similar number of
beautiful illustrations of bird life, and thirty pages of letterpress by Mr. R. B.
Lodge. Both books should do much to popularise natural history, as well
as serve as handy guides to amateur photographers.
Forty Years in a Moorland Parish. Reminiscences and Researches.
in Danby in Cleveland, by Rev. J. C. Atkinson. Macmillan & Co., Ltd.,
1907, pp. xlv. + 472, price 5/- net. We feel sure that it will be unnecessary
to call the attention of readers of the ‘Naturalist’ to the nature of this.
charming volume, one of the most popular of those written by the late
Canon Atkinson, who has deservedly been styled the Yorkshire Gilbert
White. We desire, however, to congratulate the publishers on the appearance
for the first time of an excellent memoir of the author, written by Mr, G,. A.
Macmillan; together with two portraits, which are beautifully repro-
duced. To describe the contents of ‘Forty Years in a Moorland Parish’
would be almost an insult to the readers of this journal. Should there
be any, however, who have not read the volume, let us recommend them
to do so at once. And those who have already seen it will be glad to
have the present edition from the additional matter and illustrations which
it contains.
———
Naturalist, °
Aa
Reviews and Book Notices. 262
Birds’ Eggs of the British Isles.—Messrs.’ Brumby & Clarke, the
well-known colour printers, Hull, have drawn our attention to the volume
they issued some little time ago under the above title. This contains the 24
beautiful plates of birds’ eggs which appeared in the larger work, ‘ British
Birds with their Nests and Eggs ;’ and in their present form will appeal to
those who are more particularly interested in eggs than birds, or who do not
care to pay the price of the larger work for the sake of the illustrations of
the eggs. Mr. A. G. Butler has written a hundred quarto pages of
descriptive letterpress, and the drawings are by Mr. F. W. Frohawk,
‘ whose work is so well known. The figures will particularly appeal to the
collector from the wonderful varieties of eggs shown—some of these being
most unusual; the eggs of the black-bird, for instance, being represented by
eight extraordinary varieties. There are in all 472 illustrations, and the
price of a guinea is not out of the way. In his introduction Mr. Butler
. gives some useful hints on the preparation of specimens for the cabinet.
Wild Life at Home: How to Study and Photograph it, by R. Kearton,
F.Z.S. Cassell & Co., 204 pp. New and revised edition, 1907. Price 6/-
A further edition of this well illustrated volume is evidence of its popularity.
Gulls Feeding.—A scramble for breakfast.
(From ‘Wild Life at Home.’)
The work of the brothers Kearton is well known to our readers. The
present edition has been revised, and the illustrations, type, paper, and
_ binding are uniformly excellent. We are permitted to reproduce one of the
illustrations herewith.
Birds and their Nests and Eggs, by G H. Vos. London, G.
Routledge & Sons, Ltd., 148 pp. and numerous illustrations. Price 1/.
This well printed and cloth bound volume is the cheapest of its kind that
we have seen for some time, and will be very suitable fora prize book for
young naturalists. The photographs are mostly good, though the method
of sticking badly stuffed birds in their more or less natural surroundings and
photographing them is not very desirable, especially as in so many cases
any schoolboy can ‘spot’ the artificial twig upon which the bird is perched ;
on p. 41 the starling, which ‘is a well got up and groomed gentleman at all
times of the year,’ certainly belies this description, though possibly the
specimen figured has suffered through being carried in the photographer's
pocket! The photographs of eggs at the end of the volume are of little
value except for showing the relative sizes of the eggs.
1907 July 1.
264
NORTHERN NEWS.
Amongst the birthday honours we notice that Prof. E. Ray Lankester is
created K.C.B.
Mr. E. E. Lowe, of the Plymouth Museum, has been appointed Curator
of the Leicester Museum in place of Mr. Montague Browne, resigned.
No. 4 of the Bankfield Museum Notes (Halifax), deals with the ‘Egyptian
Tablets’ in the collection, and has been written by Mr. Thomas Midgley, of
the Bolton Museums. The pamphlet is sold for one penny.
An admirable case of representations of British Butterflies has been
prepared by the ‘ Young Citizen,’ of 12, Salisbury Square, London, E.C.
This contains beautifully coloured copies of twenty-four of the most striking
of our British Butterflies, which are cut out in cardboard and fastened in the
case by pins, each species having a printed label. At the low price of half-
a-crown, it is most suitable for schools, etc.
We much regret to record the death of Prof. A. Newton, F.R.S., whose
‘Dictionary of Birds’ is so well known. For half-a-century Prof. Newton
has taken a leading position in ornithological science, and to him the
present generation is largely indebted for his herculean efforts in the matter
of the protection of birds, upon which subject he read a paper to the British
Association so long ago as 1868. He was born in 1829.
Dr. C. F. George of Kirton Lindsey sends us a reprint of a useful paper,
‘Hints on Collecting and Preserving Fresh-water Mites.’ This is from
the ‘ Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist.’
The following particulars of sales during 1906 of plumes, for the adorn-
ment of the (un)fair sex, seem incredible, but are guaranteed accurate :—
Osprey Feathers. Birds of
Packages. Paradise.
INGFADENAY abonmanad “cnobiad B27 8,508
Noro Si erenm aamceco red sceoe 1 260 7,188
AIMS cave hectaasin etches 289 11,841
PANS USE qivceceua eee neces 242 3,948
October. sere acer 485 5,700
IDXecehanl 915) eaneanriganbeccdaose 265 3,600
1868 40,785
[The printer refuses to set up our comments, which were, perhaps, rather
too forcible, though expressing our feelings at the time—ED.].
Mr. E. K. Robinson, B.E.N.A., informs the readers of ‘The Country Side’
that he is 5 ft. gin. in height, weighs 13 stone, and is short and stout. He has
not ‘the same elegant sort of figure as the ex-Prime Minister, Mr. Balfour.’
In view of this, possibly the readers of the ‘ Naturalist’ may care to know
that the beard of the writer of these notes is not at all like that of the King
of the Belgians!
Speaking of Mr. E. K. Robinson reminds us that some little time ago
he asked the opinion of the readers of ‘ The Country Side’ on his ‘ proposed
innovation’ in substituting the word ‘animals’ for ‘mammals.’ We
have watched the paper since, and apparently either Mr. Robinson's request
has been ignored by his readers, or, what seems more likely, the opinions
of his readers have been ignored by Mr. Robinson. We ventured to express
our views on the matter, but presumably both the copies of this journal
which were sent to him have miscarried. Or is it that in snatching this
‘chestnut ’ from his well-stocked grate Mr. Robinson has burnt his fingers,
and dropped it amongst the ashes, which must now be rather rapidly
accumulating.
Naturalist,
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE .NORTH OF ENGLAND. ee
Bao EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
THe Museum, Hutt;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF ;
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S.. F.L.Ss, GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., : WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :— a4
PAGES
Notes and Comments :—The York Suieie ogi pe a A Land-Shell new to the British ) “ f
Isles... 0 ee ie Dw Be --. 265-266 ?
’ Prominent yeucchis or ee I. Rey E Nieule gales as me ais ea ... 267-269
The Birds,-etc., of Walney Island—Havrry B:: Booth, M.B.O.U. ... 8S a Rl ... 270-273
Glacial Survivals—Frank Elgee aor ee a A see Bes in ats .. 274-276
Recent Geological Discoveries at eB onagay (Iilustrated)—T. Sheppard, F.G.S.. ... ... 277-279
‘ Vitrea cellaria in Shell Marl, near Hale, Westmorland (Illustrated)—jJ. W. Jackson ... 280
Notes on the Carboniferous Rocks of the Kettlewell District—Cosmo Johns, He:
M.I:Mech.E., F.G.S. Se af oe “ot boc aes AS 34 -.. 281-283
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hood's Bay Pg ET ue Te oes Put errr at sy arteries. to rsle sf
Yorkshire Naturalists at South Cave _... Pie Rob oie nes Las a3 AS --- 286-289
In Memoriam—John Harrison, P.E.S. Mere e+" oo afc 2 te tad oh
Field Notes... os as Be aoa ae SEP atieod ce ... 273, 291
The Birds of Yorkshire (Illustrated) aR 8a SEC Ra AER Bs nell Sides 299-2959
Reviews and, Book Notices “or, ) .0 0 at a Re ae "266, 269, 283, 294-295
Northern News Bohr any Meee ae, Ac teh Soe ok 0 ese RM pl ll pg 279, 295
Illustrations ... ES ndand neecegh Mees gs so BAS Cee Coe see eee one mide es "9m, 280
Plates XXXII., XXXIIL
LONDON :
A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED; 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E. C.
. And at Hutt AND YORK.
Bete and Pablishers to the Y.N. Lay ; een ato
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“it PUBLICATI
The Workshire ‘Mat
é )
KAN tl:
Ns
uvalists’
BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, Volume I.
Sean 8vo, Cloth, 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price B/= net. B
Contains various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Fungi of the county
Complete, 8v0, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. _
THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &c. ) .
This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series “of the Transactions, is perhaps the most
complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero-.
_gams and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382 _
reshwater Algz, making a total of 8160 species. &
680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15/= net. 3
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. __
By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.1.A., V.M.H. ;
And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding, by MaTTHEW B. Stater, F.L.S. This Volume —
forms the 3rd of the Botanical Series. t |
; 396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6 net.
THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, F.L.S.
This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list
of all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species.
Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price G/= post free.
THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S.
This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044
_ Species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution.
Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net.
LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.
The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1340 species of
_ Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the county of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement,
contains much new information which has been Heetumulatel by the author, including over 50 additional
species, together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c.
In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION.
The Transactions include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued in
separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject. The Parts already published are sold to the public
as follows (Members are entitled to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878), 1/9; 3 (1878), 1/6; 4 (1879),
Q/-; 5 (1880), 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; 7 (1882), 2/6; 8 (188), 2/6; 9 (1884), 2/9; 10 (1885), 1/6; 11 (1885), 2/6; 12 (1886), 2/6;
13 (1887), 2/6; 14 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 2/6; 17 (1891), 2/6; 18 (1892), 1/9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-;
21 (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/3; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3;
9 (1902), 1/-; 30 (1903), 2/6; 81 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (1906), 5/-. -
_ THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S.,
: M.B.O.U., and F. BOYES. 2 Vols., Demy 8vo 25/= net. ; Demy 4to 42/= net.
Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK=
SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Also in course of publication in the Trans-
actions.
THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F:R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14,
: 18, 19, 21,.&c., of Transactions. ’
LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rey. W.C. HEY, M.A.
\ :
THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited
by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College,
Huddersfield; with the assistance as referees in Special Departments of J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S.,
F.L.S., Pror. PERCY F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., GEO. T. PORRITT,
F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, and WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. (Annual Subscription, payable
; in advance, 6/@ post free).
RE ES SOS RS
MEMBERSHIP in the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 10/6 per annum, includes subscription to The Naturalist,
and entitles the member to receive the current Transactions, and all the other privileges of the Union.
A donation of Sevem Guineas constitutes a life-membership, and entitles the member to a set of the
completed volumes issued by the Union. ; i
Members are entitled to buy all back numbers and other publications of the Union at a discount of 25
per cent. off the prices quoted above. i
All communications should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary,
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., The Museum, Hull.
WANTED: Rennie’s Field Naturalist (Set). Proc. Geol. and Polyt. Soc., West Riding Yorks., Vol. I. British
Association Report, 1839-1840. Quarterly Journal Geol. Soc., Vols. I-XXI. Barnsley Nat. Socy’s.
Quarterly Reports (Set). Good prices given. YS ey
Apply T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
The Museum, Hull
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XXXII.
265,
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE YORK PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Tue Annual Report of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society for
1906 is of particular interest. From it we learn that an attempt
has been made to grow a classified series of British plants in
the Garden, and though the scheme was not very successful, it
is hoped to carry it through in the future. Mr. Oxley Grabham
has again given some valuable objects to the museum, including
some ‘unique Guillemots’ eggs, respecting which we should
have liked more details. The society is justly proud of the part
it played in connection with the 75th meeting of the British
Association, and prints ‘probably the only permanant local
record of this noteworthy event’ in its report. Mr. H. J.
Wilkinson gives a very useful Historical Account of the
Society’s Herbarium and the contributors thereto. This paper
contains lengthy notices of James Dalton, Robert Teesdale,
Christopher Machell, Samuel Goodenough, Wm. Jackson
Hooker, Joseph Dalton Hooker, William Bingley, Samuel
Hailstone, Richard Spruce, Henry Ibbotson, Henry Baines,
and James Blackhouse—all honoured names in the botanical
world. Mr. George Benson has an excellent illustrated paper
on ‘Some Relics of the Viking Period recently found in York,’
Mr. J. E. Clarke deals with ‘The Windrush at Biggin,’ and
there are some useful meteorological tables. The report
certainly gives evidence of scientific activity at York.
A LAND-SHELL NEW TO THE FAUNA OF THE
BRITISH” TISEES:
Messrs. John W. Taylor and W. Denison Roebuck, of Leeds,
have been spending a week with the Irish Conchologists, on the
occasion of the Cork Conference of the Irish Field Club Union.
The molluscan work was very considerable, for Messrs. Robert
Welch, A. W. Stelfox, and J. N. Milne, of Belfast, Mr. R. A.
Phillips, of Cork, and Mr. Robert Standen, of the Manchester
Museum, were all in the field—and the districts round Cork, as
at Youghal, Macroom, Kinsale, Aghada, Blarney, etc., were
very closely and carefully investigated. At the Conference Mr.
Taylor read a carefully worked-out paper, in which he, for the
first time, made public the addition of a fine well-marked and
conspicuously distinct species of land mollusc to the Irish and
British list. This was Vitrina elongata, Dp., found in fair
1907 August I,
266 Reviews and Book Notices.
numbers in Co. Louth by Mr. P. H. Grierson, and detected by
Mr. Taylor on examining a large series of Irish shells sent for
authentication by that gentleman. The species is of interest as
occurring at nearly sea-level in Ireland, the nearest European
localities being at elevations of 8000 feet in the Alpine and
mountainous regions of the Continent. This occurrence
exemplifies well the soundness of Mr. Taylor’s views in
regard to the position and discontinuous distribution of what
may, for want of a better word, be described as ‘ weak ’—
z.e., not dominant—forms of life. Mr. Taylor’s paper is to
appear in the next number of the ‘Irish Naturalist,’ with
illustrations, and the problems involved are discussed fully.
—
The Microscope and how to use it. London, R. Sutton. 160 pp.,
3/- net. This is the third edition of Mr. T. Charters White’s well known
handbook for beginners. It has been revised and enlarged, contains a
chapter on ‘Marine Aquarium,’ and another, by Dr. M. Amsler, dealing
with ‘Staining Bacteria.’ The book is thoroughly practical, and can be
recommended. It is illustrated.
Beasts Shown to the Children, by P. J. Billinghurst, described by
Lena Dalkeith, 103 pp. T. C. and E. C. Jack, Edinburgh, 2/6. This is
one of the series already referred to in these columns, though the coloured
plates in the present volume are not nearly so successful as those dealing
with birds and plants. The drawing of the ‘whale’ in cotton-wool water
might be a design for a frieze, and the sea gull’s nest facing p. 84 is the
nicest thing in sea-weed frills that we have seen for some time.
Introduction to Plant Ecology, by Prof. G. Henslow, M.A., F.L.S.,
&c., London. E. Stanford. pp. viii. and 130. 2/6.
Prof. Henslow opens this well printed little book by some rather
unfortunate remarks. He points out that he wrote two books, one in
1888, and another in 1895, on Ecology without knowing it, ‘for this term
had not been invented and is still unknown to our teachers of botany in
schools.’ If we grant the first, it should be noted with reference to the
second statement, that Haekel used the term in 1866; again the numerous
books and papers since written, mostly by teachers of ‘botany, go to disprove
the third assertion. That it might, with advantage, be more widely known
is admitted, and it is the object “of this book to supply the deficiency. The
first five chapters are devoted to a general consideration of ecological
questions, in which Prof. Henslow criticises, unnecessarily we think, certain
well-known books and teachers. These chapters also contain much that
might well be left to the usual text books. If these features had been
omitted, more space would have been available for fuller treatment of plant
associations and their ecological characteristics, the chapters dealing with
this part of the work being based on the well-known Scotch and Yorkshire
papers. Too meagre are the accounts of a heather moor, water and marsh
plants, the distinctive types of woodlands and their associations, the
significance of zones of cultivation and the like. The chapter on plant
surveying is too general, and reference should have been made to the more
exact and detailed methods already published, and definite examples given.
Too often exotic examples are quoted when equally geod illustrations “could
be given from British species, while the chapter on floral ecology would
have been improved by the inclusion of results obtained by Willis, Burkill,
and others. The chapters on ‘Natural Selection and Evolution’ are
characteristic of the author who shows himself an eager exponent of ecology
and much of what he has to say is interesting.
Naturalist,
PROMINENT YORKSHIRE WORKERS.
III.—REV. E. MAULE COLE, M.A., F.G.S.
(PLATE XXXII.)
Few people have done more to popularise the study of the
geology and antiquities of Yorkshire than has the subject of
this sketch. It can truly be stated that the good he has done
in this direction by far exceeds the usefulness of his numerous
published works, valuable though the latter undoubtedly are. By
writing to various journals, by lecturing in about every town
in the county, but more particularly by conducting excursions
over his beloved Yorkshire Wolds, Mr. Cole has undoubtedly
done much more in furtherance of the study of archeology and
natural history than can be estimated. One of the greatest treats
that the writer knows is to be taken along the wolds and dales
under the leadership of the Vicar of Wetwang, who, in spite of
his more than three score years and ten, can still ‘cover the
ground’ as well as most. Every chalk quarry, field, hill, and
dale—nay, even every mound and earthwork has a history, and
for each Mr. Cole has a fascinating story. On the Yorkshire
coast, too (particularly on Flamborough Head), and along
the Roman wall, he has conducted scores of parties, each
member of which has benefitted by his store of knowledge and
by his fund of ready wit. The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union
has been much indebted to him in this way, and several of its
members owe to him their first lesson in natural science.
The Rev. E. Maule Cole * was born at Dover in 1833, and
was educated at Brighton, Tonbridge, and Rossall. At the
last place he became captain of the school. In 1853 he went
to Oxford, where he won the Goldsmith and Ludwell exhibitions,
and took honours in classics. Whilst at Oxford he was in two
college ‘elevens’ and ‘eights.’ In 1857 he was the first old
boy to go back to Rossall as master.
When he came to Wetwang in 1865 he had an excellent
opportunity of following up his interest in geology. Coming
into contact with the brothers Mortimer, he accompanied them
in their barrow-opening expeditions, and frequently described
the pre-historic remains which were secured in his presence.
Sh oma portrait and account of his father, the Rev. Wm. Sibthorpe
Cole, see Speight’s ‘Lower Wharfedale,’ 1902, pp. 86-88.
1907 August I.
268 Prominent Yorkshire Workers—Rev. &. Maule Cole.
Of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, the Yorkshire
Geological Society, and the East Riding Antiquarian Society,
Mr. Cole has been a member of many years’ standing, and to
their publications has contributed several papers. The first of
sixteen papers printed by the Yorkshire Geological Society was
on ‘The Red Chalk of Yorkshire,’ and was published so long
ago as 1878. His first paper in the ‘ Naturalist’ was on ‘A
peat deposit at Filey’ (1891).
In more recent years Mr. Cole has taken a keen interest in
the British earthworks and Roman roads of the eastern part of
our county, and from his intimate knowledge of every part of
the area, few are better able to speak on these subjects than.
he is.
That he may have health and strength to continue his work
for many years to come is the sincere wish of every Yorkshire
Naturalist.
List OF VPAPERS E.@2) 354 SEE RE Vel VA EE OO:
Noah’s Flood. 1865. 16 pp.
Scandinavian Place Names in East Riding of Yorkshire. 1879.
35 PP-
Geological Rambles in Yorkshire. 1883. 112 pp.
Geology of the Hull and Barnsley Railway.. 1886. 55 pp.
Modern Science and Revelation. 1889. 12 pp.
Papers tn the Proceedings Vorkshire Geol. and Pol. Soc.—
The Red Chalk. 1878.
The Origin and Formation of the Wold Dales. 1879.
The White Chalk of Yorkshire. 1882.
Sections at Cave and Drewton. 1885.
The Physical Geography and Geology of the East
Riding. 1886.
The Parallel Roads of Glen Gloy. 1886.
Dry Valleys in the Chalk. - 1887.
Geology of Driffield and Market Weighton Railway. 18go..
Ancient Entrenchments near Wetwang. 1801.
A Lake Dwelling at Preston, Lancashire. 1891.
Duggleby Howe. 18go.
The Boulder Clay Cliffs of Filey. 1894.
The Roman Wall and Vallum. 1898.
The Danes Graves, Driffield. 1808.
Distribution of Moors near York. 1899.
The Site of the Battle of Brunanburh. 1890.
Naturalist,.
Reviews and Book Notices. 269
Papers in the ‘ Antiquary.’—
The Entrenchments on the Wolds. 18go.
Archeology in Provincial Museums: Driffield. 1891.
British and Roman Roads in East Riding. 1892.
Huggate Dikes. 1894.
A Pictish Burgh near Lerwick. 1895.
The opening of a Tumulus at Sledmere. 1897.
Norman Features in Wold Churches. — r1go1.
Tumuli on the Wolds. — 1903.
Paper tn * Old Vorkshire.’—
Ancient Farm House at Fimber.
Paper in the Transactions Hull Sct. and Field Nat. Club.—
Waterspouts on the Wolds. gor.
Papers in the Transactions East Riding Antig. Soc.—
Danes Dike, Flamborough. 1893.
Huggate Dikes. 1894.
Notices of Wetwang. 1894.
Driffield Moot Hill. 1895.
Ancient Crosses on the Wolds. 1896.
Notes on Field Names. 1808.
Roman Roads in the East Riding. 1899.
Duggleby Howe. igor.
Ancient Fonts on the Wolds. 1903.
Papers tn the ‘ Naturalist.’—
A Peat Deposit at Filey. 1891.
Report on the Erosion of the Yorkshire Coast. 1892.
In Memoriam—Robert Mortimer. 1892.
Papers in ‘ Flamborough Village and Headland.’ 1894—
Antiquities of Flamborough. 7 pp.
Geology of Flamborough. 6 pp.
Geology of Scarborough and East Coast of Yorkshire. 4 pp.
(in Marshall’s Guide to Scarborough.)
Saga Book of the Viking Club. Vol. 1V., pt. 1.
‘On the Place Name Wetwang.’ 1905.
i
The Insect Hunter’s Companion, by the Rev. J. Greene, being
instructions for Collecting and Preserving Butterflies, Moths, Beetles, Bees,
Flies, etc. West, Newman & Co. 120 pp. Fifth edition, 1907. Price 1/6.
The fact that this little handbook has reached its fifth edition speaks for
itself. Though out of date in many respects, it is a handy guide for the
beginner, and also contains many hints of use to the experienced collector.
1907 August I.
270
THE BIRDS, ETC., OF WALNEY ISLAND.
HARRY B. BOOTH, M.B.0.U.
THIS season the members of the Bradford Natural History and
Microscopical Society arranged an Excursion further afield than
usual, and by taking advantage of a day trip to Barrow-in-
Furness, visited Wainey Island on June 8th.
At Grange, we noticed the great increase of Shelducks, many
of which could be seen on the shore and on the sea as we stood
on the station platform. A pair of Blue Titmice was also
seen industriously feeding a nestful of voung ones down the
centre of an iron gas-lamp in one of the streets of Grange.
Arriving at Barrow, a short journey on a light railway
brought us to Piel, where we briefly inspected the well-equipped
Marine Laboratory of the Lancashire and Cheshire Fisheries
Board, under the superintendence of Mr. A. Scott. From here
a short journey of two or three miles in a fishing boat enabled
us to land on the south end of Walney, near to the Salt Works,
where we were soon amongst the hordes of nesting birds. The
watcher (a new hand who knew very little about the different
species) had estimated the number of breeding birds to be
between forty and fifty thousand.
The Black-headed Gull was found to be by far the most
numerous species, comprising quite two-thirds of the total
numbers present. Many acres of grassy sand dunes were
almost covered by their nests. There was an extraordinary
diversity in the ground-colour and markings of their eggs,
which were noted in all stages of incubation, several just being
chipped by the young chicks inside. Young birds just hatched
and still damp were seen, and through every stage up to about
a fortnight old, the larger ones running away in small flocks
from the intruders. Many dead young birds were noticed, and
no doubt the long-continued cold and wet weather had greatly
contributed towards this excessive mortality. Numerous egg-
shells were strewn about, chiefly the work of a small flock of
Jackdaws and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls; these discreetly
sat upon the sand near to the sea during our visit, and no
doubt were almost as much annoyed by our presence as were the
parent gulls, who gave indications of their anger by constant
harsh cries.
The Common Tern.—This appeared to be the most
numerous of the Terns present, and were nesting in one large
Natvralist,
Booth: The Birds, etc., oy Walney Island. 271
and several smaller colonies amidst the Marram Grass and
within the gullery, but away from the shore and shingle.
They had evidently only just commenced to lay, as most of
the nests contained only one or two eggs—three being seen
in only one nest.
The Artic Tern.—Not so numerous as the preceding
species, and for the most part breeding separately from them.
The largest colony was on the shingle, and one or two smaller
ones were on the outskirts of the gullery. As with the
Common Terns they had mostly only laid one or two eggs.
Several of the birds of this species were bringing in small
fish for their mates.
The Lesser Tern.—We were delighted to find so many
pairs of this graceful little bird present. Quite twenty nests—
or rather depressions in the shingle—were seen along a stretch
of half a mile along the shore. Many of these contained three
eggs, and some appeared to be incubated, so that this bird
would seem to breed slightly earlier than the other terns—at
least during this cold and wet season.
The Sandwich Tern.—We had always understood that
there was a numerous colony of Sandwich Terns on Walney,
but we were disappointed. We sought carefully for them, and
it was not until our last quarter of an hour that we came across
a single pair and discovered the nest (with a single beautiful
egg) amongst the gulls, and not far from the shore. It is
possible that others occurred in the vicinity, and had not
commenced nesting, but we did not see them. It would be
interesting to learn from some reader of the ‘Naturalist’ if the
Sandwich Tern has really decreased to this alarming extent on
Walney Island.
The Roseate Tern (?)—I noticed two birds which from the
first I felt sure belonyed to this species, both by their shape and
flight, but they persistently kept at a much higher altitude than
the other terns. Although I hid myself as much as possible
under the wet and scanty cover, they disdained to descend like
the other species. I fancied that they were not yet nesting,
although they had evidently chosen a site from their continually
flying around one spot—not far from the shingle. When ]
passed the same place again just before leaving, there was this
characteristic pair of birds over the same spot, considerably
above the other terns, and of course the chance of hearing
their distinctive ‘crake’ was quite out of the question at such a
1907 August 1
272 Booth: The Birds, etc., of Walney Island.
distance, and amidst such a babel of noises. Possibly some future
visitor will keep a look out for this species.
The Shelduck.—This conspicuous and distinctive species
was very numerous, and no doubt many females were sitting in
the rabbits’ burrows in the sand dunes. Several stray birds were
noted on our approach, which leisurely betook themselves to
the edge of the water during our visit.
The Ringed Plover.—Several pairs frequented the shingle,
chiefly on that portion occupied by the Lesser Terns. Their
characteristic vagaries of nesting were noticed. Birds quite a
week old, and also incompleted clutches of fresh eggs, were
seen.
The Oystercatcher.—These birds were exceedingly
numerous, more so than in any other locality I have visited
during the breeding season. They had evidently only just
commenced to nest, as most of their chosen nesting places only
contained one or two eggs. At one place three lots of eggs
were noted in the space of a few square yards.
The Stock-Dove.—There were several stray Stock-Doves,
and in one case four birds were seen flying together. They
evidently were nesting in the disused rabbit burrows.
During our short stay upon the island, our time was so much
occupied with the maritime species that we had but little oppor-
tunity of noticing the passerine birds. The great number of
skylarks present, however, was very noticeable, and once when
the sun broke through the damp atmosphere, the air was full of
their song. In spite of the exceptionally wet season, a nest
containing three eggs was seen in a hole quite six inches below
the surface. Many pairs of Wheatears and Meadow Pipits
were seen, and also, at least, one pair of Rock Pipits.
Mr. J. Beanland writes :—‘‘ The visit to Walney being a
purely ornithological one, no systematic effort was made to
ascertain what plants were growing, and those noted were
casually dotted down by the botanists as interesting from the
point of contrast that one naturally makes from an inland
district with the maritime flora. The following list was made
as the plants were seen in walking to and from the gullery :—
Glaucium flavum. | Draba verna.
Plantago coronopus. | Evodium cicutarium.
Silene maritima. | Crambe maritima.
Cochlearia danica. | Arenaria peploides.
|
Viola sylvatica. Mertensia maritima.
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 273
Eryngium maritimum. Scripus pauciflorus.
Gentiana campestris. E-nanthe crocata ?
F[yoscyamus niger. | Trifolium dubium, and everywhere
Botrychium lunaria. the Marram Grass.
It is rather interesting to find that in the Herbarium of Mr.
F. A. Lees at the Cartwright Hall, Crambe maritima and
Mertensia martima are represented from the locality we found
them still growing in, the former being gathered by Mr. Lees
in August 1870, and the latter in August 1875.”
Our special thanks are due to Messrs. W. L. Page,
A. Hawridge, and W. Sargeant (of the Barrow Naturalists’
Field Club) for the splendid arrangements which they had
made for us; and for their guidance on the island. Our thanks
are also due to Ed. Wadham, Esq., J.P., the agent of the Duke
of Buccleugh, for kindly granting a special permit to visit the
gullery. As the Duke of Buccleugh employs a watcher to
protect the birds, it is useless trying to see them without
having obtained permission first.
—_3se—_
FISHES.
Fox=Shark at Whitby.—On Friday last, the 12th inst., a
fine specimen of the Fox-Shark, or Thrasher, A/opecias vulpes,
was captured (in the salmon nets of John Hall, Fisherman), on
the Skate Heads within the Whitby Rock-buoy. After a heavy
struggle, and with the assistance of other cobles, it was with
considerable difficulty eventually got into the coble, which the
crew quickly vacated in consequence of the shark’s severe
struggles, snapping with its jaws, trying to bite the men and
also to strike them with its long and powerful tail. It was at
last killed and brought into Whitby and exhibited. When first
brought to shore it measured in length from the snout to the
end of its tail 15 feet ; I measured it towards night, and found
it to be but 14 feet 4 inches long, the pectoral fins measuring
about 24 inches each in length, and on the morning of Saturday,
the 13th, it only measured 14 feet, the shrinkage in length in
24 hours being exactly one foot.
In August, 1898, a shark of the same species was wounded
by the ironwork of the wrecked steamer, ‘‘Glentilt,” and
captured on the rocks at Kettleness near Whitby. It measured
14 feet 6 inches. —THos. STEPHENSON, Whitby, July 15th,
1907.
1907 August I.
to
“I
as
GLACIAL SURVIVALS.*
FRANK ELGEE,
Middlesbrough.
THE question of Glacial Survivals is one of interest to geologists,
zoologists, and botanists alike, because of its relation to the Ice
Age which their investigations have established, and on account
of the light it throws on the distribution of animals and plants.
It may at the outset, however, be advisable to define
precisely what is meant by ‘Glacial Survivals.’ In pre-glacial
times our country was inhabited by animals and plants similar
to those of to-day, with the addition, however, of species now
extinct or living in other lands. With the approach of the
glaciers of the Ice Age these would either be driven out,
exterminated, or contrive to exist on ice-free regions. In the
following notes an attempt will be made to ascertain if survivals
of the pre-glacial animals and plants may still be traced in our
present fauna and flora.
In a former paper + the possibility of some species of insects
and plants having survived the Ice Age on the unglaciated region
of North East Yorkshire was suggested. In the present
communication it is proposed to consider in more detail the
conditions under which organisms may have survived the Ice
Age within the British Islands, as well as to bring forward
further facts and inferences referring to our own county. The
following notes simply endeavour to point out posszbz/itzes with
regard to Glacial Survivals which may render the study of
certain areas much more fascinating and interesting.
Opinions respecting the fauna and flora of Britain during
the Glacial Period must, of course, largely depend upon the
views held regarding the temperature and condition of our
islands during that geological episode. So far as the latter is
concerned it seems necessary to accept the land ice theory.
The evidence is all against the submergence hypothesis, and
the great feature of Mr. Kendall’s work in Cleveland lies in
the fact that the land glaciation of Britain receives absolute
proof in his wonderful extra-morainic lake phenomena.
Admitting, therefore, the former existence of enormous
glaciers and ice sheets within the British Islands, it seems
necessary to admit an arctic temperature. There is, however,
some disagreement on this point, but I think that for the
* Read at the Robin Hood's Bay meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
Union.
+ ‘ Naturalist,’ April, 1907, pp. 137-143.
Naturalist,
Elgee: Glacial Survivals. 275
purposes of this argument we shall be on the safe side if we
regard the temperature of Britian during the Ice Age as being
a low one, and resembling that of the Arctic Regions at
the present day.
The question of Glacial Survivals is not new. In this
connection Dr. R. F. Scharff stands pre-eminent, and in
his various works has laid much stress on this survival as
explaining many curious facts of distribution. But it does
not appear to have been very precisely specified where or how
organisms battled through the Ice Age; in many instances
only sheltered nooks and corners are hinted at in a vague way.
In the first place it is incontestable that terrestrial species
could of survive the Ice Age on land covered either by ice
hundreds or thousands of feet thick, or by the waters of extra-
morainic lakes. The only possible places where they could
survive were the regions which we know from geological
evidence to have been unglaciated.
At first these might not be thought very extensive, but
when it is borne in mind, as Mr. Kendall reminds me, that
‘the whole country south of the Thames, much of the Pennine
Range south of the Aire Valley, the large area of North East
Yorkshire, and several patches elsewhere’ were unglaciated,
it will be seen that the regions on which animals and plants
may have existed are neither small nor unimportant.
Only on these areas could any species survive the Glacial
Period. Those that did manage to exist thereon must surely
have been principally Arctic forms, and the possibility of
temperate and southern species managing to live on them
seems small. It must not be forgotten, however, that the
approach of the Ice Age would be gradual, and that many
temperate and even southern forms might, in the course of
generations, become adapted to the slowly increasing rigours
of an Arctic climate, at the same time competing against the
on-coming northern fauna and flora. This consideration goes
some way towards explaining the strange mixture of animals
of southern and northern habitats so frequently observed in
British Pleistocene deposits.
However this may be, glacial survival can only be postulated
where there were unglaciated areas on which species could exist.
The exact location of animals and plants in relation to
glacial deposits is therefore of vital importance as differences
in the fauna and flora of two adjacent areas, one covered with
drift and the other driftless, apart from differences of soil, etc.,
1907 August I,
276 Elgee: Glacial Survivals.
may be perceptible. There are possibly indications of such
differences in North East Yorkshire. The driftless region is
essentially Arctic in the character of its fauna and flora,
whereas the drift covered lands chiefly support Germanic forms,
though both have invaded the territory occupied by the other.
The isolated occurrence of species on or near unglaciated
areas which were surrounded by ice sheets is strongly suggestive
of survival, be they Arctic, temperate, or southern forms, and
in my former paper | quoted many examples. To these may
be added the single Yorkshire record of the beetle Péerostichus
lepidus, a ground species, obtained by the Rev. W. C. Hey on
Sawdon and Ebberston Moors on the driftless area. In
addition all plants ranging into the Arctic Circle and Green-
land which live on the unglaciated moors may be included.
It might be objected that these species are the relicts of an
Arctic fauna and flora which was once general in Britain, but
has since largely disappeared owing to the amelioration of the
climate and the advance of the Germanic section of our fauna
and flora. But it seems probable that as the Arctic types
came from the north at the commencement of the Ice Age, most
of them lived on the ice free country throughout its duration,
and have since stayed there, and not been driven to it by the
Germanic section. This latter has doubtless, however, taken
place in other districts.
To the insects already mentioned must be added the Dung
Beetles (Aphodius), which live in the excreta of cattle, horses,
and sheep, and are very numerous everywhere. One of them,
Aphodius rufipes, lives in Siberia, the Caucasus, the High Alps,
and Arctic Europe. It is of special interest as it also lives in
Tropical Africa, a fact tending to show that the same species
can become adapted to extreme climates; from which it may
be inferred that many southern and temperate forms became
adapted to and survived the climate of the Ice Age on ice-free
oases. Dr. Scharff, who gives the above instance, also states
that * ‘no less than six other species of Aphodius frequent
alpine heights above 7000 feet, and a few ascend the region
of permanent snow.’ This genus may therefore be added to
our list of glacial survivals, as suitable habitats would occur in
a land where the Musk Ox, Reindeer, and other Arctic animals
thrived, the remains of which have been found in the district.
(To be continued).
* «European Animals,’ p. 137.
Naturalist,
277
RECENT GEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES AT SPEETON.
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.
Perisphinctes lacertosus.—The specimen herewith figured
is a large and unusually perfect example of Perzsphinctes
lacertosus Dum et Font, one of the characteristic Ammonites
of the lower beds of the Upper Kimeridge in Filey Bay. These
beds have very rarely been seen, but recent exposures of them
above Reighton and Hunmanby Gaps showed that they contain
Perisphinctes lacertosus from the Kimeridge Clay, Speeton.
myriads of ammonites, so crushed, however, that only in the
nodules can the collector hope to get even a fragment well
preserved. The present specimen sent by Mr. C. G. Danford
to the Hull Museum may therefore be regarded as an ex-
ceptionally fortunate find. It measures 12} in. across, is jn
some places slightly crushed, and the last two whorls have
been partially squeezed asunder; otherwise the form is well
1g07 August 1.
278 Sheppard: Recent Geological Discoveries at Speeton,
preserved, with the sculpture remarkably sharp, and_ the
trumpet-shaped mouth indicative of full growth.
The nodules of this part of the Kimeridge, though much
smaller, are far more pyritous than those of its higher horizons,
and the difficulty of extracting a fossil from such a matrix must
be experienced to be appreciated. In the working out, various
small ammonites were found, evidently belonging to the genus
Hoplites, and probably to the species pseudomutabilis Loriol.
In ‘Argiles de Speeton et Leurs Equivalentes,’ A. Pavlow et
G. W. Lamplugh, Moscow, 1892, p. 110, this species is referred
to: (Translated) ‘The specimen here figured belongs to the
Geneva Museum, and is preserved in Pictet’s Collection under
the name Ammonites biplex loc. Speeton. Its characters
perfectly correspond to the description of Ammonites lacertosus
Fontannes, which description we do not reproduce. The
horizon of the specimen in the Speeton Section is not indicated,
but Mr. Lamplugh possesses a less well-preserved specimen ot
the same species, which he found near the outcrop of the Upper
‘F.’ Shales. In the shales themselves one often finds crushed
ammonites suggestive of this species, but difficult to determine
with precision.’
In the above the work the synonymy of the species is given
as Pertsphinctes lacertosus Dum et Font, 1876. Ammonites
(Perisphinctes) lacertosus Dumortier et Fontannes, Crussol,
p. 100: and 1877; Ammonttes (Perisphinctes) lacertosus Loriol,
Pl @6Ve few, Baden, Piavale ies Wp se:
The species now under consideration is apparently that
known in this country under the name of Ammonztes biplex, and
as the specimen now obtained is probably the best that has
come from the Filey Bay deposits, it is thought advisable to
place its present location on record.
Crocodilian remains.—Another interesting find was made
by Mr. Danford in an exposure of the lower part of the Upper
Kimeridge Clay, about 400 yards north of Reighton Gap. In this
case several vertebree, a femur, ribs, scutes, etc., were obtained,
and on these being submitted to Dr. A, Smith Woodward he
identified the remains as of S¢eneosaurus. On the completion of
the examination of other similar remains in the British Museum,
it will be possible to give the specific name. A typical dorsal
vertebra from Speeton measures 2+ inches in length, and 14 inches
across, laterally. The bony scutes are particularly interesting,
as nothing of the kind appears to have been obtained here
previously. They are somewhat irregular in shape, about
Naturalist,
Northern News. 279
2 inches in length, } inch in thickness, and the upper surface
is covered by characteristic pittings varying from an eighth
to a quarter of an inch across.
Remains of S¢eneosaurus do not appear to have been re-
corded previously from Filey Bay, and judging from the
‘Catalogue of British Fossil Vertebrata,’ by Smith Woodward
and C. D. Sherborn, it would seem that the genus principally
occurs in the Lias and in the Great Oolite. One example is
recorded from the Kimeridge Clay of Kimeridge Bay. This
is a snout, now in the British Museum, and is identified as
Steneosaurus (Teleosaurus) megarhinus, Hulke. The specimen
in question was described J. W. Hulke in the ‘Quarterly Journal
of the Geological Society’ in 1871, and by Dr. Smith Wood-
ward in ‘The Geological Magazine,’ in 1885. Since the
‘Catalogue of the Fossil Vertebrata’ appeared, numerous
remains of SZeneosaurus have been obtained from the Oxford
Clay at Peterborough. One of the scutes from the Oxford Clay
has been kindly placed in the Hull Museum by Mr. H. C. Drake
for the purpose of comparison with the Speeton specimens.
Fish remains.—Another discovery of some importance, also
made by Mr. Danford, is in a large nodule from the Kimeridge
Clay. On the outside of this traces of bone were noticed, and
after much labour these were carefully chiselled out, and revealed
the bones of the head, a fin, a tooth, and other remains of a large
fish, probably allied to Caturus, a genus well represented in the
Liassic rocks further north at Whitby. On submitting this to
Dr. Smith Woodward, he states that it resembles another
species, undescribed, which is in the British Museum. That
specimen, according to Mr. Lamplugh, is probably from the
Neocomian zone Belemnites jaculum. If this is so, it would
appear that the species is represented on the east coast in the
Lias, Kimeridge, and Speeton Clays.
There is an interesting paper ‘On the Existence of the Alpine Vole
{(Microtus nivalis) in Britain during Pleistocene times,’ by Mr. M. A. C.
Hinton, in the Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association (Vol. XX., Pt. 2).
In the same publication Mr. E. T. Newton has a ‘ Note on specimens of
“‘Rhaxella Chert’’ or ‘‘ Arngrove Stone” from Dartford Heath.’ After
very careful examination he concludes that specimens of Rhaxella Chert
found in gravels at Cromer were derived from the Scarborough district.
In Cornwall recently a large stone of great archzological interest, the
Giant’s Quoit, which figures prominently in the legendary and historical
records of the county, has been blasted and used for road metal! Were the
perpetrators of the crime of suitable material, we could wish them a
similiar fate. But they would be unsuitable—even for mending roads.
1907 August Te
280
VITREA CELLARIA IN SHELL-MARL, NEAR
HALE, WESTMORLAND.
J. WILFRID JACKSON,
Manchester Museum.
DuRING a recent visit to the neighbourhood of Hale and Burton-
in-Kendal, Westmorland, I had the good fortune to discover
Vitrea cellaria (Mill.) in the lacustrine deposits so extensively
developed there.
Its occurrence theré is very interesting, as it adds another
locality to the few already mentioned by Mr. J. W. Taylor in his
Monograph (part 14, p. 36), some of which, for the sake of
comparison, I give below :—
‘Isle of Wight.—Prof. Forbes: Lacustrine beds at Tot-
land’s Bay, near Yarmouth. Essex.—Mr. French: Alluvial
Section in Shell Marl near Hale.
shell-marl at Felstead ; Miller Christy: Rarely in shell-marl at
Chignal, St. James. Yorks.—Mr. H. H. Corbett: In old lake
deposit at Askern, near Doncaster. Ireland.—Marl deposits
at Marlfield, near Clonmel, South Tipperary; at Drumceliff
Crannoge, Co. Clare.”
Along with V. cellaria and other more common species, |
found a number of slender elongate Lzmnca truncatula, which I
submitted to Mr. Taylor, who refers them to the var. /anceadza,
saying he has had similar specimens from the black earth
deposits in Nottinghamshire.
The accompanying photo shows a good section of the marl
deposit near Hale.
Naturalist,
281
NOTES ON THE CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS OF THE
KETTLEWELL DISTRICT.
COSMO JOHNS, M.1.MeEcu.E., F.G.S.
In these notes it is proposed to give a brief sketch of the geology
of the area to be visited by the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union this
month in order to indicate the general features of the district,
and to suggest, for the consideration of geologists attending
the meeting, particular points towards which their attention
might be directed. The difficulty is not so much to find interest-
ing features as to select from the many, just those to which the
most profitable attention might be given. It is perhaps fortunate
that, owing to the recent work that has been done in determining
the faunal sequence of the Lower Carboniferous Rocks of Britain
and in establishing life zones in them, it will be possible to
suggest a line of work not only interesting, but also serving to
make somewhat clearer the relation of the various sections
visited to those in other parts of the Pennines. The stratigraphy
of the area is clear, and though the Great Scar Limestone and
Yoredale Series do not stand out with the diagrammatic vivid-
ness of Ingleborough as seen from Chapel-le-Dale, yet their
relation can be made out without much difficulty.
It is unfortunate that nowhere in the area to be visited is
the base of the Carboniferous rocks to be seen, and the mantle
of drift which rests, for some considerable height, on the sides
of both Littondale and Wharfedale, increases the difficulty of
working out the sequence. The occurrence of the Silurian Grit
boulders in the drift below Kilnsey has suggested that pre-
Carboniferous rocks were exposed in Upper Wharfedale in
pre-glacial times. This is very probable, and would be in
harmony with such paleontological evidence as is available.
Despite the absence of a visible base and the occurrence of
drift, it is possible to make out fairly clearly the faunal sequence
of the Great Scar Limestone as far as it is exposed. This
would seem to be the most promising work that could be
undertaken during the few days of the meeting, and very
possibly would also be the most interesting.
Before mentioning the particular zones which can b: made
out in one area, it is desirable to call attention to some of the
stratigraphical features. The Great Scar Limestone, which is
so well exposed in Kingsdale, Ingletondale, Ribblesdale,
Littondale, and Upper Wharfedale, is clearly a huge limestone
1907 August r. |
Gi
282 Johns: The Carbontferous Rocks of the Kettlewell District.
plateau some hundreds of feet thick, out of which the dales
mentioned have been carved, exposing, in the case of the three
first mentioned, the pre-Carboniferous rocks on which the
Carboniferous series rests. There are no_ stratigraphical
difficulties here. There is a sameness, too, about the Yoredale
rocks that rest on this great limestone plateau, and at first
sight this series of limestones, sandstones, and shales appear
very simple. But the simplicity is only apparent, and when
a large area is investigated it becomes very evident that the
Yoredales are a very changeable series, and that these changes
possess great significance. John Phillips, whose classic de-
scription of the Mountain Limestone district, in his ‘Geology
of Yorkshire,’ is still the best account of our area, was fully
aware of this, and devoted much attention to it. His most
important conclusion was that the typical Yoredale series
practically disappear on the western face of Great Whernside,
and passes into the Shale Series which lies between the massive
limestone and millstone grit of the region to the south east.
The significance of this important change in the lithology of
the Yoredale series cannot now be discussed, but interest lies in
the fact that it takes place in the neighbourhood of Kettleweil.
To return to the Great Scar limestone and its faunal sequence:
so far as it can be made out in the area under discussion, two
zones can be determined. Neither are complete, but are still
clearly distinguishable. One is characterised by the presence
of Productus giganteus and the other by its absence. The first is
the Dibunophyllum zone—the highest in the Lower Carboniferous
rocks. The second one is the Semznula zone, the base of which
is represented by the Carboniferous basement conglomerate of
Ingletondale. Taking the Semznu/a zone first it will be found
that only the upper sub-zone, or S, is well exposed, but it will
be possible to obtain the characteristic fossils, though the beds
of this age are not very fossiliferous compared with the rich
collecting grounds in the D, beds of Wensleydale and other
districts. In a small quarry on the left-hand side of the road
from Kilnsey to Kettlewell, and near the last named place is a
very interesting exposure of these S, beds, and Semznula ficordes,
Chonetes papilionacea, Productus corrugato-hemisphericus, and
Syringopora sp. can be obtained. To those interested in the zonal
classification the most interesting piece of work will be to
investigate in detail, starting from a known faunal horizon, a
section affording a series of exposures to the top of the Great
Scar limestone. They will thus be able to notice the change of
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 283
fauna as the Dibunophyllum zone is entered, and to estimate
the value of field evidence on which the classification is based.
This change of fauna occurs in a typical section at the first
maximum of Productus giganteus, and the following fossils can
be expected.
Dibunophyllum, sp. | Productus giganteus.
Carcinophyllum. | P. hemisphericus.
Syringopora cf ramulosa. P. corrugato-hemisphericus (Mut D),
Cyathophyllum murchisont. | Chonetes aff comoides.
Campophyllum aff murchisont. | Cyrtina septosa.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it includes forms
which have been obtained at this horizon in the Yoredale
Province, and it is interesting to note that they can be compared
with specimens from the same horizon in the Bristol and South
Wales areas, similiar both in kind and stage of advance. The
correspondence of the faunal sequence in the Carboniferous
rocks of our area, so far as they are exposed, with that of
similiar horizons in the Bristol area is very marked.
We have received parts I. and II. of ‘The Hastings and East Sussex
Naturalist,’ the journal of the Hastings and St. Leonard’s Natural
History Society. It is edited by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield.
The Annual Report and Transactions of the North Staffordshire
Field Club for 1906-7 contains a portrait and memoir of the late J. Ward,
F.G.S. Inthe same publication Dr. Wheelton Hind has some interesting
‘Speculations on the Evolution of the River Trent.’
Mendelism. R.C. Punnett. Second edition. Cambridge, Macmillan
& Bowes, 1907, 85 pp., price 2/- net. In view of the excellent summary of
the theory of Gregor Mendel, which Dr. Agnes Robertson recently gave in
these columns (July, pp. 242-246), our readers will be glad to know that in
the present well printed volume is a very lucid and carefully written account
of ‘Mendelism.’ At the low figure of two shillings the book deserves a
large sale.
Peat: Its use and manufacture, by P. R. Bjérling and F. T. Gissing.
London, J. Griffin & Co., 1907. 173 pp. 6/- net.
The volume under notice is the outcome of a suggestion of the late Sir
Clement Le Neve Foster, who placed a number of valuable notes at the
authors’ disposal. Its main object is to indicate the most economical
methods of digging and preparing peat for fuel. By the aid of sixty
illustrations the various processes of its manfacture are clearly described—
most of these, as might be expected, being from Swedish sources. The
book deals with the formation, growth, and distribution of peat ; specific
gravity and analyses; methods of digging, cutting, and dredging: drying ;
peat fuel manufacture ; nature and uses of peat as a fuel ; and uses of peat
otherwise than as fuel. There is a very useful bibliography. In the
chapter on the distribution of peat, we learn that ‘ A? Holderness, near
Hull, there is peat, with trees, two feet deep, and at Hornsea, near Hull,
~beds are seen at low tide which contain peat and black root beds six feet
deep.’ But, strangely enough, no mention whatever is made of the extensive
deposits at Goole and Thorne, which are worked so largely !
1907 August I.
284
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT ROBIN
HOOD’S BAY.
(Continued from page 255).
In the following list of fungi the initials R. H. B.=Robin
Hood’s Bay; M. B.=Mill Beck ravine;
ravine; and R.=Ramsdale.
AGARICACE.
Armillaria mellea. Last year’s my-
celium on dead alder
M. B.
Tricholoma terreum.
in a wood, R.
Tricholoma gambosum. Abundant in
pastures; also in one of
WOOUS eon ie ens ihxe
Collybia velutipes.
stumps, S. B.
Collybia tenacella.
fir needles, R. H. B.
Omphalia umbellifera. On
ground on the moors.
Omphalia fibula. Among moss, R.
Entoloma clypeatum. Onthe ground
in a wood, R.
Pholiota proecox. Among
roadside, R. H. B.
Galera tenera. In pastures on the
@iits, Giess, Iss Tals 18)
Galera hypnorum.
a wood, R.
Bolbitius favidus. On cow dung in
two places in pastures on the
cliffs; RovEe Bs
Agaricus campestris.
Reb:
Stropharia semiglobata.
in the fields.
Psilocybe sarcocephala. On
ground, margin of wood, R.
Psathyrella gracilis. Among grass
in pastures, R. H. B.
stump,
On the ground
On decaying
peaty
grass,
Among moss in
In meadows,
On dung in
Psathyrella disseminata. On rotting
stump among moss, R.
Among decaying |
the |
the
5. B.=Stoup Beck
Marasmtus oreades. In rings in pas
tures, R. H. B., etc.
POLYPORACE.
Polystictus versicolor. On dead
wood.
Porta vaporaria. On rotting
branches, R.
HyYDNACE.
Hydnumniveum. On rotting braneh
of Ulex, S: B:
THELEPHORACE.
Stereum hirsutum. On piled logs,
Fyling Hall grounds.
Cortictum calceum. On decaying
branches, R.
Hymenochete corrugata. On dead
alder branches, S. B.
TREMELLACE.
Dacryomyces stillatus. On old
palings, R. H. B.
UREDINACE.
Coleosporium soncht. Uredospores
on Coltsfoot, R.
Uromyces poe. sLicidiospores on
Ranunculus repensand Rk. ficaria,
Saeiss
Uromyces ficarte. On Ran. ficaria,
_garden border, Thorp, R. H. B.
Puccinia poarum. Ei cidtospores
on Coltsfoot, R.
Puccinia suaveolens. On Carduus
arvensis, on the cliffs, R. H. B.
Phragmidiumsubcorticatum. AE cidio-
spores. Commot on wild rose
stems-*
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at Robin Hoods Bay.
Triphragmium ulmarie. Primary
uredospores on Spirea ulmaria,
M. B.
USTILAGINACE.
Ustilago violacea. In the anthers of
Lychnis diurna, S. B.
PYRENOMYCETES.
Hypocrea rufa. On rotting wood
near S. B. farm.
fypoxylon atropurpureum. On de-
caying alder branches, S. B.
Rhytisma acerinum. On last year's
sycamore leaves, Fyling Hall.
Diatrypella verruceformis. Com-
mon on dead alder branches,
S: B.
Diatrype stigma. On dead branches,
Ss: B.
futypa lata.
Sb 18h
On dead branches,
Leptospheria fuscella. On dead
furze branches, S. B.
Heptameria doliolum. On dead
herbaceous stems, S. B.
Pleospora herbarum. On dead her-
baceous stems, S. B.
Spherella rumicts. On living leaves
of Rumex obtusifolius.
PERISPORIACE.
Podospheria oxyacanthe. The
Oidium stage on living haw-
thorn leaves, S. B.
HYSTERIACE.
Hypoderma virgultorum. On dead
bramble, S. B.
Gloniopsis curvata. On dead stems
of wild rose, S. B.
DISCOMYCETES.
Peziza reticulata. On the ground
in a moist copse, S. B.
Peziza sepiatra. On pieces of petri-
fied moss, R.
Dasyscypha virginea. On decaying
furze, rose, bramble, woodsage,
and honeysuckle, S. B.
D. hyalina. On dead wood, S. B.
1907 August Yip
| Stachylidium cyclosporum.
285
D. fugiens,
Hlelotium cyathoitdeum:
umbellifer stems, S. B.
Mollisia cinerea. On dead wood in
several places.
On dead rushes, S. B.
On dead
M. fusca. On decaying furze, S. B-
M., lividofusca. On decaying furze,
S. B.
M. atrocinerea, Ondead herbaceous
stems, M. B.; S. B.
atrata. On dead stems of
Epilobium hirsutum, S. B.
On dead thistle,
M.
M. carduorum.
M. B.
dilutella. On dead stems of
Epilobium hirsutum, S. B.
Pseudopeziza spheroides. On dead
stems of Lychnis diurna, S. B.
M.
P. rubt. On dead bramble, S. B.
P. benesuedo, On dead alder twigs,
S. B.
PHYCOMYCETES.
On sheep dung on
Mucor mucedo,
the moors.
DEUTEROMYCETES.
Phoma longissima. On dead stems
of some Umbelliferous plant,
S235>
HYPHOMYCETES.
Penicillium glaucum. On rotting
leaves, S. B.
Botrytis cinerea. On decaying her-
baceous stems, S. B.
Periconia podospora, On dead furze,
SS: Bt
On dead
herbaceous stems, S, B.
Cladosporium herbarum. On dead
herbaceous stems, M. B.; S. B.
Triposporium elegans. On rotting
wood, S. B.
MyYXOMYCETES.
Stemonttis Friesiana, S. B.
Reticularia lycoperdon, M. B.
Trichia fragilis, S. B.
Tilmadoche nutans, R.
The last four alf on dead wood.
eS.
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT SOUTH CAVE.
Ir cannot be said that the visitors to South Cave on June 22nd
were in any way inconvenienced by the lengths of the routes
chosen by the local leaders. Within the more immediate
vicinity of the railway station and village are charming tracts of
country, which were open to the investigation of the members.
The well-wooded wold dales were equally agreeable to
botanist and zoologist, whilst the geologists spent most of
their time on the railway sections near the station, which, by
the aid of sledge-hammers, proved even more productive of
good things than usual. Millepore Limestone, the Kellaways
Rock, Kimeridge Clay, Red Chalk, and White Chalk were all
examined, though most attention was devoted to the Kellaways.
From this several species of Ammonites were obtained, as well
as some very fine gasteropods and lamellibranchs. The phragmo-
cone of an ususually large belemnite, and some spines of an
echinoderm were amongst the principal ‘finds.’ Messrs. J. W.
Stather, Mr. G. W. B. Macturk, and the Hon. Secretary
took charge of the formidable geological section, Councillor
F. F. Walton and Mr. W. H. Crofts piloting the afternoon
party ; and the botanists had the advantage of the President
(Mr. C. Crossland), Dr. W. G. Smith, Mr. J. F. Robinson,
and Dr. J. W. Wilson. Mr. W. Denison Roebuck represented
the conchologists, and Messrs. H. Ostheide, J. W. Boult, and
T. Stainforth were with the entomologists. Mr. E. W. Wade
represented the vertebrate zoologists.
After tea at South Cave a hurried meeting was held in the
Guild Hall, at which representatives from fourteen societies
were present. In the absence of the president, who had to
leave early, Mr. Cosmo Johns occupied the chair. Votes of
thanks were passed to Mrs. Barnard, Col. Harrison Broadley,
M.P., and the Hull and Barnsley Railway Company for the
facilities given, and two new members were elected. Reports
on the work accomplished were also made by the officers
present, particulars of which follow.
In view of the February-cum-April weather which we had
been experiencing for some time prior to the excursion, it was
satisfactory to find that June 22nd proved to be one of the old-
fashioned typical June days.
VERTEBRATE ZooLocy.—Mr. E. W. Wade. writes :—The
South Cave district, comprising the Wold Valleys adjacent, many
of them well wooded, the Houghton Woods, and the old Cliff
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at South Cave. 287
Warren, is far too large for a visit of three hours to produce
any results worthy of record. Being the only representative of
the ornithological section, my observations were confined to the
part least known to me, viz., Cave Castle grounds. Twenty-
seven species only were observed, of which the Great Tit and
Spotted Flycatcher were feeding young in the nest, whilst the
Blackcap, Willow Wren, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, and Chaffinch had
young on the wing. Of the rest, perhaps the Chiffchaff and Tree
Creeper were the most interesting. When I mention that this
district contains, among the Mammalia, the Badger, and among
the birds, Redstart, Nightingale, Lesser Whitethroat, Gold-
crested Wren, Wood Wren, Grasshopper Warbler, Goldfinch,
Hawfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Jay, Common Nightjar, Great Spotted
Green Wood- peckers, Barn, Long-eared, and Tawny Owls, and
Turtle Dove as breeding species, all but the Nightingale and
Grasshopper Warbler being of regular occurrence, it will be seen
that for this part of Yorkshire it is one of exceptional interest.
No doubt the sanctuary accorded to the birds at Houghton,
where all but Carrion Crows are strictly protected, has a good
deal to do with the number of rarer birds to be found there.
A dead example of the Red Field Vole (Arvicola elareolus) was
picked by the conchologists near the station, and identified by
Mr. Roebuck.
For the CoNCHOLOGICAL SECTION, its Secretary, Mr W.
Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., reported that he had devoted his
whole afternoon to investigating the beech woods of Cave
Castle, thus meeting with a number of beech-loving shells,
but he had not the opportunity of working the rest of the area.
The beech leaves swarmed with Pupa cylindracea, and Bult-
minus obscurus Was also very common. fel¢x rotundata, H.
caperata, Hyalinia fulva, Arion minimus, Clausilia laminata, and
Agriolimax agrestis also occurred. Claustlia rugosa was found
at Weedley Springs by Mr. Porter, and Helix hortensis by Mr.
Wakefield, and Arion ater was brought in by another member ;
the total amounted to three slugs and eight land shells—
eleven altogether. Ineffectual search was made for water
shells in the lake at Cave Castle, in which water-lilies were
abundant.
BoTANICAL Section.—Mr. J. F. Robinson writes :—The
route taken by the phanerogamists and mycologists was via
Drewton-, Weedley-, and East-dales, over South Cave Wold and
down by ‘Dicky Strakers’ lane into the ancient little town of
South Cave. Near the Railway Station, on the sandy outcrop
1907 August 1.
288 Vorkshitre Naturalists at South Cave.
of the middle oolite, there were noticed some plants characteristic
of the district. Very fine was Cerastium arvense, a pronounced
xerophile, commoner in the East Riding of Yorkshire than we
have seen anywhere else. A few yards down Drewton lane a
sedge that we do not often gather hereabout—Carex muricata—
made its appearance. Five or six old walnut trees still flourish
and fruit near the Manor House. The marshy springs in
Weedley dale yielded several more sedges, including C. paludosa
and C. rostrata, together with the allied cotton grass Eriophorum
latifolium. On the chalk banks near the springs some good
finds were made, notably Bryonta dioica, Galium mollugo,
Atropa Belladonna (in flower), Verbascum Thapsus, and Hyoscya-
mus niger (Henbane, also in flower).
Ascending the Wold and going southward, a few of the first
flowering plants of Campanula glomerata were noted. Lpztpactis
latifolia grew in the beech wood traversed; whilst ‘ Dicky
Strakers’ Lane was festooned with the first flowering sprays
of Rosa canina. Rosa arvensis was there in even greater
quantity than the former species of wild rose, and was abun-
dantly budded, although not a single flower was seen open.
Amongst the briars and hawthorn of the hedges the shining
green leaves and flowers of the black bryony (Zamus communts)
were conspicuous.
Amongst cultivated forms it was a treat to visit the well-
ordered grounds and rose-embowered gardens at Cave Castle,
the guidance of the genial head-gardener, Mr. Curtis, being
much appreciated. In the pond, the yellow and white water-
lilies were flowering profusely, but not yet the small water
lily-like plant Lzmnanthenum peltatum.
Fune1.—Mr. C. Crossland writes :—The route laid out by
Mr. J. F. Robinson and Dr. Wilson proved a most excellent
one. Evidently they had calculated the limited time at the
disposal of the members. There was no need for rush; it
suited the mycologists admirably ; in fact, it might have been a
mycological excursion, for each one took an interest in this
branch, and picked up something or other. In the bottom, at
the Springs near the railway, there was a typical collecting
ground. A few very interesting species were met with, includ-
ing Clasterosportum fungorum, a little black mould which lives
on species of Corticium ; this had only one previous record for
Yorkshire. There are six records new to the S.E. division
marked * in the list below. Most of the species found are of
fairly common occurrence ; still, it is well to know they were
q——————————
Naturalist,
Yorkshire Naturalists at South Cave.
seen here also.
In all, forty-seven species were noted,
289
There
is no need to specialise localities, South Cave will answer for all.
GASTROMYCETES.
Spheroblus stellatus. On rotting
stems of Zpzlobium hirsutum.
HYMENOMYCETES.
Agaricaceez.
Mycena acicula. Among decaying
leaves, twig's, etc.
* M. hiemalis. On decaying bark
in moist shaded place.
M. tenerrima. On rotting chips.
Hypholoma lacrymabundum. On
the ground among grass.
Psathyrella gracilis. Road - side
among grass.
Coprinus comatus. Onwaste ground.
C. ephemerus. Among dead vege-
tation in hedge bottom.
Hygrophorus miniatus.
fT, conicus.
ff, nitratus.
All in pasture land.
Marasmius oreades. In ‘fairy’ rings.
POLYPORACE.
Polystictus
wood.
P. abietinus.
Fomes annosus.
Poria vaporaria.
versicolor. On dead
On dead stump.
On stump.
On rotting sticks.
HYDNACE.
* Grandinia granulosa. On rotting
sticks.
THELEPHORACE.
Stereum hirsutum. On dead log.
Cortictum calceum. On dead stump.
Hy menochete rubiginosa. On decay-
ing log.
TREMELLACE.
Hirneola auricula -jude.
year’s growth, on elder.
Dacryomyces stillatus. On decaying
Last
wood.
UREDINACES.
Puccinia poarum. Acidiospores on
coltsfoot.
P. caricis. Ecidiospores on nettle.
On Carduus arvensis.
On Malva_ ro-
P. suaveolens.
P. malvacearum.
tundifolia.
PYRENOMYCETES.
NXylaria hypoxylon. On dead stump.
* Diatrype disciforme. On dead
beech branches.
Eutypa lata. On dead branches.
Lasiospheria ovina. On _ rotting
wood.
Lophiostoma caulium. Ondeadstems
of Epilobium hirsutum.
Heptameria doliolum. Ondead stems
of Epilobium hirsutum.
DISCOMYCETES.
Peziza vesiculosa. On soil in stack
garth.
Humaria granulata. Oncow dung.
Dasyscypha virginea. On dead
stems of Lpzlobtum hirsutum,
and on decaying wood.
D. hyalina. On decaying wood.
D. calycina. On living larch.
* Helotium citrinum, var. pallescens.
on dead wood.
H. cyvathoideum.
stems.
Mollisia cinerea. On dead wood.
M. atrata. On dead stems of Epzio-
btum hirsutum.
Ascobolus furfuracens, Oncow dung-
PHYCOMYCETES.
Cystopus candidus.
herd’s Purse.
On dead nettle
On living Shep-
HYPHOMYCETES.
Cladosporium herbarum. On dead
herbaceous stems.
* Clasterosporium fungorum. On
living Cortictwm calceum.
MyYXOGASTRES.
* Didymium farinaceum. On dead
wood.
Badhamia panicea. On decaying
elm bark.
Tilmadoche nutans. On dead wood
To this list may be added Mavasmius graminium, on dead
grass: this was accidently omitted, August 1894.—T. S.
1907 August ie
290
Su aMemoriam.
JOHN HARRISON, FLEES:
By the death of John Harrison, a native of Barnsley, which
occurred July 11th, Yorkshire has lost one of its principal
lepidopterists. At an early period he took up the study of
Natural History, and along with four other of his fellow
townsmen, three of whom sti!l survive, founded the Barnsley
Naturalists’ Society, Feb. 4th, 1867. As Secretary of the new
society he worked hard to establish it on a sound footing, and
lived to see it with a membership roll such as few had dared to
hope for. Although he had ceased to be a member several
years before his death, he had given evidences of a continued
kindly interest in its prosperity. His inclinations led him to
take up the study of Lepidoptera during the later years of his life,
more particularly to the Micros. A reference to Mr. Porritt’s
‘List of Yorkshire Lepidoptera’ will show how valuable were
his contributions to that work. Always of a modest and self-
depreciating cast of mind, it might almost be said that he
rarely sought the society of his fellows; at any rate he never
pressed himself upon them. At the same time he was ever
ready to assist his brother entomologists, not forgetting those
who were studying other orders than Lepidoptera. Thus on
one occasion he brought the writer several specimens of an
insect which his experienced eye recognised as an uncommon
species. It proved to be the rare Longicorn Beetle Graczlza
minuta. He was elected a F.E.S., 3rd April, 1889, and
became a frequent exhibitor at the meetings of the society.
His illness was of short duration, less than a week in fact, and
was due to pleurisy and pneumonia. He died in his 74th year,
and was interred in the Barnsley Cemetery, July 15th, 1907.
E.G.-B.
—_2e——
Note on a blackbird’s nest.—On June 13th my gardener
shot a hen blackbird as she flew from her nest, and on going
to the place shortly afterwards found the nest tenanted by a
male thrush, who sat out the blackbird’s eggs until they were
hatched, about two days later. Unfortunately the young birds
died on the cold wet night of Sunday 23rd. The lining of the
nest was partly that of the blackbird and part the mud lining
of the thrush.—T. R. CLAPHAM, Austwick Hall, Lancaster.
Naturalist,
FIELD NOTES.
BIRDS.
Bramble Finch, &c., near Halifax.—The bramble-finch
has been in Luddenden Dean near Halifax for some time. It
was first observed about June 1oth, and remained in the same
neighbourhood in full song until July 1st, after which date it
was not seen or heard again. As some shooting was heard in
the wood, it is feared that someone shot it. The female,
according to one observer, was also seen.
On June 8th I found a water-hen’s nest, containing eggs, in
a tree fully six feet above the level of the Aire near Bingley. —
H. WATERWORTH, Halifax.
Red Breasted Flycatcher in East Yorks.—On June 4th,
1907, I heard the note of a bird quite unknown to me. It was
singing a low warbling note of very little power. I saw the
bird close to me, very low down in a thick hawthorn hedge
skirting a beech plantation. Presently it flew up higher into
the branches of the hedge, and was joined by another, evidently
of the same species, for when the second bird joined the first
the singing ceased and the male bird commenced flirting with
the hen. The movements of the male were those of the Robin
as often seen at pairing time: he raised and lowered his head
and tail as if making most elaborate bows, and I feel certain
the birds were nesting somewhere near.
They were about the size of a Willow Warbler, and when
seen were in a bad light, being in the hedge under the shade
of the branches of large beech trees, but the colour of both
was a uniform light brown, the striking marking of the male
being a bold red patch under the throat, extending partly down
the breast. The birds were under observation for six or seven
minutes, and my sisiter, who was with me, noticed the red
throat referred to above, and also the peculiar warbling note.
The birds were, in my opinion, Red Breasted Flycatchers,
and were seen at Thearne Hall, near Beverley. Mr. Haworth
Booth informs me that he saw a male this spring at Hull Bank
House about a mile-and-a-half, as the crow flies, from where I
saw the pair. He saw the bird on May 2oth, and reported it
in the /ze/d on the 25th.—Harotp R. Jackson, Grosvenor
House, Hornsea.
1907 August 1.
THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE.*
Ar last! For a quarter-of-a-century has the writer patiently
awaited the appearance of a monograph dealing with the birds
of our greatest county. For the last five years he has been
receiving prospectuses and reading notices and advertisements
of the forthcoming ‘Birds of Yorkshire,’ and for the last five
days he has been revelling in an advance copy of the two
substantial volumes in which all that is known of Yorkshire
Birds is printed.
The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, of which Mr. T. H.
Nelson and his colleagues are worthy members, has done more
than any other private society towards recording particulars of
the fauna and flora of its area. In the present work we have
perhaps the most substantial account of the avifauna of any
county extant. Not only have the authors, each of whom is
well known in the ornithological world, given us of their best,
but in addition to their own notes and knowledge, they have
had unlimited access to the records of a whole corps of
ornithologists and nature lovers, as well as the most useful
records of Thomas Allis, John Cordeaux, and numerous
others. The ‘Naturalist,’ ‘Zoologist,’ ‘Field,’ and similar
publications have also been conscientiously searched, the
particulars they contain have been most religiously examined
and sifted; the grain has been properly placed in this store-
house, and the chaff (and there was much of it) has gone to the
winds. In addition, full use has been made of Howard
Saunders ‘Manual,’ Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey’s work on
Decoys, etc.
The method adopted with regard to each species is most
commendable, and in future the comparative rarity of any
species can be learned at a glance, and it is to be hoped that
we have now heard the last of the ‘ only record for Yorkshire,’
which we have seen so frequently in the public press in recent
years. After the common and scientific names of a bird, its
status in the county is given. Then follows the first record,
and the record given by Thomas Allis in his report presented
to the York Meeting of the British Association in 1844. Allis’s
records, now printed for the first time, are an exceedingly
valuable feature of the book. Details of migration, nidification,
* <The Birds of Yorkshire,’ by T. H. Nelson, M.B.O.U., W. Eagle
Clarke, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., and F. Boyes. 2 vols. 899 pp., 164. plates.
8vo., price 25/- net; 4to., price 42/- net.
N aturalist,
PLATE XXXIII.
7.
NATURALIST, 190
THE
"IUNIAOT
‘Y
*"VSON] UI SIIEISLAA
Adin suno
A
“
‘aIIYSYIOX JO splig oy L,,
The Birds of Vorkshtre. 293
varieties, unusual habits, and distribution are given, as well
as the ‘local’ names, folklore, etc. In this direction, however,
the records are not always consistent.
That the ‘ Birds of Yorkshire’ will at once take its place in
the front rank of British works on ornithology there is no doubt,
and for many years to come it will be the constant companion
of every naturalist having an interest in Yorkshire or in British
birds. The language used is such that its meaning can readily
be grasped by the beginner, and certainly no one will complain
of a super-abundance of ‘ fine writing.’
To the numerous illustrations we cannot give too much
praise. They alone are worth a good proportion of the price
of the volumes. There are some coloured—there are represent-
ations of early Yorkshire records, of unusually rare species, of
famous nesting sites, of peculiaraties in the birds, and of nests
and eggs and young of scores of interesting members of the
avifauna of the county. The choice of the two hundred or
more illustrations has been most happy, and no one can say
that a single illustration is poor or that it is out of place. They
form the most graphic account of the birds of any district that
we have seen for some time. Very largely they are the work of
that expert of bird photography, Mr. Riley Fortune, F.Z.S.,
who has in this way contributed greatly to the success of the
work. Among other well-known naturalist photographers who
have helped with the illustrations, we observe the names of
Mr TA. Metealie, Mr... Lazenby, Mr. -[. BH. Nelson, and
James Backhouse.
As appendices are given the Birds Protection Orders for the
three Ridings, lists of ‘Ancient Records,’ etc., and the Indices
(occupying 65 pages) are unusually complete and valuable.
From the Editorial we gather that the Hon. Secretary of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union (Mr. T. Sheppard, F.G.S.} has
had his finger in this (as in almost every other recent Yorkshire)
pie, and doubtless this has resulted in the present work being
unusually free from misprints or other errors.
In conclusion, we know not which to congratulate most—
Mr. Nelson, the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, the publishers,
or the ornithological world generally on the appearance of these
two volumes. Messrs. A. Brown & Sons have done their work
thoroughly, and their excellent taste and good workmanship is
exhibited on every page. They have certainly not spoilt the
work by hurrying it through the press!
M.B.O.U.
1907 August r.
204
REVIEWS toe Bors NOTICES.
Lotus Land: Being an account of the country and people of Southern
Siam, by P. A. Thompson. London, T. Werner Laurie. 312 pp.
In this well written and excellently illustrated volume Mr. Thompson gives
the impressions he obtained during his three years’ residence in Siam,
principally amongst the peasantry. By the aid of his pen, pencil, and
camera he has given a graphic and valuable record of Siamese life and lore.
The introductory chapter gives a historical sketch of the country, and others
deal with the Buddhist Religion, Temples, Images and Symbols, the Pees
and Charms, Siamese Art, Camp Life, etc. Ethnology receives special
attention—several of the photographs being of particular value in this
direction.
‘A History of the Parish of Penistone | embodying not only
interesting particulars relating to its fine old Church and the Parish
generally from the earliest times as contained in Hunter's History and
Topography of the Deanery of Doncaster and other records, but also
separate histories | of | the ancient grammar school of Penistone founded
A.D. 1392; | of | the old markets of Penisale and Penistone established
respectively A.D. 1290 and 1699, and the old Agricultural Society for a wide
district around Penistone established A.D. 1804; | and of | the oldest pack
of hounds in the world, viz., the Penistone Harriers or ‘Olde Englyshe’
Northern Hounds, probably in existence before the Conquest to prevent the
ravages of wolves and other wild animals from the great forests of Hordern,
Wharncliffe, and Sherwood, and the vast moors, wilds, and fastnesses of
the district. | With illustrations and most interesting [szc.] local and general
information, including educational, agricultural, and sporting gleanings,
scraps, notes, etc., etc., made and collected from many sources during the
last thirty years as well as my own recollections of Penistone and the
districts around during the past fifty years | By | John N. Dransfield |
Penistone | James H. Wood, the Don Press.’
The preceding is a copy of the most extraordinary title page we have
seen for some time. Mr. Dransfield evidently believes in showing all his
goods in his shop window! Immediately following, in the preface, he truth-
fully remarks, ‘ The title page of this book without anything further I think
fully explains its subject matters.’ He then equally truthfully admits ‘the
book is somewhat of a medley or hotchpotch.’ This is our opinion, and as
the author shares it we have no hesitation in expressing it. In its 569
closely printed large pages the author appears to have recorded and
reprinted every possible scrap of information and tradition that he has seen
or heard. If it were in MS it would be just what we should have expected
the writer of a local history would have compiled as the basis of his book.
Very little news of any sort appears to have been omitted. But we would
suggest that were the whole contents of this heavy volume to be carefully
digested, summarised, and re-written, de novo, with something like method,
a really readable and useful work would result. From a prospectus we
learn the volume ‘will be taken up again and again and brighten many a
spare or weary hour as a portion of its contents from their nature and from the
unconventional way they are recorded, are not intended to be, and cannot well
be grasped allat once.’ The sentence is a bit awkward and difficult to under-
stand, but we quite agree with the parts we have italicised! There are also
included ‘addresses and statements by Prof. Huxley, Ernest Renan, J. A.
Froude, Sir Frederick Treves, Lord Napier of Magdala, George Muller, D.
L. Moody, and Buffalo Bill!’ The volume is illustrated, and in view of the
quantity of printed matter alone is very cheap at half-a-guinea net. But, as
a frontispiece, it contains a photograph and autograph of the author, and
whenever we see a book embellished in this way, it ‘kind of goes against
the grain.’ Mr. Dransfield may be a very kind and affable gentleman, but
in his portrait he wears a somewhat stern and savage expression; in fact,
he looks as though he had just read this review!
Naturalist.
Reviews and Book Notices. 295
Glimpses of Ancient Leicester, in six periods, by Mrs. T. Fielding
Johnson. Second edition. Clarke and Satchell, Leicester, 440 pp.
In this well-written and scholarly volume a member of an old Leicester
family gives a concise account of the main events in the history of the
meeting place of the British Association for the present year, an event which
makes the appearance of this edition peculiarly appropriate. The authoress
deals with (1) Roman Leicester, (2) Leicester under the Anglo-Saxons and
Danes, (3) Leicester under its Norman and Plantagenet Earls, (4) Leicester
in the Sixteenth Century, (5) the Siege of Leicester, and (6) Leicester at the
end of the Eighteenth Century. Perhaps the first chapter is of more
general interest, containing as it does an account of the Roman occupation,
several important evidences of which are extant—notably the mosaic
pavements, the Jewry Wall, and the Roman Milestone, said to be the
oldest stone inscription in Britain. The inscription upon this reminds one
of the well-known advertisement boards on the line-side towards London,
where, on large hoardings setting forth particulars of soap or pills, one
sees in small characters, ‘London... miles.’ The following is a free
translation of the Roman milestone :—‘ To the Emperor and Czesar the
august Trajan Hadrian, son of the divine Trajan, surnamed Particus,
grandson of the divine Nerva Pontifex Maximus, four times invested with
Tribunitial power, thrice Council. From Ratz, Two Miles.’
The Days of a Year, by M. D. Ashley Dodd. London: Elkin
Matthews, 1907. 173 pp. Price 2/6 net. This well-printed little volume
contains a beautiful thought of a poet-naturalist for each day of the year.
Each has clearly been penned on the date it bears, in the surroundings it
describes ; and it is evident that with the author ‘To see things in their
beauty is to see them in their truth.’ To peruse a few of the pages is quite
refreshing. The reviewer has just returned from a ramble on the Yorkshire
Wolds at South Cave, and turns to the date, June 22nd :—‘ Cool woods on
the shady hillside, still and calm in the mid-day heat that quivers all around,
The delicious earth-scent from dewy mosses and growing green things
rises, penetrating and sweet, and in the thick trees an unseen wood-pigeon
flutters, and flaps slowly away. The call of a late cuckoo comes faintly
across from the outside far-off sunshine; then again there is silence, till
the woodland dreariness sinks deep into the soul, till the present slips away,
and nothing is real but the memory of a few past happy hours.’ In some
such words might our ramble have been described. But it is not every one
that can so well express one’s thoughts !
European Animals: their Geological History and Geographical Dis-
tribution, by R. F. Scharff, Ph.D. Constable & Co. 258 pp. 7/6 net.
This work is based upon the Swiney Lectures on Geology which Dr. Scharff
delivered at the Victoria and Albert Museum last year. In its pages the
author has gathered together an enormous number of interesting facts
bearing upon the past and present distribution of numerous animals and
plants. An examination of the more recent geological deposits has enabled
him to trace the probable direction of distribution of many interesting
species. The present relative abundance of species of various genera is
also shown to be indicative of the original source of these genera. By the
aid of maps the distribution of many species can be seen at a glance.
These are rendered of further value by the insertion of photographs or
drawings of the species referred to. There are also maps showing the
probable land connection at different periods between England, Ireland,
and the Continent. Naturally, the many problems of distributionpresented
by the fauna and flora of Ireland receives attention. As indicated on the
maps, the distribution of several species is indeed remarkable. Dr. Scharff's
volume concludes with a very good bibliograpy and an excellent index. It
is also an admirable illustration of the value of ‘mere lists’ of species
occurring in given areas. Were it not for such material it would have
been impossible for this book to have been written. After perusing
‘European Animals’ no one can reasonably say that lists have no value.
1907 August te
296
NORTHERN NEWS.
The Yorkshire Wild Birds Protection Committee begs to acknowledge the
receipt of £2 2s. from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
The July ‘ British Birds’ contains an excellent portrait of the late Alfred
Newton, F.R.S., together with an appreciative memoir by Dr. Bowdler
Sharpe.
A schoolboy, writing an essay on wild beasts, wound up by saying that
fortunately none were now at large in Britain, but they could be seen in
safety in the Theological Gardens !
We notice that Mr. E. Kay Robinson vainly appeals for hints on ‘How
to make Garden Parties Entertaining for Elderly Guests.’ Why not get
someone to read extracts from ‘The Country Side’?
In.addition to reliable natural history, ‘Country Side’ occasionally gives
its readers similarly reliable information of general interest. It recently
referred to a famous motor run of 510 miles in 470 SECONDS. We hope a
‘B.E.N.A.’ badge was awarded to the chauffer.
A recent writer in Zhe Yorkshire Post points out that ‘the dangers of
cliff-climbing’ as carried on by the agricultural labourers under Bempton
conditions are greatly exaggerated, and that young women have done what
the ‘ Old Cliff Climber’ and ‘his gallant men’ dare do.
After the Annual Dinner of the Museums Association held at Dundee
recently, Dr. W. E. Hoyle, of the Manchester Museum, and President of
the Zoological Section of the British Association, gave some useful hints on
the methods of capturing rare animals for museums. Dr. Hoyle explained
that these ideas were not original, but were obtained at a Congress of
Zoologists at Breslau. :—
(1) To capture a Raccoon. The Raccoon, as is well known, is a very
cleanly animal, and this characteristic is taken advantage of by the crafty
huntsman. Near the haunts of the animal a bad sixpence is thrown on the
ground. This the Raccoon sees and takes to a shop to buy soap. The
shopkeeper detects the base sixpence, and the Raccoon is arrested for trying
to pass counterfeit coin.
(2) To capture an Ape. The Ape is a great imitator. This character-
istic is taken advantage of by the crafty huntsman, who takes a printing
press into the forest, which he sets up and begins to print. He then leaves
the press, but no sooner is his back turned than the Ape begins to set type
and print. Proceedings are then taken against it for infringement of
copyright.
(3) To capture a Lion in the forest. The Lion is the king of beasts.
This fact is taken advantage of by the crafty hunstman, who takes a large
cage with him into the forest. Various letéers of the alphabet, mounted on
cardboard, are then strewn about the ground, until the Lion has learned to
read. The words ‘no admittance’ are then put over the cage door. The
Lion, on seeing this, says ‘No admittance ! am I not the king of the forest !’
and straightway walks into the cage. He is then caught.
(4) To: capture a Lion inthe desert. The desert, as is well known, con-
sists principally of sand. This fact is taken advantage of by the crafty
huntsman, who arms himself with a sieve and carefully passes the sand
through it. What is left is the Lion !»
(5) To capture a Camel. In order to capture a Camel it is necessary to
be provided with an American millionaire, a balloon, and a needle. The
balloon is filled, the millionaire placed in the car, which is released, and the
néedle is stuck into the sand. The Camel, seeing this, says to himself,
before the millionaire gets to heaven I can walk through the eye of this
needle, and proceeds to walk through. When half way through, the crafty
hunstman ties a knot on his tail, and there he has him.
Other information of a similar kind was given, but the above will
demonstrate the practical advantages of these Conferences !
Naturalist,
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND,
EDITED BY
; T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., |
: THE Museum, HULL; y
AND qh:
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., Oe
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. i om
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E,S.,
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.0O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :—
PAGES
Notes and Comments :—The British Association at Leicester, The Attendance, Handbooks, ‘ ff
The President's Address, The Value of a Standard, The Growth of Botanical Science,
The History of the Earth, The Shape of the Earth, Cephalopods, Natural Monuments,
Other Addresses, Plankton Investigations, Mimicry in Insects, Viking Relics at York,
Holderness Gravels, Irdn Ore Supplies, Marine Peat, Yorkshire Fossil Plants ... ... 297-305
Fossil Fish from the Chalk of North Lincolnshire—Dr. A. Smith Woodward, F.R.S. ... 306
Notes of Changes among Animals in satin North-East Yorks., within the
last Fifty Years—/. W. Barry SHA te 7 ats ar aa vat . 807-309
Notes on the Lapwing—F. Stubbs... ea Me ace . 310-311
Note on the Distribution of Diatoma icieaiat in East Varkehiee, dee: “(Uilastrated) “sa
Cai LH eA RA MO 2 cP Ste ctxt Ch RENT Oe ee Maly coseslach Sar hliees . 812-313 i
Glacial Survivals—Frank Elgee Ses Sa Kise Me ee ie Ms 2a Ei ... 814-315 ~
Natural History of Thorne Waste ... 0... 00 eevee eee tenet ee BUB-BAE
Field: Notes (Iiustrated)z. 6.0)... el LR Ee eee pee BaD Bol
Reviews and Book Notices sa ee as oe ae aie i ot om ae ... 806, 327 ;
Northern News He wee ae a See Ree we we oes ag BAe 309, 311, 3138, 328
Illustrations ... oh Aes ck a in pi aa sh wit oe me ae 2. 812, 825 a
™~
; r
LONDON : t
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Re OOo Cc ~1 > O1
. Inaugural Address, Delivered by the President, Rev. W. FowLer, M.A.
. On the Present State of our knowledge of the Geography of British
Yorkshire Naturali: |
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, The Study of Mosses (Presidential Address). Dr. R. BRATHWAITE,
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NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION AT LEICESTER.
ANOTHER ‘ Parliament of Science’ has assembled, and
dispersed. Leicester, which had never previously entertained
the British Association, certainly did its best to make up for
the past. On every side was the comfort of the members
considered. An amount of over three thousand pounds was
subscribed locally, and we hear that an even greater sum was
personally spent by the Mayor, Sir Edward Wood, to whom, in
no small way, the success of the gathering was due. The
visitors were agreeably surprised with Leicester, its cleanliness,
its fine streets, open spaces, and absence of smoke. The
beautiful Abbey Park, and the Museum and Grounds, were trans-
formed into something like what ‘once upon a time’ we thought
Fairyland to be. The weather was most favourable. Whilst
no extraordinarily startling scientific! discovery was announced,
each section studiously adhered to its work. There seemed to
be fewer of the picnicking fraternity.
THE ATTENDANCE.
In connection with the York meeting a year ago, we pointed
out that the disappointingly low figure on that occasions in all
probability due to the unusually early date at which thuxneeting
had been fixed. At Leicester it was yet earlier, the proceedings
starting on July 31st. As might well have been prophesied,
the record at Leicester was even lower than at York. The
attendance of course affects the amount of money available for
scientific research, and few were the Committees that were not
disappointed at the way in which their applications for financial
aid were dealt with. But, perhaps, of more import than the
question of grants, at any rate to several of the members, was
the absence of many familiar faces, an absence entirely accounted
for by the unfortunate date selected for the meeting. It may
be that the British Association meets for the purpose of further-
ing scientific research, and it may be that most of the members
assemble year after year with that object, but we cannot get
away from the fact that the great charm and value of the
gathering lies in the opportunities afforded of meeting and
conversing with workers in the same field, from all parts of the
world. If there is a continued choosing of early dates for the
meetings, the result will unquestionably be detrimental to the
interests of the Association. We are glad to learn that next
year, at Dublin, the meeting will be held in September.
1907 September 1,
U
298 Notes and Comments.
HANDBOOKS.
In the matter of handbooks the Members were well treated.
Each was presented with a copy of Mrs. T. F. Johnson’s
‘Glimpses of Ancient Leicester’ (noticed in our August issue),
and a useful ‘Handbook to Leicester and Neighbourhood,’
prepared under the editorship of Mr. G. Clarke Nuttall. This,
besides containing a description of the Topography and Anti-
quities of Leicester and its environs, has a paper on the
‘Geology of the District,’ by Mr. C. Fox Strangways ; the
‘Pre-Cambrian Rocks,’ by Prof. W. W. Watts ; ‘ Botany,’ by
Mr. W. Bell; ‘ Zoology,’ and ‘Cryptogamic Flora,’ by Mr. A.
R. Horwood; ‘Entomology,’ by Mr. F. Bouskell; ‘The
Charnwood Forest,’ by Mr. J. B. Everard; and ‘The Stone
Roads, Canals, and Railways of Leicestershire,’ by Mr.
C. E. Stretton. A valuable Bibliography (geology, natural
history, archeology, etc.) by Mr. A. R. Horwood is included.
But, as at York, we missed the useful sets of excursion hand-
books, which have, in recent years, been given to the members.
By the aid of these it was an easy matter for a stranger to chose
the excursion most likely to interest him.
THE PRESIDENT'’S ADDRESS.
The Address of the President, Sir David Gill, K.C.B., was
one of the most brilliant Presidential Addresses that we have
listened to for some time. Though dealing with ‘The Science
of Measurement,’ ‘ The Solar Parallax, ‘The Stellar Universe,’
etc., etc.—technical astronomical subjects, he used simple and
forcible language in such away that surely everybody was
thoroughly interested throughout the Address. And this could
not be said for every Presidential Address to the British
Association !
THE VALUE OF A STANDARD.
An interesting illustration of Sir David’s method occurred in
his reference to one of Clerk Maxwell’s Lectures in the Natural
Philosophy Class at Aberdeen, which the President attended
in 1859. Clerk Maxwell stated that ‘A standard, as it is at
present understood in England, is not a real standard at all; it
is a rod of metal with lines ruled upon it to mark the yard, and
it is kept somewhere in the House of Commons. If the House
of Commons catches fire there may be an end of your standard.
A copy of a standard can never be a real standard, because all
the work of human hands is liable to error. Besides, will your
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 299
so-called standard remain of a constant length? It certainly
will change by temperature, it probably will change by age (that
is, by the rearrangement or settling down of its component
molecules), and I am not sure if it does not change according to
the azimuth in which it is used. At all events, you must see
that it is a very impractical standard—impractical because, if,
for example, any one of you went to Mars or Jupiter, and the
people there asked you what was your standard of measure, you
could not tell them, you could not reproduce it, and you would
feel very foolish. Whereas, if you told any capable physicist in
Mars or Jupiter that you used some natural invariable standard,
such as the wave-length of the D line of sodium vapour, he
would be able to reproduce your yard or your inch, provided
that you could tell him how many of such wave-lengths there
were in your yard or your inch, and your standard would be
availabe anywhere in the universe where sodium is found.’ In
this way Clerk Maxwell impressed great principles upon his
students. Sir David adds, ‘We all laughed before we under-
stood; then some of us understood and remembered.’ The vote
of thanks to the President was proposed by Lord Kelvin, whom
to see and hear was alone worth the journey to the Midlands.
THE GROWTH OF BOTANICAL SCIENCE.
In the course of his Presidential Address to the Botanical Sec-
tion, Professor J. B. Farmer mentioned that the problems that
confronted them as botanists were far more numerous and far
more complex than formerly. They were attached to a science
that was rapidly growing, and this advance was carrying with it
a process of corresponding differentiatior. In rating highly the
value of maintaining a physiological atutude of mind towards
the phenomena presented by the vegetable kingdom, one was
mainly influenced by the logical necessity which such a position
carried with it of constantly attempting to analyse their pro-
blems, as far as might be possible, into their chemical and
physical components. He believed it was only by the help of
the elder branches of science—chemistry and physics—that the
accurate formulation, to say nothing of the final solution, of the
problems in which they were engaged would be analysed.
THE HISTORY OF THE EARTE,
To the Geological Section, Prof. J. W. Gregory delivered a
scholarly Address in which many interesting topics were touched
upon. After referring to the geology of the inner earth, he said
1907 September 1.
300 oles and Comments.
that the modern view of the structure of the earth added greatly
to the interest of its study, for it recognised the world as an
individual entity of which both the geological structure and the
history had to be considered as a whole. Once the earth was
regarded as a mere lifeless, inert mass, which had been spun by
the force of gravity, that hurled it on its course into the shape
of a simple oblate spheroid. Corresponding with this astro-
nomical teaching as to the shape of the world was the geological
doctrine that all its topography was the work of local geo-
graphical agents, whose control over the surface of the earth
was as absolute as that of the sculptor’s chisel over a block of
marble.
THE WSHAPE, OR) TAE VEARTEE
In his Presidential Address to the Mathematical Section,
Prof. A. E. H. Love asked, if the ocean could be dried up, what
would be the shape of the earth? By means of interesting dia-
grams he demonstrated his theory of ‘ gravitational instability,’
accounting for the existence of the oceans, and the suggestion
that without the oceans the sphere would be deformed into a
sort of irregular pear-shaped surface, with the stalk of the pear
in the southern part of Australia, and containing Australasia
and the Antarctic continent. In attempting to estimate the
bearing of his theory on geological history he was guided by
the consideration that the earth is not now gravitationally
unstable. From observations of the propagation of earthquake
shocks to great distances, they could determine the average
resistance to compression, and they found that this resistance
was now sufficiently great to keep in check any tendency to
gravitational unstability.
CEPHALOPODS.
Dr. W. E. Hoyle, of the Manchester Museum, in his
Presidential Address to the Zoological Section, dealt with ‘The
small and economically unimportant group of the Cephalopoda,’
a subject of which he has made a special study, and in giving
the results of his own researches Dr. Hoyle unquestionably
acted wisely. The classification of the Cephalopoda was the
President’s theme, and whilst it is admittedly not a subject
which can be made interesting to all, his contribution can be
looked upon as a clear statement of the present position of
a far too neglected branch of Zoology. Dr. Hoyle spoke as a
specialist, as a systematist, ‘one whose main work has been the
discrimination and definition of genera and species.’
Naturalist.
Notes and Comments. 201
NATURAL MONUMENTS.
Before a joint meeting of the Geological, Geographical, and
Botanical Sections, Prof. Conwentz, the Prussian State Com-
missioner for the Preservation of Natural Monuments, delivered
an interesting Address on the subject which he has made his
own. Heexplained that the phrase ‘natural monuments’ was
new in Germany as well as in England, but we should recognise
that there could be monuments of nature as well as of art. The
constant inroads of cultivation and industrial undertakings upon
primitive nature have led, and are leading, to the disappearance
of scientifically interesting and even unique natural objects and
types of scenery. A widespread feeling has arisen that as
much as possible should be done to prevent such destruction,
and this has recently led not only to much local effort directed
to this end, but in Prussia to the institution of a special State
department, under the Minister of Education, for the purpose
of directing and co-ordinating such efforts. In the opinion of
Professor Conwentz, however, procedure by Government
department is not the right method in this country ; we should
rather depend upon voluntary effort. We would point out,
however, that many of the valuable suggestions made by
Professor Conwentz have been anticipated by Professor G.
Baldwin Brown in his book on ‘ The Care of Ancient Monu-
ments,’ which was reviewed in these columns for November,
1906 (p. 387).
OTHER ADDRESSES:
The Presidential Address to the Chemical Section was by
Prof. A. Smithells, who took ‘Flame’ for his subject. Mr. G.
G. Chisholm addressed the Geographical Section on ‘ Geography
and Commerce.’ Mr. W. J. Ashley discoursed on the past
history and present position of political economy to the Eco-
nomic Science and Statistics Section; Dr. Silvanus P. Thompson,
as President of the Engineering Section, referred to the De-
velopment of Engineering and its Foundations on Science ;
Mr. D. G. Hogarth dealt with ‘ Religious Survivals’ in his
Address to the Anthropological Section; Dr. Augustus D.
Waller addressed the Physiologists ‘On the Action of
Anesthetics ;’ and Sir Philip Magnus addressed the Educa-
tional Science Section on ‘The Application of Scientific Method
to Educational Problems.’
PLANKTON INVESTIGATIONS.
Professor W. A. Herdman, one of the Secretaries of the
Association, gave a report of the Plankton Fishing Investigation
1907 September 1.
302 Notes and Comments.
carried out under his direction in the Irish Sea off the Isle of
Man during April, 1907, with the object of testing different
kinds of open and closing tow-nets and of gathering information
as to the detailed distribution of the organisms according to the
length, depth, and date. Examples were given of very different
results both quantitative and qualitative to those from quite
similar casts taken not far apart either in space or time.
Sudden variations in horizontal distribution of the Plankton
were discussed, and seasonal changes were also considered.
The necessity of numerous gatherings in well-chosen restricted
areas was emphasised. His conclusions were (1) That they
must investigate their methods before they attempted to investi-
gate on a largescale. (2) That they must find out much about
their gathering of organisms before they could consider them
as adequate samples ; and (3) that they must make an intensive
study of small areas before they drew conclusions in regard to
relatively large regions such as the North Sea or the Atlantic
Ocean.
MIMICRY IN. INSECTS.
At one of the evening meetings at the British Association,
Dr. F. A. Dixey gave a discourse on ‘‘ Recent Developments
in the Theory of Mimicry.” Dr. Dixey, at the outset, observed
that the remarkable resemblances that existed between
certain insects belonging to widely different orders, as, for
instance, the likeness borne by some of the ‘‘clear-wing
moths”? to wasps and hornets, had long been known to
naturalists. They were interpreted by the older observers as
cases of ‘‘repetition,” and ‘‘analogy” in nature. Kirby and
Spence were the first to attempt a rational explanation. These
authors got so far as to suggest that one species might gain an
advantage by resembling another ; but the first really scientific
account of the matter was given by Bates, who pointed out
that certain kinds of butterflies in South America escaped
attacks from birds by mimicking the appearance of other
conspicuous species which were immune from persecution on
account of the possession of distasteful qualities. This
resemblance to a distasteful model he considered had been
gained by a gradual increase of forms tending in the
necessary direction. Bates’ theory of mimicry, which was
at once accepted by Darwin, and met with general approval,
marked an important step in advance, but left certain facts
unexplained. The lecturer then discussed the further contri-
,
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 303
butions of Fritz Muller, Meldola, Poulton, and others, and
illustrated his remarks by a beautiful set of lantern slides. In
proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, the President, Sir
David Gill, pointed out that Bates was a native of Leicester.
VIKING RELICS AT YORK.
On this subject, Dr. G. A. Auden read an interesting paper
to the Anthropological Section. During the autumn of 1906
excavations for building purposes in the city of York, a few
yards from the left bank of the Ouse, had revealed a number
of objects which may with certainty be referred to the Viking
period. The area in question is situate at the junction of Ness-
gate and Coppergate, and contiguous to the site in which a
large number of objects, dating from the Scandinavian occupa-
tion, were found during excavations for the Public Library
and Friends’ Meeting House in 1884. Several objects are
enumerated which have not been previously reported in England,
and amongst these the chief interest centres in a bronze chape
of a sword scabbard, exhibiting an open zodmorphic interlacing
design terminating in a conventionalised animal head which
attached the chape to the material of the scabbard. The
zoOmorphic motif is further illustrated by several portions of
contemporaneous stonework which have been found from time
to time in York, slides of which were shown. A consensus of
opinion upon the objects described attributes them to the first
half of the tenth century—a period which saw the Scandinavian
power in York rise to its zenith.
HOLDERNESS GRAVELS.
To the Geological Section, Messrs. T. Sheppard and J. W.
Stather gave some Notes on a New Section in the Glacial
Gravels of Holderness. In these they pointed out that the
North-Eastern Railway Company had recently been making
some extensive excavations in a hill situated between the well-
known Kelsey Hill and Burstwick Gravel Pits, in central
Holderness. At the present time the section exposed is prob-
ably the finest of its kind in the country. The cutting is made
through the heart of the hill, and is 1300 ft. long, and 45 ft.
high in the centre, from which the section gradually slopes.
The sides of the hill are flanked by boulder clay, and irregular
masses also occur at intervals in the gravel. There are two
types of boulder clay visible, the upper or Hessle clay, contain-
ing a preponderance of Cheviot rocks, and the purple or middle
1907 September 1.
304 Notes and Comments.
boulder clay with its Carboniferous Limestones and basalts.
The gravels are somewhat similar to those described by Mr.
Clement Reid at Kelsey Hill as interglacial, but the present
authors consider them to be merely part of the terminial
moraine of the North Sea ice-sheet. In addition to the far-
travelled boulders, a lengthy list of marine shells, mostly of an
Arctic type, has been compiled, and the species Cyvena (Corbicula)
fluminalis (a freshwater form), also abounds. An interesting
collection of mammalian remains has been secured, and includes
bones of Hlephas primigenius, Rhinoceros, Walrus, Red Deer,
Bison priscus, Horse, and Bos. Some of these bearevidence of
having been gnawed by the Hyena. It is thought that the shells
and mammalian remains have been caught up by the moving ice
mass, and in this way incorporated in the moraine.
IRON “ORE SUPPELES:
Mr. Bennett H. Brough pointed out to Section C. that in
Great Britain the principal iron-ore producing districts are
Cleveland, in North Yorkshire, which in 1905 yielded 41.0 per
cent. of the total output of the kingdom ; Lincolnshire (14.8 per
cent.), Northamptonshire (13.9 per cent.), and Leicestershire
(4.7 per cent.), together yielding 33.4 per cent. of the total out-
put ; Cumberland (8.6 per cent.) and North Lancashire (2.7 per
cent.), Staffordshire (6.1 per cent.) and Scotland (5.7 per cent.).
The Cleveland iron ore occurs in a 1o-foot bed in the Middle
Lias, and contains about 30 per cent. of iron. It is worked by
underground mining. In Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and
Leicestershire the brown iron-ore beds form part of the Inferior
Oolite, and contain about 33 per cent. of iron, the workings
being mostly opencast. In Cumberland and North Lancashire
the red hematite occurs in irregular masses in Carboniferous
limestone. It contains more than 50 per cent. of iron, and is
worked by underground mining. The ironstone in Staffordshire
and in Scotland is mostly obtained from mines that also produce
coal. Such, in brief, are the home deposits from which the
British supply of 14,590,703 tons of iron ore, valued at £3,382, 184,
was obtained in 1905. Even that enormous output did not
meet the consumption, and 7,344,786 tons were imported.
MARINE PEAT.
Mr. J. Lomas reported that during excavations in the Union
Dock on the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Estate, in the
South End of Liverpool, a very remarkable peat band was dis-
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 305
covered. Reckoning downwards from a datum line three feet
above Old Dock Sill, a section showed :—
Sand with black carbonaceous bands . Reuteets
IMGENE ¢ : ; c ; - : . 6 inches.
Blue clay with rootlets . : : we4uteets
Sand with thin bands of peat. - . 2 feet 10 inches.
Boulder clay - : . : ; . 3 feet 2 inches.
Bunter pebble beds. 5 - : 5 HEE ec
The upper peat was entirely composed of marine plants,
laminaria predominating. On the fronds were numerous en-
crusting organisms, such as polyzoa, hydrozoa, the fry of young
molluscs, etc. The lower peat, while consisting mainly of
marine plants, contained a few drifted pieces of oak and other
land plants. The sands accompanying the peat resemble those
of the Mersey Bar, and besides the quartz which makes up the
bulk of the deposit, contain zircon, garnet, tourmaline, dolomite,
kyanite, rutile, staurolite, orthoclase felspar, biotite and mus-
covite, shell fragments, foraminifera, sponge spicules and
polyzoa. The deposit was probably accumulated in a sheltered
bay in the old estuary of the Mersey. The chief interest lies in
the fact that peat may be formed from marine as well as from
land plants.
YORKSHIRE FOSSIL PLANTS.
In the report on the Life-zones in the British Carboniferous
Rocks Committee, Dr. Wheelton Hind stated that he was
fortunate enough to secure a fine collection of plants obtained
in an abortive attempt to find coal at Threshfield, near Grassing-
ton, in the Valley of the Wharfe. The shales are stated to be
those which occur below a bed of Millstone grit. Mr. Kidston
has examined the specimens, and the following list is the
result :-—
Sphenopteris elegans Bgt. Sphenophyllum tenerrimum Ett. sp.
Calymmatotheca stangeri Stur. Lepidodendron sp.
Rhodia moravica Ett. sp. Lepidostiobus sp.
Sphenopteris sp. Small Lycopodiaceous bract.
Calamites ostraviensis Stur. Rhabdocarpus ? sp.
Calamites sp.
Mr. Kidston states, with regard to the horizon: ‘I have not
the slightest doubt that the bed these specimens come from is
on the horizon of the Upper Limestone group of the Carbon-
iferous Limestone series of Scotland. At any rate we know
the Lower Limestone group of Scotland has a fauna which
indicates the Upper Dibunophyllum zone.
1907 September 1.
306
FOSSIL FISH FROM THE CHALK OF
NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE.
Dr. A. SMITH WOODWARD, F.R.S.
(British Museum, Natural History).
Tue fossil fish* obtained by Mr. H. C. Drake from the
Rhynchonella cuvieri zone in the chalk pit at South Ferriby is
in a fragmentary condition, and lacks the skull; but the parts
preserved agree so precisely with the corresponding parts of
Elopopsts crassus, that the specimen may almost certainly be
referred to this Elopine species. It agrees with the known
examples of Elopopsis crassus even in size. The bones of the
opercular apparatus are remarkably thin, large and smooth,
showing only a slight waviness parallel with the margins. The
preoperculum is much expanded at the angle and in the lower
limit, and bears marks of slime canals which radiate backwards
from the main slime canal of its anterior border. The vertebral
centra of the caudal region are about as long as deep, and they
are strengthened by a few longitudinal ridges which extend
between the stout anterior and posterior rims. The neural and
heemal arches are much flattened from side to side, and sharply
inclined backwards. The scales are very thin, large, and
deeply overlapping. They exhibit numerous small rounded
pittings on their exposed portion, but are otherwise smooth,
and only display their fine concentric lines of growth when
abraded. A few of the stout pectoral fin-rays are smooth and
undivided for a long distance at their proximal end.
The type skull of Zlopopszs crassus was found in a Turonian
zone at Southeram, near Lewes, Sussex. More satisfactory
specimens of the fish have been obtained by Mr. G. E. Dibley,
F.G.S., from the zone of Rhynchonella cuvieri in Peter’s Pit,
Wouldham, Kent, and will shortly be described in the
Paleontographical Society’s Monograph of the Fossil Fishes
of the English Chalk.
REFERENCES.—Osmeroides crassus, F. Dixon, Geol. Sussex
(1850), p. 376. lopopsis crassus, A. S. Woodward, Proc. Zool.
Soe., 1894 (1895) ,"p.7759,epla43; fle. a
—_— —o
‘Bulbs,’ by S. Arnott, and ‘Weather,’ by the Hon. H. A. Stanhope,
forms Nos. 11 and 12 of the ‘One and All,’ garden books, issued at a penny
each. They are exceedingly useful publications.
* Hull Museum Specimen, No. 24.05.
Naturalist,
Se
NOTES QF CHANGES AMONG ANIMALS IN FYLING-
DALES, NORTH-EAST YORKS., WITHIN THE
LAST FIFTY YEARS.
J. W. BARRY.
Fylingdales.
MAMMALIA.
The Badger has much increased in numbers and also in
range of late years. This is doubtless from the protection it has
received on this estate. It has bred in the woods about a
quarter-of-a-mile from the house ever since I remember, though
the fact was not generally known until recently. In 1903, the
Badgers there had become so numerous and, in one part, had so
mined the side of the ravine with their burrows that I feared
landslips. At the same time they had spread widely in the
neighbourhood and began to annoy the farmers, one of my
cottagers losing the whole of the cabbages in his garden
through them. Under these circumstances it was necessary to
make a thinning. Five were trapped, and not long afterwards
the landslip which I chiefly feared took place, apparently
exterminating all that were left in that spot. The rest seem to
have scattered ; but this year a pair or two have re-appeared in
the same woods.
About twenty-three years ago, the somewhat unusual circum-
stance occurred of finding and catching a Badger asleep in
broad daylight. This was by my then steward in an open part
the woods. The Badger was a young one, of course. My
gardener, who has seen a good deal of them (as for many years
he did my gamekeeping), has only seen them two or three
times when the sun was well up. He says, however, that, ina
great number of instances, the Badgers lie not at the bottom of
their holes but near the entrance, as he has heard them bolting
on his approach. Elsewhere they have generally discovered
him, he has found by scent rather than by hearing.
Sir C. W. Strickland’s keeper has found that Badgers make
their raids on wasp’s nests by alternate sallies and retreats.
When in another situation he once heard a strange cry from
some unknown animal as if in distress, and saw a Badger
rolling itself on the ground and trying to free itself from wasps.
He then saw it go back, evidently to the comb, for it returned
after a while with a fresh supply of wasps, from which it freed
itself in the same manner as before. This process was con-
stantly repeated.
“1907 September 1
308 =Barry: Changes among Animals in Fylingdales.
The Polecat used to appear on the gamekeeper’s lists of
this estate; but I never succeeded in seeing one until 1903,
when (at the end of January or the beginning of February) my
gardener caught a fine adult male in a trap set for rabbits,
inside a burrow in the oak woods about three furlongs from
the house. Its leg was broken, but it was kept for about
three months in the ferret hutch of the garden. During this
period it became slightly tamer, allowing itself to be touched
when at rest, but it was uncertain. At last, owing to its un-
bearable stench and the large amount of raw meat which it
required, it was destroyed. After its capture, the tracks of
another Polecat were seen round the gardener’s cottage, so that
it would seem that they had been hunting in couples.
A few years ago, someone wrote to ‘The Field’ to say that,
when traversing Fylingdales Moor by the Whitby and Scar-
borough Road, he had seen five Polecats together somewhere in
the neighbourhood of Jugger Howes. There is no more likely
place for their headquarters than the Jugger Howes gill. I
think that the captured Polecat already mentioned must have
come down from the moor under stress of weather, tracks in
the snow having been seen some time before in High Moor
plantation.
The Squirrel was quite unknown on this estate and in this
dale until about twelve years ago, when it suddenly appeared
and multiplied so rapidly that, on seeing the damage which it
was beginning to do to the young larch and spruce, and know-
ing what it had done elsewhere, as in Scotland, I reluctantly
declared war upon it.
I do not doubt that it came from the Sneaton plantations
across the moors. That is the nearest point at which it was
found before, and then, as in the Newton House Woods below
them, it had been abundant for a long time. One of the first
that I saw was in the high part of the Ramsdale Woods, and the
distance between that point and the nearest point of the Snea-
ton plantations is only about one mile and a quarter. With so
short an interspace it may seem strange that the Squirrels
should never have come before, but then it must be remembered
that all of this is open moor, and that, no doubt, was the natural
barrier which proved so efficient for such a number of years.
It may also be asked why the Squirrel should have come when
they did. I can only conjecture that the heavy falls of timber
which have been going on in the Newton House Woods for the
last thirty years, and the destruction in the early eighties (I
Naturalist,
Northern News. 309
think) of some hundreds of acres of Scots pine in the Sneaton
plantations, in consequence of a sort of tornado, reduced the
food supply and induced migration.
On the credit side of the Squirrel account I ought to mention
that since their advent seedling hazels have spread in the woods
in a way that they never did before.
The Black Rat was common in this house and the drains
when I was a boy. I have seen three or four trapped together,
and my earliest associations are as much with black rats as
with brown.
Since I have had possession of the property, what appear to
be hybrids between the black and brown rat have from time to
time been killed. The last were caught three or four years
ago; but my servants say that they are still in the house,
and that those about the kitchen offices are exclusively of this
sort. They are glossy black on back and hindquarters, dark
grey on the sides and light brown underneath.
This kind of rat has long been confined to the house itself
and the outbuilding next adjoining. The stables, the best
feeding ground, have, for a great number of years, been
monopolised by the Norwegian invader.
The man who has trapped them says (rather oddly), that he
has found these rats much fiercer when caught than the brown
rats.
The Wolf must have survived in this neighbourhood down
to the fifteenth century. There is an entry of 1395 in the
Abbey Roll of Disbursements for ‘ tewing’ fourteen wolf-skins.
(To be continued).
—_<¢ +—___
To the list of papers by the Rev. E. M. Cole, given in our August issue,
should be added: ‘Roman Remains at Filey’ (‘ Proc. Yorks. Geol. Soc.,’
1906), and ‘ Presidential Address to the Malton Field Naturalists’ and
Scientific Society,’ printed in the Society's Report for 1905.
In the ‘Memoirs and Proceedings of the Manchester Literary and
Philosophical Society’ there is a note ‘On a Confusion of Two Species
(Lepidodendron Harcourtii, Witham, and L. Hickii, sp. nov.) under Lepzdo-
dendron Harcourtiz, Witham, in Williamson’s XIX. Memoir; with a de-
scription of Z. Hickii, sp. nov.,’ by D. M.S. Watson. In this paper the
author shows that under the one name Williamson really described two
separate forms, and to the second the name Lepidodendron Hickit is now
given.
We are glad to receive the Annual Report of the Louth Antiquarian and
Naturalists’ Society, and it augurs well for the Society's work to find that
its rooms are inadequate, and that better accommodation is required.
There have been several interesting exhibits at the indoor meetings, and
field work has not been neglected. It also speaks well for the study of
nature and archzeology to find that the President of the Society, Alderman
S. Cresswell, has recently attained the age of go years, and was presented
with an illuminated address.
1907 September 1.
NOTES ON THE LAPWING.
F, STUBBS,
Oldham.
Ir is well known that for the first few days of its existence the
young lapwing closely resembles a fragment of earth or a lump
of horse dung. Ona bare fallow the bird is quite in harmony
with its environment, and is well protected. The colours do
not agree, however, with those of green pasture; but, as it
cannot be inconspicuous, the young bird finds safety in
mimicking an unpalatable and common substance. I do not
think that this instance of interchangeable protective coloura-
tion has been up to now appreciated by field naturalists, although
very few observations will show the beautiful arrangement of
colours necessary for this adaptability to different surroundings.
As the bird grows bigger, the black and green feathers of the
adult appear, and destroy the resemblance to horse dung.
Then the young lapwing enters what may with propriety be
called the ‘‘cow dung stage”’ of its existence, for everyone
must have noticed the resemblance of the half-grown (or even
full-grown, but flightless) young to a portion of a patch of
vaccine droppings. On the fallows these colours still remain
in harmony with the bare soil. Perhaps a brood of lapwings
may be divided between two fields, the one a bare fallow, and
the other a pasture. In one situation they provide an example
of pure protective colouration, and in the other an excellent
instance of mimicry. Early in life they mimic one substance,
but when they grow out of this livery, they don a coat that
enables them to mimic another substance dissimilar in appear-
ance, but equally unattractive to birds or animals of prey.
We have here a possible explanation of the growing abund-
ance of the lapwing in all parts of the country. The mere word
‘* adaptability” does not quite explain the matter. The bird
is well protected on the pasture lands, and multiplies, so that
the number of pairs may exceed the number of suitable nesting
sites. The surplus attempt to breed somewhere, although the
effort to rear their progeny may bea vain one; but on the fallows
the birds find that the colours of the eggs and young are well
fitted to the new and quite dissimilar surroundings.
The increase of agriculture, the bane of so many wading
birds, has provided the lapwing with countless nurseries.
Game-preservation, also, has left this curious bird with little
Naturalist,
Northern News. 311
more than a single enemy, and even he is impotent during the
most important part of the year. On the grass-lands the
species has multiplied with our cattle, while elsewhere the
plough has ousted all rivals, only to provide a safe shelter for
the lapwing’s eggs and young.
From these two great mutually-supporting reservoirs the
birds overflow in all directions, and we find them nesting in the
most incongruous situations. For extreme cases we need only
think of salt marshes, rabbit warrens, chalk downs, peat bogs,
maritime sandhills, and meadows. The lapwing’s first require-
ment at the nesting season seems to be open ground, preferably
free from tall herbage. If the land is under the plough there will
always be fields lying fallow, and providing excellent hiding
places ; if not, the presence in the locality of a few horses or
cattle provides the bird with all the shelter it requires. Away
from the influence of man it is just a rather aberrant wader
struggling for existence with a host of other birds. It is not
the fashion to seek for instances of Commensalism or Mutualism
in the higher ranks of life, or one of these terms might be
applied to this association of Homo sapiens and Vanellus
vulgaris.
Although the great majority of breeding female lapwings
have white chins, some authors state that the sexes are alike.
Others say that old hens develop black chins, but never have
long crests. A specimen in the Oldham Museum has a black
chin and a crest as long as any male’s, although the wing
formula (rst primary as long as 4th) proves the bird to be a
female. Before the youngsters are able to fly the sexes may be
readily separated by the shape of their wings.
In a paper recently read to the Geological Society on the Flora of the
Inferior Oolite of Brora (Sutherland), Miss M. C. Stopes pointed out that
most of the species found are identical with those of the Inferior Oolite of
Yorkshire.
With the July number the ‘ Bradford Scientific Journal’ commences its
second volume. Mr. A. Whitaker gives some interesting notes on the
‘Scenes and Habits of Bats,’ Mr. T. Sheppard writes on ‘Museums and
their Functions,’ Mr. W. H. Whitaker gives an account of the ‘Fishes of
Upper Airedale,’ and Mr. W. P. Winter refers to the ‘ Mediterranean Plants
in the Bradford Botanical Gardens.’ There are some useful extracts from
the Note-book of the late W. Cudworth. These are chiefly geological. A
new feature is ‘Science and Nature Notes.’ These add to the interest of the
journal and are certainly preferable to the queries and answers which
formerly appeared. These Science Notes, however, are rather scrappy
and would be more useful if more local in character. We were surprised to
find Mr. A. Whitaker referring to ‘ the thirty-five wild animals indigenous
to this county,’ and throughout the article he appears to substitute ‘animals’
for ‘mammals.’
907 September 1.
Bae
NOTE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF D/ATOMA HIEMALE
IN EAST YORKSHIRE, ETC.
R. He PHIEIP;
Hull
In a sequestered dell, hidden away among the swelling Wolds,
the springs of Weedley come to daylight at the base of the
chalk, picturesquely overshadowed by hawthorn bushes at the
source, then winding serpentine fashion through dense masses
of willow herb and lush grasses, till passing under the Hull and
Barnsley Railway the little stream forms the valley of Drewton
dale. The Wold Springs, of which there are so many in this
district, are some of the most interesting habitats of our fresh
water diatoms, and in them are found many of our finest and
rarest species. But we were not destined to find anything
either fine or rare on the occasion of the visit of the York-
I 2 a
Fig. 1. Diatoma hiemale Sertigthal, Switzerland.
Fig. 2. AC aA Weedley Springs, near Hull.
Fig. 3. i nA var, mesodon Chiavenna, Italy.
shire Naturalists’ Union on June 22nd. The margin of
the brook was indeed fringed for all its length with flocculent
brown streamers, indicating the copious presence of diatoms,
but subsequent examination proved that this consisted almost
exclusively of a single species—Dvatoma hiemale (Lyng.), Heib.
And yet there are some interesting facts connected with this
form which it may be worth while to put on record. Fifty
years ago, when the late George Norman was working this
Naturalist,
Northern News. eve:
district, this species was not known to exist here. It is not
included in his list, and having had the advantage of examining
many hundreds of his slides, Iam able to say that I have not
found it in any of his East Riding gatherings. Notwithstanding,
it is a common and widely distributed species. I have found it
in Switzerland, Italy, Scotland, North of Ireland, Wales, and
the English Lake District, as well as in many places in the
north and west Ridings of Yorkshire (Y.N.U. excursions to
Sedburgh, Bowes, Hebden Bridge, Buckden, Ilkley, Farnley
Tyas, etc.). A gathering I took from Weedley Springs, in the
spring of 1897, shows no trace of it, and its first appearance in
the East Riding to my knowledge was in Sept., 1899, when I
found it plentifully in Newbald Springs. Since then I have
found it in Weedley Springs, in Stream Dyke, Hornsea
Mere, and in flooded fields after heavy rains off Beverley Road
and Sculcoates Lane. In the last year or two it seems to have
increased enormously. At the Pocklington excursion it was
plentiful in the Great Givendale Springs, and also last year at
Weedley. This year it appears to have ousted almost every-
thing else from Weedley Springs. It will be interesting to see
if anything of the kind has occurred in other Wold Springs,
and also to frame a theory to account for the rapid and success-
ful invasion. The species is somewhat variable, and in addition
to the drawing of the form found at Weedley, I have drawn two
others, the longest, with 10 to 14 coste, being found in the
Sertigthal, an Alpine Valley near Davos, and the shortest, with
only 3 or 4 costez (variety mesodon), coming from a mountain
torrent at Chiavenna, North Italy. Our English forms are
chiefly intermediate, but nearer to the latter.
—~—e—__
From July 8th to July 12th the Museums Association visited Dundee. The
following Northern museums were represented :—Bootle, Sheffield, Bolton,
Stoke-upon-Trent, Burnley, Newcastle, Stockport, Carlisle, Manchester, St.
Helens, Warrington, Bolton, Huddersfield, York, Hull. Amongst the many
papers read and discussed, the following were of particular interest and
value :—‘ Methods of Collecting and Exhibiting English Pottery and
Porcelain ;’ ‘ Methods of Utilising Wall Spaces ;’ ‘ Notes on the Attitude of
Birds ;’ ‘Centralising Museum Work;’ ‘Museums of Industrial Art ;’
‘Museums in Higher Grade and Secondary Schools ;’ ‘Circulating School
Museums ;’ ‘ Museums Illustrating Town History ;’ ‘The Sunday Opening
of Museums ;’ ‘ Civic Museums ;’ and ‘An improved Method of Exhibiting
Coins.’ An exceedingly valuable feature of this Conference was the
opportunity afforded of examining famous collections of furniture, china, &c.,
which exist in the district. Amongst the places visited in this way were ;—
Rossie Priory, the seat of Lord Kinnaird ; the University College, Dundee ;
the Perth Museum ; Glamis Castle, the seat of the Earl of Strathmore ; and
The University Museum, Castle, and Marine Laboratory at St. Andrews.
1907 September 1.
xX
314
GLACIAL SURVIVALS.
FRANK ELGEE,
Middlesbrough.
(Continued from page 276).
As the unglaciated area of North East Yorkshire comprises
the deep, large sheltered valleys lying to the south of the
anticline (Rosedale, Farndale, etc.,) their natural history must
be particularly interesting. Unfortunately, however, very few
records therefrom are known. The evidence, however, that
many kinds of widely distributed Land and Fresh-water
Molluscs lived in them throughout the Ice Age is decidedly
strong. There is direct evidence that many of the most
abundant freshwater shells can withstand a very severe
climate, and would therefore be capable of surviving the
Ice Age.
One of these is Physa hvpnorum, the shell of which is so fragile
as to need most careful handling. It has been noticed on the
peninsula of Taimyr in North Siberia in 73° 30’ N. lat., where
the mean annual temperature is below 10° F. with a range of
from 4o° F. in July to — 30° F. in January.* If a species so
delicate can exist under a frost of 62° it ought to have been
able to survive on our driftless area.
Again, those common Pond Snails Zizmncea stagnalis, L.
peregra, and L. truncatula, as well as Planorbis albus, live at
the present day in Greenland, whilst Zémnca auritcularia has
been known to survive after having been subjected to a frost of
34°. Paludina vivipara and Anodonta anatina have resisted a
temperature of 23° F., and the former produced young shortly
after being thawed out of ice. + In fact, most of the British
land mollusca, except the operculate species, are extremely
hardy, and may therefore have existed in the large sheltered
dales throughout the Ice Age.
In confirmation of this glacial survival of Mollusca, the
Arctic Freshwater Bed of the Norfolk coast contains, associated
with typical Arctic plants such as the Dwarf Birch and Willow,
Succinea putris, S. oblonga, and Pupa muscorum, and the wing
cases of beetles. | Altogether at the present time 4o species of
terrestrial and freshwater molluscs inhabit circumpolar regions ;
* Cam. Nat. Hist., Vol. 3, p. 24.
it Opes Gay [Oks
t Geikie, ‘Text Book of Geology,’ Vol. II.
Naturalist, -
Eleee: Glacial Survivals. 315
of these several live in Britain, and appear to have survived the
Ice Age.
If this existence of Mollusca during the Ice Age on the
driftless region be accepted, we have a probable explanation of
the distribution of two of our most characteristic northern
shells, viz., dcanthinula lamellata and Margaritana margaritifer.
Existing in Britain in pre-glacial times these two species might
have lingered on within the driftless area during the Glacial
Period. After its close they would spread out to the surround-
ing districts. In the case of A. lamellata, this extended across
the North Sea (then probably a land area) to Sweden, Denmark,
and North Germany; in the case of the Pearl Mussel, to
Scandinavia and Northern Germany.
During the Glacial Period, therefore, the Cleveland driftless
region probably supported a fauna and flora, chiefly of an
Arctic character, though several temperate forms may have
also existed. After the ice sheets melted it formed a centre
of distribution from which animals and plants radiated to the
surrounding bare lands.
What has been here stated concerning North East Yorkshire
is applicable, with modifications according to conditions, to
other driftless areas. In this respect the peculiar flora of
Teesdale is worthy of attention in relation to the glaciation of
that valley. Dr. A. R. Dwerryhouse, in his valuable essay
on the Ice Age in Teesdale,* shows considerable non-glaciated
regions. May not an Arctic fauna or flora have existed here
during the Ice Age, including the rare northern plants for
which the district is famous? A careful study of the flora and
fauna (especially Coleopfera) in relation to these areas might
reveal some interesting features.
It seems probable that the biological study of unglaciated
areas will decide the problem of glacial survivals, temperate or
Arctic. That the whole of our pre-glacial fauna and flora was
destroyed during the Ice Age seems improbable, and in con-
sidering that of any ice-free country, discrimination must be made
between the purely pre-glacial species (e.g., M/udzlla europea, the
Heaths, A. lamellata, M. margaritifer) ; the Arctic species (e.g.,
Miscodera artica, Alpine Beetles, the Crowberry, Dwarf Cornel,
etc.) ; and the species which have invaded the district since the
Ice Age. At best, however, only probabilities and possibilities
can be asserted, unless well-preserved fossils conteniporaneous
with glacial beds be found in any particular district.
* *Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc.,’ 1902.
1907 September I,
316
NATURAL HISTORY OF THORNE WASTE.
Tue 204th meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union was
held at Thorne on Thursday, July 11th, 1907, for the
investigation of Thorne Waste and the adjacent country.
Mr. H. H. Corbett writes that the very cold and wet season
had militated against the prospects of some of the sections of
the Union, and no doubt had also an adverse effect upon the
numerical strength of the meeting. Notwithstanding this, be-
tween fifty and sixty members and associates risked a wetting
and the after effects, and were rewarded by a really charming
summer day. The whole of the district visited is low lying
country, consisting either of re-claimed marsh or uncultivated
peat bog, with small areas of slightly raised gravel and sand.
The fields and lanes are for the most part bordered by broad
ditches, and these, together with the canal, furnished both con-
chologists and botanists with plenty of material for study.
Entomologists, who were strongly represented, found the results
of their labours but poor, having regard to the very good repute
of the district and the lengthy list of ‘good things’ tabulated
on the official programme.
The outlook for geologists did not appear to be very
exciting, but nevertheless they found good work to do,
especially in the matter of recent geology.
Most of the naturalists arrived at Thorne N.E. Station at
about 11 a.m., and immediately found interest in the large
ponds that here occur on the sides of the line. These were
bright with the flowers of both species of water lily, and many
other less showy but interesting plants grew on the margins.
The party walked through the town of Thorne to the Stanforth
and Keadley Canal, where some followed one side of the
water and some the other. Here were seen several plants
of interest, a long stretch of bank being purple with the flowers
of Malva sylvestris; while in the canal were Pofamogeton crispus,
P. perfoliatus, P. lucens, P. pectinatus, and P. fretsiz, all except
/ucens being in flower and fruit. A somewhat remarkable con-
chological feature was the great abundance of /e/ix cantiana,
a species that seems to be extending its area of distribution.
Leaving the canal side and taking the field path towards
‘the Waste,’ J/rzs pseudacorus and Nasturtium amphibtum
became conspicuous in the ditches, while the bushy edges
furnished only one species or variety of Rubus, namely, 2&.
dumetorum v. ferox approaching d/verszfolius. This is
Naturalist,
Natural History of Thorne Waste. 317
eminently re bramble of the hedge rows and thickets of the
cultivated fields near the waste, but almost disappears at the
edge of the waste itself, where its place is taken by diverszfolius.
An oat field yielded some interesting weeds, e.g., Valerzanella
olitorea, Ranunculus arvensis, and Scandix pecten-veneris. A
rough half re-claimed field showed the first real evidence of the
true flora of the bog land, Zysimachia vulgaris, Myrica gale,
and Potentilla palustre becoming plentiful, and just at the far
side of this field, where the lane bordering the moor was
crossed, was seen Peucedanum palustre, not yet in flower.
Close by Sprrwa salicifolia grows, and has grown for many
years, though probably introduced. The peat itself proved
disappointing to botanists. Turf cutting and felling of the
birch trees has been going on so rapidly that the more interest-
ing native plants had gone, and neither Drosera nor Andromeda
were to be seen. In the lane leading to the moor Rubus fissus
was in flower, and on again joining the canal several sedges
were gathered, the most interesting being Carex pseudo-cyperus.
Medge Hall Station was reached nearly an hour before the
time for the train to Thorne, so the peat bog was again visited,
and here the mycologists found some interesting things. Ina
patch of fodder oats just reclaimed from the bog was abund-
ance of Eryszum cheranthotdes, and by the ditch sides another
rare crucifer Barbarea stricta.
At the station the entomological section joined the botanical,
and reported poor results! the only good local insects seen
being Chortobius Davus and Chaerocampa elpenor among the
lepidoptera. One of them had, however, found an abundance
of Andromeda, with which he supplied his botanical friends.
Returning to Thorne a very well served tea was taken at
the Red Lion Hotel, and the sectional meetings were held,
followed by the general meeting, under the Chairmanship of
the President, Mr. C. Crossland. Votes of thanks were
passed to the landowners for granting permission to visit their
properties, and to the guides.
The following reports of sections and lists of species have
been furnished by different members.
GroLocy.—Mr. Culpin writes :—The route taken was from
Crowle by Godknow Bridge and Thorne Waste to Thorne, the
sections examined on the way being :—
Gravels of Keuper marlstones on the south side of Crowle
Hill.
1 go7 September 1.
318 Natural History of Thorne Waste.
Keuper marls, topped by blown sand, at the Crowle Brick
and Tile Works.
Peat on Thorne Waste.
Gravels, being grits with some quartzites, on Tween Bridge
Moors.
Bunter Sand at Thorne.
Gravels of Magnesian limestone at Thorne, mingled with
which were some Carboniferous limestones and grits.
The VERTEBRATE SECTION was not officially represented at
the meeting, but the Rev. F. H. Woods and Messrs. Butterfield
and Corbett noted the following amongst numerous commoner
birds :—Reed Warbler, Marsh Tit, Cuckoo (still singing), Reed
Bunting, Lesser Redpole, Mallard, Snipe, Redshank, and
Blackheaded Gull.
Entromo.ocy. Lepidoptera.—The following, among other
commoner species, were found :—
Chortobius Davus. |
Hesperia sylvanus.
Chaerocampa elpenor.
| Arctia fuliginosa.
Coleoptera.—Mr. E. G. Bayford writes :—No doubt owing
to long continued wet weather, beetles were not much in
evidence, many of the species enumerated below having being
seen in single specimens. Even the Coccznellidae, usually so
ubiquitous at this time of the year, were by no means common,
C. 7-punctata not being so frequent as on Good Friday, while
the equally, if not more common, C. so-puncfata was not
observed at all. The fine hot week which commenced with the
visit of the Union to Thorne will no doubt have greatly
increased the number of species, as also their comparative
abundance. The following is a list of those met with :—
Carabus violaceus L.
Notiophilus palustris Duft.
Leistus ferrugineus L.
Bradycellus placidus Gyll.
Harpalus ruficornis F.
Pterostichus niger Schall.
a strenuus Panz.
Amara aulica Panz.
an plebeia Gyll.
Amphigynus piceus Marsh.
Bembidium flammulatum Clairv.
Trechus minutus F.
Haliplus ruficollis De G.
Laccophilus variegatus Germ.
Hydroporus dorsalis F.
5 palustris L.
fydroporus pubescens Gyll.
Agabus bipustulatus L.
Gyrinus natator Scop.
Megasternum boletophagum Marsh.
Oligota inflata Mann.
Conosoma pubescens Grav.
Tachyporus chrysomelinus L.
ah hypnorum F.
Tachinus marginellus F.
Quedius fulgidus F.
Creophilus maxillosus L.
Philonthus eneus Rossi.
a politus F.
a Jimetarius Grav.
Xantholinus linearis Oliv,
Othius leviusculus Steph.
Naturalist,
Natural History of Thorne Waste. 319
Oxyporus rufus L. Enicmus minutus L.
Oxytetus rugosus F. Corticaria pubescens Gyll.
Oxytetus sculpturatus Grav. Elater balteatus L.
7 tetracarinatus Block. Athous hemorrhoidalis F.
Homalium rivulare Payk. Cyphon variabilis Thunb,
Necrophorus mortuorum F. Telephorus flavilabris Fall.
Trichopteryx lata Mots. Strangalia armata Herbst.
Ptenidium nitidum Heer. Donacia simplex F.
Adalia bipunctata L. Chrysomela polita L.
Coccinella 7-punctata L. Anaspis frontalis L.
falyzia 16-guttata L. yy maculata Fourc.
Rhizobtus litura F. Phyllobius urtice De G.
Coccidula rufa Herbst. a5 argentatus L.
Onthophilus striatus F. oe viridi-aeris Laich.
Bracyhpterus pubescens Er. Sztones hispidulus F.
Fr urtice F. Cionus blattarie F.
Lathridius lardarius De G. Celiodes quadrimaculatus L.
Coninomus nodifer West.
Of other orders of insects many species were taken, but
these await examination and diagnosis.
For the ConcHoLocicaL Section, Mr. J. E. Crowther
reports :—Arriving at Thorne, somewhat earlier than the time
stated on the circular, we made our way to a drain near the first
turn-bridge, which had yielded very good results in the first week
in May. On our way we found Helix nemoralis very sparingly
on the road side, but fine in size and colour. The drain having
been recently cleaned out, yielded nothing but Lzmna@a pereger
and Z. stagnalis of small size. Helix cantiana was very abundant
on the sloping banks, along with H. hzspzda and Succinea putris.
S. elegans was very plentiful close to the edge of the water. In
the big ditch alongside the canal Valvata piscinalis was plenti-
ful, with Vevzpara vivipara and Limnea truncatula, on the bricks
of the bridge. Sphaertum pallidum occurred in the canal. In
the road side ditch on the way tothe moor Bythinta leachit and
B. tentaculata were plentiful, while young Z. pereger occured in
great numbers, together with several species of Planorbdis. In
a drain near by Physa hypnorum and Limnea glabra were found.
The only species found on the moor itself was V7¢rza alliaria,
obtained by Dr. Corbett a few days before the meeting.
The total number of species seen was thirty, composed of
four slugs, seven terrestrial, and nineteen aquatic species. The
complete list is as follows :—
Agriolimax agrestis. | flelix cantiana.
Vitria alliaria. 5, Aispida.
Arion ater. », aspersa.
5, hortensis. Felix nemoralis.
yy minimus. Succinea putris.
1907 September 1.
320
Planorbis.corneus.
albus.
a carinatus.
Ds vortex.
i contortus.
Physa fontinalis.
», hypnorum.
Bythinia tentaculata.
leachii.
Vivipara vivipara.
BOTANY.
Natural History of Thorne Waste.
Valvata piscinalis.
Sphaerium corneum.
or} pallidum.
Pisidium fontinale.
oF elegans.
Limnea pereger.
» palustris.
- truncatula.
AS stagnalis.
Limnea glabra.
Phanerogams.—Mr. Bellerby and Mr. Corbett took
note of the more interesting flowering plants.
Altogether about
one hundred and ninety species were seen either in flower or
fruit.
PACE B——
Thalictrum flavum L.
Ranunculus arvensis L.
Nasturtium amphibium R. Br.
Barbarea stricta Andrz.
Erysimum cheiranthoides L.
Coronopus ruellii All.
Rubus fissus Lindb.
5, Pplicatus W. & N.
», dumitorum W. &N.
Potentilla palustris Scop.
EcoLocicaL Botany.—The
Of these the following list contains the more local and
Peucedanum palustre Moench.
Andromeda Polifolia L.
flottonia palustris L.
Lysimachia nummularia L.
Rumex hydrolapathum Huds.
Sagittaria sagittifolia L.
Potamogeton lucens L.
56 Jriesit Rupr.
Carex pseudo-cyperus L.
Calamagrostis lanceolata Roth.
Rev. E. Adrian Woodrufte-
Peacock writes :—The soils between Thorne and Crowle are
most varied. Many of them are purely artificial or of true
human origin. The rock bed consists of the water stones of
the Keuper, but it is all buried by sand and gravel of river
origin, blown sand and peat. Phleum pratense maximum was
only met with once, on old canal dredgings. MJyosotzs collina
only as a road-side casual. Mypocheris radicata was con-
spicuous on the peaty soils, but Crzcus arvensis was only found
on dyke banks in shallow peat mixture. Chrysanthemum
Leucanthemum was patchy in the same situation. An oat field
illustrated what a combination of natives and aliens might be
found on a rich, peaty, sand, alluvial soil :—Vzola arvensts,
Spergula sativa, Anagallis arvensis, Lepidium campestre,
Raphanus Raphanistrum, and Myosotis versicolor, Matricaria
chamomilla were all found within a yard. A peaty sand
pasture had the characteristic combination :—Agvostis vulgarts,
Festuca rubra, Galium palustre, typica, though var. wztheringii
was the commonest form, Polygonum amphibium, Myosotis palus-
trts, Potentilla sylvestris, Hieractum Pilosella, Myosotis verst-
" Naturalist,
Natural History of Thorne Waste. 321
color, Cnicus palustris, Veronica officinalis, etc., with Carex ovalis
in one limited area of fairly short turf. The flora of the waste
where I touched it first was characteristic of a desiccating
quagmire. The peat was much higher than the surrounding
cultivated soils, with P/erzs as the predominating species, and
with Calluna and Eriophorum vaginatum as first and second sub-
sidiaries. The Plerzs clearly overpowered everything but the
Betula verrucosa, which had all been cut down. Jolznta varia
held the fourth place frequently in the varietal form depauperata.
On picking up the tramway, which carries the dried turves to
the manufactury, one of the prettiest ecological studies imagin-
able came under review. The line, without much attempt at
levelling, had been laid east to west right over the original peat
surface, and cinders from the engine-room fire had been used
as a binder to compact the road for the horses’ feet. These
cinders provided sufficient mineral matter for the growth of
common species on the rich, nitrogenous moor soil. I found
no plant beyond six inches from the outside of the rails on
either side, seldom as far, for not one of them can grow on pure
peat, though almost all are more or less characteristic of peat
mixed slightly with some introduced soil. Those I met with
first are the most usual moor-side dwellers. The following is
the order in which the species came into evidence :—Festuca
sciuroides, Bromus mollis, Cnicus arvensts, Poa annua, Holcus
lanatus, Poa pratensis, Cerastium triviale, Dactylis, Plantago
lanceolata, P. major, Veronica serpyllifolia, Verontca agrestis,
Veronica arvensts, Polygonum Persicaria was very sickly,
Tusstlago very fine, Myosotis arvensis, Anthriscus sylvestrts,
Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens poor, Agrostis vulgarts fine,
Urtica dwtca poor, Bromus mollis, var. glabratus, Sentcio
sylvaticus poor, Rumex crispus, Geranium molle, Hypocherts
radicata, Arrhenatherum, Urtica urens very poor, Poa ¢trivialis,
Bursa, Veronica chameedrys, Senecio eructfolius, Polygonum
aviculare, var. rurivagum, Bellis, Cnicus lanceolatus, Senecto
vulgaris, Lychnts alba, and Festuca rubra. The last five species
were out of place altogether.
The road, as soon as the peat is left, up to Midge Hall
railway station, is an estuarine alluvium or warp. All our best
pasture grasses came into evidence at once, Festuca elatior,
typica, being very characteristic. Sonchus asper and Cnicus
lanceolatus were both five feet high. Papaver rhaas was mixed
with the variety Priors, Geranium dissectum, Matricaria inodora,
keseda luteola, Linarta vulgaris, and Stsymbrium officinale, illus-
1g07 September 1.
322 Natural History of Thorne Waste.
trated the mixed nature of the road and ditch side vegetation.
Bromus mollis glabratus was also just outside the station.
The above does not attempt to be an exhaustive list of all
the notes made.
Funci1.—Mr. C. Crossland writes :—The mycologists had a’
pleasant and profitable time, especially in the birch, ling, and
conifer portion of the strip of woodland bordering the Waste.
There were a good scattering of agarics. Amanzta rubescens
—‘the blusher’—was very abundant. A nice little cluster of
Inocybe scabella was found among short grass. Mycena san-
gutnolenta was very common among dead ling, and on some
rotting birch logs. A noticable feature was the quantity of
Marasmius androsaceus on damp decaying portions of prostrate
ling. A bright, golden yellow “/ammula was also common on
the ground among ling, and on rotting birch stumps ; this form
appears to have a preference for heathy ground: we find it on
the moor edges about Halifax under similar conditions. Per-
haps the best find was made by one of the entomologists while
beating an Epzlobium hirsutum bush, on the railway side near
Medge Hall station ; this is a coral pink peziza which occurred
in scores on the bare soil; it studded the ground for some yards
near the Apzlobium ; it appears to be nearest to Pesiza Ade,
but is not that species so far as one can judge at present.
Echinella setulosa Mass. & Crossl. was especially looked for on
decaying branches of ling, and found in abundance ; this little
discomycete was formerly confused with Mol/zsza cinerea, which,
under a pocket lens, it much resembles; the characters of the
spores, however, are very different ; its appearance here and at
other places, since it was properly diagnosed,* substantiates the
remark made in the Yorks. Fung. Flo. that it would be ‘certain
to be found in additional localities if looked for.’ There were
few fungal leaf parasites.
Two species are new to Yorkshire; these are marked with
an asterisk.
All the following species were found on or near Thorne
Waste :—
GASTROMYCETES. Scleroderma verrucosum, On the
Crucibulum vulgare. On decaying ground in plantation.
twigs. HyYMENOMYCETES.
Lycoperdon pyriforme. On the
ground among rotting twigs,
etc.
Agaricacez.
Amanita rubescens. On the ground,
margin of the wood.
eS
* Mass. Brit. Fung. Flo. iv. p. 305.
————————
Naturalist,
Natural History of Thorne Waste.
Laccaria laccata.
Collybia dryophila.
ing leaves.
Mycena vitilis.
twigs, etc.
M. sanguinolenta. Common on
dead ling, and on rotting birch
logs.
Omphalia umbellifera.
ground.
O. jibula. Among moss.
* Clitopilus popinalis, Among grass,
margin of the wood.
Nolanea pascua. Among grass.
* Inocybe scabelia. Among grass in
the wood. Quite a distinct
species.
Flammula sapinea. Var. Among
decaying ling, and on rotting
birch stumps.
Naucoria semtorbicularis.
grass in moist place.
Galera tenera. Among grass.
Agaricus arvensis. In pasture.
A. campestris. In pasture.
Stropharia semiglobata.
Paneolus fimicola.
Coprinus radiatus.
The last three on dung in pastures.
C. ephemerus. On rich soil.
Paxillus involutus. On woodland
ground.
Hygrophorus ceraceus.
FH. obrusseus. Both in pasture.
Lactarius turpis. On heavy soil,
pathway near the wood.
L. quietus.
L. subdulcis.
Russula fragilis.
All three on soil in woodland.
Marasmtus oreades. Among grass,
but not in rings as one generally
finds it.
M. androsaceus.
decaying ling.
Among grass.
Among decay-
Among decaying
On heathy
Among
Common among
o-3
POLYPORACE#.
. Polystictus versicolor. On _ birch
stump.
Porta vaporaria. On decaying
trunk.
HYDNACE.
Grandinia granulosa. On rotting
wood.
TREMELLACE..
Dacryomyces stillatus. On rotting
wood rail.
Calocera viscosa. On birch stump.
UREDINACEZ.
Coleosporium sonchi. On coltsfoot.
Puccinia poarum (A4icidiospores) on
coltsfoot.
P. malvacearum. On Malva ro-
tundtfolia.
USTILAGINACE.
Ustilago longissima. On leaves of
Glyceria aquatica.
U.avene. Inthe flowers of Arrhena-
therum avenaceum.
PYRENOMYCETES.
Hypocrea rufa (Conidial condition).
On rotting birch log.
Xylariahypoxylon. Onbirchstumps.
Daldinia concentrica. On birch logs.
PERISPORACE.
Podospheria oxyacanthe. On living
leaves of thorn.
DISCOMYCETES.
Peziza vesiculosa. On soil.
Dascypha hyalina, On dead birch
stump.
Echinella setulosa. On
ling branches.
On dead branches.
prostrate
Mollisia cinerea.
HYPHOMYCETES.
Penicillium glaucum. On rotting
ling.
Tsaria farinosa. On dead insect.
Mosses and Hepatics.—Mr. C. A. Cheetham writes :—The
mosses at Thorne were few in number, two, however, were
plentiful on the Waste; Campylopus pyriformis on the bare
walls of peat in sheets, fruiting abundantly, and MWedera nutans
amongst the ling and bracken ; one wet ditch at the edge of the
1907 September Te
324 Natural History of Thorne Waste.
moor was quite full of this latter, partly submerged in the water,
no doubt due to the wet season.
These two mosses are typical of a peaty moorland; both
have vegetative methods of reproduction which serve the plants
if the more ordinary method of spore formation is in any way
checked. That of Campylopus is well known, leaves break off
and often cover the barren plants, and such leaves will, under
favourable circumstances, grow and produce new plants.
With MWebera nutans, some plants are found with long in-
novations with adpressed leaves, these elongated stems easily
break off and may then grow on in a fresh place.
The mosses seen on the roadsides and walls on the way
were :—Ducranella heteromalla, Ceratodon purpureas, Barbula
muralts, B. recurvifolia, and Bryum argenteum. Then on the
clay banks of the canal Dicranella varia. Getting near to the
Waste a good wet place was passed with Sphagnum acutifolium,
Hypnum cuspidatum, H. cordtfolium. This spot would prob-
ably have repaid a more careful search, but we were anxious to
get to the Waste. Arriving there, a feeling of disappointment
came over us, as the place is now far too well drained to harbour
many mosses. The first two mentioned, Campylopus pyriformis
and Webera nutans, were the principal, with small patches of
Polytrichum commune, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum sco-
parium, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium myosurotdes.
The only Sphagnum seen on the Waste was 5S. acudzfolium in
the wet bottom of the old duck decoy.
Mr. W. Bellerby adds :—Under a shady bank of one of the
numerous channels cut through the peat, a large patch of a
common hepatic, Cephalosia bicuspidata (L.), and Odontoschisma
Sphagni (Dicks,), were the only hepatice seen.
A fine mass of Sphagnum fimbriatum (type) of bright
green colour, was growing in a shady trench and also a slender
form of the same peat moss, which I sent to Dr. Warnstorf for
identification, he writes, ‘ The sphagnum sent for determination
is Sphagnum fimbriatum Wils., var. ¢enuwe (Grav).’ It is a very
tall, slender and graceful form, bright green above, and with
lateral gracefully arching branches curving downwards and dis-
tantly placed, a distinct plant much more slender than the type.
An interesting lichen growing among Webera nutans 1 sent
to Mr. Wheldon. It is of white colour with crimson spherical
fruit, Cladonta Floerkeana forma trachypoda (Nyl.). Mr.
Wheldon writes, ‘This Cladonia is one of the section of the
Erythrocarpe and is distinguished from C. coccifera and C.
digitata by its chemical reaction K-C-.’
Naturalist,
FIELD NOTES.
BIRDS.
Hawfinch Nesting near Sedbergh.—The Hawfinches have
nested again this year in Ingmire Park, near Sedbergh.—Wm.
Morris.
Red-backed Shrike nesting in Yorkshire.—A pair of Red-
backed Shrikes nested and brought off their young this summer
in the Pickering district.—OxLEy GRABHAM, York.
Nightjar’s Nest with unusual number of Eggs.—This
year I was shown by Messrs. H. B. Booth and R. Butterfield a
nest of the Nightjar near Shipley, containing the unusual
number of four eggs. Apparently the eggs had been laid by
two birds, as there were two distinct types. One bird was,
however, sitting upon the eggs, covering them quite con-
Nightjar’s nest with four eggs.
tentedly. There seemed to be no doubt that the eggs had
been deposited 2 sz, and not introduced by human agency.
One cannot but wonder at the cause which had induced two
birds to deposit their eggs upon the same spot, especially as
the whole district abounded in suitable nesting sites; indeed,
I do not remember seeing so many Nightjar’s nests in such a
small district as I saw that day.—R. FORTUNE.
The Spotted Flycatcher in Yorkshire.—A note of mine
appeared in the July ‘ Naturalist,’ commenting upon the scarcity
of the Spotted Flycatcher at Harrogate this year. When the
note was written this was correct, but since then these birds
have turned up, if anything in increased numbers. They were
Ig07 September 1.
326 Field Notes.
unusually late in arriving, and they are correspondingly late in
nesting. To-day, August rith, a pair is feeding their young
in a rather unusual place ; the nest is situated on a string course
just under the spout of a house in Harrogate, quite 30 feet
from the ground, and another has a nest with young on a lamp-
post. During the visit of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to
Arncliffe a nest was found in the highest loop-hole window in
the church belfrey. It contained newly hatched young. Many
of the members were much interested in being able to obtain a
very close view of the birds, which they were able to do from
the steps inside the tower.—R. Fortune, Harrogate.
Late arrival of Migrants in Craven.—The migrants
have been unusually late this season, owing to the continued
spell of cold weather during the time when they generally reach
their breeding haunts. We noticed that most birds arrived
during a S.W. wind, which usually preceded a slight improve-
ment in the weather. Below are the dates of their arrival in
this district :—
March 21.—Ringousel. May 4.—Treepipit.
95 3t.—Wheatear. >» 5-—Spotted Flycatcher.
* April 8.—House Martin. 3 6.—Greater Whitethroat.
» 13.—Yellow Wagtail. | a 6.—Swift.
», 19.—Redstart. | an 6.—Landrail.
5) 22.—Willow Warbler. », 10.—Blackcap.
»> 23-—Sand Martin. re 8.—Lesser Whitethroat.
»> 23-—Common Sandpiper. 5, 12.—Garden Warbler.
5 24.—Swallow. », 16,—Pied Flycatcher.
55 24.—Cuckoo. », 18.—Whinchat.
»» 24.—Chiffchaff.
Flouse Martin.—The first arrival, April 8th, was a very early
date, but scarcity of insect food drove them away. They re-
appeared on April 15th, when they stayed a few hours, after
which they were not seen again until April 22nd. Food then
being more abundant they remained with us.
Spotted Flycatcher.—There is a great increase in the number
of these birds this season.
Landrail,—The landrail has not been heard in many of its
favourite haunts in this district; no doubt the disastrous
weather during migration time accounts for their scarcity.
Common Whttethroat.—Quite an increase in their numbers
to this district.
Yellow Wagtail.—This bird is not as common as it was in
this district in past years.—W. WILson, Skipton-in-Craven,
July 13th, 1907.
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 327
MOLLUSCA.
Arion ater var. castanea at Newsome.—On the 18th
June last my sister drew my attention to a monstrous slug in
our garden, which I boxed and sent to Mr. W. Denison Roebuck,
for identification. Mr. Roebuck informs me that this slug
was one of the finest Avion ater he had seen. It would
stretch out to six inches and then not be fully extended. The
variety is casfanea, for though very dark, it is not black, but
brown. This variety of A. afer does not appear to have been
previously recorded for the Huddersfield district.—W. E. L
WATTAM.
—:0 :—
FLOWERING PLANTS.
Potamogeton alpinus, Balb., near Doncaster.—This
plant is abundant in a slow stream at Sandal Beat, near Don-
caster, in Vice-County 63, at an altitude of about 35 ft. above
O.D. As there is no record for this species in ‘The Flora of
the West Riding,’ it is worth noting. The plant has been
identified by Mr. Arthur Bennett. —H. H. Corsert, Doncaster.
—=2 @ =
HEPATICS.
Ricciella fluitans (Braun. ) at Mablethorpe.— While dredg-
ing for fresh water shells in the dykes on Poplar Farm, Mable-
thorpe, on Aug. 3rd, I brought up Recczella fluctans in plenty
from the dyke on the north-east side of the farm, and about
200 yards from the Theddlethorpe Road. I believe this in-
teresting Hepatic is only recorded for one other locality in
Lincs., in ‘‘ Transactions of the Lincs. Nat. Union,” 1906,
in Miss S. C. Stows’ List of Lincs. Liverworts on Scotton
Common, 29th July, 1905, J. Reeves..—F. Ruopes, Bradford,
13th August, 1907.
——— i i
The Fungi of Ants Nests in Ceylon has been made the subject of a
Memoir by the Government Mycologist, Mr. T. Petch. He considers, after
careful examination, microscopic and otherwise, of fresh specimens, the
typical species to be a Volvaria, so that its name will stand Volvaria eurhiza
Berk. Originally described by Mr. Berkeley in 1847, from dried specimens,
as an Armillaria, it has been by various authors regarded as a Lentinus,
Collybia, Pluteus, Pholiota, and Flammula. The volva is very adnate to
the base of the stem, resembling our V. gliocephalus. The fungus grows
from the coomb, and comes up above the ground in rainy weather. Another
species which grows on the nest is an edible one, Enxtoloma microcarpun.
AXylaria nigripes grows on deserted nests, while species of Mucor, Thamni-
dium, Cephalosporium, and Peziza are developed upon the coomb after it is
removed from the nests. The: paper is illustrated by 19 excellent plates
from photographs, and is published in ‘Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Peradinyia,’ November 1906, pp. 185-270.
1907 September 1.
NORTHERN NEWS.
‘If a fly should get in your eye, keep your eye tightly closed for ¢wo o7
three minutes’ :—the prize ‘ Country-side hint’ recently !
More damages! Mr. E. E. Austen describes ‘A rare British Fungus-
midge, re-discovered in London,’ in the ‘ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine’
for August.
In answer to an advertisement for a well-known geological memoir, a
leading London bookseller sends us a quotation for ‘The Yorkshire Liars,
Tate & Blake.’
At the Arncliffe meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union the geological
members were invited to examine a fine ‘fossil trout,’ which was so well
preserved that even the spots were clearly shown. It proved to be a cast
of a Stigmaria /
We must congratulate our Bradford scientific friends on their method of
popularising their journal by the insertion of short scientific notes of a
humorous nature. Ina recent issue we learn that ‘Gold has been discovered
on the shores of Loch Fyne (where the herrings come from)’ !
Mr. John Maclauchlan, the President of the Museums Association, thinks
that had there been museums in Elizabeth’s time, the greatest of all the
poets would have written, ‘ All the world’s a museum, and all the men and
women merely specimens, who, in their time, play many parts.’
We quite agree with a recent writer, in referring to the courtship of
grasshoppers, that ‘one’s fancy must stretch a good deal from the human
point of view to realise that the suitor whispers his soft nothings with the
back of his wings, and his sweetheart listens with her front legs.’
Early in August the local press recorded a ‘pest of jelly fish’ on the
Yorkshire coast. ‘Some of the pink variety were of immense bulk,
measuring over three feet across, and from six to nine inches in thickness.
The blue-tinted fish were also very numerous.’ Salmon nets were quickly
filled with them, and incautious bathers were severely stung.
We learn from a certain source, which can probably be guessed, that
‘Insects have no conscious feeling of pain. Their knots of nerves are
distributed down their body, and there is no central brain to enable the
insect fo regard itself as an individual, and realise that it suffers.’ The
information is so decisive that we presume the writer has had the informa-
tion supplied direct by some ‘insect.’ Or was it the lyre-bird, which, by
the way, is suggested as a badge for a certain natural history (szc) paper.
In connection with the recent meeting of Yorkshire Naturalists in
Littondale, Mr. W. Morrison supplied the members with some interesting
local information. The devil, locally known as Old Pam, takes the Thresh-
field Grammar School for one night in the year, and teaches the little
Wharfedale devils, who are ‘that clever that they need nobbut yan nicht’s
schuling i’ the year.’ The devil also gives a supper at Kirkby Malham on
a tombstone in the churchyard at midnight. As the dates on which these
events occurred were not known, the members were not able to take part.
Mr. Morrison also could not help, nor could he make enquiries, as, he said,
he did not know the devil's address !
The editor of a certain ‘natural history’ newspaper, thinking that ‘many
may be glad to know’ how he manages to be prepared for most eventualities,
although, when starting for a walk, he may seem to be armed only witha
walking stick [!], proceeds to the length of two columns to give his readers
the necessary information. We have had the patience to peruse his article,
and learn that he wears a coa¢ with plenty of pockets, in which he puts his
tobacco pouch, handkerchief, match-boxes, etc. He also carries a knife
and a piece of string. We wonder if he wears a hat, and if so, what he
puts init. We wish the army of badge-wearers would see that their chief
did not run short of matter. Have the 135 who have recently won sixpence
each in a ‘ what is it’ competition no gratitude ?
Naturalist,
last Fifty Years—J. W. Barry .. 834-337
‘The Ancestors of the Angiosperms—Mary A. Pokibeeaie B. ‘Se. cf F. L. me ... 338-341 _
The Natural History of Littondale (Ilustrated)—T. S. aS -.. 842-353
_ The Botanical Features of Littondale—Rev. W. A. Shuffrey, M.A. ... 354-856
Lincolnshire Mites (Illustrated)—C. F. George, M.R.C.S. . 357-359.
Tortrix semialbana at Doncaster—L. S. Brady ee USO
_ Geology at the British Association—J. Lomas, F.G.S. ... 361-363 -
Botany at the British Association—Dry. C. E. Moss ... 4 ... 364-36;
Anthropology at the British Association—G. A. Auden, M. D. . 366-369
in Memoriam—John William Farrah BANA eo) ami 95 Nene RE aerate feaap: | er 370
Manx Crosses... if . 371-372
Lincolnshire Naduentiees (IMustrated) . 373-375
"| Field Notes 353, 856, 315
ss PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET.
0. 609
(No. 387 of current series)
DALISTY
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND,
EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
THe Museum, Hutt;
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
Contents :—
PAGAS
‘Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—The Pacific Eider again; Food of the Black-headed
Gull; The ‘Grey Wethers’; Lamarck'’s Evening Primrose; Footprints in the Sands of
Time; Norfolk Naturalists; Nests of Coot and Crested Grebe; A New Crustacean ... 329-333
Notes of Changes among Animals in Fylingdales, North-East Yorks., within the
. 337, 341, 360, 363, 370, 372
ase 359, 365, 376
. 331, 333, 342, 343, 345, 376
‘Reviews and Book Wotlece (Illustrated) .
Northern News oe Nive aga ese We ae ee ae
dilustrations
Plates XXXIV., XXXV., XXXVI, XXXVIL, XXXVIIL, XXXIX,
f | LONDON :
* A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.
And at HuLL AND YorK.
Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U.
ey ian Ay ENR 9 fay Sea A Tc a j9 7 eae Wanye en Ve
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. _—
NorTH
YORKSHIRE
Studies of its’ Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical
Geography.
BY
JOHN GILBERT BAKER,
F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.LA., V.M.H.
Late Keeper of the Herbarium and Library of the Royal Gardens, Kew ;
Late President and Perpetual Vice-President of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union. :
And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding,
BY
Matthew B. Slater, F.L.S.
680 pages, coloured geological, lithological, etc. maps,
suitably bound in Cloth,
Price 15/- net.
This volume is a companion to Lee’s ‘‘ Flora of West Yorkshire,”
and, together with Robinson’s ‘‘ Flora of East Riding,” completes the
Flora of the County.
TO BE OBTAINED FROM
A. Brown & Sons, Ltd., Savile Street & King Edward Street, Hull.
WANTED.
Barnsley Naturalists’ Society Quarterley Reports, Set.
Trans. South Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, Vol. I.
Yorkshire Lias, Tate and Blake.
Phillip’s ‘ Life of William Smith.’
British Association Reports, 1839 and 1840.
Yorkshire Geol. and Polytechnic Society, Vol I.
Quarterly Journal, Geological Society, Vols. 1-21.
Reports Yorkshire Phil. Soc. for 1823, 1843, 1856, 1871, and 1882.
Reports Scarborough Phil. Soc. for 1830-3, 1837, 1839, 1845, 1854-5, 1861, 1865,
1868-9, 1881-2.
Apply—Hon. Sec., Y.N.U., Museum, Hull.
-
lease mention ‘The Naturalist’ in replying to Advertisements. — it
THE NATURALIST7, 1907. PLATE XXXIV.
Sallow Catkins. Willow Catkins.
(Male (or Staminate) Blossoms). (Female (or Pistillate) Blossoms).
(oS)
bo
Ne)
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE PACIFIC EIDER AGAIN.
We have more than once referred to the reported occurrence
of the Pacific Eider (Somazeria v-nigrum) in Britain, a record
based upon a specimen shot in the Orkneys in 1904, which was
sent to a Scarborough dealer, who sold it to a gentleman in
Oldham. Mr. F. Smalley, in the August ‘ British Birds,’ gives
what is perhaps the last word on the subject, having examined
the Oldham specimen, and also several others. He concludes
that the Pacific Eider is still to be recorded for Britain, the
supposed occurrences being merely examples of the Common
Eider, which had more or less distinct V-marks under the
throat. Mr. Smalley gives illustrations of the chins and throats
of the Pacific Eider, and also of a variety of the Common Eider,
from which the differences between the markings on the two
species is clearly shown. It is considered that the occasional
indistinct V-mark on the examples of the Common Eider is an
instance of ‘reversion.’
FOOD OF THE BLACK-HEADED GULL.
There has. recently been much discussion on the usefulness
or otherwise of the Black-headed Gull, but after the excellent
and exhaustive report by Messrs. D. Losh Thorpe and L. E.
Hope, recently issued for the Cumberland County Council, this
discussion will surely cease. The report is really a fine piece
of work, and reflects every credit upon the authors. Circulars
were forwarded to leading naturalists, as well as to well-known
farmers, gamekeepers, and anglers. These contained the
questions :—(1) ‘Do you consider the Black-headed Gull harm-
ful to. the fishing or farming industries? State reasons’ ;
(2) ‘Have you ever examined the gullet and stomach of this
Gull? . If so, what were the contents?’ and (3) ‘What in
your opinion is the staple food of this Gull?’ Sixty-two replies
were given to these queries, and these are carefully tabulated
and summarised. In addition, the authors have, during a period
of thirteen months, examined the contents of the stomachs and
gullets of 100 birds. The results of this examination are given
in detail and tabulated—the material being preserved in spirits.
The report is distinctly in favour of the birds, which are
evidently not so black as they have been painted. We only
regret our space prevents us from referring to this work: in
greater detail.
1907 October 1.
330 Notes and Comments.
THE ‘GREY WETHERS.
The ‘Grey Wethers’ of the Marlborough Downs are well
known. They consist of hardened and solidified boulders of a
stratum of Eocene, which formerly covered the Chalk. These
‘Sarsen stones,’ as they are locally called, are scattered about
the surface of the ground, and vary in size from small boulders
to vast masses weighing sixty or seventy tons. For many years
the sarsens have been broken up for building purposes, etc.,
and these interesting geological relics are threatened with
destruction. <A fine collection of them occurs in Pickle Dean,
near Marlborough (see Plate XXXV.). For a sum of £500
twenty acres can be secured and preserved for all time. An
appeal for funds is being made by the Wiltshire Archzological
Society, the Marlborough College Natural History Society, and
the National Trust (25 Victoria Street, S.W.), and this we
commend to the notice of our readers.
LAMARCK’S EVENING PRIMROSE.
The most conspicuous of the many alien plants which occur
on the sandhills and sandy wastes of St. Anns-on-the-Sea is
Lamarck’s Evening Primrose (Qnothera Lamarkiana, Ser.). It
is probably of North American origin and produces a daily
succession of rich yellow flowers from July to November. This
is the species which occurred at Hilversum near Amsterdam,
and in 1886 attracted the attention of Hugo de Vries. He
studied the variations long and minutely, and the result was his
well-known ‘ Mutationstheorie.’ Mr. Charles Bailey has
examined the varieties at St. Anne’s, and gave an account of
his results in an address to the Manchester Field Club, which
has been recently published.* This plant has been established at
St. Anns upwards of thirty years, and occurs on both sides of
the Ribble Estuary. Mr. Bailey gives a summary of De Vries’
results, and reproduces in detail the characters of the principal
mutations. He shewed that new elementary species attain their
full constancy at once, no intermediates occurred amongst them,
that they made their appearance suddenly, and there was no
apparent evidence of a struggle for existence or anything
that savoured of natural selection. The principal variations
found at St. Anns consisted of slight modifications of the petals
and styles. The striking modifications in height, branching,
* ©De Lamarck’s Evening Primrose on the sandhills at St. Ann’s-on-the
Sea.’ Chas. Bailey. Manchester: Hinchcliffe & Co., July, 1907.
Naturalist.
PLATE XXXV.
1907.
,
THE NATURALIST
*Ysnosog[AeW ‘(S9U0}S UISIBS) ,SIOYIOAA ACAD OWL,
E XXXVI.
PLAT
, 1907.
THE NATURALIST
‘Bas o}-U0-suuYy ‘1S ‘pvoy YOveE_ JO pUd U49}Sv9 94} W941) PABMZSAA S][IYPULS 94} SSO1DB SUIYOO] MalA *4aS BuepyseUe 7] b4194y,00q)
(a +>
ce ee
oe Soe
Notes and Comments. aan
leaves, fruits, and seeds, noticed by De Vries, do not seem to
have been noticed at St. Anns, though one form has some of the
characters of rubrinervis, and another, with sessile stigmas, ©
agrees more closely with dvevisty/is. The paper is illustrated
by six excellent photographs, one of which (Plate XXXVI.) we
are permitted to reproduce by the kind permission of the author.
We hope that these observations will be continued, and that a
sharp look-out will be kept for forms agreeing still more closely
with those described by De Vries. In a second paper* Mr.
Bailey gives an account of upwards of forty species of aliens
occurring on the sandhills of St. Anns. Besides plates of G7o0-
thera this is illustrated by two plates of Ambrosia artemtstfolia.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF TIME.
Perhaps one of the most interesting contributions to the
Geological Section at the British Association meeting at
Leicester was the report of the Committee appointed for the
investigation of the Fauna and Flora of the Trias. This
included a-paper by Dr. A. Smith Woodward ‘On a mandible
* ‘Further Notes on the Adventitious Vegetation of the Sandhills of St.
Anns-on-the-Sea.’ ‘Memoirs and Proceedings of the Manchester Literary
and Philosophical Society.’ Vol. 51, Pt. III., 1907.
1907 October 1.
332 Notes and Comments.
of Labyrinthodon leptognathus from the Keuper sandstone near
Leamington.’ An area of about 4o feet by 50 feet of
footprint-bearing sandstone has been exposed in the quarries
at Storeton, and a careful examination of these has. resulted
in some important additions to our knowledge of these foot-
prints being obtained. Large slabs from this recent exposure
are now preserved in the British Museum and the Museums
at Birkenhead, Bolton, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, and Man-
chester. The report also contains notes by Messrs. H. C.
Beasley, J. Lomas, A. R. Horwood, and L.. J. Wills. One
of the illustrations accompanying the report we are kindly
permitted to reproduce.
NORFOLK NATURALISTS.
‘The Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’
Society’ for 1906-7* are to hand, and appear to contain a
greater number and variety of valuable papers than usual,
which is saying a good deal. To enumerate the titles of the
papers even would be a lengthy matter, and their worth can be
estimated from the following list of authors :—C. A. Hamond,
jJ.- ©. Hotblack, A. Bennett, J. H. Gurney, H. Laver; Have
Evans, J. O. Borley, T. Southwell, W. G. Clarke, R. Gurney,
AY W:.< Preston, EL. Turner, TF. J: Wigs, ha Leneyse nee
Patterson, F. Balfour Browne, and Claude Morley. The sub-
jects dealt with relate to Archeology, Botany, Birds, Conchology,
Fishes, Biography, Crustacea, Meteorology, Entomology,
CltC cic:
NESTS OF COOT AND CRESTED GREBE.
Perhaps one of the most interesting articles is by Miss E. L.
Turner, who had the rare good fortune to watch and photograph
at close quarters the nests of a Coot and Crested Grebe, which
were built only eighteen inches apart, on Hickling Broad.
Her description of the nesting habits of these two species, and
of the tactics she made to get near to them and photograph
them, are pleasant to peruse. Eight of her photographs
accompany the notes, and by kind permission these are repro-
duced for the benefit of our readers (Plates XXXVII. and
XXXVIII.). The photographs shew :—(No. 1) Coot on nest
and Grebe uncovering her eggs; (No. 2) the unusual height of
the nests; (No. 3) Coot on nest with two young ones, the
* Vol. VIIL, Pt. 3. 1907, pp. 329-498, Plates. Fletcher & Son,
Norwich, 5/-
Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
PLATE XXXVII.
3
Nests of Coot and Crested Grebe.
‘aqa1D pe}seid pu 3004 JO S}S3N
PLATE XXXVIII.
THE NATURALIST, 1907.
Notes and Comments.
>)
29°07
III
female Grebe inspecting her newly hatched young one ; (No. 4)
Female Grebe removing egg-shell from nest; (No. 5) Coot
visiting Grebe’s nest during the latter’s absence ; (No. 6) Both
Coots bringing food to their young ones; (No. 7) Coot carrying
young, and male Grebe swimming away with chicks under his
wing; and (No. 8) Female Grebe feeding chick under her wing.
A NEW CRUSTACEAN.
Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S. in the Geological Magazine,
has an interesting paper ‘On Pygocephalus, a primitive Schizopod
Crustacean from the Coal Measures.’. The specimen was
obtained by Mr. W. A. Parker from the well-known section at
Sparth, Rochdale. At the York Meeting of the British
Association Dr. Woodward described the specimen under the
manuscript name of Anthrapalemon parkert, but now considers
Pygocephalus parkeri,
From Sparth, Rochdale.
it should be placed in the genus Pygocephalus, the specific
name, parkerz, being retained in honour of the discoverer of the
specimen. Dr. Woodward’s paper also contains a detailed
description (with plate), of P. coofert, Huxley, from the coal
measures near Dudley. By the courtesy of Dr. Woodward we
are able to give our readers an illustration of the Lancashire
specimen.
1907 October 1.
334
NOTES QF CHANGES AMONG ANIMALS IN FYLING-
DALES, NORTH-EAST YORKS., WITHIN THE
LAST FIFTY YEARS.
J. W. BARRY.
Fylingdales.
(Continued from page 309).
BIRDS.
The Peregrine I have missed the last few years. I used to
see it regularly, perhaps once a week, and, almost invariably,
if the hour was advanced, making its way in the direction of
the Peak, so there, I presume, it had its habitat among the high
cliffs. It caused some little destruction among the grouse, and
one of my workmen has seen it strike the wild duck close at
hand to him. I believe that Sir C. Strickland’s late keeper
killed one or two Peregrines, but I observed that its disappear-
ance was almost coincident with the conversion of the Peak
Hall into the watering place of ‘ Ravenscar.’
The Buzzard I see, and have seen, at all seasons of the
year, but not for long at atime. The last seen by me was just
a month ago, and on two successive days. On the second
occasion it flew in front of the house and almost within gun-
shot.
The Raven was common a short time ago, but I have not
seen it for the last four or five years. Increased use of the
pole-trap, I think.*
The Jay I never saw or heard here until about fifteen years
ago when some forty or fifty Jays suddenly appeared together.
For many years afterwards they quite took possession of the
woods, and became quite a nuisance from their discordant cries
alone. The last year or so only one or two odd ones have been
heard, and that not continuously. This year none at all. I
cannot attribute the decline to their being shot at.
The nearest woods which they haunted before they appeared
here were those of Harwood Dale about six or seven miles off in
a straight line, but across the moor.
Woodpeckers have greatly increased in numbers of late
years and alsoin boldness. Formerly, Woodpeckers used never
* The use of the Pole trap is now illegal, so that perhaps Ravens may
fare rather better in the district for the future. —ED-
Naturalist,
Barry: Changes among Animals in Fylingdales. aay
to be seen away from the main woods. Now, however, they
come regularly round the house and their weird laugh is for a
considerable part of the year one of the constant sounds in the
garden. The green Woodpecker is, of course, the more
common one; but the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is, or was,
here. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker I remember to have
seen only once. I should attribute the change in the matter of
Woodpeckers generally to the planting done round the house.
Bullfinches.—To the same cause | should attribute the
presence and increase of Bullfinches. Formerly, Bullfinches
were quite unknown here. At least so I was told, and so I
found, for I was always looking for them as a boy, and always
being disappointed. Twenty years ago, however, when the
plantations made in 1878 and 1879 on the north side of the
house were beginning to get up, a pair made its appearance and
nested there; whilst in the course of a very few years they
became so numerous that my gardener estimated that there
could not be less than two hundred of them in that plantation
and in the garden. At that time, the damage that they did in
the way of picking out (for pure mishief) the young leaf-buds of
the trees as they made their appearance began to be serious,
the favourite objects of attack being the currants, thorns, and
scyamores. Under the scyamores the ground was quite green
every morniug with the buds that had been pulled out. This
being so, there was a declaration of war. Sixty were shot one
spring, and thirty-five the next. The Bullfinches then seemed
to realise that they were being singled out for destruction, and,
whilst no other birds left, or exhibited much shyness, the Bull-
finches took their departure in a body, leaving not one of their
number behind. A few seemed to take refuge in the main
woods, particularly in the narrowest part, where there were
young larch, and there they have remained ever since, but the
quantity has remained small. This year, I understand, they
have increased and have come to the plantation at the back of
the house. The tradition, however, of their persecution seems
to linger among them, for they do not venture into the planta-
tion where they were so shot down or into the garden.
Since the above was submitted, I have seen one Bullfinch on
the front lawn, but this was in the early morning, whilst I was
dressing and I noticed that it was very different in its deport-
ment from its ancestors twenty years ago, being suspicious asa
corncrake and looking round every few seconds to see if anyone
was about.
1907 October 1.
336 = Barrys) Changes among Animals tn Fylingdales.
Hawfinches have, as elsewhere, made their appearance here
within the last few years. As a choice has had to be made
between letting the peas or the Hawfinches go, it has been
decided, of course, adversely to the Finches. They have not,
however, been detained like the Bullfinches from coming, but
have developed a considerable amount of cunning in making
their raids.
The Cuckoo is later in coming than it used to be. I used to
hear it pretty punctually on April 27th. Now, however, it is
generally May, and some way into May before I do so.
The House Martin.—The same is the case with the House
Martins. This year, for instance, I saw them for the first time,
after a daily look out, on May roth, whilst in other recent years
they have been even later. They have ceased to build under the
cornice of this house (which is a very projecting cornice), and
under the eaves of the houses in the neighbouring village of
Thorpe. As regards this particular house the increase of
sparrows in the ivy at the back might account for the desertion,
though it must be observed that the front is quite clear of them.
The Swift which used to be common is now rare.
The Nightingale, on the other hand, has visited us. The
first time that it was heard was about Whitsuntide in 1902. It
was heard both at this house and at Thorpe. In the former
case, it was recognised by a servant who came from a part of
the country where Nightingales were abundant. In the latter
case, it was identified by a family who had recently come to
settle there, and by others as well. Up here it sang only in the
early morning. At Thorpe it sang almost always in the evening
and until past eleven o’clock at night, keeping the family already
mentioned awake, since it always chose a certain tree opposite
their house and bordening the public road. It invariably sang
its loudest, they noticed, the moment the lamp was lighted, so
that they thought it took it for the moon. The singing was
continued every night for three weeks, then for some weeks
there was a cessation, and then, for a short time, a resumption,
suggesting that in the interval the bird had been nesting.
On March 22nd, of the present year, | was amazed to hear,
when walking in the garden at dusk, what seemed to be exactly
the same notes as those heard in 1902. I approached the tree
where the bird was and stood for a long time listening to it,
but could not attribute the strong plaintive lament with its rich
contralto of ‘heu heu’ to any other bird but the Nightingale. I
Naturalist.
Book Notice.
337
have not heard it again. On mentioning the matter to the lady
at Thorpe who was favoured in 1902, I was told by her that she,
too, had, about the same date, heard what certainly seemed
to her, to be the Nightingale, but that she had not liked to say
anything about it on account of the time of the year and of her
being thought to be mistaken. The weather, however, it may
be observed, was more summerlike than any we have had since.
The Curlew, which used to be so shy, has became wonder-
fully tame of late years. It has nested regularly at the moor
edge on one of the farms of this estate (though owing to health
I cannot speak as to last year), and became quite a companion
in these parts, flying round and round close at hand uttering
its cry.
A Semi-feral Parakeet.—A female Parakeet belonging
to my gardener has been living out in the woods and shrubberies
for three years. It comes to his cottage regularly to be fed,
except during the nesting time, when it is absent for many
weeks together. In appears to make its nest somewhere in the
heart of the oak woods, not less than half-a-mile away, but
exactly where no one has been able to discover. To reach
these woods it crosses about three-eighths of a mile of open
ground. There was also a male bird with it, but this perished
in the first winter that it was out.
SS
‘Grouse Disease,’ what it is and how it spreads, with suggestions for
stamping out disease, and the gradual improvement of moors, by the Rev.
E. A. Woodruffe-Peacock. Louth: Goulding & Son, 1907. 111 pp. Price
5/. In this, No. 10 of his ‘Rural Studies Series,’ the Vicar of Cadney
brings together all that he knows of the Grouse Disease. In his ‘ Fore-
word’ the author states, ‘So far as they go, these notes are my own,
7.e., no other person is in any way responsible for them . . . I have never
done any field observation for the Grouse Commission, or had a specimen
of theirs through my hands . . . who their advisers are I do not even know,
as I have never been before them, or received any communication about
their methods. . . . always understood I was appointed field observer
to them as an honour for work done in the past; but to show that this
study has no connection whatever with the Commission's special line of
enquiry, I have resigned the honorary post they conferred upon me.’
Having thus washed his hands of the Grouse Commission, and notwith-
standing his opening remarks, Mr. Peacock declines to accept credit for
any originality in his notes, and believes that if a file of ‘The Field’ * were
carefully sought through, the notes I have brought together here from the
lips and letters of many men, and ephemeral literature, would be found to
have been put on record over and over again during the past fifty years by
practical sportsmen and field observers.’ Having thus a clear statement of
the nature of the present contribution to this subject, and having noticed
that from the quotation on the title page, ‘The worst enemies of the human
race—ignorance and superstition—can only be vanquished by truth and
reason,’ we can only hope that we have truth and reason from the soil,
grass, and game specialist of Cadney, Lincs.
1907 October rt.
&
ioe)
(o’9)
THE ANCESTORS OF THE ANGIOSPERMS.
MARY A. JOHNSTONE, B.Sc.; F.L.S.
At the present time, when the attention of every prominent
worker in botanical research is turned to the last magnificent
contribution towards the solution of the problem of the
phylogeny of the angiosperms, it may not be inappropriate
to set forth in a journal of special interest to Yorkshire a few
brief statements concerning the most important recent additions
to our knowledge of the subject. Condensed within the space
of a few pages, such a résumé must necessarily be the merest
outline, and can make no pretentions to attempting a critical
survey of the various hypotheses which have been formulated,
much less to add to their number.
The question involves not one problem, but a whole plexus
of problems, most important of which may be mentioned the
following :—the line of evolution along which the typical flower
and fruit of the angiosperm have progressed; the sudden
appearance in Lower Cretaceous times of the angiosperm type
of foliage; which of the modern angiosperms are the more
primitive—the simple, unisexual, often apetalous forms, or the
complete, bisporangiate; is the group monophyletic, or have
monocotyledons been derived from dicotyledons, or vice versa ?
All recent paleontological evidence tends to confirm the
view that modern flowering plants are descendants of a long
line of fern-like, Cycado-filicean, and Cycadean ancestors. As
this evidence has accumulated, the necessity for continual
revision and rapid re-adjustment of our principles of classi-
fication has become more and more apparent. For instance,
secondary growth can no longer be regarded as a mark of
Phanerogamic affinity, since it has been shown to be the rule
amongst the dominant Paleozoic Cryptogams; from amongst
the Paleozoic ‘Ferns’ many types had to be transferred to a
new group of Cycado-filices, combining the characters of both
ferns and cycads, and from these again we get the Pterzdo-
sperms. These last furnish a strong example of that law of
evolution which states that the various organs of a plant need
not necessarily have an ancestral history marked by contem-
poraneous development. If we take Lygznodendron as a typical
Pteridosperm we find that it has retained its fern-like foliage
as well as certain fern-like anatomical characters; that its
microsporangia or pollen-bearing organs are so fern-like in
Naturalist,
Johnstone: The Ancestors of the Angtosperms. 339
appearance that, until their connection with Lygtnodendron was
recently established by Mr. Kidston,* they were regarded as the
sporangia of a true fern; but that, in strong contrast to all
these, it bore remarkably complex seeds, evolved apparently
long before anything approximating to a flower was in existence
in this group. +
It is, however, from Mesozoic times that we get types more
closely allied to our existing forms. As a result of the study
of these, a new family has been constituted—the Bennettite@—
which includes, besides the true Cycadales, those species which
combine the habit of growth and the foliage of Cycads with a
fructification differing absolutely from that of any known plant.
The type genus was founded in 1868 by Mr. Carruthers} to
include species from the Middle Oolites to the Lower Greensand.
In their general appearance, in the mode of attachment of the
remarkable fruits to the plant axis, and in their detailed
structure the English specimens agree so closely with American
species (to be referred to below) that the same description may
suffice for both.
Another allied form was obtained from the Lower Oolite of
Yorkshire ; this was the Zama gigas, of which an account was
presented by Williamson in 1868, and which was placed by
Mr. Carruthers in the new genus W7//‘amsonia. The fructifi-
cations found with the Zamza-like foliage of this plant, were
very puzzling, exhibiting externally a globular form clothed
with bracts, and internally a disk-like structure bearing a
pyramidal upgrowth. Dr. Wieland’s recent work strengthens
the view expressed by Mr. Seward that these plants were
allied to the Bennettites.
But by far the most important of recent discoveries are
those of Dr. Wieland.§ These, the results of eight years’
labour, are embodied in a magnificent volume published last
year on ‘American Fossil Cycads.’ The wealth of material
which has been at Dr. Wieland’s disposal has been obtained
from the Mesozoic beds of America, ranging from Upper Trias
to Lower Cretaceous horizons: its classification has been the
work of Professor Lester Ward.
It is these Bennettitee (Cycadoidee of Wieland) which seem
to furnish the key to the evolutionary problem of the angio-
* Kidston, Trans. Royal Soc. (1905).
+ Oliver and Scott, Trans. Roy. Soc. (1904).
+ Carruthers, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxvi. (1868).
§ Wieland, American Fossil Cycads (1906).
1907 October 1.
340 Johnstone: The Ancestors of the Angtosperms.
spermic flower, and that being so, a short summary of their
structure may be of interest.
The habit of growth and stem-form agree very closely with
those of the typical modern cycads; but the first great difference
is apparent in the mode of attachment of the fructification, which
consists of a strobiloid axis borne on the main stem and wedged
in amongst the persistent leaf-bases. This short axis terminates
in a convex receptacle bearing /a@) at its lowest level a series of
spirally arranged bracts, (4) above these a whorl of frond-like
sporophylls, fused proximally, bipinnate, and having numerous
pollen sacs of a synangial type, (c) a central conical region,
arranged on which are numerous stalked ovules interspersed
*with elongated scales partially united at their distal ends to
form a kind of ovary wall, but still allowing the micropyles of
the ovules to project a little beyond them.
The marked general agreement in the arrangement of the
various parts of the flower, the perianth-like lower members,
the hypogynous stamens, and the central ovary are all most
suggestive of the angiospermous flower. This very close
approximation was at once recognised by Dr. Wieland, and
has met with very general acceptance. Minute examination
of the structure strengthens the case by showing that not only
were the seeds almost exalbuminous, but the embryo was in
all respects that of a highly organised dicotyledon.
The Bennettites of Mr. Carruthers and the earliest specimens
examined by Dr. Wieland showed only the female organs ; this
probably simply meant that the stamens had withered, and was
quite in accord with the fact that the seeds were in a fully ripe
condition as shown by the stage of development of the embryo.
The basal portion left after the stamens had dropped probably
represented the ‘disc’ of W7z/lzamsonia gigas.
Such a striking assemblage of widely contrasting characters
as we have in these surprising fossils has of course given rise
to much fresh speculation. The fern-like sporophylls with
their synangia of a Marattiaceous type indicate a connection
with the oldest types of ferns. Side by side with these we find
the highly evolved seeds and the ovary wall suggestive of the
angiosperms, though the plant is yet essentially a Gymnosperm,
inasmuch as the pollen is collected not by a modified carpel,
but by the ovule itself. The spiral of bracts, which possibly
may foreshadow the modern perianth, and the dicotyledonous
character of the seed complete a most astonishing combination
of great type features.
Naturalist
Book Notice. 341
From a consideration of such fossil evidence as the above,
combined with a comparison of existing forms of flowers, as
well as evidence from other sources, which must be passed
over at present, Messrs. Newell Arber and Parkin* have
formulated a set of conclusions, which they present as a
‘Working Hypothesis’ for future guidance. They maintain
that the simple apetalous types of modern angiosperms are not
primitive forms, but have been derived by reduction from
hermaphrodite forms with a perianth; that the unknown ancestor
of the angiosperms was built, generally speaking, on the plan
of the Mesozoic Bennetiztes; that the angiosperms are a
monophyletic group, the monocotyledons having been derived
from the dicotyledons ; and that entomophily was a primitive
feature of the race.
It will be seen from the above outline of new evidence that
no light has yet been shed on the dark period of the emergence
of the typical foliage of the angiosperm, and it is in connection
with this that the practical suggestion of this paper may be
made. The estuarine beds of Yorkshire have unfortunately
not yet provided us with any evidence of a microscopic
character bearing on these problems ; but it is, of course, well
known that they are extremely rich in well-preserved impres-
sions of leaf form, and to a less extent of flower form. Might
not the Research Committees of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union
take this into consideration as a probably fruitful field on which
to expend some of their energies? The exposures of fossiliferous
beds along the coast have been well investigated, but there
would seem to be many promising sections lying further
inland which have been neglected, and which would repay
investigation. Systematic collecting from these, with especial
care expended on localising the exact horizon of all specimens,
might possibly do something towards elucidating a sequence
from the cycadean or filicinean type of leaf to the angiospermic
—hereby contributing in some degree towards the solution of
one of the greatest botanical problems of the day.
SS
We have received the August number of the Nature Reader Monthly
—a small magazine printed in large type—apparently for the use of school
children. It deals with a variety of subjects—Poppies, Butterflies and
Moths, Protective Colouration, the Sea Shore, Rocks and Scenery, etc.
The language used is generally clear. The pamphlet is edited by Mr.
F. H. Shoosmith, is illustrated, contains 32 pp., and is sold at one penny by
Charles and Dibble, London.
* Journal of Linn. Soc. London, xxxviii. (1907).
1907 October 1.
342
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LITTONDALE, YORKS.
THE numerous members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union
who reached Arncliffe for August Bank Holiday week-end were
well rewarded for their pains. To some of them the recollection
of the journey from Grassington, notwithstanding the glorious
view of the surroundings, whilst the daylight lasted, will be
anything but pleasant, though these will doubtless remind
them of methods of crossing the country in pre-railway days.
Still, even the out-of-the-way headquarters of the meeting had
many advantages, and although it was a holiday season, the
visitors were quite comfortable, albeit that an influx of some
Photo by R. Fortune
Arncliffe Village.
forty Yorkshire Naturalists was a serious tax on the sleeping
accommodation of this small and old-world village.
But what a glorious district! Could anything be more
charming to the eye accustomed to crowded thoroughfares and
smoky chimneys than those far-reaching dales and cloud-
capped fells. To see them alone was well worth the longest
journey—to investigate them, to unravel the riddles they held,
was paradise. One can quite understand this district being the
retreat of many busy men. Kingsley stayed at Arncliffe—it is
the Vendale of his ‘Water Babies.’ Part of that well-known
book was written here. Malham Cove, close by, is the Low-
thwaite Crag of that same work, and still shows the black mark
made by Little Tom, the sweep, when he slipped down the Scar!
Local tradition hath it that there are ghosts and barguests
in the neighbourhood, and that Old Pam (the devil) pays
Naturalist,
The Natural History of Littondale, Vorks. 343
periodical visits, gives suppers, and on one night each year
teaches the little Wharfedale devils in Threshfield Grammar
School. But we don’t believe it. No sane person would leave
Upper Wharfedale for any place Old Pam could offer. And
insane persons he doesn’t cater for.
With more or less poetic feelings, therefore, most of the
members arrived at Arncliffe on Friday evening, but ‘ost their
sentiment in the scramble for beds. On the morrow, however,
the high moorlands were ascended, and from their tops the
Photo by R. Fortune.
River Skirfare below Arncliffe.
valleys and nestling stone-built villages appeared typical ot
peace and rest:
A region of repose it seems.
A place of slumber and of dreams,
Remote among the wooded hills,
For there no noisy railway speeds,
and we hope one never will.
But the Yorkshire Naturalists were bent on work. Many
were astir long before breakfast, and most remained out as long
as the light allowed ; a few stayed longer.. The evenings were
profitably spent. On Saturday the Vicar, the Rev. W. A,
Shuffrey, read some valuable notes on the Botany of Littondale
(see pp. 354-356), and Mr. W. Denison Roebuck gave an
account of ‘Yorkshire Hemiptera.’ He also noted some
recent additions to the list of Hymenoptera of the county.
At this excursion,,too, the sectional recorders were well in
evidence, and each took charge of his department. Littondale
had not previously been visited by the Union, and consequently
the district was of more than usual interest, and in view of an.
1997 October Ts
344 The Natural Hrstory of Littondale, Yorks.
excursion to be presently held in an adjoining dale, particular
note of the fauna and; flora was taken, and on this account
details of the records made in the various departments will be
given more fully than usual.
As might be expected from the geological features of the
area, the hammermen were much in evidence, and_ their
President, Mr. Cosmo Johns, by example and precept, caused
his party to work hard. The result was a substantial addition
to our knowledge of the fauna and stratigraphy of the
Carboniferous Limestone of the area.
Of perhaps more general interest was the visit paid by the |
more venturous of the party to Skotska cave. This runs
underground, tunnel-like, for a great distance, and is remark-
able for its regular course and. perfectly flat roof. A good coat
and a pair of trousers, far into the cavern, were ‘finds’ of a
somewhat unexpected nature!
On Monday evening the usual general meeting was held,
under the presidency of Mr. C. Crossland. At this, votes of
thanks were passed to the landowners, and to the Rev. W. A.
Shuffrey for allowing the party to examine his fine botanical
garden, and some new members were elected. Brief reports
on the work of the sections were presented by the officers.
These are given at greater length in these pages.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY.—This section was officially repre-
sented by its President, Mr. Riley Fortune, and one of its
Secretaries, Mr. H. B. Booth, who report :—Several working
members being present, this Section accomplished good work
during the limited time at its disposal.
Mammals.—Eleven species of Mammals were indentified,
viz. :—Mole, Common Shrew, Water Shrew, Stoat, Weasel,
Squirrel, Brown Rat, Red-backed or Bank Vole, Long-tailed
Field Mouse, Hare and Rabbit. Of these, the Hare was
decidedly scarce, but the Rabbit was extremely abundant
throughout the valley. Several black, and a few white, varieties
were noticed, probably the descendants of tame rabbits turned
down. ‘ Rabbits everywhere’ was a common remark, and yet
their greatest enemy, the Stoat, was very numerous. Several of
the latter were seen, and a local gamekeeper had the tails of
fifty-six Stoats and ten Weasels strung up at his house, and all
killed since February. Judging by the results of a dozen small
traps continually set, the Common Shrew must be very
numerous in the valley, and one specimen each of the Water
Shrew, the Long-tailed Field Mouse, and the Red-backed or
“Naturalist,
The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks. 345.
Bank Vole, were captured. A few Bats, about the size of the
Pipistrelle, were noted in the evenings, but no means of securing
one for identification were available.
Birds.—Unfortunately this is one of the worst seasons of the
year for observing the avifauna of an inland district. Most of
the birds keep quiet, and well under cover with their young
The work of Hawfinches.
broods; and more particularly this is the case with the wood-
land species. The Common Buzzard was seen on both days,
and on Monday the members of this Section were entertained by
an exciting chase of a large Rabbit by a Buzzard, in which the
Rabbit eventually made good his escape underground. Three
Stockdoves were observed mobbing the Buzzard for some time.
The Hawfinch was detected by his onslaught on some rows of
peas in the vicarage garden, and the bird was afterwards seen.
It would appear that the Hawfinch first made his advent into
Littondale in, 1906, as the Rev. W. A. Shuffrey informed us
that although he has grown peas for many years, yet they were
attacked last year for the first time.
The following fifty species of birds were identified* :—
Missel Thrush (in flocks). Redstart (only one seen).
Song Thrush (common). | Redbreast.
Blackbird (common). Willow Warbler (very common).
Ring Ouzel (common). Dunnock (common).
Wheatear (very common). | Dipper (very common).
Whinchat.
* To this list might be added the following four. species, which were seen
n Littondale this year, at Easter, but which were not observed during the
Union’s visit, viz. :—Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Mallard, and Redshank.—
H.B.B. 4
1907 October t.
346
Great Titmouse (one or two pairs
only seen).
Titmouse
were seen).
Wren (very common).
Pied Wagtail.
Grey Wagtail.
Yellow Wagtail (abundant).
Meadow Pipit (abundant).
Spotted Flycatcher (common around
Arncliffe).
Swallow (abundant).
House Martin (common).
Sand Martin (fairly common).
Greenfinch (only heard once).
Hawfinch.
House Sparrow (common at Hawks-
wick and Arncliffe, uncommon
higher up the valley at Litton,
Halton, etc.
Chaffinch (common).
Starling (fairly common).
Magpie.
Jackdaw (common).
Blue
(one or two pairs
The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks.
Carrion Crow.
Rook.
Swift (common).
Tawny Owl (young heard calling in
the woods).
Common Buzzard.
Sparrow Hawk.
Kestrel (fairly common).
Common Heron (fairly common).
Wood Pigeon (fairly common).
Stock Dove.
Red Grouse.
Pheasant (a few near Arncliffe).
Partridge (very few seen).
Waterhen.
Golden Plover.
Lapwing (in flocks now).
Common Snipe (rather scarce).
Common Sandpiper (apparently the
bulk of this species had left
the dale.)
Curlew (common).
Black-headed Gull (stray birds).
Herring Gull (stray birds).
In investigating the fauna of a district it is interesting to
note what expected species do not occur, or are very rare, and
Littondale gave plenty of scope for this class of investigation.
Search as we would we could not discover a single Skylark!
Neither could we detect the Corncrake, nor any of the Warblers
with the exception of the Willow Warbler, which was plentiful.
Not a single Bunting of any kind was noted, and with the ex-
ceptions of the Chaffinch, Hawfinch, Greenfinch, and Sparrow,
none of the finch family was seen. Titmice were not by any
means so common, neither in numbers nor in species, as one
would have expected. It would be useful if future observers in
this dale would take note of the’ apparent absence, or rarity, of
these otherwise common birds.
Pisces.—The Trout was plentiful, and the Loach, Minnow,
and River Bullhead were also noted in the Skirfare.
In Reptilia and Amphibia, the only species seen was the
Common Frog, and it was not by any means numerous.
EntomoLocy.—Mr. G. T. Porritt writes :—But little wa
attempted entomologically. Mr. J. Beanland found specimens
of the local Coremta munitata on the high hills, and Mudaria
mundana was plentiful on old walls. Prays curttsellus occurred
among ash. As showing the extraordinary lateness of the
Naturalist,
The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks. 347
season too, it may be mentioned that Acronycta ligustré and
Abrostola urtice were taken as imagines.
Among Neuroptera I was very pleased to find the pretty and
rather scarce Hemerobius marginatus, common in the wood
opposite Arncliffe village, and near where also a very sparsely
spotted form of Panorpa germanica occurred. Chloroperla
grammatica, Rhyacophila dosalis, etc., were about the river.
Mr. J. Beanland gives the following list of MAcro-LeEpipop-
TERA for Littondale :—
Chortobius pamphilus.
Lycena alexis.
Acronycta pst.
Noctua festiva.
Abraxas grossulariata.
Larentia cestata.
A megacephala. a didymata.
ve ligustrt. + olivata.
Nudaria mundana. Ay pectinitaria.
Miana fasctuncula.,
Caradrina cubicularts.
Melanippe montanata.
Coremta munttata.
I took one C. munztata at Airton (Malham) on the 2oth July,
and two captured in Littondale were taken to Hull by Mr.
Wilford.
Mr. E. P. Butterfield adds :—
Crambus tristellus.
Totrix ribeana.
Metrocampa margaritata.
Hypsipetes elutata.
Melanthia ocellata. », jorsterana.
Cidaria corylata. Penthina corticana.
Eubolia mensurarta. a cynosbana.
Sericoris lacunana.
Sciaphila subjectana.
fTepialus hectus.
Scoparia muralis, abundant
yr mercuralis. Grapholita penkleriana.
ay truncicolalts. Pedisca corticana.
a ambigualis. | a solandriana.
Pepilla curtisella.
Crambus culmellus.
Mr. H. V. Corbett sends the following list of beetles, all
common species :—farpalus latus (L.), Pterostichus strenuus
(Panz.), Brachypterus urtice (F.), Serica brunnea (L.), Agriotes
obscurus (L.), Rhagonycha fulva (Scop.), Crepidodera ferruginea
(Scop.), Otzorrhynchus picipes (F.), Phyllobtus oblongus (L.),
Phyllobius urtice (De. G.), Hypera nigrirostris (F.).
Mr. J. Beanland adds that three Glow-worms were obtained
at Hawkswick.
ConcuoLocy.-—The conchologists, under the leadership of
Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, were particularly pleased with the
excursion, as they were able to report the confirmation of every
previous record of the molluscan fauna of Littondale. They
were exceptionally gratified to find Pupa secale.
1907 October 1,
348 The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks.
Botrany.—Dr. T. W. Woodhead writes :—Botanists in
every branch found here ample material to engage their close
attention. Excursions were made to Foxup, Heselden Gill,
and Penyghent: also over Old Cote Moor to Kettlewell and to
Great Whernside. This area is included in the district surveyed
by Smith and Rankin,* and an excellent opportunity was
afforded to examine some of the chief plant associations there
dealt with.
In these notes, however, mention is only made of species
observed in Littondale and the drainage area of the Skirfare.
We were fortunate in having the assistance of the Rev. W. A.
Shuffrey, who, on the Saturday evening, gave an interesting
account of the ‘ Botany of Littondale.’ This was illustrated by
herbarium specimens (including the Lady’s Slipper Orchid),
and he afterwards invited the members to visit his delightful
garden, which it was a pleasure to see.
My own observations were directed mainly to plant assocta-
tions and their distribution in relation to soils, the results of
which will be published in a future paper. Lists of species
have also been kindly supplied by Mr. J. Beanland (85 species)
and by Mr. C. Waterfall (74 species).
In the neighbourhood of the village striking plants by the
river side were Myrrhis odorata and Senecio saracentcus, the
latter a garden outcast by Cowside Beck. The fields and lanes
were purple with Geranium pratense, while other conspicuous
plants were Cnicus heterophyllus and Campanula latifolia.
Gerantum lucidum decorated the walls, and in a rough pasture
on the drift was an abundance of Colchicum autumnale.
Among the rarer plants met with were Saxz/raga umbrosa,
S. atzotdes, and Polemontum ceruleum.
In the woods on the steep drift-covered slopes below the
Scars, Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) was the dominant tree. Hazel is
also abundant, and here were noted Mountain Ash, Hawthorn,
Whitebeam, Larch, Zuonyvmus europaeus and Viburnum opulus.
The mixed soils here, together with the shelter afforded by the
trees, give support to a rich and varied undergrowth. The
following are among the species noted : —
Anemone nemorosa. | Geranium sanguineum.
Aquilegia vulgaris. Se sylvaticum.
Actea spicata. oe Robertianum.
Hypericum hirsutum, Spirea Ulmaria.
* © Geological Distribution of Vegetation in Yorkshire ; Harrogate and
Skipton District, 1903. Smith and Rankin.’
Naturalist,
The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks. 349
Kubus saxatilis.
Geum urbanuin.
a) Paul.
Agrimonia Eupatoria,
Poterium officinale.
Fragaria vesca.
Circea lutetiana.
Sanicula europea.
Cnicus heterophyllus.
Primula aculis.
Galium sylvestre.
Scrophularia nodosa.
Veronica chamedrys.
Melampyrum pratense.
Origanum vulgare.
Prunella vulgaris.
Lamium Galeobdolon.
Teucrium Scorodonia.
Mercurialis perennis.
Convallaria majalis.
Allium ursinum.
Scilla festalis.
Luzula maxima.
Carex pallescens.
,, sylvatica.
Pteris aquilina.
Polystichum lobatam.
Lastrea Filix-mas.
Above the woods are the Scars of the Great Scar Limestone
and the Limestone Pavements.
the species noted here :—
Thalictrum minus.
34 collinum.
Arabts hirsuta.
Draba incana.
Helianthemum chamecistus.
Arenaria verna.
Dryas octopetala.
Ribes alpinum.
Saxtfraga tridactylites.
The following were among
Oxalis acetosella.
Listera ovata,
Sesleria cerulea.
Asplenium viride.
A tyichomanes.
5 Ruta-muraria.
Scolopendrium vulgare.
Cystopteris fragilis.
Phegopteris calcarea.
Higher still, extensive tracts are occupied by ‘ Hill pasture’
dominated by Festuca ovina.
There are many local variations,
however; ericaceous plants have wandered down from the
heather moors, and are growing alongside species characteristic
of limestone soils. These inclnded :—
Trollius europeus.
Cochlearia danica.
Viola lutea.
Polygala vulgaris.
Cerastium triviale.
Sagina nodosa.
Arenaria verna.
Linum catharticum.
Gerantum sylvaticum.
Anthyllis Vulneraria.
Potentilla sylvestris.
Poterium Sanguisorba.
Saxtfraga hypnoides.
Parnassia palustris.
Galium verun.
Scabtosa Columbaria.
Carlina vulgaris.
1907 October 1.
Vaccinum Myrtillus.
Calluna Erica.
Primula acaulis.
By Jarinosa.
Gentiana Amarella.
Pinguicula vulgaris.
Pedicularis palustris.
Thymus Serpyllum.
Plantago media.
Habenaria conopsea.
- viridis.
Carex dioica.
Scripus caricis.
Sesleria cerulea.
Koeleria cristata.
Ophioglossum vulgatum.
Selaginella selaginelloides.
350 The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks.
The upper slopes of the Yoredales are peat covered, and
dominated by heather moors broken into considerably in places
by grassy and rushy tracts. Thechief species noted here were :—
Calluna Erica. | Carex diorca.
Vaccinium Myrtillus. | » ptlulifera.
oF vitis-1ded. », pulicaris.
Erica tetralix. Fyn ele ale
Rumex acetosella. | Agrostis vulgaris.
Juncus squarrosus. | Nardus stricta.
» glaucus. Deschampsta cespitosa.
Scirpus cespitosus. Molinia varia.
The top of Old Cote Moor is a plateau capped with Mill-
stone Grit and covered by peat 1 to 3 feet deep. The species met
with here are in order of dominance :—
Calluna Erica. Eriophorum angustifolium,
Vaccinium Myrtillus. Juncus squarrosus.
Rubus Chamemorus. | Nardus stricta.
Empetrium nigrum. Festuca ovina.
Eriophorum vaginatum.
Funer.—Mr. C. Crossland writes:—The attention of the
mycologists was given to the immediate neighbourhood of
Arncliffe and up Littondale as far as Foxup. There were
only two or three small woods, and these lacked the conditions
—moisture and plenty of rotting branches—favourable to the
growth of larger fungi. Very little variety in the larger agarics
was seen. Having gone with the express purpose of finding
something, we turned our investigations in other directions.
Nettle beds by the way-side, meadow-sweet beds in moist
corners, and cattle dung in pastures and about farms found us
plenty to do, in addition to odd places here and there looked
into. Decaying stems of last year’s nettles proved most
prolific in micro-species, some of the stems having five or six
different species, in as many inches, growing upon them.
Among the meadow-sweet was found Belonidium deparculum ;
which had been sought for by the writer on decaying Spirza for
some years, and here it was in abundance; it is an aberrant
Discomycete having only four spores in each ascus, and was
particularly wanted for the purpose of checking a previous
examination of the same species found at Hornsea Mere in
1900. No less than one fourth of the 107 species found were
coprophilous fungi, mostly common habitues of cow, horse,
sheep, and rabbit dung. Coprinus Gubbsiz, a tiny but very
‘distinct species first discovered by Mr. Gibbs near Sheffield in
1903, being amongst them; they sprung up in quantity on a
a
Naturalist,
The Natural Hrstory of Littondale, Yorks. 351
piece of cow dung kept a few weeks under a bell glass for
observation. Several others, included in the following list,
came forward. One of the least expected to put in an appear-
ance on this matrix was a Trichia or Hemitrichia—7Z. Karsfeniz
Mass. Mon. p. 168=H. Karstenzzt (Rost.) Lister. There was a
small colony of four or five sporangia. There also came up a
very small ayaric, less than a line across the pileus, with pale
brown spores; this appears to be an undescribed species.
There was an almost entire absence of the colt’s foot and
butterbur Uredines, though both plants were plentiful.
The absence of decaying wood and shaded moist corners
accounts for the comparative absence of Myxogastres: they
were sought for.
We have to thank several members of other sections for
collecting specimens, two or three of the more important ones
being brought in by them.
The following is a summary of the work done :—107 species
found, 2 New to Yorkshire, marked * in the list; 21 New to
Mid W. Div., marked +; 8 Confirmations of hitherto single
county records.
The initals added to the records are :—A.=Arncliffe ;
A. Co Arncliffe Clouder ; L.=Litton; F.=Foxup:
Collybia dryophila. In plantation, , + Znocybe incarnata. On soil near
A. | the stream side, A.
Mycena galericulata. On old stump, |Z. rimosa. On the ground in a
A. | small wood, L.
hin. GE On soil among Crepidotus mollis, On decaying
butter-bur, A. 5 Rie post, L. A
: : é | Bolbitius tener. Among grass in
| Omphalia griseo-pallida, A. | & 8
; ae pasture, A.
GASTROMYCETES. a , bre I ;
. : garicus campestris. n pasture
Lycoperdon bovista. Remains of a 2 nae £ I :
AE:
lasteyeans plant, sAl (Cat 3 : :
2 A P : 3 | Stropharia stercoraria. On cow
1700 ft. F
4 dung in pasture, A,
HYMENOMYCETES S. semiglobata. Common on cow
dung all the way up the dale.
Agaricacez. Paneolus campanulatus.
Lacaria laccata. In plantation, L. P. papilionaceus.
| Pleurotus applicatus. On rotting | P. fimicola.
wood on the Scar behind Hawks- | Anellaria separata.
wick. All on cow dung about Arncliffe
P. septicus. On decaying meadow- and on the hill sides.
sweet, F. | Psilocybe semitlanceata. Among
Entotoma sericeum. In pasture, A. ; | grass in hill side pasture at
es 1700 ft.
Nolanea pascua. In pastures, A.; | Psathyrella atomata. Among grass,
I: road side, A. ,
1907 October r. ‘
352
P. disseminata. On rotting, moss-
covered trunk, A.
Coprinus niveus.
C. radiatus.
Both on horse dung in pastures
A.
t C. Gibbsiz. On cow dung, A.
C. plicatilis. Among grass in pas-
tures, and on lawn, A.
Hygrophorus chlorophanus, A.
Marasmius rotula. On dead twigs
Ie
POLYPORACE.
Boletus flavus.
B. laricinus.
leaves, A.
Among grass, A.
Among: fallen larch
Polyporus squamosus. On ash
stump, A. L.
Polyticstus versicolor. On gate
posts, A. L.
+ Fomes connatus. On stump, A.
EF. igniarius. A portion of last
year's growth picked up from
the ground on hill side in planta-
tion, A.
F. annosus. On pine stump, A.
HYDNACE.
Grandinia granulosa. On rotten
wood, L.
THELEPHORACE.
Corticitum calceum. On dead
branch, L.
Cyphella capula.
butter-bur, A.
On dead stems of
TREMELLACE.
Tremella mesenterica.
trunk, A.
Dacryomyces deliquescens.
D. stillatus.
Both on dead wood, A. L.
UREDINACE#.
Uromyces alchemille.
mantle, A.
Puccinia pulverulenta.
tum montanum, L.
P. pimpinella. Uredospores
sweet cicely, L.
P. poarum. Ascidiospores on colt's
foot, F.
fallen
On
On_ ladies’
On £pilob-
on
The Natural History of Littondale, Yorks.
P. caricis. A&cidiospores on the
common nettle, F.
P. centauree. On Knapweed, A.
Phragmidium sanguisorbe. Ecidio-
spores on Poterium sanguisorba,
As lo seis
Triphragmium ulmarie. Uredo-
spores on meadow sweet, A.
USTILAGINACE.
Ustilago violacea. On the anthers
of rose campion, L.
PYRENOMYCETES. ¢
Nectria cinnabarina. On dead ash
branches, A.
Hypomyces rosellus.
versicolor, A.
Diatrype disciformis.
beach branch, A.
Melanomma pulvis-pyrius. On dead
decorticated branch, A.
+ Sordaria curvula. On rabbit dung,
A.
+ S. minuta.
+ Sporormia intermedia.
dung, A.
Rhaphidospora rubella, F.
R. urtice, A.
Heptameria doliolum, A. F.
ID vae KAP NG ABE
Pleospora herbarum, A.
The last five all on dead nettle
stems.
Spherella rumicts. Common
Rumex obtustfolia, A. L.3 F.
Spherotheca pannosa. The Oidium
stage on wild rose, A. L.; F.
S. castagnet (S. humulz). On living
leaves of lady’s mantle near the
Hotel door, A.
On Polystictus
On dead
On rabbit dung, A.
On rabbit
on
DISCOMYCETES.
Acetabula On
ground near stream, A.
FHlumaria granulata. A. L.
Lachnea stercorea, A.
+ Z. ascoboloides, A.
All three on cow dung.
+ LZ. fimbriata. On soil in butter-
bur bed, L.
Dasyscypha virginea, F. On dead
stems of meadow sweet, F.
Naturadist,
vulgaris.
sandy
Field Note. 353
D. nivea. On dead wood, F. | Calloria fusarioides. Conidial stage,
+ Erinella Nylanderi. On dead on dead nettle stems, A.
nettle stems, A. |
Chlorosplenium eruginosum. On PHYCOMYCETES.
dead ash branch in the wood on | Pilobolus crystallinus. Common on
the hill side behind the church, A. | cow dung, Aer le
Helotium claro-flavum. On rotting, | Wucor mucedo. On rabbit dung,
partly moss-covered branch, L. | INO Ne
H, pallescens. On rotting twig, F. | ed a
HI. cyathoideum. Extremely com- | ga ae a aga
mon on decaying herbaceous + Phoma nebulosum. On dead
stems, especially nettle. nettle stems, A.
HAZ. scutula, F. | P. longissima. On dead stems of
+ Belonidium deparculum, A. some umbelliferous plant, A.
Both on decaying stems and + Vermicularia dematium. Ondead
leaf stalks of meadow sweet. nettle stems, A.
Mollisia cinerea. On dead twigs, L.
: HYPHOMYCETES.
M. atrata. On decaying stems of |
waavilescr ere, DA. 2 1P Botryosporium pulchrum. On de-
: y Ae De -
M. urticicola. On dead nettle stems, | caying nettle stems, A.
F + Periconita podospora. On dead
+ Pseudopesiza trifolit, On living herbaceous stems, F.
leaves of white clover inmeadow, Stilbum bomentOsiMe. On Hemnz-
A. ; on road side, L. | trichia Karstenii, A.
+ Rvparobius dubius. On rabbit | Cladosporium herbarum, A.; F.
dung, A. Arthrobotryum atrum, A.
+ Fusarium roseum, F.
* Ascophanus cinereus. On rabbit
dung, A. The last three on dead nettle
+ A. minutissimus. On cow dung, F. stems.
A. carneus. On rabbit dung, A.
; MyXOGASTRES.
A. eguinus. On dung of cow and
horse, A.; L. Reticularia lycoperdon. On old
Ascobolus furfuraceus. On cow ornamental stump at the Hotel
chores; Vas Ike's dtc door, A.
+ A. glaber. On rabbit dung, A. | * Trichia Karstenti (= Hemitrichia
+ A. gmmersus. On dung of cow and Karstenti (Rost.) Lister), On
rabbit, A. cow dung, A.
aS:
COLEOPTERA.
Uncommon Beetles near Barnsley.—Late at night, on
the 3rd of August, I took a specimen of Deleaster dichrous Grav.
at rest on an electric lamp postin the town. The specimen is the
var. leachti Curt. The species has not hitherto been recorded
from the West Riding. On the afternoon of the 15th, under a
small fungus at Darfield, I found several specimens of Cvs
bidentatus L. and one Mycetophagus quadripustulatus L. The
only record for the West Riding hitherto for the former species
is Studley, where it was taken many years ago by E. A.
Waterhouse.—E. G. Bayrorp, Barnsley.
1907 October 1.
So4
THE BOTANICAL FEATURES OF LITTONDALE.*
Rev. W. A. SHUFFREY, M.A.
Ir we would realise how different the flora in this valley is from
that of the east side, for instance, of Yorkshire, we must bear
in mind that we are here at an elevation of 750 feet above the
sea, that the highest land in the Dale rises to 2270 feet, and
that the flora exists in an average rainfall of sixty inches, or
about three times that of the east side of England. This
means that rain falls on two days out of three, taking the year
through. We may wonder that there are any flowering plants
at all. One would imagine that instead of phanerogams the
whole country would be filled with mosses and lichens. But if
we have a heavy rainfall we have a compensation in a very light
soil, and one particularly favourable to plant life, viz., the
limestone, and there is very little clay in the valley. It is the
limestone that makes our flora so rich and extensive. As soon
as the grit is reached, to the south—south east of Burnsall
and Rylstone—many of our characteristic plants disappear, and
the few that are peculiar to the grit and are not found on the
limestone are unimportant and not rare. The first flower
which blooms when Spring comes in after snows disappear, is
not the ‘‘celandine” (Ranunculus ficaria) which Wordsworth
noticed and sang of, in the Lake Country. It is the Tussilago
Farfara. I have made a note for the last twenty years or more
of the date of its first appearance in each year, and I find that
the dates range from February 21st, 1884, to April 7th, 1904.
Our rarest plants are, first the lady’s slipper orchid (Cyprz-
pedium Calceolus). 1 don’t like to omit this, though I am sorry
to say that the plants which I had in my garden for many
years, and which were taken by my predecessor from the slope
of the hill, have from some cause or other disappeared. But
I understand that a single specimen was found in the Dale not
many years ago, and I have a dried specimen of a flower of it
which was found not far outside the parish, not long ago. And
I think that it may yet be found in the Dale. Then there is the
Polemoneum ceruleum, which grows plentifully not more than
half a mile from the village ; and Sedum Telephium grows not
far from it. We can also boast of Saxifraga opposttifolia and
S. atzoides on the slopes of Penyghent. Of course the Dryas
* Read at Arncliffe, to the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, on August grd, 1907.
Naturalist,
Shuffrey: The Botanical Features of Littondale. 355
octopetala is well known as growing on the Clouders. This was
recorded as far back as 1782 (Curtis). I am sorry to say that
it is not as plentiful as it was, owing, I am afraid, to the
number of people who gather it and sometimes try, but of
course unsuccessfully, to make it grow at a low elevation. It
is said to be one of the few survivors of the Arctic flora in those
regions and prefers a northern aspect. Rubus Chamcemorus
grows on the moors. The berries of this are sometimes
gathered by careful housewives and made into a_ preserve,
which is not unpleasant to the taste. The Actea spicata
flourishes only in one area. Iam glad to say that the Daphne
mezereum has been found in bloom this year by Mr. Booth.
I saw one in Hesleden Gill years ago. I had twelve in my
garden, but strange to say, during this year they have all,
with the exception of a seedling, died out. The root seemed
to dwindle away, and then the stems lost their vigour and
became rotten. I have found Sedum anglicum near the river,
it is probably an escape. Plantago maritima is plentiful on
the road side between here and Kilnsey. Another feature is
the wonderful growth and variety of the Geranium family, and
the way in which several varieties seem to have their fixed
abode, and will go no further. The prevailing type is Geranzum
sanguintum from Hawkswick.to Arncliffe. One pasture near
Hawkswick is full of it, and the crimson and russet colours of
the decaying leaves and branches in the Autumn are quite a
pretty picture. Past Arncliffe the G. sangutneum ceases, and
makes way for G. pratense, which, in its turn, finds its extreme
limit near to Heather Gill; and about a quarter of a mile south
of this village G. sy/vaticum is as luxuriant as G. sanguinum is
at the bottom of the valley. All these specimens flourish in my
garden. Geranium phwum is known to exist in a wild state in
one locality in the Dale.
Another feature in our plant life is that of the ma’ ‘nent
and the disappearance of plants. Some plants seem to partake
of the restlessness of the age, and desire a change of residence.
I have noticed since I have been here that the /nwla Pulicaria
has shifted its quarters, travelling about a mile in twenty-five
years. The Zragopogon pratensis has followed ‘suit. It occurs
only sparingly in one or two localities ; each year it seems to
change its place. It is making up the valley now. This may
be accounted for from the fact that the hairs of the pappus are
long and very feathery, and like the Zeonfodon, are carried
along easily by the wind. But then the prevailing wind is
907 October 1.
356 Field Note.
Western, and yet the plant seems to be travelling East. I may
also notice here that Epzlobtum hirsutum, which is not known
in this valley, though it occurs eleven miles away, has recently
unexpectedly appeared in considerable quantities in my garden.
With regard to the disappearance of plants, I may say that
the Wenyanthes trifoliata once grew in a wet pasture not more
than half a mile from this village. It is now extinct, probably
from the draining of the pasture. My predecessor, Archdeacon
Boyd, who was here for fifty-eight years, took a great interest
in the flora. He told me that when he came here the Holly
Fern grew on the Clouders ; he remembered seeing forty or
fifty plants. It is now not to be found there. This he ascribed
to the depredation of the collectors of ferns. JI am sorry to say
that we lose a great many every year. Another scarce plant is
Allium Scorodoprasum. \t grows only in one place, and during
the last twenty-five years I have watched it I have seen no
tendency for it to diminish or increase, nor does it move its
position, probably the bulbous nature of the plant prevents
migration. I found three or four plants of the Fly orchis on a
bank in a wood years ago, but I have not been able to find any
plants in the same spot since. The Zamzum album is scarce
Parnassta palustris is our last flower.
ee
FLOWERING PLANTS, Etc.
Plants on Allerthorpe Common.—During a visit to
Allerthorpe Common on August Bank Holiday a small party
noted the following plants :—
Teesdalia nudicaulis. | Galium palustre.
Drosera rotundifolia. Senecio sylvaticus.
Gentiana Pneumonanthe. Calluna vulgaris.
Gnaphalium svlvaticum. Erica Tetralix. +
Filago minima. | 3) cinerea.
Carduus pratensis. Gnanthe fistulosa.
Epilobtum angustifolium var. alba, Polygonum amphibium.
Ornithopus perpusillus. Comarum palustre.
Hypericum humifusum. Lycopsis arvensis.
55 pulchrum. Malva rotundifolia.
‘ perforatum. Genista anglica.
Radiola millegrana. Spergula arvensis.
Teucrium Scorodonia. Buda rubra.
Geranium pusillum. Juncus articulatus.
Silene noctiflora. Aulacomnium palustre, (Moss. )
Urtica urens. Marchantia polymorpha. (Hepatic),
Erodium cicutartum. in splendid condition.
Galium saxatile. |
—_J. MarsHAL_t, Beverley, August 17th, 1907.
Naturalist,
we
PLATE XXXIX.
THE NATURALIST, 7907.
*‘poyor}e sayvos yy Apoq Jo uryg ‘fr *3ry
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LINCOLNSHIRE MITES.
RHYNCHOLOPAIDA:.—( Concluded).
(PLATE XXXIX.)
Cor. GEORGE MOR-G:s:
Ktrton-in-Lindsey.
RitreriA. This genus, or as Professor Sig Thor calls it, sub-
genus, was first differentiated from Rhyncholophus by Kramer
in 1877. It will be seen to differ in many respects from Rhyn-
cholophus. The legs are not nearly so long, nor is the penul-
timate internode of the last pair of legs markedly longer than
the others. The eyes, one on each side, consist of a single
ocellus. The central part of the body in front projects in a
snout-like manner, on which are a few hairs and two stigmatic
openings, each provided with a rather fine and long tactile hair,
well shown in Mr. Soar’s figures. There is no ball-like capi-
tulum as in Rhyncholophus, the modification of the palpus is
perhaps the most important difference here; instead of a
prominent pear-shaped fifth joint, there is only a slightly pro-
jecting hair pad, close to the base of the claw which terminates
the fourth joint. The hairs or spines which cover the body are
smooth, and appear to arise from the centre of a chitinous plate,
they are also somewhat curved (see Plate XXXIX., fig. 4).
This mite somewhat resembles Zrythraus nemorum, but is easily
differentiated from that creature by the structure of the palpi and
body hairs. It is of a fine red colour, and is not unlike Thor’s
Ritteria norvegica, yet | am inclined to consider it to be a different
species, and will therefore give it the provisional name of
mantonensts, from its being found in the Parish of Manton,
near to Kirton-in-Lindsey. I have also found several small
specimens of a beautiful yellow colour belonging to this genus,
whose specific names I am not able to give, each having the
peculiar structure of the palpus. This structure was described
and figured by Brady ‘On Rhyncholophus hispidus,’ in the
Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1877, pl. iv., and
doubtless there are many more species of Rhyncholophus in
England which require searching for, describing and recording.
Many species, some of which, judging from the figures, appear
to be very handsome creatures, have been described by foreign
writers. One genus, which, so far as I know, has not yet
been found in England, is remarkable for having a number of
long hairs on the two last internodes of the hind legs, set in
whorls and resembling very much a bottle-brush. The first
1907 October 1
58 George: Lincolnshire Mites.
-) Ss
specimen I ever saw was sent to me in 1895 by Mr. Luff, of
Guernsey. It was a carded specimen which I had to return. I
recorded it in ‘‘ Science Gossip ”’ for November, 1896, under the
name of Rhyncholophus plumipes. Six years afterwards, in
August, 1902, I received from Mr. Luff a few living specimens,
some of which I dissected and mounted for the microscope.
Mr. Soar has kindly drawn a figure of this mite from a mounted
specimen of his own, assisted by mounted dissections made by
myself. Fig. g is a drawing of the dorsal aspect, showing
the general appearance of the mite; the curious formation of
the hind leg is well shown. It must be very curious to see it
running on the sand in bright sunlight, with these legs carried
perpendicularly above its body. When alive, even when rather
feeble, if stimulated by a touch, the legs are immediately
elevated. Their utility to the creature, so far as I know, has
not yet been made out.
Fig. 10 shews the mouth parts much enlarged. The palpi
are seen to be distinctly five-jointed, the fifth joint pear-shaped
and arising near the middle of the fourth. The circlet of fine
hairs round the end of the proboscis is also indicated. In the
centre only one mandible is shewn, the other having been with-
drawn during dissection. Fig. 11 shews the tarsus of the first
leg, which is compressed sideways, with claws and hair pad.
Fig. 12, the chitinous rod, which lies in the dorsal groove, with
its capitulum, which, in this case, is an inverted cone and not
ball-shaped as in Rhyncholophus. Fig. 13 shews the peculiar
leaf-like hairs or scales which cover the body.
In the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London for
December 14th, 1897, will be found another species of this
genus figured and described by the Rev. O. Pickard Cambridge,
under the name of Laéonia scopulifera (the name Eatonza being .
preoccupied was changed to Hatontana, loc. cit. May 3rd, 1898).
The mite which was found in Algeria will be seen to differ in
several important particulars from the one here illustrated. In
the ‘‘Canadian Entomologist” for February, 1900, Vol. xxxii.,
No. 2, page 32, is a paper on these mites by Nathan Banks of’
Washington, who states that Cambridge’s mite is the same as
one described by Lucas in 1864 as R. plumipes,; that Birula
described one in 1893, from Russian Armenia, as R. plumifer,
and this appears to be the same as the one figured by me from
Jersey. He also mentions another species from Switzerland,
described by Haller, which he would therefore call halleri. I
have not seen Haller’s paper, and therefore do not know wherein
Naturalist,
Northern News. 359
it differs from the othes two—at all events, it appears that three
species are already known, viz :-—
1. Katontana plumitpes—Lucas.
2: = plumifer—Birula.
a ee halleri—Banks.
Possibly other species may eventually be discovered. It does
not seem certain what the sex of the mite is. Cambridge con-
siders his to be an adult female; the situation of the genital
aperture, however, appears to me to be peculiar, certainly
different from the female Rhyncholophus described in my
previous notes. See ‘The Naturalist’ for July 1907, p. 260.
i pe
We regret to record the death of Mr. J. Romilly Allen. F.S.A., for many
years editor of the ‘ Reliquary.’
A portrait of the late J. F. Walker of York, together with a lengthy
memoir, appears in the August ‘ Geological Magazine.’
Mr. Alexander Ramsay continues to publish his remarkable ‘ Scientific
Roll and Magazine of Systematised Notes,’ Bacteria, Vol. II., No. 19, deal-
ing’ with Vital Chemistry :—General, Acetates, Acids, has "recently been
received.
Mr. E. A. Martin, F.G.S., favours us with a reprint of his interesting
article on ‘ Dewponds’ ; and from Mr. Joseph Kenworthy we have receiv ed
a reprint of his notes on ‘ Antiquities of Bolderstone and Neighbourhood,’
in which some British Cinerary urns, etc., are figured and described.
The late Mark Stirrup has bequeathed to the Museum of the Manchester
University specimens of voleanic rocks and fossils; £1000 for the main-
tenance of a geological and palzeontological collection ; and £1500 for the
foundation of a paleontological scholarship, tenable for two years by any-
one who has studied in the university.
Referring to the note on the Bramble Finch near Halifax (‘ Naturalist,
August, p. 291), Mr. Fred*Stubbs of Oldham informs us that in May last he
liberated a male brambling, which remained in the district two or three
days, and was singing in an adjacent garden. He suggests that the
Halifax bird may have been an escape.
In the ‘Reliquary’ for July, Mr. E. Howarth describes and figures a
pre-Norman cross-shaft at Sheffield. It appears to have been made from
the local Carboniferous sandstone, and at one time did duty as a hardening
trough ina cutler’s shop. The representation of an archer on the Sheffield
cross is ‘not devoid of natural anatomy,’ as are so many figures on crosses
of the period,
The Council of the Leeds University has appointed Dr. Walter Garstang
to the Professorship of Zoology, and Mr. V. H. Blackman to the Professor-
ship of Botany, the two chairs which are to take the place of the Professor-
ship of Biology hitherto held by Professor Miall. The Council has also
appointed Miss Alice M. Cooke lecturer in history, in association with
Professor Grant.
Sir Joseph Hooker, G.C.S.I., C.B., F.R.S., who celebrated his ninetieth
birthday on June goth, has been appointed by the King to the Order ot
Merit. Sir Joseph first gained fame by his work in the Antarctic, whither
he accompanied Sir James Ross as botanist. Later he became the pioneer
of Himalayan exploration, and was rewarded with a knighthood. He
succeeded his father as director of Kew Gardens in 1865, “and held that
post for twenty years. He was an intimate friend of Darwin.
1907 October 1.
360
TORTRIX SEMIALBANA AT DONCASTER:
A Lepidopteron new to the County.
L. S. BRADY,
Sheffield.
On Augnst 4th, whilst collecting in one of the large woods in
the Doncaster neighbourhood, I beat out of a hedge, along
with other Tortricina, a fine specimen of Zortrix semialbana.
Barrett writes as follows of this species :—‘It was to be found
near Darenth, Greenhythe, and Dartford in Kent, and Mickleham
in Surrey before 1860, but then became scarce, the latest
capture I know in these localities being in 1873. Twenty
years later it was discovered at Folkestone, and still occurs
there.’ I believe there has been no additional locality recorded
since, so that its occurrence so far north as Yorkshire is in-
teresting and unexpected.
[This is a very gratifying record, because, as Mr. Brady
says, the species was totally unexpected to occur so far north.
Mr. Brady sent me the moth for examination, and it is a very
fine and well-marked specimen.—G. T. P.|.
——
Proceedings of the Cleveland Naturalists’ Field Club.
Edited by the Rev. J. Cowley Fowler, F.G.S. 1905-6, Vol. II.,
Pt. 2. Middlesborough. pp. 85-142, 2/-
In this volume our Cleveland friends have gathered together
much usefulinformation. Whilst by far the greater proportion of
it had been previously printed elsewhere, it is none the less
welcome in the present form, and as apparently the society has
funds at its disposal for the purpose, we must not grumble. By
far the largest article is devoted to a series of useful notes, on
all manner of subjects, contributed by the late Rev. J. Hawell to
his Parish Magazine. These, perhaps, were not generally
accessible in their original form. From ‘Country Life’ Mr.
Nelson’s paper on ‘ The Ruff in the North of England ’ [Durham]
is reprinted ‘by the permission of the Editor’; a lengthy paper on
‘The River Tees: its Marshes and their Fauna’ by the late R.
Lofthouse is reprinted from this journal for 1887, without
obtaining or asking for permission. Mr. T. A. Lofthouse gives
an account of ‘Cleveland Lepidoptera in 1905,’ and Mr. M. L.
Thompson writes a ‘Report on the Coleoptera observed in
Cleveland’ in 1905. The publication is cheap at two shillings.
There is a fair sprinkling of misprints, the assistant secretary’s
name is spelt wrongly more than once, and we don’t like the
word ‘ Mammalogy.’
Naturalist,
361
GEOLOGY AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
J. LOMAS, F.G.S.,
Birkenhead.
Tue shadow of the forthcoming Centenary of the Geological
Society was cast over the proceedings of Section C at Leicester.
Many distinguished foreigners, and not a few British geologists,
were prevented from attending the meeting, owing to their
inability to spare time for both functions. Nevertheless, the
proceedings were full and interesting. Local papers were both
numerous and important, reflecting the vigour and enthusiasm
of the local workers.
Mr. Fox Strangways and Prof. Watts described the country
about Leicester. Drs. Bennett and Stracey, who followed with
papers on the Charnwood Rocks, did not see eye to eye with
the Professor, and the conflicting views were discussed both in
the meetings and in the field, during the admirable series of
excursions which were held. Although the combatants remained
unconvinced, a happy ending is promised by the appointment of
a Committee to conduct analyses of the rocks and report at the
next meeting.
Such is the interest now shown in Triassic problems, that a
whole day proved insufficient to discuss the papers offered on this
formation. Mr. H. T. Ferrar opened most appropriately with
an account of the features shown in existing deserts. Mr. T. O.
Bosworth applied these with great force and insight to explain
the puzzling characters of the local Trias. At Croft, during
one of the excursions led by Mr. Fox Strangways, we were
enabled to see for ourselves the igneous rocks denuded of
Marl, with wind etching, desert screes, desert crusts, and many
other characteristic desert features. Dr. Cullis announced the
discovery of dolomite crystals in the Keuper Marls of the South
West of England, and he attributed their origin to precipitation
from the waters of an inland sea. That similar crystals may be
formed under other conditions was shown by their occurrence
in marine sands.
_ Messrs. Bolton and Waterfall gave a description of the great
masses of Strontia found at Abbot’s Leigh, near Bristol.
In presenting the fifth report on the Fauna and Flora of the
Trias, the Secretary communicated an important paper by Dr.
A. Smith Woodward on ‘A Mandible of Labyrinthodon leptog-
nathus recently obtained from Cubbington Heath, near
1gq7 October 1.
2A
362 Lomas: Geology at the British Assoctation.
Leamington,’ which showed in its structure an approach
towards the Paleozoic Crossopterygian fishes. Mr. H. C.
Beasley, after a careful study of the wonderful find of foot-
prints at Storeton last year, was able to give further information
regarding some of the forms he has described, and Mr. Lomas
gave an account of a large slab containing fifteen impressions
made by the same animal. So perfect were the prints that the
full structure of the foot, including the skin, claws, and musculag
pads could be ascertained, It was suggested that Chezrotherium
walked erect on the pes and only used the manus for support
when bending down. The Triassic fauna and flora of Leicester-
shire were well described by Mr. A. R. Horwood.
The set discussion of the Section on ‘Iron Ore supplies ’*
was opened by Mr. Bennett Brough and Prof. Sjégren. The
former took a pessimistic view of the future of the British Iron
supply, but we were relieved to hear from Prof. Sjég¢ren that
vast stores of ore are available from Scandinavia. Prof.
Lapworth pointed out the changes in the centre of gravity of
the iron industry in Britain. When the native forests were
used to smelt the ore, the Weald was the great centre. As
coal came to be used, the centre moved to the coal-fields, and
now the Lias and Oolite rocks supply the greater part of the
iron supply of England. Mr. Lamplugh pointed out that when
the richer ores were exhausted the leaner kinds would be used,
and of these there is still a great supply. The President
thought that Australia, with its vast coal supplies and good
means of transport, would eventually be the great centre of
iron supply.
Paleontology was not much in evidence, but two papers by
Mr. F. Raw on the ‘Trilobite fauna of the Shineton Shales’ and
‘The development of Olenus salteri,’ were most admirable. A
marine remarkable peat was described by the present writer.
The report of the Kirmington Committee dealt very fully
with the mammaliferous gravels at Bielsbeck, in the Vale of
York. The age of the deposit is still uncertain, as no evidence
of ice action was observed in the material associated with
“ By some mischance Mr. Brough, in the abstract of his valuable paper,
is made to attribute the whole of the ‘ brown iron-ore beds’ of Lincolnshire,
Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire to the Inferior Oolite. We are sure
Mr. Brough would not desire so misleading a statement to remain long un-
corrected. By far the greater part of the Lincolnshire ore is derived from
the Lower and Middle Lias, the Northampton ironstone being worked only
at two places, and in Leicestershire very large quantities of ore are obtained
from the Middle Lias.—P. F. K.
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 363
the fossils, and the accompanying flora does not suggest any
special degree of cold. One of the speakers who had seen the
excavations made laid great stress on the smell of the bones, and
this reminds us of an incident told by a geologist whose veracity
has never been questioned. He was at Ludlow, and wishing
to locate the well-known bed containing fish remains, went to
the Market Place. He sniffed the air all round, and at last
detecting a fishy odour, he followed the scent, and was led
straight to the exposure !
Prof. J. Joly found the rocks of the Simplon Tunnel to con-
tain radium in unsuspected quantities. He is led to enquire
whether this may not account for the high temperatures ex-
perienced in making the tunnel, and the thermal convection
caused by the removal and deposition of radium bearing
sediments may be a factor in mountain building.
Prof. J. Milne delighted the large audience which came to
hear him with a racy account of his recent researches on
Earthquakes. He finds that photographic plates exposed in
dark caves and mines are affected by a mysterious light
emanating from the rocks, and some of these coincide with the
times of recorded earthquakes. His catalogue of important
earthquakes shows that a maximum occurred between the
years 1150 and 1250 A.p., and another increase commenced
about the year 1650, and is still in progress.
The 1907 meeting, although not a large one, was most
enjoyable, and Section C will never forget the warm welcome
and the kindness extended to its members by the _ local
geologists.
——_—- <>
Familiar Indian Birds, by Gordon Dalgleish. West Newman, London,
1907. 70 pp. Price 2/6 net. Apparently this book is for the benefit of
those people in India who are likely to take an interest in the more common
birds met with in that Empire. Several of the notes have previously
appeared in English and Indian journals. In twenty-nine short articles the
author describes the more common representatives of the Indian avi-fauna.
The names of some of them sound odd to English ears :—the Amethyst-
rumped Sunbird would doubtless have a different name in England, and
several are ‘Crimson-breasted,’ ‘ Rose-ringed,’ ‘ Indian spotted,’ Bengal
green,’ etc. The author describes how the ‘ Paddy-bird’ threw itself into a
fighting attitude, though this may have nothing to do with its name. But
the illustrations, by two artists, are very poor. If the ‘ Blue-faced Barbet’
is anything like the drawing on p. 15, we are sorry for it, although its
bright colours may be ‘blended together with exquisite harmony ;’ and the
‘Purple Sunbird’ on p. 13 is surely drawn from a model carved in wood.
The frontispiece is called ‘ Bird-scaring in Bengal.’ Apparently in India
deformed, long-necked, hump-backed and macrocephalous humans are
selected for the purpose of frightening the birds, or are the four bipeds
perched in a tree rather out of drawing? In view of its size, etc., the price
of the book is too high.
1907 October Te
364
BOTANY AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
Dr. C. E. MOSS.
Tue address of the President of the Botanical Section was a
clear, clever, and incisive statement of some of the more
abstruse problems of physiological botany, and Professor Farmer
holds that it is only by the help of the elder sciences of chemistry
and physics that the accurate formulation, to say nothing of the
final solution, of the problems will be achieved. The majority
of the papers were of a very technical nature; and close students
of botany should make themselves acquainted with the details
of the communications of Professor Bower on the embryology of
the Pteridophytes ; of Dr. H. C. J. Fraser, on nuclear fusions
and reductions in the Ascomycetes; of Professor and Dr.
Armstrong on enzymes; and of Mr. Gwynne-Vaughan on the
real nature of the so-called tracheids of ferns. We understand
that Professor Bower’s communication will be embodied in the
final chapter of his forthcoming book. The real nature of
anything is always of interest to students of any branch of
science, and it has to be confessed that the results embodied
in Mr. Gwynne-Vaughan’s work on the real nature of the so-called
tracheids of ferns justified his rather ambitious title. It was
more than interesting to see a young man pointing out to the
veterans of botany their shortcomings in this particular matter,
and more than pleasing to note the favourable reception given
by them to his observations and conclusions. Mr. W. Bell, the
local secretary of the botanical section, gave a highly interesting
account of Charnwood Forest, and his remarks were illuminating
in connection with two excursions of the section to that inter-
esting region. The forest is partly under cultivation now; but
extensive and primitive oak woods, and bracken-clothed hills
still exist. The oak woods have a carpet of Holcus mollis and
Pteris aqguilina, varied in one case by extensive plant societies
of Lusula maxima. Professor Weiss gave an excellent semi-
popular lecture on ‘‘ Some recent advances in our knowledge of
pollination of flowers.”’ Mendelism was very much to the fore,
both in individual communications, and in the joint discussions
with the zoological section on the physical basis of hereditary
transmission. One of the most profitable excursions was to
Burbage, to see Mr. C. C. Hurst’s experiments in heredity
on sweet peas, rabbits, and school children. Particulars of
these experiments were supplied on a special circular. There
Naturalist,
Northern News. 36
st
was also a joint discussion with the zoological and educational
sections on the teaching of biology in schools. Mr. Hugh
Richardson, of York, was one of the official speakers in this
discussion. Mr. D. M. S. Watson, a student of the University
of Manchester, gave an account of the cone of Lothrodendron
mundum, and Professor Oliver spoke on the structure and
affinities of a fossil seed from the coal measures. Professor
Bottomley brought up to date our knowledge of the root-tubercles
in Leguminous and allied plants ; and his recent experiments in
this regard on wheat are likely to revolutionise things. Mr.
Bentley, of the University of Sheffield, essayed to speak on that
thorny topic, the nuclear divisions of the Cyanophyceae. Mr.
Wager was inclined to be sceptical, and pointed out the number
of papers on this subject in recent years—almost every paper
contradicting the rest. Mr. Bentley’s results, however, are
remarkable ; and thoroughly justify him in proceeding further
with a very difficult investigation. One of the most interesting
lectures was given by Professor Couwenz, of Danzig, State
Commissioner in Prussia for the Preservation of Natural
Monuments. His theme was the care of natural monuments,
and his remarks were listened to with rapt attention by the
members of the geological, geographical, and botanical sections.
Professor Conwentz alluded to the ‘Central Committee for the
Study and Survey of British Vegetation’ (secretary, Dr. .W.
G. Smith, of the University of Leeds), and thought that, of all
bodies in Britain, this was the most suitable for taking up and
propagating the work which he (Professor Conwentz) had at
heart. Only one ecological paper was read, and that was by
Professor Yapp on the ‘ Hairiness of certain Marsh Plants.’
In particular, Professor Yapp pointed out many interesting
peculiarities of the comparative hairiness of the leaves of
Spiraea Ulmaria, the common meadow-sweet.
The following gentlemen attended the meetings of the
botanical section :—Mr. W. N. Cheeseman, of Selby ; Dr. C. E.
Moss, of Manchester ; Mr. M. B. Slater, of Malton ; Dr. W. G.
Smith, of Leeds ; Mr. W. West, of Bradford; and Dr. T. W.
Woodhead, of Huddersfield.
pu eae
The attendance at the Leicester meeting of the British Association was
over 300 less than at York the previous year. £1288 was appropriated for
scientific purposes during the coming year.
A young seal was caught at the foot of Speeton Cliffs early in July, and
for some time-kept alive at Filey. The occurrence of seals on the Yorkshire
coast is much more frequent than is usually supposed.
1g07 October 1.
366
ANTHROPOLOGY AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
G. A. AUDEN, M.D.
THE increasing recognition of Archeology as a subject worthy
to hold a place by the side of the ‘more exact Sciences,’ was
amply exemplified in the programme of Section ‘H’ at Leicester ;
for an actual majority of the papers contributed to the Anthro-
pological Section dealt with Archeology in one aspect or
another. The strong classical tone which pervaded the meet-
ing is a point of some importance ; and in these days when the
comparative merits of classical and scientific education are so
frequently discussed, it is worthy of remark that in Section H,
representatives of both educational traditions can meet upon
common ground. Here, for example, a criticism of Usener’s
Theories upon the ‘ Augenblick-gotter’ of the Greek religious
cults may divide the day with ‘Notes upon the Maories,’
“The Tribes of Perek,’ or on ‘The Souterrains of Ulster.’
The choice of a scholar so well-known as Mr. D. G. Hogarth
(the author of ‘A Wandering Scholar in the Levant’), to fill the
Presidential Chair, gave promise of a memorable address, a
promise which was more than amply fulfilled. Those who
heard his ‘Religious Survivals’ will not readily forget the
masterly analysis and development of his thesis or his delightful
grace of style and diction.*
The discussion of greatest general interest was that initiated
by Professor Ridgeway upon ‘ The Beginnings of the Iron Age,’
wherein he showed by a process of exclusion that it was in the
highest degree improbable that a knowledge of the properties
and use of iron was brought from India, China, Egypt, South
Africa, or Babylonia, and that, per contra, there was some
presumptive evidence that this knowledge was diffused from
the region of Noricum (within a few miles of Hallstatt), the
iron mines of which have always been famous, and which is
still the centre of the great Central European cattle routes.
He believed that this knowledge was carried into the Aegean
during the Dorian immigration period, together with the use of
cremation—a custom adopted from the tribes of the great
Germanic forest.
* As the address has been published in full by the British Association
(* Presidential Addresses’), and in ‘ Nature’ (Aug. 15th), no abstract has
here been given; any such attempt would fail to give an adequate summary
of the argument. ;
Naturalist,
Auden: Anthropology at the British Association. 367
Professor Flinders Petrie referred to the marked distinction to
be drawn between the sporadic and general use of iron, and
pointed out that Egyptian History showed 4000 years of the
sporadic use of iron, obtained, as a rule, from Haematite, the
so-called ‘Stone of Heaven’; statuettes of which material are
not uncommon. The earliest dated tools of iron are a saw and
centre bits referred to 680 B.c. He alluded to the analogous
case of flint, which was used in Egypt right down to Roman
times, although bronze had been known for 800 years. Prof.
Edouard Naville, of Geneva, argued that iron was but little
used even in the new Empire, and referred to the use of iron
battle axes as a tribute. Prof. J. L. Myres (who has recently
been appointed to the Chair of Greek and Ancient Geography
at Liverpool) drew attention to the difference in the blast
furnaces used north of the Alps and the open hearth furnaces
which had existed around the shores of the Mediterranean and
in Egypt as far back as the 18th Dynasty, and to the resulting
difference in the quantity of metal produced by the two processes.
Mr. Arthur Evans found his chief difficulty in accepting Prof.
Ridgeway’s views in the fact that an earlier phase of iron age
culture is found further south than Hallstatt in the Cemeteries
of Bosnia, and that iron was found in the Palace at Knossos in
undisturbed earth even of the 12th century B.c. ; whereas the
generally accepted date of the Hallstatt period was from 1ooo
to 800 B.c. The discussion was in the highest degree valuable,
and to some of those present recalled the discussion on the
same subject at Liverpool-eleven years ago, when a good deal
of dialectic heat was evolved.
At onother meeting Professor Flinders Petrie gave a de-
scription of the pottery Soul-houses disclosed by the last winter’s
work of the British School of Archeology at Rifeh. The object
of these models was to provide shelter and provision for the
soul, to keep it satisfied, and thus to prevent it from returning
to the village. He proved that the increasing complexity of
the models was a reflex of the evolution of the dwellings which
they represented. In some of the more complex models not
only was a stairway provided whereby the soul might mount
to the upper storey, couches and chairs upon which it might
rest, fire-places, water jugs, and a little model of a woman
making bread under the stairway, but even a manger was
added tor the donkey, and a pond from which it might drink.
Professor Naville contributed an important paper upon ‘The
Beginnings of Egyptian Civilisation,’ and described the dis-
1907 October 1.
368 Auden: Anthropology at the British Association.
covery at Deir-el-bahari of the shrine of Hathor—the Goddess
of the Mountain of the West—here, as usual, represented in
the form of a heifer, the modelling of which shows such exquisite
workmanship and power.
Professor Bosanquet described the continued excavations at
Sparta, on the site of the Temple of Artemis Orthia, and the
wonderful richness of the find of votive offerings in the neigh-
bourhood of the Altar. In connection with this he gave an
interesting explanation of the ‘Scourging Festival’ at Sparta,
the cruelty of which is described by Cicero and Plutarch. The
Scourging ordeal, the victor which was known as _ the
‘ Bomontkos,’ or ‘Victor of the Altar,’ and which not infre-
quently resulted in death from the injuries inflicted, has
hitherto been assumed to be a survival of an older Spartan
test of endurance, comparable to the initiation rites of many
primitive peoples into the privilege of manhood. Professor
Bosanquet, however, traced the evolution of the Festival from
a rough game in the 4th century B.c., in which the young
Spartans had to snatch cheeses from the altar while others,
armed with whips, tried to beat them off. Under the Roman
rule there seems to have been an artificial revival under a
mistaken idea as to the origin and meaning of the traditional
usage, perverted, however, from being a mere game into being
a regular competitive examination in the power of endurance,
conducted before crowds of spectators, who flocked to the
theatre built round the altar about a.p. 200 for that purpose.
The game itself may have had its origin in a custom of the
lads striking one another for luck with boughs from the Agnus
Castus, which grew in the river bed, and was sacred to the
goddess.
Dr. Ashby, who has charge of the excavations on the Roman
site at Caerwent (‘Venta Silurum’), presented a report of the
excavations of the newly discovered Basilica and Forum, and of
the large building with two Hypocausts, known as ‘ Building
No. 7,’ which was excavated last year. Caerwent, some five
miles from Chepstow, is well worth a visit by those interested
in the subject, and it is to be hoped that ample funds will be
forthcoming to explore the large area which the generosity of
Lord Tredegar has secured for excavation. The south wall of
the fortress is in part in a very good state of preservation, and
in its course has two multangular towers, which have a close
likeness to the well-known Multangular Tower at York.
Turning to other themes the Section joined with that of
Naturalist,
Auden: Anthropology at the British Association. 369
Education to discuss the question of Anthropometrics in schools.
The subject, the importance of which can hardly be over-
estimated, was introduced by Sir Victor Horsley, who was
supported by Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., and others. The
following Resolution, communicated to persons interested in
the matter, gives to the discussion a concrete form :—
‘Resolved that, in view of the national importance of
obtaining data on the question of physical deterioration,
this Association urges upon the Government the pressing
necessity of instituting in connection with the Medical
Inspection of school children, a system of periodic measure-
ments which will provide definite information on their
physical condition and development.’
A novel method of illustrating a paper was that of Dr.
Seligmann, who, by means of a cinematograph, gave a graphic
description of some of the dances of New Guinea. Dr. Selig-
mann also read a highly important paper upon pre-historic
Stone Weapons, engraved Shells, and Potsherds from various
sites on the Coast of New Guinea. The present inhabitants do
not recognise the use or nature of these objects, while the depth
at which many of them were found attests their great antiquity.
Other papers of interest were Mr. G. L. Gomme’s ‘The
Origin of Totemism’; that of Mr. Crowfoot upon the ‘ Anthro-
pological Field in the Anglo-Egyptian Soudan’; and the Report
of the University of Wales upon the ‘Ethnological Survey of
Wales.’ But where all were excellent it is perhaps invidious to
call attention to individual papers.
Finally, allusion should be made to the valuable Reports of
the Sectional Committees, the work of which goes on from year
to year, e.g., that for exploring the lake village of Glastonbury,
a work begun in 1892 now nearing its completion, and that for
estimating the age of Stone Circles, which reported that a work
of the utmost importance is about to be begun in the examination
of the Avebury Stone Circle. The Committee for determining
the best method of registration and cataloguing the Megalithic
remains of Great Britain has not been idle, and presented a
useful Interim Report.
On the Saturday during the Meeting, a large number of
those who attended the Section availed themselves of the Geo-
logical excursion through Charnwood Forest, arranged by
Professor Watts, whose experience of this area as a Member
of the Geological Survey, gave exceptional interest and value
to the expedition.
1907 October tr.
ios)
ba |
{e)
Sn Memoriam.
JOHN WILLIAM FARRAH, 1884-1907.
Our readers will greatly regret to hear of the untimely death of
Mr. John William Farrah, which took place on the 7th of Sep-
tember. He was the son of Mr. John Farrah, of Harrogate,
and frequently accompanied his father on the excursions of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. On these occasions his kindly
disposition secured him many friends. He was very successful
with his camera, and the pages of this journal have frequently
been enriched by reproductions of his negatives. Like his
father, he had a distinct taste for Natural History, and his
death at so young an age as twenty-three is a distinct loss to
our county society. In recent years father and son were rarely
separated. We can all extend to Mr. John Farrah our real
sympathy in a loss, the nature and magnitude of which very few
of us can form any idea.
—— 0
We have received Charter's Bridlington and District Guide and
Apartments’ Directory (36 pp., with numerous illustrations and good maps).
Hull: Harland & Sons. Price 6d. It has been carefully drawn up, and
the principal attractions of the place are set forth ina clear manner. The
maps are particularly useful.
Hull Museum Publications Nos. 43 and 44 have been issued. The
first named is the twenty-first quarterly record of additions, and contains
notes on ‘ The Chariot-Burial recently found at Hunmanby,’ ‘The History
and Evolution of Coins and Medals,’ ‘Old Hull Pottery,’ ete. The second
contains reprints of Mr. Sheppard's papers on ‘A Deformed Antler of a
Red-Deer’ and ‘ Recent Geological Discoveries at Speeton,’ which recently
appeared in the ‘ Naturalist.” The pamphlets are on sale at Messrs. A°*
Brown & Sons, Hull, at one penny each.
The recently issued Report and Transactions of the Manchester
Microscopical Society bears unmistakable evidence of the enthusiasm
of its members. In addition to the various reports on the year’s working,
the volume contains the President’s address on ‘The Differentiation of
Species of Coelenterata in the Shallow Water Seas,’ by l’rof. S. J. Hickson ;
‘Snakes,’ by R. Howarth; ‘An Introduction to the British Hepaticae,’ by
W. H. Pearson; ‘Notes and Criticisms on Microscopical work,’ by A.
Flatters ; ‘Practical Bacteriology,’ [by Dr. A. Sellars]; ‘Spring Notes on
Natural History,’ by W. H. Pepworth; ‘Notes on Scolytidz or Bark
Beetles,’ by A. T. Gillanders ; ‘ British Forest Trees,’ by Dr. F. E. Weiss ;
and ‘The Internal Structure of some Insect’s Heads, as revealed by the
Microscope,’ by W. Hart. Altogether the Report is a very creditable
production, and worthy of the city which does so much in furtherance of
natural science. In our copy, however, the pages containing the papers
dealing with ‘Snakes’ and ‘ Coelenterata’ are mixed up in such a way that
we can only assume the binder was very busy, and working late, very late,
ona Saturday night !
Naturalist,
3a
MANX CROSSES.*
WE can imagine no greater pleasure to a conscientious worker
than to find the results of his labour given to the world in a
volume which does credit alike to himself, to the publishers,
and to the subject with which he deals. For many years our
contributor, Mr. P. M. C. Kermode, has devoted his energies
to the geology, natural history, and antiquities of his island
home. To him is in a large measure due our present extensive
knowledge of the scientific history of Manxland. To him future
generations will pay tribute for the care he has taken in rescuing
and preserving the various evidences of human handiwork, which
have a peculiar interest to the archeological world, from the
geographical portion of the well-defined area with which he
deals. The present writer is fairly familiar with the literature
dealing with the archeological and natural history of Manx-
land, and for some time has been impressed with the great
good that has been done by Mr. Kermode. His present work,
however, eclipses everything else he has accomplished. In it
he describes a collection of undescribed and sculptured monu-
ments, which are as extraordinary in their variety as they are
quaint in their design. They cover the period from the end of
the fifth to the beginning of the thirteenth century, and upon
them is a series of records dating from the Introduction of
Christianity in the Isle of Man, and ‘form a connecting link
between the early sepulchral stones of Wales, the inscribed
slabs of Ireland, the cross-slabs of Scotland, and the Celtic,
Anglian, and Scandinavian stones of the North of England.’
There are no fewer than one hundred and seventeen monu-
ments of this class in the island—of which number several
have been found during the past few years, and about seventy
are figured and fully described for the first time in the excellent
volume before us. Some of the sculptures depict characters
and illustrate stories in the Norse Mythology, in connection
with which Mr. Kermode has made a careful study of the Saga
literature. It is also remarkable that, so far as is known, every
Manx Cross still remains on the island—one or two examples
which had been taken away having been returned.
In a scholarly Introduction Mr. Kermode discusses the
period of the monuments; the arrival of the Scandinavians as
Heathens; the dates, materials, nature, purpose, evolution,
and distribution of the crosses ; their art and development, the
——$—————— ES
* By P. M. C. Kermode. London: Bemrose & Sons, Ltd., 1907. 222 pp.,
plates. Price £3 3s. net.
1907 October 1.
R72 Reviews and Book Notices.
inscriptions, etc. The volume is then divided—the first portion
dealing with the art of the crosses, and the second with detailed
descriptions of them.
For many years to come ‘Manx Crosses’ will be a text
book, not only so far as it relates to the small island with which
it deals, but also to students interested in the early history of
north-western Europe. It is marvellous that so important a
chapter in our history should have emanated from so small an
area. But the Isle of Man has yielded glorious opportunities,
and of these every possible advantage has been taken by Mr.
Kermode... Quite apart from its historical worth, all book-lovers
will be thankful to Messrs. Bemrose for the excellent way in
which they have done their share of the work. They have
intended ‘Manx Crosses’ to be a standard work for all time,
and neither trouble nor expense has been spared towards this
end. The paper and illustrations are such that they recall the
old days when printing was a pleasure, and sixpence-halfpenny
cloth bound volumes were unknown. We can only hope that
the work has the large sale that it certainly deserves.
—_e—_
Fifty-two Nature Rambles, by W. Percival Westell. The
Religious Tract Society, 1907. 237 pp., price 3/6. Uncle W. Percival
Westell has written another book. His previous books have had intro-
ductions by Mr. Aflalo, the Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell, and Lord Avebury
respectively. When noticing his last book (see ‘ Nat.,’ March, 1907, p. 115)
we wondered who would write the introduction to Mr. (beg pardon, Uncle)
Westell’s next. Uncle Westell has scored; it is by W. Percival Westell !
Having now reached the top of the tree we cannot even hope to guess who
will introduce the next work from Uncle Westell’s pen—or is it a type-writing
machine that makes multiplex copies? We know the author is an Uncle,
he tells us so somethirg like a hundred and seven times, and he cedicates
the book to his nephew. If we mistake not there is a photo of Uncle
Percival (or Percy, or William, or is it plain Uncle Bill?). He is ‘listening
to the chiff-chaff.. And there is a photo of his nephew, who has also
listened to the chiffchaff for a year, and we hope he has picked up a few
grains of knowledge from it. He is an appreciative ODEs ak this
nephew ; and says ‘Oh, Uncle’ on nearly every page, and ‘* Uncle, please
tell me. It is all so very interesting,’ ‘Oh, Uncle, how quickly you found
one,’ ‘Uncle, I am so enjoying this dandelion talk,’ and ‘ Uncle, a fond
nephew offers you a thousand thanks.’ In his opening remarks to his ‘Dear
boys and girls’ Uncle Westell truly says they may not all have Uncles willing
or able to take them into the fields and lanes, etc. Nephew Stanley is careful
to ask suitable questions on each ramble, and unlike most boys, he does not
ask any awkward ones. He likes poetry, too, or at least his Uncle says he
does, and this affords opportunity for giving quotations from the various
poets, followed by ‘Isn't that nice’? etc. Uncle Westell himself grows
poetic, and wants to sow ‘nature study seeds’ in the gardens of his readers’
minds. ‘ Fifty-two Nature Rambles’ tells us much that we have been told
before. It is largely ornithological, as usual, but on account of its sty le and
particularly by the reason of fle many Beautiful illustrations, will be suitable
as a prize-book for young children. ‘Some of the illustrations are unusually
fine—that of the Iris (fig. 59) being perfect. There are a few coloured
plates, one of which, shewing Sallow and Willow Catkin, the publishers
kindly permit us to reproduce (Plate XXXIV.).
Naturalist,
LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS.*
WE have here another number of the ‘Transactions of the
Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union,’ which keeps up the interest,
the varied nature, and the excellence done by the active
workers in that county.
The frontispiece, a good likeness of Mr. F. M. Burton,
F.G.S., F.L.S., who was the Union’s second president, is
accompanied by a sketch of the career of one who has done
sterling work in various departments of natural history, more
especially geology.
Mr. G. W. Mason has a good list, with remarks on localities
and a summary of the districts range of each, of the Lincoln-
shire butterflies, of which there are no fewer than fifty-six,
including such good things as Zycena semiargus, Polyommatus
dispar, Aporia crategt, Papilio machaon, Apatura tris, Limenttts
stbylla, etc. Mr. Mason has drawn upon the work and experience
of numerous observers, to whom due credit is given.
A similar excellent list of the Lincolnshire Liverworts, forty-
three in number, by Miss S. C. Stow, follows. To this paper
are prefixed some general remarks on the group, by Mr. J.
Reeves, F.L.S.
The presidential address, from which the President’s name
is conspicuous by its absence, no doubt merely an inadvertence,
deals with ‘ Natural Habitats and Nativeness,’ in which the
Rev. E. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, F.L.S., F.G.S., discusses
an interesting botanical subject in his own inimitable style, and
we note that there is scarcely such a thing as ‘a natural habitat’
in the second largest English county, so great has been the
influence of man in altering the surface. Mr. C. S. Carter
follows with a list, with habitats, of ‘Additions to Lincoln-
shire Non-Marine Mollusca’— the additions being varieties
and fresh localities for ~ thirty-eight species. ‘Notes ‘on
Local Occurrence of MNerztina fluvaitilis,’ by Mr. John F.
Musham, a new and welcome writer in these Transactions,
discusses local distribution near the city of Lincoln. The Rev.
E. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock has a page on ‘Rare Lincolnshire
Plants,’ really @ plant, Cyclamen hederefolium (Ait.) The
County Museum is the subject of a page, and also a plate of
* Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union Transactions, 1906. Edited by Arthur
Smitn, F.L.S., F.E.S. Printed by Wiggen Bros., Louth, Lincs. (8vo., pp.
73-128, and two plates).
1907 October 1.
374 Lincolnshire Naturalists.
its Lower Storey, which by permission we here reproduce. We
have to congratulate the City of Lincoln on establishing a
genuinely county museum, and trust under the able curatorship
of Mr. Arthur Smith it will flourish and develop. An interest-
ing and valuable paper, ‘Notes on the Birds which inhabit
Scotton Common,’ is from the pen of the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt,
M.A., M.B.O.U. There are various short notes and records
of field work, an illustrated paper, by Mr. CS. Carter, on the
‘Pairing of Limax maximus,’ based on original observation, a
good account of the field meetings for 1g06 and the excellent
work done at them—and there are also lists of officers, new
members, and a balance sheet.
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 375
We observe a note of a resolution to ‘ignore’ the first part
of the Transactions, the reason assigned being the erratic
pagination, and a suggestion to reprint two of the papers in it.
Might we suggest that from a bibliographical point of view
there can be no ignoring by a Society of a portion of its own
publications, especially so excellent a part as the one referred
to, and from a practical point of view, that with so great a
wealth of material in a county like Lincolnshire, it would be
wisest to utilise funds in printing fresh papers rather than
reprinting former ones ? R.
FIELD NOTES.
SHELES.
Paludestrina confusa at Saltfleetby.—We have recently
found Paludestrina confusa in abundance in drains at Saltfleetby.
ite has vbeen-adéntified : by “Mri EE. A.Smith=—C: 'Sv Carrer,
Louth, September 9th, 1907.
—:0 :—
LEPIDOPTERA.
Acherontia atropos at Paddock, Huddersfield.—I had 2
perfect specimen of the Death’s Head Hawk Moth (A. adropos)
brought to me on the evening of the 3rd September. It had
been captured very early the same morning in the bedroom of a
house in Brow Row, Paddock.—W. E. L. Warram, Newsome.
—:0 :—
FLOWERING PLANTS.
Potamogeton alpinus, a Correction.—-Since recording the
above species as new to V. C. 63 in last month’s ‘ Naturalist,’
I have received letters from six different botanists calling my
attention to the fact that P. alpinus=P. rufescens, and has
been found in several stations in 63. It is very pleasing to see
how well the Yorkshire records are watched.—H. H. Corsecr.
—:0 :—
FISHES.
Large Sunfish at Whitby.—Yesterday, 16th inst., a large
Sunfish (Orthagoriscus mola), measuring from tip of dorsal fin
to tip of ventral fin 5 feet 6) inches, and from snout to outer
edge of caudal fin 4 feet 3 inches in length, was caught in the
herring nets by the crew of the fishing boat ‘ Mary,’ 35 B H,
about five miles off Saltburn, and brought into Whitby, where
it was sold and exhibited.—TuHos. SrepHenson, Whitby,
September 17th, 1907. ;
1907 October r.
NORTHERN NEWS.
An interesting note on ‘The Manx Slates’ appears in ‘ The Quarry’ for
August.
Mr. F. W. Sowerby records Pafilio machaon near the shore at Tetney,
North Lines., in July, 1906 (‘ The Entomologist,’ August, 1907).
We take this opportunity of congratulating our contributor, Mr. G.
Grace, B.Sc., of Doncaster, on his appointment as principal of the Technical
School, Barrow.
We are pleased to notice that the Ilkley Urban District Council has
declined to allow an extension of the quarries on Ilkley Moors, on account
of the spoilation of the beauties of the moorlands which would result.
In a paper on ‘Nestling Birds and some of the problems they present,’
Mr. W. P. Pycraft describes ‘the active, down-clad type, and the type
which leaves the egg perfectly naked, and with sealed eyelids.’ Fancy leaving
an egg like that !
In ‘ British Birds’ for August, reference is made to the breeding of Ruffs
in Yorkshire recently. As this has been copied in more than one scientific
journal it is perhaps as well to correct it. The record refers to Durham, as
the nests, which were figured and described in three or four journals at the
time, occurred on the Durham side of the Tees.
There has been some correspondence recently in reference to the provision
of a Municipal Museum for Leeds. <A ‘prominent member of the Corpora-
tion,’ however, who was interviewed, whilst admitting the idea as ‘ worthy
of consideration,’ said that it ‘must not be talked of when the city was being
committed to such vast expenditure as was involved in the sewage
scheme, etc.’
Mr. E. A, Martin, in ‘ Knowledge and Scientific News’ says, ‘ In speak-
ing of times intervening between one [geological] formation and another,
we have no titles which in a single word would explain these possible
breaks.’ He considers such titles would be useful, and makes a number of
suggestions, such as Marrian, Binneyan, Harmerian, Juddian, Whitakerian,
Seeleyan, and Sillimanian, ‘ Sillimanian’ is good ; we'll stop there !
The Manchester Microscopical Society has sent us a copy of their syllabus
of lectures given by its * Extension Section,’ In this there are titles of no
fewer than forty-four lectures by well-known students. These lectures are
given gratuitously by the members of the society, but actual out-of-pocket
expenses are to be paid. We feel sure that the societies in the district will
avail themselves of this offer, and that good will result from the scheme.
In a recent number we gave some examples of Newspaper Natural
History. A correspondent sends us the following examples of legal botany
and zoology culled from official papers : —‘ Any bud, blossom, flower, or leaf
of any tree, sapling, shrub, underwood, gorse, furze, fern, herb, or plant.’
*** Animal" means any beast or other animal.’ ‘The carcase of any head
of cattle. The expression ‘‘ cattle” includes horses, mules, asses, sheep,
goats, and swine.’ ‘It might be argued that rabbit skins are ‘‘animal
matter,’ but we very much doubt it.’
By a new rule Junior members have been admitted to the Chester Society
of Natural Science, Literature, and Art. In this way fifty-two additions
have been made to the membership, which now stands at thé satisfactory
figure of 1072. As well as a brief account of the year’s work of the Society,
the Thirty-Sixth Annual Report contains a list of additions to the Grosvenor
Museum, and a meteorological report for the year. As Part 6, No 1 of its
‘Proceedings’ the same Society has issued a paper ‘On some rare Arachnids
captured during 1906 by Dr. A. R. Jackson. These are from various
localities, but are largely from Cheshire.
Naturalist
ips A ROEHL ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF ;
_ NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND,
EDITED BY S
T. SHEPPARD, F.G-.S.,
THe Museum, Hutt;
YL me
AND
T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S.,
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD.
4 WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF
m J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO: T.. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
4 Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR,
: T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S.
-
’ Contents :— z
S f PAGAS
: ‘Notes and Comments (Illustrated) :—The Geological Society’s Centenary; Distinguished
Bs Visitors; The History of the Geological Society; ‘The Father of English Geology’;
a Toads Embedded in Rocks: The Leicestershire Coalfield; Sycamore Leaf Blotch;
fie Walton Bone Cave ‘near Clevedon; The Lion and the Mouse; Country Side
‘Natural -History’ ... is HS ie s+ ae ne) on Sas a . 877-383
_ Sagina reuteri Boiss.—W. ees B. we Be Ae va Bile Sa f ee 383.
| The Hairy-Armed Bat (iiletrated)= Arthur Whitaker ili ein) ean ies nance
A Net=-Building Chironomus Larva (Ilustrated)—4. 7. Mundy... A of mi «.. 389-391
Notes on the Variation of Abraxas ulmata at Skelmanthorpe—B. Morley ah’ Rs 392-394
_ Fungi at Horton-in=Ribblesdale—T, Gibbs Me 3 ... 895-396
Fungus Foray at a ea ae Bolton yoeds, and Buckden Caste FL. 5. ... 897-401
_ Field Notes ... x wee ed Ate By ssh es ee se es ... 888, 402-404
_ Northern News DOME E gte) Wines it eMgme ace cet) ccc mate ky CMe T stiaise 8 (cm v0, A Wraisn\ ebm Sod emis ean One OE
Matias t rer tiONs ete sarees sel hoes” eeak i bavs 9. Sods, opifeeah nleese. Meat veadhh hare Uales ee SOSe so
Plates XL., XLI. i
LONDON : ;
ng : A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.
Res,» CO And at Hutt AND York.
2 me Printers and Publi: rs to the Y.N.U.
PRICE 6d. NET. BY POST 7d. NET./
-
Reviews and Book Notices ep a mi: ie He ue meas wid tee a 391, 394, 405-406 ©
aly
zg
BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, ‘Volume Ma Nae
vo, Cloth, 292 pp. (a few copies only left), price 5/= net. ae
Pieoaiatns various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Fungi of the county
Complete, 8v0, Cloth, with Coloured Map, published at One Guinea. Only a few copies left, 10/6 net. - vi
THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C.S., &e. ft
This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most.
complete work of the kind ever issued for any district, including detailed and full records of 1044 Phanero-
eur and Vascular Cryptogams, 11 Characez, 348 Mosses, 108 Hepatics, 258 Lichens, 1009 Fungi, and 382
reshwater Algz, making a total of 3160 species.
it
680 pp., Coloured Geological, Lithological, &c. Maps, suitably Bound in Cloth. Price 15/= net. ie
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Studies of its Botany, Geology, Climate, and Physical Geography. \
By JOHN GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S., M.R.I.A., V.M.H.
And a Chapter on the Mosses and Hepatics of the Riding: by Marnie B. SuaTer, F.L.S. This Volume
forms the 3rd of the Botanical Series. a!
4
396 pp., Complete, 8vo., Cloth. Price 10/6 net. . Yes
THE FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C, CROSSLAND, F.L.S-
This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a’complete-annotated list —
_ of all the known Fungi of the county, comprising 2626 species.
| \ Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Price 6/= post free.
“THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S-
§ This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 1044
Species, with full details of localities and numerous critical remarks on their affinities and distribution.
7 | J
ny > Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net.
LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.
The First Edition of this work was published in 1883, and contained particulars of 1340 species of
Macro- and Micro-Lepidoptera known to inhabit the count of York. The Second Edition, with Supplement,
contains much new information which has been eceunntated by the author, including over 50 additional
peeaeie together with copious notes on variation (particularly melanism), &c.
hy In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo.
Kitab TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION.
_ The Transactions“include papers in all departments of the Yorkshire Fauna and Flora, and are issued im
separately-paged series, devoted each to a special subject The Parts already published are sold to the public
as follows (Members are aes to 25 per cent. discount): Part 1 (1877), 2/3; 2 (1878), 1/9; 3 (1878), 1/6;.4 (1879),
2/-; 5 (1880), 2/-; 6 (1881), 2/-; 7 (1882), 2/6; 8 (1883), 2/6 ; 9 (1884), 2/9; 10 (1885), 1/6; 11 (1885), 2.6; 12 (1886), 2/6;
/ 18 (1887), 2/6; 4 (1888), 1/9; 15 (1889), 2/6; 16 (1890), 2.6; 17 (1891), 2 6; 18 (1892), 1, 9; 19 (1893), 9d. ; 20 (1894), 5/-;.
al (1895), 1/-; 22 (1896), 1/3; 23 (1897), 1/3; 24 (1898), 1/-; 25 (1899), 1/9; 26 (1900), 5/-; 27 (1901), 2/-; 28 (1902), 1/3;
9 (1902), 1/-; 30 (1903), 2/6; 31 (1904), 1/-; 32 (1905), 7/6; 33 (1906), 5/-.
THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B. O. U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE; F.L.S.
M.B.O.U.,and F. BOYES, 2 Vols. , Demy 8vo 25/- net. - Demy 4to 42/= net.
Annotated List of the LAND and FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA KNOWN TO INHABIT YORK= ;
| SHIRE. By JOHN W. TAYLOR, F.L.S., and others. Also in course of publication in the Trans-
‘actions,
THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Parts 14,
18, 19, 21, &c., of Transactions. j
LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W.C. HEY, M.A. De
THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Edited. ,
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THE NATURALIST, 1907. PranE sce.
Diseased Bones of Bear.
SKE
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETYS CENTENARY.
Probably at no previous period has there been gathered
together in one place so many prominent geologists as assembled
in London on the occasion of the recent Centenary Celebration
of the Geological Society, and it is very unlikely that there will
ever be such a gathering again. There were delegates and
representatives from Austria-Hungary, the Argentine Con-
federation, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany,
Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal,
Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, India,
South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Most of these
countries were represented by several delegates. From Great
Britain were representatives of all the Universities, Colleges,
Museums, and important Societies, and from most, congratu-
latory addresses were handed in to Sir Archibald Geikie, who
presided.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
Amongst those present were many whose names are world-
wide. Perhaps one of the most remarkable features in
connection with the gathering was the great number of
geologists present who have been well known for their work
during the last fifty years. And though many were bordering
on four score years, their years seemed to sit lightly on
them. Every facility was given for making new and renewing
old acquaintances, and in this way the successful conversazione
held in the Natural History Museum at South Kensington did
much in the interests of geological science. One man, a York-
shireman, was much missed—an accident whicn he had some
little time ago depriving him of a pleasure which would only
have been surpassed to the many savants who would gladly
have seen him present ; but Dr. Sorby was not forgotten, and
several sent him some token of their regard.
THE HistTORY OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
In connection with the Celebration, Mr. H. B. Woodward
has prepared a charming History of the Society, which is a
mine of useful information, pleasantly written. In this are
some curious pieces of information relative to the beginnings of
the Society. It was at first an offshoot from two older bodies of
limited membership, the Askesian and British Mineralogical
1907 November 3
2B
378 Notes and Comments.’
Societies. In the diary of William Allen, Quaker and analytical
chemist, is the following entry :—‘On the 13th of the eleventh
month, 1807, dined at the Freemasons’ Tavern, about five
o'clock, with Davy, Dr. Babington, etc., etc., about eleven in
all. Instituted a Geological Society.’ On the same date, too,
Humphry Davy had written to a friend, ‘We are forming a
little Geological Dining Club, of which I hope you will be a
member. I shall propose you to-day.
‘THE FATHER OF ENGLISH GEOLOGY.’
Mr. Woodward’s book contains portraits of the leaders of
geological science. As a frontispiece is a coloured plate of
William Buckland, with his quaint costume, top hat, gloves,
umbrella, and green bag. That of John Phillips, at the age of
sixty, represents him in a waistcoat and trousers of a pattern
which even geologists would hardly dare to wear to-day.
Perhaps the most interesting of all is that of William Smith,
William Smith.
who over a century ago had outlined the general stratigraphy
of Britain, and was the first, in this country, to determine the
succession of strata by means of the fossils they contained.
Sedgwick, in 1831, conferred upon William Smith the proud
title of Father of English Geology.
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 379
TOADS EMBEDDED IN ROCKS.
The question of toads being found alive in cavities in rocks
was formerly, as now, a frequent theme for discussion. The
Geological Society Club, founded in 1824, conducted its
researches somewhat after the following manner :—
November toth, 1824.—Mr. Lyell having stated that an experiment had
been instituted of enclosing toads in sev eral cavities in rock in the month of
September last, with the view of opening the cavities in a succession of
years, one in each succeeding year:
The President (Buckland) beis Mr. Warburton two bottles of champagne
to one that at the end of one year from the time of closing one toad will be
found alive.
Mr. Warburton also bets the President a bottle of champagne that no
toad will be found alive at the end of the second year.
Mr. Taylor bets Mr. Stokes a bottle of champagne that at the end of one
year one of the toads will be found alive ; also another bottle that one will
be found alive at the end of two years ; aad another bottle that one will be
found alive at the end of three years.
December 2nd, 1825.—Mr. Lyell stated that the cavities enclosing the
toads had been opened on November 15, 1825, and that two toads in them
had been found alive.
Resolved that the bets between Dr. Buckland and Mr. Warburton and
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Stokes, referring to the period of one year, are decided
by this evidence to be lost by Mr. Warburton and Mr. Stokes respectively,
one bottle of champagne each.
DE SLEISESTERSHIRE COALEIELD:*
Mr. C. Fox-Strangways in 1893 commenced a re-survey of
the ‘ Leicestershire Coalfield,’ by which is usually meant the joint
coalfields of Leicestershire and South Derbyshire. The survey
was completed in 1898; maps and explanatory memoirs were
issued in 1899 and 1905. A memoir dealing with the coalfield
generally, prepared by Mr. Fox-Strangways, has now been
published. Besides an interesting introductory chapter, this
contains an account of the History of the Development of the
Coalfield; Pre-Cambrian Rocks; Carboniferous Limestones and
Shales ; Millstone Grit, Coal-Measures, etc. ; Physical History ;
Extension of the Coalfield beyond Present Workings; and
Economic Geology. There is also a chapter on the Palzeontology
of the Coalfied, by Mr. A. R. Horwood. There are three useful
appendices, (1) Glossary of Technical Terms ; (2) Bibliography ;
and (3) Pit-sections, bore-holes, etc., the last of which occupies
more than half the volume. Like all Mr. Fox-Strangways’
work, this memoir is a thorough and conscientious production,
and for a Government publication it is cheap, fairly well printed
and bound, though the illustrations are poor, as usual in these
Memoirs. And where else, but in a Government publication,
* Memoirs of the Geological Survey : The Geology of the Leicestershire
and South Derbyshire Coalfield, by C. Fox-Strangways, 1907. E. Stanford,
373 pp., plates. Price 6/-
1907 November Ti:
380 Notes and Comments.
would one expect to find, at the foot of the Preface, anything
like this :—‘ 8556. 750.—-Wt. 20003, 8/07, Wy. & S. 3577r. a.’?
SYCAMORE: LEAF BLOTCH.
Perhaps one of the most disfiguring and certainly one of
the most common of the diseases of trees in different parts of the
country is the Sycamore Leaf Blotch. This has recently formed
the subject of one of the useful leaflets issued by the Board, of
Agriculture and Fisheries. From it we learn that the blotches
are due to a fungus, Rhytisma acerinum Fries., and when once
infected the trees get worse year by year, until eventually the
tree dies, as the fungus prevents the leaf from doing its work,
enfeebles the tree, and thus exposes it to even more deadly
Sycamore Leaf Blotch, Rhytisma aceriaum Fries.
parasitic fungi, such as the Coral Spot fungus. ‘The method
for preventing a continuance of this disease is both simple and
effective. .. The young leaves are infected in spring by
floating spores which escape at that season from dead leaves
which have been lying on the ground during the winter. If
all such dead leaves are collected and burned directly they fall
in the autumn, or at latest before the young leaves unfold in
the spring, the disease will be arrested.’ We are indebted to
the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for permission to
reproduce the illustration.
Naturalist,
Notes and Comments. 381
WALTON BONE CAVE, NEAR CLEVEDON.
In the ‘Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists Society’
(Vol. I., Pt. 3), recently to hand, Prof. S. H. Reynolds, F.G.S.,
has an interesting note on a Bone Cave at Walton, near
Clevedon. In addition to the mammalian remains (horse, bear,
wolf, vole, rabbit, etc.) were bones of an exceptionally large
number of birds, viz., eagle, buzzard, wheatear, skylark, robin,
redwing, thrush, blackbird, raven, greenfinch, swift, ringed
plover, golden plover, turnstone, dunlin or sandpiper (?),
godwit or greenshank (?), whimbrel(?), heron, common gull,
cormorant, wild duck, wigeon (?), pintail (?), goose. With regard
to the bones of the bear, many of them exhibited a markedly
diseased character. The vertebrae and phalangeal bones par-
ticularly showed a pronounced form of osteo-arthritis. An
excellent illustration is given showing the nature of the bone
disease. This we are kindly permitted to reproduce (Plate
XL.).
THE LION AND THE MOUSE,
We are anxiously awaiting the reports from our agents in
various parts of the world, in order to see to what an extent
our sales have recently increased. For Mr. E. Kay Robinson
has mentioned ‘ The Naturalist’ in his paper. Truly, the refer-
ence to our journal is not a long one, perhaps not a very
flattering one—thank heaven! but it zs mentioned. Mr. Robin-
son has not seen this journal, and does not know whether it is a
monthly or quarterly, but from letters he has received from the
members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union he learns there is
such a paper. We are quite prepared to believe what Mr.
Robinson says, but there’s a lot wouldn’t. It is a pity the
various marked copies that have been sent to him have all gone
astray. We presume also that the copy of our journal contain-
ing remarks (which were made at Mr. E. K. Robinson’s
request) on ‘Mammal v. Animal,’ sent to him by registered
post, has also gone astray. We understand from the Post
Office that it was duly delivered. But we can’t believe it.
We have more faith in Mr. E. K. Robinson’s word. We under-
stand the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union have
complained to him about the remarks appearing in this journal.
Might not these members have allowed us one more chance to
live by warning us before writing to Mr. Robinson? Fortun-
ately, however, generosity and greatness often go together,
1907 November 1.
382 Notes and Comments.
and that gifted naturalist has dealt leniently with us. How
awkward it would have been for the publishers of ‘The
Naturalist’ if, with a few strokes of his pen, Mr. E. K.
Robinson had ‘proposed to drop ‘‘ The Naturalist,”’ just as
he did the word mammals.* We notice, however, that we are
warned as to our conduct, and if we ‘really wish to serve the
interests of the Union,’ we must keep our pen under better
control. We shall certainly pay due regard to that warning.
We were in the Natural History Museum at South Kensington
a few days ago, and were horrified to find the word ‘Mammal’
still in general use. In fact, there was a ‘Guide to the
Mammals? offered for sale—though in fairness to Mr. Robinson
we ought to say that we did not see any of the visitors (pre-
sumably mostly B.E.N.A.’s, though they didn’t wear their
badges) buy it. ut, we hear on good authority that the
Director, Sir E. Ray Lankester, is ‘retiring’ at the end of
the present year. Ah/
COUNTRY SIDE ‘NATURAL HISTORY.’
According to the ‘Country Side,’ the recent Limerick, etc.,
competitions in the newspapers has ‘ sent up the social value of
brains.’ Mr. E. Kay Robinson’s finger-nails (and presumably
his toe-nails too, though his observations have apparently not
extended thus far) clearly shew that he has ‘narrowly escaped
death.’ For the second time ‘E.K.R.’ has ridden ‘Home’ in
a Motor Car, and for the second time has given his readers an
account of his achievement. By a curious coincidence the
‘species’ of the car is the same as that ‘ puffed up,’ with fair
regularity, in the ‘Motor Notes,’ and in the advertisement column
of the same paper. With the view of furthering the study of
Natural History, presumably, ‘Country Side’ has started a
‘fine contest of skill and brains ’—a Limerick competition, and
the B.E.N.A.’s can ‘cudgel their brains’ to produce the ‘last
lines.” From the following brilliant example it will be seen that
there is a distinct ‘natural history’ flavour about the com-
* Nothwithstanding Mr. George Washington Robinson’s assurance that he
would drop the word ‘mammal’ and use the word ‘animal’ instead, we
notice that in his paper recently, in asking for information about ‘ Creatures
and Plants,’ he puts the Mole, Mouse, Kat, and Vole under the heading
‘Mammals.’ Possibly this is a misprint, and the unfortunate ‘comp’ is
seeking a new situation. In the same list, under ‘Weeds and Fungi,’ is
included ‘ Finger and toe in turnips.’ Is this a weed or a fungus? or should
it come under ‘ animals.’
——
Naturalist,
2
Ingham: Sagina reutert Boiss. 38
~
~
petition; it is also remarkable that the letters ‘e. k. r-o-b-i-n-s-o-n’
occur in the first four lines :—
Said the humming-bird to the shrew
‘ If I were as dowdy as you
I'd keep to the house.’
‘ Fiddle’! answered the mouse
I'm a Country Side piffler, arn't you ?
We have filled in the last line, in case any of our readers care
to compete for a badge—or whatever the prize may be. There
need be no fear of the source being detected, as Mr. Alfred
Austin Robinson never sees ‘The Naturalist.’ *
=
SAGINA REUTERI BOISS. :
A NATIVE OF THE BRITISH FLORA.
W.°%INGHAM, B.A.
York.
On the 11th August, 1906, I found this small flowering plant on
the bed of a very old pool, almost dried up. This was on
Skipwith Common, near Selby, in V.C. 61, in a truly wild
habitat, with no sign of alien plants of any kind associated
with it.
It is known as an alien plant from Worcestershire, Cheshire,
and Lancashire, but there is the strongest evidence that it is
native on Skipwith Common. Its associates there were Mentha
pulegium, Apium nodiflorum var. repens, Limosella aquatica,
Veronica scutellata var. hirsuta, and the Hepatic Riccza
crystallina. Additional evidence given by Dr. F. N. Williams,
our authority on the Caryophyllaceous order of plants, who has
examined the specimen sent to him by Mr. Wheldon from me, is
as follows :—‘ Although differing in appearance from the very
glandular forms of this plant you (Mr. Wheldon) have previously
sent me (Vide Ex. Club Rep., 1902), they belong to S. Reuéerz,
and are indeed more like the original Portuguese specimens
than the Lancashire plants.’ The Skipwith Common plant is
quite eglandular, and a few plants only were gathered, as it
was first thought to be S. apetala.
It is clear that Swezna Reuter is a native addition to the
British Flowering Plants.
* This ‘fine contest of skill and brains’ is apparently not suitable for
the readers of the ‘Country Side,’ and has been discontinued !
1907 November 1.
384
‘THE HAIRY-ARMED BAT.
(Vesperugo Ieisleri).
(PLATE XLI.).
ARTHUR WHITAKER,
Worsbrough Bridge.
Tuis bat appears to be the least common of the eight species
which occur in Yorkshire, but it is more than probable that its
apparent rarity is due to some extent to the species being so
easily mistaken for the common Noctule Bat (Pterygister noctula),
a species which abounds, and-to which it bears so close a re-
semblance as to render it impossible to differentiate between
them, with certainty, without actually handling them.
In the British Isles the Hairy-Armed, or Leisler’s Bat has
been found plentifully in the North East and Eastern Counties
of Ireland, but is unknown in Scotland, and rare and local in
England.
Mr. H. Charbonnier recorded the capture of several bats of
this species at Mexbrough in May and June, 1890 (Zoologist
1892, page 329), and Messrs. Clarke and Roebuck mention
three specimens taken from an old factory chimney at Hunslet,
near Leeds, ‘about forty years ago,’* and these appear to be
the only records of the occurrence of this species in our county,
except for the specimens taken in the neighbourhood of
Barnsley by Mr. Armitage and myself.
On May 13th, 1904, Mr. W.. Broadhead, Woodman, of
Stainbrough, heard some bats squeaking in a slit in the trunk
of a beech tree which had just been felled. He chopped open
the hole, but in so doing accidently killed one of the occupants.
Two others he removed without injury, and the following day
gave them to me.
Although from the first I had doubts as to the identity of these
specimens, I regarded them for some time as being unusually
small and darkly coloured Noctules; eventually, however, I
became convinced that they were Leisler’s Bats, and upon one
of the specimens being submitted to Mr. Oldfield Thomas, I
was delighted to find that this was actually the case. Shortly
afterwards Mr. Armitage discovered that he had another
specimen of this bat, in spirits, which had also been taken at
Stainbrough in March, 1905.
* Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire, 1881, page 4.
~ Naturalist,
THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XEI.
The Hairy-armed or Leisler’s Bat.
(Vesperugo Ieisleri).
Whitaker : The Hairy-Armed Bat. 385
It was satisfactory to know that the species occurred in the
district, but a serious obstacle to learning much of its habits
lay in its very close resemblance to the Noctule.
In August, 1906, Mr. Sykes, of Old Mill, near Barnsley,
mentioned to me that he had frequently observed a number of
large bats flying about the vicinity of his house at dusk, and,
at his suggestion, Mr. Wakefield and I met him there on the
evening of August 18th.
We walked along a pasture which skirts the upper side of a
long, narrow plantation covering a steep bank lying between this
field and the river Dearne. The plantation is composed almost
entirely of oak trees of fair growth; these we examined care-
fully, and I climbed up to several likely holes without finding
anything.
By this time it was getting dusk, and several fairly large
bats made their appearance and commenced to hawk up and
down the top edge of the plantation, at about the elevation of
the tree tops. They resembled the Noctule in flight so closely,
that at the time I had no idea but that they were bats of this
species.
We failed to see any of them leave their den, and, as it
quickly grew darker, we began to dispair of being able to
locate their retreat that night. Just as we were about to leave,
however, Mr. Wakefield noticed one of them disappear some-
where in the dead top of one of the oak trees. Upon ascending
the tree I soon found their hiding-place, which was at a greater
elevation than any Noctules’ den | have yet examined. The
top portion of the tree was dead and without twigs, but a few
of the larger branches remained, and it was through a hole in
a short stump of one of these, which projected at about right
angles from the trunk, that the bats found an entrance to a
hollow in the trunk itself.
The height from the ground to the hole was about forty
feet. JI could hear the bats squeaking and shuffling about
inside, but the. opening was only about two inches diameter,
and the surrounding wood otherwise comparatively sound, so
that it was impossible for me to get my hand in or break into
the den without tools. Moreover, it would have been foolish to
have made any attempt to examine the colony at the time, as
some of the bats were still out feeding in the vicinity, and it
was also getting quite dark. So we left them undisturbed for
the time being.
On the 22nd of August I revisited the tree, in company
1907 November 1.
386 Whitaker: The Hatry-Armed Bat.
with Mr. Armitage, and this time we took care to arm our-
selves with a good mallet and wood chisel, and with the aid
of these I soon. cut a hole straight into the den in the main
trunk, having previously blocked up the exit hole through the
stump of the side branch. I found, on cutting the retreat open,
that it commenced, as before stated, with an entrance hole
some two inches in diameter, running. from the end of the
broken side stump straight to the centre of the main trunk, a
distance of about a foot. The trunk itself, at this point, was
about ten inches in diameter, and in the heartwood was a
circular hole about four inches in diameter, extending upwards
from the point where the other hole joined it, for about fourteen
inches. It also went downwards for a short distance, but the
bottom part was inclined to be damp. In the upper portion I
found six bats, which all proved to be female Hairy-Armed
Bats, a fact which seems to indicate that, as in the case of the
Noctule, the sexes have a strong inclination to form separate
colonies during the summer months.
Another interesting feature about this little colony of
Leisler’s bats was that it quite lacked the strong and offensive
odour so characteristic of a Noctules’ den. In fact, the
absence of this unpleasant smell struck us even before we
commenced to cut into the hole, and was the first thing which
led us to suspect that the occupants were Leisler’s, and not
Noctule bats.
The average wing expanse of these six Leisler’s bats was
304 m.m., decidedly less than that of the Noctule, which
averages about 340 m.m. The colour of the fur, however,
appears to give by far the most ready method of distinguishing
between these two species. The Noctule is glossy (almost
oily-looking) golden brown on the back and only very slightly
paler and less golden underneath. Leisler’s bat is of a glossy
clove brown above and paler, with quite a grey tinge, beneath.
This, however, is a method of identification which can only
be used when specimens of both species are available for
comparison.
It will be found upon a more careful examination, however,
that the colouration does afford a ready method of distinguishing
these two species ; and the distinction is one that can easily be
borne in mind, and used to identify even a single specimen
which may be obtained when one is in the country, with no
other specimens or books to refer to, and when general
impressions as to whether it looked small and darkly
Naturalist,
.
Whitaker: The Hatry-Armed Bat. 387
coloured or the reverse, might be most unreliable. Take a
Noctule in the hand and blow back the fur anywhere, above or
below, and the place thus disturbed will show lighter in colour
than the surrounding fur, the base of every hair being paler
than the tip. Do the same with a Leisler’s bat, and exactly
the opposite will be the case, especially on the under surface of
the creature, where the pelage becomes almost black towards
the roots. Of course there are several other differences between
the two species, as in the relative size of the feet, which are
smaller and weaker in Leisler’s bat, and in the dentition ; but
as these points would be unintelligible to some readers and un-
interesting to most, it is not necessary to go into them here,
especially as the above method of recognition is the easiest to
remember and to apply.
Of the six Hairy-Armed bats we obtained, I decided to try
to keep a pair, in captivity, in order to learn a little more of
their habits, I got them to take food from my hand the evening
following their capture without any difficulty. Like most bats,
they seemed to show no particular fear of human beings, only
a certain amount of anger and irritation at being handled, and
this quickly disappeared when they began to associate the
event with ‘feeding time.’ During the first week I got a few
pretty severe nips from them, though they never succeeded in
drawing blood, as a Noctule often does. Their method of
feeding was identical with that of the Noctule; they would
snatch the meal-worm or other insect from my forceps or
fingers if it were held within three-quarters-of-an-inch from their
nose, but if it were more than an inch away they did not seem
to realise its vicinity at all. They made no attempt to ‘ pouch’
their food, but ate it quite openly, with the head slightly
raised, moving the jaws very rapidly, and making a decided
‘champing’ noise. Sometimes the whole of the insect would
be consumed, and at other times the head and legs would be
rejected, If one of the bats got hold of a mealworm crosswise,
it would usually jerk it along until it got the end. It would
then masticate the part in its mouth rapidly, and, with a
slight jerk of its head, secure a further portion, repeating this
process until the whole had disappeared ; occasionally it would
commence to eat in the centre, but this generally resulted in one
or both ends being lost. I always noted that the more nearly its
appetite was satiated the more careless it became in consuming
its food, larger and larger portions of the insects given to it
being dropped. It would keep on snatching fresh ones, how-
1907 November 1
388 Field Notes.
ever, even though it only took a bite or two out of them. It
would often refuse obstinately to take back a piece it had
dropped ; in fact, it was seldom that I could induce it to do so.
! used to take this extravance as an indication that it had had
sufficient, and when it began to drop portions of its food |
stopped the supply. I found that an average of about five
dozen mealworms each per day seemed to meet the require-
ments of these bats fairly well; at any rate they had to subsist
on that allowance, for mealworms cost money.*
(Zo be continued).
———~+e—____
ARACHNIDA.
A Phalangid new to Yorkshire.—Ol/golophus alpinus
Herbst., now recorded for our county for the first time, is an
addition to the list of Yorkshire Harvest Spiders which appeared
in the ‘ Naturalist,’ November, 1906. The total list is thus
increased to sixteen species. I secured specimens in Butternab
Wood, Huddersfield, in July and near the summit of Ingle-
borough in September, 1907.—Ww. Fatconer, Slaithwaite,
28th September, 1907.
A Pseudo-scorpion new to Northumberland.—Pseudo-
scorpions are apparently, with one exception, very scarce in the
North of England, only eight of the twenty-three British species
having occurred in the six northern counties (vzde ‘ Naturalist,’
August, 1903 aud June 1907). Only the commonest one,
Obistum muscorum Leach., has up to the present been met
with in Northumberland, but on August 16th, while sifting the
accumulated refuse in an obscure and neglected corner of a barn
at Manor Mill, Haltwhistle, on the South Tyne, I came across
one example of the eyeless Chernes rufeolus Sim. This false-
scorpion has only recently been added to the British list (‘Trans.
of Dorset Field Club,’ 1905). It was first discovered in a
London granary, but has since been taken in Kent, Essex,
Wilts., Derby, Cumberland, and Cheshire.—Wwmn. FALCONER,
Slaithwaite, 28th September, 1907.
* This a certain gamekeeper discovered, to whom I was talking on the
subject. He was enquiring after the welfare of a couple of Noctules he had
given me some little time previously, and asking me upon what I fed them.
I told him that the joint efforts of the bats accounted for some hundred and
fifty mealworms per day. Upon this he enquired what I paid for my meal-
worms, and after I had told him, relapsed into profound silence, broken by
fitful mutterings, which warned me that he was engaged in the mental
solution of some problem in advanced practical mathematics. Just when I
was beginning to think that he had either forgotten the matter or become
hopelessly muddled, he burst out triumphantly—‘ I'll tell you what, Mister,
I’m feeding a couple of pigs for three ha’pence a week less than them there
bats is costing you’! I could quite believe him, too.
oe ee
Naturalist,
389
A NET=BUILDING CHIRONOMUS LARVA.
A. T. MUNDY.
In the summer of 1904, Prof. Miall and Mr. Taylor discovered
a tube-building larva of special interest on account of its strange
habits. The fly was hatched out, and has been identified as
Chironomus pusio. The larve were found in great abundance
at Touthech, Windermere. In 1905 I found that the same
insect was quite common in some of the South Devon streams
on the borders of Dartmoor. Inthe Yealm, which is only a few
minutes’ walk from my home, they are very plentiful, and so I
have had exceptional facilities for studying their anatomy and
life history. At first I had the greatest difficulty in keeping them
alive and active, for they delight in the swiftest running water,
while I had to keep them in dishes of still water. However,
this difficulty was finally overcome by using a clock-work
arrangement, which set in motion a revolving paddle, thus
stirring the water round and round. And so by this means [
have been able during the last two years to study their habits
and metamorphoses very closely.
Some of the Chzronomids make free cases just as do the
caddisworms (Zrichopiera). Reaumur (1743) was the first
naturalist to describe one of these ; Lyonet described another
in 1832, which built a gelatinous case. This larva has been
quite recently found in England. Dr. Lauterborn has now
added three more to the number of case-builders. One larva
makes a brown opaque case, rather flat with rounded ends,
opening by a slit, thus resembling in a remarkable degree
those old-fashioned spectacle cases which open at either end by
gentle squeezing. The second makes a straight reed-like case
covered with scales; the posterior end is closed by a tough
membrane with a central pore. And the third makes a case
somewhat the shape of a cigar. None of these cases are more
than a few millimetres in length, and I am not aware that any
of them have been as yet found in England, but that is probably
only on account of their smallness. On the other hand the
tube-building larvae, among which we place our Chironomus,
are found in great variety in all parts of England. Some make
simple mud tubes buried in slime; others build tubes three or
four inches long rising perpendicularly from the bottom of
stagnant pools ; while still another group constructs elaborate
nets, supported by a strong framework of arms, to be used for
catching food,
1907 Noyember 1.
390 Mundy: A Net-building Chironomus Larva.
To this last group belongs C. puszo, to which I must now
return. The case (Fig. 1) is found in swift running moorland
streams, anywhere except in a waterfall, attached to moss or
rock. It consists of a very compact tube one centimetre long ;
the free end is surrounded by from four to seven long thin
arms sticking out like spokes. The whole case is strangely
suggestive of the common brown Aydra of our ponds. With
Bre? Ie
Fiac. II.
Fic. I.—C. puso, larval case of a full-grown specimen, with two immature
eases attached at the base. Mag. 2, and natural size.
Fic. I].—The case of another larva, a closely related species. Mag. ?,
and natural size.
head projecting from the tube, lies the larva; and if watched
closely, it will be seen to dart up one of the arms, carry silken
threads between this and the next until there is a strong net-
work formed. This is done between each pair of arms. The
larva will then retire into its tube once more, and wait while
the net gets loaded with particles of mud containing desmids,
diatoms, and other organic matter. Then out it comes again,
pulls in the web and all it contains, and either devours it, or,
binding it into a firm mass, adds it to the wall of its house.
When full grown the larva enlarges the end of its case, and
after removing the arms, covers it in with a circular disc con-
taining a small central hole. Then after a rest of twenty hours or
so the larva changes into a pupa, and out through the central pore
Naturalist,
Review and Book Notice. 391
of the disc are pushed the ends of the respiratory organs.
What a wise provision it seems, to have left that central hole,
and yet after all, if I mistake not, the breathing organs have
lost their function! Three days’ rest, and the pupa pushes off
the disc, swims to the surface, where in a moment out bursts
the perfect fly to join his fellows in the air. The female fly lays
about ninety eggs in a jelly mass, 1 m.m. in diameter, attached
to moss just below the water. The development of the larva
can be watched through the transparent egg shell, and in six
days the larva hatches out.
The newly hatched larve are but specks, and quite trans-
parent. They differ from the older ones in not having five pairs
of plumed bifurcating hairs arising from the sides of the body.
Yet these minute creatures, which I have myself hatched out
from egg masses placed in moving water, as described above,
build little mud tubes with arms and nets just as their elders do.
They are, however, so small as to be scarcely visible without a
magnifying glass.
Another species, very closely related to C. puszo, makes a
still more graceful dwelling. The tube of this larva is shown
in Fig. II., and has lately been described and figured by Dr.
Lauterborn, who found it very plentiful in the Speirbach and
Helmbach, above Lambrecht (Palatinate). The two larve
resemble one another so closely, that when taken from their
cases, it is almost impossible to distinguish the species. I
mention this larva because I have found it moderately plentiful
in the same streams where Chzronomus pusio is so abundant.
And as the two larve live together in Devon, there seems no
reason why this latter should not also be found in the same
locality where C. puszo was originally discovered, or in other
places in the north where moorland streams exist.
as
Handbook to the Roman Wall, by the late J. C. Bruce, edited by
R. Blair. Andrew Reid & Co., Newcastle, 1907. 284 pp., 2/6 net. In view
of the extraordinary interest attached to the Roman wall, the glorious
country it traverses, and the unique character of the discoveries that have
been made at different points along its course, it is surprising that it is not
visited by a far greater number of people. Bruce’s Handbook has done
much to popularise this magnificent relic of our early rulers, and the fact
that it has recently reached a fifth edition alone speaks for its value. Seeing
that the original author is no longer with us, perhaps no better qualified
person could be found to revise and bring the handbook up to date than the
energetic editor of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Mr. R. Blair.
Since the fourth edition was issued in 1895 many important excavations and
discoveries have been made along the wall—notably the great camp at
Housesteads and the discovery in Cumberland of a fragment of a wall of
turves ; of these Mr. Blair gives good account. The guide is well illustrated,
and has an excellent folding map.
1907 November 1.
392
NOTES ON THE VARIATION OF ABRAXAS
ULMATA AT SKELMANTHORPE. ,
Skelmanthorpe.
!
Last June, when so many familiar and common species of
lepidoptera were failing to appear, and others only in few
numbers, it was an agreeable surprise to find Adraxas ulmata
in a countless swarm in its haunt in this neighbourhood:
Such a host I had never seen before. To walk about in the
wood meant killing them at every step. The herbage and
bushes were simply alive with them, everything was spangled
all over with their white wings. But evidences of tragedy
abounded everywhere, bodiless wings littered the ground;
thousands were drowned in the stream; hopelessly deformed
examples were crawling about on every hand, crippled in
every conceivable way. Their wretched plight was almost
depressing. The satisfaction was the perfect ones, of course ;
how pretty they looked sitting with their wings streched out
and laid flat on every leaf, and yet how very much alike they
seemed. Having recently had the pleasure of seeing some of
the remarkable forms found at Sledmere some years ago, it
occurred to me that probably something out of the ordinary might
be found amongst this multitude. Previously I had not found
any great variation, or even found a good aberration. This
time, however, I was more fortunate, for what I obtained
surpassed anything I had ever dreamed of. Strange forms
were really not uncommon.
Roughly, the variation can be separated into two classes,
one lighter than the figure given by Newman and the other
darker. Newman’s figure seems to exactly represent what I
found to be the predominant type, so that it will be convenient
as a base to work from.
Dealing first with the varieties that are lighter than New-
man’s type, it was very easy to find all the grades of variation
to an almost white form. The brown spots at the bases of the
wing's and those on the inner margins gradually fading into a
light ochreous shade, the cloudy blotches becoming smaller and
fainter. Ina few examples of the extreme light form the brown
in the spots is replaced by an almost bright yellow colour, and
all that remains of the transverse series of cloudy blotches
beyond the middle of the wings is a short faint streak on each
Naturalist,
Morley: Notes on the Variation of Abraxas ulmata. 393
wing ray, the ground colour being pure white. On some of
the very lightest specimens another very curious feature of
variation begins to appear, and leads on to a very distinct
variety. Some specimens have the yellow spots slightly
blurred, the colour being faintly suffused onsthe wings outside
the ordinary limits of the spots. The suffusion becomes more
pronounced in other specimens until the ground colour becomes
rust coloured, this colour being most pronounced in the region
of the spots. But I regard these as only approaches to what I
found of the extreme yellow suffused forms, which have the
yellow spots very blurred and undefined, and the ground colour
very dirty and greasy-looking. Perhaps the strangest feature
about these yellow suffused forms is the fact that not one of them
has all the wings equally affected. In one or two specimens
an almost complete suffusion obtains, but generally the fore-
wings are the most affected, and both sexes are subject to it.
Another very plentiful form, darker than Newman’s figure,
seems to make another distinct variation. The brown spots
are very much darkened; indeed, in some cases they are
almost obliterated by a thick lead colour. The transverse sets
of blotches are united and form broad deep leaden bands
across the wings. The central blotches become enlarged also,
and are usually confluent. It is worthy of note, however, that
this form has the spots well defined, and even in the most heavily
marked examples what remains of the ground colour is white
and not suffused.
A few of the deep leaden varieties were obtained, with pretty
examples intermediate between them and the type. The first
has only the outer half of the left forewing affected, the narrow
smoky line on the outer margin and the leaden blotches being
almost washed out, the area between them lead colour. It is
worthy of note that although the brown spot on the inner
margin is enveloped in the smoky cloud it is well defined and
full coloured. The next specimen has all the wings equally
affected; all the spots and blotches show out plainly, the
ground colour being pale leaden grey more or less shadowy,
but with no white showing. The remaining specimens of the
leaden type seem to vary only in intensity of colour, with the
cloudy blotches less apparent as the colour becomes deeper.
Judging from this series it would seem that two quite
distinct forms of variation are developing in this locality, and
although it may be premature to come to that conclusion, the
fact remains that where a yellow suffusion obtains it is at the
1907 November 1
2C
394 Reviews and Book Notices.
expense of the brown spots; and in the leaden forms the
cloudy blotches disappear, while the brown spots remain com-
plete and well defined. Probably the banded forms may be
only heavily marked examples of the ordinary type, and without
direct relation to either of the suffused varieties, but an opinion
in this case is scarcely warranted when the real causes of these
extreme variations are so little understood.
There are three specimens in the series which deserve
special mention and a separate description. The first has the
right forewing a dirty brown colour, all over the wing, the
markings and the white ground being all obliterated; all the
other wings, however, are of the usual typical colour in every
respect, a strange looking specimen indeed.
The second is a really pretty aberration, the basal two-thirds
of the wings being of a deep bronze colour flushed with blue,
and divided in the centre by a narrow white band reaching from
the inner margin almost to the costal margin, the outer portion
of the wings being a broad belt of pure white. The extra-
ordinary appearance of this specimen was noticed when I was
ten yards away from it, although it was surrounded by scores
of others of its species.
The third has all the wings a pale lead colour, but instead
of the six brown spots being complete and well defined, as in
the other leaden forms, they are replaced by round leaden spots
similar to the ground colour, surrounded with brown lines, the
wings being simply ornated with brown rings. It is worthy of
note that the head, thorax, and body are all normally coloured
in all the varieties except the lead coloured forms, in all of
which they are invariably black.
—_~e—
Wild Life on a Norfolk Estuary, by A. H. Patterson. London:
Methuen & Co. 352 pp., 10/6 net. We have previously noticed Mr.
Patterson’s work in these columns. The present substantial book teems
with equally interesting matter, and can be recommended for its racy style
and for the valuable natural history observations it records. It deals largely
with Breydon—so well known to East Coast naturalists. The second part
of the present volume is really a continuation of the author's ‘ Nature in East
Norfolk.’ There is also added a series of interesting local notes, which owe
their existence to the author's system of ‘when found make a note of.’
Some of these are exceptionally good-—the ‘rabbit yarn’ we should have
reprinted for the benefit of our readers had it not been quite so long!
Throughout the work there are numerous ancedotes of mammal, bird, and
fish. To one of them, however, we observe the footnote, ‘This is a fact’!
The book is illustrated by several of the author’s own sketches, some of
which are rather crude, and a reason for their insertion is given in the
Preface. Altogether it is a most entertaining volume, and we only wish
that the dozens of recent writers on birds had as much first-hand inform-
ation to give as Mr. A. H. Patterson, and could put it in such a pleasant
form.
~ Naturalist,
395
FUNGI AT HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE.
T. GIBBS.
THE district of Horton-in-Ribblesdale is rather wanting in those
rich moist woodlands, with deeply bedded leaf mould, which
mycologists find such prolific hunting grounds. On_ the
occasion of the September excursion of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union, therefore, fungi were hardly so abundant
as we expected to see them on the last excursion of the year.
In addition to this, although it is a curious complaint to make
after the summer of 1907, a pleasant little spell of delayed
summer had somewhat checked the development of the
moisture-loving pasture species. Notwithstanding these draw-
backs, the writer, who was spending some days in the district,
and consequently was able to extend the area of his operations
beyond the strict bounds of the excursion programme, with the
assistance, on the Saturday, of Messrs J W. Tindle and -
M. Malone, of Bradford, noted the occurrence of about eighty
species. Some of these were of considerable interest, and one
had not been previously certainly recorded for the county.
The most prolific locality visited was Douk Gill, a narrow
wooded ravine where the beck, which sinks underground at
Hell Pot, on the side of Penyghent, resumes its above ground
course ; here large Agarics were fairly plentiful, the plantation
yielding six of the nine Russule seen, also the beautiful edible
Clitopilus orcella, and a fine large Discomycete O¢zdea cochleata.
The bare moorlands yielded few species, but a pretty white
or primrose yellow form of Omphalia umbellifera was frequent
on peaty banks high up Penyghent and Ingleborough, and
Naucoria semiorbicularis abounded in the Sphagnum swamps.
The Limestone Scar area proved the most barren, as was to
be expected, nevertheless it provided Zhe find of the excursion,
a solitary specimen, in perfect condition, of the beautiful and
uncommon puffball Lycoperdon velatum Vitt., a species only
recently added to the British Flora.
The following is a complete list of the species found :—
GASTROMYCETES. L. pyriformevar. excipuliforme Desm.
Several specimens among grass
at foot of Ash tree, Oxenber
Wood.
Bovista nigrescens. Among grass.
Lycoperdon velatum. Among grass
on rocky, bushy bank, Oxenber
Wood.
L. echinatum. Among grass, Oxen-
ber Wood.
1907 November 1.
HYMENOMYCETES.
Agaricaceez.
Amantta rubescens.
Lepiota cristata.
L. granulosa.
Armillaria mellea. One only seen.
Tricholoma terreum. WDouk Gill.
Clitocybe infundibuliformis.
Laccaria laccata.
Collybta radicata.
Mycena rugosa.
M. galericulata.
M. epipterygia.
M. galopoda.
Omphalia umbellifera. On peaty
banks high up Penyghent and
Ingleborough.
O. muralis. Among grass and moss,
Gillet Brae.
Clitopilas orcella. Douk Gill.
Nolanea pascua. In pastures,
abundant.
Inocybe asterospora.
I. rimosa.
I. scaber.
I. geophylla. Douk Gill.
All under trees.
Naucoria semtorbicularis.
among Sphagnum.
Galera tenera.
G. hypnorum. Both common.
Tubaria paludosa. Among Sphag-
num.
Crepidotus mollis. On dead trunk.
Agaricus arvensis. In pasture.
Stropharia aeruginosa.
S. semiglobata. On cow and horse
dung.
Hypholoma fasciculare.
Paneolus retirugis.
P. campanulatus.
P. papilionaceus. In pastures.
Anellaria separata. On dung in
pastures.
Psilocybe semilanceata.
Psathyrella atomata.
Coprinas atramentarius.
C. tomentosus. In hilly pasture,
Wharfe.
C. plicatilis.
lal; verophorus pratensts.
HT, psittacinus.
HI. coccineus.
HT. miniatus.
Ff. contcus.
HT, unguinosus.
H. chlorophanus.
The last eight species in pastures.
Lactarius pyrogalus.
L. quietus.
Bransgill.
Douk Gill.
Both on dead wood.
Common
On stumps.
In pastures.
Gibbs: Fung? at Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
L. turpis.
Russula densitfolia.
. cutefracta.
- ALZUYEA.
cyvanoxantha,
. emetica,
. ochroleuca.
The six last named in Doulk Gill.
R. alutacea. Bransgill.
R. foetens. Among grass, Gillet
Brae.
R. vesca. Wood side near the Lime
Works.
Marasmius androsaceus.
by by Py
POLYPORACE-®.
Boletus flavus.
B. viscidus. Wood side near the
Lime Works.
Polyporus adustus.
Polystictus versicolor.
THELEPHORACE2.
Stereum hirsutum. On dead wood,
and on Polyporns adustus.
CLAVARIACE.E.
Clavaria cristata.
C. rugosa.
Both in Douk Gill.
UREDINACE.
On Wood Violet.
<E-cidium stage on
Puccinia violae.
P. poarum.
Coltsfoot.
P. oblongata. On Lusula sylvatica.
PYRENOMYCETES.
Rhytisma acerinum. On leaves of
Sycamore.
Sphaerella rumicis. On leaves of
Dock.
DISCOMYCETES.
Otidea cochleata.
Douk Gill.
Humaria granulata. On cow dung.
Dasyscypha calycina. On _ living
twigs of Larch.
D. virginea, On dead wood.
On the ground in
PHYCOMYCETES.
Mucoracee.
Pilobolus crystallinus. On cow dung.
Naturalist,
397
FUNGUS FORAY AT GRASSINGTON, BOLTON WOODS,
AND BUCKDEN.
@: CROSSLAND;: E-E-S.
Halifax.
THE seventeenth Annual Fungus Foray was held Sep. 21st-26th,
the head-quarters being at the Wilson Arms Hotel, Grassington,
a good centre for the three localities selected. Permission to
explore the woodlands near Grassington and Bolton Abbey had
been unhesitatingly granted by His Grace the Duke of Devon-
shire ; and for Buckden Woods by Miss Stansfield, of Buckden
Hall. There was an unusually large muster in addition to the
Mycological Committee. Affiliated Societies from Halifax,
Bradford, Crosshills, Hull, Rotherham, Huddersfield, and York
were represented. There were also Mr. Thomas Smith,
Alderley Edge, a member of the Manchester Microscopical
Society ; and Mr. Thomas Hey, of the Midland Railway Nat.
Hist. Soc., Derby. Consignments of Fungi, including many
uncommon species, were sent from the Isle of Wight and the
New Forest by Mr. J. F. Raynor, Southampton. Mr. Smith
brought a fine collection of interesting species from Alderley
Edge, among which was a Boletus, at present undeterminable.
After all had secured their berths, a short run out was made
through the pastures by the river side as far as Grass Woods.
A few of the members who arrived in the forenoon had got
together a fair collection ready to hand.
Monday was set apart for Bolton Woods, and Tuesday for
Buckden ; the remainder of the time being given to Grass
Woods and the pastures. The unusually cold summer, with
the ground almost constantly much below the normal summer
temperature, had been unfavourable to the development of
fungi, especially of the larger, more fleshy kinds. The
ordinary field mushroom has been similarly affected. This
fact led us not to expect too much, and it was fortunate that
all three localities were included in the programme. One of
the members, a few weeks previously, expressed a doubt as to
whether there would be anything worth coming for. The
reply to this was, ‘If we don’t find more stuff than we are
able to determine it will be the first time.’ We did, and all
came right at the end of the Foray, everyone being well
-satisfied with the results. There now remains no doubt as to the
prolific nature of the grounds selected had the season been
ordinarily good. On the way to Bolton a promising fir-wood,
1907 November tI.
398 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Grasstngton, etc.
between Burnsall and Barden Tower, was looked into ; this was
a typical place for many fir-loving species, but few were seen.
There is one fact which has been remarked upon several times
in years past, that is—when a season, or a district, is less
bountiful than usual, some uncommon or rare species are
sure to turn up. It has proved so this time.
The exploration of Bolton Woods was worked in two
companies ; one keeping the right bank of the river, the other
the left, each under the guidance of a woodman. The investi-
gation began at Barden Bridge, the conveyance being sent
forward to Bolton Abbey to await us there for return. The
first place looked into—a bit of moist, bracken-free woodland
with plenty of rotting branches, herbaceous stems, and a few
old stumps—set us up for the day. One of the finds of the
Foray was picked up here, the beautiful, deep blue agaric
Leptonia euchroa. The place yielded several other agarics and
numerous micro-species. This was one of the best bits. On
comparing notes with the other party, which we rejoined at the
lodge refreshment room, we learned they had also done fairly
well. On going over the day’s finds at the end of the Foray it
was found that no fewer than 123 species had been collected,
12 being additions to the Mid. W. Division, including Omphalia
bullata, Pleuteus spilopus, L. euchroa, and Pholiota tuberculosa.
On Tuesday we had a nice variation. The nine miles to and
from Buckden was done on the public motor car. It was a
very pleasant ride each way, only one could not help wondering
what would be the result if an axle broke or a wheel came off
while the car was careering down a hill. <A full description of
the delightful Buckden Wood would occupy too much space.
As soon as we put foot into it there was an exclamation, ‘Ah!
this is the right kind of place for us.’ Although we were not
there very long, and the season unpropitious, 105 species were
picked up. Among them were three new county records—
Mycena excisa Lasch., Omphalia camplophylla, and Entoloma
bulbigenum, also sixteen additions to the Mid. W. Division. The
motor conveyance returned at two o’clock. On the way back it
was pulled up a few minutes to give the passengers an oppor-
tunity of calling up the echo across a certain point in the valley.
This was interesting enough in itself, but a few of us were
anxious to get back to the work-tables before too much daylight
had fled.
Grass Woods is known to the majority of Yorkshire
botanists for its luxuriant undergrowth. Its stock of flowering
Naturalist,
Crossland: Fungus Foray at Grassington, etc. 399
plants is large and varied. Many uncommon species have been,
and are, found within its boundaries. This led us to expect a
variety of plant diseases caused by parasitic fungi, nor were we
altogether disappointed. Fifteen species were seen; their
names, along with those of their host plants, are given in the
list of species which will be found in the ‘Transactions of the
Yorkshire Naturalists Union,’ No. 33, shortly to appear. The
great abundance of Xenodochus carbonarius on Potertum offictnale
was most striking. A far more lamentable feature was the
sycamore leaf blotch. Nearly all the sycamore trees in Grass
Woods were affected by this unsightly ‘parasite’ Rhytesma
acertnum. We never saw the disease so prevalent anywhere.
It prevails, more or less, in all the districts visited. It is even
in some of the forest-tree nurseries, where one would least
expect to find it. Here, at any rate, some attempt should be
made to check it ; there may have been, but if so, unsuccessful.
Seeing that the propagation spores of the disease do not ripen
and germinate on the fallen leaves until spring, there is ample
time to collect and burn all that are shed in the nursery area.
When every leaf of a tree is attacked, besides making the tree
look so repulsive, its timber producing powers are very much
reduced ; it is utterly impossible for the leaves to perform their
functions to the full when one fourth, or one third of their
substance factories are choked up and destroyed by the thick,
black scabs of this disease.
The Mid. W. Division has been previously so well worked for
its Uredinaceous plant diseases by Mr. West and the late Mr.
Soppitt that, though we found no fewer than 26 species in the
three localities, there are no additions to the Mid. W. Fungus
Flora in this branch.
Quite a number of small fry was found at the several places
on decaying sticks and herbaceous plant remains. These are
as-interesting as, and even more so than, the conspicuous kinds,
but require more searching for. No fewer than 36 species of
Discomycetes were met with; and 15 Myxomycetes, including
Cribraria rufa, a new county record. While agarics were
found in fairly great variety, considering past conditions, they
were very sparing in quantity; just ones and twos here and
there. The commonest and most abundant agaric was the
strong smelling Hebeloma crustulintforme. Of the genus
Mycena 15 were found, Cortinarius 11, Russula 12, and
Hygrophorus tro.
Two or three of the members revisited Grass Woods on the
1907 November t.
400 Crossland: Fungus Foray at Grasstnugton, etc.
Wednesday morning and brought in several additions. The
plentiful unworked-out material remaining on the tables over-
night induced the remaining three to stay in and tackle it. A
short stroll in the hotel garden was indulged in as a break in
the work, when two Copfrzniz were noticed on the manure heap,
C. plicatilis on the lawn, Uromyces fabe on the bean leaves,
Spherotheca castagnet on the peas, and Cladosporium herbarum
on an empty decaying pea-swad thrown on the ground.
Miss Johnstone, on descending into the Elbolton cave near
Thorpe, found Polyporus niduleus growing on a pole in the
cave bottom.
While each one worked hard to make the meeting a success,
Mr. Malone, of the Bradford Society, excelled in collecting and
bringing in specimens.
It was acknowledged by all sufficiently experienced to be
able to give an opinion that many uncommon species had been
found. The weather was all that could be desired for collecting
purposes.
Papers and discussions were the order of the evenings. On
the Saturday evening Mr. Clarke read a copy of a lecture by
Dr. M. C. Cooke on ‘How to Study Fungi,’ which was very
instructive ; also a copy of a characteristic address given by the
same talented author many years ago to one of the London
Natural History Societies. This was very much enjoyed.
On another evening Mr. Harold Wager, F.R.S., spoke at
some length on the ‘Life History of a Parasitic Fungus ’—
Polyphagus euglene. Mr. Wager has devoted much time and
attention to this parasite, and appears to have successfully
observed its complete life cycle. The details of its develop-
ment, and the methods this particular parasite adopts to find
and secure its prey were clearly given. The lecture, which
was illustrated by diagrams drawn by the lecturer as he went
along, was listened to with rapt attention by a most appreci-
ative audience.
On another evening Mr. Gibbs dealt with ‘Some of the
Smaller Coprophilus Coprini,’ Mr. Gibbs has given much
attention to this group for several years past. At least one
species new to science has been the result. From his interest-
ting remarks, illustrated by diagrams, one gathered that
species considered to be of rare occurrence will prove to be
common if properly looked for.
During the course of the evening, discussions on the best
methods of carrying on the Mycological work of the county
Naturalist,
Crossland: Fungus Foray at Grassington, etc. 401
came under consideration. Mr. Wager’s suggestion that the
work should be definitely shared out among the Members of
the Committee was readily adopted. The idea being that each
member take one or more of the various groups of fungi under
his special charge. Mr. A. Clarke took the Gastromycetes and
the Polyporacee; Mr. T. Gibbs part of the white spored
Agaricacee and the whole of the Melanospore; Mr. H. C.
Hawley, Ochrospore and Hyphomycetes; Mr. C. H. Broadhead,
Rhodospore ; Mr. R. H. Phillip, Uredinacez and Ustilaginee ;
Mr. W. N. Cheesman, Hydnaceew and Clavariacee; Mr. H.
Wager, Phycomycetes; Mr. C. Crossland, Ascomycetes
and other unalloted groups; and Mr. J. W. H. Johnson,
Myxomycetes.
Stereo photos and coloured drawings of fungi, by Messrs.
Clarke, Gibbs, and Crossland, were at the service of those who
desired to look them over. All the necessary books and
microscopes were available.
The doctor and one or two other Grassington friends
interested themselves in the proceedings. Altogether it was a
most enjoyable Foray. One of the greatest drawbacks was,
the experienced hands could not devote as much time as they
would have liked in assisting the less experienced members
to determine the species they collected. This was felt, but
could not well be avoided. To add to this, there was not
sufficient table room to allow of the named specimens being
laid out for the study of those members to whom they were
unfamiliar.
About 200 species were collected in and about Grassington,
123 at Bolton Woods, and 105 at Buckden; the net number
being 320; six being new to Yorkshire and 53 to Mid. W.
These will all be particularised in the list.
I am indebted to Mr. A. Lister, F.R.S., for kindly under-
taking the work of determining the Myxomycetes on my behalf.
At the business meeting the Rev. F. H. Woods proposed,
and Mr. H. Wager seconded, a vote of thanks to the land-
owners for permission to explore their domains.
It was decided to recommend Mulgrave Woods as the place
for next year’s Foray, the dates to be September 19th to 24th.
It may be urged that these woods have been investigated by the
Yorkshire Mycologists two or three times already ; so they have,
but the woods are so extensive and varied that were they
explored nine times there would certainly be some additions to
the Fungus Flora were a tenth visit made.
1907 November 1.
402
FIELD NOTES.
GEOLOGY.
Striated rock-surface in Ribblesdale.—An interesting
surface of glaciated Silurian Grit is plainly traceable over an
area of about fifty square yards on the hillside 320 yards north
of Arcow, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at 875 feet above Ordnance
Datum, and the striz are very distinct over the greater portion.
A casual observation shows that most of this steep hillside
bears unmistakable evidence of glaciation, due to the Ribbles-
dale glacier making its way southwards along this valley. The
direction of the grooving is practically due north and south,
and therefore conforms to the general trend of this portion of
the valley.
The grits are well exposed in the wood where this striated
surface is seen, which is about a mile-and-a-quarter almost due
south of Horton Station. Above this the Mountain Limestone
of Moughton Scar unconformably overlies the Silurian rocks.
—E,. E. Grecory, Bingley.
—:0 :—
MAMMALS.
Bat mobbed by Swallows.—For two days in succession a
curious sight was witnessed this week at the Wetwang village
pond. The sun was shining brilliantly at 2-30 p.m., when a
little bat was seen hunting backwards and forwards over the
pond, occasionally pursued by two or three Swallows and
House-martins, which seemed to wish to drive it off.—E. MAULE
CoLe, Wetwang, September 13th, 1907.
—:0 :—
BIRDS.
Bird Notes from the Whitby District.— Reading Messrs.
Booth and Fortune’s report of the Vertebrate Section of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ meeting at Robin Hood’s Bay last May,
in your July number, I am induced to send you a few notes on
some of the birds of the district which may interest a portion of
your readers.
SpotreD FiycatcHer.—It is not surprising that this bird
was not seen during the visit of the Union. As in other districts,
it was later than usual in putting in an appearance here, the
first to be observed being on May roth. Later it came in even
more than usual numbers; so late as September 5th it was
observed feeding newly-fledged young.*
* The late arrival of Spotted Flycatchers seems to have been general
throughout the county this year.—R. F.
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 403
Rinc Ouzet.——This bird is fairly common in the district, and
should have been met with by the members of the Union. On
May 27th a nest with four young was found near Ramsdale
Beck, a short distance from the Whitby and Scarbro’ highroad.
Wutncuat.—Was also very late in arriving in this part ot
Yorkshire. May 11th appears to be the earliest date recorded.
Many did not come to us till much later.
TREE CREEPER.—This is by no means common. Odd birds
are to be found in suitable localities.
STONECHAT.—It is so thinly distributed over this locality that
it might easily escape observation during a short visit.—THos.
STEPHENSON, Whitby, September 17th, 1907.
An ancient Blackbird.—It may be interesting to record the
death of an old blackbird which has just taken place in
Harrogate. He was captured by his owner 15 years and
7 months ago, and as he would be at least a month old when
caught, he has reached the ripe age of nearly 16 years. For
five years he was clothed in the normal plumage of his kind,
but after the fifth moult white feathers began to appear,
increasing in numbers after every moult, until at the time of his
death a considerable portion of his plumage was white.
—R. Fortune, Harrogate.
—:0:—
FISHES.
Fishes at Whitby.—The following species were obtained
during September at Whitby :—
Sept. 25th.—Ballan Wrasse, Zabrus maculatus, weighing
2} lbs. was taken off and brought into Whitby.
Sept. 26th.—A large Porbeagle or Beaumaris Shark, Zamna
cornubica, a male, measuring from end of nose to end of caudal
fin 7 ft. 6 ins., and estimated to weigh about 3 cwt., was taken
off Saltburn by John Dryden in the herring nets of the coble
‘Ann Elizabeth,’ W Y 184, and brought into Whitby, where it
was exhibited. One net was completely spoiled.
Sept. 26th.—A fine example of Garfish or Sea Pike, Bila
vulgaris, measuring from end of jaw to end of caudal fin 27 ins.,
called locally Swordfish.
Sept. 27th.—A large specimen of Great Weever or Sting-
bull, Zrachinus draco, measuring 16 ins. in length and weighing
1 lb., was taken off, and brought into, Whitby.
Sept. 28th.—A small Sunfish, Or¢hagoréscus mola, measuring
1907 November tr.
404 Field Notes.
31 ins. from tip of dorsal to end of ventral fin, was taken while
floating on the surface of the water near the pier end at Whitby
by the crew of the Filey coble S H, 299, when about to enter the
harbour.—TuHos. STEPHENSON, October 2nd, 1907.
Giant Mackerel landed at Grimsby.—A giant mackerel,
said to be the largest ever Janded on the Grimsby market, was
brought to that port recently by the steam trawler Jersey.
The fish, which was 24 inches long, with a girth measurement
of 15 inches and a weight of 6? lbs., was caught some 63 miles
from Spurn. It was sold for exhibition purposes, and realised
18s. I saw the fish myself.—F. M. Burton, Gainsborough.
—:0:—
MOLLUSCA.
Petricola pholadiformis in Lincs.—I collected this shel
in 1900, and since, but have failed to find any published record
of its occurrence in Lincolnshire. The empty shells, in varying
stages of growth, occur in considerable numbers on the shore
about Mablethorpe* and Sutton-on-Sea. Mr. V. Howard, M.A.,
informs me that about two years ago he found them living
abundantly at extreme low tide.
Mr. A. S. Kennard informs me it was obtained some years
ago at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, then he found it living
abundantly at Herne Bay, and Mr. J. E. Cooper found it at
Shellness, near Deal, and this year Mr. Kennard found it
at Dunwich, Suffolk, and Mr. Mayfield saw it at Lowestoft and
Felixstow. In addition to the above-mentioned localities I
have a few fine examples which I collected near Warden Point,
Isle of Sheppey, in August, 1896.—C. S. Carter, Louth,
October 4th, 1907.
—:0 :—
FUNGI.
Lachnea hirto-coccinea Phil. and Plow.: An addition
to the Yorkshire Fungus Flora.—I found this fungus on Stren-
sall Common on the 6th July, 1907. It was growing on wet
sand and rotten wood on the side of a temporary water splash,
and was distinct by its scarlet colour and round shape, the size
of a shilling. Mr. C. Crossland regards it as an interesting
addition to Yorkshire.—W. INGHAM, York, 11th Aug., 1907.
* A piece of peat from this locality, with shells in position in their
borings, has recently been brought to us, and is now on exhibition at the
Museum, Hull.—Eb.
Naturalist,
405
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
The Use of Life, by Lord Avebury. Macmillan & Co., 1907. 208 pp.,
price 2/- This well known book, which contains a variety of essays on a
variety of subjects, has now been issued for something like the 21st time.
The present edition is very handy in size, and is well printed and well bound.
The Protection of Sea Shores'from Erosion, by A. E. Carey.
Greening & Co., London, 36 pp., price 1/.. In this pamphlet Mr. Carey
gives a careful summary of the various methods in vogue for protecting the
coast from the ravages of the sea, and the illustrations which accompany
his remarks enable these methods to be clearly grasped. The pamphlet
is apparently a shorthand report of a lecture delivered before the Society of
Arts on May tst last. It is a pity it was not slightly ‘edited,’ however,
before publication. ‘I have been asked to speak to you this evening’
seems odd to the purchaser of the pamphlet, and ‘the lantern slide now to
be presented shows’ nothing at all, as it is apparently not reproduced.
Guide to the Great Game Animals (Ungulata) in the Department ot
Zoology, British Museum (Natural History). London, 93 pp. Price 1/-
The Trustees of the British Museum are undoubtedly doing excellent
service by issuing from time to time popular handbooks at a reasonable
rate. These, whilst primarily being descriptive of the specimens in the
Natural History Museum, are also very useful general guides to the subjects
dealt with. Before us is the guide to the Ungulata, written by Mr. R.
Lydekker. From the careful way this has been prepared, and the number
of illustrations, it will prove most useful to sportsman and naturalist alike.
It is well bound. Appended is a serviceable ‘list of horns, antlers, and
tusks,’ with measurements.
We have received two valuable publications from the Liverpool
University Institute of Commercial Research in the Tropics. One
is a paper by Viscount Mountmorres on ‘The Commercial Possibilities of
West Africa,’ and the other is the ‘Quarterly Journal’ for April. Amongst
many articles, the following may be cited as typical: ‘The Weevelling of
Maize in West Africa,’ by R. Newstead; ‘The Properties of the Fibres
separated from Cotton Seeds,’ by Dr. E. Drabble; ‘ Analysis of the Oil
from Inoy Kernels (Poga oleosa),’ by E. S. Edie ; ‘A Note on some Chemical
Properties of Sierra Leone Gum Copal,’ by D. Spence and E. S. Edie, ete.,
etc. There are several plates. Viscount Mountmorres’ paper is on sale at
6d., and the ‘ Quarterly Review at 2/- net.
Catalogue of the Specimeus illustrating the Osteology and
Dentition of Vertebrated Animals, recent and extinct, contained
in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of London, yb
W.H. Fowler. Part I., Man. Second edition. Taylor & Francis, 1907.
433 Pp:, price’Io/- net.
Though with the somewhat unattractive title of ‘Catalogue,’ this
excellent work can be particularly recommended to anyone interested in
anthropological work. The first edition, prepared by the late Sir William
H. Flower, was issued in 1879, and contained 264 pages. The present
edition, for which the late Prof. Charles Stewart, was responsible, is
nearly twice the size, and includes particulars of many important additions
to this well-known collection, including the skulls presented by Sir Havelock
Charles, and the specimens purchased in 1895 from the Anthropological
Society. In the ‘Introduction’ particulars are given of the methods of
measuring skulls, etc., and in the catalogue itself are details of skulls
from almost every part of the world. Of particular value is the list of
measurements of British, Roman, and Saxon skulls, many of which are
from Yorkshire. There are scores of ‘interesting exhibits’ in the Royal
College of Surgeons! Amongst them may be mentioned the skull’ of
Eugene Aram, and the articulated skeleton of Jonathan Wilde, the famous
thief-catcher. The following entry explains itself:—No. 335, ‘The Skull
of Charles Nichols, the comic lecturer. Begueathed by Mr. C. Nichols.’
1907 November 1.
406 Reviews and Book Notices.
Twenty Country Rambles round Leeds, by John Hornby.
W. Brierley, Leeds, 64 pp., 6d. In this readable pamphlet Mr. Hornby
reprints a series of twenty articles which appeared in the Leeds Mercury
Supplement two years ago. They are written in a chatty style, and each
contains full details of the paths to be followed. We don’t know whether
fhe author was short of ink, or whether he writes plays, but ‘ Enter lane.’
“Enter field.’ ‘ Hedge on left.’ ‘ Path ascends.’ ‘On.’ ‘On then.’ ‘ Distance
lends, etc.’ ‘ Alight.’ ‘Come then,’ etc., seem unnecessarily brief. But the
author evidently believes in ‘covering the ground.’ He takes us to Seven
Arches, Eccup, Otley, Seacroft, Kirkstall, Crossgates, Arthington, Saltaire,
Ilkley, Apperley Bridge, Methley, Armley, and a dozen other places ; and
informs us that these walks ‘may all be compassed in a summer's afternoon.’
We don’t believe it.
Science Progress for October (John Murray, 5/- net), contains several
items of interest to readers of the ‘ Naturalist.’ Two of our contributors
have papers, viz., Mr. T. Petch on ‘ Insects and Fungi,’ in which he describes
the curious fungus-gardens of ants which he has discovered in Ceylon ; and
‘Igneous Rock-Magmas as Solutions,’ by Mr. Alfred Harker. Mr. R.
Lydekker writes on ‘ American Economic Entomology’; Dr. N. H. Alcock
describes ‘A Simple Apparatus for Photo-microscopy,’ Mr. F. V. Theobald
has a paper on ‘Economic Ornithology in relation to Agriculture, Horti-
culture, and Forestry’; and Mr. F. J. Lewis describes ‘The Sequence of
Plant Remains in the British Peat Mosses.’ In an interesting paper on
‘The Origin of the ‘‘ Flower,”” Mr. W. C. Worsdell concludes that ‘a
“flower” is the result of the extreme modification of a leafy branch or of a
portion of the main axis, the axial part of which has been excessively
shortened and contracted, and the perianth, leaves, stamens, and carpels
reduced and altered from the condition of large fern-like foliage leaves.
Thus, in the long run, it is the Ferns that we have to thank for our ‘ Flowers.
Manual of British Grasses, by W. J. Gordon. London: Simpkin
Marshall, Ltd., pp. vi. and 174. 8vo., 6/-
This is a companion volume to ‘Our Country's Flowers,’ and _ is
illustrated by 33 coloured plates containing figures of ror species of grasses.
Some of these are not very characteristic, e.g., fig. 37 of Azra flexuosa shows
a plant with flat leaves, but in the text they are described as ‘bristle shaped.’
The arrangement followed is that of Bentham, the reason for adopting it
being that there is an accessible collection in the Natural History Museum
at South Kensington, and this is arranged in ‘Bentham’s way.’ He follows
the zoologists in the matter of omitting capitals in specific names, and
erroniously states that the use of capitals in certain specific names is ‘ merely
a printers custom,’ yet we notice he prints all the specific names with a
capital in his index of species ; doubtless this is a printers custom. There
is an interesting chapter on British cereals, also chapters on the characters
of tribes, genera, and species, the two latter are freely illustrated by draw-
ings of the florets and spikelets respectively; finally there is a useful
tabular view of the species. The habitats given for the species are often
inadequate and sometimes misleading, and the extra British distribution is
very incomplete. Of the 174 pages of text we find 9 pages are devoted toa
list of species (really a list of the plates), notwithstanding the fact that two
pages are previously given to such a list. Six pages are filled with what
are called ‘customary names’; they repeat the ‘customary’ names in the
previous list, together with many which look anything but customary.
These are again repeated in a seperate index of seven pages. An index of
species occupies eleven pages, an index of genera two pages, and an
extra three pages are taken up with a list of illustrations in the text; that is
forty pages of this small book are devoted to these lists. Curiously
enough, in spite of so much space being occupied in indexing, there are no
references to the pages where the species are described, all the numbers
refer to plates and figures; while in the index of genera we find many
numbers that refer neither to text, figures, nor plates, and after a long
search for their meaning we gave it up in dispair.
Naturalist,
407
NORTHERN NEWS.
Mr. Tennyson Macaulay Robinson has discovered that he is ‘almost a
poet,’ and gives a sample of his ‘blank verse’ in the * Country Sidey It zs
a—blank—verse.
In the ‘Irish Naturalist’ for August Mr. J. W. Taylor figures and
describes the specimen of Vitrina elongata referred to in our ‘ Notes and
Comments’ column for August.
In the August ‘Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society,’ Mr. H. H.
Arnold-Bemrose has a lengthy paper on ‘The Toadstones of Derbyshire:
Their Field Relations and Petrography.’
We regret to record the death of Mr. W. S. Parrish, of Hull, at the age
of 43. For several years he was Treasurer of the Hull Geological Society,
and was exceedingly useful to Yorkshire Geologists in taking photographs
of geological sections.
Mr. P. G. Ralfe records a common Buzzard from the Calf of Man in June
last (‘ Zoologist,’ August). This appears to be the second record for the
Island. The same writer records an increase in the numbers of the Puffins
and Kittiwakes on the Island in recent years.
We regret to record the death of Mr. J. R. Boyle, who has done much to
advance the study of Archzology in Yorkshire and Durham. His ‘ Lost
Towns of the Humber,’ ‘Guide to Durham,’ and ‘ History of Hedon,’ are
well-known works. Just before his death he was engaged in preparing a
History of Hull.
Mr. A. E. Relph, in a recent number of the ‘ Antiquary,’ suggests that
some of the neolithic triangular flint ‘spear-heads,’ such as are frequently
found on the Yorkshire Wolds and elsewhere, were really lateral barbs fitted
into shafts of harpoons. A restoration is given, showing the way in which
Mr. Relph thinks they might have been used.
The Rey. G. A. Crawshay has a paper on ‘ The Life History of Zetropium
gabrieli’ in the ‘Transactions of the Entomological Society of London’ (1907,
Part II.). By an ingenious method of placing the wood, upon which the
larve feed, between two pieces of glass, or in glass tubes, the author has
been able to make many useful observations in connection with this species.
Several excellent illustrations accompany his notes.
Amongst the grants made by the British Association are ‘ Fossiliferous
Drift Deposits, 411 12s. 9d.; Fauna and Flora of British Trias, 410;
Faunal Succession in the Carboniferous Limestone, £10; Erratic Blocks,
417 16s. 6d.; Exact Significance of Local Terms, 410; Index Animalium,
475; Excavations of Roman Sites, etc., 415; Structure of Fossil Plants,
415; and Succession of Plant Remains, £45.’
Mr. J. Carleton Rea, of Worcester, in an address to a Conference of
the representatives of the Corresponding Societies of the British Association
held at Leicester, suggested the study of fungi as a suitable subject for the
local societies to take up. In this respect Yorkshire was shewn to have
taken the lead. It is the only county posessing a published Fungus Flora of
its own, and the pages of this journal frequently bear witness to the zeal of
Yorkshire Mycologists.
We have received the ‘Report of the Council of the Natural History
Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-on-Tyne,’ which was
presented at the Society's meeting on the gth October. This is a
record of a useful year’s work, and also contains a list of additions to the
Society's Museum. We notice that an assistant curator has recently been
appointed, which will enable Mr. Gill to cope with the arrears of work. It
seems a pity to learn that the heating of the Museum is unsatisfactory, and
must remain so for the present, because an outlay of £50 will be necessary
to put it in order.
1907 November 1.
408 Northern News.
‘The Zoo in your own home’ (Advert in the ‘ Weekly Wisdom’).
Uncle Westell knows of a chicken that ‘ ¢afs at the back door with tts foot
every morning to let the lady of the house know that it is breakfast time.’
What an interesting photograph this ‘knocker-up’ would make !
Amongst the ‘new arrivals’ in an American dealers list we notice
‘too fine specimens of He/7x’ from Europe. He also has an ‘enormous
stock in marine univalves and bivalves.’ We'll gurantee many of our brother
conchologists at Billingsgate can equal his ‘enormous stock.’
‘To the majority of people the cosmopolitan sparrow, etc., constitute
practically the whole of London's feathered folk, but fo those possessing the
seeing eye a greatly increased avi-fauna is presented. ... / have been
myself amazed at the variety of feathered folk to be met with.’ Uncle
Westell in ‘The Animal World.’
Mr. H. S. Toms, of the Brighton Museum, sends us a reprint of an
interesting paper on ‘ Pigmy Flint Implements found near Brighton.’ We
were relieved to find that Mr. Toms applies the word ‘Pigmy’ to the
implements, and not to the people who made them. As is usual in these
‘pigmy ’ papers, the illustrations are given in a reduced scale, which makes
the pigmies appear more pigmy still.
We have received from Messrs. Marion & Co., 22 and 23 Soho Square, W.,
an exhaustive ‘Catatogue of Photographic Apparatus and Materials,’ to
which we have pleasure in drawing the attention of our readers who are
interested in photography. It contains nearly 200 pages, enumerates some
thousands of appliances, etc., and is well illustrated. Amateur and pro-
fessional alike will find much of value in this list.
In the ‘ Mineralogical Magazine’ (No. 67), Mr. L. J. Spencer, of the
British Museum, gives ‘a (fourth) list of new mineral names.’ The first in
the list is ‘ Aegirine-hedenbergite,’ and the last ‘ Zeyringite,’ and these are
fair samples of the names which occupy some twenty pages, Amongst
them are Argento-algodonite, Chlormanganokalite, Hibschite, Kassitero-
lamprit, Metachalcophyllite, Silicomagnesiofluorite, Titaneisenglimmer, and
Tschernichewite. The mineralogists have our sympathy. We hope they
do not try to discuss these new names after an anniversary dinner.
We thought there were enough of the ‘talky-talky’ books on birds. But
we learn from a recent writer that ‘the great public is awaiting the publication
of a book on British Birds,’ ‘written in plain language,’ which will be
‘pleasant to read,’ and enable ‘ all readers to icentifs_ for themselves all the
birds.’ He is therefore undertaking this ‘very difficult though congenial
task.’ During the past two or three years we have noticed some dozens of
books, each of which proposed to have all the characters for which ‘the
great public’ is said to be in such need, and each of which is about the
same value as that now being issued in penny numbers by Mr. Audubon
Cuvier Robinson.
Under the heading ‘An unrecorded British Mammal’? a contemporary has
a note on some‘ mole-tailed rats,’ which, ‘about twenty years ago,’ over-
ran Sunk Island, at the mouth of the Humber. ‘The ground was under-
mined by them and farm buildings had to be abandoned.’ The editor, who is
oblivious of the fact that someone may be ‘pulling his leg,’ and is ever ready
with an explanation for anything under the sun, suggests that the account
given might very well refer to the lemming, an animal which is sometimes
disastrously abundant in Norway, whence it is conceivable that it might
have been brought on shipboard to the mouth of the Humber.’ There are
no B.E.N.A.’s on Sunk Island, but a little local enquiry would have informed
the editor that the animals in question were kangaroos, which reached
Sunk Island by clinging to the propellor of a steamer bringing frozen
rabbits to Hull. They were eventually exterminated by poisoned tobacco
being strewn about on the ground. The kangaroos collected this, put
it into their pouches, and died. As proof of this there is a skeleton of a
kangaroo in the Hull Museum.
Naturalist
A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF
NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND.
3 EDITED BY
T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S.,
4 ; THE Museum, Hutt; ~ ¥
. AND ) ti an
. T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., F.L.S., is
TECHNICAL CoLLEGE, HUDDERSFIELD. / Ki hay:
WITH THE ASSISTANCE AS REFEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF y
J. GILBERT BAKER, F.R.S. F.L.S., GEO.’ T. PORRITT, F.L.S., 'F.E.S., ep.
Prof. P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR, y f
se T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM WEST, F.L.S. “4
a ( }
: . Contents :—
PAGES
_ ‘Notes and Comments :—Linnzus; Early Iron-Age Burials; History of ‘The Naturalist’;
b Restoration of York Minster; New President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union ... 409-411
_ 4n Memoriam—John Farrah, F.L.S., F.R.Met.S. (illustrated) .. Bae wa. A ae
Se The Hairy-Armed Bat—Arthur Whitaker® 2... 2 ee a a
_ East Yorkshire Bird Notes, 1907—EF. IW. Wade, M.B.O.U. rie vont Pana) St ee ea
_ Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales, N.E. Yorks.—J. W. Barry... ee ee ABBY
The First Recorded Example of the White-spotted Bluethroat—7. H. Nelson, M.B.O.U. ABT 5
_ New Plant Records for North Lancashire—S. 1. Petty) 2.00. ee SOB I
(TICS SITS sls sae Sey pee cai een MMM SP ScD RM eae he 422, 432-433
_ Reviews and Book Notices (Illustrated) ... Wo ie ae bcs an ie 414, 434-436, 438 :
SeNorthern News (lilustrated).. 0°) B20 TR a Oe ee) I 487, a
MER EATTTS 1 ofa EN eo ae Saya | OO eR RO on)! ala SN eae
_ ‘Plate XLII Patna
| Title-page, List of Plates, List of Contributors, and Index to this Voiume.
a LONDON :
A. Brown & Sons, LIMITED, 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.
a And-at Hurt aNnp York.
Printers and Publishers to the Y.N.U.
~
"BOTANICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION, Volume
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“Cont ains various reports, papers, and addresses on the Flowering Plants, Mosses, and Bue; of cid coun x
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THE FLORA OF WEST YORKSHIRE. By FREDERIC ARNOLD LEES, M.R.C. Si cate
* This, which forms the 2nd Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, is perhaps the most
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“ane FUNGUS FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By G. MASSEE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., & C. CROSSLAND, E.L. Ps :,
‘ _ This is the 4th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, and contains a complete annotated list.
7 ofall the known rune! of the county, comprising 2626 species.
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THE ALGA-FLORA OF YORKSHIRE. By W. WEST, F.L.S., & GEO. S. WEST, B.A., A.R.C.S., F.L.S. a
A This work, which forms the 5th Volume of the Botanical Series of the Transactions, enumerates 104 5
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‘ae MS. : Complete, 8vo, Cloth. Second Edition. Price 6/6 net. ; ‘
1a 0 ‘LIST OF YORKSHIRE LEPIDOPTERA. By G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. ¢
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In progress, issued in Annual Parts, 8vo.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. 34
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THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. By T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U., WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, Pils. 5
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“THE YORKSHIRE CARBONIFEROUS FLORA. By ROBERT KIDSTON, F.R. Si E.,; ‘Ee G.S. Parts 14y
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LIST OF YORKSHIRE COLEOPTERA. By Rev. W.C. HEY, MA, aie 4
Pee
1 4 {
nie i
THE NATURALIST. A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England. Palited
by T. SHEPPARD, F.G.S., Museum, Hull; and T. W. WOODHEAD, F.L.S., Technical College,
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THE NATURALIST, 1907. PLATE XLII.
409
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
LINNAEUS.
We have received two pamphlets having reference to
Linneus, the bicentenary of whose birth has recently been
fitly celebrated in various parts of the world. The first is
‘ Special Guide, No. 3, to the British Museum (Natural History),.
and is entitled ‘ Memorials of Linnzus, a collection of Portraits,
Manuscripts, Specimens, and Books exhibited to commemorate
the bicentenary of his birth.”* This gives an excellent idea of
the wealth of relics of the botanist in our national collection.
Accompanying this guide are two excellent plates—one a portrait
of Linneus in Lapland dress. The second pamphlet. contains
an excellent account of ‘ Linnaeus, 1707-1778,’ by Mr. W. Hill-
house, and is issued by the Birmingham Natural History and
Philosophical Society.
EARLY IRON-AGE BURIALS.
From the pen of the Rev. Canon Greenwell has recently
appeared a paper, on which he has been engaged for some time,
dealing with ‘Early Iron-Age Burials in Yorkshire.’ In this
he has gathered together probably all that is known of the Late
Celtic and Early Iron-Age burials that have been found in the
county. In addition to isolated burials that have occurrsd, he
gives full descriptions of the cemeteries of Arras, Hessieskew,
and the so-called Danes’ graves near Driffield. They are
thought to contain remains of the Parisi, who, according to
Ptolemy, occupied this area. Canon Greenwell calls attention
to the interesting fact that although a fair number of chariot
burials occur in these late Celtic graves in Yorkshire, only two
other such burials appear to be known in the whole of the rest
of Britain, notwithstanding the circumstance that the chariots
were fairly abundant throughout the country. From a biblio-
graphical point of view, the paper presents items of interest.
It was ‘Read 23rd March, 1905’; it bears the date 1906 on the
cover and title, and includes an account of the chariot burial
found at Hunmanby in 1907!
* London: ‘Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.),’ 1907. 16 pp., 3d.
+ Proceedings, Vol. XII., pt. 2, 1907. 20 pp. Published at 55, Newhall
Street, Birmingham, 1/- net.
+ Archzologia, Vol. 60, pp. 251-322, plates.
1907 December 1
410 Notes and Comments.
FUUISRORYS OF sire NACE UiIReATeEnS Hie.
Having at last got together what is possibly the only
complete set of ‘The Naturalist’ extant, it is perhaps of value
to place on record particulars of the various series. The first
consisted of sixteen monthly parts, issued between January
1833, and April 1834, under the name of ‘The Field Naturalist,’
and was edited by Prof. James Rennie. The second ran into
five volumes, between 1836 and 18309, the last four being printed
at Doncaster. The first of these volumes was edited by
B. Maund and W. Holl, and the remainder by Neville Wood.
The third series consisted of eight volumes (1851-1858), the
first five being edited by Beverley R. Morris and the remainder
by F. O. Morris. In 1864 commenced ‘The Naturalist, the
journal of the West Riding Consolidated Naturalists’ Society,’
which went on for nearly three years. This was edited by
George H. Parke and C. P. Hobkirk, and published by George
Tindall. Next followed the ‘ Yorkshire Naturalists’ Recorder,’
issued by the same society, under the editorship of Joseph
Wainwright. This was in 1872-3, and lasted a year. The
‘Naturalist’ followed, and between 1875 and 1884 nine volumes
were issued, C. P. Hobkirk and G. T. Porritt being the editors.
Without a break W. Denison Roebuck and W. Eagle Clarke
conducted the journal until 1888, from which date the former
also edited it until 1902, when the journal was published at
Hull, having previously been printed at Wakefield, Hudders-
field, and Leeds.
RESTORATION OF YORK MINSTER.
In the tenth ‘occasional paper’ on the restoration of the
Minster, the Rev. the Dean of York announces the completion
of a work which has been proceeding for eight years. Every
care has been taken in the present restoration of the building
to preserve as far as possible everything evidently original, and
where insecure to replace it in a more permanent manner.
Whatever, from partial decay, could not be retained with
safety to the public, has been carefully removed and placed in
the grounds behind the deanery. The disintegration of the
stonework has been rapid, doubtless due to the action of
sulphurous smoke upon the Magnesian limestone. The restora-
tion has been carried out with Ketton stone, which, being
Oolitic, will, it is hoped, prove invulnerable to this influence.
As the number of smoke-emitting chimneys throughout York
Naturalist, ,
Northern News. 411
has increased, it is evident that unless some measures are
adopted to mitigate the smoke the disintegration will be even
more rapid. We understand, however, that some of the larger
firms are doing all they can in the desired direction.
NEW PRESIDENT OF THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION.
At the unanimous invitation of the Executive Committee of
the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Dr. Wheelton Hind, F.G.S.,
F.R.C.S., has accepted the presidency of the Union for the
forthcoming year. Dr. Hind is well-known throughout the
country for his successful work amongst Carboniferous rocks,
and in Yorkshire he has been unusually successful in identifyin,
and tracing various zones in the Carboniferous limestone. This
valuable Yorkshire work has been supplemented by researches
amongst rocks of the same age in other parts of Britain,
resulting in Dr. Hind being placed in the front rank of
authorities on this interesting subject. He has also paid
much attention to the detailed study of the neglected series of
fossil bivalves occurring in coal measures, and he is the author
.of monographs on Carboniferous mollusca published by the
Paleontographical Society. In 1902 he was the recipient of a
reward from the Lyall Geological Fund at the hands of the
‘Geological Society of London, of which he has been a fellow
for many years. Dr. Wheelton Hind’s excellent work in York-
shire makes this selection of him as President of the county
society most appropriate, and will doubtless result in even greater
-attention being paid to the geological problems of the Car-
boniferous period by the members of the Uhion.
—_~e—
The ‘ Hull Literary Club Magazine,’ recently published, contains abstracts
_ of papers on ‘ The Migration of Birds,’ by Thomas Audas, and ‘The Roman,
Angle, and Dane in East Yorkshire,’ by T. Sheppard.
‘The Yorkshire Archzological Journal’ (part 75), recently issued, is
_almost entirely devoted to an exhaustive and well-illustrated paper on
‘Anglian and Anglo-Danish Sculpture in the North Riding of Yorkshire,’
by W. G. Collingwood, F.S.A.
‘Fenland Notes and Queries’ (No. 75) contains an analysis of the Oxford
Clay at Whittlesey. There is also a note on the composition of virgin fen
- soil from Methw old Fen. This Sr posietee moisture 72.8%, organic vegetable
matter 24.34, and mineral matter 2.97%.
A ‘Note on two rare forms of Actinocamax from the English Upper
. Chalk,’ by Dr. G. C. Crick, appears in the September ‘Geological Magazine.’
- One of the species. which Dr. Crick names, Acténocamax Blackmorez, is from
near Salisbury, and the other is from Gravesend.
The New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts still con-
, tinues to issue its useful Bulletins. No. 64 has recently been received, and
deals with the Tuna (Prickly Pear) as a food for man. It is written by
Messrs. R. F. Hare and D. Griffiths, and is well illustrated.
, 1907 December 1.
Sn Memoriam.
JOHN sFARRAH FoltsS.;e Ravers:
(1849-1907).
(PLATE XLII.)
Burt two short months ago we placed on record the decease ot
John William Farrah, of Harrogate, the son and constant
companion of John Farrah, a well-known figure in Yorkshire
natural history circles. And now, in the middle of November,
it is our painful duty to notify the death of the father. He has
been for some time suffering from a painful illness, and
insomnia, and there is little doubt that his son’s sad end, at
so young an age, which was a great blow to Mr. Farrah,
hastened his own death.
‘John Farrah,’ as he insisted on being addressed on all
occasions (Mr.’s and Esq.’s he abominated), was honest and
straightforward to a degreee that is rarely seen now-a-days.
He hated deceit and shams of every description, and rarely was
he so bluff and out-spoken as when roused by some mean
action, or by what he considered a high-handed or improper
procedure. Proud of his county and of the characteristics of
Yorkshiremen, he strongly upheld these, no matter in whose
company. Anything approaching to cant met with his dis-
approval, and caused him to express his feelings very forcibly.
He was also very severe with those who collected rare plants
or eggs, or anything which might in any way have a harmful
effect upon the flora or fauna of the county. More than one over-
enthusiastic collector has received such a ‘dressing-down’ from
John Farrah, that they will remember it to the end of their days.
With these qualities it will be apparent that he was often
misunderstood, and those who did not meet him frequently
were liable to misjudge his character. To know him intimately
was to admire his sterling worth, his straightforwardness, and
his ready wit. He was ever willing to help a good cause, and
on many occasions has assisted the work of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union by substantially contributing to its funds.
‘Thorough’ was his watchword, and rather than a report should
not be printed as it ought to be, or a fund not receive the support
he thought it should have, he would give the writer of these
notes instructions to have the work done we//, and he would pay
the balance. In this way have Yorkshire Naturalists received
many benefits from his generosity, without knowing it, as he
Naturalist,
In Memoriam—fohn Farrah. 413
would not allow his name to appear, nor would he permit the
committee to record their thanks on the minutes. On _ such
occasions he characteristically remarked that he gave the money
to help the society’s work, not to advertise John Farrah.
Whilst he was a good ‘all-round’ naturalist and antiquary, ’
botany seemed to have the greatest charm for him. On the
memorable and exceedingly successful excursion to Bowes in
1903, Mr. Farrah took a prominent part, and wrote the account
of ‘The Flowering Plants of Bowes,’* one of the few occasions
on which he could be persuaded to put pen on paper, and even
then he would not allow ‘his stuff’ to be any cost to the Union.
The first paragraph is so typical of the man that we quote it:
‘It is not my intention to write a string of dry scientific names
in the body of this article ; if these appear at all it will be at the
end, in a list to themselves, where they will stand in stern
forbiddingness, the bug-bear of many a would-be botanist.
Bowes is delightfully quiet and peaceful, and I pray God that it
will for ever remain so. The motor car—the latest curse
inflicted upon the country—is comparatively rare. I used to
have a contempt for cyclists; now I am beginning to respect-
them. They glide along noiseless and stinkless, and com-
paratively dustless, and the tinkle of their bells is heavenly
music compared with the horn of the motor.’ +
Mr. Farrah took a leading part in connection with the
Botanical Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, of which
he held the office of President. He also took a practical interest
in the ‘Committee of Suggestions for Research,’ and acted for
several years on the Executive Committee of the Union. He
attended the annual Fungus Foray of the Mycological Com-
mittee, and on the Terrace at Rievaulx Abbey in 1903, he
found a large indigo-blue fungus, new to science, to which the
name Endoloma Farraht has been given. {
Mr. Farrah was at one time Honorary Meteorological Recorder
for Harrogate, and in the capacity of Secretary and President
took an active interest in the old Harrogate Naturalists’ Society.
Perhaps next to plants the birds were his favourites, and, in
company with Mr. Riley Fortune, he was frequently in the field
by 3 a.m. in the spring and early summer months, in order to
* *Nat.,’ Sep. 1903, pp. 359-369. He also wrote the ‘ Flora of Nidder-
dale’ for Harry Speight’s work on that valley.
+ Accompanying the general report of the Bowes excursion, appearing
in the same issue of the ‘ Naturalist,’ is a plate from a photograph of ‘ Four
F.’s L.S.,’ one of whom is John Farrah.
+ See ‘ Naturalist,’ January, 1904, where a coloured representation of
the specimen is given.
1907 December 1.
414 Reviews and Book Notices.
study the birds before his day’s work started. He was also a
good antiquary, and had a thorough knowledge of the past and
present history of the Harrogate district. For several years he
was the constant companion of the late William Grange, whose
‘History of the Forest of Knaresborough’ is well known. In
connection with this work Mr. Farrah helped a good deal.
His ‘collecting’ was restricted to books, and of these he had
a very fine library. He purchased most books of any importance,
and if, from the nature of the contents, or the way they were
produced, they particularly appealed to him, he would obtain
two copies ‘in order to encourage their publication.’
Since he retired from business some time ago he had not
enjoyed the best of health. He recently purchased two farms
at Felliscliffe, and has since spent most of his time there. Upon
these he has expended considerable sums of money, and his
work there accounts for his absence from the excursions of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union during the past two years. In
letters to the undersigned, he has frequently expressed a hope
that the farms would soon be as they should be, when he would
again join in the rambles. But this is not to be.
He was married three times, and leaves behind a son and a
daughter.
Many a Yorkshire Naturalist has cause to regret the death
of John Farrah. Ta
The Proceedings of the Liverpool Geological Society for 1906-7
(Vol. X., pt. 3) have been received. In addition to the list of members, etc.,
there are three useful papers, viz., ‘The Storeton Find of 1906,’ by H. C.
Beasley ; ‘Desert Conditions and the Origin of the British Trias,’ by J.
Lomas ; and ‘ Analyses of Ludlow Rocks,’ by T. Mellard Reade and Philip
Holland. The first is Mr. Beasley's presidential address, in which the
recent exposure in the foot-print bed at Storeton is fully described. Mr.
Lomas's admirable paper compares recent desert conditions with those
obtaining in Triassic times. In the last paper attention is drawn to the
intimate relations between the chemical constitution of rocks, their external
forms, the soils resulting therefrom, and the vegetation they support.
Gowan’s Nature Books, Nos. 6-15. Gowan and Cray, Glasgow.
6d. each net. This excellent series of illustrated hand-books, which was
referred to in our columns for November last (p. 378), has been added to by
volumes dealing with ‘ Fresh-water Fishes’; * Toadstools at Home’; ‘Our
Trees and how to know them’ ; ‘ Wild Flowers at Home’ (3rd series) ; ‘ Life
in the Antarctic’; Reptile Life’; ‘Sea-shore Life’; ‘Birds at the Zoo’;
‘Animals at the Zoo’; and ‘Some Moths and Butterflies and their Eggs.’
Each of these contains some dozens of carefully selected photographs,
beautifully reproduced, and accompanied by suitable letterpress. Whilst
each contains many charming photogr aphs, perhaps the one which appeals
to us most is No. 10, dealing with ‘Life in the Antartic.’ In this are
reproduced many of the photographs of birds which were shown by Mr.
Eagle Clarke at the York Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.
The low price at which these books are sold, at once indicates that there
must be a large demand for them. They certainy Warrant it.
Naturalist,
THE HAIRY=ARMED BAT.
(Vesperugo leisleri).
ARTHUR WHITAKER,
Worsbrough Bridge.
(Continued from page 388).
Several nights I allowed my two Leisler’s bats to fly in a
room about twenty feet long and fourteen feet wide, and I
found they could fly far better in such a confined space than a
Noctule can. They made a considerable whirring sound when
flying. They did not attempt to turn in the air when they
reached the end of the room, but would pitch lightly up against
the cornice or wall, turning and dropping off again instantly ;
so quickly, in fact, that they could hardly be said to have
settled in doing so; it was simply a case of touch and off again.
Sometimes they would select one particular spot on the cornice
and pitch on to it time after time in quick succession, taking a
circular sweep round between each touch. They would not con-
tinue flying for more than five minutes at a time, and generally
alighted on the cornice to rest, hanging head downwards.
When I had had my Leisler’s bats for about a week, I
decided one evening to allow all my bats to exercise themselves
at once in this room. At the time I had three Long-Eared,
two Pipistrelles, and two Lesser Horseshoes, as well as the two
Hairy-Armed bats. I allowed all these to fly about together
or rest as they pleased for two or three hours, whilst I sat
reading, and I observed that they seemed to take very little
notice of one another.
When I came to catch them and put them back into their
several cages I found that one of the Leisler’s was missing. I
turned the room topsy-turvy, and searched high and low, but
to no purpose; it seemed to have vanished completely, and I
never found it again, though I kept the door of the room
closed as much as possible for several days. It may perhaps
have succeeded in getting up the chimney, as there was no fire
in the grate at the time.
Its companion I continued to keep without difficulty, and it
made several journeys, going first to Capt. Barrett Hamilton, at
Arthurstown, in Ireland, then to Dr. Wilson, who was in
Scotland at the time, and desired to make some drawings of it,
and subsequently to Mr. Riley Fortune, at Harrogate, who
took a number of photographs of it, six of which he has very
1907 December 1.
416 Whitaker: The Hatry-Armed Bat.
kindly supplied for reproduction here (see Plate XLI.).
From each of these journeys the bat returned in the best of
health, and, if anything, I think, with an increased appetite !
I decided to try to keep it through the winter in a natural
temperature, in order to make a few observations on it during
hybernation, and accordingly, on September 27th, I put it into
a smaller cage some eighteen inches square inside, with
perforated zinc panels in the top and two sides. In one
corner of this, supported on a couple of nails, I placed a large
piece of semi-decayed wood, behind which the bat always
retired when sleeping. I placed a small thermometer in the
cage so that I could readily note the temperature. By. this
time the bat had become so accustomed to artificial conditions,
and to mealworms as an article of diet, that if a liberal supply
of these were thrown into the bottom of the cage it would
manage to secure a fair proportion of them, usually about two-
thirds. It was never anything like so expeditious in finding
them as are some species of bats, notably the Long-eared, an
individual of which species I have known to secure every one of
thirty mealworms put into a large cage, and this on the very
first evening of captivity.
Unfortunately, it was quite impossible for me to examine
my Leisler’s bat every evening, and as on most evenings when
I did so it was simply sleeping peacefully, I contented myself
with taking occasional notes, and the most interesting of these,
extracted from my diary, are as follows. The temperature
given in Fahrenheit degrees (as 58 F.) was the actual temper-
ature iz the bat’s cage at dusk :—
Sept. 27th (58 F.)—Bat awake and fed well.
Sept. 28th (54 F))—Bat did not wake up.
Sept. 29th (54 F.). ditto
Oct. 1st (57 F.). Bat awake, and ate seventy mealworms.
Oct. 2nd (60 F.). ditto
Oct. 3rd (60 F.). Bat awake, and crawling about its cage almost before
dusk. Had disposed of nearly 100 mealworms since dusk of the previous
day, when I had thrown them into its cage. I gave ita further supply,
which it ate ravenously. The same evening I noted an unusual number
of Noctules flying about at dusk.
Oct. 4th to 12th. “Temp. at dusk averaging about 54 F. Ido not think my
bat was awake at all on any of these evenings.
Oct. 12th (58 F.). Bat awoke at dusk and ate about 65 mealworms. I put
a further supply of about 130 into its cage.
Oct. 25th (54 F.). (Higher temperature than any evening since the 12th).
I noticed a Noctule flying over Worsbro’ reservoir at 3-40 p.m. in full
daylight, though the afternoon was a dull one. On getting home about
4 o'clock I went straight to look at my Leisler’s bat, to see if the same
circumstances which induced the Noctule to fly had aroused it, but I
found it sleeping. About 5 o'clock it awoke, however, aud ate about
50 mealworms.
Naturalist,
Whitaker: The Hairy-Armed Bat. ATs
Nov. 22nd (58 F.). Very much milder than any evening since the 25th of
Oct. During the last four weeks I have looked at my bat every evening
when it has been mild, but I do not think it has been awake at all
during the time. To-night, however, it awoke in good time, and rapidly
disposed of about 64 mealworms, after which it at once retired to its
sleeping corner and dozed off. I noticed Long-eared bats feeding in
Elmhirst Park late the same night.
Nov. 27th (51 F.). Milder than it has been for several days, but the bat did
not wake up.
Dec. 12th (36 F.). Examined the bat in the daytime, and found it hanging
somewhat limply, with a more flaccid appearance than normal, the legs
being more stretched. The fur and skin of the shoulders secmed quite
puffed out, making the neck and shoulders look disproportionally thick.
Breathing hardly apparent at all.
Dec. 17th (48 F.). The evening being much milder than any since the 27th
of Nov., I looked at my bat just after dusk, but it had not moved.
When I gently lifted the piece of bark behind which it was resting, I
found its eyes were open and it was breathing quite rapidly. Upon my
holding a mealworm about half-an-inch from its nose, it promptly’
seized it, and subsequently disposed of some 45 more.
Jan. 11th (42 F.). In the morning I examined my bat, and found it hanging
as usual, but I could not detect the breathing. As I feared it might
possibly be dead, I touched one of its hind claws very lightly, when it
instantly squeaked and moved the foot a little. Upon lifting up the
piece of bark to which it was clinging, I found it had opened its eyes,
and had the lips drawn back, especially the upper. It commenced to
draw unsteady shuddering breaths, and to move its head a little from
side to side, and also ‘muscled up’ a time or two, @e., draw up its
whole body by contracting the leg mucles, a common action of many
bats when hanging. I replaced the bat in its cage, and in about ten
minutes time it had relapsed into its usual torpor.
Mar. 16th (51 F.). The bat was not awake at dusk, but as I had seen one
or two Noctules flying in the open, I put about 100 mealworms into its
cage.
Mar. 17th (49 F.). Bat asleep, but most of the mealworms placed in the
cage last night were missing. Strong presumptive evidence that it
must have been awake sometime during last night !
Mar. zoth (51 F.). Bat awake at dusk, and ravenously ate abont 70 meal-
worms. I think it may very probably have been awake last night also,
when it was fairly mild, but I was prevented from getting a look at it.
April 2nd (54 F.). Bat awake at dusk and fed well.
April grd (55 F.). Bat awake and ate some 4 dozen mealworms.
April 4th (59 F.). Bat awake and ate about 70 mealworms.
April 5th (54 F.). Bat awake and ate about 30 mealworms.
April 6th (50 F.). Bat not awake.
April 8th (51 F.). Bat not awake.
April 9th (48 F.). Bat not awake.
April 15th (55 F.). Bat awoke and ate about 40 mealworms.
April 16th (58 F.).. Bat awoke and ate 63 mealworms.
After the middle of April I did not trouble to keep daily
record of the temperature or notes as to whether the bat was
awake or not. The cold and wet spring and early summer
doubtless caused it to sleep on a much greater number of
evenings than would ordinarily have been the case. And even
when June had set in there were as many nights on which my
bat did not wake as when it did. This, I fancy, was the case
equally with bats in a perfectly natural condition, for I never
remember a summer when they were so little in evidence.
1907 December 1
418 Whitaker: The Hatry-Armed Bat.
Time after time I have visited their customary haunts at dusk,
on what seemed to me favourable evenings, and scarcely seen
a bat. If the Noctule, which has been fairly well in evidence,
be put out of count, I think I might safely say that for every bat
to be seen this summer twenty might have been counted last.
This leads one to fear that the cold, wet spell of weather, which
was so protracted at the time when the bats should have been
feeding well to make up for their long winter fast, took very
heavy toll of their numbers. A Long-eared bat (P. auritus)
obtained by Mr. Armitage in Edlington Wood, near Doncaster,
early in June, was found to be in a most emaciated and starved
condition, and died within a short time of its capture, apparently
from weakness. I am strongly inclined to think that this only
gives an indication of the fate of very many bats this season in
the Barnsley district, and that a good many seasons more
favourable to them than this has been must elapse before they
will again become as abundant as they were in 1906. It would
be difficult to estimate the relative extent to which the several
species occurring here have suffered, but were I to hazard a
guess, I should say the Noctules (and probably Leisler’s Bats
also) have been least affected, and the Long-eared Bats have
stood the season next best. The Pipistrelle (P. pzpistrellus)
appears to have suffered greatly, and three is the largest number
I have seen on the wing together during the whole summer, and
that occurred where scores were flitting about at one time in
previous seasons—and in many places where one could have
relied on finding a few any fine evening in 1906, not a sign of
them could be found in 1907.
The Whiskered Bat (14/7. mystictnus) has certainly been
scarce, but how much more so than usual I dare not guess, as
it is almost indistinguishable from the last mentioned species
when seen on the wing, while of Daubenton’s Bat (17. bauwbentzonz)
I have not seen a single specimen all the summer.
It is a great pity that these useful little creatures have
suffered such diminution in point of numbers, and one can
only hope that the next few seasons may be sufficiently favour-
able to them to allow them to become as abundant as they were
previously. Possibly the bat population in other parts of the
country may not have suffered so much, but bats are very stay-
at-home sorts of animals, migrating very little, if at all, and no
one could well judge of their increase or decrease in any place
who has not been constantly in the habit of observing them on
the spot for several seasons
Naturalist,
419
EAST YORKSHIRE BIRD NOTES, 1907.
E. W. WADE, M.B.O.U.
Hull.
The season of 1907 is one that will long be memorable
amongst ornithologists for its consistently unfavourable weather.
Commencing at Christmas 1906 with heavy snow storms and
hard frost, we had a long and rigorous winter, followed by a cold,
wet, and stormy spring and summer, with a few bright intervals only,
conspicuous amongst which was the bright sunny weather during
the second half of March. The effects upon bird life were dis-
astrous. In winter, Redwings died by thousands all over the
country, being driven by hunger to eat not only the Holly berries
and Hips, but Mistletoe berries, which, as a rule, no bird but the
Mistle Thrush will touch. The winter migrants were unusually
plentiful in East Yorks., but the return migration was considerably
delayed, even the hardiest species commencing their nesting duties
much later than usual. Peewits, especially on the higher ground,
could not face the frosts in March. Rooks were at least a week
later than usual on the average in laying, and many nests were
blown out of the trees by the March gales. Even the Heron,
usually the earliest of nesting birds, which sometimes sits on its
eggs through snow and frost, had, in one colony at least, not
commenced to lay on 24th March. Carrion Crows in many
instances were sitting on clutches of three incubated eggs on
2oth April. Jackdaws, which usually have full clutches by the
first week in May, had as many empty nests as full at that date ;
whilst the spring migrants, warblers, &c., were conspicuous by
their absence, and when they did come, were almost silent.
Early clutches of Garden Warbler were abnormally small—three
and four instead of the usual five eggs—and many of these birds
were singing and laying in late summer, as if to make up for
lost time. At the end of May, Tree Pipits were still in full song.
Greenfinches and Brown Linnets had, as a rule, only just laid full
clutches by the fourth week in May, and the latter continued their
breeding operations till August, a clutch of fresh eggs being
found at Hornsea on rst August; whilst Mr. F. Boyes (‘‘ Field,”
4th September) reported that on rst September a pair was feeding
a young Cuckoo in the nest. Mr. H. R. Jackson reports that in
middle June he saw a Reed Warbler’s nest which, owing to the
cold and stormy weather, had broken its supporting reeds and
1907 December tf.
420° Wade: East Yorkshire Bird Notes.
fallen into the water. The Swifts, instead of arriving in small
parties, came in flocks of hundreds (F. Boyes). The Pink Footed
Geese, whose arrival on the Wolds on 19th September is con-
sidered an event as fixed as the seasons themselves, this year
made its appearance on 21st September.
In spite of the inclement season, we have to record unusual
appearanccs of some birds, which we should hardly have expected
to see so far north this year, viz., a Nightingale sang regularly at
Sutton, another at Waghen, and a third at Elloughton this spring, .
and must have been breeding birds. On 28th May the Grasshopper
Warbler, the scarcest of visitors to Holderness, was singing
between Sutton and Waghen. On zoth May Mr, R. Haworth
Booth saw a male Red-breasted Flycatcher at Hull Bank House; __
and on 4th June Mr. H. R. Jackson saw male and female of the
same birds at Thearne, about a mile distant. The Turtle Dove
has nested at Burton Constable this vear, the first time oh record,
and is undoubtedly extending its range in Holderness, where ten
years ago it was practically unknown as a breeding species.
We have one or two interesting observations to record from
this * district, viz -——
The noticeable scarcity of the Grey Crow in autumn and
winter, as compared with previous seasons. Is it possible that
some process of extermination is being carried out in their
Scandinavian homes, say, by placing a capitation grant upon
their destruction ?
The extended breeding range of the Red-legged Partridge,
which has become a well-known species on the Wolds and in
Holderness in recent years. It would seem that this is a partially
migratory species, contrary to what one would expect of so
skulking a bird, for in April 1907, twelve were picked up on the
beach at Hornsea in so exhausted a condition that the finder
knocked them on the head and sold them. There were two
occurrences of their being caught alive in back-yards, near
Pearson Park, in Hull, this spring, and the birds were presented
to the Park collections. Mr. H. R. Jackson shot one at Riston
on 5th October, 1907, and reports that he has shot over the same
ground twenty years, and never seen the bird there before.
On 5th June a Quail was killed on the telegraph wires at
Buckton ; and Mr. M. J. Stephenson shot one on 16th September
and one on 20th September in the highest part of Arras Wold,
one a bird of the year, and another an old bird.
The gradual disappearance of the Corncrake from the
East Riding is a melancholy fact. In Holderness, where it used to
"Naturalist,
Wade: East: Vorkshtre Bird Notes. 421
be common, it is scarcely ever heard or seen now. The cause
for this is difficult to understand, as the conditions as to food, &c.,
have not changed.
On goth May a Starling’s nest with eight eggs, all of one
type, was found in Burton Constable woods in a decayed tree-
stump far from any other breeding place of the species. This is
the third year is succession of the birds’ laying the same number.
On 11th May a common Buzzard was seen at Burton
Constable.
A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers has been at a
certain locality in Holderness all this season.
In early May a large flock of Dotterel was seen on the low
lands between Easington and the Humber, and several were shot.
The Act for the Protection of Wild Birds seems to be generally a
dead letter, owing to the supineness of local authorities. On
May rith-18th a flock of about 100 Dotterel frequented the wolds
near Bempton, and on 2nd June 30 or 4o of these birds were seen
at Bempton Cliffs. Possibly the heavy snowstorms in the north
prevented their going to the nesting grounds.
For game birds, with the exception of the Grouse, which did
well in North Yorks., the present season has been most disastrous.
Partridges hatched first clutches well, but the chicks died almost
immediately, the unusually long grass in wet cold weather being
too much for them. The birds, however, in some cases reared
second broods, for cheepers were seen up to the middle of Sep-
tember. The game bags show that not more than 1o per cent. of
young birds have been shot this year. Pheasants in the wild
state, on the other hand, hatched badly, many eggs being left in
the nests, but the chicks actually hatched did fairly well. Among
hand reared chicks the mortality was great, the season being
reported the worst since 1863.
At Spurn Point on July r4th, two pairs of Ringed Plover still
had eggs, viz., three just hatching and four fresh, and the number
of birds about had visibly increased. The Lesser Tern on the
same date were carrying fish, about 100 of them being in the air
together, but the young, which would be in hiding on the beach,
were invisible ; three odd eggs were seen. The common or Arctic
Tern, which haunted the district all spring, was not visible.
The Sheld Duck is said to have reared four or five broods
here this season, but in any case this bird shows a great increase
in the Humber district of late years, probably owing to the de-
struction of its former feeding haunts at Crosby Warren, Lincs.
HornsEA Mere.—The keeper, J. Taylor, reports that the
1907 )ecember 1,
422 Field Note.
Herons have decreased, but the Pochards show a slight increase
over recent years. Only one pair of Shovellers bred here, against
seven pairs in 1906, probably owing to the greater amount of
water having flooded out the nesting locality. A pair of Tufted
Ducks have again been on the Mere all this season. Only three
pair of Great-crested Grebe remain, and of these only one pair
reared young, two in number. The increase of boating is un-
doubtedly responsible for driving away these birds. The Goldfinch
has not been seen here this year, as has also been the case in some
other of its usual haunts, but as it has appeared in greater numbers
thnn usual in some localities, doubtless its appearance is merely a
question of the local food supply.
Bemptron.—We have again to congratulate ourselves upon
the breeding of the Peregrine Falcons, which reared two young
for the second year in succession.
The year 1907 has been the most disastrously wet season at
the cliffs within living memory; an unfortunate factor for climbers,
but fortunate for the birds. In consequence of the interruption in
gathering eggs at the right time, many became stale before taken,
and the third laying was thus postponed until the climbing season
had terminated, as the interval for relaying, after sitting some
days, was naturally greater than if the eggs had been taken when
quite fresh. Most of the eggs of this third laying were hatched
off in consequence.
—_ 6
COLEOPTERA.
Abundance of Coccinellida.—One result of the swarms
of Aphides which were so obnoxious last month may now be
seen in the numbers of Ladybirds maturing.
Yesterday, while walking from Wath-on-Dearne to Swinton,
the palings bordering the road-side were literally swarming
with ladybirds. So far as I could see, there were only two
species represented, Adalia bipunctata and Coccinella 1ro-punctata,
the latter in its usually very varied markings.
A few larve were also to be seen, one of which, much too
large for either of the above species, was probably Coccinella
7-punctata.
Since the autumn of 1884, when, as I well remember, the
railings and walls in and around West and South Parades,
Wakefield, were literally alive with these same two species, I
have never seen so many ladybirds congregated.—E. G.
Bayrorpb, October 18th, 1907.
Naturalist,
423
SYLVAN VEGETATION OF FYLINGDALES, N.E. YORKS.
J. W. BARRY.
Fylingdales.
IN this, as in other of the highland parts of Yorkshire, the
natural woods are confined to the ravines and to the slopes
of the hills. The summits of the ridges, or of the tableland,
out of which the dales have been carved, is either moorland,
or moorland reclaimed, and shows only a few artificial planta-
tions. The landscape has therefore a double aspect. From
some points of view the whole impression is of bareness.
From others the succession of woodland scenes unending.
Woods and Moors.—This subject will be dealt with
in detail elsewhere.
Woods and Ravines.—In our ravines woods play a most
important part. They are the great safeguard against the
slipping away of the sides; that is to say, in the glaciated
part of the township, or in the main dale, as opposed to the
basin of the Derwent. The ravines in the area thus indicated
are largely filled with glacial deposits: clays, sands, and
morainic debris, the wasting away of which is a great source of
trouble. The fons et origo of most of the landscapes is the
alternation of clays with bands of sand. With clay alone, or
with sand alone, the question would be less serious ; but when
beds of sand are sandwiched in between the clays, the intro-
duction of the least amount of water (which is usually affected
by nothing greater than a mole) may cause a catastrophe.
The only hope lies in a constant covering of trees. When
woods are felled the land goes. Thus, soon after succeeding
to the property, I yielded to professional advice, and cut down
an old wood in the ravine, within the boundary of the original
park. Landslips followed at once, and to such an extent that
in one place what had been a prominent ridge became a deep
hollow.
Natural Woods.—As regards natural wood, there are two
or three patches in the Jugger Howe Gill (the upper ravine of
the Derwent), which seem to be in a ‘virgin’ or ‘ primeval ’
condition. At the Peak again (though this is not within the
bounds of Fylingdales parish) there is a considerable extent of
wild vegetation in the cliffs and the ‘coombs.’ The latter
is the old local and Celtic name for what the Hotel Company
now call the ‘ Undercliff.’, This vegetation, more of a ‘macchia’
than a wood, has been but little interfered with.
1907 December 1,
424 Barry. Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales.
There are also fragments of woodland in various parts of
the parish which, though they have been cut, have evidently
not been planted by man.
INDIGENOUS TREES ‘OF THE EIRST CLASS:
From an inspection of these fragments of natural wood, as
well as of planted woods sufficiently old to have reached a semi-
natural condition, it is evident that the indigenous timber trees
of the first dimensions are only three in number ; viz., the Oak
(Quercus pedunculata), the Ash (/raxinus excelsior), and that
species of Elm which is called in the south the ‘ Wych,’ but
here the ‘Wild’ or the ‘Rock’ Elm; botanically, of course,
Ulmus montana.
To allocate to each of these trees their respective shares
in the aboriginal woodland is a somewhat difficult task. In
regard, however, to
The Elm (Udmus montana Stokes).—There can be no doubt
that in the ravines and narrower dales it once occupied a more
conspicuous position than it does to day. It must have con-
tended along the sides of the becks with the Ash and the
Alder, and monopolised in many places the lateral runlets ;
and it must have again come to the front in rocky places. It
must have been found, in fact, scattered everywhere at moderate
altitudes. When the moorland region, however, is entered it
suddenly fails.
The Ash (fraxinus excelstor L.).—The same failure at the
moor-edge occurs with the Ash. Lower down the valleys, and
near running water, the Ash must, as has been seen, have been
a competitor with the Elm, whilst on the north exposures of the
ravines it may perhaps have been the prevailing tree of the
woodland.
The Oak (Quercus pedunculata Ehrh.).—The great extension
of the Oak in this Dale is no doubt due, in large part, to arti-
ficial planting. Even the old parts of the Ramsdale Woods,
where the Oaks seem to be not less than two hundred and fifty
years old, prove, on close examination, to be no exception, and
were, doubtless, planted by Sir Hugh Cholmley in the reign of
Charles I.
At the same time the Oak was evidently plentiful by nature.
Indeed, an examination of the old natural woods, of the hedge-
rows, and of the Dale generally, shows that, in whatever pro-
portion it stood, the Oak must have been absolutely ubiquitous;
Naturalist,
Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales. 425,
and that after the Elm and the Ash had been left behind in the
upper part of the gills, it must have been almost without a
competitor.
In strange contrast, however, with the Oak’s ubiquity is the
shyness of its fruiting. Such a thing as a regular acorn year,
as one sees frequently in the Midlands and occasionally in the
inland parts of Yorkshire, I have never witnessed here, and
never expect to witness. Indeed, down to 1893, the sight of a
ripe acorn was a very rare one, and Fylingdales acorns were
indelibly associated with green fruit in their cups blown off by
autumn gales. Since then, and since our cycle of dry summers,
experiences in regard to acorns have been different ; but even
in the best years it has been only on the outer and sunnier
edges of the Oak woods, or on hedgerow Oaks in sheltered
situations, that I have observed acorns in any quantity.
Oaks and the Caterpillar Plague.—This scarcity of mast
may possibly be connected, at least during the last twenty-five
years, with the ravages of the caterpillar of the Oak leaf
Roller: Moth (Zorérix viridana). On an average of perhaps
three seasons out of four, during the period just mentioned
(prior to that there was nothing of the kind), the Oak woods
have been almost entirely stripped from this cause; the
general appearance presented in the beginning of July being
about the same as that in the beginning of May, ze., a few
trees (mostly Elms) in leaf, and a few signs of green on the
rest. By the end of July the foliage recovers, and the Oaks do
not appear to suffer, as far as I can see, in general health
I believe, however, though I have not properly proved it, that
those most affected fail to bear fruit.
Last year, and for the first time, at any rate to any great
extent, the foliage of the Hazel undergrowth was likewise
devoured. This, on the other hand, unlike that of the Oak,
made no recovery during the rest of the year, nor has it done
so this present season. The consequence is that great numbers
of the Hazel bushes, and particularly the younger ones, are
now in a dying condition, and in some cases dead.
When the caterpillars are at their height there is a sound
throughout the woods as of a light but continuous shower of
rain. This is, of course, from the fall of the excrement. At
the same time the insects themselves are noticeable, from their
habit of letting themselves up and down by long silken threads.
In making your way, therefore, through the coverts, you can
scarcely avoid coming in contact with them, as they hang about
1907 December is
25
426 Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales.
or sway in the breeze. Large flocks of Jackdaws and Starlings
invariably pay their attention to the caterpillars; and, indeed,
generally give one the first notice of the plague having begun.
The effect, however, produced by them in the main woods is
quite insignificant. Near the house, on the other hand, where
Oaks are intermixed with other trees, and where birds of all
kinds are constantly present, but little damage is, as a rule,
to be perceived.
The years in which the Oaks escape the enemy seem to be:
(1) Those in which there are heavy and constant falls of rain
during the caterpillers season. (2) Early years, when the leaf
gets a start of the caterpillar, and hardens. At any rate, it
is noticeable that in the plague years those Oaks which are
exceptionally forward are immune; whilst in plague-free, or
nearly plague-free, years the late-leafing trees, as those on
the north edges of the woods, are attacked.
INDIGENOUS TREES OF THE SECOND CLASS.
The Birch (Betula verrucosa Ehrh.) takes a subordinate
position in this Dale as compared with that taken by it in other
dales of Yorkshire. With the exception of a few scattered
standards, and these chiefly near the moor edge, the only
woods, or remains of woods, of birch are in the Derwent
section of the township.
As to the causes of this feature, no doubt some part has
been played by man. In the main dale, which has always been
the centre of population, and must always have been more
under the woodman’s eye, Birch may possibly have been largely
cut out in mixed woods, in order to make room for more
valuable timber, and not being a species which is tolerant of
shade, has failed to reappear, as other trees would have done.
At the same time, I think that there may have been natural
causes as well. And I should be inclined to specify under this
head :—(1) A soil unsuited to the Birch in the cold, stiff glacial
clay, which fills the ravines and much of the hillsides in the area
last noticed. (2) Exposure to sea winds.
In regard to the latter circumstance, my attention was first
drawn to it by losses after planting in such situations. Indeed,
after the sudden loss, about eighteen years ago, of nearly all
the then-to thriving Birch in a mixed plantation, some ten
years of age, and some three acres in extent, which was on a
steep slope, with a loamy soil, but exposed to the east and
north-east, I was careful not to plant this species of tree
Naturalist,
Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales. 427
wherever the sea winds could penetrate. Then, after a long
interval, I thought that I might have been mistaken. At any
rate, I determined to try again on a soil that was an ideal soil
for the Birch.
The site was an old freestone quarry that had grown a crop
of Larch and stunted Oak, succeeded by a luxuriant jungle of
Bracken. The quarry was under the brow of the moorland
plateau, 700 feet above the level of the sea, with a fair amount
of shelter from the west and south-west, but with exposure,
though not complete exposure, to the east and north; there
being sufficient remnants of the old crop to break the extreme
bitterness of the winds. The result, however, has been com-
pletely disastrous. Though all other sorts of trees have
survived, the birch has succumbed, as in previous cases, and
in a nearly similar manner: namely, by losing all their foliage
in the early summer after a long continuance of our British
Etesians. They have not, however, gone all at once, as in the
previous instance, but some one year and some another, at
different stages of their growth.
These details I have thought proper to give, since I have
not come on any botanical or any sylvicultural author (excepting
one, to whom I furnished the information myself) who has so
much as hinted at the Birch being a sea-shunning tree, and since,
therefore, a general statement might fail to convince. At the
same time I may mention that I had long noticed that the Birch
did not occur within a mile or two of our coast where it would
be fully exposed to the north and north-east. I then observed
that even under half exposure to these points of the compass,
and at this distance from the sea, no Birch, or trace of Birch,
was to be found in our natural woods or coppice. Finally, on
looking over my journal of Norwegian trave!, I saw that at
the outer extremities of such fiords as I visited, and amongst
the islands, the Birch, which all along the slopes of the fiords
themselves had been the characteristic tree, was replaced by
Scots Pine.
With all these facts, therefore, to go upon, I think that the
conclusion which has been drewn may be fairly justified. If,
accordingly, it be accepted, then the parts of the main dale of
Fyling adapted to the Birch are limited from considerations of
aspect alone, whilst they are still further reduced by consider-
ations of soil. Hence, in combination with human handiwork,
the scarcity of the tree in this, the seaward part of the township.
The Derwent basin, on the other hand, has less of these adverse
1907 December 1.
428 Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales.
circumstances. It is at once the inland section of the township,
and also free, or nearly so, from glacial clays. Hence the
presence in its slacks of birchwoods still existing and unmis-
takable evidences that in times gone by these birchwoods were
of considerable extent.
The Alder (A/nus glutinosa Gaert.) calls for no remark.
The Aspen (Populus tremula .).—Though rare, is
nevertheless found here. The slacks of the moors or the
moor edges are places in which I[ have seen it, so that it appears
as essentially a highland tree ; and this, as far as I have been
able to judge personally, is its character in Northern Europe as
well asin Southern. Again, I have only seen it on the slopes of
these slacks; never at the bottom by the becksides. Indeed
the only specimens in the Ramsdale woods are on freestone
rock with a south aspect, the situation being a clearing within
a hundred yards of the moor, and the Aspen having sprung up
since the clearing was made. This, again, agrees with what I
have observed elsewhere. For though the authorities usually
write of the Aspen as being essentially a wet soil tree, yet its
constant occurrence in dry and rocky places (its stature there is
naturally small) is one of the facts that has always struck me in
the mountains of Norway, Scotland, and Corsica. On the slope
facing east of Jugger Howe Gill the little woods or groves of
primeeval aspect are, I think (for I have never climbed up to
them), composed of this tree. There, however, I should say,
the soil was humid.
INDIGENOUS TREES, OF THE THIRD GEASS:
The Rowan (Pyrus aucuparta Ehrh.), in contrast to the
Birch, is one of the most ubiquitous and one of the most.
impressible of trees. It does not seem particular as to either
situation or soil. It springs up even on the sea cliffs of the
Peak, and is part of the main undergrowth in the Oak woods
of the dales. It accomodates itself to clays and to sour moor-
land, as well as to its favourite rocks and rubble. Whenever
a moor edge plantation is made, and has become tall enough to
harbour birds, the Rowan is sure to appear, and in increasing
numbers, owing to the voiding of its seed by wood pigeons
and smaller birds. On pastured ground it is kept down, of
course, by browsing ; but in rough enclosures, where there are
neglected whin bushes, it often manages to make a_ show,
thanks to the protection of those thorny thickets. In this way
Naturalist,
Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales. 429
a natural wood of Rowan is forming slowly and by irregular
steps, according to the degrees of inattention of the successive
tenants, on the slopes of the little moor ‘intake’ near Swallow
Head. In the lowest part adjoining the Ramsdale Woods some
of the trees are already old, and close enough together to keep
down all undergrowth.
NATURALISED TREES.
The Sycamore (Acer pseudo-platanus L.), known locally as
‘The Plane,’ is now around homesteads perhaps the most
characteristic tree of the Dale. The choice is a wise one, since
though liable from its early leafing to be cut by spring storms,
it usually recovers itself before the season is out, and is, of all
trees of first-rate dimensions, the one that keeps its shape best
under exposure to the sea winds. At the same time, like its
scriptural namesake,* it is less liable to be uprooted than perhaps
any other tree, the proverbial Oak not excepted.
Of course the Sycamore is an exotic, and the evidence of its
exotic character can been seen here, as elsewhere, in the fact
that, whenever planted and allowed to mature, it rapidly
spreads itself. Had it therefore been indigenous it must
necessarily have been ubiquitous, That, however, is not the
case. It does not occur in natural woods, and in no woods
except those at Fyling Old Hall do I know any specimens a
hundred years old. Seedlings, in fact, are seen only where
they can be accounted for by the presence of standards from
which the seed can have blown. And the seed will generally,
I think, be found to have blown in an easterly direction, since
the prevailing winds at the time of leaf-shedding are the
westerly. Thus, in the Ramsdale woods, the seedlings and
saplings of Sycamore which now, to the owner’s annoyance,
abound, and which cannot be extirpated, can be traced to some
standards of this tree planted near the edge of the woods on a
moor-edge farm that was sold out of the estate about a century-
and-a-half ago. The seedlings and saplings have been gradually
spreading in a down-valley or easterly direction, so that they
may now be traced that way for about a mile. Up the valley,
or in a westerly direction, only one or two plants are to be
found. These, moreover, are at not more than a hundred-and-
fifty yards from the presumed parent tree, and have shown
themselves only in the last few years.
* Luke xvii. 6.
1907 December ri
430 Barry: Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales.
As to the introduction of the Sycamore into these parts, I
cannot doubt that here, as in so many other places, the original
introducers were the monks. The abbot and monks of the
Whitby Monastery were the possessors of the greater part of
Fylingdales from the time of William II. to that of Henry VIII.,
and the oldest Sycamore trees in the township are around the
two homesteads with which the monks seem to have been
brought in special connection, viz., Fyling Old Hall, the ancient
‘Manerium de Fyling,’ and Fyliny New Hall, formerly Park
Gate, and so called from its proximity to the ancient Park.
The Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) has been introduced here
much later than the Sycamore. In fact, as I have not seen a
Beech tree which can be a hundred years old, I do not think
that there can have been one in the Dale in 1819, when my
great grandfather bought this estate and began to plant. As
it is, there are but a few odd specimens away from the plan-
tations which adjoin this house.
At the same time the Beech reproduces itself even in this
climate ; not, of course; as freely as the Sycamore, but at least
as freely as the indigenous Oak. This circumstance is again
peculiar, because it is a rare thing with us to find Beech mast
which has any kernel. The crops of it are both more abundant
and more frequent than those of acorns, but the nut almost
invariably proves to be ‘deaf.’ And yet there is scarcely a
standard of over sixty years of age near which seedlings cannot
be found. The seedlings and saplings seen in Ramsdale Woods
by the side of the beck can be traced to two Beech trees about
eighty years old that have been planted at the upper and outer
edge of the coverts.
The Beech here, as in many other parts of Britain, is infested
by a species of Scale, Cryptococcus fagt, some trees being already
in a dying condition. Those which suffer most seem to be
saplings which are shaded by taller timber over them.
The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is excellently adapted
to the slacks and more sheltered parts of our moorlands. On
the open plateau it requires to be massed in great bodies in
order to resist the winter gales, and even then is liable to
be blown over where the subsoil is impervious or the
surface moist. But in the situations that have been mentioned
it is quite at home, and in a climate so congenial to it that
matured timber from the Foulsyke plantations has been found,
according to the late I. Taylor, to be as good as any imported
from the Baltic. At the same time it seeds itself freely. Indeed,
Naturalist
Northern News. 431
were it not for the moor sheep, the turf paring, and the annual
moor burning, or ‘ swiddening,’ the seed blown from plantations
of this tree would, everywhere where there is heather, give
birth to natural woods. This may be seen on the Sneaton
Moor Intake between the two Red Gates, round which there are,
or have been, Scots plantations formed some eighty or so years
ago. In one place seedlings of various sizes (some being already
a few feet) stand thick on the ground for a considerable distance ;
so that, if fenced, they would soon make a covert. On Silpho
Brow, towards Hackness, where the soil is sandy and the climate
less marine, a still better example may be noted ; for there nearly
the whole moorland brow is becoming, and already has become, a
scattered, picturesque, forest-like wood, the pines being in every
stage of growth from small seedlings to middle-aged trees.
Yet with all this the pine is clearly an exotic as far as
regards this part of the country. There is no trace of woods
of it that have not been planted, or, at least, sprung from
artificial plantations, nor of any isolated specimens or seedlings
at any distance from such plantations. Neither yet can we
suppose that it has been extirpated by man. Had it existed
here since the glacial period it must, with its facility for
reproduction, have gained too firm a hold in the lower uplands
to have been banished utterly from every corner and crag. As
a matter of fact there are no remains of it even in the peat bogs.*
The upper timber bed in the bogs between the two peat layers,
where we should expect to find it, as we find it in Scotland,
Ireland, and Norway, since the Scots pine surpasses perhaps
any other tree in its adaptability to growing on pure peat, is
occupied here by the remains of Birch woods.
' During the summer of 1906 the Pine Beetle (Aylurgus
piniperda) committed great ravages among young pines, some
of the trees being killed outright.
a el
Mr. C. B. Crampton has a paper on ‘Fossils and Conditions of Deposit,
and Theory of Coal Formation’ in the ‘Transactions of the Edinburgh
Geological Society ' (Vol. 9, Pt. I., 1907).
Amongst the many interesting papers bearing upon the natural history
and archeology of Hertfordshire, which appear in the ‘Transactions of
the Hertfordshire Natural History and Field Club’ (Vol. 13, Pt. I., 1907),
are ‘On a recent Paleolithic discovery near Rickmansworth,’ by Sir John
Evans; ‘ Witches’ Brooms,’ by J. Saunders ; and ‘ Ostracoda and Mollusca
from the Alluvial Deposits at the Watford Gas Works,’ by the Editor of
the Proceedings, Mr. John Hopkinson.
* It occurs in the peat of South-east Yorks.—ED.
1907 December 1.
-432
FIELD NOTES.
ARACHNIDA.
A Pseudo-=-scorpion new to Yorkshire.—Chernes rujfeolus
Sim. To the list of the counties (Vzde ‘ Nat.’ for Oct.) in which
this pseudo-scorpion has occurred, Yorkshire may now be
added. On Oct. 12th I secured two examples in the cracks
between the flagstones which formed the floor of a barn at
Broak Oak, Linthwaite, Colne Valley. The full list for the
county embraces five species, Chthonius rayt L. Koch.,
Obistum muscorum Leach., Cheltfer latretllet Leach., Chernes
nodosus Schr., and Chernes rufeolus Sim.—Wwmn. FALCONER,
Slaithwaite, October 21st, 1907.
A Spider new to Northumberland.— 77gellinus furcillatus
Menge. In the ‘ Naturalist’ for May, 1go1, p. 160, the Wes-
senden Valley, near Huddersfield, is noted as being the most
northerly point at which this very rare spider has been found.
This is no longer correct; an adult female, which I took near
Staward Peel in the above county, Aug., 1907, places its limit
of distribution much further north. The specimen has been
kindly compared by Dr. A. Randell Jackson with females
obtained by him in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, July, 1906.
—Wmwm. FALconer, Slaithwaite, October 21st, 1907.
—:0 :—
BIRDS.
Woodcock in Littondale.—It may interest those members
of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union who have been investigating
the fauna of Littondale to know that in 1905, on three occasious
in June and July, I flushed a Woodcock in ‘ Gildersbank,’ near
the Cave. I could not find a second bird or a nest, but it is very
probable that there would be a second bird if I had only been
fortunate enough to see it.
A few are always shot in Littondale later in the season, but
these will no doubt be the usual autumn visitors.—J. W.
Datton, 7, Manningham Lane, Bradford.
Winter Migrants at Sedbergh.—The following are par-
ticulars of the arrival of our winter migrants in this district :—
Bramblefinch, Oct. 7th; Redwing, Oct. roth; Siskin, Oct. 15th;
Fieldfare, Oct. 15th. I saw two Swallows on the 21st Oct.,
rather late for our district.—Ww. Morris, Sedbergh.
Red-backed Shrike nesting near York in 1881.—
Referring to Mr. Oxley Grabham’s note on the nesting of the
Red-backed Shrike near Pickering this summer (ade p. 325), it
——————
Naturalist,
Field Notes. 433
may be of interest to record that during my schooldays in York
I found a nest of this species at Acaster, not far from Naburn
Locks, in the year 1881, and I have still one of the eggs in my
possession.—Harry B. Boorn, Shipley.
The Waxwing (Ampelis garralus L.) in Fylingdales. —
At the recent excursion of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to
Robin Hood’s Bay, I saw in the cottage of Mr. J. W. Barry’s
gardener (formerly his gamekeeper) a fine specimen of the
Waxwing, which he had shot in his garden some seven or
eight years previously, during the winter months. As _ the
district of Fylingdales has lately received considerabe attention
from a natural history point of view (thanks to its courteous
owner), I think it well to send in this additional note. —Harry
B. Boortn, Shipley.
Migration of Swifts, etc.—During part of August I had
occasion to cycle several times daily along the road between
Leeds and Menston by way of Horsforth, Rawdon, and Guiseley,
and had therefore the opportunity of noting any migration‘
which was taking place in that district, of the Swallow, House
Martin, and Swift. The fact which I noticed most particularly
about the migration taking place was that the Swift apparently
migrated from this part of Airedale in an opposite direction to
the Swallow and House Martin. The Swift flying up the
valley (west) and the Swallow and Martin down the valley
(east). I have noticed the latter in Lower Wharfedale. On one
occasion (see table below) I watched a party: of Swifts fly to-
wards Horsforth from a northerly direction and then strike up
the valley (W.) to Rawdon. I should be very pleased if readers
of the ‘ Naturalist’ would give the benefit of their experience
with reference to the migration routes out of the Yorkshire
Dales taken by the above-mentioned birds.
Aug. 11th.—Two Swifts over the moors at Hawksworth, near Menston.
Aug. 12th.—Two Swifts over Menston.
Aug. 13th—18-20 Swifts over Menston in the morning, none in the evening.
Aug. 14th.—One Swift over Menston.
Aug. 16th.—One Swift over moors at Hawksworth.
Aug. 17th.—One Swift over Burley in Wharfedale.
Aug. 18th.—House Martin flying down Airedale (E.), none at Guiseley.
Aug. 2zoth.—Swallows flying down the Aire Valley (W.). House Martins at
Rawson, none here on the roth.
Aug. 2oth.—Five Swifts flying up the Aire Valley (W.) towards Rawdon.
Aug. 22nd.—18 Swifts at Rawdon, and a party of 12 flew to Horsforth from
a northerly direction and then flew up the valley (W.) towards Rawdon.
Aug. 23rd.—Swallows flying down the valley (E.). 7 or 8 Swifts over the
east end of Rawdon.
==S, EOLE, Weeds,
1907 December 1
434
REVIEWS AND BOOK NOTICES.
WE have recently had the disagreeable duty of perusing and
commenting upon such an enormous number of would-be
natural history books, that to get hold of really useful publi-
cations that will further the study of natural history is indeed a
pleasure. The four works referred to in the following notes
are so far above their fellows that we are glad to draw special
attention to them. We can only express the hope that in
their own interests publishers will exercise some care in the
selection of works placed upon the market. In recent years
there have been many books issued—in some cases by well-
known and usually reliable houses—which have been a disgrace
to the twentieth century.
‘Mammals of the World,’ is a_ well-illustrated volume,
printed in good clear type, and is very cheap at six shillings.
Obviously for the use of the young naturalist, the descrip-
tions of the various mammals are given in an interesting
style, as might be expected from such a well-known writer as
Mr. W. F. Kirby. No space is wasted in fine writing. Dr.
W. E. Kirby writes a useful ‘Introduction,’-dealing with the
structure of the mammalia, which is rather more technical, and
will better appeal to older readers.
Of a somewhat similar type is ‘ Cassell’s Natural History for
Young People,’ which is also well illustrated, and exceedingly
cheap. In addition to the mammals, however, Mr. Bouser
deals with birds, amphibia and reptiles, fishes, and the inverte-
brata. His descriptions are accompanied by characteristic
anecdotes, which add to the interest of the work. Either this
or the preceeding work can be well recommended as a prize or
present to a boy or girl, and we are sure that either volume
will be appreciated.
Dealing with another branch of nature knowledge altogether
is the charming volume issued by Mr. Heinemann. In this the
authoress has depicted in a beautiful series of no fewer than 75,
large plates, all the important members of the British flora.
Mammals of the World, by W. F. Kirby. London: Sidney Appleton,
1907. 141 pp., coloured plates. 6/- net.
Cassell’s Natural History for Young People (Second edition), by A. E.
Bouser, with over a hundred full-page illustrations. London: Cassell & Co.,
1907. 280 pp. 5/-
Wild Flowers of the British Isles, by H. Isabel Adams. London:
William Heinemann, 1907. 168 pp., 75 coloured plates. go/- net.
Microscopy: The Construction, Theory, and Use of the Microscope,
by Edmund J. Spitta. London: John Murray, 1907. 468 pp., plates.
10/6 net.
ois ee
Naturalist,
Reviews and Book Notices. 435
The drawings are made with unusual accuracy as regards both
colour and form. These are reproduced by the three-colour
process, which, with the exception of a slight preponderance of
purple, represents the drawings very faithfully. From the
decorative point of view, however, the illustrations are unusually
valuable, and we can strongly recommend them to art students.
From the arrangement and method of portrayal it is evident
that the artist-authoress has intended that every advantage shall
be given to the beauties of our flora from the point of view of
design and decoration. In the seemingly careless arrangement
of flowers, and in the apparently accidental twist of the stalks
or tendrils, it is clear that every effort has been made to
secure the greatest artistic effect from the subjects drawn. But
beyond their success as pictures, the plates are unusually useful
to the botanical student for the ease with which they enable the
different species to be recognised. Towards this end the plants
are classified, and at once show the resemblances to and the
differences between the various species. Occasional drawings
of parts of the flower, etc., facilitate this. With regard to the
letterpress there is an exceedingly modest preface ; then some
‘ descriptions of botanical terms,’ which are followed by clear and
accurate descriptions of the various plants,
In the fourth volume before us is a work alike useful to
student of animals or plants. It is a scholarly treatise, and as
might be expected from the President of the Quekett Micro-
scopical Club, is written by one who has made a special study
of the subject with which he deals. In his previous works
dealing with Photomicrography and Bacteriology respectively,
Mr. Spitta gave evidence of the thoroughness of his work. In
‘Microscopy,’ however, he can safely be said to have excelled
himself in his regard for treatment of even the smallest details
of microscopical research. His knowledge of the various
lenses and parts of the microscope is unrivalled, and of this the
full benefit is given to readers of ‘ Microscopy.’ Every possible
detail of microscopic work is described in a way which at once
shows that the author is giving the information from practical
experience, and not from second-hand and antiquated sources.
The volume is illustrated by no fewer than 241 blocks in the
text, and by 41 half-tone reproductions from original negatives.
These latter largely deal with the structures of diatoms as
revealed by different powers and appliances. It goes without
saying that the publisher, Mr. John Murray, has done his share
of the work well.
1907 December 1.
436 Reviews and Book Notices.
CHILDRENS BOOKS.
The ‘ Look-about-you’ Nature Book, by T. W. Hoare and others.
T. C. & E. C. Jack, Edinburgh, 1907, 5/- net. In this thick volume are
bound together seven of Messrs. Jack’s well known shilling ‘ Look-about-
you’ nature study books, which are specially adapted for young readers.
They are in simple language, in large clear type, and beautifully illustrated.
They deal with all manner of subjects, and will certainly prove an attraction
to juveniles.
_ The Fairy-Land of Living Things, by R. Kearton. Cassell & Co.
1907. 182 pp., 3/6. In this volume the brothers Kearton, by pen and
picture, have produced a volume specially for young readers. It is wel]
Dandelion Heads.
printed, and contains nearly 200 illustrations, all of which are good. It is
very suitable for boys in the upper standards at school, and would make a
useful prize. One of the illustrations we are kindly permitted to reproduce.
The Fairyland of Nature, by Wood Smith. London: S. W:
Partridge & Co. 126 pp., Cloth 1/- This book contains a number otf
essays, written in rather school-boy phraseology, upon a variety of subjects»
such as ‘The Mammoth Cave,’ ‘ Flesh Eating-Plants,’ ‘ A Piece of Sponge,’
etc. Each appears to have been written by the author immediately after he
had read something upon the subject elsewhere. Asa sample of the author's
style, we read (p. 64), ‘From six to twelve trucks, each containing usually
half-a-ton of coal, at a time are taken by a boy called a “driver,” with
horse, into a part of the mine called the ““Station,’ where he exchanges the
empties for full trucks.’ There are several illustrations, mostly ancient,
one (p. 67) is upside down, and another (p. 62) shows ‘a stem of a palm-tree
found in coal seams.’ But the book is remarkably cheap at one shilling.
Cremation: The planning of Crematoria and Columbaria is the
title of a pamphlet (A. C. Freeman, 72, Finsbury Pavement, E.C.,
20 pp., 1/-). The address was originally read to the Society of Architects,
and contains much useful information, as well as some interesting designs.
It is surprising how few Crematoria there are in Britain to-day—the ancient
Britains, Romans, and Saxons all taught us the proper way to dispose of
the dead ; but in this present century of prejudices we are too slow to learn.
We notice from Mr. Freeman's pamphlet that the Hull Crematorium is of the
early perpendicular style, freely treated. It’s a way architects have in Hull.
Naturalist,
437
THE FIRST RECORDED BRITISH EXAMPLE OF THE
WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT.
T. H. NELSON, M.B.O.U.
HavinG recently had an opportunity of examining the Scar-
borough specimen of this form of the Bluethroat, which I
exhibited at the British Ornithologists’ Club on 16th October
last, I am pleased to be able to state that its identity is fully
established.
It is in every way typical of the white-spotted form
(Cyanecula wolf), the white in the centre of its dark blue
throat being most distinct, and about half-an-inch in diameter.
The plumage, even after the lapse of thirty years, still retains
its deep intense hue.
On questioning the present owner of the specimen as to the
facts of the occurrence, he fully corroborated the original
statements of the Rev. J. G. Tuck and Mr. Eagle Clarke;
though, as the females of the two forms of Bluethroat cannot
be distinguished, it is somewhat unfortunate that a misleading
statement was made as to the sex of this bird, which accounts
for its rejection by the authors of recent ornithological works.
My informant remembers his father bringing home the bird,
telling him he had found it under the telegraph wires, and
pointing out where it had been damaged by coming in contact
with them.
For further particulars see ‘ Birds of Yorkshire,’ pp. 38-39.
——
Mr. J. W. Harrison has a ‘Note on Oforobia (Larentia) autumnata, in
Cleveland,’ in the November ‘ Entomologist.’
We have received the ‘ Transactions of the Eastbourne Natural History
Society’ (Vol. IV., Pt. 2). It contains papers dealing with France, Portugal,
Switzerland, etc. Some of the items are of distinct interest to Eastbourne
naturalists, however.
An interesting phase of the marine biological work which is being carried
on at various parts of the coasts of the British Isles is illustrated by the capture,
which has just been effected, of a marked crab which has travelled from
Scarborough to Montrose—a distance of about 155 miles—in 689 days.
Not very long ago a crab was marked and returned to the sea at Flam-
borough, was caught at Beadnell in Northumberland, having walked a dis-
tance of 108 miles in 114 days. It is an interesting fact also that one of the
crabs liberated by Professor Meek, of the Marine Laboratory at Cullercoats,
twelve miles north of Beadnell, was recaptured after an interval of nearly
four months at Portlethen, in Kincardineshire, a distance of eighty miles.
In all, Professor Meek, who acted for the Northumberland Sea Fisheries
Committee, marked 145 crabs, whilst Dr. H. C. Williamson, of the Marine
Laboratory at Aberdeen, a few years ago marked over 1,500 crabs ; but of
the small percentage subsequently recovered none appeared to have been
retaken far from the point at which they were liberated in the first instance.
1907 December 1.
4¢8
NEW PLANT RECORDS FOR NORTH LANCASHIRE.
Sul hy eo Be Bake
Ulverston.
On behalf of the recently formed North Lonsdale Field Club,
1 give below a few new records.
* Monotropa hypopetys L. Grange, 1907, W. Duckworth.
New to the Lancashire portion of V.-C. 69; and the
Westmorland record of many years ago has not been
confirmed, I believe. Is recorded for W. Lancs. recently.
* Epipactts atro-rubens Schultz. Grange, 1907, W. Duckworth.
New to Lancashire portion of V.-C. 69.
Habenaria viridis R.Br. Urswick, 1907. J. Dobson.
New to the Furness area. On record for Cartmel,
but no recent confirmation.
Allium scorodoprasum L. Grange, 1907. W. Duckworth.
New to Grange area.
Colchicum autumnale L. Finsthwaite, 1907. E. T. Baldwin.
Recorded 1805, Bot. Guide by Jas. Woods, Jnr. A
little below Newby Bridge; on the left hand side of the
road to Ulverston. Never confirmed.
The first three species have been confirmed by Mr. Arthur
Bennett, to whom my thanks are due.
ieee
By Seashore, Wood, and Moorland, by Edward Step (3rd edition).
London: S. W. Partridge & Co. 320 pp., price 2/6. The fact that this
volume has reached a third edition speaks well for its popularity. It is very
suitable for a Sunday School prize, and is written so as to be easily under-
stood by children. The chapters deal with all manner of subjects from
jelly-fishes to mermaids and sea cows, squirrels to cuckoos, Nature's water-
pots to parrots, butterflies to bats, grasshoppers, beetles and fishes. More
or less suitable references occur to the Band of Hope, The Childrens’ Friend,
etc. The style of the book, ‘Oh, Mr. Weston, do tell me something about
Crabs’ (p. 64), might almost have given Uncle Westell the idea for his book,
noticed in our columns for October. There are several illustrations, most of
which have an ancient look about them. At half-a-crown the book is cheap.
British Country Life in Spring and Summer, edited by Edward
Thomas. Hodder and Stoughton, 1907. 239 pp., Price 8/6 net. If the
increased interest in ‘Nature Study,’ which has been manifest during the
past few years, had no other result than the publication of such books as the
one before us, there would be cause for gratification. In ‘ British Country
Life’ are bound together, in attractive form, the first six parts of ‘The
Book of the Open Air,’ referred to in these columns for July (p. 261). The
book throughout is of the character of the two parts then noticed. Having
regard to its size, the excellence alike of paper, type, and matter, and the
nature of the illustrations, ‘ British Country Life’ isa long way the cheapest
book we have handled for some years. Besides the chapters referred to
in the previous notice, there are articles by A. H. Patterson, W. H. Hudson,
Gerald H. Leighton, Richard South, and many others.
Naturalist.
439
NORTHERN NEWS
‘Answers to correspondents.—G. Fish. Of course the mussel belongs
to the animal kingdom, as all other fish do. Editor, Hull Daily News.’
M. Gustave-F. Dollfus has an interesting article, ‘La Géologie il y a
cent ane, en Engleterre,’ in ‘La Feuille Des Jeunes Naturalistes’ for
November.
According to Dr. F. Ameghino, of the La Plata Museum, South America
was the birth-place of the human race, and he traces man back to Miocene
opossums !
We are pleased to learn, from a contemporary, that the illustrations in
the ‘Birds of Yorkshire’ ‘evidence wonderful patience in the field and
laboratory skill.’
From a Hull Newspaper. ‘Time was when the Annual Conversazione
of the Hull Literary and Philosophical Society’ was held ‘amid the bones
of whales and other amphibious monsters.’
A train carrying a travelling menagerie recently was wrecked, and
caught fire. The elephants filled their trunks at a neighbouring stream,
and ran backwards and forwards and eventually extinguished the flames.
It was in America.
Two men were experimenting with a Chameleon ; they placed it on sur-
faces of blue and white and green, with the normal results. At last the
diabolical idea occurred to them of placing it upon a tartan shawl, with the
result that the poor thing died in ten minutes of nervous exhaustion !
The ‘Lancashire Naturalist’ (No. 5), under the head of ‘ Lancashire
Naturalists of Note,’ has an account of Mr. W. A. Parker, F.G.S., who has
done so much amongst the fossils from the Coal-Measures of Sparth Bottoms.
We learn that ‘his motto has always been ‘‘ Love of the work with hard and
persistent effort.” ”
Some Museums seem to have all the luck. In the will of the late Miss
A. Mason is the following :—‘ I also give to the said Corporation of Notting-
ham for the said Art Museum the last Mule Canary that travelled from
Nottingham to the Cross Keys, Wood Street, Cheapside, on the (almost)
last ‘Sold times coach,” driven by ‘‘ Old Joe Pearson” (as the next visit I
made to Loughborough, Leicester, was by railway). Also the two gadflies
which were also in the same glass case as the Canaries, and were caught
at Prince Albert’s Exhibition in 1851 at Hyde Park.’
Under ‘ Notes on Flowering Plants’ a Lancashire contemporary has the
following information :—‘ Adder’s Tongue consists of a single leaf with a
slender spike of seeds rising from its bottom, which is supposed to resemble
the tongue of the serpent... The Moonwort.—‘ The stalk is round, firm, and
thick ; it is nakedin the middle, and there grows the leaf, which is composed,
as it were, of several pairs of small ones, or rather, is a whole and single
leaf indented deeply, so as to resemble a number of smaller; these are
rounded and hollowed, and thence came its name of Moonwort.’ Evidently
the moon has something to do with it!
The October ‘ Bradford Scientific Journal’ is a particularly good number.
Of local interest are ‘The Bradford Botanical Garden,’ by W. P. Winter,
and ‘The Status of the Polecat in the Bradford District,’ by H. B. Booth,
and there are several shorter notes. The Polecat is evidently scarce in the
Bradford area; and one ‘probably true Polecat’ was ‘captured and killed,’ and
whilst the men were inspecting its retreat it got up and slowly dragged itself
away / There are some so-called ‘ Science Notes, Past, Present, Future,’
which are certainly not worth the space they occupy. In referring to the
spelling of a certain moor near Ilkley a correspondent informs us that
‘Whichis’ the correct spelling. It may be so, but we should not have
thought it.
1g07 December 1.
440 Northern News.
A specimen of a false-scorpion, Che/tfer cancrotdes Linn., from ;Man-
chester, is figured in the October * Zoologist.’
A photograph of a nest of a common Heron on the ground in a wood
near Scarborough is reproduced in ‘ British Birds’ for October.
In the October ‘Geological Magazine’ Dr. F. A. Bather has a useful
note on ‘ Nathorst’s use of Collodion Imprints in the Study of Fossil Plants.”
We are sorry to record the death of Mr. Howard Saunders, at the age
of seventy-two. His admirable work in the ornithological world is well known.
We regret to have to record the death of Mr. I. Chalkley Gould, F.S.A.,
who has done so much in connection with the study and preservation of
ancient earthworks and other monuments of the past. He was in his
sixty-fourth year.
We regret to record the death of Prof. Charles Stewart, LL.D., F.R.S.,
Conservator for the past twenty-three years to the Royal College of
Surgeons, London. His work at the College of Surgeons’ Museum has
been, almost superhuman, and on the shelves of that Institution, rather than
by his writings, will Prof. Stewart’s work be remembered in the future.
Several remains of Hyzena, Bear, Rhinoceros, Lion, and Elephant, from
the Hoe Grange Cavern, near Brassington, Derbyshire, have been added
to the paleontological collection in the Natural History Museum, South
Kensington.
In ‘Man’ for October Mr. S. H. Warren has a ‘ Note on some Palzo-
lithic and Neolithic Implements from East Lincolnshire.’ Judging from the
drawings, however, the evidence of, at any rate, the Paleolithic implements,
is by no means convincing.
A mammoth tusk is recorded, at a depth of 154 feet, ‘in the upper layer
of the Keuper Marl,’ near Water Orton, in the Midlands. Another 46 inches
in length, and weighing 7o lbs., is recorded from the boulder-clay at Horn-
sea. It is ‘free from all shelling.’
In ‘A few notes on nature’s year, published in a contemporary, we learn
that in October the woods smell ‘ leafy,’ in November the rabbits gambol,
and that December 25th is Christmas Day! Did not Wordsworth say, ‘To
the solid ground of Nature trusts the mind which builds for aye’ ?
A ‘ TAIL-PIECE.’
The Elephant (very disgusted), ‘ DASH THAT SHORTSIGHTED
FOOL OF A KEEPER. THAT'S THE SECOND TIME HE'S PUT MY
GRUB AT THE WRONG END!’—Reproduced from ‘ Punch’ by
permission.
Naturalist,
441
OL Aes PELE) — LN rx
COMPILED BY W. E. L. WATTAM.
It is not an index in the strict sense of that term, but it is a
classified summary of the contents of the volume, arranged go as to
be of assistance to active scientific investigators, the actual titles of
papers not being regarded so much as the substantial nature of their
contents.
CONTRIBUTORS.
Alderson, E. Maude, F.E.S., 61, 84-89
Auden, G. A., M.D., 366-369
Baldwin, Edward T., 239-240
Barry, J. W., 307-309, 334-337, 423-431
Bayford, E. G., 29, 125-127, 318-319, 353
422,
Beanland, J., 272-374, 347
Beeston, H., 31
Bellerby, W., 320-324
Booth, H. B., M.B.0.U., 28, 29-30, 111- |
114, 172, 251-252, 345-346, 432-433
Brady, L. S., 255-256, 270-273, 360
Burkhill, Harold J., M.A., F-.R.G.S.,
135-136
Burton, E. Mj P.S.,, EGS,
404
Butterfield, E. G., 290, 318
Butterfield, E. P., 347
Butterfield, Rosse, 175-176
Carter, C. S., 157, 256, 375, 404
Carter, J. W., 30-31
Cavers, F., D.SC., F.L.S., 11-16, 46-49
Cheetham, Chris. A., 190, 256-257, 323-
324
Clapham, T. R., 290
Cole, E. Maule, M.A., F.G.S., 402
149-150,
Corbett, H. H., 133, 152, 318, 320, 327,
375
Corbett, H. V., 347
Crossland-)\C., He0eS:, 00-07, 253-257,
284-285,
397-401
Crowther, J. E., 319-320
Culpin, H., 317-318
Dalton, J. W., 432
Drake, H. C., 40
Egglestone, W. M., 38-39
288-289, 322-323, 350-353, |
Elgee, Frank, 137-143, 274-276, 314-315 |
1907 December 1.
Falconer, Wm., 388, 432
Fisher, E., 158
Fortune, R., F.Z.S., 107-100, 134, 234-
238, 251-252, 256-257, 325-326, 344-
346, 403
George, C. F., M.R.C.S., 41-45, 179-180,
_ 259-260, 357-359
Gibbs, T., 395-396
Grabham, Oxley, 325
Gregory, E. E., 402
Hartshorn, J., 200
Hewitt, W., 144-146
Hind, Wheelton, M.D., B.S., F.R.C.S.,
F.G.S., 17-23, 90-96
Hole, S., 255, 433
Hutton, W. H., 61
Ingham, Wm., B.A., 151-152, 388, 404
Innocent, C. F., 105
Jackson, J. Wilfrid, 173-174, 280
Jackson, Harold R., 291
Johns, Cosmo, F.G.S., M.I.MECH.E., 250-
251, 281-283
Johnstone, Mary, B.SC., F.L.S.,
341
338-
Keegan. P. @., LL.D., 24-25, 153-155,
205-208
Kendall, Perey F., Prof., M.SC., F.G.S.,
Kew, H. Wallis, 204
Lawton, Fred, 36
Lee, P. Fox, 73, 127-128
Lofthouse, T. A., 188
Lomas, J., F.G.S., 361-363
Nelson, T. H., M.B.0.U., 437
Newstead, A., 189
to
ty
42
Marshall, J. J., 252, 356
Morley, B., 392-394
Morris, Wm., 325, 432
Moss, Dr. C. E., 364, 365
Mundy, A. T., 389-391
Peacock, D. Woodruffe, 61
Peacock, Rev. E. A. Woodruffe, F.G.s.,
F.L.S., 320-322
Petty, 8S. L., 438
Philip, R. H., 312, 313
Pickard-Cambridge, Rev.
F.R.S., 9-10
Piercy, L. F. (Miss), 256
Pratt, C.T., 36
Preston, H., 29
[etoyoatiy, (Gig Ah Wblbashs IbIShe O45, SP, cle
156, 187, 221, 346-347
Quinton, W. H. St., J.P., 37
Rhodes, F., 327
Robertson, Agnes, D.SC., 167-171, 209-
215, 241-249
Robinson, J. F., 287-288
Roebuck, W. Denison, F.L.S., 287, 288
O.;
Sheppard, Thomas, F.L.S., 5-8, 10, 26-
98, 124-125, 198-202: 221,
250-255, 267-269, 277-279, 284-285,
286-289, 316-324, 242-953, 412-414
BOOK
ASTRONOMY.
Ball, Sir Robert.—In Starry Realms—
In the High Heavens—Great Astro-
nomers, 233
BIRDS.
Beavan, A. H.—Birds I have known,
221
3irds Eggs of the British Isles, 263
British Ornithological Club.—Bird
Migration, 230
Dagleish, Gordon.—Familiar Indian |
Birds, 363
Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S.—Ornithologi-
eal and other Oddities, 240
Flamingoes, Note on Mr. F. M. Chap-
man’s Paper on, with plate, 163
Nelson, IT. H., M.B.0.U., and Clarke, W.
Eagle, F.L.S., M.B.0.U.—Birds of
Yorkshire, 227, 292-293
Ornithological Congress, International,
Report of, 162-163
Peacock, E. A. Woodruffe.—Grouse
Disease, 837
Price, David T., mM.D.—Common Wild
Birds of Great Britain, 19
M.A., |
eaViettch Wena oleae
2ol-233,. |
Classified Index.
Shuffrey, Rev. W. A., M.A., 354-356
Smith, Sydney H., 106, 218
Smith, W. G., PH.D., B.SC., 116-119
Stephenson, Thomas, 273, 375, 402-403,
404
Strickland, W. W., B.A., 147-148
Stubbs, Fred, 222, 310-311
Taylor, J. W., 60, 157
Thompson, M. L., F.E.S., 202
Wade, E. W., M.B.0.U., 216, 255, 286-
287, 419-422
Walter, J. Conway, 222
Waterworth, H., 291
Wattam, W. E. L., 327, 275
West, G. S., M.A., F.L.S., 72, 73
West, Wm., F.L.S., 256
Whitaker, Arthur, 74-83, 384, 388, 415-
418
Wilson, W., 29, 157, 158, 189, 255, 326
Whyte, G. A. & R. B., 203-204
Woodhead, T. W., PH.D.,-F.L.S., 348-
350
Woods, Rev. F. H., B.D., 201-202, 318
Woodward, Dr. A. Smith, F.R.S., 306
| Wroot, Herbert E., 257
NOTICES.
Scott, M. Kk. C.—Birds shown to the
Children, 148
Stonham, Charles.—The Birds of the
British Isles, 171, 227
Vos, G. H.—Birds and their Nests and
Eggs, 268
Wade, E. W., M.B.0.U.—Birds
Bempton Cliffs, 225-227
of
FLOWERING PLANTS.
Adams, H. Isabel.—Wild Flowers of
the British Isles, 434-4385
Arnott, S.—Bulbs, 306
Bailey, Charles.—De Lamarck’s Even-
ing Primrose at St. Anns-by the-Sea,
330-331
Boulger, Prof. G. S.—Familiar Trees,
83
Britten, James, and Rendle, A. B.—
List of British Seed Plants and Ferns,
190
Gordon, W.
Grasses, 406
Scott, M. K. C.—Flowers shown to the
Children, 148
J.—Manual of British
Naturalist,
Classified Index.
443
BOOK NOTICES—continued.
FUNGI.
Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
Leaflet.—Sycamore Leaf blotch (Rhy-
tisma acerinum Fries.), 380
Massee, George.—Text-Book of Fungi,
190-191
Massee, George.—Text-Book of Plant
Diseases, 230
Petch, T.—Fungi of Ant Nests in Cey-
lon, 327
GEOLOGY.
Carey, A. E.—The Protection of Sea
Shores from Erosion, 405
Evans, Ernest.—How to Study Geo-
logy, 223
Fox-Strangways, C.—The Geology of
the Leicestershire and South Derby-
shire Coalfield, 379-380
LEPIDOPTERA.
Greene, Rev. J.—The Insect Hunter’s
Companion, 269
MAMMALIA,
Billinghurst, P. J.—Beasts shown to
the Children, 266
Cornish, C. J., M.A., F.Z.S.—Animal
Artizans, 215
Coupin, H., and Lea, John.—The Ro-
mance of Animal Arts ad Crafts, 119
Flower, W. H.—Catalogue of the
Specimens illustrating the Osteology
and Dentition of Vertebrated Ani-
mals recent and extinct, contained in
the Museum of the Royal College of
Surgeons of London, 405
Game Animals, Great, British Museum
Guide, 405
Kirby, W, F’.—Mammals of the World,
434-435
Scharff, R. F., PH.p.—European Ani-
mals, 295
MUSEUMS.
Belfast Municipal Musenm, Publica-
tions of (Nos. 3 and 4), 96
British Museum.—History of Natural
History Collections, 219-220 Guide
to Great Game Animals, 405. Me-
morials of Linnzeus, 409
Halifax (Rankfield) Museum Notes
(No. 4), 264
Hull Museum, Publications of (Nos.
37-40), 150; (Nos. 41 and 42) 171;
(No. 43 and 44) 370
Keighley Museum, Report for 1906, 186
PLANT ASSOCIATIONS AND ECOLOGY.
Henslow, Prof. G., M.A., F.L.S., &¢.—
Introduction to Plant Ecology, 266
Woodhead, T. W., PH.D., F.L.S.—The
Ecology of Woodland Plants in the
Neighbourhood of Huddersfield, W.
G. Smith, 116-119
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
Burton, F. M., F.G.s.—The Shaping of
Lindsey by the Trent, 261
Carey, A. E.—The Protection of Sea
Shores from Erosion, 405
Slater, Dr. Gilbert—The Inclosure of
Common Fields considered .Geo-
grapically, 193-194
PREHISTORIC ARCHHOLOGY, ETc.
Johnson, J. P.—The Stone Implements
of South Africa, 215
Kermode, P. M. C,—Manx Crosses,
371-372
Roth, H. Ling.—Old and Prehistoric
Halifax, 120-122
SCIENTIFIC HISTORY.
Bradford Scientific Journal, 6-7, 68, 193,
311, 489: List of Papers and Mono-
graphs written by John Gilbert
Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S.
British Birds, 225
Fenland Notes and Queries (No. 75),
411
Hull Literary Club Magazine, 411
Trish Naturalist, 155
Lancashire Naturalist, 165, 439
Nature Reader Monthly, 341
Naturalists’ Quarterly Review, 132
Scientific and Learned Societies of
Great Britain and Ireland, Year Book
of, 159
Science Progress, 406
Science Year Book, 119
SOCIETIES’ REPORTS.
3radford Natural History and Micro-
scopical Society, Recorders’ Reports,
1904, 68-69
3irmingham Natural History and
Philosophical Society's pamphlet on
Linneeus, 1707-1778, 409
Bolton Public Museums and Meteoro-
logical Observatory, Annual Report
of, 186
British Association, List of Presidents
of various Sections of, 160; York
Report, 160 ; Notes on Annual Meet-
ing at Leicester, 297-305
444
Classified Index.
BOOK NOTICES—continued.
Burton-on-Trent Natural History and
Archeological Society, 89
Chester Society of Natural Science,
ete., Annual Report and Proceedings
of, 376
Cleveland Naturalists’ Field Club, Pro-
ceedings of, 1905-6, 360
Derbyshire Archeological and Natural
History Soc., Trans. of, Vol. XXIX.,
164
Hertfordshire Natural History and
Field Club, Trans. of, 1907, 431
Hull Scientific and Field Naturalists’
Club, Trans. of 1906, Vol. III., Part
IV., 63-64
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological
Society, Annual Report of, 166
Lancashire Sea-Fisheries’ Laboratory
at the University of Liverpool, etc.,
Report for 1905, No. XIV., 1-2
Leeds Geological Association, Trans.
of, 3-4
Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union, Trans.
of, 1906, 373-375
Liverpool Geological Society, Proceed-
ings of, Part II, of Vol. X., 3, 414
Liverpool Marine Biology Committee,
Twentieth Annual Report of, 165-
166
Liverpool University Institute of Com-
mercial Research in the Tropies, 405
London Geological Society, History of,
377-379
Louth Antiquarian and Naturalists’
Society, Annual Report of, 309
Manchester Field Naturalists and
Archeologists’ Society, Report and
Proceedings of, 1906, 261
Manchester Microscopical
Trans. of, 370
New Mexico College of Agriculture and
Society,
Mechanic Arts, Bulleton on the
Prickly Pear, 411
Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’
Society, Trans. of, 1906-7, 332
Northumberland, Durham, and New-
eastle-on-Tyne Natural History So-
ciety, Trans. of, 233
Nottingham Naturalists’ Society, Trans.
of, 66-68
Scarborough Philosophical Society,
Staffordshire, North, Field Club,
Annual Report, 1906-7, 273
Yorkshire Geological Society, Proceed-
ings of, Vol. XVI, Part I, 158-159
Yorkshire Philosophical Society, Annual
Report of, 1906, 265
TUNICATA.
British Tunicata (Ray Society, Vol.
XXVII., 1906), with coloured plate,
70-71
VERMES.
Lebour, Miss M. V., Northumbrian
Trematodes, 186
MISCELLANEOUS.
Atkinson, Rev. C. J.—Forty Years in
a Moorlaud Parish, 262
Avebury, Lord, The Use of Life, 405
Bjorling, P. R., and Gissing, E. T—
Peat: its use and manufacture, 283
Book of the Open Air, 261
Brown, Robert, Jr., F.s.4.—Notes on
the Earlier History of Barton-on-
Humber, 122-123
Bruce, J. C_—Handbook to the Roman
Wall, 391
Cassell’s Natural History for Young
People, 434-435
Davies, J. R. A., M.A.—Thomas H.
Huxley, 223
Dodd, M. D. A.—The Days of a Year,
295
Douglas English Nature Books, 262
Dranstield, John N.—A History of the
Parish of Penistone, 294
Earle, Rev. A.—Essay upon the History
of Meaux Abbey, 159
Foulis; 1: N-=—°T'po a-walking through
the Woods and o’er the Moor,’ 4
Freeman, A. C.—Cremation, 436
Gowan’s Nature Books, 414
Guenther, Conrad.— Darwinism and the
Problems of Life, 39
Hird, Dennis.—A Picture Book Book
of Evolution, 159
Hoare, T. W.—The : Look-about-you ”
Nature Book, 436
Hornby, John.—Twenty Country Ram-
bles round Leeds, 406
Johnson, Mrs. T. F.—Glimpses of An-
cient Leicester, 295
Kearton, R., ¥F,zZ,S.—Wild
Home, 263
Kearton, R.—The Fairy-Land of Living
Things, 436
Laneaster, Dr. E, Ray,—The Kingdom
of Man, 197
Macleod, Fiona,—Where the Forest
Murmers, 57
‘One and All’ Gardening, 1907, 143
Patterson, A. H,—Wild Life on a Nor-
folk Estuary, 394
Life at
Naturalist,
Classified Index.
445
BOOK NOTICES—continued.
Peacock, Rev. E. A. Woodruftfe, F.G.s,, |
Pasture and Meadow Analysis, 190
Porter, Alexander.—The Gamekeeper’s |
Manual, 230 |
Punnett, R. C.—Mendelism, 283 |
Roth, H. Ling.—The Yorkshire Coiners, |
1767-1783, and Notes on Prehistoric |
Halifax, 120-122 |
Sanders, T. W.—Allotments, 186
Sutton, R., The Microscope and How |
to use it, 266 |
Sinel, Joseph.—An outline of the |
Natural History of our Shores, 123) |
Smith, Wood.—The Fairyland of Nat- |
ure, 436
Speight, Harry.—Upper Nidderdale, |
with the Forest of Knaresborough,
62-63
Spitta, E. J.—Microseopy : The Con-
struction, Theory, and Use of the
Microscope, 434-435
Stanhope, Hon. H. A.—Weather, 306
Step, Edward.—By Seashore, Wood,
and Moorland, 438
Thomas, Edward.—British Country Life
in Spring and Summer, 438
Thompson, P. A.—Lotus Land, 294 _
Victoria History of the Counties of
England.—Sussex Entomology, 39;
Devonshire Entomology, 45; York-
shire, Vol. I., 181-186, 217-218
Westell, W. Percival.—Every Boy’s
Book of British Natural History, 115
Blackie’s Nature Knowledge Diary,
143; Fifty-two Nature Rambles, 372
ILLUSTRATIONS.
ARACHNIDA.
Chernese cyrneus, 129
BIRDS.
Cormorants on Nests, Plate XXIX.
Coot, Nests of, Plates XXXVII. and
XXXVIII.
Eider Duck on Nest, Plate XX VII.
Flamingo Group in the American
Museum of Natural History, Plate
XX.
Grebe, Crested, Nests of,
XXXVII. and XXXVIII.
Grouse, Pallas Sand, British Eggs of,
Plate XIII.
Guillemot Eggs on Black Shelf, Bemp-
ton, 22
Guillemots on Pinnacle Rocks, Farne
Islands, Plate XX VI.
Guillemots on the Staple Island, Plate
XXVIII.
Gulls Feeding, 263
Herring Gull and Nest at Hawsker,
Plate XXX.
Kittiwakes on Nests, Plate XXV.
Plates |
Kittiwakes on the Staple Island, Plate |
XXXVIII.
Linnet, Plate XXITI.
Nightjar, Nest of, containing 4 Eggs,
25
Owl, Australian Barn, 240
Puftfins, Plates XX VIII. and XXTX.
Sandwich Terns on Nests, Plate XXIX.
Wagtails, Young Grey, on Nest, Plate
XX XIII.
1907 December r.
BOTANICAL.
| Bilberry, Sections of Leaf of, 116
Dandelion Heads, 436
Oak, Transverse Section of Wood of,
Plate XVIII.
(Enothera Lamarkiana
XXXVI.
Pea-pods destroyed by Hawfinches, 345
Sallow Catkins, Plate XXXIV.
Willow Catkins, Plate XXXIV.
Ser., Plate
CEPHALOPODA.
Octopus, Irish Sea, 166
CRUSTACEA.
Griffithides barkei, 133
Pygocephalus parkeri, 333
DIATOMS.
Diatoma hiemale, Sertigthal, Switzer-
land, 312
| Diatoma hiemale, Weedley Springs, nr.
Hull, 312
Diatoma hiemale var. mesodon, Chia-
venna, Italy, 312
DIPTERA.
Chironomus pusio and another larva
of a closely-related species, 390
FISH.
Flounder, showing arrested metamor-
phosis, 1
446
Classified Index.
ILLUSTRATIONS—continued.
Plaice on Shell Gravel, 123
Pipe Fishes, British, Plate XVI.
Shark, Basking (Selache maxima),
Plate ITI.
Trout, 134
FUNGI.
Fusicladium pirinum on pears, 191
Rhytisma acerinum Fries (Sycamore
Leaf Blotch), 380
Tricholoma gambosum, 254
Verticicladium Cheesmanii Cross],
Plate IX.
GEOLOGICAL, &C.
Ammonities, Speeton, Plate X XI.
Belemnites jaculum, 132
Bempion Cliffs, Plate XXII.
Dentaliide, Liassic, D. giganteum
Phillips, 35
Dentalium giganteum, Robin Hood’s
Bay, 228
Discoidea cylindrica, 69
Ebbing and Flowing Well,
Model of, 197
Echinoconus castanea, 69
‘Grey Wethers’ (Sarsen Stones), Plate
XXXYV.
Perisphinétes lacertosus Dum. et Font,
277
Roseberry Topping, Section of, 65
Sandstone Footprints, 331
Spondylus latus from Lines. Chalk, 40
Strata, Distorted, in Little Don Valley,
66
Sketch of
HYMENOPTERA.
Solitary Wasp (Odynerus parietum,
Linn.), Nesting Site of, 38
MAMMALIA.
Bat, Daubenton’s, Young of, Plate X-
Bat, Common, Young of, Plates XI-
and XVII.
Bat, Long-eared, Plate XVII.
Bat, Hairy- armed or Leisler’s, Plate
XLI.
Bear, Diseased Bones of, found in Wal-
ton Bone Cave, near Clevedon, Plate
XL.
Deer, Red, Malformed Antler of, from
Sutton-on-Sea, Lines., Plate XXIV.
Dormouse, 262
MOLLUSCA.
Dentalium giganteum, Phillips, 35, 228
Limnzea stagnalis, Banded variety of, 61
Mussel, an overcrowded Mussel Skear, 1
Shell Marl near Hale, 280
Shells from British Carboniferous
Rocks, Plate XIV.
Spondylus latus from Lines. Chalk, 40
MossEs AND HEPATICS.
Frullania arecae, Plate V.
Frullania ecklonii, Plate V.
Frullania dilatata, Plates 1V., V., VIL,
WAU
Frullania repandistipula, Plate V.
Frullania ringens, Plate V.
Frullania tamarisci, Plates IV., V.
Jubula hutchinsize, Plate VI.
Polyotus megellanicus, Plate, Plate VI.
NEUROPTERA, ETC.
Cyaan perla, Drawings from, Plate
<I
Chrysopha flava, Drawings from Plate
we
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
Ebbing and flowing well, Sketch of
Model of, 197
/Egir at Gainsborough, Plate XX X1.
PORTRAITS, VIEWS, AND GROUPS.
Arncliffe Village, 342
Baker, John Gilbert, F.R.S.,
M.R.I.A., V.M.H., Plate II.
Blake, Prof. J. F., 67
Burman, Dr. W. M., 126
Cole, Rev. E. Maule, M.A., F.G.S., Plate
XXXII.
Foster, Sir Michael, K.c.B., &c., Plate
XIX.
Lead Mines, Merryfield Glen, Upper
Nidderdale, 62
Lincoln Museum, 374
Moors, On the edge of the, Plate I.
River Skirfare below Arncliffe, 343
Smith, Wm. (Father of English Geology),
378
F.L.S.,
RHYNCHOLOPHID.
Eatoniana plumifer, Plate XX XIX.
Erythrieus, 190
Rhyncholophus (female), 260
Ritteria mantonensis, n. sp.,
XXXI1X.
Smaris expalpis, 43
Smaris hardyi, 43
Smaridia ampulligera, 42
Plate
PREHISTORIC ARCHMOLOGY.
Axe, Bronze, Found at Mixenden, 121
*‘Tmplement,” found in Shibden Park,
Halifax, 120
TARDIGRADA.
Macrobiotus papillifer, Var. of, 72
TUNICATA.
British Tunicata, Plate XV.
Naturalist,
Classified Index.
AND. VARIETIES NEW
SPECIES
FORWARD IN THIS
ARACHNIDA.
}
Chernese cyrneus, with illustration, 129 |
FUNGI.
Geaster triplex Jungh from Hebden
Bridge, C. Crossland, 99; Hebeloma |
subsaponaceum Karst., from near
Pocklington, C. Crossland, 99 ; Can- |
tharellus hypnorum from Ferrymoor,
C. Crossland, 99 ; Lentinus suffrute-
scens Fr., from Milnsbridge, C.
Crossland, 52, 99; lLachnea gilva
(Boud.) from Hebden Bridge, C.
Crossland, 99; Zygodesmus fulvus
SPECIES
IN
CRUSTACEANS.
Pygocephalus parkeri, with illustration,
found in Coal Measures at Sparth,
Rochdale, by Mr. W. A. Parker, 333
FUNGI.
Clavaria gigaspora Cotton n. sp., C.
Crossland, 97; Verticicladium Chees-
|
447
TO BRITAIN BROUGHT
VOLUME.
Sace., Var. olivascens Sace., from
Selby, C. Crossland, 99; Graphium
xanthocephalum from Masham, C.
Crossland, 100.
MOLLUSCA.
Vitrina elongata Dp., first record for
Britain, found in Co. Louth, 265, 266,
407
ORTHOPTERA.
Capture of Phoraspis leucogramme at
the Liverpool Docks, noted, 186
AND VARIETIES NEW TO SCIENCE DESCRIBED
THIS
VOLUME.
manii Crossl. n. sp., with illustration
(Plate LX.), C. Crossland, 98
RHYNCHOLOPHID.
Description and illustration of Ritteria
mantonensis, found at Manton,
Lines., C. F. George, 357
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
January.—Liverpool Biologists—
Liverpool Geologists—Leeds Geolo-
gists—Nature Photographs.
February.—The Lincoln Boring—
Educational Museums—Local Mu-
seums—Selby Museum—Liassic
Dentaliidze —Coast Erosion,
March.—Roseberry Topping—British
Eggs of Pallas’ Sand-Grouse—Dis-
torted Strata in the Little Don Valley |
—Nottingham Naturalists—Bradford
Naturalists—Recorders’ Reports—
Fossil Mushrooms—British Tunicata
—The Slaughter of Kingfishers.
April.—Chernese cyrneus, a new False |
Scorpion—Malton Museum—Mam-
mal v. Animal—Naturalist Associa-
tions — Naturalist Magazines — De-
formed Belemnites — Griffithides
Barkeri.
1907 December 1.
May.—York Report of the British
Association—Local v. General Mu-
seums — Selby Museum — Interna-
tional Ornithological Congress —
Flamingoes—Yorkshire Wild Birds
and Eggs Protection Committee—
Derbyshire Naturalists — Speeton
Ammonites—A New Magazine [The
Lancashire Naturalist]|—Marine Bi-
ology — Lancashire and Cheshire
Entomologists.
June.—Bradford Scientific Journal—
Bradford Museum—lInclosure Acts
in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire
—Lakeland Ravens—Plant Associa-
tions and Golf—A Darlington ‘ Find’
[Lower jaw of Whale]—Scarborough
Museum—Scarborough Naturalists—
Model of Ebbing and Flowing Well.
448.
Classified Index.
NOTES AND COMMENTS—continued.
July._A New Magazine [‘ British
Birds ’|—Booming Bempton—Wade’s
‘ Birds of Bempton Cliffs ’—‘ Birds of
Yorkshire ’—Stonham’s ‘ Birds of the
British Islands’-—Dentalium gigan-
teum—Sir H. H. Howorth and Glacial
Nightmares—Mr. Lamplugh’s British
Association Address—Bird Migration
August.—York Philosophical Society
—New British Land-Shell [Vitrina
elongata Dp.|[.
September.—The British Association
at Leicester — Attendance — Hand-
books—President’s Address—Value
of a Standard—Growth of Botanical
Science—History of the Earth—
Shape of the Farth—Cephalopods—
Natural Monuments — Other Ad-
dresses—Plankton Investigations—
Mimicry in Insects—Viking Relies at
Y ork— Holderness Gravels—Iron Ore
Supplies—Marine Peat—Yorkshire
Fossil Plants.
October.—The Pacific Eider—Food of
the Black-headed Gull—The ‘ Grey
Wethers’—Lamarck’s Evening Prim-
rose—Footprints in the Sands of
Time—Norfolk Naturalists—Nests of
Coot and Crested Grebe—A New
Crustacean [Pygocephalus parkeri].
November.—The Geological Society’s
Centenary—The Father of English
Geology [William Smith] — Toads
Embedded in Rocks—The Leicester-
shire Coalfield—Sycamore Leaf Bloteh
—Walton Bone Cave, near Clevedon
The Lion and the Mouse—Country
Side ‘ Natural History.’
December.—Linnus—Early Iron-age
Burials—History of ‘The Naturalist ’
—Restoration of York Minster—New
President of the Yorkshire Natura-
lists’ Union.
CHESHIRE.
Birds: Occurrence of Spotted Crake £
at Corwen, A. Newstead, 189
Lepidoptera: Note ona Melanic Race
of Agrotis ashworthii, 23
Societies’ Reports: Chester Society
of Natural Science, &ec., Annual
Report and Proceedings of, 376;
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo-
logical Society, Annual Report of, 166
CUMBERLAND.
(SEE LAKE COUNTIES).
DERBYSHIRE.
Birds: Ornithological Notes from ) Leicestershire and South Derbyshire
Derbyshire, 1905, published in Der- |
|
|
byshire Archzeological and Natural
History Society Journal, 1906, 64
Geology: Comment on Mr. C. Fox-
Strangways’ ‘The Geology of the
Coalfield,’ 379-380
Societies’ Reports: Derbyshire
Archeological and Natural History
Society, Trans. of, Vol. XX1X, 164
DURHAM.
Coleoptera: Recent additions to |
Coleoptera of Northumberland and
Durham District, 1906, 64
Hymenoptera: Notes on the Solitary
Wasp (Adynerus parietum Linn.),
W. M. Egglestone, 38-39
Lepidoptera: List of species captured
in Cleveland District in 1906, T. A.
Lofthouse, 188
Personal Notices: Death of Mr. J. E.
Robson, 155
Societies’ Reports: Cleveland Natu-
ralists’ Field Club, Proceedings of,
1905-6, 360; Durham and Neweastle-
on-T'yne Natural History Society,
Trans. of, 233, 407
Naturalist,
Classified Index. 449
ISLE OF MAN.
Birds: Common Buzzard from Calf of
Man, Noted, 407
rehistoric Archeology, &c.: Manx
Crosses, P. M. C. Kermode, 371-372
-LANCASHIRE.
(SEE LAKE COUNTIES).
LAKE COUNTIES:
(CUMBERLAND, LANCASHIRE, AND WESTMORLAND).
Arachnida: List of species of the
False Scorpions of Cumberland, four
being new to the County List, G. A.
and R. B. Whyte, 203-204; Note on
this List, H. Wallis Kew, 204
Birds: Lakeland Ravens, Destruction
of Nests of, 194; Birdlife of Walney
Island, H. B. Booth, 270-272; Hatch-
ing of Eggs of Blackbird by male
Thrush in grounds of Austwick Hall,
Lancaster, T. R. Clapham, 290;
Black-headed Gull, Report of Cum-
berland County Council on Food of,
329
Cephalopoda: Note on Dr. W. E.
Hoyle’s address on Cephalopoda de-
livered at British Association Meet-
ing at Leicester, 300
Crustacea: Note on and Illustration
of Pygocephalus parkeri, found in
coal measures at Sparth, Rochdale,
by Mr. W. A. Parker, 333
Flowering Plants: Plants of Walney
Island, J. Beanland, 272-273; La-
marck’s Evening Primrose, at St.
Anns-on-the-Sea, with Plate, 330-331 ;
New Plant Records for North Lan-
eashire, 8. L. Petty, 438
Geology and Palzontology: Life
Zones in British Carboniferous
Rocks, Part II., with list of Fossils
of the Millstone Grits and Pendleside
Series and Plate, W. Hind, 17-23, 90-
96; Note on Marine Peat Band dis-
covered at south end of Liverpool, by
Mr. J. Lomas, 304-305 ; Note on and
Illustration of Pygocephalus parkeri,
a new Crustacean found in Coal-
measures at Sparth, Rochdale, by
Mr. W. A. Parker, 333
1907 December 1
Lepidoptera: Note on a Melanic
Race of Agrotis ashworthii, 23;
Exhibit of North Lancashire Tor-
trices, 155
Mammalia: The Pine Marten in
Lakeland, E. T. Baldwin, 239-240
Mollusca: Succinea oblonga Drap.,
found at Meathop, near Grange, H.
3eeston, 31; Occurrence of Succinea
oblonga Drap., Acanthinula lamel-
lata, Acicula lineata, and other species
at Grange-over-Sands, J. W. Jack-
son, 173-174; Vitrea cellaria (Miill.)
found in lacustrine deposits in West-
morland, with illustration, J. W.
Jackson, 280
Orthoptera: Capture of Phoraspis
lencogramme at the Liverpool Docks,
Noted, 186
Personal Notices: Death of Mr. B.
Hirst, Oldham, 155
Scientific History: Lancashire
Naturalist, 165
Societies: Bolton Public Museums
and Meteorological Observatory,
Annual Report of, 186; Lancashire
and Cheshire Entomological Society,
Annual Report of, 166 ; Lancashire
Sea-Fisheries Laboratory at the Uni-
versity of Liverpool, etc., Report
for 1905, No. XIV., 1-2; Liverpool
Geological Society, Proceedings of,
Part II. of Vol. X., 3; Liverpool
Marine Biology Committee, Twen-
tieth Annual Report of, 165-166;
Liverpool University Institute of
Commercial Research in the Tropics,
405; Manchester Field Naturalists
and Archeological Society, Report
and Proceedings of, 1906, 261 ; Man-
chester Microscopical Society, Trans.
of, 370
450 Classified Index.
LINCOLNSHIRE.
Birds: Albino Blackbird at Great 157; Note on same captures, J. W-
Ponton, 29; Water-Pipit at Tetney Taylor, 157; Clausilia bidentata m.
in 1895, 50 ; Hoopoeat Cadney, D. W. dextrorsum, from near Louth, C. S.
Peacock, 61; Water Rail and Gannet Carter, 256 ; Paludestrina confusa at
at Mev etHOL ae: de c waren 222); Saltfleetby, C. S. Carter, 375
Prosecution under the Wild Birds . F
: caer Mollusca (Marine): Petricola phola-
Protection Act at Horncastle, 238 diformis : from Mable eae and
Fishes: Short-finned Tunny (Oreynus Sutton-on-Sea, first county record,
epyue) at Grimsby, H. B. Booth, C.S. Carter, 404
29-30 ; Fossil Fish, Elopopsis crassus, | mosses and Hepatics: Ricciella flui-
found by Mr. H. C. Drake at South tans (Braun.) vat Mablethorpe, F.
Ferriby, Dr. A. S. Woodward, 306 Rhodes, 327 :
Geology and Palzontology: Fur- ee, : :
ther Note on the Boring Foe Lanbolie beets e iL en com ie wee ie e - es
shire Water Supply, 33; Spondylus Uiatiation of. 374 aes ‘
latus from the Lincolnshire Chalk at x fi ys
Barton, North Lines., with Illustra- | Prehistoric Archeology: Barton-on-
tration of same, 40; Note on the Humber, Notes on the Earlier
Boultham Well at Lincoln, 110; History of, Robert Brown, Jr., F.S.A.,
Notes on a Liassie Concretion found 122-123
near Gainsborough, F. M. Burton, Physical Geography: Inclosure Acts
149-150 in Lincolnshire and East Yorks.,
Lepidoptera: Note on Amphidasys 193-194
betularia, var. doubledayaria as Rhyncholophidz: Smaris exalpis,
dominant form on the Lincolnshire Smaris hardyi, and Smaridia ampul-
Wolds, 171 ligera, with illustrations, C. F.
Mammalia: Red Deer (Cervus ela- | George, 41-45; Erythreeus, with
phus), Malformed Antler of, from illustration, C. F. George, 179-180;
Sutton-on-Sea (plate XXIV.), T. Rhyncholophus, with plate of Fe-
Sheppard, 231-233 male, C. F. George, 259-260; Ritteria
Mollusca: Spondylus latus from the mantonensis, n. sp., and Etoniana
Lincolnshire Chalk at Barton, North plumifer, with illustrations, C. F.
Line., with illustration of same, 40; George, 357-359
Limax maximus vars. aldrovandi and | Societies: Lincolnshire Naturalists
bicolor at Louth, C. S. Carter, 156- Union, Trans. of, 1906, 373-375
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Arachnida: Chernes rufeolus Sim | Geojogy and Palzontology: Note
found at Manor Mill, Haltwhistle, | on exposure of New Red Sandstone
first county record, W. Falconer, 388; | at BMiddlesborough, W. Y. Veitch,
Tigellinus furcillatus, at Staward | 31-32
Peel, first county record, W. Falconer, | Personal Notices: Memorial Notice
432 | of John Emmerson Robson, 187
Birds: Birds of the Farne Islands, | Societies’ Reports: Trans. of the
with many illustrations, R. Fortune, | Natural History Society of Northum-
234-238 berland, Durham, and Newcastle-on-
Coleoptera: Recent additions to Tyne, 233, 407 }
Coleoptera of Northumberland and | Vermes: Northumbrian Trematodes,
Durham District, 1906, 64 Miss M. V. Lebour, 186
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
Diptera: Volucella pellucens at Work- | Arachnida: Note on, with illustration
sop, E. M. Alderson, 61 of Chernes cyrneus taken in Sher-
Societies: Nottingham Naturalists’ wood Forest, 129
Society, Trans. of, 66-88
Naturalist,
Classified Index. 451
WESTMORLAND.
(SEE LAKE COUNTIES).
YORKSHIRE.
Arachnida: Group Tardigrada, Mac-
robiotus papillifer, Var. of, found at
Penyghent, with illustration, G. 8.
West, 72-73; Oligolophus alpinus
Herbst found in Buttermab Wood,
Huddersfield and Ingleborough, first
Yorkshire Record, W. Falconer, 388;
Chernes rufeolus Sim., first county
record, at Linthwaite, W. Falconer,
432
Birds: Little Auk at Skipton, W.
Wilson, 29; Albino Swallows at
Embsay, W. Wilson, 29; Purple
Sandpiper at Malham, H. B. Booth,
29; Male Hoopoe shot at Whitby
Moors, 40; Puttin at Sheffield, 40 ;
Note on the Eggs of the Pallas’ Sand-
Grouse found near Beverley in 1888,
with coloured plate; Slaughter of
Kingfishers at Hull and Hudders-
field, 71; Suggested Classification of
Birds, C. F. Innocent, 105 ; Notes on
Birds of the York District, C. H.
Smith, 106; Bird Protection Orders
in the West Riding of Yorkshire, R.
Fortune, 107-110; Common Swift in
the Bradford District, H. B. Booth,
111-114; Bird Protection on the
Yorkshire Coast, Appeals for Sub-
scriptions towards same, 114-115,
164; Birds at Malham Tarn, W.
Wilson, 157-158 ; Birds shot at Hud-
dersfield during past Winter, E.
Fisher, 158; Occurrence of Pink-
footed Goose, Great Crested Grebe,
and Oyster Catcher in Craven, W.
Wilson, 189; Albino Carrion Crow
in Craven, W. Wilson, 189; Note on
Colony of Black-headed Gulls nest-
ing near Scarborough, 196; ‘The
Peregrines at Bempton, E. W. Wade,
216; Migrant arrivals at York, 8. H.
Smith, 218; Birds noted during visit
of Y.N.U. to Robin Hood’s Bay,
H. B. Booth and R. Fortune, 251-
252; Dunlin in Wharfedale, S. Hole,
255 ; Quail at Buckton, E. W. Wade,
255; Cuckoo carrying Egg in Bill,
W. Wilson, 255 ; Birds noted during
visit of Y.N.U. to South Cave, EK. W.
Wade, 287-188; Bramble Finch in
Luddenden Dean, Halifax, H. Water-
worth, 291-2, 359; Red-Breasted
1907 December 1.
Flycatcher at Hornsea, 291; ‘ Birds
of Yorkshire’, Critique upon, 292-293 ;
Birds noted during visit of Y.N.U-
to Thorne Waste, Butterfield and
H. H. Corbett, 318; Hawfinch at
Sedbergh, W. Morris, 325; Nest-
ing of Red-backed Shrike in Picker-
ing District, O. Grabham, 3265;
Nightjar’s Nest with four Eggs near
Shipley, R. Fortune, 325; Spotted
Flycatcher at Harrogate, R. Fortune,
325-326 ; Notes on Migrant Arrivals
in Craven for 1907, W. Wilson, 326 ;
Changes in Animal Life at Flying-
dales, N.E. Yorks., during past fifty
years, Bird, 334-337; List of Birds
nated on visit of Y.N.U. to Litton-
dale, H. B. Booth and R. Fortune,
345-346 ; Bird notes from the Whit-
ley District, E. Stephenson, 402-403 ;
An Ancient Harrogate Blackbird, R.
Fortune, 403; East Yorkshire Bird
Notes, 1907, E. W. Wade, 419-422 ;
Woodcock in Littondale, J. W. Dal-
ton, 432; Winter Migrants at Sed-
bergh, W. Morris, 432: Red-backed
Shrike near York in 1881, H. B. Booth,
432-433 ; Waxwing in Fylingdales, H.
B. Booth, 433; Swift, Swallow, and
House Martin Migration near Leeds,
S. Hole, 433; Confirmation of first
recorded British Example of the
White-spotted Bluethroat at Scar-
borough, T. H. Nelson, 437
Coleoptera: Coleoptera of the drift-
less area of North-East Yorkshire,
F. Elgee, 141; Rare Beetles from the
Doncaster District, H. H. Corbett,
152; List of Species noted on visit
of Y.N.U. to Robin Hood’s Bay,
M. L. Thompson, 202; Glacial Sur-
vivals, having reference to Coleop-
tera, F. Elgee, 276; Species met
with. on visit of Y.N.U. to Thorne
Waste, E. G. Bayford, 318-319;
Species noted on visit of Y.N.U. to
Littondale, H. V. Corbett and J.
Beanland, 347 ; Capture of Deleaster
dichrous Grav., var. leachii Curt, Cis
bidentatus L., and Mycetophagus
quadripustulatus L., at Barnsley,
E. G. Bayford, 353 ; Coccinellin near
Barnsley, E. G. Bayford, 422
452 Classified Index.
YORKSHIRE—continued.
Crustacea: Giffithides barkeri, with
figure from Anagram, Nidderdale, 133
Diatoms: Distribution of Diatoma
hiemale in East Yorkshire, etce.,
with illustration of species, R. H.
Philip, 312-313
Fishes: Notes on the capture of a
Basking Shark (Selache maxima),
with portrait of same, at Redear in
1906, ‘I. Sheppard, 10; Short-finned
Tunny (Oreynus thynnus) exhibited
at Bradford, H. B. Booth, 29-30;
Large Trout, with illustration, cap-
tured near Harrogate, R. Fortune,
134; Capture of a Fox-Shark at
Whitby, T. Stephenson, 273; Fish
Remains from the Kimeridge Clay,
T. Sheppard, 279; List of Species
found on visit of Y.N.U. to Litton-
dale, H. B. Booth and R. Fortune,
346 ; Sunfish captured near Saltburn,
T. Stephenson, 375; List of uncom-
mon Fish captured in the vicinity of
Whitby during September, T. Ste-
phenson, 403-404
Flowering Plants: The montane
form of Myosotis sylvatica from
Gordale Sear, P. F. Lee, 73; Cornus
suecica, distribution of, in Yorkshire,
H. J. Burkill, 135-136; Plant dis-
tribution in the driftless area of
North-East Yorkshire, F. Elgee, 137-
143; Plants noted on visit of Y.N.U.
to Robin Hood’s Bay, J. Hartshorn,
209; Habenaria bifolia near Tib-
thorpe, L. F. Piercy, 256; Plants
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to South
Cave, J. F. Robinson, 287-288; Plants
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to Thorne
Waste, Bellerby, H. H. Corbett and
E. A. Woodruffe. Peacock, 320-322 ;
Potamogeton alpinus, Balb., at San-
dal Beat, near Doncaster, H. H.
Corbett, 327, 375; Lists of Plants
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to Litton-
dale, T. W. Woodhead, 348-350;
Botanical features of Littondale,
W. A. Shuffrey, 354-356; Plants of
Allerthorpe Common, J.J. Marshall,
356 ; Sagina Reuteri Boiss. on Skip-
with Common, W. Ingham, 383;
Sylvan Vegetation of Fyliugdales,
N.E. Yorks., J. W. Barry, 423-431
Fungi: Y.N.U. Fungus Foray at
Farnley Tyas, in 1906, with lists of
all species collected, not previously
recorded for Huddersfield District,
including Lentinus suffrutescens Fr.
new to Britain, and Hebeloma nu-
dipes Fr., Galera tenera (Scheeff),
var. pilosella Pers., Tubaria cupularis
(Bull), Psiloeybe canobrunnea Fr..
Russula fureata, Pers., var. ochro-
viridis Cke, Cantharellus Friesii Q,
and Clavaria incarnata, Weissm,
new to Yorkshire, C. Crossland, 50-
57; List of two species new to
Science, seven species new to Britain,
and forty-six species and three vars.
new to Yorkshire, with illustration
of Vertzcicladium Cheesmanii Crossl.,
C. Crossland, 97-105; Fungi found
during visit of Y.N.U. to Robin
Hood’s Bay, including Triposporium
elegans new to Yorkshire, and five
first records for N.E. Yorks., C.
Crossland, 253-255, 285-285; Volvaria
parvula from Wooldale, C. Crossland,
257; List of Species found during
visit of Y.N.U. to South Cave, C.
Crossland, 288-289; List of Species
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to Thorne
Waste, including Clitopilus popinalis
and Inocybe scabella new to York-
shire, and one undetermined species,
C. Crossland, 322-323 ; List of Species
found during visit of Y.N.U. at
Littondale, comprising Ascophanns
cinereus and Trichia Karstenii
(= Hemitrichia Karstenii (Rost.)
Lister), C. Crossland, 351-353; List
of Fungi found at Horton-in-Ribbles-
dale, including Lycoperdon velatum
Witt.) La Gibbs) 0395-396- 5 ayeNnwE
Fungus Foray at Grassington, Bol-
ton Woods, and Bueckden, C. Cross-
land, 397-401 ; Lachnea hirto-cocci-
nea Phil. and Plow. on Strensall
Common, first county record, W.
Ingham, 404
Geology and Palzontology: Life
Zones in British Carboniferous Rocks,
Part II., with lists of fossils of the
Millstone Grits and Pendleside Series,
and plate, W. Hind, 17-23, 90-96 ;
Note ou exposure of New Red Sand-
stone at Middlesborough, W. Y.
Veitch, 31-32; Liassic Dentaliide,
with illustration of Dentalium gigan-
teum, Phillips, 35-36; Spondylus
latus from the Lincolnshire Chalk at
Barton, North Lines., with illustra-
tion of same, 40; Note on the Geo-
logical formation of Roseberry Topp-
ing, Guisborough, with illustration,
65; Distorted strata in the Little
Don Valley, with illustration, 66 ;
Naturalist,
Classified Index.
453
YORKSHIRE—continued.
Note on Echinoconus castanea and
Diseoidea cylindrica from Humber
Shore, with illustrations, 69; Belem-
nites jaculum from Speeton, with
illustration, 132; Geological Notes
on the Robin Hood’s Bay District,
P. F. Kendall, 177-179; Note on
model of Ebbing and Flowing Well
at Austwick Hall, with illustration,
195-196: Note on the Dendroid
Graptolite found on Pendle Hill, 238; |
Geological Notes on visit of Y.N.U. |
to Robin Hood’s Bay, Cosmo Johns,
250-251; Glacial Survivals, F
Elgee, 274-276, 314-315; Finding of
perfect example of Perisphinctes
lacertosus Dum et Font, with
figure, at Filey Bay, also Croco- |
dilian remains at Reighton Gap, and
Fish remains from Kimeridge Clay, |
T. Sheppard, 277-279; The Carbo- |
niferous Rocks of the Kettlewell
District, with list of fossils, Cosmo |
visit of |
Johns, 281-283; Notes on
Y.N.U. to South Cave, T. Sheppard, |
286: Note on Address delivered at
British Association Meeting at Lei-
cester by T. Sheppard and J. W.
Stather on ‘ Notes on a New Section |
in the Glacial Gravels of Holderness,’
303-304 : Notes ona visit of Y.N.U. |
to Thorne Waste, H. Culpin, 317-318; |
Striated rock-surface in Ribblesdale,
E. E. Gregory, 402.
Hymenoptera: Occurrence of Mutilla
europea in the driftless area of
North-east Yorkshire, F. Elgee, 141-
143,
Lepidoptera: Capture of Chierocampa
celerioat Wakefield, by G. T. Porritt, |
25; Sphinx convolvuli at Bradford,
by J. W. Carter, 30-31 ; Acherontia
atropos at Bradford, J. W.Carter, 31; |
Deposit of Sussex specimen of Hadena
peregrina in Mr. G. T. Porritt’s col-
lection, 32; Note on Hereditary and
Sexual dimorphism in Abraxas grossu-
lariata, var. varleyata, 96 ; Lepidop-
tera of the driftless area of North-east
Yorkshire, F. Elgee, 139-140 : Notes
on Yorkshire Lepidoptera, 1906, W. |
Hewitt, 144-146 ; Lepidoptera in the
Wilsden District in 1906, 175-176;
List of new Yorkshire Records, since
issue of second edition of Mr. G. T. |
Porritt’s ‘ List of Yorkshire Lepidop- |
tera,’ 184; Capture of Crambus
falsellus, a new Yorkshire record at
Saxton, T. A. Lofthouse, 188; List
1g07 Dceember tf.
of Tortrices, &c., captured on visit of
Y.N.U. to Guisborough in 1906, T.
A. Lofthouse, 188; List of Lepidop-
tera captured in Cleveland District
in 1906, T. A. Lofthouse, 1885
Capture of Eupithecia coronata at
Sheffield, 255-256: Species noted
during visit of Y.N.U. to Thorne
Waste, F. H. Woods, Butterfield, and
H. H. Corbett, 318 ; Species found on
visit of Y.N.U. to Littondale, G. T-.
Porritt, and lists of species known to
oceur there, J. Beanland and E. P.
Butterfield, 347 ; Tortrix semialbana
from Doncaster, new record for the
County, L. S. Brady, 360; Acherontia
atroposcaptured at Paddock, Hudders-
field, W. E. L. Wattam, 375; Variation
of Abraxas ulmata at Skelmanthorpe,
B. Morley, 392-394.
Lichens: Cladonia Floerkeana forma
trachypoda (Nyl.) found on visit of
Y.N.U.to Thorne Waste, W. Beller-
by, 324.
Mammalia: Pipistrelle Bat, Note on ©
quantity of air necessary to sustain
life, H. B. Booth, 28 ; Shooting of an
Otter in the Dearne Valley, E. G.
Bayford, 29: Otters in Bretton Park,
F. Lawton, 36; Otters in Bretton
and Cannon Hall Parks, C. T. Pratt,
36; Introduction of the American
Grey Squirrel at Scampston, East
Yorks., W. H. St. Quintin, 37; The
Breeding habits of Bats, with illustra-
tions, A. Whitaker, 74-83; Bos
primigenius, remains of, near Don-
easter, H. H. Corbett, 133 ; Species
observed on visit of Y.N.U. to Robin
Hood’s Bay, H. B. Booth and R.
Fortune, 252; Crocodilian remains
found at Reighton Gap, T. Sheppard,
278-279; Red Field Vole at South
Cave, E. W. Wade, 287 ; Changes in
Animal Life at Fylingdales, N.E.
Yorks., during past fifty years,
Mammalia, J. W. Barry, 307-309 ;
List of Species found on visit of
Y.N.U. at Littondale, H. B. Booth
and R. Fortune, 344-345 ; Capture of
Seal at Speeton Cliffs, 365; Bat
mobbed by Swallows, E. M. Cole,
402.
Mollusca (Marine): Notes on Liassie
Dentaliidz, with illustration of Den-
talium giganteum, Phillips, 35-36 ;
List of Species noted on visit of
Y.N.U. to Robin Hood’s Bay, F. H.
454
Classified Index.
YORKSHIRE—continued.
Woods, 201-202; Dentalium gigan-
teum at Robin Hood’s Bay, with
illustration, 228.
Mollusca: Spondylus latus from the
Chalk, 40; White Banded var. of
Limniea stagnalis found at Leeds,
with illustration, W. H. Hutton, 61 ;
Notes on this variety, J. W. Taylor,
60 ; Species found on visit of Y.N.U.
to South Cave, W. D. Roebuck, 287 ;
Mollusea having reference to Glacial
Survivals, F. Elgee, 314-315 ; Species
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to Thorne
Waste, J. E. Crowther, 319-320;
Arion ater var. castanea at Newsome,
W. E. L. Wattam, 327; Note on
confirmation of previous records
during visit of Y.N.U. to Littondale,
W. Denison Roebuck, 347.
Mosses and Hepatics: Yorkshire
Bryophytes, Frullania dilatata and
¥. tamarisci, and Jubula hucchinsiz,
with Plates IV.-VIII., F. Cavers,
11-16, 46-49 ; Descriptions of Lophozia
atlantica (Kaal) Schffn., with list of
Jocalities, and Lophozia_ badensis
(Gottsche) Schftn. (J. acuta a. Lin-
denb. ; J. luridula Wils.), with list
of localities, both new to Yorkshire,
Wm. Ingham, 151-152; Leskea cate-
nulata (Brid.) Mitt., from Micklefell,
and Orthothecium rufescens (Dicks. )
B. & S:, from ‘Buckden, €:. A.
Cheetham, 190; Species noted on
visit of Y.N.U. to Robin Hood’s Bay,
J. J. Marshall, 252; Schistostega
osmundacea, Luminosity of, W.
West, 256; Hypnum giganteum near
Gaping Gyll, Ingleboro’(new locality),
and list of other Ingleboro’ Mosses,
C. A. Cheetham, 256-257; List of
species noted on visit of Y.N.U. to
Thorne Waste, C. A. Cheetham and
W. Bellerby, 323-324.
Museums: Bradford Museum, 193;
Hull Museum, Publications of, (Nos.
37-40), 150, (Nos. 40-41), 171, (Nos.
43-44), 370; Keighley Museum, Re-
port for 1906, 186; Malton Museum,
129-130 ; Searborough Museum, 195 ;
Selby Museum, 34-35, 162.
Neuroptera, &c.: Halesus digitatus
at Skelmanthorpe, G. T. Porritt, 156.
Orthoptera: Leucophiea surinamensis,
Linn., and list of Cockroaches cap-
tured sinee 1896 at Bradford, 31.
Palco-Botany: Note on and list of
fossil plants found at Thresfield, near
Grassington, during an _ abortive
attempt to find coal, 305.
Personal Notices: Baker, JohnGilbert,
F.R.S., F.L.S., ete., LifeSketch of, with
portrait, 5-8 ; List of final lectures to
be given by Prof. L. C. Miall at the
Leeds University, 8; Memorial notice
of Dr. W. M. Burman, with portrait,
E. G. Bayford, 125-127 ; Memorial
notice of Mr. Wilson Hemingway,
P. F. Lee, 127-128; Election of Messrs.
E. G. Bayford, C. Crossland, P. F.
Kendall, G. T. Porritt, T. Sheppard,
and J. W. Taylor as honorary mem-
bers of Doncaster Scientific Society,
128 ; Presentation to Rev. W. Lower
Carter, 160 ; Memorial notice of Ed-
ward Halliday, G. T. Porritt, 221;
Memorial notice of John Francis
Walker, M.A., F.G.S.,F.Z.S., T. Shep-
pard, 221; Cole, Rev. E. Maule, M.A.,
F.G.S., Life sketch of, with portrait,
T. Sheppard, 267-269, 309 ; Memorial
notice of John Harrison, F.E.S., E. G.
Bayford, 290; Memorial notice of
John William Farrah, 370; Appoint-
ment of G. Grace, B.Se., as Principal
of Barrow Technical School, 376 ;
Death of Mr. W.S. Parrish, of Hull,
407 ; Death of Mr. J. R. Boyle, 497 ;
Memorial Notice of John Farrah,
F.L.S., F.R.MET.S., with plate, 412-414
Physical Geography: Coast Erosion
in Yorkshire, 36; Inclosure Acts in
Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, 193-
194; Yorkshire Earthquakes, H. E.
Wroot, 257; Weather effects at Har-
rogate, 1907, R. Fortune, 257-258
Plant Associations and Ecology:
Dr. Woodhead’s work on ‘The Ke-
ology of Woodland Plants in the
neighbourhood of Huddersfield,’ W.
G. Smith, 116-119 ; Plant distribution
in the driftless area of North-East
Yorkshire, F. Elgee, 137-143; Eco-
logical Botany of Thorne Waste,
E. A. W. Peacock, 320-322; Brief
notes on distribution of plants at
Littondale, made during visit of
Y.N.U.,"T. W. Woodhead, 348-350 ;
Sylvan Vegetation of Fylingdales,
N.E. Yorks., J. W. Barry, 423-431
Prehistoric Archzology, etc.: Note
on G. A. Auden’s address on Viking
Relics at York, 303: Early Iron-Age
3urials in Yorkshire, noted, 409;
Restoration of York Minster, 410-411
Naturatisi.
Classified Index.
455
YORKSHIRE—continued.
Prominent Yorkshire Workers:
Baker, John Gilbert, F.R.S., F.G.S.,
ete., with portrait, T. Sheppard, 5-8.
Cole, Rev. E. Maule, M.A., F.G.S.,
with portrait, T. Sheppard, 267-269,
309
Reptilia: Species noted on visit of
Y.N.U., to Robin Hood’s Bay, H. B.
Booth and R. Fortune, 252: Species |
noted on visit of Y.N.U. to Litton-
dale, H. B. Booth and R. Fortune,
346
Scientific History: List of papers
and monographs written by John
Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S., etc.,
6-7 ; Bradford Scientific Journal, 68,
193, 311, 439; Victoria History of the
Counties of England—Yorkshire, 181-
186, 217-218; List of papers and
monographs written by Rev. E. Maule
Cole, M.A., F.G.S., 268-269, 309
Societies: Bradford Natural History
and Microscopical Society, Recorders’
Reports, 1906, 68-69 ; Cleveland Nat-
uralists’ Field Club, Proceedings of,
1905-6, 360 : Hull Scientific and Field
Naturalists’ Club, Transactions of,
1906, Vol. III., Part 1V., 63-64; Leeds
Geological Association, Transactions
of, 3-4; Scarborough Philosophical
Society, Annual Report, 1906, 195;
Yorkshire Geological Society, Pro-
ceedings of, Vol. XVI., Part 1, 158-
159; Yorkshire Philosophical Society,
Annual Report, 1906, 265
Tardigrada: Macrobiotus papillifer,
var. of, found at Penyghent, with
illustrations, G. S. West, 72-73
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union:
Annual Gathering at York, Decem-
ber, 1906, I’. Sheppard, 26-28; Fungus
Foray at Farnley Tyas in 1906, C.
Crossland, 50-57; Officers of the
NON We, 1907s 258-595 YON Ula
Robin Hood's Bay, T. Sheppard, 198-
202, 250-255, 284-285 ; Appointment
of Mr. H. Culpin as Treasurer of the
Y.N.U., 224; Y.N.U. at South Cave,
T. Sheppard, 286-289 ; ‘ Birds of York-
shire,’ with plate of Young Grey
Wagtails, 292-293 ; Visit of Y.N.U.
to Thorne Waste, T. Sheppard, 316-
324; Visit of Y.N.U. at Littondale,
Yorks., T.Sheppard, 342-353 ; Fungus
Foray at Grassington, Bolton Woods,
and Buckden, C. Crossland, 397-401 ;
History of ‘The Naturalist,’ 410;
Electionof Dr. Wheelton Hind, F.G.s.,
F.R.C.S., as President for 1908, 411
MISCELLANEA.
Anthropology: Anthropology at the
British Association meeting at Leices-
ter, G. A. Auden, 366-369
Arachnida: A curious faculty in
Spiders of the family Salticide, O.
Pickard-Cambridge, 9-10; Note on
paper published by O. Pickard-Cam-
bridge ‘On some New and Rare
British Arachnida, 37 ; Peculiarities
in Attis Spiders, W. W. Strickland,
147-148
Birds: White Lesser Black-backed
Gull, and reported meeting of the
Ivory Gull, on the Farne Islands in
1906, H. B. Booth, 172; Birds of the
Farne Islands, with many illustra- |
tions, R. Fortune, 234-238 ; Notes on
the Lapwing, F. Stubbs, 310-311 ;
Pacific Eider, note on occurrence of
in Britain, 329; Black-headed Gull,
report of Cumberland County Conucil
1907 December 1
on food of, 329; Coot and Crested
Grebe, notes on and platcs of nests
of each species, 332-333; List of
Bones of Birds found in Walton
3one Cave, Clevedon, 381
Diptera: A Net-Building Chironomus
larva, with notes on C. pusio, and
illustrations, A. T. Mundy, 389-391
Evolution: Theories of Evolution,
Agnes Robertson, 167-171, 209-215,
241-249
Ferns: Paisley Fern (Allosorus cris-
pus), the Chemistry of, P. Q. Keegan,
25
Flowering Plants: Orchis mascula,
Narthecium ossifragum, and Poly-
gonum bistorta, P. Q. Keegan, 153-
155; Birch Tree, P. Q. Keegan, 205-
208; The Ancestors of the Angio-
sperms, M. A. Johnstone, 338-341 ;
456 Classified Index.
MISCELLANEA—continaed.
Botany at the British Association
Meeting at Leicester, C. E. Moss, |
364-365 ; Sylvan Vegetationof Fyliug-
dales, N.E. Yorks., J. W. Barry, 423-
431
Geology: Glacial Nightmares, 228-
230; The ‘Grey Wethers’ of the
Marlborough Downs, with plate, 330;
Note on the foot-print bearing Sand-
stone found at Storeton, with illus- |
tration, 331-332; Geology at the |
British Association Meeting at
Leicester, J. Lomas, 361-363
Lichens: Rock Lichen (Parmelia saxa-
tilis), The Chemistry of, P. Q. Kee-
gan, 24-25
Mammalia: Pipistrelle Bat, Note on
quantity of air necessary to sustain |
life, H. B. Booth, 28; The breeding
habits of Bats, with illustrations, A.
Whitaker, 74-83; Air experiments
on Bats, F. Stubbs, 222 ; Mammalian
Remains found in Walton Bone Cave,
Clevedon, 381; The Hairy-armed
Bat (Vesperugo leisleri), with plate,
A. Whitaker, 384-388 ; 415-418
Mineralogy: Fourth List of new
names for Minerals by L. J. Spencer,
408
Museums: Educational Museums, 33-
34; Museums Association ‘gathering
at Dundee, 313
Neuroptera, &c.: Notes on the life
histories of Chrysopa perla and C.
flava, with plate, E. M. Alderson,
84-89
Personal Notices: Death of Mr. John
Ward, of Longton, Staffs., 37:
Memorial notice of Sir Michael Fos-
ter, K.C.B., F.R.S., &e., with portrait,
T. Sheppard, 124-125; Memorial
notice of The Rt. Hon. Lord Liver-
pool, F.S.A., 156 ; Sir Joseph Hooker,
G.C.S.h., GB, ELB.S)oae
Societies: Burton-on-Trent Natural
History and Archeological Society,
89; Naturalist Societies, 131-132;
Lancashire Amalgamation of Natural
History Societies, 136; Norfolk and
Norwich Naturalists’ Society, Trans.
of, 1906-7, 332; London Geological
Society, Notes on Centenary Celebra-
tion of, 377-379
CORRIGENDA.
Page 42, Delete word ‘“‘water” wnder illustrations.
be)
9°
44, Delete word ‘‘ water” under illustrations.
7 . ih >
225, line 15, for ‘‘excess” read ‘‘ access.”
,, 309, line 28, for ‘‘ heather” read ‘ Halton.”
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