IDictorfa Ibistot^ of the
(Counties of JEnglanb
EDITED BY H. ARTHUR DOUBLEDAY
A HISTORY OF
HERTFORDSHIRE
VOLUME I
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY
OF HERTFORD IN FOUR
VOLUMES EDITED BY
WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A.
THE
VICTORIA HISTORY
OF THE COUNTIES
OF ENGLAND : "%
HERTFORDSHIRE , V
WESTMINSTER
ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE
AND COMPANY LIMITED
This History is issued to Subscribers only
By Archibald Constable &f Company Limited
and printed by Butler y Tanner of
Frame and London
INSCRIBED
TO THE MEMORY OF
HER LATE MAJESTY
QJLJEEN VICTORIA
WHO IN HER LIFETIME GRACIOUSLY
GAVE THE TITLE TO
AND ACCEPTED THE
DEDICATION OF
THIS HISTORY
THE ADVISORY COUNCIL
OF THE VICTORIA HISTORY
His GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G. SIR HENRY MAXWELL-LYTE, K.C.B., M.A., F.S.A.,
Chancellor of the University of Cambridge ETC.
His GRACE THE DUKE OF RUTLAND, K.G. Keeper *f tbe Public Records
His GRACE THE DUKE OF PORTLAND, K.G. CoL - SlR J- FARQUHARSON, K.C.B.
His GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLL, K.T. SIR Jos. HOOKER, G.C.S.I., M.D., D.C.L., F.R.S.,
THE MOST HON. THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY,
K.G. SIR ARCHIBALD GEIKIE, LL.D., F.R.S., ETC.
Chancellor of the Unt-versity of Oxford Rgv j CHARLS Cox> LL-D ., F-S .A., ETC.
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF ROSEBERY, K.G.,
T LIONEL CUST, ESQ., M.A., F.S.A., ETC.
Director of the National Portrait Gallery
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF COVENTRY
President of the Royal Agricultural Society DR. ALBERT L. G. GtJNTHER, F.R.S.
_ _ T m r T-* President of the Linnean Society
THE RT. HON. THE VISCOUNT DILLON
President of the Society of Antiquaries CoL. DuNCAN A. JOHNSTON
Director General of the Ordnance Survey
THE RT. HON. THE LORD ACTON
Regius Professor of Modern History, Cambridge PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, M.A., F.R.S., ETC.
rri n TT T T T Director of the Nat. Hist. Museum. South Kensington
THE RT. HON. THE LORD LISTER
President of the Royal Society REGINALD L. PooLE, ESQ., M.A.
SlR FREDERICK POLLOCK, BART., LL.D., F.S.A., University Lecturer in Diflomatic, Oxford
ETC. F. YORK POWELL, ESQ., M.A., F.S.A., ETC.
Corpus Professor of Jurisprudence, Oxford Regius Professor of Modern History, Oxford
SIR EDWARD MAUNDE THOMPSON, K.C.B., D.C.L., i HORACE ROUND, ESQ., M.A.
LL.D., F.S.A., ETC. ,
Director of the British Museum WALTER KYE, tsQ.
SIR CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, K.C.B., F.R.S., F.S.A. W. H. ST. JOHN HOPE, ESQ., M.A.
President of the Royal Geographical Society Assistant Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries
General Editor H. ARTHUR DOUBLEDAV
GENERAL ADVERTISEMENT
THE VICTORIA HISTORY of the Counties of England is a National Survey showing
the condition of the country at the present day, and tracing the domestic history of the
English Counties back to the earliest times.
Rich as every County of England is in materials for local history, there has hitherto been
no attempt made to bring all these materials together into a coherent form. There are,
indeed, histories of English Counties ; but many of them and these the best are exceed-
ingly rare and costly ; others are very imperfect ; all are out of date.
THE VICTORIA HISTORY will trace, county by county, the story of England's growth
from its prehistoric condition, through the barbarous age, the settlement of alien peoples, and
the gradual welding of many races into a nation which is now the greatest on the globe. All
the phases of ecclesiastical history ; the changes in land tenure ; the records of historic and
local families ; the history of the social life and sports of the villages and towns ; the develop-
ment of art, science, manufactures and industries all these factors, which tell of the progress
of England from primitive beginnings to large and successful empire, will find a place in the
work and their treatment be entrusted to those who have made a special study of them.
Many archaeological, historical and other Societies are assisting in the compilation of this
work, and the editor also has the advantage of the active and cordial co-operation of the
National Trust, which is doing so much for the preservation of places of historic interest and
natural beauty throughout the country.
The names of the distinguished men who have joined the Advisory Council are a
I vii b
guarantee that the work will represent the results of the latest discoveries in every department
of research. It will be observed that among them are representatives of science ; for the
whole trend of modern thought, as influenced by the theory of evolution, favours the intelli-
gent study of the past and of the social, institutional and political developments 01 national
life. As these histories are the first in which this object has been kept in view, and modern
principles applied, it is hoped that they will form a work of reference no less indispensable
to the student than welcome to the man of culture.
Family History will, both in the Histories and in the supplemental volumes of chart
pedigrees, be dealt with by genealogical experts and in the modern spirit. Every effort will be
made to secure accuracy of statement, and to avoid the insertion of those legendary pedigrees
which have in the past brought discredit on the whole subject. It has been pointed out by the
late Bishop of Oxford, a great master of historical research, that ' the expansion and extension
of genealogical study is a very remarkable feature of our own times,' that ' it is an increasing
pursuit both in America and England,' and that it can render the historian useful service.
Heraldry will also in this Series occupy a prominent position, and the splendours of the
coat-armour borne in the Middle Ages will be illustrated in colours on a scale that has never
been attempted before.
The general plan of Contents, and the names of the Sectional Editors (who will
co-operate with local workers in every case) are as follows :
Natural History. Edited by AUBYN B. R. TREVOR-BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., etc.
Geology. By CLEMENT REID, F.R.S., HORACE B. WOODWARD, F.R.S., and othert
Palaeontology. Edited by R. L. LYDEKKER, F.R.S., etc.
' Contributions by G. A. BOULENGER, F.R.S., F. O. PICKARD-CAMBRIDGE, M.A., H. N. DIXON, F.L.S.,
Flora
Fauna
G. C. DRUCE, M.A., F.L.S., WALTER GARSTANG, M.A., F.L.S., HERBERT Goss, F.L.S., F.E.S.,
R. I. POCOCK, REV. T.R. R. STEBBING, M.A., F.R.S., etc., B. B. WOODWARD, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.,
etc., and other Specialists
Prehistoric Remains. Edited by W. BOYD DAWKINS, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.S.A.
Roman Remains. Edited by F. HAVERFIELD, M.A., F.S.A.
Anglo-Saxon Remains. Edited by C. HERCULES READ, F.S.A., and REGINALD A. SMITH, B.A.
Ethnography. Edited by G. LAURENCE GOMME, F.S.A.
Dialect. Edited by JOSEPH WRIGHT, M.A., Ph.D.
Place Names "\
Folklore V Contributed by Various Authorities
Physical Types J
Domesday Book and other kindred Records. Edited by J. HORACE ROUND, M.A.
Architecture. By Various Authorities. The Sections on the Cathedrals and Monastic Remains Edited by
W. H. ST. JOHN HOPE, M.A.
Ecclesiastical History. Edited by R. L. POOLE, M.A.
Political History. Edited by W. H. STEVENSON, M.A., J. HORACE ROUND, M.A., PROF. T. F. TOUT, M.A.
JAMES TAIT, M.A., and C. H. FIRTH, M.A.
History of Schools. Edited by A. F. LEACH, M.A., F.S.A.
Maritime History of Coast Counties. Edited by J. K. LAUGHTON, M.A.
Topographical Accounts of Parishes and Manors. By Various Authorities
History of the Feudal Baronage. Edited by J. HORACE ROUND, M.A., and OSWALD BARRON, F.S.A.
Family History and Heraldry. Edited by OSWALD BARRON, F.S.A.
Agriculture. Edited by SIR ERNEST CLARKE, M.A., Sec. to the Royal Agricultural Society
Forestry. Edited by JOHN NISBET, D.Orc.
Industries, Arts and Manufactures "j
Social and Economic History ! By Various Authorities
Persons Eminent in Art, Literature, Science J
Ancient and Modern Sport. Edited by the DUKE OF BEAUFORT
Hunting ~\
Shooting V By Various Authorities
Fishing, etc. J
Cricket. Edited by HOME GORDON
Football. Edited by C. W. ALCOCK
Bibliographies
Indexes
Names of the Subscribers
viii
With a view to securing the best advice with regard to the searching of records, the
Editor has secured the services of the following committee of experts :
RECORDS COMMITTEE
SIR EDWARD MAUNDE THOMPSON, K.C.B. WM. PAGE, F.S.A.
SIR HENRY MAXWELL-LYTE, K.C.B. J. HORACE ROUND, M.A.
W. J. HARDY, F.S.A. S. R. SCARGILL-BIRD, F.S.A.
F. MADAN, M.A. W. H. STEVENSON, M.A.
F. MAITLAND, M.A., F.S.A. G. F. WARNER, M.A., F.S.A.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Among the many thousands of subjects illustrated will be castles, cathedrals and churches,
mansions and manor houses, moot halls and market halls, family portraits, etc. Particular
attention will be given to the beautiful and quaint examples of architecture which, through
decay or from other causes, are in danger of disappearing. The best examples of church
brasses, coloured glass, and monumental effigies will be depicted. The Series will also contain
1 60 pictures in photogravure, showing the characteristic scenery of the counties.
CARTOGRAPHY
Each History will contain Archaeological, Domesday, and Geological maps ; maps show-
ing the Orography, and the Parliamentary and Ecclesiastical divisions ; and the map done by
Speed in 1610. The Series will contain about four hundred maps in all.
FAMILY HISTORY AND HERALDRY
The Histories will contain, in the Topographical Section, manorial pedigrees, and
accounts of the noble and gentle families connected with the local history ; and it is proposed
to trace, wherever possible, their descendants in the Colonies and the United States of
America. The Editor will be glad to receive information which may be of service to him
in this branch of the work. The chart family pedigrees and the arms of the families
mentioned in the Heralds' Visitations will be issued in a supplemental volume for each county.
The Rolls of Arms are being completely collated for this work, and all the feudal coats
will be given in colours. The arms of the local families will also be represented in connection
with the Topographical Section.
In order to secure the greatest possible accuracy in the descriptions of the Architecture,
ecclesiastic, military and domestic, a committee has been formed of the following students of
architectural history, who will supervise this department of the work :
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
J. BILSON, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. W. H. ST. JOHN HOPE, M.A.
R. BLOMFIELD W. H. KNOWLES, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
HAROLD BRAKSPEAR, A.R.I.B.A. J. T. MICKLETHWAITE, F.S.A.
PROF. BALDWIN BROWN ROLAND PAUL
ARTHUR S. FLOWER, F.S.A., A.R.I.B.A. J. HORACE ROUND, M.A.
GEORGE E. Fox, M.A., F.S.A. PERCY G. STONE, F.S.A., F.R.LB.A.
J. A. GOTCH, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. THACKERAY TURNER
A special feature in connection with the Architecture will be a series of coloured ground
plans showing the architectural history of castles, cathedrals and other monastic foundations.
Plans of the most important country mansions will also be included.
The issue of this work is limited to subscribers only, whose names will be printed at the end of
each History.
ix
THE
VICTORIA HISTORY
OF THE COUNTY OF
HERTFORD
EDITED BY
WILLIAM PAGE F.S.A.
VOLUME ONE
WESTMINSTER
2 WHITEHALL GARDENS
I9O2
DA
670
H5V6
v. I
County Committee for 1bertforo0btre
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF CLARENDON
Lord Lieutenant, Chairman
THE MOST HON. THE MARQUESS OF
SALISBURY, K.G.
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF ESSEX
THE RT. HON. THE EARL COWPER, K.G.
THE RT. HON. THE EARL BROWNLOW
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF VERULAM
THE RT. HON. THE EARL OF STRAFFORD
THE RT. HON. THE VISCOUNT CRANBORNE
THE RT. HON. THE VISCOUNT HAMPDEN
THE RT. REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF ST.
ALBANS
THE RT. HON. THE LORD ROTHSCHILD
THE RT. HON. THE LORD MOUNT-STEPHEN
THE RT. HON. THE LORD ALDENHAM
THE HON. FREDERICK WILLIAM ANSON
THE REV. THE HON. EDWARD LYTTELTON
SIR ARTHUR P. D. LUSHINGTON, BART.
SIR EDMUND HARDINGE, BART.
SIR WALTER GILBEY, BART.
SIR JOHN BLUNDELL MAPLE, BART., M.P.
SIR JOHN EVANS, K.C.B.
THE VERY REV. THE DEAN OF ST. ALBANS
T. ARMSTRONG, ESQ., C.B.
PERCEVAL BOSANQUET, ESQ., D.L., J.P.
SAMUEL B. BOULTON, ESQ., D.L., J.P.
JAMES W. CARLILE, ESQ., D.L., J.P.
LIEUT. RICHARD B. CROFT, R.N., D.L., J.P.
THE REV. CANON DAVYS
FRANCIS DELME-RADCUFFE, ESQ., J.P.
LEWIS EVANS, ESQ., F.S.A.
EDWARD S. FORDHAM, ESQ., M.A., LL.M.,
D.L., J.P.
ERNEST GAPE, ESQ.
THE REV. G. H. P. GLOSSOP, M.A.
H. R. H. GOSSELIN, ESQ., J.P.
T. F. HALSEY, ESQ., M.P.
W. J. HARDY, ESQ., F.S.A.
DR. E. LIPSCOMB, J.P.
FREDERICK MACMILLAN, ESQ., D.L.
G. N. MARTEN, ESQ., J.P.
F. H. NORMAN, ESQ., J.P.
C. T. PART, ESQ., J.P.
R. C. PHILLIMORE, ESQ.
WILLIAM PAUL, ESQ.
WILLIAM RANSOM, ESQ., F.L.S., F.S.A.
ABEL H. SMITH, ESQ., M.P.
ARTHUR L. STRIDE, ESQ., J.P.
THE REV. OWEN C. WHITEHOUSE, M.A.
CHARLES W. WILSHERE, ESQ., D.L., J.P.
E. N. Wix, ESQ., M.A.
WILLIAM H. WODEHOUSE, ESQ., D.L.,
J.P.
WILLIAM PAGE, F.S.A., EDITOR OF THE
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
xiii
CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE
Dedication .....
The Advisory Council of the Victoria
General Advertisement
The Hertfordshire County Committee
Contents .....
List of Illustrations ....
Preface ......
Natural History
Geology .....
Climate .....
Palaeontology ....
Botany .....
Introduction ....
Phanerogamia (Flowering plants) .
Notes on the Botanical Districts
Cryptogamia (Non-lowering plants)
Filices (Ferns')
Equisetaceae (Horsetails) .
Lycopodiaceae (Clubmosses)
Musci and Hepatic* (Mosses and
Liverworts')
Characeae (Stonettiorts)
Algae
Lichenes (Lichens') .
Fungi .....
Mycetozoa ....
Zoology
Mollusca (Snails, etc.)
Insecta (Insects)
Introduction
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and
Moths) ....
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and
Neuroptera (Dragon/lies)
History .
By JOHN HOPKINSON, F.L.S., F.G.S, Assoc. Inst.C.E.
>
By RICHARD LYDEKKER, B.A., F.R.S., F.G.S.
Edited by JOHN HOPKINSON, F.L.S., F.G.S.
By JOHN HOPKINSON, F.L.S., F.G.S.
By A. E. GIBBS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.
By JOHN HOPKINSON, F.L.S., F.G.S.
By JAMES SAUNDERS, A.L.S.
By B. B. WOODWARD, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.
Edited by A. E. GIBBS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.
By A. E. GIBBS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.
By E. G. ELLIMAN ....
By A. E. GIBBS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S
PAGE
V
vii
vii
xiii
XV
xvii
xix
I
33
4'
43
44
5'
60
61
62
62
62
65
66
69
7
80
81
83
83
no
1 68
xv
CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE
Trichoptera (Caddisflles) and
Hymenoptera (Bees, etc.)
Diptera (FRa)
Hemiptera (Bugs, etc.) and
Aphides ....
Arachnida (Spiders, etc.)
Crustacea (Crabs, etc.) .
Pisces (Fishes)
Reptilia and Batrachia (Reptiles
and Batrachians) .
Aves (Birds) ....
Mammalia (Mammals)
Early Man .....
Anglo-Saxon Remains
Introduction to the Hertfordshire
Domesday ....
Text of the Hertfordshire Domesday
Sport, Ancient and Modern
Introduction ....
Foxhunting ....
Hertfordshire Hounds
Puckeridge Hounds .
Old Berkeley Hounds
Harriers .....
Staghounds .....
Shooting .....
Fishing .....
Hawking .....
Steeplechasing ....
Racing
Coursing .....
Pugilism .....
Cockfighting ....
Bullbaiting ....
' Bob Grimston ' ...
Cricket .
By A. E. GIBBS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.
By F. O. PlCKARD-CxMBRIDGE, M.A.
By the Rev. T. R. R. STEBBING, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S.
By G. A. BOULENGER, F.R.S., F.Z.S. .
By A. F. GROSSMAN, F.L.S
By SIR JOHN EVANS, K.C.B., F.R.S., etc.
By REGINALD A. SMITH, B.A.
By J. HORACE ROUND, M.A., D.L.
By the REV. F. W. RAGG, M.A. .
By CHARLES T. PART, M.A., D.L., J.P.
Football
Association
Rugby
Index of the Hertfordshire Domesday
By HOME GORDON, assisted by J. EARL NORMAN, M.A.,
LL.D., C. J. REID, M.A., P. H. LATHAM, M.A.
and A. J. GARTON
Edited by C. W. ALCOCK
By A. J. MILLAR
By C. J. B. MARRIOTT
PAGE
169
I/O
171
181
189
191
"93
217
"3
151
300
345
349
350
3S2
355
357
358
359
36.
363
364
366
368
369
37
37'
37'
37*
383
387
XVI
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
St. Albans Cathedral. By William Hyde frontispiece
Implements from the Caddington District. Figs I to 5 . . . . .226
Implement found near Hitchin. Fig. 6 .......... 228
Arrowhead found near Ash well. Fig. 7. . . . . . . . 2 3 I
Arrowhead found near Tring. Fig. 8 *3 J
Knife found at Widdington. Fig. 9 . . . . . . . . 2 35
Coin, Philippus. Fig. 10 2 37
British Coins developed from the Philippus. Figs, n, iz 237
Ancient British Coins, Verulam full-page plate, facing p. 240
Ancient British Coins, Verulam ....... ,, , 242
Anglo-Saxon Remains . . . . . . . . . ,, 2 53
The Marchioness of Salisbury ........ > 349
St. Albans Steeplechase. The Start . . . . > 35*
Coming into the Second Field . . . 355
Coming into the Last Field . . . 35^
The Finish ... 3'
Coursers taking the Field at Hatfield Park coloured plate, facing p. 368
The Hon. Robert Grimston . . full-page plate, facing p. 370
LIST OF MAPS
Geological Map between pp. xxii, I
Orographical Map 22 2 3
Botanical Map ........ 4 2 43
Pre-Historical Map 222 > 22 3
Anglo-Saxon Map 2 5 2 5'
Domesday Map > 3. 3l
xvn
PREFACE
FOR the design and scope of the History of Hertfordshire the
reader is referred to the General Advertisement of the Victoria
History.
While it is intended in the earlier portion of each History to
keep to a chronological order as far as possible, the conditions obtaining
in some counties make it desirable to depart slightly from the general
rule. In the case of Hertfordshire the break in continuity is made by
omitting the Romano-British chapter from this volume. Although our
knowledge of Saxon times as far as this county is concerned is very
imperfect, there is at present no such activity of research in this
department as to encourage the hope that important facts may be
brought to light if publication be delayed. But the excavations which
are proceeding at Verulamium may add something to the very scanty
material available for reconstructing the story of the county at the time
of the Roman occupation, and Mr. Haverfield's contribution will there-
fore be reserved for a future volume.
It may be questioned by some whether there be any need for
another History of Hertfordshire^ seeing that three histories of the county
have been issued already at various times. But it may be pointed out
that in none of them is there to be found a general view of the county
and its life such as is projected in the present work ; nor has the true
foundation of modern county history the Domesday Survey been
examined by previous historians with the care it deserves. In this
respect the Victoria History claims to supersede its predecessors ; and
while the public must ultimately judge whether the ideals of the editors
be in any degree realized, it is believed that in the manorial history,
which will follow in two of the three succeeding volumes, the student
will find a greater measure of accuracy than in the earlier histories. A
particular statement of the plan upon which the topographical history
has been compiled will be given in the preface to the next volume, in
which the first portion of this section will find a place. The fourth
volume will contain general articles on Ecclesiastical, Political, Social
and Economic history and other subjects, as announced in the prospectus.
XIX
PREFACE
In the compilation of this volume the Editors are much indebted
to the assistance of Sir John Evans, to whom their thanks are also due
for the loan of illustrations. For help in organizing the contributions
on Natural History and for revision of the proofs of these articles they
are under great obligations to Mr. John Hopkinson.
The Editors also desire to acknowledge the courtesy of the
Marquess of Salisbury, the Headmaster of Harrow School, Mr. G. N.
Marten, the Society of Antiquaries, and the committee of the St. Albans
Museum in making available for publication some of the illustrations
which appear in this volume.
XX
3 A HISTORY OF
HERTFORDSHIRE
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
GEOL
EXPLANATION
OF COLOURING
RagsluX Beds
London. Clay
Woobrick and RtaAly Beds
THE VICTORIA HISTOR'l
\L MAP.
E COUNTIES OF ENGLAND
County Boundary shown thus
J.&. Bartholomew
GEOLOGY
I
geological structure of Hertfordshire attracted the attention
of our earliest county historian long before geology became a
science. 'Concerning the Soyle:' said Norden in I597, 1 'It is
for the most part chalkie, though the upper cruste in the South
and West parts be for the most part of redde earth mixed with gravell,
which yet by reason of the white marie under it yeeldeth good wheat
and oates . . .' Norden here makes a definite geological observ-
ation, that the Chalk, which forms the main stratum of the county, is
overlaid in the south and west by a mixed soil of red earth (or clay)
and gravel. This is correct so far as it goes, but it appears to have es-
caped his notice that in the east a loamy clay (boulder-clay) overlies the
Chalk, and that in the south-east a stiff clay (the London Clay) com-
pletely alters the character of the soil, so effectually covering up the
Chalk which lies underneath it that it is more suitable for root-crops
and pasture than for raising ' good wheat and oates.' Norden also
quaintly says that in the north part of the shire ' the soyle is very apt
to yeeld corne and dertie wayes,' and in his account of Hitchin 8 he
speaks of ' a kinde of chalke ... a stonie Marie, more fit to make
lime than to soyle the grounde.'
Chauncy, in his account of the soil of Hertfordshire, does little
more than copy and amplify Norden. 'The upper Cruste,' he says, 3 'in
many Places consists of red Earth, mixt with Gravel ; most of the
Meadows are dry ; the Hills wet and cold, for they are Clay, therefore
barren ; and for divers Parts it contains Chalk within a Foot or a
Fathom of the Surface of the Ground . . .' Salmon merely says of
' the Earth ' : 4 ' The Soil is none of the fruitfullest . . . The
Arable hath generally too much Gravel or too much Clay.' In his
account of Moor Park, however, in referring to alterations to ' More
House,' 5 he says that ' in digging were found Veins of Sea Sand with
Musscles in it.' This is the earliest mention of the finding of fossils in
Hertfordshire, and must have created some astonishment in his day.
Even in 1756 the finding of ' a petrified Echinus ... at Bunnan's
Land in the parish of Bovingdon ' was considered worthy of record in
the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1 Speculum Britannia Pars, ' The Description of Hartfordshire,' p. I (quoted from the
1723 edition).
3 Op. cit. p. 1 8. 3 Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire, p. I (1700).
4 History of Hertfordshire, p. i (1728). 6 Of. cit. p. HO.
I I B
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Clutterbuck is our first historian who gives any precise information
on the geology of the county. Under the heading of ' Natural History
and Climate ' l he gives a brief description of the Totternhoe Stone and
of the Hertfordshire Conglomerate. This appears to be the earliest notice
of the latter except the following curious account in a work dated
1756, relating to the Natural History of the county, as quoted by
Young Crawley, 2 who gives neither the title of the work nor the author's
name. ' The surface of every ploughed field is covered with innumer-
able small Stones of the flinty kind generally, and many of them inimit-
ably variegated with various Colours and Figures. The Plumb Pudding
stone may also be called a native of this County. Many of this kind
which are found here will weigh twenty or thirty pounds, and will bear
as fine a polish as Glass, and far exceed in beauty all the Marble I ever
saw. In many of their gravel pits are also found clear, transparent peb-
bles, generally not exceeding the size of chestnuts, and seldom less than
a pea, but as clear as a drop of water, and extremely hard. These cut
and polish as fine as a Diamond, and when set upon a good foil appear
extremely brilliant, and are capable of being made into Rings, Buttons,
and other Toys.'
The geological formations represented in Hertfordshire, 3 with their
chief lithological characters and approximate thickness, are given in the
following table, in descending order, the names of the formations which
do not come to the surface in the county being printed in italics. 4
1 History of Hertfordshire, vol. i. p. iii. (1815).
2 Guide to Hertfordshire, 'Introduction,' p. 9 (1880).
3 For a complete account of these formations reference should be made to the Memoirs
of the Geological Survey, especially The Geology of London and of Part of the Thames Basin, by
W. Whitaker, B.A., F.R.S., 2 vols. (1889).
1 The coloured section with the map shows the escarpment of the Chalk and the out-
crop of the underlying Secondary rocks beyond Pitstone Hill, with the false escarpment of the
Upper and part of the Middle Chalk at Moneybury Hill, the hollow between these two hills
being a dry valley. The Chalk Rock at the summit of the Middle Chalk and the Melbourn
Rock at its base are shown by double lines, and so is the Totternhoe Stone near the base of
the Lower Chalk. Outliers of the Eocene Beds over the Chalk are illustrated by the one at
St. Albans, and inliers of the Reading Beds underneath the London Clay by that at Cough's
Oak. A slight anticline in the Chalk is indicated here. The dip of the Chalk from the
swallow-holes at Potterells near North Mimms shows how water sinking in there will find its
way along the interstices in the layers of flints into the valley of the Lea rather than into
that of the Colne.
The plain section in the text (p. 4) shows the position and dip of the Silurian and De-
vonian rocks where proved to be present beneath an uneven under-surface of the Gault. It
is evident that the Devonian rocks must rest unconformably upon the Silurian nearly 1,000
feet beneath the surface somewhere between Hertford and Turnford. The unconformity
between the Secondary and the Palaeozoic rocks is seen to be rather greater than that between
the Silurian and Devonian. The thinning-out of the Lower Greensand towards the south-
south-west and the thinning-out of the Upper Greensand in a north-north-easterly direction
are indicated. As in the other section, the Chalk Rock, Melbourn Rock, and Totternhoe
Stone are represented by double lines. An Eocene outlier near Bennington has inadvertently
been omitted to be shown. The horizontal line through the section (appearing by an optical
illusion to dip to the left) indicates Ordnance datum.
In each section the vertical scale is twelve times the horizontal, the latter being the same
scale as that of the map, on which the trend of each section is indicated by a thin black line.
2
GEOLOGY
Period
Formation
Character of the strata
Approximate
thickness
in feet
Alluvium
Peat clay loam etc
I to I O
Recent
Valley gravels ....
Gravels of existing rivers ....
5 to 20
River Drift
Older river-gravel and sand .
5 to 'Jo
Clay-with-flints . . .
Brickearth ....
Reddish clay with angular flints
Loamy and sandy clay ....
lu yj
i to 25
c to 60
Pleistocene
Chalky boulder-clay
i o to 4.0
Glacial Drift . . . .|
Gravel and sand
I O tO 20
Westleton Shingle . . .
Pebbly gravel
I to IO
Lower
London Clay ....
Brown or bluish clay, with base-
ment-bed of brown clay and
pebbles
20 to 1 70
Eocene
Reading Beds ....
Sands, mottled and plastic clays, and
pebbles
25 to 40
Thanet Sands ....
Grey and black sand
o to i o
Upper Chalk ....
Soft white chalk, t with layers of
flints
about ^oo
'
Chalk rock very hard, cream-
coloured
I to 4.
Upper
Cretaceous
Middle Chalk . . . .-
Lower Chalk .
Upper Greensand .
White chalk, with few flints
Melbourn rock hard, nodular .
Grey and white chalk ....
Totternhoe stone hard, white .
Chalk marl grey marly chalk .
Soft marly sandstone
200 to 350
IO
65 to 90
6 to 12
2O to 60
Gault
Stiff blue clay .
Lower
Cretaceous
Lower Greensand .
Iron-sands and ' carstone "...
o to 10
Upper
Jurassic
Purbeck Beds ....
Portland Beds ....
Kttneridge Clay ....
Clays and argillaceous limestone
Sands and shelly limestone .
Dark-coloured clay
Devonian
Upper Devonian
Dull-purple shale
Silurian
Wenlock
Shale and limestone ....
The existence of Devonian and Silurian rocks at a great depth under
the surface in this area is only known to us from borings made by the
New River Company in the valley of the Lea. These very old rocks
must for ages have formed a land-surface stretching right across Hert-
fordshire, and probably giving rise to rivers flowing to the north and to
the south. The shore-line of the Lower Greensand sea on the south
apparently ran through the north of London, and that of the contem-
poraneous northern sea through the north of Hertfordshire, trending
north-east and south-west, and communicating in that direction, through
3
\ ClolJuJl
' Benningtun
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Oxfordshire, with the southern sea. Silurian rocks formed the highest
land. At a depth of 797 feet beneath the surface (685 feet below Ord-
nance datum) the Wenlock Shale with bands of limestone was found
at the boring between Hertford and Ware, where is now the Broad-
mead well, dipping about i west of true south
?at an angle of 41 with the horizon. 1 Upon
these Silurian rocks, after some earth-movements
had taken place, disturbing their original hori-
zonal position, Devonian rocks were deposited.
At a depth of 980 feet beneath the surface (872
feet below Ordnance datum) Upper Devonian
shale was met with at Turnford near Cheshunt,
a few miles south of the Ware boring, dipping
about 17 west of true south at an angle of 25
with the horizon. 2 Devonian rocks have also
been found under London at an increasing depth
as we proceed from north to south. They
were therefore deposited unconformably upon
the Silurian rocks, and the old land-surface grad-
ually became lower from Ware southwards. 3
South of London it was much lower, as shown
by the great depth to which the Netherfield
boring in Sussex was carried without reaching
it.
After the deposition and upheaval of the
Devonian rocks a very long interval supervened
before Hertfordshire was undoubtedly again
beneath the sea, and considerable earth-move-
ments took place, as shown by the angle of dip
of these rocks. During this interval the whole
of the Carboniferous, Permian, and Triassic, and
nearly the whole of the Jurassic rocks were de-
posited in other parts of England ; at least if any
older rocks than the Upper Oolites ever existed
in our area, no trace of them has yet been found.
At Puttenham, in the extreme north-west
of the county, beyond the Tring reservoirs, near
the bottom of a bore-hole carried to a depth of
225 feet from the surface, the Kimeridge Clay
was met with. The well was carried to a depth
of 1 1 5 feet entirely through Gault clay, here
about 1 50 feet thick ; the boring was commenced in this clay and passed
1 Francis, 'On the Dip of the Underground Palaeozoic Rocks at Ware and Cheshunt.'
Rep. Brit. Assoc. for 1895, p. 451 (1896).
2 Op. cit. p. 452.
8 ?x7 Pk ' n S n ' '. n the Recent Discov e<7 of Silurian Rocks in Hertfordshire,' Trans.
t^atfird Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. ii. p. 241, see pi. ii. (1880).
4
(Turnford
GEOLOGY
through either Lower Greensand or Portland Sand, most probably the
latter, as it comes to the surface at Hulcot in Bucks, four miles to the
north-west. Below this the Kimeridge Clay is described as ' dark clay,
with waterstones ' [probably septaria], but the search for water was futile. 1
The Kimeridge Clay is a marine formation, as are the Silurian and
Devonian rocks reached so far beneath the surface in the east of the
county, but there is evidence, in its lignites and in the presence of coni-
ferous wood in considerable quantity, of the proximity of land. The
Portland Beds are also of marine origin ; but immediately above them,
and coming to the surface at Liscomb Park near Soulbury, thirteen miles
north of Puttenham, are Purbeck Beds, which are ofestuarine and fresh-
water origin. It therefore seems probable that towards the close of the
long interval unrepresented in our county after the Devonian beds became
dry land perhaps many millions of years a submergence here took
place, and rivers brought down from a not far-distant land-surface the
mud of which the Kimeridge Clay consists ; that by the gradual eleva-
tion of this land-surface the sea became shallower, the sands of the Port-
land series then being deposited ; and that, the elevation still continuing,
estuarine and fresh-water conditions prevailed, these being characteristic
of the Purbeck Beds. The three formations here mentioned the Kim-
eridge Clay and the Portland and Purbeck Beds form the Upper
Oolites, the highest division of the Jurassic rocks.
Within twenty miles from Puttenham, in a north-north-westerly
direction, the whole of the lower divisions of the Jurassic series are met
with the Middle Oolites, the Lower Oolites, and the Lias the axis of
elevation having thus been on the north or north-west. After the beds
were raised from their original horizontal position, so as to dip towards
Hertfordshire away from this axis, they were planed down by denudation,
the edges of the strata thus successively cropping out. It is this tilting-
up which brings the older and originally lower rocks to the surface so
that they crop out from underneath the newer rocks which have been de-
posited upon them. When the tilted-up edges of the newer rocks offer
a greater resistance to denudation than those underneath them they
terminate in an escarpment such as that of the Chalk ; when a less re-
sistance, in a valley, which may be extended into a plain such as that of
the Gault.
We now come to the third great division of the Secondary rocks, the
Cretaceous System. Its lowest member represented in Hertfordshire is
the Lower Greensand. Whilst the Hastings Sands and Wealden Beds
were being deposited in the south-east of England, there was probably
dry land here, but this was gradually submerged, and the Lower Green-
sand was deposited over the Kimeridge Clay with a slight uncon-
formity, its phosphatic-nodule bed at Potton, just outside our county
boundary, showing, in the numerous water-worn fossils derived from the
Jurassic rocks, what a great amount of denudation they must have
1 Whitaker, ' Hertfordshire Well-sections,' and paper, Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., vol.
vi. p. 60 (1890).
5
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
undergone. It is present in our area only beneath the surface, the
whole of its outcrop being outside the county, trending in a south-
westerly direction from the neighbourhood of Potton, through Shefford,
to Leighton Buzzard. In a well-boring at Long Marston, six miles
south of the latter place, it was met with about 10 feet in thickness, after
215 feet of Gault clay had been passed through. It thins out to nothing
in the south-east, being absent where the Gault was passed through at
Ware and Turnford. The Lower Greensand is the highest bed of the
Lower Cretaceous Series.
Hitherto only the rocks which do not come to the surface in the
county have been considered. The oldest formation which does so is of
Upper Cretaceous age. This is the Gault, the earliest of that age, being
next in succession to the Lower Greensand. Before its deposition there
was a considerable disturbance of the strata previously deposited, result-
ing here in a subsidence which even brought beneath the sea the Palaeo-
zoic ridge that for ages had formed a barrier across our county between
the seas on the north and on the south. While on the north-west the
Gault reposes on the Lower Greensand, on the south-east it rests directly
on Silurian and Devonian rocks. At Cheshunt it is 153 feet thick, at
Ware 166 feet, and it increases in thickness towards the north and west,
being 180 feet thick at Radwell near Baldock and at Hinxworth, about
200 feet at Ashwell, 210 feet at Hitchin, and 215 feet at Long Marston.
It consists of calcareous marls and dark bluish-grey clays, with concre-
tionary and phosphatic nodules. Owing to its soft and easily-weathered
character it forms a plain and sometimes a depression at the foot of the
Chalk escarpment, partly along, but chiefly beyond, the north-western
margin of Hertfordshire. It enters the county from Cambridgeshire at
the extreme north, in the Cam district, between the River Rhee and the
Ruddry Brook ; continuing just within the margin of the county, it
passes into the Ivel district ; it is again seen near Radwell north of
Baldock, and again north-west of Pirton. The Thame district is in great
part on it, and here it occupies the spur of the county beyond the Mars-
worth, Startups End, and Tringford reservoirs, the Wilstone reservoir
being the only one which is actually on the Gault. Although in great
part a stiff impermeable clay, the soil upon it is extremely fertile, having
been rendered so by a covering of drift from the Chalk.
This Gault plain has, indeed, long been known as a fine corn-grow-
ing district. The greater part of it not under arable culture is well
wooded with oaks, a characteristic feature of the formation, as the name
' Oak-tree Clay,' which has been given to it as well as to the clays of
Kimeridge and Wealden age, indicates.
The Gault suffered much from denudation before the deposition of
the next bed upon it, and its surface is very irregular. Towards the
north-east it thins out greatly through the upper beds having been
eroded. While in that direction it is immediately followed by the
Chalk Marl, the lower beds of which are even sometimes wanting,
towards the south-west the Upper Greensand is present ; but by whatever
6
GEOLOGY
bed in our area the Gault is followed there is in that bed evidence that its
lower layers at least were formed chiefly from the waste of the Gault
underlying them, for they contain phosphatic nodules and worn fossils
derived from it. The so-called ' coprolite bed ' which has mainly re-
sulted from the denudation of the upper beds of the Gault, does not there-
fore mark a distinct geological horizon, but may at one place be of Upper
Greensand age and at another may represent the lower, or even sometimes
the higher beds of the Chalk Marl. When the Upper Greensand is
present it appears as a thin bed of soft marly sandstone passing up in
places into a chloritic marl, which may represent the higher beds of the
same formation, but is generally the lowest bed of the Chalk Marl there
represented.
This bed of phosphatic nodules and worn Gault fossils, whether it
be of Upper Greensand or of Chalk Marl age, is of considerable economic
value, being extensively worked for the production of artificial manure,
but the only ' coprolite ' pits within the county are those at Ashwell.
While there is a decided physical break between the Gault and the
Upper Greensand, and a change of conditions took place from a rather
deep and quiescent sea to comparatively shallow water, probably with
shifting currents, there is no distinct line of demarkation between the
Upper Greensand and the Chalk Marl, and it is sometimes difficult to say
to which a certain bed should be assigned. The Upper Greensand is
about 40 feet thick in the south-east of the county, but thins out to
nothing in the north. In the extreme west only does it come to the
surface, in a thin band between Marsworth and Buckland, just beyond
the Wilstone reservoir. It is 44 feet thick at Cheshunt and 40 feet at
Ware, its position at the former place being from 675 to 719 feet below
Ordnance datum, and at the latter place from 478 to 518 feet below this
datum. It consists of fine greenish sands with hard calcareous sandstone
and chert, the typical green beds usually being charged with glauconite,
and it contains sponge-spicules, Foraminifera, and other fossils. It ap-
pears to have been laid down in a sinking sea-bed, the deposit in which
gradually changed from one of mechanical origin, from erosion of adjacent
land, to one of almost entirely organic origin, the great Chalk formation
having been formed by and from the remains of the animals, mostly of
microscopic size and lowly nature, which lived and died in and on the
surface of the deep Cretaceous seas.
The Lower Chalk rests upon the eroded surface of the Gault, or
gradually takes the place of the Upper Greensand. It usually has for
its basement-bed either the Chloritic Marl or the Cambridge Greensand,
homotaxial deposits the lower beds of which contain phosphatic nodules
and numerous fossils mostly derived from the Gault, many being phos-
phatized. Whichever is present is followed by the Chalk Marl, a soft
marly chalk with no flints but a considerable amount of silica. The
Chalk Marl varies from about 20 to 60 feet in thickness, and the whole
of the Lower Chalk from about 100 feet (Great OfHey) to 180 feet or
thereabouts (Cheshunt). At Bushey its thickness has been given as 255
7
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
feet, but its limits are not clearly defined in well-borings, and it is almost
certain that too great a thickness has been assigned to it there. This
may also be the case at Cheshunt.
From the softness of the Chalk Marl the Lower Chalk at first forms
a continuation of the Gault plain, and then a gentle upward slope along
the denuded edge of its escarpment up to its junction with the Tottenhoe
Stone. This is a hard, rather sandy chalk, from 6 to 1 2 feet thick, and
often occurs in two beds, each 3 or 4 feet thick, and separated by a few
feet of marly chalk. From its hardness the Totternhoe Stone stands well
out above the plain of softer strata, usually forming a distinctive feature
in the landscape. It enters the county in the Cam district, at Ruddry
Spring near Ashwell, passes through the Ivel district north of Baldock,
near Cadwell north of Hitchin, and by Pirton and Hexton. It then
enters Bedfordshire, in which county it forms the ridge of Sharpenhoe
Knoll, and it has long been extensively worked at Totternhoe as a
building-stone, but has not been quarried there for some years. It
decays rapidly when exposed to frost and other effects of the weather, as
the present state of the west front of Dunstable Priory Church, which
is built of it, testifies. It should not be employed for exteriors, but it is
admirably adapted for interior decorative work, being at first soft and
easily manipulated, and hardening and becoming whiter as the moisture
dries out of it. The last which is seen of the Totternhoe Stone in
Hertfordshire is in the Thame district north-west of Tring, where it
crops out near the summit-level of the Grand Junction Canal south-east
of the reservoirs, then forming the ridge of the hill which extends for
some distance along the south-eastern side of the Wendover Canal.
Nearly all along the outcrop of the Totternhoe Stone there are
springs at frequent intervals which give origin to deep combes in the
north-western escarpment of the Lower Chalk. The water in several
instances soon disappears from the surface, being absorbed into the Chalk
Marl ; the combes then being formed, or perhaps merely deepened, by
underground denudation. The rest of the Lower Chalk consists of about
60 to 90 feet of hard grey and white chalk, followed by 4 or 5 feet of
grey marly chalk.
There are two other hard beds in the Chalk of Hertfordshire, the
Melbourn Rock and the Chalk Rock. The most recently expressed
view is that the former divides the Lower from the Middle Chalk, and
the latter the Middle from the Upper Chalk ; but this gives so many
divisions to the Chalk that it is best here to consider the Middle Chalk
as having the Melbourn Rock at its base and the Chalk Rock at its
summit. The Melbourn Rock is a hard, yellow and white, bedded
nodular chalk, about 10 feet thick. It may be well seen in a small pit
just below Willbury Hill, and it partly surrounds Ravensborough Castle,
which is not really a castle but an ancient camp, five miles west of
Hitchin. A bed of white chalk, which varies in thickness from about
200 to nearly 350 feet, follows. It is more silicious in composition than
the Upper Chalk, but has only a few flints irregularly distributed through
8
GEOLOGY
it. It forms a rather steep escarpment to the north-west, from half a
mile to two miles in breadth. At its summit is the Chalk Rock, a very
hard bed of chalk, which varies from about i foot to 4 feet in thickness,
and is sometimes, like the Totternhoe Stone, divided into two beds with
a foot or more of the softer chalk between them. It is cream-coloured,
much jointed, and has layers of green-coated nodules of equally hard
chalk at the top, which is somewhat irregular, as if it had been exposed
or subject to slight denudation before the next layer of chalk was deposited.
Owing to its hardness, it has so far resisted denudation as to be usually
found at or near the top of the Chalk hills which form the water-part-
ing between the catchment-basins of the Ouse and Lea on the north and
those of the Thame and Colne on the north-west. Owing also to its
hardness it is a very difficult rock to work for fossils, but it is one which
better repays the labour than any other in Hertfordshire. It forms the
top of the Chalk escarpment south of Royston and north of Kensworth,
and nearly all the tributaries of the Colne and Lea cut through it.
There is a good exposure close to Markyate Street on the banks of a
lane cut into it, and there was one in a chalk-pit south-east of Airley
Green near Caddington ; but this has now been covered in. The best
exposure, however, is in the Midland Railway cutting at Chiltern Green,
but that is just outside our county, in Beds. Collections of fossils from
these localities may be seen in the Hertfordshire County Museum at St.
Albans.
The Chalk Rock was first described by Mr. Whitaker, 1 partly from
a collection of fossils made by Sir John Evans in the Boxmoor chalk-pit.
It has recently been more fully described by Dr. Morison, and a list of
its fossils found in the Chiltern Green cutting has been given by him. 2
Its Mollusca have been described, and many species have been figured
by Mr. Henry Woods. 3
At the junction of the Middle and Upper Chalk are the highest
hills of Hertfordshire, forming part of the north-easterly prolongation of
the Chiltern Hills, and attaining an elevation, along the Royston, Luton,
and Dunstable Downs, of from 400 to 600 feet generally ; and at
Kensworth Hill, the highest point on the Dunstable Downs, of 8 1 o feet,
being the greatest elevation in the county.
The Upper Chalk, or chalk-with-flints, occupies much the largest
area in Hertfordshire (at least three-fourths of the county). The general
direction of the rivers of Hertfordshire is from north-west to south-east,
and this corresponds with the slope of that portion of the county which
is on the Upper Chalk. This generally forms an inclined plane, sloping
downwards, with an inclination roughly coinciding with the dip or line
of bedding of the Chalk, from the Chiltern Hills on the north-west to
the valley of the Colne on the south, and that part of the valley of the
1 'On the Chalk Rock,' Quart. Journ. Geol. Sac., vol. xvii. p. 166 (1861).
2 'Notes on the Chalk Rock,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. v. pp. 192-202 (1889).
3 ' The Mollusca of the Chalk Rock,' Quart. Journ. Geol. Sac., vol. lii. pp. 68-98
(1896) ; vol. liii. pp. 377-404 (1897).
9
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Lea which extends from Hatfield to Hoddesdon on the south-east.
Into this inclined plain the valleys have been cut, for the hills of this
part of Hertfordshire ' are not ridges elevated above the general level of
the surface ; but appear to be such only when viewed from the valleys
of the rivers, whose waters have cut and furrowed deeply below the
general level.' 1 Here and there these rivers have cut through the super-
ficial deposits and the Upper Chalk into the Middle Chalk, exposing
the Chalk Rock, which may thus be seen in the Bulbourn Valley as far
south as Rough Down near Boxmoor.
There are a few exceptions to the almost uniform slight dip of the
Chalk towards the south-east. South of Royston the dip is reversed, a
line of flexure having been traced for a distance of five miles along the
escarpment. In the Memoir on Sheet 47 of the Geological Survey 2
there are sketches of chalk-pits north of Barkway and on Reed Hill,
showing a dip at about the junction of the Middle and Upper Chalk
which gradually increases from zero to as much as 60 to the north.
This appears to be merely a local disturbance, and the conjecture may
be hazarded that it may have been caused by undermining resulting
from the erosion of lower beds of the Chalk along the face of the escarp-
ment. Other flexures in the Chalk will be noticed in the account of the
Eocene beds when treating of the outliers and inliers to which they
appear to have given rise.
The Upper Chalk is a very permeable bed, and wherever it comes
to the surface it forms a dry porous subsoil. Only about 300 feet of
the lower portion of it are present in Hertfordshire. While the highest
beds were being deposited elsewhere, this part of England was probably
above the sea ; but the Chalk which has been deposited here has under-
gone an immense amount of waste, continuous from its final if not
from its first upheaval from the sea to the present time, and still going
on. There may, however, have been a time when the Chalk, or at least
the Upper Chalk, was entirely covered as it still is in the south-east of
the county, by the Tertiary beds, the clays of which would protect its sur-
face to some extent from disintegration. The great waste which it has
undergone is due, more perhaps than to actual denudation, to the gradual
dissolving of the carbonate of lime by water holding in solution carbonic
acid (or carbon dioxide) derived from the air or from decaying vegetable
matter. By this chemical action, which is continually going on, the
flints and insoluble clay in the chalk are left on its surface, and form
a deposit called ' clay-with-flints.' This covers a considerable area of
the Upper Chalk, chiefly in the western part of the county. By the
same chemical action also the so-called 'pipes' are formed, lines of
weakness in the Chalk allowing of the more rapid percolation of water
in certain places. Wherever it is not covered by an impermeable bed of
clay, these c pipes ' occur, and as their funnel-shaped mouths are some-
times of considerable extent, they give a very uneven surface to the
1 Coleman, Flora Hertfordiensis, p. xxxi. (1849).
* Geology of the North-west part of Essex and the North-east part of Herts, p. 8 (1878).
IO
GEOLOGY
Chalk, and alter the character of the surface-soil. There are better
examples of such ' pipes ' in the Harefield chalk-pits just across our
county boundary, in Middlesex, than anywhere in Hertfordshire, but
fine examples have at various times been seen in the cuttings of the
three main railway lines which pass through the county ; nearly all are,
however, now grassed over.
While the Lower and Middle Chalk frequently have but a thin
covering of surface-soil, chiefly owing to their outcrop being usually in
escarpments formed by comparatively recent denudation and having a
steep slope, the Upper Chalk seldom comes to the surface except quite
in the valleys where it and the superficial deposits upon it are subject to
the erosive action of our existing rivers. While ' clay-with-flints ' pre-
dominates on the west in the Colne district there are also, on high as
well as low ground, thick beds of gravel and sand, formed either by
glacial or river action. But on the east in the Lea district the Chalk
is almost entirely covered with boulder-clay, except where the rivers
have cut through this clay, exposing beneath it the glacial gravels and
sometimes the Chalk.
The close of the Cretaceous epoch must have been marked by
considerable changes in the distribution of land and sea. Great Britain
during the deposition of the Chalk was but an archipelago, the islands
of which it was composed existing only west of a line running north and
south from the extreme north of England to Somerset and Devon. East
of this line all was sea, deepening eastwards ; west of it our present
mountains in Scotland, Ireland, the English Lake district, and North
and South Wales, with the highest land in Devon, were islands of small
size, except in Scotland ; there was open sea to the south, extending
over the north of France, but north of Scotland there was land, where
is now a deep sea. It was not, however, from the denudation of this
northern continent that the Chalk was formed ; it was built up by the
animals which lived in the Cretaceous sea animals most of which were
of microscopic size. The larger fossils which we now find in the Chalk,
numerous though they are in some places, formed but a minute fraction
of the number of living creatures which teemed in those deep seas
or sported on the surface. The great mass of the Chalk consists of
Foraminifera (Globerigina, etc.), and other microscopic Rhizopoda, or
rather of their calcareous shells or siliceous external skeletons, either
whole or reduced to fragments. It was minute creatures such as these
which built up nearly the whole of the groundwork of our county,
living and dying until their remains accumulated to a thickness of at
least 800 feet.
The land then rose, the western archipelago becoming a continent,
and the sea covering only the midland, eastern, and southern counties of
England as far west as Devon, and of course including in its depths the
whole of Hertfordshire.
The break between the Secondary or Mesozoic period and the
Tertiary or older Cainozoic period is the most important of any in
ii
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Europe, being a very decided physical as well as pateontological one.
In both Cretaceous and Eocene strata the most abundant fossils are
Mollusca, but the Protozoa, Rhizopoda, Crustacea, and Polyzoa which
abounded in the Cretaceous seas were very sparsely represented in Eocene
times ; on the other hand there were but few Cretaceous plants and no
Cretaceous mammals, while plants, and especially Dicotyledons, are fairly
well represented in Eocene strata, and the Tertiary era has been termed
the Age of Mammals. The break however is not so much in the classes
of plants or animals represented as in the fact that not a single species
passes from Secondary to Tertiary rocks, indicating an enormous lapse of
time, with perhaps a complete change of conditions. Physically the
difference in the strata consists in the fact that hard, distinctly-bedded
rocks, and especially those of a calcareous nature, cease with but few
exceptions at the close of the Secondary period, giving place in the
Tertiary to clays, sands, and gravels.
This great break is very well marked in Hertfordshire, for we have
neither the highest beds of the Chalk nor the lowest of the Eocenes.
There are higher beds of the Chalk, though not the highest known, and
lower Eocene beds, south of London than we have here. As the
Cretaceous sea must have been continuous north and south of London,
the inference is that our Chalk must have suffered a greater amount of
denudation than that of Surrey, Sussex, Hants, and Kent. That much
erosive action has taken place is proved by the great irregularity of the
surface of the Chalk in this county and by the enormous quantity of
flints and therefore great thickness of strata which must have been re-
moved to form the sands and pebble-beds of the Reading Series. The
Woolwich and Reading Beds are of two types : in the one, best represented
in the Woolwich district, loamy beds with many fossils prevail ; in the
other, or Reading type, the beds are more pebbly and sandy, with but
few fossils, and it is a significant fact that a greater denudation of the
Chalk has taken place where the Reading type is present, as in Hertford-
shire, than where the beds are of the Woolwich type, as in Kent. In
our area the term ' Woolwich ' is dropped because we have no beds of
that type.
Although such a long interval elapsed of which we have no record,
it does not appear that any earth-movements except subsidence then
took place within our area, the eroded surface of the Chalk, although
uneven, having been approximately horizontal when the earliest Eocene
beds were deposited upon it. When the Chalk is covered by a bed of
sand through which water can percolate, there is on its surface a layer of
unworn green-coated flints usually considered to form the base of the
Thanet Sands, but it should rather be regarded as a reconstructed
Cretaceous bed, for the formation is not due to the deposition of sedi-
ment, the layer of flints being merely the insoluble residue of the Chalk,
and its formation being a process probably continuous from or even
before the upheaval of the Chalk to the present time. Why this layer
seems to form the base of the Thanet Sands is due to the nature rather
12
GEOLOGY
than the age of that formation, for it is also present when sands of the
Reading Beds rest upon the Chalk, as in the Bushey chalk-pit near
Watford.
When fully developed, as in Kent, the Thanet Sands are 50 or 60
feet thick, but they thin out under London to 20 feet, and are only
known to occur in Hertfordshire from their presence in the Cheshunt
boring, where their thickness is reduced to about 10 feet and they consist
of grey and black sand. 1 They are of marine origin.
South-east of a line preserving a general north-east and south-west
trend, but very irregular, crossing the Lea and Colne districts from a
point about half a mile south of Stocking Pelham near Bishop Stortford
to Woodcock Hill near Rickmansworth, the Chalk is overlaid by the
Reading Beds and London Clay, the escarpment of which follows, at a
distance varying from less than a quarter of a mile to a mile and a half,
the river Ash downwards from Furneaux Pelham to Amwell Magna, the
river Lea upwards from Hoddesdon to Hatfield, and the river Colne
downwards from North Mimms to Harefield. Of the Reading Beds
there is normally a narrow outcrop along this line, wider in the east than
in the west owing to the difference in the slope of the ground ; and the
London Clay reposes upon them, forming a range of hills along its
escarpment generally from about 300 to 400 feet in height, and, at its
highest point, Stanmore Common, between Watford and Elstree, rising
to 500 feet.
The Reading Beds are represented in Hertfordshire by a very
variable series of sands, mottled clays, and pebble-beds, there usually
being at their junction with the Chalk the layer of green-coated flints
already mentioned. They are here of estuarine origin, thus differing
from all the formations already considered, which are of marine origin.
From their small thickness, which varies from about 25 to 40 feet, and
the usually rather steep slope of the ground at their outcrop, they do not
occupy any great extent of country, and in most places have but little
effect upon the surface-soil. Where their sands and clays predominate
and get mixed with the London Clay, the soil is usually fertile, but
where their beds of rounded flint-pebbles are much developed, as in the
neighbourhood of Hatfield and North Mimms, the soil is particularly
sterile. At Radlett and near North Mimms the principal pebble-bed is
consolidated by a silicious cement into a conglomerate, well known as the
Hertfordshire conglomerate or ' plum-pudding stone.' Although it is
only known to occur with certainty in situ in this part of Hertfordshire
at the present time, it has probably at some former period had a much
greater extent, for masses of the conglomerate are strewn here and there
nearly all over the county, and are also found beyond it. In a gravel-pit
north of St. Albans there are large unwaterworn masses of it apparently
but little disturbed from their original position, for they seem to form
part of too extensive a bed to have been shifted horizontally ; indeed, in
1 Whitaker and Jukes-Browne, ' On Deep Borings,' etc., Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. 1.
(50), p. 508 (1894).
13
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
most places where there is a large unwaterworn mass it has probably
been merely let down into its present position by the removal by denuda-
tion of the softer strata beneath it. Large boulders of this rock are
frequently found in our rivers, and one such was dredged up from the
Ver and erected on the green opposite Kingsbury, St. Albans, in 1887,
as the Victoria Jubilee memorial of the village of St. Michaels.
The Reading Beds are cut into and their sands and clays are worked
in many of our brickfields. Good sections may be seen in the brick-
fields near Harefield, at Bushey, in Hatfield Park, and in others along
their line of outcrop. Their sands are frequently cross-bedded, indicating
shifting currents. They are so very variable that it is impossible to
construct a general section. In some places, for instance, there is a thick
bed of pure white sand which is altogether absent in others.
Of the London Clay only the lower portion is represented ; the
basement-bed of brown sandy clay with layers of flint-pebbles, which
varies from about 6 to 1 2 feet in thickness, and is perhaps more truly a
passage-bed between the Reading Beds and the London Clay than an
integral member of the latter ; and a few feet of the lower portion of the
true London Clay. This is here a stiff clay rather brown than blue in
colour, appearing when freshly cut somewhat like the blue clay under
London when that has been exposed for some time. The London Clay
is usually capped on the highest points only by a pebble-gravel of Lower
Glacial or of pre-Glacial age, in either case the remnant of a bed of
gravel once of great extent. Elsewhere it is generally uncovered by
superficial deposits, but in the valley of the Stort it is overlaid by chalky
boulder-clay. Except in the valley of the Lea below Hoddesdon, where
there are sandy loams and low-lying peaty marshes, and also where it is
capped by pebble-gravel, the surface-soil upon it is a clay.
The area over which the Eocene beds extend presents a marked
contrast to the Cretaceous area. Its soils, its agriculture, and its flora are
of an essentially Middlesex type. In the Colne and Brent districts it
forms grass-lands devoted to hay-farming and grazing, interspersed with
woods chiefly of oak, ash, elm, and fir trees ; in the Lea district, on the
south, owing to the rich alluvial soil, nurseries and market-gardens pre-
dominate ; while on the east, owing to the covering of boulder-clay, the
land is chiefly under arable culture, partaking of the character of the corn-
growing districts of the adjoining county of Essex.
Outliers of the Eocene beds are spread over a considerable area of the
Upper Chalk, but there is not one to be seen beyond its limits. Most
of these outliers extend in an irregular line which is roughly parallel
with the line of outcrop of the main mass with which they have at one
time been continuous. As a general rule the larger outliers are towards
the north-east, and as they decrease in extent towards the south-west they
become more scattered. The largest of these outliers occupies an area
of 3! square miles between Braughing and Much Hadham, and consists
only of the Reading Beds ; the Colliers End and Sacombe outliers, of less
extent, follow near together, the latter of Reading Beds only, the former
M
GEOLOGY
with London Clay also ; then, at a little greater distance from the main
mass, there is an outlier between Bennington and Watton, followed by a
larger outlier on which Datchworth is situated, and a smaller at Ayot,
these two being in the general direction, and the three having London
Clay over the Reading Beds. All these are in the river-basin of the
Lea, and their united area is about twelve square miles. In the Colne
river-basin there is first an outlier at St. Peter's, St. Albans; there are
three small outliers near together at Leverstock Green, Bedmond, and
Abbot's Langley, the first of these being beyond the general line ; three
small outliers near Sarratt follow ; and there is a small one near Chorley
Wood, Rickmansworth. Most of the outliers in the Colne river-basin
are of the Reading Beds only, and their united area is about three
square miles.
For some distance this string of outliers roughly coincides with a
tolerably well-marked ridge of hills stretching from Watton south-west-
ward by Welwyn, Sandridge, and St. Albans, where it exceeds 400 feet
in height, to Hemel Hempstead. This ridge probably indicates a line
of flexure in the Chalk, which, while dipping elsewhere in a regular
manner from the Chiltern Hills towards London, is slightly depressed
along this line. The Eocene beds upon it may have thus been let down
below the plane of denudation, allowing patches of them to be preserved.
Their clays being better able to resist subsequent sub-aerial denudation
than the surrounding chalk, which also is constantly being chemically
dissolved, by the gradual wearing down of the surface of the Chalk they
would in course of time be left as hills.
These outliers completely change the character of the soil overlying
the Chalk district. Some appear as well-wooded eminences on which the
oak and elm flourish best ; others, chiefly where the sands of the Reading
Beds are more developed than their clays, or where the London Clay
upon them is capped by pebble-gravel, are sandy, gorse-covered com-
mons. Nearly all are worked for brick-making.
Far away to the north-west there are three very small outliers of the
Reading Beds, of three or four acres each, following each other in a line
from near Kensworth to Berkhamsted Common, the last of these only
being in Hertfordshire. The presence of these outliers is important as
showing the former great extent of the Eocene Beds, of which they
furnish more conclusive evidence than do the boulders of Hertfordshire
conglomerate which are found at even a greater distance from their
parent bed.
To another line of flexure an uprise of the Chalk the existence
of a series of inliers in the London-Clay area is probably due. Inliers
are patches of lower beds exposed by the removal of the higher strata
which once covered them. In Hertfordshire the Reading Beds are thus
exposed beneath the London Clay in two inliers between Cough's Oak
and Northaw, and if this presumed line of flexure be continued parallel
with the outcrop of the Reading Beds into Middlesex, an inlier will be
met with extending from Pinner, past Ruislip, to just beyond Ickenham.
15
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
At the inlier half a mile north-east of Northaw the Reading Beds are cut
through as well as the London Clay, and the Chalk is laid bare, showing
an anticlinal axis, or axis of elevation. The Chalk hill on which Wind-
sor Castle is situated is an inlier on the same line of flexure, but that is
some distance from our county.
The Eocene beds of Hertfordshire form part of the north-western
margin of the London Tertiary Basin, usually designated ' The London
Basin ' only, but it is not strictly speaking a basin. It is a shallow
trough running nearly east and west, and tilted up slightly towards the
west, thus giving it the form of a wedge with the apex on the west. It
may be inferred from the lines of flexure which pass through the county
that the slight crumpling of the strata which took place after the de-
position of these beds, affecting them as well as the Chalk beneath them,
was due to lateral pressure exerted from the north-west or the south-east,
which might either be caused by shrinkage of the earth from its loss of
internal heat, or by volcanic activity, or by both these actions combined.
This shrinkage is continually going on, and has been in progress ever
since the earth commenced to be formed into a sphere of molten matter
from its original incandescent nebulous state. It is the chief initial cause
of volcanic outbursts, and we know that such outbursts occurred in the
British Isles on the close of the Eocene period, that is in Oligocene
and Miocene times. It is not improbable therefore that these flexures
were caused by pressure from the north-west during the period when
volcanoes were pouring out lavas and throwing out ashes upon the
Chalk and older rocks of the north-east of Ireland and the west coast
and western islands of Scotland.
How soon after the close of the Lower Eocene period Hertford-
shire was upheaved from beneath the sea we do not know, for what
remains of the London Clay may be but a small fragment of the strata
which have been deposited in our area and removed by denudation.
The proximity of outliers of the Lower Bagshot Beds, as on Harrow
Hill, indicates that the southern portion of the county, if not the whole,
continued beneath the sea until at least the commencement of Middle
Eocene times, but it may have risen before the end of the Eocene epoch,
and have been dry land while the fluvio-marine (Oligocene) series of
southern Hampshire was in course of formation, continuing to be a
land-surface during Miocene and Pliocene times. In that case its surface
would then have become greatly diversified by sub-aerial denudation,
under perhaps a tropical rainfall ; but it was shortly to be subjected to
the levelling action of a great sheet of ice.
The fossils of the London Clay indicate a tropical climate, and the
climate continued tropical or sub-tropical during Middle and Upper
Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene times. It then became cooler, and during
the long interval which elapsed between the close of the Miocene and
the commencement of the Pliocene period it reached the temperate
stage, the molluscan fauna of the earliest Crag deposits being similar to
that at present inhabiting the Mediterranean. Britain then stood high
16
GEOLOGY
above the sea ; no German Ocean and no English Channel then existed ;
and animals were free to roam and plants to spread across the land which
connected our country both on the south and on the east with the con-
tinent of Europe. A period of gradual depression followed, the cold at
the same time increasing, and during Pliocene times at first temperate
and then boreal or arctic Mollusca teemed in the shallow seas and
estuaries of the eastern counties, while remains of Mammalia, in grad-
ually increasing quantities, were brought down by rivers from adjacent
land. In all probability there then roamed over our county animals of
the same species as those whose remains we thus find in the Crag (a
Suffolk term for a shelly gravel or sand), but there is no evidence that
our rivers flowed in that direction and contributed their sediments to
any of the existing Crag strata. It is more probable that the rivers of
Hertfordshire then flowed to the north, and removed thence vast quan-
tities of Cretaceous and Tertiary strata, cutting off our Chalk from that
of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and commencing to form the Chalk
escarpment across the north-western margin of the county, its present
features being due to subsequent erosion by the springs which form the
sources of the Great Ouse.
What was the cause of this gradual refrigeration of our climate,
culminating in the Glacial epoch, has given rise to a vast amount of
controversy. This is not the place to discuss it, but it may be mentioned
that, without bringing in cosmical changes, a very great alteration in
climate might be produced by a different distribution of land and sea.
A deflection of the Gulf Stream which might be brought about by
changes in the distribution of land so far off as the continent of America,
might at any time give to our islands almost an arctic climate.
It is necessary to look a little beyond our boundaries, for the student
of Hertfordshire geology alone might be justified in assuming that there
was a great gap between the Tertiary and Quaternary epochs, the greater
part of the Eocene and the whole of the Oligocene, Miocene, and Plio-
cene deposits being unrepresented in our county ; but in the eastern counties
there is an almost unbroken sequence between the two, the Forest-Bed
series, which is the newest of the Pliocene deposits, passing upwards
almost imperceptibly into the oldest of the Pleistocene strata. The
justification for the change of name from Tertiary to Quaternary lies
more in the alteration in the nature of the deposits than in any decided
physical or palasontological break, for we have no longer to deal with
regularly stratified beds which can easily be correlated over wide areas.
In the Pleistocene period marine gravels were being formed at one
place while rivers were accumulating gravel of somewhat similar com-
position in another not far distant ; mud was being deposited in the
estuary of a river while on the sea-shore near it the wind was piling up
heaps of sand, as in the present day. This great diversity of operations
carried on at the same time makes the study of the Pleistocene period
one of great difficulty, and our chief authorities vary greatly in their
views. Much of the following attempt to show how this period is
i 17 c
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
represented in our county must therefore be considered as open to con-
troversy and liable to modification from future research.
The Quaternary era is usually divided into two periods, Pleistocene
or Post-Pliocene, and Recent, the Pleistocene being equivalent to the
Glacial period, and being divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper
Glacial, and the Recent period being divided into Prehistoric and His-
toric. 'The oldest Pleistocene gravels in Hertfordshire and the south of
England generally are however of pre-Glacial age ; the Till or Lower
Glacial boulder-clay is not represented here ; and later in the Pleisto-
cene period arctic conditions did not prevail uninterruptedly.
Our two chief beds of gravel Professor T. McKenny Hughes long
ago distinguished as ' Gravels of the Upper Plain ' and ' Gravels of the
Lower Plain,' the former being the older of the two, and having been
deposited by the sea which levelled the county into a plain of which
we now see the remnants in the highest ground of the area of the
London Clay. 1
These older gravels have been investigated by several other geo-
logists, and especially by the late Sir Joseph Prestwich, 2 who has given
to the greater part of them the name ' Westleton Shingle,' separating
under the term 'Southern Drift' the gravel which caps our most
southern London Clay hills and also occurs south of the Thames, this
being considered of earlier formation than the pebble-gravel of
Westleton and the eastern counties generally. The largest patch we
have of this oldest shingle-gravel spreads over Stanmore Heath from
Little Bushey to Bentley Priory at a height of 400 to 450 feet, and
there are smaller patches on the hill between Pinner and Watford, and
east of Stanmore on Elstree and Brockley hills, nowhere less than 380
nor more than 450 feet in height. The great ice-sheet of Norway and
Britain, approaching from the north-east, does not appear to have
extended farther to the south than these hills, but it is more probable
that this was due to the melting of the ice than that the hills, or the
range or plateau of which they then formed a part, created a barrier
against its further progress. According to the views of Professor Hughes
they are the remnants of an extensive plain which then existed, having
been formed into hills by subsequent erosion of valleys on the north and
on the south.
A little to the north of these hills are others capped by true Westle-
ton Shingle. All these are Tertiary hills, either forming a part of the
London Basin, in which case the shingle rests directly on the London
Clay, or being outliers of Reading Beds with or without London Clay.
We have no Westleton Shingle lying directly on the Chalk, which seems
to show that the erosion of the Tertiaries from the surface of the Chalk
had not taken place when this marine pebble-gravel was deposited. Mr.
1 ' On the Two Plains of Hertfordshire and their Gravels,' Quart. Journ. Geol. Sac.,
vol. xxiv. p. 283 (1868).
8 In three papers on the Westleton Beds read before the Geological Society, Quart. Journ.
Geol. Sac., vol. xlvi. pp. 84-119, 120-154, and 155-181 (1890).
18
GEOLOGY
Whitaker gives expression to the same view from other evidence when
he says : ' From its occurrence on the tops of the hills, whilst the
Middle Glacial gravel often lies at their base or on their flanks, it would
seem that the pebble-gravel is the older of the two, and was deposited
long before those hills were cut into their present form a process
which must have been somewhat advanced before the other gravel was
laid down.' ]
The Westleton Shingle caps the London Clay hills between Hat-
field and Hertford Heath, where they form a conspicuous range between
320 and 380 feet high, and rests on the London Clay at Shenley Hill
towards the south-west. Most of the Tertiary outliers, whether of
Reading Beds and London Clay or of Reading Beds alone, are also
capped by this shingle. It may be well seen on the Reading outlier at
Bernard's Heath, St. Albans (406 feet), where it is from 8 to 10 feet
thick, and on the Reading and London Clay outliers of Ayot Green
(406 feet) and Datchworth (407 feet). At a lower level it caps the
outliers of Collier's End (348 feet), and Sacombe Green, north of Ware
(362 feet), and at a much higher level the small outlier at Bennett's End
near Hemel Hempstead (465 feet), which is partly covered by brick-
earth. On the borders of Hertfordshire and Middlesex the Westleton
Shingle rests on the London Clay ridge which extends from Potter's
Bar to Bell Bar (380 to 400 feet), and a little to the west caps the London
Clay in Mimms Wood, a mile and a half north of South Mimms (400
feet). Within a mile of our border the Reading and London Clay
outlier of Tyler's Hill or Cowcroft has a small capping of this shingle at
a height of about 600 feet above sea-level, and much farther to the
south-west, on what was once an outlying portion of our county, the
shingle caps the Tertiary outlier of Penn near Beaconsfield, at the same
elevation. It is thus seen that the Westleton Shingle generally occurs
at a higher level as we proceed from east to west, showing that the
existing elevation of the land in that direction took place after its
deposition. This inference would not follow with Glacial deposits which
may have been dropped from icebergs, and occur at very different
levels.
Nearly all our London Clay hills and Tertiary outliers are thus seen
to be capped by gravels of pre-Glacial age, remnants of a bed once of
great extent. Although at one time a continuous sheet, the Westleton
Shingle varies much in its composition at different places, but the
greater part of it in our district is composed of well-rounded Tertiary
flint-pebbles ; white quartz-pebbles and subangular flints come next in
different proportions, but together usually about equal in quantity to the
flint-pebbles, and the rest consists of subangular fragments of chert and
ragstone of Lower Greensand age, and pebbles of white and yellow
quartzite, Lydian stone, etc., with a few old-rock pebbles.
In the foregoing description of the hill-gravels of the south of
1 Guide to the Geology of London, yA -d. p. 57 (1880).
19
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Hertfordshire the views of Sir Joseph Prestwich have been adopted, but
it should be mentioned that they are not universally accepted. The
correlation of these gravels with the Westleton Shjngle of Westleton has
been disputed, and Mr. Clement Reid 1 now believes that the Stanmore
gravel ' presents all the characteristics of an Eocene deposit.' He also
remarks that ' It now seems doubtful whether outside the glaciated area
any plateau gravels (i.e. gravels more than about 150 feet above the
Thames) are to be found that are not either of Eocene age or derived
wholly from Eocene deposits at a higher level.' A gravel derived from
Eocene deposits may be of Westleton or any age subsequent to Eocene,
but the higher the level the older is the gravel likely to be, and Prest-
wich considered the 'southern drift' of Stanmore Heath to be older than
the Westleton Shingle.
After the deposition of this high-level shingle, which, with the
Tertiary strata beneath it, then extended at least nearly to the edge of
the present escarpment of the Chalk, the land gradually rose and the
cold gradually increased until arctic conditions prevailed. A great ice-
sheet spread over the Scandinavian peninsula and crept southwards over
northern Britain, covering the whole of Scotland and nearly the whole
of Ireland and the north of England, and extending over the Midland
and Eastern counties including nearly the whole of Hertfordshire.
Here it planed off the Chalk, cut away the Tertiaries, and carried off
most of the Westleton Shingle, devastating the county as far south as
the hills of Brockley, Elstree, and Stanmore. At the period of its
greatest advance the ice-sheet terminated just north of these hills ;
snow-fields rested on the highest points in North Wales, Ireland, and
northern Britain, glaciers descending from them and adding their quota
to the field of ice ; and here and there where evidence of ice-action is
wanting there appears to have been an exposed surface of land. Eng-
land was then joined to the continent of Europe, perhaps only between
Kent and Normandy except by means of the ice-sheet on the north, the
English Channel even then dividing the south of England from Brittany,
while the Atlantic Ocean existed on the west.
The climate becoming milder, the ice-sheet receded, and as the ice
melted, liberating a vast volume of water, the resulting rivers took its
place as a denuding agent, excavating the valleys of the Colne and Lea.
It was also probably soon after the retreat of the ice-sheet that, with a
very heavy rainfall, the greatest deepening of the valleys of the Thames
and Ouse took place, and the present general features of the escarpment
of the Chalk were impressed upon it, but in quite a different manner
from that in which the Tertiary escarpment was formed.
The Chalk escarpment has been and is still being cut back by
the springs which issue from the Totternhoe Stone at its base, mostly
at right angles with the strike of the Chalk ; the cutting back of the
Tertiary escarpment is effected by the rivers which flow along its foot
1 Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey for 1899, p. 140 (1900).
20
GEOLOGY
nearly parallel with the strike of the rocks (Chalk and Tertiaries).
The Lea was then probably flowing off the high land of which the
remnant still left is now known as part of the Chiltern Hills ; between
Hatfield and Ware it has followed the trend of the Tertiary escarpment,
cutting it back ; and at Amwell it has cut through this escarpment.
It would appear that a vast amount of denudation must have taken
place on the north-west of the present range of the Chilterns in this
district since the Lea commenced to flow towards the south-east, for its
source must then have been very much higher than it is now, other-
wise it would have flowed in the opposite direction ; but whether this
so-called ' Luton gap ' was caused by river- or ice-action is uncertain.
The river which takes the name of Ver above Bricket Wood Common
and of Colne below it, flowed from the same hills near Kensworth, but
only from the south-east, not the north-west side of the present range,
and meeting with the Tertiaries south of St. Albans has almost ever
since been eating back the Tertiary escarpment past Watford and Rick-
mansworth, increasing its steepness, and at Harefield it has cut through
it. The chief tributaries of these rivers also flowed from the Chilterns
and helped forward their erosive work, especially at the points of
juncture. Although some of the main features of the county may date
from Pliocene or even Miocene times, when its surface may have been
even more diversified than it is at present, there can be little doubt
but that many of those features were much modified over the greater
part of the area during Lower Glacial times, and that it is only to
the period immediately following the recession of the great ice-sheet
that we can with certainty trace back the origin of our present river-
valleys in the Chalk, the rivers then flowing at a higher level than they
do now, but in the same general direction.
The land then sank and the sea gradually encroached upon it, the
extent of the submergence being much greater in the north than in
the south of Britain. In the Lake district of Cumberland stratified
gravels of this period are found 1,600 feet above the level of the sea,
and on Moel Tryfaen in North Wales there were then deposited sands
and gravels since raised 1,350 feet, containing shells of species of Mol-
lusca still living in the seas around Britain. There is a similar assem-
blage at Macclesfield 1,200 feet above the sea, and from the height at
which the flint-gravel sand, and clay of this the Middle Glacial period
are found in the south of England we may infer that Hertfordshire was
depressed at least 500 feet below its present level. During this period
of greatest submergence in Pleistocene times the British Islands formed
a scattered archipelago ; the highest mountains of the north of Scotland
were the only islands with their summits above the snow-line, for with
the submergence the climate became milder, this period being an in-
terglacial one ; and in Hertfordshire portions of the Chiltern Hills
appeared as islands probably nowhere exceeding 200 feet in height.
These Middle Glacial gravels are the ' Gravels of the Lower Plain '
first described by Professor Hughes. They vary much in composition
21
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
and arrangement, and contain many sub-angular flints and some un-
broken and almost unworn ones, with drifted Oolitic and Liassic fossils,
chiefly gryphasas and belemnites, and echinoderms and other fossils de-
rived from the Chalk. Much false-bedded sand also often occurs, and
sometimes a bed of loam or clay. ' These deposits are exposed and
may be examined in nearly all the valleys south of the Chalk escarp-
ment. They may be seen in the railway-cutting north of Hatfield, and
in a pit on the hill-side east of Horn's Mill. They can be traced all
along the hill-side from that place to Hatfield, near Cole Green station,
and south of the Mimram near Tewin. In the road-cutting south of
Broad Oak End Farm, and along the west side of the Beane between
that place and Hertford, some boulder-clay, with glaciated stones,
occurs at the base of the gravels. In the gravel-pits near Ware, some
finely-laminated brick-earth, belonging to the Mid-glacial series, is seen
to be folded and crumpled up and then covered by horizontal beds in
the way usually ascribed to ice-action. At Camp's Hill there is also
a brick-earth in the Mid-glacial beds, beneath which bones of reindeer,
mammoth, and rhinoceros have been found. Mr. S. V. Wood found
at Stevenage, in the brick-earths intercalated in the Middle Glacial
series, several specimens of Ostrea edulis, a non-arctic shell . . . the
only instance of [contemporaneous] fossils being found in the Mid-
glacial of the county.' ' The Middle Glacial beds are thus seen to be
widely spread over the county, and to be very variable in their origin
as well as in their nature.
Possibly the prevailing impression with regard to this period does
not quite accord with the facts, the term Interglacial which has been
applied to it being to some extent misleading. Although the only con-
temporaneous fossils known indicate a temperate climate, there are in-
dications that the seas of the period were not free from icebergs. The
(so-called) ' foreign rocks ' found in our Mid-glacial gravels, which must
have been carried a great distance from the north, being fragments of
much older rocks than occur in Hertfordshire, and the fossils derived
from distant formations, indicate some other transporting agent than
rivers or ocean-currents, while the presence of local patches of boulder-
clay with glaciated stones, confirms the view that ice-action was not
entirely absent. A temperate climate is not incompatible with the
occasional presence of icebergs drifting from the north ; but the more
likely explanation of the anomaly is that this period was one of long
duration, generally cold but with mild intervals when a temperate
molluscan fauna migrated to the seas of the British archipelago from
the warmer southern waters. Such milder intervals would be most
likely to occur when the depression of the land was greatest, and the
1 Elsden, 'The Post-Tertiary Deposits of Hertfordshire,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist.
Sac., vol. i. p. 105 (1881). Prestwich has recorded the finding of pieces of the tooth and
tusk of an elephant in gravel, which he believed to pass under the boulder-clay, at Bricket
Wood near Watford, but there is some doubt as to the position of this gravel. Geologist, vol.
i. p. 241 (1858).
22
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
OROGRAPK
45'
3O
2"
10'
REFERENCE NOTE
above 800 feet
600 to 800 feet
400 to 600 feet
200 to 400 feet
100 to 200 feet
nelow 100 feet
3O'
THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF
VL MAP.
ill Wymiucllcy n.iii,, i:r-...-n l.i.-i i.i.h.ill ' &' i:r.\ Tl^tVltn^''' .;i- str -'j'\^^
COUNTI ES OF ENGLAND
County Boundary shown thus
GEOLOGY
only evidence in our county of such a mild interval is the presence of
Ostrea edulis where the land must have been submerged at least 300
feet, for Stevenage now stands higher than that above sea-level.
The land rose and the cold increased ; the snow-line gradually
extended southward from the northern islands of Scotland to the south
of Ireland and South Wales ; and glaciers descended from the snow-
fields and ploughed up the land at least as far south as the Chalk of the
eastern counties. The debris was deposited in the depths of the valleys
and on the slopes of the hills, and even up to the top of the escarpment
of the Chalk, as on Reed Hill near Royston, but none is to be seen on
the higher part of the escarpment towards the west, which would then
be an island in the Glacial sea. This is but one of many views which
are held as to the conditions under which the ' great chalky boulder-
clay ' was deposited, and it seems to be the most likely, but it has been
well said : ' Where, as is too often the case with Glacial deposits, there
is room for much diversity of opinion, geologists fully avail themselves of
it. Hence it is best to picture the Glacial period in a general way,
and to admit that glaciers and ice-sheets, icebergs and coast-ice, have all
had their share in the production of the phenomena, although we cannot
always localize their action. 1
The Upper Glacial boulder-clay (Middle Glacial of S. V. Wood)
is generally known as the ' great chalky boulder-clay,' owing to the
numerous boulders of chalk which it contains. It is usually a rather
dark bluish-grey calcareous clay, containing chalk in all forms ground
up with it, as small pellets or pebbles, and in all gradations of size up to
very large masses, most of the larger chalk boulders being so hard as to
have preserved, with the protection afforded by the clay in which they
are imbedded, the scratches and grooves made by contact with harder
rocks whilst they were being carried along imbedded in ice, this being
the meaning of the somewhat misleading term 'ice-grooved rocks.'
Imbedded in the boulder-clay are also many chalk-flints ; boulders from
various formations, chiefly of rocks of Jurassic age, but also of much
older and more distant strata, such as Carboniferous Limestone, deeply
ice-grooved ; pebbles of quartz and small boulders of granite derived
from formations still more distant both in time and space ; and fossils
derived chiefly from the Lias and Oxford Clay. No fossils contempora-
neous with its formation have been found in it.
Boulder-clay is spread over the greater part of north-east Hert-
fordshire as a continuous bed except where it has been cut through by
the rivers ; it covers most of the higher ground in the centre of the
county where the rivers have cut more deeply into it than on the east ;
and the most south-westerly patch is at Bricket Wood between St.
Albans and Watford. Sections of it may be seen there and at Little
Berkhamsted, Bayford, Hertford Heath, Buntingford and several other
places.
1 H. B. Woodward, The Geology of England and Wales, and ed. p. 486 (1887).
23
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
It is evident that boulder-clay once filled up most of our valleys
as well as covered all but our highest hills. In the east of the county
the sources of our rivers are upon it ; the rivers then cut through it in
places into the Chalk ; and lower down their valleys the boulder-clay
has been completely cut through by them, exposing the underlying
Glacial gravel and sand.
After the deposition of the boulder-clay the land again rose, but not
for some time to its present level, the old shore-lines which pass through
the southern counties, where they have left their mark in beach-shingle
and sea-cliffs, being evidences of successive elevations of the land, at one
time up to 140 feet below its present level, and subsequently to within a
few feet of it. 1 The shingle-beaches at various levels indicate pauses in
the upheaval, and by the time the sea had receded (or rather the land had
risen) so far as to form a shingle-beach at least 100 feet higher than
that now forming on our coasts, the arctic climate had given place to
one milder than that which now prevails.
This period of upheaval marks the time when marine gravels finally
ceased to be formed above the present sea-level, giving place to estuarine,
alluvial, and lacustrine deposits. An instructive example of the latter is
the ancient Hitchin lake-bed, for the most complete knowledge of which
we are indebted to Mr. Clement Reid, 8 although it has also been
investigated by Sir John Evans, Mr. William Hill, Mr. William Ransom,
and other Hertfordshire geologists and archsologists ; for the formation
of this lake-bed and the overlying deposits embraces the period during
which the study of geology gives place to that of archasology, bringing
Man upon the scene.
The alluvial or lacustrine deposits known as the Hitchin lake-bed
lie in a channel or trough running nearly north and south, which appears
to have been excavated, or re-excavated, after the deposition of the
boulder-clay, the geological position of the lake-bed being between the
great chalky boulder-clay, representing the close of the Glacial period in
this neighbourhood, and the brick-earth in which Palasolithic flint
implements are of frequent occurrence. The deposit is very variable in
character, consisting of sandy, marly, and loamy beds, white, yellow,
brown, and black, sometimes, from the abundance of decomposed plant-
remains, even forming a lignite. It contains the teeth and bones of
several mammals and fishes, remains of a few insects, the shells of many
molluscs, the leaves and seeds of numerous flowering plants, several mosses,
and a few charas. Most of the species still exist with us, but all the
mammals have long been extinct in Britain in a wild state, and two,
the mammoth and woolly rhinoceros, are altogether extinct. Their
remains have all been found in a whitish marly silt which occurs locally
above the deposits from which all the other fossils have been obtained.
On this silt rests the Paleolithic brick-earth, which until recently yielded
1 Clement Reid, Victoria History of Hampshire, vol. i. p. 23.
' The Paleolithic Deposits at Hitchin and their relation to the Glacial Epoch,' Prac.
Royal Soc., vol. Ixi. p. 40 (1897) ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., vol. x. p. 14 (1898).
24
GEOLOGY
here the earliest traces of man ; but since the lake-bed was visited by Mr.
Clement Reid a few species of mammals have been added to his list and
a few flint implements have been found associated with them in this silt.
It therefore seems probable that primaeval man lived on the shores of this
lake and there fashioned his rude implements of flint, but we cannot be
certain that this was the period of his arrival in Britain. We do not find
the remains of man in these deposits, but only the results of his handiwork
in rudely-chipped flints. If, therefore, man existed in Britain before he
became a tool-maker we should have no trace of such existence.
In a somewhat similar situation near Caddington Mr. Worthington
Smith has found a workshop of Palaeolithic flint implements ; he has
found the cores from which chips have been struck, and he has found the
chips struck ofF them and pieced them together again. Here there are
also other indications of human habitation, and, as at Hitchin, by the
side of a lake.
With the advent of man the geological record ceases and the
archaeological begins, but there are other superficial deposits which have
not yet been noticed. Such are the detritus of existing rivers, whether
gravel or alluvium, sometimes much higher than their present level,
showing how deep they have cut down their beds ; and accumulations
of peat resulting from vegetable growth on boggy land.
There are also deposits to which no definite age can be assigned,
in addition to those of which the age is a subject of controversy. The
formation of ' pipes ' in the Chalk has been going on ever since the Chalk
was raised above sea-level and water percolated into it ; and ever since the
Tertiary beds were removed from the surface of the Chalk, that surface
where exposed has been ' weathered ' into clay-with-flints, this bed,
which covers much of the Chalk in western Hertfordshire, being the
result of surface-disintegration of chalk. Much of our brick-earth has
also been forming for an indefinite period.
A brief summary may now be given of the foregoing attempt to
trace the history of Hertfordshire before the advent of man, from which
period the story will be continued by Sir John Evans.
The scene opens with a deep sea in which a calcareous deposit was
forming a sea teeming with the abundant life which characterized the
Upper Silurian period. The nearest land-surface was a plateau of
Cambrian rocks in the centre of England, the sea extending on the south
to western France, where it washed a shore of Cambrian and Lower
Silurian rocks. The sea-bed rose, and the calcareous mud, consolidated
into shale and limestone, became crumpled up into folds running east and
west, and on the southern flank of one of these folds there was sea in
Upper Devonian times, also replete with life. This sea-bed rising, its
sediment, consolidated into shale, remained for long ages a ridge of
land stretching across Middlesex and the south of Hertfordshire, the
highest part of this land being the Silurian hills on the north. Further
crumpling or folding in nearly the same direction as before affected
this Devono-Silurian tract so that the portion of it which has been dis-
25
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
covered nearly 1,000 feet beneath the surface in south-east Herts has
the Devonian rock tilted 25 from the horizontal, and the Silurian
about 40. Whilst great changes in the relative distribution of land
and sea were taking place elsewhere in Britain during Carboniferous,
Permian, Triassic, and earlier Jurassic times, we have no evidence that
this tract sank entirely beneath the sea until we come to the Upper
Cretaceous period ; but the submergence of its north-western flanks began
in Upper Jurassic times ; in Lower Cretaceous the sea had reached
almost to its highest point ; and it was entirely submerged during the
whole of the Upper Cretaceous period, except perhaps towards the close
of the deposition of the Chalk. Whether it was a land-area whilst the
higher beds of the Upper Chalk were forming in the south of England,
and still later whilst the Maestricht Beds of Germany were being
deposited, we have no evidence to decide, but we do know that a vast
amount of chalk has been carried away. Most probably it is the higher
beds of the English Chalk only which have been removed by denudation,
Hertfordshire, with the rest of the British region, being above the sea
when the Maestricht Chalk was deposited.
In early Eocene times Hertfordshire was again beneath the sea,
but not at first deeply submerged. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and the
north and extreme west of England formed parts of a land-area from
which sediment was brought down by rivers flowing towards the west,
and for a time the climate was tropical. As the land again rose the
climate became temperate, and in the Miocene period there was much
volcanic activity in the north-west of Britain which probably caused some
disturbance of the strata in our area. In the Pliocene period the county
was apparently subjected to a vast amount of sub-aerial denudation, and
then the sea encroached upon it and its diversified surface was levelled to
a considerable extent into a plain of marine denudation. With the next
rise of the land the climate became of arctic severity and a great ice-
sheet came from the north as far as the range of London Clay hills, still
further levelling the land by its erosive action. Submergence followed,
and the climate became milder, but only to again become arctic with
partial emergence. As the land continued to rise however, and the
surface began to assume its present aspect, the climate gradually became
temperate, and the most important event of all in the history of the county
came to pass the advent of man by migration from the south. It
was at about this time also that England was finally severed from the
continent of Europe by the formation of the Straits of Dover. The
rainfall then was heavy, much of our present land was under water, our
rivers rose higher up their valleys and were often in flood, streams ran
down our present dry valleys or combes, and most of the county
was densely wooded. Man then, probably naked and living much in
trees by the margins of lakes or swamps, had to contend with the wild
beasts for existence with no other weapons than such as might be made
by chipping one flint with another; or perhaps to seek safety first in
climbing trees, and then, gaining some insight into constructive art, by
26
GEOLOGY
driving piles into the beds of lakes and building his dwellings upon them.
By this time he began to take a pride in chipping his flint weapons more
carefully than was necessary for the use to which they were put, and
then, with infinite patience, finely polishing them.
At this stage Geology merges into Pre-historic Archaeology. 1
HYDRO-GEOLOGY
The Chalk is our great water-bearing stratum ; firstly owing to its
pervious nature, the whole of it being permeable, but its permeability or
water-bearing capacity decreasing towards its base ; and secondly because
the water contained in it is held up by the Gault clay on which it rests,
the Upper Greensand, which usually in other districts separates these
two formations, either being absent or reduced to a thin bed. The
permeable Chalk and the underlying impermeable Gault dip from north-
west to south-east, the gradient being at least 60 feet to the mile in the
north-west and 30 feet to the mile in the south-east. The inclination of
our valleys, and consequently of our rivers and of the surface of the
underground water in the Chalk, is less than this, varying from about 24
feet to the mile in the north-west to about 12 feet to the mile in the
south-east. In each valley the plane of permanent saturation in the
Chalk, whilst sloping downwards along the course of the river, or
longitudinally, with an inclination at least equal to that of the river,
also slopes downwards to the river from the limit of its watershed above
its source and on either side, or transversely, with an inclination less,
and usually much less, than that of the sides and head of the valley.
Water therefore stands lowest in the Chalk along the rivers, wherever
there are springs which feed the rivers, or where the plane of saturation
is artificially lowered by the water being pumped up from wells, or,
generally speaking, wherever there is an outlet for it, and highest along
the water-partings of the various catchment-basins, but not always
exactly along them, for wherever there is a large abstraction of water
from the Chalk, the plane of saturation must be lowered and the sub-
terranean basin enlarged, causing the water-parting underground to recede
beyond the water-parting above ground.
Nearly all our rivers derive most of their supply of water from the
Chalk, instead of from surface-drainage as do rivers flowing over clay or
other impermeable strata, and therefore they are not dependent upon a
continuous rainfall, but throughout almost the whole of the year mainly
upon the rain which falls during the winter months. From experiments
with percolation-gauges at Nash Mills near Hemel Hempstead, and at
Lea Bridge, it has been ascertained that in the six summer months about
6 per cent, of the rain which falls finds its way through three feet of soil
or chalk with grass growing on the surface, and in the six winter months
1 The author desires to express his indebtedness to Sir John Evans, Mr. Richard
Lydekker and Mr. H. B. Woodward for their kindness in reading the proof of this article.
27
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
about 46 per cent., these figures being the average results of a soil- and
a chalk-gauge at Nash Mills and a soil-gauge at Lea Bridge, and the
greatest difference between the average values given by either of the
three gauges being 2 per cent, in the summer and 3 per cent, in the
winter. The average annual percolation is therefore 26 per cent, of the
rainfall. Assuming the average annual rainfall in Hertfordshire to be 26
inches, this being the average for half a century ending 1892, and also
that this is equally divided between summer and winter, which it is very
nearly, we have 0-78 inch percolating in the summer and 5-98 inches in
the winter, giving an annual percolation of 6*76 inches. The difference
between the summer and the winter percolation is due to so much of the
rain being evaporated and absorbed by vegetation in the summer. It
cannot be said that the whole of the water which goes down three feet
into the soil reaches the plane of saturation, but the moisture which is
brought up from a greater depth by absorption into the roots of trees or
by capillary action cannot be so great as to materially affect these figures.
It might be thought that our rivers would be highest in the winter
and lowest in the summer, but such is not the case. Owing to the
slowness of the percolation the surface of the plane of saturation rises
for a considerable time after the rain has fallen, and consequently our
rivers have in them the greatest volume of water in the spring and the
least in the autumn.
To the amount of rain which percolates through the Chalk should
be added that which runs off the surface of the impermeable strata. It
is very difficult to form any estimate of this. There must be much more
evaporation from the surface of impermeable beds than from the surface
of permeable beds, for wherever water stands it must be exposed much
longer to evaporating influences than when it sinks beneath the surface.
If it be assumed that impermeable beds yield with ordinary or not very
heavy rainfall, half the amount of water that permeable beds do, we shall
probably be very near the mark.
The yield of the catchment-basins of the two principal rivers of
Hertfordshire, the Colne and the Lea, is a question of much importance
in connection with the water-supply of London. It would occupy too
much space to go fully into this matter here, and for a detailed exami-
nation of it reference should be made to a paper by the present writer. 1
It has there been shown that, irrespective of our county boundary, the
area of permeable strata in the basin of the Colne above Harefield is
about 148 square miles and of impermeable strata about 87 square miles,
and that the area of permeable strata in the basin of the Lea above
Feilde's Weir is about 224 square miles and of impermeable strata about
1 86 square miles ; also that the probable yield from percolation through
the Chalk is about 45 million gallons per diem in the Colne basin and
54 million in the Lea basin, and from water running off the surface of
impermeable beds about 1 2^ million gallons per diem in the Colne basin
1 Hopkinson, ' Hertfordshire Rainfall, Percolation, and Evaporation,' Trans. Herts Nat,
Hist. Soc., vol. ix. pp. 33-72, pi. i. (1896).
28
GEOLOGY
and 20^ in the Lea basin, giving a total average yield for the two basins
of about 132 million gallons of water per diem. Also that in three
successive years the average annual supply from these two catchment-
basins may be from 35 to 40 per cent, less than this average, and in six
successive years about 25 per cent. less. In the same paper the inference
is drawn that too much water is being taken by the New River and East
London Water Companies from the basin of the Lea for the welfare of
our county, and that the same would be the case in the basin of the
Colne if water were supplied to London from near Harefield as has been
proposed. That the plane of saturation in the valley of the Lea is being
unduly lowered artificially, which can only be by excessive pumping
from the deep wells of these companies, is shown by the following table
which gives the average rainfall in Hertfordshire and average flow of the
Chadwell Spring near Ware for twenty-four years in six-yearly periods,
with ratios to the rainfall of 1842 to 1899 (April to March), and to
3,600,000 gallons per diem as the accepted mean flow of the spring up
to at least the year 1874. The last column shows how the flow is
rapidly decreasing in relation to the annual rainfall.
RAINFALL IN HERTFORDSHIRE AND FLOW OF THE CHADWELL
SPRING COMPARED
Hertfordshire Mean Rainfall
Spring
Period
Flow of
to
Chadwell Spring
Rain-
Summer
Winter
Year
fall
ins.
ratio
ins.
ratio
ins.
ratio
gals, per diem
ratio
ratio
1875-81
16-85
129
H'57
I II
31-42
I2O
3,640,000
101
84
1881-87
12-77
9 8
14-71
112
27-48
105
3,073,000
85
81
1887-93
13-10
IOO
12-07
92
25-17
9 6
2,644,000
73
76
1893-99
11-15
85
13-52
103
24-67
94
2,056,000
57
61
Some of our rivers vary greatly throughout the year, and from one
year to another, in the position of their source. After a winter of heavy
rainfall the inclination of the plane of saturation in the Chalk is raised,
and cuts the bed of the river near the head of its valley ; but after a
winter of small rainfall, and in the summer and to a greater extent in the
autumn, the inclination of this plane is less, and cuts the bed of the
river some distance down its valley ; and wherever the plane of satura-
tion rises into or cuts a river-bed on the permeable Chalk, there is the
source of the river for the time being. The Ver is a good example of
these variable rivers, in some years rising above Markyate Street, and in
others below Redbourn.
Rivers which are called ' bournes ' are merely extreme instances of
this phenomenon. Such rivers only flow occasionally after a very heavy
rainfall, and especially when a wet winter is preceded by a prolonged
wet period. They usually begin to flow in the spring, as soon as the
rain has had time to percolate through the Chalk to its plane of satura-
29
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
tion and to raise this plane to a steeper inclination than that of the
bottom of their usually dry valleys, this frequently happening some time
after all heavy rain has ceased ; they cease to flow when they have
conveyed away a sufficient quantity of water to reduce the level of the
plane of saturation to that of their beds. Our Hertfordshire Bourne 1 is
a tributary of the Bulbourne, into which it flows, occasionally, at Bourne
End, a small hamlet about half-way between Berkhamsted and Boxmoor.
It sometimes has its source about four miles up its valley, and it has been
known to run in such a powerful stream as to overflow the usually dry
culvert under the road at Bourne End, and to flood this road. The
Bourne flowed about once in every seven years between 1852 and 1873,
and about once every alternate year from 1873 to 1883. It has only
flowed since then in 1897, after an interval of quiescence of fourteen
years. On each of these occasions the mean rainfall in Hertfordshire for
the twelve months ending 3151 March of the year of flow exceeded 30
inches.
The ' bourne,' if such it may be called, which occasionally forms
the source of the Colne, is one of a very different kind. For a certain
distance it flows over the London Clay and therefore always runs with or
after rain, but where it leaves this impervious bed for the Chalk it usually
ends, at least on the surface, giving to that place the name of ' Waterend.'
It disappears in a ' swallow-hole ' in the Chalk. If this cannot take it
all there is another ready a little farther on, and so on as far as the
swallow-holes at Potterells near North Mimms. Seldom does any water
get beyond these great chasms, down one of which at least a man might
be carried ; but sometimes they cannot take it all, not because they have
not sufficient capacity, but because they are full owing to the plane of
saturation having risen in the Chalk up to their capacious mouths. Then
there is a flood, the river forms a lake hiding the swallow-holes from
view, and the bed of the Colne, dry for some distance below this point
year after year, is unable to carry off all the water, its banks overflowing,
submerging the meadows, and rendering some of the roads between
Colney Heath and Smallford impassable. The water which sinks into
these swallow-holes is probably conveyed in channels in the Chalk into
the lower part of the valley of the Lea, for that would be its direction if
it follows the dip of the Chalk. There are several interesting questions
connected with this phenomenon which have been discussed elsewhere. 2
We have also many valleys, sometimes several miles in extent, down
which rivers have not been known to run in historic times. Such dry
valleys are merely elongated Chalk combes. They were probably
formed when the impermeable Tertiary beds extended over the permeable
1 Evans, 'The Hertfordshire Bourne,' Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. i. p. 137
(1877) ; Littleboy, 'The River Bourne,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. ii. p. 237 (1883);
Hopkinson, ' The Chadwell Spring and the Hertfordshire Bourne,' op. cit. vol. x. p. 69 (1899).
The above explanation of the flowing of the Bourne is from the paper by Sir John Evans.
8 Hopkinson, 'The River Colne and the Swallow-holes at Potterells,' Trans. Herts.
Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. vi. p. xxix. (1892).
30
GEOLOGY
Cretaceous, at which time a great part of the rainfall would collect on
the clay and form into streams which would cut deep channels in it and
through it into the underlying Chalk, instead of a small part of the rain
percolating through the Chalk and the greater part evaporating or being
absorbed by vegetation, as at the present time ; or perhaps later, after the
Tertiaries had been removed, when the moister climate and consequent
higher plane of saturation of the Chalk would suffice, as under the
former supposition, to cause rivers to flow in our now dry valleys. But
since the removal of the Tertiaries by denudation, or the lowering of the
plane of saturation by the drier climate and the artificial abstraction of
water by means of wells sunk into the Chalk, these valleys have prob-
ably been and are still being deepened by the Chalk being dissolved and
carried away by percolation in the manner previously mentioned. In
some instances the plane of saturation occasionally rises to the bottom of
these valleys, when a little water may be found in them in places, as in
one near Watford on the west of The Grove and Cassiobury Park, but
as a rule the water-level in the Chalk is now permanently below the
lowest points in these valleys.
Under natural conditions in any Chalk area there must be a slight
tendency for the plane of saturation to become lower, owing to the loss
of internal heat by our earth allowing of water percolating further into
it, and to the gradual reduction in the rainfall from causes which need
not be considered here, but these are secular changes which must be
altogether imperceptible to us. The removal of the forests which once
covered most of our county was the first artificial aid which man, far
too prone to interfere with his Maker's provident arrangements for his
comfort and welfare, gave to the acceleration of this natural process ;
the deep drainage of the land followed, causing water to flow away more
rapidly, and thus giving it less time to sink into the Chalk ; but nothing
could possibly have a more prejudicial effect upon our enjoyment of the
country and upon such of our industries as are dependent upon a plenti-
ful water-supply, than the folly of which certain water companies are
guilty of taking water out of our underground Chalk reservoir more
rapidly than it flows into it. By thus emptying it from the bottom a
void is created which must be filled up from the top, and the certain
result follows that our watercress-beds, which should yield our most
valuable natural produce next to agriculture which is also prejudicially
affected, become dry, our water-power decreases, and our rivers cease to
flow in the higher part of their courses. The water companies are thus
continually adding to the extent, and may eventually add to the number,
of the dry valleys of Hertfordshire.
CLIMATE
SOME of the principal elements of the climate of Hertfordshire
may be ascertained by examining maps in a meteorological atlas,
such as the Meteorological Atlas of the British Islands issued by
the Meteorological Council, or the splendid Atlas of Meteorology
recently published which forms volume iii. of Bartholomew's Physical
Atlas. 1 Here for instance may be ascertained approximately the
monthly as well as the annual temperature and rainfall of the county,
with the advantage of easy comparison with the same elements of the
climate of other parts of the British Isles, of Europe, or of the world.
But climate is such a complex phenomenon that any views thus formed
must be wanting in definiteness. Not only have we to consider the
rainfall, temperature, humidity, amount of cloud, and direction of the
wind, but also the nature of the soil, the extent of water, of woods, of
barren heaths and cultivated land, and the presence or absence of manu-
facturing districts.
More than three centuries ago Norden said of Hertfordshire : ' The
ayre for the most part is very salutarie, and in regard thereof many
sweete and pleasant dwellinges, healthfull by nature and profitable by
arte and Industrie, are planted there.' 2 Sixty-five years later Fuller
remarked : ' It is the garden of England for delight, and men commonly
say that such who buy a house in Hertfordshire pay two years' purchase
for the aire thereof.' 3 Thus the salubrity of Hertfordshire had by then
become proverbial, and the county is certainly favoured from a hygienic
point of view, having a dry soil, being hilly though not mountainous,
with a great extent of surface considerably elevated above sea-level, being
well watered with numerous rivers deriving their supply chiefly from
springs in the Chalk, and therefore pure, being well wooded, having
many parks and country seats, a fair proportion of uncultivated land
forming gorse-covered commons, and wide stretches of grass on each
side of many of its roads (roadside wastes), and also by the absence of
manufacturing towns. There is no industry which interferes with the
purity of the air, and the only manufacturing process by which the
rivers are contaminated is that of paper-making. There are several
1 The Physical Atlas, byj. G. Bartholomew, F.R.G.S. (London: Archibald Constable
& Co., Ltd.). In progress.
! The Description of Hartfordshire, p. 2 (1597).
3 The Worthies of England, part 2, p. 17 (1662).
1 33 D
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
paper-mills in the valleys, and by the refuse carried into the rivers their
water is frequently rendered turbid and their fish have sometimes been
killed. This does not occur however to any great degree, and no better
gauge of the general purity of the rivers of Hertfordshire can be found
than the extent to which watercresses are cultivated. For them to
thrive the water must be clear, it must flow from gravel or chalk, and
there must be a constant gentle stream.
The chief elements of climate are rainfall and temperature. The
mean temperature of a district of small area compared with that of
the country in which it is situated is chiefly governed by its lateral or
geographical position, the mean rainfall by its vertical or orographical
position, both elements being greatly influenced by aspect. Thus a
slope facing south will generally be warmer and have a greater range of
temperature than a northern slope, and a slope facing west or south-west
will generally have a greater rainfall than an eastern or north-eastern
slope. The general south-eastern inclination of the surface of the county
is perhaps too slight to affect the temperature, but the rainfall is greatly
affected by the form of the ground, the southern and western hills at-
tracting the rain, which chiefly comes from the south-west, so greatly
that with a mean annual rainfall for the whole of the county of about
26 inches, there is a difference of 3! inches between the rainfall of the
river-basin of the Colne on the west and that of the river-basin of the
Lea on the east, the former having 28 inches and the latter 24! inches.
(The mean of these is 26^ inches but that is reduced to 26 inches by
the disparity of area, the Lea basin being much larger than the Colne.)
There have been published annually in the Transactions of the Hert-
fordshire Natural History Society some of the results of observations taken
at five meteorological stations during the twelve years 1887 to 1898.
It is believed that this period is a sufficiently long one, and that the
stations are sufficiently numerous and widely-distributed, for the results
of the observations to be of value in enabling us to arrive at a knowledge
of the chief elements of the climate of the county except the rainfall.
To deduce the average rainfall over an area of 630 square miles, and to
form an idea of the extremes, five stations are inadequate, and the
period of twelve years is much too short. Although therefore the
rainfall is tabulated from these observations, additional tables will be
given showing certain features of the rainfall at a much larger number of
stations for periods varying from thirty to sixty years.
The five meteorological stations are Royston, Berkhamsted, St.
Albans, Bennington, and New Barnet, the first of these no longer exist-
ing. At all these stations observations have been taken in a uniform
manner with verified instruments similarly placed except as to the ex-
posure of the thermometers for ascertaining the temperature of the air
in the shade. At Bennington, St. Albans, and Berkhamsted the ther-
mometers are in ' Stevenson ' louvre-boarded screens in accordance with
the regulations of the Royal Meteorological Society ; at Royston and
New Barnet under ' Glaisher ' open screens as at most of the stations
34
CLIMATE
contributing to the Quarterly Weather Reports of the Registrar-General.
The ' Stevenson ' screen affords a complete protection from the effects
of radiation by which the thermometers under the ' Glaisher ' screen are
cooled below the temperature of the air at night, and of reflection by
which those in a ' Glaisher ' screen may be heated above the tempera-
ture of the air on sunshiny days. The result is that while the observa-
tions at Berkhamsted, St. Albans, and Bennington are strictly com-
parable, the greater range of temperature shown at Royston and New
Barnet is due, at least for the most part, to the exposure of the ther-
mometers and not to any actual excess in the range at these two
places. From experiments which have been made with the two kinds
of screens it appears that it is only in the range of temperature that they
give divergent results, the determination of the mean temperature not
being sensibly affected.
All the observations which are here utilized have been taken at 9
a.m., and entered to the day of observation, except the maximum tem-
perature and the rainfall which are entered to the previous day. The
regulation that the thermometers should be 4 feet above the ground and
over grass has in all cases been adhered to.
The position of the stations, and the names of the observers, etc.,
are as follows :
Royston (London Road). Latitude: 52 2' 34" N. Longitude:
o i' 8" W. Altitude : 301 feet. Observer : (the late) Hale Wor-
tham, F.R.Met.Soc. Rain-gauge 8 inches in diameter, rim 6 inches
above the ground. The observations were discontinued on the death of
the observer early in the year 1899. The instruments were on the east
side of, and not far from the house, the ground sloping down towards
the east, and the exposure being sufficiently open.
Berkbamsted (Rosebank}. Latitude: 51 45' 40" N. Longitude:
o 33' 30" W. Altitude : 400 feet. Observer : Edward Mawley, Sec.
R.Met.Soc. Rain-gauge 8 inches in diameter, rim i foot above the
ground. The instruments are some distance from the house on ground
sloping down towards the south-west, the situation being quite open.
There are numerous meteorological instruments, including several which
are self-recording, this being one of the most perfectly equipped meteoro-
logical observatories in this country.
St. Albans (The Grange}. Latitude: 51 45' 9" N. Longitude:
o 20' 7" W. Altitude : 380 feet. Observer : John Hopkinson, F.R.
Met.Soc. Rain-gauge 5 inches in diameter, rim i foot above the
ground. Full particulars of this station, a very open situation, with a
complete record of the observations from 1887 to 1896, have been
given by the observer in a paper on ' The Climate of St. Albans ' in
the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society (vol. ix. pp.
215-228). The observations were discontinued here early in the year
1900 owing to the removal of the observer from St. Albans to Wat-
ford. They are continued at the Hertfordshire County Museum, St.
Albans, to which institution the thermometers, thermometer-screen, and
35
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
rain-gauge have been presented, with the object of securing the per-
manence of the station.
Bennlngton (Bennington House). Latitude : 51 53' 45" N. Longi-
tude : o 5' 20" W. Altitude : 407 feet. Observer : Rev. J. D.
Parker, LL.D., F.R.Met.Soc. Rain-gauge 5 inches in diameter, rim
i foot above the ground. The instruments are a considerable dis-
tance from the house and in a very exposed situation on the high
ground overlooking a great extent of undulating country on the north
and east. The situation is a very fine one and admirably adapted for
showing what is the climate of the Chalk hills of the north of the
county. There are numerous meteorological instruments.
New Barnet (Gas Works). Latitude : 51 38' 5" N. Longitude :
o 10' 15" W. Altitude: 212 feet. Observer: T. H. Martin,
M.Inst.C.E. Rain-gauge 8 inches in diameter, rim i foot above
the ground. The instruments are near the office of the Barnet Gas
Company, apparently in a rather damp situation. Although not an
ideal one for the purpose, it well represents the London Clay district
on the north of London. This is the only Hertfordshire meteorological
station which is not on the Chalk.
There is not one of the home counties which is better supplied,
for its area, with meteorological stations than is Hertfordshire, not-
withstanding the discontinuance of the Royston station, and the obser-
vatories are wide apart, and represent hill and valley, and chalky,
gravelly, and clayey soils.
Tables I. to IV. give some of the results of observations taken at
these five stations during the twelve years 188710 1898. The annual
means, with extremes of temperature, are given in Table I. The
mean temperature of 48*3 is very little departed from at any station,
Royston only showing a greater departure than 0*3. It is remarkable
that this, the most northern station, should have a mean temperature
o'7 higher than that of any of the other four places. There is a very
close agreement between the mean minimum (or night) temperature at
each station except New Barnet where it is i'9 below the mean of the
other four : this is probably due in part to the kind of screen used, but
chiefly to the low position and the nature of the subsoil, London Clay,
which retains moisture and induces ground-fogs by which the air is
rendered colder at night than it would be in a higher position and on
a drier stratum. The clay is however here capped by a thin stratum
of gravel. The mean maximum (or day) temperatures are in still closer
agreement, the excess at Royston and New Barnet being fully accounted
for by the ' Glaisher ' stand being used at these two places. This, as
already mentioned, accounts for the greater range of temperature at
Royston and New Barnet than at Berkhamsted, St. Albans, and Ben-
nington. The only other point in this table calling for remark is the
small number of rainy days registered at New Barnet owing to the omis-
sion of the measurement of small falls of rain and snow, but this does not
affect the amount registered.
36
CLIMATE
TABLE I
RESULTS OF CLIMATOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR EACH STATION, 1887-0
Temperature of the Air
Hu-
Rain
Stations
Means
Extremes
midity
Cloud,
Mean
Min.
Max.
Range
Min.
Max.
Per
O IO
Amount
Days
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
cent.
ins.
Royston .
49-0
40-8
57-1
16-3
3'5
93-0
83
6-7
22-21
161
Berkhamsted
48-1
40-3
55-8
15-5
7'5
91-0
82
7-2
25-60
I 7 6
St. Albans . .
48-3
41-1
55'4
14-3
IO-I
91-0
82
6-7
26-OO
181
Bennington .
48-0
40-7
55'3
14-6
9'5
90-9
81
7'3
23-89
182
New Barnet
48-1
38-8
57'5
18-7
I'O
94'5
83
6-2
2373
139
County .
48-3
40-3
56-2
15-9
i-o
94'5
82
6-7
24-29
168
Tables II., III., and IV. give the means at these five stations of the
same elements of climate (air-temperature, humidity, cloud, and rain),
with the extremes of temperature, for each of the twelve years, for the
average of the twelve years in each season and in each month, and the
annual results for the whole period, which of course are the same as in
the first table. It will be seen that the second half of this period was
much warmer than the first half, had a greater range of temperature,
both mean daily and absolute, a drier air, a little brighter sky, and a
rather smaller rainfall.
TABLE II
RESULTS OF CLIMATOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR EACH YEAR, 1887-98
Temperature of the Air
Hu-
Rain
Year
Means
Extremes
midity
Cloud,
Mean
Min.
Max.
Range
Min.
Max.
Per
I-IO
Amount
Days
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
cent.
ins.
1887
47-0
38-9
SS'i
16-2
8-0
89-4
81
6-5
19-07
I$I
1888
47-0
39'9
54'i
14-2
14-6
86-5
85
7'4
24-94
!8 4
1889
47-8
40-5
55-2
147
12-7
85-0
85
7-0
27-09
179
1890
47'9
40-0
55-8
1.5-8
4-3
837
83
6-8
22-40
170
1891
47'5
397
55'3
I5 '6
7-5
83-4
84
6-7
28-58
187
1892
47-0
38-9
55-0
16-1
I I-O
86-0
82
6-S
25-02
1 66
1893
50-0
41-0
59-1
18-1
I2'O
94'5
78
6-0
22-28
152
1894
49-0
41-4
56-6
15-2
4-0
85-0
83
6-7
27-58
192
1895
48-1
39-6
56-6
17-0
I'D
86-9
81
6-5
24-08
150
1896
48-9
41-0
56-9
15-9
15-0
89-5
82
6-9
26-09
165
1897
49-1
4i-3
56-9
15-6
15-0
88-8
82
7-1
24-76
163
1898
50-2
42-0
58-3
16-3
16-0
91-8
81
6-9
19-57
i55
Mean .
48-3
4'3
56-2
15-9
IO'I
87-5
82
6-7
24-29
1 68
37
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
TABLE III
SEASONAL RESULTS OF CLIMATOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, 1887-98
Temperature of the Air
Hu-
Rain
Seasons
Means
Extremes
midity
Cloud,
Mean
Min.
Max.
Range
Min.
Max.
Per
O IO
Amount
Days
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
cent.
ins.
Spring . . .
46-6
37'5
55-6
18-1
9-0
86-6
79
6-5
5-03
39
Summer . . .
60-2
50-4
70-0
19-6
29-0
94'5
75
6-6
6-93
40
Autumn .
49-2
41-8
56-6
14-8
I5-0
91-8
86
6-6
7-29
45
Winter . . .
37-2
317
42-7
I I'O
1-0
65-3
89
7-2
5-04
44
TABLE IV
MONTHLY RESULTS OF CLIMATOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, 1887-98
Temperature of the Air
Hu-
Rain
Months
Means
Extremes
midity
Cloud,
Mean
Min.
Max.
Range
Min.
Max.
Per
O-IO
Amount
Days
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
deg.
cent.
ins.
January .
36-1
31-1
41-1
IO'O
4-0
59-8
9
7'5
62
16
February . .
377
31-5
43'8
I2'3
I'O
b5'3
7
7-0
'3 1
12
March .
41-2
33'4
49.0
I 5 -b
9-0
68-0
83
67
'95
15
April. . . .
46-2
36-7
557
19-0
17-8
82-9
?8
6-5
'3 1
12
May ....
52-3
42-4
62-2
19-8
2 I'O
86-6
75
6-3
77
12
June ....
59-0
48-8
69-3
20-5
29'O
90-0
75
6-6
73
II
July ....
6ro
SI'S
70-8
19-5
34'
90-3
74
67
2-54
14
August .
60-6
51-1
70-0
18-9
33"!
94'5
76
6-4
2-66
15
September .
56-6
47-6
657
18-1
2 S -8
91-8
82
6-0
1-91
12
October . . .
48-0
40-6
55'4
14-8
16-0
74'3
87
6-4
2-89
17
November .
43'
37'3
48-7
11-4
15-0
64-0
90
7'5
2-49
16
December .
37'9
32-5
43'2
107
4'3
59-0
90
7-1
2'II
16
Year. . . .
48-3
40-3
56-2
15-9
I'O
94'5
82
6-7
24-29
168
In dividing the year into seasons, March, April, and May are con-
sidered as spring ; June, July, and August as summer ; September,
October, and November as autumn ; and December, January, and
February as winter.
Autumn is warmer than spring by 2*6, almost entirely owing to
the colder nights in spring, but the excess of temperature of summer
over that of winter is much more due to the warm days in summer than
to the cold nights in winter. Spring is 9 '4 warmer than winter, and
summer is 13 -6 warmer than spring; autumn is ii'o colder than
summer, and winter is i2 - o colder than autumn. Thus the transition
from spring to summer is the greatest, and that from winter to spring is
the least. Autumn and winter are much more humid than spring and
summer, but the rainfall is much greater in summer and autumn than it
38
CLIMATE
is in winter and spring ; autumn and winter, however, have a greater
number of wet days than spring and summer.
January is on the average the coldest month, and July the warmest.
Assuming that the mean temperature of each month occurs about the
middle of the month, it would appear that the increase of temperature is
most rapid during the month of May, and that the decrease is most
rapid during September and October. In two months only, July and
August, has the temperature never been below freezing-point (32), and
in two months only, December and January, has it never exceeded 62.
Tables V., VI., and VII. give particulars of the rainfall for the
longest available period under each heading. A day of rain is one on
which at least o - oi in. of rain falls, any fall of 0-005 "* to ' OO 9 i n -
being considered as o'oi in.
TABLE V
MEAN AND EXTREME RAINFALL FOR 60 YEARS (1840-99)
Mean Rainfall
Extreme
TV/f .U
iviontfis
I station
2 stations
7 stations
I 2 stations
1 8 stations
20 stations
Mean
Min.
Max.
1 840-49
1850-59
1860-69
1870-79
1880-89
1890-99
1840-99
1854
1852
inches
inches
inches
inches
inches
inches
inches
inches
inches
January .
2'24
2'2O
2'8o
2- 5 8
171
8 1
2'22
1-68
4-85
February .
1-92
I-I9
i-6 7
1-82
1-95
'37
I-6 5
1-14
1-26
March
1-51
1-25
2-04
l-6 7
l- 5 8
82
I-6 5
28
'3 1
April .
i'S4
1-88
1-50
2'05
1-91
26
1-69
77
76
May . .
2-08
2-22
2-18
2-13
2'06
66
2'OD
3-58
2-14
June . .
171
2-06
2-39
2'34
1-99
79
2-05
8 5
4-28
July . .
2'12
3-I5
r86
2-64
2-74
2-39
2-48
1-72
3-94
August .
2-30
2-55
2-55
2'6o
1-92
2-75
2-44
r 7
3'93
September
2-45
2'OO
2-47
2-64
2-60
1-96
2-35
55
3-21
October .
3-34
3'22
2'39
2- 5 6
3-i8
3-09
2-96
2-33
4-06
November
2-85
2-23
2-10
2-76
2-84
2-56
2-56
i'37
6-27
December
176
i-55
2-16
2-18
2-26
2*32
2*04
i-53
2-58
Year . .
25-82
25-50
26-II
27-97
26-74
24-78
26-15
17-67
37-59
TABLE VI
MEAN NUMBER OF DAYS OF RAIN FOR 30 YEARS (1870-99)
Months
1870-79
1880-89
1 890-99
1870-99
Months
1870-79
1880-89
1890-99
1870-99
January .
16
H
16
15
July . .
'3
15
'3
14
February .
IS
'3
12
'3
August .
14
'3
15
H
March .
H
1 1
14
13
September
13
'3
12
*3
April . .
13
H
12
'3
October .
15
16
16
16
May . .
13
12
12
12
November
16
16
15
16
June . .
H
II
12
12
December
15
16
16
16
Year . .
171
164
165
167
39
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
TABLE VII
MEAN RAINFALL IN EACH DISTRICT, WITH ITS RELATION TO COUNTY MEAN
River District
1860-69
1870-79
1880-89
1890-99
inches
per cent.
inches
per cent.
inches
per cent.
inches
per cent.
Cam
: Rhee . . .
23-47
IO
23'55
-16
23.50
- 12
22-37
IO
Ivel
Hiz . . . .
23-89
-9
25-61
-8
25-27
-5
23-61
-5
Thame : Up. Thame
26-10
+ 5
r Bulbourne
29-2O
+ 12
31-00
+ ii
29-60
+ IO
25-94
+ 5
Gade . . .
26'29
+ I
28-59
+ 2
28-46
+ 6
25-87
+ 5
Colne{ Ver ...
27-45
+ 5
29-56
+ 6
28-44
+ 6
26-35
+ 6
1 Upper Colne .
24-64
=
v. Lower Colne .
27-63
i
30-98
+ 16
26-54
+ 7
' Mimram
25-58
-4
23-82
-4
Beane .
26-25
-6
24-61
/-,_ ,
Rib ....
25-04
-6
24-22
2
Lita
Ash ....
26-24
-6
25-98
-3
24-82
=
Upper Lea . .
25-OI
-4
27-10
-3
24-69
-8
23-11
-7
^ Lower Lea .
2 7 - 7 8
+ 4
23-65
-5
During the last half-century there have been falls of rain of at least
z\ inches in twenty-four hours on twelve occasions. On the lath of
July, 1889, such a fall occurred at eighteen stations out of thirty then
recording, and at least 3! inches at four of these. Falls of at least 3
inches have occurred on seven occasions, and of at least 3! inches on
30th June, 1878 ; I2th July, 1889, the day with the greatest average
rainfall at all stations ; and iyth July, 1890, the day with the greatest
fall of rain at any one station, viz. 4' 19 inches at Moor Park, Rick-
mansworth.
Two other elements of climate, viz., sunshine and wind, remain for
consideration, but can only be very briefly noticed. The following are
averages for the twelve years 1887-98 for wind at Berkhamsted, St.
Albans, and Bennington, and for sunshine at Berkhamsted only.
The prevailing direction of the wind is from S.W. (sixty-one days
in the year) to W. (sixty-two days), and the next most frequent winds
are N. to N.E. and S. (each about thirty-seven days). The least frequent
are S.E. (twenty-five days). About forty-four days in the year are re-
corded as calm. March is the most windy month, June the calmest.
The duration of bright sunshine is least in December and greatest
in May; December having rather more than an hour a day, and May
nearly six and a half hours. Throughout the year the sun shines
brightly for nearly four hours a day.
40
H
PALEONTOLOGY
ERTFORDSHIRE is a county singularly deficient in interest
so far as the palaeontology of vertebrated animals is concerned.
Not only does it lack any fauna of extinct vertebrates
peculiar to itself, but it is extremely poor in vertebrate
remains of any description ; its gravels being generally devoid of the
teeth and bones of the larger mammals, while very few remains of the
lower vertebrates appear to have been yielded (or at any rate recorded)
from the chalk of the county.
There is however one very notable exception as regards the fossils
of the chalk. This is an imperfect tooth of an iguanodont reptile from
the Totternhoe stone near Hitchin described by Mr. E. T. Newton 1
under the provisional designation of Iguanodon hilli. The iguanodons, it
may be observed, form a group of gigantic extinct reptiles which walked
exclusively on their three-toed hind limbs, and are specially characterized
by the peculiar structure of their teeth. These latter have serrated
margins and a sculptured external surface, and were adapted for a veget-
able diet, wearing down by use after the manner of those of herbivorous
mammals. The Hitchin specimen differs somewhat from the teeth of
Iguanodon mantelli from the Sussex Wealden in the sculpture of the outer
surface, and may possibly indicate a distinct generic type. It is of
especial interest as being the most modern iguanodont fossil hitherto
found in England ; while it has a local interest on account of being the
only vertebrate fossil hitherto described as peculiar to Hertfordshire.
If careful collecting of the fossils in the Hertfordshire chalk were
undertaken it is probable that examples of many of the commoner kinds
of Cretaceous fishes might be obtained. From the chalk of Tring the
British Museum possesses seven teeth of the Cretaceous ray, scientifically
known as Ptycbodus decurrens ; while the same collection likewise contains
a lower median tooth of the allied species, Pt. iatitsimus, from the chalk
of Hertford. Ptychodus teeth may be recognized by their quadrangular
form and ridged centre ; the margins of each tooth being minutely
pustulated. They were arranged so as to form a pavement in the mouth,
and were adapted to crush shellfish and crustaceans, like those of
modern skates and rays.
Four teeth from the London Clay of Hertford preserved in the
British Museum belong to a common Cretaceous shark, Odontaspis
elegans. A fragmentary bone from the London Clay of Watford has
1 Geo/ogical Magazine, decade iii. vol. viii. p. 49 (1892).
41
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
been assigned by Sir Richard Owen 1 to the Ungulate genus Hyraco-
therium, but the specimen has unfortunately been lost, so that the de-
termination cannot be verified.
As already mentioned, mammalian remains appear to be very scarce
in the gravels of the county. In 1858 however the late Sir J. Prest-
wich 2 recorded the occurrence of a molar and tusk of an elephant
(probably the mammoth) at Bricket Wood near Watford. And the
present writer has been shown antlers of the red deer (Cervus elaphus)
from a gravel bed at Haileybury, where other mammalian remains are
said to occur. As mentioned in the chapter on the geology of the
county, bones of the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), mammoth (Elepbas
primigenius], and woolly rhinoceros (Rhinoceros antiquitatis) have been
disinterred from beneath a bed of brickearth at Camp's Hill. Mr. J. V.
Elsden 3 also mentions that mammalian bones are occasionally met with
in the gravels near Essendon, Hatfield and St. Albans, although it does
not appear that the list of species met with has ever been worked out.
From the Hitchin lake-bed (see chapter on Geology) the following
mammals have been recorded by Mr. C. Reid, 4 viz., brown bear (Ursus
arctus), 6 Pleistocene horse (Equus caballus fossilis), woolly rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros antiquitatis} , 6 Pleistocene hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius
major], red deer (Cervus elaphus] and mammoth (Elepbas primigenius) . A
few other existing species were subsequently added 8 to this list, which
likewise includes several living kinds of fish, such as the perch, pike,
roach and tench.
It may be added that the coprolite-pits in the Cambridge Green-
sand at Ashwell have doubtless yielded some of the vertebrate remains
so common in those deposits in the adjacent counties, but it does not
appear that any record of such has ever been compiled.
1 front. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. i. p. 170 (1877).
8 Geofogilt, vol. i. p. 241.
* Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. i. p. 106 (1881).
* Proc. Royal Society, vol. Ixi. p. 44 (1897).
6 In these cases Mr. Reid did not determine the species, which are named on account of the
associated forms.
6 See Reid, Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. x. p. 14 (1898).
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
BOTANIC*
LIST OF BOTANICAL DISTRICTS
Based on the River Basins.
II. lael
til. Thame
IV. Colne
V. Brent
VI. Lea
<;^iA, *- A ir.?ij _ u . ' - . ^ .. ,
THE VI CTORIA HI STORY
DISTRICTS.
HE COUNTI ES OF ENGLAND
BOTANY
r~ ~^HE botany of Hertfordshire has been thoroughly investigated
with the exception of a few groups of cryptogamic plants, our
knowledge of the lichens and of some of the microscopic fungi
being the least extensive.
Two floras of the county have been published. The first, the Flora
Hertfordiensis of Webb and Coleman, which appeared in 1849, with
supplements in 1851 and 1859, is noteworthy as being the first flora in
which a county was divided into districts based upon the natural divisions
of river-basins, a method now almost universally adopted. It originated
in a list of local plants drawn up by the Rev. W. H. Coleman when
residing at Hertford in 1838, and most of the records are his, the Rev.
R. H. Webb, rector of Essendon, being responsible for the arrangement
and production of the work. On the death of Mr. Webb in 1879, the
botanical correspondence, manuscripts, and herbaria of Webb and Cole-
man, and Mr. Webb's botanical library, were presented by Mrs. Webb
to the Hertfordshire Natural History Society.
In 1874 Alfred Reginald Pryor commenced the preparation of a
new flora of Hertfordshire, working assiduously at it in the field and in
the study until his death in 1881, except when interrupted, as he
frequently was, by illness. He bequeathed to the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society his botanical library, manuscripts, and the sum of 100.
The result was that the society undertook the publication of Mr. Pryor's
unfinished flora, securing the services of Mr. B. Daydon Jackson, botani-
cal secretary of the Linnean Society, as editor. This work 1 forms the
basis of the present article. The classification and nomenclature, which
are in accordance with Nyman's Conspectus Florae Europeeee (187885),
have here been altered in order to conform as far as possible with Hooker's
Student's Flora of the British Islands (3rd ed. 1884). This has proved to
be a tedious operation, for Mr. Pryor worked with Babington's Manual,
and with Nyman's Conspectus as the successive parts of that work appeared,
and his views on nomenclature differed as widely as possible from those
of Sir Joseph Hooker. The forms which he considered to be distinct
species are here as a rule treated as such, but in the flowering plants
Hooker's names are in all cases adopted, Pryor's, when better known
or more generally used, being added within brackets.
1 A Flora of Hertfordshire, by the late Alfred Reginald Pryor, edited for the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society by Benjamin Daydon Jackson, with an Introduction on the Geology, Climate, Botanical
History, etc., of the County, by John Hopkinson and the Editor, pp. Iviii. 588 (London and
Hertford, 1887).
43
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PHANEROGAMIA
The most interesting questions to determine with regard to the
flowering plants of our county are how and when they were introduced,
and what changes have taken place, or are doing so, in the character of
the flora. It is essentially of a southern type, possessing but few northern
species, and these are ' mostly rarities and numerically quite insufficient
to modify the aspect of vegetation.' 1 To show what is meant by this
it is necessary to state that the flora of Britain is a derived one, having
originally been introduced from the continent of Europe somewhere
about the Glacial period, with many subsequent accessions. Most of
our commoner species have come from central Europe, whence they have
spread over the whole of the British Isles, some northern species having a
Scandinavian origin and some southern species having migrated from
France and Spain. It is these which greatly predominate over the
northern species in Hertfordshire.
The introduction of some of our existing species may date from
before the Glacial period, part of our small arctic flora may have been
introduced from the Scandinavian peninsula during this period, but by
far the greater number of our widely diffused plants appear to have
followed the retreat of the ice towards the close of the Glacial period,
migrating into this country from the great Germanic plain. Although
at that time the present main features of the surface of the county had
been impressed upon it, sub-aerial denudation has been actively going on
for the countless ages during which man has been upon the scene, and a
vast amount of material has been removed. But this erosion has been
effected by our existing rivers flowing in the same general direction as
they do now, though at higher and higher levels as we trace them back
in time. The flora of the county would not necessarily be thereby
affected, but it has doubtless been modified to some extent by the clearing
of forests and the draining of land.
Hertfordshire was undoubtedly much more densely wooded in past
times, even within the historic period, than it is now ; the sources of our
rivers were much higher ; streams ran down many valleys which are now
dry ; and early man had to seek the higher ground away from the
morasses which have left evidence of their former existence in beds of
peat, or perhaps as elsewhere to seek safety from the wild beasts which
prowled over the country by erecting his dwellings over lakes which
have long ceased to exist.
That the flora of Hertfordshire between the close of the Glacial
period and the advent of man was not widely different from what it is
at the present day may be gathered from the following list of flowering
plants determined by Mr. Clement Reid from the ancient lake-bed at
Hitchin : 2 Ranunculus aquatilis (aggregate), R. sceleratus, R. repens, Montia
1 Flora of Hertfordshire, p. 558.
'The Palaeolithic Deposits at Hitchin,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac. vol. x. pp. 18, 19 (1898).
44
BOTANY
fontana, Prunus spinosa, Poterium officinale, Pyrus torminalis (?), Hippuris
"vulgaris, Myriophyllum, Cornus sanguinea, Sambucus nigra, Eupatorium
cannabinum, Fraxinus excelsior, Menyantbes trifoliata, Lycopus europeeus,
Ajuga reptans, Alnus glutinosa, Quercus robur, Ceratopbyllum demersum,
Sparganium, Potamogeton crispus (and two other species of the genus),
Naias marina, Scirpus lacustris (and one other species), Carex. Several
species of Chara also occur.
Mr. Reid remarks : ' Such trees as the oak, ash, sloe, cornel, elder,
and alder point unmistakably to a temperate climate, and the fauna and
flora as a whole suggest climatic conditions not differing greatly from
those we now enjoy. . . . The occurrence of Naias marina, now only
found in Britain in two of the Norfolk Broads, is singular, though the
plant was evidently more common in former times than it is at the
present day.' This is the only plant on the list which is not now found
in the county, and with this exception the whole of the plants are
common or fairly common with us ; more than half the number are of
the generally diffused or British type, two (Pyrus torminalis and Naias
marina) are exclusively English, one (Cornus sanguinea) is nearly so, and
the rest are mainly British but more frequent in England than in the
rest of the British Isles. By ' exclusively English ' is meant confined to
England in Britain, for all are continental, and all but Naias marina,
which is a French and south German plant only, are widely diffused over
the continent.
There is one point of great interest in this assemblage of plants,
corroborating other evidence of the change which has taken place in our
climate. All the herbaceous species are hygrophilous or moisture-
loving, or actually water-plants, while one at least of the trees, the alder
(Alnus glutinosa} , grows only in wet places (on river-banks or in marshes).
Here we have an indication of very different conditions from those
which now prevail in the neighbourhood of Hitchin ; the lake, the swamp,
and the moist woods of this bygone period having given place to the dry
gravelly hills and open chalk downs which are so characteristic of the
north of Hertfordshire.
While climate has by far the greatest influence upon the distribu-
tion of plants, that exercised by geological formations is next in import-
ance, and it should not be overlooked that geological formations have an
influence upon climate. On a damp soil, especially in a well-wooded
district, more rain will fall than on a dry soil, which will naturally tend
to be a barren one. When the Reading Beds and London Clay extended
over the whole of Hertfordshire and perhaps the greater part of the
county was forest or swamp, the rainfall would be heavier and the
temperature would probably be lower than at a later time, when the
greater part of the clays and sands of these formations had been carried
away, exposing the chalk beneath them, and when beds of permeable
gravel were deposited upon both clay and chalk. The subsoil, originally
eugeogenous, that is abrading easily and yielding much detritus, would
give place to a subsoil of a dysgeogenous nature, that is disintegrating
45
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
with difficulty and yielding but a small detritus. The result would be
that hygrophiles or moisture-loving plants would be supplanted in the
struggle for existence by xerophiles or heat-loving plants which thrive
with a smaller amount of moisture. That is the principal change which
has taken place in our flora since the epoch of the Hitchin lake-bed
which immediately preceded the arrival of man in that district, and this
change is still going on, every bit of land which is drained and brought
under cultivation, and every drop of water abstracted from our under-
ground Chalk reservoir in excess of that which percolates into it,
hastening it on.
We have now scarcely any purely eugeogenous soils. Of the
eighteen botanical provinces into which Hewett Cottrell Watson, in his
Cybele Brifannica, divided Britain, Hertfordshire is in two, the Thames
and the Ouse, and each of these provinces comprises two geognostic types,
dysgeogenous and subeugeogenous. Much the greater part of the county
is in province 3, Thames; only a small portion in the north being in
province 4, Ouse. In the Thames province it is only a small portion of
the county, the London Clay area in the south, which is subeugeogenous ;
and in the Ouse province the very small area of the Gault Clay in the
extreme west which is subeugeogenous may be disregarded for any
practical purpose. Very much the greater portion of the county, in both
the Thames and the Ouse provinces, therefore partakes of the dysgeogenous
type of each of those provinces.
A list of 89 ' dysgeogenous species ' (xerophiles) of British flowering
plants and of 138 'eugeogenous species ' (hygrophiles) has been given by
John Gilbert Baker in a paper read before the British Association in
1855.* Of these we have in Hertfordshire 30 xerophiles, being about
33 per cent, of those enumerated by Mr. Baker, and only 10 hygrophiles,
or about 7 per cent, of the species which he enumerates. But this is
not all : our 30 xerophiles are comparatively common their relative
frequency in our six botanical districts may be expressed by the number
104 ; on the other hand our to hygrophiles are comparatively rare
their relative frequency in our botanical districts being represented by
the number 17. What is meant by this will be seen from the following
tables, which give the occurrence of each species in each of the six
botanical districts to be described presently. These lists might easily be
extended, but it is thought better only to include those species which are
enumerated by Mr. Baker.
In these and all other tables of flowering plants the sequence of
species is the same as in Sir J. D. Hooker's Students F/ora, and the names
adopted by him are used. In some cases the names used in Pryor's
Flora are added as synonyms.
1 ' The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Great Britain : an attempt to classify them according to
their geognostic relations' (1855). This paper, which was printed as a separate pamphlet, is mainly
based upon J. Thurmann's Essai de phytostatiyue . . . Jura . . . (Berne, 1849).
46
BOTANY
DYSGEOGENOUS SPECIES (XtropbUts)
g
j
o
"ftj
>
II
u
I
o
a
"3
U
+J
a
u
m
rt
u
h-1
is S
tt
, T-,
_
_
6
7
_
_
5
_
==
3
_
4
I
2
_
4
4
_
4
4
_
5
_
5
Cnicus (Cirsium) eriophorus, HofFm. .
-
-
-
3
5
5
=
2
Calamintha nepeta, Savi (sub-sp. Hooker) . .
Thesium linophyllum, L. (humifusum, DC.) .
-
3
2
4
I
2
_
5
Aceras anthropophora, R. Br
-
i
5
_
5
Herminium monorchis, R. Br
?
_
7
_
7
Brachypodium pinnaturti, Beauv
2
7
23
T 3
26
2
23
104
EUGEOGENOUS SPECIES (Hygrophilei)
8
O
0)
>
t-H
u
h
u
c
3
c
a
m
H
3
U-t S
O U
li
^i 13
Ranunculus circinatus, Sibth
4
Silene conica, L
Medicago falcata, L
Galium anglicum, Huds
Arnoseris pusilla, Gasrtn.
Chenopodium glaucum, L
Ceratophyllum demersum, L
4
Stratiotes aloides, L
2
Potamogeton acutifolius, Link
I
Carex paradoxa, \Villd
I
o
4
2
5
i
5
7
47
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Although the best division of a county for botanical purposes is
into river-basins, there are some characteristics of our flora which are
more prominently brought out by a lithological division. The Upper
Chalk occupies very much the greater part of Hertfordshire, with much
boulder-clay upon it in the east, and with clay-with-flints and gravel,
chiefly Glacial, in the west. These divisions coincide so nearly with the
Lea river-basin on the east and the Colne river-basin on the west that
they need not here be further alluded to. The Upper Chalk ends off and
the Middle Chalk crops out along the Chiltern Hills on the north-west,
and this portion of the county, being chiefly chalk downs, has a peculiar
flora, essentially xerophilous. The pasque-flower (Anemone pulsatilla]
occurs in Hertfordshire only on the Middle Chalk, growing abundantly,
though very locally, in some of the chalk combes, chiefly on slopes
facing south-west. The combe south of Barton, just outside our boundary,
is known as the ' Pulsatilla Banks,' and this name might well be given to
the westerly slopes of Aldbury Owers near Tring. The Middle Chalk
is also with us peculiarly the home of the orchids. The dwarf orchis
(Orchis ustulata), the man orchis (Acer as anthropophord)^ and the butterfly
orchis (Habenaria bifolia) seem to be restricted to it, but this is probably
due merely to the bareness of this division of the Chalk, some orchids
only thriving on a calcareous soil. Carum bulbocastanum is almost entirely
restricted to the chalk hills on the north ; and Fumaria paruiflora^ Astra-
galus hypoglottis, Senecio campestris, Tbesium linophyllum, and Bracbypodium
pinnatum are absolutely restricted to them, with the exception of one
record of the last-named species which is open to question.
In the south-east, overlying the Chalk, are Eocene beds, the London
Clay ending ofF and the Reading Beds cropping out from underneath it
in a range of hills which form the north-western edge of the London
Tertiary Basin. This is our subeugeogenous district, and it presents a
marked contrast to the dysgeogenous Cretaceous area. As stated in the
article on the geology of Hertfordshire, ' its soils, its agriculture, and its
flora are of an essentially Middlesex type. In the Colne and Brent dis-
tricts it forms grass lands devoted to hay-farming and grazing, interspersed
with woods chiefly of oak, ash, elm, and fir trees ; in the Lea district, on
the south, owing to the rich alluvial soil, market gardens and nurseries
predominate ; while on the east, owing to the covering of boulder-clay,
the land is chiefly under arable culture, partaking of the character of the
corn-growing districts of the adjoining county cf Essex.' The hygrophiles
Medicago falcata, Arnosera pusilla, Cbenopodium glaucum, Potamogeton acuti-
fohus, and Carex paradoxa are restricted to this Eocene area.
The counties by which Hertfordshire is surrounded are Cambridge-
shire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, and Essex. There are
no species of flowering plants in these counties which are not recorded
for Herts. Three of these, Ranunculus Jiuitans, Salix rubra, and Potamoge-
ton zosterifo/ius, occur in all the adjoining counties. The following Herts
species are not recorded from any one of them : Ranunculus jloribundus,
Silene conica, S. nutans, Rosa sihestris, Pyrola rotundifolia, Cuscuta epilinum,
48 '
BOTANY
Verbascum lychnitis, Orobancbe ccerulea, Cephalanthera ensifolia, Gagea /utea,
Carex bosnninghausiana (hybrid), C. xanthocampa (? hybrid) and Phleum
pracox. Eight Rubi are not included in this enumeration, not being
considered distinct species by Sir Joseph Hooker. They are Rubus
affinis, R. tbyrsoideus, R. fusco-ater, R. Sprengelii, R. glandulosus^ R.
birtus, R. Bellardi, and R. pseudo-idceus.
Of the 893 species of indigenous Hertfordshire flowering plants
there are about 1 1 o not recorded as native plants in Cambridgeshire,
about 1 20 are wanting in Bedfordshire, 170 in Buckinghamshire, 140
in Middlesex, and 100 in Essex. On the other hand, Cambridgeshire
has 55 indigenous species which are wanting in Herts, Beds has 30,
Bucks 22, Middlesex 34, and Essex 56 (exclusive of its coast plants).
Doubtful records are in all cases excluded. These figures might be very
much modified if the botany of each of the counties were equally worked
up. Taking the number of species in any adjoining county which are
absent from Hertfordshire as the best index of the degree of relationship,
it would appear that the flora of Bucks is the most nearly allied to that
of Herts, and that those of Cambridge and Essex are the most divergent
from that of Herts. This is just what might be expected from the
physical features and geological structure of these counties. The floras of
Cambridge and Essex have also a more northern or north-eastern facies
than that of Hertfordshire, which, as previously stated, is of a decidedly
southern type. The large number of Hertfordshire species which have
not been recorded from Buckinghamshire is probably due to the flora of
that county not having been so thoroughly investigated as ours has been.
The following table gives a list of the Natural Orders of Phanero-
gamia which are represented in the county, with the number of genera
and species in each Order, and also the number of species which have
been reported but are excluded either because they cannot be considered
to be indigenous or because the evidence of their occurrence is open to
doubt. The general classification is that of Sir J. D. Hooker, but the
numbers indicate the genera and species enumerated in Pryor's Flora of
Hertfordshire,
The number of species given in the table does not exactly tally with
the number on page 557 of that work. The total number of flowering
plants and ferns is there stated to be 1,1 16, of which 26 are ferns, leaving
1,090 flowering plants, of which 898 are considered to be indigenous.
Two species have since been added the oxlip (Primula elatior), a native
plant, and the alkanet (Ancbusa officinalis)^ an alien. 1 The soapwort
(Saponaria officinalis) being a denizen, and the water-thyme (Anacbaris
alsinastrum) being an introduced species, have been relegated to the
excluded species, and so also have Wallenbergia bederacea, Pyrola media,
Euphorbia stricta, and Carex canescens as having been included in our flora
on insufficient evidence. The 898 numbered species in Pryor's Flora
are thus reduced to 893, and the 192 excluded species are increased to
199, giving a total of 1,092.
1 See Tram. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. x. p. ix. (1901).
I 49 E
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
SUMMARY OF ORDERS, GENERA, AND SPECIES
Number
of
Genera
S'umber
of
Specio
Ex-
cluded
Specie*
Number
of
Genera
Number
of
Specie!
Ex-
cluded
Speciei
CLASS I
42. Oleaceae ....
2
2
_
DlCOTYLEDONES OR
EXOGEN.S
43. Apocynaceae
44. Gentianeae .
Polemoniacete .
I
4
I
7
I
I
I
Div. I. Thalamiflorte
45. Boragineae .
6
i5
8
I. Ranunculaceae .
II
29
6
46. Convolvulaceas . .
3
6
i
2. Berberideae .
I
I
47. Solanaceae
3
4
2
3. Nymphaeaceae .
4. Papaveraceae
5. Fumariaceae.
2
2
I
2
6
5
i
2
48. Plantagineae .
49. Scrophularineas .
50. Orobanchaceas . .
2
13
2
38
4
4
6. Cruciferae .
*9
34
21
51. Lentibularineae .
2
2
7. Resedacez . . .
i
2
I
52. Verbenaceae.
I
I
/
8. Cistineae ....
i
I
53. Labiatas ....
20
38
5
9. Violaceae.
10. Polygaleae .
i
i
6
3
Div. IV. Incomplete
1 1 . Caryophylleae .
i5
33
9
Amaranthacete .
i
12. Portulaceae .
i
i
2
54. Illecebraceae .
I
I
13. Hypericineae
2
7
3
55- Chenopodiaceas .
2
13
2
14. Malvaceae .
I
3
2
56. Polygonaceae
2
20
3
Tiliaceet ....
2
Ariitolachlacete .
2
15. Lineae ....
2
2
I
57. Thymelaeaceae .
I
I
I
1 6. Geraniaceae .
3
II
8
58. Loranthaceae
I
I
17. Ilicineae ....
I
I
59. Santalaceae . . .
I
I
Div. II. Calyclflorte
1 8. Celastrinez . . .
19. Rhamneae .
2O. Sapindaceae .
21. Leguminosae
I
I
I
18
I
2
I
47
i
12
60. Euphorbiaceas . .
61. Urticaceae .
62. Cupuliferae .
63. Salicineae
64. Ceratophylleas . .
2
4
6
2
I
7
6
8
H
i
3
i
i
4
22. Rosaceae ....
23. Saxifrageae . . .
24. Crassulaceae .
15
3
i
76
4
3
8
3
5
Div. V. Gymnospernue
65. Coniferae. . . .
I
i
25. Droseraceae .
i
i
26. Halorageae . . .
3
8
CLASS II
27. Lythraceae . . .
28. Onagrarieae .
29. Cucurbitaceae .
2
3
i
3
9
i
i
MONOCOTYLEDONES OR
ENDOGEN^E
30. Umbelliferae. . .
28
36
8
66. Hydrocharideae .
2
2
i
31. Araliaceae . . .
i
i
67. Orchideae . . .
H
24
2
32. Cornaceas
i
i
68. Iridez ....
I
2
I
Div. III. Monopetala
69. Amaryllideae
70. Dioscoreae ...
I
I
I
I
4
33. Caprifoliacez .
4
6
3
71. Liliaceae ....
8
10
5
34. Rubiaceae
35. Valerianeae . . .
36. Dipsaceae . . .
3
2
4
15
6
5
i
2
I
/
72. Junceas ....
73. Typhaceae .
74. Aroideae ....
2
2
2
15
5
2
37. Compositae . . .
38. Campanulacea? .
44
3
83
7
20
3
75. Lemnaceae . .
76. Alismaceae .
2
4
4
6
39. Ericaceae . . .
40. Monotropeae
41. Primulaceae . .
4
i
6
6
i
12
i
i
77. Naiadaceae .
78. Cyperaceae . . .
79. Gramme* .
3
8
35
17
49
76
i
16
Total .
384
893
199
BOTANY
NOTES ON THE BOTANICAL DISTRICTS, WITH LISTS OF THE RARER
PLANTS OF EACH DISTRICT
In the Flora Hertfordiensis of Webb and Coleman (1849) Hertfordshire was divided into
botanical districts founded on the river-basins. The three main districts were the Lea, the
Colne, and the Ouse, each of these being divided into sub-districts representing the tributaries
of these rivers, and the number of such sub-districts were twelve.
In a paper read before the Watford (now Hertfordshire) Natural History Society in 1875 *
the late Alfred Reginald Pryor recognized the primary separation of the county into the catch-
ment-basin of the Ouse on the north and that of the Thames on the south, ' districts which,'
he said, ' in the floras of the future, will probably be entirely dissociated from each other and
united respectively to those portions of the same river-system with which they are naturally
connected, but which are now scattered among the southern and eastern shires.' He then
divided the Ouse district into the Ivel and Cam ; and the Thames into the Thame, the Colne
with five sub-districts, the Brent, and the Lea with six sub-districts, making sixteen districts in
all. He afterwards found this subdivision to be impracticable from the impossibility of assign-
ing many of the old records to these districts, and he therefore abandoned the sub-districts of
the Colne and Lea and finally left the scheme thus
T T-U r\ ( ! The Cam
I. The Ouse . , T .
2. The Ivel
II. The Thames
3. The Thame
4. The Colne
5. The Brent
6. The Lea
This is the division of the county which was adopted in his Flora of Hertfordshire published
in 1887, a few years after his death. As this work is the basis of the present article on the
botany of Hertfordshire, the above division is necessarily followed. 8
DISTRICT I. THE CAM
This is the most northern district. It is bounded on the east by Essex, on the north by
Cambridgeshire which divides it into two, on the west by Bedfordshire, and on the south by
the Ivel and Lea districts.
A stream called the Wadrington Brook, which while in Herts is little more than a ditch,
flows through the eastern division of the district, and through the western division flows the
Rhee, which rises from copious springs in the Totternhoe Stone at Ashwell, is joined at the
extreme north of the county by the Ruddry Brook, and joins the Cam a little south of Cam-
bridge.
The district is almost entirely on the Chalk, a small portion on the north-east being on
the Gault. It is very bare of trees and is marked by the absence of hygrophiles (see p. 39).
In the eastern division are the Royston Downs, rising to about 500 feet above sea-level.
The few species which are restricted to this district are very rare. Thalictrum jacquini-
anum and Antennaria dioica occur only on Royston and Therfield Heaths in the eastern
division ; ARsma ranunculoides and Potamogeton cokratut only on Ashwell Common in the
western division ; and of Poterium officinale the only record is that of a plant in Coleman's
herbarium gathered in the neighbourhood of Ashwell in 1840.
The rarer plants of the district are
RANUNCULACE* FUMARIACR*
TbaRetnm Jacqmnianum, Koch Fumaria parviflora, Lami.
Anemone pulsatilla, L. _ Vaillantii, LnuL
Helleborus foetidus, L.
PATAVERACE*
Papaver hvbndum, L. Iberis amara, L.
\ l? n the Botanical Work of the Past Season,' 'Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Sot. vol. i. pp. 65-77.
The names of the plants which only occur in one .listrict are printed in italics.
51
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARYOPHYLLE.*
Silene noctiflora, L.
Arenaria (Alsine) tenuifolia, L.
LEGUMINOS/E
Trifolium ochroleucum, L.
Astragalus hypoglottis, L.
Hippocrepis comosa, L.
ROSACE.S
Poterium officinale, Hook. f.
UMBELLIFER.*
Bupleurum rotundifolium, L.
Apium graveolens, L.
Carum (Bunium) bulbocastanum, Koch
Sesseli libanotis, Koch (Libanotis montana,
CEnanthe Lachenalii, Gmel.
Caucalis daucoides, L.
VALERIANS*
Valeriana ofHcinalis, L.
COMPOSITE
Antemaria dtoica, Br.
Senecio (Cineraria) campestris, DC.
Arctium majus, Schk.
Cnicus eriophorum, Hoffin.
SCROPHULARINE.S
Linaria spuria, Miller
Melampyrum cristatum, L.
OROBANCHE^
Orobanche major, L.
LABIATVE
Ajuga chamxpitys, Sckreb.
LORANTHACEJE
Thesium linophyllum, L. (humifusum, DC.)
ORCHIDEJE
Orchis ustulata, L.
AunucEB
Aftsma ranunculoides, L.
NAIADACUI
Potamogeton coloratut, Hornem
GRAMINEJE
Bromus racemosus, L.
Brachypodium pinnatum, Beauv.
DISTRICT II. THE IVEL
This district is south-west of that of the Cam, and is bounded on the north-west by
Bedfordshire and on the south by the Lea district.
The Ivel rises near Baldock, leaves our county for Bedfordshire after a run of a mile and
a half, and is then soon joined by a longer stream rising near Wallington. Its next tributary
is the Hiz, which rises at Wellhead, a mile south of Hitchin (Hiz-chine), through which it
flows. A mile below Hitchin the Hiz receives the Purwell or Pirrall, a stream having a much
longer run than itself, and rising between Weston and Graveley ; and in another mile, at Ickle-
ford, it receives a small stream called the Oughton. Half-way between Bedford and St. Neots
the Ivel joins the Ouse, which pursues its course for some forty miles before it receives the
Cam near Ely.
The Chalk downs of the eastern division of the Cam district are continued in a south-
westerly direction through the Ivel district, of which they form the north-western half.
Highest on the south-east, they slope downwards to the Gault plain on the north-west. Here
there are numerous combes in the Lower Chalk which have been formed by water issuing
from springs in the Totternhoe Stone. In most of them there is now no water and the soil
is particularly dry owing to the sinking of the plane of saturation of the Chalk, this portion of
the district consequently having an essentially xerophilous flora.
Although this is a much larger district than that of the Cam, and its botany has been more
thoroughly investigated than that of any other, only half a dozen species are restricted to it.
Melampyrum arvense occurs only in one spot south of Ashwell ; Smyrnium olusatrum has been
found in one or two places north of Baldock and near Pirton, and there is also a record of its
occurrence at St. Albans in the Colne district, but its site has long been built over ; and the
other four species are confined to the neighbourhood of Hitchin. Of these Silene conica is the
rarest. The only record of its occurrence is near High Down, Hitchin, in 1875.
The rarer plants of the district are
RANUNCULACEJE
Anemone pulsatilla, L.
Ranunculus diversifolius, H. Wats.
Helleborus fcetidus, L.
viridis, L.
PAPAVERACEJK
Papaver hybridum, L.
Lecocjii, Lamotte
FUMARIACEJK
Fumaria Boraei, Jord.
parviflora, Lamk.
Vaillantii, Lotsel.
CRUCIFER.S
Senebiera (Coronopus) didyma, Pennon
Iberis amara, L,
BOTANY
PoLYGALEJE
Polygala oxyptera, Reichb.
CARYOPHYLLE.K
Silene conlca, L.
noctiflora, L.
Arenaria (Alsine) tenuifolia, L.
LEGUMINOSJE
Trifolium ochroleucum, L.
Astragalus hypoglottis, L.
Hippocrepis comosa, L.
Vicia (Ervum) gracilis, Lo'ucl.
lilvatica, L.
Lathyrus aphaca, L.
silvestris, L.
ROUCES
Prunus cerasus, L.
CRASSULACEJE
Sedum fabaria, Koch
ONAGRARIE./E
Epilobium roseum, Schreb.
UMBELLIFERJE
Smymlum olusatrum, L.
Bupleurum rotundifolium, L.
Apium graveolens, L.
Carum segetum, Benth.
(Bunium) bulbocastanum, Koch
Sesseli libanotis, Koch
(Enanthe Lachenalii, Gmel.
Caucalis daucoides, L.
RUBIACE.E
Galium Witheringii, Sm.
erectum, Huiis.
VALERIANEJE
Valeriana officinalis, L.
Valerianella auricula, DC. (rimosa, Bast.)
COMPOSITE
Filago spathulata, Presl
Senecio (Cineraria) campestris, DC.
Centaurea calcitrapa, L.
Crepis biennis, L.
taraxacifolia, Thutll.
MONOTROPEJE
Hypopithys multiflora, Scop.
PRIMULACE^
Anagallis cxrulea, Schreb.
CONVOLVULACEJE
Cuscuta europaea, L.
SCROPHULARINE.
Verbascum blattaria, L.
Antirrhinum orontium, L.
Linaria spuria, Miller
Melampyrum arvense, L.
cristatum, L.
OROBANCHEJE
Orobanche major, L.
minor, Suit.
LABIATE
Mentha pulegium, L.
Ajuga chamaepitys, Schreb.
CHENOPODIACEJE
Chenopodium vulvaria, L.
ficifolium, Sm.
hybridum, L.
POLYGON AC EJE
Polygonum maculatum, Dyer et Trimen
SANTALACEJE
Thesium linophyllum, L. (humifusum, DC.)
EUPHORBIACE.S
Euphorbia platyphyllos, L.
ORCHIDEJE
Cephalanthera pallens, Rich.
Orchis ustulata, L.
Herminium monorchis, Br.
IRIDE/E
Iris foetidissima, L.
CYPBRACE.
Carex Jioica, L.
stricta, Good.
xanthocarpa, Degl. (1 hybrid)
GUMMBJI
Phleum phalaroides, Koel.
Bromus racemosus, L,
Brachypodium pinnatum, Beauv.
Hordeum silvaticum, Huds. (Elymus europxus, L.)
DISTRICT III. THE THAME
The very small portion of the extreme west of the county which is in this district forms
a tongue-like protrusion into Buckinghamshire, being bounded by that county on all sides but
the east, where the Colne district forms the boundary.
The small tributary streams of the Thame, rising near Tring, are intercepted by the
reservoirs which supply the Grand Junction Canal, all of which are in this district. The
Thame soon leaves our county, and, flowing westward north of Aylesbury to below Dorchester
in Oxfordshire, there unites with the Thames ; or, as Chauncy says (Hist. Antiq. Herts), ' then
congratulates the Isis ; but both emulating each other for the name, and neither yielding, they
are complicated by that of Thamisis.'
The district lies high : a mile north of Tring is the summit-level of a system of canals
which radiate to the north, west, south-west, and south-east. The Chalk terminates near the
53
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
centre of the district, and beyond it on the north-west is the only considerable are* of the
Gawk Hertfordshire. Tire accounts for the prexiKe of a few hy$rof4tiks.
to the district (fjnwa i if i l/ifmad .Pilini^ili i frWsa) are
muit photi which occur only in the Tring Reservoirs or the canak which they supply.
ntoaw ttMOMB grows If the Wiktone Reservoir, and Jam uatrtidr on terraces cut in
the chafe near Tria*
The fallowing; are the rarer plants recorded from dm district
RMMHCUIACU
t*MftlwWM* fi^w^Mt t
Ceffcihathen
DC .
L~
M5>|.-^ ntavflfBtBn oattMMM^ tttrt.
. Rajx.
GUUBUM
^^ * f nceascsms. L.
fla
DBTUCT IV. ^THI COLXS
Tas K a large d&tnct, coaaprtsutg ahnost the whole of the western nutiiun of the
county. The L<a wBtnct toons us north-western boundacr, on the north k is bounded If
a saw* detached pardon of the saw* district 1 and hj ffiiifiHJihii and Itmlia^hawiihai. nil
the west by the Thaave district and BuckinghauBhke, and on the sonth by Middlesex and
the Brent district. Matt of the district b on the Upper Chafe, a saw* men south-east of
the Reading Beds lying between.
The Cotne b wet sessocs raes about half wiy bawmn Ektree and Bamet, ami lows
in a nanhurj dinxuun past South luwaans, where k kares the London day far the Chafe
w) which xs *.<_kj are lost in swaDow-hotes, there henuj M.'^tial ia its bed bunxui Wx
and Pomaefc new Harih ltmm\ Fraam this, point the imr when i
VH KMMr AKRBwMaW^Ba^ BHT l^QBMCMI \jQIMTy IKS BOv B SCUcMft *"X*
. - v.-_-- :.- re -:-;. -. ^ - - . -; J; - ;. - ;- -- - _-. . :- --
-" -~ J - ~^ J *- - '-. "
Verioae nor fork Scwc, D=r ticeci rise Versrse is much the L
yet the CoVae wuint the jbry of her owu naaae, and aVinuh thence to Watferd.* The
, fannerrr known as the Verhnwc or Mure, rises near Markrate Street, lows through
1 k recedes i srjC tributarr, noil nasses bvrween the ske of ancient V
X- Afcans before k =xets the Gahae near Bricket Wood.
:- >?- - . - -:- I -:-:; ReXT : -
r, the river is i
TCTT Arr aasoa by the ijiaifci of O=ggaoL Afier pnan$ Watford
the Gade above andi the Che* at Kidbawmonh. The G^de rises near Great
i poolnui af > aunm jnuj :-.-:-: eon awi
at Two Waves at iiniin iht BUU-U-, ll f _L1
-".--:-.- -:;:;;; CM^amd . - .- -,- :: J :---:.---.:
WtSCfcawPCBW &MO t>C OvbovnaC OCCnVtOofoMn' BOWS OfcC
See axe 33 Lex dKcict (p. 57) at a i
--
BOTANY
Ulex nanus, Forst.
Medicago falcata, L.
Trifolium subterraneum, L.
Hippocrepis comosa, L.
Lathyrus aphaca, L.
(Orobus) tuberosus, L.
silvestris, L.
ROSACE*
Prunus cerasus, L.
Geum intermedium, Ehrh.
Rosa stylosa (v. systyla), Bast.
Crataegus monogyna, jacq.
mentioned (p. 28). The Bulbourne below Berkhamsted, the Gade below Two Waters, and
the Colne below Rickmansworth, are frequently incorporated with the Grand Junction CanaL
Leaving our county near Harefield, the Colne, flowing southwards, passes Uxbridge, where k
begins to divide into numerous irregularly anastomosing channels which have several mil It
into the Thames at and above Staines.
To the presence in the valley of the Ver of an old city, more interesting in its a
tions than any other in the kingdom, is due the existence in Hertfordshire of Diplstaxis
folia, Silent nutans, and Hieradum muranan, for they grow nowhere in the county but on old
walls in St. Albans. Colney Heath, near the head of the Colne, is of much botanical interest,
chiefly owing to its marshes and swampy meadows. It is our only habitat for the very rare
Ljthrum bjfsopifiKa, and also for TtndaRa nudicauRs, while we nave only one other locality,
a different one in each case, for four of its plants Radiala hmda (Northaw), Ctsttmmcmha
minimus (Moor Park), Cuscuta epitbjmum (No Man's Land, St. Albans), and Pttanugettn acmti-
foKui (London Colney).
The rarer plants of this district and those peculiar to it make a rather long list. They
are
RAKUSCCUCEJE LTTHRJUUIM
Anemone pnlsatilla, L. Lj&nm bjsufifiBa, L.
Helleborus foetidus, L.
riridb, L.
PAPAVZRACI*
Papaver Lecoqii, Lamotte
FITUARIACLS
Fumaria Vaillantii, Loisel.
CRUCIFIX*
Nasturtium amphibium, Br.
Dtntaria buttnfera, L.
Dipbtaxis tenuifoRa, DC.
Erophila praecox, DC.
Lepidium ruderale, L.
Iberis amara, L.
TeesdaHa nudicauKs, Br.
POLYGAUB
Polygak oiyptera, Reicbb.
CARYOPHYLLEJE
Silene nutans, L.
Cerastium quaternellum, Fenlz.
Arenaria (Alsine) tenuifolia, L.
LlNEJE
Radiola Knaides, Gmel.
GERANIACEA
Geranium ntundifoKum, L.
CRASSULACE*
Sedum fabaria, Koch
OXAGRAUEJE
Epilobium roseum, Scbrtb.
UMBELLJFEIJE
Buplenrom rotundifolium, L.
Carom (Buniom) bulbocastanum, Kxb
Cicuu virosa, L.
(Enantht enccata, L.
Caucalis dancoides, L.
RVBIACEJE
Galium erectom, Huds.
VALERIANLS
Valeriana officinalis, L.
Valerianella auricula, DC.
COMPOSITE
Pnlicaria vulgaris, Gtfrtn.
Filago apicuku, G. E. Sm.
spathulata, Presl
Senecio (Cineraria) campestris, DC.
Arctinm intermedium, Lange
nemorosum, Lej.
Centaurea calcitrapa, L.
CarJutts tnuiflorus, Curt.
Crepis uraxacifolia, Thrill.
Hieraciitm muronun, L.
CAUPANULAC&K
Campanula rapunculus, L.
ERICACEJE
Vaccinium myrtyUus, L.
Erica cinerea, L.
Pyrola minor, Sto.
ntundifoRa, L.
PRIMULACE*
Ccntunculus minimus, L.
GENTIANEJK
Gentiana campestris, L.
germanica, Willd.
BoRAGINEjE
Cynoglossum montanum, Lamk.
55
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CONVOLVULACE.S
Cuscuta europasa, L.
efithymum, Murr.
PLANTAGINE.S
Litorella lacustris, L.
SCROPHULARINE.S
Verbascum blattaria, L.
virgatum, With.
Linaria spuria, Miller
Limosella ajuatlca, L.
OROBANCHE^:
Orobanche minor, Suit.
CHENOPODIACE/E
Chenopodium vulvaria, L.
ficifolium, SOT.
PoLYGONACE^
Polygonum minus, Huds.
Rumex palustris, SOT. (limosus, Thuill.)
EUPHORBIACE.S:
Euphorbia platyphyllos, L.
Mercurialis annua, L.
SALICINEJE
Salix russelliana, SOT.
HYDROCHARIDEJE
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, L.
ORCHIDEJE
Malaxis paludosa, Sw.
Cephalanthera pallens, Rich.
ensifolia, Rich.
Orchis ustulata, L.
militaris, L.
Herminium monorchis, Br.
Habenaria bifolia, Br.
LILIACETE
Ruscus aculeatus, L.
Polygonatum multiflorum, All.
Fritillaria meleagris, L.
JUNCE*
Juncus diffusus, Hoppe
squarrosus, L.
Luzula Forsteri, DC.
NAIADACEJE
Potamogeton rufescens, Schrad.
acutifolius, Link
obtusifolius, Mert. et Koch
CYPERACEJE
Ekochans acicularis, Br. (Hooker Heleocharts)
Scirpus caricis, Retz. (Blysmus compressus, Panz.)
Carex paradoxa, Willd.
Icevigata, Sm.
GRAMINEJS
Setaria viridis, Beauv.
Alopecurus fulvus, SOT.
Calamagrostis lanceolata, Roth
Gastridium lendigerum, Gaud.
Bromus racemosus, L.
Hordeum silvaticum, Huds. (Elymus europaeus, L.)
DISTRICT V. THE BRENT
This is the smallest district, only four or five square miles of a tongue of the county
somewhat similar to that of the Thame district being in the catchment-basin of the Brent.
It is bounded on the east by a detached portion of the Lea district, on the north-west by the
Colne district, and on the north and south by Middlesex. It is entirely on the London Clay.
The Brent rises in Middlesex half a mile from Barnet Gate in Herts, and after a run of
four miles leaves our county, flows past Finchley, through the Brent Reservoir, and, joining
the Grand Junction Canal at Hanwell, enters the Thames at Brentford.
This is an interesting district, chiefly owing to the presence of Totteridge Green and
its ponds, in which grow Ranunculus lingua and Acorus calamus, the former however having
been planted and therefore not being entitled to a place in the list of species. Totteridge
Green is our only locality for Damasonium stellatum. It was first recorded there in 1805, by
1849 '* na< ^ become very scarce, and it was last seen in 1855. Chenopodium glaucum has been
seen much more recently in its only locality, Totteridge.
Many common plants are not recorded for the district, perhaps partly from its small size,
but chiefly from its flora not having been thoroughly investigated.
The only indigenous plants in this district which are rare are the following
CARYOPHYLLEJE
Dianthus deltoides, L.
Cerastium quaternellum, Fenk,.
ROSACEJE
Prunus cerasus, L.
ONAGRARIEJE
Epilobium roseum, Scbreb.
COMPOSITE
Pulicaria vulgaris, Gtertn.
Anthemis nobilis, L.
Arctium nemorosum, Lej.
BORAGINEA
Symphytum tuberosum, L.
BOTANY
CHENOPODIACE/B LILIACE./E
Chenopodium ficifolium, Sm. FritiUaria meleagris, L.
glaucum, L. AROIDE./E
POLYGONACE^E Acorus calamus, L.
Polygonum maculatum, Dyer et Trimen ALISMACE
Rumex palustris, Sm. (limosus, Thuill.') Damasonlum stellatum, Pers.
DISTRICT VI. THE LEA
The Lea district is the largest, comprising the whole of the eastern portion of the county
south of the Cam and Ivel districts. It is bounded on the south by Middlesex, on the east
by Essex, on the north by the Cam and Ivel districts, and on the south-west by the Colne
district. A small portion of the county on the north of the Colne district and having
Bedfordshire for its northern boundary drains into the head of the Lea ; * and another small
area on the east of the Brent district is drained by a tributary of the lower portion of the
Lea, now however flowing into the New River.
The Lea rises in Bedfordshire from springs in Leagrave Marsh three miles above Luton ;
cuts through the Chalk escarpment before it enters Hertfordshire ; and flows past Hatfield,
Hertford, Ware, and several towns in the south-east corner of the county. After receiving
on its left bank several streamlets whose waters are lost in the Chalk in dry weather, it flows
to Hertford, where the Mimram and then the Beane join it, and from this point downwards
it is navigable for barges ; the Rib adds its tribute between Hertford and Ware, the Ash
below Ware, and finally the Stort a little above Hoddesdon. All these rivers flow into the
Lea on its north or left bank. The Mimram, or Maran, rises in Lilley Bottom near King's
Walden and flows past Welwyn and through many beautiful parks. The Beane, or Bene,
formerly called the Benefician, is formed by numerous small streams rising between Sandon and
Weston, and is augmented at Walkern from springs in the Chalk, at Frogmore above Watton
by a brook from Stevenage and Knebworth, and in Woodhall Park below Watton by the
Munden Brook, dry in summer. The Rib rises in Kelshall Woods near Therfield, or in very
dry years some miles lower down its valley, passes Buntingford, and a few miles below it
receives the Quin, which rises at Rushing Well near Nuthamstead, and is often dry in summer
as far as Braughing. The Ash rises in the winter near Brent Pelham on the borders of Essex,
but for five miles down its valley it and its tributary streams are merely bournes, being dry in
the summer and autumn, and its source is then a mile below Albury, where there is a spring
in its bed, below which it is seldom dry. The Stort is the only affluent of the Lea, except
a few small brooks below Hoddesdon, which does not entirely flow through Hertfordshire.
Rising near Clavering in Essex, but having one of its tributary streams flowing from Scales
Park Wood in Herts near the source of one of the feeders of the Quin, it comes into our
county for a run of a quarter of a mile, then re-enters Essex, and enters Herts again at
Pesterford Bridge, two miles above Bishop Stortford, from which point to its junction with
the Lea it is navigable for barges and is called the ' Stort Navigation.' Here it serves as
boundary between Herts and Essex. In addition to the supply from these tributary streams,
the waters of the Lea are augmented on its left bank by the springs of Arkley Hole at
Woolmers, and on its right bank by the Chadwell Spring between Hertford and Ware. This
spring first dried up in 1898, and has done so in each succeeding year. Between Ware and
Hoddesdon the Lea was formerly augmented by Amwell Spring (Emmewell or Emma's Well),
but this seldom flows now, having been pumped dry by the New River Company. The
Chadwell Spring is fast following in its footsteps, and Arkley Hole is also being affected. In
course of time this lowering of the plane of saturation of the Chalk will affect the surface-
soil and alter the character of the flora of this district. The Chadwell Spring for many years
has formed the head of the New River, into which also the Amwell Spring was diverted when
this water-channel was constructed. The Lea leaves the county at Waltham Cross for
Middlesex, and flows into the Thames at Bow Creek below Blackwall. It is tidal as far as
Lea Bridge. Below Ware the course of the Lea has been diverted for navigable purposes,
and the ' Lea Navigation ' to its junction with the Stort, and ' Lea and Stort Navigation '
below this point, cross and re-cross the old bed of the Lea several times.
1 In the recent revision of the county boundary for administrative purposes this portion has been
transferred to Bedfordshire.
57
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The district drained by the Lea and its tributaries is about 500 feet in height on the
north, along the downs forming the water-parting between the catchment-basins of the
Thames and Ouse, the surface gradually sloping towards the south, until along the river
Lea below Hoddesdon the ground is much lower and flatter than in any other part of Hert-
fordshire. Most of the district is on the Chalk, much covered by boulder-clay, but south-
east of Furneaux Pelham, Much Hadham, Hertford, and Hatfield it is on the London Clay
and its narrow margin of Reading Beds.
The old towns of Hertford and Ware are the only localities in the county for the rare
Sisymbrium irio, which sprang up in London after the great fire of 1666, whence its name of
London rocket. The true oxlip (Primula elatior) occurs only near the head of the Stort on
the borders of Essex ; the very rare Orobanche ceerulea only at Hoddesdon, where it is parasitic
on the milfoil (Achillea millefolium) ; and an old wall of Brocket Park is the only habitat of
the almost equally rare Galium anglicum. Trifolium gkmeratum is known only at Easneye near
Ware ; the only locality for Stratiotes a/aides, except where it has evidently been planted, is
Hatfield Park ; and the ponds on Hertford Heath lay exclusive claim to Carex bcenninghausiana.
Two species usually of rare occurrence (Polygonum dumetorum and Apera spica-venti) are frequent
in the district.
The Lea district has the largest number of rare plants of any, and much the largest
number peculiar to it. The list is as follows
RANUNCULACEJE
Ranunculus diversifolius, H. Wats.
lingua, L.
hirsutus, Curtis (sardous, Crantz)
Helleborus foetidus, L.
viridis, L.
PAPAVERACE^
Papaver Lecoqii, Lamotte
FUMARIACE.S
Fumaria Boraei, Jord.
Vaillantii, Loisel.
CRUCIFER^E
Nasturtium silvestre, Br.
amphibium, Br.
Sisymbrium irio, L.
Sophia, L.
Erophila praecox, DC.
Senebiera (Coronopus) didyma, Persoon
Lepidium ruderale, L.
Iberis amara, L.
CARYOPHYLLEJE
Silene anglica, L.
noctiflora, L.
Cerastium quaternellum, Fenlz.
Stellaria palustris, Ehrh.
LEGUMINOSJE
Trigonella ornlthopodioides, DC.
Trifolium subterraneum, L.
ochroleucum, L.
glomeratum, L.
Hippocrepis comosa, L.
Vicia (Ervum) gracilis, Loisel.
Lathyrus aphaca, L.
(Orobus) tuberosus, L.
silvestris, L.
ROSACES
Rosa silvestris, Woods
stylosa (v. systvla), Bait.
Cratsegus monogyna, Jacy.
CRASSULACE/E
Sedum fabaria, Koch
HALAGORE/E
Callitriche obtusangula, Le Gall.
OHAGRAKIEB
Epilobium roseum, Schreb.
UMBELLIFER^
Bupleurum rotundifolium, L.
Carum segetum, Benth.
(Bunium) bulbocastanum, Koch
Cicuta virosa, L.
Sesseli libanotis, Koch
RUBIACEA
Galium Witheringii, Sm.
anglicum, Huds.
VALERIANE./E
Valerianella auricula, DC.
COMPOSITE
Pulicaria vulgaris, G<ertn.
Filago apiculata, G. R. Sm.
spathulata, Presl
gallica, L.
Arctium intermedium, Lange
nemorosum, Lej.
Centaurea calcitrapa, L.
Amoseris pusilla, Gaertn.
Crepis biennis, L.
taraxacifolia, Ihuill.
Hypochaeris glabra, L.
Tragopogon pratensis, L.
CAMPANULACE/E
Campanula rapunculus, L.
PRIMULACE*
Primula elatior, Jacq.
Anagallis caerulea, Schreb.
BOTANY
GENTIANE*
Erytbrtga pukbella, Fries
BORAGINE&
Symphytum tuberosum, L.
Myosotis illvatica, HofFm.
Cynoglossum montanum, Lamk.
CONVOLVULACE^
Cuscuta epilinum, Weihe
SCROPHULARINEJE
Verbascum lychnitis, L.
blattaria, L.
virgatum, With.
Linaria spuria, Miller
decumbens, Moench
Melampyrum cristatum, L.
OROBANCHE.*
Orobanche major, L.
minor, Sutt.
ceerulea, Vill.
LAJUATJI
Mentba ntundifolia, L.
Stachys ambigua, Sm.
Ajuga chamaepitys, Sckreb.
CHENOPODIACEJE
Chenopodium ficifolium, Sm.
urbicum, L.
hybridum, L.
murale, L.
PoLYGONACE.ffi
Polygonum minus, Huds.
dumetorum, L.
EUPHORBIACEJE
Euphorbia platyphyllos, L.
Mercurialis annua, L.
SALICINE.S:
Salix russelliana, Sm.
HYDROCHARIDEJE
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, L.
Stratiotes aloides, L.
ORCHIDE./E
Cephalanthera pallens, Rub.
Herminium monorchis, Br.
LILIACEJE
Ruscus aculeatus, L.
Polygonatum multiflorum, All.
Allium oleraceum, L.
Fritillaria meleagris, L.
Gagea lutea, Ker
JUNCE.S
Juncus diffusus, Hofpe
Luzula Forsteri, DC.
TYPHACE.S
Sparganium minimum, Fries
NAIADACEJE
Potamogeton rufescens, Schrad.
gramineus, Fries
CYPERACE./E
Eriophorum latifolium, Hoppe
Scbcenus nigricans, L.
Carex teretiuscula, Good.
baenninghausiana, Weihe
gracilis, Curtis
xanthocarpa, Degl. (? hybrid)
strigosa, Huds.
GKAHIXUK
Setaria viridis, Beauv.
Alopecurus fulvus, Sm.
Phleum phalaroides, Koch
Agrostis pumila, L.
Calamagrostis lanceolata, Roth
Gastridium lendigerum, Gaud.
Apera spica-venti, Beauv.
Bromus racemosus, L.
Hordeum silvaticum, Huds. (Elymus europaeus, L.)
A few plants enumerated in these lists are probably extinct. The white water-lily
(Nympheea alba), first recorded for the county by Izaak Walton in his Compleat Angler (1653),
is probably extinct as a wild plant. It has been eradicated from the river Lea, where Walton
saw it, by nursery gardeners, and wherever it is now found, which is only in ornamental
waters, it has probably been planted. The great burnet (Poterium qfficina/e, Hook, f., better
known as Sanguisorba officinalis) has not been recorded since it was first gathered in 1840, near
Ashwell in the Cam district. And the star-fruit (Damasonium stellatum\ which was first
recorded from its only known locality, Totteridge Green in the Brent district, by Joseph
Woods in Turner and Dillwyn's Botanist's Guide (1805), gradually became scarcer, and could
not be found there by Coleman in 1858.
On the other hand several species of recent introduction are becoming thoroughly estab-
lished and are gradually extending their range in the county. The most interesting of these
are the two smaller balsams (Impatiens fiilva and parviflora). The presence of the former on
the banks of the Grand Junction Canal at Harefield was first recorded in 1869, and by 1875
it had spread up the valleys of the Colne and Gade, through Rickmansworth and Cassiobury
Park, to Hunton Bridge above Watford. The latter was first noticed at Essendon in the Lea
district in 1874, and has since appeared in Cassiobury and Ashridge Parks in the Colne dis-
trict. The American water-weed (Elodea canadensis of Hooker's flora, much better known as
Anacharh ahlnastrum) was introduced into England about the year 1841 ; in 1852 or 1853 '*
was first noticed to be nearly choking the river Colne at Watford; and by 1881 it had
59
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
thoroughly established itself in every one of our six botanical districts. In 1874 Pryor first
noticed Poterium muricatum in the county, and only a single stray specimen of Bromus aruensis
had then been seen in it, but by 1881 he was able to give some thirty localities for the former
in the Ivel, Colne, and Lea districts, and half the number for the latter in those districts and
the Cam. These and other colonists have become so perfectly naturalized that no suspicion
of their exotic origin might be raised were not the history of their introduction known.
The following Rubi recorded by Mr. Pryor are not included in the district lists. The
districts in which they occur are indicated by the figures I 6
Idaeus, L. 2, 3, 4, 6
Plicatus, Welbe et Nees. 4, 6
Affinis, Welhe et Nees. 4, 6
Lindleianus, Lees. 4, 6
Rhamnifolius, Welbe et Nees. 3-6
Thirsoides, Wimm. 6
Ulmifolius, Schott. 1-6
Villicaulis, We'the. 3, 4
Umbrosus, Arrb. 4, 6
Macrophyllus, Weihe. 4, 6
Fusco-ater, Welhe et Nees. 4 (?)
Sprengelii, Weihe. 4, 6
Leucostachys, Schleich. 26
Lejeunii, Weihe. 4, 6
Radula, Weihe. 4, 6
Rudis, Weihe. 3, 4, 6
Pallidus, Weihe. 4, 6
Rosaceus, Weihe. 6
Glandulosus, Bell. 4, 6
Praeruptorum, Boulay. 5 (?)
Hystrix, Weihe. 6
Koehleri, Weihe. 2, 3, 4, 6
Pygmaeus, Weihe. 4
Scaber, Weihe. 4, 6
Humifusus, Weihe. 6
Hirtus, Waldst. et Kit. 4, 6
Guntheri, Welhe. 3, 4, 6
Bellardi, Welhe. 3
Corylifolius, Sm. 1-6
Balfourianus, Bhx. 6
Nemorosus, Blayne. z, 4, 6
Althaeifolius, Host. 6
Tuberculatus, Bab. 4, 5, 6
Diversifolius, Llndl. 4
Caesius, L. 14, 6
Pseudo-idaeus, Lej. 4, 6
CRYPTOGAMIA
The cryptogamic plants have hitherto usually been divided into the
two classes Acrogens and Thallogens, but Dr. M. C. Cooke 1 has shown
that this classification is inappropriate in the present state of our know-
ledge, and has suggested the following threefold division, which is here
adopted
Pteridophytes, including the Ferns and Fern-allies.
Bryophytes Mosses and Hepaticae.
Thallophytes Characeae, Algae, Lichens, and Fungi.
In the following account of the Hertfordshire cryptogams an at-
tempt is made to arrive at a census of the genera and species known to
occur in the county, the names of each genus being given together with
the number of its species when they are not individually enumerated.
The result is as follows
Genera Species
Pteridophytes .
Bryophytes .
Thallophytes .
92
200
219
i, 06 1
Genera Species
Filices .
12
. 18
Equisetaceae
I
5
Lycopodiaceae .
I
i
' Musci . . .
61
75
. Hepaticae
3i
44
(Characeae . .
3
7
Algae . . .
63
. 252
Lichenes
21
. 67
Fungi . . .113 .735
This gives a total of 306 genera and 1,304 species of cryptogamic
plants actually recorded, but this must be much under the number pre-
sent. Numerous species of Ustilagineae (smut-fungi) undoubtedly occur,
although not a single species has been recorded ; moulds (Hyphomy-
cetes) are everywhere, but very few species are on record .; and although
1 Handbook of British Fungi, p. 3 (1895).
60
BOTANY
the number of species of lichens and Uredineje has been doubled since
the publication of the lists of cryptogamic plants, compiled by Mr. B.
Daydon Jackson, which appeared in Pryor's F/ora, for these two groups
the greater part of the county is altogether unexplored. On the other
hand it is not likely that the Pteridophytes will be added to, nor that
any great accession will be made to the Bryophytes.
THE FERNS (Filices)
While man has in past times altered the scenery and flora of the
county by clearing the forests and draining the land, perhaps one of the
greatest pleasures of a stroll along our country lanes has been lost to us
during the present generation by the almost total eradication of the
ferns which were fairly plentiful and of varied species in our younger
days. Some years ago they were uprooted and taken to London from
the woods and lanes of southern Hertfordshire in cartloads, but they are
now so scarce that this depredation has ceased to be profitable. There
is a lane near St. Albans in which not many years ago some half-dozen
species were flourishing, but the bracken is the only one now to be
found there. This is not due to the rapacity of botanical collectors, but
to the wholesale removal of our ferns for the London market, thence to
be planted in London gardens, carry on a sickly existence for a few years
or maybe only a few months, wither and die.
Neither in its soil nor in its climate, however, is Hertfordshire a
county in which ferns would naturally flourish, both the soil and the air
being too dry for them, and the rainfall insufficient and too intermittent.
Not a single species is recorded from every one of our botanical
districts, there being no record in the Cam district even for the very
common bracken (Pteris aquilina)^ which indeed is of very rare occur-
rence on the Chalk downs. The hart's-tongue (Scolopendrium vu/gare)
and the common polypody (Polypodium vu/gare) are the only other ferns
recorded for every district but the Cam, in which we have alone on
record the male-fern (Lastrea jilix-mas) and the adder's-tongue (Opbio-
glossum vulgatum) ; and in the Thame and the Brent the only recorded
occurrences are of the three commoner ferns first named.
Our rarest species are Pilularia globulifera^ found in a pond at Nor-
thaw in the Lea district, Lastrea spinulosa and L. oreopteris, recorded only
for the Colne and Lea districts, and Ceterach officinarum, which, although
rarer than those two, has occurred in the Ivel district as well as in the
Colne and Lea. A single specimen of Cystopte ris fragilis has been found
in Berry Grove Wood, Aldenham, and a single specimen of Phegopteris
calcarea at Broxbournebury, but we cannot consider these to be native
ferns. They must have been casuals or escapes.
The following is a list of the Hertfordshire ferns
POLYPODIACE^ Scolopendrium vulgare, Sm.
Pteris aquilina, L. Asplenium ruta-muraria, L.
Blechnum spicant, Roth trichomanes, L.
Ceterach officinarum, Willd. adiantum-nigrum, L.
61
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Athyrium filix-foemina, Roth Lastrea oreopteris, Presl
Polystichum aculeatum, Roth Polypodium vulgare, L.
lobatum, Sm. OPHIOGLOSSACE/E
angulare, Presl Ophioglossum vulgatum, L.
Lastrea filix-mas, Presl
spinulosa, Presl MARSILEACE/E
dilatata, Presl Pilularia globulifera, L.
The more marked varieties which have been found are Scohpendrium
vulgare, var. multifidum, in the Lea district ; Athyrium Jilix-fcemma, var.
convexum, in the Colne and Lea ; and Polypodium vulgare, vars. acutum
and serratum, in the Lea.
The earliest county record is in Gerard's Herball (1597) : ' Nicholas
Belson founde [a dwarf form of Scolopendrium vu/gare] in a gravellie lane
in the way leading to Oxey parke neere unto Watforde, fifteene miles from
London.' In 1737 John Blackstone recorded Asplenium adiantum-nigrum
and Ophioglossum vulgatum as found near Harefield ; and in 1805 Thomas
Woodward recorded Ceteracb officinale as occurring at Ashridge. The
next additions, to the number of eleven, were made in 1838 by the
Rev. W. H. Coleman.
THE HORSETAILS (Equisetacea)
Of the only genus of this order, Equisetum, the following species
occur in Hertfordshire : E. arvense, L. ; E. maximum, Lamk. ; E. silvaticum,
L. ; E. palustre, L. ; and E. limosum, L.
Equisetum arvense and limosum occur in all the districts, and E.
palustre has been recorded from all but the Brent. E. silvaticum is our
rarest horsetail. It is known to have occurred on Hitchin Common in
the Ivel district from a single record, and it is somewhat plentiful in two
woods in the Lea district Bayford Wood and Bell Wood.
All the species were first recorded by Coleman in 1838.
THE CLUBMOSSES (Lycopodiacea)
Of the three genera of this order, Lycopodium, Selaginella, and Isoefes,
the first only is represented in Hertfordshire, and by only a single species,
Lycopodium clavatum, L., which has been found in the Colne district near
Tring and in the Lea in Broxbourne Wood, Pamplin being the first to
record it, in 1837. The rare L. inundatum occurs on Harefield Common,
just outside our county boundary.
THE MOSSES (Musct)
Although the mosses of the county have not been so carefully in-
vestigated as the flowering plants and ferns, they have not been neglected.
As early as the year 1843 the Revs. W. H. Coleman and R. H. Webb
printed in pamphlet form, A Report of the Progress made in the In-
vestigation of the Flora of Hertfordshire, with a Catalogue of Species
known or reported to have been found. In this catalogue 1 1 8 species
62
BOTANY
of mosses were enumerated. When the Flora Hertfordiensis was published
(in 1849) the county list had been increased by the addition of 12 species,
raising the number to 130. The great majority of these records are
given on the authority of the authors of the Flora, a few being contri-
buted by their correspondents, William Borrer and Isaac Brown. In
these lists an attempt was made to indicate the comparative abundance
or rarity of the different species by putting a number after the names
of those which had been found within a radius of five miles of Hertford,
the rarest being marked i, the most common 6, and others in propor-
tion. The herbaria of Messrs. Coleman and Webb are now in the
County Museum at St. Albans, where they have been deposited by the
Council of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, into whose pos-
session they passed on the death of the Rev. R. H. Webb in 1880. A
few years after they came into the hands of the Society the mosses
were carefully examined and any doubtful specimens submitted to the
late Mr. H. Boswell of Oxford, and in one or two instances corrections
in the naming were found to be necessary. On March 18, 1884,
a list of these mosses, with the localities at which they had been
found, and also with some other records to bring the county list up to
date, was presented to the Society, and was subsequently printed in the
Transactions. 1 Mr. Boswell's examination of the Coleman collection
has, however, made the list inaccurate in one or two particulars, and the
following corrections should be noted : The species found in Panshanger
Park and named Bryum turbinatum is pronounced by Mr. Boswell to be
Eryum carneum, and the plant labelled Erachythecium plumosum by Cole-
man should be Eurbyncbium confertum. Gymnostomum ovatum, Hedg.
(Pottia cavifo/ia, Ehrh.), is by error printed Grimmia ovata, which is an
alpine moss.
When Pryor's Flora of Hertfordshire was published (in 1887), the
editor, Mr. B. Daydon Jackson, F.L.S., printed in the appendix another
list of Hertfordshire mosses, mainly drawn up from the sources above re-
ferred to, the number of species there enumerated being 1 67.
The most recent addition to our knowledge of the muscology of the
county is a 'List of Mosses collected in the Neighbourhood of Hertford,'
by Hugh Darton, 8 who enumerates sixty species of which eight are new
to the Hertfordshire flora. They are Fissidens incuruus and isiridulus,
Tortula cuneifolia, Earbula sinuosa and rigidu/a, Cinclodotus Brebissoni,
Physcomitrella patens^ and Amblystegium irriguum.
Bearing in mind that a large number of our British mosses are
only to be met with in mountainous localities, and remembering that
Hertfordshire is a highly cultivated county and that its southern dis-
tricts are almost of a suburban character, and recollecting also that there
is no considerable extent of boggy or marshy land within its area,
it may be said that the moss-flora of the county is a rich and varied
one. Of the 537 species recognized in Dixon and Jameson's Handbook
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. iii. p. 67.
* Ibid. vol. ix. p. 104 (1896).
63
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
as occurring in Britain, 175 have up to the present time been recorded
as growing within the boundaries of the shire. As might be expected,
woodland forms, species of arboreal habit, and those which frequent
rocks of a calcareous nature, are fairly numerous. The urban districts
of the county are rapidly extending, and localities which formerly pos-
sessed an interesting flora and were the habitats of several rare species,
both of mosses and flowering plants, have recently been converted into
building-sites. It is therefore to be hoped that in the near future in-
creased attention may be paid to this branch of Hertfordshire botany.
The following table shows the genera and the number of species
recorded for the county :
SPHAGNALES Leucobryum
i Orthotrichum
5 Antitrichia . . i
Sphagnum . . 6 Fissidens . .
5 Ephemerum
i Porotrichium . i
Grimmia
2 Physcomitrella
I Leskea .
i
BRYALES Rhacomitrium
i Physcomitrium
I Anomodon
I
Tetraphis
I Acaulon .
I Funaria .
3 Thuidium
3
Catharinea .
i Phascum
2 Aulacomnium
2 Climacium
i
Polytrichum
7 Pottia . .
6 Bartramia
i Cylindrothec
ium I
Archidium .
i Tortula .
12 Philonotis
I Isothecium
I
Pleuridium .
3 Barbula .
10 Webera .
4 Pleuropus
. I
Ditrichum .
i Leptodontium
I Bryum .
8 Camptothecium i
Seligeria .
3 Weisia .
4 Mnium .
5 Brachythecium . 7
Ceratodon .
i Trichostomum
i Fontinalis
I Eurynchium . 10
Dicranella .
3 Cinclidotus .
I Cryphasa
I Plagiothecium . 2
Dicranoweisia
i Encalypta .
2 Neckera .
3 Amblystegium . 3
Campy lopus .
2 Zygodon
I Homalia .
i Hypnum . .13
Dicranum .
2 Ulota . .
2 Leucodon
i Hylocomium . 5
Five small natural orders, viz., Andreaacece, Buxbaumiacete,
Spblachnacete, Timmiacece, and Hookerlaceee are unrepresented, nor,
with the possible exception of Buxbaumiaceee, is it at all probable that
mosses belonging to these orders will ever be added to our list. Of
the 116 British genera, 55, including only a small number of species of
alpine habits, are not recorded for the county.
Of the six species of Sphagnum, three, viz. S. intermedium, cuspi-
datum, and subsecundum, with its varieties contortum and obesum, have been
found on Bricket Wood Scrubs, while four, S. acutifolium, sguarrosum,
cymbifolium, and subsecundum, with its variety obesum, occur in the Lea
valley. Tetraphis pellucida was discovered by Coleman in Sherrard's
Park Wood, Digswell, and the rarest of the seven Hertfordshire species
of Polytrichum P. urnigerum is recorded from Hitch Wood in the
north of the county. The genus Seligeria, composed of minute, almost
microscopic plants of chalk-loving habits, is represented by three in-
teresting species, the rarest being S. pusilla, which was found growing in
an old chalk-pit in Brocket Park ; S. paucifolia was discovered at one of
the field meetings of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society growing
upon chalk nodules in the Tunnel Woods near Watford ; and at another
field meeting the third and commonest species was met with in a chalk-
pit near Rickmansworth. Two species of Campylopus occur, namely
C. pyriforme in Berry Grove Wood, Aldenham, and C. flexuosus noted by
64
BOTANY
Coleman from Dawley's Wood, Tewin. On No-Man's-Land and the
other dry gravelly heaths of Mid Herts such species as Rhacomitrium
canescens, which especially affect such localities, will be found. Six of
the twelve British species of Pottice occur ; they are, P. recta, truncatula,
intermedia^ minutula, Starkeana, and lanceolata, and of these the first and
fifth are the rarest. The pleurocarpous mosses are on the whole very
well represented.
THE LIVERWORTS (Hepatica)
Forty-four species of Hepatica? were known to the Rev. W. H.
Coleman as occurring in the county, a list of them being published in
Appendix V. to the Flora Hertfordiensis. Among the possessions of the
Hertfordshire Natural History Society is a manuscript in Mr. Coleman's
handwriting in which the localities are recorded, and these, with a few
notes by other observers, were published in the Transactions of the Society
in 1893.' Since that time the list has not been added to.
The following are the genera represented in Hertfordshire, with the
number of species in each genus
MARCHANTIACE.S:
Marchantia .
Conocephalus
Asterella
Lunaria .
Riccia
Ricciella .
Ricciocarpus
JUNGERMANNIACE.S:
Frullania
Lejeunea
Radula .
Porella . .
Lepidozia
Odontoschisma
Cephalozia .
LCE.fl
s Lophocolea .
Chiloscyphus
! Kantia .
2
Trichocolea
Blepharozia .
Scapania .
Diplophyllum
Plagiochila .
! Eucalyx .
2 Jungermannia 7
Nardia . . I
Fossombronia I
Pellia . . 2
Aneura . . 2
Metzgeria . I
Sphaerocarpus i
ANTHOCEROTACE^:
Anthoceros . . i
THE STONEWORTS (Cbaracea)
The stoneworts, although a very small group of plants, do not fall
into any one of the larger classes. Linna?us first placed them amongst
the cryptogamic plants (near the lichens), and then amongst the lower
phanerogamic plants, in which view he was followed by Jussieu, De
Candolle, Brown, and Leman. In 1835 Fries gave them their highest
position, considering them to be dicotyledons ; a year or two later End-
licher assigned them their lowest position in the middle of the Alga?,
which he considered to be the lowest class of plants. Lindley in 1833
placed them between the Hepaticae and the Fungi, but in 1845 amongst
the Alga?, the view held by Von Martius, Agardh, and Wallroth, all of
whom considered them to be Confervae. In 1845 Brongniart placed
them (doubtfully) in the Acrogens above the ferns and their allies ; and
in 1857 Berkeley referred them to the same class, but put them below
the Hepatica?. 2 They are now given a rank equal to that of the ferns,
mosses, lichens, etc., the Algae being considered their nearest allies.
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. vii. p. 233.
8 See Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom, pp. xliii.-liv. and 26 (3rd ed. 1853), and Berkeley's Cryptogamie
Botany, p. 424 (1857).
I 65 F
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
They are entirely aquatic, and have been termed by their chief
British investigators, Messrs. H. and J. Groves, 'the pioneers of aquatic
vegetation,' for they play the same part in the water as mosses do on the
land. They may generally be found in stagnant water, lakes, and slow
streams. The term 'stonewort' had been given to them on account of
the amount of lime which some species secrete.
Of the thirteen British species of Chara, three of To/ype/fa, and seven
of Nitella, the following are present in Hertfordshire 1
Chara fragilis, Desv.
vulgaris, L. ( = C. foetida, Braun)
Tolypella glomerata, Chev.
intricata, Leonh.
Nitella translucens, Ag.
flexilis, Ag.
opaca, Ag.
Fruits or seeds of Chara, probably of existing species, have been
found in the ancient Hitchin lake-bed, but the genus existed in Britain
long before the Pleistocene period, occurring in Jurassic times in beds of
Wealden age.
THE
The Alga? are a very diverse class of plants, including such groups
as the seaweeds, confervas, desmids, and diatoms. All are aquatic or
hygrophilous, for some live on wet rocks or damp walls ; but very few
of these are recorded for the county, nearly all our known species fre-
quenting ponds and slow streams. The only rivers in which they have
here been found are the Lea and the New River, all our other streams
apparently being too rapid for them.
Our knowledge of the Algas of Hertfordshire, exclusive of the
Diatomaceae, is almost entirely derived from Hassall's British Freshwater
Algce (1845), with a few records from the 'Transactions of the Hertford-
shire Natural History Society. Hassall records 120 'species' as occurring
in the county, nearly all being from the neighbourhood of Cheshunt,
with a few from Hertford Heath and one from Royston, but many of
his species are only varieties or forms of others, and a few cannot now
be identified. Excluding these, the number recorded by Hassall is re-
duced to eighty-six, and the total number now known is ninety-six,
as in the following table
CoCCOPHYCE.ffi
Pleurococcus
Porphrydium .
Scenedesmus
Pediastrum .
Chlamidococcus
Volvox . . .
Hyalotheca .
DESMIDIEJE
Desmidium .
Closterium .
6
I
Micrasterias .
3
I
Euastrum
3
I
Cosmarium .
2
I
Arthrodesmus .
I
2
Staurastrium
2
I
BOTRYDIACEJE
2
Zygnema
4
Spirogyra . .
1 1
I
Sirogonium .
2
Mesocarpus . . 7
Staurospermum . 4
SIPHOPHYCE.S:
Vaucheria . . 7
NEMATOPHYCE^
CEdogonium . 1 6
Bulbochcete . . I
Hormiscia . . I
Stigeoclonium . 4
Draparnaldia . 3
CYSTIPHOR.S:
Chroococcus . i
NEMATOGEN^
Oscillatoria . . 3
Lyngbya. . . i
Rivularia . . i
Gloiotrichia . . i
RHODOPHYCE^:
Batrachospermum 2
1 From the list, with- localities, of the Characeae of the South Midlands, given by Mr. James
Saunders in Trans, Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. ix. p. 25 (1896).
66
BOTANY
The classification and nomenclature adopted are in accordance with
Cooke's British Freshwater Algae (18824) anc ^ ^is British Desmidieee
(18867), exce pt that his order Zygophyceaa is divided into the two
families Desmidiea? and Botrydiaceas, the desmids forming such a natural
group that it is well to keep them separate.
The order Coccophyceas and the family Desmidieas contain the
species of most interest. Of the two species of Chlamidococcus (the old
genus Protococcus}, our only record of C. nivalis is in a paper by Mr. R.
B. Croft 'On the Occurrence of Red Snow in Hertfordshire.' ] This
species 'was regarded by Bauer as a fungus, by Robert Brown as an alga,
and by Baron Wrangel as a lichen.' 2 Mr. Croft doubted the colour of
the snow being due to the alga, believing it to be caused by the pres-
ence of the flagellate animalcule Euglena acus, but he sent specimens of
the melted snow to three observers, including Mr. Saville Kent, and
each detected the presence of Chlamidococcus. It is known, however,
that snow has been coloured red and green in Spitzbergen by Euglena
sanguinea and E. viridis? With regard to the other species of Chlamido-
coccus, C. pluvialis, we have an interesting observation by Mr. C. W.
Nunn of Hertford. The phenomenon of 'alternation of generations'
exhibited by this species is well known. It is accompanied by a change
in colour from red to green and back again to red. But for ten years
in succession Mr. Nunn noticed the alga appearing in two tanks in his
garden not ten yards apart, red in one tank and green in the other, and
never changing colour. 4
The pretty Vohox globator, always an interesting object under the
microscope, has been found several times at field meetings of the Hert-
fordshire Natural History Society, and has frequently been exhibited at
the evening meetings.
The desmids are nearly all free-swimming plants living in fresh and
clear water, and chiefly frequenting shallow pools and very gentle streams.
The rarer Hertfordshire species are Hylacotheca mucosa, Closterium setaceum,
Micrasterias furcata, and Staurastrium muricatum.
The Floridea?, which are mostly marine, are represented only by
our two species of Batrachospermum, B. moniliforme, a species prolific in
varieties, of which we have three, and B. atrum, a very pretty species.
Both frequent streams and ditches.
The Diatomacea? have received more attention in the county than
any of the other families of Alga?. Hassall 5 recorded twenty-four species
from the neighbourhood of Cheshunt, of which one is a form of another,
and two cannot now be identified. Mr. Isaac Robinson * gave a list
of ninety-eight species collected in the neighbourhood of Hertford,
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sue. vol. i. p. 170 (1881).
2 Cooke's Algee, p. 54.
8 Prof. Meyen, in Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. Aug. 1848.
4 'Notes on Protococcus,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. i. p. xlv. (1882).
& British Freshwater Alg* (1845).
6 ' The Diatomaceae . . .' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. iii. p. 9 (1884).
67
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
and Mr. Francis Ransom 1 a list of twenty-nine additional species found
chiefly in the north of the county. A few years later Mr. Robinson 8
combined these two lists into one and added twenty-six species, increas-
ing the number to 153. His list includes eighteen of Hassall's species,
leaving three to add, which bring up the total number to 156, as in the
following enumeration
Epithemia
8 Tryblionella
2 Synedra .
13 Achnanthes . . 3
Euonotia
I Cymatopleura
4 Cocconema .
4 Achnanthidium 2
Cymbella
3 Nitzschia
9 Gomphonema
12 Diatoma .
3
Amphora
2 Amphipleura
i Meridiem . .
I Tabellaria
2
Cocconeis
2 Navicula .
25 Himantidium
3 Melosira .
I
Cyclotella
3 Pinnularia
1 5 Odontidium .
4 Orthosira
3
Campylodiscus
2 Stauroneis .
5 Denticula
2 Encyonema
2
Surirella .
i o Gyrosigma .
4 Fragillaria .
2 Colletonema
3
This list is arranged in accordance with the best work on the
British diatoms, and the latest although published nearly half a century
ago, Smith's Synopsis of the British Diatomace<% (18536), except that
Gyrosigma has been substituted for Pleurosigma, having the priority by
eight years. The species admitted are very nearly the same as the
135 enumerated in Pryor's Flora (pp. 51820), with the addition of
the species since added by Mr. Robinson. Frustrulia viridis in the Flora
is the same diatom as Pinnularia viridis, Cocconema ventricosa of Hassall
appears to be C. parvum of Smith, and Bacillaria paradoxa was entered
in error, Hassall not having been sure of the locality of his specimen, and
saying that the less likely supposition was that it was gathered by him-
self in the neighbourhood of Cheshunt.
The following appear to be our rarer species : Cyclotella rotu/a,
Surirella amphioxys^ Cymatopleura parallela, Nitzscbia vivax, Navicula minu-
tu/a, N. tumida, Synedra hamata, Cocconema parvum, and Achnanthes subses-
silis. So little is known of the distribution of the diatoms in Britain
that some of these species may be more frequent than might be sup-
posed from the published records of their occurrence.
The rare Achnanthes subsessilis was found by Mr. Robinson 8 in the
saucer of a flower-pot in his garden at Hertford. He mounted from
this saucer on a slide a single drop of water, which he found to yield
upwards of 200,000 separate frustules, and he estimated that these occu-
pied only about one-twenty-fifth part of the drop. In further illustra-
tion of the minuteness of diatoms he mounted a slide of them with a
very small needle (of the size known as No. 10), and was able to show'
under the microscope, within the eye of the needle, several hundreds of
diatoms of many different species ; and he also mentioned in the paper
referred to that if four specimens of one of the smaller Hertford species,
Surirella minuta, were placed in a row, the length of that row would equal
the thickness of an ordinary sheet of note-paper.
Diatoms are easily distinguishable from the rest of the Algas by
1 'Diatoms ; their Nature and Habits,' op. cit. p. 206 (1885).
8 'Observations on Diatomaceae,' op. cit. vol. iv. p. 199 (1887).
3 See his paper in Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac. vol. iii. p. 4.
68
BOTANY
having a siliceous epidermis which is incombustible and not subject to
decomposition. They are a most interesting group, partly on account
of their movements, which differ altogether from the movements of
desmids.
THE LICHENS (Lichenes)
Lichens are cellular plants intermediate between the algae and the
fungi, having a thallus like that of the fungi, and gonidia by which they
are allied to the algas. The vegetative structure developed from the
reproductive cell is called a mycelium, and on the hypothesis that the
filamentous hyphae of which it consists are parasitic upon algal gonidia
the theory has been broached that the lichens are merely a class of para-
sitic fungi, nearly allied to the Ascomycetes or even belonging to them.
This 'dual-lichen hypothesis' of Schwendener is endorsed by Sachs, 1
but it is regarded by the highest authority on the British lichens, the
Rev. W. A. Leighton, 2 as ' the baseless fabric of a vision.'
The thallus of the lichens consists of three cellular layers : (i) the
cortical layer on the upper surface, forming the outer covering of the
thallus ; (2) the gonidial layer, consisting of bright-green spherical cells ;
and (3) the medullary layer, the colourless cells of which enclose the
gonidia on the under side of the thallus. This layer varies much in
structure in different kinds of lichens, its lower surface sometimes having
rootlike filaments which attach it to the surface upon which it grows
but do not obtain nourishment from it as do the homologous filaments of
the fungi. The gonidia vary in colour from a yellowish to a bluish
green, the chlorophyll or other green granular matter which they con-
tain being generated by the action of light. The reproductive system is
too complicated to be described here, but it may be mentioned that the
spores are contained in asci or thecae, as in the Ascomycetes, and usually
are eight in number.
Lichens derive all their nutrition from the atmosphere, and for their
perfect growth require a pure air. They give beautiful patches of colour'
to the trees and rocks, old palings and walls, stones and earth, on which
they grow, most luxuriantly in damp situations.
Our knowledge of the lichens of Hertfordshire is chiefly derived
from a few records in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society of species found at field meetings of the society in Bricket Wood
and the Tunnel Woods, Watford, and from a manuscript list by the
Rev. W. H. Coleman of species found in the neighbourhood of Hertford.
The noteworthy species are Calicium melanophceum found on fir trees in
Bricket Wood, Peltigera polydactyla on moss-covered ground in Oxhey
Wood, Lecanora phlogina on trees in the Tunnel Woods, and Pertusaria
globulifera on trees in the same woods and also in Bricket Wood. The
extensive woods of Wormley and Broxbourne in the east of the county
1 Text-book of Botany, p. 262 (1875).
* Lichen Fhra of Great Britain, p. xvii. (3rd ed. 1879).
69
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ought to yield a good number of species, but we have not a single record
from them.
The nomenclature and sequence of species in the following list is in
accordance with Leighton's Lichen F/ora, the thirty-five Herts species
recorded in Pryor's Flora being here increased to sixty-seven.
CoiXEMACEI
Collema pulposum (Bernh.)
cristatum (Hoffm.)
Leptogium lacerum (Ach.)
LICHENACEI
Calicium melanophaeum, Ach.
hyperellum, Ach.
trachelinum, Acb.
curtum, Borr.
Baeomyces rufus, DC.
Cladonia pyxidata, Fr.
pyxidata, var. fimbriata, Hoffm.
furcata, Hoffm.
silvatica, Hoffm.
rangiferina, Hoffm.
Usnea barbata (Z..), var. plicata (Z,.)
Alectoria jubata (Z,.)
Evernia furfuracea, Mann.
prunastri (Z,.)
Ramelina calicaris (Hoffm.)
farinacea (Z.)
fraxinea (Z..)
fastigiata (Pers.)
polinaria, Ach.
Peltigera canina (Z,.)
polydactyla, Hoffm.
Parmelia caperata (Z,.)
olivacea (Z,.)
physodes (Z,.)
perlata (Z..)
Borreri (Turn.)
perforata, Wulf.
saxatilis (Z..)
Physcia parietina (Z,.)
ciliaris (Z,.)
pulverulenta (Schreb.)
LICHENACEI (continued)
Physcia stellar^ (Z,.)
var. tenella (Scop.)
Placodium murorum (Hoffm.)
Lecanora candellaria (Ach.)
varia (Ehrh.)
atra (Huds.)
subfusca (Z,.)
parella (Z,.), forma Turneri (Sm.)
albella (Pers.)
phlogina (Ach.)
sophodes (Ach.)
Pertusaria communis, DC.
fallax (Pers.)
faginea (Z,.)
globulifera (Turn.)
leioplaca (Ach.)
Phlyctis argena (Ach.)
Lecidia ostreata (Hoffm.)
quernea (Dicks.)
parasema (Ach.)
uliginosa (Schrad.)
canescens (Dicks.)
myriocarpa (DC.)
den i grata, Fr.
tricolor (JFith.)
caradocensis, Leight,
sabuletorum, Flk.
cupularis (Ehrh.)
Xylographia flexella (Ach.)
Opegrapha atra, Pers.
varia, Pers.
Arthonia astroidea, Ach.
Swartziana, Ach.
Graphis scripta, Ach.
THE FUNGI
Most of the field meetings of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society are held in the spring and early summer, but there is usually
one meeting in the autumn which is called a ' fungus foray,' its object
being to investigate the fungus flora of a definite area at the time of the
year when the largest number of species is likely to be found. These
forays were commenced in the year 1882, and have varied in date from
October i3th to November 4th. The following localities have been
visited, some of them several times : In the Colne district : Cassiobury
Park, Grove Park, the Tunnel Woods and Aldenham Woods, in the
neighbourhood of Watford ; Bricket Wood, between Watford and
St. Albans ; Verulam Woods, the Hollows, and Gorhambury Park,
70
BOTANY
St. Albans ; Aldbury and Ashridge Park, Tring. In the Lea district :
Hatfield Park ; Digswell Park and Sherrards Park Wood near Welwyn ;
and the Broxbourne Woods. On each of these occasions, except in
1896, the society had the benefit of the presence of either Dr. M. C.
Cooke or Mr. George Massee, sometimes also with Mr. Worthington
Smith and Dr. H. T. Wharton, who have furnished lists of the fungi
for publication in the Transactions of the Society. From the year
1888 all the lists have been contributed by Mr. Massee. It is to these
lists that our knowledge of the fungi of the county is almost entirely
due, and they have furnished nearly every record here given, except the
Uredineae and the Myxomycetes or those of Mycetozoa.
The various groups of fungi will not here be treated in quite a
uniform manner. A complete list of species of the Mycetozoa of the
county is contributed by the Herts Natural History Society's recorder of
this group, Mr. James Saunders, but of all the other fungi lists of the
genera only are given, the number of species of each genus which have
been found in Hertfordshire being denoted by a figure after its name,
forming a census of the fungi at present known to occur in the county.
From insufficient knowledge the Tuberaceas, Hysteriacea?, Ustilagineae,
and Sphasropsideas are omitted, and so also are the microbes Schizomy-
cetes and Saccharomycetes.
This is not the place to treat of the classification or the morpho-
logy of the fungi in general, but on account of the great interest attaching
to the metamorphoses through which the Uredineae pass, a brief account
of the life-cycle of these microscopic leaf-fungi is given in accord-
ance with the views of their chief British investigator, Mr. Charles B.
Plowright, whose nomenclature is followed. For the same reason the
Mycetozoa are similarly treated (by Mr. Saunders), in this order Mr.
Arthur Lister being the authority followed. In all the other groups
the classification, nomenclature, and sequence of genera (and also of
species when mentioned) are in accordance with Dr. M. C. Cooke's
Handbook of British Fungi (1871), modified as to the grouping of the
orders chiefly in accordance with his latest views as expressed in his
Introduction to the Study of Fungi (1895).
The fungi which are known to occur in Hertfordshire belong to the
following orders (numbered) and larger divisions
Basidiomycetes ( l " Hymenomycetes . . . . Mushroom-like fungi
I 2. Gastromycetes .... Puff-ball fungi
3. Uredineae Rust fungi
Ascomvcetes ( 4 " Venomycetes Capsular fungi
I 5. Discomycetes Discoid fungi
6. Physomycetes Conjugating fungi
7. Hyphomycer.es .... Moulds
8. Myxomycetes or Mycetozoa Slime fungi
The Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes are the only orders of the
division of the Basidiomycetes, and comprise all the fungi which have
naked spores borne on short and thick supports called basidia. Nearly
all the larger fungi which grow on the ground belong to this division,
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
but it includes some species which grow on trees, decayed wood, etc.
In the division of the Ascomycetes the spores are not naked or exposed,
being enclosed in a delicate membrane or spore-sac. Its orders Pyreno-
mycetes and Discomycetes include the rest of the larger fungi growing
on the ground or on fallen branches, old stumps, etc., with many smaller
forms growing on dead wood and living plants. This division also
includes the Tuberacea? and Hysteriaceas. The remaining orders cannot
be grouped in larger divisions, none having sufficiently important
characters in common, except the Uredineae and Ustilagineas, which it
has been suggested should be grouped together as Protobasidiomycetes.
i. HYMENOMYCETES
AGARICIN
i
Lentinus .
i
Merulius . .
I
Corticium . . 1 1
Panus .
2
Fistulina . .
I
Peniophora . 6
Agaricus .
Coprinus .
337
1 1
Lenzites .
. 2
HYDNEI
Cyphella . . I
Bolbitius .
i
POLYPORE
[
Hydnum . .
2
CLAVARIEJE
Cortinarius
21
Boletus . . .
Radulum .
2
Clavaria. . . 14
Paxillus
J
3
Strombilomyce
7
S I
Glandinia .
2
Calocera . . 2
T^ i 1
Hygrophorus
18
Polyporus .
20
THELEPHORJE
lypnula . . i
Lactarius .
25
Fomes . .
I
Craterellus .
I
TREMELLINEJE
Russula
28
Polystichus
2
Thelephora
I
Tremella . . 3
Cantherellus
i
Poria
2
Stereum
5
Ulocolla . . i
Nyctalis
2
Trametes .
I
Hymenochaete
2
Hirneola . . I
Marasmius .
12
Dasdalia
I
Coniophora
I
Dacrymyces . I
There are thus 570 species of Hymenomycetes known to occur in
Hertfordshire. The total number of British species in Cooke's Hand-
book is 1,044, and although the number has been largely increased since
1871, it must be admitted that our record is not a poor one.
Nor are we wanting in rare and interesting species. Taking the
sub-genera of the genus Agaricus in their proper order, Ag. (Amanita)
excelsus has been found in Gorhambury Park ; Ag. (Lepiota) gliodermus
in Broxbourne Woods, the second British locality ; Ag. (L.) sistratus
in Sherrards Park Wood ; and Ag. (Armillaria) ramentaceus, (Tricholoma]
resplendent, (T'.) albus, and (Clytocybe) hirneolus have occurred in Brox-
bourne Woods. Of Ag. (C.) Sadleri we have the second and third
British records, Ashridge Park in 1894 and Cassiobury Park in 1897, t ^ ie
species having first been found in Britain in the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow.
Ag. (P/eurotus) striatulus and (Colly bia} ozes are recorded from Broxbourne
Woods, and the last-named also from Ashridge Park ; and Ag. (Colly bia}
bibulosus, (Mycena) amictus, cetites, pullatus, and gypseus, and (Omphalia)
glaucophyllus from Sherrards Park Wood. The next in order are two
very noteworthy finds. Ag. (Leptonia} euochrous, a species which had
only once before been found in Britain, was detected in the Ashridge
Woods in 1894, and Ag. (Nolania} nigripes in Aldenham Woods in 1886,
this being the first British record. Ag. (Pholiota) Cookii and (Hebeloma)
perbrevis have been found in the Broxbourne Woods, and Ag. (H.} sina-
pizans and (Crepidotus) calolepis in Sherrards Park Wood. Ag. (Psalliota)
ehensis has been found in Gorhambury Park, (P.) dermoxantha in Cassio-
72
BOTANY
bury Park, and (Hypholoma) hypoxanthus in Sherrards Park Wood. In
1896 a species of the same sub-genus new to Britain Ag. (H.) violaceo-
ater was found by the present writer in the Hollows, Gorhambury, and
was sent to Mr. Massee for determination. The last Agaricus to be
mentioned is Ag. (Psatbyrella) arafus, which was found in 1893 in
Sherrards Park Wood, the second British locality.
Of the rest of the Agaricini we have the following rare species :
Cortinarius azureus found in Sherrards Park Wood ; Paxillus Alexandri
in Hatfield Park in 1890, being the second British specimen, the first
one having been found in Hatfield Park, Essex, in 1888 ; Lactarius
cremor in Sherrards Park Wood ; Russula barlce in Ashridge Park ; and
Nyctalis cremor in Sherrards Park Wood. Of the rarer Polyporei we
found Strobilomyces strobilaceus under an oak tree in Grove Park in 1895,
mentioned by Mr. Massee at the time as ' the rarest and most interesting
of British fungi,' and Poria sanguinolenta in Cassiobury Park in 1897.
And lastly the rarer Clavarieas are represented by C/avaria stricta, found
by Mr. Henry Warner in Broxbourne Woods in 1892 after the fungus
foray held there.
2. GASTROMYCETES
Phallus ... I Bovista . . . i Scleroderma. . 3 Sphzrobolus . i
Geaster ... 2 Lycoperdon . . 5 Cyathus i
The well-known stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) is of frequent occur-
rence, and on one occasion it was recognized by its smell and only found
after a vigilant search. A specimen of Geaster fornicatus found near
Watford was exhibited at a recent meeting of the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society, and several specimens of G. Bryantii were some years
ago found by the writer growing on a roadside bank near Bow Bridge,
between St. Albans and Redbourn. One was sent to Dr. M. C. Cooke
for determination and the others are now in the County Museum at
St. Albans. Lycoperdon saccatum and excipuliforme have been found in the
wood above Aldbury, and Scleroderma bovista and verrucosum in Digswell
Park, the latter species also in Gorhambury Park.
3.
Uromyces . . 4 Phragmidium . 5 Melampsora . i Caeoma . . . I
Puccinia ... 20 Endophyllum . I Coleosporium . 3 /Ecidium . . I
Triphragminium I Gymnosporangium 2 Uredo . . . i
In several orders of the fungi there are species which are parasitic
on the leaves of flowering plants and on the fronds of ferns, but most of
the microscopic leaf-fungi and all those which in the most conspicuous
stage of their existence are known as ' cluster-cups ' belong to the
Uredineas or to the Ustilagineae, which until recently were considered to
be families of the Coniomycetes or dust-like fungi, this term appertain-
ing to their spores, which are their chief feature. 1 Indeed it is by their
1 The nomenclature in Plowright's British Uredinea and Ustilaginea is followed in treating of the
Uredineae.
73
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
spores that we know one from another, they only being visible on the
surface ; the mycelium is hidden in the tissues of the host-plant and
consists of long and slender filaments called hypha? which sometimes per-
vade the whole of the host-plant except its root.
The cycle of changes through which the Uredineas pass is very
varied. In the simplest life-cycle there sprouts from the teleutospore a
tiny hyaline tube, the promycelium, from each segment of which there
arises a short branch ; the distal end of each branch falls off as the
promycelial spore, moisture causes it to germinate, and if it should
happen to fall upon a living leaf of the host-plant proper to its species the
germ-tube enters the tissue of the leaf and gives rise to mycelial hyphae
from which teleutospores are developed, usually on the under surface of
the leaf. The mycelium does not always directly give rise to teleuto-
spores ; frequently it first produces organs called spermogonia, and then
the most highly coloured and conspicuous of all kinds of spores, the
aecidiospores. These are the true cluster-cups, and at one time they
constituted the then important genus flLcidium, but now nearly all the
species formerly referred to this genus are known to have been founded
on the ascidiospore stage of species belonging to other genera. The
aecidiospores may directly produce teleutospores, or firstly uredospores,
which in their turn may produce teleutospores or may for some genera-
tions reproduce themselves as uredospores, but teleutospores must
eventually be formed.
Perhaps the most interesting phenomenon in the life-history of the
leaf-fungi is the passing in some species of a part of their life on one
kind of plant and another part on a different kind. This is called
hetercecism, and it was first proved to exist in 1864. More than a
century earlier it was generally recognized that the presence of the
barberry (Earbarea vu/garis) is injurious to growing crops of wheat and
of some other cereals ; but the cause was unknown, the fact often dis-
puted, and the remedy therefore often neglected, until it was proved by
De Bary that Puccinia graminis, the microscopic fungus which attacks the
wheat plants, is a later stage in the life-cycle of JEcidium berberidls^ the
cluster-cup of the barberry. As another instance of hetercecism may be
mentioned one of the best known of all the cluster-cups, which occurs
on the leaves of the lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficarid) and on those of
R. repens and R. bulbosus. This has been known until recently as
/Ecidium ranunculacearum^ and has also been named M. ficarice, but it
is now found to be an early (aecidiospore) stage of Uromyces poce, the
mature form of which (the teleutospore) occurs on the grasses Poa
trivia/is, P. pratensis, and P. annua. The true Uromyces ficarice is only
known to occur on the lesser celandine.
Owing to the various forms which the spores assume in their differ-
ent stages, and to hetercecism, to which about fifty species are subject,
the number of recorded species of Hertfordshire Uredinese has had to be
considerably reduced. As an instance of the record of a species under
three names may be mentioned the rose-pest Phragmidium subcorticatum,
74
BOTANY
recorded by Dr. M. C. Cooke as P. bullatum (on twigs of Rosa canina at
Barnet), by Mr. E. M. Chater as P. mucronatum (on rose-leaves at
Watford), and by Mr. J. W. Walker as Lecythea rosce (on roses in the
neighbourhood of Watford).
Cluster-cups are pests, injuring the plant on which they grow, and
we have one instance of the apparent extinction by their means of a rare
plant in a locality in which it had long been established. Anemone
ranunculoides formerly grew in the corner of a field at Abbot's Langley.
In May, 1 8 8 1 , the present writer saw a few plants there with leaves
thickened and some also elongated by the hyphas of JEcidium punctatum.
The plants looked far from healthy, and on a visit to the spot some years
later not one was to be found.
Very little is known of the distribution of the leaf-fungi in Hert-
fordshire ; in fact nearly all our records relate to the south-west of the
county, chiefly to the neighbourhood of Watford and St. Albans. The
eighteen species of Uredines recorded in Pryor's Flora are now however
brought up to forty, all of which are found in the neighbourhood of
Watford. There is still a wide field in the county for further investiga-
tion of this interesting group of plant-parasites.
4. PYRENOMYCETES
Uncinula . . I Nectria . . . I Dothidea . . i Sphaeria ... 3
Rhytisma . . 2 Xylaria ... 3 Microstoma . . I Sphxrella . . i
Hypochrea . . I Daldinea . . i Valsa. ... 4 Venturia. . . i
Hypomyces . . I Hypoxylon . . i Bysossphaeria . I
The rarer species are Daldinea concentrica, Microstoma album, Bysos-
sphceria aquilla, and Sphcerella fragrance, from Cassiobury Park, Valsa
corylina from Hatfield Park, and Venturia glomerata recorded by Dr.
Cooke in Grevillea (vol. iii. p. 69) as found by him at Barnet in 1874.
5. DlSCOMYCETES
Morchella . . i Geoglossum . . i Helotium . . 5 Phacidium . . 2
Helvella I Peziza . . .10 Bulgaria I
This is an interesting order, comprising several esculent and some
very pretty species. Of the former we have only the common morel
(Morchella esculenta] and the pallid helvella (He he I la crispa] ; of the
latter we have several species of Peziza, the prettiest being the common
P. aurantia and P. virgmea, one of a brilliant orange and the other of a
pure white colour, the rather local carmine peziza (P. coccinea) found in
a wood near Watford, and the very rare P. luteo-nitens detected in 1894
on the Chalk slope between Aldbury and Ashridge Park. The colour of
this is a bright orange-yellow. Another rare species, P. ampliata, was
found in Digswell Park in 1893.
6. PHYSOMYCETES
The only species of this order we have on record are Cystopus can-
75
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
didus which grows on living plants, Acrostalagmus cinnabarius which
prefers decaying plants, and the pest, Peronospora infestans, which produces
the well-known potato-disease.
7. HYPHOMYCETES
Of the moulds the only species we have on record are Tubercularia
eesculi and vu/garis, Epicoccum purpurascens, Monotospora spharocephala,
Verticillium /ateritium, and Polyactis cinerea. The common moulds belong-
ing to this order, which attack almost everything left in a damp state or
put aside in damp weather, are too familiar to require mention here, but
it may be stated that nearly all the species of every-day occurrence are
unrecorded.
8. MYXOMYCETES OR MYCETOZOA
The curious organisms usually known as the Mycetozoa are with
difficulty assigned to a definite position in any lineal system of classifica-
tion. This arises from certain peculiarities which they exhibit during
the changes of form through which they pass in the series of metamor-
phoses constituting their life-cycle. In certain stages they show affinities
with several groups of plants, by which they are linked to the vegetable
kingdom, while in other phases of their life-history they present equally
marked alliances with the animal world. Hence they may be described
as lying on the borderland of the two great divisions of animated nature,
suggesting that both these kingdoms have had a common ancestry.
So different are they in some respects from all other known forms
of life, that it has recently been suggested by an eminent biologist that
they should be raised to the rank of a separate kingdom.
For convenience' sake they are usually classed with the Fungi, the
German author Sachs grouping them with the Zygospora, although he
admits that they differ from these in certain important points.
Mode of occurrence and general appearance. The Mycetozoa are
usually found upon decayed vegetation, such as leaf heaps in the recesses
of damp woods and other shady situations ; and on fallen branches and
rotten tree-roots, especially if overgrown with vegetation.
In addition to such situations, recent researches, dating from 1897,
in Hertfordshire and the adjoining counties, have shown that old straw-
heaps, such as are usually found on outlying farms, are very prolific in
these organisms. These accumulations of decaying vegetation have
yielded in this district several previously undescribed species and note-
worthy British records. These are the two new species, Pbysarum stra-
minipes and Didymium Trocbus ; a new variety, Pbysarum didermoides, var.
lividum ; the first European record of Fu/igo ellipsospora ; and the first
British record of Badbamia ovispora.
A brief description of the Mycetozoa in the fruiting-stage will be
helpful to those who may wish to observe them in the field. A common
form, Didymium diffbrme, which often occurs in heaps of leaves or straw,
presents the appearance of minute spherical white beads on short stalks.
76
BOTANY
These are sometimes so abundant that the straw looks as though whitened
with hoar-frost. Another species, Fu/igo septica, known also as ' flowers
of tan,' may occasionally be seen on the surface of straw-heaps. It appears
as a yellowish white mass, and is sometimes so large as to be compared
by casual observers with cauliflower heads.
In some species the immature condition is different in colour from
that of the mature. This is notably the case with some species of the
genus Comatricba, which, upon emerging from the substratum, appear like
minute white beads on hair-like black stalks. In a day or two the spor-
angia turn to a dusky brown. Others again, as Lamproderma, look like
minute black beads, which glisten as though covered with varnish. These
when mature exhibit iridescent hues.
A very generally distributed species (Lycogala miniatum), frequently
seen in woods in early spring, finds a congenial habitat in decayed logs
of wood. When immature it is of a lovely pink or crimson hue, which
gradually changes to light brown on arriving at maturity. The heads
are sessile, and range from the size of a pea to that of a hazel nut.
Another form, known as Trichia persimilis, presents the appearance of a
patch of sessile white beads, which when ripe change to a bright yellow.
Their metamorphoses. In what may be regarded as the initial stage
of their life-cycle the Mycetozoa exist as minute spores, usually spherical,
each of which contains a speck of protoplasm ; or rather they should be
regarded as minute particles of protoplasm which have invested them-
selves with a covering of cellulose, usually ornamented with patterns
which are constant according to the species. These spores are readily
distributed by the wind, and when they fall in favourable situations the
spore-covering is thrown off and the contained protoplasm assumes an
amoeboid form.
Eventually a number of these unite and form a plasmodium. This
may consist of only a minute expansion, or it may extend to a foot or
more in length, presenting the appearance of a network of motile streaming
veins. The colour of this varies in different species and genera. It may
be yellow as in Badbamia, grey or white as in Pbysarum, pink or rose
as in Lycogala, and slate-colour as in Cribraria argillacea. The plasmo-
dium may be regarded as the feeding-stage of the organism, and is so
undifFerentiated in structure that any portion of it may become a foot,
or a mouth, or a stomach, according to requirements. It presents also
the phenomenon of circulation, which is of a most singular character.
When examined microscopically, the granular contents are seen to flow
in one direction for about a minute and a half; then follows a brief
pause, after which the streaming motion is set up in the opposite
direction ; and this alternate ebb and flow is continued until the organism
undergoes a further change of form. The plasmodium-stage may be
regarded as that in which conjugation takes place, as it is followed by the
formation of spore-bearing organs.
After continuing in this plastic state for an indefinite period, which
may be for weeks or months, the plasmodium contracts itself into com-
77
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
pact masses, which may be separate sporangia, or the whole protoplasmic
contents may coalesce and form an xthalium. But whether the fruiting-
stage consists of sporangia or aethalia, these contain an immense number of
spores which are eventually distributed by the wind, and when they are
borne to favourable situations their life-cycle recommences.
When in the motile stages, whether as amoeboid cells or as plas-
modia, should the climatal conditions become unfavourable, they have
the power of encysting themselves and existing apparently in a state of
suspended animation. When their environment is again favourable they
resume their plastic state and motile condition.
In illustration of the advantage to the organism of this singular
power the following facts are presented.
In the early part of the year 1895 occurred a severe frost of many
weeks' duration. Just prior to its commencement the writer observed a
large mass of plasmodium of Badhamia utricularis on a decayed log in
Birchin Grove Wood, Herts. It was then streaming in large veins, and
was evidently in full vigour. Two or three days after this the frost set
in, and no observations were made until its cessation. The thaw com-
menced on a Thursday towards the end of February, and on the following
Sunday a visit was made to the spot to note the behaviour of the plas-
modium. It was found that the whole mass had become encysted when
the frost commenced, forming a wax-like substance, the sclerotium. In
this condition it had withstood the excessive cold, and in the three days
subsequent to the commencement of the thaw, the greater proportion
had resumed its plastic condition, and was again streaming in its
characteristic veins and fans. A small portion of the sclerotium still
remained unrevived, being in the highest and driest portion of the log.
A gathering of the plasmodium was made, which after a few weeks'
cultivation fruited satisfactorily.
As a further illustration of the tenacity of life of the sclerotium-
stage of Badhamia utricularis, the writer may mention that he has a
lantern-slide of this species which was gathered in the plasmodium
condition in a wood in Herts in November, 1894, and was allowed
to encyst itself and then kept as sclerotium till November, 1896.
After these two years of suspended animation it was easily revived by
moisture and moderate warmth, when it spread itself out into its
characteristic forms in search of food. It was then rapidly dried by
artificial heat, so that its usual appearance in the creeping-stage should
be rendered permanent.
Some plasmodium of Badhamia nitens was collected in a wood in Cad-
dington, Herts, at Christmas, 1892. It was attached to a fungus (Irpex)
which was growing on a decayed branch of oak. The whole gathering
wood, fungus, mycetozoon was frozen hard when obtained. It rapidly
thawed within doors and exhibited movements for several days. A short
time afterwards it was allowed to dry up, when it assumed the sclerotium
condition. In this state it existed, looking like a piece of sealing-wax,
until the spring of 1894. It was then placed in tepid water, and during
78
BOTANY
the succeeding night it exhibited unusual activity. It continued in a
more or less motile state for several weeks, when it matured and formed
its sporangia.
Some species pass the plasmodium-stage in the interior of decayed
tree-roots or logs, and do not make their appearance till they emerge for
the purpose of forming their fruits. Hence very little is known of their
habits in the motile condition. On one occasion, in a wood near
Harpenden, Herts, a decayed tree-root, quite a foot in diameter, was
being examined for these organisms. In the centre the woody fibres
were found to be saturated with plasmodium which when matured
proved to be that of Hemiarcyria clavata.
The sequence of changes in the life-cycle of the Mycetozoa is as
follows : spore the distributive stage ; myxamaba and plasmodium the
motile and assimilating stages ; sporangium the fruiting stage, the spores
of which, when distributed, enable the cycle to recommence.
Classification. The grouping and arrangement of the genera and
species are based upon the characters and contents of the mature sporangia.
The two principal divisions are those in which (a) the spores are de-
veloped on the outside of the sporophores, and (b) those in which the
spores are developed inside the sporangia.
In the first division there is only one genus known, but in the
second the genera are numerous. These are further divided according
to the colours of the spores, the first cohort including those in which
they are violet or violet-brown, and the second those in which the spores
are variously coloured but never violet.
The further subdivisions are based upon the presence or absence of
lime in the walls of the sporangia, and also upon the characters of
the capillitium when this is present.
Distribution in Herts. As wind is the principal agent in the dis-
persal of the spores of the Mycetozoa, it is obvious that most of the
species must have a wide geographical distribution. This renders it highly
improbable that any form would be confined to so limited an area as an
English county, or even to the British Islands.
The subjoined list of those which have been recorded for Hertford-
shire, though by no means exhaustive, will give a fair idea of what forms
the county would furnish to a local investigator.
There are a few species deserving special notice, amongst which is
Eadhamia nitens. This until a few years ago had not been recorded for any
locality outside England. It is now known to occur in Ceylon and Antigua.
Hertfordshire furnished the first-known British record of the plasmo-
dium-stage of this species.
The first two British localities for which Physarum citrinum was re-
corded are Caddington and Welwyn, both in Herts. It has recently been
found in Scotland, and is known to occur also in Germany ana Venezuela.
Eadhamia ovispora has recently (1900) been found in Herts, the only
previous British records being for the adjoining counties of Beds and
Bucks.
79
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The following Mycetozoa have been found in Hertfordshire l
Ceratiomyxa mucida, Schroettr
Badhamia hyalina, Berk.
utricularis, Berk.
nitens, Berk.
ovispora, Racib.
panicea, Rost.
Physarum citrinum, Schum.
viride, Pen.
nutans, Pen,
var. leucophaeum
var. violascens, Rost.
calidris, Lister
compressum, Alb. & Schw.
straminipes, Lister
didermoides, Rost.
bivalve, Pen.
Diderma, Rost.
Fuligo septica, Gmel.
Craterium pedunculatum, Trent.
leucocephalum, Ditm.
Leocarpus vernicosus, Link
Chondrioderma spumaroides, Rost.
testaceum, Rost.
Michelii, Rost.
reticulatum, Rost.
radiatum, Rost.
Didymium difforme, Duty
Clavus, Rost.
nigripes, Fries
effusum, Link
Spumaria alba, DC.
Stemonitis fusca, Roth
Stemonitis ferruginea, Ehrenb.
Comatricha obtusata, Preuss.
typhoides, Rost.
Persoonii, Rost.
Enerthenema elegans, Bowm.
Lamproderma irideum, Mass.
Cribraria argillacea, Pen.
Dictydium umbilicatum, Schrad.
Tubulina fragiformis, Pen.
Enteridium olivaceum, Ehrenb.
Reticularia Lycoperdon, Bull.
Trichia affinis, de Bary
persimilis, Kant.
scabra, Rost.
varia, Pen.
contorta, Rost.
var. inconspicua
fallax, Pen.
Botrytis, Pen.
var. munda, Lister
Hemitrichia intorta, Lister
clavata, Rost.
Arcyria albida, Pen.
var. pomiformis
punicea, Pen.
incarnata, Pen.
flava, Pen.
Perichaena depressa, Libert.
populina, Fries
variabilis, Rost.
Lycogala miniatum, Pert.
1 The nomenclature and arrangement are those of the Monograph of the Mycetozoa, by Arthur
Lister, F.L.S. (1894).
80
ZOOLOGY
MOLLUSCS
The number of species of Mollusca recorded for Hertfordshire
is 96. There being 139 known for the whole of the British Islands,
this is a fair average, and the number will doubtless be increased when
more attention has been paid to the slug fauna, several well-known
forms that should be met with not being yet recorded.
The Roman snail (Helix pomatia), a very local species, occurs in
several localities, in some of which it is probably indigenous ; whilst into
others it may have been introduced. It certainly lived in Britain in pre-
Roman times.
The pretty little Vertigo moulinsiana is at present found in the living
state in but a few isolated localities ; two of these however are within
the Hertfordshire area.
The chief sources of information on the Mollusca of Hertfordshire
are three papers read before the Hertfordshire Natural History Society
in I884, 1 lists of species collected at field meetings of this Society and
published in the Transactions, and a list of species collected in the neigh-
bourhood of Hertford by members of the Haileybury Natural History
Society. 2 Specimens of nearly all the species here recorded may be seen
in the County Museum at St. Albans and in the Haileybury College
Museum.
A. GASTROPODA
I. PULMONATA Vitrea glabra (Brit. Auct.)
cellar'ia (Mall.)
a. STYLOMMATOPHORA _ nMMa (Drap<)
Testacella scutulum, Sby. Hemel Hempstead pura (Aid.)
Umax maximus, Linn. radiatula (Aid.). Hitchin ; Berry Wood,
fla-vus, Linn. Aldenham ; Ware
arborum, Bouch. -Chant. nitida (Mull.). Hitchin ; Ware
Agriolimax agresth (Linn.) fulva (Mull.)
Icevh (Mall.). Ware Arion ater (Linn.)
Amalia sowerbii (Fei.). Verulam Hills, St. kortensis, Fer.
Albans ; Ware Punctual pygmisum (Drap.). Hitchin ; Hoddes-
Vitrina pellucida (Mttll.) don Fields
Vitrea crystallina (Mall.) Pyramidula rupestris (Drap.). Near Bushey
alliaria (Miller). Hitchin ; Gallows Hill, Lodge, Watford
Haileybury rotundata (Mull.)
1 Roebuck and Taylor, ' The Recorded Occurrences of Land and Freshwater Mollusca in Hertford-
shire,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. t vol. iii. p. 10 ; Hopkinson, 'Remarks on the Land Mollusca,'
op. clt. p. 17 ; and 'List of Land and Freshwater Mollusca observed in Hertfordshire,' of. ctt. p. 29.
* Fauna and Flora of Haileybury, part i. (1888).
I 8l G
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Helicella virgata (Da C.)
itala (Linn.)
caperata (Mont.)
cantiana (Mont.)
Hygromia fusca (Mont.). Gallows Hill,
Haileybury
granulata (Aid.)
hispida (Linn.)
rufescens (Penn.)
Acantbinula aculeata (Moll.). Hitchin ; Swiss
Cottage, Cassiobury Park ; Hoddesdon
Fields
Vallonia pulchella (Mull.)
Helicigona lapicida (Linn.). Hitchin ; Tring ;
Sandridge ; Gallows Hill, Haileybury
arbustorum (Linn.)
Helix aspersa, Mtill.
pomatia, Linn. Hitchin ; St. Albans ;
Harpenden ; Marford Bridge and
Waterend, Wheathampstead ; Gallows
Hill, Haileybury
nemoralis, Linn.
kortensit, Milll.
Buliminus montanus (Drap.). Hitchin
abscurus (Mull.)
Cochlicopa lubrica (Mtill.)
Azeca tridens (Pult.). Hitchin ; Sandridge
Ctecilianella acicula (Mull.)
Pupa secale, Drap. Beech woods at Aldbury,
Tring
cylindracea (Da C.)
mtucorum (Linn.)
Sphyradium edentulum (Drap.). Swiss Cottage
Woods, Cassiobury Park
Vertigo antivertigo (Drap.). Hitchin
pygmeea (Drap.). Hitchin ; Ware ; Rye
House
moulinsiana (Dup.). Near Hitchin ; near
Broxbourne
Balea perversa (Linn.). Hitchin
Clausilia laminata (Mont.)
bidentata (Strom.)
biplicata (Mont.)
rolphii, Gray. Gallows Hill, Hailey-
bury
Succinea putris (Linn.). In addition to the
type a variety, which has been described
as a separate species, under the name of
S. virescens, has been found at St. Albans.
e/egans, Risso. Hemel Hempstead ; Gor-
hambury, St. Albans ; Ware
b. BASOMMATOPHORA
Carychium minimum, Mtill. Hitchin ; Swiss
Cottage, Cassiobury Park ; Haileybury
Anychii jfaviatiia, Mull.
Velletia lacustris (Linn.). Sopwell, St. Albans ;
Hoddesdon Fields
Limntsa auricularia (Linn.)
pereger (Mtill.)
palustris (Mull.)
truncatula (Mull.)
stagnalis (Linn.)
Planorbis corneus (Linn.)
a/bus, Mull.
g/aber, JefF. St. Margaret's
nautileus (Linn.)
carinatus, Mull.
marginatus, Drap.
vortex (Linn.)
spirorbis, Mull.
contortus (Linn.)
fontanus (Lightf.)
lineatus (Walker). Ware
Physa fontinalis (Linn.)
hypnorum (Linn.). Hitchin
II. PROSOBRANCHIATA
Bythinia tentaculata (Linn.)
leachii (Shepp.). Hitchin ; Ware
V'mipara vivipara (Linn.)
Vafoata piscina/is (Mull.)
cristata, Mull. Hitchin ; Ware
Pomatias elegans (Mtill.). Hitchin ; Ashridge
Park, Tring ; Gorhambury Park, St.
Albans ; near Wheathampstead ;
Brocket Park, Welwyn ; Gallows Hill,
Haileybury
Neritina JJuviatilis (Linn.). River Lea
B. PELECYPODA
Drelssensia polymorpha (Pall.)
Unio pictorum (Linn.)
Anodonta cygn&a (Linn.)
Spheerium rivicola (Leach). Rickmansworth ;
River Lea
corneum (Linn.)
'lacustre (Mull.). Hitchin ; Rickmans-
worth ; Ware
Pisidium amnicum (Mflll.)
pusillum (Gmel.). Hitchin ; Watford ;
Ware
nitidum, Jenyns. Watford ; Ware
fontinale (Drap.). Sopwell, St. Albans ;
Rickmansworth ; Ware
milium (Held.)
82
INSECTS
With the exception of the Lepidoptera, the Coleoptera and a small
section of the Diptera, no attempt appears to have been made to compile
systematic lists of the insects of Hertfordshire. In the earlier decades of
the nineteenth century James Francis Stephens, a clerk in the Admiralty,
and in 1837 president of the Entomological Society, devoted his leisure
hours to the study of natural history, and in the formation of his cele-
brated collections of insects he made frequent visits to many localities
within a moderate distance of the metropolis. The neighbourhood of
Hertford appears to have been one of his favourite hunting grounds, and
in his Illustrations of British Entomology he refers to the capture of speci-
mens belonging to a good many species of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera,
Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera and Heteroptera in that part of the
county. These records have now been brought together and, so far as
the last four of the above named Orders are concerned, form the only
local lists we possess. For some years past the Lepidoptera of the county
have been carefully catalogued on behalf of the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society, and the annual reports of the recorders have been
printed in the Society's Transactions.
Economic entomology has received a considerable amount of atten-
tion, and in connection with this branch of science the life-long investi-
gations of Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, LL.D., F.E.S., Torrington House,
St. Albans, must be prominently mentioned. The many useful works
which have issued from her pen have done much to increase our know-
ledge of the life history of insect pests and of the remedies which may
be applied to check their ravages.
At Tring is situated the Rothschild Museum of Natural History,
where a staff of skilled entomologists is constantly engaged upon the study
of both British and exotic insects.
COLEOPTERA
The Coleoptera of Hertfordshire have at present been somewhat
inadequately studied, and much work remains to be done in many
districts before anything like a complete knowledge is obtained of the
local distribution of insects belonging to this Order. The subjoined
catalogue consists very largely of species which have been noticed along
the western side of the county in a district extending from Watford to
83
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Tring, and which is situated almost wholly upon the Cretaceous beds, and
this formation being characteristic of a large portion of Hertfordshire, the
species enumerated may, as far as they go, be considered as representative
to a certain extent of the county generally. In many localities the chalk
is overlaid by deposits belonging to the Eocene and Quaternary periods,
and there is a corresponding alteration in the character of the flora. Not
much is known of the Coleoptera of these districts, but they may reason-
ably be expected to produce some species not to be found upon the
outcrop of the Cretaceous beds. Where outliers of the Woolwich and
Reading beds occupy extensive areas they effect a material change in the
character of the soil, and an increased number of species of Coleoptera
may be looked for, especially if the outlier be covered with woodland.
Upon the chalk we have occurring a considerable number of the species
peculiar to that formation, and it will be found that a very close analogy
exists between the fauna of the Chiltern Hills district and that of similar
districts in the counties of Kent and Surrey. The Middle Chalk which
seems so specially favourable to the growth of several of our rare plants *
is also apparently the special haunt of many of the rarer chalk-loving
beetles. Here there always seems to be a greater variety of species, and
two members of the genus Apion, A, atomarium and A. iva/toni, I have not
yet noticed on any of the other divisions of the formation. Possibly
other observers may find these two species less particular in this respect.
The beech woods which flourish in and are such a notable feature of the
chalky districts, harbour many characteristic species, principally sub-
cortical ones, the beech being very little in favour with the Cryptocephali,
Rhynchites and other phytophagous genera usually to be looked for in
such situations. The flora of the chalk downs and uncultivated chalky
pastures includes a large number of plants which are frequented by
various beetles. It is unnecessary to detail them here, as the name of the
food plant upon which a species has been found to occur in the county
is given in each case in the catalogue with the locality. Even the
cultivated fields in the chalky districts are often well adapted to produce
an abundance of beetle life, growing as they do crops of sainfoin, lucerne
and clover or cereal crops much overrun by charlock (Brassica sinapis),
either kind of vegetation being capable of supporting many species of the
weevil tribe and Halticidce, and for which there is usually abundant
undisturbed shelter during winter in the close-growing turf and moss of
the adjacent chalk downs and hedgerows.
The aquatic Coleoptera are but poorly represented at present in the
county list. This is partially due no doubt to the fact that I have not
myself collected them quite so carefully as some of the other groups, but
it must also be borne in mind that there are no extensive fen or bog
lands within the county, so that probably further and more complete
search will not very largely augment the number.
Upwards of fifty of the species appearing in the catalogue are not at
present known to occur further north. Many of these are chalk-fre-
1 Flora of Hertfordshire, pref. p. xiii.
84
INSECTS
quenting insects, and all are easily recognizable, and therefore not likely
to have been overlooked if they existed elsewhere north of the county.
Five species which have a more or less boreal distribution have been
observed ; they are : Gyrophcena manca, Corymbites cupreus, C. tzneus,
Phyllobius viridicollis and Barynotus schonherri. The occurrence of Corymbites
cupreus may have been accidental, as but one specimen was picked up in
the churchyard at Tring some years ago. When the distribution of our
native Coleoptera has been more fully investigated, it will probably be
found that that portion of the Chiltern range situated in the county
constitutes an interesting natural limit, roughly speaking, to the advance
northward of several of our British beetles. Altogether 1,542 species
have been recorded for Hertfordshire, but I am confident that this figure
represents very incompletely the total number likely to be found. Some
proof of the truth of this statement is afforded by the fact that nearly i oo
additional species have been noticed by myself in Buckinghamshire within
three or four miles of the Herts border, and in localities which have
their exact counterpart in Hertfordshire. My thanks are due to the
following gentlemen who have kindly given assistance : The Rev.
Canon Fowler, M.A., F.L.S., Rev. Theodore Wood, F.E.S., Mr. G. A.
Lewcock, Mr. E. A. Newbery, and Mr. A. Piffard, all of whom have
furnished lists of captures made in the county. Canon Fowler has
collated a number of records, chiefly from Stephens' works. The Rev.
Theodore Wood's list consists entirely of species noticed in the vicinity
of Baldock, where he took Barynotus schonherri^ the capture of which
so far south is noteworthy. Mr. Lewcock's captures were made during
an excursion to Bricket Wood and Watford ; he reports some scarce
insects from both places. Mr. Newbery has made but slight entomo-
logical acquaintance with the county, but still several species stand in
the list on his authority alone. Mr. PifFard has collected at several
Hertfordshire localities, but principally in the neighbourhood of Box-
moor ; to him belongs the credit of having made an addition to our
British list in the discovery of Orocbares angustata at Leverstock Green.
He has contributed many other important records, among them being
several species for which only two or three British localities were known
previously.
Of the records to be found in Stephens' Manual which apply to
Hertfordshire, only those have been quoted about which there seems to be
little or no doubt as to the identity of the species. Possibly some records
of importance may have been omitted from this source, but considering
the confused state of the nomenclature of Stephens' work, it seems best
to err on the side of overcarefulness. Where no name is attached to the
localities, the record must be understood to be my own. The nomen-
clature of Sharp and Fowler's Catalogue of British Coleoptera has been
adopted, except in a very few cases where recent research has necessi-
tated an alteration.
85
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
LIST OF COLEOPTERA OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE
CICINDELID^E
Cicindela campestris, L. Hastoe, very
scarce, in Brown's Lane
CARABID^E
CYCHRINA
Cychrus rostratus, L. Bovingdon, in a
gravel pit
CARABINA
Carabus catenulatus, Scop. Tring
nemoralis. Mull. ) _ .
violaceus, L. Trmg-New Bar-
monilis, F. net (Newbery)
granulatus, L. New Ba met (Newbery)
NOTIOPHILINA
Notiophilus biguttatus, F. Tring
aquaticus, L. \ _, .
palustris, Duft. J '
rufipes, Curt. Wigginton, rare, at
Gryme's Dyke
NEBRIINA
Leistus spinibarbis, F. 1 _, .
fulvibarbis, Dej. / Tra %
ferrugineus, L. Tring, occasionally
beaten out of hedges
Nebria brevicollis, F. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
ELAPHRINA
Elaphrus riparius, L. Wilstone, not un-
common by the reservoir
cupreus, Duft. El, tree (Piffkrd) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens)
LORICERINA
Loricera pilicornis, F. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
SCARITINA
Clivina fossor, L. Little Tring and Wihtone
collaris, Herbst. Little Tring; New
Barnet (Newbery)
Dyschirius aeneus, Dej. Wihtone, rather
common at the reservoir
PANAG.SINA
Panagaeus quadripustulatus, Stm. Hertford,
4 taken in profusion under stones and
clods of earth ' (Dawson, Monograph
of British Geodephaga)
Badister bipustulatus, F. Tring
sodalis, Duft. Tring, often found in
dead leaves and moss, on the hills
peltatus, Panz. Tring,onc specimen only
LlCININA
Licinus depressus, Payk. Tring, very rare,
on chalky ground under stones ;
near Payne's End. In March
STENOLOPHINA
Acupalpus dorsalis, F. Wihtone, under
dead reeds at the reservoir
exiguus, Dej. Wigginton Common,
plentiful in moss growing on a pond
bank ; Chipperfield (PifFard)
brunnipes, Sturm. Near Hertford 1
(Stephens)
meridianus, L. Tring
consputus, Duft. Wihtone, rare, under
dead reeds by the reservoir
Bradycellus placidus, Gyll. Wihtone, scarce,
by the reservoir
distinctus, Dej. ..
verbasci, Duft. L Tring
harpalinus, Dej. J
similiSjDej. Wigginton Common,very rare
HARPALINA
Harpalus punctatulus, Duft*. Hertfora
(Stephens)
azureus, F. Rossway, near Wigginton,
one example running in roadway ;
Hertford (Stephens)
rupicola, Sturm. Tring, scarce, on the
hills
puncticollis, Payk. Tring
rufibarbis, F. Tring, rare
ruficornis, F.
aeneus, F. j- Tring
rubripes, Duft. '
latus, L. Aldbury and Tring
PTEROSTICHINA
Stomis pumicatus, Panz. Tring ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
Platyderus ruficollis, Marsh. Felden (Pif-
fard)
Pterostichus cupreus, L. f _- .
versicolor, Sturm. / Trt **
lepidus, F. Hertford (Dawson, Mono-
graph of British Geodephaga)
madidus, F. "j
niger, Schall. ! Tring
vulgaris, L. J
Chlaenius vestitus, Payk. Little
very scarce, under stones
nigricornis, F. Elstree (PifFard)
Tring,
1 This locality is not quoted by Fowler in his
work on British Coleoptera, possibly on account
of uncertainty as to the identity of Stephens'
specimens.
2 Harpalut ntundicolTis, H. punctatulus, and H.
azureus are all moderately common insects on the
sheltered southern slopes of the Chilterns, about
Chesham in Bucks ; but I have searched the hills
at Tring, only a few miles distant, most assiduously
for these members of the Ophonus group without
any success ; this fact is all the more striking, as
there is a large area of uncultivated chalky ground
at Tring, where they might well be expected to
occur ; their absence must probably be attributed
to climatal differences.
86
INSECTS
PTEROSTICHINA (continued)
Pterostichus anthracinus,
very rare, in refuse
111. Wihtone,
by the reservoir
nigrita, F. Hailstone and Little Trmg
gracilis, Dej. Little Tring, rare, as a
rule, under stones by the reservoir
minor, Gyll. Tring
strenuus, Panz. Tring; Hertford
(Dawson, Monograph of British
Geodephaga) ; New Barnet (New-
bery)
diligens, Sturm. Tring ; Hertford
(Stephens)
striola, F. Tring, rare
AMARINA
Amara apricaria, Sturm. Tring
aulica, Panz. Tring, sometimes seen
on flower-heads
bifrons, Gyll. Tring
ovata, F. Tring, rare, on the hills
acuminata, Payk. Tring
similata, Gyll. Wigginton
spreta, Dej. Hertford (Dawson, Mono-
graph of British Geodephaga)
familiaris, Duft.
communis, Panz.
continua, Thorns.
plebeia, Gyll.
Calathus cisteloides, Panz.
flavipes, Fourc.
melanocephalus, L. Tring, by no means
common in the district
Pristonychus terricola, Herbst. Near Bov-
ingdon, in hedgerow ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
ANCHOMENINA
Anchomenus angusticollis, F. Wihtone,
scarce, at the reservoir
Tring
dorsalis, Mull. )
albipes, F. /
oblongus, Sturm. Near Flaunden
Tring
marginatus, L. Little Tring anA Wil-
stone, under stones by the reservoirs
at these two places
sexpunctatus, L. Hertford (Dawson,
Monograph of British Geodephaga)
parumpunctatus, F. Tring ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
viduus, Panz. Hastoe, rare, in Brown's
Lane
micans, Nic.
fuliginosus, Panz.
gracilis, Gyll.
piceus, L. Near Bovingdon
thcreyi, Dej. Tring (1) There may be
a doubt about the occurrence of this
species at Tring, but Mr. J. W.
Shipp told me he found it at Tring
reservoirs
Olisthopus rotundatus, Payk. Tring
Wihtone, at
reservoir
the
BEMBIDIINA
Tachys bistriatus, Duft. Tring
Bembidium obtusum, Sturm. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
guttula, F. Tring
mannerheimi, Sahl. Wigginton Com-
mon, rare
biguttatum, F. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
riparium, Ol. New Barnet (Newbery)
aeneum, Germ. Wihtone ; Bricket
Wood (Lewcock)
fumigatum, Duft. Wihtone, sometimes
not uncommon under reeds by the
reservoir, in spring
assimile, Gyll. Wihtone, fairly common
with the preceding
clarki, Daws. Wihtone and Little Tring
articulatum, Panz. Tring reservoirs ;
Aldbury, one in dead leaves in a dry
chalky situation, and at the end of a
dry summer ; New Barnet (Newbery)
doris, Panz. Wihtone, rare, by the
reservoir
gilvipes, Sturm. Wigginton Common,
scarce
lampros, Herbst. Tring
decorum, Panz. Little Tring, rare
nitidulum, Marsh. Tring
quadriguttatum, F. Tring', Bricket
Wood (Lewcock)
quadrimaculatum, Gyll. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
femoratum, Sturm, Wilstone, by the
reservoir
littorale, Ol. Tring
flammulatum, Clairv. Little Tring
Tachypus flavipes, L. Aldbury
TRECHINA
Trechus discus, F. Hastoe, in Brown's
Lane, and Wihtone, very rare
minutus, F. Tring
Patrobus excavatus, Payk. Little Tring
LEBIINA
Lebia chlorocephala, Hoff. Tring ; Felden
(Piffard) ; Hertford (Stephens)
Demetrias atricapillus, L. Tring
Dromius linearis, 01. \ Trlng . New Bar-
meridional,*, Dej I ^ (Newbery)
quadnmaculatus, L. )
quadrinotatus, Panz. Aldbury and
Tring, in Grove Park, under holly
bark
melanocephalus, Dej. -j
Blechrus maurus, Sturm. 1- Tring
Metabletus foveola, Gyll. '
HALIPLID^E
Haliplus obliquus, F. Tring, plentiful in
one pond
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
} Tring
Haliplus mucronatus, Steph. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
flavicollis, Sturm. Wihtone, in the
reservoir
fulvus, F. Wigginton
variegatus, Sturm. Wihtone, rare, in a
stream
cinereus, Aub6. Miswell, in the pond
ruficollis, De G. Tring
fluviatilis, Aub6. Wihtone
lineatocollis, Marsh. Near Flaunden,
rare
Cnemidotus impressus, F. Hertford
(Stephens)
DYTISCID.E
NOTERINA
Noterus clavicornis, De G. Hastoe
Laccophilus interruptus, Panz.
obscurus, Panz.
HYDROPORINA
Hyphydrus ovatus, L. Hastoe
Caelambus versicolor, Schall.
scarce, in the reservoir
inaequalis, F. Tring
parallelogrammus, Ahr. Wihtone, in
the reservoir
Deronectes depressus, F. Wihtone
1 2-pustulatus, F. Little Tring, in the
canal
Hydroporus lepidus, Ol. Tring
dorsalis, F. Wihtone, in the reservoir
lineatus, F. Hastoe and Wigginton
scalesianus, Steph. Boxmoor (Piffard).
It is a great pleasure to be able to
record this species for the county, as
it seems so very restricted in its dis-
tribution 1
angustatus, Sturm. Wigginton
gyllenhali, Schiod. -\
palustris, L. V Tring
erythrocephalus, L. '
memnonius, Nic. Ashridge Park and
near Flaunden
nigrita, F. Wigginton Common
discretus, Fairm. Wihtone, in the
reservoir
pubescens, Gyll. Wigginton
planus, F. Tring
marginatus, Duft. Tring, one speci-
men only of this rare insect taken in
1893 ; Hemel Hempstead (Pifhrd)
DYTISCINA
Agabus guttatus, Payk. Wihtone, in the
reservoir
1 Originally taken by Mr. Scales in Norfolk,
but the locality has been lost ; it appears to be
only found now in Askham Bog near York (Fowler,
British Coleoptera, vol. i.).
DYTISCINA (continued)
Agabus didymus, Ol. Wigginton and Little
Tring
nebulosus, Forst, Little Tring, in the
reservoir
sturmii, Gyll. Wigginton
chalconotus, Panz. Tring, in the
reservoirs
bipustulatus, L. Tring
Platambus maculatus, L. Wihtone, scarce,
in a stream
Ilybius fuliginosus, F. Wigginton Common
fenestratus, F. Wigginton Common
ater, De G. Mhwell and Wigginton
Common
obscurus, Marsh. Wigginton Common
Rhantus bistriatus, Berg. Mis-well, in the
pond
Colymbetes fuscus, L. Wihtone, in the
reservoir
Dytiscus punctulatus, F. Near Totternboe
(Piffard) 1
marginalis, L. Hastoe
Acilius sulcatus, L. Wigginton Common
and Wihtone
GYRINID^E
Gyrinus natator, Scop. Tring
HYDROPHILID^E
Hydrobius fuscipes, L. Tring
Anacaena globulus, Payk. Little Tring and
Wihtone
limbata, F. Wihtone
Philhydrus testaceus, F. Wihtone, rare, in
the reservoir
coarctatus, Gredl. Wigginton
Cymbiodyta ovalis, Thorns. Wihtone,
scarce, in the reservoir
Helochares lividus, Forst. "| _. .
Laccobius sinuatus, Mots. / rm &
bipunctatus, F. Wihtone
Limnebius truncatellus, Thorns. Tring
papposus, Muls. Wigginton
nitidus, Marsh. Tring, one specimen
floating on a water butt in garden
HELOPHORINA
Helophorus rugosus, Ol. Wihtone, not
uncommon in ditches
nubilus, F. Tring. This insect may
often be found in numbers at the
roots of grass, etc., on the hills
aeneipennis, Thorns. > <_- .
brevipalpis, Bedel. / *
Hydrochus angustatus, Germ. Wigginton
Common ; Hertford (Stephens)
1 Mr. Piffard has some doubts as to whether
this capture was really made within the county
boundary.
88
INSECTS
HELOPHORINA (continued)
Octhebius pygmaeus, F.
mon, in the reservoir
rufimarginatus, Steph.
a ditch
Hydrasna testacea, Curt. Hastoe, once
found in numbers in dead leaves at
the bottom of an empty pond in
Brown's Lane
riparia, Kug. Tring
nigrita, Germ. Puttenham and Oil-
stone
SPH^ERIDIINA
Cyclonotum orbiculare, F.
Sphaeridium scarabseoides, F. Tring
bipustulatum, F.
Cercyon haemorrhous, Gyll. Wigginton,
in refuse on a pond bank
haemorrhoidalis, Herbst. Tring
obsoletus, Gyll. Tring ; Hertford
(Stephens)
aquaticus, Muls. Wihtone, scarce,
under refuse by the reservoir
flavipes, F. Tring ; New Barnet (New-
bery)
lateralis, Marsh.
melanocephalus, L.
unipunctatus, L.
quisquilius, L.
Miswell
Tring ; New Barnet
Tring
pygmaeus, 111.
analis, Payk.
(Newbery)
lugubris, Payk.
the reservoir
minutus, Muls.
Wihtone
Megasternum boletophagum, Marsh.
Tring ; New Barnet (Newbery)
Cryptopleurum atomarium, F. Tring
STAPHYLINIDJE
AUEOCHARINA
Aleochara fuscipes, F. in--
- lata, Grav. } *"**
tristis, Grav. Tring, rare, one speci-
men beaten out of a hedge
bipunctata, Ol. Tring
cuniculorum, Kr. Near Bovingdon,
found just inside rabbit burrows, a
very usual haunt of the insect
lanuginosa, Grav. Tring, a very com-
mon species
lygaea, Kr. Near Bovingdon, rare,
one specimen only under a dead
bird
succicola, Thorns. Tring
mcerens, Gyll. New Barnet (New-
bery) ; caught on a window
nitida, Grav. Tring, the commonest
species of the genus
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Wihtone, com- Aleochara morion, Grav. Tring
Microglossa suturalis, Sahl. Tring, usu-
Puttenham, in ally considered a common species,
but I have only found it rarely
pulla, Gyll. Bovingdon, taken on flow-
ers, in May
Oxypoda spectabilis, Mark. Tring, rare
as a rule, but I once found six to-
gether beneath a dead rabbit
lividipennis, Mann. )
opaca, Grav. I Tring
alternans, Grav. )
lentula, Er. Tring, rather rare, under
dead reeds, at the reservoir near Wil-
stone
umbrata, Grav. Tring
nigrina, Wat. Tring, very frequently
to be found in garden refuse
longiuscula, Er. > _. .
haemorrhoa, Mann. / *
amoena, Fairm. Tring, two examples
only in decaying leaves in a hilly
wood
annularis, Sahib. Tring, rather com-
mon, in and about woods
brachyptera, Steph. Tring, most often
found in the spring
Ischnoglossa prolixa, Grav. Aldbury Com-
mon, under oak bark
Ocyusa incrassata, Kr. Tring, scarce, in
moss on old stumps. There are
very few localities for this species
further south, but it is generally
distributed in the midland districts
and the north
maura, Er.
picina, Aubd.
Phlceopora reptans, Grav. \ Tring
Ocalea castanea, Er.
badia, Er.
Ilyobates nigricollis, Payk. Wihtone, scarce,
four examples taken in refuse by the
reservoir, April, 1900
glabriventris, Rye. Tring, very rare,
two specimens taken by sweeping
in a wood just on the border of the
county, June, 1897
' This species was found by Dr.
Power in May and June, 1863, in
the runs of Formica fuliginosa, and
has not since been captured ; it did
not occur in the nest of the ants'
(Fowler, British Coleoptera, vol. ii.
p. 47). Dr. Power took his speci-
mens at Mickleham in Surrey
Calodera riparia, Er. Wihtone, scarce, at
the reservoir
aethiops, Grav. Wihtone and Little
Tring, rather common
Wihtone, in moss by
89
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Calodera umbrosa, Er. Wihtone, very rare,
one specimen only under dead reeds
at the reservoir. This insect occurs
very frequently near Chesham, just
over the county boundary
Chilopora longitarsis, Steph. Tring, a
common marsh species
Atemeles emarginatus, Payk. One speci-
men found running on chalky path-
way. This species is usually as-
sociated with the smaller ants. In
that portion of the county which I
have been able to explore I have not
yet noticed the large ants Formica
rufa and F. fuliginosa, with which
so large a 'number of our myrme-
cophilous species occur, and conse-
quently the number of such species
included in this list is very small
Myrmedonia funesta, Grav. Hertford
(Stephens)
Astilbus canaliculatus, F. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
Callicerus obscurus, Grav. Wihtone ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
rigidicornis, Er. Bovingdon, rare, one
specimen only ; Felden (Piffard)
Thamiarea cinnamomea, Grav. New
Barnet (Newbery)
Alianta incana, Er. Tring, not uncom-
mon about the reservoirs
Homalota languida, Er. Tring, very rare,
under refuse at the reservoirs
pavens, Er. Tring, rare, one taken by
sweeping in a moist wood
gregaria, Er. Tring
fallax, Kr. Tring, not uncommon
under dead reeds, etc., at the
reservoirs, but only found in the
spring
luridipennis, Mann. Tring
gyllenhali, Thorns. Tring, fairly com-
mon at the reservoirs
hygrotopora, Kr. Tring, scarce, with
the preceding
elongatula, Grav. Tring, very com-
mon
volans, Scriba. Tring; several well-
marked forms of this very variable
species are to be found in the Tring
district
oblongiuscula, Sharp. Tring, scarce, in
moss, etc.
vicina, Steph. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
pagana, Er. Tring, scarce, and only
found singly
graminicola, Gyll. Tring, very abund-
ant in marshy places
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Homalota occulta, Er. Tring, by no means a
rare insect ; found under carrion, in
garden refuse, etc.
fungivora, Thorns. Tring, not seen so
often as tbe preceding
monticola, Thorns. Tring, very rare,
one male found under a stone
nigella, Er. Tring, scarce, at the reser-
voirs
aequata, Er. Felden (Piffard)
angustula, Gyll. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
linearis, Grav. Tring, occasionally
found in rotten stumps of beech
trees
debilis, Er. Tring, common at the
reservoirs
circellaris, Grav. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery) ; found very commonly
almost everywhere
splendens, Kr. Tring, very rare, one
specimen taken by sweeping early in
July, 1898, on the hills
aegra, Heer. Tring, very rare ; near
Bovingdon, taken in numbers occa-
sionally
immersa, Heer. Aldbury Common,
under bark of oak
cuspidata, Er. Tring and Aldbury
gemina, Er. Wihtone^ not common,
under refuse at the reservoir in the
spring
analis, Grav. Tring, very abundant
everywhere
decipiens, Sharp. Little Tring, rare
soror, Kr. Little Tring, under stones
in muddy spots by the reservoir, the
males being much rarer than the
females
exilis, Er. IFilstone, not common
validiuscula, Kr. Tring, very rare,
two specimens only in dead leaves
in October
depressa, Gyll. Tring
hepatica, Er. Tring, very rare
aquatica, Thorns. Wilitone, scarce, by
the reservoir
aeneicollis, Sharp. ) - .
xanthoptera, Steph. j * *
euryptera, Steph. Near Bovingdon, at
sap ; New Barnet (Newbery)
trinotata, Kr. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
xanthopus, Thorns. Tring, rare
triangulum, Kr. Tring
fungicola, Thorns. Tring, one of the
most abundant species of the genus
ignobilis, Sharp. Tring, rare, found
chiefly in the month of August
90
INSECTS
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Homalota boletobia, Thorns. Tring
liturata, Steph. Near Bovingdon, very
local, but usually plentiful where
found
coriaria, Kr. Tring, three or four
taken from large piece of fungus
growing on old beech stump ; usu-
ally found in cut grass, etc. I once
had a number sent me, which were
found in an old disused squirrel's
nest
sodalis, Er. Tring
humeralis, Kr. Tring, very rarely seen,
but the species is really common in
one or two of the woods at Chesham,
close to the county border
gagatina, Baudi. Tring
divisa, Mark. Tring, a decidedly com-
mon species near the town, found
chiefly in dead animals
nigricornis, Thorns. Aldbury Common
ravilla, Er. Wihtone, four specimens
under refuse at the reservoir, Decem-
ber, 1898
palustris, Kies. Tring
corvina, Thorns. Aldbury Common^ in
fungus on old stump
puberula, Sharp. Tring, one only in
dead leaves on the hills
atomaria, Kr. Flaunden, one found
floating on a pool of water
perexigua, Sharp. Wihtone, very rare,
under refuse at the reservoir, April,
1898; Aldbury, one taken by sweep-
ing
scapularis, Sahib. Tring
testaceipes, Heer. Aldbury, rare, in
dead leaves, October
oblita, Er. Tring
autumnalis, Er. Wihtone, very rare, in
moss at the reservoir. By searching
under the bark of fallen boughs, in
marshy places during September, this
species would probably be discovered
in other parts of the county
sericea, Muls. "j
indubia, Sharp. L Tring
atricolor, Sharp. J
inquinula, Grav. Wigginton Common
and Hastoe
nigra, Kr. Tring
hodierna, Sharp. Wihtone, very rare,
a few specimens found at the reser-
voir under dead reeds, April, 1897 ;
and one more two years later
germana, Sharp. Tring, almost as
plentiful as nigra in the district
celata, Er. Near Bovingdon, very rare
sordidula, Er. Tring
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Homalota canescens, Sharp. Tring, often
found in decaying fungi on the
ground
cauta, Er. Tring
villosula, Kr. Tring, scarce
atramentaria, Gyll. Tring
marcida, Er. Tring, found in some of
the woods in decaying fungi, rather
late in the autumn ; the specimens
found in this district seem uniformly
darker than those taken in the
vicinity of London and further
south
intermedia, Thorns. Aldbury, one only
in dead leaves
longicornis, Grav. \ Tring ; New Bar-
sordida, Marsh. ) net (Newbery)
testudinea, Er. Tring, not very often
seen, but sometimes common where
it occurs
aterrima, Grav. \ , .
muscorum, Bris. /
pilosiventris, Thorns. Near Bovingdon,
two in a dead bird
laticollis, Steph. Tring
montivagans, Woll. Tring, very rare,
one taken by sweeping, June, 1896
fungi, Grav. Tring, very abundant
everywhere, and the var. clientula
with it ; New Barnet (Newbery)
orphana, Er. Little Tring, one only
taken by sweeping
Gnypeta labilis, Er. Tring, very abundant
on the banks of the reservoirs, and
most variable both as to size and
coloration
Tachyusa atra, Grav. Wihtone, found
sparingly by the reservoir
concolor, Er. Wihtone, with the pre-
ceding ; one year when the reservoir
was very low this insect swarmed on
the exposed mud ; Bovingdon (Piffard)
Falagria sulcata, Payk. Tring
sulcatula, Grav. Wihtone, scarce, in
moss, etc., at the reservoir
thoracica, Curt. Tring, rare
obscura, Grav. New Barnet (Newbery)
Autalia impressa, Ol. \ y r/ - H _
rivularis, Grav. J
Encephalus complicans, Westwood. Wil-
stone, rare, one in moss growing on
side of ditch ; Baldock, one specimen
(Wood)
Gyrophaena pulchella, Heer. Felden (Pif-
fard)
affinis, Mann. Tring
gentilis, Er. Tring, not common
nana, Payk. \
fasciata, Marsh. J
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ALEOCHARINA (continued)
Gyrophzna minima, Er. Tring, usually in
fungi on old stumps
laevipennis, Kr. Tring and Aihridge
lucidula, Er. Wihtone, very rare, two
examples in refuse by the reservoir,
April, 1 900 ; this species, unlike all
other members of the genus, has not
been found in fungi in this country
manca, Er. Tring and Wihtone ; this
insect seems very seldom to be met
with in the south of England, and it
is noteworthy that I have never met
with it on the southern slopes of the
Chilterns about Chesham, although
it seems to occur pretty generally on
the northern slopes of the range in
the vicinity of Tring, only a few
miles distant
strictula, Er. Flaunden, at one spot
only, in fungus on old stump
Agaricochara bevicollis, Kr. Tring, in
fungus on old stumps in woods
Placusa pumilio, Grav. Near Bovingdon,
scarce, under oak bark
Epipeda plana, Gyll. Aldbury and Little
Tring
Leptusa fumida, Er. Tring, common in
the beech woods under bark
Sipalia ruficollis, Er. Tring
Bolitochara lucida, Grav. Tring Park, in
tree fungus ; Baldock (Wood)
bella, Mark. Tring Park, taken
sparingly
Hygronoma dimidiata, Grav. Wihtone,
fairly common, at the reservoir
Oligota inflata, Mann. Tring, rather com-
mon in garden refuse ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
pusillima, Grav. Wihtone, scarce
punctulata, Heer. | _. .
atomaria, Er. / Tr "*
apicata, Er. Tring, two in rotten
beech
Myltana dubia, Grav. Wihtone ; Wig-
ginton, rather common in moss on
pond bank
intermedia, Er. Wihtone, scarce, at the
reservoir
kraatzi, Sharp. Aldbury Common, rare,
on the clayey banks of a pond
infuscata, Matth. (?) Wigginton, a small
Myllaena, which may be this species,
occurs plentifully in moss on a pond
bank at this village
Gymnusa brevicollis, Payk. Shantock ; Bov-
ingdon (Piffard)
Deinopsis erosa, Steph. Hastoe, among
dead leaves in the middle of a dried
up pond
92
TACHYTORINA
Hypocyprus longicornis, Payk. Tring
discoideus, Er. Wihtone, very rare,
under reeds by the reservoir
Conosoma littoreum, L. Tring
pubescens, Grav. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
lividum, Er. Tring, scarce
Tachyporus obtusus, L. ) - .
formosus, Matth. / fn *
solutus, Er. Wihtone, very rare, by
sweeping
pallidus, Sharp. Wihtone, rather rare,
under dead reeds by the reservoir
chrysomelinus, L. ]
humerosus, Er. I Tring
hypnorum, F. j
pusillus, Grav. \ Tring ; New Barnet
brunneus, F. / (Newbery)
Cilea silphoides, L. Tring, scarce
Tachinus flavipes, F. Tring, one speci-
men in stercore ovino
humeralis, Grav. Tring ; New Barnet,
(Newbery)
rufipes, L. \
subterraneus, L. [ Tring
marginellus, F. J
kticollis, Grav. New Bamet (Newbery)
Megacronus cingulatus, Mann. Wihtone,
rare, in refuse
analis, F. Aldbury, scarce, in moss
inclinans, Grav. Aldbury, rare
Bolitobius lunulatus, L. )
trinotatus, Er. Tring
exoletus, Er. )
pygmasus, F. Tring
Mycetoporus splendens, Marsh. Wihtone,
not common, in refuse
punctus, Gyll. Tring, rare, taken by
sweeping on the hills
lepidus, Grav. Tring, scarce
longulus, Mann. Wihtone
nanus, Er. Hastoe, one only in dead
leaves
clavicornis, Steph. Tring, rare
splendidus, Grav. Tring, not uncom-
mon, at the reservoirs
Habrocerus capillaricornis, Grav. Aldbury,
in dead leaves
STAPHYLININA
Heterothops dissimilis, Grav. Tring, rare,
in haystack refuse
quadripunctula, Gyll. Wihtone, one in
refuse by the reservoir, April, 1900
Quedius longicornis, Kr. (?) Bricket Wood
(Lewcock)
lateralis, Grav. Tring, not rare, in
rotten fungi in September
mesomelinus, Marsh. Tring
i- fulgidus, F. New Barnet (Newbery)
INSECTS
Wood
in
Tring ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
Wil-
STAPHYLININA (continued)
Quedius puncticollis, Thorns. Aldbury, rare,
taken by sweeping
cruentus, Ol. Near Hadley
cossus burrows (Newbery)
cinctus, Payk.
fuliginosus, Grav.
tristis, Grav.
molochinus, Grav. J
picipes, Mann. Tring
nigriceps, Kr. Tring, rare
fumatus, Steph. Aldbury
maurorufus, Grav. Tring and
stone
umbrinus, Er. Wilitone, rare, at the
reservoir
rufipes, Grav. \
attenuatus, Gyll. j- Tring
boops, Grav. J
Creophilus maxillosus, L. Tring
Leistotrophus nebulosus, F. Tring and
Aldbury, rather common, in very pu-
trid fungi, on the hills
murinus, L. Bovingdon, scarce, and
usually found in carcases
Staphylinus pubescens, De G. Tring, rare
fulvipes, Scop. Tring, one found run-
ning on the ground in an open chalky
spot
stercorarius, Ol. Tring, rare, one
caught running on roadway, and one
captured in like manner by Mr. J.
L. Foulkes
latebricola, Grav. Tring, in May, 1891,
I found quite a number on the wing
at one particular spot on the hills
just on the county border ; when
flying this insect much resembles
some of the small Hymenoptera
caesareus, Ceder. Wilitone
Ocypus olens, Mall. Tring
brunnipes, F. Tring, rather scarce;
New Barnet (Newbery)
cupreus, Rossi. Tring
ater, Grav. New Barnet (Newbery)
morio, Grav. Tring
compressus, Marsh. Tring, found
rarely under stones and in moss, on
the hills
Philonthus splendens, F.
intermedius, Boisd.
net (Newbery)
laminatus, Creutz.
seneus, Rossi.
proximus, Kr.
carbonarius, Gyll.
rotten fungi
decorus, Grav. Bovingdon, rare, in dead
leaves
politus, F. Tring
STAPHYLININA (continued}
Philonthus varius, Gyll. Tring; New
Barnet (Newbery)
marginatus, F. Tring
albipes, Grav. Tring, rare ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
cephalotes, Grav. Tring
fimetarius, Grav. \ Tring ; New Barnet
sordidus, Grav. J (Newbery)
ebeninus, Grav. Tring
fumigatus, Er. Near Flaunden, rare, in
moss in a wood
debilis, Grav. Tring, rare ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
sanguinolentus, Grav. Wihtone
cruentatus, Gmel. Tring
longicornis, Steph. Tring, frequently
found in garden refuse
varians, Payk. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
ventralis, Grav. Tring, scarce
discoideus, Grav. Tring
quisquiliarius, Gyll. Tring, very com-
mon by the reservoirs
fumarius, Grav. WiUtone, rare, at the
reservoir
trossulus, Nord. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
Xantholinus glabratus, Grav. \ y r/ - H _
punctulatus, Payk.
ochraceus, Gyll. Wihtone
tricolor, F. Tring, rare
linearis, Ol. Tring
longiventris, Heer. Aldbury, scarce,
under bark; New Barnet (New-
bery)
Leptacinus parumpunctatus, Gyll. Little
Tring, rare, under stones by the
reservoir
batychrus, Gyll. Near Flaunden
linearis, Grav. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
Baptolinus alternans, Grav. Tring, rare,
under bark
Othius fulvipennis, F. Tring
Izviusculus, Steph. Little Tring, rare
Tring
Tring ; New Bar-
Tring
Tring, scarce, in
melanocephalus, Grav. \
myrmecophilus, Kies. J
PJEDERINA
Lathrobium elongatum, L. Little Tring ;
New Barnet (Newbery)
fulvipenne, Grav. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
brunnipes, F. Tring
longulum, Grav. Wigginton and Wil
stone ; New Barnet (Newbery)
filiforme, Grav. Wilitone, rare, in refuse
and moss by the reservoir
quadrature, Payk. Wihtone, scarce,
with the preceding
93
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PSELAPHINA (continued)
Tychus niger, Payk. Tring
Bythinus puncticollis, Denny. Hastoe, in
dead leaves at Brown's Lane
bulbifer, Reich. Tring, common at
the reservoirs
curtisi, Denny. Tring, rather com-
mon, in dead leaves
burrelli, Denny. Near Flaunden, from
moss in a wood
Bryaxis sanguinea, L. Wihtone, rare, in
moss at the reservoir
fossulata, Reich. Tring
juncorum, Leach. Wihtone, under
dead reeds by the reservoir
impressa, Panz. Hertford (Stephens)
Trichonyx markeli, Aub. Wihtone, one
in some refuse
Euplectus signatus, Reich. ^Tring; NewBar-
sanguineus, Denny. J net (Newbery)
piceus, Mots. Tring, rare, under bark
CLAVIGERINA
Claviger testaceus, Preyss. Tring, in nests
of Formica flava
Neuraphes elongatulus, Mttll. Aldbury,
rare, in fungus
angulatus, Mttll. Aldbury, rare, in
dead leaves
Scydmaenus scutellaris, Mttll. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
collaris, Mttll. Tring
Euconnus hirticollis, 111. Wihtone, in re-
fuse by the reservoir
fimetarius, Chaud. Tring, in garden
refuse
Eumicrus tarsatus, Mttll. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
Eutheia scydmasnoides, Steph. Little
Tring, one taken by sweeping
Cephennium thoracicum, Mttll. Tring
LEPTINID^
Leptinus testaceus, Mflll. Near Bovingdon,
three examples in dead leaves; Shot-
hanger Common (Piffard)
SILPHID.E
CLAMBINA
Calyptomerus dubius, Marsh. Tring, in
haystack refuse
Clambus pubescens, Redt. Tring
armadillo, De G. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
minutus, Sturm. Wihtone
ANISOTOMINA
Agathidium nigripenne, Kug. Aldbury
Common, etc., occurs rather frequent-
ly, under bark of beech
96
ANISOTOMINA (continued)
Agathidium atrum, Payk. Aldbury, in dead
leaves
seminulum, L. Tring, rare
laevigatum, Er. Aldbury, in dead leaves
varians, Beck. Tring, not uncommon,
in dead clematis stems and old
beech stumps
convexum, Sharp. Tring, rare, in
dead leaves
rotundatum, Gyll. Wihtone, one speci-
men only, in moss near the reservoir
nigrinum, Sturm. Aldbury, rare, in
dead leaves
Liodes humeralis, Kug. Near Wigginton,
in fungus, in a wood
orbicularis, Herbst. Flaunden, very
rare, in moss on a rotten stump
Anisotoma cinnamomea, Er. Tring, one
taken by sweeping on a damp even-
ing in September
oblonga, Er. (grandis, Fairm.). Tring,
very rare, in Stubbing; Wood
dubia, Kug. Tring
obesa, Schmidt. Shothanger Common
(Piffard)
badia, Sturm. Wihtone, scarce, by the
reservoir
ovalis, Schmidt. Tring, less rare than
most species of the genus
calcarata, Er. Tring
Colenis dentipes, Gyll. Tring, rather
common
Agaricophagus cephalotes, Schmidt. Little
Tring, rare, a pair taken by sweep-
ing
Hydnobius punctatissimus, Steph. Shot-
hanger Common (Piffard)
strigosus, Schmidt. Tring, very rare
SILPHINA
Necrophorus humator, F. Tring
mortuorum, F. Tring, often found in
rotten fungi
ruspator, Er.
vespillo, L.
Necrodes littoralis, L. Tring
Silpha thoracica, L. Aldbury, rare
rugosa, L.
sinuata, F.
laevigata, F. Aldbury and Tring
atrata, L. Tring
CHOLEVINA
Choleva angustata, F. \ n-
cisteloides, Frflhl. J
spadicea, Sturm. Aldbury, rare, in dead
leaves ; Fatten End ; Berkhamsted
(Piffard)
agilis, 111. New Barnet (Newbery)
velox, Spence. ") _. .
wilkini, Spence. J "**
ton Common
r
INSECTS
CHOLEVINA (continued)
Choleva anisotomoides, Spence. Aldbury,
plentiful in dead leaves
fusca, Panz. Aldbury, rare
morio, F. Wihtone, rare ; four taken
under dead reeds at the reservoir,
April, 1900
grandicollis, Er. Tring Park, rare, in
fungus growing on an elm
nigrita, Er. Tring, rare, in dead leaves
tristis, Panz. Tring
kirbyi, Spence. Aldbury, not common,
in dead leaves
chrysomeloides, Panz. \ - .
fumata, Spence. J
watsoni, Spence. Aldbury
Ptomaphagus sericeus, F. Tring
Colon serripes, Sahl. Wihtone, rare, by
sweeping near the reservoir
dentipes, Sahl. Felden (Piffard)
brunneum, Latr. Tring
latum, Kr. Near Bovingdon, in moss,
in winter
Bathyscia wollastoni, Jans. Tring, very
rare, once found in some hedge
clippings
HISTERID^
Hister unicolor, L. 1 7-
cadaverinus, Hoff. J *
purpurascens, Herbst. Tring, rare
carbonarius, 111. Tring
1 2-striatus, Schr. Tring Park, rare ;
New Barnet (Newbery)
bimaculatus, L. Wigginton Common,
rare
Saprinus nitidulus, Payk. Tring
aeneus, F. Wihtone, scarce
virescens, Payk. Felden (Piffard)
Abraeus globosus, Hoff. Wihtone, in rot-
ten elm stump
Acritus minutus, Herbst. Tring
Onthophilus striatus, F. Tring ; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
SCAPHIDIID^
Scaphisoma agaricinum, L. Tring Park
boleti, Panz. Wihtone, in old willow
stump
TRICHOPTERYGID^E
Pteryx suturalis, Heer. Tring, under bark
and in rotten wood
Ptinella testacea, Heer. Aldbury ; I once
found a rather large colony under
bark of beech
Trichopteryx atomaria, "\ - .
De G Tring', New
- grandicollis, Mann.
- fata, Mots.
Trichopteryx cantiana, Matth. (?) Near
Flaunden, one specimen in a moist
wood, among dead leaves
fascicularis, Herbst. Tring
seminitens, Matth. Wihtone ; a species
occurs commonly at the reservoir,
which Mr. Champion says agrees
with specimens he has from Kent,
named seminitens
sericans, Heer. (?) } T .
bovina, Mots. J
brevipennis, Er. Wihtone, common, in
dead reeds, moss, etc., at the reser-
voir
picicornis, Mann. (?) Wihtone, rare ; a
few in an old poplar stump
chevrolati, All. Tring
Nephanes titan, Newm. Tring, rather
common, in garden refuse
Ptilium kunzei. Heer. 1 - .
AH f Tring
spencei, All.
foveolatum, All. Tring, scarce, in a
piece of rotten matting
Millidium trisulcatum, Aub6. Tring, not
common, in refuse
Ptenidium fuscicorne, Er. Wihtone, com-
mon, under dead reeds at the reser-
voir, in spring
nitidum, Heer. Tring
evanescens, Marsh. Tring; New Bar-
net (Newbery)
atomaroides, Mots. Tring; Mr. J.
W. Shipp told me he found this
species at the reservoirs, but I have
not met with it myself
kraatzi, Matth. Wihtone, six speci-
mens found in a rotten poplar,
which agree well with the descrip-
tion of this species
formicetorum, Kr. Wihtone. A con-
siderable number of specimens of a
Ptenidium taken with the preceding
puzzled me much for some time ;
they were finally identified as this
species by Mr. Champion
CORYLOPHID-ffi
Orthoperus kluki, Wank. (?) Aldbury
atomus, Gyll. Little Tring, very rare
Corylophus cassidioides, Marsh. Wihtone,
not uncommon at the reservoir
Sericoderus lateralis, Gyll. Tring; New
Barnet (Newbery)
COCCINELLID^:
Aldbury
Subcoccinella 24-punctata, L.
and Tring
Hippodamia variegata, Goeze. Aldbury,
rare
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Anisosticta i g-punctata, L. Wihtone, very
common, at the reservoir ; Hertford
(Stephens)
Adalia obliterata, L. \ .
bipunctata, L. / *
Mysia oblongoguttata, L. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
Coccinella xo-punctata, L. ~\
n-punctata, L. j- Tring
7-punctata, L. J
Halyzia 1 6-guttata, L. Tring, rare
14-guttata, L. Tring
1 8-guttata, L. Hertford (Stephens)
- conglobata, L | r .
22-punctata, L. J
Micraspis sedecimpunctata, L. Aldbury,
scarce ; have only seen this insect
on Aldbury Owen
Scymnus pygmaeus, Fourc. Aldbury, not
common
frontalis, F. Tring
suturalis, Thunb. Tring, rare ; once
found in moss under some fir trees
testaceus, Mots. Tring, rare ; a small
variety of this species at the roots of
Thymus serpyllum
haemorrhoidalis, Herbst. \ ,,-
capitatus, F. /
minimus, Rossi. Tring, of frequent
occurrence in the garden
Platynaspis luteorubra, Goeze. Hertford
(Stephens)
Chilocorus similis, Rossi. Tring. I once
witnessed an extraordinary swarm of
this insect in a plantation consisting
chiefly of ash, when there must have
been scores of the insect crawling on
some of the trees ; this was in April
bipustulatus, 111. Hertford (Stephens)
Exochomus quadripustulatus, L. Wihtone,
one example only, on a willow
Rhizobius litura, F. Tring
Coccidula rufa, Herbst. Tring, common,
at the reservoirs
ENDOMYCHID.E
Mycetaea hirta, Steph. Tring, not com-
mon, in refuse
Alexia pilifera, Mull. Aldbury, in dead leaves
Lycoperdina bovistae, F. Aldbury, rare.
This insect is by no means confined
to puff-balls, for I once found a num-
ber in a very putrid lamellated fungus
growing in a wood near Tring (in
Bucks), and have had a similar experi-
ence elsewhere
Endomychus coccineus, L. Aldbury and
Tring, common, under bark of beech ;
Stubbing!, Pavis and Aldbury Outers
woods
EROTYLID.E
Dacne humeralis, F. Tring, rare, in de-
caying beech tree
rufifrons, F. Tring
PHALACRIDJE
Phalacrus corruscus, Payk. Tring
caricis, Sturm. Wihtone and Putten-
ham, very common, on Carices, be-
side the Collateral canal, in May
Olibrus corticalis, Panz. Tring, fairly
common
asneus, F. "j
bicolor, F. > Tring
Eustilbus testaceus, Panz. J
atomarius, L. Miswell, one only, in a
hedgerow
MICROPEPLID^E
Micropeplus porcatus, Payk. Aldbury
staphylinoides, Marsh. \ - .
margaritas, Duv. J "**
Brachypterus gravidus, 111. Aldbury, on
Linaria vulgaris
- pubescens, Er. j
urticae, F. J
Cercus pedicularius, L. Puttenham and
Wihtone, on Carices, by the Collateral
canal ; Baldock (Wood)
bipustulatus, Payk. Little Tring
rufilabris, Latr. Little Tring and Wil-
stone
Epurasa decemguttata, F. Near Hadley
Wood, in cossus burrows (Newbery)
aestiva, L. Tring
melina, Er. Wihtone, scarce, on
flowers at the reservoir
florea, Er. Tring
deleta, Er. Tring Park, in fungus on
a tree
obsoleta, F. Tring
pusilla, Er. Tring, scarce
augustula, Er. Tring, one under bark
of beech ; Felden (Piffard)
Omosiphora limbata, F. Wihtone, two
found at the base of an old ash tree,
in April
Nitidula bipustulata, L. Aldbury
rufipes, L. Aldbury, rare
Soronia grisea, L. Little Tring, rare, under
elm bark ; New Barnet (Newbery)
Omosita colon, L. \ Tring, New Barnet
discoides, F. / (Newbery)
Pocadius ferrugineus, F. Tring
Pria dulcamaras, Scop. Tring and Wil-
stone, frequently found on Solanum
dulcamara
98
INSECTS
Meligethes rufipes, Gyll. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
lumbaris, Sturm. Aldbury and Tring,
on flowers of Verbascum thapsus and
Umbelliferae
coracinus, Sturm. Tring, one only, on
Origanum vulgare, in a chalkpit
aeneus, F. Tring
viridescens, F. Wihtone
difficilis, Heer. ]
memnonius, Er. \ Tring
brunnicornis, Sturm. )
viduatus, Sturm. Tring, a few speci-
mens in flowers of Ballota nigra, in
Grove Park
bidens, Bris. Tring, usually found in
flowers of Scabiosa arvensis
umbrosus, Sturm. Aldbury, rare
ovatus, Sturm. \
flavipes, Sturm. \ Tring
picipes, Sturm. )
serripes, Gyll. Tring; this insect seems
most abundant early in the spring
lugubris, Sturm. Aldbury, scarce.
obscurus, Er. Aldbury
erythropus, Gyll. Aldbury and Tring,
a common species on the chalk
solidus, Sturm. Aldbury, on Helianthe-
mum vulgare
Cychramus luteus, F. \ - .
fungicola, Heer. / J *
Cryptarcha strigata, F. Wigginton Com-
mon
imperialis, F. Watford (Lewcock)
TROGOSITID^E
Tenebrioides mauritanicus, L. Tring, oc-
casionally found in flour, oatmeal
and other stores
COLYDIID.E
Cicones variegatus, Hellw. Aldbury ; I once
found twenty specimens under bark
of a beech, on Aldbury Outers
Cerylon histeroides, F. Near Bovingdon,
scarce
fagi, Bris. Aldbury and Tring, under
bark of beech
CUCUJID/E
Rhizophagus cribratus, Gyll. Tring (Pif-
fard)
depressus, F. Wihtone ; Hertford
(Stephens)
parallelocollis, Er. Tring, rare
ferrugineus, Payk. Aldbury
bipustulatus, F. Tring
Lsemophlceus ferrugineus, Steph. Tring,
often met with in the woods under
bark of beech ; Hertford (Stephens)
Psammoschus bipunctatus, F. Wihtone,
scarce, at the reservoir ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Baldock (Wood)
Silvanus surinamensis, L. Tring, once
seen in a house ; Baldock (Wood)
MONOTOMID^E
Monotoma spinicollis, Aub6. Tring, scarce
picipes, Herbst. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
quadricollis, Aub. Tring.
rufa, Redt. Tring, in haystack refuse
LATHRIDIID^E
Holoparamecus depressus, Curt. Hertford
(Stephens)
Lathridius lardarius, De Geer. Tring
angulatus, Humm. Tring, rare, in old
hedges
Coninomus nodifer, Westwood. Tring
carinatus, Gyll. Tring, rare, once found
in a house
Enicmus minutus, L. 1 - .
transversus, Ol. /
Cartodere ruficollis, Marsh. Tring, scarce,
in haystack refuse
Corticaria pubescens, Gyll. Tring
crenulata, Gyll. Wihtone
denticulata, Gyll. Tring
elongata, Humm. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
fenestralis, L. Aldbury, rare, in moss
on a chalky bank
Tring
Melanophthalma gibbosa, Herbst.
fuscula, Humm.
CRYPTOPHAGID^
Diphyllus lunatus, F. Near Flaunden, once
found in numbers in black fungus,
on old ash stump ; Baldock (Wood)
Telmatophilus caricis, Ol. Wigginton and
Miswell
Antherophagus nigricornis, F. Tring
pallens, Gyll. Aldbury ; Tring (Pifiard)
Cryptophagus lycoperdi, Herbst. Tring,
not common in the district
setulosus, Sturm. Tring
pilosus, Gyll. Tring, rare, in haystack
refuse
punctipennis, Bris. \
saginatus, Sturm. J- Tring
scanicus, L. J
badius, Sturm. Wihtone, rare, in refuse
by the reservoir
dentatus, Herbst. Tring
distinguendus, Sturm. Wihtone, rare,
under dead reeds
acutangulus, Gyll. \
cellaris, Scop. J- Tring
afHnis, Sturm. J
99
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Cryptophagus pubescens, Sturm. Tring, rare,
by sweeping ; may often be bred from
old nests of Vespa vulgaris
bicolor, Sturm. Tring, rare, in hay-
stack refuse
Micrambe vini, Panz. Tring
Caenoscelis pallida, Woll. Little Tring,
one taken by evening sweeping
Atomaria barani, Bris. Wihtone, rare,
under dead reeds by the reservoir
nigriventris, Steph. Tring
umbrina, Er. Aldbury, in dead leaves
in a wood
linearis, Steph. Tring
elongatula, Er. (?) Wihtone
fuscipes, Gyll.
fuscata, SchSn.
pusilla, Payk.
atricapilla, Steph.
berolinensis, Kr. Aldbury, in dead
leaves
basalis, Er. Wihtone, very rare, by the
reservoir
mesomelas, Herbst. Wihtone, with the
preceding ; a form occurs here, with
the elytrae entirely dark
gutta, Steph. Wihtone, scarce, with
the preceding
apicalis, Er. ) _. . , T
analis, Er. [ Tr '" g ' New
ruficornis, Marsh. ) *
Ephistemus gyrinoides, Marsh. Tring
Tring
MYCETOPHAGIDJE
Typhaea fumata, L. Tring
Triphyllus suturalis, F. Tring Park and
Wihtone
punctatus, F. Wigginton, rare, in Round
Hill Wood
Litargus bifasciatus, F. Tring, frequently
found under bark of beech
Mycetophagus quadripustulatus, L. Tring
piceus, F. Aldbury, rare
atomarius, F. Tring Park
quadriguttatus, Mull. Felden (Piffard)
multipunctatus, Hellw. Tring
BYTURID^E
Byturus sambuci, Scop, "I _- .
tomentosus, F. j
DERMESTID^:
Dermestes murinus, L. Tring, rare, once
found on a dead bird
lardarius, L. \ r-
Attagenus pellio, L. J '
Tiresias serra, F. Wihtone, bred from
larvae found under elm bark, in April
Anthrenus musaeorum, L. Baldock (Wood)
Anthrenus claviger, Er. Tring, rather
common on flowers of Umbelliferas
Trinodes hirtus, F. Long Marstone (Shipp)
BYRRHID^E
Syncalypta spinosa, Rossi. Aldbury, rare,
in chalky places
Byrrhus pilula, L. \ . .
fasciatus, F. J *
Cytilus varius, F. Wihtone, in moss by the
reservoir
Simplocaria semistriata, F. Tring
Aspidiphorus orbiculatus, Gyll. Tring,
' rare, taken by sweeping
PARNID.E
Elmis aeneus, Mdll. Wihtone, in the
streams which feed the reservoir
volkmari, Panz. Near Hatfield (Ste-
phens)
subviolaceus, Mull. Wihtone, rare, in
a stream
Limnius tuberculatus, Mtill. Little Tring,
in the canal
Parnus prolifericornis, F. Wihtone, at the
reservoir
auriculatus, Panz. Wihtone, with the
preceding
algiricus, Lucas. Ashridge ; Berkham-
sted Common (Piffard)
HETEROCERID^E
Heterocerus laavigatus, Panz. Little Tring
and Wihtone, in muddy spots by the
reservoir
LUCANID^E
Lucanus cervus, L. Little Tring and Put-
tenham, one example from each local-
ity ; St. Albam (A. E. Gibbs) ; I
should say that the stag-beetle is
decidedly rare in the county
Sinodendron cylindricum, L. Wihtone, rare,
dead specimens only in a rotten ash
tree
SCARAB.EID/E
COPRINA
Onthophagus ovatus, L.
(Stephens)
Aphodius erraticus, L.
Tring ; Hertford
Aphodius erraticus, L. \
subterraneus, L. > Tring
fossor, L. j
haemorrhoidalis, L. Wihtone, not com-
mon ; Hertford (Stephens)
foetens, F. Tring, scarce, on the hills
fimetarius, L. Tring
scybalarius, F. Hastoe, rare
1 00
INSECTS
COPRINA (continued)
Aphodius ater, De G. Tring
granarius, L. Tring and Wilstone
rufescens, F. Tring, rare
putridus, Sturm. Ashridge (PifFard)
lividus, Ol. Tring, very scarce
pusillus, Herbst. \ - .
merdarius, F. / *
inquinatus, F. Wilstone, rare
sticticus, Panz. Tring, not common ;
Hertford (Stephens)
punctato-sulcatus, Sturm. ) ,.- .
T> u ( Tring
prodromus, israhm. )
contaminatus, Herbst. Tring, very
common
obliteratus, Panz. Tring, rare
luridus, F. Wilstone
rufipes, L. Tring
Plagiogonus arenarius, Ol. Tring, several
specimens taken flying in hedgerow
in Duckmore Lane ; also in stercare
ovino
Odontseus mobilicornis, F. Tring, very
rare, one found on the pavement in
Park Road by Dr. Jordan ; Felden
(PifFard) ; Hertford (Stephens). Dr.
Churchill of Chesham presented me
with a fine female specimen of this
very rare insect, which he caught in
the town, so the species is probably
pretty generally distributed in this
part of the country
Geotrupes spiniger, Marsh. \ ~* .
stercorarius, L. /
sylvaticus, Panz. Bovingdon, rare
pyrenaeus, Charp. Hertford (Stephens)
Trox sabulosus, L. Berkhamsted, rare
scaber, L. Tring ; Mr. J. W. Shipp
once took this species in some
numbers on an old pear or apple
tree
MELOLONTHINA
Hoplia philanthus, Ftlss. Aldbury ; scarce ;
Kings Langley (PifFard)
Homaloplia ruricola, F. Aldbury ; Tring
(PifFard) ; this insect is to be seen
flying in numbers on favourable
sunny mornings in the latter half of
June, and the black variety may be
found with it. Mr. Champion has
noticed on the continent that the
time of appearance is very short, and
this seems to be the case in this
country
Serica brunnea, L. Tring, rare ; Boxmoor
(PifFard)
Rhizotrogus solstitialis, L. Tring, very
abundant some years, flying in hedges
near the town
Melolontha vul^aris, F. Tring
RUTELINA
Phyllopertha horticola, L. Tring, not at
all common
BUPRESTID^E
Agrilus laticornis, 111. Bovingdon, rare in
hazel bushes, on the outskirts of a
wood
angustulus, 111. Bricket Wood (PifFard),
Hertford (Stephens)
THROSCID^
Throscus dermestoides, L. Tring, rare ;
New Barnet (Newbery) ; Hertford
(Stephens)
carinifrons, Bonv. New Barnet (New-
bery)
EUCNEMID^E
Melasis buprestoides, L. Felden (Piffard)
ELATERID^E
Lacon murinus, L. Tring, not uncom-
mon at some spots on the hills
Cryptohypnus riparius, F. Tring, scarce, in
marshy places
quadripustulatus, F. Hertford (Stephens)
Melanotus rufipes, Herbst. Wihtone, scarce
Athous niger, L. Tring
longicollis, Ol. Aldbury and Tring,
rather common
hsemorrhoidalis, F. Tring, a very
common insect
vittatus, F. Tring, rare
Limonius minutus, L. ") - .
Adrastus limbatus, F. )
Agtiotes spuutor, L. 1 Tf .
sobrinus, Kies. Aldbury, scarce
- pallidulus, 111. ) rn .
Dolopius margmatus, L. )
Corymbites cupreus, F. Tring ; I have one
specimen which was picked up on
the churchyard pathway several years
ago by Mr. J. L. Foulkes
tessellatus, F. Wilstone, not uncom-
mon in one corner of a marshy field
quercus, Gyll. Tring, rare
holosericeus, F. Tring, not uncom-
mon in spring and early summer on
the hills
aeneus, L. Tring, rare ; two speci-
mens on Pitstone Hill just on the
border of Herts
bipustulatus, L. Longcroft ; Bovingdan
(Piffard)
Campylus linearis, L. Tring, not common
101
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
DASCILLID^E
Dascillus cervinus, L. Aldbury, rather
plentiful on the hills about the village
Helodes minuta, L. Tring
Microcara livida, F. Near Bovingdon, in a
moist wood
Cyphon coarctatus, Payk. Tring
nitidulus, Thorns. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
variabilis, Thunb. ) . .
padi, L. J '
Prionocyphon serricornis, Mull. Felden
(PifFard)
Scirtes hemisphsericus, L. Wihtone, scarce,
by the reservoir
MALACODERMID^
LAMPYRINA
Lampyris noctiluca, L. Tring and Aldbury ;
the females are constantly met with
in dead leaves and moss in winter,
and I have occasionally seen the
males fly in some numbers to a lamp
when sugaring for Lepidoptera
Phosphsenus hemipterus, Geoff. Felden
(Piffard) ; this species was at one
time considered to be an accidental
introduction to these islands, and it
has only been found in two or three
localities in Sussex ; Mr. Piffard's
capture is most interesting as an
additional proof of the fact, now
accepted, that this insect may be re-
garded as indigenous
TELEPHORINA
Telephorus fuscus, L. Hertford, abun-
dantly (Stephens)
rusticus, Fall.
lividus, L.
pellucidus, F. Tring
nigricans, Mail.
lituratus, F.
bicolor, F. Tring ; New Barnet (New-
bery)
hsemorrhoidalis, F. Tring, fairly com-
mon
flavilabris, Fall. Wihtone, common, at
the reservoir
thoracicus, Ol. Wihtone, scarce, at the
reservoir
Rhagonycha fuscicornis, Ol. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens)
fulva, Scop. Tring, very common in
July ,
limbata, Thorns
pallida, F. ! Tring
Malthinus punctatus, Fourc. J
fasciatus, Ol. Tring, rather common
balteatus, Sufrr. Aldbury, rare
TELEPHORINA (continued)
Malthodes marginatus, Latr. 1 ^ .
- minimus, L. } ****
fibulatus, Kies. Tring, not uncommon
in some of the woods
atomus, Thorns. Wihtone, scarce
MELYRINA
Malachius bipustulatus, L. Tring; New
Barnet (Newbery)
viridis, F. Puttenham, scarce, by the
canal
Axinotarsus ruficollis, Ol. Hertford
(Stephens)
Anthocomus fasciatus, L. Miswell, rare ;
Hertford (Stephens)
Dasytes aerosus, Kies. Hastoe
Phloeophilus edwardsi, Steph. Aldbury
Common, rare, one knocked off an old
oak bough ; Ashridge (PifFard)
CLERID.E
Tillus elongatus, L. Hemel Hempstead
(PifFard) ; Hertford (Stephens)
unifasciatus, F. Hertford (Stephens)
Necrobia ruficollis, F. Tring, rare, in dry
horse's skin
violacea, L. Tring, with the preced-
ing
Corynetes caeruleus, De G. Tring, occa-
sionally seen in old houses ; Hertford
(Stephens)
PTINID.E
PTININA
Niptus hololeucus, Fald. Tring, scarce, as
far as I know, in the town
crenatus, F. Baldock, one in a nastur-
tium flower (Wood)
Hedobia imperialis, L. Tring, Duckmore
Lane, etc., frequently to be found, in
and flying about old hedges ; Hert-
ford (Stephens)
ANOBUNA
Dryophilus pusillus, Gyll. Hastoe, not
common, in fir plantation
Priobium castaneum, F. \ T '
Anobium domesticum, Fourc. /
fulvicorne, Sturm. Tring, rare, in old
hedges
paniceum, L. Tring, frequently seen
in the house. This species seems to
be one of the most omnivorous of in-
sects. I have seen poisonous drugs,
such as aconite root, infested and
spoilt by it, and it is not deterred
by hot aromatic substances, as the
rhizome of ginger and capsicum
fruits
Ernobius mollis, L. Tring, scarce ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
102
INSECTS
ANOBIINA (continued)
Ptilinus pectinicornis,
Aldbury
Ochina hederae, Mull.
Xyletinus ater, Panz.
Dorcatoma chrysome-
lina, Sturm.
flavicornis, F.
L. Miswell and
Boxmoor (Piffard)
Hertford (Stephens)
ICassiobury Park,
Watford (Lew-
cock)
Lyctus canaliculatus, F. Aldbury Common,
in oak fence
CISSID.E
Cis boleti, Scop. Tring, very common
micans, F. Wihtone, very rare, in
fungus on ash tree
hispidus, Payk. Tring
bidentatus, Ol. Aldbury, scarce, under
bark of beech
alni, Gyll. Tring and Aldbury, fre-
quently found under beech bark
nitidus, Herbst. Tring
pygmaeus, Marsh. Tring, scarce
festivus, Panz. Aldbury, once found
in numbers under bark of a recently
fallen beech tree
vestitus, Mell. Felden (Piffard)
Ennearthron affine, Gyll. Hastoe, rare
Octotemnus glabriculus, Gyll. Tring
CERAMBYCID^E
PRIONINA
Prionus coriarius, L. Hertford and Brox-
bourne (Stephens)
CERAMBYCINA
Aromia moschata, L. Wihtone, scarce, in
old willows by the reservoir
Hylotrupes bajulus, L. Hertford (Stephens)
Callidium violaceum, L. Tring, very
abundant in summerhouse built of
fir wood ; New Barnet (Newbery)
Callidium variabile, L. ]
alni, L. \ Hertford (Stephens)
Clytus arcuatus, L. j
arietis, L. Hastoe, not common
Gracilia minuta, F. Tring, found crawl-
ing on a wall in the town
Obrium cantharinum, L. Broxbourne
(Stephens)
Molorchus minor, L. Hertford (Stephens)
Rhagium inquisitor, F. Tring, rare
Toxotus meridianus, Panz. Tring, not
uncommon
Pachyta collaris, L. ).,, /c , .
Leptura livida, F. J Hert f rd (Stephens)
Strangalia armata, Herbst. Brown's Lane,
Hastoe, not common
melanura, L. Aldbury, rare
Grammoptera ruficornis, F. Tring
LAMIINA
Leiopus nebulosus, L. Bovingdon, one
specimen only
Pogonochaerus bidentatus, Thorns. Miswell
dentatus, Fourc. Miswell; have taken
this and the preceding species spar-
ingly in old hawthorn hedge
Tetrops prasusta, L. Puttenbam, rare, in
hawthorn blossom
Phytoecia cylindrica, L. Hertford (Fowler)
BRUCHID.E
Bruchus cisti, F. Aldbury, usually com-
mon on Helianthemum vulgare
canus, Germ. Miswell, rare, two
examples on Onobrychis saliva
rufimanus, Boh. Tring, occasionally
taken by sweeping
loti, Payk. Hertford (Stephens)
villosus, F. Wigginton, rare
CHRYSOMELID^E
EUPODA
Donacia dentata, Hoppe. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
versicolorea, Brahm. Wigginton, found
in several ponds on species of Pota-
mogeton ; somewhat later in appear-
ing than most members of the genus
(July and August)
spargani, Ahr. Miswell, on Spar-
ganium ramosum, growing by side
of canal ; Watford (Lewcock) ;
Boxmoor (Pifiard)
limbata, Panz. Miswell, scarce
simplex, F. Wihtone, Little Tring, etc.
vulgaris, Zsch. Miswell, on Typha
latifolia
semicuprea, Panz. Tring, common on
Carices, by side of canal at Gamnel ;
Hertford (Stephens)
sericea, L. Tring ; Watford (Lewcock)
affinis, Kunze. Wihtone, plentiful on
Carices
Zeugophora subspinosa, F. Bricket Wood
(Piffkrd)
Lema cyanella, L. Tring, frequently found
on Cirsium arvense
lichenis, Voet. Wilstone, rather com-
mon about the reservoir
melanopa, L. Tring, by no means
common
Crioceris asparagi, L. Tring, common, in
several gardens in the town on As-
paragus officinalis
CAMPTOSOMATA
Clythra quadripunctata, L. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
Cryptocephalus aureolus, Suffr. Aldbury,
common some years in the flowers of
Hieracium pilosella
I or
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CAMPTOSOMATA (continued)
Cryptocephalus moraei, L. Tring, scarce,
on Hypericum perforatum
fulvus, Goeze. Wihtone, rare
frontalis, Marsh. Chipperfield (Piffard)
labiatus, L. Tring
CYCLICA
Lamprosoma concolor, Sturm. Tring, rare
Timarcha tenebricosa, F. Tring, very
common. This species is certainly
attached to species of Galium ; I have
repeatedly noticed the larvae feeding
on Galium mollugo, in hedgerows
near the town
violaceonigra, De G. Aldbury, not
very common
Chrysomela marginalis, Duft. Aldbury,
very scarce, on Linaria vulgaris
staphylea, L. Tring and Hastoe
polita, L. Tring, very common.
Doubtless this insect prefers to feed
on various Labiate plants. I have
found it, both as larvae and imago,
swarming on Mentha aquatica in
marshy spots, and on Origanum vul-
gare in dry chalky situations
varians, Schall. Tring
gcettingensis, L. Wigginton, one only,
walking on roadway
didymata, Scriba. Hertford (Stephens) ;
Baldock (Wood)
hyperici, Forst. Tring, on Hypericum
perforatum
Phytodecta rufipes, De G. Hastoe, on
sallow bushes
Gastroidea viridula, De G. 1 - .
- polygon!, L. / T ""S
Plagiodera versicolora, Laich. Elstree (Pif-
fard)
Phaedon tumidulus, Germ.
armoraciae, L.
cochleariae, F. Wihtone, common, at
the reservoir
Phyllodecta vulgatissima, L. Hastoe ;
Baldock (Wood)
cavifrons, Thorns. Hastoe, rare, on
Populus tremula
vittelinas, L. Wihtone; New Barnet
(Newbery)
Hydrothassa aucta, F. Aldbury, very rare
marginella, L. Wihtone, scarce, at the
reservoir
Prasocuris junci, Brahm. Wihtone ; Two
Waters (Piffard)
phellandrii, L. Tring
Luperus nigrofasciatus, Goeze. Shrub Hill
Common (Piffard)
rufipes, Scop. Bricket Wood (Lewcock)
Lochmaea capreae, L. Tring; Baldock
(Wood)
} Tring
CYCLICA (continued)
Lochmaea suturalis, Thorns. Aldbury and
Wigginton Commons, on Calluna
vulgaris ; Bricket Wood (Piffard)
crataegi, Forst. Tring
Galerucella viburni, Payk. Tring, rare, on
Viburnum opulus
nympheae, L. Wihtone, rare
sagittariae, Gyll. Wihtone, plentiful in
marshy spots by the reservoir ; have
seen six or seven hibernating to-
gether in one dead reed stem
tenella, L. Wihtone, on Spiraea grow-
ing by the reservoir
Sermyla halensis, L. Tring
Longitarsus pulex, Schrank. Aldbury ;
Hoddy Hill, Wigginton ; common
some years on Thymus serpyllum
anchusas, Payk. Little Tring
holsaticus, L. Wihtone
quadriguttatus, Pont. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
luridus, Scop. New Barnet (Newbery);
Tring, very common, and extremely
variable as to colour, a light tes-
taceous form being very often met
with on the hills, and a very dark
(almost black) variety which occurs
more often in damp situations
brunneus, Duft. Tring
agilis, Rye. Baldock, one specimen
only (Wood)
suturellus, Duft. Tring, fairly com-
mon on various species of Senecio
atricillus, L. Tring, common, and
apparently fond of Labiate plants as
well as Leguminous ones
melanocephalus, All. Tring
atriceps, Kuts. Tring ; I have one or
two specimens captured near the
town, which Mr. Champion believes
belong to this species
distinguendus, Rye. Tring, one speci-
men only
suturalis, Marsh. Wihtone, rare, at the
reservoir
nasturtii, F. Wihtone
piciceps, Steph. Tring, not uncommon
on Senecio Jacobaeae and S. vulgaris
waterhousei, Kuts. Wihtone and Little
Tring, by the reservoirs, on Mentha
aquatica, on which plant I have also
taken it in other localities
flavicornis, Steph. Little Tring, one
only
pusillus, Gyll. Tring, common, and
evidently by no means confined to
wild thyme
tabidus, F. Near Hertford and Lewin,
on Verbascum thapsus (Stephens)
I0 4
INSECTS
CYCLICA (continued)
Longitarsus jacobaeae, Wat. ) - .
ochroleucus, Marsh. )
gracilis, Kuts. Tring, common on
Senecio Jacobaea
laevis, Duft. Tring, common on many
composite plants, as Achillea, Chrys-
anthemum, etc.
pellucidus, Foudr. Tring
Haltica lythri, Aub6. Wihtone, common
at one spot by the reservoir on Epi-
lobium hirsutum ; Baldock (Wood)
ericeti, All. Aldbury and Wiggington
Commons, on Calluna vulgaris
ampelophaga, Gu6r. Bovingdon, tare
oleracea, L. Wihtone ; what I believe
to be this species is common at the
reservoir on Epilobium hirsutum
pusilla, Duft. Tring and Aldbury, com-
mon almost everywhere on the chalk
hills
Hermaeophaga mercurialis, F. Tring, on
Mercurialis perennis at many spots
in the district ; Hertford (Stephens)
Phyllotreta nodicornis, Marsh. Aldbury,
scarce, on Reseda lutea
nigripes, F. \
consobrina, Curt.
punctulata, Marsh. >- Tring
atra, Payk.
cruciferae, Goeze J
vittula, Redt. Near Wihtone, in a
watercress bed
undulata, Kuts. \ - .
nemorum, L. /
ochripes, Curt. Bovingdon, on Erysi-
mum alliaria
exclamationis, Thunb. Wihtone, scarce,
at the reservoir
Aphthona nonstriata, Goeze. Wihtone,
rather scarce, on Iris, at the reservoir
venustula, Kuts. Tring, in several of the
woods, on Euphorbia amygdaloides
atratula, All. Aldbury, on Helianthe-
mum vulgare
atroccerulea?, Steph. Tring
herbigrada, Curt. Tring, very plentiful
on the chalk hills
Batophila rubi, Payk. Tring; Baldock
(Wood)
CYCLICA (continued)
Batophila aerata, Marsh. Wihtone, rare, in a
hedge
Sphaeroderma testaceum, F. j
cardui, Gyll. r Tring
Apteropeda orbiculata, Marsh. J
Mniophila muscorum, Koch. Near Flaun-
den, in a wood
Mantura rustica, L. Tring, very scarce
matthewsi, Curt. Aldbury, not un-
common on Helianthemum vulgare ;
Shothanger Common (Piffard)
Crepidodera transversa, Marsh. Wihtone,
common, by the reservoir
- ferruginea, Scop. |
runpes, L, )
nitidula, L. Kings Langley (Piffard)
helxines, L. Hastoe ; Bricket Wood
(Lewcock)
chloris, Foudr. Near Hadley Wood
(Newbery)
aurata, Marsh. Hastoe
smaragdina, Foudr. Near Bovingdon
Hippuriphila modeeri, L. Wihtone, com-
mon at one spot by the reservoir, in
moss
Epitrix atropae, Foudr. Tring, on Atropa
Belladonna ; Felden (Piffard)
Chaetocnema hortensis, Fourc. Tring
confusa, Boh. Felden (Piffard)
Plectroscelis concinna, Marsh. "|
Psylliodes napi, Koch. > Tring
cuprasa, Koch. J
affinis, Payk. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
Psylliodes chalcomera, 111. Aldbury, scarce,
on Cirsium arvense
picina, Marsh. Little Tring, rare
CRYPTOSOMATA
Cassida vibex, F. Aldbury, rare, on thistles ;
Hertford (Stephens)
nobilis, L. Tring
flaveola, Thunb. Wihtone ; Hertford
(Stephens)
equestris, F. Wihtone and Little Tring,
rather common on Mentha aquatica,
at the first of these two localities
viridis, F. Tring
hemisphaerica, Herbst. Tring, one speci-
men taken by Mr. J. W. Shipp
HETEROMERA
TENEBRIONID^E
Blaps mucronata, Latr. Tring
similis, Latr. Hertford (Stephens)
Heledona agaricola, F. Ashridge (Pif-
fard)
Scaphidema metallicum, F. Tring ; Shrub
Hill Common (Piffard)
Tenebrio molitor, L. Tring
obscurus, F. Tring, rare
Tribolium ferrugineum, F. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
105
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Palorus melinus, Herbst. Baldock (Wood)
Hypophlceus bicolor, Ol. Berkhamsted
(PifFard)
Helops coeruleus, L. Tring, very rare ; a
pair were taken by Mr. J. W. Shipp,
in the town
striatus, Fourc. Tring, not common
CISTELID.E
Cistela luperus, Herbst. Tring and Aid-
bury ; Hertford (Stephens)
ceramboides, L. Hertford (Stephens)
murina, L. Tring
Lagria hirta, L. Tring, somewhat common
MELANDRYID^E
Tetratoma desmaresti, Latr. Aldbury
Common, four specimens under bark
of oak impregnated with fungoid
growths ; Felden (PifFard)
ancora, F. Tring, very rare, one beaten
from dead oak bough
Orchesia micans, Panz. Wilstone. I have
bred this insect in great numbers from
a large brown fungus, growing on
old ash tree
Clinocara tetratoma, Thorns. Tring, several
seen under holly bark in Pavis Wood,
all but one however managed to es-
cape
Hallomenus humeralis, Panz. Near Flaun-
den, two or three found, under rotten
wood ; Baldock, about thirty in a
decaying pine (Wood)
Conopalpus testaceus, Ol. Tring ; I have
bred this species from rotten oak
boughs, the perfect insect appearing
in the latter half of June ; Felden
(PifFard) ; Hertford (Stephens)
Phlceotrya rufipes, Gyll. Felden (PifFard)
PYTHID^E
Salpingus castaneus, Panz. Felden (Piflard)
Lissodema quadripustulata, Marsh. Tring,
frequently met with in beating old
hedges ; Hertford (Stephens)
Rhinosimus ruficollis, L. Tring
viridipennis, Steph. Tring, very scarce
planirostris, F. Tring
OEDEMERID^E
Oedemera lurida, Marsh. Tring, occasion-
ally seen, in grassy uncultivated
places
MORDELLID^E
Mordella aculeata, L. Hertford (Stephens)
Mordellistena abdominalis, F. Shothanger
Common (Piffard)
humeralis, L. Tring, very rare
brunnea, F. Tring, very rare, one
specimen beaten out of hedge in
the Shire Lane
pumila, Gyll. Tring; Hertford (Ste-
phens)
brevicauda, Boh. Tring, rare
Anaspis frontalis, L. Tring
garneysi, Fowler. Baldock (Wood)
pulicaria, Costa. Tring, rather com-
mon, especially on UmbelliferEe
rufilabris, Gyll. Tring
geofFroyi, Mall. Tring, common ;
Hertford (Stephens)
ruficollis, F. Tring, common, in moist
situations ; New Barnet (Newbery)
subtestacea, Steph. Tring
maculata, Fourc. Tring, very com-
mon. I have found the larvae in
the hollow stems of Clematis vitalba,
in winter ; New Barnet (Newbery)
PYROCHROID^:
Pyrochroa serraticornis, Scop. Tring
Anthicus floralis, L. Tring ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
antherinus, L. Tring, rather common;
New Barnet (Newbery)
MELOID.E
Meloe violaceus, Marsh. Tring, scarce ;
Baldock, one only (Wood)
proscarabaeus, L. Tring ; this species
seems to feed very voraciously in the
perfect state. I once watched a well-
developed female devour two or three
leaves of Ranunculus repens in quite
a short time
ANTHRIBID^:
Brachytarsus fasciatus, Forst. Hertford
(Stephens) ; Baldock (Wood)
Choragus sheppardi, Kirby. Miswell
near Tring, once found in some
numbers, in an old hedge
CURCULIONID^:
ATTELABINA
Apoderus coryli, L. Tring, rare, on hazel
at Bishop's Wood ; Baldock, one speci-
men (Wood)
Attelabus curculionides, L. Hastoe, rare,
in Brown's Lane
RHYNCHITINA
Byctiscus populi, L. Bncket Wood (PifFard)
Rhynchites aequatus, L. Aldbury, not
common
1 06
INSECTS
RHYNCHITINA (continued)
Rhynchites aeneovirens, Marsh. Hastoe,
scarce, in Brawn's Lane ; Bricket Wood
(Lewcock) ; Hertford (Stephens)
minutus, Herbst. Tring
nanus, Payk. Hertford (Stephens)
uncinatus, Thorns. Bricket Wood
(Lewcock)
sericeus, Herbst. Tring, very rare, on
hazel
pubescens, F. Tring (Piffard)
Deporaus megacephalus, Germ. Near
Bovingdon, rare ; Bricket Wood (Lew-
cock)
betulae, L. Tring, of occasional occur-
ence, in the beech woods
APIONINA
Apion pomonae, F. Tring, rare ; Hert-
ford (Stephens)
craccas, L. Miswell
ulicis, Forst. Tring, usually found
wherever the furze grows
miniatum, Germ. Aldbury and Wil-
stone, not common
haematodes, Kirby. Tring and Hastoe
pallipes, Kirby. Tring, rather common,
on Mercurialis perennis
difforme, Germ. Tring
varipes, Germ. Tring, rare
apricans, Herbst. Tring
assimile, Kirby. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
trifolii, L. \
dichroum, Bedel. [ Tring
nigritarse, Kirby j
confluens, Kirby. Aldbury, on Matri-
caria inodora, very rare
stolidum, Germ. Bushey (Fowler,
British Coleoptera, vol. v.)
aeneum, F. Tring, scarce, on Malva
rotundifolia
radiolus, Kirby \
onopordi, Kirby \ Tring
carduorum, Kirby )
vicinum, Kirby. Wihtone, rare, on
Mentha aquatica at the reservoir
atomarium, Kirby. Aldbury, not un-
common, at the roots of Thymus
serpyllum
minimum, Herbst. Baldock, common,
on sallow (Wood)
virens, Herbst. 1
punctigerum, Payk. \ Tring
pisi, F. I
asthiops, Herbst. Wihtone, not com-
mon ; New Barnet (Newbery) ; Bal-
dock (Wood)
ebeninum, Kirby. Aldbury, not com-
mon ; Felden (Piffard)
striatum, Kirby. Hastoe and Wigginton
APIONINA (continued)
Apion spencei, Kirby. Aldburj
ervi, Kirby. Tring
vorax, Herbst. Tring, not common
unicolor, Kirby. Wihtone, scarce ;
New Barnet (Newbery)
scutellare, Kirby. Felden (Piffard)
livescerum, Gyll. Tring, may be found
in most fields of sainfoin (Onobrychis
sativa) ; Felden (Piffard)
waltoni, Steph. Aldbury, not un-
common
loti, Kirby. Tring ; Baldock (Wood)
- seniculum Kirby j r
tenue, Kirby
simile, Kirby. Hertford (Stephens)
pubescens, Kirby. Wihtone and Aid-
bury, scarce
marchicum, Herbst. Hastoe, rare, in
Brown's Lane
affine, Kirby. Felden (Piffard)
violaceum, Kirby ) _. .
hydrolapathi, Kirby J
humile, Germ. Tring; New Barnet
(Newbery)
OTIORRHYNCHINA
Otiorrhynchus tenebricosus, Herbst. Aldbury
fuscipes, Walton. Tring, rare
raucus, F. Baldock, one only (Wood)
scabrosus, Marsh. Tring
ligneus, Ol. Aldbury ; Baldock, com-
mon in greenhouse (Wood)
sulcatus, F. Tring, occasionally seen
in gardens ; Baldock (Wood)
ovatus, L. Aldbury
Trachyphlceus aristatus, Gyll. Tring, rare,
at roots of Helianthemum
squamulatus, Ol. Aldbury, at the roots
of Helianthemum vulgare ; Shothanger
Common (Piffard)
scabriculus, L. Tring
alternans, Gyll. Miswell, rare
Strophosomus coryli, F. Tring
retusus, Marsh. Wigginton Common, rare
faber, Herbst. Wihtone, rare, in moss
by the reservoir
lateralis, Payk. Aldbury Common, on
Calluna vulgaris
Exomias araneiformis, Schrank. Tring ;
Hadley Wood (Newbery)
1 Brachysomus echinatus, Bonsd. Tring,
rather common, on banks and in
hedgerows
1 B. hirtus, Boh., which was at one time con-
sidered so rare an insect, is almost sure to be
found in the county ; it should be looked for in
newly fallen leaves, in sheltered woods, during
October and November ; it occurs commonly in
several of the woods round Chesham, and quite
close to the Herts border.
107
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
OTIORRHYNCHINA (continued)
Sciaphilus muricatus, F. Tring
Tropiphorus tomentosus, Marsh. Tring,
very rare
Liophloeus nubilus, F. Tring, not common
Metallites marginatus, Steph. Chipperfield
(Piffard); Bricket Wood (Lewcock)
Polydrusus micans, F. Tring, rather com-
mon on beech, on which tree it
seems to appear as soon as the buds
expand in spring ; Felden (Piffard)
tereticollis, De G. Tring; Kings
Langley (Piffard)
pterygomalis, Boh. \
cervinus, L. \ Tring
Phyllobius oblongus, L. )
calcaratus, F. Tring, scarce
urticae, De G. j
pyri, L. Tring
argentatus, L. j
maculicornis, Germ. Tring, not com-
mon
pomonae, Ol. i o- .
-j- T L I- Tring
vindiasris, Laich. J
viridicollis, F. Aldbury, plentiful some
years near this village ; possibly this
is the most southern locality for this
insect in Britain ; Tring Hills
(Piffard); Baldock (Wood)
1 Barynotus obscurus, F. Tring ; Baldock
(Wood)
schonherri, Zett. Baldock (Wood)
elevatus, Marsh. Tring, commoner
than obscurus, round this town,
where it may often be seen feeding
upon Mercurialis perennis ; Felden
(Piffard) ; Baldock (Wood)
CURCULIONINA
Sitones cambricus, Steph. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
regensteinensis, Herbst. Wigginton
Common
crinitus, Herbst. Tring, common, in
chalky places
tibialis, Herbst. ) - ,
hispidulus, F. J
humeralis, Steph. Aldbury, not common
flavescens, Marsh. \ _. .
puncticollis, Steph. J
suturalis, Steph. \ Tring ; New Barnet
lineatus, L. J (Newbery)
sulcifrons, Thunb. Wihtone, in moss,
by the reservoir
Hypera punctata, F. Tring, not common
rumicis, L. Wihtone
polygon!, L. Aldbury
variabilis, Herbst. ) . .
plantaginis, De G. /
1 The Rev. T. Wood captured all three species
of the genus, by sweeping at night.
CURCULIONINA (continued)
Hypera trilineata, Marsh. Aldbury, scarce
nigrirostris, F. Tring. I have a
couple of the very distinct var.
ononinis (Stevens) taken on Aldbury
Owers
Cleonus sulcirostris, L. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
Liosoma ovatulum, Clairv. Tring
oblongulum, Boh. Kings Langley
(Piffard)
Liparus coronatus, Goeze. Tring, rare,
once taken in Miswell Lane
Hylobius abietis, L. Tring, rare; Hertford
(Stephens)
Orchestes quercus, L. Tring, not com-
mon ; New Barnet (Newbery)
alni, L. Little Tring ; Bricket Wood
(Lewcock) ; New Barnet (Newbery)
ilicis, F. Aldbury Common, rare, on oak
avellanas, Don. Hastoe, rare, on hazel
fagi, L. Tring, to be found in great
abundance everywhere in the beech
woods
pratensis, Germ. Hertford (Stephens)
rusci, Herbst. Kings Langley (Piffard)
salicis, L. Tring, not common
Rhamphus flavicornis, Clairv. Tring
Procas armillatus, F. Felden (Piffard)
Orthochaetes setiger, Beck. Aldbury ;
Hertford (Stephens)
Grypidius equiseti, F. Chipperfield (Piffard) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
Erirrhinus bimaculatus, F. Wihtone, rare,
at the reservoir ; Langley (Piffard)
acridulus, L. Tring and Wihtone
Thryogenes festucae, Herbst. Miswell,
scarce, on the canal
nereis, Payk. Wigginton, not uncom-
mon on species of Carex, at side of a
pond
Dorytomus tremulae, F. Kings Langley
(Piffard)
tortrix, L. Wihtone, not uncommon
on Populus alba, growing near the
village
validirostris, Gyll. Kings Langley
(Piffard)
maculatus, Marsh. Tring ; the var.
costirostris occurs with it
melanophthalmus (Payk.), var. agnathus,
Boh. Bushey Common (Piffard)
Tanysphyrus lemnae, F. Wilstgne, not un-
common, in refuse on the reservoir
banks
Bagous alismatis, Marsh. Hastoe, on
Alisma plantago, on pond bank ;
Chipperfield (Piffard)
limosus, Gyll. Wihtone, very rare, in
refuse, by the reservoir
108
INSECTS
CURCULIONINA (continued)
Bagous frit, Brit. Coll. Wihtone, rare, with
the preceding
lutosus, Gyll. Hertford (Stephens)
Anoplus plantaris, Naez. Tring
Elleschus bipunctatus, L. Hastoe, once
found plentifully on sallow in
Brown's Lane
Tychius squamulatus, Gyll. Aldbury, rare
meliloti, Steph. Wihtone, not common
on Melilotus ofEcinalis
lineatulus, Steph. Aldbury, very rare,
on Anthyllis vulneraria
junceus, Reich. Tring and Aldbury
tomentosus, Herbst. Baldock (Wood)
pygmaeus, Bris. Boxmoor (PifFard)
Miccotrogus picirostris, F. Tring
Sibinia primita, Herbst. Near Bovingdon ;
Felden (PifFard)
Miarus campanulae, L. Aldbury, in the
flowers of Campanula glomerata, on
the hills near the village
graminis, Gyll. Aldbury, scarce with
the preceding ; Hertford (Stephens)
plantarum, Germ. Aldbury, one speci-
men by sweeping, probably on Cam-
panula glomerata
Gymnetron beccabungae, L. Miswell and
Little Tring, on Veronica beccabunga
melanarius, Germ. Tring, scarce, on
Veronica chamasdrys in dry chalky
places
antirrhini, Payk. Tring and Aldbury,
not uncommon, on Linaria vulgaris
Mecinus pyraster, Herbst. Tring
Anthonomus ulmi, De G. Tring, rare
rosinae, Des Gozis. Tring, rare, in a
hawthorn hedge
pedicularius, L. i - .
- rubi, Herbst. I Tnn f
comari, Crotch. Bricket Wood (L,cvf cods)
Cionus scrophulariae, L. Tring
tuberculosus, Scop. Hertford (Ste-
phens)
thapsus, F. Aldbury, on Scrophularia
nodosa
hortulanus, Marsh. Tring
blattariae, F. Tring; Hertford (Ste-
phens)
pulchellus, Herbst. Tring; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Baldock (Wood)
Orobitis cyaneus, L. Tring, single speci-
mens have frequently occurred ;
Felden (PifFard)
Acalles roboris, Curtis. Kings Langley
(Piffard) ; Hertford (Stephens)
ptinoides, Marsh. Tring, very fre-
quently found among dead beech
twigs on the ground ; Felden
(PifFard) ; Hertford (Stephens)
CURCULIONINA (continued)
Acalles turbatus, Boh. Miswell, once found
sparingly in an old hedge ; Felden
(PifFard)
Cosliodes rubicundus, Herbst. Bovingdon,
rare, once found on oaks ; Kings
Langley (PifFard)
quercus, F. Tring
ruber, Marsh. Hastoe, rare, in Brown's
Lane
cardui, Herbst. Tring, common,
especially in the spring
quadrimaculatus, L. Tring, abundant
everywhere
Poophagus sisymbryii, F. Tring
nasturtii, Germ. Wihtone, very rare, in
refuse by the reservoir ; Baldock,
found commonly (Wood)
Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Payk. Tring
setosus, Boh. Busbey (Fowler)
constrictus, Marsh. Hastoe, rare, in
Brown's Lane
cochleariae, Gyll. Wihtone
ericae, Gyll. Aldbury Common, plenti-
ful ; Ashridge (PifFard)
erysimi, F. Tring
contractus, Marsh. Tring ; near Had-
ley Wood (Newbery)
chalybaeus, Germ. Tring and Aldbury
quadridens, Panz.
pollinarius, Forst. Tring
pleurostigma, Marsh.
alliaria, Bris. Boxmoor (PifFard)
marginatus, Payk. Miswell, rare
(rotundatus, Bris.). Boxmoor, on the
railway bank (PifFard)
urticae, Boh. Tring, a few specimens
on Stachys sylvatica, in rather moist
spot in a wood
rugulosus, Herbst. Little Tring, rare,
in a damp meadow
melanostictus, Marsh. Wihtone, not
uncommon on Mentha aquatica, at
the reservoir
asperifoliarum, Gyll. Tring ; Baldock
(Wood)
euphorbiae, Bris. Aldbury, very rare,
one example on Veronica chamaedrys
litura, F. Tring ; New Barnet (New-
bery)
trimaculatus, F. 1
Ceuthorrhynchidius floralis, Payk. Y Tring
pyrrhorhynchus, Marsh.
nigrinus, Marsh. Aldbury and Little
Tring
melanarius, Steph. Wihtone, on Na-
sturtium officinale
horridus, F. Tring, very local on the
hills, feeding upon Cirsium arvense
quercicola, Payk. Aldbury and Tring
109
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CURCULIONINA (continued)
Ceuthorrhynchidius troglodytes, F. Tring
chevrolati, Bris. Boxmoor, on the rail-
way bank (PifFard)
Amalus haemorrhous, Herbst. Near Bov-
ingdon, scarce, in a clover field
Rhinonchus pericarpius, L. Tring ; New
Barnet (Newbery)
gramineus, Herbst. Wihtone, rare, at the
reservoir, on Polygonum amphibium
perpendicularis, Reich. \ - .
castor, F. J "**
Eubrychius velatus, Beck, Wihtone, at the
reservoir
Litodactylus leucogaster, Marsh, Wihtone,
with the preceding
Phytobius quadrituberculatus, F. Tring ;
Hertford (Stephens)
canaliculatus, Fahr. Wihtone, rare, in
refuse at the reservoir
quadrinodosus, Gyll. 1 Aldbury, one at
the roots of Thymus serpyllum
Limnobaris T-album, L. Wihtone, rare,
at the reservoir ; Kings Langley
(PifFard) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Bal-
dock, common (Wood)
Balaninus nucum, L. Bricket Wood (Lew-
cock)
betulae, Steph. Kings Langley (Piffard)
villosus, F. Bovingdon ; Felden (PifFard)
salicivorous, Payk. Tring ; near Hadley
Wood (Newbery) ; Bricket Wood
(Lewcock)
pyrrhoceras, Marsh. Tring
Magdalis armigera, Fourc. Little Tring,
rare ; near Hadley Wood (Newbery)
pruni, L. Tring
CALANDRINA
Calandra granaria, L. Tring, in granary
oryzae, L. Tring, with the preceding
COSSONINA
Cossonus ferruginous, Clairv. Wihtone,
where I once found a considerable
quantity of the dead remains of this
insect, in a decaying elm
Rhyncolus lignarius, Marsh. Tring ; Hert-
ford (Stephens)
SCOLYTIDjE
Scolytus destructor, Ol. Tring
Scolytus pruni, Ratz. Wihtone, in decay
ing plum tree
rugulosus, Ratz. Tring, rare ; once
caught on the wing ; New Barnet
(Newbery)
Hylastes ater, Payk. Tring
opacus, Er. Wihtone, rare, in old ash
tree ; Hertford (Stephens)
palliatus, Gyll. Hastoe
Hylesinus crenatus, F. Wihtone, in decay-
ing ash
fraxini, Panz. Tring
Myelophilus piniperda, L. Tring, one
caught on a gatepost
Cissophagus hederae, Schmidt. Felden
(PifFard) ; Baldock (Wood)
Phlceophthorus rhododactylus, Marsh. Shot-
hanger Common (PifFard)
Pityophthorus pubescens, Marsh. Hertford
(Stephens)
Xylocleptes bispinus, Duft. Tring, usually
common in Clematis vitalba
Dryoccetes villosus, F. Bovingdon
Trypodendron domesticum, L. Tring,
frequently found in numbers, in
dead beech
Xyleborus saxeseni, Ratz. Felden (Piffard)
ABNORMAL COLEOPTERA
STREPSIPTERA or STYLOPID^
Stylops melittae, Kirby. Felden (Piffard)
SUMMARY OF SPECIES
Geodephaga 125
Hydradephaga 50
Palpicornia 40
Staphylinidae 408
Clavicornia 313
Lamellicornia 38
Sternoxi 37
Malacoderma 34
Teredilia 26
Longicornia 23
Phytophaga (with Bruchidae) 131
Heteromera (with Abnormal
Coleoptera) 48
Rhyncophora (with Anthri-
bidae) 251
LEPIDOPTERA
Of the 2,061 species of Lepidoptera included in the British lists,
1,138, or rather more than half, have been observed in Hertfordshire. As
might be anticipated, the group of insects commonly known as butterflies
1 This species formerly stood in British collections as Rhinonchus denticollis, Gyll. (Entomobgitti'
Monthly Magazine, vol. xxrv. p. 142.)
110
INSECTS
has attracted the most general attention and has been the most widely
observed, 50 of the 68 British species having been recorded. The
census for the nine groups into which the order has been divided in
Mr. Meyrick's Handbook of British Lepidoptera stands at present as under :
Recorded
British for
Species Herts
Caradrinina 378 221
Notodontina 326
Lasiocampina 18
Papilionina 68
Pyralidina 187
Psychina 16
Tortricina 330
Tineina 720
Micropterygina 18
229
15
50
87
6
171
344
15
Totals .... 2,061 . . . 1,138
The order of proportionate representation, based upon these figures,
is therefore as follows : Lasiocampina and Micropterygina (both of which
are represented by 15 out of 18 British species), Papilionina, Notodontina^
Caradrinina, Tortricina, Tineina, Pyralidina, and Psychina. It must, how-
ever, be remembered that the smaller moths have received comparatively
little attention, and that so far as they are concerned a large part of the
county remains unexplored. Future investigations may, therefore, res-ult
in a re-arrangement of the above order.
In March, 1878, the Rev. C. M. Perkins, M.A., then head master
of the St. Albans Grammar School, read a paper before the members of
the Watford Natural History Society on ' British Butterflies,' 1 treating
especially of the species which had been taken in the county. With the
exception of Stephens' records this appears to have been the first important
contribution to our knowledge of the insect fauna of Hertfordshire.
The earliest recent attempt to compile anything like an exhaustive local
list was, however, made in the winter of 18834 by Mr. Arthur Griffith,
M.A., and in it he recorded the results of the observations and captures
made by himself and his brother, Mr. F. LI. Griffith. This list was
published in the 'Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society?
Mr. Arthur Griffith and his brother are sons of the late Rev. John
Griffith, LL.D., at that time vicar of Sandridge, and their collecting
was done principally, though not wholly, in their father's parish, and
extended over a district about six miles long and two miles wide. They
succeeded in compiling a list of 514 species, 29 of which were butter-
flies. By the end of 1890" this total had been increased to 832 species,
including 266 Tineina, which group had not been dealt with in the
earlier paper. This very considerable total for so comparatively re-
stricted an area must be regarded as very creditable. Besides a large
number of the Micro-Lepidoptera, the following insects have been re-
1 Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Six., vol. ii. p. 63. * Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soe., vol. iii. p. 58.
3 Ibid. vol. vi. p. 47.
Ill
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
corded for Hertfordshire by Mr. Griffith only : Hemaris bombyliformis,
Pygcera curtula, Heliotbis armigera, Leucopbtbalmia pendularia, Euchceca
obliterata> T'epbroclystis plumbeolata^ T. virgaureata, Calocalpe undulata, and
Cataclysme virgata. Especial mention must be made of Mr. Griffith's
careful study of the ' pug ' moths and their life history, he having
recorded the occurrence of no less than 22 species.
The next published lists were those of Mr. John Hartley Durrant,
F.E.S., of species observed in the neighbourhood of Hitchin and Kneb-
worth. 1 He recorded 419 species, of which 106 were not included in
Mr. Griffith's list, thus bringing the total for the county up to 938.
The insects named in Mr. Durrani's Hitchin list were captured at
Hitch Wood, Ickleford, Norton, Offley, Pegsdon, Ippolyts and Tingley
Wood, and roughly speaking all his collecting was done on the Chalk or
on the Boulder Clay or Drift overlying it. The species recorded by
Mr. Durrant alone include Procris geryon, Callimorpba dominula, and
Heliotbis peltigera. Mr. Durrant also made a further valuable contri-
bution to local entomological literature in a paper 2 read at Watford in
1888, which contained a large number of records gathered from various
sources of species observed in the county. The majority of the records
are collected from Stephens' Illustrations of British Entomology (Haustel-
/ata), vols. i. to iv., ranging in date from 1828 to 1834, and I have
made use of Mr. Durrani's paper in compiling my present list.
In the same year Mr. R. W. Bowyer, one of the masters at Hailey-
bury School, published a list 3 of the Macro-Lepidoptera which had been
caught in that neighbourhood. This contained the names of 30 butter-
flies and 315 moths, and included some rare insects, such as Lyccena arion
and Catocala fraxini. About the same time the Haileybury Natural
Science Society issued a useful little work entitled Tbe Flora and Fauna
of Haileybury, part i. of which includes the Lepidoptera. This I have
consulted in addition to Mr. Bowyer's catalogue and some additional
notes and records supplied by Mr. C. H. Stockley, and it is referred to
hereafter as the ' Haileybury School List.'
The Macro-Lepidoptera of south-west Herts have been very carefully
investigated by the Watford entomologists, good work having been done
in this direction by Mr. Arthur Cottam of Elderscroft, Mr. J. E. K. Cutts
(formerly of Silverdell, Nascot Wood), Mr. S. H. Spencer, Mr. Noel
Heaton, Mr. Wigg, and Mr. A. Stoyel. At Bushey Heath Mr. Philip J.
Barraud has succeeded by means of a light trap in securing a number of
rarities, among which may be mentioned Ortbosia suspecta and Plusia
moneta ; and at Oxhey, which, like the last locality, is on the Middlesex
border, Mr. H. Rowland-Brown, M.A., F.E.S., of Harrow Weald, has
captured a number of interesting species.
The extensive tracts of woodland with which Hertfordshire abounds
have proved fruitful hunting-grounds, prominent among them being
Bricket Wood, about midway between St. Albans and Watford, and
well known to the collectors resident in those two towns. Besides the
J Trans. Herts Nat, Hist. Sac., vol. iii. p. 261. * Ibid. vol. v. p. 63. 3 Ibid. vol. v. p. 23.
112
INSECTS
large enclosures devoted to the cultivation of timber, there are here many
acres of boggy ground clothed with a rough and luxuriant growth of
tangled underwood and known as the Scrubs. The sallows, of which
there are many on the railway banks at this spot, prove very attractive
in the spring, especially to moths belonging to the genus Monima, and
later in the year sugaring in the ridings or the outskirts of the woods
often proves very remunerative. Thyatira batis sometimes comes freely
to ' sugar ' at Bricket, where I have seen nearly a score of specimens on
one patch, while other captures here have included Miltochrista miniata,
Acronycta ligustri, Tripbcena prasina, Leucania turca, Cybosia mesomella,
Palimpsestis or, Tryphana Jimbria, and Ortbosia aurago. Among geometers
to be taken here may be mentioned Metrocampa dolobraria, M. pulveraria,
Euchltzna prunaria, Diastictis consortaria, Ectropis biundularia (crepuscularia) ,
E. luridata (exfersaria), Leucophthalmia orbicularia, and Geometra papilion-
aria. Some good things have also been obtained by larvae-beating at
Bricket Wood by Mr. Arthur Lewis, an enthusiastic St. Albans entomo-
logist, and by myself.
The range of chalk downs known as the Chiltern Hills, which run
across the north of Hertfordshire, enter the county on the west near
Tring, and they possess a rich and distinctive insect fauna. This district
and the adjoining parts of Buckinghamshire are famous for the beech
trees which flourish and attain large dimensions on the outcrop of the
Chalk beds. Extensive woods composed almost entirely of these trees
are to be found in the neighbourhood of Tring, and are the homes of
those species of Lepidoptera whose larvas feed upon their foliage. On
the grassy slopes of the downs, too, will be found many interesting
insects whose presence is accounted for by the fact that their food
plants abound in such situations. Thanks to the efforts of the Hon.
Walter and the Hon. Charles Rothschild, Mr. A. T. Goodson, and
especially of Mr. E. George Elliman, this district has been carefully
explored so far as the butterflies and larger moths are concerned. The
records of captures by Mr. E. J. Le Quesne and Mr. J. L. Foulkes were
supplied by Mr. Elliman. Among the butterflies of the Tring district
may be mentioned Lyceena bellargus (which also occurs at Royston),
L. corydon, Cbrysophanus minimus, Tbecla rubi, and Pamphila comma. The
moths include Colocasia coryli, Metrocampa margaritaria, Ectropis conso-
naria, E. biundularia, Euchloris vernana, Leucophthalmia trilinearia, L. annu-
lata, Leptomeris ornata, Pseudopantbera punctata, Asthena murinata (euphor-
biata), Hydriomena juniper ata, Mysticoptera sexalisata, Plemyria galiata,
Xantborhce bipunctaria, Deprana cultraria, Stauropus fagi, Odontosia cuculla,
Drymonia trepida, and Crambus chrysonucbellus. Near Tring are the large
reservoirs belonging to the Grand Junction Canal Company, and on their
banks are to be met with several species whose larvas feed on willows,
rushes and other plants which are of aquatic habits or flourish in the
neighbourhood of water. Cerura bifida, C. furcula, Pterostoma palpina,
Drymonia tremula (dictcea], Notodonta dromedarius, N. ziczag, Acronycta
aceris, A. ligustri, Leucania straminea, L. obsoleta, Caradrina fufoa, C.
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
lutosa, and C. arcuosa are among the species which have been obtained at
Wilstone reservoir. It is to be regretted that the Micro-Lepidoptera
of the Tring district have not received more attention ; they would
doubtless well repay investigation.
From south-east Herts Mr. W. C. Boyd, F.E.S., of The Grange,
Waltham Cross, who has collected the Macro-Lepidoptera since 1851
and the Micros since about 1867, has been able to furnish a very
valuable list of upwards of 740 species, including 107 Tortrices and
255 Tineinee. Over seventy of the smaller insects in his list have not
yet been observed in any other part of the county, and the capture by
him of Antigastra catalaunalis on September i8th, 1867, was the first
British record of the occurrence of the species and the only one to this
day. Short lists of east Herts insects have also been sent from Bishop's
Stortford by Messrs. W. E. Taylor and W. T. Mellows. Mr. Matthews
of Stevenage is able to report the capture of Thecla betulee which has been
taken sparingly in Norton Green Woods, but is not recorded from any
other Hertfordshire locality.
In 1894 I was allowed to inspect two small but interesting collec-
tions made in the neighbourhood of East Barnet. One was at the Boys'
Farm Home," and this contained specimens of Utetheisa pulchella, Setina
Irrorella, Ocneria monacba, and Sphinx convofouli. The other was in the
possession of Colonel Gillum of Church Hill House, whose insects I
catalogued, and their names appear in the subjoined list. Among them
may be mentioned Clisiocampa castrensis, Pyg<zra pigra, Metrocampa pro-
sapiaria, and Eucesfia spartiata.
LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADRININA ARCTIAD* (continued)
AacTiAD-ffi sparingly at Wilstone reservoir \ one
Lithosia complana, L. Haileybury (Bow- specimen I took was settled in the
yer) flowers of hemp agrimony (Eupa-
lurideola, Zk. (complanula, B.). St. torium cannabinum) in the day-time.'
Albani^ Wheathampstead, Redbourn Mr. Boyd describes the species as
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; being common in the Cheshunt dis-
Hitchin (Durrant); Haileybury (Bow- trict. He took one specimen of var.
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey stramineola at Cheshunt Street, circa
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; 1857
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bricket sororcula, Hufn. (aureola, Hb.). Bricket
Wood (Cottam) ; Hemel Hempstead Wood (Spencer, A. E. G.) ; Hailey-
(B. Piffard) ; Berkhamsted (Good- bury (Bowyer), ' St. Margarets,'
son) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage School List
(Matthews) ; Bishop Stortford (Mel- Cybosia mesomella, L. Bricket Wood (A.
lows ; Cheshunt (Boyd) E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Kneb-
griseola, Hb. (stramineola, Dbld.). Sand- worth (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; yer), ' Heath,' School List ; Hertford
Haileybury (Bowyer), 'Heath,' School (Stephens)
List ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford Setina irrorella, L. East Barnet (Bowden)
(Wigg) ; Wilstone reservoir (Elliman); Miltochrista miniata, Forst. Knebworth
Tring (Goodson) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) (Brown, Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
Mr. Elliman writes with reference 7 er )> ' Roman road, Heath,' School
to L. griseola : ' I have found it List ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
114
INSECTS
ARCTIAD.S: (continued)
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Arthur Cottam has taken this
pretty insect rather plentifully at
' sugar ' at Bricket Wood, and Mr.
Stockley says that it comes rather
freely to ' light ' at Haileybury. At
Cheshunt it is scarce
Miltochrista senex, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith);
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' once,' School
List
Nudaria mundana, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Duckmore Lane,
Tring (Le Quesne, Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
' An immense swarm ' was re-
ported to the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society (Transactions I. xvii.)
as having occurred at ' light ' at Har-
penden on December I3th, 1879, but
this was an obvious error, one of the
winter moths being of course referred
to. Mr. Elliman reports that a few
specimens were taken in Duckmore
Lane, Tring, by Mr. Le Quesne and
himself, and he remarks that when
beaten out of a hedge this species
frequently feigns death. Mr. Boyd
finds this to be a local insect
Nola cucullatella, L. St. Albans (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Hemel Hemp-
stead (B. PifFard) ; Haileybury (School
List) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This insect is taken occasionally
at ' light, ' though Mr. Elliman re-
ports it to be ' more common in the
larval than imago stage '
Sarropthripus undulana, Hb. (revayana,
Tr.). Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam) ; Feldon, near
Boxmoor (A. PifFard)
Mr, Cottam captured this insect
at Bricket Wood in 1899 > Mr. Bar-
raud took one specimen at ' light ' on
November 1st, 1900 ; and Mr.
Albert Piffard secured another in
the same year. It is probably over-
looked by collectors, who mistake it
for a Tortrix
Earius chlorana, L. Cheshunt (Boyd)
Hylophila bicolorana, Fuesl. (quercana,
Schiff.). Bricket Wood (Stoyel, A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hit-
chin (Durrant) ; Tring (Goodson) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Halias prasinana, L. Bricket Wood (Cot-
ARCTIAD^: (continued)
tarn, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Tring, larvae (Hon.
L. Walter Rothschild) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This and the two preceding
species are not often met with
Tyria jacobasae, L. St. Albans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer,
A. E. G.) ; Welwyn (G. Buller, A.
E.G.); Hemel Hempstead(B.Piffsird);
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Tring (Elliman, Le Quesne) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Taylor) ; Broxbourne (Boyd) ;
Railway bank, Oxhey, and Oxhey
Wood (H. Rowland-Brown)
This species appears to be gener-
ally distributed throughout the
county, although in some localities
it is much more abundant than in
others. I have found the larvae in
very great numbers feeding upon
ragwort in the Tunnel Woods at
Watford. Mr. Matthews on the
other hand reports that it is not at
all common at Stevenage, and that he
has only seen two or three specimens.
Several observers have taken it prin-
cipally in the imago stage at ' light.'
Writing from Haileybury, Mr. G. C.
H. Stockley says it is ' becoming
scarcer, but the increased growth of
its food plant (ragwort) will no doubt
bring up its numbers again '
Utetheisa pulchella, L. East Barnet (Rtlhl)
In 1892 Mr. Rtlhl, the school-
master at the Boys' Farm Home,
East Barnet, captured a specimen of
this moth on the embankment of the
Great Northern Railway near Oak-
leigh Park Station, just within the
county boundary. The insect is
now in my possession
Phragmatobia fuliginosa, L. Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer) ; Tring
(Goodson) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Roys ton (A. H.
Kingston)
Mr. Matthews reports this insect
as being fairly common in his district,
but with Mr. Boyd it is scarce, he
having seen only one or two speci-
mens at Cheshunt. In the Haileybury
School List one bred specimen is re-
ported
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ARCTIADJE (continued)
Diacrisia mendica, CI. Bricket Wood (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cults) ; East Barnet
(Gillum); Watford (Spencer); Stub-
bing! Wood, Tring (Le Quesne) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
This is not an abundant insect in
Hertfordshire
urticae, Esp. (papyratia, Marsh). Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
menthastri, Esp. Very common
throughout the county
lubricipeda, L. Almost as abundant as
the preceding species
Arctia villica, L. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Railway bank,
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown)
According to the Haileybury School
List this insect is only occasionally
observed. Both Mr. Matthews and
Mr. Boyd report it to be scarce. I
have not seen it in the St. Albans
district
caja, L. The larvae of this abundant
species are locally called ' woolly
bears.' The perfect insects occa-
sionally come to 'light'
Callimorpha dominula, L. Hitchin (Dur-
rant)
CARADRINID.S:
Cucullia chamomillae, Schiff. St. Albans
(A. E. G.); Haileybury (Bowyer);
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Nascot Wood
(Cutts) ; Watford (Cottzm)
Occasionally found at rest on
palings, etc.
umbratica, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Colney
Heath (Pilbrow) ; Watford (Spencer,
Cottam) ; Tring (Le Quesne) ; Bishop
Stanford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
This species was taken rather
plentifully flying round the flowers
of the jasmine by Mr. Mellows. It
is occasionally taken at ' light ' and
at rest
scrophularias, Cap. Ickleford (Latch-
more)
The late Mr. Frank Latchmore
of Hitchin used to find the larvae of
this species abundant on the water
betony at Ickleford and other places
in the north of the county
CARADRINID.S: (continued)
Cucullia verbasci, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Welwyn (G. Buller) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant, Latchmore, Gatward) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Mr. E. G. Elliman reports that at
Tring the larvae of this species are
scarce some years, plentiful others.
They were specially abundant in 1900
at St. Albans and neighbourhood
Folia exoleta, L. St. Albans (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Oxhey Wood
(Cutts) ; Hitchin (Gatward) ; Had-
ley Woods (Bowden) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam) ; Tring, at ivy (Le Quesne),
and at sallows (Elliman) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
vetusta, Hb. Berkhamsted (Griffith);
Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam) ; Stevenage (Matthews)
ornithopus, Rott. (rhizolitha, F.). Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' at " light," ' School
List ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Tring
(Elliman)
areola, Esp. (lithorhiza, Bkh.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood
(A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Hemel Hemp-
stead^. Piffard); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Eastbury
(H. Rowland - Brown) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
This moth is generally distributed
throughout the county, occurring at
4 light,' at sallows and on palings in
March and April
viminalis, F. Bricket Wood and Bam-
ville Wood Farm, Harpenden Common,
larvae (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum); Watford (Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bishop
Stortford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
protea, Bkh. Bricket Wood and St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Terrace field,'
School List ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Waltham
Cross, sometimes common (Boyd)
116
INSECTS
CARADRINID^E (continued)
Polia aprilina, L. Bricket Wood (Cottam, A.
Lewis, A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer), ' Heath,' School List; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Bushey and Oxhey Wood
(Cutts) ; Tring (Le Quesne, Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This moth often comes freely to
4 sugar ' at Bricket Wood in the
autumn. The larvae may be found
in the spring and early summer by
searching the trunks of oak trees at
night, when they are ascending to
feed. They also hide in the crevices
of the bark, their colour and markings
assimilating very closely to a lichen-
covered tree trunk and thus afford-
ing protection. Mr. Boyd describes
this species as scarce in the Cheshunt
district
flavicincta, F. St. Allans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg, Cottam) ;
Tring (Le Quesne) ; Bishop Stanford
(Taylor) ; Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
This species seems to be more
abundant in some parts of the county
than at others. At Haileybury it
has only been taken once ; at Ches-
hunt it is scarce ; whilst at St.
Albans, Watford and Tring it is
rather common, both at ' light ' and on
palings. I have taken the larvae on
artichokes in my garden, and Mr.
Lewis captured them on ivy at
Sparrowswick, St. Albans
Miselia oxyacanthas, L. Bricket Wood (A.
Lewis, Cutts, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' at " light," ' School
List; Oxhey Wood and Bushey (Cutts);
Watford (Wigg); Bushey Heath
(Barraud); Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Goodson) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
var. capucina, Mill. Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud)
Diloba coeruleocephala, L. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts);
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Bishop Stortford (Tay-
CARADRINID.S (continued)
lor, Mellows) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Cheshunt and Bay ford
(Boyd)
This moth is abundant at ' light,'
and its conspicuously-coloured larvae
are often to be met with on hawthorn
hedges
Asteroscopus sphinx, Hufn. (cassinea, Hb.).
Bricket Wood, larvae (Lewis) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer),
' at " light," at rest,' School List ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud); Aldenham
Wood, one specimen (Spencer) ;
Watford (Wigg) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum)
Aporophyla lunosa, Hw. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud); Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
When the Haileybury School
List was published this insect was
described as not common, but Mr.
Stockley states it is now fairly
abundant. It is reported by most
observers to occur rather freely
Orthosia xerampelina, Hb. St. Albans (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Cottam) ; Haileybury
(School List) ; Tring (Le Quesne,
Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Colney
Heath (Pilbrow)
A scarce species
croceago, F. Hertford (Stephens)
citrago, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Gorhambury, larvae (A. E. G.) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
aurago, F. Bricket Wood, one speci-
men (A. E. G.) ; Watford (Spencer)
flavago, F. (silago, Hb.). Bricket Wood
(A. E. G., Lewis, Cottam) ; Har-
penden (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge and
Knebworth (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Watford (Wigg) : Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A fairly common insect in most
of the districts, coming rather freely
117
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADRINID^E (continued)
to ' sugar." Mr. Boyd however finds
it scarce round Cheshunt
Orthosia fulvago, L.(cerago, F.). BricketWood
(Cottam, Lewis, A. E.G.); St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Common at ' sugar ' and ' light '
gilvago, Esp. St. Albans, Bricket Wood,
Wheathampstead (A.. E. G.) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East &mirf(Gillum)t
Oxhey Wood and Nascot Wood (Cutts);
Watford (Spencer, Cottam) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
circellaris, Hufn. (ferruginea, Esp.).
St.Albans,Wheathampstead (A. E. G.);
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stortford (Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
litura,L. St. Albans (larvae), and Wheat-
hampstead (A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Bushey and Hare Spring
Wood, Aldenham (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wiggs) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud); Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; East Barnet (Dymond)
Common at 'sugar,' ivy and
'light'
helvola, L. (rufina, L.). Bricket Wood
(A. Lewis, Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg);
Tring (Elliman) ; East Barnet
(Gillum)
pistacina, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant); Haileybury (Bowyer); Hertford
(Stephens) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bricket
Wood (Cottam) ; East Barnet
CARADRINIDJE (continued)
(Gillum) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
An abundant and variable species
Orthosia macilenta, Hb. Bricket Wood (Cot-
tam, A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown); Watford (Spencer,
Wigg)
lota, Cl. St. Albans (A. E. G.); Bricket
Wood (Cottam, A.E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
ypsilon, Bkh. Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Although Mr. Boyd finds O.
ypsilon to be common round Ches-
hunt, it is far from abundant in other
parts of the county, only having
been recorded from four stations
suspecta, Hb. Bushey Heath (Barraud)
Mr. Barraud has taken three
specimens of this local moth at in-
door ' light,' two being captured in
1899 and one in 1900
satellitia, L. Bricket Wood (A. Lewis,
Cutts, A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Knebworth (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Nascot Wood, Oxhey Wood
and Bushey (Cutts) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring (Le Quesne, Elli-
man) ; East Barnet (Gillum)
Both the yellow and the white
spotted varieties are common at
' sugar ' at Bricket Wood. The larvae
are very abundant
Conistra erythrocephala, F. St. Albans
(Knaggs, Entomologists' Annual, 1866,
P- 139)
ligula, Esp. (spadicea, Hw.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Nascot Wood, Oxhey Wood, and
Bushey (Cutts) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
vaccinii, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (A. Lewis, Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard); Haileybury (Bowyer); Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Nascot Wood, Oxhey
118
INSECTS
CARADRINHVE (continued)
Wood and Bushey (Cults) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud); Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ; East Bar-
net (Gillum) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Leucania turca, L. Bricket Wood and
Hedges Farm, St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Knebworth (Durrant)
lithargyrea, Esp. Bricket Wood (Cot-
tarn, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland - Brown) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
conigera, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg, Cottam) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bishop Stanford
(Xaylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
At Haileybury this species is found
to be abundant at 'light' and 'sugar' ;
at Cheshunt it is common, and at
Bricket Wood fairly so. On the other
hand Mr. Barraud did not take it
at Bushey Heath until the summer of
1900, when several came to 'light,'
and Mr. Elliman describes it as ' not
common ' at Tring
comma, L. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg,
Cottam) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bishop Stanford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
obsoleta, Hb. Wilstone reservoir (Elli-
man)
Mr. Elliman says that the larvae
are very common in September
straminea, Tr. Haileybury (School
List) ; Wilstone reservoir and Tring
(Elliman)
This species was taken once at
' light ' at Haileybury
impura, Hb. Bricket Wood, Wheathamp-
stead and St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Wilstone reservoir
CARADRINID^E (continued)
(Elliman) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bishop Stanford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Abundant everywhere
Leucania pallens, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood(h.. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Bishop Stanford (Mel-
lows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common species
Monima incerta, Hufn. (instabilis, Esp.). St.
Albans, Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey
and Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey rail-
way bank (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; East Bar-
net (Gillum) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
gracilis, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (A. Lewis, Cottam,
A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts, H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Haileybury (Stockley) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
stabilis, View. St. Albans, Park Street,
Wheathampstead and Harpenden
(A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood (A. Lewis,
Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Oxhey Wood and Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey rail-
way bank (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
populeti, Tr. Bricket Wood (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; St. Albans (A. Lewis) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts); Watford
(Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
This species occurs sparingly at
sallows. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Barraud
each record the capture of one speci-
men at their stations. In 1895 Mr.
Lewis and I took eight specimens at
Bricket Wood
119
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADRINIDJE (continued)
Monima miniosa, F. Bricket Wood(h.. Lewis,
Cutts, Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Watford
^Spencer) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
Bricket Wood appears to be the
headquarters for this insect. Although
it cannot be said to be abundant, it
is to be taken at sallows nearly every
spring, and in some years much more
plentifully than others
pulverulentula, Esp. (cruda, Tr.). St.
Albans, Park Street, Wheathampstead
and Hawks-wick (A. E. G.) ; Bricket
Wood (Cottam, A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood and
Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This is the smallest and at the
same time the commonest of the
Hertfordshire Monimae, often occur-
ring at sallows in great profusion.
The only observer who reports it as
being ' not very common ' is Mr.
Barraud. Next to this the most
abundant species are stabilis, gothica
and incerta
munda, Esp. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Oxhey Wood
and Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Watford (Spencer)
M. munda and miniosa do not
appear to have been noticed in the
northern and eastern parts of the
county, while Mr. Boyd is the only
observer who has taken M. populeti
in either of those districts
gothica, L. St. Albans, Park Street and
Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ; Bricket
Wood (A. Lewis, Cottam, A. E.
G.); Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood, Bushey and
Nascot Wood (Cutts); Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Oxhey railway bank (H.
Rowland-Brown); Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
M. opima is the only species be-
longing to this genus which has not
been recorded as occurring in the
county
CARADRINID.S (continued)
Charaeas graminis, L. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts);
Boxmoor (A. Piffard) ; Aldbury (Elli-
man, Cottam)
A local insect, Aldbury Owers being
the station at which it is most abun-
dant
Neuronia popularis, F. St. Albans, Harpenden
and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Royston (Ste-
phens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Tring (Le Quesne) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Panolis piniperda, Panz. Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Watford (Wigg)
Mr. Stephens captured the first
British specimen of this moth at
Hertford in April, 1 8 1 o (Illustrations
of British Entomology, iii. 20)
Harmodia nana, Rott. (conspersa, Esp.).
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' once on
Baits Park palings,' School List
carpophaga, Bkh. Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; St. Albans (Griffith) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Cottam) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard) ; Tring (Elliman); 'Herts'
(Rev. H. Harpur Crewe)
This is rather a scarce moth,
several of the recorders having taken
but one specimen each. The Rev.
H. Harpur Crewe (Zoologist, xi.
4,037) records having bred this insect
from larvae found on seeds of Selene
inflata in July and August in Herts,
Bucks and Derbyshire. The larvae
lie coiled up between the calyx and"
the seed vessel of the plant (ibid. xii.
4,192). Mr. Elliman reports that
the larvae are very plentiful at Tring
capsincola, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Watford
(Wigg) ; Tring (Foulkes) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
cucubali, Fuesl. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard, Rev. H. Harpur Crewe) ;
Carpenders Park (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe (Zoo-
logist, xi. 4,037) records the capture
of larvae on Selene inflata in July and
120
INSECTS
CARADRINID-K (continued)
August in Herts and Bucks. It is
not a common species
Melanchra caespitis, F. Nascot Wood (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Aldbury Outers
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A rare and very local species
reticulata, Vill. (saponariae, Bkh.).
Sandridge (Griffith); Hai/eybury (Bow-
yer) ; Nascot Wood and Bushey (Cutts);
Watford (Cottam) ; Tring (Le
Quesne, Elliman)
serena, F. Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith, A. E. G.) ; Hit-
chin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer);
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey and
Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Wigg) ; Bricket Wood (Cottam) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This moth may in some years be
found in considerable numbers in the
daytime at rest in the crevices of bark
of oak, elm and other trees. It also
occurs on fences. On the whole it
cannot be described as a common
insect
chrysozona, Bkh. (dysodea, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer);
Hertford (Stephens) ; Hitchin station
(Durrant) ; Stanford (Mellows) ;
Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
Mr. Mellows has taken this moth
in his study, where it has been at-
tracted by the light. At Haileybury
it has been found twice on palings.
Mr. Boyd describes it as scarce
trifolii, Rott. (chenopodii, F.). St. Albans
(A. Lewis) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (School List); Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
dentina, Esp. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts); Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey Wood (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Fairly common at 'light,' 'sugar'
and fences in most of the districts, but
scarce round Cheshunt
genistas, Bkh. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Cottam) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A scarce species
CARADRINID.S (continued)
Melanchra thalassina, Rott. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith); Haileybury(Bowyer); Wat-
ford (Cutts, Wigg, Cottam) ; Bushey
Heath (Cottam) ; Oxhey Wood (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman)
dissimilis, Kn. (suasa, Bkh.). Watford
(Spencer) ; Haileybury (School List)
oleracea, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bishop
Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A very common insect
pisi, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Cottam,
Spencer) ; Wigginton Common, larvae
(Elliman)
advena, F. St. Albans, Harpenden
(A. E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Tring and
Wilstone (Elliman) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
Occasionally taken at flowers,
' sugar ' and ' light '
nebulosa, Hufn. Bricket Wood (Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts, H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Watford (Hea-
ton, Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman)
Common
brassicae, L. A garden pest and too
abundant everywhere
persicariae, L. Almost as common as
the preceding species
Agrotis corticea, Hb. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud)
segetum, SchifF. Very common and
destructive
ypsilon, Rott. (suffusa, Hb.). St. Albans
and Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (A. E. G., Cottam) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey and Nascot Wood (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Le Quesne,
Foulkes) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Fairly common in mid-Herts, but
scarce at Cheshunt
exclamationis, L. A common and vari-
able species
121
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADR.iNiD.ffi (continued)
Agrotis nigricans, L. Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Occasionally taken at ' light ' and
flowers
saucia, Hb. St. Albans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Nas-
cot Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Wigg) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Occasionally taken at ' sugar '
cinerea, Hb. Feldon, Eoxmoor (A.
Piffard)
Mr. A. Cottam, in a paper pre-
sented to the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society (Transactions, x. 1 88),
records the capture of three males at
Feldon, Eoxmoor, at ' light ' by Mr.
Albert Piffard in 1897. This is the
only county record, and the insects
are in Mr. Cottam's collection
puta, Hb. St. Allans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.); Watford (Spencer);
Bricket Wood (Cottam) ; Haileybury
(School List) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Waltham
Cross (Boyd)
A. puta comes sparingly to ' sugar '
and ' light.' It cannot be called a
common species in Hertfordshire
plecta, L. Bricket Wood and St. Albans
(A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin and Knebworth
(Durrant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Common and generally distributed
- strigula, Thnb. (porphyrea, Hb.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' Heath,' School List ;
Watford (Cottam) ; Tring (Elliman)
tritici, L. Hitchin (Durrant) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford, one
specimen at ' light ' (Cottam)
augur, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Nascot Wood and Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
CARADRINID^ (continued')
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
Street (Boyd)
Generally abundant at ' light ' and
'sugar.' Mr. Boyd reports that it
used to be common at Cheshunt Street
Agrotis obscura, Brh. (ravida, Hb.). Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
A scarce species ; taken twice at
' light ' at Haileybury
putris, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Watford (Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman)
A. putris is occasionally taken,
chiefly at ' light.' Mr. Elliman finds
the pupas in the Tring district at the
foot of elm trees
c-nigrum, L. St. Albans, Wheathamp-
stead (A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Nascot Wood and Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stortford
(Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Abundant in most of the districts,
and especially common in mid-Herts
in 1 900. Mr. Barraud has only taken
a few specimens at Bushey Heath
triangulum, Hufn. Harpenden(A.Y..G.);
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Described as ' common at "light" '
in the Haileybury School List, but
scarce in other districts
pronuba, L. A plentiful species, occur-
ring in all the districts
comes, Hb. (orbona, F.). Another
abundant species, almost as common
as the preceding
brunnea, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (A. Lewis, Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman)
122
INSECTS
CARADRINIDJE (continued)
Fairly common ; Mr. Barraud has
not seen it for some years
Agrotis xanthographa, F. Very common in
all the districts. A nuisance at
' sugar '
umbrosa, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; used to occur
at Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
rubi, View, (bella, Bkh.). St. Albans
and Symonds Hyde (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. Lewis,
A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Rather common at ' light ' and
' sugar '
dahlii, Hb. Haileybury (Stockley)
festiva, Hb. (conflua, Tr.). St. Albans
and Radlett (A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam, A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) , Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Hemel Hemp-
stead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman)
Moderately common
stigmatica, Hb. (rhomboidea, Tr.).
St. Albans (A. Lewis) ; Harpenden
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bricket Wood
(Cottam) ; Duckmore Lane, Tring
(Elliman) ; Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Uncommon. Several observers
have only captured this species once.
Mr. Stockley writing from Hailey-
bury says ' rhomboidea and dahlii
have both been taken several times
at
" sugar "
typica, L. St. Albans, Shenley (pupa)
and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg,
Heaton) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A rather common species
Triphasna fimbria, L. Bricket Wood (Cot-
tam, Cutts, A. E. G.) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Tring (Hon. C. Walter Rothschild,
Elliman) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
CARADRINID.S: (continued)
This species is occasionally taken
both at 'sugar' and Might.' It is scarce
in some of the districts. At Bricket
Wood the larvae may be beaten from
sallows in the spring
Triphaena ianthina, Esp. St. Albans (A. E.
G.) ; Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. E. G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Heaton, Cottam) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
In some districts this species comes
plentifully to ' light.' Mr. Boyd finds
it to be scarce round Cheshunt
interjecta, Hb. Sparrowswick, St. Albans
(A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Duck-
more Lane, Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Although common round Cheshunt
this species is scarce in most of the
districts
baja, F. Bricket Wood (Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Symonds Hyde (A. E. G.) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Oxhey Wood
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman)
Not a generally common insect,
though occasionally, as at Symonds
Hyde in August, 1893, '* comes to
' sugar ' in large numbers
rubricosa, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (A. Lewis, Cutts,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey
Wood and Bushey (Cutts) ; Oxhey
railway bank (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Wigg, Spencer); Stubbings
Wood (Elliman) ; Tring (A. T.
Goodson) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Occasionally taken at sallows
prasina, F. (herbida, Hb.). Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Roundhill Wood, Tring (Elli-
man)
A few specimens of this moth
have been taken at ' sugar ' ; it is not
a common insect
Heliothis armigera, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
peltigera, Schiff. Hitchin, one speci-
men in 1884 (Durrant)
ochracea, Hb. (flavago, Esp.). St.
Albans, Radlett and Harpenden, in
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADRINID/E (continued)
train from Luton (A. E.G.); Sandridge
(Griffith); Hitchin (Durrani); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Watford (Cults,
Wigg) ; Wigginton Heath (Foulkes) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A scarce species, coming occasion-
ally to ' light '
Nonagria arundinis, F. (typhae, Esp.).
Sparrowswick, St. Allans (Lewis) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(School List) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Tring and Wihtone reservoir (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This species is marked ' doubtful '
in the Haileybury List. At Cheshunt
it is common ; at Tring it comes to
light '
Ccenobia rufa, Hw. (despecta,Tr.). Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
Luperina leslacea, Hb. St. Albans, Hawks-
wick and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Culls) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
A very common moth at ' light '
Rusina lenebrosa, Hb. Bricket Wood (Cot-
tarn, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Knebworth (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cults) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Fairly common at 'sugar' and
'light' except in the Cheshunt dis-
trict
Amphipyra pyramidea, L. Bricket Wood,
Symonds Hyde and Wheathampstead
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Knebworth (Durrani) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey and Oxhey Wood (Cults) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Le
Quesne) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common throughout the county
tragopogonis, L. Common everywhere,
coming in abundance lo ' sugar '
Caradrina pyralina, View. Bushey (Cults) ;
Watford (Cotlam) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown)
A rare species which seems lo be
confined to the south-west of the
county
CARADRINID.S (continued)
Caradrina diffinis, L. Bricket Wood (A. E.
G.) ; St. A /bans (A. Lewis) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrznt); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey and
Aldenham (Cults) ; Watford (Spen-
cer) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Not a common moth, but occa-
sionally taken at ' light ' and at rest
affinis, L. Harpenden and Symonds
Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ; Hertford
(Soulh) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cults) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring (Le Quesne, Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A rather scarce species
trapezina, L. St. Albans and Symonds
Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood (Cot-
tarn, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
and Oxhey Wood (Cutls) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common and variable
sublusa, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rani) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Collam) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
Nol common
retusa, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hert-
ford (Slephens) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
A scarce insect
umbra, Hufn. (marginata, F.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
East Barnet (Gillum)
micacea, Esp. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
A fairly common species
lutosa, Hb. (crassicornis, Hw.). Hitchin
(Durrani) ; Watford (Spencer) ; Wil-
stone reservoir (Foulkes, Elliman)
One specimen only was taken at
Watford by Mr. Spencer at 'light' in
1892
fulva, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bowyer),
Heath, Skipper fields,' School List;
124
INSECTS
CARADRINID^: (continued)
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Wihtone
reservoir (Elliman) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
A scarce species
Caradrina arcuosa, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey Lane (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Wihtone reservoir and Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
quadripunctata, F. (cubicularis, Bkh.).
St. Albans and Bricket Wood (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Haileybury (School List) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor); Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Common at St. Albans, Haileybury,
Bricket Wood and Cheshunt ; not
common at Bushey Heath
morpheus, Hum. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common species
alsines, Brh. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Watford (Heaton) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Barraud finds this species to
be common. At Haileybury it is
abundant at ' light,' at Tring rather
common and at Cheshunt scarce
taraxaci, Hb. (blanda, Tr.). Harpenden
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
East Barnet (Gillum); Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Not very abundant. Described as
rather common at Tring and common
round Cheshunt
trigrammica, Hufn. (trilinea, Bkh.).
St. Albans, Bricket Wood and Radlett
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
CARADRINIDJE (continued)
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
var. bilinea. Radlett (A. E. G.) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
This species is common through-
out Hertfordshire, but var. bilinea is
seldom met with
Caradrina matura, Hufn. (cytherea, F.). St.
Albans (A. Lewis) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bricket Wood (Spencer, Cottam) ;
Watford (Cottam) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud); Tring (Elliman); Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Not generally common, but some-
times taken at 'sugar' and 'light'
Hadena meticulosa, L. Common in all
the districts
lucipara, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Cottam, A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Tring and Wihtone
reservoir (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at ' light,' dusk and
' sugar '
atriplicis, L. Haileybury (Bowyer),
' once,' School List ; ' again noted
in 1899' (Stockley)
maura, L. Brooklands Farm, Elstree
(A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood (Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Rye House (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Tring (Le Quesne) ; Bishop Stanford
(Taylor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Apparently more abundant in the
eastern part of the county than in
mid and west Herts
scabriuscula, L. (pinastri, L.). St.
Albans (A. Lewis) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Bricket Wood (Cot-
tam) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Rickmansworth (A. Sainsbury Verey);
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Mr. Boyd and Mr. Barraud both
describe this species as ' sometimes
common '
adusta, Esp. East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Tring (Elliman)
125
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
CARADRINID/E (continued)
Mr. Elliman finds H. adusta
rather scarce at ' light,' and Mr. Bar-
raud took two at ' sugar ' in 1897
Hadena gemina, Hb. St. Allans, Bricket Wood
and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
A fairly common species, but scarce
at Cheshunt Marsh
polyodon, L. (monoglypha, Hufn.).
A very common and widely distri-
buted insect
lithoxylea, F. Abundant at all the
stations, though Mr. Barraud does
not take it so commonly as formerly
sublustris, Esp. Hitchin (Durrant) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey and
Watford (Cutts) ; Tring (Le Quesne)
Scarce at ' sugar '
rurea, F. St. Allans and Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant); Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg, Heaton) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown); Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor); Cheshunt
(Boyd)
var. combusta. Bricket Wood (A.
E. G.) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud)
A common species in some of
the districts, but scarce at Cheshunt.
Mr. Barraud has taken a few speci-
mens including var. combusta, and
at Haileybury it occurs occasionally
hepatica, Hb. Bricket Wood (Cottam,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Abundant in some districts, but
not common at Tring
sordida, Bkh. (anceps, Hb.). Bricket
Wood and Radlett (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Nascot Wood (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
basilinea, F. St. Albans and Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
CARADRINID.S: (continuea)
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman)
Hadena ophiogramma, Esp. St. Allans (A.
Lewis) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg, Cottam)
Rare and seldom taken
leucostigma, Hb. (fibrosa, Hb.). Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' once at " light," '
School List
unanimis, Xr. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
didyma, Esp. (oculea, Gn.). St. Allans
and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens); East Barnet (Gillum); Bushey
(Cutts); Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Very abundant at 'sugar' and
' light' ; a variable species
nictitans, Bkh. St. Allans and Wel-
wyn (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bricket Wood (Cottam) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Carpenders
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Wilstone
reservoir (Elliman) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
A common species, the forms
with white and orange reniform
spots being equally abundant
literosa, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Stockley)
Mr. Stockley says that this species,
like H. fasciuncula, is becoming
commoner at Haileybury every year
bicoloria, Vill. (furuncula, Hb.). St.
Allans, Bricket Wood and Radlett
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common, but only taken
occasionally at ' light ' at Haileybury
strigilis, Cl. St. Allans and Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
126
INSECTS
CARADRINIDJE (continued]
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Earnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Busbey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A very abundant and variable
species
Hadena fasciuncula, Hw. Bricket Wood&nA.
Radlett (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Earnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Oxhey
Lane (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Common ; see note to H. literosa
Metachrostis perla, F. St. Allans (A.
Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Watford (Spencer, Hea-
ton, Wigg) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at ' light ' and rest
Acronycta leporina, L. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (School List) ;
Watford (Cutts, Spencer) ; Tring
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild)
Mr. Spencer has taken a number
of larvae of this moth on birch at
Watford. At Haileybury it was
captured once on the heath and in
1877 the Hon. L. Walter Roth-
schild caught it at Tring
alni, L. Hoddesdon (F. M. Campbell);
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Oakland;,
St. Albans (Pilbrow) ; Nascot Wood
(Cutts) ; Tring (A. T. Goodson) ;
Tring Park (Hon. L. Walter Roth-
schild) ; Churchgate, Cheshunt (Boyd)
This interesting and uncommon
species is more often taken in the
larval form than as a perfect insect
The first published records of the
occurrence of this species in Hert-
fordshire are, it is believed, those of
its capture in a fence in Nascot Wood
Road, Watford, by Mr. J. E. K.
Cutts in 1891 and the discovery of
a mature larva by Mr. F. M. Camp-
bell, F.L.S., on some fresh-turned
mould under a lime tree in his gar-
den at Rose Hill, Hoddesdon, on
August 2 ist in that year (Transac-
tions of the Hertfordshire Natural
CARADRINID^: (continued)
History Society, vii. 195). The
records by Mr. Pilbrow of Colney
Heath and Mr. Bowyer of Haileybury
are of larvae captured in 1893
Acronycta tridens, Schiff. Hitchin (Durrant);
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Tring and Wilstone (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
A local species ; the larvae are
fairly common at Haileybury
psi, L. Common throughout the
county
megacephala, F. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Foulkes) ; Wilstone (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally distributed but not
abundant. Taken at ' sugar,' ' light '
and at rest
aceris, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Heaton) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard) ; Wilstone reservoir (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A scarce insect
ligustri, F. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Watford (Spen-
cer) ; Wilstone reservoir (Elliman) ;
' Herts ' (Rev. H. Harpur Crewe)
The records generally are of the
capture of isolated specimens or of
its occurrence in small numbers.
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe (Zoolo-
gist, xi. 4,037) reared one specimen
from a larva taken on ash in July in
Herts
rumicis, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
A scarce Hertfordshire species
PLUSIAD.S: (Hypenides)
jEthia tarsipennalis, Tr. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; East Bar-
net (Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Occasionally at ' light,' common
round Cheshunt
nemoralis, F. (grisealis, Hb.). St.
Albans, Bricket Wood and Wheathamp-
stead (A.E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
127
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PLUSIAD/E (Hypenides) (continued')
At ' light ' ; common round Ches-
bunt
Herminia barbalis, Cl. Hertford (Stephens) ;
Hitchin (Durrani)
Hypena rostralis, L. Bricket Wood and St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Watford (Collam) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
proboscidalis, L. St. Albans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cults) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Watford (Cotlam) ; Oxhey
Wood (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Start-
ford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Avenlia flexula, Schiff. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Bricket Wood (Cults, Collam) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; has occurred
at Bayford and Cheshunt (Boyd)
PLUSIAD/E (Plusiades)
Ophiusa paslinum, Tr. Caughl al Kneb-
worth by Mr. Benjamin Brown,
formerly of Deard's End Farm
(Griffilh, Transactions of the Hert-
fordshire Natural History Society, iii.
266)
Scoliopteryx libatrix, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood and Wheathampstead (A. E.
G.); Sandridge (Griffilh); Hitchin
(Durrani, F. Latchmore) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Oxhey Wood and Bushey (Culls) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer, Healon, Wigg) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Generally abundanl, but Mr.
Barraud does not find this species to
be very common at Bushey Heath
Plusia monela, F. Watford (Cottam) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring
(Skipp) ; Waltham Cross (Boyd)
This insecl, which was firsl laken
in Great Britain at Dover as recenlly
as 1890, appears lo be establishing
ilself in Hertfordshire. The first
specimen captured in ihe county was
caught by Mr. Arthur Cotlam in
Watford on June igih, 1896. The
capture is recorded in the Transac-
tions of the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society, ix. 236. Mr. Cot-
tam was catching the moths thai
came to a large clump of honey-
suckle then in full flower in the
garden of Elmcote with ihe lale Mr.
PLUSIADJE (Plusiades) (continued}
Clarence E. Fry, who then resided
there. In the same year it was
taken at Hastoe near Tring by John
Skipp, then setter and assistanl at
the Hon. L. Waller Rolhschild's
museum, eighl specimens being se-
cured in ihe lasl week of June and
firsl week of July. On July i8lh,
1899, Mr. Barraud look a splendid
specimen of P. monela in his lighl
Irap at Bushey Heath. The most
recent records are by Mr. W. C.
Boyd, who took two specimens at
Waltham Cross in 1900
Plusia chrysitis, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rani) ; Weluiyn (G. Buller) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Culls) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Watford (Spencer, Hea-
ton, Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor, Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Royston (A. H.
Kingslon)
Common in many localilies
festucae, L. Watford (Collam)
iota, L. St. Albans and Hatfield (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Culls) ; Watford
(Collam, Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Steven-
age (Matthews) ; Bishop Stanford
(Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ralher common al ' lighl ' and
flowers
pulchrina, Hw. (v-aureum, Gn.). Har-
penden (A. E. G.) ; Weluiyn (Buller) ;
Hai/eybury(Bowyer) ; Bushey (Culls) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Tring (Le Quesne, Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stanford (Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ralher local ; fairly abundant in
some localities, but only occasionally
met with in others
gamma, L. An abundant and widely
distributed species, but variable in
numbers in different seasons. Thus
in 1892 it is noted by Mr. Spencer
as being very abundant at Watford,
but in the following year it was
seldom met with. Mr. H. Rowland-
Brown of Harrow Weald observed
that it was again scarce on the
Middlesex border in 1881
interrogationis, L. Once al Cheshunt
Street (Boyd)
128
INSECTS
PLUSIADJE (Plusiades) (continued)
Plusia tripartita, Hufn. (urticae, Hb.). St.
Albans, Harpenden, Bricket Wood and
Rickmansworth (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cults) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at flowers and ' light '
triplasia, L. Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Cottam, Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
This moth is described by the
last-named observer as common round
Cheshunt, but in other parts of the
county it is only occasionally met
with, chiefly at flowers at dusk. Mr.
Elliman speaks of it as very scarce at
honeysuckle, and Mr. Barraud has
taken several specimens
Catocala fraxini, L. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Mr. Boyd says that this insect
has been seen at Waltham Cross, but
the only record of its actual capture
in Hertfordshire is that at Haileybury.
Mr. Bowyer thus describes the event
in a paper read before the members
of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society at Hertford on February
28th, 1888 (Transactions, v. 29).
He says : ' Last autumn our porter
brought to me a large moth which
he had picked up in the quadrangle.
I thought at first it was the common
" red underwing," but it gave a flap
of its wings and I saw violet instead
of red, and I knew that I had a great
prize Catocala fraxini '
nupta, L. St. Albans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Hawkswick, Bamville
Wood Farm, Harpenden Common, and
Cross Farm, Wheathampstead (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Grove Mill (F. Latch-
more) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Nascot Wood, Bushey
and Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Watford
(Cottam, Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Carpenders Park (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor, Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Royston (A. H.
Kingston)
Commoner in some years than
others ; in 1 900 especially abundant.
PLUSIAD.S: (Plusiades) (continued)
The late Mr. Frank Latchmore of
Hitchin reported in 1894 that this
insect was quite common by the
water side in that neighbourhood.
It is a hardy species and is often to
be taken in October even on cold
nights with a strong wind blowing.
At ' light,' ' sugar ' and on palings
Euclidia mi, Cl. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey railway bank (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Tring (Cottam) ; Dancer's End and
Aldbury Owers (Le Quesne, Elliman) ;
Long Meadow, Bishop Stortford
(Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally abundant where it oc-
curs. Scarce round Cheshunt
glyphica, L. Hatfield Woodside (A. E.
G.) ; Hitchin and Knebworth (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Skipper
fields,' School List ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Oxhey
railway bank (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Stortford (Mellows)
Mr. Elliman finds this insect very
common in the Tring district, but
usually on the chalk downs. At
Bishop Stortford it is plentiful in
Long Meadow. In mid-Herts it is
occasionally met with in some abun-
dance in clover fields, the food plants
of the larvae being various species of
trifolium and other leguminous plants
Erastria fasciana, L. (fuscula, Bkh.). Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Knebworth (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Roman
road, once,' School List
Rare
luctuosa, Esp. Hertford (Stephens,
Illustrations of British Entomology, iii.
. ."3)
viridaria, Cl. (aenea, Hb.). Berkham-
sted (A. Piffard, Entomologist for
1889, p. 77) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Broxbourne Wood
(Boyd)
Mr. Elliman finds this moth on
nearly all the chalk downs in the
neighbourhood of Tring. It appears
to be a local species
Panemeria tenebrata, Sc. (arbuti, F.). Bricket
Wood (Spencer, A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Orchis field?
School List ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
129
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Pl.USlAD.ffi (Plusiades) (continued)
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Nascot Wood
(Cults) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Said to be very common at Steven-
age among long grass, flying in the
sunshine ; also common at Cheshunt ;
not generally abundant
Rivula sericealis, Sc. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Tring (A. T. Goodson)
Orgyia gonostigma, F. Bricket Wood
(Griffilh) ; Haileybury (Bowyer)
Mr. Griffith found a larva of O.
gonostigma on oak at Bricket Wood
in 1884. Mr. Bowyer records the
capture of this moth once at Hailey-
bury. In the School List it is said to
have occurred ' formerly on Heath,'
and Mr. Stockley writes with regard
to it : ' Apparently no longer taken,
as I have not heard of any but a
solitary specimen in 1 897 for six years '
antiqua, L. St. Albans and Welwyn (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutls) ; Watford
(Spencer, Healon, Wigg) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring and
Wilstone (Elliman) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This is one of ihe species which
are commonest in those parts of the
county which approach suburban
London. It is generally distribuled,
but in those parts of Hertfordshire
which are most remote from the
melropolitan district it is met with
less frequently. Mr. Boyd describes
it as common, Mr. Matthews as fairly
common, a remark which would also
apply to St. Albans. Mr. Elliman
speaks of it as not very common but
general the larvae may be obtained
pretty freely about Wilstone and
Drayton Beauchamp and says the
apterous female may be most easily
obtained by rearing
Dasychira pudibunda, L. St. Albans (larvae)
and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Nascot Wood
(Culls) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg,
Cottam) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Steven-
age (Matthews)
This is occasionally met with.
Mr. Elliman finds the larvae on beech
CENER.lAD.ffi (continued)
Colocasia coryli, L. Watford (Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Theobald's Grove
station, one (Boyd)
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe says :
' The larvae of Orgyia coryli are by
no means uncommon in Hertfordshire
on beech ' (Zoologist, x. 3,625). Mr.
Elliman writes with regard to this
species : ' Common, more especially
in the larval stale. The pupae may
be found under moss on beech trees
and the perfect insect sits on the
same tree at the end of April and in
May. The larvae are very variable
in colour, most of them being some
shade of red, yellow and brown, but
almost black specimens may be found.
I have beaten it from beech, hazel,
oak and sallow '
Porthesia similis, Fuesl. (auriflua, F.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutls) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage
(Matlhews) ; Bishop Stanford (Tay-
lor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common. Mr. Elliman finds it
mosl abundant in the low-lying por-
tions of the district. It is well
known that the hairs from the dorsal
lufls of the larvae have an irritaling
effect upon the human skin. One
of the observers named above was so
badly affecled by them that the doc-
tor pronounced him to be suffering
from an atlack of measles
Euproclis chrysorrhoea, L. East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Haileybury (School List) ;
Stevenage (Matlhews) ; Watford
(Heaton) ; Tring (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild) ; Bishop Stortford (Mel-
lows)
A rare species. The Hon. L.
Waller Rothschild took one specimen
in 1897. Mr. Matthews is the only
observer who speaks of it as ' fairly
common.' Mr. Mellows has found
the larvae, but says they are very scarce
Stilpnolia salicis, L. Sandridge (Griffilh) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Spencer, Healon, Wigg) ; Startups
End laid Wilstone reservoirs (Elliman);
Stevenage (Matlhews) ; Bishop Stort-
ford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This is a very local insecl. Mr.
Spencer has bred it from larvae found
130
INSECTS
(continued)
on poplars. Mr. Elliman knows of
only one spot where the moth occurs
in any abundance and that is Start-
ups End reservoir, where a row of
willows may be seen stripped every
year by the larvae. Single specimens
have occurred now and then at Wil-
stone reservoir. This observer is of
opinion that the sluggish habits of
the perfect insect account for its
being so restricted in its distribution.
In the Haileybury School List the
larvae are said to be common and
Mr. Matthews finds them to be fairly
so at Stevenage. At Cheshunt this is
a scarce species
Ocneria monacha, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin and Knebworth (Durrant) ;
Haileybury, two at 'light' (School
List); Watford (Wigg)
NOTODONTINA
HYDRIOMENIDJE
Trichopteryx viretata, Hb. Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' palings,' School List
Mysticoptera sexalisata, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Tring (Elliman)
Lobophora halterata, Hufn. (hexapterata,
Schiff.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' Roman road,' School
List
Chloroclystis coronata, Hb. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Waltham Cross (Boyd)
rectangulata, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts,
Cottam) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown); Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at 'light' and on palings.
Mr. Barraud has taken one dark
variety
Gymnoscelis pumilata, Hb. Bushey Heath
(Barraud)
Mr. Barraud reports that in his
locality this insect appears every year
Tephroclystis venosata, F. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Nascot Wood
(Cutts) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
It is stated in the Haileybury
School List that this insect has been
HYDRIOMENIDJE (continued)
taken ' once at " light," ' but Mr.
Stockley reports that it is now much
commoner, several being caught an-
nually. It is scarce round Cheshunt,
not very common at Tring, and has
been seen a few times on the railway
embankment at Stevenage
Tephroclystis campanulata, H.-S. Wood
near Tring) Rev. H. Harpur Crewe
(Entomologists' Annual, 1 866, p. 157)
minutata, Gn. Watford (Spencer)
absintheata, Cl. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
At Haileybury the larvae are abun-
dant on ragwort. This species is
common round Cheshunt
assimilata, Gn. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common round Cheshunt
albipunctata, Hw. Hitchin (Durrant);
Brocket Hall, larvae (Griffith) ; Ches-
hunt Marsh, ' sometimes common '
(Boyd)
valerianata, Hb. Tring (Goodson)
vulgata, Hw. St. Albans, Bricket Wood,
Ashridge and Aldenham (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
A common species, the most
abundant of the genus
oblongata, Thnb. (centaureata, F.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Common at ' light ' and on palings
subfulvata, Hw. St. Albans (A. E.G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Goodson) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Common at ' light ' and on palings
satyrata, Hb. Watford (Wigg) ; near
Drayton, ? Herts (Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A scarce species
pulchellata, Stph. Tring Park (Elli-
man) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud)
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
HYDRIOMENID^E (continued)
Mr. Barraud took one specimen
at ' light ' in July, 1 900
Tephroclystis linariata, F. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant); East Barnet
(Gillum) ; has occurred in Brox-
bourne Woods (Boyd)
succenturiata, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Watford (Wigg) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A scarce species
castigata, Hb. St. Allans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Mississippi
fields] School List; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common
lariciata, Frr. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Cutts) ; Aldbury Owers (Elliman)
virgaureata, Dbld. (pimpinellata, Gn.
non Hb.). Sandridge (Griffith)
I take this to be the insect which
appears in Mr. Griffith's Sandridge
list as Eupithecia pimpinellata
plumbeolata, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
isogrammaria, H.-S. (haworthiata, Stt.).
Sandridge (Griffith); Tring (Elli-
man)
tenuiata, Hb. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
According to the School List this
species is occasionally taken at Hailey-
bury ; round Cheshunt it is common
trisignaria, H.-S. Brocket Hall, larvae
(Griffith)
subciliata, Gn. Tring (Elliman)
pusillata, F. Watford (Spencer)
Mr. Spencer took one specimen of
this very local insect in Rowse Barn
Lane, Watford, in May, 1894
abbreviata, Stph. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt, scarce (Boyd)
exiguata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Rather common
fraxinata, Crewe. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
This insect has occurred twice at
Cheshunt
sobrinata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Described by Mr. Boyd as com-
mon round Cheshunt
nanata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens)
HYDRIOMENID.S (continued)
Eucymatoge subnotata, Hb. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Common at Waltham Cross ; occa-
sionally taken at ' light ' at the other
two stations
scabiosata, Bkh. (subumbrata, Gn.).
Tring (Elliman)
vitalbata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath, 1 School
List ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer) ; Tring (Elliman,
Le Quesne) ; Cheshunt Street
(Boyd)
Mr. Spencer has taken this insect
at fences and * light.' It has only
occurred once at Cheshunt Street
tersata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer), < at light," Hailey Lane,'
School List ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman, Le Quesne)
Eucestia spartiata, Fuesl. Haileybury (Bow-
yer), ' Heath,' School List ; Symonds
Hyde, larvae (Griffith) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; CarnelFs Green, Broxbourne
(Boyd)
plagiata, L. St.Albans,Park Street,Hawks-
wick and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts,
Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. PifFard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common in most of the districts ;
occasionally taken at ' light '
Calocalpe certata, Hb. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Stockley) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Hemel Hempstead (B. Pif-
fard) ; Kilsmore Lane, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Mr. Stockley caught the only
specimen of C. certata recorded for
Haileybury in 1899. Mr. Boyd re-
cords a single capture at Cheshunt.
A few years ago this insect was
abundant in some bushes of Berberis
vulgaris in the field behind St.
Michael's Church, St. Albans
undulata, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
Philereme vetulata, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. PifFard) ;
Duckmore Lane, Tring (Elliman,
Goodson)
132
INSECTS
HYDRIOMENID.S (continued)
Mr. Bernard Piffard thus records
the capture of the Hemel Hempstead
specimen : ' A single male specimen
of this local insect has been taken
here early in July. It was beaten
from a very thick hedge under the
shelter of a high bank. The hedge
runs between the cemetery and
Anchor Lane ' (Entomologist, xxxiii.
249)
Philereme rhamnata, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith); Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Goodson)
Eustroma prunata, L. (ribesiaria, B.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer), ' Goose Green,' School List ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Tring (Elliman)
associata, Bkh. (dotata, Gn. non L.).
St. Albam (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Chef-
bunt (Boyd)
A rather common insect
testata, L. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Wihtone reservoir (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Fairly common
Plemyria bicolorata, Hufn. (rubiginata, F.).
Brooklands Farm, Ehtree (A. E. G.) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,'
School List ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Watford (Spencer) ; Tring
(Elliman)
rivata (Hb.). Bricket Wood and Ashridge
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Occasionally taken ; scarce at
Cheshunt Marsh
sociata, Bkh. (subtristata, Hw. ; biri-
viata, Stt.). Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common species
HYDRIOMENID/'E (continued)
Cataclysme virgata, Rott. (lineolata, Hb.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
Hydriomena ocellata, L. Bricket Wood and
Bamuille Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Watford (Spencer, Hea-
ton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Generally common at ' light ' and
on palings
simulata, Hb. (coniferata, Stt.). Hailey-
bury (School List) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common round Cheshunt, but rare
at Haileybury
variata, Schiff. (obeliscata, Hb.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud)
Occasionally taken at ' sugar ' and
light '
juniperata, L. Tring (Elliman)
fulvata, Forst. St. Albans and Harpen-
den (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common species at ' light ' and
dusk, and may often be beaten from
hedges
dotata, L. (pyraliata, F.). St. Albans
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Common in most of the districts
picata, Hb. St. Albans, Bricket Wood
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,'
School List ; Watford (Cutts,
Spencer, Wigg); Churchgate, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Occasionally taken. Mr. Boyd
has only captured one specimen
round Cheshunt
133
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
HYDRIOMENID./E (continued)
Hydriomena miata, L. St. Albans and Harpen-
den (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bricket
Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Heaton,
Wigg) ; Wilstone (Elliman) ; Tring
(Goodson) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
In most of the districts this insect
is fairly common at ' light,' but Mr.
Boyd has only taken one specimen
in his locality
sordidata, F. (elutata, Hb.). St, Albans
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood and Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A fairly common and very variable
species
trifasciata, Bkh. (impluviata, Hb. ;
literata, Don. ; ruberata, Frr.).
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Watford
(Heaton)
A rare species. The Haileybury
School List records the capture of
one specimen of trifasciata and one
of ruberata
truncata, Hufn. (russata, Bkh. ; im-
manata, Hw.). St. Albans, Hedges
Farm, Bricket Wood, Welwyn and
Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) j Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
The two forms russata and im-
manata are regarded by many ento-
mologists as distinct species, and
most of the Hertfordshire observers
have treated them as such. In this
list no attempt has been made to
discriminate between them. Both
forms appear to be fairly well dis-
tributed through the county and
both are common
silaceata, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg)
Not common
corylata, Thnb. St. Albans (A. E. G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
HYDRIOMENIDJE (continued)
Bricket Wood (Cottam) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman)
Hydriomena suffumata, Hb. St. Albans (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Local and not very abundant ;
comes to ' light '
dubitata, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
Common in the Tring district, but
apparently not very often met with
round Watford. In Cheshunt Street
it is scarce
badiata, Hb. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown);
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at ' light,' sallows and on
palings
nigrofasciaria, Gz. (derivata, Bkh.). St.
Albans and Bamville Wood, Harpen-
den Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith); Hitchin (Durrant); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Cutts, Heaton) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Burton Grange (Boyd)
Common at ' light ' and on palings
rubidata, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' Roman road,' School
List ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts); Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard)
albicillata, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
. Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ;
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Not frequent. Only met with
once at Waltham Cross
unangulata, Hw. St. Albans and Bam-
ville Wood Farm, Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Watford (Wigg) ; Berkhamsted
(Goodson) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Scarce
134
INSECTS
HYDRIOMENIDJE (continued)
Hydriomena alchemillata, L. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Watford (Heaton)
Scarce at ' light '
affinitata, Stph. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Heaton, Wigg)
Scarce and local
decolorata, Hb. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' woods beyond Pavilion
field,' School List ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Wigg) ; Oxhey Wood (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Goodson) ;
Halfhide Lane, Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
albulata, Schiff. Symands Hyde(A.E.G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' Mississippi fields,' School
List ; Oxhey Wood (H. Rowland-
Brown); Wigginton Common (Foulkes);
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Locally common
procellata, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Watford (Wigg)
Not common ; larvae taken on
clematis
bilineata, L. A very common species;
abundant in all the districts
Pelurga comitata, L. Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Stanford (Taylor)
Although only recorded in a few
localities, this insect appears to be
abundant where it does occur. Mr.
Barraud says that it is common, and
in 1900 especially so at 'light.' He
notes that it varies a good deal in
colour of markings
Operophtera brumata, L. Very common
everywhere
boreata, Hb. Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud)
Scarce and local
Euchoeca luteata, SchifF. St. Albans
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Watford (Cutts, Spencer) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Hammond Street, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Mr. Elliman remarks that this
insect is local, but common where it
occurs. Mr. Boyd finds it scarce
obliterata, Hufn. (heparata, Hw.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
HYDRIOMENIDJE (continued)
Asthena candidata, SchifF. St. Albans,
Harpenden, Bricket Wood and Shenley
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Broxbourne Woods
(Boyd)
A common species
murinata, Sc. (euphorbiata, F.). Tring
(Foulkes)
dilutata, Bkh. St. Albans, Radlett and
Shenley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Very common on fences at ' light,'
etc.
Xanthorhoe vittata, Bkh. (lignata, Hb.).
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(School List) ; has occurred at
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
cervinata, SchifF. St. Albans and Harpen-
den (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This species is local, but common
where it occurs. I have taken the
larvae in considerable numbers on
hollyhocks at Avenue House, St.
Albans
limitata, Sc. (mensuraria, SchifF.). Brook-
lands Farm, Elstree, and Bamville
Wood Farm, Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Heaton,
Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
Common
plumbaria, F. (palumbaria, Bkh.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Heaton) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown)
bipunctaria, SchifF. Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Gallows Hill, Haileybury
(School List) ; Tring (Elliman)
Mr. Elliman reports that this
species is very common on the chalk
multistrigaria, Hw. St. A/bans (A.E.G.);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Watford (Spen-
cer) ; Canal bank, Tring (Goodson)
135
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
HYDRIOMENID./E (continued)
Xanthorhoe didymata, L. St. Albans, Brictet
Wood and Bamville Wood Farm, Har-
penden Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith); Hitchin (Durrant); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cults) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Generally common
spadicearia, Bkh. (ferrugaria, Hw. ;
ferrugata, Clerck). St. Album
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Cutts, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman); Cheshunt
(Boyd)
A common species
ferrugata, L. (unidentaria, Hw.).
Bricket Wood and Shenley (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common
designata, Rott. (propugnata, F.). Rad-
lett, Bricket Wood, Symonds Hyde and
Knebvuorth (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Theobalds (Boyd)
This species is often to be com-
monly met with. Mr. Barraud
notes that the first brood is less
abundant than the second, and he
finds specimens of the later brood
to be smaller and not so well marked
quadrifasciaria, Cl. St. Allans (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford
(Wigg) ; Hastoe Lane, Tring, on a
fence (Elliman)
firmata, Hb. Bracket Hall (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
montanata, Bkh. Abundant every-
where
fluctuata, L. St. Albans and Ashridge
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Cutts,
Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
HYDRIOMENID.S (continued)
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common species. A variety of
smaller size has occurred at Ashridge
Xanthorhoe olivata, Bkh. Tolerably com-
mon at Tring (Elliman)
viridaria, F. (pectinataria, Km. ; miaria,
Bkh.). St. Albans and Bamville Wood
Farm, Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Roman
road, Heath,' School List ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Oxhey
Wood (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
STERR.HID.ffi
Eois muricata, Hum. (auroraria, Bkh.).
Bishop Stanford (Mellows)
Mr. Mellows states that he caught
a number of these little insects flying
round a haystack in Bishop Stortford
in 1898, but has seen none since
that date
virgularia, Hb. (incanaria, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common at Cheshunt ; Mr. Bar-
raud has only taken a few
straminata, Tr. Haileybury, not com-
mon (School List)
dilutaria, Hb. (interjectaria, B.; osseata,
Stt.). St. Albans and Bamville Wood
Farm, Harpenden Common (A. E.G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Heaton) ; Berk-
hamsted (A. T. Goodson) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common. ' Osseata not
common ; interjectaria at " light "
(Haileybury School List)
subsericeata, Hw. Haileybury (Bowyer);
East Barnet (Gillum)
Rare
inornata, Hw. Langley Wood (Griffith)
aversata, L. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land - Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
A common and variable species
emarginata, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Roman road,'
School List ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Flamstead End (Boyd)
136
INSECTS
STERRHID.S (continued)
A local species ; often common
where it occurs
Eois dimidiata, Hufn. (scutulata, Bkh.). St.
Albans and Bamville Wood Farm,
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.); Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally described as common.
Mr. Elliman finds it to be common
some years ; at Haileybury it is not
common
trigeminata, Hw. Haileybury (Bowyer),
' Heath,' rare, School List ; East
Barnet (Gillum)
bisetata, Hufn. St. Albans (A. E. G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Mr. Elliman finds E. bisetata to
be local ; Mr. Barraud has only
taken a few specimens ; Mr. Boyd
describes it as common round Ches-
hunt
Leptomeris remutaria, Hb. St. Albans,
Bricket Wood, Symonds Hyde and Bam-
ville Wood Farm, Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Brox-
bourne Woods (Boyd)
A common species
ornata, Sc. Canal bank, Tring station,
1899 and 1900 (Goodson)
imitaria, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Fairly common
emutaria, Hb. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.)
rubiginata, Hufn. (rubricata, F.). Wat-
ford, 1890 (Cottam)
orbicularia, Hb. Bricket Wood (Cottam)
pendularia, Cl. Sandridge (Griffith)
porata, F. Bricket Wood (Spencer,
A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,' School
List
punctaria, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Cutts)
trilinearia, Bkh. (linearia, Hb.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; East Barnet
STERRHID^E (continued)
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman)
Mr. Elliman finds this to be very
abundant in most of the beech woods
in his district. It is not generally
plentiful
Leptomeris annulata, Schulze (omicronaria,
Hb.). Sandridge (Griffith); Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' Heath,' School List ;
Tring (Goodson)
Calothysanis amata, L. (amataria, L.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton) ; Bricket Wood (Barraud) ,
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common
GEOMETRID^
Nemoria strigata, Mull, (thymiaria, Gn.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.); Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) , Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Oxhey Wood (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Foulkes,
Goodson) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common, except at
Tring, where Mr. Elliman says that
it is apparently not common, though
Mr. J. L. Foulkes has taken and
also bred the species
Euchlorispustulata, Hufn. (bajularia,Schiff.).
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; College Road, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Rare. In the Haileybury School
List it is stated to occur on the
Heath, but is not common. Mr.
Stockley writes that it is now to be
found more freely, about a score of
specimens being taken in 1900.
Mr. Boyd and Mr. Spencer have each
taken one specimen in their localities
vernaria, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer), ' Roman road,' School
List ; Miswell (Elliman) ; Tring
(Goodson)
Mr. Elliman says that the larvae
may be beaten from many of the old
clematis hedges about Drayton Beau-
champ and Miswell. It is better to
take them in the spring and save the
risk and trouble of keeping them
through the winter
137
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
GEOMKTRIDJE (continued)
Euchloris lactearia, L. Bricket Wood and
Symonds Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith); Hitchin (Durrant); Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud); Oxhey
Wood (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel
Hempitead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Barraud finds this species to
be rather scarce at Bushey Heath ;
Mr. Boyd says that it is common
round Cheshunt ; Mr. Elliman reports
that in the Tring district it is very
common in the lanes and woods
Geometra papilionaria, L. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Bricket Wood (Cottam,
Cutts) ; Oxhey Wood (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Grove Lodge, Tring (Foulkes) ;
Berkhamsted (Goodson) ; Stortford
(Mellows) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Occasionally taken at ' light ' and
dusk
Pseudoterpna pruinata, Hufn. (cytisaria,
Schiff.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Kneb-
worth (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer), ' formerly on Heath,' School
List ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Brown's
Lane, Tring (Goodson)
Not very abundant
MONOCTENIAD.*
Baptria atrata, L. (chaerophyllata, L.).
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,' rare,
School List ; East Barnet (Gillum,
Dymond) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Colney Heath (Pilbrow)
A local species. At Colney Heath
it occurs only in one corner of a
large field, which corner, about two
acres in extent, is laid down with
permanent grass
Erannis aescularia, SchifF. St. Allans, Bricket
Wood and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey and Nascot
Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common in most of the districts
Brephos parthenias, L. Bricket Wood (A.
E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Bow-
den) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Gryme's Dyke, Herts side, March 31 st,
1893 (H. Rowland-Brown)
MONOCTENIADJE (continued)
Occasionally met with in March
and April flying in the sunshine
SELIDOSEMIDJE
Opisthograptis liturata, Cl. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer),
' once,' School List
clathrata, L. Aldbury, Bricket Wood
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; abundant
on railway embankment near Hitchin
(Matthews) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Eastbury (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel He mpstead
(B. Piffard); Tring (Elliman, Cot-
tam) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor)
luteolata, L. (cratasgata, L.). St. Allans
(A E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Hammond Street,
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Taken at ' light ' at Haileybury ;
scarce at Cheshunt ; local but common
where it occurs in the Tring district
Diastictis wauaria, L. (wavaria, F.). St.
Allans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bishop Stort-
ford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
A fairly common species
roboraria, SchifF. Haileybury (Bowyer),
' three at light," ' School List
consortaria, F. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.)
Ectropis luridata, Bkh. (extersaria, Hb.).
Bricket Wood (Cottam, Spencer, A.
E. G.) ; Haileybury (Bower), ' Roman-
road,' School List ; Broxbourne Woods
(Boyd)
biundularia(crepuscularia, Hb.; laricaria,
Dbld.). Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Bushey (Cutts, H. Rowland-Brown);
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Waltham
Cross (Boyd)
Mr. Elliman takes this insect in
the same stations and at about the
same time as E. consonaria ; it is
fairly common in the Tring district ;
elsewhere it is scarce
consonaria, Hb. Tring (Elliman) ;
Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
Mr. Elliman says this species is
evidently well distributed through
the hilly woods of the district ; the
138
INSECTS
SELIDOSEMID^: (continued)
end of March and April is the time
to look out for it
Cleora lichenaria, Hufn. Sandrldge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Cheshunt Street
(Boyd)
Not a common species
Selidosema repandata, L. St. Allans, Bricket
Wood ;and - Welw\n (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman, Goodson) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common but scarce at
Cheshunt
gemmaria, Brh. (rhomboidaria, Hb.).
St. Allans and Bamville Wood, Har-
penden Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bishop
Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Very common. This and the
preceding species come regularly to
'light'
Bupalus piniarius, L. Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Chipperfield Common (Spencer); Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard)
Mr. Spencer saw this insect in
considerable numbers on the 30th of
June, 1894, flying round the tops of
some Scotch firs and other conifers
at Chipperfield Common
atomarius, L. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,'
School List ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Wigginton Common (Elliman)
Synopsia abruptaria, Thnb. St. Allans (A.
E. G.) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man); Stevenage (Matthews); Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Although generally distributed
through the county this moth is
much commoner in some localities
than others. It will be noticed that
Mr. A. F. Griffith has not recorded
it for Sandridge, and I do not take it
very frequently at St. Allans ; at
(continued)
Cheshunt Mr. Boyd says it is scarce.
On the other hand at Haileybury,
Stevenage and Tring it is reported to
be common. Writing from the last-
named place Mr. Elliman says it is
common about the town ; it is one
of the early visitors to 'light' and may
also be found on palings. At Bushey
Heath Mr. Barraud finds it to be not
so common now as formerly
Abraxas grossulariata, L. A very common
and variable species
sylvata, Sc. (ulmata, F.). Bamville Wood
Farm, Harpenden Common (A. E. G.);
Batch Wood (A. Lewis) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Tring Park (Foulkes) ;
has been taken between Northwoodand
Rickmansworth (H. Rowland-Brown)
Scarce, but to be taken in some
abundance where it does occur, being
a weak flier
adustata, Schiff. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Bricket Wood (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Goodson) ; Turnford and Burton
Grange (Boyd)
Not common
marginata, L. Hedges Farm, St. Al-
lans, Bricket Wood, Symonds Hyde
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bricket Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Generally common, especially
where willows grow ; comes abun-
dantly to ' light ' and is very variable
Pseudopanthera punctata, F. (temerata, Hb.).
St. Albans, Ashridge, Bricket Wood
and Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Roman
road, Heath,' School List ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Tring (Le Quesne, Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor)
Not common
bimaculata, F. (taminata, Hb.). Bam-
ville Wood Farm, Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' three speci-
mens,' School List ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg)
Scarce
139
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
SELIDOSEMID/E (continued)
Pseudopanthera macularia, L. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hai/eybury (Bowyer),
' Roman road,' School List ; Oxhey
Wood (Cutts, H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg)
Locally abundant
petraria, Hb. Ashridge, Bricket Wood
and Brocket Hall (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury (Durrant),
' Roman road, Heath,' School List ;
East Barnet (Gillum); Bushey (Cutts);
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey Wood
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
Abundant amongst bracken, the
food plant of the larvae
lineata, Sc. (dealbata, L.). Berkham-
sted (C. H. Raynor, Entomologist, v.
264)
Crocota strigillaria, Hb. Haileybury (Bow-
yer), ' formerly on Heath,' School
List ; Bricket Wood (Spencer)
ochrearia, Ross. Hertford (Stephens)
Theria rupicapraria, Hb. Common in all
the districts
Hybernia leucophaearia, SchifF. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,' School
List ; Bricket Wood and Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Worm-
ley (Boyd)
marginaria, Bkh. (progemmaria, Hb.).
St. Albans and Bamville Wood Farm,
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury, School List ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common. Mr. Spencer notices a
great tendency to melanism in this
species
aurantiaria, Esp. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Nascot Wood
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Bishop Stanford (Tay-
lor)
Fairly common
SELIDOSEMID^ (continued)
Hybernia defoliaria, Cl. St. Albans (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant); Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bricket Wood, Nas-
cot Wood and Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Generally common
Apocheima hispidaria, F. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Cheshunt station (Boyd)
A rare species. The Watford
observers take it at rest on the oaks
in Cassiobury Park. Mr. Boyd has
only taken one specimen at ' light '
pedaria, F. (pilosaria, Hb.). St. Albans
and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Tolerably common at ' light ' and
at rest on oak trees
Biston hirtarius, Cl. Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Stubbings Wood,
Tring (Goodson) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Not common ; several of the re-
corders have only captured it once
stratarius, Hufn. (prodromaria, SchifF.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Cutts, Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Pifikrd) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Not common, especially of late.
Mr. Stockley says that at Haileybury
it is much scarcer than formerly.
He has not heard of it for four years,
except for three pupae dug by him-
self. At St. Albans it used to come
to the street lamps, but it has not
been taken recently. Mr. Matthews
has only seen it a few times, and
Mr. Boyd describes it as scarce
round Cheshunt
betularius, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
140
INSECTS
SEUDOSEMID.S: (continued)
lum) ; Nascot Wood (Cutts) ; Wat-
ford (Heaton) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; near
Little Hadham (Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Described as common in the
Haileybury School List. Mr. Elli-
man finds it to be moderately com-
mon at Tring, where he has found
the larvas on spindle (Euonymus
europasus). Mr. Barraud has taken
two specimens, both of the normal
type. It is scarce round Cheshunt
Deilinia pusaria, L. (rotundaria, Hw.).
Bridget Wood, St. jf/bans, Symonds
Hyde and Bamville Wood Farm,
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitckin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey and Oxhey
Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common. D. rotundaria as dis-
tinct from pusaria is recorded from
Sandridge by Mr. Griffith and from
East Barnet by Colonel Gillum
exanthemata, Sc. St. Allans (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Oxhey Wood
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown); Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Common
Ourapteryx sambucaria, L. St. Allans and
Harpenden (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bricket Wood and Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; Royston (A. H. Kingston)
A common species
Metrocampa prosapiaria, L. (fasciaria,
Schiff.). Hitchin (Durrant) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
Scarce
margaritaria, L. St. Allans and Zouches,
Dunstable (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
SELIDOSEMID^: (continued)
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey Wood (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Tring (Hon. L. Walter Rothschild,
Elliman) ; Long Meadow, Bishop
Stanford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt and
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
Mr. Elliman says that this species
is moderately common in the Tring
district, chiefly in the beech woods.
It well repays breeding ; the larvae
may be obtained easily as soon as the
beech is well out in leaf. Mr.
Mellows has taken several specimens
while beating the hedges in Long
Meadow. Other recorders take it
occasionally
Metrocampa pulveraria, L. Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Watford(Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Haileybury (Stockley)
A few specimens of this insect are
to be taken every year at Bricket
Wood. Mr. Stockley says it has been
captured two or three times at Hailey-
bury, but is scarce
dolabraria, L. St. Allans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Wigginton (Foulkes) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Mellows)
Taken occasionally at ' light ' and
at dusk. The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe
records in Zoologist, xi. 4,037, rearing
a specimen ' from a larva beaten off
oak in July, Herts '
Euchlasna prunaria, L. Bricket Wood
(Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer),
' Heath,' School List ; East Barnet
(Bowden) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer)
Not very abundant ; varies a good
deal
apiciaria, Schiff. Bricket Wood (A. E.
G.) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Heaton) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Wilstone reservoir
(Elliman) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Not generally abundant, but com-
mon at Cheshunt Marsh
Selenia bilunaria, Esp. (illunaria, Hb.). St.
Albans and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
141
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
SELIDOSEMID^: (continued)
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Several of the observers have sepa-
rately recorded the occurrence of S.
juliaria, the summer brood of this
species. Both are common, the
spring brood especially so
Selenia lunaria, Schiff. Haileybury (Bowyer);
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Heaton, Wigg) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Bishop Stanford (Tay-
lor) ; Cheshunt station (Boyd)
Rather scarce. Mr. Elliman
takes it at rest at the base of larch
and beech trees. It sometimes comes
to ' light.' Mr. Boyd has captured
it once at Cheshunt station
tetralunaria, Hufn. (illustraria, Hb.).
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Haileybury
(School List) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Drayton Wood (Hon. L.
Walter Rothschild) ; Bishop Stort-
ford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt station
(Boyd)
The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild
describes this species as very local. I
have not seen it at St. Albans, but it
comes to ' light ' in several localities.
Mr. Spencer notes that the first
brood is much larger and darker than
the second. Mr. Mellows has taken
the larvae on a privet bush at Bishop
Stortford. Mr. Boyd has only taken
it once
Hygrochroa syringaria, L. St. Albans (A.
Lewis) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
East Barnet (Gillum); Bushey (Cutts);
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Wilstone
reservoir (Foulkes) ; Bishop Stortford
(Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
This insect sometimes comes to
* light.' Mr. Foulkes took one worn
specimen at Wilstone reservoir ; Mr.
Barraud has taken a few at Bushey
Heath ; Mr. Boyd occasionally meets
with it round Cheshunt
Cepphis advenaria, Hb. Haileybury (Stock-
ley)
From the only Hertfordshire locality
of this very local species Mr. Stock-
ley writes : f C. advenaria is now
fairly common, a great number being
taken this year ' (1900)
SELIDOSEMID.S (continued)
Colotois pennaria, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood, larvae, and Symonds Hyde,
larvae (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford (Cottam,
Spencer, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Berkhamsted (Goodson) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Both larvae and imagos are com-
mon, the latter coming freely to
' light.' Mr. Spencer notes that the
white sub-apical spot is highly de-
veloped in specimens he has bred
from larvae fed on hawthorn
Ennomos erosaria, Bkh. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (School List) ;
Bifhop Stortford (Taylor)
Not common
fuscantaria, Hw. St. Albans (A. E. G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Bowden) ; Watford (Cot-
tam, Spencer) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Occasionally taken at ' light ' ; a
scarce species
alniaria, L. (tiliaria, Bkh.). St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Bricket Wood,
larvae (A. Lewis) ; Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Cottam, Spencer) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Wilstone reservoir
(Elliman); Bishop Stortford (Taylor);
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common at ' light.' Mr.
Elliman says it is rather local ; best
bred from the larvae, which may be
obtained in some abundance off wil-
lows at Wilstone reservoir
quercinaria, Hufn. (angularia, Bkh.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Not very abundant ; Mr. Boyd
says it is scarce round Cheshunt ; Mr.
Elliman reports it common in most
parts of the Tring district. It is not
recorded for St. Albans or Watford
Gonodontis bidentata, Cl. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud)
142
INSECTS
SELIDOSEMIDJE (continued)
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Burton Grange, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Fairly common and one of the
earliest arrivals at 'light.' Mr. Spencer
notes slight variations as to colour
Gonodontis elinguaria, L. St. Album (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Hai/eybury (Bowyer); East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Busbey (Cults) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Bishop Stanford (Mellows, Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Generally common throughout the
county
PoLYPLOCIDj-E
Habrosyne derasa, L. St. Albans and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sparrows-
wick, St. Albans (A. Lewis) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Bishop Stortford (Tay-
lor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Tolerably common in some locali-
ties in certain years
Thyatira batis, L. Bricket Wood, Radlett
and Cassiobury Park (A. E. G.) ;
Knebworth (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ; Watford (Spen-
cer, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud);
Wilstone reservoir (Elliman, Le
Quesne) ; Gryme's Ditch (Foulkes)
Sometimes comes freely to ' sugar.'
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe reared
' two from larvas on raspberry, July,
Herts ' (Zoologist, xi. 4,037)
Palimpsestis duplaris, L. Brictet Wood
(Cottam, A. E. G.) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Watford (Cottam)
Rare
or, F. Bricket Wood (Cottam, A..~E.G.y,
Hemel Hempstead (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith); Knebworth (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hastoe (Elli-
man)
Two specimens have been taken
at Haileybury. Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe reared ' one from a larva
beaten off oak in July, Herts '
(Zoologist, xi. 4,037)
Polyploca diluta, F. Bricket Wood (Cot-
tam, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Knebworth (Durrant) ; Hailey-
POLYPLOCID^: (continued)
bury (Bowyer) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts);
Watford (Cottam, Spencer, Wigg)
Common at ' sugar ' at Haileybury
Polyploca flavicornis, L. Bricket Wood
(Spencer)
Mr. Spencer found the larva of
this moth on a young birch tree
at Bricket Wood on May 1 6th, 1896,
and the perfect insect emerged dur-
ing the following March
ridens, F. St. Albans (A. Lewis) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Theobald's and
Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
Recorded in the Haileybury School
List as taken at ' light,' but not com-
mon. Mr. Stockley informs me that
it has not been taken lately. It is
scarce in Mr. Boyd's neighbourhood.
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe reared
' one from a larva beaten off oak in
July, Herts ' (Zoologist, xi. 4,037)
SPHINGID.S:
Hemaris bombyliformis, Esp. Sandridge
(Griffith)
fuciformis, L. Haileybury (Bowyer),
'once on Heath,' School List ; Worm-
ley (Warner) ; Broxbourne Woods
(Boyd) ; Tring (Le Quesne)
The Tring specimen is reported
by Mr. Elliman to have been taken
in the larval state on honeysuckle by
Mr. Le Quesne
Macroglossa stellatarum, L. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Colney Heath (Pilbrow) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Southgate
(Dymond) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton) ; Tring
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild, Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Roy-
ston (A. H. Kingston)
This species sometimes occurs in
great profusion. This was especially
the case in 1893 (vide Transactions
of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society, viii. 80). A correspondent
reported that at the harvest festival
at Colney Heath Church in that year
dozens of these insects were attracted
by the floral decorations, and their
' humming ' was very noticeable
Deilephila porcellus, L. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Aldbury Downs (Hon. L.
143
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
SPHINGID^: (continued)
Walter Rothschild) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Taylor) ; Stevenage (Matthews);
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Though generally distributed
throughout the county, this species
is not by any means common. It
sometimes comes to ' light.' Mr. Elli-
man reports that the larvae have been
taken feeding on galium by Mr. J.
L. Foulkes on Pitstone Hill, but this
is just outside the county boundary
Deilephila elpenor, L. St. Albany larvae, and
Welwyn, larvae (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Letchworth (Knapp,
Entomologists' Weekly Intelligencer ; ii.
I S5)i Watford (Heaton) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Tring (Le Quesne,
Elliman) ; Marsworth reservoir and
Tring station (A. T. Goodson) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
This species is not of rare occur-
rence in some localities. Mr. Boyd
reports it to be common. Mr. Elli-
man believes that the larvae occur
every year in many of the old-
established gardens in Tring, and
Mr. Goodson has taken them at the
stations indicated above. I have
found them at St. Albans feeding
on fuchsia, and at Colney Heath Mr.
C. F. Pilbrow reports them to occur
in considerable numbers feeding on
water betony and other plants. At
Watford,vrhere Impatiens fulva grows
on the canal bank, that plant appears
to furnish their favourite food
nerii, L. A specimen of this moth was
taken on the i3th October, 1876, by
a working man at Hemel Hempstead,
who took it alive to Dr. Pitts of the
West Herts Infirmary. That gentle-
man set it, and subsequently exhi-
bited it at a conversazione at the
Watford Public Library. It was a
male, and with the exception of a
bit which had been nipped out of
one of its wings was in fine condition
(vide Transactions of the Watford Na-
tural History Society, i. 174, where a
report of the occurrence is given by
the late Mr. Clarence E. Fry). Mr.
B. Piflard of Hemel Hempstead, re-
cording the capture in the Entomolo-
gists' Monthly Magazine (xiii. 138),
says that it was taken in a garden in
the Alma Road and at the time of
SPHINGIDJE (continued)
writing was in the collection of
G. T. Porritt, Esq., of Leeds
Deilephila lineata, F. (livornica, Esp.).
Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
Mr. Boyd informs me that the
specimen was captured on August
25th, 1868
galii, Rott. Haileybury, ' once ' (Bow-
yer) ; one at Cheshunt Street, August
1 2th, 1870 (Boyd)
Sphinx ligustri, L. St. Albans, more
numerous than usual in 1900
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant, Matthews) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Watford (Spencer,
Wigg) ; Tring, larvae (Elliman) ;
Hemel Hempstead (Wilson) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Roy-
ston (A. H. Kingston) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
The last-named observer marks
this species as ' scarce ' in his dis-
trict, while Mr. Matthews reports it
as being common in the larval state
near Hitchin, where privet abounds.
The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild
showed me a nearly black variety
which was bred from a larva taken
at Hemel Hempstead in 1890 by
Arthur Wilson
convolvuli, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Watford (Cottam, Spencer) ; Hitchin
(Lawford, Durrant) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Baldock (Durrant, Ento-
mologist, xiv. 235) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) .; Tring (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt Street, occasionally (Boyd)
This is a species which is very
irregular in its appearance. Mr.
Cottam records the occurrence of
eight specimens at Watford in 1875 ;
several were captured in St. Albans
in 1 877, and I again had S. convolvuli
brought to me in 1 892. The Hon. L.
Walter Rothschild informs me that
five or six were taken at Tring in
1899 and one specimen a few years
previously. At Stevenage Mr. Mat-
thews can only hear of its being
seen once
Acherontia atripos, L. St. Albans, larvae
(A. E. G.) ; Watford (J. H. James,
Transactions of the Watford Natural
History Society, i. 64) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Lilley
(Rev. P. H. Jennings, Entomologist, ii.
325); Tring (Minall, Elliman, Hon.
144
INSECTS
(continued)
L. Walter Rothschild) ; New Barnet
(H. C. Regnart, Entomologist, xxx.
1 8) ; East Barnet, pupae (Bowden) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Considerable numbers of the larvae
and pupae are sometimes found in
potato fields, and in the Haileybury
School List the imago is recorded to
have come to ' light.' Mr. Minall's
specimen was taken at rest on a
telegraph post in Aylesbury Road,
Tring, and is now in the Hon. L.
Walter Rothschild's collection
Smerinthus populi, L. St. Allans (A.
Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant, Latch-
more) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Simmons, Entomologist, vi. 316) ;
Busbey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Tring (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild, Elliman) ; Busbey Heath
(Barraud) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor, Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
The late Mr. Latchmore reported
that in 1892 the larvae of S. populi
and S. ocellatus were unusually abun-
dant in the Hitchin district. The
Hon. L. Walter Rothschild possesses
a remarkably pale yellow variety
without markings of S. populi bred
at Tring in 1900
ocellatus, L. St. Allans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant, Latchmore) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Watton-at-Stone (Hodges,
Entomologist, vii. 233) ; Nascot Wood
(Cutts); Watford (Spencer, Cutts);
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring and
Wilstone reservoir (Elliman) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Steven-
age (Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Elliman finds the larvae of
this species pretty freely in the Tring
district, but chiefly about Wilstone
reservoir. Mr. Arthur Lewis of St.
Albans possesses an interesting speci-
men, which appears to be a hybrid
between this species and S. populi
Dilina tiliae, L. St. Albans, Harpenden
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Heaton, Wigg) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring (Hon.
N. Charles Rothschild) ; Bishop
SPHINGID^E (continued)
Stortford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Steven-
age (Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ;
Roy ston (A. H. Kingston)
The Hon. N. Charles Rothschild
figures and describes in Entomologist,
xxvii. 50, a very curious aberrant
form (male) bred in 1893 from a
larva found at Tring in September,
1892. A very yellow variety was
found at St. Albans and brought to
me in 1888
NOTODONTIDJE
Pygaera pigra, Hufn. (reclusa, F.). East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Scarce
curtula, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
Notodonta ziczac, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant, Gatward) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer), ' Heath, Hailey Lane,'
School List ; Watford (Heaton) ;
Bushey, electric light, 1900 (V. P.
Kitchin) ; Wilstone reservoir (Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Taken twice at Haileybury ; scarce
round Cheshunt. Mr. Gatward has
taken the larvae on a weeping willow
at Hitchin
dromedarius, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Watford (Spen-
cer) ; near Berkhamsted (Rev. H.
Harpur Crewe, Zoologist, x. 3,625) ;
Little Tring reservoir (Elliman)
Drymonia dictaeoides, Esp. Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Stockley) ; East
Barnet (Bowden) ; Tring (Hon. L.
Walter Rothschild)
Rare. Mr. Stockley says this in-
sect has not been taken for a long
time
tremula, Cl. (dictaea, Esp.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; near Berkhamsted, larvae
(Rev. H. Harpur Crewe, Zoologist,
x. 3,625) ; Wilstone reservoir (Elli-
man) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
When the Haileybury School List
was published in 1888 this had been
taken three times at ' light.' Mr.
Stockley writes that four larvae were
taken in 1899. Mr. Spencer took
one larva at Watford. Mr. Boyd
describes it as scarce at Cheshunt
Marsh
trepida, Esp. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; near Berk-
145
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
NOTODONTID.S (continued)
hamsted, larvae (Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe, Zoologist, x. 3,625) ; Tring
(Le Quesne)
This species has been taken once
at ' light ' at Haileybury. The Rev.
H. Harpur Crewe records in Zoologist,
xi. 4,037, 'two larvae beaten off oak
in July, Herts '
Drymonia trimacula, Esp. (dodonaea, Hb.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer)
Taken occasionally at Haileybury
chaonia, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' once on
Heath,' School List ; Bushey (Cottam)
Rev. H. Harpur Crewe says :
'Two larvae beaten from oak in July,
Herts ' (Zoologist, xi. 4,037)
Stauropus fagi, L. Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Watford (Cottam) ; Tring Park
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ; Base
Hill, Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
The Haileybury School List says
that S. fagi has been taken twice on
the Heath ; Mr. Stockley records it
twice in 1899. Mr. Cottam says:
'On July 6th [1899] a fine fresh
male flew into my dressing-room,
attracted by the incandescent gas
light. The following night another
came to the window, which happened
to be shut, and before I could open
it the insect flew off* (Entomologist,
xxxii. 237). The Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild reports that he has had
plenty of larvas of S. fagi off beech
trees in the park, but has never suc-
ceeded in rearing them. Mr. Boyd
has taken one specimen at Base Hill
Pterostoma palpina, L. St. Allans (A.
Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Cutts, Spencer, Cottam) ; near
Berkhamsted, larvas (Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe, Zoologist, x. 3,625) ; Tring
(Le Quesne) ; Wilstone reservoir
(Elliman) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
The Rev. H. Harpur Crewe also
records rearing ' three from larvae on
poplar, Herts ' (Zoologist, xi. 4,037).
Generally a scarce species, but Mr.
Taylor finds it to be common at
Bishop Stortford
Odontosia camelina, L. Bricket Wood
(Spencer, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitcbin (Durrant) ;
NOTODONTID;E (continued)
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Nascot Wood and Bushey
(Cutts) ; Watford (Cottam, Spencer,
Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman, Goodson) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Elliman reports that this
species is very abundant in the beech
woods, and the Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe, who worked in the same
district, found the larvas to be very
plentiful (Zoologist, x. 3,625). Taking
the county generally it cannot be
described as an abundant species,
though Mr. Barraud has taken seven
specimens at ' light ' at Bushey Heath.
Mr. Spencer bred it from ova found
at Bricket Wood. It is described by
Mr. Boyd as being scarce round
Cheshunt
Odontosia cuculla, Esp. (cucullina, Hb.).
Tring, larvae (Greene, Entomologists'
Annual, 1857, p. 114)
Cerura vinula, L. St. Albans and Har-
penden, larvae (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Totteridge
(S. C. Curtis, Entomologist, xi. 252) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Bricket
Wood (Cottam) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop Stort-
ford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Generally plentiful
bifida, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton) ; Wilstone, Miswell and
Tring, empty pupa cases (Elliman) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Scarce. Mr. Spencer reared C.
bifida from ova found on aspen.
Taken once at Haileybury
furcula, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant, Latchmore) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer), ' Heath,' School
List ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Wilstone
(Elliman); Tring, at 'light' (Hon.
L. Walter Rothschild) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Scarce
Phalera bucephala, L. Common every-
where
SATURNIAD/E
Saturnia pavonia, L. (carpini, Schiff.). St.
Albans (A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
146
INSECTS
SATURNIADJE (continued)
(Bowyer) ; Colney Heath (Pilbrow) ;
Brown's Lane, Tring (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild) ; Bishop Stortford (Tay-
lor, Mellows) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Royston (A. H.
Kingston)
Fairly common. The larvae are
often abundantly met with
LASIOCAMPINA
DREPANID.S
Cilix glaucata, Sc. (spinula, Schiff.). St.
Albans and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Bowden) ;
Busbey (Cutts) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
HemelHempstead(B.P\ffzrd); Steven-
age (Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Reported by most of the observers
to be common at ' light '
Falcaria lacertinaria, L. (lacertula, SchifF.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Oxhey Wood (Cutts) ;
Busbey Heath (Barraud)
Occasionally met with
falcataria, L. (falcula, SchifF.). Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Busbey Heath
(Barraud) ; Berkhamsted (Goodson)
Not of frequent occurrence
Drepana harpagula, Esp. (sicula, Hb.).
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Tring (Good-
son)
binaria, Hufn. (hamula, Esp.). Hod-
desdon (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Wigg,
Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Tring
(Hon. N. Charles Rothschild, Good-
son) ; near Bury Green, Bishop Stort-
fird (Mellows) ; Waltbam Cross
(Boyd)
Several of the recorders have only
taken this insect once
cultraria, F. (unguicula, Hb.). Ashridge
(A. E. G.); Watford (Spencer,
Heaton) ; Tring (Hon. N. Charles
Rothschild, Elliman)
Mr. Elliman reports that this
species is common in the beech
woods
LASIOCAMPID.S:
Lasiocampa quercus, L. St. Albans and
Welwyn (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
LASIOCAMPID.S (continued)
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Tring (Le Quesne) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor,
Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Royston
(A. H. Kingston)
Formerly much more abundant
round St. Albans than it is now ;
common at Haileybury and Steven-
age; rather scarce at Bishop Stanford
and scarce al Cheshunt. Mr. Taylor
reports thai he reared larvae which
did not hybernate ihrough ihe severe
winter of 1894-95 but fed on ivy,
and turned out to be very fine dark
specimens
Eriogaster populi, L. St. Albans (A. Lewis,
A. E. G.) ; Harpenden and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin and Knebworth
(Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Slephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Cults, Collam,
Spencer) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Bishop Stanford (Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Fairly abundanl at ' light,' especi-
ally at Watford. At Tring Mr.
Elliman has only taken one dead
specimen in a spider's web at the
slalion. Scarce at Bushey Heath
and Cheshunt
lanestris, L. Harpenden Common (A.
Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffilh) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop
Stanford (Taylor, Mellows); Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Generally common
rubi, L. Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Berkhamsted Com-
mon (Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ;
Stevenage (Matlhews)
Rare
crataegi, L. St. Albans and Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Watford
(Spencer) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Not common ; sometimes taken
at ' light,' but most of the observers
have fed the larvae
Clisiocampa castrensis, L. East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Bishop Stanford (Mellows)
Each single captures
neustria, L. Generally mel with
abundantly everywhere
147
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
LASIOCAMPIDJE (continued)
Odonestis potatoria, L. St. Albans and
Wheathampstead, larvae (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Clothall and Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer) ; Oxbey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
A common species
Gastropacha quercifolia, L. St. Albans
(A. Lewis, A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Bowden) ;
Watford (Cottam, V. P. Kitchin,
A. Stoyel) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Shire Lane, Tring (S. W. Jenney,
jun.) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor, Mellows) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Abundant in 1890 in Watford
and St. Albans. At the latter place
a railway employ^ took a considerable
number both on the street lamps and
at the signal box at the station in the
early morning. The larvae are taken
commonly at Haileybury, Stevenage
and Bishop Stortford ; one perfect
insect taken at Tring and one at
Bushey Heath. Occurs at ' light '
most years in the Cheshunt district
PAPILIONINA
NYMPHALID.S:
Argynnis paphia, L. Bricket Wood (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Longcroft and Brown's Lane, Tring
(Elliman) ; Hitch Wood and other
woods, Stevenage, sometimes very
common (Matthews)
The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild
considers that the three larger species
of Argynnis are much scarcer than
formerly
adippe, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Tring
Woods (Elliman)
aglaia, L. Haileybury (Bowyer) ; near
Grove Wood, Tring (Le Quesne) ;
Brown's Lane, Tring (Hon. L. Wal-
ter Rothschild) ; Bishop Stortford
(Mellows)
Mr. Elliman, who reports Mr. Le
Quesne's captures, writes with refer-
ence to the two last-named species
NYMPHALIDJE (continued)
that A. adippe appears to be much
more plentiful than A. aglaia in the
Tring Woods. Mr. Mellows has
seen A. aglaia twice in Long Meadow,
Bishop Stortford, in 1895 and in 1896
Argynnis lathonia, L. Hertford (Stephens,
Illustrations of British Entomology , i.
38, 1828)
euphrosyne, L. Bricket Wood, Ash-
ridge and Bracket Hall (A. E. G.) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Watford (Spencer, Heaton,
Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Norton
Green Woods, common, (Matthews) ;
Bishop Stortford (Mellows) ; Oxhey
Wood (H. Rowland-Brown)
This, the most abundant of the
Hertfordshire fritillaries, often flies in
considerable numbers in woodlands
in May and June
selene, Schiff. Bricket Wood, sparingly
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Norton Green
Woods, common (Matthews)
This insect is not so abundant as
the preceding species and usually
appears later
Melitaea aurinia, Rott. (artemis, Hb.).
' Taken at Knebworth Wood by Mr.
B. Christian two or three years ago '
(Durrant, in Transactions of the Hert-
fordshire Natural History Society, iii.
266) ; Haileybury (Bowyer)
Mr. Stockley informs me that M.
aurinia has been three times recorded
at Haileybury in the last three years.
Newman, in his Illustrated Natural
History of British Butterflies and
Moths, gives Drayton Beauchamp as
a locality for this species on the
authority of the Rev. H. Harpur
Crewe. Mr. Elliman believes that
the Rev. H. H. Crewe's insects were
taken in Bucks ; at any rate it must
have been close to the border, and it
is very doubtful if this may be claimed
as a Hertfordshire record
Vanessa c-album. Hertford, abundant
prior to 1833 (Stephens, in Illustra-
tions of British Entomology, i. 42) ;
' Reported three or four times near
Broxbourne ' (Stockley)
Mr. Arthur Lewis tells me that
when a boy he saw V. c-album near
the old Cotton Mills at St. Albans
urticas, L. Generally distributed
throughout the county
polychloros, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
148
INSECTS
NYMPHALID-S: (continued)
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Bishop Stanford
(Taylor, Mellows) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Carpenders
(H. Rowland-Brown)
This species appears to be decreas-
ing in abundance. Twenty years
ago I used to take it in considerable
numbers, chiefly on the north side of
St. Albans, but I have not now seen
it for a long time. Mr. Stockley
writes from Haileybury that it was
formerly obtained annually, but has
not been caught for three years. Mr.
H. Rowland-Brown in a note at-
tached to his Carpenders record says
' not seen of late years.' Mr. Boyd
reports it is ' sometimes common ' at
Cheshunt. Mr. Matthews at Steven-
age only meets with it occasionally,
two or three a season. Writing
to me in 1893, the late Mr. Frank
Latchmore of Hitchin tells the same
story of its disappearance. He says :
' Formerly this insect was common
at Ickleford. The chrysalides were to
be seen hanging from the coping of
the walls near the church opposite
some lime trees. I have not seen a
pupa case at that spot for some years.'
It is much to be regretted that this
handsome insect seems to be gradu-
ally disappearing from Hertford-
shire
Vanessa io, L. St. Albans, Brocket Hall and
Berkhamsted Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hert-
ford (R. T. Andrews) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Bushey Heath, ' seems to
be disappearing ' (Barraud) ; Steven-
age (Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ;
West Hyde (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Royston (A. H. Kingston)
antiopa, L. St. Albans (Vincer) ; be-
tween Watford and St. Albans, 1855
(Humphries, Transactions of the Wat-
ford Natural History Society, ii. 70) ;
Hertford (Stephens, Illustrations of
British Entomology, i. 45); Hoddesdon,
1875 (Cottam, Transactions of the
Watford Natural History Society, ii.
1 9) ; Brickendon near Hertford (W.
Summers, Entomologist, vi. 2l6) ;
Stanstead (Horley, ibid.) ; Hitchin
(Entomologists' Monthly Magazine, ix.
107); Southgate, at ' sugar ' (Dymond) ;
NYMPHALID^E (continued)
Tring (Hon. L. Walter Rothschild);
Hatfield (F. W. F.)
This very uncertain insect was .
seen three times in Hertfordshire in
1900. When riding not far from
the entrance to Brown's Lane, Tring,
during the first week in September
the Hon. L. Walter Rothschild,
M.P., saw V. antiopa fly over him.
On October ist the late Mr. H. E.
Vincer, one of the masters at the Hat-
field Road Board School, St. A/bans,
captured a specimen of this insect
fluttering in the window of one of
the classrooms. It passed into the
possession of Mr. J. Tomlin, another
of the masters in the same school,
who lent it for exhibition at a meet-
ing of the Hertfordshire Natural
History Society on March 26, 1901.
' F. W. F.' records in Entomologist,
xxxiii. 303, the capture near Hatfield
of a fine specimen about October
loth
Vanessa atalanta, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; West Hyde (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Royston (A. H. King-
ston)
cardui, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
and Wilstone reservoir (Elliman) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; Bishop Stortford (Mellows) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Royston
(A. H. Kingston)
This insect is irregular in its
appearance, being very plentiful in
some seasons but very scarce in
others
Apatura iris. Hertford (Stephens, July,
1833, Illustrations of British Entomo-
l Syy iv - 3 8
SATYR.ID.flE
Melanargia galatea, L. Watford, 1878
(Perkins, Transactions of the Watford
Natural History Society, ii. 67) ;
Woodcock Hill, Elstree (F. Bond,
Newman's Illustrated Natural History
of British Butterflies and Moths, 79) ;
Letchworth (Knaggs, Entomologists'
Weekly Intelligencer, ii. 153) ; Dancer's
End, Tring (A. T. Goodson)
149
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
SATYRID^; (continued)
Parage aegeria, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Watford (Spencer) ; near Stub-
bing! Wood, Tring (Foulkes) ; Steven-
age (Matthews)
Mr. Elliman reports that P. aegeria
is not at all abundant in the Tring
district, though Mr. Le Quesne and
he have taken it rather plentifully in
Hengrove Wood and towards Wen-
dover Hall on the Bucks side of the
county boundary. Mr. Matthews
finds it to be fairly common near
woods in the neighbourhood of Steven-
age
megaera, L. St. Allans and Knebworth
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Wat-
ford (Wigg) ; Tring (A. M. Brown) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; Railway bank, Oxhey (H.
Rowland-B ro wn)
Satyrus semele, L. Haileybury Heath,
(School List).
' I am told it may be taken on the
Harpenden road near Childwick '
(Perkins, Transactions of the Watford
Natural History Society, ii. 68). This
neighbourhood is well known to me,
but I have failed to find S. semele in
the locality mentioned by Mr. Perkins
Epinephile tithonus, L. St. Albans and
Shenley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Spencer, Hea-
ton, Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; Letchmore Heath (H. Row-
land-Brown)
janira, L. St. Albans, Elstree and Shen-
ley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Hertford (J. Hopkinson) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring
(Elliman) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd) ; South-west Herts,
common (H. Rowland-Brown)
hyperanthus, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Aldbury, in wood
above rifle butts (Cottam) ; Tring,
very abundant in most of the woods,
but apparently not straying far from
them (Elliman) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd) ;
Royston (A. H. Kingston)
SATYRID.: (continued')
Ccenonympha pamphilus, L. This very
common species is widely distributed
through the county
ERYCINIDJE
Nemeobius lucina, L. Berkhamsted Com-
mon (G. H. Raynor, Newman's
Illustrated Natural History of British
Butterflies and Moths, 105); Dancer's
End, Tring (Hon. N. Charles Roth-
schild, Goodson)
LYCJENID^E
Thecla rubi, L. Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Aldbury (Cottam) ; on the
downs above Aldbury and near Pit-
stone, sparingly (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild) ; Tring (Elliman)
The last-named observer says that
T. rubi is usually abundant about
the beech woods both in Herts and
Bucks
w-album, Kn. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Knebworth (Durrant) ; Hemel Hemp-
stead, ' in thousands ' (B. Piffard,
Entomologists' Monthly Magazine
xviii. 68) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton) ; Haileybury, over a dozen
specimens caught on the Roman
road, 1900 (Stockley) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor, Mellows, the
latter observer recording the capture
of about two dozen in Long Meadow
in July, 1900) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild
informs me that Mr. Jopling took
three specimens at Hemel Hempstead
in 1899
betulas, L. Norton Green Woods, about
a mile south-west of Stevenage, not
common (Matthews)
quercus, L. Bricket Wood, Radlett and
Shenley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Brown's Lane, in abundance, and
Cow Lane, near the station, Tring
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ; Nor-
ton Green Woods (Matthews) ; Brox-
bourne Woods (Boyd) ; Oxhey Wood
(H. Rowland-Brown)
This is the most abundant of the
Hertfordshire Hairstreaks. I have
beaten the larvae in considerable
numbers from young oak trees at
Bricket Wood
Chrysophanus minimus, Fuesl. (alsus, F.).
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Letchworth (Knapp, Ento-
mologists' Weekly Intelligencer, ii. 155);
150
INSECTS
LYO-ENID/E (continued)
Canal bank, Tring (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild, Cottam, Elliman) ; Aid-
bury Owers (Le Quesne) ; near
Hitchin (Latchmore, Gatward) ;
Royston (A. H. Kingston)
This, our smallest butterfly, ap-
pears to be particularly abundant at
certain spots in the Tring district
Chrysophanus astrarche, Bgstr. (medon,
Esp. ; agestis, Hb. ; artaxerxes, F.).
Bricket Wood (Perkins); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Aldbury
(Cottam); Aldbury Owers and Pitstone
Hill (Elliman) ; Haileybury (School
List)
The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild
informs me that this butterfly is
abundant in the district between
Pitstone and Berkhamsted Common
phloeas, L. St. Albans and Harpenden
(A. E. G.) ; Bricket Wood (Perkins);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Wat-
ford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Aid-
bury Owers and Tring (Elliman) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Stevenage
(Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ;
common in south-west Herts (H.
Rowland-Brown)
Mr. Elliman has noticed that C.
phlaeas is more plentiful in some years
than others
argiolus, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hoddesdon
(Harley, Entomologist, v. iii.) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring, abundant
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild); Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Norton Green
Woods (Matthews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd};
Bury Green and Bishop Stanford
(Mellows) ; Cassiobury Park (H.
Rowland-Brown)
corydon, Pod. New Farm, St. Albans
(A. Lewis) ; Letch-worth (Knapp,
Entomologists' Weekly Intelligencer, ii.
155); Broxbourne Common (Warner) ;
Aldbury Downs (Cottam, Elliman) ;
common on downs at Dancer's End
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ; Roy-
ston Downs (W. J. Hardy, A. H.
Kingston) ; Lilley Hoo (Latchmore,
Gatward) ; one at Turnford
(Boyd)
This is a common insect on the
downs in the north of the county,
but it is also to be found occasionally
at considerable distances from any
extensive outcrop of the chalk, as at
LYCJENID.S: (continued)
Broxbourne Common, Turnford and St.
Albans
Chrysophanus bellargus, Rott. (adonis, Hb.).
Aldbury (Cottam, Hon. N. Charles
Rothschild) ; Dancer's End (Hon. N.
Charles Rothschild, A. T. Goodson) ;
Royston (A. H. Kingston)
Mr. A. T. Goodson reports that
both the spring and autumn broods
occur in the Tring district
icarus, Rott. The common blue oc-
curs very generally throughout the
county. Great variations in size are
often to be noted
arion, L. Haileybury (Bowyer, Stock-
ley)
' One specimen shown up for the
Cornthwaite Prize some years ago '
(Haileybury School List, 1888). Mr.
Stockley informs me that C. arion
was seen by three collectors in 1898
and that he was within a yard of the
specimen
Colias hyale, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.,
Perkins, A. Lewis) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Watford
(Spencer, Cottam) ; Tring (A. M.
Brown) ; between Tring station and
Marshcroft (Elliman) ; near Hastoe
(Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ; on
Aldbury side of railway (Cottam) ;
near Boxmoor (Cottam) ; Wormley
(Warner) ; Royston (A. H. Kingston)
edusa, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Harpenden (E.
R. Chambers, J. J. Willis) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Knebworth (Brown,
Entomologist, x. 139) ; Watford
(Cottam, Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Haileybury (School List) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Southgate (Dymond) ;
Tring (Elliman, H. Rowland-Brown);
on the Aldbury side of the station
(Cottam) ; near Boxmoor (Cottam) ;
Radlett (A. R. Heath, Entomologist,
xxviii. 309) ; Oxhey Wood (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ;
Wormley (Warner) ; Hertford (Grave-
son) ; Ware (G. H. Tite) ; Royston
(A. H. Kingston)
var. helice. St. Albans (A. E. G.);
Brown's Lane, Tring (Goodson) ;
Watford (Cottam) ; New River
reservoirs, one specimen (Boyd)
In papers read before the members
of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society I have dealt at some length
with the appearances of C. edusa and
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PlERID.ffi (continued)
C. hyale in the county (Transactions
Hertfordshire Natural History Society,
vii. 1 88 and viii. 77). During the
past year, 1900, it has again oc-
curred in some profusion. Among
the records for that year are those
of the Hon. L. Walter Rothschild,
M.P., who writes : ' This autumn I
have taken several Colias hyale
within the county limits, though my
brother and I and the Museum staff
captured the bulk of some fifty we
took nearer Halton, on the Bucks
side of the border.' The same
observer reports that C. edusa was
taken near Tring windmill, and that
Mr. A. T. Goodson captured a
specimen of var. helice. Mr. A.
Cottam's observations printed above
were also made during the past
season. Both species were fairly
abundant at New Farm near St.
Albany C. hyale being perhaps the
commoner, as seems to have been
the case throughout the county. I
observed C. edusa flying in St. Peter's
Street in September
Gonepteryx rhamni, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood and Els tree (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Throcking
(Rev. C. W. Harvey) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; Watford (Heaton, Wigg);
Tring (Elliman) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd) ; Rickmansworth and Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown) ; Royston (A.
H. Kingston)
Euchloe cardamines, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Harpenden Common and Brocket
Hall (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Hertford (Silvester) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ;
Tring (Elliman) ; Bushey Heath (Bar-
raud) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ; Ches-
hunt (Boyd) ; Bishop Stortford (Mel-
lows) ; south and west Herts, gener-
ally distributed (H. Rowland-
Brown)
Leucophasia sinapis, L. Haileybury (Bow-
yer) ; Bishop Stortford (Mellows)
The latter correspondent writes :
' I took one in the grounds of the
Nonconformist Grammar School in
1894, but know of no others having
been taken there '
Pieris napi, L. Common throughout the
county
PIERID.S (continued)
Pieris rapae, L. Common throughout the
county
brassicas, L. Common throughout the
county
Mr. Elliman observes that P.
brassicae occurs more especially near
the woods in the Tring district
Aporia crataegi, L. One specimen of this
insect is recorded in the School List
as having been captured at Hailey-
bury
HESPERIAD^:
Hesperia malvae, L. (alveolus, Hb.). St.
Albans, Shenley, Bricket Wood and
Brocket Hall (A. E. G.) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Knebworth (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford, Ben-
geo and Brickendon (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Dancer's End and between Aldbury
and Ivinghoe (Hon. L. Walter Roths-
child) ; Broxbourne Woods (Boyd) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown)
Mr. Elliman reports this species to
be common in the Tring district, but
more local than H. tages
tages, L. Bricket Wood, Aldbury and
Shenley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Spencer,
Heaton, Wigg) ; Tring (Elliman) ;
Dancer's End (Hon. L. Walter Roth-
schild) ; Norton Green Woods (Mat-
thews) ; Broxbourne Woods (Boyd) ;
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown)
Pamphila thaumas, Hufn. (linea, L.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Grove Wood, Tring (Elliman)
sylvanus, Esp. Bricket Wood and
Shenley (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford
(Spencer, Heaton, Wigg) ; Aldbury
(Cottam) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Norton
Green Woods (Matthews) ; Oxhey
(H. Rowland-Brown)
comma, L. Roman road, Haileybury
(Stockley) ; Berkhamsted Common,
one specimen (G. H. Raynor, New-
man's Illustrated Natural History of
British Butter/lies and Moths, 173);
Aldbury Downs (Hon. L. Walter
Rothschild, Elliman, Cottam) ;
152
INSECTS
HESPERIAD^E (continued)
Dancer's End, Tr'mg (Hon. L.
Walter Rothschild)
Mr. Elliman says that this local
chalk-loving species may be found
in considerable numbers at certain
spots in the neighbourhood of
Tring
PYRALIDINA
PHYCITID.S
Salebria formosa, Hb. Waltham Cross,
scarce (Boyd)
semirubella, Sc. (carnella, L.). Hert-
ford (Stephens)
betulae, Gz. Sandridge (Griffith)
Alispa angustella, Hb. Cheshunt Street,
scarce (Boyd)
Hypochalcia ahenella, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Phycita spissicella, F. (roborella, Zk.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Theobald's Park, scarce
(Boyd)
Ephistia elutella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt, common (Boyd)
calidella, Gn. (ficella, Dgl.). Cheshunt,
common in shops (Boyd)
Euzophera pinguis, Hw. Cheshunt, scarce
(Boyd)
Homceosoma nimbella, Z. (saxicola,
Vaughan). Theobald's Grove station,
one specimen (Boyd)
Myelois cribrella, Hb. Hertford (Stephens)
Eurhodope marmorea, Hw. Sandridge
(Griffith)
advenella, Zk. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Street, scarce (Boyd)
suavella, Zk. Cheshunt Marsh, scarce
(Boyd)
Acrobasis consociella, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Base Hill (Boyd)
zelleri, Rag. (tumidella, Zk.). Sandridge
(Griffith)
GALLERIAD./E
Meliphora grisella, F. (alvearia, F.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Battler's Green,
Aldenkam (Miss Selby) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Wal-
tham Cross, scarce (Boyd)
Aphomia sociella, L. (colonella, L.). St.
Albans and Bamville Wood Farm,
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Galleria mellonella, L. (cereana, L.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Battler's Green,
Aldenham (Miss Selby) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Bishop Stanford (Taylor)
CRAMBIDJE
Crambus pascuellus, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
pratellus, L. St. Albans, Bricket Wood
and Aldbury (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
culmellus, L. Bricket Wood, Radlett
and Elstree (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
hortuellus, Hb. St. Albans, Hoddesdon
and Aldbury (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
chrysonuchellus, Sc. Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; Aldbury Downs (Hon. N.
Charles Rothschild)
falsellus, SchifF. Used to occur at
Cheshunt (Boyd)
pinellus, L. (pinetella, L.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; once
at Waltham Cross (Boyd)
perlellus, Sc. (warringtonellus, Stt.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
inquinatellus, SchifF. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Broxbourne Woods, com-
mon (Boyd)
geniculeus, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
tristellus, F. St. Albans, Bricket Wood
and Symonds Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
selasellus, Hb. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Chilo phragmitellus, Hb. Cheshunt Marsh,
scarce (Boyd)
PYRAUSTIDJE
Acentropus niveus, Ol. Common on Ches-
hunt Marsh (Boyd)
Schosnobius gigantellus, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith)
forficellus, Thnb. Common at Ches-
hunt reservoir and Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Cataclysta lemnata, L. (lemnalis, SchifF.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Tring (Good-
son) ; common on Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Nymphula stagnata, Don. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
153
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PYRAUSTID.S (continued)
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt
Marsh, common (Boyd)
Nymphula stratiotata, L. Tring (Goodson) ;
common on Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Hydrocampa nymphasala, L. (nymphaealis,
SchifF.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Berkhamsted
(Goodson) ; Bishop Stanford (Tay-
lor) ; common on Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Antigastra catalaunalis,Dup. Cheshunt (Boyd)
' New to Britain ' (Entomologists'
Annual, 1868, pp. 108, 109) ;
'still unique' (Boyd, 1901)
Notarcha ruralis, Sc. (verticalis, Schiff.).
St. Albans and Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Goodson) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Eurrhypara urticata, L. (urticalis, Schiff.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown) ; Tring (Goodson) ;
Bishop Stanford (Taylor) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Phlyclasnia crocealis, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffilh) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; common on Ches-
hunt Marsh (Boyd)
lulealis, Hb. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ; Hert-
ford (Stephens) ; Tring (Goodson)
ferrugalis, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
prunalis, Schiff. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
fuscalis, Schiff. Hertford (Slephens)
sambucalis, Schiff. Harpenden (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; Tring (Goodson);
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Nomophila noctuella, Schifv. (hybridalis,
Hb.). St. Albans (A. E. G.); Sand-
ridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
East Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring (Good-
son) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Psammotes hyalinalis, Hb. Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Tring (Goodson)
PYRAUSTID^; (continued)
Pyrausla nigrala, Sc. Tring (Goodson)
purpuralis, L. Aldbury (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rani) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring (Goodson) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
cespilalis, Schiff. Aldbury and Zouches,
Dunstable (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ; Hert-
ford (Slephens) ; Broxbourne Woods,
common (Boyd)
olivalis, Schiff. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rani) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ; Tring
(Goodson) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
verbascalis, Schiff. Hertford (Slephens)
Loxoslege sliclicalis, L. Tring (Goodson)
verlicalis, L. (cinclalis, Tr.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrani) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Scoparia resinea, Haw. Sandridge (Griffilh) ;
Bayford (Boyd)
frequenlella, Sll. (mercurella, L.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
crataegella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffilh) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
truncicolella, Sit. Sandridge (Griffith)
pallida, Slph. Sandridge (Griffilh)
cembrae, Hw. Sandridge (Griffilh) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
dubilalis, Hb. St. Albans, Wheathamp-
stead and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rani) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
ambigualis, Tr. (basislrigalis, Knaggs).
St. Albans and Bricket Wood (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffilh) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mesographe forficalis, L. St. Albans (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffilh) ; Hitchin
(Durrani) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Tring (Goodson) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
PYRALIDID.S:
Endotricha flammealis, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Bushey Heath, one at
' lighl ' (Barraud) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Pyralis glaucinalis, L. St. Albans and
Symonds Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hertford (Slephens) ;
154
INSECTS
PYRALIDID^ (continued}
Bushey Heath, fairly common at
' light ' (Barraud) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Pyralis costalis, F. (fimbrialis, SchifF.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Oxhey (H.
Rowland-Brown) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
farinalis, L. St. Albans and Bamvilh
Wood, Harpenden Common (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; Tring
(Goodson) ; Bishop Stortford (Tay-
lor) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Aglossa pinguinalis, L. St. Albans (A. E.
G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant); Oxhey (H. Rowland-
Brown) ; Tring (Goodson) ; Bishop
Stortford (Taylor) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
cuprealis, Hb. Scndrldge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; East Barnet
(Gillum) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
PTEROPHORID.S
Platyptilia acanthodactyla, Hb. Common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
gonodactyla, Schiff. (trigonodactylus,
Stt.). Bricket Wood and Wheat-
hampstead (A. E. G.) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
bertrami, Rsl. Sandridge (Griffith)
ochrodactyla, Hb. Two at Waltbam
Cross (Boyd)
rhododactyla, F. Hertford (Stephens) ;
one at ' light ' at Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Pterophorus pentadactylus, L. St. Albans
and Brook/and's Farm, Elstree (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Bushey Heath (Barraud) ;
Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
spilodactylus,Curt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud)
Marasmarcha phaeodactyla, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith)
microdactyla, Hb. Hitchin (Durrant)
Alucita monodactyla, L. (pterodactyla, Hb.).
St. Albans, Bricket Wood and Radlett
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
lithodactyla, Tr. Sandridge (Griffith)
Stenoptilia pterodactyla, L. (fuscus, Retz. ;
fuscodactylus, Hw.). St. Albans
PTEROPHORIDJE (continued)
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Stenoptilia zophodactyla, Dup. (loewii, Z.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
bipunctidactyla, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
ORNEODIDJE
Orneodes hexadactyla, L. (polydactyla, Hb.).
St. Albans and Bricket Wood(A.. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Bushey Heath, fairly common
(Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead (B.
Piffard) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
PSYCHINA
ZEUZERID^E
Zeuzera pyrina, L. (aesculi, L.). St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Welwyn (G. Buller) ;
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Haileybury (Bowyer) ; East
Barnet (Gillum); Bushey (Cutts) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Hemel Hempstead
(B. Piffard) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Steve-
nage (Matthews) ; Bishop Stortford
(Taylor, Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Often taken on the trunks of
apple trees, in the wood of which
the larvae feed
ZYGJ-ENID.*
Zygsena filipendulae, L. Shenley and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hailey-
bury (Bowyer) ; East Barnet (Gil-
lum) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; Railway bank,
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Canal
bank, Tring (Cottam, Elliman) ;
Dancer's End (Hon. N. Charles
Rothschild) ; Norton Green (Mat-
thews) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor,
Mellows) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Royston
(A. H. Kingston)
Abundant in certain localities
lonicerx, Esp. Haileybury (Bowyer),
Skipper fields,' School List
trifolii, Esp. Hitchin (Durrant) ; Ough-
ton Head (F. Latchmore) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; Cheshunt
and Bayford (Boyd)
Mr. Matthews of Stevenage says
this species is very local, and only
to be found at Oughton Head near
Hitchin amid the rushes and reeds on
the swampy ground ; very common
there. Mr. Boyd describes it as a
local species
155
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Z\GJflIDM (continued)
Procris geryon, Hb. Hitchin (Durrant)
statices, L. Near Green Street, Shenley
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Knebworth (Durrant) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Skipper fields, Haileybury
(Stockley) ; Rouse Barn Lane, Watford
(Spencer, Heaton) ; Railway bank,
Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ; Aid-
bury (Hon. L. Walter Rothschild) ;
Ge/'s Oak (Boyd) ; Lilley Hoo (Gat-
ward)
A local species
TORTRICINA
EPIBLEMID^
Lobesia permixtana, Hb. (reliquana, Wilk.
non Hb.). Sandridge (Griffith)
Chrosis fuligana, Hw. (ustulana, Haw.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
Bactra lanceolana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Chesbunt (Boyd)
Eucosma salicella, L. Hertford (Stephens) ;
common on Chesbunt Marsh (Boyd)
semifasciana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
hartmanniana, L. (scriptana, Hb.).
Common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
betulana, Hw.") c ... ,.-, ._ . N
tru f Sandrtdge (Griffith)
capreana, Hb. J
variegana, Hw. (cynosbatella, Wilk.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
ochroleucana, Hb. St. A/tans (A.E.G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
pruniana, Hb. Bricket Wood(A.E.G.);
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Chesbunt (Boyd)
gentianana, Hb. Common round Ches-
bunt (Boyd)
sellana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
fuligana, Hb. (ustulana, Hw.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
nigricostana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
profundana, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
purpurana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
rivulana, Sc. (conchana, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
urticana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
lacunana, Dup. (herbana, Gn.). St.
Albans, Bricket Wood, Radlett and
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
EPIBLEMID.S: (continued]
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Eucosma cespitana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
bifasciana, Hw. Hitchin (Durrant)
branderiana, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
striana, Schiff. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Evetria buoliana, Schiff. (pinicolana, Dbld.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
I take it that Griffith's and Dur-
rani's records of ' pinicolana ' and
Boyd's of ' buoliana ' each refers to
this species
pinivorana, Z. Hitchin (Durrant)
Enarmonia cruciana, L. (angustana, Hb.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; bred from sallows ob-
tained at Rickmansworth (South,
Entomologist, xxxi. 1 1 8) ; common at
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
nanana, Tr. (occultana, Wilk.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Wilbury Hill,
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Church-gate,
Cheshunt, scarce (Boyd)
pinicolana, Z. (occultana, Wilk.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
Recorded as ' occultana '
ratzeburgiana, Rtz. Sandridge (Griffith)
corticana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
oppressana, Tr. Common locally,
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
woeberiana, Schiff. St.Ali>ans(A.E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Chesbunt (Boyd)
Tmetocera ocellana, F. (lariciana, Z.).
Sandridge and Royston (Griffith)
Eudemis naevana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ancylis lundana, F. St. Albans, Harpen-
den Common and Bennett's End
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
siculana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
diminutana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
mitterbacheriana, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith)
lactana, F. (ramana, Frol.). Sandridge
(Griffith)
Gypsonoma dealbana, Fr8l. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
neglectana, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
aceriana, Dup. Common, Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
I 5 6
INSECTS
EPIBLEMIDJE (continued)
Cydia ramella, L. (paykulliana, Wilk.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hemel Hemp-
stead (B. Piffard)
achatana, F. Common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
strobilella, L. Hertford (Stephens)
nigromaculana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
Notocelia uddmanniana, L. St. Albam and
Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
rosascolana, Dbld. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
trimaculana, Hw. (suffusana, Z.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
roborana, Tr. St. Albam (A. E. G.) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
tetragonana, Stph. Wheathampstead
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
Epiblema tripunctana, F. St. Albans,
Bricket Wood, Harpenden and Symonds
Hyde (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
subocellana, Don. (campoliliana, Tr.).
St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
penkleriana, F. R. St. Albany Bricket
Wood and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant)
nisella, Cl. (cinerana, Hw.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; scarce, Broxbourne Woods
(Boyd)
Mr. Griffith has both ' nisana '
and ' cinerana ' in his list
immundana. F. R. 1 c , . , tl ~, tc ^,-.
Y Sandridge (Griffith)
tetraquetrana, Hw.J
tedella, Cl. (hyrciniana,Wilk.) Sandridge
(Griffith); Wormley (Boyd)
similana, Hb. (bimaculana, Don.). St.
Albam and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith)
pflugiana, Hw. (cirsiana, Z.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant)
trigeminana, Stph. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant)
brunnichiana, Frol. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Symonds Hyde and Wheat-
hampstead (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. Piffard)
fcenella, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
bilunana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
EPIBLEMIDJE (continued}
Epiblema ophthalmicana, Hb. Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
solandriana, L. 1 c , . , //-, ./- , %
., o.l- Sandridge (Griffith)
semifuscana, Stph. J
sordidana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
locally common, Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
expallidana, Hw. Scarce round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
scopoliana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Wilbury Hill, Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
cana, Hw. (hohenwarthiana, Tr. ; car-
duana, Gn.). Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
I take this to be the species called
' hohenwarthiana ' by the recorders
Hemimene alpinana, Tr. (strigana, F.).
Hertford (Stephens)
politana, Gn. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Wilbury Hill, Hitchin (Durrant);
Northwood and Rickmansworth (South,
Entomologist, xxxi. 135) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
By this is meant the insect known
to the recorders as Dicrorhampha
politana
petiverella, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
var. flavidorsana. Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
sequana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
simpliciana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
acuminatana, Z. Harpenden Common
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt reservoirs (Boyd)
plumbagana, Tr. St. Albans, Harpen-
den Common and Hoddesdon (A. E.
G. ) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
plumbana, Sc. (ulicana, Gn.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant)
Pammene flexana, Z. (weirana, Dgl.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
nitidana, F. Sandridge (Griffith)
germarana, Hb. (puncticostana, Wilk.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
ochsenheimeriana, Z. Once, Waltham
Cross (Boyd)
rhediella, Cl. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
splendidulana, Gn. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; once, Theobald's Park (Boyd)
fimbriana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
157
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
EPIBLEMIDJE (continued)
Pammene argyrana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith);
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
spiniana, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce, Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
populana, F. (ephippana, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; scarce, Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
regiana, Z. Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce,
Theobald's Park (Boyd)
Laspeyresia roseticolana, Z. Sandridge
(Griffith)
ianthinana, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
rufillana, Wilk. Sandridge (Griffith)
perlepidana, Hw. Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
internana, Gn. Ashridge (A. E. G.)
compositella, F. (composana, Hw.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
nigricana, Stph. (pisana, Gn.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
ulicetana, Hw. St. Albans, Berkham-
sted Common and Aldbury (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Carpocapsa pomonella, L. St. Albans and
Bamville Wood Farm, Harpenden
Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Watford
(F. W. Silvester) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
splendana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
grossana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
Epinotia aurana, F. (mediana, F.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
albersana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
funebrana, Hb. Northwood and Rick-
mansworth (South) ; sometimes com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. South says, in Entomologist,
xxxi. 134: 'Specimens have been
netted once at Northwood and once
at Rickmans-worth ; in each instance
the moth was flying along a hedge-
row in which blackthorn grew, and
both examples were in poor condi-
tion'
hypericana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
TORTRICID/E
Rhacodia caudana, F. Radlett (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
158
TORTRICID.S (continued)
Acalla hastiana, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
sponsana, F. (favillaceana, Hb.). Bricket
Wood, Wheathampstead and Watford
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
literana, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce,
Broxbourne Woods (Boyd) ; ' once
met with in a lane adjoining Moor
Park the specimen was of the type
form ' (South in Entomologist, xxxi.
92)
logiana, Schiff. (tristana, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
variegana, Schiff. Harpenden Common
and Watford (A. E.G.); Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
perplexana, Barr. Sandridge (Griffith)
schalleriana, L. (comparana, Hb.). Bric-
ket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
contaminana, Hb. Bricket Wood, Els-
tree, Wheathampstead, Watford (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hit-
chin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
shepherdana, Stph. Hitchin (Durrant)
aspersana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce, Waltham
Cross (Boyd)
holmiana, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Epagoge grotiana, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Capua angustiorana, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
favillaceana, Hb. (ochraceana, Stph.).
Hitchin (Durrant)
Cacoecia podana, Sc. (pyrastrana, Hb.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
crataegana, Hb. (roborana, Hb.). Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
xylosteana, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Wheathampstead and Bushey
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
rosana, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
INSECTS
TORTRICIDJE (continued]
Cacoecia sorbiana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Bishop Start-
ford (Taylor) ; common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
costana, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce, Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
unifasciana, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
lecheana, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
musculana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Pandemis corylana, F. Sandridge (Griffith)
ribeana, Hb. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
var. cerasana. Hitchin (Durrant)
heparana, Schiff. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Tortrix forskaleana, L. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Go/'s
Oat (Bo yd)
bergmanniana, L. St. Albans and
Wheathampstead(K. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
bifasciana, Hb. (audouinana, Dup.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
ministrana, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Harpenden and Symonds Hyde
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Broxbourne Woods
(Boyd)
conwayana, F. St. Albans and Wheat-
hampstead (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
loeflingiana, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Woodand Wheathampstead(h. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
viridana, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
paleana, Hb. (icterana, Frfil.). Near
Cheshunt station (Boyd) ; Rickmans-
worth (South)
Mr. South says : ' Larvae often
abundant in meadows at ...
Rickmansivorth. The perfect insect
is not so commonly in evidence '
(Entomologist, xxxi. 91)
fosterana, F. (adjunctana, Tr.). St.
Albans and Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
TORTRICIDJE (continued]
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Tortrix diversana, Hb. (transitana, Gn.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; two specimens, Churchgate,
Cheshunt (Boyd)
chrysanthemana, Dup. (alternella,
Wilk.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
virgaureana, Tr. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
incertana, Tr. (subjectana, Gn.). St.
Albans(K. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith);
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
nubilana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
pascuana, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce, Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
conspersana, Dgl. (communana, H.-S.).
Sandridge (Griffith); Hitchin (Dur-
rant)
longana, Hb. (ictericana, Hw.). Com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
osseana, Sc. (pratana, Hb.). Royston
(Griffith)
Isotrias hybridana, Hb. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Harpenden Common and Ash-
ridge (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common locally
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Exapate congelatella, Cl. (gelatella, L.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; abundant in
All Saints' Churchyard, Hertford,
December 27th, 1882 (Stephens,
Illustrations of British Entomology, iv.
235) ; scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Cheimatophila tortricella, Hb. (hyemana,
Hb.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common in Broxbourne and Wormley
Woods (Boyd)
PHALONIAD^E
Lozopera francillana, F. Radlett (A. E. G.)
Phalonia zephyrana, Tr. (var. dubrisana,
Curt.). Wheathampstead and Ashridge
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
smeathmanniana, F. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
badiana, Hb. 1 c , , //-i -/TVUN
T>LI i r bandrtdge (Cjrimth)
cnicana, Dbld. j
tesserana, Tr. (alcella, Schulz.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Cadmore Lane,
Cheshunt, scarce (Boyd)
rupicola, Curt. St. Albans (A. E. G.)
159
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PHALONIAD/E (continued)
Phalonia nana, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
dubitana, Hb. Scarce, Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
Chlidonia baumanniana, Schiff. (hartmann-
iana, Cl.). Harpenden Common (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
subbaumanniana, Wilk. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Wilbury Hill, Hitchin
(Durrant)
Eupoecilia maculosana, Hw. Bridget Wood
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hemel Hempstead (B. PifFard)
Commophila rugosana, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitcbin (Durrant) ; Hemel
Hempstead (B. PifFard) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Euxanthis angustana, Tr. Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
zoegana, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.); Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
hamana, L. St. Albans, Wheathamp-
steadandZouckes,Dunstal>/e(A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Rickmansworth and Charley
Wood (South, Entomologist, xxxi.
136); common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
TRYPANIDJE
Trypanus coccus, L. (ligniperda, F.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant,
Latchmore) ; Haileybury (Bowyer),
' Htatk,' School List ; East Barnet
(Gillum); Bedmond (F.W.Silvester) ;
Watford (J. H. James, Heaton) ;
Colney Heath (Pilbrow) ; Tring (Elli-
man) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor, Mel-
lows) ; Oxhey (H. Rowland-Brown) ;
Royston (A. H. Kingston)
A most extraordinary capture of
the larvae of this destructive insect
was made in 1892 in Station Road,
Hitchin, and recorded by the late
Mr. Frank Latchmore. Over 200
were taken wandering about a small
walled garden in search of a place
for pupation. Two or three young
aspen trees in the garden were liter-
ally riddled with goat holes. A
considerable number of these larvae
were sent to me, and I reared a
series of perfect insects from them.
This insect is too common through-
out the county
TINEINA
/EGERIAD.S
ria apiformis, Cl. Watford (Heaton) ;
./EGERIADJE (continued)
Colney Heath (Pilbrow) ; Hitchin
(Latchmore, Gatward)
In 1893 the last-named observers
reported this moth as being common
at Hitchin. They obtained the pupae
from aspen trees in the spring
./Egeria crabroniformis, Lew. (bembeci-
formis, Hb.). Sandridge (Griffith); one
near Cheshunt station (Boyd)
[Trochilium andreniformis, Lasp.
Thisspecies which was taken in the
garden of Drayton Lodge, Tring,
by Mr. S. W. Jenney, jun., must,
I regret to say, be removed from
the Hertfordshire list, for Mr.
Jenney informs me that the spot
is in Buckinghamshire]
tipuliforme, Cl. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Hemel Hempstead (E. PifFard) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) : Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Watford (Heaton) ; Haileybury
(Stockley) ; Tring (Elliman) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; Bishop
Stortford (Mellows) ; Royston (A. H.
Kingston)
This is a fairly abundant species,
occurring in gardens among currant
bushes
asiliforme, Rott. (cynipiformis, Esp.).
Sandridge (Cutts) ; Haileybury (School
List); Bayford (Boyd)
In 1892 Mr. Cutts reported the
capture of this insect by a friend of
his at Sandridge. The Haileybury
specimen was taken in the Pavilion
field
myopiforme, Bkh. Hertford (Stephens) ;
Haileybury (Stockley) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Mr. Stockley informs me that he
took three specimens of T. myopi-
forme one morning in 1898, but the
insect has not been heard of again.
Mr. Boyd describes the species as
being common at Cheshunt
formiciforme, Esp. Norton (Durrant) ;
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
In a note attached to Mr. Dur-
rant's list Mr. A. F. Griffith states
that gentleman had informed him
that two specimens of this insect had
been taken at Norton by Mr. Chris-
tian
ichneumoniforme, F. A specimen of
this insect was taken by Mr. Elliman
in June, 1893, on the Canal bank
near Drayton Beauchamp. As the
Wendover canal crosses the county
160
INSECTS
JE.GERIADJE (continued)
boundary close to Drayton it is
doubtful whether the actual spot at
which the capture was made is in
Herts or Bucks, and it is with con-
siderable hesitation that this species
is included in the county list
GELECHIADJE
Paltodora cytisella, Curt. Base Hi //(Boyd)
Aristotelia hermannella, F. Common,
Waltham Cross (Boyd)
stipella, Hb. (naeviferella, Dup.). Com-
mon, Waltham Cross (Boyd)
ericinella, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Base Hill (Boyd)
bifractella, Del. ) c , , //-, -a-.., \
- atrella, Hw. } ****"*& ( Gnffith)
tenebrella, Hb. (tenebrosella, Z.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
lutulentella, Z. One, Cheshunt Marsh,
March, 1876, named by Stainton
(Boyd)
arundinetella, Stt. Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Stenolechia gemmella, L. (nivea, Hw.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
albiceps,Z.(albicapitelIa, Dbld.). Scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ptocheuusa inopella, Z. (paupella, Z.).
Common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Aphanaula nanella, Hb. Common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
leucatella, L. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
Epithectis mouffetella, Schiff. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Anacampsis txniolella, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Bayford, scarce (Boyd)
vorticella, Sc. (ligulella, Z.). Beaumont
Green near Wormley (Boyd)
anthyllidella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
Gelechia domestica, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Bancroft^ Hitchin (Durrant) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
affinis, Dgl. (confinis, Stt.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Burton
Grange, Cheshunt (Boyd)
senectella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
politella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Turnford Lock, two specimens
(Boyd)
terrella, Hb. St. Allans, Bricket Wood
and Wbeathampstead (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Wilbury Hill,
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
acuminatella, Sire. Sandridge (Griffith)
GELECHIADJE (continued)
Gelechia obsoletella, F. R. Common, Walt-
ham Cross (Boyd)
maculea, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Dark Lane, Cheshunt (Boyd)
fraternella, Dgl. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Marsh, scarce (Boyd)
tricolorella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
maculiferella, Dgl. (proxima, Hw. ;
proximella, Stt.). Sandridge (Griffith)
luculella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Theobald's Park,
scarce (Boyd)
scriptella, Hb. Hertford (Stephens)
fugitivella, Z. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
notatella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Brookfield Lane, Cheshunt, scarce
(Boyd)
triparella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
dodecella, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
vulgella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
nigra, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
pinguinella, Tr. (populella, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Cheshunt Marsh,
common (Boyd)
sororculella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
rhombella, Schiff. Common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
malvella, Hb. Scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
lentiginosella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
mulinella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Broxbourne Woods, common (Boyd)
ericetella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Broxbourne Woods, common (Boyd)
Tachyptilia populella, Cl. Common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Psoricoptera gibbosella, Z. Sandridge
(Griffith)
Brachmia rufescens, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Recurvaria cinerella, Cl. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hertford (Stephens)
Ypsolophus semicostellus, Hb. (parenthe-
sella, Hw.). Sandridge (Griffith)
marginellus, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Street, scarce (Boyd)
Anarsia spartiella, Schrk. Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith)
Chelaria huebnerella, Don. (conscriptella,
Hb.). Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens)
CEcOPHORID-ffi
Carcina quercana, F. St. Albant and
Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
M
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
(continued)
Cheimophila salicella, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith)
Chimabache phryganella, Hb. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Bayford (Boyd)
fagella, F. St. Albam and Bricket Wood
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrani) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Semioscopis steinkellneriana, SchifF. St.
Allans (A. E. G.) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; Cheshunt Street, scarce
(Boyd)
Enicostoma lobelia, SchifF. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Flamstead
End, scarce (Boyd)
Depressaria costosa, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
assimilella, Tr. Sandridge (Griffith)
atomella, Hb. (scopariella, Hein.).
Common at Cheshunt and Cornell's
Green (Boyd)
liturella, Schiff. (flavella, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
arenella, SchifF. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Wheathampstead and Aldbury
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
propinquella, Tr. Hitchin (Durrant)
subpropinquella, Stt. (rhodochrella,
H.-S.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mr. Boyd records the capture of
both 'subpropinquella' and 'rhodo-
chrella ' at Cheshunt, the former being
common and the latter scarce
hypericella, Tr. (liturella, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
ocellana, F. Cheshunt Marsh, com-
mon (Boyd)
conterminella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Marsh, scarce (Boyd)
yeatiana, F. Hertford (Stephens)
alstrcemeriana, Cl. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
angelicella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
purpurea, Hw. (vaccinella, Hb.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
capreolella, Z. Cburchgate, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
ciliella, Stt. Bricket Wood (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith)
applana, F. (applanella, F.). St. Albans,
Bricket Wood and Wheathampstead
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
CECOPHORIDJE (continued)
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Depressaria zephyrella, Hb. (granulosella,
Stt.). Sandridge (Griffith)
badiella, Hb. Hertford (Stephens)
chasrophylli, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
ultimella, Stt. Scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
pulcherrimella, Stt. Cheshunt Street
(Boyd)
heracliana, De Geer. St. Albans (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Harpella geofFrella, L. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood and Harpenden Common (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Dark
Lane, Cheshunt, common (Boyd)
CEcophora oliviella, F. Hertford (Stephens) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
sulphurella, F. St. Albans, Bricket
Wood, Hatfield and Aldbury (A.
E.G.); Sandridge (Griffith) ; Bushey
Heath (Barraud) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Acompsia lunaris, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
minutella, L. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
tinctella, Hb. Cheshunt Street, scarce
(Boyd)
unitella, Hb. Cheshunt Street, common
(Boyd)
flavifrontella, Hb. Dark Lane, Ches-
hunt, scarce (Boyd)
pseudospretella, Stt. St. Albans and
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
fuscescens, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
ELACHISTID.S
Coleophora fabriciella, Vill. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
deauratella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
albitarsella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
west side of Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
alcyonipennella, Koll. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Cheshunt Marsh (?) (Boyd)
paripennella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
nigricella, Stph. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
siccifolia, Stt. Sometimes common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
162
INSECTS
ELACHISTIDJE (continued)
Coleophora gryphipennella, Bch. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
bicolorella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
viminetella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Marshy common (Boyd)
fuscedinella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
lutipennella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
badiipennella, Dup. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
solitariella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
laricella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
juncicolella, Stt. Base Hilly Wormley
(Boyd)
lixella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
anatipennella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
currucipennella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
genistas, Stt. Base Hill, Wormley
(Boyd)
discordella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
albicosta, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Churchgate, Cheshunt (Boyd)
apicella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
lineolea, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Cheshunt Street
and Waltbam Cross (Boyd)
argentula, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
murinipennella, Dup. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hertford (Stephens)
caespititiella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Asychna modestella, Dup. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Batrachedra praeangusta, Hw. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Elachista cinereopunctella, Hw. Sandridge
(Griffith)
magnificella, Tgst. Once in Cheshunt
Marsh (Boyd)
gleichenella, F. Sandridge (Griffith)
albifrontella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
- luticomella Z. j ^(Griffith)
atncomella, Stt. j
alpinella, Stt. (monticola, Wk.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
ELACHISTID.S (continued)
Elachista kilmunella, Stt. One specimen,
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
poae, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ; Cbet-
hunt Marshy common (Boyd)
subnigrella, Dgl. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
nigrella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
obscurella, Stt. 1 p ... ,.-, a -..i,\
. ' I Sandridge (Griffith)
zonanella, Tgst. J
megerlella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
biatomella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
one specimen, Waltbam Cross (Boyd)
rhynchosporella, Stt. Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
cerusella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Marshy common (Boyd)
triatomea, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
rufocinerea, Hw. St. Allans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
cygnipennella, Hb. (argentella, Cl.).
Harpenden Common, Park Street and
Aldbury (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Stephensia brunnichiella, L. Sandridge
(Griffith)
Limncecia phragmitella, Stt. Churchgate,
Cheshunt, scarce (Boyd)
Anybia epilobella, Roem. (langiella, Hb.).
College Road, Cheshunt (Boyd)
Chrysoclista linneella, Cl. Waltham Cross,
scarce (Boyd)
aurifrontella, Hb. (flavicaput, Hw.).
Harpenden Common (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Cadmore Lane, Ches-
hunt, common (Boyd)
atra, Hw. (hellerella, Dup.). Common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Mompha raschkiella, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
decorella, Stph. Scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
subbistrigella, Haw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
fulvescens, Hw. (epilobiella, Schrk.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt ^Boyd)
ochraceella, Curt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Heliozela sericiella, Haw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
resplendella, Stt. Scarce round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
63
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ELACHISTID/E (continued)
Antispila pfeifferella, Hb. St. Albam and
Aldbury (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Perittia obscurepunctella, Stt. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; near
St. James' Church, Gaff's Oak
(Boyd)
Scythris grandipennis, Hw. Sandridge
(Griffith)
chenopodiella, Hb. Waltham Cross,
common (Boyd)
Endrosis lacteella, Schiff. (fenestrella, Stt.).
St. Albam, Bricket Wood, Harpenden
Commona.ndA/d/>ury(A.Y..G.); Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Bushey Heath (Barraud) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Cataplectica fulviguttella, Z. (flavimaculella,
Stt.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; Cheshunt
Marsh, common (Boyd)
Schreckensteinia festaliella, Hb. \ Sandridge
Epermenia illigerella, Hb. J (Griffith)
chaerophyllella, Gz. Common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
PI.UTELLIDJE
Prays curtisellus, Don. St. Albans and
Wheathampstead (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Fairfield, Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
var. rusticus. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Yponomeuta cognatellus, Hb. (evonymellus,
Sc.). St. Albans, Radlett and Elstree
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Cheshunt and
Bayford, scarce (Boyd)
padellus, L. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
plumbellus, SchifF. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Bayford (Boyd)
vigintipunctatus, Retz. Cheshunt Street
(Boyd)
Orthotaelia sparganella, Thnb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Cheshunt Marsh, local
(Boyd)
Cerostoma caudella, L. (mucronella, Sc.).
Sandridge (Griffith)
xylostella, L. (harpella, SchifF.). St.
Albans (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
- aSIa,' S^hirT. } *** ( Griffith )
sylvella, L. ) Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce
costella, F. J round Cheshunt (Boyd)
radiatella, Don. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Hertford (Ste-
PLUTELLIDJE (continued)
phens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Cerostoma sequella, CI. ^ Sandridge
vittella, L. J (Griffith)
Plutella porrectella, L. St. Albans (A.E.G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Bayford (Boyd)
cruciferarum, Z. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Glyphipteryx fuscoviridella, Hw. St. Albans,
Harpenden Common and Ashridge (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
thrasonella, Sc. (cladiella, Stt.). Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Cheshunt (Boyd) ; ' cladiella,'
scarce, Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
equitella, Sc. Common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
fischeriella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Choreutis myllerana, F. (scintilulana, Hb.).
Cheshunt Marsh, common (Boyd)
Simaethis pariana, Cl. Hertford (Stephens) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
fabriciana, L. (oxyacanthella, L.). St.
Albans, Wheathampstead and Radlett
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
TINEID.S:
Nepticula pomella, Vaughan. Sandridge
(Griffith)
pygmaeella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith)
atricapitella, Hw. (ruficapitella, Hw.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
basiguttella, Hein. One mine, Ches-
hunt Street (Boyd)
anomalella, Gz. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
minusculella, H.-S. Cheshunt Street
(Boyd)
oxyacanthella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
aurella, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
gratiosella, Stt. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
marginicolella, Stt. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
hodgkinsoni, Stt. Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
~ microtheriella, Stt. 1^,^ (Griffith)
betuhcola, Stt. /
plagicolella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
luteella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
164
INSECTS
TINEIDJE (continued)
Nepticula tityrella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith);
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
atricollis, Stt. Cadmore Lane, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
angulifasciella, Stt. Wormley (Boyd)
salicis, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
floslactella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
septembrella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common at Flamstead End (Boyd)
catharticella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
trimaculella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
subbimaculella, Hw. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
argyropeza, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
apicella, Stt. St. Albans (A. E. G.)
pulverosella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
Trifurcula immundella, Z. (squamatella,
Stt.). Sandridge (Griffith)
pallidella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
Opostega salaciella, Tr. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
crepusculella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Bucculatrix cristatella, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
nigricomella, Z. (aurimaculella, Stt.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
frangulella, Gz. Sandridge (Griffith)
boyerella, Dup. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
ulmella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
crataegi, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
demaryella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
Lithocolletis roboris, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith)
hortella, F. Theobald's Park (Boyd)
sylvella, Hw. (acerifoliella, Z.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
cramerella, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
tenella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
alnifoliella, Dup. (alniella, Z.). Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
ulmifoliella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
spinolella, Dup. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
viminetorum, Stt. Common at Ches-
hunt Marsh (Boyd)
I6 5
TINEID.S: (continued)
Lithocolletis salicicolella, Sire. | Sandridge
lantanella, Schrk. j (Griffith)
pomifoliella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Che$hunt (Boyd)
Mr. Boyd says 'pomifoliella' is now
divided into several species, of which
several occur in the Cheshunt district
cerasicolella, H.-S. Waltham Cross
(Boyd)
spinicolella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
faginella, Z. Common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
carpinicolella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
coryli, Nic. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
scopariella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
quercifoliella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrani) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
messaniella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
viminiella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
corylifoliella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
nicellii, Z. ")
stettinensis, Nic. > Sandridge (Griffith)
kleemannella, F. J
schreberella, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
emberizipennella, Bch. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
tristrigella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
trifasciella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
comparella, Z. Scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Ornix guttea, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
betulae, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
scoticella, Stt. Cheshunt Street (Boyd)
torquillella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
anglicella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
avellanella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
fagivora, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith)
Coriscium cuculipennellum, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith)
brongniardellum, F. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
TINEID.S (continued)
Gracilaria alchimiella, Sc. (swederella, Th.).
St. Albant (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
stigmatella, F. Hitcbin (Durrant) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
semifascia. Hw. "1 ... ,.-, .-., .
- elongella, L. f ^ndg* ( Grlffith >
tringipennella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Marsh and Theobald's (Boyd)
syringella, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
auroguttella, Stph. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Flamstead End, Cheshunt (Boyd)
Leucoptera laburnella, Stt. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
spartifoliella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith)
scitella, Z. Common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Lyonetia clerkella, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt and Bayford
(Boyd)
Phyllocnistis saligna, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
at Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
suffusella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common at
Cheshunt Marsh (Boyd)
Bedellia somnulentella, Z. Churchgate,
Cheshunt, scarce (Boyd)
Tischeria complanella, Hb. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
dodonaea, Heyd. Sandridge (Griffith)
marginea, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ochnerostoma piniariella, Z. Sandridge
(Griffith)
Cedestis farinatella, Dup. Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; once at Churchgate, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Argyresthia dilectella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith)
andereggiella, Dup. Cheshunt Street,
scarce (Boyd)
brockeella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant); Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
gcedartella, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hitchin (Durrant) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
pygmaeella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens); Cheshunt Marsh,
scarce (Boyd)
cornella, F. (curvella, Stt.). Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
TINEIDJE (continued)
Argyresthia retinella, Z. Sandridge (Grif-
fith); Waltham Cross (Boyd)
glaucinella, Z. Burton Grange, Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
mendica, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; Burton Grange,
Cheshunt (Boyd)
semifusca, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
conjugella, Z. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
ephippella, F. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt Street, common (Boyd)
nitidella, F. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
albistria, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
semitestacella, Curt. Common at
Broxbourne Woods (Boyd)
Swammerdamia combinella, Hb. (comptella,
Hb.; apicella, Don.). St. Albans (A..
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; scarce round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
heroldella, Hb. (coesiella, Hb.). Hitchin
(Durrant)
var. griseocapitella, Stt. Sandridge
(Griffith)
lutarea, Hw. (oxyacanthella, Dup.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
caesiella, Hb. (spiniella, Hb.). Sandridge
(Griffith)
pyrella, Vill. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Roeslerstammia erxlebella, F. Hertford
(Stephens)
Acrolepia pygmaeana, Hw. Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Epichnopteryx pulla, Esp. Hertford (Ste-
phens) ; scarce at Cheshunt Marsh
(Boyd)
Fumea intermediella, Brd. (roboricolella,
Brd.). Sandridge (Griffith) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Taleporia pseudobombycella, Hb. Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hertford (Stephens) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Diplodoma marginepunctella, Stph. Scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Ochsenheimeria birdella, Curt. Hertford
(Stephens) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
vacculella, F. R. Hertford (Stephens)
Scythropia crataegella, L. Scarce round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
166
INSECTS
TINEID/E (continued']
Incurvaria muscalella, Fb. St. Albans
(A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
Lampronia quadripunctella, Stph. Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Dark Lane, Cheshunt,
scarce (Boyd)
pralatella, Schiff. Sandridge (Griffith)
rubiella, Bjerk. Cheshunt (Boyd)
Tineola biselliella, Hum. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Phylloporia bistrigella, Hw. Sandridge
(Griffith)
Monopis ferruginella, Hb. Waltham Cross,
common (Boyd)
rusticella, Hb. St. Albans and Har-
penden Common (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Trichophaga tapetiella, L. Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; common
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Tinea capitella, Cl. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
arcella, F. Harpenden Common (A.
E. G.) ; Sandridge (Griffith) ; scarce
round Cheshunt (Boyd)
parasitella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
College Road and Bury Green, Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
cloacella, Hb. St. Albans, Bricket Wood
and Asbridge (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge
(Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; com-
mon round Cheshunt (Boyd)
pellionella, L. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
pallescentella, Stt. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
lapella, Hb. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
semifulvella, Hw. Berkhamsted (Grif-
fith) ; Broxbourne Woods, scarce (Boyd)
Nemophora swammerdammella, L. Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
schwarziella, Z. St. Albans (A. E. G.) ;
Bricket Wood (Barraud, A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Dur-
rant) ; Hertford (Stephens) ; Cheshunt
(Boyd)
metaxella, Hb. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
Hertford (Stephens)
Adela fibulella, Schiff. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
scarce round Cheshunt (Boyd)
rufimitrella, Sc. Common round Ches-
hunt (Boyd)
degeerella, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
(continued)
Adela viridella, Sc. Symonds Hyde and Berry
Grove Wood, Aldenham (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith) ; Bricket Wood
(Barraud) ; common round Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Nemotois minimellus, Z. Bricket Wood,
St. Albans and Hoddesdon (A. E. G.) ;
Sandridge (Griffith)
MICROPTERYGINA
HEPIALID^
Hepialus hectus, L. St. Albans and Bricket
Wood (A. E. G.) ; Sandridge (Grif-
fith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury
(Bowyer) ; Watford (Spencer, Wigg) ;
Tring, taken in the Shire Lane near
its junction with the Longcroft Road,
and also at Payne's End, by Mr. J. L.
Foulkes (Elliman) ; Stevenage (Mat-
thews) ; Bishop Stortford (Taylor) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd)
lupulinus, L. Abundant in all the
districts
vellida, Hb. Hedges Farm, St. Albans,
and Berkhamsted (A. E. G.) ; Hitchin
(Durrant) ; Watford (Spencer)
sylvinus, L. Hedges Farm, St. Albans,
and Harpenden (A. E. G.) ; Sand-
ridge (Griffith) ; Hitchin (Durrant) ;
Haileybury (Bowyer) ; Hertford
(Stephens) ; East Barnet (Gillum) ;
Watford (Spencer, Heaton) ; Tring
and Wilstone reservoir, in great num-
bers in 1891 (Elliman) ; Bishop Stort-
ford (Taylor) ; Cheshunt (Boyd)
humuli, L. St. Albans and Harpenden
(A. E. G.); Sandridge (Griffith);
Hitchin (Durrant) ; Haileybury (Bow-
yer, Stockley) ; Bushey (Cutts) ; East
Barnet (Gillum) ; Watford (Heaton,
Wigg) ; Tring, Parsonage Bottom and
Dancer's End (Elliman) ; Grove Park,
Tring (Le Quesne) ; Bushey Heath
(Barraud) ; Stevenage (Matthews) ;
Bishop Stortford (Taylor, Mellows) ;
Cheshunt (Boyd); Oxhey (H. Row-
land-Brown)
Mr. Stockley reports that H.
humuli has deserted some of its old
haunts and is not so common as it
was formerly
MICROPTERYGID.S:
Micropteryx sparmannella, Bosc. Sand-
ridge (Griffith)
purpurella, Hw.
semipurpurella, Stph.
sangii, Wood.
subpurpurella, Hw. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
common round Cheshunt (Boyd)
Sandridge
(Griffith)
I6 7
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
MICROPTERYGID^ (continued')
Eriocephala thunbergella, F. Sandridge
(Griffith) ; common in Broxbourne
and Wormley Woods (Boyd)
aureatella, Sc. (allionella, F.). Hertford
(Stephens)
mansuetella, Z. Sandridge (Griffith) ;
MICROPTERYGID/E (continued)
scarce at Bury Green, Cheshunt
(Boyd)
Eriocephala aruncella, Sc. (seppella, F.).
Sandridge (Griffith) ; common round
Cheshunt (Boyd)
calthella, L. Sandridge (Griffith)
NOTE
As the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera are the only orders which have been systematically
listed for the county the few notes available regarding the other orders are here grouped
together.
Orthoptera. The Common Earwig (Farficula auricularia) is of course abundant every-
where, and it commits great ravages among fruit and flowers. Other species of the same
genus are no doubt present, but I have been unable to find any published records of their
occurrence or to learn that they have been recognized. The Domestic Cricket (Gryllus domes-
ticus) and the Common Cockroach (Blatta orientalis) are widely distributed, and the Grasshopper
is often seen and heard. Mr. J. F. Stephens in Illustrations of British Entomology (' Mandibu-
lata'), vi., records the following five species as occurring in the vicinity of the county town. I
have followed his nomenclature in all cases : Micropteryx aptera, in a wood near Hertford ;
Meconema varia ; Phasogonura viridissima ; Acrydium subulatum ; and A. nigricans.
Neuroptera. A paper entitled 'Notes on the Mayfly ' was read before the members of the
Watford Natural History Society on June I3th, 1878, by Dr. Peter Hood. This was
printed in the Transactions 1 and illustrated by a coloured plate. The subject is there treated
largely from the point of view of a fly-fisher, and the only reference which is made to
Hertfordshire is a record of the disappearance of Ephemera vulgata from the river Colne at
Rickmansworth. This stream formerly abounded with Mayflies as well as trout, but owing to
the pollution of the water both fly and fish had ceased to frequent the Colne at the time Dr.
Hood's paper was written. Lacewing Flies (Chrysopa), insects with delicate green bodies, are
often met with on warm summer evenings. They come freely to light, and when captured
emit a very unpleasant odour. The common species of Dragonflies are frequently to be
met with.
Mr. Stephens reports the presence of the following species of Neuroptera :
Ephemera vulgata
fusca
rosea
helvipes
Cxnis pennata
Bagtis longicauda
costalis
subfusca
obscura
bioculata
culiciformis
horaria (?)
cingulata
Clogon ochraceum
albipenne (?)
unicolore
dimidiatum
Anas formosa
./Eschna grandis
affinis
vernalis
Chrysopa capitata
reticulata
Chrysopa ventralis
Hemerobius pini
pallidus
fuscatus
Coniopteryx tineiformis
Psocus subnebulosus
venosus
vittatus
flavicans
subocellatus
rufescens
flavescens
nigricornis
phacopterus
Sialis lutarius
Nemoura annulata
luteicornis
pallicornis
nitida
sulcicollis
variegata
Leuctra fusciventris
abdominalis
1 Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. ii. p. 107.
1 68
INSECTS
Trichoptera. Mr. Stephens enumerates the following species :
Hydroptila tineoides Mormonia hirta
sparsa immaculata
Agapetus laniger Leptocerus dissimilis
- setiferus seminiger
Beraea albipes Molanna nigripalpis
Anticyra gracilipes Phryganea grandis
ciliaris Halesus digitatus
Tinodes luridus latipennis
Rhyacophila nebulosa Limnephilus geminus
Cyrnus unipunctatus punctatissimus
unicolor fuscatus
Polycentropus subpunctatus sparsus
trimaculatus substrigosus
Notodobia atrata Anabolia nervosa
Silo pallipes testacea
Gofira pilosa Chxtopteryx villosa
flavipes brevipennis
Hymenoptera. In some parts of Hertfordshire the Honey Bee is a source of considerable
revenue to the cottager. Besides the ordinary Black Bee (Apis mellifica] several foreign species
have been introduced, the best known being A. ligustica, a rather larger insect with yellow
bands, and this hybridizes freely with A. mellifica, producing a strain which though good
honey-gatherers are of more uncertain temper and less easily managed. For this reason
many beekeepers on detecting the results of a cross of this kind immediately remove the queen
bee in order that the old black strain may be reverted to. The social wasps are represented
both by the Tree or Wood Wasp (Veipa sylvestris), whose pendent nests are often found of a
considerable size, and by those species which construct their nests in the ground. There is in
the Hertfordshire County Museum at St. Albans a large nest of V. sylvestris which was taken
from a conifer in the grounds of North End House, Watford, and presented to the museum by
Mr. Percy Manning. In some seasons wasps of several species are present in great numbers
and do a very considerable amount of injury. The wasp infestation of 1893 will be long
remembered by fruit-growers on account of the loss they then sustained. Not only were the
outdoor crops attacked, but vineries and orchard houses were invaded to a serious extent.
This visitation of wasps was dealt with at some length in a paper read before the members of
the Hertfordshire Natural History Society. 1 Some interesting facts relating to the hybernation
of queen wasps then came under notice. Mr. Richard Shillitoe of Bancroft, Hitchin, reported
that in a heap of stones near Ickleford Gatehouse large numbers of queen wasps were found
by the roadmen, and at St. Ibbs near Hitchin a quantity estimated at about 2OO were discovered
in an old piece of sailcloth on the roof of a shed.
The commoner species of ants are present, and Sawflies are a source of trouble in fields
and gardens, especially notable in this respect being the ravages committed by the Turnip
Sawfly (Athalia spinarum), the Currant Sawfly (Nematus ribesii) and the Slug Worm (Eriocampa
limacina). The Great Wood Wasp or Giant Sirex (Sirex gigas) occasionally finds its way into
houses and causes alarm, being mistaken for a hornet.
The following are the species of Hymenoptera observed by Mr. Stephens near Hert-
ford :
Cladius morio Selandria adumbrata
immunis geniculata
Pristiphora duplex atra
varipes ovata
Nematus bicolor Sciapteryx costalis
dimidiatus Dosytheus anticus
miliaris hyalinalis
pavidus xanthopus
ruficornis Dolerus fumosus
Croesus septentrionalis (also found at Barnet) palmatus
Athalia suessionensis Emphytus cingulatus
Selandria hyalina perla
testudinea Lyda hortorum
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. viii. p. 22.
169
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Cephus troglodyta
pallipes
pygmajus
tabidus
Janus connectens
Xyela pusilla
Ichneumon rufipes
pumilus
crassicornis (' I believe at Hertford ')
fulvipes
candidatus
iridipennis
submarginatus
primatorius
flavolineatus
ornatorius
laboratorius
occisorius
equitatorius
castanopyga ?
troglodytes
ruficoxatus
mutabilis
Ichneumon mitigosus
ruficollis
Ischnus porrectorius
Stilpnus blandus
Mesoleptus submarginatus
melanocephalus
sticticus
spheginus
gracilis
Tryphon praerogator
nanus
anceps
mesoleptoides
erythropalpus
parvulus
quadrilineatus
Exochus mansuetor
Cryptus cyanator
assertorius
brevicornis
Phygadeuon exiguus
Megastigmus dorsalis
Diptera. Mr. Verrall in his List of British Diptera divides the order into two great
sections, the Orthorrhapha and the Cyclorrhapha. The old sub-order Aphaniptera has been
done away with, and the Puliddte or ' fleas ' have been included among the Nematocera, one
of the sub-sections of the Orthorrhapha. The Hon. N. Charles Rothschild, who has made
the family a special study, enumerates twenty-five species of Pulicidae belonging to six genera
which have been found within a radius of five miles of Tring, and doubtless two others
Ceratophyllus columbee from the domestic pigeon and C. styx from the sand martin which
have not yet been detected are also present. Typhlopsylla pentacantbus was first taken by Mr.
Albert Piffard of Feldon, Boxmoor, and was described by Mr. Rothschild. The capture of
T. dasycnemus near Tring gives, so far as is known, the only British record for this species, and
Ceratophyllus mustelts and C. penidlliger are here recorded for the first time. The following is
the Hon. N. Charles Rothschild's list of Tring Puliddte :
Hystrichopsylla talpae
Ceratophyllus sciurorum
gallinae
hirundinis (from house martin)
fasciatus
mustelae
penicilliger
Ceratopsylla elongatus (from noctule bat)
jubatus
octactenus (from Natterer's bat)
pentactenus
hexactenus (from long-eared bat)
Pulex irritans
canis
felis
goniocephalus
erinacei
Typhlopsylla gracilis
pentacanthus
agyrtes
sub-sp. nobilis (from water vole)
bisoctemdentatus, Wagner
dasycnemus (from common shrew)
Ctenopsylla musculi
spectabilis (one specimen)
The Hessian Fly (Ceddomyia destructor) has a special county interest, as this pest was first
recognized in Britain at Revell's Hall, Hertford, in July, 1886. The barley crops at that
place were found to be badly ' root-fallen ' and much injured. On examination the presence
of pupae resembling linseed was detected in the joints of the stem, and on specimens being
submitted to Miss E. A. Ormerod she identified the pupae as those of the Hessian Fly, a
minute insect which commits serious ravages in America and on the continent of Europe.
Infestations were subsequently reported from other farms in the same neighbourhood, from
Ware and Hitchin in this county, and from numerous other localities in the British Isles. An
investigation of the parasites which were reared from some of the Hertfordshire specimens
enabled Miss Ormerod to draw the conclusion that the pest had been imported from the east
of Europe. 1 A carefully prepared paper on the subject was written by Mr. F. Maule Camp-
bell, F.L.S., F.Z.S., the then President of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society.* &
1 Manual of Injurious Insects, E. A. Ormerod, p. 89.
8 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. iv. p. 1 80.
170
Diplosis
SPIDERS
tritici, the Red Maggot or Wheat Midge, often proves a great enemy to the farmer. The
eggs of this troublesome species are deposited inside the florets of wheat, and the resulting
grub does so much damage to the young grains that they do not come to maturity. In 1881
the Wheat Midge was seen swarming in chaff near Knebworth, and its larvae did a consider-
able amount of mischief. 1 Another insect very destructive to crops is the Common Daddy
Long-legs or Crane Y\y(Tipula oleracea\ which often makes its unwelcome presence known to
the Hertfordshire farmer. In 1880 great injury was done at Baldock, where forty acres of
wheat were damaged to the extent of quite 100 by the ' Leather Jackets,' as its grubs are
commonly called. With the exception of Mr. Rothschild's catalogue of the Pulicidae printed
above no list of Hertfordshire Diptera appears to be in existence.
Hemiptera and Aphides. Although the common species belonging to both the sub-orders
Heteroptera and Homoptera are to be found in the county of Hertford I cannot learn that any
naturalist has devoted attention to them. The same remark must be applied to the Aphides.
ARACHNIDA
Spiders, etc.
Greater researches have been made in connection with members of
this order in the county of Hertford than perhaps in any other county of
England with the exception of Dorset.
These have been almost entirely due to the efforts of F. Maule-
Campbell, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.H.S., whose valuable paper on the
'Spiders of the Neighbourhood of Hoddesdon ' was published in 1883
in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society.
Of the physical character and geological formation of the county
with reference to the arachnidal fauna one cannot do better than quote
Mr. Campbell's remarks : ' There is in the immediate neighbourhood
of Hoddesdon no extent of chalk limestone nor real heath soil, all of
which would be desirable from a collector's point of view. We have
but gravel and clay-loam. Nor are there any special limits which
would make the fauna particularly interesting. The Lea marshes, and
the valleys and woods on this side of that river, have no exceptional
characteristic, and there can be but little doubt but that all the spiders
which are named could be found throughout the Lea district.'
Nor can this list be considered a full one, for while 550 and up-
wards of species are recorded from England and Wales, 203 species are
all that have been placed to the credit of Hertfordshire, besides 2 false-
scorpions and i harvestman.
Of these the following merit a special notice : Dysdera crocota, Oonops
pulcher, Glubiona c<zru/escens, Chiracanthium lapidicolens, Altella spinigera,
Centromerus expertus, Hilaira uncata, Linyphia impigra, Araneus a/sine,
Meta menardi, Leptorhoptrum hutbivaitii, Plcesiocrczrus permixtus, Entelecara
trifrons, Viderius anticus, V. cucullatus and Panamomops bicuspis.
By far the greater part of the species recorded are from the neigh-
bourhood of Hoddesdon. In cases where the generic or specific name
quoted is not that under which the spider has usually been recognized in
the works of English authors a note has been added calling attention to
the fact.
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., vol. ii. p. 82.
171
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ARANE^E
ARACHNOMORPH&
DYSDERID.E
Spiders with six eyes and two pairs of stigmatic openings, situated close together on the
genital rima ; the anterior pair communicating with lung books, the posterior with tracheal
tubes. Tarsal claws, two in Dysdera, three in Harpactes and Segestria.
1. Dysdera cambridgii, Thorell.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon under stones and bark of
trees, where it lurks within a tubular retreat.
The spider is easily recognizable by its elongate
form, orange legs, dark mahogany carapace
and pale clay-yellow abdomen. The palpal
bulb of the male has no cross-piece at the
apex. The spider is also known as D.
erythryna, Blackwall.
2. Dysdera crocota, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Larger than the last species, with a deep
orange-pink carapace, orange legs, and abdo-
men with a delicate rosy-pink flush. The
palpal bulb of the male has a cross-piece at
the apex. This spider is also known as D.
rubicunda, Blackwall.
DRASSID^E
Spiders with eight eyes, situated in two transverse rows. The tracheal openings lie just
in front of the spinners. The tarsal claws are two in number, the anterior pair of spinners
are set wide apart at the base, and the maxillae are more or less impressed across the middle.
3. Harpactes hombergii (Scopoli).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare under bark of trees, and recognizable
by its linear ant-like form, black carapace,
and pale clay-yellow abdomen and three tar-
sal claws.
4. Segestria senoculata (Linnaeus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common ; under bark of trees, in the
crevices of loose stone walls and amongst
detached rocks. Recognizable by its linear
form and the black diamond-shaped blotches
on the dorsal surface of the abdomen.
5. Oonops pulcher, Templeton.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare ; a very small linear brick-red spider.
6. Drassodes lapidosus (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Very common under stones. Also known
as Drassus lapldicolens.
7. Scotophtsus blackwallii (Thorell).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A dark elongate mouse-grey spider, often
found wandering about the walls of dwelling
and outhouses at night. Known also as
Drassus sericeus, Blackwall.
CLUBIONID^:
Spiders with eight eyes, situated in two transverse rows. The tracheal openings lie
immediately in front of the spinners. The tarsal claws are two in number, but the anterior
pair of spinners are set close together at the base ; the maxillae are convex and not impressed
across the middle.
8. Micaria pulicaria (Sundevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A small dark spider, iridescent and shining,
with a white cincture round the middle of
the anterior half of the abdomen. Known
also as Drassus nitens, Blackwall.
9. Phrurolithus festivus, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Also known as Drassus propinquus. Black-
wall.
10. Zora spinimana (Sundevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 1 . Clubiona stagnatilis, Kulczynski.
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Known also as C. kolosericea, Blackwall.
12. Clubiona terrestrij, Westring.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
13. Clubiona reclusa, O. P.-Cambridge.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
14. Clubiona lutescens, Westring.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
15. Clubiona pallidula (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
172
SPIDERS
20. Chiracanthium erraticum (Walckenaer).
The Roman road, Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name of C. carnifex.
21. Chiracanthium lapidico/ens, Simon.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare ; an immature specimen only re-
corded. Known also as C. nutrix.
1 6. Clubiona corticalis (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 7. Clubiona phragmitis, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 8. Clubiona c&rulescens, L. Koch.
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
The third example only of the adult male
recorded in Britain.
19. Clubiona compta, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
ANYPHjENIDJE
The spiders of this family resemble those of the Clubionidte in most respects, except that
the tracheal stigmatic openings beneath the abdomen are situated about midway between the
genital rima and the spinners, and not, as in the last family, immediately in front of the
spinners. One species only is indigenous to Great Britain and is very common amongst the
foliage of trees in May and June.
22. Anyphtena accentuata (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
THOMISID^E
Spiders with eight eyes, situated in two transverse rows, two tarsal claws and anterior
spinners close together at their base. Maxillae not impressed. The crab-like shape and side-
long movements of these spiders are their chief characteristics, enabling them to be easily
distinguished from the more elongate Drassidte and Clubionidte.
23. Philodromus dispar, Walckenaer.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
24. Philodromus aureolus (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
25. Philodromus ctespitico/ens, Walckenaer.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
26. Tibellus oblongus (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
27. Xysticus cristatus (Clerck).
Hoddesdon and other parts of Hertfordshire
(F. M. C.).
ATTIDJE
The spiders of this family may be recognized in a general way by their mode of pro-
gression, consisting of a series of leaps. More particularly they may be known by the square
shape of the cephalic region and the fact that the eyes are arranged in three rows of 4, 2, 2,
the centrals of the anterior row being much the largest. Otherwise the spiders are simply
specialized Clubionids with two tarsal claws and other minor characters possessed in common
with other members of this family.
36. Neon reticulatus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
37. Attus pubescens (Fabricius).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
28. Xysticus ulmi (Hahn).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
29. Xysticus luctuosus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A much rarer species than the two first
named.
30. Oxyptila praticola (C. L. Koch).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
31. Oxyptila trux (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
32. Misumena vatia (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
33. Balticus scenicus (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
34. Salticus cingulatus (Panzer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
This species is not nearly so common as
the last.
35. Euophrys frontalis (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Salticus sparsus, Blackwall.
38. Ergane falcata (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Salticus coronatus, Blackwall.
173
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
39. Heliophanus flawpes, C. L. Koch. Common. Known also as Sa/ticus tardigra-
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). dus -> Blackwall.
Rare ; found on the Roman road. 4 1 - Callus depressus (Walckenaer).
40. Marptusa muscosa (Clerck). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). Known also as Salticus obscurus, Blackwall.
PISAURID^:
Spiders with eight eyes in three rows of 4, 2, 2 ; the small anterior eyes being sometimes
in a straight line, sometimes recurved and sometimes procurved. Those of the other two
rows are situated in the form of a rectangle of various proportions and are much larger than
the eyes of the anterior row. The tarsal claws are three in number. Pisaura runs freely
over the herbage, carrying its egg-sac beneath the sternum ; while Dolomedes is a dweller in
marshes and swamps.
42. Pisaura mirabilis (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Dolomedes, or Ocyale, mirabilis.
LYCOSID.E
The members of this family are to be found running freely over the ground, and carry-
ing the egg-sac attached to the spinners. Many of the larger species make a short burrow in
the soil and there keep guard over the egg-sac. Eyes and tarsal claws as in the Pisaurida,
with slight differences.
43. Lycosa ruricola (De Geer). 48. Pardosa prat'maga (C. L. Koch).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as L. campestris, Blackwall. This species is given in Mr. Campbell's
44. Lycosa terricola, Thorell. list M L y casa riparia, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). 49- Pardosa nigriceps, Thorell.
Known also as L. agretica, Blackwall. Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
45. Lycasa pulverulenta (Clerck). 5. Pardosa palustris (Linnaeus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as L. rapax, Blackwall, and Known also as Lycasa exigua, Blackwall.
Tarentula pulverulenta. 51. Pardosa amentata (Clerck).
46. Pardosa lugubris (Walckenaer). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). 52. P'trata hygrophilus, Thorell.
47. Pardosa pullata (Clerck). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). 53. Pirata piraticus (Clerck).
Known also as Lycosa obscura, Blackwall. Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
AGELENID^E
Spiders with eight eyes, situated in two straight or more or less curved transverse rows.
Tarsal claws, three. The species of this family spin a large sheet-like web, and construct a
tubular retreat at the back of it, which leads to some crevice amongst the rocks or in the
herbage, or in the chinks in the walls of outhouses and barns, wherever the various species may
happen to be found. The habits of Argyrontta, the water spider, are however quite different.
The posterior pair of spinners is much longer than the others in the more typical genera of
this family.
54. Tegenaria atrica, C. L. Koch. Abundant in this county and the London
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). district generally. Known also as T. guyonii
n , i . j j L n/r and T. domestica.
Only a single specimen is recorded by Mr.
Campbell. 56. Tegenaria derhami (Scopoli).
55. Tegenaria parietina (Fourcroy). Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.). A very common species everywhere,
"74
SPIDERS
57. Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.)-
Abundant, forming large sheet-like webs
on the herbage, with a funnel-shaped tubular
retreat.
58. Hahnia elegans (Blackwall).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon amongst the roots of aquatic
plants and riverside herbage. Known also as
Agelena elegans, Blackwall.
ARGIOPID.E
The spiders included in this family have eight eyes, situated in two rows, the lateral eyes
of both rows being usually adjacent, if not in actual contact, while the central eyes form a
quadrangle. The tarsal claws are three, often with other supernumerary claws. The web is
either an orbicular snare, as in the case of the ' common garden spider,' or consists of a sheet
of webbing, beneath which the spider hangs and captures its prey as it falls upon the sheet.
This immense family includes those usually separated under the names Epeiridee and Linyphiida.
59. Hahnia montana (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon. Known also as Agelena
montana, Blackwall.
60. Hahnia helveola, Simon.
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
A single female only has been taken, though
it is not uncommon in other southern coun-
ties.
6 1 . Nesticus cellulanus (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single specimen only. Known also as
Linyphia crypticolens, Blackwall.
62. Meta segmentata (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Very abundant. Known also as Epeira
inclinata, Blackwall.
63. Meta meriante (Scopoli).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon. Known also as Epeira
antriada, Blackwall, and a striking variety as
E. celata y Blackwall.
64. Meta menardi (Latreille).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare ; usually found in caves, cellars and
dark cavernous situations. Known also as
Epeira fusca, Blackwall.
65. Tetragnatha extensa (Linnaeus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Most abundant and generally distributed.
66. Tetragnatha solandri (Scopoli).
Lea Valley (F. P. S.).
67. Pachygnatha clerckii, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Generally distributed throughout the
county.
68. Pachygnatha degeerii, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common and generally distributed.
69. Pachygnatha listeri, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Much rarer than the other two species
above.
70. Cyclosa conica (Pallas).
Lea Valley (F. M. C. and F. P. S.).
A few specimens only have been taken.
Known also as Epeira conica, Blackwall.
71. Zilla x - notata (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Very common. Known also as Epeira
similis, Blackwall.
72. Zilla atrica, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Almost as common as the above. Known
also as Epeira callophylla, Blackwall.
73. Araneus cucurbitinus, Clerck.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common and generally distributed.
74. Araneus diadematus, Clerck.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Abundant and generally distributed.
75. Araneus cornutus, Clerck.
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as Epeira apoclisa,
Blackwall.
76. Araneus sclopetarius, Clerck.
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as Epeira sericata,
Blackwall.
77. Araneus marmoreus, Clerck.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also as Epeira pyramidata,
C. L. Koch, and E. scalaris, Walckenaer.
78. Araneus umbra ticus, Clerck.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common and generally distributed.
175
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
79. Araneus a/sine, Walckenaer.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also as Epeira /utea, Black-
wall.
80. Araneus gibbosus, Walckenaer.
High Leigh (F. M. C.).
A single immature male only. Known
also as Epeira arbustorum, C. L. Koch, and
E. bicornis, Black wall.
8 1. Araneus triguttatus, Fabricius.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also as Epeira
agalena, Blackwall.
82. Linyphia impigra, O. P.-Cambridge.
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Abundant in some spots in this valley.
83. Linyphia triangu/aris (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as L. montana,
Blackwall.
84. Linyphia bortensis, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also as L.pratensis,
Blackwall.
85. Linyphia pusil/a, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also as L. fuliginea,
Blackwall.
86. Linyphia montana (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as L.
Blackwall.
87. Linyphia clatkrata, Sundevall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Abundant. Known also as Neriene mar-
ginata, Blackwall.
88. Linyphia insignis, Blackwall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
89. Labulla thoracica (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as Linyphia cauta,
Blackwall.
90. Floronia bucculenta (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C. and F. P. S.).
Rare. Known also as Linyphia frenata
(Wider).
91. Stemonyphantes lineatus (Linnxus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also as Linyphia
bucculenta, O. P.-C., and Neriene tiilineata,
Blackwall.
margmata, lol
92. Drapetisca socialis (Sundevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Linyphia socialis. Not
common.
93. Lepthyphantes leprosus (Ohlert).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common.
94. Lepthyphantes blackwallii, Kulczynski.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common.
95. Lepthyphantes minutus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare.
96. Lepthyphantes tennis (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common.
97. Lepthyphantes obscurus (Blackwall).
The Roman road (F. M. C.).
Rare.
98. Lepthyphantes nebulosus (Sandevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare and very local. Known also as
Linyphia vivax, Blackwall.
99. Lepthyphantes ericeus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common.
100. Lepthyphantes pallidus (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare.
Bathyphantes pullatus (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common.
102. Bathyphantes nigrinus (Westring).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also as Linyphia pul/a,
Blackwall.
103. Bathyphantes meadii (O. P.-Cambridge).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Abundant. Known also as Linyphia
approximata (O. P.-Cambridge).
104. Bathyphantes dorsalis (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon. Known also as Linyphia
claytonia?, Blackwall.
105. Bathyphantes circumspectus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common everywhere.
1 06. Bathyphantes parvulus (Westring).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare.
176
SPIDERS
107. Bathyphantes concolor (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon ; very local. Known also
as The ridion fi lipes, Black wall.
1 08. Peeciloneta variegata (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under Linyphia.
109. Porrhomma err am (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
no. Porrhomma micropthalmum (O. P.-Cam-
bridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Linyphia decent and L. in-
certa, O. P.-Cambridge.
in. Porrhomma oblongum (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
H2. Porrhomma pygm&um (Blackwall).
High Leigh (F. M. C.).
A single specimen only of this rare spider
recorded.
113. Hilaira uncata (O. P.-Cambridge).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
A few taken in marshy places.
114. Tmeticus neglectm (O. P.-Cambridge).
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Four specimens only have been taken of
this rare species.
115- Tmeticus graminicolus (Sundevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 1 6. Leptorhoptrum huthwaitii (O. P.-Cam-
bridge).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Two specimens of each sex only have been
taken in ditches.
117. Centromerus expertus (O. P.-Cambridge)
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Found in some abundance in marshy places
in October.
n 8. Centromerus sylvaticus (Blackwall).
Lea marshes (F. M. C.).
Both sexes were taken in October.
119. Centromerus bicolor (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 2O. Macrargus abnormis (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single specimen only.
121. Microneta subtilis (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Very common on iron railings in July.
Known also as Neriene anomala, O. P.-Cam-
bridge.
122. Microneta viaria (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon, The Pollards (F. M. C.).
Two specimens only have been taken.
123. Micryphantes innotabilis (O. P.-Cam-
bridge).
Broxbourne Common ; Easneye ; Ware
(F. M. C.).
124. Micryphantes fuscipalpis, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A doubtful species.
125. Micryphantes rurestris, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Neriene fuscipalpis, O. P.-
Cambridge, ad partem ; and probably N.
gracilis and flavipes, Blackwall.
126. Micryphantes decora (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Two specimens only on the Roman road.
127. Micryphantes saxatilis (Blackwall).
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Known also as Neriene saxati/ls, N. rustica
and N. campbellii, O. P.-Cambridge.
128. Micryphantes mollis (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single male only. Known also under
Neriene.
129. Sintula aeria (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Linyphia aeria t O. P.-Cam-
bridge.
130. Sintula diluta (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare.
131. Erigone atra (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Very abundant on railings.
132. Erigone dentipalpis (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Equally abundant as the last species and in
the same situations.
133. Tiso vagans (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare ; two specimens only have been
recorded.
134. Gongylidium ruftpes (Sundevall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Neriene munda, Blackwall,
and N. rufipes, O. P.-Cambridge.
135. Neriene ruiens, Blackwall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Gonatium rubens.
177
N
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
136. Neriene isabellina (C. L. Koch).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Neriene rubella, Blackwall.
137. Dicyphus cornutus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon and Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
138. Hypomma bituberculatum (Wider).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
139. Trachygnatha dentata (Wider).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
140. ALdothorax gibbosus (Blackwall).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
141. Mdothorax tuberosus (Blackwall).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
142. Stylothorax apicatus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Found occasionally on iron railings. Known
also under the name Neriene.
143. Kulczynskiellum fuscum (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
1 44. Kulczynskiellum agreste (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
145. Kulczymkiellum retusum (Westring).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
146. Lophomma herbigradum (Blackwall).
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
147. Lophomma punctatum (Blackwall).
Lea Valley and other marshy districts (F.
M. C).
Known also under the name Walckenaera.
148. Dicymbium nigrum (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
149. Prosoponcus cristatus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
150. PLefiocrarus permixtus (O. P. -Cam-
bridge).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Common in this and other marshy places.
Known also under the name Walckenaera.
151. Pleesioc r&rus fus cipet (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under the name
Walckenaera.
152. Pltssiocrarus latifrons (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under the name
Walckenaera.
153- Plfsiocrterus picinus (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
154. Tapinocyba beckii (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
155. Savignia frontata, Blackwall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Walckenaera.
156. Gongylidiellum vivum (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare and local. Known under the name
Neriene.
157. Entelecara erythropus (Westring).
Roman road, Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Walckenaera.
158. Entelecara trifrons(O. P.-Cambridge).
Easneye (F. M. C.).
A single male only found.
159. Entelecara altifrons (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 60. Areoncm humilis (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under the name Wal-
ckenaera.
101. Troxochrus scabriculus (Westring).
High Leigh (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also as Walckenaera aggerts,
Blackwall.
162. Walckenaeria acuminata (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon, but the males rare. Known
also under the name Walckenaera.
163. Walckenaeria nudipalpis (Westring).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
164. Viderius anticus (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single male only. Known also under
the name Walckenaera.
165. yiderius cucullatus (C. L. Koch).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
A single male only.
1 66. Lophocarenum para llelu m (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under Walckenaera.
I 7 8
SPIDERS
167. Brachycentrum nemorale (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single male only. Known also under
Walckenaera.
1 68. Minyriolus pusillus (Wider).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single male only. Known also under
Walckenaera.
169. Pocadicnemis pumila (Blackwall).
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under Walckenaera.
170. Baryphyma pratensis (Blackwall).
Lea Valley (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also as Walckenaera pra-
tensis and W. meadii, O. P.-Cambridge.
171. Cornicularia unicornis (O. P.-Cambridge).
Lea marshes (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under Walckenaera.
172. Cornicularia vigilax (Blackwall).
High Leigh (F. M. C.).
A single male only. Known also under
Neriene.
173. Maso sundevallii (Westring).
Spittle Brook, Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
174. Moebelia penicillata (Westring).
Goose Green (F. M. C.).
Under lichens occasionally. Known also
under Neriene.
175. Panamomops bicuspis (O. P.-Cambridge).
High Leigh (F. M. C.).
Not uncommon on railings in April and
May. Known also under Neriene.
176. Ceratinella brevipes (Westring).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Rare. Known also under Walckenaera.
The members of this family have eight eyes, situated very much like those of the Argio-
pidie ; but the mandibles are usually weak, the maxillae are inclined over the labium, and the
posterior legs have a comb of stiff curved spines beneath the tarsi. The web consists of a
tangle of crossing lines, and the spider often constructs a tent-like retreat wherein the egg-sac
is hung up. The tarsal claws are three in number.
177. The ridion formosum (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as T. sisyphium, Blackwall.
178. Theridion tepidariorum, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
179. Theridion pictum (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
1 80. Theridion sisyphium (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as T. nervosum, Blackwall.
1 8 1. Theridion denticulatum (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
182. Theridion variant, Hahn.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
183. Theridion tinctum (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
184. Theridion vittatum, C. L. Koch.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as T. pulchellum (Walckenaer).
185. Theridion bimaculatum (Linnaeus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as T. caro/inum, Blackwall.
1 86. Theridion pal/ens, Blackwall.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
187. Theridion ovatum (Clerck).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Phyllonethis
lineata.
1 8 8. Eptstnus /ugubris, Simon.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Theridion angutatum, Black-
wall.
189. Pholcomma gibbum (Westring).
Easneye, Ware (F. M. C.).
A single specimen only.
190. Steatoda bipunctata (Linnaeus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also as Theridion quadripunctatum,
Blackwall.
191. Steatoda guttata (Wider).
Box Wood (F. M. C.).
Known also as Theridion guttatum, Black-
wall. A single specimen only.
192. Pedanostethus lividus (Blackwall).
Easneye, Ware (F. M. C.).
193. Pedanostethus clarkii (O. P.-Cambridge).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Known also under the name Neriene.
PHOLCID^E
Spiders with more or less slender bodies and very long slender legs. The eyes are situ-
170
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ated in three groups a group of two in the centre and a group of three on each side. The
only British species we possess is a well-known frequenter of houses in the southern counties,
spinning an irregular web, and moving swiftly with a circular shaking motion when alarmed.
1 94. Pholcus phalangioides (Fuesslin).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common but not abundant.
MIMETID^E
Spiders of this family are similar in general respects to the Tkeridiid&, having eight eyes
and three tarsal claws. The species of Era construct a small brown pear-shaped or cylindrical
egg-cocoon suspended on a fine silken stalk.
195. Era furcata (Villers).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
This spider is known also as E. thoracica and Theridton vartegatum, Blackwall.
DICTYNID^E
The spiders belonging to this family possess three tarsal claws, and the eyes, eight in
number, situated in two transverse rows, the laterals being in contact. The cribellum (or
extra pair of spinning organs) and the calamistrum (a row of curving bristles on the protarsi of
the fourth pair of legs) are present in all members of the family. They construct a tubular
retreat with an outer sheet of webbing, which is covered with a flocculent silk made with the
calamistrum from threads furnished by the cribellum.
196. Amaurobius fenestralis (Stroem).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not so common as similis. Known also as
Ciniflo atrox, Blackwall.
197. Amaurobius similis (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also under the name
Ciniflo.
198. Amaurobius ferox (Walckenaer).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Common. Known also under the name
Ciniflo.
199. Dictyna arundinacea (Linnxus).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Abundant. Known also as Ergatis ienigna,
Blackwall.
200. Dictyna undnata, Thorell.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
201. Dictyna latens (Fabricius).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also under the
name Ergatis.
202. Lethia humilis (Blackwall).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
Not common. Known also under the
name Ciniflo.
203. Altella spinigera, O. P.-Cambridge.
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
A single specimen only ; probably an in-
troduction from abroad amongst
plants. Known also under
Amphissa.
hot-house
the name
CHERNETES
CHELIFERID^E
Out of the twenty species of false scorpions hitherto recorded as indigenous to Great
Britain only two have been taken in this county.
204. Chthonius tetrachelatus (Preyss).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
205. Chernes nodosus (Schrank).
OPILIONES
The harvestmen are spider-like creatures with eight long legs, the tarsi very long and
flexible. Eyes simple, two in number, situated on each side of an eye-eminence. Body not
divided into two distinct regions by a narrow pedicle as in spiders ; abdomen segmentate.
206. Oligolophus ephippiatus (C. L. Koch).
Hoddesdon (F. M. C.).
180
CRUSTACEANS
The student of Crustacea will find in this county much more to
interest him than might be expected from the printed scientific records.
Those indeed which refer to this branch of its fauna are, with one ex-
ception, meagre in the extreme, not devoting to the subject more than
three or four brief and rather casual notices. In his ' Notes on the
River Rib from Standon to its Junction with the Lea,' Mr. A. G. Pullen,
F.Z.S., writes that, ' of crustaceans, the crayfish or crawfish, Astacus
flu'viatilis, is frequently met with at all parts of the Rib, and is especially
abundant near Letchford.' ' Mr. John Hopkinson, F.L.S., has kindly
found for me a notice of its occurrence in the river Gade, 8 and Mr. A.
E. Gibbs, F.L.S., after telling me that ' crayfish are to be found in the
river Lea in the neighbourhood of Wheathampstead,' very obligingly
went more minutely into the question of the distribution of the species
in that neighbourhood. The result of his further enquiries was as fol-
lows : ' I am told,' he says, ' that it is not to be found higher up than
(i.e. on the Luton side of) the Harpenden Great Northern Station, and
that it is found from there to Brocket Hall. My informant, Mr. Henry
Lewis of St. Albans, tells me it is not so abundant as it used to be, and
he is of opinion that the young are eaten by the trout which he says are
more numerous than formerly. The crayfish appears to be very local.
Although fairly common in the Lea, I cannot hear that it has been found
in the Ver, although both streams rise from the chalk and flow through
similar country within a few miles of one another. Both Mr. Lewis
and his brother, Mr. Arthur Lewis, have tried without success to intro-
duce it into the Ver. Mr. Arthur Lewis says he once turned one hundred
dozen into the Ver near St. Michael's Mill, St. Albans, but they seem
to have entirely disappeared, only one, which was subsequently taken
in an eel trap, having since been seen.' Facilities for obtaining the
species in question are of no little value, since a mastery of the details
of structure in this one typical form may be made the basis, as Huxley
has shown, of a sound zoological education. Such a mastery will cer-
tainly be helpful in an extraordinary degree to any one who wishes to
examine crustaceans in general and the Malacostraca in particular with
an understanding mind, and with insight prepared to find something like
order and unity of plan in the mighty maze of their innumerable diver-
sities. It is worth remarking that the technical name of the species is more
correctly given as Potamobius pallipes, reserving the generic name Astacus
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soe., edited by John Hopkinson, F.L.S., F.G.S., vol. ii. p. 136 (1884).
* Tram. Watford Nat. Hist. Sac., vol. ii. p. 126 (1879).
181
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
for the marine lobster, and the specific name jluviatilis for a kindred
species of crayfish found in various parts of the European continent, but
not in England.
Although the common lobster and the common shrimp are easy to
obtain inland, as a scientific object of investigation the crayfish has an
advantage over both by hitting the happy mean between over large and
over small. But all three are convenient to handle, and may be used
together to throw light upon the fascinations of comparative anatomy.
On the other hand, for the observing of manners and customs, of the
arts and crafts, the dwelling-places and the breeding-habits of the living
creature in a word, for all that concerns the now popular study of
biology the river crayfish is of unique importance to Midland carcino-
logists. In a general way almost every one is willing to admit, with or
without reserve, the philosophical axiom that nature makes nothing in
vain. Yet scarcely to any one, except a thoughtful expert, will it readily
occur to suppose that there can be any special philosophy in the joints
of the leg or the body-segments of a Potamobius, a creature made to be
eaten, an unconsidered trifle, the garnish of a dish ! It is not that there
has been any such want of appreciation on the part of naturalists, for
they at intervals for centuries past have studied this genus with almost
loving care. Already in the middle of the sixteenth century observation
and experiment were brought to bear upon it. Like man himself, it is
tolerably omnivorous. Like so many other crustaceans, it is in part a
scavenger. Vegetable food is welcome, but perhaps animal food and
offal even more so. Thus the old author Gesner states that if the car-
case of a horse or dog or any other animal be submerged, the crayfishes
presently like vultures gather about it in swarms, not to quit till every
morsel of flesh has been eaten off. He tells also of a man who could
not help thinking that these swarms must be generated from the horse's
body, like the bees of Aristasus from the corrupting entrails of a
slaughtered bull. But when this person had from time to time thrown
dead horses into the water, the result of his experiments weaned him
from his poetical fancy. 1 The several illustrious men who between
Gesner's time and Huxley's have studied the crayfish in various aspects
might be thought to have exhausted the subject. But the comparatively
recent work of Dr. Theodor List on the motor apparatus of the Arthropoda
shows that this is by no means the case. Dr. List tracks the crayfish to
its favourite brooks, observes its preference for proximity to a bridge,
where it may find places of ambush and shelter from the odious daylight.
He descries it lurking among the stones in the bed of the rivulet, with
only its large claws emergent, in readiness to snap the passing prey. ' If
you attempt to catch it, you become aware that the abdomen, which it
flexes several times in rapid succession, is a capital locomotive apparatus.
Otherwise by day it is a very lazy customer. But as soon as darkness
has set in it leaves its hiding-place and goes on the prowl. With the
great claws stretched in advance, the large antennae feeling about in all
1 Gesner, Hiitorue Animalium, liber iv., 1558 (ed. 1604, p. 105).
182
CRUSTACEANS
directions, the outer maxillipeds in oscillating movement, the tail-fan
fully expanded, forward it strides.' 1 Commonly the two large claws or
chelipeds seize the food, and the two following pairs of little claws tear
it in pieces and pass it on to the mouth organs. Not every one perhaps
will have noticed that in lobster and crayfish alike there are three pairs
of claws, or will have reflected on the great advantage which the animal
derives from having them of different sizes. Not only are the small
ones much more conveniently disposed than the great raptorial pincers
for conveying morsels of food to the mouth, but by reason of its small-
ness the chelate ending of these limbs does not interfere with the ambu-
latory function which they also have to fulfil. For purposes of classifi-
cation we speak of five pairs of persopods, walking-legs, or trunk-legs,
throughout the Malacostraca, but in function some of them exhibit many
modifications. In many species, as in that under discussion, the first
pair are rather hands than legs, while, as just observed, the two following
pairs are hands and legs at the same time. The crayfish can walk for-
wards, backwards, or sideways, in water or on land, though more awk-
wardly on the latter than in the former. How these objects are severally
attained by co-ordinated muscles, special modes of articulation, and rela-
tive lengths of the limbs, is fully explained in Dr. List's treatise. To
one important relation, by way of example, may attention here be
directed. In the four hinder pairs, the proper walking-legs, there is not
uniformity of action, but a kind of antagonism. In the forward move-
ment the force of the first three pairs acts as a pull, whereas that of the
fourth pair plays the part not of a pull but of a push. Accordingly,
Dr. List points out, in Huxley's Crayfish the frontispiece, though in
general an excellent and carefully drawn figure, represents the animal
with its feet in a not very natural position, since all the legs are pointing
in the same direction. It is not unlikely that the picture was drawn
from a ' specimen ' rather than from life, so that the artist had no means
of knowing that the forward-pointing toes of the last legs ought to have
confronting them those of the three preceding pairs.
Turning now to the less conspicuous group of the terrestrial Iso-
poda, the woodlice, we see by a striking instance that the carcinology of
this county, though in appearance very unpromising, is beyond all reason-
able doubt potentially rich. About the distribution of these small
obscure crustaceans in this district little was known, and nothing pub-
lished, almost down to the close of the nineteenth century. It then
happened that the Rev. Canon Norman, F.R.S., an acute and trained
observer, removed from the north of England to a residence in Berk-
hamsted. An instructive result was speedily forthcoming. Ten species
of Oniscoidea were recognized by Dr. Norman as belonging to Hert-
fordshire. These he found, not by traversing and exploring the length
and breadth of the county, but all of them in his own garden. The
complete muster roll of species of this group, as at present definitely
1 List, ' Morphologisch-biologische Studien flber den Bewegungsapparat der Arthropoden,' in
Morphol, Jahrbucb, vol. xxii. p. 412 (1895).
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
known for the whole of Great Britain and Ireland, only reaches the
number of twenty. Of these one is found in Ireland and has not
hitherto been found in England, while five have been found in England
which have not yet been discovered in Ireland. Two of the twenty
species are not to be expected at any great distance from the coast, and
a third is perhaps only a recent importation into our island, an immi-
grant from the continent. Of the ten species found in the Berkhamsted
garden one was an addition not merely to the fauna of the county but
to the fauna of the country, completing the score of which the United
Kingdom can boast.
The Oniscoidea, or terrestrial isopods, best known among us by the
name of woodlice, and in French as cloportides or door-nails, are divided
into four principal families the Ligiida?, Trichoniscidae, Oniscidae, and
Armadillidiidas. These are separated by numerous differences, and united
by numerous points of agreement. All in common have sessile eyes,
unless they happen to be blind. All in common have seven pairs of
trunk-legs, though as a rule they quit the egg with the seventh pair un-
developed or ineffective. All in common have the breathing apparatus
not connected with the head or trunk, but pertaining to the appendages
of the pleon or tail part, the branchial structure being sometimes modi-
fied the better to suit atmospheric respiration. In all these respects they
differ strikingly from the crayfish, though equally with it belonging to
the Malacostraca. With the first of the four families, the maritime or
coast-loving Ligiida?, we are not here concerned. The other three fami-
lies are represented in Hertfordshire by nine genera, including the ten
species already referred to, on which some brief notes may be offered.
The first three species to be mentioned belong to the family Trichonis-
cidas.
Trichoniscus roseus (Koch) has been described under two other
generic names, Itea and Pbilougria, the latter meaning a lover of damp,
which would be a fairly appropriate designation for almost all the iso-
pods that ever existed. The specific name roseus refers to a character
which the inexperienced would little expect to find, and which is in fact
very rare, in a woodlouse, namely the beautifully delicate rose-tint of its
colouring. Many species display bright colours and highly effective
patterns, while some are modestly dressed in white or creamy hues, and
others in sober greys and browns. But no other species is at once so
beautiful and so unobtrusive as the little Tricboniscus roseus. Its distribution
is widely extended. It is very agile, like many others of its family. It
may not have a feeling for poetry, but by all its manoeuvres to escape
observation it shows plainly that, if ' many a rose is born to blush un-
seen,' such is the privacy it earnestly desires for itself.
Tricboniscus pusillus, Brandt, is a still smaller species, which has
passed under the same series of generic names and also under three
specific names other than that which is proper to it, one of these syno-
nyms being ce/er, in allusion to the great celerity of its movements, by
which it is quite capable of foiling the efforts of a pursuer who is
184
CRUSTACEANS
unready and inexpert. Its glossiness, its nimble movements, its red-
brown colour, and its angular outstanding spiny little second antennae
make it easy of recognition.
Haplophthalmus danicus, Budde-Lund, was not known in England
until discovered by Dr. Norman, who says, ' I have found this pretty
little species in my garden here (the Red House, Berkhamsted, Herts).
It occurs in company with Trichoniscus roseus in a cool greenhouse. The
genus is allied to T'richoniscus. The species may be recognized by its
simple eyes and the longitudinal series of tubercles which pass down the
body. Other specimens in my collection are from Denmark (Copenhagen
Mus.). It has also been found in Norway, Holland, and France. A
near ally, H. mengii, Zaddach, which is known to have a wider distri-
bution, may be found in Great Britain. It is distinguished from its ally
by having six longitudinal finely crenulated ribs passing down the body,
instead of the rows of tubercles, and by the peculiarity of having two
very prominent ribs on the back of the third segment of the pleon.' 1
This quotation may serve to stimulate research for these minute
forms, in which, as the generic name implies, the eyes are simple. In
Trichoniscus the eyes have each three visual elements. Haplophthalmus
danicus is greyish white in colour, and not quite a sixth of an inch long.
The companion species is scarce an eighth of an inch long, but Professor
Sars says that 'it moves very slowly, and, in spite of its small size, is
easily detected by the pure white colour of the body.' Yet, as the
young ones of some of the larger woodlice are also slow-moving, small
and white, there is opportunity for untrained eyes to be deceived.
The six following species are all included in the family Oniscidae :
Oniscus aseHus, Linn., is found not only here, but everywhere, if by
everywhere we are contented to understand Europe and North America,
with the Azores, Iceland, and Greenland. As it attains a length of two-
thirds of an inch, and is one of the broadest of our woodlice, its familiar
form can be discerned by most persons without the aid of microscope
or even spectacles.
Philoscia muscorum (Scopoli), though not nearly so large as the
preceding, is of respectable size and very common, the inseparable com-
panion of rural life.
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii, Brandt, is humble in size, though so
ample in name. Its legs are short and thick, and the second antennae
have the joints of the peduncle flattened, whence Brandt gave it a generic
name meaning broad of limb. But it has no eyes, so that another
author, Schobl, later on, in ignorance of Brandt, named the genus Typhlo-
niscus, meaning the blind woodlouse ; while in between these two authors
Koch called the species Itea crassicornis, in allusion to the thickness of
its antennae. Notwithstanding its extensive distribution, the only chance
of finding it is by peeping into ants' nests, and then when the disturbed
ants are scurrying about, as if the world depended on the security of
their offspring, it is an almost pathetic sight to see the little white, sight-
1 Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 7, vol. iii. p. 73 (1899).
185
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
less, slow-moving woodlouse left on the floor of the nest unfriended and
alone.
Porcellio scaber, Latreille, is nearly as long but not quite so broad as
Oniscus asellus, from which it is distinguished by its granular roughness.
It is even more common and more widely dispersed, and as a rule more
sombrely dark, but it exhibits varieties in colour and markings.
Metoponorthus pruinosus (Brandt) has 'the forehead straight,' a feature
to which the Danish writer Budde-Lund alludes in the name he framed
for its genus. In Oniscus and Porcellio and various other genera it will
be found that the front line of the head displays a median lobe between
two lateral horns or projections, but in Metoponorthus all this indenturing is
flattened down and obscured. The present species is said by Budde-
Lund to have the world for its fatherland, being a cosmopolitan that by
navigation has wandered all over the globe.
Cylisticus convexus (De Geer) is far from being familiar in England,
although its distribution is probably extensive in our islands, as it
certainly is in the north and middle of Europe. Unlike the other
members of its family, this species has the capacity of rolling itself up
into a ball, a defensive device that must puzzle and surprise many oppo-
nents. The convexity of the body which makes this englobing of itself
possible to the animal is noted in the specific name chosen by De Geer
in 1778. But long afterwards Lereboullet, dealing with the same
species in 1853, named it Porcellio armadilloides, thereby recognizing its
family likeness to Porcellio and its specific or particular likeness to
members of the family Armadillidiidae, to which the next species
belongs.
Armadillidium vu/gare (Latreille) shares perhaps with Oniscus asellus
and Porcellio scaber the familiarity that breeds contempt, and in the
competition for popular notice it surpasses both by reason of the habit
just described, which it has in common with Cylisticus convexus. Here,
however, the habit is not exceptional. It is characteristic of the family,
that is to say, it belongs as a rule to all the genera and species, to have
the body very convex and contractible into a globe.
In concluding this interesting list of numerous species from a com-
paratively small tract of ground, it should be mentioned that such a
collection is not entirely without precedent elsewhere, that an old highly
cultivated and diversified garden is a specially favourable territory, and
lastly that, little esteemed as woodlice are among gardeners, they here
evidently thrive and flourish without any serious detriment to fruit and
flowers, and rather to the satisfaction than otherwise of the scientific
horticulturist who is their overlord. 1
For Oniscus asellus, for Armadillidium vu/gare, for the freshwater
1 Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 7, vol. iii. pp. 72-75 (1899). In this paper six of the
species are expressly referred to Hertfordshire, while only general distribution is noted for Onitctu asellus,
Philoscia muscorum, PorcelRo scaber, and Armadillidium vulgare. But I have in manuscript from Dr. Norman
a list of all the ten as found in his garden, and while staying with him at Berkhamsted was able to
observe almost all of them in their actual haunts, and in particular Haplofhthalmus danicus outside the
greenhouse.
186
CRUSTACEANS
isopod Asellus aquations (Linn.), and for the freshwater amphipod Gam-
mar us pule x (Linn.), Mr. John Hopkinson, editor of the 'transactions of
the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, informs me by letter that he can
personally vouch as belonging to the fauna of Hertfordshire.
The Entomostraca of the county still await their chronicler. Mr.
John Hopkinson has kindly supplied me with a reference to the
above mentioned 'Transactions, vol. vii. p. xlix., which notes that
a pond in Tittenhanger Park contains several species of Daphnia and
Cyclops. Though there is no reason to distrust the information, it
is rather vague. More important is the manuscript list with which
Mr. Hopkinson has obliged me, containing the names of fifteen species
of Entomostraca which he has himself observed in the neighbourhood
of Watford, when studying pond life from twenty to twenty-five years
ago. The list comprises the Phyllopod, Chirocephalus diaphanus ; the
Clad6cera, Daphnia pulex, Daphnia vetula, Daphnia reticulata, Eurycereus
lamellatus ; the Ostrac6da, Cypris tristriata, Cypris fusca, Cypris minuta,
Candona reptans, Candona hispida ; and the Copepoda, Cyclops signatus,
Cyclops tenuicornis, Cyclops serratulus, Canthocamptus minutus, and Diaptomus
castor. Of these the most striking is undoubtedly Chirocephalus diaphanus,
Prevost, which appears to be far more common than was at one time
supposed. In regard to the other species, there has been of late years so
much revision of nomenclature that few lists dating back a quarter of a
century can be expected to correspond at all closely with the names now
accepted. Sometimes also an older name has been found on more
minute investigation to cover more than a single species. Thus Baird's
Daphnia reticulata answers in part to Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Jurine), but
in part to Ceriodaphnia megalops, Sars, and without fresh inquiry it is not
possible to say which of the two is the Hertfordshire species. Very
likely both occur in the county. Baird's Daphnia vetu/a is now called
Simocephalus vetu/us (O. F. M tiller). 1 For the five species of Ostracoda
respectively, the names preferred in Brady and Norman's recent mono-
graph are Cypris -virens (Jurine), Cypris f us cata, Jurine, Cyclocypris Icevis
(O. F. Miiller), Erpetocypris rep fans (Baird), and Cypris fuscata, Jurine. 2
From the last of these changes it will be perceived that, while one name
may sometimes cover two species, in return two names may sometimes
cover but one species. In the group of Copepoda, Cyclops tenuicornis,
Lubbock, and in part Cyclops signatus, Brady, are both now made synonyms
of Cyclops albidus, Jurine. 3 For Canthocamptus minutus the generic name
should rather be Canthocampus. Cyclops fimbriatus, Fischer, is recorded by
Dr. G. S. Brady, on the authority of Mr. Scourfield, from Stanstead,
Herts. 4
Of the occurrence of parasitic Copepoda in Hertfordshire I find no
express record, but in many instances their presence may safely be inferred
1 Scourfield, The Essex Naturalist, vol. x. pp. 314, 315 (1898).
* Trans. Royal Dublin Soc., ser. 2, vol. iv. pp. 74, 73, 69 (compared with vol. v. p. 718), 84.
3 Scourfield, The Essex Naturalist, vol. x. p. 325 (1898).
4 Nat. Hist. Trans. Northumberland, Durham, and Netvcastle-ufon-Tyne, vol. xi. p. 91.
I8 7
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
from that of their hosts. Couch, in his History of the Fishes of the
British Islands, vol. iv. p. 38, when discussing the lake bream, Cyprinus
(or Abramis) brama, Linn., says, ' The Book of St. Albans is a further
witness that "the breame " was accounted "a noble fysshe and a
deyntous," for the taking of which particular directions were given/
In the same volume, p. 1 57, he says of the pike, Esox lucius, Linn., ' That
it was known and greatly valued in England, at a time far preceding that
in which Leonard Massel is reported to have introduced it, may be seen
in the Book of St. Albans? Now the bream supports two remarkable
parasites, one belonging to the family Lernaeidae, the other to the family
Lernaeopodida?. The former is named Lern<zocera cyprinacea (Linn.). In
the older and fixed condition the females lose all likeness to the normal
appearance of the Copepoda, becoming long and worm-like, without
limbs, and the head bearing horn-like processes. The maxillipeds are
short. 1 The other species, Tracheliastes maculattts, Kollar, is remarkable
by having its maxillipeds long and arm-like, united at the ends, and pro-
vided with an organ of attachment. 2 On the gills of the pike Ergasilus
sieboldii, von Nordmann, makes itself at home. This species has the
second antenna? very long and arm-like, but it is much less anomalous
in its general appearance than the two preceding forms. 3
It may be said that only a beginning has yet been made in describ-
ing the crustaceans of Hertfordshire, but it is clear, from those which
have been brought to light by a very few observers, that several interest-
ing species are here at the disposal of the student, and that diligent
research is likely to be rather richly rewarded.
1 Zaddach, Synofseos Crustaceorum Pruisicorum Pndromus, p. 39 ; Bassett-Smith, Proe. Zool. Soc. t p
480 (London, 1899).
* Zaddach, loc. cit. ; Bassett-Smith, he. cit. p. 521.
8 Zaddach, Inc. cit. ; Bassett-Smith, he. cit. p. 443.
1 88
FISHES
No complete list of the fishes of Hertfordshire has ever been pub-
lished. The present compilation is mainly prepared from notes supplied
by Mr. John Hopkinson, who has kindly furnished references to all the
publications known to him, and also a list of the species occurring in the
Tring reservoirs.
The earliest list, a very incomplete one, appeared just two centuries
ago in Sir Henry Chauncy's Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire (1700).
Nearly half a century earlier than this Izaak Walton, in one of our most
cherished English classics, the Compleat Angler (1653), had alluded to
nearly all the species now known from his favourite river the Lea, with-
out however in every case specifying that all these occur in it ; but he
mentions some other fishes as inhabiting other rivers which he names, so
that it is not unreasonable to assume his observations on the fishes to
which he assigns no locality to have been made on those of the Lea.
Of recent publications the following are the most important : J. E.
Littleboy, ' The Bulbourne and Gade, with Notes on the Fish of the
Two Rivers,' 'Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., ii. (1879) pp. 113128;
R. B. Croft, ' Izaak Walton and the River Lea,' Trans. Herts Nat. Hist.
Soc., ii. (1882) pp. 9-16 ; M. Davies, ' Random Notes by an Old Angler
on the Lea and its Fishes,' Essex Naturalist, xi. (1899) pp. 133-135.
TELEOSTEANS
ACANTHOPTERYGII
1. Perch. Perca fluvia tilis, Linn.
Occurs in all the rivers and in Tring reser-
voir.
2. Ruffe or Pope. Acerina cernua, Linn.
Not uncommon in the Lea and on record
from the Bulbourne ; also found in Tring
reservoir.
3. Miller's Thumb. Cottus gobio, Linn.
Prefers gravelly streams.
HEMIBRANCHII
4. Three-spined Stickleback. Gastrosteus
acu/eatus, Linn.
Abundant almost everywhere.
5- Ten-spined Stickleback. Gastrosteus pun-
gitius, Linn.
On record from the Lea.
HAPLOMI
6. Pike. Eiox lucius, Linn.
OSTARIOPHYSI
7. Carp. Cyprtnus carpia, Linn.
In still waters. Sometimes taken in the
Lea.
8. Barbel. Barbus vulgaris, Flem.
Occurs in the Lea, but not in the Bul-
bourne or Gade. Both this and the preceding
species do not appear on the list of Tring
fishes.
9. Gudgeon. Gobio fluviatilis, Flem.
In all the rivers and in Tring reservoir.
10. Chub. Leuciscus cephalus, Linn.
On record from all the rivers, but not from
Tring reservoir.
189
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
11. Rudd. Leuciscus erytbrophtkalmus, Linn.
12. Roach. Leuciscus rutilus, Linn.
13. Dace. Leuciscus dolnila, Linn. (L. vul-
garly Day).
14. Minnow. Leuciscus phoxinus, Linn.
15. Tench. Tinea vulgaris, Cuv.
Like the carp, more confined to still waters.
1 6. Bream. Abramis brama. Linn.
Recorded from the Lea and the lower
reaches of the Gade.
17. White Bream. Abramis blicca y Bl.
From the Lea.
1 8. Bleak. Alburnus lucidusj Heck. & Kner.
Recorded from the Lea and the Bulbourne.
The ' Fresh-water Sprat ' of Izaak Walton.
19. Loach. Nemacbilus barbatula, Linn.
Recorded from the Lea, the Bulbourne and
the Gade.
MALACOPTERYGII
20. Salmon. Salmo salar, Linn.
Was probably extinct as a Hertfordshire fish
before the end of the eighteenth century. Its
presence in the Lea is last mentioned in 1735
by Farmer, in his Abbey of Waltham. The
Lea Conservancy forbid the capture of any
salmon of less than 4 Ib. weight.
21. Trout. Salmo trutta, Linn.
The small brown trout are found in most
rivers. A fine salmon-trout was reported to
have been taken from the Lea in 1856.
22. Grayling. Thymallus vexillifer t Linn.
It is doubtful whether this fine fish now
occurs in any Hertfordshire river. Several
attempts have been made to reintroduce it
both into the Colne and the Lea, and various
reports as to its being on the increase or the
reverse have been made.
APODSS
23. Eel. Anguilla vulgaris, Turt.
CYCLOSTOMES
24. Lampern. Petromyzon fluviatilis, Linn.
Recorded from the Lea and the Gade ; said to be tolerably abundant.
190
REPTILES
AND BATRACHIANS
Very little is recorded of the reptiles of Hertfordshire, and of their
distribution in the county still less has been ascertained. The only
species of which the writer can find a published record are the slow-
worm (A nguis fragilis] and the grass snake (Tropidonotus natrix). It is
however most improbable that any species will be added to the follow-
ing list. The list of batrachians is also probably complete, but here
again scarcely anything is known of the distribution of the species
within the county. The common frog (Rana temporaria) and the
natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) are the only forms of which there is any
actual record.
REPTILES
LACERTILIA
OPHIDIA
1. Common Lizard. Lacerta vivipara, Jacq.
The common or viviparous lizard is almost
ubiquitous. It may frequently be seen darting
into our hedge-banks or basking in the sun on
our sandy commons, but is very wary, not
allowing itself to be closely approached. Mr.
Alan F. Grossman says that it is ' common on
Berkhamsted Common,' and the same may
be said of Chipperfield Common, Royston
Heath, and other similar tracts of uncultivated
land. About fifteen years ago, when the pre-
sent writer was residing at Wansford House,
Watford, one much more decidedly green in
colour than usual came into his garden. It
was not disturbed, but soon disappeared.
2. Slow-worm. Anguis fragilis, Linn.
Of this common species, also known as the
blind-worm, we have only one record. A
specimen which had not long cast its skin
was captured at Watford about May ist,
1886, and was handed over to Mr. Arthur
Stradling, 1 who recorded it with the following
species.
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. iv. p. no
(.887).
191
3. Grass Snake. Tropidonotus natrix, Linn.
(Natrix toryuata, Ray.)
The grass or ringed snake is probably not
uncommon in the county, but the only pub-
lished record we have is of one seen near
Aldenham in May, 1886, by Mr. T. Villiers.
It was rather a large one, being 4 feet long,
and had left its winter quarters earlier than
might have been expected in the cold weather
then prevailing. Its occurrence was recorded
by Mr. Arthur Stradling, the well-known
herpetologist, who resided for some years in
Watford, and was twice President of the Hert-
fordshire Natural History Society. About
twenty years ago a ringed snake was found
near the river Ver at Kingsbury, St. Albans.
4. Viper. Vipera berus. Linn.
It is probable that the viper or adder, which
is the only venomous serpent we have, is
rapidly being exterminated in the county, for
whenever one is mentioned it is stated to have
been killed. A specimen found some years
ago in the parish of Kensworth, Herts, is in
the possession of Mr. James Saunders of
Luton, for whom it was preserved.
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
BATRACHIANS
ECAUDATA
1. Common Frog. Rana temper aria y Linn.
Although everywhere common, and per-
haps because of this, the only definite records
of the local occurrence of this species are in
the observation of the dates of appearance of
frog-spawn at Royston, Harpenden, St.
Albans, Watford, Hertford, Ware and Hod-
desdon by members of the Hertfordshire
Natural History Society. At one or more,
and usually several, of these places, the date
has been recorded for the fifteen years 1876
to 1 890.* The earliest date was February
23rd, 1884, the latest April 4th, 1876, and
the average date of first appearance March
1 4th.
2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgarity Laur.
Too common to require further mention.
3. Natterjack Toad. Bufo calamita, Laur.
In a short note on the occurrence of the
natterjack at Coombe in Surrey, in Science
1 Hopkinson, Annual Reports on Phenological
Phenomena observed in Hertfordshire, 187690,
Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. ii., and Trans.
Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vols. i.-vi. (1878-91).
Gossip for 1865 (p. 206), Mr. W. R. Tate
incidentally mentions that this species is found
' about Berkhamsted, Herts ' ; and in Bou-
lenger's splendid monograph of The Tailless
Batrachians of Europe, published by the Ray
Society in 1898, Hertfordshire is given as one
of the seventeen English counties in which
this batrachian occurs (p. 244).
CAUDATA
4. Great Crested Newt. Molge cristata, Laur.
This species, which is also known as the
common warty newt, is probably of frequent
occurrence throughout the county. Mr. Alan
F. Grossman states that it ' is not uncommon
in West Herts.' The writer remembers find-
ing it in the moat of Berkhamsted Castle so
long ago as his schooldays, and has since met
with it in several ponds in the neighbourhood
of Watford and St. Albans.
5. Common Newt. Molge vulgaris. Linn.
(Triton punctatus, Lair.)
More common than the great crested newt,
this 'eft,' as newts are here called, occurs
habitually in ponds and ditches of clear water.
Mr. Grossman says that it is ' common around
Berkhamsted.'
192
BIRDS
Hertfordshire compares favourably with most other counties in its
list of birds, although it has not the advantages of a sea coast. Parti-
ally to compensate for this, it has at least two good-sized areas of artificial
water, which have undoubtedly contributed towards increasing its list of
feathered visitors. Indeed the reservoirs at Tring and Elstree form ex-
cellent examples of the methods by which civilization indirectly induces
birds to become resident in a place where otherwise they would probably
never have come at all, even as accidental visitors. The county of Hert-
ford is not from an ornithological point of view particularly well off for
rivers, as although there are a good many small streams, few of them
are really large enough to be attractive to wildfowl. One may roughly
divide Hertfordshire into two districts for the purpose of studying its
avifauna the northern, which is chiefly composed of open hilly coun-
try, and the southern, which is enclosed and well wooded, with fine
parks and commons scattered about it.
The first division, which comprises only a small area as compared
with the other, practically consists of a range of chalk hills running
across the north of the county from east to west : these hills, which
somewhat resemble the downs in Sussex and Berkshire, though on a
smaller scale, are to a great extent unenclosed, although this is not so
much the case now as in former times. Scattered about over these are
small plantations, principally composed of conifers, which are the chief
strongholds in the county of the long-eared owl (Asia otus). This part
of the county was formerly the resort of certain species of birds which
love the open country, but these have now unfortunately disappeared be-
fore enclosures and improved methods of cultivation.
The other division, which is composed of enclosed lands, abounds
in hedgerows and woods which form attractive homes for many of
our smaller birds. There the avifauna differs considerably from that
found further north, as warblers and birds of that description take the
place of the finches and buntings of the open country, while on the
gorse-covered commons, so abundant in Hertfordshire, one may see the
stonechat (Pratincola rubicold), whinchat (P. rubetra)^ grasshopper-warbler
(Locustella ncevia) , and nightjar (Caprimulgus europtzus). This part of the
county is more or less undulating, and on many of the streams flowing
down the valleys one may find the dabchick (Podicipes JJuviatilis) . In
the extreme south of the county there is less arable and more grass
land, and the woods are as a rule much smaller ; the hedgerows however
are well timbered. This is the last haunt of the carrion-crow (Corvus
i 193 o
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
corone), a bird which is decidedly on the decrease on account of game
preserving. In this district there is Elstree reservoir, a piece of water
which has considerable attractions for wildfowl, although not to so great
an extent as the reservoirs at Tring.
Of the rarer birds which have occurred in Hertfordshire, one at
least has never been recorded elsewhere in the British Isles ; this is the
rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis). Amongst other rarities which have
from time to time been obtained, may be mentioned the woodchat-shrike
(Lanius pomeranus), two-barred crossbill (Loxia bifasciata), rustic bunting
(Emberiza rustica), roller (Coracias garru/us), glossy ibis (Plegadis falci-
nellus], Pallas's sand grouse (Syrrbaptes paradoxus), and Baillon's crake
(Porzana bailloni}.
I am afraid that the list of disappearing and extinct species includes
some very interesting birds. The causes of their disappearance are
varied, but all are directly or indirectly due to the influence of man.
Of the direct causes, game preserving is responsible for the destruction
in many places of birds of prey, though there are fortunately many
and increasing instances of game preservers who set a good example by
using every effort for the protection of rarer species. The way by which
man indirectly destroys and drives away various birds is by enclosing and
planting land which was formerly open, and also by the use of the drill
and hoe where formerly seed was only scattered broadcast. In those
days the great bustard (Otis tardd] and stone-curlew ((Edicnemus crepitans)
ran no risk of having their eggs destroyed by the horse-hoe. To the
alteration in the aspect of the country caused by planting and
enclosures may be partially attributed the non-appearance nowadays of
the ' trips ' of dotterel (Eudromias morinellus) which formerly visited the
northern hills in the spring and autumn migration, though, no doubt,
this can also be accounted for by the decrease of this bird as a breeding
species in the British Isles.
To turn to the more pleasing side of the picture, one could
mention many birds, which quite recently were considered rare, but
which now are plentiful. This undoubtedly is in many cases due to the
very cause which has been inimical to many of the decreasing species,
namely, enclosing, planting, and keeping coverts quiet. With no
coverts, we should be without many of our warblers, and should only
have such small birds as are partial to more open country, few of
which are really fine songsters, and thus we should be unable to enjoy
one of the greatest pleasures of the country. Civilization has also
increased the number of our resident species in another direction.
Canals were first introduced into this country to any great extent by the
third Duke of Bridgewater, who lived at Ashridge Park ; and it is to
canals that we owe the existence of the reservoirs at Tring, which are
for the purpose of keeping up the supply of water in the Grand
Junction Canal. These reservoirs, of which there are now four, com-
prise about two hundred acres of water, the whole of which, with the
exception of about ten acres, is in Hertfordshire. The sporting rights
194
BIRDS
are reserved to the owner of the Tring Park estate, and, owing to the
reservoirs being strictly preserved, they form a splendid home for three or
four species of ducks, while the great crested grebe (Podicipes cristatus)
nests there in numbers such as are to be found at few other places in the
British Isles. In addition to this, they offer great attractions to birds
passing on migration, which but for the water might never alight in
Hertfordshire at all.
Turning from field natural history to the more scientific side of the
subject, we find that practically nothing has been done in this way for
Hertfordshire. There is no really good collection of local birds in exist-
ence. No doubt there are in the Tring Museum many specimens which
have been obtained in the county, but they are quite a minor detail in a
collection which is one of the finest in the world. Specimens of various
sorts which have been procured locally are preserved in many parts of
the county, but there are no organized collections, though now there is
a county museum at St. Albans it is hoped to form one there. The
most interesting lot of local birds is that belonging to the Hon. A.
Holland-Hibbert, at Munden near Watford. This comprises compara-
tively few specimens, but in it are included several birds of great
local interest, most of which were obtained in the neighbourhood
between 1840 and 1850.
No history of the birds of Hertfordshire ever appears to have been
published, but for the last twenty-five years a great deal of information
has been published in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural His-
tory Society and its predecessor, the Watford Natural History Society.
The late J. E. Littleboy, who lived at Hunton Bridge, was the first to
collect any information about the county birds, and it is to him that we
owe so much of our knowledge of the Hertfordshire avifauna. The re-
cords contained in the annual reports to the above societies form the
foundation of the following list of birds, and to this I have added all
facts that I have been able to glean from any books and zoological
journals bearing on the subject, as well as any notes of my own that
seemed to me to be of interest. Having regard to this, it appeared best
to me to put references to such records in the list as have been obtained
from other sources than the societies' Transactions and my own notes,
and this course I have accordingly followed.
1. Missel-Thrush. Turdus viscivorus, Linn. most red eyes, and was caught by a cat
This species is a fairly plentiful resident belonging to Mr. Dickenson, of Harpenden
throughout the county, but its numbers are Road, St. Albans, who I believe still has the
at times greatly increased by immigrants, bird in his possession. A hybrid also of this
This was especially the case during the winter species and the blackbird (T. merula) was
of 1899-1900, when there was apparently a obtained at Tring on January 25th, 1886.
very considerable influx into the county, as I This latter occurrence was reported to the
saw them in many places in good-sized flocks, late J. E. Littleboy by the Hon. Walter
2. Song-Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. Rothschild,
This is a common bird in Hertfordshire. 3- Redwing. Turdus iliacus, Linn.
Albino varieties of it have occasionally oc- The redwing is a regular winter visitor, but
curred. One obtained was white, with al- its numbers vary greatly in different years.
195
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The earliest date I have of its arrival is in
1891, when a bird of this species was seen at
St. Albans on September I4th. Curiously
enough, redwings had stayed at St. Albans as
late as April 28th in the preceding spring.
4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn.
The fieldfare appears to be much commoner
than the redwing, and is more regular in the
numbers that visit us. In 1887 this species
stayed with us as late as May 8th, when some
were seen at Great Gaddesden, while in 1891
it was first observed at St. Albans on Septem-
ber 1 5th, both of which are rather unusual
dates.
5. Blackbird. Turdus merula. Linn.
This is a common bird in this as in other
counties, and it appears to be more subject
to albinism than others of the thrush family,
many white and pied varieties having been
obtained in different parts of Hertfordshire.
6. Ring-Ousel. Turdus torquatus, Linn.
This bird is an irregular visitor on migra-
tion, although probably it occurs more fre-
quently than is recorded. The most notice-
able fact about its appearance in Hertfordshire
is the lateness of the dates on which it has
been seen. The various records I have set
out below will show how this species, which
is only a summer visitor to most parts of the
British Isles, does extend its stay with us to a
much later date than is usual with most
summer migrants. The first mention I have
of this bird in Hertfordshire is a note by the
late J. E. Littleboy of having seen a ring-
ousel at Hunton Bridge on November I4th,
and again on the 2ist, in 1877. In the
following year he saw a pair at the same
place on November 3rd ; while on the 6th
of that month one was observed near Riclc-
mansworth. In 1881 one of these birds, with
one of its wings nearly severed from the
body, was picked up under the telegraph
wires near Royston on May 20th ; and on
October agth Mr. Clutterbuck found one
near Stanmore Common, which he forwarded
to Mr. Littleboy. A ring-ousel was seen at
Chalk Hill near Watford, on September
nth, 1882, and again on the I3th ; while
on December I2th Mr. Littleboy saw two or
more at Caldicott Hill. In 1883 one was
shot near Royston on September 1 2th, while
a specimen was obtained at Therfield on
October 1 3th, and another between Hertford
and Ware en the I7th of the same month, a
fourth being procured near Hertford on Nov-
ember 25th. Mr. Littleboy identified a pair
between Hunton Bridge and King's Langley
on November I5th, 1885, and saw another
in the same neighbourhood on September
1 6th of the following year. In 1886 two
were shot at Tring in July, while a third
was obtained there in the following October.
I saw a ring-ousel on Berkhamsted Common
on April 7th, 1895 ; and Mr. H. S. Rivers
identified one at Sawbridgeworth, on the
other side of the county, two days later.
The last record I have is of a bird seen
by my brother on Berkhamsted Common on
May 8th, 1896.
7. Rock-Thrush. Montlcola saxatilis (Linn.).
To Hertfordshire belongs the honour of
producing the first, and indeed only, authenti-
cated example of this species that has been
recorded in the British Isles. As long ago as
May I gth, 1843, a Mr. Joseph Trigg shot a
rock-thrush which was sitting on an ash tree
at Therfield, in the north of the county.
The bird was shown to the late Mr. William
Yarrell in the flesh, and was figured by him
in his book on British birds, from the plate of
which it appears to have been a male. The
specimen was skinned by John Norman of
Royston, and is, I believe, now in the collec-
tion of Mr. F. D'Arcy Newcome of Feltwell
Hall, Norfolk.
8. Wheatear. Saxicola aenanthe (Linn.).
This species is a regular visitor on migra-
tion, usually appearing towards the end of
March, although in 1885 Mr. Henry Lewis
identified it at St. Albans on February 22nd.
As a breeding species in Hertfordshire I am
afraid it has greatly decreased. It is nowadays
only found in quite small numbers during the
nesting season along the north of the county,
where formerly it was very common. Casual
pairs are occasionally found nesting in other
places, but undoubtedly the open country to
the north is its favourite haunt.
9. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.).
The whinchat is found scattered all over
the county during the summer, frequenting
commons and grass fields principally, but not
despising railway embankments and other
waste places. Usually arrives about the 2ist
of April.
10. Stonechat. Pratincola rubicola (Linn.).
This bird, which is often known as the
furzechat, may be found in comparative
abundance on many of our commons. It is
a partial migrant, though in mild winters it
does not leave us. Should, however, hard
weather come for any length of time, these
birds usually leave for the south. The stone-
chat is an early nester, as I have seen fully-
fledged young birds at the end of April. J
196
BIRDS
have found the egg of the cuckoo in a nest of
this species.
11. Redstart. Ruticilla phxnicurus (Linn.).
This is a common summer migrant which
is found in considerable numbers wherever
suitable nesting-places can be obtained. In
1886 one was seen at St. Albans on March
28th, but its usual date of arrival is about the
second week in April. The nesting sites
chosen by this bird are very varied : during
the present year (1900) I found a nest in a
hole which had apparently been dug out by a
sand-martin (Cotile riparid) in a claypit at a
brick kiln near Berkhamsted.
12. Black Redstart. Ruticilla titys (Scopoli).
We are indebted to a Mr. A. Sainsbury
Verey, of Heronsgate near Rickmansworth,
for the addition of this species to the county
list. In a letter to the Watford Observer of
April ist, 1893, he stated that, while watch-
ing for wheatears in his field, the note of a
redstart attracted his attention, and on looking
at the bird he was immediately struck by its
dark back as it sat perched on a wire fence not
far away. The bird permitted a close ap-
proach, and turning round showed the dark
colour of its throat and body, thus confirming
his first impression that it was an example of a
black redstart. In a further letter to Mr.
Henry Lewis, Mr. Verey said that the bird
was first observed on March 28th, and that
it stayed for two days, and being very tame,
gave him ample opportunities of studying it
and determining its species.
13. Redbreast. Erithacus rubecula (Linn).
This bird, as in other counties, is an
extremely common resident, and many are
the curious nesting-places that have been
chosen by it in Hertfordshire. One or two
albino or partial albino varieties have also
been obtained, while on two occasions at least
pure white eggs of the robin have been found
in the place of those of a normal colour.
14. Nightingale. Daulias luscinia (Linn.).
This, the finest of our native songsters, is
to be found pretty generally distributed
throughout the county, although perhaps
towards the north it is hardly as plentiful
as elsewhere. The earliest record I have of
its arrival is April 7th, on which date it was
seen at Harpenden in 1884.
15. Whitethroat. Silvia cinerea (Bechstein).
The common whitethroat is very plentiful
throughout the county, usually arriving about
April 20th.
1 6. Lesser Whitethroat. Silvia curruca (Linn.).
This is a bird which in Hertfordshire seems
to vary greatly in numbers in different years,
sometimes being very plentiful, but at others
quite uncommon. It generally arrives about
the same time as the last-mentioned species.
17. Blackcap. Silvia atricapilla (Linn.)
This is a common summer visitor to Hert-
fordshire, appearing about the middle of April.
In 1896, however, Mr. H. R. Rivers observed
it at Sawbridgeworth on March 24th. In
May, 1900, I came across two nests of this
species, which varied considerably from the
usual nest of a blackcap ; instead of being
made of grass on the outside, they were com-
posed chiefly of sheep's wool with a little
grass mixed with it.
1 8. Garden- Warbler. Silvia hortensis (Bech-
stein).
The garden-warbler seems distributed
throughout the county, though not in large
numbers. It prefers the neighbourhood of
woods, and usually arrives towards the end
of April.
19. Dartford Warbler. Silvia undata (Bod-
daert).
Hertfordshire should be an ideal county for
this bird on account of its many gorse-covered
commons. It was not however until 1897
that it was actually identified with us. On
May ist of that year Mr. Charles Worte
with a friend, both of whom were well ac-
quainted with the species, recognized a pair of
these birds on a small common, known as
Commonwood Common, near Chipperfield,
and watched them for some time. It is prob-
able that the Dartford warbler may in the
future be recognized on other commons in
the county, as Mr. Harting recorded its occur-
rence in Middlesex on Stanmore Common,
which is only just outside Hertfordshire, as
long ago as 1866. Mr. Worte considered
that the birds seen by him were nesting.
20. Goldcrest. Regulus cristatus, K. L. Koch.
This pretty little bird is distributed all over
the county, but being partial to fir-trees is
not so common in Hertfordshire as in counties
where such trees are more abundant.
21. Firecrest. Regulus ignicapillus (Brehm).
An example of this species was obtained at
Tring on January ist, 1887. There is also
a statement in the Transactions that the
firecrest had occurred at Bennington near
Stevenage on the authority of Mr. Chapman
of that place, who had often seen them there.
197
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Inasmuch as it is most difficult to identify this that a nest of this bird had been obtained in
small bird unless it is shot, I think that perhaps Hertfordshire. I can find no further informa-
the observer may have mistaken the male of tion in corroboration of this statement, which
the last species for this bird. therefore always remains open to doubt.]
22. Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus rufus (Bechstein).
This is a bird which seems very irregularly
distributed over the county, being common in
some districts, but quite scarce in others. It
arrives very often about March 2ist, although,
if the weather is very cold, it does not make
itself heard. It appears to stay well on into
September and even October, and its song
may be sometimes heard at that time of the
year.
23. Willow-Warbler. Phylloscopus trochilus
(Linn.).
This is a very common summer visitor to
all parts of the county, arriving early in April
and remaining till September. This species
may also be heard singing late in the year.
24. Wood - Warbler. Phylloscopus sibilatrix
(Bechstein).
This is rather a local species in the county,
but on the western side it is certainly plentiful.
It has however a curious way of frequenting
a wood one summer and being entirely absent
from it the next. It is probable that it is
commoner in Hertfordshire than is actually
known at present, as it is a species that many
persons are unacquainted with, no doubt on
account of its habit of singing at the tops of
the trees in the woods it frequents. On the
other side of the county Mr. H. S. Rivers has
identified it at Sawbridgeworth. Its usual
time of arrival is about the end of April or
beginning of May.
25. Reed -Warbler. Acrocephalus streperus
(Vieillot).
This bird is rather local in Hertfordshire on
account of the scarcity of suitable localities for
it. It is however found in numbers at the
Tring reservoirs. The reed-warbler usually
arrives about April 2Oth.
26. Marsh-Warbler. Acrocephalus palustris
(Bechstein).
A specimen of this bird is said to have been
shot on one of the Tring reservoirs in August,
1883.
[Great Reed-Warbler. Acrocephalus tur-
do'ides (Meyer).
The record of this fine species in Hertford-
shire is in my opinion due to some mistake.
It rests upon the authority of Mr. More, who
in his paper on the ' Distribution of British
Birds,' which appeared in the Ibis for 1865,
mentioned that the late Mr. F. Bond stated
27. Sedge- Warbler. Acrocephalus phragmitis
(Bechstein).
The sedge-warbler is found in many parts
of the county chiefly in the neighbourhood of
water, though not always so. It generally
arrives about the middle of April.
28. Grasshopper- Warbler. Locust ella neevia
(Boddaert).
The grasshopper-lark, as it is sometimes
called, is to be found on many of our commons
in some numbers ; in fact at Berkhamsted it
can be considered plentiful. This bird when
it first arrives is quite bold, sitting on the top
of some bush and reeling out its curious song ;
but it soon becomes much more shy. Its
usual time for arrival is about the last week
in April.
29. Hedge-Sparrow.
The hedge-sparrow is a common resident
throughout the county. Mr. William Hill,
jun., of Hitchin, in 1881 found a nest of this
species containing eggs on January ist. I
do not think that this bird is very subject
to variation in colour, but Mr. Spary of St.
Albans informs me that he has one of a
cinnamon colour, which was shot near that
city in 1896.
30. Dipper. Cinclus aquaticus, Bechstein.
Hertfordshire does not unfortunately possess
such streams as the dipper loves, but it has on
two or three occasions condescended to visit
us. In the Zoologist for 1849 Mr. Lucas
mentions a dipper that was shot at Westmill
on the river Orton near Hitchin in the winter
of 1848. It was obtained in the mill-tail,
and appeared to be a young male in good
plumage. The late Mr. Littleboy also men-
tioned having seen this bird on two occasions
about 1874 at Hunton Bridge.
31. Bearded Reedling. Panurus biarmicus
(Linn.).
This beautiful bird has been recorded on
three occasions in Hertfordshire. The first
instance was mentioned by the Rev. James
Williams in the Zoologist for 1849, where he
stated that a pair of these birds, male and
female, had been shot at the Tring reservoirs
on December 2ist, 1848. He only observed
two at the time, which flew out of an alder
bush into the reeds. A little earlier in the
same year Mr. William Lucas of Hitchin saw
a small flock of these birds on the banks of
I 9 8
BIRDS
the little river Orton near that place ; they
were in a bed of reeds, but a pair allowed
him to approach quite close and observe their
movements. This record also appeared in the
Zoologist for 1849. I am indebted to Mr.
Miller Christy's book on the Birds of Essex
for the third record, as he states in that book
that on July 1 2th, 1888, Mr. Taylor of
Bishops Stortford recognized a male bearded
tit on the Hertfordshire side of the river Stort
near that town. This bird therefore I think
we can rightly claim.
32. Long-tailed Tit. Acredula caudata(Linn.).
This pretty little bird may be found com-
monly all over the county throughout the
year, but is perhaps more conspicuous in the
winter on account of its going about in family
parties.
33. Great Tit. Pans major, Linn.
The great tit is a plentiful resident in
Hertfordshire and builds its nest in a great
variety of situations.
34. Coal-Tit. Parus ater, Linn.
Considering the number of these birds that
one sees in the winter, I can only imagine
that we have a large immigration at that
period, as the birds which remain with us
during the summer are not sufficient to account
for those about later. A curious nesting-site
chosen by this bird was a letter-box near
Stanmore. In this case however the bird was
unfortunately killed on the nest and the eggs
broken by some mischievous boys.
35. Marsh-Tit. Parus palustris, Linn.
This is also a pretty plentiful species in
Hertfordshire. One habit I have noticed
about this bird is that it more often than any
of the other tits pecks out a nesting-hole for
itself in a decayed tree or post instead of
taking possession of a ready-made home.
36. Blue Tit. Parus caruleus, Linn.
This is another common species, which
also varies very considerably the situations it
chooses for its nest. Mrs. Brightwen informed
the late Mr. Littleboy that a pair of these
birds near Stanmore took possession of and
held against all comers a cocoa-nut which had
been hung up for the birds to feed off. The
same lady also mentioned an instance of this
species attacking bees at a hive, a habit which
it was a matter of some difficulty to cure them
of. Amongst other curious nesting-places of
the blue tit that I have records of so far as
Hertfordshire is concerned may be mentioned
a pump, a letter-box and an old boot.
37. Nuthatch. Sitta c<esia y Wolf.
The nuthatch is certainly a very plentiful
resident in all parts of Hertfordshire which
are well timbered. Ashridge Park I may
especially mention as a favourite place for
them, and I have no doubt many of the other
large parks in the county are the same.
38. Wren. Troglodytes paruulus, Koch.
This is a very common species, but it
cannot, like the tree-creeper, be accused of
shyness. It chooses all sorts of situations for
its nest and does not seem to be affected by
even the hardest weather.
39. Tree-Creeper. Certhia familiaris, Linn.
This bird is also pretty common, but on
account of its shyness is no doubt less fre-
quently seen than it otherwise would be.
40. Pied Wagtail. Motacilla lugubris, Tem-
minck.
This species is plentifully distributed all
over the county, staying all the year round
when the weather is not too hard, but leaving
us in severe winters and reappearing about
the first or second week in March. I have
on several occasions found a cuckoo's egg in
the nest of this species in Hertfordshire.
41. White Wagtail. Motacilla alba, Linn.
It was not until 1895 that this species was
actually recorded in Hertfordshire, although
no doubt it had occurred here before. How-
ever, in that year Mr. H. S. Rivers called my
attention to the fact that the bird was fairly
plentiful round Sawbridgeworth during the
spring, and later I saw several of them at
Tring and Berkhamsted. In April of the
same year Mr. Rivers examined a nest in his
garden and found it contained twelve eggs ;
this nest appeared to belong to two pairs of
birds one being M. alba and the other M.
lugubris. Later in the same year I saw a pair
of these birds which, from their movements,
certainly had a nest. Since then I have on
several occasions clearly identified this species
in the county.
42. Grey Wagtail. Motacilla melanope, Pallas.
This is a regular winter visitor, arriving
usually in October and leaving again towards
the end of March. It has however on one
occasion been found nesting at the Tring
reservoirs ; the nest in question was placed
on a bank of clay under an overhanging ledge,
and was well concealed behind some grass.
During the present year (1900) I saw this
species at Berkhamsted on August I4th.
199
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
43. Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla ran (Bona-
parte).
This is a regular summer visitor to all parts
of the county where the locality is suitable ;
it is especially fond of the neighbourhood of
water. The date of its arrival is usually about
the middle of April.
44. Tree-Pipit. Anthus trivia/is (Linn.).
This species is to be found all over the
county, arriving early in April.
45. Meadow-Pipit. Anthus pratensis (Linn.).
About the distribution in Hertfordshire of
this species during the nesting season a great
deal has yet to be learnt. At present I can
only mention Royston, Ickleford, Oughton
Head Common and Berkhamsted Common
as localities in which it nests. In winter the
meadow-pipit is commonly distributed all over
the county, and I have actually seen it in very
hard weather in Berkhamsted High Street.
46. Water-Pipit. Anthus spipoletta (Linn.).
On the authority of the Hon. W. Roths-
child, who reported their occurrence to the
late J. E. Littleboy, two of these birds are
said to have been obtained at the watercress
beds at Berkhamsted in 1886.
47. Golden Oriole. Oriolus galbula, Linn.
This county can be included among those
in which the golden oriole has nested, as in
1 88 1 a nest with three eggs was found at
Charlie Farm, in the parish of Amwell near
Ware, by Mr. H. Beningfield and his son in
the month of June. It was built, curiously
enough, high up in a hawthorn hedge, about
ten feet from the ground. The eggs and nest
were seen by the late J. E. Littleboy. On
June 4th, 1886, a golden oriole was shot on
the borders of Sherrards Wood, Digswell near
Welwyn, and was mounted by Mr. Lloyd of
St. Albans. The last authenticated record I
have of this species in Hertfordshire is of a
pair which visited the garden of Mr. Thorne
of Broxbourne about the 2Oth of July, 1888,
one of them nearly getting caught in a straw-
berry-net.
48. Great Grey Shrike.
Linn.
Lanius excubitor,
This species has occurred on a good many
occasions in Hertfordshire, but unfortunately
few of the records specify whether the bird
obtained or seen had one or two wing spots,
the number of spots being the means of
ascertaining whether the bird was L. excubitor
or L. major, the latter being the more northern
race. The first note I have of this bird was
in January, 1881, when two of them were
shot on Mr. Ginger's farm at Boxstead near
Hemel Hempstead. These specimens were
examined by the late J. E. Littleboy, and
were then in the possession of Mr. Bowers of
Hemel Hempstead. In November, 1882, a
bird of this species was obtained near Throck-
ing by a Mr. Coleman. It was mounted by
the late William Norman of Royston, and
eventually passed into the hands of the Rev.
C. W. Harvey of Throcking. Another was
shot about the same time by Mr. Gibbs's
keeper at Elstree. Mr. R. W. Brett men-
tioned that a great grey shrike was shot on
December i6th, 1883, ' n tne neighbourhood
of Hertford ; while on the 26th of the same
month Mr. Marlborough R. Pryor saw one
near Weston Manor flying with a shrew
mouse in its claws. In 1884 a specimen was
obtained on Tyler's Farm near Bushey, on
September 23rd, and was mounted by Mr.
Bowers. In the following year a specimen
was shot in Ware Park by the head keeper on
March i6th. In January, 1886, Mr. Sutton
shot a male at Hill Farm, Northchurch ; this
bird, which is now mounted in his possession,
when shot was sitting on a tree from which
it fell into the snow, where it could not be
found for some time.
The only time this bird has occurred in the
summer in this county was in July, 1887,
when Mr. Pryor saw one at least a dozen
times in the parish of Willian near Steven-
age, occasionally getting as near to it as half a
dozen yards. Mr. William Hill, jun., of
Hitchin, informed the late Mr. Littleboy that
a great grey shrike was captured by a profes-
sional birdcatcher to the west of Hitchin at
the end of November or early in December,
1887 ; it attacked the call-bird which was
pegged to the ground, and the man pulled his
net over it : he then put it into a cage with a
hedge-sparrow, which it immediately attacked
and killed. After careful identification it was
released, apparently none the worse for its
experience, although during its short captivity
it was most pugnacious. The Hon. Walter
Rothschild states that a great grey shrike was
seen at Tring in October, 1888. Mr. H. S.
Rivers shot a young male on Roderick's
Farm near Latton Mill on December 5th,
1890, and saw another near the same place on
December 27th, 1898 ; this latter he watched
for some time. Mr. Charles H. Emson, in a
letter to the Field, mentioned that he saw a
fine male grey shrike on Berkhamsted Com-
mon on February i8th, 1900; this bird he
watched for some time. On April 7th
following I also saw a grey shrike (probably
the same as that seen by Mr. Emson) on
Berkhamsted Common, and watched it
200
BIRDS
through my field-glasses for some time, satis-
fying myself that it had two wing spots,
therefore being L. excubitor. The flight of
this bird was very like that of the red-backed
species ; the tail seemed very long, and the
black and white wings and tail appeared
very conspicuous when flying. The bird
generally sat on the top of a thornbush with
its body bent very much forward. Mr.
Latchmore of Hitchin informs me that he
has in his possession an example of this species
which was shot on Norton Common near
Baldock.
49. Red-backed Shrike. Lanius co/lurio, Linn.
This is a regular summer visitor to Hert-
fordshire, arriving about the middle of May,
and so far as the Berkhamsted district is con-
cerned, is decidedly on the increase.
50. Woodchat Shrike. Lanius pomeranus,
Sparrman.
This shrike has occurred in Hertfordshire
on two occasions, both of which are mentioned
by Mr. O. V. Aplin in his paper on the
occurrence of this species in the British Isles
in the Zoologist for 1892. In 1856 Mr.
Tuck reported in the Zoologist that a wood-
chat had been shot near Baldock in the
spring, and had been mounted by Mr. Norman
of Royston ; while in May, 1873, the Rev.
H. A. Macpherson saw one near Hertford,
and recorded it in the Transactions of the
Cumberland and Westmorland Association.
5 1 . Waxwing. Ampelis garrulus, Linn.
The first Hertfordshire specimen of the
waxwing was shot about a mile from Tring
on the Aylesbury road, about 1851. In
January, 1870, Mr. How shot one at Cupid's
Green near Hemel Hempstead, and the bird
is, I believe, still in his possession. The late
Dr. Brett mentioned that one was shot in
the Watford Fields in 1874. Two were shot
near Ware in 1881, and are in the possession
of Mr. Chapman of Bennington ; while the
Hon. Walter Rothschild informed Mr. Little-
boy that a waxwing was obtained at Tring in
March, 1883. In 1893 a specimen was
picked up on the banks of the river Lea near
Hertford, in January ; and on February 27th
two were shot from a party of five which
were feeding on the fruit of the wild rose at
Northaw. In the autumn of 1895 two of
these birds were shot at Radlett by Mr. Clarke
the station-master, in whose possession they
now are.
52. Pied Flycatcher. Muscicapa atricapilla,
Linn.
This species can unfortunately only be
included in the Hertfordshire list as an occa-
sional visitor. It has been recorded on about
seven occasions. In 1879 one was shot near
Royston during the summer ; it was stuffed
by the late William Norman, and remained
in his collection till his death, when the col-
lection was, I believe, sold ; where this par-
ticular specimen went to I do not know. It
was not until 1887 that this bird was again
recorded in the county ; in that year one was
shot near Stevenage on May I3th. In 1896
an example was obtained at Hitchin, but was
so badly damaged that it could not be pre-
served ; it was, however, carefully identified
before being thrown away. In the following
year I saw a fine male near Great Gaddesden
on April 23rd, and spent some time in watch-
ing it. I was first struck by the white on
the bird, which was in splendid plumage. Its
movements were very similar to those of the
spotted flycatcher, and its note was somewhat
like the call-note of a tree-pipit (A. trivia/is).
On April 24th, 1898, and the two following
days, the Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert saw a
male in his garden at Munden near Watford,
and had many opportunities of watching it.
In the present year he again saw a male bird
at Munden ; this was on April 8th, which
seems an exceptionally early date for the
species. In the Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc.
1893, vol. vii., there is mention made of an
example of this species, which was included
in the list of Hertfordshire Quadrupeds, Birds
and Insects which had been preserved by a
Mrs. Young of Bennington.
53. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisola,
Linn.
This is an annual visitor, and may be found
nesting all over the county. It usually arrives
about the beginning of May, but has been
seen at times about a week earlier.
54. Swallow. Hirundo rustica, Linn.
This is a regular summer visitor to Hert-
fordshire, arriving usually about the first or
second week in April, and leaving us in
September or early in October. This is one
of the nests in which the cuckoo's egg has
been found in the county.
55. House-Martin. Cbelidon urbica (Linn.).
The house-martin is also a summer visitor,
which comes here usually rather later than
the last species, but which leaves about the
same time.
56. Sand-Martin. Cotile riparia (Linn.)
This species is usually the first of the
Hirundinidts to arrive, often making its appear-
ance at the end of March.
201
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
57. Greenfinch. Ligurinus chloris (Linn.).
This is a common resident throughout the
county. Varieties of this bird have been
obtained. One shot at Chapmore End near
Hertford in September, 1882, was of a
creamy white colour ; its wings were mostly
yellow, and its eyes were pink. Another,
which was caught near St. Albans in
December, 1884, was of a creamy colour,
nearly approaching white.
58. Hawfinch. Coccotbraustes vulgaris, Pallas.
This is a bird which some few years back
was looked upon as a rarity. Whether it was
really rare or whether it was not well known
then I do not know, but I can safely put it
down as plentiful, at any rate in West Herts,
at the present time. Seldom do I go out in
the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted without
seeing or hearing some of these birds ; while
in the spring of 1895 I had the pleasure of
seeing a flock of fifty or more of them. From
other parts of the county also I have reports
of its occurrence.
59. Goldfinch. Carduelis eltgans, Stephens.
About this bird opinion seems to differ as to
whether it is on the decrease or otherwise
in Hertfordshire. No doubt a great many of
them are taken by birdcatchers, but in spite
of that the goldfinch is by no means un-
common in many districts.
60. Siskin. Carduelis spinus (Linn.).
The siskin is an irregular winter visitor
to many parts of the county, but nowhere
does it appear in any great numbers. It is
frequently accompanied by the lesser redpoll
(L. rufescens).
6 1. House-Sparrow. Passer domesticus (Linn.).
This species is to be found everywhere
throughout the county. Several albino
varieties have been obtained.
62. Tree-Sparrow. Passer montanus (Linn.).
The tree-sparrow is far from common in
many parts of Hertfordshire, though in others
it is more plentiful. Its numbers, however,
cannot of course compare with the last-
mentioned species.
63. Chaffinch. Fr'mgilla ccelebs, Linn.
This is a common resident. In 1893 the
late William Norman received for preserva-
tion a hen chaffinch with a mixture of white
and grey and sparrow-like markings. Mr.
Thrale also had a chaffinch in his possession
which had a white head. In 1884 a
chaffinches' nest was found with eggs, on
which the bird was sitting, on January 3Oth ;
the nest was built in a piece of cottager's
kale in the garden of Mr. Ricardo Palmer at
Bushey.
64. Brambling. Fr'mgilla montifringilla, Linn.
In some years this bird has visited the
county in immense flocks, while in others
few, if any, bramblings appear. In March,
1895, I saw countless numbers feeding on
the beech-nuts under the trees in Ashridge
Park. Many of these had nearly assumed
breeding plumage. Amongst them I saw one
with a white head. In December, 1897, I
again saw thousands of these birds passing in
a southerly direction over Berkhamsted. The
latest date on which I have seen this species
was on April 6th, 1895, near Pendley Manor,
Tring.
65. Linnet. Linota cannabina (Linn.).
This is a common resident in most parts of
Hertfordshire, though Mr. Joseph Nunn in-
forms me that during the last few years it has
become much scarcer in the Royston district
than it was formerly. Mr. E. S. Fordham in
1883 found two or three linnets' nests placed
in brussels sprouts that had run to seed, a
rather unusual nesting-place for this bird to
choose.
66. Mealy Redpoll. Linota linaria (Linn.).
Mr. Sainsbury Verey caught a pair of these
birds near St. Albans in 1861, while in
1866 a pair were obtained near Elstree. The
only other record I can find of this species in
Hertfordshire is of one which was taken by
Mr. Banfield on the borders of the county
towards Ivinghoe in September, 1883.
67. Lesser Redpoll. Linota rufescens (Vieillot).
This species is a frequent visitor to the
county during the winter, often appearing in
some numbers. There are however few
recorded instances of its nesting with us, al-
though probably it does so oftener than is
known. I can only mention four places
where its nest has been found St. Albans,
Newsells Park (Barkway) and Sawbridgeworth,
and I have seen an egg of this species which
was taken on Berkhamsted Common within
the last three years.
68. Twite. Linota fla virostris (Linn.).
In December, 1883,3 pair, and in February,
1884, two pairs of twites were caught in the
neighbourhood of Aldbury by birdcatchers ;
while on May 4th in the latter year a male
was taken in the neighbourhood of Hitchin.
69. Bullfinch. Pyrrhula europtea, Vieillot.
This bird is plentiful in most parts of the
county, although it is rather shot down in
202
BIRDS
those districts where fruit is cultivated to any
extent.
70. Crossbill. Loxia curuirostra, Linn.
This species is a pretty frequent visitor to
several places in Hertfordshire, more especially
on the north-western border. At Tring Park
and in the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted it
appears every winter, staying at times well
into the summer. In fact there are good
grounds for believing that it has nested at
both places, although the actual nest has
never been discovered, the Hon. W. Roths-
child having seen a young bird at the former
place in June which could barely fly, while
near Berkhamsted I have seen the birds paired
in March and April during two different years.
Yarrell also mentions Hertfordshire as a county
in which the nest has been found.
71. Two-barred Crossbill. Loxia bifasciata
(Brehm).
The only example of this species which
has been obtained in Hertfordshire was shot
in a little larch wood on Tharbies Farm near
Sawbridgeworth on January nth, 1890. It
was in the plumage of a female, but the sex
was unfortunately not ascertained by dissec-
tion. Mr. H. S. Rivers, who shot it, first
recorded it in the Zoologist for 1893 as L.
leucoptera ; but Mr. E. Hartert had an oppor-
tunity of examining it, and came to the con-
clusion that it belonged to the European
species.
72. Corn-Bunting. Emberiza miliaria, Linn.
This species is a common resident, especi-
ally in the more open parts of the county.
73. Yellow Hammer. Emberiza citrinella,
Linn.
This is also a common resident, whose
numbers are however increased by immi-
grants during the winter.
74. Cirl Bunting. Emberiza cirlus, Linn.
This is rather a rare nesting species with
us, although I think it must be sparsely distri-
buted along the hills to the north of the
county. In 1881 one was shot near Royston
on February 1 4th while in company with
some yellow hammers. The neighbourhood
of Tring seems to be favoured by it most,
and even there it is far from common. My
acquaintance with it in Hertfordshire is
decidedly limited, being confined to two
examples one seen at Hastoe near Tring on
August 2ist, 1898 ; while during the present
year I saw a male at Aldbury on several
occasions which probably had a nest near.
75. Rustic Bunting. Emberiza rustica, Pallas.
The late Lord Lilford had in his collection
a young male of this species which was sent
to him in the flesh, having been taken by a
birdcatcher at Elstree reservoir on November
i gth, 1882. This specimen was only the
third that had been obtained in the British
Isles.
76. Reed-Bunting. Emberiza schasniclus, Linn.
The reed-bunting is fairly plentiful at
Tring and other suitable localities. It is
however inclined to be rather local.
77. Snow - Bunting. Plectrophenax niva/is
(Linn.).
This bird has occurred on several occasions
in the winter. The first record I have of it
was in February, 1881, when a specimen
which passed into the hands of Mr. W. Hill
was shot near Hitchin. About the same time
several were seen near Royston, two of which
were caught with some larks. On January
24th, 1883, one was obtained on Harpenden
Common; while on December 27th, 1886,
and again on the 2gth, a flock was seen at
Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead. On December
6th, 1893, a specimen was picked up under
the telegraph wires on Royston Heath, and in
January following one was shot at Sandon.
78. Starling. Sturnus vu/garis, Linn.
This is a common resident, the numbers
of which are greatly increased by migrants
during part of the year. In the autumn it
may be seen in vast flocks wending its way
to and from some common roosting-place.
During the last two years I have seen a
starling at Berkhamsted which had a white
tail, but which was otherwise of a normal
colour.
79. Chough. Pyrrhocorax graculus (Linn.).
It is the unexpected which always happens ;
such is certainly the case in this species being
seen in Hertfordshire. In the Herts Advertiser
for June 2ist, 1884, appeared a letter from a
Mr. Henry Cross of Harpenden, in which he
gave a description of a bird of this kind which
he had seen on the eastern side of the Midland
Railway near Beech Bottom Wood, St. Albans,
on May 27th previous. Much correspond-
ence appeared in the papers about it, but no
evidence was forthcoming that a chough had
escaped from confinement at that time, al-
though that would seem to be the most likely
solution of such an occurrence.
80. Jay. Garrulus glandarius (Linn.).
The jay is a plentiful species in the wooded
districts of the county, although it is pretty
203
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
well kept down where game preserving is
carried on to any extent. In 1882 there
appears to have been an unusually large im-
migration of this bird into the county.
81. Magpie. Pica rustica (Scopoli).
This bird is unfortunately in most parts of
Hertfordshire a thing of the past, and it is
only in those districts where there is little or
no game preserving that one is likely to find
this handsome species still resident.
82. Jackdaw. Con/us monedula. Linn.
The jackdaw is so common in some parts
of the county as to be a positive nuisance on
account of its depredations. This bird prefers
parks with old trees and church towers for its
nesting haunts, though I think sometimes it
must condescend to take possession of old
rooks' nests, as I have seen them round a
rookery where there could be no other nesting-
place for them. Mr. Arthur Lewis informed
the late Mr. Littleboy that he observed a
milk-white jackdaw in Gorhambury Park.
This bird I believe remained there some years.
83. Raven. Corvus corax, Linn.
This bird is unfortunately one of those that
is quite a thing of the past so far as Hertford-
shire is concerned. Formerly it no doubt was
a fairly plentiful breeding species in the county,
but it has now completely vanished. At
present I am only able to mention two places
where it formerly nested, although there are
probably several others. The first one is
mentioned in the catalogue of the Booth
Museum at Brighton, the late E. T. Booth
having been shown a tree in Brocket Hall
Park by Mr. Norman Thrale, in which a pair
of ravens had nested up to 1846. Mr. Thrale
himself had two specimens of the bird in his
collection, which had been obtained there.
With regard to the other nesting-place, which
was at Beechwood Park, I have only the
statement of a man who was formerly on the
Woburn estate, and who heard a former Duke
of Bedford, speaking in reference to the raven's
nest then existing at Woburn, state that the
nearest nest to his knowledge was at Beech-
wood. Of late years this bird has occasionally
visited the county, six occurrences being re-
corded in the Transactions since 1880. In
1 88 1 a raven was seen on the outskirts of
Mimms Wood on February 25th by Miss
Selby and several gentlemen while out hunting.
The next record is one seen in 1884 near
Royston by Mr. Percy F. Fordham, and two
more were seen at Church Hill Farm near
that place on November igth, 1885. In
1890 a raven is reported to have been shot in
Hertfordshire in January, and in October,
1 894, one was knocked off a tree with a stone
by a boy at Tring ; while on December 26th
a dead bird was picked up at the same place.
With regard to the bird knocked down by the
boy, it would seem curious that the raven,
which is usually so wary should allow itself
to be so easily approached, unless it was an
escaped bird ; but Mr. Hartert, who reported
the occurrence, stated that he could see no
signs of captivity about it. In addition to the
above examples there is at Munden in the
small collection of local birds belonging to the
Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert a bird which was
obtained in the neighbourhood, probably be-
tween 1840 and 1850.
84. Carrion-Crow. Corvus corone, Linn.
This is a species which is sadly on the
decrease in Hertfordshire, and is hardly to be
found in any part of the county during the
nesting season, except along the southern
border, where there is much less game pre-
serving. In other districts it is only usually
seen as a wanderer. At Munden there is a
stuffed bird of this species of a creamy-white
colour with black tips to the wings which was
shot in that neighbourhood some years ago.
85. Grey or Hooded Crow. Corvus comix,
Linn.
This bird is a regular winter visitor to the
county, arriving in October and leaving again
in March. Large numbers appear at Ash-
ridge after there has been a shooting party
there. One of the names of this bird is the
Royston crow, which is probably taken from
the town of that name, which was formerly
in Cambridgeshire, but is now in this county.
86. Rook. Corvus frugi/egus, Linn.
This species is plentiful all over the county.
Lord Verulam informed Mr. Lewis in 1884
that there were in Gorhambury Park several
more or less white rooks, including one quite
white. A black and white rook also was
shot at Watford by Mr. Michael Ryder
in 1893. Mr. Silvester informed me that in
March, 1896, his ploughman saw some rooks
attack three jackdaws, two of which they
killed.
87. Sky-Lark. Alauda arvensis. Linn.
This is a common resident, whose numbers
are at times greatly increased by immigration.
Albino and colour varieties of this species have
on several occasions been obtained in the
county.
88. Wood-Lark. Alauda arborea, Linn.
During the month of March, 1878, and
again in 1879, this species was observed in a
204
BIRDS
field close to Symond's Hyde Wood in the
parish of Sandridge by Mr. A. F. Griffith, who
had no doubt that it nested there.
89. Short-toed Lark. Alauda brachydactyla,
Leisler.
On March gth, 1886, the Hon. Walter
Rothschild obtained a bird of this species in
Tring Park while shooting food for a tame
owl, and the bird is I believe now in the
Tring Museum.
90. Swift. Cypselus apus (Linn.).
This is a common summer visitor, which
arrives about the beginning of May and leaves
usually early in August.
91. Nightjar. Caprimulgus europteus. Linn.
This bird is fairly plentiful throughout the
county wherever suitable localities are to be
found, and arrives towards the middle of May.
It has a curious habit when put up of flapping
its wings together, much after the style,
though on a smaller scale, of the wood-pigeon
(Columba palumbus).
92. Wryneck. lynx torquilla y Linn.
This species is a regular summer visitor,
arriving early in April.
93. Green Woodpecker. Gecinus viridis
(Linn.).
This is a fairly plentiful resident throughout
the county.
94. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopus
major (Linn.).
This is a bird which may be described as
not uncommon in Hertfordshire ; in fact on
the western side of the county it is plentiful.
95. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopus
minor (Linn.).
This bird is hardly as common as the last-
mentioned species, and on account of its
shyness is far less often seen. At the same
time it cannot be called uncommon in Hert-
fordshire.
96. Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida, Linn.
This beautiful bird is to be found in most
parts of the county, though in some districts
it undergoes much persecution from bird-
catchers, who put up silk nets under the
bridges, and then frighten the birds towards
them.
97. Roller. Coracias garrulus, Linn.
The Rev. C. A. Johns in his book British
Birds in their Haunts states that a roller was
obtained on September 2Oth, 1852, close to
his garden. He was then residing at Callipers,
Chipperfield Common. This is the only ex-
isting record of this species in Hertfordshire.
98. Hoopoe. Upupa epops, Linn.
This handsome bird has been recorded in
our county on two occasions only. In May,
1882, an example in fine plumage was shot
by a keeper named Gooch at Brocket Hall in
the parish of Welwyn. The other bird had
a happier time so far as Hertfordshire was
concerned, although I am afraid it came to a
bad end over the borders. It was seen in
April, 1882, by Mr. Joseph Procter near the
Hoo, Great Gaddesden, but did not remain
long in the neighbourhood, and the fact that
a hoopoe was killed near Wendover a few
days later rather points to an unfortunate
ending for this bird also.
99. Cuckoo. Cucu/us canorus, Linn.
This is a common summer visitor, arriving
about the second or third week in April. The
following is the list of nests in which this
bird's egg has been found in Hertfordshire :
stonechat, hedge-sparrow, pied wagtail, reed-
warbler, whitethroat, swallow and meadow-
pipit.
100. White or Barn Owl. Strix flammea,
Linn.
This is a fairly plentiful species. Unfor-
tunately it is a favourite bird to have stuffed,
and this fact, in addition to the persecution it
undergoes from keepers, does a great deal to
prevent it from becoming commoner.
10 1. Long-eared Owl. Am otus (Linn.).
The long-eared owl is rather locally dis-
tributed in Hertfordshire, although where it
does occur it is by no means rare. As it is
partial to fir plantations there are not many
districts in the county where it is likely to be
common, but it is to be found in many of the
fir spinneys on the northern border, especially
in the neighbourhood of Hitchin.
O2. Short - eared Owl. Asia accipitrinus
(Pallas).
This bird is only a winter visitor, appearing
some years in considerable numbers, though
generally rather locally. It is often flushed
out of turnips and rough grass in October and
November.
103. Tawny Owl. Syrnium aluco (Linn.).
This owl is no doubt plentiful in parts of
the county where there are old trees, but
like its white relative it suffers considerable
persecution. It is a bird which seems much
inclined to make attacks on people who are
passing near its nest, and one or two instances
are on record of this happening in Hertford-
shire. In 1899 Mr. H. G. Fordham sent me
a specimen which had been killed by flying
against the telegraph wires near Odsey. This
205
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
I should imagine is rather an unusual occur-
rence in the owl family.
104. Little Owl. Athene noctua (Scopoli).
This is a species which should I think, so
far as this county is concerned, be classed
under the heading ' introduced.' The first re-
corded specimen in Hertfordshire was obtained
near Ashwell in May, 1877. This example
passed through the hands of the late William
Norman of Royston. Some years after that
I believe the Hon. W. Rothschild turned out
a lot of these birds at Tring, where some of
them still nest. In 1897 a pair, which reared
two young ones, nested on one of Mr. T.
Fowell Buxton's farms at Easneye near Ware,
the nest being in a hollow tree, and in the
following year they nested again on this farm
but in the loft of a barn. I am sorry to say
that the birds on the last occasion were dis-
turbed and deserted their eggs, one of which
was presented by Mr. Buxton to the County
Museum at St. Albans. In addition to the
above records I am informed by Mr. Sainsbury
Verey that in 1898 a little owl was shot in
the early part of the year at Bull's Land near
Rickmansworth, while later in the same year
another was obtained at West Hyde in the
same district. The head keeper at Moor Park
also told me that in that year he saw a small
owl, about the size of a blackbird, there on
several occasions. This bird probably belonged
to the species now under consideration. From
the above facts it would seem probable that
the little owl is likely to become a permanent
resident in Hertfordshire.
105. Hen-Harrier. Circus cyaneus (Linn.).
The first record I have of this species is in
1845, when a pair were shot in the parish of
Sandon ; these birds passed into the possession
of the late Mr. Henry Fordham. On October
28th, 1883, and on one or two occasions
about that date, Mr. M. R. Pryor saw a bird,
which he is confident was of this species, at
Weston Manor near Stevenage. A hen-
harrier, which is now in the possession of Sir
V. H. Crewe, of Calke Abbey, Derbyshire,
was obtained many years ago at Tring, while
a female was shot there in December, 1884.
On November 7th, 1897, Mrs. Brightwen's
bailiff saw at Elstree reservoir a bird which
he stated belonged to this species ; it remained
in the neighbourhood for some days.
1 06. Montagu's Harrier. Circus cineraceus
(Montagu).
This hawk has only been recorded in
Hertfordshire on one occasion, Captain Young
having obtained one at Hexton near Hitchin
in 1875.
107. Buzzard. Buteo vu/garis, Leach.
This fine species is, I am sorry to say, only
an occasional visitor to the county, although
in former times it was probably a fairly com-
mon resident. Nowadays it usually comes to
an untimely end. At Munden House there
is a buzzard in the collection of the Hon. A.
Holland-Hibbert, which was shot there be-
tween 1840 and 1850. This may have been
a representative of the buzzards which were
no doubt at one time to be found in Bricket
Wood. In 1877 a bird of this species was
obtained at Russell Farm near Watford, while
in 1879 one was shot in Hatfield Park. In
February, 1881, Mr. H. Cox procured an
example at Harpenden, and in the following
October a buzzard was seen near Royston,
which, on being fired at, dropped a rabbit it
was carrying. On the 1 5th of the same
month one was shot at Royston while in
pursuit of a pigeon ; this specimen measured
39^ inches across the wings and 19^ inches
in length. In the county museum there is a
bird which was caught in a hedgehog trap at
Cowheath Wood near Hoddesdon, and which
was presented to the museum by Mr. F. M.
Campbell. In September or October, 1897,
a buzzard was shot at Barrington, while in
the latter month one was seen flying over
Earl's Wood, Barkway, where also on October
7th, 1898, and October I4th, 1899, and
again in the early part of October, 1900,
this species was observed.
1 08. Rough-legged Buzzard. Buteo lagopus
(Gmelin).
This bird was first recorded in Hertford-
shire in 1880, when one, which frequented a
high hill with a large tree on the top during the
greater part of October and part of Novem-
ber, was shot at Bennington on the ninth of
the latter month. This bird measured 4 feet
7^ inches across the wings and i foot 9 inches
in length. A second specimen was shot on
October 30th, 1883, within a few yards of
where the other was killed. On January
3rd, 1 88 1, Mr. T. F. Buxton, while out
shooting on the Rye Meads near Ware, put
up a bird of this species from the ground
where it had apparently been feeding, as the
remains of some bird were found near. A
rough-legged buzzard, which was eventually
exhibited by the late Lord Ebury at a meet-
ing of the Herts Natural History Society in
February, 1892, was trapped early in that
month at Bishop's Wood near Rickmansworth,
while in the following autumn a male and
female were shot at Tring, and a third was
taken alive, the latter living for some time in
the Hon. Walter Rothschild's aviary.
206
BIRDS
109. White-tailed Eagle. Ha/ia?tus albicilla
(Linn.).
The late Mr. Abel Smith had in his
possession a specimen of this fine bird, which
was obtained some years previously to 1877
at Sacombe.
1 1 0. Sparrow-Hawk. Accipiter nisus (Linn).
This is probably the worst offender
against the game laws, and deserves all it
gets ; but at the same time it is always a
pity that any indigenous species should be
gradually exterminated, as this seems likely
to be. In many districts in this county it
is now a most unusual thing to see a sparrow-
hawk.
in. Kite. Milvus ictinus, Savigny.
The red kite was no doubt at one time
resident in Hertfordshire, but it has now so
completely vanished that I am only able to
mention one county specimen. This is in
the collection at Munden, and was shot in
that neighbourhood between 1840 and 1850.
112. Honey-Buzzard. Pe rnis apivorus (Linn.).
There is also at Munden an example of
this species which was obtained near there
about the same time as the kite above referred
to. In 1 88 1 a honey-buzzard was shot at
Little Hadham on September 23rd while
being mobbed by some rooks. It measured
53^ inches from tip to tip of its wings. On
the 29th of the same month another was
killed at Westmill Rectory, near Buntingford.
113. Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus,
Tunstall.
As no doubt the sport of falconry will be
dealt with elsewhere in the present work, I
propose only to treat of this grand bird from
a natural history point of view. At the
present time the peregrine, which is essentially
sporting in its instincts, in most cases meets
with an inhospitable reception and finds its
way into the taxidermist's hands. In the last
twenty-five years it has been recorded in
Hertfordshire on some fifteen occasions, but
only in about four instances does it appear to
have escaped destruction. In 1876 one was
shot at Hexton, while in 1878 a pair were
killed at Newnham near Baldock, where also
a female, which measured 43 inches across
the wings and weighed 4 lb., was killed on
September 3Oth, 1897. In 1891 a male in
fine plumage was obtained at Stoney Hills
near Bengeo on September i8th, while
another was shot at Bramfield near Hertford
on November 23rd. A female, originally
reported as a buzzard, was taken at the end
of December, 1891, at Cole Green, and on
March i6th, 1895, I saw a bird of this
species, which from its size was presumably a
female, stoop at a partridge at Pendley Manor
near Tring. In August, 1891, a male was
shot at Croxley Green, while Mr. Sutton of
Northchurch has a fine example in his posses-
sion, which was killed by a boy while attack-
ing Mr. Sutton's fowls on August 6th, 1896.
In the following year a peregrine was seen
near Royston during the autumn, while one,
which remained some days, was first observed
near Elstree on December i6th. In 1899 a
falcon was seen at Cokenach near Royston
about the beginning of May. In addition to
the above occurrences there are some few
others of which full details are not forth-
coming, Mr. Franklin of Sandridge owning
one, which was obtained near there, while
another was killed by a keeper named
Pangbourne at Marshall's Wick, St. Albans.
The late Norman Thrale also had two in his
possession which were shot in Hertfordshire.
114. Hobby. Falco subbuteo, Linn.
I am afraid that this little falcon is prac-
tically extinct as a breeding species in this
county ; in fact with one exception I am
unable to enumerate any very recent occur-
rences of the bird. That it used formerly to
nest frequently with us is certain, as Mr.
Joseph Nunn of Royston informed me that
in the early forties it was comparatively com-
mon in the neighbourhood of Kelshall in the
north of the county; in 1849, however, the
last specimen obtained in that parish was shot
off the nest by a keeper. In 1879 a hobby
was obtained in Hatfield Park, while in 1881
a nest containing four eggs was found in
Moor Park. Mr. Latchmore of Hitchin also
informed me that he had eggs which were
taken some years ago near Stevenage. Mr.
Norman Thrale mounted one of these birds
which was shot near Portvale on September
1 7th, 1885, while Mr. F. M. Campbell owns
one that was killed to the north of Cowheath
Wood near Hoddesdon on July 3rd, 1887.
The last record I have of this bird is rather a
doubtful one : this was a hawk seen by
myself on July 27th, 1899, which from its
appearance and flight I am nearly positive was
of this species, but of which I could not be
absolutely sure on account of the light.
115. Merlin. Falco <esalon, Tunstall.
This species has only occurred in Hertford-
shire about half a dozen times. I am informed
by Mr. Latchmore that it has been obtained
near Hitchin, and this is confirmed by Mr.
J. H. Tuke. At Tring four specimens have
been taken, two birds in immature plumage
207
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
having been shot there in February, 1886,
while two adults were procured in January,
1887. The only other record I have is of
one seen at Elstree in December, 1896.
1 1 6. Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus. Linn.
This small hawk is, I am sorry to say,
being gradually exterminated in many parts
of the county, though it is still common in
the more open districts. There is really very
little excuse for this, as although it does
take young game birds, the amount of mice
and other small vermin it destroys quite
counterbalances any damage it does. Unless
some steps are taken by landowners generally
to stop their keepers killing this bird, I am
afraid it also will become a thing of the past.
117. Osprey. Pandion balia'e'tus (Linn).
Hertfordshire can boast of several fine pieces
of water, some of which have been visited by
this bird. The reservoirs at Tring have been
favoured on two occasions, the first being in
September, 1864, when a pair stayed there for
some days : eventually on the 3Oth the
female was shot, the male happily escaping.
In September, 1886, two more visited the
reservoirs. In the same month in 1880 a
female was procured in Hatfield Park ; it
obtained its food from the river Lea, and was
in the neighbourhood some days before it was
shot. It measured 5 feet 6 inches across the
wings and 2 feet in length, and was in
splendid plumage. Another specimen was
killed in the parish of Great Gaddesden on
September I7th, 1887. It was fired at but
only winged, and was with great difficulty
captured and taken to the late J. E. Littleboy
for identification. It was kept alive for some
six weeks, being fed on live fish, but refusing
to take them when dead. It eventually died
and was preserved. This bird measured
5 feet 2 inches across the wings. On the
following day a male was observed fishing at
Wheathampstead in the river Lea. This
also was shot and preserved.
1 1 8. Cormorant. Phalacrocorax carlo (Linn.).
In November, 1878, a cormorant was shot
on the Tring reservoirs, where others were
seen in October, 1880, and on October 3151,
1895. A young bird was picked up dead
near Royston on October I5th, 1881, while
on September 5th, 1885, a cormorant was
seen near Watford. In March, 1886, another
was shot near Park Street, St. Albans, and on
November 4th, 1899, Mr. M. R. Pryor,
while covert shooting near Stevenage, saw
three cormorants fly over. On December
3 ist, or the following day, another went over
him within gunshot.
119. Gannet. Sula bassana (Linn).
Mr. Archer of Sandridge had a bird of
this species which was captured alive near
that place in August, 1884. The second
Hertfordshire specimen was picked up also
alive on September 291)1, 1885, near Brocket
Hall, Welwyn. This was a young bird.
Mr. M. R. Pryor also picked up a gannet
alive near Weston some years ago. It was
kept by him for about a week, and is now in
the possession of Mr. W. A. Farr.
1 2O. Common Heron. Ardea cinerea, Linn.
This species has so far as my knowledge
goes no regular nesting-place in the county,
although isolated nests have from time to
time been found. In 1881 a pair nested near
the Broadwater in Hatfield Park. It occurs
of course in most parts of the county while
in search of food, but these birds must come
from heronries outside our borders.
121. Little Bittern. Ardetta minuta (Linn.).
The first record of this bird with us occurs
in Mr. Harting's book on the Birds of Middle-
sex, in which he states that a specimen was
obtained at Elstree reservoir in 1840. This
bird became the property of the late F. Bond,
and was no doubt sold with the rest of his
collection on his death, but where it is now I
do not know. The second Hertfordshire ex-
ample was one shot on October I7th, 1884,
by Mr. E. N. Beningfield, near the Cartha-
gena Weir on the river Lea near Broxbourne.
This bird was mounted by Gunn of Norwich.
122. Bittern. Botaurus stellaris (Linn.).
Hertfordshire has few attractions to offer
to this species, which probably accounts for
the fact that it has not often been recorded in
the county. It has however nested here on
one occasion, a nest with four eggs having
been found at one of the Tring reservoirs by
the Rev. James Williams in July, 1849.
One of these eggs is now in the possession of
Professor Newton. The next record I can
find is of an example now in the possession of
Mr. Griffin, taxidermist, of Rickmansworth,
which was obtained near there about 1865.
Mr. A. H. Smith informed the late J. E.
Littleboy that a bittern was shot near Staple-
ford on January 3rd, 1871, while Sir John
Evans mentioned one procured near Boxmoor
some years prior to 1877. On January 24th,
1 88 1, a bittern in fine plumage, which
measured 26 inches in height to the top of
the head and 1 5 inches to the shoulder, was
shot at Hoddesdon, where another was obtained
during the severe winter of 1890-91. Two
bitterns, which probably went into the Tring
collection, were taken at Tring on November
208
BIRDS
gth, 1884, while another was obtained there
in December, 1894. In the latter year one
was heard near Hitchin, and a specimen was
obtained at Orton near that place in February,
1885. This bird is now in the possession of
Mr. William Hill.
123. Glossy Ibis. Plegadis falcinellus (Linn.).
This rare visitor has been obtained on two
occasions, one having been shot on September
loth, 1 88 1, at Balls Park, Hertford, by Mr.
P. Ralli, while the other was obtained in
November, 1887, about 200 yards from the
village of Waterford, also near Hertford, by a
Mr. J. Roberts. This latter bird was stuffed
by Mr. Shrimpton of Hertford, and is now in
the possession of the Hon. Walter Rothschild.
124. Grey Lag-Goose. 4nsercinereus,Meyer.
The only record of this species is of a bird
which was obtained at the Tring reservoirs
in September, 1886, and was reported to Mr.
Littleboy by the Hon. Walter Rothschild.
125. White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrtms
(Scopoli).
Captain Clarke-Kennedy in his interesting
little book on the Birds of Berks and Bucks
states, on the authority of the Rev. H. H.
Crewe, who was at that time the rector of
Drayton Beauchamp, close to the Tring
reservoirs, that this species had occurred there,
but he gives no further details. This is the
only ground I have for including the white-
fronted goose in this list.
126. Bean-Goose. Anser segetum (Gmelin).
This bird has only been actually identified
on two occasions, although it is probable that
it has often occurred amongst the many geese
which have been seen flying over at various
times. The first of the two records is of a
specimen shot out of a flock of fifteen near
Royston, on January I5th, 1881. The other
was obtained by the Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert
at Munden, in the winter of 1890 91, and is
now in his possession.
[Canada Goose. Bernicla canadensis, Flem-
ing.
This species, which is really ' introduced,'
is gradually spreading all over the country,
and will no doubt in time be as much entitled
to be called a British bird as Cauabis rufa and
several other species. It has only occurred in
this county on one occasion, when an example
was obtained from a flock of about ten which
were observed early in the morning in a field
at Cokenach near Royston. It weighed 12
lb., and measured 5 feet 6 inches across the
wings and 3 feet 3 inches in length.]
1 209
127. Whooper. Cygnus musicus, Bechstein.
Although Captain Clarke-Kennedy stated
that this species was formerly an occasional
visitor to the reservoirs at Tring, it has cer-
tainly not occurred there of recent years. In
the winter of 1875-76 a pair of these birds
frequented the river Gade at Water End,
Great Gaddesden, for some days. About
Christmas, 1892, about thirty of these fine
birds were seen flying over Hertford, and
eventually they stopped at Woodhall, where
one was shot by Mr. Noble, jun. This bird
was mounted by Mr. Seymour of Hertford,
and its windpipe, which was preserved, was
sent to the museum of King's College, London.
128. Mute Swan. Cygnus olor (Gmelin).
This bird is kept in a semi-domesticated
state in many parts of the county, and may
sometimes, during very hard weather, be seen
on the wing looking for open water. It is
doubtful whether it has ever occurred in a
wild state in Hertfordshire. The variety of
this bird known as C. immutabilis is said to
have occurred at Tring on three occasions.
129. Sheld-Duck. Tadorna cornuta (S. G.
Gmelin).
This handsome duck has been identified
with us several times, the first being in 1883,
when Mr. Wilshin shot one at Elstree reser-
voir during Christmas week ; another was
seen at the same place in December, 1896.
At Tring reservoirs the Hon. Walter Roths-
child identified one on January 8th, 1888,
and Street observed another on January loth,
1897.
130.
Mallard
Linn.
or Wild Duck. Anas ioscas,
This species is to be found sparsely distri-
buted in many parts of the county, but it is
only at Tring that one can see vast numbers
together. Here some hundreds are reared
every year, and regular battues are organized
during the shooting season. The system of
feeding the birds on this water, the arrange-
ment of causeways and jetties by which they
are approached, and indeed the whole manage-
ment throughout the year is most interesting.
A hybrid of this duck and either the wigeon
or pintail is said to have been obtained at
Tring on February gth, 1888.
131. Gadwall. Anas strepera, Linn.
The Rev. H. H. Crewe stated that the
gadwall occurred occasionally at the Tring
reservoirs, but there is certainly no record of
it in recent times.
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
132. Shoveler. Spatula clypeata (Linn.).
One or two pairs of this handsome duck
nest regularly in the neighbourhood of the
Tring reservoirs every year, the nest often
being in the reeds or herbage at their margin,
although it is occasionally placed in an adjoin-
ing field. In August, 1882, a shoveler was
killed on the river Lea near Wheathampstead,
while a fine drake was accidentally killed near
Welwyn on April loth, 1885, and was pre-
served for Mr. G. J. Buller.
133. Pintail. Dafila acuta (Linn.).
This bird is said to have occurred at Tring
on several occasions, but I can only find two
actual records of it there. A male was shot
on February I4th, 1892, and a female on
October 3rd following. The only other re-
corded occurrence of this handsome species in
Hertfordshire is of one which was obtained
at Radwell near Hitchin in 1877.
134. Teal. Nettion crecca (Linn.).
This little duck is a common visitor to
Tring, and occasionally nests there ; in fact,
the nest and birds mounted in the Natural
History Museum at South Kensington were
obtained there. It also occurs in varying
numbers on Elstree reservoir. Mr. Lucas
informed me that he had often seen teal at
Oughton Head near Hitchin, but had never
been able to ascertain whether they actually
nested there. During the winter of 187879
this species was plentiful at Sacombe, while it
has also been recorded at various times from
Hoddesdon, Odsey and Royston.
135. Garganey. Querquedula circia (Linn.).
Apparently in former times this bird was
not an uncommon visitor to the Tring reser-
voirs, but nowadays it seems to have quite
given up going there. In March, 1 849, four
males and four females appeared on one of the
reservoirs and remained for some days, seven
of them eventually being shot. Later in the
same month seven more appeared, but only
stayed for a short time. Mr. Littleboy was
also informed by Miss Williams that this duck
was an occasional visitor there. The only
other place that I can ascertain has been visited
by this bird is Bennington, where one was
shot during Easter week in 1879.
136. Wigeon. Mareca penelope (Linn.).
The wigeon is a frequent visitor to the
reservoirs at Tring and Elstree, and to the
former it sometimes comes in considerable
numbers. It has also occurred at Garston
and Otterspool, both on the river Colne near
Watford, and in 1897 one was shot near
Hitchin.
137. Red -crested Pochard. Netta rufina
(Pallas).
The Hon. Walter Rothschild informed Mr.
Littleboy that a female of this rare duck was
obtained at Tring in September, 1887.
138. Pochard. Fuligula ferina (Linn.).
This duck, which is only to be found
breeding in comparatively few counties in
England, nests at Tring. When and how
the bird first became resident there I do not
know, but of late years about a dozen pairs at
least may be found there every summer. It
is rather a late nester, its eggs being seldom
found much before the second week in May.
During the winter its numbers are usually
considerably increased, and it stays until driven
away by the water being frozen over. This
species has been obtained at various times at
Garston, Hoddesdon, Weston near Stevenage,
and Munden near Watford.
139. Tufted Duck. Fuligula cristata (Leach).
This handsome duck has like the pochard
taken up its abode at the Tring reservoirs,
and although it is perhaps not so plentiful as
that species several pairs nest there annually.
The tufted duck is also a late nester, often
not laying till quite the end of May or begin-
ning of June. In 1887 a male of this species
paired with a pochard and reared young at the
reservoirs, where a hybrid between the two
was obtained in November, 1891. Tufted
ducks have been obtained at Kimpton Hoo
near Welwyn, Munden, Oughton Head near
Hitchin, and Hoddesdon.
140. Scaup-Duck. Fuligula marila (Linn.).
The only definite records I can find of this
bird in Hertfordshire are of a female shot on
the Ashe near Easneye by Mr. T. F. Buxton,
on January 22nd, 1881, and a specimen ob-
tained at the Tring reservoirs in October,
1884. In addition to the above, there is a
pair of scaups at Munden, which were killed
in that neighbourhood probably between 1 840
and 1850.
141. Goldeneye. Clangula glaucion (Linn.).
The goldeneye in winter often visits the
Tring reservoirs in considerable numbers, but
the birds that come are usually females and
young birds, old drakes seldom appearing. In
fact, I have only one record of an old male
in full plumage being seen at Tring, the bird
in question having been obtained there in the
early part of 1849. The late Dr. Brett
informed Mr. Littleboy that a pair of these
ducks was shot in the Bushey meadows some
years ago.
2IO
BIRDS
142. Long-tailed Duck. Harelda glacialis
(Linn.).
A young bird of this species was procured
at one of the Tring reservoirs on October
28th, 1892.
143. Common Scoter. QLdemia mgra (Linn.).
In February, 1881, a pair of these ducks
was seen on a pond at Bushey Heath, where
they stayed for some days, the male eventually
disappearing two or three days before its
female. The next record is of one shot at
Tring in October, 1884 ; this was a female.
In November, 1898, an example was obtained
near Rickmansworth.
144. Velvet Scoter. (Edemia fusca (Linn.).
Captain Clarke-Kennedy stated (Birds of
Berks and Bucks'), on the authority of the Rev.
H. H. Crewe, that this bird had been observed
on the reservoirs on two occasions, but gave
no further particulars.
145. Goosander. Mergus merganser, Linn.
Two goosanders were killed at Tring in
February, 1885, and the keeper there saw
two more on November 25th, 1895, and also
two in January, 1896. One is also said to
have been obtained near St. Albans in the
winter of 1890-91.
146. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser-
rator, Linn.
In the collection of birds belonging to the
Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert at Munden there
are a male and female of this species in splendid
plumage, which were obtained there between
1840 and 1850.
147. Smew. Mergus albel/us, Linn.
In the same collection there is a female
smew, which was shot in the neighbourhood
on December 28th, 1846. At Tring a flight
of nine was seen in February, 1885, while a
female was obtained at Welwyn on January
loth, 1 89 1, and an immature bird was caught
alive near Watford in October, 1 893.
148. Ring-Dove or Wood-Pigeon. Columba
palumbus, Linn.
This is a common resident throughout the
county, whose numbers are greatly increased
during the winter. At times it appears in
immense quantities, the winter of 1894-95
being especially remarkable for this.
149. Stock-Dove. Columba eenas, Linn.
The stock-dove is to be found throughout
Hertfordshire, wherever suitable places are at
hand for it to nest in ; it prefers old trees for
its nesting-site, but at Westmill near Bunting-
ford many of these birds at one time used
holes at an elevation of 30 or 40 feet in a
large gravel pit.
150. Turtle-Dove. Turtur communis, Selby.
This is a common summer migrant, usually
arriving about the end of April or beginning
of May and leaving again in September or
early in October.
151. Pallas's Sand-Grouse. Syrrbaptes para-
doxus (Pallas).
During the great immigration of 1863 two
male sand-grouse were recorded as having
been shot in Hertfordshire, at Dugdale Hill,
South Mimms, in June. Curiously enough
this particular place, though surrounded on
three sides by Hertfordshire, is not actually in
the county, and therefore we cannot rightfully
claim these particular birds. However, about
the same time nine females were obtained in
the neighbourhood of Royston, and no doubt
some of these came from the Hertfordshire
side. During the next great invasion the
county was more fortunate, as on May 2Oth,
1888, two sand-grouse, which came into the
possession of Mr. F. M. Campbell, were shot
on Jepp's Farm near Hoddesdon, out of a
flock of forty. A week later Mr. A. W.
Dickenson saw seven of these birds flying near
Batch Wood, St. Albans ; while on June 4th
Mr. Chapman of Bennington obtained a fine
specimen at that place ; he first thought the
bird was a golden plover on account of its
flight, but when he heard its note, which he
described as ' cruci, cruckj he recognized that
it was a strange bird.
152. Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus, Linn.
This bird is strictly preserved in most parts
of the county, and large numbers are reared
annually. Albino and pied varieties are not
uncommon.
153. Partridge. Perdix cinerea, Latham.
This is also a bird which is largely pre-
served, but of course some parts of the county
afford better partridge shooting than others.
There have been several cases reported of this
species nesting on the top of hay and straw
ricks. Several curious colour varieties have
been obtained in Hertfordshire, amongst which
may be mentioned a pair of birds which had
white wings and tails.
154. Red-legged Partridge. Caccabis rufa
(Linn.).
The French or red-legged partridge is fairly
plentiful in many parts of the county. A
curious nesting-place, chosen by a bird of this
species near Royston, was a deserted wood-
pigeon's nest, about six feet from the ground,
211
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
situate in a small plantation. In this the bird
laid thirteen eggs ; but the owner of the land,
fearing that harm might come to the young
birds, removed the eggs and put them under
a hen.
155. Quail. Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre.
This is a not an uncommon visitor to Hert-
fordshire, though chiefly along the northern
part of the county, where it probably nests.
156. Land -Rail or Corn - Crake. Crex
pratensis, Bechstein.
This is a common summer visitor to Hert-
fordshire, arriving usually towards the end of
April. It has on two or three occasions been
obtained in the months of December and
January.
157. Spotted Crake. Porzana maruetta
(Leach).
The first record I have of this species in
this county is in 1878, when one was shot
in the Colne meadows near Watford on
September 4th. In October, 1881, another
was found under the telegraph wires near
the same town, and is I believe now in the
possession of Mr. Downer. Two were picked
up dead by the railway near St. Albans in
October, 1880 ; while in September, 1883,
one was shot at the Tring reservoirs, another
being obtained there in October, 1885. A
spotted crake now in the possession of Mr.
Latchmore was killed in November, 1893, by
flying against the telegraph wires near Hitchin,
in the neighbourhood of which town others
have been obtained from time to time, one
being procured there during the winter of
189596. In the latter year a bird of this
species was obtained at Offley in August.
158. Little Crake. Porzana parva (Scopoli).
On the authority of the Hon. Walter
Rothschild I include this species in the list.
A specimen is said to have been obtained at
one of the Tring reservoirs on January 5th,
1887.
159. Baillon's Crake. Porzana bailloni
(Vieillot).
In the Zoologist for 1892 Mr. W. H. M.
Ayres recorded the occurrence of this species
in Hertfordshire. The bird in question was
shot on October 24th, 1891, in the marshes
near Cheshunt, which were then flooded. It
was in good plumage but was very thin, and
was sent to Rowland Ward for preservation.
1 60. Water-Rail. Rallus aquaticus, Linn.
This bird has occurred in different parts of
the county at various times, and occasionally
in some numbers. It occurs regularly at
Tring, where it probably nests, although that
has not been definitely ascertained.
161. Moor-Hen. Galllnula chloropus (Linn.).
This bird is plentiful throughout the county,
often frequenting even small ponds during the
nesting season.
162. Coot. Fulica atra, Linn.
This species occurs on many of the orna-
mental and other waters in Hertfordshire, but
nowhere is it to be found in such numbers as
at the Tring reservoirs, where it may be seen
in scores.
163. Great Bustard. Otis tarda, Linn.
Before the day of drills and horse-hoes,
hedges and plantations, this bird undoubtedly
was found in Hertfordshire, as in several other
counties. The chalk hills along the northern
boundary made a splendid home for it. Now,
alas, it has disappeared for ever, and only one
specific record of it remains, though Willughby
and Ray gave Royston Heath as one of the
districts in which it was then found. It dis-
appeared however without any note being
made of its habits and haunts in this county.
The last occasion on which a great bustard
appeared in Hertfordshire was at the beginning
of the present century, when one was seen in
the neighbourhood of Royston ; this bird the
whole population turned out to shoot, but
without success, and it eventually disappeared.
164. Thick-knee or Stone-Curlew. (Edicnemus
scolopax (S. G. Gmelin).
This is another species which I am afraid is
following in the footsteps of the last-named
bird, and for the same reasons. A very few
years ago this bird was by no means uncom-
mon along the open country to the north, but
now very few visit there in a year.
165. Dotterel. Eudromias morinellus (Linn.).
The decrease of this species on migration
in Hertfordshire is not due so much to internal
as external causes, the bird I am afraid being
on the decrease as a breeding species in the
British Isles, and therefore there are fewer
trips ' of dotterel passing through the county
on their way north. It was chiefly in the
district between Royston and Hitchin that
these birds were seen ; there they appeared
fairly regularly every year at one time, but
now their visits are few and far between.
1 66. Ringed Plover. /Egialitis hiaticula
(Linn.).
This bird is a regular visitor to Hertford-
shire on the spring and autumn migration,
being seen every year at Tring, while it has
also been obtained at Royston and at Park
Street near St. Albans.
212
BIRDS
167. Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis,
Linn.
Small parties of golden plover may usually
be seen with the flocks of lapwings during the
winter, arriving and departing with the
commoner bird, but occasionally immense
flocks appear more in the open country on the
north, although good-sized parties are often
seen at Tring. In 1882 golden plovers were
seen near Hertford during the months of
August and September, which is unusually
early for them to arrive.
1 68. Grey Plover. Squatarola helvetica (Linn.).
This bird, to the best of my knowledge,
has only occurred in Hertfordshire on three
occasions. The first was obtained at Tring
in March, 1885, where another was shot by
Mr. Ernest Hartert on December I2th, 1897,
while he was waiting for duck ; this second
bird was a male in fine plumage. The third
specimen was a female, which was picked up
near Royston in the spring of 1893, having
come in contact with the telegraph wires.
169. Lapwing or Peewit. Vanellus vulgaris,
Bechstein.
This bird nests in small numbers through-
out the county, but it is only in the winter
that they occur in any quantities. Then
very often they are to be seen in enormous
flocks from the beginning of December well
on into February, more especially in the open
country to the north of the county.
170. Oyster-Catcher. H&matopus ostra/egus,
Linn.
This species was first recorded in this
county in April, 1866, when one was shot at
Elstree reservoir, another being killed at the
same place by Mr. Wilshin in February, 1868.
In 1897 an oyster-catcher was obtained at
Tring on September 24th, while two were
shot at Rickmansworth in November, 1898.
Two more were also observed at Elstree on
April loth, 1899.
171. Grey Phalarope. Phalaropus fulkarius
(Linn.).
In the seventies an example of this species
was shot at Grove Mill near Hitchin by Mr.
Latchmore, in whose possession it now is.
In October, 1885, one was obtained at Tring,
where four more were procured in the corres-
ponding month in 1891, while in December,
1899, another was picked up dead in a wood
called 'Stubbings' at Tring Park. This
latter bird was quite fresh when found, and
was very lean, as if starved. In November,
1891, a grey phalarope was shot out of a
small pond at Chiltern Green by a Mr. Piggott.
172. Woodcock. Scolopax rusticula, Linn.
This well-known bird is an annual visitor
to Hertfordshire, arriving usually in October.
A few pairs also occasionally stay to breed
here, the nest having been found at Tring
Park, Hoddesdon, Haileybury and Hertford
Heath at various times.
173. Great Snipe. Gallinago major (Gmelin).
Mr. Harting in his Birds of Middlesex
states that this bird has occurred at Bushey
Heath many years ago. An albino variety
also is said to have been obtained at Tring in
August, 1880. The latest record is of a
specimen shot at Slip End, Sandon, on
September nth, 1897, by Mr. J. H. Phillips
of Royston, and now in his possession.
174. Common Snipe. Gallinago ccelestis
(Frenzel).
This is a fairly plentiful visitor to Hertford-
shire, but so far as I am aware it has never
been found nesting in the county.
175. Jack Snipe. Gallinago ga llinula (Linn.).
The jack snipe is a bird about which there
is very little information so far as Hertfordshire
is concerned, but it probably visits suitable
localities during the winter, and has undoubt-
edly been obtained at Tring, while in 1883
one was sent to Mr. Spary for preservation,
which had been shot near St. Albans.
176. Dunlin. Tringa alpina. Linn.
This species is a regular visitor to Tring at
all periods of the year, and it has also occurred
near Royston, and at Hitchin, Redbourn and
Elstree.
177. Little Stint. Tringa minuta, Leisler.
Two little stints were obtained at Tring in
August, 1885.
178. Temminck's Stint. Tringa temmincki,
Leisler.
A bird of this species is said, on the author-
ity of the Hon. W. Rothschild, to have been
shot at one of the Tring reservoirs in Sep-
tember, 1887.
179. Sanderling. Calidris arenana (Linn.).
This bird occasionally appears at the Tring
reservoirs on migration, while in December,
1893, one was shot near St. Albans.
1 80. Ruff(? Reeve). Machetes pugnax (Linn.).
In the collection at Munden there are two
ruffs and a reeve which were obtained in that
neighbourhood probably between 1840 and
1850. Mr. C. P. Stewart also has a reeve
which was shot at Chisfield near Stevenage,
about 1882. Tring has been favoured by
this species on three occasions at least, one
213
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
having been shot there in August, 1884, and
two in the same month in 1886, while on
August 1 7th, 1895, two were seen there, one
of which was afterwards shot and turned out
to be a reeve.
1 8 1 . Common Sandpiper. Tetanus bypoleucus
(Linn.).
This bird is a common visitor on the spring
and autumn migration to many parts of Hert-
fordshire, arriving about the third week in
April, but only on one occasion has it been
found nesting in the county. This was in
1896, when the miller at Hyde Mill near
Hitchin, found a nest under the high bank of
the mill sluice-pit. Mr. Latchmore, who in-
formed me of this, further corroborated it, as
he had often flushed the birds from the place,
but had never thought of looking for a nest.
182. Wood - Sandpiper. Tetanus glareola
(Gmelin).
The Hon. Walter Rothschild informed the
late J. E. Littleboy that an example of this
species was obtained at the Tring reservoirs
in August, 1886.
183. Green Sandpiper. Tetanus ockropus
(Linn.).
This is a fairly regular visitor to Tring on
migration, and at one time frequently appeared
at Ickleford near Hitchin. It has also been
observed at Weston near Stevenage, Hertford,
St. Albans, Radlett and Braughing.
1 84. Redshank. Tetanus calidris (Linn.).
The redshank has appeared at Tring more
frequently than formerly during the last two
or three years, as up to the year 1898 it had
only been recorded in Hertfordshire on about
three occasions, but since then two or three
have been seen at the reservoirs each year. It
has occurred near Watford once, one having
been shot in the Colne meadows in 1875 or
1876, while in June, 1891, a redshank was
picked up on the Midland Railway between
St. Albans and Radlett.
185. Greenshank. Tetanus canescens (Gmelin).
The greenshank may be considered an
annual visitor to the Tring reservoirs, as
some appear there every year in the spring
and autumn. The only other place in the
county from which it has been recorded is
Watford, where one was shot by Mr. A.
Dyson in the Colne meadows in the early
part of 1880.
1 86. Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lappenica
(Linn.).
In December, 1880, a bird of this species
was obtained at the Tring reservoirs.
187. Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa belgica
(Gmelin).
A black-tailed godwit is said to have been
shot at Tring in September, 1886.
1 88. Curlew. Numenlus arquata (Linn.).
Whether this bird occurs nowadays oftener
or not than formerly I do not know, but it is
certainly the fact that there are more records
of it at the present time. In May, 1882, a
female was shot at Sacombe Park, while later
in the year curlews were heard near Hertford.
It has also been recognized at Great Berkham-
sted, Elstree, Royston and Stevenage. But it
is to Tring that these birds come most
frequently : formerly its visits there were few
and far between, but during the last few years
it has appeared regularly and at times in some
numbers, the largest number seen there at
once being sixteen.
189. Whimbrel. Numenius pbteopus (Linn.).
A whimbrel was shot during the month of
July, 1 88 1, in the parish of Throcking, by
Mr. John Coleman. The only other example
ever obtained in Hertfordshire was procured
at Buckland near Royston, on May lyth,
1883.
190. Black Tern. Hydrocheltden nigra (Linn.).
This pretty bird is to be seen at Tring
every year and often in considerable numbers,
as many as sixty or seventy having been
observed there at one time. One noticeable
fact about the visits of this species is that it
comes all through the summer, instead of
only appearing in the spring and autumn.
On April 24th, 1886, Mr. Henry Lewis saw
two black terns between Park Street and
Moor Mill, one of which was eventually shot
and mounted by Mr. Luff of St. Albans.
Mr. Benefield of Ware also informed Mr.
Littleboy that he obtained six of these birds
some years ago near Broxbourne, and that on
May 1 3th, 1886, he observed a pair of them
flying over some flooded meadows on the
banks of the Stort in the parish of Gilston ;
they were very tame and frequently came
within a few yards of him. Mr. E. P.
Thompson mentions a black tern which was
obtained at Elstree reservoir about 1882 : it
was sitting on a buoy to which boats were
attached at the time.
191. Sandwich Tern. Sterna cantiaca,
Gmelin.
The only record I can find of this species
in Hertfordshire is that two, which I believe
passed into the possession of the Hon. W.
Rothschild, were killed at the Tring reser-
voirs in October, 1886.
214
BIRDS
192. Common Tern. Sterna fuviatilis,
Naumann.
This is a bird which occurs in some num-
bers at the reservoirs every summer, as many
as fifty or sixty being sometimes seen there
together. It has also been observed at Elstree
reservoir, Royston and Sawbridgeworth.
193. Arctic Tern. Sterna macrura, Nau-
mann.
An arctic tern is said to have been obtained
at Tring in the spring of 1886.
194. Little Tern. Sterna minuta, Linn.
This little bird usually appears at Tring
every summer, while it has also been obtained
once or twice in the neighbourhood of Roy-
ston.
195. Black-headed or Brown-headed Gull.
Larus ridibundus, Linn.
This gull is a frequent visitor to Hertford-
shire, and especially to Tring. It has also
been reported from Sawbridgeworth, Hemel
Hempstead, Hertford, and Heronsgate near
Rickmansworth.
196. Common Gull. Larus canus, Linn.
So far as Tring is concerned this gull per-
haps comes quite up to its name, as it is
certainly one of the commonest of the family
there. It has also been recorded from Hemel
Hempstead, where one was shot towards the
end of 1881.
197. Herring-Gull. Larus argentatus, Gmelin.
Formerly this species was quite a rarity in
Hertfordshire, very few specimens having been
obtained ; but in the autumn of 1898 Mr.
M. R. Pryor continually saw small parties of
herring-gulls, accompanied probably by some
of the next mentioned species, flying over
Weston Manor near Stevenage. This species
has also occurred at Tring, Berkhamsted,
Royston, St. Albans, Hemel Hempstead and
Hertford.
198. Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus fuscus,
Linn.
This is no doubt the black-backed gull
which is seen most frequently at Tring, where
birds of that description appear every year,
and it is to this species that some of the larger
gulls seen going over may no doubt be re-
ferred. At Munden there is a lesser black-
backed gull, which was obtained there between
1840 and 1850.
199. Great Black-backed Gull. Larus mari-
nus, Linn.
This bird is stated by Street, the keeper at
the Tring reservoirs, to occasionally appear
there, and his identification is probably correct,
as in his letters he especially differentiates
between black-backed and great black-backed
gulls. It is not however a common visitor.
200. Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.).
There are only about four records of this
little gull in Hertfordshire. In January, 1885,
two were shot at Tring, while in the February
following a dead bird was picked up at London
Colney. I saw a kittiwake on Berkhamsted
Common on May igth, 1895 ; and in January,
1897, one was picked up dead in the Priory
garden at Hitchin.
201. Arctic or Richardson's Skua. Stercorarius
crepidatus (Gmelin).
This bird was first recorded as a Hertford-
shire bird from an example which was shot
near Stevenage on November 5th, 1881. The
only other county specimen was obtained in
the following year, at Langleybury, and was
presented by Mr. Loyd to the Watford Public
Library.
202. Guillemot. Uria troile (Linn.).
In November, 1882, a guillemot was shot
by Mr. F. Hicks at Elstree reservoir ; while
another was shot on the Hertford meads on
April 5th, 1888.
203. Little Auk. Mergulus alle (Linn.).
This is a wanderer, which is usually found
inland only after very stormy weather. The
first recorded bird of this species in Hertford-
shire was picked up between Baldock and
Royston in 1846. In December, 1882, an
old bird, which lived some days in confine-
ment, was found alive near Langley, about
five miles from Hitchin ; and in 1885 a dead
little auk was found in a field near Symond's
Hyde, Sandridge. On November 22nd, 1 893,
a specimen, which had come to grief at the
telegraph wires, was discovered between
Litlington and Royston, near the latter of
which places another, which is now in the
possession of Mr. Nash, occurred in 1894.
In the following year several were obtained,
one being picked up at Sarratt on January
25th, and others being found about the same
time near Ashwell, Hitchin and Welwyn.
204. Puffin. Fratercula arctica (Linn.).
This marine species has wandered inland to
this county on several occasions. In March,
1 882, one was picked up alive at Pirton, near
Hitchin, another being caught near Broxbourne
in the following month, while in November
of the same year a third was found at Preston,
also near Hitchin. In 1883 a specimen,
which had apparently been injured by the
215
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
telegraph wires, was obtained at Reed near
Royston ; and in the next year one was picked
upatMunden. In the winter of 1890 91 an
example was procured at or near Totteridge,
and one was shot at Roxford Farm, Bayford-
bury, at the end of 1 893 ; while on November
1 5th, 1894, a bird of this species was picked
up alive near St. Albans.
205. Great Northern Diver. Colymbus
g/acia/is, Linn.
In December, 1841, an immature great
northern diver was obtained at the Tring
reservoirs, where also one was shot on
January ist, 1887 ; others being seen there
on February I5th following, and on January
1 2th, 1897. At Elstree, a specimen was ob-
tained on December a6th, 1876, and another,
an immature bird, in 1884.
206. Great Crested Grebe. Podicipes cristatus
(Linn.).
Few places in the British Isles have this
magnificent bird resident in such numbers as
are to be found at the Tring reservoirs. It
arrives there early in March, leaving again
usually in November ; and, thanks to the pro-
tection afforded to it there, thirty or forty
pairs, and often more, may be seen during the
nesting season. I am not aware of any other
place in the county where it breeds.
207. Red-necked Grebe. Podicipes griseigena
(Boddaert).
The Rev. H. H. Crewe stated in The Birds
of Berks and Bucks by Clarke-Kennedy, that
he had identified this bird at Tring on two
occasions, but unfortunately he gave no further
particulars.
208. Slavonian Grebe. Podicipes auritus
(Linn.).
In 1884 a Slavonian grebe was killed at
Radwell, near Hitchin, in the month of
January. In 1881 one was caught by some
boys in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead.
Two also were shot at Tring in October,
1884, where I believe the bird had in 1878
been identified by Mr. T. Harris of Leighton
Buzzard.
209. Little Grebe or Dabchick. Podicipes
fluviatilh (Tunstall).
This bird is a common species throughout
Hertfordshire, wherever suitable localities are
to be found, and nests in some numbers on
many of the little rivers in the county.
Although the nest is usually a floating struc-
ture, I on one occasion, at Water End, Great
Gaddesden, found one built on the bank of
the Gade.
210. Storm-Petrel. Procellaria pelagica, Linn.
This species has been obtained in most
inland counties, and Hertfordshire is no excep-
tion in this respect, since in 1881 a male and
female were picked up dead in a field near
East Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, on December
1 5th, while one was captured alive on Decem-
ber nth, 1886, on the Midland Railway line
near St. Albans.
216
MAMMALS
It is unfortunately the case that until a few years ago the mammals
of Hertfordshire had received but little attention from local naturalists.
It seems that until recently no records whatever were kept of the occur-
rence of rare species or varieties, and it is now when all information that
can be collected is necessary for the compilation of a satisfactory list of
the mammals of the county that this neglect of former years is especially
felt. It will therefore be readily understood that with merely the records
and notes of the past few years at hand the following list is of necessity
very limited, and that the record of extinct species or of those which
are becoming so can scarcely be given. The chief sources from which
I have procured information are the Transactions of the Watford Natural
History Society and the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History
Society ; I have also found some interesting records in Mr. Harting's
articles on British Mammals which have appeared from time to time in
the Zoologist.
Of the several branches the Cheiroptera have received the least
amount of attention. Only four species of bats have up to the present
been identified, and it is reasonable to suppose that wken more time and
trouble have been given to them, several species which are found in
other counties will be added to the list.
The distribution of the various mammals has by no means been
thoroughly worked out, so that in the case of some it is impossible
to say more than that they are to be found in the county, without
reference to the localities in which they most frequently occur. There
is little of special interest that can be said about the majority, as they are
common throughout the county, but to such animals as the badger (Meles
me/es), the polecat (Putorius putorius], the pine marten (Mustela martes],
and the otter (Lutra /utra), especial interest is attached owing to their
declining numbers and rare occurrence at the present day. Unfortunately
full notes only concerning the first-named are to hand, and for these I
have to thank Dr. Brett and Mr. T. Vaughan Roberts from whose
respective pens most interesting and valuable notes on this species have
appeared at intervals in the Trans, of the Hertfordshire Nat. Hist. Soc. At
the end of the list will be found the mention of two animals, the red deer
(Cervus elapbus) and the fallow deer (Ceruus dama), which appear in the
county at the present day only in a semi-domesticated state, and are not
actually feree naturae. These have been included, for I consider that they
are practically a link between the past and the present, since these animals
were no doubt at one time to be found in a wild state in Hertfordshire, as
217
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
in many other counties in England. While mentioning these two animals
I should like to refer to a very interesting paper on Hertfordshire Deer
Parks which was read before the Hertfordshire Natural History Society
by Mr. Harting in 1881. He stated that at one time there were some
forty-four deer parks in this county, but that at the present day there
were only ten which had not been disparked. In one of these only
Ashridge Park near Great Berkhamsted is the red deer now kept,
though probably it was to be found in several others in days gone by.
In all the other parks which now exist there are only fallow deer.
CHEIROPTERA
i. Lesser Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolopkus hippo- 3
siderus, Bechstein.
The Rev. H. A. Macpherson in the Zoologist
for 1887, p. 152, states that a fresh example
of this species, which had been obtained in
Hertfordshire, was sent in the summer of
1886 to Spalding of Notting Hill.
Pipistrellus noctu/a,
Great or White's Bat.
Schreber.
Bell Scotophilui noctula.
White Vespertilio altivolans.
This bat is found in all parts of Hertford-
shire.
2. Long-eared Bat. Plecotus auritus, Linn.
The long-eared bat is generally distributed
throughout the county.
4. Pipistrelle. Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Schreber.
Bell Scotopbilus plpistrellus.
This is an abundant species everywhere in
the county.
INSECTIVORA
5. Hedgehog. Erinaceus europteus, Linn.
This animal is common in Hertfordshire,
though many are destroyed in various ways.
A female hedgehog in my possession in July
of this year (1900) devoured one of the
young ones which I found with it.
6. Mole. Talpa europeea^ Linn.
The mole is very abundant with us, though
apparently it is more plentiful during some
years than others. In the winter of 187980
it seems to have been unusually numerous
throughout the county. This species is sub-
ject rather often to variations in colour, for in
the Trans, of the Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. for
1883 the late Dr. Brett recorded the finding
of thirty moles of a white or cream colour in
about half an acre of a field of oats. Some
albino moles also, caught in a hedgerow at
Ley Farm on the St. Albans Road, Watford,
were exhibited by Mr. T. Vaughan Roberts
at a meeting of the society in December, 1891.
7. Common Shrew. Sorex araneus. Linn.
This animal is found throughout the county,
but of its congener (S. pygmeeuf) I can find no
record. In August or September, 1893, Mr.
Henry Lewis of St. Albans obtained from
a clover-field near that place two specimens
of the common shrew which were albinos ;
this is a most unusual occurrence, as albinism
is seldom found in this species.
8. Water-Shrew. Neomys fodiens, Pallas.
Bell Crossopus fodlens.
This species is to be found in many parts
of Hertfordshire where the locality is suitable.
There are, I believe, several specimens in the
national collection which are labelled as hav-
ing been obtained at Tring.
CARNIVORA
9. Fox. Vulpes vulpes, Linn.
Bell Vulpes vulgaris.
So long as foxhunting lasts in this country
will the fox remain with us, but when the evil
day comes that the noble sport is given up in
England then will this species soon become
extinct. In many districts in Hertfordshire
the fox is by no means so plentiful as can
be desired. This is chiefly due to the fact
that so much of the county is given up to
shooting rather than hunting. It is however
most strictly preserved by many owners in the
county.
10. Pine Marten. Mustela martts, Linn.
Bell Maries abletum.
The pine marten has unfortunately been
so long extinct in Hertfordshire that I am
2l8
MAMMALS
unable to find more than one record of it.
This is in Mr. Harting's article on the British
marten which appeared in the Zoologist for
1891, p. 456, where it is stated that a speci-
men was obtained in Oxhey Wood near Wat-
ford on December 26th, 1872, which animal
is, I believe, now preserved at Bushey.
11. Polecat. Putorius putorius. Linn.
Bell Mustela putorius.
This species is nearly, if not quite, extinct
as a Hertfordshire mammal, although at one
time not an uncommon resident. In the
neighbouring county of Buckingham polecats
are still to be found, and may occasionally
still travel into Hertfordshire. Mr. T.
Vaughan Roberts has informed me that
Seymour of Hertford, who was at one time
keeper at Ware Park, trapped one there
about 1885. Mr. Roberts also stated that
a polecat was obtained some years ago near
Hitchin. These are the only specific records
I can find of this animal in Hertfordshire.
12. Stoat. Putorius erminius, Linn.
Bell Mustela ermlnea.
This is a common inhabitant of the county
although it suffers a great deal at the hands of
gamekeepers. This species occasionally fre-
quents mole-runs, as is evidenced by one being
caught in a mole-trap at Knightlands Farm,
Barnet, in February, 1891. Albino speci-
mens have from time to time been procured
in Hertfordshire.
13. Weasel. Putorius nivalis, Linn.
Bell Mustela vulgaris.
The weasel is also common throughout the
county, though its numbers, as in the case of
the last species, are well kept down by game-
keepers. The extreme fearlessness of this
animal is wonderful, and is shown by the
fact that Lord Aldenham's keeper once killed
one with his foot when it approached him in
the grass, while he was feeding young phea-
sants.
14. Badger. Meles meles, Linn.
Bell Meles taxui.
Although perhaps not so plentiful as for-
merly, the badger is still far from being ex-
tinct in Hertfordshire, and breeds in large
earths in many parts of the county. The
late Dr. Brett wrote a short article on it in
the Trans, of the Watford Nat. Hist. Sac. for
1877, in which there is a great deal of infor-
mation about its occurrence in Hertfordshire.
From that article it would appear that this
animal was to be found at Ashridge, Ashlyns
near Berkhamsted, Langleybury, The Grove,
Cassiobury Park and Munden near Watford,
Aldenham and Hadham Hall. At Cassio-
bury between 1830 and 1840 there was a
badgers' earth at a spot called Badgers' Dell,
from which badgers were obtained and sold
to a man at Croxley Green, who kept a
public-house at which he used to have badger-
baiting. This was also done annually at
Sandridge Fair near St. Albans ; while at
Aldenham there lived for many years an old
man who was a kind of purveyor of badgers
for this amusement. By 1887 the badgers
in the neighbourhood of Watford appear to
have nearly died out, though from 1880 to
1883 there were several litters found in the
district. In 1886 a badger weighing 25 lb.
was caught in Lord Cowper's park at Pans-
hanger about the middle of February, while
in the society's Transactions for 1892 Mr.
T. Vaughan Roberts mentioned Odsey as an
additional locality for this species. In the
following year, in a paper on Hertfordshire
Mammals in the same journal, he gave a very
interesting account of a large earth at Ashlyns
which had existed there for many years.
15. Otter. Lutra lutra, Linn.
Bell Lutra vulgaris.
This animal cannot be considered common
in Hertfordshire, although it has occurred on
a good many occasions. It is to Dr. Brett
again that we are indebted for particulars of it
in the county. About 1856 an otter was
killed in some osier beds past Tolpits in the
neighbourhood of Watford, while a young one
was killed in the Colne above that town. In
1810 one was seen at Piggott's End on the
river Gade. The Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert
has a stuffed otter in his collection at Munden,
which was shot there in February, 1875.
This animal, which was a male, weighed
over 32 lb. and measured 4 feet i\ inches in
length. In 1880 traces of otters were again
found near Munden, while in 1883 two
animals of this species were seen near Cassio-
bury. Seymour showed Mr. Vaughan
Roberts two others, one of which was
trapped in Ware Park about 1888, while the
other was shot about a mile and a half from
Hertford in 1892.
219
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
RODENTIA
1 6. Squirrel. Sciurus leucourus, Linn.
Bell Sciurus vu/garis.
This is a fairly plentiful resident in most
parts of the county.
17. Dormouse. Muscardinus avellanarius,
Linn.
Bell Myoxus avellanariut.
This small animal is certainly plentiful in
many parts of the county, being often caught
in the autumn and kept as a pet. In the
Zoologist for 1885, p. 204, it is stated, on the
authority of the Rev. H. A. Macpherson,
that it was found commonly in Hertfordshire.
1 8. Brown Rat. Mus decumanus, Pallas.
This is another very common resident,
which often does a vast amount of damage.
In January, 1892, a specimen of the dark
variety, which is sometimes known as Mus
hibernicus, was obtained at Wheathampstead
and was preserved by Cane of Luton.
19. House Mouse. Mus musculus. Linn.
The common mouse is ubiquitous.
20. Wood Mouse or Long-tailed Field Mouse.
Mus sylvaticus, Linn.
This animal is found commonly throughout
the county.
21. Harvest Mouse. Mus minutus, Pallas.
In a paper by Mr. Harting on the harvest
mouse, which appeared in the Zoologist for
1895, p. 421, Hertfordshire is mentioned on
the authority of the late Frederick Bond as
being a county in which this species has oc-
curred. It is recorded in the Fauna and
Flora of Haileybury (1888) as having been
found in that neighbourhood. I also have
found it in the county ; in 1900 I came
across the nest and young and saw the parent
in the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted.
22. Water Vole. Microtus ampbibius, Linn.
Bell Arvicola amphibius.
The water-rat, as it is usually called, is
generally distributed throughout Hertfordshire
wherever the conditions are suitable.
23. Field Vole. Microtus agrestis, Linn.
Bell Arvicola agrestis.
This is an extremely common species
throughout Hertfordshire.
24. Bank Vole. Evotomys glareolus, Schreber.
Bell Arvicola glareolus.
In the Zoologist for 1887, p. 365, Mr.
Harting stated, on the authority of Yarrell,
that this species had occurred in the county,
while on p. 425 of the same journal the
late Frederick Bond included Hertfordshire in
the list of counties in which he had taken
the bank vole. In March, 1893, Mr. T.
Vaughan Roberts had some of these animals
sent to him from near Berkhamsted, where
they had been found in a nest in a heap of
mangolds. He had a cage made for them,
and some of them eventually bred in confine-
ment, but after there had been two broods he
thought it time to get rid of them. He was
accustomed to feed them on corn, bread,
apples, carrots, gooseberries, etc., and he gave
them plenty of water. In the Trans. Herts
Nat. Hist. Sac. for 1893, p. 173, and the
Zoologist for 1892, p. 329, may be found very
interesting accounts by Mr. Roberts of his
experience with these creatures.
25. Common Hare. Lepus europteus, Pallas.
Bell Lepus timirlus.
This animal is found in most parts of the
county, though its numbers vary considerably
in different districts and in different years.
In some places it is very common, while in
others only one or two can be found in a
day. It is most interesting to observe how
the colour of this species varies according to
the soil of the district in which it is found.
26. Rabbit. Lepus cuniculus, Linn.
This species is very abundant in nearly
every part of the county, though no doubt more
plentiful in some places than others. Dr.
Brett in the Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Sac.
for 1878, p. 112, gave some interesting notes
on some coloured varieties of this species. He
mentioned that a Mr. King of Wiggenhall
had a wild grey rabbit which about twenty
years before had produced three black young
ones. These he had preserved, and, at the
time that Dr. Brett wrote, Mr. King had a
large colony of black rabbits, in fact in 1878
they outnumbered the grey animals. He also
stated that pied varieties never occurred, and
that, although the black and the grey inter-
bred, the offspring were always all black or
all grey.
220
MAMMALS
UNGULATA
27. Red Deer. Cervus elaphus, Linn.
Although neither this nor the following
species occurs in a wild state in Hertfordshire
at the present day, a paper on the mammals of
the county is hardly complete without some
mention of them. In the Trans. Watford Nat.
Hist. Soc. for 1878, p. 32, there is mention
made of the discovery, in the peat in Pans-
hanger Park, of a fine pair of antlers and
fifteen vertebrae which were referred to this
species. The antlers were in a fine state of
preservation and measured 3 feet in length,
21 inches in spread, and 7 inches in cir-
cumference just above the place where they
joined the skull. Whether these remains
belonged to the indigenous red deer of Hert-
fordshire or to the former enclosed animals
is uncertain, but I should rather think to
the former category. There is however the
possibility of their belonging to enclosed
animals as formerly there were deer in this
park, although I believe there are none there
at the present day. In the Transactions of the
Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. for 1883, p. 97, Mr.
Harting supplies a very interesting paper on
Hertfordshire deer parks, from which it would
appear that at that time this species was only
kept in one park in the county, viz. Ashridge
Park, the seat of Earl Brownlow. There are
still red deer there, some of which occasion-
ally bear fine heads. During the present year
I saw a stag there with a fine head of nine-
teen points. I believe that at the present time
there are from 100 to 150 red deer there.
28. Fallow Deer. Cervus dama, Linn.
Though now only to be found in parks in
this county, no doubt the fallow deer, which
still exists in a practically wild state in Epping
Forest in the adjoining county of Essex, was
also found wild here. Those days however
have unfortunately long since passed away.
221
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
PRE-HISTi
3O'
*
r,:.'
\ " tWivpm 8 C ,,,
1 '"te .v.,,.;;,A ... ,
-*< ivin-s - .'ia,i/infii rf
ii;..,(K,,r/ >..<;.;., .StAfdrJfu
- '
>>/<<<:./ ^-:;--~i-/' r.
. Cl.ouiiMlUl ^>! . ' \ /,'
h.flrtJJurJ ^1 .,,;, / \if'<,'
w -fL.> ; \^' p' r -> """""""4
' // "' i / '.A r7 ,(P9*-, ' ' / !(
so 1
TLn Zi-.iiliapgk Goo^i-apkicitl
0118*66
THE VI CTORIA H! STORY
1C REMAINS.
" s ; fgV^j^f-^r^
"W ( } V!"W M f r '"'' ) ' 1 1 *5?I.llllJi-;t<.i.
ili,:,i.- ',. / '/ > IV1 S ^^(
'''"' - /n- V, / Ji\\ A
x''"""" -'""^"" ? ' _ ' ' >^,,.,...,i """" 1S \ ''';!'!'' , /( ";y i """" : " 1 ' i i,,.',,,,.,, W ''''.'',':,*'"/'" '
, ( \Glva) \\u,i,.v //;/,,,., t iMtatMr^-- HrxriMlMJjL ;,!'-
lMlfe\". u .,i;i-;n..|v ' > ,. //.."- .v/.;'.''""r,i
: d^K 7"' ' : -^"- A ' .'--/i U^- 1 - 1 !s 5?
itit^'\ *,,,,,,, /-- : w,,,,,,,tt^<-
\ ... U'alltrniJ? ..I.Wfcft,^. ,;>/,/.,.;
..;,/,'. Uv.s//^-CT.i..'K ' /-^ "* ^Ij ^M/lwi
i *- y (j,,,. lu i"u,, >
'. lii-1-il.-n IT. VM'M,,,, :'''
^ \ - \ , f,'/'/
F ;,,,- y ;:k?;:: tl
'""'"'""'' m ,1 ' "''"' " H i"l'^"L
bf
GOUNTI ES OF ENGLAND
THE PREHISTORIC
PERIOD
THE county of Hertford is fairly rich in the remains of the
prehistoric, or, as it may perhaps in this instance be called, the
pre-Roman period. In treating of it, it will be well to adopt
the usual subdivisions of the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze
and late-Celtic periods, and, in addition, to call attention to some of
the more remarkable earthworks in the county, though the age of
many of them is uncertain, and may possibly be post-Roman.
In giving summary notices of the various discoveries, references will
in most cases be made to the works in which more detailed accounts
of them may be found.
THE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD
When first, about the year 1859, special attention was called to
the discovery in the gravels of the valley of the Somme at Abbeville
and Amiens of implements of flint evidently fashioned by the hand of
man, it was soon perceived that they must belong to a far earlier time
than the better-known weapons and implements of the Stone Age as
defined by the Scandinavian school of archaeologists. Not only did
these drift-implements occur associated with a fauna different from that
now prevailing in western Europe, but their forms and the character of
their workmanship were also different. Many of the animals whose
remains are found in the implement-bearing gravels, such as the TLlephas
primigenius, or Siberian mammoth, and the Rhinoceros tichorbinus, or
woolly-haired rhinoceros, are now absolutely extinct ; while others,
such as the reindeer, are now only found in latitudes farther north.
Among the mollusca in the beds in which the implements are found,
some are also extinct, while others occur only in distant habitats. The
Corbicula fluminalis or Cyrena consobrina, which is of not unfrequent
occurrence in the implementiferous beds, is now no longer living in any
river nearer than the Nile. Instead, moreover, of being usually found
upon the surface of the ground, at a moderate depth below it, or in
graves or burial mounds, the new class of implements was often and
indeed generally discovered in undisturbed beds of loam, sand, and gravel
of considerable thickness, and principally towards the base of such beds.
And further, these deposits in which the implements were found pre-
sented the appearance of having been laid down by flood-waters in the
valleys of ancient rivers, which in the course of ages had been deepened
223
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
by the current, sometimes to the depth of a hundred feet or more, since
the gravels of which the implements formed constituent parts had been
deposited. To distinguish this more ancient Stone age from that
which was both better known and more recent, the term ' Palaeolithic '
was applied to it by Sir John Lubbock (now Lord Avebury), while the
more recent Stone age was designated the ' Neolithic.'
Others preferred the terms ' River-drift period ' and ' Surface Stone
period.' The relics characteristic of a transition from one period to the
other, though occasionally asserted to have been found, have not as yet
had their existence satisfactorily established ; and in England, at all
events, there seems to be a great gulf fixed between the two periods.
This is not the place in which to enter into the geological features
of the question ; but it may be mentioned that the beds containing
Palaeolithic implements seem in some cases to be of lacustrine rather
than of fluviatile origin, and that from time to time implements are
found upon the surface, probably in consequence of the containing beds
having been denuded by the action of rain.
The principal Palaeolithic forms are ' flakes,' often of large size, and
oval, ovate, and pointed implements, usually from about three to six or
seven inches in length. The flakes, which generally show three or four
facets on the more convex face, have been detached from blocks of flint
by means of a single blow, and seem to have served as knives or as
scraping tools.
The larger implements have been trimmed into shape by a succes-
sion of blows administered at their margins, each blow detaching a flake
or splinter. They seem to have been employed for all purposes, and to
have been held in the hand, and not mounted on any handle or shaft,
though some of them look as if they might have been readily converted
into spear-heads. For their general character and theories as to their
age 1 other works must be consulted.
The discoveries of Palaeolithic implements within the county of
Hertford have been numerous, and some of them have been made under
peculiarly interesting circumstances. It will be well to consider them
in somewhat geographical order, taking the districts comprised within
the watersheds of the rivers Colne and Lea as the two main divisions.
The first recorded discovery of the kind within the county was
made by myself in the year 1 86 1, 2 when I found a Palaeolithic implement
in a ploughed field near Bedmond, in the parish of Abbot's Langley. It
is of the pointed triangular form, but it has lost its point, and although
found lying on the surface, it was probably derived from a bed of red
brick-earth in the immediate neighbourhood. The spot where it lay is
about half a mile to the west of Bedmond and about 1 60 feet above the
level of the Gade at its nearest point. It is, however, near the bottom
1 Evans, /Indent Stone Implements ; Lubbock, Prehistoric Times ; Dawkins, Early Man in
Britain, etc., etc., etc.
2 Arcb&ologia, xxxix. p. 73 ; Evans, Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 596 ; Tram.
Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. viii. p. 182.
224
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
of a lateral valley leading into the main valley of the Gade itself an
affluent of the Colne between Boxmoor and Watford. In 1892 I
found another smaller implement of ovate form, which lay among some
stones placed in a rut at Bedmond Hill. 1 In a ploughed field near Hart
Hall Farm, about midway between these two localities, I found in 1885
what seems to be the point of a Palaeolithic implement, not made of flint,
but of a hard Tertiary sandstone. There is, of course, no geological
evidence as to the position which these implements originally occupied ;
and the same may be said with regard to two ovate specimens which I
found in gravel laid on the towing-path of the Grand Junction Canal,
with which at this spot the Gade is incorporated, between Apsley and
Nash Mills, about two miles south of Hemel Hempstead.
Other specimens are reported to have been found near the head of
the tributary valley of the Bulbourne near Wigginton, to the south-east
of Tring.
Farther to the west, in the valley of the Misbourne, another
affluent of the Colne, a good specimen was found in 1891 in digging
for the foundation of the bridge over the Metropolitan Extension Rail-
way, just north of Great Missenden. 2 This, however, is in Buckingham-
shire, and not in Herts.
Returning to the valley of the Colne, it is recorded that on its left
bank, near Bushey Park, 3 close to Watford, several Palaeolithic imple-
ments of various forms have been found in gravel, about 40 feet above
the existing stream.
Between Watford and St. Albans the Colne receives the waters of
the Ver, the source of which in very wet seasons is but a few miles
distant from that of the Lea ; and in the district around Kensworth and
Caddington most interesting discoveries have been made by Mr.
Worthington G. Smith. They are fully described in his book entitled,
Man the Primeval Savage* so that it is not necessary to give more than a
resume of them. At Kensworth itself nothing more than a few Palaeo-
lithic flakes have been found, but all around Caddington, on the high
ground two or three miles north of the source of the Ver, and just out-
side the present boundary of the county, Mr. Smith has been fortunate
enough to discover a large number of relics of Palaeolithic man. They
occurred for the most part in the pits worked for brick-earth, and
present various recognized forms of Palaeolithic flint implements, includ-
ing some round-edged scrapers.
Not only did he find the implements, but he also found the original
land-surface on which those who made them worked. He found their
stores of unworked flints, the refuse chips and flakes resulting from the
manufacture, the waste, broken and unfinished implements, and he was
1 Irons. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. viii. p. 183, pi. xi. 8.
* Evans, Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 596.
8 Op. cit. p. 597 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. viii. p. 182.
* Stanford, London, 1894. See also Nature, 1889, xl. pp. 15, 181 ; Evans, Ancient
Stone Implements, and ed. p. 598 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., vol. viii. p. 184.
I 225 Q
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
moreover able, by bringing fragments of flint together, to reconstitute
the original blocks out of which implements had been chipped. The
occupation by man of the ' Paleolithic floor ' must have extended over a
long space of time, and Mr. Smith thinks that two series of implements
may be distinguished. The contorted beds of brick-earth in and below
which they are found seem to belong to a more recent date than the
Glacial period, during which the boulder clay of this part of England
FIG. i.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 5.
was deposited. Specimens of the implements from the Caddington dis-
trict are shown above in figs, i to 5.
There are at present no more Palaeolithic discoveries to record from
the basin of the Colne ; but it may be mentioned that I have a flake
from the brick-earth at Barnard's Heath near St. Albans, which has the
appearance of belonging to Palaeolithic times, so that a further search
upon the spot might lead to more conclusive results. I have also
recorded the finding of an implement at North Mimms, 1 but possibly
there may be some mistake in the matter.
We must now consider the watershed of the Lea and its tributaries
so far as Hertfordshire is concerned. A passing reference only need be
1 Proc. Sac. Ant., 2nd ser. vol. v. p. 165.
226
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
made to the discoveries near its source in Bedfordshire, 1 but at Har-
penden 2 and Wheathampstead, nine or ten miles down the stream, Mr.
Worthington Smith has found ochreous flakes of Palaeolithic character.
At No Man's Land Common, 3 near the latter place, more conclusive
specimens in the shape of ovate implements have been found. Two of
these are in the County Museum at St. Albans. The gravels at this spot
were in all probability deposited by the river Lea before it took its
present course by Wheathampstead.
Near Ayot St. Peter* and Welwyn, Mr. Worthington Smith has
found flakes only ; but some discoveries at Welwyn will subsequently be
mentioned. No further discoveries are recorded within the valley of the
Lea until we arrive near Hertford. General Pitt Rivers has a very fine
Palaeolithic implement, stated to have been found near Bayford, 8 on the
southern side of the river. At Hertford, Bengeo, Ware and Amwell
implements of pointed form have been found by Mr. Worthington
Smith. 8 He has also obtained them from the gravels at Flamstead End,
Cheshunt. 7 A few have also been found at Hoddesdon. His numerous
and important discoveries lower down the valley of the Lea, in the
counties of Middlesex and Essex, are well known, and need not here be
dilated upon.
Among the affluents of the Lea, the Beane may first be mentioned.
Its present source is near Stevenage. To the north of the town, at
Fisher's Green, 8 Palaeolithic implements have been found in brick-earth.
Mr. W. Ransom, F.S.A., has specimens also from Ippolitts to the north-
west. Others have been found in a brickfield south of Stevenage. 9 In
gravels exposed in a cutting of the Great Northern Railway near Kneb-
worth 10 and in a clay pipe exposed farther south, near Welwyn tunnel,
some well-formed pointed and ovate implements have been found, which
were brought to my knowledge by the late Mr. Frank Latchmore.
The discoveries at Hitchin will be subsequently mentioned.
Mr. R. W. Brabant has a well-formed ovate implement said to
have been found in the valley of the Rib near Buntingford.
In the valley of the Stort, an important affluent of the Lea, which
joins it near 11 Hoddesdon, a few discoveries of Palaeolithic implements
have been made. At Stocking Pelham 12 Mr. W. H. Penning, F.G.S.,
1 Evans, Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 598 ; Man the Prim. Savage, p. 176.
* Man the Prim. Savage, pp. 90, 1 80 ; Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 60 1.
3 Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 601 ; Man the Prim. Savage, p. 180 ; Trans.
Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., vol. viii. p. 183, pi. xi. 4, xiii. 7.
* Man the Prim. Savage, p. 184. B Archteol., vol. liii. p. 254.
6 Man the Prim. Savage, p. 184 ; Journ. Anthrop. Inst., 1879, viii. p. 278 ; Nature,
vol. xxiii. p. 604 ; Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 602.
7 Man the Prim. Savage, p. 185.
8 Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 602 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. pi. xi. 3,
i. p. Ixi.
9 Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 602 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. pi. xi. 5.
10 Ancient Stone Implements, and ed. p. 602.
11 Op. cit. p. 602 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. p. 184.
18 Ancient Stone Implements, p. 6oa.
22 7
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
found in 1872 an ochreous, water-worn, oval implement, and at a some-
what earlier date two other examples, one about a mile north of Bishop's
Stortford, and the other farther north still, close to Pesterford Bridge, in
Essex.
The site of the Palaeolithic discoveries at Hitchin hardly lies within
the watershed of the Lea, but is near the source of the Hiz, a stream
that flows northward to join the Ouse. The implements were first dis-
covered here about the year 1876 by a workman who had seen a
woodcut of a specimen from the valley of the Somme in an illustrated
periodical, and who at once recognized the identity of form between the
worked flints from France and some which he had come across in the
course of his work, digging clay for the manufacture of bricks at
Hitchin. Attention was first called to them at a field meeting of the
Watford Natural History Society in June, I877. 1 Since that time
numerous implements, including large flakes, have been found in more
than one of the clay-pits near Hitch-
in, presenting various forms, among
which, however, the pointed type
predominates. A specimen is repre-
sented in fig. 6. In 1896 an in-
vestigation of the geological condi-
tions of the deposits was undertaken
at the cost of the British Association
and the Royal Society, and was car-
ried on by Mr. Clement Reid, F.R.S.,
who prepared a careful report upon
the subject, published in the Proceed-
ings of the Royal Society? The alluvial
beds, which are of freshwater origin,
present close analogies with those of
Hoxne in Suffolk, which have also
been exhaustively examined by Mr.
Reid, and lie above the chalky boulder
clay of the district. The deposits
FIG. 6. beneath the Palaeolithic brick-earth
fill a deep channel and contain a
temperate flora, including such trees as the oak, ash, cornel, elder and
alder ; and among the mammalian remains in the brick-earth are bones
of rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and mammoth. The whole surface of
the surrounding country has been so much modified by denudation
subsequently to the formation of the implement-bearing beds, that it is
difficult to form an idea as to whence the water from which they were
deposited came, or whither it flowed.
1 Trans. Watford Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. i. p. Ixi. ; Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed.
p. 536 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. pis. x. and xii.
2 Vol. Ixi. (1897), p. 40 ; Proc. Geol. dssoc., xiv. (1896), p. 417,
228
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
At Ickleford, 1 to the north of Hitchin, several Palaeolithic imple-
ments have been found in gravels lying in the valley of the Hiz. I have
likewise a pointed specimen from Bearton Green, 2 also to the north of
Hitchin, but in an angle between the rivers Oughton and Hiz.
In a summary account such as this, it has not appeared expedient to
enter fully into the geological features of each discovery, or to describe
minutely the character of each implement. The references given in the
notes will in most cases enable the reader to obtain more detailed
information, should he desire to have it.
THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD
Between the Palaeolithic or River-drift period that we have been
considering, and the Neolithic or Surface Stone period that now
demands our attention, there exists in this country, at all events a gap
of unnumbered years, which, as already remarked, it has been found
impossible to bridge over in any satisfactory manner. At the same time,
it seems almost equally impossible to fix even an approximate date for
the advent of Neolithic man ; and with regard to many of the stone
implements of which he made use, any chronological arrangement
seems hopeless. It is, however, probable that some of the hatchets,
merely chipped into shape and not ground or polished, may be of earlier
date than those which are polished, though tools and weapons of both
kinds may have been, and probably were, in use side by side through
many successive generations. It also seems almost certain that some of
the more highly finished forms, and especially those in which a perfora-
tion for the haft has been made, belong to the close of the Neolithic
period, if not indeed to the commencement of that of Bronze. During
this latter period flint arrow-heads were in common use, and flint scrapers
were employed for producing fire from pyrites, if not also for the pre-
paration of skins ; while even in Roman times flints were chipped into
form for the armature of the tribula or threshing sledges. Flints more
or less carefully chipped into shape were commonly employed not more
than fifty years ago for ' striking a light ' by means of a piece of steel
or iron and tinder, and the manufacture of gun-flints still survives, not-
withstanding the introduction of numerous varieties of percussion guns.
In considering the antiquities formed of flint and other stones, and
found in this country, it will therefore be best to classify them according
to their form and character, and to adopt some such arbitrary arrange-
ment as that which I have followed in my ' Ancient Stone Imple-
ments, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain.'
Chipped or rough-hewn Celts or Hatchets. These are probably much
more abundant in the county, especially on its western side, than is com-
monly supposed. Where the whole surface of a field is thickly strewn
1 Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 536 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. p. 184,
pis. xi. 6, xii. 5.
* Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. p. 184, pi. xi. 2.
229
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
with splintered and fractured flints, it requires a practised eye to discern
among them those which have been more or less chipped into shape by
the hand of man. Within the parish of Abbot's Langley 1 alone I have
found six or eight roughly chipped flint hatchets, some of them of
symmetrical form. A rough celt found by Mr. Percy Manning, F.S.A.,
at Bedmond in this parish, has been presented by him to the County
Museum. Mr. Worthington Smith has in like manner found specimens
at Kensworth 2 and Wheathampstead. One has also been found near
Ware, 3 and I have a thin flattish example 5^ inches long, found by Mr.
W. Whitaker, F.R.S., at Merkyate Street in 1863. Mr. Marlborough
Pryor has collected celts of this character and other forms of Neolithic
date at and near Weston.
Celts ground at the edge only. There is at present but one specimen
of this kind to record. 4 This was found in 1871 by myself in a field of
my own in the angle formed by the Hyde Lane and the London and
North-Western Railway, in the parish of Abbot's Langley. The edge
has been intentionally blunted, so that it may have served as a weapon
rather than as a tool.
Polished Celts. A fine example of this character, 7^ inches long,
found at Panshanger, was exhibited to the Archaeological Institute in
1863, and has been figured in the Archaeological Journal!" It is of
light-coloured flint carefully ground over the whole of its surface, and
with the sides slightly flattened by grinding. The central part of a flint
celt of the same kind found on King's Langley Common by Mr. Percy
Manning, F.S.A., has been given by hkn to the County Museum. A
narrower and thicker celt, 6f inches long, also of flint, was found at
Albury 6 near Bishop's Stortford. Mr. A. E. Gibbs has a flint hatchet,
4^- inches long and 2% inches wide, ground all over, and found at Ashwell.
I have a highly finished hatchet made of a black basaltic rock and polished
all over, which was found at Duckland, 7 between Hitchin and Pirton.
It is \\ inches long and about 2. inches wide. The sides are partially
flattened.
I have a small flint chisel or pick, or possibly an arrowflaker, found
near Baldock 8 by Mr. W. Whitaker, F.R.S. Mr. A. E. Gibbs has a
flint chisel, 4! inches long, found at Digswell Hill.
Perforated Axes, Hammers, etc. As a rule the implements of this
character belong to the close of the Neolithic or the beginning of the
Bronze period. A perforated adze or hoe, formed of a dark grey grit,
found at Welbury, 9 near Offley, is in the collection of Mr. W. Ransom,
F.S.A., of Hitchin, and has been figured. It is about 5 inches long and
2f inches broad. A small perforated hammer-head made from a quartzite
1 Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. pp. 70, 77 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sec., viii.
pi. xi. I. a Man the Prim. Savage, p. 307.
3 Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 70. 4 Op. cit. p. 87.
5 Vol. xx. p. 193 ; Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. IOI.
6 Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. IOO.
1 Op. cit. p. 114. * Op. cit. p. 177.
9 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. p. 175.
230
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
pebble was found at Sandridge l near St. Albans, by the Rev. Dr.
Griffith, and is now in the British Museum. Another formed from a
sandstone pebble, 4^ inches long, was found near Ware. 2
Flint Flakes, Cores, Scrapers, etc. The same remarks that have been
made with regard to roughly chipped celts apply to these forms, which are,
in fact, much more abundant in the county than the published accounts
of their discovery would seem to indicate. I have found flakes, cores
and scrapers on the surface in many parts of the parish of Abbot's
Langley, and I have no doubt that many other parts of the county
would prove equally prolific. They are often so rudely made that it
seems hardly worth while to preserve them, and, moreover, there is in
most instances a difficulty in assigning a date to them. One of those
from Abbot's Langley 9 is undoubtedly Neolithic, as it has the edge ground
so as to form a knife. A flat flake, trimmed at the end into a scraper-
like form and found near Hitchin, 4 has been figured. Scrapers have been
found at Abbot's Langley, Braughing, Rickmansworth, St. Albans and
elsewhere.
I have a large curved flake, 6 inches in length and i inch in
extreme breadth, found near Royston. It has both ends trimmed into
a semicircular form, and is also trimmed along each side.
A kind of pointed oval knife, sharp at the edge all round, but not
ground, has been found near Ware. 6
Arrowheads. The earliest and perhaps the most interesting recorded
discovery of these objects in Hertfordshire was made about the year 1763
at the Grove, 6 the seat of Mr. Scare, near Tring. Some labourers sinking
a deep ditch or drain at a depth of seven feet came across a human
skeleton with the legs and arms extended. Between the legs were some
barbed flint arrowheads, in outline like a Gothic arch, and at the feet
two * bracers ' or arm-guards
for archers, ' convex on one
side and concave on the other,
polished, and of a greenish cast.'
There was also a large jet ring,
grooved and perforated at the
edge, and an earthen urn.
Rather more than a hun-
dred years after this discovery
I found in 1866 a flint arrow-
FIC. 7. FIG. 8. head of the same character as
those from Tring Grove on
the surface of a field at the foot of the chalk escarpment between
1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. p. 174.
* Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 228.
3 Op. cit. 2nd ed. p. 291 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. p. 175.
* Op. cit. viii. p. 177. Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 334.
8 Arch&ol., viii. p. 429, pi. xxx. ; Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. pp. 383, 398, 426,
456 ; Cussans, Hist. Herts, iii. p. 13 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. p. 178.
231
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Tring and Eddlesborough. It is engraved as fig. 315 in Ancient Stone
Implements, and here reproduced in fig. 8.
A remarkably fine barbed arrowhead with straight sides from Ash-
well, found in 1881, is represented in fig. 3O5A of the same book, and
here in fig. 7. A smaller example from Ashwell 1 has also been figured.
I possess a well-formed example of the same type, but of larger size,
found at Hunsdon 2 near Ware.
In my collection are also a pointed leaf-shaped arrowhead (like
fig. 281) from Pirton, and a tanged arrowhead without barbs, 2^ inches
long (like fig. 302), from Royston.
Fabricators. These instruments, to which the name of arrow-flakers
has also been applied, seem to have been used either in the hand to
detach small flakes in the manufacture of arrowheads or other small
appliances by means of direct pressure, or else as punches through which
an impact could be communicated from a mallet or hammer. Their
worn and bruised ends testify to their having performed hard work.
A specimen possibly belonging to this class, and found near Baldock,
has already been mentioned, and Mr. Worthington Smith has figured a
more characteristic specimen of a Neolithic fabricator in his work Man
the Primeval Savage. It was found at Caddington, 8 and, in Mr. Smith's
opinion, was made from a Palaeolithic flake, the older portions of the
surface having a white patina, while the more recent are black, the
original colour of the flint.
THE BRONZE PERIOD
Following on the Neolithic stage of culture, and, indeed, gradually
developed from it, comes a period when metal to a great extent super-
seded stone as a material for tools and weapons. It seems probable that
in some, if indeed not in several, countries of the world copper was the
metal first used for such purposes, and that there was in those countries
what has been termed a Copper age, as distinct from a Bronze age.
There exists, however, in Britain but little evidence of such a period,
though in Ireland, according to the views of some antiquaries, it may
have been otherwise. At an early stage in the annals of metallurgy it
appears to have been discovered that a comparatively slight admixture of
tin with copper not only rendered it more fusible and better adapted for
being cast in a mould, but that the alloy thus obtained was susceptible of
being drawn out to a sharper and more durable edge.
Typical bronze consists of nine parts of copper and one of tin, and
this alloy received in later days the name of bronze, from the town
of Brundusium, or Brundisium (now Brindisi), where a commerce in this
metal appears to have been carried on. Analysis of ancient bronze tools
and weapons shows a considerable variation in the proportion of tin to
copper, and occasionally lead is present in appreciable quantity, even to
the extent of 8 per cent.
L Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., viii. pi. xii. I.
' Ancient Stone Implements, 2nd ed. p. 389. * Op. cit. 2nd ed. p. 304, fig. 219.
232
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
As was found desirable with the relics of the Neolithic period, it
seems best to treat those of the Bronze period in accordance with their
forms, rather than attempt any chronological arrangement, 1 although it
seems possible to divide the period in Britain into an earlier and a later
stage. Regarding it as a whole, we cannot well assign to it a less duration
than eight or ten centuries, and if iron, as seems probable, was already in
use in southern Britain in the fourth or fifth century B.C., the beginning
of the Bronze period in this country may, with some degree of certainty,
be placed at about i2oo 2 or 1400 years B.C. In a separate work I
have treated 3 of ' The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons, and Orna-
ments of Great Britain and Ireland,' and, in noticing the bronze antiquities
found in Hertfordshire, it will be convenient in many cases to refer to
figures in that book, instead of minutely describing the forms.
Flat Celts. Of the earliest forms of bronze the flat celt, or hatchet,
in form much like some of those made of stone, and the small knife-
dagger I have not at present met with any examples in Herts. In
Wilts and Yorkshire these forms have generally been found accompanying
interments in barrows, and sometimes associated with battle-axes formed
of stone.
In a barrow in Therfield 4 parish, called Fylers or Money Hill,
opened about 1855 by the late Mr. Joseph Beldam, F.S.A., there were
found, about two feet from the bottom of the mound, and a good way in
the interior, thirteen bars of metal hammered square, about 4^ inches long,
varying in weight from about 3^ ounces to 5^ ounces, together with a small
copper tool. They proved on analysis to contain 98^- percent, of copper,
and a small quantity of tin or antimony, probably the latter. Unfortu-
nately, these bars were not found by Mr. Beldam, but by the tenant of
the land, who cut away the mound, and used its soil as a top-dressing.
The evidence as to the age of these bars is therefore incomplete, but they
not improbably belong to the Bronze period.
About 1830, another barrow near the Thrift * in the same parish was
opened. But little is known of its contents, which consisted of pottery
and other objects reputed to be Roman.
Winged Celts and Palstaves. A certain number of palstaves, a kind
of narrow hatchet with a tang, intended to be hafted with a part of the
wooden haft on either side of the tang, have been found in Hertfordshire.
One 6 inches long, with a deep stop-ridge and midrib, was found in
Park Wood near Knebworth in 1880, and is in the collection of Mr.
W. Ransom, F.S.A. In outline it resembles fig. 60 in Ancient Bronze
Implements. Another in the same collection, with deep stop-ridge and
two ribs below, and with loop at the side, was found near Ashwell, 1889.
It has lost part of its tang, but is still 4^ inches long.
1 Proc. Soc. Ant., 2nd ser., v. p. 412. * Evans, Ancient Bronze Implements, p. 473.
3 London, Longmans, 1881. See also Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., viii. p. i.
* Proc. Soc. Ant., 2nd ser., i. p. 306 ; Archteol. Journ., xviii. p. 86 ; Ancient Bronze
Implements, p. 424.
6 Cussans' Hist, of Herts, i. (Odsey), p. 1 1 6.
233
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
A winged palstave with loop was found in the hoard at Cumberlow,
near Baldock, about to be mentioned, and an outline of it has been
figured. 1
Socketed Celts, etc. Several instruments of this kind have been found
in Hertfordshire. In the collection of Mr. W. Ransom, F.S.A., is an
example 4 inches long, ornamented with three vertical ribs on each face (like
A.B.I., fig. 124), found at Knebworth in 1897. I have a specimen, 4^
inches long (like A.B.I., fig. 133), but with four ribs only on each face,
found near Royston in 1 882. I have also a long, narrow celt, 5 inches long,
and i^ inch wide at the edge (in form like fig. 148, but plain), found
at Hitchin in 1896. In most instances these celts seem to have formed part
of founders' hoards, inasmuch as they were accompanied by fragments of
bronze tools and lumps of rough metal.
In December, 1851, a plain socketed celt, 3 inches long (like fig.
114, A.B.I.}, the fragment of another, and about 4 Ib. in weight of
rough lumps of metal, were found in a ploughed field near Westwick
Row, 2 in the parish of St. Michael's, St. Albans.
About 1853, some socketed celts, for the most part either damaged
or imperfectly cast, were found with lumps of metal at Danesbury, 3 near
Welwyn, and were exhibited to the Archaeological Institute by Mr.
William Blake. A similar hoard from Furneaux Pelham 4 was formerly in
the collection of the Hon. Richard Neville, afterwards Lord Braybrooke.
The most important hoard of this kind found in the county is, how-
ever, that unearthed at Cumberlow Green, 6 Rushden near Baldock, in 1 876.
There some labourers while draining came across ' a neatly made, well-
shaped hole about 2 feet in diameter ; and at about 2^ feet below the
surface, in stiff red loam,' found about forty instruments of bronze, some
of them perfect, but others broken or much battered. ' They lay at the
bottom of the hole with about 50 Ib. of metal, all of the same description
partially fused.' Among the implements was the winged palstave already
mentioned, a socketed and looped celt, ornamented with two curved ribs
on each face (3! inches long, somewhat like figs, in, 113), another of
octagonal section (4 inches long, like fig. 176), apparently another of the
same character without a loop, and fragments of a sword and of a dagger.
The three last mentioned are figured in the Journal of the Anthropological
Institute. 6 Many of the objects from this ' find ' are in the collection of
Mr. William Ransom, F.S.A.
Daggers and Swords. The fragment of a dagger from Cumberlow
Green is like the lower half of fig. 312, A.B.I., but has four rivet-holes
in it. The portion of a sword consists of part of the hilt with the base
of the blade. There are four rivet holes in it, two on each side of a
n. Anthrop. Inst., vi. p. 195.
* Arch. Journ., xi. p. 24 ; Ancient Bronze Implements, pp. 1 1 2, 424, 468.
8 Arch, yourn., x. p. 248, xi. p. 24 ; Ancient Bronze Implements, 423.
* Arch, yourn., x. p. 248.
6 Journ. Anthrop. Inst., vi. p. 195 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., iv. p. 40 ; Ancient
Bronze Implements, pp. 94-110, 134, 424, 467.
6 vi. p. 195.
234
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
central rib, which was probably carried along the blade. The edges
seem to have been removed just above the hilt, and the general type of
the sword appears to have been more like a French form than any of
those usually found in Britain.
Spear-heads, Lance-heads, etc. A plain socketed spear-head is en-
graved in Skelton's MeyricKs Ancient Armour l among ' Antient Britannic
arms of Bronze,' and described as ' the head of a hunting-spear dug up
in Hertfordshire.' The ' bronze spear-head, about 2 feet in length,'
described by Cussans* as having been found in 1874 in a trench at
Hoddesdon near Broxbourne, may have been a sword.
That described by the late Rev. Thomas Hugo, F.S.A., 3 as having
been found in May, 1858, in the river Lea, a short distance above the
village of St. Margaret's in Herts, is now in my own collection. It is
7f inches long, in form like A.E.I., fig. 382, perfectly plain, and with a
rivet-hole through the socket to secure the shaft.
The only other
bronze instrument that I
need mention is a small
curved knife, with the
handle and blade in one
piece, the former ending FlG " 9 "
in the head of an animal. It is about 3^ inches long, and is engraved
as fig. 259, A.B.I., and here in fig. 9. It was found at Wigginton 4
near Tring. It not improbably belongs to the late-Celtic period, rather
than to that of the Bronze.
Two bracelets of gold probably belonging to the Bronze age, were
found at Little Amwell. 6 A plain gold torque, slightly expanding at the
ends, and weighing 13 oz. 15 dwt., was found about the year 1800 near 8
Mardox, about two and a half miles from Ware. Owing to the mis-
chievous operation of the law of treasure-trove it was melted down.
THE LATE-CELTIC PERIOD
This term was applied by the late Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks
as an equivalent to the ' Early Iron age ' of continental antiquaries,
inasmuch as in Britain it coincided in the main with the arrival of the
Celtic tribes from the north-west of Europe, who developed a peculiar
stage of civilization, of which more characteristic traces are to be found
in Britain than in Gaul and the north-western parts of Europe. The
peculiar style of decoration founded on segments of circles and on spiral
ornaments stands apart from that of earlier periods, though it subsequently
became more highly developed in the early Christian days of Ireland and
Britain, when, however, interlaced ornaments superseded the simpler
curves of former times.
1 1830, pi. xlvii. 10 ; Ancient Bronze Implements, p. 314. * Hist. Herts, ii. p. 173.
3 Proc. Soc. Ant., iv. 279 ; Ancient Bronze Implements, p. 315.
4 Proc. Soc. Ant., iv. p. 254 ; Ancient Bronze Implements, p. 214.
5 ArchteoL, xviii. p. 446. 8 Gents. Mag., 1800, vol. Ixx. 2, p. 817, pt. 3.
235
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
It seems probable that the use of iron was introduced into southern
Britain not later than the fourth or fifth century B.C., and that by the
second or third century B.C. the employment of bronze for cutting
instruments had practically ceased. The Britons with whom Julius Caesar
came in contact had, no doubt, iron or steel weapons, and were on the
whole as highly civilized as the Gaulish tribes on the continent, with
whom they were so closely related. They carried on a considerable
commerce, and were acquainted with the art of coining, which, as we
shall subsequently see, was practised by the British rulers of Hertford-
shire upon an extensive scale.
It would be out of place here to enlarge upon the sword-sheaths,
mirrors and shields, the decorations of which are very characteristic of
the late-Celtic period, inasmuch as none of them seem to have been found
in Hertfordshire. The actual relics that may be claimed for the county
are but few.
A bronze knife from Wigginton has already been mentioned, and in
the same parish what seems to be the linch-pin l of a chariot was found in
the year 1867. Its total length is about 4^ inches. The central part con-
sists of a slight square bar of iron with bronze terminals at either end.
At the upper end is a spherical knob of bronze, decorated with groups of
three small projecting pellets, and having a small perforation through it ;
beyond this is a disc with moulded circumference, and adorned at the flat
end with three projecting knobs joined by curved ribs. At the other end
the bronze is in the shape of the forefoot of a horse, with the fetlock
joint bent.
Another relic of late-Celtic date was found on the same side of the
county in a water-cress ditch at Broadway 2 near Bourne End, in the parish
of Northchurch, about the year 1867. It is the fragment of a blade of
an iron sword still preserved within a plain bronze sheath, and is now
deposited in the British Museum.
A bronze enamelled armlet, said to have been found at Verulam, 8
exhibited to the British Archaeological Association in 1874, was thought
by Mr. Syer Cuming to be ' Keltic, and that it might have been
brought into this country from Ireland.' Though it is stated to be * cer-
tainly of a very rare type,' no description of it is given.
Pottery belonging to the late-Celtic period has been found near
Hitchin. 4
A bronze helmet 8 found at the same place and now in the Museum
at Colchester may not improbably be of late-Celtic date. Another
bronze helmet found at Northcot Hill near Tring is of much the same
character, and now in the British Museum ; it has been figured in the
Vetusta Monumental Both have been commented upon by the late Sir
A. Wollaston Franks.
1 Proc. Sac. Ant.) 2nd ser. iv. p. 63. * ArchtsoL, xlv. p. 254, liii. p. 247.
* Brit. Arch. Assoc. Journ., xxx. p. 92.
4 Proc. Soc. Ant., xiii. p. 16; Arch, jfourn., xxxix. p. 426 ; Brit. Arch. Assoc. Journ. xlii.
p. 422.
6 Proc. Sac. Ant., 2nd ser. v. p. 362. 6 Vol. v., pi. 26, 27 ; Hor* Ferales, p. 170.
236
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
As already observed the indigenous coinage of this country, belong-
ing to a period anterior to the complete subjugation of Britain by the
Romans, is well represented in Hertfordshire. Before considering the
coins themselves, and the light that they throw upon history, it will
be well to say a few words as to the origin of the art of coinage and
the course of its introduction into Britain, although I have treated of
the whole subject in great detail elsewhere. 1
Coins, that is to say pieces of metal of a certain weight and fineness
guaranteed by a duly authorized stamp, were first issued in Greece and
Asia Minor not earlier than the seventh century B.C., and for a long
period they were in the main confined to silver, bronze, and electrum,
an alloy of gold and silver. About the year B.C. 356 Philip II. of
Macedon, acquired the rich gold mines of Crenides (or Philippi), and
shortly afterwards issued gold coins to the value of nearly 250,000
annually. These coins, which weighed about 133 grains troy each,
were known as Philippi and were diffused through the whole of Greece
and her colonies, while barbarians who came in contact with Greek
civilization seem to have seized upon them as objects for imitation. In
Gaul, on the Mediterranean coast of which were several Greek colonies,
this seems to have been especially the case ; and the whole of the early
gold coinage of that country may be said to consist of imitations more
or less rude and degenerate of the Macedonian Philippus.
The types of the Philippus, as will be seen from the annexed wood-
cut are on the obverse the laureate head of Apollo, and on the reverse
a charioteer in a biga with the name of Philip
underneath. The earliest of the Gaulish imi-
tations follow the prototype pretty closely, but
eventually both the head and the biga become
completely transformed.
By the time that the art of coining had FlG - I0 -
reached the north-west shores of Gaul, and had thence passed over into
Britain, the original Philippus had been developed into the coin of which
two varieties are shown below.
FIG. II. FIG. 12.
The size of the piece has increased, a crossbar, ending in a hook,
and rich drapery on the neck have been added to the head ; the hair of
which has in front been converted into hollow crescents, and at back
ranged in two symmetrical rows, while the laurel wreath becomes an
important feature in the design. On the reverse the two horses have
1 The Coins of the Ancient Britons, 1864, with Supplement, 1890. Quaritch : London.
237
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The name of the king appears but rarely in an extended form upon
his own coins ; but on those of his son Cunobelinus it is sometimes given
at full length. Both he and Epaticcus were proud of being the sons of
their father, and make use of Tasciovani films in some abbreviated form
as a title of honour. On No. i of the coins in the plate the name of
TASCIOVAN is given at full length, on No. 3 the spelling TAXCI
occurs, and on No. 2 is seen the form TASCIAV, with an A instead of
the O, a form which not unfrequently appears on his coins in silver and
copper.
Nos. 13 to 24 on Plate i. show the silver coins of Tasciovanus, all
of which, with the exception of No. 23, were probably struck at Veru-
lam. On Nos. 1 3 and 1 4 the name of the town, in an abbreviated form
VER, occupies the post of honour on the obverse, the name of the king
being, in the case of No. 14, entirely absent. On No. 15 the cruciform
ornament, the direct but almost unrecognizable descendant of the head of
Apollo on the Macedonian rPhilippus, is to be seen. In the angles are
the letters VERL. In the nearly corresponding small gold coin No. 9,
the fourth letter is an O, unless possibly it is merely a kite-shaped orna-
ment. The boar of the reverse occurs also on some of the copper coins
of Verulamium.
The coins with TASC on a tablet, Nos. 16, 17, are closely con-
nected with the small gold coin No. 7, but the horseman on the reverse
of No. 1 6 seems more nearly allied to the warrior on the coin struck at
Riconium, No. 12.
The type of the coin No. 1 6 is manifestly copied from that of a
denarius of the Emperor Augustus struck between B.C. 12 and B.C. 10.
It probably belongs to the latter part of the reign of Tasciovanus.
The art displayed on Nos. 19 and 22 is of no contemptible order, and
the dies for these coins were probably engraved by a foreign artist. The
eagle occurs on the small copper coins of Verulamium, PI. ii., No. 24,
and in a somewhat different attitude on the silver coins of Epaticcus the
son of Tasciovanus. The Pegasus is seen on other coins of this king,
and the griffin, which can hardly be regarded as indigenous to Britain, is
to be found on many coins of Greek and Roman origin, and seems to be
significant of a foreign engraver having been employed to produce the
dies. The three concentric circles, that in the centre being beaded,
suggest the possibility of Nos. 16, 22 being the work of the same artist.
Nos. 20, 21 seem also to be the products of the same engraver,
who, however, hardly deserves to rank as an artist. The dotted work of
the obverse is peculiar, and though extremely rude, by no means ineffec-
tive. The horseman on the reverse of No. 2 1 seems to wear the same
kind of embossed cuirass as that on No. 1 2. The legends TASCIA and
TASCIO respectively show that the spelling of the period had not been
reduced to a monotonous level.
The coin No. 23, though probably struck at the city of Segontium,
and not at Verulamium, bears upon the reverse a horseman in all respects
identical with that on the silver coin of Verulamium, No. 14.
240
23.
ANCIENT BRITISH COINS. VERULAM. PLATE No. i
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
No. 24 represents a remarkable coin, the type of which has been
known since the days of Camden, some 260 years ago. The device of
the two interlacing squares on the obverse is almost identical with that on
some of the copper coins of Verulamium, while the legend VI R or VER
beneath the horse on the reverse seems conclusively to prove that it was
issued from the mint of that town. It must, however, be admitted that
the type of the interlacing square is also found on a small silver coin of
Verica, a son of Commius the Atrebatian. The legend DIAS on the
obverse suffices, notwithstanding, to settle the question of attribution, as
it occurs in conjunction with the name TASC on the copper coins of
Verulamium, PL ii., Nos. 7, 8. The finding, moreover, of the coin here
engraved must not be left out of consideration. It was dug up near
Harlow, on the borders of Herts and Essex. As to the meaning of DIAS
it is difficult to offer a conjecture. Its occurrence on coins inscribed also
TASC seems to show that it is not merely a variant of the beginning of
the name Tasciovanus. Of its being in some manner connected with the
city of Verulamium or its rulers there can be no doubt, but the nature of
the connection has still to be discovered.
It will be noticed that the usual weight of a well preserved silver
coin of Tasciovanus is from 18 to 21 1 grains, or approximately the
same weight as the smaller denomination of his gold coins. There is,
however, a small variety of the coin, No. 14, which weighs less than
12 grains, and which may therefore have been intended to pass current
as the half of the larger and more common silver coins. As to the pro-
portionate value of silver, gold and copper among the ancient Britons
nothing can safely be asserted. It may be remarked that the weight
of the Roman denarius of the first century, of which examples are
occasionally found with hoards of British coins, is about 60 grains.
The native coins may therefore have been of the value of one third of
the denarius.
The whole of the coins shown in Plate ii. were in all probability
minted at Verulamium. Though classed as copper, some few of them
were struck on blanks of yellow brass. The type of the two interlacing
squares, of which varieties appear on Nos. I, 2, 3, is, as already re-
marked, closely connected with that on the obverse of the silver coin
reading DIAS, PL i., No. 24. On No. i the name of the town is
given in the locative case VERLAMIO, ' at Verulam,' in the same
manner as on some copper coins of Cunobelinus, the name of his
capital town is given on a double tablet as CAMVLODVNO, * at
Camulodunum.' The connection with the cruciform ornament deve-
loped from the laureate head of Apollo can be traced in the obverse
type of No. 4. The obverse type of No. 5 with two heads side by side
still requires elucidation. It is worthy of remark that on the first six
coins in the plate there are representations of all the chief domesticated
animals the bull, horse, boar, ram and goat. These are suggestive of
the country being rich in flocks and herds. On the other coins the
types seem to be more indicative of contact with Roman civilization.
J 241 R
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Centaurs playing on the double flute, the Pegasus, the sea-horse or hippo-
campus, the lion, and what may be a seated Venus, can hardly be regarded
as indigenous.
The heads on the obverses, some with beards and some without,
may or may not be intended to be portraits of Tasciovanus. The
legends on Nos. 7, 8, which together make up TASC, DIAS, show
that the latter word has some meaning of its own distinct from the
former, but what that meaning may be is matter for conjecture. Why
a centaur should have been chosen for the type on the reverse is equally
obscure. A centaur blowing a horn is to be seen on some copper coins
of Cunobelinus.
Nos. 10, ii give the name of the king both on the obverse and
reverse ; the latter coin is of large module and twice as heavy as
those of the ordinary size, so that it was probably current at twice their
value. The armed horseman appears on Nos. 14, 15 in much the
same style as on the large gold coins in Plate i. There is a general re-
semblance between the coins Nos. 16 to 19, with a bearded head on the
obverse and a hippocampus on the reverse, the inscription beneath which
is sometimes VER or VIR, and sometimes TAS. On one variety the
form VIIR occurs, showing that the substitution of II for E, such as
frequently occurs in Roman inscriptions and occasionally on Roman
coins, such, for instance, as those of Mark Antony, was also in vogue
among the engravers of the dies for British coins, thus increasing the
probability that these artists were Romans rather than Britons.
On No. 20 the boar reappears on the reverse similar in character to
that on No. 4. The weight however is only 19 grains in this case as
against 39^ grains in the other. The value of No. 20 was therefore
probably the half of that of No. 4.
The types of the remaining four coins, Nos. 21 to 24, are essen-
tially Verulamian, but they exhibit varieties of the mysterious legend
RVFI, RVFS, RVLIS, or RVLA. Whatever may be the correct form,
and whether or not a chief with some such name as Rufinus ever
reigned at Verulamium, we have evidence of a popular British lady of
the name of Rufina having existed at Rome in the days of Martial, 1 who
flourished in the latter half of the first century of our era :
Claudia caeruleis cum sit Rufina Britannis
Edita, cur Latiae pectora plebis habet ?
The small coins, No. 24, weigh but 14 and 10 grains, and seem to
represent the value of half the coins of ordinary size. There are there-
fore copper coins of Verulamium of at least three denominations, like
the penny, halfpenny and farthing of modern times. There are also silver
coins probably of two denominations, as well as two denominations of
gold coins. The existence of at least six kinds of coins ranging in in-
trinsic value from about fifteen shillings down to about a quarter of a
farthing is indicative of an extensive and varied commerce such as is
1 Lib. xi. Epig. 54.
242
'9-
ANCIENT BRITISH COINS. VERULAM. PLATE No. 2
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
hardly consistent with the views ordinarily held as to the civilization of
Britain in the days of the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius.
It will now be well to say a few words as to the ancient British
coins other than those of Tasciovanus and Verulamium that have been
found within the county. Fuller details with regard to nearly all the
instances that I shall cite are to be seen in The Coins of the Ancient
Britons and the supplement to that work.
Examples of the second variety of the prototype of the large gold
coins figured on p. 015, fig. 12, have been found at Ashlyns near Berk-
hamsted, near Hemel Hempstead, and at Wildhall near Hatfield. Other
uninscribed gold coins have been discovered at Barnet, Standon and
Braughing.
A small gold coin of a Sussex type was found near Hitchin, an
uninscribed silver coin of Icenian type at Bygrave near Baldock, and
others of more western character at Braughing, where numerous copper
coins of various types, some of uncertain attribution, have been un-
earthed. Some cast tin coins have been found in the same locality.
Coins of Cunobelinus, the son of Tasciovanus, have occurred not
unfrequently in the county. His gold coins have been found near Bal-
dock, near Tring, and at Lilly Hoo near Hitchin, while his copper coins
have been found at Berkhamsted, Tring, Wigginton, Pitstone, Ashwell,
Baldock, Royston, Walsworth near Hitchin, Braughing, and on the site
of Verulamium.
EARTHWORKS
Earthworks in Hertfordshire are fairly numerous, but in many cases
it is almost impossible to determine their age. 1 One of the most im-
portant is the Grimes-ditch, Grimsdyke, or Graemesdyke, of which
traces are visible on Berkhamsted Common, and which reappears on the
other side of the valley of the Bulbourne, while a vallum extends in a
bold sweep from near the town of Great Berkhamsted through the
parishes of Northchurch and Wigginton to the north of the camp of
Cholesbury, and thence to St. Leonard's in Buckinghamshire, continuing,
it is said, past Missenden to near Bradenham. If the name of this earth-
work be the Saxon ' Grams-die,' ' the devil's dyke,' it seems to afford
evidence that the work dates from pre-Saxon times, and in Saxon days
was regarded as of unearthly origin.
Another important earthwork, known as Beech-Bottom, 2 lies be-
tween the site of Verulamium and Sandridge, and has by some been re-
garded as of Roman date. It is however probably pre-Roman, and it
may be connected with a large encampment known as ' The Moats ' 3 or
' The Slad,' which is situate a little to the east of Wheathampstead. The
outer earthworks, which run nearly parallel to parts of the Roman wall
round Verulamium, 4 are also probably pre-Roman.
1 Cussans, i. p. 8 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sue., iv. xlix. ; Proc. Sac. Ant., ii. p. 215.
* Brit. Arch. Assoc. Journ., xxvi. p. 182 ; Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Sac., iv. p. xx.
3 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., v. p. xxxviii.
* Arch. Journ., xxii. p. 299 ; Brit. Arch. Assoc. Journ., xxvi. p. 238.
243
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
It is possible that Berkhamsted Castle l stands upon the site of an
earlier camp, as British and Roman coins have been found there. The
mound or keep, like those at Bishop Stortford, Pirton and Hertford, is
probably Saxon.
The oval camp known as ' Aubury,' or ' The Aubreys,' * near Red-
bourn, may be assigned to a pre-Roman date.
A few barrows of pre-Roman date have been opened, one of which,
at Therfield, has already been mentioned as having contained some bars
of copper. One near Hitchin, 3 to the south of the Icknield Way,
proved to contain burnt bones, a small blade of copper, and an urn of coarse
clay. In a barrow near Royston * a so-called incense vessel was found,
but in one opened at Easneye 6 near Ware, in 1899, burnt bones and
charred wood were all that rewarded our researches.
There are several earthworks and camps of Roman origin in the
county as well as some of Saxon date, like ' the Bank ' at Cheshunt, but
these do not belong to this section of the County History. References
to them will however be found in the ' Archaeological Survey of Herts,'
printed in the 53rd volume of the Archteologia?
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES OF COINS
PLATB I
GOLD COINS
No. I. Obv. Cruciform ornament formed of wreaths, with crescents and ring ornaments in
the centre and V-shaped and open crescents in the angles.
Rev. TASCIOVAN. Horse galloping to the right ; above, a ring ornament sur-
rounded by pellets ; below the horse, and above its head, a ring ornament ; pellets
before and behind. J 85 grains.
Found at High Wycombe. A. B.C.? pi. v. No. 7.
No. 2. Obv. Nearly similar ornament, but the wreaths less curved and pellets in the field.
Rev. [TJASCIAV. Horse to the right ; above, a bull's head between two pellets ;
below, a curved object and a ring ornament ; over the horse's head a rosette of
pellets ; behind, two pellets. A/' 85 grains.
Found at High Wycombe. Another found near Chelmsford.
A. B.C., pi. v. No. 8.
No. 3. Obv. Similar to No. i, but with annulets and pellets in the field, and one of the
wreaths curved in the opposite direction.
Rev. TAXCI. Horse to the right, with much the same adjuncts as No. 2.
PJ 82^5- grains.
Found at Dorchester, Oxon. Another found at Shorne, near Gravesend.
Others at St. Albans, Maldon (Essex), and Leicester. A. B.C., pi. v. No. 9.
1 Arch. Jaunt., JDOC. p. 407 ; St. Albans A. and A. S. Trans., 1890-91, p. 17.
* St. Albans A. and A. S. Trans., 1887, p. 66. 3 Cussans, iii. p. 13.
4 Arch. Journ., v. p. 235. 6 Proc. Soc. Ant. 6 1892, p. 245.
7 A.B.C. indicates The Coins of the Ancient Britons, already often cited.
244
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
No. 4. Obv. Cruciform ornament, much like that on No. 2, but with three pellets between
the central crescents and several ring ornaments in the field.
Rev. TASC. Horseman galloping to the right, brandishing the carnyx or war-
trumpet ; in front of the horse, a wheel and three pellets ; behind, a wheel. There
is an exergual line, but nothing in the space below. Af 85 grains.
This coin was among those found at High Wycombe. A nearly similar coin
was found near St. Albans, but reads TAS only. A.B.C., pi. v. Nos. IO, 12.
No. 5. Obv. Nearly similar to that of No. 4.
Rev. TASC. As No. 4, but a ring ornament below the exergual line.
N 84! grains.
Specimens have been found near Mailing and Sevenoaks ; in the Victoria Park,
London, and near Chelmsford. A.B.C., pi. v. No. II, pi. xx. No. n.
No. 6. Obv. TASCI. between the limbs of a cruciform ornament, proceeding from two
crescents in the centre, and terminating in ring ornaments.
Rev. [TjASC. A horse galloping to the right ; above, a bucranium. A/
Found at Reculver. Another found at West Mailing, Kent, weighs 2O^
grains. A. B.C., pi. v. No. 13.
No. 7. Obv. TASC. within a compartment, placed across a triple band, curved lines and ring
ornaments in the field.
Rev. Pegasus, springing to the left ; in front and behind, a small ring ornament ;
above, two pellets; below, a small star. N l 21-^5- grains.
Specimens have been found at Thrapstone, Northamptonshire (20^ grains),
and near Stoke Mandeville, Bucks (20f grains). A. B.C., pi. v. No. 14.
No. 8. Obv. Similar to that of No. 4, but with the letters VER among the ornaments.
Rev. TASC. Horseman, as on No. 4. N 84-^ grains.
Said to have been found at Old Sarum ; another, with the letters less distinct,
found at High Wycombe. A variety has a T between the central crescents.
A. B.C., pi. vi. No. ii.
No. 9. Obv. VERO.* between the limbs of a cruciform ornament, with two crescents in the
centre.
Rev. TAS. below a horse prancing to the left ; above, a bucranium. A/ 2 1 grains.
It is not known where this coin was found, but another of the same type,
though showing some other details, was found near Oundle.
A. B.C., pi. xx. Nos. 13, 14.
No. 10. Obv. TASCIO. on a tablet ; above and below, a wheel, with annulets and pellets on
either side.
Rev. SEGO. in front of a horseman galloping to the right, holding a trumpet ; behind,
a wheel ; below the exergual line, a ring ornament. N 82 T 9 ^ grains.
This coin is in the Hunter collection at Glasgow, and its place of finding is
unknown. A fine specimen was found near Tring, Herts (84 grains), and others
in Kent. A.B.C., pi. viii. No. n, xx. No. 9.
No. II. Obv. TASCIO. within a compartment ; above and below, a wheel, with a pellet on
either side.
Rev. Horse prancing to the left ; above, a wheel, with four pellets for spokes ;
below, a coiled serpent. Af 2O^ grains.
This is the quarter of the larger coin No. IO, but it is not known where it
was found. A. B.C., pi. xx. No. 10.
1 Erroneously stated in A.B.C. as 28-^ grains.
8 The O may possibly be merely a kite-shaped ornament.
245
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
No. 12. Obv. TASCIO RICON. in two compartments of a tablet with curved ends, placed
in front of a five-fold wreath of plain and corded lines ; curved lines proceeding
from the angles between the wreath and tablet.
Rev. Horseman to the left, armed with sword, shield, and cuirass, and looking back-
wards ; below, a ring ornament ; an annulet in front. fj 84 grains.
This coin was found at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. Another was found at
Leagrave, near Luton. Others are recorded from Norwich, Rome, and Rouen.
There are several varieties of the legend, such as TASCI RICONI, TASCIOV
RICON, TASCI RICON, and TASCI RICOIN. They have been found at
Halstead, Castle Hedingham, and near Epping, Essex ; near Biggleswade and
Dunstable, Bedfordshire ; and an ancient forgery in brass at Wantage, Berks.
A. B.C., pi. viii. Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, xx. No. 12.
SILVER COINS
PLATE I.
No. 13. Obv. VER. within a beaded circle.
Rev. TASCIA. Horse cantering to the right. JR 2i| grains.
The coin engraved is in the British Museum. I have a specimen that was
found at Verulam. A. B.C., pi. vii. No. I.
No. 14. Obv. VER. As No. 13.
Rev. Naked horseman prancing to the right, wearing a diadem ; the whole within a
beaded circle. JR. 20^ grains.
Finding place unknown. I have also a small coin of the same type found at
Dorchester, Oxon, and weighing less than 12 grains. It may represent the half
of the larger coins. A.B.C., pi. vii. 2 and p. 537.
No. 15. Obv. VERL. in the angles of a cruciform ornament, with a squareen closing a cross
in the centre. The whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. TAS. above a boar running to the right ; below, a star ; a beaded circle around
the whole. JR. 2o grains.
Locality unknown, but another specimen was found on the site of ancient
Verulam. A third is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
A. B.C., pi. xxi. No. i. and p. 245.
No. 1 6. Obv. TASC. on a tablet placed within a triple circle, the centre one beaded.
Rev. Horseman galloping to the left, almost hidden by a long shield ; two bands
streaming backwards from his shoulder. JR. 1 8 grains.
Other specimens weigh as much as 23 and 24 grains. I have an ancient
forgery made of copper, plated, which was found at Biggleswade.
A.B.C., pi. vi. No. 2.
No. 17. Obv. TASC. on a tablet, much as on the gold coin No. 7.
Rev. Pegasus to the left ; a star and pellets in the field. There are horn-like projec-
tions from the head of Pegasus. JR i8| grains.
It is not known where this unique coin was found. A. B.C., pi. vi. No. I.
No. 1 8. Obv. TASCIA. Laureate, beardless head to the right, within a beaded circle.
Rev. Bull butting to the left. JR. i8 grains.
Some specimens show a beaded circle on the reverse. The type seems copied
from that of a silver coin of Augustus. A. B.C., pi. vi. No. 5.
No. 1 9. Obv. TASCIA. An eagle standing to the left, its head turned to the right ; the
whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. Griffin walking to the right ; in front, a ring ornament ; below, a triangle of
pellets. JR.
This coin is in the Bodleian Library. I have another specimen of the type
grains), found at Wallingford. It seems to read TASCIO.
A.B.C., pi. vi. No. 7.
246
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
No. 20. Obv. Bearded head of rude work to the left ; in front, two small crosses ; the whole
within a beaded circle.
Rev. TASCIO. Horseman galloping to the left, holding javelin ; in front and
behind, a star of pellets. JR- 1 6-j^ grains.
No. 21. Obv. As No. 20, but of even ruder work.
Rev. TASCIA. Nearly similar to No. 20. JR. 14! grains.
The place of finding of either of these coins is not known, but I have an
example of the same type found at Gayton, near Blisworth.
A.B.C., pi. vi. Nos. 3 and 4.
No. 22. Obv. TAS. Pegasus walking to the left, within a beaded circle.
Rev. Winged griffin springing to the right ; around, three circles, that in the centre
formed of pellets. JR. 20^- grains.
There is no record of its place of finding. A.B.C., pi. vi. No. 6.
No. 23. Obv. SEGO. on a tablet, within a circle formed of two lines twisted into a kind of
guilloche pattern.
Rev. Horseman to right, as on No. 14. JR. i<) grains.
Place of finding unknown. A.B.C., pi. viii. No. 10.
No. 24. Obv. DIAS. on a tablet, with an annulet or ring ornament above and below, in the
centre of a star formed of two squares interlaced, one having incurved sides.
Rev. VIR. or VER. beneath a horse galloping to the left ; above, a curved object of
doubtful import. JR.,
Found near Harlow, on the borders of Herts and Essex.
A. B.C., pi. vi. No. 14.
COPPER AND BRASS COINS
PLATE II.
No. I. Obv. VERLAMIO. between the rays of a star-like ornament formed of two inter-
lacing squares with incurved sides, one plain the other beaded. In the centre a
boss with a raised rim. The points of the star end in annulets, and there are
numerous pellets in the field.
Rev. Bull to the left ; his foreleg raised and his tail in the air, surrounded by a
wreath. JE 25^ to 33^ grains.
Coins of this type have been found at Verulam ; at Chipping Warden,
Northants ; Chesterford and Harlow, Essex ; and at Biggleswade and Sandy, Beds.
A.B.C., pi. vii. No. 3 and p. 537.
No. 2. Obv. A ring ornament in the centre of a star formed of two interlacing squares, the
whole within a kind of wreath.
Rev. Bull as on No. I, but to the right, and within a beaded circle.
& 33i grains-
Specimens are recorded from Braughing, Herts, and Harlow, Essex.
A.B.C., pi. vii. No. 4 and p. 538.
No. 3. Obv. Ornament formed by a square with loops at the corners interlacing another
square with incurved sides. There are crescents and pellets outside two of the
corners of the latter, and ring ornaments within the other two. In the centre is a
small cross ; the whole is surrounded by a beaded circle.
Rev. TASCI. Horse galloping to the left ; above a ring ornament and trefoil ; the
whole within a beaded circle. JE 3-rV grains.
A smaller coin of inferior workmanship, and weighing only 14-^ grains, was
found at Braughing, Herts. I have seen a coin of the full size that was found at
Barrington, Cambs. A.B.C., pi. vii. No. 5 and p. 538.
247
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
No 4. Otv. A triple wreath, the middle line beaded, divided by crescents, back to back, in
the centre ; between them two annulets, from which beaded lines proceed to a
beaded circle surrounding the whole. Four scroll-like figures run out from the
points of the crescents. Pellets in the field.
Rev. VER. Boar running to the right ; above, a crescent ; the whole within a
beaded circle. JE 39^ grains.
Found at Braughing, Herts ; another specimen found at Amiens, France.
d.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 2 and viii. No. 5.
No. 5. Obv. R (?) Two heads in profile, side by side, the upper one bearded ; the hair crisped
in a double row of locks ; the whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. TASC. Ram standing to the left, on a beaded exergual line ; in front and
below rosettes of oval pellets. ^31^- grains.
Probably found near Biggleswade ; another of the same type found at
Braughing, Herts. A. B.C., pi. vii. No 6, xxi. No. 5.
No. 6. Obv. VER. Male head to the left, with a double row of locks and a short beard.
Rev. Goat to the right ; above, a rosette ; below, a ring-ornament ; behind, a cross of
pellets; other pellets in the field. JE iff and 13! grains.
Found at Chesterford, Essex. A.B.C., pi. viii. No. 2 and p. 538.
Nos. 7, 8. Obv. TASC. DIAS. behind and in front of a bare head to the right, sometimes
bearded ; the whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. VIR. or VER. Centaur prancing to the right, playing on the double flute ;
above, a solid crescent ; in front, a ring ornament or an annulet ; the whole within a
beaded circle. JE. 20^ to 25 grains.
Examples have been found at Braughing and at the Cow-roast near Tring,
Herts; and in Huntingdonshire. A.B.C., pi. vii. No. 7, xxi. No. u.
No. 9. Obv. Beardless head to the right. Legend uncertain.
Rev. VER. beneath a seated figure to the left ; in front, what appears to be a
standard with a bird at the top ; behind, another standard ; the whole within a
beaded circle. JE usually 28 to 29 grains.
Coins of this type have been found on the site of Verulam and Braughing,
Herts, and near Arlesey, Beds. Though at least six specimens are known the
legend on the obverse is still undetermined.
A.B.C., pi. xiii. No. 8 ; xxi. No. 8.
No. 10. Obv. TASCIO. in front of an unbearded laureate head to the right ; the whole
within a beaded circle.
Rev. TASCIO. A lion to the right ' passant guardant ' on a plain exergual line ; a
beaded circle surrounds the whole. JE> 36^ grains.
Place of finding unknown. A.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 3.
No II. Obv. TASCIAVA. Bare, beardless head to the right ; beaded circle.
Rev. TAS. Pegasus to the left, the off fore-leg raised ; beaded circle.
JE 69^ grains.
Other specimens weigh 88^- and 67^ grains. That figured was found near
Cambridge. Another was found in Berkshire. From their weight these pieces
seem to have been current at double the value of the smaller pieces, which usually
weigh from 30 to 40 grains. A.B.C., pi. vi. No. 8.
No. 12. Obv. TASC. in front of a beardless head to the right.
Rev. VER. below a Pegasus to the left ; above, a trefoil ; in front, a ring-ornament ;
the whole within a beaded circle. & 39i grains.
An example of this type was found on the site of Verulam, and another at
Oundle. A.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 9, vii. No. 8.
248
THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD
No. 13. Obv. TAS . . . Beardless head to the right.
Rev. Horse galloping to the right ; within a double circle, the outer one beaded.
IE.
Found at Springhead, near Southfleet, Kent. The final part of the legend is
uncertain. A.B.C., pi. vi. No. 9 and p. 536.
No 14. Obv. TAS. in front of a beardless male head to the right ; behind, a kind of branch ;
the whole surrounded by a beaded circle.
Rev. (VER.) Horseman charging to the right, brandishing a spear (?) ; in front of the
horse a star of seven pellets. There is a double exergual line, the upper one plain,
the lower beaded. ./ 41 grains.
This coin was found at Burwell, near Cambridge. Others have been found
at Braughing, Herts, showing the VER ; and at Dorchester, Oxon.
A.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 4.
No. 15. Obv. TAS. (?) Bare, beardless head to right ; behind, a fillet (?) and a pellet ; the
whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. V beneath a horseman to the right, wielding a long staff or spear.
/E 31 grains.
Found at Wenden near Saffron Walden, Essex.
A.B.C., pi. viii. No. 3 and p. 539.
No. 1 6. Obv. Rude head in profile to right, with flowing beard.
Rev. VIR. or VER. Hippocampus to left, on a double exergual line.
M 31, 32 grains.
Found near Biggleswade. Others found on the site of Verulam and at
Braughing, Herts, as well as at Arlesey, Beds.
A.B.C., pi. vii. No. 9 and p. 538.
No. 17. Obv. V (?) behind a bare, bearded head to the right.
Rev. TAS. beneath a hippocampus to the left ; above, a ring-ornament and trefoil.
& 37i> 3 8 grains-
Place of finding unknown. A. B.C., pi. vii. No. II.
No. 1 8. Obv. VERL. in front of a bearded head to the right.
Rev. VIIR. below a hippocampus to the left ; in front, a star of pellets ; above, a
decorated ring-ornament between two trefoils. JE 40! grains.
Place of finding unknown. A coin of the same type found on the shore at
Ostend, 1 Belgium. A.B.C., pi. xxi. No 7.
No. 19. Obv. Bearded head to right as on No 16.
Rev. VER. beneath hippocampus to the left ; in front, a star of pellets ; above, a
ring-ornament between two trefoils. JE 37! and 44! grains.
Two coins of this type were found at Braughing, Herts ; and another reading
VIR. near Arlesey, Beds. There may have been a legend on the obverse.
A.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 6.
No. 20. Obv. VER ? Bare head to the right ; the whole within a triple circle ; that in the
centre beaded.
Rev. A boar running to the right ; above, an annulet ; at its feet, in front, a cluster
of pellets. JE 19 grains.
Found at Chesterford, Essex ; another near Biggleswade, Beds.
A. B.C., pi. viii. No. 4, xiii. No. 9.
No. 2 1 . Obv. RVFI (?) in front of a bearded head to the right ; the whole within a beaded
circle.
Rev. VIR. or VER. beneath a horseman cantering to the right ; in front of his head
a pellet ; the whole within a beaded circle. IE 21$ grains.
Found at Braughing, Herts ; others found at Creslow near Aylesbury, Bucks ;
Dorchester, Oxon ; Upper Stondon, Beds ; and Harlow, Essex.
A.B.C., pi. xxi. No. 12, vii. Nos. 12, 13.
1 Proc. Num. Sof., October 15, 1896.
249
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
No. 22. Obv. RVTS. on a tablet; above and below, an annulet ; the whole within a beaded
circle, with a kind of engrailed circle beyond it.
Rev, Pegasus (?) to the left. K, 30 grains.
Found at Muttilow Hill, on the Fleam Dyke, Cambridge. I have another
specimen from Creslow near Aylesbury, Bucks, weighing 33^ grains.
A. B.C., pi. vii. No. 14.
No. 23. Obv. RVFI. or RVLI. above a lion standing to the right; within a border formed
by two concentric circles connected by radiating curved lines.
Rev. An eagle to the right with expanded wings, its head turned back to the left.
jE 37 grains.
Found in France. Another coin of the same type is in the Bibliotheque
Nationale at Paris. A.B.C., pi. xxi. Nos. 13, 14.
No. 24. Obv. A square with incurved sides ; within it a similar square with an annulet in
the centre ; the whole within a beaded circle.
Rev. RVFI. (?) Eagle to the left, with wings partly expanded; its head to the right,
holding a branch (?) in its beak. JE 14, 10 grains.
Found near Biggleswade, Beds. From their size and weight these small
pieces seem to be the halves of the ordinary coins of Verulam and the quarters of
the large pieces such as No. II. A. B.C., pi. viii. No. I.
250
HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
ANGLO-SA
REFERENCE
Interments
Miscellaneous Finds. C
' \ \ tl / v. ' jins<*'ni.:if + \..i>nnn.'/ ,. -; ,_ . , y -" K * \
.v,,,,,,, \ -;K i^.jinV'n '^^-"iVfn^-v^f .uj-' nl j , "Pi, Hs*ca-
gvM A< Kv.. t 'sh,,i, ,;,',,,. 1 ,|, >l,,, um .. "'^""'"i . ';: ;t-/ <-*
'
THE VI CTORIA HI STCH r , r
N
IB'
_BrW3^H*BfT ^db/rte. fj-p~.f i >T\ *",!
fS^feS^MSSfc A^el:,^!
r^k n\ 07 JrJWk; Ai-dr-lry \v,, slm iu.;W... {'K r '"""" """;' V= ., vH f^OKSi"' ,./*,
:<";\ <a..- ..-;v _ ,/ J; ^ _ "V% &.,;,;,., S "'' ' M-U.Ulr"^V '"'"'v 1 ' 1 -'
' ./.,,,./!*'\i''.vj-f.T/r.v.i,,-K ' f
i- 'Kan VV.'. I '*'-*
(. .. i>;w/,.-,,,
i,. ;",' ' ( JlimA-ij ^Si".
r/ * f ^'^'A^-r"""^" 1
ii-iiV" SV P / U A'".- V - -?i /
V*i*C.. n iL fc-.-l^^ " />!,, /i'..7'V 1
"|W'.j
'/]*, (
nW^t'o'jKoW
^^y^f^ J
,| //,//(...^-w7;i
^ttwmr^
vsU*;^"*"^' 1 ?*
-V^iSfeJ*
r^,*s*,j
tuttasta ty
i\*
(,,(//..-
-^?/,,,,,,& jvWiMT - >/'^ aa "' lr '''' y^*..^rt;
^-s^p v^f-f / 'r;^^'^^.*^
^^T^dys^e^^^SCS
t ,,^;>
Hi-i'tih^iyuiiitf^
\M/Ji if.if ft > 7 "* '
^^ l/^?i i!fc*ia
-'%'.V:i n#/i.
,;Mw rtrt-'.Xpl'
'"' Jtt
K>JiI> .
.\HOTlL'.
^ll
Uaiuatm ""-"'' p^an
.,*i.;i-t Ea.slwirk/'.T7-/X
-./'/r" .,-,.
S^^^^Bajfovfl
_i* ,- t'ifa-kllM
^<i*'*l>.
iWDR&ttil
&(int ;**.
,, , ,r,| ,
^,v1,. Bi-ifcW
( ir.xHi >,,* .
JJJIfftn- v [( ^ J!.v
;.f^^ x ' ! -te^^,^,S't 1U , M ,^
iSKf % ""- &w* ^t^-"t
'(6, (Krt ./**" : ''"'" 'V 1 '""-' 1 -' .v..--'.':' i 11 ."'.-:
,vt*0.*l . t ^ t u',,.,; ,- ^
/Pay.." IV <'"'*''' -^ -W..l '.,",
*:" af-lj^f\ .. _>tr u ^- :- H^, U .,,,,-J D,.I/ J
;^4-^|A..^ rf ,*.,^- ''^ "f^ '^t;'f^^|
'"'"" k.,.': fi W-A ^" r > ,!'!il..'V,.,*V,..;.7% ~"S,?^f
;,< ij ./.' .
<c; a ii,-f.u<< xtif i"
I-Uf,, _ ^ ,...,,,i.,,i;i
;CT>' * J i', l ,';?,I m ^ > - -. ;
jfcdffll
-tos-^.^vi-wr
'^7
,}.../vj.iir\ Vc-sr.V .j,.i>j* - ' 7 Y:'; Wl: f!l,'li.,,.,Lj.v*Xl*'.<;::!?'"r n '^r UAdtOM ,'
( ri;v _^ A-'rl"*- '
"X 1 ""^,,;;,' ;; ^jK-V^Sj?
rffr L'uit^ni s;'7f ' iv
^r^3Sr^^^
^rd^,, S;^K
Kfe:^;^' 7 ^ ^
>:::: :\'r'':^:4^<-^ ILff ,^
-"J / - '.i !; '" _j
, V //,.,,,... /.v->"
^/|fii?o-- -'
<nlv\ / /T ,|* iff 'u;y,,Mti-,]. I Li;,!,,,.,,,! v .-,v oft , u.,v,.i-;ii.'
Jsi\}M.ii.M 1} , y /' / f . //,; """""';""X,'"',?
"ff yfK"'j.U4 ] '*%4'>- lU-J-nUanl,
liV .,,.// XL.'-. ' I . :.,^"" v^'W,.(<,,/ <,<
*iF THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND
ANGLO-SAXON
REMAINS
IT is generally held that the limits of the East Saxon diocese show
Hertfordshire to have been originally connected with Essex and
Middlesex ; and though a distinction in later times between the
shire of Hertford and the districts of the East and Middle Saxons
is suggested by the present names of these counties, there is nothing as
yet in archeology to disprove the above connection during the pagan
Anglo-Saxon period. The Thames was at that time bounded on the
north by marsh and mudflat as far as the river Lea, and thence to the
Chilterns by the forest of Middlesex, which may still be traced in the
county, but formerly covered almost the entire area between the Colne
and the Lea, no doubt extending in strips along the London clay of the
eastern and southern borders of Hertfordshire. Though the subsoil of
the rest of the county is chalk, which naturally produces bare and
open country, the clay area, bounded by a line from Bishops Stort-
ford through Ware, Hatfield, St. Albans and Rickmansworth, would
encourage the growth of timber and underwood ; and in addition, much
of the forest of Chiltern, which is still well wooded in parts, was con-
tained in the county.
The diocese of London had its origin in the charge given to Mellitus
in 604 to preach the Gospel to the East Saxons ; and his seat was fixed
at London shortly afterwards, St. Paul's remaining to this day the
metropolitan church, though the diocesan limits have been altered from
time to time. The original boundary on the north-west l shows that
strips of country on the Chilterns were excluded from the diocese of the
East Saxons, though incorporated with that of St. Albans in the nine-
teenth century. And it is just possible that the earlier arrangement
may have been due to the presence of a different tribe in the hill coun-
try between the Colne and the Icknield Way, a British roadway running
from Berkshire into Cambridgeshire, below the chalk escarpment of the
Chilterns. The name at least of such an isolated people is not far to
seek. The Chilternsaetna are mentioned in a remarkable document
known as the Tribal Hidage, which has recently been assigned* on
very reasonable grounds to the reign of Edwin of Northumbria, that is,
to the first half of the seventh century.
1 See maps in Rev. GeofFry Hill's English Dioceses, pp. 22, 85, 394.
* W. J. Corbett in Transactions of Royal Historical Society, new ser. xiv. 191.
251
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
If analogy counts for anything, the Chilternsaetna would in the
ordinary course of events have given their name to a county in later
Anglo-Saxon times, and Chilternset would have survived along with
Dorset and Somerset. Though the Chiltern Hundreds still mark their
district, the settlers of Chiltern, like those in Elmet, the Peak of
Derbyshire and elsewhere, were absorbed into more important or more
convenient political divisions. Many names with the suffix saeta or
saetna occur in the early records ; and though few can be located with
any certainty, there is nothing in the form of their names inconsistent
with the British origin of these peoples, who may have coalesced with
their foreign conquerors. The Somersaetna and Dorsaetna certainly
retained their independence till the middle of the seventh century, while
the Magasaeta of Herefordshire and the Wilsaeta of Wiltshire were
both on the British border. There may be some significance too in
the story that before Caed walla won the throne of Wessex in 685 he
was a fugitive in the forests of Andred and Cilton, the latter being in
all probability an erroneous form of the original Ciltern. His thoroughly
British name warrants the conjecture that in these isolated tracts Caed-
walla found not only a refuge from his Saxon enemies, but help and
encouragement from the native element that must still have been strong
in his day, and probably survived to a much later date in some localities.
Whatever the proportion of British blood in their veins, there is no
doubt that the inhabitants of this part of the country spoke Anglo-
Saxon at an early date. According to Dr. A. J. Ellis, 1 south Hertford-
shire belongs to the south-eastern district, which also comprises all
Middlesex, south-east Buckinghamshire and south-west Essex. Through-
out the district however there is a substratum of the mid-eastern dialect,
which is detected in the northern parts of Hertfordshire and in nearly
the whole of Essex, also in Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire and mid-
Northamptonshire. With the exception therefore of the Anglian
districts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, it may be said that all
east of the Chilterns and the Northamptonshire uplands is connected
by community of dialect, which no doubt took its rise in community of
race among the earliest Teutonic settlers of the district, and this has
been gradually modified by the speech of London during fourteen
centuries.
The grouping of dialects in this part of the country would thus
unite Hertfordshire with Essex, and lead us to expect from archaeology
some indication of Saxon rather than of Anglian influence in the county.
The few results already obtained in Hertfordshire certainly show a
marked absence of Anglian characteristics, but many discoveries must be
made before the peculiarities of East Saxon remains can be demonstrated.
To the west of the Chilterns enough has been recovered from the graves
to show that the settlers in the upper Thames valley, presumably the
Saxons of the west, were homogeneous and distinguishable from their
neighbours ; but at present nothing has been found to link them with
1 English Dialects : their Sounds and Homes, pp. 51, 57.
252
FIG. 3.
I NCH ES
FlG. 4.
FIG. i.
FIG. 5.
To fact page 253.
FIG. 7:
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS, HERTFORDSHIRE.
(All actual size, except figs. I, 2.)
FlG. 6.
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
the people ot Essex, who probably reached the eastern slopes of the
Chilterns at one time, but were mainly confined to the north of Essex
and the neighbourhood of London. In fact, the few discoveries in their
district point rather to a connection with Kent than with Wessex, and
accord so far with the written records of the time.
When history opens with the re-introduction of Christianity into
Britain at the close of the sixth century, Kent under Aethelbert is the
paramount power in the south-east, and is perhaps the one fully de-
veloped kingdom in the country. Whatever the meaning of the term
bretwalda applied to that monarch, it is likely that Aethelbert, the patron
of Mellitus, administered a certain territory north of the river. One of
his chief cares would doubtless be to control the great Roman roads
which were the natural continuations of the Watling Street from the
Straits of Dover to London ; and the task of guarding the highways
through Hertfordshire would perhaps account for the burial of charac-
teristic Kentish ornaments and other objects with their deceased owner,
in accordance with the pagan custom of the age. As London was the
centre of the Roman road system in this country, its master would not
only monopolize the commerce with the continent, but benefit by an
almost exclusive intercourse with the more highly civilized courts of
Europe and the authorities of the Roman church.
Poor as Hertfordshire is in remains of the Anglo-Saxon period, it
has yet produced a remarkable object, the like of which has never been
found in these islands and but seldom on the continent. It is now
included in the national collection, and may be best described as a bronze
ewer (fig. 2), nearly 9 inches high, with a pear-shaped body, a short
curved spout, and a thin handle with a pellet at the top. The mouth is
circular, about 2 inches in diameter, and covered by a hinged lid of
moulded pyramidal form with a knob in the centre. The base is flat
and rests on three feet of somewhat peculiar form, which may be
compared with three attached to a shallow bro'nze bowl from the King's
Field, Faversham, also in the British Museum ; and in view of similar
discoveries on the Rhine both vessels may well be of the same date and
origin.
According to the account 1 given by Mr. C. H. Read, through
whose exertions the ewer became public property, it was, with the
exception of the lid, cast in one piece and with considerable skill, the
inner surface being fairly smooth and the sides of an even thickness. It
is stated to have been found about 1886 in the neighbourhood of
Wheathampstead with a glass tumbler (fig. i) and several human skulls
described as male, as well as other bones, and some rings of bronze,
which are now lost sight of, but may have been the bands of a small
wooden bucket, such as are commonly met with in Anglo-Saxon burials.
Once more the absence of any competent person to take notes on
the spot is to be regretted ; for though the discovery affords some fresh
information as to the early inhabitants of the county, it could perhaps
1 Society of Antiquaries, Proceedings, rviii. no.
253
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
under proper supervision have added much more to our scanty knowledge
of the period. As it is there is nothing to indicate the direction in which
the body had been laid, or to substantiate the local story that the
ewer was full of coins. Of the objects known to have been associated
with the bronze vessel, the glass cup belongs to a type frequently
occurring in Kentish graves, but also represented in other parts of the
country, as at Desborough, Northants ; Clacton, Essex ; Southampton
and the Isle of Wight. The majority of these vessels are tumblers in
the true sense of the word ; for being footless, with more or less pointed
bases, they could not stand alone, but had to be emptied before being
set down. This may account for their popularity among a race whose
drinking habits were almost proverbial ; and the discovery of such a cup
with the bronze ewer seems to show that the funeral observances of the
Anglo-Saxons took a similar direction.
With regard to the ewer, on the other hand, the Rhine district
furnishes the only parallels known. Three from the Alemannic terri-
tory have been figured and described, 1 and so far as one can judge from
photographs the Wheathampstead specimen is superior to any hitherto
published. Though all four clearly belong to one class, the clumsi-
ness and ill-proportion complained of by Dr. Lindenschmit are not so
noticeable in the Hertfordshire example. This however is probably
a mere accident, and would certainly not justify the inference that
bronze was better worked in Britain than abroad at that period. For
instance, a bowl from Walluf, which happens to be figured on the same
plate as the three ewers from Germany and is now preserved in our
national collection, is quite as well made as the best of the kind from
the graves of Kent, and shows at least a trade connection between the
inhabitants of both localities.
The Alemannic vessel most like that from Wheathampstead is
about an inch less in height, and came from a woman's grave at
Wonsheim in Rhenish Hesse, about thirty miles south of Mayence.
With it was found a bronze bowl like the Walluf example just men-
tioned, and a similar bowl was associated with a second ewer at Mtinzes-
heim in Baden. The remaining ewer was found in a double grave at
Pfahlheim near Ellwangen in eastern Wiirtemberg, with typical Ale-
mannic relics, including a stirrup and spurs. The occurrence of a pair
of spurs in this interment is of importance as approximately marking its
date, as it has been ascertained that till the latter half of the seventh
century, at least on the continent, only a single spur was worn, and that
apparently on the left heel, so as to drive the horse to the right and thus
present the shield arm to an enemy. A similar argument as to date has
been drawn from the presence of a stirrup, which seems to have been
adopted about the same time as the pair of spurs.
These Alemannic examples are enough to prove that the inhabi-
tants of Kent had dealings with the settlers on the middle Rhine during
the seventh century, and at least suggest that the district now called
1 Lindenschmit, Alurthumer unserer heidnischen Vorzelt, vol. iv. pi. 58, figs, i, 2, 3.
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
Hertfordshire was then in touch with the most advanced and perhaps the
earliest Teutonic kingdom in this country. A more exact date for the
deposit of the ewer and tumbler in what was no doubt a grave may be
deduced with some plausibility from the old coin mounted in a ring
found with similar objects at Wonsheim. Heraclius, the Roman
emperor of the east, was associated with his son Heraclius Constantine,
and reigned from 6 10 to 641. ' Five years after his accession came the
alarming news that Jerusalem had been assaulted and taken by the
Persians. The sepulchre of Christ and the stately churches of Helena
and Constantine were consumed, or at least damaged by the flames ; the
devout offerings of 300 years were rifled in one sacrilegious day ; the
patriarch Zachariah and the true cross were transported into Persia ;
and the massacre of 90,000 Christians is imputed to the Jews and Arabs
who swelled the disorder of the Persian march.' l To this blow was
added the insolent demand of Chosroes that the Emperor of Rome
should abjure his crucified God and embrace the worship of the sun ;
but the energy and ability of Heraclius stemmed the tide of adversity in
a series of brilliant campaigns, and in 628 recovered the conquests of
the Persian monarch from his parricide son.
' The succeeding year ' (629), says Gibbon, 'was illustrated by the
restitution of the true cross to the holy sepulchre. Heraclius performed
in person the pilgrimage of Jerusalem, the identity of the relic was
verified by the discreet patriarch, and this august ceremony has been
commemorated by the annual festival of the exaltation of the cross.
He received the congratulations of the ambassadors of France and India ;
and the fame of Moses, Alexander and Hercules was eclipsed in the
popular estimation by the superior merit and glory of the great
Heraclius.'
It is not surprising therefore that the gold coins of this champion
of Christendom should frequently occur in the jewellery of the period.
The most notable example in this country was discovered at Wilton in
Norfolk, and formed the centre of a richly jewelled cross, 2 which empha-
sizes the religious motive of its adoption. Another of his coins was
found in pendant form at Sarre in Kent, 3 and Christianity had been
officially accepted in the Kentish kingdom about half a century before
the coin was struck. The occurrence of one mounted in a ring at
Wonsheim with the ewer of peculiar type may reasonably be held to fix
the date of the Wheathampstead burial within certain limits. While it
is unlikely that the coins would be put to any pious use before the
recovery of the Holy Rood in 628, the choice would not be so popular
during the last eight years of Heraclius, when the provinces that had
been rescued from the Persians were passing into the hands of Mahomet's
apostles. The vogue may certainly have lasted much longer than six
years, but there can be no serious error in attributing to that short
1 Gibbon, DecRne and Fail of the Roman Empire, ch. xlvi.
2 Figured in Victoria History of Norfolk, vol. i.
8 Figured in AnhteokgtA Cantiana, vol. iii. p. 45, pi. ii. fig. 3.
255
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
period (628-34) the Wonsheim burial and by inference the deposit of
the ewer and tumbler in the mound at Wheathampstead.
The most interesting find in Hertfordshire may therefore be said
to point rather to Kent than to any other district on this side of the
Channel, and certain remains from Essex may be provisionally inter-
preted in a similar sense. The dissemination of Kentish types in both
counties may be referred to the period when Kent was in her ascendency,
though objects of the same kind discovered in the more immediate
vicinity of the Thames might belong to a later date when the Kentish
supremacy had given place to East Anglia under Raedwald. According
to Mr. Green, 1 that bretwalda did not control the country south of the
Stour ; and it is equally possible that Hertfordshire, in which no dis-
tinctive Anglian remains have as yet been discovered, was likewise
independent of East Anglia.
Some signs of transition from pagan to Christian rites of burial
have been presumably noticed in the county, and it might be supposed
that this region, being so near Kent and under the Bishop of Lon-
don, would at an early date have heard the teaching of the Gospel.
On the other hand it must be remembered that ' in no part of England
was there so much tenacity of heathenism as in London and the East
Saxon realm generally.' * Even St. Cedd, whose Celtic mission succeeded
where the Roman Mellitus had failed half a century before, did not
apparently gain access to London, as his two seats were on the Essex
coast. 8 Thirteen years later however, in 666, the see of London was
again occupied, for Wini bought it of Wulf here ; and it may be assumed
that the Mercian bishop Jaruman, who had been commissioned by his
sovereign, had in the interval won over London to the Church. The
country bordering the Watling Street cannot have remained much longer
without missionaries, and it may be mentioned in this connection that
the first council of ecclesiastics was held in 673 at a place that is
generally identified as Hertford. Though the place of meeting was no
doubt chosen as being fairly accessible from the Akeman, Ermine and
Watling Streets, it may be inferred that the neighbourhood was not
infested at that time by obstinate pagans. Indeed if it had been there
would probably have already come to light some obviously heathen
burial, exhibiting perhaps Anglian characteristics ; for by that date the
Mercian, whose conversion was quite recent and perhaps still incomplete,
was paramount in this region, Wulfhere extending his dominion even
as far as Sussex between 659 and 675.
Another discovery of Anglo-Saxon relics is supposed to have
occurred as early as 1 178 at Redbourn, a village on the Watling Street
beyond St. Albans. The story goes that the first British martyr himself
led the way to two mounds called the ' Hills of the Banners,' where
the people were accustomed to assemble, and pointed out one as the
sepulchre of St. Amphibalus. Excavations were forthwith undertaken
1 Making of England, i. 269 (1897). * Canon Bright, English Chunk History, p. 88.
8 Rev. Geoffiy Hill, The English Dioceset, p. 53.
256
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
by the monks of St. Albans, and in the opinion of an archaeologist of
much experience, the late Thomas Wright, resulted in the discovery
of an Anglo-Saxon burial place, though the interpretation comes
more than seven centuries after the incident referred to, which is recorded
in detail in the Archceologia?
In the words of Roger of Wendover, himself a monk of St. Albans,
the holy martyr Amphibalus was lying between two of his companions,
whilst the third was found lying crossways in a place by itself. They
also found near the place six others of the martyrs, making with St.
Amphibalus himself ten in all. Among other relics of this champion
of Christ were found two large knives, one in his skull and the other
near his breast, confirming the account which was handed down from
ancient times in the book of his martyrdom. For, according to that
book, Amphibalus himself was first disembowelled, then pierced with
lances and knives, and finally stoned to death ; for which cause also none
of his bones were found entire, though in all the corpses of his com-
panions not a bone was broken. The bones were carefully gathered up
and carried in solemn triumph to the abbey church. 3
Mr. Wright thought that he could with little trouble adduce from
the monastic legends fifty or a hundred distinct examples in which
barrows were opened for the purpose of finding the bones of saints, and
gives an apposite instance in his History of Ludloiv. 3 It appears that at
Ludlow up to the end of the twelfth century the site of the present church-
yard, the most elevated part of the hill, was occupied by a very large
tumulus or barrow. This was cleared away in 1 199 in order to enlarge
the church, and three sepulchral deposits, probably in square stone chests,
were discovered within. These may be assigned to the Roman period,
and recall the interments in the Bartlow Hills ; but the clergy decided
that the relics belonged to three Irish saints, the father, mother and
uncle of the famous St. Brandan, and accordingly buried them devoutly
in the church in expectation of miracles.
In the present instance it was acutely observed by Mr. Wright that
the head of the spear usually placed beside a deceased warrior might be
easily mistaken for a large knife by the monkish barrow diggers, while
a knife at the waist is constantly found with unburnt burials of the pagan
Saxons. Adopting this view of their origin, we may draw some further
conclusions from these poor relics of the dead, which at the time of
their discovery had probably lain in the earth for six centuries. Being
perhaps pagan, these presumed Saxons had no special claim to the vener-
ation of the monks and laity, but are of interest for the archaeologist of
to-day, even though the evidence they could have furnished is minimized
by the circumstances of their discovery.
In the first place it is clear that these were unburnt burials ; and
that there were no fragments of cinerary urns may be inferred from the
silence of the chronicler, for such would not have been overlooked by
1 Vol. xxxiii. p. 264 ; Prcceedings, Society of Antiquaries, ii. 27.
2 flowers of History, i. 109 (Rolls series). 3 pp. 13-4, cf. p. 28.
I 257 s
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
the zealous excavators of the mounds. So far this accords with the
division already recognized on other grounds between the Teutonic
settlers north and south of the Stour valley, for the East Anglian
cemeteries generally yield cremated remains in coarse urns of pot-
tery, which are very exceptional in Kent and not positively known
in Essex.
The condition of the remains taken up by the monks may be
explained on the supposition that the grave mound, which must in those
early days have been a conspicuous object, had probably been rifled
before the twelfth century, the bones being disturbed in the process.
Perhaps the treasure-seekers, who may have had profitable experiences
in Kent, were here disappointed ; and after finding nothing of value
with the first burial considered it useless to examine the others. It is
from these latter that a deduction as to the date of burial is possible.
The chronicle of Roger mentions that all the skeletons were not laid in
the same direction, some being apparently at right angles to the rest,
as was actually found to be the case at Saffron Walden 1 in Essex, thirty
miles from the site in question.
In Anglo-Saxon cemeteries the bodies are generally found in one
of two positions, either with the head between south and south-west or
else due west. Variations between these points may in some cases be
due to the time of year when a particular burial took place, as the bear-
ings were taken no doubt by sunrise or sunset. 2 A generally accepted
view is that the east-and-west burials were due to Christian influences,
which gradually, perhaps in a century, reformed the funeral customs of
the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is thus permissible to refer the Redbourn
interments to a time when that reform was still in progress ; and pre-
suming that the monks would have been scandalized to find St. Amphi-
balus buried with any but the Christian orientation, we may infer that
the bodies lying crossways were those of earlier inhabitants who had
not been thoroughly Christianized.
The presumed interments at Redbourn therefore seem to be contem-
poraneous with the Wheathampstead burial, all belonging to the middle
of the seventh century. At any rate it is unlikely that the ewer was
deposited in a grave much later, for Wulfhere, who ascended the throne
of Mercia in 659, was shortly afterwards sovereign not only north of
the Thames but even in Sussex. Unlike his great predecessor Penda he
was a Christian king, and probably took as much interest in his newly-
won territories as Offa, who occupied the same throne during the second
half of the eighth century and founded the abbey of St. Albans just
before his death in 796.
Half a century of missionary effort had not abolished the pagan
practice of burying ornaments and weapons with the dead ; but the
later we place the Wheathampstead burial the more difficult it becomes
1 Essex Archaeological Society, Transactions, new ser. ii. 284.
* An instructive table of compass-bearings is given by the late Gen. Pitt-Rivers in his account of
an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Winkelbury, Wilts (Excavations in Cranborne Chase, ii. 261).
258
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
not only to account for the presence of the ewer and cup but also for
the absence of ornaments of Anglian type in association with them.
It is true that Aethelbert's supremacy had passed even before his
death in 616 into the hands of Raedwald of East Anglia, but unless and
until some traces of Anglian cremation or influence are found in Hert-
fordshire or Essex, archaeology may admit the truth of Mr. Green's view
that Raedwald's dominion did not reach further south than the Stour
valley. Hertfordshire perhaps fared similarly, and the southern limit of
East Anglia in Raedwald's time may have been the Icknield Street, for
Anglian remains are plentiful in the extensive discoveries of Hon. R. C.
Neville (afterwards Lord Braybrooke) at Wilbraham, Cambs, and a fine
square-headed Anglian brooch has been found near Bassingbourn in the
same county. 1 In the absence of indications to the contrary it is more
reasonable to refer the cremated burials at Wilbraham to the time of Raed-
wald, who was a pervert from Christianity, than of Wulf here, who was
a staunch upholder of the faith that Penda had trampled on. The dis-
covery in Hertfordshire of a mixed cemetery such as that so richly
illustrated in Saxon Obsequies would throw much light on the early his-
tory of the county ; but till that occurs such negative evidence as there
is may be accepted.
Besides those already mentioned only one cemetery appears to have
been noticed in the county, and there are but slender grounds for deter-
mining its precise date. The following seems to be the only record of
the find : ' In a field near Sandridge remains have been discovered of a
supposed Anglo-Saxon burial ground. A large number of human bones
have been found together with iron implements, which are said by local
antiquaries to be of Saxon origin. Unfortunately the greater part of
the remains, which were discovered by a ploughman, were buried after
being shown to a gentleman who pronounced them to be only old bones.' 2
Of isolated finds but few have been recorded, 3 and are here included
more on account of their antiquarian interest than for any historical
evidence they can afford. Future discoveries and investigations may
however add some importance to the small bronze coins (figs. 3, 4)
found in recent years at St. Albans and now preserved in the museum
there. They belong to the class called minimi, and these particular
specimens cannot have been struck before the year 345, when the
type here represented was introduced. 4 The imperfect devices here
preserved would not of themselves go far towards identifying the
pieces, but there can be little doubt that they are copies, rudely
executed, of certain mintages of the Roman emperors, Constantius II.
(33761) and Julian the Apostate (3613), having on the obverse the
imperial head and on the reverse a warrior felling a horseman with
his spear. The St. Albans pieces are much smaller than the originals,
1 In the collection of Mr. William Ransom, F.S.A., of Hitchin.
* Antiquary, xi. 132.
8 Sir John Evans' Ankttokgcal Survey of Hertfordshire has here been of service.
* This and other information has been kindly supplied by Mr. H. A. Grueber, F.S.A., of the
British Museum,
259
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
so that the reverse is incomplete, but the outline of the horse and
rider as well as the lower limbs of the standing warrior can be dis-
tinguished (fig. 3). There can be little hesitation in referring these
pieces to a Romano-British mint, possibly at Verulamium, in the fifth
century ; they may indeed be still later, for the distinctive Anglo-Saxon
coinage apparently started with the sceatta about the year 600, two
centuries after the withdrawal of the Roman officials from these shores.
Barbarous imitations of Roman coins have been found, together
with specimens of Diocletian (284-305) and succeeding emperors, in
the neighbourhood of two Roman villas near Boxmoor railway station; 1
and a ' quantity of Roman and Saxon coins ' 2 found at Hexton may
have included some of the same kind. As parallel instances are needed
to throw light on this somewhat obscure subject reference may here be
made to a discovery of the same kind in the parish of Whittington,
Gloucs., where among a total of 700 or 800 were found Romano-
British specimens of the period subsequent to Arcadius (395408).*
These rude attempts may be contrasted with two interesting pieces
found in Hertfordshire, which may be said show the Anglo-Saxon moneyer
at his best (figs. 5, 6). Coins of OfFa (757-96), the first to introduce
the penny into England, are common enough, but one is here illustrated
to accompany a rare specimen of his widow Cynethrith (796) . 4 Both
coins are from the neighbourhood of Hitchin, the latter having been
discovered by a working man and sold to a cobbler in that town at the
end of the eighteenth century. The locality is not of great importance
for coins of that date, when intercourse between the various English
kingdoms was easy and extensive, but it may be of interest to note that
coins of OfFa and his wife have also been discovered not far apart in
Sussex. 5
As long ago as 1744 a gold ornament, described in Cough's edition
of Camden's Britannia " as a tore, was found at Park Street near St.
Albans. The original drawing is repeated in the Journal of the Archaeo-
logical Institute 7 for 1849, but is unsatisfactory and leaves the true
nature of the object uncertain. It is however about an ounce heavier
than the gold armlet in the British Museum from Wendover, with which
it has been compared. It may have been used for the same purpose,
and if the parallel is just, belongs to the Viking period, as the three
centuries between 700 and rooo are usually designated.
At the west end of the Abbey church a coin of Charlemagne
(768-8 14)" was found nearly half a century ago, and from Boxmoor
a circular brooch 9 of cast bronze (fig. 7), the centre of which comes is
1 Society of Antiquaries, Proceedings, ii. 295. a Lewis, Topographical Dictionary, under Hexton.
3 Society of Antiquaries, Proceedings, 2nd ser. ii. 305.
4 Both are from the cabinet of Mr. William Ransom, who has kindly lent them for illustration.
6 Sussex 4rch<tological Collections, xv. 242 ; xxi. 219.
8 Vol. vi. p. 48, fig. 2, and p. 52. 7 Vol. i. p. 347, pi. xvii. fig. 9.
8 Figured in Nicholson's Guide to the Abbey (Wm. Page's edition), p. 50.
9 In the collection of Sir John Evans, K.C.B., who has kindly lent it for illustration. Society of
Antiquaries, Proceedings, iii. 41.
260
ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
a rough copy of a coin which cannot be identified with certainty.
At the back is a similar reproduction of the reverse of the same
or another coin, which may have been a Merovingian copy of a coin
of Carausius (287-93) minted by Childebert or Dagobert in the
second half of the seventh century. This however does not fix the
date of the brooch, which from comparison with others in the British
Museum and elsewhere l with broad beaded borders appears to belong to
the ninth or tenth century, when Anglo-Saxon art had become extinct,
and new forms, introduced from the continent, foreshadowed the
Norman conquest of our island.
Several are figured and described in Journal of British Archaohgual Atsociafion, ii. 313.
261
.
*
DOMESDAY SURVEY
H
ERTFORDSHIRE is one of a group of counties which are
surveyed at considerable length in Domesday Book. With
the surveys of Bedfordshire and of Cambridgeshire to the north,
and of Middlesex to the south, its own has certain points in
common, which render it desirable to keep them in view while engaged
upon its study. Essex, to the east, is surveyed in that other volume of
Domesday which is compiled on a different system, and affords there-
fore little facility for comparison. It must be remembered that in
Domesday Book we have only a compilation from the original returns
for Hertfordshire, not the actual returns themselves. These returns
were more extensive than those which are preserved in our great record,
and were drawn up on a system altogether different. A separate return
was made for each Hundred of the county, at the head of which were
placed the names of the sworn residents by whom it was made. And
the vills within the Hundred were surveyed one by one. With these
returns the compilers of our record dealt in drastic fashion. They left
out the names of the jurors ; they cut down the contents of the returns
by omitting certain classes of information ; and they then arranged all
that was left under the names of tenants-in-chief, breaking up the
geographical arrangement and considering only the tenure of the
estates. 1
For Hertfordshire we are fortunately afforded a glimpse of these
original returns quite exceptional in its nature. In response, as I hold,
to a writ of the king, the abbey of Ely made use of these returns, which
were still in existence at the time, to draw up a list of its possessions
which gave their contents in full. 2 As the abbey happened to possess
three manors in Hertfordshire Hatfield, Hadham, and Kelshall we
obtain for these manors the full contents of the returns, 3 and are able to
compare them with the information given in Domesday Book. I print
below, to illustrate the difference, a translation of the full return for
Hatfield in the Inquisitio Eliensis by the side of Mr. Ragg's translation of
the Domesday entry for the manor :
1 For fuller details of this process see the paper on ' Domesday Book ' in my Feudal England.
* Ibid.
* They are printed in the ' Additamenta ' volume of the Record Commission's Domesday Book
(iii. 50910), and in Hamilton's Inqmsitio Comifatus Cantabrigiensis, pp. 124-5.
263
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
IN THE TWO HUNDREDS OF IN BRADEWATRE HUNDRET
BRADEWATRE The abbot of Ely holds HETFELLE. It is
The abbot of Ely holds HATFELD. It is. a ! sessed at / hides ' There is land for 3
and was T.R.E., assessed at 40 hides. There P lou g hs - In the demesne are 20 hides, and
is land for 30 ploughs. There are 2 ploughs there are 2 P Iou g hs on lt > and there could
and 20 hides in demesne, and there could be be 3 more - A P nest ther e and 18 villeins
3 (ploughs) more. (There are) 20 ploughs of and l8 bordars have 2O P lou g h s between
the men, and there could be 5 more. (There them > and there could be 5 more. There
are) 18 villeins, each of i virgate, and a priest are 12 cottars and 6 serfs > and 4 mills worth
(who has) half a hide, and 4 men of 4 hides 47 shlllln g s and 4 pence. Meadow is there
(in all). And Adam son of Robert son of sufficient for IO P lou g h team s ; pasture suffi-
William (has) 2 hides under the abbot. clent for the live stock ; wood to feed 2 > oo
(There are) 12 bordars of half abide (in w ' n e ; and i o shillings are the dues from wood
all), and 6 other bordars of half a hide (in and P^ 1 " 6 - Altogether Us value is, and
all), 12 cottars, 6 serfs ; 4 mills worth (de) was > 25 P unds ; T - R - E -> 3 Punds. This
46 shillings and 4 pence. Meadow for 10 manor belon g ed > and stl11 belongs, to the
plough teams ; pasture (sufficient) for the demesne of e church of E1 7 (Domesday).
live stock of the vill ; woodland for 2,000
swine. From wood (bosco) and pasture (come)
IO shillings. (There are) 26 cattle (animalia
odosd), 360 sheep, (and) 60 swine. Altogether
it is worth 25 pounds ; when received, 25
pounds ; T.R.E., 30 pounds. This manor
belonged, and belongs, to the church of Ely
in demesne (Ing. Eliensis).
It will be seen at once that Domesday Book here omitted two
departments of information found in the returns. One was the classifi-
cations of the villagers according to the extent of the holding ; the other
was the amount of livestock apart from the plough oxen (whose teams
were comprehended in the word ' plough'). The fact that the original
returns did comprise the livestock is of value as confirming the statement
of our native chronicler that there was not ' so much as it is shame to
tell, and he thought it no shame to do an ox nor a cow nor a swine
that was not set in his writ.' Moreover in Essex, to the east of our
county, Domesday Book retained this item of information throughout.
The other item, which is of some importance, was preserved by it in Mid-
dlesex, to the south, and will therefore be most fitly discussed when dealing
with the survey of that county. Here it need only be observed that on
the three Hertfordshire manors the villeins are all returned as holding a
virgate or half a virgate, while the priest at Hatfield has half a hide, or
twice as much as any villein. It should however be noticed that, as will
be seen below (p. 3 32), Domesday itself, in the solitary case of the great
manor of Sawbridgeworth, records the classification found in the original
return. From the priest with his ' hide,' and the reeve with his half
' hide,' the scale ranges down through the villeins with their virgates
and half virgates, to the bordars with their 8 acres apiece and the cottars
with one or none.
But the instructive inclusion of these items is not all that is done
for us by the Inquisitio Eliensis. It further records the names of the sworn
men of the Hundreds ; and, as the abbot of Ely's manors lay in three
264
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
different Hundreds, we obtain the names of the jurors for each. 1 We
have eight jurors apiece for the Hundreds of Edwinstree and Odsey,
and sixteen for the double Hundred of Broadwater. I have elsewhere
shown that the number named was eight for each Hundred, of whom
four were evidently natives and four were new settlers. 8 In these three
Hertfordshire Hundreds one can identify several of the jurors, and it is
interesting to find the Normans and the English making their return
jointly. In one case an actual tenant-in-chief, namely Goisbert de
Beauvais, is found among the sworn men ; and in the same Hundred,
that of Broadwater, two of Robert Gernon's tenants, William of Latch-
worth (a Norman) and .^Elfward of Mardley (an Englishman), are found
as jurors together. Two tenants of Geoffrey de Mandeville can be recog-
nized among the names namely Thorkill, a native, who is named, from
his holding only, ' of Digswell,' which estate he had held before the
Conquest of Geoffrey's predecessor ; and Germund, who held of him
two estates in Broadwater Hundred, but retains his Norman name as
Germund de St. Ouen. This mention of his surname, which is not
found in Domesday, is an interesting piece of information, for earl
Geoffrey de Mandeville's return in 1166 records that a ' Germund de
St. Ouen ' had held of him four knights' fees. 3 The English jurors are
harder to identify, being probably of lower status, at least in Norman
eyes. But of one of these we shall hear again, for Godwine 'de Hore-
mere' was the English tenant who held at Hormead of no less a man
than Eadgar the ^Etheling himself.
Returning now to Domesday Book, we may say that its Hertford-
shire portion presents three features of special interest. Of these the
first is the occurrence under Edward the Confessor of the class of small
holders known as sochemanni, and its almost total disappearance under
William the Conqueror. The second is the peculiar, if not unique,
development of the great manor of Hitchin. And the third is found in
the personality of the chief landowners, English and Norman, and the
devolution of their lands. In addition to these leading features, the rela-
tion of assessment to value, the state of cultivation in the county, and its
density of population will all deserve attention ; and there are as usual
many entries of miscellaneous interest.
It is frequently stated that the Norman Conquest affected only the
English thegns the 'landed gentry' as we should now say by the con-
fiscations it involved ; but Professor Maitland's researches have shown
that, at least in the east of England, it involved the sharp depression of
that class of socbemanni, whom he speaks of as 'very small people with
very little land . . . peasants, at best yeomen.' 4 The occurrence of this
interesting class is geographical in character ; it is virtually restricted to
a certain district. Roughly speaking, we find sochemanni spreading like
a fan, of which the handle is the Wash, and penetrating south into Hert-
1 Domesday Book (as above), iii. 498 ; and Hamilton's Injuisitio, p. 100.
* feudal England, -pp. 118-23. * Red Book of the Exchequer, p. 345.
* Domesday Book and Beyond, p. 64.
265
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
fordshire and Essex and south-west into Northamptonshire. Nor is it
only for the sochemanni that this district is remarkable. It was, in the
same writer's opinion, considerably 'richer and more populous' than the
western portions of the kingdom, as it was also 'the home of liberty.' 1
In tracing therefore, in Hertfordshire, the occurrence of sochemanni and
the widespread subdivision of the vills in the days before the Conquest,
we are dealing with no isolated phenomenon, but with the links that
connect the county with the district to its north-east, and with influ-
ences which had made it even then comparatively populous and wealthy.
'Domesday Book is full of evidence that the tillers of the soil are
being depressed.' Professor Maitland, who has told us this, observes
that
the most convincing proof of the depression of the peasantry comes to us from Cam-
bridgeshire. . . . The Cambridgeshire of the Confessor's day had contained at the very
least 900 instead of 200 sokemen. This is an enormous and a significant change. . . .
The sokemen have fallen, and their fall has brought with it the consolidation of mano-
rial husbandry and seignorial power. . . . No one can read the survey of Cambridge-
shire without seeing that the freer sorts of the peasantry have been thrust out or rather
thrust down.
Evidence so cogent as this we shall hardly find in any part of the record save
that which relates to Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. But great movements of the
kind that we are examining will hardly confine themselves within the boundaries of
a county. ... In Essex we may see the liberi homines disappearing. . . . There have
been sokemen in Middlesex and in Surrey, but they have been suppressed. . . . Even
in Suffolk they are suffering ill at the hands of their new masters, while in Cambridge-
shire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire they have been suppressed or displaced.*
It can, I think, be shown that the decrease in the number of
sokemen, as a result of the Norman Conquest, was proportionately even
more striking in Hertfordshire than in Cambridgeshire itself. If we
leave out of account the royal manor of Hitchin, which presents ex-
ceptional features, there were little more than 20 sokemen left in the
whole county at the time of the Domesday Survey. And yet there
had been no fewer than 195 under Edward the Confessor. 3 It was out
of the question that Professor Maitland, writing on the whole of England,
should be able to study minutely the Survey of each county, but a close
examination of the Hertfordshire evidence has convinced me that the
bulk of the sokemen are found in the extreme north and east of the
county, forming, as it were, a fringe extending from Lilley to Hoddesdon,
with Essex and Cambridgeshire as a kind of centre.
Starting from Royston and working south, we have 6 sokemen at
Barley, 4 at Barkway and 2 at Newsells in Barkway, 6 at Hodenhoe
in Buckland, 9 at Widiall, 6 at ' Ichetone ' in Layston, 4 at Stonebury,
3 at Barksden Green to the west of it, and i at Westmill. Between
these last places and the Essex border were Boreson Green (' Bordes-
dene') with 13, Hormead with 7, and Pelham with 5. We have thus
accounted for 66 sokemen before the Conquest in the north-eastern
1 Domesday Book and Beyond, pp. 22-3. z Ibid. pp. 62-4, 67.
3 But, as Professor Maitland warns us (p. 20), ' there is reason to think that some of the freemen
nd sokemen of these counties get counted twice or thrice over, because they held land under several
different lords.'
266
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
corner of the county alone. To the south of it, in our county's extreme
east, we have 15 at Hadham with Wickham, 6 at Standon, and 5 at
Sawbridgeworth. Following down the Essex border, we have 1 5 at
Stanstead, i at Hoddesdon, and i at Broxbourne. These raise the above
total to 109 ; and if we add the 10 at Bengeo, i at Ware, and 8 at
Sacomb, we may roughly say that two-thirds of the sokemen, outside
Hitchin, are found to the east of a line drawn from Royston to Hertford
and thence to Broxbourne. And of the remainder, the majority are
found in the extreme north of the county. At Hinxworth there were
9, at Bygrave 2, at Clothall 5, at Wellington 3, at Latch worth 3, and at
Pirton 2, while those at Offley, Wellbury, Dinsley and Wymondley are
mentioned under Hitchin. Passing eastwards again, we have i at
Graveley, 3 at Luffhells, and 2 at Throcking, which brings us back to
Layston and to Barksden Green.
It is interesting to observe that, as we might expect, the soke-
men of Hertfordshire are mainly found in the districts adjacent to the
counties where they were very numerous. For this is a further proof
that the tenure was distinctive of a region, and, as Professor Maitland
has observed, 'the faults (if any faults there be) in a truly economic
stratification of mankind are not likely to occur just at the boundaries
of the shires.' 1
But who, it may be asked, were the ' sokemen ' who had thus over-
flowed into the county ? Although their name is derived from soke
('soche'), that is from the right of jurisdiction (or the profits of juris-
diction) that some one possessed over them, their exact character is
obscure. 8 It should however be explained, for the comprehension of
the Survey, that a sokeman might be the 'man ' of one lord,. though his
c soke ' belonged to another. Moreover, Domesday persistently draws a
distinction between two kinds of tenure, although the terms in which it
expresses that distinction vary a good deal. Of one class of holders we
read that they were free to sell (or to assign) their land, or to ' withdraw
with their land ' without leave (licentia) ; of another, that they could
not do this without the leave of their lord. I have argued from the
Cambridgeshire evidence that the land held by the latter was what was
known as * thegnland,' while the other class held ' socland.' 8 Another
point of importance revealed by the Hertfordshire Survey is that the
sokemen had in some cases been already 'in a manor' before the coming
of the Normans, while in others they had been annexed since then to a
manor to which they had not belonged. For instance, 3 sokemen (of the
king), who were the ' men ' of archbishop Stigand, were after his death
annexed with their land to bishop Odo's manor at Clothall, although
'they were not there T.R.E.' (fo. 134). At Tring, according to the
witness of the men of the Hundred, Engelric, of whom we shall hear
again, had not only annexed to his manor 2 sokemen, with their 2
1 Domesday Book and Beyond, p. 1 40.
3 For a full discussion of the sochemanni, see Professor Maitland's Domesday Book and Beyond.
3 See for all this my Feudal England, pp. 22-6, 2835.
267
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
hides, 'since the coming of king William,' but had forced a 'man' of the
abbot of Ramsey, who held 5 hides, to undergo the same lot, although
he had no power to alienate his land from the abbey and had not be-
longed to the manor. Domesday's phrase for this is that he ' was not
there' (fo. 137), but this only means that he did not belong to the
manor. On the other hand, there did belong to the manor T.R.E.
3 sokemen, in so far as they were even then the ' men ' of Engelric,
and these 3 were still there in 1086, holding i hide between them.
At Wickham Geoffrey de Mandeville annexed a sokeman with a minute
holding to Thorley, 'where he was not T.R.E.' (fo. 140). Again, at
Ware 2 sokemen ' have, since the coming of king William, been
annexed (appositi) to this manor, to which they did not belong T.R.E.
says (the court of) the shire' (fo. 138^). Here the noticeable point is
that one of them, who held 2 hides and had ' power to sell,' was
a man of ' Anschil of Ware,' the lord of that great manor, and yet did
not ' belong to it.' An extreme case of the same kind was testified to
by 'the Hundred' at Hormead (fo. 142). The Norman sheriff Ilbert,
says Domesday, had there increased a manor of i| hides to 6| hides by
annexing to it 3^ hides which had been held by 7 sokemen of king
Edward and 2 hides which had belonged to ' men ' of Ansgar the staller
and .flLthelmasr of Bennington, though none of these men had belonged
to the manor (nonfuerunt ibi) T.R.E. This is one of those cases in which
the Domesday Survey means precisely the opposite of what it seems to
say, for these men, though not of the manor, had ' been there ' as indi-
viduals under Edward the Confessor, and what Ilbert had really annexed
to the manor was, not the men, but their lands. In 1086 the peasantry
existing on the manor ranged downwards from the villein to the serf;
of sokemen or free tenants no trace remained. As against these cases we
have two definite entries of sokemen existing within a manor even before
the Conquest. At Sacombe 4 hides were held 'as a manor' by ./Ethel-
masr, and 'in the manor that ^Ethelmasr held there were 4 sokemen,'
holding about a hide. All 4 were the 'men' of ^thelmaer, but 'king
Edward had sake and soke over 2 of them' (fo. 141). And of Standon,
a manor of archbishop Stigand, we read that ' in this manor there were
6 sokemen' (fo. 142^).
The cases of annexing to a manor the lands of sokemen not belonging
to it, by which these last two were preceded, will have prepared us for
those in which a Norman manor was composed altogether of lands which
had been held by sokemen. The two Hertfordshire manors selected by
Professor Maitland are (though he does not name them) Tiscott, near
Tring, and Widiall. 1 Now the case of Tiscott is of special interest,
because we can account for the ' commendation ' of the small landowners
who held it under the Confessor. Its ' 4 hides ' were then in the
hands of 5 sokemen, of whom 2 were the ' men ' of Brihtric (lord
of the great neighbouring manor of Masworth, Bucks), 2 of Oswulf
son of Frane, whose great manor of Miswell lay to the south-east, and
1 Domesday Book and Beyond, pp. 137-8.
268
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
i of Eadmer ' atule,' who was lord of Berkhampstead beyond. One
of the 5, says Domesday, ' bought his land from king William for
36,* as the men of the Hundred bear witness, and afterwards betook
himself to Wigot for protection' (fo. 137). Why did he do this?
Because, in my opinion, Wigot had obtained at the Conquest the above
manor of Masworth, which was held in 1086 by his son-in-law, Robert
d'Ouilly. The result was that Robert d'Ouilly, with no better claim
than this, secured all Tiscott. At Widiall 9 sokemen had held, in
various proportions, 5! hides ; all their holdings are found, in 1086,
forming a single manor for Hardwin de ' Sealers,' a manor on which we
find in 1086 nothing higher than a villein (fo. 141^). It was characteristic
of Hardwin to absorb the holdings of sokemen ; 33 of them had existed
on his own fief alone. Professor Maitland comments on the Widiall
case : ' Manors we see in the making ; Hardouin has made one under
our eyes.' Some of the holdings of the sokemen were very small ; at
Wickham, on the Essex border, 3 of them held but 2$ hides between
them, and 3 others no more than three-eighths of a hide in all (fo. 133^).
So also at Datchworth five-eighths of a hide were held by 3 sokemen
(fo. 140), while at Barkesdon even one-quarter of a hide was divided
between 3 sokemen, each of whom was commended to a different mag-
nate, one of them having the half of this tiny holding, and the others a
quarter each (fo. 141^). Such were the small holders of land who were
crushed out at the Conquest. What became of them we can only guess ;
but that many, if not most, appear among the villeins of Domesday
seems highly probable. And yet this class had been so free that they
could largely choose to what lord they would commend themselves ;
and at Standon one could even sell, not only his land, but the ' soke '
with it (fo. 142^). But let us turn to those sokemen of whom the
king alone had soke.
In Domesday the avera, or carrying service, is distinctive of the two
counties of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, and in Hertfordshire it
occurs more frequently than would at first sight appear. Its occurrence,
when explained, is of considerable importance, for it denotes that the
tenant from whom it was due was ' of the king's soke,' or ' a sokeman of
the king.' Further, this service was actually performed if the king
visited the county, and if he did not it was commuted. Now two facts
can be definitely proved as to the Hertfordshire avera ; the first is that
it was due at the rate of i avera from each hide, and the second
is that the commutation for i avera was ^d. The importance of this
conclusion will be seen below. But let us take some instances. At
Throcking a hide and a half were ' of the king's soke ' ; the two brothers
who held it paid the sheriff ' 6d. or i avera and a half (fo. 133^).
' Sutrehele ' was a much divided vill ; in it a man of Ansgar the staller,
who was ' of the king's soke,' held 2 hides and 'used to render to the
sheriff 2 a-verce or 8</.' (fo. 134^). In the same vill 2 sokemen held
1 1 hides ; they were both 'men ' of ./Ethelmaer of Bennington, but the
1 This appears an enormous sum for its redemption.
269
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
one who held three-quarters of a hide was ' of king Edward's soke,' and
so he 'used to find three-quarters of an avera or ^d. for the sheriff'
(fo. 141). Again, in the same vill 2 sokemen, ' men' of earl Leofwine,
but ' of king Edward's soke,' ' used to find I avera or $\d. a year for
the sheriff' (fo. 134). Is then the aver a here commuted for more than
4</. ? No; we find that their holding was 13 hides, from which the
sum due would be $\d. as recorded. Advancing a step we find that,
of an estate in this vill held by 4 sokemen, half a hide was held by one
of them, a ' man ' of Leofwine 'scova,' who 'used to find half an avera or
zd. for the sheriff' (fo. 134^). Why? Because, we reply, he was a
king's sokeman, though the fact is not stated. Let us take a further
step. Lower down in the same column we read that there had been
annexed to Clothall ' 2 sokemen, men of archbishop Stigand, holding
2 hides and 3 virgates, who did not belong to the manor T.R.E. . . .
and who rendered by custom i id. a year to the sheriff.' Why? Because,
we reply, they were king's sokemen, liable for an avera or 4^. from each
hide, and therefore for i id. from their holding (2f hides).
With this clue to guide us we are enabled to detect a greatly
increased number of king's sokemen. Of 7 hides at Stanstead held by 14
sochemanni 3 hides were held by 7, ' who rendered by custom to the king's
sheriff izd. a year' (fo. 138^). At Newsells a sokeman, who was the
'man ' of Ealdred, held i virgate and ' rendered id. a year to the sheriff'
(fo. 139). In Thorley Edzi, 'a man of Coded,' held half a hide and
'used to render zd. to the sheriff' (fo. 134). At Hinxworth 4 'men '
of .flLthelmasr of Bennington had i hide and i virgate and ' used to render
5</. a year' (fo. 141^). This entry is vague enough, and yet we may
confidently say that they were ' of the king's soke ' and that they rendered
this sum to the sheriff as a commutation for avera. So too with the 7
sochemanni who held 3 hides and a virgate at Hormead and ' rendered
1 3</. a year to the sheriff' (fo. 142). Even ' jElfward of Mardley(bury),'
who figures in Domesday among king William's thegns, is proved in
this way to have held as a sokeman his land ' in Rodenehangre,' for
what he held there was 3 virgates, and ' he used to render to the sheriff
3*/. a year' (fo. 142^).
There are cases, no doubt, in which at first sight the avera is not
reckoned as worth 4^. At Knebworth, for instance, a ' man ' of Aschil
' used to find i avera when the king came "into the shire, and used to
render $d. if he did not ' (fo. 139). But as his holding was i\ hides the
Atd. rule proves correct. Again at Lilley a sokeman, who was a ' man '
of Harold, 'rendered in Hitchin i avera or T,\d.' (fo. 140) ; but when
we find that his holding was 3! virgates we see that the rate here also
was 4</. from the hide. These cases are accounted for by the scribe
writing ' r avera ' instead of ' avera ' simply. The right calculation is
seen at such places as Widiall, where 7 sokemen ' had 2 hides and i
virgate,' and ' found yearly for the sheriff yd. or 2 averee and the fourth
part of i avera ' (fo. 141^). The commutation of the avera for 4^. a
hide in Hertfordshire contrasts strangely with the rule in Cambridgeshire,
270
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
the other county where the avera prevailed. There is abundant evidence
that its value was there reckoned at Sd. In the Hundred of Staplehoe
2 sokemen who held 2 hides at Chippenham ' found, each of them, Sd.
or i horse in the king's service ' (fo. 1 97) ; on another manor each soke-
man ' found i horse for avera or 8d. yearly ' ; l on another 2 sokemen
' used to find avera or Sd. yearly ' ; 2 and on a fourth a sokeman who had
only a virgate 'found avera or Bo 1 . ' (fo. 196^). This last entry may
serve to illustrate another difference between the two counties ; for,
while in Hertfordshire the hide was the unit from which an avera was
due, in Cambridgeshire we cannot detect any such uniform unit.
But let us turn to the ' inward.' At Wratting, in another
Cambridgeshire Hundred, we find a valuable entry ; 3 hides in that vill
were held by i o sokemen, ' of whom 6 used to find avera and 4 inguard,
if the king came into the shire ; if (he did) not, they used to render So 1 .
for (an) avera and ^d. for an inguard' (fo. 190^). There is sufficient
evidence in Cambridgeshire to prove that an inward or inguard was
reckoned at 4^., but a noteworthy entry under Fulbourne tells us that
there 4 hides were held by 26 sokemen who ' render . . . yearly
12 horses and 12 " inguards " if the king should come into the county,
(and) if he should not come 1 2s. So 1 . They used to render to the sheriff
T.R.E. only averse and "inguards" or izs. So 1 .' (fo. 190). Here the
commutation seems Sd. too much, but as the sokemen were 26 in
number, not 24, I believe that there was a slight error both in Domesday
and in the original returns, 3 and that 1 2 of the sokemen rendered averts
and 14 of them 'inguards,' which would make the sum exactly right. It
has been necessary to illustrate by this Cambridge evidence the Hertford-
shire averce and ' inwards,' but in the latter county the ' inwards ' are far
more rarely mentioned and are indeed restricted to Hitchin and its sub-
manors (fo. 1 3 zb] . The avera, which was so common in Hertfordshire,
was, as we learn from the Cambridgeshire entries, essentially service with
a horse ; and so I believe was the ' inward.' A useful parallel is found
in the services due to the abbot of Ely from his sokemen in East Anglia,
as recorded even before Domesday ; they had to carry to the abbey the
food for the monks' support, and to place their horses at the abbot's
disposal as often as he would.* The avera was a duty of much conse-
quence in mediaeval times. 8
There is a close connection between avera and * inward ' and the
second of the subjects I mentioned at the outset, namely the peculiar
1 Inquisitio Comitatus Cantabrigieniii, p. 4. 8 Ibid. pp. 89.
* For instances of such errors as this (' xii.' for ' xiiii.') see my Feudal England.
4 ' Portabunt victum monachorum ad monasterium,' etc., etc. (Feudal England, pp. 313).
5 See VinogradofPs Villainage in England, pp. 2856: 'A very important item in the work
necessary for mediaeval husbandry was the business of carrying produce from one part of the country to
the other. . . . The obligation to provide horses and carts gains in importance accordingly," etc.,
etc. An idea of the character of avera is given by an entry in the Bleadon Custumal, cited in Seebohm's
English Village Community (p. 57) : 'Et idem facit averagium apud Bristoll' et apud Wellias . . .
cum affro suo ducente bladum domini, caseum et lanam, et cetera omnia quae sibi serviens precipere
voluerit.' The commutation of this service for the payment of a certain number of pence, which is so
frequent in the Hertfordshire Domesday, gave rise to the term ' averpenny,' which is often met with in
mediaeval documents.
2 7 I
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
development of the great manor of Hitchin. Although it is not
mentioned by Professor Maitland among the typical enormous manors,
it was ' farmed ' as a whole, at the time of the Survey, for considerably
over >Cioo> a sum which certainly entitles it to rank with Leominster,
Berkeley, Tewkesbury, Taunton, Rothley and the others mentioned by
that learned writer. 1 The aggregate spoken of by Domesday as ' Hiz
with its appurtenances ' is not actually styled a manor, but other lands
and manors are spoken of as ' in ' it, which shows that it was recognized
as an integral whole. The early history of Hitchin is unfortunately
obscure. Mr. Seebohm, whose well-known researches have made its
name famous, states that ' from the time of Edward the Confessor and
probably from much earlier times with intervals of private ownership,
it has been a royal manor.' 2 But Domesday shows it in the hands of
Harold under Edward the Confessor and does not say anything of its
having belonged to the Crown. Hitchin itself, the nucleus of the group,
was assessed at only 5 hides, although it is credited with no fewer than
34 ploughlands, a most disproportionate number. Moreover Domesday
distinctly states that ' of these 5 hides ' 2 belonged to what was afterwards
the rectory manor, which had in 1086 4 ploughlands of its own. In
spite of the confused form of the entry it seems clear that the chief
manor had 34 ploughlands and was assessed at only 3 hides. Harold,
who held not only this, but also, suspiciously enough, the manor belong-
ing to ' the minster of the vill,' 3 is charged in the very first entry in the
survey of the shire with having despoiled the nuns of Chatteris of an
8-hide manor at Wymondley and placed it ' in his manor of Hitchin '
(fo. 132) three years before the death of king Edward. This is one of a
class of entries that raise a curious question. Mr. Freeman, with his
well-known bias in favour of Harold, tried to minimize their weight ; *
but Professor Maitland holds that ' a great deal of simple rapacity is laid
to the charge of Harold by jurors whose testimony is not to be lightly
rejected.' 6 In this case it is distinctly stated that ' the whole shire '
bears witness to the fact, and I would point out that it was not to the
interest of William, as Harold's heir, to encourage entries which impugned
the validity of Harold's rights, and which thereby stamped William
himself as holding lands stolen from the church.
But it was not only or even chiefly the church that suffered wrong.
At Hexton, it is true, Harold is charged with placing ' in Hitchin by
force and wrongfully, as the shire witnesses,' land which had been held
by a ' man ' of St. Alban's Abbey (fo. 133) ; but the additions made by
him were much exceeded by those for which the Norman sheriffs were
responsible under the Conqueror. The fact, moreover, that William's
sheriffs were usually themselves barons led to occasional confusion between
1 Domesday Book and Beyond, pp. 112-4. 3 English Village Community, p. I.
8 It should be observed that it so belonged in 1086, and that its value is separately entered, unlike
that of the other constituents of the group. I infer from this that it had been taken out of that group
and restored to the church of Hitchin. It is not likely to have been given as a fresh endowment by
William, and if it had been, the fact would probably have been mentioned by Domesday.
* Norman Conquest (1870), ii. 547-9- 6 Domesday Book and Beyond, p. 168.
272
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
their own manors and the king's. In Hertfordshire at least this was the
case, for Ilbert the first Norman sheriff, who had added several manors
to Hitch in, had also increased his own fief, which is found at the time
of the Domesday Survey in the hands of Geoffrey ' de Bech ' (fos. 132^,
133, 140). It will be seen in the text below that there were awkward
questions as to whether he had held certain lands as a tenant-in-chief or
merely as the king's officer farming them for the Crown. To the 5~hide
manor of Lilley his title was unchallenged, but Leofgifu, an English-
woman who had held that manor under Harold, also held an estate at
Wellbury near by, under Harold. Ilbert took advantage of being sheriff
to add this to Lilley, but ' after he lost the shrievalty, Peter de Valognes
and Ralf Talgebosc took it from him and put it in Hitchin, as the whole
shire bears witness, though it did not belong there or render any due
(there) T.R.E.' (fo. 133). Much the same incident is recorded under
Dinsley. This was a considerable estate which had been held of Harold
by 2 sokemen ' as 2 manors ' ; Ilbert held it * as i manor ' in virtue
of the king's writ, and was seised thereof so long as he was sheriff, but,
when he ceased to be sheriff, Peter and Ralf ' took the manor from him
and put it in Hitchin because he would not find avera for the sheriff'
(fo. 132^). The Domesday jurors, as to this point, returned that each
of the above sokemen used to supply ' ii averas et ii inward" in Hitchin
' but by compulsion and unjustly,' such compulsion of course being laid
to Harold's charge.
It will be observed that in this dispute the liability to render avera
and inward ' in Hitchin ' played an important part ; and in this connec-
tion there are two peculiarities deserving special notice. The first is that
in this county it is only at Hitchin that we hear of ' inward ' ; and the
other, that avera was rendered ' in Hitchin,' that is to Harold, instead of
to the king's officer as elsewhere in the shire. Of the two estates which
Ilbert retained for himself in the Hitchin half-Hundred we read that the
hide at Hexton had been held by a man whose ' soke belonged to
Hitchin and who provided there i avera,' and that seven-eighths of a
hide in Lilley were held by a sokeman who ' rendered i avera in
Hitchin' (fo. 140). The 6 sokemen who held the Offleys in the days
of Edward the Confessor provided averts and inwards, but it was Ilbert
who first * put them and their lands in Hitchin ' (fo. 133). It was he
also who added to Hitchin the two halves of (King's) Walden, where
Domesday again records the finding of avera and inward ' by compulsion
and unjustly ' (fo. 132^), though in this case for ' the king's service.' Of
Peter de Valognes, the sheriff in 1086, we read that he included in the
Hitchin group of manors a hide at ' Welei ' which Ilbert had given to a
knight of his own while he was sheriff and which ' did not belong to
Hitchin or render any due there in the time of king Edward ' (fo. 133).
From this it would seem that the liability to render avera, for instance, in
Hitchin provided an excuse for annexing an estate which had not really
' belonged to ' Hitchin.
The action of the king's officers at Hitchin had parallels in other
i 2 73 T
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
places. In south Bedfordshire, for instance, not far off, we read of Ralf
Taillebosc, of whom we heard above, adding to the king's manors of
Leighton, Houghton and Luton lands which had not belonged to them
under Edward the Confessor (fos. 209, 209^), while in the same county
he had swept into the hands of the king's reeves a number of small
estates which had been held by sokemen or by thegns (fo. 2 1 S^). 1 In such
cases the king would expect to receive an increased rent (crementuni) in
consideration of such addition. The Hitchin group of manors was
' farmed ' by the sheriff as a whole, and consequently Domesday records
its value at the end of the whole group. It should be carefully observed
that Hitchin itself (as apart from the rectory manor) is not separately
valued, nor are its old appurtenant estates; but those which had been
added to Hitchin by Harold or by Norman sheriffs have their values
recorded, except in the case of Wymondley. It may also be noted that
the value of the sokemen appurtenant, under the Confessor, is reckoned
separately from that of ' Hitchin,' as was also the case with the great
royal manor of Rothley in Leicestershire (fos. 230, 230^).
The third of the features I described above as of special interest in
Hertfordshire is the light that the Domesday Survey throws on the
personality of its landowners. We are even now but feeling our way to
an understanding of the system on which land was held in England on
the eve of the Norman Conquest. For we have to view that system
through the eyes of Norman barons accustomed only to feudal institutions
and seeing everywhere dependent tenure and the ' manors ' to which they
were used. And it is now recognized that, under the Confessor, there
were tendencies, if not developments, which gave them to some extent
an excuse for taking the view they did. In one of those brilliant passages
by which he has illumined the subject Professor Maitland writes as
follows
If now we look at that English state which is the outcome of a purely English
history, we see that it has already taken a pyramidal or conical shape. It is a society
of lords and men. At its base are the cultivators of the soil, at its apex is the king.
This cone is as yet but low. Even at the end of William's reign the peasant seldom
had more than two lords between him and the king, but already in the Confessor's
reign he might well have three. . . . Still a great change took place in the substance
of the cone, or if that substance is made up of lords and men and acres, then in the
nature of, or rather the relation between, the forces which held the atoms together.
Every change makes for symmetry, simplicity, consolidation. Some of these changes
will seem to us predestined. ... If England was not to be for ever a prey to
rebellious and civil wars, the power of the lords over their men must have been not
indeed increased, but territorialized ; the liberty of ' going with one's land to what-
ever lord one chose ' must have been curtailed. As yet the central force embodied in
the kingship was too feeble to deal directly with every one of its subjects, to govern
them and protect them. The intermediation of the lords was necessary ; the state
could not but be pyramidal ; and while this was so the freedom that men had of for-
saking one lord for another . . . was akin to anarchy.*
1 A further illustration is afforded by a Norfolk entry (ii. fo. \\\lf) : 'To this manor were added
2 free men by Ralf Talibosc in the time of King William. The Hundred (court) testifies this.' A
survey of their land follows.
* Domesday Book and Beyond, pp. 1701.
274
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
No apology is needed for these extracts from a passage which gives a new
and a living sense to the words of the Hertfordshire Survey. In that
survey we have entry after entry of lands held by those who are the
' men ' of some one above them, and in at least three instances we can
trace the process a step further. At Munden a manor was held by
Leofwine, ' a man of earl Harold,' who ' could sell ' ; while ' Sutrehelle,'
which was appurtenant to Munden, was ' held of Leofwine ' by Torchil,
who 'could not sell without his leave' (fo. 139). In Eastwick 2 hides
were held by ' Wulfwine, a thegn of earl Harold,' and in Stanstead
adjoining it half a hide by ' Bettice, a man of Wulfwine of Eastwick '
(fo. i4o^). 1 The third is the very interesting case of JEAfric ' blac.' He
had held lands at Datchworth and Walton ' of the abbot of Westminster,'
and at Watton, in turn, half a hide was held by ./Elfmaer, ' a man of this
ALlfric ' (fo. 133). But the Hundred Court is careful to explain that
./Elfric had no power to alienate these lands from the abbey, although
' for other lands he was archbishop Stigand's man.' The entry of these
' other ' lands follows, for, clearly, what had happened was that arch-
bishop Lanfranc, when he secured the lands that Mlfric had held of
Stigand, annexed also the lands belonging to Westminster Abbey because
./Elfric was their tenant. This was the way in which religious houses
frequently lost their lands at the time of the Norman Conquest.
The position, as revealed by Domesday, of archbishop Stigand in
the county is one that has scarcely received the attention it deserves.
The actual manors held by him were scattered Standon and Broxbourne
in its eastern half, Pirton and Redbourne in the west. But what strikes
one most in the Hertfordshire Survey, as in that of Cambridgeshire to
the north, is the number of holders of land who had been Stigand's
' men.' This may have been due only to his power in the period
preceding the Conquest, but it is worth noting that the Ely writers
charged him not only with obtaining possession of four manors belonging
to the monks of their house, 2 but with taking other abbeys into his
hands, St. Alban's among them. Mr. Freeman observed on this that he
could not ' find any mention of an incumbency of Stigand in the local
history of St. Alban's.' 3 Domesday however tells us (p. 315 below) that
Stigand was holding Redbourne of St. Alban's Abbey at the death of
Edward the Confessor, but had no power to alienate it from the abbey.
It was thus that he had obtained possession of the Ely manor of Snail-
well, Cambridgeshire, 4 while he had also secured from the monks of
Bath their great manor of Tidenham, and from those of Winchester that
of East Meon, 6 in both cases to their ultimate loss.
But for Hertfordshire history it is of less interest to trace the cases
in which lands were held by ' men ' of archbishop Stigand or the earls of
the great rival houses of Leofric and of Godwine than to identify the
chief local landowners whose ' men ' are found in Domesday. Foremost
1 See also below the case of Edzi, a ' man ' of Godid, who was herself a ' man ' of Ansgar.
* See Feudal England, pp. 460-1. 3 Norman Conquest, iii. (znd ed.), 64.3.
4 Domesday, fo. 199^. 6 See the Victoria History of Hampshire, \. 416.
275
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
among those resident in the county were ^Ethelmaer ' of Bennington ' and
Anschil ' of Ware.' Even at the time of Domesday both places had
parks, and they must have been respectively the seats of the two thegns
I have named. Peter de Valognes obtained Bennington, and with it
/Ethelmasr's scattered estates in Sacombe, Layston, Ashwell, Hinxworth
and Radwell. In addition to these he secured, as will be seen under his
fief (p. 336), lands held in sundry places by various ' men ' of /Ethelmaer.
But it is important to observe that other lands which had been held by
* men ' of the same ^thelmar passed to different Norman lords. 1 With
Anschil the case was different. Beyond his great manor of Ware he
seems to have held no lands himself in Hertfordshire, although, I shall
argue, a large landowner in the adjoining county of Bedfordshire ; but
scattered about Hertfordshire we find his ' men.' 2 From these two
resident thegns we may turn to two magnates whose chief seats were in
Essex. Ansgar, Asgar or Esgar the ' staller,' 8 whose estates, ranging over
many counties, were bestowed on Geoffrey de Mandeville, was indeed
succeeded by him in his great manor of Sawbridgeworth and in his
estate at Shenley together with land in Hertford itself, but what strikes
one most on Geoffrey's Hertfordshire fief (fos. 139140) is the long list
of lands which had been held not by Ansgar, but by his ' men.' Nor do
these exhaust the list, for his ' men ' are found as the former holders of
lands on other fiefs 4 all over the county. This no doubt is a testimony
to Ansgar's great position on the eve of the Norman Conquest, as well
as to the fact that his father and grandfather had been men of note
before him. 6 The other of these two magnates was Robert Fitz Wimarc,
a foreign favourite of Edward the Confessor, whose chief seat was at
Rayleigh in south-east Essex. He held, it would seem, no estate in
Hertfordshire himself, but lands were held by ' men ' of his in sundry
parts of the county. 6
Now what we learn from this analysis is that, however ' feudal ' in
appearance is the Anglo-Saxon tenure of land as entered in the Hertford-
shire Survey, the rights of a lord in his 'man's' land were far less than
after the Conquest, when the feudal system was established. Domesday
speaks, it is true, of Ansgar's fief (feuduni) as passing to Geoffrey de
Mandeville, 7 but the Hertfordshire evidence shows that in this so-called
fief there were not of necessity comprised the lands held by his ' men ' as
would have been the case with a fief under the Norman system. Two
instances in point are afforded in this county. ' Godid,' a ' man ' of
1 Domesday, fos. 133^, 134^, 137^, 138, 140, 141^, 142. A 'man* of ' ^Elfric (Alvricus) of
Bennington' occurs on fo. 137^. This ^Elfric may have been ^Ethelmasr's predecessor, as there are
parallel cases in Domesday.
* Ibid. fos. 133^ (2), 138, 141, 1413 (2).
8 Dr. Stubbs observes that the ' constable ' of the Norman kings ' exercised the office of quarter-
master-general of the court and army and succeeded to the duties of the Anglo-Saxon staller ' (Const.
Hist. [1874],;. 354).
* Domesday, fos. 133* (4), 134, 134*, 137, 137^ (3), 138^, 140, 142 (2).
6 See Freeman's Norman Conquest.
6 Ibid. fos. 133^, 134, 137*, 141^. Robert Fitz Wimarc (on whom see Freeman's Norman Cm-
quest) was sheriff of Essex, as was Ansgar of Middlesex.
7 ' Sed non pertinuit ad feudum Ansgari antecessoris Gosfridi ' (ii. 411).
2 7 6
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
Ansgar, held a manor at Thorley, 2 hides at Hoddesdon, two-thirds of
a hide in Layston, and 2 hides close by at Beauchamps in Widiall.
Moreover ' Edzi, a man of Coded,' held half a hide in Thorley, and at
Wickham a sokeman with 8 acres was ' a man of Godid.' What
became of all this land ? Geoffrey de Mandeville obtained the manor at
Thorley, one of the hides at Hoddesdon and the land at Wickham ;
count Eustace of Boulogne secured the estate in Layston and Widiall,
with one of the hides at Hoddesdon ; and the bishop of London is found
in possession of what ' Edzi ' had held at Thorley. The other instance
is that of Wulfward, who was likewise a ' man ' of Ansgar. He had
held a manor at Hormead and another at Wormley ; the former went to
count Eustace, and the latter had passed apparently by sale, ' after the
coming of king William,' to ./Elfwine Dodesone, an Englishman.
Geoffrey de Mandeville had nothing. By way of contrast with Ansgar's
' fief we will take that of ^Elfstan ' of Boscumbe.' In Hertfordshire as
in Bedfordshire all the lands held by ^Ifstan himself or by his ' men '
had passed to William de Ow. It may cause some surprise to learn that
Boscombe, the seat of this great thegn, was far away near Amesbury in
Wiltshire, but the fact illustrates the scattered character of the greater
Anglo-Saxon estates. The point however to be here insisted on is that
the lands of ^Elfstan's ' men ' passed with his own to William, his recog-
nized Norman successor.
We have mention of a few other lords whose ' men ' held manors.
At Pelham the bishop of London had secured three estates which had
been held by ' men ' or ' thegns ' of Godwine ' de Benefelle,' while two
others which his ' men ' had held passed to Robert Gernon. No such
man as Godwine de Benefelle is to be found in Domesday, but the fact
that in one Hertfordshire entry he occurs as ' de Benedfelle ' convinces
me that he was the nameless freeman (liber homo] who had held, on
Robert Gernon's fief, Bendfieldbury ('Benedfelda') in Stansted Montfichet,
just across the Essex border and close to Pelham. But one does not see
what can have led Hertfordshire men to seek him for lord. A greater
man was Oswulf, otherwise Oswulf son of Frane, whom the Hertfordshire
Domesday expressly styles the predecessor of Robert ' de Todeni.' But
although Robert succeeded to his manors here, as in Beds, Bucks and
Northants, 2 of his 6 ' men ' with their lands passed to the count of
Mortain and 2 to Robert d'Ouilly, while the other 2 were annexed
by Engelric, the predecessor of count Eustace. This case is the more
remarkable as their lands lay in and about Oswulf's chief manor. 1 Some-
thing should also be said of yElfwine of ' Godtone,' who had held 3
1 Not many miles from this manor of Miswell was Studham (the ' Estodham ' of Domesday) on the
borders of Herts and Beds, a considerable manor held by this same Oswulf (Domesday, fo. 215). I
entertain no doubt that he was the Oswulf who, with ./Ethelitha his wife gave their land at ' Stodham '
to St. Alban's in the time of abbot Leofstan and Edward the Confessor. The gift (which the Normans
seem to have ignored) is Kemble's No. 945 {Codex Diphmatictu, iv. 280-1) and is witnessed by
Wulfwig bishop of Dorchester, Bondig the staller, Burhed (a great landowner) with Eadwine his son
and successor (see the Victoria History of Northamptonshire), and Leofwine of Caddington Csee p. 281
below).
277
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
hides 'under' the abbot of St. Alban's (fo. 135^). His own estate
appears to have lain in Stanstead (Abbots), where he had ii| hides
(fo. 138^), and Hoddesdon (fo. 142^), but ' men ' of his had small hold-
ings at Sawbridgeworth and Ayot. In his case we can trace his influence
at Sawbridgeworth to the estate he held in Stanstead, and his lordship of
a 'man' at Ayot to the fact that he held of St. Alban's Abbey at Codicote
adjoining. Looking then at the whole of the evidence we are led to
infer that the relation of an English lord to his ' men ' was distinctly less
close than that between a Norman baron and his under-tenants. The
former relation was one of considerably varying character and was very
largely at least the result of small landowners voluntarily seeking some
influential man as their lord. The latter was rigid and well defined,
resulting as it did from the action of the lord, who enfeoffed his under-
tenant on his own terms.
This brings us to the division among the Norman conquerors of
the lands which had been held in Hertfordshire by the English lords and
their ' men.' It is a striking fact that Edward the Confessor had held
nothing in the county outside Hertford until the forfeiture of earl Tostig
towards the close of his reign brought him the manor of Bayford(bury),
in which Essendon, which is not mentioned in Domedsay, was then, I
believe, included. 1 Even the great house of Godwine held but little in
Hertfordshire, although its vast territorial possessions constitute ' one of
the best marked features of Domesday Book.' 2 Beyond Hitchin and its
appurtenant manors, which the Conqueror reserved for himself, Harold
had only held Amwell, which was given to Ralf de Limesi ; 8 and of his
brothers, Leofwine had but a small manor at Puttenham, adjoining
Bucks where his estates were large, while Tostig, we have seen, had
Bayford. The lands of the Church, although considerable, were by no
means of exorbitant extent. St. Alban's naturally led the way with an
assessment under the Confessor of nearly 140 hides. This was almost
as large as that of all the other religious houses put together. Ely had 49,
Westminster 41^, the canons of St. Paul's 38, and Ramsey, Waltham,
Chatteris and ' the old minster ' of Winchester some 28 between them.
The total hidage of the county under Edward the Confessor was, accord-
ing to Prof. Maitland, 1,050 hides, 4 and in 1 130 it was reckoned as high
as i,ioo. 8 The Church's proportion of this total some 290 hides
was by no means extravagant in those days.
We have still however to consider the lands of the bishop of London
in Hertfordshire, which must be reckoned as at least 45 hides. The
Domesday entries on these lands require to be carefully studied, for it is
only of 7! hides at Hadham that we read : ' This manor was and is (the
1 A similar phenomenon is found in the adjoining county of Essex, where Edward the Confessor
appears to have held nothing at his death, King William's estates in that county having mainly belonged
to Harold. The peculiar character of the great manors held by the latter in Essex convinces me that they
had been Crown demesne, which points to the conclusion that Hitchin had previously been so also.
This would explain the appearance of the royal avera at Hitchin (see p. 273 above),
2 Domesday Book and Beyond, p. 168. s But compare p. 299 below.
* Domesday Book and Beyond, p. 464.
6 Pipe Roll, 31 Hen. I., p. 62. Mr. Ragg makes it nearly noo in 1086
278
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
property) of the see of London.' Bishops could buy, inherit, or receive
lands, like other men, in their private as apart from their official capacity.
In this county, for instance, the bishop of Chester held a manor at
Mimms which he had inherited from his father, while the bishop of
Bayeux had built up a fief for himself, not for his Church, from the
lands of plundered Englishmen. In the same way William, a former
bishop of London (1051-75), had personally acquired lands by purchase.
This we learn from the Hertfordshire Survey, where the very first entry
on the lands of his official successor tells us that ' this land was purchased
by bishop William, according to the bishop's men, but the shire (court)
does not confirm their testimony' (fo. 133^). On the next page we
read of the manor of (Bishop) Stortford that ' it is (part) of the fief that
bishop William purchased,' and at the end of the last entry there is
appended the note : ' this land is of the fief of bishop William.' Again,
under Geoffrey de Mandeville's manor of Thorley (fo. 140) we are
told that ' William bishop of London purchased this manor from king
William . . . and now the (present) bishop of London claims it.'
If the lands held by the bishop in 1086 are carefully examined it will be
found that they were held by laymen in almost every instance under
Edward the Confessor. This is in striking contrast with the bishop's
lands in Middlesex, which Domesday enters as having been at that time
already held by his predecessor. In this connection may be mentioned
the fact that the bishop, together with Ingelric, count Eustace's prede-
cessor at Tring, was among the three commissioners who, in Mr. Free-
man's opinion, had charge of the ' general redemption of lands by the
English.' 1 His inference, however, is rather hazardous.
Having now dealt with the lands that, before the Norman Conquest,
were held by the great house of Godwine or were in the hands of the
Church, we come to those of the landowners at large, the English lords
and their men of whom I have spoken above. Their holdings were so
largely broken up for division among the Normans that any definite
succession is in this county rare. We find however that the Conqueror's
brother, the warrior bishop of Bayeux, had succeeded Harold's brother
Leofwine as in the adjoining county of Bucks, and indeed as in Kent and
Surrey. But a study of his fief reveals the fact that he had many
English predecessors. This variety of tenants was very effectually simpli-
fied ; Domesday shows eight of his estates in this county as held of him
by 'Adam,' and nine others by Osbern. The former was a man of some
consequence, for he is found acting in Worcestershire as one of the
Domesday commissioners ; he was a son of Hubert de Ryes, in the
bishop's district of the ' Bessin,' and a brother of ' Eudo dapifer,' who
had wide estates in Herts and Beds. It is worth noting that the bishop's
tenant in a single hide at Thundridge was that great man Hugh de
Grentmesnil, whom we shall find holding as a tenant-in-chief the
adjoining manor of Ware. Although some of the land which had been
held by the ' men ' of earl Leofwine had passed to the bishop of Bayeux,
1 Norman Conquest (ist ed.), iv. 25-6, 725-6.
279
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
other portions namely, Hemel Hempstead, (King's) Langley and land in
Shenley passed to the Conqueror's other brother, Robert count of
Mortain. 1 A second factor in his fief consisted of 7 hides in Pentley,
Wigginton, Gubblecote and Dunsley, which (Domesday says) he had
filched from Tring (sumpsit de Tredunge)^ to which they had belonged in
Ingelric's time. Only 6| hides out of these are accounted for under his
fief, but the missing one-sixth of a hide is found further on (fo. 142) as
the solitary Hertfordshire holding of ' Manno the Breton,' lord of Wolver-
ton in Bucks and a great Domesday baron. Let us now turn to the third
factor in count Robert's fief, which lay together, roughly speaking, up
the valley of the Gade.
Berkhampstead is of interest in many ways : historically for its
early mention in English times and as the place where the Norman
Conquest ' received,' in Mr. Freeman's words, ' the formal ratification of
the conquered ' ; 2 archaeologically for the earthworks of its castle ; and
feudally as the head of a well-known ' honour ' carved from the mighty
fief of count Robert of Mortain. In Domesday it is entered in a way
that suggests that it was his personal residence ; a servant or serjeant of
the count is mentioned ; a ' fossarius ' points to the existence and
importance of the castle ditches ; and a vineyard is, in my opinion, one
of the surest signs that a Norman lord resided on the spot and was
striving to grow his own wine. It is also highly suggestive of the
count's personal residence that, doubtless around his castle, there is found
in 1086 a ' burbium ' containing what was then the rather considerable
number of 52 burgesses, who were worth to him 4 from the 'toll,'
a composition perhaps for market dues. 8 In spite however of that
prosperity which the residence of the king's brother ought to have
brought to Berkhampstead, its annual value is found to have dwindled
from 24 to jC 2 an d then to 16. At Pevensey in Sussex (fo. 20^),
another of his strongholds, the burgesses had greatly increased since he
obtained possession ; he had 60 there of his own in 1086, and the ' toll '
was worth to him, as at Berkhampstead, 4 a year ; but there is no
mention under Berkhampstead of that rent (gablum) which was usually
received from burgesses, and which amounted to nearly 2 from the 60
he held at Pevensey.
In view of the earthworks of the castle and our ignorance as to its
origin, one is naturally anxious to learn something of its tenure before
the Conquest. But Domesday only tells us of Berkhampstead that it had
been held by ' Edmar, a thegn of earl Harold.' Lower down however
we read of the count's manor of Gaddesden that ' this manor was held by
Edmer (attile) * and was an appendage of (BereivicK in) Berkhampstead.'
With this clue we at once identify the Domesday holder of the chief
1 See pp. 27678 above for remarks on the separation of the lord's land from that of his men.
* Norman Conquest (znd ed.), iii. 544. The fact comes from the jfngh-Saxon Chronicle, where
the place is styled ' Beorhhamstede.'
8 Mr. Page is of opinion that 5 2 is perhaps an error of the scribe for 1 2, as the latter number
occurs there subsequently.
* This word is interlined.
280
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
manor. He was the ' Edmer Atule, a thegn of king Edward,' whose
great manor of Bledlow, separated from Berkhampstead by the whole width
of Buckinghamshire, had similarly passed to count Robert (fo. 146), as
had his manor of Stanmore, on the Hertfordshire border, in Middlesex
(fo. I2gb}. 1 Whether he was also identical with a far greater landowner,
Edmar ' atre,' a predecessor of the count in Devon and other south-
western counties, one cannot safely say, for the Domesday scribes were
very loose in the names and styles they gave as those of English pre-
decessors. In Hertfordshire, for instance, Kensworth is entered as having
been held of king Edward by ' Lewinus cilt,' but Caddington (the next
entry) only as held by 'Lewinus' (fo. 136). But on turning to the
Bedfordshire portion of Caddington (fo. 211), we find that it was
'Lewinus cilt' who had held it T.R.E. and who gave it to the canons
of St. Paul's.* We similarly read under Hertfordshire, of its detached
portion of Meppershall, that its former owner was Leofwine ' a thegn
of king Edward ' (fo. 211); and it is only when we turn to the Bedford-
shire portion that we learn that this was the above Leofwine (Lewinus}
' cilt, a thegn of king Edward ' (fo. 216^). This Englishman of noble
birth for such I take to be the meaning of ' cilt ' held land in
Bedfordshire at two other places (fos. 214^, 215), and is quite possibly
identical with that Leofwine the thegn who occurs elsewhere as a former
owner in Herts as well as in Bucks.
Next, in Domesday, to the fief of count Robert of Mortain is that
of Eustace count of Boulogne, of which the head, in Hertfordshire, was
the great manor of Tring (fo. 137).' His predecessor there, as often in
Essex, where lay the bulk of the count's estates, was Ingelric, a man of
some interest, who had enjoyed the favour of William as well as that of
Edward, but who was somewhat given to the sin of removing his
neighbour's landmark. 8 At Tring, for instance, he had added to the
manor since the coming of William 2 sokemen of Oswulf who had not
belonged to it, and a ' man ' of the abbot of Ramsey with no less than
5 hides which he had no power to alienate from that abbey. Ingelric
had founded the house of canons at St. Martin-le-Grand, London, and
1 See also p. 269 above for this Edmer.
* This leads us to an interesting discovery. Kemble printed in his Codex Diplomatictu (iv. 259)
the will of ' Eadwinus de Cadendune ' (No. 920), in which he bequeathed Watford to St. Alban's, and
to his son Leofwine seven estates, of which ' Beranlea ' was to pass to St. Alban's after Leofwine's death.
He further expressed his wish to be buried at St. Albans, to which abbey he bequeathed 20 of his best
oxen and 20 of his best cows. Kemble identifi^l ' Cadendune ' as Chadlington in Oxfordshire, which
is out of the question, as the Domesday form of O^ 1 - place-name was ' Cedelintone.' The real place was
Caddington, the ' Cadendone ' of Domesday, at which Eadwine was succeeded by his son Leofwine
(' Cilt ') Not only was ' Cadendune ' one of the estates bequeathed by him to Leofwine, but ' Strxtlea '
was another ; and this place was Streatley, Beds (some five miles north of Caddington), where Domes-
day duly shows us Leofwine 'Cilt' as a former holder (fo. 214^). We may now advance a step further
and turn to Kemble's document No. 945 (iv. 280-1), which records the gift to Leofstan abbot of St.
Alban's (and his house) of land at Studham, which stood like Caddington on the border of Herts and
Beds, and was only some four miles from it. To this gift, which seems to have been made within a
dozen years before the Conquest, the last witness named is ' Leofwinus de Cadendune,' obviously the
same Leofwine ' Cilt,' taking his name, like his father before him, from Caddington, which was probably
the chief residence of them both.
8 See for him my paper on ' Ingelric the priest ' in the Commune of London and other Studies, pp.
28-36.
28l
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
the fact that Domesday shows them holding a hide in Hoddesdon of the
count seems to imply that there also Ingelric had been his predecessor.
We can trace more clearly than usual the sources from which had been
formed the count's Hertfordshire fief, for at Reed, Anstey, Corney(bury),
Barkesdon (Green) and Wakeley, all in the north-east of the county, he
had obtained the lands of ./Elfward, a 'man ' of Harold, 10 hides in all,
while at Layston, Widdial and Hoddesdon he had secured those of
' Godid,' a ' man ' of Ansgar the staller, to the extent of 3! hides. It
should be observed that the lands of this ' Godid ' were divided, for
Ansgar's recognized successor, Geoffrey de Mandeville, obtained her 4
hides at Thorley (the title to which was disputed) 1 and one of the 2
hides she had held in Hoddesdon (fos. 139^, i4o). 2
Passing to the other tenants-in-chief, Robert Gernon was an Essex
baron, whose chief seat was at Stanstead on the Hertfordshire border,
which became known from Robert's successors as Stanstead Montfichet.
Ralf ' de Todeni,' whose exact relationship to Robert ' de Todeni,' the
lord of Belvoir, is uncertain, is of interest in more ways than one. Of
exceptionally noble Norman birth, he was hereditary standard bearer of
the duchy and lord of Thosny (' Toeni ') and Conches. The great
estates he held in England were scattered in a strange fashion, the bulk
of them lying in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire (where he held
Clifford Castle) and in Norfolk. His two Hertfordshire estates, Flamstead
and Westmill, were of no great extent, but it was at Flamstead that he
seems to have fixed his chief residence ; and there his descendants in
the male line flourished for more than two centuries after the date of
Domesday. Ralf de Limesi, whose fief, similarly, was scattered over
several counties, held some 25 hides in Hertfordshire, divided between
the south and the extreme north of the county. He is chiefly of interest
as a benefactor to St. Alban's Abbey, a cell of which he founded at Hert-
ford. Another considerable tenant-in-chief was William de Ow, who
had obtained the lands, as explained above (p. 277), of ' Alestan de
Boscumbe.' His Hertfordshire estates were reckoned at some 26 hides.
The two preceding fiefs however were far exceeded by that of Geoffrey
de Mandeville, the recognized successor of Ansgar the staller, whose
estates, which mainly lay along the eastern and southern borders,
amounted to about 65 hides. 3 Geoffrey de Bech, the successor, as I
have shown, of Ilbert, a former sheriff of the county, held over 40
hides. Peter de Valognes, the sheriff in 1086, deserves longer notice
than the other Hertfordshire barons, because although his barony
extended over six counties in the east of England it appears as a Hert-
fordshire barony in 1 1 66, when his heir, Robert de Valognes, made
return of its knights. 4 His Domesday holding in this county was rather
over 40 hides, some half of which were in or about Bennington and
1 See p. 277 above. * Compare p. 276 above for such division.
3 The holding of count Eustace, the greatest lay tenant, only exceeded that of Geoffrey by ij
hides. Tring alone accounted for considerably more than half of it (i.e. 39 hides).
4 Red Book of the Exchequer, pp. 360-2.
282
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
Sacombe, while the rest were scattered. Most of his land had belonged
to that great local thegn vEthelmasr of Bennington and his ' men,' l and
in Cambridgeshire also the land at Bourn, which was all that he held in
that county, had belonged to ./Ethelmasr. His Hertfordshire fief was
substantially enlarged later on by Henry I., who gave him the Crown
manor of Bayford(bury) with Essendon 2 together with a house in
Hertford and the king's mills there. 3 Domesday tells us that, at its date,
Peter had already bought in Hertford a house and two churches, one of
which was probably All Saints', for his descendant and namesake
bestowed it on Waltham Abbey, Essex. He himself was the founder of
Binham Priory, Norfolk, which he made a cell to St. Alban's early in
the reign of Henry L* At the time of the Domesday Survey he was
sheriff of Essex as well as of Herts, a fact of interest in view of the long
continuance of such union. 6 One considerable tenant remains : this was
Hardouin d'Echalers (' de Sealers'), whose name lingered in the manor
of Challers (in Reed), and is still preserved in Scales Park on the north-
east border of the county. His fief, reckoned at some 40 hides, consisted
of scattered estates, which had in the main belonged to sundry small
holders, sokemen and others. This was also characteristic of his extensive
fief in Cambridgeshire (fos. 197^9), where was the caput of his barony.
His descendants were benefactors to the Cluniac Priory of Lewes, Sussex,
on which, early in the twelfth century, Hugh ' de Scalariis ' bestowed the
Hertfordshire churches of Widiall, Reed, and Little Berkhampstead.
Of the other Hertfordshire tenants-in-chief ' Maino the Breton '
was a Buckinghamshire baron, whose chief seat was at Wolverton.
Walter the Fleming had large estates in Bedfordshire, where Woodhill
was the caput of his barony, much of which lay in Northamptonshire.
Hugh de Beauchamp was the founder of the baronial house of Beauchamp
of Bedford, and of his Bedfordshire estates I am about to speak. Hugh
de Grentmesnil had obtained land in no less than eight counties, but the
centre of his power was in Leicestershire, where he was succeeded by
the earls of Leicester in the possession of his great fief. Although, like
the three tenants mentioned before him above, his holding occupies but a
small space in the Hertfordshire Domesday, it was of exceptional value
and importance. Ware, which had been the seat of Anschil, a great
local thegn," was worth in those days no less than 50 a year. When
it appears in Domesday as held by Hugh de Grentmesnil it has a ' park
for beasts of the chase ' and a newly planted vineyard, sure signs that its
Norman lord had there a personal residence. Now under Hertfordshire
there is nothing to show how Hugh de Grentmesnil became possessed
1 See p. 276 above. * See p. 278 above.
8 Cart. Antlq. k. 22. Domesday enters the mills there as three, worth 10 a year by tale to the
king. They are valued at i l in the ' roll of Robert Mantel ' (Red Book of the Exchequer, p. 774).
4 Mmastlcon Angllcanum, iii. 341-53. The charters of this priory afford valuable information
concerning his wife, children and descendants.
6 Compare Geoffrey de Mandeville, pp. 39, 142, 150, 166-7. The two counties were under one
sheriff till 1567 with trifling exceptions.
6 See p. 276 above.
283
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
of Ware, but under Bedfordshire we find, on the fief of Hu.h de
Beauchamp several estates, of which we read that Ralf TaTlX sc '
held them 'in exchange for Ware' ffos 217 21^ Th*
in all at 22 | hides as against the a 4 Ues* ?t whl fig^e*^
m Domesday By this means we discover that Wa^e had orie nail v
been obtained by that Ralf Taillebois of whom we heard above I
acting with Peter de Valognes on the king's behalf at Hitch n (0277*
on fo. an* where Hugh de Beauchamp claims a Bedfordshire manor
it had never formed part of her dower. Now this estate
SELttrtft f . S r f l d ' ^^ H ^ h had --e
^Aschn a the ft,* 1 * 1 ' Wh must therefore be identical with
Aschl a thegn of king Edward,' the former holder of Stotfold
this brings me to my conclusion from the whole of the
above evidence, which is that Aschil,' the Bedfordshire th'gn who had
"ht 'ArS r*<\* Edward the Confessor, w'as no other
fe^^s^^l^
were ongmally granted to Ralf Taillebois, who parted with Ware i, elf
bu^fTrn "^ 'V 86 ^^ 811 '" ; 2nd th > on Ralf ' s d 'h he
bulk of them passed to Hugh de Beauchamp (of whom Aschil ' is
wirr^T^v' 116 P A deC , eSS r " f0 ' "%. "e res, .o Ch Ralf
widow. The position of the latter is slightly complicated bv her hold
iJUEfrfSijSS ^ b ^ nged l > -t P BedfordIre thegt
vyultmar ot fcaton(-Socon), whose successor was Eudo Dapifer but
mfitI
to E
I0 " " i ' '!' b~h=, of Ilg,,' i
284
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
Eudo, who is also in the Hertfordshire Domesday styled Eudo son
of Hubert (de Ryes), was the founder of St. John's Abbey, Colchester,
on which he bestowed lands in Barkway and Barley. His tenant at
Knebworth as in Hertford itself was Humfrey d'Ansleville, who also
held of him at Wimpole and Clopton in Cambridgeshire and was a
Domesday juror for the Hundred of Arningford in that county. Ralf
Bainard, who had a large fief in the three eastern counties, would seem
to be the only other Norman baron calling for mention in the county.
It is when we turn to the tenants-in-chief of native origin that we meet
with two names of exceptional interest. The first of these is Eadgar the
jfEtheling (' Edgarus Adeling '), the unfortunate representative of the
Anglo-Saxon kings, who was elected to the throne on Harold's death,
but never crowned. Eadgar's estates at Hormead and Barkway amounted
in all to little more than 8 hides and had been formed out of the small
holdings of about a dozen Englishmen. It is noteworthy that his manor
had been increased more than fourfold by Ilbert the Norman sheriff,
who had added to it the lands of men who had held them independently. 1
At both places Eadgar's tenant was a man who bore the name of
Godwine. Mr. Freeman ingeniously conjectured that this Hertfordshire
tenant is the Godwine who figures in a semi-legendary tale preserved by
the Scottish chronicler as fighting on behalf of his lord Eadgar in a trial
by combat, and afterwards taking active part in the ./Etheling's expedi-
tion to Scotland and obtaining a fief there. He also saw in him the
father of that ' Robert son of Godwine ' who, after great exploits on
crusade, was captured by the Saracens at Rama and martyred for the
faith. 2 The other English tenant of interest was Derman, who, although
he is only entered among ' the king's thegns,' held very nearly 1 6 hides,
mainly in Walkern and Watton. The whole estate had been held
under Edward the Confessor by a certain jElfwine Home, who is
entered as ' a thegn of king Edward' under Middlesex (fo. 128^), in
which county he had held land in mortgage at Kingsbury. He had
also, as ./Elfwine ' horim,' held a Bedfordshire manor at Flitton (fo. 215^) ;
but it was only in Hertfordshire that Derman succeeded him. The
interest attaching to Derman is due to the fact that he may have
been identical with that ' Derman of London ' who held of the king
half a hide at Islington (fo. 130) and whose descendants have been
there traced by means of the cartulary of Clerkenwell. 8 And it can
scarcely be doubted that the ' Deorman ' whom the Conqueror speaks of
as his ' man,' in a writ in his favour relating to Essex which is still
preserved at the Guildhall, was our Hertfordshire ' king's thegn.' 4 He
is, somewhat oddly, associated by Domesday with a certain ' Alward '
1 Compare his action at Hitchin (p. 273 above). This action of Ilbert seems to imply that the
Crown had held these estates for a while before they were given to Eadgar.
8 Reign ofWilRam Rufus, ii. 115-22, 615-8.
8 See Tomlin's Perambulation of Islington, pp. 604 (where the identification is doubted) ; also
The Commune of London, p. 106.
* See Loftie's London, pp. 1303, for a discussion of this 'Deorman' question.
285
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
in his lordship of Watton, a manor which possesses a special interest,
being found under John in the hands of the first mayor of London, who
held it by serjeanty. 1
The small native landowners as a body shared the fate of the richer
thegns, but here and there, as in other counties, one finds a stray sur-
vivor. 'Turchil,' a 'man' of Ansgar the staller, had held a manor in
Bengeo, with power to sell it ; but he lost it to Geoffrey de Mandeville,
the successor of his lord Ansgar. He was however almost certainly
identical with that 'Torchil,' a 'man' of Ansgar the staller, who is
entered on the same page as holding under Geoffrey de Mandeville 2
hides at Digswell, which he had held, with power to sell, in the days of
Edward the Confessor (fo. 139^). Another Englishman, ^Elfward 'of
Merdelai,' held of king William, as one of his thegns, the small estate in
'Rodenehangre' which he had similarly held of king Edward (fo. 142^) ;
but the hide he had held at Mardleybury itself, with power to sell, he
had now to hold as an under-tenant of Robert Gernon the Norman (fo.
137^). A third case is that of a Godwine who had held some land at
' Sela,' with power to sell, in the days of Edward the Confessor, and is
found, in 1086, holding it as an under-tenant of Geoffrey de Bech
(fo. 140^) ; he was very possibly identical with the ' Godwine the
thegn ' of the next entry who had lost the small estate that he had
similarly held at Roxford.
We must now turn to a different subject, the 'hidation' or assess-
ment of the county. This is of less institutional importance in Hert-
fordshire than in some other districts, but its fundamental principle is
well illustrated within the county. This principle is known as that
of 'the 5-hide unit,' and was undoubtedly of great antiquity. When
the 'hide' meets us in Domesday Book it is a mere fiscal term, and de-
notes no definite area or value. This is best shown by the fact that we
find the vills arbitrarily assessed in terms of the 5-hide unit, that is, as
taxed for the Danegeld at 5 or i o hides or some other multiple of five.
Let us take some instances in point. Hertingfordbury, Little Berk-
hampstead and Wormley were assessed at 5 hides each, Sandon, Aston,
Bayford(bury) and Hertford itself at 10 hides each, Rickmansworth at 15,
Cheshunt at 20, and Bengeo at 25. This last is so instructive an instance
that its state under the Confessor deserves to be set forth in detail, with
the preliminary explanation that, for assessment purposes, a hide consisted
of 4 virgates and a virgate of 30 acres. By none of these measures was
an actual area denoted.
1 It may further be worth noting, as the fact seems to be unknown, that the cartulary of St. John's,
Colchester (fo. iz [p. 28]), contains an interesting writ of William Rufus directing that Eudo Dapifer
should be given seisin 'de manerio Deremanni,' in which Deorman had been succeeded by his brother
Leofstan. The manor unfortunately is not named ; but I feel confident that it was Walkern (although
no county is named), and that this accounts for Eudo being able to bestow tithes from Walkern on St.
John's Abbey, and for the manor being found in the hands of his successors, Hamo de St. Clare and the
house of Lanvalei. But this conclusion would suggest that the Hertfordshire Derman was not ' Derman
of London.'
286
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
BENGEO
H. v. A.
Snerri, 1 a man of Edith the Fair o I o
Brand, a housecarl of king Edward 600
Turchil, a man of Ansgar the staller 3 i o
Anand, a housecarl of king Edward 5 I o
Elaf, a thegn of king Edward 6 o o
Walchra and Lepsi, king's sokemen i o O
./Elfstan, king's sokeman o i O
Four king's sokemen 05^0
Two king's sokemen 3i
jDthelmaer of Bennington, thegn of king Edward . o O- o
25 o O
It is not merely the exactness of the total, in spite of the fractional char-
acter of the holdings, that here strikes the observer. The typical varie-
ties of holding met with in Hertfordshire, and the remarkable subdivision
of land, are also strikingly evident.' Brand and Elaf, it will be noticed,
account between them for just half of the whole vill of Bengeo ; the
other half is, in varying proportions, distributed between no fewer than
thirteen different holders, of whom nine are sokemen of the king, that is
apparently freeholders who owned no other lord. Yet, oddly enough,
the greatest man who held land in Bengeo, namely the lord of Benning-
ton, 2 is credited with the smallest holding, representing only about a
fiftieth of the share of Brand or Elaf.
Turning to Datchworth as an example of the single 5~hide unit we
find its details to be these
DATCHWORTH
H. v. A.
JElfric blac under Westminster Abbey i o o
Westminster Abbey 310
Three king's sokemen 02^0
/Elfstan, a man of JEthelmxr of Bennington o o o
500
Here again we are struck not only by the neat exactness of the total, but
by the typical variety of the holdings. Boxbury is another instance of
a 5-hide vill.
H. v. A.
Samar, a man of Alnod o O O
./Elfward, a man of jElfstan 230
Appurtenant to Bennington 130
500
It must not be inferred that all or even most of the vills work out as
neatly as this ; but though we may not now be able to reconstruct the
original fiscal groups, or can only do so with much difficulty, there can be
no question that in Hertfordshire the system of assessment was the same
as it can be shown to have been in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and
1 Mr. W. H. Stevenson informs me that the names Snerri (or rather Suerri), Brand, Turchil,
Anand and E(i)laf are all of Norse derivation and point to the Norse origin of their bearers. The
housecarls were often Danes or Norsemen.
* See p. 276 above.
287
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Bucks. 1 Two or more vills were sometimes combined by this system to
make up some multiple of the 5-hide unit, so that it must not be sup-
posed, when a vill is assessed at some uneven figure, that it cannot have
been fitted into the scheme I have described above.
The study of assessment has brought to our notice the division of
Hertfordshire vills into holdings of various size. As will be gathered
from the Domesday map, the county presents within its borders, on the
one hand manors conterminous with vills, such as those of the old
ecclesiastical bodies ; on the other, vills which were subdivided into
several manors and small holdings. On the Essex border the Pelhams are
an instance of the latter type. In Domesday they are all found as held
by the bishop of London, but they are made the subject of seven separate
entries. Under Edward the Confessor the lands had been held thus
THE PELHAMS
H. v. A.
Two brothers, men of Ansgar the staller i i o
Alfred, man of Ansgar the staller I o o *
A thegn, man of Anschil of Ware \ i o
A thegn, man of Godwine of Bendfield J
, fa man of Ansgar the staller ~|
Two brothers K ,-, , r . \ . i i o
\ a man of the abbot of Ely J
A thegn, man of Anschil of Ware 1 2
A thegn, man of jEthelmaer of BenningtonJ '
Five king's sokemen O 2 o
./Elfwine, a man of Godwine of Bendfield I O O
Wulfwi, a man of Godwine of Bendfield . . . 2 O o a
12
Here we have some 1 2 hides divided between sixteen men in holdings
varying from 2 hides to about a twentieth of that amount. Four of
these holdings are styled manors for no obvious reason ; but all the
holders alike 'had power to sell.' The importance of such instances
as these of vills held in many portions is explained in the section on
'Manor and Vill' of Professor Maitland's Domesday Book and Beyond
(pp. 129-30). His own examples are mainly taken from the adjoining
county of Cambridgeshire, but in Hertfordshire we may find, on the
Essex border, at Wickham, close to Bishop Stortford, as striking a case as
any.
WICKHAM
H. v. A.
Four sokemen 2 o 20
(a man of bishop William \
a man of Ansgar the staller J- . o I O
a man of Edith the Fair J
One sokeman 008
Two sokemen, men of Ansgar the staller ...103
Three sokemen 35
4 i 21
1 For Bedfordshire the tables of hidation constructed by Mr. Airey are decisive, and for Cambridge-
shire my Feudal England deals in great detail with the subject. In the same work (p. 66) I touch upon
the 5-hide unit in Bucks. Mr. Ragg has worked out several examples in Herts,
* These holdings are styled ' M(aneria).'
288
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
In this case a vill of less than 4! hides is divided between no fewer than
1 3 sokemen, whose average holding was thus no more than a third of a
hide apiece. It is of such communities as this that Professor Maitland
writes
Any theory of English history must face the free, the lordless village, and must
account for it as one of the normal phenomena which existed in the year of grace
1066 . . . just as normal as the village which was completely subject to seignorial
power. We have before us villages which, taken as wholes, have no lords. 1
We must remember however that Wickham, like the Pelhams, lay on
the border of those eastern counties which, to quote his words, were
'the home of liberty.' Nor was Widiall, which he takes as an instance
of a manor of 5^ hides formerly held by 9 sokemen, far distant from
the Essex border. In this last instance there is a marked inequality of
holdings which leads the professor to observe that 'such lordships as
exist in it are plainly not the relics of a dominion which has been split
up among divers persons by the action of gifts and inheritances.' On the
other hand we can, I think, detect in Hertfordshire at least one case in
which the equality of the portions proves, and another in which it
suggests subdivision between brothers. The former is found at Barley,
and the latter at Wakeley, where what is now Wakeley farm was divided,
after as before the Conquest, between three distinct holders.
WAKELEY
H. V. A.
Edith the Fair (as a 'manor') O O 40
./Elfward, a man of earl Harold O O 40
Eadric, a man of earl JElfgzr o o 40
This is a most remarkable case of subdivision, the first fraction only
being styled a manor, and the holders of the other two being com-
mended to the heads of the greatest rival houses in England.
The division of vills among several holders is characteristic of
the east of England in Professor Maitland's opinion, and, as I have already
explained, is probably due in Hertfordshire to its adjoining Essex on the
east. Our county, in fact, impinged on what the professor terms 'the
rich and thickly populated shires.' 2 But the evidence of Domesday
Book on population and kindred matters is notoriously very vague.
A male population of some 5,000 is actually enumerated in the county,
but of this figure we can only say that it shows a ratio to area not
far removed from that of the adjoining counties (except Essex). The
area under cultivation, though relatively greater than in Middlesex, was
proportionately far less than in Bedfordshire and substantially less than
in Northants. 3 The former must always have been a rich agricultural
county, but the latter, at the time of Domesday, was largely covered by
forest, which illustrates the unexpected and hazardous character of the
results obtained from Domesday figures.
1 DomeiJay Book and Beyond, p. 141. * Ibid, pp. 20-3.
3 See tables, ibid. pp. 4023.
I 289 U
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The one definite statistical fact that emerges for Hertfordshire in
Domesday is that its assessment was low, being in proportion to its area
little more than half of that which is found in Bedfordshire and Bucks,
although the discrepancy is less marked when we compare the total
assessment with the total of recorded ploughlands. As has already been
explained above, the assessment in detail was purely arbitrary, that is
to say it bore no definite relation to area, ploughlands or value. The
two manors, for instance, which composed King's Walden contained 10
ploughlands each, and yet they were only assessed at i hide each.
Hitchin itself is credited with 38 ploughlands, though its assessment is
but 5 hides ; and it would even seem that, when we deduct what was
afterwards the rectory manor, the remainder, with its 34 ploughlands,
stood at only 3 hides. 1 These are very extreme cases, but any one who
reads the pages relating to Hertfordshire in Domesday must be struck by
the great variety of the ratio that the ' hides ' bore to the ploughlands.
At Hatfield we meet with the exceptional case of a manor with only 30
ploughlands being assessed at 40 hides, while the other two manors that
were held by the abbot of Ely escaped with assessments respectively of
5 and 4 hides, although they contained between them 24 ploughlands.
One may add, while on this subject, that in Hertfordshire Domesday
records a few reductions of assessment, but they are not of sufficient
consequence to require special treatment. Prominent instances occur in
the extreme west of the county, where Robert de Todeni's manor of
Miswell had its assessment of 14 hides reduced to 3! hides, 'although,'
Domesday adds, 'there are always 14 hides there' (fo. 138), while
Edward of Salisbury secured a reduction from 6 hides to 3 on his manor
of Great Gaddesden (fo. 139). Ralf de Todeni's demesne manor of Flam-
stead, which had been assessed at 4 hides, was let off at 2 hides. There
would seem to be nothing but special favour to account for these cases.
There is one occurrence in Hertfordshire of the interesting word
wara. We read of ' Westone ' that ' it lay and lies in Hiz [Hitchin],
but the wara of this manor lay in Bedefordscire in the time of king
Edward, and the manor is there and always was ' (fo. 132^). The place
is Westoning in Bedfordshire, nearly ten miles distant, as the crow flies,
from Hitchin. This is an excellent instance of the Domesday use of
'jacet' as implying not that the manor ' lay ' geographically in Hitchin,
but that, for tenurial purposes, it was an appurtenance thereof. For
fiscal purposes the manor remained in its own Bedfordshire Hundred ; its
wara, or assessment, lay there, and it consequently paid its ' geld ' as a
portion of that Hundred. Wara is also sometimes used of the tax
levied on the assessment. Thus we read of a Bedfordshire estate (fo.
211^) that 'it always lay in Kimbolton (Hunts) but rightly paid its
ivarra in Bedfordshire.' *
Here perhaps should be mentioned a phrase almost as rare. We
1 See p. 272 above.
8 For wara see further my feudal England, pp. 1 1 5-7, where examples are given of its use in
Cambridgeshire.
290
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
read of Abbot's Langley : ' of this manor Herbert son of Ivo took and
occupied i hide between wood and plain {planum) in the time of the
bishop of Bayeux' (fo. 135^). On a Bedfordshire manor the same phrase
occurs in connection with a similar aggression : * William de Caron
claims 60 acres between wood and plain . . . of which Ralf Taillebosc '
disseised his father' (fo. 210). In Worcestershire also we find this
phrase, ' inter boscum et planum.' Domesday uses ' inter ' in the sense of
' reckoning together,' and the odd combination of the two words repre-
sents, I think, the English formula ' by wode and by felde.' Herbert
himself occurs in Bedfordshire, where he was the bishop of Bayeux's
chief under-tenant.
The subject of aggression leads me to speak of the losses suffered
by religious houses through the Normans seizing lands forfeited by
Englishmen who held them only as tenants of those houses with no
power to alienate them. Of this we have examples at Watton. As
observed above (p. 285), TElfwine Home had held there a 5~hide
estate as ' a thegn of king Edward.' The other 5 hides at Watton
were thus held before the Conquest
H.
Abbot of Westminster I
/Elfric blac ' of ' the same abbot 2
JElfmxr, a man of the said jElfric o
Godwine 'of Westminster Abbey i
* had no power to alienate (the land) from the abbey,' and
Godwine similarly ' had no power to sell ' it ; indeed after Godwine's
death it ought to have reverted to the abbey. Nevertheless archbishop
Lanfranc secured ./Elfric's share because ' for other lands,' as Domesday
puts it, he was ' a man of archbishop Stigand, Lanfranc's predecessor ' ;
and count Alan is found in possession of Godwine's share because God-
wine's wife (or widow) was induced to commend herself to ' Eadgyth
the Fair,' to whose lands, and to those of her ' men,' count Alan suc-
ceeded (fos. 136^7). Further, under this last holding we read that
' after the coming of king William ' there had been filched from it 1 6
acres 'which Anschitil de Ros now (1086) holds under the archbishop.'
The special value of this statement is that it enables us to identify the
* Anschitil ' who was the archbishop of Canterbury's tenant at Watton,
Datchworth and two other places as that Anschitil de Ros who held
largely in Kent of the bishop of Bayeux, having followed him to England
from what is now ' Rots,' between Bayeux and Caen.
It is probable that, as we know from Domesday was the case in
other counties, these lands of which the tenant had no power to alienate
them from the church were held under a lease for lives. Thus at
Gaddesden (fo. 139) a large manor was held of the abbot of St. Alban's
by a tenant who ' had no power to alienate it from (mittere extra) the
1 See p. 284 above.
291
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Church,' and it should have returned to the Church after his death. It
was seized nevertheless by Edward of Salisbury. At Therfield ./Elfric
the priest had held land ' under the abbot of Ramsey without power to
sell except by permission of the abbot' (fo. 141^). This may not have
been a case of holding under a lease, but it is clearly implied that the
land should not have passed, as it did, into the hands of Hardwin
d'Eschalers.
The wealth of the county at the time of Domesday was almost
wholly derived from its rural manors. First in importance, as contri-
buting to that wealth, was the plough with its team of 8 oxen ; then
came the water-meadows that provided hay for the oxen, the ' pasture '
that afforded feed for the live stock of lord and peasant, the woodland in
which were fattened vast herds of swine, the fisheries, as they were
termed, which paid a rent in eels, and the water-mills to which the
peasants took their corn to be ground. Hertfordshire was notably free
from what Domesday terms ' waste,' that is from traces of ravage in
which manors had been spoiled of their stock and land thrown out of
cultivation. On the other hand, we may note a general decrease in the
values assigned to the manors in 1086 as compared with that which is
assigned to them under Edward the Confessor. Those, for instance, of
the archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of Winchester, the first
two tenants-in-chief (fo. 133), work out in aggregate as follows
T.R.E.
3 s - T>
' When received '
Li 13*- z d -
In 1086
Here we have a sharp drop due to the struggles of the Conquest and a
partial recovery at the time of the Survey. This is much as might be
expected, and is very frequent in Domesday ; but what is remarkable in
Hertfordshire is that, in the place of recovery, we have sometimes a
further diminution in value. Here are some typical manors, each from
a different fief
Manors
T.R.E.
'When received'
In 1086
Great Berkhampstead .....'
Brausrhinf?
24
2O
20
16
'
16
16
8
7
6
Flamstead
12
Q
1 1
18
12
14. 10
\Vestone
70
2S
20
12
e
10
2">
2O
22
Bennington
14-
6
12
Walkern
16
8
IO
Broxbourne
7
}
4
These instances illustrate sufficiently the damage which the troubles of
the Conquest inflicted on the shire's prosperity, the slowness with which
292
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
it recovered from these troubles, and the occasional further fall in value
under Norman domination.
The statistics of ploughs and ploughlands are, in Hertfordshire,
extremely precise, and enable us to learn on every manor the deficiency,
if any, in plough oxen both on the lord's demesne and on the land in
the peasants' hands. It must not be supposed that these animals, the
driving power, as it were, of the agricultural machine, were the only
stock comprised in the returns, but the abstracts of these returns in
Domesday Book omitted, in Hertfordshire, the rest. 1 We obtain how-
ever, in a single instance, an accidental glimpse of the numerous other
requisites for stocking an estate. When Humfrey (d'Ansleville) took
over from his lord Eudo Dapifer an estate in Hertford Hundred con-
taining 2 ploughlands he received therewith 68 beasts, 350 sheep,
150 swine, 50 goats, a mare (doubtless for breeding), and a pound's
worth of cloths and vessels (fo. 139). But these figures probably are
quite abnormal. We obtain some valuable particulars on the stocking
of Hertfordshire manors from the curious twelfth-century leases of those
belonging to the canons of St. Paul's, Kensworth, Caddington, Ardeley
and Sandon. 1 Oxen, cows, horses, sheep and swine formed the live stock
in fixed quantities, the prices ranging, some sixty years after the Domesday
Survey, from 3^. to 5-r. for horses and oxen, ^d. to $d. for sheep, and
8*/. to \od. for swine.
The great importance of the plough oxen and the value of hay for
their keep are reflected in the entry of water-meadows in terms of the
oxen and their feed. We can trace clearly in Domesday Book the
richness of the meadows in the river valleys and their painful scarcity in
the uplands. Digswell, of which the arable land required 3 plough
teams, that is 24 oxen, had only meadow enough for 2 out of this
number ; Abbot's Langley, with the same requirements, had only
meadow for i ox ; while a nice calculation showed that Datchworth,
with its 1 6 plough oxen, had only ' meadow for half an ox ' ! Several
estates indeed appear to have had none at all. On the other hand,
down in the Lea valley, from the junction of the Ash southwards,
Stanstead Abbots had sufficient meadow for its 16 plough teams, and
Amwell, on the opposite bank, presents the same figures and seems even
to have had some hay to sell in addition. Hoddesdon, Broxbourne,
Wormley and Cheshunt all had sufficient meadow, and Broxbourne,
like Amwell, had more than sufficient, the hay in excess being worth
4-r. a year. Cheshunt could provide hay not only for its 23 plough
teams but for ' the horses on the demesne,' of whose existence, by
the way, we should not otherwise have heard. Even up the little
valley of the Rib not only Thundridge but Standon had sufficient
meadow for the oxen, but higher up, where the valley divides, Braughing
had only hay for 3 of its 1 1 teams and Westmill only enough for 6 out
of its 24. It will thus be seen that the study of the meadows as entered
1 See p. 264 above.
* See The Domesday of St. Paufs (Camden Society), pp. 124, 128, 1345.
293
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
in Domesday has a bearing on the character of the river valleys and on
the position and extent of the manors at the time when the Survey was
made.
The streams which made the meadows fat performed the same
function for the eels which appear to have been deemed an important
addition to the restricted diet of the time. The fisheries or weirs (gurgites)
entered in Domesday normally paid a rent in eels. One of the manors
at Hoddesdon received ' 100 eels from the weir' ; another ' 150 eels
from the fishery.' At Hailey there were similarly received ' 50 eels from
the weir,' and at Cheshunt ' 100 eels from the weir.' It would seem
therefore that eels were more highly esteemed than fish. The monks of
St. Alban's however, to whom fast days were a matter of importance, had
a fish-stew (vivarium piscium) as a needful supplement to their * park for
beasts of the chase.' There was one more function that the streams had
to perform : they turned the wheels of those mills of which the annual
value is so carefully recorded in Domesday. This value depended rather
on the amount of wheat that they were entitled to grind than on the
actual power of the mill. At Hertford itself the 3 mills were an
important factor in the king's revenue, to which they contributed no less
than 10 a year. At Ware, to the eastward down the river, there
were no fewer than 5 mills, of which 2 produced between them yearly
24J. and 375 eels, while the other 3 were only worth IQJ. together.
The part payment of the rent in eels was a common feature in some
counties and the above number is accounted for by the fact that eels were
always reckoned by ' stiches,' 25 going to the ' stich.' Even now eel-
traps are found commonly enough in connection with the mill-leat.
The woodland in those days was of great importance, but its para-
mount value consisted in the mast on which the swine were fattened.
In some counties the woodland was measured by the number of swine
that it yielded to the lord in return for the ' pannage,' but in Hertford-
shire its extent was reckoned by the number for which it could afford
feed. Although this was somewhat of a rough estimate it obviously
affords some indication of the distribution of woodland at the time.
Knebworth, it was reckoned, had enough for feeding i ,000 swine, as had also
Bushey ; Hatfield enough for 2,000. On the other hand Lilley, though
a manor containing 9 ploughlands, had only woodland enough for 6
swine ; and Wymondley, with 24 ploughlands, had only enough for 10.
The parks of Cashiobury and Rickmansworth appear to represent the
woodlands in which the abbots of St. Alban's were able to feed 1,000
and 1,200 swine respectively. When for a great part of the year fresh
meat was not to be obtained, an important part in the supply of food was
played by the great herds of swine that then roamed through the forest
glades, and the accounts for provisioning castles in the pipe-rolls of the
next century reveal the position in the diet of the nation occupied by
' pork and beans.' The woodland was of value also as supplying the
timber for building and repairs and underwood for fences and for firing.
In Hertfordshire however the fences alone are mentioned in this
294
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
connection, except at Graveley and St. Paul's Walden, where we read that
there is wood enough for ' the fences and the buildings.' Another
Graveley entry (fo. 140^) contains a word of great rarity in the phrase
' rispalia ad sepes.'
Out in the open fields of the vills, such as those of Hitchin pictured
and described in Mr. Seebohm's famous work, 1 there lay that mosaic of
strips, usually half acres, on which in strict rotation the crops of the
time were grown. The St. Paul's leases, spoken of above, show us
wheat, oats and barley, to say nothing of peas and beans, stowed in the
barns on the canons' estates. And the chapter's accounts enable us to
check the deliveries of grain from its Hertfordshire manors in what is
now ' Paul's bakehouse yard ' for conversion into bread for the canons
and not into bread alone ; for much of it found its way to the great
brewhouse of St. Paul's, and barley, wheat and oats alike vanished down
their throats in the form of beer. 2
Urban life, at the time of the Survey, was limited and of small
account. Hertford had acquired a certain importance from the forts
erected there against the Danes about the beginning of the tenth century
and it was essentially a king's borough under Edward the Confessor.
Concerned as it was almost exclusively with fiscal and jurisdictional
rights, the Domesday Survey has not much to tell us about Hertford,
which it begins by calling a ' borough ' and ends by calling a * suburb '
(suburbium). Indeed the most notable feature in the short entry on the
town is not what it contains, but what it does not contain. The ' hetero-
geneity of tenure,' as Professor Maitland terms it, which he connects with
' the garrison theory ' of the borough, 3 is significantly absent at Hertford.
And yet, in the words of Green, ' Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and
Bedfordshire are instances of purely military creation, districts assigned to
the fortresses which Edward raised at these points.' * We should conse-
quently expect to find the traces of those ' borough haws ' of the rural
thegns, which are held, according to ' the garrison theory,' to represent
the military service they were bound to render in defending the borough ;
but comparison with Oxford and other instances selected by Professor
Maitland will show that they are here wanting. The chief interest of the
Hertford entry is, in fact, fiscal. Under Edward the Confessor it used to
escape with an annual payment to the Crown of 7 i os. When Peter (de
Valognes) the sheriff took it over to ' farm ' it for the Crown, this amount
was doubled, though still payable as before ' by tale.' But at the time of the
Survey the Crown drew from it 20 a year, which had moreover to be
paid in ' assayed and weighed ' money, implying a substantially greater
amount of pure silver than did 20 ' by tale.' An increase in the sums
wrung from the boroughs was a marked result of the Norman Conquest.
Next in importance to Hertford was St. Alban's, where there were
1 T^i? English Village Community, pp. 1-6 and frontispiece.
8 See Archdeacon Male's Domesday of St. Paul's, pp. xlviii.-li. 160-75. Eac ^ f tile 3 canons
received the generous allowance of 30 bowls (bolle) of beer a week.
3 Domesday Book and Beyond, pp. 176-92. * Conquest of England, p. 237.
295
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
46 'burgesses ' worth to the abbey no less than 11 14^. a year 'from
tolls and other issues of the vill.' But if burgesses had already clustered
around the abbey's walls, the great fortress of Berkhampstead, as a seat of
the count of Mortain, had proved no less attractive ; its ' burbium '
already contained 52 burgesses. 1 Trade, in the form of local markets,
was already faintly beginning in somewhat unexpected places ; from
10 traders (mercatores) at Cheshunt the count of Mortain was receiving
i os. a year ; at Ashwell, on the Cambridgeshire border, there were
14 burgesses, and nearly 50.;. a year accrued to the abbot of Westminster
' from the toll and other customary dues of the borough ' (sic) ; even at
Stanstead Abbots we read of ' 7 burgesses,' but as the 24^. received from
them included the profits of the meadow and the woodland, they cannot
have been of much account. Possibly the junction of the Stort and the
Lea had given rise to an infant trade.
A few miscellaneous matters remain to be noted. One of the most
tragic events referred to in the pages of Domesday is the forfeiture of
earl Ralf of Norfolk as the result of his abortive rising in 1075. There
are allusions to this sensational episode under Munden and Wallington
(fos. 137, 140), but we cannot tell what connection earl Ralf had with
Hertfordshire. A forfeiture of another kind receives illustration in the
county. There is a curious statement in Heming's Cartu/ary, which
relates to the monastery of Worcester, that under Cnut an order was
made that any one four days in arrear with his payment of ' geld ' (land tax)
forfeited ipso facto his land, which then passed to the first person who
came forward and paid the tax (i. 278). Now, under the fief of Peter
de Valognes, we read that he took the lands of a certain sokeman into
the king's hands ' pro forisfactura de gildo regis se non reddidisse ' (fo.
141), though the men of the shire bore witness that it had always been
exempt from ' geld.' This is a typical instance of oppression by a
Norman sheriff. 8 Again the Domesday use of ' manor ' receives illustra-
tion from the land of Deorman (fo. 142). Professor Maitland holds that
in Domesday ' manor ' is ' a technical term,' that it meets us ' as an
accurate term charged with legal meaning.' ' And this meaning he sets
himself to discover. As he observes, ' the symbol M which represents a
manor is often carried out into the margin ' ; and this is the case with
Walkern, a lo-hide manor. Moreover Watton, which immediately
precedes it, is styled by Domesday a terra only, not a manerium. And
yet we have but to look lower down in the column to read of an outlying
estate : ' HEBC terra est appreciata in Watone M[anerio] derman.' We
thus learn that manerium was not a technical term, but was used alterna-
tively with terra by the Domesday scribes.*
Although the identification of the place-names entered in the record
is best dealt with, as a rule, at the place where the name occurs, it seems
1 See also p. 280 above.
8 Ralf ' Taillgebosc,' of whom we heard above (p. 284) is found similarly obtaining land at Sharn-
brook, Beds, by paying the charge on it himself when the tenant failed to do so (fo. 2 1 66).
3 Domes Jay Book and Beyond, pp. 107-8.
4 See farther on this point my paper in the EngKsh Historical Review, rv. 293-302.
296
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
preferable to treat as a whole a particularly difficult group of manors in
the north-west of the county. The place-names in question are Welle,
Welei, Wilei, Wilie, Welge, Wilge, and Wlwenewiche. Of these
' Welle,' which Ilbert added as sheriff to Lilley, is clearly Well(bury) in
Hitchin to the east of Lilley Hoo. ' Welge ' or ' Wilge ' softened into
' Welewe ' and then developed into ' Welwyn.' As to ' Wilie,' which
was also situate in Broadwater Hundred, it finally developed into
' Willian.' The name of ' Wlwenewiche ' deserves special attention
because it seems to be one of those that have now disappeared. In a
return of 1303 we read, under ' Burleye ' : ' Laurencius de Brok tenet
in Burnleye et in Wollenwich quartam partem unius feodi militis de here-
dibus Philippi Burnel.' * The name italicized was clearly the 'Wlwene-
wiche ' of Domesday, where Robert Gernon was a holder, for Philip
Burnel was the heir of that great bishop Burnel who bought land so
largely of the Gernon co-heirs. Moreover, as this return distinguishes
* Wollenwich ' from ' Welewe ' (Welwyn) and ' Wilien ' (Willian) in
the same Hundred, it is clear that the ' Wluenewic ' of two charters in
the British Museum is not, as imagined in its Manuscript department,
merely a form of Willian. 8 Lastly I find in a charter of confirmation
granted by Henry II. to St. Albans mention of land at ' Wulfinewich '
which is clearly the same place. 3 The name, therefore, can be traced
from Domesday, through the twelfth and thirteenth centuries down to
1303. After this it disappears, for Brok's quarter fee is entered only
as ' in Borley ' in a return of I346. 4 It seems to me possible that this
quarter fee may have included the manor of Broks in Stevenage, which
took its name from the above Laurence and his heirs.
But even the four places that we have now distinguished may not
exhaust the equivalents of the Domesday place-names in question.
When Bernard de Baliol who was holding much of the Crown estate
in Hitchin and its neighbourhood granted to the Templars temp.
Stephen the lands at Dinsley which thus came to be known as Temple
Dinsley, he described them as being at ' Wedelee.' 6 This name is very
suggestive of that ' Welei ' which Domesday surveys next to Hitchin
itself (fo. 132^).
Another name presenting difficulty is that of' Scelve,' ' Scelva,' or
* Escelveia,' as it appears in the three entries relating to it. This place is
1 feudal Aids (1901) II, 430. We have not the advantage of the editor's opinion on the locality
for the name is not identified or even indexed.
8 Index to the Charters and Rolls in the Department of Manuscripts (1900) I, 816. I have examined
both these charters (Harl. 45, B. i and Add. 1 5467), which are assigned to the reign of Henry III.,
and find that one of them speaks of the garden of Richard de Argentein, which implies that 'Wluenewic'
was in immediate proximity to Wymondley.
3 Monasticon, II. 229. Mr. Page finds the place as ' Wlvennewike ' in fines of 10 Ric. I and
4 John.
4 Feudal Aids, II. 436. I am by no means satisfied that the editor is right in identifying this
' Borley,' in Broadwater Hundred with ' Barley ' in Edwinstree Hundred, which was far away in the
north-east of the county. The latter place is ' Berlai ' in Domesday and occurs in medieval documents
as ' Berlai,' ' Berleia,' ' Berlee,' etc. The ' Borley ' or ' Burleye ' in Broadwater Hundred was, I believe,
Burleigh by Knebworth.
6 Cott. MS. Nero E. vi. fo. (new) 125, (old) 118.
297
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
alleged to be Chisfield (in Graveley) which is undoubtedly an ancient
manor, and the manorial history of which would harmonize with this
identity. But in Domesday the name ' Chisfield ' would be represented
by ' Cisfelle,' which differs very widely from the three forms above. 1
They would be represented now by some such name as ' Shelve,' and in
Worcestershire the ' Scelves' of Domesday has finally become ' Shell.' It
would seem therefore that the nearest equivalent is the manor of Chells
(with Boxbury) in Stevenage where ' Sheaf Green ' appears also to
represent the name.
In Hertfordshire the Domesday Hundreds are nine in number,
' Albanestou,' ' Brachinges,' ' Bradewatre,' ' Danais ' (or ' Deneis '),
' Edwinestreu,' * Herford,' ' Hiz,' ' Odesei,' and ' Treung.' But of these
' Hiz' (Hitchin) is styled a 'half Hundred; and Broadwater, we learn
further from the Inquisitio Eliensis? was a ' double ' Hundred, a statement
confirmed by its Domesday jurors being sixteen in number instead of
eight. Of these Hundreds ' Albanestou ' is now represented by Cashio,
' Brachinges ' by Braughing, ' Bradewatre ' by Broadwater,' ' Danais ' by
Dacorum (which early absorbed the Hundred of ' Treung ' or Tring), and
' Hiz ' by Hitchin. Edwinstree, Hertford and Odsey are easily recog-
nisable. It is of interest to note that of the Domesday Hundreds, Hert-
ford, Hitchin, Tring, and Braughing took their names from well-known
places ; the Broadwater and Odsey, which gave to two others their
names, have also been identified, and Mr. Page has discovered on an
assize roll of 1278 mention of an ' Edwynestree ' as the actual spot on
which the Hundred court was held. ' Albanestou ' was, of course, the
district subject to St. Alban's abbey ; ' Daneis ' remains unexplained.
The ' roll of Mathew Mantel,' an early document, contains valuable
information on the profits obtained by the sheriff from the Hertfordshire
Hundreds. On it they are entered as ' Daneis,' ' Bradewatre,' ' Hiche,'
'Edwinestre,' 'Odeseye,' and ' Hertford and Brakinghe' (farmed jointly) ;
Tring has disappeared and Cashio is omitted as exempt. 8
As it is to William the Conqueror himself that we owe the priceless
record of Domesday, that great survey which his English subjects
resented bitterly at the time, one may close with two glimpses which its
Hertfordshire portion affords of the better side of his nature. Three
priests were allowed to remain undisturbed on the small estates they had
held under Edward the Confessor (fo. 142), and 'a most remarkable
story,' as Mr. Freeman termed it, shows us the grim Conqueror restoring
to an English thegn his substantial manor at Tewin ' for the soul of
Richard his son ' (fo. 141^). This was the King's ' second son Richard, a
lad of great promise, not yet girded with the belt of knighthood, who was
cut off in the New Forest by a sudden and mysterious stroke while the
wearied stag was fleeing for its life before him.' * Less merciful than his
1 There is reason, moreover, to believe that 'Chisfield' was originally a longer name. In Feudal
Aids its earliest form is given as ' Chenesfeld ' or ' Chinesfeld,' while the above Index to British
Museum Charters gives their earliest forms as ' Cheuesfeld ' or ' Chiuesfeld.'
8 See p. 264 above. s See Red Book of the Exchequer, p. 775.
4 History of the Norman Conquest (1871), iv. 613.
298
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
master, Peter the Norman sheriff evicted the English thegn and his
mother, and maintained before the Domesday commissioners, in defiance
of William's writ, that he held the manor by gift of the king.
Viewed as a piece of clerical work the Hertfordshire portion of
Domesday Book is a favourable specimen of the whole. But there are a
few strange slips. In a Shenley entry the scribe appears to have written
so/' for pore', in a Rushden one sol' for llb\ and in one relating to Boreson
soch for sol' ; he has also written dim hid' for dint car" in an Aldbury
entry, and substituted ' xxxiii ' for ' xxiii ' at Cheshunt, and 'iiii' for 'xiiii'
at Stanstead. And there is one instructive error. The land of the
abbot of Ramsey is duly entered in the text, but in the list of holders'
names, preceding 'the king's land,' it is erroneously omitted. From this
we learn that the text was not compiled in accordance with the list, but
vice versa. Moreover, in the text the abbot's land is duly numbered as
' xi,' but in the list its omission transfers ' xi ' to the entry which follows.
There is thus caused a discrepancy between the list and the text, which
continues down to what the text calls ' the land of the king's thegns ' and
numbers as 'xlii,' while the list enters ' Derman and other Englishmen of
the king ' as ' xli.' Then, in order that the two may close with the
same number, the text repeats ' xlii ' for the land of Rothais and thus
produces a seeming concordance with the closing numbers in the list.
From all this it would seem to follow that, when the text was written,
a space was left for the list of holders, which was compiled subsequently
from the text. The numbering of the fiefs then revealed a discrepancy
caused by the omission of the abbot of Ramsey in the list, and the
numeral ' xlii ' was consequently repeated in the text to bring the total of
the entries in the text and the list into superficial harmony.
Perhaps the most perplexing statement on Hertfordshire in Domes-
day Book is one that is not found under Hertfordshire itself. In the
volume dealing with the Eastern Counties the survey of the great manor
of Hatfield (Broadoak), Essex which had been held by Harold under
the Confessor states that 'there belonged to this manor T.R.E., 3 bere-
wites, Herefort [Hertford], Emwella [Amwell], and Hodesduna [Hod-
desdon], lying in Herefortsira [Hertfordshire], which are now held by
Ralf de Limeseia ' (ii. 2<), and we further read that ' the 3 berewites
were then worth 12 pounds.' Of these three Amwell alone is entered in
Domesday as held by Ralf and as formerly held by Harold, to whom, we
learn, it was worth 1 8 pounds. Independent entries in Domesday vary, at
times, considerably, but for so remarkable a discrepancy as is revealed by
the above entries it is difficult to suggest an explanation. The statement,
however, that Ralf held ' Hertford ' is noteworthy in view of the fact
that he gave to St. Albans a church he had built there, with a hide of
land appendant, which became the nucleus of Hertford Priory.
299
HERFORDSCIRE
borough of Hertforde was assessed at 10 hides T.R.E. and
now it is not assessed (modo non facit). There were 146 burgesses in
the soke of king Edward. Of the (houses of) these count Alan now
has 3 which rendered dues then and do so still. Eudo ' Dapifer ' has
2 houses which were Algar's (of Cochenac) and then rendered dues and
do so now ; and the same Eudo has a third house which was Ulmar's
(of Etone) : this renders no dues. Geoffrey de Bech has 3 houses all
rendering dues. Humfrey de Anslevile holds under Eudo 2 houses
and i garden. Of these one was lent to one of the King's reeves
(cuidam prefecto regis] ; the other, together with the garden, belonged
to one of the burgesses, and now the burgesses claim them back as
having been taken from them by injustice. King William has there
1 8 other burgesses who were earl Harold's men and earl Leuuin's.
All these render dues. Peter de Valongies has 2 churches and a
house with them, which he bought of Ulwi of Hatfelde [Hatfield],
rendering all dues. Ulwi could assign (dare) or sell them. Geoffrey
de Magnevile has a certain holding which was Esgar the staller's
and 7 houses which rendered no due except the King's geld when
that was collected. Ralf Baniard has 2 houses which then rendered
dues and do so now. Harduin de Sealers has 14 houses which Achi
had T.R.E. They rendered no dues except the King's geld. For these
Harduin claims the King as warrantor (advocat regem ad protectoreni) .
Up to the present Harduin has i house as the King's gift which be-
longed to one of the burgesses, and he renders every due.
This township (hoc suburbiuni) pays 20 pounds assayed and weighed
out, and 3 mills pay 10 pounds by tale. When Peter the sheriff
received it it paid 15 pounds by tale ; T.R.E. it used to pay 7 pounds
and 10 shillings by tale.
NOTE
The reader should bear in mind throughout that the date of the Domesday
Survey is 1086, and that King Edward, to whose time it refers as ' T.R.E.,'
died January 5, 1066. In Hertfordshire the value of an estate at the inter-
mediate date when it passed into possession of the new holder is sometimes
prefaced by the words ' when he received (if) ,' and sometimes only by the vague
statement that it ' was worth ' ; when the word ' always ' is added, the meaning
is that the value was the same at this intermediate date as at King Edward 's
death. The l hide* was the unit of assessment on which the (Dane}geld was
paid, and the ' virgate ' was its quarter and was itself divided into 30 ' acres.'
The essential plough ( ' caruca ') was its team of oxen, reckoned as eight in
number ; thus ' half a plough ' meant four oxen. The ' demesne ' was the
lord's portion of the manor, the peasantry holding the rest of it under him ;
and a l berewick' was an outlying estate dependent on the chief manor. 'Sokemen'
and similar terms are discussed in the Introduction.
300
IIISTOKV OK HKKTFOHDSHIKK
DOME
Klurhrm
Jferrtbrttinfflierif'
Jitjcheaford
-N.
Hetfede
BcrchehtinMtrdf *
TL.- Eiutlii [ p^li O>)fpphipl I
THE VI CTOR I A H I STORY
MAP
RENTEBRIGIESCIR
EnuneweUe\ \9teM9teiUl Estewifhf
NOTES TO DOMESDAY MAP
Compiled by J. HORACE ROUND, M.A.
IN this map those manors in which the king had
an interest have a scarlet line under their names ;
a blue line denotes these in which the chief ecclesi-
astical tenant, namely, St Alban's Abbey, held land ;
a green line indicates the manors in which land
was held by the greatest lay tenant, Eustace, Count
of Boulogne.
No attempt has been made to distinguish the
Domesday Hundreds, which were somewhat inter-
mixed, and of which the boundaries have changed.
They are dealt with in the Domesday Introduction.
It should be remembered that the forms of
place-names often vary in Domesday, and that
only one variant can be given in each instance on
the map. There are also in this county several
Domesday names which it has not been possible
to identify, and which consequently do not appear
on the map. It should also be observed that the
boundaries of this and the adjoining counties are
for convenience of reference given as they now
stand, and are not always those of 1086. For the
same reason the names of the rivers are given in
their modern forms ; they are not mentioned in
Domesday.
The Hertfordshire map is exceptionally instructive
in the contrast it exhibits between the north-east
of the county, with its numerous small manors,
and the few large manors of its south-western
portion. The latter consisted to a considerable
extent of large blocks of land given of old to St
Albans ; but, in addition to this tenurial difference,
there is reason to think that, at the time of Domes-
day, much of it was still forest land. The smaller
manors of the north-east had been largely, before
the Conquest, divided among ' sokemen,' as is
explained in the Domesday Introduction. An en-
deavour has been made to indicate on the map
the distribution of these ' sokemen ' by placing an
asterisk* against the names of these manors on
which they were found at the death of Edward
the Confessor.
REFERENCE TO COLOURING
Sing's Manors thus t'erlettme
St Alban's Abbey's Manors ,, Eltii-Jtam
Count Eustace of Boulogne's Manors ., Wazhflei
HE CCUNTI ES OF ENGLAND
HERE ARE NOTED
THE LANDHOLDERS
HERTFORDSHIRE
IN
i KING WILLIAM xxiv
II The archbishop of Canter- xxv
bury xxvi
in The bishop of Winchester xxvn
iv The bishop of London xxvm
v The bishop of Bayeux xxix
vi The bishop of Lisieux xxx
vn The bishop of Chester xxxi
vin The abbot of Ely xxxn
ix The abbot of Westminster xxxm
x The abbot of St. Albans 1 xxxiv
xi The abbess of Chatteris xxxv
xii The canons of London xxxvi
xin The canons of Waltham xxxvn
xiv The count of Mortain xxxvm
xv Count Alan xxxix
xvi Count Eustace XL
xvn Earl Roger XLI
xvin Robert de Olgi (Oilgi)
xix Robert Gernon XLII
xx Robert de Todeni XLIII
xxi Ralf de Todeni XLIV
xxn Ralf de Limesi
xxin Ralf Bainiard
I. THE KING'S LAND
IN BRADEWATRE [BROADWATER] HUNDRET
King William holds WIMUNDESLAI [Wy-
mondley]. It is assessed at 8 hides. There
is land for 1 8 ploughs. In the demesne are
2i hides, and on it are 3 ploughs ; and 24
villeins and i sokeman and 5 bordars and 5
Rannulf brother of Ilger
Hugh de Grentemaisnil
Hugh de Beauchamp
William de Ow
William de Odburgvile
Walter the Fleming
Eudo ' Dapifer '
Edward de Saresberie
Geoffrey de Mannevile
Geoffrey de Bech
Goisbert de Beauvais
Peter de Valongies
Harduin de Escalers
Edgar (the ^theling)
Maigno the Breton
Gilbert son of Salomon
Sigar de Cioches
Derman and other English-
men, the King's (men)
Rothais the wife of Richard
Adeliz the wife of Hugh
The daughter of Ralf Tail-
gebosch
cottars have 15 ploughs (between them). 8
There are 6 serfs, and i mill worth 2O shil-
lings. Meadow is there sufficient for i plough
team and 2 oxen, and pasture sufficient for
the live stock of the vill, and wood 3 sufficient
for the fences. This manor belonged to the
demesne of the church* of St. Mary of Cetriz
[Chatteris], but earl Harold took it away from
* The words ' between them ' have been sup-
1 The abbot of Ramsey who follows the plied by the editor wherever they occur,
abbot of St. Albans, fol. 136, is omitted in the 8 'Nemus' (translated 'wood' throughout).
MS. in this list. See Introduction, p. 299. * i.f. ' abbey.'
301
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
that church, as the whole shire-moot (syra)
testifies, and attached it to his manor of Hiz
[Hitchin] 3 years before king Edward's death.
King William holds MENLESDENE [Mins-
den]. 1 It is assessed at 4 hides. There is land for
8 ploughs. In the demesne there are 2 hides
and 2^ virgates, and on it there are 3 ploughs.
A priest with 8 villeins and 2 cottars have 3
ploughs between them, and there could be 2
more. There are 6 serfs. Meadow is there
sufficient for i plough team, and pasture suffi-
cient for the live stock of the vill. There is
woodland 8 to feed 30 swine. This manor
belonged and still belongs to (jacuit et jacet
in) Hiz [Hitchin]. Earl Harold held it.
fo. I3b
IN THE HALF-HUNDRET OF Hiz [HITCHIN 3 ]
King William holds Hiz [Hitchin]. It is
assessed at 5 hides. There is land for 34
ploughs. In the demesne is i hide, and on
it are 6 ploughs ; and 41 villeins with 17
bordars have 2O ploughs between them.
There could be 8 more. There are 22
cottars and 12 serfs, and 4 mills worth 53
shillings and 4 pence. Meadow is there suffi-
cient for 4 plough teams, pasture sufficient
for the live stock of the vill, and woodland to
feed 600 swine. This manor earl Harold
held.
Of these 5 hides 2 belong to the minster
(monasterium) of this vill. There is land (in
them) for 4 ploughs. In the demesne is i hide
and a half, and there is I plough on it and
there could be another ; and 4 villeins have 2
ploughs between them, and there are 7 cot-
tars. Meadow is there sufficient for 2 oxen,
pasture sufficient for the live stock. These
2 hides are worth 6 pounds ; when received
they were worth 40 shillings ; T.R.E. worth
4 pounds. This manor earl Harold held.
King William holds WELEI [ ]. 4
It is assessed at 2 hides. There is land for
7 ploughs. In the demesne is i hide ; 2
ploughs are on it ; and 8 villeins with 5 bordars
have 4 ploughs between them, and there
could be a fifth. There are 2 cottars and 4
serfs. Pasture is there sufficient for the live
stock of the vill, and woodland to feed 300
swine. Earl Harold held this manor, and it
belongs (jacet in) to Hiz [Hitchin], to which
it belonged (jacuit) T.R.E.
1 AKas Minsdenbury. The ruins of Minsden
chapel remain (J.H.R.).
2 ' Silva ' (translated ' woodland ' throughout).
3 Now part of Dacorum Hundred.
* See Introduction, p. 297.
King William holds WESTONE [Weston]. 5
It is assessed at 5 hides. There is land for
14 ploughs. In the demesne are 2 hides, and
on it are 2 ploughs ; and 16 villeins with 3
bordars have 5 ploughs between them, and
there could be 5 more. 6 There are 4 serfs.
Meadow is there sufficient for 7 plough teams,
pasture sufficient for the live stock of the vill,
woodland to feed 400 swine, and worth 3
shillings besides. This manor earl Harold
held, and it belonged, and still belongs, to
Hiz [Hitchin]. But its 'wara' (place of its
assessment) was in Bedfordshire T.R.E., in
the Hundret of Maneheue [Manshead], and
there the manor to which it belonged is and
always was ; and after king Edward's death it
ceased to pay the King's geld.
King William holds WALDENEI [King's
Walden]. It is assessed at 2 hides. There
is land for 20 ploughs. 7 In the demesne are
2 virgates, and 2 ploughs are on it. A priest
with 13 villeins and 4 bordars have 6 ploughs
between them, and there could be 2 more.
There are 2 cottars and 4 serfs. Meadow is
there sufficient for half a plough team, pasture
sufficient for the live stock of the vill, wood-
land to feed 400 swine. Its total value is
and was 8 pounds ; T.R.E. 10 pounds.
Leueva held this manor of earl Harold and
could sell without obtaining his consent. In
the King's service it finds (invert) i ' avera '
(carrying service of i load) and i ' inward '
(bodyguard service), 8 but this is perforce and by
injustice, as the shire-moot (scyra) testifies.
Of these 2 hides a widow, Asgar's wife, holds
I hide of the King as i manor ; and she has
there i plough, and 17 villeins and 7 bordars.
These have 6 ploughs between them, and
there could be 3 more. There are 5 cottars.
Meadow is there sufficient for a half-plough
team, woodland to feed 400 swine, pasture
sufficient for the live stock of the vill. Its
total value is and was 4 pounds ; T.R.E.
8 pounds. The same woman held this manor
T.R.E. of earl Harold and could sell without
obtaining his consent, and it used to find, (but)
5 This has been identified by Hertfordshire
historians as the manor of Weston Argentine in
Weston in Broadwater Hundred, but I feel sure
that it is Westoning in Bedfordshire, which was
and is in Manshead Hundred, and to which the
suffix ' ing ' was only added later (J.H.R.).
6 These details do not tally with the given
total or ploughlands (J.H.R.)
7 This entry needs explanation. There were
here 2 distinct manors, each assessed at I hide
and each containing 10 ploughlands. They are
separately surveyed in this entry (J.H.R.).
* See, for these services, Introduction, pp. 269-7 1 .
302
THE HOLDERS OF LANDS
unjustly and perforce, I 'avera' (carrying ser- it to (posuerunt in) Hiz [Hitchin] because he
vice of i load) and ' inward ' (bodyguard refused to find the ' avera ' for the sheriff,
service) l for the King ; so the shire-moot (scyra) Geoffrey de Bech, Ilbert's successor, claims
testifies. These 2 manors Ilbert when he in regard to this manor to have the King's
was sheriff added to Hiz [Hitchin] as the mercy (reclame t pro hoc manerio mherhordiam
rtgit).
King William holds OFFELEI [Offley]. It
is assessed at 2 hides. There is land for 9
ploughs. Five sokemen held it T.R.E. and
they hold it now of king William. There
are 8 ploughs, and there could be a ninth.
There are 2 villeins and 17 bordars and 3
cottars and 3 serfs. Meadow is there suffi-
cient for i plough team, pasture sufficient for
the live stock, woodland to feed 120 swine,
and wood sufficient for the fences. Its total
value always has been 4 pounds and 4 shil-
lings. These same men held it of earl Harold
and could assign (dare) or sell. The soke
however always belonged to (jacuit in) Hiz
[Hitchin]. They found 2 ' averse ' and 2
' inward! ' (service of 2 loads, and 2 men for
the bodyguard).
In this same vill Edward of Periton
[Pirton] holds 3 virgates. There is land for
2 ploughs ; a half-plough is there, and there
could be another plough and half-plough.
There is i villein ; and wood sufficient for the
fences. Its value is 5 shillings ; when received
it was 6 shillings and 8 pence ; T.R.E. IO
shillings. Of this land Aluin, a man of
archbishop Stigand's, held half a hide, and a
man of earl Harold's, Abo by name, held i
virgate. These could assign (dare) or sell
their land, but its soke remained in Hiz [Hit-
chin],
In the other OFFELEI [Offley] i sokeman
holds i hide. There is land for 2 ploughs.
One plough is there, and therecould be another.
There are there I villein and i bordar and I
cottar ; and there is wood sufficient for
fencing. Its value has always been 26 shil-
fo. 133
lings and 8 pence. He who now holds it
held it T.R.E. of earl Harold and could sell.
The soke remained in Hiz [Hitchin]. He
rendered i 'avera' and i 'inward' (carrying
service of i load, and i man for bodyguard).
This sokeman and the 5 above of Offelei
Ilbert de Hertford attached to (apposuit in) Hiz
[Hitchin].
In WELLE [Well(bury)] * i sokeman holds
I hide. There is land for 5 ploughs. On
the demesne is i, and there could be 2 more.
hundred (court) attests.
King William holds WAVEDENE* [Wan-
don (End) in King's Walden]. It is assessed
at 3 virgates. There is land for 2 ploughs
and 6 oxen, and these are there, with 6 vil-
leins. There is woodland for 40 swine. This
land earl Harold held in his manor of Hiz
[Hitchin], and to this manor it now belongs
(jacet).
King William holds CERLETONE [Charlton] . 8
It is assessed at i virgate. There is land for
i plough, and this is there with 2 cottars, and
i mill worth 20 pence. Its value is and
always was 10 shillings. Two sokemen held
this land of earl Harold and could sell with-
out his leave. The soke was always in Hiz
[Hitchin]. Ilbert when he was sheriff added
it to Hiz.
King William holds DENESLAI [Temple
Dinsley]. It is assessed at 7 hides. There
is land for 20 ploughs. In the demesne are
3^ hides, and 3 ploughs are on it ; and 19
villeins have 8 ploughs between them, and
there could be 9 more. There are 7 bordars
and 7 cottars and 6 serfs and i Frenchman, a
King's almsman (e/emosinarius), there. There
are 2 mills worth 16 shillings, meadow suffi-
cient for i plough team, pasture sufficient for
the live stock of the vill, woodland to feed
300 swine. It pays in all yearly 14 pounds
assayed and weighed out, and 5 pounds by
tale. It paid the same sums T.R.E. and
when Peter the sheriff received it. Two
sokemen held this manor as 2 manors of earl
Harold T.R.E. and could sell. Yet they
each found 2 ' averse ' (carrying service of 2
loads) and 2 ' inwardi ' (men for bodyguard)
in Hiz [Hitchin] ; but (it was by) injustice
and by force, as the hundred (court) testifies.
These 2 manors Ilbert held as one, and he
was seized thereof by the King's ' brief for
as long as he was sheriff, as the shiremoot
(scyra) testifies. But after he ceased to be
sheriff Peter de Valongies and Ralf Tailge-
bosch took this manor from him and attached
1 See, for these services, Introduction, pp.
269-71.
* It is just possible that the Domesday scribe
mistook ' Waedene '
. < w f V W f /fS "i ^ and then There 4 bordars have I plough between them,
wrote the latter as ' Waredene (J.H.R.).
3 Alias Moremead manor.
4 In Offley. See Introduction, p. 297.
303
A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
and there could be another. Pasture is there
sufficient for the live stock of the vill ; wood
sufficient for the fences. Altogether it is
worth 26 shillings and 8 pence. When Peter
(the sheriff) received it it was worth 40
shillings ; T.R.E. 60 shillings. Leueva held
this land of earl Harold and could sell. Ilbert
attached it to his manor of Linleia [Lilley]
when he was sheriff. After he was deprived
Peter de ' Valonges ' and Ralf ' Talgebosc '
took it from him and attached it (posuerunt in)
to Hiz [Hitchin], as the whole shire-moot
(scyra) testifies. It did not belong there
T.R.E. nor did it render any dues.
In WELEI [ ?] * i sokeman holds i
hide. There is land for 2 ploughs, and the
ploughs are there. There are 2 villeins and
i bordar and 9 cottars. Meadow is there suffi-
cient for a half-plough team, pasture sufficient
for the live stock of the vill, and wood sufficient
for the fences. To this land belongs (adjacet)
a piece of woodland sufficient to feed 50 swine
which Osmund de Valbadon (Valle Bad/mis)
seized to the wrong of king William (invasit
super). It was in the soke of Hiz [Hitchin]
T.R.E., as the shire-moot (scyra) testifies. This
land is worth, as it was worth, 20 shillings ;
T.R.E. 30 shillings. Goduin, a man of earl
Harold's, held this land and could sell. Peter
the sheriff attached it to the ' firm ' in Hiz
[Hitchin], 8 to which it did not belong T.R.E.
nor did it render dues there. This land
Ilbert had given to a knight (miles) of his
when he was sheriff; and as regards it Geoffrey
de Bech claims the King's mercy (reclamat
misericordiam regis). 3
In WILEI [ ] 4 i sokeman holds
half a hide. There is land for i plough, and
a plough is there with i cottar. Wood is there
(sufficient) for the fences. It is worth 10
shillings ; when received it was worth 5 ;
T.R.E. it was worth 1 6 shillings. Edmund,
a man of earl Harold's, held this land and
could sell, but the soke remained in Hiz
[Hitchin]. It finds I 'avera' (carrying service
of i load).
In FLESMERE [Flexmere ?] i sokeman holds
1 See Introduction, p. 297.
8 ' Posuit in Hiz ad firmam.' The meaning
seems to be that he threw it into the Hitchin
group of manors which was ' farmed ' as a whole
(J.H.R.).
8 Geoffrey de Bech had succeeded to Ilbert's
fief (J.H.R.).
4 See Introduction, p. 297.
a half-virgate. There is land for a half-plough,
and this is there and 4 cottars. Pasture is
there sufficient for the live stock, and woodland
to feed 5 swine. It is and was worth 40
pence ; T.R.E. 60 pence. He who now
holds it held it T.R.E. ; (he was) a man of
earl Harold's, and could sell. It rendered I
'avera' in Hiz [Hitchin].
In LEGLEGA [? Ley Green] 5 3 sokemen hold
i virgate. There is land for i plough and a
half- plough, and these are there with 4
bordars. Woodland is there to feed 40
swine. It is worth, and always was, 26 shil-
lings and 8 pence. Three men of earl Algar's
held this land. They could not sell it to
separate it from (vendere extra) Hiz [Hitchin].
In HEGESTANESTONE [Hexton] i sokeman
of the King's holds i virgate. There is land
for a half-plough, and this is there and i
villein. It is and was worth 20 pen 
