Natural History Museum Library S 1 ih-' &. " LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY A\ > \5\ &// A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA Compiled by DOUGLAS H. KENT and J. EDWARD LOUSLEY 1951-57 Supplement to London Naturalist , 30-36 Printed for the Society by T. BUNCLE & Co. Ltd., Market Place, Arbroath, Angus ERRATA p- 16, line 19 : p. 17, line 4 up : p- 24, line 7 up : p- 51, line 1 p. 69, line 20 p- 71, line 17 p. 134, line 18 up : p- 153, line 6 ; line 7 : p- 179, line 12 up : p. 206, line 1 up : p. 207, line 1 • p. 208 ; p. 259, line 10 up : p. 265, line 8 ; p. 290, line 20 up : p- 303, line 7 ; line 13 up : p- 313, line 1 up : For aubretia read aubrieta. For Gilib. read Usteri. After Alien add Europe, including parts of Britain. Delete O. floribunda Lehm. For purpura scens read subpurpurascens. After Green Street Green add near Farnborough : H.M.P. Before Bombed sites add V.-c. 21. For 21 read 20. Before Hackney add V.-c. 21. Delete casual. After at add Hone; F. R. Mount’s Wood, Swans- combe, 1952 : H.M.P. Before little add V.-c. 17. Delete line 1. For cieodendron read calodendron. For A.P.S. read A.E.E. For S. caricis read Scirpus caricis. For Esher read Ewell. For C. E. Hubbard read F. T. Hubbard. For L.H.B. read L.B.H. DATES OF PUBLICATION Part 1, pp. 1- 40, December 1951 2, pp. 41-112, June 1952 3, pp. 113-168, June 1953 4, pp. 169-228, June 1954 5, pp. 229-276, June 1955 6, pp. 277-316, June 1956 7, pp. 317-368, June 1957 In this work there are represented 130 families, 651 genera, 1835 species (including 260 microspecies of Capsella, Viola, Bubus and Hiera- cium), 19 subspecies, 268 varieties, 33 forms and 113 hybrids. The records and determinations have been contributed by 392 helpers. CONTENTS PAGES Peep ace ,.. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... v-vi History of the Botanical Records of the London Natural History Society ... ... ... ... ... ... vi-viii Plan of the Hand List ... ... ... ... ... ... ix Index to Recorders’ Names . . ... ix-xi References ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... xi-xii A Hand List of the Plants of the London Area ... ... 1-333 Supplement . 334-360 Index to Recorders’ Names ... ... ... ... ... 361-364 Index to Genera 365-368 f PRESENTEC^7®7 .1 JUL 1955 LONDON NATURALIST c&he Journal of THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1954 tHp. 34 PRICE 7s 6d, OR COMPLETE WITH THE LONDON BIRD REPORT, 11s. PUBLISHED BY THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. DATE OF PUBLICATION, JUNE 1955. LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Founded 1858. Honorary President: Prof. H. MTJNRO FOX, F.R.S. Honorary Vice-Presidents: S. AUSTIN, F.Z.S. H. J. BURKILL, M.A., F.R.G.S. E. A. COCKAYNE, M.A., D.M., F.R.C.P., F.R.E.S. OLIVER G. PIKE, F.Z.S. , Hon. F.R.P.S., F.I.B.P. J. ROSS. L. J. TREMAYNE. Officers for 1954. President: J. H. G. PETERKEN, F.L.S. Vice-Presidents: W. C. COCKSEDGE. C. L. COLLENETTE, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S. J. B. FOSTER, B.A. Miss C. E. LONGFIELD, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Treasurer: L. PARMENTER. Assistant Treasurer: Mrs. SMALL, 13 Woodfield Crescent, W.5. Librarian: R. W. HALE. Curator: D. H. KENT. Secretaries: General— H. A. TOOMBS, Dept, of Geology, British Museum (Natural History), S.W.7. Assistant Secretary: Mrs. SMALL. Minuting — Miss M. E. KENNEDY. Programme — Miss R. H. GRIFFITHS. Nature Conservation — C. P. CASTELL, B.Sc. Publications (and Editor) — R. M. PAYNE. Schools Liaison — Miss H. FRANKS. Chingford Branch — Miss M. KING. S.W. Middx. Group— E. EVERITT. Members of Council: C. B. Ashby, M.B.O.U., E. B. Bangerter, R. E. Butler, B.Sc., P. W. E. Currie, F.R.E.S., R. C. Homes, M.B.O.U., W. D. Melluish, M.B.O.U., A. V. Pettit, G. R. A. Short, F.L.S. Lanternist: H. W. PAYTON. The Society is affiliated to the British Association for the Advancement of Science; the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies; the Com¬ mons, Open Spaces, and Footpaths Preservation Society; the British Ecological Society; the British Trust for Ornithology; the Pedestrians’ Association ; the Ray Society ; and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. THE LONDON NATURALIST No. 34 for the year 1954. Contents. PAGE Editorial Botanical Records for 1954 — J. E. Lousley ... 'Some Insect Inhabitants of the Knapweeds- — M. Niblett Nature Conservation in the .London Area : Report on the Activi¬ ties of the Nature Conservancy — 0. E. Balnie and W. A. Macfadyen ... ... ... ••• ••• • •• Brimstone Butterfly at Cripplegate — P. E. Smart ... The Survey of Bookliam Common: Thirteenth Year: — Progress Report The Bomb-Crater Ponds of Bookliam Common — C. I’. Castell The Beetles of the Gun-Pits— L. G. Payne, ed. C. P. Castell The Fresli-Water Mollusca of the Bomb-Craters and Gun- Pits on Bookliam Common — 1 C. J. F. Bensley A Preliminary List of the Macro-Lepidoptera of Bookliam Common — A. S. Wheeler ... Mr. Pepys Dines — AA . C'. Cocksedge Cranford Park Survey An Exposure of Chalk Rock near A esterham, Kent- J. S. Hampton Additions to the London Clay Fauna of Oxshott, Surrey— M. M. Brown and C. P. Castell . The Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of Woolwich and Surrounding Localities — R. G. Rigden The Butterflies of the North-West Kent Marshes, with special reference to the 1953 Floods — J. F. Burton ... The Alien Polygonums of the London Area — E. B. Bangerter and B. Welch ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• The Moths of London and its Surroundings — C. G. M. de Worms Notes on the Butterflies of Wimbledon Common — A. W. Jones ... The Flies of the London Area: IT Culicidae, Sub-Family Culicinae (Mosquitoes) — E. R. Nye . The Climate, 1954 — H. Hawkins Some Aspects of Dispersal and Succession of Plants in some Epping Forest Ponds — C. H. Selby ... ... The Flora of the Golf Course on Wimbledon Common — A. W. Jones Post War Progress in Nature Conservation: Correction and Additions The Bryophytes of Boxliill — E. C. AY allace . City Bombed Sites Survey : — Progress Report Drone-fly Visitors to the Flowers on the City Bombed Sites — A. AA7. Jones Books ... ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• Obituaries: Airs. R. F. Dallas, F. G. Dell, A. B. Hornblower ... Statement of Accounts Official Reports for 1954 . Sectional Reports Additions to List of Members Supplement : A Hand List of the Plants of the London Area. 2 2 7 10 12 13 16 21 22 28 37 42 43 46 48 54 60 66 108 114 126 128 141 145 147 153 154 157 162 166 168 175 184 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Editorial. WE gratefully acknowledge tlie receipt through the Royal Society of a grant of £26 from the Scientific Publications Grant-in-aid towards the cost of publishing the papers by Mr. Parmenter and Mr. Jones in the London Naturalist, No. 33. It is sad that we have had to lose in the same year two men whose stalwart services to the Society have perhaps been unequalled in its wdiole history. The genial A. B. Hornblower exercised a strong influence on the affairs of the Society for many years up to the outbreak of the Second World War, and though ill-health had forced him into complete retirement in 1945 lie still followed our fortunes with keen interest. F. G. Dell’s activity had perhaps always been of a less conspicuous nature but even after he relinquished the office of Treasurer which he had held for an incredibly long period covering a third of a century he retained an active interest in the financial progress of the Society, and continued to attend Council meetings until within a few weeks of his death. Attention is drawn elsewhere in this issue to the facilities now available to members at Eccleston Square. We should like to make a plea for more members to make use of these facilities. The Society’s library and a wide range of collections embracing the whole field of natural history can now be consulted (and books borrowed) in much more comfortable and spacious conditions than we have had before. In this connection members will see on page 162 a complete list of books that have been added to the library during 1954. It is hoped to make this a permanent feature of the London Naturalist . We are again indebted to the Nature Conservancy, and in particular to Dr. Macfadyen and Miss Balme, for the report of the Con¬ servancy’s activities in our area which appears in this issue. We have been asked to draw the attention of members to the functions of the Society for Visiting Scientists, which seeks to be a focus for scientists visiting the United Kingdom and to put them into touch with British scientists. Details of the facilities provided by the Society may be obtained from Mrs. Small. Botanical Records for 1954. Compiled by J. Edward Lousley. ^T is many years since conditions in the London Area have been as unfavourable as they were in 1954. Gardeners, whose plants in general thrive under the same weather as wild species, claim that they have to go back for half a century to find a year when there was so much frustration and disappointment. Botanists had a very similar experience. BOTANICAL RECORDS FOR 1954. During April there was a long drought and cold winds, which retarded growth so that spring flowers were late and often poor. May and June provided a few fairly nice days but the general pattern of sunless, cold and rainy weather was set for the rest of the season. July and August were very wet and it was not until September and October that it was possible to botanise under slightly more comfortable con¬ ditions. With so much to contend with it is surprising that so many records, including a number of exceptional interest, have been con¬ tributed. Paradoxically, 1954 proved the best year we have had, and much useful work was done in investigating parts of our Area for which previous information was very deficient. Only a small selection of records of special interest can be mentioned here, but others will be included in the Hand-List. V.-c. 16, West Kent. We are now able to report the occurrence of the very rare monkey orchid, Orchis simia L., in the London Area. In 1951 the Reverend A. E. Elder noticed the leaves of an orchid in rough mowing grass on chalk south of Shoreham. This plant flowered in 1952 and 1953, and was identified by Mr. V. S. Summerhayes of Kew. It flowered again in 1954 and, when Dr. Rose, Mrs. Welch and I saw it in June, was some 40 cm. tall with a spike of 25 flowers — far finer than any plants L have seen in the Oxfordshire locality where it is now almost extinct. Another interesting record from Kent is that for Fritillaria ineleagris L. from a damp copse at Chislehurst. It was first noticed here by John Holloway about 1944 and, although trampling by cows has considerably reduced the number of flowers, some were seen in 1954. F. Rose and F. S. E. Fawkes found Orchis pardalina Pugsl. and Eleocliaris uniglumis (Link.) Schultes m a wet riverside meadow north of Shoreham, and the latter discovered Dianthus deltoides L. in a disused Ragstone quarry south of Chipstead in 1953, and showed it to Rose in 1954. An important extension of range of the alien Artemisia verlotorum Lamotte was the discovery of this, confirmed by D. H. Kent, from waste ground at Erith by P. C. and J. Hall. With F. Rose they also found a single plant of Centunculus minimus L. on a wet track in Joyden’s Wood — this species was previously recorded only from Book- ham Common. Sisymbrium loeselii L. is widespread in the London Area, and the many long stiff hairs on the stem are one of its important diagnostic characters (see London Nat., 31, 13-17, 1952). The existence of a completely glabrous form is therefore likely to complicate the task of identification. This was found by T. B. Ryves on waste ground at Woolwich Common and determined by N. Y. Sandwith. G. M. Brown found Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. at Abbey Wood, and F. R. Brown¬ ing added Hieracium subamplifolium (Zahn) Roffey to our list, from railway banks between St. Mary Cray and Swanley Junction, both sides of Shoreham, and between Shoreham and Otforcl. The usual careful list from the Dartford district has been contributed bv H. M. Pratt, and F. Rose has given us great help in investigating the outer suburbs and estates not previously searched. In a wood south of Crofton Church he found two plants of Car ex strigosa Huds., 4 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. and ten more in Petts Wood. The plants he saw in Scadbury Park include Dryopteris borreri Newman, and he sent a useful list from Holwood Park which included Convallaria majalis L. This species he also saw in the private estate (“Ravensbourne”) north of Keston Com¬ mon Ponds with F. and Miss C. Swain. Here Osmunda regalis L. is very abundant (probably in part, at least, planted), and the following also occur: — Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth, Athyrium filix-foemina (L.) Roth, Polystichum setiferum (Forsk.) Woynar, Polypodium vulgare L., Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott, D. spinulosa (Muell.) Watt, D. aus- triaca (Jacq.) Woynar, Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Buscus aculeatus L. V.-c. 17, Surrey. One of the most surprising Surrey records is that of Th elypter is robertianum (Hoffm.) Slosson by J. P. M Brenan from a wall at Kew Gardens Station where it grows with other ferns. This calcicole fern is new to the London Area but it grows elseAvhere, in Bedfordshire for example, in the mortar of railway walls. Miss B. M. C. Morgan found Prunella laciniata L. plentiful on a down near Pebblecombe Hill, and with Mrs. B. Welch and others at a meeting of the Wild Flower Society she found Sdene dichotoma Elirli. in several fields in the Cliipstead Valley (and also near Hooley), and Bupleurum protractum H. & L. (B. laiicifolium Hornem), Centaurea diluta Ait. and Taeniothervm asperum (Simk.) Nevski (det. A. Melderis) near Cliipstead Station. In July I went to see these plants with H. Britten and D. McClintock and we found Cardans tenmflorus Curt, in a lucerne field near Dene Farm. H. Britten reports Cymnadenia conopsea (L.) R.Br. x Orchis fuchsii Druce from a bank near Farthing Downs. In June he sent me Bum ex confertus Willd. from a rough field near Old Coulsdon. Here he had known it for at least 12 years and it has survived ploughing. This dock is a native of Siberia and Mid- and S. Russia to the Caucasus, Crimea and Galicia, and the only previous British record is from brickfields near Oxford, where it may be an outcast from the Botanic Garden (B.E.C. Pep., 12, 149, 1939). At Old Coulsdon there is also a hybrid between this species and B. obtusifolius L. ssp. agrestis (Fries) Danser, and another with either B. crispus L. or B. sanguineus L. Both are probably new to science and are the subject of further study. On the Botanical Section visit to Ham Pits, Beseda alba L. and Leonurus cardiaca L. were shown to members by R. A. Boniface and a fine patch of Onopordon acanthi urn L. was found. E. W. Groves found that lovely and decreasing cornfield weed, the corncockle, Agrostemma githago L., locally plentiful in barley at Grove Lane, Carshalton. In last year’s report (L.X., 33, 52, 1954) attention was drawn to a colony of Lilium martagon L. under the river-cliff at Box Hill. W. H. Spread- bury tells me that it has been known to him here for some years and is associated with species which are undoubtedly planted so that the station is unlikely to be a natural one. V.-c. 18, South Essex. A very useful list of the species occurring at Curtis Mill Green has been contributed by B. T. Ward. This includes Carex distans L., which BOTANICAL RECORDS FOR 1954. O is an addition to our list for the London Area. In August, I examined Ripple Level and the banks of the Thames from Samuel Williams’ Wharf near Dagenham Dock to the Electric Power Station near Creek- mouth. Here there are three small salt-marshes in which Plant agn maritima L., Glau-x maritima L., Spergularia salinci J. & C. Presl, and Aster tripolium L. are abundant, and Beta maritima L., Triglochin maritima L., J uncus gerardi Lois., and Cockle aria anglica L. also occur. Behind the river-wall there is a large patch of Car ex divisa Huds., and also Puccinellia distans (L.) Pari, and P. pseudodistans (Crep.) Jans. & Wacht. Although a mile farther from London than the small saltmarsh at Creekmouth examined in 1951 (L.X., 31, 11-12, 1952) these new marshes have several maritime plants not observed there Interesting plants observed the same day, or on a later visit with B. T. TV ard and J. C. Codrington, by the ditches on Ripple Level include Rum ex palustris Sm., Atropa belladonna L., and Chenopodium vulvaria L. Sisymbrium loeselii L. occurs in quantity by roadsides here and in the district, but the most surprising feature was the great abundance of Hirschfeldia iricaria (L.) Lagreze-Fossat. This species is a native of the Mediterranean region, which has long been thoroughly established in the Channel Isles, Sussex and Kent. At Ripple Level it now occurs over about a square mile, by roadsides, tracks and dykes, and it is likely to spread rapidly. I also collected this at Creekmouth in 1951. The Barking rubbish-tip which proved so productive in 1953 (L.N., 33, 52-53, 1954) has become overgrown. A few of the interesting plants persisted but the only new ones I coidd find were Vicia dasycarpa Ten. and Xanthium strumarium L. From seed collected there in 1953, D. P. Toung grew several vetches in his garden, including Vicia monantha Retz ssp. triflora (Ten.) Burtt & Lewis. V.-c. 20, Herts. Among the very few outstanding displays of wild flowers reported in this inclement season was a fine show of cornflower, Centaur ea cyanus L Near Old Parkbury, London Colney, Professor E. H. Warmington found a large field of wheat “beautifully spangled” by the flowers of this species, while about half an acre of fallow nearby was “blue with it”. V.-c. 21, Middlesex. The records contributed this year have again demonstrated how much is still to be found in the centre of London. H. C. Holme com¬ piled a. list of over 200 species from an area of Regents Park — these included Anagallis foemina Mill, (confirmed by D. H. Kent). D McClintock sent a list of 49 species from Eaton Square, S.W.l — includ¬ ing Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv., Viola arvensis Murr. and Vicia hirsuta (L.) S. E. Gray. By St. Peter’s Church, Hobart Place, S.W.l, he found Juncus tenuis Willd. On a bombed site in Upper Thames Street, E.C., with R. Graham and myself, he found Poa palustris L. which was later seen in quantity. At the same place Mrs. B. H. S. Russell found a plant of Ammi barely in flower. It was probably 6 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. A. majus, but unfortunately someone removed the plant before it had matured sufficiently for certain identification. By the Long Water, Hampton Court, Mrs. B. Welch found a large well established patch of Cyperus longus L. Galingale is commonly grown in aquatic gardens and it is impossible to say whether it arrived by natural means or has been planted. Middlesex rubbish-tips produced a number of interesting plants in the autumn. Hirschfeldia incana was found by Mrs. Welch in quantity scattered about the cindery top of the Hounslow Heath tip, and a single large plant was recorded by T. G. & G. W. Collett from Hanwell tip. There are therefore at least three foci in our Area from which this aggressive species may spread. In the gravel pit near Hounslow Heath tip Mrs. Welch found a single plant of Ttumex trigranulivalvis (Danser) Rech. fil . , and a considerable quantity of Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam. which is particularly interesting as Mrs. D. Bennett found it nearby in 1953. Greenford rubbish-tip was the habitat of a remarkable addition to the Middlesex list of maritime species! Over a small area R. A. Boniface & D. H. Kent found at least 20 plants of Salicornia ramosis- sima Woods — most of which were larger than the usual size of the species near the sea. On the same tip Mrs. Welch found Polygonum pulchellum Lois, and Atriplex hortensis L. Centaurea diluta Ait. was plentiful (D. H. Kent also found it at Hanwell) and there was one plant of Datura ferox L. growing with many plants of D. stramonium L. On Hanwell tip Mrs. L. M. P. Small found a large patch of Phalaris paradoxa L. (determined by Dr. Melderis), while at New Year’s Green, T. G. & M. Collett found a single plant of Adonis autumnalis L. Although they are not mentioned in these notes we received a few records during the year from the small parts of v.-c. 19, North Essex, and v.-c. 24, Bucks., which come within the London Area. These still remain the “weak spots” in our recording and it is hoped that members will do their best to send us records from these vice-counties. Grasses and sedges have also received less attention than they deserve and records of these, as well as ferns, will be particularly welcome for incorporation in the manuscript of the remaining parts of the Hand- List. We are very grateful to the following for their help in contributing records during 1954: — G. 0. Allen, Mrs. D. Ayland, E. B. Bangerter, Mrs. D. Bennett, R. A. Boniface, J. P. M. Brenan, H. Britten, G. M. Brown, F. R. Browning, Miss W. F. Buckle, Roger Clark, G. W., T. G. & M. Collett, A. W. Exell, J. Farend, P. Greenfield, E. W. Groves, P C. Hall and Mrs J. Hall, R. M. Harley, John Holloway, H. C. Holme, Miss E. M. C. Isherwood, D. H. Kent, N. L. Kimmins, W. N. Lawfield, D. McClintock, Dr. A. Melderis, Miss B. M. C. Morgan, H. M. Pratt, Dr. F. Rose, T. B. Ryves, N. Y. Sandwith, Miss M. A. R. S. Scholey, Mrs. L. M. P. Small, W. H. Spreadbury, F. Swain and Miss C Swain, B. T. Ward, Prof. E. H. Warmington, Mrs. B. Welch, Dr. C. West, and Dr. D. P. Young. SOME INSECT INHABITANTS OF THE KNAPWEEDS. Some Insect Inhabitants of the Knapweeds ( Centaurea spp.) By M. Niblett, F.R.E.S. Jj^OR a number of years while investigating the biology of various insects whose larvae inhabit plants, I have studied those of which Knapweeds were their host-plants. I have collected together notes on these, hoping they may prove of some interest. The species of Knap¬ weeds under consideration are the Large Knapweed ( Centaurea scctbiosa L.i and the Black Knapweed (C. nigra L.). The larvae of the various insects affecting them feed in the flowers, leaves, and stems, and in that order I propose to deal with them. Flowers. A number of species of Diptera (mainly Trypetidae) have their larvae feeding in the flower-heads. Ceriocera cornuta F. is a species whose larvae inhabit the flowers of Centaurea scabwsa where they pupate as a rule; I have had at times some larvae leave the heads and pupate in the earth. The main emerg¬ ence is in June and July of the second year, with occasionally a few flies from the same brood emerging in September of the first year. I have rarely found the larvae in any numbers. Chaetorellia jaceae R.D. is a species I have as yet failed to find my¬ self. During the past 25 years I have collected about 2500 flower-heads of Centaurea nigra in which the larvae feed and pupate; these were collected in 27 different localities but failed to provide a single speci¬ men of jaceae. Chaetorellia loricata Rond, whose larvae inhabit the flower-heads of Centaurea scabiosa, where they pupate, is a double-brooded species; flies from the overwintering larvae emerge in June, and those from the following brood in July and August. There are few records of this species, and the food-plant of its larvae was unknown until I bred the fly in 1S49. It was first described by Loew in 1862 as a dark variety of Trypeta jaceae R.D. and was raised to specific rank by Rondani in 1870. During the past few years I have collected 1450 flower-heads of C. scabiosa from 15 localities in Surrey, and four of these (Denbies, Epsom Downs, Headley, and Mickleham Downs) have each provided a few specimens of the flies. Chaetostomella onotrophes Lw. whose larvae are usually plentiful in the flower-heads of C. nigra is also a double-brooded species, early July larvae yielding the flies in that month or in early August, while flies from later larvae emerge in May and June of the following year. Trypeta ( Orellia ) colon Mg., whose larvae form dense cocoons of pappus hairs, are usually plentiful in the flowers of C. scabiosa , where they pupate. This is a double-brooded species : from larvae collected in July the flies emerged later in that month and in early August; from all larvae collected from August onwards, the flies came out in the fol- 8 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. lowing May, June, and July. There is also at times a retarded emerg¬ ence, some flies emerging in July and August of the first year and the remainder in the following June. Urophora cuspidata Mg. whose larvae cause galls in flower-heads of C. scabiosa is a scarce species. I have had the galls from Cambridge¬ shire and Sussex but there are few published records. The larvae pupate in the galls and the flies emerge in June and July of the- second year. Urophora jaceana _ Her. is another gall-causing species, in this case C. nigra being the host-plant. The hard woody galls are to be found usually in some numbers in the flower-heads from late summer onwards wherever the plant grows. The larvae pupate in the galls, the flies emerging from May to August of the second year with the majority coming out in June and July. Urophora quadrifasciata Mg. has been classed as a gall-causer but with this I cannot agree. The larvae live in the achenes of C. nigra which swell as they grow, the thin skin sometimes bursting when the larvae are fully fed and allowing them to fall out into the flower-head where they pupate. This species is definitely double-brooded : I have found pupae in flower-heads early in July, from which flies emerged later in the month or in early August: from larvae collected in August or later the flies emerged in May, June, and July of the following year. With this species there is not infrequently a retarded emergence, a portion of a brood emerging in July and August of the first year, and the remainder coming out in May and June of the year following. The larvae of the Pallopterid fly Pall opt era paralella Mg. may some¬ times be found in the flower-heads of C. scabiosa during August and September; these they leave to pupate in the earth, the flies emerging in the following May and June. The involucral bracts of C. scabiosa are often caused to swell con¬ siderably by the larvae of the gall-wasp Isocolus rogenhoferi Wachtl. This species has at times retarded emergences, a fact which I did not discover until I had bred it for nine years, some of the insects coming out in August and September of the first year, and the remainder in July and August of the second; at other times all the emergences were in June and July of the second year. It is not an uncommon species but may be easily overlooked. Isocolus jaceae Schck. larvae live in the achenes of C. nigra, which become rather swollen. They may be found in late summer and autumn, the gall-wasps emerging in June and July of the following year. It is considered to be a scarce species but T have bred about a hundred from 12 localities during the past 23 years, from the numerous flower-heads collected during that period. There are several species of Cecidomyiidae whose larvae live in the flower-heads of hoth C. nigra and C. scabiosa, apparently feeding on the seeds. There are a number of species of Lepidoptera whose larvae feed in the flowers, stems, and roots, or on the leaves; those of Eucosma scopo- liana Haw. and Metzneria metzneriella Staint. occur in flower-heads of SOME INSECT INHABITANTS 01 THE KNAPWEEDS. 9 C. nigra, and Eucosma fulvana Steph. in those of C. scabiosa. These larvae are at times a nuisance as they lute through anything that comes in their way, including galls and larvae or pupae of other insects that may be in the flower-heads. Leaves . The Cynipid Aylax fitchi Kieff. causes a swelling on the petiole or mid-rib of the leaves of C. scabiosa, but there are very few records of this gall. I have found it in August and September in three localities in Surrey, but have failed to breed the insect. I do not think the gall- wasp has been bred here since Fitch had it in 1879. On the leaves of both C. nigra and 0. scabiosa may be found the yellowish pustular galls of the Gall Midge Loewiola centuureae Lw., but it appears to show a preference for the latter plant, it is not un¬ common and the larvae leave the galls to pupate in the earth. I have found the galls from June to August, the earlier ones being undoubtedly produced by flies from over-wintering larvae; I have had the midges emerge in July from June larvae, so there is the probability of there being at least two broods in a year. Stems. The Gall Wasp Isocolus scabiosac Gir. is responsible for swellings on the stems of C. scabiosa, usually low down; these should be searched for in the late summer or autumn but are rather local in their occurrence. The Cynipids emerge in July of the second year. Another Cynipid Phanacis centaureae Forst. is to be found in the stems of both C. nigra and C. scabiosa ; there is no visible outward sign of its presence, but if the stems are split, numerous cells with hardened walls surrounding them will be seen. In these the larvae pupate, the gall-wasps emerging from May to July of the second year. The larvae of the Trypetid fly Ceriocera microceras Her. are to be found in the stems of C. scabiosa ; here again there is no outward sign of their presence ; they feed on the pith and pupate in the stems, the flies emerging in July of the second year. One or more species of Agromyzid flies have larvae which feed and pupate in the stems of both species of Knapweed, the flies emerging in May and June of the second year. T have bred the Sawfly Emphytus calceatus from a stem of C. nigra. T have been given to understand that the larva of this species feeds on various Rosaceous plants, boring into the stems to pupate. It emerged in May from a stem of the previous year. Parasites. The larvae of practically all the insects mentioned are frequently attacked by the larvae of Chalcids of various genera: Evrytoma, Habro- cytus , Pteromalus, Torymus, etc. The larvae of the Agromyzids are sometimes attacked by parasitic Cynipids of the genus T)iglypJiosema , and sometimes by Braconids or Chalcids. 10 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. The lepidopterous larvae are frequently attacked by Ichneumons. I have bred Glypta dentifera Thoms, from a larva of Eucosma fulvana, the parasite emerging in July of the second year. I have made no mention of the Coleoptera or Hemiptera to be found on the Knapweeds, since I know little of these and have given them little attention. Nature Conservation in the London Area. * Report on the Activities of the Nature Conservancy, 1954. By Miss O. E. Balme, M.Sc., recently Begional Officer for S.E. England, and W. A. Macfadyen, M.C., Sc.D., Geologist. TTNDER a recent re-arrangement, responsibility for Regional Officer duties in connection with sites in the London area is now under¬ taken by Headquarters and all enquiries should be addressed to the Administrative Secretary, The Nature Conservancy, 19 Belgrave Square, London, S.W.l. PROPOSED NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE. Wormley Wood, Herts. M.R. 52/3206. Mr. Bird’s ecological survey was completed during the year and Ins report on the vegetation, geology and soils will be invaluable. GEOLOGICAL RESERVE. Swanscombe Skull Site, Kent. M.R. 51/598743. Just over five acres of this internationally famous site were gene¬ rously presented to the Nature Conservancy for the Nation by the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd. The site was formally Declared a Nature Reserve on 9th March 1954. During the year the Reserve has been fenced and a part time War¬ den was appointed from 1st January 1955 (Mr. A. W. Down, 36 Craylands Lane, Swanscombe). There is still much to be done in educating and informing local opinion on the importance of this site and the need for respecting it and keeping it in good condition. This part of the old Barnfield gravel pit exposes a classic section of the Boyn Hill (100 ft.) Terrace of the Lower Thames. A Witness Section to show the whole succession is projected, but this will be a difficult and expensive matter. It will require experiment to obtain a satisfactory result, since some of the 40 feet thickness of the gravels, sands, and loams proved too incoherent to stand without artificial consolidation. The deposits have yielded abundant fossil remains, of elephants, lion, rhinoceros, deer, bison and horse; extinct voles, mice and a lem¬ ming; land snails; freshwater snails and bivalves; and since the 1880s the site has yielded thousands of flint hand-axes of the people of the Old Stone Age. All these finds enable scientists to study the culture and assess the environment of the folk who then lived here. NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE LONDON AREA. 11 In 1935-36 Mr. Alvan T. Marston discovered parts of a human skull in the gravels. This is the one undoubted braincase of an Acheulian hand-axe maker that is known ; it is probably that of a woman in her twenties. It is dated to the Second or Great Inter-Glacial period of the Ice Age, at least 100,000 years ago, some estimates ranging to nearly 300,000 years. The skull, the oldest known in Europe, with cer¬ tain of the artifacts and other fossils, are now preserved in the British Museum (Natural History). The Reserve includes much unworked gravel available for future research. PROPOSED LOCAL NATURE RESERVE. Ruislip Reservoir, Middlesex. M.R. 51/0990. The Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council have fenced one side of this Reserve, and it is hoped that fencing will be completed during the next two years. The Conservancy are advising the Council and the Ruislip Natural History Society on problems of management in the Reserve. SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. HERTFORDSHIRE. Lees Wood and Jacott’s Hill. M.R. 51/0897. The owners of the site, Watford Borough Council, were in¬ formed of the scientific interest, and replied with a full account of the threat by the new trunk road which is sited through Whip- pendell Woods. The Borough Council are opposing this proposal and have received strong support. The matter was raised at the recent public inquiry into the County Development Plan. The Town Clerk informed the Conservancy that no definite decision has been reached hut that, should the road be constructed through Whippendell Woods, no access will he allowed from it. KENT. Joyden’s Wood. M.R. 51/5071. A further application for building was referred to the Con¬ servancy in December 1954. Fortunately, this did not affect the area of botanical interest and the Conservancy raised no objec¬ tions although they expressed concern for the future of these woodlands which are continually threatened by peripheral development. Perry Street Section, Crayeord. M.R. 51/517760. After some difficulties in finding a site alternative to Norris’s Pit, the section in which will be eventually obliterated by road widening, the above section was suggested by the Crayford Urbar« District Council. Inspection showed that there is a good ex¬ posure of the Crayford Brickearth in a 30 ft. cliff between the roadside wall and an arable field occupying the bottom of the old pit. It includes the Corbicula Bed, which quickly yielded seve¬ ral specimens of this shell. This site will therefore be formally 12 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. notified as a S.S.S.I. with the next batch of the Conservancy’s amendments. MIDDLESEX. Harefield Pit. M.R. 51/050898. In view of the proposed use of this pit as a rubbish tip, the geologist visited it on 15th March, 1954, with a representative of the owners. The importance of the geological section was ex¬ plained to him, and he willingly undertook that his firm would leave a few feet of the Chalk cliff exposed on the north side of the pit, so that the bored Chalk platform would remain visible, together with the whole of the overlying section of the Tertiaries. When tipping was completed the surface of rubbish would be levelled down, grassed over, and, it seems, left as an open space. The geological interest of the pit should thus be satisfactorily safeguarded. The small pit further to the north-west which is of botanical and faunal interest, remains in jeopardy, but it is understood that it will not be touched before the other and very much larger pits have been filled. Some years of grace at least should there¬ fore still be left. SURREY. Reigate Heath. M.R. 51/2350. Miss Morgan, a member of the Botanical Society of the British Isles, has prepared an interesting botanical report on this site. The regional officer visited the area with Miss Morgan, who was concerned about the Council’s activity in draining and gener¬ ally “tidying up” the Common. In reply to a letter from the Regional Officer, the Town Clerk assured the Conservancy that “no major clearance” had been carried out during the past four years and that no work which would alter the sc:entific interest was envisaged. Brimstone Butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni L. at Cripplegate. i'XNE butterfly unrecorded previously on the bombed sites and not included in Mr. D. F. Owen’s papers, “The Lepidoptera of Cripplegate”, Lond. Nat., 31 : 84-88 (1952), “Bombed Site Lepi¬ doptera”, 'Entomologist , 84: 265-272 (1951) and “The Macrolepidoptera of the Moorgate, London, Bombed Sites”, Entomologist, 82: 59-62 (1949), is the Brimstone butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni L. In May, 1951, while collecting adult Callimorpha jacohaeae L. Cin¬ nabar moths for breeding I saw and endeavoured to capture a female specimen of this insect. It was first seen when settled barely a yard from me. P. E. Smart, THE SURVEY OT ll()OKTl.\M COMMON. 1:5 The Survey of Bookham Common. THIRTEENTH YEAR. Progress Report. Vegetation. (Report by E. B. Bangerter). A study of the flora of a pathside in Eastern Wood was begun early in the year but this was interrupted by felling operations and the obliteration of a large part of the path selected. Collecting specimens, for a voucher herbarium to substantiate records in the Flora of the Common published last year, was also undertaken and about 250 gather¬ ings have been made; these will be mounted by Mr. and Mrs. Hall and subsequently handed over to the Society’s herbarium and it is hoped to add further material next season. Additional area records to those in the Flora have been made during the collecting excursions and are available for publication later. (Report by C. P. Castell and A. W. Jones). A series of deturfed areas in Central Plain and a small one near Bayfield Pond have been kept under periodic observation. Other investigations included : the flora of anthills in area S; the vegetation of a short turf area and an area formerly over-run by chickens near Bank Cottage; and cleared woodland areas N.E. of Isle of Wight Pond and in Hill House Wood. Notes were made on the flora of some of the ponds and it was noticed that, in May and June, Sheepbell Pond was completely covered with a dense mass of the liverwort liiccui sp., a plant not previously observed on the common. Mr. A. C. Crundwell of Glasgow University informs us that the plant is a sterile species of Biccia, recently seen in other natural habitats in southern England, but not yet described or named. Several visits were devoted to the study of Eastern Plain and the Gun-pits. Fungi. (Report by Mrs. M. F. Ward, formerly Miss Hancock). A few more aquatic hyphomycetes have been studied and identified since last year; in addition to those1 already recorded, Clavariopsis aquatica De Wild., Flagellospora curvula Ingold, Lem rnoniera aquatica De Wild., Lu/nulospora curvula Ingold and Margaritispora aquatica Ingold have been found. Mr. E. B. Bangerter and Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Hall have very kindly collected all t lie leaves this season from many of the ditches and streams, but it seems that the running water of the Isle of Wight Ditch is the only suitable habitat in the area. As the host leaves have been almost completely skeletonized, it has not been possible to identify them with any certainty. (Report by C. P. Castell). A cluster of small blue-green tipped club- shaped fungi, growing on a bird’s pellet was determined as Penicillium claviforme by Mrs. F. L. Balfour-Browne of the British Museum (Natural History) who remarks: “It appears to be growing on a bit of dead wood. It has been found and frequently determined in this country but does seem not to have been recorded for Britain as part of the fungus flora”. 14 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Lichens. (^Report by J. R. Laundon). Most of the work on the cortieolous and terrieolous lichens is fairly complete, but several species occurring on the brick bridges await determination. Most of the cortieolous lichens prove to belong to Du Rietz’s federation Physodion, characterised by the abundance of Parmelia physodes. Several of the more hygrophilous species have been recorded from the branches ( Cetraria glauca (L.) Ach., Parmelia saxa- tilis (L.) Ach. and from among the mosses at the base of the boles Cladonia coniocraea Flk. = C. oclirochlora p.p., Parmelia revoluta Flk.). Among the terrieolous lichens, several species of Cladonia characteristic of grass-heaths have been found on Bank’s Plain. The other plains appear to be too overgrown with Deschampsia , Molinia or Pteridium for the lichens to be able to hold their own. Grasshoppers. Mr. W. Ruttledge continued his counting, but the very wet season not onlj" had an adverse affect on the grasshoppers but limited his own observations. Lepidoptera. Mr. A. S. Wheeler has been able to compile a preliminary list of the Macro-Lepidoptera both from his own observations and from the many records sent in by other entomologists in response to his appeal for help. Very little is yet known concerning the abundance, distribution and ecology of members of this group on the Common in spite of their general popularity. Mr. Wheeler’s list appears on p. 28. Hemiptera-Heteroptera. (Report by E. W. Groves). Visits in early Spring were devoted to searching various habitats for species that might be in hibernation; then, during April and May, in company with Mr. I. Lansbury, an examination was made of Upper and Lower Eastern Ponds, Bayfield Pond and some of the bomb-craters that fill with water during the winter months, in search of Corixidae, Later, attention was again concentrated on the grass species of the Stenodemini group, but the dampness of the weather on several of the scheduled monthly visits made sweeping impracticable, so it was not possible to obtain as much data, to compare with last year’s records, as had been earlier hoped. Diptera and Leaf-miners. (Report by L. Parmenter). Since the publication of “The Diptera of Bookham Common’’, 1950, Land. Nat., 29, well over a hundred additional species of Diptera have been identified from the Common and further distributional data have been obtained. During the past few years, work has been concentrated chiefly on leaf-miners and so far, 102 species have been found on the Common, as follows: — 6 Hymenoptera, 3 Coleoptera, 55 Lepidoptera and 38 Diptera. They present an interesting ecological study, for unlike most insect larvae they can be located fairly easily in their seasons. Most species can be identified from the mines without having to breed the adults each time. Their chief attraction lies in the adapta- THE SURVEY ()1 BOOK H AM COM A1 ON . 15 tion of the larvae to the habit of feeding internally in leaves and in their inter-relations with the host plants, some being restricted to a single genus of plants and others to a single family. IXSECTA. Mr. G. R. Conway has started an investigation of the insects associ¬ ated with Birch. Mollusca. Col. Bensley has devoted another season to his study of molluscan population of the bomb-craters and gun-pits and the results of his work over the last few years appear on p. 22. Birds. (Report by G. Beven). Regular bird censuses have been continued in Eastern Wood (dense oakwood) and have also been made on Western and Isle of Wight Plains (rank grass and scattered scrub) and on Chesmore and Kelsey's Farms, adjacent to the Common. It is thus hoped to compare the bird popula¬ tions in these different habitats. The Wren population in Eastern Wood was estimated at 14 territories of singing males and is thus beginning to increase again, after a marked decrease last year. There were six or seven territories of singing male Yellow Buntings on Western Plain (5-6 in 1953). It lias been confirmed that during winter, Chaffinches largely leave Western Plain; they have already been shown to leave Eastern Wood at that season. Preliminary counts on the farmland suggest a shift of the Chaffinch population to the stubble and haystacks there in the winter, although these birds may not have come actually from the Common. Mammals. (Report by G. Beven). As a result of the study of the pellets of the Tawny Owl in Eastern Wood, there follows a list of the mammal bones which have been found since 1951. This owl maintains a strict territory and catches all its food within its boundaries (Southern, H. N., 1954, Ibis, 96, p. 406). Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that most of these species have been taken in the oakwood in or near Eastern Wood, although the presence of House Mouse and Rat suggests that the owl also hunts near the cottages around Greendell. Number of individuals. Pigmy Shrew, Sorex minutus 1 Common Shrew, Sorex araneus 4 Shrew, Sorex sp. 2 Whiskered Bat, Myotis mystacinus 1 Long-tailed Field or Wood Mouse, Apod emus sylvaticus 29 Brown Rat, Hattus norvegicus 3 House Mouse, Mus musculus 1 Bank Yole, Clethrionomys glare olus 20 Field or Short-tailed Vole, Microtus ag rest is 29 The remains of three birds were also found. 16 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. It- is a pleasure to acknowledge the help given by Mr. R. "W. Haynian ot the British Museum (Natural History) in the identification of the bones. Rabbits suffering from myxomatosis were observed for the first time in October 1954. Grey Squirrels remained scarce in Eastern Wood. The Bomb-Crater Ponds of Bookham Common. By C. P. Castell. Although these notes are little more than the results of rather casual observations spread over a period of years, it is hoped that they will be found useful as a background and supplementary to Col. Bensley’s paper vhich follows and that they may encourage more intensive and systematic observations in the future. The ponds are all about ten feet m diametei \ the dates of formation will be found m the descriptions of the individual ponds. I am indebted to Mr. A. W. Jones for assist¬ ance m the field and for the use of his field notes. The beetle records are from the late Mr. L. G. Payne’s MS. diary (see p. 21). The nomen¬ clature of the Flowering Plants is that of Clapham, Tutin and Warburg (1952) and of the Mosses that of Richards and Wallace (1950). _ Stents Wood Crater (264), by the side of Stents Path in Stents Wood and about 100 yards from Kelsey’s Pond, was made in January 1944. In February, the crater showed bare sticky clay, but no water. In September 1944, J . E. Harrison recorded (in MS.) two feet of water, with a frog and at least three “Agabus- like beetles”. Colonization by plants v as \ ery slow , although few observations appear to have been made until August 1950, when the writer and D. H. Kent noted the presence of Potamogeton crispus. In November 1951, the following were recorded : —Potentilla erecta, P. anglica, Glechoma hederacea , Descliampsia caespitosa , Agrostis canina var. canina and, on the margin, the moss Atrichum undulatum. (C.P.C. & A.W.J.) Further observations were made in August 1952, when the aquatics Potamogeton crispus (freq.), Alisma plantago-aquatica and Eleogiton fiuitans (near edge) were observed and, in addition to those previously recorded, the following species, all at the edge, were noted : Hydrocotyle vulgaris (abundant), Lotus uliginosus, Peplis portula , Epilobium obscurum , Taraxacum officinale , Juncus bulbosus (viviparous form), Cure x flaxa agg. (probably C. demissa) and Pteridium aquilinum. (C P c' & A.W.J.) The surrounding dense oakivood seems to have been the principal factor here in retarding the initial colonization of the crater, but sub¬ sequent establishment and spread of vegetation has been rapid. The water appears to be permanent and the pond is of interest as being the only locality on the common for Eleogiton fiuitans ,. Bayfield Plain Crater (736) was formed in January 1944 in the middle of a wet grassland slope dominated by Deschampsia caespitosa. The sides are of loam, with an abundance of large unworn flints, more than six inches across, some being up to about ten inches. Clay is Fig. 2. Gun-pit C, Eastern Plain, Bookham Common, June 1949. Still shows about two feet of water. Molinla caerulea and Jnncus effusus in foreground and Ptertdium aqiiilinum behind the pit. Fig. 1. Crater Pond, Bookham Common, May 1950. Reed Mace ( Tijplia latifolia) is the dominant plant, with Sallow ( Salix caprea ) Photos. C. p. CasteU. . THE SURVEY OF BOOKHAM COMMON. BOOKIiAM COMMON. Sketch map showing woodland, principal paths, ponds, streams, ditches pits and bomb-crater ponds. Abbreviations. A— J. Gun-pits. HD. Hollow Ditch. BkS. Bank’s Stream. IoWD. Isle of Wight Ditch. BP. Bayfield Pond. ToWP. Isle of Wight Pond BPC. Bayfield Pond Crater. TvP. Kelsey’s Pond. BPIC. Bayfield Plain Crater. LEP. Lower Eastern Pond. BS. Bookham Stream. MP. Manor Pond. CD. Central Ditch. SEP. South East Pond CP. Crater Pond. SP. Sheepbell Pond ED. Eastern Ditch. SWC. Stent’s Wood Crater. GD. Greendell Ditch. reached at some three feet below the surrounding ground level. The loam was waterlogged when observations were made in October 1950. There was little water in February 1944, but afterwards water has nearly always been present. By November 1944, L. G. Payne observed many water-beetles, including Laccophilus minutus L., and L. hyalinus 18 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. I).(x. In I eb ru ary 1945, ho recorded 7>. minutus, Hydroporus planus F. and H. lineatus F. It was then full and overflowing with water, with a pH of between 7-0 and 7*5 (C.P.C.). In May, he collected Elaphrus riparius L., Helopliorus aquatievs var. uequalis Th. and Bembidion 4-guttatum F., but could find no Laccophilus or Hydroporus. In June 1945, the alga Costnarium sp. was strikingly abundant on the surface of the water (C.P.C.). Bensley (1948, p. 54) noted a flourishing insect population in 1947, when in October, Potamogeton natans covered the surface and Alisma plantago-aquatica was also present. No further observations were made until 1950 and 1951 (C.P.C. & A.W.J.), when Potamogeton natans appeared to be absent. The centre, usually under water, supported a community of Alisma plant ago- aquatica, Sparganium simplex and Eleocharis palustris (co-dominant), with some Callitriche sp. Pulicaria dysenterica was frequent and locally abundant, with Potentilla anserina on the lower slopes. The rest of the slopes supported a varied flora of Hypericum humifusum, Sagina procumbens, Lotus corniculatus, Potentilla erecta, P. reptans. Silaum silaus, Rurnex crispus, Lysimachia nummularia, Mentha arven- sis, M. aquaticci, Prunella vulgaris, Ajuga reptans, Plantago lanceolata, Achillaea ptarmica, Cirsium arvense, Juncus inflexus, J. effusus var. compact us, J. conglomeratus, J . articulatus, Carex flava (agg.) probably C. demissa, and C. flacca. Bayfield Pond Crater (766). Few observations have been made on this crater. It was formed in January 1944 and, in February, the bot¬ tom showed loam with many pebbles up to about two inches in length, but little water, and the crater is still frequently dry. It is bounded on the east by a footpath and on the west by dense hawthorn scrub intermingled with oak, bramble and bracken. The following plants were observed by A. W. Jones in August 1952 : Juncus effusus and Potentilla anserina were very frequent, while Epilo- bium obscurum, Galium liercynicum and Agrostis canina were all fre¬ quent. The following were also noted: Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Callitriche sp., Salix atrocinerea, Myosotis sp., Solatium dul¬ camara, 1 runella vulgaris, Achillaea ptarmica, Cirsium pal ustre , Sonchus asper, Juncus inflexus. In January 1955, Juncus effusus and Salix atrocinerea were the dominant plants in the water (C P C & A.W.J.). Crater Pond (544) lies in Western Plain in low-lying Deschampsia caespitosu grassland, a few yards west of Common Road. It was made in the winter of 1940-1941 and is thus the oldest bomb-crater pond on the Common. It is practically a permanent pond, holding water throughout most years. Observations were made by the writer in 1942, 1943, December 1944, June 1945, May 1950, and by A. W. Jones and the writer in October 1951, the results being summarized below. Very few observations appear to have been made on the fauna. Tadpoles were noted in April 1943 (C.P.C.) and an unidentified water- beetle seen in February 1945 (L.G.P.). Gyrinus sp. was seen in June 1945 (C.P.C.), a larval newt in July 1946 (Bensley) and the beetle Helopliorus affinis Mn. was collected by A. H. Norkett in August 1946 THE SURVEY Or BOOKHAM COMMON. 19 (det. L.G.P.). Bensley (1948, p. 54) recorded that ‘ 'insect life was flourishing’5 in 1947 and, by 1950, the pond was ‘‘remarkable for the density of population of the Smooth, Palmate and Great Crested Newts, all of which were numerous”, (Panchen, 1951, p. 43). Gerris sp. was observed by A. W. Jones in May 1952. No vegetation was visible in June 1942, but Typha latifolia had ap¬ peared in 1943 and became dominant in the centre of the pond by December 1944 and has remained so ever since. Alisma plantago- ciquatica was noted in 1944, was abundant in the following year and still frequent in 1951. Potamogeton nutans was abundant in 1945, still present in 1950, but only two plants were seen in 1951. Myriophyllum uHemiflorum was abundant in 1945 and 1950, but not seen in 1951, although still locally abundant in January 1955. Ranunculus flammula was observed in 1945 and 1950 but not in 1951. Salix caprea was present from 1945 onwards. Norkett (1947, p. 51) noted the Alga Bulbochaete nana Wiler in 1946, a new record for Surrey. The following species were also observed growing in the water in 1951: Potentitta anserina (freq.), Carex hirta (freq.), Galium palustrc (r.), and the moss Vrepanocladns fluitans (loc. ab.). Turning to the marginal species, the first to appear was J uncus sp. in 1943; by 1944, J uncus conglomeratus, J. effusus , J. inflexus and J. articulatus had appeared. The state of the pond at this time was briefly described by the writer (1945, p. 21) who was quoted bj* R. S. R. Fitter (1945, p. 234), but in the quotation, the dominant plant is given, in¬ correctly, as Sparganium ramosum, instead of Typha latifolia. Juncus conglomeratus was recorded as local in 1951. Carex hirta and C. sp. were noted in 1945, and in 1951, Carex flacca (f .) , C. hirta (loc.) and C. ovalis (r.). Cirsium arvense appeared in 1945 and was local in 1951. Potentilla anserina and Trifolium repens were noted in 1950 but not in 1951, whilst Ranunculus re pens , seen in 1950, was local in 1951. The following marginal species were also observed in 1951: Prunella vul¬ garis (f.), Agrostis canina var. canina (f.), Potentilla reptans (loc. f.), Typha latifolia (local), Alisma plan tag o-aquutic a (local), Lotus cornicu- latu-s (occ.), Pulicaria dysenterica (occ.), Succisa pratensis (occ.), and the moss Acrocladium cuspidatu m (occ.). The following occurred rarely or as single plants: Epilobium sp. Itumex ? acetosa , Salix atrocinerea, Plantago major , P. lanceolata, Bidens cernuus , Cirsium palustre, Hulcus lanatus, Agrostis tenuis, and the mosses: Fissidens taxifolius, Vicranella lieteromalla, Br achy the cium albicans, Pseudoscleropodium pururn. A total of 27 species of flowering plants and six mosses were thus recorded in October 1951. About two-thirds of the circumference of the margin is gently shelv¬ ing for two or three feet and this area is still (January 1955) mostly bare clay. Mr. Jones has made the interesting suggestion to the writer that, the water level between these two heights being subject to violent fluctuation, plants are here killed off either by drowning in the winter or by drought in the summer. Further observations are, however, needed to verify this suggestion. 2i) THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Comparison with the Gun-pits. The craters are smaller, but deeper than the pits and Bensley (1948, p. 54) suggests that the baking and compression of the clay and loam b}r the bomb explosions may have rendered them even more impervious to water. The shallowness of the gun-pits and their sloping ramps must gieatly increase the relative loss of water compared with the craters. These featuies may help to explain the more permanent nature' of the crater ponds. The gun-pits are in the most acid part of the Common and in a sod which, in places, grades from a sandy loam to a sand. This sandy deposit overlies the impervious London Clay. On the other hand. Stents Wood and Bayfield Pond Craters occur on a much more clayey soil, and Bayfield Plain Crater and Crater Pond are on a belt of loamy alluvial soil; both of these soils have a more basic reaction. The pH of the water in pit C in January 1945 was 5-5, for pit A in May 1947, 5-8, and for pit F in June 1947, 5-5. On the other hand the pH of the water of the larger ponds ranged from 6-0-7-5 in January 1945 and that for Bayfield Plain Crater Pond was 7-0-7-5 in February 1945. Cratei Pond is the oldest of the craters and has the greatest propor¬ tion of aquatic and marsh plants, while the rest of the craters are of about the same age as the gun-pits. If the flora of the crater ponds is compared with that of the Common as a whole (Jones, 1954), the species may be grouped into three cate¬ gories . A, those characteristic of ponds and normally growing in water elsewhere on the Common; B, those characteristic of wet places; C, the remainder— mostly those of the grassy plains. The total number of species and the numbers in each of these categories are listed for the crater ponds as a whole, for each pond, and for the gun-pits as a whole, m the following table. ^ The figures for the gun-pits are compiled from )51). Total for gun-pits 2 27 34 63 It will be seen that a greater number of aquatic and marsh species occur in the crater ponds, although the total number of species is the same as in the gun-pits. Alisma plantag o-aquatica, J uncus inflexus, Prunella vulgaris and 1 otentilla anserina are the most widely distributed species, occurring in three out of the four ponds. Eleogiton fluitans in Stents Wood Crater 1S not known to occur elsewhere on the Common and appears to have been transported a considerable distance. Potamogeton crispus is known only from Stents Wood Crater and from Upper Eastern Pond, two localities which are separated by nearly half a mile of woodland Myriophyllum alterniflorum in Crater Pond occurs elsewhere on the Common only in Lower Eastern Pond (May 1954). Sparganium simplex occurs m Bayfield Plain Crater and in the Isle of Wight and Lower Species Total for category crater-ponds 264 544 736 766 A 9 3 4 5 1 B 32 8 16 13 9 C 22 5 11 10 6 Total no. 63 16 31 28 16 THE SURVEY OF BOOKHAM COMMON. 21 Eastern Ponds. Typhci latifolia is known from Crater Pond, West Pond, and the Isle of Wight Pond, where it is abundant. The rest of the species are mostly common constituents of the wet plains and are, there¬ fore, those most likely to colonize the craters. REFERENCES. BANGERTER, E. B. and CASTELL, C. P., 1949, Notes on the vegetation of Gun- pits and Trenches on Eastern Plain, Bookham Common, London Naturalist, 28, 52-56. BANGERTER, E. B. and CASTELL, C. P., 1951, Further Notes on the Vegetation of Gun-pits in Eastern Plain, Bookham Common. L.N., 30, 54-56. BENSLEY, C. -T. F., 1948, The Freshwater Mollusca of Bookham Common. L.N., 27, 51-55. CASTELL, C. P., 1945, The Survey of Bookham Common. The Ponds and their Vegetation. L.N., 24. 15-22. CLAPHAM, A. R., TTJTIN, T. G. and WARBURG. E. F., 1952, Flora of the British Isles. FITTER. R. S. R., 1945, London’s Natural History. JONES, A. W., 1954, The Flora of Bookham Common. L.N., 33, 25-47. NORKETT, A. H., 1947, in Castell, C. P., The Survey of Bookham Common, Fifth Year. Progress Report. L.N., 26. 81. PANCHEN, A. L., 1951, Notes on the Reptiles and Amphibia of Bookham Com¬ mon. L.N., 30, 42-44. RICHARDS, P. W. and WALLACE, E. C., 1950, An Annotated List of British Mosses. Trans. British Bri/ol. Soc., Vol. l. part 4, (Appendix), pp. i-xxxi. The Beetles of the Gun-Pits (1945-1946). Compiled from the MS notes of the late L. G. Payne by C. P. Castell. A few years ago, Mr. R. M. Payne gave the writer some pages from his father’s diary which recorded observations made at Bookham Common on the beetles of some of the ponds in 1943-4 (see L.N., 24, 31-35) and of the bomb-craters and gun-pits in 1945-6. Mr. L. G. Payne observed the gun-pits A, B. C, D, F and J in May and Septem¬ ber 1945 and in February, March, May, June, August, October, Novem¬ ber and December 1946, recording the amount of water in the pits and the beetles present. In May 1945, the pits were full, except for B, with ten inches of water, and J, nearly dry. In September, the pits were dry except for A, where about a square yard was covered with three inches of water. By February 1946, however, they were all full to capacity again, but only three yielded beetles. In March they were all frozen and it was only possible to investigate one pit, B, by collecting from under the ice. By August, two inches of water was left in C and a few puddles in A and B; the rest were dry. Mr. Payne notes that although these pits were practically dry Kelsey’s Pond, at a higher level and at the north margin of the Common, was more full than he had seen it previously. In October 1946, although D and J were still dry, C had one foot of water, while the rest had a few inches. They were once again full to capacity in December. When the pits were dry, lie collected beetles from under tufts of grasses and other plants. There are only two records of the presence of larvae, viz., Dytiscus sp. from 'pit A (5.1945 and 10.46). It is possible, and indeed probable. 22 THF, LONDON NATURALIST , NO. 34. that larvae were present at otheV times and in other pits, but that Mr. Payne ignored them because of the difficulty in their determination. His records do not suggest that there was any permanent colonization by beetles and most may well have been temporary visitors from other parts of the Common. It is of interest to note, in this connection, that although Mr. Payne recorded four species of beetles for Pit C in the afternoon in October 1946, yet he records seeing none there in the morning. It will be seen that, during the period of these observations, Pit P produced the most records and A the fewest and that Hydroporv. s planus F. and Agabus chahonatus Pz. appear to have been the charac¬ teristic species of the pits in 1946. However, the frequent occurrence of these two species may, of course, be merely a reflection of their possible general abundance elsewhere on the Common. i lu1 subject is worthy of further investigation by a coleopterist. In the following list, the pit reference is followed by the date of the record. A few much later records by Col. C. J. F. Bensley have been added. The nomenclature is that of G. S. Kloet and W. F). Hinks, A Check List of British Insects, 1945. Notiophilus sp. J, 8.46. Elaphrus riparius L A, 5.45; B, 5.45. Feronia coerulescens L. D, 9.45. F. nigra (Schaller). F, 8.46. Bembidion lampros Hb. B, 9.45. Laccophilus hyalinus D.G. J, 6.46 L. minutus L. C, 5.46. Hygrobia hermanni F. c, 10.46. Hyphydrus ovatus L. C (Bensley). Hygrotus impressopunctatus Schaller. F, 5.46. Hydroporus nigrita F. A, 2.46. H. pubesc.ens Gy. J (6.46, 10.46). H. planus F. A (2.46, 6.46), (1.52, Bensley): B. 2.46: c, 2.46: D, 11.46; F, 6.46, 11.46 Agabus guttatus Pk. C, 5.45. .4. nebulosus Fo. F, 9.45. .4. cbalconatus Pz. B, 6.46; C, 10.46, 11.46: D, 10.46; J, 6.46. 10.46. 11.46. .4. bipustulatus L. A, 2.46, 11.46; F, 11.46. Tlybius fuliginosus F. C, 5.45; D, 6.46: F. 5.46, 6.46. Colymbetes fuscus L. C, 10.46; F, 10.46. Bytiscus semisulcatus Muller. B, 3.46, beneath ice. 7). marginalis L. B, 3.46, beneath Ice-. C, 10.46. (D. Romer recorded on 29.3.46 B. marginalis at Isle of Wight Pond and B. semisulcatus in a cart track puddle on Eastern Plain.) Gyrinus natator var. substriatus Stephens. B. 6.46; D. 3.45; F, 6.46. Hydrobius fuscipes L. D, 6.46. Berosus signaUcollis Cr. C, 5.45; F, 5.46. Helophorus aquaticus L. C (Bensley). Stenus comma Leconte. B. 9.45. The Fresh-Water Mollusca of the Bomb-Craters and Gun-Pits on Bookham Common. By C. J. F. Bensley. The following paper is an attempt to study the colonization by mollusca of small and purely artificial and accidental ponds. To be THE SURVEY OE BOOKHAM COMMON. 23 of much interest, tliis should really be carried out as part of a complete ecological study of the habitats in question. In the case of the Book- ham bomb-craters and gun-pits, the progress in the vegetation has been systematically studied and recorded, viz., the vegetation of Crater Pond by C'. P. Castell (1945). the vegetation of the gun-pits and trenches in Eastern Plain by E. B. Bangerter and C. P. Castell (1949, 1951) and the Algae by A. H. Xorkett (1949). I am also indebted to Mr. A. W. Jones for being allowed to see his notes on the vegetation of ah the bomb-craters. Unfortunately the faunal history is more difficult to trace and consists of a study of the Odonata in Crater Pond by R. M. Pavne (1945), incidental records in the Bookham Common Surveys and a number of random observations in my note-books. The Bomb-craters. Two presumably random •‘sticks” of bombs were dropped; one, in the winter of 1940-1941. forming craters at 434, 544, and 867, of which 544 became a pond, and another, in January 1944, leaving craters at 264. 736. and 766. which subsequently became ponds. The craters tend to dry up less than the gun-pits and conditions have generally favoured their development into permanent ponds. The conditions at the crater near Bayfield Pond (766) are less favourable than the others. It is much shaded by trees and bushes and has a long piece of tree- trunk in the middle. There are certain physical handicaps to the spread of mollusea to the crater at 264; it is in the middle of woodland and a considerable distance from any other habitat of freshwater molluscs. The remaining two (544 and 736) do not suffer from any such disadvantages. There are few physical obstacles between them and potential molluscan reservoirs and they have been successfully colonized by water plants and aquatic fauna. All four craters have been visited at irregular intervals, but only one — the so-called “Crater Pond” at 544 — has ever yielded any mollusea. For the sake of general ecological interest, however, I append my observations on the other aquatic fauna. Stents Wood Crater (264). Oct. 1951: Corixa and Gerris spp. plenti¬ ful. May 1953: Mostly covered with a green alga. A. W. Jones recorded newts and Gerris sp. Bayfield Plain Crater (736). Oct. 1947 : Xotonecta sp., Gammarus sp. and Damsel-fly nymphs. May 1952 : Crested and Common Xewts. Gerris sp., Corixa sp., Gyrinus sp., and Caddis-fly larvae. Xov. 1954: Xotonecta sp., Agabus sp., Corixa sp., Damsel-fly nymphs, and Caddis larvae. It should be noted that, in Oct. 1952, when all the gun-pits were dry, there was about nine inches of water in this crater. The water beetles, Hyd roporus pubescens (Gy 11.) and Enoch tins coarctatus (Gred.) are recorded for this crater by D. Leston (1952). Bayfield Pond Crater (736). This is often dry, but a small aquatic beetle (species not identified) has been found occasionally and A. W. Jones observed newts in April 1952. 24 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Crater Pond (544). This pond is of considerable interest from the point of view of molluscan colonization. The vegetation was described by C. P. Castell (1945); he states that no vegetation was visible in June 1942, but by 1943, Typha latifolia and J uncus spp. were present, followed in 1944 by Alisma plantag o-aquatica and other J uncus spp. R. M. Payne (1945) also reported Libellula depress'd ovipositing in June 1942. I first visited the crater in May 1946; Typha latifolia was, and still is, the dominant plant in the centre of the pond. The small mollusc Planorbis crista was found to be fairly abundant, together with Damsel- fly nymphs. Its small size renders P. crista hard to find and the only habitat in which I found it in this pond was on decaying Typha lati¬ folia. It is interesting to note that P. crista was very abundant in Isle of W ight Pond in April 1942, but had almost disappeared by September 1942. I did not find it there from 1946 to 1954. It has had a similar history in Bayfield Pond, i.e., very abundant in the spring of 1947 and gone at the end of the year. The only other habitat of P. crista on Bookham Common is Sheepbell Pond. Returning to Crater Pond, the colony of P. crista remained there, apparently well established, at any rate until early 1949. In August of that year, however, the crater dried up and the species has not been seen since. Indeed, it looked as though it was a waste of time to go on searching it for mollusca, but in March 1954, the small bivalve, Pisidium obtusale, was found to be fairly frequent. It was found there again in May 1954, but not in October or November and it remains to be seen whether it will persist. There are many sources of supply for this species, vide Bensley (1948), p. 52, the Isle of Wight Pond being the nearest and largest. Possible means of distribution will be dealt with later in this paper under the heading “Conclusions”. T am indebted to Mr. A. F, Ellis for the identification of Pisidium obtusale. The Gun-pits. A description and map of the Gun-pits and a photograph of Pit C have already appeared in the L.N. (Bangerter and Castell, 1949, 1951). The pits were dug as a training exercise during the winter of 1943-1944, so are three years younger than Crater Pond, but about the same age as the rest of the crater ponds. Although there are nine pits, lettered A to J (see map, p. 17), all except two can be dealt with very briefly. Only A, B and C can.be said to have acquired the status of “ponds”, although they all hold varying amounts of water during parts of the year. No freshwater mollusca have been found in Pit J, but when the bottom is not actually covered by water, it is a very favourite habitat for the land snails, Oxychilus alliarius (Miller) (The Garlic Snail) and Euconulus fulvus (Miill.). The only pits to have yielded fresh-water mollusca have been A and C, although all have been searched from time to time since 1947. Gun-pit A. This is the most clayey of the pits and has taken a long time to ‘‘settle down”. It was for a long time a mass of decaying bracken; THE SURVEY OF BOOK HAM COMMON. 25 conditions not at all suitable for faunal life. However, it was the first of the pits to be colonized (in 1949-1950), by any genuine aquatic plant. Although Mr. L. G. Payne had noted that water beetles were alread}’ colonizing the pit in May 1945, the first fresh-water mollusc to appear was an occasional Pisidium obtusale in March 1952, with large numbers of several species of Caddis-fly larvae, the Wake-measurer, Hydrometra stagnorum L. and two or three species of water beetles. P. obtusale was still present, although scarce, in June 1952. By August, all the gun-pits and most of the ponds were dry. The pits refilled with water during the autumn and winter of 1952-1953, but no mollusca appeared in pit A and it and the other pits dried up again during the summer of 1953 and did not fill up again until November. In that month, however, a single Pisidium obtusale and a young Lymnaea peregra were found in pit A. No mollusca were found in December 1953, January or February 1954, but in March, P. obtusale was frequent and remained so until the pits nearly dried up again in August 1954. Three or four Planorbis planorbis made a brief appearance in April 1954. Since August 1954, no live mollusca have been found in the pit, but a dead shell of Lymnaea peregra was found in October. Gun-pit C. In spite of non-colonization by aquatic vegetation, this pit has acquired more consistently pond-like characteristics than the others. It has supported a larger and more varied community of aquatic Arthro- poda and Mollusca. This may be due to the fact that it is more in the open and there are, therefore, fewer obstacles to direct and indirect introductions. It was first visited by the writer in May 1947 and several Planorbis vortex and a single Lymnaea truncatula were found. Now, the occurrence of these species is very surprising because the only local source of supply of P. vortex is Upper Eastern Pond and L. trunca¬ tula is found very occasionally in Greendell Ditch nearby. L. trunca¬ tula has not been seen in the pit since and P. vortex disappeared in June 1947. There is very strong suspicion of accidental introduction by the net or rubber boots of a member of this Society. The next arrival to be noted was a single full grown Planorbis planorbis in July 1947. The gun-pits all dried up in August 1947 and remained dry until the end of November. I was unable to visit the pits again until August 1948 when they were dry again. One visit during the winter of 1948-1949 was frustrated by thick ice, and visits during the spring of 1949 yielded no mollusca. The pit was dry again in August. By November 1949, how¬ ever, there was a little water and Pisidium obtusale was found to be abundant under old tins and boards. They were not in evidence again until March 1950 when they were frequent but no longer abundant On this occasion two Planorbis planorbis were found again. The pits were not visited until September 1951, when P. obtusale was once more abundant and P. planorbis fairly frequent. The next visit was in January 1952 and regular monthly visits to the pit were continued until November 1954. P. obtusale has varied from abundant to one or two individuals under damp boards in dry weather. P. planorbis has never again been frequent but is to be found usually in small num- 26 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. bers; it also survives, in ones or twos, under wood, etc., when the rest of the pit dries up. The only other freshwater mollusc to turn up has been Lymnaea peregra, first represented by one juvenile in November 1953. Another specimen appeared in February 1954; there were several in May, but it had not been seen again by November 1954. It is interesting to note that the truly aquatic crustacean Eucrang- onyx gracilis (Smith) (kindly identified by the British Museum) was first noted in June 1952 and still present in July 1954. It had been previously reported from the Isle of Wight and Upper Eastern Ponds m 1947 (Ellis. 1948, B). The water-beetles Helopliorus aquaticus L. and Hyphydrus ovatus L. turn up from time to time, especially the latter species. There are at times, many other aquatic insects capable of flight. The Marsh Slug, Agriolimax la e-vis (Mull.) is often found there, sometimes submerged and there are many localities in the neighbour¬ hood from which it could have crawled. Conclusions. It is difficult to say whether there is really sufficient evidence to deduce the means of colonization, but we can attempt to do so. The following table shows the freshwater species that have been found in Crater Pond and the two gun-pits. Species Crater Pond Pit A Pit C Pisidium obtusale (Lam.) + + + Planorbis crista (L.) . + — — Planorbis planorbis (L.) . — + + Planorbis vortex (L.) . — — + Lymnaea peregra (Miill.) . — + + Lymnaea truncatula (Miill.) — — + It is fair to say that, of these six species, only the two species of Lymnaea could have crawled there unaided and, indeed, they may have done so. The others were certainly transported in the first instance. The flat shape of the Planorbids and the small size of the Pisidium make accidental transportation easy. Leaving Man out of the picture for the moment, the possible carriers are domestic animals, amphibians, birds and flying aquatic insects. Cattle are occasionally grazed on Bookham Common, so they cannot be excluded. Several water-birds are known there, such as Little Grebe, Heron, Mallard and Moorhen and I have actually seen the last-named in gun-pit B. The Common Frog breeds in Pit A, providing a subsidiary biotic factor in the shape of small boys who churn the pit up in their efforts to catch tadpoles. Both larval and adult water-beetles have been found in both the craters and the gun-pits and there are several recorded instances, elsewhere in Britain, of Pisidium having been found grasping the legs of the larger water-beetles. Finally there is Man himself, and, at Bookham Com¬ mon, this seems to be the most probable means of distribution. The ponds are visited regularly not only by members of this Society, but by biology students, aquarium keepers and the local tadpole hunters. However careful one may be, it is very easy to carry very small or very THE SURVEY OE ROOKHAM COMMON. 27 flat shells on rubber-boots or on pond-net. The slight evidence there is points to human distribution as the most likely agent. Crater Pond was colonized by Planorbis crista when that species was very abundant in the Isle of Wight Pond. It seems to have disappeared from there before the digging of the gun-pits and has never been found in any of them. The first specimen of Planorbis planorbis found in gun-pit C in July 1947 was a particularly large one and probably older than the pit itself. This, and the P. vortex found in May 1947 were too large to have been carried by any insect and would certainly be noticed (and eaten) by any bird. The failure of P. vortex to survive in pit C seems to indicate that they were transported in the adult state. Finally it can be said that neither bomb-craters nor gun-pits have proved very suitable habitats for molluscan colonization. The chief reason, no doubt, is their liability to dry up. Mollusca can, however, survive even if there are only very small places, such as the under sides of boards, which remain damp; this has been shown in the case of Pisidivm ohtusale and Planorbis planorbis in pit C. The second reason is probably a lack of proper food. Most fresh-water gastropods feed on aquatic plants and the algae on them and there is an almost complete absence of true aquatics from the gun-pits, although not from the craters. Curiously enough, the most successful colonizer, and the best able to survive adverse conditions, is the small bivalve Pisidiv in ohtusale. The Pisidia are very diverse and widely distributed and the above notes give some clues as to why this may he so. Summary. 1. On Bookham Common, there are four bomb-craters, one made in the winter of 1940-1941, the rest in January 1944, and nine gun-pits made in the winter of 1943-1944. 2. The bomb-craters have become small ponds and seldom dry up, but only one has, so far, yielded any mollusca, though conditions seem favourable for them. 3. A colony of Planorbis crista was present in Crater Pond (544) by 1946 and lasted another three years. Mollusca were not seen again till a colony of Pisidium ohtusale was found in March 1954 and may still have been there in December 1954. 4. Only three of the gun-pits have become ponds and even these dry up every summer. Only pits A and C have yielded fresh-water mollusca. 5. Three species of mollusca have made irregular appearances in pit A. 6. Gun-pit C has provided the most successful molluscan habitat. Five species have appeared and Pisidium ohtusale and Planorbis pian¬ os bis have survived periods of drought. 7. Methods of accidental transportation of mollusca are discussed Man is the most likely vector on Bookham Common. 8. Conditions are too precarious in accidental ponds of the types described for molluscan populations to flourish. 28 THE LONDON NATURALIST. NO. 34. REFERENCES. BANGERTER, E. B. and CASTELL, C. P., 1949, Notes on the vegetation of Gun- pits and Trenches on Eastern Plain, Bookham Common. London Naturalist, 28, 52-56. BANGERTER, E. B. and CASTELL, C. P. C., 1951, Further Notes on the Vegeta tion of Gun-pits in Eastern Plain. Bookham Common. L.N., 30. 54-56. BENSLE1 , C. J. F., 1948, The Freshwater Mollusca of Bookham Common. L.N 27, 51-55. BENSLEY, C. J. F., 1952, The Freshwater Mollusca of Bookham Common L N 31, 34-39. CASTELL, C. P., 1945, The Ponds and their Vegetation. L.N., 24. 15-22. ELLIS, A. E., 1948 A, The Land Mollusca of Bookham Common. L.N., 27. 56-59. ELLIS, A. E., 1948 B, Amphipoda. L.N., 27, 60. LESTON, D., 1952, Notes on the Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Bookham Common L.N., 31, 49-62. NORKETT, A. H., 1949, Some Preliminary Remarks and List of the Algae Found on Eastern Plain, Bookham Common. 1947-8. L.N., 28- 56-59. PAYNE, R. M., 1945, Notes on the Distribution of Dragonflies on Bookham Com¬ mon. L.N., 24 , 23-31. A Preliminary List of the Macro Lepidoptera of Bookham Common By A. S. Wheeler. JN the following list 274 species are recorded, 38 of which are butter¬ flies and 236 moths. Some records are from my own observations, but by far the greater part have been sent by the following contributors : — Messrs. C. Garrett- Jones, A. W. Jones, K. P. Keywood. P. C. Le Masurier, L. Parmenter, F. Rumsey, W. H. Spreadburv, F. M. Struthers, S. Wakely and H. E. Webb, to whom I should like to express my thanks for their co-operation. A few reports have been extracted from Dr. C. G. M. de Worms’ paper on “The Butterflies of the London Area” ( L.N. , 29: 46-80). I am also indebted to Messrs C. P. Castell. A. W. Jones and P. C. Le Masurier for additional advice and informa¬ tion. More than half the area consists of damp oakwood, the remainder be¬ ing mostly wet grassland dominated with Tufted Hair Grass {Deschamp- sia caespitosa) . There are also several ponds, streams and marshy hollows. (For further details and maps, see L.N., 24: 15-22; L.N. . 26: 82-83 and L.N., 33: 23-51.) The part dealing with the butterflies is presented, to a large extent, without reference to individual records in view of the unanimity of reports. This proved impracticable in most of the moths and reports on these have been arranged according to the information available. All records relate to day-time observations unless otherwise indicated. Mr. Le Masurier informs me that most of his records of species at car lights were made along “Broadway (North)”, near High Point. The nomenclature throughout is according to the Index Check-List of British Lepidoptera produced by Mr. I. R. P. Heslop in 1947. The section devoted to Butterflies is presented in the order adopted by the International Committee on Nomenclature published in 1934. THE SURVEY OF HOOK HA M COMMON, 2(J Since some of the English names in Heslop’s list may be unfamiliar, it has been decided to substitute, in cases where identification might be difficult, the names shown by Richard South. Satyridae. Pararge aegeria Linn. Speckled Mood. Common in woodland areas. P. megera Linn. Wall Brown. Common. Evmenis semele Linn. Grayling. Very few and erratic (1I.E.W.). Single specimens recorded on 5.8.1946 (LeM.) and 13.7.195*2 (A.S.W.). Maniola tithonus Linn. Gatekeeper. Locally common. M. jurlina Linn ( janira Linn.). Meadow Brown. Common. Coenonympha pamphilus Linn. Small Heath, sometimes common. Aphantopus hyperanthus Linn. Common Ringlet. Common, especially in wood¬ land areas. Yar. arete lias been caught (A. SAY.). Xymphalidae. Argynnis euphrosyne Linn. Large Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Common, especially in areas bordering woods. A. aglaia Linn. Dark Green Fritillary. Established, hut not so common as the next two species. A. cydippe Linn. ( adippe Linn.). High Biown Fritillary. Common in limited areas, especially near Glade Path. A. papilla Linn. Silver-washed Fritillary. Common in the woods. Euphydryas aurinia Rott. Marsh Fritillary. A single specimen seen by D. Baker in June 1950 (C. G. M. de W., L.A., 29). Vanessa atalanta Linn. Red Admiral. Sometimes frequent. V. cardui Linn. Painted Lady. Sometimes common (Le M.); 7.9.1947 (F.M.S.); 28.6.1952 (A.W.J.); 11.7.1952 (A.S.W.); 24.8.1952 (A.W.J.). Aglais urticae Linn. Small Tortoiseshell. Common. Nymphalis polychloros Linn. Large Tortoiseshell. A single specimen in the Hollows, 27.3.1948 (L.P.). A7, io Linn. Peacock. Common Polygcmia c-album Linn. Comma. Common in and near the woods. Apatura iris L. Purple Emperor. A single specimen, 10. 8.1947 (C. G. M. de W., L.N., 29). Limenitis Camilla Linn. ( Sibylla Linn.). White Admiral. Common, especially in Central and Eastern Woods. RIODLNIDAE. Hamearis lucina Linn. Duke of Burgundy. A few in southern area (F.R.); a single specimen seen (SAY.). Lycaenldae. Polyommalus icarus Rott. Common Blue. Uncommon, hut recorded on several dates in most years. Lysandra coridon Pod. Chalk-hill Blue. Single specimens, 5.8.1946 (Le M.) and 10.8.1947 (C.G.-J.). Celastrin a argiolus Linn. Holly Blue. Frequent (LeM.): 10.8.1947 (C.G.-J.); a few in Avoodland areas (F.R.); 9.5.1948 (F.M.S.). Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Small Copper. Erratic, but sometimes fairly common. Callophrys rubl Linn. Green Hairstreak. A few in southern areas (F.R.). Thecla quercus Linn. Purple Hairstreak. More or less common throughout woodland areas and sometimes extremely abundant in Central and Sheep- hell Woods. Strymonidia w-album Enoch. White-letter Hairstreak. A single specimen at edge of clearing, Kelsey's Wood, 21.6.1952 (A.W.J.). PlERIDAE. Pieris brassicae Linn. Large Garden White. Sometimes common. P. rapae Linn. Small Garden White. Common. P. napi Linn. Green-veined White. Common, especially in Avoodland areas. THK LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. 30 Euchloe cardamines Linn. Orange-tip. Common in and around woodland areas. Colias croceus Foure. (edasa Fabr.). Common Clouded Yellow. Very few seen (H.E.W.); 7.9.1947 (F.M.S.). Gonepteryx rhamni Linn. Brimstone. Fairly common in and near woodland areas. Hesperiidae. Erynnls tages Linn. Dingy Skipper. Common. Pyrgus malvae Linn. Grizzled Skipper. Common. Tliymelicus sylvestris Pod. ( thaumas Hufn.). Common Small Skipper. Common. Ochlodes venata Br. & Grey (sylvanus Esp.). Large Skipper. Common. Sphingidae. Laothoe populi Linn. Poplar Hawk. Common (W.H.S.). Smerinthus ocellata Linn. Eyed Hawk. Larvae frequently on sallow (W.H.S.). Deilephila elpenor Linn. Large Elephant Hawk. Larvae frequently (W.H.S.). Macroglossum stellatarum Linn. Humming-bird Hawk. A few in south-west areas (F.R.); 20.8.1947 (F.M.S.) Hemaris fuciformis Linn. Broad-bordered Bee Hawk. Ova and larvae common every year (W.H.S.). H. tityus Linn, [bombyliformis Esp.). Narrow -bordered Bee Hawk. A few in southern area (F.R.). Notodontidae. Cerura hermelina Goeze (bifida Hubn.). Poplar Kitten. Larvae on aspen, rare (W.H.S.). C. furcula Linn. Sallow Kitten Larvae occasional (W.H.S.); fairly common but erratic (H.E.W.). C vinula Linn. Puss. Larvae frequent (W.H.S.); 3.6.1951 (F.M.S.). Stauropus fagi Linn. Lobster Prominent. Two at car lights, 23.6.1951 (Le M.). Drymonia trimacula Esp. Light Marbled-brown. Common at car lights (Le M.). Pheosia tremula Clerck. Greater Swallow Prominent. Ova and larvae frequent on aspen (W.H.S.). p gnorna Fabr. ( dictaeoid.es Esp.). Lesser Swallow Prominent. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). A otodonta ziczac Linn. Pebble Prominent. A few in south-east areas (F.R.); larvae common on sallow and aspen (W.H.S.). A' dromedarius Linn. Iron Prominent. Frequent at car lights (Le M.); larvae occasional (W.H.S.). A\ anceps Goeze ( trepida Esp.). Great Prominent. Common at car lights (Le M.). Lophopteryx capucina Linn. ( camelina Linn.). Coxcomb Prominent. Common. Pterostoma palpina Linn. Pale Prominent. Common. Phalera bucephala Linn. Buff-tip. Fairly common. Clostera curtula Linn. Large Chocolate-tip. Uncommon (H.E.W.); rare (W.H.S.); larvae (F.M.S. ). C. pigra Hufn. Small Chocolate-tip. Common (F.R.), (W.H.S.). Thyatiridae. Thyatira batis Linn. Peach-blossom. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Tethea ocularis Linn, (octogesima Hubn.). Figure of Eighty. Larvae occa¬ sional on aspen (W.H.S.); larvae on white poplar, June 1954 (S.W.). T. or Fabr. Poplar Lutestring. Larvae frequent on aspen, but mostly para¬ sitised (W.H.S.). T. duplaris Linn. Lesser Satin Lutestring. Common at car lights (Le M.). Asphalia diluta Schiff. Lesser Lutestring Common at car lights (Le AL). Achlya flavicornis Linn. Yellow-horned Lutestring. Frequent (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le AI.); 26.3.1950 (F.M.S.). Polyploca ridens Fabr. Frosted Green Lutestring. Larvae sometimes common (W.H.S.); at car lights on 26.4.1952 (Le M.). THE SURVEY 01- BOOK HAM COMMON. 31 Lymaxtriidae (Jrgyia antiqua Linn. Common Vapourer. Common. Dasychira pudibunda Linn. Pale Tussock. Common. Euproctls similis Fuessl. ( chrysorrhoea Linn.). Gold-tail. Common. Lyman tria monuchu Linn. Black-arched Tussock. Frequent (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.); a few in northern area (F.R.); larva (F.M.S.). Lasiocampidae. Malacosoma neustria Linn. Common Lackey. Larvae 1953 (A.W.J.): larvae seen most years (W.H.S.); larvae on hawthorn 9.5.1948 (K.P.K.); larvae on sallow 7.6.1954 (A.S.W.); a few in south-west areas (F.R.); (F.M.S.). Poecilocampa populi Linn. December Eggar. Larva (F.M.S.); larvae common on oak in some years (W.H.S.); a few in northern areas (F.R.). Macrothylacia rubi Linn. Fox. Larva, Eastern Plain 29.9.1953 (A.W..T.). Gastropacha quercifolia Linn. Common Lappet. Common (F.R.), (W'.H.S.); larvae on sallow (S.W.) March 1948 (Le M.). Saturniidae. Saturnia pavonia Linn, (carpini Scliiff.). Emperor. Frequent (W.H.S.); common (H.E.W.); 9 attracted to light at Bookham Grange Hotel, 1.5.1948 (K.P.K.): larva 12.8.1951 (A.W.J.). Drepaxidae. Drepana binaria Huln. Oak Hook-tip. Frequent at car lights (Le M); a single record (W.H.S.); 15.5.1948 (F.M.S.). U. falcataria Linn. Pebble Hook-tip. Common. D. lacertinana Linn. Scalloped Hook-tip. Larvae common on birch saplings (W.H.S.); a single specimen 25.5.1929 (Le M.). Cilix glaucata Scop. Chinese Character. Several records from south-vest area (F.R.); a single specimen at car lights 21.5.1953 (Le M.). NOLIDAE. Nola cucullatella Linn. Short-cloaked Black-arches. Common. Hylophilidae. Bcna prasinana Linn. Green Silver Lines. Common. Pseudoips blcolovana Fuessl. {quercana Scliiff.). Scarce Silver Lines, occasional (W.H.S.). Sanvtliripus rev ay ana Scop, (undnlana Hiibn.). Large Marbled Tortrix occasional (W.H.S.). ARCTIIDAE. Spilosoma lubricipeda Linn. ( mentliastri Esp.). White Ermine. Frequent (W.H.S).; common at car lights (Le M.); 6.5.1948 (F.M.S.). S. lutea Hufn. ( lubricipeda auctt.). Buff Ermine. Common at car lights (Le M.); recorded (F.M.S.). Cycnia mendica Clerck. Muslin Ermine. 29.5.1950 (F.M.S.). Diacrisia sannio Linn. ( russula Linn.). Clouded Buff. A single specimen 17.6.1934 (W.H.S. ). Phragmatobia fuliginosa Linn. Ruby Tiger. Common (W.H.S.); 30.7.1947 (F.M.S.). Arctia caja Linn. Garden Tiger. Common (W.H.S.): a single larva (F.M.S.). Callimorpha jacobacae Linn. Cinnabar. Common, sometimes abundant. Miltochrista miniata Forst. Rosy Footman. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Eilema. luridsola Zinck. Common Footman. Frequent at car lights (Le M.); a single record (W.H.S.). E . sororcula Hufn. Orange Footman. Common at car lights (Le M.). Caradrinidae. Colocasia coryli Linn. Nut-tree Tussock. A single record, 16.5.1952 (Le M.). Episema caeruleocephala Linn. Figure of Eight. Common. Apatele leporina Linn. Miller. A few in south-east area (F.R.): larva (F.M.S.). .4. psi Linn. Grey Dagger. Common. Larvae Larvae the London naturalist, no. 34. A. r until- is Linn. Knot-grass. Larvae abundant, moths on tree-trunks (W.H.S.); few records (Le M.). Amathes baja Fabr. Dotted Clay. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). A. c-nigiuim Linn. Setaceous Hebrew-character. Frequent at car lights (Le M.) .4. sexstrigata Haw. (wnbrosa Hiibn.). Six-striped Rustic. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). A xanthographa Fabr. Square-spot Rustic. Frequent at car lights (LeM.). D tarsia festiva Schiff. (; primulae Esp.). Common Ingrailed Clay. Common at car lights (Le M.). Ochropleura plecta Linn. Flame Shoulder. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Triphuena pronuba Linn. Common Yellow-underwing. Common. Folia nebulosa Hufn. Grey Arches. Occasionally at rest on tree trunks (W.H.S.); larva, April 1954 (Le M.). Melanchra persicariae Linn. Dot. Common (W.H.S.). Ceramica % risi L. Broom Brocade. Larvae occasional on blackthorn, etc. (W.H.S.). Hadena thalassina Rott. Pale-shouldered Brocade. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). //. lepida Esp. ( carpophaga Borkli.). Tawny Shears. Several records from southern area (F.R.). Tholera popularis Fabr. Feathered Gothic. Common at car lights (Le M'). Dryobotodes protea Schiff. Brindled Green Gothic. Only report : 2.9.1948 (F.M.S.). Bombycia viminalis Fabr. Minor Shoulder-knot. At car lights on 12.7.1952 (Le M.); larvae on sallow (S.W.). Procus stidgilis Clerck. Marbled Minor. Recorded (F.M.S.). Apamea sordens Hufn. ( basilinea Fabr.). Rustic Shoulder-knot. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). .4. unanimis Hiibn. Small Clouded Brindle. Frequent at car lights (LeM.). A. rnonoglypha Hufn. ( polyodon Linn.). Dark Arches. Frequent at car lights (LeM.). A hepatica Hiibn. Large Clouded Brindle. One larva, 1948 (W.H.S.). A ypsilon Borkh. ( fissipuncta Haw.). Dingy Shears. Larvae common (W.H.S.). Griposia aprilina Linn. Common Merveille-du-Jour. Larvae abundant on oak in most years (W.H.S.). Meganephida oxyacantliae Linn. Green-brindled Crescent. Common. Euplexia lucipara Linn. Small Angle-shades. A few in western area (F.R.); common at car lights (Le M.). Phlogophora meticulosa Linn. Large Angle-shades. Common. Gortyna fLavago Schiff. ( ochracea Hiibn.). Frosted Orange. Larvae sometimes abundant in Marsh Thistle bases (W.H.S.). Nonagna sparganii Esp. Webb's Wainscot. Larvae and pupae in numbers in Bur-reed ( Sparganium ), 1934, few in 1935 and none since (W.H.S.). N. typhae Thunb. Bulrush Wainscot. Several records from southern area (F.R.); abundant (W.H.S.); 1.8.1950 (F.M.S.); larvae and pupae common in stems of Bulrush (S.W.). Lcucaria pallens Linn. Common Wainscot. (F.M.S.); several records from south¬ west area (F.R.); 13.6.1948 (K.P.K.). L. impura Hiibn. Smoky Wainscot. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Meristis trigrammiea Hufn. Treble-line Wainscot. Occasional, at car lights (Le M.). Rusina umbratica Goeze ( tenebrosa Hiibn.). Brown Feathered Wainscot. Occa¬ sional, at car lights (Le M.). Amphipyra pyramidea Linn. Copper Underwing. Common. A. tragopoginis Linn. Mouse Wainscot. Several records from south-west area (F.R.). Cosmia pyralina View. Lunar-spotted Pinion. Frequent (LeM.) C. trapezina Linn. Dun-bar. Common. Zenobia subtusa Fabr. Olive Kidney. Larvae on sallow (S.W.). Urthosia gothica Linn. Common Hebrew-quaker. Frequent at car lights and sallow blossom (Le M.). THE SURVEY OF UOOKHAM COMMON. 33 0. miniosa Fabr. Blossom Underwing. Frequent (W.H.S.); frequent at sallow blossom (Le M.) 0. cruda Schiff. (pulverulenta Esp.). Small Quaker. Frequent at car lights and sallow blossom (Le M.). 0. stabilis View. Common Quaker. Common at car lights and sallow blossom (Le M.). 0. populeti Treits. Lead-coloured Drab. Larvae on aspen (S.W.). 0. incerta Hufn. Clouded Drab. Common at car lights and sallow blossom (Le M.). 0. munda Esp. Twin-spot Quaker. Frequent at sallow blossom (Le M.). O. gracilis Fabr. Powdered Quaker. Frequent (Le M.). Atethmia xerampelina Hiibn. Centre-barred Sallow. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Parastichtis suspecta Hubn. Suspected. 10.8.1951 (F.M.S.). Agrochola circellaris Hufn. Brick. Recorded (F.M.S.). Cirrhia icteritia Hufn. (fulvago auctt.). Common Sallow. Abundant (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). C. vacclnii Linn. Common Chestnut. Common at car lights (Le M.). C. ligula Esp. Dark Chestnut. Several records from northern area (F.R.). Eupsilia transversa Hufn. (satellitia Linn.) Satellite. Frequent (Le M.); a few in northern area (F.R.); larvae and moths occasional (W.H.S.); common (W.H.S.); 10.4.1950 (F.M.S.). Xylocampa areola Esp. Early Grey. Frequent (Le M.); common (W.H.S.); 10.4.1950 (F.M.S.). Anarta myrtilli Linn. Beautiful Yellow Underwing. Common (H.E.W.). Panevieria tenebrata Scop. Small Yellow Underwing, 24.5.1953 (A.W.J.). PLUSIIDAE. Jaspidia pygarga Hufn. (fasciana auctt.). White-spot Marbled. Frequent at car lights (Le M.); 6.6.1947 (C.G.-J.). Eustrotia uncula Clerck. Silver Hook. Several records from southern area (F.R.). liivula sericealis Scop. Straw Dot. Common (H.E.W.); common at car lights (Le M.). Scoliopteryx libatrix Linn. Herald. Common in southern area (F.R.); frequent (W.H.S.). Plusia chrysitis Linn. Common Burnished Brass. Several records from southern area (F.R.); occasional (W.H.S.). P. gamma Linn. Common Silver Y. Frequent (Le M.); common (F.R.). Euclidimera mi Clerck. Mother Shipton. Common (Le M.).; abundant (W.H.S.). Ectypa glyphica Linn. Burnet Companion. Common (Le M.); abundant (W.H.S.). Catocala nupta Linn. Red Underwing. At sugar on 29.8.1947 (Le M.). Lygephila pastinum Treits. Plain Blackneck. Occasional (W.H.S.). Laspeyria flexula Schiff. Beautiful Hook-tip. 6.7.1947 (C.G.-J.); larvae fre¬ quently beaten from hawthorn and blackhorn (W.H.S.). Z anclognatha nemoralis Fabr. ( grisealis Hiibn.). Small Fan-foot. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Herminia barbalis Clerck. Common Fanfoot. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Hypena proboscidalis Linn. Common Snout. Recorded (F.M.S.). MONOCTENIIDAE. Brephos parthenias Linn. Common Orange-underwing. .Common. B. notha Hiibn. Light Orange-underwing. Larvae on aspen (S.W.). ' Alsophila aescularia Schiff. March Usher. Common. Geometridae. Pseudoterpna pruinata Hufn. Greater Grass Emerald. Larvae on Petty Whin (S.W.). Hipparchus papilionaria Linn. Large Emerald. 20.6.1949 (F.M.S.). Comibaena pustulata Hufn. Blotched Emerald. Occasional (Le M.); larvae beaten rarely (W.H.S.). THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. 34 IocJls lactcaria Linn. Little Emerald. Common at car lights (LeM.). Hemithea aestivaria Hiibn. (*• trigat.a Mull.). Common Emerald. Common. Sterrha subsericeata Haw. Satin Wave. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). S. aversata Linn. Riband Wave. Common at car lights (Le M.). S. biselata Hufn. Small Fan-footed Wave. Common at car lights (Le M.). S. trigeminata Haw. Treble Brown Spot. Common at car lights (LeM.). S. emarginata Linn. Small Scallop Wave. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Scopula floxlactata Haw. ( remutaria Hiibn.). Greater Cream Wave. Common at car lights (Le M.). S. immutata Linn. Lesser Cream Wave. Common (H.E.W.); 7.8.1948 and 19.7.1952 (S.W.); a single specimen, 8.7.1945 (Le M.); 6.7.1947 (C.G.-J.). Calothysanis amata Linn. Large Blood-vein. Common. Cosymbia punctaria Linn. Maiden’s Blush. Frequent at car lights (LeM.): a few in woodland areas (F.R.), (A.S.W.); single specimens 3.6.1934 (W.H.S.); 10.8.1947 (C.G.-J.) and 19.5.1948 (F.M.S.). C. albipunctata Hufn. (pendulana auctt.). Birch Mocha. Frequent (W.H.S.); at car lights (Le M.); a single record (A.S.W.). Nothopteryx carpinata Borkh. Early Tooth-striped. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Acasis viretata Hiibn. Yellow-barred. Brindle. Frequent at car lights (LeM.). Philereme transversata Hufn. ( rhamnata Schiff.). Dark Umber. A few in southern area (F.R.). Ecliptopera sllaceata Schiff. Small Phoenix. Frequent at car lights (LeM.;. Lygris testata Linn. Common Chevron. Abundant at times (W.H.S )■ frequent (Le M.). Cidaria fulvata Forst. Barred Yellow. A few in northern area (F.R.). Electropha.es corylata Thunb. Broken-barred Carpet. Occasional (W.H.S.); common at car lights (Le M.). Dystroma truncata Hufn. Common Marbled Carpet. Occasional (W.H.S.) 6.6.1947 (C.G.-J.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). D. citrata Linn. ( immanata Haw.). Dark Marbled Carpet. A single specimen on 8.7.1945 (Le M.). Xanthorhoe ferrugata Clerck, non Hiibn. [unidentaria Haw.). Dark Twin-spot Carpet. Occasional (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). X. spadiceavia Schiff. (ferrugata Staud., non Clerck). Red TAvin-spot Carpet. Frequent at car lights (LeM.). X. designata Rott. Flame Carpet, Frequent at car lights (Le M.). x ■ montanata Borkh. Silver-ground Carpet. Frequent (W.H.S.); common at car lights (Le M.). X. fiuctuata Linn. Garden Carpet. Common. Colostygia pectinataria Enoch [viridaria Fabr.). Green Carpet. Common. C multistrigaria Haw. Mottled Grey. 18.4.1947 (Le M.). Ortholitha clienopodiata Linn. ( limitala Scop.). Shaded Broad-bar. Frequent (LeM.), (W.H.S.); locally common. 10.8.1947 (C.G.-J.); 10.8.1953 (F.M.S.). Oporinia dilutata Schiff. November Carpet. Abundant (dark forms usually; (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (LeM.). Iiydrelia ftammeolaria Hufn. ( luteata Schiff.). Small Yellow Wave. A few in northern area (F.R.). Operophtera fagata Seharf. [boreal a Hiibn.). Northern Winter. Frequent (Le M.); abundant (W.H.S.). O. brumata Linn. Common Winter. Abundant. Eph'rhoe alteimata Mull, (sociata Borkh.). Common Bedstraw Carpet Common Euphyia bilineata Linn. Yellow Shell. Common (C.G.-J.), (LeM.). Lyncometra oceUata Linn. Purple-bar Carpet. Frequent (Le M.). Plernyria bicolorata Hufn. Blue-bordered Carpet. 10.7.1938 (W.H.S.). Perizoma flavofasciata Thunb. [deeolorata Hiibn.). Sandy Carpet. A single specimen, 28.5.1953 (A.S.W.). P. albulata Schiff. Grass Rivulet. At car lights. 24.5.1952 (LeM)- taken “years ago’’ at the old cottage by the Isle of Wight Pond (S.W ) P. bifaciata Haw. ( unifasciata Haw.). Barred Rivulet. Larvae locallv abundnnt on Red Bartsia (W.H.S.). THE SURVEY OF BOOKHAM COMMON. 35 Hydriomena furcata Thunb. { sordidata Fabr.). July Highflyer. Common in the woods (C.G.-J.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Earophila badiata Hubn. Shoulder Stripe. Frequent records (Le M.). Coenotephria derivata Schiff. ( nigrotasciaria Goeze). Streamer. Occasional ( W .II . S - ) ; 2.5.1953 (F.M.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M ). Eupithecia centaureata Schiff. ( oblongata Tliunb.). Lime-speck Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). E. albipunctata Haw. ( tripunctaria H.S.). White-spotted Pug. 14.5.1947 (F.M.S.). E. vulgata Haw. Common Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). E. castigata Hubn. Grey Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). E. icterata Vill. ( snbfulvata Haw.). Tawny Speckled Pug. A single specimen, 29.7.1945 (Le M.). E. abbreviata Steph. Brindled Pug. A few in south-east area (F.R.); 9.4.1950 (F.M.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). E. exiguata Hubn. Mottled Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Gymnoscelis pumilata Hubn. Double-striped Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Chloroclystis rectangulata Linn. Green Pug. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Lomaspilis marginata Linn. Clouded Border. Common, sometimes abundant, in the woods. Ligdia adustata Schiff. Scorched Carpet. A single specimen on 1.5.1948 (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Bapta distinctata H.S. [pictarici auctt.). Sloe Carpet. Moths on blackthorn after dark in April (S.W.). B. bimaculata Fab]'. White-pinion Spotted. A few in western area (F.R.); occasional (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). B. temerata Hubn. Clouded Silver. A few in western area (F.R.); occasional (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Cabera pusaria Linn. Common White Wave. Common (C.G.-J.); common at car lights (Le M.). C. exanthemata Scop. Common Wave. Common at car lights (Le M.); 6.7.1947 (C.G.J.); 28.5.1953 (A.S.W.). Campaea margaritata Linn, (margaritaria Linn.). Light Emerald. A few in north woodland areas (F.R.), (A.S.W.); common (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Chiasmia clathrata Linn. Latticed Heath. Frequent at car lights tLe M.); single specimens, 2.6.1935 (W.H.S.), and 14.6.1953 (A.W.J.); 9.5.1948, Bayfield Plain (K.P.K.). Theria rupicaprai ia Hubn. Early Umber. Common (Le M.), (F.R.); 19.2.1949 (F.M.S.). Eiranis aurantiaria Esp. Scarce Umber. Common (Le M.); occasional (W.H.S.). E. marginaria Borkh. Dotted Border. Common. E. leucophaearia Schiff. Spring Umber. Common. E. defoliaria Clerck. Mottled Umber. Common. Plagodis dolabraria Linn. Scorched Wing. A few in northern area (F.R.), occasional (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Deuteronomos alniaria Linn. Canary-shouldered Thorn. 17.10.1931 (Le M.). Selenia bilunana Esp. Early Thorn. Common. S. tetralunaria Hufn. Purple Thorn. A specimen attracted to light at Bookham Grange Hotel (K.P.K.). Apeira syringaria Linn. Lilac Beauty. A few in southern area (F.R.); larvae abundant, ova and pupae also found (W.H.S.); larvae only (Le M.). Gonodontis bidentata Clerck. Scalloped Hazel Thorn. Frequent (W.H.S.). Colotois pennaria Linn. Feathered Thorn. Common (W.H.S.); common at ear lights (Le M.). Opisthograptis luteolata Linn. Brimstone. Common (F.R.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Lithina chlorosata Scop. ( petraria Hubn.). Brown Silver-lined. Common (A.S.W.); at car lights (LeM.). Pachycnema hippocastanaria Htibn. Horse-chestnut Longwing. Fairly common (H.E.W.). THE LONDON' NATURALIST, NO. -34. 30 Phigalia pedaria Fabr. Pale Brindled-beauty. Frequent (LeM.) ; occasional (W.H.S.); 16.3.1947 (F.M.S.). Apocheima hispidaria Fabr. Small Brindled-beauty. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Lycia hirtaria Clerck. Brindled Beauty. Common (W.H.S.). Biston strataria Hufn. Oak Beauty. Occasional (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). B. ebtularia Linn. Peppered. Frequent (W.H.S.); 5.6.1946 (F.M.S.). Hemei'ophila abruptaria Thunb. Waved Umber. Frequent (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Boarmia roborai'ia Schiff. Great C)ak Beauty. A single specimen at car lights on 23.6.1951 (Le M.). B. punct inalis Scop, (consortavia Fabr.). Pale Oak Beauty. Occasional (W.H.S.); common at car lights (Le M.). Cleora rhomboidaria Schiff. ( gemmaria Brahm). Willow Beauty. Frequent (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). C. repandata Linn. Mottled Beauty. Frequent at car lights (Le M.). Ectropis bistortata Goeze (biundularia Borkli.). Early Engrailed. Common (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.); 6.7.1947 (C.G.-J.); 18.4.1948 (R.M.S.). E crepuscularia Htibn. Small Engrailed. Frequent (LeM.); larvae, 14.10.1951 (A.S.W.). E. extersaria Hiibn. ( luridata Borkh.). Brindled White-spot. One specimen, 1952 (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (LeM.). Aethalura punctulata Schiff. ( punctularia Hiibn.). Grey Birch Beauty. Common. Ematurga atomaria Linn. Common Heath Beauty. Frequent (W.H.S.); 6.6.1947 (C.G.-J.); 13.6.1948, Bayfield Plain (K.P.K.). Limacodidae. Apoda avellana Linn, (limacodes Hufn.). Festoon. A few beaten from oak (W.H.S.). Zygaenidae. Zygaena filipendulae Linn. Six-spot Burnet. Sometimes frequent (Le M.), (W.H.S.); 20.6.1947 (F.M.S.); 21.7.1951 (A.W.J.); 11.7.1952 (A.S.W.). Z. lonicerae Esp. Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet. Very common, except in woods, on 6.7.1947 (C.G.-J.); single specimens, 20.5.1945 (F.M.S.) and 7.7.1945 (Le M.). Z. trifolii Esp. Five-spot Burnet. Frequent (LeM.); 8.7.1951 and 3.7.1953 (A.W.J.); larvae and pupae, Bayfield Plain (K.P.K.). Procris statices Linn. Common Forester. Frequent (Le M.); sometimes locally common (W.H.S.); common, 11.6.1950, along Central Path (A.S.W.); seen on various dates in June 1951, 1952 and 1953 (A.W.J.); 26.6.1949 (F.M.S.). Sesiidae. Aegeria flaviventris Staud. Sallow Clearwing. Galls common in sallows (W.H.S.). Sesia apiformis Clerck. Hornet. Common (H.E.W.). Sphecia bembecifoi'mis Hiibn. ( crabroniformis Lew.). Lunar Hornet. Some sallows infested — one tree yielded numerous larvae and pupae from 1948- 1953 (W.H.S.). Hepialidae. Hepialus lupulina Linn. Common Swift. Common (W.H.S.); frequent at car lights (Le M.). Hepialus humuli Linn. Ghost Swift. A few at dusk, 10.7.1951 (A S W )• recorded (F.M.S. ). MR. PEPYS DINES . 37 Mr. Pepys Dines. By W. C. Cocksedge. JN a previous Pepysian communication, I remarked rather unguardedly that feeding in his day seemed to be a haphazard and casual business. Further attentive reading of the Diary has caused me to modify my opinion in this respect. Whatever may have been the case in Medieval and Tudor Times, there is no doubt that in the reign of Charles II catering had become a highly organised affair and the tradition was growing up of that plenteous solid English fare, which was to endure for at least two centuries. Of course, it depends very much upon whether we can consider Pepys as a typical citizen of his period. On the whole, I think we can. He was comparatively well-to-do and had some advantages over other members of his class but there is no evidence that he fared differently or wished to fare differently from his fellows. He loved good eating; such a jolly sensuous individual would do so, but he was not exactly a gourmand; he had many other pleasant interests to entertain him. Nor would it have been possible to be a gourmand in those days. There was good food available but it was largely seasonal and it is probable that even wealthier and more leisured men had perforce to consume a good deal of what we should consider unpalatable stuff, merely to allay the pangs of hunger. Cer¬ tainly, he dined out largely at taverns, but he always kept a “cook- maid” and could put a plentiful dinner on his table when he chose to do so. 26 March 1663. ‘This morning came a new cook-maid at £4 per annum, the first time that I ever did give as much but we hope it will be nothing lost by keeping a good cook.’ 29 March 1665. ‘So home where I found a new cook-mavd that promises very little.’ 30 March 1666. ‘Up and away goes Alee, our cook-mayde whom we loved and did well by her and she an excellent servant.’ I have remarked that supplies of good fresh food were seasonal and this is indicated from time to time in the Diary. This class of viand was probably very appetising and Pepys had the money to buy the best. Much food was raised quite near the City and -would arrive in the markets in prime condition. It would be a mistake to consider that it was superior to that which we enjoy to-day. It was only usually fresher, for absence of cold storage and other facilities for keeping food ensured the benefits of quick marketing, and the smallness of the population which could afford such supplies was an asset in favour of the fastidious. It was not the custom in Pepys’ time to eat breakfast. In place of this, after a certain amount of business transacted, he took his “morn¬ ing draft” at a tavern. This was doubtless ale as a rule, although other drinks are occasionally mentioned. After a busy morning (and he rose very early) he repaired to the tavern favoured at the moment where he usually dined in company. Sometimes, but not often, he 38 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. would have dinner at home or at the house of a friend. Dining in solitude with a crowd of other solitaries is a feature of our own time. Dinner was invariably at noon and thereafter, more business, often to a late hour of night. Nothing else seems to have been eaten in the meanwhile, a solid tea being a much later innovation. For supper, Pepys usually had a single dish, often some delicacy which he had had no opportunity of eating during the day. 5 June 1661. ‘There we staid talking and singing and drinking great drafts of claret and eating botargo (dried fish roe) and bread and butter until 12 at night.’ It was a hot night and they were sitting on the leads in the open air. 8 April 1664. “Then home to the only Lenten supper I have had of wiggs and ale and so to bed.’ Wiggs were North Country cakes, forerunner of the sinmel. 21 May 1668. ‘And then home and sang and eat a dish of greene pease, the first I have seen this year, extraordinary young and pretty.’ It would be tedious to attempt to enumerate all the taverns and eating houses which Pepys frequented for dinner. They are chiefly inteiesting to the topographer but they illustrate, nevertheless, the strides which catering had taken. He was often influenced, of course, by the company in which he happened to be. He had his favourite haunts and there is some evidence that he tried new places for the sake of novelty. Sometimes, these promised well but did not fulfil their promise, an experience not unknown in the present day. 25 April 1661. ‘At noon, Mr. Moore and I went to an Ordinary at the King’s Head in Tower St. and there had a dirty dinner.’ 13 March 1667. All of us to Chatelins’, the French House in Covent Garden and there had a dinner cost us 8s 6d apiece, a damned base dinner which did not please us at all.’ There is much talk of Ordinaries which survh e in provincial towns in the Market Ordinaries of our own day. Pepys frequented the King’s Head near Charing Cross which was fashionable, being near the Court. 27 Oct. 1662. ‘Then to the great half-a-crown ordinary at the King’s Head where we had a most excellent neat dinner and very high company and in a noble manner.’ There is a foretaste of snug Soho dinners in the following entry • _ 12 May 1667 (Lord’s Day). ‘Back to the coach to my wife and in our way bethought ourselves of going alone, she and I, to go to a French house to dinner, and so enquired out Monsieur Robins, my perriwigg-maker, who keeps an ordinary and in an ugly street in Covent Gaiden did find him at the door, and so in: and in a moment almost had the table covered and clean glasses and all in the French manner, and a mess of potage first and then a couple of pigeons a la esterve and then a piece of boeuf-a-la-mode, all exceeding well seasoned and to our great liking ; at least it would have been anywhere else but in this bad street and in a perriwigg-maker’s house; but to see the pleasant and i eady attendance that we had and all things so desirous to please and ingenious in the people, did take me mightily. Our dinner cost us 6s.’ MR. PEPYS DINES. 39 From some remarks made on one oceasmn (10 May 1663) it would seem that it was not customary in England, on a point of etiquette, to inquire the price of a meal before it was eaten although this was done in France, and so Ordinaries with fixed price were popular. In some entries, we get a hint of old-time customs. 6 Jany. 1661. ‘Thence to dinner to Sir W. Pen’s, it being his wedding-day (anniversary) and we had eighteen mincepies in a dish, the number of the years that he hath been married.’ 1 June 1661. ‘From Deptford, we walked to Redriff (Rotherhithe) calling at the half-way house where there was infinite of new cakes placed that are made against Whitsuntide.’ Christmas-day was spent quietly without company but the following entries showT the shape of things to come. 25 Dec. 1662. ‘Dined with great content having a mess of brave plum porridge and a roasted pullet and I sent for a mince-pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself, yet.’ 7 Feb. 1664. ‘It being Shrove-Tuesday, had some very good fritters.’ 6 Jany. 1668. ‘I did bring out my cake — a noble cake and there cut it into pieces, with wine and good drink : and after a new fashion to prevent spoiling the cake, did put so many titles into a hat and so drew cuts; and I was the Queene and The Turner, King — Creed. Sir Martin Marr-all; and Betty, Mrs Millicent.’ Readers may be reminded of the Baddeley Twelfth-night cake which is cut up annually in the Green Room of Drury Lane Theatre. Turkeys are mentioned occasionally, but not in connection with Christmas. There is a curious entry on the 4 Feb. 1659. ‘This day my wife killed her turkeys that Mr. Sheplv gave her that came out of Zealand with my Lord.’ It would seem that her maid, Jane, had resolutely declined to do the job and Mrs Pepys, a mere girl at the time, had to slay them with her own hand. Presumably, they were turkey poults. Pepys like many an ingenuous soul, had an especial liking for pies. Among those mentioned are swan pie, turkey pie, umble pie (a classic dish, the entrails of a deer) and lamprey pie (another classic dish). There is a schoolboyisli relish in the following entry : 14 Nov. 1661. ‘To the Sun in Fish St. Hill where we had a pie of such a pleasant variety of good things, as in all my life I never tasted.’ By a quaint conceit, Pepys was accustomed to have a fine dinner in his own house and invite a few relatives and friends to partake of it, on or about 26 March, being the anniversary of the day when he was “cut for the stone”. These dinners were marked by a lavish display of somewhat incongruous dishes, a tradition which held at least into Victorian times. One or two entries must suffice. 26 Jany. 1659. ‘Home from my office to my Lord’s lodgings (Sir Edward Montagu created Earl of Sandwich) where my wife had got ready a very fine dinner, viz. — a dish of marrow bones; a leg of mutton; a loin of veal ; a dish of fowl, three pullets and two dozen of larks, all in a dish; a great tart, a neat’s tongue, a dish of anchovies; a dish oi prawns and cheese.’ Ye gods! What a glorious twist. 40 THE LONDON NATURALIST. NO. 34. 13 Jany 1662. ‘So my poor wife rose by five o’clock in the morning and went to market and bought fowls and many other things for din- nei and the chine of beef was down also before six o’clock and my own jack, of which I was doubtful, do carry it very well. Things being put in older and the cook come, I went to the office where we sat till noon and then broke up and I home whither comes Dr. Clerke and his lady, lus sister and a she-cozen and Mr. Pierce and his wife which was all my guests. I had for them after oysters, at first course a hash of rabbits, a lamb and a rare chine of beef. Next a great dish of roasted fowl cost me about 30s. and a tart and then fruit and cheese. My dinner was noble and enough. At night to supper, had a good sack posset and cold meat and sent my guests away about ten o’clock at night. I be¬ lieve that tills day’s feast will cost me near £5.’ Tt is apparent that on this occasion Pepys hired a professional cook. _6 March 1662. I had a pretty dinner, viz., a brace of stewed carps, six roasted chickens and a jowl of salmon, hot, for the first course; a tanzy and two neats’ tongues, and cheese, the second. The “tanzy” was a pudding, originally flavoured with tansy to sym¬ bolise the bitter herbs at Eastertide, later a pudding containing fresh fruit. Judging from my boyish experience of Tansy tea, we can hardly imagine that Pepys served his guests with such an unappetising com¬ pound. The Revd. 0. A. Johns remarks that this herb was the prin¬ cipal ingiedient in t lie nauseous dish called Tansy pudding. 4 April 1663. ‘My dinner was great and most neatly dressed by our own only maid. We had a fricasee of rabbits and chickens, a leg of mutton boiled, three carps in a dish, a great dish of a side of lamb, a dish of roasted pigeons, a dish of four lobsters, three tarts, a lamprey pie (a most rare pie) a dish of anchovies, good wine of several sorts and all tilings mighty noble and to my great content.’ There is little mention of vegetables and fruit in the Diary but of course, it covers a comparatively short period and moreover, these comestibles were probably taken for granted. All the same, I think tli is is the chief difference we should notice between that era and our own. Even a century later, Gilbert White remarks “potatoes have pre¬ vailed in this little district, by means of premiums within these twenty years only and are much esteemed here now by the poor who would scarcely have ventured to touch them in the last reign (Geo. II)”. Radishes, carrots and peas are mentioned and also “nettle porrige” and asparagus. 20 April 1667. ‘Brought home with me from Fenchurch St. a hundred of sparrowgrass, cost 18d.’ Regarding fruit, there is also little said. He received grapes and “millons” from Lisbon and a barrel of lemons ‘which my man Burt sends me from sea’. Oranges were more general and we read of an unpleasant encounter which Pepys had with an orange girl. It was at a performance of the “Tempest” at the Duke of York’s Playhouse. 11 May 1668. ‘But there happened one thing which vexed me which is, that the orange-woman did come in the pit and challenge me for ME. PEPYS DINES. 41 twelve oranges which she delivered by my order at a late play at night, to give to some ladies in a box, which was wholly untrue but yet she swore it to be true. But however, I did deny it and did not pav her: hut for quiet, did buy 4s. worth of oranges of her, at 6d. a-piece’. Let us hope it was a case of mistaken identity. There are numerous entries regarding fish but here, again, supplies were necessarily fitful. Oysters are mentioned frequently, usually from C olchester, but in one instance from St. Malo. The following entry is especially interesting : — 24 Xov. 1665. ‘At my old oyster shop in Gracious St. bought two barrels of my fine woman at the shop who is alive after all the plague which now is the first enquiry we make at London concerning everybody we knew before it. I went home with Sir G. Smith to dinner, sending for one of. my barrels of oysters which were good though come from Col¬ chester where the plague hath been so 11111011’. Incidentally, it was quite a common custom in the waywardness of supplies, to dispatch presents of food to the houses of friends where one was about to dine. Two or three other entries concerning fish are interesting : - — - 26 April 1662. ‘At Southampton, we went to the Mayor’s and there dined and had sturgeon of their own catching the last week which do not happen in twenty years. They brought us also some caveare’. 0 Oct. 1661. ‘And at night Sir W. Pen and I alone to the Dolphin and there eat some bloat-herrings’. 16 Oct. 1661. ‘This day dined upon a fin of ling and some sounds, neither of which did I ever know before but most excellent meat, they are both that in all my life I never eat the like fish'. I fancy ling is little esteemed, nowadays. 23 May 1664. ‘Then to Mr. Falconer’s to a good dinner, having myself carried them a vessel of sturgeon and a lamprey pie’. I have mentioned that the ‘morning draft’ was usually ale, but other drinks are occasionally mentioned, such as whey, cider, metheglin (mead) and chocolate. The following entries are of interest : — 24 April 1661. ‘So rose and went out with Mr. Creed to drink our morning draft which he did give me in chocolate to settle my stomach’. 25 Sept. 1660. ‘I did send for a cup of tee (a China drink) of which I never had drank before’. Pepys does not seem to have drunk coffee although he frequented Coffee Houses for business and pleasure. Various ales are mentioned : China. Cock, Lambeth, Margate (in bottle) and Northdown. He men¬ tions frequently “Mum” which was a German beer equivalent to our Dantzig Spruce. There was a Mum House at Leadenhall. Our fore¬ fathers were fond of doctoring ale. Purle, lamb’s wool, horse-radish ale, wormwood ale and buttered ale are referred to: the last, he once drank in bed with unpleasant consequences (26 April 1665). Pepys and his companions also drank a good deal of imported wine at any hour of the day. Many kinds are mentioned, but as prices are never given, their enumeration would be tedious. Ardent spirits are rarely referred to. Two or three further entries must end this article. 42 THE LONDON' NATURALIST, NO. 34. 24 Oct. 1662. ‘So home and dined upon a most excellent dish of tripes of my own directing, covered with mustard'. 12 .Tany. 1663. ‘We had a good dinner (at home) the chief dish a swan roasted and that excellent meat’. 4 Nov. 1663. ‘Home to dinner and very pleasant with my wife, who is this day making of marmalett of quince which she now do very well’. Marmalade was originally made of quince as the name may indicate to the erudite. 1 Janv. 1666. ‘Home to dinner where the best powdered goose that ever I eat’. Powdering seems to have been a term for salting and pre¬ serving. My last two excerpts from the Diary are enigmatic: — 22 Aug. 1663. ‘This day Sir W. Batten tells me that Mr. Newburne is dead of eating cowcumbers, of which the other day, I heard another, I think Sir Nicholas Crisp’s son’. 4 Oct. 1661. ‘So home where I found my wife vexed at her people for grumbling to eat Suffolk cheese’. From other sources, it would appear that this article was a bye-word for poor fare. This article makes no attempt to be exhaustive but I think sufficient extracts from the Diary have been given to shew the nature of the cuisine which Pepys enjoyed and, incidentally, it may throw some light upon the culinary fashions of his period. [All the dates mentioned accord with the practice, then in vogue, of terminating the year on 31 March.] Cranford Park Survey. Ornithology by A. Anderson, M.D., D.P.H. The following birds nested in the Park: — Jay, Magpie, Green Wood¬ pecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Hedge Sparrow, Robin. Wren and Mallard Duck. Other birds seen up to the end of October were: — House Sparrow, Missel Thrush, Lapwing, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Skylark, Greenfinch, Golden Plover, Starling, Fieldfare, Redwing, Common Snipe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Coal Tit. Long-tailed Tit, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, Tree Sparrow, Pied Wag¬ tail, Common Partridge. Swift, Moorhen and Spotted Flycatcher. A Note on the Mammalia, Reptilia and Amphibia of Cranford Park by Bruce Coleman. Cranford Park, of 150 acres, consists of larcbwood, meadows and marshy woodland. The River Crane is now sluggish and polluted and this has resulted in the destruction of many fish including the Three- spined Stickleback, Roach and Gudgeon. The decline in numbers of the Amphibia may also be due to the deterioration of their habitat. The Mole is very common in the park and many “mole-heaves” can be seen in the orchard and meadow. The Common Shrew has been AX EXPOSURE of CHALK ROCK NEAR. WESTER HAM, KENT. 43 seen in the park and three Hedgehogs were observed in the meadow on 26th June, 1954, at 1.30 a.m. The Pipistrelle is the only species of bat recorded; as many as twenty have been counted in previous years but only one was observed this year. A Stoat was seen in 1951 but has not been recorded since. A Weasel was seen chasing a mole in the meadoAv by A. A. Aloppett on 14th July, 1954. Rabbits are numerous but their numbers seem to haA’e decreased, only one being observed on 26th June, 1954, at 3.30 a.m. A Brown Hare was observed on 1st June and although none has been recorded in the park this year (1954) they have be^en seen nearby. The first Bank Vole to be recorded for the park was seen on the banks of the River Crane on 15th June, 1954. The Water Vole, on the other hand, is widely distributed and several of their entrance holes can be seen along banks of the River Crane. The Brown Rat, too, is very common and can be very often seen swimming in the river. A House Mouse nest containing five young was found in 1952 but none has been seen since. The Grey Squirrel is decreasing in numbers; as many as 15 were seen during the summer of 1951, but only three have been obseiwed this year. The only reptile is the Grass Snake which is common and widely distributed. In 1950 the writer saw one large specimen 4 feet in length and in 1952 found and caught one nearly 4 feet long. Among the Amphibia the Common or Smooth Newt is very common : a local school boy collected 18 in one morning’s fishing. Although still very common its numbers have noticeably decreased. The Crested Newt on the other hand is rather scarce; only a few are to be found in the River Crane and out1 was seen this year in the ornamental lake. Two years ago, the Common Prog was very numerous, but owing to the collecting activities of the local children it has now become rare. Only occasionally is one to be seen, though as many as four were observed on 19th September, 1954. The Common Toad, however, is still common ; in late March of 1954, 30 were counted in the lake, but many were slaughtered by youths with rifles. 1 am indebted to the following for their observations and assistance : G. S. N. Barter, A. E. Fines, Mrs. A. M. Gadsen, M. Laughton, and A. A. Moppett. An Exposure of Chalk Rock near Westerham, Kent. By J. S. Hampton. fJJHE pit on which this description is based is situated on the Chalk Scarp, in a small wood about | mile N. by E. of Pilgrim School, Pilgrims Way, near Westerham, Kent, and about 1£ miles N. by E. of Westerham Railway Station (Nat. Grid, ref. 51/44955665). Ground level is about 730 feet above O.D. The pit is of interest in showing the fossiliferous Chalk Rock (the junction bed between the Middle and Upper Chalk), exposures of which 44 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. are rare in N.W. Kent. Also exposed is a section within the Holaster planus zone of the Upper Chalk. The pit is semi-circular with about 100 square feet of Chalk exposed on its eastern face, at the base of which is exposed the Chalk Rock. The face, excluding the sub-soil, is about 6 feet high. Stratigraphy and Lithology. Most of the Chalk exposed above the Chalk Rock is hard and grey- white in colour, but one soft marly band occurs immediately above it. The Chalk Rock is extremely hard and contains many yellow-brown nodules. Small Flints occur in irregular bands throughout the Chalk above the Chalk Rock. The following section is at present visible: — Bed Feet Inches 5 Tabular Chalk ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 4 “Inoceramus” Band ... ... ... ... ... 6 3 Blocky Chalk with Flints ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 2 Soft Marly Band ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 1 Hard Chalk with yellow-brown nodules = Chalk Rock, base not seen ... ... ... ... 11 Total thickness ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 0 Details of the Beds. Bed 5 Hard tabular Chalk with a few crushed brachiopods, e.g., Orbirh ynchia sp., and Gibbithyris sp. Bed 4 Chalk transitional between blocky and tabular type, containing many lamellibranclis belonging to the genus Inoceramus. Bed 3 Blocky Chalk with flints, fossils are rare from this bed but perfect specimens of the echinoid genus Micraster occur occasionally. Bed 2 Soft Marly Chalk with occasional rolled pebbles and many well preserved fossils. This and the above bands constitute the basement beds of the Holaster planus zone of the Upper Chalk. Bed 1 Hard Chalk with many yellow-brown nodules referable to the so-called Hyphantoceras reussianum sub-zone (Chalk Rock) by reason of its sponge, ammonite and gastropod fauna. Palaeontology. The fauna of this pit appears to be typical of the Upper Turonian deposits of the British Isles and the fauna of Bed 1, as stated above, is characteristic of the Chalk Rock ( reussianum sub-zone). Fossils are numerous and easy to remove from the Chalk, the com¬ monest being echinoids, brachiopods and lamellibranchs ; ammonites and gastropods are rare. Fish remains are also common but they are usually indeterminable, the characteristic fossils of the section being: — £4/- 5 3 - Micraster lesl ei (Des Moulins). M. upraecursor ” Rowe. — Orbirhynchia dispansa Pettitt. - £. if! 7 Opr E- P AX EXPOSURE OE CHALK ROC'K NEAR, 'WESTER II AM , KENT. 45 The species collected from this pit are listed below; the numbers in brackets after species refer to the beds from which they have been recorded, those followed by the symbol CR being characteristic of the Chalk Rock elsewhere. Fossils recorded from this pit include: — - PORIFERA. ? FI eurostoma sp. (1). Rare. Porosphaera globularis (Phillips). (1-5). Abundant, cf. Porochonia sp. (1). Rare. Tremabolites perforatus T. Smith. (1). Rare. CR. Ventriculites alcyonoides (Mantell). (1). Rare. CR. V. decurrens T. Smith. (1). Rare. CR. V. impressus T. Smith. (1). Occasional. CR. CoELENTERA. ? Axogaster sp. (2). Rare. Caryophyllia sp. cf. cylindrncea (Reussian). (1 and 2). Rare. Parasmilia centralis (Mantell). (2). Rare. Annelida. SerpuJa sp. (1, 2 and 5). Common. Brachiopoda. Goncinnithyris ? bulla (J. de C. Sower by). (5). Rare. Gibbithyris ? media Salmi. (2 and 5). Common. G. sp. cf. merensis Salmi. (5). Rare. Cretirhynchia sp. juv. cf. cuneiformis Pettitt. (1, 2 and 5). Occasional. C. sp. juv. cf. minor Pettitt. (2). Rare. Orbirhynchia dispansa Pettitt. (1-5). Abundant. 0. sp. cf. orbignyi Pettitt. (2). Rare. 0. sp. cf. reedensis (Etheridge). (1-5). Occasional. POLYZOA. Berenicea gracilis (Edwards) var. tenuis (Reussian). (2). Rare. Vishelopora sp. (2). Rare. Onychocella sp. (2). Rare. Betispinopora sp. (1 and 2). Rare. Echinoderma. Metopaster sp. (1 and 2). Occasional. ? Bourgueticrinus sp. (1). Rare. A. • • • • * Gauthierici radiata (Sorignet). (2). Rare. Stereocidaris sp. (2). Common. - - 25,6.5 Micr aster corbovis Forbes. (1 and 2). Rare. £ U-i .• £ U. r M. leskei (Des Moulins). (1-5). Abundant. £ “ e ^ M. “ pr a e cursor ” Rowe, i.e., M. cortestudinanum (Goldfuss). (1-5). Abundant. £ , Holaster planus (Mantell.) (1-5). Occasional. &f. - ¥ 46 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Mollusc a. Dentalium sp. cf. turoniense Woods. (1). Rare. CR. Lewesiceras sp. juv. cf. manteUi Wright. (1). Rare. CR. Prionocydus sp. juv. cf. neptuni (Geiuitz). (1). Rare. CR. Dimyodon nilssoni (Hagenow). (2 and 4). Rare. Inuceramus costellatus Woods. (2). Occasional. /. inconstans Woods. (1, 2 and 4). Occasional. I. labiatus cf. var. latus (J. de C. Sowerby). (4). Rare. I. lamarcki Parkinson. (1, 2 and 4). Common. tipondylus latus (J. Sowerby). (2). Rare. S. spinosus (J. Sowerby). (1 and 2). Common. Lima ( Plagiostoma ) hoperi (Mantell). (1). Rare. Lopha semiplana (J. de C. Sowerby). (1). Rare. Variamussium inversum (Nilsson). (1). Rare. CR. P Solariella gemmata (J. de C. Sowerby). (1). Rare. CR. Troclius schliiteri Woods. (1). Rare. CR. Arthropod a. Lobster. Enoplodytia dixuni (Bell). (3). Rare. Pisces. Teeth. Isurus manteUi (L. Agassiz). (1 and 2). Occasional. I am indebted to the officers of the British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), to which a representative collection of species from the pit has been presented, and of the Geological Survey for confirming the identifi¬ cation of specimens from the pit, and to Mr. Miles of Bromley, Kent, for his help in collecting them. Additions to the London Clay Fauna of Oxshott, Surrey. By M. M. Brown and C. P. Castell. ^INCE January 1954, when the first report ( L.N. , 33, 61-4) went to press, visits to Oxshott by the Geologists’ Association and by the Geological Section, as well as private collecting by members and others, have provided the following additions to the fauna. As before, examples of each species have been handed over to the Geological De¬ partment of the British Museum (Natural History). We are indebted to the following for the donation of further material:^ — -Miss R. Ellis, Messrs. J. Mitchell and E. P. F. R ose, M iss V. Williams and Mr. J. Wyley. Pisces (determined by Dr. E. I. White). Isolated teeth of the sharks Eugaleus minor (Ag.) and Odon- taspis verticalis (Ag.). ADDITIONS TO THE LONDON CLAY I'ACNA OK OXSIIOTT, SURREY. 47 A sample of detrital drift was taken by Mr. D. Curry j it con¬ tained otoliths or fish ear-stones and these have been sent to Mr. F. C. Stinton lor study. * Mollusc a. Lamellibranchia. Pteria media (J. Sow.). 3-3. Nemocardnun nitens (J . Sow.). Tins species has now proved to be locally common. Curh id a globosu J. Sow. Locally abundant. 3-4. Gastropoda. Galeudea gallica Wrigley. 3-5. • Atilia angusta (Desk.). Three specimens were found of this rare species, which has been recorded only from the upper beds of the London Clay at Highgate Wood and Finch¬ ley and has not been seen again for over a hundred years. It was originally described by Deshayes from the Cuisian (i.e. Bagshot Beds) of the Paris Basin. Pallia ITritonidea ] lundini Wrigley. 5. Occurs also at Clay- gate. With the addition of this species to the list, all four of the characteristic fossils of Horizon 5 of the London Clay have now been found. Fusions nnica rinatus var. londini Wrig. 4-5. Batliytoma granaia (Edw.). 3-5. Daphnobela juncea (Sol.). Ping ic id a turgida (J. Sow.). Occasional. 4-5. Cephalopoda (determined by Mr. D. Phillips). Xautilus imperialis J. Sow. 2-5. Arthropoda (determined by Mr. R. Baker). Xa tithopsis l each i Bell. 2-5. Linuparus scyllariforinis Bell. Laeviranina gottscliei (J. Bolnn). Several specimens have been found of this rare species, which has been recorded in this country only from the London Clay of Highgate, Tolworth and Herne Bay. * Echinodermata (determined by Mr. L. Bairstow). Coelopleurus vethereUi Forbes. 4-5. Large numbers of this Sea-urchin have occurred associated in a sandy lenticu¬ lar concretion. They are well preserved and. in many cases, the spines are still in position. Foraminieera. R. N. C. Bowen (Proc. G-eol . Assoc., vol. 65, 1954, pp. 130, 171) records the following species. They were col¬ lected from five samples of dark blue clay from the work¬ ing face of the pit at intervals of six feet. 48 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Disco ibis chapmani Bowen in all five samples. Bulimina ovata d’Orb. Base. Pullen i a quinqueloba (Beuss). Base. Lenticulina articulata (Beuss). Base. Bolivia apsis expa nsa (Plummer) in samples at 6, 18, and 24 ft. above base. Samples of clay, washed by Mr. D. Curry, have yielded a- micro- fauna containing foraminifera, pteropods, diatoms, etc., which are at present being studied. Errata:— L.N., no. 33, 1954, p. 61. Nat. Grid Ref., for 51/133162 read 51/133602. p. 63. Arthropod a, for Clyphithyrevs read Glyphi- thyreus [Plug iolo pints] . The Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of Woolwich and surrounding Localities. By R. G. Rigden. TH*, following notes have' been extracted from the results of a survey of the wild life to be found in the Borough of Woolwich and sur¬ rounding districts. The investigations are far from complete but I feel that there is enough of interest to warrant publication of these notes. Especially does this apply to observations within the Royal Arsenal where building developments are reducing more and more the suitable areas that are inhabited at present by wild animals. The Area Investigated. The borough is included in Vice-county 16 (West Kent), and is made up of the following localities : — Abbey Wood, Plumstead, Woolwich, W ell Hall, El tli am and New Eltham. These localities are well inter¬ spersed with open spaces, woods and parkland as well as a long stretch of marsh. For the purpose of this paper I have included some notes made in areas outside, but adjacent to, the borough, such as Danson Park (Welling), Old Bexley, North Cray and St. Paul’s Cray. Brook Lamprey (. Lampetra planeri Bloch). This animal was reported as occurring in a stream on Shooters Hill, July 1954. Iliree-spined Stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus L.). Occurs in many streams and pools throughout the borough. Notable localities are Danson Park, Pine Pool in Lesnes Woods and Plumstead Marshes. Many of the streams in the Royal Arsenal are in¬ habited by these fishes. It is a well-known fact that the Three-spined Stickleback will catch young which have strayed from the nest before they are THE FISHES, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES AND MAMMALS OF WOOLWICH. 49 ready and will ‘spit’ them back. I have recently observed this behaviour used to repel intruders. Two males guarding their nests in a pool in Lesnes Woods were seen to seize any tadpoles of the Common Toad which approached too near the nests, carry them a distance of about eighteen inches, ‘spit’ them out, and dash back to the nest to resume guard. The tadpoles appeared to be none the worse for the experience. Ten-spined Stickleback (Pygosteus pungitius (L.)). Danson Park (June 1954), Plumstead Marshes (June 1954). Specimens of both species are in Woolwich Borough Museum. Carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.). Pour specimens were taken from New Eltliam (August 1954) and are now in Woolwich Borough Museum. Minnow (Plwxinus phoxinus L.). Occurs in the Darenth at North Cray (June 1954). Stone Loach ( Nemacheilus barbatula L.). This fish was reported from Plumstead Marshes (July 1954). Eel ( Anguilla uivguilla (L.)). Plumstead and Abbey Wood Marshes. [A specimen of the European Salamander ( Salamandra s. salamandra ) was taken in Wickham Lane, 15th Oct. 1952, and is now housed in Woolwich Borough Museum.] Warty Newt ( Triturus palustris palustris (L.)). This, the largest of the British newts, occurs in a pool on Shooters Hill Golf Course and has recently been introduced into a pool in Lesnes Woods (June 1954). Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris vulgaris (L.)). Common in many of the ponds and streams throughout the borough. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum. Palmate Newt ( Triturus helveticus helveticus (Raz.)). J. F. Burton reports this species from Shooters Hill Golf Course. Common Toad ( Bufo bufo bufo (L.)). Specimens have been found in Lesnes Woods, Abbey Wood, Plumstead, New Eltham and St. Paul’s Cray. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum. Common Frog (Puna temporaria temporaria L.). Taken from Abbey Wood, Plumstead, Shooters Hill and Eltham. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum. Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis L.). Specimens have been taken from Plum¬ stead Common, Lesnes Woods and Bostall Heath. During the flooding of the marshes in February 1953 I received a description of an animal found drowned within the Arsenal which tallied with that of a Slow-worm. So far I have records of the Blue-spotted form (var. colchica Demidoff) only from Plumstead Common. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum. Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara Jacq.). Bostall Heath, Lesnes Woods and Plumstead Common. One reported from New Eltham, April 1953. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum. One of these lizards from Plumstead Common was taken on the 10th August and gave birth to five young on 6th September. Dr. Malcolm Smith points out in his book “The British Amphi- 50 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. bians and Reptiles’’ tliat late dates have occurred in an unusually cold summer. The normal time of birth in this area is July. Grass Snake (Matrix natrix natrix (L.)). This snake is quite common in Abbey Wood and on Plumstead Marshes; it also occurs in Lesnes Woods, Plumstead Common, Bostall Heath and Eritli. Three were seen in Pelham Road, Bexleyheath, August 1953. Three specimens have been taken from the Royal Arsenal (4/6/ ’49; 8/6/ ’50 ; 14/10’50). A very dark form taken m Plumstead, 16th May 1952, was shown to Dr. Malcolm Smith who pronounced it to be not truly melanic. (Specimen in Woolwich Borough Museum). All records of Adders have turned out to be cases of mistaken identity, the Grass Snake being the animal actually found. So far I have had no records of snakes in the Eltliam area. Hedgehog ( Erinuceus europaew $ L.). Common throughout the borough. Common Shrew ( Sorex araneus castaneus Jenyns). Abbey Wood and Plumstead Marshes. Three were found dead within the Royal Arsenal, 23rd Oct. 1950. Common Mole ( Talpa europaea L.). ‘Mole-hills’ at Crossness, lltli May 1950. One young was found dead within the Royal Arsenal, Summer 1950. For the past two years I have carried out an intensive search for bats and the following account summarises the results to date (1954). I have divided the observations into two sections, those where specimens have been examined, and those that are sight records only. Details of observations of flight have been included. Noctule ( Nyctalus noctula (Schreber)). Abbey Wood — colonies in trees and numbering up to 25 as far as could be ascertained. A house in the locality had four in the roof, May 1953. One skin in the Woolwich Borough Museum. Shooters Hill — small colonies in trees. Lesnes Woods — in trees. North Cray — two dead from the roof of a house. Leisler’s Bat (A yctalus Isisleri (Kuhl)). Abbey Wood — One specimen taken from a tree, April 1953. It was found near the locality frequented by the Noctule. Pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber)). Common in all locali¬ ties where there is woodland. Many specimens have been examined, and all were obtained from trees except one from Woodlands Farm (19th Nov. 1953). It was kept alive on 19th and 20th November, and became very active at 4.30 p.m. on both days. It was released on the 21st as it would not feed, although it did drink a number of times. A pipistrelle roost (behind the tiled bay front of a house) was examined on 17th August 1954 ; it harboured bats which made off in the evening in the direction of Woodlands Farm, some three-quarters of a mile away. Though there is a nearer colony only 300 to 400 yards away none of the bats seemed to take this direction. The bats may have been attracted by the large num- THE FISHES, AMPHIBIANS., REPTILES AND MAMMALS OF WOOLWICH. 51 ber of Hies at the Woodlands Farm abattoir. Several houses in the vicinity of the abattoir have large numbers of bats under the tiles. Skins in Woolwich Borough Museum. Serotine ( Eptesicus serotinus (Schreber)). Abbey Wood — Two from a house in Knee Hill, June 1953. Daubenton’s Bat (. Myotis daubentonii (Kulil)). The Tarn (Mottingham). A dead male, 27th July 1953. Skin in Woolwich Borough Museum. Whiskered Bat ( Myotis mystacinus (Kuhl)). One from a shed, 15th April 1953. Skin in Woolwich Borough Museum. Long-eared Bat (. Flecotus auritus (L.)). Abbey Wood — Fairly common in Leslies Woods area. One knocked down with a stick, April 1953. Plumstead — One from a building near Shooters Hill, June 1953. Skin in Woolwich Borough Museum. Greater Horseshoe Bat ( Bhinolophus ferrum-equinum insulanus Barrett-Hamiiton). Shooters Hill — One found clinging to a tree, Oxleas Woods, Nov. 1953. Sight Records Only. ? Noctule. St. Paul's Cray, Sept. 1953 — Large Bat, rapid flight. ? Serotine. Old Bexley, 3rd Sept. 1953— Largish Bat with fluttering, diving flight. ? Daubenton's Bat. Low-flying over water. Danson Park (Welling) — Frequently observed over the lake. Huxley Gravel-pit (St. Paul’s Cray)— Skimming over the water. ? Whiskered Bat. Old Bexley — Flying along churchyard wall— small bat with steady flight Sept. 1953. ? Natterer’s Bat (Myotis natter eri (Kuhl)). Old Bexley— One between 7.00 and 7.30 p m. Hovering round and between two trees. Steady flight. ? Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rliinolophus hipposideros niinutus (Montagu)). Abbey Wood — Small bat with rounded wings and fluttering flight, often seen in Knee Hill. There are some buildings in the district where bats are known to roost but which for various reasons have not been examined. Five church towers have been found to be occupied by London Pigeons only. All the known ‘beats’ (with the exception of the one at Woodlands Farm) are on slopes where trees meet roads. The bats fly up and down the slope rather than across them. The ‘beat’ at Woodlands Farm appears to be used exclusively by Pipistrelles. Rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)). Common on the marshes within the Royal Arsenal (1951). Occasionally seen in Lesnes and Bostall Woods. Fairly common on Plumstead and Abbey Wood Marshes. Plumstead Cemetery — One, 13th April 1954. Brown Hare ( Lepus europaeus occidentalis de Winton). Occurred in Lesnes Woods in 1925 (Marriott). Allotment owners on Plumstead Marshes say that this species still occurs there (Sept. 1954). 52 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 54. Short-tailed \ ole (Micrutus ugrestis hirtus (Bellamy)). Specimens taken from Plumstead and Abbey Wood Marshes, and Oxleas Woods between 1949 and 1951. Occurs within the Royal Arsenal. Water-vole ( ArvicoJa amplubius amphibius (L.)). Occurs in most of the streams on Plumstead and Abbey Wood Marshes. Specimens in Woolwich Borough Museum from Plumstead Marshes, 27th June 1949. Long-tailed Field Mouse ( Apodemus sylvaticus sylvaticus (L.)). Speci¬ mens obtained from Abbey Wood, Plumstead Marshes, Royal Arsenal, Bostall Heath, Leslies Woods, Oxleas Woods and Upper Belvedere. House Mouse ( Mus musculus L.). Present throughout Woolwich. Black Rat ( Hattus rattus (L.)). and Brown Rat ( Rat bus norvegicus Erscleben). Present along most of the river-front and less frequently in other parts of Woolwich. Grey Squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin). ShornelPs Woods, five in 1952; two dreys present. Occurred in Shrewsbury Park and Oxleas Woods up to September 1954. I have recently observed that a young Grey Squirrel, out in the open with little hope of reaching cover unobserved, will hold its tail horizontally along the side of the body leaving just the eye exposed. This attitude appears to be an effective form of camouflage, and would be particularly useful should the animal be injured in some way. Fox (' Vulpes vulpes crucigera (Bechstein)). P. Steele, who is familiar with these animals, heard the cry of a vixen on Shooters Hill, 16th March 1953. A male was knocked down by a car in New Eltham at midnight, 24th December 1954. Occurred at Bostall Heath, February 1955. Stoat (. Mustela erminea stabilis Barrett-Hamilton). Woolwich Ceme¬ tery — Summer 1953 and 1954 (D. Bateman). Weasel ( Mustela nivalis nivalis L.). Woolwich Cemetery, 1953. Royal Arsenal — one, 8/6/1949; one, 6/7/1950. New Eltham — one, 16/9/1953. An allotment owner told me that on three separate occasions on Plumstead Marshes between 1953 and 1954 his cat captured and killed a stoat. On being shown a weasel and a stoat he thought, perhaps, that the animal in question was a weasel. Unless otherwise stated, all the animals have been examined by myself and compared, where necessary, with skins in the Woolwich Borough Museum. I would be glad of any information concerning local animals and specimens, too, are welcome. These may be sent to me c/o Woolwich Borough Museum, 232 Plumstead High Street, S.E.18. Acknowledgments . I am indebted to the following residents of the borough for their help and co-operation with the bat investigations : — THE FISHES, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES AND MAMMALS OF WOOLWICH. 53 Mr. D. Bateman and Mr. Turner wlio allowed me to roam through the cemeteries in their charge; the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society for permission to visit their abattoir and Woodlands Farm; L.C.C. Parks Department for permission to visit areas not generally accessible; Mr. Keene for allowing me to examine St. Nicholas Church, Plumstead; F. Swindell, D. Swindell, P. Steele, Miss M. Amey, B. Dagnall, K. F. Keane and Mrs. F. G. Smith for supplying useful information; J. E. Bruce, P. Steele, and A. Freeman for obtaining specimens, and E. Gerrard & Sons. The “Kentish Independent” published two articles inviting the co¬ operation of local residents. Literature listing bats found in and near Woolwich. None of the following observations have been used in this report but they did help stimulate the research. They also show that the area of Woolwich has been neglected in the past with the exception of the work of St. John Marriott. In his book “British Woodlands”, 1925, Marriott briefly mentions the presence of Pipistrelles and the probable presence of the Noctule (p. 53). There is no indication that specimens were examined. Tutt, J. W., in Grinling et al “Woolwich Surveys”, 1909, deals with species recorded outside the borough (pp. 234-5): — Noctule — Hayes (common), Lewisham (rare). Serotine — Occurs. Pipistrelle — Blackheath and district (very common). Leisler’s Bat — Chislehurst. Whiskered Bat — Chislehurst. Natterer’s Bat — Chislehurst. Long-eared Bat — Hayes, Lewisham (fairly common), Beckenham, Chislehurst. Barbastelle — Chislehurst. Greater Horseshoe Bat— Hayes, 1904. Apart from the specimen recorded as Leisler’s Bat, which was examined by Harting and considered a Noctule (Fitter, L.N. for 1941, 16), there is no indication that specimens were handled. “A Check-list of the mamals, reptiles and amphibians of the London Area, 1900-1949, by R. S. R. Fitter, 1949, L.N., 28, 100-102, gives the following additional information: — Greater Horseshoe Bat — Chislehurst Caves. Lesser Horseshoe Bat — Chislehurst Caves, 1917. Whiskered Bat — -Chislehurst Caves. Serotine — Greenwich Park. Long-eared Bat — Greenwich Park. In the “Second Annual Report of the Sideup Natural History Society” (1951), two bats are listed as occurring in the Sideup and Chislehurst area : — Pipistrelle Barbastelle— (Specimen in Woolwich Borough Museum). 54 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. The Butterflies of the North-West Kent Marshes with special reference to the 1953 Floods. By J. F. Burton. Description of the Area. rpHE marshes stretch for 14 miles along the south bank of the River Thames and lie between Woolwich and Gravesend. To the south are ranges of low partly wooded hills, while to the east the hills are of chalk. At various places the high ground almost reaches the river, where most is built up. The marshes are three miles wide at Dartford and Abbey Wood. Two small rivers cross the marshes at Dartford, com¬ bining before they reach the Thames. The area may be divided into two principal habitats : the un¬ reclaimed marsh (saltings) on the seaward side of the river-walls, and the reclaimed land within. At the present day there are few tracts of saltings of any size above Gravesend, except for about 200 acres at Swanscombe. There are other smaller areas at Stone, Crayford and along Dartford Creek. These are turf saltings with patches of Sea Aster (Aster tripolium L.), English Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia anglica L.), Samphire ( Crithmvm marltimum L.) and other maritime plants. The reclaimed land is several feet below high water mark. Typically it is pasture with occasional clumps of rushes and, in places, hawthorn. Arable farming is much in evidence and cereals, clover, vegetables and root-crops are grown. Everywhere the fields are intersected by fleets, runnels (originally tidal creeks) and ditches. Some of these are cleared out only at irregular intervals and are therefore often choked with reeds and sedges. The earth river-walls separating the reclaimed land from the saltings provide good habitats for butterflies as they are often over¬ grown with long grass, thistles and other tall plants. Tn addition, there is a variety of less typical habitats, some of them man-made, and all influencing, to a greater or lesser extent, the butter¬ fly population. Reed-beds are widespread, some being very extensive. At Stone, the reeds intermingle in places with rough scrubland over¬ grown with weeds and thorn bushes. Similar areas of rough scrub are found elsewhere, generally near the fringe of the marshes or on the tongues of higher ground. Some of the thorn bushes form dense thickets, but there are few copses on the open marshes, except for small ones at Stone and Greenhithe which consist principally of elm, mostly sap¬ lings, elder, blackthorn and hawthorn, with masses of brambles. At the edge of the marshes there is more cover including hedgerows of elms and poplars with their attendant wealth of wayside plants, bordering all the fields and roads. Rough fields, most characteristic of the higher ground, are also found here. THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE NORTH-WEST KENT MARSHES. 00 Industrial sites cover many acres on all the marshes and are con¬ centrated particularly round the Thames-side towns of Erith, Dartford and Greenhithe. Industry, however, has produced further habitats in the form of waste ground adjoining paper-mills and cement works, and the ruined factory buildings covered with a profusion of wild plants, notably Spur Valerian (K entra tithus ruber (L.) DC.). The Habitats of Butterflies on the Marshes. This paper is intended to be rather more than a local list, as an attempt has been made to tabulate the habitat preferences of each species. Table 1 shows the main habitats in which each species has been found. Tn compiling this table a certain amount of overlap was inevit¬ able as some species may occur in many habitats though may be really common only in a few. When a butterfly has been found commonly breeding or probably breeding in a habitat in the marshes it has been given a place in Table 1. As will be evident later in this paper, a better knowledge of the foodplants of some species would make it possible to allocate habitats more precisely. Of the 2d species that have been recorded, 16 may be considered typical of the marshes, while the remainder occupy the marginal habitats and are more characteristic of the higher ground. The Effect of the, 1953 Flooding. In common with the coastal districts of East Anglia and North Kent, the Thames marshes from Plumstead to Gravesend were flooded with salt water during the night of 31st January-lst February 1953. Most of the area was covered to a depth of four feet, although in some places it was as much as 15 feet deep for a few days. Many acres were under water for three weeks and it was not until the end of February that it had all been drained away. The effect of the flooding on the vegetation was not obvious at first, but during March it became apparent that on large areas of pastureland bordering the Thames, where the water had lain longest, the grass, blackthorn, hawthorn and many other plants had been killed, whereas where the water had been drained away quickly the vegetation grew quite normally during the summer. Most fields were covered with a thin deposit of grey mud, analyses of which by local Agricultural Officers revealed a high percentage of salt. Cultivation was therefore impossible in 1953 iii the affected parts. Another habitat was considerably changed as an indirect result of the flooding : namely the river-walls. These were seriously breached in many places and are now being rebuilt and enlarged for much of their length with chalk and clay. The character of the walls will therefore be greatly altered and the disappearance of the old. grassy walls is likely to affect adversely the butterfly population. T made several visits to the marshes between 3rd May and 8th August 1953 and attempted to assess the effects of this major ecological change on the butterfly populations. A comparison was made of the numbers of each species with numbers in localities unaffected by the 56 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. floods. Comparisons were also made with previous years in the same aiea, allowance being made, so far as possible, for any annual fluctua¬ tions. The visits were paid in fine weather with light winds, when con¬ ditions were ideal for butterflies to be flying. Of the species which normally pass all their stages in the area which was flooded, Pararge megera L., Maniola jurtina L., Coenonyrnpha pamphilus L., Lycaena phlaeas L., Thymelicus lineola Ochs, and T. sylvestris Pod. were considered to have shown marked reductions in 19o3. Aglais urticae L., Polyommatus icarus L., Piens brassicae L., 1 . tapae L. and P. napi L. seemed to be unaffected, and the position O' ^ ymphalis io L. and Aricia agesti.s Schiff. was uncertain. These con¬ clusions should be compared with those made by Owen (1953b) for the marshes immediately to the east of those dealt with here. He studied the status of ten of the above species in mid-August 1953 and found maiked i eductions in At. jurtina and T. lineola. no change in P. icarus and A. agestis and considered the position of the remainder uncertain. In addition the numbers of two day-flying moths, Callimorpha jacobaeae L. and Aspitates ochrearia Ross, appeared to be unaffected. As legaids other insects, a hitherto flourishing colony at Swanscombe of the dragonfly Orthetmm cancellatum L. seems to have been com¬ pletely wiped out. List of Species 1946-1953, Pararge megera L. (Wall Brown). Salt-marshes are one of the chief habitats of this species, though as Owen (1953a) points out, it is really more typical of dry downland and heathland. He also suggests that its colonisation of the Thames marshes might be recent, and is perhaps linked with an extension of range. Table 1 shows that it occurs principally on the pasture of the reclaimed marsh, along the grassy river walls and in areas of rough scrub. The roads and paths of the marshes provide another attractive habitat. The second brood seems to be rather more catholic in its (hoice of habitat than the first and butterflies are often seen visiting the flowers of sea-asters on the saltings. In most years megera is com¬ mon on all the marshes, particularly between Erith and Gravesend. After the floods it was distinctly less common than in previous years and less common than inland. Maniola jurtina L. (Meadow Brown). Table 1 shows that this widespread species occurs in all the habitats, except pure arable. Together with T. lineola it has the distinction of being the only butterfly which is found at all commonly on the saltings, where it may breed. Numbers fluctuate from year to year, but it is usually common, and often especially so on all the marshes from Plumstead to Gravesend. There was a marked decrease after the flooding, numbers being lower than in localities elsewhere. Pnenonympha pamphilus L. (Small Heath). The chief habitats of this species on the marshes are the pasture, river-walls, rough fields and scrub (Table 1), but it tends to be more THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE NORTH-WEST KENT MARSHES. 6 1 numerous in the first two. It is usually common throughout the area, but very few were noticed after the flooding and it was decidedly scarcer than on the higher ground. Argynnis aglaici L. (Dark-green Fritillary). Only one recorded; at Abbey Wood Marshes on 25th July 1947. Vanessa atalanta L. (Red Admiral) and TT. cardui L. (Painted Lady). Table 1 shows that these two migrants occur in the same habitats. T7. cardui is particularly fond of the river-walls, especially where clumps of thistles are interspersed with patches of bare earth. In years good for migrants such as 1947, both appear commonly on all the marshes and a few are ahvavs to be seen in the years between. - */ Aglais urticae L. (Small Tortoiseshell). A characteristic butterfly of the open marshes, where it is found breeding commonly in most habitats where nettles are found. It is also encountered frequently at sea-aster flowers on the saltings, but does not breed there. NymphaJis io L. (Peacock). The habitats of this butterfly are similar to the last (Table 1) since they have the same food-plant. In the autumn it is often numerous on the thistle flowers, but it is unusual to see large numbers in the spring. However, during a six-mile walk across the Hartford and Stone Marshes on 19th April 1952, I counted over 100, an exceptional number (Burton 1953). Tn most years it is common on the marshes east of Frith, but less so nearer London. Polygnnia c-alhum L. (The Comma). P. c-album is not a typical butterfly of the salt-marshes and is only rarely seen. It is more frequent along the edge among the hedgerows and rough scrub, where it doubtless breeds, as its food-plants are quite plentiful. Aricia agestis Schiff (Brown Argus). This insect seems to be restricted to the grassy river-walls of the open marshes and the rough fields and scrubland edge. So far, it has been found only at Abbey Wood and Dartford Marshes, where it is locally common. At Abbey Wood Marshes I first discovered it in July, 1947, flying commonly with Polyommatus Icarus and Lycaena phlaeas in an area of rough grass between a large clover-field and a hedgerow of blackthorn and hawthorn. There was no sign of its usual food- plants, Erodium cicutarium L. or TIelianthemum chamaecistus Mill., but crane’s-bills were common, especially Geranium dissectum L. At Dartford T have located colonies on river-walls covered with a thick growth of long grass, G. dissectuvi , mallows and vetches. Other colonies at Dartford exist in rough fields, usually on rather higher ground, in hayfields and on grassy banks and roadside verges. In such places Er odium and Helianthemum are absent, but G. dissectum is common, 58 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. and is, I believe, the usual food-plant of agestls here, although I have yet to prove this point. Pol i/o m mat us icarus Pott. (Common Blue). Table 1 shows the main habitats of this species on the marshes and it will be seen that as well as favouring the same as those of A. agestis it occurs on the open pasture and is therefore more widespread and common. Celastrina argiolus L. (Holly Blue). Like the Comma this butterfly is not characteristic of the salt- marshes and is only encountered frequently in the rough scrub, small woods and gardens along the edges. As far as my records go it has only occurred at Hartford and Stone Marshes, where it probably breeds in suitable places. Lycaena phlaeas L. (Small Copper). 1 rom Table 1 it can be seen that this butterfly occupies all the marsh¬ land habitats except the saltings and pure arable, to which it is a stray. Marked annual fluctuations in numbers are frequent and are difficult to explain, but in good years it is common on all the marshes from Plum- stead to Gravesend. After the floods it was very scarce compared with the numbers in unaffected areas. l'ieris brassicae L. (Large White) and P. rapae L. (Small White). The most striking feature of the habitat selection of these species is that they are the only two butterflies which can be said to be truly typical of the arable land. They are also common in several other marshland habitats (Table 1), which might be expected in a species wh cli is at least partially migratory, for as Owen (1953a) points out “this ability to adapt to many types of habitat probably has consider¬ able survival value to butterflies tvhose numbers are kept up largely . . . by annual immigrations’’. They are quite frequently found on the saltings and while I have not seen any ovipositing on the maritime (Tuciferae. it is possible that they occasionally do so. Apart from the periodic fluctuations in numbers which occur in most migrant insects, both are usually common and often particularly so throughout the area. P. no pi L. (Green-veined White). Ford (1945) observes that this species is essentiallj7 a butterfly of damp fields and marshes. In the Thames marshes it is indeed usually the commonest of the Pieridae, being found in most of the habitats (Table 1). Like the Large White it is often observed flying about the saltings and I believe that some may breed on the estuarine Cruciferae, but have as yet no evidence to support this view. Anthocharis cardamines L. (Orange Tip). Table 1 shows that this butterfly is restricted to the rough scrub and hedgerows at the edge of the marshes, but even there it is not really THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE XORTH-WEST KENT MARSHES. 59 common. It is most frequent at Dartford. Stone and Swanscombe and has been rarely noticed on the marshes west of Erith. Colins hyale L. (Pale Clouded Yellow). I have only two records of this migrant on the marshes since 1946. Mr. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt tells me that one was seen at Dartford Marshes in 1947, and Mr. D. F. Owen discovered two males in the same locality on 5th September. 1948. The following day he saw two male hyale in the same place, presumably the same ones. Colins croceus Fourc. (Clouded Yellow). Like other migrant butterflies, crocevs flies in varied habitats, but displaj7s a preference for more open country. On the marshes it is most commonly met with on the open pasture, along the river-walls and in the rough fields and meadows, especially clover-fields. It is also fond of the waste ground bordering industrial sites, overgrown as they are by such attractive flowers as spur valerian. I have seen this butterfly on all the marshes from Plumstead to Gravesend, commonly in 1947, but scarce in the intervening years. (rnnepteryx rhamni L. (Brimstone). The Brimstone is restricted to the same habitats as the last species, but strays are sometimes encountered on the open marsh. Tt is most frequent east of Erith. but is never really common. Thymelicvs sylrestris Pod. (Small Skipper). There is some overlap in habitat between this species and the next and they are often found flying together. However, in Table 1 I have grouped them under what 1 believe are their typical habitats, and it will be seen that sylvestris tends to be commonest in the rough fields and scrubland at the edge of the marshes and here often outnumbers lineola . Tn these habitats it is generally common on the levels between Plumstead and Erith, and especially on those to the east of the last town. None were seen on the open marshes after the floods. T. lineola Ochs. (Essex Skipper). Table 1 shows that the main habitats of this species are the reclaimed marsh pasture, the grassy river-walls (of which it is especially fond) and the rough fields and meadows at the marsh fringe. In the first two of these habitats it is considerably more numerous than sylvestris. but they usually fly in about equal proportions in the remainder. As already mentioned, this species, like M. jurtinci. is quite common on the saltings, particularly on the older parts which are seldom covered by the high tides. From Plumstead to Gravesend it is usually very common. Tn 1947 it was so numerous that- T often saw them flying about the streets of Woolwich, Erith and the suburbs of S.E. London. Tt was present in small numbers after the floods and although quite common at Dartford Marshes on 26th July, was certainly far less common than in previous years. 60 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Ochlodes venata Bremer & Grey. (Large Skipper). This butterfly is almost confined to the rough scrub and hedgerows at the fringe of the marshes. In these situations it is fairly common, but has not been noticed west of Erith. Acknowledgments. I am indebted to Mr. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt for extracting several useful records from his files, and to Mr. D. F. Owen for reading through Hie manuscript and for many helpful suggestions. REFERENCES. BTTRTON, J . F., 1953, Vanessa eardui L., and Nymphalis io L., in the North-West Kent Marshes, Entom. Record , 65, 19. FORD, E. B., 1945, Butterflies, London. OWEN. D. F., 1953a, Ecology and Distribution of the Satyridae in West Kent, London Naturalist, 32, 13-44. — , 1953b, Notes on the Butterflies of the North Kent Marshes in August, 1953, Entom. Record, 65 , 278-79. TABLE 1. Typical Habitats of Butterflies in the North-West Kent Marshes. Rough Rough Species Saltings. P. megera M. jurtlna + C. pamphilus V. atalanta V. eardui A. urticae N. io P. c-album A. agestls _ P. icarus C. argiolus L. phlaeas P. brassicae P. rapae P. napi A. cardamines C. croceus G. rhamni T. sylvestris T. lineola + O. venata The Alien Polygonums of the London Area. By E. B. Bangerter and B. Welch. j^N the current part of the “Hand List of Plants of the London Area” (see Supplement) a number of alien species of the genus Polygonum are recorded, which, we feel, may be mere names to many readers. Native species of the genus fall into several groups, such as the Knot¬ grasses (P. aviculare) ; Bistort (P. bistorta) ; the Persicarias (P, pers>- Salt-marsh Earth pasture. river-walls + + + + + + + + + + + + + + — + + + ' + + + + + + + + + + + + fields scrub Pure and and arable. hay. hedgerow: - - + - + + - + - - - + - + + - + + - + + - - + - + + - + + - - + - + + + - + + - + - + + - - + - + — - - + - + + - + — - - + THE ALIEN POLYGONUMS OE THE LONDON AREA. 61 caria, P. amphibiuni and P. hydropiper) and the Black Bindweed group (P. convolvulus and P. dumetoruni). We hope that our readers are either familiar with the general appearance of these groups or have access to a standard Flora in which they are described or illustrated. Our aim is to link up as far as possible the alien and native species; a number of t lie larger garden plants are not referable to the British groups but are sufficiently distinctive to be easily recognised. The aliens are found, for the most part, on waste ground, rubbish- tips and railway embankments, and some have been recorded from bombed-sites. They have arrived mainly from the East, although one comes from North America and another from the Mediterranean. Polygonum species have been used by man for fodder, as pot-herbs, for medicinal purposes, for producing dyes and particularly as ornamental plants;, some are weeds which follow cultivation. This diversity of use is matched by a diversity of general habit. The genus comprises small-leaved prostrate species, erect herbs, climbers and tall, shrubby, large-leaved plants. They may be aquatic, amphi¬ bious or terrestrial; they may be annuals or perennials; some are hairy or glandular, others glabrous. The colour of the flowers varies from white, through pink to red or purplish-red, but many species have two or three colour forms. Such variety of character has enabled mono¬ graphers to divide the genus into distinct groups and further enables us to make use of fairly obvious features in describing the aliens for identification. The main characters that unite the species are, first, the possession of small flowers that do not have normal petals and sepals but petaloid or sepaloid structures known as perianth segments; these are in whorls of three to six, usually five. The flowers occur in clusters, either dense and spike-like, or on spreading branches or panicles; or in axillary few-flowered inflorescences. In some instances the perianth segments become enlarged or wing-like in fruit. Secondly, the fruits of Polygonum are brown or black nutlets three-angled or orbicular in outline with convex faces. The nutlets are often tightly encased in the perianth segments. A third feature is the particular kind of stipule common to the genus. Unlike the familiar foliaceous structure at the base of the leaves of Boses or Bird's-foot Trefoil, the stipules of Polygonum species are fused into membraneous, often papery, tubes sheathing the stem and known as oclireae. They often have a fringe of hairs. In the separation of closely allied species, reference to the above characters is necessary and examination under a lens is required. We have, therefore, avoided their use in the construction of our Key, which is on very broad lines, using obvious characters and intended as a guide to the groups rather than to the species. The more detailed descrip¬ tions following the Key should enable the finder of a Polygonum not identifiable as a native species to run it down either as a recorded alien or, if it does not tally with any description, to conclude that he has discovered an unrecorded one. We feel that some of the species in the latter category might well be found in our Area. Further we think that some may have been overlooked and it is our hope that this paper 02 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. "'ll encourage onr readers to add to the records of the alien species of Polygonum in the London Area. KEY. Kleins ± prostrate; flowers in axillary clusters (allied to Knotgrasses) : Plant with long, slender, almost leafless flowering branches ... pulchellum (1) Plant with stout, leafy flowering branches . cognatum (2) Stem erect or climbing; flowers in spike-like or spreading inflorescences r Inflorescence spike-like : Lower leaves ± oval, broadest at or very near base, on very long stalks (allied to Bistort) . amplexicaule (3) Lower leaves lanceolate, broadest above base on short stalks (allied to Persicarias) . pensylvcmicum var. laevigatum (4) Inflorescence spreading : A climber (allied to Black Bindweed) . baldschuanicum (5) ETect shrubs 3-10 ft. (no British allies) : Broadly oval leaves up to 6 ins. long with straight base cuspidatum (6) Oblong leaves up to 12 ins. long with somewhat heart-shaped base saclialinense (7) Lanceolate leaves up to 10 ins. long with + wedge-shaped base polystachyum (8) Erect, slender-stemmed herb 2-3 ft. tall with leaves green above, whitish or bulf beneath . campanulatum '9) Description of Species. 1. Polygonum pulchellum. A glabrous annual allied to P. aviculare, which is regarded by modern botanists as an aggregate comprising a number of sub-species and varieties, difficult to distinguish even by the expert. Possibly over¬ looked elsewhere as one of the forms of P. aviculare it is so far re¬ corded only from v.-c. 21 (Middlesex). It may come in with corn or biyd seed from the Mediterranean region where it occurs in sandy fields along the coasts of southern Europe. It should be looked for in late summer on waste ground and rubbish tips in this country. Its habitat here is therefore similar to that of our Knotgrass, of which it has the small leaves, axillary inflorescences and prostrate habit. Tin3 feature that most clearly distinguishes it is the longer slender flower¬ ing branch, which, unlike Knotgrass, is almost leafless. The larger pinkish flowers are thus more conspicuous than in most forms of Knot¬ grass. 2. Polygonum cognatum. This plant is very different from (1) in many respects, although still of the Knotgrass group. Its flowering branches are relatively stout, and densely crowded with leaves, which are longer than the flowers. It is in fact described by monographers as “shrubby”. In order to dis¬ tinguish it from a form of P. aviculare, a difference in the oclireae is used, namely that the alien has no conspicuous nerves to its ochrea but its general “tough-looking” habit should be sufficient to distinguish it. It must be searched for, however, as it seems to have disappeared from our area, where it was known near Kew Green for fifty years up to 1923. Recent records exist for it in Essex so that it is still at least known in the Home Counties. A note bjr J. E. Lousley concerning the THE ALIEN POLYGONUMS OF THE LONDON AREA. 63 variability of this Himalayan species appears in Watsonia. 1. pp. 319-20, 1950. 3. Polygonum uniplexicaule. This perennial from the Himalayas is found as a garden escape on banks, edges of woods and riversides in perhaps rather more “wild” situations than most of the other alien Polygonums. Its densely dowered terminal spike and general habit clearly relate it to V. bistorta but its stem is branched and its upper leaves are distinctly clasping (amplexi- caul). The lower leaves are up to four or five inches long and not unlike those of Bistort, except that their stalks are not winged below the somewhat heart-shaped base and the tips are narrowly drawn out. Material seen by us has deep red flowers, but pink and white forms are cultivated. The flowering branches standing out above the leaves make a colony of this plant an attractive sight, as the red spikes may be up to six inches long and the individual plants two or three feet in height. It flowers during the summer and until late autumn. Records Rom Kent, Surrey and Middlesex are relatively recent so that we would place it as one of those aliens of which botanists are “becoming aware” and we expect further records from these and other vice-counties. 4. Polygonum pensylvanicum var. laevigata m. This, as the specific epithet implies, is the one North American species on our list. Its alien status is emphasised by its appearance on a rubbish tip and near a Soya-food factory in v.c. 21 (Middlesex). Technically the species belongs to the Persicaria group but J. E. Lousley in the B.E.C. Peport for 1946-7. p. 274, points out that the Harefield plant recalls P. bistorta in its raceme or spike. This tendency towards a character of a species in another group decided us to avoid the character in the preparation of our broad Key and to rely on leaf character instead. The leaves, as Lousley further points out. are akin to those of the Persicaria-group. They are narrow and tapering at both ends, with short stalks, quite unlike those of (3). The spikes of pink or reddish flowers are on stalks covered with small glands and the tightly-sheathing oclireae are devoid of a fringe of hairs. It grows somewhat taller than Persicaria. The variety, which is said to be the more common form of the plant in its native country, is based mainly on a difference in leaf pubescence. 5. Polygonum baldscliuanicum. The scrambling Black Bindweed, P. convolvulus, sometimes confused with true Bindweed (Convolvulus) on account of its similar leaf-shape, has a more local ally. P. dumetoru in , with fruits enclosed in a winged perianth. The more vigorous climber P. baldschuanicum, hailing from C. Asia, also has a very conspicuously winged fruiting perianth. Tt is a rampant and rapid climber, its shoots gaining twelve feet or so in a season, according to W. T. Steam in the Gardener’s Chronicle , vol. 118. p. 170 (1945). Its showy spreading inflorescence may be seen in the autumn in hedges or on garden rubbish heaps, invading tree tops or decorating some abandoned garden. The leaves may bear a general 64 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. resemblance to those of our native species but the plant’s potential length of forty feet, its woody stem and luxuriant drooping clusters of white or pink fruiting perianths make it easy to recognise. Recorded from four of the London Area vice-counties, it is likely to be found in the remaining three. 6. Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed). This species brings us to the large shrubby perennials, mostly garden escapes found on rubbish dumps, waste ground, railway banks and in some cases bombed-sites. P. cuspidatum, recorded from all v.cc. except from v.c. 19 (N. Essex), is probably familiar to most readers who may yet be unaware of its name. Its habit and height, up to ten feet, do not link it up with British species of the genus, yet it has the charac¬ teristic ochreae and type of flower. The large, rather leathery leaves up to six inches in length and almost as broad, are distinctive in shape. The apex narrows into a cusp and the base is truncated or straight. These leaves are arranged alternately on somewhat flexuous or zig-zag branches. The flowers are small but hang in tassel-like white clusters from the axils of the leaves. Seen flowering in late summer it is an attractive bush, but its rather coarse appearance, not enhanced by a red-spotted stem, denies its ornamental possibilities at other seasons. It is reported to be used as a pot-herb in its native country, Japan. One of us (E.B.B.) gives a general description and illustration of this species in Countryside , 16, p. 259, 1952. Its size and tendency to grow in miniature “jungles” makes it difficult to overlook. 7. Polygonum sachalinense. Closely allied to (6) and also from E. Asia, this shrub may grow even taller, up to twelve feet, and it is further distinguishable by its greater leaf-size. The leaves may reach a foot in length but are relatively narrower and usually have a slightly heart-shaped base. The flowers are greenish-white in smaller clusters than in (6), not exceeding the leaf-stalks. V.c. 21 (Middlesex) is the only county providing London Area records as yet but careful observation may well discover the plant elsewhere. Once established it is as tenacious as (6), and spreads by underground rhizomes. It also is used as a pot-herb in the East. 8. Polygonum polystachyum. Introduced from India and so far recorded in our Area from v.-c. 21 (Middlesex), this is another alien of which recorders have become aware only in recent years. Up to six feet tall and with lanceolate leaves, more or less wedge-shaped at the base, it has a spreading inflores¬ cence of white or pink flowers conspicuously exceeding the leaf-stalks. These obvious characters separate it from (6) and (7). Another clearly visible feature is the crowding of the upper ochreae, which are longer than the internodes. The leaves, which may attain nine inches in length at the base of the plant, are roughly hairy beneath, unlike those of the two previous species. A final difference is the absence of under¬ ground rhizomes. It flowers in late summer and autumn, as do (6) and (7). THE ALIEN POLYGONUMS OP THE LONDON AREA. Go 9. Polygonum campanulatum. This is another ornamental species from the Himalayas, apparently little known and as 37et infrequently recorded in this country. In our Area it is recorded only from v.-c. 17 (Surrey). It differs in habit and size from the three previous species, being a slender-stemmed herbaceous perennial between two and three feet tall. The white or pink perianth segments form bell-shaped (campanulate) flowers, which are arranged in drooping clusters, shorter than in (6) or (8). The elliptic leaves may reach six inches in length and are distinctive, as the whitish or buff undersides contrast markedly with the green upper surface. Fur¬ ther observation and recording of this plant is required to assess its frequency and give any picture of its distribution as an escape from cultivation. A much greater variation than is allowed for in our artificial Key and broad description is revealed by examination of these plants in her¬ barium material from their native countries. We have based our descriptions mainly on British-grown material and reference to litera¬ ture. The nomenclature in this paper follows that used in the Hand List. Works consulted, other than those mentioned in the text for a par¬ ticular species, are listed below. W e wish to acknowledge with warmest thanks the help of Mrs. M. F. Ward and Miss M. B. Gerrans of the Department of Botany, British Museum, and D. H. Kent, who has read the MS. REFERENCES. CHITTENDEN, F. J. (Editor), 1951. li.H.S. Dictionary of Gardening . KENT, D. H. & LOUSLEY, J. E . 1955. Hand List of Plants of the London Area, Suppl. Lond. Nat., 34. MEISNER. G. F., 1826, Monograpliiae Generis Polygoni. SMALL, J. K, 1895, Monograph of the North American species of the genus Polygonum. STEWARD, A. N., 1930, The Polygoneae of Eastern Asia in Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University, LXXXYIII. TUTIN, T. G. in CLAPHAM, A. R , TUTIN. T G. & WARBURG, E F., 1952, Flora of the British Isles. THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. •' 54 . (56 The Moths of London and Its Surroundings. By C. G. M. de Worms, M.A., Pli.D., F.R.I.C., F.L.S., F.R.E.S. (Continued from p. 146 of the London Naturalist , 33, 1954.) next Super-Family to be treated is generally known as the Agro- tidae which comprises the Noctuid moths. The insects themselves are mainly night-flying. To date (1954) 277 species of the Noctuae appear to have been recorded for the London Area out of a total of 375 valid species recorded for Great Britain, including vagrants. Colocasia coryli Linn. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17. The Nut-tree Tussock has always occupied rather an anomalous posi¬ tion in the classification, having at times been placed with the Tussocks (Lymantriidae). It is now generally regarded as a true Noctuid and classified next to the Dagger moths (Acronyctinae). It is normally double-brooded appearing in May and August and ranges up to the Highlands. In south-west Ireland a very large bright form occurs, while in the Chilterns a melanic race is found. It is not reported in the 1898 list, but there are many records for the Area. Middlesex. Oxhey Lane (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford, rare (Penrose); Totteridge, numerous (Lorimer); Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, 1926 (Edelsten). Kent. West Wickham (Trundell); Orpington, 1948 and 1951 (A. Swain). Surrey. Banstead (Gardner); South Croydon, common (Wild); Tadworth, 1951 (Wheeler); Cheam, common at light (Menzies) ; Add¬ ington, a few (Birchenough) ; Box Hill (van Emden); Weybridge, scarce (Messenger). *Apatele leporina Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Miller, the first of the Acronyctinae, has a very wide range occurring almost everywhere where birch and alder flourish, up to northern Scotland. Many forms are known including a white one from the Highlands and a very deep grey type from Lancashire and York¬ shire. Its larva with long white hairs is common on birch on heatliland in the late summer. There are many records for the London Area, though the 1898 list only mentions Tooting, Sydenham, Eltham and Wimbledon Common. More recently recorded from Inner London. The Zoo, 1953 (Bushby) ; Belsize Park, at rest (Cole); South Kensington (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Middlesex. Stanmore (Lorimer); Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead (Cockerell, Zep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Totteridge (Lorimer) ; Haileybury, Hoddesdon, Watford, Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Forest Gate and Lough ton (Sutton). Kent. Woolwich (Showier); West Wickham (Trundell); Lewisham (D. Owen); Pett’s Wood, Orpington, 1953, and Cliislehurst, 1948 (Siggs). 47 THE MOTHS OE LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 67 Surrey. Selsdon (Wild); Che am, larvae in gardens (Menzies) ; Put¬ ney, 1951 (H. Swain) ; Banstead (Gardner) ; Merton Park, 1952 (Nott) ; Oxshott (D. King); Weybridge, numerous (Messenger). *Apatele aceris Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17, B.24. The Sycamore, as already mentioned, is one ol London’s specialities, being probably commoner in the Metropolis than in any other part of the country. Its tufted larva with diamond-like marks along the back is a familiar sight in London streets and squares in August wherever sycamores are prevalent. Elsewhere it is by no means common in the southern counties ranging to the Midlands. It is also found in a few parts of Ireland. The 1898 list mentions its occurrence all over the Central area. Later records include for Inner London. South Kensington, larvae common in 1947 (Jack- son), also imagines there m 1946 (C. de W.) ; Regent’s Park (D. King); The Zoo, 1951 (Bushby); Westbourne Terrace (Cockayne); Brixton (Farmer); Moorgate bombed site, larvae numerous in 1948 (D. Owen). Middlesex. Harrow, larvae numerous (Fletcher) ; Stanmore (Lori- mer) ; Feltham, many dark grey examples in 1954 (Classey). Herts. Watford, one only (Penrose) ; Bushey, Haileybury, Clies- hunt, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Forest Gate and Loughton (Sutton). Kent. Pett’s Wood, 1948 (A. Swain); Darenth Wood, 1948, and Blackheath, 1952 (Hyatt); West Wickham (Trundell); Orpington, 1952> (Siggs). Surrey. Cheam, larvae common (Menzies) ; Putney, Barnes, Ban- stead (Gardner) ; Coulsdon, 1948 (Wheeler) ; Wimbledon, larvae (Bretherton); Weybridge, numerous most years (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Apatele megacephala Fabr. I.L., M.2L H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17, [B.24], The Poplar Grey is another very common London species. It is very numerous among poplars and aspen all over the British Isles up to the Highlands. A black form has been recently taken regularly in the Sheffield district. The 1898 list mentions the insect as occurring all over the main London Area. Of late it has been recorded from Inner London. Hyde Park (Cockayne) ; the Zoo, 1951 (Bushby) ; City bombed sites, 1951 (Wheeler) ; Thurloe Square, 1918 (Baynes) ; St. James’s Park, larva (Bretherton). Herts. 'Watford, common (Penrose); Bricket Wood, East Barnet, Haileybury, Chesliunt, Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Forest Gate and Loughton, 1933 (Sutton). Kent. Greenwich Park, 1947 (Hyatt); Abbey Wood (Showier); Pett’s Wood, 1949 (A. Swain); West Wickham, Hayes (Birchenough). Surrey. Wimbledon Common, 1934 (Hawkins) ; Mortlake, Kew, Barnes (D. King); Putney (Gardner); Weybridge, common (Messenger). 48 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. *Apatele alni Linn. M.21, H.20, S.17. Lntil 1 ecently the Alder moth was considered one of our rarest species which was usually obtained as its most spectacular larva, a most cosmopolitan feeder on almost any tree foliage, even rose bushes. The advent of the mercury vapour light has attracted this insect in numbers of late with the result that it is now known to exist over a wider range than was at one time thought. It is found in. almost e\em county up to Yorkshire and Lancashire where a verv melanic form is often obtained. It has also been found to occur quite c monly in S.W . Ireland. In the London Area too there are a nun of records quite close to the outskirts of the Metropolis as follows Middlesex. Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead (Cockerell. Lev Mid 1891). Herts. Colney Heath, 1891; Haileybury, 1893; St. Albans. 11 Cheshunt (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937); Totteridge, one imago. May ’ (Lorimer) . Surrey. Richmond Park, 1898; Wimbledon, larva, 1947 (Card. West End, Esher, larva taken on 28th Aug. 1902 (Fleet; Ent. 1 1902, 14: 274); Warlingham, three imagines in 1929 (J. Bell); Oxsl two larvae beaten from birch in August 1945 by Dr. H. Hinton; Ox larva in Aug. 1933 (Craske) ; Redhill, one imago, 22nd May 1933 King); Putney, one imago, June 1954 (H. Swain); Weybridge, imago on 24th May 1952 (Messenger). *Apcitele psi Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, ] The Grey Dagger is one of the commonest of this group of n being found all over the British Isles up to Northern Scotland, equally videspiead throughout the London Area where the larvae some¬ times do damage to fruit trees. In Inner London it lias been reported from the Zoo (Bushby); Tliurloe Square, 1918 (Baynes); Brompton Road, 1946 (C. de W.) ; Moorgate bombed site, larvae common in 1948 (D. Owen). The usual form occurring in the Metropolis has deep grey forewings. * Apatele tridens Schiff. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The superficial similarity of the Dark Dagger to the last species- makes its occurrence in any area certain only through the record of its larva, which is very distinct from that of the Grey Dagger. It is not by any means common, while it only ranges up to the Midlands. The 1898 list reports it from Chingford, Dulwich and Ealing, also from Highgate (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). More recent captures in¬ clude : — - Southall, larva, 1931 (D. King); Feltham, larvae m 19o4 iClassev). Herts. Haileybury, Cheshunt, Barnet (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Surrey. Putney (H. Swain); Barnes, Banstead (Gardner). Kent. Hartford, Bexley, Lee, Lewisham (T.C.H., 1908). 49 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDING S . 69 *(Apatele auricoma Fabr.) (S.17). The Scarce Dagger always had a limited range in south-east Eng¬ land whence it virtually disappeared about 1912. However, there have been less than a dozen sporadic records of it in that area since then and a somewhat uncertain one from Kingston Hill towards the end of the last century given in the 1S98 list. *Apatele rumicis Linn. B.24. I.L., M.21. H .20, E2.18, [El. 19], Iv.16, S.l' The Knotgrass is a prevalent species ranging almost all over the British Isles. Its characteristic larva is often seen more than the moth. It occurs in most parts of the London Area where the melanic form f. snlicis, usually associated with the northern counties, has re¬ cently appeared. The 1898 list and Suppt. only mention Tooting, Dul¬ wich and Croydon. Inner London. The Zoo, melanic form, 1954 (Buslihy). Middlesex. Stanmore (Lorimer); Hampstead (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford (Penrose); East Barnet, St. Albans, Cheshunt, TToddesdon (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1987). Essex. Loughton (Sutton). Kent. Abbey Wood (Showier); West Wickham, Hayes (Birch- enough); Pett's Wood. 1951 (A. Swain); Orpington, 1948 (Siggs); com¬ mon in Lewisham area (D. Owen). Surrey. Wimbledon Common (van Emden); Tadworth (Wheeler); Putney, Barnes, Banstead (Gardner); Weybridge, common (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park. Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). * Craniophora ligustri Fabr. H.20, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Coronet moth is one of the most attractive of this group, having a melanic form which is almost as common as the normal one. It is found sporadically as far as the Highlands and occasionally in Ireland. Tts bright green almost hairless larva is often beaten from privet and ash in the autumn and it is in the larval state that it has been chiefly obtained in the London Area. Only recorded from Kent in the 1898 list. Herts. Bricket Wood (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Darenth Wood, 1846 (Meldola: Hope Dept. Collection, Oxford); West Wickham, Shooter’s Hill in 1860’s (West, Ent. 1 tec.. 1906); Bexley, Eltliam. Dartford (V.C.H., 1908). Surrey. Cheam district, larvae frequent (Menzies) ; Warlingham, several moths in 1929 (J. Bell); larvae numerous on privet at Mickle- ham downs in 1936 (C. de W.). Bucks. Black Park. Fulmer (V.O.H.. 1905). Simyra albovenosa Goeze M.21. The Powdered Wainscot is very different in appearance from the other members of this familv. It is essentiallv an inhabitant of marsh- lands where its black and yellow hairy larva is a frequent sight on 50 70 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. reeds in the fens of the Eastern counties, at one time thought to be its only habitat. Recently it has been discovered in the coastal marshes of Kent, Susses, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and even in the London Area where the moth was bred out from larvae found in marshes bordering the River Lea in 1951. (Charadra deridem Guen.) (K.16). As already mentioned in the introduction a specimen of this remark¬ able North American species with black and white forewings was taken in a moth-trap in Plumstead by Mr. H. C. Hards in May 1952, doubt¬ less accidentally introduced by human agency. The species is classified close to the Acronyctinae. * GrypUa perla Fabr. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Marbled Beauty is one of the most familiar little moths on walls all over the London Area in August. It has been reported from every part of the district, sometimes in numbers and is quite common in Inner London where it has been recorded from the Zoo, 1951 to 1954 (Busliby). It is also prevalent each year in the South Kensington area (C. de W.). It is extremely variable ranging from orange to deep grey and occurs up to the Highlands and throughout Ireland. *(Cryphia muralis Forst.) (M.21), (K.16), (S.17). The Marbled Green is a much more local insect occurring almost exclusively along the south coasts of England, Wales and Ireland. Its only inland habitats appear to be Cambridge and Gloucester where the melanic form f. impar is predominant. It is therefore surprising to find a few authentic records of this species for the London Area, doubt¬ less strays. Middlesex. One at Harrow (Bonhote and Rothschild, 1895). Kent. One reported from Dulwich (1898 list); Eltham (V.C.H., 1908). Surrey. Coombe Wood, 1918 (W. J. Cox). The next group of moths known as the Agrotinae embrace species which are commonly called the Darts and Clays. *Agrotis segetum Schiff. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Turnip Moth is one of the commonest and most obnoxious species in the country. Its larva, known as the Cut-worm, is most destructive to root crops. It is generally distributed all over the London Area. For Inner London it has been recorded from the m.v. trap at the Zoo, Regent’s Park, in 1952 (Busliby), also from the Moorgate bombed site in 1948 (D. Owen, Entom., 1949, 82: 59). Agrotis vestigialis Rott. S.17. The Archer’s Dart, though mainly a maritime species, is found inland fairly widely distributed over heathlands in the southern and eastern counties, especially in the Breck Sand of Suffolk. It is common on 51 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 71 coasts in Scotland and Ireland. It only reaches the southern part of the London Area and is not recorded in the 1898 list. Surrey. Shirley Hills (Welti) ; Banstead (Rumsey) ; Oxshott Com¬ mon (Cockayne); Weybridge, a few (Messenger). * Agrotis corticea Hiibn. I.L., M.21, H.20. E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17, B.24. The Heart and Club is a very widespread and often common species about midsummer, producing some most variable forms of both sexes. It is found all over the British Isles up to the north of Scotland and in Ireland. It has been recorded from most parts of the London Area. In the 1898 list from Chelsea, Woodford, Tooting, Highgate Woods, and Wimbledon, also from Middlesex. Stanmore, very common (Lo rimer) ; Hampstead (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford, common (Penrose); Haileyburv, Hertford, East Barnet, Busliey Heath (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Abbey Wood, 1953 (Showier) ; West Wickham, Hayes and Downe (Birchenough) ; Orpington, 1948, and Pett’s Wood, 1950 (A. Swain) . Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); Tadworth, 1952 (Wheeler); C'hipstead, a few (Johnson); Weybridge, numerous most years (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). Agrotis cinerea Hiibn. H.20, K.16, S.17. The Light Feathered Rustic is chiefly a denizen of downland in southern and western England. At Dungeness it is abundant in May on the shingle, while in North Wales it occurs in mountainous regions. Tt is most variable in tint ranging from black to almost white, dove- grey being the most normal form. For the London Area it is not re¬ corded in the 1898 list. It has only been reported from Herts. Bushey Heath (Barraud). Kent. Common at Pinden (Hare) and at Westerham (C. Edwards); also from Eynsford, 1912 (L. W. Newman) ; Greenhithe (V.C.H., 1908). Surrey. Chipstead, eight in 1946 (Johnson); Kingswood and Seis- don, 1948 (Wild); Banstead (Rumsey); Box Hill, numerous, 1953 (Bretherton) ; Egham. one, 29th May 1934 (C. de W.). * Agrotis puta Hiibn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17 The Shuttle-shaped Dart is a very plentiful species in two broods throughout the season. It ranges all over the southern portion of the country, becoming less common in Scotland. It has been reported for most of the London region, being mentioned in the 1898 list from Hack¬ ney, Woodford, Tottenham, Stratford, Barnes, Chiswick, Richmond Park and Highgate. More recently from Inner London. The Zoo, 1954 (Bushby) ; Westbourne Terrace (Cockayne); Moorgate bombed site, pupae in 1948 (D. Owen). 52 72 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Middlesex. Hampton, 1930 (Keywood) ; Highgate (Andrewes) ; Hampstead, Mill Hill (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Enfield (Edel- sten). Herts. St. Albans, Haileybury, Waltham Cross, Watford, Bushev Heath, Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Loughton (Sutton); Brentwood (Edelsten). Kent. Beckenham, 1905 (Keywood); Blackheath, 1950 (Hyatt); Footscray (D. Owen); West Wickham (Birchenough); Pett’s Wood (A. Swain); Abbey Wood, 1951 (Showier). Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); Wimbledon Common (van Emden); Tadworth, Coulsdon (Wheeler); Weybridge (Messenger). *Agrotis exclamationis Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. This most common insect, the Heart and Dart, appears to occur all over the country up to the Caledonian Canal and to be widespread in Ireland. It has been reported from all parts of the London Area. The records from Inner London include Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly and the City (1898 List), also the Zoo (Bushby). On 24th June 1954 a per¬ fect hermaphrodite was taken at Feltham, Middlesex, by Mr. E. W. Classey. *A grotis ypsUon Pott. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18. El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Dark Sword Grass, though to be found in most parts of the British Tsles, is of very sporadic occurrence, as there is little doubt it is much supplemented by immigration. Abroad it can be a serious pest. Tt has been reported from all over the London Area. Among places in the 1898 list and Suppt. are Finchley, Hanwell, Harrow, Ilford, Tottenham, Dulwich, Chiswick, Barnes and Wimbledon. From Inner London. The Zoo, 1951 and 1953 (Bushby). Middlesex. Highgate (Andrewes); Enfield (Edelsten); Hampstead. Clapton (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford, rare (Penrose); Totteridge, very common in Sept. 1948 (Lorimer); Bricket Wood, East Barnet, Aldenham, Bnshey, Brox¬ bourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Loughton. 1935 (Sutton). Kent. West Wickham (Trundell) ; Pett’s Wood (A. Swain) ; Hayes (Birchenough). Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain) ; Wimbledon Common (Hawkins); Ewell, 1952 (Tunstall); Tadworth, 1952 (Wheeler); Barnes (Gardner); Weybridge (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). *Evxoa nigricans Linn. B.24. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17 The Garden Dart is yet another very common London insect. In the 1898 list it is recorded as occurring in thousands in market gardens on the Greenwich Marshes. Tt has also been captured in the City, 53 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 73 Chelsea, Paddington and Islington, also at Woodford and the Lsle of Dogs. Other records include Middlesex. Stanmore, common (Lorimer): Enfield (Edelsten); Ken¬ ton, one in 1937 (Fletcher); Twickenham (Meldola: Hope Dept. Collec¬ tion, Oxford). Herts. Watford, rare (Penrose); Haileybury, Bushey, E. Barnet (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Abbey Wood. 1952 (Showier); Orpington, 1953 (Siggs); West Wickham, twice (Birchenough). Surrey. South Croydon (Wild); Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); East Sheen, 1930 (D. King); Coulsdon, 1941 (Wheeler); Wevbridge (Mes¬ senger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). *Euxua tritici Linn. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. This most variable species, the White-line Dart, is mainly associ¬ ated with heathland and moors throughout the British Isles and is by no means common in the London Area. The 1898 list and Suppt. re¬ port it from Plumstead, Lee, Croydon, Wimbledon, Ealing and Wal¬ thamstow. Also taken in Middlesex. Feltham, 1954 (Classev); also Mill Hill and Chiswick (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. East Barnet, Watford, Broxbourne (Foster. Lep. Herts. 1937). Kent. Abbey Wood, 1952 (Showier); West Wickham, 1953 (Trun- dell). Surrey. Oxshott Heath (Cockayne) ; Weybridge, few (Messenger). ( Aetebia praeeox Linn.). (H.20). The Portland Moth, an inhabitant of coastal sandhills round most parts of the British Isles, including Ireland, is a most unexpected visitor to the London Area. However, there appear to be two authentic cap¬ tures of it at sugar in September, 1913, at Hoddesdon, by Dr. G. V . Bull (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). It 1 ms been taken fairly regularly inland in the Malvern district. * Lycophotia varia V ill. ( =strigula Thunb.). M.21, K.16, S.17, B.24. The true Lover’s Knot is almost always associated with moors and heathlands all over the country even existing in the Shetlands in a very large and bright form. It is very local in the London region, being only mentioned in the 1898 list from Hampstead Heath, Shirley and Wimbledon Common. Elsewhere in Middlesex. Harefield, one record (Cockerell, T.ep. Middx., 1891); Stanmore, a few, August 1953 (Lorimer). Kent. Greenwich Park (D. Owen); West Wickham, 1953 (Trundell) ; Chelsfield and Orpington, 1948 (A. Swain); Keston (Birchenough). Surrey. Putney, at light, 1951 (H. Swain); Oxshott Common, 1934 (Keywood); Esher, Banstead (Gardner); Tadworth, 1952 (Wheeler); Weybridge (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park. Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). 74 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. *Peridromu saucia Hiibn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18. K.16, S.17. The Pearly Fnderwing is an insect of very uncertain appearance, since it is doubtless replenished by immigration, usually in the autumn. It has been found in almost all parts of the country and is extremely variable in form. It has been widely recorded from the Area. The 1898 list and Suppt. mention Cornhill, Hampstead, Hammersmith, Tooting, Finchley, Harrow, Ilford, Dulwich and Wimbledon. Latterly reported from Inner London. The Zoo, 1954 (Busliby). Middlesex. Highgate (Andrewes) ; Enfield (Edelsten). Essex. Loughton (Sutton); Brentwood (Edelsten). Herts. Totteridge, very common in Sept. 1948 (Lorimer) ; St. Albans, East Barnet, Bricket Wood, Watford, Hoddesdon. Broxbourne (Foster. Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. West Wickham (Trundell); Pett’s Wood, 1950 (A. Swain); Keston, Hayes and Downe (Birchenough). Surrey. Ashtead, 1953 (Greenhill): Putney, several. 1950 (H Swain); Ewell, 1937 (Tunstall) ; Wimbledon, 1938 (Bradley); Esher (Gardner) ; Tadworth, Coulsdon (Wheeler) ; Weybridge (Messenger). Phi/acin simulans Huf. S.17. This fine noctuid, the Dotted Rustic, is extremely local, being found mainly in the western parts of the country ranging up to the northern counties and the Highlands as far as the Orkneys where a Arery dark form occurs. It is an insect of “years”, sometimes being abundant, then disappearing for a considerable period. It also has the curious habit of hiding in houses and sheds quite late in the season. It has seldom been seen in the eastern area and its capture at Ewell in July 1949 (Tunstall) is especially interesting. *Spaelotis ravida Hiibn. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Stout Dart has very similar habits to the last species. It was very abundant in 1936, especially in the eastern counties which has always been its headquarters, though it has occurred up to Scotland. Since that date it has appeared only sparingly. There are a handful of records for the London Area. The 1898 list and Suppt. report it from Ealing, Hale End and Crouch End, both in 1894. Other records include : — Middlesex. Stanmore, one, July 1953 (Lorimer); Feltham, one on 23rd August 1954 (Classey). Essex. Epping ( Ent . Annual, 1856); Loughton, 1936 (Sutton). Herts. Haileyburv, East Barnet, Cheshunt, Watford, Hoddesdon (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Grove Park, 3rd August 1948 (Hyatt) ; Pinden, occasionally (Hare); Greenliithe (Y.C.H., 1902). Surrey. Reigate (Webb, V.C.H., 1902). * Graphiphora augur Fabr. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17, B.24. The Double Dart is a very prevalent species on the sugar patch in late June in almost every part of the British Isles, especially in Scotland 55 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. i O It lias been taken all over the London Area according to the 1898 list. Later records include Inner London. The Zoo, 1952 (Bushby). Middlesex. Chiswick, bred 1899 (Dollman, Ent. Bee., 1906, 18: 145); Highgate (Andrewes); Feltham, 1954 (Classey) ; Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Oxhey (Fletcher); Watford, rare (Penrose); Totteridge (Lorimer) ; St. Albans, Bricket Wood, Hertford, Bushey, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Woodford Green, 1910 (Collenette) ; Loughton (Sutton). Kent. Elmer’s End, 1907 (Kevwood); West Wickham (Trundell). Surrey. East Sheen, 1929 (1). King); Wimbledon Common (Car- dew) ; Ewell, Banstead (Gardner) ; Coulsdon, Tadworth (Wheeler) ; Wey- bridge, few (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Amathes agathina Dup. K.16, S.17, (B.24). The Heath Rustic, as its name implies, is confined to heaths and moors over most of the country up to the Highlands, but is often quite local, affecting chiefly long heather on which it may sometimes be obtained in numbers in late August. Shirley Hills is the only locality given in the 1898 list for the London Area. Other and more recent records include Kent. Chislehurst and West Wickham (Y.C.H., 1908); Westerham, plentiful (C. Edwards). Surrey. Shirley Hills, 1906 (Barnett); Addington Hills, one in 1950 (Birchenough) ; Oxshott Common (Cockayne) ; numerous there in 1902 (Kaye). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Amathes glareosa Esp. M.21, H.20. E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Autumnal Rustic is a frequent visitor to heather bloom and light in September. It ranges all over the British Isles right up to the Shetlands, where the melanic form eddn is peculiar to those regions. In the London Area the 1898 list and Suppt. give Stratford, Ilford, Harrow, Eltliam, Shirley and Wimbledon Common. Other records in¬ clude Middlesex. Feltham, a few in 1954 (Classey); Bishop’s Wood Hampstead, one (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Oxhey (Foster, Lep. Herts. Suppt. 1942). Essex. Epping Forest (V.C.H., 1903). Kent. Greenhithe, Wickham Wood, in 1870’s (West: Ent. Bee.. 1906). Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); Richmond (Geldart : Hope Dept. Collection, Oxford); East Sheen (D. King); Wimbledon Common (Cardew, Mere); Weybridge, fairly common since 1952 (Messenger): Esher, one in 1932 (C. de W.). *Amathes castanea Esp. (M.21), H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Grey Rustic which appears in late August is another heathland species ranging up to the Highlands, where a purplish form is preva- 56 76 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. lent. In the south it exists in both grey and red forms, even occa¬ sionally yellow. The 1898 list only records it from Shirley Hills and it seems otherwise scarce throughout the Area. Middlesex. Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead (Cockerell. Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford, one in August 1953 (Penrose). Essex. Wanstead Flats in 1870’s (West: End. Bee., 1906). Kent. West Wickham, 1911 (Keywood); Chislehurst (V.C.H., 1908). Surrey. Chertsey (End. Annual, 1866). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). *Amathes c-nigrum Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Setaceous Hebrew Character is one of our commonest and most widespread species ranging to the furthest north and often appearing in vast numbers in the autumn. It has been taken in all parts of the London Area, even at the Zoo light-trap (Bnshby). *Amathes ditrapezium Borkh. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Triple-spotted Clay is a very local July species which is often found in the larval state in May. It is probably commoner in the north of England and Scotland, but has been taken many times in the London region and is reported in the 1898 list from Wimbledon Common, High- gate Woods and Hampstead Heath where larvae were found regularly in the late 1890’s. Other records are from Herts. Totteridge, one in June 1952 (Lorimer); Wormley at sugar (Edelsten), also from Waltham Cross (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Brentwood (Y.C.H., 1903). Kent. Hartford (V.C.H., 1908). Surrey. Plentiful in Richmond Park (V.C.H. 1902); Wimbledon Common (Cardew) ; one there at sugar, 17th July 1934 (Hawkins); Sels- don, common on wood sage each year (Wild); Weybridge, two in 1953 and also in 1954 (Messenger). *Amathes triangulum Hufn. M.21, H.20. E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17. The Double Square-spot Clay is a very prevalent insect at mid¬ summer ranging over most of the country to the Highlands and to Ireland. The 1898 list gives it from Hale End, Chingford, Greenwich, Dulwich and Wimbledon. Middlesex. Stanmore, very common (Lorimer); Hampstead Heath and Mill Hill (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Watford, common (Penrose); Bricket Wood, Haileybury, East Barnet, Bushey Heath. Cheshunt, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Buckhurst Hill. 1949 (Chapman); Woodford Green. 1928 (Collenette). Kent. Orpington, Pett’s Wood, 1950 (Siggs); West Wickham. Kes ton, Hayes, (Birchenough). 57 THE MOTHS OK LONDON AND ITS S U R -ROUX DIN (. S . Surrey. Claygate, 1934 (Key wood ): Ashtead (Gardner); Wimble¬ don Common, larvae in 192b (Hawkins); Weybridge, common (Messen¬ ger). *Amathes stig matica Hiibn. 11.20, K.16, S.17, 11.24. The Square-spotted Clay is another very local species appearing in early August and occurring widely over the southern counties, in Wales and many parts of Scotland. The 1898 list records it from the Kentish suburbs and from the Croydon district. Elsewhere it has been taken in Herts. St. Albans, Brieket Wood, Aldenham, Haileybury, Wal¬ tham Cross and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Darenth Wood (Meldola : Hope Dept. Collection, Oxford); West Wickham (Rev. Mannering : Entom., 1910, 43: 204); Orpington, 1949 (Siggs); Pinden, fairly common (Hare). Surrey'. Wimbledon Common (Cardew); Selsdon, common at wood sage each year (Wild). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Amathes buja Fabr. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Dotted Clay is another August insect which is usually very common in most parts of the country ranging up to the Highlands and occurring in Ireland. It is also widespread throughout the London Area, being mentioned in the 1898 list from Hampstead Heath, High- gate Woods, Ealing, Chiswick, Stratford, Hale End and Woodford, also from Dulwich, Sydenham and Wimbledon Common. Middlesex. Stanmore, one Sept. 1953 (Lorimer); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Brieket Wood, Haileybury, Bushey, Oxhey, Aldenham, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. West Wickham, 1950, (Birehenough); Orpington, Chelsfield, 1950 (Siggs). Surrey. Wimbledon Common and Esher (Gardner); Tadworth, 1949 (Wheeler); Weybridge, common (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Amathes sexstrigata Haw. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18. El. 19, K.16, S.17. The Six-striped Rustic is another common species in late August, being found all over the British Isles up to Northern Scotland. The 1898 list and Suppt. give as localities Hale End, Chingford, Snaresbrook, Finchley, Hampstead, Wimbledon, Barnes and Chiswick. Also recorded from Inner London. The Zoo, 1954 (Bushby) ; Kilburn (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Middlesex. Mill Hill (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Totteridge, common (Lorimer); East Barnet, Cheshunt, Aldenham (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Loughton, 1935 (Sutton). Kent. West Wickham, common in 1949, but not seen since (Birch- enough); Pett’s Wood, 1946 (A. Swain). 58 78 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Surrey . Wimbledon Common, 1934 (Hawkins); Ewell, 1946 (Tun- stall); Chipstead, 1946 (Johnson); Tadwortli, Coulsdon, 1949 (Wheeler); Weybridge, common (Messenger). *Amathes xunthogruyha Fabr. L.L.. M.21, 11.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Square-spot Rustic is one of the commonest insects during the late summer over the whole country. In the Highlands a melanic form is prevalent. It is recorded from almost every quarter of the London Area. It was taken in 1952 in the light-trap at the Zoo (Bushby). It is sometimes very plentiful in the southern suburbs. *Diarsia brunnea Fabr. 11.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Purple Clay is a familiar insect at the sugar patch in late June and in the larval state in the spring, occurring in most parts of the British Isles, especially in Scotland where a very bright form exists. Widely reported for the London Area. In the 1898 list from Hale End, Chingford, Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods, Dulwich and Wimble¬ don Common. Latterly from Middlesex. Highgate, 1914 (Andrewes) ; Stanmore Common, bred 1953 (Lorimer); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Widely distributed (Foster, Ley. Herts., 1937). Essex. Brentwood (Edelsten). Kent. West Wickham, Keston, Hayes (Birclienough). Surrey. Putney, 1933 (D. King); also there in 1951 (H. Swain); Ashtead, Banstead (Gardner); Wimbledon Common (Cardew, Ent. Lee., 1910, 22: 263); Weybridge, a few (Messenger). *]). Middx., 1891). Herts. St. Albans, Haileybury, East Barnet, Bushey, Aldenham, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Abbey Wood (Showier); West Wickham (Trundell); Orping¬ ton, 1953, and Chelsfield (Siggs); Hayes and Downe (Birchenough) ; Joyden’s Wood (D. Owen). Surrey. Putney, 1946 (D. King); Wimbledon Common (van Emden); Chipstead, 1946 (Johnson); Richmond Park (Cockayne); Banstead (Gardner); Coulsdon (Wheeler); Weybridge (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). The group that follows are all small moths usually known as the “Minors” comprising six species of the genus Promts, all of. which have been recorded in the Area. The Least Minor ( Phothedes captiunculu Treits.), a northern insect, has not as yet been noted. Within the last thirty years from Procus strigilis have been separated two further British species, P. latruncula and P. versicolor. This last insect was only fully recognised as British in 1940 (vide Entorn., 1940, 73 : 60). * Procus strigilis Clerck. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Marbled Minor is often one of the commonest insects at sugar in June and July in almost every part of the country. It. is an extremely variable little moth, its melanic form aethiops being sometimes as plentiful as the normal type. It has been recorded from nearly every quarter of the London region, for Inner London from the m/v trap at the Zoo (Busliby), also from Clapton, Dalston, Stamford Hill, Waltham¬ stow, Lee, Lewdsliam, Greenwich, Chiswick and Willesden in the 1898 list and Suppt. 75 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 95 Procus latruncula Schiff. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Tawny Minor was only separated as a British species from the foregoing species within the last 25 years. Its full range in the country and in the London Area has not as yet been fully worked out owing to its superficial similarity to the Marbled Minor. It is, however, on the whole slightly smaller and most examples have a bronze sheen, especially the melanic form which is often the most prevalent. The male genitalia are appreciably different from those of P. strigilis and P. versicolor. Authentic specimens have been recorded from Middlesex. Kenton (Fletcher); Bedford Park, Chiswick, 1901 (Doll- man British Museum (Natural History) Collection). Herts. Oxhey Woods, common in 1938 (Classey). Essex. Tilbury (Edelsten). Surrey. West Ewell (Gardner); Weybridge (Messenger); Tooting and Balliam, 1908 (Riley); Putney and Wimbledon. Kent. Plumstead, 1901 (E. R. Bankes) ; Lewisham, 1905 (R. Adkin). Procus versicolor Borkh. S.17. The Rufous Minor, as already mentioned, is one of the newcomers to our noctuid moths. It has, of course, been overlooked, since examples have been discovered in old collections emanating from many counties in the southern and eastern regions. The normal form of the insect has a distinctly reddish suffusion. The stigmata are as a rule pale on a dark ground, while the white transverse line is less concave at the base than in P. strigilis. The melanic form can only be determined by the geni¬ talia. There is at present one authentic record for the Area. Surrey. One taken at Reigate on 31st July 1886 (Whittle collection, now in the British Museum (Natural History). * Procus fasciuncula Haw. M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17. The Middle-barred Minor, though another common insect at sugar in most parts of the British Isles, is not as variable in pattern as the last three species. It has been noted in nearly every quarter of the Area in the 1898 list and Suppt. Localities enumerated include Hamp¬ stead, Higligate, Hendon, Ealing, Harrow, Clapton, Woodford, Ching- ford, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Greenwich and Wimbledon Common, also from Middlesex. Stanmore, a few (Lorimer) ; Higligate, 1925 (Andrewes). Herts. Generally distributed (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Loughton (Sutton); Tilbury (Edelsten). Kent. Abbey Wood Marshes (Showier); Beckenham, 1909 (Key- wood); West Wickham (Birchenough) ; Orpington and Pett’s Wood, 1950 (Siggs). Surrey. Wimbledon (Cockayne); Richmond Park, 1920 (W. Cox); Coulsdon, Tadworth (Wheeler) ; Weybridge, common (Messenger). * Procus literosa Haw. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Rosy Minor is a species more usually met with in coastal areas up to eastern Scotland, but of late years it appears to have become much more frequent inland, though the 1898 list and Suppt. mention 76 96 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. it from Harrow, Ohingford, Walthamstow, Forest Gate, Dulwich and Greenwich. Latterly from Middlesex. Highgate (Andrewes); Feltham, common in 1954 with a few of the melanic form (Classey). Herts. Totteridge, a few (Lorimer) ; St. Albans, Haileybury (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Surrey. Banstead at m/v light in 1953 (Gardner); Putney,' one in June 1951 (H. Swain); Weybridge, a few each year (Messenger). * True us f'uruncula Scliiff. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Cloaked Minor is another plentiful species in most parts of the British Isles in August. It is again a very variable one in tint and markings. In Ireland a unicolorous ochreous form seems predominant. The 1898 list describes it as generally distributed throughout the Area. More recently recorded from Inner London. Battersea Park, 1925 (Baynes). Middlesex. Highgate (Andrewes); Feltham, 1954 (Classey); Stan- more (Lorimer). Herts. Widely distributed (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Loughton (Sutton); Tilbury (Edelsten). Kent. Elmer’s End, 1907 (Keywood) ; Lee, Lewisham, Greenwich in 1870’s (West, Eat. Bee., 1906). Surrey. Putney, East Sheen, 1932 (D. King) ; Wimbledon Common (van Emden); Weybridge, common (Messenger). *Apciniea oblonga Haw. ( = abjecta Hiibn.). M.21, E2.18, K.16. This species, the Crescent-striped, is essentially associated with salt- marshes round the coasts of England, Ireland and Scotland, even to the Shetlands. It is very partial to marram grass heads in July. Recorded in the 1898 list from Clapton where a specimen was taken at rest near the River Lea by the late F. J. Hanbury, also from the Greenwich and Plumstead Marshes. The presence of this insect far inland is of very unusual occurrence and possibly accidental as are the following records. Middlesex. One at Willesden in 1887 (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Essex. Romford (Rev. Claxton, Entom., 1901, 34: 353); Tilbury, a few in 1938 (Edelsten). *Apamea anceps Hiibn. ( = sordid u Borkh.). M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16 S. 17, B.24. The Large Nutmeg is seldom a common moth, though very widely distributed over the southern parts of the British Isles and less common in the north ranging to the Shetlands. It has been fairly freely taken in the London Area and reported in the 1898 list from Highgate, Ham¬ mersmith, Hale End, Walthamstow, Chingford, Woodford and Croydon. Middlesex. Stanmore, common (Lorimer); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Bricket Wood, Radlett, Haileybury, St. Albans, East Bar- net, Cheshunt, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Blackheath in 1860’s (West, Eat. Bee., 1906); West Wickham (Trundell) ; Hayes, Iveston and Downe (Birchenough). 77 THE MOTHS OE LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 97 Surrey. Weybridge, infrequent (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). (. Apamea furva Hiibn.). (M.21), (B.24). Tlie Confused is an insect more essentially found on moors and rough coastal areas of the Highlands, Northern England, Wales and Ireland, but it has at least two southern headquarters. There is still a flourish¬ ing colony on the cliffs at Dover, while it is also prevalent in the Men- dips. Reports of it in the London Area must be viewed with misgiving owing to its similarity to the next species. However, for Middlesex. One is recorded for Whitton near Hounslow (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer, taken by S. Stevens in 1844 (V.C.H., 1905). * Apamea obscura Haw. { — gemina Hiibn.). I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17, B.24. The Dusky Brocade, a very common visitor at times to sugar in July, provides some remarkable forms, especially the variegated f. remissa and the deep brown form so often met with in the Highlands. It is also widespread in the London region, having been noted in the 1898 list and Suppt. from Highgate, Hampstead, Harrow, Chiswick, Greenwich, Dulwich, Tooting and Wimbledon. Also recorded from Inner London. Battersea Park, 1925 (Baynes). Middlesex. Highgate, 1906-1911 (Andrewes); Enfield (Edelsten); Hounslow, 1953 (Pierce). Essex. Buckliurst Hill, 1949 (Chapman); Loughton (Sutton). Herts. Bricket Wood, Haileybury, East Barnet, Cheshunt, Alden- ham, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937); Watford, scarce (Penrose). Kent. West Wickham, 1950-53 (Trundell); Hayes, two in 1947 (Birchenough) ; Orpington, 1953 (Siggs). Surrey. Coulsdon, 1947, and Tadworth, 1951 (Wheeler) ; Esher and Ashtead (Gardner); Putney and East Sheen, 1928 (D. King); Wey¬ bridge, rare (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). * Apamea sordens Hufn. ( = basilinea Fabr.) I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17. The Rustic Shoulder-knot is another very widespread and common species at the end of May in nearly every quarter of the British Isles, ft has been recorded from almost every part of the London Area, not¬ ably for Inner London from the Zoo m/v trap in 1954 (Bushby), also from Putney, Wimbledon, Barnes (D. King) and Highgate (Andrewes). The 1898 list mentions it as occurring in every part of the area, except the centre. * Apamea unanimis Hiibn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Small Clouded Brindle is always associated with damp places where its chief foodplant, the reed grass ( Digraphis arnndinacea ) 78 98 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. occurs. In such localities the moth is sometimes common in early June, while the larvae often abound in September. It is found locally up to Northern Scotland and in Ireland. For the London Area the 1898 list and Suppt. give it from the Zoo, Highgate, Hanwell, Harrow, Clapton, Hale End, Forest Gate, Chingiord, Greenwich and Plum stead Marshes, Dulwich and Croydon. Latterly from Middlesex. Stanmore (Fletcher); Feltham, fairly common in 1954 (Classey); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Watford (Penrose); Haileyburv, East Barnet, Bushev Heath, Cheslnmt, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep Herts 1937). Surrey. Putney, 1928 and June 1933 (D. King); East Sheen, 1930 and 1933 (D. King); Weybridge, numerous, on the increase (Messenger;. (Apamea pabulatricula Bralim.) (H.20). The Union Rustic can be said to be another of our “ lost species.” It was always very local, having a restricted range in Yorkshire, Lines., and southern Scotland. In these areas it was occasionally quite plenti¬ ful in early August at sugar. It started to become scarce in the early Part of this century and finally apparently disappeared from its old haunts about 1919. (Bretherton : Ent. Gazette , 1951, 2: 228). It is therefore most surprising to find an authentic record for a single example taken at Bushev Heath in August 1935 (Hervey : Foster Lep Herts., 1937). * Apamea secalis Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Common Rustic, as its name implies, is one of the most plenti¬ ful and at the same time one of the most variable of our species, pro¬ ducing endless forms, many of them very fine, especially one with deep black fore wings with outstanding white stigmata. It appears in August all over the British Isles and the London Area whence it has been reported for Inner London from the Zoo, Regent’s Park in 1953 (Bushby), from Battersea Park in 1925 (Baynes), and from Brixton (F armer). * Apamea ophiogramma Esp. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Double-lobed, like A. unanimis, follows its foodplant, the Reed Grass (D. arundinacea) and the cultivated form, Ribbon Grass. In both these grasses the fleshy larva with a black plate behind its head can often be found near the roots in early May. The moth which appears in late July seems mainly restricted to the eastern side of England. It has spread to the northern counties and has recently been recorded in eastern Scotland. The 1898 list describes it as “a notoriously Lon¬ don species” mentioning its occurrence from a large number of locali¬ ties which include Hampstead, Highgate, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Ealing, Tottenham, Clapton, Leytonstone, Woodford, Hackney Marshes' Eltham, Biockley, Dulwich, Croydon and Wimbledon. Of recent years it is doubtful if it is as abundant as formerly owing to the decline of Hibbon Grass in suburban gardens. 79 the moths or lonihln and its surroundings. 99 Inner London. Chepstow Place, W.3, 1931 (Cole); Brixton (Farmer). Middlesex. Hampton, 1933 (Key wood); Highgate, 1911 (Andrewes); Feltham, one, 3rd August 1954 (Classey) ; Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. St. Albans. East Barnet, Busliey Heath, Watford, Brox- bourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Brockley (West, Ent. liec.. 1906); Orpington, 1948 (Siggs). Surrey. Ewell, July 1949 (Tunstall) ; Richmond Park (Gardner); Putney, 1928 and 1932, and East Sheen, 1930 and 1933 (D. King); Kew I law, July 1950 (B ret her ton) : Weybridge, fairly common (Messenger). *Apamea crenata Hufn. ( = rurea Fabr.). I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17. The Clouded-bordered Brindle is another of our most variable species. Besides the normal ochreous form it produces one with deep red fore¬ wings alopecurus, while in the Highlands some examples are almost black and others, especially in the north-west of Scotland, are nearly white in ground-colour. It has been widely recorded for the London region, the 1898 list and Suppt. mentioning it from Chelsea, Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods, Finchley, Harrow, Hendon, Tooting, Wimble¬ don, Cliingford, Hale End and Dulwich. Latterly from Inner London. Brixton (Farmer). Middlesex. Highgate, 1907 (Andrewes); Feltham, 1954 (Classey); Stanmore, common (Lorimer) ; Harefield (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts, Watford, rare (Penrose); generally distributed (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. West Wickham (Trundell). Surrey. Esher and Ashtead (Gardner); Putney, 1933 (D. King); and there in 1951 (H. Swain); Wimbledon Common (Cardew) ; Wey¬ bridge (Messenger). *Apamea lithoxylea Esp. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17. The Light Arches is a very prevalent and little-varying insect to be found in most parts of the country up to Moray. It has been noted from ever}7 area of the London region, except Bucks. For Inner Lon¬ don it has been recorded from the Zoo. Regent’s Park in 1953 (Bushby) and from Brixton (Farmer), also from Putney, East Sheen (D. King) and from Highgate (Andrewes). *Apamea sublustris Esp. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Reddish-light Arches is far less widespread than the last species, being chiefly confined to downland districts, though it is sometimes taken in other types of terrain. It occurs up to southern Scotland and is well distributed in Ireland. Harrow and Shirley are the only two localities given for it in the 1898 list and Suppt. It has also been reported from Middlesex. Harefield, common in 1888 (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891) ; Stanmore, one in 1953 (Lorimer) ; Bedfont, one in June 1952 (Kindred) . 80 100 THE LONDON NAT C RA LIST, NO. 34. Herts. East Barnet, Busliey, Watford (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937;. Kent. West Wickham, Hayes ( Birchenough) ; Orpington, 1953 (Siggs). Surrey. Chipstead, one in 1946 (Johnson); Wejbridge, a few (Messenger) . *Apamea monoyhjpha Hufn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17 B.24. The Dark Arches is one of the commonest ot our summer noctuids, at the same time producing a remarkable degree of variation. In the Highlands a melanic form, sometimes with almost jet black forewings, seems to predominate and of late some very dark examples have ap¬ peared in the south even in the London district where the species is prevalent in all areas. From Inner London it has been noted at Bat¬ tersea Park in 1925 (Baynes) and from the Zoo m/v trap in 1951 and 1954 (Bushby). It appears to have been recorded from all the sur¬ rounding suburbs. *Apame a hepatica Hiibn. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Clouded Brindle is seldom a common insect, though found locally in late June o\er the southern regions of England ranging to the fringe of the Highlands as well as in parts of Ireland. It has been reported from many localities in the London Area, The 1898 list and Suppt. give it from I inchley, Harrow, Chiswick, Highgate, Hampstead, Chingford, Hale End, Hackney Marshes, Dulwich and Wimbledon Com¬ mon. Other records include Middlesex. Stanmore, common (Lorimer) ; one there on 26th June 1938 (Fletcher). Herts. St. Albans, Biicket Wood, Busliey Heath, East Barnet and Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937); Watford, scarce (Penrose). Kent. Shooter’s Hill (West, Ent. Bee., 1906); West Wickham, Hayes (Birchenough). Surrey. Ashtead (Gardner); Coulsdon, 1944 (Wheeler); Putney, fairly common (H. Swain); Weybridge (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). *Apamea scolopacina Esp. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17. This very attractive late July species, the Slender Brindle, is a very local insect mainly in the south-eastern counties through the midlands to the edge of the northern counties. The larvae sometimes abound in late May on certain kinds of grass which they spin together into a tent. The 1898 list and Suppt. mention it only from Highgate Woods (where Stephens recorded it in 1829), also from Harrow, Dulwich and Shirley. Middlesex. Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead, larvae in 1873 (Cockerell Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Aldenham, 1932 (H. King); Arkley, August 1953 (Howarth) ; Broxbourne, on rush blossom (Edelsten). Essex. Epping Forest (Edelsten); Buckhurst Hill, one in 1951 (Lorimer). 81 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS . 101 Kent. Once at Lewisham in 1860 (Ent. Annual, 1861); West Wick¬ ham, several in 1951 (Birchenough) ; also there in 1953 (Trundell). Surrey. Cliertsey (Ent. Annual, 1866); Selsdon, one in 1949 (Birch¬ enough); Banstead (Rumsey) ; Wimbledon Common (Welti); Weybridge, scarce (Messenger). * Apamea fissipuncta, Haw. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16. S.L . This rather dismal-looking insect, the Dingy Shears, is more often met with as a larva than the moth. The larvae are sometimes to be found in hundreds chiefly under the bark of pollard willows in May. It is widely distributed over the country up to the northern counties, while the 1898 list records it from all quarters as common. Inner London. Addison Road Station (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Westbourne Terrace (Cockayne). Middlesex. Fulham, Hammersmith, Kensal Green and Mill Hill (Cockerell, Lep. Middx.. 1891) ; Chiswick (Bird, Ent. Bee., 1906, 18: 204); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Rickmansworth, East Barnet, Bushev, Hoddesdon, Brox- bourne and Cheshunt (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Greenwich Marshes in 1860’s (West, Ent. Bee., 1906) ; Aner- ley, July 1906 (Keywood); West Wickham. 1950 and 1953 (Trundell); Hayes (Birchenough). Surrey. Putney, 1951, at light (H. Swain); Chertsev Meads (Bretherton) ; Weybridge, senree (Messenger). *T) j/pferi/c/ia scahriuscula Linn. T.L., M 21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.H , B.24. This very dark species, the Bird’s Wing, is locally common in most of the south-eastern part of the country, but distinctly scarce in the more northerly counties of England. However, it is one of Lon¬ don’s regular insects, being reported from every portion of the area covered bv the 1898 list, including South Hackney, Clapton and Walthamstow. Inner London. Hyde Park (N. C. Rothschild. Entom., 1912, 45: 279); Regent’s Park (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891; The Zoo m/v trap, 1954 (Bushby). Middlesex. Hampstead. Hammersmith, Mill Hill, Harefield (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Hampton, 1929 (Keywood); Highgate (Andrewes) : Stanmore (Lorimer) ; Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Watford, rare (Penrose); St. Albans, Bushey Heath, Alden- ham, Waltham Cross, Rickmansworth, Haileybury (Foster, Lep. Herts.. 1937). Essex. Forest Gate, one in 1935 (Sutton). Kent. Beckenham, 1907 (Keywood); Pett’s Wood, 1949 (A. Swain); Lewisham (D. Owen); West Wickham (Trundell): Hayes, Downe (Birch¬ enough). Surrey. Barnes Common (Craske); Chipstead, two in 1946 (John¬ son): Richmond Park (Cockayne); Putney, Ewell, Ashtead (Gardner); 82 102 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Tadvrorth. 1952 (Wheeler): Ham and East Sheen (D. King); Wimble¬ don Common (van Emden) ; Weybridge, common (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park. Fulmer (Y.C.H., 1905). *Aporophyla lutulenta Borkh. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17. This September insect, the Deep Brown Dart, is seldom plentiful except in the Highlands where forms with jet black forewings and others with blue-grey ground colour ( sedi ) are predominant. F. sedi is also quite numerous on the coasts of Northern Ireland and in North Wales. In the southern regions the species is either deep brown or deep grey. Only a few localities are recorded for it in the London Area. The 1898 list describes it as scarce in the outlying suburbs to the south-east. Middlesex. Feltliam, 1954 (Classey). Herts. A few at sugar near Hoddesdon (G. V. Bull: Foster, hep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Erith ( Ent . Annual. 1865); West Wickham, 1950 and 1952 (Birchenough). Surrey. Addington, a few every year (Wild); Putney, one in Sep¬ tember 1951 (H. Swain) ; Weybridge, a few each year (Messenger). Aporophyla nigra Haw. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17. This fine autumn species, the Black Rustic, seems prevalent over most of Scotland and northern England. Further south it occurs sporadically in the Midlands, becoming commoner in the south-west and southern counties, though it is only in quite recent years that it has penetrated Sussex and Kent. It appears almost absent from the extreme east and is seldom found in chalky districts. It is not included in the 1898 list. Records include Middlesex. Feltliam, 1954 (Classey); Willesden (Cockerell, hep. Middx.. 1891); Bedfont, one on 22nd September 1951 (Kindred). Herts. One at Hatfield on 11th September 1937 (L. Hodson. Entom., 1938, 71 : 190). Kent. Darenth Wood in 1870’s (West, Ent. Bee., 1906). Surrey. Banstead (Rumsey); Ashtead, October 1953 (Greenhill) ; Chertsey Meads, September 1950 (Bretherton) ; Weybridge, common (Messenger); Reigate (V.C.H., 1902). *T)asypolia templi Thunb. M.21, H.20, E2.18. This further autumn species, the Brindled Ochre, is chiefly a denizen of the more northerly regions of the British Isles. It is quite a com¬ mon insect in the Shetlands where its fleshy larvae can be readily dug up from the roots of several Fmbelliferae. It is mostly a species of rocky coasts in the southern and western areas, though seldom seen in the east. The female moth hibernates. Its presence in the London region is quite an event. There appear to be only three authentic records to date. Specimens from Ealing and Stratford mentioned in the 1898 list and one for Herts, where an example was taken at an m/v trap at Arkley on 23rd October 1952 (Howarth, Ent. Bee., 1953, 65 : 325). S3 THE MOTHS OF LONDON' AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 103 * Antitype flavicincta Fabr. M.21, H.20, E2.18, K.16, S.17, B.24. This autumn insect, the Large Ranunculus, is sometimes a pest in the larval state on herbaceous flowers in the southern counties. The form of the moth found west of Dorset is much greyer than that which is prevalent in the eastern areas. It has been widely reported from the London Area. The 1898 list and Suppt. record it from Finchley, Harrow, Ealing, Southall, Bedford Park, Woodford, Kingston and Rich¬ mond. Also from Middlesex. Harefleld (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. St. Albans, Bricket Wood, Hertford, Bushey Heath, Wat¬ ford, Haileybury and Cheshunt (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. Shooter's Hill in 1870’s (West, Ent. Bee., 1906); Orpington, 1951 (Siggs). Surrey. Ashtead. 1953 (Greenhill) ; Egham, numerous (C. de W.); Weybridge, becoming scarce (Messenger). Bucks. Chalfont St. Peter (Y.C.H., 1905). * Antitype chi Linn. (M.21), (H.20), (K.16), B.24. The Grey Chi which appears in late August is an inhabitant chiefly of the north and west of the Country. Its appearance east of a line from Peterborough to the east of Somerset is very unusual, though it seems to be making incursions gradually to the south-east. The moth varies from almost white to the deep olive-green form olivacea iound mainly in Yorkshire. There are only a handful of authentic records for the London region. The 1898 list and Suppt. mention examples from Harrow and Brockley. For Herts, one was found at rest on a wall at Waltham Cross (Edelsten), while for Bucks, the species has been reported at the western fringe of the Area at Chalfont St. Peter (V.C.H., 1905). *Oriposia aprilinn Linn. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17. The Merveille-du-Jour is often a familiar sight at rest on an oak trunk in the October sunshine. It is found locally in oak woods up to the Highlands where a form with heavy black markings sometimes occurs. The species is by no means widespread in the London Area, the 1898 list only giving it as scarce in the south-east quarter. Other re¬ cords include for Middlesex. Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead, also Pinner, Stanmore and Harefleld (Cockerell, Tjep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Haileybury, Oxhev Woods, Hoddesdon and Cheshunt (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Kent. West Wickham, one in 1947 (Birclienough) ; Pett’s Wood, 1946 (A. Swain). Surrey. Ashtead, 1953 (Greenhill); Weybridge, two in 1953 (Mes¬ senger); Egham, scarce (C. de W.). ( Trigonophora flanunea Esp. (— enipyrea Hiibn.)) (M.21). This striking species, the Flame Brocade, flourished during the latter half of the last century mainly in a restricted area of South 84 104 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Sussex where it was taken regularly in October in some numbers at ivy. It suddenly died out from its old haunts about 1892 since when there have only been two authentic records, the last in 1946 in South Devon (Bretherton, Ent. Gazette, 1951, 2: 229). There is a record of a specimen taken at Harrow Weald by Rowland-Brown (Bonhote and Rothschild, 1895). Calophasia lunula Hufn. K.16. The Toadflax Brocade was originally reported in the London region in 1817, but these specimens are suspect. It did not reappear in this country till 1939 when one was taken at rest in Sussex. The next was taken in August 1950 since when the species has become a definite coloniser. The brilliant black and yellow larvae were first found on the Kentish coast in 1952 feeding on yellow toadflax. In 1954 they were there in hundreds both in June and September. In Sussex they were found on purple toadflax. The species has spread to the Essex coast and has been noted in mid-Kent. So far the records for the Area include a larva found at Stone near Hartford in September 1952 and a moth taken at Pinden on 10th June 1953 (Hare, Ent. Bee., 1953, 65: 323). * M eg an eph ria oxyacanthae Linn. M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17. This well-known autumn species, the Green-brindled Crescent, is found all over the British Isles up to the Caledonian Canal. The 1898 list gives it as common throughout the area, except the centre. It has been recorded from Bishop’s Wood, Hampstead, Highgate, Wands¬ worth, also from Stanmore and it is generally distributed in Herts. In the south from Barnes, Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. It is also numerous in the Epping Forest region. *Brachionycha sphinx Hufn. M.21, H.20, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Sprawler is the latest of the noctuids to appear in the season, seldom being seen before November when it sometimes come freely to light, especially the males. It is chiefly a woodland species ranging up to the northern counties, but it does not seem to be prevalent in the London Area. The 1898 list only reports it from the south-east region, also from Harrow and Winchmore Hill. Elsewhere it has been taken in Middlesex. Twickenham, 1876 (Meldola : Hope Dept. Collection, Oxford); Harefield (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Bricket Wood, Haileybury, Hertford, Aldenliam, East Barnet, Bushey, Broxbourne (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Surrey. Roehampton Lane (Cole); Ashtead, 1953 (Greenhill). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). *Euplexia lucipara Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17. The Small Angle Shades is usually an exceedingly numerous insect wherever bracken flourishes in all parts of the country, also in the Lon¬ don Area. The 1898 list describes it as common everywhere. For Inner 85 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 105 London it lias been taken in Battersea Park in 1925 (Baynes) and at Brixton (Farmer), also reported from Hampstead, Highgate, Pinner, Barnes, Putney and Wimbledon Common. Generally distributed in Herts. (Foster). *Phlogophora meticulosa Linn. I.L., M.21, 11.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16. S.17, B.24. The Angle-Shades is another of the commonest and most widespread of our noctuids, occurring all over the British Isles in every month of the year. The larvae can be a serious pest in greenhouses. It has been recorded from every part of the London Area including the Zoo (Bushby) and South Kensington (Hyatt). Celaena leucostigma Hiibn. M.21, H.20, S.17. The Crescent is essentially a lover of marshy regions where it often appears in abundance mainly during August. In the Highlands a small dark form fibrosa replaces the larger southern type. There are, how¬ ever. very few records for the London Area. It is not mentioned in the 1898 list. Middlesex. Hammersmith, 1846 (Wheeler, Ent. Bee., 1913, 25: 73); Chiswick, one in 1900 (Bird, Ent. Bee., 1906, 18: 204); Feltham, fairly common in 1954 (Classey). Herts. Barnet, 1911 (Tautz : Hope Dept. Collection, Oxford); Haileybury, once (Foster, Lep. Berts., 1937). Surrey. Chertsey Meads, July 1950 (Bretlierton); Weybridge, com¬ mon in 1953 (Messenger). *Phalaena typica Linn. T.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17. The Gothic was formerly a very prevalent species in most parts of the country, but of late years has been steadily becoming scarcer. In the 1898 list it is reported from all over the inner part of the Metropolis and neighbouring suburbs, even from Ladbroke Square in the West End. Latterly from Inner London. Brixton (Farmer). Middlesex. Hampton, 1931 (Keywood); Highgate (Andrewes); Feltham, 1954 (Classey); Mill Hill and Harefield (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891); Enfield (Edelsten). Herts. Haileybury, Cheshunt, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne (Fos¬ ter, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Forest Gate (Sutton). Kent. Anerley, 1905 (Keywood); Plumstead Common (Showier); West Wickham (Trundell). Surrey. Putney and East Sheen (D. King); Barnes, Esher (Gard¬ ner); Weybridge, rare (Messenger). *Mormo maura Linn. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2.18, El. 19, K.16, S.17, B.24. The Old Lady is indeed one of London's most familiar species. In fact, it is plentiful all over the British Isles except in the extreme north. It lias been reported often in abundance in the London region, especially in the suburbs. For Inner London it has been recorded in 86 106 THE LONDON NATURALIST. NO. 34. Ecclestoii Square in 1910 (Baynes), from the Zoo in 1952 (Bushby) and from Brixton (Farmer). The next sub-family is sometimes known as the Caradrininae which includes the Ear-moth group and the Wainscots. *Hydraecia nictitans Borkh. I.L., M.21, H.20, E2 18 El 19' K 16 S.17, B.24. In former times the Ear Moth was considered to be a single species but in recent years three further species have been recognised, 77. pallid is Tilth., 77. luce ns Freyer and 77. crinan crisis Burrows. These last two are virtually confined to the northern parts of the country. It is possible, therefore, that the older records for London included 77. ■paludxs. The original 77. nictitans is reported in the 1898 list and Suppt. from all over the defined area, including Hampstead, Chiswick, Finchley, Stratford. Woodford, Dulwich, and W imbledon Common. Latterly from Inner London. The Zoo. 1954 (Bushby). Middlesex. Stanmore (Lorimer); Enfield (Edelsten). Essex. Lough ton and Forest Gate (Sutton). Herts. Watford, common (Penrose); generally distributed (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). ^ Kent. Darenth Wood (D. Owen); Abbey Wood, 1953 (Showier); West Wickham, three records only (Birchenough); Pett’s Wood. Orping¬ ton, Chelsfield, 1949 (A. Swain). Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); Barnes, Ewell (Gardner); Chip- stead. 1946 (Johnson); Weybridge (Messenger). Bucks. Black Park, Fulmer (V.C.H., 1905). ( Hi/draecia crinanensis Burrows) (H.20). The Crinan Ear was originally described as a distinct species by Bui rows in 1908 from a specimen taken at the locality of that name in the Highlands ( Ent . Rec., 1908, 20: 184). Since then it has been found to inhabit, besides most of Scotland, a large portion of northern Eng¬ land, North Wales and Ireland. It can only be reliably distinguished from the nearly related species by its genitalia. A specimen, there¬ fore, reported from Bushey Heath in 1933 (Hervey) is most likely to have been accidentally introduced. Hydraecia paludxs Tutt I.L., M.21. S.17. This further member of this group, the Saltern Ear, was considered a separate species by Tutt early this century. It is appreciably larger and paler than 77. nictitans and appears to affect marshland, chiefly in coastal areas. It is, therefore, surprising to find several authentic records for it well inland in recent years in the London Area. Inner London. One taken in the m/v light-trap at the Zoo, Regent’s Park, in August 1953 (Bushby). Middlesex. Very common at Feltham in 1954 (Classey). Surreal Putney, three at m/v trap in 1951 (H. Swain). 87 THE MOTHS OF LONDON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 107 *Hydraecia micacea Esp. I.L., M.21, H.20. E2.18, [El. 19], K.16, S.17. This well-known September insect, the Rosy Rustic, is another marsh lover, but widespread over the British Isles often in other types of terrain. The 1898 list mentions it as occurring in all parts of the Area. Later records include for Inner London. The Zoo m/v trap in 1953 (Bushby). Middlesex. Stanmore, common (Lorimer): Kenton (Fletcher); Enfield (Edelsten); Hampstead. Neasden; Hammersmith (Cockerell, Lep. Middx., 1891). Herts. Watford, scarce (Penrose): generally distributed (Foster, Lep. Herts., 1937). Essex. Buckhurst Hill, 1952 (Chapman); Loughton (Sutton): Wood¬ ford Green, 1925 (Collenette) ; Tilbury, 1938 (Edelsten). Kent. Greenwich Marshes (West, Ent. Eec., 1906) ; West Wickham, Hayes and Downe (Birchenough) ; Orpington, Pet-t’s Wood, Chelsfield (Siggs). Surrey. Putney, 1951 (H. Swain); East Sheen, 1928 (D. King); Clieam, common at light (Menzies); Wimbledon. 1901 (Lawrence); Chipstead, 1946 (Johnson); Barnes (Gardner); Tadworth, 1949 (Wheeler); Chertsey Meads, 1950 (C. de W.); Weybridge. common (Messenger). *H L/draecin petasitis Doubl. M.21, E2.18, K.16, S.17. The Butterbur was at one time considered a species almost exclu¬ sively of the northern counties and southern Scotland. Of late years it lias been found to occur in many of the southern counties wherever its foodplant, the butterbur, exists. In such spots the rather sluggish moth flutters about at dusk among the huge leaves in late August. To obtain good specimens it is best to dig the pupae in July from among the roots. It is recorded in the Supplement to the 1898 list (published in 1901) from a single specimen taken at Stratford. The few other records include Middlesex. Once at Enfield (Edelsten). Kent. Pinden, one on 31st August 1954 (Hare). Surrey. Reported from Burford Bridge, Box Hill. (To be continued ) 108 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Notes on the Butterflies of Wimbledon Common By A. W. Jones. TTERFLIES are amongst the most attractive of insects-; many are widely distributed and thej7 are easily identified thus forming a pleasant group to study. 68 species are given for the British Isles by South (1941) including a number of rare migrants and extinct species: this paper lists 25 for the Common and does not claim to be complete, being constructed from casual notes mainly made from 1947- 1954. De II onus (1950) records two species for the Common not given here, viz. : Argynnis cydippe Linn. (High Brown Fritillary) and Li men it is Camilla Linn. (White Admiral). The Common with the Beverley Extension is almost 3 miles from north to south and 14 miles at its widest east to west and comprises about 1100 acres. It consists broadly of heathland on the eastern plateau, and woods on the western edges slope down to the Beverley which is bordered with sports fields on the west. There are some fine bogs (especially along Farm Ravine) from which streams run into the Beverley. A golf course across part of the heath and a number of ponds and waste places provide additional habitats. The nomenclature for butterflies used in this paper is that adopted by de Worms (1950) both for scientific and popular names, and for plants those ot C lapham, Tutin and Warburg (1952) with popular names from Rayner (1927) unless enclosed in inverted commas. The dates of appear¬ ances of butterflies and of flowering periods of plants are as observed 00 Wimbledon Common. SYSTEMATIC' LTST. Satyridae. Purarge aegeria Linn. Speckled Wood. April to early September. Very frequent in the woods flying along paths and often basking in The sun mainly on herbage. Not recorded visiting flowers. P. megera Linn. Wall Brown. May to early October. Often an abundant butterfly along the Beverley, basking on the sandy paths, and occasional on heaths. Visited Lotus comtculatus L., Cirsium arvense (L.l Scop., Carduus crispus L., Centaurea nigra L., Crepis taraxacifolia Thuill. Eumenis semele Linn. Grayling. Late -Tuly to early September. Very scarce in sandy places. Visited Buddleia davidii Franch, Succisa pratensis Moench. Manioia jurtina Linn. Meadow Brown. -Tune to early September. Frequent in grassy places everywhere, and has been seen flying in light rain. Visited Ranunculus repens L., Rubus fruticosus agg., Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop., Aegopodium podagraria L . Succisa pratensis Moench, Matricaria chamomilla L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Centaurea nigra L. Noted as prey of Aeshna grandis Linn. (Brown Aeshna Dragon-fly) on 15th August 1948. Ccenonympha pamphilus Linn. Small Heath. May to September. An abundant species being particularly associated with the large tracts of Deschampsia flexuosa ( L .) Trin. Visited Succisa pratensis Moench, Seneclo jacobaea L.. Matricaria maritima L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. NOTES ON THE BU TTEKT'LIE S Ol«’ WIMBLEDON COMMON. i(jy XYMI'II.ALIDAE. Aryynnis euphrosyne Linn. Pearl Bordered Fritillary. A single specimen basking on herbage in sun May 1945. Other Fritillaries ( Argynnis sp.' believed to have been seen on rare occasions but could not be caught and no specific identification Avas possible. Vanessa atalanta Linn. Red Admiral. June to early October. Occasional some years. Visited Buddleja davidii Franch., Succisa pratensis Moench and sap from Betula sp. where it had been gnawed by Vespa crabro Linn. (Hornet) at the base of which tree were a number of Red Admiral wings— possibly the butterflies had been attacked while feeding. V cardui Linn. Painted Lady. 8tli March 1952. Early June to September. Usually very scarce. Visited Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Succisa pratensis Moench. Tussilago farfara L. Aglais urticae Linn. Small Tortoiseshell. Mid-March to early October. Fairly frequent, especially along the Beverley often sunning themselves on paths; caterpillars occasionally seen on L’rtica dioica L. in May and June. Visited Buddleja davidii Franch., Tussilago farfara L., Arctium sp., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Taraxacum sp. Nymphalis io Linn. Peacock. Early March to mid-August. Fairly frequent though usually seen singly, often sunning on paths. Visited Barbarea vulgaris R.Br., Prunus avium L., Salix sp., Buddleja davidii Franch., Taraxacum sp. Polygonia c-album Linn. Comma. Mid-March to mid-September. Occasional, usually in clearings in woods, sometimes basking in the sun on paths but also on tree trunks. Visited Prunus spinosa L., Salix sp.. Tussilago farfara L. Li’CAENTDAE. Aricia agrestis Scliiff. Brown Argus. 29th July 1950, a single specimen. Polyommatus icarus Rott. Common Blue. Late May to August. Fairly frequent in open spaces sometimes locally abundant. Visited Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cav. & Grande, Trifolium repens L., Lotus corniculatus L., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Senecio jucobaea L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Hypo- chaeris radicata L. Celastrina argiotus Linn. Holly Blue. April to mid-August. Very scarce, especially in recent years. Visited Bubus fruticosus agg., Prunus spinosa L. Lycaena phlacas Linn. Small Copper. Late April to early October. Frequent in open places. Visited Barburea vulgaris R.Br., Stellaria holostea L., Bubus fruticosus agg., Heracleum sphondylium L., Lumiurn purpureum L., Succisa pratensis Moench, Senecio jacobaea L., S. squalidus L., Solidago cf canadensis L., Aster sp., Achillea millefolium L., A. ptarmica L., Matricaria maritima L., Cirsium vulgar e (Savi) Ten.. C. palustre (L.) Scop., C. arvense (L.) Scop., Carduus crispus L., Centaurea nigra L , Hypochaeris radicata L., Taraxacum sp. PlERIDAE. Pieris brassicae Linn. Large White. Late April to September. Occasional, locally abundant, usually seen flying. Caterpillars on Armoracia rusticana Gaertn., Mey. & Scherb (Horse Radish), August 1948. Visited Rubus fruli- cosus agg., Cliamaenerion angustifoliurn (L.) Scop., Buddleja davidii Franch., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Taraxacum sp. P. rapae Linn. Small White. Late March to early October. Fairly frequent, occasionally abundant with P. napi Linn, in heathy places in early April in some years; usually seen flying. Visited Bryonia dioica Jacq., Lamiuni album L., Arctium sp., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Crepis taraxacifolia Thuill., Taraxacum sp. P. napi Linn. Green-veined White. Late March to early September. Occasional. Visited Rubus fruticosus agg., Glechoma liederacea L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Il(' THE LONDON N AT U KALI ST, NO. 34. Euchloe cardamines Linn. Orange-tip. Late April to early May. Frequent along the Beverley where its food-plant, AUiaria petiole la (Bieb.) Cav. & Grande, occurs frequently. Visited Taraxacum sp. Gonepteryx rliarnni Linn. Brimstone. 18th Febiuary 1949. Early March to mid-August. A frequent woodland butterfly especially noticeable racing through the woods in March and April. Rarely seen to rest but has been seen to land amongst Retula sp. foliage when its underside camouflage rendered it quite invisible. The February record was on the open heath far from its usual haunts, on a warm day. Visited Rubus fruticosvs agg., Taraxacum sp. Colias croceus Fourcr. Clouded Yellow. 4th August 1947, 12th June 1949, 22nd and 29th July 1990. Visited Trifolium pratense L., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Hespekidae. Erynnis tages Linn. Dingy Skipper. Mid-May to mid-June. Local in clearings near the Beverley; not recorded visiting flowers. Pyrgus malvae Linn. Grizzled Skipper. May and early June. Rare. Visited Ranunculus repens L. Tliymelicus sylvestris Pod. Small Skipper. Late June to mid-August. Erratic in appearance; frequent on Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, in some years Visited Trifolium pratense L., Polygonum persicaria L., Bucldleja davidii Francli., Ballota nigra L., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Centaur ea nigra L Augiades sylvanus Esp. Large Skipper. June to July. Fairly frequent in open places. Visited Rubus fruticosus agg. (in cop.), Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. FLOWER VISITS. RANUNCULACEAE. Ranunculus repens L. Creeping Buttercup. Yellow. April to August. Maniola jurtinu Linn., Pyrgus malvae Linn. C'RUCIFERAE. Rarburea vulgaris R.Br. Winter Cress. Yellow. April to August. Nymphalis io Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cav. & Grande. Garlic Mustard. White. April to October. Polyommatus Icarus Rott. Caryophyllaceae. Stellaria holoslea L. Greater Stitchwort. White. April to June. Lycaena phlaeas Linn. PAPILIONACEAE. Trifolium pratense L . Red Clover. Red. May to October. Colias croceus Fourcr., Thymelicus sylvestris Pod. T. repens L. White Clover. White. May to October. Polyommatus teams Rott. Lotus corniculatus L. Common Bird's-foot Trefoil. Yellow. May to September. Paiarge meycra Linn., Polyommatus icarus Rott. ROSACEAE. Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble. White (or pink). May to September. Maniola jurtiua Linn., Celastriria argiolus Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn., Piens brassicae Linn., P. napi Linn., Gonepteryx rhamni Linn., Augiades sylvanus Esp. Prunus spinosa L. Blackthorn. White. April. Polygonia c-alburn Linn ,' Celastrina argiolus Linn. P. avium L. Gean. White. April. Nymphalis io Linn. Onagraceae. Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop. Rosebay. Red. June to September. Maniola iurtina Linn., Pieris brassicae Linn NOTES ON THE KUTTEKT IJ ES OF WIMBLEDON COMMON . Ill Umbellifekae. Aegopodium podagraria L. Goutweed. White. May to July. Maniola jurtina Linn. Heracleum sphondylium L. IIogweecL White. May to November. Lycaena pldaeas Linn. C UCURBITACEAE. Bryonia dioica Jacq. White Bryony. Greenish Yellow. May to September. Fields rapae Linn. POLYGONACEAE. Polygonum persicaria L. Common Persicaria. Pink. July to September Thymelictts sylvestris Pod. Salicacrae. Salix sp. “Sallow Yellow and white. March and April. Nymphalis io Linn . Polygonia c-aUmm Linn. Ericaceae. Culluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. Ling. Purple. July to September. Vanessa cardui Linn., Polyornmatus icarus Rott. Loganiaceae. Bud die j a davidii Franch. “Butterfly Bush". Purple. July to September. Eumenis semele Linn., Vanessa atalanta Linn., Aglais urticac Linn. Nymphalis io Linn., Pieris brassicae Linn., Thyrnelicus sytvestris Pod. Labiatae. Ballota nigra L. Black Horehound. Purple. July to September. Thyrnelicus sylvestris Pod. La /nium purpureum L. Red Deadnettle. Red. February to December. Lycaena plilaeas Linn. L. album L. White Deadnettle. White. January to December. Pieris rapae Linn. Glechoma hede/acea L. Ground Ivy. Purple. April to June. Piciis nupi Linn. Dipsacaceae. Succisa pratensis Moencli. Devil s-bit Scabious. Purple. August to November. Eumenis semele Linn., Maniola jurtina Linn., Coenonytnpha pamphilus Linn., Vanessa atalanta Linn., V. cardui Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. COMPOSITAE. Senecio jacobaea L. Common Ragwort. Yellow. July to November. Coeno- nympha pamphilus Linn., Polyornmatus icarus Rott., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. S. squalidus L. Oxford Ragwort. Yellow. April to January. Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Tussilago farfara L. Coltsfoot. Yellow. February to April. Vanessa cardui Linn., Aglais urticac Linn., Polygonia c-album Linn. Solidago cf. canadensis L. “Garden Golden Rod . Yellow. July to September Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Aster spp. “Michaelmas Daisies”. Yellow and purple. August to November. Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Achillea millefolium L. Milfoil. White. June to November. Lycaena phlaeas Linn. A. ptarmica L. Sneezewort. White. July to September. Lycaena plilaeas Linn. Matricaria maritima Linn. Scentless Mayweed. Yellow and white. Cocno- nympha pamphilus Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. M. chamornilla L. Wild Camomile. Yellow and white. April to October Maniola jurtina Linn. Arctium sp. “Burdock”. Purple. July to September. Aglais urticae Linn., Pieris rapae Linn. 112 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Cir sium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Spear Thistle. Purple. -Tune to August. Lycaena phlaeas Linn., Colias croceus Fourcr. C. palustre (L.) Scop. Majsli Thistle. Purple. June to September. Lycaemi phlaeas Linn. C arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping Thistle. Purple. June to October. Pararge megeia Linn.. Maniola jurtina Linn., Coenonympha pamphilus Linn., Aglais urtlcae Linn., Polyommatus Icarus Rott., Lycaena phlaeas Linn.. Thymelicus sylvestris Pod.. Any fades sylvanus Esp., Pieris brassicac Linn., P. rapae Linn., P. napi Linn. Carduus crispus L. Welted Thistle. Purple. June to October. Pararge meg era Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Centaur ea nigra L. Black Knapweed. Purple. June to October. Pararge meg era Linn., Maniola jurtina Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn., Thymelicus sylveslris Pod. Ilypochaeris radicata L. Long-rooted Cat’s-ear. Yellow. May to October Polyommatus Icarus Rott., Lycaena phlaeas Linn. Crepis taraxaci folia Thuill. Beaked Hawksbeard. Yellow. May to July. Pararge megera Linn., Pieris rapae Linn. Taraxacum sp. Dandelion. Yellow. January to December. Aglais urticae Linn., Nymphalis io Linn., Lycaena phlaeas Linn., Pieris brassicae Linn., P. rapae Linn., Euchloe card amines Linn., Gonepteryx rhamni Linn. The great majority of the foregoing bowers are, however, only occasionally visited, the main associations being : — March and April. Salix spp. and Tussilago fa if a ra L. May. Taraxacum sp. June and July. Bubus fruticosus agg. August. Buddie ja davidii Franch., Senecio jacobaea L., and Cir sium arvense (L.) Scop. September. Succisa pratensis Moench. These main associations are very similar to those given in Jones (1954) for drone-flies of the same area but the chief differences in flower preferences may be summarised : — 1. Butterflies rarely visit the Umbelliferae which Lubbock (1875) states secrete honey on a flat disc which makes it difficult for a butterfly, with its very long proboscis, to drink — a drone-fly’s proboscis is shorter. 2. The few' bushes of Buddleja davidii Franch. on the Common have attracted large numbers of butterflies, mainly Vanessa atalanta Linn., Aglais urticae Linn., and Nymphalis io Linn., but no drone- flies. It may be that the strong scent is detectable from a great dis¬ tance, thus congregating many butterflies at the isolated bushes. On the Cripplegate (City) Bombed Sites, where quite a number of bushes occur, drone-flies are recorded as visitors but much less often than butterflies. In hot weather in London gardens this plant is an enormous attraction, even noticed by the general public, and hence named “Butterfly Bush”. 3. A butterfly’s large wing area gives it greater control in landing and it alights not only on flowers facing upwards but also those in a spiked form not visited by drone-flies, i.e., Chamaenerion angusti- folium (L.) Scop., Polygonum persicaria L., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull and various Labiatae. NOTES ON THE BUTTERFLIES OF WIMBLEDON COMMON. 113 1. Whilst the butterfly, like the stork in the fable, cannot drink from shallow dishes, it can obtain nectar from deep flowers, such as are to be found in the Papilionaceae, and a few visits are recorded as well as to Chamacnerion angustifolium (L.) Scop, and some Labiatae which are probably inaccessible to drone-flies on this count alone. The Compositae have long florets but the drone-fly can at least land, obtain a firm grip and insert its proboscis well in, and E. and H. Drabble (1927) state that the nectar wells up the tube and is obtain¬ able by many Diptera. 5. Colour, as with drone-flies, seems to play little if any part in the selection of flowers, although fewer visits will be made to white flowers due to dislike of Fmbelliferae and more to purple due to the enormous attraction of Buddleja davidii Franch. It has, however, been suggested that : — (a) Vanessids are strongly attracted by purple, and Ford (1945) com¬ ments that experiments by Eltringham with Small Tortoiseshells and a bed of white, pink and purple Asters showed that pink was proportionately slightly more visited than white but that purple was 3 times more visited than white and 2\ times more than pink. It was agreed in this case that the purple Asters may have had a stronger scent but the figures are striking. (b) the majority of butterflies take less notice of white than any other colour which Ford suggests is probably because so much white light is normally reflected from shiny leaves and other objects. 6. Although a butterfly is larger and thus takes up more room on a flower, it was not noted that any competition for blooms took place, there usually being sufficient for all that alighted. An occupied flower may, however, deter further visitors. One difficulty in ascertaining preferences is that when records arc being made the weather may not be suitable for insects to be active. As soon as the warm sunshine disappears for long, drone-flies and butterflies usually do likewise, although I have noted in light rain at Hampstead Vanessa atalanta Linn, visiting Buddleja davidii Franch. and drone-flies flying around; but this is exceptional. This factor may tend to distort results which over the year may be a chart of sunny recording dates rather than preferences for flowers over the seasons, and records may have to be made over a period of years to check the results. Again the attraction of various areas may be different. Aster spp. are a great attraction to both drone-flies and butterflies in gardens, second only as regards the latter to Buddleja davidii Franch. and given by E. & H. Drabble (1917) in their list as important to drone-flies and their allies. They are, however, rather isolated on the Common and no great attraction to either groups — possibly the scent is not sufficient to assemble species from any distance. Thanks are due to Mr. L. Parmenter for reading the manuscript and giving suggestions and criticisms. 114 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. REFERENCES. CLAPHAM, A. R. TUTIN, T. G. and WARBURG, E. F., 1952, Flora of Ike British Isles. DE WORMS, C. G. M., 1950, Tlie Butterflies of London and its Surroundings Bond. Nat., 29, 46-80. DRABBLE, E. & H., 1917, The Syrphid visitors to certain flowers. The New Phytologist, Vol. 16, 105-109. DRABBLE, E. & H., 1927, Some Flowers and tlielr Dipteran Visitors. The New Phytologist, Vol. 26, 115-123. FORD, E. B., 1945, Butterflies. JONES, A. W., 1954, Notes on the Drone-flies (Syrpliidae, Diptera) of Wimbledon Common. Bond. Nat., 33, 83-88. LUBBOCK, J., 1875, British 11 ild Flowers considered in Relation to Insects. RAYNER, J. F., 1927, A Standard Catalogue of English Names of Our Wild Flowers. SOUTH, R., 1941, The Butterflies of the British Isles. The Flies of the London Area. 11. CULICIDAE Sub-Family Culicinae (Mosquitoes). WITH A KEY TO THE SPECIES OE CULEX. By Edwin R. Nye, B.Sc. ^jP'H E British list now includes thirty-one species of mosquitoes of which there are records for twenty-four in the region covered by the L.A.H.S. Since four of the remainder are considered as being ^eiy 1 ai e species it is seen that Eondon can claim records for most of our British representatives. The reason for this fact depends probably in the first place on the extensive habitat range provided by the L.N.H.S. ai ea, from the salt marshes near Hartford to the various types of woodland found in the outer reaches of north and south London, and even to the breeding grounds to be found in the London Under¬ ground system ! Added to this is the fact that the density of entomo¬ logists in gi eater London, whilst not excessive, is probably higher than in most other parts of the country. The breeding places of mosquitoes, owing to their aquatic larval and pupal stages, must be in situations providing temporary or permanent accumulations of water. The actual types of breeding ground depend to a large extent on the particular species that one is considei ing, various species having different degrees of specificity for a given habitat type. The most highly fastidious in their selection of breeding place are probably the arboreal types, namely Anopheles plurn- heas, Aedes yenicvlatus and Orthopodornyia pulchnpcdpis , all of which habitually breed in water-filled tree rot holes. It is interesting to note that, at least in the first two of the species named above, the selection of breeding place is not absolutely rigid and, presumably in spells of dry weather, they may occasionally be found breeding in other situ¬ ations, in the writer’s experience in a covered concrete tank in the THE ELIES OF THE LONDON AREA. 115 PHALLOSOMES case of A. plumb eus and in the case of the other species in a large open metal tank. Mosquito ova may be laid in rafts, which are laid on the surface of the water, as occurs in the species Culex pipiens, C. inolestus, Theo - Ixildia annulata and T. s ubochrea . or singly. Eggs laid singly may be deposited either on the surface of the water, as in Anopheles macv.li- pennis, or in a situation which is liable to subsequent flooding, as in Aedes can tans. The finding of rafts is not too difficult providing the observer keeps in mind the possibility of seeing them and takes more than a casual glance at debris floating on the surface of a likely breed¬ ing situation. The finding of individual ova in the field is a very 11G THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. difficult task, however, unless one is fortunate enough to be able to watch the activities of an egg-laying insect. ’I he taking of adult insects in the field as a routine collecting measure is not so easy with mosquitoes as with larger insects, unless they happen to be biting, when a tube or killing bottle may be placed over them, as insects taken in a net may suffer loss of critical characters needed for identification. It goes without saying, of course, . that in many cases a net may have to be employed, and indeed specimens are often recovered in the course of sweeping — -under these circumstances one just has to hope that not too much damage has been done. In the following notes some attempt has been made (a) to give a rough idea of the abundance of the species as recorded in the L.N.H.S. area, (b) to mention such ecological features as may be of use to the collector, and (c) to bring up-to-date the distribution records for our area. In collecting data several sources have been tapped (a full list is given at the end of the article) but even so it is in the very nature of things that distribution lists of this sort can never be fully up-to- date. Where some years have passed since a species was last recorded from a particular area the date of the record is included; here again l is difficult to be ceitam that some undated records I have found may not qualify for this treatment. Finally I have tried here and there to bring in details regarding nomenclature where these may be of interest to the general collector only occasionally dealing with the Culicinae. An appendix is included which sets out a key for the identification of British species of the genus Culex. Genus Anopheles Meigen. Anopheles ( Anopheles ) m aculipennis Meigen. I ndei this name are now recognized no less than five subspecies and nine varieties.* Happily lor the culicologist working in Britain our indigenous varieties number only two; namely var. atroparvus Van Thiel and i ar. messeae Falleroni. Separation, from the taxonomic stand¬ point, of the two varieties can be made on breeding habitat, messeae being found in fresh water whereas atroparvus is more of coastal distri¬ bution and found breeding mainly in brackish water. Further features that have been used in identification are larval characters, male hypo- pygial characters and other minutiae. The reliability of the various methods ol sepai ation is doubtful in the case of individual specimens except possibly egg characters, a description of which is given bv Marshall (1938). *ln 1940 Bates revised the classification of the maculipennis complex (Bates. M. The nomenclature and taxonomic status of the mosquitoes of the Anopheles maculipennis complex. Ann. ent. Soc. Amer., 33 : pp. 343-356) in which he raises one of the above mentioned varieties to specific rank. var. messeae becoming' Anopheles ( Anopheles ) messeae Falleroni and var. atroparvus be¬ coming a subspecies of a newly erected species labranchiae, i.e. Anopheles (■ Anopheles ) labranchiae atroparvus Van Thiel. THE FLIES OF THE LONDON AREA. 117 The records provided by Dr. Shiite are particularly useful in the above connection as he has been able to give the varietal proportions I quote his observations in full : Epsom and district m < esseae 90% atroparvus 10 % Esher and district 90% , , 10% Richmond } > 100% Wimbledon Common 100% Putney and district ? ? 100 % Bexley and district 60% 40% Barking and district 100% Dartford and district 5 ? 40 % 60% Romford and district ? ? 90% 10% Epping and district 95% > 5 5% The records below, whilst including those of Dr. Shute, given above, also include those where no varietal differentiation has been carried out; indeed some of these were made before it was recognized that the species could be broken down. K.16. Bexley and Dartford. S.17, Croydon, Epsom, Esher, Rich¬ mond, Putney and Wimbledon. E.18, Barking and Epping. M.21, Enfield, Heston, Northwood (1917), Southgate and West Drayton. The following records are not within the area, of course, but are useful: Kent, Chatham (H.M. Dockyard). Essex, Chelmsford and Great Leigh. Herts., Hitchin (1915), Radwell and Letchworth (between 1915 and 1919). Anopheles (Anopheles) claviger Meigen. Like A. maculipennis, A. claviger is a widespread species, being found, in the larval stages, in a wide variety of breeding places, although these show a common feature in that they are usually covered to a greater or lesser extent. Typical breeding places are woodland pools and ditches of a fairly permanent nature (Marshall), and some degree of salinity is also tolerated by the larvae of this species. The adults are known to bite in the open. The life history formula is L 1-12. A 3-10. K.16, Bexley and Dartford. S.17, Epsom. Esher and Richmond. E.18, Epping and Romford. H.20, Rickmansworth. M.21. Enfield. Unlike A. maculipennis, however, this species passes the winter in the larval state, development being retarded by the lower temperatures as if the larvae are brought into the warm pupation will occur. Anopheles ( Anopheles ) plumbevs Stephens. Together with A edes genieulatus and Orthopodomyia pulchripalpis this species forms part of the interesting triad of the “tree hole” species. .4. plumbeus is a widely distributed species, a vicious biter in the open and is known to be capable of transmitting malaria, as is also the case with the other British Anophelines of course. Any water-filled tree rot-hole of some degree of permanency is a potential breeding ground for the species although in times of drought it may be found in water butts or tanks. 118 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. The life history formula is L 1-12, A 4-10; it is seen therefore to pass the winter in the larval stage. S.17, Box Hill, Epsom and Esher. E.18, Epping Forest. H.20, Shenley and Watford (1916). M.21, Bushy Park, Hadley Wood and Hampstead Heath. Genus A cdes Meigen. Aedes ( Aedes ) cinereus Meigen. Although quoted by Mattingly as being a widely distributed species t)ie records given below show that, for our area at least, records are not as plentiful as would deserve the above description; in fact Hr. Shute, who has probably amassed more records than anybody of Lon¬ don’s mosquitoes, records the species only from Arbrook Common. The breeding places of the above species are provided by low-lying ground subject to flooding, a requirement satisfied by riverside marshes and meadows and low-lying woodland pools. The winter is passed in the egg stage, ova being laid in situations that are liable to flooding in the spring. The life history can lie summarized therefore : O 8-4, L 4-6, A 6-8. S.17, Claygate, Esher (Arbrook Common), and just outside our area at Witley and Woking. M.21, Harefield and Stanmore. Aedes ( Finlay a ) genieulatus Olivier. This common species constitutes one of the three British “rot-hole” breeders, the larvae seldom being found living outside the breeding places provided by accumulations of water in tree holes. The holes in which the larvae may be found occur at various levels above the ground, beech trees in particular providing plenty of recesses and hol¬ lows near ground level suitable for collections of water. On one occasion only have I found this species breeding in a situation other than a rot-hole, and that in a domestic water tank situated among young beeches in a plantation on the South Downs. In this particular instance the composition of the tank water must have corresponded fairly accurately to that of a tree hole as it appeared to have filled with rain water only and have much leaf and twig debris in it. Larvae of this species may be taken during all months of the year although it seems possible that, as they will not withstand complete freezing for more than a few minutes, survival during frosts severe enough to freeze up the breeding places may depend on the emergence of larvae from ova laid on the sides of the rot-holes. Activity does, however, appear to be maintained at 0°C, to which temperature rot- hole water may fall, but without freezing owing to the presence of dissolved solutes. Ac. genieulatus is a troublesome biter in wooded districts. Life history formula : L 1-12, A 4-9. K.16, Dartford. S.17, Arbrook Common, Box Hill and White Hill. E.18, Epping Forest. H.20, Hatfield Park, Panshanger, Shenley and Trent Park. M.21, Bushy Park, Finchley, Hadley Wood, Hampstead THF FLIES OF THE LONDON AREA. 119 Heath, Harrow (1914), Hyde Park, Northwood (1931) and Regent’s Park. Also from outside our area at Burnham Beeches (Bucks.) in 1916. Aedes ( Oehlerotatus ) rustieus Rossi. This woodland species is relatively common in the Society’s area and may be found breeding in pools with varying degrees of cover and bordering vegetation but usually with a leafy bottom. Jt is often found with the other woodland species. The life history of this species appears to be as follows: the adults emerge in the Spring in about April or May and the ova are laid in the Autumn. Larvae are to be found from October to the following June (according to Marshall even first instar larvae have been found between these months). Wesenberg-Lund considers that the larvae are able to survive under the ice of frozen ponds in the same way as Theobcddia morsifctns. On balance the evidence seems to be therefore that survival over the winter months may be as the larval or egg stage. This species is known to bite man in the open. Life history formula : L 10-6, A 4-8. S.17, A rb rook Common, Bookham Common, Epsom Common, Mers- thain and Rowledge. E.18, Epping Forest. H.20, Bayford, Botany Bay (1920), Northaw and Trent Park. M.21, Ealing, Enfield and Hadley Wood. Also from Chelmsford and Hatfield Forest (Essex). Aedes (Oehlerotatus) pun c tor Kirby. This species breeds in either open or wooded situations, although these have a common feature in that the pH is usually on the acid side and the bottom of sandy or gravel type. The adults of this species can be very troublesome b ters and are easily recognized as they have un¬ handed legs and basal bands on the abdominal tergites which are con¬ stricted centrally. The winter is passed in the fourth larval instar stage, providing that eggs laid in the autumn become covered as the pools fill with the winter rains; alternatively hatching does not occur until the spring, the limiting factor again being the period of immersion of the ova. Life history formula: L 11-8, A 4-10. S.17, Arbrook Common, Bookham Common, Epsom Common, Mitcham Common and Oxshott. E.18, Epping Forest and Ongar. H.20, Arkley, Cuffley, Northaw and Trent Park. M.21, Edgware, Hampstead Heath (1918), Harrow Weald (1913) and Stanmore. Aedes (Oehlerotatus) detritus Haliday. As one of the brackish water breeders it is not surprising that there have not been many records from the Society’s area and that these, as would be expected, come from its eastern, estuarine sector. This species may be found breeding in salt marshes and drainage ditches subject to Hooding by sea water and, exceptionally, in inland waters with a sufficient degree of salinity; it may be found in company 120 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. with Anopheles maculipennis var. atroparvus , A. claviger, Ac. caspius and Culex pipiens. The ova of Ac. detritus are laid in dry situations liable to flooding by high tides and are able to remain in a quiescent state for a year at least awaiting immersion and emergence. The larvae of the species are known to be able to tolerate concentrations of salt slightly higher than that found in sea water. Life history formula: L 1-12, A 3-11. K.16, Dartford and Sheppey (1918). E.18, Barking and Beekton Marsh (1914). Acdes ( Ochlerotatus ) caspius Pallas. Like Ae. detritus this species is commonly found in coastal districts where breeding takes place in brackish pools. There are, however, many inland records of the species and it is probable that Ae. caspius is more elastic in its choice of breeding ground, at any rate as regards the salinity factor, than Ae. detritus. The larvae of the above species are found in temporary brackish or fresh-water pools subject to flooding. The winter is most probably passed in the egg stage, there being no larval records for the months of December to March. The insect bites man in the open and is sometimes the offender in cases of mosquito “plagues”. Life history formula : L & A 4-10. K.16, Charlton, Dartford, Lewisham and Woolwich. S.17, Batter¬ sea Park, Camberwell (1899), Croydon, Mitcham Common, Putney, Thornton Heath, Wandsworth and Wimbledon Common. E.18, Beekton Marshes and Tilbury Dock Area. M.21, Chiswick, Enfield Lock, Finch¬ ley and Stamford Hill. Acdes ( Ochlerotatus ) dorsaUs Meigen. This uncommon salt marsh species does not appear to have been found for some time from our area. The insect will bite man readily. Overwintering is thought to take place in the egg stage The only records for the L.N.H.S. area come from larval material in the British Museum, one from Mitcham Common (1918) and an un¬ dated preparation labelled “Albert Dock”. Acdes ( Ochlerotatus ) flavescens Muller. This very rare species lias only been recorded on three occasions from these islands. One of the records comes from the L.N.H.S. area, from Barking (E.18) and, outside our area, from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent (1922). Acdes ( Ochlerotatus ) annulipes Meigen. This is another fairly common species in this country, having world wide range. It is essentially a freshwater breeder, being found in recently formed exposed pools and under varying degrees of shelter, THE FLIES OF THE LONDON AREA. 12] and unlike Andes cantans it is not found in densely shaded situations. This species is known to bite man in the open. The life history formula is probably similar to Andes cantans and would therefore be L 1-7, A 4-9. S.17, Oxshott. H.20, Northaw. M.21, Edgware and Mill Hill. From just outside the L.N.H.S. area the species has been taken at Hatfield Forest (Essex), Baldock and Knebwortli (Herts.). Andes ( Ochlerotatus ) cantans Meigen. This species appears to be commoner in this country than Ac. an - nulipes. It is essentially a woodland breeder and the larvae are more often found in fairly well-covered pools, unlike the previous species which prefers more open situations. The female insect can often be taken when attempting to bite in wooded districts. The life history formula is as given for Ac. annuli pcs. S.17, Arbrook Common, Bookham Common, Epsom, Esher, Limps- field Common, Mitcham Common, Ockley, Oxshott and Wimbledon Com¬ mon. E.18, Epping Forest and Coopersale. H.20, Botany Bay, Bricken- don, Bricket Wood, Broxbourne, Bushev Heath, Hadley Wood. Hertford Heath, Northaw, South Minims and Trent Park. M.21, Grange Park, Hampstead Heath, Mill Hill, Pinner (1914), Ruislip Wood and Stanmore. Andes ( Aedimorphus ) vexans Meigen. In spite of a world wide distribution this species lias only been recorded occasionally in this country and at the time of writing there have only been five records within the L.N.H.S. area. The species is a freshwater breeder, the females are troublesome biters. S.17, Morden and Wimbledon. M.21, Finchley (1917 and 1927). Also from outside our area at Tring (Herts.). Genus Theobald) a Neven-Lemaire. Theobaldia ( Allotheobaldia ) longiareolata Macquart. This species is of fairly recent origin in this country, being recorded for the first time in 1940 at Portsmouth. After 1940 it was not heard of for several years until Dr. Shute recorded the species at Epsom. The species is known to breed in natural or artificial collections of water; Dr. Shute’s larvae were in fact found breeding in a water tank out of doors. Theobaldia (Theobaldia) annulata Schrank. This large, handsome mosquito is very common and can often be found ‘hibernating’ indoors during the winter months. In actual fact the hibernation is only partial as, given the opportunity, the insect will feed on its human room-mates during the winter. The ova are laid in rafts, and this may be made to occur in cap¬ tivity: there is little specificity for type of breeding habitat. Life history formula : L & A 1-12. S.17, Mickleham and Thornton Heath. E.18, Chigwell, Epping Forest. H.20, Hadley Wood, Northaw and Trent Park. M.21, Ealing 122 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. (1906), Edgware, Hampstead Heath, Isleworth, Northwood and South- gate. Theobaldia (C ul icella) fumipennis Stephens. Like T. annulata this is also a widely distributed species in this country but, in common with other members of its subspecies and unlike T. annulata, it is not known to bite man; furthermore according to Marshall blood-filled females of this species have not been recovered at all. The larvae are to be found in generally fairly open situations. Life history formula : L 9-6, A 4-9. S.17, Arbrook Common, Bookham Common, Epsom Common, Row- ledge and Witley Common. E.18, Epping Forest. M.21, Harrow (1905) and South Kensington (1916). Theobald! a (Culicella) morsitans Theobald. In spite of its name this common mosquito has not been recorded as having been caught in the act of biting. The species is often found breeding in wooded places, often in company with A'edes rusticvs. The winter is passed in the larval stage, the larvae resting on the bottom of the pool and apparently absorbing enough oxygen through the body surface, this apparently enabling them to survive even if the breeding place is frozen over. Life history formula : L 9-6, A 4-8. S.17, Arbrook Common, Bookham Common and Epsom Common E.18, Epping Forest. H.20, Northaw and Trent Park. M.21, Barnet and Harrow Weald Common (1913). Theobaldia ( Culicella ) litorea Shute. It was not until 1933 that, following the work of Dr. Shute, Marshall and Staley* considered that T. morsitans var. litorea Shute was a morphologically distinct species and raised it to specific rank. As all species now referable to either T . morsitans or T. litorea were included under the former name before 1933, the old records under that name are of little value. The only thoroughly reliable method of separating T. litorea from T. morsitans requires a male specimen and the details are given in Marshall (1938). Separation of the larvae is also a very difficult matter, single specimens being sometimes unidentifiable owing to overlap of the characters that are used. The ecology and life history of the species is similar to T. morsitans except that T. litorea seems to have a more coastal distribution. All records for the L.N.H.S. area have been provided by Dr. Shute and are S.17, Arbrook Common, Walton and Epsom Common. E.18, Epping Forest. ♦Marshall, J. F. and Staley, J. 1933. Theobaldia ( Culicella ) litorea (Shute). N.Sp (Diptera, Culicidae). Parasitology, 25 (T), 119-126. THE FLIES OF TTTF, LONDON AREA. 123 Genus Culex Linnaeus. Culex (Culex) pipiens Linnaeus. This very common species has been recorded from all parts of the country and is widespread in the London area. Records of its distri¬ bution would therefore be of little scientific interest. It should he pointed out, however, that, owing to superficial similarity between the species in this genus, all material referable to it should be carefully examined in the light of Mattingly's key in Handbooks for the identi¬ fication ■ of British Insects, Yol. IX, No. 2 (Roy. Ent. Soc., 1950), bear¬ ing in mind the addition of C. torrentium to the British list (see Appendix below). C. pipiens has a life history formula L & A 4-11, hibernating adults being found, often indoors, between the months of September and April. C . pipiens has not been known to bite man. Culex (Culex) molestus Forskal. This fairly common species has been recorded on several occasions from the London area, usually as a result of its drawing attention to itself by its biting activities, a character which immediately dis¬ tinguishes it from C. pipiens. The selection of breeding habit is usually more specific than in the case of C. pipiens and, in the London area at least, it has usually been found breeding in underground water tanks. The species has been recorded as breeding in tanks in London’s Underground system and in some covered tanks in the Westminster area, two other records coming from Isleworth and the region of Pad¬ dington. From Surrey there is a record of the species having been taken at Thornton Heath. The genetics of this species, and its relation to other members of the “Culex pipiens ” complex, are being closely studied both in this country and abroad and in this connection living material of the white eyed mutant form of C. mole stus is urgently wanted. It would be much appreciated therefore if any entomologist recovering this particular mutant form would get in touch with Mr. P. F. Mattingly at the British Museum (Natural History), S.W.7. Culex (Culex) torrentium Martini. This species is a newcomer to the London area having been first recorded from Isleworth in 1950, where it was found breeding in an allotment tank, and more recently at Mill Hill and Sutton. Differen¬ tiation of this species from C. pipiens can be made only with absolute certainty on hypopygial characters. In the case of female insects it is possible, according to Natvig, to use differences in venation. A useful summary of the features that may be used in the identification of this species is to be found in Nature , 1951 (Yol. 168), p. 172, by P. F. Mattingly. 124 the LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Genus Orthopodomyia Theobald. Orthopodomyia pulchripalpis Rondani. This fairly uncommon species is the third of the British triad of rot-hole breeders and when it is found it is often in company with Aedes genicvlatus and Anopheles plumbeus. For several years after the find¬ ing of the larvae and ova of this species the adult insect escaped capture; ultimately however, P. G. Shute and later J. F. Shillito were successful in taking adults near breeding places. As with the other two rot-hole species the winter is passed in the larval stage. S. G , Epsom and Ripley. E.18, Epping Forest. M.21, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Kensington Gardens (1926). Genus Taeniorhynchvs Lynch Arribalzaga. Taeniorhynchus (Co quill ettidia) richiardii Ficalbi. T. richiardii is a common species but is difficult to find in the larval stage as it has the siphon modified in connection with the fact that it is used to pierce submerged aquatic stems, thus obviating the neces¬ sity for the larva to come to the surface. The adult bites man and is sometimes found indoors. The life history formula is L 1-12, A 5-9, the winter being passed in the larval stage. S.17, Beddington Gravel Pits, Croydon and Epsom. E.18, Epping Forest. M.21, Ealing, Grange Park and Southgate. APPENDIX With the addition of CuJex (Cvlex) torrentium Martini to the British list the number of species in the genus is brought to five. The following key includes tbe new species and also uses the designation Cvlex [Neocvlex) territnns Walker in place of Cvlex (Neocvlex) apicalis Adams as suggested by P F Mattingly (1953). As there are not infrequently some degrees of overlap in characters used for the separation of larvae of c. pipievs and C. torrentium situations may arise when it is impossible to assign single specimens to a species, one or several characters falling within the limits for either. For this reason it is advisable to make reserved diagnoses unless the characters are absolutely unequivocal or a pure culture is being examined or. finally, unless adults are bred out. Genus Cvlex Linnaeus (1758). Adults : distinguished by the presence of distinct pulvilli and simple claws. The abdominal tergites may be banded or have lateral patches of pale scales (subgenus Bcnravdivs). The male hypopygium has a well developed subapical lobe on the coxite bearing spines and other processes. Larvae : all characterized by the presence of more than one pair of sub- ventral siphonal tufts. Key to- the British species of Cvlex. Adults. l. Bands on abdominal tergites apical, male palpi hairy. Coxite scaleless and somewhat constricted centrally. Flattened setae with hooked tips present on subapical lobe of coxite . subgenus Neocvlex, territans Walker. Bands on abdominal tergites basal, or replaced by lateral pale patches not connected dorsally . : . 2. THE ELIES OE THE LONDON A HE A . 2. Basal bands present on abdominal tergiies . (subgenus Culex) 3. No basal bands but lateral scale patches on abdominal tergites tending to form two continuous longitudinal snipes. Male palpi without hair tufts. Coxite having many small scales on lateral aspect. Subapical lobe of coxite bearing several stout spines . subgenus Ban audius, modestus Ficalbi. 3. A patch of pale scales (prealar scale patch) piesent at tip of sternopleuron. Stem of vein r3 + r4 one-quarter to one-third the length of the forked part Male phallosome with three prominent processes (see diag.) . torrentium Martini. No prealar scale patch. Stem of r3 + r4 less than one-quarter length of forked part. Male phallosome without prominent processes . 4. 4. General coloration of dorsum of abdomen dark brown, pale bands being whitish. Sternites pale scaled except for dark scales tending to form median longitudinal line, also two lateral or apicolateral patches of dark scales. There may be a constriction of the tergal bands giving a bilobecl effect on segment 4 and neighbouring segments. Pale scales at tips of femora and tibiae conspicuous. Male palps exceed proboscis length by whole of their terminal segments (species must have a blood meal before being able to lay viable eggs, never recorded as biting man) . plpiens Linnaeus. General coloration has less contrast between light and dark areas. Dark scales of ventral surface of abdomen reduced and may be absent. Pale scales at tips of femora and tibiae less conspicuous. Male palps exceed pro¬ boscis by less than length of their terminal segments (species often breeds underground, needs no blood meal in order to lay viable eggs but bites man viciously) . molest us Forskal. Larvae. 1. Siphonal index (length/ breadth at base) greater than G . 2. Sphonal index less than 6* . 3- 2. Siphon expanded distally . subgenus Neoculex, territans Walker. Siphon not expanded distally. Antennal tuft about 2. 3 length of antennal shaft with about 20 hairs, subapical bristles same length as apical. Ventral brush of anal segment with about ll tufts . subgenus Culex, torrent in m Martini. 3. Subventral tufts set very near midline, the most basal ones having 6-8 branches . subgenus Barraudius, modestus Ficalbi. Subventral tufts more widely spaced, basal ones having not more than 4 branches . /j- 4. siphonal index generally between 5 and 6. Antennal hair tuft 3/4 length of antennal shaft, usually with about 22 hairs, subapical bristles longer than apical. Ventral brush of anal segment usually with 12 tufts ... subgenus Culex, plpiens Linnaeus. Siphonal index 4-3 or less . subgenus culex, molestus Forskal *W7liilst published descriptions of C. torrentium agree in giving the siphonal index as greater than 6 I found, on examining skins of fourth instar larvae taken at Isleworth (B.M. material), that only one out of thirteen specimens bad a value greater than 6. Corrected siphonal index values (assuming com¬ plete flattening of the siphons in the material examined) gave a mean value of 5-4; the actual value for the uncrushed specimens may well have been less than this. Specimens that key out to C. plpiens might therefore still be torrentium and the other characters should be gone into; if possible adults should he bred out. 9 I should like to thank Mr. L. Parmenter, on whose suggestion this paper was prepared, for his encouragement and help, also Mr. P. F. Mattingly who gave me free use of his time and of material at the British Museum (Natural History). I am also very grateful to the following members of the Society and friends for allowing me to use their records: Dr. P. G. Sliute, Dr. C. H. Andrewes, F.R.S., Dr. A. 126 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Anderson, Messrs. C. N. Colyer, D. Hill-Cottingham, R. G. Pawsey and J. F. Shillito. REFERENCES. MARSHALL, J. F.. 1938, The British Mosquitoes. Brit. Mus. Nat. Hist. MATTINGLY, P. F., 1950, Handbooks for the identification of British Insects. Roy. Ent. Soc., Vol. IX, part 2. MATTINGLY, P. F. ct. at., 1951, The Culex pipiens Complex. Trans. Roy. Ent Soc., 102, pt. 7, 331-382. MATTINGLY, P. F., 1953, A change of name among the British Mosquitoes Proc. Boy. Ent. Soc., Series B, 22, pts. 5-6, 106-108. NATV1G. L. R., 1948, Contributions to the knowledge of the Danish and Fenno scandian Mosquitoes; Culicini. Norsk. Ent. Tidsk., Suppl. I (contains a description of Culex torrentium Martini). Other references are given in the text. The Climate, 1954. By H. Hawkins. (Observed at 119 Beresford Road, Chingfc'ord.) READINGS FOR THE YEAR 1954. Barometer. Maximum for the year . .. 30-60 on 15/16/17 November Minimum for the year . .. 28-50 on 9 December Average for the year ... .. 29-92 Temperature. Screen Grass (Night Min.) Maximum for the year . ... 86 on 1 Sept. 59 on 14 July 2/5/6 Aug. 3 Sept. Minimum for the year , ... 16 on 6 Feb. 11 on 28 Jan. and 6 Feb. Average maximum . ... 57-28 Average minimum . ... 42-98 Average for the year .. ... 50-13 39-78 Average daily range .., ... 14-30 Maximum range . , ... 70 Rain. 25-83 inches recorded compared with the Chingford yearly average of 24-92 inches. Rain fell on 180 days of which 131 are classed as Wet Days. Rain fell on 40 more days than 1953. The largest falls occurred on: — 0-88 inches 0-84 inches 0-68 inches 0-67 inches 25 July 31 Oct. and 8 Dec. 6 Nov. 9 Aug. THE CLIMATE. 1954. 12', ic cc a z D — i n 1-1 cm © a Cl cm | I T-i 1 T— < rH Cl co CO ■*+ 1 1 I rH o V-» «• © o •“s’ » 01 iiC CO lO C2 1-0 i o _ 0 © C3 C3 . — — - •— O' — O' oc *< « | £ G 02 ©> ro Cl 0*1 r- C l CC cc © CO © o5 00 © 4.0 o CD CO' w © oc “ O A' co rH (01 CO' •H ib C - CM . o or _ i _ X © r- _ _ bo i.C CO *JT »o lO o 1 0 VT iC b* <— o< : „ — . > cb do < 02 02 © zC » 0 © ib Ol < c i 0* CO c^ v~ i.O vr v“ co © czf Oj 02 ^ c •<; I iO 0^ o © 02 Oi Cl If. O bo CO • >— i 1 % x n © > ® H < oi be f- \C o c o oc Cl CO lO co © cc > cj Q C c3 © cb ty © 00 cb o 6 r- co ih CO Cl cb O CO ib cb cb © Ch w < g rH ▼H C4 ▼H y-< ’fH ■*— * rH HH a5 01 CO 8 I7> Vi © Cl © cc •?H <5 be co tH CO 02 <0 CC © CO © K > r- r- -o i b cb © 8 to § ci 01 f- ® m cb 02 02 cb © cb << co CO CO lO iO lO s H Cl C0 CO C0 f- cb cb ^ ct 02 < ■ CI Cl x; X '.C <%*: co oc o> *x« © uO ifO CO CO t'- {- CO CC © lip S ci © t- CO © C2 oc © CO 1

© 02 02 o 02 © 02 Ci 02 C2 © C2 *< CO cm CN co C4 Cl Cl C4 Cl O' CM a LiO o s iO iO © © © © LO © © co 04 o CO ■s' lip © 02 lO i 02 02 cc C2 02 02 02 02 02 02 cb cb c o> CM Cl Cl Cl CN CM Cl CM CM Cl Cl p-» -< K ki © c: uO © O © © m © © © lO T— < T—i Cl <0^ G4 © Li J oj 6 © e 6 o o c o © © © © co co CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO o S ■§ ^ a b c b ^ c, g > o c3 h n 3 2j O C fl) THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. 128 Some Aspects of Dispersal and Succession of Plants in some Epping Forest Ponds By C. H. Selby, B.Sc. 1. Introduction. rJ^HE Epping Forest Survey carried out by members of the Society between 1942 and 1947 contains descriptions of work by Tucker (et al.) on the Cuckoo Pits area and by Boatman on various bomb craters in the Forest. During the summers of 1951 and 1952 plant succession and dispersal was investigated in seven ponds in three localities in Epping Forest. Four of these ponds were bomb craters in Fairmead Bottom and maps ot the vegetation are given showing the1 zonation. This work follows up that done by Boatman on dry craters and shows tbe initial stages in succession in small ponds. The survey of Baldwins Hill pond was carried out partly because it showed very clearly the serai stages in a pond whose vegetation was approaching a near climax condition; and partly to obtain a record of its vegetation to compare with subsequent regeneration after removal of most of the plants had been carried out. In the Cuckoo Pits area a comparison with Tucker’s work shows how changes occur over a period of years. The nomenclature of flowering plants used in this paper is that of Clapham, Tutin & Warburg (1952). 2. The Fairmead Bottom Bomb Craters. Nat. Grid Reference:- — 51/409965. Four small craters were studied in 1951-2 in this area. The craters were made in 1940 and were in fairly dense scrub land in which the main species are Rubus spp., Rosa spp., Crataegus monogyna and Primus spinosa. The craters are denoted by the serial numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Figs, la-ld show sketch maps of tbe vegetational units of the hydroseres of the four craters. Crater 1. (Fig. la). This crater was actually formed in tbe bed of a small stream and in consequence has, at least during the winter months, an inflow and an outflow. For this reason the zonation was not as regular as in the other craters. In the centre there was a large area of Potamogeton natans, and around the margin J uncus articulatus with a little J. inflexus and three large patches of Glyceria fluitans. Typha hitifolia occurred between the Potamogeton and tbe marginal flora. Crater 2. (Fig. lb). This crater showed a zonation of concentric rings of Potamogeton natans, Typha hit i folia and J uncus spp. — mainly J. inflexus with a little •7. effusus. Other species which were present in this crater ivere AJisma SOME ASPECTS OE DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OF PLANTS . .121) Glyceria fluitans Potamogeton natans Typha latifolia Juncus spp. Alisma plantago-aquatica Fig. 1. a-d. The Fairineal Bottom Bomb Craters. 130 the LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Fig. 2. Baldwins Hill Pond. SOME ASPECTS OE DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OF PLANTS. 13J plantago-aquatha and CaRitrichc stagnalis. Two species of the Cliara- daceae, Xitcllu translucens and Ohara hispida, covered a large area of the bottom of the crater. Craters 3 & 4. (Figs, lc & Id). These two craters showed a similar zonation, but they lacked the last four species given for Crater 2. A sterile clump of the hybrid ■J uncus effusus x inflexus occurred in Crater 3. 3. Baldwins Hill Pond. Nat. Grid Reference:- — 51/425975. The exact date of the origin of this pond, known locally as the Reservoir, was not available, but the following information w7as obtained from conversation with the local inhabitants. During the latter part of the last century a road was commenced across the valley in which the pond now lies. Several tons of clay were placed in the valley to raise the level for the foundations of this road. The project was apparently stopped by a higher authority but the valley was effectively dammed and a drain was built to allow the overflow of water from the drowned valley to pass into the lower reaches of the stream. Surrounding the pond is woodland consisting mainly of Carpi nus hetulus which produced dense shade during the period of growth. The north-east side, however, is bordered by slopes covered by Crataegus monogyna scrub with Bosa spp. and Bubus spp. abundant. There are many streams draining into the valley and much silt and leaf detritus is brought down and spread over the floor of the pond. leaves are also brought down from the sloping sides of the valley by rain which, at times of heavy precipitation, washes down through the woods which extend to the edges of the pond. A. Method used in mapping the vegetation. The vegetational units comprising the hydrosere were mapped by means of a line with knots of coloured cloth every ten feet. This was held, as far as possible, at right angles to the long axis of the pond. An average value of readings taken at the edge of each community from both sides of the pond was recorded. These readings were repeated every ten yards along the bank of the pond, and were translated on to the map (Fig. 2) which was produced by means of an improvised plane table. B. The vegetation oe Baldwins Hill Pond. At the time of this survey, two main seres were apparent on this pond. (i) A sere running longitudinally up the pond. (ii) A sere running transversely on both sides of the lower part of the pond ; to some extent this may be regarded as a truncated form of the former. The longitudinal sere may be summarised as follows: — Potamogeton — Hottonia — Typha — Typha with abundant Equisetum — Glyceria — Salix Carr. 132 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. The transverse sere was as follows: — Potamogeton — Equisetum — Typha — Glyceria. Fig. 5 is a photograph taken in July 1951 and shows the composition of the hydrosere. The main communities on this pond may be summarised as follows : — (i) Typhetum. Typha latifolia . d Hottonia palustris . f J uncus effusus . o Eleocharis palustris . r (ii) Equisetum — Typhetum. Equisetum fluviatile . d Typha latifolia . a Mentha aquatic a . a Eleocharis palustris . la Lycopus europaeus . . f Ju ne as effusus . f Lysimachia nummularia . If Veronica beccabunga . If Iris pseudacorus . . o Epilobium hirsutum . o Carex remota . o C. otrubae . r Galium palustre . r Angelica sylvestris . vr Salix atrocinerea . (iii) Gl ycerieturn. Glyceria maxima . d Mentha aquatica . a Equisetum fluviatile . o Epilobium hirsutum .. . 0 Lycopus europaeus . r J uncus effusus . r Rumex acetosa . vr Salix atrocinerea . ' . 4. The Cuckoo Fits. Nat. Grid Reference : — 51 / 402957. The two ponds surveyed are in the Cuckoo Pits area, studied previously in 1943 by Tucker (1945), and were denoted G and K in that paper. In the summer of 1952 a further detailed survey of these ponds was carried out, with the idea of tracing the development of the zones present originally. A. Method used in mapping the vegetation. The method of survey was to divide up each pond into squares, 10 yards in width, and fill in on an outline map the margins of the vegetational units and also the position of seedlings of e.g. Salix atro- Fig-. 5. Baldwins Hill Fond. A photograph taken in mid-July 1951. IO YARDS SOME ASPECTS OF DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OF PLANTS. oo CD Key to Symbols. PA = Potentilla palustrls S =Solanum dulcamara SA =Salix sp. C =Carplnus betulus y-Nymphaea alba P = Trodden ground 134 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Afan+T. , 1_ 1_ I C"S. SOME ASPECTS OF DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OF PLANTS. 135 cinerea. The positions of the surrounding trees were cheeked for the sake of completeness. Care was taken in ascertaining the original base lines : small errors were found to have been introduced, but as they did not exceed 2 ft. they were ignored in the preparation of the final maps. In the case of Pond G> only the changes in the Salicetum and Juncetum have been figured (Fig. 3). The conditions in 1952 have been superimposed on those existing in 1943. The changes in the vegetation on Pond K were more complex and Tucker's map lias been redrawn and the subsequent map placed by its side for comparison (Fig. 4). The grid marks on the new map may be regarded as coinciding with those on Tucker's. 15. Changes in the vegetation of Ponds G & K between 1943 and 1952. Pond G. (i) Salix atrocinerea. There was no evidence of the presence of seedlings of this species in the 1943 records. However, the two main clumps of bushes in the N.W. and S.F. had advanced steadily towards each other over the last ten years, and it seemed that in the future, after a similar time has elapsed, these two groups of plants would form one large colony. (ii) J uncus effusus. The distribution of the species had not altered a great deal and the principal change was the growth of marginal belts in the N.W. and S.F. corners of the pond. This seemed to be due mainly to the collection of detritus around the edges of the pond. (iii) Glycerin fluitans. There had been a limited amount of increase in the spread of this species. The main new area was at the eastern end at the expense of J uncus effusus. (iv) Potent ilia palustris. This species had arrived since 1943 and formed part of a community with Juncus effusus and Glycerin fluitans which obviously bore a certain resemblance to the similar community on pond K (vide infra). (v) Callitriche stagnalis. This species seemed to have disappeared ; it is normally very notice¬ able during the winter months, but careful search failed to locate a single plant. (vi) Solarium dulcamara. The communities existing in 1943 were still present but were a little less extensive and not at all vigorous. This may have been due to intense shade caused mainly by Oak on the south bank and partly by Salix bushes. Another reason for the decrease in vigour may have been the increase in the standing water in the pond in the previous few years. 136 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. (vii) Sparganium ramosum. The map made in 1943 indicated two plants to the east of the small clump of Salix in the middle of the pond. These were absent in 1952. Fhe way in which the Typha appeared to have ousted the Sparganium on the pond K (vide infra) may indicate the earlier stages in the colonisation of pond G. (viii) Lythrum salicaria. What may have been a small community in 1943 was represented in 1952 by only one plant. (ix) Bidens cernuus. Although this was apparently absent in 1943 there were several plants at the eastern end in 1952. Pond Iv. According to Tucker et al. (1945), “this pond has always had a fair amount of open water and its nearest approach to dryness was in the summer of 1944 ". In July 1952 there was water to a depth of between twelve and fifteen inches over the area marked as open water. (i) Junc-us effusus. Apart from one or two small patches this was the dominant species of J uncus on the pond in 1952. There was a small amount of J. acuta floras in the communities to the N. and W. (ii) Typha latifolia. This species had continued vigorous growth and the following changes had taken place: — (a) Typha had spread towards the eastern side and ousted the Spar¬ ganium communities. In 1952 the latter was represented only by a few small plants on the eastern bank underneath the cover of Salix citro- cinerea. Spread of Typha had also taken place in a north-easterly direction. (b) Juncus effusus and J. acuti floras had either remained as remnants of the Sparganietum or had invaded the Typhetum on all sides except the south. (c) Typha was continuing to encroach on the open water. (iii) Potentilla palustris. A comparison of the positions of this community showed it to have migrated about 8 yards in a S.E. direction. The community still had the same composition, viz., Juncus effusus , Glycerin fluitans and Sphag¬ num auriculatum, with the exception that Typha had joined the society on the eastern side. The migration of the Potentilla represented nine years’ growth. In other words, the plant had produced an average annual growth of 2’5 ft. of runner in a S.E. direction in excess of growth in any other direction. SOME ASPECTS OF DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OF PLANTS. 137 (iv) Salix at rod n erect. The position occupied by two plants in 1943 on the eastern side was represented in 1952 by a belt of bushes about ten yards long, and there were also eight new plants and one small bush scattered over the swampy parts of the pond. The two other bushes appeared unchanged in posi¬ tion but had no doubt increased in girth. (v) Glyceria fluitans. In 1942 there was very little of this species, the community in the S.W. corner, so prominent in 1943, being absent. The fact that in 1943 there was an area of over one hundred square yards indicates the rapid growth of this species in a suitable habitat. There was a further increase in 1944 when the marginal areas were no doubt appreciably drier than in previous years. Between 1944 and 1952 there had been an even fur¬ ther increase along the S. and S.E. margins until the state in 1952 which was much wetter and may have prevented further extension on the S. and S.E. portions. In the S.W. much of it had been replaced by 7. effusus. A visit in 1954 disclosed that the growth in the S. and S.E. had disappeared almost completely, possibly due to the heavy frosts in January of that year. (vi) Nymphaea alba The community present in 1943 was unchanged in position but two further plants had arisen. (vii) Sparganium ramosum. Of the large community present in 1943 only four plants could be found in 1952, under the cover of the Salix on the eastern side. (viii) Potamogeton natans. There was no trace in 1952 of this species, which was almost entirely absent in 1944. I he probable stages of succession may be summarised as follows:- — (a) Typha advanced from E. to W. competing with Sparganium . (b) Sparganium was forced out by Typha . (e) Typha advanced southwards and was invaded on all other sides by *7 uncus effusus. (d) Glycerin colonised the S. side and the S.W. and S.E. corners while the above changes were taking place. 5. Discussion of Results. The results of this work confirm that there are several factors at work, both in succession and in dispersal. These factors will be discussed under their several headings. A. Succession. 1. Competition. (a) Aerial structures. Although no light intensity measurements were made, it may be inferred from the absence of other species from 138 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. the Typhetum that the growth of this is normally too dense to allow seedlings of other plants to survive. It is not until the Typha begins to become less vigorous in growth that other species such as Eguisetum, Mentha, and Glyceria begin to be prominent. This is well shown on the Baldwins Hill Pond and to a lesser degree in Pond lx at the Cuckoo Pits. It is also true to a lesser extent for Glyceria maxima. Like Typha, this species forms almost pure stands and only species such as Epdobiurn hirsutum, which can grow above the Glyceria , are able to flourish well. (b) Underground structures. The competition of underground structures is well shown in the case of the Typha growing on Pond K, where it appears to have strangled the growth of the Sparganium ramosum. The rhizome of Typha latifolia grows within an inch of the surface of the mud and is about 1-1-25 in. in diameter when fully grown. This means that any other plant to share the same habitat must have rhizomes at a much deeper level. Compared with Typha, Spaiganium has rhizomes which are much less robust and occur i eiw neai the surface, and consequently the Typha appears successfully to prevent the growth of this species. This factor is accentuated by the fact that the aei lal growth of Sparganium is much less tall than that of Typha. II. Depth of Water. Although no actual measurements were made, it is evident from observation that the depth of water plays some part in succession. A section through one ol the bomb craters, e.g., B.C.4, shows that 7 otamo- geton natans occupies the deepest parts, Typha latifolia those of inter¬ mediate depth and various species of June us the shallow water at the margins. In the larger Baldwins Hill Pond it seems that as the layer of leaves and detritus builds up and the water becomes shallower, Typha is unable tc grow vigorously. A general view of all the ponds suggests that water depth is a t actor influencing succession. It is reduced mainly by the continual laying down of detritus of various forms and the building up of the soil in this way. III. Approach to Climax. As an example of the way in which the approach to the climax con¬ dition affects the succession of vegetation on a pond we may consider Pond G in the Cuckoo Pits area. Since 1943 considerable growth of the Salix atrocinerea has taken place and also of Glyceria fluitans and Juncus effusus. It seems that as the pond vegetation continued 10 develop certain minor species, such as Callitriehe stagnalis, Sparganium sp. and Polygonum hydropiper have been forced out. The pond has now- reached a stage in which the number of species is quite small and each covers a considerable area. A future survey may show further drying out and a rise in the number of species, as Glyceria fluitans disappears and Juncus effusms becomes less vigorous. SOME ASPECTS OF DISPERSAL AND SUCCESSION OP PLANTS. 139 B. Dispersal. The work of Godwin (1923) suggests that the dispersal of pond floras is carried on in a random manner. There is also the suggestion that ponds in which water dispersal plays a part have a larger number ol species than ponds of the same age which rely in the main oil air-borne species for their colonization. From the work of the writer on Baldwins Hill Pond, which has 25 species of flowering plants, it seems that water dispersal does increase the number of species present. This pond has a continuous inflow at one end and is the only pond under consideration which is so supplied. All the other ponds studied have a much lower number of species but here the question of size may arise as they are all much smaller in area than Baldwins Hill Pond, and consequently the results of dispersal cannot easily be separated from those of com¬ petition. Godwin also mentions the factor of the age of a pond and shows that the number of species rises with age. The bomb craters on Fairmead Bottom are thirteen years old, but no exact figures are available at present of the age of the Cuckoo Pits and the Baldwins Hill Pond. The present work, if viewed in the light of this evidence, suggests that age is not the only factor at work, but that the size of the pond in question comes into play. It may well be that there is a minimum size, below which the correlation of the number of species with age is invalid. A further suggestion by Godwin is that even a small strip of land may form an effective barrier to the dispersal of species. He cites the case of a pond which arose in 1836 and when his investigation was made contained 20 species. A smaller pond the other side of the embankment to the first pond had no phanerogamic water plants at all. Thus dis¬ persal is shown to be impeded even by this small barrier. The results of the present work suggest that dispersal is random in nature. Out of 39 species of flowering plants in all the ponds 23 species, or 60%, occur in only one pond. This is a higher figure than that obtained by Godwin, who recognised 59 species only 21 of which, or 35%, were found in one pond. The larger percentage in the present work may be due to forest being a greater barrier than open embank¬ ments and fields. None of the species is common to every pond but Typha latifolw occurs in six and may have been present in the seventh at an earlier stage. The ubiquity of Typha may be due to its wind-borne seeds, although there is no proof of this. A comparison of the numbers of species now present in the Ponds G and K with the numbers present in 1943 is of interest. In 1943 Pond G possessed 13 species actually in the hydrosere; in 1952 the number was 11. Pond K had 25 species in 1943 and only 12 in 1952. This great difference may possibly show two things: — 1. That when a pond is completely covered by vegetation, as Pond G, for example, it reaches a dynamic equilibrium in which the number of species remains more or less constant, although the actual species 140 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. may i ary to a small degree. This equilibrium moves slowly towards the climax. 2. That a pond which still has open water is in a relatively unstable condition and the number of species may vary over a period of time. It has already been mentioned that Godwin has correlated the num¬ ber of species in a pond with the age of the pond. If this analysis is adopted for the ponds in this study, it is found to give a similar result, bearing in mind the difference between isolated and water-connected ponds. Thus, of those ponds which have a water supply from streams, Baldwins Hill Pond is much older than Bomb Crater 1 and has 20 more species. Considering the isolated ponds, G and K have 11 species while the average for the Bomb Craters 2, 3 and 4 is 6. Ponds G and K are the older ponds but the smaller increase in species compared with the ponds suppl ed with water serves to emphasise the efficiency of water for dispersal. 6. Conclusions. 1. The succession in the ponds seems to be the result of the inter¬ action of several factors, among which are: — (a) competition of aerial and underground structures. (b) the depth of water in the pond. (c) the approach to the climax during drying out. 2. The results of dispersal are difficult to separate from those of succession. Dispersal is increased by the action of water and decreased b\ land baniers, such as forest. Although the number of species present with the age of a pond tends to increase, the area of the pond seems to have a limit beyond which it is difficult to correlate age with increase in the number of species. Comparison of the state of small ponds over a period of years suggests that where open water still exists the position is relatively unstable, but that eventually an equilibrium is reached when a pond is completely covered with vegetation. The general picture suggests an increase in the number of species with age in the unstable stage, confirming Godwin’s work. CHECK LIST OF SPECIES. Bomb craters Pond G Pond K Baldwins Ranunculus flammula Nymphaea alba 1 2 3 4 ’43 + ’52 ’43 + + + l S' Hill Pond + Nuphar lutea + + Lotus uliginosus + + Potentilla palustris + + + Lythrum salicaria + + + Epiloblum hirsutum E. paluslre . + + Callltrlche stagnalis + - + - Angelica sylvestris + Polygonum hydropiper + + + Rumex acetosa + R acetosella 1 + + + + Salix atrocinei'ea + + + + Hottonia pahistris — _ _ THE FLORA OF THE GOLF COURSE ox WIMBLEDON COMMON. 14 l Bomb c catei s Pond G Pond K Baldwins 1 Lysimacliia nummular la Solatium dulcamara . Veronica beccabunga . Utricularia vulgaris . Mentha aquatica . - Ly copus europaee . Galium palustre . Bidens cemuus . Alisma plan tag o-aquatica . Potarnogeton nutans . + ■/uncus effusus . J . inflexus . + ./. effusus x inflexus . J. conglomerate . J. acuti floras . •/. articulatus . + Iris pseudacorus . Sparganium ramosurn . Typlia latifolia . + Eleocharis palustris . _ Carex otrubae . C. remota . Glyceria fluitans . -f G. maxima . _ Total . . 5 Total number of species . 39 0 0 0 4 ’43 ’52 ’43 ’52 Hill Pond — - - - - - - + — - - + + + + — - — - - - - - + - - - - - + - — — — - - - - - + — - - - - + - + - - - + - + - + - - - + + + + — + - - - — — — + + + + - — + — + + - - + + + + + + + + - — - — + - + - — — — — — - - - + - — — + - - - - + + + — + + + - - — — — - - - - - - — + - - - + — + + — + + + - - + + + - - - - + + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - — + + + — + + + + + 25 8 6 4 13 11 21 It Acknowledgments . I wish to thank Mr. J. F. Shillito, i3.Sc., for his advice ; Dr. J). G. Tucker for permission to use his maps; and also Professor F. M. Haines, D.Sc., tor permission to publish the results of original field work carried out as a student in the Botany Department, Queen Mary College, London. REFERENCES. CLAPHAM, A. R., TUTIN, T. G.. and WARBURG, E. F.f 1952, Flora of the British Isles. GODWIN, H.. 19-23, The Dispersal of Pond Floras. J. Ecol ., 2- 160-4. TUCKER, D. G. et at., 1945, Report on the Survey of the Cuckoo Pits Area, 1942-4, Lond. Nat., 24, 51-5. The Flora of the Golf Course on Wimbledon Common. By A. W. Jones. goll course on Wimbledon Common extends over an area of dry heathland roughly £ mile from east to west and f mile from north to south with the Windmill in the north-east corner. It provides four main habitats: — 142 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. 1. The Teeing Grounds, from which the balls are struck. These areas are subject to heavy wear and are constantly re-sown or re-turfed and thus have a waste-ground element in their flora. They are usually built up a few inches above the surrounding ground. Poa annua is often the dominant species, other abundant plants being Trifolium repens, Bumex acetosella agg., Plant ago major, P. lanceo- lata and P. coronopus. 2. The Fairways, limited here to those areas between the teeing grounds and putting greens that are regularly mown. The vegeta¬ tion is typically lieathland, but practically all shrubby plants are eliminated, although Calluna vulgaris only an inch or so high is dominant in some places. The heatliland grasses Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina and F. rubra are usually co-dominant but individual species may be locally dominant: Bumex acetosella agg., Calluna vulgaris and Aira praecox are abundant. 3. The Putting Greens, where the balls are holed. These areas are the most heavily mown, leaving the vegetation less than \ inch high. For this reason they have been examined in greater detail. The most striking feature of the vegetation of the greens is the scarcity of grasses, only Boa annua being present in abundance and on examination proving usually to constitute about a third of the total vegetation. The vegetation is influenced by the following factors : — (a) Mowing (i) Eliminates all tall annuals which are thus unable to flower (ii) eliminates all shrubs and other tall perennials which produce large leaves and are unable to survive because of insufficient foliage remaining on the often single stem (iii) leaves dwarf annuals and among perennials only those which are dwarf or have rosettes affording sufficient foliage for the plants’ needs. (b) Other Treatment by Keeper (i) Sprinkling with water. On one green subjected to sprinkling the main vegetation changed completely, Sagina procurnbens becoming almost dominant — a few months later, after hot and dry weather, it was difficult to find any specimens of this plant. (ii) Use of weed-killer. A miniature putting green off the main course was covered with Plantago coronopus but this was completely extirpated by weed-killer. This and other species with a tap root are probably kept down in this way on the putting greens. (c) Treading Rubber shoes are worn by the golfers and consequently there is no heavy damage to the greens by treading. THE ELOEA OE THE GOLE COURSE OX W IMBUE DON COMMON. 143 This, however, tends to harden the ground and to crush some plants, and these two factors might account for the absence of, say, Stella ria media. (d) Soil Some of the greens have been reconstructed quite recently from introduced turves but the origin of the the others is not known. Soil from these turves would not be expected to support such typical heathland plants as Sperg ularia rubra, Bum ex acetosella agg., Galium hercynicum and various grasses, and in fact only a few are present and then only in very small quantities. (e) Drainage Some of the greens are slightly concave and there is a tendency for drainage into them. These damper parts are favoured by Sagina procv mbens and. to a lesser extent, by Aphanes arrensis agg. 4. The Occasionally Mown Areas, by the fairways, which are kept clear of trees, shrubs and bracken but where grasses and other herbaceous plants may reach their full height. These areas are not dealt with in this paper as they do not appear to differ materially from the open parts of the other heathland areas of the Common. The effect of the golf course, although it deprives the public of the general use of the areas occupied by the fairways, is to keep free of trees, shrubs and bracken, areas which might otherwise become over¬ grown. It provides a suitable habitat for a number of plants rare else¬ where on the Common — Aphanes arvensis agg., for example, has been recorded elsewhere only from a few ant-hills near Brickfields Cottage. The rare Trigonella ornithopodioides has been recorded for one fairway, an addition to the four localities for the London Area given by Kent and Lousley (1952). The course consists of 18 sets of teeing grounds (usually 2 or 3 in each set to allow for rotation and repairs), 18 fairways, and 18 putting greens. The following list gives the number of each of the three habitats from which each species has been recorded, together with an indication of the overall frequency on the putting greens. The nomenclature followed is that of Clapham, Tutin and Warburg (1952) with the popular names in brackets from Bayne r (1927) unless shown in inverted commas. SYSTEMATIC LIST. Teeing Putting Grounds. Fairways. Greens. Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) . 2 1 — Ranunculus acrts (Meadow Buttercup) . 2 l — R. repens (Creeping Buttercup) . - 2 — R. bulbosus (Bulbous Buttercup) . 12 5 - 3 VJ Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd’s Purse) .... ... 6 — l vr 144 THE LONDON NATURALIST; NO. 34. Teeing Putting Grounds. Fairways. Greens. Barb area vulgaris (Winter Cress) . . 1 — — Sisymbrium officinale (Hedge Mustard) . Cerastium vulgatum (Narrow-leaved Mouse-ear 1 1 vr Chickweed) . C. glomeratum (Broad-leaved Mouse-ear Chick- 3 G — weed) . C. cf. semidecandrum (Little Mouse-ear Clock- 1 weed) . 9 — 18 vf St ell aria media (Common Chickweed) . 3 1 — S. graminea (Lesser Stitchwort) . 1 — — Sagina procumbens (Procumbent Pearl wort) . 5 1 12 vf Spergularia rubra (Red Sand-spurrey) . 8 12 3 r Atriplex hastata (Halberd-leaved Orache) . 1 — Malva negleeta (Dwarf Mallow) . 1 — — Geranium molle (Dove’s-foot Cranesbill) . 4 5 — Ulex europaeus (Furze) . Trigonella ornithopodioides (Eird’s-foot Fenu- ‘ o greek) . — 1 — Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) . . . — — 1 vr T. repens (White Clover) . 16 15 18 a T. campestre (Hop Trefoil) . — 1 — T. dubium (Lesser Yellow Trefoil) . 6 12 13 vf Lotus comiculatus (Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil) — - 4 — Ornithopus perpusillus (Bird’s-foot) . — 6 — Rubus fruticosus agg. (Bramble) . 1 1 — Potentilla anserina (Silverweed) . 1 — — P. erecta (Upright Tormentil) . — 1 — P. reptans (Creeping Cinquefoil) . 1 1 — Aplianes arvensis agg. (Field Lady’s Mantle) . 2 1 14 vf Aegopodium podagraria (Goutweed) . 1 — — Polygonum aviculare (Knotweed) . 1 o — Rumex acetosella agg. (Sheep Sorrel) . 12 18 4 1 R. obtusifolius (Broad-leaved Dock) . 2 1 ' — Urtica dioica (Common Nettle) . i — — Retula sp. (“Birch”) . — 1 — Quercus robur agg. (Oak) . i 1 — Calluna vulgaris (Ling) . : - - 11 — Veronica arvensis (Wall Speedwell) . . 5 — 8 f Plantago major (Greater Plantain) . 9 2 7 f P. lanceolate (Ribwort Plantain) . 14 14 13 vl P. coronopus (Buckshorn Plantain) . 14 15 18 a Galium hercynicum (Heath Bedstraw) . — 10 — Senecio jacobaea (Common Ragwort) . . 3 1 2 r S. erucaefolius (Hoary Ragwort) . — 2 — Beilis perennis (Daisy) . 11 8 11 f Achillea millefolium (Milfoil) . 13 9 16 a Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Ox-eye Daisy) ... — 1 — Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) . — o — Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle) . 1 — — C arvense (Creeping Thistle) . 2 — — Hypochaeris radicata (Long-rooted Cat’s-ear) ... 17 17 14 f Leontodon autumnalis (Autumnal Hawk-bit) . o 1 — Sonchus asper (Rough Sowthistle) . 1 — — Hieracium pilosella (Mouse-ear Hawkweed) . — 6 — Crepis taraxacifolia (Beaked Hawksbeard) . — 2 — C. capil laris (Smooth Hawksbeard) . 2 4 1 vr Taraxacum sp. (Dandelion) . 18 16 15 f Juncus squaixosus (Heath Rush) . — 14 — J effusus (Loose-flowered Soft Rush) . — i — Luzula campestris (Field Woodrush) . 2 4 1 vr POST WAR PROGRESS IN NATURE CONSERVATION. 145 Teeing Putting Grounds. Fairways. Greens. Carex hirta (Hairy Sedge) . — 1 — Moliniu caerulea (Purple Melic) . — 7 Festuca rubra (Red Fescue) . 2 15 F ovina (Sheep’s Fescue) . — 15 Folium perenne (Perennial Rye Grass) . 7 12 l Vulpia bromoides (Squirrel-tail Fescue) . 3 12 Poa annua (Annual Meadow Grass) . 18 8 18 P. pratensis (Smooth Meadow Grass) . — 6 P. trivialis (Rough Meadow Grass) . — 1 Dactylis glomerata (Coek's-foot) . 2 12 Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dog’s-tail Grass) ... — l Bromus mollis agg. (Soft Brome) . 1 5 Hordeum rnurinum (Wall Barley) . — 2 Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat) . — l — Holcus lanatus (Tufted Soft Grass) . 17 2 Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair Grass) . — 17 Aira praecox (Early Hair Grass) . 5 18 Agrostis tenuis (Fine Bent Grass) . 9 10 9 A stolonifera (White Bent Grass) . — 1 Phleum nodosum (Bulbous Cat’s-tail Grass) . — 1 — Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Fox-tail Grass) ... 1 Nardus stricta (Mat Grass) . — 6 — Total VI va r r Total Species present 83 52 67 26 Thanks are due to Mr. C. P. Castell for reading the manuscript and giving suggestions and criticisms. REFERENCES. CLAPHAM, A. R., TUTIN, T. G. and WARBURG, E. F., 1952, Flora of the British Isles. KENT, D. H. and LOUSLEY, J. E., 1952, A Hand List of the Plants of the London Area. Supplement to Load. Nat., 31, 57. RAYNER, J. F., 1927, A Standard Catalogue of English Names of our Wild Flowers. Post War Progress in Nature Conservation. (. L.N. , no. 33, pp. 3-20.) Correction and Additions. p- 9. Ken Wood. Add TQ/28/2 (S.S.S.I.). p 10. Charlton Sand Pit. Add TQ/47/1 (S.S.S.I.). p. 11. Lion Pit. For TQ/57/1 read TQ/57/7. p. 12. Water End Swallow Holes. Add TL/20. Worrnley Wood. Add TL/30. P • 13. Moor Park . Add TQ/08/4 (S.S.S.T.). St. Michael's Bridge . Add TL/10/3 (S.S.S.I.). Pit at Potterscrouch. Add TL/10/2 (S.S.S.I.). p. 15. Mansion L,ane Gravel-pit . For Manston read Mansion. Add TQ/08/4 (S.S.S.I.). 146 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 64. p. 16. Barnfield Pit, Swanscombe. Add N.R.84. Baker s Hole, Swanscombe. For 51/57/2 read 51/67 /3. p. 18. Epsom and Ashtead Commons. For 51/75/7 read 51/15/7. Xote. Iii the National Grid Reference Scheme, the 100 kilometre squares were formerly designated by figures ; they have now been replaced by letters: TL = 52 and TQ = 51. p. 19. The following Recommended Areas were inadvertently omitted. Towing Path and Banks of JR. Thames from Putney to Kingston (S.l) (P.O.S.). The embankment slopes and estuarine mud support a rich flora, both of flowering plants and of bryophytes. A small area near the towing path is the habitat for a very rare mollusc. Ham Fields and Biverside Waste (S.2.). A number of local meadow plants and some interesting aliens occur in this area, which attracts large flocks of finches and other seed-eating, as well as aquatic, birds. Ham Common (S.3) (P.O.S.). The area supports some locally scarce plants and rare roses and the flora is large for such a small area. The thickets afford cover for many species of breeding birds. The common adjoins Richmond Park and shows a striking contrast in habitats with the park. Barnes Common (S.5) (P.O.S.). Although small and much used by the public, this common supports a surprisingly large heath flora. Mitcham Common (S.6) (P.O.S.). Until a year or two ago many specie* (some very rare) of a marsh flora persisted and the common was still a good entomological area and one of the few spots near London where the Stonechat still bred. The undrained hollows, surrounded by sallow bushes, supported a good bird population, (both breeding and visiting) and a prolific insect fauna (including some of the rarer species). These are threatened with extermina¬ tion by the dumping of refuse material by the Croydon Corpora¬ tion. Beddington Sewage Farm (S.7). An area of great importance to the London ornithologist, on account of the variety of water- frequenting birds, especially waders. It attracts many migrants during winter and on passage and supports a good breeding population, some of which are species very local in the London area. It acts as a protective belt both to Mitcham Common on the north and to Beddington Park on the south. Chertsey Mead (S.8) (P.O.S.). This is an important botanical area, the rich flora being characteristic of meadows flooded during winter months, and Chertsey Mead is the last remaining representative of this habitat near London. The flora includes many rare species, two of which are unknown elsewhere in Surrey. Little-worth Common (S.9) (P.O.S.). An area of heath, ‘scrub and marshland, with some rare marsh plants and a rich variety of birds and lepidoptera. West End Common , Esher (S.10) (P.O.S.). A heathy area adjoining Esher Common, with marshland and ponds, which still supports several rare and very local plants. THE BRYOPHYTES OF BOX HILL. 147 Princes Coverts, Stoke Wood and Leatherhead Common (S.12). An extensive area of oak-wood with birch, and hazel and hawthorn undergrowth. It is rich in woodland birds and butterflies. Epsom and Walton Downs (S.14) (P.O.S.). An area of open chalk downland with many characteristic plants, some rare and two species unknown elsewdiere in the London area. There are many chalk-loving lepidoptera and a large bird population, the area being an excellent one for observing bird migration in autumn. Burgh Heath (S.15) (P.O.S.). A small area of keathland with some small ponds supporting several rare plants. C. P. C. The Bryophytes of Boxhill. By E. C. Wallace. For many years Boxhill in Surrey has been known to naturalists as one of the richest localities near London for plants characteristic of the chalk downland of England. The interest of the flora there was known in Sweden as far back as 1848 (Rathbone, 1931), perhaps through the references in Cooper’s Flora Mctropolitana and other early works. The easy accessibility, with convenient rail and road services, has at¬ tracted botanists there again and again. The flora therefore is very well known and recorded, with the exception perhaps of the Lichens, on which group there has been little work. The activities of students at the adjacent Juniper Hall Field Centre may provide the knowledge at present lacking. Recent work on the bryophytes of the southern English chalk has shown that so far as is known Boxhill exhibits the richest flora of any locality investigated. Several species of both mosses and liverworts are not known elsewhere in Surrey, nor are they recorded for the Kentish chalk downs. An early reference to mosses on and about Box¬ hill is provided by Johns (1842). Since then there have been few men¬ tions of any extent or value, so a comprehensive account would not now be out of place. Apart from my wartime abbreviated lists of Surrey mosses (Wallace. 1940 and 1941), the only account of Surrey mosses of any length includ ng reference to Boxhill is that of Monington (1902). Xo list of. nor reference to liverworts, was included. The most extensive work on Boxhill has been done during this cen¬ tury, commencing with the field work of H. W. Monington and L. J. Cocks up to about 1914. By then W. R. Sherrin was adding many species to the Surrey list, and doubtless a stimulus was provided by the publication of the Census Catalogues of British Mosses and Hepotics by the Moss Exchange Club. Many bryophytes were first recorded for Surrey from Boxhill. Even up to the present day species of mosses and hepatics are being found on Boxhill not previously observed there, though not necessarily new to Surrey. The more recent workers who 148 THE LONDON N AT U KALI ST , NO. 84. have added to our knowledge of the bry op livtes of Boxhill include R. A. Boniface, A. H. Norkett, F. Rose and the writer. Altogether 138 species of mosses and 24 of liverworts are recorded within the limits here defined. For the purpose of this account “Boxhill” includes the area ad¬ ministered by the National Trust and adjacent lands up to and includ¬ ing the left bank of the river Mole below the western escarpment; the southern slopes down to the upper limit of cultivation; and all terrain west of the centre of the valley running south from Warren Farm to the road by Brockham Warren near Upper Boxhill Farm. Essentially this area consists of a plateau dissected by three deep parallel north-south valleys, the highest ground at the south-east corner reaching to about 600 feet altitude. The surface soil of almost all the ground above 500 feet, except at the crest of the south facing escarp¬ ment, is “clay with flints” overlaying the Upper Chalk. The bottoms and sides of the valleys are chalk downland turf with beech and a mix¬ ture of yew, whitebeam and box at various levels. The clay with flints carries much oakwood with characteristic undergrowth, but some parts have been cleared in recent years and replanted for forestry. The bryophytes are scarcely influenced by the differences between the three geological divisions of the chalk. Aspect and shelter along with the relative humidity are the vital factors, and a comparison be¬ tween the turf of the exposed southern escarpment and that of the east-facing slopes of any of the valleys shows a marked difference in number of species present and degree of development. The open southern slopes have no shelter from either rain-bearing or drying winds and the scantiness of the moss growth is at once apparent, ex¬ cept perhaps in the lee of clumps of bushes. Little wisps amongst the grass of such species as Camptothecium lutescens, Ctenidium vud- hiscum and Eurhynchium swartzii compare with a thick mossy turf found elsewhere on the east slopes of the valleys. These are often sheltered from the westerly winds and sunshine by the tall trees of woodland on the higher slopes, or in the case of the Zigzag valley, being just over the brow of the western hillside in a zone of compara¬ tive shelter. In view of the differences brought about in the brvopliyte flora by aspect and shelter, I have divided the area under considera¬ tion, for the more easy understanding of the significance of these factors. 1. Southern escarpment and open slopes with west aspect. 2. Chalk d own turf with northern or eastern aspect. 3. The area of Dogwood and Wayfaring Tree scrub by the beech hanger on Juniper Top. 4. The western river cliff. 5. Woodland on “clay with flints”. 6. Woodland on chalk. 7. Trees on left bank of the Mole. Not every species recorded a\ ill be mentioned, but just those of some or incidental significance. The nomenclature is that of the Census THE BRYOPHYTES OF BOX HILL. 149 Catalogue of British Hepatics and the Annotated List of British Mosses, published by the British Bryological Society. 1. Southern escarpment and open slopes with west aspect. Winter and early spring is the best time to study the species of this area, as several such as the Weissias are then in fruit. In the turf itself there are a few bes'des those already mentioned above, Pseudoscleropodium pa rum, Fissidens cristatus, F. taxifolius, Entodon orthocarpus sparingly and Bhytidiadel ph us squarrosus. On the bare soil between tufts of grass, about roots of bushes and sides of paths there is a richer flora including Pottici recta , Phascum curvicollum, Weissia crispa, IF. enspata, IF. microstoma. Barbuda fall ax , B. recur- virostris, Lophozia turbinata and Thuidium hystricosum. These two latter plants are of some interest, the Lophozia being a pioneer in colonizing bare soil formed by frost or other erosive action. Barbuda unguipulata also plays such a part, and more locally Trichostomum crispulum. The Thuidium is found at its best on the rough ground by the sides of paths, or on sloping banks where the turf is broken, and flourishes even when detached from the sub-stratum. This species is locally common on the escarpment of the North Downs in Kent and Surrey, less so on the dip-slope, but almost absent from Sussex, occur¬ ring only in the extreme west of the county. It is local in Hampshire and Wiltshire, and occurs on the Chilterns, but seems to be replaced by T. ahietinum on limestone and oolite. A. plant commoner near the coast, and sometimes found on calcareous sand dunes is Pleurochaete sqvarrosa, which occurs in small quantity in three places in short turf. The hawthorn bushes on the open slopes bear a little Hypnum cupres si- forme , M etzgeria furcata and Frullania dilatata in poor condition. In the shelter of the partly sunken old cartroad ascending diagonally up the slope below the “Indicator” the hepatics, Pellia fabroniana , Cono- cephadum conic-urn and Lunularia cruciata may be found with much L o ph oz ia. turbin a to . 2. Chalk down turf with northern or eastern aspect. Almost any time of the year will do for this habitat, except when the weather has been persistently dry. The change in a matter of a dozen yards when crossing the spine of the ridge from above Burford Bridge into Zigzag valley is most marked. This is perhaps the best spot to observe the transition from area 1 to area 2. as the two types of ground are seldom adjacent. At the upper southern end a stretch of turf is very full of Thuidium philiberti which is generally a rather local species. Conspicuous species nearby are Ditrichum flexicaule, Dicranum scoparium, Tor tell a tortuosa, Nechera crispa. Hypnum cupressiforme and its var. lacunosum, Bhytidiadel phus triquetrus and a small form of Hylocomium splendens. Besides Lophozia turbinata , three other calcicolous hepatics occur rather sparingly just here, but more abundantly elsewhere on Boxhill. These are Scapania aspera , Mado- theca laevigata , unrecorded elsewhere on chalk in Surrey or Kent, and Frullania tarnarisci , locally very abundant on Boxhill and not known 150 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. elsewhere on the Surrey chalk. The latter species occurs in turf on a slope near the ruined tower above the Zigzag valley, where the exposure is clear to the west, but as a prostrate form. In the Dogwood Scrub (3) by Juniper Top various luxuriant forms occur, benefitting by the shel¬ ter given. On small pieces of chalk amongst the turf Seligeria pauci- folia occurs, with Pottia recta, Barbula convoluta and Weissias on the thin bare soil. The next valley eastward, towards Juniper Top has grassy, turf on the western east-facing slope in one part and here Pseudoscleropodium purum fruits, and on one occasion Girriphyllum piliferum was found with young capsules. Around the margins of the yew woods some of the patches of barer soil have a rich moss carpet which includes Fissi- dens cristatus , Encalypta vulgaris, E. streptocarpa, Barbula fallax, B. recurvirostris, Pottia lanceolata , Tortula ruralis, Aloina aloides, Bhodobryum roseum, Bryum pollens, Anomodou viticulosus, Campylium chrysophyllum, C. hispidulum var. sommerfeltii (often on flints), Pellia fabroniana and Madotheca platyphylla . In one place on a steepish slope a fallen and decayed sapling was found in the shelter of a few bushes and had a covering of Aulacomnium androgynum, Lepidozia reptans, and, what was most surprising, Odontoschisma denudation. This particular piece of wood has persisted for several years and the latter species, usually found under Calluna on wet moorland, has flourished. The shelter and resultant humidity doubtless enables it to survive, but no other locality for it is known to me anywhere near. This valley has good Scapania aspera and Ctenidium molluscum in one shady spot, with Camptothecium lutescens much more luxuriant than elsewhere. The furthest east valley has a thick moss carpet on its east-facing slope, and here Bhytidiadelphus squarrosus can be found in fruit in an area where FLylocomium brevirostre occurs. Hylocominm splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Acrocladium cuspidatum, Dicranum bonjeani and Thuidium tamariscinum are all very abundant on these slopes. On stones under thorn bushes Trichostomum sinuosum can be found and on bare soil some Pottia davalliana in addition to other species already mentioned. Here and there a few elders occur and on these can be found such plants as Dicranoweissia cirrata, Bryum capillare, Zygodon viridissimus, Cryphaea heterornalla, Metzgeria furcata, Lophocolea heterophylla (also common about most tree roots), Badula cornplanata . and Frullania dilatata. 3. The area of Dogwood and Wayfaring Tree. On the shoulder of Juniper Top, above a beech hanger, is a remark¬ able area of scrub on very stony ground. The thick carpet of moss comprises Nechera crispa, with var. falcata , N. cornplanata, Dicranum scoparium, Bhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Eurhynchium striatum. Camptothecium lutescens, Madotheca laevigata , Frullania tamarisci and much lichen growth of the genus Cladonia, all very well developed. In parts this moss carpet is very untidy, disturbed by birds in search of food. On flints Crimmia apocarpa and Orthotrichum anomalum var. saxatile can be found and a little Isopterygium depression. In the THE BRYOPHYTEX OF BOX KILL. 151 beech hanger just by. there are old decaying logs, some of yew, on which Orthodontium linear e grows m some quantity. It has become more abundant since it was first obseiwed in 1950. and has been found else¬ where on Boxhill, near the Fort. Below this beech hanger there is much hawthorn scrub where Phugiochila asplenioides var. major is ..luxuriant, accompanied by fine Eurhynchium praelongum and Lopho- colea bidentata. A slope nearby has good Ditrichum flexicaule , some Scapania aspera and much Neele era crispa, often growing up the bases of small shrubs. 4. The Western River Cliff. On the steep eroded ground at the top there is much Trichostomum crispulum with Campy Hum chrysophylum, Camptothecium lutescens, Entodon orthocarpus and Lophozia turbinata. The slope itself is generally too steep and uncomfortable to work, but the ground acces¬ sible from the horizontal path just above the river at the bottom is extremely interesting. At the western end and farthest from Burford Bridge there are tall trees of beech and ash with much box and under¬ growth, all giving shade and shelter so that this strip of ground is usually rather damp. The most conspicuous moss is Tha mnium alope- curum which fruits here in the winter, and it is much disturbed by birds. Other species are Eurhynchium praelongum , E. swartzii, E. striatum , Rhynchostegiella pal lidiro sire, Brachythecium rutabulum , Isothecium myurum, Mnium undulatum and M. longirostrum. On beech and ash tree roots there is much Cirriphyllum crassinervium and Isopterygium depressum (also on flints), with Isothecium. myosuroides and a little 7. striatulum , and Neckera pumila higher up the trunks. It is interesting to note that the latter species occur somewhat abundantly in a similar habitat in Sussex in Arundel Park. Most of the small stones on the ground are covered with Seligeria paucifolia, whilst on the larger flints are Rhynchostegiella tenella, Amblystegium serpens and Isopterygium depressum . Lejeunea cavifolia occurs sparingly on soil, but the most interesting plant, however, is a small Fissidens with very long acute apices to the bordered leaves that grows on the hard pieces of chalk. It is known as F. minutulus , and differs from F. pusillus Wils. by its more gradually and longly acute leaves, by being calcicole and not calcifuge, and by not growing on stones in streams in sandstone areas as does the other. 5. Woodland on “clay with flints”. Here again a clear change in the constituents of the moss flora can be observed as one leaves the chalk turf and enters the wooded areas of the plateau above the valley. A damper, heavier soil, with much leaf humus is soon noted and such plants as Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum formosum , Dicranella heteromalla , Campylopus pyriformis, Mnium undulatum, Thuidium tamariscinum and Lophocolea bidentata are seen. By woodland tracks are Polytrichum juniperinum, Ceratodon purpureus, Pohlia nutans. Brachythecium . albicans , with here and there Archidium alt erni folium, Riccia sorocarpa and Pohlia rothii. On stumps there are Tetraphis pellucida , Aulacomnium androgynum and 152 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Lophocolea heterophylla. In one area of thin straggly secondary growth after felling is a rich moss carpet of Eurhynchium praelongum , E. striatum, Thuidium tamariscinum , Cirriphyllum piliferum, and locally some Phytidiadelphus loreus. A few stumps and rotting stems have the rare Dicranum strictum, noted for the brittleness of its clear green leaves. It will be noticed that no Sphagna are recorded from the “clay with flints’ woodland. The occurrence of Sphagnum palustre is not impossible in view of the existence of this plant in Hook Wood, south of West Horsley, some seven miles westwards. 6. Woodland on chalk. This is mostly composed of beech, yew and whitebeam ( Sorbus aria) and merges into the territory of the clay with flints. The shade is usually deeper and the ground flora much reduced. Typical species occurring are Cirriphyllum crassinervium, Bryum capillar e , Tortula su bid at a. (scarce), Brach yth ecium velutinum , B. glareosum, Eurhyn¬ chium confer turn, and on trunks, Dicranoweissia cirrata, Microlej eunea ulicina and rarely Dicranum montanum. Some paths have Pellia fabroniana about their margins and in the autumn the repeatedly furcate apices of the thalli are conspicuous. The rare, local hepatic, I tilidium pulcherrimum, has been found twice, though it has disap¬ peared from one tree so T trust my other station will remain obscure as this beautiful plant is generally found in small quantity at widely scattered localities. It seems to be increasing however as many new localities have been recorded in southern England in recent years. Another pleasing find on chalk in an open part of a beech hanger in the winter of 1953 was a patch of Ephemerum r e cur vi folium, the first Surrey record for nearly a hundred years. It re-appeared in 1954, with some Phascum cuspidatum and much F -unaria hygrometrica on a bo-nth e site nearby. A form of Madotheca laevigata growing with Mnium hornum occurs on one bank under beech trees. It has the underleaves rather more toothed than the form of open scrub and turf, which is sometimes named var. thuja. 7. Trees on left bank of the Mole. I have included this habitat because of the interesting mosses found on the elm and poplar trees by the river. The water level varies con¬ siderably owing to the narrowness of the bed just here and the proximity of the wide wealden catchment area. There are species on these trunks (except 0. affine) not seen elsewhere on Boxhill, which include Tortula lati folia, T. laevipila, Cinclidotus mucroncitus, Orthotrichum affine, Somalia trichomanoides, Leskea polycarpa and Scleropodium caespi- tosum. Two species to be looked for are Madotheca cordaeana and Barbula nicholsonii which both occur by the Mole above Betchworth. All these riverside plants become much caked by silt caught by their stems from the flood waters in rainy periods. Several bryophytes have been recorded for Boxhill that I have not myself found, Eurhynchium megapolitanum by Monington, and Lophozia badensis, which may have been confused with L. turbinata CITY BOMBED SITES SURVEY. 153 as no recent worker has found it. Po-tti a starleana was found in 1953 by J. A. Paton when working from Juniper Hall. This and P. lanceo- lata are usually found in small quantity and are thus easily overlooked. There may have been other localities on the Surrey chalk that had a comparable moss flora to that now existing on Boxhill, but they have been lost by the cultivation schemes of the past. Luckily Boxhill, with its incomparable north-aspect slopes too steep for the plough, has sur¬ vived and is now preserved. REFERENCES. JOHNS, C. A. (1842). List of mosses, etc., collected chiefly at Leith Hill, Surrey. Phytologist, 184 2, 199-200. MONINGTON, H. W. (1902). Botany (Bryophytes) in Victoria History of County of Surrey, 1, 51-55. RATHBONE, A. (translator). (1931). Two botanical excursions near London in - 1848. J. Bot., 69- 42-75. WALLACE, E. C. (1940). The liepatics of Surrey. J. Bot., 78, 257-262. WALLACE, E. C. (1941). The mosses of Surrey. J. Bot., 79, 1-11 k 17-25. City Bombed Sites Survey. Progress Report. 'Y^rORK on the Cripplegate bombed sites continued during 1954. Two meetings were advertised in the Programme, and attracted a fair number of members, but the main work was done by individual members pursuing their own interests on private visits. It seems, from the plans which have been referred to in the press, that the days of the bombed sites are numbered and that the area available for study may soon be severely curtailed. Already several cellars have been filled in for use as car parks or for other purposes. It is to be hoped, therefore, that all who are interested in this study will make a special effort in 1955 to carry their work to a stage at which it may be possible to publish the results. After that the opportunity may well have ceased to exist. The main feature of 1954 was the effect of the cool and wet summer oil the vegetation of the bombed sites. Tn a normal summer many of the trees and shrubs become dry and withered by August or even earlier and the food available for larvae is correspondingly reduced. In 1954 this did not occur, and the vegetation remained fresh and green well into the autumn. Perhaps as a result of this, lepidopterous larvae of many species were unusually abundant in the autumn. Moreover larvae of at least twelve new species of sawfly were found in addition to the twelve recorded in 1951 ( L.N. , 31, p. 89); some of these could not be finally identified from the larvae and the emergence of the adults must be awaited before a further list can be published. It seems possible that the unusual prolongation of the period during which food was available for the larvae may have helped towards the establishment of some at least of these species. THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. 154 Drone-fly Visitors to the Flowers on the City Bombed Sites. By A. W. Jones. ^ 110NE-F LIES belong to two sub-families of the Syrphidcte : — Eristnlinae, of which six species have been noted for the Survey Area. T olucelUnae, of which the larvae are scavengers in the nests of wasps (Vespula spp.) and humble-bees. Humble-bees are fairly com¬ mon in the Survey Area and Vespula spp. do occur although not commonly, but none of the V olucellinae have been noted. During 1954 the area has been visited most Mondays to Fridays for about 40 minutes at mid-day, weather permitting. Each time the numbers of various drone-flies visiting flowers have been noted, and it is thought that these will largely reflect the numbers present in the area. The results are given in the Tables: — 1. The total visits of each drone-fly for each month. -• The highest number of drone-flies observed visiting flowers on any one day in each month. 3. The total visits to each flower by each drone-fly. it must be borne in mind that the figures given in the tables relate to one year only and may be distorted by special weather conditions, etc., and therefore have not the same value as figures collected over a period of years. TABLE 1. Total Visits each Month. F M A M 3 J A s O N Total Eristalis aeneus (Scop.) 2 13 15 E. tenax (L.) . 51 16 130 227 11 r>.Vi E. arbustorum (L.) . 1 O O 12 4 43 27 90 E . pertinax (Scop.) . 1 9 3 13 Helophilus pendulus (L.) 4 1 f) Merodon equestris (Fab.) 1 1 3 118 67 3 12 20 186 258 11 678 The examination of these figures fa Us under two headings • « _ 1. Population and Status. Often when insects are counted their numbers are astronomical but as will be seen from Table 2 no more than 45 individuals of the com¬ monest species Eristalis tenax (L.) were ever seen in one day. The area is approximately ^ mile from north to south and f mile from east to west, so it will be seen that the numbers are very small in propor¬ tion to this large area. The chief reason for this scarcity is probably the lack of breeding places. The larvae of all but Merodon equestris (Fab.) are rat-tailed CITY BOMBED FITES SURVEY. 155 TABLE 2. Highest Number of Visitors on any one Day in each Month. F M Ertstalis aeneus (Scop.) . 1 E. tenax (L.) . 2 33 E. arbustorum (L.) . E. pertinax (Scop.) . Helophilus pendulus (L.) . Merodon equestris (Fab.) . 2 34 A M J •T A S 0 N Total 3 3 12 10 35 45 11 45 1 1 8 4 9 6 9 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 18 1 8 14 48 53 11 62 maggots living in decomposing matter under water — rot holes in trees, farm-yard ponds, etc. The amount of permanent water on the sites is very small but a site near the Coachhouse might support larvae. It is possible that the insects recorded are migrants — Parmenter (1954a). has for example suggested that Eristahs aeneus (Scop.) (nor¬ mally a maritime species) is associated with easterly winds which assist it from the East London marshes. From the tables it will be seen that Ertstalis tenax (L.) is the com¬ monest and some surmises as to its status may be drawn. Firstly it appears very early in the year (on Tussilago farfara L.) which usually indicates a hibernating species especially when it is coupled with ap¬ pearances as late as November. Elsewhere in the London Area this insect shows a tendency to enter houses in October, presumably to hiber¬ nate. The numbers reach a peak during March and decline during April, none being seen until mid-August, when they begin to increase, reaching a maximum in late October, and disappear in November. On Wimbledon Common Eristalis tenax (L.) is abundant in all but the winter months and perhaps most abundant in July and August, so it the species is a resident of the sites its immature stages must cover different periods or at least be more restricted (it is possible that emergences from the pupae are normally made at any time of the year barring the winter months and not limited to a ferv months). Assum¬ ing it to be a resident, emergences in August to October must pair and lay eggs which overwinter as eggs or small larvae, or the fertilised females overwinter (no males were recorded before August) and lay eggs in the spring — the latter seems more likely as there would be no point in females overwintering otherwise. It would, however, mean that the development of the larvae would be during the dry summer months or there is an eighteen months' immature stage. If it is only an immigrant species immigration takes place in August to October, the females surviving the winter and dying off in the spring. In contrast to Eristalis tenax (L.) males of E. aeneus (Scop.), E. arbustorum (L.) and E. pertinax (Scop.) were observed in the early months of the year but the numbers of these species are much too small to make any speculations as to their status, or for Helophilus pendulus (L.) seen only in the autumn. The larvae of Merodon equestris (Fab.) live in daffodil and other bulbs, and the single female recorded may have emerged from an in¬ fected bulb planted in one of the small florists’ gardens near Moorgate. 156 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. This species and Eristahs pert in ax (Scop.) are additions to the list of Parmenter (1954a). TABLE 3. Total Visits to each Flower. Cruciferae Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. Yellow ft O s£ o « oj S cc - — * <*> yi <3 2 ■g ? C e g ■? S * g « s • h ^ ^ a o a c/2 _ _ ^2 *»• cc O ft « S -2 o - © S «■«» — ^ 15 Papilion aceae Trifolium pro tense L. Pink Salicaceae Sale. r caprea L. Yellow and White . 9 0 S. caprea L. Greenish . 3 tfS. atrocinerea Brot. Yellow and White . l Loganiaceae Uu.ddleja david.il Franch. Purple . 19 17 9 3 1 36 Oeeaceae Forsythia sp. YellOAv 1 Compositae Senecio squalidiis L. Yellow . Tussilago farfara L. YellOAv . Calendula o'fTi (‘.inalis L. Orange . Aster sp. Yellow and Purple . Cirsium vulgare (Savi.) Ten. Purple C. arvense (L.) Scop. Purple . Centaurea scabiosa L. Purple . Hgpochaeris radicata L. Yellow Sonchus oleraceus L. Yellow . Taraxacum sp. YellOAv . 206 31 237 7 136 1 1 145 2 2 89 25 11 5 130 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 42 8 50 8 29 5 1 43 15 554 90 13 5 1 678 2. Flower Preferences. From Table 3 it Avill be seen very clearly that the Compositae are the most favoured, accounting for over 99% of the visits. In chrono¬ logical order the chief associations are: — February to April: Tussilago farfara L. with a few visits to Sali.r spp. and Taraxacum sp., then no visits till Mid- August: varied. September: varied but ivith Senecio squalidiis L. predominating. October: Senecio squalidus L., with many visits to Aster sp., giving way in late October to the last of Sonchus oleraceus L. November : visits one day only to Senecio squalidus L. BOOKS. 157 No visits to the U mbelliferae were noted although elsewhere in the London Area they are much favoured. Herudeuni sphundylium L. still in flower in September and October (when droneflies were present) attracted none, and Parmenter (1954a) suggested that the flying level on the sites is much lower than in the country where flies have constantly to rise above bushes and hedges and so maintain a level above the flower-tables which would otherwise be missed. From Table 3 it might appear that yellow is of special attraction as 75% of the visits are to this colour, but as Tussilago farfara L. in March and Senecio sgualidus in October have few rivals when drone- flies are most frequent it would be expected that there would be more visits to these yellow flowers. The nomenclature used here is that of Parmenter (1954b) for flies and Clapliam, Tutin and Warburg (1952) for plants. Thanks are due to Mr. L. Parmenter for reading the manuscript and making criticisms and suggestions. REFERENCES. CLAPHAM, A. R., TUTIN, T. G., and WARBURG, E. F., 1952, Flora of the British Isles. PARMENTER, L., 1954a, The Flies of the Cripplegate Bombed Site, City of London. Loud. Nat., 33 . 89-100. _ . 1954b, A List of the Species of Syrphidae (Diptera) of the British Isles Ent. Gazette, 5 : 135-144. Books. Wild Flowers : Botanising in Britain by John Gilmour and Max Walters. New Naturalist, Yol. 5. Collins, 1954. 25/-. This is a delightful book, designed as an introduction to all aspects of field botany, fascinating to read straight through or to dip into at odd times. It is not a reference book for identifying species, though it does include helpful keys to the common umbellifers and the dandelion¬ like composites. There is a very interesting chapter on the histoi y cl field botany; one of the earliest plant-hunting expeditions of which an account was published, was to Hampstead Heath on the 1st of August, 1629. The main part of the book consists of descriptions of the most important British habitats, including the chalk downs, the moors and heaths, bogs, fens, mountains and the coast, and their characteristic plants. The last chapter indicates how much remains to be discovered even in this ‘best-botanised country in the world’. The emphasis throughout is on going out into the field and learning by experience. A recurrent remark is that we do not know why plants grow where they do, and there is much that an amateur can find out. The good work done in the past by amateur botanists is stressed, and there is advice on how to go about it, on the value of planning and having an objective 158 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. for an excursion, making full notes and the golden rule, ‘Write it down at once’. As for the illustrations, there is a note opposite the title page that ‘The plants . . . are portrayed in the full beauty of their natural colours by the latest methods of colour photography and reproduction’, and as each New Naturalist appears one hopes it might be true this time ; but here again is disappointment. The colour plates of coltsfoot, winter aconite and wild arum fruit are very fine, but colour plates 2, 5, 8, 13, 14, 18, 20, 23 and 26 do not show the full beauty of their subjects, while plates 6, 20 and 27 are too out of focus to be worth including. The lack of a scale is regrettable in Plate 12, where also it would have been helpful to state that the cowslip leaves do not belong to the bird’s-foot trefoil flowers. The black and white photographs are much more satisfying, many of those by M. C. F. Proctor (notably Acorus calamus, Orobanche minor and Drosera anglica ) being excellent B. W. Grasses by C. E. Hubbard. A Pelican Book, 1954. 3/6. There is a copy in the Library, but, if one has any interest at all in grasses, this is a book to own and to carry on rambles for field identifications. There is much interesting reading for the journey too, and any odd minutes waiting for the train. 152 grasses which grow in the British Isles are described, each having a page of text facing a page of drawings showing the general appear¬ ance of the plant from root to flower with enlarged details of spikelets and ligule. Beneath each picture the name is followed by a phrase like ‘frequent; grassland’ or ‘rare; wet places’, which should narrow the search for those who hope to find the name by matching their specimens with a picture. Chapter I is a beautifully illustrated account of the parts of the grass plant and its floral structure; there are four pages of lists of the species of fourteen different habitats and a very detailed key. Towards the end of the book is a chapter on the vegetative characters of grasses and a key using them for identification of the commoner species and another key using ‘seeds’. There are eighteen pages on the Uses of Grasses; cereals for food, bamboos for house¬ building, species for soil-, sand- and mud-binding, for lawns and for garden and house ornament, followed by a bibliography, glossary, indexes, synonymy and a picture and brief biography of the author; incredible value for 3/6. B. W. Origin and Distribution of the British Flora by Prof. J. R. Matthews. Hutchinson’s University Library, 1955. 8/6. Primarily intended for University students, this excellent survey w ill be of great interest to the amateur who has some knowledge of British plants. There is a valuable introductory chapter outlining the numerous ways in which the study of botany is approached. In this book our plants are considered as part of the flora of continental Europe, whence most must have immigrated before the sea became a barrier BOOKS. 159 (perhaps about 6,000 B.C.). The flora of France has three times as many species as that of Britain, while many which reached England failed to reach Ireland (or have not survived). Analysis of plant distri¬ bution poses many problems, e.g. why do some plants now grow only in eastern England, others only in the west of Ireland, others only on the tops of a few Scottish mountains and how is it that sea-plantain and sea-thrift grow both on our coasts and mountain tops but not between? Some reasons are suggested. The last two chapters, on the Geographical Elements in the British Flora, examine the European distribution of our species, suggesting possible paths of invasion ranging from the north-east to due south. Fossil remains show that before the Ice Age (i.e. in the late Pliocene period) the Hora of England included many species apparently identical with those of today. Doubtless some survived while others migrated to-and-fro as successive ice ages came and went. Many plants we now class as weeds of cultivation have a long history as British plants and grew, unaided by man, on the gravelly morainic wastes left by the ice. Evidence is available in the so-called “Arctic Plant Beds”. Of par¬ ticular interest to Londoners are those discovered at Xazeing in the Lea Valley, dating from Glacial times, over ”0,000 years ago. Though the ice did not then extend as far south as the England Midlands, species such as the dwarf birch and arctic willow (now found on Scottish mountain tops) grew among the grasses and sedges when Essex was treeless tundra heath, with mouse-ear duckweed, dandelion, self-heal, toadflax and knotgrass. The end of the Ice Age is taken to be about 8,000 B.C. Chapter 5 describes the gradual spread of trees as the climate became warmer. Wind-blown pollen has been preserved in peat, and may be analysed layer by layer, revealing the arrival of birch, followed by pine, oak, elm and hazel. At the same time the plants which cannot tolerate a closed carpet of vegetation migrated northward and westward or hung on precariously. The complex and interrelated factors which have con¬ tributed to the present-day distributions are brought together in this book. B. W. Some of nnj Animals by Maxwell Knight. London, G. Bell & Sons Ltd., 1954. Pp. viii, 133; 8 photographs and 10 black and white drawings 10/6. The author provides an entertaining account of his many pets and of their behaviour and includes much useful advice on how to keep them. The photographs and Mr. Mansell’s delightful drawings add greatly to the attractiveness of the book. C. P. C. The Observer' s Hook of Mosses and Liverworts by Arthur L. Jewell. London, Warne & Co., 1955. Pp. 1*28, 64 plates, 32 in colour. 5/-. No useful popular work on British Mosses and Liverworts has appeared for many years. The standard works are bulky, expensive and technical, demanding the use of the microscope. The identification 1(51) THE LONDON N VTUllALIST. NO. 34. keys are based on microscopic characters, for the microscope is essential for the determination of the many critical and minute species. However, here at last is just the book for the amateur week-end naturalist who wants to be able to recognise some of our commoner bryophytes in the field with the aid of no more than a pocket lens. 8(5 mosses and 30 liverworts are described and figured, about half of them in colour. The author's selection of the commoner and more con¬ spicuous lowland species appears admirable and includes most of those likely to be met by the beginner in his first season. The nomenclature is up-to-date and the author gives ‘English’ names for nearly all the species, although many of them, e.g. The Slender Pear-fruited Thread Moss, would seem as difficult to remember as the scientific names. The illustrations are generally very good and, in the absence of kevs, will doubtless serve as the main first means of identi- fication. The distinctive features of the species are well brought out in the adequate descriptions. It would have been useful if page references were given on the plates, which are very often several pages from the descriptions. There are notes on collecting, preserving and examining and a most useful list of habitats, with their characteristic species, each with its page and plate reference. There is a good bibliography and a full index. The book is just the right size for the pocket, but the light cream cover is hardly suitable for the field and an unfortunate change from the more serviceable green of the earlier volumes in the series. Mr. Jewell deserves the gratitude of field naturalists for producing this most useful and attractive work, which should greatly encourage the study of our bryophytes. C. P. C. Walt Disney's Living Desert by Jane Werner. London, Rathbone Books, 1954. Pp. 124. 8/6. This book amplifies the story of the remarkable film “Living Desert”. The popular film style of the text is somewhat irritating, but once this is accepted, much interesting though brief information is to be found on the Great American Desert, its animals and plants. All is told in a very simple way and there is a useful glossary of species names and terms. There are many coloured illustrations from the film ; most of these are attractive but some are not sufficiently clear. Nevertheless an exciting picture of desert conditions is revealed in a few minutes’ light reading. G. B. Badgers’ Year by F. Howard Lancum. London, Crosby Lockwood Ltd., 1954. Pp. viii, 71; 25 photographs, sketch map. 6/6. This little book is the story of a year’s nocturnal watching of one colony of badgers in a West Devon wood. Over fifty nights were spent by the author in the wood, from April 1952 to March 1953; his enviable experiences make fascinating reading and the reader cannot help BOOKS. 161 admiring Ins patience and fortitude. Once again, his evidence proves the badger to be the farmer’s friend. The photographs were all taken by the author and. according to the publishers, '‘are very fine and some of them unique”. More than half are habitat photographs, which are interesting but not remarkable. The remainder, those of the badgers, appear t-o have suffered in clarity during reproduction; they are hardly comparable with those in Ernest Xeal’s “Xew Xaturalist Monograph” on the Badger, published in 1948, but not mentioned by Mr. Lancum. Badgers I ear is entirely based on the author's personal observations and is thus a valuable addition to our meagre literature on the habits of the badger. 0. P. c. Trades, Trails and Signs by Fred J. Speakman. London, G. Bell & Sons Ltd., 1954. 10/6. Mr. Speakman has written his little book specifically for the young naturalist in language he can understand. It is perhaps particularly useful for its excellent illustrations. The wealth of study and patient observation, made largely in Epping Forest, should be a source of inspiration to the child who feels he would now like to get out and discover the country for himself. g. j\£ p 1 in e Loo per f\Iotli, li upalus pinianus. Anon. Forestry Commission Leaflet Xo. 32. Pp. 8, 6 figures. H.M.S.O. 9d. All lepidopterists, at least, should possess and study this excellent model account of the species which has become a pest in this country. All stages are described and illustrated, partly in colour. A key to the green caterpillars on pine is provided with details of the life" history in all stages. The influence of this moth on a pine forest, and natural and artificial controls are discussed. p p A f dean Insect Life by S. H. Skaife. London, Longmans, Green A Co.. 1954. Pp. 38/ -j- viii, with 75 plates (5 in colour) and 190 text figures. 63/-. 1 his well-illustrated book can be recommended to those of our members who, planning to visit Africa, wish to obtain a comprehensive account of the wealth of that continent's insect fauna. It will prove interesting too to the general reader anxious to check on travellers’ tales and to find reliable information on the life-history and habits of the more specialised forms such as mantids and locusts, ant-lions and termites, to say nothing of all those others which have so much greater an appeal to the entomologist than to his wife. The special notes on classification will help the student but one must regret the promotion of the Hymenoptera, apparently on ethological grounds ; such deviation from orthodoxy does not really serve to popularise science and in this case detracts from the value of a praiseworthy attempt to condense so vast a subject within a single volume. J. F. S 162 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 64. The following hooks have also been added to the Library during 1954: — E. V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, The Birds of Scotland. A C. Bent, Life Histories of North American Wood Warblers. J. M. B. Brown, Studies on British Beech-woods. Ralph Cliislett, Yorkshire Birds. A. R. Clapham, T. G. Tutin and E. F. Warburg, Flora of the British Isles. C. N. Colyer, Flies of the British Isles. J. G. Bony, The Flora of Bedfordshire . J. Fisher and R. M. Lockley, Sea Birds. F. E. Fritseh and E. J. Salisbury, Blunt Form and Function. J Heslop-Harrison, Flowering-Plant Taxonomy. G E. Hutchings, The Book of Box Hill. R M. Lockley and Rosemary Russell, Bird Binging. J. E. Lousley (ed.), The Changing Flora of Britain. F. Lowe, The Heron. Derek Wragge Morley, Ants. Clifford Oakes, The Birds of Lancashire . R. Peterson, G. Mountfort and P. A. D. Hollom, A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. J. Ramsbottom, Mushrooms and Toadstools. E. J. Salisbury, Downs and Dunes. N. Tinbergen, The Herring Gull’s World. Bibliography of Key Works for Identification of the British Flora and Fauna. The Auk, 1953. The Entomologist’ s Record, Vols. 64 and 65 (1952 and 1953). The Entomologist’ s Monthly Magazine, Yhrlfs. 88 and 89 (1952 and 1953). The Ibis, 1953. Proceedings of the Geological Association, 1935 to 1954. The Scottish Naturalist, 1953. Obituaries. Mrs R. F. Dallas. Members of the Society were deeply grieved to hear that Mrs. Dallas had passed away in Leatherliead on 25th October 1954. She had been in failing health for some time. Rosa Fanny Marsh was born in Dorchester, where her father had a business. Shortly after Iris death, the family moved to Bath, but she never failed to regret, humorously, this apostasy and she always re¬ mained deeply attached to her native county and never would admit that Somerset or, in fact, any other region could hold a candle to it. But, by this time, she was in London, having entered the teaching profession, and in due course she became Senior Mistress of a class of OBITUARIES. 163 difficult and backward children, a trying task in which she was eminently successful, her skill in handicrafts, particularly basket work, proving very useful. An innate taste for Natural Science led her to join various classes and excursions, and being of a sociable disposition she soon made many friends. In fact, in those days, she seemed to know everyone of im portance in the amateur scientific world. Her chief studies were de¬ voted to Botany and Geology, in which she was well grounded, and she brought to them very keen powers of observation and much enthusiasm. Among her close friends at that time and afterwards were Dibley, G. W. Young, Walter Johnson, W. Wright, and Tom Reader. I well re¬ member the day when I first met Rosa Marsh. It was on the North Downs, near Shere, and she was rambling with E. Kay Robinson and other congenial friends and field naturalists. She was then in the prime of life,, full of enthusiasm and resource, leader in every enterprise, sympathetic and helpful. My wife and I soon became her intimate friends, and many were the excursions we made with her and her associates. One favourite haunt was the Warren at Folke¬ stone — the return fare then was only three or four shillings. The morning was spent in searching on the beach for the minute teeth of fish, washed out of the neighbouring strata, the afternoon in clamber¬ ing over the cliffs, looking for the Spider Orchid and other rarities. In fact, we were not alone in owing to her many notable experiences and happy friendships. At that time, she was accustomed to spend her holidays on the Continent with a few relations and intimate friends, who in their gaiety of spirits took to themselves the appellations of classical mythology and otherwise. I remember, particularly, “Portia” and “Minerva”, and Rosa Marsh was inevitably the “General”. These jaunts were ex¬ clusively feminine, but in later years, after she married J. E. S. Dallas (who was subsequently President of the Society) we sometimes joined them in Switzerland or elsewhere, and a delightful experience it was. Such journeys drew out all her powers of leadership and improvisation, and she was invariably helpful, resourceful and considerate. Mr. and Mrs. Dallas were well matched. They had tastes in com¬ mon and were never happier than when entertaining their friends. In these circumstances, her abiding characteristics were perhaps less ap¬ parent and later acquaintances may not always have realised her quality. But to her intimates, she was always the same old Rose, loving and lovable, helpful and true as steel. I write these few words with a sad heart for we have lost a friend who never can be replaced. w. c. c. Francis Goodman Dell. Mr. E. G. Dell joined the North London Natural History Society in 1910, when he was residing at Buckhurst Hill, Essex. At that time his principal natural history interest was in pond life, and that interest he retained in a quiet way to the end of his long life. It was through J 64 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. his interest in pond life that he joined the Society, for then a small but keen group of members living at Chingford were active in the pursuit of this branch of nature study. He happened to meet some of these members ‘ dipping” in a pool in Epping Forest, and subsequently joined t he Society. Pond life led to microscopy and to a closer connection with the Society. After the First World War when the Ornithological Section organised monthly field meetings Mr. Dell came to enjoy the pleasures of bird- watching and the companionship it afforded. When the War broke out in 1914 the Society’s Treasurer, Mr. Lewis Eynon, was among the younger members who joined the army. In the circumstances the office was a difficult one to fill. However, Mr. Dell agreed to become Treasurer — and he retaind the office for thirty-three years. Of so long a spell of voluntary service and in an office not with¬ out its petty annoyances, it is scarcely possible to write with sufficient gratitude to the man and with sufficient thankfulness for his work. During the First World War, besides the daily duties on which he was employed in Lombard Street Mr. Dell was engaged at night for long periods on War Loan work at the Bank of England. Nevertheless lie succeeded in getting in the Society’s subscriptions and in keeping its accounts. These years were a time of trouble and strain for the Society, and at times the financial margin was meagre. This war-time experience was valuable for Mr. Dell, and when the Second World War came lie had a good knowledge of what might be likely to happen. He made the best use of his experience, husbanding the Society’s resources with as great a care as his fellow members would allow, in the certainty that re-organisation after the War would call for heavy expenditure. It was well that he was able to economise, for no one foresaw the difficulties that arose in getting accommodation for meetings in central London, or anticipated the marked increase in all classes of outlay. At the end of his long term of office Mr. Dell’s services were suitably acknowledged, and it was most appropriate that the members’ gift was handed to him by the late Professor Greenwood, who for many years had been a personal friend held in high esteem. About twenty years ago Mr. Dell retired from business, but he continued as Treasurer until 1947, and his keen interest in the Society’s affairs never ceased. He died in June 1954, in his eighty-first year. J. R. A. B. Hornblower. Alexander Bryan Hornblower was born on 18th May 1876 and was educated at Dulwich College. For much of his life he lived at Leyton- stone and was employed at the offices of the London Electric Wire Com¬ pany. Un his retirement he went to live at Buckhurst Hill. He died after a short illness on 8th October 1954. OBITUARIES . 165 In his early years he was an active worker among the young, ana the organizer and secretary of a Children's Happy Evenings Association in a poor district at Hoxton, with parents and children invited to share a tree, presents and games at Christmastide. In 1905 he joined the North London Natural History Society, where his tastes lay especially in country rambles, largely in Essex, of which he had an intimate knowledge. He delighted to lead excursions to spots unknown to the majority of members, such as Cobbins End Upshire, Woodhatch and Buttonseed Corner. The unsigned article in the Lon¬ don Naturalist of 1932, on a map of Essex published in 1/77, was from his pen, and showed much research. He also wrote, in the London Naturalist for 1929, a description of the origins of the North London Natural History Society. A schoolboy natural history society at Woodford Green recruited him as a member in 1905, and two 3Tears later he persuaded the whole membership to transfer to the “North London’’, then meeting at Stoke Newington. A move to Salisbury House in the city in 1910 made for some members a difficult journey, and after much preliminary work he was largely responsible in founding the Woodford Branch of the Society, which speedily attracted an audience of over a hundred to some of the meetings, and of which he later became the chairman. Unfortunately war duties at home and abroad occupied the full time of so many members, including a succession of secretaries, that in 1916 meetings had to be abandoned and were never restarted. In 1907 to 1910 he served on the Council, filling in an emergency the post of Librarian for a year. While again on the Council in 1925, he enthusiastically backed the proposal of Mr. L. J. Tremayne to form a Ramblers Section, and acted as chairman for its first four years. He was joint Librarian with Mr. R. W. Pethen in 1926 to 1928, during which time the library was completely reorganized, a card system started for the books and a new catalogue prepared and published. Tn 1929 he was elected to the post of General Secretary, an office which he held continuously to the end of 1944, when he had to retire on account of ill health, the Society having doubled its membership during his term of office. During this period he rarely missed a meeting, and was particularly efficient in noticing fresh faces and welcoming new members. It was perhaps not generally known to members that throughout his life “A.B.H.”, as he was known to his friends, was an active and successful bee-keeper, and a member of his local bee-keepers’ associa¬ tion. To those of us who knew him, he will be remembered as a genial and kindly friend. To the Society of which he was always a loyal sup¬ porter, the loss is personal and real, and the work that he did entitles him to an honoured place in our archives. C. L. C. 166 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 1953 Receipts. £964 0 6 Subscriptions — Current 30 6 0 Arrears 11 12 6 Advance 18 17 6 Entrance Fees GENERAL ...£1002 17 9 38 6 0 16 2 9 19 10 0 £1024 16 6 16 7 9 Interest on Post Office Account 2 12 6 Interest on £75 War 3 § % Stock 5 8 0 Interest on £180 Savings 3% Stock 60/70 - - — Interest on Deposit Account 6 2 0 Donations . - - Annual General Meeting Teas £1076 16 6 8 5 6 2 12 6 5 8 0 11 12 5 1 1 0 2 8 6 £1055 6 9 50 2 6 Balance at 3lst October 1953 - From Reserve Account Balance— deficit— at 3lst October 1954 £1108 4 5 64 15 1 50 0 0 2 19 5 £1105 9 3 £1225 18 11 1953 Receipts. £68 15 2 Sales of publications 27 4 0 Sales of Christmas Cards . 2 2 0 Advertisements— London Naturalist 13 12 0 Advertisements— London Bird Report 75 0 0 Grant— Royal Society 493 14 5 Balance to General Account PUBLICATIONS . £65 18 11 . 47 18 1 . 17 17 0 . 26 0 0 . 527 11 9 £680 7 7 £685 5 9 £43 7 6 Balance at 31st October 1953 LEGACIES ... £43 7 6 LIFE COMPOSITION £325 0 o Balance at 31st October 1953 . £.325 0 0 - Life Membership Subscription ... . 25 0 0 £325 0 0 £350 0 0 RESERVE £125 0 0 Balance at 31st October 1953 . £125 o 0 £125 0 0 £125 0 0 Audited and found correct 18th February 1955 R. E. BUTLER, Hon. Auditor. A. W. JONES, Hon. Auditor. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. 167 YEAR ENDED 31st OCTOBER 1954. ACCOUNT. 1953 Payments. £167 6 6 Rent . ... £219 17 1 108 7 6 Programme Expenses (Printing and Postages) ... 106 19 4 43 17 6 Printing and Stationery . 42 19 3 34 1 6 Postages — Secretary and Treasurer . 32 18 4 2 18 6 Insurance ... . 4 13 6 3 0 0 Gratuities . 3 0 0 9 12 0 Subscriptions to Affiliated Societies . 7 12 0 56 17 6 Sectional Expenses . 53 7 9 2 0 0 Chingford Branch Expenses . 3 0 0 10 0 0 South West Middlesex Group Expenses . 5 0 0 2 5 9 “Birds of London Area" Expenses . 2 4 0 91 0 0 Secretary’s Honorarium and Clerical Assistance ... 91 0 0 11 15 0 Librarian and Curator Expenses . 99 2 5 2 0 0 Nature Conservation Grant . — — — — — — Typewriter . 21 0 0 1 18 0 Sundry Expenses . 5 13 6 493 14 5 Publications Account . ... 527 11 9 £1040 14 2 £1225 18 11 64 15 1 Balance at 31st October 1953, . — — — £1105 9 3 £1225 18, 11 ACCOUNT. 1953 Payments. £430 0 0 Printing and Postages — London Naturalist . ... £462 12 6 241 18 5 Printing and Postages — London Bird Report (estimated) 200 0 0 8 9 o Printing and Postages — Christmas Cards . 22 13 3 £680 7 7 £685 5 9 ACCOUNT. £43 7 6 Balance at 31st October 1954 . £43 7 6 ACCOUNT. £325 0 0 Balance at 3lst October 1954 . £350 0 0 £325 0 0 £350 0 0 ACCOUNT. - Transfer to General Account . £50 0 0 £125 0 0 Balance at 31st October 1954 . 75 0 0 £125 0 0 £125 0 0 L. PARMENTER, Hon. Treasurer. 168 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34 Official Reports for 1954. Council's Report JN our last Report we had to record a fall in membership, for the first time since the war; this year we are back on the upward path, with an increase of 12 and a membership total on 31st October of 1,308, only 17 below the record of 1952. The number of new members elected has been remarkably constant for the past three years (160, 164, 162). The appointment of Mrs. Small as Assistant Secretary has saved the General Secretary from complete inundation, which seemed imminent. Mrs. Small s regular attendance at meetings of all Seciions gives her a balanced view of the opinions of the general membership that will be most valuable to Council. There have been few other changes in the Society’s officers during the year. Details of Sectional organisation are normally left to the Sectional Reports, but some more genei’cd acknowledgment must be made of the exceptional services to the Society of Mr. Coeksedge, who has been Chairman of the Archaeological Section for 25 years, and of: Mr. Ainsley, who has been Secretary of the Geological Section since its “promotion” from a Committee in 1946. To both we offer our very sincere thanks. i he new accommodation at Eccleston Square, to which our Library and Collections were moved last year, is being made more comfortable as funds become available : two new gas fires will dispel the chill of which members complained last winter and tea can now be made by members spending the evening there, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Dillingham and Mrs. Small who have provided the equipment. Although the rooms are much used by Committees and small working groups, the response of the membership as a whole to the improved conditions is disappoint¬ ing : few seem to realise what an excellent library we have. The course of lectures on Woodland Ecology, organised for the Society by the University of London Department of Extra Mural Studies proved so successful that another series has been organised for 1955. These new lectures concern the scientific study of birds and will be given by Dr. David Lack and other members of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology. They will again be held at the Linnean Society’s Rooms. With great regret we have to record the following deaths: — €. E. Baker, Mrs. R. Dallas, F. G. Dell. A. B. Hornblower, A. E. Jolley, S. Waller, R. H. Younghusband. Although obituaries are published elsewhere in the London Naturalist, we must express here the debt that is owed to our late Honorary \ ice-Presidents Hornblower and Dell. Hornblower was General Secretary of the Society for 16 years, retiring from this office in 1945. Dell was our Treasurer for 33 years, only retiring in 1948. During this long and fruitful period of the Society’s history, its day to day administration was ordered, almost unaided, bv these two men. OFFICIAL EFFORTS FOR 1954. 169 Curator's Report Archaeological Section. — A collection of some fifty Hint implements and Hakes collected at Barnfield and Baker’s Hall Pits at Swanscombe, Kent, lias been kindly donated by Mr. H. M. Pratt. Botanical Section. — Work has commenced on cleaning and re¬ organising the Society's herbarium, and a number of sheets bequeathed by the late E. B. Bishop have been incorporated. HI). R. W. Robbins has been examined and was found to be in fairly good condition. The collections appear to be free from insect pests. Entomological Section. — The collections have been examined by all members of the Committee, and by many members of the Section. Con¬ siderable damage was detected in some of the cheaper types of cabinet and store boxes ; this had been caused by “museum pests” prior to the removal of the collections to Eccleston Square. In addition a few insects in the Robbins collection were found to have suffered damage by mould. Renovation of the collections has been started and some additions have been received. Various members have undertaken to take charge of groups of the collections. The Burkill collection of plant galls appears to be in good condition. Ornithological Section.- — The study skins of 228 species are housed in three trunks with trays, and in glass-topped and plain-lidded card¬ board boxes in two cupboards. Their condition is generally good con¬ sidering that manv are 50-60 vears old, and some recent additions are excellent. A careful check has been kept for damp, and all containers have been treated with paradi-chlor-benzine. At the moment the skins are packed somewhat tightly, but this can be remedied as extra space has now been made available. Many of the cardboard boxes are dry and brittle with age, and an appeal was made to members to obtain new ones; this however met with little response. The Ornithological Com¬ mittee authorised a sum for the purchase of new boxes, but enquiries revealed that the prices were much higher than was anticipated. The wing collection is still in temporary containers, but is not indexed. Some thought will be needed as to the best means of presenta¬ tion. The egg collection is contained in glass-topped drawers, and com¬ prises 2.289 eggs of 416 species; it is fully indexed and in excellent condition. A comprehensive photograph collection, with an index, is available, but the question of re-arrangement together with other indices into the recently adopted Wetmore Index may have to be considered. I am indebted to the Sectional Curators for their work during the past year, and for preparing annual reports. D. H. Kent, Curator. Librarian's Report. The year 1954 has been the first year in our new premises in the basement of 25 Eccleston Square. The accommodation is now adequate for the proper display of the library and collections and there is room 170 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. lor expansion. During the first winter we suffered some discomfort in the very cold weather hut new gas-fires have been installed which will warm the rooms properly. The rooms are well lighted and members have appreciated the opportunity to use the library and collections at leisure and in comfort. The number of people actually visiting the library in the new premises is probably less than at Iveppel Street because so many people used to come downstairs before and after meetings. Those who do come, however, stay much longer, usually sit down and browse on the books, and have borrowed more books than in the previous year. In the twelve months to the end of November 1954 276 items were borrowed, which compares with 224 in the corresponding period of the previous year. The average attendance is 11. Binding is being kept up-to-date and 30 volumes have been added to the library by gift and purchase. Several Sectional Library Lists are already available. In conclusion I should like to express my grateful thanks to the Sectional Librarians and the members of the Library Bota who have done a great deal of work towards putting the library in better order and who have attended the fortnightly library evenings. R. \\T. Hale, Librarian. Nature Conservation Committee's Report It is satisfactory to be able to report that six of the Society’s Geological Recommendations have now been added to the Nature Conservancy s List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. They are : Charlton Sand Pit, Kent; Kenwood Sand Pit, London; Moor Park Gravel Pit, ( balk Pit at Potterscrouch, St. Albans, and the block of l uddingstone at St. Albans, Hertfordshire; and the Mansion Lane Gravel-pit, Buckinghamshire. About five acres of the disused Barnfield Gravel Pit, Swanscombe, Kent, have been presented to the Nature Con¬ servancy by the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd., and declared a National Geological Reserve. In addition to the Swanscombe Skull, this famous site has, since 1880, yielded thousands of Palaeolithic Hint axes and abundant vertebrate and invertebrate animal remains. A request was received from the Nature Conservancy for volunteers to act as observers of the pit and its fencing, and four members kindly offered their services. The increased activities of the Nature Conservancy are reflected m the size of its Annual Report for 1954. This lias increased from 31 pages in 1953 to 55 pages and is now illustrated by a map and six plates of photographs. Among the many items of research reported, perhaps the most interesting to our members is that into the threat to roadside A erges and hedges of the development of chemical spraying for the con¬ trol of vegetation. It has now been demonstrated that this method has only a limited efficiency in the permanent control of abundant roadside weeds, but it has unfortunately proved more successful in eradicating certain interesting and attractive wild flowers, such as Meadow Cranes- OFFICIAL REPORTS FOR 1954. 171 bill ( Geranium pratense). The widespread use of weedkillers may prove to have more far-reaching effects on insects and other fauna in England than the insecticides themselves. The Nature Conservancy has also issued a free Information Leaflet (obtainable on application) entitled “Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest'5, with an appendix on visiting Nature Re¬ serves and the issue of permits. In a letter to the Society’s Conservation Secretary, the Conservancy states how “essential it is to know as much as we possibly can about an area if we wish to safeguard it against changes of use which may alter its character. Very often we know that a place is considered by naturalists to be of great importance and have, therefore, included it in our schedules, but unless we can say why it is important in some detail, we are in a very weak position in our attempt to safeguard it'’. This serves, once more, to emphasise the Committee’s recurrent appeals to members for information concerning the Conservation Areas. The South West Middlesex Group has taken over from Mr. Cramp the responsibility of providing a Representative and observers for Bucking¬ hamshire and the west part of Middlesex. It is hoped that a Repre¬ sentative for east Middlesex will soon be found. Mr. Everitt undertook to act temporarily as Representative in order to organise local support. He explained the functions of the representative and observers and appealed in the Group Circulars for volunteers. As a result, Mrs. McMullen has been appointed Nature Conservation Secretary to the Group and several members have volunteered to observe particular areas. The Hayes and Harlington Natural History and Antiquarian Society are co-operating with the Group over areas in the extreme west of the county and in Buckinghamshire. Thanks are due to the Ruislip and District Natural History Society, who are taking such an active interest in the proposed Local Reserve. In their report for 1953, they draw attention to the continued deteriora¬ tion of marsh conditions in the area and point out that the chief obstacle to the setting up of a local reserve, by the Ruislip-Northwood TTrban Council, is still the expense of providing adequate fencing. Their mem¬ bers patrolled the area during Whitsun, when 154 trespassers were stopped within it and requested to leave. Several hundred more were deterred from trespassing. Wanton damage and pilfering of nests again occurred. Several cases were reported of the use of air rifles and the throwing of stones by adults at nesting swans. Later in the year, a small Nature Reserve Sub-Committee was set up, and the questions of shooting in the area and the necessity of the deterrence of trespassers Avere taken up Avith the local Council. In Hertfordshire, Prof. W. H. Pearsall is investigating the ecology of Wormley Wood on behalf of the Nature Conservancy. Prof. Warming- ton reports on Aldenham Reservoir: he expresses concern at the in¬ creased use of the reservoir by sailing boats and at the continued exten¬ sion of the huge factory on the southern side. It is tc be hoped that any attempt at other industrial building near the resenmir will be dis¬ couraged. Prof. Warmington suggests that the Avooded west side shou1 172 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. be made into a nature reserve and hopes that no more bushes will be removed from the margin of the road on the south side. Mr. Hyatt, the representative for Kent, was abroad for most of the year and his place was ably taken by Mr. P. C. Hall. He has visited most of the listed areas and noted no apparent threat to any of them except, perhaps, to Keston Bog, which is still badly trampled. He re¬ ports that seme of the rare plants appear to be gathered for teaching purposes and that the matter is being taken up with the appropriate authorities. There has been a great spread of Bracken in Joydens'Wood during the last ten years. Mr. Hall visited Preston Hill and Magpie Bottom in the company of Dr. F. Bose, and it was agreed that the boundaries had been incorrectly marked on the Nature Conservancy’s map. A further visit has been arranged. Preston Hill was one of the sites of ecological work by Miss M. W. Cornish published this year in The Journal of Ecology. The recommended area in the Darenth Valley is unthreatened, but the water meadows to the north are being dug for gravel with the feared loss of some interesting plants. The Society was notified by the London County Council of a threat by tipping to Tuff and Hoar’s pit at Plumstead, in the Lower Eocene, and support was requested to a protest to be made at a public enquiry. Mr. Toombs and the Conservation Secretary visited the pit and found that the hundred-foot face and most of the pit were already com¬ pletely buried by rubbish. It was decided that it would be impractic¬ able to clear the Arast rubbish dump and that the recommendation would have to be withdrawn. However, the partially overgrown face of an old neighbouring pit, although inaccessible, appeared to show most of the features of Tuff and Hoar’s pit. Large scale plans and sketches were sent to the London County Council, with a request for the pre¬ servation of tlrs pit from further rubbish dumping and for the pro¬ vision of access. The nearby “Cemetery Pit” was also visited and the section found to be still in good condition, although the topmost fossiliferous Woolwich Beds were inaccessible. Beports on these three pits, with plans and recommendations relating to accessibility, were sent to the Nature Conservancy and a report is awaited from their geologist, who is visiting the area. Mr. B. E. Butler reports that the face of the Bock Pit, Elmstead Woods, although now at the end of a garden, may be inspected on ap¬ plication to the owner. In February, the Society was asked by the Surrey County Council for support to their objection to the South Eastern Electricity Board’s proposal to erect a short overhead power line on property in the Cater- ham Valley. From an examination of the plan, it did not appear that the erection of the necessary cable poles would have any serious effect on the flora and fauna of the small area involved, although there might be some disfigurement to the view. The latter, however, was in itself not considered a sufficient reason for the Society, as a body of naturalists, to support the County Council’s objection. OFFICIAL ltKFORTS FOR. 1954. 173 In March, the attention of the Committee was drawn to a proposed building development in the grounds of Beaulieu House, Upper Nor¬ wood, an isolated wooded area, rich m bird life. However, examina¬ tion of the Croydon County Borough development plan by the Surrey Representative showed that, although part of the estate will be developed for dwelling houses, a large portion will remain as a public open space. In August, a threat of building development near Fetcham Mill pond, Surrey (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) was brought to the attention of the Society by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Details of the natural history of the area, and support to the protest being organised locally, were immediately sent so as to be re¬ ceived by the Leatlierhead Urban District Council within three days. A public enquiry ivas held later and the Minister of Housing and Local Government supported the local Council’s refusal to permit building on the land in question. In May, the Society supported the Nat.onal Trust and other organisations in a protest at the proposed construction of a South Orbital Road through Headley Heath and Margery Wood, as provided for in the Surrey Development Plan. The Conservation Secretary and Mr. A. W. Jones visited the affected areas and reported to Miss Long- field. the Committee's Chairman, who represented the Society at a public enquiry. Miss Longfield was able to give verbal support to the formal protest submitted earlier on behalf of the Society. Miss Longfield also represented the Society at meetings of the British Coordinating Committee for Nature Conservation. Several cases have arisen during the year of threats of building development to areas other than those already in the Society's pub¬ lished list. Although the Committee appreciates the interest thus shown by members and, of course, deplores any further loss of open spaces of value to the naturalist, it is quite impossible with the present very limited voluntary personnel, and the spare time at their disposal, to consider every case, unless it can be proved by ample field evidence to be of outstanding importance. In the latter case, a member of the Committee will arrange a visit with the utmost possible despatch, but the observer who reports the case is asked to have made all relevant enquiries previously. Cynthia Longfield, Cliai nnan . C. P. Castell, Secretary . Chingford Branch Report. The meetings of the Branch have been held regularly each month. There has been a field meeting every month, and in some months twTo meetings. Tndoor meetings were held in October, November and December. The Annual General Meeting was held on November 20th, when Mr. E. A. Round was elected Chairman and the Council was re-elected. Mr. E. T. Nicholson who was Vice-Chairman was re-elected a member of the Council. 174 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. It was announced at this meeting that because of the very poor sup¬ port given by members to the indoor meetings, the Council had decided to reduce the number of such meetings in the next programme to one only : the support given by members to this Branch meeting would influence the number of indoor meetings planned for the following programme. At the indoor meeting held in November, Airs. D. Boardman pre¬ sented a very stimulating and interesting talk on “Fascinating Fungi”. The talk was illustrated with a superb collection of coloured slides. A fungus foray was held jointly with B.E.N.A., and formed an introduc¬ tion to this talk. Our thanks are also due to Mr. E. Syms and Mr. J. Gomer for two very interesting and instructive talks and we hope they were not depressed by the very small attendances. The field meetings continue to draw a number of enthusiastic and regular attenders, the average over the whole year being twelve. As two-thirds of the meetings were in wet weather and one had to he abandoned, this must be considered very satisfactory. Owing to the inclement weather it has been planned to repeat some of the more attractive meetings and we shall continue to vary the routes as much as possible so that every aspect of natural history can be covered. Bernard T. Ward, Chairman. M. King, Secretary. South-West Middlesex Group Report. Membership shows a steady increase. Our present total of 85 is made up of 70 members, 12 associates and 3 affiliated societies. This has been a year of exceptionally bad weather for both indoor and outdoor meetings. In spite of this, it wTould appear from statistics of meeting attendances that our appeal for better support has been answered. The average attendance at indoor meetings was 11 and at outdoor meetings 14. A further progress report has been prepared on the Cranford Park survey, a great deal of the work having been done by The Hayes and Harlington Natural History and Antiquarian Society. It is regretted that Mr. A. W. Westrup, the survey’s Botanical leader, is leaving the area. His patient detailed explanation of the study of botany will be missed by all who worked with him. A report on Moths observed in the Borough of Heston and Isleworth has been prepared by our Chairman, Mr. Pierce, who hopes to expand the range of observations in the Borough next year. The departure of Mr. Chamberlin from our area has meant the loss of a very keen, active committee member. His excellent work shown at our 1953 Exhibition and his untiring assistance given to our Secre¬ tary will not be forgotten. We wish him good luck in his new appoint ment. The operation of the lantern and sale of literature have been taken over by Mr. and Mrs. K. Thompson. Our programme secretary, Mr. R. J. Parsons, has done an excellent job during his first year of office, a wide variety of interests having been catered for. An even more ambitious programme is arranged for 1955. SECTION A.L RE FOR T S . 175 Arrangements are being made to organise a course of lectures on Elementary Natural History at the local polytechnic next Autumn, through the department of Extra-Mural Studies of the University of London. The secretary has done much to ease the pressure of work on the Society’s Nature Conservation Committee in his attempts to organise a sub-committee of observers in the South-West Middlesex Area. It is hoped that his efforts will not been wasted and that evidence of real activity can be expected next year. The 1953 Group Exhibition, held at the A.G.M., illustrated many interesting aspects of natural history. The following exhibits were shown : — Mr. P. N. Chamberlin — Photographs of birds, insects and plants. Mrs. L. Small — Historical photographs of Ealing. Mr. C. W. Pierce — A fine collection of British moths. M iss A. Barker — Several interesting specimens : sea sponges, shells and a whelk’s egg case from a Kent beach. Mrs. D. Boxall — A mounted collection of leaves from the trees of Cranford Park. Mr. R. E. Butler — A fine exhibit representative of the Geology of the London Basin. Mr. A. W. Westrup — A collection of pressed plants gathered during the past year, including several uncommon species. Our thanks and appreciation are due to the following who have lectured at our indoor meetings : — Miss I. Blanch of the National Trust, Mr. R. I. Hammond. Secretary of the Thames Valley Beekeepers Association, John F. Hayward, Ph.D., M.Sc., F.G.S., Mr A. E. Rixon and Mr. L. E. Parsons, M.B.E., of the British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), Mr. T. V. Roberts, Borough Librarian for Twickenham, Mr. E. B. Bangerter, Mr. R. E. Butler and Mr. S. Cramp (Society Members); and to those who have led outdoor meetings: — Miss M. M. Brown. Miss E. M. Goom, Mrs. L. Small, and Messrs R. A. Boniface, L. Cotton- Sims, D. H. Kent, G. W. Moore, R. H. M. Ryall and C. A. Wright. C. W. Pierce, Chairman. E. Everitt, Secretary. Sectional Reports. Archaeological Section. Indoor Meetings. The following meetings were held during the year: 19th January— Norman Doorways. W. S. Palmer. 9th March — Explorations at Brockley Hill. P. G. Suggett. 25tli May — Discussion on Archaeological Section: — Comments, criti¬ cisms and proposals. 14th September— Windmills. W. C. Cocksedge. 9th November— Air Photography and Archaeology. C. W. Phillips. 176 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. All th ese lectures were well attended and evoked considerable in¬ terest and discussion. The meeting on 25th May, which was of an experimental nature, attracted only a small number of members but the ensuing discussion was of exceptional value and interest and fully justified the innovation. Outdoor Meetings. 23rd January. A visit was made to the Tower of London and at¬ tracted a good attendance. Mr. Howlett kindly took on the leader¬ ship at a moment’s notice and the White Tower, the Beauchamp Tower and the remains of the Roman Wall were among the places full}7 examined. 20th March. A large party supported Miss Ida Darlington, who had arranged a most interesting tour around Southwark. A brief visit was paid to the Cathedral and members were then conducted to Bank- side and retraced their steps to Guy’s Hospital, where the Chapel was inspected. The afternoon was concluded by tea in the crypt of St. George’s Church, a special privilege arranged by the leader. -2nd May. A well-attended excursion was made to the Roman Villa at Lullingstone, Kent, where members were received by Lt.-Col. Aleates, F.S.A. A long time was spent in viewing the new excavations near the river which were fully demonstrated by Mr. Meates, and the party then adjourned to the small museum, where further prolonged discus¬ sion took place. Members also had the advantage of the presence of Airs. Helen O'Neil, who had done much excavation of Roman villas. Tea was taken at Lullingstone House and a visit was made to the church. 30th May. In conjunction with the S.W. Middlesex Group, Air. Howlett led an all-day tour of Twickenham and Richmond. Among the places seen were the houses of many notable people. The members present had the privilege of being shown over No. 4 Maids of Honor Row by the occupant, Mrs. Edward Croft-Murray, wife of the Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, and also over Ormebv Lodge by its owner, Mr. Ronald A. Lee. This house was once the property of Mrs. Fitzherbert. 18th September. About 25 members visited the British Museum, when Mr. F. L. Brampton gave a delightful talk on the ‘Elgin Marbles’ . The lecturer was completely at home with his subject and was able to point out a great many details which would certainly have been missed by the casual visitor even if somewhat versed in the sub¬ ject of Greek Art. 23id October. There was only a small attendance on this date when the Chairman, Mr. W. C. Cocksedge, took the round of some London Statues. Perhaps the prevalent idea that all London statuary v as contemptible discouraged members. In a tour from Westminster Abbey to Trafalgar Square, however, a number of statues were in¬ spected. some of which at any rate were highly meritorious. It was generally conceded that the once vaunted statue of Richard Coeur de Lion was, perhaps, the worst in London. SECTIONAL REPORTS. 177 20th November. A joint meeting of the Archaeological and Geolo¬ gical Sections was held at the Geological Survey Museum when Mi. E. A. Jobbins gave a demonstration in the laboratory on Gem stones. Spectroscopes, refractometers and microscopes were employed to identify and classify various precious stones and a very pleasant and instructive time was passed by the members fortunate enough to be present. Heading Circle. Cordial thanks are due to Miss It . \\ elf 01 d foi getting the Aichaeological A ews-Letter and Antiquity into circulation again in the face of some difficulties. Miss Welford would be glad to to enrol a few more subscribers. W. C. Cock sedge, Chairmcm. Botanical Section. Membership. The section has now 326 members, an increase of 18 during the year. Indoor Meetings. One General and three Sectional meetings have been arranged, with an average attendance of 45. One Sectional meet¬ ing was in the form of an exhibition arranged by members. Outdoor Meetings. Fourteen excursions have been held, with an average attendance of 17. Two of these were in the winter for the study of Trees and Shrubs, and of Mosses. An autumn excursion was held for the observation of Fungi, and summer ones for the study of Grasses, and of the alien plants of rubbish tips. Some localities and plants seen were as follows : — Oxshott— Or thodont ium binervc, Tlypnum stramineum Dicks. Addington hills — Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Gonvdttaria majalis L. Oxted —Holy gala calcar ea Schultz., Ceterach officinarum DC. Thurrock marshes Adonis annua L., Car dims nutans L., Atropa belladonna L. Hanwell tip — Phalaris paradoxa L., Ceratochloa carinata (Hook. & Arn.) Tutin. Whippendell Woods — Alchemilla vestita (Buser.) Raunk., G-naphalium sylvaticum L. Cannizaro park— Phyllitis scolopendrium (L.) Newm. Wimbledon Com¬ mon — Drosera rotundifolia L., Narthecium ossifragum (L.) Huds., Cir- sium dissectum (L.) Hill, Carer echinata Murr. Darenth & F’arnmg- ham — Papaver hybridum L., Specularia liybrida (L.) A. DC., Filago minima (Sm.), Pers. and Hampstead Heath — Equisetum sylvaticum L., Scirpus sylvaticus L., MyceUs muralis (L.) Reichb. Plant records and distribution. Arrangements have been made to assist in the new B.S.B.I. scheme for recording the British Flora on maps divided into the 10 Km. squares of the National Grid. Our Society will be responsible for some of the squares which fall within its Area of 20 miles radius, and a sub-committee has been appointed by the Botanical Section to deal with the work involved. The section is sorry to lose the services of Mr. G. R. A. Short, who is retiring from the Committee after a very long period in various offices of the society. Mr. Short wrns secretary of the section from 1930 to 1948, and has since served as Reading Circle Secretary and Repre¬ sentative on the Council. D. H. Kent, Chairman. F. E. Wrighton, Secretary. 178 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Ecological Section. Membership lias increased by 7 to 229. 1 lie Section has been responsible for the provision of two general meetings. On 5th January Dr. J. L. Cloudsley-Thompson lectured on ‘'The Night Life of Woodlice and some other Arthropods’ ’ and on 6th July a Discussion on the Natural History and Distribution of the Grey Squirrel was opened with a lecture by Mrs. M. Vizoso and short talks by Dr. G. Beven and Mr. W. G. Teagle. Three Sectional Meetings were held. Reports and Discussion on the Year’s Work at Bookham Common and the City Bombed Sites followed the Annual General Meeting on 24th November 1953; on 23rd February Mr. G. Palmer gave a lecture entitled “An Introduction to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Eng¬ land , and on 15th June Mr. C. H. Selby opened a discussion on “Ecological Succession in some London Ponds” with an account of his work on the ponds of Epping Forest. The average attendance at the Bookham Common monthly survey meetings increased once again to 19 in spite of three wet days. Two visits were paid to the City Bombed Sites, Cripplegate, on 24th April and 3rd July the latter in conjunction with the Entomological Section. Two joint visits with the S.W. Middlesex Group to Cranford Park veie arranged on 28th March and 2nd October, but unfortunately the latter meeting was not supported by members of the Section. Joint meetings were held with the Entomological Section on 25tli April to Box Hill and the Juniper Hall Field Centre, led by the Assis¬ tant Warden, Mr. J. H. P. Sankey, and on 30th May to the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, led by Col. C. J. F. Bensley. The Section joined forces with the Ramblers on 27th June on a seashore ramble at Ovingdean, led by Mr. L. R. Brightwell. On 26th September the regeneration of heath vegetation was studied at Headley Heath under the leadership of Mr. Castell. It is encouraging to find that the value of the work done by the Section at Bookham is now being recognised outside the Society, as the following extracts show. Under the heading “The Trust and Nature Conservation”, in The National Trust Report for 1951-2, p. 27, it is stated that “Interest in nature conservation continues to grow and there has been much activity at some of the Trust’s nature reserves and at other properties which, although not held primarily as nature reserves, are valued on that account. On Bookham Common, for example, the London Natural History Society has for several years been carrying out a survey of the very wide variety of fauna and flora. Every month throughout the year, enthusiastic botanists, ornithologists and entomologists assemble there to collect data which are subsequently published in a report.” In British Birds, 1954, Vol. 47, p. 87, Mr. E. M. Nicholson, the Director-General of the Nature Conservancy, remarks “ The London 'Naturalist. No. 32, for 1952, contains a detailed 26-page bird census paper by Dr. Geoff rey Beven entitled “Further Observations on the Bird Population of an Oakwood in Surrey (Eastern Wood, Bookham SECTIONAL llEPOKTS. 179 Common)” giving counts and much other valuable information for a 40-acre woodland forming part of the area of the society’s ambitious long-term survey of Bookham Common, which is one of the most thorough and comprehensive pieces of ecological study yet undertaken in this country. . . . Although classified as local in character the Society’s operations are comparable in scale and standard with those of a national organisation in one of the smaller advanced European countries. Towards the end of 1953, a small sub-committee, of Dr. Beven and Messrs. Currie and Teagle, was appointed to organise an Investigation into the Grey Squirrel population in the London Area. An appeal for records was sent out with the January programme but there has been a relatively small response. However, 136 records from 82 localities have been kindly sent in by 35 observers. These records are being used to produce a distribution map but there are left a large number of gaps in our knowledge of the distribution of this animal in the London Area and requests are being made for information from members and others in these districts. The investigation is being continued for a further six months from 1st January to 30th June 1955. Mr. Norkett reports that the reading-circles continue to flourish, 27 members subscribing to the Journal of Animal Ecology and 21 to the Journal of Ecology. A good beginning has been made with the reading-circles taken over from Mr. Burkill last year — 11 members sub¬ scribe to the N.W. Naturalist and 12 to the Naturalist. G. Beven, Chairman. C. P. Casteel, Secretary. Entomological Section. At the end of the war, the section’s membership was 76. Since then there has been a steady increase. This past year has seen acceleration with 41 new members, to a total of 198. There has also been an exten¬ sion of activities which has met with an encouraging response. At the indoor meetings, lectures on “Some Insect Inhabitants of Knapweeds” by M. Niblett. F.R E.S., “Life Histories of some Saw- flies” by P W. E. Currie, F.R.E.S., “Parasitic Wasps and Their Habits” by G. E. J. Nixon, F.R.E.S., “Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952"' by D. S. Fletcher, F.R.E.S., and “Life Histories of Caddis Flies” by N. E. Hich in, Ph.D., F.R.E.S., together with two evenings devoted to exhibits and short notes brought larger audiences, with an average of 38. The Annual Meeting was followed by a discussion on “The Formation and Use of Collections” opened by our Chairman. At these meetings there was an increase in exhibits, including many living insects, covering many orders, from 35 members and friends. The higher standard of presentation, with full data of locality, date and notes on distribution and habits made the evenings more interesting and valuable to all. Fully detailed reports have been published in the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine. 180 THF. LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. With the removal of the Society’s Library and Collections to our rooms at 25 Eccleston Square, Victoria, came the chance to see our heritage and again to commence renovation and expansion. Further opportunity has been taken to inaugurate informal meetings on the third Monday in each month, autumn to spring, with the object of assisting members to meet together for help in identifications, demon¬ stration of techniques, building up the reference collections and in promoting discussions. Field meetings were successfully held throughout the season with 123 members and friends attending at least one, with an average of 15, a record. The localities visited were: — Abbey Wood marshes, Bayford, Bookham Common, Boxhill, Coulsdon, Cripplegate, Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, Epping Forest, Headley, Oxshott, Rickmansworth, Scratch Wood, Thurrock Marshes and Wimbledon Common. The co¬ operation with the Botanical and Ecological sections was continued and extended to members of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society. The reading circles now include the Entomologist' s Monthly Maga¬ zine, Entomologist, Entomologist's Record and the Entomologist' s Gazette , enabling members to keep in touch with the general progress of entomology in this country. After circulation the volumes are placed in the library to join the complete runs of these journals. Attention is also drawn to the entomological articles, etc., appearing m the Journal of Animal Ecology, Naturalist, North Western Naturalist and Scottish Naturalist circulated by other sections and to those of the Society for British Entomology whose publications and those of other Societies are regularly added to the library. The library has been better used and the additions include the Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects of the Royal Entomo¬ logical Society and various authors’ separates presented by several members and friends. It is hoped that others will assist in this way. The members of the section have again been active in the surveys at Bookham Common and Cripplegate and the publication of papers on the survey of insects in the London Area has been continued, with further papers in preparation. Grants by the Royal Society received towards the cost of the publication of “Notes on the Drone-Flies (Syr- phidae, Diptera) of Wimbledon Common” by Mr. A. W. Jones and “Flies of the Cripplegate Bombed Site, City of London” by Mr. L. Parmenter, are gratefully acknowledged. The entomological lectures given to the Chingford Branch and the South West Middlesex Group are also evidence of the interest in entom¬ ology in the Society. During the coming year it is hoped that all members will try to assist the section by offering specimens for the reference collections which aim to exhibit typical specimens of all orders, co-operating in the surveys with distribution records and notes, attend¬ ing and exhibiting at meetings, donating a book, pamphlet, separate or manuscript to the library and introducing new members. C. G. M. de Worms, Chairman. L. Parmenter, Secretary. SECTIONAL reports. 181 Geological Section. Membership of the Section now stands at 130 (including 8 Country Associates, 7 School Associates and 8 Family Members) compared with 120 at the last Annual General Meeting. The death during the year of Mr. S. Waller is announced with regret. Mr. Waller was a regular attendant at field meetings and many will remember his slides of neatly mounted fossil foraminifera which he frequently produced for inspection. Indoor Meetings. Three sectional meetings were held and the Sec¬ tion was responsible for the general meeting held in May when Prof. Wooldridge gave a lecture on “Evolution of the Thames Drainage System”. At one of the sectional meetings Mr. R. E. Butler gave a talk on “A Journey through Belgium" which he illustrated on the epidiascope. An exhibition of specimens was held in March and an evening in September was devoted to short talks and discussion. Field Meetings, (a) Museum Visits, etc. The Section joined the S.W. Middlesex Group at a meeting at the Natural History Museum, when Mr. L. E. Parsons and Mr. F. E. Rixon gave a demonstration on the “Preparation of Fossils tor Exhibition”. At a joint meeting with the Archaeological Section in November Mr. E. A. Jobbins (of the Geological Survey) gave a demonstration on “Gemstones” in the Geological Museum. A mid-week evening visit to the Ordnance Survey Office at Chessington was made in February, at which members were able to see the various stages in the preparation of ordnance and geological survey maps. (b) Outdoor. In March Mr. B. Ainsley led a party to Richmond Park for River Gravels. In April a meeting was held at George Green and Black Park, near Uxbridge, when Mr. E. Evans demonstrated the River Terraces. In May Air. D. Curry led a party along the cliff section at Barton and members had a most interesting and profitable day collecting from the various horizons of Eocene beds exposed there. Mr. J. F. Wyley led a small party over the gravel pits at Hatfield on Whit Sunday. A visit by coach to the Leighton Buzzard district was made in June under the leadership of Mr. C. W. Wright. A number of famous sections were examined. In July at a meeting to the Hogs Back, Guildford, with Mr. B. Ainsley, members examined the only permanent exposure known on the North Downs of Chalk of the Offaster pilula zone. Later in the same month a further visit was made to the London Clay at Oxshott and a number of interesting fossils were col¬ lected. In September a visit was made to Swanscombe with Mr. S. A J. Pocock and later an interesting series of exposures in the Henfield area were seen with Mr. I. E. Higginbottom. Early in October Mr. G. P. Larwood led a party over the Dorking-Leith Hill district and a number of horizons of the Lower Cretaceous were examined. Later in the same month, Mr. R. E. Butler illustrated some of London’s buried rivers, visiting Hyde Park and Blackfriars Bridge. Field Work. Investigation of the London Clay exposed in the pit of the Oxshott Brickworks Ltd. at Oxshott, Surrey, has proceeded, and Mi ss M. M. B rown reports that several species new to the pit have 182 THE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. been collected. Mr. J. F. Wyley has continued his collecting from the Boulder Clay and Gravels of the Hatfield district. The Recorder for temporary geological exposures expects to have two, or possibly three, reports available for future publication. The thanks of the Society are due to all those who contributed to the activities of the section and to the owners and agents who so will¬ ingly permitted members access to their properties. C. P. Castell, Chairman. B. Ainsley, Secretary. Ornithological Section. During the past twelve months the Section has received 85 new members; on the other hand there have been 115 resignations and 3 deaths, so that the total membership at the end of 1954 was 917, com¬ pared with 950 twelve months earlier. Ten indoor meetings (including 2 General Meetings) were held during the period under review, commencing in January with a lecture on ‘ ‘Experimental Studies in the Recognition of Enemies by Birds” by the Rev. P. H. T. Hartley. In the same month, at a joint meeting with the British Trust for Ornithology, various aspects of ‘‘Recent Research on Birds of British Forests and Woodlands” were discussed by Messrs. G. Beven, J. A. Gibb and W. Yapp. Dr. D. W. Snow spoke o.i “Observations on the Autumn Migration through the Sahara” in February while in March a programme of sound recordings entitled “Studies of Some Highland Birds” was presented by Mr. Eric Simms. In April members saw Dr. W. J. Sladen’s magnificent colour film “The Life History of the Adelie Penguin”. Some of the results gained from “Five Years Ringing Ducks and Waders” were outlined by Major- General C. B. Wainwright in May, and in the following month two of our own members, Messrs. D. F. Owen and W. G. Teagle, spoke of their experiences of “Bird-Watching in the Landes”, in autumn and spring respectively. Dr. Roger Tory Peterson, with his superb films of American bird life shown under the title “Wild America”, attracted, in July, an audience which would have been considered exceptionally large even for a winter meeting. The months of September and October brought further film-shows; in the first month Mr. Alan Davidson gave an excellent commentary on Arthur Christiansen’s “Some Birds of Scandinavia" while Mr. George Edwards came a little nearer home with his R.S.P.B. films in October. Mr. P. W. E. Currie continued as Sectional Chairman during the year. Messrs. D. Y. Freshwater and C. A. White resigned from the Committee (by rotation) and were succeeded by Messrs. E. R. Parrinder and S. Cramp. Mr. F. H. Jones became Joint Editor of the “London Bird Report” in place of Mr. G. E. Manser who had moved out of the London Area. In the temporary absence abroad of Mr. K. H. Hyatt, Mr. A. H. Betts acted as Curator in addition to carrying on his usual duties as Field Meeting Secretary. Forty-four field meetings were held during the year and in addition to four coastal visits the habitats in the Society’s Area were well covered. SECTION A L REPORTS. is; > ) Tlie 128 species noted during the course of the meetings included red¬ necked grebe, great grey shrike, little gull, arctic skua, fulmar, cirl and Lapland buntings and crossbill. Average attendance was 18. The number of members using the Reading Circle showed a very slight decrease. The removal of the Library to Eecleston Square resulted, initially at least, in rather fewer visitors although the number of books borrowed showed a slight increase. Thirteen new titles were added and a revised list of books is being prepared. The collection of skins and eggs was also safely moved to Eecleston Square and a card index of the latter has been completed. The skins have been augmented by the pre¬ sentation to the Society of the collection of our late member, Mr. A. E. Jolley. The number of birds ringed during the year— 4,368 — was a record for the Society. It included 3 adult common sandpipers, a ring ousel and no less than 59 jays, the latter being only 7 short of the national total of jays ringed in 1952. Publication of the ‘‘London Rird Report” and the ‘‘Bulletin” con¬ tinues, and work on the Society’s book. ‘‘Birds of the London Area Since 1900", has reached an advanced stage of preparation. During the year a good start was made on a survey of the bird life of Beddington Sewage Farm, organised by Mr. B. S. Milne. P. W. E. Currie, Chairman ; A. V. Pettit, Hon. Secretary. Ramblers’ Section. 4 lie membership of the section has now increased to 107. Miss H. Franks succeeded Mr. T. L. Eades in the post of Chairman, and Miss L. Johns took over the duties of Secretary. Miss R. Davis remained Field Meeting Secretary. The year’s programme provided for two General, three Sectional, fifteen Field Meetings, and six week-ends ably organised by Miss R. Davis. The General Meeting on 1st June was an illustrated talk given bj Mr. L. R. Briglitwell, entitled “Marine Life”. He followed this up by leading a sea-shore ramble on 27th June for Ramblers and Ecologists which was most successful, having the good attendance of eighteen Miss M. A. Barrett gave an illustrated talk on “Australian Flowers” at the second general meeting on 16tli November. Three Sectional meetings were held when Miss Phyllis Bond lectured on her “American Experiences” on 2nd March, Lt.-Col. Boyle spoke on “Wild Life Pre¬ servation” on 27th April, and Mr. R. F. Cosser gave a talk on “Old Trackways” on 5th October. Excellent coloured films or slides were shown on these occasions. Of the Outdoor meetings two have occurred in mid-week, one to the Oxo factory on 13th January, and one to the Royal Mews on 8th September. On Saturdays visits have been paid to the Dulwich Picture Gallery; Fenton House, Hampstead; a riverside ramble around Old Chiswick, and “Cable and Wireless Works”. Sunday rambles have been taken from Horsley to Shere, to Chislehurst, to Savile Gardens and Windsor Park; Ovingdean; Croxley; Chevening, Cudhain and 184 rilE LONDON NATURALIST, NO. 34. Downe; and Gerrards Cross. There have also been a series of week-end walks in which the whole of the Pilgrims’ Way was traversed from Winchester to Canterbury. The average attendance at these was six. From the attendances of the Saturday and mid-week fixtures it would appear that these are more popular than Sundays, the Saturday average being seventeen, mid-week sixteen, and Sundays eight. There are two Reading Circles for the “Countryman”, and the “Commons, Open Spaces, and Footpaths Preservation Handbook” has been circulated to members of this Reading Circle in the usual way. The committee records its thanks to Mr. T. L. Eades for his past services as Chairman, and to all lecturers and organisers of excursions. H. Franks, Chairman. L. Johns, Secretary . Additions to List of Members From March 23rd, 1954, to February 1st, 1955. (H. denotes membership of South-West Group.) Members: 1954 Ayriss, Miss R. A., 26 Ifold Road, Redhill, Surrey. (Orn.) 1955 Baldwin, D. F., 231 London Road, Morden, Surrey. (Orn.) 1954 Bastable, Miss L., 11 Marchmont Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Bot., Arch.) 1954 Bone, Miss J. E., 12 Upper Cheyne Row, S.W.3. (Ecol.) 1955 Bryan-Brown. J. W., 15 Townsend Avenue, St. Albans, Herts. (Ent., Orn.) 1954 Buckland, Miss P., The Dispensary, Westminster Hospital, S.W.l. (Bot. 1954 Causer, Miss M., 31 Belsize Avenue, Palmer’s Green, N.13. (Ecol., Zoo.] 1955 Chipperfield, J. G., 26a King’s Crescent, N.4. (Orn., Photo.) 1954 Clark, Miss E. M., 70 Gibbon Road, S.E.15. (Bot., Orn.) H 1954 Coleman, B. W., 3 Cranford Drive, Hayes, Middx. (Orn., Mam., Ecol.) H 1954 Conran, Miss R. -J., 75 Hampton Road, Teddington, Middx. (Orn.) 1955 Coombs, G. W., 175 Barcombe Avenue, S.W.2. (Bot.) 1954 Corin, Miss G., 29 Lansdowne Road, Holland Park, W.ll. (Orn.) 1954 Cosser, R. F., A.R.P.S., F.Z.S., “Overton”, 12 Gordon Road, Beckenham Kent. (Bot., Ecol., Ent., Photo.) 1954 Cowlard, M. J., 58 Seymour Avenue, Morden, Surrey. (Orn.) 1954 Curran, E, A., 220 Roehampton Lane, S.W.15. (Ent. esp. Lep., Bot.) H 1954 Davey, Miss A., 21 Alexandra Gardens, Hounslow, Middx. (Bot.) H 1954 Davidson, Miss H. M., 31 Fordbridge Road, Ashford, Middx. (Bot.) 1954 Davis, Miss E., 7 Warren Close, Esher, Surrey. (Bot., Orn.) 1954 Edgar, Dr. W. Me., Gordon Hospital, 126 Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.l. (Orn.) 1954 Edmonds, Miss J. M., 2 Oakhill Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn.) 1954 Farnell, Miss G. E., Moreton House, Highgate Village, N.6. (Orn., R.) 1955 Fiore, Miss M., 90 Ookfield Road, Stroud Green, N.4. (Orn.) 1954 Fishenden, Dr. M., Imperial College, S.W.7. (Bot.) 1954 Forrest, Miss A., The Nature Conservancy, 19 Belgrave Square, S.W.l. (Ecol., Orn.) 1954 Forster, G. H., A./C.R.T.O. (A.), Room 015, St. Giles Court, St. Giles High Street, W.C.l. (Orn.) 1954 Fox, E. F. R., 68 Temple Avenue, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey. (Bot., Ecol., Orn.) 1954 Fredericks, S 112 Kentish Town Road, N.W.l. (Orn.) 1955 Gardner, Miss P. S., 4 Heath Drive, Theydon Bois, Essex. (Orn.) 1955 Garraway, G., 43 Etheldene Avenue, Muswell Hill, N.10. (Orn., R.) ADDITIONS TO LIST OF MEMBERS. 185 1954 Galley, Keith B., 4 Church Road, Highgate, N.6. 1954 Glanville, D. J., 72 Algernon Road, Lewisham, S.E.13. (Orn.) 1954 Glasgow, Miss c., 57 Warwick Gardens, W.14. (Arch., Geol ) 1954 Gompertz, Miss Terry, 83b Fitzjohns Avenue, N.W.3. 19;,4 Gregory, Miss E. J., 34 Goldsmith Avenue, The Hyde, N.W.9. (Orn.) 1954 Griffiths, P. R., c8 Sheep Walk, Shepperton, Middx. (Orn.) 1955 Gross, Mrs. E,, 11 Oakley Street, Chelsea, S.W.3. (Geol.) 1954 Gummer, Miss H. L., 12 Primrose Hill Road, N.W.3. (Orn.) H 1954 Harbour, Miss E. J., 232 High Street, Hounslow, Middx. (Bot.) 1954 Hart, Mrs. E. W., 36 Thurloe Square, S.W.7. (Geol.) 1954 Henson, Hr. Audrey, 8 Stafford Street, W.i. (Bot., Ecol.) 1954 Higham, F. B., 12 Keat's Grove, N.W.3. (Orn.) 1954 Higson, Lt. Col. F., Naval ancl Military Club, 94 Piccadilly, W.I (Orn ) 1954 Roare, F. A., 78 Hamilton Terrace, St. John’s Wood, N.W.8.’ (Orn.) 1955 Hoare, Miss M. R., 78 Hamilton Terrace, St. John’s Wood, N.W.8. (Orn.) 1955 Hodgkinson, C., c/o Messrs. Slaughter & May, 18 Austin Friars, E.C.2 (Orn. esp. Ringing) 1954 Horder, Miss H., Hawley House, Stonegrove, Edgware, Middx (Ecol Orn). 1954 Irvine, Dr. F. R., 32 Ta\istock Square, W.C.l. (Bot., Fishes, Rep. Hymen.) 1955 Irwin, D. A., 79 Upper Farm Road, West Molesey, Surrey. (Orn.) 1954 Jack, K. M., 93 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E.17. (Ent., Acarology) 1955 Johnson, I. G., 21 Woodville Gardens, Ruislip, Middx. (Orn.) 1954 Kelly, W. J., 39 Clanricarde Gardens, W.2. (Orn.) 1955 Knight, Gordon, 39 High Street, Northwood, Middx. (Ecol.) 1954 Kohler, Miss H. L., 69 Eccleston Square, S.W.l. (Orn.) 1955 Ladlay, Miss J . B., 22 Carrington Road, N.W.3. (Arch.) 1954 Lawrence, P. N., 70 Newstead Avenue, Orpington, Kent. (Ent. esp. Col- lembola) 1954 Lewis, E., F.R.E.S., 8 Parry Road, South Norwood, S.E.25. (Ent esp Coleoptera) 1954 Lindsay, Mrs. J., 22 Clonmore Street, Southfields, S.W.13. (Orn.) 1954 Low, A. A. M., 11 The Green, West Drayton, Middx. (Ent. esp. Dipt Hymen., Aculeata) 1954 Lowen, D., 5 Geneva Gardens, Cha dwell Heath, Romford, Essex. (Orn.) 1955 Mackay, A., 77 Fulham Palace Road, W.6. (Bot., Orn.) 1954 MacLeod, Miss M. E., 3S Hollingbourne Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24. H 1954 Mason, Miss G. L. A., “Kimscott”, 19 Grove Gardens, Teddington, Middx. (Bot., Mycol., Orn.) 1954 Millar, C. W. A., 30 Royal Crescent, W.ll. (Orn.) 1954 Morgan, G. S., 49 Dresden Road, N.19. 1954 Ollevant, D., 3 Salcombe Drive, Morden, Surrey. (Ent.) 1954 Outhwaite, T. L., 54 Hazelwell Road, S.W.15. (Orn.) 1954 Paine, E. W., 18 Kingwood Avenue, Kilburn, N.W.6. (Orn.) 1955 Parnell, L. A., 33 Sinclair Road, W.14. (Geol., Photo.) 1954 Phelp, S., 70 Mimms Hall Road, Potter’s Bar, Middx. (Bot.) 1954 Potter, M., 40 Greencroft Gardens, N.W.6. (Orn.) 1955 Raw, P. J., 88 Hanley Road, N.4. (Orn.) 1954 Robinson, G. F. B., 61 Hanging Hill Lane, Brentwood, Essex. (Orn.) Re-elected 1955 Rogers, Miss A., Stockwell Training College, The Old Palace Bromlev Kent. H 1954 Rowton, Miss N. J., 23 Copthall Gardens, Twickenham, Middx. 1954 Russell, The Hon. Mrs. R., 76 Drayton Gardens, S.W.10. (Orn.) Re-elected. 1954 Scott, John, 46 Longstone Avenue, Harlesden, N.W. 10. (Orn.) 1954 Scrutton, Miss P. M., 6 Collierne Road, S.W.10. (Orn.) 1955 Selby, Miss W., 4 Heath Drive, Theydon Bois, Essex. (Orn.) 1954 Semper, E. J. E., Bentham Hall, 31-43, Cartwright Gardens, W.C.l. (Orn.) 1955 Shorter, Corp. A. P., 210 Perth Road, Ilford, Essex. (Orn.) 1954 Siggs, L. W., 10 Repton Road, Orpington, Kent. (Ent. esp. Lep.) H 1954 Simpson, Miss E., 24 Montrose Avenue, Whitton, Middx. 186 THE LONDON NATURALIST^ NO. 34. 1954 Smart, R. G. S., 41 Glenlyon Road, Eltham Park, S.E.9. (Bot., Geol.) 1955 Smart, R. C., S3 Amberley Road, Abbey Wood, S.E.2. (Orn.) 1954 Snashall, Miss M., 26 Belsize Lane, N.W.3. Zoo. esp. Mam.) 1954 Swinscow, T. D. V., “Everley”, London Road, Kneb worth, Herts. (Bot esp. Pteridopbyta and Bryophyta) 1954 Taylor, Miss Kay, 69a Victoria Rise, S.W.4. (Arch., Bot., R.) 1955 Tousey, Miss K., 10 The Little Boltons, S.W.10. (Orn.) 1954 Uffen, R. W. J., 4 Vaughan Avenue, Stamford Brook, W.6. (Ent. esp. Lep., Dipt, and Hymen.) 1954 Usherwood, Mrs. M. L., 24 Litchfield Way, N.W.ll. (Orn.) 1954 Vessey, N. D., 3 Sandwell Mansions, West End Lane, N.W.6. (Orn.) 1954 Watts, W. J., F.R.E.S., “Glaslie”, First Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. (Ent. esp. Coleoptera) H 1954 White, Miss J., 3 Mornington Crescent, Cranford, Middx. (Zoo.) 1954 Wilkinson, Miss R., 48 Burnham Court, Moscow Road, W.2. (Orn.) 1955 Wilson, Miss A., 59 Carlton Hill, N.W.8. (Arch., Geol.) 1954 Wren, G. A., 13 Montserrat Road, S.W.15. (Orn.) Family Members; 1955 Bancroft, Mrs. I. R., 24 The Drive, Goff’s Oak, Waltham Cross, Herts. 1954 Forster, Mrs. C. M., A./C.R.T.O. (A.), Room 015, St. Giles Court, St. Giles High Street, W.C.l. (Orn.) 1954 Lawrence, C. A., 27 Old Devonshire Road, Balham, S.W.12. (Bot., Ent., R.) 1954 Lawrence! Mrs. H. M., 27 Old Devonshire Road, Balham, S.W.12. (Bot., R.) Country Associates: 1954 Muir-Wood. A. M., Redgate, Woodside Avenue, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (Arch., Geol., Orn.) 1954 Swift, J. J., Honeysuckle Cottage, Bolney, Sussex. (Orn.) School Associates: 1955 Bailey, Miss Christine, 83 Eden Way, Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn.) 1954 Baker, N. B., 5 Hanger Court, Ealing, W.5. (Arch., Ent.) 1954 Evans, B. J., 10 Hamilton Close, Epsom, Surrey. (Orn.) 1954 Hampton, J. S., 13 Holland Way, Hayes, Bromley, Kent. (Palaeontology) 1954 Holmes, R., 14 Ashleiglr Gardens, Upminster, Essex. (Orn.) 1954 James, Miss V. A., 26 Deepdene, Potter’s Bar, Middx. (Bot., Orn., Zoo.) 1954 Morse, K., 93 Percy Road, W.12. (Ent. esp. Lep.) 1955 Smart, P. E., The Bungalow, Park Avenue, Woodford Green, Essex. (Ent. esp. local vars. in Rhopalocera) 1954 Walker, C., 4 Bowes Road, East Acton, W.3. (Orn.) 1955 White, D. A., 32 Court Road, South Norwood, S.E.25. (Geol., Orn.) 1954 Whyman, G., 42 Lowden Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24. (Ent. esp. Dipt., Lep. and Hymen.) Affiliations; 1954 Perivale Naturalists Association, Community Centre, Perivale, Gieen- ford, Middx. Rep. Member: — The Secretary, Mrs. D. M. Owen, 114 Rydal Crescent, Perivale, Greenford, Middx. LABI AT AE. TEUCR1UM L. T. Scorodoma \j. Wood Sage. Woods, heaths, meadows and banks. Common throughout the Area. T. Botrys L. Cut-leaved Germander. Chalky fallow fields and open habitats in chalk grassland. Very local, and confined to v.-c. 17. V.-c. 17. Stony valley at the back of Box Hill, 1872, F.J.H. ; Hb.Mus.Brit.) 1929; BAY. It.) 1935, J.E.L.) Hb.L. Above Burford Bridge Hotel, on loose chalky soil below Yew and Box on escarpment, 1948; J.E.S.D.) 1952; H.T.C. White Hill, Mickleham Downs, a few plants for a few years after a strip of ground had been cleared of trees, c. 1920; J.E.S.D. Near Addington, 1883. F.J.H. -, 1902, G.S.N. ; Hb.L.N.H.S.) 1924 & 1932, J.E.Tj.) Hb.L.-, 1954; B.C. Chipstead Valley, 1923; W.W.; 1924, J.E.L.-, Hb.Jj .; tens of thousands of plants, a wonderful sight, 1950; J.E.Tj. B.W. Edge of Banstead Wood, 1924; C.LAV. AJUGA L. A. re plans L. Jingle. Woods. Common in all the v.-cc. The var. stolonifera Bogenh. is recorded from v.-c*. 17. Ashtead, 1927, C.E.B.; Hb.L. Plants with white flowers are recorded from v.-c. 17. Box Hill, 1901, C.S.N.; Hb.L.N.H.S. Banks Common, 1941; P.H.C. Plants with yellowish-white flowers are reported from v.-c. 17. Box Hill, 1932, J.E.L.) Hb.L. A. Chamaepitys (L.) Schreb. Ground-pine. Chalky arable fields and open habitats in chalk grassland. Very local. V.-c. 16. Near Eynsford; W.W. ; S.E. of Eynsford, 1949; near Greenhithe, in a corn¬ field, 1946; F.B.) L.N.H.S. Excursion. Swanley, 1883, F.J.H.-, Hb.L.N .H.S. Field near Darenth Wood, abundant, 1951; diminishing, 1952; H.M.P. V.-c. 17. Box Hill, 1900, C.S.N. ; Hb.L.N.H.S.) 1905; J.E.C. Chipstead Valley, 1923; TF.TF. ; 1923 & 1943, J.E.L. ; South Drive, Banstead, 1931; Buckland Hills, 1927; Headley Lane, 1925 & 1943, J.E.L.) Hb.L.) 1946; L.N.H.S. Excursion) 1953; D.H.K Leatherhead, 1946-48; J.E.S.D. Mickleham Downs, 1925; E.B.B . ; 1951; J.E.S.D. Chelsham ; TF.TF. Addington, 1907; P.H.C. Epsom College, 1934 & 1944, A.E.E.) Hb.E.G.M. Pebblecombe, 1954; B.M.C.M. PLAETAGJMACEAE PLANTAGO L. P. INDICA L., P. PSYLLIUM L., P. ra.mos A Aschers. Alien. Europe. Y.C. 17. River bank, Kew, 1941, P.H.C.-, Hb.L.N.H.S. Y.-c. 18. Rainham, 1930; P.H.C. Dagenham Dump, 1934, J.E.L.-, Hb.L.] 1935, J.P.M.B.] B.E.C. 1935 Rep., 39 (1936). Y.-C. 21. Crouch End, 1896, J.E.C.] Hb.Mus.Brit. Hackney Marshes, 1912 and 1915; Green- ford, 1920; J.E.C. Rubbish-tip, Yiewsley, 1934, J.E.L.] Hb.L. Hillingdon Gravel Pits, 1936, P.H.C.-, Hb.L.N.H.S. P. Coronopus L. Buck’ s-horn Plantain. Heaths, banks, and open habitats on dry sandy and gravelly soils. Locally abundant, especially near the Thames. V.-c. 16. Dartford Heath, 1917; P.H.C.) 1954; Blackheath, G.M.B. Swanscombe Marshes, 1919; Bostall Heath, 1931; Supplement to the London Naturalist, No. 34, 1955. 230 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. P.H.C. Stone Marshes, 1930; B. 11 .B. Keston Common, 1925, J.E.L . ; Hayes Common, 1926, F.G.S.; Hb.L. Crockham Hill, 1923; B.W.B. Bromley, 1945, P.H.C.) Hb.L.N .11. S. Y.-c. 17. Oxsliott Heath, 1915; Wey bridge Heath, 1917 ; E.B.B. Esher; East Molesey, 1918; L.J .T. Molesey Hurst, 1945; 71. IF. Beddington Corner, 1917 ; between Rich¬ mond and Kingston, 1931; P.H.C. ; Eastfields, 1927; Weybridge, 1929; Reigate Heath, 1942, J.E.L. ; lib. L. Burley, 1899, L.B.H.) Hb.H. Near Oxted ; Riddlesdown, 1922; Limpsfield Common; B.W.B Near Godstone Green, 1931; J.C.B. Wimbledon Common, 1930; C.P.C .; 1937; C.A. Ham Common; Barnes Common, 1942; B.W. V.-c. 18. Epping Forest, 1904; C.S.l Y. ; 1953; B.M.P. Dried up pond, between Chingford and High Beach, 1909, P.H.C.) Hb.L.N. H.S. Grays, 1908; P.H.C. V.-c. 20. Great Ainwell, 1909, P.H.C.) Hb.L.N .H.S. Colney Heath, 1914; C.S.N. Y.-c. 21. Towing path, Hampton Court, 1905, Lj.B.H. & C.S.N.) abundant, 1950; Hampton Court Park, abundant; Harefield; Sliortwood Common; Hounslow Heath: West and North¬ west Heaths, Hampstead; Chiswick; railway tracks, Ealing, 1939-53; D.H.K. Hackney Marshes, 1909-10; J.E.C. Syon House, 1929; L.J.T. ) 1946; D.H.K. Y.-c. 24. Denham; Colnbrook; P.H.C. P. maritima L. Sea Plantain. Salt marshes, and in short turf bv the tidal Thames. Local. V.-c. 16. Swanseombe Marshes, 1919; P.H.C. River bank near Crossness, 1927; H.J.B. Stone Marshes, 1930; B.W.B. ; 1950; H.M.P. Near Crayford Ness, 1951; J.E.L., B.W. & J.C.C. Y.-c. 17. Wimbledon Common, evidently introduced with turf, but flourish¬ ing, 1924; B.W.B. Y.-c. 18. Grays, 1909, P.H.C.) Purfleet, 1911, C.S.N.) Hb.L.N. H.S. West Thurrock Marshes, 1904; C.S.N.) 1949; B.W. & J .EX. Ripple Level, Barking, 1954; J.E.L.. P. lanceolata L. Bibwort. Grassy places. Very common through¬ out the area. The following varieties have been recorded; — Var. antho- viridis S. Wats. Y.-c. 17. Thames bank, Sunbury Lock, 1942, J.E.L.) Hb.L. Var. dubia (L.) Wahlenb., P. eriophylla Decne. V.-c. 21. Hanwell, 1947, J.E.L.) Hb.L. A monstrous form with com¬ pound heads is recorded from v.-c. 21. Finchley, 1911, J.E.C.) Hb.Mv.s.Brit. A plant with three peduncles, each of which bore a complete plant in miniature at its summit is reported from v.-c. 21. Hornsey, 1887 ; J.E.C. P. media L. Hoary Plantain. Grassy places on neutral and basic soils. Common in all the v.-cc. The var. Monneerii Rouy is recorded from v.-c. 17. Track from Walton-on-the-Hill to No-Home Farm, 1941, J .EX. ) Hb.L. P. major L. Great Plantain. Garden lawns, paths, cultivated and waste ground, etc. Very common in all the v.-cc. The var. intermedia (Gilib.) Svme is reported from v.-c. 21. Acton, 1907, C.B.G. ; Hb.S.L.B.l . A plant with a flowering spike 29? inches long is recorded from v.-c. 21. Yiewsley, 1921; J.E.C. P LAX T A G IXACEAE. 231 LIT TOR ELLA Berg. L. unifloba (L.) Aschers., L. lacustris L. Shore-voted, Sandy and gravelly pond verges, or in shallow water. Very rare, and uncertain in appearance from year to year. V.-c. 17. Headley Heath, 1926, E.C.W.\ Eb.L. Richmond Park, scarce, 1933; C.A. V.-c. 21. Ruislip Reservoir, c. 1935, not seen since; E.E.K. ILLECEBRACEAE HERNIARIA L. H. glabra L. Smooth Rupture-wort . Alien. Europe, including parts of Britain. Established on the broken stony surface of a disused car park. V.-c. 21. Disused car-park, Kenton, 1943; A.P.; abundant, 1949-54; E.E.K. — for an account of the species see Loud. Nat,, 29, 7-8 (1950). H. hirsuta L. Hairy Rupture-wort. Alien. Europe, Asia and Africa. V.-c. 21. Gravel pit, Uxbridge, 1907, C.B.G.-, Hb.S.L.B.l. SCLERANTHUS L. S. annuus L. Annual Knawel. Heaths, commons, cultivated and waste ground on dry, sandy and gravelly soils. Locally abundant. V.-c. 16. Hayes; E.McC .; Hayes Common; Dartford Heath; near Farning- ham Wood; F.R. Fields between Darenth Wood and Watchgate, Green Street Green road, 1948-50; E.M.P. Sundridge, 1932, J.E.L. ; Eb.L. V.-c. 17. Wandsworth Common, 1871, F.J.E. ; Eb.Mus.Bnt. Near Little Heath, 1915; near Headley, 1917; E.B.B. Between West Molesey and Esher, 1922; L.J.T. Claygate ; Qxshott, 1932, F.E.C. Near Oxted, 1917; Riddlesdown, 1922; Limpsfield Common, 1921, R.W.R. Eb.R Kings- wood. 1950; B. IF. Mitcham Common, site of Mill House Pond, 1950; J.E.L. Barrow Green, 1938; J.B.E. Worm's Heath, 1948; R.M.P. Reigate Heath, 1951; Wimbledon Common, 1944; Barnes Common, 1951, B.W. V.-c. 18. Sewardstone Green; L.B.E. Chigwell, 1903, R.W.R. ; Eb.L.N.E.S. ; now gone; B.T.W. Near Purfleet, 1935; South Weald; Noak Hill ; P.E.C. V.-c. 20. Wormley; L.B.E. Chandlers Cross, 1904; near Munden Park, 1909; Colney Heath, 1913; P.E.C. Rickmansworth ; near Park Street; Essendon; P.E.C. Hoddesdon, 1910, P.E.C.-, Eb.L.N.E.S. V.-c. 21. Harefield, 1900; R.W.R.; 1944-53; Harrow Weald Common; South Mimms ; Staines; Sunbury; Feltham; Hounslow Heath, 1944-53; D.E.E. Cornfield N. of Ruislip Reservoir, 1946; B.W. V.-c. 24. Cornfield near Iver Heath; C.S.N. W. of Uxbridge, 1922: L.J.T. Rowley Farm, Tver, 1931; J.C.R. AMARANTHACEAE AMARANTHUS L. We are indebted to J. P. M. Brenan for naming most of the gather¬ ings of this critical genus in Eb. Kent & Eb. Lousley. A HAND LIST <> F THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. 2'42 A. hybrid us ssp. cruentus (L.) Tliell. Alien. N. America. The following varieties have been recorded : — Var. pani ulatls (L.) Tliell. v.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip. Hanwell, 1947, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. Var. pattjlus (Bertel.) Thell. Y.-c. 21 Forecourt of Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1945, D.H.K.; Ilb.K. & Hb.L. det J.P.M.B. A. caudatls L. Love-lies-bleeding. Alien. \Y. Asia. Garden outcast. V.-c. 18 Waste ground. Dagenham, 1949. N.Y.S.; Hb.Kew. Y.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell 1946- 53; D.H.K. A. chlorostachys Willd. Alien. N. America. Y.-c. 16. Stonehill Green, Hextable, introduced with ‘ shoddy”, 1948, F.li., R.A.B. <{■ E.C.W.-, Hb.L. Y.-c. 17 Field by river Mole, Norbury Park, J950, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. Y.-c. 21. About Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1945-48, D.H.K.-, Hb.K. canal bank near Springwell Lock, 1946; N.Y.S., B.W. & D.H.K. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1946, D.H.K.. Hb.K. det. N.Y.S. Rubbisli-tip, Greenford, 1947; D.H.K. The var. pseudo retroflexus Thell. is recorded from v.-c. 21. Bombed site, Easteheap, E.C., 1944 J.E.L.-, Hb.L. det, J.P.M.B. A. retroflexus L. Alien. N. America. Established on waste ground and by waysides, though often only casual. Not common. V.-c. 16. Orchards by Farningham Wood, 1947, J.E.L. ; Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. ; 1948; B.A.B.-, 1950; garden in Stone Village, 1950; H.M.P. Swanley; F.Pt. Long Reach, Dartford, 1945, P.H.C.; Ilb.L.N.H.S. det. D.H.K. -, widespread in Dartford area, 1952; F.G.S. V.-c. 17. Limpsfield, casual, 1922, B.W. JR. ; Hb.B. Ham gravel pits, 1937, E.M.-U.-, Hb.Kew. Mizen’s Market Garden, Ewell, 1939, A.E.E. ; Ilb.E.C.M. V.-c. 18. Rainham, 1927, J.E.C .; Hb.Mus.Brit. Dagenham Dump, 1939, P.H.C. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. ; 1934 and 1951; J.E.L., Hb.L. det J.P.M.B. Rubbish- tip, East Ham, in great abundance, 1951; J.C.C. & J.E.L. V.-c. 21. Finchley, 1908-11; Yiewsley, 1908-11 and 1926, J.E.C . ; Hb.Kew. Hack¬ ney Marshes, 1912-13, 1918 and 1924; Crouch End, 1897 ; J.E.C. Bombed site, Lower Thames Street, E.C., 1944, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B.-, 1953; J.E.L. Riverside, Chiswick, 1948; B.A.B. Canal bank, Hanwell, 1947- 54; Uxbridge; forecourt of Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1945-47; rubbish-tips, Hanwell and Greenford, 1946-53; rubbish-tip, Hounslow Heath, 1948; garden weed, Willesden Green, 1953; D.H.K. Bombed site, Great Tower Street, 1945; railway embankment, Kew Bridge station, 1947; J.E.L. Bombed site, Shadwell, 1950, A.H. ; Hb.Mus.Brit. The var. Delilei (Richter-Loret) Thell. is recorded from v.-c. 16. Swan- ley, introduced with “shoddy”, 1950; D.McC. det. J.P.M.B. V.-c. 18. Dagenham Dump, 1948, J.E.L. -, Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. V.-c. 21. Fore¬ court of Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1945 and 1948, D.H.K.-, Ilb.K. rb Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. Rubbish-tip, Northolt, 1947; B.W. ; J.E.L. -, Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. A. Thunbergii Moq. Alien. S. Africa. V.-c. 16. Abbey Wood, 1926, St.J.M.-, Hb.L. teste J.P.M.B. A. albus L. Alien. N. America. V.-c. 18. Rainham, 1927, J.E.C.-, Hb.Kew Hb.L. & Hb.Mus.Brit. det. J.P.M.B. Rubbish-tip, Dagenham, 1934, J.E.L.-, Hb.L.. det .J.P.M.B.-, 1947; D.P.Y. ; 1951; J.E.L. Rubbish-tip, Barking, 1952; B.W. Y.-c. 21 Yiewsley, 1923, J.E.C.-, Hb.Kew. Rubbish-tip, Northolt, 1947; R.IL. det. J.P.M.B.-, 1948:; D.H.K.-, Hb.K. AMARANTH ACE A E . 233 A. flitoides S. Wats. Allen. S. America. Y.-c. 21. Waste ground near l'iews- ley, 1929. R.M. ; Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. Rubbish-tip, Greenford. 1955; B.S.B.T. Excur¬ sion ; Hb.K. & Hb.L. det. J.P.M.B. A. lividus L., A. A SC FA' dens Lois. Alien. Europe. Y.-c. 21. Hackney Marshes, 1913, J.E.C.; Hb.K nr. CHENQPODIACEAE J. P. M. Brenan has kindly examined many gatherings in Kb. Kent & Kb. Lousley, and a number of specimens in Tib. Lovsley have been named by Dr. P. Aellen. CHENOPODIUM L. C. rubrum L. Bed Goose font . Pond verges, waste places, cultivated ground, farm yards and rubbish-tips. Common and very variable in all the v.-cc. except 19, where it is so far unrecorded. It has spread con¬ siderably and is now frequent on bombed sites in the City and Central London. The following varieties are on record:- — Var. blitoides Wallr. V.-c. 17. Putney Heath, 1934; C.A. Y.-c. 21. Railway sidings, Ux¬ bridge, abundant, 1947, Tf.K.K. : Var. rseudobotryodes H. C. Wats, ex Syme. V.-c. 17. Nutfield Green, 1933, E.C.W. ; Kb. L. V.-c. 21. Crouch End; Finchley, 1899; J.E.C. Var. Kochiiforme J. Mnrr. V.-c. 18. Dagenham, 1935, J.P.M.B . ; Kb.Kew. V.c. 21. Rubbish-tip. Green- ford, 1952: J.P.M.B. & D.K.K. Var. cymosiflortjm Aellen. V.-c. 16. Rubbish-tip near Sevenoaks, 1936, K.K.A.S., N.Y.R. & J.P.M.B . ; Kb. Tie iv. C1. Bonus-henrictjs L. Good Kind Kmry . Alien. Europe. A relic of cultivation established in habitats rich in nitrogen, e.g. farmyards, rich pastures, roadsides and waste places. Not common. V.-c. 16. Kes- ton, 1933; near Abbey Wood, 1936; P.K.C. ; 1948; B.A.B. Pratt’s Bot¬ tom ,1940; F.P.B. Horton Kirby, 1954; F.U. Green Street Green, near Earnborough ; G.M.B. V.-c. 17. Thorpe, 1919; Slyfield, Great Book- ham. 1925; E.B.B. Limpsfield, 1919; B. IT'. B. Warlingham, 1935; Tad- worth, 1936: P.K.C. Oxted, 1937, P.K.C.) Kh.L.N.K.S. Putney Heath, 1932; C.P.C. V.-c. 18. North Ockenden, 1909, P.K.C.) Rain- ham, 1912, C.S.X.) Hb.Jj.N.K .S. Buckhurst Hill, 1951-52; rubbish-tip, Ilford. 1951; B.T.W. V.-c. 19. Epping, 1900; C.S.N.) 1922; L.J.T.) 1950-52; Aimes Green, 1951; B.T.W. Roydon, 1936; P.K.C. Waltham Abbey, 1952; B.M.P. V.-c. 20. Bricket Wood, 1909; P.K.C. Hertford Heath, 1953; B.M.P. V.-c. 21. Finchley, 1912-25; J.E.C. Towpath near Hampton Court, 1922; Tj.J.T. Hampton Court Park, 1946; 7LTTT. Near Kingston Bridge, 1948; B.A.B. Harefield: Hillingdon; Staines Moor; Han well ; Northolt Churchyard. 1933-53; K.K.K. V.-c. 24. Horton; P.K.C. C. HYBRiDUM L. Sowbane. Waste and cultivated ground and rub¬ bish-tips. Rather rare. V.-c. 16. Near St. Mary Cray, 1944, B.W.K. (A J.E.L.) near Farningham Wood in great abundance. 1947, J.E.Tj. ; 234 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. Hb.L. ; 1950-52; Darentli, by path from church to Roman Villa, 1948-52; near Darenth Wood, 1952; H.M.P. Flower bed weed, Lessness Abbev, 1951; L.N.H.S. Excu rsion. V.-c. 17. Wandsworth Park, several plants, 1951; B.A.B. V.-c. 18. Grange Park; L.B.H. Leyton, 1871, J.F.I). ; Bb. L.N.H.S. Dagenham, 1934, J.E.L. ; Hb.L. V.-c. 20. St. Margaret’s, Ware, 1938, J .E.L. ; Hb.L. V.-c. 21. Near Yeading, a single large plant, 1949; B.A.B. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1950; D.H.K.; 1952; H.C.G. C. urbicum L. Upright Goosefoot . Cultivated ground. Very rare. Forms of C. rubrum are often mistaken for it. V.-c. 17. Fallow field, Ham, 1917, C.E.B. ; Hb.Kew. Limpsfield, 1919; B.W.B. V.-c. 21. Near river Brent, Hendon. 1912; C'.S.N. The var. intermedium (Mert. & Koch) Koch is recorded from v.-c. 21. Near Staines, 1908, C.B.G. ; Hb.S.L.B.I. C. murale L. Nettle-leaved Goosefoot . Cultivated and waste ground, rubbish-tips and waysides. Rather rare, and often only casual. V.-c. 16. Bickley, 1941; F.B.B. det. A.J.W. Near St. Mary Cray, 1944, J.E.L.; “shoddy” alien, Hextable, 1948, D.McC.; Hb.L. Farningham, plentiful in an orchard, 1948; B.A.B.', 1952; H.M.P. Lessness Abbey ruins, 1948; B.A.B. V.-c. 17. Mortlake, 1913 and 1920; J.E.C. Epsom Downs, 1938, J.E.L. & B.C.L.B. ; Beddington, garden weed, 1942, J.E.L.', Hb.L. Epsom College, 1951, A.E.E.', Hb.E.O.M. Putney Heath, 1936; rubbish-tip, near Roehampton, 1936; C.A. V.-c. 18. Chad- well Place, 1913; W.S. Rubbish-tip, Barking, 1953; B.T.W. V.-c. 21. Muswell Hill, 1897; East Finchley, 1906; J.E.C. Golders Green, 1910, P.H.C.; Hb. L.N.H.S. Bombed site, Causton Street, S.W.l, 1943; D.McC. Bombed site, King’s Road, Chelsea, 1943 ; W.J.L.S. ; bombed site, Devereux Court, Temple, 1944, N.Y.S.; 1945, J.E.L.; Hb.L. Fore¬ court of Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1946; rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1950, H.H.K.; Hb.K. Rubbish-tip, Greenford, 1954; B.W. Near Sunbury; near Walton Bridge; B.W. Rubbish-tip, Lower Feltham, 1951; RTF., J.Bu. A D.H.K. C. opulifolium DC. Alien. Europe. Established on waste ground and rubbish-tips. Not common. V.-c. 17. Merton, 1929, C. E.B. ; waste ground, Collier’s Wood, Tooting, 1935, J.E.W. ; rubbish- tip, Mortlake, 1948, J.E.L. ; Hb.L.-, 1953; D.H.K. V.-c. 18. Rainham, 1920; L.B.H. Rubbish-tip, Barking, 1953; B.T.W. V.-c. 21. Waste ground by river Thames, Chiswick, plentiful, 1948; J.P.M.B. & D.H.K. ; 1949-53; D.H.K. Rubbish-tip, Greenford, plentiful, 1952; J.P.M.B. & D. H.K.; 1953; D.H.K. C:. album L. White Goosefoot, Fat Hen. Cultivated and waste ground. Frequent throughout the area, and by far the commonest and most variable Chenopodium species found in the London Area. The following subspecific taxa have been recorded : — Ssp. eu-album var. polymorphum f. lanceolatiforme (J. Murr) Aellen. V.-c. 17. By Grand Stand, Epsom Downs; allotments near Walton-on-Thames railway station, 1932, J.E.L.; Hb.L/. det. P.A* V.-c. 18. Rubbish-tip, Dagen- *Aellen, P. chenqpodiaceae. 235 ham, 1934, J.E.L. ; Hb.L. det. P.A. Ssp. eu-album var. Borbasii (Murr.) Aellen. Y.-c. 18. Near Ford Works, Dagenham, 1936, J.E.L . ; Hb.L. det. P.A. Y.-e. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1952; J.P.M.B. & D.H.K. Forma cymigerum (Koch) Schinz &■ Tliell. Y.-c. 21. Nevilles Court, E.C., 1948, J.E.L.-, Hb.Jj. Rubbish-tip, Northolt, 1953; J.P.M.B. & D.H.K. xBerlanoieri ssp. Zschacket - C. x variabile var. 51 urrii Aellen. Y.-c. 17. Rubbish-tip, Mortlake, 1941, J.P.M.B. A- X.Y.8. ; 1948, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. teste J.P.M.B.-, 1950-53; D.H.K. Wimbledon Common, on debris from bombed houses. 1943, J.E.L.. C.P.C. eb W.II.S.; Hb.L. teste J.P.M.B. C. reticulatum Aellen. Cultivated ground. Rare, or overlooked as C. album. Y.-e. 21. Arable land, Heathrow, 1946, J.P.M.B.-, Hb.K. [C. suecicum J. Murr, C. viride auct.. has not yet been detected in the area, though it may be found.] C. pratericola Rydh., C. leptophyllum auct., non Nutt. Alien. N. America V.-c. 20. Totteridge Lane, 1929, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. conf. J.P.M.B. The var. Thel- lungianum Aellen is recorded from v.-c. 18. Dagenham, 1934, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. det. P.A. C. fici folium Sm., C. SEROTixuM auct. Fig-leaved Goose foot. Culti¬ vated and Avaste ground, and rubbish-tips. Rather common. \ .-c. 16. Green Street Green, near Farnborough, 1937, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. Bickley, 1941; F.P.B. det. A.J.W. Hartford; G.M.B. V.-c. 17. Cornfield near Thorpe, 1917, E.B.B.; Hb.B. Epsom Sewage Farm, 1938; A.E.E. Wim¬ bledon Park, 1928, HAV.P.; Hb.L. Buckland, 1939; Mizen’s Market Garden, Ewell, 1951, A.E.E. ; Hb.E.G.M. Cultivated field, Bedding- ton, many thousands of plants, 1949; P.A.B. V.-c. 21. Harringay Park, 1905: Ha vers tuck Hill. Hampstead. 1907, C.8.N.; Hb.L.K .H.8. Harefield; Ruislip; Yiewsley : West Drayton; South Harrow: Houn¬ slow; Hanwell; Ealing; Greenford; Southall: Acton; Kensington Gar¬ dens, 1944-53; D.H.K. C. glaucum L. Oak-leaved , or Glaucous Goosefoot. Cultivated and waste ground, and stony lake Amrges. Very local, and sometimes only casual. V.-c. 16. By Kemsing railway station, 1948, D.McC .; Hb.L. Y.-c. 17. Merton, 1931, C.E.B.-, Hb.L. Brickfield, Red Lane, Limps- field, 1933 and 1939, B.W.B.; Hb.P. Wimbledon Common, 1942; C.A. V.-c. 18. Dagenham, 1920; T,.B.H. V.-c. 21. Manure heap. Tanner’s End, near Edmonton, 1885, F.J.H.; Muswell Hill, 1906; Yiewsley, 1909, J.E.G. ; Hb.Mvs.Brit. Brent Reservoir, abundant all round shore, 1949, J.E.L.; Hb.L.; 1950-53; Ruislip Reservoir, scarce, 1949; D.H.K. C. Vulv aria L., C. olidum Curt. Stinking Goosefoot. Alien. Europe, including parts of Britain. Established on waste ground, though some¬ times only casual. Rare. Y.-c. 17. Warlingham; TF.TF. Tamworth 236 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. Lane, Mitcham, 1930, J.E.L.-, Hb.L. V.-c. 18. By brackish ditch, Ripple Level, Barking, 1954; J.E.L., B.W. & J.C.C. V.-c. 21. Hack¬ ney Marshes, 1914-16, J.E.C . ; Hb.Mus.Brit. North Hyde, 1920 J.E.C. Canal bank, Brentford, 1927, C.E.H.-, Hb.Kew. Near Chiswick House, 1937; E.B.Ba.- 1949, li.A.B. A D.H.K.; Hb.K. West Ealing, casual, 1941; D.H.K. Waste ground, Yeading, 1951, li.A.B. ; Hb.K. Canal bank between Hanwell and Southall, 1954; B.W. C. polyspermum L. Allseed, Many-seeded Goosefoot. Cultivated and waste ground, and roadsides. Frequent in all the v.-cc. Both the vars. ACTTTiFOLiuM Gaud. and obtusifolittm Gaud, are common. C. a mbr osioides L. Mexican Tea. Alien. Tropical America V- 21 Yiew^- ley, 1911, J.E.C. C. hircinum Schrad. Alien S. America. V.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1946 N.Y.S. A D.H.K. ; Hb.K., Hb.Kew A Hb.L. conf. J.P.M.B. The var. diminutum Ludw. is recorded from v.-c. 18. Dagenham, 1939 .7 P.M B NYS A H K 4. S Hb.L. C. Berlandieri Moq. Alien. N. America. Ssp. Zschackei (J. Murr) Zobel V.-c. 17. Tadworth, 1929, J.E.L.; Hb.L,. det P.A. Ssp. pi.atyphylltjm (Tsslerl Ludw. V.-c. 21. By Soya Foods Ltd., Springwell, 1945, D H.K.; Hb K A Hb T det. J.P.M.B. C. cristatum (F. Muell.) F. Muell. Alien. Australia. V.-c. 16. TTextable, introduced with “shoddy”. 1950, D.McC.; Hb.L. teste J.P.M.B. C. Probstti Aellen. Alien. Australia. V.-c. 16. Hextable, introduced wiib "shoddy”, 1948, D.McC. ; Hb.L. C. RUGOSUM Aellen. Alien. N. Asia. V.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell 1946 N.Y.S. A D.H.K.; Hb.K. A Hb.Kew det. P.A. C. BUSHIANUM Aellen. Alien. N. America. V.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell 1946, N.Y.S. A D.H.K.; Hb.K. A Hb.Kew det. P.A. The var. acutidentatum (Aell.) Aell. is reported from v.-c. 21. Near Sova Foods Ltd. Springwell 1945 N Y 8 A D.H.K. ; Hb.K. det. P.A. C. capitatum (L.) Aschers., Blitum capitati-m L. Alien. ? Europe. V.-c. 18. C'bingford, 1907; C.N. BETA L. B. trigyna Waldst. & Kit. Alien. E. Europe. V.-c. 17. Bomb-crater, Brock- ham Hill, 1948, J.E.L.-, Hb.L.-, 1949; J.E.L. V.-c. 18. Waste ground, West Ham 1945, J.A.W.; Hb.L.; 1954; B.M.C.M. A B.W. B. maritima L. Sen Beet. Banks of the tidal Thames below London, elsewhere on waste land as an introduction. Local. V.-c. 16. Swans- combe Marshes, 1919; P.H.C. Stone Marshes, 1930; B.W.R. - 1938, P.H.C.; Hb.L.N.H.S. Hartford, 1945; B.H.C. Near Crayford Ness! 1951; B.W J.C.C. & J.E.L. Erith Marshes, 1951; H.T.C. ; 1952; L.N.H.S. Excursion. V.-c. 18. Purfleet, 1911; C.S.N. Ripple Level, Barking, 1954 ; J.E.L. V.-c. 21. East Finchley, 1907; Hackney Marshes. 1912, J.E.C.-, Hb.Mus.Brit. Yiewsley, 1909; J.E.C. chenopodiaceae . 237 SPINACIA L. S. oleeacba L. Spinach. Y.-c. 21. Yiewsley, 1927; J.E.C. V.-c. 18. Dagenham Dock, 1927, J.E.C.-, Hb. Mus. Brit. det. ,4.3/. Rubbish-tips, Greenford and Hanwell- D.H.K. ATRIPLEX L. A. littoralis L. Shore Orache. Banks of the tidal Thames, also as an adventure on rubbish-tips. Locally plentiful. Y.-c. 16. Cray- Darent Estuarj7 ; G.M.B. Y.-c. 17. Rubbish-tip, Earlswood Pond, 1948-49, B.M.C.M. ; Hh.L. Y.-c. 18. West Thurrock Marshes, 1911, C.S.N.; Hb.L.N.H.S. Grays, plentiful on sea-wall, 1949, B.W. <£ J.E.L. ; Hb.Kew. Y.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell, 1951, D.H.K. \ Hb.K. The var. sebrata (Huds.) S. F. Gray is reported from v.c. 18. West Thurrock Marshes, 1911, C.S.N. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. A. pattjla L. Common Orache. Cultivated and waste ground and roadsides. Frequent throughout the Area. The vars. linearis (Gaud.) Moss A V ilmott and erecta (Huds.) T.ange are both common. A. hastata L. Hastate Orache. Waste ground and roadsides. Pro¬ bably common though less frequently recorded than the previous species. Y.-cc. 16 and 17. Frequent. Y.-c. 18. Brentwood; P.H.C. Ching- tord, common, 1935; J.B. V.-c. 21. Common. In earlier records of the Society A. deltoidea Bab. was reported but most of the plants so- named belong here. A. glabriuscula Ediuondst., including A. Babingtonii Woods. Baling ton’s Orache. Shores of the tidal Thames. Local. Y.-c. 16. Stone Marshes, 1950; H.M.P. Cray-Darent Estuary; G.M.B. V.-c. 21. Marshy field near Yeading, no doubt an introduction but completely naturalised with Aster Trtpoltum and Puccinellia distans 1951-53- P.A.B. & D.H.K. A. hortensis L. Alien. Europe. V.-c. 21. Near Temple Fortune, 1915; Finch¬ ley, 1926, J.E.C.) Hb. Mus. Brit. Bombed site, Noble Street, E.C., 1945, J.E.L.) Hb.L The var. rubra (Crantz.) Roth is recorded from v.-c. 21. Rubbish-tip, Hanwell 1946, D.H.K.) Hb.K. Rubbish-tip, Gieenford, 1954; B.W. A. spongiosa F. Muell. Alien. Australia. V.-c. 20. Rubbish-tip. Ware, 1921 A.W.G.) Hb.L. HALIMIONE Aellen H. portulacoides (L.) Aellen, Atriplex portulacoides L., Obione portulacoides (L.) Moq. Sea Purslane. Salt marshes. Locally abun¬ dant. V.-c. 16. Thames marshes up to Stone, 1948-50; H.M.P. AXYRIS L. A. amaranthoides L. Alien. N. Asia. V.-c. 17. Railway bank, Morden, 1929, E.C.W.) Hb.L. V.-c. 18. Rubbish-tip. Barking, 1951; B.W., J.Ru., L.JV.F * . 17. Banstead Downs, 1929; J.E.L. ; 1947, 1948 & 1953; D.E.K.* Y.-c. 21. Between Harefield and Northwood, 1906; C.B.G. Near Harefield, 1913; J.E.C. PLATANTHERA L. C. Rich. P. chloraxtha (Cust.) Rchb., Habenaria chloraxtha (Cust.) Bab.. H. virescexs (Zollikofer ex Cust.) Druce. Greater Butterfly Orchid. Woods and grassy slopes, especially on calcareous soils. Local. Y.-c. 16. Downe, 1946; Westerham Wood. 1949; Holwood, 1954; S. of Cud- ham; F.B. V.-c. 17. Near Titsey; TF.TF. Titsey Wood, 1924; above Limpsfield, local, 1924; B.W.B. Devil’s Den Wood. Coulsdon, 1924, JE.L. ; Hh.L.; 1951; H.Br. Woldingham, in profusion, 1954; B.C. P. bifolia (L.) L. C. Rich., Habexaria bifolia (L.) R.Br. Lesser Butterfly Orchid. Grassy slopes and open woods. Local. Y.-c. 16. Poverish, near Orpington; E. of Evnsford; N. of Kemsing; TF.TF. Wood, Romney Street, near Shoreham, 1939, P.H.C. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. Furze Bottom, one plant, 1943: H.N. Hog and High Castle Woods, near Kingsdown, 1949; Darentli Wood, 1947; F.B. Y.-c. 17. Copse adjoining Headley Lane, 1871, F.J.H.: Hh.Mus.Brit. Devil’s Den Wood, Coulsdon, 1924, J.E.L.-, Hh.L. Y.-c. 18. Near Robin Hood, Epping Forest, 1900: J.E.G. I R I DACE A E IRIS L. I. Pseudacorus L. Yellow Flag. Marshes, swamps, and in shallow water or wet ground at the edge of ponds, streams and ditches. Cora- *Kimmins, D. E. 270 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. mon in all the v.-cc. except 19 where it is so far unrecorded. The var. Bastardi Bor. is reported from v.-c. 17. Baron’s Pond, Epsom Com¬ mon, 1923 & 1925, J.E.L.) Hb.L .; 1935, P.H.C. ; Hb.L N.H.S. ; 1942, A. E.E. ; Hb.E.C.M. I. foetidis Sima L. Gladdon , Stinking Iris. Hedge banks and open woods, usually on chalky soils. Local. V.-c. 16. Darrack Wood, Orp¬ ington, 1921; Keston; TF.TF.; 1936 : P.H.C. Woods E. of Eynsford ; IF. TV. ; G.M.B. Near Crockham Hill, J.924; R.W.B. Darenth and Swanscombe Woods; wood by Littlebrook, Dartford, 1948-50; H.M.P. V.-c. 17. Norbury Park, 1916; E.B.B.; abundant, 1932, J.E.L. ; Hb.L .; 1953; -J.E.Ij. Titsey Plantation, local, 1919; BAY. It. Near Redhill, 1931; P.H.C. Near Betchworth Clump, 1945, H.E.F.* ; Hb.E.C.M. V.-c. 20. Bayford Churchyard, 1937; P.H.C.-, 1944; L*. N.H.S. Excur¬ sion. Oxhey Woods: R.A.G. V.-c. 21. Bushy Park; A.W.J. I. SiBiRiCA L. Alien. Europe. Garden outcast. V.-c. 21. Bombed site, Cripple- gate, F.E.W.- Lond. Nat., 98, 86 (1949). I. versicolor L. Alien. N. America. Garden outcast. Naturalised in a swamp Rare. V.-c. 18. High Beach, Epping Forest, 1953; B. T.W. CROCUS L. C. coeruleus Weston, C. pttrpureus Weston, C. vernus (L.) All. Purple Crocus. Alien. Europe. Naturalised in meadows. Local. V.-c 16. Chislehurst; G.M.B. V.-c. 17. N ew Malden, abundant in a pasture, 1937, J.E.L.) Hb.L.-, now destroyed by building; J.E.L. V.-c. 18. Meadows at Warley Place, 1945, J.A.Wh. ; Hb.L . V.-c. 21. Friern Barnet, 1887; J.E.C.) 1900, E.M.D.) Hb.L.N.H.S.) abundant, 1901; C. S.N.) apparently destroyed by the dumping of rubbish shortly before the recent war; D.H.K. C. flavus Weston, C. aureus Sibth. Golden Crocus. Alien. Asia Minor. Garden escape. Naturalised in grassy places. Rare. V.-c. 17. Limpsfield Common, R.W.B.) Lond. Nat., 19, 25 (1940). SISYRINCHIUM L. S. Bermudiana L., S. angustifolium Mill. Blue-eyed Grass. Alien. N. America. V.-c. 18. Lucerne field E. of Eynsford Church, one plant. 1920; IF. TV. Hayes Common, several plants. 1934: D.McC. V.-c. 21. Shadwell Dock, 1945; J.E.L. CROCOSMIA Planchon. C. x crocosmiiflora (Lemoine) N.E.Br. Montbretia. Alien of hortal origin. Established on waste grounds and rubbish- tips. Rather common. V.-c. 17. Beddington Lane tip, 1937, P.H.C.) Hb.L.N .H.S. Ham gravel pits, 1953; H.T.C. V.-c. 21. Waste ground. Hanwell, 1946-54; rubbish-tip, New Year’s Green, 1954; D.H.K. *Ford, H. K. AMARYLLIDACEAE. 271 AMARYLLIDACEAE NARCISSUS L. N. Pseudonarcissus L. Wild Daffodil. Damp woods and grass¬ land. Locally abundant. The following records include a few of garden outcasts which we have been unable to separate from the possibly native stations. Y.-c. 16. Abbey Wood, abundant; TF.TT . ; 1934; L.N.E.S. Excursion ; 1954; D.H.K. Overest Copse, near Orpington. 1938, P.E.G. : Eb. L.N.E.S. Y.-c. 17. Limpsfield Common, Lond. Nat., 18. 72 (1939). Near Leatherhead; Box Hill, 1952; A.W.J. Y.-c. 18. Cooks Folly Wood, 2 plants, 1901; B.W.B. Wood N. of Connaught Water, scarce, 1901; J.O.B. Fields near Blake Hall, scarce, 1902; J.A.S. Woods near Beaumont Manor, 1902, C.S.N. ; Eh. L.N.E.S. Y.-c. 20. W. of Broxbourne, 1896, B.W.B.; Eb.B.; 1898, F.E.M. ; Eb. L.N.E.S.] abundant in several woods; C.N. Y.-c. 21. Mad Bess Wood, Ruislip; P.J.E.; scarce, 1951; in several orchards at Ruislip; F. E.W. Osterley Park, abundant, 1927-54; Copse near Muswell Hill, scarce, 1945; D.E.E. Coppett’s Wood, Colney Hatch, one plant; B.W. Y.-c. 24. Wood between Uxbridge and Chalfont St. Peter, fairly plenti¬ ful, 1900; A.U.B. N. x biflorus Curt. Primrose Peerless. Alien of liortal origin. Naturalised in an orchard. Rare. Y.-c. 21. Old orchard, Ruislip, G. B.G.; Eb.S.L.B.I. N. majalis var. patellarts (Salisb.) Pugsl., N. poeticus auct. p.p. Pheasant’s Eye. Alien of hortal origin. Y.-c. 21. Copse near Harefield, far from houses, one plant, 1945, D.H.K.-, Hb K.. det. H.W.P. GALANTHUS L. G. nivalis L. Snowdrop. Damp woods and by streams. Locally abundant. Y.-c. 17. At intervals by the river Mole from Brockham Green to Stoke D’Abernon. If it is an introduction it is certainly a very ancient one indeed and has spread by natural means — presumably by the Mole in flood; J.E.L. Copse E. of Chelsham Church, several small clumps, 1931; J.C.B. Limpsfield Common, B.W.B.; L.N. 18, 72 (1939). Wimbledon Common, 1953. garden escape; A.W.J. Y.-c. 20. Roxford Copse, 1939; B.S.B.F. Y.-c. 21. Hampstead Heath, garden escape, 1949; A.W.J. [LEUCOJUM L. L. aestivum L. Summer Snowflake. This attractive plant has not been reported for the Area by our members, but there are old records from the Thames-side in W. Kent and the plant may possibly survive in the private grounds of Woolwich Arsenal.] DIOSCOREACEAE TAMUS L. T. communis L. Black Bryony. Wood margins, climbing over hedgerows, in scrub, etc. Common throughout the Area. 272 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AREA. LILIACEAE RUSCUS L. R. aculeatus L. Butcher’ s Broom. Dry woods, heaths, commons, hedges, etc. Locally plentiful. V.-c. 16. Pauls Cray Common, 1908, Mrs. Godden, fide E.B.B. Hayes Common, 1905, W.H.Gr.; Hb.L. Chislehurst ; W.W. West Wickham Woods, 1918; Chevening Park, 1925; L.J.T. Stone Wood, 1919; P.H.C. Copse near Joyden’s Wood, Bexley, 1932, P.H.C. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. Farningham, Darenth and Swans- combe Woods ,1946; Holwood Park, 1954; F.B. Hollow’s Wood, Shore- ham, 1947; J.B.M. Woods S.W. of Keston Windmill; Shooters Hill Wood; Farnborougli, 1954; G.M.B. Y.-c. 17. Great Bookham Common, 1920; E.B.B. 1950; E.B.Ba. Mickleham, 1917; C.L.W. Ashtead Woods, 1925, J.E.L.; Hb.L.-, 1930; P.H.C. Epsom Common, 1928: B.T.W. Below Box Hill; A.W.J. Wood on Sudbrook Park Golf Course, near Richmond, 1946; C.L.C. V.-c. 18. Chingford, 1911; P.H.C.] Epping Forest, 1900, C.S.N. ; Hb.L.N.H.S.; frequent, 1954, B.M.P. Highams Park; Lambourne; B.W.B. Hawk Wood, one clump; Bury Wood, two clumps 1908; P.H.C. Y.-c. 19. North Weald, 1951; B.M.P. V.-c. 21. Hampstead Heath, one plant, 1902; J.E.Wh.; extinct there now; D.H.K. Gravel pit, Hanwell, 1903, C.B.G. ; Hb.S.L.B.I. ; now built over; D.H.K. Hadley Woods, 1907; Potters Bar, 1908; P.H.C. Syon Park, 1929; L.J.T. South Lodge, Enfield, 1929, P.J.H. ; Hb. L.N.H.S. Whitewebbs Park; L.J.J. Plantation in Bushy Park. 1948; B.A.B. Copse between Ealing and Brentford, 1950; W.E.F. ASPARAGUS L. A. officinalis L. Asparagus. Alien. Europe. An escape from cultivation established on ivaste ground, rubbish-tips, etc. Not common. V.-c. 16. Near Gravesend, 1903; J.E.C. Swanscombe Marshes, 1950; J.E.L. V.-c. 17. Railway bank, Banstead Common, 1938, P.H.C.; Hb.L.N.H.S. Bookham Common, 1950; A.W.J. V.-c. 21. Yiewsley; J.E.C. Near Alperton; near Chiswick; Syon Park, 1946; rubbish-tips, Northolt and Greenford, 1947 ; by Frays River N. of Uxbridge. 1948; waste ground, Hanwell. 1954; D.H.K. Bombed sites. CYipplegate and Gresham Street, E.O. ; A.W.J. POLYGON ATUM All. P. multiflorum (L.) All. Solomon'’ s Seal. Woods. Locally com¬ mon in v.-c. 16, rare elsewhere. V.-c. 16. Wood near Swanley, 1883, F.J.H. ; Hb.Mvs.Brit. Farningham Wood; W.W.\ abundant under Castanea, 1947; J.E.Jj. Joyden’s Wood, Bexley; TF.TF. ; 1946; Darenth Wood; wood W. of Sutton-at-Hone, 1951; N.W. part of Petts Wood: wood N. of Sheepcote Farm, St. Mary Cray, 1954; F.B. V.-c. 17. Wood by roadside, Box Hill: L.G.P. ; back of Box Hill, 1949; B.W. V.-c. 18. Near High Beach Church, 1891 A 1901. F.E.M. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. V.-c. 20. Bayford. 1937; P.H.C. P. odoratum (Mill.) Druce, P. officinale All. Angular Solomon’s Seal. Alien. Europe, including parts of Britain, Naturalised in a L1LIACEAK. 273 plantation. Very local. Y.-c. 21. Plantation adjoining Stanmore Common, D.H.K.: Hb.h. M A 1 AN T HEM U JM Weber M. bi.foj.ium (L.) Schmidt, Uxifoiaum bifolium (L.) O. Kuntze. May Lily. In the London Area tliis attractive species is known only at Ken Wood (v.-c. 21) ; it was first recorded there by Hunter in 1814 and persisted in quantity until at least 1920; in 1924 only one plant was seen and that did not flower. It has been suggested that the habitat was de¬ stroyed by path-making, but the drought of 1921 may have been equally responsible. The history of the plant in Britain was the subject of a paper by A. B. Jackson in J. Hot., 52, 202-208 (1913). A number of plants from another locality were replanted in the wood by J. S. L. Gilmour in 1933, see J. Hot., 71, 168-109 (1933). In 1945 they were com¬ pletely naturalised and increasing in number, fide li.Sll.F. CON V ALLAH I A L. C. ma.ialis L. Lily-o f-th e-valley. Dry woods. Locally abundant. V.-c. 16. In most of the woods on Blaekheath Beds: F.li. Holwood; IF. TV. Farningham Wood, 1947: J.E.L.-, 1952; 1I.M.P. Joyden s Wood, Bexley, 1919; E.H.H.: abundant, 1937; P.H.C . ; 1946; F.li.-, 1954; H.M.P. Wood W. of Sutton-at-Hone, 1951; F.li. Keston Com¬ mon, 1948; li.A.H. Spring Park Wood, West Wickham, 1926, F.A.S.-, Hb.L. Holwood Park, 1954: F.li. Hollows Wood, Slioreham, 194< ; J.H.M. Darenth Wood ; G.M.H. V.-c. 17. Croharn Hurst, several patches, 1943, J.E.L. ■ 11b. L.; 1954; C.T.P. ; L.N.H.E. Excursion. V.-c. 18. Epping Forest, well established and occasionally flowering; C .A . Birching Copse, frequent but not flowering, 1909; F.R.6.; 1952; J.E.L. A H.T.W. Warley Wood, 1910, P.FL.C. ; Hb.L.N.H.S. Ongar Park Wood, 1925, L.J.T. ; Hb.B.\ abundant, 1927 ; L.N.H.S. Excursion ; 1952; J.E.L. A H.T.W. V.-c. 20. Wormley Wood, 1954; B.M.P. Y.-c. 21. Winclimore Hill Wood, 1906, L. S. Ken Mood; IF .C .11 . ; a large patch, but not flowering, 1948-54: i).ll.l\. Y.-c. 24. Black Park, 1899; A.U.H.-, 1950; L.N.H.F. Excursion . HEMEROCA LL1S L. H. fulva L. Dciy Lily. Alien. Europe. Garden escape. Estab¬ lished on the banks of a stream. V.-c. 17. Bookham Common, 2L.TT .J. ; Loud. Nat., S3, 44 (1954). PHORMIUM Forst. P. tenax Forst. Alien. New Zealand. Garden escape established on the banks of a stream. Rare. V.-c. 16. Slioreham Castle Farm, 1949; T).McC.\ J.E.L. ALSTROEMERIA L A. aurantiaca L. Peruvian Lily. Alien. S. America. Garden outcast. V -c 21. Bombed site, Cripplegate; A.W.J. 274 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE LONDON AEEA . ASPHODELUS L. A. tenuifoltus Cav. Alien. Asia. V.-c. 16 Beckenham Park Place, 1934, Hb.L. ALLIUM L. A. vineale L. Crow Garlic. Fields, roadsides, banks of streams, etc. Rather common. Y.-c. 16. Frequent by the Thames from Swans- combe to Greenhithe. Chislehurst Common, abundant; WAV. V.-c. 17. Frequent by the Thames from Wey bridge to Richmond. Limpsheld, 1922; B.W.B. Wimbledon Common, 1937; C.A.; 1951; A.W.J. V.-c. 18. Purfleet, 1935; P.H.C. Coopersale, 1954, B.M.F. V.-c. 19. Galley Hill, 1908, P.H.C.-, Hb.L.N.H.S. V.-c. 20. Hatfield Hyde, 1920; P.H.C. V.-c. 21. Frequent by the Thames from Staines to Hampton Court. Near Greenford, 1900; A.W.B. Gravel pit near Cranford, common, 1900; A.U.B. East Bedfont; F.B. Above Harefield chalk¬ pits; Whitchurch Common, scarce, 1944-54; D.H.K. The usual form in the London Area is var. compactum (Thuill.) Bor., but the var. bulbiferum Syme is reported from v.-c. 17. By Teddington Lock, 1931, J.E.L.,; Hb.L. A. ursinum L. Bam sons. Damp woods and shady hedgebanks. Locally abundant. V.-cc. 16 and 17. Frequent. V.-c. 18. Seward- stone, 1899, B.W.B. ; Hb.L.N .H.S. Chingford; E.M.D. Hornchurch; Corbet Tey; P.H.C. Epping Forest, Loughton, 1952; Navestock, 1953; B.M.P. V.-c. 20. Rickmansworth, 1913; P.H.C. Radlett, 1941; J.B. V.-c. 21. Frequent in the north and north-east parts of the county, rare elsewhere. Ealing; F.P.D.B. Kingsbury, 1911, P.H.C.-, Hb. L.N.H.S. Near Bentley Priory, Stanmore, 1923; L.J.T.; 1946; D.H.K. Northolt Churchyard, 1944; H.W.Pa. A D.H.K. A. Schoenoprasum L. Chives. Alien. Europe, including parts of Britain Garden outcast. Y.-c. 17. Wimbledon Common, 1953; C. A. A. sativum L. Garlic. Alien. Asia. Hortal outcast. Y.-c. 17. Limpsheld Common, R.W.R.-, Lond. Nat., 18, 72 (1939) A. Cepa L. Onion. Alien of hortal origin. Common on rubbish-tips as a garden outcast. A. roseum L. Alien. Mediterranean region. Naturalised by the Thames. Rare. V.-c. 17. By the Thames between Kew and Richmond. 1943, P.H.C.-, Hb.L.N.H.S.-, 1950, B.W. ; L.N.H.S. Excursion. No doubt originally thrown out from Kew Gardens. MUSCARI Mill. M. atlanticum Boiss. & Reut., M. racemosum (L.) DC. Grape- Hyacinth. Alien. Europe, including parts of Britain. Garden escape naturalised in grassy places. Rare. V.-c. 16. Stone, well established, 1940, P.H.C.; Hb.L.N .H.S. V.-c. 17. Wimbledon Common, 1930; C.P.C.; 1952; A.W.J. V.-c. 21. Thames bank, Hampton Court, about 12 plants, 1946; B.W.; D.H.K. LILIA CEAE. 275 HYACTNTHUS L. H. orientalis L. Hy acini h . Alien. S. Europe. Garden out cast. Y.-c. 21 Bombed site, Cripplegate; A.W.J. H. comosum (L.) Mill.. Hyaclmhus (o.Mosrs L. Alien. Europe. Y.-c lfi Edge of wood near Orpington, one plant, 1921. E.B.B Hb.B. SCILLA L. S. autumn alis L. Autumn Squill. Dry grassy places. Very local. V.-c. 17. Meadow near Thames near Ham, 1871, F.J.H.; Hb.Mus.Brit. : 1923, H.J.B. ; Hb.B.; about 40 plants, 1944, J.E.L.: Hb.L. Near Molesey, 1944; B.W. V.-c. 21. Hampton Court Home Park, 1905; B.W.B.; 1926, J.E.L.; Hb.L.; 1939-54; D.H.K. Plants with white flowers are reported from v.-c. 21. Hampton Court Home Park. ENDYMION Dum. E. xonscripta (Mill.) Garcke, Scilla nonscripta (L.) Hoffmg. & Link., S. nutans Sm. Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth. Woods, copses, hedge- banks, etc., rarely in open pastures. Common throughout the Area. Occasionally with white flowers. E. hispanicum (Mill.) Cliouard, Scilla hispaxica Mill., S. campanulata Ait. Alien. Europe. Garden outcast. Y.-c. 21. Waste ground, Chiswick, 1946, D.H.K.-, Hb.K. ORXITHOGALUM L. 0. umbellatum L. Star-of -Bethlehem. Grassy places and hedge- banks. Local and rare. V.-c. 16. Hayes, 1931; P.H.C. Field adjoin¬ ing Darenth Grange, 1948; rough ground near Scadbury Park. Chisle- hurst, 1954; H.M.P. Keston; sandpit, Greenhitke; G.M.B. V.-c. 17. Green lane leading from Betchworth to Headley Common, 1871, F.J.H. ; Hb.Mus.Brit. Thirty Acre Barn, Ashtead, 1929, E.C.W.: Hb.L. By golf links, Banstead Downs, a few plants, 1948; B.A.B. Banstead Downs, clearing in a copse S.W. of railway, 5 plants, 1950; E.W.G. Ham Common, 1946-50; B.W. V.-c. 21. Thames bank near Hampton Court, scarce, 1946; B.W . ; 1947; D.H.K. O. nutans L. Drooping Star-of-Bethlehem. Alien. Europe. Gar¬ den escape naturalised in grassy places. Rare. V.-c. 17. Wimbledon, 1855, F.J.H.; Hb.Mus.Brit. V.-c. 21. Hampton Court, 1923; W.H.S.; 1940; G.M.G. LILIUM L. L. Martagox L. Martagon Lily. Woods and copses. Very local, and confined to a small area of v.-c. 17. V.-c. 17. Copse in Headlev Lane, 1871, F.J.H.; Hb.Mus.Brit.; 1917, J.E.S.D.; Hb.B.: 1929, 1942 and 1952, now protected; J.E.L. Nower Wood, Headley, about 30 plants, 1948: J.E.S.D.; 1949, J.E.L.; Hb.L. Copse near Woodman- sterne; H.J.B.; 6 plants, 1952; G.T.P.; H.-J.B. & J.E.L. Under Box Hill rivercliff . P planted; W.H.S.; 1953; P.B.N.* *Norman, P. R. 276 A HAND LIST OF THE PLANTS OE THE LONDON AREA. FR1TILLARIA L. F. Meleagris L. Snake’s Head, Fritillary. Ramp meadows, oid pastures and orchards. Very local. V.-c. 16. Damp copse, near Chisle- hurst, c. 1944-54; J.IIo. V.-c. 18. Lea Marshes, 1884, P.K. t; ILh. L.N.H.S. V.-c. 20. Meadow near Totteridge, 1944; F.C.B. Meadows near Barnet, 1953; 7.Z.§ V.-c. 21. Fields, East End Farm, Pinner, 1872 & 1881, F.J.H. ; lib. Mus. Brit. ; 1903; C.B.G. ; Hb.S.L.B.I. ; old orchard, Pinner, abundant, 1950; T.G.C. ; 1951; T.G.C. A D.H.K. Mill Hill; C.D.P. ; about 20 plants, 1946; J.E.L. A D.H.K. Meadows near Barnet, 1953; I.L. White-flov7ered plants occur commonly with the normal dull purple form. TULIPA L. T. sylvestris L. Wild Tulip. Alien. Naturalised in a plantation. Very local. V.-c. 21. Grove near Harefield Church, 1872 & 1881, F.J.H. ) Hb. Mus. Brit. ; 1928; H.S.) 1936, J.E.L.) Hb.L. ; 1939-54; D.H.K. The 1881 specimen in Hb. Mus. Brit, bears a flower, otherwise the plant has not been known to produce flowers at Harefield. COLCHICUM L. C. autumxale L. Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus. Damp meadows and woods. Very local. V.-c. 17. Meadow near Reigate, 1871, F.J.H.) Hb. Mus. Brit. Selsdon Wood, 1923; G.F.* NARTHECIUM Huds. N. ossifragum (L.) Huds. Bog Asphodel. Bogs and wet heaths. Very local. V.-c. 16. Keston Bog, 1917; P.H.C.) 1944, J.E.L.) Hb.L.) 1954; F.l i. Near Keston Bog, 1954; F.R. & G.M.B. V.-c. 17. Oxshott Heath; IT. IF. Farm Bog, Wimbledon Common, scarce, 1929-37; C.A.) 1942; J.E.L.) scarce, 1946; D.H.K.) 1954; A.W.J. TRILLIAGEAE PARIS L. P. Q u ADRiFOLi a L. Herb Paris. Damp woods on calcareous soils. Very local. V.-c. 16. Near Orpington; Crofton; Holwood Park; W.W. Westerham Wood; H.S.F. V.-c. 17. Near Oxted, 1917; B.W.P. Whitehill, near Caterham, 1923; near Limpsfield Lodge Farm, Titsey, 1944, J.E.L.) Hb.L. V.-c. 21. Old Park Wood, Harefield, rare, 1942; D.H.K.) another patch, 1947; BAY. Park Wood, Ruislip, 3 plants, 1947; W.R.P. V.-c. 24. Denham; H.J.J.) 1934, P.H.C.) Hb.L.N.II.S. PUBLICATIONS OF TEE SOCIETY. icli 3s (1926-28 out of print) ; 1932-35, each. 3s 6d (1937-38 O.P.); 1947-53, London Naturalist, 1921-31, each os (1933 O.P.); 1936-46, each 7s 6d. London Bird Report, 1936-46, each Is 6d; 1936-38, 1943, 194/-52, each 2s 6d. (Two-thirds price to Members and Associates.) Transactions of the London Natural History Society, 1916-20, each 3s. Map of the Society’s Area, Is. “ LONDON NATURALIST ” REPRINTS. Note. — Dates in brackets refer to issue . of L.N. and are not dates of publication. 21, 22, 25, 30. Survey of Limpsfield Common: 1939, 6d; 1940, 3d; 1942, 3d; 1943, 2d. 24. Randolph William Robbins <1871-194-1 ), (1941), 6d. 29, 33, 35, 44, 48, 51, 60, 67, 71, 75, 81, 87, Survey of Bookham Common: 2, 1943, with maps, 4d; 3, 1944, with map, 9d; 4, 1945, 6d; 5, 1946, with map. 9; 6, 1947, Is; 7, 1948, Is; 8, 1949, 2s; 9, 1950, is 6d; 10, 1951, Is 6d; 11, 1952, Is 6d; 12, 1953, Is 6d; 13, 1954, Is 6d . 34, 36, 45, 47, 52. Epping Forest Survey: 3, 1944, with maps, 9d; 4, 1945, 6d; 5, 1946, 6d; 6, 1947, with map, 9d; 7, 1948, Is. 34a. Docks and Sorrels of the London Area, by J. E. Lonsley (1944), 6d. 37. Wifliam Curtis (1746-1799), by J. E. Lousley (1945), 6d. 38. Neuroptera of the Home Counties, by E. B. Pinniger (1945), 6d. 41. Notes on the Flora of Middlesex, by Douglas H. Kent (1946), 6d. 42. The Brambles of Middlesex, by C. Avery and W. O. R. Watson (1946), 6d. 43. Coenagrion scitulum Rambur, a Dragonfly New to Britain, by Edward B. Pinniger (1946) (with plate), Is. 48. Hymenoptera Aculeata of Hampstead Heath (with map), by K. M. Guichard and I. H. H. Yarrow (1947), Is 6d. 49. 61, 68, 72, 76, 82, 88. City Bombed Sites Survey: 1947, 6d; (1948 O.P.), 1949, 6d; 1950, 6d; 1951, 6; 1952, 6d; 1953, 9d; 1954, 9d. 50. Middlesex Plant Records, 1947, by D. H. Kent, 9d. 55. The Story of our Society, by L. G. Payne (Part I, 1947, Part II, 1948), Is 6d. 56. Ecological Aims and Methods for Zoologists, by Dr O. W. Richards (1948), 6d. 86. Mammals, etc., of the London Area, Additional Records, by R. S. R. Fitter (1949), 9d. 62. Butterflies of the London Area, by G. G. M. de Worms (1949), Is 6d. 63. 69. Report on the Temporary Geological Sections (1949), Is; (1959), 2s. 64. Kent Plant Records, by F. Rose (1949), 9d. 65. Hepatics of the London Area, by R. A. Boniface (1949), 9d 70, 73, 77, 83, 90, Hand List of the Plants of the London Area, by D. H. Kent and J. E. Lousley, Part I (1950), 2s 6d; Part II (1951), 2s 6d; Part III (1952). 2s 6d; Part IV (1953), 2s 6d; Part V (1954), 2s 6d. 74, 92. The Flies of the London Area, I, Conopidae, by L. Parmenter (1951), 6d; II, Culicidae, sub-family Culicinae (Mosquitoes), with key to species of Culex, by E. R. Nye (1954), Is 6d. 78. Habitats of the London Area, by J. H. G. Peterken (1952), Is. 79. Ecology and Distribution of the Satyridae in West Kent, by D. F. Owen (1952), Is 6d. 80. A Subject Index of the Society’s Journals, 1914-51, by R. S, R. Fitter (1952), Is. 84 , 89. The Moths of London and its Surroundings, by C. G. M. de Worms, Part I (1953) , with map, 2s; Part II (1954), 2s. "LONDON NATURALIST " REPRINTS (Contd.), 85, 91. Post-war Progress in Nature Conservation in the London Area, by C. P. Castell (1953), Is; Correction and Additions (1954), 6d. 86. London Clay of Oxshott, by M. M. Brown and C. P. Castell (1953), ■6d. 93. An Exposure of Chalk Rock near Westerham, Kent, by J. S Hampton (1954), 9d. 94. Additions to the London CSay Fauna of Oxshott, Surrey, by M. M. Brown and C. P. Castell (1954), 6d. 95. The Butterflies of the North-West Kent IViarshes with special reference to the 1953 Floods, by J. F. Burton (1954), Is. 96. Notes on the Butterflies of Wimbledon Common, by A. W. Jones (1954), Is. 97. Some Aspects of Dispersal and Succession of Plants in some Epping Forest Ponds, by C. H. Selby (1954), with plate, Is 6d. 98. The Bryophyt.es of Boxhill, by E. C. Wallace (1954), Is. The Life of A. W. Bacot, by Prof. Major Greenwood (1924) (ex Journal of Hygiene), 6d. All publications of the Society may be obtained from the Assistant Secretary. LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. fJ\HE Society is an amalgamation of the City of London Entomo¬ logical and Natural History Society, founded in 1858, and the North London Natural History Society, founded in 1892. Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings, either at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Gower Street, W.C.l, or at the Linnean Society’s rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W.l. 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