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» A Few Days at Field Botany in Scotlind.—Wm. West ...
Ichneumonide. — Continued. —Chas. H. Hi. Walker
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Origmal Articles.
A FEW DAYS AT FIELD BOTANY IN SCOTLAND.
By Wm. WEst.
—_——
Axovt the middle of August, 1880, I started from Bradford by a very
early morning train, In company with Mr. Nuttall, our destination
being Greenock, where we arrived just in time to proceed further
north, by the Columba. To only partially pourtray the beautiful
scenes we enjoyed during this invigorating sail would take up too
much space, as the journey was a botanical one (though it was under:
taken on the plea of relaxation from business, and confirmation of
health) ; therefore we must confine ourselves more especially to the
rarer plants we saw. Many of these, even, we shall have to omit for
lack of room.
As we steamed along towards Dunoon, the hills of Argyle stood out
before us in majestic boldness, and we were almost spell-bound by the
ever-changing loveliness of the fascinating scenery, as we sailed
rapidly along towards Rothesay; but as we neared the Kyles of Bute
the entrancing view was still more inviting, until the climax was
reached as we rounded the narrowest part of the channel. As we turned
| Ardlamont Point we saw the Peak of Goatfell—the highest point in
_ Arran—and soon after we arrived at Ardrishaig. Here we noticed a
profusion of flowering Polygonum amphibium decking the surface of the
Crinan Canal, and we were glad of a very short ramble along the
bank while the steamer got through the locks. Mlago germanica,
Hieracium vulgatum, Ptychomitrium polyphylium, Ulota phyllantha,
Barbula unguiculata, B. rigida, Orthotrichum affine, fruiting Dichodon-
tium pellucidum, Frullania dilatata, and Pogonatum urnigerum we found
in plenty, after which we had a good run in order not to miss the
boat, being the last persons to embark. We arrived at Fort William
at 8-30 the same day, having seen the mighty Ben Cruachan and
the grand old mountains round Glencoe, as well as the monarch
‘of our British hills, Ben Nevis. The sail from the Kyles of Bute to
Fort William was one glorious panorama of the most charming
‘scenery, and it left a sense of the utmost enjoyment.
Soon after sunrise next morning we began the ascent of Ben Nevis,
‘by way of Glen Nevis, this way being by no means often attempted.
‘We first collected Ulota Bruchi, and U. phyliantha, the latter plant
ooking like patches of Bardula tortuosa, in the lower part of the glen,
‘but as we intended coming back the same way at night, we only
N.S., Vou. vu.—Dec., 1881.
G74 THE NAruRALIST.
gathered a few things here, intending to almost “ put the last straw on
the camel's back” as we returned—little thinking that we should be
on the hill after dark. We also collected a few lichens, including
Collema nigrescens ; the remainder are as yet unexamined.
When we had gone through the stream, and commenced the real
climb, we saw the Racomitria in all their alpine glory—facomitrinm
protensum, heterostichum, and lanuginosum adorning the granite
boulders; while on the rocks near the stream J. ellipticum, fasciculare,
and aciculare, along with Blindia acuta, began to vie with each other
as to which should be master of the masses of rock we were compelled
to climb: and further up the hill, Racomitrium sudeticum, Hedwigia
ciliata, Ulota Hutchinsie, Sphagnum rubellum, Hypnum revolvens,
Spherophoron coralloides and Jungermannia capitata put in an appear-
ance. We now found Alchemilla alpine, Saxifraga oppositifolia,
S. aizoides, Antennaria dioica, Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, Oxyria reni-
formis, Rhynchospora alba, Polynodium Phegopteris, Sphagnum contortum,
and Campylopus atrovirens. We had next a very awkward climb, and
just as my companion had rounded a precipitous corner and got out of
view, | heard a loud crash, and a lot of stones went down into the
roaring cataract below. For a moment I was in agony, as I was in a
very awkward situation, and I imagined that my companion had
rolled into the torrent below. I shouted, and shouted again, but the
only answer was the roar of the tumbling rill beneath. However, I
hastened as fast as the abutting rocks would allow me, round the
same corner, and felt an indescribable pleasure in seeing him in a
much safer position than I was in. We here gathered Silene maritima,
S. acaule, Epilobium alpinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Gnaphalium supinum,
G. sylvaticum, Andreee alpina, A. petrophila, Bryum filiforme, B. alpi-~
num, Nardia scalaris, Scapania subalpina, and Vermicularia dematium.
(To be continued. )
THE ICHNEUMONID &.
(Continued.) -
By Cuas. H. H. WALKER.
Tue Ichneumonide is a very large family, containing about 1,190
species, but is inferior in point of numbers to the Chalcidide, whigh
possesses an additional 170 species. They—that is to say, the
Ichneumonide—are exclusively parasitic on other insects, and are the
great agents for preventing the extreme and ultimately disastrous
inerease of the insect creation.
TE Se es
ere ate
a eae
WaLkerR: THe [CHNEUMONID2:. 75
A very natural question is—from what do the ichneumons take
their name? JI find an account, in an old natural history, of an
animal called the Egyptian ichneumon, which is asserted to dig up
the eggs of crocodiles and devour them. It is likewise said to attack
the young of that large-mouthed vertebrate, and massacre them sans
ceremony. The book then proceeds to state that the animals were
fabulously supposed to deposit their young in the interior of the
crocodile, the parasites subsisting upon its flesh. I am puzzled to
imagine how the ichneumon could obtain entrance into the reptile’s
interior ; possibly it kept a sharp look-out for some sleepy crocodile,
and when the latter opened its mouth to yawn, undertook an exploring
expedition down its throat, and commenced its maternal duties. How-
ever, be that as it may, such is the origin of the word “‘ ichneumon,”
as applied to insects, bestowed upon certain parasitical species by the
renowned Linneus.
The Egyptian ichneumon is a native of Egypt, Barbary, and the
Cape of Good Hope, and is, from the tip of the nose to the end of the
tail, from twenty-four to forty-two inches in length, the tail being as
long as the rest of the body; it is pale reddish-grey, the eyes are red,
and the nose long and slender. The tail is thick at the base, but tapers
towards the tip, which is tufted; the legs are short.
I will now take a typical ichneumon, Pimpla instigator, and give, as
briefly as possible, a summary of its external structure and appearance.
Tae Heap.—The antenne, which contain a varying number of
segments, according to. species, are sometimes marked with a
broad, pale band, called the annulus. When walking,
parasitic Hymenoptera keep their antennz constantly vibrating. The
mandibles are thin and curved, the eyes generally very conspicuous.
In addition to the pair of compound visual organs, the Hymenoptera
possess three other simple eyes, called ocelli, which are placed ina
triangular form on the top of the head, the tip, or vertex, pointing
towards the mouth. Some species of Lepidoptera are furnished with
a pair of ocelli, which are generally overlooked, because of the ‘“ thick
covering of hair or scales.”2 They are possibly used for vertical sight.
THE THORAX consists of three portions, the prothorax, the mesothorax,
and the metathorax. The prothorax bears on its under side the
anterior or first pair of legs, and also supports the head. The meso-
thorax supports the anterior wings and the second pair of legs. At
the base of each anterior wing is situate a concavo-convex plate of a
2 Westwood’s Introduction to the Classification of Insects. Vol. 2.
76 THe NaTURALIST.
semicircular form, called the tegula or base-cover, an appendage
peculiar to the Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, but in the former
it attains a considerable size.2 The mesothorax also bears a small quad-
rangular slightly convex plate, termed the scutellum. In many
species. of /chneumonida, this is of a different colour to the remainder
of the insect ; thus, a black or dark ichneumon sometimes possesses a
bright yellow scutellam. Immediately beyond the scutellum is a
narrow, slightly lunar shaped segment, appropriately called the post-
scutellum.
The appendages of the metathorax are the posterior pair of wings
and the third or hinder pair of legs. At the extremity of the abdomen
will be observed a long bristle-like appendage, which readily splits
into three parts. This is called the ovipositor, and as it is an important
organ, I will return to it shortly.
The mesothorax, as I before remarked, bears the anterior pair of
wings. These appendages are divided into perfect cells by nervures
or wing rays. At first glance, the costal margin appears considerably
thickened, but a closer examination shows that the costal and sub-
costal nervures run exactly parallel, no vacant space being included
between them, hence the absence of a sub-costal cell.4 About three
quarters of the distance along the costa is situate a small dark
triangular spot called the stigma. |The whole of the wing membrane
is studded with innumerable spines, which all point outward towards
the tip. Some idea of their numbers may be gathered from the fact
that I have counted as many as fifty of these bristles in the areolet.
T likewise took the under wing of a small Pimpla, and commencing at
the tip and proceeding along the hind margin to the base, I found
there were four hundred and sixty-four spines in the included space.
So much for the wings: the legs take our attention next. These
are pretty much the same as in other insects, are long and adapted for
speed. They consist of five parts: (1), the coxa or hip, which
connects the leg with the body; (2), the trochanter or scapula, which
apparently is made up of two parts ;5 (8), the femur or humerus; (4),
the tibia, and (5), the tarsus, which again consists of five joints, the
last being terminated by two claws. Such is the general external
appearance of an ichneumon, but before dismissing this part of the
subject, I will say a few words about the ovipositor. This formidable
instrument, common to the females of all parasitical hymenoptera, and
3 Kirby and Spence’s Introduction to Entomology.
4 Westw. Class. Vol. 2, p. 139.
5 Kirby and Spence’s Introduction te Entomology.
WALKER: On IcCHNEUMONID4. eT
existing in a more or less modified form among the other families,
consists of three chief parts, viz. :—-The terebra or borer, and the two
sheaths. The latter are not actually necessary during oviposition, but,
being semicircular and concave, unite, and include between them the
terebra itself, thus protecting that delicate apparatus from injury.
They are covered along their whole length with bristles or hairs, all
pointing downwards towards the tip. In some species these hairs are
very short, a fact that is just reversed in others, and in one species
that I have examined they are at least twice as long as the sheath
itself is thick.
The terebra is composed of three pieces, two of them being
thin and filamentous, and notched or toothed at their extremities, the
remaining one being thickened towards the extremity and brought
to a fine point at the extreme end.
If we were to make a transverse section of the terebra, we should
then have the appearance of a circle divided into three segments by a
corresponding number of radii, two of the segments being equal to one
another, and together less than the remaining segment, which latter
represents the unserrated filament in section. ‘The central portion of
the circle is occupied by an aperture through which the ova are
expelled.
At first I was puzzled to imagine why the terebra should consist of
three pieces, but I have accounted for the fact thus: Supposing that
the true ovipositor were a perfect cylinder, perforated for the expulsion
of the egg, the end would be blunt, and unsuited for piercing purposes.
If, again, the extremity of the cylinder were brought to a fine point,
the ova would be unable to find an exit. | Now both these difficulties
are surmounted by the ovipositor being trifid, each of the three
portions being finely pointed at its extremity. | When an ichneumon
is about to oviposit, the two spiculz are firmly united to the superior
filament, forming a finely pointed borer, which is plunged into the
flesh of some unfortunate larva, slightly withdrawn, and the three
parts so separated as to form a cylindrical passage for the egg, which
is left in the wound.
I must not omit to remark that there are two kinds of ovipositors
found among the Jchnewmonide. Not that they are structurally
different, but they merely varyin length. Those of some species are
said to be retracted when they do not project outwards beyond the
tip of the abdomen, and exserted, when prolonged beyond the terminal
segment, as in Pumpla instigator, which I have described. In some
species this instrument attains an enormous length, and I have placed
78 THE NATURALIST.
before you, in the case upon the table, examples of ichneumons with
exserted and retracted organs of oviposition.
It may naturally be asked, why should some Jchneumonide possess
such small and insignificant ovipositors, while others are burdened
with an instrument that looks as if it were nothing but an incumbrance
to the insect? Those with a short terebra attack naked and exposed
larvee ; the others, with exserted ovipositors, are commissioned to hold
in check the ravages of wood boring and other concealed larve. But
with so slender an instrument, how are they to reach mining larve of
lignivorous and other habits? It is to obviate this difficulty that the
_ two filamentous spiculz of the terebra are serrated at their tips. With
their aid, the ichneumon drills a hole in a tree trunk, where its instinct
tells it a fine fat grub is concealed, and safe as the little miner may
consider itself against the attacks of other predaceous insects, it speedily
finds that it is no match for an ichneumon, who with the gimlet
provided by nature, contrives to reach its concealed victim. é
I remember reading in some entomological work that hairy larve
were seldom ichneumoned. I must say, that as far as my experience
goes, I have never found this to be the case.
On May 2nd, of last year, I took a number of nearly full grown
larvee of that beautiful, yet common moth, Chelonia caja.
On the 30th of the same month, almost all of them proved to be
ichneumoned, and the parasites that emerged (a species of Microgaster),
had retracted ovipositors.
Being curious to ascertain how, with so short an ovipositor, the
- parasite could possibly pierce its victim, I took a larva of the moth,
and placed it in a glass-topped box. I then inserted an ichneumon,
which fortunately proved to bea female. At first it wandered about,
evidently without any ulterior aim, but presently came into contact
with the ends of the long hairs of the larva. The fly instantly vibrated
its long antenne with a rapid motion that meant business. By their
aid, the ichneumon carefully felt its way through the hairy labyrinth.
In this manner it approached within striking distance, and curving its
abdomen downwards, almost at a right angle, opened the sheath,
projected the terebra, and tried the spot. There was something or
other unsatisfactory, inasmuch as it closed the sheath, and repeated
the operation elsewhere. Once it nearly accomplished its purpose, but
suddenly started back and flew away. I am utterly at a loss to
account for this retrograde motion, which, however, was not peculiar to
the specimen, for others that I introduced did likewise.
§ Westw. Introduction to Class. of Insects. Vol. 2, Note to page 141.
WALKER: On ICHNEUMONID2. 79
Nothing daunted, the insect returned to the charge, and having
selected a suitable spot, pierced the miserable caterpillar, which gave a
series of violent twitches as the remorseless insect expelled the fatal
germs. Several times in succession was the operation repeated, and
sometimes the ovipositor was allowed to remain in the wound for
several seconds. The parasite then flew off, brushed and cleaned
itself, and seemed thoroughly satisfied with its work. Every female
ichneumon that I placed in the box did likewise, until the unfortunate
caja was perfectly riddled with holes.
Though it will be necessary to return separately to each stage of an
ichneumon’s existence, it will perhaps be as well to trace the life-history
of this species, as far as my personal observations will permit. The
grub, when ready to change into the pupal state, is $ of an inch long,
and is reddish coleured. Unlike some ichneumons of other species,
they do not spin their cocoons gregariously, but affix them in a pro-
miscuous manner, very seldom to the hairs of the larva. Forty-seven
grubs of the parasite emerged from one larva, and when J dissected the
victim, twenty-two more were discovered within. Another specimen,
which shared the fate of its predecessor, was, when opened, found to
be full of a putrid fluid, thick, and of a dirty brown colour; even the
viscera were devoured.
The imagines made their appearance about eighteen or twenty days
after the entrance of their larve into the pupal state.7 A few words
regarding the eggs of these interesting insects. So far, I have con-
fined my remarks to those Ichneumonide, which oviposit within the
body of the larva. We now arrive at another class, those that deposit
their ova on the outside of the larva. In this division, under which
may be classed the genus Ophion, each egg is attached to a peduncle or
foot-stalk, which, in its turn, is firmly secured to the body of the cater-
pillar, so firmly indeed, that it is not in any way affected by the re-
peated moultings of the larva. When the eggs hatch, the young larve
do not desert the empty egg shells, but attach themselves within them
by their anal extremity, and by the aid of their mandibles, rob the
caterpillar of its vital fluids.8 I will just notice two other methods
of ovipositien, in which the ovum of the ichneumon is neither de-
posited within ner without the caterpiller, but in one class is secured
to the ege of the moth, and in the other actually placed within it.®
There are very few insects, indeed, absolutely safe from the attacks of
8 Westw. Class of insects. Vol. 2. p. 145.
9 Ibid. Vol. 2. p. 144.
80 THe NATURALIST.
these parasites, and they undoubtedly play a primary part in the great
drama of life. They counterbalance, and check the destructive and
ruinous approaches of other insects. The superabundance of one insect
is attended with an increase of its watchful enemy, the ichneumon.
Were the lovely green moth, Tortriz viridana allowed to roam un-
molested through Britain’s avenues of oaks, those noble trees would be
almost entirely stripped of their foliage. Thousands of these moths
are destroyed annually in their pupal stage ; thousands perish when
they have assumed their verdant robes ; on one hand by the ichneumon,
on the other by its dipterous enemy the Himpis.
Unfortunately for the further progress of Hymenopterology, Coleoptera
are seldom collected in the larval state, and therefore their parasites
are, with a few exceptions, unknown. That they are not exempt from
parasitical attacks, is evident from the fact that an ichneumon (Jficroc-
tonus terminalis), has been bred from the perfect Coccinella septem-
punctata.1° Nothing !ess than a few researches in this direction will
be necessary to bring many new facts to light. Aphides are par-
ticularly lable to ichneumon attacks, and were such not the case, the
destruction these little insects cause would be increased a hundred
fold. A single egg, only, is deposited in an individual Aphis, and the
infected insect renounces all companionship, taking up a position on
the underside of the leaf. ‘The ichneumons do not confine their attacks
to other orders, but feast with evident enjoyment upon one another,
and are then said to be hyper-parasitical. Ichneumon larve, from a
sight resemblance to the Annulosa, are therefore said to be vermiform ;
as they lack ambulatory organs, are likewise termed apodal. It is
quite evident that such appendages would be utterly superfluous, for
nature has supplied the parent insect with an instrument, by the aid
of which she is enabled to place her otherwise helpless offspring in a
situation where they will be able to attend to their own interests. The
whole of the hymenopterous larve are without legs,- excepting one
family, the enthredinide, or saw-flies, the larve of which very much
resemble those of Lepidoptera. Ichneumons in their second stage are
soft, fleshy grubs, slightly attenuated at each extremity, and armed
with two mandibles.
Their instinct teaches them that they must confine their attacks to
the fatty portions of the animal, and carefully abstain from amy
destructive raids upon the viscera. Now the caterpillars of Lepidoptera
are vegetarians’? (except when they think proper to exercise a certain
10 Westw. Class of Insects. Vol. 2, page 142.
11 Another familiar exception occurs among the micro-lepidoptera, some species
feeding upon wool, fur, etc.
SHort Notes AND QUERIES. 81
latent cannibalistic tendency), and when they have consumed all the
vegetable matter within their reach, they must resign their quarters,
and go in search of fresh substances suited to their taste, or starve :
that is the only alternative, and they therefore use their legs, indis-
pensable organs to them. But with the J/chnewmonide the case is
different. They exist in a living body, and the matter they consume
is constantly being replaced; hence, the infected larva, instead of
adding the requisite amount of substance to its own body, simply
supplies its uninvited guests with a well stocked larder ; and when
they have reached the expiration of their larval career, they quit their
victim, who speedily parts with what little lfe they have left him.
Others, again, are still more greedy, they permit the caterpillar to
become a pupa, and after finishing up what portions of the wretched
insect they were obliged to leave, make a snug home out of the pupa
Case.
(To be continued. )
Raintall for October.
Height Toran Faun
of _ | No. to Darz. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest :
above | fall. |paysy3————— | Fall. eee
level. 1881. | 1880. ay
Ft. | In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 4°47 | 18 | 26°18 |* 27°21 13 1°15
(J. W. Robson)
Hairax...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 5°06 | 15] 37°40 | 3611
WAKEFIELD (E. B. Wriggles-| 100 | t i Sf
worth)
STANLEY ......... (dea —..52:|° 2507]. F
THORNES ......... (doale ee. SOc 2 Lf sae Wy an
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...}) 350 | 3°04 | 16] 21°12 | 34:18 13 0°87
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 6°31 | 21 | 34°61 | 39°31 13 1°30
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 4°27 | 18 | 25°83 34°58 ts 1:00
GOOLE ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 2°35 |.17 | 21°27 27°89 13 0°79
HULL (Derringham)...(Wm.} 10 | 2°54 | 21'| 21°92 |18:2938t} 13 0°73
Lawton)
* This is the average to date for 15 years, 1866-80. + No returns.
~ On the average (to date) of 30 years, 1850-79, in 165 days.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Late APPEARANCE OF Hirwndo rustica.—On Nov. 9th I noticed a
swallow flying strong on the wing for a considerable time over my garden
and the buildings adjoining.—W. Greeson, Baldersby, Thirsk.
82 THE NATURALIST.
House Martin. —Mr. J. 8. Rowntree (Scarboro’) sends us the
following :—‘‘ On Sunday, 13th November, which was a fine spring-like
day, there was seen at the south end of the Cliffe Bridge grounds, half-a-
dozen of the common house-martin. They remained in that locality the
whole of the day, hawking after the flies, which appeared to be abundant
under the shelter of the cliff. It is a very extraordinary circumstance to
see one of the hirundines so late as November, as they have generally
all disappeared by the middle of October. The appearance of so many so
much beyond the time of their usual migration opens up the question as
to whether the whole tribe do migrate, and whether those seen have not
been hibernating since the close of summer, and that the remarkably
warm and geniai weather of the last few days has quickened them into
active life again before the usual period.”
Natourat History Notes.—
Beverley, 3rd Nov.—My morning has been spent in watching
a waxwing (Bombycilla garrula), which for some days past has taken
up its quarters in the surrounding trees. Its favourite perch
is a hawthorn tree, within a very few yards of my window, and it
is now in full view as I am writing. It is a timid bird, erecting its
magnificent crest and looking around at the slightest noise, but is not
shy, as the public road is quite near, and spends its time, when not
pruning its feathers or eating the haws, in making short flights of a few
yards in the air, hovering a few moments on the wing, and then returning
to the tree it left, very much after the manner of a grey flycatcher. So
far I have heard no note. I hear of a small flock in the adjoining West-
wood, and I conjecture that it was blown across in the same gale of wind
which probably brought over the rustic bunting noticed in the November
Naturalist.—N. F. Dopresr.
—Beverley, 10th Nov.—Much to my astonishment, I have been shown
by a local collector two specimens—male and female—of Dasypolia
templi, captured here within the last fortnight. They were taken on
different evenings—one on a street-lamp outside, the other on a wall
within the glare of a gaslamp in the middle of the town. No previous
record of such a capture exists here, nor even in the Hast Riding, so far
as I know. Has not the West Riding been supposed ts have the
monopoly of the insect ?—N. F. D.—[The late Mr. T. Wilkinson used to
breed D. Templi from larvee taken in Heracleum Sphondyliwm at Scar-
borough.—G. T. P.]
EntomoLocicaL NotEs.—
Thursday, 20th October last, being a fine day, I and a friend
paid a visit to Edlington Wood, near Doncaster, thinking, no doubt, it
would be the last visit this year. The wood presented a delightful
appearance, the foliage of the oak, beech, birch, &c., shewing all the
delightful golden-russet, autumnal tints, contrasting finely with the
sembre yew, loaded with its bright red berries ; also the spindle tree,
SHort Notes AnD QUERIES. 83
with its curious angle-shaped but less bright berries, and the privet, with
its bunches of jet-black fruit ; and in going through one of the clearings
we saw several bunches of primroses. Our object, however, was entomo-
logical, and applying the usual beating-stick, we dislodged hundreds of
Oporabia dilutata, both in good and bad condition ; and entangled in
spiders’ webs in yew-tree trunks, several Himera pennaria ; at rest, one
Xanthia ferruginea, and the larve of Abraxas ulmata, about three-
quarters grown, in abundance. Another species of insect appeared also
in full force, which I never observed before, on almost every tree trunk—
some high up, others low down; and it is principally my object, in
sending you this short note, to ascertain the name of this insect. I send
you a specimen. They are in appearance like a bright green grass-
hopper with a conspicuous ovipositor. One always associates with the
grasshopper a bright hot sunny day, a grassy common, a peculiar burring
noise, and a sudden spring. Those I saw the other day were crawling
lazily up the tree trunks, and if only just touched, down they came like
a bit of stick or a leaf—JNno. Harrison, 7, Victoria Bridge, Barnsley,
Nov. 10th.—[ We have noticed this grasshopper on the trees at Edlington
Woods repeatedly, but are not sure what species it is.—Eds. Nat. ]
—A TricHopreron I found onthe Marsden moors, near Huddersfield,
in September last year, and again in abundance on the same spot last
September, has been named for me by Mr. McLachlan, F.R.S., as
Stenophylax cenosus of Curtis. It seems to be a local species in Britain,
and our form differs from the Continental types of the same insect.
Recently I received a nice series of Pterophorus parvidactylus from
Bristol ; also P. tewcrii, taken in Norfolk.—Gzo.:T. Pornrirv.
—Barnsley.—The increased mildness of the season has allowed many
observations to be inade full of interest to the entomologist. Abraxas
ulmata, the larva of which was noted during the latter part of October,
has been seen on the wing several times this month, thus favouring the
idea of its being double-brooded. Cerastis spadicea, Calocampa exoleta,
&c., have come to sugar ; Hybernia aurantiaria, H. defoliaria, Cheimatobia
boreata, Oporabia dilutata, and others have been seen freely on the wing,
having, however, a much more animated appearance than is usually the
case in our cold locality.—W. EH. Brapy.
Notes ON A FEW CoMMON YORKSHIRE SpripERS.—In my note-books I
find notes on some common spiders which I happen to know by sight,
and as—common though they be—two of them have never been placed on
record for the county, I venture to supply the omission. I do not, how-
ever, profess to know anything about spiders in general, and the few
which I have noted are species which are readily recognisable, and
impossible to mistake. At various times I have been interested in
observing the habits of the zebra or hunting spider (Salticus scenicus),
which is not at all uncommon, in Leeds and at Pannal. It affords a very
84 THe NATURALIST.
good exemplification of animal disguise, and its striped arrangement of
black and white enables it easily to elude observation. I have watched it
catch flies, which it does by stalking, making a gradual and insidious
approach till within leaping distance. The localities in which I have
observed it are Pannal, Kirkstall, and at Hyde Park and Sunny Bank, in
Leeds, the times of year being in May, June, and July. I noticed this
species also this year at the railway station at Crowle, in Lincolnshire.
The diving, or water spider (Argyroneta aquatica) I have taken abun-
dantly in Askham Bog, near York. I have seen specimens of the garden
spider (Hpeira diadema), from Barwick-in-Elmete, brought to the Leeds
Naturalists’ Club in 1874 by Mr. 8S. Schofield, but I have not taken it
myself. In 1868 [found a specimen of a villanous-looking species of the
same genus, Hpeira wmbratica, at Pannal: it was secreted beneath the
loose bark of a felled tree ; this I kept alive for some length of time.—
Wm. Denison Rozesuck, Sunny Bank, Leeds, Oct. 29th.
THe WatER SPIDER (Argyroneta aquatica).—About the year 1854 or
1855 I had the pleasure of discovering a colony of these interesting little
creatures in a small pond cut off the north bank of the river Calder, near
Methley, at a place called Frost Dam. This little pool abounded with
life, and the water of it was very clear. Here the water spiders were in
abundance, and from here | obtained from time to time specimens for my
aquarium. About ten or twelve years ago the Midland Railway Co.
erected a pump at this place, and since that time I have failed to find the
spiders in their accustomed haunt. Their habits, as seen in my aquarium,
were very interesting, From the first lot of spiders I collected I had a
brood of young ones, which were devoured by their parents. Probably,
however, this cannibalism was due to the abnormal circumstances of
captivity, such as limited space, and, possibly, insufficient supply of food.
In what other localities in the county are they to be found ?—JoHN
GrassHAM, 11, Meanwood-street, Leeds, Nov. 10th.
REVIEWS, &c.—‘‘ A Pocket Guide to British Ferns. By Marian 8.
Ridley.—London : D. Bogue, 1881.”—This little work has been written
to meet a want, and we think the authoress has succeeded in her
endeavours. In her own words—‘‘ In my own persona! studies I have
met with this difficulty, viz., to gather from the published volumes on
Ferns what the decided special features, or characters, are of each genus
and species * * * and I have found mine to be no solitary
instance,” &c. The plan of the work is, that it first gives a general
description of ferns as distinguished from other cryptogamia, along with
notes on their different parts, and a diagnosis of the genera. The greater
part is taken up by tables (one on each page) of the various species. In
these tables the different parts of a fern are arranged in always the same
order in a left-hand column, and to the right are given the manner in
which they are developed or are absent in- every species. Space will not
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 85
allow of detail, or we would gladly have copied a specimen page. The
plan is admirable, is well worked out, and concludes with a key to the
genera, a copious index of terms and species, and a list of species printed
in larger type on one side only, for the herbarium. Altogether, we
strongly recommend the book to all fern collectors and amateurs, and
even more advanced botanists may often find it useful.
“Union Jack Naturalist.”—We have received the first number of this
new publication, which is intended to supply members of the Union Jack
Field Club with information on Natural History matters.
Rep me. a ey ics,
Barnstey Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting Oct. 25th, Mr. G. Rose in
the chair.—A conservation on injurious insects was opened by Mr. F.
Brady : the Colorado beetle and mangold-fly were chiefly discussed.
Meetine Noy. 8th.—Mr. A. Kell (president) gave an interesting paper
on the habits of some birds. Dr. W. J. Lancaster presented a valuable
microscope, obtained by him from Lawiess of London ; also Clarke’s two
volumes of ‘‘ British Fungi.” The ornithological report for Barnsley and
district includes a few rare birds and occurrences. On Oct. 5th, sixteen
wild geese flew to south-east over Lunn Wood ; a barn-owl drowned in a
tub at the woodman’s cottage. Heron seen occasionally at Cannon Hall
and Walton Lake ; the heronry there ceased to exist after Waterton’s
death. A ring-ouzel obtained Oct. 25th, at Darley Hall—the latest stay
we remember of this summer migrant. The rarest migrant, viz., the
spotted crake, was killed against the telegraph wires at Worsborough
Common, Oct. 15th. Of winter visitors, woodcocks were noted from
Oct. 15th, redwings Oct. 10, hooded or Norway crow, 21st; fieldfares
23rd—all from the north of Europe. Mlissel thrushes, blackbirds, sky-
larks have sung, some even during the frost; and a few goldfinches and
bullfinches have occurred.—T. LisTER.
Braprorp Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting 25th October, Mr. J. W.
_ Carter in the chair.— Mr. J. Firth read a report on the vertebrate animals
| of the Society’s district, which includes the Aire, Wharfe, Ribble, and
_ part of the Lune drainages. The report may be summarised as follows:
| Mammalia, 19 ; birds, 135 ; reptiles, 3; amphibia, 3 ; fishes, 9.
MEETING ae. 8th, Mr. W. Jagger in the chair.—Mr. J. W. Carter
read a report on the lepidoptera of the district, and stated that during
the past year the following species were added to the list :—A. carda-
mines, H. alchemillata, EH. pimpinellata, M. anceps, and R. tenebrosa,
making total number of species 262.
Meerine Nov. 22, Mr. J. Firth in the chair.—Messrs. W. West and
H. T. Soppitt read reports on the flora of the district, which showed
_ several important additions during the past year, making the total
86 THe NAaAtTuRALtIstT.
number of species as follows :—Phanerogams, 560; ferns, 25 ; mosses,
286 ; hepatice, 81: fungi, 261 ; lichens, 55; alge, 81.—H. T.S.
HuppErsFIELD Natruratists’ Soctrry.—Fortnightly meeting, October
22nd, Mr. James Varley in the chair, who gave a paper on ‘‘ Game Birds
and their Food,” including the following, which he minutely described :
Rasores, or gallinaceous birds, which present the closest resemblance to
our common poultry ; the Phasianide, of which Phasianus colchicus, the
common pheasant, was introduced to Europe by the Argonauts about the
year 1250, from the banks of the river Phasis, in Colchis, in Asia Minor :
hence their name. The Tetraonide, which include the grouse, partridges:
quails, and their allies of a smaller size. TYetrao wrogallus, the Caper-
caillie, is one of the largest species of this family, and was formerly
common in Scotland and Ireland, but was extirpated nearly a century
ago. Attempts are now being made to reinstate this noble bird in Scot-
land, and they have, so far, been successful. Tetrao tetrix, the black
grouse. Lagopus scoticus, the red grouse, is distinguished by having the
feet feathered to the extremity of the toes, and is the best known species
of the British Isles, to which it is exclusively confined. Lagopus vulgaris,
the ptarmigan, 1s met with in this country only on the mountains of Scot-
land, where it dwells among the grey rocks of the highest ranges.
Perdix cinerea, the partridge, is generally distributed over Britain, and is
found almost all over Europe. They feed upon seed, tender herbage, and.
insects. The Scolopacide, including woodcock and snipe.
Meetine Nov. 7th, Mr. Varley in the chair.—Messrs. Ellis, Bickerdike,
and Midgley laid on the table a number of entomological specimens from
Sussex, viz :—N. Dahli ; rubi ; triangulum ; N. C-nigrum ; T. janthina ;
P. meticulosa ; T. stabilis ; X. cerago ; silago; A. segetum; suffusa ; and
_ N. joucaria (sic). Mr. Varley showed a male and female specimen of
D. Templi, from Tinker’s Monument. Mr. G. H. Stather read a paper
on his ‘‘ Reptile Pets.”
Hutt Frerp Naturatists’ Socrery.—Meeting 24th Oct.—Mr. Moore
showed the spotted crake, recently captured, and also a specimen of the
red-necked phalarope, shot on a pond near Withernsea, and brought to
him in the flesh. The bird was in winter plumage, and the red collar
faintly discernable. The sex had not been noted. Mr. Boult showed
Xanthia gilvago, which is of very rare occurrence in this district. Mr.
Dobree, specimens of Dianthecia conspersa, taken in Shetland, the white
markings being entirely changed to dirty grey ; also specimens brought
from the Amur river of Thyatira batis, the general colouring being much
darker, and the markings more diffused than in British specimens ; alse
Hadena pisi, from the same country, of which the ground colouring was
much lighter, and the markings almost entirely lost. The exhibitor
expressed the opinion that the same causes were operating in these
specimens which had led to the loss of the conspicuous white colouring of
the male of Hepialus humuli in high latitudes.—_N. F. Dopret, Pres.
Reports or Societies. 87
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EntomontocicaL Socrety.—Meeting,
Oct. 31st, the president (S. J. Capper) in the chair.—The Rev. H. H.
Higgins read a paper entitled ‘‘ Butterfly Life before Leaving the Egg,”’
in which he described the changes which take place in the ovum, which
result in the development of the larvee—dwelling on the marvellous
power which causes an egg to produce a being similar only to its parent,
although under the highest power of the microscope no structural
difference can be detected between the egg of a butterfly and that of any
other animated being. Mr. R. Wilding read a paper on ‘‘ A Week’s
Insect-collecting in the Vicinity of Preston,” in which, after referring to
the history of the village of Hoole, he recounted his entomological
exploits by the banks of the river Douglas and on Hoole Moss, illustra-
ting his paper with his captures. During the conversazione the Rev.
H. H. Higgins exhibited the collection of insects made during the
*“ Argo” expedition to the West Indies, and offered some remarks on
them. Mr. Sang, of Darlington, exhibited Nonagria sparganit, varieties
of A. grossulariata, a gynandromorphous variety of L. Alexis, &c. ; also
a collection of coloured drawings by himself of 583 species of micro-
lepidoptera. Mr. Shuttleworth (Preston), a specimen of Apatwra Ilia,
captured near Pinnar ; a specimen of CO. fraximi from Southampton, Ke.
Mr. N. Cooke, varieties of H. huwmuli, D. conspersa; G. obscurata, C.
bilineata, &c., from the Hebrides. The president, a box of exotic
lepidoptera. Mr, J. Wall, living specimens under the microscope of
Acari, obtained from a beer barrel.
Lereps Narvuratists’ CLusp Anp Screntiric Assovration. —Meeting,
Oct. 4th, the president (Mr. W. Barwell Turner, F.C.S., F.R.M.S.) in
the chair.—Mr. Wm. Nelson showed some fine specimens of the variety
albina of Pupa marginata, from Cleeve Priors, in Worcestershire,
remarking that it is very rare, and but seldom seen by conchologists ;
whilst the president exhibited a series of wood sections, amongst them
being Zea mays, Zamia tridentata, Passiflora cerulea, Bambusa orientalis,
and Notochlena levis. Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, a number of diagrams
which were sent for the recent Fungus Show. Other interesting objects
were shown by Messrs. F. Emsley, W. B. Russell. and J. Ladmore.
Meeting Oct. 11th, the president in the chair. Mr. Samuel Drew,
F.R.S. Edin., of Sheffield, delivered a very interesting and instructive
lecture on ‘‘ The Senses and Consciousness of Animals.”
Meetine Oct. 18th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Percy Alexander
showed berries of the buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and of the spindle
tree (Huonymus Huropous) from Grange-over-Sand ; Mr. W. Raine, eggs
of the cuckoo (Cuculus canoius) from the nests of meadow pipits ; Mr. J.
Grassham, eggs of the osprey (Pandion halietus), and of the peregrine
falcon (Falco peregrinus). Mr. C. Smethurst brought a specimen of
Sphine convolvuli, which had been captured in a garden near Burley
| Church, about three weeks previously. Mr. H. Pollard exhibited a
88 , Tore NATURALIST.
distorted example of the pearl mussel (Unio margaritifera) from the river
Esk at Crunckley Gill, near Lealholm.
MEETING Oct. 25th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Percy Alexander
showed a number of flowering plants collected at Masham, amongst which
were Trollius europeus, Dianthus plumarius, Iris pseud-acorus, Primula
farinosa, and an abnormal example of Gewm rivale; Mr. Washington
Teasdale, F.R.M.S., several photographs taken at Richmond on the
occasion of the recent visit of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union ; Mr. H.
Pollard, Achatina acicula from Derbyshire, Helix pulchella from Glou-
cestershire, Bulimus acutus from Somersetshire, and Physa hypnorum
from Gloucestershire ; the president, mounted slides of the larvee of the
male and female of the vapourer moth (Orgyia antiqua).
Meetine Noy. Ist, Mr. W. D. Roebuck in the chair.—Mr. J. Fogg
exhibited skins of the great albatross (Diomata exulans), the night heron
(Nycticorax europeus), the purple heron (Ardea purpurea), the laughing
kingfisher (Oacelo gigas), the great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), and
of the grey heron (Ardea cinerea); Mr. W. D. Roebuck, a specimen of
the common bat (Scotophilus pipestrellus) from Mytton Church, and
described the chief points by which it might be distinguished from all the
other bats. Mr. C. Smethurst brought a series of variations of the
tortoise-shell butterfly (Vanessa urtice), and also varieties of the magpie
moth (Abraxas ulmata).
Meetine Nov. 15th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Washington
Teasdale read a very pleasing paper on ‘‘Compound Vibration Diagrams,”
which he illustrated by numerous diagrams of his own production.—
H. PouuarD, Sec.
MaNcHFsTER Cryptocamic Soctrty.—Meeting October 17th, Mr. T.
‘Brittain in the chair, who gave a brief account of his recent visit to
Cornwall, where he met Mr. Ralfs, Mr. Curnow, and Mr. Marquand, an
eminent trio of cryptogamic botanists living in the vicinity of Penzance,
with whom he had the pleasure.of several rambles in the vicinity of that
town, as well as their pleasant company during the long evenings. Mr.
Brittain had collected a large number of microscopic fungi, and numerous
lichens, some of which he kindly distributed at the meeting. Mr. James
Cash had also recently returned from a visit to Scotland, and exhibited
some of the mosses gathered, of which we may mention Orthotheciwm
rufescens from Loch Fyne, Ulota Ludwigit from trees near Jnverary, and
Dicranum Scottianum from Loch Riden in Argyleshire—all in good
fruiting condition. Mr. Pearson showed Riccia crystallina from Suffolk,
and Jungermannia Pearson (Spruce), which latter had been collected in
Westmoreland, June, 1881, being the second recorded station for this
new species; Mr. T. Rogers, a number of mosses and hepatice, from
the collections made by the two cousins, Edward and William Hobson,
who were at one time active members of the old Banksian Natural
History Society.—Tuos. Rocurs, Hon. Sec.
—Meetings of Societies.
aq alee = hk Teed Geckogieal Association. — Maton Ores.” Prof. A. H. Green, |
pa ee go LA. EGS.) | 8. pm.
5. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, Annual Meeting. 8 p.m.
6. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society. _ f
__,, 6, Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
4, 6. Bradford Naturalists’ Society, Annual Meeting. 7-30. p.m. -
6. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society.— ‘‘ Lower Orders of the Vegetable
‘ Kingdom.” Mr. J. C. Mitchell.
» 1. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society,
Ping Os Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
» 14. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
», 19. Leeds Geological Association.
» 21. Manchester Cryptogamic Society. 7-30 p.m.
-,, 20. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society.— “ Local Geology.” Mr G. Milner.
. ,, 26. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
TRANSACTIONS of the YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION..
_. PARTI. FOR 1877 contains the commencement of ‘‘ The Birds of Yorkshire,”
by Mr. W. E. Clarke, M.B.O U.; of an “* Annotated List of the Land and Fresh-. _
water Mollusca of Yorkshire,” by Messrs. Wm. Nelson and J. W. Taylor; a .
complete list of Yorkshire Hymenoptera, with references to literature of that—
order, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck; a paper on ‘‘ Yorkshire Macro-lepidoptera
in 1877,” by Mr, G. T, Porritt, F.L.S.; one on “ Yorkshire Micro- lepidoptera
in 1877, ip by Mr. Wm. Prest ; papers by Mr. 8. L: Mosley, on ‘‘ Yorkshire Diptera,’
_ and on the Yorkshire species of Hemiptera of the Family Psyllide ; and aoe
ae preaare on Yorkshire Botany in 1877, by Dr. H. F. Parsons, F.G.S§,
PARTS II. AND III. FOR 1878 contain the continuations of Mr. Clarke’ S
_ Birds ot Yorkshire, and of Messrs. Nelson and Taylor’s Land and Fresh-water
Mollusca of Yorkshire ; an elaborate report on Yorkshire Botany in 1878, by
“Dr; FES, 3; the commencement of Dr. Parsons’ ‘‘Moss-Flora of the Haste
Riding”; papers on Yorkshire Lepidoptera in 1878, by Mr. Porritt, FS 420n.
1. Mavlahine Ichneumonide, by Mr. 8. D. Bairstow, F.L.S.; and on Yorkshies
ees observed in 1878, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck.
: W. Denison Rozsuck, Sunny Bank, .
| ee ee as Se Leeds, legos a
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pe ey ye Os 5, Hast View, Hyde Park Road, Tacda: |
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Original Articles.
Oro kK, PTT Le) PB TS.*
By G. P, SratHer. —
THE desire to have a pet of some kind is almost universally found in
man—hboth savage and civilized, wild and free. History affords us
several remarkable instances of animals converted into pets by persons
condemned to long periods of imprisonment. There was Baron
Trent, the German prisoner, who tamed a mouse, and made it so
attached to him that it is stated to have died, apparently of grief,
soon after his liberation. Another celebrated prisoner in one of the
fortresses of Holland, had as a pet a tame spider. On watching its
habits he could foretell some great change in the weather, and on one
occasion his observation of the spider’s movements enabled him to send
most important information to the Government, and ultimately to
obtain his release. Again, we have the record of a notorious convict
in France, who was condemned to the galleys for life, and was famous
even there for the untractability of his disposition. By some means
he became possessed of a rat, which he rendered perfectly tame. At
first when discovered, the warders were for killing the animal, but the
man’s entreaties were so piteous, that the governor allowed him to
keep his pet, on condition of his good behaviour. The affection which
the convict had for the rat seemed to change his whole nature, and the
once tameless brute became an obedient subject, and on one occasion
used his immense strength to assist in quelling a meeting among the
other convicts.
The partiality which boys have for rabbits, guinea-pigs, and white
mice is proverbial; cats and parrots seem to be associated with single
ladies of a certain age; and though the popular fancy does not run
much in the direction of frogs, toads, newts, snakes, and blindworms,
yet these have their admirers, and a study of their habits affords many
instructive lessons in Natural History. The frog (Rana temporaria) of
the five animals mentioned, is looked upon with the least disfavour,
indeed the feeling entertained for him is in marked contrast to that
manifested towards his humble cousin the toad. He is indebted for
this mainly to his more elegant and sprightly appearance; his skin,
besides being smooth and shining, is beautifully variegated with
yellow, bronze, and green, which admirably blend with the colours of
the weeds and grasses amongst which he spends the chief part of his
life. According to the old rhyme the frog changes colour somewhat
N.S8., Vou. vil.—Jan., 1882.
* Read before Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 7th Nov., 1881.
30 Toe NATURALIST.
on the approach of wet weather. As I have not personally observed
it, and my only authority is the well-known couplet—
‘¢ The frog has chang’d his yellow vest,”
And now in russet coat is drest,
I shall be glad if some one would state whether frogs do change at
such times, and the reason of the change. Frogs lay their eggs in
clusters, some of which will fill a pint basin ; each egg is enclosed by
a glutinous skin, which has the faeulty of absorbing water to a con-
siderable extent. This jelly-like substance serves a two-fold purpose:
it protects the eggs, and when that task is finished, furnishes the first
meal to the infant tadpole. My impression is that fish are deterred
from attacking the eggs by this surrounding. I once put a mass of
frogs’ spawn into a large glass among a lot of gold and silver carp;
while the eggs were eggs, the fish made no attempt to devour them,
but as soon as the young tads began to move in a twitching manner
within their covering, the fish attacked them, vigorously tore away the
protecting mass, and swallowed the little black morsels till they grew
as fat as aldermen. When frogs hybernate, they either bury them-
selves in mud at the bottom of a pool, or creep into hollows beneath
the bank. :
The toad (Bufo vulgaris) is a living embodiment of the proverb,
‘Give a dog a bad name, and hang him.” According to what was
once the almost universal belief, this harmless creature is possessed of
qualities and properties beside which the fangs and claws of a tiger
shrink into insignificance. He spits fire, his breath is deadly poison,
and his touch is so venomous that nothing but instant amputation can
save the sufferer from a death more horrible than that by hydrophobia.
Such was, and is yet in some districts, the popular opinion of an
animal which is, in fact, as harmless as it is useful. “ Fine feathers
make fine birds,’ says the old saw: and doubtless the toad owes its
diabolical character mainly to its ungainly form and unattractive
colours. Like the frog, the toad developes from the egg, through the
tadpole to the perfect form ; but toads’ eggs can always be distin-
guished from those of the frog, for, while the latter lays hers in
clusters, the former lays them in ropes, each rope containing two rows
of eggs. I have not seen any difference between the tadpoles of the
two, nor do I know if there is a distinction ; perhaps someone will
kindly say whether they have noticed any difference.
Neither frogs nor toads can live entirely under water, though water
is absolutely essential to them; in fact, they come near realising the
showman’s definition of an amphibious animal, viz., *‘ an animal that
STaTHER: Our RepritE Pets. 91
cannot live on land, and that dies in the water.” A frog can live
longer under water than a toad, because he is better supplied with air-
bladders. The drowning of either a frog or toad, fastened under water,
would only be a question of time ; the same is applicable to the newt.
Whilst in the tadpole state they breathe by means of gills, in the
perfect state they breathe directly by means of lungs. Frogs and
toads cast their skin at times, but the cast-off skin of the toad is never
found. Mr. Wood explains this by saying that when the toad has
cast the skin, it rolls it up and swallows it. Clearly the toad is a firm
believer in the old-fashioned proverb, ‘‘ Waste not, want not ”—a
motto not always exercised by those of higher grades. These two
animals live on very much the same food, viz., worms, slugs, and
various insects: with the difference that the toad feeds chiefly by
night, the frog mostly by day. Their method of catching varies
somewhat, according to the kind of animal preyed upon. If it isa
worm or slug, it is pounced upon and seized with a sudden snatch ; if
the first effort fail, it is repeated until it succeeds, aud the prize is then
swallowed by successive gulps. Should the prey be an insect, a
totally different method is adopted. The tongue of the toad is long,
flat, and slightly forked ; it is hinged, as it were, to the lower lip, and
the point hes backward toward the throat. When a fly is to be
captured, out flashes the whiplike tongue, well lubricated with adhesive
saliva, and the luckless fly simply vanishes !—that is about the only
word to express the speed with which it disappears. These animals
will not touch any food until they see it move; they will sometimes
partake of dead food if you stir it slightly. Though they have teeth,
they do not chew their food, but swallow it whole. The teeth are so
small that they are merely to hold their prey while they gulp it down.
Toads are gifted with a certain amount of intelligence. I have
known a case of a toad, which was kept in a garden, answering to the
| name of “Jack.” Jack lived under a water-butt which stood on some
| stones, and as soon as his master called “ Jack, Jack,” out he would
| come to look up with an inquiring air, which had something very
| knowing and intelligent about it.
The newt, or eft (Lissotriton punctatus), unlike the frog or toad, does
not lay its eggs in ropes or clusters, but singly on the leaves of plants;
and some even carry their care so far as to double the leaf over the
ego, and foster it for further protection. The tadpole of the newt is a
| beautiful creature ; in shape and colour it far surpasses the other tad-
| poles, in addition to which its breathing organs arep laced outside the
| neck, and form a lace-work frill of exquisite beauty. Altogether, there
92 Toe NaATtTuRALIST.
is such a look of babyish innocence and beauty about the young eft,
that I am not at all surprised that so imaginative a writer as Kingsley
should take them as the prototype of his “ Water Babies.” Yet,
lovely as the baby is, and graceful:as they are in all their aquatic
movements, these poor newts labour under the same evil reputation as
the toad, viz., that they are deadly venomous. I had handled snakes
freely, and had learned to distinguish venomous from harmless species
long before I could summon up resolution enough to prove by personal
experience that the newt is one of the most harmless creatures which
God created. The tongue (as is the case with all the animals we are
discussing) is forked, soft and pliable to an exquisite degree, and
probably very sensitive. The newt feeds by snapping and gulping,
but does not use the tongue in the way the frog and toad do. Whilst
on this subject | may mention that the habit with certain reptiles
(chiefly snakes, but also to an extent among lizards aud newts) of
frequently protruding and retracting the tongue used to puzzle me as
to its cause, until casually reading Thompson on ‘The Passions of
Animals,” I came across this sentence, which shed considerable light
upon the matter: “The connection between the tongue and touch in
snakes is an additional phenomenon, for it has been ascertained by
Hillman that the forked tongue is peculiarly serviceable for the latter
purpose—that of touch. They reconnoitre things by a brandishment
or vibration of the tongue, without actually touching them, and come
to the perception of stationary objects most probably by the pressure
of the air, for their sight and smell are extremely weak.”
Blindworms, or Slowworms (Anguis fragilis)—Books tell us these
are not worms at all, nor are they snakes, but a species of lizard with
undeveloped legs. They are not blind; their eyes, though smail, are
very bright. That they are not slow, I once had a very practical
proof. I was hunting about a manure-heap in South Wales, when I
came across a colony of blindworms. I boxed a handful, then com-
menced my trouble. Each time I tried to get another in, sundry heads
would poke up at the open lid. In my eagerness I tilted the lid
nearly off, and out popped three fine specimens on to the grass. I
whipped on the lid, caught runaway number one, and got him housed
as quickly as possible. ‘The whole affair only occupied a few seconds,
yet when I came to look for numbers two and three, they had rendered
themselves so exceedingly scarce, that though I looked all round, upon
my hands and knees, I could not find any trace of them. Whatever I
may have called them then, I never thought of them as slow after that.
I found a great diversity in them as to colour and tinge—the difference
STATHER: OuR RepmLe Pets. 93
of age most likely, as I found certain sizes associated with certain
colours. Those about the length of a finger were a pale yellow, with
a thin black stripe down the back ; the largest were invariably dark,
some very dark. Small slugs appear to be their favourite food. I
once kept forty to fifty at large in a garden walled on all sides, and
several times I caught the large trying to swallow the small ones ;
whether purposely cannibal or mistaking the small ones for worms, I
cannot say. Those I caught almost invariably turned the point of the
tail, and stuck it at my hand. As this point is hard and rather sharp,
it may be part of the creature’s defence. In addition, they have a very
viperish look, and the tail not only comes off easily, but twitches and
moves, when touched, for some time.
Natrix torquata, the ringed or grass snake.—This handsome and
harmless reptile is readily distinguished from the adder, both by its
size (which is usually at least double that of the viper) and by a bright
yellow collar. Besides these distinctions the snake is spotted down
the sides, while the adder has a broad zigzag line down the back. I
have said the ringed snake is perfectly harmless, yet it is not always
to be handled with impunity, especially by those who possess sensitive
noses, for it can, and sometimes does, eject from a gland near the vent
a chalky-looking liquid of a most evil odour—one, too, that is not so
easily subjugated by soap and water. The first display of this odour in
my experience, took place in an old quarry, in South Wales. I
was casually turning over the old stones when, on turning over
a rather large one, I sawasnake; it was from three to four feet
in length, and so ugly that a cold shudder ran through me at
the sight. He must have been about to change his skin; his
colours were all faded, the eyes were of a milk-and-watery colour,
and the yellow collar was all but invisible. He lay still for a
second or two, but the moment he started off my hesitation was
gone, and I clutched him by the middle. I never saw an animal
in such a rage. He writhed and twisted, hissed and darted at my
hand, and flung about that horrid stinking stuff, till I was almost
tempted to let go ; I held on, however, till he tired, and then boxed
him. I have frequently come across portions of the cast skins, and
once of a perfect skin, cast even to the coverings of the eyes. I have
never found any of the eggs of the snake ; they are described as being
about as Jarge as blackbirds’ eggs, covered with a tough, leathery skin,
and joined together, and they are mostly laid in manure heaps, doubt-
less for warmth. One great difference I noticed between blindworms
and snakes is, the antipathy of the former, and the fondness of the
94 THe NATURALIST.
latter for water ; invariably blindworms get out of the water as if it
scalded them, whereas ringed snakes delight in it. They swim
rapidly and gracefully, with the head just above the surface, but if
alarmed, they dive out of sight like an eel.
The paper was illustrated by specimens from the vivarium of Mr.
Piggott, who has noticed that frogs and toads invariably jerk the long
toe when their attention is aroused by anything to eat. He would be
extremely obliged if any person would kindly let him know if they
have observed the same thing.
A FEW DAYS AT FIELD BOTANY IN SCOTLAND.
( Continued. ) {
By Wm. WEst.
We here notice that Phacidium Vaccinii oceurred on the dead leaves
of Arctostaphylos.
We had now another stiff climb which brought us to the finest.
Sedum Rhediola we ever saw, and close by Aira alpina and Polypodium
alpestre, the latter being very fine, the fronds attaining with the stipes.
a length of nearly thirty inches. (I have just measured some of the
specimens we brought home and which have not the lower part of the
stipes, they measure on an average twenty-five and a half inches, the
only specimen else in my herbarium having given me a poor idea of the
plant, being five and a half inches only in length). My companion
insisted at first that it was only Athyrium Filix-foemina, which it very
much resembles, as Hooker justly observes. Aira alpina, A. flexuosa,
var. montana, and Saxifraga stellaris, soon began to be the only con-
spicuous phanerogams observable, but rare mosses began to gladden
our eyes, and we soon realized that we had neither room to stow, nor
power to carry as much as we wished of the harvest that lay before us.
Having brought some smaller tubes for algee we filled them and they
have been partially examined, the following were among the species
noted: Tabellaria ventricosa, Diatoma vulgare, Zygnema cruciata,
Zygogonium ericetorum, Sirosiphon compactus, Tetraspora gelatinosa,
Cosmarium margaritiferum, and other species even commoner than most.
of the above. Hypnum ochraceum was here in great masses, unchosen
specimens of which measured sixteen inches ; Arctoa fulvella, Dicranum
arcticum, Webera Ludwigii, Mnium subglobosum, Hypnum exannula-
tum, var. orthophyllum, and Nardia emarginata flourished in all their
beauty, while a little higher up as we came to three successive masses of
snow we gathered Cetraria islandica, Andrezea nivalis, its var. fuscescens.,
West: Fretp Botany In ScorTuann., 95
A. petrophila, var. acuminata and gracilis, A. alpina near var. flavi-
cans, Dicranum falcatum, D. Starkii, Conostomum boreale, Polytrichum
sexangulare, Jungermannia alpestris var. Wenzellii, Anthelia julacea,
a slender form of Diplophyllum minutum and Gymnomitrium crassi-
folium, this being the third station for the latter plant. We shortly
after attained the summit and at the highest elevation in the British -
Isles (4406 feet), we gathered Aira alpina, Andreza petrophila var.
acuminata, Racomitrium fasciculare, R. sudeticum, Conostomum
boreale and Stereocaulon coralloides. We were favoured in having
one of the finest days that could be desired for an extensive view,
which was impressively grand and majestic as we gazed at other
distant bold outlines over the summits of very high mountains, thus
practically realizing the great height we had reached. By means of
compass and map we rapidly recognized the other mountains. To the
south-west were the prominent peaks of Mull, to the north of these
was the bold outline of Rum, while to the north-west stood out in
glorious relief the stately outlines of Skye and to the north of this we
could plainly see the Butt of Lewis. Turning a little we discerned
Ben Wyvis and many other tall hills, while beyond them the
northern coast of Scotland was well defined. We now made out the
Cairngorm group of hills, but had not time to individualize them ; then
we cast a longing look on Ben Lawers and the other Perthshire
mountains, from whence numerous hills between 3000 and 4000 feet
were studded in a westerly and south-westerly direction towards
Glencoe and mighty Ben Cruachan. So enchanted were we with the
view that we were loth to leave it, and we irresistably lingered for two
hours later than the time we had previously deemed it prudent, to
leave the summit.
We now began the descent, and had the satisfaction of finding
Andreea nivalis with abundant fruit, this moss here attaining a
luxuriance that is not equalled on the continent, the plants being five
inches in length in the finer patches. As we had to descend in the
same direction we had ascended, we did not gather many additional —
species; and it was not long before we were benighted; but a little
before this happened I had a stroll by the lake where I rapidly
gathered what I thought to be Isoetes but afterwards found out (on
cutting leaf sections) that it was not that species, and I set it down
as the entirely immersed form of Littorella lacustris. The approaching
darkness made us hurry down the rugged side towards Glen Nevis
which we had intended working before sunset. However, when we
reached the river Nevis we had to ford it in the dark, and a cooling
96 THe NaTuURALIST.
task it was. O, how I longed for a lantern to gather the fine speci-
mens of Lecanora tartarea, Pannaria rubiginosa and other good things
we had passed in the morning. I had also felt certain that I could
find Habrodon Notarisii on the fine sycamore and ash trees which
border the stream, the search for which had also been postponed to the
return journey.
The two now-weak Williams arrived at Fort William at 10-35 p-m.,
quite ready for their second meal after divesting themselves of their
donkey-loads.
The next morning we parcelled up our plants and had very little
time to spare before we started by steamer for Oban, else we should
have collected what marine algze we could have found about Fort
William. From Oban we rode through lovely scenery to Killin
Station where we booked our parcel of plants for Glasgow, and started
off with empty knapsacks for the Ben Lawers Hotel. We were soon
charmed into loitering by the tempting hunting grounds we had to
pass. Selaginella selaginoides we noticed in much greater profusion
than we had seen it on Ben Nevis, as well as the pretty rosettes of
Pinguicula vulgaris, while the walls were covered with Cystopteris
fragilis, especially with a blunt form which very much mimicked
Woodsia in shape. Myrica Gale, Nephrodium Oreopteris, Gentiana
campestris, Racomitrium aciculare and similar plants were quite a
feature in the flora. Ulota crispa, Orthotrichum coarctatum, O.
tenellum, O. affine, Pogonatum urnigerum, P. aloides var. minus,
Eucalyx obovata with whited rootlets, Frullania dilatata, Pellia caly-
cina, Jungermannia barbata, J. pumila, Nardia scalaris, Parmelia
perlata, Evernia furfuracea, E. prunastri, Ramalina fraxinea in fruit,
and R. farinacea were next gathered ; then we put the spurt on and
arrived at Killin, but did not stay till we had cleared the village, when
I determined in the dusk of the evening to hunt for Habrodon Not-
arisii, but my companion hurried on. However, I soon overtook him,
when he was glad to relieve me of part of the Habrodon which I had
got, and he began to rejoice that it was now so dark (the only cir-
cumstance that helped his persuasiveness) that he could rely on my
rapid progression towards the inn, at which we arrived a little after
11-0 p.m., again ready for our second meal. The next morning we
wrapped up and labelled our gathering from Killin so as not to run
the chance of mixing them with our next collection, after which we
began the ascent of Ben Lawers through a heavy mist. We had
hopes that the mist would only be a thing of the early morn, and soon
were assured by a shepherd we saw that we should have it clear as we
West: Fietp Botany IN SCOTLAND. 97
got higher. This turned out correct, and we were soon above the
mist, which seemed to have a focus on Loch Tay. We were astounded
at the easy ascent as we had really no idea what the hill was like till
we were on it, for we had determined beforehand to start without
ordnance maps, so that it would add to the interest of the journey ;
it did add to the interest too, and I felt delighted at the idea of
wandering with an ordinary map of Scotland, the scale of which was
about eleven miles to the inch. My companion was my senior, and
possessed considerable experience of the English and Welsh hills,
which turned out to be of use, and I fairly chuckled as I thought how
he would have been certain of the impossibility of the fulfilment of
the journey had he caught hold of the ordnance maps.
Blindia acuta seemed to be the chief feature on the rocks in the wet
places on one part of the hill; it was accompanied, of course, by that
protean species Philonotis fontana, the latter being very tall. Splach-
num sphericum, Hypnum stramineum, H. sarmentosum, H. revolvens,
Distichium capillaceum, Bryum bimum, B. pseudotriquetrum, B.
filiforme, Webera cruda, Diphyscium foliosum, Polytrichum strictum,
P. gracile, Sphagnum acutifolium var. fuscum, S. rubellum, Didy-
modon rubellus var. serrulatus, Jungermannia cordifolia, Plagiochila
asplenioides var. Dillenii, Nardia scalaris, N. emarginata, Eucalyx
obovata, Scapania undulata, 8. uliginosa, Cetraria islandica, Micras-
terias furcata, M. rotata, Cosmarium bioculatum, Pleurotzenium bac-
ulum, Nostoc rupestre, Synedra splendens, Cymbella gastroides,
Penium digitus, oblongum, Scytonema myochrous, Sirosiphon pul-
vinatus, Staurastrum brevispinum, and many other species were col-
lected at a good elevation. We continued the easy ascent over a
carpet of Juncus trifidus and Alchemilla alpina; we soon came across
Cherleria sedoides (which mimics Leucobryum glaucum), Silene acaulis
was often found growing with it, and close by were Cochlearia alpina,
Polygonum viviparum, Sedum villosum, Saxifraga aizoides, S. stellaris,
_ Andrezea petrophila, Didymodon cylindricus, Distichium capillaceum
var. brevifolium, Racomitrium sudeticum, Dichodontium pellucidum
var.fagimontanum, Mnium cinclidioides, Pogonatum alpinum, Hypnum
uncinatum, H. scurpioides, H. trifarium, H. sarmentosum var. sub-
flavum which is generally found within the Arctic Circle, Junger-
mannia trichophylla, J. Mulleri, J. Juratzkana (not then recorded for
Britain, the only patch previously gathered in Britain, having been
collected in Wales shortly before by Mr. Pearson, to whose kindness
J am indebted for the determination of this and many other species,
and consisting of so small a supply as to be awaiting further specimens
98 THE NATURALIST.
for confirmation), and J. lurida. As we approached the summit we
found Thalictrum alpinum, Sagina nivalis, Saxafraga nivalis, Sibbaldia
procumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum, V. Vitis-idza, Draba rupestris,
Dicranum Starkii, D. fuscescens, D. fulvellum, Weissia crispula,
Grimmia funalis, Timmia austriaca, Mnium spinosum, Bartramia
ithyphylla, Conostomum boreale, Lesquereuxia saxicola (the first time
gathered in Britain), Plagiothecium denticulatum var. obtusifolium,
Heterocladium dimorphum, Pseudo-leskea atrovirens, Jungermannia
Orcadensis, Anthelia julacea, Gymnomitrium concinnatum, and we
noticed that Alchemilla alpina was abundant up to the very summit.
(To be continued. )
THE ICHNEUMONID A.
(Concluded. )
By Cuas. H. H. WALKER.
As examples of the parasites that become pupz within the mummy-
like envelope of the butterfly or moth, whose existence has come so
abruptly to a close, I may mention first :—Zchneumon trilineatus, the
parasite of the currant moth, Abraxas grossulariata. This species feeds
singly in the bodies of the caterpillars, which always pupate, but
dying, the chrysalis serves as a covering for the parasite. It is a very
common insect. I collected upwards of thirty pupz of grossulariata
- from a blackthorn bush. From these came three perfect moths, one
being the dark yellow suffused variety I had the pleasure of exhibiting
at a previous meeting, twenty-five parasites, and the remainder
perished.
The parasite of Pieris rape is too familiar to permit my enlarging
upon it. Occasionally, upon breaking open chrysalides of that insect,
the pup of the ichneumons will be found within, huddled together in
a mass.
Other species construct separate cocoons, of a beautiful silky texture, —
the thread of which is sometimes continuous. They are generally very
irregularly placed, as is the case with Microgaster glomeratus, and the
parasite of Chelonia caja; but others arrange them with a marvellous
recularity,+2 which speaks very strongly in favour of the architectural
capabilities of the insect.
12 Westw. Class. of Insects, vol. 2, p. 150.
WALKER : On ICHNEUMONIDA. 99
The pup of ichneumons vary but little from those of other hymen-~
opterous insects, resembling the imagines, but the limbs and other
members of the body are held down by a tightly stretched membrane.
Those species with an exserted ovipositor have that instrument bent
over the back.1%
Shortly the time arrives when the listless, mummy-like creature
awakes from its inactive rest, and bursting the slender membrane that
has kept it prisoner, unfolds its wings to the breeze; and stopping
now and again to plunder a flower of its treasured sweets, seeks its
mate, and then its victim. Though a merciless enemy to its weaker
and defenceless brethren, it but obeys the instinct given it from its
birth.
Thus far, I have said nothing about the food of the perfect ichneu-
mon. This generally consists of the saccharine matter contained in
flowers, for the insect has now renounced all its former carnivorous
propensities. Cases have occurred in which ichneumons have devoured
the caterpillars of small Lepidoptera, and one has been seen devouring
a, leaf-rolling larva, which it cleverly evicted from its tenement by
pricking it with its terebra. I find that ichneumons in captivity have
a great weakness for honey, and I am in the habit of feeding many
Hymenoptera with that substance. A day or two ago, I placed a small
quantity in a box with an ichneumon, and left the latter deeply
engaged in discussing the merits of its mellifluous feast. Late in the
evening of the same day, I found that gentleman lying on his back,
quite helpless. When I next looked at him, which was on the
following morning, he had found out that he was the possessor of legs,
and was balanced on four of them. But as those otherwise useful
members were a little crazy about the joints, he had secured additional
support by propping himself up against the side of the box, and
evidently regarded that individual side with as much affection as a
tipsy man exhibits for a friendly lamp-post.
A word ortwo in closing. The science of Entomology is progressing
steadily onward, yet the lepidopterist of the present day looks back
with regret and sorrow to the time when insects that are now either
extinct in this country, or of casual occurrence, were captured in some
plenty. The massacre of Polyommatus Hippothe and Papilio Machaon
has rendered the first extinct, and the second a desideratum with many,
When we couple with this the slow and sure encroachments of drainage
—___.
13 See communication by Mr. G. C. Bignell in the Entomologist. Vol. 18, p. 244.
100 THE NATURALIST.
and agriculture, which have reclaimed the fens and marshes of central
England, we sigh for the loss of that Insecta Arcadia, no longer the
Elysium and happy hunting ground of the lepidopterist. With the
gradual disappearance of rare species from this country, due to causes
upon which I will be silent, the chances of obtaining parasites from
them are diminishing in a like ratio. And 1 trust that the time is not
far distant when the lepidopterist, instead of greeting an ichneumon
in his breeding-cage as a pest and an unwarrantable intruder, will
indulge the little stranger with a smell of the contents of his cyanide
bottle, and place him or her in his cabinet with justifiable gratification
at having increased both his collection and his store of knowledge, by
the addition of the parasite of the former, instead of having con-
signed it to the tender mercies of his boot-soles.
Though rapid strides are being made towards the perfection and
completeness of Entomological Science, let all who profess themselves
sincere and energetic students of Nature’s own handiwork, ever have
upon their lips the cry, ‘‘ Excelsior! Excelsior! Higher, ever higher !’’
Short Aotes and Queries.
FoRK-TAILED PETREL, NEAR BEVERLEY.—A specimen of the fork-tailed
petrel (P. Leechii), was picked up in a dying state, this week, in a field
near Riphingham (a small village a few miles distant), and is now in the
- collection of Mr. John Stephenson, of Beverley. The simultaneous
appearance of two more on the Lincolnshire coast (Zoologist, Dec.),—and
of one in Cornwall (field, 26th Nov.), suggested the probability of their
having all been blown across the Atlantic in the exceptionally heavy and
lengthened westerly gales of last week.—N. F. Doprenr, Beverley.
Procellaria Pelagica, at Ricumonp.—A fine specimen of the stormy
petrel, or ‘‘ Mother Cary’s Chicken,” was recently shot near to Gatherley
Castle, Richmond, Yorks. This, the smallest of web-footed birds, is
very rarely found so far inland as this (more than forty miles), and must
have been compelled to seek shelter by reason of the exceptional heavy
weather experienced during the last few days, its usual habitat being the
mid-ocean, which it only leaves during the breeding season, viz. —June
and August. It breeds in considerable numbers on the western coasts
of Ireland and Scotland, also largely in the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
It is frequently noticed by sailors, far from land, “‘ paddling its own
canoe” swiftly across the surface of the ocean, occasionally resting for a
moment on the foamy waves. They have been known to follow for days
the wake of a vessel, watching keenly for anything that might be thrown
a a —s
wi ~ c ina
wih.
RAINFALL FOR NOVEMBER. 101
overboard, or ploughed up by the motion of the ship. Two specimens
were caught at Heckmondwike in South Yorkshire, in October, 1879,
after a heavy fall of snow.—W. Grecson, Baldersby, Thirsk, Dec. 18th.
Late Biack-caP WARBLER NEAR SHEFFIELD.—A female specimen of
the black-capped warbler (Sylvia atricapilla, Linn.) was shot Dee. 8rd,
at Norton Lees, near Sheffield, by Mr. Hy. Turner, of Heeley, which he
gave to me the same day for preservation in the museum. The upper
mandible was dark horn colour and the lower light slaty grey or blue ; the
crown of the head was brown, darker on the fcrehead ; the nape, back,
and rump greyish mixed with brown, and the outer edges of tail and
primaries of wing of the same colour as the back, while the inner edges
were of a darker shade ; the throat and belly dirty white, and the chest
and flanks of the same colour, more conspicuously mixed with brown. The
legs were dark slaty grey, with black soles to the feet. The total length of
the bird was 6% inches. The occurrence of this summer visitor so late in
the autumn is very remarkable. —E. Howarru.
Acherontia Atropos At HaTHERSAGE.—I have received from Mr. J. C.
Burrell, the indefatigable secretary of the Sheffield Naturalists’ Club, a
fine specimen of the death’s head moth (Acherontia Atropos), taken at
Hathersage, Sep. 26th. Another specimen of this moth was taken in a
house at Ranmoor, Sheffield, about four years ago, and is now in this
museum.—H. Howartu, Weston Park Museum, Sheffield.
Raintall for November.
Height Tora Faun
of - | No. to Date. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain- | of heaviest of
above | fall. [pays |__ Fall. entices
all.
ieee 1881. | 1880.
Ft. | In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 3°35 | 20 | 30°16 |* 30:09 16 0°61
(J. W. Robson)
Hawirax...(F.G.8. Rawson)| 365 | 6°38 | 18 | 43:78 | 42:10 Bae A
| BARNSLEY ... (I. Lister) ...| 350-| 2°22 | 17 |- 23°34 |. 36:07 26 0°56
| INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 4°29 | 22 | 38°90 | 43°77 26 0°84
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...} 520 | 2°73 | 18 | 28°56 | 36°85 26 0°57
Gooue ... (J. Harrison)...| 25} 2°04 | 14 | 23°31 | 29°64 3 0°32
Huu (Derringham)...(Wm.| 10 | 1°92 | 15 | 23°84 | 20°434t 25 0°36
Lawton)
* This is the average to date for 15 years, 1866-80.
£ On the average (to date) of 30 years, 1850-79, in 165 days.
CORRECTION :—In Huddersfield return for October, ‘‘Total fall to date,” should read
26°81, not 26°18; as printed.
Renortis of Societies.
Barnstey Naruratists’ Soctety.—Meeting Nov. 22nd, Mr. A. R.
Kell in the chair.—Dr. W. J. Lancaster gave an interesting paper on
*“ The Osteology of some species of Mammalia,” which was illustrated by
skeletons, bones, heads, and feet of animals.
Meerine Dec. 6th, Mr. T. Lister in the chair.—A paper was read by
Mr. J. C. Mitchell on :: The Lower Orders of the Vegetable Kingdom—
the Oryptogams, or fiowerless plants.” He dwelt on the necessity of a
knowledge of the eryptogamic plants, in dealing with zymotic diseases, &c.
A few bird occurrences are recorded since last month’s report. F locks of
wild geese and ducks have passed over Walton Lake, Nov. 6th, also
herons, pochards, wigeons, and the dusky grebe. A pair of little grebes
obtained at Barmby Hall ; a pair a few weeks before, all recorded by Mr.
C. Wemyss, of Cannon Hall. As many as six or eight herons have
frequented the pools and streams around. A few goldfinches and the
bullfinch observed in the town and country. Many instances of flowers
peeping forth in the spring-like weather we have had.—T. Lisrzr.
Braprorp Narturatists’ Soctetry.—Annual Soiree.—The president in
his opening remarks dwelt upon the uses of the study of Natural History,
dealing more especially with the help which designers may derive
from the study of botany. He said that in the sections of plants might
be found an endless variety of designs, surpassing in originality and
beauty any of the artificial geometrical designs that had been used for so
many years. The Rev. W. Fowler, M.A., of Liversedge, delivered a very
instructive address on the causes why Natural History societies are not
more successful than they usually are. Mr. James Spencer, of Halifax,
made some interesting remarks on the recent advancement made in the
study of fossil botany by the aid of the microscope. He described how
Prof. Williamson and others, including himself, had studied the micro-
scopical structure of the vegetable matter found in coal beds.
Annual Mzerrine, Mr. Spencer in the chair.—The secretary read the
annual report, which showed that during the past year twenty-three
meetings had been held, at which lectures, papers, microscopical exhibi-
tions, &c., had been given. The objects of the society had also been
furthered by most of the members giving accounts of their various
rambles, and exhibiting specimens. ‘The district mapped out last year
for investigating fauna and flora had been steadily and satisfactorily |
worked. The society had been represented at the following rambles of
the Yorkshire Naturalist Union :—Skipton, Hornsea, Thorne, and the
fungus rambles to Harrogate and Ripon. A number of volumes had
been added to the library during the year, and freely used by the mem-
bers. The treasurer read his annual statement, which showed the society
to be in a healthy and prosperous condition. After the reports had been
adopted, and a vote of thanks given to the retiring officers, the election
ef officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, and resulted as
:
|
Reports oF SociEtizs. 103
follows :—President, Mr. W. Jagger : vice-presidents, Messrs. W. West
and H. T. Soppitt ; secretaries, Messrs. F. R. Starling and H. Andrews.
Huu Frecp Naruratists’ Soctrry.—Meeting 3rd Dec.—Mr. Moore
bird-stuffer, showed a great grey shrike (L. excubitor) shot in the out-
skirts of Hull (Sculcoates churchyard), in the previous week.—_N. F.
Dosre£z, president.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EntomonocicaAL Society.—Monthly
Meeting, November 28th, in the Free Library, the president (Mr. 8. J.
Capper) in the chair.—The secretary (Dr. Ellis) read a paper on the
“¢ Coleoptera of the district, part II.,” in which he enumerated several
additions to the ground beetles of the district (part I., read last year),
and gave a iist, with localities, of fifty-four species of hydradephaga, or
water-beetles, occuring in the district, out of a total of 134 species
inhabiting Britain. Mr. W. R. Scowcroft, of Pendleton, read a paper
entitled ‘‘Ten Days in the Isle of Arran,” in which he described the
difficulty of collecting insects among the bogs and on the windy mountain
sides of that island, illustrating his paper by the insects captured, which
included two beautiful varieties of Argynmis Aglaia. During the con-
versazione, Mr. W. Johnson exhibited a specimen of Xylina petrificata
taken in the district, and Mr. Walker a box of European rhopalocera.—
J. W. Exits, Hon. Sec.
MaAncHrster Cryptocamic Socrety.—Meeting November 21st.—Capt.
Cunliffe, F.R.M.S., who presided, said he had much pleasure in bringing
before the notice of the members some specimens of Weissia mucronata,
which he had recently found growing near his own home, at Handforth,
Cheshire, and which was the more interesting on this account, as he found
that it had not been recorded in the catalogue of mosses (published 1881),
by the Botanical Record Club, as occuring within the province of the
Mersey. This is somewhat singular, as we found on referring to a list of
mosses by Mr. G. E. Hunt, which was published by the Manchester
Field Naturalists, in their report for 1864, that upon the undoubted
authority of Mr. Wilson, specimens of this species had been found by
Mr. Wilson himself at Pasteside, April, 1847, and further, that since our
first report, published in the Manchester City News, we have ascertained
that it has been found in several other localities within the district afore-
mentioned, notably at Hattersley, near Mottram, April, 1868, by Mr.
John Whitehead. Mr. Stanley exhibited a good series of microscopic
slides, chiefly hepatics, but there was not sufficient time to examine them
as they deserved. It was, however, evident that Mr. Stanley had
mounted them so as to display the essential microscopic characters, to be
observed in studying this class of cryptogams, rather than as objects
shown for their rarity and beauty of form. Mr. W. H. Pearson read a
few notes translated from G. Limpricht’s recently published paper on the
Huropean Bog Mosses. The notes read had a more immediate reference
to Limpricht’s strictures upon C. Wornstofi’s new arrangement of specific
104 - THE NATURALIST.
characters in this particular group of mosses. The subject proved to be
very interesting to the members, was well discussed, and suggested
several new openings for microscopic investigation.—THos. RocsEns
Hon. Sec.
WAKEFIELD NATURALISTS’ AND PuHrILosopHicaL Soctetry.—On Dec.
22nd Mr. W. Howgate, of Leeds, delivered a lecture at the rooms of the
Exhibition now being held at Wakefield, on “‘ The Formation and Uses
of Pnblic Museums.” The lecturer, in the course of his opening remarks,
said that among the many social problems now engaging the attention of
the Government and of several municipalities were the technical educa-
tion of the people, and the establishment of museums. Some of the
abuses which had previously existed had been ended by the passing of the
Compulsory Education and the Free Library Acts, and the Government
were now, by means of a Royal Commission, obtaining a report upon the
various systems of technical education both at home and abroad. The
subject of the lecture was therefore of importance. He would assume
that, from a social as well as from an intellectual point of view, a change
for the better was very desirable, and the excellent working committee
of that Exhibition evidently thought so too, the objects of the under-
taking being to purchase a building for a public museum. There were
some who denied the necessity for public museums, and one of their
arguments was, that where such museums exist, asin Liverpool, there
had been no diminution in crime and drunkenness. But the cause was
not far to seek. The distance which in most cases the artisan was
compelled to travel to these museums was an insuperable difficulty, and a
large majority of the museums in existence were as yet in a state of
_ transition, while the artisan had not been consulted as to the formation of
any department in which he was interested. The social wants of the
working man were altogether ignored. He suggested that there should
be a large room in connection with each Board School which could be
used as a museum during the evening. As to the means at their disposal
for the formation of such a museum at Wakefield, he said that he was of
opinion that it was the imperative duty of corporate bodies to provide
these institutions. But the present movement was a voluntary one, and
the question was. how to raise the money.. He thought a considerable
sum of money could be raised by house-to-house collections, which should
take place annually, and by public meetings. The museum should
consist of a scientific section, with sub-sections which should represent
the various branches of science and natural history. These sub-sections
should have the entire responsibility of collecting objects for the museum,
their arrangement and classification, and the preparation and publication
of a series of descriptive handbooks, the provision of lectures, and the
formation of classes for the study of the various branches of science.—A
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Howgate at the close of the
lecture.
Meetings of ticles :
os Baridley Naturalists? ‘Society. eye Meeting, S215 pm AUS eee
3. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society. . eee Ee
_,, 8. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club. Bors ae
i 4, Entomological Society of London, 7-30 p:m. : ne Se
4. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society. — oe
» Il. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club. Eto
,, 18. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
_.,, 16. Huddersfield Literary and Scientific Society. Microscopic Soiree,
Beet ee =O P.M.
Sy 16. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30. p.m.
_ »-- 16, Leeds Geological Association.—‘‘ Astromyelon and its Allies.’’—Mr.
J. spencer, of Halifax, 8 pm. ~
19. TIinnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
ae pone itp ‘North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club. sae at Hanley,
eee gies Local Secretary, Mr. A. Smith. ;
» 30. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society.— Annual kcortaode —Lecture on
- ‘© Volcanoes,” Mr. R. Gascoyne, F.G.S.
ce: lt Leeds Geological Association.
», 31. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
| TRANSACTIONS of the YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION.
27 PART I. FOR 1877 contains the commencement of ‘The Birds of Yorkshire,”
by Mr. W..E. Clarke, M.B.O U. ; of an “‘ Annotated List of the Land and Fresh-
water Mollusca of Yorkshire, ” by Messrs. Wm. Nelson and J. W. Taylor; a
_eomplete list of Yorkshire Hymenoptera, with references to literature of that
- order, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck; a paper on “ Yorkshire Macro-lepidoptera
in 1877,” by Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L. S.; one on “Yorkshire Micro- lepidoptera g
in 1877, hes iy! Mr. Wm. Prest ; papers by Mr, 8. L. Mosley, on ‘‘ Yorkshire Diptera,’ wre
} and on the Yorkshire species of Hemiptera of the Family Ps ea 5 aS She 8 ee ers
ie pepart: on Yorkshire Botany in 1877, by Dr. H. F. Parsons, F.G.S. ee a
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Birds of Yorkshire, and of Messrs. Nelson and Taylor’s Land and Fresh-water__
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Dr. Parsons ; the commencement of Dr. Parsons’ ‘‘ Moss-Flora of the Hast-
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_ Yorkshire Jchnewmonide, by. Mr. S. D. Bairstow, F.L.S.; und on Vorkotie
Re ee ene in 1878, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck. me Gi
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COLEOPTERA OF THE LIVERPOOL DISTRICT.
[PART IT.]
By Joun W. Exus, L.R.C.P. ; L.R.C.S8., Ed.,
[HON. SEC., LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. |
Read before Lanc. and Ches. Entomological Society, Nov. 28th, 1881.
Last autumn I read a paper before the Lancashire and Cheshire
Entomological Society, in which I noticed all the species of the
Geodephaga of this district of which I had any record. I am pleased
to find that this list has been of use to some of our coleopterist
members, and therefore I am encouraged to continue the subject of
the coleoptera of our district, first noticing additional species of
Geodephaga, and new localities for some. of the more local species
noticed in Part I.; and then passing on to the enumeration of the
Hydradephaga, or predacious water-beetles of the district. I have
to thank Messrs. May, Smedley, and Wilding for their information
on the additions to the Geodephaga, and also Mr. F. Archer, of
Crosby, who has kindly lent me his collection of coleoptera of the
district, and his entomological diary, which I have found of great
service.
I am pleased to have to record the addition of ten species of
geodephega to the district, since part I. was read, viz.: Cymindis
vaporarium, L. ; Pterostichus versicolor, Stu. ; Amara lunicollis, Pz. ;
Harpalus neglectus. Dj.; Bradycellus harpalinus Dj.; Patrobus ex-
cavatus, Pk.; Bembidium quinquestriatum, Gyll.; B. lampros, var.
velox, Er.; B. bipunctatum, L.; and B. varium, Ol. B. bipunctatum
was accidentally omitted from the last list, although it occurs in Mr.
Gregson’s, of 1861.
GEODEPHAGA.
HLaPHRUs.
E. cupreus, Duft. Bank of a pond between Thurstaston and Caldy,
August, A. H. May, Bidston Marsh, F. A.* ;
CLIVINA.
C. collaris, Hbst. Seacombe, R. Wilding.
Dyscutinivs.
D .thoracicus, Ross, and D. nitidus, Dj. Occurred in profusion cn the
Crosby shore, at high-water mark, June, 1881, J. W. E.
N.S., Vou. vil.—FEB., 1882.
* Jnitials C. 8. G., F. A., J. H. 8., and J. W. E., refer to Messrs. Gregson, Archer,
Smedley, and myself respectively.
+
106 | THe NATURALIST.
D. obscurus, Gyll. is evidently a mistake, although it occurs in Mr.
Gregson’s list as a synonym of D. thoracicus, Fab. The insect
referred to is D. thoracicus, Rossi.
D. globosus, Hbst. Bidston marsh; A. H. May.
METABLETUS.
M. foveola, Gyll. Very abundant last July, on Flaybrick Hill,
CYMINDIS.
C. vaporarium, L. I had overlooked a specimen of this insect in the
Derby Museum, which was captured, under heath, by the Rev. H.
H. Higgins, at Thurstaston.
BADISTER.
B. bipustulatus, F. Edge of sandhills, Leasowe, Hoylake, A. H. May.
TAPHRIA.
T. nivalis, Pz. Has occurred commenly during last summer, drouid
West Derby, under stones, Flaybrick Hill, J. W. E., West Kirby,
A. H. May.
PTEROSTICHUS.
P. cupreus, L. In abundance on a pathway, at the bottom of west:
side of Bidston Hill, running m the hot sunshine, Sept., 1881,
A. H. May.
P. versicolor, Stu. One speeimen with the above, A. H. May.
AMARA.
A. spinipes. L. Common last July, m Maiden lane, West Derby,
JS. JW:
A. spreta, Dj. One specimen, Club Moor, J. W. E.
A. lunicollis, Schiod. One specimen, Wallasey, J. H. 8., one
specimen taken among A. trivialis, J. W. E.
A. plebeia, Gyll. Two specimens, West Derby, October, 1881,
J. W. E. |
HARPALUS.
H. puncticollis, Pk. Wallasey sandhills, one specimen, J. W. E.
H. latus, L. Bidston Hill, A. BH. May, J. W. E.
H. neglectus, Dj. Wallasey sandhills, J. H. S., A. H. May, EE
Hall J. We i.
BRADYCELLUS.
B. harpalinus, Dj. Flaybrick Hill, J. W. E.
B. similis, Dj. do. do. .
PATROBUS.
P. excavatus, Pk. Plentifal around West Derby, BR. Wilding,
dH. Sed, We.
OrLENUS.
©. isteralis, Sam. Hightown Shore, J. H.S8., F. A.
Eviis : Cotzorrers oF Liverpoou District. 107
BEMBIDIUM.
Bb. quinquestriatum, Gyll. Common under moss, Carr Lane, West
Derby, J. W. E., J. H. 5
B. obtusum, Stu. With the preceding, banks of River Birket,
abundant, J. W. E.
B. biguttatum, F. Wallasey Pool and banks of Birket, F. A.,
Thurstaston and Bidston Marsh, A. H. May.
B. lampros, Hbst. var. velox, Er. One specimen, bank of Birket,
J. W. E.
B. bipunctatum, L. ‘“ Freely on the Shore beyond Crosby, at high
water mark where there was a little mud, June,” C. 8. G., Bidston,
F’, A., Leasowe, J. H. 8S.
B. monticola, Sturm. F
B. pee a aaah t Aigburth shore, the latter plentiful, J. W. E.,
J. H. 5.
B. concinnum, Steph. Aigburth shore, J. H.S., J. W. E.
B. femoratum, Sturm. West Derby, common, J. H.58., J. W. E.,
among these are some very small dark specimens.
B. lunatum, Duft. Very abundant on the shore at Hightown,
J. H.8., and Aigburth, J. W. E., July, 1881.
B. varium, Ol. (B. ustulatum, Stu.) One specimen found under a
. stone on Kilbre Island, River Dee, May, 1875, J. W. E.
TACHYPUS.
T. flavipes, L. Banks of the Birket, A. H. May.
NotTIoPHILws.
N. substriatus, Wat. Leasowe, J. H. 8.
HYDRADEPHAGA.
In the following list the initials C. 8. G. refer to a paper on “The
Hydradephaga of the district,” read by Mr. C. 8. Gregson, before
the Historic society of Lancashire and Cheshire, in 1862, and printed
in their Transactions, N.S. vol. i. p. 38. Two of Mr. Gregson’s
localities have been entirely lost, viz.: Moss Lake and Parliament
Fields, and the greater part of Wallasey Pool also has ceased to
attract entomologists.
HAvipwvs.
H. obliquus, F. One specimen in river Birket, July, 1881, J. W. E.
H. confinis, Steph. One specimen from behind Wavertree Park,
some years since, J. W. H.
H. fulvus, F. Rock Ferry, F. A.
H. ruficollis, De. G. Abundant in all pits.
H. lineatocollis, Marsh. In the mill dam at Garston, and at Crosby,
C.S. G., several specimens from the clay-pits behind Wavertree
Park, and River Birket, J. W. E., River Alt, F. A.
108 THE NaTURALIST.
PELOBIUS.
P. Hermanni, F. Plentiful in some old ponds at Rufford, C. S. G.
HyYPHIpRUvs.
H. ovatus, L. Deysbrook, Gill Moss, Rainford, C. S. G., behind
Wavertree Park, common, J. W. E.
HypRoporvs.
H. reticulatus, F. Ditches near Altcar rifle ground, Sept., F. A.
H. ineequalis, F. Clay pits, Birkenhead, C. 8. G., Wallasey and
Crosby sand hills, abundant in the “ flashes” of water, J. W. E.
H. decoratus. Gyll. Patrick Wood, C. 8. G.
H. pictus, F. banks of Birket, near the Upton Road, C. 5S. G.
H. lepidus, Ol. Altcar rifle ground; Crosby ; New Brighton, F. A.,
J. W. E.
H. rivalis, Gyll. Crosby, C. 8S. G., behind Wavertree Park, common,
J. W. EH.
H. septentrionalis, Gyll. “ Bromborough Pool, and ditches, summer”
C.5. G.
H. Davisi, Curt. “ Bidstone marsh, freely, spring,” C. 8. G.
H. duodecimpustulatus, Ol. Ditches at Hayton, Knowsley, and
Bebington, summer, C. 8. G.
H. depressus, F. (elegans, Ill.) “with septentrionalis,” C. 8. G.,
behind Wavertree Park, common, J. W. E.
H. assimilis, Pk. “This species, first identified here by Dr. Schome,
from specimens taken by the late Mr. Johnson and myself in 1840,
in Moss-lake fields, has not been taken since this ground was built
upon; it probably still exists in Parliament fields, C. 8. G.”
I took a single specimen behind Wavertree Park in 1875, J. W. E.
H. dorsalis, F. “ Bidston. marsh, and Frankby,” C. S. G.
H. memnonius, Nic. Pond in the qnarry, Rocky lane, West Derby,
J. W. EE. :
H. erythrocephalus, L. “Bidston marsh and Frankby,” C. S. G.
Crosby, F. A. River Birket, J. W. E.
H. planus, F. Abundant in all pits.
H. melanocephalus, Steph. (pubescens, Gyll,) Crosby and Hightown,
ea
H. tristis, Pk. River Birket, J. W. E.
H. obscurus, Sturm. With the preceding, J. W. E. .
H. palustris, L. Abundant in all pits and ditches. The commonest —
of the genus with us.
H. scalesianus, Steph. “Ponds which empty themselves into —
Wallasey Pool,” C. 8. G.
H. lineatus, F. River Birket, near the Upton Road, C.S. G.
Exuis : CotEorptERA oF LivEeRPooL District. 109
Norervs. |
N. sparsus, Marsh. (semipunctatus, F.) ‘‘Seacomb Clough, taken
there by T. Townley, Esq. in 1841,” C.8. G., New Ferry, one
specimen, J. H. 8.
LaccopuiLus
L. minutus, L. Ponds and ditches, generally distributed.
L. hyalinus, De, G. °*‘ Bidston marsh and Bromborough,” C. 8S. G.
CoLYMBETES.
C. fuscus. L. Generally distributed, but very abundant in the
“ flashes ” of water on the sand hills.
C. Grapei, Gyll. A single specimen taken in Moss Lake fields,
Co S),.G.
C. pulverosus, Steph. ‘‘Ponds and ditches around Old Swan,
Knotty Ash, &c, C. 8. G.
C. bistriatus, Berg. ‘Formerly common where Crown St. now is,
and may still be found in the Parliament fields,” C. 8. G.
ILysivs.
I. fenestratus, F. Club Moor and Childwall, C.S. G., behind
Wavertree Park, J. W. E.
. fuliginosus, F. Common everywhere.
J. ater, De, G. Generally distributed.
I. obscurus, Marsh. One specimen from River Birket, J. W.E.
Mr. F. Archer records (Nat. Scrap book), a specimen of the variety
sexdentatus Schiod, captured in a brook at Little Brighton.
I. angustior, Gyll. ‘Formerly plentiful in Moss Lake fields,”
C5. Ga
_ Lioprervs.
L. ruficollis, Schal. (agilis, F.) Pits and ditches near Pigue Lane,
and Wavertree. C. 8. G.
AGABUS.
A. bipustulatus, L. Very abundant everywhere.
A. Sturmi, Schon. Two specimens from the Crosby, and three from
the Wallasey sand hills, J. W. E.
_A. guttatus, Pk. “ Fish ponds near Hale, OC. 8. G., abundant in a
rill of water on the Aigburth shore, J. W. E., Bidston Hill,
Ww. Dixon.
A. nebulosus, Forst. (bipunctatus, F.) Abundant in most ee
_ especially in the flashes of water on the sand hills.
A. conspersus. “ Plentiful in most ponds and ditches,” ©, S. G.
Hightown, F. A.
A. femoralis, Pk. ‘ Parliament fields,” C, 8. G.
A. maculatus, L. ‘ Abundant in all stagnant pits,” C.S. G.
bool
110 Tue NatuRauisr.
Dyriscus.
A. marginalis, L. Common everywhere-
-D. punctulatus, F. Mr. Smedley and myself have each captured a
single specimen on the Wallasey sand hills,
AcILIvs.
A. sulcatus, L. ‘* Plentiful in the flashes of water on Simmonswood
Moss ,” ©.S.G., Prenton, J. H. S., Crosby, F. A.
GYRINUS.
G. natator, Seop. Everywhere. :
G. bicolor, Pk. “Between Bromborough and Raby,” C. 58. G.
Ditches on Altear rifle ground, F. A.
G. marinus, Gyll. ‘“ Wallasey pool, before it was converted into
Docks,” C. 8. G., with bicolor at Altcar, F. A.
Of the 154 species of Hydradephaga given in Dr. Sharp’s catalogue
of British Coleoptera, I have enumerated 54 (nearly one-half), as
occurring, or having oceurred in our district.
CONTRIBUTION TO A LIST OF THE NEUROPTERA,
(IN THE LINNEAN SENSE),
OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE (THE NORTH OF LANCASTER
EXCEPTED).
By Bens. CooKksz.
lL. TRICHOPTERA.—CADDIS FLIES.
Phryganea grandis, L. Common in the district.
P. striata, L. Manchester.
Neuronia rufierus, Scop. Manchester.
Limnophilus pellucidus, Oliv. Manehester.
rhombicus, L. Common.
. marmoratus, Curt. Common.
. lunatus. Curt. Common.
. politus, McLach. Oakmere, Cheshire, 19th Sept., 1873.
. striola, Kol. Hale Moss, Altrincham in October.
affinis, Curt. Southport.
. centralis, Curt. Rivington.
. ignavus, Hag. Hale Moss, 6th Oct., 1866.
. luridus, Curt. Manchester. *
. sparsus, Curt. Very common. |
eae nervosa, Curt. Very common.
Stenophylax hieroglyphicus, Steph. Common.
qt
S. stellatus, Curt. Rivington.
cgi a es
Cooke: LEpPiIporpT#RA oF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. lbh
Halesus digitatus, Schr. Common.
Drusus annulatus, Steph. Rivington, Aug., 1864.
Kcclisopteryx guttulata, Pict. Oakmere. 3
Phacopteryx brevipennis, Curt. Hale Moss, 10th June, 1865, and
5th June, 1868.
Chztopteryx tuberculosa, Pict. Manchester; Rivington; Bowdon.
Silo pallipes, Fab. Bramhail Brook, Hazelgrove.
Mormonia irrorata, Curt. Rivington.
Brachycentrus subnubilus, Curt. Common on the banks of the
Bollin, Bowdon.
Hydroptila tineoides, Dalm. Bowdon; Hazelgrove.
Molanna angustata, Curt. Rivington; Cana! banks near Marple.
Leptocerus aterrimes, Steph. Common.
L. bifasciatus, Oliv. Bramhall brook.
Triznodes bicolor, Curt. Cheshire Coast, June, 1858.
Mystacides atra, Pict. Bowdon.
Setodes testacea, Curt. Warrington.
Hydropsyche pellucidula, Curt. Bowdon.
H. instabilis, Curt. Hazelgrove.
Hi. angustipennis, Curt. Didsbury near Manchester.
Philopotamus scopulorum, Steph. Rivington.
Polycentropus picicornis, Steph. Bowdon.
Rhyacophila dorsalis, Curt. Bowdon.
Berea pullata, Curt, Hale Moss.
2. NEUROPTERA—PLANIPENNIA. (Part STecorrerRa. Newm.)
Panorpa communis, L. Common.
P. cognata, Ram. Didsbury, 13th July, 1861.
Sialis lutaria, L. Very common. —
S$. fuliginosa, Pict. Bollin valley, near Bowdon, 12th May, 1874.
Osmylus maculatus, Fab. Manchester.
Chrysopa flava, Scop. Common.
C. flavifrons, Brau. Common.
©. abbreviata. Curt. Bowdon.
Micromus paganus, L. Manchester.
Hemerobius elegans, Steph. Manchester; Stretford.
H. nitidulus, Fab. Common.
H. homuli, L. Common.
H. subnebulosus, Steph. Common.
_H. nervosus, Fab. Manchester; Bowdon; Hazelgrove.
Coniopteryx psociformis, Curt. Manchester.
“©. tineiformis, Curt. Marple.
©, aleyrodiformis, Steph. Bowdon; Stretford.
A FEW DAYS AT FIELD BOTANY IN SCOTLAND.
(Concluded. ) —
By Wm. WEst.
WE could not but notice the wonderful difference in verdure between
the top of Ben Lawers, which is composed of mica schist, and the tops
of those mountains like the Ben Nevis and the Cairngorm range, which
are composed of granite or felstone. The latter have the appearance
to those who are not botanists of a perfectly barren expanse of
extremely rocky ground, while the former is green to the very top.
One of the prettiest things we found was Solorina crocea, which is
fairly abundant above 3,500 feet; Salix herbacea, our tiniest British
shrub, was also common at the same altitude, and in one place
attacked by Rhytisma salicinum and Lecythea saliceti—the orange
colour of the latter contrasting well with the pitchy patches of the —
former. Alectoria lanata, Umbilicaria cylindrica, and Schizosiphon
cataractee were also gathered.
From the top we had as fine a view as it is possible to have from
this hill, it being quite as charming, but not so extensive, as the one
we had enjoyed from Ben Nevis. We could not resist the temptation
to forsake our botany again for a while, in order to improve our know-
ledge of geography by means of the map and compass. We here
witnessed a thunder-storm on a neighbouring hill, and began to fear
that we should be quickly enveloped in it ; but it just cleared us, and
we commenced the descent. The afternoon had passed on so quickly
that we had not time to visit the best localities, such as the ‘‘ famous
corrie,” the borders of the loch, and the rocky amphitheatre above it.
However, as we descended towards the loch (always keeping consider-
ably to the right of it, to avoid the weathered trenches in the peat,
whose nature we were well acquainted with), we gathered Hieracium
nigrescens, Carex pulla, Juncus biglumis, J. triglumis, Aira alpina,
Armeria maritima, Andreza petrophila, Anectangium compactum,
Mnium subglobosum, and Hypnum exannulatum. On rocks below the
loch we gathered some fine Hedwigia ciliata and Antitrichia curtipen-
dula, which are often found interlacing each other, and a little further
down we were quite enchanted by the delightful appearance of the
masses of dwarfed Nephrodium Oreopteris, which decked the borders
of a tumbling rill. We reached the road as it was beginning to get
dark, and got into the Fortinghall Inn by 10-30 p,m., just as a few
large raindrops began to fall. We had hardly sat down before a
heavy thunderstorm came on, the rain falling so quickly as to make
the road look like a stream for a short time.
i a a
West: Fretp Botany IN SCOTLAND. 113
Next day we picked up our botanical treasures, and directed them to
be forwarded to Glasgow. We started for Blair Athole, noticing on the
way a great profusion of Bartramia ithyphylla and Cystopteris
fragilis in the chinks of the walls, and in an old sandy quarry we
noticed a colony of about a hundred nests of sand martins. We then
reluctantly passed Cairn Mairg and Schihallion, and began to notice the
beautiful birch woods. ‘The great profusion of Gentiana campestris
surprised us as we neared the river Tummel, although we had already
noticed it to be a common plant in the Highland valleys. We here went
through a gale wood, the odour of which we enjoyed, and after crossing
the river Tummel we refreshed ourselves with the abundant fruits of
Rubus Ideus, Ramalina fraxinea and Puccinia viole were next
found, and as we crossed the hill we walked for miles over Arctosta-
phylos Uva-ursi, which was adorned with its beautiful fruit; Plantago
maritima was growing scattered amongst it. In Loch Vach we noticed
Lobelia Dortmanna, Potamogeton heterophyllus, Sparganium affine,
and a barren Myriophyllum, but had to hurry onward as night was
approaching, and we had many miles still to go. As we neared
Blair Athole, the enormous quantity of pine trees which were uprooted
astonished us. and on enquiry we were told that they were all blown
down on the evening of the Tay Bridge calamity. We arrived at the
Glen Tilt Hotel at 11 p.m., and were informed that we could not stay
there, as they were “full up”; but as we left the threshold we met
the proprietor, who took pity on us, and succeeded in making an
arrangement so that we could stay. This pleased us, as there was
only another hotel, which we had understood to be also “full up” as
we passed it shortly before.
Early next day, we started through Glen Tilt, for Braemar, the
nearest inn being thirty miles ahead. Carduus heterophyllus, Crepis
paludosa, and Eriophorum latifolium were very abundant ; the old trees
were decked with Orthotrichum Lyellii, O. speciosum, Ulota crispa, U.
intermedia, and the ordinary fruticose lichens. Ustilago urceolarum
and Triphragmium ulmarie were next noticed, and further on we
collected Lecanora rubra, Solorina saccata, Metzgeria pubescens,
Plagiochila asplenioides var. Dillenii, Aneura multifida, Jungermannia
cordifolia, J. obvata, Nardia emarginata, Scapania subalpina, S.
eequiloba, S. undulata, Tabellaria flocculosa, Asterionella formosa,
Diatoma vulgare, Encyonema cspitosum, Meridion circulare, Cym-
bella gastroides, Fragilaria virescens, F’. mutabilis, Synedra splendens,
Ceratoneis Arcus, Pinnularia viridis, Arthrodesmus convergens,
Cosmarium crenatum, C. phaseolus, C. ovale, C. quadratum, and
114 THe NATURALIST.
Hormiscia zonata. As we got further up the glen, near the foot of
Ben y Gloe, we gathered Neckera crispa, Bartramia Cideri, Barbula
tortuosa, Distichium capillaceum, Gymnostomum rupestre, Didymodon
rubellus, var. ruberrimus, Grimmia torquata, Zieria julacea, Nostoc
rupestre, Frullania Tamarisci, Andreza petrophila, Grimmia conferta,
Hypnum revolvens, H. scorpioides, Cylindrethecium concinnum,
Sphagnum rubellum, and Cetraria islandica. As we thought we saw
a likely place for Polystichum Lonchitis, we commenced a hunt for it,
but failed to find it ; but noticed some fine specimens of P. lonchiti-
dioides, Polypedium Dryopteris, Vaccinium Vitis-idza in profuse flower,
and an abundance of Hpilobium angustifolium, which ascended a long -
way up the sides of the hills. We again regaled ourselves with rasp-
berries, and then gathered some good fruiting Blindia acuta, after
which we undressed and refreshed ourselves in the river Tilt. After
running about in the sun till we were dry, we dressed, and began to won-
der whether we had crossed “‘ the ford”; we had certainly crossed many
rills, but had seen no “‘dangerous” ones. We felt refreshed consider-
ably by our ablution, and hastened on, when we soon arrived at ‘“ the
ford,” We now realised that this crossing would be very dangerous —
at times, but, with care, we could see uo present danger. We gathered
fruiting specimens of Saxifraga oppositifolia, Plagiothecium pulchellum,
Pterigynandrum filiforme, var. heteropterum, and many other good
things. We took off our boots and stockings, and adopted other
precautions to avoid getting wet, and then began to ford the stream,
which we found a difficult task, with bare feet on boulders well
covered with slippery alge. I got safely across, and sat down just in
time to roar with laughter at my unfortunate companion, who had
slipped down and was enjoying (?) a second bath with most of his clothes
on; the rest were slung over his arm, and got adip. He began to
investigate his misfortunes, and found out that the worst of all was the
saturation of his folios of bibulous paper, containing some nearly dry
phanerogams. We soon arrived at the watershed, and began to
sketch, but we were so worried by gnats that we soon desisted, and
pushed on, endeavouring to get some lunch, but the gnats settled down
on our hands, face, and victuals in such quantities, that my legs
carried me away from the spot at a full run, and I left my companion
to finish his meal of cheese-and-bread and gnats. When he overtook
me his neck and face seemed to be afflicted with a severe attack of
urticaria. We now gazed on the the majestic Cairngorm range, and
anticipated a closer acquaintance with it on the morrow. We reached
Inverey at 10-30 p.m.. and succeeded in getting accommodation in a
West: Fretp BoTaANy 1N SCOTLAND. 115
two-rvomed cottage. This gave us an extra rest of two or three
hours, for had we gone to Braemar we should have had to return
through Inverey in the morning.
We were off early next morning, and gathered Hypnum splendens,
H. triquetrum, and H. loreum—all in fruit, near the Linn of Dee,
after which we began to ascend Glen Lui, where we gathered some
fine Hypnum crista-castrensis and Dicranum fuscescens, var. angusti-
folium at the foot of some pine-trees. We now spent some time in
vainly searching for Buxbaumia aphylla, in the decaying pine-logs
which were strewn about, bearing evidence to the terrific storms that
occasionally sweep along these mountain glens. A little higher up we
gathered Lycopodium annotinum, Juniperus nanus, Solidago cambrica,
Loisuleria procumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum (Uredo vacciniorum on
the last), Gnaphalium supinum, Hieracium nigrescens, Juncus trifidus,
Salix herbacea, Aira alpina, Andrea alpina, A. petrophila, Dicranum
fuscescens, Tetraplodon mnioides, Anthelia julacea, Nardia emarginata,
N. alpina, var. laxior. Alectoria lanatain fruit, Umbilicaria polyphylla,
Solorina saccata, Platysma triste, P. nivale, Coleosporium rhynantha-
cearum, and other good plants. We dare not stop at the loch, but
gathered Sphaerophoron coralloides, Cetraria islandica, Umbilicaria
erosa, U. cylindrica and its variety denudata, U. proboscidea, Par-
melia saxatilis, var. omphalodes, Jungermannia alpestris, Ptilidium
ciliare, Tabellaria ventricosa, Calothrix mirabilis, Sphagnum rubellum,
Dicranum Blytti, D. faleatum, Webera annotina, Andreza alpina, var.
compacta, and A. petrophila, var. acuminata. Here we espied some
large masses of snow in the hollows of some craggy rocks to our right,
and as it seemed a tempting place, we threw off our baggage and had
a rough climb to the snow, the pureness of which induced us to
indulge in the peurile game of snow-balling. Large masses of Webera
Ludwigii, with young fruit here and there, were flourishing in all their
_ beauty in the water which ran from the melting snow ; Dicranum
| arcticum, aud a very water-worn form of Andreza nivalis, accom-
_ panied it: while close by was Polytrichum sexaneulare and Aira
flexuosa, var. montana. As we rapidly neared the summit we
- collected Carex rigida, Luzula spicata, and L. arcuata—all three of
which occurred also at the very summit, at an altitude of 4,296 feet.
We found all the species of Racomitrium but patens on this hill, as we
had on Ben Nevis and Ben Lawers. The view was grand, but not so
extensive as we enjoyed from the other hills, as the clouds kept
striking different parts of the hill; and when we gained Cairngorm
| the Wells of the Dee were enveloped in mist, as was also the glen
116 Tae NATURALIST.
below. We waited some time, and now and then got a view of the
Wells and the precipitous sides of Braeriach. We here consulted our
maps and watches, and found that if we attempted the summit of
Cairngorm (which was only three miles off, with very little ascent), we
should hardly have reached the woods of Rothiemurchus at dark ;
therefore, as we had already worked the highest point of the group,
we resigned ourselves to the descent, but unfortunately happened to
choose a very precipitous part, which grew more difficult and dangerous
after we had fairly started. We had to use the utmost caution in this
extremely laborious descent, for a single false step would probably
have been fatal. We were rewarded for our toil by finding Veronica
alpina and Arabis petreea before we reached the bottom, from whence
we noticed many much better places where we might have got down ;
and later, we found out that had we gone to the summit of Cairngorm
and descended from thence, we should have reached our destination as
soon, if not sooner, than we did. Cornus suecica, Polygonum vivi-
parum, Splachnum sphzricum, and Sphzria cornus-suecicee were the
next plants collected as we neared the woods of Rothiemurchus, the
deer bounding before us quite startled at such unusual visitors.
We had now to walk as fast as we could go, as the darkness began
to envelope us; and, by dint of perseverance through some awkward
adventures—such as seeking a plank-bridge, which we thought there
must be somewhere about, across a river in a wood, after dark,—we
managed to reach the Llynwilg Inn at 11-10 p.m., where they informed
us we could not stay, as they had no room left. This was the first inn
we had seen since Jeaving Blair Athole, and we insisted on them
finding us room, as we could have reached no other place for hours.
We threw off our baggage, and as we were firm in our resolve to stay,
we were, after some delay, told that we could join in the use of a
small room which another gentleman had taken. We enjoyed an
excellent supper, and I felt pleased at having accomplished a journey,
under a blazing sun, exactly as I had planned it before starting, and
which my companion (an experienced mountaineer) had pronounced
impossible to accomplish in the time at our disposal.
Next morning I had to return home from Aviemore station, before
reaching which, we gathered Trientalis europea, Gnaphalium sylvati-
cum and Coleosporium rhinanthacearum, and noticed an abundance of
Amanita muscaria, as well as the finest assortment of large fungi that I
ever Saw.
15, Horton Lane,
Bradford, Yorks.
:
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Sort NoTEs AND QUERIES. LZ
Aaintall for December.
Height | Toran FauL
of | NOs To Date. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain- of heaviest of
above | fall. Days ; Fall, nee
evel 1881. | 1880. ;
Ft. | In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 2°99 | 16 | 33°15 |* 33°55 17 0-53
(J. W. Robson)
Hatirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 5°50 | 19 | 49°28 | 48°77 ft a8
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) .... 350 | 2°47 | 16 | 25°81 | 39°52 16 0°50
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 4°23 | 23 | 43°13 | 48°85 19 0°65
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 3°18 31°74 |. 40°49 16 0°67
GooLe ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25-| 1°98 |.17 | 25°29 | 32°17 iv 0°43
Hutt (Derringham)..(Wm.| 10 | 2°12 | 17 | 22°55 | 25°96t 19 0°41
Lawton)
* This is the average to date for 15 years, 1866-80.
+ This is the annual average for the 30 years, 1850-79, on 151°5 days, on 202 days.
CoRRECTION :—In Huddersfield return for October, ‘‘ Total fall to date,” should read
26°81, not 26°18, as printed. No. of rainy days in 1881—177; average for
15 years, 187°7.—J. W. R.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Luwpithecia extensaria at SpuRN.—During a conversation I had with
Mr. Prest of York, three weeks ago, he informed me he had recently
detected in a lot of insects taken by Mr. Buck, a specimen of Hupithecia
extensaria. Mr. Buck secured it on Artemisia at Spurn, about ten years
ago. There seems no reason to doubt the genuineness of this capture,
and if so, from the locality in which it was taken, its claim to be con-
sidered a British species is much strengthened, the only other recorded
British capture being that by Mr. Sawyer, ‘‘on waste ground near
Hull,” in June, 1873. In that case, the many facilities for accidental
importation made it most desirable that other specimens should be
observed, to at all justify its having a place on our list.—Guo. T.
Porritt, January, 18th.
THe Tree-GRrassHoPPER (Meconema varia, Fab.)—This is the name of
the grasshopper which Messrs. Harrison and Porritt have noticed so
commonly on the trees in Edlington Wood, Doncaster (see Naturalist,
vil., 83, Dec., 1881), and of which Mr. Porritt was good enough to give
me aspecimen. I sent it to Senor Dr. Ignacio Bolivar, of Madrid, who
is one of the foremost of European authorities on orthopterous insects,
and author of a ‘‘ Catalogus Orthopterorum Europe et confinium,” and
numerous other works. He pronounced the insect to be Meconema varia,
and reminded me thatin 1829 Mr. J. F. Stephens recorded it as occurring
near London. I have since looked up various works, and find that the
118 THe NAaATuRALIST.
insect is considered to be an arboreal one, affecting oak trees for the most
part, and is mentioned as of not uncommon occurrence in oak woods in
the South of England. In 1835 Mr. Stephens recorded it in his “‘ Illus-
trations of British Entomology,” vol. vi., p. 15, as ‘‘common in the
autumn in oaks and lime-trees throughout the metropolitan district,
especially about Hertford, and at Coombe Wood and Ripley,”’—all, of
course, in the south of England. I will only add that Dr. Bolivar will be
happy to determine any specimens of orthoptera which the readers of this
journal may wish to know the names of, and that I shall be equally happy
to forward them to him for that purpose.—Wm. DeENIson RoEBUCK,
Sunny Bank, Leeds, Dec. 30, 1881.
DeratH or Mrs. Tuomas Lister.—We much regret to have to record
the loss sustained by the veteran naturalist of Barnsley, our friend Mr.
Thos. Lister, of his wife in her 70th year, and beg to tender our hearty
sympathy with him in his bereavement after forty years of married
ife.—Eps. Nat.
Reports of Sacietres.
Barnstey Naturatists’ Soctrty.—Meeting, Dec. 20th, Mr. T. Lister
in the chair.—A conversation, on Local Geology, was opened by G. C.
Milner. He described four walks in search of geological information.
1st. Cuttings in the coal from Old Mill te Staincross. 2nd. Cuttings on
Midland Railway, Pontefract Road. 4th. Tankersley, and the shell
remains in the ironestone beds. In connection with the 2nd walk, an
original plain of a peculiar arch of sandstone was shown, which we
remember as an object of attraction at the time, but like the remains of
a drift formation in the first cutting of the coal line, at Staincross,
described by Prof. Green, was smoothed down and covered from sight.
Mretine, Jan. 17th, Mr. T. Lister in the chair.—A paper on the
*“ Origin of Coal” was givenby Mr.C. Bellamy. The quarterly transactions
to Dec. 31st were laid on the table. The mildness of autumn allowed
observations, full of interest to the entomologist, checked by some cold
nights in October. It is unusual in November, to follow entomological
pursuits under a bright blue sky, and take such insects as Himera pen-
wiria, Hiberma auwrantiaria, H. defoliaria, &c., whilst the autumn crocus,
primrose, wood anemone, ranunculus, &c., relieved the monotony of faded
nature. The thrush family have all sung; lapwings and starlings in
immense flocks ; golden-plovers in Christmas week; the night-jar at
Cawthorne, as late as Nov. 21st ; a sparrow-hawk seen to capture a thrush
Dec. 16th. Three specimens of that rare winter visitor, the snow-bunting,
obtained at Deepcar, Dec. 30th. At the annual meeting, Jan. 3rd, the
accounts were produced by the financial secretary, Mr. W. Barraclough ; a
fair balance was shewn.
9
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Reports or SocierisEs. 119
BrapDForD Naturatists’ Sociery.—Meeting, Jan. 10th.—The president
(Mr. W. Jagger) gave his inaugural address, and after congratulating the
society upon its healthy state, he urged upon the members the more exact
study of the sciences they were working at, shewing that every science
is so wrapt up in its technical terms, that progress must always be un-
satisfactory where these terms are not thoroughly mastered. He then
gave instances from various natural phenomena, to show that the ‘‘ eternal
fitness of things” was no empty phrase, but one, the full force of which
can only be understood by those who are diligent students of nature, in
her various moods. He concluded by advising members to bring the
difficulties they meet with before the society, at its fortnightly meetings,
and so make the society of additional value. Several interesting natural
history objects were shown, among which were two shells, new to the
district record lists, collected by Mr. H. T. Soppitt,* and a miscellaneous
collection of insects, &c., found in wool from Russia and Australia, shown
by Mr. J. W. Carier.
MANcHFSTER Uryprocamic Socrrry.—Capt. Cunliffe (president) in the
chair.—The hon. secretary made a statement in reference to the record
of Weissia mucronata, and through the kindness of Dr. J. B. Wood, of
Broughton, was enabled to place before the members specimens of this
mucronate moss, which had been gathered at Parkside, April, 1847, by
Mr. Wm. Wilson, and near Mottram by Mr. J. Whitehead, in 1868.
The society’s herbarium specimen had been presented by the Todmorden
Botanical Society, from the extensive Nowellian collection in their
possession, and had originally been gathered at Airth, in Scotland. This
meeting being the annual one, the following officers were unanimously
elected :—Dr, B. Carrington, F.R.S.H., president; Captain Cunliffe,
F.R.M.S., and Mr. Thomas Brittain, vice-presidents ; and Mr. Thomas
Rogers, hon. secretory. A brief annual report was read, which showed
that the work of the society had been both satisfactory and interesting.
Three new species of Hepaticee had been discovered as new to the British
Flora, by members of the society ; two of these had been named by Herr
Jack and Dr. Spruce, in honour of Dr. Carrington and Mr. Pearson, as
fadula Carringtoni and Lepidozia Pearson. When Dr. Carrington first
determined the specific characters of the Radula, he proposed a
provisional name in honour of his late friend, Dr. Moore, of Dublin, as
adula Moorei, but the publication had been preceded by Jack’s name as
R. Carringtoni. The secretary, as treasurer of the society, stated that
the financial condition of the society was improving, and that the debt
incurred for herbarium purposes would soon be paid off. The thanks of
the society were accorded to the Royal Microscopical Society for copies
of the Proceedings and Journals of their society, and to Miss Marian
Ridley for a copy of an excellent little book she has had published, under
the title of ‘‘ A Pocket Guide to the British Ferns.” Capt. Cunlifie
*The names of these should have been recorded.—Ebs. Nat,
120 THe NATURALIST.
exhibited two old interesting books on Cryptogamic Botany—one by Hed-
wig, in Latin.published in 1782: the other by Dillenius, published in Lon-
don, 1763. In this latter book, it is interesting to note that one of the
habitats given for a plant near Manchester was ‘‘on the breaking of Medlock
river bank at Hasington Wood, between Garret and Knot-mill, about a mile
from Manchester.” Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited specimens of the new
hepatics described by Dr. Spruce recently in the ‘‘ Revue Bryologique ”
as Marsupella Stablert and Marsupella olivacea, both collected by Mr.
Geo. Stabler—specimens of the former species being presented to the
society’s herbarium. Mr. Pearson also exhibited specimens of Gymnomi-
- trium adustum, Nees. (verum), new to Britain, collected by himself last
August in N. Wales. The hon. secretary read a few bryological notes
from some correspondence which Dr. J. B. Wood had kindly placed at
his disposal. One of the notes referred to specimens of Campylopus
paradoxus of Wilson, which had been collected some few years ago in
swampy ground on Cader Idris, by one of the society’s members (Mr. J.
Percival). Its claims to specific distinction have been much disputed, and
Juratzka has recently decided that it can only be recognised as a variety
of C. flecwosus, to which he gives the varietal name, wliginosa. Another
of the notes referred to the new classification of the Harpidiwm group of
Hypna, by Renauld, as published in the ‘‘ Revue Bryologique.” Bryolo-
gists in this neighbourhood will be surprised to find that he retains
Hypnum exannulatum as H. fluitans, in his classification of the group ;
and that he considers that certain monoicous species appear at times
dioicous.—T. Rocrrs, Hon. Sec.
WAKEFIELD NATURALISTS’ AND PHILOSOPHICAL Socrety.—Meeting,
Jan. 4th._Mr. Joseph Wainwright, F.L.S., the president, from the
chair, delivered his annual inaugural address, in which he stated the
advance made by the society, during the past year, the increase of
members, from 45 to 103, was a fact in itself. The lecture programme
had. been most successful, and he would take this opportunity of personally
thanking those gentlemen who had so kindly contributed to it. The ex-
hibition held in connection with the society, had not been a financial
success, but the prospects open to them, were of the brightest description,
and he hoped the lines of progress laid down, would go far in making
their society a most useful institution. He then proceeded to describe
recent discoveries, especially in botany, and concluded by exhorting the
members to follow up the good work already begun.
Mesrine, Jan. 18th.—Chas. S. Mitchell, Esq., M.A., B.Sc., H.M. |
Inspector of Schools, Sheffield, delivered his lecture on the ‘‘ Origin of
Lakes,” describing, at length, the formation of lakes by glacial action ;
the physical features of moraines, fiords, glaciers ; and the grandeur of
lake and mountain scenery, together with many personal reminiscences
of visits to places where the operations of nature could be viewed with
effect. The elaborate theories of Prof. Ramsay and other high authortties,
together with the work of the Geological Survey, &c., were all thoroughly
explained.—H. B. W.
CReteee at Philescphionl ee Gal fae
Mz: ural Address: Joseph Wainwright, F.L.S., a 8 p-m. x
2. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m. - ~
. Leeds Naturalists’ Club, &e.
“Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
York and District Naturalists’ Field ou
. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
Leeds Geological Association. — c Notes on some Tertiary Fossils.”
Cans T. W. Bell, 8 p.m. *
Leeds Naturalists’ Club, &ce.
. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society. —Annual Promenade Tea. _
Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.—“ Deep ‘Sea
Dredging,’ G. Brook, Jun., F.L.S., of Huddersfield. mee ae
. Linnean Society. of London. oR
Leeds Naturalists’ Club, &c. :
Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p.m. -
North Staffordshire Naturalists’ "held Club. —Meeting at Uttoxeter,
~ Local Secretary,.Mr. Wilkins, :
Leeds Geological Association.—“ Geology of Buxton and District,” a
fe ~ €. D. Pardcastle. :
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_ Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. eat
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- Entomological Notes on Bradford.—J. W. Cates eet 37. =
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Original Articles.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM BRADFORD, 1881.
By J. W. Carter.
PERHAPS a few local entomological notes bearing upon the season of
1881 may not be altogether without interest to some of the readers of
the Naturalist. Regarding the Riopalocere, we should fancy it would
be difficult to find a more barren or unproductive district—i.c., an area
of six or seven miles around Bradford—in Britain. We remember, a few
years age, a gentleman who had been accustomed to collecting in the
*“sunny south ” came to reside in Bradford, and in our conversation
when out “ prospecting,” he would frequently make conjectures as to
what species might occur. ‘“ You will get so-and-so here.’”’ ‘No, not
seen it yet.’ What! not seen 4anira?’ ‘No, not even seen or
heard of the ‘ universally distributed’ meadow brown.” But after a
twelvemonths’ practical experience, he gave up surmising as to what
species should occur, and contented himself with a knowledge of the
fact that his expectations had not been realised. Out of the whole
British list not more than six or seven species may be depended upon
with certainty. However, it is not my intention to enumerate all the
species that do occur, but merely to offer a few observations on the
captures of the past season.
Anthocharis cardamines.—One specimen taken at Esholt, which is
the first recorded for the district, although its food-plant (Carda-
mine) is common enough.
Preris napi.tUHas been extremely abundant, more so than ever we
have seen it before, particularly at Shipley Glen; amongst them were
some very dark forms. The other two species—Rape and Brassico—
plentiful.
Hepialus velieda.—Actually swarmed in Bingley wood and other
localities. All the species of the genus have occurred.
_ Nudaria mundana.—Very abundant about Cottingley and Goit-stock
Wood, Bingley.
Selenia lunaria.—Two specimens at Shipley Glen, in May. These,
and one recorded from Hawksworth in 1878, are the only recorded
examples for the district.
Phigaha pilosaria.—Very common; a dark olive green variety not
uncommon. Four or five examples of a sooty black form occurred in
1880.
Amphydasis hetularia—Only one specimen. In some years it is
fairly common, the black form generally predominating.
N.S., Vou. vit.—Apr., 1882.
138 THe NATURALIST.
Asthena luteata—One or two at Hawksworth, where it occurs
annually. Very local.
Eupisteria heparate,—A few about alders at Hawksworth and
Bingley.
Venusia cambricaria.—N ot so abundant as in some years. I had the
pleasure of taking one at Shipley Glen, which is a new locality for the
species.
Acidalia scutulata.—A few near Cottingley.
A. fumata.—-Extremely abundant, but local, fiying over heath,
Bingley wood. .
Scodiona belgiaria.— Common.
Abraxas ulmate.—Has been rare at Hawksworth, where it usually
swarms.
Hybernia leucophearia, aurantiaria, progemmaria, and defoliaria.—
The larvze of these species were to be seen in thousands at Shipley
Glen in the month of June, hanging by their silken threads from every
tree, every leaf of which they had devoured. Thousands must have
died of starvation, and a great number pupated long before they were
full-fed. In the month of November the imagines of aurantiaria an&
defoliaria were abundant enough —the latter in every conceivable
form, including one specimen of a dark unicolorous variety which is
rare.
Cheimatobia boreata.— Extremely abundant.
Larentia salicata.—Two or three at Shipley Glen and Ringley wood.
In the former locality it is found in the day-time, resting on lichen-
covered rocks, with which it very closely assimilates, and is conse-
quently sometimes very difficult to detect. Newman says that this —
species is “‘on the wing early in June, and again in August,” thus
implying that it is double-brooded. Is itso? We have taken it from
May 138th to the end of June, but have looked in vain for an August
brood. It seems strange if it should be double-brooded in more
northern localities. In some years it is very abundant.
L. olivata.—Moderately common at Shipley Glen ; a few in Bingley
wood. In the former locality it is confined to a space of 309 or 400
yards by the stream side, and may be dislodged, in the daytime, from
the old walls with the beating-stick. My friend Mr. E. P. P. Butter-
field (to whom I am greatly indebted for a good supply of interesting
notes, which I have made free use of here) informs me that at the
latter place it is confined to one particular cave! All the species of
the genus Larentia occur in Airedale.
Carter: EnromonocicaL Notes rrom Braprorp, 1881. 139
Emmelesia affinitata. A few at Hawksworth. Very local.
L. alchemillata.—One or two at Bingley. New to the district record
list.
Hf. albulata.—Actually swarmed in every meadow where its food-
plant (&hinanthus crista-galli) grows.
Hupithecia pimpinellata. —A few larvee at Heaton by Mr. Jagger ;
. new to the district record list.
Melanthia rubiginata.—N ot so abundant as usual.
Melanippe galiata—Moderately common at Shipley Glen and
Bingley wood.
Anticlea derivata.—One at Bingley wood; new tothe district record
list.
Pelurga comitata.—One at Bingley wood; the second recorded for
the district.
Notodonta dictea.—A few larve at Saltaire and Manningham.
LV. dicteoides.—One at Shipley Glen, a new locality.
Cymatophora flavicornis.—Has been more abundant than usual.
Acronycta menyanthidis.—Sparingly at Shipley Glen; has not been
abundant since 1877.
Noxzagria fuloa.—Very abundant on Baildon moor.
Chareas graminis.—N ot so common as in some years. |
Mamestra anceps.—One at Bingley Wood, new to the district
record list.
Celena Haworthii.—Plentiful on Rombalds Moor.
Rusina tenebrosa.—One, Bingley Wood, new to the district record
list.
Noctua Pahlii.—'ixtremely abundant on Blackhills, Bingley Wood.
In a letter from Mr. Butterfield in September, he says “On August
21st, I visited the ragwort, N. Dahli swarmed. I could have filled
without difficulty a hundred boxes. When I had filled my limited
~ number of boxes, the next best patches of flowers had no less than six
Dahli upon them. It was areal Dahli night, as the 12th was a
Suspecta night. What was the most striking feature was, that on the
12th and 21st inst., Suspecta and Dahli were nearly the only two
species that visited that particular flower.”’
Orthosia suspecta.—Very abundant, amongst them were some very
striking forms.
Calocampa vetusta.—One at Wibsey Slack, new to the district recerd
list.
140 THe NAturRALIst.
I have now enumerated the most interesting records of the past year,
and shown as definitely as I possibly could the relative abundance or
scarcity of species, and indicated the additions to the list, for 1881.
I shall at any time be glad of any information on the lepidopterous
fauna (or in fact any other order of the Insects) of the district, with a
view of preparing a complete list of the species for future publication
in the Naturalist.
24, Valley-street, Valley-road,
Bradford, Feb. 15th, 1882.
NOTES UPON THE SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF
THE BOG MOSSES.
(Concluded. )
By G. Limpricurt.
( Translated. )
Wirn respect to many mosses, the question which are species and
which are varieties, will be debated so long as there are bryologists,.
and in the above instance it is indeed very difficult to make a distinc-
tion. Both Russow’s series, a heterophyllum and B isophyllum,
have many characters in common with one another, but they can
always be separated by the size, form, and cell structure of the stem-
leaves.
With S. subsecundum verum, N. ab H. (S. subs. a heterophyllum,
Russow; S. cavifolium 6 molie, Warnst, l.c., p. 86) the cells in the
lower half of the stem-leaves lessen considerably from the centre
towards both margins, whereby the stem-leaves appear to have very
broad borders (Russow, lc., p. 72), as is the case also with S. recur-
vum:; on the contrary. the stem-leaves of B isophyllum (contortum,
obesum, auriculatum) possess round to the base an equally broad
border. Referring to the shape of the stem-leaves, the last series
allows two sub-divisions to be made, with the one . 452%. Sribye OU Sachse caxdse Thos. Bunker aud Jno. Harrison.
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Original Articles.
YORKSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FOR 1880.
By Wn. Eacte CriarKkg,
MEMBER GF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
THE chief incident of the month of January was an unlooked-for
immigration of fieldfares and short-eared owls. Fieldfares, which had
been almost entirely absent during the autumn of 1879, appeared on
the 24th, in considerable numbers, at Spurn. The owls immediately
followed, and were somewhat numerous on the Holderness coast during
the latter days of the month. A large party of swans, most probably
hoopers, were observed passing Withernsea, on one of the first days of
the year. During the severe weather of January and February, brent,
or as they are locally termed ‘‘rock”’ geese, were extremely abundant
on the Humber estuary, coming up to the shore and retiring with every
tide.
In my notes for 1879 I alluded to the occurrence of a flock of shore
larks, at Hasington, on the 22nd ef December. Fortunately I had
many opportunities of observing these interesting birds, which were
not again seen until the 9th of February, but from that date until the
Z0th of March, they were observed almost daily. At first they
frequented a bare flat of sand and pebbles, some distance above high-
water mark, on the sea-side, but very soon transferred their affections
to a long and narrow bed of debris, composed chiefly of the withered
blades of the marine plant, Zostera maritima, which had been heaped
up by the tide into a series of little hillocks and depressions on the
Humber foreshore. To this they were most constant, spending their
time in searching for food ever its undulating surface, or basking in
the warm mid-day sunshine, in a crouching position, on ene of its
hillocks. At all times they evinced but little fear, and I watehed them
for an hour at a time, with the binocular, from a distance of about
twenty yards. On the 13th of March, 1 counted twenty together,
which was the largest number seen in one party. On this day the sun
was very brilliant, and the old males of the assemblage were very
conspicuous, the black of their breasts and crowns, the fine brimstone
yellow of their cheeks, the lateral tufts of their heads, and the warm
vinous tint on their napes and shoulders, contrasting advantageously —
with the identical, but more suppressed, colours of the immature birds
and the females of the group. The mature males, on a closer
examination of specimens obtained, appeared to have more massive
heads, and to be generally more stoutly built than the others. The
flight is jerky, and whilst on the wing they uttered a note somewhat
N_.S., Vou. vit.—Joune, 1882.
174 THe Naturatis?.
resembling that of the meadow-pipit. The contents of all the crops
and gizzards examined were composed of one description of food, which
at sight appeared to be small coiled shells of a mollusc, but on examin-
ation with a lens they proved to be seeds, probably of some marine
plant, and perhaps those of Zostera. I saw the birds for the last time
on the 20th of March, on which day they most probably departed, for
they were not seen afterwards. I regret to say that no less than
thirty-three specimens were obtained, and a carefully compiled list of
these showed that the males predominated to the extent of five to one.
The majority were immature males, which, so far as I could perceive,
were indistinguishable from the females.
At Easington, on the 20th of March, I saw a rough- toga buzzard
flying leisurely along the coast-line, pursued by almost a dozen grey
crows.
In @ remote locality among the north fells, on the 26th of March, I
was much gratified to observe a common buzzard sailing over the
craggy haunts that once knew this bird so well, but from which it is
now so utterly banished, that 1 doubt if the county can boast of
possessing more than a single pair nesting annually.
On the 29th of March I visited a raven’s nest. This species has
lately become very scarce in the county, although we possess such au
extensive fellrange on the north-west, and stupendous cliffs on our
sea-board, both of which, and our larger woods too, once harboured ©
ravens in some numbers. Now, only two or three pairs are known to
meas nesting. I fear that a very few years will suffice to see the
raven erased from the list of resident Yorkshire birds. The nest
alluded to contained five eggs, and was placed in an angle of a cliff,
about 20 feet from the top, and with a sheer drop of 200 feet below.
The date was late for this species to be commencing ineubation, but
the pair had set their hearts on a site on the other side of the fell,
from which they were driven at the last moment by a pair of
peregrines which appeared upon the seene, and pitched upon their nest
as suitable for their own purposes. The young ravens were hatched
the 11th of April.
en the 14th of April I again visited the ravens’ locality, in response
to a missive from my friend informing me that the peregrine was
sitting, and the pair were playing ‘‘old gooseberry ’ with his grouse,
and must be destroyed, and I might have the eggs. I did all I could
to have the old bird spared, but it was of no avail; grouse were almost
the only birds at hand, and my friend could not afford the quantum
requisite to feed so hungry a family. Accompanied by my friend and
CLARKE : YORKSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL Notes FoR 1880. 175
his keeper, I set out for the nest, to which it was a stiff climb. On
reaching the brow, the male commenced uttering a very plaintive cry,
evidently from a very considerable height, for although we could hear
him most distinctly, yet we failed entirely to make out his form.
When we had arrived immediately above the nest, the keeper gave a
loud whistle, which caused the old bird to leave the nest with a deep
downward dive, when she received the contents of both barrels, and
was no more. She was a grand old bird, weighing 33 ounces, and
measuring 44 inches across the wings. The nest was placed on, or
rather occupied the top ef, a small column of rock which was stuck,
as it were, on to the perfectly smooth face of the cliff, whose slope had
a considerable inward tendency, rendering it necessary to put one’s
head and shoulders uncomfortably far over the brink, to obtain a
glimpse of the nest, which was composed of old heather stems, with
little or no lining, and appeared to be an ancient structure. In it were
four eggs, which we obtained by means of a net attached to a long rod,
brought with us for the purpose, the rocky nature of the place, and
stiff slope above the bank, making the use of a rope quite impossible.
Not at all a pleasant task was it angling for the eggs ; the rock at the
rink sloped not enly smartly to the cliff, but as smartly to the left,
from which point alone it was possible to work, making it necessary to
be held with ropes from behind and from the right ‘The dizzy depth
beneath, and the distance it was necessary to place one’s chest over the
edge to use the net, must also be taken into consideration in appre
ciating the position. The eggs were extremely handsome, two of them
being especially so, having a ground colour of a beautiful pale flesh
tint, almost pure pink, richly marked with red-brown. To give some
idea of the persecution to which the peregrine is subject, I may remark
that this was the sixteenth bird shot by the keeper from nests on this
single fell.
Leaving the peregrine’s desolated home, we paid a visit to the raven’s
nest, on the other side of the fell, and inspected the raw-looking little
creatures, new three days old, which were gaping vigorously beneath.
The old raven left the nest in a very different fashion to that adopted
on the 29th ult., when she slunk away in the quietest manner possible ;
now, she was extremely noisy and flew around at a respectful distance, -
croaking during the time of the intrusion. The male bird was not to be
seen on either visit. The raven has bred on this fell for a great number
of years, confining its choice to the sites on the east and west slopes.
The peregrine varies its choice between this fell and two other sites a
few miles off, in all of which it fares very badly.
176 Tae NATURALIST.
I saw an extremely fine variety of the blackbird on Strensall
Common, on the 24th of April. The head and neck were pure white,
and most sharply defined from the black ‘of the body. Redshank, teal —
and snipe were breeding on the common in some numbers; but the
place is too near York, and consequently is completely ransacked.
Migratory waders, on their way north, made their first appearance
on the Humber clays on the 24th of May, when sanderling in partial
summer dress, and turnstone in full breeding plumage, were observed.
On the 25th, eight dotterel (#7. morinellus) and nine whimbrel were
noted. But it was not until the 27th that the great rush took place,
when thousands of waders were seen.
The dotterel is a stupid bird when passing north to its presi
grounds. A party of them are seen almost annually in an identical
field, and linger there for about a fortnight, during which period they
appear to know no fear, and should a gunner appear upon the scene,
the lot would fall an easy bag.
In May, a nest and eggs of the shoveller were found, by a friend of
mine, on a large tract of heath in the vicinity of the coast. This is, I
believe, the first undoubted record of this species breeding in Yorkshire.
Waders from their northern breeding haunts made their appearance
on the coast early. A knot, in summer dress, was killed under the
Spurn telegraph wire on the 23rd of July. Three grey plovers, an
immense flock of dunlins, and several whimbrels were observed on the
25th. The first sanderlings were seen on the 15th of August.
The year 1880 witnessed the destruction, by enclosure, of Riccall
Common, a locality which, until the commencement of the present
century, could claim the ruff among its annual breeding birds ; since
those palmy days until the present it has been the annual resort of red-
shanks, black headed gulls, teal, and other ducks, but, alas, it has had
its day, and Strensall, like it, is soon to follow suit.
But while we are thus banishing certain species from old haunts, it
is a pleasure to hail the return of others to former ones. Thus, the
sheldrake, once not uncommon on the Holderness coast, has returned
and this year reared her young in safety ; a brood of six were seen to
issue from a rabbit burrow, and on digging out the nest, two addled
exes were found. Now that Spurn is so very strictly preserved, it is“
to be hoped that this species may become numerous there. This year
has also seen the return of the cormorants to the Flamborough cliffs,
from which they were driven in the murderous times preceding the
Sea-Birds Act.
An immature black tern was shot at Spurn, on the 28th of August.
CLARKE: YORKSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL Nores For 1880. 177
This species, in the inconspicuous plumage of immaturity, is probably
much overlooked ; at all events it is not often reported.
Redstarts and wheatears swarmed on our coast-line, as elsewhere,
during the latter days of August; the redstarts departed from Spurn
to a bird on the 3rd of September.
A white martin—a true albino with pink eyes—was shot at Pat-
rington on the 6th of September.
Seme of the autumn immigrants, put in a very early appearance
on our coast. Goldcrests were seen on the 15th of September, and a
short-eared owl was shot on the 29th. I think that these very early
arrivals are not of Continental origin, but British-bred birds following
the coast-line south, after the manner of our summer visitants.
On the 5th of October, the weather cloudy with passing showers, a
considerable immigration of goldcrests and redwings took place on the
Holderness coast. A great grey shrike —a male—was shot on the 6th
and sent to me in the flesh. The crop was filled with the remains of
coleoptera, chiefly belonging to the genera Geotrupes and Carabus. A
few woodcock and a more considerable immigration of goldcrests
occurred on the 9th, when the gardens on the soutbern portion of our
coast literally swarmed with the latter species. The first grey crow
was seen on the Holderness coast on the 10th; on the night of the
16th a large flight of hedge sparrows arrived, the village of EKasington
being alive with them on the following morning. A few common
wrens accompanied them. A keen frost occurred on the night of the
19th, with an immigration of redwings and fleldfares, accompanied by
a few snow buntings and siskins. The last few days of the month I
spent, along with Mr. Cordeaux, on the Holderness coast, when we
made the following notes :—On the 26th a few migratory goldfinches,
old male blackbirds, and a short-eared owl seen. 27th, wind strong
from east, cloudy, with rain; a solitary great spotted woodpecker and
a long-eared owl shot ; carrion crows passing in great numbers from
east to west. On the 28th, after a strong N E gale, I shot a female
blackcap at Kilnsea (a willow-wren was shot at Flamborough on the
same day), and a considerable arrival of fieldfares, redwings, and snow
buntings, along with a few siskins, were observed. Purple sandpipers
—a, species which seems to be somewhat erratic in its visits to this
portion of our coast—were this season not uncommon, and madea long
stay. Two hoopoes were seen at Crofton, near Wakefield, on the 30th,
one of which was shot.
On the 5th November a large flight of scaups passed up the Humber.
A solitary swallow was observed at Spurn, on the 17th. A rather
£73 Tue NaTuRAtist.
eurlous incident oceurred at Spurn on the 22nd, three carrion crows
were observed disputing on the wing over a morsel which one more
fortunate than the rest had managed to secure, when, suddenly, a great
black-backed gull appeared and put in a claim, much to the alarm of
the crows, and resulting in the fortunate one relinguishing his capture, -
which fell upon the sands and was seeured by my informant before the
gull had time to pounce upon it. This bone of contention proved to
be a storm petrel, just dead and still quite warm. I received this bird
in the flesh on the following day, and on dissection it proved to be a
male in an emaciated condition ; the lings were diseased, each con-
taining a whitish consolidated mass the size of a small pea, showing
on section the bronchial tubes running through the centre, standing
wide open. »
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<4 Onremvar ae &e.:
‘Notes on some Rare British Mosses. Siz ypnaua Blandovii, =) Die
= _ Notes on Puccinia graminis.—Geo..Massee - ee ee ee
‘Puccinia graminis.—Thos. Hick, B-A., B.Sc, be.
~ On Searcity and Abundance i in Insect Life. —Concluded. Bai “ote
— Ranyean FOR MAY .. Bees
Zs Notas, &eo. : —
ae ~The Twite.—F. G. 8. Eason : oe
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- Arrival of Migrants near Bingley.—Z. P. P. Butter Hie...
a Se Capture of a Badger in Cleveland.— W. Gregson ...
_ . Curious Egg of Sandmartin.—C. C. Hanson RE
' + ~ Entomological Notes.—Geo. T. Porritt, F.L:S.
ea _ Clivinia JOS ‘Linn, &e.—J. W. Car ter Se
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Original Articles.
——
NOTES ON SOME RARE BRITISH MOSSES.
j Read before the Manchester Cryptogamic Society, May 15th, 1882. }
By J. Casu.
HYPNUM BLANDOVII.
THE discovery of this moss at Knutsford—-its best known and now
_ probably only habitat in this country—was made by the late Mr. Wm.
Wilson on the 17th November, 1831. Mr. Wilson was then unac-
quainted with the species, and, under the belief that he had stumbled
upon fruiting Hypuum abietinum, a moss which is only found barren in
Britain, he wrote in his diary, under date Nov. 17th—‘“ Rode to
Knutsford Moor. Saw abundance of Hyprun abietinum, with sete
just shooting up.” But having shortly afterwards discovered that
this was an error, he struck out the specific name, and wrote
“ laricinum, MSS.,” supposing it to be a new species. He was not
aware that the moss was identical with one previously found barren at
Tunbridge by Mr. Joseph Woods, and which was described and
figured, though imperfectly, in “ Hnglish Botany,” edit. i, as ZH.
Blandovu. |
At the time of Mr. Wilson's discovery, Smith’s “‘ English Flora,”
vol, 11. (which is also the second vol. of Hooker's “ British Flora”)
was passing through the press, and Mr. Wilson communicated his
H. laricinum, MSS., to the author of that work, and a brief descrip-
tion is given by Sir William Jackson Hooker, at p. 87. On the 12th
December, 1831, as recorded in his diary, Mr. Wilson wrote, and sent
specimens of the new moss, to Sir William (then Dr.) Hooker, together
with sketches and remarks, as compared with H. adietinum. Two days
later, he “ examined and sketched more carefuliy the new Hypnum,”
and on the 17th December he received from Sir Wm. Hooker a letter
in answer to his of the 12th. Sir William, in that letter, cites
Swartzs characters of AH. abietinwm, and says: ‘‘ The figure of the
leaf of your A laricinum is very like that of the leaf of Swartz’s
plant, of which I have a sketch from Mr. Turner’s specimens. I think
I might safely quote Swartz’s abictinum under your H. laricinum.”
On the 24th December Mr. Wilson again visited Knutsford, in order
to note the progress of the fructification of the new moss, when he
found it “in the very same state as in November,” and he adds the
remark, “The fruit not to be had before March or April ’’—a fact of
which he apprised Dr. Hooker in a subsequent communication. Under
date 15th March, 1832, we find the following note in Mr. Wilson’s
N.S8S., Vou. vil.—JuLyY, 1882.
190 Tae NarurAtis7.
writing :—‘‘ Again attempted to gather H. laricinum. My brother
accompanied me to Knutsford, and we saw it in statu quo” ; and he
observes, in a footnote: ‘The latter end of April is, in fact, the
proper season for gathering it.’ On the occasion of this visit to
Knutsford, Mr. Wilson removed some of the moss “to be ripened in
cultivation,’ and from that time he watched the development of the
fruit with great attention. On the 16th of April he again visited
Knutsford, when he made a further notable discovery (to be referred to
hereafter) ; but as to H. laricinum, it was in its natural habitat—“ still
for the most part unswelled.” This remark, of course, referred to the
eapsule. ‘It is later than HZ. euspidatum,’ he observes, “ and less:
advanced than @. sceilatum; but neither will be fit to gather till
towards the end of this month” (i.e. April).
The new Hypnum continued to occupy much of Mr. Wilson’s
attention, and was the subject of correspondence with different
botanists at the time. On the 19th April he sent other drawings to
Dr. Hooker, and asked his opinion of the A. abietinun: in the Linnean
herbarium, ‘‘ which,” he says, “ I believe to be HW. laricinum” ; and he
considers a comparison with Drummond’s American fertile H. abieti-
num very desirable, expressing, at the same time, a doubt if the true
plant (abietinum) is ever found fertile in Europe.
On visiting Knutsford on the 27th April, Mr. Wilson found the
eapsules of H. laricinum very generally swelled to their full size, and
in some few cases nearly ripe. The finest was ‘‘near the Aspidium
Thelypteris,” where, as we ail know, it is still, unless destroyed by the
drainage now going on.
But Mr. Wilson was destined to receive some unexpected light upon
the subject of his diseovery, and it came to him from Sir Wm. Jackson
Hooker. Writing on the 2nd of May, 1832, Sir William congratulates
Mr. Wilson on the discovery of Paludella squarrosa, and he says :—
‘“ But if this charming plant is to be added to our museological cata-
logue, I fear another will have to be erased, for which you may blame
meas much as you please. I find that HZ. Blandovi has a deep carina
in the leaf, exactly as m A. laricinum, which I had before entirely
overlooked; and I am now unable to perceive any distinguishing
character, If you come to the same opinion, you must still quote
H. laricinum as being given in “ British Flora,” vol. i. pt. 1, p. 87,
and add, not of Hooker, Mus. Exot. t. 85.” Sir William had, long
before its application to the Knutsford plant, appropriated this specific
name for an Australasian moss. He goes on to say, in the letter from
which we quote, “It is certain that those who have described 4.
|
Massrz: Norres on PuccintA GRAMINIS. 191
Blandovii have not made sufficient use of their eyes, none of them
having noticed the remarkable structure of the foliage. This it is
which is the abie¢inum of Swartz, thus confirming previots suspicions ;
end probably some botanists have confounded it with 1. abietinum too.”
Wahlenberg’s A. abietinum Gn Fl. Lappon. and FI. Suec.) appears
to be the true one, and he has a variety 6 in Fl. Suec.—“‘ peludosum ”"
—under which he quotes HW. Blandovii, Web., and M. with a (?\—A.
abietinum, Funck, Deutsch Moose, p. 59, t. 41. N 25, is correct.
N, is Drummond, M, Musci Americani.
Mr. Wilson could not, of course, resist the evidence as to the
identity of his Knutsford H. laricinum with the Tunbridge //.
Siandoou, and in writing of it afterwards he adopted the latter name.
But, although not the first to discover the moss in Britain, he was at
least the first to discover it in fruit; and, except at Knutsford, there
are few, if any, localities now remaining in this country where it is
found in that condition. ‘The only other locality recorded in “ Bryo-
logia Britannica’’ is Terrington Carr, Yorkshire. |
Mr. Wilson, in 1832, endeavoured to transplant some fruiting Z.
Blandovii to a bog within a couple of miles or so from his house, but
with what success is not recorded. He planted, on May 5th, 1832,
*‘one patch in a low swampy spot ” in a corner of Risley Moss, and the
precise locality is indicated by its proximity to the oak wood. On the
16th February, 1878, the writer of these notes paid a visit to the
locality referred to, to see if any trace could be found of H. Blandovii ;
but what was in 1832 a low swampy spot, was, 46 years later, being
prepared by the plough for what would doubtless prove a luxuriant
crop of potatoes.
NOTES ON PUCCINIA GRAMINIS.
By Gro. MASSER.
At the last annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Prof.
Williamson pointed out the enormous amount of damage done by the
corn mildew, Puccinia graminis, and suggested to the members of the
Botanical Section the desirability of investigating its life-history. In
anticipation of such an attempt, it has been considered advisable to
present, in a condensed form, the work done, bearing on this subject.
Polymorphism, or alternation of generations, are terms expressing the
fact that in plants—animals also—two or more phases are passed
through before the organism completes the cycle of its life-history.
19%. Tan NATORALIST.
These stages are often sharply and clearly defined in the plants com-
monly known as Cryptogams. When the spore of a fern germinates,
a minute leafy expansion is formed, bearing on its surface the anthe-
ridia and archegonia, or male and female reproductive organs. This is.
the sexual generation; the oosphere contained in the archegonium
after fertilization directly developes into the large fern plant, which
constitutes the asexual generation, so called because the spores to
which it gives origin are not the direct result of fertilization. In this
example the evidence as to the organic continuity between the two
generations is very apparent. In fungi, polymorphism is supposed to
occur to a great extent, but in the majority of cases direct evidence is
lacking.
During early summer a minute fungus may be met with on the
leaves of corn and grasses, forming long yellowish lines ; it originates
in the tissues of the plant, and the cuticle is ruptured as the fungus
increases in size. Microscopie examination reveals the presence of
-numerous subglobose, unicellular, orange-coloured bodies, springing
from short colourless threads, from which they readily fall away, and
form a yellow powdery mass on the leaf, until removed by wind or
rain. This is Trichobasis rubigo-vera, now almost universally considered
as the first stage of Puccinia graminis. A few weeks later, a second
parasite may be met with on the same plants; the pustules, or lines,
are dark brown, and the spores are two-celled, generally slightly
constricted in the middle and tapering to each end, and in addition are
furnished with a slender pedicel; this is Puceinia graminis. ‘The
reasons for considering the two above mentioned as stages of the same
plant, are as follows :—In a great many instances the Trichobasis is
succeeded by a Puccinia fzom the same pustule, or on the same plant,
and sometimes, as in P. graminis, pustules are not uncommon showing
what appears to be a transition from one stage to the other, some of
the spores, so called, being one-celled, and others two-celled. Both
kinds of spore germinate readily in a damp atmosphere, on a slide
smeared with a little glycerine, yet no one has sueceeded in growing
Puecinia trom Frichobasis spores, or vice versa, nor actually demons-
trated the presence of the two kinds of fruit springing from the same ,
mycelial thread; consequently, juxtaposition and persistent sequence
of the same forms are the main factors in the arguments as to their
relationship. And it must be remembered that there are many species
of Puccinia that have no known Trichobdasis, and the latter without the
corresponding Puccimia stage. By some it is argued that the two are
distinct, may-be parasitic on each other, and inter micro-parasitism is
Massee: Noves on Puccinia GRAMINIS. 193
not unusual among fungi. Every mycologist knows that a great many
fungi are developed on a particular matrix only, and this is especially
true of the Coniomycetes that are developed on living plants—so much
so, that Dr. Cooke, in describing some Indian fungi in Grevillea, v. 8,
p. 94, says, “It is useless to give names to species of Puccinia or
Trichobasis, of which the host is unknown”; consequently the
strongest point in the argument could be overriden by stating that the
Puccinia is parasitic on the Tyichobasis, or can only be developed in
the pustules made by the latter. To me, the one fact that certain
forms of the above-mentioned always succeed each other, proves no
more relationship inter se than that which exists between the fungus
and its host.
How the parasite obtains access to the interior of the plant from
which it springs is not known ; it has been suggested that the spores
entered the stomata, but relative size disproves this. hen the
pseudospores of Puccinia germinate, they emit two threads on which
three or four secondary spores are developed on spicules, and these
latter in turn give origin to yet smaller sporules, the real value of
which, up to the present, is a problem unsolved.
On the leaves of the berberry (Zerberis vulgaris) a minute fungus is
not uncommon, called Acidium berberidis. The spores, which are
bright orange when mature, are at first enclosed in a minute cellular
sac, or peridium, which eventually ruptures in a stellate manner,
exposing the spores. Preceding or accompanying these groups of
peridia are other smaller ones, known as spermogonia, from the inside
of whose walls spring numerous threads, which produce from their free
tips minute bedies, known as spermatia. These spermogones are
spoken of as secondary organs, but what their functions are has not been
demonstrated ; by some they are supposed to be male organs. It is a
general belief in agricultural districts that berberry bushes cause corn
to mildew, and Prof. De Bary instituted a series of experiments for
the purpose of ascertaining whether any such relationship really
existed. Germinating spores of Puccinia graminis were placed on the
leaves of berberry plants: the threads, within twenty-four hours,
penetrated the tissues of the leaves. In about ten days spermogonia
appeared, and soon after the Mcidwum showed itself en the under
surface of the leaves—thus seeming to peint to the conclusion that the
_ Puccinia and Aicidium are stages of the-same plant. The question that
naturally suggests itself at this point is, as Zecidium grows so abund-
antly on berberry, was its presence, in the experiments, due to the
infection, or would it not have appeared at it does on other berberry
194 THe NATURALIST.
plants, had they not been insulated? Several subsequent attempts
have been made for the purpose of settling the point, but as yet it is
an open question.
Last year, Mr. Plowright, a well-known mycologist, carried out a
series of experiments on the following principle :—Thirteen lots of
wheat, obtained from different localities, were sown at different times,
and from each lot as many plants were infected with spores of Wcidium
berberidis, and an equal number of plants, called check plants, were
carefully protected from infection by being placed under bell-jars ; the
object being to contrast the per-centage of diseased plants in the two
eases. The following extract from ‘“ Grevillea,’ vol. 10, where the
experiments are described in detail, shows the result :—‘‘ Seventy-
eight wheat plants were infected with the spores of Wcidium berberidis,
and ninety-eight similar wheat plants kept as check plants against
them. Of the infected plants 76 per cent. developed Uredo in an
average of 24:4 days, while, in the same period, 70 per cent. of the
uninfected plants became spontaneously attacked by Uredo. One
experiment only (No. 2) out of the thirteen was wholly in favour of
the theory, and that lasted only 28 days. Still, 6 per cent. more of
the infected plants took the Uredo than of the uninfected. This is a
very small portion—far too small, in my humble opinion, to constitute
convincing evidence. I believe, however, that it ean be accounted for
by my own negligence in not thoroughly cleaning the bell glasses
before using them to cover fresh plants. Had the last experiment
(No. 13) however, proved favourable to the theory, I should have
regarded it as being much more worthy of acceptance than I can now
do. It is only after much patient work that I felt myself bound to
differ from the eminent botanists abroad, whe do accept the heterzecism
of Puccinia graminis as established beyond question.”
‘“‘ Experiment 13.—The thirteenth, and final, experiment was con-
ducted on a totally different principle. The seed-wheat was poisoned
by steeping it in a solution of cupric sulphate; and the ground in
which it was planted was watered with a solution of ecarbolic acid in
water. Two bell glasses, thoroughly disinfected with carbolic acid, and
the copper solution, were placed over both the patch to be used as check |
plants and over the pots containing plants to be infeeted. These bell —
glasses were never touched until the plants were large enough to infect.
On the 20th August six were inoculated with dcidium spores from
Narborough. A few days later—purposely choosing a day wheu there
was no wind—the check plants were reduced to six. The bell glasses
were not again removed until the twentieth day, when both patches
Hicx : PucciniA GRAMINIS. 195
were rapidly but thoroughly examined, and found free from Uredo. The
_ glasses were replaced, and the plants re-examined on the 30th day.
These were then finally removed and the plants thoroughly examined,
but no trace of Uredo found upon either the infected or upon the
check plants.”
The Uredo mentioned in the quotation is Uredo linearis, which is
synonymous with Trichobasis rubigo-vera. |
Such experiments undoubtedly possess a certain amount of value,
but, however great the per-centage in favour of either view, could
searcely be accepted as positive proof. The spores of all the forms
germinate readily, and although difficulties would be met in tracing
every change, yet those difficulties are not insurmountable, and must
be met if real work that can be accepted as conclusive is attempted.
The development of other forms of fungi, that are injurious to fir
trees, has been followed by allowing the spores to develop in turpen-
tine ; and experiments persevered in would undoubtedly reveal some
artificial medium in which the present plant could be followed through
allits stages. It has been suggested that the fungus, in some form or
other, is present in the grain when sown, and developes along with the
latter ; and Mr. Plowright’s experiment Ne. 13 would seem to coun-
tenance this view. Puccinia spores that are a year old germinate best;
the other spores germinate at once.
An additional experiment, not included in the thirteen mentioned
by Mr. Plowright, is also given in “ Grevillea,” as follows :—“ Six
wheat plants were infected with the spores of Uredo linearis at 4 p.m.
on the 138th August. On the 24th they were ail simultaneously
affected with Uredo, showing that the Uredo had reproduced itself in .
eleven days.” In this experiment, Mr. Plowright evidently considers
the appearance of the Uredo as the result of inoculation ; but if go,
Uredo produced Uredo, and not (as one would expect) Puccinia. But
perhaps it might be said that the same form is reproduced for several
times in succession, or that the Puccinia spores appear from the Urede
mycelium at a later stage.
PUCCINIA GRAMINIS.
By Tuos. Hicx, B.A., B.S8c., &e.
Aw the last annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, it
was suggested by Prof. Williamson that the botanical section should
endeayour to work out afresh the life-history of Puccinia graminis, whose
196 THe NATURALIST.
ravages he stated had lately been very destructive to the cereals in this
country. The subject may not at first sight appear a very promising
one, seeing that it has already engaged ‘the attention of several com-
petent investigators, both in this country and on the continent, one of
whom, De Bary, may perhaps be regarded as the chief authority for
what is known with respect to it. Those, however, who have any
acquaintance with the fungus and its allies, are well aware that in
spite of all that has hitherto been done, there are many problems that
have not yet been solved, and many details which are yet but im-
perfectly understood. Moreover, great as is the authority of those
who have written upon Puccinia, 1t is no presumption to say that in
some respects their views require to be tested by renewed investiga-
tions, so that they may be confirmed, corrected, or modified as the
results obtained may suggest. Hence there can be no doubt that a
fresh examination of this fungus and a re-examination of the transform-
ations it is said to undergo, can hardly fail to be of value, not only to
those who engage in the work, but also to the Union whose interests
we have at heart, and it may be to the cause of science itself. Itis to
be hoped, therefore, that the botanists of the various districts embraced
by the Union will take up the subject with their usual energy, so that
at the close of the season we may be able to show that good and
creditable work has been done. It is not necessary to lay down any
special methods of investigation, as each one may be safely left to
adopt such measures as he deems most suitable to the end in view,
and to the circumstances in which he is placed. _ Still, as it is desir-
able that the results obtained by different workers, in different districts,
should be ultimately compared. and digested, in order that local con-
ditions and local colouring may be eliminated therefrom, it would be
well if among other details the following particulars were carefully
noted :—(1) The date when the fungus was first observed ; (2) the
host plants on which it is found ; (8) the nature of the soil on which
the infested plants are growing; (4) conditions of the soil as to
moisture, situation, &c. ; (5) the presence or absence of barberries in
the neighbourhood, and if so whether they are: affected with Medium
Berberidis ; (6) the presence or absence of other Mcidia-bearing plants
besides the barberry ; (7) When the cereals are affected, the locality
where the seed-corn was grown, and the presence or absence there of
barberries. It need hardly be added in conclusion, that wherever
circumstances permit, observation should be supplemented by ex-
periment. specially should experiment be resorted to in order to
determine whether spores of Mcidium Berberidis can be made to
Cooke: On Scarcity AND ABUNDANCE IN Insect Lire. 197
germinate on healthy plants, by sowing them upon the leaves, watering
the roots with water containing spores, and in other ways ; and also
whether plants may be similariy affected by spores of other Meidia.
Mr. Thomas Hick, Harrogate, president of the botanical section,
will be glad to receive communications on the subject from those who
are disposed to assist in the work of investigation.
ON SCARCITY AND ABUNDANCE IN INSECT LIFE.
(Concluded. )
By Bens. Cooke.
It remains now to indicate what steps should be taken in order
better to understand the causes of scarcity and of unusual abundance.
A series of meteorological observations for a number of years will bea
considerable help ; and a careful noting of the results which follow
after an unusual continuance of heavy rains, and also of very dry
weather ; the effects of thunder-storms and of high winds, and of
great heat, provided it lasts for many days. Do not understand me to
assume that such observations have been neglected; this is not the
case, but they have not been carried out systematically and sufficiently.
The subject is, as yet, far from being within our grasp.
We have now arrived at the closing days of February, and so far
have had a very exceptional winter. I believe it is 48 years since we
had a winter which can be cempared with it for mildness. I will not
venture to predict what will follow, except, what indeed has already
begun to manifest itself, that many species of lepidoptera will appear
much before their usual time, and that if we have a favourable season,
we shall hear of some double broods which are not usual in this
country. However, I hope we shall see and take notice of anything
unusual which may fairly be attributed to the mildness of the winter.
The theory that no species of insect is absolutely scarce, derives
considerable support from the fact that, previous to the last twenty
years, the larve of many common species of Jlepidoptera were
unknown; this therefore affords good reason for doubting whetier
many species usually considered rare are so in reality. On the other
hand, it cannot be denied that among insects whose habits we know
very well, some species are very much more common than others,
consequently, if there is comparative scarcity, there is reason to believe
in absolute scarcity, at least in some cases. In McLachlan’s monograph
of the British Neuroptera-planipennia, there is an insect described. and
198 Tat NATURALIST.
figured under the name of Psectra diptera (Burmeister). A single
example of this extraordinary species, which has no near ally, was
captured by the late Mr. J. C. Dale, in Somersetshire, in the year
1848, and has remained unique as British. Mr. McLachlan says :—
‘ This insect, though very widely distributed in Europe, is excessively
rare, and I believe that not more than four or five examples are known.
The female, with developed posterior wings, is said to be in the
Berlin museum.” Now this case, it must be admitted, does not prove
much either way; it is only strong presumptive evidence of absolute
scarcity. The latter cannot be proved in this way, and the contrary
ean only be shown by finding this species in much greater numbers.
Therefore, if it is said that we are only begging the question so far, we
must go upon another track. |
It is a fortunate thing that we have in this Society members
who are not entomologists only, but who have a considerable
acquaintance with other branches of science. Doubtless, there are
amongst us geologists, who will tell us that the earth was inhabited in
former ages by animals of various classes, insects among the number,
which have become extinct. Now, how did they become extinct ?
Was it by some great convulsion of nature? Possibly this may have
been the case with regard to many species, but there is evidence of the
extinction of others within a recent date, and not by any convulsion of
nature. In an article entitled ‘“‘The Death of Species,” by Edward
Newman, published in the Zoologist for 1868, there are enumerated,
among many others, the extinction of the dodo about the year 1638 ;
the moa, or dinornis, about 1800; the great auk in 1848 ; the moho,
a large bird of the rail tribe, in 1850; the nestor parrot in 1803.
There is only one way in which this death of species can have taken
place : the extinction of these birds has been going on gradually, until
the representative of each species has been reduced to one example
only.
About the year 1865, an egg of the dinornis was discovered in New
Zealand ; this egg measured 10in. in length and about 7in. in breadth.
It was found whilst excavating, and the pick-axe used came in contact
with it and broke a piece out of one side, but the fragments were ©
preserved. Mr. Newman’s note at the end of this communication is
as follows :—‘ This egg was sold by Mr. J. C. Stephens on the 24th
of November (1865) for £120.” The buyer of this egg may congratu-
late himself on the possession of an object in Natural History of great
interest, and entirely unique. One might suppose that the inhabitants
of New Zealand were not all so rich, that the sum of £120 is insuff-
Cooke: On Scarcity AND ABUNDANCE IN INsEctT Lire. 199
cient to tempt anyone to find another if it was to be found, but it has
failed to do so.
Extinction of species is going on perhaps to a greater extent than we
are at all aware of. Predaceous animals (the wolf, for instance) are
fleeing before civilization. Insects, in some degree, are fleeing before
cultivation; but my belief is that those which are most useful to man-
kind will remain, in so far as they are required—those which are pre-
eminently the scavengers of the earth, and those whose office it is to
keep in check such as are noxious, and such as are injurious to
agriculture and to cultivation.
Southport, 1882.
Laintall for May.
Height ToraLt Fan
of . | No. ro Darts. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest :
Above jiiall:: | Naveen car: Fall. pen yiest
ae: 1882. | 1881. ae
. | Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...; 350} 113 | 10) 14°30 |* 11°99 25 0°37
(J. W. Robson)
HALirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)! 365 | 1°93 | 12 | 21°77 | 17°34
0°510
) eA
LEEDS ... (Alfred ee 183 |1°195 | 14 10310 | +8286 3
HorsFrortH ... (James Fox)! 350 | 1:26 | 13 11°980 |{11:115 3 0°44
BABNSEEY ...A(P. Lister) ...| 350 ) 1:09 | 1F-| 10°42 9°22 25 0°35
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... $5317 1°60 | Ti 16:01 |) 13:22 3 0°70
520 | 1°31} 10! 11:88 | 11°50 25 0-48
95 | 1:93 | 10} 10-61 | 814 | 25 0-68
10 | 158/14] 9:80 | 7-128 | 95 0°34
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...
GOoLe ... (J. HARRISON) ...
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.
Lawton)
* This is the average to date for 16 years, 1866-81.
+ Average of 28 years, 1853-62 and 1865-82.
t+ Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
Short Notes and Queries.
Tue Twire.—This bird breeds commonly every season on the high
moorlands round Halifax. The eggs usually five or six in number are
not unlike those of the lesser redpole. The nest which is close to the
ground is composed of small fibres of heather and lined with wool.——
F. G. 8. Rawson.
Nesting oF THE Rine Ovzet.—During the latter part of last May, I
found two nests of the ring ouzel, one on Black-hills, and the other in
Cranfield Wood, a picturesque hanger, situated on the slope of the hill
200 Tue NATURALIST.
overlooking Marley. Both nests were built on the horizontal branches
of spruce firs, at some distance from the trunk ; the former nest was
built about three and the latter about twelve feet from the ground.
Although I must have known of scores of nests of this species, I never
before found a nest built in any other situation than on the ground. I
may here remark that the choice of the sites of the two nests already
referred to, was in no wise determined on account of any lack of more
suitable nesting places ; on the contrary, especially is this the case with
Cranfield Wood, in the vicinage of which are heather-clad slopes which
afford a natural home, and where this bird breeds abundantly ; indeed
it would appear to be the metropolitan breeding haunt of the species for
this district. In recording these facts 1 may observe my desire is not to
be understood as having to chronicle a great ‘‘ discovery ” which may,
after all, turn out to be but a mare’s nest. A larger experience or a
more extended field of investigation might have had the effect of modi-
fying my views (as 1t frequently does in the course of one’s life) respect-
ing such like occurrences.—H. P. P. Burrerris tp.
ARRIVAL OF Spring Micranrs near Binetey.—In sending you the
following dates of arrival of spring migrants, I thought it would not
perhaps be deemed irrelevant, if I placed the records for the years 1879
and 1881, which were preceded by exceptionally severe winters, side by
side for comparison with those of 1882, which is said to have been one of
the mildest on record. J ought perhaps to state that [ am indebted to
my brother for many of the records for the present year, having myself
been precluded by other engagements of a less pleasing character, from
giving that continuous attention to any out-door ornithological observa-
tions, without which such records are valueless.
6
1879. 1881. 1882.
Pied wagtail ... ... ae ...- March 3 ... February 18.
Wheatear ... April 1i .. March 26 ... April 8.
Ring Ouzel ... April 11 ... April 14 4 Apri 10;
Willow warbler April 17 ... April 14 > Agora We
Sandmartin ... April 18 ... April 21 .2-,, Aprile:
Swallow . April 22 . April 24 cae April Ge
Cuckoo _ s<. April 22 Bene a ... May 4, very late.
Redstart . April 26 ... April 20 soe ale
‘Tree pipit . April 26 ... April 16 =o Aprile are
Ray’s wagtail... May 2, late ... April 20 . April 23.
House martin... May 2 ... ... April 24 . April 15, only one —
Whinchat . May 2 ... April 30 ... May 6, late.
‘Whitethroat ... May 3 ... May 8 ... April. 29,
Swift... May 15 a) Maye Sie. .. May 14,
Wood warbler May 16 JpeMaya dette ... May 6.
Blackcdp.) i544: 4.) May di, date «93:2 April 235,
Garden warbler .. cece Vek date ... May 7, Bolton
Nigh biar 01220. yan: . May 25... ... May 27. [Woods.
Snort Notes AND QUERIES. 201
With regard to the first named species it is somewhat curious that it
has not wintered with us (I mean in this locality) since the remarkably
severe winter of 1878 and 1879. Ifmy memory serves me right, I believe
Gilbert White somewhere states that the spotted fly-catcher is the last
bird to arrive in its spring migration. This is, however, not now the
case (if indeed it ever were), at least in this district ; the nightjar being
the latest migrant, arriving about the time when H. velleda first makes
its appearance, upon which it feeds, and which must form, judging from
the quantity of wings strewn about, a most important item in its bill of
fare. This insect swarms in Bingley Wood. —H. P. P. BurrerFriexp.
CAPTURE OF A BADGER IN CLEVELAND.—On May 20th, Mr. John P.
Petch, of Liverton Lodge, near Saltburn, caught a fine female badger,
not far from his residence. It stood 113 inches high, and weighed 193
pounds. It is now in the possession of Mr. A. E. Pease, of Pinching-
thorpe House, near Guisborough. Mr. Petch informs me that it is 17
years since he caught one near the same place.—W. GREGSON,
Curious Eee or SANDMARTIN.—On Whit-Monday, a friend of mine
took a sandmartin’s nest, and one of the eggs had a patch of silver on one
side ; 1t looked as if it had been gilt with quicksilver, very bright and of a
metallic appearance. I thought it would be evanescent, but itis per-
manent. Can any of our oologists explain the cause /—Corn crakes are
numerous here this year.— C. C. Hanson.
EntomotocicaL Norzs.—I spent Whitsuntide this year at Wicken Fen,
in Cambridgeshire. Meliana flammea was common, but most of the
specimens I took were much wasted, and the species had evidently been
out some time. The swallow-tailed butterfly Papilio Machaon was also
plentiful enough, and on Whit-Monday, May 29th, was flying freely
even in a little wood about half-a-mile from the Fen. It was certainly
novel to see Machaon in such a situation. I found the eggs easily by
searching the Pewcedanum palustre inthe Fen. Arctia wrtice was just
getting out, and Sumyra venosa was not uncommon, but difficult to catch.
I am now breeding Pterophorus lienigianus, from larve received from
Norwich ; and have recently added to my collection Dianthecia Barrettir,
from Howth ; Nola centonalis, from Deal; Ewpithecia togata, from Scot-
land ; Oncocera henella, from Deal; Hphestia pingwis, from York; and
Oryptoblabes bistriga, from Kent.—Gero. T. Porrirt.
Clivinia fossor, Linn., &c.—In vol, iu p. 25, of the Naturalist, Mr. —
Crowther gave us the benefit of his knowledge of the Yorkshire
geoeraphical.distribution of C. fossor, and asks other entomologists who
have taken the species to do the same. I may say that I took two
Specimens of this little beetle at Frizing-Hall, near here, on the 12th of
April last, in just such a situation as described by Mr. Crowther, ve.,
amongst ‘‘ decaying rubbish ” on the bank of the canal. When I first
picked them up they appeared to be in a torpid state, but on coming in
202 THe NATURALIST.
contact with my warm hand they began to walk about, and by the time
f reached home they were quite active. I had asplendid specimen of
Carabus nitens brought in from Rombald’s Moor on the 20th April.— —
J. W. Carter, Valley St., Bradford, 10th June.
Bon ols ot S Sacieties.
BarnsLeEY NATURALISTS’ Secs etuesting June 16th, Mr. T. Lister
in the chair.—A very interesing paper was read by the hon. secretary,
(Mr. W. E. Brady), written by Mr. Dixon, formerly of Sheffield, on
*¢The Philosophy of Birds’ Nests and Eggs—their site, form and color,
as adapted in most cases to the protection and preservation of the species.”
Tt was illustrated by bird-skins, nests, and eggs—some from the collection
of Mr. H. Seebohm. The report of the botanical section is a very full
one ; more than 200 species of plants are recorded this season, the result
of many of our local and individual excursions. Almost all our migrants
were recorded last month; we may add that three other localities are
given for the nightingale—New Park Spring, Crofton, and beyond Caw-
+horne—the nearest te the N W moors we have known in this district.-—
W. H. Brapy, See.
BeveRLEY Frietp NaturRaLists’ AND ScIENTIFIC SocteTY.—MEETING,
25th May, at Norwood, the Rev. EH. J. Barry, vice-president, in the
chair.—The Rey. W. Smith read a highly interesting and instructive
paper on “‘ The leaves of plants,” giving minute details of their form
and structure, their functions, uses, development, and appendages,
illustrating his lecture with a number of carefully prepared micro-slides.
Among the botanical exhibits were specimens of the leaves of Eucalyptus
globulus, brought by Mr. H. M. Ellis, and several examples of an
abnormal form of tulip, having one of the petals situated several inches
below the rest of the flower, shown by Mr Boyes. The Rev. H. J. Barry
exhibited a number of microscopical slides, and brought before the
members the first part of a new work, entitled ‘* Studies in Microscopical
Science,” now appearing weekly, and with which is issued a mounted o
slide illustrating the subject treated of. Mr. Boyesalso brought very
fine specimens of the great slug, Limax maximus, the black variety of
the field slug, Limazx agrestis var niger, the hairworm, the eggs of the
redshank, Totanus calidris, and spotted crake, Porzana maruetta, found :
near Beverley, it being the first time on record that the eggs of the latter :
rare bird have been taken in the East Riding. a
Meetine, 8th June, Mr. J. A. Ridgway, F.R.A.S., president, in the a
chair.—Letters were read from Mr. G. Massee, of Scarbro’, on the
botany, and from the Rev. J. EH. Barry on the lepideptera of the district.
On the motion of the president, seconded by the Rev. W. Smith, it was
decided to suspend the fortnightly meetings in the Assemby Rooms until
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 203
Thursday, September 29th, and in the meantime to hold field meetings
and excursions as arranged from time to time ; the first field meeting to
take place in Westwood, on Thursday, the 15th inst. Amongst the
specimens exhibited were Orchis ustulata, O. incarnata, O. latifolia
(several varieties), O. maculata, and Ornithogalum umbellatwm brought
by Mr. Ridgway ; abnormal forms of Pyrethrum taken from one plant,
and showing a transition from single to double flowers, shown by Mr.
F. Mills. Mr. Cherry exhibited bred specimens of Cuculia scrophularie
and a single individual of Odontopera bidentata, taken ata gas-lamp in
Beverley. A mounted and stained odontophore of Limax maximus was
shewn by Mr. Butterell. Gold quartz from California, fossil wood,
showing details of structure, and other lithological specimens, were also
before the members.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EntomotocicaL Socrpry.—Monthly
meeting in the Free Library, the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper) in the
chair.—M. J. Wall contributed a paper entitled ‘‘ A consideration of the
chief aims of the study of entomology,” in which he advocated the study
of the life-history and habits of insects, instead of the plan generally
followed of collecting and arranging for mere display. During the con-
versazione, Mr. Wall exhibited under the microscope living specimens of
the so-called ‘‘ American blight,” an aphis which infests and does con-
siderable damage to apple trees. Mr. Makin exhibited a box of North
American lepidoptera.—J. W. Huis, Hon. Sec.
MANCHFSTER CryproGamMic SocieTy.—Meeting May 15th, Dr.
Carrington, F.R.S.E., in the chair, who kindly distributed specimens
of Orthotrichum Lyellui, which he had collected in fruit at Lodore, Cum-
berland. Some conversation took place in reference to the Gymnostomum
at Nant-y-Fydd, near Wrexham, and which is known as G. commutatum.
Doubts were generally expressed as to its claim to be more than a form of
Gymnostomum curvirostrum, in association with which it grows at the
same place. Captain Cuncliffe, F.R.M.S., exhibited a beautiful series of
mounted slides of the Hepatice ; fruiting specimens of Punaria fasciculare,
Aypnum gigantewm, and H. scorpioides—the latter species having fronds
nearly 18 inches long. Mr. Cash read an interesting paper on some rare
British mosses, giving a history of the discovery of Hypnuwm Blandovit
(see page 189) and Paludella squarvosa, at Knutsford Moor, by Mr.
Wm. Wilson.
Montuiy Mestine, June 19th, Dr. B. Carrington, F.R.S.E., in the
chair.—The hon. secretary read a letter which he had received from
the corresponding member, Mr. C. P. Hobkirk (author of the ‘‘ Synopsis
of British Mosses,”) in reference to the reports of the society in the
Naturalist, and also some remarks on the advisability of the students
of cryptogamic botany acquiring a more intimate knowledge of the
anatomy and developement of cryptogamic plants generally. Mr. Cash
exhibited specimens of Myra pulvinata, which he had recently
204 THE NATURALIST.
gathered near York, and Seligeria tristicha in Miller’s Dale, both of
which he distributed specimens of. The hon. secretary placed upon
the table a good-sized vasculum, full of freshly gathered mosses, which
he had received from the neighbourhood of Nyborg, in Denmark. It
was observed that nearly all the species were identical with those which
may now be found in British woods. The mosses were placed at the
disposal of the members present.—T. Rocxzrs, Hon. Sec.
YorkKsHIRE Narvratists’ Unton.—Brver.iy, May 29th, 1882.—The
Yorkshire Naturalists this year took the field at a later period of the year
than usual (the Easter excursion being omitted), and held their first
meeting on Whit-Monday, Beverley being the rendezvous. Railway
arrangements of a novel and advantageous character were made for the
benefit of members journeying from Leeds, York, and Malton, whereby
the production of the stamped card of membership (without any condition
as to number of party) was held sufficient for the obtaining of return
tickets at reduced fares. There was not a very large muster from the
West-Riding towns, but those from the North and East brought up the
attendance to the usual average, and the excursion itself was of a
successful character, and the Union was, as usual, favoured with fine
weather. The arrangements included four parties, in four different
directions, all starting from Beverley Station. The first was in charge of
the well-known ornithologist, Mr. Fred. Boyes, and took their route
through Westwood to Bishop Burton, from which they returned through
Cherry Burton to Beverley. The second party—led by Mr. R. Cherry,
of Beverley—accompanied the first party through Westwood, and then
diverged to the south, passing through Walkington, and returning through
Risby Park and Woods. Most of the entomologists were in this division.
A third party, under the leadership of Mr. J. A. Ridgway,. F.R.A.S,
crossed the river Hull at Grovehill Ferry, walked through fields to Meaux
and Wawne, where they again ferried the river and returned through the
free pasture of Figham. The fourth party, who paid more attention to
the plants and mollusca than did the other parties, were led by the local
secretary, Mr. J. Darker Butterell, who conducted them through Swine-
moor, then along the banks of the river, past Commonbank or Pulfin
Nook, to Leven Canal, thence crossing the river Hull to Arram, and
returning from that place by train. The fifth party, under the charge of
the Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A., devoted itself to geological work, for
which purpose they drove to the Weedley cutting on the line of the new
Hull and Barnsley Railway. The meetings all took place at the Assembly
Rooms, Beverley, the general meeting being presided over by Mr. Thos. —
Hick, B.A., B.Sc., of Harrogate, a vice-president. The minutes of the
two previous meetings having been taken as read, the roll was called,
when it was found that ten societies were represented, viz ,—Beverley,
Driffield, Goole, Hull, Leeds (8), Malton, Scarborough, and York St.
Thomas’s. On the motion of the Rev. E. J. Barry, two new societies,
‘soth of which had been founded during the current month of May—the
ReEpoRTS OF SOCIETIES. 205
Ripon Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association, with 98 members,
and the Ilkley Scientific Club, with about 30 or 40 members—were
admitted into the Union. The list of new subscribers to the Union funds
included the names of Wm. Vinson of St. Leonards, Thos. Carter and Dr.
W. Paley of Ripou, A. J. Read, B.A., and J.J. Hummel, F.C.S., of
Leeds, J. Firth and James Terry of Bradford, Rev. E. J. Barry, H. J.
Robinson-Pease, J.P., John Hlhs, Geo. R. Davison and R. P. Cherry of
Beverley, and Dr. Geo, Mundie (lately president of the Eastbourne
N. H. 8.) of Hessle. Thanks were voted to them, also to the Beverley
society for their very excellent arrangements for the meeting, and to the
landowners who had given permission in respect of their estates. Mr.
J. A. Ridgway, the president of the Beverley Society, replied, making
mention of the hearty way in whish the local secretary (Mr. J. Darker
Butterell) had performed his task. It was then resolved unanimously, on
the proposition of the chairman, seconded by the Rev. EH. Maule Cole,
M.A., ‘*‘ That this meeting of members of the Y.N.U. desires to place on
record its deep sense of the great loss that natural science has sustained
by the death of Charles Darwin.” It was also resolved unanimously, on
the motion of Mr. Roebuck, seconded by Mr. Ridgway, that the Y.N.U.,
on the occasion of the death of Mr. Wm. Talbot, of Wakefield, who was
one of its virtual founders, and has ever since taken an active share in its
proceedings, and a lively interest in its welfare, desires to express its
sense of the loss which it sustains by his death, and its sympathy with
his family.” The secticnal reports were then given as follows :—The
Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A. (secretary), reported for the Geological
Section. The geological party, under the guidance of the secretary,
drove to Riplingham Grange, where they reached the tunnel being con-
structed under the chalk wolds for the Hull and Barnsley Railway. Mr.
G. Bohn, the engineer, had kindly given a pass, so the party proceeded
to explore the cuttings. The first object of interest was a bed of dark
slate and drab-coloured shales, lying at the base of the white chalk with
flints, and above the grey chalk. It was fully a yard in depth, being
much thicker than hitherto met with. Below the grey flintless chalk,
the red chalk was exposed in several places, with characteristic fossils,
Terebratula biplicata and Belemnites minimus. Some of this chalk had
been changed into red clay. Then appeared the Kimeridge clay, with
the usual belemnites, and selenite. The next feature in the cuttings
was a fine exposure of Kelloway rock, bristling with fossils of
Gryphea dilatata. This was soon followed by a limestone ridge
composed of millepore limestone, belonging to the lower oolites,
and this in turn was succeeded by the dogger, resting on lias. Mr.
Fred. Boyes, of Beverley (who had taken charge of the section in
the absence of its officers) reported that, in vertebrate zoology, the
chief attention had been paid to birds, of which 51 species had been
seen, the most noteworthy of which were the hawfinch at Westwood, the
black-headed bunting (and eggs) at Swinemoor, the whimbrel, &c. No
206 THe NATURALIS.
attention has been paid to amphibia or reptiles, and in mammalia the
common field vole was the only species reported, and of fishes only about |
nine or ten were noted, including the tench. The Conchological report
was given by the Rev. W. C. Hey, M.A., of York, vice-president of the
section. In the absence of the officers of the Entomological Section, the
Rev. E. J. Barry, of Beverley, reported that in this section members
confined themselves almost wholly to lepidoptera, only one beetle being
reported—Pyrochroa rubens. Routes 2 and 3 were not worked, nearly
all the entomologists choosing the second route. The commoner butter-
flies, e g., Pieris brassice, P. rapgze, Anthocharis cardamines, and hyber-
nated Vanessa urticze, were noticed on the wing. Among the Geometree
Tephrosia consonaria, T. crepuscularia, Coremia munitata, and C. ferru-
gata were picked off the trunks of trees, but only one capture from each
of the pseudo-bombyces and noctuze was reported. Larvee were in toler-
able abundance, the most noticeable being the larve of Hybernia
defoliaria, Toeniocampa stabilis, and Agriopis aprilina. For the Botanical
Section, Mr. Geo. H. Massee, of Scarbro’, one of the sectional secretaries,
reported :—The chalk is not rich in species, and the date was too early
for its characteristic flora. Carrs and swamps were abundant, and
if diligently worked, would undoubtedly yield some novelties. The total
number of plants collected amounted to 316, distributed as follows :—
Phanerogams, 246 ; the most noteworthy were Ranunculus circinnatus,
R. Drouetii, Stellaria glauca, Geranium lucidum, Crepis paludosa,
Symphytum officinale, Hottonia palustris, Potamogeton lucens, P. cris-
pus, P. densus, P. pectinatus, Hydrocharis morsus-ranz, Allium olera-
ceum, Carex dioica, ©. paniculata, C. distans. FFilices, 8, including
Nephrodium Thelypteris, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Ophioglossum vulga-
tum, and Botrychium lunaria. Hquisetacee, 4—H. maximum, HE. limo-
sum, E. palustre, E. arvense. Characeze, 2—C. vulgaris and Tolypella
glomerata, Leon. (the last is a rare British plant, and only recorded
from Thirsk, in Yorkshire). Musci, 30, the only addition to Dr.
Parson’s list of East-Riding mosses given in the proceedings of the
Y.N.U, being Cylindrothecium concinnum, Mont. Sphagnum tenellum
occurred fruiting abundantly. Hepaticee, 10, all common forms. Fungi,
8, including Arcyria punicea, the remainder so-called species of Adcidium.
Algee, 6, including Palmella Mooreana, Harv., found also'a few weeks
previously at Scarboro’—a new county record. Lichens, 2.—The usual
vote of thanks to the chair terminated the business.
Tur Seconp Mrrtine was held at Snaith on June 17th, and was
devoted to the investigation of the lower plain of the Aire, near to
Carlton, Camblesforth, Temple Hirst, Hensall, Heck, Pollington, Snaith,
Cowick, Rawcliffe, &c. Permission was given by Lord Beaumont, of
Carlton Towers ; Mr. Ralph Creyke, M.P. of Rawcliffe ; Mr. Benjamin
Shaw, of Cowick; and Mr. John Seed, of Snaith, to go over their
respective estates. Parties left Snaith Station for the following routes :
‘3
Ee Spa ar ee ee
Sei ee
Reports oF Societies. 207
Route 1. Mr. C. L. Lord and Mr. Thomas Tate, F.G.S., (president of
Geological section) conducted a party of geologists by Temple Hirst to
Hensall, Heck, Pollington, and Snaith. This route took in all the
sections on the Hull and Barnsley Railway. Route 2. To Carlton,
Camblesforth, Quasqua Hall, and Jacky Duffin Wood, returning to
Snaith by the banks of the Aire ; leader, Mr. John Harrison, of Goole.
Route 3. Mr. Bunker proceeded by way of the Carrs to Pollington and
Balne Pond, returning to Snaith by the Aire and Calder canal, Hagg
Lane, and Cowick Park. Route 4. From Rawcliffe Station at twelve
noon, examining the rabbit hills and the old brick ponds at Rawcliffe
Bridge, thence by Turn Bridge and East Cowick to Snaith. In addition
to these parties, individual members explored various parts of the
district. The conchologists present visited the ponds at Carlton Towers
and Cowick Park, while a novel feature—though not an unprecedented
one—was afforded by the presence of the Photographic Section of the
Leeds Naturalists’ Club, by whom various views were taken in the two
parks just mentioned. At the general meeting, the chair was occupied
by Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., of Huddersfield, one of the vice-presidents.
On calling the roll it was found that members were present from
Barnsley, Beverley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Goole, Huddersfield, Hull,
Leeds, Selby, and Wakefield. The list of new subscribers included
the names of the Rey. E. P. Knubley, of Staveley; L. B. Ross, of
Driffield ; and W. W. Taylor, M.A., of Ripon, to whom thanks were
voted. Mr. T. Lister, Barnsley, proposed ‘‘ That the best thanks of the
Union be presented to Mr. Thomas Birks and to Mr. Thomas Bunker,
for their efficient services as loeal secretaries; and to those gentlemen
who have assisted them by acting as leaders of parties; also to Lord
Beaumont, Messrs. R. Creyke, M.P., B. Shaw, John Seed, J. H. Hollis,
and the Rey. C. E. Storrs, for cordial co-operation in making local
arrangements.” Mr. William Porter seconded the motion, which was
earried with acclamation. Mr. Wm. Denison Roebuck reported, on
behalf of the Conchological Section, that only common species were
observed—principally freshwater, little attention being paid to land-
shells. The best species were Bythinia Leachii, Planorbis nitidus,
and P. nautileus. The specimens of L. stagnalis approved the
variety fragilis, and those of Physa fontinalis are very near the variety
inflata. The anodons from the fish-pond at Carlton Towers appear
to be of the same type as those found in Risby Pond, near Beverley, and
resemble some of the forms taken in Hornsea Mere. Mr. Thomas
Bunker reported, for the Vertebrate Section, that 33 resident birds and
18 summer visitants had been reported, of which the most noteworthy
were the goldfinch, redshank, curlew, black-headed gull, snipe, reed
warbler, redstart, and chiffchaff. At the suggestion of Mr. Clarke, Mr.
N. F. Dobree, of Beverley, stated that the great-crested grebe had been
reported as nesting at Carlton, and that inquiries would be made ; also
that marsh harriers had been shot there. Mr. Dobree reported for the
208 THe NATURALIST.
entomologists, and mentioned that the only noticeable species in lepidop-
tera observed during the day were Coenonympha Davus, Procris statices, _
and Scodiona belgiaria. Mr. EH. B. Wrigglesworth, of Wakefield, in his
report on the beetles, stated that no fewer than 40 species had been taken,
and amongst them Chrysomela furcata, Tomoxia biguttata, several species
of Donacia, with Toxicus mendianus and Gastrophysa polygoni, were
produced in fair numbers. Other groups were well represented. Mr.
Birks reported, for the Botanical Section, that the districts explored
included the sandy tract near Carlton, Camblesforth, Hensall, and Heck,
as well as the extensive area of marsh land known as Snaith Ings and
Pollington Carrs, and the wet sandy common known as Rawcliffe Rabbit
Hills. About 300 species were recorded, the best of which were Ranun-
culus circinnatus, R. Lenormandi, Nympheza alba, Polygala depressa,
Nasturtium amphibium, Drosera intermedia, Stellaria glauca, Rumex
hydralapathum, Geranium pusillum, Sanguisorba officinalis, Hippuris
vulgaris, Bryonia dioica, Sium latifolium, Cinanthe crocata, G4. phellan-
drium, Pilularia globulifera, Daphne laureola, Helosciadum inundatum,
Scrophularia aquatica, Veronica montana, Hottonia palustris. The
cryptogamic plants were not examined, but included some interesting
mosses, liverworts, and fungi; amongst them being the mountain
buckler fern (Nephrodium oreopteris), Reestelia lacerata, AXcidium
ranunculacearum, and AX. urtice. The botanists were very well
pleased with their results. In geology, Mr. Thomas Tate, F.G.S.,
reported that attention was chiefly given to the new sections on
the Hull and Barnsley Railway, north of Heck, showing the lower
Bunter sandstone—brick-red current bedded non-fossilferous—with a
pebble bed at its base. It is overlain by gravels and sands of post-
' Pleiocene ages. Regret was expressed that the managers of the coal boring
at West Bank had not afforded the members an opportunity of inspecting
these works, but it was hoped that an opportunity would arise at an early
date. Mr. James Abbott, of Leeds, spoke of the observations in pond life
he and Mr. Tate had noticed. Chzetophora elegans and C. cornu-dame,
Roth., a very beautiful branched alga attached to sticks and decayed
water-plants ; diatoms in abundance ; the rotifers, Mastigocerca carinata
and the jelly-like Ophrydium versatile, may now be had many inches in
diameter, all in the pond at Pollington. Volvox globator, Pandorina
morum and Gonium pectorale are now to be had from the old habitat—
the ponds on Raweliffe Rabbit Hilis.—A vote of thanks to the chairman
concluded the proceedings.—W. D. R.
END OF VOL. VII.
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~ CONTENTS:
, Anticins, &e. = Sees
Notes: on Racomitrium papillosum. ae Leepachi ey
Votes on some Rare British Mosses.—Paludella. squrrosi.— eg. Cash .
On the Classification 3 eo ee Insects. —S. L. te ee we
otes on eflora a Hedldoepale -W. Position Wee ree we
Owls (Buteo maximus) breeding in Captivity.— Walter Raine Ge 5 ate.
ightingale at Scarborough.—Wm. Eagle Clarke 22 a See,
nary Mortality amongst Diptera.—C. ‘Hanson cand R. ae Meade Aes
Lae at Southampton, and =a
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Original Articles.
NOTES ON RACOMITRIUM PAPILLOSUM.
By G. Livpricat,
In “ Frora,” 1882, N. 18.—TRANSLATED:
Racomitrium papillosum, Kindberg; Warnstorf in “‘ Hedwigia,”
1881, n. 11. According to the text of this publication, it appears to
be uncertain who really is answerable, as author, for this species.
This form, recently published as a “distinct species” which should
represent an intermediate form between Racomitrium patens and
Racomitrium sudeticum, is, according to original specimens before me,
the sterile form of Grimmia elatior, Br. and Sch., as it occurs in
different stations in the Sudeten; on the Baliagora; in Scotland:
Norway; and the Alps on much exposed rocks.
I have previously made the remark (in the Kryptfl. von Schl: I. p.
160), that there are two forms of this species, and we also find that
previous writers have had their attention drawn to this particular
variety. Schimper referred this form to Grimmia Schultzw; C. Muller
to Grimmia funalis; C. Hartmann earlier considered it as Grimmia
funalis * elatior; and De Notaris (in Syllab. n. 353), distinguished it
as Grimmia funalis robusta.
Sometimes it approaches nearer to Grimmia Schultz (in this form
it is generally fertile), sometimes it agrees more with Grimmia funalis,
and in this form I only know it barren.
The possibility that both forms should be specifically distinct
appeared to me to be inadmissible.
Hitherto, nothing has been published with regard to some of the
characters of Grimmia elatior, and this omission appears to me to have
led to the creation of Racomitrium paprltosum.
The upper part of the leaf of Grimmia elatior consists of a double
layer, our Silesian specimens even having three and four layers (hence
the opacity of the cell structure), and both sides of the thickened leaf,
as also the oval carina (as is seen by a cross section), are covered with
semi-circular papille, rising from the lumen of the cell. In the fertile
specimens from the Alps, this thickening extends over a smaller portion
of the leaf, and the cuticle is as g rule smooth, but there are specimens
now lying before me which show the papille, therefore I consider the
dark-green mostly sterile Silesian form, and those of the north of
Europe to be var. pseudo funalis. Schimper, in the “‘ Syn. ed. IT,” p.
259, has, in the accompanying note more correctly described the teeth
of the peristome of Grimmia elatior, than in the text of the diagrams.
N.8., Vou, vill,.—Aue., 1882,
Y THe NaTuRALIST.
In Grimmia Schultzii, the papillae are entirely wanting, and in the
upper part of the leaf the margin only 1s composed of two or three
layers. Racomitrium patens has on the back (on the under side) of the
carina, two, three, and four longitudinal lamin, and Racomitrium
papillosum is said to possess a “ Nervus lamellosus,” yet the original
shows no trace of one, but its carina resembles exactly that of Grimmia
elatior.
It has been customary, with regard to certain Grimmias, to speak of
a furrowed carina, but we all now know that in these instances, as a
matter of fact, they possess no furrow, but that the clear streak which
the extended leaf shows in the mediane of its rib when you allow the
light to fall through it (7.e. if you hold it before the light) has another
origin.
In Racomitrium patens and sudeticum the leaves have a one-layered
lamina, yet the leaf-margin of the first consists, in its upper part, of
two or three layers, with the last one sometimes of two layers.
Grimmia fnnalis shows no papille, and only the upper gee
consists of two layers.
The papillose nature of Racomitrium protensum has already been
described by Lorentz.
In Racomitrium canescens the papille rest upon the lumen of the
cells ; in Grimmia anomala Hampe, on the contrary, upon the lumen,
and also upon the cell-wall.
Grimmia elatior forma subinermis asperula (Sanio) Geheeb Beitrage
zur Moosflora des Westl. Sibirens (“Flora’ 1879, n. 30), R. asperulum,
Geheeb, is doubtless the same form which has given occasion to the
creation of Racomitrium papillosum.
NOTES ON SOME RARE BRITISH MOSSES.
By James CasH.
{Read before the Manchester Cryptogamic Society, Ist May, 1882.)
| PALUDELLA SQUARROSA.
THIs moss was discovered by Mr. Wilson, at Knutsford, on the 16th
April, 1832. He had been to Vale Royal, and crossed to Knutsford
to observe the condition of the mosses previously found growing in the
bog. This entry in Mr. Wilson’s diary is the first mention made any-
where of Paludella squarrosa as a British moss: ‘“‘ Found a new bryum
of the squarrose-leaved kind, very elegant, but barren.” The next day
CasH: PALUDELLA SQUARROSA, 3
Mr. Wilson examined the new moss, which he believed to be Bryum
squarrosum, Hedw. (Hypnum paludella, Web. and Mohr, 274): he
“found it to possess terminal perichetia, with abortive pistilla.’ He
was correct as to the species.
On the 19th of April Mr. Wilson wrote to Dr. Hooker, announcing
the discovery of Bryum sguarresum, and enclosing specimens and
drawings. Letters conveying the same information were written to
other botanists, among the rest to J. De Sowerby, Mr. W. H. Harvey
—then a young and enthusiastic botanist fast rising into note—and to
Professor Henslow, of Cambridge University, not forgetting, either,
one of the Lancashire artisan botanists, with whom he had frequent
correspondence-—John Martin, of Tyldesley. The moss, with others,
was figured by Mr. Wilson for the second edition of Hnglish Botany.
There is no doubt that the original station for Paludella squarrosa at
Knutsford has been destroyed by drainage.
It may be interesting to note that Hypnum nitens and Mnium affine;
both fertile, were found at the same time and in the same locality.
The fertile A. #itens grew “not far from B. sguarrosum, nearer the
brook, on the other side of the path,’ and there was another station
for it “near the fertile H. stellatum, more towards the mere, and rather
nearer the brook.” These words are quoted from Mr. Wilson’s diary.
They are too obscure to be of practical use now. Mr. Wilson appears
to have searched the bog carefully for B. sguarrosum, for he records, on
the 10th May, 1832, that he was “ unable to find any second station
fOR-It.-
This, as far as is known, is all the information to be had about the
occurrence of Paludella squarrosa at Knutsford. But ten years later,
certain muscologists in Yorkshire made diligent and successful search
both for this-moss and for H. Blandovii. An interesting letter from
Mr. Henry Ibbotson to Mr. Wilson, dated Gabthorpe, near Whitwell,
Mar. Ist, 1842, has been preserved, in which the writer says: “ You
have, I presume, received specimens of H. nitens and H. Blandovii, all
the productions of a bog in this neighbourhood, from our respected
friend Mr. Spruce, who informs me, upon your authority, that the same
plants, together with B. squarrosum, grow in a bog in Cheshire, and.
that you suggested that our locality for the two former plants might
also be likely te produce the latter. JI have, therefore, been induced
- to examine the place very carefully, and am pretty well convinced that
the plant is not there to be met with. A short distance, however,
from this bog there is another which I never visited previous to
Thursday last, when J found it to produce the same plants as the first
4 THe NATURALIST.
(with the exception of H. Blandovii), and, in addition, plenty of B-
squarrosum, occupying the space of an acre at least. From the circum-
stance of your being the first discoverer of the plant in Britain, the
intelligence of a new station being detected, with a few specimens
therefrom (which I now enclose), may be interesting. I am sorry that
I have not been able to find it in a state of fructification ; but [ shall
frequently have opportunities of visiting the place, and as this may not
be the proper season, I trust that I shall have the pleasure of finding
it at some future time. . . . HZ. nitens will yield an abundant
erop of fruit in this bog.”
Of the present condition of the above-mentioned locality I am sorry
not to possess any positive information. It is, however, understood
to have been drained, and the rarities mentioned have been wholly or
partially destroyed.
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BRITISH INSECTS.
By S. L. Mostey, HuppERsFIEnp.
(Read before the Lanc. and Ches. Ent. Soc., April 24th, 1882.)
THe purpose of a classification of any objects—natural or other-
wise, is, I need scarcely state, to bring together those which are
nearest related. This is often not very difficult when we make a
number of common centres, or represent the various divisions like
the branches of a tree, all diverging from, and dependent on a
eommon beginner or ancestor,. which doubtless is the most natural
way of arrangement; but we have not yet discovered any method by
which this arrangement can be represented in a cabinet drawer, or 2
set of unseen cases, and we are placed at some disadvantage by being
obliged to follow a linear arrangement, beginning at one point and
ending at another. Such an arrangement must, as a matter of course,
be more or less imperfect, because the various branched affinities
cannot be adequately represented. However, there is a certain degree
of perfection attainable, and it is possible to so arrange most natural
objects as to show a more or less unbroken continuity from end to
end.:
The insect world forms a wide field for the ingenious mind ‘to work
upon, for while its members agree in certain particulars, they are so
diversified in their structure and their habits, their similarities and
dissimilarities are so constant and so numerous, that it has been a
Mostry: On CLASsIFICATION oF Britisu INSEcts. 5
fask upon entomologists, from time immemorial to say, which is the
most natural way of arranging these tiny creatures.
The first system worthy of note is that invented by Swammerdam,
in which he divides insects into four primary groups as follows :—
1. Insects subject to a change of skin, but undergoing no change of
form (spiders, lice, woodlice, and centipedes).
2. Hexapod insects subject to metamorphosis, having an active
pupa, in which the rudimentary wings and wing-cases are exposed
(bugs, dragon-flies, grasshoppers, and mayflies).
3. Hexapod insects undergoing metamorphosis, in which the pupa
state is quiescent, either having the limbs enclosed in distinct cases
(beetles, bees, wasps, &c., and part of the Neuroptera and Diptera), or
covered with an entire case (butterflies, moths).
4. Hexapod insects undergoing metamorphosis, the pupa state
having neither motion or wings, but enclosed in an ovate case (most
Diptera and other insects).
This system whichis based upon the form or condition of the pupa,
is imperfect in splitting up closely allied groups. For instance, the
Neuroptera and Diptera are each split and placed in two divisions.
Leaving the older and coming to more modern times we find another
system of classification of winged insects propounded by Ed. Newman,
and based upon the characters of the pupa, which is very similar to one
propounded by Lamarck. Like Swammerdam, Newman makes four
primary divisions, viz :—
1. Amorpha, in which the pupa has ‘neither mouth nor organs of
locomotion and bears no resemblance to the perfect insect ( Lepidoptera
and Diptera.
2. Necromorpha, in which the pupa has both mouth and organs of
locomotion, but enveloped in several cases, and incapable of use
(Hymenoptera, Coleoptera).
3. Lsomorpha, in which the mouth and limbs are present and used
(Orthoptera, Hemiptera).
4, Azisomorpha, in which all the before-mentioned characters are
present, and some independent ones (Neuroptera).
This system, though presenting certain degrees of correctness, yet
brings together insects of little affinity, and at the same time
separates others which are nearly allied, like the Neuroptera and
‘Trichoptera. It is likewise subject to many exceptions; we find
necromorphous pupz among the lepidoptera—the burnets, for
instance. Some dipterous pup are locomotive; the Coleoptera, and
especially the Neuroptera, present many striking exceptions.
6 THe NATURALIST.
Leaving now the classification according to the pupz, we turn to
that of arrangement by the affinities of the imago ; and while I would —
not take any one stage of the existence upon which to base a classifica-
tion, but take the whole life-history into consideration, yet the imago
should rank as of first importance, because we know most about that
state ; and it is in that state in which insects are generally arranged
for public examination.
The first classification based upon characters of the imago is that of
Linnzus, and is founded upon the characters of the wings. His first
division is, those having four wings; the next, those with two wings ;
and the third, those destitute of wings—which results in the following
distribution of the different orders :—
1. Coleoptera 5. Hymenoptera
2. Hemiptera 6. Diptera
3. Lepidoptera 7. Aptera
4, Neuroptera
After this came the system of Fabricius, founded mainly upon the
characters of the mouth part, but when we see that it resulted in the
crabs and lobsters being placed between the Neuroptera and the
Lepidoptera, we may venture to dismiss it as unsuitable, at least for
our present purposes.
We now come to the system of Olivier, in which the characters of
both wings and mouth are used as a means of classification, which
resulted in the following arrangement :—
1. Thysanura 7. Hemiptera
2. Parasita 8. Neuroptera
3. Siphonaptera (fleas) 9. Hymenoptera
4, Coleoptera 10. Lepidoptera
5. Dermaptera (earwigs.) 11. Rhipiptera (bee parasites.)
6. Orthoptera 12. Diptera.
The objection to this system is that it separates the Coleoptera and
Orthoptera, which have both mandibulate mouths, and which are in
other respects nearly allied. The Parasita, Hemiptera, Neuroptera,
and Lepidoptera have also each two distinct classes of mouth organs.
At present I cannot but regard the characters of the mouth as
insufficient for the distribution of the British insects into orders, —
although up to the time of Stephens, and in some instances up to the
present, this mode of classification has been mainly adopted. In many
of the various orders do we find both the haustellate and mandibulate
characters, and if this rule be rigidly adhered to, it will result in the
lepidopterous insects being placed in one division, while the larve
“a “.?
Mostey: ON CLassiFICATION OF BritisH Insects. d
which produced them are placed in another, the imago having a hau-
stellate mouth, and the larva a mandibulate one.
The following arrangement of the orders of British winged insects,
I think, will meet all the requirements of a collection arranged for
public inspection, viz :—
1. Hemiptera 5. Lepidoptera
2. Orthoptera 6. Hymenoptera
3. Coleoptera 7. Diptera
4, Neuroptera.
Now let us proceed to consider these various orders more particu-
larly, and see what relation they bear one to another. The class
Insecta, 1 think, should be begun by the Apterous division, say by the
Anoplura (lice). Going backwards, we pass on (out of the insects)
into the mites, spiders, and crustaceans; and going forward we pass
from the lice to the #hysaxura, and from them to the
Ist Ord., Hemiptera.—tl place this order next to the Aptera,
because their habits are somewhat similar, as regards the mouth and
matamorphosis, and the wings of Hemiptera are very frequently
either entirely wanting, or are only rudimentary. The order is
generally divided into two sub-orders, sometimes ranked as distinct,
out clearly so nearly allied as not to be distinctly separable.
Sub-Ord., 1. Heteroptera. Z. Homoptera.
The sub-order, Heteroptera, differs from the HomoprTrra in
having the basal part of their fore-wings leathery, and the tips mem-
branous. It is divided into two sections—
Auracoriza, er land-bugs, living upon various kinds of plants,
and sucking their juices; and
Hydrocoriza, er water-bugs, of which examples may be found
in every pond, the water boatman being a _ well-known
example.
This order is teo extensive, and the species and genera too similar, te
admit of further notice here.
The Hemoptera are divided by Westwool into three primary
sections : |
See. 1. Trimera, in which the tarsi are 3-jointed.
» 2 Lumera, - ras Pease,
», 3. Monomera, x iS ines,
The Trimera include the family Cicadz, of which we have, I believe,
only a single species (Cicada Angelica) in Britain. In foreign countries
8 THe NATURALIST.
some of the species attain large size, and are remarkable for the
development of their musical organs.
The second British family of the section is the Cecropide, which
differs in having the antennz three-jointed. It includes the well-
known frog-hopper, developed from the cuckoo-spit insect (Tettigonia
spumaria) and other allied forms.
The second section, Drmera, includes the Psylida, or jumping plant-
lice ; the Aphide, or green-fly; and the W. E. Clarke, 5, East: View,
Hyde Park Road ; and W. D. Roebuck, Sunny. Bank, Leeds.
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Original Articles.
DARWIN AND DARWINISM. —
By tHE Rey. S. FLetcHerR WILLIAMS,
Read before the Lancashire and Cheshire Entoraological Society, June 25th, 1882.
WuaTEVER view may be taken of the Philosophical theory that
bears the name of Darwin, its strongest opponents freely acknowledge
the candour of its author, and the force and ingenuity of the arguments
by which it is supported. The publication, less than a quarter of a
century ago, of the “ Origin of Species, by means of Natural
Selection,” caused a revolution in the views held as to the origin of
life. Fifteen years before that date, the “Vestiges of the Natural
History of Creation,” restated in an attractive form, the Lamarckian
doctrine that existing forms of life have descended from pre-existing
forms; and that work gave rise to a long and bitter controversy. This
controversy had nearly spent itself when Mr. Darwin, avoiding the
mistakes of the “ Vestiges,’ came forward with his now celebrated
theory, that existing forms have been gradually developed by “ natural
selection” and the “ struggle for life ;” or, as Mr. Herbert Spencer
puts it, “ the survival of the fittest.” The re-statement of views that
are as old as philosophy itself, supported as these were with great
ingenuity of argument, and by the aid of a vast store of scientific
information, most skilfully used, gave a fresh impetus to the
controversy, and turned it into a new and unexpected channel. It
was seen and felt that Charles Darwin was a man of no ordinary
power. His views at once commanded attention, and attention soon
grew into admiration or alarm, according to the views of those who
studied them. There was one peculiarity in the controversy. Mr.
Darwin wrote as a naturalist, and supported his hypothesis by an
appeal to the well-ascertained facts of a department of knowledge in
which he has probably an unequalled mastery, while most of the
criticism was directed against the hypothesis, and left the facts
untouched. Himself no controversialist, he continued unobtrusively
to apply himself to the work of observation and the accumulation of
further stores of knowledge, and allowed the din of controversy to
expend itself without contributing to it a single word.* His letters
- N.S., VOL. vil, Srpr., 1882.
* There is no trace in his writings of the storm to which his doctrine gave
rise, for he serenely went on with his self-appointed task, leaving the result to
be decided, not under the hasty impulses of the moment, but with the calmer
judgment of mature reflection.
18 THE NATURALIST.
at the time are said by Professor Asa Gray to testify that he viewed
the public discussion with a sense of amazed wonder at an unexpected
notoriety. Maintaining through it all the kindliness, unaffectedness,
and simple-heartedness which made him one of the most loveable of
men, it is said that whenever he came into correspondence or contact
with any opponent, he never failed to make a friend of him.
Looking at Charles Darwin simply as a man, how many times in
England, in Europe, in America, can you match him? Simple-
hearted as a child, singularly modest and unassuming, a man who
may be taken as a modei in his personal character; in his home
life, in his life as a citizen,—a man who has made the single-hearted
and clear-eyed pursuit of truth the one work of his life, and who has
shown a singularly pure and unbiassed and unpartisan devotion to
that truth. He did not seek to build up his own ideas or to glorify
himself, but he looked calmly and dispassionately at the subjects with
which he dealt, searching simply to find out the truth, and setting
down the results in direct and lucid terms. I wish that those who
claim to be holier than he, could really establish their right to stand
on a level with him in this marvellous characteristic of the earnest,
pure-minded seeker after truth. Hven they must admit it is well that
the change of lease in philosophical natural history which had to be
made in their generation should have been dominated—though it has
not been wholly controlled—by a spirit so truthful and single, and a
judgment so calm and well-balanced.
Let me give an illustration of the extent to which he carried this.
The “ Origin of Species,” his great epoch-making book, contains in
itself the hint—more than the hint, the clear statement—of every
single criticism that has ever been made on it. He overlooked, he
covered up, none of the difficulties that stood against his theory. He
put the weapons into the very hands of his enemies, and said, “ See,
here is this theory; such things make for it, such things make
against it. Destroy it if you can.” And this he said in no defiant
tone, but only as one who should say, ‘‘If this be not a part of the
eternal truth, it ought to be destroyed ; and, though my life-work be,
lost as the result, yet I will help you in its destruction.” How many
men advocating moral, religious, sociological, political theories of any
kind have ever been so utterly candid and fair as this? So much
simply to indicate the kind of man he was.
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, in February, 1809, and
when we look at his ancestry, and see the stock from which he
aad "
WILLIAMS: DARWIN AND DARWINISM. 19
descended, we are compelled to think of him as a conspicuous illus-
tration of one of the more important parts of his own theoretical and
scientific work. Both his father and his grandfather were noted men
of science; their fame, indeed, eclipsed by the greater brightness of
his, and yet men noteworthy enough to be reckoned as helping to
make up the scientific developement of the life of England. All
these—his grandfather, his father, and himself—were members one
after another of the Royal Society of England: perhaps the only
case in English history where men in the line of direct descent
have been held worthy of that honour. His mother was a descendant
of the family of the Wedgwood’s, so noted in connection with the
manufacture of pottery. Young Darwin received his preparatory
education at Shrewsbury School, under Dr. Butler, afterwards Bishop
of Lichfield. Thence he went to Edinburgh University, where he
studied two years; where, so far as memoranda can guide us, he
evinced a decided inclination for the study of Natural History,
directing his attention more particularly to marine zoology, and
where he read at least two papers on subjects connected with his
favourite study, before the Plinean Society, which just then came into
being. From Edinburgh he went to Christ College, Cambridge, where
he graduated at the age af twenty-two. So far young Darwin had
acquitted himself creditably, but with no special mark, at his various
seats of learning: but now, another and different sphere of education
presented itself, and Darwin embraced the offered opportunity.
In the autumn of 1831, a ship was starting on a voyage round
the world; and that voyage has been made famous, and will be
famous in all coming time, simply by the fact that the young man of
twenty-two volunteered to accompany the trip in the capacity of
naturalist. It was characteristic of the young man’s zeal for the
study of natural science that he served without salary, and paid a
portion of his own expenses, on condition that he should have the
right of making what use he pleased of the zoological, botanical, and
geological collections. Under these arrangements, then, at the age
of twenty-two, he sailed in the “ Beagle,” made a voyage round the
world, and was absent from England for five years. Was that a time
lost? It was a seed-time preliminary to a fruitful and precious
harvest. In the progress of this voyage he was much struck by
some peculiar relations that he discovered between the plant and
animal life of the Gallapagos Islands, and similar life on the continent
of South Ameriea; and then and there was planted the seed from
which has sprung the great and mighty development of his thought,
20 THE NATURALIST.
which has changed, and is still more to change, the life of the world.
After five years he returned, in 1836, nursing in his mind this
fruitful thought, which, as I have said, was to be the seed of all his
future life. He published several works as the result of the discov-
eries and observations made during this voyage. His “ Journal of
Researches into the Natural History and Geology” of the counties he
visited, has been pronounced “the most entertaining book of genuine
travels ever written,” and it at once carried the author’s name far
beyond the comparatively narrow limits of scientific fame ; but while
this and subsequent publications prepared scientific circles to expect
something good at his hands, there was no public trace yet, nor for
years, of that which was to create an impression at once so deep, so
wide, and so immediate.
In 1839 Mr. Darwin married his cousin, Miss Emma Wedgwood,
grand-daughter of Josiah Wedgwood; and in 1842 went to live at
Down, near Bromley, in Kent, where he resided throughout his
subsequent life. He has had a family of seven—five sons and two
daughters. Several of his sons have already acquired some dis-
tinction, having largely assisted him in the preparation of his works,
and in the investigations on which they are based. More than one
of them has made valuable contributions to science; and the eldest
son, George H. Darwin, is an examiner for the Mathematical Tripos
at Cambridge, and an occasional contributor to scientific and other
magazines.
Darwin’s life was remarkably uneventful so far as personal incidents
of any special interest to the genéral public are concerned; but it
may be said of him that in the recesses of his closet he was turning
the intellectual world upside down. ‘The dates of the production of
his numerous works are the principal milestones to mark the period
of his long and laborious career. The work he has accomplished
could have only been got through by a most methodical devotion and
the firmest determination of purpose. In a cursory and sketchy paper
like this there is no room—and indeed for the present audience there
is no need—to sketch even the outlines of that work on the direct lines-
of his theory, as contained in the series of volumes on “ The Origin of
Species,” ‘‘ Variations of Animals and Plants under Domestication,”
«The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals,” ‘‘ The Descent
of Man,” and “ Selection in Relation to Sex.” And still more space
would be required to specify the topics and their treatment, which fill
a subsidiary series of volumes, such as “ The Fertilization of Orchids
WittiamMs: DARWIN AND DARWINISM. 21
by Insects,” “The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants,’’
“The Effects of Cross and Self-Fertilization,’ “The Different
Forms of Flowers,” (viewed in reference to their relation to insects),
*“The Power of Movement in Plants,” and, lastly, “‘ The Formation
of Mould through the Action of Worms,” published only a few
months ago. In any adequate pourtrayal of Darwin’s scientific
productions all these should have particular mention, for they are
very characteristic of his genius and of his methods. Since all the
works I have mentioned have been brought out within twenty-five
years, it might seem that their author had given most of his time to
book-writing ; yet this would be wide of the mark. Darwin was
pre-eminently an investigator—hardly less so in the production of the
earlier than of the later works. But those of the second list are
models of acute and pains-taking investigation, inspired and fertilized
by ideas. The amount of prolonged observation, watchful care, and
tedious experiment they have demanded, is as wonderful as the skill
in devising simple but effective methods of research is admirable.
For the production of these results, one would say that genius and
industry must have been seconded by abundant leisure and robust
health. Fortunately Darwin could command his time; but from the
day on which he set sail for South America in the “ Beagle” to the
day ot his death he was a suffering invalid, being, as it were, under
chronic sea-sickness. We are told that the day in which he could
accomplish two hours of work was counted a good one; and there
Were very many in which nothing could be attempted.
Perhaps even more than method and concentration were required,
especially in the case of a man who had devoted his life to such
researches and studies as those on which Darwin’s reputation rests.
He could not have achieved the work with which his name is asso-
ciated had he gone into the usual round and whirl of “ society ” ;
this, so far as we can learn, he did not do. This does not imply that
he was unsocial—far from it: Carlyle describes him as “a charming
talker and companion ”—but only that he did not throw away his
time and energies upon companions or companionships of a trivial or
dissipating nature. A friend who knew him well, writes :—“ Darwin
has to a large extent eschewed general society, in which he had
learned that there was more of noise and pretence than of calm
wisdom and substance, and has almost wholly kept himself apart
from public appearance ; so much so, indeed, that you might search
the journals of the last thirty years without often finding his name in
22 Tat NATURALIST.
connection with the so-called great causes or “isms” of that long
stretch of time.” The same friend adds :—‘“ This recluseness, while
no doubt partly forced upon him by the exacting nature of the
investigations he has been constantly carrying on, has been also due
to some extent to a bodily infirmity under which he has laboured
during the greater part of his literary career.”
But, however Darwin may have been absorbed in his speculations,
he was not left in undisturbed quietude. It could not be. He had
to pay at least part of the price of greatness. If he would write and
publish books which stirred the mind and heart of men in all parts of
the world as with the sound of a trumpet, it was in the nature of
things, and inevitable, that at least an echo should come back upon
him. To say nothing of private praise from friends in all parts of
the world, and, not least, from the United States, in 1853 the Royal
Society awarded him their Royal medal, and in 1864 the Copley medal.
In 1859 the Geological Society awarded him the Wollaston medal,
while foreign Governments and societies have at various times
acknowledged his distinguished services in various departments of
scientific research and knowledge. In the November of 1877 the
University of Cambridge rather tardily conferred on him the
honorary degree of LL.D. At the dinner given at Cambridge the
same evening in honour of the event, Professor Huxley, who replied
for Darwin (now Dr. Darwin), referred, in pleasant badinage, to the
University as reserving its highest honour until all other distinctions
had been heaped upon Mr. Darwin, “that its own chaplet might
crown the whole, and not be covered up.” On the same occasion
Professor Huxley spoke of Darwin as the foremost amongst men of
science, with one exception, since the days of Aristotle. In the
course of the same year Darwin received what must have been to him
a more flattering compliment. On his sixty-ninth birthday he was
presented with an album—a magnificent folio—bound in velvet and
silver, containing the photographs of 154 men of science in Germany.
These included many of the best known and most highly honoured
names in Hurope. He also received on the same occasion, from
Holland, an album with the photographs of 217 distinguished pro-
fessors and men of science in that country. In returning thanks for
these unique marks of appreciation, Darwin wrote :—‘‘ I suppose
every worker at science occasionally feels depressed, and doubts
whether what he has published has been worth the labour which it
has cost him; but for the remaining years of my life, whenever I
want cheering, I will look at the portraits of my distinguished
WILLIAMS: DARWIN AND DARWINISM. 23
co-workers in the field of science, and remember their generous
sympathy.”
It was in 1844, I believe, that Darwin wrote out a little sketch,
which formed the foundation of “‘ The Origin of Species ”—not at all
for publication, but simply as a nucleus, or crystallizing centre around
which to group his observations, and to make the basis of his study.
It was not till 1859 that he published the great work on which his
fame will rest. And here is an illustration of that singular fairness
and earnest search for truth to which I have referred. He did not
leap into print with a guess; but, after he believed that he had found
the truth concerning the life of the world and of man, he studied and
thought and observed, and gathered new facts and new arguments for
long years, that he might be sure, as far as it is possible to attain
certainty, that he had attained the truth. As an illustration of this
same spirit, which is really the spirit of science, and which I believe
to be inherently and essentially religious, as all humble truth-seeking
of necessity must be—take the case of Newton. Newton conceived
his theory of gravitation, and for sixteen years studied and gathered
facts, arguments, and illustrations, before he ventured to give it to
the world. And Mr. Darwin would have waited and studied years
longer than he did, had it not been for the fact that Mr. Alfred
Russell Wallace (whose name will always stand as sharing the honour
with Darwin), while exploring the islands of the Malay Archipelago,
had come to the same conclusions and arrived independently at the
same theories with Darwin. Mr. Wallace embodied his theory in a
paper, which he forwarded for communication to the Linnean
Society. And here I may notice a beautiful episode of scientific
fairness. The nature of Mr. Wallace’s paper having been ascertained
by certain of the Fellows of the Society, who were. also friends of
Darwin, and who knew that for several years he had been elaborating
and working out in detail the same theory, they arranged that a
paper should be communicated by Darwin at the meeting of the
Linnean Society at which Mr. Wallace’s paper fell to be read, so that
in this way the question of priority as to the authorship of the theory
of “natural selection” might be left for future settlement. Mr.
Wallace was entirely satisfied, and has handsomely admitted that
Darwin had propounded the theory years before it had been suggested
to his attention.
Darwin then wrote out and gave to the world his “ Origin of
Species.” He had wrought more completely, much more grandly,
24. Tre NATURALIS*.
than he himself was aware. He found that his arguments and the
clearness of his presentation had been so remarkable, that the world,
in a brief space of time, considering the revolution involved, was
converted to his theory.
(To be continued. )
ON THE CLASSIFICTION OF BRITISH INSECTS.
By S. L. Mostey, HuppDERSFIELD.
(Concluded. )
The next family is the Perlide, or stone-flies. In this family the
fore and hind wings are of nearly equal length, and the abdomen has
two antenne-like projections at the end.
The third family is the Hphemeride, or may-flies, distinguished from
the last by the very short antennz, the small hind wings, and by the
long slender filaments at the extremity of the body, which are some-
times three in number.
The fourth family is the /zbellulide, or dragon-flies, well known to
every collector of insects.
The fifth family is the Hemerobude, or lace-winged flies, of which
-Chrysopa perla, a pale-green delicate insect with metallic eyes, found in
woods, is well known.
The family Sialide consists of a few species, and have aquatic larve.
The family Panorpide, or scorpion-flies, have black spots on their
wings, and the males are armed at the extremity of the body with
scorpion-like pincers.
The second sub-order of Neuroptera, or distinct order, whichever
you like to call it, is the Trichoptera, the well known caddis-worm
flies. They are very similar in their appearance and habits, and seem
all unitable under one general class.
Ord. 5, Lepipoptrra.—The Trichoptera seem to unite the
Neuroptera with the Lepidoptera, and the transmission is most
complete, if we begin the latter with Acentropus niveus, but this, as in
the case of the Coleoptera, would no doubt meet with little favour
from specialists, they are so accustomed to begin their cabinet with
Papilio Machaon, that I am afraid it would be difficult to persuade
them otherwise ; yet Maehaon can have no connection with any other
Mostry: On CLASSIFICATION oF BritisH INSECTS. 95
insect in any other order. It is the old Linnean idea of placing the
type at the head. To effect an alteration of this kind needs no
very great alteration in the arrangement of the various groups; the
groups themselves need only be differently placed in relation one to
the other, for some of them, like the Geometrina and Tortricina, are
very natural, while others, like the Noctwrni, are very unnatural, and
require re-arrangement. In a short paper like this, where I can
give only the merest outline of the system, it is impossible to go into
minute detail; but whether the arrangement of the Lepidoptera be
altered or not, the natural place of that order seems to be between the
Trichoptera and the Hymenoptera.
Ord. 6, HymMENoprerA.—The Hymenoptera are divided into two
sub-orders, the TEREBRANTIA and the AcuLEATA. The first family
of the Terebrantia is the Tenthredinide, or saw-flies, and their larvee
at once. suggest a very close relationship with the last order, the
Lepidoptera. This class of insects is too well known among
entomologists to need any description ; the gooseberry grub is a very
common example. |
The second family of Terebrantia is the Sircida, consisting of but
few species in Britain,- similar to that pige and attractive insect
Sirex gigas.
The third family is the Cups. or gall-flies, of which we have
many species in Britain, all of them small, and producing woody
excrescences upon the leaves, bark, or roots of plants.
The next family consists of but a few species, small insects, and
parasites upon cockroaches. They are remarkable for having a very
slender abdomen springing from the back. The januly is called
fwanude.
The family Ichneumonide is of large extent, though the insects
comprising it, are generally comparatively small. Their general form
is known to members of this Society either friendly or otherwise,
perhaps too often the latter.
The Chrysidide, or ruby-tailed flies, come nearest to the true bees
and wasps, in the nests of some of which they are parasitic. The
commonest species, Chrysis ignitis, may be found sunning itself upon
walls in very hot weather, or dug from the nests of the sand wasps.
The second sub-order, ACULEATA, comprises the Mossores, sand and
ground wasps, the ants, the true wasps, and the bees.
Ord. 7, Diptzra.—The representatives of the bees among the
Diptera will be found in the genus Boméylius, or humble-bee flies,
26 THe NATURALIST.
and these should succeed the last group of Hymenoptera, to which
these, as well as the Zubaniide, assimilate in the structure of the
mouth. Then follow the Aniscide, Syrphide, and other groups of
this distinct order.
In making this rapid sketch, of what I should propose as an
arrangement of insects, | have only been able to take the most
skipping glance at the various orders, and point out, where and how
one might be joined to another. I do it because I think there needs
to be some settled and accepted arrangement of the various orders of
British insects. The time is not far distant, I think, when entomology
shall be an accepted science, and shall form a part of, our national
education, and then, if not now, will be demanded a classification of
British insects. Typical collections are the things which will be found
most useful in instructing young people in the mysteries of the insect
world. And not only to them, but even to professed entomologists
such collections are always of great utility. These collections should
be formed in every public museum, in every scientific institution; and
in every school, fora knowledge of the insect world is of far greater
importance than much that is taught now under the name of
education.
Short Hotes and Queries.
LEPIDOPTERA IN IRELAND.—Having just returned from my usual
holiday in Ireland, which I always spend in entomology, I send a few
rough notes of my doings. I have to add the same sad tale as others.
My object in choosing the end of June and the beginning of July was to
take B. furfwrana and a beautiful variety of H. stagnalis, but when I
reached the hunting grounds they were all under water, and I only
succeeded in capturing very old specimens of the former, and none of the
hydrocampa. The only thing I worked at night was the flower of the
woodbine, which is generally very attractive ; but this year, with the
exception of a few of the commonest moths, yielded little beyond P. iota,
V-aureum, festuce, the latter terribly worn. C. lichenaria, which is
generally fairly plentiful, was entirely absent, as also Sesia bembeciformis.
I saw two types of D. Barrett, taken at Howth, but I was not successful
in my attempts there, as I came away, after a long day’s work, with little
or nothing. The strangest thing 1 saw was on July 3rd, about 11-30
a.m., A. cardamines, which seems to point toa second brood. Altogether
the season seems to me to be one of the worst for entomologists, and we
must only hope for ‘‘better luck next time.”—G. C. B. Mappen,
Armitage Bridge Vicarage, Huddersfield.
RAINFALL FOR JULY. 2,
Scoparia conspicualis aND Acronycta alnd at Epiincron Woop.—
This morning I received a few specimens of S. conspicualis from Mr. W.
Prest, who had taken them near York. I did not previously know the
species, but on opening the box, saw directly that it was perfectly
familiar to me ; and on looking over my store boxes I at once picked out
several good specimens, and some inferior ones. I took them certainly
two, probably three years ago, in Hdlington Wood, near Doncaster,
where I am pretty sure I have seen the species each season since, but
have always passed it over as a form of ambigualis I am also inclined
to think I saw it at Grassington on the Union’s excursion there, the last
Bank Holiday, but did not box a specimen. If any member brought
away from there any doubtful Scopaia, I should much like to see it.
On the 5th of the present month I found a larva of A. alni, on the upper -
side of an oak leaf in Edlington Wood. It has fed well, and is now
evidently full grown, and about ready for spinning up.—Gero. T.
Porritt, August 17th, 1882.
Appitions To West-Ripine Atcm.—As far as I know, the following
algzee which I have recently collected, are not recorded for the West-
Riding : Sirogoniwm sticticum, K. ; Cosmariwm Holmieri, Sundell, and
Stawrastrum meriani, Reinsch, from Shipley Glen ; Gdogoniwm conca-
tenatum, Hass., and Cosmarium leve, Rabenh. from near Bradford ;
Zonotrichia fluviatilis, Rabenh. from Malham ; and Calothrix Wrangelii,
Ag,, on rocks in the stream at Ingleton.—Wm. West, Bradford.
Erratum.—At page 16, for ‘‘ Ion’s Nab,” read ‘‘ Yon’s Nab.
Reontall for Gulv,
Height Toran Fan
of : Oo TO Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest of
above: 14)" Days saueneieeunene | © Kall: nearest
level, 1882, | 1881.
Jib | LO lie, os
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 3°00 | 29 | 21°36 |* 17:22 5 0°470
(J. W. Robson)
Hauirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 4°46 | 27 | 31°48 | 23°66 a: ack)
LeEps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 |3°040 | 25 | 16°635 |+12°991 138 0°340
HORSFORTH ... (James Fox)} 350 |4°640 | 28 | 20°400 ([£17°228 7 0°470
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...J 350 | 3°02 | 25 | 17°37 bDeali7 6 0°43
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 8538 | 4°44 | 30 | 25°23 | 19°30 2 0°64
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 3°49 | 23 | 18°53 | 14°31 6 0°50
GooLe ... (J. Harrigson)...| 25] 3°69 | 17, 14°57 9°83 22 0°70
HULL (Derringham) (Wm.| 10 | ate Spent ve) | aay aay al 27 0°35
Lawton) |
* This is the average to date for 16 years, 1866-81.
t+ Average of 28 years, 1853-62 and 1865-82.
t Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
** Have never had so many rainy days in one month before.—J. W.R
— Reports of Societies.
BarnsLeEY Naturatists’ Socrery.—At the meetings of August Ist, T.
Lister in the chair, and August 15th, Dr. W. J. Lancaster, the president,
in the chair, reports were made by the various sections. The monthly
excursions were productive of good results, which will appear in the next
quarter’s ‘‘ Transactions.” The quarterly Transactions to the close of
June 30th, were laid on the table to be presented to each member and
corresponding society. It is a painstaking report. The entomological
section reports an unsuccessful season on account of cold wet nights.
The only moths worth reporting are Cymatophora fluctuosa, June 6th, at
Lunn Wood ; Procris statices found for the first time in this locality in a
field adjoining New Park Spring, June 15th, by the secretary, W. E.
Brady ; Cymatophora fluctuosa again taken June 16th ; Asthena sylvata,
Melanippe hastata, Numeria pulveravia at New Park Spring ; Notodonta
dicteoides, Venusia cambricaria and two more C. fluctwosa at Wharn-
cliffe. The botanical section (T. Rose, secretary), gives a long list of
plants found, drawn up by Messrs. F. Batley and W. Hemingway, for
which space cannot be afforded in the Naturalist. The geological section
found in the beds of boulder clay of a dark tenacious character, re-exposed
in the cutting of the Barnsley Coal Railway, at the bridge carrying over
the Barnsley and Wakefield Road the following rocks :—Sandstones and
shales with scratches, coals, do.—ganister, -mountain limestone, silu-
rian grits, limestones with remains of encrinital stems, greenstone, green
slate several varieties, both much rounded and weathered, also Hematite
iron ore. Specimens of all the above are in the museum. A bed of
yellow clay has been observed at various points between Smithies and
Roystone ; the mass of granite at the latter place has been twice visited,
being discovered by Professor Green. The following fossils were brought
from the workings on the Hull and Barnsley Railway, near Brierley,
Sphenophyllum erosum, Annularia sphenophylloides, and Sphenopteris
crenata, an alinost perfect frond of Newropteris gigantea 17 inches long.
An erratic block was observed at Lunn Wood, about two feet cube, one
face glaciated, the material appeared to be ganister.—H. Wade, secretary.
The vertebrate section, drawn up by W. Robinson, presents an elaborate
report, some of the birds have already appeared in the Naturalist.
Cuckoos have been plentiful, sixteen were observed.
BrapDForD Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting June 27th.—Mr. Soppitt
(vice-president), in the chair.—Mr. B. Spencer read a paper on ‘* Plant
Lore,” and took for his starting point the following quotation from Dr.
Clark, ‘‘ The weeds of one country are the flowers of another.” He first
described what weeds are, and showed how under cultivation they can be
improved in many ways. As an instance of this he took the corn poppy,
which when cultivated becomes double. He described how plants will
deteriorate to their wild state if cultivation is not kept up. One of the
principal agents of the florist in cultivating plants is hybridizing, and
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 29
many of our most beautiful cultivated plants have been produced in this
way, including the roses and geraniums. He concluded by giving a long
list of our cultivated plants with the wild from which they are derived,
and the locality where the wild plant grows. Mr. Soppitt showed a
specimen of Botrychiwm lunaria from Shipley Glen. Rambles to Esholt
and Ilkley were decided to be added to the syllabus for the next session.
MeEeEtInG on July 11th.—Mr. Wm. West gave a lecture on ‘ Peat
mosses,” and fully explained their structure, uses, and distribution, as
well as the characters used in differentiating the species. A large number
of species and their varieties were shewn in illustration of the lecture,
together with a number of drawings showing their beautiful microscopical
structure. The genus Sphagnwm isa very characteristic one, the plants
are always found in watery places, and it is almost entirely to their remains
that we owe our peat formations. They are of great use also in the
cultivation of our orchids and the transportation of living plants during
long voyages. On our extensive moors they are of great use in preven- ~
ting both floods and droughts... Mr. Bennett exhibited Cakile maritima
and Hryngiwm maritimum from Skegness ; Mr. Soppitt showed Glaucium
luteum, Calamintha acinos and the Hollyhock fungus Puccinia malvina-
cearum from Arnside; Mr. Stirling showed a number of fresh-water
shells, among which were three species of Planorbis including P. corneus,
carinatus, and albus; Mr. Firth reported having heard the grasshopper
warbler, at Girlington ; Mr. Rogers showed a photo-micrograph of the
diatom Arachnoidiscus ornatus, magnified 400 diameters.
Meetine July 25th.—Mr. W. D. Roebuck, of Leeds, read a paper on
*‘ The Order Cheiroptera, or Bats.” He said that bats are the only mam-
mals that can really fly, as in the case of the flying squirrel, and others,
the supposed flight is merely aleap. He described how the developement
of all the organs of the bats is especially suited to their habits, and said
that the most striking proof that they were really quadrupeds was their
way of walking. which he described as shuffling along the ground with
their thumb and hind-feet, and in some species the tail is also used in
crawling on the ground or up the rough surfaces of trees. There are
fifteen British micro-cheiroptera and all are insect feeders. He described
the pecularities of all the British species, and showed specimens of the
following :—The lesser horse-shoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) from
EKvestone, near Ripon ; the noctule or great bat (Vesperugo noctula) from
Masham, the pipistrelle or common bat (V. pipistrellus) from Harrogate,
the long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) from Pateley Bridge, the whiskered _
bat (Vespertilio mystacinus) from various Yorkshire localities. Mr.
Bennet showed B. callune, &c,, from Thorne and Rombald Moor. Mr.
Terry exhibited C. imbutata, A. fumata, &c., from Witherslack. Mr.
Firth, the following insects, taken in this locality, P. comitata, M. galiata
and N. mundana. Mr. Carter shewed Crambus margaritellus, from Rom-
balds Moor, and H. nymphealis, P. stratiotalis, S. cembralis, and E. sam-
30 THe NATURALIST.
bucalis, from Frizinghall, all of which are new to the district record list.
Mr. Roebuck exhibited, on behalf of Mr. West, a number of shells inclu-
ding several rare species of Pupa and Vertigo.
Meetine August 8th.—Mr. Soppitt described the ramble of the York-
shire Naturalists’ Union to Grassington, which took place on Monday,
August 7th. He described it as being a most enjoyable and successful
ramble, and said that all sections were pleased with the number and
rarity of the specimens they took. In entomology the principal capture
was made by Mr. Butterfield who took a specimen of M. expolita this
being the only specimen known to have been taken in Yorkshire. A
great number of Hrebia Blandina were taken in Upper Grass Wood, which
is the only Yorkshire locality for this species. Mr. Soppitt found a
parasitic fungus (Xenodochus carbonarius) which was new to the district.
Mr. Carter described a ramble from Ilkley to Grassington, and reported
taking the following shells:—Helix rwpestris, H. hortensis, and H.
lapicida, and a number of beetles, including Cyctorus rostratus and
Carabus nemoralis. Mr. Bennett read a paper on “‘ Pneumatics,” dealing
principally with the air-pump. In illustration of the paper he showed a
number of interesting and instructive experiments.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENtToMoLoGIcAL Socrety.—Monthly
meeting July 3lst, Mr. Benjamin Cooke in the chair. Mr. J. R. L.
Dixon read a paper entitled ‘‘ A Comparison between the Mechanism of
Flight in Insects and Birds,” in which he detailed the results of the
interesting researches of Drs. Pettigrew and Marey on the subject of
flight, and explained by diagrams the mode of action of the wings in
insects and birds. During the conversazione a specimen of a hymenop-
terous insect (Rhyssa persuasoria ?) recently captured in the insect-room
of the Derby museum, was exhibited through the kindness of the curator,
Mr. T. J. Moore. Mr. B. Cooke exhibited a specimen of an ant (Myr-
mica levinodis) which combined male, female, and worker, and which had
been caught by Mr. Chappellin Dunoam Park.
YORKSHIRE Naturauists’ Union.—Grassineton, Auc. 7TH, 1882.—
The fourth meeting of the season was devoted to the investigation of
Upper Wharfedale, more especially that portion of it which lies immedi-
ately round Grassington, Grass Wood, with its rich and varied fauna and
flora, attracting the greater share of attention. The attendance was
large, there being about 80 or 90 persons present from all parts of York-
shire. The day was gloriously fine and sunny—true ‘‘ Y.N.U. weather.”
Most of the visitors approached Grassington. by way of Skipton, from
which they drove the ten miles, while others drove from Ilkley, Cracoe,
and other places ; and several members investigated the district for a day
or two previously. The district being one of which the fauna is as yet
most imperfectly known, the local secretaries had previously prepared (in
addition to the usual circular) a full sammary of what they actually knew
REporRTS OF SOCIETIES. 31
on the subject. This paper appeared in the Leeds Mercury supplement of
July 29th (it was afterwards reprinted in the Young Naturalist), and was
of considerable utility in eliciting additional information. After the day’s
investigations were concluded, the meetings were held in the Devonshire
Hall, at Grassington, the chair of the general meeting being occupied by
Mr. Wm. Cash, F.G.S., of Halifax. The societies represented were—
Bradford (2), Dewsbury, Halifax, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield (2),
Ilkley, Keighley, Leeds (3), Liversedge, Mirfield, Ovenden, Scarborough,
Wakefield, and York (St. Thomas’s). Thanks were voted to Messrs.
J. N. Dickinson of Leeds, C. H. L. Woodd, F.G.S., J.P., of Outershaw,
Ven. Archdeacon Boyd, M.A., of Arncliffe, and the Rev. W. A. Shuffrey
of Halton Gill, for becoming new subscribers. Thanks were then voted,
on the motion of Mr. J. Brodie, to the local secretaries, to the Duke of
Devonshire for permission to ramble over his estates, to the committee of
the Grassington Mechanics’ Institute for use of their hall, and to Mr.
W. J. Ray Eddy, F.G.8., the Duke’s agent, for his assistance and kindly
co-operation. The sectional reports were then taken. Mr. G. T. Porritt,
¥.L.S., of Huddersfield, president of the Entomological Section, spoke
on the lepidoptera to the following effect :—Twenty-four species of lepi-
doptera had been observed, including one quite new to the county ; this
was Miana expolita (captiuncula), taken by Mr. HE. P. P. Butterfield, of
- Wilsden, Bingley. The very local Erebia Blandina was flying in great
abundance on nearly all the grassy slopes in the High Grass Wood, and
although hundreds must have been secured during the day, as many more
might easily have been taken. Nearly all the specimens, too, were in
splendid condition. The coleoptera were reported on by Mr. E. B.
Wrigglesworth, of Wakefield, secretary of the section. For the Botanical
Section, in the absence of all its officers, Mr. John Jackson of Wetherby
reported that the following species had been noticed, amongst others :—
Thalictrum flexuosum, Trollins europzeus, Alsine verna, Sagina nodosa,
Geranium lucidum, G. sylvaticum, G. sanguineum, Rhamnus catharticus,
Vicia sylvatica, Prunus padus, Spireea filipendula, Rubus saxatilis, Hip-
puris vulgaris, Sedum telephium, Saxifraga hypnoides, S. tridactylites,
Parnassia palustris, Silaus pratensis, Pimpinella magna, Myrrhis odorata,
Galium boreale, Asperula odorata, Carduus heterophyllus, Serratula
tinctoria, Orepis paludosa, Gentiana campestris, Melampyrum sylvaticum,
Primula farinosa, Epipactis palustris, Asplenium viride, A. trichomanes,
Cystopteris fragilis. There were also several Charas, which were not
determined. A few fungi were observed by Mr. H. T. Soppitt, one of
them—Xenodochus carbonarius—being new to the West-Riding flora.
The other fungi were—Agaricus rimosus, A. semiglobatus, Boletus
flavus, B. subtomentosus, Stereum hirsutum, Phrymidium obtusum, P.
mucronatum, P. acuminatum, A‘cidium crassum, Ai. tussilaginis,
Puccinia violarum, P. umbelliferum, P. compositarum, Lecythea lini,
and L. saliceti. The Geological report was given by Mr. Thomas Tate,
F.G.8., of Leeds, president of the section. Mr. Tate’s reports were
32 Tue NATURALIST.
supplemented by Mr. Percy Lund, of Ilkley, who had spent the previous
two days at Cracoe and Thorpe Hall, where he had found upwards of 50
fossils, including Lithostrotion basaltiforme, Phillipsia seminifera, Pro-
ductus giganteus, P. semireticulatus, P. scabriculus, P. Youngianus, P.
margaritaceus, P. cora, Spirifer glaber, Streptorhynchus crenistria,
Terebratula sacculus, T. hastata, Pleurorhynchus abseformis, and Orthis
resupinata. In Vertebrate Zoology, Mr. Clarke, the secretary of thi
section, made the report. The list of birds included 32 resident species
and 18 summer visitants, the most interesting of which were the dipper,
grey wagtail, common sandpiper, and curlew. A collection of local birds
in the possession of Mr. F. Holmes, of Grassington, included the following
additional species :—Stonechat, fieldfare, snow bunting, barn owl, tawny
owl, snipe, dotterel, common tern, and teal. It also contained a specimen
of the bittern, shot near Grass Wood about 1876. Another bird of this
species was shot about the same time near Arncliffe. A pair of short-
eared owls, shot upon the neighbouring moors, was seen in another
house. In Mammalia, including information gleaned from the game-
keeper and others by Mr. Roebuck, there were about 16 species noted.
These included a bat, the mole, hedgehog, shrew, fox, otter, weasel,
stoat, squirrel, water vole, field vole, common rat, house mouse, hare and
rabbit. In addition to these, the red deer may be included in the fauna,
inasmuch as those in Buckden deer-park have existed there uninter-
ruptedly from the time at which the deer of Wharfedale were wailed in.
The reptiles noted were the common lizard, frog, and toad. It was stated
that there were no vipers in Grass Woods. For the Conchological
Section, its president (Mr. Cash) occupying the chair of the general
meeting, called upon Mr. W. Denison Roebuck to report, as follows :—
During the day 39 species and varieties of mollusca had been collected, 16
of which were additional to the previously recorded fauna of the district.
The best captures were the variety gibbosa of Ancylus fluviatilis, taken
by Mr. Roebuck in the Wharfe at Deepdale Bridge, 15 miles above
Grassington ; Zonites radiatulus and Clausilia laminata, found in Grass
High Wood ; the varieties tumidula of Clausilia rugosa, Nouletiana of
Cochlicopa tridens, and lubricoides of C. lubrica. The full list of shells
fs as follows, those marked * being new to the district list :—*Pisidinm
fontinale, *Planorbis spirorbis, *Limnezea peregra, *L. palustris, *L.
truncatula, *Ancylus fluviatilis, “ditto var. gibbosa, Arion hortensis,
Limax agrestis, *L. maximus (one), *Vitrina pellucida, Succinea putris,
Zonites cellarius, Z. alliarius, Z. nitidulus, *Z. radiatulus, *Z. crystallinus,
*Z. fulvus, Helix nemoralis, H. hortensis, H. arbustorum, H. rufescens,
H. concinna, H. hispida, H. fusca (one), H. ericetorum, H. rotundata, H.
rupestris, H. lapicida (Kettlewell), Bulimus obscurus, Pupa umbilicata,
Clausilia laminata (one), C. rugosa, ditto var. dubia, “ditto var. tumidula,
*Cochlicopa tridens, var. Nouletiana, C. lubrica, *ditto var. lubricoides,
*Carychium minimum. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a
very pleasant and successful gathering.—W. D. R.
Diary —Meetings of Societies
Saray Naturalists Sosicty— Vertebrate Séction.
Do. do. Geological Section.
: Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
. Bishop: Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society—Botanical ee
. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
. Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.—Excursion to Wakefield for Haw
eae Local Sec. Mr. C. W. Richardson, Westgate, Wake-
; 2 e se Z
5, 12. Barnsley Welacdnts Boricty. ;
» 18. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
~,,. 18. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.”
_ 5, 19. Barnsléy Naturalists’ Society —Geological Section,
,. 28. North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club. —Excursion to Lilles-
Se eee ‘hall. Leader, Mr. Kirkby.
Sea De. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. .
ad eee
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37 ‘MIDLAND ROAD, GLOUCESTER. _ i
Original Articles.
CONTRIBUTION TO A LIST OF THE HEMIPTERA OF
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE
(THE NORTH OF LANCASTER EXCEPTED).
(Continaed. ) 3
By BengAMIN COOKE.
BRYOCORIDZ.
Bryocoris pteridis, Fall. Hazelgrove; Pettypool, Cheshire.
Monalocoris filicis, L. Bowdon; Pettypool.
PITHANIDZ.
Pithanus Markeli, H. Schf. Manchester; Hazelgrove.
MIRIDZA.
Miris holsatus, Fab. Rivington; Hazelgrove ; Marple.
M. levigatus, L. Manchester.
M. calcaratus, Fall. Southport; Bowdon.
M. erraticus, L. Manchester.
M. ruficornis, Fall. Southport; Cheshire coast.
Lopomorphus ferrugatus, Fall. Hazelgrove.
L. dolobratus, L. Manchester.
HARPOCERID 2.
Harpocera thoracica, Fall. Bollin Valley, near Bowdon.
LYGIDZ.
Lygus rugicollis, Fall. Crosby by F. Archer. Rare.
L. pabulinus, L. Bowdon; Hazelgrove.
_ L. contaminatus, Fall. Common.
L. campestris, L. Common. |
Liocoris tripustulatus, Fab. Aughton, near Ormskirk; Bowdon.
Orthops pastinacee, fall. Manchester.
PSALLIDA.
Plagiognathus viridulus, Fall. Bowdon; Hazelgrove.
P. arbustorum, Fab. Manchester; Bowdon; Hazelgrove.
Apocremnus ambiguus, Fall. Hazelgrove.
A. obseurus, Kirschb. Hazelgrove.
A. variabilis, Fall. Marple.
N-S., VOU, Viil., Oct., 1882.
34 Tae NATURALIST.
Psallus querceti, Fall. Southport.
P. galicis, Kerschb. Greenfield.
P. varians, H. Schf. Manchester; Marple.
ONCOTYLID Z.
Macrocoleus Paykulli, Fall. Cheshire coast.
CAPSIDZ.
Rhopalotomus ater, L. Hazelgrove.
Heterotoma merioptera, Scop. Bowdon.
Agalliastes pulicarius, Fall. Southport.
Orthocephalus saltator, Hahn. Cheshire coast.
CAMORANOTID &.
Camaronotus clavatus, L. Southport.
GLOBICEPID &.
Globiceps selectus, Fieb. Southport.
DERAOCORID &.
Dereocoris infusus, H. Schft, Bowdon; Pettypoot.
D. bipunctatus, Fab. Common.
D. sexguttatus, Fab. Manchester; Hazelgrove.
D. fulvomaculatus, De G. Bollin Valley.
PHYTOCORIDA.
Phytocoris tiliz, Fab. Manchester; Bowdon.
P. dubius, Doug. Manchester, Pettypool.
P. dimidiatus, Kirschb. Bowdon.
P. divergens, Meyer. Hazelgrove.
LITOSOMID.
Litosoma diaphanus, Kirschb. Bowdon.
L. nassatus, Fab. Bowdon ; Hazelgrove.
IDOLOCORID &. —
Cyllocoris histrionicus, L. Rivington.
Tdolocoris pailicornis, Fieb. Bowdon; Hazelgrove ; Marple.
I. pallidus, Fall. Hazelgrove.
PHYLIDA.
Aetorhinus angulatus, Fall. Manchester; Hazelgrove.
Sphyracephalus ambulans, Fall. Bowdon; Hyde; Hazelgrove.
Phylus melanocephalus, L. Marple.
P. palliceps, Fieb. Hazelgrove; Marple.
103, Windsor-road,
Southport.
aE 7hTP OW THE’ SEASON: OR THE PHANTOM
CICADA.
ees
By A. H. Swinton.
It is the 18th July, 1882, and I am sitting in a railway carriage
listening to the reverberation of the steam-puffs adown the vacant
vistas of a right royal deer park. Suddenly the sepulchral voices of
two old cronies arise in the next compartment, where I had not
hitherto perceived that any one was sitting. “Is this Lyndhurst
Road, mum?” “Tt is, mum.” “ Looks fearful stormy, mum?’ “ It
looks awful, mum.” ‘Terrible for the schools out here, mum?”
‘¢Tt’s fearful, mum.”
Things at the worst are sure to mend, thought I. And here I am
once again stretched on the green-sward beneath my magnificent old
Hampshire oaks, eating my sandwich in the sweet country air, and
reclining for a moment to watch the low scud drive along beneath a
high-stretched curtain of thunder-cloud and blue. But hush! what
ean that be just now stirring over-head? Hark! hark! Tree!
tree! And now again the sound comes, tree! Bless me, can that
be the voice of Cicada anglica, alias Melampsalta cicadetia; said on
German authority to be not unlike the sound of the jew’s harp, or the
two full H’s of the new harpsichord. Am I awake or asleep? Tree!
tree! most classical music, tree! tree! I will think no more
about it; these harsh jay-like notes may have been the dying
minstrelsy of the last of the Cicada, or the tender modulations of a
bird voice inspired by so beautiful a sojourn. Where is the genius to
bring a distracted entomologist the mirror and ring of Canace, so that
he may learn what secrets yet lie hid high up among the thick leaves
of the greenwood ? Where are the imprecations to hurl at the head of
that man of the future, that shall bring here his bricks and mortar to
desecrate the home of the Cicada ?
Lest I should go crazy, and rage like another Orestes, I prudently
dismiss the Cicada from present thoughts, and join myself to a young
gentleman who is evidently on the track ofgame. Hallo, Palamides!
The bramble flowers are now swept for Fritillaries, and the grassy
spots beat about for marbled whites. We cannot find a black Paphia,
that forest gipsy. And the ground, too, proves decidedly damp. I
am now fairly over my boots, and the children of the morass are
holding carnival around.
Now two stately dragon-flies (Cordulegaster annulatus) rush rustling
past me, and the diamond-headed green water-snake (Tropidonotus
natrix) glides between my legs, and threatens to ascend my trousers.
56 Tue NaTuRAtist.
Now a thrill of pleasure, the large footman moth (nistris quadra) is
clinging on within my net, and now the forest flies or clegs (Hematopa
pluvialis) are ali at me, driving me to desperation. My new acquain-
tance is telling me, I believe, that the best way to get to Rufus’ Stone
is to take the ’bus to Lyndhurst; and now an old tar, with both legs
shot away, is beginning to narrate the bombardment of Alexandria,
Bombardment of Alexandria, by Jove! It is positively four o’clock,
and I must make a hasty retreat for the station.
What! exclaims my reader, and without even catching a glimpse
of the Cicada? Nay, but then I saw it mentally. Can-I not recall
the second of June, 1871, and the happy moment when I watched the
late Mr. Alfred Owen, seated at a deal table, in the little inn at
Brockenhurst, engaged in setting a real Cicada anglica, with its drums
a-sling, only just the day before beaten from the forest white-thorn.
And then, besides, | knew something of its family history.
According to Dr. Hagen (Stet. Zeit. 1855 s. 66-91), the little
English Cicada, now but rarely taken in the southern counties, extends
throughout all Europe, and it is found as far north as the sixtieth
degree of latitude, being captured in the neighbourhood of St. Peters-
burg, and oceasionally at Kinekulle, in the south of Sweden; it has
iikewise been observed in Siberia, in company with what has been
taken to be a dark variety (adusta), and a nearly allied species (C.
prasina.) Dr. Hagan ealls it the Cicada montana, of Scopoli, but it
has been blessed with many appellatives. In the New Forest it is
thought to. breed among the fern clumps, where the pupa case has been
noticed, and newly emerged specimens have been captured. In its
time of appearance, general biology, and characters of colonization, it
reminds the field naturalist strongly of the Cicada hamatodes of
southern Europe, from which species it has been nevertheless widely
separated by descriptive writers. It is emphatically a bloody Cicada.
T hope to listen for the sound of its jew’s harp another year. Vaile /
Guildford, July 29th, 1882.
DARWIN AND DARWINISM.
By THE Rev. S. FLercHer WILLIAMS,
(Cancluded. ).
IT wisH now to pass to the review of just what it was that Mr. Darwin
did. What was the contribution that he gave to the scientific thought
of the world? We talk about ‘ Darwinism” and “ Evolution,” but
{ am not far wrong in assuming that, outside of the students of it, few
Wittiams ; Darwin AND DaRWINISM. 37
persons have looked into it sufficiently to comprehend just what it
means, and how much it implies. I propese, therefore, to state, as
plainly as T can, just the particular thing which Mr. Darwin did, just
what he contributed to the world.
The question that Darwin tried to answer is the same question that
has always presented itself to the curiosity of man. For we must
suppose that, however far back the period may have been when man
first stood up conscious of himself as a personality—conscious of the
fact that there was a wondrous world around him of which he was an
inhabitant,—one of the first questions that would present itself to him
must have been, Where did I come from? Who made these lights in
this sky above me? By what process has the werld come to be what
itis? Itis the same question exactly that every child, treading in the
steps ef a countless line of ancestors, is ready to ask ef father and
mother: Who made the tree, the dog, the cat? Who made the sun
and moon in the heavens? Who made me? It is the eldest question
of the world; and, until Darwin’s time, nothing approaching a clear
and rational and authoritative answer had been given.
We look on the face of the world, and we know that very marked
changes have been going on. We have records of the past by which
we know that now there are mountain chains where once they did
not exist. We know that what are now islands—our own England,
for instance—were once connected with the mainland; that the shape
of continents has changed ; that rivers have shifted their beds. We
know that once, ages ago, other kinds of flowers, other kinds of trees
and plants, grew where now present species and families and orders
are holding their places. We know that, if we go far enough back,
there was a time when man was not here—when the highest kind of
life that was lived belonged to a lower order or type. Ié is inevitable,
then, that until it can be answered, the one great question that men shall
ask will be—Where did I come from? How did I come? By what
power, and threugh what process, has this wonderful world been made
as it is to-day ? :
I said that, before Darwin’s, no adequate answer had been given.
Consider for a moment what I mean. The only theory that had —
ever been heard by the questioning heart of man was that which is
termed the ‘“ special creation theory.” But, in the true significance of
words, that is no theory at all. For what do we mean by a theory?
A theory is a scheme of thought that attempts to account for certain
facts. A theory must be built on facts. When we speak of creation,
where are the facts? Did any human being, from the beginning of
38. Tar NATURALIST.
human life, ever see anything created? Did any human being ever
know of anything being created? Can any human being even imagine
the process of creation? Can any human being even take the slightest
step towards explanation of what creation means 2 Creation, then, ig
no theory ; it is nothing more nor less than a confession of ignorance.
When a little boy asks me who made the tree, and I say God made
it ; how did he make it? and I say, by his wonderful power he made
it grow,—do I answer the child? Do I explain anything? It is
another way (a specious, if a pious way) of letting the child see-that I
do not know anything about it. For the very question that is up for
discussion is—How? By what process? Show me some force at work
that is adequate to produce these results. That is the question con-
cerning the world.
What does Darwin answer! Here it is only fair that I should say
that Darwin is not the first man who has guessed in this direction. To
find the first hints of a theory like this, we must consult Lucretius,
Democritus, and one and another of the Athenian philosophers ; but
the wisest of them were only guessing. They showed no force, no
law, that was capable of explaining the results. If we come down to
modern times, we must give to such men as Goethe, Lamarck, and
Saint Hilaire the honour of having been the morning stars of this sun-
rise represented by Darwin ; for they also found some indications that
looked in this direction. But the time was not yet ripe for them to
put their fingers to the fruit. They did not find the true cause, the
real force that could bring about the result.
We are now ready to understand just what Darwin did. He starts
with the well-known fact that.in every department of life there are
hundreds and thousands, yea millions, of seeds and of young that
never grow to maturity. Step into a field, and, if you know what is
going on there, you will find thousands of little grass-blades starting
that do not find room to grow, and are crowded out and perish. It is
said that every cod-tish in the ocean lays so many eggs every year,
that if they were all hatched, and the young should live to grow up, it
would take only two or three years for the ocean to become solid full.
How many apple blossoms are seen to fall and come to nothing? So,
in every direction, Darwin recognised that which has come to be called
the “struggle for life”—everywhere on the part of these individuals
an attempt to grow. But only those comparatively few do grow which
are adapted to their conditions, which are capable of finding room, air,
food, light, dew, and rain. Those best: fitted to live survive, and they
are the ones that propagate offspring, and become the progenitors of
those that follow. .
WILLIAMS: DARWIN AND DARWINISM. 39
vu
The laws of heredity must be taken into account, and the laws of
variation, which tend not only to reproduce the life of the parents, but
along with this, a tendency to vary and be unlike the parent type.
Now and then, some rare faculty, some new power, or sense, or organ,
is developed or enlarged this way or that, which proves of advantage
in the world-wide struggle for life. Do you not see, then, how
naturally this type of life gains predominance? It is that which
survives, and which in its turn produces offspring, and controls the
future.
Darwin discovered and verified this law of natural selection, or what
Herbert Spencer has called “ the survival of the fittest’; showing that
here was a power capable (only give it time enough) of producing the
wonderful results that we see in the various forms of vegetable, animal,
and human life around us.
Only give it time enough, I say. Here was the difficulty. This was
the very thing that so long steed in the way of the world’s progress in
this direction. ‘The world had been shut up in the narrow confines of
six thousand years, and there was no room for any such process as
this. So long as it was a part not only of man’s religion, but of
science, to believe the world had existed but six thousand years, any
such theory was simply nonsense, because the causes which he demon-
strated to be at work were utterly inadequate to produce such immense
results in so brief a period of time.
But the study of the modern world was preparing the way for
Darwin. He came in the very fulness of time, when the world was
ripe for his thought. Geology had been at work, digging away at the
crust of the earth, and asking the old questions ; and just as by cutting
through a tree trunk and counting the circles you can tell its years, so
it was discovered that by digging away at the crust of the earth we
could read the records of the world, whose age was written by the
centuries themselves as they passed over it and left behind their foot-
marks. |
Prof. John Fiske, in a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly, has
proved almost beyond question that man was living in Europe at least
two hundred and fifty thousand years ago; and man is simply a
blossom on the summit of the trunk of the century plant. Man is a
parvenu of yesterday. Time, even so far as this world is concerned,
reaches back millions and millions of years. And life has been on
this old planet cycles and cycles of ages, creeping from the lowest
forms with feeble foot, until at last its crown and culmination—man—
has appeared. The thing, then, that Darwin did was to discover and
4G Tos NATURALIST.
verify the existence of this force of natural selection, by which the
process could be rationally explained.
We may conceive of life under the image of a great tree: from man
clear down to the little globule of protoplasm, one common life, repre-
sented and summed up in root and trunk. Toward the bottom runs
off a great trunk of the tree, and this represents the kingdom of fishes;
limbs, branches, twigs, leaves, representing genera, species, individuals.
A little way above this, another limb branches out, and here is the |
reptilian life. A little above this is the bird-life of the world ; and
above this again, the mammal life, of which the highest is the anthro-
poid, or manlike ape. Above this, the highest branch or outflowering
of it all, is man, having, as nearest of kin, the anthropoid ape, but not
his direct descendant in the sense that a child is produced from his
father. |
This, in a word, is Darwinism. I do not intend to discuss it. I
have argued it at length in a paper which I had the honour and the
pleasure of reading before the Literary and Philosophical Society in
January last, and which has subsequently been published by the
Council of the Society ; and I do not wish to re-traverse the ground.
I confine myself on this occasion to narrative and exposition.
The scientific world was profoundly impressed both by Darwin’s
doctrine, and his method of supporting it. The theory was trenchantly
criticised by many naturalists, who, astounded by its boldness or
novelty, were not prepared ex animo, or without further consideration,
to accept it; and for this they are entitled rather to commendation
than blame. The most notable of the scientific assailants was Agassiz,
who made much of the candid admission of difficulties by Darwin
himself, and who attacked the theory as resting on unwarrantable
assumptions. But incredulity was soon followed by hesitation, and,
in no very long time, by endorsement and acceptance by many eminent
proselytes. A good many years have now elapsed since nearly every-
body having any sort of claim to speak in the name of science, went
over to ‘‘ Darwinism,” with or without reservations ; and, in the field
of science, the victory of “natural selection” and “ evolution” may
be regarded as complete. Mr. Darwin himself might with propriety
be described as to the last a Darwinian under reserve, for his mind
was singularly open; and, strange as it may seem, after all the noise
to which his published writings have given rise, no man (as I have
said) was ever less of a dogmatist or a bigot. He was pre-eminently
an enquirer. Asa tireless interrogator of nature by observation and
inductive reasoning, he may be said to have fulfilled to its utmost
I
bo
WituiAmMs: Darwin AND DARWINISM.
extent the ideal set up by Bacon. In process of time it came to be
admitted, either tacitly or in express terms, that his hypothesis, after
all, did not necessarily carry with it all the consequences it was at first
supposed to involve ; and a common attitude towards it among those
who were long its active opponents may be described as that of
tolerant recognition or watchful neutrality. It is an established fact
that, during the two-and-twenty years it has been before the world,
the doctrine of the origin of species by means of natural selection has
made a progress which, considering its novelty and its startling
implication, is absolutely without a parallel. For it need hardly be
said that the origin of species in this way raises a presumption in
favour of the more comprehensive doctrine of evolution, with which
also the name of Darwin, is inseparably bound up. Thus, while for
fame and distinction he cared literally nothing; while the one object
he sought throughout life to attain was the truth; while for this he
laboured with a single-mindedness, a freedom from the bondage of pet
theories and preconceived ideas, that are almost unexampled—he had,
during his lifetime, what to him was undoubtedly the highest reward
that could be bestowed upon him, in the ever-increasing acceptance of
the theory he was the first to formulate by those best competent to
form ajudgment. Thatit is a final or complete revelation, he himself
would have been the last to assert; but he lived to see it accepted as
an immense step in advance on a path in which for many centuries no
progress had been achieved.
Antagonism to it came from another quarter; and here also judy-
ment has to be tempered with respect for the best or deepest opinions
or convictions of the human heart. ‘This class of critics, without
pretending to much scientific knowledge, considered the Darwinian
theory to be in direct opposition to the teaching of the Bible; so it
was fiercely assailed by the clergy of all churches, and for a long time
Darwinism was regarded as synonymous with infidelity. - The idea
that vegetable, animal, and human life had been evolved from a few
primordial forms, or perhaps from one, by a process of law, instead of
each having been called into being by separate and successive acts of
creation, was regarded as antagonistic to the principles of revealed
_ religion, and the religious commotion was as loud and angry as was
the scientific wrangle, and continued much longer. But, now, the
theologians have practically come round to admitting that Darwinism
is a tenable theory—a theory quite consistent with the divine origin
and government of the world. So complete is the change which has
taken place in the attitude of the Church towards it, that a religious
49 ’ Tor NatTuRALIs?.
paper can now say, “ The attitude of the great mass of religious
dogmatism to this new philosophy was no less than scandalous.” And
yet there never has been a scientific man whose character and temper
and manner were so little calculated to exasperate opponents, or create
doubts about his single-mindedness, as Darwin’s. Unfortunately he
was not the first investigator whose conclusions are now universally
accepted, who at the outset incurred the angry and vehement oppo-
sition of religious people, but surely he ought to be the last. Is it too
much to hope that he will be the last? It seems barely possible that
so striking an example of the tremendous mistakes into which pious
men may fall regarding dangers to their faith, can fail to impress them
with the necessity of greater caution and courage in their attitude
towards the explorations of the physical universe which are now going
on in every direction.
It ought also to put an end to the curious attempts of which we,
every now and then, hear from religious bodies to make some kind of
treaty between religion and science, in which each shall lay down
certain limits beyond which it will agree not to go. All such schemes
are based on the assumption which was applied to Darwinism—that
there is some authority competent to answer for science, and decree
where it shall stop and what it shall examine. There is no such
authority ; there never was, and never can be. Religious men can
draw up creeds and confessions of faith on which they can agree to
stand, and can trace the boundaries of their own beliefs, but a scientific
man can do nothing of the kind. Im fact, he is bound not to do it.
Continued inquiry is to him a condition of progress. It is his duty to
treat nothing in the physical. field as beyond question. Science, too,
does not mean what he believes, but what is,—and therefore he can
never tell to-day what he may be compelled by new facts to believe
to-morrow.
Another lesson which I trust theologians have learned from Darwin’s
career is, the folly and injustice of holding scientific discoverers
responsible for what seem the probable moral or social consequences of
their discoveries. Half the odium heaped upon Darwin was due to
this. It was thought apparently by many alarmed souls that he ought
to have kept the result of his enquiries to himself, lest it should
unsettle some people’s religious faith, or loosen in others the bonds of
social obligation. It now appears by the confession of his revilers
that, had he done so, he would have committed a great mistake, even
from their point of view. They now acknowledge that what they
thought were necessary or very probable consequences of his revela-
RAINFALL FoR AvcuUsT. 43
tions were not necessary or probable consequences at all; but, on the
contrary, these revelations were a flood of light on “ the world’s great
altar stairs” ; that nobler theistic conceptions are furnished by the
doctrine of creation by evolution than by the doctrine of creation by
special fats. Thus, whatever judgment posterity may pronounce upon
his genius and his work, it is already incontestable that in the field of
seience few, if any, men of our time have done so much to extend the
bounds of actual knowledge; while in the fields alike of science and
theology, no man has ever exercised so great an influence over contem-
porary thought, as Charles Darwin.
Aaintall for August.
Height Toran Faun
Y 2 | Nos TO Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest ot
above | fall. IDavg Fall, | neaviest
sea Fall.
level. 1882. 1881.
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 1°68 | 20 | 23:04 |* 20:19 18 0:20
. _ (J. W. Robson)
HAuiFAx...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 2°60 | 16 | 34:80 | 29°66 ifs hus
Lexps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 |1°630 | 21 | 18-305 [415-468 | 18 | 0-360
HorsrortH ... (James Fox)| 350 |2°150 | 19 29°550 |+20°366 | 26 | 0°320
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...) 350 | 1°93 | 16 | 19°30 | 15-81 30 0-28
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 2°56 | 17 | 27:79 | 24:23 2, 0°43
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...;) 520 | 1°97 | 17 | 20°50 | 18°36 30 0°29
Gooue ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 2°54 118, 21°02 | 16°50 22 0:43
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| 10 | 3°18 | 18 | 18°29 ies 25 0°73
Lawton)
* This is the average to date for 16 years, 1866-81.
+ Average of 28 years, 1853-62 and 1865-82.
{ Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
Meports of Sacieties.
Barnstey Narurauists’ Socimty.—Meeting Sept. 12th, Mr. T. Lister
in the chair.—The botanical section reported that all the flowering plants
known in the district, except about 25, had been observed and dated.
Amongst these were (Aug. 10th), Gentiana Amarella, Inula dysenterica,
Impatiens noli-me-tangere, Melilotus album, Sedum telephium ; 22nd, Dro-
sera rotundifolia, Hydrocotile vulgare. The vertebrate section reported
many birds, amongst which were—Aug. 7, spotted flycatcher, coot, moor-
hen, magpie; 20th, wheatear, whitethroat, redstart, swift ; Sept. 5, wild
ducks, geese, three terns, snipe, green woodpecker, many sparrow-hawks,
kestrels, magpie, ring ouzels—all by Mr. R. Creighton, of Hemsworth,
44 Tor NaturRa.ist.
A letter from him on Sept. 11th records five herons, some of them young.
He thinks they have bred in the woods by Hemsworth dam ; if so, we
may have another heronry. No doubt it will be protected by W. H.
Leatham, Esq., M.P., as that at Walton was by Mr. Waterton. Sept. 8,
sparrow-hawk and six terns; 10th, gold-crested wren, great, biue, and
marsh tits, five herons, coots, moorhens, lapwings, three of swallow tribe.
Last sand-martin noted on 11th, and two ring ouzels shot at Penistone.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EnromoLocicaL Socrery.—Monthly
meeting, Aug. 28th, the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper) in the chair.—Mr.
T. von Sebbe read a paper entitled ‘‘ Our Holidays at Tunbridge Wells,”
in which he detailed (and exhibited) the entomological captures made by
himself and son in that neighbourhood during the early summer, con-
cluding with some remarks on the general scarcity of insects during the
whole of the present season. Mr. CO. J. S. Makin read a paper on “ Silk
and Silkworms,” in which, after briefly sketching the history of sericulture
from its origin in China to its introduction into England in 1685, he gave
a detailed account of the life-history of several of the silk-moths which
have, within the last few years, attracted the attention of silkworm
breeders, such as Bombyx Yama-mm, B. cynthia, B. pernyi, B. cecropia
(the silk-moth of the United States), A. atlas, &c. He illustrated his
paper by specimens of each species, and by living larvee (worms) of
B. mort, B. cecropia, and B. Royle.
MANCHESTER CRYPTOGAMIC SocieTy.—Monthly meeting, August, Dr.
B. Carrington, F.R.S.E., in the chair.—Captain Cunliffe exhibited a
beautiful series of mosses, mounted for microscopical examination. Some
of the sections of the stems and leaves of Sphagna were excellent as
scientific objects, and admirable as specimens of manipulative skill. Mr.
William Jones, of Llandudno, sent a few freshly gathered mosses, from
the Orme’s Head, for distribution amongst the members. Mr. C. P.
Hobkirk, F.L.S., editor of the Naturalist, sent copies of his paper on the
development of Osmunda regalis. Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited speci-
mens of Lejeunia calyptrifolia, collected by Mr. C. Wild at Tyn-y-Groes ;
he also exhibited specimens of a sphagnum new to Europe, Sphagnum
sedoides, Bridel, which had been found at Finisterre. A collection of
lichens, which had been collected by W. H. Scholes in South America,
and specimens of the male plant of Radula germana (Jack), collected by
F. Rogers on Ben Cruachan, July, 1881, and Radula commutata
(Gottsche), from the herbarium of Dr. Carrington, collected in the New
Forest by C. Lyell, 1818, were exhibited by Mr. Pearson. Mr. Cunliffe
exhibited a quantity of starch which he had obtained from the rhizome of
Pieris aqwilina, and stated that the starch grains of this fern differed con-
siderably from the starch grains of L. filix-mas; the hon. secretary, a
number of mosses recently collected in New Zealand. Dr. Carrington
then read a short paper on the Manchester water supply at Eccles, where —
it had been the subject of some complaint in reference to its drinkable
qualities. —T. Rogers, Hon. Sec.
Reports oF SociEri£s. 45
OVENDEN Naturatists’ Soctery.—Mr. J. Spencer gave a brief descrip-
tion of some new discoveries which he had lately made in fossil botany.
These included a new species of fossil aquatic plant, which differed from
Astromyelon Williamsoni in the radiating plates of the bark being com-
posed of three rows of cells, whereas those of the latter plant are only
composed of one row of cells. He had also found another of these water-
plants which differed from the others in having a vascular axis, whereas
the other species have cellular axes. He had also made some more
important discoveries in fossil fungi, forming interesting additions to our
knowledge of these fossil parasites. But perhaps the most interesting
addition to our knowledge of these coal-plants has been his discovery of
a new species of fossil plant, forming a ‘“‘ link” between two well-known
species. No two species of plants can be more distinct in their internal
organization than the fossils known under the names of Sigillaria vascu-
lave and Lepidodendron Harcourtii. The newly-discovered plant occupies
an intermediate position between them. S. vasculare has a woody cylinder
surrounding a vascular axis or pith, while LZ. Harcowrtia has no woody
cylinder, but it possesses certain peculiar vascular bundles, which
proceeded from the pith to the leaves, which were small and numerous.
The new plant combines within itself both these characteristic features of
those well-known plants. This is one of those innumerable facts which
support the great doctrine of ‘‘ evolution,” and which are continually
forcing themselves upon the attention of scientific observers.
WAKEFIELD NATURALISTS AND PHILOSOPHICAL Sociery.—Annual
meeting, Sept. 6th, Mr. J. Wainwright, F.L.8., president, in the chair.
Mr. HE. B. Wrigglesworth, secretary, read the twelfth annual report,
which stated that there had been no increase in the number of members,
though the society had made steady progress during the past session.
There had been twelve meetings. The lecture programme had been very
successful, and the council thanked those who had taken part. The society
had had three rambles during the year, which were well attended. They
had kept in view the collection of information on the flora and fauna of the
district, with the object of its ultimate publication ; and a great amount
of original matter was in the possession of the various sections, ready for
the press. During the year the society had to deplore the loss of two
of its oldest members—Mr. William Talbot and Mr. John Wilson. The
Scientific and Fine Art Exhibition was opened Nov. 10th, 1881. Mr.
J. Wainwright was re-elected president, and Mr. E. B. Wrigglesworth
hon. secretary. A sub-committee was appointed to consider the question
of procuring the old Town Hall for the purposes of the society.
YorRKsHIRE Naturauists’ Unton.—Wakefield, Sept. 9th.—The fifth
meeting of the year was planned for the investigation of Haw Park and
surrounding district, with Wakefield as the final rendezvous, but as on
account of the game preserves the local secretaries were not able to
obtain permission to work Haw Park Woods themselves, the area of
46 THE NATURALIST.
investigation was made to include a rather wider extent of ground, ali,
however, lying between Wakefield and Barnsley. Five routes were
arranged, and for the most part carried out according to programme,
although the attendance was not at all what it ought to have been in a
rich district so convenient of access for the masses of the members of the
West Riding societies. Mr. C. W. Richardson, one of the local secre-
taries, conducted a party which left Haigh station for Woolley Edge,
Seccar Lane, and Woolley Hall, park, and gardens, returning from
Crigglestone station. The other local secretary, Mr. HE. B. Wriggles-
worth, led a party which, starting from Darton station, visited Pye,
Husband, Wind Hill, Cow-car and Haigh Hill Woods, and also returned
from Crigglestone station. A party, led by Mr. J. Wilcock, and mostly
conchologists, left Kirkgate station, Wakefield, proceeding by way of
Belle Vue to Agbrigg, thence along the banks of the Wakefield and
Barnsley Canal to Haw Park, and afterwards through Chevet Woods,
returning to Wakefield by way of Sandal, Castle Hill, and Moat. Mr.
J. L. Chaplin’s party left Westgate station for Walton, from which they
visited Berg and Greenside quarries, and afterwards keeping the high
road through Winterset and Ryhill Pits, returned from Ryhill station.
Mr. J. Wainwright, F.L.S., president of the Wakefield Society, and a
small party, drove in the afternoon to Woolley Hall and Park. There
were also a few members exploring the district on their own account,
unconnected with any party. At 5-25 p.m. an excellent tea was provided
in the Board School, Westgate, the sectional and general meetings being
also held there. The chair of the general meeting was occupied by the
~ Rev. Wm. Fowler, M.A., vice-president. It was found that the Barnsley,
' Bradford (2), Dewsbury, Doncaster, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield (Liter-
ary and Scientific Society), Ilkley, Leeds (3), Liversedge, Malton, Ripon,
and Wakefield societies were: represented. The individual attendance
was very meagre, only about 40 or 50 members being present. The.
minutes of the Grassington meeting were read and confirmed. Thanks
were voted to Sir Lionel Pilkington and Mr. G. B. Wentworth for
permission to visit their estates, to the Wakefield School Board for the
use of the Schools, and to the local secretaries, on the proposition of Mr.
Thomas Lister. The list of new subscribers included Dr. Crowther and
Mr. T. Stevens, both of Wakefield. Mr. Lister then handed in a notice
of motion on behalf of Mr. W. E. Brady, the secretary of the Barnsley
Naturalists’ Society, to the effect that at an early meeting of the Union
he should move, either personally or by deputy, the following resolution: ~
‘‘ That having taken into consideration the large number of our members
who, from commercial and other engagements, are unable.to attend the
Saturday meetings, and having further considered the objectionable
effects which the prohibitory system now followed admittedly exercises
upon the members thus debarred from attending an equitable share of
the Union’s meetings ; this meeting recommends that in future one-half
of the excursions and meetings of this Union should be held on Satur-
Reports oF SocieriEs. “47
days, and the other half on some other days, and that the annual meeting
should be held alternately upon Saturdays and Mondays, or some other
day which may afterwards be shown to be of greater advantage.” It was
pointed out that the present practice of the Union was (at all events up
to last year inclusive) to hold half the excursions on Monday and half on
Saturday, and the chairman announced that the motion would come on
for discussion at the annual meeting at Selby, next March. The reports
of sections were then taken. Mr. Fowler reported on the plants, that,
owing to the lateness of the season, and the fact that the coal measures
(proverbially unproductive in plants) were the only strata visited, there
was but a poor display of specimens. The mostnoticeable were Chelidonium
majus, Bidens tripartita, Littorella lacustris, and Sagittaria sagittifolia.
Mr. H. T. Soppitt then mentioned that Haigh proved to be a very
productive place for fungi, of which he had collected the following :—
Agaricus (Amanita) vaginatus Bull, A. (A.) rubescens P., A. (Lepiota)
- granulosus Batsch., A. (Clitocybe) laccatus Scop., A. (Collybia) macu-
latus A. & 8., A. (C.) tuberosus Bull, A. (Mycena) galericulatus Scop.,
A, (Stropharia) semiglobatus Batsch., A. (S.) sruginosus Curt., A.
(Coprinus) radiatus Fr., A. (Panzolus) separatus L., A. (Galera) hyp-
norum Batsch., Marasmius peronatus Fr., Russula emetica Fr., R.
ochroleuca Fa., Lactarius rufus Fr., L. glyciosmus Fr., Paxillus involutus
Fr., Hygrophorus psittacinus Fr., Boletus calopus Fr., Polyporus versi-
color Fr., Dacrymyces stillatus Nees, Scleroderma vulgare Fr., Lycoper-
don gemmatum Fr., Spumaria alba D C., Sphzerobolus stellatus Tode,
Ceuthospora phacidioides Grev., Puccinia hieracii, P. lapsani, Adcidium
tussilaginis Pers., Coleosporium tussilaginis Lev., Trichobasis suaveolens
Ley., T. rubigo-vera Lev., Melampsora betulina Desm., Pilobolus crystal-
linus Tode, Peziza calycina Sch., P. granulata Bull, Bulgaria inquinans
Fr., Ascobolus ciliatus Sch., Helotium aciculare, Fr., Sphcerotheca
pannosa Lev., Erysiphe martii Link, Chetomium elatum Kze, Corticium
sambuci P. For the Geological Section, Mr. Thomas Tate, F.G.S,
president of the section, reported as follows :—The district is situated
exclusively upon the middle coal measures, ranging from the Barnsley
coal seam, exposed south of Crigglestone station, up to the Havercroft
rock, capping Ryhill. The chief seams are the Beamshaw, or Stanley
Main, the Winter, or scale coal, and the Crofton seams, the latter seen
east of Walton station on the Great Northern railway. The Woolley
Edge rock makes a fine escarpment of coarse grit with quartz pebbles. As
it approaches Wakefield, which stands upon it, this rock assumes a fine-
grained flagey structure. The Oaks rock also forms a prominent feature
in the landscape, as at Heath Common. It is also exposed in the
Agbrigg and Greenside quarries, and in numerous cuttings on the Midland
railway. These fresh-water sandstones contain much drifted vegetation,
usually fragmentary, so that good fossils could not be obtained,
Specimens of estuarine, or fresh-water shells (Myalina modiolaris,
Anthracosia acuta, Anthracomya), from the coal shales, were exhibited.
48 THe NAtvUuRALIST.
In the absence of the officers of the Vertebrate Section, Mr. Thomas
Lister of Barnsley reported all three of the linnets, grey, green, lesser
redpoll, two crested grebes, kestrel, three of the tits, ringdove, lapwings
numerous, coots, moorhens, bullfinch, magpie. Migrants—redstart,
whitethroat, blackcap, three of the swallow tribe, whinchat, wheatear,
willow warbler last heard in song : total, 9 migrants, and 25 resident and
water-birds. In the absence of the officers of the Conchological Section,
Mr. H. Pollard, the secretary of the Leeds Naturalists’ Club, reported
that Mr. Wilcock’s party had found 41 out of the 91 species and varieties
which had been known to occur along their line of route, that though
none of them were rare, some of them were very local in their range.
The best captures included Helix aculeata, Zonites excavatus, Z. fulvus,
Z. nitidus, Vertigo pygmea, Limnea palustris, var. tincta, Neritina
fluviatilis, Bythinia Leachii, Planorbis nautileus, Pisidium fontinale, var.
Henslowana, Physa fontinalis, and Succinea elegans. A search amongst
a quantity of mud recently taken from the bottom of the Canal, yielded
very good examples of Anodonta cygnea and Unio pictorum. For the
Entomological Section its officers reported. The secretary, Mr. E. B.
Wrigglesworth, reported on the coleoptera that the following beetles
were taken :—Notiophilus biguttatus, Fab., N. rufipes, Curt., Carabus
catenulatus, Scop., C. clathratus, Linn., Leistus ferrugineus, Linn.,
Calathus cisteloides, Prz., C. melanocephalus, Linn., Harpalus ruficornis,
Fabr., Callidium alni, Linn., Anchomenus prasinus, Munb, Olisthopus
rotundatus, Pk., Silpha rugosa, Linn., Necrophorus ruspator, LEr.,
Colymbetes fuscus, Linn., Aphodius lnridus, Payk., A. punctatosulcatus,
St., Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Linn., Chrysomela polita, Linn., Otiorhyn-
chus picipes, Fabr., Tachinus subterraneus, Linn., Staphylinus pubes-
cens, DeG., Ilybius ater, Er., &c., &c. The president, Mr. G. T,
Porritt. F.L.8., reported on the lepidoptera, that Nonagria fulva had
been found not uncommonly in a rough field at Haigh, and the larvee of
Coleophora ceespititiella were in thousands on the seeds of the rushes
srowing in the same field. Other species taken included Tryphena
fimbria, Hydreecia nictitans, and a number of tortrices. Hymenoptera
were plentiful at Haigh and Woolley Edge. In connection with
the business of the Vertebrate Section, the secretary remarked that
he thought the Union could hardly visit Wakefield without in some
way referring to the great loss it had sustained in the decease of Mr.
William Talbot, author of ‘‘The Birds of Wakefield.” The subject
was continued by Mr. Lister, who spoke from a long friendship and
intimate knowledge of Mr. Talbot ; by Mr. J. M. Barber, who referred
to the fact that Mr. Talbot was the first to suggest the establishment of
the W.R.C.N.S. (now the Y.N.U.); and by the chairman, who paid a
high compliment to Mr. Talbot’s worth, and stated that he knew much
more than ever he professed to know. A reference to the forthcoming
meeting at Pilmoor, and a vote of thanks to the chair, concluded the
proceedings. —W. D. R.
Diary—Westngs of Societies.
a7 Oct. 3. Tivemodee Noatunticts ee Tate
+, 8. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field. Club.
- — ,, 8. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—“ The ‘Structure and Life a :
ae -of the Common Frog.” Mr. H. Hebblethwaite.-
ar aan 2 Belew Naturalists’ Society —Geological Section.
4. 4 Hntomological Society of London, 7 p.m. __-
Teese = Raat Society. —Entomological- Section,
Oe 0, =o MO. “Botanical Sections j
to yetes SS a5 b (Cope ames Us) (arene ar Vertebrate Section.
ar ts Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.—Excursion to. Thirsk for Pineer
» Focal See., Mr. W.-Gregson, Baldersby, Thirsk. Tea and
Meeting at Depot Hotel, Thirsk Junction.
4 % Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30. oe
4, 10. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society. oe
11. York and District Naturalists’ Field ab:
13. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
16. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-80 . m. -
-,, 17. Bradford Naturalists’ Society. She escieal Evening, 7 30 p-m.
17. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society—Geological Section.
20. North Stafferdshire Naturalists’ Field Club. —Excursion to Coppen-
Ss hall, - - Bradley, Church Eaton, and so Eaaeer,
> Er: Lynam :
24. Barnsley N aturalists’ Society.
eae $0. Lancashire and Cheshire Eipomblo tal Sine
_» 81. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—Report of the Botanical. Section
sae ~~ for 1882, Messrs. W. West, and H. T. Soppitt. — =
ieee eee Naturalists’ Society. = Geological SUN
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Original Articles.
SPHAGNUM TORREYANUM, SULLIVANT, IN BRITAIN.
By H. Boswe .t.
TaIs moss, which appears in Braithwaite’s Sphagnacez as Sph. cuspi-
datum, variety Torreyi, has heretofore escaped notice in Europe, but
during a ramble this summer I fell in with it in the neighbourhood of
Whitchurch, Shropshire, and it may be looked for in wet bogs in
other parts of the country, when better known. Its aspect is that of
very tall and robust cuspidatum, and it is doubtless rightly placed as a
variety of that species.
My specimens agree exactly with American ones, and also with the
figure and description of S. Mendocinum, in Sullivant’s Icones, which
Braithwaite unites to Vorreyanuz; but Ran and Harvey in their
catalogue of the mosses of North America, treat the latter as distinct.
It appears to have been found only in California, and I have not seen
it, but probably specimens would show its identity with Torreyanum.
The most striking features are, the large size, very long stout stems,
large triangular stem-leaves, and long semi-tubular branch-leaves.
Oxford, Oct. 12th, 1882,
NEW AND CRITICAL EUROPEAN MOSSES.
et
By G. Limpricar.
; ( Translated.)
In the German magazine, ‘“‘ Flora,’ No. 13, 1882, are a few notes on
‘some new and critical mosses, by Gustav Limpricht; as they are
species nearly related to our British ones, a translation of Herr
Limpricht’s notes may be of interest, in calling the attention of our
British muscologists to these species, which should be looked for here.
— Aypnum (Limnobium) styriacum, n, sp.—Synoicous; in extensive,
depressed, soft cushions of a sordid-, yellowish-, or golden-brown-
green colour, stem filiform, very slender, up to 8 c.m. long, procum-
bent, rootless, almost simple or repeatedly furcate, at the base destitute
of leaves; branches irregular, slender and flaccid, rootless; leaves
loosely disposed, standing-off erect on all sides, almost spoonlike-
concave, slightly longitudinally-plicate, from sub-cordate to ovate, with
a slightly decurrent base, gradually narrowed to a somewhat reflexed
lanceolate point, margin entire ; nerve firm, furcate, the longest arm
N.S., Vou. virt., Nov., 1882.
50 THE NatTURALIST.
extending above the middle of the leaf; the leaf-cells above more
rhomboid, in the middle of the leaf somewhat winding almost fusi-
form, yet proportionately always short and wide, at the base of the leaf
rhomboid-hexagonal, in the angles of the leaf rectangular yet not
concave ; the large flower-buds rooting at their base contain both
sexual organs, yet each are separate, and are surrounded by their own
involucral leaves, whereby the young flower-buds often appear to be
only male ; if, however, they are unfolded they show in the inside the
rudimentary archegonia surrounded by the yet less developed peri-
cheetial leaves. All the involucral leaves are nerveless, and of a looser
cellular texture, the inner perichztial leaves erect, lengthened out
lanceolately ; drawn out abruptly into a moderately long point ;
pedicel about 1 c.m. long ; capsule cernuous ; operculum high conical,
red. ‘
A longitudinal section of the capsule shows between the operculum
and the theca two large cells, which probably form the annulus, but
whose character, as also that of the peristome and spores, can only be
determined from -the perfectly ripe capsule. The spores probably
ripen in autumn.
Discovered by J. Breidler in four different stations, all in the
neighbourhood of Schladming, in Styria, about 2000 metres high.
This species has already a previous history; my friend J. Breidler
sent me the first specimens of it as Limnobium palustre, male; dioicous (?),
and communicated to me that Juratzka held it to be Hypnum palustre.
Schimper, on the contrary, had declared it to be an unknown Limnobium
which he doubted bclonged to Hypuum palustre. This new species is
distinguished from ail allied ones by its synoicous inflorescence. It pos-
sesses a certain similarity in habit to Hypnum palustre, it however
shows, in a cross section of the leaf, shorter and wider cells, leaf-
angles never concave, and a constantly stronger furcate nerve.
From weaker forms of Hypnum cochlearifolium it is easy to distin-
guish it by the form and pointing of the leaves,
Limnobium cochlearifolium. Venturi in Erb. erittog. Ital. series 11,
Fasc. X. (1871); ‘‘ Hedwigia,” 1872, p. 71.
Of this species (as of many others) Schimper has, in the 2nd ed. of
the “Synopsis,” (1876) taken no notice, and consequently —
describes l.c. p. 778, a perfectly sterile plant from the Pyrenees, as
Hypnum Goulardi, Schimp., n. sp., which belongs here. Venturi has
himself, even in ‘‘ Bryinez ex regione italica Tirolis, Tridentina
dicta,’ “‘ Revue Bryol.,” 1879, p. 62, placed before it Schimper’s
name (here written in error H. Gounodii and cochleariforme), but the
LimpricHot: New anp CriticaL EKuropEan Mossss. 51
name Hypnum cochlearifolium possesses the priority ; moreover,
Venturi (1.c.) had already described the fertile plant.
Since Geheeb, in ‘“ Flora,” 1881, p. 296, has announced the
discovery of Hypnum Goulardi, Schimp. for Germany, I hold it time
to speak as I do lest the false name should become naturalised.
Geheeb remarks (l.c.) that he had observed on Breidler’s specimens
from Keeskar, female flowers, whereby the plant would be dioicous :
but it is monoicous, as Venturi had already stated in the diagnosis.
The specimen in the Erb. crittog. Ital. Venturi collected in the High
Alps of Rabbi in the Tyrol. In my herbarium are also specimens
from the Neunerspitz, near Innsbruck, legit Venturi, from the
Myringer Alps, on the Ross Rogel, near Innsbruck, leg. F. Arnold
(ex herb. Juratzka), from Keeskar, in the Obersulzbachthal ;
Pinzgau leg. J. Breidler, and from the Guadenthal, near Dollach,
in Carinthia, leg. J. Breidler.
Brachythecium Venturi. Warnst “ Flora,” 1881,n. 34. In J. Milde’s
“ Bryologia Silesiaca ” 1869, is a remark on Brachythecium populeum
Br. and Sch., but which, through the mistake of the printer, has not
been inserted in the right place, p. 335, but only upon p. 336 after
Brachythecium plumosum. Wad the author of Brachythecium Venturii
taken notice of this remark, and compared the diagnosis of
Brachythecium amoenum, Milde, “ Hedwigia.” 1869, n. 61, it would
probably not have escaped him that the characters of his new form
agree with those of Milde’s species.
To be sure Br. Venturii should have, according to the description,
strongly-nerved inner perigonial leaves, but in the specimen of the
original from the hands of the author I find the inner perigonial
leaves perfectly nerveless.
Milde called his plant, whilst he fell in with the view of Juratzka,
le. “ Bryol. Sil.” a critical form of Brachythecium populcum, Br. and
Sch. ; a similar form (for never do even two individuals of the same
variety agree) is Brachythecium Venturii, and if I also regard both
plants as belonging to the circle of form of Brachythecium populeum,
yet this form is far from being a collective species in the meaning of
Warnstorf’s “ Monograph of the Sphagna.”
Dicranum comptum, Schimp. Syn. ed. II. p- 97.—Dr. A. Sauter,
the discoverer of this species, forwarded me specimens of the original
_ for examination; they, however, only consisted of a few stems.
According to my view, this species shows no relation to Dicranum
longifolium, with which the author of the species compares it, but to
a form of Dicranodontium circinnatum, Wils.—a view which may be
52 Toe NATURALIST.
arrived at from the comparison of the diagnosis of both species.
Specimens agreeing in every particular have been also collected by
J. Breidler from the classic station.
SEMERDALE :
NOTES ON ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES AND MOLLUSCAN FAUNA.
By Wm. Dentson RogesBuck.
SEMERDALE, in the vicinity of which I spent my vacation this year,
is—as Mr. Baker says—unique among the North Yorkshire Dales in
its shape and character. One of the contributory valleys of Wensley-
dale, it differs entirely in its physical aspect from such as Coverdale,
Bishopdale, Cotterdale, &e., all of which merge gradually into the
main valley. Semerdale, on the contrary, is almost completely
isolated : the hills which enclose it stand boldly out towards the Yore
and approach each other so closely, near Bainbridge, as to leave but a
very narrow outlet for the Bain river, which carries into the Yore the
the whole drainage of the dale. One consequence of the virtual shut-
ting off of this little basin of not more than 20 square miles of country
is that it contains one of the largest of the very few Yorkshire lakes,
which, with the usual re-duplication of syllables all meaning the same
thing, is called Lake Semerwater (Lake-Sea-Mere-Water). It covers
some 105 acres and contains various species of fish, more especially
bream. Trout are likewise abundant, especially in the affluents, as
are also such smaller fish, as loach, minnows, &e., and erayfish swarm
everywhere. The lake, which has but one outlet into the Yore (the
Bain), is fed by numerous streams, the three most important of which
—Cragdale Water, Raydale and Bardale Becks—unite before entering
it. The mountains which guard Semerdale—of which Counterside,
Wetherfell (2015 feet), Greenside (1852 feet), Fleet Moss, Cray Moss,
the Stake (1818 feet), and Addleborough (1564 feet), are the chief
summits—vary but little in height, and do not fall below 1600 feet
until they reach comparatively near to the main river of Yore. Bain-
bridge, at the outlet of the dale, is 762 feet above sea level, so that
the actual difference in altitude which the little basin presents is about
1000 feet. Geologically, so far as the imperfect maps at command
ean show, the formations represented are carboniferous limestone
in the valley, presenting the usual characteristic -‘ scars,’ and Yore-
dale Rocks in the upper reaches of the tributary dales, while the
RoErsuck : SEMERDALE. 53
highest summits are capped by millstone grit. The point of junction
between the base of the Yoredale rocks and the limestone below is
well marked on all the streams, more especially at Park Scar on the
Cragdale Water, by a series of beautiful waterfalls. The hills are
covered with coarse grass, or bents, and are much used for pasturage.
There is no heatherland, only very straggling plants of heather being
to be found. The district—once the famous Forest of Raydale—is
now moderately wooded, especially up the Raydale stream.
There is marshy ground at the foot of the lake, in which Parnassva
palustris grows abundantly, and through which, for the first mile of
its course, the Bain flows with a very sluggish and muddy stream,
affording suitable stations for the growth of Potamogetons and the
yellow water-lily. Its course is afterwards much accelerated, and at
Bainbridge it dashes over shelving slabs of limestone, afterwards
joining the Yore opposite Askrigg. 3
During the stay of myself and some friends at Bainbridge, which
was our headquarters for the first fortnight of August, the vicinity of the
lake and both its shores, together with the three tributary dales, and
the slopes and summits of some of the hills, were visited. So far
as natural history was concerned, the only observations made were
upon the mollusea. Of other things I only recollect seeing specimens
of the fish I have before mentioned, finding a specimen of Cychrus
rvostratus, and noting the water rat, peewit, magpie, dipper, frog, bull-
head or miller’s thumb, the small garden white, small tortoise-shell and
small heath butterflies.
The weather was not very favourable for mollusca, as there was no
rain whatever till nearly the last day of our stay, and shells were for
the most part somewhat difficult to find. I now give my list of shells,
all of which have passed the scrutiny of my friends Messrs. J. W.
Taylor and William Nelson, to whom I am indebted for assistance in
_ determining some of the more critical specimens, as well as confirming
my own determinations.
An examination of the subjoined list at once shows that the species
of the montane or sub-alpine type are represented, usually in abun-
dance, and that the fiuviatile forms are almost entirely absent. I
failed to detect any shells but Anodonta in the lake itself. The total
number, twenty-seven only, of species and varieties presents but a
meagre show, and my expectations of the capabilities of the district,
based upon its geological and physical aspect, were distinctly disap-
pointed, though there can be no doubt that further research at another
season of the year, or under more auspicious meteorological conditions,
54 Tae NATURALIST.
especially if undertaken by a more experienced collector, will add
various species and varieties to the list. Such a result is still more
likely if the streams and the woodlands (which I did not exhaustively
search) are well examined. I do not anticipate, however, that Semer-
dale will prove a very prolific distriet, certainly by no means so pro-
ductive as Mill Gill and Whitfield Gills (situated on the other side of
the Yore) are. Its climatological conditions are against it. It is of
a northerly aspect, with the encircling hill-ranges to the south, between
it and the light and heat of the sun, and thus likely to be more cold
and bleak than the valleys which are situated on the northern side of
Wensleydale, facing the south.
Anodonta anatina, L. Very abundant in Lake Semerwater.
Limnea truncatula, Mull. Common along road sides near Stalling-
busk, and near the bridge at Bainbridge.
Ancylus fluviatilis var. gibbosa, Bourg. Found near Stallingbusk in
1877, by Mr. H. Crowther.
Arion ater, L., the black slug. Abundant about Counterside, Carr
End, Marsett, Stallingbusk, &. Ranges altitudinally as high as
1500 feet on Raydale Grainings.
A. hortensis, Fer. Common on Bainbridge veleeee om and near
Stallingbusk, Marsett, and Counterside.
Limax agrestis, L., the field slug. This usually common as was
abundant everywhere.
Succinea putris, L. Common at the foot of the Lake ; also found near
High Blean, and a single dead specimen near the waterfall in Bar-
dale.
Vitrina pellucida, Mull. Young specimens abundant under stones on
Bainbridge village-green ; a few also obtained near Stallingbusk
and Marsett.
Zonites cellarvus, Mull. One found at Carr End, near Marsett.
Z. alliarius, Mull. Not uneommon near Bardale Force, Marsett,
Counterside, High Blean, and Stallingbusk.
Z. nitidulus, Drap. A few specimens found about Marsett, near the |
Knight’s Close, and Bardale Falls, and in Bank Wood, Cragdale.
Z. radiatulus, Ald. | Three or four specimens found under stones by
the road sides near Sta!lingbusk.
Z. crystallinus, Mull. Onespecimen found in company with the last-
named.
RoEBUCK : SEMERDALE. 55
Helix hortensis, Mull. Occurs along Scar Top, near Bainbridge.
H. arbustorum, L. Common along the Scar Top; occurs also
about Stallingbusk, Counterside, and in Bardale.
H. arbustorum, var. flavescens, Moguin-Tandon. With the type, not
uncommon on Scar Top.
H. rufescens, Penn. Near Stallingbusk Church, in Bank Wood,
Cragdale, and at Carr End, near Marsett, abundant.
H. lispida, L. Very common. Scar Top, Bainbridge Village-green,
round the Lake, about Counterside, Carr End, Stallingbusk and
High Blean.
Hf. sericea, Mull. One near Semerdale House, and one at Knight
Close Force, Marsett.
H. rotundata, Mull. Common everywhere.
H. rupestris, Stud. Common on limestone walls, about Bainbridge,
Sear Top, Carr End, Stallingbusk, High Blean, Counterside, and in
Bardale ; also on the summit scars of Addleborough hill (1564 feet
altitude.)
Pupa umbilicata, Drap. Common about Bainbridge, Counterside,
Carr End, Marsett, Bardale waterfall, Stallingbusk, and High
Blean, and on the summit Scars of Addleborough.
Vertigo pygme@a, Drap. A few specimens found near Carr End, in
damp places.
Balia perversa, Lu. Several specimens at Carr End, and a few on Scar
Top, near Bainbridge.
Clausilia rugosa, Drap. Not uncommon on Scar Top, about Stalling-
busk, near Semerdale House, and one at Knight Close Force, near
Marsett. oe
Clausilia rugosa var. dubia, Drap. Two specimens near the bridge
over the Bain, at Bainbridge, one on Scar Top and one near
Stallingbusk. Not common.
Cochlicopa lubrica, Mull. Common about Bainbridge, High Blean,
Stallingbusk, Marsett, near Bardale Force, near Semerdale House,
and at the foot of Semerwater Lake.
The results of my investigation of the mollusca of other parts of
Wensleydale will be given in a supplementary paper, to appear in an
early number of the Naturalist. ;
Leeds, Oct. 19th, 1882.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Lars Migrants NEAR Hatirax. - Numbers of swallows and also martins
have during the past weck been constantly on the wing in the Ryburne
Valley. I counted a score yesterday, and many are flying about to-day,
October 17th.—F. G. 8. Rawson.
Harty Micrations oF Brrps.—On July 10th, whilst working in my
garden, I heard the well-known cry of gulls, and on looking up, had the
pleasure of seeing 25 black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus); they were
flying due south, and continued to pass over in twos and threes for nearly
amonth. July 27th, five curlews (Numenius arquata) passed over.
Aug. 5th, on going out at ten o’clock at night, there was a flock of birds
passing over which were very clamorous, but I could not make out their
species. Sept. 24th, we have a very large flock of fieldfares (Turdus
pilaris) in Mr. John Beaumont’s and Mr. R. H. Tolson’s parks, at
Dalton. This is the earliest date I have of them. Sept. 27th, a large
flock of swallows passed over, flying due south ; they were all Hirunde
rustica.—J AMES VARLEY, Huddersfield, Oct. 16th.
Borrie-NosrD DotrHins.—Boitle-nosed dolphins (Delphinus tursio}
in the Humber and Ouse, have beeu very numerous this autumn.
Three were shot several miles above Goole, and Mr. Jno. Harrison has
handed me a rough sketch of one, with its dimensions. Our mem-
bers have been very fortunate in finding Volvor globator this year.
The members of the Y. N. U. who attended Snaith meeting, will
probably remember obtaining a good supply there ; had any of them been
with Mr. Lord and me on the 7th mst., we could have shewn them a
series of ponds or delvings reaching two miles, with Volvox in almost all
of them. We also found it abundaut in a pond at the edge of the moors
a fortnight since ; I was much surprised at this, as the place was simply
a pond in a peat bog.—THomas BUNKER.
Cychrus rostratus IN SEMERDALE.—On the 17th August last, I found
a specimen of this rather uncommon though widely distributed beetle
amongst stones by the road side, at Counterside, a village near the foet
of Lake Semerwater.—Wm. Drnitson Roesuck.
Acherontia Atropos At HupDERSFIELD.—I have received a very fine
specimeu of the death’s head moth (Acherontia Atropos) from Mr. Lee,
Somerset Road ; it was taken at Brockholes, Sept. 28th last —J. VARLEY.
EntomoLocicaL Nores.—-BRADFORD.—The season 1882 is without doubt
the worst we ever experienced. In early spring, Phigalia pilosaria was not
nearly so common as usual, and this is the more remarkable when we take
into consideration the great abundance of larvee feeding in June, 1881.
Pieris napi, which last year was very abundant, at Shipley Glen, has this
season scarcely been seen; Abraxas ulmata seems almost to have dis-
appeared from Hawksworth, where we usually saw it in thousands, but
this season it turned up somewhat commonly at Shipley Glen, where,
although we have visited the exact spot once, twice, and three times a
week, for several years, we never saw it before. Larentia salicata has
not been seen at Shipley Glen, and only one specimen observed in the
SHort NotEs AND QUERIES. 57
Bingley district ; and a number of other species which are usually
common, have, this season, rarely been observed. The most interesting
capture which I made is one specimen of P. stratiotalis, which I took at
Frizinghall, in July, and which Mr. Porritt informs me has only been
recorded from three other Yorkshire localities. At the same place I took
H. nymphealis very abundantly, S. cembralis a few, and P. trigonodac-
tylus flying over coltsfoot, all of which are new to our district record
list. —J. W. Carrer, 14, Valley-st,, Bradford, Sept. 10th.
IcHNEUMONS IN YORKSHIRE.—Several ichneumons secured during the
year have been named for me by Mr. J. B. Bridgman, of Norwich, as
follows :—Ichneumon luctatorius, L., Grassington, Aug. 7th, 1882. TI.
nigritarius, Gr., Edlington Wood, Aug. 5th, 1882. * J. albicinctus, Gr.,
Edlington Wood, Aug. 5th, 1882. Perilissus filicornis, (Gr.), variety ?
Lepton Great Wood, near Huddersfield, Sept. 23rd, 1882. *P. vernalis,
(Gr.), Yorkshire, June, 1882, (locality not certain.) * Tryphon signator,
Gr., Edlingion Wood, Aug. 5th, 1882. Those marked * are new to the
Yorkshire list.—Guo. T. Porrirr.
New Yorksurre Mossss.—I have collected the following mosses which
are not recorded for Yorkshire in the London catalogue of British mosses
and hepatics :—Gymnosiomum tortile, Schwg. Ingleborough, at 2000 feet,
and . Malham, above the Cove, at 1100 feet ; Sphagnum cuspidatum,
Ehrh., var. falcatum, Russ. Baildon Moor; S. subsecundum, Nees.,
var. awriculatum, Schpr., Adel; and S. cymbifoliwm, Ehrh., var., con-
gestum, Schpr. Whernside, Baildon, &c.—W. West.
THe Errects oF WeaTHER ON Insects: By Miss Ornmrrop.—This
lady, the well-known entomologist, has recently delivered a lecture on
the above subject, at the Royal Agricultural College, to a large number
of students, under the presidency of the Principal, the Rev. J. B.
McClellan, which we think deserves to be widely known. We therefore
make no apology for inserting a short abstract of her remarks, which,
though perhaps in some respects not new to many entomologists,
yet must interest all. The lecture was principally directed to the effects
of rain, frost, heat, drought, &c., on insect life, and the methods by
which these influences may be brought to bear practically in the course of
common agricultural treatment in diminishing the amount of insects
injurious to our crops. Miss Ormerod showed how, in addition to its
direct influence on insect life, the effects of the weather may be traced
for one, two, or more years in its promotion of the growth of special
weeds, as, for instance, charlock, which may be the food-plant of some
special crop pest, and also in its interference with the regularity of
measures of cultivation by which plant and vermin are usually cleared
out. Reasons were advanced why common farm insects were uninjured
by even extreme cold, it being shown that they select some special locality
under leaves or stones, or form a cell, or in some way supply themselves
with shelter, and there they pass into a quiet, motionless state, the animal
58 THE NATURALIST.
functions decreasing in power with the increase of the cold. Still, even
if totally frozen, many kinds of caterpillars are not injured so long as the
freezing takes place in the shelters they have made for themselves. In
the earth-cells, in which many kinds of caterpillars or grubs pass the
winter, they are protected from drying winds and sudden changes of
temperature, and these cells also appear to exclude the wet, so that the
caterpillar hes clean and dry within, without risk of its breathing pores
being choked by mud, which, though possibly not of importance to it
while torpid, is a very serious matter when it wakes from its wintry sleep.
It appears, in fact, that so long as they are in their own cells these
common farm pests will survive a greater amount of cold than is likely to
occur in these islands. If they are not in their own cells, ‘circumstances
will affect them very differently : and if, by ploughing, digging, or any
other operation, the caterpiilars and chrysalids can be thrown out of their
cells.or other wintry defences, and scattering them, mixing them with the
soil and exposing them to drying winds, to alternate freezing and thawing,
or to lying soddening in the rain or wet ground, when too torpid to move,
that thus great numbers are got rid of. Thus, in the case of the maggots
and pupee of some kinds of the diptera (or two-winged flies) we may throw
them on the surface, or turn them down so deeply in autumn cultivation,
that any flies that may develop will have no power to work their way
through the quantity of earth above them ; and the best known remedy
for the wheat midge is the method in which this plan is carried out in
Canada and the United States of America. This is, when the ‘‘ red
maggot” is lying at the bottom of the stubble or a little below the surface
in autumn, to skim off with the first turn-furrow of the plough about two
inches of the surface-soil, with all the stubble, weeds, and vermin in it,
and turn it to the bottom of the furrow ; then raise another slice with
the second turn-furrow, and throwing it over the first, bury it some
inches deep. By this means the pest may be got rid of, if the surface can
be left undisturbed until after the natural time of development for the
wheat midge in,the following season has passed ; for even if these gnat-
flies develop, their delicate powers are quite unsuited for piercing through
the firm ground above them, and consequently they perish. It is, how-
ever, necessary that the ground should not be turned up again too soon,
or the chrysalids or maggots in their cases may develop, and we shall have
no benefit from their temporary burial. In the case of saw-flies, the
cocoons may be thrown out in scores from under gooseberry bushes ; in
masses as large as a man’s fist from under the pine-trees they have infested
in autumn ; and, in the case of beetle larve or chrysalids, we may get rid
of some very injurious ones in this way ; but the wireworm, having the
instinct to bury itself when the weather is too cold for feeding, can only
occasionally be dealt with in a torpid state; and the cockchafer-grubs,
which are a great pest, also bury themselves safely too deep to be easily
reached. In many cases the egg, whether laid singly or in clusters, is so
placed as to be protected from rapid drying or sudden changes of temper-
RAINFALL FOR SEPTEMBER. 59
ature. This locality is often either a little below the surface of the
ground, as with one or more of the onion flies, the carrot fly, cabbage-root
flies, and others, or amongst damp herbage, or on, or close to, the plants
at the ground level, as with the daddy-longlegs or the click beetle (from
whose eggs we are infested with the wireworm) ; and many others lay
similarly.
(To be continued. )
Raintall for September.
Height | Toran Faun
of 2 Noe to Dare. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest | _°
above Days Fall, | Beaviest
sea Fall.
lena 1882. 1881.
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 1°64 | 17 | 24°68 |* 23°63 30 0:26
(J. W. Robson)
Hairax...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 1°86 | 11} 35°94 | 32°34 ie ae
_Leeps ... (Alfred Denny)... 183 |1°185 | 17 19°440 |+17°912 27 0-480
HoRSFORTH ... (James Fox)! 350 °|2°070 | 19 -24°620 +23°459 27 0-340
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...| 350 ‘71 | 15 | 22-01 18°52 27 0°72
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 3°18 | 16 | 30°97 28°30 19 0°72
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...; 520 | 2°90 | 15 | 23°40 21°56 26 0°59
GOOLE ... (J. HARRISON) ...) 25) 1°49 | 17; 22°51 18°92 1 0°37
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| 10 | 1:43 | 17 |16-169 | 19:72 1 0°37
Lawton) |
* Average to date for 16 years, 1866-81. + Average of 28 years, 1853-62 & 1865-82.
+ Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
Reports of Societies.
BaRnstEY Narturatists’ Soctery.—Meeting Oct. 10th, Mr. T. Lister
in the chair.—An interesting paper was read by Mr. Frankland on
*‘Harly Reminiscences of Birds and their Eggs, among the Cleveland
Hills.” The botanical section have added to their long list several
flowering plants, amongst them—Aug. 29, EHpilobium angustifoliwm,
Sparganium simplex, Solanum nigrum ; Sept. 25, Cerastium aquaticum,
Sedum telephiwm, Nuphar lutea ; Sept. 7th, Reseda luteola ; 27th, Clematis
vitalba, Antirrhinum Orontium. Few insects have been observed, amongst
them being Nonagria fulva and Celena Haworthii—the first new to the
district. Amongst birds noted are, nightjar Aug. 21, whitethroat Sep. 5,
landrail 19th, male gold crest and landrail 22nd ; magpie, grey linnet,
and twite numerous at Ingbirchworth; larks in song; swallows and
| martins in flocks at Stainborough Park ; straggling instances of swallows
in Cockshaw-road, near Barnsley, 28th ; martin Oct. 2nd ; swallows in
flock at Monkbretton Grange—the last seen by the chairman. Great
spotted woodpeckers, jays, and kingfishers noted near Barnsley.—T. L.
60 THe NATURALIST.
BraDForD Naturaists’ Society.—Meeting Aug. 22nd, the president
in the chair, who gave a number of interesting extracts from his entomo-
logical diary, dealing more particularly with species of lepidoptera
peculiar to the Fens. Mr. B. Illingworth described rambles to Grange,
Witherslack, and Kendal, and remarked upon the enormous number of
wasps’ nests observed at the latter place. Mrs. Broadley exhibited several
marine objects, including razor-shell, &c. ; Mr. Carter, Helix lapicida
from Burnsall; Mr. Illingworth H. Blandina from Grange ; and Mr.
Soppitt C. catenulatus from Heaton Woods.
Meetine Sept. 5th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Firth exhibited
O. filigrammaria from Rombalds Moor (Wharfedale), and L. olivata from
Shipley Glen: Mr. Carter M. flammea from Wicken Fen, received from
Mr. Porritt ; P. alpina from Perthshire, 1881; P. trigonodactylus from
Frizinghall ; 7. caudana and P. solandriana from Rawdon ; Mr. Illing-
worth a large number of V. Autiopa from America ; Mr. Terry P. phleas
from Rawdon, M. arcuosa, M. rubiginata, and a large number of com-
moner species from Shipley Glen, and a peculiarly marked specimen of
P. brassice from the South, which gave rise to an animated discussion.
Mr. West showed specimens of the pearl mussel (Unio margaritifer) from
Ireland ; Mr. Soppitt Acme lineata, Balea perversa and Carychiwm mmi-
mum from Ingleton, Helix pulchella from Otley, and the following plants :
Ceterach officinarwm from Poole, and Filago germaiica from Baildon. A
subscription list towards the ‘‘ Darwin Memorial Fund ” was commenced
by the members.
Meetine Sept. 19th, Mr. Fawcett in the chair.— Mr. Scorah gave an
interesting lecture on ‘‘ Micro-Photography.” Mr. Illingworth exhibited
O. filigrammaria from Rombalds Moor (Airedale), WN. fulva and N.
glareosa from Shipley Glen, L. Alexis and P. phleas from Blackpool ;
Messrs. Soppitt and Firth gave accounts of the recent meeting of the
Y.N.U. at Wakefield, and Mr. Soppitt remarked that the district was
extremely rich in fungi.
Meetine Oct. 3rd, Mr. Soppitt, v.p., in the chair.—The evening was
devoted to conversation and the exhibition of specimens, of which a good
number were laid on the table. Mr. Bennett showed beautiful fruiting
specimens of Hippophae rhamnoides from Skegness; Mr. Soppitt, on
behalf of the Vicar of Arncliffe (the Rev. W. Boyd, M.A.), fine mounted
specimens of Polemonium ceruleum and Dryas octopetala, from Arncliffe
Clouders, the only Yorkshire habitat for the latter species ; Mr. Oxley, a
large number of plants from Derbyshire and Cheshire, amongst which?
were a number of rare species collected by Mr. Searle, including Colchi-
cum autumnale, Festuca sylvatica, Hordeum sylvatica, Campanula latifolia,
Vacciniwm vitis-idea (in fi.) and Ulex nanus. Mr. West showed several
species of local fungi, amongst which was a fine specimen of Merulius
lachrymans (dry rot fungus), from the cellar of Mr. Henry Ripley, of
Bradford ; also a large number of foreign marine shells.—J. W. CartTsEr,
Hon. Sec.
REpPoRTS OF SOCIETIES. 61
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENToMoLOGICAL Socrety—Monthly
meeting, Sept. 25th, in the Free Library, the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper)
in the chair.—Mr. Benjamin Cooke, of Southport, read a paper on
‘* Classification,” as applied to British insects. He recommended the
adoption of a system of arrangement based on the character of the
metamorphosis undergone in the earlier stages, as preferable to a system
founded on the structure of the perfect insect only. Mr. Cooke also
considered that in each order the carnivorous species should take prece-
dence, on account of the greater amount of differentiation in the organs
of the mouth. During the conversazione which followed the meeting, Mr.
Cooke exhibited specimens of Rhyssa pwiswasoria, from the New Forest,
Hampshire ; Mr. Walker, preserved larvee of Agrotis Ashworthii ; and
Mr. J. Wall (under the microscope), specimens of the house-fly infested
with parasites.
MANcHESTER CryptToGAmic Society.—Monthly meeting, Sept. 13th,
Captain Cunliffe presiding.—Several of the members had recently made
excursions to the Breadalbane mountains, and exhibited some of the
rarities brought home from that district ; Mr. Squire Ashton showed
specimens of Timmia, Ulota Ludwigti, and Hypnum Oakesii ; Captain
Cunliffe, specimens of Orthothecium rufescens, Dicranella squarrosa, and
Stylostegium cespiticium. All the parties had found the beautiful Hypnum
crista-castrenses fruiting more abundantly this year than had hitherto been
seen, and Mr. Ashton had very kindly made up a few packets for dis-
tribution. Mr, Win. Horsfall contributed freshly gathered specimens of
Cryphea heteromaila from Tenby. Mr. H. Boswell, of Oxford, sent
specimens of a Sphagnum new to Britain, which he had discovered at
Whitchurch, Salop. It had hitherto been found only in America, where
it is known as Sphagnum Torreyanum (Sullv.) Mr. Boswell also sent
specimens of Sphagnum intermedium, var. pulchrum (one of the prettiest
of the bog mosses), from the same locality, and Tortula princeps from
Blair Athol. The hon. sec. exhibited several species of frondose hepatics
from Southport, the Pallavicinia hibernica being remarkable for its
strongly pungent odour when dry.—TxHos. Rogers, Hon. Sec.
Meetine, October 11th, Capt. Cunliffe in the chair.—Mr. James Cash
_ exhibited and distributed specimens of a moss which he had collected on
Meal Tarmechan, during an excursion to the Highlands in company of
the vice-president, in September last, and which he had now determined
by microscopical examination to be the rare Myurella apiculata. Mr.
Cash also exhibited a few interesting mosses he had gathered in Mont-
gomery during the present month (October), Scleropodium ceespitoswm.
Myrinia pulvinata, and Tortula latifolia being amongst the number. The
two latter species are new records for that district. Mr. W. H. Pearson,
Specimens of the new hepatics described by Dr. Spruce in his recent
memoir on the Cephalozie, namely, Cephalozia leucantha, (Spruce)
collected by Mr. Sim near Banchory, Scotland, and C. eraria (Pearson)
from the mouth of an old copper mine near Tyn-y-groes, N. Wales ; also
the following :—Jung. Helleriana, Nees, a species new to Britain,
62 ! Tor NaturRAList.
collected by Mr. G. Stabler at Mardale, Westmoreland ; the rare Marsu-
pella Stableri, found on Cader Idris by Mr. G. A. Holt—this being new
to Wales ; specimens of Harpanthus scutatus, from Tyn-y-groes, collected
by Mr. C. J. Wild—a rare species only previously found in Wales at
Beddgelert,— and Anthelia Jwratzkana from Ben Lavigh, collected by
Mr. Peter Ewing, this being the second station in Britain for this rare
hepatic.—T. Rogers, Hon. Sec.
ScarBoroucH Screntiric Soctery.—The annual fungus foray took
place on Saturday, September 30th. The day was fine, and the ramble
much enjoyed by an enthusiastic party of mycologists. | Fungi were in
abundance, and some interesting specimens collected: Ag. (Amanita)
excelsus, Ag. (Mycena) rosellus, and Cortinarium russus, by Mr. W.
Robinson ; Ag. (Omphalia) Postii, new to Britain, and Ag. (Amanita)
Friesii, by Mr. G. Massee. The exhibition was held in the Society’s
room, and being open to the public in the evening, was visited by con-
siderable numbers. The common kinds were arranged according to their
edible or poisonous properties.—G. M. |
YorkKsHirRE Naturatists’ Unton.—Thirsk, Oct. 7th.—The sixth and
closing meeting of 1882 was planned for the investigation of Pilmoor, a
tract of waste land adjoining the main line of the North Eastern Railway.
The meeting was fixed to be at Thirsk Junction, and parties were organ-
ised for Leckby Carr and Gormire Lake. Unfortunately for the success
of the first meeting ever held so late as October, the weather was very
unpropitious, rain falling throughout the day. The attendance was con-
sequently the smallest ever known at a Union meeting, only ten members
being present. The excursion was nevertheless a successful one, so far
as the results were concerned. Three parties were arranged. One con-
sisted of Messrs. Soppitt and Roebuck, accompanied by Mr. R. Thackwray,
of Brafferton, as guide. The route taken was over Pilmoor, through
Brafferton Spring Wood, thence to Raskelf, and along the borders of
Sessay Wood to Pilmoor Junction, and by rail to Thirsk Junction.
Upwards of a hundred species of fungi were collected, and a few mollusca.
The second party included Messrs. Wiliam Foggitt and Robert Lee, of
Thirsk, and a gentleman from Darlington, who investigated the botany
of Leckby Carr, attention being also paid to the birds. The third party
drove to Gormire, and included Messrs. Percy Lund, B. M. Smith, Moss,
and Hey, the Rev. F. Addison and the local secretary acting as leaders.
The main object of this detachment was the geological examination of the
escarpments of the-Hambleton hills, and some attention was paid to the~
mollusca. The tea and meeting were held at Strickland’s hotel, Thirsk
Junction. The chair of the general meeting was occupied by Mr. H. T.
Soppitt, of Bradford. The minutes of the Wakefield meeting were con-
firmed, and upon calling the roll it was found that the following seven
societies were represented : Bradford (2), Ilkley, Leeds (3), and Ripon.
The list of new subscribers included Prof. L, C. Miall, F.L.S., F.G.S.,
Reports OF SOCIETIES. 63
Leeds, Mr. John Rookledge, F.R.M.S., of Easingwold, Mr. H. Jowitt,
of Bishop Thornton, and the Rev. Frederick Addison, of Thirsk. Mr.
B. M. Smith, the secretary of the Ripon Naturalists’ Club, proposed a
vote of thanks to Mr. Wm. Gregson for his services as local secretary,
and to Viscount Downe, Capt. Gallwey, and Messrs. B. T. Woodd and
C, F. H. Bolckow, for permission to visit their respective estates. This was
seconded and carried. The reports of sections were then given, beginning
with the geological, for which Mr. Gregson reported that they had visited
the glacial beds in the gravel pits adjoining Thirsk Junction, and found
therein shap granite, encrinital limestone, several water-worn gryphee,
also Cristellaria rotulata, and Astarte striato-sulcata. The party then
drove to the western escarpment of the Hambleton hills, where they
investigated sections of the middle and lower oolites, and also some of the
upper liassic strata. The middle oolites are represented in the
face of the cliff by about 30 feet of Oxford clay, between 100 feet
of calcareous grits above, and the same thickness of Kelloway rock
below. They succeeded in finding several species of Belemnites,
Ammonites communis, A. Boulbiensis, Gryphea incurva, G. convoluta,
Grevillia erosa, Pleuromya granata, P. contracta, Leda galathea,
Rhynchonella plicatissima, Pecten substriatus, &c. Mr. W. Eagle
Clarke, secretary of the Vertebrate Section, reported that the only
observations in ornithology had been those made at Leckby Carr
by Mr. Robert Lee, who had seen thirteen common residents—the
starling, rook, jackdaw, magpie, goldcrest, wood pigeon, meadow pipit,
redbreast, yellow-hammer, common bunting, blue-tit, chaffinch, and lap-
wing. Of other vertebrata had been observed, both at Leckby Carr and
Pilmoor, the squirrel, weasel, water vole, toad, frog, and common or
smooth newt. In the absence of the officers of the Conchological Section,
Mr. Wm. Denison Roebuck stated that shells had been collected by each
of the three parties out during the day, but that the total list was only a
meagre one. Mr. Soppitt and himself, who had visited Pilmoor, Braf-
ferton Spring Wood, and the lanes north-west of Raskelf, had not been
as successful as they expected, having only found 16 species and varie-
ties, viz. :—Planorbis complanatus, P. corneus, P. contortus, Limnea
truncatuia, Arion ater and var. rufus, A. hortensis, Limax agrestis and
Mr. Butterell’s newly-described var. niger; Vitrina pellucida, Zonites
alliarius, Helix nemoralis, H. cantiana, H. hispida, Vertigo pygmea,
and Cochlicopa !ubrica. Mr, W. Foggitt obtained, at Leckby Carr,
specimens of Helix hortensis, H. cantiana, and H. hispida. Mr. Percy
Lund, of Ilkley, and some of the Ripon members, who had had the
advantage of coilecting upon calcarecus soil—the slopes of the oolitic
escarpments above Gormire Lake,—obtained Zonites cellarius, Helix
nemoralis, H. hortensis, H. arbustorum, H. cantiana, H. hispida, H.
rotundata, H. lapicida, Bulimus obscurus, Clausilia rugosa, and C.
laminata. In the absence of the officers of the Entomological Section,
there was no report given, but from statements made by various mem-
64 Tue NaATvuRALIST.
bers, it appeared that Carabus violaceus had been found at Pilmoor, and
Bombus leucorum noted there and at Gormire, the individuals of the
latter species being in both cases females in their hybernaculum, or
winter resting-place. The Botanical Section was unrepresented by its
officers, and Mr. Wm. Foggitt, of Thirsk, reported that, notwithstanding
the lateness of the season and the very unfavourable weather, 235 phaner-
ogams and a considerable number of cryptogams had been collected or
seen ; the former included Berberis vulgaris, Drosera rotundifolia, and
anglica, Silene anglica and noctiflora, Trifolium arvense, Comarum
palustre, Pimpinella magna, Oenanthe phellandrium, Torilis nodosa,
Sambucus ebulus, Scabiosa columbaria, Artemisia absinthium, Filago
minima, Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Erigeron acris, Crepis paludosa,
Vaccinium oxycoccos, MHieracium tridentatum, Origanum vulgare,
Calamintha clinopodium, Acinos and wmenthifolia, Nepeta cataria,
Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Rhynchospora alba, Hordeum murinum, all
from Leckby Carr and neighbourhood. The interesting fungus Geo-
glossum difforme was exhibited from the sandstone quarry at Leckby.
Twenty-five species of mosses were gathered, among which were the
following :—Sphagnum acutifolium, var. rubellum, S. intermedium, S.
cuspidatum, 8. subsecundum, 8. rigidum, Campylopus pyriformis (ft.),
Bryum atropurpureum, Aulacomnium palustre (ft.), A. androgynum,
Tetraphis pellucida (ft ), and Brachythecium albicans. Six species of
hepatics were gathered, Mylia anomala being among them. Mr. Soppitt
supplemented the remarks of Mr. Foggitt by an account of the day’s
investigation of fungi, which had been found very abundant. The
district investigated was Pilmoor, Brafferton, Spring-wood, Sessay Wood,
&c., and resulted in 92 specimens of fungi being collected ; amongst these
were Collybia maculatus, C. tuberosus, Pholiota radicosus, P. squarrosus,
Spheronema subulatum, Russula nigricans, Cortinarius crulescens,
C. torus, Torrubia ophioglossoides, Lactarius vellereus, L. piperatus,
Boletus luteus, B. scaber, B. elegans (Leckby Carr), Polyporus salicinus,
Scleroderma verrucosum (Leckby Carr),and Puccinia clinopodii. [A
short distance above Sessay, I noticed Phragmidium bulbosum (at least
what I took to be that species) exceedingly common, the pustules on some
of the plants rather small and not so scattered, whilst on others, the
pustules were very much larger and scattered all over the leaf. Upon
examination, I found that the spores differed considerably, especially
in the smaller pustules, the septa being more numerous, and the apiculus
much longer than in the larger pustules. Both forms were sent to Mr.
C. B. Plowright, who replied :—‘‘The two phragmidia are distinct ~
species, hitherto in this country confounded together as P. bulbosum.
That with fewest septa is P. violaceum, Schultz. ; that with most, P. rubi,
Pers.—the old bulbosum.”] Mycologists would do well to examine their
P. bulbosum. Votes of thanks to Mr Foggitt and the Rev. F. Addison,
for acting as guides, and to the chairman, closed the proceedings,—
W.OD.R.
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Original Articles.
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS.
By BENJAMIN COOKE.
Some of the ideas in this paper were produced at a meeting of the
Northern Entomological Society, held on the 26th December, 1857.
My views are now somewhat modified as to the details of an arrange-
ment of the class Jusecta, but I still adhere to the principle of
classification which was advocated in that paper—a principle which
was not new, but has been acted upon in the arrangement of more
than one order of insects.
Mr. Dallas, in his “ Elements of Entomology,” after stating his
reasons for the adoption of the Cibarian system of classification, in his
work says (p. 58)—‘“‘ But, for my own part, I must confess that I
think the adoption of the metamorphoses as the foundation of the
arrangement of insects leads to a more philosophical result.” Coin-
ciding with Mr. Dallas in this view, my object is to carry out this
system, and to endeavour to show that the orders of insects follow one
another in a more natural and regular course than in the system of
classification which is founded on the structure of the mouth.
The principle of classification which will be here advocated is this :
to begin with the highest development, and proceed in regular
eradation to the lowest ; care being taken in the details to associate
tugether those which have a close affinity throughout the various
stages of their existence. This principle seems to me to be applicable
to all classes of animated beings. It is not new, as I stated before;
and, whether accepted or not, it is manifest that unless some principle
be adopted, classification will always be in confusion.
It is obvious that carnivorous animals which prey upon others
belonging to the same order as themselves, will possess the highest
development ; their muscular powers in proportion to their size, their
strength of bone and of jaws, and their agility, are all necessarily
greater than those of animals which they have to subsist upon. The
predaceous tribes, then, whenever such exist, should be placed at the
head of each order: thus, in the mammals, the lion, the tiger, the
leopard, &c. ; in the birds, the eagles and falcons still claim the highest
rank. There are exceptions to this rule in the case of insects which
are only partly predaceous, and of inferior structure ; these will have
to be arranged along with the nearest allies.
In order to show the necessity for some guiding principle in the
arrangement of insects, I give, ina tabular form, the systems proposed
by those British authors who have published their views in a separate
N.S., Vou. vitl., Dec., 1882.
66 . Tue NatuRAtist.
form, on the whole of the class Insecta, or rather the whole of the
British insects ; omitting the orders Dermaptera, Dictyoptera, Strep-
siptera, Aphaniptera, Homaloptera, and Aptera, for reasons to be
afterwards explained. The works from which the table is taken are
—“ Systematic Catalogue of British Insects,” by Stephens, date 1829 ;
“Guide to an Arrangement of British Insects,” by Curtis, date 1829;
“ Tntroduction to the Modern Classification of Insects,” the “ Synopsis
of the Genera of British Insects,” at the end of the second volume, by
Westwood, date 1840; “The Insect Hunters,’ by Newman, published
about the end of 1857. ‘This last work I did not see or know any-
thing about until after my paper for the Northern Entomological
Society was read. It is based on the Metamorphotic system, whilst
the outer authors have cee the Cibarian.
STEPHENS. CURTIS. WESTWOOD. | NEWMAN.
1. Coleoptera | 1. Coleoptera | 1. Coleoptera | 1. Lepidoptera
2. Orthoptera | 2. Orthoptera | 2. Orthoptera | 2. Diptera
3. Thysanoptera| 3. Hymenoptcra
3. Neuroptera | 3. Hymenoptera) 4. Neuroptera | 4. Coleoptera
4, Trichoptera | 4. Neuroptera | 5. Trichoptera | 5. Stegoptera
5. Hymenoptera] 5. Trichoptera | 6. Hymenoptera
6. Lepidoptera | 6. Lepidoptera; 7. Lepidoptera] 6. Neuroptera
7. Diptera 7. Homoptera | 8. Homoptera | 7. Orthoptera
8. Hemiptera | 8. Hemiptera | 9. Heteroptera | 8. Hemiptera
9 Bees 9
ieee Feu Diptera
i
It will be seen that three of ovr authors commence vie the order
Coleoptera, and Westwood states his reason for so doing. He says:
‘This order comprises the extensive tribes of beetles, and, in respect
to the size of some of these insects, or the number of individual
species, must be regarded as occupying the foremost rank among
insects.” (Introd. 1., p. 33.)
The omission of the orders ‘belong: mentioned has now to. be
explained. The Dermaptera, Leach, or Euplexoptera, Westw., con-
taining the family Forficulide, also the Dictyoptera, or Blattidee, will
be included with the Orthoptera. The Strepsiptera, or Stylopide,
are considered to belong to the Coleoptera. The Aphaniptera, or
Pulicidz, and the Homaloptera, containing the families Hippoboscidze
and Nycteribide, are both placed among the Diptera. There remains
then the order Aptera to be disposed of. Curtis divides it into two
orders, viz., Thysanura and Anoplura. Sir John Lubbock, in his
Cooke: ON THE CLAssIFICATION oF INSECTS. 67
“ Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura,” does not seem to
regard them as belonging strictly tu the class Insecta, though nearer
to this class than they are to the Crustacea or Arachnida. According
to Stephens the order Aptera consists of the two families Pediculidz
and Nirmide. Now it is possible that the Pediculide, or at least the
greater portion of them, will have to be associated with the Hemiptera.
Of the Nirmidz, most of which are called bird-lice, I will not express
an opinion, except that they ought not to form a distinct order of
insects.
Restricting, then, the class Insecta as it has been done by Westwood
and by Newman, and carrying out the metamorphotic system of
arrangement, the class will be separable first of all, into two divisions,
which may be characterised thus :
Division I, Division Ii.
Pupa unable to feed. Pupa able to feed.
In the second division the pupa is as active and voracious as the
larva, and in some cases more so. In the first division there is much
_ difference in the power of motion possessed by the pupa, and this is
most evident among the Diptera ; in a large proportion of this order
the pupa is wholly incapable of any motion: whilst of those which
live in the water up to the time of their assuming the perfect state,
the pupze of some families possess considerable power of motion.
1 will now proceed to state my views as to the number of orders in
the class Insecta, and as to their arrangement on the principle of
commencing with the highest development. The following table
exhibits six orders in the first division, and six orders in the second,
viz :—
Division I. Division If.
1. Coleoptera 1. Neuroptera odonata (Dra-
2. Hymenoptera gon-flies only)
3. Diptera 2. Neuroptera Hetera
4, Lepidoptera 3. Orthoptera
5. Trichoptera (caddis-flies) 4, Hemiptera.
6. Stegoptera (Newman in part 5. Homoptera
or)
= Neuroptera planipennia . Thysanoptera (Haliday)
1. CotzopreRsa.—lIn the year 1861 Waterhouse published a “ Cata-
logue of British Coleoptera,” in three forms, one of which was intended
for labelling cabinets—a most valuable boon to collectors and students
of this order at that time. The arrangement was purely a tarsal one.
After ten years, when the number of British species had considerably
68 THE NATURALIST.
increased, another catalogue was issued by Dr. Sharp, which I believe
is now generally accepted by British coleopterists. It differs chiefly
from the preceding in the removal of the Trichopterygidz, Pselaphidz,
&c., from the Pseudotrimera, to positions of nearer alliance; also in
the restoration of the Hydrophilidz to a nearer connexion with the
Dytiscide. The principle of the arrangement seems to my mind
exactly the one which I have been advocating or supporting, and I
.consider Dr. Sharp’s catalogue to be a model for the arrangement of
all other orders of insects. If the principle is a good one as regards
the Coleoptera, I cannot conceive any reason why it should not be
carried out in the whole class.
The arrangement of the Coleoptera may be compared to the railway
system: if a person wishes to travel from Chester to Southport, he
takes the train to Birkenhead, and he there comes to a terminus ; he
crosses the river in a steam-boat, and then makes his way to Tithe-
barn-street station, in Liverpool, where he enters upon a distinct line
of railway. So it is with the beetles; when we get through the
Geodephaga and Hydradephaga, we come to a terminus, and then
change to another line, as it were, going on with the Brachelytra.
2. HymeNnoprera.—There may be a choice, in the commencement
of this order, between the ants and the wasps; I prefer the latter, and
if we begin the British species with Vespa crabro, we have a fine and a
formidable insect to take the lead. To get into a hornet’s nest is
proverbial ; to get into an ant’s nest would be, comparatively, a weak
expression.
3. DipteRA.—In his investigations on the Hymenoptera, Westwood
says (Introd., vol 2, p. 81) -—“It seems to be admitted on all hands
that the insects, which are the real analogues of the present order
(Hymenoptera) exist in the dipterous order, almost every hymenopte-
rous group having its representative in the latter.”
In arranging this order on the same principle as the Coleoptera,
there can scarcely be two opinions as to which family to begin with.
Walker says of the Asilidz (‘‘ Insecta Britannica—Diptera,” vol. 1,
p- 47)—‘‘ These flies are all carnivorous, and are the most powerful
and generally the largest of the Diptera. They destroy Coleoptera and
Hymenoptera, as well as insects of their own class.”
4, LepipopTERA.—Three out ‘of the four British authors before
mentioned commence the British species of this order with Papilio
Machaon; and I believe this commencement is almost universal with
British lepidopterists of the present day. Here, then, we have the ;
CookE: On THE CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 69
same principle in operation, which seems to have been the guiding
one in the arrangement of the Coleoptera. The British butterflies are
so few in number of species, that we have nothing to compare with
the magnificent genus Ornithoptera of Java, Sumatra, and Borneo,
which takes the lead in a general collection.
5. TRIcHoPpTERA.—This order is intended to contain. the insects
commonly known as caddis-flies only—in fact the species monographed
by M’Lachlan under this title. He has recently revised, and I think
improved, the arrangement of the British species, beginning with the
genus Neuronia and ending with the minute species, that is to say the
family Hydroptilidz. It would be difficult now to find any departure
from the principle of classification advocated in this paper.
6. STEGOPTERA.—Newman includes the caddis-flies along with the
Neuroptera-Planipennia under the title proposed. If it be permitted
to restrict the name to the latter insects as a separate order, the title is
surely worth retaining in preference to Neuroptera-planipennia, which
was proposed only as a division of the Linnzan order. The separation
of these insects into a distinct order is not a proposal of mine; I only
advocate its adoption. M’Lachlan has monographed the British
species, but if we are to deal with them on the same principle as with
the Trichoptera, the arrangement will want revising.
This order terminates the first division of the class Insecta, and I
think there may be observed a regular gradation from a hard-bodied,
strong, and well-defended class of instcts, tu a soft-bodied, weak, and
defenceless one.
Division II. Order 1.—NervRoprera Oponata.—lIt will be
observed that I propose to separate the Neuroptera of Linnzus into
four distinct orders —two belonging to the first division of the Insecta,
and two to the second, according to the nature of the metamorphosis.
Fabricius proposed the Odonata for the dragon-flies, and I do not like
to drop the title of Neuroptera, as it 1s done in the two orders in the
first division : hence the combination. I believe, also, that Fabricius
considered the Odonata to form a distinct order, therefore there is
nothing new in the proposition which I make ; it is only an attempt
to restore that which has been allowed to drop. The reason for so
doing is this: it has become very evident of late years that the sexual
characters of insects, the genitalia and their armature including the
anal appendages, are of high value in classification, and also as a test
in the distinction of species. Now, the male genitalia of the dragon-
flies differ from all other insects, so far as I am aware, in being
situated, not at the tip of the abdomen, but at its base underneath:
70 THE NATURALIST.
This of itself one would think sufficient to separate them as a distinct
order. An opportunity of witnessing the pairing of these insects may
perhaps not often occur. I had once a most favourable one, and the
species noticed was one of the larger kind. It was in a part of the
New Forest, Hampshire, in September, 1856, and remembering what
Westwood says on the subject (Introd., vol. 2, p. 38), I did not
neglect this opportunity. Without going into particulars, I was
perfectly satisfied of the truth of the statement alluded to, and that
Burmeister’s assertion to the contrary is without foundation. I may
add that, after pairing, the male does not let go his hold of the other
sex by the back of the neck, but assists her in the act of oviposition.
Besides the above distinction, the Odonata has no close relationship
with any other tribein the Neuroptera of Linneus. Their eminently
predaceous habits, their rapid and graceful flight, their very large eyes,
their powerful jaws, their antennee—in fact their whole organisation,
places them at a great distance above the insects which will compose
the next order.
2, NEUROPTERA-HETERA.—This order will contain the families
Perlidze, Ephemeridz, and Psocide ; the Termitidze not being natives -
of Britain.
3. OrTHopTERA.—The species of insects belonging to this order,
and inhabiting Britain, are few. They are comprised in the following
families :—Blattidse, Forficulide, Achetidz, Gryllidz, and Locustide.
4, HemiprrEra.—It will be seen that three of our British authors
separate the Homoptera as an order distinct from the Hemiptera
proper, and I think they have done wisely. The tendency in the
present day is to multiply families and genera, many of the proposed
families in the Hemiptera being represented by only one or two
British species. And if entomologists agree with the authors alluded )
to, each of the two orders will contain far more British species than
there are in each of the preceding. '
There being no British species analogous to the Geodephaga among
the Coleoptera, the order will commence with those which represent
the Hydradephaga, namely, Notonectidz, Hydrometridz, &c.; and
this has been done by both Curtis and Westwood. The tribe
Reduvina contains predaceous insects, but of inferior construction, and
are more nearly related to the Anthocorina.
5. HomoptErs.—The catalogue of these insects, published by the
Entomological Society of London in 1876, does not include the
Aphids and Coccide, and the arrangement is somewhat novel to
British entomologists.
CookE: HomorTera or LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Ck
6. THYSANOPTERA.—This order, consisting of the single family
Thripide (all very minute insects), was proposed by Haliday, and
adopted by Westwood. I recognise it as a distinct order, in deference
to the opinion of so eminent an entomologist as the proposer of the
title, and the principal investigator of the group.
I must now conclude. The subject is so vast that it is not an easy
matter to compress it into the limits of a paper without running the
risk of being misunderstood.- I have repeated very little of the paper
published in the Zoologist in its original form. It has been my aim to
avoid as much as possible the introduction of anything new in principle
and in nomenclature. My sole object is to aid, if I can, in bringing
the classification of insects into a more systematic form than it is at
present. J have carried out the details, in the arrangement of my own
collection, chiefly in the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera ;
but these details will require a thorough revision, and this cannot be
done properly without assistance.
Southport, Sept., 1882.
CONTRIBUTION TO A LIST OF THE HOMOPTERA OF
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE.
[THE NORTH OF LANCASTER EXCEPTED. |
By BENJAMIN COOKE.
CIXIID/A.
Cixius cunicularius, F. Manchester, Hazelgrove, Marple.
C. nervosus, L. Manchester.
C. brachycranus, Scott. Marple, August, 1865.
C. pilosus, Oliv. Bollin Valley, near Bowdon.
C. stigmaticus, Germ. ‘‘ The Brushes,” near Stalybridge, June, 1863
DELPHACIDZ.
- Liburnia pellucida, F. Manchester, Rivington, Bowdon.
L. discolor, Boh. Hazelgrove, Marple.
L. neglecta, Flor. Manchester.
APHROPHORID &.
Aphrophora alni, Fall. Hazelgrove.
Philaenus spumarius, L. Abundant.
P. lineatus, L. SBollin Valley.
; MEMBRACID&.
Centrotus cornutus, L. Warrington.
ACOCEPHALID &.
Strongylocephalus agrestis, Fall. Manchester, Southport, Bowdon,
Marple.
G2 Toe NatTuRAList.
Acocephalus rusticus, F. Manchester, Southport, Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
A. bifasciatus, L. Rivington, Stalybridge.
A. albifrons, L. Southport, Hazelerove.
A. flavostriatus, Don. Southport, Hazelgrove.
BYTHOSCOPID A.
Macropsis lanio, L. Bowdon, Hazelgrove, Pettypool, Delamere.
Idiocerus adustus, Schaff. Manchester, Lytham.
I. populi, L. Manchester, Rivington, Southport.
Bythoscopus flavicollis, L. Manchester, Rivington, Greenfield, Hazelgrove
Pediopsis cereus, Germ. Southport.
P. nassatus, Germ. Manchester, Bowdon.
Agallia puncticeps, Germ. Hazelgrove.
TETTIGONID &.
Euacanthus interruptus, L. Manchester, Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
TYPHLOCYBID&.
Alebra albostriella, Fall. Hazelgrove.
Cybus smaragdulus, Fall. Manchester, Southport, Hazelgrove.
Chlorita viridula, Fall. Bowdon.
C. flavescens, F. Manchester, Bowdon.
Dicranoneura variata, Hardy. Southport.
Typhlocyba decempunctata, Fall. Pettypool.
T. quercus, F. Bowdon.
T. ulmi, L. Abundant.
T. geometrica, Schr. Manchester, Southport.
T. rose, L. Manchester, Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
T. blandula, Rossi. Dowdon, Hazelgrove.
Eupteryx tenellus, Fall. Bowdon, October, 1878.
E. urtice, F. Manchester, Bowdon.
E. pictus, F. Manchester, Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
E. stachydearum, Hardy. Manchester, Aughton, Bowdon.
K. pulchellus, Fall. Manchester, Rivington. Hazelgrove.
JASSID A. |
Cicadula sexnotata, Fall. Manchester, Bowdon. - n
Thamnotettis torneella, Tett. Manchester, Hazelgrove, .
T. quadrinotata, F. Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
Athysanus subfusculus, Fall Manchester, Bowden.
A. prasinus, Fall. Manchester, Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
Allygus mixtus, F. Manchester, Southport, Hazelgrove.
DELTOCEPHALID.
Deltocephalus abdominalis, F. Manchester.
D. sabulicola, Curt. Southport.
D. striatus, L. Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
D. socialis, Flor. Rivington, Pettypool.
D. ocellaris, Fall. Bowdon.
D. pulicaris, Fall. Bowdon.
+]
RAINFALL For OcTOBER. We
PSYLUID ZA.
Psylla Forsteri, Flor. Manchester, Southport, Hazelgrove.
. alni, L. Manchester, Hazelgrove.
. salicicola, Forst. Bowdon.
. fumipennis, Forst. Bowdon.
. eratzegicola, Forst., Manchester.
. mali, Forst. Bowdon.
. fraxinicola, Forst. Manchester, Rivington, Southport.
Trioza urtice, L. Bowdon, Hazelgrove.
AMaintall for October.
ach tae) Ine} elas) slaol tac!
Height | Toran Faun
of < || Nox To Dare. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain- | of heaviest ot
above fall, Dic ena es on Fall. heaviest
sea Fall.
level. 1882. 1881.
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 369 | 23. 28°37 |* 27:19 24 0°70
(J. W. Robson)
Hauirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 4°50 | 19 , 40°44 37°40 ie, ty
LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 ;3°640 | 30 23-080 +20°615 19 0°785
HorRsForTH ... (James Fox)} 350 |4°040 | 24 28°660 |{27°170 24 0°710
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...| 350 | 4°77 | 24 | 26°78 21°56 24 115
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ie 853 | 4°94 | 27 | 35°91 34°61 24 1:00
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...) 520 | 4°41 | 21 | 27°81 25°83 24 1:18
Gooun ... (J. Harrison) ..| 25 | 4:21 | 25, 26-77 | 21°27 24 1°50
Hutu (Derringham) (Wm. 10 | 5°64 | 26 18°292 | 25°36 24 1°72
Lawton)
* Average to date for 16 years, 1866-81. + Average of 28 years, 1853-62 & 1865-82.
t Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
Short Notes and Oueries.
BADGER, OTTER, AND Potecat.—Can any zoologist give particulars,
through the columns of the Naturalist, of the occurrence in Yorkshire of
the three above-named animals for the last ten or twelve years? As these
interesting quadrupeds are now rare, I have no doubt many naturalists
would be glad to see a comprehensive account of recent occurrences. —
Gro. Rozerts, Lofthouse, Wakefield, Oct. 31st.
THE GoOLDEN-EYE Duck anp Wuits Sparrow at ELtanp.—On the 5th
Noy., two males and one female of the above duck, in nearly mature
plumage, were shot on the garden pond, Marshall Hall, the residence of
Mr. John Smithies. A few weeks ago a beautiful white sparrow was
} shot at Elland Hall. Evolution has no chance here ; as soon as a variety
appears, it is either shot or captured.—C. C. Hanson, Greetland.
FIELDFARES NEAR HUDDERSFIELD.—From a report at page 56 of last
month’s Naturalist, I perceive that fieldfares were observed near Hud-
7A THe NATURALIST.
dersfield on Sept. 24th. Can any other correspondent corroborate this
observation? It is difficult to distinguish immigrant missel-thrushes
from fieldfares when at a distance, especially if the respective notes of
the birds are not heard. My earliest date for the appearance of the field-
fare for the last twelve yearsis Oct. 12th.—Gzro. RoBErts.
Snow-Buntinec.—Last winter I bought a snow-bunting of a bird-catcher
for the purpose of making myself acquainted with its song and notes, and
also for the purpose of noticing any changes of plumage. The bird had
been caught some time during the previous winter near Leeds, and
having been confined in a small cage, its tail was worn to astump. Its
plumage was a uniform rufous-brown and black above, and a dirty white
beneath. I gave it a pretty large cage, and fed it with canary seed.
About the middle of March last it began to sing. Its song is weak for the
size of the bird ; its notes, however, are mellow and full, and one peculiar
note, generally uttered at night, is very loud and piercing. It sang only
for a short time in spring, and always ceased singing if 1t saw anyone
watching. For the first eight or nine months it kept continually jumping
and dancing within the wires at the front of the cage, and at night never
perched, but sat in a corner. About September it seemed to acquire a
new dress without throwing off any of the old. It has now a full
plumage, tail included, has lost its habit of dancing, and has begun to
perch both in the daytime, and at night when roosting. The new plumage
is similar to the old, except in being brighter, in having a red-brown
crescent on the breast, and a few white feathers on the crown and round
the eyes, and more conspicuous white feathers in the tail. Mudie says
that the snow-bunting in a wild state never perches. I presume that the
reason it did not perch at first was that it had been confined in a
small cage without perches, and that it was without tail, consequently
unable, or less able, to balance itself on a perch. The feet of this species
are not grasping feet, but more fit for standing or running on the leaves
of aquatic plants, like the feet of the skylark, which bird, judging from
the prolongation of the toes, has doubtless originally been a marsh-bird.
The claw on the heel of my caged bunting was (before being shortened)
nearly three-quarters of an inch in length. The bill is yellow, tipped
with black.—Gzro. RoBERTs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.—Through the kindness of Lord Wal-
singham, I have recently added to my collection a pair of Steganoptycha
rufimitrana. His lordship bred a series, in June last, from larve found
in Norfolk, on fir (Abies cephalonica); previously the species was only
known, as British, by two Cambridge specimens, and one bred by Lord
Walsingham last year. Other additions to my cabinet include Platypteryx
sicula, from Bristol; a pair of Dianthecia Barrettvi, taken by the late
Mr. R. W. Sinclair, at Howth; Gymnancycla canella, bred from pupe
sent me last year by the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, of Guestling, near
Hastings, to whom I am also indebted for a batch of larve, now feeding
SHort NorEs AND QUERIES. 75
on Salsola Kali; Bactra furfurana, taken this season near Dublin, by
the Rev. G. C. B. Madden, of Armitage Bridge ; several Cedestis qyssel-
inella, taken this season at Dollar, N.B. ; Pterophorus Bertrami, taken in
Carmarthenshire, and P. punctidactylus, in Cardiganshire, both by Mr.
Nelson M. Richardson.—Gero. T. Porritt, September, 1882.
Brnewey.—I quite confirm Mr. Carter’s remarks about the past season
being a bad one generally for macro-lepidoptera. The comparative
scarcity of NV. mundana and P. pilosaria was very noticeable. A. meny-
anthidis, N. Dahlii, H. glauca, C. ferrugata, and A. fumata are the only
insects, as far as 1 remember, that occurred in their normal numbers.
D. templi, A. inornata, and an Hupithecia, perhaps fraxinata, one of each,
are the Only additions for this locality. S&S. crategalis was plentiful on
Blackhills, and not uncommon on the southern slopes of Harden Moor.
My brother was so fortunate as to secure Tinea fulvimitrella in Hawks-
worth Wood in June, thus adding another to the few already known
British localities. — EK. P. P. Burrerrieip, Wilsden, Bingley, Nov. 9th.—
[Other Yorkshire localities for Tinea fulvimitrella are Bramham, Don-
caster, Rotherham, Scarborough, and Sheffield.—G. T. P.]
Cychrus rostratus At GRASSINGTON AND GILSTEAD.—I took a single
specimen of this beetle at Grassington, on the 6th of last August. I
pulled up a small patch of Sedum acre to bring home, and out rolled the
beetle. I have also a specimen from Gilstead, in Airedale, taken by Mr.
Firth, last spring, from under a stone.—J. W. Carrer, Bradford,
Nov. 16th.
Cychrus rostratus At HUDDERSFIELD.—It may interest Mr. Roebuck to
know that last winter I took two specimens of this beetle in this district.
They were hybernating under stones.—S. L. Mostey, Huddersfield,
Nov. 15th.
Sirex gigas AT HuDDERSFIELD.—This autumn I had another Sirex gigas
brought to me from Almondbury, by the same person and from the same
place as the one last year.—G.C. B Mapprn, Armitage Bridge Vicar-
age, Huddersfield, October.
Sphagnum Austini, Sull., iv S8.W. Scornanp.—-Mr. Jas. McAndrew
has a note in the Scottish Naturalist, No. xlviu, p. 378, that he has found
this moss and its var. imbricatwm (of both of which he has kindly sent us
specimens), in large hassocks, on Moss Raplock, on the farm of Clatter-
ingshaws—the scene of one of Robert Bruce’s victories. He also finds it,
but not in plenty, in Barend Moss, Laurieston, near Castle Douglas, and
in Auchencairn Moss, near Auchencairn. These are all in Kirkcudbright-
_ shire, and are new to prov. 13 of Watson. Its distribution is now,
therefore, 12, 13, 18 a.—C. P. H.
THE Errects oF WEATHER ON Insects : By Miss OnmMEROD (Concluded),
—The effect of weather as a means of destroying insect eggs, was next
_ touched on, and it was laid down that the weather influence that seems
76 THe NATURALIST.
to be mainly depended upon as an agent for this purpose is desiccation, —
that is, drying the egg by throwing it out. from its natural locality to such
influences of air and sunshine as may dry up the contained fluid, and
thus prevent the embryo within from developing. It is possible to
prevent attack by turning the eggs down to an ascertained depth, at
which, although the tenant may hatch out, yet if the ground is ina
natural state the insect cannot penetrate it. If the earth is cracked, of
course the deep crevices admit air, and alter the state of the case, but it
is plain that we can destroy great numbers of eggs by throwing them out,
upwards or downwards, from their natural place of deposit, and also we
may diminish the quantity of eggs laid above ground by decreasing the
number of places proper for egg-laying. Clearing away neglected weeds
will demolish many nurseries of coming attack, good liming will keep the
click beetle from laying eggs to infest the meadow with wireworm, or a
better plan is penning sheep on grass that it is particularly desirable to
protect, thus not only preventing oviposition, but destroying the young
grubs just beneath the ground from its being sodden with matter injurious
to insect life. The use of chemical manure, such as super-phosphate, has
been found to decrease the ravages of the cabbage-root maggot ; while,
as the onion-flies lay their eggs very frequently either just below the
surface of the ground, or if possible at the base of the bulb, it has been
found that if onion bulbs are earthed up from time to time the flies are
thus obliged to lay their eggs at haphazard, on the leaves or ground, or at
least not in such a position that the maggots, if they hatch at all, can
make their way to their food, and this prevents very much of the attack,
and agrees well with the plant-growth. Passing to deal with larvee, the
lecturer pointed out that in this country the conditions which are most
favourable for the hatching of the larvee of the greater part of our insects
are moderate warmth, together with some degree of moisture, while heavy
rain, and especially rain following a term of warm dry weather, is most
destructive to larvee exposed to it, as well by its immediate effect upon
them as presenting them food caused thereby to be unsuitable to larval
life. The turnip fly, or beet fly, or whichever it may be, was very
injurious till the rain washed it off, or started the plant, or in some way
put an end to its ravages ; and it was pointed out that when we look at
the injury caused by overplus of rain in some years and deficiency in
others, and the benefits that might possibly be derived from a more
extended plan of field cisterns, it is so plain that a better regulated
distribution of water, both as an external application to clear off insect
vermin and for absorption by the roots to press on the growth, would be
thoroughly useful, that the point of how far it could be managed by steam
power at a paying rate is well worth thinking of. Miss Ormerod con-
cluded : The coolness and darkness of the night, or the bright sunshine,
as distinguished from the cloudy light of many of our summer days, all
have their effect on insect life, some of which we can utilise, and some of
which, although we cannot alter them, will benefit us, if we notice them,
Snort Notes anD QUERIES. (ite
by preparing us for coming attack. The common cockchafer is quiet
under the leafage in the heat of the day, and may then be shaken down
and destroyed ; and, though we do not often suffer from injury caused
by the grub of this beetle to the amount to which it ravages in Germany,
yet the extent to which it has destroyed young pine plantations near
Salisbury in the last two years shows that we need to keep it in check,
lest it should rise to be as severe a pest as the grubs of various kinds of
chafers are now proving in the Southern Island of New Zealand. * The
daddy-longlegs grubs come out at night to feed, or travel on the surface,
and are then open to rolling or other measures of destruction ; some of
our turnip and cabbage caterpillars are similarly open to attack at night,
or in the dusk hours, and the great caterpillars of the death’s-head moth,
which sometimes do great harm to the leafage of the potato, are variable
in their time of feeding, so that it is desirable for someone interested in
the matter to ascertain the habits of the special caterpillars before setting
destructive operations on foot. The click beetle, the parent of the wire-
worm, may be swept up in great numbers in the evening from grass ;
and, on the other hand, the turnip flea-beetle rejoices in the sunshine,
and then flies far and spreads rapidly. It is points such as these that we
need to know more of ; it is the province of the entomologist to give the
name of the insect, and to know the precise history of its method and
place of existence ; but it is the province of the agriculturalist to notice,
in real practical and continuous observation, the various influences which
act upon it, and, may I not add, when observed to make them known.
It is a matter of great importance—it is nothing less than the daily bread
of the nation, which, for want of attention, is being in many cases abso-
lutely thrown to the insect-vermin, whilst the landholder is distressed for
want of the crops which need not have been lost.
NOTICES OF BOOKS.—“ Children’s Flowers : the Friends of their
Rambles and their Play.” London: Religious Tract Society, 1882.—We
have received a copy of the above from the author, and though we are
not quite sure that in some respects it comes within our scope, yet we
cannot refrain from giving it a word or two of praise. It professes to be
a book written for children, and for the purpose of interesting them, and
eiving them instruction about our common wayside flowers ; and for this
purpose all must concede that it is an eminent success. We know
children who can barely read, but who can understand what is read to
them in simple language, who are quite captivated with it—who will
| gather all the flowers they meet with in their rambles through the fields,
, and eagerly demand of nurse or teacher to read to them what this book
} says about them. Lach flower and plant is described in simple, untech-
| nichal language, that any child can understand, shows how, by dissecting
| them, they can compare the various components of the flowers and leaves
of each plant with others, thus imparting both interest and instruction,
» and no doubt will sow the seeds of future and further enquiry into these
78 THe NaTuRALIST.
*‘beauties of nature.” A short moral lesson is also attached to each
flower or plant, which, without being in. any way partisan in character,
may be studied with profit even by children of larger growth. We
heartily commend the book to all who have young families, as a most
useful and interesting birthday or christmas present, and one which will
be thoroughly appreciated by any child of from 5 to 10 years of age, and
possessed of ordinary intelligence. We should have been glad had the
authoress—who is a native of our own town—been pleased to affix her
name to the book ; but as she has not, although she is well known to us,
we must preserve her incogivito.
Renorls of Societies.
Barnstey Naturarists’ Soctery.—Meeting Noy. 7th, Dr. Lancaster
in the chair.—A paper of great interest to our coal district was given by
Mr. H. B. Nash, entitled ‘“‘How the Coal Measures were formed.”
Observations of birds during the last few weeks: September 15th,
willow warbler and chifichaff in song, last recorded ; Oct. 1, a great
spotted woodpecker visited a garden at top of Church-street. It occurred
on several days: not noted before in the town. It has again been |
recorded in the neighbouring parks and woods. Oct. 4th, a night-jar ;
Sth, redwings and fieldfares observed; 17th, a swallow noted ; 23rd,
latest notice of house martins ; 29th, Ray’s wagtail (a late stay) and the
_ grey wagtail, a partial migrant from north-west Yorkshire in winter to
our valley streams and warm mill-ponds; 25th, sandpipers and water-
rails by the Calder—the latter seldom seen with us; woodcocks first
noted ; 28th, yellow-hammer, hedge accentors, wrens, larks in song, the
latter heard up to the present time (Noy. 18th); 29th, kestrel, gold-
crest, grey wagtails, moorhens noted by Mr. J. Parkins between Wake-
field and Barnsley; 30th, a barn owl set up from a field by Mr. J.
Dymond, of Burntwood, and chased by four rooks and other birds ; a
pied blackbird noted several days in Locke Park, Barnsley: a skua gull,
examined by Mr. G. Parkin and pronounced a young Richardson’s skua,
shot at Cudworth (not noted previously in our district); Nov. 17th,
kestrel seen at Belk Farm, Worsborough ; 18th, one seen by me near
Dodworth. Both were hovering over fields and copses, and were often’
seen further away from the town, and occasionally the sparrow-hawk.—
TuHos. LisTER. ;
ae Oe ee
BrapForD Naturauists’ Soctety.—Meeting Oct. 17th, the president
in the chair.—The evening was devoted to the exhibition of microscopic
objects. Messrs. Fawcett and Kershaw showed a large number of —
objects, inclnding sheep-tic, parasite from pig, larva of O. antiqua,
section of meteorite showing fluid cavity, &.; Mr. Oxley, stained —
sections of stems; and Mr. West, Draparnaldia plumosa, &c., from
Reports or Societtés. 79
Clayton. Mr. Soppitt gave an aecount of the recent meeting of the
Y.N.U. at Thirsk, and stated that he had collected about 90 species of
fungi. He exhibited specimens of Phragmidium violaceam and rubi,
collected at that meeting—two species hitherto in this country confounded
as P. bulboswm, and pointed out the characteristics of each. He also
showed Tetraphis pellucida, in fruit, collected on the same occasion. Mr.
Illingworth showed C. Hdusa, A. Galathea, S. Algeria, &e.
Meetine Oct. 3lst, the president in the chair.—The recorders of the
botanical section (Messrs. Soppitt and West) reported on the work done
by that section during the year 1882. They stated that the number of
plants added to the list during the year was 110, viz :—phanerogams 11,
fungi 55, mosses 16, hepatics 6, lichens 12, and alge 10, making a total
of 1,444 species actually observed by members of the society in the
districts under investigation. Mr. Soppitt exhibited and described a
number of micro-fungi.
Meertine Nov. 14th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Firth reported
on the work done by the vertebrate-zoological section during the year.
He stated that the additions to the list were few in number, and consisted
of the whiskered bat (Vespertilio mystacinus) from Ben-Rhydding, little
bittern (Ardetta minuta) from Frizinghall, the great-crested newt (Triton
cristatus) from Baildon, and the common snake (Tropidonotus natrix)
from Wilsden, making a total of 164 species recorded for the district, viz.
maminalia 20 species, birds 136, reptiles 4, and amphibians 4. For the
conchological section Mr. Soppitt gave an elaborate report and list of
species of land and fresh-water mollusca, in which he enumerated 101
species and varieties, amongst which were Spherium vrivicola, Shipley and
Seven Arches ; Anodonta cygnea, Bradford Moor and Saltaire: Neritina
juwiatilis from Shipley, Bingley, &c.; Pupa ringens from Shipley Glen.
Mr. West showed Nitella mucronata from a pond near Bedford—the
second British station.—J. W. C.
LANCASHIRE AND CuHESHIRE ENntTomoLocicaL Socrety.—Monthly
meeting, Oct. 30th, the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper) in the chair.—Mr.
C. H. H. Walker read a paper entitled “‘ The Entomology of the Antedi-
-Juvian World,” which he illustrated by coloured diagrams of its fauna
and flora. He referred to the necessity of the study of paleontological
entumology for a proper idea of the classificatien of recent insects ; and
» with reference to discussions which have taken place at recent meetings
of the society on the subject cf connecting links between different orders
of insects, he instanced the presence of insect remains (forming a group
known as the Palzodictyopterz) in the carboniferous and permian series
_ of strata, which are generally considered to be intermediate in structure
between the Orthoptera and Neuroptera. To illustrate the paper, Mr.
_ J.T. Moore sent specimens of fossil insects from the Ravenhead (St.
Helen’s) collection in the museum, and Mr. Walker exhibited a slab of
, slate containing fossil dragon-flies. Mr. Frazer, of Crosby, exhibited a
80 THE NATURALIST.
hermaphrodite specimen of the fox moth, Bombyx rubi.—J. W. Ets,
Hon. Sec.
Port Evizapeta Naturatists’ Soctety.—The meeting of this society,
on October 19th, was one of unusual importance, the subject of discus-
sion—viz., ‘‘Injurious Insects ’”’—being of vital interest to agriculturalists
and commercial men. Mr. Russell Hallack, president, occupied the
chair. Mr. 8. D. Bairstow, F.LS., introduced the question, briefly
alluding to the ravages of insect pests. Scientific research has failed
hitherto in elucidating the causes which operate in producing the vast
swarms of destructive insects at certain periods. Gregarious locusts,
living peaceably together, by some curious and inexplicable communica-
tion of purpose, suddenly take wing and fly towards distant parts m |
countless myriads. Butterflies, beetles, flies, &c., of great rarity one !
season, appear in swarms during the succeeding. How may these facts
be explained? By scientific and practical observation. The first is
desirable, the latter essential. Thus, farmers and horticulturalists who
are constantly working amongst their crops, are the proper persons to
discover cause by recording effect. Much difficulty is encountered in
this country through the utter absence of popular books or magazines.
We have no gardener’s chronicle, agriculturalist’s guide, no text-books or
useful monthlies, and few, if any, of our press publications devote columns
to the furtherance of Natural History observations. The naturalists
petition ‘‘outside aid.” They require notes and specimens, and will
undertake for their part to accumulate observations and suggested
remedies, forwarding all correspondence to a proper centre for purposes
of determination. A most valuable and interesting letter was read by
the secretary from Miss E. A. Ormerod, F.M S., the well-known farmer’s
friend, and several pamphlets were distributed amongst the members.
Mr. Bairstow also exhibited a pen-and-ink sketch illustrating the life-
history of our common fig-moth, with comments thereon, as an example
of personal observation.—[Communicated by 8. D. Barrstow, F.LS.,
late of Huddersfield. |
Rreon Naturatists’ Ctus.—A very pleasant evening, under Mr. E. A.
Ebdell’s presidency, was spent, and a number of exhibits were handed
round for inspection, including—Mr. Lickley, prehistoric chisel of rein-
deer horn, found 1878 in Stammergate, 14 feet below the surface, three
antique keys found near the Minster, blade of old dagger found near _
Quarry Moor, three coins and fossil from Whitby lias; Mr. T. Pratt, —
M.R.C.V.S8., Hozoon canadense from Laurentian limestone, Montrose; ~
Mr. D. W. Moss, several fossils from magnesian limestone of Wormald —
Green; Mr. G. Malthouse, cowslips, primroses, and violets in flower. |
Mr. J. Waite reported capture of the following moths this month :— —
P. populi, HE. tiliana, H. pennaria, H. auwrantiaria, H.. defoliaria, 0. i
filigrammaria, G. flavago, H. micacea, N. C-nigrum, &c. The swallow —
was seen the third week in October, and the house martin the fourth —
week, at Borrage. “y
- Diary.—Meetings of Societies.
. Heekmondwike Netavalicty ‘Societe 7-30 p-m.
. Leeds Geological Association, 8 p.m.
. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society, .
Bishop- Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—Anuual Meeting.
. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
. Entomological Society of London, 7 p-m.
. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
Ase Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society. ~
-y 18. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
», 18. Leeds Geological Association. —
» 18. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p.m.
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“Oniervar AnrictEs, &e.: ies Sean sy
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Original Articles.
SCARCITY OF WINTER BIRDS.
By Gero. Roserts.
SINCE the end of September, the scarcity of birds in this, the Loft-
house district, has been remarkable. No flocks of redwings, fieldfares
or bramblings appeared at the usual time. Few bullfinches have been
seen, and tree-sparrows are much less frequent than they were last
winter. TFieldfares have been cbserved in this district in gradually
decreasing numbers for nine or ten years, and redwings have been
noticed in less numbers for six years.
About the end of last October, the only birds seen by the writer
during a walk of two miles along a brook-side, were, in addition to
house sparrows, one robin, one chaffinch, and one blue titmouse. The
scarcity does not arise from lack of food: haws, and various other
winter fruits were, and still are, tolerably plentiful; and the weather,
save about one week when deep snow covered the ground, has been
mild and favourable.
It has long been surmised that birds from northern districts move
southward at the beginning of winter, and that the deserted districts
are partially filled up by birds from more northern regions : in other
words, there has always been a general tendency among what are
called resident birds to emigrate southward before or during winter.
The question arises—may the four or five severe winters that we have
had lately, have encouraged and developed that inherent tendency to
migrate southward, or may they have induced some entirely new
migration? Immense numbers of our small birds have perished
during the arctic winters that we experienced previous to 1881-2 ; if
such winters had continued, and no migration or shifting of quarters
had taken place, nearly all of our small birds would have been exter-
minated. When we find that birds perish from cold and hunger when
a southward flight of five or six hours would place them in a more
genial and bountiful region, a want of fore-knowledge and instinct
seems to be displayed, so that it is not unreasonable to suppose that
the series of severe winters might bave quickened the migrative
impulse, and caused them to withdraw from northern latitudes in
greater numbers, and, as just hinted, new or more lengthy preservative
migrations may have originated. All migrations must have had a
beginning, and they are subject, like everything else, to modification.
When once a bird, or a flock of birds, have been driven to take a
longer flight, or to deviate from the usual course, we may infer that
N.S., Vou. vill.. FEB., 1883.
98 THe NatvUrRattsi.
_ the journey each day will not be forgotten, and that the impulse to
take the same route especially if the journey has been favourable and
preservative, will not be lost when the same seasonal circumstances
come round again.
The following birds are migratory in Scandinavia :—rook, starling,
redbreast, song thrush, pied wagtail, meadow pipit, hedge sparrow,
black-headed bunting, skylark, wood-lark, brown linnet, chaffinch, haw-
finch, ring-dove, and stock-dove; that is to say, they leave in autumn
for Central or Southern Europe, and it is not improbable that many
of our birds may leave us and join them in their winter quarters. It
is true that accessions of birds are regularly observed in autumn in
Britain, but as a rule these birds will only form the outer fringe of the
migrative tide that is passing along the Continent; and on their
arrival here they do not stay long in one place, unless there happens to
be an abundance of food in their path, but keep shifting, and eventu-
ally are lost to observation. It is rational to conceive that terrestrial
birds will keep as much to the land as possible on the Continent, and
not risk themselves across the North Sea. When they appear in extra-
ordinary numbers on our coasts, the occurrence doubtless arises from
their being driven from their course by storms, rather than from any
inclination or eagerness to visit us, because our northern shores in
winter are nearly as forbidding and inhospitable as those the birds are
deserting.
It would be interesting to learn if the scarcity of winter birds is
general over Britain, or if accessions have been observed in the south
of England. If the seareity is merely local, the idea of an over-sea
migration can scarcely maintain its ground, and we may consider it
more likely due to insular, partial movements.
Lofthouse, Wakefield, Jan. 5th, 1883.
A PHYSIOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE BRITISH
LEPIDOPTERA.*
By A. H. Swinton.
THe Linnean system of arrangement being enunciated as a linear
projection of a Darwinian tree of descent, it becomes evident the
clearer we can trace the gradation of the organic structures in any
group of life-forms, the more perfectly we shall be able to marshal their
columns and draw them up into a single front. Nor is it necessary
* Read at a recent Meeting of the Entomological Society of London,
Swinton : PoystoLocicaL ARRANGEMENT OF LEPIDOPTERA. 99
to our intent that we should be acquainted with all the scions of the
group in question, past and present, any more than it is essential to an
artist that every leaf and twig appear in a painting; for, when links
are missing, the shadowy tree of life is not one whit less perfectly
indicated by coupling aright those that come under our immediate
observation. The simpler the material, the bolder the drawing.
In the Naturalist for Oct., 1881 (p. 45) I observed that it has been a
long standing practice with authors of works on British butterflies to
treat the five groups represented in this country in the following
order :—Papilionide, Nymphalide, Erycinidz, Lycznidz, and Hes:
peridz ; but that since the first family, according to Dr. Scudder and
others, has close affinity with the last, the method is only plausible on
the principle of extremes meeting, the better arrangement every way
being Nymphalide, Erycinide, Lycznidz, Papilionide and Hes-
peridee. I also added that if physiological reasons could ever be got
to prevail over the fancy for having the butterflies first, I would like-
wise suggest a further arrangement of the five groups of lepidoptera,
showing the development of a structure at the base of the abdomen
attributed with the faculty of hearing, that highest of insect senses,
thus: Noctuina, Bombycina, Geometrina, Butterflies, and Sphingina.
Since writing this, a new light has broken upon the subject, and it
has become evident to me that the Darwinian tree may be co-ordinated
with two lines; namely, that discovered by Linneus, in which the
mere connexion of the organism being taken into consideration, the
branches are thus projected vertically as the shadows fall, and that of
more late origin that has taken its rise in the study of structural
development, where the branches are projected horizontally, and the
degree of perfection of the species is also estimated. The horizontal
line of Linneus thus shows the connexion or the scions in families and
genera, the vertical line of the Darwinian school zzdicates the evolution
of races as far as progression is implicated; and we must believe there
has been, on the whole, such progressive development of lepidoptera,
although there is not extant sufficient geological. evidence to quarrel
about. But whether true in causation as in actuality, that arrange-
ment of the groups of the lepidoptera which I have suggested, may be
taken as a good outline of the new structural and physiological method
which I have previously advocated in my “Insect Variety ”’ ; while
that worked out with so much pains by Edward Newman, will furnish
a good example of the Linnzan or horizontal co-ordination.
I will now show how his latest systematic co-ordination may be
projected vertically, and with what result. Instead of the arrangement
100 Tot NaTuRAList.
Diurni, Nocturni, Geometre, Drepanule, Pseudo-Bombyces, Noctuz,
and Deltoides, as adopted by that author, ranking the insect from
physiological data we should have the following order :—Noctue,
Pseudo-Bombyces, Drepanule, Deltoides, Geometrze, Bombyces (or the
Nocturni of Newman’s arrangement from the genus Procris to the
genus Saturnia), Diurni and Sphingina (or the remaining portion of
the Nocturni of Newman).
It is evident we have in this way greater harmony as regards
structure, and that certain insects of lower organic perfection than the
rest are more thrown together, instead of being isolated as heretofore
among those more highly organised, as always must result from a
horizontal projection.. The Deltcides where certain of the males are
fan-footed, ally themselves with the faleate-winged Drepanule ; the
Noctuze, in the fan-footed Catocale bridge over the passage to the fan-
footed Geometree ; the tailed Geometre of the genus Urapteryx form
a passage to the genera of the Bombyces, Saturnia, and Endromis ;
while both Geometers and Bombyces alike exhibit transition to the
butterflies. The Diurni, or butterflies, again, pass into the Sphingina
and their allies, where we find assorted such rudimentary forms as the
genera Hepialus and Psychide, that form a natural passage to the case-
bearing micro-lepidoptera. Another link, according to Mr. A. G.
Butter, is found in the clear-winged A‘geriide (Trans. Ent. Soe., 1878,
p. 121), and these lowly forms, by way of the aquatic genera of the
Pyralides, Acentropus, and Hydrocampa, form a transition to the
trichopterous forms of tl:e Neuroptera.
If anyone is desirous of further following up this essay towards a
fresh arrangement of the British Lepidoptera, I should suggest the
procuring of an exchange list such as is sold by Mr. Cooke, of Museum-
street. If he then will number the groups from the Noctuz back-
wards as suggested, and draw a line dividing the first two columns of
the Nocturni from the last four, the matter will flash upon him at Once
Perhaps he may gain thereby some new light regarding the mysterious
tree of life.
July 26th, 1882.
THE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR, OR LARVA OF
NEUATUS RIBESI,
By Miss Oxmerop, F.M.S.
[ApsTRacT OF ParEr 1n Jour. Roy. Coz. Acric.. CrrenczsTER. |
THE Gooseberry Sawfly is perhaps one of the commonest of our garden
pests, and by means of its caterpillars regularly year by year causes
damage from, we might say, one end of the kingdom to the other. It
OrMEROD: THE GoosSEBERRY CATERPILLAR. 101
is at the same time a thoroughly good example of how, by a knowledge
of the habits of a so-called pest, also a little thought on the reasons for
good or bad action of the remedies, an injurious attack may be kept
down with very little trouble and hardly any expense. In this case
infinite troubie is yearly taken in pinching the grubs, shaking, dusting,
syringing, trampling, and all kinds of remedial means, too often with
very little effect, except in the case of Hellebore powder, which if
properly done and with good powder, appears to get rid of the attack
very surely, but at the same time has the disadvantage that if applied
near the time when the berries are to be of service for table use (unless
great care is taken in clearing them of the powder), the eaters are in
danger of severe—possibly fatal—illness. A far simpler course is to
clear away the coming brood in the larva state from beneath the bushes.
If we start the attack—say of 1852—from its very beginning it stands
thus :—In the autumn of 1851 the caterpillars of the last brood when
full fed went down from the bushes into the ground, perhaps only two
inches deep, but if the soil was light, possibly to a depth of six or
eight inches. Here they made themselves each a cocoon, or outer
easing of a kind of secretion, which formed a bluntly oval brown case,
about half-an-inch long, in which each grub or larva passed the winter
still in its larval state. When spring came, and the gooseberry and
currant bushes were coming into leaf, then the grub changed to the
chrysalis, and the chrysalis shortly developed, and from it came the
perfect gooseberry sawfly, to lay its eggs and thus start a brood of
caterpillars on the young leafage just ready for them to feed on. Here
we see at once how to forestall attack, and practically the point is
worked forward in some of the gooseberry growing districts near Isle-
worth. If the soil is removed from beneath the gooseberry bushes
after the fall of the leaf, with this soil we remove the grubs, and are
just in that proportion freer from attack next year. But some degree
of care is necessary, and want of this at times leaves the larve as much
in possession (for all practical purposes) as if nothing had been done.
The earth and contained grubs ought to be so disposed of by burning,
throwing where it will be trampled on, or other means, that these
grubs will be destroyed, or they will develope as if nothing had been
done, and if left near the bushes, the sawflies will (as in previous
generations) as soon as developed just walk or fly to the new leafage
and start the new course of injury. A good example of this was given
in a case where, last autumn, the earth was disturbed and removed in
due course from beneath the bushes of a gooseberry ground near Isle-
worth, but it was not taken away. Month after month it lay in lines
102 Tue NaATuRALIST.
between the rows of the gooseberry bushes, and (presumably) there,
under it, the larvee passed the winter unhurt, and all ready for spring
action, for now, on the 6th of July, the bushes in many cases are badly
stripped, and the caterpillar of the summer brood may be seen, with
its bluish green skin spotted with black, and in its characteristic
position, that is, fastened by its caudal proleg to the surface of the leaf,
and by the others to the gnawed edge on which it is feeding. When
once these grubs are in possession, remedies are troublesome to apply,
and, in districts where gooseberry growing is one of the gardening
trades, co-operation is necessary to destroy the ‘“‘ pest” totally. How
ever, there are a very large proportion of cases in which, by examining
the soil to see how deep the grub cases lie, and then clearing them
away and destroying them, much good would be done. '
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
( Continued. )
By 8S. D. Batrsrow, F.L.S. -
{ MusT now continue my first walk on African soil, and spare diver-
gent pleasures. When an acquaintance returns from foreign parts, we
naturally ask, ‘‘ What did you see?” but on the face of it this isa
stupid question. What does he not see? Out of a world of novelties
I choose the most striking—those which, once seen, are ever remem-
bered—first impressions, pleasant reminiscences —Olim meminisse
guvabit. Tortoises abounded on the flats, and I counted over fifty
dead carcases, bleached and decaying. Millipedes (/udus?) were in
countless thousands—living, dead, and dying; indeed the Myriapoda
represent a grand study, though hitherto apparently neglected, for I
cannot find a published work on South African species. Turning over
a stone on the slope of Cradock’s Kloof, I was delighted to come
across a small family of scorpions. At first the fighting fiends, or
inveterate poisoners,* were torpid and motionless, but « gentle tap on
the anal weapon of self-defence provoked some annoyance. They
fenced and guarded in a wonderful manner, and bold as brass; they
were also sneakish as puff-adders, never losing sight of a chance to
make a bolt, and elude further vigilance and warfare. I speedily
discovered that in order to bottle my formidable antagonists I must
extemporise a rude instrument of capture, a la forceps. Experience
has since taught me there are few “police bracelets” to beat ancient
* The poison is emitted through a small orifice situated over spur of tail, and.
connected to the main supply.
Barrstow: Naturat History Nores—Souta Arrica. 103
sugar-tongs or wooden clothes-clips. It is a fact worthy of passing
remark that kloofs and mountains maintain the highest vegetative
development upon their southern slopes. I have observed also that
scorpions prefer a southern position, and are somewhat gregarious. in
disposition.
Rivers bisecting or subdividing localities, separating human habita-
tions into states and sections, spread out their tributary arms for the
dispersion of animal tribes and species, each diminutive territory
evincing a distinct generic or specific faunal and floral localisation at
once striking and significant. On this slope occurs one species of
Arachnid ; on that, another quite dissimilar. I submit no theory of
universality, nor do I desire to place undue stress thereupon ; never-
theless, a collecting-box comparatively regulated and stored will
reveal, in a couple of hoards from different positions, a wonderful
contradiction of natural existences. 1 remember New Brighton,
Cheshire, as the happy hunting ground for JV. zonaria, and Penmaen-
mawyr for A. contiguaria. Uf course food-plant may partly solve the
problem of eccentricity in both insects; and whilst the Cheshire sand-
hills provide peculiar advantages in respect of position, &c., for zonaria,
it is quite probable that much patient search will eke out a new
locality for conéiguaria, endowed by Nature with equal requirements for
this insect’s welfare. But here, a paltry stream cutting up level
ground where food-plants on either side apparently correspond, separ-
ates families and separates species. Here is a tiny brook; on either
hand a declivity. Zeritis Alpheus"—(1 humbly scrape to thee, O
Prince of Lycenide !)—patronises a southern ground, and rarely,
though a magnificent flyer, intrudes upon the opposite domain.
Away with fancy freaks and theory! Buzz! Buzz! Bzzz! Isita
bee? Buzz! orawasp? Buzz! Itis a beetle. Buzz, Buzz, Bzzz?
Please remark, the final consummation of Buzzes changes form. What
a trifle to write about, | hear you say. No, sir, not a trifle. The
final buzz has Jed me to many a grand Buprestis. Netting is useless
amongst Mimosa bushes, whose thorn-spikes have demeralised into
shreds the well-cut breeches of more than one astute Coleopterist. My
maxim is ‘ Wait, watch, listen.”” When the last hermaphrodite Buzz,
indicating curiosity satisfied, is pronounced, then I go for that beetle.
'A tap on the bush, and whack tumbles the old grumbler into my
helmet. It is impossible to conceive a more beautiful insect than
Hirsuéa of the South. The head, thorax and elytra are sprinkled with
gamboge—yellow tufts of powdery hair; and over the base of
* An extremely local butterfly.
104 THe NATURALIST.
antennz and hind legs are two tufts of bright scarlet, with a row of
seven tufts of the same colour running along the Llytra- coste,
gradually diminishing in size from base to apex. I have described
this insect* in a rough manner, not paying attention so much to
scientific and synoptical nomination as the subject warrants. My
desire is merely to give you ‘“a reflective idea” of the wondrous
beauty of this noble Coleopteron, and spare-you the disgust of any
pedantic assumption. To select one type of loveliness amongst the
Buprestide in preference to others is a difficult task ; and to my mind,
many of the smallest and most slighted species are superior to their
big relations in every respect save clumsiness. In Hirsuta’s company
IT found a splendid Longicorn—Zovgraphus oculator and Cantharis—
Mylabris oculata; also a large number of Longhorns, commonly termed
‘Spanish Flies”.t These are readily discovered, as they diffuse a
strong, and not unpleasant { odour of lasting power. An Africander
youngster who accosted me one day, gave them the name of
“ Smellers;’’ and he was not far wrong. They always appear to be
friendly, however, and to pedestrian Naturalists, who now and again
sniff Kaffir location breezes, the selection of the least of two evils
produces ‘‘ peace, good-will” towards “ Smellers.” As I journey
along, the inevitable Cetonia, yclept Pachuoda marginata buzzes about
on all sides. This insect, whose bump of destructiveness is so
extraordinarily developed, is a perfect pest to horticulturists, ex-
hibiting, as it does, a ruining propensity for dahlias, aud those of the
most perfect kind in particular. I strongly suspect Maryginata is
opposed to Blue Ribbon Army principles. Mr. Wilson, the affable
botanist and chief gardener of St. George’s Park, in this town, ordered
a certain tree to be cut down. From the stump issued, as I believe,
sap of an alcoholic kind. The top of this stump in circumference would
be about twelve to eighteen inches, and thereon liquored, in a most
reprehensible manner, over a dozen fat Marginatas, evidently acting on
the maxim “ First come, soonest served.” The sight swelled my
bosom with indignation, and inwardly I heaved a sigh of compassion ;
and though I do not aspire to teetotalism, a ‘kinder sort’er hope
busted up” that before long Sir Wilfrid Lawson would visit the
Eastern province. From the aforesaid incident and addendum which
follows, experimental philosophers might sketch a moral lesson, for
Marginata is one of the very few beetles § which deteriorates in spirits.
* Julodis hirsuta.—Prof. Westwood (authority).
+ A weak Provincialism. { Opinions differ on this point.
j § I mean deceased beetles of course.
Batrrstow : NatuRAL History Notes—SoutH Arrica. 105
The sober brown colour of its elytra is displaced by a shade of
Isabella.
After capturing a few Marginatas at pleasure, I come across another
fine Longhorn, a species of Ceroplesis. This genus is well represented
here, but as the various species are so closely allied, and differences
minute, I refrain from inserting doubtful names. A pretty little
Cicindela Capensis (?), evidently out of its latitude, because unaccom-
panied by friends, rushes in a semi-flighty manner across the sandy
path. The ‘‘pop” of a drawn cork, and one slight seething hiss,
announces—Verdict : “‘ Death by drowning;” and my Tiger Beetle
succumbs to fumes of liquid gin. I have labelled this insect
‘“* Doubtful,” for a simple reason that, as 1 presume there are two
species occurring simultaneously together, and very much alike, I have
not yet persuaded myself—which is which ?
Capturing two specimens of the huge Mantuora (possibly Mazillosa),
a fine Anthia thoracica, recognised by all Coleopterists, A4nthia 10-
guttata,.and several dung-rollers, I re-ccommence the stone-turning
process. As an old minister used to remark when desirous of
emphasing a grand point, and bringing it home to his audience, “ put
your finger on” the stone-turning process. It merits a moments
digression. Our fathers have taught us that Rolling stones gather no
moss. Slightly altered to the tune of Entomology, this proverb stands
thus: Rolling of stones discloses lots of beetles. The idea is
axiomatic. Are you acquainted with some aspiring student, or
would-be author, who, anxious to write a book on Natural History,
pining for criticism and everlasting fame, yet lacketh the one thing
needful—a subject? Let him take the cue from my advice, and
christen his book “Stone-turning,” with an inaugural and fashionable
couplet, something after this style :
A stone o’er hurled
Reveals a world !
If insects could speak to us in some known language; if each departed
grub had left us the legacy of its history; if the swaddling clothes
of chrysalids, discarded in imagin(e)ary flights ; If.........
I must dissemble. Labyrinthine realms of Fancy’s “ifs,” will lead
me into endless misery unless the sequel is broached. I say, then,
that as there are “‘ books in running brooks,” so there is a world
beneath a pebble. Kneeling upon the ground, pipe in my mouth*
straining every nerve, I succeed in topsy-turveying a big stone, and
rush forward to investigate—what? The stock of an old curiosity
* Tobacco is conducive to discovery.
106 Tue NatuRAList.
shop; emblems of a thousand histories ; tragedies, fictions and farces ;
curious specimens of animated matter ; carcases of deceased beings ;
germs of future lives; and perfected atoms. What a sentimental
medley ! snails, slugs, beetles, bugs, millipedes and caterpillars, ants,
spiders, scorpions, and orthopterous creatures in all stages of existence.
But at present I am “‘ Bairstow on Beetles,’ not ‘ Bairstow on the
World.’ There are nearly a dozen species of Coleoptera revealed to
view, one of which I recognise as Anthia. It is of a dusky colour, with
metallic bronze-like lustre on the elytra, utterly devoid of spots or
markings, but an Axtéa nevertheless, a stridulous Anthia, and a
gregarious Anthia. The moment an intruder was announced, this
family squeaked vengeance in loud and unmeasured terms; indeed
half-a-dozen young mice could scarcely excel in the vituperative
department. That such a faculty with this insect, is provided as an
intelligible medium of communication, or warning of danger, I have
not the slightest hesitation in asserting, and feel assured that expres-
sive and sympathetic utterances are produced from apprehension of
consequences, a remarkable discernment of possible calamity affecting
the entire community. When I handle one of them it immediately
vociferates against such encroachment upon the liberty of a natural
subject, dué the cry is not continued, and extra violence or oppressive
digitation does not compel emotion.
(To be continued.,
Rauntall for December.
|
Height _ Torau Fauu
of Ne. ro Dare. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest of
above | fall. Dayen so cee Fall. Heaviest
: all.
fecal: 1882. | 1881.
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 4°22 | 21 | 37:24 |* 33°55 6 Li
(J. W. Robson)
HALirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 6°70 | 21 | 55:25 49°28 ae Fe
Leeps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 2°98 | 27 | 29:04 | +24°85 26 0-49
HorsForRTH ... (James Fox)! 350 | 3°89 | 24 36°55 | +32°80 6 0°72
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...| 350 | 5°15 | 24 35:39 26:25 6 1°63
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 5°95 125» 50°51 45°13 6 1:70
WENTWORTH CasTLE(do.)...| 520] 5°59 | 23 37-41 | 31°74 6 17a
Gootk ... (J. Harpgison)...| 25 | 4:99 | 20 34:44 | 25:29 6 1°63
Hut (Derringham) (Wm.| 10/ 5:49 | 19. 33°28 | §25°96 6 1°91
Lawton) |
* Average to date for 16 years, 1866-81. + Average of 28 years, 1853-62 & 1865-82.
+ Average of 13 years, 1870-82.
§ The annual average for 30 years, 1850-79, is 22°347 on 151°15 days.
SmitH : RAINFALL OBSERVATIONS. 107
RAINFALL:
RESULTS OF 25 YEARS’ OBSERVATIONS ON THE BEVERLEY
ROAD, HULL.
YEARLY FALL.
ee ee *Days. Inches, | Days.
AW ETay eS Lisette tess 26°42 | 182
1858 | 22°42 135 || Wettest Year—1872......... 386°d1 221
1859 | 21:12 | 170 | Year with largest number
1860 | 31°74 205 of Days—1877 ............ 29.33 222
1861 | 19°97 163 || Driest Year—1864 ......... 18:27 152
1862 | 23°69 174 || Year with least number of
1863 | 24°63 155 Days—lSasme cress. occcs 22°42 135
1864 | 18:27 152 |
1865 | 23°80 iA
1866 | 29:20 202 |
1867 | 24:10 184
1868 | 26°54 163 |
1869 | 28:29 189
1870 |-25-81 | 172 | AVERAGE
1871 | 25°69 170 YEARLY FALL IN=EACH
1872 | 36-51 | 221 FIVE YEARS.
1873 | 22:09 180
1874 | 20°19 176
1875 | 28-87 178 Years. Inches. D ays.
1876 | 30°77 191
1877 | 29°33 922 l
1878 | 27-86 | 212 || 1858 to 1862.................. Uso 169
1879 | 25:92 eSat TS635.00. LS Gnesi hace cat 2AsOOwiE: leve
1880 | 31°94 WO L868 to: 18 fOR ese 28°57 183
1881 | 27°61 TO lod So GON US (ecco tee eecescs 26°25 189
1882 | 33°91 DOH i 187-8 t08 1 SSBF seccc cece ceeee 29°44 , 194
* Days—by “ Days” is meant the number of days in which any rain was measured,
without any reference to quantity. A Fall of One Inch of Rain is equal to 100 Tons per
Acre.
Number of Days in
hich 1 inch or more fell AVERAGE RAINFALL FOR THE 20
___im the 25 Years. YEARS 1860 to 1879.
January ............ Zo) IAG eal °32.. 2 26:16 | At London ...... 26:46
MED EMATY, «2... 42.2055 Or iieaiueedsi:.-.. 24: 24:08 | ,, Exeter ...... 33 22
Marvel -..-......--.- 1 | ,, Sheffield...... 31:97 | ,, Penzance ... 44°15
EPL sa c.us'doy cies: Sd lege Malton Aca 27°95 | ,, Edinburgh 37°84
LL a ree 2 | ,, Manchester 34:66] ,, Belfast ...... 35.57
PRET ee See cike at Sue Za Bolton | 5. sen 4638 | ,, Seathwaite,
2017 Fach See ree eee 8 |/cesiiineoln °5.¢ 22:28 Cumberland 144:50
Sela See awicicediws Me ,, Hunstanton 21:41
eptember ......... era 5 RT OTA Cu Pals
ales Beeeaesrotee +l : Fall of Rain at the Stye Head of Borrow-
ee 4 | dale, in 1872, amounted to 243-98 inches.
HAROLD SMITH, F.M.S.
Heaviest Fall in one day
)| Fulford House, Hull, Ji . 1883.
2°00 on August 21, 1858. ord House anuary
108 Tae NATURALIST.
The total Rainfall for the Six Months—October, 1857, to March, 1858,
was only 3°58.
The average Fall for each 5 years shows a steady increase in number of
days on which Rain was measured, and a similar increase in quantity,
with the exception of the fourth period, the average of which was reduced
by the two dry years 1873 and 1874; the last period shewing an average
annual excess of 3 inches over the year’s average fall for the "25 years.
Wettest Liege was the second half of 280), with fall of 22:27.
Short Hotes and Queries.
BADGERS IN YORKSHIRE.—In compliance with Mr. George Roberts’
request for a list of the occurrences of the above animals in Yorkshire,
I report for this district as follows :—One Sunday morning in 1832, Mr.
John Taylor, of Stainland, went into Hardplatts Wood, accompanied by
his famous dog ‘‘ Jack.” They encountered a fine full-grown badger, and
immediately commenced the struggle for existence. Mr. Taylor was not
slow to perceive that the badger was going to be the fittest, but, providing
himself with a heavy cudgel, after a tough fight he secured the survival
for his four-footed companion. Less than three years ago, a fine badger
was caught in Turner Wood, Rishworth ; it is in the possession of Mr.
Wheelwright, of Ripponden, on whose estate it was captured. It was
thought to be an escape.—C. C. Hanson.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.—A short time ago Mr. A. EK. Atmore
sent me a series of Tortria Lafawryana, a species he had added to the
British list from specimens taken at King’s Lynn in 1880, and which
species had been announced as new to science in France so recently as
1876. During the past season Mr. Atmore reared it rather freely
from larve found feeding between united leaves and tops of Myrica qale.
When in London last month, Mr. W. H. Tugwell very kindly gave me a
fine series of each of Nola centonalis, Eimomos autumnaria (alniaria) and
Nyctegretes achatinella—all from Deal recently. I am also indebted to
Mrs. Frazer for a nice set of Crambus furcatellus, captured by herself in
the Highlands of Scotland during the past summer ; and lately I have
ascertained that some tortrices I netted in Wicken Fen last Whitsuntide,
and which had been put on one side since then, include Phoxopteryx
paludana, P. biarcuana, and P. siculana.—G. T. Porrirr.
EntromontocicaL Nores From YorkK.—-The past unfavourable season has
not furnished you with inany good lists of captures from collectors through-
out the county ; and I think it cannot be questioned but that there has
been a decided dearth amongst all orders of insect life, from what causes
it is difficult to say, unless the three or four preceding bad seasons have
been effectual in destroying, in some stage or other, insect life. In this
neighbourhood, the Diurni have been particularly noticeable by their
absence, as I only remember seeing one A. cardamines, one A. Atalanta,
a few V. urticew, no P. Phiwas, and no L. Alexis, although P. brassice and
SHort Notes anpd QUERIES. 109
Napi were fairly common. The same may be said of the Sphingidee and
Bombycidze—one SW. ocellatus larva, one or two D. vinula, and one bifida,
no larvee of B. quereus, D. furcula, or LH. lanestris. The Geometreze were sub-
ject to the same conditions. I did not give the Noctue trial all the season
with sugar, so I cannot speak so certainly of them, but I believe they were
affected in like manner. However, I have met with afew which I had not
previously taken in this locality. Dianthecia cucubal : I reared a number
of this from larvee found on Lychnis flescucult. They are very hardy
larvee, not requiring near so much attention as Hupithecia dodoneata.
Karly in April I was glad to see in my room a specimen of this pug,
the larva of which I had beaten from oak the previous season. I
have also the pleasure to add to my list Chrysoclista bimaculella. This
rare and pretty little insect fell to my beating-stick in this neighbourhood ;
I hope I shall be able to find more of it another season. Tinea fulvimi-
trella, another rare species, turned up in this locality ; also Gelechia
luculella. A very good example of Lavema ochraceella turned up in
fair numbers. It has the open habit of sitting on the upper side of the
leaves of Hpilobium hirsutum quietly until boxed, though it requires a
sharp eye to detect its presence. The Terebrant portion of the Hymen-
optera have been more plentiful, especially in the early part of the year.
I found amongst them the following :—Ichnewmon varipes, three examples
| _ taken at Holgate ; Dicelotus parvulus, one taken at Acomb Wood ; Pheo-
genes stumulator and P. fulvitarsus, found by beating, Acomb Wood ;
Oryptus erythropus, U. parvulus, and C. dubius, these three species bred
from Hmphytus cinct iis. C. dubius (Tusch) is new to Britain. Phygadeuon
vagabundus, found at Holgate ; P. oviventris, bred from EF. cinctus ; Hemi-
teles aveator, found at Holgate; H.formosus, H. fragilis, bred from W. cinc-
tus ; Campoplex erythrogaster, beaten out of oak, Acomb Woed ; Mesoleius
caligatus, M. rufolatris, and M. napans, found by beating ; M. dubius
and M. awlicus, bred from HL. cinctus ; Bassus planus and B. pictus found
by beating, Holgate ; Limneria virginalis and L. erucator, captured in
Acomb Wood; FPerilissus sp., found in wood; Nematopodius ater
(Brischke), two examples bred from E cinctus, two others captured at
large ; Trematopygas discolor, found at Holgate (Mr. Bridgman: ‘‘I believe
it is this species”) ; Lissonota variabilis, captured at Holgate ; Polyblastus
rivals, var., found in wood; Kelytus ornatus, var., one example by
beating. A few of these have been recorded before for this locality, but,
having bred these, I record their hosts. The same remarks that have
| been applied to the order Lepidoptera apply to the aculeate portion of
| the Hymenoptera—hardly any to be seen. Of course there are exceptions
in all the orders, and there are one or two here—Bombus lucorum and B.
muscorum, the former of these abundant all the season, the latter very
} common in the autumn. There is also one apparently new to the county,
Andrena Trimmerana. I took two examples of this in this neighbourhood
) flying in hedge bottoms ; also Andrena sp. which remains unnamed. Sirex
| juvencus,—On Sept. 11th, whilst I was passing along one of the paths in the
110 THE NATURALIST.
York Nurseries, I picked off the ground a very fine female example of this
Species. It had evidently not been there long, as it was in very fresh
condition. There is no record of this siricid from the York neighbour-
hood since 1875; this is therefore the more remarkable, since the last
notice of it was a notice of it taken flying on the top of York Minster
(see Transactlons of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, Parts I. & IT.)
Odynerus pictus.—I discovered two or three colonies of this insect during
the past summer making their earthen cells on some hard glass lights.
They formed them on the glass, and, curiously enough, I was able to see
the larvee in the interior as they progressed from the egg to maturity.
The cells were filled by the parents with sawfly larve, and fastened up.
Here is a wonderful instance of forethought or sagacity: the parent
knows exactly what size to build the cell so as to contain sufficient food
for its larva.—T. Witson, Holgate, York, Jan. 16th, 1883,
OBITUARY.—Jas. Vartey.—Another representative of the old school
of working naturalists passed away on Sunday, Jan. 7th, in the person of
James Varley. Born May 3rd, 1817, at Primrose Hill, Huddersfield, he
lived for sixty-four years within a comparatively short distance of the same
spot. His taste for Natural History was evidently early developed, for
he was, I believe, one of the founders of the Huddersfield Naturalists’
Society, which is now perhaps the oldest provincial society of the kind in
the United Kingdom ; and thirty years ago his name appears to have been
a household word with the naturalists of the West Riding, whilst he was
also well known as a successful collector by the leading lepidopterists of
the country. My own almost earliest lessons in the science were received
from him, and I well remember the fear and trembling with which, as a
small schoolboy, I used to take my specimens to him to name, and the
joy and excitement I felt when, on one of my earliest visits, he presented
me with my first half-dozen larvee of Saturna carpini. In the year 1864
he somewhat excited the entomological world by rearing from avery large
quantity of larvee a good series of the deep black-bordered variety of
Abraxas grossulariata, which, although repeatedly bred in Yorkshire
since, up to that time appears to have been quite unknown. The form
at present very properly bears his name—variety Varleyata. Besides
entomology, he took equal interest in ornithology, and of both lepidoptera
and birds he formed extensive and rich collections. His health failing,
and becoming reduced in circumstances, he sold the former, several years
ago, to Mr. Bennett, of Bradford, but his fine collection of birds was, I
think, still in his possession at the time of his death. Of late years he
has been unable to do as active work in his favourite pursuits as formerly,
but his numerous notes and his papers in this journal! will be evidence to-
our readers of the keen interest he still took in all matters pertaining to
them. He was twice president of the Hudderstield Naturalists’ Society—
the last time during the year 1880. Mr. S. lL. Mosley, Beaumont Park,
near Huddersfield, intends writing a sketch of Mr. Varley’s life, and will
Ss
Reports or SociErtes. 111
be glad of any anecdotes or other suitable information from any of his
correspondents and friends.—G. T. P.
Aeports of Societies.
BaRnstEY Naruratists’ Soctsty.—Meeting Dec. 19th, Dr. Lancaster
in the chair.—A very interesting paper was read by Mr. R. Creighton,
on the Trochilide, or ‘‘ Humming Birds,” many choice specimens of
‘skins of these minute and brilliant birds being exhibited by him, and
their range from the sonthern to the northern parts of the American
continent described.
Annuat Mestine, Jan. 19th.—Mr. T. Lister was elected president, and
Mr. W. EH. Brady hon. sec. But little progress was reported in entomology
and _ botany. In ornithology some particulars were given of the effect
on birds before and after the snow-storm of Dec. 6th, and the intense
frost of the 12th. Birds were rendered tame by the cold and starvation,
and some were found dead. Starlings, bullfinches, blue tits, blackbirds,
and even jays, came about houses and garden-sheds in the town and
villages. The Rev. J. Johnson writes of a flock of golden plovers near the
Vicarage, Denby. After the melting of the snow, daws, rooks, meadow
pipits, grey and pied wagtails, and redpolls stirred about in the fields in
quest of food. A few have cheered us with their song—as missel thrush
Dec. 3rd ; thrush Jan. 3rd ; blackbird, 4th.—T. L.
BEVERLEY Fietp NATURALISTS’ AND SOIENTIFIC SocteTy.—Meeting
llth January. A resolution was passed to make application to the
Gilchrist Trustees for their series of lectures to be held in Beverley
during the next winter session. Mr. H. M. Ellis presented a number of
coal-measure fossils to the society, and Mr. Swailes, on behalf of Mr. C.
Dixon, exhibited a fine specimen of the waxwing, shot recently in Pig-
_ hill-lane. Mr. R.Cherry showed the following lepidoptera :—Tephiosia
crepuscularia, Agriopis aprilina, Amphidasis betularia and its black
variety, Cherocampa elpenor, and Gramnesia trilinea. Mr. F. Boyes
_ reported that a specimen of the hooper, or whistling swan (Cygnis ferus)
_ had been shot near Beverley on the 22nd ult., and also that a bittern and
| several goosanders (Mergus merganser) had been seen in the neighbour-
| hood. After the specimens had been duly examined, a highly interesting
_ and instructive lecture on the ‘‘ Transit uf Venus” was given by Mr.
J. A. Ridgway, F.2.A.S., who illustrated his remarks with diagrams
- and models showing the means employed to measure the distance of the
sun and planets from the earth.
BRADFORD Natura.ists’ Soorsty.—Mecting Jan. 9th, the president,
| Mr. J. W. Carter, in the chair.—Mr. Saville exhibited a specimen of
Trichomanes radicans ; Mr. West, a number of mosses from Malham and
_Gordale. The president gave his inaugural address on ‘‘ The Orders of
| Insects,” and briefly reviewed the different systems of classification that
have from time to time been propounded, and explained the different
1A THE NattRAList.
orders according to the Cibarian system, in a very lucid and interesting
manner. The lecture was fully illustrated with examples of each, and
also by diagrams.—H. L. Oxtey.
MANCHESTER CryproGamic Soctety.—Annual Meeting, the president,
Dr. Carrington, in the chair.—The hon. secretary read the annual report,
which briefly enumerated the various discoveries made by the members
during the last year, and the new localities recorded for the rarer species.
Tt was remarked that the exhibitions and distribution of the rarer species
of cryptogams had been a pleasing feature in the society’s proceedings.
The thanks of the society were accorded to Mr. Chas. Bailey for a copy of
his recent paper on the ‘‘ Structure of the Characeez,” to Dr. Braithwaite
for a copy of the last published part of his ‘‘ British Moss Flora,” and to
the Royal Microscopical Society for their journals, reports, and pro-
ceedings. Dr. Carrington was re-elected president, Capt. P. G. Cunliffe
and Mr. W. H. Pearson were elected vice-presidents, and Mr. F. Rogers
hon. secretary. After the election of various other officers of the society,
the hon. sec. made some observations on specimens of Pottia cavifolia
which had been sent from Llandudno, and he exhibited specimens of its
variety caning from the Continent, which Dr. Wood thought might possibly
be found in Britain, if attention were paid to the genus. The interesting
Continental moss Pharomitrium subsessile was exhibited ; the specimen
had been gathered by Prof. Schimper in Styria, and was interesting on
account of its representing a well marked out division of the genus Pottia.
Tt is, however, not yet knownas a British moss. Mr. Atkinson exhibited
specimens of Pezziza aurantia, which he had seen growing in large beds
near Bowness in September last. The partally dried specimens smelled
faintly, like dried rose petals. "3
Meerine, January, 1883, Capt. Cunliffe, F.R.M.S., in the chair.—Mr.
J. Cash exhibited a fruiting specimen of Leucobryum glaucum, var. minis,
gathered near Lyndhurst, New Forest. Mr. Geo. Stabler sent a specimen
of Schistostega osmundacea which had been gathered on Dec. 30th, 1882,
in the caves of Bis Parlis, Penrith, Cumberland, by Mr. Martindale,
the moss not having been hitherto recorded for this province. Mr.
W. H. Pearson brought before the notice of the society the discovery of
a new British hepatic, Cephalozia Jackit (Limpricht), which Dr. Spruce
had detected in specimens of Jung. byssacea, collected by Mr. W. Wilson
in Cheshire, near Warrington, Apyil, 1841. The species does not appear
in the recently published memoir on Cephalozia by Dr. Spruce. Captain
Cunliffe exhibited a fine series of recently collected mosses, Didymodow
eylindricus and Campylostelium saxicola, being abundantly in fruit. Dr.
J. B. Wood sent fruiting specimens of Ewrhynchiwm circinnatum, collected —
in Italy by the Marquis Bottini, and a new European moss (Aypnwit —
Bottinii (Breidler) discovered by the Marquis Bottini in Etruria, May, —
1881. M. Robert du Buysson, Brout-Vernet, France, was elected a
corresponding member of the society.
: Tinnca ee of Tioudos 8 p.m
are
» 9. Leeds ‘Geological Association. The Metallurgy of Silver,
» 4 “B.-A, Burrell, F.C.S., 8 p.m.
, 6. Leeds Naturalists’ Clab.
Pit Be Selby Naturalists’ Society.—‘‘ Animal Lite, in its Lower Forms,”
. J. M. Kirk, 8-15 p.m.
, 6. Bradford Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
» 9. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
» 6. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club/
», 7. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
» 7. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society. , ;
» 8. Beverley Naturalists’ Field Club.—** On the. Cellular Tissues & z
Plants,” Rev. W. Smith.
5, 9. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
-,, 13. Leeds Naturalists’ Club.—Celebration of 500th Meeting, by Social
: ‘Tea, at Powolny’s Restaurant.
» 14. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
» 15. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m. 4
,, 19. Leeds Geological Association. | '
-,, 19. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p.m. oe
20. Leeds Naturalists’ Club. i
» 20. Selby Naturalists’ Society.—‘‘ The Physical Geography of the Sea,”
_ W.B. Bellerby, 8-15 p.m. ,
, 20. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—Microscopical Evening & 30 p.m.
22. Beverley Naturalists’ Field Club. :
+g, 22. North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club.—Meeting at Leck.
96. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
yeh Leeds Naturalists’ Club.
ooo Ate a.
Cassell’s oe Natural History—Birds, one vol., strongly bound, 300
illustrations, and Paxton’s Botanical Dictionary, first edition, for other
Natural ‘History: Bodéks.—G. Roperts, Lo Wakefield. ’
THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OK CONCHOLOGY.
This ‘Journal circulates widely amongst Conchblonen
throughout the world, and contains every quarter Be dealing
with all departments of the Science.
‘Double numbers are at present being issued, price 1/- each, =
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THE SCOTTISH N ATURALIST,
6 Hlagazine of Datural Vistory, commenced in 1871,
Edited by F. BUCHANAN WHITE, M.D., F-.L.S.
‘Subscriptions (paid in advance) 4s. per annum, post free.
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ee ACER. ata
“On SATURDAY Afternoon, Mar. ard
Hor sae Election of Officers, and the fixing oe pee for ue ae “
Hxeursions of 1883. — )
In the Evening at Six p-i-, the President of the Union,
JOHN GILBERT BAKER, ESQ., F.R.S., &o,
Of the Royal Herbarium at Kew, will deliver the Armnual Address,
‘the subject of which will be— — =
as The present position of the Knowle of the
Geography of the British Plants, with special
reference to ie orth of a aD
; : "oeagae The Meetings for Election of Boctienal Officers will commence at :
eri Three o’clock. Further particulars: will be given in the usual E
circular shortly to be issued. . : se
WM. DENISON ROEBUCK,
Sunny Bank, Loeds ;
wM. EAGLE CLARKE,
aD; East View, Leeds ;
wa, eyo CHEESMAN,
erhe Crescent, Selby, Tocal Seo.
N. B. _Excvrstons, Manber are pegieael to forward ae one
. the Secretaries, Suggestions of suitable places for the Excursions
- Annvuat Menrine or 1884. Societies” desirous ‘of. having
Annual Meeting of 1884 held in their town, should-at once send in
their invitations. Preference will be given to towns possessing st
able railway facilities, and which are prepared to Organise a Coy e
_ sazione or Exhibition on the occasion, ‘
Sectional Orrrcers.—Members are aucsaal he be pre
with nominations of suitable gentlemen to acy as Officers, of
JOURNAL OF THE YORKSHIRE N botiies UN ah |
7
AND
_ GENERAL FIELD OLUB RECORD.
“NEW SERIES. a8
iif
pty y
_ Eprrep sy Cuas. P. Hopxiag, F.LS., anv G. T. Porritt, F.LS. |
| MARCH, 1663.’ VOL. VIIE’
| age
cleoptera of the ierpo0! Disbrict—Part mm. fubous, F. es septentrionalis, Gyll.
» flavicollis, Stu. A lineatus, F.
The following have occurred in fewer numbers : —
Haliplus fluviatilis, Aubé. Moderately common.
Hydroporus picipes, F. Three specimens.
assimilis, Pk. Four specimens.
memnonius, Nic.
* eigrita, F. j Moderately common.
5. angustatus, Stu.
In addition to the above I have to record :—
Huliplus fulveus, ¥F. A single specimen on the Hightewn shore.
(J.W.E.)
Hydroporus nigrita, F. Common in a pit on the Sandhills near
Hall-road Station.
Noterus sparsus, Marsh. Common in a pit near Waliasey, April.
(J.W.E.)
Colymbetes exoleéns, Forst. 1 picked up a dead specimen of this
species, which is new to the district, on the bank of the Alt, near
Hightown, in May last.
Agabus paludosus, F. Mr. Kinder has a specimen of this handsome
species, taken by himself in the district, he believes at Crosby.
Gyrinus distinctus, Aubé. Mr. Chappell informs me he has taken this
species in pools at Leasowe, in April. |
116 THE NATURALIST.
PALPICORNIA.
Of this small group of beetles, which has had little attention paid
to it, fam able to enumerate about 435 species as having occurred in
our district. Of the genus Helophorus alone I have to record 10 out
of the 12 species given as British in Dr. Sharp’s last catalogue ; and
of the puzzling genus Cercyou I give a list of 14 out of the 18
British species.
HYDROBIUS.
H. fuscipes, L. Abundant in pits. A smaller variety with paler
legs occurs on the Sandhills.
PHILHYDRUS. |
P. testaceus, F. Common in pits, Westminster Road. - (F.K.)
P. melanocephaius, Ol. A single specimen from the same locality.
(DT)
ENOCHRUS.
Li. bicolor, Pk. A single specimen with the above. (F.K.)
ANACAENA.”
A. limbata, F. Common in pits.
A. variabilis, Sharp. Not so common as the preceding.
LACCOBIUS.
L. minutus, L. In the Fender, Bidston Marsh. (A. H. May.)
L. nigriceps, Th. I have a single specimen, taken on the Wallasey
sandhills, in April, 1876.
BEROSUS.
B. affinis, Bruilé. I used to take this species frequently in claypits
behind Wavertree Park; Mr. Kinder takes it sparingly about
Westminster-road.
LIMNOBIUS. :
L. truncatellus, Th. Crosby, September. (I. Archer's diary.)
HELOPHORUS.
FI. xugosus, Ol. On the shore at Crosby. (F. K.)
H. nubilis, F. Bidston Marsh, in November, 1862. (Mr. Archer’s
diary.)
H. intermedius, Muls. Crosby, September. do.
H. agquaticus, L. Abundant in pits.
H. Mulsanti, Rye. One specimen from the Hightown shore, May,
1832. (J. W. E.) |
Hi. griseus, Ubst. Common.
Hf. granularis, 1, Common, especially near the sandhills.
Hf. ceneipennis, Th. Altear rifle ground. (FF. Archer’s diary.)
i. arvernicus, Muls. IL have a single specimen, taken along with
granularis. (J. W. E.)
J
ELLs : CoLEorpTERA OF THE LIVERPOOL DISTRICT. 1]
H. dorsalis, Marsh. Altcar rifle ground. (Mr. Archer’s diary.)
HYDROCHUS. :
HI. angustatus, Germ. Mr. Kinder takes this species commonly in
pits near Westminster-road.
OCTHEBIUS.
O. bicolor. Germ. Two specimens from the Fender, Bidston Marsh.
(J. W. H.)
O. rujimarginatus, Steph. Several specimens among rejectamenta on
the banks of the Fender, in October last. (J. W. E.)
CYCLONOTUM.
C. orbiculare, F. Abundant at the edge of a pit at Liscard, last
April. (J. W. E.)
SPH@RIDIUM.
L. scarabeesides, i. Common in dung.
S. bipustulatum, ¥. With the above, but less common.
S. marginatum, ¥. Taken with the above. (I. K )
CERCYON.
C. obsoletus, Gyll. Common in dusg on the sandhills.
C. hemorrhous, Gyll. A single specimen, loc.? (J. W. E.)
C. aquaticus, Muls. Moderately common about Kirkdale.
C. flavipes, F. The most abundan’ of the genus with us. | (F. K.)
C. lateralis, Marsh. A few specimens on the sandhills (J. W. EK.)
Moderately common about Kirkdale. (F. K.)
C. littoralis, Gyll. Common under rejectamenta on the shore.
C. depressus, Steph. One specimen from Aigburth, and one specimen
from Hightown. (J. W. E.)
C. unipunctatus, l. Common in dung.
C. quisquitius, L. Common.
C. melanocephalus, L. Abundant.
C. terminatus, Marsh. One specin:en, Wallasey (J. W. E.) Common
at Litherland (IF. K.)
C. pygmaeus, Il). Two specimens from Hightown (J. W. E.)
C. lugubris, Pk. One specimen from Hightown (J. W. E.)
CU. -analis, Pk. . Common.
MEGASTERNUM.
AM. boletophagum, Marsh. Common in dung.
CRYPTOPLEURUM,
C. atomarium, F. Common about Litherland (I. K.) Two specimens
from Hastham J. W. E.)
In conclusion, J would call attention to the valuable results which
may be achieved by systematically working one locality; as an
instance of which,"the number of species (many not hitherto recorded
118 Tur NATURALIST.
from the district) taken by Mr. F. Kinder in the fields near West-
minster-road, only a short distance from the city boundary, and a
locality which we would probably think as unproductive of good
species of insects as any locality could, well be.
A WORKING MAN BOTANIST.
{| A correspondent sends us the following notice, and although our
friend Mr. Whitehead is still living, and we trust will live for many
years to continue his useful work, we make no apology for publishing
it.—Ep. Nat. |]
“Mr. John Whitehead, of Ashton, has been a diligent student of
botany for upwards of thirty years, but during the greater portion of
that time he has devoted himself more especially to the study of
mosses. Asa boy his scanty pocket money was expended in the
purchase of botanical works, and his spare time after work hours was
then, and is now, given to botanical rambles and researches. In the
first year that he began the study of mosses, in 1859, he was tortu-
nate enough to make two important discoveries, viz., Dicranella
Schreberi, var. elata, Schimper, found in Stirrup Wood, Charlesworth,
and Atrichum crispum, Staley Brushes, which was said by the late
Professor Schimper, of Strasburg, to be a very interesting addition
to the flora of Europe. The late Mr. John Nowell had known this ~
moss for some time, but failed to get it determined. The following
may also be mentioned :—AHeterocladium hetcropterum, found near
Bolton (1863), in company with his friend, Mr. R. Scholefield, the
first and only locality in England where this moss has been seen
with fruit; Hedwigia ciliata, var. striata, Wilson, near Grasmere
(1867), the first locality in Epgland, and only found hitherto in two
places in the world ; Buxbaumia aphylia, Tintwistle (1867), an addi-
tion to the Manchester flora, and hitherto known only in two
localities in England ;. Rhynchostegium depressum, Marple (1867), the
third station in Britain ; Seligeria tristicha, near Castleton, Derby- .
shire (1868), the first locality in Britain; DPlagivthecium Borrerianum,
Arthog (1876), hitherto called by some of the principal writers on
mosses, Hypnum elegans; but by cultivating this plant, under favour-
able conditions, for three months, Mr. Whitehead was able to show
that it had been incorrectly named by all authorities except Dr.
Spruce in 1846, when the moss was new to science; deligeria acutt-
folia, Arncliffe, Yorkshire (1868), new to Britain ; Brywm rufum, near
Litton, Yorkshire (1879), new to science; Carex ornithopoda (a sedge),
A Work1NG Man Boranist. 119
new to Britain, found in Miller's Dale (1874), by Mr. H. Newton,
and first named by Mr. Whitehead ; Jungermannia Nevicensis (a liver-
wort), Ben Nevis (1876), new to science.
Among Mr. Whitehead’s numerous correspondents are Dr. Spruce,
the late Mr. William Wilson, author of the “ Bryologia Britannica,”
Professor Babington, Sir Joseph Hooker, Professor Balfour, Mr. H.
C. Watson, and Professor Schimper, of Strasburg. In his Synopsis
of European mosses, Schimper refers to Mr. Whitehead as “ sharp-
eyed,” and they were introduced to each other when the Professor
visited this country in 1865. Dr. Braithwaite published in 1877 a
work on Sphagnums (bog mosses) with dried specimens, those for the
counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire being collected and
prepared by Mr. Whitehead; and be is contributing to the same
gentleman’s superbly illustrated *‘ British Moss Flora,’ now in
course of publication. He is also providing specimens for a new
edition of Wilson’s © Bryologia Biitannica,” which is being brought
out by the Rev. J. Fergusson, of Brechin. In addition he is pre-
paring a moss flora for North Derbyshire, and another for a circuit
of ten miles round Ashton.
Mr. Whitehead was one of the founders and first president of the
Manchester Cryptogamic Society, is now the president of the Ashton
Linnean Society, and the United Field Naturalists, and the Ashton
Biological Societies number him among their vice-presidents. He
possesses a small but valuable library of scientific works, his herba-
rium is probably unequalled for variety and completeness, and he is
a not infrequent contributor to our botanical journals. It will be
seen that Mr. Whitehead has done good work in the cause of science,
of which he is an enthusiastic lover, and his chief characteristics are
untiring energy, modesty, and a willingness to impart his knowledge
to others.”
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
(Continued. )
By 8S. D. Barrstow, F.L.S.
AGAIN, we might excusably imagine that when daylight was exposed
on the raising of a stone, beetles would immediately, without premedi-
tation, rush away in all directions. My own experience points to an
opposite result. They wait for the word of command, when one signal
trumpet annihilates the colony. Insects may give expression to their
affections by means of audible (or inaudible to human ears) specific
126 Toe NatuRALisT.
calls, and who has proved that they are inaccessible to feelings of
friendly interest or Good Samaritanship? Darwin has exposed
marvels of biological research. He elevates the poor earth-worm to a
platform of usefulness. Lubbock, unconsciously perhaps but never-
theless powerfully, proclaims the sovereignty of fragile ants, and the
more we learn, not the less do we exhibit our insufficiency of wisdom.
Study the domestic economy and life-history of our insects as we will,
the time is yet far distant for the revelation of structural, susceptible
and expressible utility. In this respect effect is fact, but cause,
theory. Adverting to the stone turning once more, I have always
understood that species of the genera Chrysomela and Cassida were
Phytophagous insects. There is a lovely Chrysomela not uncommonly
taken here wnder stones, quite dormant, and where one occurs I
generally find companions. The regular hunting ground for this
insect is some distance from the food-plant. Cassida atrauta (a noble
fellow) I have never captured in any other situation. I should like to
hear if any of my home friends can enlighten me as to the reason.
When once we recognise the food-plant of a Cassida, we are tolerably
sure wherever it is growing to find thereupon our desired acquaint-
ance. In this respect the genus is exceptional. Thus, C. Tigrina
(Olivier) feeds on a species of Solanum. I have seen the plant in a
dozen localities widely separate, and no matter whether it is commonly
distributed or isolated the beautiful and auriferous-spotted Tvgrina in
larval stage with excrementitious tail, or the perfect insect is almost
a certain accompaniment. I have well nigh exhausted my premier list
of beetles, always excepting the dozens of species whose names are un-
known to me. Professor Westwood, that most urbane friend of the
antipodean Coleopterist, is rendering every assistance in the naming
process, and | may have to speak further on subsequent finds at some
future date. My companion in nearly every love-labour is Mr. Sloman
Rous, a most zealous and painstaking naturalist of the 18-carat stamp.
He has the finest private collection of beetles in South Africa, and
duly considering vast and insuperable difficulties of identification, I
am bound to acknowledge that few men approach him in point of
general knowledge on the entire group. As we are constantly
together, comparing notes and hunting Entomons, I am tolerably safe
to pilfer (?) his opinion in many things, unconsciously stating it as
original. He will pardon the loan.
In the arrangement of his cabinet he is a stickler for two subsidiary
articles. The first, corrosive sublimate, as a preservative against
Acari and beetle pests, requires no comment ; but the second is so
Barrstow: NaturayL History Nores—Soutsa Arrica. 121
palpably “ good” that I recommend it strongly to cabinet-makers and
collectors. Instead of cork for lining cases, he adopts the pith of the
American aloe. This is cut into long strips of the required thickness,
and being lighter and more impressible than cork, is, I think, infinitely
superior. I noticed also that the names of specimens were neatly
written on cardboard of different shades, thus: Dark-red...class ; rose
colour...genus ; pink...species. No wonder that relations of pinned
and defunct beetles are happy when the latter are immortalised in gems
of caligraphy inscribed on artistic and appropriate tablets.
As. a back-form student in botany, I naturally remark the prickly
appearance of the majority of African bushes. As an ardent sports-
man I naturally feel the quality and power of the prickles. These
attain to all sizes from one line to one foot long, assuming the most
grotesque shapes imaginable.
A good old lady who resides peaceably in the sanctity of an un-
sanctified canteen (celebrated for miles around as a fishing-tackle
depository) owns a small museum of local prodigies. Let us take a
seat at her supper table. We don’t require a bill of fare after the
fashion of ‘ Three in Norway.” Stout and oysters, nothing more,
(I hear. you exclaim, “Quite enough too!’’). As edible molluscs
rapidly slip away from view, Mother B. entertains her guests, while
exhibiting treasured curios one by one in a most affable manner.
Here are four fine specimens of Paper Nautilus, taken on the adjacent
beach; also a couple of huge Tritons, and hosts of smaller shells.
“This,” she remarks—perceiving our attention fixed upon a black
billiard ball, only more so,—‘‘ was cut out of the paunch of an ox,
and is composed of hair soldered together by constant licking and
salivary manipulation.* And now,” says she, “I think I shall puzzle
you. Can you name these for me!” ‘ Buckhorns! ” stammers a
neighbour. I, remembering the old truism, “where ignorance is
bliss,” &e., assume a violent cough and say nothing. We “give the
riddle up,” and the old lady inwardly chuckles and outwardly heaves,
as she answers, “‘a pair of Mimosa Thorns,” A better substitute for
buck-horns I have never seen, an] placed over the door of a gentle
man’s hall these spikes could perplex a sportsman of keen discern-
ment. I have jotted down a few examples of shape, which will convey
a vague idea of the numerous enemies and demoniacal obstacles a
collector's pants or gauze net contends with in a South African bush.
The originals were all gathered from one small bush. Some of the
——_— —— se. 9 8
* The largest specimen I have ever seen.
129 THE NATURALIST.
withered and sapless thorns are appropriated by small ants. Splitting
one down the centre, I am tolerably safe to find the hollowed space
inhabited, but am not equally certain as to where the place or places
of ingress and egress are bored.
(To be continued.,
Short Hotes and Queries.
Sericomyia borealis.—I would call the attention of your readers to this
very conspicuous and interesting fly, of whose life-history so very little is
known. It is one of the largest and handsomest of the hover flies
Syrphide ; the antenne are plumose, and the body marked with bands
alternatety yellow and piceous. It seems for the most part to frequent
the hilly districts of England and Scotland, being more especially fond of
the hill tops. It is chiefly remarkable for its curious habit of making a
harmonious piping sound while sitting on the stones apparently at rest ;
the sound has been mistaken for singing at a distance. It is also said to
cause some annoyance to visitors to the hill-tops by flying towards them
in a threatening manner, but this requires corroboration. It will be
observed that Mr. J. C. Dale suggests that this may be the insect referred
to by Ray as having been met with near Settle, and proving very
annoying (Nat., Jan:, 1883, p. 93). To anyone interested in the subject
T would suggest a reference to the notices in the Ent. Month. Mag., Dec.,
1881, p. 159, and Jan., 1883, p. 188, and the very interesting letters of
Mr. Swinton and Mr. Hellins in the same publication, Jan., 1882, p.
189. I should be very glad to hear of fresh observations on these and
other points in the life-history of this insect. Sericomyia borealis is a
stout-bodied fly about the size of the large Valucella, which are parasites
on the humble bee, and so curiously mimic them.—K. N. Biomrietp,
Guestling Rectory, Feb. 17th, 1883.
A Wortp tn Miytature.—-Through the kindness of Mr. Loran, smack
owner, of Hull, I had forwarded to me, a few days ago, a ‘‘ specimen ”’
from the North Sea ; it consists of a female edible crab, Cancer paqiius,
unfortunately deceased in transit, and measuring about 8in. across the
carapace. On the back were eleven oysters, Ostrea edulis, the largest
about 3in. by 2in., twenty or thirty Anomia ephippvwm and its variety
aculeata, several Saxicava rugosa, and three or four Ascidians. On the
upper valves of the oysters were numerous Serpule, SS. triquetra,
annelides forming sand tubes, patches of polyzoa and egg capsules
of one of the whelks. In the interstices of the shells were four
medium-sized and several minute specimens of the plumose anemone,
A. dianthus, the largest of which was furnished with two distinct mouths.
The large claws were furnished with a forest of Sertularian and Tubularian
zoophytes, and the pedipalps were infested with what appeared to bea
SHort Nores anpD QUERIES. 123
species of sponge. On breaking the mass up into suitable pieces for my
aquarium, I also found three small crabs of another species, not yet
determined. I have handed over the refuse sand, &c., to a friendly
microscopist for examination. Unfortunately many of the animals had
died from expesure to the air; had it been otherwise, the whole would
have formed a splendid object for a large tank.—J. D. BurrsreE.t, 2, St.
John-street, Beverley, Feb. 11th, 1883.
BapGeER IN CLEVELAND.—A fine male badger was caught afew days ago
near the river Lees, by Mr. Thomas Braithwaite of Red Hal] Farm, near
Yarm, The weight of it is about 25ibs.—W. Greason, Baldersby,
Thirsk, January 29th, 1883.
Scarcrry oF WintER Birps.—Referring to the letter in the January
No. of the Naturalist upon the scarcity of birds, both residents and winter
visitors, at the present time, I can fully confirm the writer’s remarks
respecting many species. We have very few fieldfares or redwings this
winter. I myself have seen none, but hear of one or two small flocks
having been noticed by other persons. The absence of woodcocks has
been a great disappointment to the majority of sportsmen. Covers from
which some of these birds have been invariably killed in former years,
have been entirely blank this winter, and I have only heard of one or two
having been shot in the neighbourhood in the month of October. The
first bird observed was shot on the 16th of that month. Not a single
short-eared owl has been recorded, though a few generally accompany
the woodeocks here. Hooded crows are of much more frequent occur-
rence than former]y—in fact they are becoming abundant in this locality.
Since Oct. 25th, when I first saw one, very few days have passed without
my hearing their harsh croak. The first flock of siskins appeared on the
28th o? October, and these birds, as well as gold-crests, were abundant
from that date until about Christmas, when they left us. Some large
flocks of snow buntings made their appearance about Nov. 25th, on the
higher cultivated land a few miles from here. Snipe and jack-snipe have
not been nearly so numerous as in previous winters. The first jack-snipe
seen was shot on the llth December. During the last week or two a few
magpies have come down to us from the hillside plantations, which does
not often occur. The peewits have never left us, although they usually
do so; and, about the commencement of this year, a large flock of golden
plovers, consisting of several hundreds, paid us a visit for a few days.
Starlings, song-thrushes, blackbirds, and wrens suffered severely during
the three consecutive hard winters of 1878-79-80. but the two latter are
again increasing—much more so than the two former. Song-thrushes
have been entirely absent this winter, but a few made their appearance
about the 3rd inst. Bullfinches have been unusually plentiful ; skylarks
have been scarce, but began to re-appear the first week of this month
(February). Tuitlarks were fairly numerous in December, but they have
124 THe NATURALIST.
now left us for their favourite locality—the moors. Considering that we
have had no prolonged severe weather, the average number of wild fowl
has visited us, among them being a flock of eight wild swans, and a single
specimen of the red-breasted Merganser. On the 3rd of January a great
erey shrike was shot here, being the second bird of this species which has
been kil'ed in this neighbourhood within the last few years. Another
specimen was seen during the last week in January. Unless we have an
exceptionally severe winter the wood-pigeons quit this immediate locality
for districts where large woods give them shelter close to an abundance of
food, such as turnips. This is the case now, but farmers within a few
miles say they have far too many of these birds. I think the stockdoves
accompany the wood-pigeons in these local movements, both birds
re-appearing here on the return of spring. We have about the same
number of tree sparrows as in former years, and I may say the same of
chaftinches, greentinches (one of our commonest species), yellowhammers,
tits, hedge-sparrows, and robins. I observed a pied wagtail on the 4th
instant, the first I have seen for many weeks. To sum up, we do not
appear to have anything like the scarcity of birds here, which prevails
near Lofthouse, and the diminution in numbers chiefly applies to our
winter visitors. —THos. CarTER, Burton House, Masham, Feb. 12th, 1883.
ADDITIONS TO THE WENSLEYDALE SHELL List.—Since the publication
of my notes on the shells of Wensleydale, I have been favoured, by
friends, with additional information. Another of my boxes has turned
up, containing specimens picked out of moss brought home from Whit- -
field Gill, near Askrigg. The species are Planorbis albus and P. parvus
(gluber, Jeft.), neither of which has hitherto been recorded for the dale.
For the detection of these forms I am indebted to Messrs. Wm. Nelson
and Jno. W. Taylor. It is from them also that I derive information of
another addition, Pisidiwm amnicum, a bivalve, which they found at
Cover Bridge, in 1877. This brings up the tale of fresh-water forms to
thirteen, and the whole Wensieydale list to fifty-five. My friends have
also furnished me with notes of additional localities for other species.
They found Helix sericea and H. pulchella near Wensley, and Mr. H.
Pollard tells me that he has taken various species near Hawes, including
Helix hortensis, Bulimus obscurus, Pupa wmbilicata, Claustlia rugosa, and
C. dubia, as well as others which I have already recorded for that place
on other authority. — Wa. Denison Rorxsock, Leeds, Feb. 14th, 1683, |
Erpata.—We regret that several errors occurred in Mr. T. Wilson’s
paper, on page 109 of our last (February) number. Line 9 from top of
page 109, should read ‘‘ larvee, not requiring so much attention as some
Be, ace i
others. Eupithecia doneata, early in April.” Line 16 from top should
read “Iuculella, a very good example. Laverna ochraceella turned up in
fair numbers.” Line 25 from top, ‘‘ Tusch” should read ‘‘ Tasch.” Line
29 from top, ‘* rufolatris” should read ‘‘7uwfolabris,” and ‘‘ napaus”
| Hantrax...(F.G. 8. Rawson)
RaINFALL FOR JANUARY. PDs
should read *‘ napaeus” Line 4from top of page 110, ‘'1875” should
read ‘‘ 1835.”
OBITUARY.—Bensgamin Cooxe.— It is with the deepest regret I
record the death of my late friend Mr. Benjamin Cooke, of Southport,
who died suddenly on the 3rd inst. He was born on the 16th September,
1816, and was the son of Mr. Isaac Cooke, founder of the well-known
firm of Isaac Cooke & Sons. cotton brokers, Liverpool. From earliest
childhood he and his brother, Mr. Nicholas Cooke, were remarkable for
their intense love of insects, astonishing their friends by covering the
walls of their nursery with moths, butterfles, &c., spread out so as to
show their beauties to the best advantage. This natural taste very greatly
developed at the Friends’ School, York, where great attention was, and
is still, paid to the cultivation of a love of Natural History in the scholars.
_ Mr. Cooke was not content with studying one order of insects only, but
was wonderfully acquainted with insect life generally—indeed, unless it
was Diptera, I do not know to which order he paid the greatest attention.
His knowledge of species was truly astonishing, as numerous friends can
testify who have sought his assistance in naming their specimens. You
will miss, I am sure, a valued correspondent, as the papers from his pen
you have from time to time published have added much to the interest
of your useful periodical.—S. J. Capper, Huyton Park, Liverpool, Feb.
18th, 1883.
Raintall for Janwary.
Height Toran Faun
of 0 TO DatE. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest ot
above | fall. [pays| — Ae Fall, | Dezviest
sea a x Fall.
ieeik 1888. 1882.
W. Robson)
|
Ft. In
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...} 350 Bs
(J.
365 | 8°40 | 21 8°40 6°05 28 Deleh
2
| LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 3°74 | 22 3°74 +1°79 8 0°745
| HorsForTH ... (James Fox)} 350 | 3°98 | 24 3°98 12°36 28 0°58
PATELEY BRIDGE...(E. War-| 436 | 4°31 | 13 4°31 0°26 29 189
burton, M.R.C.S.. L.S. A.)
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) . 350 | 3°37 | 18 3°37 2°46 28 —6071
eS ccivonrri (Oe eam 853 | 6°55 | 23 6°55 4°19 28 1°54
| WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...) 520 | 4°69 | 19 4°6Y 2°90 28 0:97
GOOLE ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 2°12 | 21 212 1°65 24 0°45
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.} 10 | 1°92 | 19 iis 504 | §1°92 24 0°56
Lawton)
SS a EE BES Se ES
* Average to date for 16 years, 1866-81. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
{ Average of 14 years, 1870-83.
§ The annual average for 30 years, 1850-79, is 22°347 on 151°15 days.
Reports of Societies.
BaRnsLtey Natura.ists’ Soctery.—Meeting Feb. 15th.—The report of
the Conversazione and Exhibition, Jan. 25th, was favourable, there was
a small balance to the credit of the Institute. There is little to report as
to insects and flowers. Mercurialis perennis flowered first week in
January ; Tussilago farfara, February Ist. Mr. H. Garland, of Wood-
hall, reports that he has a fine specimen of the Bohemian wax-wing,
obtained near that place, Dec. 20th ; this, and the Richardson’s skua,
obtained at Cudworth, Oct. 27th ; the snow-buntings, Dec. 26th ; and
the Sclavonic grebe, reported by Mr. M. G. Parkin; are the rarest
occasional winter visitants to this neighbourhood the present season.
Song-thrushes are decreasing, and need more protecting. The songs of
birds are increasing daily—skylarks, early in January ; chaftinch, Feb. 9 ;
yellow-hammer, Feb. 16th. The traces in the snow of an otter were
observed at Woodhall, early in January.—Tuos. ListEg.
BrapForp Naturatists’ Soctety.—Meeting Jan. 23rd, the president
in the chair. —Mr. Firth reported taking H. leucophearia, at Saltaire, and
also exhibited a beautiful series of H. defoliaria, from Shipley Glen. The
president—a drawer from his cabinet, containing, amongst others, S.
ocellatus, S. convoluwli, and D. Galw. Mr. Soppitt named some ferns
sent from Timsbury, Somerset.
Mexrrine, Feb. 6th, the president in the chair.—Mr Soppitt exhibited
three specimens of Geaster, from Norfolk. The president exhibited
specimens of the whole of British butterflies belonging to the order
Papilionidze, and described their characteristics, and geographical dis-
tribution. Mr. West—a large number of British and American plants,
to illustrate the Nat. Ord. Hricace.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EHNToMOLOGICAL SocieTy.—Meeting,
Jan. 27th, the president (Mr. S. J. Capper) in the chair. The officers
elected for the current session were Mr. S. J. Capper, president ; Mr.
Robert Brown, vice-president ; and Dr. J. W. Ellis, honorary secretary.
The president then gave a short address, in which, after thanking the
members for his re-election, he referred to the entomological work during
the past season. The past year had been a most prosperous one, 15 new
members having been elected. He believed this was a greater number
than in any previous year. Seven members had left through removal
from Liverpool and other causes, and the society now numbers 67 against
59 members at the beginning of the year. At the eleven meetings which
had been held 18 papers had been read, most of which had evinced a
considerable amount of care, thought, and talent in their preparation.
The secretary read the annual report for 1882, and the financial statement.
showed a good balance in the bank. Mr. E. R. Billington read a paper —
entitled ‘‘ Fourteen Days in Trinidad,” in which he detailed his expe-
riences, entomological and otherwise, in that charming West Indian
island, describing very vividly, and occasionally with much humour, its
Reports oF SocietiEs. 197
fauna aud flora, its scenery, and the character and mode of life of its
inhabitants. A short discussion terminated the proceedings.
Leeps Naturauists’ Crus AND ScIENTIFIC AssovraTIon. — 500th
meeting, Feb. 13th.—This was celebrated by a tea and social gathering
of members, with Messrs. Hobkirk and Porritt present as visitors, at
Powolny’s Rooms, the evening being devoted to a conversazione, at which
numerous interesting objects were shown. The proceedings after tea
commenced by the president, Mr. Thomas Fairley, F.R.S.E., giving a
brief veswmé of the Club’s history. Its double title shows its twofoid
origin, the Naturalists’ Club and the Scientific Association coalescing (in
1872) by a process of mutual gravitation, after modest beginnings and
independent co-existence. The subsequent history was that of a gradual
unfolding, and steady and continued progress. The naturalists have
usually predominated, but this is simply because they have been more
numerous and more active than the students of other sciences ; and as
the society’s scope includes the whole range of physical science, it only
remains for the students of any particular branch to emulate the zeal and
energy of the naturalists, to secure for their subject its due preponder-
ance. Speeches were afterwards made by Mr. Jas. Brodie (the ‘‘ parent ”
of the Naturalists’ Club proper), Mr. Thomas Hick, B.A., B.Sc., Mr. B.
Holgate, F.G.S. (ex-presidents), Mr. Wm. Hagle Clarke, and Mr. C. P.
Hobkirk, F.L.S. The meeting then became an informal and most enjoy-
able converazsione. The president showed various calculating instru-
ments, Mr. F. W. Branson, F.C.S., an incandescent lamp for micro-
photography and Mr. B. A. Burrell, F.C.S., a case of silver ores. Mr.
Clarke showed, for Mr. Edwd. Bidwell of London, a beautiful series of
instantaneous photographs of bird-life at the Bass Rock and Farne
islands. Mr. H. B. Hewetson brought water-colour drawings of birds of
his own execution, and Mr. Grassham a splendid German book of birds.
An old work, ‘‘ Natural History” (1645) was shown by Mr. J. T. Beer,
and models of the internal eye and ear by Mr. Geo. Hainsworth. An
album of photographs and autographs of Yorkshire naturalists, to which
various members contributed, was on view. Mr. Edwd. Atkinson, F.L.S.,
showed dried specimens of Linnea borealis, and a collection of the turf-
mosses was sent by Mr. W. West. A box of rare lepidoptera was shown
by Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.8., and Mr. W. Barwell Turner, F.R.M.S.,
had numerous objects, including original drawings from the microscope
and a copy of Piaget's ‘‘ Les Pediculines,” with photographic plates.
Microscopic objects were shown by him, by Mr. Fairley, Mr. Emsley and
Mr. J. W. Dixon. The meeting was altogether a decided success, and
will probably form the precedent for an annual gathering of similar
character.—W. D. R.
Port ExizaperH Naturawists’ Society. — Annual meeting. — The
financial and secretary’s reports were adopted, and the following officers
selected for the ensuing session :—president, R. Hallack, re-elected ;
vice-president, S. Rous, re-elected ; hon. secretary and treasurer, 8. D.
128 THe NAtTuRALIST.
Bairstow, F.L.S., re-elected. The report showed good progress, and was
very satisfactory. Hntomology seems to be the favourite science, botany
ranking second. The following notes of a ramble on New Year’s Day
(midsummer in South Africa), sent by our friend the founder of the
society, Mr. 8S. D. Bairstow, will. we venture to think, be read with
interest :—‘‘ We have it on good authority that the weather on New
Year’s Day, even from a naturalist’s point of view, was all propitious,
leaving nothing to be desired. Arriving at Sandfontein, our friends,
after visiting the lovely miniature of a waterfall on Mr. Conrey’s farm,
employed a coloured guide, who led the way across country to the Uiten-
hage springs. Here they pitched their imaginary tents, and whilst one
or two dignified officers of the society, viz., Messrs. (hush !) ‘* did a
snooze,” the beetle-men prowled about in search of spoil.. A magnificent
longicorn yclept Zoographus oculator innocently ruminating on a sweet-
scented mimosa blossom, awoke to find himself in Mr. Bairstow’s odiously
odorous prison bottle. Another specimen, similarly situated, soon sniffed
the benzine breeze dispensed by Mr. Amphlett. The emerald beauty,
Cetonia aulica, narrowly escaped with its life, but Mr. Rous made sad
havoc amongst the family of a certain white butterfly (Pieris gidica), and
Mr. Read boxed bugs (Hemiptera) ad infintum. Three species of
Redwwius were taken on the Ornithogalum. Escort John now receives his
dismissal, and with it a good sample of golden leaf and cut cavendish,
and inwardly hopes ‘‘we may meet again.” Although recent rains have
considerably improved the appearance of bushy regions, the naturalists
failed to discern any floral novelties, and, according to Mr. Hallack, who
is conversant with our district botany, the best find of the day was frail
and fickle Glethyllis spiralis. A pretty specimen of our curious tree-frog
and several interesting larvee were taken en voute, and the naturalists
arrived at Uitenhage just in time to be too late for the train. Nothing
daunted, they visited the farm of Mrs. Stewart, near the railway station,
in the homestead of which they were hospitably entertained, and in the
grounds of which some local Coleoptera were captured. The naturalists
returned to Port Elizabeth by the 7.45 p.m. train, not a bit the worse—
tanned hides and aching bones always excepted—for spending New Year’s
Day with Dame Nature and her relatives.
Rreon Screntiric AssocraTion.—First annual meeting, Feb. 13th.—
Mr. T. C. Heslington presided. The secretary, Mr. B. M. Smith, read
the report, which stated that the club, which was commenced in February
last, had now 120 members, their object being to establish a museum and
publish a record of the fauna and flora of the district, from Harrogate on
the south to Richmond on the north. The Marquis of Ripon was elected
president, and Mr. B. M. Smith secretary. It was resolved to accept the
tenancy of a house in Park-street, at a rental of £23 per annum, for a
museum, Mr. G. Waite being accepted as a resident curator. Several new
members were elected.
lary y—Meetings of Societies.
mere
“March 1. Anda Society of ae 8 p-m.
3. Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,—Annual Meeting at Selby For
_ particulars, see cover. !
Leeds Geological A'ssociation.— “ Fossil Capnsepou:, es
ate ee ea Sm, Bed. S., of Halifax.
6: Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—‘‘ Darwinism,” J. E. Wilson.
6. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
6. Bishop Auckland’ Naturalists’ Field ‘Club.
» t Waketield Naturalists’ Nociety.
7
8
oe
eee
9
. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m. - A
. Beverley Naturalists’ Society.—‘‘ On es Geditholey of the if
-- »-.. Hast-Riding.” F. Boyes. bee
4, 9: Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
-,, 0. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 pm. So
14. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club. We) vite ene
» 15. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m. — Bad kt ieee
,, 17. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—“ Coal,” F. Bamford.
» 19. Leeds Geological Association.—* The Geology of the Inner
. 2, Hebrides, ” J. E. Wilson, Bradford.
4, 19. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7 7-50 p.m. | ) Pas
22. York St. Thomas’ Field Naturalists’ Society. _ Per fs Eee
ie sea ie ‘Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society. a ae nar
4, 26. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
-_,, 26. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
99. North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club.—Annual Mecting ae
~~ ab Stoke, Local Secretary, Mr. Kirkby.
| EXCHANGE.
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On SATURDAY Afternoon, Mar. ard,
For the Election of Officers, and the fixing of places # fon the
Excursions of 1888.
In the Evening at Six p.m., etlie President of the Union,
JOHN GILBERT BAKER, E80., F.R.S., &,
Of the Royal Herbarium at Kew, will deliver the Annual as
the subject of which will be—
“The present position of the Knowledge of the ;
Geography of the British Plants, with special —
| reference to the North of England.” |
Slee
The Meetings for Election ofiScctional O: Onan will commence ake
-'fhree_ o’elock. Further particulars will be given in. the ustial
earcular shortly. to be issued.
WM. DENISON ROEBUCK,
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to the Secretaries, suggestions of suitable places for the Exeursions.. ae
ANNUAL MeETING OF 1884. —Societies desirous of having the
Annual Meeting of 1884 held in their town, should at once send in-
their invitations. | Preference will be given to towns possessing S' it-
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ye CONTENTS.
“Onsen ARTICLES, &e.: :
On the ‘Present State of our Knowledge of the Geography of Be
lage Soe Plants. J. Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., he. s : : :
Nores, Ros me ay
~ Otters in ‘Halifax ar :
- Bird-Notes from Newton Keyme,1 near r Tadeaster .
Notices of Books. es
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TRANSACTIONS ofthe YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION.
_ . . PART I. FOR 1577 contains the commencement of ‘‘ The Birds of Yorkshire,”
es by Mr. W. E. Clarke, M.B.O.U. ; of an “‘ Annotated List of the Land and Fresh-
water Mollusca of Yorkshire,” by Messrs. Wm. Nelson and J. W. Taylor; a
complete list of Yorkshire Hymenoptera, with references to literature of that
order, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck; a paper on “* Yorkshire Macro-lepidoptera ~
ieee 8 1877, ” by Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S.; one on “ Yorkshire Micro- lepidoptera
Pe an 1877. ” by Mr. Wm. Prest ; papers by Mr. §. L. Mosley, on *‘ Yorkshire Diptera,’
P and on the Yorkshire species of Hemiptera of the Family Psyllide ; and): a a
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PARTS Ik. AND III. FOR 1878 contain the continuations of Mr. / Olatke’s
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_. Dr. Parsons; the commencement of Dr..Parsons’ ‘*‘ Moss-Flora of the East-
-Riding”; papers on Yorkshire Lepidoptera in 1878, by Mr. Porritt, F.L.S. : on —
~ «Yorkshire {chneumonide, by Mr. S. D. Bairstow, F.L.S. 5 and on Nouishiror ie
Sor Hymenoptera, observed in 1878, by Mr. W. Denison Roebuck.
W. Denison Rorsuck, Sunny Bank,
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Original Articles.
ON THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF
THE GEOGRAPHY OF BRITISH PLANTS.
By J. Giupert Baker, F.R.S., &c.
THE ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE YORKSHIRE
NATURALISTS’ UNION, AT SELBY, ON MARCH 3RD, 1€83.
WueEwn Professor Williamson and Mr. Denison Roebuck first spoke to
me at the York Meeting of the British Association about undertaking
to fill for a yéar the presidental chair of your Union, I felt at first
very unwilling to accept the responsibility. Greatly interested as I
have always been in what concerns the Natural History of my native
county, when I lived in Yorkshire my time was so much taken up
by business engagements, that in order to collect the material for my
book on ‘‘ North Yorkshire,’ I was forced to almost entirely neglect
the two other Ridings, and I left the county for London too soon
after it was finished to be able to find time for visiting those inter-
esting tracts in the West and East Ridings that I should have been
so glad to have had an opportunity of exploring ; and I also felt that,
since I have lived at Kew, my attention has been so much occupied
with other kinds of botany, that in anything relating to home-work, I
had not only not progressed with the times, but that I had forgotten
a great deal of what I knew familiarly twenty years ago. As
however, I failed to convince your representatives that these excuses
were good ones, I accepted their invitation, and beg now to thank you
heartily for the compliment which it implies. When the time came round
that I had to select a subject for this present address, I thought I
could best utilize the occasion by asking you to consider for a while
what is the present state of our knowledge of the geography of British
plants, with a view that, in thinking the matter over, our attention
might be specially drawn to considering what are the grooves in which
further research may be profitably pushed forward. At the outset
you will, I think, all be prepared to admit readily the proposition that
in Natural History, in an eminent degree, the general rule holds good
that the value of our work, whether as individuals or societies, will
depend very greatly upon its being carried out upon a methodical
plan. The facts of Natural History are so infinitely numerous, that if
a naturalist does not go about his work methodically, he may toil hard
and long, and yet have very little of any value to show, as the result
Nis:, VOL. vill... Apr., 1883.
130 THe NATURALIST.
of all his labour. So long as the facts remain as mere isolated facts, they
can only interest and be remembered by a limited number of specialists ; 1
but when our facts can be made to illustrate general laws, their value
rises to a higher level, and in Natural History in general, and botanical 7
geography in particular, the value of our results will depend very
greatly upon our attempting to realise for ourselves beforehand, as
clearly and fully as we can, what it is we want to get to know, and
ct chialinhinttiercntminanaian
then setting to work systematically to collect and arrange the facts that
elucidate the subject we have selected.
What I am going to say will all have exclusive reference to
our indigenous British plants of the more complicated types of
structure, flowering plants, and vascular Cryptogamia, of which the
number of specific types is estimated by different authorities at a
figure varying from 1,200 to 1,500. But I should like to pause for |
just one moment to point out to those amongst you who are not |
botanists, that our British flowering plants and ferns have been
studied so long and by so many different observers, and under such
favourable circumstances, that we probably know as much about them,
from different points of view, as about any set of organised beings
whatever ; and that for this reason they furnish a field of research
specially adapted to support general conclusions.
There is a special fitness in taking stock of the position which we
occupy in our knowledge of British botanical geography just now, as
we are in the position of an army that has lost its leader. My late
friend, Hewett Cottrell Watson, who died eighteen months ago, made
the study of the distribution of British plants the labour of his life,
and worked at it through fifty years with unremitting patience and
diligence. When he first turned his attention to the matter—when he
was a student at the University of Edinburgh, attending the classes
of Professor Graham, about 1850—botanical geography had no footing
as a separate field of study. The only idea which botanists had then
in registering plant-stations was to guide collectors to the places
where they could gather the rarities. His first work was an octavo
volume of 300 pages, entitled ‘‘ Outlines of the Distribution of
British Plants belonging to the division Vasculares,’ printed in
Edinburgh in 1832, when he was 28 years old, for private distribution.
Under the title of ‘‘ Remarks on the distribution of British plants,
chiefly in connection with latitude, elevation, and climate,” he
published what is substantially a new edition of the same work in
London, through Longman’s, in 1835. In the same year he published
the first volume of the ‘“‘ New Botanist’s Guide,’’ and the second
DD SL A Te
Baker, F.R.S.: Grocrapuy oF British PLANTs. 131
followed two years later. ‘This is planned upon the lines of the
old ‘‘ Botanist’s Guide”? of Turner and Dillwyn, and enumerates the
special localities of the rare plants of England and Scotland, taking
them county by county. In 1843 he issued the first part of a much
more elaborate work on the plan of the Outlines. This was only
carried out through the series of natural orders, following the Candol-
lean sequence, as far as the Papaveraceze, when the plan being found
to be too cumbrous, the work was discontinued. ‘The first volume of
his “‘ magnum opus ”__Ovybele Britannica—appeared in 1847, and it
was followed by vol. i. in 1849, vol. ii. in 1852, and vol.iv. in 1859.
It was his own original idea to apply the term Cybele to a systematic
treatise on the geographical distribution of the plants of any particular
tract of country, applying it as parallel to the term /loro, which has
been used for a long time for a systematic description of the orders,
genera, and species of any given tract. It is in the Cydele that we
have his plans for registering the details of plant distribution brought
out and used in their full development. To each individual species
he applies four different measuring-scales, each adapted to measure its
distribution from a different point of view. To record its range ot
station he uses a series of adjectival terms, such as agrestal, paludal,
glareal, sylvestral, &c. To register the horizontal distribution of the
species he divides Britain into eighteen provinces, founded, as far as
possible, on river drainage, so as not to infringe upon county bound-
aries. Yorkshire is the only county that can claim a province to
itself. What he calls the ‘“‘ Peninsular province” includes the three
counties of Cornwall, Devonshire, and Somerset, and so on through
the series. He traces the distribution of the species through these
eighteen provinces by giving for each a line of figures indicating the
provinces in which that particular species has been ascertained to grow.
For further detail, suitable to be used in local work, these provinces
were afterwards subdivided into 88 sub-provinces and 1]2 vice-
counties. The vertical range of the species he registers by means of
two regions of climate and altitudes, each divided into three zones.
The Agrarian region includes all that portion of Britain in which it is
possible, so far as climate goes, to grow corn and potatoes. Of course
it includes the whole area of the island at sea level from north to
south ; it includes also the hills up to 600 yards of elevation in the
north of England, and up to 400 yards in the Scotch Highlands. All
above this is mountain, rock and heather, with a temperature like that
of the low levels in Arctic latitudes. Then he deals with each species
from a historical point of view, classifiying them into natives, colonists,
137 THE NATURALIST.
denizens, and aliens, according as they are aboriginal inhabitants of
the country, or appear to have been introduced through man’s agency,
acting either indirectly or directly. And, finally, he separates out the
species into their types of distribution—British, English, Atlantic,
Germanic, Scotch, Highland or Intermediate, according to whether
they are dispersed through the whole of the island, or preponderate in
some part of it.. In a “ Supplement of the Cybele” that came out in
1860, the horizontal range of the species is traced through the 38 sub-
provinces. In the three volumes of the “ Compendium” (1868-70) the
species are again traced out through the provinces. Of course the
earlier works raised up a number of helpers, who gladly aided him to
make the later ones more complete. In the ‘‘ Compendium,” in
addition, the dispersion of each species beyond the bounds of Britain
is traced out; and finally,in “ Topographical Botany,” 2 vols., 1873-
74, the horizontal distribution of the species through the 112 vice-
counties is traced out. Of this work only a limited number of copies
was printed for private distribution. At the time of his death, Mr.
Watson was engaged in the preparation of a second edition of it ; this
Mr. Quaritch has undertaken to publish, and my friend Mr. Newbould
and I have been engaged for the last year in seeing it through the
press, and we expect it will be ready about midsummer.
What, then, still remains to be done? I make answer that, in the
first place, we expect from every local or county Natural History society
that if such information be not already placed on record, they should
set to work to collect and publish a full account of the horizontal and
vertical range of the plants of the area they deal with, explaining the
circumstances under which each grows, what is its rarity or common-
ness, and all particulars as to how it adapts itself to the different soils
and geological strata that occur in the district. We have in Watson’s
“ Topographical Botany,’ a separate catalogue for each of the five vice-
counties of Yorkshire, but three out of the five still need dealing with
in the way I have just indicated. The information in botany, which,
primarily and particularly, we ask from you as a county society, is a
full account of the distribution of species through the West and East
ridings. For the West-Riding the genera] sketch contained in the
‘‘West Yorkshire” of Dr. Arnold Lees and Mr. Davis is excellent as
far as-it goes, and there is also the small Flora of Miall and Carrington,
but much more than this is still needed; and for the East-Riding there
is nothing to turn to except the list in “ Topographical Botany,” and
the scattered records in Baines’s “ Flora of Yorkshire” and its supple-
ment. Looking beyond the bounds of Yorkshire, through the rest of
Fated ay
sueieneiatetnetnenenhtntinihon sieetimehidiiiie ne aati
initiate entnainatineti
>
Baker, F.R.S.: GroGrRapHy oF BritisH PLANTs. 133
the north of England, we have no such records for the very interesting
counties of Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Lancashire. Jattempted
long ago to collect notes about the Lake district, and if no one else
enters the field, shall feel inclined to publish them, incomplete as they
are ; and whilst speaking of this matter, I cannot leave it without
expressing a hope that some day we may see in print, the full material
which Mr. Warren has gathered together for Cheshire, which would be
specially acceptable, because we have no recent flora for any western
county.
Broadly speaking, the external conditions which affect the dispersion
of species may be classified under three heads. By these I mean, first,
how a species is influenced by climate; secondly, how it is influenced
by soil ; and thirdly, how its dispersion at the present time is affected
by its past history, and the changes that have taken place in the
conformation of sea and land in past times. A fourth influence, to
estimate which at its full value is one of the great lessons we have
learnt from Mr. Darwin, is brought about by the large extent to which
plants depend on insects for their fertilisation. This has been fully
dealt with of late years by many investigators. Speaking of the other
three factors, I should say that, for Britain as a whole, the vertical and
horizontal range of each species has been so fully registered that the
climatic range of the British plants is fully worked out, but that under
the two other heads there are several fields of work that want further
following out.
In tracing out the pedigree of species, a great deal still remains to
be done in gathering together, sifting, and testing the evidence derived
from paleontology. As an example of a valuable recent contribution
to our knowledge in this department, I may cite the memoir on the
Ferns of the British Eocene Strata, recently published in the Transac-
tions of the Palzontographical Society, by Mr. Starkie Gardiner and
Baron von Ettingshausen. It would appear already in the eocene
period, that the present sub-orders, and many of the present genera of
ferns, were already differentiated, and there is no evidence of the
existence then of any type of subordinal value that is not in existence
now. ‘There are at the present time eight distinct sub-orders of Filices,
each distinguished by a characteristic type of sporange. Out of the
- forty-three British ferns which exist at the present day, thirty-seven
species belong to Polypodiacexw, three to Hymenophyllacez, two to
Ophioglossaceze, and one to Osmundacee. Jour sub-orders, Gleiche-
niacee, Cyatheaceze, Marattiaceze, and Schizzeacez, are at the present
day not represented in Britain, nor, in fact, anywhere in Europe. In the
134 — THE NATURALIST.
eocene fern-fiora, three sub-orders out of the eight are absent, Cyath-
eaceee, Hymenophyllacez, and Ophioglossacez. In Polypodiacez there
are ten species, all apparently belonging to genera now known, Adiantum,
Pieris, Woodwardia, Polypodium, and Acrostichum. There seems every
reason to believe that the eocene Acrostichum is identical with Acros-
tichum aureum, one of the the commonest tropical marsh-ferns of the
present day, both in the old and new world. Gleicheniacez is represented
in the British eocenes by a single unmistakeable species. At the
present day there are eighty species of this sub-order, widely spread in
the tropical and south temperate zones, and two of them extending
into temperate Asia. Of the sub-order Osmundacez, there are two
species in the eocene beds, one of them apparently identical with O.
regalis, and the other with O. javanica, a species confined at the present
time to tropical and temperate Asia. Of Schizeeaceze there are two
species of two genera, and of Marattiaceze one species in the British
eocene beds. Not long ago I asked one of our most experienced
paleontologists to tell me, in general terms, what point of knowledge
had been reached in the investigation of these early tertiary beds, and
he estimated the number of their generic types, now known, at five
hundred, of which four hundred are still in existence; and of species,
at two thousand, of which, perhaps, fifty are still in existence. I
suppose no competent authority would estimate the lapse of time
between the close of the miocene period and the present day at less
than five hundred thousand years. The most curious point about these
rich tertiary floras is that there seems, broadly speaking, to be no
geographical differeitiation in them. In Greenland or Austria, or in
our own island, at fournemouth, or in the London basin, they appear
to contain substantially the same types. It is likely that in the next
twenty years we shall reap a rich harvest from paleontological work.
Upon the general question of evolution, an important light is thrown
by studying the flora of Britain in comparison with that of Continental
Europe. The most important general character of the British flora is
its utter want of any distinctive individuality. Leaving out of count a
few doubtful Hieracia, Willows, Rubi and Roses, I can give only two
good instances of British plants that do not occur in Continental
Europe. One of these, Potamogeton lanceolatus, is known in Cam-
bridgeshire, Anglesea, and the north of Ireland ; the other, Hriocaulon
septangulare, is found in Skye and Galway ; and, across the Atlantic,
it is widely spread in North America. It is now generally believed
that Britain was last separated from the Continent towards the close
of the glacial period. I do not think any competent authority would
SHort Notes AND QUERIES. 135
consider that it was an extravagant suggestion that Britain may
have been an island for a hundred thousand years.* If, then, out of
1400 species which it produces, not one is distinct, this is a very sig-
nificant fact.
Perhaps the most important of all the generalizations established by
Mr. Watson’s labours was his separating out the plants of Britain
according to their types of distribution. He worked out the fact that
out of the 1425 British plants 532 are spread through the length and
breadth of the island ; that a little over 600 are either confined to
England or become quite rare when the Scotch border is crossed, and
soon cease in a northern direction; that out of these, 70 show a
preference for the western and 127 for the eastern side of the island ;
and that the boreal element is represented by 200 species, which are
concentrated in the Scotch Highlands, and occur southward only
amongst the mountains. And here again, the seas that separate
Britain from the Continent seem to be of very small account. The
500 species universal in Britain are mostly spread over the whole area
of the Continent ; the 200 boreal species are plants of Scandinavia,
which often extend southwards to the Alps of Central Europe. The
600 characteristically English species are plants of the great Central
European plain ; and the moisture-loving types, restricted with us to
Ireland and the south-west of England, creep up from Portugal and
the Asturias, and the country round Bordeaux, just as if no broad
channel of waters intervened. The memoir 7 in which, long ago, Prof.
Edward Forbes tried to work out what these types of distribution
imply, is well known. I will not pursue the subject further now,
than to point out the striking testimony which this whole series of
facts furnishes to the long-continued stability of the present condition
of things, as regards our specific types.
(To be continued. )
Short Hotes and Queries.
Otrers 1n Hatirax Pariso.—About 70 years ago Squire Pinder shot
an otter from Elland Bridge, as it was fishing on the daimstones, in the
grey of the morning. About 40 years since, James Hobson and others
caught one in the Calder, in a large fishing-net ; another was caught at
* See Wallace’s “Island Life,” p. 318.
+Memoirs of Geological Survey, vol. i., p. 336. See also the shorter paper in
the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, vol. xvi., p. 126.
136 THe NATURALIST.
Brighouse since then. Over 60 years since, James Turner and John
Nutton, of Greetland, were rat-hunting on the Calder under North Dean
Wood. Their dog went up a drain from which there was a small stream
flowing. They soon heard a fierce combat going on, the water became
muddy and stained with blood, and .out bolted a bitch otter and two
cubs. The mother escaped, but the cubs were caught and kept alive for
a short time. In September, 1873, some men were strolling on the banks
of a small stream at Cotton Stones, Ripponden. They had two dogs—a
lurcher and a terrier—the former weighing 50tbs, and the latter 22thbs.
The dogs were set behind the remnants of an old burr-wall, and whilst
they were digging in at each end, an otter made its way out at the top,
between the wall and the bank, and made for the stream, which was so
shallow that it could not dive. The fight then commenced. The strength
and tenacity of the otter were remarkable ; it could have both dogs down
at once. It soon had them both covered with blood, got from them and
ran up a drain, from which they dug it out. It again made for the
stream, the dogs and men after it ; and whilst the dogs worried, the men
struck it across the back with a rail-pole, which rebounded as if they
were striking at a tight-blown football. One man, who held it by the
tail so that its hind feet could not touch the ground, said-if it had been
tailless they could not have captured it; but holding its feet from the
ground placed it at a disadvantage with regard to its wrestling powers.
The otter weighed 173tbs, and measured 4ft. Gin. from tip to tip. The
skin was not perforated by the dogs’ teeth. On Aug. 19th, 1876, a large
otter was caught in a box-trap on the Calder. It had been seen to go up
a drain near Messrs. Clay’s dyehouse at Sowerby Bridge. In the winter
of 1881 an otter was seen by the night-watchman at North Dean station,
which, on being followed, ran into the Calder. It was traced on
the snow and on the mud by the river-side, but not caught.—C. C.
HANSON.
Brrp-Notrs rrom Newron KyME, NEAR TADCASTER.—The Rev. J. W.
Chaloner, rector of Newton Kyme, writing on the 2nd or 3rd of March,
says that the week before last he saw nine goosanders together at that
place, which is very unusual. The week of his writing he noted a pair of
black-spotted woodpeckers. He has now in his yard a fine specimen of a
wild duck having assumed the plumage of a mallard.
NOTICES OF BOOKS, &c.—Hepatice Britannice Exsiccate.—Fasc.
11. of this useful set of specimens has just been issued by Messrs.
B. Carrington, M.D.,and W. H. Pearson, and contains some very rare and
interesting specimens, amongst them being Cephalozia ewraria, C. Fran-
cisct, Nardia (Marsupella) Stableri, Lepidozia Pearsoni, Petalophyllum
Ralfsvi, &c., &c.—in all 65 species and varieties. Subscriptions may be
sent to Mr. W. H. Pearson, 6, Seedley Park Road, Pendleton, Man-
chester.
Raintall for February.
Height TovaL Faun
of Hel NO: To Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest ©
above ial. Days eas cms cy 21) Ball pews
all.
teeal: 1883. | 1882
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 2°11 | 17 7°40 | *5°40 1 0°32
(J. W. Robson)
Hatirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 3°38 | 20 | 11°78 9°47 10 0°46
LeepDs ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 1°99 | 18 574 | F318 17 0°32
HorsFORTH ... (James Fox)| 350 | 1°90 | 17 5°88 | $482 17 0°32
PATELEY BRIDGE...(E. War-| 486 | 4°45 | 19 8°76 ||4°29
burton, M.R.C.S.. L.S.A.)
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...| 350 | 2°33 | 14 5°70 4°18 it 0°42
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 3°95 | 17 | 10°50 7°16 1 0°73
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...) 520 | 2°64) 15.) 7°33 2°90 1 0°47
Gooner ... (J. HARRISON)...} 25 | 2°24 | 15 4°36 3°69 11 0°45
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.} 10 | 2°44 | 15 4°36 | §2°88 10 0°59
Lawton)
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
{ Average of 14 years, 1870-83.
§ The total average for 32 years, 1850-82. || For year 1880.
Reports of Societies.
BarnstEy Narurauists’ Socrery.—Meeting Feb. 27, Mr. T. Lister, president,
in the chair.—An interesting paper was read by Mr. T. Rose, entitled ‘‘ A Holiday
in Holland, Belgium, and North France,” with graphic descriptions of the places
visited, interspersed with notes on Natural History.
Meerinc, March 15th, Mr. Lister presiding,—A valuable paper on “‘ Carbon,”’
with experiments, was given by Mr. G. M. W. Hutchin. Mr. G. H. Teasdale
reported that an owl had been heard in Silkstone Hall Wood, before the last
severe frost. A pied blackbird was seen near Dodworth station on March 8th.
A flock of the common snipe flew to north-west on the 5th; the lapwings had
returned to their old haunts Feb. 25th; many pied wagtails and yellow-hammers
noted on the llth. These last birds sang on the 16th Feb., and chaffinches on
the 9th. The missel and song-thrush, and the above-named songsters, have
frequently been heard during the present frost. ‘Thrushes are still scarce here,
but more numerous near Hemsworth.—T. L.
Beryertey Frevp Naturauisrs’ AND ScienTIFIC Socrety.—21st meeting, held
February 22nd, the President (Mr. J. A. Ridgway) in the chair. After the
routine business had been disposed of, the Rev. W. Smith read an interesting
‘paper on the ‘Cellular tissues of Plants,”’ illustrating his remarks by a number
of carefully prepared micro-slides and dissections of living specimens. Amongst
the exhibits were 47 species of Gramince, 16 Carices, and a very fine horn of the
red deer, dug up in Swinemoor, Beverley, brought by Mr. Boyes; a pair of
waxwings, Ampelis garrulus, shot in Beverley Westwood, by Mr. Cheny ; micro-
slides showing plant-culture, by the Rev. W. Smith, and living specimens of
diatoms, marine alge, and crustacea belonging to the Pycnogonide, by Mr.
Butterell. :
Meeting, March 8th. The President (Mr. J. A. Ridgway) occupied the chair.
The Rev. E. J. Barry presented to the Society two store cases for insects. A
number of carefully prepared micro-slides of animal parasites, chiefly from birds,
were shown by Mr. John Watson, and Mr. Butterell exhibited specimens of two
zoophytes, Plumelaria faleciu and Sertularia operculata,
138 THe NATURALIST.
Matton Naturatists’ Socrery.— Annual general meeting; Mr. G. W.
Slater in the chair. Mr. T. Lister, the secretary, read the annual report, and
Mr. W. Hodgson, the treasurer, the financial report. Mr. M. B. Slater was then
called on to report on the work of the botanical section during the year. He
chiefly referred to what had been done at the meeting of the Naturalists’ Union
at Selby, quoting from the report of that meeting, and the president’s address.
He also mentioned some of the best plants obtained during the year. One of
the rarest and most interesting, sent by Mr. Barugh, of Octon Grange, was
Buplewrum rotundifolium. An important thing sent by Mr. Boynton, of Ulrome,
was a moss found on an embedded log, supposed to be the remains of an ancient
lake dwelling, Antitrichia curtiperdula.. Mr Chadwick next gave an account of
what had been done by the geological section, Mr. A. H. Taylor reported for the —
conchological section, and Mr. A. W. Walker for the ornithological. The election
of officers was then proceeded with; the Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam. M.P., was re-
elected president, and Mr T. Lister secretary. At the next meeting of the
Society on April 16th, Mr. T. Lister, the secretary, will read a paper on British
Grasses.
Mancuester Cryprocamic Socrrty.—Monthly meeting; Dr. B. Carrington,
F.RS.E., in the chair. Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited a specimen copy of the
Fasc. III. Hepaticee Britannice LExsiccate, containing many new and rare
species, amongst which were noticed Mersupella Stablert, Cephalozia Francisci,
C. eraria, C. Turneri, Bazzania trilobata, Lepidozia Pearsont. Dr. J. B. Wood
sent specimens of Burbaumia indusi ta, and B. aphylla, both species having been
gathered by himself in the same locality during his visit to the Vosges, August,
1872; the B. indusiata growing on rotten wood, and the B. aphylla, on the
ground. He also sent specimens of Dichelyma capillaceum in fruit from Norway
and N. America. Mr. George Stabler and Dr. R. Spruce were elected honorary
members of the Society.—T. Rocrrs, Hon Sec.
Meertine, March 9th, Captain P. G. Cunhffe, F.R.M.S., in the chair.—Mr.
James Cash exhibited specimens of Cinclidium stygium from Malham: Tarn, and
read an interesting paper on its history asa British moss;* Mr. Wm. Forster,
aremarkably handsome and robust variety of Polystichum angulare: it belonged
to the multilobum type of variation, and was strongly set with bulbils along the
rachis of the frond.—Tuos. Rocrrs, Hon. Sec.
Sr. THomas’s Firetp Naturatists’ Socirty, Yorx.—Monthly meeting Feb.
22nd, in St. Thomas’s Schools, Lowther-street. Mr. 8. Walker occupied the
chair. Mr. Guy showed specimens of Huclidia glyphica, Euclhidia mi, Mania
typica, Plusia chrysitis, Hadena pist, Dianthecia capsincola, Calocampa exoleta, and
P. monacha. Mr. Wilkinson sent for exhibition the following lepidoptera :—
Catacola sponsa, O. promissa, Polia chi, Agriopis aprilina, Epunda nigra, Euplexia
lucipara, Hadena protea, H. peregrina, H. thalassina, and Cloantha solidaginis.
Mr. R. B. Cook exhibited the following British land shells :— Helix virgata, from
Bristol and Kent, with the variety alba, from Bristol, and the variety swb-
maritima, from Weston-super-Mare ; also H. caperata, with a rare unnamed
variety, and the variety ornata, all from Bristol. Mr. Barker showed the follow-
ing nocturni:—Smerinthus ocellatus, S. populi, Sphinx ligustri, Cherocampa
* Will be published in our next issue.
Reports or SocierieEs. 139
elpenor ; also a fine example of Acherontia Atropos and its chrysalis; he also sub-
mitted living specimens of Zimnea palustris, and other fresh water shells, from
Strensall Common. The chairman exhibited a case of geometre, containing,
among'st others, a fine series of the annexed, showing in many instances great
deviation of colour:— Urapteryx sambucata, Ennomos erosaria, E. angularia,
Epione apiciaria, Eurymene dolabraria, and Selenia lunaria. Mr. C. D. Wolsten-
holme then gave an interesting paper on ‘‘The Snipe” (Scolopax gallinago),
describing its structure and habits, with special reference to the remarkable
humming sound produced by the male bird during breeding time, supposed to
be caused by the position of the wings in the falling flight of the bird. The
paper was illustrated with a series of eggs of the snipe, together with a specimen
of the bird. He also exhibited an egg of the griffon vulture (Vultur fulvus)
taken in Spain. A conversation on the various exhibits concluded the meeting.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENToMoLoGicAL Soctery.— Monthly meeting,
February 26th, the President (Mr. 8S. J. Capper) occupying the chair. The
President, in the course of a short adé@ress, referred to the death of an old member
of the society, the late Mr. Benjamin Cooke, of Southport, and he gave a short
resumé of his life as an entomologist. The honorary secretary (Dr. Ellis) read
a paper, entitled “Passive means of defence in Insects,” in which he briefly
noted a number of cases of protective resemblance in various orders of insects,
and afterwards alluded to cases of so-called ‘“‘mimicry” in lepidoptera. During
the conversazione, Mr. Robert Brown exhibited a specimen of Myssta zonaria
which had remained nearly 20 months in the pupa state, and Mr. J. Wall ex-
hibited scales of lepidoptera under the microscope.
Yor«sHire Naturatists’ Unton.—2lst Annual Meeting, Selby,
March 3rd, 1883.—This year the Union was received by the Selby
Naturalists’ Society at a microscopic soirée and conversazione, in the
Public Rooms, and their enthusiasm and kindly hospitality to fellow-
members from other districts left nothing to be desired. The annual
meeting for transaction of business was held at 3 p.m., under the genial
chairmanship of the Rev. William Fowler, M.A., of Liversedge. There
was a moderately large attendance, numbering about 70 or 80, the
the following 23 societies (out of 35) being represented :—Barnsley,
Beverley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Elland-cum-Greetland, Goole,
Halifax, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield (2), Ilkley, Leeds (3), Liversedge,
Malton, Scarborough, Selby, Wakefield, and York (2). On the sugges-
tion of the chairman the minutes of the previous annual meeting, being
somewhat long, were taken as read. The Shipley Field Naturalists’ Club
was then admitted into the Union on the motion of Mr. H. S. Ward,
seconded by Mr. J. W. Davis, F.S.A., &c., of Halifax. Thanks were
then voted to the new subscribers (Mr. Hugh Richardson, Ackworth,
and Mr. W. Officer, Hull), and to the donors of gifts to the library
(including 24 volumes of British Association reports and a set of the
Ashmolean Society’s publications.) The following annual report was
then read by Mr. W. Hagle Clarke, one of the secretaries :—‘‘ The
Council, in presenting their Twenty-first Annual Report, congratulate
140 THE NATURALIST.
the members upon the Union having now attained its majority—in itself
a strong evidence of vitality—and while considering that it is at present
in a sound and healthy condition, more especially as regards its member-
ship, feel that they would be failing in their duty were they not to express
their opinion that the attendance at the meetings calls for the serious
attention of the members. Tue Firtp Mrerines during the year-—for each
of which the usual arrangements were made and circulars issued—were
six in number. The places visited were—Beverley on Whit Monday,
May 29th ; Snaith on Saturday, June 17th ; Scarborough on Saturday,
July 15th ; Grassington on Monday, Aug. 7th; Wakefield on Saturday,
Sept. 6th ; Thirsk for Pilmoor on Saturday, Oct. 7th. There have been
—probably to a greater extent than in most years—remarkable fluctua-
tions both in the attendance at, and the success of, the meetings ; and
while there cannot but be gratification with the manner in which the
anticipations of the promoters of some of the excursions were realised, it
is matter for regret that at others the attendance was discouraging,
particularly as it involved heavy pecuniary loss to the Union in respect ef
the guarantees entered into for the tea. The smallness of the attendance
was not attributable to any inaccessibility of the place of meeting, for the
three places with which most disappointment was felt were convenient of
access to large centres of population. The weather accounted for two of
these failures, as the Thirsk meeting was utterly marred by rain, and the
Scarboro’ one partially so. The smallness of the attendance at Wakefield
is more inexplicable, considering the very central position of that town.
On the other hand, the Grassington meeting, fixed for one of the most
remote and inaccessible of places, was remarkably successful, both as to
attendance and as to the character of the work done; and. the Council
feel that this circumstance demonstrates that the members appreciate to
the full the importance of arranging for the investigation of localities
whose natural history is but little known. RartLway ARRANGEMENTS. —
During the past year the railway companies have granted us increased
facilities. The North Eastern Railway Co. have, in connection with each
of our meetings, allowed our members to obtain return tickets at reduced
fares to the place of meeting, on production of the stamped card of mem-
bership at the booking-office. The privilege has been conceded by all the
other companies in Yorkshire for the present meeting, with the additional
convenience of its being made available on through tickets. It is hoped
that members will avail themselves largely of these concessions, and so
insure the success of our future meetings. —THE SOCIETIES in union at the
commencement of the year were 31 innumber. Out of these, the Hud-
dersfield Scientific Club has virtually ceased to exist. On the other hand
five newly established societies, ail of them vigorous and flourishing, have
been admitted. These are—Beverley Field Nat. Soc., 43 members;
Ilkley Scientific Club, 53; Ripon Nat. Club and S. A., 98; Scarboro’
Scientific Society, 60; and York St. Thomas’s F.N.S., 47: total, 301
members. The statistics furnished by the different societies show that
Reports OF SOCIETIES. 141
the 35 societies possess in the aggregate 2100 members, which, with the
300 subscribers, shews a total individual membership of about 2400
mem bers—an increase of 322 during the year. Pusiications.-—Part V. of
the Transactions is now in the printer’s hands, and will be issued as soon
as possible, to be followed by the other parts in arrear. Various causes
have combined to retard the punctual issue of the Transactions, but
arrangements have been made with the view of overcoming these
hindrances. Various papers of value have been received during the year
for publication in the Transactions. Mr. Porritt’s Catalogue of the
Lepidoptera of Yorkshire—a work which our lepidopterists have much
needed for some time—has been completed, and is now in the hands of
the printer. The Report on the Fungus Foray of 1881, with the full list
of species then. collected, has been completed by Mr. Massee, and papers
have been received from the Rev. H. H. Slater and others. It will be
well here to point out again how inadequate the present income of the
Union is, and your Council would suggest that a systematic effort to
increase it should be made. Calculation shows that if the Union pos-
sessed 500 regular subscribers at 5s. (not an extravagant number to
expect), it would permit of the issue of about 200 pages of printed
matter each year, and so enable the publication committee to cope with
the large amouut of valuable manuscript now awaiting publication. The
balance available for this purpose on the amount of the present average
income will only admit of about 60 pages per year. It should not be
forgotten that the expenses of the meetings and the general management
have first to be defrayed out of the income, and that the surplus only—
or excess of income over expenditure—is available for the publications.
The expenses just mentioned are not, however, liable to increase propor-
tionally with the increase of the income, and they may be considered as
practically a stationary amount. Consequently it will be seen that the
whole of any increase in the Union’s income is available for the publica-
tons.—THE Liprary, which consists of books and pamphlets acquired by
donation or by exchange, has benefitted during the year by some accept-
able additions. Besides the exchanges, several members—amongst whom
Mr. G. T. Porritt and Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, who have each given a large
number of donations, may be cited—have contributed in this way. Mrs.
Windsor has presented a copy of the ‘ Flora Cravoniensis,’ and the
British Association 24 volumes of their reports. Several nuinbers of the
Mineralogical Society’s Magazine, one of which is a geological map of
Sutherland, have been received from that society ; while from the Tyne-
side Naturalists’ Field-Club have been received a complete set of seven
vols. of the valuable Natural History Transactions of Northumberland
and Durham. Income.—The number of subscribers has remained
stationary at about 300, the withdrawals having nearly balanced the
additions to the list. When the arrears of transactions have been over-
come, it may be expected that the number of subscribers will again
increase. Proposep Map.— On this head there is nothing to report, the
142 THe NATURALIST.
map committee not having met during the year.—In conclusion, your
Council trust that the coming. year may be one of prosperity, and that
their successors will, at the close be able to make a more satisfactory report
than the present one.” —THE BAaLANCE-SHEET, which showed a balance in
hand, was also read. There was some discussion as to the heavy cost of
some of the meetings, in course of which the secretaries explained that
about £4 was the minimum cost at which an excursion could be worked,
involving as it did the issue of 2,500 or more copies of a closely-printed
circular, and its postage to members, besides incidental expenses. In the
case of meetings costing more than this, it was caused by the failure of
guarantees which had been given to tea-providers. The report and
balance-sheet were then adopted, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Hick,
B.A., B.Sc., seconded by Mr. C. D. Wolstenholme, of York. The excur-
sion programme for 1883, as recommended by the Council, was then
arranged as follows :—Doncaster for Sandal Beat, Whit-Monday, May
14; Ifiley for Flamborough, Monday, June 11; Strensall Common,
Saturday, July 14; Washburn Valley, Bank Holiday Monday, Aug. 6;
and Malham, Saturday, Sept.1,; being an excursion for each of the
Parliamentary divisions of the county. The sixth excursion (the fungus
foray), on which a sub-committee had been appointed to consider and
report, was left over for the decision of the Council, to whom the sub-
committee was directed to report. The invitation from the Barnsley
Naturalists’ Society, for the following annual meeting to be held in their
town, was accepted for the first Tuesday in March, 1884. The election
of officers was next proceeded with. Mr. John Gilbert Baker, F.R.S, of
Kew, was unanimously re-elected president, on the motion of Mr. Hick,
seconded by Mr. John Emmett, of Boston Spa. Mr. Wm. Denison
Roebuck and Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke, F'.L.S., both of Leeds, were unani-
- mously re-elected joint honorary secretaries, on the proposition of Mr,
Washington Teasdale, F.R.M.S., of Leeds, seconded by Mr. J. J. Stead,
of Heckmondwike. Auditors were also chosen, Messrs. B. Holgate,
F.C.S., and W. B. Russell, L.L.B., both of Leeds, being re-elected. A
letter from Mr. John W. Taylor, of Leeds, was read, wherein he offered,
with the view of stimulating original investigation in Yorkshire con-
chology, two prizes—value one guinea and _ half-a-guinea—for the best
collections (accompanied by remarks) of Helix arbustorwm, special atten-
tion being paid to variation and distribution ; adding that original notes
of any kind, whether upon embryology, anatomy, habits, food, or
relationship to soil and climate, would add to the merit of the collection,
and that neatness of arrangement of the specimens or literary finish in
the accompanying notes (however desirable in themselves) were to be
regarded as quite of subsidiary importance. Mr. Taylor’s offer was
accepted with thanks, a hope being expressed that the competitors retain
their collections, on the motion of Mr. J, W. Davis, seconded by Mr.
W. D. Roebuck. The draft of a new prospectus, embodying the
constitution and practice of the Union as set forth in numerous resolu-
ELE Gain: i
pany
4
;
;
4
é.
Reports oF SociErizs. 143
tions scattered up and down the minute books, with such changes as
experience gained during six years showed to be advisable, was then
read by Mr. Clarke. The adoption of the recommendation of the Council
that it be authorized was then moved by the Rev. W. Fowler, and
seconded by Mr. Roebuck. Mr. Fowler pointed out that a prospectus or
circular, setting forth the Union’s objects, aims, and methods of proce-
dure, was very much needed, and expressed an opinion that it would lead
to a considerable increase in the membership. Mr. Roebuck explained
that the principal changes proposed in the existing practice were the
raising of the minimum subscription to 5s., and the establishment of an
executive, or working committee of ten members, in addition to the
president and secretaries. He defended the raising of the subscription,
on the ground that the experiment of fixing it at 2s. 6d. had failed, the
members of the afhiliated societies generally not having taken advantage
of so low a minimum to anything like the extent that might reasonably
have been expected. It was explained, too, that existing subscribers of
less than 5s. who kept up their payments without interruption, and were
unable or unwilling to pay more, should retain their privileges at the old
rate. The discussion that took place had reference to the tenure of the
presidency, the prospectus being alvered in this respect to suit the views of
the majority of the members present, and the prospectus was unanimously
adopted as amended. Thanks were voted to the president ; to the secreta-
ries and other officers ; and to the Selby Society for their reception of the
Union that day. It was now 4-30 p.m., and the meeting was adjourned
until 6. In the meantime the sections held their annual meetings, which
resulted in the election of the following officers :—The Vertebrate Section
elected Mr. J. Cordeaux, M.B.O.U., of Great Cotes, president, and re-
elected Mr, W. Eagle Clarke, F.1.S., of Leeds, secreiary ; the Conchological
Section chose the Rev. W. C. Hey, M.A., of York, as president, and
re-elected Mr. J. D. Butterell, of Beverley, as secretary ; the Entomo-
logical Section re-elected both their officers, Mr. Geo. T. Porritt, F.L.S.,
of Huddersfield being president, and Mr. E. B. Wrigglesworth, of Wake-
field secretary ; this section also passed a resolution inviting Mr. S. L.
Mosley to act as recorder in economic entomology, with the view of
drawing the attention of members to this important subject; the
Botanical Section re-elected their president, Mr. Thomas Hick, B.A.,
B.Sc., of Harrogate, and their cryptogamic secretary, Mr. Geo. Massee,
of Scarborongh, choosing for their phanerogamic secretary Mr. P. F.
Lee, of Dewsbury ; while the Geological Section elected Mr. J. W.
Davis, F.L.S., F.G.S., of Halifax, as their president, and re-elected their
two secretaries, Mr. J. HE. Wilson of Bradford, and the Rev. E. M. Cole,
M.A., of Wetwang. 13. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society...
16. Leeds Geological Association, 8 p.m. :
» 16. Malton Naturalists’ Society. 74 British: Grasses,” T’.. Lister.
4, . 17. Bradford’ Naturalists’ Society.—‘ Coal,” F. Bamford, 7-30 p.m.
», 18 & 19, Beverley Field Naturalists’ Society. — Conversazione.
» 19. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
Epi ak. ca Naturalists’ Society.—Excursion to mes Grae
| 00
5). 21. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m:
5, 23. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p.m.
» 23. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
,, 2S. York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
#1180; Lancashire and: Cheshire Hubomeloeient ep ocicky.
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No. XCIV. ' MAY, 1883. VOL. VIII.
CONTENTS.
. Page.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES, &¢, :
On the Present State of our Knowledge of the Geography of British
- Plants.—J. Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., &c. ...
On Cinclidium stygium, Swartz.—Jas. Cash eee se eee OU =
A aes ». —Rev. £. N. Bloomfield, M.A. aoe 0 1Ld4,
Notes, &c. :
Arrival of Migrants in Ryburn Vallcy.—F. G. S. Rawson Ae oe by ete fi
- Economic Entomology.—S. L. Mosley ee os an Tse 0515)
Foumart ( Mustela putorius) in Yorkshire.—C. Pe en 25. ne etl bS
Additional Wensleydale Shell-Notes.— William Denison Roebuck ... Se eel as
Leptoscyphus interruptus (Nees).—W. H. P. ae ae ae ae pesca
: Ehizmorpha subcorticalis in Yorkshire.—C. P. H. ao Se ecieer exp. LG
_ Notices oF Books ... ar ete a Bese 22 Bg eee YRS Se . 156
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- OBITUARY.—Mr. Roger Earnshaw... -_ ... Tag tates ce Se oe sig lOO
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES :— . ieee 5
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Bradford Naturalists’ Seu 4 ee oe Se rag 152
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water Mollusca. of Yorkshire,” by Messrs. Wm. Nelson and J. W. Taylor; a
complete list of Yorkshire Hymenoptera, with references to literature of that
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and on the Yorkshire species of Hemiptera of the Family Psyllide; and a
: ,cport on Yorkshire Botany in 1877, by Dr. H. F, Parsons, F.G.S.
PARTS II. AND I1f. FOR 1878 contain the continuations of Mr. Clarke’s
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Yorkshire Jchneumonide, by Myr. 8. D. Bairstow, F.L.S8.; and on Yorkshire
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ON THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR KNUWLEDGE OF
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By J. Giipert Baker, F.R.8., &c.
[Tur ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE YORKSHIRE
NATURALISTS’ UNION, AT SELBY, ON MarRcH 38RD, 1&83.]
ANOTHER important set of facts bearing upon the pedigree of our
indigenous plants, is furnished by their distribution beyond the bounds |
of the island. Some of the common plants of the north temperate zone
have an extremely wide dispersion. Let us take a few of our best
known ferns as instances. Osmunda regalis is spread in the old world
from Sweden to Japan, and reappears in the Himalayas, the Alps,
and the mountains of the Indian peninsula. In Africa it is found in -
the Barbary States, Abyssinia, Cape Colony, Angola, and Sierra Leone;
and in America it is spread: from Canada and the Red River as far
south as Rio Janeiro. Oystopteris fragilis is found everywhere in
Europe and Asia, from Iceland eastward to Kamschatka, and from the
Arctic Circle southward tothe Himalayas, where it reaches an altitude
of 15,000 feet. It reappears in the mountains of Abyssinia, Fernando
Po, Bourbon and Cape Colony, in Tasmania, New Zealand, and the
Sandwich Islands, and in America is found in the temperate regions
both on the north and south of the equator, and in many places in the
tropical zone amongst the Andes. Aspidium aculeatum, Nephrodiwm
filia-mas, and Pteris aquilina are spread equally widely. Of the 1425
British species only about 300 are restricted to Europe, whilst 450
reach America, 250 the Himalayas, and nearly 100 the southern
hemisphere. We always take for granted that a species has spread
from a single centre, and if this be the case, what an enormous amount
of time we must allow for this wide diffusion of types to have taken
place, and what an amount of change in the configuration of sea and
land must have taken place since they first started upon their travels !
Another important field for investigation is the light thrown upon
the pedigree of species by the study of our more variable specific types.
I can see no solution that will in any way account for a wide mass of
facts except the Darwinian one—that between slight individual modifi- -
cations, varieties, and sub-species and species, no clear line of demar-
cation can be drawn. Every fresh year teaches us that, even amongst
organisms which have been studied as closely as our British flowering
plants, specific types that have been supposed to be stable and uniform
N.S., Vou. vill. May, 1883,
146 THe NATURALIST.
are in reality plastic and variable. For instance, within the last year
or two Mr. Nicholson has shown us that no clear line of demarcation
can be drawn between Papaver Rheas and Fapaver dubium, and Mr.
Arthur Bennett is fast reducing Potamoyeton to the condition of Salix
and Hieraceum. Within the bounds of Britain we possess about two
hundred of what Sir J. D. Hooker and Dr. Boswell call “ sub-species ”— -
types of a kind that the majority of descriptive botanists place upon a
par with species, but which are not limited quite so definitely. In
addition to these 1400 specific types, we acknowlege 300 or 400
named varieties—types between which and their species no clear line
of demarcation can be drawn, but yet which are considered to be
thought worthy of a distinctive name. It would be a very inter-
esting subject for inquiry what this proportion that exists in our
flora, of six species of full rank to every one sub-species, and
every two varieties, implies. For my own part, if I were asked
to explain it, I could only say that I was completely unable to
do so. Although I do not think that any further work in this
direction is at all likely to modify the conclusion that has already
been indicated, there is a wide field here for collecting and correlating
facts, many of them of a kind that can be investigated suitably by a
local country botanist with limited leisure. For instance, it would be
quite within the scope of anyone with a small garden, to raise from
seed for a few years some of the numerous varieties of Viola tricolor,
and its sub-species arvensis, lutea, and Curtisii, and keep a record of
what happened; or to bring half-a-dozen of the native Epilobia or
Rumices into his garden, and make experiments in hybridizing them.
Work of this kind can be done far better in a quiet little garden in
the country than in a large establishment like Cambridge or Kew.
There is no one now that I know of who has any large number of
these “ critical’ British plants under cultivation, like Mr. Watson
used to have twenty years ago in his small garden at Thames Ditton.
In accounting for the variation of our more variable specific types,
I do not think that the Darwinian principle of the propagation by
natural selection of characters that aid the organism in the struggle for
existence will carry us very far. In Aubus, for instance, in which of
all our indigenous generic types we get the widest range of variation
between remote extremes without any clear line of demarcation, one
can scarcely believe that any varietal or sub-specific type (a few
hybrids like A. psewdo-ideus, and manifest degradations like 2. Leesi,
excepted) possesses any character or capacity that, in the struggle for
life, will give it an advantage over any other. The two facts in Rubus
Baker, F.R.S.: Grocrapuy or Bririsa PLants. 147
that have most attracted my attention in this connection are these:
the first, that in Yorkshire some of the types which though plentiful
are sharply limited as regards individuality, in the neighbourhood of
London, though not more plentiful, slide off into others through
gradual intermediate stages. I have found that this holds good for
R. discolor, leucostachys, and diversifolus. The other fact is, that in
the interior of the Lake country, round the shores of Windermere,
Derwentwater, Ulleswater, and Coniston, the common types of the
surrounding country, especially cosszus, corylifolius, and discolor, do not
penetrate.
Turning next to the influence of soil, 1 found that in the North
Riding 40 species out of 872 natives, or one species out of every 22,
were manifestly influenced in their distribution by a predilection for
limestone rock, and that in the same area 40 species were restricted to
the neighbourhood of the sea. In this last case, no doubt chemical
reasons are the determinant element, but there are two points about
the matter worthy of further inquiry. Many of these characteristically
maritime species grow inland occasionally, like Armeria maritima
amongst the Wensleydale lead mines, and Plantago maritima on the
Teesdale sugar limestone.. In some cases, as Cochlearia officinalis, we
have two well-marked varieties—one on the shore, and the other
amongst the mountains; and we find that many of these types,
characteristically maritime when wild, grow easily without any special
treatment in inland gardens. As instances I may cite cabbage,
seakale, and celery. We want some one who is both chemist and
botanist to investigate the circumstances under which these maritime
plants grow away from the sea, and explain to us what it implies.
As regards the minute circumstances connected with soil that affect
species-distribution, gardeners could teach botanists a great deal, if they
would keep their eyes open, in the routine of their daily work. The
most valuable recent contribution to our knowledge in this direction is
Kerner’s ‘‘ Cultur der Alpenpflanzen” published at Innsbruck in
1864, of which an excellent abstract in English appeared in the
number of Mr. Robinson’s periodical called “The Garden,” for Dec.
10th, 1881. Kerner’s observations refer to the plants of the Alps of
Central Europe, and in the first place he classifies the species into
three groups, according to the amount of humus, or vegetable matter,
which they need. In the first group, those that can grow in a soil,
poor in humus, he places the alpine Crucifers, Crassulacez, Alsines,
Silenes, and most of the Compositz. In the second group, composed
of species that grow well on soil composed of vegetable humus and
148 THE NATURALIST.
inorganic detritus mixed in equal proportions, he places the Potentillas,
Primulas, Gentians, Orchids, Leguminosz, Umbelliferze, Cyperacee,
and grasses. In the third group, which need a soil rich in humus, he
places the Junci, Luzulas, Heaths, Vaccinia, Ferns, and Lycopodia.
In a second list he classifies the species in three groups, according to
whether they succeed best in soil containing lime, or whether lime
harms them, or whether they are indifferent to it. Among the lime-
lovers he places Campanula pusilla, Cypripedium Calceolus, Draba
aizoides, Dryas octopetala, Primula auricula, Scabiosa lucida, Rubus
saxatiis, and Phyteuma orbiculare ; amongst the lime-haters he
classifies Allosorus crispus, Asplenium septentrionale, the Droseras,
Linnea borealis, Lycopodium alpinum and Selago, Viola lutea, Salix
herbacea, Trientalis europea, and Scirpus cespitosus;’ amongst the
species indifferent to lime he places Aspidium Lonchitis, Gentiana verna, —
Lychnis alpina, Saxifraga aizoides and stellaris. And, finally, he again
classifies all the species under three groups, according as to whether
they grow best in a sandy ora clayey soil, and are indifferent in this
respect. So that we get a full classification of all the species noted,
made from three different points of view, which is eminently suggestive
in its bearing upon their dispersion as wild plants.
We have in the North of England five hill-masses of different and
well-marked lithological constitution—the porphyritic Cheviots; the
slate hills of the Lake country; our great hill-mass of North-East
Yorkshire, made up of lias and oolite; and the great backbone ridge
of the Pennine chain, underlaid by limestone grits and shales of
carboniferous age. Several years ago I made a calculation* that out
of the 201 boreal plants of Britain we had 102 in the North of
England, and that out of these, in the Cheviot range there were 38, in
North-East Yorkshire 33, amongst the slate hills (which have a
damper climate and rise to a higher level than the other three ranges)
79 species, and amongst the Pennine chain in the North Riding, 76.
._I should like to see this contrast between the four hill-masses worked
in detail, not for the montane species alone, but also for the plants of
the British type, and for those of the English type that reach up
amongst the mountains. How is it, then, in Teesdale there is such a
nest of mountain plants concentrated within a limited area at a com-
paratively low level? Out of the 100 montane plants of the North of
England, ten species are almost or quite restricted to an area of a few
square miles in the superagrarian zone in Upper Teesdale—a few
* On the distribution of the montane plants of the North of England, in
Trimen’s ‘‘ Journal of Botany,” Sept., 1871.
Baker, F.R.S.: Grocrapny or British PLANts. 149
Square miles which it so chances fall within the bounds of three
counties, Yorkshire, Durham, and Westmoreland.
- Another point that I should wish to commend especially to the study
of the botanists of the north of England, is the distribution of the
- species of what Watson calls the Intermediate type of distribution.
These are about 40 in number, and are concentrated, so far as Britain
is concerned, amongst the hills of the north of England. But then
they are all, I believe, plants that reappear in Central Europe, and with
us they form an outlying colony, widely dissevered from their central
area. I believe it would be found, if their general distribution was
worked out, that they are species of a comparatively boreal tendency,
so far as climate is concerned, and that they have a special affinity for
limestone, and that the want of limestone has kept them from spreading
northwards into Scotland.
But itis quite time that I should come to a conclusion. In one sense
it has been a great pleasure to me to come down to Yorkshire again,
after nearly twenty years of absence, and take the chair at the annual
meeting of a society that represents more than two thousand of the
inhabitants of my native county, banded together for the promotion of
Natural Science ; but it has also made me remember how many of those
with whom I worked and rambled a generation ago have passed away
from amongst us. Since I left Yorkshire how many of the botanists
that were then old or middle-aged have gone to join the great majority
—Henry Baines, John Nowell, Willam Mudd, James Ward, James
Backhouse, John Tatham, Silvanus Thompson, Gerard Smith,
Abraham Stansfield, William Bean, John Windsor; and now we
have lost our leader, Hewett Watson, the father of British botanical
geography, who, although he left the county at a very early age, was
also a Yorkshireman.
Like clouds that rake the mountain summit,
Like waves that own no curbing hand,
How fast has brother followed brother
From sunshine to the sunless land.
Within this last quarter of a century Darwin has pulled up the
old tree of Natural History by the roots, and planted it in fresh soil.
_A new generation has arisen, and in this present paper I have
done my best so to direct their steps that they may walk as worthy
successors of those whose places in our ranks now know them no
more.
ON CINCLIDIUM STYGIUM, Swarrz.
By Jas. CasuH.
THs moss, which is of arctic or sub-arctic type, occurs in this country
only in three recorled localities, namely—at Malham, in the West-
Riding of Yorkshire ; in the Breadalbane district of Perthshire—on
Ben Lawers ; and (according to Schimper’s Synopsis) at a place called
Tuddenham Bog, in Suffolk.* Its natural home is Northern Europe,
where, particularly in Sweden and Norway, it is said to be abundant.
It is also found in the Arctic regions, being included, with many other
British species, in the list of mosses collected by Dr. Lyall during one
of the expeditions sent out to search for Sir John Franklin. Its
association with such mosses as Splachnum Wormskioldvi and Mnium
hymenophyllotdes leads us to hope that these and kindred species, as
yet unknown to us, may also some day be found in Britain.
Moreover, when we find, in a list of forty-eight arctic mosses, no
fewer than forty-two which have been recorded as British, the fact
seems to indicate a very close correspondence between our own moss
flora and that of regions much further north.
The history of Cinelidium stygium as a British moss is not a little
interesting to Lancashire muscologists, especially those who are old
enough to remember its fortunate discoverer, John Nowell. In
speaking of Nowell as its discoverer, I merely give utterance to the
current belief, though, as we shall presently see, Nowell did not, at
the time of the discovery, do more than share the credit with certain
muscological acquaintances, namely—John Hanworth of Lobb Mill,
and William Greenwood of Lumb Butts. The discovery was made
in the summer of 1836. When the moss was picked up on the bog
near Malham Tarn, none of the three could identify it. They were,
however, acute enough to see that it was a rare thing, and convinced
themselves by subsequent investigation—apparently before communi-
cating the moss to any of the experts then living—that it was new to
the British flora. I cannot say whether they sent specimens for
identification to anyone besides Mr. Wm. Wilson, who at that time
(seventeen years before the publication of his “ Bryologia Britannica”)
was known throughout England as the best authority on British
mosses ; but the presumption is that they did not, if we are to judge
* Since this WAS written I have ascertained that the moss was found on Ben
Ledi, in 1864, by the late Mr. McKinlay (this being the first Scottish locality),
and that a year or two later it was discovered near Balquhidder, by Mr.
John Shaw.
3
CasH: On CINCLIDIUM STYGIUM. 151
by a letter they sent to him dated Sept. 12th, 1836. That letter bore
at the foot the joint signatures of Hanworth, Greenwood, and Nowell
—(and they appear in the order here given)—a circumstance which
seems to show that no one claimed priority over the rest. It was the
first letter, apparently, which had reached Mr. Wilson from the
Todmorden muscologists, and I have no doubt that Cinclidium stygium
was the interesting medium of introduction between Nowell and
Wilson, forming the commencement of a lifelong acquaintance, and of
extensive correspondence on matters muscological.
The writers intimated to Mr. Wilson the discovery, “in the vicinity
of Malham, Craven, June 13th and 14th ’—‘‘on a very. wet bog near
Malham Tarn, a species of moss which,” they said, ‘‘ appears to us not
to be described in volume 2nd, part 1, of Hooker’s ‘ Brit. Flora.’ ”’
The letter at this point bears a memorandum in Mr. Wilson’s writing
giving the name of the moss, Cinclidium stygium. The writers enclosed
specimens of the moss for Mr. Wilson’s acceptance, with remarks on
its general appearance. “It has,” they said, “much the appearance
of Bryum punctatum. It was growing along with Hypnum scorpioides
and Bryum dealbatum. We will thank you to give us your opinion of
it, as we think none more.competent than you, who have displayed so
much zeal in collecting and investigating the various species of the
British musci.”
Mr. Wilson lost no time in communicating the fact of Cinclidiunm
having been added to the list of British mosses, to his friend Dr.
W. J. Hooker, then Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow.
To the author of the “ Muscologia ” it was a highly interesting discovery,
for in the second edition of that work, published in 1827, he had
included this very moss in the list of Continental species of which, up
to that time, Great Britain could not boast the possession.* Acknow-
ledging Mr. Wilson’s communication in a letter dated Nov. 28, 1836,
he says :—‘‘I am delighted to find that Cinclidium stygium has been
found in Britain, and hope, from what you say, in fruit.” In a
subsequent letter to Mr. Wilson, he wrote: —‘I shall be glad to
obtain specimens of Cinclidium stygium, and to announce its exact
habitat.” And again, Jan. 25th. 1837, not having got the desired
specimens, he wrote: ‘“‘ My dear Sir—I begin to be anxious to hear
from you again, especially upon the subject of Cinclidium styginm, of —
which I am very desirous, as I scarcely need tell you. to possess
British specimens. Will you intercede on my behalf with the
* Tt is curious to find Dicranum Schraderi, Mnium turgidum (Aulacomniwum
turgidum), and Bryum squarrosum (Paludella sq.) in the same list.
152 THe NATURALIST.
discoverer, and enable me to obtain specimens? for I do not yet know
the name of the lucky individual who detected it.” After this, Mr.
Wilson sent specimens to Dr. Hooker through a friend in Liverpool,
as, under the postal system then prevailing, it was impossible to send
them direct.
Dr. Hooker wrote, on the 15th Rebraary, 1837, to Mr. Wilson a
letter, in which occurs the following passage :—“ Thank you for
having sent to Liverpool for me the Cinclidium. Surely the persons
who discovered it must be men of some knowledge, and acuteness too ;
and if so, they deserve to be encouraged.”
It is quite certain that the Todmorden worthies received from Mr.
Wilson the encouragement of which the Glasgow Professor considered
them so deserving. After receiving his acknowledgment of the
specimens first sent, they dispatched to him ‘a number of specimens
for general distribution,” and in the letter which accompanied them
they said :—‘‘ Our situation in life (being that of labourers) will not
admit of us going so far at any time, the distance being nearly forty
miles from Todmorden.”
At the time of which we write, Hanworth, Greenwood, and Nowell
seemed to be pursuing their botanical labours jointly, and it is curious
to see letter after letter with their three signatures at foot. There is
one dated May 28th, 1837, which though it refers to certain mosses
besides that which is the subject of this note, I will take the liberty
of quoting in full: —
** Lobb Mill, May 28th, 1837.
“Dear Sir— We received your valuable communication of the 19th
November, together with an abundant and interesting supply of rare
mosses, such as we have long wished to see, and for which we beg you
will accept our most sincere thanks.
‘Our reason for troubling you again so early is, that you desired
directions to the spot where we found our Cinclidium, which will be best
found (if you start from Malham) by going directly to the place where
the water discharges itself from the Tarn ; then turn to your right in the
direction towards Gordale. The distance, we think, where it grows is
not above a quarter of a mile from the bye-wash, in a hollow place on
the moor, on which grow Carex teretruscula and Menyanthes trifoliata,
which we think will not fail to attract your attentiou.
‘We thank you very kindly for your remarks on Hypnum flagellare,
which is far from being uncommon with us, growing in nearly all the
ravines or Clough holes, but the fruit is always-rare. Leuwcodon we have
not yet found near Todmorden. ncalypta streptoearpa we found on an
old wall near Bolton Bridge, Wharfedale, April, 1835. Hypnum rugulo-
swm we found in Gordale Scar, near Malham.
Caso: On CINCLIDIUM STYGIUM. 153
‘* We take the liberty to enclose a few specimens which we are not just
satisfied about. No. 1is what we had named Grimmia ovata at the time
we made our list. We found it only in small quantities, and the fruit
was very young. We have found it in a better state since. We think it
does not agree with your specimens of G. ovata; perhaps it is the G.
Doniana. [Mr. Wilson makes a note that it is this latter species.] We
hope you will forgive us disappointing your expectations. No. 2 is that
which we had named Pterogontwm gracile, but we find that it does not
agree with your specimens of that plant. We have never seen it in fruit,
but we think the leaves—at least some of them—are two-nerved at the
base. [Mr. Wilson’s note is that this moss is Hyp. catenulatum ; some
of the leaves were two-nerved.| No. 3 we have thought was Trichosto-
mum microcarpum, [Mr. Wilson writes ‘‘ Not so” but the capsules
appear rather cylindrical in shape. No. 5 we have thought was Didy-
modon flexifolium [which Mr. Wilson confirms], but we have not seen it
in fruit. No. 6 is what we have called Didymodon rigidulwm—(perhaps
an aquatic variety—W.], but you will see that the capsules are cylindrical.
No. 8 we think may be Hyp. albicans—[‘‘ Probably ”’], but we have not
seen it in fruit. No. 9 is what we have named Hyp. murale—[H. con-
fertum], but we think that the leaves are serrated.
** Perhaps you will think that we are taking too much liberty in pre-
senting these specimens in their present condition, but we trust that you
will excuse us, as we have no other person to apply to for information on
this subject ; and should we ever be able to render you any service in
procuring for you any plants in our vicinity, we shall ever feel happy to
do so.
‘* We remain, yours truly,
‘¢ Joun HanwortTH.
‘¢ WILLIAM GREENWOOD.
‘<< Joun NOWELL.”
In a P.S. the writers ask for exact directions to Weissia trichodes
(Brachyodus trichodes), near Littleborough.
I do not know what became of Hanworth and Greenwood, but
Nowell continued to correspond with Wilson, and in a letter dated
October, 1838, he wrote :—‘‘I have the pleasure to inform you that
this summer I have had a botanical ramble to Malham and Ingle-
borough. I found Cinclidium stygium in considerable plenty in the
station on Malham Moor; but unfortunately the finest of the fruit had
been eaten off by something, so that I did not get very many specimens
in fruit ; but I got a good supply in a barren state. I find the Hyp.
- gugulosum in two or three places in the neighbourhood of Malham, but
notin plenty. I-found Weissia pusilla (Seligeria pusilla) on shady
rocks in Gordale, and also on Ingleborough, but very sparingly. ‘The
following I found in Ingleborough :—Tetraplodon mnioidses (very rare),
154 THE NATURALIST.
Encalypta rhabdocarpa (abundant), Distichium capillaceum (in fr.), Bar-
tramia gracilis (rare), Leskea moniliformis (barren), Bryum Zierit (fr.
very rare), Muium serratum (rare), Amblyodon dealbatus. This I also
found in wet places, near Settle, but very sparingly.” Ina P.S. he
adds—“TI have found Weissia trichodes in several places in the neigh-
bourhood of Todmorden, but not common; I have also found Grimmia
saxicola | Campylostelium) in Ramsden Clough, near Todmorden. The
place where Cinclidium stygium grows on Malham Moor is not above
500 yards from the outlet of the Tarn, in the direction towards
Gordale.”
Such is the early history of this interesting moss, in Britain. It
still grows in the bog at Malham, and, from the accounts given of its
condition and abundance by our friend Mr. Cunliffe, who gathered it
so lately as in 1880, it is likely to grace this its first English
habitat for many a long year to come.
Cinclidium stygium.—I see, in the April No. of the Naturalist, that
you will print next montha paper on the history of Cinclidium stygium.
I think it probable I may be able to give some additional information.
I was with Mr. E. Skipper, editor of the “ Suffolk Flora,” when he
discovered the moss growing in a small bog at Tuddenham, near Bury
St. Edmund’s, Suffolk. It was in November, 1860, that we met with
it, but from its habitat supposed it a Mnium. Mr. Skipper, however,
sent a piece to Mr. John Nowell, of Todmorden, who at once replied
it was Cinclidium stygium. In that month, and in the November of
1862, Mr. 8. found it beautifully in fruit and in good condition,
though earlier in the year (September) the fruit was quite immature.
I know he sent specimens to a good many botanists—among others, to
Mr. Wilson. It was thus, probably, that Dr. Schimper was aware of
this locality.—E. N. BLooMFIELD, Guestling Rectory, near Hastings,
April 14th.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Arriva or Micrants 1x Rysurn VatLey.—Willow wren April 2nd,
swallow, 13th ; martin, 17th; sand-martin, 17th; Ray’s wagtail 17th ;
Sandpiper, April 19th.—F. G. 8. Rawson.
Economic Entomotocy.—Having been elected by the Y.N.U. as the
recorder of Economic Entomology for the county, I appeal to the mem-
bers, and to all naturalists who are not members but resident in the
county, to help forward this desirable work, by forwarding me notes or
specimens, or both, of any kind of insect ravages which may come under
their notice. With the help of the members of the Union this might be
:
:
|
|
|
SHort NoTEs AND QUERIES. 155
made one of the most important items in the Union’s work, but without
such help I shall be able to do very little. I particularly solicit commu-
cations on all insects found to be injurious to field or garden crops, such
as daddy-ionglegs, turnip flea, beetle, aphides, wireworms, larve of
various kinds, &c. ; also notes of any remedies which have been found
serviceable—either artificial, as chemical dressings, or natural, as the
counter-action of other insects, insectiverous birds, &c, Such notes,
however small, will be of great service in drawing up a report at the end
of the year, which probably will be sent free to all who help forward the
work by rendering assistance. I would also ask that readers of the
Naturalist should call the attention of horticultural and agricultural
societies to the fact of such appointment. It will be my duty to forward
advice upon the best known and most simple remedies to persons seeking
that advice, but such communications must always be accompanied by
specimens of the insects, and of the injuries done by them, and any
notes or information relating to the same. Miss E. A. Ormerod, F.M.S.,
has kindly offered to assist me upon the more difficult points. Besides
the information asked for above, I should also be glad of such as relates
to any kind of imsect ravages, either to stored grain, grocery stores,
clothing, or any which directly or indirectly affect the interests of man.—
S. L. Mostty, Beaumont Park, Huddersfield.
Foumart (Mustela putorius) IN YoRKSHIRE.—Eight years since, a
foumart was seen running across a field at Three Nuns, Kirklees, and
shortly after, one was caught in Strangsty Wood, Elland, by Roland
Brook, probably the same animal. Seven years ago B. Sykes, contractor,
Rishworth, trapped a fine specimen, but has not heard of any in that
locality since. The keeper over Clowes Moor informs me that in the
winter of 1861-2 he and his father trapped three foumarts ; and fourteen
years since in December, he traced one in the snow across Cudworth
pastures, which join up to Clowes Moor, and following the trail, he came
up with a shepherd and his dog just giving the coup de grace to a fine dog
or male foumart. The next (and last) instance occurred five years ago,
when he trapped one on the moors shot over by Messrs. Whitehead, of
the Royal George Mills, Greenfield. During the winter last past, the
keepers have captured four stoats or ermines, one a beautiful variety,
marked with red stripes. In 1854 two local men caught a pine or beech
marten (Martes foina), at Romfolly, near Hebden Bridge ; it measured
2ft. Gin. from tip to tip, and had a splendid fur. It was kept ina cage at
a public-house, and was exhibited to visitors. —C. C. Hanson.
ADDITIONAL WENSLEYDALE SHELL-Nores.-—I have now to record that,
as Mr. J. W. Taylor informs me, the specimens of Helix rufescens which
Mr. Robert Scharff collected at Hardraw Scar appertain to the variety
rubens—a variety which has, as yet, not been recorded for Britain in a
formal manner. Mr. H. Pollard gives me Hawes as an additional
locality for H. rupestrvis; and Mr. James Ingleby lately sent me
156 THe NATURALIST.
specimens of Limnea peregra from Coverdale, which he found in damp.
grass in swampy places near the river.—Wm. Denison Rorpuck, Leeds.
Leptoscyphus interruptus (Nees).—This very rare hepatic has lately
been found in Cheedale, Derbyshire, by Mr. G. A. Holt, of Manchester.
In Dr. Carrington’s “‘ British Hepaticz,” no mention is made of any
locality in Derbyshire for this species; it is, however, given in the
London Catalogue of British Mosses and Hepatics” for province 8, which
includes Derbyshire. Can any reader say if this species has previously
been found in Derbyshire, and where? or is Mr. Holt’s discovery new to
the county ?—W. H. P. Since sending the above, with reference to
Leptoscyphus interrwptus (Nees), I find that it is recorded in ‘‘ Synopsis
Hepaticarum,” (1844). ‘‘In Anglia (Matlock, Derbyshire), leg., W..
Wilson.”—W. H. P.
Rhizomorpha subcorticalis IN YORKSHIRE.—Mr. C. C. Hanson, of West
Vale, has sent us a curious specimen of fungoid vegetation to be named.
He writes us that he found it ‘‘on stripping the bark off a dead maple
tree ; it was between the bark and the wood, but adhering to the wood,
on which it left a beautiful imprint, and was many yards in length.”
Being unable to name it ourselves, we sent it to Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S.,
of Kew Herbarium, who determines it to be the celebrated Rhizomorpha
subcorticalis (see Berkeley’s Outlines, p. 42), and that it is an abnormal
condition of the mycelium of various species of fungi of the genera Poly-
porus and Xylaria, vegetating under the bark. In Sir J. H. Smith’s
Eng. Flora, by Sir W. J. Hooker, vol. v. pt. 2, p. 235, it is referred to
Xylaria (Spheria) Hypoxylon, where it is further remarked—‘‘ though,
as Fries observes, every production so named is not to be referred to this
species. Withering long ago perceived the connection. The editor of
the last edition is, however, most probably wrong in referring it to
Rh. imperialis. I perfectly agree with that most judicious author,
M. Fries, as to the desirableness of excluding from the list of fungi all
such doubtful productions. Nothing, however, can be more interesting,
and, as regards the physiology of these plants, more instructive, than the
correct reference of such abortive forms to the perfect species.” —We
should be glad to learn whether any other observer has come across any
specimens of this curious production, and under what circumstances.—
CARS Ei:
NOTICES OF BOOKS.—“ On Cephalozia (a genus of Hepaticze) :
its Sub-genera and some Allied Genera: By Richard Spruce, Malton.—
Printed for the Auther, 1882.”—This, the latest work of a distinguished
naturalist and explorer, will be studied intently by all who are interested
in the Hepaticee, for in it are given some of the results of many years of
careful observation in different parts of the world : whether in the woods,
dales and heaths of his native county ; or in the South of Ireland bota-
nizing with the late Dr. Taylor ; or rambling in the Pyrenees with his
friend Dr. Southby ; or alone in the wilds of South America ; supple-
mented by years of quiet microscopical study, only interrupted by painful
Snort Notes AND QUERIES. 157
illness, till of him may appropriately be said
* Old experience hath attained
To something like prophetic strain.”
And so, in addition to other important work, we have this unpretentious
book with its brown paper back—‘“‘ dear, as books go now,” as someone
remarks, but which we conjecture will soon be difficult to be purchased,
as only a limited number of copies have been printed. In it we find, as
far as we can judge, food for future years, for no superficial study can
grasp the large questions which are raised by the author, and a conscien-
tious student must feel that before he can accept or reject the author’s
conclusions, he must have a wide and clear knowledge of the plants in
question. Here are shown that characters used by other systematists are
unreliable, and systems so based are shaken or overthrown by the
author’s genera reduced in rank, species reduced into varieties, &c., &c.
Fortunately the author is not one of those iconoclasts who pull down a
system and have nothing to set up in its place, for we find here outlines
of a natural arrangement, supported by scientific illustrations, and indi-
cations and suggestions of affinities—some perhaps bold, as, for instance,
when sketching the affinities of several genera he states that we shall
probably find with every tribe a genus having pouched fruit—which, if
not found hitherto, has either escaped our notice, or, being weaker than
other plants, has succumbed to them in the struggle for place, or has not
yet been evolved. It would be difficult to indicate, in the short space at
our disposal, the affinities pointed out and the systems suggested, with an
account of the characters upon which the author bases his conclusions ;
suffice to mention that the mode of insertion of the branches on the stem,
the origin and structure of the angles of the perianth, the structure of the
walls of the capsule, and the number of the sexual organs, are the
author’s leading characters ; and in this memoir is the method proposed
by him well demonstrated. Several new genera are proposed by him :
one to contain the Jung. albescens of Hooker, another the two new species
of Dr. Carrington, Jung. myriocarpa and Jing. Nevicensis. The species
peculiar to our flora are all fully elucidated and described, and as they
are amongst the most perplexing of any in the tribe Jungermaniacee, all
British hepaticologists are under obligation to the author for making
these the special object of his study. Several new additions to our flora
are made: Cephalozia heterostipa, Carr., et Spruce, which may be lying
hidden in many herbaria as an alpine form of Jwng. inflata, Huds., with
which it has some points in common, but is distinguished by its postical
branches, some flagelliform, the presence of stipules, and different
perianth ; @ephalozia leucantha, S., found by J. Sim on rotten wood
near Banchory, Scotland—a species previously found by Continental
botanists in similar localities, but confounded by them with Cephalozia
catenulata (Huben.) from which it is quite distinct, being of a paler color,
leaves of a different shape, &c. Cephalozia aeraria, Pears., found about
the mouths of old copper mines in Wales is a small species distinguished
158 THe NATURALIST,
from Cephalozia divaricata by its inflorescence being on lateral branches,
its uncinate leaves, and other characters. A species which had erroneously
been looked upon as a form of Cephalozia connivens (Dicks.), is named by
the author Cephalozia multiflora, and from the full description given, there
will be no difficulty in determining the Cephalozia multiflora of Spruce,
whatever there may be of the Cephalozia multiflora of other authors.
Several species only previously announced as British, are fully described
by the author, and their stations given. The book can be obtained from
Mr. J. W. Slater, Malton, or Mr. Wesley, Hssex-st., Strand, London, 6/-
Laintall for March.
Height ToTraL Faun
of UNO). To Dats. | Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest of
above | fall. Days Fall. heaviest
level. 1883, | 1982,
. Ft. | In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 1°20} 14} 860 | *7°86 i 0°30
(J. W. Robson)
Hairax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 1:50 | 17 | 13°20 | 14:04 19 0°35
LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 0°52 | 18 6°26 | 74°84 19 0°26
HORSFORTH ... (James Fox)| 350 | 1°31 | 14 lo eel 19 0°40
Paretey Bripes...(E. War-| 436 | 1°62} 13] 10:38 | 19:01 | 19 0°37
burton, M.B.C.S.. L.8. A.)
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...) 350 | 1°39 | 15 7°09 5°82 19 0°42
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 1°36 | 21 | 11°86 | 10°38 19 0°42
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...) 520 | 1°59 | 18 8°92 6°55 aig. 0°42
GooLe ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 1°29 | 15 5°65 5°32 19 0°30
HULL (Derringham) (Wm.} 10§
Lawton)
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
+ Average of 14 years, 1870-83.
§ No Returns. || For 4 years, 1880-83.
OBITUARY.— Mr. Rocrr Earnsoaw.—We have to record the
death of one of our most eminent local botanists, at the age of 53.
Mr. Harnshaw had been a member of the Ovenden Naturalists’ Society
since its commencement, and was well known as a botanist far beyond
the limits of his own district. During the existence of the West-Riding
Consolidated Naturalists’ Society he was frequently sent to represent his
society at their meetings, and was several times called upon to assist in
naming the specimens collected during the day’s ramble, this being .
considered not only an honour, but as a rather severe test of his know-
ledge of botany. He was one of those humble workers in science who
seem to be fast dying out—men who loved to spend their time and
money in the pure desire for knowledge, and who, according to the high
Reports oF SocietigEs. 159
authority of Prof. Williamson, F.R.S., ‘‘ form the life-blood of science,”’
for without them no scientific association can flourish. He was, when
well, full of energy and enthusiasm, of a gentle and peaceful disposition,
ever ready to help young beginners in the study of botany, and to render
all the aid he could to the science he loved so well. A kind father, a
faithful husband, and a tried friend, he has gone to his rest without
leaving an enemy behind him, and amid the tears and true sorrow of
numerous relatives and friends.—J. OGDEN.
Aeporis of Societies.
Barnstey Naturatists’ Society.—A summary has been given of the
remarkable occurrences of the winter season. The most curious or rare
have been partly recorded, as Richardson’s squa, Oct. 27th ; waxwing,
Dec. 20, by Mr. H. Garland, who obtained another the year before at
same place, Bolton-on-Dearne ; and the Sclavonian grebe, Jan., 1829.
Several gulls, flocks of wild geese and ducks in the Dearne valley, when
inundated by the snow floods about Feb. 25th. Thrush, with eggs, noted
at Swithen March 4th, this rich songster again becoming more plentiful
there than at Hemsworth, and was heard also at Brighouse April 18th.
Blackbirds more numerous at Barnsley, increasing slowly after the winter
of 1880-81. The secretary read letters from magistrates and police officers
that his application for enforcing the Birds’ Protection Act would be
attended to. Starlings, meadow-pipits, pied wagtails, partially migrating
in the late frosts, are returning in numbers. The grey wagtail has not yet
gone to its breeding haunts, the north-west Yorkshire hills. Golden-
crested wrens, kingfishers, a few herons, a carrion crow, many jays and
magpies, reported in different parts. Several reports received of swallows
and other migrants—one swallow as early as April 2nd, another 3rd and
5th ; cuckoo 10th and 13th ; willow warbler and chiffchaff April 8 ; tree
pipit, llth. Martins seen by Mr. G. J. Dymond on the 17th at Darfield
and Parkgate ; redstart and lesser whitethroat near Silkstone. Wheat-
ear, usually the first visitant—average date March 26th—seen at Woolley
Edge by Dr. White, Apr. 4th ; a fine stoat taken by Mr. R. Creighton at
Hemsworth, Feb. 26th. A toad was seen by Mr. J. Dewhirst, of Womb-
well, in his greenhouse, to cast his black skin and eat it—the new skin
being of a whitish tint—Feb. 16th.
BraprorD Narouratists’ Socrery.—Meeting Mar. 20th, the president
in the chair.—Dr. W. H. Evans gave a paper on ‘‘ Land and Fresh-
water Shells,” minutely describing their characteristics, mode and
tenacity of life, habitat, &c. The lecture was illustrated by a large
number of shells, some of them very rare. Mr. Eastwood exhibited, on
behalf of Mr. Rudd, a specimen of S. convolvuli, taken at Great Horton
eight years ago.
Meertne April 3rd, the president in the chair.—Accounts of rambles
were given by several members. Mr. Oxley exhibited Ranunculus
160 THe NATURALIST.
Lenormandi, in bloom, from Rombalds Moor ; Mr. Soppitt, a species of
fungus, Dedalea unicolor, and Mr. Bennett, bred specimens of S. carpini.
Meetine April 17th, the president in the chair.—Mr. F. Bamford gave
a very interesting paper on ‘‘ Coal and its Distribution.” Mr. Bennett
exhibited Planorbis spirorbis from Althorpe, Lincoln ; Mr. Ulingworth, a
number of insects from America; and Mr. West, mosses and lichens
from Ingleton.—H. L. O.
BEVERLEY FieLtp Naturatists’ aND ScrentIFIc Soctety.—Fortnightly
meeting, Apr. 5th. Mr. R. Stuart exhibited a nicely mounted case of
waxwings, Ampelis garrulus, which were shot last December in Lincoln-
shire, also a pair of water rails, Rallus aquaticus, shot on the river Hull.
Eggs of the following species were shown by Mr. J. B. Hood, viz. :— Great
black-backed gull, Larus marinus ; lesser black-backed gull, L. fuscus ;
herring gull, L. argentatus ; common gull, L. canus, taken in Scotland ;
black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus, taken at Scotter Moor,
Lincolnshire ; and the kittiwake gull, Rissa tridactyla, from the cliffs at
Flamborough. The president, on behalf of Mr. Key, showed a fine
~ geries of butterflies from Singapore, the large size and beauty of the
_ Specimens attracting much attention. A collection of British butterflies,
chiefly taken in the neighbourhood of Beverley, was brought by Mr. R.
Cherry ; Mr. J. J. Marshall exhibited a large specimen of the fresh-
water mussel, from Skelton, near York ; and Mr. Butterell a large and
brilliantly coloured example of the sea mouse, Aphrodite aculeata, sent
for exhibition by Mr. Dinsdale, smack-owner, of Hull. It was reported
by Mr. Swailes that the first summer migrant, a wheatear, Saricola
cenanthe, waS observed in Westwood on the ist April.
MancHESTER Oryptocamic Socizry.—Monthly meeting, April, Capt.
Cunliffe in the chair.—The hon. sec. read notes communicated from Mr.
J. Martindale, of Kendal, on Gonionema compactwm, Nyl. Mr. J. M.
Barnes, of Milnthorpe, was elected an honorary member of the society.
A communication was read by Captain Cunliffe from Mr. Robert de
Buysson, of Brouet-Vernet, France, who had sent specimens of Grimnua
arvernica, Phil., for the use of the society. The species has recently
been discovered as new to Kurope, and is fully described in the ‘‘ Revue
Bryologique ” for 1882. Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited the following rare
hepatics :—Jamesoniella Carrington, Balf., found on Ben Lavigh by
Messrs. Wild and Holt; Leptoscyphus interrupta, Nees, found in Chee-
dale ; and Cephalozia fluitans, Nees, on Carrington Moss, by Mr. Holt.
Mr. Pearson also exhibited Cephalozia Turneri, found by himself at
Dolgelly (new to Wales). Hypnuwm nitens, from a swamp in Western
Manitoba, gathered in March last, was exhibited by the secretary. Mr. .
J. Cash read a most interesting paper on Mr. Wm. Wilson’s first visit to
Scotland, 1827, and his first visit to Ireland, 1829-30. It was replete
with notes made at that time on the discoveries and rare gatherings of
cryptogams and flowering plants, and included some interesting corres-
pondence with Hooker, Arnott, Borrer, Harvey, &c.—THos. Rocsrs,
Hon. Sec.
May 1. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—‘The Study of Mosses,”’ Mr.
Eastwood, 7-30 p.m. See :
33 1. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
ms 1, Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
S 2. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
# 3. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
»> 3. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
7. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—‘‘ Exhibits and Records in
Local Ornithology,” preceded in the afternoon by an
Excursion to Fixby.
8. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
11. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
12. (Whit Monday—Bank Holiday.) Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union :
Excursion to Doncaster for the Green Park Wood and,
Sandal Beat.
16. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.
17. York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
19. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
19. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Excursion to Norland Moor.
19. North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club.— Excursion to
Uttoxeter: Leader, Mr. Wilkins.
. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Paper by Mr. John Armi-
tage.
- 21. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.
24. Linnean Society of London. —Anniversary Meeting, 3 p.m.
28. Leeds Geological Association, 8 p.m. ee
98, Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
29. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—“ Parasites,” Mr. J . Paull.
EXCH AN GE.
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which are all good specimens, and side blown Can spare Osprey. Peregrine,
Kite, Buzzards, Goshawk, Curlews, Hoopce, Wovdpeckers, Red-wi inged
Starlings, Capercaille, Quails, Ostrich, Emu, &c. I will exchange for species
notin golicction. —W£aAtLTER Ratnr, Ramsden Terrace, North- street, Leeds.
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Original Articles,
CADDIS-FLY HUNTING IN 1882.
By A. H. Swinton.
My friend Mr. King has just written to say he quite envies us south-
erners in our fine localities for Trichoptera. As chance has it, I have
just been reading in the “ Bulletino della Societa Hntomologica
Italiana ” an interesting account of the pursuit of a Helivcopsyche in a
watercourse at Atrani, of which the males are as black as the prince
of Morocco, while the females are garbed in the russet-grey of Nancy ;
and whose larve, previous to transformation, have been noticed to seal
their cases with an operculum, and to anchor them to stones with
threads of silk. Iam quite captivated by the manners of the Helioco-
psyche, and feel rejuvenescent as a Nimrod.
Well, here we are, at the end of June, among the crimson willow
herbs and the yellow water-lilies of the river Wey Beside the lock stand
some vine-mantled cottages, and a little wicket takes you on to the
rustic wooden bridge that spans the eddies. Listen to the pleasant
gush of the water, and the. melodious chirp of the young throstle frem
its cage suspended on the wall: how the bull-frogs of Atrani would
have fired a volley of Brekake, hake, koax, koax, koax, in soft response
and gratitude. Look how invitingly the roses and currants trail their
lustrous branches in the darker water. ‘‘ The very place!” you
exclaim, “for Heliocopsyche.” The forest flies rest idly on the rushes,
and desecrate not the sweet sounds and shadows of the afternoon with
their buzz. Now is your chance for‘a sweep among the rank grass
and ropy flowers: the net has hitched on a thorn, and all the boys
are down upon you—“ Caught a jack, sir?’ The Trichoptera flicker
like moths in a barrel of bran, and you wish the boys and spaniel
anywhere. Next, some workmen have been rolling in the marsh hay,
and here is the proprietor arrived to give you a history of their
misdeeds. Now then for the longhorns. Nothing but the yellow Lepto-
— cerus senilis and the black Leptocerus aterrimus. My thoughts revert
to the Trichoptera of Atrani, and something whispers to me, perchance
there was a time when senzlis and aterrimus were one in matrimony.
Summer is gone, and the scene changes to Glasgow. I am seated
with my friend, recapitulating my heroic deeds. As he calls the roll
of the slain, I hear Molanna angustata, Leptocerus cinereus, Tinodes
Waeneri, Hydropsyche angustipennis, Neureclipsis bimaculata, Cyrnus
trimaculatus, Sisyra terminalis—all from Guildford. Then comes a
conventional rarity, Setodes notata, only hitherto taken at Weybridge
N.S. VOL. VII... JUNE, - 1883.
162 THE NATURALIST.
and at York, on the meanders of the Ouse probably. There is likewise
an unseasonable occurrence in the fourth month, provided the Roman
numeral be not transposed, of an autumnal sort, anabolia nervosa.
Being in possession of the titles of our books, let us turn to the
biography within; for, without a knowledge of the latter, entomology
is likely to expire in the mephitic air of the heirloom of verbiage
Now, evidently the rarity is either an importation into this country, a
relic of a state of things that is dying out, or its distribution is
imperfectly made out; and the untimely occurrence in the dearth of
miracles may point to two annual appearances on the Wey. ‘Then as
to love or strife. Here is a sly and portly Phryganea grandis, female I
believe, who when poked from a slimy crevice of my rustie bridge, was
as filthily redolent of excrement as any lace wing. Being naturally not
too particular, I applied a pocket lens at the time, and brought into
view certain clear drops that were exuding from a scent-pore beneath
the fourth segment of the abdomen. Another autumnal Trichopteron
I netted flying near a rivulet in the island of Bute, possessed a piquant
zest for honey ; its name, I learn, is Awabolia nervosa. What senti-
ments can insects associate with aromas to us so opposite !
Before taking my leave, I while away a little time looking over my
friend’s collection. I learn that Huecyla pusilla has an apterous female
that waddles over the rushes—(and where will you find a tribe of
insects in which this trace of domesticity is wanting ?)—and likewise
that we have an insular dwarf which attains to great dimensions in
parts of the Continent, and in Switzerland becomes mottled. The
- first of these peculiarities, in Asynachus cenosus, is by no means
startling, since the size of a species merely depends on the amount of
food consumed in the immature or larval form; and this will depend
on the climate, annual sunshine, or nature of the food, as may be
easily made a matter of proof or observation.
Binfield House, Guildford.
——w
LOCAL BIRDS OF THE WILSDEN DISTRICT.
By E. P. P. BurrrerFiex.
THE following list (with a few notes) of some of the scarcer or more
local birds which breed annually, or which have bred within recent
years in this district, may be consideoed of sufficient general interest
to justify their publication. Such a list, even if but a short one, will
better serve as a basis to the ornithologist from which to draw a just
notion of its avian peculiarities, than a long list of accidental visitors-
BUTTERFIELD : LocAL BIRDS oF WILSDEN DISTRICT. 163
It is now generally agreed among ornithologists that, to have a proper
conception of the avifauna of a country, such stragglers must be
dismissed from consideration as of doubtful value or but little interest.
The following observations embody the result of many years’ expe-
rience, and although all error may not be eliminated, I trust that the
moral element which should aim at making them accurate has not
been wanting.
Tawny owl (Strix aluco).—A pair or two breed annually in Bingley
Wood, or about St. Ives, the seat of W. Ferrand, Esq. I saw a brood
at dusk one summer’s eve, [ think in 1881, alight in a sycamore tree
beneath which I was standing. They had apparently just left the nest
which had been built, I conjectured, in the crevice of a huge rock
hard by.
Pied flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilia).—A pair commenced building
their nest in a beech tree in Bingley Wood, in May, 1881 (see
Naturalist, vol. v., p. 171), but from some cause or other they
discontinued operations—a result I very much deplored. It is an
exceedingly local bird, and I cannot state on what occult principle it
selects its breeding quarters, but doubtless it is connected with its food
supply. | :
Dipper (Cinclus aguaticus). Breeds not uncommonly every year.
My brother and I found a nest last spring near Bingley, which was
built in a hole in some masonry constructed to divert a portion of the
water of the beck, for the purpose of supplying motive power to drive
a waterwheel belonging to a mill. Beside the nest my brother found
a little fish, which we both thought had been brought for the young
by their parents, but had been accidentally dropped ; and on my
brother giving it to one of the young, it was bolted with evident
relish, which is, I think, a presumptive proof of its ichthyological
proclivities, although a great deal has been said and written to the
contrary.
Ring ouzel (LZurdus torquatus).—Breeds abundantly in Harden
Clough, and occasionally on Black-hill.
Sedge warbler (Sylvia phragmitis).—Although this is regarded as a
common and generally-distributed bird, it is somewhat scarcer in this
neighbourhood. It has been, however, commoner these last three —
than the preceding ten years.
* Blackeap (Sylvia atricapilla).—Not so common, and more local than
its congener, the garden warbler. Its song differs from the latter
species in being shriller, and performed in a more hurried manner,
besides lacking compass and melody.
164 THe NATURALIST.
Wood wren (Sylvia sylvicola)—Common in Bingley Wood and
Goit Stock Valley, but seems partial to some parts of the wood, and to
prefer woods of old growth to young plantations.
Goldcrest (Regulus cristatus)—A common bird in winter, though I
have not succeeded in finding its nest in this locality up to present
time, but it perhaps breeds occasionally, for I saw a brood in Cot-
tingley Moor plantation in 1881, which I felt sure had been bred
there. It however breeds plentifully about Drebley. in Upper Wharfe-
dale, especially in fir trees of considerable age ; and I cannot assign
any particular reason why it should not breed here more commonly.
Cole tit (Parus ater).—Plentiful in winter, but it only occasionally
remains to breed.
Marsh tit (Parus palustris}—Not quite so common in winter as the
lastmamed, but a few more remain to breed, although it is by no
means common in the breeding season.
Long-tailed tit (Parus.caudatus)—Breeds occasionally. I found a
nest a few years since, built in a holly hedge. It was an exquisite
piece of workmanship, and greatly excited my admiration. I have
known of but two nests, neither of which had two holes, as Mr. Selby
asserts—one for ingress and the other for egress.
Grey wagtail (Motacilla boarula)—A pair or two breed sede: in
the Goit Stock Valley, particularly near the waterfall, where the “ dun
umbrage o’er the fallen stream romantic hangs.” Here it is at home,
consorting with the dipper..
Ray’s wagtail.—This is one of the species that seems to have a
penchant for certain localities in which to breed—returning year after
year, as L have known it, to nest about a particular slope of a meadow
field. or more often in clayey fallow or cornfields, especially where
coltsfoot grows, under the leaves of which I have frequently found its
nest.
Hawfinch (/’ringilla cuccotkraustes).—A pair bred in the -aelhee
hood of Bingley in the year 1878.
Lesser redpoll.—Breeds plentifully about Manywells and Cottingley
Moor plantation.
Twite (Fringilla montium)—Common on the high moors in the
district, particularly about Denholme, where it breeds in great
numbers. It occasionally breeds near the village.
Bullfinch (Loria pyrrhula)—One of Mr. Ferrand’s gamekeepers
tells me a pair breed about St. Ives nearly every year. It used to
BUTTERFIELD: Locat Birps or WILSDEN DISTRICT. 165
breed about here more commonly. A few come to feed on elderberries
every autumn on Blackhills.
Spotted woodpecker (Picus major).—A pair has bred in Bingley
wood for two or three years successively. I believe it leaves this
locality in autumn, returning in February.
Creeper (Certhia familiaris).—Common in winter, but very rarely
remains to breed. It is an interesting sight, and one which never
palls upon my sense from its frequent repetition, to see it busily
engaged, running up the trunks of trees, in search of food. It is
almost invariably in company with titmice in winter.
Kingfisher (A4lcedo ispida).—It is not so common in summer as it
formerly was. I found a nest containing young in the Goit Stock
Valley a few years ago, but have not found one since.
Nightjar (Coprimulgus europeus).—Breeds on Blackhills every year.
I once found two young nightjars in Cottingley Moor plantation, and
it was quite obvious they had been hatched in the place where I found
them, although there was not a trace of a nest, not even a slight
depression in the ground, and judging from the relative sizes of the
young birds, one of them must have been hatched fully a week before
the other.
Stock dove (Columba Enas).—Several pairs breed about Mr.
Ferrand’s estate every year. My brother and I found a nest in March,
1881, at the old ruins in Bingley Wood, which we at first mistook for
the nest of a ring dove. During the same summer we got very near a
pair, without at all disturbing them, in Bingley Wood.
Common sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucos)—About the Manywells
reservoir, a pair, and sometimes two, may be seen every summer. I
shall never forget my first flushing an old bird from its nest. It
rollicked and tumbled about in front of me, pretended to be incapable
of flying, and screamed so piteously that it was with some difficulty I
restrained myself from giving it a chase, although I knew it was all
a ‘‘pious fraud.” Usually it is strictly terrestrial in its habits, yet one
which I saw in the Goit Stock Valley, a few years since, could perch on
trees with great facility, and should exigency require, it will betake
itself to water and swim with apparent ease, as I once witnessed one
which had been disabled with a gun-shot wound, plunge into the river
Wharfe to elude its pursuers, and swim to a point beyond the middle,
when, upon seeing my brother and I on the opposite bank, it turned
round and swam again to the left bank, where it remained concealed
amongst the tangled mass of roots.
166 f Tue NATURALIST.
Common snipe (Scolopax gallinayo).—Breeds not uncommonly about
marshy places in the immediate neighbourhood, but more frequently
about our moorlands bogs.
In referring to the foregoing list, it will be seen at a glance from
what we know of the habits of the birds contained therein, that the
district to which the notes apply is of an elevated or sub-alpine
character.
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
( Continued. )
By S. D, Batrstow, F.L.S.
I am dwelling somewhat lengthily upon the Mimosas, for they took
a strong hold of my “ first impressions.’’ Their blossoms* are power-
fully alluring to vast swarms of insects, and a sunny day amongst them
is as a night, wind due west, spent amongst the sallow catkins, haunts
of revelling Noctuas at home. I give an example. At Fort Beaufort,
the other day, from one solitary tree I bottled four specimens com-
prising three species of Longhorn beetles, three species Buprestis, two
Chrysomelas, and eight Cetonias (amongst the latter a few Aulica), all
different species. Besides these there were hosts of butterflies, chiefly
Lyczena, and other inebriates. This bush flourished on the town-side
of the river Kat. I crossed the bridge, and tramping miles of country
with limited success, returned to find the scene of early happiness
bright and glittering in Entomon splendours, and encircled by a million
_ winged fairies whose musical instruments agreeing in difference,
- appeared to produce one humming note.
The Batrachians are a curious group of creatures here, but it was
upon the Mimosa I saw for the first time my trusty little friend the
tree-frog Hyperolius (Rappia) Horslockii, which Mr. Trimen informs
me occurs in many parts of South Africa, and also in Madagascar.
You may be acquainted with the European Arborea; you may know
that the tree-frog exhibits a dual capacity for adherence : first, the toes
terminate in distended, rounded, flattened fashion, and are naturally
endowed with a remarkable viscidity, as I shall prove; second, the
abdomen is blessed in ‘‘ means to a similar end,” being capable of
glandular depression or expansion. The hind-legs are very long, and
trustworthy as propellers or jumpers. I brought home the specimen
referred to, and placed it on my table, intending to “ spirit ” him away
* They give forth a delicious fragrance. Sugaring does not pay during the
period of bloom.
Barrstow: NatTuRAL History Norrs—SoutH AFRICA. 167
speedily, when lo! and behold! the torpid imp of insignificance, with
neer a hint or caution,
But, with mien of ’scaping thief, he jump’d right on my cabinet door,
Squatted on a glazed window that beautifies my cabinet door,
Jump’d, and squat, and nothing more.
—in other words, he leaped at one bound from my table-top on to the
glass of my cabinet door—a distance of four good yards. I was much
amused to see how “pat” he deposited himself, not screwing and
twisting about to ensure comfort, like a dog. Several ladies who were
in the room at this moment also leaped out of the room.
In my first ramble I was gratified in securing a fine specimen of one
of the Neuroptera, with long linear hind-wings over twice the length
of its body. One might be excused for mistaking it for a Dipteron
with prolonged poisers. Another insect was a stranger to me—one of
the peculiar antennze-clubbed Neuroptera, belonging, I think, to the
genus Ascalaphus. It is a most voracious creature.
Another fly*—a dark, murderous blood-sucking rascal of about an
inch long —was common, humming about, sounding death-knells to
victims. He is a terrible fellow, and will attack a lovely Anthocaris
with as little compunction as a brother of his own order. I have often
watched him pretending to snooze at rest on a rock, then pouncing,t
running, or flying in a direct way upon an innocent fly. A large
species of Ophion frequents low bushes. Jphiolax (and doubtless
Vipio) is represented by many and beautifully variegated species. I
should imagine Vollenhoven’s surmise that these genera may be
accounted exotic was perfectly accurate. They include various inter-
esting Ichneumonus. Chrysids I do not consider numerous, and saw-
flies require much patient hard work. Glancing momentarily into the
world of Hymenoptera, consolidating a grand majority of Ichneumons
within a restricted area, those having dusky wings of indefinite visible
neuration and interlacing, predominate. The same perhaps may be
said of the bees, wasps, &c. There are black wing-forms, blotchy
black, apically black, but the transparent forms bring up the rear.
Unless, therefore, large series of specimens are compared, we cannot
readily determine them. All the more difficult are they to recognise
on the wing.
' The following list of butterflies completes my first day’s observa-
tions :—Pieris Hellica,t P. gidica, P. charina, Anthocaris achine, Colias
electra,t Danais chrysippus, Pyrameis cardui, Hrebia sabacus (n. sp.),
_ * Dipteron—most likely one of the Asilide.
¢ The legs are admirably provided with bristles for “‘ gripping.”
t+ These were the commonest butterflies.
168 7 THe NATURALIST.
Chrysoplanus lara, Zeritis chrysaor, Z. perion, Z. thyra, Pyrgus elina,
and several other species I failed to identify. I am quite astray
amongst the Mantide. They are quite foreign to me, but the yellow
forms appear to mimic the plants which they frequent, even as do
the yellow spiders and others. Of the Cicadz and Arachnide I shall
speak later on.
My premier and sweeping impression of faunal characteristics was
one pertaining to philosophy or sentiment. It was this: ‘“ How grand |
are the provisions which Nature ordains for such frail creatures as
insects!’ I might adapt the same inference with reference to the
higher animals. She uses her blessings with admirable discretion,
and those who study ‘‘ utility ” have a giant task alone to discover the
organs of defence and agression, and the means whereby the sexes are
attracted. ‘The task grows big indeed when we peer into the maze
of Nature’s creative purposes, and method of dovetailing ¢his to —
that.
Altogether, I wrote down my first ramble “ profitable,” and of
course I include the fine-feeling romances in this verdict.
Now a word or two about an able article which appeared in the
Entomologist, some couple of years ago, on the Rhopalocera of Natal.
It was both gratifying and disappointing. It is pleasing to know that
we have such an earnest and painstaking naturalist in our midst,
hailing more especially from Afric’s garden. I should feel less disap-
pointed had that article first passed the scrutiny of our meritorious
curator, Mr. Roland Trimen, of wide reputation as author and gentle-
man. He it was who sifted the deiris of a scattered literature and
constructed a firm basis of reference, being assisted ably by the creme
de ia creme of our Colonial entomologists, and rendering, on all
occasions, Czesar’s due unto Cesar. Personally, I should no more
think of registering a new take unless it were submitted to Mr. Trimen
than should [ think of penning these words minus my fingers. Had
not the article referred to commenced with the following paragraph, it
would never have been touched upon by me: “.. ...... but the list
(T'rimen’s) is evidently incomplete, since I have taken several new species
myself.’ Task, what guarantee has the writer that /zs new species. are
new? I ask, is there such a thing as completion or perfection to
discovery? For my own part, during a short space of time, what with
home and colonial aid, a long list of new species is speedily metamor-
phosed, doubt precedes certainty, commonness perhaps rarity; and,
indeed, an intimate contact with our unpretending yet well-informed —
colonists, who do not always publish their knowledge to the world, has
Batrstow : NaturRAL History Notes—SoutH AFRICA. 169
gone far in proclaiming my own impoverishment. As Miss E. A.
Ormerod very tersely puts it (and especially is this desirable in our
Colonies), ‘“‘ the chief thing seems to me, to have a centre that cares for
the surroundings.” Mr. Trimen, therefore, I regard as the centre of
butterfly lore, not self-constituted, but acknowledged as the leading
spirit by all. Considering general beauty, specific variation, diversity
of form, and structural attractiveness of our insects, taken in order of
merits, or merits of order, my first impressions give precedence
respectively as follows :—
Coleoptera.
Hymenoptera—Diptera.
Orthoptera.
Lepidoptera.
Hemiptera.
Arachnida.
Neuroptera.
A general survey-—casual or concise—from visitor or native, results in
confirming the appointment of Coleoptera to the first place of honour.
Ageregating all the species which occur in the eastern districts alone,
from Cape Agulhas to Durban, it might be possible to under-compute
the whole at a quarter of a million. I do not doubt a collector working
regularly year by year, would add daily to his list of species. Is it
not, therefore, singular and lamentable that home entomologists—
whose advantages are so pronounced—spend their time almost
exclusively in the treatment and study of threadbare subjects, whilst
thousands of foreign species remain unworked, unknown, and when
willing hands of willing entomologists droop from sheer destitution,
in absence of material aid, and mutual intercourse. Specialists do
certainly serve their day and generation, but generalists must take the
lead. In a country like South Atrica, conforming to an order or a
genus means snatching at gold when diamonds surround —another term
for heartache. Heaping up collections is a secondary affair. Walking
out of darkness into light precedes.
I may not bid adieu to the dear old Coleos until I have mentioned
an early impression relating to protective instinct, or protective
provisions. Beetles exist capable of ejecting an acidulous secretion as
-- an obstacle to, or a means of, ejectment from depredatory enemies.
Anthia 10-guttata belorgs to these blockaders, and directs its formic
acid battery with tolerable success, forcible enough to cover long
distances. Occasionally when my foot has been deposited gently upon
an enraged captive, the liquid has actually reached my eyes, causing
170 THE NATURALIST.
a severe smarting sensation of pain, and smelling palpably of nitric
acid. I could have testified to its identity. It produces likewise a
similar yellowish effect. Dr. Palmer, of Fort Beaufort, assures me
that venomous reptiles, and various other vertebrates, discharge formic
acid. A friend sent to me a singular fish, one of the Plectognathi—a
species of Tetraodon* (Plate vi.), first cousin to Diodon, referred to by
Darwin in his “‘ Beagle Experiences.” The specimen was quite fresh,
and recently captured. I had it preserved, and the taxidermist told
me that his venturesome cat, intruding too imprudently within mew-
seum precincts, bit off forbidden flesh, and biting—died—a poisoned
thief. Formic acid again, no doubt! The spines of Tetraodon,
I believe, affected my flesh, and this fact suggested the following
query to my mind, viz.:—When Tetraodon is inflated, floating help-
lessly on or near the surface of the sea, does it discharge poisonous
matter at will for self-protection? ‘It fills with air a thin and
extensive membranous sac, which adheres to the peritoneum the whole
length of abdomen. When thus inflated it rolls over and floats belly
upwards, without any power of directing its course.” When the tiger
claw (!) jaws of this peculiar fish are brought to market, they may
realise a fancy price.
You will remark Hymenoptera and Diptera in my list are classed
co-equally, but I omit Formicide from the former. The ants constitute
a world unto themselves. An interesting species of Odynerus has often
arrested my attention. It makes a nest in the stalk of some Ornitho-
galum, and continues a recess for concealing or burying carcases of
larval-slaughtered Diptera. Another species I took, some time ago,
alive in a mud cocoon of some lepidopterous insects. There was no
hole of egress. One remarkable wasp—a rarity—deserves special
treatment, Its body is covered with a soft greyish flavescent pile,
sparingly distributed, black antennze thickly pectinated, longer than
thorax, thorax and scutellum deeply rufous, metathorax distinct,
shapely and tuberous. Abdomen: base of seg. 1 having narrow
greyish fulvous band, discontinued beneath. Middle of seg. 3 with
corresponding band, broader, extending around abdomen, narrowing
on under side. Legs pilose, apical tibial spines conspicuous and
fulvous. Wings: smoky black, of varying depth, glossy and semi-
transparent, with dark-blue tinge, obscuring towards disc, and forming
a distinct dirty band. Fore wings having a decided grey streak,
bisecting radial areola to nerve and continued almost at right angles to
* Trimen.
; ; ete stoVe Veit spac hi
RAINFALL FOR APRIL. 171
edge of disc, at top of proediscoral areola and irregular triangular spot
of grey. First humeral clearly defined, pale smoky. Hind wings
smoky, deeper than in fore, converging from radial to anal margin.
Probrachial areola pale smoky, very distinct, long din.
(To be continued. )
Raintall for April.
Height ToraL Faun
of Be || NOs To Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest | of
above | fall. |pays| —————| “Fall, | Heaviest
evel: 1883. | 1882. :
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 3°04 | 10 | 11°64 | *10°05 28 0:98
(J. W. Robson)
Hairax...(F.G.8. Rawson)| 365 | 2°96 | 11 | 1616 | 19°84 28 0°88
LeEps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 2°85 |13| 911 | +6°69 28 0:99
HORSFORTH ... (James Fox)| 350 | 3°46 | 11 | 10°65 | {9°77 28 1°05
PATELEY BRIDGE...(E. War-| 436 | 3°23 | 10 | 13°61 §9°98 28 1°06
burton, M.R.C.S.. L.S A.)
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...; 350 | 3°29 | 10 | 10°48 9°35 28 13
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 3°34 | 10 | 15°20 14°41 28 0°90
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...} 520 | 3°29 | 10 | 12°21 10°52 28 1:00
GooLe#:... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 2°15 | 10 7°80 8°68 29 0°50
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.} 10 | 1.60 | 14 7.01 5°75 19 0°39
Lawton)
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
{ Average of 14 years, 1870-83. § For 4 years, 1880-83.
———- Short Dotes and Queries.
Naturan Huisrory Nores rrom WHARFEDALE. — The following
observations were made in Wharfedale during a three days’ walk, on
May 14th, loth, and 16th, from Ilkley to Grassington and back, taking
both sides of the river. Brirps.—Pied flycatcher : three pairs at Bolton
Abbey, one pair at Grassington Bridge, one pair at Grass Wood—all in
song. Goldcrest : one pair in the Lythe, near Grassington, and one pair
im Grass Wood, in song. Bullfinch: one pair at Grass Wood. Swift:
numerous at Ilkley on the 14th. Grasshopper warbler: one heard at
Nessfield. Sandmartin: nests at Ilkley, Burnsall, and other places up
the river. Lesser whitethroat : one heard at Appletreewick. Nightjar :
one seen at Grass Wood. Blackcap and garden warbler: in Bolton
Woods only. Corncrake and chiffchaff not heard. Saztis.—Vitrina
pellucida, Zonites cellarvius, Z. alliavius (Ilkley), Z. nitidulus, Z. cristal-
linus (Burnsall), Helix arbustorwm, (type and jlavescens), H. nemoralis
E72 THe NATURALIST.
(type, major, and minor), one, three, four, and five-banded—all at Gras-
sington. H. hortensis, five-banded, Grassington; JH. lapicida, very
common at Grassington on the walls; ditto, minor (?); H. rufescens
common—one contortion with spire much raised; ditto alba, Gras-
sington, on walls; 2. hispida common; H. sericea and H. aculeata,
Ilkley ; H. rotundata common everywhere; H. rupestris on walls at
Grassington ; Bulimus obscurus, Ukley ; Pupa (?) Grassington ; Balea
perversa, Grassington Bridge, on walls ; Clausilia laminata, Ilkley ; O.
nigricans common ; ditto dubia, Grassington ; Zua lubrica, var. lubri-
coides, Ilkley ; Succinea putris, the Lythe at Grassington ; Limnea peregra,
Grassington ; Ancylus fluviatilis, ditch at Burnsall ; Cyclostoma elegans,
on a bank between Grassington and Burnsall, a few yards from the river
(dead shells); Helix cantiana and H. aspersa, common shells on the
sandstone—seem to be absent or rare. Mammats.—One shrew Sorex
araneus, caught near Bolton ; one bat, not identified, caught at Hebden ;
hedgehog at Grass Wood. Pranrs.—Lathrwa squamaria in flower at
Bolton ; oxlip (Primula elatior) in flower at Barden.—GrorcE Roserts,
Lofthouse, ay 18th, 1883.
Bop ore of Societies.
BarnsLtey Naruratists’ Soctrery.—May 8th, Mr. T. Lister, president,
in the chair. In the Botanical and Entomological Sections not much of
importance was added to former reports. The list of spring migrants
nearly completed by the following dates :—Whinchat, reported near
Wakefield, April 2nd; Ray’s wagtail,-11th ; redstart, 18th ; nightjar,
16th ; sand martin (in flocks), 22nd ; sedge warbler, 28th ; grass-hopper
warbler, 30th; sandpiper, 28th (partial migrant); stone-chat, 18th
(partial migrant); land-rail, May 1st (killed by telegraph wire) ; lesser
whitethroat, first heard May 7th. Several scaup ducks, a few wild geese,
coots, kingfishers, observed about the pools and streams.—THOMAS
LISTER. ee
Bzever.ey Fir~tp Naturatists’ anD ScrentiFIc Society.—The above
Society have held a most successful conversazione and exhibition in the
Norwood Rooms during the week ending 21st April, and we regret that
space will not permit of a lengthened account of it. The exhibits were
included under the following heads :—natural history, art and archeology,
scientific apparatus, geology and microscopes. Several interesting lectures
were delivered during the week, including—on the Boulder Clay, by Rev.
KE. M. Cole ; on Coal Gas, by Mr. E. Bryan; on the Chalk, Pye} Rev. E.
M. Cole, and? on the Wold-dwellers, by Dr. Stephenson.
FortnicHtLy Mretine, 3rd May, the president, Mr. J. A. Ridgway, .
F.R.A.S., in the chair. The following presentations to the Society
were announced, and thanks voted to the donors :— Three pamph-
lets, on ‘‘ the White Chalk of Yorkshire,” on “‘the Red Chalk,”
and ‘‘the Origin and Formation of the Wold Dales,” by the Rev. R.
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. We
' Maule Cole, M.A.,—by the author. A case of sea birds, specially repre-
senting those breeding in the cliffs at Flambro’, by Mr R. Stuart, and a
fine specimen of coral from America, by Mr. R. Whitton. Mr. Swailes,
secretary of the Vertebrate section, reported the arrival of the under-
mentioned migrants :—Wheatear, April 1st, willow-wren, April 6th,
chiff-chaff and yellow wagtail, April 7th, swallow, April 12th, tree pipit,
April 18th, cuckoo, April 24th, lesser whitethroat, April 25th, whinchat,
April 27th, sedgewarbler, April 29th, sandmartin, April 30th, landrail
and whitethroat, May 2nd. The specimens exhibited included a robin’s -
nest, found near Skidby, and built in an old American meat tin, shown
by Mr. R. Ridgway, and a number of crabs brought by Mr. Butterell,
amongst which were Portumnus holsatus, Portwmnus latepes, Hyas
coarctatus, Oorystes cassivelaunus, Cancer pagurus, Carcinus moenas, and
a species of Mbalia.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SoctETy.—Meeting March
19th, the president (Mr. S. J. Capper) in the chair.—The attendance
included several lady visitors. The Rev. S. Fletcher Williams read a
paper on ‘‘ Louis Agassiz,” in which he gave a biographical sketch of the
life, work, and character of that great naturalist. He alluded particularly
to his attitude of antagonism to Mr. Darwin, Agassiz throughout main-
taining a belief in specific creation. During the conversazione which
followed the lecture, there were exhibited, through the kindness of
Mr. T. J. Moore, the curator of the Derby Museum, one large and three
small photographs of Louis Agassiz. Mr. E. Dukinfield Jones exhibited
four species of Attacus and a drawer of Hesperide, collected during his
residence at St. Paul’s, Brazil; and Mr. J. R. L. Dixon displayed a fine
specimen of the death’s-head moth (Acherontia Atropos), captured at
Eastham.
Mersrine, April 30th, the president in the chair.—The hon. sec. (Dr.
J. W. Hillis) was appointed Recorder of Economic Entomology for the
counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. After the reading of a number of
communications, Mr. E. D. Fish read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on the
Study of Entomology,” in which he recommended the study of the
mature insect, its habits, its uses, and not only endeavouring to obtain a
knowledge of what injury it or its larva is capable of causing, but also of
what benefit itis. He considered utilitarian entomology, in this sense,
the most valuable of all branches of the science. He specially deprecated
the passing over of minute insects as being of little consequence, believing
that the smallest objects in animated nature often possess greater power
for good or evil than larger ones. During the conversazione Mr. Wall
exhibited Hydrz, ova of water snails undergoing development, &c.,
under the microscope.—J. W. Exits, Hon. Sec.
YorKSHIRE Naturatists’ Unton.—Doncaster, May 14th.—The York-
shire naturalists opened the season of 1883 on Whit Monday (Easter
falling very early) at Doncaster, the object being to investigate the
eget THE NATURALIST.
“
productive entomological localities of Green Farm Wood and Sandal
Beat, for which permission had been most kindly granted by Capt. Brown,
Mr. Winter Cockill, and Mr. Councillor Brundell. Parties left Doncaster
station at 9.15 and 10.15 a.m. for those places, under the charge of
Messrs. George Tindall and M. H. Stiles. Other parties left at the same
hours, under the guidance of Mr. J. M. Kirk and Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson,
for Potteric Carrs ; and bodies of members explored otheg localities in an
independent manner, one taking the Gravel Drain and other dykes
towards the borders of Lincolnshire, and others the old level of Hatfield
Chase. All these parties, as will be noticed, were designed for the
exploration of the districts lying ‘east and north-east of the town. For
the geologists, however, these districts offered no special points of
interest, and a party was organized under the leadership of Mr. T. H.
Easterfield, for Balbey, Warmsworth and Conisborough. Al parties met
at tea at 4-30 p.m., at the Angel Hotel, and afterwards the business of
the sectional and general meetings was transacted at the Guildhall. At
the general meeting Mr. J. W. Davis, F.S.A., F.L.S., &c., one of the
vice-presidents, was voted into the chair. The minutes of the Thirsk
meeting, last year, were read by Mr. Wrigglesworth (who, in the absence
of Mr. Clarke, assisted Mr. Roebuck in discharging the duties of the
secretariate), and confirmed. The roll of the 38 societies in the Union
being called over, it was found that the following 20 were represented :—
Barnsley, Bradford (3), Dewsbury, Doncaster, Driffield, Hlland-cum-
Greetland, Goole, Halifax, Huddersfield (2), Hull, Leeds (3), Ovenden,
Sheffield, Wakefield, and York St. Thomas. Of individual members the
attendance was about 60 or 70. Two new societies—the Bradford Micro-
scopical Society, 61 members, and Rotherham Naturalists’ Society, 63
members—and three new members—Mr. R. W. Kendall of Selby, Mr.
P. W. Dawson of Hull, and Mr. H. S. Ward of Bradford,—were elected.
A vote of thanks was then proposed by Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., of
Huddersfield, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Lister of Barnsley, and
unanimously adopted, to Capt. Brown, Mr. Winter Cockill, Mr. Coun.
Brundell, Mr. Senior, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Dearden, and Messrs. Crawshaw
and Son, for permission to visit their respective estates or works, and te
the Doncaster Microscopical Society and its members for their co-
operation and assistance. The reports of the sections were then taken.
Mr. Thomas Lister of Barnsley, who had presided over the Vertebrate
Section, with Mr. Thomas Bunker of Goole acting for the secretary (in
the absence of both the sectional officers) stated that 17 summer migrants
and 28 resident birds had been noted, and also four mammals, no reptiles,
three amphibians, and four fishes. The migrant birds were—the white-
throat, sedge warbler, swift (numerous), swallow, martin, landrail, -
whinchat, willow warbler, wood warbler, blackcap warbler, tree pipit
(numerous), chiffchaff, cuckoo (abundant), yellow or Ray’s wagtail,
nightingale, and spotted flycatcher (seen by Mr. Bunker on the borders
of Hatfield Chase).. The residents were the skylark, meadow pipit,
Reports oF Socreriss. Users)
chafiinch (numerous, and nesting), starling, wren, jay, marsh tit, grey tit,
blue tit, hedge accentor, rook, lapwing, linnet, sparrow, yellow-hammer,
bunting, black-headed bunting, redshank, curlew, partridge, pheasant,
robin (nest and six eggs), greenfinch, song thrush, missel thrush, black-
bird, greater spotted woodpecker (one given to Mr. Bunker which had
been taken out of a jay-trap in one of the woods), and blackheaded gull.
The other animals were the rabbit, squirrel, mole and hedgehog, frog,
smooth newt and great-crested newt, eel, loach, pike, and stickleback.
The Rey. W. ©. Hey, M.A., of York, president of the Conchological
Section, reported that land mollusca had been very meagrely represented,
and that the fresh-water mollusca had been collected partly in Potterie
Carrs, and partly in the river Torne and the Gravel Drain. Thirty-four
species had been noted—21 freshwater and 13 land-shells, viz. :—
Pisidium pusillum, Bythinia tentaculata, B. Leachu, Valvata piscinalis,
Planorbis albus (Gravel Drain only), P. vortex, P. spirorbis, P. carinatus,
P. complanatus, P. corneus, P. contortus, Physa fontinalis, P. hypnorum,
Limnea peregra (also its varieties ovata, acuminata, and oblonga, the two
. latter near Blaxton Grange), L. auricularia (river Torne), L. stagnalis,
L, palustris, Arion hortensis, Limax agrestis, Siuccinea putris (Potteric
Carrs), S. elegans (Blaxton Grange), Vitrina pellucida, Zonites alliarius,
Z. crystallinus (Cantley) Z. fuluus (Cantley), Helix hispida, H. nemoralis,
Vertigo pusilla, V. edentula (the last two in Cantley Park) and Zua lubrica,
For the Entomological Section both its officers reported. The president,
Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., reported, upon the lepidoptera, that but few
species had been cbserved, owing doubtless to the recent long-continued
east winds. lLarve of Geometra papilionaria and Cheimatobia boreata
were beaten from the birches in Green Farm Wood, whilst searching for
Jarvee of Phycis betulella ; this latter species is usually common in the
wood at this time, but probably had not yet begun feeding this late
spring. Mr. Porritt’s remarks were supplemented by Mr. Geo. Tindall,
of Doncaster, who had acted as leader during the day. Mr. EK. B.
Wrigglesworth, of Wakefield, and the Rev. W. C. Hey, M.A., of York,
reported the following coleoptera as having been taken, among many
other species :—Sylpha rugosa, 8. thoracica, and S. atrata, Necrophorus
rusphata and N. numata, Apion violaceum, A. miniatim, Cionus bdlat-
tavice, Péerostichus vulgaris, Timarchia levigata, and five species of
Gacemicilidie. all in the Sandal Beat and Green Farm Woods ; and the
following from Potteric Carrs :—Dytiscus marginalis, C. fuscus, Ilybius
ater, Agabus Sturmi and A. bipustulatus, Hydroporus lepidus, A. dorsalis,
. reticulatus, H. pictus, H. angustatus, Haliplus ruficollis, Hydrobius—
fuscipes, Aphodius prodromus, Anchomenus prasinus, Pterostichus madidus
and P. vulgaris, Phedon twmidulus, &c., &c. Hymenoptera and
hemiptera were also plentiful, but the latter mostly in immature stages.
For the Botanical Section, Mr. P. F. Lee, of Dewsbury, secretary,
reported upon the flowering plants, and Mr. Wm. West, of Bradford,
upon the cryptogams. About 30 species of mosses were collected, among
176 Tue NATURALIST.
which were Pogonatum nanum, Phascum subulatum, Orthotrichum diapha-
num, and Barbula Hornschuchiana. Hepaticee were not abundant, only
six species being collected, the best being some fine examples of
Marchantia polymorpha from Hatfield Chase. Lichens were conspicu--
ously absent, even Parmelia physodes was scarce. Fungi were not much
sought after, and only about 15 species were noticed, including Morchella
esculenta, Peziza venosa, Afcidiwm vole, Al. menthe, and AY. ranun-
culacearwm, also the hetere-plant, described in the Naturalist last
month as Rhizomorpha subcorticalis. Many algz were collected, but
few have been examined as yet; Spirogyra crassa was amongst them.
For the Geological Section, Mr. J. W. Davis, its president, asked Mr.
T. H. Hasterfield, of Doncaster—who had been cicerone during the day
—to report: he thereupon stated that the party under his charge had
started from Doncaster for Messrs. Gibson and Dearden’s ‘brick-works,
at Balby, inspecting the red sandstone quarry on the opposite side of the
road. The brickworks are in a thick bed of glacial tile and clay, said to
be 60 feet in thickness, resting on red sandstone. The base is not
exposed, but about 30 to 35 feet are worked. It has the usual tough .
character, and contains a large number of ice-scratched stones, mostly
from the coal measures ; one or two being found, however, which appear
to have travelled a long distance. About four or five feet from the
present base of the works, and about 20 or 25 feet from the surface of
the ground there is an apparent division into an upper and lower glacial
deposit ; the division of the two being marked by the smoothness of the
surface of the lower bed, as though it had been ground off and polished
by the succeeding glacier. Above part of the quarry or pit, a reddish
tile has been worked, which contains large masses of gypsum, but
comparatively few other stones. Indiscriminately dispersed amongst
the clays are beds of sand, lenticular in form and small in size. Having
examined the glacial beds at Balby, the party visited the railway cutting,
for the line between Doncaster and Conisborough, and noticed the upper
magnesian, or Brotherton limestone at the eastern end of the cutting,
succeeded by the middle marls and the lower limestones, well shown at
Levitt Hagg. Thence along the picturesque banks of the river Don to
Conisborough, where the sections exposed atthe fire-brick works and
beneath Conisborough Castle exhibited the junction of the coal
measures and the permian limestone series. Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S ,
of Huddersfield, then exhibited a fine specimen of the so-called Rhizo-
morpha subcorticalis (an abnormal state of the mycelium of a fungus—
Polyporus) which he had detached from a dead birch in Green Farm
Wood, and made some remarks upon it. He then called upon Dr. |
Burman to move, and Dr. J. Mitchell to second, the adoption of a
vote of thanks to the chairman. This was agreed to, and the proceedings
came to an end.—It should be stated that Mr. Winter Cockill very
hospitably entertained the party visiting his district to luncheon, at
about 2 p.m.—W. D. R.
- Sm une 2 reader. field Naturalists’ ‘Society. —HExcursion to Heaton Eades
- Woods, followed by meeting a 8 p.m.—Paper on ‘‘ Local
~ Lepidoptera,” J. Ellis.
. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
Bishop: ‘Auckland Naturalists” Field Club.
. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Ose
. Linnean Society of London, 8-p:m.
. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.—Excursion to Filey for Pan
Ee borough. Head.
aS 11. Leeds ee Association. —Paper by Thomas Tate, F. G. 8.
<
Pointy ake
wv
Ps
Riktpad
*
ee 8. p.n
nee US Bradford Nolan ‘Society. —“ The Weeds of one Country are
Se aie 5 the Flowers. of another.
Sh pik Ge Midesaeld Naturalists’ Society. —Excursion to Buckstones.
4, 18. Manchester Cryptogamic Society. eee,
3, 18, Huddersfield- Naturalists’ Society.— ‘“ Medical. eee of
se : Plants.
ee Rete DO, Ana following days.—North Staffordshire Netasuliet FE ia Club.
Se Re - -—-Excursion to the Isle of Man: ey W. D. Spanton.
21. York St Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
» 21. Linnean Society of London, 8 pn: = :
_,, 25. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
— -,, 5. Leeds Geological Association. —Annual 1] Meeting, 8 p.m.
SBS Bradford: Naturalists’ Society eo British Medicinal Rlants,? 4.
= a ‘Le Oxley. ~
Syne pete Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society. —Excursion to Lepton, followed
by meeting at: 8pm. :
—
escort ATG
ee sae arranged my collection of eggs, I find I have many duplicates
_ ‘which are all good specimens, and side blown. Can spare Osprey. Peregrine,
- Kite, Buzzards, Goshawk, - -Curlews, Hoopee, Woodpeckers, Red- -winged
io Starlings, Capercaille, Quails, Ostrich, Emu, &c. I will exchange for species
io 2) im. collection. —_WALTER RaINR, Ramsden ‘Ferrace, North-street, Leeds.
ae THE QUARTERLY JOUR NAB OF CONCHULOGY.
a ee eS e his Journal circulates - widely amongst Conchologists
ae ica. the world, and contains every ees articles dealing
with all departments of the Science. :
Double numbers are at. present being issued, price - Ij- ‘each,
eo UE 4/4 per annum, post free. _
; see ~ PUBLISHED BY J. W. TAYLOR, ‘St. Pans Works, feeds. to
whom: should be sent-all Se oe ao to ou Post
“Office Orders also should be made payable.
—~s SN NARA PDO
- Lonvox : Z -HARDWICKE & BOGUE, 192, PICCADILLY, W.
Se
or Sc OTTISH NATURALIST,
W ILLTAM BLACK Woop AND Sons,
Just Published, i, Beap & 306 boar AG
THE “NSE HUNTER’S 3 COMPANION,
"By the Rev. JOSEPH GREENE, MA,
Boing snk tbtione for Collecting, Rearing, Setting, and Pirecwine. Butterflies ee ie
he ee A, ee Bee Bees, Flies, and other. — 280 =
peo ee SSS :
See ‘THIRD EDITIO]
"REVISED AND EXTENDED BY A 2B. FARN,
_ THE (CHAPTER ON COLEOPTERA, BY EvpwWarp NEWMAN. os ae
0- = Se ig eee
_ CONTENTS. ae to obiaihe the Ego by searching 5 . Wee ne moths ; i & ae
pairing insects. How to obtain LARV# by beating : the Bignell tray ; sweeping < ;
” “searching by- ‘night ; -how to, rear the larvze ; “sleeving ; hybernating larvae ¢ oS
parasites + preserving larve. PUPA-DIGGING ; preserving ‘pup: forcing pup;
THE Prrrect. Insecr.—Localities ; net; mothing Wes honeydew ; “sugaring
~Hght ; indoor light ; grouting; smoking ; killing ; relaxing ; setting : = QTRASE 5. | -
- mites ; ; mould; “cabinets and store boxes; painting: arrangement and nomen;
—
“re
-
Short Hotes and Queries.
A New British Moss.—Specimens of a Brywm, lately gathered in the
river Usk, Breconshire, by the Rev. Augustin Ley, have been sent me for
examination, and after a good deal of puzzling, prove to belong to B.
gemmiparum of De Notaris—a species hitherto recorded only for the
extreme south of Europe, and therefore an unexpected and very inter-
esting addition to our list of mosses. It appears to rejoice in the sandy
deposit lining the sides of mountain streams, and to form considerable
tufts or patches somewhat like dwarf states of B. Schleicheri, or latifolium,
but from which species it differs in the muticous leaves with narrow
areolation. Indeed the shape of the leaves is more as in B. alpinum, and
especially B. Muhlenbeckii, but they are more loosely imbricated, more
spreading when dry, and the tufts of a pale green or greyish-green colour,
not purplish or glossy. It is not unlikely that this species may be found,
if looked for, by the sides of some of the streams of North or West
Yorkshire. —H. Boswet1, Oxford, 14th June, 1883.
Cinclidium stygium, Swartz.—Apropos of Mr. Cash’s note on this
moss it is reported to me on good authority that it has been gathered above
High Force, in Teesdale ; if correct, this will be another Yorkshire locality.
I have not yet seen specimens from there. In the same note, a few other
mosses are mentioned ; Hyp. ruguloswm, in two or three places in the
neighbourhood of Malham, but notin plenty. This moss is very abun-
dant indeed in the old bed of the river above the Cove, in many places ;
s0 is Zygodon Nowellii, which Nowell found later on. It also occurs
plentifully in Gordale, along with Cylindrotheciuwm concinnum. In passing
I may mention that a few mimics (to a tyro), of the latter species occur
also along with it; rock forms of Hyp. purum, H. Schreberi, and H.
cuspidatum. Seligeria pusilla is plentiful on both the Clapham and
Ingleton ascents of Inglebro’ ; it also occurs on rocks close to Malham
village. Mniwm serratum is also abundant on the Ingleton ascent of
Inglebro’, but is nearly always mixed with M. stellare.—W. WEst.
Morchella semilibera at DoncastER.—Referring to the report in the
Naturalist, cf the Y. N. U. meeting at Doncaster on Whit-Monday, I
note that mention is made of Morchella esculenta in the list of Fungi. My
specimens were the only ones exhibited in that section, and I have since
ascertained that they were a decided rarity, viz :—Morchella semilibera,
good characteristic specimens. This is confirmed by Mr. W. G. Smith,
of London, and I believe that they have not previously been reported in
the district which the Y. N. U. embraces.—A. CLark.
SHELLS, ADDITIONAL TO BrveRLEY List.—Since publishing a list of
the land and fresh-water shells of Beverley and neighbourhood in the
Journal of Conchology for April, 1882, I have been able to make the
- following additions :—Unio pictorwm, Lever canal and river Hull; Unio
tumidus, river Hull ; Limax agrestis var. nigra, in gardens at Beverley :
186 THe NATURALIST.
Testacella haliotidea, in garden at Beverley. My attention was first called
‘to this species by Mr. F. Boyes, of Beverley, and specimens have since
been kindly procured for me by Mr. Geo. Swailes, from his garden, where
he informs me it has been taken from time to time during the last four or
five years. I am not aware that this species has been previously recorded
for the East Riding. Zonites purus var. Margaritacea, Westwood, Bever-
ley.—J. Darker ButtTEeRELL, Beverley.
Tue NicutTsyar.—I am interested in Mr. Butterfield’s remarks as to
the relative sizes of his young nightjars, as I have several times seen
their nests, if ‘‘ nests ” they may be called, and I believe in every case
one young one was bigger than the other. It would be curious if this is
always so. I do not find it stated in any account of the nightjar, but it
is well known to be the case with the barn owl, though that certainly is
a very different bird. Dr. EK. A. Brehm and other ornithologists say
that the nightjar only breeds once a year, but I have seen eggs and
young ones so very late, that I have not the slightest doubt it frequently
breeds twice. I enclose a sketch of a nightjar, which had young, feign-
ing to be wounded, drawn from the bird as it sat on the bough ofa
Scotch fir.—J. H. Gurney, Northrepps, Norwich.[We regret we are
unable to reproduce Mr. Gurney’s interesting sketch.—Eps. Nat.]
Nores on Nests anp Ecacs.—During the past spring the following
nests and eggs have come under my notice in the neighbourhood of Loft-
house :—Yellow hammer, nest with three white eggs. Meadow pipit 1.—
Nest with six eggs. Four were mottled finely with light brown, with
a slight zone of darker brown at the larger end; size, 10 lines by 7.
The other two were blotched with two shades of light brown, the blotches
aggregated, but not zoned at the larger end ; size, 9 lines by 7. In the
** Rural Notes,” for 1881, I described a nest of the corn-crake which con-
tained two types of eggs. The facts seem to indicate that two females
may occasionally lay in one nest. A few years since, a farmer here found
a nest containing twelve hen’s eggs and ten partridge’s eggs, on which the
partridge was sitting. Meadow pipit 2.—Nest with four eggs of a
uniform dark brown colour, the brown darker, but uniform at the larger
end ; size, 11 lines by 8: much hke the egg of the nightingale. Green-
finch.—Nest with four eggs of different sizes. Beginning with the largest,
the dimensions were : 10 by 63, 8 by 54, 64 by 5, and 6 by 5 lines. The
smallest-egg was the size of that of the goldcrest. All the eggs were of
the ordinary colour. Chaffinch.—Nest with two eggs ; dimensions, 7 by 53
lines. Nest 2 in. wide, and lin. deep, composed externally of fine
grass stems, moss and spiders’ webs, and lined with black and white hair.
Projecting obliquely about an inch above the top of the inside of the nest _
was a firmly fixed white feather; this decorative feather was the only
one visible in the nest, but the rim was further garnished by several small
bits of white paper, spread and glued neatly amongst the moss. The nest
and eggs were remarkably small.—Gxo. Roxzerts, Lofthouse.
RAINFALL FoR May. 187
Curious Freak or A Duckiine.—A curious thing happened yesterday.
A duck built its nest near the stonework on the island, about 10ft. above
the water. I saw eight young ducklings in the nest, called my keeper,
who took them away with three eggs (young not out), leaving a rotten
egg in the nest. One of my servants in the forenoon, working near the
place of the nest, saw the duck take the rotten egg in her beak and carry
it across the lake to the large willow tree, where it seemed to be burying
or messing it about.—E. Haitstone, Walton Hall, 28th May, 1883.
Monoerarn oF British Mortusca.—It is proposed to accumulate
materials for a new and comprehensive Monograph of the Land and
Fresh-water Mollusca of the British Fauna, and it is desired to enlist the
assistance of all persons interested in the detailed and exhaustive study
of the species and varieties of British Mollusca. Communications of all
kinds, letters, specimens, books, &c., should for the present be forwarded
to Mr. J. W. Taylor, Office of the Journal of Conchology, Leeds. |
Hauntall for May.
Height Toran Faun
of . | No. To Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest g
above | fall. {Days}; ————~——— |_ Fall. Meee
all.
eels 1883. | 1882,
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 0°90 | 18 | 12°54 | *12°11 7 0°22
(J. W. Robson)
Harirax...(F.G.S.Rawson)} 365 | 1:09 | 17 | 17°25 | 21°77 12 0:26
Legps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 0°91 | 13 | 10°02 | 48°35 25 0°17
HOoRSFORTH ... (James Fox)! 350 | 1°20 | 138 | 11°85 | $11°79 9 0°30
PATELEY BRIDGE...(E. War-| 486 | 1°37 | 10 | 14°98 | §12°07 7 0°45
burton, M.R.C.S.. L.S, A.)
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) .... 350 | 1:18 | 15 | 11°66 10°44 7 0:27
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 1°58 | 17 | 16.78 | 16°01 25 0°25
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...) 520 | 1°25 | 15 | 13°46 | 11°83 7 0°24
GooLz ... (J. Harrison)...|) 25 | 1°86 | 12 9°66 | 10°61 10 0°44
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| 10] 1.70 | 13 7.23 8°71 8 0°41
Lawton)
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
+ Average of 14 years, 1870-83. § For 4 years, 1880-83.
Aeports of Societies,
Barnstey Narurarists’ Sociery.—Meeting, June 19th, the president,
Mr. T. Lister, in the chair. Messrs. Batley and Hemingfield gave a list:
of flowering plants taken in recent local excursions. ew insects were
reported. Hadena glauca has been taken. Mr. Lister gave a list of a few
188 THe NATURALIST.
birds not included in last report. On April 20th, the wryneck is reported
by Mr. Hailstone, at Walton Hall. This migrant has been seldom noted
in this district. May 9th, the swift; 6th, black-cap warbler; 14th,
garden warbler, wood warbler, nightingale, spotted flycatcher. Mr. R.
Parkin wrote, last week in May, that a nightingale was nearer to Barnsley
than recorded of late years. On May 11th, Mr. Creighton wrote
reporting the wax-wing in a garden at Hemsworth, and the black redstart
in front of Hemsworth Hall; the black-headed gull, sparrow hawks,
kestrels, and jays. The lesser tern was found dead in a field near Peni-
stone. The ringed dotterel and curlew have occurred on the pools near
the moors this spring. The sandpipers are breeding there, and in the
Dearne valley.—T. ListER.
BEVERLEY Fre~tp NaturRAtists’ AND SCIENTIFIC Soctery. — The
ordinary meeting, 18th May, the president, Mr. J. A. Ridgway, in the
chair.—After some discussion it was decided to hold field meetings every
Wednesday evening, for the exploration of the immediate neighbourhood
of the town, in addition to the ordinary meetings of the society, and a
number of afternoon excursions are also to be organised. A letter was
read from Thos. Bainton, Esq., of Arram Hall, reporting the arrival of
- the pied flycatcher on May 7th, and a number of interesting botanical
specimens were shown by Mr. J. J. Marshall, amongst which were
Hottonia palustris, Gewm rivale, Luzula campestris, Valeriana dioica,
Ranunculus auricomus, Buniwm flexwosum, and others. Mr. Butterell
exhibited a series of Unio pictorwm, and U. tumidus from the river Hull,
the edible snail Helix pomatia, and also specimens of the snail-slug Tes-
tacella haliotidea found in Beverley, and probably the first time it has
been recorded for Yorkshire.
HUuUDDERSFIELD Naturatists’ Soctety.—Meeting June 18th, Mr. C. P.
Hobkirk, F.L.S., in the chair.—The chairman exhibited a new British
moss, Bryuwm gemmiparum, discovered in Breconshire ‘by Rev. Augustin
Ley, and hitherto found only in the extreme south of Europe. A large
collection of local grasses was exhibited by Mr. A. Clarke, who had
adopted a new system of naming. It consisted in having the London
Catalogue No., the natural order, the Linnean class, and the name,
neatly written upon a card and laid upon the table along with the
specimen. This system was considered by all present to be a great
improvement upon the old one of simply calling out the names. Mr.
Mosley exhibited a series of Meliphora alveariella, a species very destruc-
tive to the combs of the honey bee. He also showed samples of injured
comb, with cocoons of the moth. Mr. Simeon Kaye read a paper on
“The Medical Properties of Plants.”—S. L. M.
MaANncHESTER Cryptocamic Socrety.—Mr. W. H. Pearson in the
chair.—Mr. W. Stanley exhibited specimens of Cephalozia fluitans from
Staleybrushes, being a new locality for this hepatic, and Discelium nudum
from the neighbourhood of Mottram. Mr. Pearson exhibited and
Reports OF SocigErTigEs. 189
distributed specimens of the rarely fruiting Saccogyna viticulosa, which
he had recently collected at Festiniog, in fruit. He also exhibited
specimens of Aspleniwm septentrionale and Glyphomitrium Daviesii, which
he and Mr. Stabler had collected a few days previously at Llanberis. The
hon. secretary exhibited a few recently gathered lichens from Sweden,
and specimens of three beautiful ferns, belonging to the genus Chetlanthus,
which had been sent from the mountains of the Pacific coast, California,
viz. : Cheilanthus Californica, C. Fendleri, and C. Clevelandii.—THomas
RocErs, Hon. Sec.
OveNDEN Natvuratists’ Socitery.—The monthly meeting, May 26th,
Mr. J. Spencer, president, in the chair.—The following botanical
specimens were named by Mr. C. Sheard, viz. :—Hqiwisetwm sylvaticum,
Myrrhis odorata, Vicia Lathyroides, Doronicum Pardalianches, Pedi-
cularis palustris, Polygonwm Bistorta, &c. Mr. Thomas Cockroft, who
has so often enriched our local geology by the discovery of rare and
interesting specimens, has again been successful in finding a specimen of
a new fossil plant which is of great interest, not only to local geologists,
but also to all those engaged in the study of fossil botany, He exhibited
a fine specimen of this small fossil plant, which he had obtained from the
Stannary quarry, belonging to the Halifax Corporation. It has a slender
tapering stem, which is furnished with four very slender branches
arranged alternately. The chairman observed that in its form and mode
of branching, it offered a striking contrast to the great majority of fossil
plants. He is acquainted with only one fossil plant which could furnish
such a “‘ cast,” namely, Astromyelon. Scores of specimens of this pretty
fossil plant have been found in our Halifax coal-nodules, but this is only
the second instance (and the finest specimen) recorded of the occurrence
of Astromyelon in an ordinary fossil condition. The fact of it having been
found in the mill-stone-grit rock is also interesting, as the only other
rock, with the exception of our local “balls,” from which it has been
recorded is the Ringby flag rock. Recent discoveries in our Halifax
nodules have shown us the interesting fact that the Astromyelon was an
aquatic plant, but like most of the other coal plants, it attained a much
larger size than any of its modern representatives.—J. OGDEN, Sec
YorksHirE Narurawists’ Union.—Fitey, June 11th.--The second
meeting for 1883 was held at Filey, with the view of investigating the
section of the Yorkshire coast-line which includes the bold prominences
of Filey Brigg and Speeton Cliffs, and the intervening concave sweep of
Filey Bay. There was a large muster of members from all parts of York-
shire, and the excursion was a decided success. The weather was bright
and sunny, in accordance with the usual experience of the Union, nothing
occurring to the personal discomfort of the members. Only two parties
were arranged, both starting from Speeton railway station. The
geological party was in charge of the Rev. EH, Maule Cole, M.A., while
the ornithologists had the benefit of the experienced leadership of Mr.
190 Tue NATURALIST.
Jno. Cordeaux, and the genial companionship of the Vicar of Filey (Rev.
A. N. Cooper). The latter party visited the famed cliffs of Speeton,
Buckton, and Bempton, and were rewarded by the view of the breeding-
haunts of the sea-fowl. These were sitting in thousands on the ledges of
the cliffs, the guillemots and razorbills being the commonest. The
operations of the cliff-climbers were also witnessed, and one of the
ornithologists was bold enough to trust himself down the cliff, bringing
up with him an egg of his own gathering. Returning from the cliffs, the
party made their way to Filey along the shore, overtaking the geological
party on their way home. ‘These two parties monopolized most of the
excursionists, but there were nevertheless a few who remained about
Filey to explore the cliffs in the immediate vicinity, and to investigate
the animal and vegetable life which the conveniently-timed low tide
revealed on Filey Brigg. Tea, which was somewhat late, having been
served, and the sections having sifted their findings, the general meeting
was opened (half-an-hour later than intended) at 5-30 p.m., at the
Crescent Hotel. Mr. John Cordeaux, M.B.O.U., of Great Cotes,
president of the Vertebrate Section, was voted to the chair. The minutes
having beén taken as read, the roll was called, when it was found that
fourteen societies were represented, viz :—-Beverley, Bradford Naturalists,
Driffield, Halifax, Hull, Ilkley, Leeds (3), Malton, Scarborough, Shipley,
and York (2). The number of members present was about fifty or sixty.
The following new members were elected :—Mr. J. W. Dunning, M.A.,
F.L.S., president of the Entomological Society of London ; Rev. John
John Gott, D.D., vicar of Leeds ; Mr. Basil T. Woodd, J.P., Conyngham
Hall, Knaresbro’ ; Sir R. Payne Gallwey, Bart., Thirkleby Park ; Mr.
John Hopkinson, F.L.8., Watford, Herts; Mr. Thomas Hick, B.A.,
B.Sc., Harrogate; Mr. William Aldam, J.P., D.L., Frickley Hall,
near Doncsster ; Mr. W. C. Scott, of Leeds; Mr. Donald McLean, of
Lofthouse-in-Cleveland; Mr. R.D. Darbishire, B.A., F.G.S., of Man-
chester ; Rev. J. C. Atkinson, B.A., of Danby-in-Cleveland ; Mr. R.
Morton Middleton, jun., F.L.S., of Castle Eden, co. Durham; Dr.
Haworth, of Filey ; Mr. J. W. Pallister, of Leeds ; Mr. Leonard Gaunt,
of Farsley ; and Mr. W. H. Stott, of Doncaster. It was explained that
these were the first fruits of the issue of the new prospectus, and the
members were invited to assist the executive in adding largely to the
membership of the Union. Thanks were then voted, on the proposition
of Mr. Thomas Hick and the Rev. W. C. Hey, to the gentlemen who had
acted during the day as leaders of parties. The reports of sections were
then called for, beginning with the Conchological Section. The Rev.
W. C. Hey, M.A. of York, presideut of the section, reported. For the
Entomological Section there was no report, the members having deserted
their own science on account of the attractions of the sea-fowl on the
cliffs. Mr. Thomas Hick, B.A., B.Se., president of the Botanical
Section, reported that no special work on Phanerogamic Botany had
been done, but about 32 species were collected or seen by members of
Reports OF Socierizs. 191
the different parties. Among these were a few common coast forms,
such as Glaux maritima, Plantago Coronopus, and _ Plantago
maritima. Geranium sanguineum was brought in by the Speeton
party, and was regarded as a somewhat notable plant for the
locality. Mr. Turner gave his list of Algz as follows :—Halidrys
siliquosa, var. 8 minor, Fucus vesiculosus, ditto var. 8 Balticus,
F. ceramoides, F. serratus, Hymanthalea lorea, Desmarestia aculeata,
Sporochnus pedunculatus, Laminaria digitata, Chorda filum, Zonaria
parvula? Ckordaria flagelliformis, Mesogloia virescens, Leathesia tuberi-
formis, Cladostephus spongiosus, Sphacelaria filicina, S. fusca? S. plu-
_mosa? LEctocarpus littoralis, Polysiphonia urceolata, P. fibrata, P.
fastigiata, P. byssoides, Dasya coccinea, Laurencia pinnatifida, L. obtusa ?
Chylocladia articulata, Corallina officinalis, Melobesia lichenoides, Deles-
seria alata, Plocamium coccinewm, Hypnea purpurascens, Chondrus
crispus, Iridoea edulis, Ptiloba sericea, Ceramium rubrum, C. acantho-
notum, ©. gracillimum, COallithamnion roseum, Cladophora rupestris,
C. arcta, Conferva zrea, Hnteromorpha intestinalis, E. compressa, Ulva
lactuca, U. linza. Appendix:* Laminaria saccharina, Chylocladia
parvula, Jania rubens, Delesseria sanguinea, Nitophyllum laceratum,
Rhodymenia palmata, Callithamnion Daviesii, Bryopsis plumosa, Ulva
latissima. Mr. M. B. Slater, who searched for mosses and _ hepatics,
stated that of the former he had found Hypnum cuspidatum (in fruit),
H. purum, H. molluscum, H. filicinum, H. commutatum, Trichostomum
mutabile, Bruch (in fruit), Tortula Hornschuchiana (in fruit, old) ; and
of the latter he had obtained Jungermannia turbinata, Lophocolea
bidentata, and Pellia epiphylla. Mr. Slater remarked that the district is
not rich, and the season too dry, for these plants. Autumn or early
spring would have yielded a better result in mosses, and as hepatics
require shade, and like to grow in damp woods, it is not to be expected
that the bare sea-cliffs would furnish a home for them. Of Fungi,
reported upon by Mr. H. T. Soppitt, between 30 and 40 specimens were
collected during the day, amongst which were Aicidium calthz, Puccinia
calthee, P. galiorum, P. pulverulenta, Phragmidium obtusum, A‘cidium
valerianacearum, AS. epilobii, Au. urticee, Comatricha Friesiana, Peziza
Curreiana, and Uromyces Pose. Mr. J. W. Davis, F.S.A., Halifax, presi-
dent of the Geological Section, on being called upon to report, turned the
duty over to the secretary of the section, Rev. H. Maule Cole, M.A., of
Wetwang, who thereupon stated that the party under his charge made
for Speeton Gap, where they descended, and walking for some distance
along the undercliff, eventually reached the shore. The tide being low,
they then pushed on for some distance under the Buckton cliffs,
examining the grey chalk with pink-coloured bands in situ. Overhead
thousands of sea-birds were perched on the crevices and ledges of the
perpendicular cliffs. On the shore, large rolled masses of white chalk
* These were found at Filey by me, in July, 1877.—W. B. T.
192 THe NATURALIST.
exhibited on their surface the peculiar suture-like appearance due
to the presence of minute films of fullers’ earth deposited on
the irregular surface of the chalk when forming. Attention was
called by the conductor to the needle-shaped structure which accom-
panied the sutures, and specimens were taken by Mr. G. R. Vine,
for analysis. A magnificent potstone of flint, or paramondra, was
found on the shore, measuring 4ft. in diameter, with a height exposed
of 2ft. Gin. On returning to the true red chalk, or Hunstanton lime-
stone, near Speeton Gap, the following fossils were obtained :—Some
‘fish teeth, spines of Cidaris, Belemnites minimus, Terebratula semi-
globosa, T. biplicata, and Inoceramus Coquandianus. A palatal tooth
of Ptychodus, from the white chalk, was also picked up. The Speeton
Clays were next examined—they have been carefully worked and
classified by Prof. Judd. They area marine formation, equivalent to the
freshwater Wealden beds of the south, and are divided into upper,
middle, and lower, each from 150 to 200 feet thick. At the base of the
upper is a persistent line of cement stones. At the base of the middle, a
line of nodules, containing shrimps. At the base of the lower is a
coprolite bed. The characteristic fossils for the three divisions are :—
Upper, Belemnites semicaniculatus ; middle, B. jaculum, Pecten cinctus,
and Ancyloceras ; lower, Ammonites Speetonensis, A. Noricus, A.
Astierianus, Belemnites lateralis, and Exogyra sinuata. The Coprolites
represent beds of a Portlandian age. The upper clay is the equivalent of
the Atherfield Clay of the Isle of Wight. The middle clay is represented
in Lincolnshire by the Tealby beds, and an irony sandstone in Penis-
thorpe Dale, on the outer edge of the Wolds, near Kirby Underdale, in
Yorkshire. The Speeton Clay is overlaid by Boulder Clays—but under
the lowest Boulder Clay, lying on the Speeton Laver Clay, is a preglacial
shell-bed, of Estuarine formation, containing Cardium edule and
Mytilus edulis; also Scrobicularia piperata and Tellina balthica. The
bed has been described in the Geol. Mag. (April, 1881) by Mr. G.
Lamplugh. The contorted beds of Kimmeridge Clay in the cliffs and on
the shore were next examined. After tea some of the party visited the
Brigg and examined the Middle (Filey Brigg) calcareous grit and the
*‘ball-bed”’ of the lower Calc. grit. In addition to those mentioned
shove the following fossils were found during the day :—In the Upper
Speeton Clay—Crioceras Duvallii, Vermicularia Sowerbu, Arca, Nucula
obtusa, Isocardia angulata, Rostellaria Parkinsoni, and fossil wood ; in
the Middle Speeton Clay—Myeria ornata, Pleurotomaria, Amm. rotula,
A. marginatus, A. nucleus, ; in the Lower Speeton Clay—Astarte
laticosta, Thetis Sowerbii, Thracia Phillipsii, and Rhynchonella ; in the
Kimmeridge Clay—Amm. biplex, &c. At the Sectional meeting Messrs.
Davis, Cole, Mortimer, Lamplugh, Chadwick, Vine, &c., were present.
For the Vertebrate Section the chairman reported. A vote of thanks
to Mr. Cordeaux for presiding, proposed by Mr. W. Barwell Turner,
F.C.S., of Leeds, closed the proceedings.—W. D, R.
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION,
In consequence of the ok Agricultural Society’s Slew
at York, the date of the Strensall Common Meeting will have to
_be alter ed. Full particulars will be given in the circular shortly
to be issued.
Diary.—Meetings of Societies.
3. Kntomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
3. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
,» 8 Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
; 4. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
7. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Ramble to Deanhead.
_,, ll. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
,, 18. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
5, 14. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
», 16. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Exhibits and Records in Toca
Botany, 8 p.m.
», 16. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p.m.
» 20. And followmg days.—WNorth Staffordshire Naturalists’ Fiéld Club.
4 —Hxcarsion to the Isle of Man: Leader, Mr. W. D, Spanton.
» 26. York St Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
,, 30. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Ramble. to Honley Woods,
followed by meeting at 8 p.m.
_ 30. Lancashire and Cheshire Hntomological Society.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.
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THE
RATURALIST:
Journal of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
Union,
AND
GENERAL FIELD CLUB RECORD.
NEW SERIES.
ee
Epirep By C. P. Hoxsgrrk, F.L.S., anp G. T. Porritt, F.L.S.
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INDEX TO VOL. IX.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES.
PAGE
Algee of Strensall Common—W. Barwell Turner, F.C.S. ae a a
Burnt Wood, Staffordshire, Reminiscences of—Joseph Chappell _... 187
Campylopus brevifolius, Sch., C. subulatus, ejasd.—H. Boswell ... = 28
Darwinism and Beauty—Henry Capper ae 2 563 181
Flamborough, the Sea Birds of—John Cordeaux, M. B. 0. T a ss 93
Insects, Where are the P—S. L. Mosley... nas ae Ee iis 85
In the Tropics—E. Dukinfield Jones, C.E. ee 5 125
Lastrea cristata near Thorne: its Discoverer and its pate ee ola
Lees eee ee 164
Lepidoptera in the Bisley District i in 1883. P. Pe Butherfeld . 100
Louis Agassiz—Rey. 8. Fletcher Williams... sc a oa E29; 49
Malham, Principal Plants of—William West Per Reet 25
Micro-Aquatics at Strensall—W. Barwell Turner, F.C.S. ee 1s 24
Mosses, Notes on a few European—Gustav Limpricht ay i 83
Primary Causes of Variety in Plant Structure—George Massee... iy 109
Readers, To Our—C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., and G. T. Porritt, F.L.S. 201
South Africa, Natural History Notes from--S. D. Bairstow, F.L.S. 95, 112, 135
(141, 161, 190
South Milford, List. of Shells of—George Roberts bat 87
Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire, 1881-83—W. Eagle Clarke, F. L. 8. si
W. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S. ...- ate 147, 167
Washburndale: Notes on its Physical Features i Natal History—
W. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., and W. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S. ony 8
Wharfedale Entomological Notes—J. W. Carter sae see 81
Woolhope Club at Hereford: Fungus Foray—H. T. Sorte ee 3 61
Wiliam Wilson’s (‘The late) Tours in Ireland and Scotland—Jas. Cash 41, 68
William Wilson’s (The late) : Notes on his Early Bryological Work—
Jomes Cash ans pe ue Be wi a oe a 202
NOTES, OBSERVATIONS, &c.
Algz near Mirfield .. William West Se ae eee 20°
Badger at Masham—Thomas Carter... ops Aas ed ca 116
Banks’ Oarfish—N. F. Dobrée ie ne Sc) ae aa ses 151
Birds near Halifax—F. G. S. Rawson ... att 02, 194
Birds’ Nests from North Yorkshire, Notes feliiomas ae a out 117
iv.
PAGE
Botanical Queries—P. F. Lee... ashe ee sas 36
Cambridge, Notes from—Albert H. Waters B. ie = SF 136, 213
Chesias obliquaria at Doncaster—George Tindall ¥ Coane acourate hand- eed Poe oe every seAbek an
_ drawn by 8. L. Mosley ; with text revised by a Fellow. of the ‘Zola
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ROBSON, ee Tepe, West He
| JOURNAL OF THE YORKSHIRE es cae :
| GENERAL FIELD CLUB RECORD.
NEW SERIES.° 6:5 |)
| -Eprrep sy Cuas. P. Hoskin, F.LS., AnD G. T. Porritt, ELS.
_ No. XCVIII. SEPTEMBER, 1883. © VOL Ix. ||
ae CONTENTS. eg eas
saad : sae aS oPape.> aes
_ ORIGINAL ARTICLES, ‘&e. ie ; el ee
The Principal Plants of ‘Malham.- — William West Rpm SAG SU Bae a ies
_ Campylopus brevifolius, Sch., C. subulatus,. Kjusd.—dH. Powell 30% Sige OO eee
- Louis eS Ree ‘8. Fletcher Williams (pet Sey oe
= RAINFALL FOR a ee go ae ee
Notes, 0. ee ; : Bee eee
~ Cuckoo's Egg i in Ring Ouzel’s Nest. —k. P. P. Butterfield AS es ee She BD
a -Dunlin at Malham, &e.—£. P. P. Butler fils ee ok Pe I
ih 4 ee Notes.—G. T. Porritt, F.L.S. —... See vas 2 ge OE
S Sdow = do. " Grassington. —E. P. P. Butterfield cep = eee
don. * do ‘Lepidoptera in Abbot's” Wood, Sussex. eee f. oo. oS
do. do. Occurrence of Chesias “obliquaria at Doneaster.—
a SE, G. Tindal be gs wer as Sree Rei eS
‘3 ~Borantoat Queries. —P. F. Lee BS a ISO ert Lae ok RES EP BO |
EP Norices. OF Booxs.— & ‘ The British Moss-Flora, i Dr, Braithwaite, Part VIL” 36
of Revorrs oF Socrertes : _ eae | 3 eee
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37 MIDLAND ‘ROAD, GLOUCESTER
Original Articles.
THE PRINCIPAL PLANTS OF MALHAM.
By Wm. Wast.
As there is to be a ramble of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ at Malham,
on the first of September, I thougkt that a list of the rarer plants
that can be collected there would be opportune. I can vouch for the
occurrence of every plant I mention, haying collected them all my-
self. I have collected few of the lichens there are there, and still
fewer fungi, though the district will yield many interesting plants
belonging to these groups, if they be properly looked for, especially
lichens, a fair collection of which I have among my unexamined
Specimens :—
Ranunculus penicillatus
R. auricomus, with large perfect petals
Trollius europeeus
Thalictrum montanum
Actza spicata
Draba incana
D. muralis
Cochlearia alpina
Thlaspi occitanum
Arabis hirsuta
A. thaliana
Helanthemum vulgare
Viola hirta
V. lutea
V. amoena
Alsine verna
Sagina nodosa
Hypericum montanum
H. hirsutum
H. perforatum
Geranium pratense
G. sylvaticum
G. sanguineum
G. lucidum
Rhamuus catharticus
Anthyllis vulneraria
Hippocrepis comosa
Rubus saxatilis
R. ceesius
Rosa pimpinellifolia
R. mollissima
Geum intermedium
Potentilla alpestris
Pyrus rupicola
Dryas octopetala (nearly at Arncliffe)
Circeea intermedia
Hippuris vulearis
Ribes Smithianum
N.S., Vou. 1x. Supt, 1883,
Sedum Telephium
Saxifraga granulata
.S. hypnoides
S. tridactylites
Parnassia palustris
Cornus sanguinea
Adoxa Moschatellina
Galium sylvestre
Valeriana dioica
Scabiosa columbaria
Carduus nutans
C. crispus
C. heterophyllus
Carlina vulgaris
Gnaphalium dicicum
Leontodon hispidus
Taraxacum erythrospermum
Lactuca muralis
Crepis paludosa
Hieracium caesium
. pallidum
. Gibsoni
. murorum
. gothicum
. vulgatum
. vulgatum var. maculatum
Campanula latifolia
Vaccinium Oxycoccos
Menyanthes trifoliata
Polemonium coeruleum
Veronica Anagallis
Pedicularis palustris
Thymus Serpyllum (white-flowered)
Myosotis sylvatica
M. collina
M. czespitosa
Pinguicula vulgaris
Primula farinosa
A
26 THe NATURALIST.
Plantago media
Polygonum Bistorta
Salix nigricans
S. repens
Potomogeton lucens
P. densus
P. perfoliatus
Orchis incarnata
Gymnadenia albida
G. conopsea
Habenaria viridis -
Epipactis ovalis
Paris quadrifolia
Convallaria majalis
Narthecium ossifragum
Juncus glaucus
Blysmus compressus
Scirpus pauciflorus
Eriophorum latifolium
Carex dioica
C. pulicaris
C. fulva
C. lepidocarpa
C. capillaris
Among plants that have been introduced are the following five :—
Meconopsis cambrica
Hesperis matronalis
Rumex scutatus
Lamium maculatum
Tilia intermedia
Sphagnum acutifolium
S. acut. var. deflexum
Gymnostomum tortile
G. curvirostrum
Weissa viridula var. densifolia
Seligeria pusilla
Ditricum flexicaule
D. flex. var. densum
Trichostomum tophaceum
T. mutabile
T. crispulum
T. crisp. var. elatum
Barbula recurvifoha
rigidula
. revoluta
. tortuosa
. intermedia
ruralis
. subulata
Encalypta vulgaris
E. vulg. var. pilifera
E. streptocarpa
Racomitrium lanuginosum
R. canescens
Zygodon viridissimus
Z. Nowellii
Ulota Bruchii
Orthotrichum saxatile
Q. cnpulatum
bd bd ed td oo td
. teretiuscula
. pilulifera
ampullacea
. vesicaria
. paludosa
. disticha
remota
binervis
hirta
Sesleria coerulea
Avena pubescens
A. alpina
A. flavescens
Keehleria cristata
Poa nemoralis
Festuca loliacea
F. duriuscula
Asplenium viride
Cystopteris fragilis
Aspidium lonchitidioides
Polypodium Robertianum
Ophioglossum vulgatum
Botrychium Lunaria
Selaginella selaginoides
Qeeoqaaeee
O. Lyellii
Splachnum sphaericum
Funaria calearea
Bartramia Cideri
Breutelia arcuata
Zieria julacea
Bryum bimum
B. pallens
B. pseudotriquetum
B. roseum
Cinclidium stygium
Mnium cuspidatum
M. affine var. elatum
M. rostratum
M. serratum
| M. stellare
| M. subglobosum
Fontinalis antipyretica var. gracilis et
gigantea
Fissidens crassipes
| Antitrichia curtipendula,
_ Neckera crispa
N. complanata
Homalia trichomanoides
Anomodon viticulosus, with fruit
Pseudoleskea catenulata
Cylindrothecium concinnum
Orthothecium intricatum
O. rufescens
Brachythecium glareosum
B. rivulare
Eurhynchium myosuroides
| E. striatum
| #K. piliferum
EK. Swartzii
West: PrIncipAL PLANTS oF MALHAM.
E. Teesdalii
-Rhynchostegium tenellum
R. murale
Plagiothecium pulchellum
Hypnum revolvens
. Scorpioides
filicinum (several varieties)
commutatum (in various forms)
falcatum
virescens
rugosum
cupressiforme (several varieties)
chrysophyllum
stellatum
stel. var. protensum
giganteum
Schreberi
stramineum’
. Scorpioides
splendens
bf fy df ot
Marchantia polymorpha
Conocephalus conicus
Asterella hemisphzrica
Frullania Tamarisci
F. dilatata
Lejeunia echinata
Radula complanata
Porella leevigata
P. platyphylla
P. rivularis
Cephalozia Sphagni
Chiloscyphus polyanthus var. rivularis
Lophocolea bidentata
Scapania eequiloba
Plagiochila asplenioides (in variety)
Jungermannia riparia
J. Schreberi
Aneura multifida
Metzgeria furcata (a large form)
Collema flaccidum
Leptogium lacerum
Cladonia pyxidata
C. uncialis
C. rangiferina
Usnea barbata
_ Evernia furfuracea
EK. prunastri
Ramalina farinacea
R. fraxinia
R. farinosa
_ Peltigera canina
P. polydactyla
Solorina saccata
S. limbata
Bradford,
August, 1883.
bo
~}
Parmelia olivacea
P. saxatilis (in variety)
P. physodes do.
P. perlata
Physcia parietina (in variety)
P. stellaris do.
Placodium murorum
Lecanora subfusca
L. calearea
L. parella
L. rupestris
Pertusaria fallax
P. communis
Lecidea cceruleo-nigricans
L. capillaris
Arthonia astroidea
Graphis scripta
Endocarpon miniatum
EH. min. var. complicatum
EK. rufescens
E. fluviatile
Verrucaria calciseda
Pleurotus hypnophilus
Tremella mesenterica
AXicidium albescens
A. Viole
Ai. crassum
Puccinia hieracii
P. adoxee
Protomyces chrysosplenti
Urocystis viole
Triphragmium ulmarize
Stigmatea Robertiani
Peziza stercorea
Dothidea graminis
Oocardium stratum (not recorded
before)
Arthrosiphon alatus do.
Calothrix mirabilis
Seytonema myochrous
Spirogyra nitida
Hormiscia zonata
Zonotrichia calcarea
Chroolepus aureum
Pinnularia viridis
Meridion circulare
Amphora ovalis
Synedra ulna
Cocconema cymbiforme
Nostoe rupestre
Oscillaria irrigua
Hpithemia turgida
Gomphonema acuminatum
CAMPYLOPUS BREVIFOLIUS, Scu.
C. SUBULATUS,-Esvsp.
By H. BosweELt.
in the hope of finding something further about the Bryum gemmiparum
lately alluded to, and perhaps of falling in with it in some other
stream, Mr. Ley and I have lately visited Breconshire, and explored
a good deal of it together, but without success. We found the Bryum
only near the original spot where it was first met with by Mr.
Ley, in May, nor did we obtain anything else of much interest, .
though we explored a good many miles, till our last day, when we
fell in with a moss by the side of the Wye, which is remarkable in
more points than one.
At first glance it rather reminded one of Campylopus fragilis, yet
was different from any form I had seen of that moss, which varies a
good deal. Arrived at home, I soon, with the aid of the microscope,
found it to be identical with the C. brevifolius, of Schimper’s Bryol.
Europ. Suppl.—which also appears to be identical with C. subulatus
of the same author, and either name fits the plant well enough, though
the latter will claim priority of date.
Its much shorter pointed leaves and narrower cells at once dis-
tinguish it from C. fragilis, and bring it nearer to C. Schumpert, but
that has a cluster of diaphanous vesicular cells near the base of the
leaf on each side, absent in brevifolius.
But though agreeing very well in the leaf structure, there was one
great difference apparent. C. brevifolius is described by Schimper,
and by Dr. Braithwaite, in the sixth part, lately issued, of his
‘“ British Moss Flora,” as a dwarfish species, and with this account
specimens from Forfarshire, Italy, and Germany entirely agree.
Grown on dry granitic or basaltic rocks, they present a very starved
appearance, and are barely half-an-inch in height; the Wye plants,
on the contrary, have grown freely, and make much handsomer
specimens when dried—their aspect being so different, that I could
hardly persuade one or two of my friends to accept the determination.
In fact, though the leaves present no tangible character, this aspect
of the moss is so different from that of the forms hitherto known,
that it may be well to mark it as a variety, characterised thus -—
C. brevifolius, Schpr.
C. subulatus, ejusd., Braithw.
var. elougatus.
WILLIAMS: Louis AGAgsIz. 29
Tufts broad, extensive, solid and dense. Stems slender, elongate,
1 to 2 inches, copiously radiculose below, repeatedly innovating, with
fasciculate branches above; branches without radicles. Leaves as
in the minor form.
Hab. Muddy banks of the Wye, near Builth, in company with
Tortula cylindrica, Hypna, &e.
LOUIS AGASSIZ.
By Rev. S. FirercHer WILLIAMS.
(Continued. )
In the winter of 1865, having long been engaged with untiring zeal in
the cultivation of his favourite pursuits, Agassiz was compelled by the
state of his health to rest from work, and seek change of scene and
climate. “ Europe,” he says, ‘‘ was proposed ; but, though there is
much enjoyment for a naturalist in contact with the active scientific
life of the Old World, there is little intellectual rest. Towards Brazil
I was drawn by a life-long desire. After the death of Spix, when a
student of twenty years of age, I had been employed by Mastius to
describe the fishes they had brought with them from their celebrated
Brazilian journey. From that time, the wish to study this fauna in
the regions where it belongs had been an ever-recurring thought with
me; a scheme deferred for want of opportunity, but never quite
forgotten.” But Agassiz was quite unwilling to visit Brazil on a mere
vacation tour. ‘To him, as to all true scientific workers, complete rest
was distasteful. On the other hand, he was conscious that he could
effect little working alone. ‘I could not forget,” he wrote, ‘that
had I only the necessary means, I might make collections on this
journey which would place the Museum in Cambridge (U.S.) on a
level with the first institution of the kind. But for this a working
force would be needed, and I saw no possibility of providing for such
an undertaking.” Whilst he was still considering where to apply for
aid in this emergency, Mr. Nathaniel Thayer, unasked, offered to pay
all the expenses, personal and scientific, of six assistants. Agassiz
accepted this munificent offer. Let it be remarked, in passing, that
subsequently Mr. Thayer did much more than he had promised,
continuing to meet all the expenses which were incurred until the last
Specimen was stored in the Cambridge Museum. The assistants who
sailed with Agassiz were, Mr. James Burkhardt, the artist ; Mr. John G.
Anthony, conchologist ; Mr. Frederick C. Hartt and Mr. Orestes St.
30 THE NATURALIST.
John, geologists ; Mr. John A. Allen, ornithologist; and Mr. George
Sceva, preparator of specimens.
The results of this celebrated expedition are described by Agassiz
and his wife in the charming work entitled A Journey in Brazil.
Agassiz justly remarked that they served to show “that their year,
full as it was of enjoyment for all the party, was also rich in perma-
nent results for science.”* After this voyage Agassiz devoted a large
share of his time to the examination of the immense Brazilian
collections stored in the Museum at Cambridge. Before long, how-
ever, his health began to show signs of failing him again, and the
work of examination proceeded more slowly than he had hoped and ©
anticipated. His scientific activity, however, was not over. He took
a part in the great controversies of the day, gave a series of lectures
in New York on the Geology of the American Continent, and in the
summer of 1871 joined an exploring expedition to the South Atlantic
and Pacific shores of the Continent. A careful exploration was made
of the celebrated Sargasso sea, and a nest-building fish was discovered
in that vast bed of oceanic vegetation ; and other important contribu-
tions were made to natural science. A course of lectures on ‘‘ The
Method of Creation” afforded him the opportunity of stating his
decided objections to Mr. Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection, and
of propounding his own view that species do not insensibly pass into
each other, but that each has its own appointed period, and is not
connected, except in the order of time, with its predecessor. His
career closed unexpectedly in 1874, among a people whose love he
won by his warm-hearted, earnest, and active nature. Abundant were
the proofs of their full appreciation of him, in the liberality of Mr.
Abbott Lawrence and of Mr. Thayer ; and to these were added, in
1873—a year before his decease—the gift by Mr. Anderson, a rich
tobacco merchant of New York, of the island of Penikese, one of the
4 Agassiz was constantly sending to the Cambridge Museum such vast and
apparently endless numbers of specimens from Brazil that one of the trustees, and
Agassiz’s most intimate personal friend, Mr. George Ticknor, wrote, in January,
1866, beseeching him to desist, as ‘‘it would not be possible to erect all the
buildings and provide all the scientific service, attendance, and materials necessary
to protect and maintain in good condition such masses of specimens, and make
them intelligible and useful.” Besides, the collections were already much larger
than Agassiz could submit to such investigations as he intended to make, even
should he live toa fabulous age! Further, says Mr. Ticknor, ‘‘ Shose who know best
assure me that the time you are now giving to the accumulation of specimens—
which may, after all, perish for the want of the means needful to protect them—
might, in their judgment, be better employed for your own fame, and for the
advancement of such scientific investigations as you can make better than any man
alive, and without which these same vast collections might as well remain in
their blind kegs, in the dark cellar where they are hidden away, and so your vast
personal labours and disinterested sacrifices, in bringing them together, be mainly
lost.” —TZicknor’s Life, Vol. II., pp. 386-87.
WituiaMs : Louis AGASSIZ. 251
Elizabeth islands north of New York, with funds to establish there a
Marine Naturalists’ School. The last year of Agassiz’s life was spent
chiefly on this island, training up a group of young naturalists. When
he died he left both hemispheres, wherever science is honoured, in
mourning ; and he left behind him a name with no soil upon it to
stain its honour, and the reputation of one who in every relation of
life had nobly and purely done his part—who, as husband, parent,
citizen, philosopher, was blameless among men.
To give any really intelligible account of Agassiz’s enormous labours
through his lifetime would require the compass of a good-sized
treatise. I must content myself with the remark that he worked
with a definite aim, and that his studies were undertaken with
reference to some general question, and made a test of the value and
soundness of some general principle. ‘The papers and works upon
echinoderms aimed at a classification of these animals, and a better
appreciation of their structural differences from the other types. The
monographs upon shells, living and fossil, were prepared with a view
of testing the range of distribution of species in past ages, and the
limits of their special characters. The researches on fossil fishes are
intended to show the relations of living and fossil species, and their
embryonic development in one of the most extensive classes of the
animal kingdom, the existence of which upon earth may be traced
back to the earliest periods in which animal life was called into being.
The investigations upon the glaciers were called forth by a desire to
connect the history of the physical changes our globe has undergone
with the phenomena exhibited by the developments of the organic
kingdom.” Everywhere in his works we discover a tendency to the
most extensive generalisations ; while in every instance the knowledge
of the facts, a candid study of the most minute relations of his
subjects, was his constant aim in all his investigations. It is true that
some of his generalisations are now of little interest. For instance, in
his time naturalists and theologians were in a heated discussion on
the unity of the human race. The doctrine of the immutability of
species was pushed by some to such an extreme that they declared it
incredible that the different races of men could have descended from
a single pair. Agassiz was an advocate of this view, maintaining that
the human race had had, in its several distinct types, separate stocks
of originality, both as to time and place ; and to his own generation
his own name was a terror to orthodox interpreters of the Bible. Even
in 1872 Dr. Charles Hodge made the assertion that the unity of the
human race is denied by ‘‘a large and increasing class of scientific
i
32 THE NATURALIST.
men.” It would gratify a good deal of curiosity if the learned doctor
had informed his readers from what ranks this “ large class of scientific
men” who disbelieve in the unity of the human race is receiving so
many recruits; for it seems to appear on the face of almost all recent
works scientifically treating the subject of vegetable or animal life,
that the question of the day is not only whether the human races are of
common origin, but whether the whole animal kingdom may not have
descended in unbroken lines from one progenitor.
On this point Agassiz held very decided opinions. His searching
and comprehensive inquisitions into nature led him to the belief of
distinct types of the animal kingdom, and to the belief of specific
creations of those distinct types ; and the theories of Darwin have had
no opponent so able and thoroughly scientific as he. I will quote
from him a passage which sums up his views. In 1863 he wrote as
follows :—‘‘ One important truth already assumes great significance in
the history of the growth of animals; namely, that whatever the
changes may be through which an animal passes, and however different
the aspect of these phases at successive periods may appear, they are
always limited by the character of the type to which the animal
belongs, and never pass that boundary. - Thus, the Radiate begins life
with characters peculiar to Radiates, and ends it without assuming
any feature of a higher type. The Mollusk starts with a character
essentially its own, in no way related to the Radiates, and never shows
the least tendency to deviate from it, either in the direction of the
Articulate or Vertebrate types. This is equally true of the Articulates
spose one [and] emphatically true of the Vertebrates............ These °
results are of the highest importance at this moment, when men of
authority in science are attempting to renew the theory of a general
transmutation of all animals of the higher types out of the lower ones.
If such views are ever to deserve serious consideration, and be acknow-
ledged as involving a scientific principle, it will only be when their
supporters shall have shown that the fundamental plans of structure
characteristic of the primary groups of the animal kingdom are trans-
mutable, or pass into one another, and that their different modes of
development may lead from one to the other. Thus far embryology
has not recorded one fact on which to base such doctrines.” §
The argument is here somewhat mis-stated. Darwin’s principal
point is to prove that each of these types has developed into its various
5 Systematic Theology, Vol. II., pp. 77.
6 Methods of Study in Natural History, by G. L. Agassiz, Boston, 1871, pp,
302, 304,
WituiAMs : Louis AGASSIZz. 33
orders, genera, and species. Back to the point at which the charac-
teristics of the class appear, the analogical argument from embryology
is very strong. Previous to that stage of development Darwin would
go only so far as the momentum of his analogical argument at’ the
beginning of the classes would carry him. If, however, a naturalist
has been brought by plain analogies to believe in only four distinct
lines of genealogical descent, it is difficult to stop there, although
there may be no further accessible facts on which to base a positive
argument, just as in the realms of astronomy we can hardly help
applying our general conclusions to regions of space beyond the reach
of the telescope. Unless there is counter evidence we may sometimes
extend our generalizations a long way beyond the bare facts, and
throw the burden of proof upon those who deny such extension. This
is akin to the argument known in mechanics as the method of proof
by gradual approach. 7
But, whatever we may think of some of Agassiz’s generalisations,
we must all admit that his productions testify to an amazing fund of
knowledge, to an equally amazing fertility of genius, and to an almost
incredible industry.
What I note, in addition to the vast knowledge and intellectual
greatness of the man, is his admirable and noble character. He had a
remarkable sweetness of disposition. There was always around him a
sunny atmosphere, and it is said by his most intimate friends that none
could be with him without feeling the magnetism of his great, warm
heart. His pupils—and they are alike numerous and cultivated—bear
consenting testimony to his cheerful and affectionate spirit, his
cordial interest in their prosperity and success, and his large, strong
sympathies with all that appeals to generous human sensibilities. He
inspired them with all the ardour of his own bright and pure enthu-
siasm, and nothing that was mean or selfish could thrive in the
earnestness of the pursuit of truth in which he engaged them. It is
easy, therefore, to see how they revered and loved him. There could
be no better evidence of his genial, affectionate, sympathetic disposition
than the power that he had over ardent and gifted natures, and the
7 Agassiz’s candour in stating facts was such as sometimes to convert his students
to the doctrvwne he was confuting. So recently as March 4th, 1883, the Kev. George
Batchelor, in a sermon in Unity Church, Chicago, said :—‘‘ I studied under Asa
Gray and Jeffries Wyman at the time when in their respective departments—
botany and comparative anatomy—they were compelled to admit the doctrine of
evolution ; and I listened to or read the lectures in which Agassiz stated the facts
upon which he based his system with so much fairness and candour that he con-
_ verted to the doctrine of evolution, which he opposed, his whole class, including his
son, who succeeded him, and who now carries on his work.”—Chicago Times,
March 5th, 1888.
34 THe NATURALIST.
sweet impressions he left on the lives of so many of the truest and
most interesting people in both America and Europe.
There was in him, too, a simplicity, a child-like naturalness, as
admirable as it was instinctive. With the half-educated—those
ambitious merely of the name of learning—there is often noticed a
conceit of knowledge, an ostentation of attainments, an assumption of
superiority, a kind of dogmatism and arrogance, which are as repulsive
as they are absurd. There was no shadow of this in Agassiz. With
all his mental grandeur and vast acquirements, he was still the humble
pupil of nature, the unpretending citizen, the quiet, urbane, courteous
gentlemen. In his simple, natural way he went about his work
intent upon accomplishing the ends of science, and oblivious
apparently of what the world was thinking of him. In his lectures,
his private instructions and social intercourse, his travels, and his
fatiguing and exacting labours, he carried a serene and artless spirit,
whose sincerity was winning and impressive. He was utterly free
from the affectations of the pedant, and the robust genuineness of the
man had a wholesome and stimulating flavour that made his society
delightful.
(To be concluded. )
ARaintall for July.
Height| Toran Faun
of ee NO. to Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-) of heaviest OL? fa
above:| Tall Mayes cnc 200 ca ae 1 Balle Bonviess
5 all.
fecal: 1883, | 1882,
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalt6n) Sa BDO ZO EG 47 19-48 | nea 21 0°95
(J. W. Robson)
HALIFAX...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 3°11 | 19 | 24°35 31°48 21 0°83
LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 j| 3°25 | 22 | 16°69 | +13°12 20 0:90
HorsFORTH ... (James Fox); 350 | 3°89 | 20 | 19°62 | $1844 21 0°98
BARNSLEY ... (T. Lister) ...J 350 | 3°80 | 20; 18°78 | 17°69 20 1°06
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 4°52 | 22 | 26.58 25°23 21 1-22
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 3°40 | 15 | 20°66 18°53 2 1:06
GooLE .... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25} 2°84] 18 | 14°35 | 18°48 20 0°75
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| 10 3.12|17 | 11°36 | 14°94 2 0°85
Lawton)
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
£ Average of 14 years, 1870-83.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Cuckoo’s Eee in Rine Ovuzen’s Nest.—On the 19th May I found a ring
ouzel’s nest on Harden Moor, which was then approaching completion.
A few days after, two of my boys visited the nest, and found it to contain
three eggs, one of which they brought in addition to a strange egg, which
I at once recognised as that of a cuckoo. This is the first instance that
has come to my knowledge of the cuckoo consigning its charge to the care
of this species ; and this curious fact in its economy is the more surprising
since there were, within a short distance of the nest in question, two tit-
lark’s nests, both of which contained fresh laid eggs.—H. P. P. Burier-
FIELD, Wilsden, June 4th.
Dunn at MatHam, &c.—During a ramble to Malham on Whit-
Tuesday, my brother and I were much interested in observing the dunlin
{ Tringa variabilis) about a marshy place near Malham Tarn. My attention
was attracted to it from hearing some strange notes which I did not
remember having heard before, and going surreptitiously in the direction
indicated by the sound, I got within half-a-dozen yards of what I took to
be the male bird, which was perched upon a wall. We searched some
time for the nest, but without success, as we felt sure the female was
sitting somewhere not far away. Its tameness somewhat surprised us, a
missile being necessary to be thrown in order to make it fly, although
only a few yards of water separated us. The number of birds breeding
about the Tarn and moor was remarkable, and their cries bewildering—
but still, I thought, according well with surroundings so wild, and in
many respects unique.—H. P. P. BurrerFiep, June 4th.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.—On June 2nd, Mr. Geo. Tindall and
I had another search in the Green Farm Wood, Doncaster, for the larvze
of Phycis betulella, and each of us succeeded in finding specimens, mostly
nearly full-grown, on the birch leaves. In the same wood, too, we
collected larvee of Tethea subtusa from poplars, a species which does not
seem to have been hitherto recorded from Doncaster. During May three
beautiful Acronycta alni appeared in my breeding cages, one of them
from the larva I found in Edlington Wood, Doncaster, on August 5th
last.—Gezo. T. Porritt.
—GrassineTon.—On August 5th, I took M. expolita (one specimen),
flying leisurely in the hot sunshine about guelder rose (Viburnum
opulus) in Grass high wood, Grassington, and saw one, if not two more.
It was in much better condition than the one I took at the same place
last year, and perhaps if the date of my visit had been fixed a little
earlier, or I had stayed in the wood longer, I migkt have taken a few
more specimens. I also took one C. wnidentaria near Threshfield. My
brother, who paid us a visit a few days previously, turned up L. olivata
freely about the highway in Grass wood, and I took one at Threshfield,
36 THe NATURALIST.
and beat a few from spruce firs in Grass high wood. Mr. Carter and
myself took Tortrix icterana commonly at the same place last June.—
E. P. P. Burrerristp, Wilsden, August 20th.
— LEPIDOPTERA IN ABBoTT’s WooD, Sussex.—On May 23rd, in company
with Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher, of Worthing, I had a few hours’ collecting
in Abbott’s Wood, Hailsham. We hoped to get a good series of Agrotera
nemoralis, but it seemed to be only just getting out, as only four specimens
were beaten out of the hornbeams. The season indeed seemed to be as
late as here in the north, and many species I took there near the same
date some years ago were not seen at all. Those taken or observed
included Gonepteryx rhamni, common ; Argynnis Huphrosyne, abundant ;
Syrichthus Alveolus, Thanaos Tages; Nola cristulalis, at rest, head duwn-
wards as usual; Venilia maculata and Tephrosia consonaria, both
common ; Lphyra pendularia, Asthena candidata, abundant ; Huwpithecia
plumbeolata, very fine; H. abbreviata; Coremia propugnata ; Platypteryx
lacertula and P. falcula ; Hermimia barbalis, common ; Ennychia octo-
maculalis; Roxana arcuana, &c., &c.—Gro. T. Porritt.
—OccURRENCE OF Chesias obliquaria at DoncoastEeR.—I was engaged
setting some captures on the 14th of June, rather late, with the window
before me partly open, when I became aware of the presence of moths
attracted by the gaslight, by their scorched bodies falling on the table in
front of me. Looking up, I saw several moths at the window and on the
wall, on capturing which I was surprised to find a fine fresh C. obliquaria.
This is, I believe, the first record of its occurrence in Yorkshire.—
G. TINDALL, July 24th, 1883.
BOTANICAL QUERIES.—Referring to the Naturalist of the past
month of August, under ‘‘Short Notes and Queries,” page 20, would
not the old name of Epipactis ensifolia be better expressed by Cephalan-
thera ensifolia? Those, like myself, who take the ‘‘ Student’s Flora” as
the standard work on British plants think so. [Both names were sent to
us, and we, unfortunately, crossed out the later one, and did not
notice it until too late.—Eps. Nat. |—In the same part, under ‘‘ Reports
of Societies,” Pewcedanwm officinale, a very rare plant of salt marshes,
and known previously to occur at only two or three south-coast stations,
is recorded for Thorne Waste. If a Peucedanum at all, is it not more
likely to be Peucedanum palustre 1—At the Bank Holiday Meeting, Aug.
6th, of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, in the Washburn Valley, three
good plants were observed, viz.—Viola tricolor, sub-sp. lutea, var.
amena; Carex paniculata; and Aspleniwm Ceterach. Some of us won-
dered why these do not appear among ‘‘ The Rarer Plants of the
Washburn Valley District,” given in ‘‘ West Yorkshire.”—P. F. Lug,
Sec. Bot. Sect., Y.N.U.
NOTICES OF BOOKS, &c.—“ The British Moss-Flora, by Dr.
Braithwaite, Part VII.”—We have now received another part of this -
grand work, containing part iil. of the Dicranacee, and must at once take
REporRtTS OF SOCIETIES. ayy
the opportunity of again congratulating its talented and industrious
author on the care and labour he has already taken in producing this
lasting monument of his industry and zeal in moss-lore. The plates, six
in number, are even supericr to those previously issued, and leave
nothing to be desired either in detail or execution. Amongst other
alterations in nomenclature on Wilson’s Bry. Brit., we notice that
Dicranum virens, D. polycarpum, Oynodontium Bruntoni, and Rhabdo-
weissia fugax are referred to Onchophorus, which also includes O. Wahlen-
bergit and var. compactus, O. strumifer, O. gracilescens (Cynodontium,
Sch. Syn.), and O. crispatus (Weissia denticulata, Sch. Syn.) ; whilst
Trichostomum glaucescens becomes Selania cesia (Vill. ) Lindberg.
Reportis of Societies.
Barnstey Naturatists’ Soctery.—Meeting 14th Aug., the president,
Mr. T. Lister, in the chair.—The new list of British birds drawn up by
the Ornithologists’ Union was laid on the table—the standard of nomen-
clature so much needed to be uniformly used. Letters from Mr. R.
Creighton confirmed his report of May 6 that the black redstart, waxwing,
and greenshank all occurred near Hemsworth. There are but one or two
instances of the black redstart in Yorkshire, and only one of its occurring
in May, which was in Cornwall ; it is chiefly a winter visitor in the south-
west of England. Three instances of the waxwing have occurred in the
Barnsley district within two years. The greenshank is equally rare. He
also records the black-headed gull, and sandpipers at Hemsworth dam ;
the latter breed there, also in the Dearne valley, and at Ingbirchworth
and Dunford reservoirs. In excursions to Langsett and Mickleden
moors to the Derbyshire border, increased numbers of ring-ouzels, twites,
or mountain linnets (young and old), were seen, also kestrel, plovers golden
and green, in abundance. Curlews are reported breeding on these moors.
Swifts, young and old, numerous near Monk Bretton Abbey—very rare
in Barnsley of late years. Mr. E. Hailstone reported on July 20th, a
tern over Walton Lake. MHawfinches and gold-crested wrens have bred
at Round Green ; goldfinches at Middlewood Hall, Darfield.—T. L.
Braprorp Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting July 24th, Mr. J. W.
Carter, the president, in the chair.—Mr. Illingworth described a ramble
about Witherslack, and amongst the insects he exhibited were H. awro-
varia, H. russula, L. Alexis, &c. He also exhibited a live young cuckoo
and the tit-lark’s nestin which it was taken, on Baildon Moor. Mr. Soppitt
exhibited a number of parasitic fungi, among which was one growing on
Lactuca muralis, viz, Puccinea rubigo-vera from Hawksworth, the bird’s
nest fungus, and a smut on Bromus mollis. Among the insects exhibited
by the president were, one new to the district (P. dentatus), from
Shipley Glen, and 7’. tapetzella, a small moth, the larva of which feeds on
38 Tae NATURALIST.
cloth. Mr. Andrews reported a fungus, Boletus luridus, found at Gras-
sington, which has not been recorded before in this district. Mr. West
gave a list of sedges found about Hawksworth. Mr. Waddington sent
a specimen of Rhagiwm inquisator, from Horton, a species new to the
district.
Meetine, August 7th.—Mr. Soppitt gave a report of a ramble with the
Y.N.U. to Washburn valley, where were found Nephrodium Oreopteris,
Equisetum hyemale, and E. limosum (EH. hyemale not recorded before),
also, Uvredo bifrons and Synchitrium taraxaci also new, and Carex
paniculata, found there for the first time. Mr. Firth reported having
observed the cole titmouse at Shipley Glen. Mr. West gave an account
of a walk over Thornton moor, with a description of the various species
of scale mosses found there.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE EytomoxocicaL Socrety.—Meeting, July
30th, the Rev. S. F. Williams occupying the chair in the absence of the
president.—Mr. A. O. Walker (Chester) read a paper entitled “‘ A
consideration of some of the causes affecting the distribution of the
Lepidoptera of Great Britain,” in which he showed, by a comparison of
the lepidopterous fauna of several districts, that the number of species of
butterflies and moths whose larve feed upon trees became much more
numerous than those whose larve feed upon herbaceous plants, as we
proceed easterly or south-easterly. Meteorological observations show
that the easterly and south-easterly portions of our island are warmer,
therefore drier, than the north or north-west, and from this fact, and the
known injurious effects of wet food upon caterpillars, he deduced the
principal cause affecting the distribution of at least tree-feeding lepidop-
tera as being the presence of more or less moisture in the atmosphere.
The paper led to an interesting discussion.
YorkKsHIRE Naturazists’ Union.—WasHBORNDALE, Aug. 6th.—The
Bank Holiday Monday this year was planned for the exploration of the
secluded and picturesque valley of the Washburn, the meetings being
held at Otley. There was a heavy shower of rain in the forenoon, but
the weather cleared up at noon, and was afterwards brilliantly fine and
sunny. Three parties had been arranged for. Of these, Mr. Clarke led
a party from Poole Station past the pretty village of Leathley,
through Lindley Wood and round the reservoir to Otley. Other mem-
bers drove from Otley to Blubberhouses, and under the guidance of
Messrs. Grassham and Roebuck, who were kindly and ably assisted by
' Mr. Thomas Harrison, Lord Walsingham’s agent, explored the valley
upwards to West End. Returning to Blubberhouses the party returned
to Otley by conveyance. Other members explored Washburn individually,
and others again did not explore it at all, but visited Otley Chevin and
other parts of the main dale of Wharfe. The tea and meetings were all
at the White Horse Hotel, Otley. At the general meeting, Mr. J. W.
Davis, F.S.A., of Halifax, president of the Geological Section, presided.
Reports or SocikErvigEs. 39
The minutes were taken as read. On the roll-call it was found that the
60 or 70 members present during the day represented 14 societies, viz :—
Barnsley, Wakefield, Hlland-cum-Greetland, Bradford Naturalists,
Leeds (3), Goole, Selby, Huddersfield Lit. and Scient., Dewsbury,
Halifax, Ikley, and Shipley. The following new members, having been
duly proposed and seconded, were elected :—Mr. J. F. T. Spiking of
Birstall, Mr. J. S. Hurst of Copt Hewick Hall, near Ripon, Rev. Henry
Smith of Redcar, Mr. G. H. L. Rickards of Poole, near Otley, Mr. R,
Paver-Crow, J.P., of Ornhams Hall, near Boroughbridge, Dr. S. H-
Kerr, M.A., of Otley, and Mr. James Backhouse, jun., of York. Thanks
were then unanimously voted, on the proposition of Messrs. John
Grassham, Leeds, and Vincent Taylor, Ilkley, to Lord Walsingham, Mr.
' Ayscough Fawkes, J.P., of Farnley, and the Leeds Corporation, for
permission to visit their estates and the margins of the reservoirs, and to
Mr. Harrison, Lord Walsingham’s agent, for guiding one of the parties.
There was a little discussion as to the Union being represented at the
Southport meeting of the British Association, and it was agreed that in
case of the inability of the president to attend, his place should be taken
by Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., of Huddersfield, a member of the Y.N.U.
executive. The sectional reports were then given. For the Botanical
Section Mr. P. F. Lee, Dewsbury, secretary of the section, stated that
the picturesque little valley had during the day yielded 252 different
species of the flowering plants, ferns, charas, &c., contained in the
London Catalogue of British Plants. Of these, 13 were ferns—without
doubt a goodly list, considering the limited area worked—among them
being Asplenium Ceterach, Nephrodium spinulosum, N. Oreopteris
(abundant on the margin of Dob Wood), and Polypodium Phegopteris.
In the list of phanerogams collected were the undermentioned, as repre-
senting the best finds :—Ranunculus Lenormandi, Viola tricolor, sub-sp.
lutea, var. amoena (on the summit of the left bank of Washburn Dale),
Malva Moschata, Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Lactuca muralis, Campanula
latifolia, Linaria minor, Veronica montana, Galeopsis Tetrahit, sub-sp.
speciosa (G. versicolor, Curt.), Humulus lupulus, Typha latifolia, the
broad-leaved Helleborine, Epipactis latifolia. On the margin of a mill-
race in the lower part of the valley were fine tussocks of the great
panicled sedge, Carex paniculata, with nearly 4ft. stems; the graceful
Aira caryophyllea, and Chara flexilis. Mr. H. T. Soppitt reported having
seen and collected 33 species of fungi, amongst which were Helotium
zruginosum, Calocera viscosa, Coleosporium campanule, Puccinea
poarum, Uredo vacciniorum, Boletus luteus, B. flavus, Lactarius rufus,
Marasmius rotula. For the Geological Section its president, Mr. Davis,
reported that it had been intended to drive from Harrogate to Blubber-
houses, and thence walk down the valley to Otley, but the weather
during the early part of the day being unfavourable, a short excursion
was made to the millstone grit quarry at Little Wonder, Harrogate,
where the president gave a brief outline of the geology of the district,
40 THE NatTURALIST.
mentioning the anticlinal of Yoredale rocks, forced to the surface south~
west of the town, the numerous faults in connection with which gave rise
to the several springs for which Harrogate is so famous, and the general
arrangement of the kinder scout grits, whose outcrop may be seen, for
example, at Birk Crag. The party then proceeded by rail to Otley ; the
weather had cleared up, and the valley of the Wharfe was seen to great
advantage—the outcrop of the sandstone at Great Almer Cliff, and the
undulating but hilly country to the north of the river, and the precipitous
cliffs constituting Otley Chevin on the south, presenting a very pleasing
picture. The ascent of Otley Chevin was made, the exertion being well
repaid by the magnificent view obtained from the summit. The whole of
the hills opposite are composed of kinder grit, which dipped southwards
under the Chevin ; the third grit series being exposed on the slope of the
hill, surmounted by the upper thick-bedded grit of that-series, being the
same bed of rock of which the Cow and Calf are composed. The south
slope of the Chevin dips under the rough rock and coal measures beyond
Yeadon. For vertebrate zoology Mr. W. Hagle Clarke, F.L.S., as
secretary of the section, reported that most of the resident and summer
visitants amongst the birds of the district had been observed, but no
additional species had been added to the list furnished in last month’s
Naturalist. A kingfisher had been observed at Lindley—a fact which is
worthy of mention, as the bird is extremely rare in the Washburn. In
the other classes of vertebrates, no species had been added to the lists
given in the August number of the Naturalist. In the absence of the
officers of the Conchological Section, Mr. W. Denison Roebuck stated
that two additions—Limax levis and Pisidium pusillum, both from
Blubberhouses—had been made to the Washburn shell-list, but that the
species (and individuals) observed during the day were very few in
number, including only Limax agrestris and L. arborum, Arion ater,
A. hortensis, Helix rufescens, Limnza peregra, Ancylus fluviatilis, a
Zonites, and Cochlicopa lubrica, all from Blubberhouses except the
H. rufescens, which was from the lower part of the valley. For the
Entomological Section, its president, Mr. Geo. T. Porritt, F.L.S., of
Huddersfield, who had been obliged to leave before the general meeting,
left a report to the effect that the weather had considerably spoilt
collecting, but that in any case the locality would probably have proved
very unproductive. One party had worked Washburndale, but only very
common species had been noticed, and those who went over Otley Chevin
had found the ground equally unproductive. Some species, usually
common on such ground, were quite absent. The only noteworthy
species was Penthina sauciana, which he had found rather common on
the bilberry hills at Otley Chevin. He also noticed the following,
hitherto unrecorded for the district :—Metrocampa margaritata, Larentia.
pectinitaria, Cidaria immanata, Sciaphila virgaureana, and Ablabia.
pratana, common.—A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the
meeting. —W. D. R., W. EH. C.
ad ; ae
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CONTENTS.
; Bere ares Page
ORIGINAL ARTICLES, &c. : — f
Wm. Wilson’s Tours in Ireland and Scotland.—Jas. Cash ... —... sal SAD
na duouis Agassiz. —Coneluded. —fhev. 8. Fletcher Williams Se oye ee 49
_ Norms, ‘&c. : :
| Birds near Bea: —F. G. 8. Rawson... sear Cant
Distribution. of Tectur a testudinalis in Yorkshite, 2a enr a Cr owther: ae fin 53
Larentia je ufieinctata in Yorkshire.—T. B. Woodd yea 6o5 me ag ela
eee Gs TR ad : 53
: Scout Ke] conspicualis 3 and Dicror ep herbosana at Grassing’on—E. P. pe
¢ es ae Boe : ee as 5 ee 53
Snes : oe P. P. 54
Nephrodium evistatum ear Cherestion: es M. Olitsty - a 54
A List of Floweri ing Plants and Ferns in Lineolnshire—Rev. W. Powter, M.A. 54
SRREVIEW it °°
The Natural il History of Bisaics and St. Hecnards, art the Vicinity” ore 55
OBITUARY :
_ Rev. Henry Harpur Chews. pes et. See ap ‘aioe Nae Pi 56
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|. Bradford Naturalists’ Society ae te ee, sey ae Bk Roe, oT
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| ‘Hull Naturalists’ Society - <. ie Seen Geely ee 57
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Souiety.. ‘x ope a 43 58
| Malton Field Naturalists’ Excursion v5 aN ee a se ce 59
"|. - Manchester Cryptogamic Society... | Fg Pa rh hee se OO
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Original Articles.
“WM. WILSON’S TOURS IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND.
1827-1830.
By Jas. Casu.
(Read before the Manchester Cryptogamie Society, Aprii 16th, 1883.)
THE HIGHLANDS: 1827.
My communication this evening must necessarily be discursive. If I
trespass, as I may have to do, upon ground not strictly cryptogamic,
I shall ask you to forgive me for the sake of the individual who is the
subject of the sketch. This attempt to follow Mr. Wilson in his early
wanderings, in Scotland and Ireland, must be regarded rather as a
reminiscence than an historical record. The materials at my command
are unfortunately meagre. The memoranda left by Mr. Wilson of his
Scotch and Irish trips—1827-1830—are not sufficiently copious to
enable anyone to construct a complete and connected account of all
that he did ; nevertheless, the Journal he made at the time, and the
correspondence which I have been permitted to inspect, form together
a record sufficiently entertaining, in my judgment, to be worth
preservation.
Mr. Wilson’s first trip to Scotland was in the year 1827, and it was
made at the instigation of Dr. (afterwards Sir William) Hooker—then
Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow—who saw in his
well-directed enthusiasm the foundation of a great botanical reputa-
tion. But for the encouragement he received from Dr. Hooker, Mr.
Wilson certainly would never have continued his studies with the
ardour and success that he did.
Getting to Glasgow was not so easy in those days as it is now, when
we can leave Manchester at midnight, breakfast in Glasgow, and be
botanising at Killin before noon. Before railways shortened the
distance between us and the Highlands there were Lancashire
botanists courageous enough to do the journey on foot. Mr. Wilson,
however, was under no such necessity. On Saturday, the 16th June,
1827, he took a passage on board the steam-packet ‘‘ William
Huskisson’’ (which sailed from Liverpool about four in the after-
noon), and landed at Greenock at half-past nine on the following
(Sunday) evening. On the Monday he continued his journey, by
boat, and reached Glasgow the same afternoon. After spending a day
with Professor Hooker, he joined an excursion party, which the
Professor had arranged, to Breadalbane, travelling by way of Dum-
NS. 2V0L. 1x. Ccr. 1883.
Toe NATURALIST.
Ham
bow
SCOTLAND AND IRELAND : 1829-30.
An invitation to Mr. Wilson from Prof. Hooker resulted in his
paying a second visit to Glasgow and the Highlands in the summer of
1823, prior to his making an extended trip through the south of
ireland. There was no want of cordiality in the invitation. Mr.
Wilson’s health had been for a long time delicate, and Professor
Hooker desired that he should undertake the journey, hoping that he
would profit by it physically. ‘I still hope,’ he wrote (Jan. 20th,
1829) “that in the summer your health and your inclination will
allow you to come northwards.. I wish you to know more of Mr.
Arnott, and something of Dr. Wallich, and I desire to have you with
us again in the Highlands.” Mr. Wilsou was preparing critical notes
for the first volume of Dr. Hooker’s forthcoming British’ Flora. ‘Take
ample time,” Dr. Hooker -wrote (Feb. 2, 1829) ‘in selecting notes
and specimens of plants for me; and I know well, from some little
experience, how valuable they will be to me and the public. * * Keep
your mind and your time occupied in the way you do now, and be
assured that the result will be advantageous both to your health and to
science.’ Acknowledging a parcel of plants, accompanied with notes,
Professor Hooker wrote: ‘“‘ The plants and the notes upon them are
exactly what I could wish them to be, and such as I could receive
from no one else. But I fear you have devoted your attention too
zealously to this subject. In regard beth to the work on mosses, and
the British Flora, it will be yet twelve months before they are pub-
lished, and it is both to my interest and to that of the public to go to
press as late as possible. There is, therefore, abundance of time for
any observations that occur to you, and I had much rather that you
would relax from your ardent devotion to the descriptive department
of botany, and spend your time in the country, or where you will be
more freed from mental occupation. By this means you will, I trust,
sufficiently recover your health to enable you to undertake a vogage
from Liverpool to Glasgow, and then go into the Highlands with me
and some brother botanists. There, too, we may gather plants, but,
then, you must do as I do—you must consider this excursion as
undertaken for the purpose of pleasure, and not of hard study. We
will then, too, talk about plants, without letting them occupy too
much of our attention. * * * Now, my dear friend, let me assure
you that you will render me the greatest service by withdrawing for a
time from all mental occupation, and thus fitting yourself for a visit to
the North, which you know, two years ago, was beneficial to your
health. J am expecting Mr. Henslow, of Cambridge, will join our
CasnH: Wiutson’s Tours IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. 45
party ; so will Mr. Arnott and some others, whom you will like to
see, but who, like myself, reckon upon the excursion as a relief from
our studies at home, and as a relaxation that will the better fit us for
them afterwards. I calculate on setting off on the 25rd of June.
Come as much sooner as may be convenient to you, and you will find
a bed and a hearty welcome prepared for you. * * All here desire
to be most kindly remembered to you.”
Mr. Wilson left home on the 19th of June, and did not return to
Warrington until the 31st of March following—the intervening period
being spent in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales in the health-inspiring
pursuit to which he had devoted himself. From his journal of the
voyage north we learn that on the 19th of June he sailed from Liver-
pool to Glasgow (paying cabin fare, 25s.), and reached his destination
on the evening of the following day. On the 23rd of June he set out
with Dr. Hooker and party for Killin, travelling va Dumbarton and
Loch Lomond. Next day they botanised upon Craig Cailleach, and
on the 25th upon Ben Lawers. Mr. Wilson did not leave Killin until
July 4th ; on that day he travelled wa Stirling to Glasgow, and spent
a week in the society of Prof. Hooker and other naturalists, one of
whom was Dr. Walker-Arnott, who during Mr. Wilson’s stay returned
from a botanical tour in Skye, bringing with him specimens of
Lriocaulon.
On the 15th of July Mr. Wilson quitted Glasgow for Dublin,
reaching the Irish capital on the following evening. ‘I went,” he
says, ‘to a filthy tavern, which I soon quitted.” Six days later he
sailed for Cork. Very soon after his arrival there we find him at work,
and his first search—happily successful—was for Hookeria late-virens.
The entry in his journal under date Thursday, 23rd July, is as
follows :—‘*‘ Went to Dunscombe’s Wood for Hookeria lete-virens,
which I at length found in a shady wet part of the rivulet, immediately
above the watering place, overgrown with brambles.”
Here I pause for a moment to say something about this beautiful
moss; and I am glad to have the opportunity which this entry affords
me—even if there were no other evidence on the point—of correcting
an error into which the editor of Professor Harvey’s Memoir has, no
doubt, unwittingly fallen. The editor says [Mem. p. 20,]| that in the
summer of 1831, Harvey, visiting Killarney, with his friend Mr.
Fennell, found Hookeria lete-virens, ‘a moss heretofore unnoticed as
an Irish plant,” that by means of this discovery he introduced himself
to Sir William, then Dr. Hooker, curator of the Botanic Gardens at
Glasgow ; and that thus began an acquaintance which quickly ripened
into a warm and lasting friendship.
46 THe Naturatist.
The species was first observed by Dr. James Drummond in this very
place to which Mr. Wilson had received directions, namely Dunscombe’s
Wood, inthe year 1816. The first description of the moss, accompanied
by a figure, appeared in Hooker and Taylor’s Muscologia Britannica.
Writing of it in 1830, Prof. Hooker says: ‘ only one station is known
for this moss, namely in the south of Ireland, in a wood in the vicinity
of Cork, where it grew near a spring, whose temperature is consider-
ably higher than that of the surrounding atmosphere.” The figure in
English botany was from specimens gathered by Mr. Wilson at the
time of which we write, i.e. 1829. Harvey was, however, the first to
detect the moss at Killarney—rather, we may imagine, to Wilson’s
chagrin, for, had he not, but two years before, gone over the very spot
where it grew ?
Harvey, who was a young and enthusiastic botanist, made Hookeria
leete-virens a medium of introduction to Prof. Hooker, as appears by
the following letter, which I quote from his memoir. He was a
Quaker, and that will account for the quaintness of the phraseology :—
‘‘ Respected Friend: Having discovered two new habitats for the
beautiful Hookeria lete-virens which I am anxious to have inserted in
the forthcoming volume of the British Flora, | take the liberty of en-
closing specimens, trusting to thy goodness to excuse this want of a
personal introduction. As the plant occurs in plenty in one of the
situations attached, I think it highly probable it may be found in many
other places, and very extraordinary it should be overlooked by J. T.
Mackay, as it is found within three or four yards of his habitat for
Trichomanes. I have had no opportunity of comparing Cork specimens,
but my plants do not appear of a deeper or brighter green than #.
lucens. The fruit, unfortunately, was old, many of the capsules had
fallen, and many of the opercula; but it appeared from the number of
broken foot-stalks to have been in plenty. Should thou think this
letter worth replying to, thou wilt address me as under, and permit me
(again apologising for taking the liberty to address thee) to subscribe
myself very respectfully thine—W. Henry Harvey, Summerville,
Limerick, 7 mo. 13, 1831.”
_ Thus it is clear Harvey did not himself claim priority in the dis-
covery of Hookeria lete-virens. It is not a little singular that some
. years later he found the moss growing in the greatest luxuriance in the
vicinity of Cape Town, South Africa. It is apparently a sub-tropical
species, and Schimper goes so far as to say that it is alien to the
European flora.
On the 28th of July Mr. Wilson prepared for a journey to Killarney.
2
Casu: Wutson’s Tours 1n ScoTLAND AND IRELAND. AT
Riding to Macroom, he walked thence 13 miles to Millstreet, carrying
a heavy burden. Next day he had a still more fatiguing walk to
~ Killarney—21 miles. He was able on the 3Uth to begin botanising,
and he records in his journal of that date, observing, on the Kenmare
road, Arbutus unedo. He gathered Rhyncospora fusca, Pinguicula
lusitanica, end Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense. Reaching Turk Cascade,
he found barren specimens of the rare Zrichomanes radicans ; and on
the 3lst he gathered this fern in a fertile condition. His time appears
to have been occupied for some days in gathering and drying flowering
plants, the monotony of the occupation being relieved by a visit from
Dr. Dickson, ‘‘a zealous botanical student,” who came with a letter of
introduction to him from Prof. Hooker.
About this time, Mr. Wilson wrote an account of his doings to
Prof. Hooker, who replied as follows:—‘‘ On my return last evening
from a visit to my friend Mr. Lyell, at Kinnordy * * I had the
great pleasure to find your letter from Killarney. To use a Scotch
expression, I was wearying to hear from you; but I am concerned at
your not having been more successful. I fear that the whole of Great
Britain is too uniform in its vegetable productions for any one portion
to yield you, advanced as you are in the botany of this country, any
very abundant harvest. You are perhaps too late for phenogamous
plants, and the rains have certainly been against you; but I am still
of opinion that the south of Ireland will afford a more abundant
harvest than any other part of the British Islands for cryptogamia.
- Indeed you seem to have already gathered many of these—such perhaps
as are already known. But that cannot be a bad country which has
given you a new Hypnum and a new Hymenophyllum. I quite long to
see these two novelties. If you like to draw up a few notes respecting
them, I will send them in your name to Hnglish Botany, where
they will be a thousand times more interesting than the bad species of
willows and roses there represented. Hookeria locte-virens (not yet
figured in Hnglish Botany,) Trichomanes brevisetum (T. radicans)
Eriocaulon, the Pinguicule, not a few Jungermannie rariores, &c., &e.,
must not stand for nothing.”
On the 6th of August Mr. Wilson transferred his quarters to the
house of a Mr. Casey, at Kenmare. Next day he walked to Drum-
ouchty lake, south of the town, and had some excellent botanising.
He found, amongst other things, Pinguicula grandifiora, and was en-
gaged until three in the afternoon gathering Hriocaulon. Returning
homeward he observed Siwm verticillatum and a variety of Mentha
hirsuta.
48 THE NATURALIST.
August 8th was wholly occupied by Mr. Wilson with drying and
examining the plants he had gathered. A few days later he gathered
more of the rare Pinguicula, and he also records the finding of speci-
mens with fruit of Tortula tortuosa. One or two quaint entries which
appear in his journal about this time are amusing. For instance,
under date of Sept. 6th, he wrote: ‘Up late, feverish. Very fine,
sunny day. Caught and executed a few fleas.”
The first mention I find of Daltonia splachnoides is on the 9th of
September, Mr. Wilson having come upon that rare moss during a visit
to Cromagloun. Onthe 10th, he writes: ‘ Walked to Turk mountain
and ascended a woody glen. Found Daltonia splachnoides with ripe
capsules.” He climbed that day to the summit of Turk, and returned
to his lodgings at night much fatigued. Amongst his gatherings
during the journey was Pimpinella magna, which was found growing in
Muckross woods.
Another visit was made to those woods on the 12th of September.
Mr. Wilson then found Jungermannia Mackay in fruit, Zygodon
conoideus, Z. viridissimus, Hypnum tenellum, &c. Four days later he
gathered more of Daltonia splachnoides, and found Jungermannia calyp-
trifolia. At Cromagloun, on the 19th, he came upon a large patch of
Dalionta—most of it ripe; also a “large quantity” of Trichomanes
radicans.
Mr. Wilson seems to have lost no time in communicating to Prof.
Hooker his finding of Daltonia splachnoides and other good things.
He received a letter from the Professor, dated October 18th, 1829, in
which the writer said: ‘‘1 had great pleasure in receiving your letter
yesterday, and I can no longer delay replying to it and congratulating
you, as I do most cordially, on your success in discovering a new and
so good a habitat for Daltonia splachnoides. If there was one moss
more than any other that I wished should be found by you it was this
very moss, for I think I may call it inter muscos rarissimus. 1 wrote
directly to inform Arnott of it, for, long as he has studied mosses, he
has never been able to obtain the smallest morsel of this, and actually
offered to an Edinburgh botanical student, who possessed a little
specimen given him by Dr. Taylor, a guinea for it. The young man,
though really no botanist, would not part with it. I told Mackay in
my letter to him that if anyone could rediscover Daltonia splachnoides
in Ireland it would be you. * * * You are assuredly adopting
the only plan for becoming well acquainted with the cryptogamic plants
‘of any particular district ; and I wish the same were more practised
by those who seek pheenogamous plants—they examine countries too
hastily.”
a a I I TT TT a
CasH: WILson’s TouRS IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. 49
In a former letter Prof. Hooker had asked Mr. Wilson to pay
attention to the rubi and willows of the south of Ireland, and this Mr.
Wilson seems to have done, for the Professor now writes : “ Mr. Borrer
will be happy to see you ; he has most kindly undertaken to describe
the roses, rubi, and willows for my British Flora. Among your roses
he finds a new one, which has gratified him much.”
During the remainder of Mr. Wilson’s stay in Ireland (from the
‘ beginning of October to the end of January) I do not find any record
in his Journal of new discoveries. It is, however, certain that within
this period he found in the district where he was then botanizing, the
moss which, first named by: Wilson Glyphocarpa cernua in Hooker’s
Journal of Botany, was afterwards re-named by Bruch and Schimper
after the discoverer, Bartramidula Wilsoni. He made a gathering of
Daltonia splachnoides at Turk mountain on the 4th October—the fruit
being then fully ripe—and also a gathering of two much commoner
mosses, Hypnum brevirostre and H. loreum. On the 15th of that
month he records the finding of Daltonia splachnoides in abundance,
and he took the opportunity of laying in “a good supply.” At that
time he observed Arbutus unedo in ficwer. On the 7th November,
Flypnum blandum ( H. illecebrum) was gathered near Dunkerron, and
in the neighbourhood of Kenmare.
(To be continued. )
LOUIS #“AGASS1Z..
By Rev. S. FiercHer WILiiAMs.
(Concluded. )
A LITTLE incident of Agassiz’s life is told, which I merely mention
because it gives a key to his character. Once, in the small cabinet of
a college, which he was examining with a good deal of interest, and where
he was just as modest as if all the scientific treasures of the earth were
before his eyes, a singularly-formed turtle-shell from the Mississipi was
shown him, with the request that he would name the species to which
it belonged. Taking it into his hand, he said, with all the candour
of an unspoiled child, “I don’t know this.” The confession was
surprising, as the study of turtles was known to be a favourite branch
of investigation with him, and here he was profoundly learned. Ina
few minutes, however, he quietly remarked—‘‘Oh! I see—it is a
malformation,” which it really was, though it required vast knowledge
of this sort of creatures to detect the fact. We can all imagine how
_ the common-place professor, desirous of keeping up a name for know-
ledge, would have managed to conceal his ignorance.
50 THE NATURALIST.
One mark of Agassiz’s greatness was in his freedom from all vain
ostentation, all pretence of learning, to secure attention to himself.
The cause of truth was infinitely dear to him; and he saw such
boundless wealth in the storehouses of the universe that his mind
always kept the attitude of a humble learner and a patient inquirer of
nature’s manifold and majestic meanings. It was the candour,
modesty, simplicity, and perennial freshness of spirit in connection
with his massive intellect, which enabled him to pursue with such .
eagerness and success the studies that have rendered his name
immortal. The frame of mind in whieh he lived was suited to the
happiest prosecution of his chosen labours, to the search for and the
recognition of the wondrous truths of nature. It was enough for him
to find what the record of creation said, and in the presence of the
august revelation he was lowly and docile as a child. —
And this leads me to mention one more feature of his character,
which, blended with the others, expressed his nobleness,—and that is,
his reverent spirit. He realised deeply the grandeur and the uses of
life. All that related to man’s interests and place upon the earth was
sacred to him. In his investigations of this mysterious frame of
things he felt that he was searching out the thoughts of God. There
was constantly before him what (to him) was evidence, drawn from
purely scientific sources, of the Almighty’s creative wisdom ; and I
could quote to you paragragh upon paragraph from all his works in
which he adduces testimony wherein he sees the manifestation of a
mind as powerful as it is prolific, the acts of an intelligence as
sublime as it is provident, the marks of goodness as infinite as wise,
the palpable demonstration of the existence of an author of all things,
ruler of the universe. Indeed it is but truth to say that the whole of
his works might be called, with justice, treatises upon the highest
forms of evidence given by zoology to the doctrine that God, the
Creator, is a mind, a thinking and self-conscious Intelligenee. This
doctrine is, in Agassiz’s view, the only foundation upon which an
intelligent study of zoology can be grounded. With him the aim of
science is something more than the grouping of facts under a general
formula. This may be obtained by empiricism, in some cases more
successfully than by science. The aim of science is to detect the
thoughts of the Creative Mind. To tke schocl of Positive Philosophy
the knowledge of the processes or laws of nature is the only subject
worthy of investigation, and the school thinks it very unscientific to
assume that thinking is not a function of the brain, and that there is
an essential difference, an impassable gulf, between inorganic matter
WILuiAMsS: Louis Acagsstz. 51
and living thinking beings. “ But,’ says Agassiz, “ Ishall not be
prevented by any such pretensions of a false philosophy from
expressing my conviction that, as long as it cannot be shown that
matter or physical forces do actually reason, I shall consider any
manifestation of thought as evidence of the existence of a thinking
being as the author of such thought, and shall look upon an intelligent
and intelligible connection between the facts of nature as distinct proof
of the existence of a thinking God, as certainly as man exhibits the
power of thinking when he recognises their natural relations.” ® Again
and again, too, he maintains that classification is a philosophical study
of the highest importance, since it is an attempt to understand the
Infinite Wisdom.® His pervading principle is, that a natural system
must have an actual existence in nature, but that it consists not simply
in actual differences of physical manifestation, but in the intangible
differences of plan or conception in the Creative Mind.1° He main-
tained for Natural History that it shows the whole creation is the
expression of thought, and not the product of physical agents; and that,
regarded in that light, it gives scventijic evidence of God’s working in
nature.!! This is what he read in the disclosures of the sciences ;
and testimony such as his must have enormous weight. His
daily thought was all vital with the consciousness of the Infinite
Supreme. So he lived face to face with the glorious and solemn facts
of a present Deity. Reading so constantly the records of the divine
wisdom, and penetrated so deeply with a sense of life’s object and
possibilities, he bore about with him a spirit of reverential awe,—a
recognition of God that was both an inspiration and a joy. In such
a habit of life his heart could never grow old.
The poetical tribute which Longfellow addressed to him on his
fiftieth birthday so vividly pourtrays his beautiful career, that it will
form a fitting conclusion to this paper :—
“* It wae fifty years ago,
In the pleasant month of May,
In the beautiful Pays de Vaud
A child in its cradle lay.
8 See the First Chapter in the Essay on Classification in Natural History of the
United States.
® See Second Chapter in Essay on Classification, Ibid.
10 Agassiz also referred the phenomena both of the origin and the distribution
of species of plants and animals directly to the Divine Will; but his theory
here, as Professor Gray observes, ‘‘ may be said to be theistic to excess.”
11 See Tour to Lake Superior, pp. 144, 146.
4
Ih
Tor NATURALIST,
And Nature, the old nurse, took
The child upon her knee,
Saying, ‘‘ Here is a story-book
My Father has written for thee.
on
Come, wander with me,’ she said,
‘ Into regions yet untrod,
And read what is still unread
In the manuscripts of God.’
_And he wandered away and away
With Nature, the dear old nurse,
Who sang to him night and day
The songs of the universe.
And whenever the way seemed long,
Or his heart began to fail,
She would sing a more wonderful song,
Or tell a more marvellous tale.
So she keeps him still a child,
And will not let him go,
Though at times his heart beats wild
For the beautiful Pays de Vaud.
Though at times he hears in his dreams
The Ranz des Vaches of old,
And the rush of the mountain streams
From glaciers clear and cold ;
And the mother at home says, ‘ Hark !
For his voice I listen and yearn ;
_ It is growing late, and dark,
And my boy does not return !’”’
85, Everton-road, Liverpool.
Short Hotes and Queries.
Brraps NEAR Harirax.—lIn this district, during the past summer, most
of the moorland and woodland birds have been very plentiful. The twite,
ring-ouzel, wheatear, skylark, and yellow-hammer have been numerous
on the uplands and high moors; plovers have algo nested. The redstart,
spotted flycatcher, white throat, lesser redpoll, sand martin, whinchat,
meadow pipit, grey and yellow wagtails, have all appeared fairly
numerous in the most suitable localities. The song and missel thrush
have been more commen this summer than for several seasons. Starlings
in fiocks have also been abundant. The moorhen, common sandpiper,
water ouzel, and landrail have all nested in the district. Willow wrens
have been plentiful in the wocds. The nightjar, partridge, kingfisher,
and swift have been observed in the locality. In addition to those men-
tioned, all the common species which annually nest in the neighbourhood
have bred very freely this summer, and young birds of most kinds are
‘numerous.—F. G. 8. Rawson, Sept. 10th.
Saort Norges AND QUERIES. 53
Distrisution oF Tectura testudinalis In YORKSHIRE.—Ini the pages of
The Naturalist of Jan., 1879, I published the occurrence of the above
molluse at Whitby, and laid claim to the honour of having discovered and
published its most southerly habitat. No sooner was this done than some
Leeds conchologists drew my attention to a record on this very shell in
tke Supplement of Dr. Jeffrey’s ‘‘ British Conchology,” which I had
overlooked. Since then I have had some correspondence with Dr.
Jeffreys, and incidentally this shell was mentioned. To Yorkshire
conchologists I am sure this paragraph of the doctor’s letter will be
interesting : ‘‘ Mr. Leckenby got his Yorkshire specimens of Tectura
testudinalis from Staithes, together with Dogger Bank shells ; I believe
they were dead.” Now as quaint old Staithes—where circumnavigator
Cook served his apprenticeship to a grocer—is a little fishing village ten
miles N.W. of Whitby, my claim is sustained. As no conchologist will
reckon flotsam and jetsam, even if from the Dogger Bank, as equal to the
shells which are gathered alive on their feeding grounds, I laid no claim
to a dead shell, which I found of this animal in Robin Hood’s Bay, six
miles further south than Whitby.—Hy. Crowruer, Beeston Hill, Leeds.
Larentia ruficinctata &c., IN YORKSHIRE.-—Having seen, in the pro-
gramme of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union’s excursion on Sept. Ist,
that Malham is supposed to be the only locality in Yorkshire for Larentia
rujicinctata, 11 may be of interest to your readers to know that I have
captured about Oughtershaw, Langstrothdale, in Craven, at an elevation
of 1200 feet above the sea-level, at the sources of the Wharfe, several
specimens of this insect, one at the beginning of August this year. I
- have also taken Chortobius Davus in this district, and Erebia Blandina at
Buckden.—Trevor Bast, Woopp, Oughtershaw Hall, Langstrothdale
Chase, Skipton.
[Mr. Woodd has very kindly sent me specimens of the above for
inspection. The Hrebia Blandina and Larentia ruficinctata are well-
marked specimens of the ordinary types; but the C. Davus are very
curious. They are smaller than any Davus I have noticed before, and
the markings are just about between the Thorne Waste specimens,
which are all of the variety Rothliebii, and the Scotch form which is the
ordinary type of the species. They are, indeed, just what one would
expect a hybrid between C. Davys and C. Pampjhilus would be ; and
as the large South European variety Lyllus, Hsp., of C. Pamphilus
expands from 1 to 15 inches, and has marginal eyes on the underside of
the hind wings, it is just possible these specimens may be referable to it.
A long series of Oughtershaw specimens must decide that.—G. T. P.]
Scoparia conspicualis aND Dicrorampha herbosana at GRassineton.—I
took a Scoparia last June in Grass High Wood, Grassington, which I did
not recognize, and have had it in the corner of one of my store boxes
until last week, when I sent it to Mr. C. G. Barrett, along with a few
local Tortrices. He has, however, returned it me, named SN. conspicualis,
ay Tue Naruratist.
which is a good addition to the lepidopterous fauna of Upper Wharfedale,
and happily confirms Mr. Porritt’s surmise (see Nat. N.S.. viii., p. 27)
that he had seen it at the Union’s excursion to Grassington in 1882.
Another species amongst others taken there by my brother may be
worth recording, viz., D. herbosana.—E. P. P. Burrerrizyp, Wilsden,
Bingley, Sept., 1883.
[The interest of the capture of S. conspicualis at Grassington is further.
enhanced by the fact that the specimen was taken in June, as it points
strongly to there being two broods during the year of this comparatively
recent addition to the British list. Previously the species had only been
recorded as occurring in August.—G. T. P.]
Nephrodium cristatum.—-A| Correction.—Dr. F. Arnold Lees has
kindly called my attention to an erroneous statement in my List of York
Ferns (Naturalist, July, 1883, pp. 178 and 181), with regard to the first
finding of this fernat Askham Bog. Mr. West and I certainly discovered
it in September, 1875, without having the least idea that it had been
previously found there: but as Dr. Lees has referred me to more than
one previous record of it, I hasten to correct the error. He says: ‘‘ In
Watson’s ‘ Topographical Botany’ (1873-4) it stands recorded for the
south-west division of Yorkshire, with a query for the mid-west division
also. Askham Bog comes within the latter area. Mr. John Hardy, now
of Manchester (formerly of Sheffield), first added it to the Yorkshire
flora, having got it on the border of Thorne Waste. In 1872 I confirmed
that ‘‘ find’ by gathering it there myself in small quantity in a boggy,
bushy place. In 1873 I gave the 8.W. division of Yorks. to Mr. Watson
for it. A year, or perhaps two, later (certainly before 1875), when I
lived at Leeds, Mr. Henry Ibbotson told me it grew on the bog at
Askham. He had, I understood, found it himself. It occurs ina MS
list of his which I hold, furnished to me when I was preparing my work
on ‘ West Yorkshire ’ (including the Ainsty). I went to the bog and
gathered a frond or two myself; as you say, it is very scarce, and
peculiar in habit of pinna-insertion, &c. To Mr. Ibbotson, who is a good
botanist, and discovered it independently of you, belongs the credit of
leading me to gather it and publish it in 1875 for Askham Bog, in ‘ West
Yorkshire’ (p. 324-5).” Of course I have no further wish to claim to
have first discovered this fern in Yorkshire, and would have corrected
the error earlier had not temporary absence from England prevented me.
Probably I should not have overlooked tkese previous records had I not
been for some years separated from Yorkshire and its botanists.—Ropsr,
Miture Curisty, Canada, Aug. 25th, 1883.
A Last or Fiownrinc PLants AND Ferns growing in Lincolnshire
(north and south divisions), recorded from those Vice-counties in the
Bot. Record Club Reports, for 1875 to 1882, which are omitted from those
Vice-counties in the 2nd edition of ‘‘ Topographical Botany,” by Rev.
W. Fowler, M.A. :—
_—
SHort Notes anp QUERIES. 5d
Lincotn Nort, 54.
1. Clematis Vitalba, + (54), 1878 Rep., p. 8
155. Silene anglica, 1881-2 Rep., p. 185
247. Rhamnus frangula, 1877 Re., p.p. 211 and 234
291. Ornithopus perpusillus, 1876 Rep., 160
384, Callitriche platycarpa, 1876 Rep., p. 162
592. Arctium intermedium, 1881-2 Rep., p. 192
818. Teucrium scorodonia, 1875 Rep., p. 107
1040. Epipactis palustris, 1881-82 Rep., p. 196
1213. Carex elongata, 1881-82 Rep., p. 198
1218. Carex eu-arenaria (as occurring inland as well as on the coast),
1879 Rep., p. 61
1232. Carex acuta, 1880 Rep., p. 138
1303. Aira caryophyllea, 1875 Rep., p. 112
1310. Avena pubescens, 1880 Rep., p. 139
1322. Glyceria plicata, 1880 Rep., p. 139
1384, Polystichum angulare, 1880 Rep., p. 139
1410. Botrychium lunaria, 1875 Rep., p. 113
Lincoitn Sovura, 53.
135. Viola Reichenbachiana, 1879 Rep., p. 52
257. Anthyllis vulneraria, 1879 Rep., p. 54
345. Rosa tomentosa, 1881-82 Rep., p. 188
528. Asperula cynanchica, 1879 Rep., p. 57
652. Cineraria campestris, 1877 Rep., p. 285
905. Plantago Coronopus, 1877 Rep., p. 220
950. Rumex palustris, 1881-2 Rep., p. 227
1056. Habenaria viridis, 1880 Rep., p. 137
1234. Carex eu-flava, 1880 Rep. p. 188
1420. Hquisetum maximum, 1880 Rep., p. 139
The following species recorded in the reports are also omitted, but
because considered nowhere indigenous in Britain, and as such, not
traced out comitally at all in the ‘* Topograpical Botany.”
273. Tripolium hybridum (par. 53), 1877 Rep.. p. 211
650. Senecio saracenicus (par. 53), 1880 Rep., p. 1386
653. Doronicum Pardalianches: (par. 54), 1877 Rep., p. 218
Nepeta Cataria.—This plant is queried ‘‘an escape,” in Top. Bot.
edition 1, and the query is not erased in edition 2, although in the Bot.
Rec. Club Reports for 1877, p. 241, and elsewhere, it is proved to occur
abundantly, and under no circumstances entitling it to be suspected.
REVIEW.—‘‘ The Natural History of Hastings and St. Leonards an
the Vicinity,” First Supplement, 1883, 1s.—We have been very pleased
to receive from the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, a copy of the first supplement
to the fauna and flora of the Hastings district, published in 1878, by the
Hastings and St. Leonards Philolsophical Society. No better proof of the
great usefulness and energy of the Sussex naturalists is required than
56 THe NATURALIST.
this supplement, as in the five years that have elapsed since 1878, no less
than 1500 species in the various orders have been added as new to the
district investigated. More than half of the whole list is devoted to the
various orders, comprising the insecta ; then follow the birds ; additions
to the various orders of plants, including hepaticee, lichens, fungi, fresh-
water alge, &c. An addition to the former little work, is an entirely
new list of the coleoptera, and the insects altogether number the grand
total of 3513, made up as follows :—
Coleoptera ... iyi mer ae ca ohene eaNel
Lepidoptera... a Sap ie she vee EOI
Hymenoptera :—
Merebrantiay «es. ie er 87
Ichneumonidee bas ia 212
Fossores, &c. ... Be Bs the Pie
Cynipidee i abd Ae 13
Anthophila, &e. ase sie 123
Hemiptera :—
Heteroptera ... es ARS 238 =]
Homoptera ... ae see 102 § oar
Diptera BH vale ay ae aoe i eZoo
Neuroptera ... isa jae me ae site 48
Trichoptera ... BBS noe oe bis ane 23
Other insects ae see se sis wes 21
3513
———
Special care has been taken to submit doubtful species for determination
to the leading specialists in the various groups, thus thoroughly avoiding
the too common fault of incorrect nomenclature by incompetent compilers,
and which invariably renders such lists, to a great extent, useless for
scientific purposes. We congratulate the Society most heartily on its
work.
OBITUARY.—-Hznry Harpur Crewr.—We deeply regret to have to
announce the death of the Rev. H. Harpur Crewe, M.A., which event
took place on September 7th, at the Rectory at Drayton Beauchamp,
Tring, at the comparatively early age of 54. Mr. Crewe’s reputation as a
lepidopterist will be as lasting as it was extensive, for his knowledge of
the British species of the large genus Hupithecia was unrivalled in Britain
or elsewhere. For many years this genus was his favourite and especial
study, and the minutest details in. the careful descriptions of the larvee
of almost every species have been read with delight by all who take
interest in the group. I believe too, that almost the last (perhaps the
last) specimens of Noctua subrosea taken in Britain were captured by Mr.
Crewe. Ina letter I have from him, dated from Drayton Beauchamp
Rectory, January 27th, 1872, he writes: ‘‘ Do you know of anyone who
Or
REPoRTS OF SocrETIES. a
has taken N. subrosea of late years? In 1852, just after I left college, I
took a number of wasted specimens at sugar about seventeen miles from
here, by the side of a very old forest pond which has since been drained
and cultivated. It may exist there still. JI have never visited the
locality since.” For the last nine years or so, Mr. Crewe had not done
much active collecting, but was still always ready and pleased to assist
others in the science he loved so well ; and many, including myself, have
in him lost an old and valued friend.—G.T.P.
Reports of Socreties.
BrapForD Naturarists’ Socrmety.—Meeting Sept. 18th, Mr. J. W.
Carter, president, in the chair.—Mr., Bennett gave an account of a ramble
in Lincolnshire, and exhibited a specimen of the fungus Polyporus
squamosus. Mr. Soppitt described a visit to Ingleton, and showed
Puccinea Anderson and P. clinopodi, found in Helks Wood. He also
reported having seen Gentiana amarella in flower. Mr. W. D. Roebuck,
of Leeds, gave a very interesting lecture on ‘‘ Slugs,” illustrated by a
collection of living specimens sent to him for the occasion by Mr. Ash-
ford, of Christchurch. Mr. B. Spencer exhibited specimens of Inula
dysenterica, Melilotus officinalis, and Achillea ptarmica (flora plena). Mr.
Andrews, Veronica anagallis, Aconitum Napellus and Malwa sylvestris. —
JoHN Hastwoop, Hon. Sec.
HuppERSFIELD NATURALISTS’ SocteTy.—Meeting September 10th, Mr.
Clarke, v.p., in the chair.—Mr. Clarke exhibited a number of plants,
including Polygonum aviculare, var. microspermum, new to the district.
The chairman called attention to the show of wild flowers which took
place at the Exhibition on the 27th August. 313 species had been laid
upon the tables, all with cards giving their scientific and common names,
and other particulars. The number might have reached 400 if a sufficient
number of competent persons had been there to arrange them. Several
ladies contributed handsome bouquets of wild flowers. Mr. S. L. Mosley
exhibited a living scorpion (probably vejovis sp.) taken from logwood in
the town. Vol I. of ‘‘ The Geological Survey of England and Wales”
was added to the library.—S. L. M.
Hort Natvuratists’ Soctery.—Last Bank Holiday a few members of
the society went for a trip to Spurn Point. Nothing need be said of the
ride to Withernsea, nor of the drive to Easington, nor of the walk from
the latter place to Kilnsea, where the work of the day commenced, except
to observe that right opposite this village there is what may be called a
sea.of'mud, some 15,000 acres in extent. Why is this not reclaimed ?
Fancy 15 farms of 1000 acres each, or, if divided still more, it would form
a small colony. A good view of the moon-shaped ridge forming the
Point, with the lighthouses in the distance, may be obtained from this
58 THz NATuRALIST.
place. Going a little way to the left, we are soon on the narrow
peninsula. One of the first plants observed was the common ragwort
(Senecio Jacobea), almost every plant of which was covered with the
beautiful caterpillars of the cinnabar moth (Huchelia Jacobe). The
flora is not an extensive one, but very pronounced in type, being almost
exclusively marine, and the few inland plants that occur are so eaten by
the rabbits as to be past identifying. Here, almost side by side, may be
seen Salicornea herbacea, Sueda maritima, and Salsola kali. ‘There are
few places where the mechanical influence of plants can be better
observed than here, for were it not for the subterranean stems and roots
of some half-dozen varieties of plants holding the sand together, there is
little doubt but Spurn Point would have been washed away long ago, for
the ridge at the top is in some places not more than 18 inches wide. The
most valuable of these plants for this purpose are Elymus arenarius,
Triticum junceum, Psamma arenaria, Carex arenaria, Hippophae rham-
noides, Convolvulus Soldanella, and Eryngiwm maritumum, which are here
found abundantly. The following are selected from about 30 species
of birds seen, a few of which were shot by an enthusiastic member
of the party :—Little tern (Sterna minuta), a summer visitant which
breeds at Spurn, arriving in May and leaving in September ; herring
gull (Larus argentatus); ringed plover (gialis hiaticula) ; common
wheatear (Saxicola cnanthe), a summer visitant, and local; common
curlew (Numenius arquata), resident and local, and so shy and suspicious
as to have given rise to a saying in the Hebrides that ‘‘ To kill seven
curlews is enough for a lifetime” ; rock pipit (Anthus obscwrus) with nest
and young. This latter bird is said to be plentiful, but always solitary,
finding its food chiefly at and within high-water mark, where it runs with
remarkable ease along the sand ; its nest is made of bents or other plants
growing near the sea. The choicest specimen seen or prscured was the
Manx shearwater (Puffinus anglorum), which had flown against the light-
house the previous night and been captured by the keeper. Twenty-three
species of lepidoptera were observed, representing the following groups,
viz :—Diurni, Nocturni, Geometre, and Noctue, the rarest species
taken being the lyme grass moth (Tapinostola elymi). After a pleasant,
though rather heavy walk, the extreme point was at last reached. Here
we found a great quantity of Cakile maritima ; here also we refreshed
the inner man, then rounded the point, visiting the lighthouse people.
Two of us then made a very hasty inspection of the pre-historic kitchen
midden on the coast just opposite the village, but found nothing except
oyster shells. Evidently somebody keeps a very sharp look-out at this
interesting locality.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL Soctnty.—Meeting, Aug.
27th, the president (Mr. S. J. Capper) in the chair.—Mr. J. L. R. Dixon
read a paper entitled ‘‘ A comparison between the structure and function
of the eyes in the various groups of insects,” in which he described, with
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 59
the aid of well executed diagrams, the various modifications which are
found in the eyes of insects, and gave his reasons for believing that the
function of the facets in the compound eyes is that of accommodation,
their focal lengths varying. He believed the use of the simple eyes
(ocelli) was merely for the purpose of the perception of light. The
meeting terminated with the usual conversazione.
Matton Fretp Naruratists’ Excursion.—On Thursday, September
13th, the Malton Field Naturalists’ Society had a delightful excursion to
Eegton Bridge and Goathland Moors. Both ladies and gentlemen were in
the party, and left by early trains for Grosmont. From thence they
wandered up the Esk Valley to Egton Bridge, or through the lovely
Arncliffe Woods (with the kind permission of Mr. White), and to the
village of Glaisdale, where a halt wasmade. The site of the Brigantian
village was next explored, also the moor below the Roman road, and
forward to Brick Hole for the picturesque cascades, Thomasin Foss and
Mill Foss ; after which the party reassembled at the Goathland Hotel for
tea. The botanists had a successful day amongst the ferns and mosses,
and some fine examples of the oak and beech fern, and other rarer
species were secured. The district traversed is a most lovely one, and
the naturalists much enjoyed this their last excursion of the season.
Mancuester Cryprogamic Socrery.—Monthly meeting, August,
Captain Cunliffe in the chair.--The hon. secretary read a number of
letters from corresponding members of the society. Mr. G. A. Holt sent
a number of mosses as a contribution to the society’s herbarium, amongst
them being some rare local mosses, including specimens of Mniwm stellare
and Gymnostomum calcarewm in fruit, from Derbyshire. The secretary
exhibited specimens of Campylopus brevifolius, a very rare British moss,
hitherto only recorded in Scotland. The moss had been sent by Mr.
Boswell, he having discovered it last month on the banks of the Wye,
near Builth. Dr. J. B. Wood, of Broughton, sent washed-out specimens
of the same gathering to show that in the length of stems it differed from
the description given in Bryol. Eur. The secretary presented specimens
of Campylopus paradoxus from Abergynolwyn ; Dicranwm arcticum from
Ben Mac Dhui; and several interesting New Zealand hepatics. Mr.
W. H. Pearson exhibited specimens of Marsupella alpina, collected on
the Glyders, North Wales, by Mr. E. M. Holmes; and specimens of a
lichen, Dermatocarpon Garovaglii, by Mr. George Davis on the coast
near Brighton. Mr. Pearson’s exhibits were distributed amongst the
members present. Captain Cunliffe exhibited and distributed a number
of good cryptogams which he had recently gathered at Barmouth, amongst
them were Philonotis rigida, Isopterygium demissum, and Hypnwm purwn,
in excellent fruiting condition ; amongst the ferns were Asplenwm lanceo-
latwn and Hymenophyllum tunbridgense. Mr. Wm. Foster exhibited four
most elegant and fairy-like forms of Athyrium filix-feemina in a living
condition. They had been grown in a little back yard in the neighbour-
60 THe NATURALIST.
hood of Salford. These elegant varieties were first raised by Mr. Thos.
Glover, of Manchester, some fifteen years ago.
_ Montaty Msetine, Sept. 17th, Mr. W. H. Pearson, vice-president, in
the chair.—Mr. T. Rogers exhibited specimens of Sphacelaria plumigera,
a recent addition to our list of British sea-weeds The specimens were
gathered in July, on muddy rocks at low water, Llanfairfechan, by Mr.
J. Cosmo Melville, F.L.S., who very kindly sent specimens for distri-
bution. Mr. Pearson laid upon the table for examination fasciculus I. of
Holmes’ Alge Britannice, which included specimens of the Sphacelaria.
He also exhibited three new hepatics: Cesia latifolia (Lindb.), Lepidozia
Wulfsbergit (lindb.), and Riccia pedemontana (Steph.). Dr. John
Roberts sent a fresh-water alga from Anglesea, and this, upon examina-
tion by Mr. West, proved to be Chetophora endivefolia. About the same.
time Mr. Melville had also collected the same species in Lynn Uoron,
Anglesea, specimens of which were monnted in a dried form for
exhibition. Mr. West, of Bradford, sent several interesting species and
varieties of British mosses, including the rare Pissidens rufulus in fruit,
specimens of which were distributed at the meeting. Mr. Harry Searle,
of Ashton, sent vegetating spores of Chara, which he had been recently
cultivating. The hon. secretary distributed fresh-gathered specimens of
Plagiotheciwm sylvaticum in fruit ; and Mr. Cash, who had just returned
from some classic cryptogamic localities in Scotland, sent a packet of
Tortula papillosa from Ayrshire for distribution. Mr. G. A. Holt sent
specimens of Mylia Taylori with perfect capsules.; these he had found at
Linton, Yorkshire.—TuHos. RoeErs, Hon. Sec.
YorK anpD District Fizexp Narurauists’ Socrety.—Meeting Sep-
tember 12th.—Mr. Wilkinson exhibited the following plants :—Scirpus
tabernemontan, Scuteilaria minor, both of which were collected near
Strensall, and are considered to be new to the district ; also specimens of
Drosera rotundifolia, D. anglica, D. intermedia. He also exhibited, on
behalf of Mr. Henry Ibbotson, specimens of Dianthus Armeria and
Bromus racemosus, var. Bellottii. The former he reports’ to be nearly
extinct in the neighbourhood, and the latter has recently been discovered
on Clifton Ings. The chairman exhibited a box of fine insects, sent to
him by Mr. 8. J. Capper, of Huyton Park, Liverpool, containing amongst
others the following species :—Selidosema plumaria, Hupithecia pul-
chellata, EH. debiliata, Scotosia dubitata, Cymatophora ridens, Catocala
sponsa, Plisia interregationis, Notodonta trepida, Limacodes asellus, and
Bombyx trifolti. The hon. secretary, Mr. Prest, exhibited a specimen
of that rare tortrix, Mixodia rubiginosana, taken by himself at Sandburn,
and new to Yorkshire ; also a large and beautiful series of Cidaria
immanata, amongst them some remarkable varieties, a long series of
Noctua neglecta, also taken at Sandburn, many variettes of Hypsipetes
elutata, and specimens of Nonagria brevilinea, Meliana flammea, and
Leucana albipuncta.—W. Prest, Hon. See.
Diary.—Meeiings of Societies.
Oct. 2. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—‘ Observations on Local Geology,”
ee H..S. Ward, 7-30 p.m.
|. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
2
2
~\ 45, °8. Wakefield Naturalists’. and Philosophical Society.
“3
6
. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
5, 8. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—“Gleanings from the Evolu-
Saas tionists,’’ G. P. Stather, 8 p.m.
-,, 10. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
», 12. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
5, 15. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.
» 15. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—‘Natural History Notes,” H. J.
Riley, 7-30 p.m.
,» 20. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Saiki trays Evening, 8 p.m.
», 25. York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
5, 29. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. é
» 90. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—‘t Animal Parasites,’ A. J:
= Kershaw, 7-30 p.m.
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‘The Woolhope. Club at E Eleretoka: —Fungus ‘pom “HT. Soppiti.: oy 61
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eK Sees.
EXOHANGES.
De PLICATES, EG oan minimus, Helleborus viridis, H. foetidus, ae
eae Panaver somniferum, Meconopsis cambrica, Honkeneya peploides,
Geranium sanguineum, G. sylvaticum, G. pratense. G. pyrenaicum, G. rotun= -
difolium, G. lucidum, Astragalus hypoglottis. Vicia bithynica, Saxifraga
aizoides, S. granulata, Parnassia palustris, Trinia- vulgaris, Seseli libanotis —
Inula pulicaria. Erica ciliaris, Gentiana pneumonanthe, -Atropa belladonna, *
Ajuga chamoepitys, Teucrium Botrys. Primula farincsa, Euphorbia paralias,
Aceras anthropophora, Orchis pyramidalis, ©. ustulata. Gymnadenia conopsea,- ~
Habenaria viridis, H. bifolia, Herminium monorchis. Ophrys apifera. O.
muscifera. Spiranthes autumnalis, Neottia nidus-avis, Epipactis Jatifolia, E.
palustris, Cephalanthera grandiflora, Paris quadrifolia, ys a
Desrpenata.—Local Dieotyledons and Monocotvledons (Petaloidece pres. a
ferred). —HERBERT GOSS. Berrylands, Surbiton. Hill, Surrey.. E
Good specimens of merlin. kestrel. sparrow-hawk, mountain. harric?, ereat -
erey shrike, dipper, ring-ouzel. blue-throated warbler, black-headed buntmg, oe
brambling, hawfinch. -siskin, mealy redpoll, pine grosbeak, crosbill, - rose= ”
coloured pastor, and manv others, for other birds, nests, or eggs, especially.
nests of red-back shrike. pied flycatcher, black redstart. stonechat. wood wren,
chiffehaff, any tits, except long-tailed, any wagtails, any pipits,- except.
‘meadow, any larks, any buntines: except common black-headed, and i yellowes
e® 7: MOSEEY, Beaumont ~ee Huddersfield. :
Original Articles.
THE WOOLHOPE CLUB AT HEREFORD.—FUNGUS
FORAY.
By H. T. Soppirt.
DurRine the first week in October the Woolhope Club held their
sixteenth annual fungus foray. |
For several years past I had read graphic accounts of the Woolhope
meetings with considerable interest, and this year, having received an
invitation, coupled with a most interesting programme, was determined
to be present.
Monday, Oct. Ist, arrival at Hereford, was the first item announced
on the circular, and on that date I accordingly made my way thither.
On arriving at Hereford I noticed a gentleman on the platform, and
judging from his general contour, thought must be a fungologist ;
upon making his acquaintance found I was right, for the gentleman in
question was no less a personage than Dr. Bull, who at once informed
me where I should find Canon Du Port and Mr. Broome, who had
already arrived. At that moment a train steamed into the station,
bringing Dr. Cooke and Dr. Wharton from London, and immediately
afterwards Dr. Carlyle from Carlisle.
Tuesday, Oct. 2nd.—The first excursion took place by rail, to
Ludlow, for Moor Park and Woodeves Coppice. There was a good
muster, the weather being very fine, and each one being provided with
a basket.
On arriving at Ludlow, waggonettes were in waiting, and the party
eventually reached -Woodeves Coppice, where fungi occurred in
profusion. —
To some, all was fish that came to the net was a rule, judging from
the pretty coloured specimens of Ag. laccatus and other common highly-
coloured species in their baskets, whilst others only gathered rare and
_ eritical species, and placed each species in separate paper bags.
Cortinarw were extremely abundant.
Hearing a shout in the distance, and fearing something had gone
wrong, I hastened to the spot, and found half-a-dozen of the party
surrounding several specimens of the rare Strobilomyces strobilaceus.
Our baskets gradually got filled, and the party slowly retraced their
steps to Moor Park.
Qn the way back, I recognised a voice in the wood, and found Mr.
N.S., Vou. 1x. Noy. 1883,
62 ; THe NATURALIST.
Plowright, who had arrived later and followed the party, with Mr.
Phillips and Rev. J. E. Vize.
At two o’clock, the whole of the party had reached the mansion in
Moor Park, where a most sumptuous luncheon was provided by Mr.
Forster ; after which the gardens and conservatories were inspected.
Near the park entrance several monstre specimens were gathered of
Polyporus guganteus and P. dryadeus, also large examples of Boletus
Satanus. Later on in the day, the party was hospitably entertained
at Abbey Villa, Ludlow, by Messrs. Fortey, and subsequently returned
to Hereford, where the bulk of the fungi was deposited in the museum.
In the evening the party met at the house of Dr. Bull, where the
Rev. Canon Du Port read an instructive paper on the “ Colours of
Fungi,” and was followed by a paper on “ Recent’ Researches upon
the Uredines,” by Mr. C. B. Plowright. The latter dwelt chiefly on
the connection of Puccinia arundinacea (not magnusiana) with
Hoadium rumicis.
Wednesday, Oct. 3rd.—Most of the party were up early studying
the fungi, and towards nine o'clock the clouds assumed such a
threatening attitude, that only four of us ventured on the Dinmore
excursion. We were somewhat at a disadvantage, as our baskets had
to be filled during a continuous downpour of rain which lasted several
hours ; however, we were well repaid by the many good things we took
back, and by the charming scenery about Dinmore. All the hedges
were covered with Clematis wtalba, and many other rare flowering
plants occurred in the woods. Arriving back at Hereford we found
most of the party still busy with the fungi.
Shortly afterwards the whole of the party got scattered at various
dinner parties in the district, after which a meeting took place in the
Wooihope Club Room, where an elaborate paper was read by Dr.
Wharton (on behalf of Dr. Stewart) on the ‘“‘ Chemical Constituents of
Fungi,” followed by Mr. C. B. Plowright, on “ Jensen’s Discoveries
concerning the Potato Disease.”
Thursday, Oct. 4th, was the Club day. Three large waggonettes
left Hereford for Hayward Forest and Bryngwyn, several miles out,
and where fungi were again abundant.
A fine specimen of the tawny owl was taken from a trap and bagged
by one of the party.
On returning to Hereford upwards of seventy sat down to the
public dinner at the Green Dragon, at which the Chanterelle was served
(badly cooked).
Dr. Bull made a brilliant speech, and Dr. Cooke followed with a
Soppitt: Funaus Foray At HEREFORD. 63
humourous paper on ‘‘A Missing Chapter from the Tramp Abroad.”
Later on, the party adjourned to the house of Mr. T. Cam, where several
papers were read and a fine collection of drawings inspected, sent for
exhibition by Mr. Massee, of Scarborough. At this stage of the
proceedings I took my departure from Hereford, and arrived home at
three in the morning.
Friday, Oct. 5th., Dr. Carlyle informs, me was spent at Ledbury,
where several good things were collected, including Ag. Bucknall.
The evening was devoted to the reading of papers, &c.
Saturday, Oct. 6th.—The visitors took their departure.
WM. WILSON’S TOURS IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND.
1827-1830.
By Jas, Casa.
(Read before the Manchester Cryptogamic Society, April 16th, 1883.)
(Concluded.)
SCOTLAND AND IRELAND: 1829-30.
On the 17th of February, 1830, Mr. Wilson sailed from Dublin for
Holyhead, where he spent some time botanising. On the 18th, during
a walk to Trefriw rabbit warren, he gathered, amongst other things,
Desmatodon nervosus. ‘This moss he again found three days later in
another locality. He also gathered Gymnostomum conicum (Pottia
Starkeana, var. 8), Phascum muticum, P. rectum, and Grimmia maritima.
After this he went to Yr-allt-Fawr, and succeeded in finding Hypaum
illecebrum and Grimmia trichophylla. Of Hypnum illecebrumhe saw plenty
afterwards at a place called Bryn ddti. He continued to botanise in
Anglesea and about Bangor until near the end of March, visiting Llyn
Oegwen and Twill dda; also Cadnant, where he gathered Pterogonium
gracile, Grimmia trichophylia, &c. In the previous year he had been
fortunate in discovering, near this place, the rose which was named
after hin— Rosa Wilsont.
On the 29th of March Mr. Wilson left Bangor on foot and walked
to Abergele, putting up there at the “George IV.” inn. I wish we
botanists could record of every hostelry we enter what Wilson says of
this: “ Bed, comfortable, 6d.; breakfast 8d.” On the 30th he walked
to Foryd (I suppose Rhyl was not then known even by name) and
going on board the tidal packet, which sailed at two a.m. on the
31st, he landed at Liverpool after a four hours’ sail. Proceeding
homeward on one of the Bridgwater packet boats, and leaving his
64 THE NATURALIST.
baggage to be forwarded by canal from Runcorn, he walked to Pad-
dington, which place he reached about dusk, after an absence from
home of about nine months.
This narrative would be incomplete if I did not read to you some of
the correspondence which arose out, of Mr. Wilson’s sojourn in Treland.
On the 23rd December, 1830, Prof. Hooker wrote to Mr. Wilson as
follows :—‘‘ My dear Sir: You will, I am sure, think that I pester
you with letters, but the occasion upon which I now write to you
is this: I was yesterday examining your lichens, and among them [
found one which interested me exceedingly. You have marked it 84
in your MSS.; and again, it is one of two lichens in your number
212 (the barren state.) The genus is Séicta. There is no British
Sticta that at all approaches to it, either in habit or in character. But
there is one,a foreign one, a native, too, of the Isle of France
{Mauritius,] which I can hardly distinguish from it, at least some of
its states—and that is Sticta macrophylla, which I have figured in the
first number of my Botanical Miscellany. Do compare your plant with
it, if you have the number of the Miscellany, making allowance for
the figure being made from the finest specimen I had, and of that
variety ‘ Apotheciis marginalibus, whereas I have specimens of Sticta
macrophylla as small as your plant, and with the apothecia scattered.
In the paper marked 212, the barren plant is the Sticta, the fertile one
Parmelia tiliacea. You will see in the former the little pits or hollows
(cyphelle) embedded in the downy lower surface of the frond,
which are characteristic of the genus Sticta. Of your. other lichens
No. 171 is Sticta sylvatica. * * Pray have you much of the above
new Sticta, or is there any person in the country who can gather more
of it? Can you spare a specimen for Sowerby to draw,* and one
for Mr. Borrer? Either Mr. Borrer or I will describe it for English
Botany, unless you will do so.—Yours, &., W. J. Hooxrr.”
Absence from home prevented Mr. Wilson answering this letter
until the 7th of February. The absorbing question between them
was—who, in Ireland, could be depended upon to gather the famous
lichen? Wilson thought of J. T. Mackay, the author of Flora
Hibernica, but Mackay was living in Dublin, and might not immedi-
ately be visiting the south. Hooker suggested Harvey, who lived at
Limerick. This was apparently the first time that Wilson had heard of
the young Quaker botanist. “There is,’ Hooker wrote, “a very
zealous Irish botanist (and a Quaker), who is about to publish a work
on new cryptogamic plants, but particularly alge. He draws very
* For English Botany.
Casu: Wuzson’s Tours IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. 65
nicely, and will engrave the plates himself. As soon as the spring
approaches, he will visit the south of Ireland, and I have particularly
urged him to seek for the Sticta macrophylla, which he will do if we
will send him the exact particulars of the station. No one can do this
so well as yourself, and I have now to ask the favour of you to
communicate with him; and I am sure, if you wish it, he will gather
the Sticta for you, and any other plant you may express a wish to have,
and that he may chance to fall in with. His address is ‘ W. H.
Harvey, Esq., Summerville, Limerick.’ In the spring he will make
Killarney his head quarters for some time.” * *
Mr. Wilson lost no time in communicating with Harvey, and sent
him full particulars of the habitat of the S¢icta. In writing, he also
sent Harvey specimens of tiypuum demissum and H. micans, with a
request that he would look out for these novelties also; and on the
9th of Feb., Harvey replied, telling Wilson of his contemplated
journey, and also mentioning the fact of Hovkeria lete-virens being
abundant at Turk Waterfall, and in fruit.
Dr. Hooker happened to be preparing for the press his second
volume (the Cryptogamia) of the British Flora, and on the 22nd March,
1832, he wrote to Wilson: ‘“ I am working now at the lichens, and
have printed about one-third of that family. Your Sticta is, unques-
tionably, the most interesting British individual of the tribe. I shall
be greatly disappointed if, after the full statement of the locality you
have given to Mr. Harvey, he should fail to find it. With his corres-
pondence I did not doubt you would be pleased ; and he is as much
gratified in being put into correspondence with you.”
In April of that year Harvey went to Killarney. Though he was,
as we may believe, interested in the search for Sticta macrophylla, yet he
found opportunity for other work. He was at that time just twenty
years old, and, as is the case with most young enthusiasts in Natural
History, his pursuits were somewhat varied. They embraced bird-
stuffing and shell collecting. Mosses and Jungermannia, flowering
plants and sea-weeds, were alike welcome to him. In this particular
_ journey he records the finding of Zuréo politus, a rare shell, at Bantry,
and also a new species of Lymnea (involuta), very distinct from any
other, most like Lymnea glutinosa, but differing abundantly. (Memoir,
p: 25.) But it is very surprising to find that the editor of the Memoir
makes no mention of the commission given to Harvey with regard to
Sticta macrophylla. At the end of April Hooker received a letter from
Harvey announcing his success ; thereupon Hooker wrote to Wilson :
“T have just heard from Harvey, anJ his letter is accompanied by
specimens of the Sticta. It was very soon in fruit.”
66 THe NATURALIST.
Harvey’s letter to Wilson, upon his return to Limerick, is worth
reproducing, as it relates not only to the precious lichen, but also to
some of the musci for which Wilson had asked him to be on the look
out :—“ Limerick, 5 mo. 3rd, 1832.—Dear Friend: My journey to
Killarney was unfortunately limited, by unavoidable circumstances, to
the first week in April, and if I had not seized that opportunity of
going, I saw no prospect of being able to visit it for the season. I
may get there again for a week in August, but it is quite uncertain.
‘“‘ This early travelling prevented me from getting many things, and
I am sorry to say that I have got hardly any of thy requisites. To
take them seriatim : }
“ Hypnum demissum: Thou must have miscalculated the time of
throwing up capsules. I could find none but old withered fruit, with
here and there a very young seta peeping up. Of course I have none
to send thee.
‘“* Hypnum micans: I found a few small patches, but no fruit.
“ Sticta macrophylla : I gathered a good share of this, the principal
part of which I have sent to our good friend Dr. Hooker, but I have
reserved two or three specimens for thee. Dr. Hooker bespoke it long
AZO, and as he said he was ‘sorely in want,’ [ deemed it right, in the
first place, to relieve his necessities. If thine are very pressing I will
keep them in view next trip. I gathered but little fruit, but I found
it on several patches at Cromagloun, also in the one thou mentions at
Turk cascade. At the first station I found one or two little scraps
with marginal fruit.
“ Hookeria lete-virens: I can give thee barren specimens, but I did
not find a single capsule, and the station is much injured. I found a
new station for this plant, and guess where? On the wet dripping rocks
opposite the station chair at Turk, growing among thy Marchautia
irrigua ! ‘Thou seems to have a strange fatality with regard to this moss.
‘“* Marchantia irrigua : I gathered young fruit, which I can give thee,
but took no drawing or description, seeing the fructification was
only in embryo. The capsules had not burst their calyptra. The
male fruit I am uncertain of ; what I called such, grew on the
same frond as the female.
** Zygodun conoideum and Gymnostomum (Zygodon) viridissimum I
have for thee. The latter was not in abundant fruit, but I have gota
tolerable supply. It grows in this neighbourhood also, on elms, but
seldom throws up a fruit stalk.
“ Jungermannia Hutchinsie grows in every mountain stream, but I
could find no trace of fruit.
CasH: WILson’s ToURS IN SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. 67
<< Jungermannia curvifolia: I cals give thee a few bits, with ripe
capsules.
“ Tortula tortuosa: The wall is re-sodded, and the plant destroyed.
Oh, Goths and Vandals! I found it, however, in other places, but
with young setz, which are, of course, of no value.
Bryum |Mnium] cuspidatum with numerous setz I could not find.
On the border of the Lake, however, I found Bryum | Mnium] rostratum
in that predicament.
“These are, I believe, most of thy Killarney plants which were to
be seen. Pinguicula grandiflora was only just spreading its leaves.
I shall bear thy Glengariff habitats in mind, should I visit that place
this summer. I found thy experience of the greatest use at Killarney.
Since I wrote thee, I have compared thy Chara aspera with Aghardian
specimens, and am convinced they are totally different. It is either
Chara galioides of that author, or a new species; but the specimens of
C. galioides | examined were very imperfect, and I could form no
certain opinion. If thou can afford me a specimen of thy Chara, I
shall be much obliged.
“‘ Pray write me to say how I can send thee a parcel, and how it is
to be directed.
‘‘T remain very truly and respectfully thine,
“W. H. Harvey.
‘*¢ P.S.—Could thou possibly contrive to join Dr. Hooker’s party to
the Highlands in June?”
With reference to the enquiry in the postscript, I may say that
Wilson did not visit the Highlands that year. Harvey, however,
formed one of Dr. Hooker’s party, and a very happy time he seems,
from his Memoir, to have had.
Before closing, allow me to refer briefly to two of the mosses which
Harvey had been asked specifically to look for—AHypnum demissum and
H. micans. One of these (H. demissum) was discovered by Mr. Wilson
during his Irish trip in 1829-30. Hypnum micans—or, as it is now
called, Leskea micans—was so named by Mr. Wilson, and a description
of the species first appeared in Hooker’s British Flora. The localities
given in Bryologia Britannica are: ‘On shady rocks in the south of
Treland, not yet found in fruit. Near Glengariff, Miss Hutchins.
Cromagloun mountain and at Fila Doun, near Killarney, W. Wilson.”
The other species was figured by Mr. Wilson, and was first described
by him in the English Botany Supplement. The localities given in
Bryologia Britannica are as follow: ‘“ On shady rocks in mountainous
districts, Cromagloun mountain, near the upper lake of Killarney, and
68 Tar NATURALIST.
near Glengariff, Ireland, 1829.” The Beddgelert locality in North
Wales, mentioned in Bryoleyia, was a subsequent discovery by Mr.
Wilson.
Laintall for September.
|Height ToraL Faun
of 2P ONO: To Dare. Date of ete
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest
| above fall Daye =— oc ae ea sneavios
ieee. | 1883. | 1882. omen
Ft. Tn.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 5°68 | 19 27°18 | *23°68 28 1°64
(J. W. Robson)
HaAuirax...(F.G.S. Rawson); 365 | 7°70 | 19 ; 34°62 35:94 29 eae
LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 4°15 | 23 | 22°61 | 18°07 28 0°84
HorsrortH ... (James Fox) 350 | 4°80 | 18! 26.52 | $25-17 28 0°86
BARNSLEY «:. (T. Lister)... 350 | 5°21 | 19 , 25°06 | 22°23 28 1°44
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 6°98 | 17 | 35.87 31°48 28 1°30
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 4:99 | 18 | 26°89 23°40 28 1°32
GOOLE ... (J. HARRISON) ...| 25 | 4°87 | 19! 20°47 22°51 28 1°01
Hutu (Derringham) (Wm.; 10 | 3.94 | 20 | 16°48 | 20°06 10 115
Lawton) |
Scarborough Rainfall for September 3°79: 0°93 above average.—A. ROWNTREE.
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 & 1865-83.
+ Average of 14 years, 187 0-83.
Short Notes and Queries.
SLUG NEW TO YORKSHIRE.—I have a most important discovery by my
indefatigable friend Mr. W. West to announce to the readers of the
Naturalist. Wt is Limaz cinereo-niger, one of the most recent additions
to the British list of mollusca. Mr. West found it on the 15th October,
feeding on a fungus ‘‘ Cortinarius” in Shipley Glen, Mr. Soppitt being
with him on the occasion. The species is a large one, and very hand-
somely marked. Its nearest ally is the familiar Limax maximus, so well
known for its being conspicuously spotted and striped with black. Our
new species, on the contrary, differs from it in being uniformly coloured,
generally black or extremely dark cinereous, but it always has the keel
and a central line on the back in continuation of it pale, generally dirty-
white, There are other marked differences between the two species, in
the character of the rugosities on the back, and in respect of the
colouring of the sole of the foot. In L. maximus the rugosities are only
moderately developed, and the foot-sole is uniformly pale in colour ; but
in L. cinereo-niger the rugosities are very large and strongly developed,
and the foot-sole is divided longitudinally into three parts, of which the
two outer ones are daik-coloured, and only the inner one is pale.
|
.
:
>
4
—————
ee Oe
SHort Notes AND QUERIES. 69
Another proof of their abundant distinctness is afforded by the researches
of Ferdinando Sordelli, who demonstrated by careful dissection that there
are important differences in the internal structure of the reproductive
organs in the two species. L. cinereo-niger seems to be very rare in
Britain, for the specimen of which I write is the first I ever saw, and of
the records there are only about three which can be apportioned to it or
its varieties in Britain ; but on the Continent it is well known and not
uncommon. I will take advantage of this opportunity to say that 1 shall
be extremely pleased to receive consignments of living slugs (which
should be sent in air-tight tin boxes) from any part of the British Isles,
especially the more remote districts. I am working at their distribution
and variation, and wish to have all the species, common, as well as rare,
from every county. So far I have had assistance from various corres-
pondents, and ‘nearly every parcel I have received has been productive of
novelties for the British fauna, so utterly unworked have the slugs been
up to this time. Mr. J. H. Salter sent me from Waterford a large
number of forms, including Testacella Mangei, var. viridans, and the
magnificent var. bicolor of Ariwn ater, both new to Britain. Mr. R.
Renton, of Fans, near Earlston, N.B., has also sent numerous fresh
things from that district, and Mr. H. J. Elliott, of Stroud, has been even
more successful ; while my old friend Mr. C. Ashford, of Christchurch,
Hants, has sent me specimens of all which occur with him, including a
puzzling series of a species (or variety ?) which will afford much material
for study. Iam almost inclined to believe that I am on the track of a
new species (new to Britain, that is). I shall be glad to receive the
common species of aS iInany more districts as possible, and it is my
intention to publish notes from time to time upon such consignments as
I may be favored with.—W. Denison Rozsucx, Sunny Bank, Leeds,
Oct. 18th, 1883.
Fox SHark, &c., at Briptinctron Quay.— Mr. Thomas Boynton, of
Ulrome, writes me that on the 19th inst. a specimen of the thrasher, or
fox shark, 11ft. long, was landed by some fishermen at Hornsea. Towards
the end of August, two porbeagles were also taken by fishing-boats in
Bridiington Quay. One of the latter is preserved by a Beverley bird-
stufier, and measures about 5ft. in the dried state. Sharks and their
allied species appear, from fishermen’s reports, to have been unusually
numerous this autumn on our coast, probably attracted by the large
shoals of herrings, of which extraordinary catches have been made.
Though unconnected with Natural History, it may interest some of your
readers to learn that Mr. Boynton has found and dug out near his village
one of the primitive lake dwellings hitherto chiefly found in Switzerland,
and fixed the site of at least four more. It is said to be the first instance
of such a discovery in England. It has been recently examined by Dr.
Munro, a gentleman deeply versed in the subject, and probably a
report will appear in one of the scientific journals.—N. F. Dosrer, »
Beverley, 22nd Sept., 1883.
70 THe NATURALIST.
Testacella haliotidea, vAR. scutulum IN YORKSHIRE.—Referring to Mr.
Butterell’s record in the Naturalist for July (vol. viil., p. 186), I have
seen one of the specimens, and on examination it proves to belong to the
variety scutulum. So have other British specimens when carefully
examined, and as a matter of fact there is doubt as to whether the typical
form of the species occurs in the British Isles at all. At all events there
is no direct evidence of its existence, and if any naturalist meets with it,
he would confer a benefit on science by publishing the record. While
writing, it may be placed on record that Beverley is not the only York-
shire locality for Testacella. Mr. John Emmet, of Boston Spa, has on
several occasions informed me and others of its occurring there in nursery
gardens. In this case, not having seen specimens, I am unable to state
to what form they appertained. These seem to be the most northerly
localities for the species, so far as actual records show.—Wm. DENISON
Rosrsuck, Leeds, Oct. 5th, 1883.
Narurat History Notes rrom WHARFEDALE.—The following species
may be added to the list of Upper. Wharfedale shells given in June
number of the Naturalist :—Zonites fulvus, Helix pygmea, Helix sericea,
Helix concinna (young), Vertigo pygmea, Carychiwm minimum, all from
Grassington, and Deepdale near Grassington.—Grorcr Rosrrts, Loft-
house, August, 1883.
HuppDERSFIELD Exuisition.—NatruraL History DrPartMEent.—It
may not perhaps be generally known to our readers that nearly the whole
of the Natural History collection of the late ‘‘ Squire ” Waterton has
been kindly lent, and is now on view, at this Exhibition. The collection
includes the cayman on which Waterton made his famous ride, beautiful
specimens of humming-birds, a small chimpanzee, the celebrated ‘ non-
descript,” armadillos, many strange and curious species of crabs and
lobsters, a splendid arrow tube about LOft. long, and specimens of the
arrows tipped with the wourali poison, &c., &c. This collection is all
in one room, which also contains many other specimens of interest to the
naturalist. In another room the geologist and mineralogist will find
much to interest them. There is a splendid collection of almost all
known kinds of precious stones ; a collection of agates lent by Prof. Jno.
Ruskin ; a fair series of coal-measure and other fossils ; recent echino-
derms, crustacea, mollusca, corals, sponges, glass models of marine
invertebrata ; about thirty species of mosses; cases of moths and
butterflies ; anthropological and ethnological photographs ; a fine series
of plates and diagrams illustrating vegetable morphology and histology,
lent by the Linnean Society of London ; Miss Ormerod’s six diagrams
of British insects injurious to farm produce; and, finally nearly 300
cases of British birds. Again, in Room No. 6, Screntiric INstRUMENTS,
there is a splendid display of various instruments for scientific research,
far too numerous to particularise, but amongst them may be mentioned
the following :—A number of first-class microscopes and implements ; a
REpoRTS OF SOCIETIES. 71
splendid selection of tuning-forks and vibrative bars, lent by the late
President of the Royal Society, Dr. Wm. Spottiswoode ; lantern and
microscope lamps ; models of horizontal steam engines ; steam hammer ;
Channel Tunnel boring machine, &c., &c. The scientific and Natural
History student will find much to interest him for a whole day,
irrespective of the other exhibits, and would be well repaid for a visit.
LEPIDOPTERA NEW TO YORKSHIRE.—Among some micro-lepidoptera I
took in the neighbourhood of Huddersfield during the present year, and
which I recently submitted to Mr. ©. G. Barrett for determination, I find
are three species hitherto unrecorded for the county. Sciaphila perterana
I tcok near Crosland Moor in July. Tinea merdella swarmed in July, in
the old lot of wool in New-street, alluded to at vol. vii. Nat., p. 94; and
the pretty Gelechia gemmella I found flying in plenty in September, in
the old rough field adjoining Lepton Great Wood. Two other species
are new to the South-west Riding, viz: Gelechia desertella and G. similella,
both of which I took on Crosland Moor in July.—Gro. T. Porrirr.
NOTICES OF BOOKS, &c.—‘‘ The Annual Report and Transactions
of Wakefield Naturalists’ Society, 1883.”—Contains lists of papers read,
account of local rambles, &c. The library seems to be at present only a
small one, but may probably soon be increased. The most useful part of
the ‘* Transactions ”’ is the list, so far as published of the fauna and flora,
which shows that the society is doing good local work. These lists
include the shells—a very full one—migrant birds, with dates of arrival ;
hymenoptera, coleoptera (geodephaga only), and vertebrates. Other
departments of zoology, and also the botany and geology, are promised
in future issues.
—‘* The Practical Naturalist,” No. 9, vol. i., contains simple and
initiatory papers on skinning and preserving reptiles ; a short life-history
of Vanessa Jo ; notes on the recognition of the common minerals ; notes
of meetings ; lists of macro-lepidoptera on the wing during June from
seven districts, &c. We presume, though it is not so said, that this work
is intended for beginners, and if it will only induce some of our young
people to commence and continue the study of some branch of Natural
History, it will do good service.
Aenorts of Societies,
BrapFrorp Narurazists’ Socrety.—Meeting Aug. 21st, the president
in the chair.—Mr. Soppitt reported a visit to Grange, and exhibited
specimens of Hpipactis latifolia, a species of tamarisk, and a fungus
commencing its growth on the juniper and completing it on the hawthorn.
He also showed a live young nightjar, found at Black Hills, Bingley
Wood, and reported that he had observed Hepialus sylvinus there. Mr.
Andrews exhibited a specimen of Anagallis tenella found in Shipley Glen,
and a number of plants from Devonshire, among which were Hwphorbia
a2 THe NATURALIST.
amygdaloides, Erythrea pulchella, &c. Mr. Illingworth gave an account
of an excursion to Kendal, and showed a hornets’ nest taken there, and a
specimen of the glow-worm ; he also exhibited a piece of a meteorite
which fell in a field near Kendal. The president reported a ramble over
Harden Moor with Mr. Butterfield, and exhibited Scoparia pyralalis and
S. ambigualis from Shipley Glen (the former new to the district), Tortrix
icterana, from Grassington, and the following from Harden Moor :—
S. coarctalis, T. viburnana, P. sauciana, H. angustana, P. caledoniana,
and P. monticolana, the three last being new to the district. Mr. West
read an interesting paper on ‘‘ Lichens,” and exhibited a large number of
specimens collected in various parts of the country.
Meerine Sept. 4th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Bennett read a
paper on a visit to the Fisheries Exhibition, London, describing some of
the various objects of interest to be seen there. Mr. Soppitt gave an
account of a ramble over Barton Moor, where, among other things, he
found Xenodochus carbonarius and Puccinea lychnidiarum. In the
excursion with the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union on the 1st September he
met with Actewa spicata and Puccinea sessilis, the latter a very minute
fungus ; also Serratula tinctoria, which is an addition to the list of
flowering plants of the district. Mr. Kershaw exhibited a collection of
insects from the Isle of Man, among which were three species not found
in this district. Mr. Ward gave an account of a ramble through Wens-
leydale, with remarks on the geological formation of the district. Healso
gave areport of avisit to the Huddersfield Exhibition, and of the Natural
History objects shown there. The remainder of the evening was spent in
the examination of microscopical objects exhibited by Messrs. A. J.
Kershaw, J. EK. Fawcett, J. Faull, and B. Spencer, among which were a
number of slides containing objects illustrating the paper on lichens read
by Mr. West at the last meeting.
Fitzy Mezrine, Y.N.U.—ConcuotoeicaL Srection.— The Rev. W.C.
Hey, president of the section, reported that owing to the unfavourable
weather but few species had been observed, and these were mostly of
common occurrence. The best find was Pupa ringens, of which one
specimen was taken. Limax (Amalia) marginatus, found in the Ravine,
was also an addition to the Wiley list. Altogether the following species .
were seen—17 land, 3 freshwater, and 22 marine :—Arion ater, A. hor-
tensis, Limax agrestis, L. marginatus, Succinea putris, Vitrina pellucida,
Zonites crystallinus, Z. cellarius, R. nitidulus, Z. fulvus, Helix nemoralis,
H. hortensis, H. hispida, H. virgata, H. ericetorum, Cochlicopa Iubrica,
Pupa ringens, Planorbis spinorbis, Limnea peregra, L. truncatula.
Marine: Saxicava rugosa, Lupraria elliptica, Solen siliqua, Venus
striata, Mactra stultorum, Don@x anatinus, Anomia ephippium, Tellina
tenuis, T. balthica, Cyprina islandica, Trochus cinereus, T. helicinus,
Purpura lapillus, Helcion pellucidum, Patella vulgata, Chiton cinereus,
Littorina litorea, L. obtusata, L. nidis, Buccinum undatum, Lacuna
vincta, Rissoa striata.
a wert
ASE LS ee re
Reports oF SOcIETIES. 73
HouppErsFIELD NatuRAtists’ Socitety.—Meeting Sept. 22nd, Mr. A.
Clarke, v.P. in the chair.—Mr. Allen Godward exhibited Solomon’s seal
from a new locality near Thunder Bridge ; also Gentiana Amarella from
the same district. Mr. F. Ellis exhibited five specimens of Oporabia
filigrammaria, taken this season near Meltham, Huddersfield; Mr.
Mosley, a very beautiful nest of the long-tailed tit, sent to him by
Mr. Kerry, of Harwich, for figuring in his work on “ British Birds.”
Mr. Clarke gave a very interesting lecture on ‘‘ Fungi,” illustrated by a
good collection of freshly-gathered specimens.
Meetine October 8th, Mr. A. Clarke in the chair.—The chairman
exhibited about 30 species of fungi, including Lactarius serrifluius, new to
the district. Mr. Morley exhibited a nest of the Dartford warbler, made
entirely of flower stems and flowers of Aira flexuosa, and sent to him for
figuring in his ,“‘ British Birds,” by Mr. Fredk. Bond, F.Z.S. Nine of
the Ordnance Survey maps, which had been purchased to represent the
Society’s district, were laid on the table.
YorksHirE Naturarists’ Unton.—Maruam, Sept. 1st.—The closing
meeting for 1883 was devoted to the exploration of Malhamdale, including
Malham Tarn and Plateau, the picturesque scenery of Gordale Scar and
Malham Cove, and resulted in much useful work being done. Only one
party was arranged—a geological one—but other members grouped them-
selves into small parties for the time being, and others again pursued
independent researches. A few botanists and conchologists who took the
field early in the forenoon, made their way to the plateau on which
Malham Tarn is situate. Here they were entertained to a sumptuously-
provided luncheon at Malham Tarn House by the High Sheriff of York-
shire (Mr. Walter Morrison), to whose kindness and hospitality during
the day the Union was much indebted. After luncheon the conchological
party were provided with boats by Mr. Morrison, and devoted the after-
noon to the exploration of the molluscan fauna of the Tarn, with a
satisfactory result. The botanists were led by Mr. Morrison and his
gardener to various localities on the Moor, and they also were able to
render a good account of themselves. The geological party which had
been arranged by Mr. J. W. Davis, the president of the section, met at
Settle about noon, and walked eastwards. They first visited Langcliffe
Scars and the Victoria Cave, and then made for Malham Moor, pro-
ceeding by way of Stockdale Farm. ‘The line of the great Craven fault
runs in this direction. To the north are the limestone scars of Lang-
cliffe, whilst the raised grounds to the southward constitute the millstone
grit of Kirby Fell, the highest point of which, Ryeloaf Hill, is 1794 feet
above sea-level. The division between the two formations is very
distinctly marked by the character of the vegetation, the limestone being
covered with the even green herbage characteristic of the Craven
district ; whilst the millstone grit of the other side is clothed with sedges
and heather. The party then proceeded across the moors to the place
where the water from the Tarn sinks—to re-appear again at the foot of
74 ‘Tur NATURALIST.
the Cove. The waters collected in Malham Tarn from the hilly district
beyond form the source of the river Aire, and half-a-mile from the
lower end of the Tarn the stream which issues from it sinks into one of
the pot-holes so characteristic of the mountain limestone. In this
instance the orifice is filled to the top with loose round stones. The
opening is exactly on the line of one branch of the Craven fault.
Proceeding from the ‘‘ Water Sinks,” the party passed between the great
cliffs worn by the stream, which had made its way in that direction
before finding its present channel. The geologists came out at the top of
the Cove, and having passed over the limestone pavement, they made a
slight detour to the right, and descended to the valley, making the best
of their way along the course of the stream to Malham village. Here all
parties met, and tea was served, and the usual meetings held at the Buck
Hotel. The general meeting was presided over by Mr. Walter Morrison,
High Sheriff of Yorkshire. The minutes of the previous meeting were
taken as read. Fourteen societies were found to be represented, viz :—
Beverley, Bradford (Naturalists’), do. (Scientific Ass.) Dewsbury, Elland-
cum-Greetland, Halifax, Keighley, Liversedge, Leeds (all three), Wake-
field, Shipley, and York and district. The individual attendance was
about 50 or 60. Eleven new members were elected, viz :—Mr. Geo. W.
Oldfield, M.A., Harrogate; Mr. John W. Morkhill, Killingbeck Lodge,
Mr. R. M. Jaques, Hasby Abbey, near Richmond; Rev. Canon J. J. ;
Pulleine, Kirby Wiske, near Thirsk; Mr. Wm. Bethell, J.P., D.L., |
Rise Park, near Hull; Mr. R. D. Horne, Leyburn; Mr. A. D. H.
Leadman, Boroughbridge; Mr. John Hutton, Solberge, near North- |
allerton; Mr. T. EK. Buckley, F.Z.S8., Millerton, Invernessshire ; Mr. : |
Henry Wilson, Cottingham, near Hull; and Mr. Robert Mortimer, of |
Fimber, Hast Riding. A new Society was unanimously admitted into
the Union on the motion of Mr. P. F. Lee, seconded by Mr. J. W.
Davis, viz., the Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ and Scientific Society,
numbering 24 members. A hearty vote of thanks was then presented to
Mr. Morrison for his kindness and hospitality to the members, and for
the permission granted to the Union to ramble over his estates. This
was proposed by Mr. J. W. Davis, seconded by Mr. Washington Teasdale,
F.R.M.S., of Leeds, and, after being unanimously adopted by the
meeting, was responded to by Mr. Morrison. The Sections were then called
upon to report, the first being the Geological, for which its president,
Mr. J. W. Davis, F.S.A., F.L.8., F.G.S., of Halifax, gave the account
which we summarise at the beginning of this article. In the absence of
the officers of the Vertebrate Section, Mr. Leonard Gaunt, of Farsley,
reported that of birds had been observed 19 resident species—the rook,
kestrel, merlin, mallard, lapwing, snipe, kingfisher, chaffinch, linnet,
sparrow, redbreast, hedge sparrow, meadow pipit, ringdove, dabchick or
little grebe, coal tit, blue tit, pied wagtail, and wren—and four migrants
—the wheatear, redstart, swallow, and house martin, In mammalia only
a field-mouse had been reported ; of amphibians the frog only, and of
Reports OF SOCIETIES, T5
fishes trout and stickleback, both in Malham Tarn. On behalf of the
secretary of the Conchological Section (Mr. J. Darker Butterell) and
himself, who had been working the Tarn during the afternoon, Mr. W.
Denison Roebuck reported that they were very well satisfied with the
result of their investigation, although time had not permitted of the
examination of more than about a third part of the Tarn. The fauna
proved to be somewhat richer than might have been expected from the
height of the Tarn above sea-level (nearly 1300 feet), and several of the
species found exhibited interesting tendencies to variation. One of the
most interesting was *Limneza stagnalis. var. fragilis, sub-var. variegata,
the second time of its occurrence in the British Isles. It was abundant
on Potamogeton lucens. Others were *Spherium corneum, var. nucleus
(common), Pisidium pusillum (common), *Valvata piscinalis (a few,
approaching var. acuminata in form), *Bythinia tentaculata (dead shells),
*Planorbis nautileus (one specimen), Pl. contortus (very abundant,
though small in size), *Limnea peregra var. ovata (dead shells). Under
logs of wood close to the margin of the Tarn were specimens of Limnza
truncatula var. minor, and a dwarf form of Succinea putris, together
with two species of slugs, *Limax levis and Limax agrestis. On the
river Aire, where it issues from the Cove, were found specimens of
L. peregra var. ovata, and Ancylus fluviatilis var. albida; several of
these were additions to the recorded fauna of the district: To land-shells
not much attention was paid during the day, as this branch of the fauna
is comparatively well known, whereas of the freshwater forms of the Tarn
absolutely nothing whatever had been recorded, The list of land-shells
included Arion ater, Zonites crystallinus, Z. alliarius, *Helix aspersa,
H. nemoralis, H. arbustorum and var. pallida, H. hispida and var, sub-
rufa, H. sericea, H. rufescens, H. rotundata, H. rupestris, Clausilia
rugosa and var. dubia, Pupa umbilicata, and Cochlicopa lubrica. The
species and varieties marked with the asterisk (*) are new to the district.
The total number of forms observed was 31. In Entomology Mr. G. C.
Dennis (in the temporary absence of the secretary of the section, Mr.
EK. B. Wrigglesworth), reported as follows :—Very limited was the
time which we were able to devote to the entomology of the
district. Our route lay from Settle by way of Victoria Cave to
Malham Tarn and Cove, and we did not leave the Old Town until
_ one p.m. We did, however, by dint of hard work and much scheming,
manage to secure about 24 species of coleoptera—none of them
unknown, though many not common. Had an entomological party been
formed, and confined their attention to Malham and the district about a
mile round, we should have had more to record. The following are the
coleoptera taken during the day’s excursion :—Cychrus rostratus, Linn.,
near Victoria Cave ; Nebria complanata, Linn., above Victoria Cave ;
Lebia cyanocephala, Linn., Malham Cove ; Patrobus excavatus, Payk.,
Settle; P. assimilis, Chd., Malham ; Hydroporus picipes, Fabr., Malham
Tarn ; Colymbetes pulverosus, St., Malham Tarn; Acilius sulcatus,
76 Tae NatTcRALIST.
Linn., Malham Tarn; Gyrinus bicolor, Payk., Malham Tarn ; Silpha
thoracica, Linn., near Malham ; Agelastica halensis, Linn, near Malham ;
Graptodera oleracea, Linn., near Malham ; Crepidodera aurata, Foudr.,
near Malham ; Phyllotreta undulata, Kutsch., near Malham ; Aphthona
coerulea, Payk., near Settle ; Thyamis brunnea, Redt., near Setile ; T.
melanocephala, Gyll., near Victoria Cave ; Coccinella obliterata, Linn.,
Malham ; C. bipunctata, Linn, near Malham Cove ; Scymnus discoideus,
Tll., Malham ; Ocypus oleus, Mull., above Victoria Cave ; Xantholinus
tricolor, Fabr., Settle-road ; Othius melanocephalus, Gr., near Malham ;
Lithocharis obsoleta, Nord, near Settle. For the Botanical Section the
secretary, Mr. re. F. Lee, reported upon the day’s work. The botanists
had mustered in force, and enjoyed to the full the various routes taken
in this classic hunting-ground. The total number of phanerogams, ferns,
&c., of the London Catalogue of British Plants, collected or observed at
Gordale Scar, Cove, in smiling Airedale from Bell Busk, and on the route
from Settle to Malham, was 291, thus making the last ramble the best of
the season in point both of numbers and rarity of specimens. After
partaking of the High Sheriff’s hospitality at the Tarn House, we worked
the Tarn Bog, and under the guidance of Mr. Morrison himself, with his
head gardener, we saw some flourishing specimens of the great English
sundew, Drosera anglica, planted last year by the High Sheriff, with the
hope they may establish themselves. The bog also yielded us an
additional district plant, the interesting Serratula. tinctoria, var. monti-
cola, having almost sessile and larger flower-heacs than the type. In the
grounds at the Tarn House are successfully cultivated many rare alpines
and ferns, both foreign and district plants. The rarest of the many good
things noticed during the day were the following, mostly fruiting :—
Actza spicata, Draba muralis, D. incana, the variety of the alpine penny-
cress, Thlaspi occitanum, Viola Jutea, Geum intermedium, Sedum
Telephium, var. purpurascens, Galium sylvestre, Carduus heterophyllus,
Polemonium ccruleum ; a dwarf mountain form of Myosotis sylvatica,
Primula farinosa, Salix repens, var. argentea, Potamogeton lucens, P.
densus, Orchis latifolia, sub-sp. incarnata, Carex capillaris, C. fulva, C.
vesicaria, Sesleria coerulea, and Asplenium viride. Mr. H. T. Soppitt
of Bradford, who had been paying attention to the fungi, reported that
the district was peculiarly rich in epiphyllous species. Amongst those
gathered was Aicidium prenanthis, accompanied by Puccinea prenanthis,
P. sessilis, P. poarum, and several Phragmidia. Of the larger species
very few were seen ; these included Ag. squarrosus, Ag. mollis, Ag.
infundibuliformis, and Helvella lacunosa. Altogether, about 50 species
were gathered.-—A vote of thanks to Mr. Morrison for occupying the
chair, brought the meeting to a close, after which the members drove to
the station to catch a Midland express which it had been arranged should
be specially stopped for their convenience at Bell Busk station. A small
party of members received still further attention from Mr. Morrison, and
stayed over Sunday to enjoy his hospitality at the Tarn House.—-W.D.R.
Diary —Meeiings of Societies
Nov. 1. Himenh Society of Ladue 3. 8 p. m.
» 3. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
;». 9. Huddersfield: Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
afte. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society. -
» 6. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club. Tes
» 6. Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association.
» @ Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
», 4. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
», _ 9. Dewsbury Naturalists’. Society.
», 138. Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association.
» 18. Bradford Naturalists’ Society.—Report of Entomological and.
Vertebrate Sections: Messrs. J. W. Carter and J. Firth,
Bee LEU DM:
Sy nca 4, York Mae District Naturalists’ Field Club.
», 15. Limnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
», 47. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m. 1.—Reports of Sections.
» 19. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.
» 20. Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association.
» 26. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
,, 27. Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association. —“ Animal Life
ea in its lower forms,” J. M. Kirk, of Doncaster.
», 2. Doneaster Naturalists’ and Scientific Society.— Papers by. Messrs.
(ees. T. W. Plant and T. A. Murray:
,, 27. Bradford Naturalists’ Society—Reports of Botanical es Concho-
~ logical Sections, Messrs. Wm. West and HH. T. Soppitt.—
Sark 30 Opa ees
pees 2h Uren Naturalists see Club.
KS
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NATURALIST. PI. vii. B. BROWN,
Publisher, Huddersfield.
Original Articles.
THE ALG OF STRENSALL COMMON.
By W. Barwet Turner, F.C.S8., F.R.M.S., &c.
PLATE VII,
Wuen I paid a visit to Strensall with the Y.N.U. on July 14th last,
it happened that I was the only collector of aquatic alge. The
amount of material collected was, unfortunately, then but small, as
I only had three small bottles and two little tubes, and I soon found
that they were very inadequate to my wants. It is a matter for regret
that more gatherings were not then secured, as our visit took place
after a short period of dry weather ; and the pools were in better order
(our brethren of the net and bottle will understand this), than they
had been for some time. On arrival at Leeds, I arranged for a
thorough examination of my plants, and soon succeeded in making out
a tolerable list; but, during my work, I found that I came across
numbers of things either unknown to me or very puzzling, so I was
fain to seek assistance. My first thought was of Dr. M. C. Cooke, to
whom I wrote, but was sorry to find him suffering from ill health and over
work; so in my dilemma, I was very grateful to finda helping hand in
my friend Mr. A. W. Wills, of Birmingham, who is a well-known
authority on the subject, and who kindly gave me the benefit of his
assistance with the Desmidiez. After working some time, it became
apparent that our material was not adequate to a thorough investigation,
so, at Mr. Wills’ request, 1 went again to Strensall on July 29th,
“when I was able to secure a larger collection, but found the place in
very poor condition for work, as heavy rains had intervened. One
accident occurred with (to me) deplorable results, with respect to my
first gathering—I had worked over part thereof, and wished to have a
clean bottle handy for transferring, se emptied one for the purpose,
when to my amazement and disgust I found I had thrown away the
contents of a bottle | had not thoroughly examined, and with it my
chance of positively being assured of the existence of two rare species,
specimens of which I had already found in the said bottle, and had
sketched them by way of note. For the latter I am thankful, as,
although my second journey was productive of sundry novelties, I did
not again find the forms alluded to, viz:—St¢aurastrom Pringsheimit
and S. anatinum ; also the form which I believe to be 8. megacanthum.
I have accordingly entered these in my list, with a query attached to
them.
N.S., Vou. 1x. Dec., 1888.
78 THe NATURALIST.
As mentioned in my short note lately (Aug. N., p. 24), diatoms were
very few as to species found, and those but common ones, though I
think S. spicula is a new record.
The Algze are such as one would expect to find in such a habitat,
though several common species and genera were not seen, but
they probably exist.
As might be anticipated, fresh-water rhizopods were plentiful, with
some of the smaller entomostraca, &c.; among these I may mention
en passant, Arcella vulgaris, Difflugia proteiformis, Actinophrys sol,
Trachelocerca viridis, Kerona mytilus, Canthocamptus minutus, and Amebe.
The pretty Infusorian Dinobryon sertularia was abundant.
It may be as well to mention that the drawings of Desmidiez are
asually made (by common consensus of opinion) to a uniform scale of
400 diameters, and this is a good rule in papers which relate to the
controversial side of botany; but on the present occasion I have
thought well to violate it in order to show more of the strange forms
which desmids present. On another point—that of measurement—I
quote Mr. Wills (Midland Nat. 1881, p.41). “The unit -01 m.m.,
is recognised by continental botanists under the symbol p, and the
dimensions of the Desmidiez are recorded in the following manner :-— ;
‘e.g. Long. =21 p; Lat.= 20-21 »; Lat. isthmi=5 p.’ It is only in ,
this country that the barbarous notation of inches and their decimal
parts still lingers.” These remarks now apply to all micro-metric work.
IT trust the reference to this will be excused, for though a small matter
of detail, it is yet important, and saves much comparison and calculation.
In the accompanying list there are many forms in the genus
Cosmarium, and several in that of Closterium, as yet undetermined:
T think, moreover, that the Staurastra will repay further search.
For the filamentous alge and diatoms I have not given all the
‘‘ authorities,’ deeming such as are given to be sufficient for the Union
lists, and some I have not at this moment. ;
Four specimens have a query against them. Of three I feel tolerably
sure, having drawn them under the microscope ; of the fourth (8. Prings-
heimii) way drawing is not quite satisfactory, though very near the form, |
Finally, | must roundly state my opinion that in the various descrip- )
tions of new speeies by many authors, too many varieties have been |
exalted into species. To anyone. curious on this point I refer Dr. M. C. |
Cooke’s remarks on the forms of Tetrachastrum in “Grevillea” for |
March, 1881. i
The specimens marked with en asterisk are, I think, new to 7
England ; though either Mr. Areher, of Dublin, has found them in
TuRNER: THE ALG# or StRENSALL Common. 79
Ireland, or Mr. Wills at Capel-Curig, in Wales.
To the latter
gentleman my best thanks are due for his kindly assistance and
cordial co-operation.
ALGA.
Batrachospermum vagum, var. tenuis-
simum, Ag.
Chzetophora tuberculosa, Hooker
C. elegans, Hs.
Draparnaldia plumosa, Ag.
Coleochacte scutata, Breb.
Conferva floccosa, Ag.
Ulothrix mucosa
Mougeotia genuflexa, Ag.
Zygnema Vaucherii, var. stagnale,
Kirsch.
Z. anomalum. R. 2
Z. stellinum, Vaucher.
Z Ralfsiu, Hs.
Zygogonium ericetorum, var. aqua-
ticum, De B.
Spirogyra nitida, Dillwyn.
S. tenuissima, Hs.
Mesocarpus scalaris, Hs.
M. parvulus, Hs.
M. nummuloides, Hs.
Cidogonium vesicatum, Lyng.
CH. delicatulum, Kz.
Microspora fugacissima, Thurst.
Bulbocheete setigera, Ag.
B. rectangularis, Wittr.
Echinella articulata.
Anabaina circinalis, Bory.
Volvox globator, Linnzeus.
Gonium pectorale, Miiller.
Pediastrum Boryanum, Turb.
Be Ms B. tetras.
a Aeon var. granula-
tum, Kz.
P. Ehrenbergii, Br.
P. pertusum, Kz.
Pandorina morum, Bory.
Scenedesmus quadricauda, Turp.
S. obliquus, Turp.
S. acutus, Meyen.
Sorastrum spinulosum, Ng.
Rhaphidium falcatum, Rab.
Polyedrium tetrahedricum, Ne.
P. enorme, R.
Oscillatoria nigra, Vaucher.
Leptothrix ochracea, Kz.
Apiocystis Brauniana, Ne.
Chlorococcum gigas, Grun.
Eremospheera viridis, De B.
Botryococcus Braunii, Kz.
Gleocystis rupestris, Lyng.
G. ampla, Kz.
Chlamydococcus pluvialis, Br.
Palmella hyalina, Breb.
P. mucosa, Kz.
DIATOMACEZ.
Achnanthidium lanceolatum
Synedra lanceolata
Gomphonema geminatum
Tabellaria flocculosa
Pinnularia radiosa
Cocconema lanceolatum
C. parvum
Stauroneis spicula
Diatoma elongatum
D. vulgare
DESMIDIEA.
Gonatozygon Ralfsii, De B.
Hyalotheca dissiliens, Breb.
H. mucosa, Ehr.
Didymoprium Borreri, R.
D. Grevillei, Kz.
Desmidium aptogonum, Breb.
D. Swartzii, Ag.
Sphzrozosma vertebratum, R.
S. excavatum, R.
Micrasterias papillifera, Breb.
M. crenata, Breb.
M. denticulata, Breb.
M. rotata, R.
M. Crux-Melitensis, Ehr.
Spondylosium pulchellum, * Archer’s
form a, Bail.
Euastrum elegans, Breb.
EK. pectinatum, Breb.
EK. binale, R.
E. binale, var. elobatum, Ld.
E. verrucosum, Ehr.
80 Tae NaATuRALIsT.
. arachne, R.
leve, R.
avicula, Breb.
S. inflexum, Breb.
S. anatinum ? C. and W.
margaritaceum, Men.
. furcigerum, Breb.
S. pseudo-furcigerum ? Reinsch
. polymorphum, Breb.
. eristatum, Breb.
EK. ansatum, Ehr.
E. didelta, R.
E. oblongum, R.
Arthrodesmus conyergens, Ehr.
A. incus, Hs.
Docidium baculum, Breb.
D. clavatum, Kz.
D. clavatum, var. B. with projecting
suture
D. nodulosum, Breb.
* Cosmarium truncatellum, Perty
|
|
;
C. undulatnm, var. minutum, Wittr. hirsutum, Breb.
C. botrytis, Men. . aculeatum, Men.
C. margaritiferum, Men. S. megacanthum ? Ld,
C. orbiculatum, R. . tetracerum, R.
C. globosum, vel. bioculatum, Breb. . gracile, R.
C. cucumis, Cor. S. Sebaldi, Reinsch
C. Meneghinii, Breb. S. Pringsheimii ? Reinsch
C. quadratum, Breb. . pilosum, A.
C. cucurbita, Breb. . aversum (or brevispina, Breb.) Ld.
C. pyramidatum, Breb. _spinosum, Breb. —
C. undulatum, var., Cor. | _ paradoxum, Meyen
C. crenatum, R. Penium Brebissonii, Men.
C. ornatum, var., R. P. digitus, Breb.
* C. proemorsum, Breb. ‘Closterium setaceum, Ehr.
C. amcenum, Breb. C. lineatum, Ehr.
Xanthidium armatum, Breb. CG. lunula, Ehr.
X. cristatum, Breb. C. Dianze, Ehr.
X. fasciculatum, Ehr. C. acutum, Breb.
X. fasciculatum; var. B. polygonum, | C. costatum, Cor.
Ehr. _C. juncidum, R.
X. octocorne, Ekr. C. angustatum, Kz. -
Staurastrum teliferum, R. C. Leibleinii, Kz.
S. orbiculare, R. C. attenuatum, Ehr.
S. punctulatum, Breb. Tetmemorus Brebissonii, R.
S. alternans, Breb. T. granulatus, R.
S. dejectum, Breb. Spirotzenia condensata, Breb.
Postcrrpt.-—Since compiling my lists in September I have to make the
following additions, &c. : Xanthidium aculeatum (Ehr.) ; X. Brebissonit
(R.) var. 8; Staurastrum cuspidatum ; 8. polymorphum (both Breb.); _
S. vestitum (R.) The existence of 8. Pringsheimii I have proved by |
finding other specimens. I find that the specimen on plate, fig. 19, is —
Staurastrum dejectum, var. y connatum (Lundell, Desm. Suec.), a variety
new, I believe, to England. One curious form occurs, a Micrasterias, |
apparently combining the characters of M. crenata and M. truncata —
Concerning these, Ralfs says, p. 76, ‘‘ I have seen some specimens which
make it doubtful whether they be really distinct.” The gathering is yet ~
far from being ‘‘ exhausted,” for I have a number of forms which still —
defy my efforts to clear up their identity. To the Diatoms are added
Nitzschia lanceolata, N. minutissima, Navicula amphirhynchus, and-
Stauroneis phenicenteron. =
CarRTER: WHARFEDALE ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES. 81
REFERENCES TO PLATE VII.
1. Staurastrum avicula, a rather taller form than Ralfs’.—2. This
may possibly be either a Staurastrum or Xanthidium. The blunt spines
are peculiar.—Staurastrum sp.?—4. Staurastrum anatinum; if not
anatinum it is a very near form. Two positions shewn.—5. HKuastrum
binale; generally distributed on heaths.—6. Staurastrum aristiferum.
7. Xanthidium octocorne.—8. Staurastrum Sebaldi: previously dis-
covered as a British plant by Mr. Wills in 1880, at Capel Curig.
9. Staurastrum aculeatum: generally distributed, but not common.—
10. Staurastrum megacanthum ? so like, that I deem it the true species.
See remarks on No. 8.—11. Staurastrum pilosum : not common.—12.
_ Xanthidium fasciculatum.—13. Staurastrum furcigerum: this and the
one preceding it are very common.—1l4. Staurastrum inflexum: see
No. 8.—15. Staurastrum margaritaceum : a widely-distributed species. —
16. Xanthidium sp.? pronounced to be so by Dr. M. C. Cooke ; species
doubtful, possibly a deviation from X. octocorne. 17. Xanthidium sp.?
Copy of one drawn by me from a Welsh specimen of Mr. Wills, to
compare with No 16.—18. Cosmarium amcenum: Ralfs gives habitats
Ambleside and Dolgelly, not common.—19. Staurastrum sp. ?—20. Stau-
rastrum arachne: Ralfs says ‘‘ Dolgelly, very rare; Aberdeen.”—21.
Staurastrum pseudo-furcigerum? This form approaches the species
mentioned, but yet may be only a variety of S. furcigerum, No. 18 ; see
remarks on No. 8.—22. Micrasterias papillifera: generally distributed,
but not common.—23. Micrasterias Crux-Melitensis: a rare species.—
Nos. 1 to 21 are x 260, Nos. 22, 23 xX 275 diams.
WHARFEDALE ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.
By J. W. Carrer.
| Tre following observations were made by my friends Messrs. J.
| Firth, of Bradford, E. P. P. Butterfield, of Wilsden, and myself,
| during a walk from Silsden to Grassington, on the banks of the
Wharfe, from Addingham, on the 23rd of June last. In the evening
in Grass Wood, we tried the attractive mixture known as “ sugar,”
but not a single specimen visited it. It was our intention to remain
in the neighbourhood of Grassington the whole of the following day,
but owing to an unfortunate circumstance—one of our party being
taken seriously ill—we were compelled to leave very early in the
morning.
As the insect fauna of Wharfedale is very imperfectly known, we
think it advisable to give a complete list of our captures.
CO
bo
POU ne eOMmneAaAoOoeQesetkBePsSeaBbBeeteeerronrtodarrt orn a
. candidata. — do.
. cambricaria. Bolton Woods and Barden.
. pusaria. Bolton Woods. |
. piniaria. Gill Beck and Grass Woods.
. ulmata. Bolton and Grass Woods.
. defoliaria and aurantiaria. Larvze very abundant in Bolton Woods.
. dilutata. Larvz, Bolton Woods.
. decolorata. Grass Wood.
. lariciata, very common, Gull Beck and Grass Woods.
. vulgata. Near Addingham. |
. tristata. Very abundant, Gill Beck Wood.
. vivata. Guill Beck Wood.
[. subtristata. do.
. montanata. Everywhere.
. fluctuata. Bolton Woods.
. propugnata. do.
. ferrugata. Gill Beck and Grass Woods.
. corylata. Bolton Woods.
. suffumata. Grass Wood.
.camelina. Bolton Woods.
. ambigualis. Barden and Grassington.
. pyralalis. Grassington.
. pratellus. Common, Silsden Moor.
. icterana. Grass Wood.
.lacunana. Guill Beck Wood.
. lanceolana. Common, Silsden Moor.
.myrtillana. Common, Gill Beck Wood.
THe NATURALIST.
.mundana. lLarve commonly at Burnsall.
. complanula. One larva, at Bolton Woods.
.humuli. Grassington.
. callunz. Larvzee in Gill Beck Wood.
. bidentata. Grass Wood.
. pilosaria. Larve, Bolton Woods.
lactearia. Grass Wood.
pectinitaria. Gill Beck Wood.
czesiata. do.
alchemillata. Grass Wood.
albulata. Common from Bolton Woods to Grassington.
batis. Grass Wood.
ministrana. Common.
cynosbana. Common from Bolton Woods to Grassington.
LimpPricut : NoTES ON A FEW EUROPEAN MOSssEs. 83
C. ulicetana. Silsden Moor.
K. maculosana. Near Bolton Bridge.
C. stramineana. do.
L. prelatella. Grass Wood.
M. calthella. Bolton Woods.
A. viridella. do.
G. syringella. Grass Wood.
In Coleoptera we noticed Melolontha vulgaris in Grass Wood ;
Aphodius rufipes, Grassington; Leistus fulvibarbis and Patrodus
excavatus, near Bolton Bridge.
Valley-sireet, Bradford.
NOTES ON A FEW NEW EUROPEAN MOSSES.
By Gustav Livericut,
(Translated ).
Orthotrichum subalpinum (n.sp.).—This I collected in the sub-
alpine region of the Riesengebirges, about 1,250 metres high, growing
on Sorbus Aucuparia, in July, 1871. Specimens agreeing in every,
particular have been collected by Venturi in the Tyrol, and dis-
tributed by him as Orthotr. stramineum folis crispatis, Vent.
The characteristics of O. sub-alpinum may be thus summarised in the
more prostrate growth of the small tufts, in the slender, crisped
(when dry) leaves, with broadly rotundate points, in the very contracted
eryptoporen stomata, in the color and shape of the inner peristome
and cilia, and lastly, in the remarkable size and nature of the spores.
Orthotrichum Rogert Schimp. Syn., Ed. Il., p. 332, is the only
species which requires any notice in the consideration of O. subalpinum.
As, hewever, Dr. Carl Muller, of Halle, the possessor of Bridel’s
original specimens, has repeatedly assured me that my plant in no
degree is identical with O. Rogeri Brid., I have preferred, in order not
to further confuse matters, to publish it under a new name.
The description of O. Regeri differs very much in the various bryo
logical works, and in herbariums and exsiccate are to be found many
|- specimens under this name which are mostly to be referred to Q.
pallens Bruch., which may easily be distinguished by the pseudo-
phaneroporen stomata. These forms of stomata deceived even the
acute de Notaris, who in the Epil. d. Briol., Ital, p, 311, judged them
84 THe NATURALIST.
erroneously to be as in O. pallens Bruch., and O. microcarpum de
Not., l. ¢., p. 107, “ Stomata normalia.”
Bryum (Cladodium,) micans, (n. sp.,) discovered by the Rev. Chr.
Kaurin, in damp peaty places, at the foot of the Oimberget mountain
near Opdal Dovrefield, Norway, in August, 1881, and again in
October, 1882, communicated to me as Bryum arcticum forma minor.
This species comes near to the typical Bryum arcticum, Bryol, Eur.
tab., 335 excl. fig. 1, 1 b. and 6, but is, however, distinguished from
it as follows:—The color of the tufts (of the leaves and mid-rib), is
never reddish, the leaves are on their upper half, always entire, the
nerve is only shortly excurrent, the capsule is regular (only curved in
the neck), and polished, the teeth of the outer peristome are more
deeply colored, broader and longer, and their cross-bands are more
numerous, and formed as in Bryum pendulum, the cells are smaller
and in the neck-part very irregular, the papillae broader, and not so
prominent, the spores are larger and almost might be called of an
ochre-yellow color. It grows upon the naked turf.
Bryum (Cladodium) arcuatum (n. sp.,) Synomyn: B. arcticum
forma maxima. Kaurin in litt. Collected on damp shady rocks, near
Opdal, Norway, July, 1882, by Rev. Chr. Kaurin. This species.
resembles in habit, Bryum uliginosum, forma elongata Schimp., which
Jenson has also in the Dovrefield collected and contributed to Raben-
horst’s Bryotheca Europ. sub., no. 274.
Bryum (Cladodium) Opdalense, (n. sp.) Collected by Rev. Chr.
Kaurin, in damp sandy places upon the banks of the Driva, near
Opdal, Norway, and communicated to me as Bryum purpurescens, var.
Bryum (Cladodium) autumnale, (n. sp.) Collected by Rev. Chr.
Kaurin, near Opdal, in damp sandy places, October, 1882, and re-
peatedly sent to me as Lryum purpurescens, Br. Kuro. Bryum pur-
purescens, Bryol, Eur. tab., 336, and Bryum purpurescens, ur. 462 in
Breutel Musci. frond. exsicc. from Labrador, agree well with each
other in every particular. From these, Bryum autumnale differs
essentially ; it resembles very much in shape of leaf Bryum opdalense,
and might perhaps possess the nearest relationship to Bryum Lindgreni,
of which I have only seen two imperfect stems. |
Bryum (Eubryum) sysphinctum (n. sp.), discovered by Rev. Chr.
Kaurin, on the 7th August, 1882, with ripe capsules, in sandy places
near Opdal, Norway, growing with Brywm opdalense.
This plant comes far nearer to Bryum cirratum H. and H. than to
Bryum bimum with which Kaurin joins it. The specimens which I Be
possess from Schimper, Juratzka, Milde, and from the North German
Mostty: WHERE ARE THE INSECTs ? 85
plains agree with each other pretty well, therefore I look upon this
Norwegian plant not as a variety of Bryum cirratum, but raise it
provisionally as a distinct species.
Bryum Archangelicum, Br. and Sch. I have recently been enabled to
compare, through the kindness of the Rev. Chr. Kaurin, a small
original specimen of Angstrcem’s, from the Royal Museum, Stock-
holm, and [am now convinced that my Bryum tauriscorum (un. sp.)
(Bryum inclinatum plano-operculatum Breidler in Sched.) belongs to it.
The special characters for Bryum archangelicam are the flat operculum,
the insignificant basilar membrane of the inner peristome, and the
yellowish red-like dull spores, which last measure 0°027 mm., and are
granulate.
WHERE ARE THE INSECTS?
By S. L. Mostey.
Tus has been the cry of almost every Entomologist for the last two
or three years, and the cry has been well founded, and has met with
many answers. One person thinks that it is the wet spring, which
has killed off all the lepidopterous larve; another thinks it is the
mild winter; a third attributes it to the high winds, which have
blown the larve from the trees; another thinks that it is due to the
prevalence of ichneumon flies, but Dr. Capron tells us that ichneumon
flies have been scarce too. Another thinks that there are too many
collectors, a suggestion which alas, is only too true, but in rather a
different sense from that in which the writer puts it. I dare say that
there are few readers of this journal, who have not heard of such a
thing as an insectivorous bird; but did they ever consider what an
insectivorous bird means? If it be true that a pair of blue tits, as
has been calculated, destroy 600 caterpillars a day, during the
breeding season; if it be true that a flock of 300 rooks destroy
162,900 crane flies per day, as I myself have borne witness, what must
be the amount of destruction of insects carried on by the whole bird
population of this country? Let us try and make an approximate
guess! Previous to the passing of the Wild Birds’ Protection Act,
| I have seen a fiock of starlings in one of the midland counties, which
|} contained from 50,000 to 100,000; take the lowest number and say
_ 50,000 for the whole county, and the same for each of the 40 counties
of England—2,000,000. Now each of the following birds are
86 Tue NATURALIST.
insectivorous during the breeding season, and according to my
experience, are as common as the starling :-—
i. Hedge sparrow. 8. Yellow hammer.
2. Robin. 9. House sparrow.
3. Willow wren. : 10. Linnet.
4. Pied wagtail. 11. Swallow.
5. Tree pipit. 12. Martin.-
6. Meadow pipit. 13. Sand martin.
7. Skylark. 14. Swift.
Reckoning these at the same rate as starlings, gives us 30,000,000.
Now say that there are only half as many of each of the following
birds :—
1. Whinchat. 10. Greenfinch.
2. Wheatear. 11. Twite.
3. Sedge warbler. 12. Wood pecker.
4, Black cap. 13. Wren.
5. White throat. 14, Cuckoo.
6. Blue tit. 15. Nightjar.
7. Ray’s wagtail. 16. Partridge.
8. Common bunting. 17. Quail.
9. Chaffinch.
The latter 17 species would give us 17,000,000 individuals, which
added to the previous numbers gives us 47,000,000. There are also
many insectivorous birds which are fairly common, such as the wood
wren, chiff-chaff, lesser white-throat, stonechat, blackcap, garden
warbler, &c., &c., which I have not enumerated, but say in round
numbers that there are 50,000,000 insectivorous birds in this
country during May, June, and July. This will be 25,000,000 pairs ; ~
reckon each pair to destroy as many caterpillars as the blue tits, 600
a-day, during say one month, 30 x 600=18,000. Now, multiply 25
millions by 18,000 and we get the amazing number of 450,000,000,000,
the number of caterpillars destroyed by small birds during one month
in the year. Has any reader of the Naturalist any idea what these
numbers represent? Let us try and form some idea. Say a pint
measure would hold 590 caterpillars, that would give us 900,000,000
pints, and about the same number of lbs. If we now reduce these lbs.
to tons, we find that we arrive at the enormous sum total of 401,785
tons. Let us simplify it still more, and say that they would fill over
200 railway trains, each train having 20 waggons, holding 10 tons!!
These figures are perfectly astounding, and I can scarcely credit my
own calculations. Remember that these calculations are but for one
month out of twelve ; but if we allow the same numbers for the whole — a
of the year, it is enough to turn the stomach of any thinkmg
Rogerts: List oF SHELLS OF SoutH MILFORD. 87
Entomologist. Also bear in mind that these calculations are based
upon a flock of birds seen before the passing of Bird Acts, and it is
only fair to assume that they have considerably increased since then
—perhaps doubled—and as I have gone as far as I am able in figures,
I leave each one to reckon the rest for himself.
These bird laws have interfered with the balance of nature, and
made a blunder they cannot repair; but I may return to this subject
again.
Beaumont Park, Huddersfield.
Fak Se O-ho Sab MES
COLLECTED OR OBSERVED ON JULY 2np AND 97H,
IN
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF SOUTH MILFORD.
By GrorcE ROBERTS.
Spherium lacustre. Common in the ponds about Milford Junction ;
some on caddis cases. Many dead and open shells were lying ona
dry bank, having been taken out of the water by mice or shrews.
Pisidium nitidum. Common on caddis cases.
Bythinia tentaculata.
Valvata piscinalis. Milford.
Physa fontinalis.
Limnea peregra and L. truncatula.
Succinea putris.
Vitrina pellucida.
Zonites nitidulus, Z. nitidus, and Z. purus.
Heliz nemoralis. I collected altogether about 30 specimens, five, four,
and one-banded, the prevailing colours being various shades of red,
_which is the colour of the soil in the district, but a few were
yellow. They occur generally, but few together, mostly on the
nettles in the hedges, and some on the top of the hedges. One
specimen of Nemoralis has the lip white. Near Milford I noticed
a snail-stone on which about half-a-dozen nemoralis had been broken
by a thrush. There were no fragments of Cantiana shells, though
the latter was abundant in the hedge close by. Amongst the few I
picked up there are several of the major form with depressed spire,
one fine trochiform specimen with one band, and one or twa
entirely destitute of epidermis.
88 THe NATURALIST.
HI. arbustorum. Near Fairburn, on nettles which had been mowed, in
company with Cantiana rufescens, and variety hybrida of Nemoralis..
Hi. cantiana. Abundant in all the hedges, both moist and dry, in all
stages of growth. Apparently the commonest of the Helices.
H. rufescens. Frequent.
H. pulchella. On a wall near Milford.
HI. hispida. Common; many greyish in colour and very hispid,
apparently intermediate between hispida and sericea. A few are
rufous, and destitute of hairs.
HI. hispida, var. nana.
fl. caperata.
HI. ericetorum. On a high bank at Newton lime quarry. All the
adult shells I saw were dead; the young were suspended beneath
blades of grass.
fi. rotundata.
Pupa marginata.
Clausilia rugosa.
Lua lubrica.
Z. lubrica. var. lubricoides.
I saw no Helix hortensis, and H. aspersa seems to be confined to
gardens and old walls near houses. ‘The soil here is red, lying on
red sand or clay.
Lofthouse, Wakefield.
Raintall for October,
a Height| Toran Faun
of . | No To Dats. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest Os
above | fall. Day Si i ea Sa an Fall. ay
< all.
level! | 1883. | 1882
Ft. Tn.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 4°67 | 18 | 31°85 | *27°25 24 0°67
(J. W. Robson) 5
_ Hairax...(F.G.S. Rawson)) 365 | 6°11 | 17 | 40°73 40°44 25 02
Leeps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 2°59 | 25 | 25:21 | + 20°77 3 0°59
HorsrortH ... (James Fox); 350 | 2°96 | 13 | 29°48 |429°08 | 17 0°40
Barnsuey ... (T. Lister) ..., 350 | 3°35 | 21 | 28°41 | 27°10 ity 0°69
INGBIRCHWORTH (do.) ...... 853 | 4:73 | 17 | 40-60 | 36:42 17 0-82
WENTWORTH CASTLE (do.)...| 520 | 3°97 | 17 | 30°86 27°81 Ire O71
Goore ... (J. Harrison)..| 25 | 3:83 | 21 | 24:30 | 26-77 3 0°64
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| - 10 | 4.35 | 20] 18°85 | 23-20 1 111
Lawton)
Scarborough Rainfall for October, 3°47: 0°93 above average.—A. ROWNTREE.
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82. + Average of 29 years, 1853-62 1865-83.
t Average of 14 y: .rs, 1870-83,
Short Notes and Queries.
Regulus cristatus at ELLAND.—This morning, during the bright sun-
shine, whilst walking in Elland town-fields, I observed a flock of about a
dozen, more or less, of the goldcrest (Regulus cristatus), hovering under
the decaying leaves of the sycamore, picking off a kind of green fly, or
plant louse which were adhering to the under side. They were very
active, similar in their motion to titmice, and uttering a low note which
may be spelt ‘ zit, zit.” Mr. Cunningham writes to the Halifax Courier
that he also saw a flock (no doubt the same) in the People’s Park.« I
heard the redwing on the 7th inst.—C. C. Hanson, West Vale, Oct.
21st, 1883.
GOLDFINCHES NEAR BineLtEy.—As I was coming over. Hope-hill (960
feet), with a friend on Nov. 11, a party of goldfinches flew close past us.
I had just remarked that some of the thistle-heads were ‘‘ drilled,” but
the droppings I thought indicated that it was the work of birds which
were superior in size to the goldfinch. It is, I believe, just thirteen years
this November since I saw any about this locality.—H. P. P. BurrerFigexp.
Late Mackeret AND HERRING ON YORKSHIRE Coast.—I think it is
worth recording how extremely late mackerel and herring have been
taken, this autumn, off the Yorkshire coast. The former were exposed
for sale, in quantity, in the Hull shops, freshly caught in Bridlington
bay, down to the 20th October. Herrings are still offering in the shops
to-day, taken at the same place. The mildness of the weather no doubt
explains it.—N. F. Doprezs, Beverley, 14th Nov., 1883.
EntomotocicaL Notes From Binatey.—Last week I received a few
insects (of the names of which I had some doubt) from Mr. Barrett,
which I had sent him for determination ; and although one or two are
not in such good condition, he says they may be safely named as follows :
Scoparia atomalis, S. conspicualis, S. perterana, P. sordidana, P. semi-
fuscana—all of which are additions to the local lepidoptera of this
district ; S. atomalis, of which I sent him two specimens I took on
Blackhills in July. There were scores of Scoparie flying about at the
same time as I took these two, but whether they were all of this species
Gf it be a species) I cannot say. I called them ambigualis when I took
them, and I confess I am puzzled with them now. Conspicualis I thought
-wasa small cembralis, with which I had had it placed. It was taken, I
believe, by my brother last year in the neighbourhood. I have another,
‘however, which I have taken in the district this year—S. perterana. I
picked it out from amongst some subjectana in the neighbourhood of
Blackhills. Mr. Firth showed me an insect yesterday, which I take to
be this species ; he took it in Shipley Glen this year. PP. sordidana and
semifuscana I beat from alder trees about a marshy piece of ground in the
park adjoining Bingley Wood on the 22nd September last, On the 3rd
instant I was on Harden Moor, and E. gelatella was very abundant—nay,
90 THe NATURALIST.
actually swarmed. They arose at every step, and there must have bee
thousands.—H. P. P. BurrerFietp, Wilsden, Nov. 12th, 1883.
EntomotocicaL Nores.—Recently I bred a fine series of Pterophorus
zophedactylus (Loewii), from larve sent from near Dorchester, found
feeding on flowers of Hrythrea centawrea ; and some beautiful Gymnan-
cycla canella from larvee sent to me last year by the Rev. E. N. Bloom-
field, M.A., found on Salsola Kali at Camber, near Rye. I have also
added to my collection several Hupithecia pygmeata and Pterophorus
teucriit, taken near King’s Lynn by Mr. E. A. Atmore during the past
year. Amongst some insects sent me to name from Scotland by Mr. Jas.
Hinchliffe, of Alva, was a fine example of the variety angelicata of
Eupithecia albipunctata, a form which seems previously to have been
noticed only in Yorkshire and Staffordshire. A still more interesting find
is that of Acronycta myrice in Ireland. Mr. F. De V. Kane sent me for
determination a specimen bred from a pupa he found on the face of a
rock on a wild exposed headland, at Galley Head, a most unusual
situation, and where Mr. De V. Kane says the larva could not have fed
on Myrica gale, but probably on close-shaven thrift. He also turned up
Hecatera serena and Neuria saponarie in Ireland, and Dianthecia
cesia in three different localities there. It is worthy of record, too, that
the still rare Hydrilla palustris was taken at Wicken Fen again this
year.—G. T. Porrirt.
WASHBURNDALE SHELLS.—I wish to add to the list of shells taken on
the occasion of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union excursion on the 6th
August, which is printed on p. 40 of this volume—the name of Limnea
auricularia, of which I took a single specimen at the upper, or Blubber-
houses end of Fewston reservoir, where no doubt it may be regarded as
being common.—Wm. Denison Rossuck, Sunny Bank, Leeds, Nov.
9th, 1883. ‘
Notre on Testacella.—My name having been mentioned by Mr.
Roebuck as to the occurrence of Testacelia at this place, I may state that,
so far as I remember, my shells resembled haliotidea, but I think it hkely
they were scutulwm after all. I am sorry I have no means of clearing up
the point, as I have no specimens. I was much surprised when I first
found the shell here some seven or eight years since, in Padman’s
nursery. I have only seen two or three specimens within that time, but
think there are many more, and they only require looking for. They ~
probably come with flowering plants, or ferns, from the south or from
France, being imported in the soil of plant-pots, either in the egg or in
the mature form. All the specimens I saw could be traced to the
nursery, and I cannot think they are natives here. Possibly our friend
Mr. Butterell’s shell at Beverley may have a similar history. I never
heard that anybody had noticed it for Yorkshire until I communicated
with Messrs. Taylor and Roebuck, several years ago. There is no reason
why this should be its most northerly appearance. I presume itmight be |
Reports of Societies. 91
found in Aberdeen under similar conditions to those named. Perhaps
some of our friends may examine a few nurseries, particularly the soil
and pots and crocks, when plants are being re-potted.—JoHn EMMETT,
Boston Spa, Nov. 21st, 1883.
Trombidium phalangit at GoRDALE Scar.—Upon the occasion of the
visit of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union to Malham, on Sept. Ist last,
I found a specimen of the harvest spider (Phalangium), covered with the
parasite Trombidium phalangit, about half way up the ravine where the
stream comes down at Gordale Scar. This may perhaps be worth
noticing.—GrorcEe W. OLDFIELD, Harrogate, Nov. 1st, 1883.
Reports of Societies.
‘Braprorp Naruratists’ Socrety.—Meeting Oct. 2nd, the president
in the chair.—Mr. Illingworth exhibited a specimen of the vapourer
moth. (O. antiqua), which he captured in front of the British Museum ;
also a cluster of eggs of the same species, taken at Camberwell Green.
Mr. Terry sent a box of insects taken at Witherslack, among which were
Hesperia sylvanus, L. Alexis, C. Davus, Carsia imbutata, H. auroraria,
Mixodia Schulziana, &c. Mr. Wood described a visit to Edinburgh, and
gave a geological description of Arthur’s Seat. He then read an
interesting paper on the geological formation of the Bradford district,
and illustrated it with a number of fossils collected in the vicinity of
Bradford. Mr. West exhibited a specimen of Cuscuta epithymwm from
Chislehurst, found on gorse and heather, and also a large number of
drawings of various species of alge.
Meetine Oct. 16th, the president in the chair.—Mr. Kershaw exhibited
a specimen of the long-eared bat (Plecotus awritus from Essex; Mr.
Carter a small box of insects containing C. geniculellus, M. furuncula,
and A. gilvaria, from the South of England. Mr. Soppitt reported
having seen Vanessa cardwi at Saltaire, and that Mr. Butterfield had
captured one at Wilsden. He also gave an interesting account of a
fungus foray he had attended at Hereford, which extended over four
days, and exhibited specimens of Helvella lacunosa from Heaton Woods,
Craterella cornucopoides, Strobilomyces strobilaceus, and Cantherellus
cmereus, from Ludlow. Mr. Riley exhibited a box of insects from
Glasgow, among which were D. fagella, F. atomaria, and C. graminis ;
he also read an interesting paper on ‘‘ Entomology,” illustrating it with a
number of specimens of butterflies and moths. Mr. West showed
specimens of alpine plants, Astrantia major, Smilacina bifolia, Aristilochic
clematitis, and Lloydia serotina, the last-named from Snowdon ; also a
number of seaweeds from Cornwall, Wales, &c.—JoHn Eastwoop, Sec.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SoctETy.—Meeting, Oct.
29th, the president, Mr. S. J. Capper, in the chair.—A paper was read
by Mr. Henry Capper on ‘‘ Darwinism and Beauty.” After reviewing
Dr. Darwin’s theory of the development of beauty through the agency of
92 Tae NATURALIST. -
sexual selection, be pointed out that although this theory threw much
light upon the subject, it also left much unexplained ; for instance, why
the colours and niarkings produced should be of a most refined type, or
why beauty should exist throughout nature. They had, therefore, to
look for something beyond ; and since man’s intellect was capable of
appreciating, and to some extent, imitating this beauty, and since it was
highly improbable that it had been created solely for his gratification,
they were irresistibly led to the conclusion that it was the product of an
intellect alike in kind, but immeasurably grander than man’s own. The
paper led to an animated and interesting discussion. Mr, F. M. Pierce
exhibited a specimen of Labidura gigantea, taken in his office, Tithebarn-
street, Liverpool; and Mr. von Sobbe and Mr. Wilding some recently
captured and bred lepidoptera.
MANcHESTER Cryprogamic Socrety.—Monthly meeting, September.
Dr. Carrington presided, and reported some of the proeeedings of the
Biological Section of the British Association during its late meeting at
Southport. The president also distributed a few specimens of the
characteristic mosses of Southport, which he had collected during his
visit. Mr. Wm. West, of Bradford, sent a number of mounted slides of
British marine and fresh-water algee for exhibition, and also a number of
beautifully executed tracings of figures of cryptogamic plants, which were
much admired for the skill and patience required for their delineation.
Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited a new British moss, Tortula paludosa,
which had been sent by Mr. Davis, of Brighton. The specimen had
been collected by Mr. W. Mullen in the Clydach valley, Abergavenny,
in August last. Mr. Pearson also exhibited the rare British hepatic,
Dumortiera irriqgua, collected in Hast Sussex by the Rev. E. N. Bloom-
field ; Mr. George Burgess, of Prestwich, exhibited a number of mosses
from the neighbourhood of Malham.—T. Rocsrs, Hon. Sec.
York AND District Firetp Naruratists’ Sociery.—Meeting October
10th, Mr. G. C. Dennis in the chair.—The chairman exhibited the
following insects, taken by himself at Bishop’s Wood, near Selby :—
Nonagria fulva, Teras caudana, a long series of Pedisca ophthalmicana
P. sordidana, and Pterophorus trigonodactylus ; the hon. sec. (Mr. Prest) |
a fine series of Sesia chrysidiformis, Tephrosia extensaria, Macaria notata,
Eupithecia satyrata, Cidaria silaceata, Psyche reticella, Anesychia funerella
and decemguttella, and the rare tortrix EHphippiphora nigricostana. Mr.
Wilkinson brought for exhibition a fine collection of well-mounted
specimens of rare plants, most of them collected by himself during the
present season :—Geramum sangiineum, G. lucidum, collected at Mal-
ham ; G. rotundifoliwm from Somerset ; G. sylvaticum (Teesdale), G.
striatum (Scarborough), G. pratense, G. pusillum, G. molle, G. dissectum,
@. Robertianum, G. columbinum, G. pyrenaicum, collected near York.
Mr. Prest, on behalf of his son, Mr. C. S. Prest, exhibited the jawbone
of the Indian shark, and the saw cf a large sawfish, brought by him from
the East Indian coast.—W. Prest, Hon. Sec.
Diary.—Meetings of Societies.
1. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Annual Meeting, 8 p.m.
2.,Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
4. Leeds Naturalists’ Club and Scientific Association.
; ~ 4. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society.
-;,. 4. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
5; Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ Society.—Conversazione.
5. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
5. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
» 6. Imnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
» 1l. Bradford Naturalists’ Society—Annual Meeting, 7-30 p.m.
' 12. York and District Naturalis’s’ Field Club.
» 14. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
5 17. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.
18. Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ Society.
20. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
24. Lancashire and Cheshire Nntomological Society.
-,, 27. York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
» 29. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30. p.m.
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- Onicrwat ARTICLES, &e.: .
_. ~The Sea Birds at F feborouph. —John Cor deaus, M.B.OOU...
= Natural History Notes from South Africa. —Continued. Se wD: Bairstow,
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Original Articles.
THE SEA BIRDS AT FLAMBOROUGH.
By Joun Corpeaux, M.B.O.U.,
PRESIDENT OF THE VETEBRATE SECTION Y.N.U., 1883.
By far the most plentiful of the various tenants on the cliffs we have
visited to-day is the common guillemot ; the allied variety known as
the ringed guillemot, Uria lacrymans, is not common. Out of eight
guillemots clustered together on a ledge near the upper part of the
cliff at Speeton, six were the common species, and two were ringed
euillemots—but this was quite an exceptional circumstance. Guille-
mots return with remarkable regularity to their nesting quarters,
visiting the neighbourhood soon after Christmas, and may be seen off
Flamborough in large numbers in the early spring, They congregate
at this cliff in April, and commence laymg in May; only one egg is
laid on the bare cliff, and the cliff-climbers allege that if this is taken,
and repeated, the same bird will go on till she has laid nine or ten
eggs. This, however, is directly contrary to the observations of Mr.
_ George MacLachlan, formerly the lighthouse keeper at Barra Head,
_ and one of our most careful observers on the West Coast of Scotland.
He states that if the first egg is taken, a second is laid, and then a
third; if this is taken the bird lays no more that season. If left
_ undisturbed the guillemot will return year by year exactly to the same
spot. If the eggs are taken, the guillemots shift their ground, it may
_ be only to the next ledge, and become much shyer. Mr. MacLachlan
sprinkled the birds on a certain ledge with red paint, and the birds on
a continuation of the same ledge with blue paint. He then went
down and took the eggs, and found that the blue and red spotted
birds had changed places with each other. Normally only one egg is
laid in the season. The guillemots know their own eggs, and if one is
interchanged during the absence of the female, she will shift it back
with her feet. Incubation is performed in an upright position ; the
young is hatched in 21 to 24 days, and after remaining for about
_ three weeks on the cliff, where it 1s fed both by the male and female,
it is carried down to the sea on the back of the parent The Flam-
_ borough boatman states that this is done at high water, when there is
a considerable depth at the base of the cliff, and more frequently in
the quiet of the evening. Usually the young bird falls off before
reaching the sea, or is thrown off by the parent bird. At Barra Head
Mr. MacLachlan states, the young bird is grasped by the wing, near
the shoulder, and not carried, as a rule, on the back of the parent.
N.S., VoL. 1x. JAN., 1884.
94 THe NATURALIST.
The male bird does not assist in incubation, nor does he feed the
hen when sitting. If the young bird is hatched, and the female killed,
he will, however, continue to bring up the nestlings.
There are now three sets of cliff-climbers who obtain their livelihood
during the season by plundering the sea-fowl on these cliffs. Many
of the eggs find their way to the egg collectors and curiosity shops,
some are eaten and used in cookery; and it is said fous are sent to
Leeds, where they are used (the albumen) in the process of manu-
facturing patent leather. This wholesale destruction is much to be
regretted. No eggs should be taken after the first of June. The
weight of a full sized guillemot is about 240z., the egg between three
and four.
Scattered about, either singly or in small communities on the cliffs,
are numerous razorbills. ‘heir habits are much the same as the guille-
mot; they lay one egg, either-on the ledge or cleft in the cliff. The
young bird is also carried down to the sea by the parent birds. Both
the male and the female bird assist in ineubation. Mr. Edward
McCarron, the light-keeper on the Traraght Rock, off the Blasket
Island, Tralee, states in his report for 1882-83, Irish Stations—“ The
parent birds relieve each other while hatching. I actually saw a
razorbill come up to another which was on the egg, peck it, when off
it went, and the new comer took its place. The razorbill is a more
active bird on the wing than the guillemot.”
Of puffins there are large numbers on these cliffs. They lay one egg,
which is, as a rule, placed in some hollow or erevice in the rock.
Sometimes several puffins may be found in one hole; both the cock
and hen sit alternately. When the young is hatched, it is fed by the
parents until such time as it is able to fly down to the water. The
old birds carry sprats, syle, and sand-eels in their beak up to the roek ;
they hold them dangling on each side of the bill, suspended like a grey
fringe or beard, A puffin will thus carry easily from 20 to 30 small
fish or eels. They are grasped between the nose and eyes, and held
much in the same manner as when a knife is struck into an apple,
Even when the puffin is shot they do not fall out, but remain firmly
attached to the sides of the beak. I have frequently seen puffins fishing
for prey at great distances from their nesting quarter. At Barra Head
it is said to go fifty miles for its food; the necessity therefore, of
carrying a considerable supply at once becomes apparent.
The kittiwake nests in some numbers on the Bempton cliffs. The
nest is a slight cavity of mud and sea-weed beaten and trampled
together, lined with finer materials, as dry grass, and often placed on
such a narrow ledge as to leave scarce room for the bird to turn |
CorpEaAux: THE Sea Birps at FLAMBOROUGH. 95
round. Three eggs are laid. The young birds, when they first
appear at sea—conspicuous by the black spots on the side of the head
—are called “ mackerel birds,” because they usually appear at sea with
their parents at the time these fish are approaching the coast in
August.
Other sea-birds seen during the excursion were a cormorant and a
few herring gulls. The herring gull nests in considerable numbers on
the cliffs north of Filey Brigg—a locality where two pairs of cormor-
ants are nesting this year, also several rockdoves.
A large flock of lapwing were seen in the fields above Speeton,
showing that these birds had already congregated.
W heatears, meadow pipits, and pied wagtail.
Had time permitted, I should like to have told you something
about the migration of birds on to the Yorkshire coast in the autumn
of 1882, especially of that great dight of goldcrests, one wing of which
touched the Faroes and the other crossed the Channel Islands—a
migration which, commencing in August and continued through
September, rose to its height in October, and gradually decreasing to
November—altogether over 92 days.
Again, of that large flight of jays which, early in October, took
three days to pass Heligoland, travelling from E to W in a strong
south-easterly gale.
And, scarcely less wonderful, of the immense flights of the common
hedge-sparrow, which, passing Heligoland early in October, occurred
_ at the same period in such large numbers in Holderness and North
East Lincolnshire.
May I be permitted to trust, however, that an opportunity may be
given us of meeting together at some central place, as Leeds, during
the winter, when we may have leisure to enter more fully into the
details of the various excursions made by the Union during the year,
and the general results to be derived therefrom.
[The above Notes are the substance of the remarks made by Mr. Cordeaux
while presiding over the Filey meeting (June 11th, 1883) of the Y.N.U.]
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
( Conitmued. )
By S. D. Barrsrow, F.L.S.
A Poor benighted lunatic, ‘“‘once upon a time,” was run in by a
benighted policeman, charged with the possession of “a ’ighly
dangerous hincubation, yer honner.” P.C.’s potations of three-star
56 THe Naruratist.
cognac dimmed his recollection of English erammar. I suppose
incubus was the word intended. Now, I also plead guilty to this soft
impeachment—not the brandy, but the incubus. It must be cast off.
I have tried to limn a cheerful picture, to cull from Nature’s bouquet
a few bright flowers, to speak fair for all I’ve seen and _ heard.
Have I not advanced the Diptera to a front position, and solemnly
published their order—grand? Ihave! In token thereof I hereby
attach my mark, X. Henceforth must I be just. I spoke of Nature:
I speak on Gnat-ure. SBombylius and Andrax, ye may number
amongst ye the fairest of all created fairies; atomic Culex and blue-
blooded Daddy Longlegs,* ye may lay claim to veneration: but I
love ye not—and wherefore? Because of yours! Are ye not allied
to man’s chiefest foes—the mosquitoes? against whom Burns might
have thundered—
‘“ Ye hypocrites ! are these your pranks,
To murder men, and gie God thanks 2”
and screamed aloud in very sleepless restlessness—
‘** For shame ! gie o’er—proceed no further—
God won't accept your thanks for murther.”
The quality of mercy is not strained, excepting towards mosquitoes
and house-flies.f I’ count intolerable heat by day and night, aching
bones and tired limbs, as naught ; but the stings and buzzes of imps
of darkness and damp ticklings of moonlight imps, as intolerable,
impardonable, fiendish. I am satisfied with the theory of “ use in all
created beings,” but draw the line at mosquitoes and house-flies,
excusably mollifying outraged feelings in the notion that their breed
has deteriorated whilst ours progressed; they were created check-
mates to antediluvian apes, and by judicious (?) natural selection
transferred their affections to culminating humankind. Dr. Spencer
Cobbold, the renowned helminthologist, in his Filarian theory,
champions John Chinaman. Emigration has just presented us a few
samples of our pigtailed brethren. Mosquitoes will have their bloud.
Exchange is no robbery! Personal pain is a grand charity-syphon,
and occasionally, when I have been compelled to jump from my couch
irritated beyond expression, abstraction guiding my footsteps towards
the window, I have gazed upon the miserable forms of tick-troubled,.
weather-beaten, well-whipped oxen, remembering also the Tsetse-ills,
etcetera, which their race is heir to,—and back to bed I turn, contented
with my lot, yet full of sadness. Verily Diptera is a good name, only
* Not T. oleracea. ¢ Colonists from the old country.
Barestow. Natura History Notes rrom SoutH Arrica. 97
equalled by Dip-terror. Vale mosquitoes! Vale house-flies! Ye
cannot prove malicious. It is too late, my friends: the winter draweth
nigh !
My researches among the Orthoptera in schoolboy’s happy home
were decidedly acute, if somewhat exclusive. They were nearly
confined to the house cricket and cockroach. I never progressed much
with No.1; superstition, dread of ill luck, barred the way, and I
studied economy at long ranges. But No. 2 was most ardently
pursued. I¢ is not unlikely that the flattened intestines of slippered
Blattas are this day adhering to certain wall-papers in a certain home-
stead. An itinerant vermin-killer, quite expert in the noble art of
catching cockroaches and killing them against the palms of his hands,
was wont to pay periodical calls at our house for purposes of pest
extermination. Unfortunately he fell in love with the kitchen-maid—
_a damsel of forty-five years—who rejected him, after mature delibera-
tion. He wooed, popped, and lost, notwithstanding a fair bank
balance to his credit, and increasing trade returns. Moral: cock-
roaches were evidently fairly prolific to remunerate a hawking
executioner. However Mr. Smouser dropped visiting us, and my
researches continued. Now in this country (O blissful fact !) although
I am minus 2 re Diptera, I am plus 1 re Orthoptera. I am not bothered
by cockroaches, and a solitary house cricket—bless his pertinacious
windpipe !—does duty for a pet canary. Apparently the crickets in
South Africa domineer over cockroaches as domestic pets. This is
easily explained (1) because we have a scarcity of ancient tenements ;
(2) cement and plaster are in great demand for building material, and
crickets are partial to semi-damp abodes. But I conceive it is with
insects as *tis with Kafirs—civilization means demoralization. My
sweet songster becomes a bore. He takes advantage of board and
lodging. I concede the kitchen to him—he adopts the sitting-room.
briefly, he waxes fat and impudent. Kindness kills good manners.
A Kafir of Kaffraria is a noble animal; a cricket of the Veldt is a fine
old fellow.
Walking in the land of Orthoptera, or Screechdom, will amply
repay an observant tourist. The air reverberates in stridulatory
music, and beneath each stone there lies concealed a patron cockroach
or protean relative. It may be caprice which suggests to my mind the
thought that insects replace our birds as songsters; and granting their
melodies are a trifle monotonous, they are welcome neighbours, and 1
bear them no ill-will. Of Cursoria the d/antide are most interesting,
whilst the largest species are most commonly met with. Nothing can
98 Tae NaTURALIsT.
exceed the extreme delicacy and variableness of tint exhibited by some of
the lovely green gods, who practically are not so green as they look. They
revel amongst our garden creepers, particularly convolvulaceous plants.
When I study the character of a godat home, I am forcibly reminded of the
street-corner pharisees, ‘ watching and preying ’’—outwardly-all that is
sublime, the quintessence of sincerity ; inwardly—third-class sinners.
- And the goddess is not a whit purer-minded than her lord, but
exemplifies a mournfully suspicious combination of Venus and
Charybdis. See the beautiful creature modestly hiding in the recesses
of her leafy home! See the implacable gluttoness gripping the feeble
captive, and ravenously devouring it in greedy haste !
The Mantide excel in the noble art of buffoonery, substituting
facial for verbal expressions. It may be that they can actually wink,
for of all existant creatures I never met a funnier-looking ungodly god
than the so-called Hottentot.* This remarkable external gift is but
an index to one more potent and internal—advanced instinct—I had
almost said wisdom. What attitudinarians they are! swaying to and
fro on their legs as if each position assumed gave them discomfort ; as
if every limb was a separate and distinct member acting independently
of the rest. How craftily they wag their heads! how clerically
spread out their arms! how tenaciously enclose their fists! I place
one on the table and pretend to rap it with my finger. The god,
uncertain if the blow shall fall, shrinks back upon its legs in a most
arrogant manner, signifying “I won't move unless I wish.” I have
heard of taming gods, and am persuaded from personal experience
that the notion is not unreasonable. Vital durability favors experi-
ments.
Many species of PAeme occur in the Colony. Mbole-crickets fly
“over the garden wall” and make a rush with their trowel-legs at
our lamps, and terrify the inmates of our rooms. A pretty green
LEpheppiger (?) frequents and mimics willow-leaves. It has a peculiarly-
shaped convex thorax, and produces a shrill sound with its wings.
These, in closing together, clasp suddenly like a spring: hence the
sound. The apparatus may be examined and proved after the insect
is killed. Friend Roebuck, if he sees my paper, will expect a word or
two about locust swarms. Friend Roebuck will be disappointed. I
can only recount with accuracy those things which I have seen.
There are colonists, old stagers, who remember such occurrences, but
their differences of opinion and relation are material. History some-
times is another term for dogmatism, masking too, perversion and
* Hottentot or Malay God—an accepted vulgar name throughout the Colony.
Barrstow : Natura History Notes rrom Soutn Arrica. 99
hap-hazard surmise, so that to quote particularly from hearsay
devolves a medley encumbrance. Apart from swarms, I quickly
observed a peculiarity of locust domestic life. I lift the veil of
privacy and perceive that some species pair in their pupal stage.
There is another problem I should very much like in solution. When
I first left England * for this country 1 used to enjoy an early prome-
nade on deck. A few days past Madeira on the 10th of September,
1880. in lat. 21° 20", long. 17° 56", a phenomenon appeared. Sud-
denly there swarmed aft animmense number of insects—Lepidoptera
—one specimen only, a locust, excepted. I netted or boxed many
species, chloroformed them with the Doctor’s assistance, and trans-
ferred to a safe abode, as I vainly imagined. On nearing Cape Town,
to my utter annoyance a colony of vile little carnivorous pests had
taken possession, and cleared nearly every treasure, leaving only legs
and debris of their victims to tell the tale. Atthe S. A. museum I
identified a splendid Sphinx, taken at rest on the poop, as Cherocampa
idricus. Very curiously the Rev. Mr Shaw, of Madagascar (a fellow
passenger) recognised one or two insects which occurred on that
island. A few butterflies and gaily-coloured birds were fluttering
about the rigging in a state of exhaustion, but all the moths I picked
up, when I first saw them were dormant.
Now, was there any selection of kinsmen, or essential partisans,
any pre-arrangement of spontaneous migration? Why, then select a
solitary locust? What outside agency impelled the flight of creatures
from different localities? Or if such a multidude of colonising insects
were wandering aimlessly, or by compnlsory ejectment, or a precon-
certed signal, for their native shore, and met casually or purposely, or
‘neither, within the limited area of a ship’s deck ; what proportions of
vastness ore meagreness did the swarm assume at starting? Our
passengers remarked the visiting moths cleared next day as fitfully as
they appeared. Ah! ah! a collector was aboard. I have long and
firmly believed that local weather diaries compared together will aid us
_ in determining causes of insect swarms quite as efficiently as local
“presence’’ records. Winds sweep existences from land to water:
why not from land, across water, to land? The Blosop (Pveumora)
* ss. Balmoral Castle, Capt. J. Winchester.
-t On pit.—A tremendous swarm of caterpillars invaded Port Elizabeth some
years ago, causing much annoyance to the inhabitants. A land wind swept them
into the ocean. I have often picked up insects on the sea-beach complete
strangers to me, although I am willing to confess these may may have been
blown frem the bush, end formerly escaped notice There are frequent reports
from up-country of processionary larval invasions. Some cf them only dis-
appeared when travelling into rivers (!)
100 Toe NATURALIST.
has been well blown up by popular writers, so I need not dilate upon
it. A remarkable and apterous locust, Hetrodes pupa,t which presents,
on account of numerous spines, a most formidable front to the enemy,
is sure to attract a stranger’s attention.
(To be continued. )
CAPTURES OF LEPIDOPTERA IN THE BINGLEY
DISTRICT IN 1883.
———==
By E. P. P. Burrerrienp.
SS. conspicualis. In looking over the various species of Scoparie
taken in this district this season, I find I have one S. conspicualis, but |
do not remember the exact locality where I got it.
A. gerningana. Common on Blackhills.—I found this species quite
plentiful near the Shooting house on Harden Moor.
P. mixtana. Scarce on Harden Moor.
P. comparana. Common, Beckfoot; and also Nab Wood, near
Saltaire.
P. Schalleriana. Not common.
P. Caledoniana.. Common, Harden Moor; abundant, Rombold’s
Moor; and I also saw it at the foot of Ingleborough, in August.
P. hastiana. I am not quite sure that there was not an error in
recording this species for this locality. I took a few above Morton
on the Moor, last September, and sent one of them to Mr. Barrett
to name; he named it hastiana, but 1t was much worn, and I now
think it might have been Caledoniana.
D. Leeflingiana. One taken on Shipley Glen, by Mr. John Firth.—
I have not seen this species in the immediate neighbourhood.
D. Forskaleana. One taken by my brother at Apperley Bridge, and
another by myseif at Shipley Glen, are all that I know of in this
district.
A. Conwayana. Only near Harden Beck.
P. Lecheana. Scarce, Bingley Wood.
P. picana. Not uncommon on Blackhills.
P. prelongana. Only once in a wood near Shipley Glen.
P. sauciana. Common, Blackhills; abundant in Harden Clough.—
My brother also saw it on Pendle Hill last August.
S. dealbana. Common, Cottingley Wood.
C. politana. Common, Harden Moor and Barden.
+ Authority—Trimen.
BUTTERFIELD : LEPIDOPTERA OF THE BINGLEY District, 101
C. favillaceana. Common, Bingley Wood.
P. myrtillana. Abundant about vacéinium, Blackhills and Barden.
G. campoliliana. Very common about sallows at Beck foot, Bingley.
G. geminona. Swarms about bilberry at Blackhills and Harden
Clough.
P. opthalmicana. Taken in a wood near Shipley Glen by Mr. Firth.
P. occultana. Common on fir on Blackhills.
FE. bimaculana. Abundant, Blackhills.
Ei. circiana. Only one taken in this district.
LE. Pflugiana. Common at Shipley Glen ; not so common at Wilsden.
EL. Brunnichiana. Common near this village and Cottingley Moor.
P. monticolana. Common on Harden Moor. ‘This was the com-
monest insect I saw at the foot of the western slope of
Ingleborough. I also took one by an old wall-side near this
village.
S. coniferana. I took one on fir on Blackhills about August.
D. herbosana. One taken by my brother at Grassington; he also
brought me another from an old wall side close to the village.
I afterwards took it commonly at the same place.
C. cana. Scarce; only one taken.
FH. nana. Scarce, in Hirst Wood, near Saltaire.
2. atricapitana. Scarce, Blackhills.
£. maculosana. One near Bolton Bridge.
Ei. angustana. Common, Harden Moor and Blackhills.
C. stramineana. Common at Beckfoot and Bolton Bridge.
A. osseana, At Wilsden ; abundant, Grassington.
L. gelatella. Abundant, Blackhills.
S. emortuella. Very common, West Beckfield, near Cottingley.
T. fulvimitrella. I took another of this beautiful insect on an alder
tree near Bingley Wood last June.
L. prelacella.. One at Wilsden, and at Grassington.
M. unimaculelia. One taken by Mr. Firth, Shipley Glen.
_ P. porrectella. Common, Wilsden.
Hi. sequella. Ihave bred one or two from pupz taken from ash in
Bingley Wood.
H. nemorella. Not uncommon about Wilsden.
AZ. harpella. Common.
P. quercella. Not scarce, Bingley Wood.
A. nitidella. Common, Goit Stock.
A. Andereggiella. Wilsden.
A. Gedartella. Cottingley Wood.
Short Hotes and Oueries.
** WHERE ARE THE Inszcts ?’—Mr. Mosley has put a question which
deserves the attention of every naturalist—using that word in its widest
acceptation ; but I take leave to doubt whether its true answer is in
accordance with his inference—namely, that the scarcity of insects during
the past year 1s due to recent legislation in regard to birds. I abstain
from criticizing Mr. Mosley’s estimate of the bird-population of England,
beyond giving my opinion that it is exaggerated ; but one thing to me is
obvious. No Act of Parliament can make a cup that is full hold any
more, and no Act of Parliament can have made birds with which this
country was already fully stocked more numerous than before. Now this
was the case with nearly all the species Mr. Mosley names, and
accordingly on those species recent legislation has had no effect whatever.
They are species that without exception have never been subjected to
direct and continued persecution that could have thinned their numbers,
because it is only persecution of that kind at the breeding season that kas
such an effect. Again, it is notorious that in the numbers of our com-
monest birds, such as those named by Mr. Mosley and several more, there
has been within the last few years a very great diminution. It is
perfectly clear to me that the excessive severity of several winters in
succcssion, and, still more, the inclemency of two springs, destroyed the
individuals of some species of birds to such an extent as had not been
known for many years—certainly not within my memory. Whether these
exceptional seasons have produced the scarcity of insects I do not pretend
to say. Finally, I would submit that Mr. Mosley’s assertion that ‘‘ the
bird-laws have interfered with the balance of Nature” is wholly incorrect.
The only possible effect they could have would be to restore that balance,
which, in the case of wild fowl and sea birds, had been so rudely upset
by continued and direct persecution during the breeding season—a
persecution that was rapidly leading to the extermination of not a few
species, a result that, I presume, Mr. Mosley himself would deplore.—
ALFRED N EWION, Magdalene College, Cambridge, 3rd Dec., 1883.
‘© WHERE ARE THE Insects?” In the last number of the Natwralist Mr.
Mosley offers a sensational explanation on the above subject, in which, I —
think, he oversteps all reasonable bounds. Let us examine the basis
from which Mr. M. obtains such wonderful results. It is nothing less
than an assertion that the whole of the insect-eating birds of England
destroy 300 caterpillars each per day. This, | maintain, is much too
large a number, even if they fed on caterpillars alone, which is not the
case, and: I doubt if larvee form more than 25 per cent. of their food.
That a pair of blue-tits are calculated to destroy 600 caterpillars per day
during the breeding season may be true, but then these tits are pre-
eminently caterpillar hunters, and a pair might destroy 600 small, but
not moderately-sized caterpillars. But Mr. M. bases his calculations on
a pint measure containing 500 caterpillars, and which he estimated to —
weigh about one pound, and consequently 600 caterpillars would weigh ~
almost one and a quarter pounds. There is no doubt birds are gifted —
Sport Notes anp Quirizs. _ 103
with good digestion, but the idea of a wren or any of the small birds in
Mr. M.’s list (and 80 per cent. of his list are small birds) eating rather
more than half a pound per diem is incredible. Yet Mr. M. credits every
insect-eating bird in England with an equal daily performance, including
in his lists such species as the swallow, the martin, the sand martin,
and the snipe ! How are these birds, which spend almost the whole of the
day circling in the air, each to obtain 300 caterpillars daily? The absurdity
of accusing these species of such a daily consumption of caterpillars
reflects much upon Mr. Mosley’s want of sufficient ornithological know-
ledge to handle such a subject. The same remark also applies to his
wish to have your readers believe that such species as the twite, the
quail, the nightjar, the Ray’s wagtail, and the woodpecker are equally as
common British birds as the chaffiinch and the greenfinch. I have no
hesitation in saying that Mr. M. will not find many, if indeed any,
sympathisers with him, should he wish to have the numbers of the species
of birds he condemns in any way diminished: and I also, as a dweller in
the country, assert they are not by any means too numerous. In
conclusion, I would remark that Mr. Mosley has shown an over-anxiety
to make out his case against the birds, as bats, shrews, &c., must destroy
more insects than many of the birds which he has specified can do; but
he himself admits he can scarcely credit the results of his own ingenuity.
—TxHomas CarTER, Burton House, Masham.
LEPIDOPTEROUS CAPTURES NEAR YoRK.—C. Porcellus, one specimen.
Strensall Common, 1883; Z. Atsculi, one specimen, Tadcaster, 1882 ; L.
Mesomella, abundant, Sandburn, 1883; C. Plantaginis, larvee at bottom
_ of coot’s nest amongst reeds in splash on Strensall Common, 1882; KH, -
Apiciaria, common at Askham Bogs, and fairly so on Gutter side, Clifton
Ings, York, 1883; E. Fasciaria, Sandburn, seven or eight specimens,
1882, two specimens, 1883; P. Syringaria, one specimen at Sandburn,
1883; P. Cytisaria, one, ‘Sandburn, 1883; G. Papilionaria, seven
specimens, Sandburn, 1883; P. Bajularia. seven or eight specimens,
Sandburn, 1883; A. Blomeraria, two specimens at Helmsley, 1882 ; E.
Punctaria, a few, Sandburn, 1883; A. Strigilaria, Strensall and Sand-
burn, fairly common, 1883; H. Minutata, several at Sandburn, 1883 ;
‘T. Firmata, one, Strensall, 1882; C. Unidentaria, two or three,
Sandburn, 1883 ; D. Furcula, larve from Strensall Common, 1883; H.
. Popularis, Sandburn and York, 1882; G. Trilinea, common at sugar,
' Sandburn, 1883 ; A. Valligera, fairly common at sugar, Sandburn, 1883 ;
' 0, Suspecta, seven or eight specimens, Sandburn, 1883 ; A. Aprilina,
/ mine or ten specimens, Sandburn, 1882 ; H. Protea, fairly common, 1882
and 1883.--W. Hewett, 26, Clarence-street, York.
Entomotocicat Nores.—I have just added to my collection a series
| of Sussex specimens of Scoparia wigratalis. The species is very
| closely allied to S. pyralalis, and is probably often passed over as that
insect. I have also received specimens of Oryptoblabes bistriga and
104 THe NaturRAtList?.
Phycis adelphella, bred from larvee found near Colchester ; and Crambus
ericellus, taken at Invergarry.—G. T. Porrirv.
Coleophora currucipennella at DoncastER.—In a box of insects caught
at Green Farm Wood, near Doneaster, kindly named for me by Mr. W.
Warren, of Cambridge, is a specimen of Coleophora currucipennella.—
Gero. Trnpatt, Doncaster.
NaturauL History Nores ror THE BARNSLEY AND SouTH YORKSHIRE
District.—We have had a few rare bird-occurrences in Barnsley and
South Yorkshire District.—Oct. 15th, I examined at Wakefield, a hand-
some short-eared owl, obtained at Ardsley ; also the arctic tern, killed Oct.
Ist, and the Sclavonian grebe, obtained between Wakefield and Barnsley
in May; also a nightjar, obtained Oct. 10th, a late occurrrence. Mr.
Hailstone wrote me an account of a peregrine falcon at Walton, Oct. 9th,
which stooped on a pigeon and bore it away. The keeper had informed
me of one capturing a pigeon a few months ago—these, together with the
osprey, recorded some time back at Walton, add to the list of our raptorial
birds of recent occurrences ; in addition to which are a pair of ospreys,
obtained at Strines reservoir, Sept. 22th and 26th, and a marsh-harrier
obtained near Barnsley at the close of October. The summer migrants,
especially of the swallow family, have seldom stayed so long with us.
The swift, always the first to depart, was noted as late as Sep. 28th. The
sand-martin was seen at Ingbirchworth reservoir, 853 feet above the sea,
on Oct. 15 ; same date, some were seen chasing insects in the streets of
Barnsley ; of the house-martin, a pair occurred at Hunningley, near
Barnsley, Oct. 25th. The swallow in the town, Oct. 26th. These are
’ the latest dates we remember, except a late brood of house-martins,
Nov. 11th, a few years ago, at Pindar Oaks, near Barnsley. The chiff
chaff was heard as late as Oct. 11th. Land-rails, killed by partridge
shooters, up to the middle of Oct. Flocks of gulls have passed over the
town, in Sept. and Oct.--I had opportunities of seeing many during the
British Association’s Meeting, at Southport, chiefly the common herring,
the black-headed and kittiwake gulls, and immense flocks of ring-
dotterels close to the promenade.—T. Lister, Nov. 19th, 1883.
Wurst Poppy.—An albino, or pure white poppy was found here a few
days ago, in an out-of-way place ; stem smooth. There was no violet
patch on the petals. Their whiteness resembled that of the white form
of Malva moschata—texture very thin, glossy and silky.—JoHN Emmet, |
Boston Spa, Nov. 21st, 1883.
NOTICES OF BOOKS, &c.—‘“‘ Transactions of the Barnsley Natu-
ralists’ Society,” Vol. 1i., Pt. 1i1-—This part is fairly up to the average,
and contains, among other papers, the continuation of Mr. Lister’s ‘* List
of the Birds of the Barnsley District,” which ought to prove very useful
to the ornithologists of the district. The title, however, is certainly a
misnomer, as it includes the birds of Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield, |
Sheffield, Doncaster, and other places, which have scarcely yet con- |
\
;
A,
‘
ad
RepoRts oF SOcIgETIEsS. 105
sidered themselves as belonging to the ‘‘ Barnsley District”! We are
glad to notice the Society has made so successful an effort in its neigh-
bourhood in enforcing the carrying out of the ‘‘ Wild Birds Protection
Act, 1880,”, an example which might be well followed by other societies.
** The Naturalist’s World.”—We have received the first number of this
new addition to the natural science monthlies, and wish it every success.
It is well printed and nicely illustrated, and if there is sufficient room for
it among other journals of similar character, it will do good.
A Correction.—At page 89, vol. ix.,a line in my notes is omitted
which renders the sense somewhat vague. It the ninth line from the
bottom I am made to say, ‘‘ I have one, however, which has been taken
in this district—S. perterana.” Such should be ‘‘S. conspicualis.” 8.
perterana I took from my series of S. subjectana in my cabinet, and was
taken, I believe, in the neighbourhood of Blackhills.—H. P. P. Burrer-
FIELD, Wilsden, near Bingley, December 21st, 1883.
Haimtall for Aobvember.
t
Height Totat Faun
of = Nos To Dats. | Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of | heaviest of
above . fall. Days ' “Fall. feayiest
revels | 1883. | 1882, xe
ieee ins
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 3°54 | 22 | 35°39 | *30°26 19 0°61
. (J. W. Robson) |
LEEDs ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 2°53 | 20 | 27°74 | 22°95+ 30 ‘400
HORSFORTH ... (James Fox)! 350 | 3°40 | 20} 32°88 | 3216+ 30 00°430
Havirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 5°53 | 21 | 46°26 | 48°55 20 0°88
BARNSLEY ... (Dr Sadler)...; 350 | 2°57 | 20 | 30°98 | 30°56 5 0°55
INGBIRCHWORTH(Mr.Taylor), 853 | 3°79 | 24 | 44:39 | 45:07 5 0°59
WENTWORTH CaSTLE (Mr.| 520 | 2°98 | 19 | 33°84 | 31°82 eS 0°63
Fisher)
GOOLE <..... (J. Harrison)...| 25 2°56 | 20} 26°86 | 29°45 30 0°70
HULL (Derringham) (Wm.| 10, 2.56 | 22 | 25°76 | §20°99 30 0°65
Lawton) |
ScarBorO’ (A. Rowntree)... 1 -3°05 | 23
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82.
+ Average of 29 years, 1853-63, & 1865-83. { Average of 14 years, 1870-83.
Aeportls of Societies.
Barnstey Naturauists’ Socrery.—Mr. F. Bailey in the chair.—
| Arrangements were made for the publication of the Transactions for the
quarter ended Sept. 30th, and steps taken to forward the proposed
| exhibition for the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union meeting in March. In
106 Toe NATURALIST.
ornithology, during last week of August and part of September, many
waterfowl were seen by day, and others heard at night, hovering over the
lights of the town; of these, eight gulls of middle size hovered over
Jordan Hill and flew west on Aug. 28th. Another flock of larger gulls
flew over the town west on Sept. 4th ; eight woodcocks about the 30th
of August flew over Cockerham, Barnsley, low enough to be observed, in
a north-west direction—an early arrival. Ourlews were heard whistling
on the night of Sept. 1st ; on Sept. 17th saw a heron flying south near
Cawthorne, a kestrel at High Flatts, and another at Dodworth. There
were few birds in song in August and September except the robin’s
autumn song; the yellowhammer, and the starling. The willow-warbler
re-commenced its low sweet note, and continued until Sept. 28th. The
chiffchaff’s two notes were heard Oct. 11th ; it was one of the last of the
warblers to depart, and one of the first to arrive in spring. Kingfishers
reported on all sides ; a few on pools about the town, five or six bred
in Cawthorne Brook. Magpies, as many as 24 in one day, smaller flocks
at other times. Goldfinches, bullfinches, and goldcrests have bred
safely.—T. LisrEr.
Braprorp Naturarists’ Soctrry.—Meeting Oct. 30th, the president
in the chair.—Mr. Soppitt reported that Mr. West had found a slug
(Limaz cinerea nigro) at Shipley Glen, which is new to Yorkshire. He
exhibited specimens of Rumex dentatus and Puccinea egra, which he had
received from Mr. B. Grove, Birmingham. Mr. Firth exhibited a box
of insects, among which were H. defoliaria and D. contaminana from
Shipley Glen, and H. lichenea from Plymouth. Mr. Carter showed a
living specimen of Vanessa Antiopa which he had received in the pupa
state from Toronto ; C. picata from Kent; and the following beetles
from the South of England. viz :—Leistus spinibarbis, Crachinus crepitans,
Pterostichus cupreus, and Silpha quadrapwnctata ; he also exhibited shells
found at Frizinghall, Bradford, viz :—Limnea palustris and Zonites
nitidulus. Mr. Bennett exhibited a very large cluster of the fungus
Pholota squarrosus from Althorpe. A specimen of Sterewm purpureum
from Idle was exhibited. An interesting paper on ‘‘ Animal Parasites”
was read by Mr. A. J. Kershaw, in illustration of which a number of
slides were shown under the microscope by Messrs. Kershaw, Bennett,
and Fawcett.
Meretine, Nov. 13th, 1883, the president in the chair.—Mr. Soppitt
described arambie to Malham and Gargrave, and showed specimens of
truffles from Bell Busk, also fungi preserved in spirits by Dr. Carlyle, of
Carlisle. He also exhibited a number of specimens of Myriapoda
(centipedes), including Julius subulosus, J. terrestris, Lithobius forficatus,
- Geophilus longicornis, and Polydesmus complanatus. Mr. Carter exhibited
C. propugnata and 8. chrysidiformis from Kent, and Meliphora alveariella
from Huddersfield. He then reported on the work of the entomological
section of the society for the past year, and stated that 74 species of
Reports or Soctetiezs. 107
lepidoptera have been added to the list, making a total of 448 species
noted in this district; to the coleoptera about 30 species have been
added. Mr. Firth reported for the vertebrate section, and said 22
species have been added to the mammalia, birds 16, reptiles 5, fishes 3—
making a total of 46 species. Mr. West exhibited marine shells, and
specimens of polished Devonshire corals.
Dewssury Naturatists’ Socrzry.—Annual meeting, 13th December.
The following were elected officers for 1884 :—president, Dr. Watts ;
secretary and treasurer, J. Summersgill. The report stated that the
society was still in a sound and flourishing condition. The botanical
section showed most activity, 25 plants during the past season having
been added to the local flora, which now numbers 393. Satisfaction was
also expressed at the election of one of the members of this sociaty—-Mr.
P. F. Lee—-to the post of phanerogamic secretary, Botanical Section, of
the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.—J. SuMMERSGILL, Sec.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL Soctrety.—Meeting, Nov.
26th, the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper) occupying the chair.—The
secretary (Dr. J. W. Ellis) read a paper in continuation of his previous
articles on ‘‘ The beetles of the Liverpool district,” this being Part iv.,
| containing the Brachelytra, or short-winged beetles, of which he enumer-
_ ated about 220 species as occurring, or having occurred, in the district,
with their localities, from the observations of Messrs. Archer, Kinder,
Wilding, and himself. Among these were several species which have
hitherto been taken only very sparingly in Britain, and others which are
: very local in their habitats. During the conversazione Mr. Wilding
exhibited recently captured coleoptera, and Mr. Dixon a coleopterous
lignivorous larva feeding in willow wood, from Crosby.—J. W. Exus,
Hon. Sec.
_Mancnester Cryprocgamic Socrmty.—Mr. W. H. Pearson, vice-
| president, in the chair, who exhibited three hepatics recently collected in
| Wales, and new to the Principality, viz:— Scapania uliginosa at Clogwyn-
|} dur-Arddu, and Marsupella sphacelata and Cephalozia fluitans, at Glydr
| Vawr. Mr. Wm. Forster exhibited three fine varieties of Polystichum
| aculeatum, viz., cruciatum, pulcherrimum, and corymbiferum ; these were
_ from the fernery_of Colonel Jones, Bristol. The hon. secretary laid upon
| the table a collection of mosses which had been presented to the society
| _by Prof. N. Conrad Kindberg, of Sweden. The mosses were from the
| Dovrefield, Norway. An interesting paper was read the same evening by
Mr. J. Cash on “‘ William Wilson’s Early Work as a Bryologist in
| Ilaneashire and Cheshire.” —Tuos. Rocurs, Hon. Sec.
OVENDEN Naruratists’ Soctery.—Monthly meeting.—The president.
(Mr. James Spencer) gave the annual address, the subject being ‘‘ Fossil
Fungi.” The paper was illustrated by enlarged drawings of fossil
parasites, and also by microscopical sections of the real specimens, which
were shown under the society’s microscope ; among these were included
108 Tue NATURALIST.
some fine examples of Peronosporites antiquarius, Cystopus carbonarius,
and various other fungoid spores, all of which had been found by the
lecturer in the Halifax coal strata. He also showed some splendid
sections of fossil pines from the tertiary strata, containing mycelia and
spores of a fossil fungus in great abundance and in a beautiful state of
preservation. These were compared with specimens of mycelia and fungi
in sections of recent pines (Scotch fir), and the fossil tertiary fungus was
found to be almost, if not altogether, identical with the recent pine
fungus, which also closely resembles both in form and habit the vastly
older carboniferous fungus. Some people affect to despise the study of
such minute organisms as these, but the important discoveries made
during the last few years have shown that the microscope is no longer a
toy, but a necessary adjunct in modern scientific research. The most
deadly foes with which man has to contend are not the largest beasts of
the animal kingdom, nor even war and famine, but minute creatures too
small to be seen by the naked eye, and which exist in such vast numbers
and increase with such rapidity as to defy the power of man to contend
with them. Many of the diseases affecting man, his cattle, corn, and
vegetables of all kinds, are due to these minute pests. To know your
enemy is half way to victory, hence the great value of the microscope ;
and it is no great stretch of imagination to suppose that even the study of
fossil fungi may ultimately have important bearings upon the question of
the health and happiness of mankind.
York anD District Fretp Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting Nov. 14,
1883, at the house of Mr. Prest, Holgate-road, Mr. G. Webster in the
chair.—After the minutes of last meeting had been read, the hon. sec.
(Mr. Prest) exhibited specimens of Macrogaster arundinis, Demas coryli,
Dasydia obfuscata, Fidonia conspicuata, Lobophora polycommata, Bankia
argentula, Gi. grandis; Mr. G. C. Dennis, a fine series of Nonagria
elymi. The following plants were exhibited :—The chairman, two
beautiful specimens of Lysimachia thyrsiflora. Mr. H. J. Wilkinson,
Aquilegia vulgaris (Heslington), Spirea filipendula (Sandburn), Vicia lathy-
roides (Acomb), Galiwm erectum (Hovingham), Astragalus hypoglottis,
A. glycyphyllos, Asperula cynanchica, Chlora perfoliata, Calamintha
acinos, Erigeron acris, Hypericum montanum, Thalictrwm majus, Atropa
Belladowna, from Aberford and neighbourhood.
MeetinG, Dec. 12th, 1883, Mr. G. C. Dennis in the chair.—Mr. Prest
(hon. sec.) exhibited the following rare insects :— Hupithecia irriguata,
E. togata, Bryophila timpar from Mr. Warren, Cambridge, two speci-
mens of Acronycta alni bred by Mr. J. G. Ross of Bathampton, and
Agrotis Ashworthu, bred by Mr. C. 8. Gregson, of Liverpool. Mr. G.
Webster exhibited the following :—Lathrea squamaria, Orobanche
arenaria, O. cerulea, O. rubra, O. caryophyllacea, O.elatis, O. picridis,
O. hedere, O. minor; also a fine specimen of Naias marinwm from
Norfolk.—Wmn. Prest, Hon. Sec.
Diary.—Meetings of Societies.
1, Liversedge Naturalists’ Society:
1. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
» . 2. Wakefield-Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
-_ 7. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
49. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
_, 10. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.
5. 165 Entomological Society of London.—Anniv ersary 1 Meeting , 7 p.m.
» 17. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m. —
» .17. North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club. —Mecting at Hanley.
POR: 19, Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
- 4, 21. Manchester Cryptogamic Society.
“22. Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ Society. —‘‘Shells and their for-
mation,” E. L. Stott.
», 24, York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club. —
» 26. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
. 5, - 28. Lancashire and Cheshire Have Society.
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No. CHI. FEBRUARY, 1884. _ VOL. IX.
“CONTENTS,
ey. Page
ORIGINAL ARTICLES, XC. :
~ Primary Causes of Variety i in Plant Structure.—George Massee & 109
Natural - BOTT, Notes from South Africa. —Continued. —S. D. Bair stow,
Re 2 PIES, 112
Notes, KC. : os :
-» Conchological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Hatfield Chase zs nak ta Ee
» .* Badger at Masham.—Thomas. Carter iis : ws gen ALG
- Redshanks Nesting at Masham.—TZhomas Car ter = meh sod S01
_. Notes on Birds’ Nests from North Yorkshire.—Thomas Carter. 117
: peel History Notes forthe Barnsley and South. Yorkshire District. —
Pc Baster: i. Bi ye E18
asocantpa: tlicifolia, —@. T, Porr ‘itt, FES es ae ous ee Malte,
_. ** Where are the Insects ?”—S. L. Mosley a ie uy ss fe AO
__ Transactions of the Barnsley Naturalists’ Society 120
' The ‘‘ Report of the ‘ Local Scientific Societies’ Committee’ ‘of the British
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pels Naturalists’ Society ... He Gren us sa — 123
pe ncester Cryptogamic Society a SE a ee Re : ew Led
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| Epirep sy Cuas. P. Hosxrrx, F.L.8., anp G. T. Porritt, F.LS.
ee NO. CLV. | MARCH, 1884. — VOL. 1X.
| CONTENTS :
af aee
“Owerva Anricurs, fod Fi |
In the Tropics.—Z. Dubinjiela: Jones, C.F.) 125
| et ~ Natural’ ot Notes from South Africa. Boerner SES Ds oo:
ee ee ES oe ) 3 BONS
_Norzs, ‘&e. a | - |
>. ..Notes Fran: si Cumniles —A. H. Waters, BLA. ie sie lit. Sse 3c OO
Lastrwa cristata.—J. Backhouse... : so ae BOY SRR oe os LO
_“ Where are the Insects ?”—S. L. Mosley y 137
Eperia diadema and Salticus scevicus in Yorkshire. Go. W. Oldfield, M, A. 137
Supplement to the Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire — ... 138
_ Review. —‘ ‘Transactions of the Huddersfield Natur SUS Society % Raat tek OOS)
OBITUARY. —WILLIAM BUCKLER. ae T.P. we He oe a Noy Sede aos
] © Rareats igre Acari ee AEE OS ey Re a BO
ors or Socreries :— Di Ge ce | aan genk |
~Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 0.0 es PME NEA earcditaat cK
| Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society ... A ee ke Sa is va as 140" Ss
| a | Manchester Cryptogamic Society a ue a bs aa te nee WE,
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Original Articles.
SN THE TROPICS.
By E. Doxinrieip Jonas, C.E.
[Read before the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society,
May 28th, 1883. |
ir I were asked what is the nearest approach to perfect bliss that it is
given to man to enjoy, I should reply, “‘ The sensations of a naturalist
on his first entrance into a tropical forest.” And especially might this
be said of a naturalist whose delight is the study of the insect world.
In all branches of biology the riches laid before him are something
beyond the conception of the most vivid imagination, and the exquisite
beauty and grandeur of the scene have an effect upon his senses that
can only be described by the word ‘ enchantment.”
But with the entomologist the general feeling of delight soon gives
way to a perfect absorption in his own particular study, and a com-
plete forgetfulness of all else. His main difficulty will be to get
beyond the outskirts of the forest at all, for every leaf and flower,
every stick and stone, attracts his attention and calls for inspection.
Indeed it is the outskirts that form the most productive and most
interesting portion of the woods, especially in regard to lepidoptera,
for the deeper we penetrate into the recesses of the gloomy interior the
less do we find of the brilliant life that that order gives to the scene.
And in the midst of the giant vegetation the butterflies. confine them-
selves mostly to the tops of the trees, where their brilliant hues and
graceful motions are delightful to look upon, but decidedly tantalizing
to the man whose desire is to collect. |
Before we plunge, then, into the stillness of the great primeval
forest, let us follow that winding sandy road.which leads through an
old clearing, with here and there a patch of maize or field of the
graceful mandioca, with now and again a little valley whose clear
rivulet ripples happily between the moss-grown stones or glides across
the sandy level of the road. Occasionally the road cuts through a
spur of the forest that juts out into the open like a little promontory
in the sea. And thus we shall have a variety of scene, and a
constant recurrence of such spots as the butterflies delight in, and
where we may watch and capture to our heart’s content.
The road that I propose to take you along is one of hundreds of
such that may be found almost anywhere in the forest districts of the
province of San Paulo, Brazil. At any season of the year we shall
N.S., Vou. 1x. Mar., 1884.
126 Tar Navruratist.
find plenty to interest us in this summer land, for even in the winter,
wien in the early morning the ground may be covered with a slight
hoar frost, the rays of the glorious tropic sun soon warm the air and
bring out countless hosts of insects of all orders. But it is in the
height of summer—from January to March—that the eye is gladdened
with the glories and the ear charmed with the ceaseless music of
Nature’s orchestra. It is then that the Morphos are in their prime,
and the cicada fills the air with his joyous and piercing note.
But before we start on our day’s excursion, I will invite you to
partake of breakfast in my rancho, an elegant mansion with mud
walls and grass-thatched roof, and having the luxury of a boarded
floor and a cooking stove—things not usually indulged in except by
the civilized stranger in this primitive land. And perhaps it will be
as well if each one of you considers the invitation to be to himself
alone, for I am afraid that to accommodate you all at once I should
have to add considerably to the size of my house. I can only offer
you a plate of boiled beans and mandioca sawdust, with an egg or a
stewed fowl; unless it happens to be the day on which the baker
passes, In which case I can add to the repast some sour French bread,
which may be made more palatable by the addition of some yellow
fat out of a tin, that is called by courtesy “ butter.” But one thing
IT can offer you that is not to be found in England, and that is a good
cup of coffee. No one knows the meaning of the term until he has
been to Brazil. And now, having prepared ourselves for a hard day’s
work, and having our nets, bottles, boxes, &c., all in order, let us start
off on our rambles.
The first. thing that attracts our attention is a composite plant, with
clusters of white flowers which form arich feeding ground for numbers
of butterflies and diurnal moths ; especially we shall notice several
species of Jleliconide, whose graceful shape and soft fight are so
delightful and so entirely nuvel to the English eye. One species has
rich broad patches of crimson on the upper wings, and a creamy band
on the lower; in another the crimson is replaced by diagonal stripes
of creamy white, and the lower wings are of the deep blue-black that
forms the ground colour of both species. We shall also probably find
several species of Jthomia,a lovely genus of the same group, whose
transparent wings and dancing flight entitle them to be called the
fairies of the woods. ‘These delicate insects will often be found
flitting from glade to glade in the depths of the forest, where they
appear in perfect keeping with the surrounding stillness and shade,
and one almost fancies them too ethereal to venture out into the light
= " * lad
Jones: In THE TROPICS. 124
of the open spaces. They are, in fact, essentially forest creatures, and
are rarely met with in the plains away from their home in the woods.
Numbers of clear-winged moths and allied species will be found accom-
panying the butterflies in their morning meal, and vieing with them in
the brilliancy of their colouring. One group of these which seem to
represent our burnets, contains the most dazzlingly beautiful little
ereatures—perfect gems, in fact—that glow with ever-varying tint as
they move and change the angle of the reflected light that flashes
from their wings. Some of them almost appear as if they had
been dipped in the pigments of some evanescent rainbow, and
varnished over with the dew before the colours had time to depart, so
brilliant are their tints.
‘Tearing ourselves away from the rich harvest of this feeding ground,
we proceed along the sandy road, being met at every step by swarms
of gaily-coloured butterflies ; on the open spots where the banks are
dried and parched by the already powerful rays of the sun, we shall
make many good captures. Pyrameis, reminding us of our own painted
lady ; Jnonia with its lovely peacock eyes, and many species of blues,
hairstreaks and skippers. Of the latter group, there appears to be no
end to the species, and indeed, I have rarely had a good day’s hunt
without being rewarded by one or two new species ;_ and these are,
many of them, very different from the tiny dull skippers we are
accustomed to at home. Here we find a giant, two inches and three
quarters in expanse, of a beautiful greenish black, with a white fringe
round the edges of the wings. There we see a robust specimen, with
three light brown velvet patches on the wings. Weeding on that purple
flower are several yellow and black ones, with crimson head and tail.
By the side of the stream we are about to cross, we shall start off
dozens of different kinds, all drinking on the wet sand, and some of
them gay with metallic sheen, and brilliant colouring, blue, yellow,
and red, and all adding by their merry and sprightly flight to the
beauty of the scene. Within the woods the smaller and more sombre-
coloured skippers delight to fly, generally having a favourite spot to
which they return again and again, after a little game at hide and seek
with their friends. But even among these, many are adorned with
colours not to be found in our English groups. To give some idea of
the abundance of the skippers, I may state that I have collected over
120 species, within a radius of eight miles from San Paulo, nearly
twice the number of all the British butterflies together. Some of them
seem fully up to the humour of a practical joke, and delight to wait
on the surface of some great sun-lit leaf, and suddenly dart out at a
128 THe NATURALIST.
passing Morpho or Papilio, and then fly back to their favourite port,
the majestic Morpho taking no more notice of them than a solemn
mastiff does of a yelping cur. Sometimes I have had a merry skipper
settle on the back of my hand, where he found food suitable to his
palate, in the drops of perspiration brought out by the broiling sun. I
am sorry to say that many butterflies are not at all refined in their
tastes, and much prefer a meal off the dung of other animals to the
nectar of the choicest flowers; and I have often seen some lovely and
delicate creature taking his breakfast on the filthy greasy coat of one
of the Italian navvies employed upon my work. The Paphias are much
addicted to these disgusting habits.
The little streams that I have mentioned form most wonderful
collecting grounds where they cross these sandy roads ; indeed I know
of no more productive spots than one of these where the road is in
forest. At mid-day, when the sun pours down perpendicularly on the
wet sand, the butterflies congregate in myriads, settling on the ground
and applying their trunks assiduously to the water. There are certain
patches that seem to have an especial attraction, and on these they are
SO closely packed that they may be said to be like the Irishman’s
‘‘snipes”’ that were “ usually jostlin” one another.” I once made a
swoop at a cluster of a little white Tevias, just to see how many I could
get into the net at once, and I counted fifty-two! A large sulphur-
eoloured species (Catopsilia philea) may be taken in quantities on these
damp places. Their appearance as they rest in companies of twelve to:
twenty, with their large wings standing up and often leaning over to
one side. has a striking resemblance to a fleet of tiny yachts in full
sail. And Papilios and Nymphalids without number will also be taken
at the stream. A man may spend a very profitable day by sitting
under the shade of a neighbouring tree, and sallying out every few
minutes with his net. }
And now, as the heat has become rather trying, we may as well
follow the suggestion ourselves, and have a little rest. But even here
we shall have plenty to interest us and fill us with delight. First, we
shall notice a great blue-bodied long-legged wasp lugging a huge spider
up the bank on which we are sitting, running backwards with her
heavy burden held tightly in her jaws. Finding the spider rather
awkward to pull through the grass. with his legs sprawling in all
directions, she sets to work and nips them off one after another, and
takes only the fat juicy body to: be the food of the rising generation
of grubs. Then we shall be bothered by the tickling of a lot of little
tiny bees that are following the example of the skipper and having a
Jones: In THE TROPICS. 129
good meal off the backs of our hands. These bees are about half the
size of the common house-fly, and have no stings, belonging to the
Melipona group. Some of them make their nests in the ground, others
in the hollow trunks of trees. The entrance to the nest is formed of
a resinous substance, and usually projects in a trumpet shape some
little way from the surface of the tree or the ground. I remember
once knocking off one of these trumpets that projected three or four
inches from a bank at about the level of my head, not knowing
what it was; and before I had time to run, I had a swarm of bees in
my hair, buzzing and burrowing in all directions, and rolling them-
selves up in my hair. As I did not know at the time that they had
no stings, I did not quite like the appearance of things, to say nothing
of the sensation of these little bees rooting about my head. But J
soon managed to get them all out, and was none the worse for the
affair. These tiny bees make excellent honey, and their nests are much
sought after by the Brazilian peasants. The sort that nests in the
ground makes especially fine honey, quite clear and colourless, and of
delicious favour. Certain kinds of the tree bees are never molested,
as the Brazilians say the heney is not fit to eat. This is probably
from the bees collecting from some poisonous flowers.
As we still enjoy the cool shade of our friendly tree, we hear away
in the distance the strange cry of the graponga or anvil bird, as it
clangs away on the top of some lofty pinnacle of the forest. At this
distance the sound is pleasaut enough, though close at hand it is harsh
in the extreme. The Brazilians are very fond of keeping this bird
caged, and the way in which it jerks out its ear-shattering cry is
excruciating. The only thing I can liken it to, if your imaginations
are powerful eneugh to realise the combination, is a rusty hinge with a
bad cough. A long sustained note of great volume and power, that the
bird sometimes indulges in is not so objectionable; but, altogether, I
think keeping arapongas within two miles of one’s neighbour’s house,
is an offence against society, and ought to be put down by tie law.
But now, as the heat increases, the music of the birds begins to
cease, and we hear only the sound of insect life. The cicadas are in
their element under the fierce heat of the sun, and seem to be trying
which can make the loudest noise. They hegin with a complaining
sort of whirr, on a decending scale, which is repeated at intervals, the
interval becoming shorter and shorter each time, till at last the sound
is almost continuous, giving one the idea of reyolving machinery that
is set in motion and gradually gains in speed ; then the insect suddenly
breaks out into the most piercingly shrill note, that reminds one of
130 THe NATURALIST.
the whistle of a locomotive. Indeed, so remarkable is the resemblance
that once or twice since I have returned to England, I have suddenly
been recalled to the tropic groves by the sound of an extra shrill rail-
way whistle at a distance. I have heard it stated that the cicadas
sometimes go on trying to out-do each other to such an extent, that
at last they burst with the exertion. This fable has evidently arisen
from the fact that the empty skins of the pupz, with a split down the
thorax, through which the perfect insect has made its exit, are very
commonly found attached to the trunks of the trees.
Before leaving the subject of musicians, | may mention that I have
observed that several kinds of caterpillars (species of Perophora) have
the power of making a low musical note, so low indeed that it can
only be heard when close to the ear. In one species (P. sanguinolenta)
it is an intermittent note, the intervals varying from one to several
seconds. Though the note is so faint, the vibrations can be distinctly
felt when the larval case is held in the fingers. In another species the
sound is similar to the above, but is continuous, lasting for several
seconds at a time. Another again is intermittent as in the first species.
Once when I had some of these caterpillars in my room, for several
nights I heard this curious note as scon as I laid my head on my
pillow. For the first two nights I tried in vain to find out where the
sound came from; but on the third night I discovered a cocoon spun
in a fold of the pillow-slip, and on examination it proved to be one of
the Perophora caterpillars that had wandered away from his food and
taken up his abode in the above situation !
And now that we have rested a little, let us pursue our ramble over
the next spur, and down into the lovely little valley with its waving
fields of maize, between whose stately stalks the ground is sheltered
and kept damp by the great Jeaves of the pumpkin, that already shows
promise of a rich harvest of its gigantic golden fruit. As we descend
we shall add to our captures at almost every step. Butterflies, beetles,
gaily-coloured Hemiptera, grasshoppers, Hymenoptera and Diptera—
some of the latter of large size—meet the eye at every moment, and as
we approach the stream that spreads out into a miniature swamp at
the bottom, thousands of dragon-flies fire the air and remind us of
home, for there is more resemblance between these and our own
species than is the case in the other orders.
And now we will strike off to the right along that shady lane that
leads into the depths of the forest. This is the favourite haunt of twe
species of Morpho, M. Herculesand M. Lpistrophis, both of them giants,
and the latter of exquisite beauty. These will be seen in great
Oe
Jones: LN THE TROPICS. 131
numbers lazily flapping along the lane, and occasionally having a
dance with one another. Three or four of them circling round and
round, and glistening in the rays of the golden sunshine that falls in
patches through the shade, form a picture of great loveliness, and one
which will remain for years in our memories and help to enliven many
a dull and dreary hour in this dark and cheerless climate of ours.
Later on in the season, near the tangled mass of ‘‘ taquara,” or native
bamboo, if we come again on a bright summer day we shall be
dazzled by that still more lovely species A/. Aya, the whole upper
surface of whose wings is of such a brilliant metallic blue that each
motion flashes out blue light, and the insect seems almost too beautiful
to belong to this every-day world of ours. And he knows his beauty,
and is very careful of it; for so afraid is he of its getting damaged
that he only flies during bright sunshine, and if a cloud passes over
the sun he seems to fear the rain that might come, and immediately
settles under some leafy shade till the sunshine comes again, and he
can start once more on his airy gambols. I use the masculine pronoun
purposely, for it is only the male that is so gorgeously adorned. The
female is a very sombre creature in comparison with her mate.
The trees at each side of the shady lane are many of them laden
with epiphytal plants. Orchids. arums, ferns of graceful form, delicate
cactuses, and many different kinds of Bromeliacee grow in profusion,
and make each branch a garden in itself. These air plants have a
special charm to an eye that has been reared in a temperate climate,
where it is accustomed to see only plants that grow in the ground ; and
a great part of the beauty of a tropical forest is derived from thein.
The Bromelias are especially interesting to the entomologist, as each
one forms a little reservoir of water in which larve of insects are
found that exist in no other situation. The water stored up between
the leaves of these plants soon becomes half putrid with decaying
leaves and forest dust that accumulate in it, and it is anything but
pleasant to turn over one of these cisterns on to oneself when climbing
the trees to search for the botanical and entomological treasures they
are laden with. Some of the plants grow to a large size, and contain
several pints of water—enough to make a man feel very uncomfortable
if it is suddenly discharged down the back of his neck !
But if we begin to botanise as well as to entomologise, we shall
never get back to the rancho ; and a darkening of the western sky and
a distant growl warn us that it is quite time to think of getting under
cover, so we will walk on a little faster and try to reach the rancho
by adifferent road from the one we came by, that leads nearly all the
ey THe NATURALIST.
way through the woods, before the afternoon storm reaches us. These
storms are of almost daily occurrence during the hot season, and
usually come on between three and five o’clock, though I have expe-
rienced some heavy ones in the early morning, and when these take
place we may reckon on rain for the rest of the day. But the regular
afternoon storm is generally of short duration, and leaves the evening
fine, cool, and refreshing after the overpowering heat of the day. The
sun rises in a cloudless sky; about ten o’clock light fleecy clouds
appear and float gently by, gradually accumulating in great masses as
they grow. At one or two o'clock they form large towers of cumulus
around the horizon, and as the day wears on an occasional flash is seen
to dart through them, illuminating their crags and crevices with a
glorious dazzling white. Meanwhile the wall of darkness from
beneath grows blacker, and rises higher and higher until the
outskirts of the cloudy pall, fringed and torn with the tension of
the electric charge, obscure the sun and cast a grateful shade
upon the parched soil. Then the roll of thunder- is heard, a
mighty wind bows down the swaying trees, a few great raindrops
patter on the outstretched leaves of the wild banana and the huge
Cecropias, and in a moment the fury of the storm is upon us.
Umbrellas and waterproofs are of little avail in such storms as these,
the former only acting as a sort of sieve that cuts the huge drops into
spray, and the latter collecting the little streams into a few great rivers
that flow pleasantly into your boots. When I have been caught in
one of these tornadoes I have made up my mind that I was going to
get wet, and I have seldom been mistaken. In the midst of the
turmoil the lightning is almost incessant, and the thunder one con-
tinuous rear. But this only lasts for ten minutes or a quarter of an
hour, then one or two flashes and simultaneous deafening explosions
announce the end, the rain lessens, and the storm has passed away,
leaving the air cool and fresh, and all Nature rejoicing. Then the
evening concert begins, the crickets leading off the orchestra of toads
and frogs with their endless variety of wind instruments and drums,
Bye-and-bye, as the sun sinks below the horizon, and the short tropic
twilight deepens into night, the concert room is lit by countless hosts
of fire-flies flashing out their tiny lamps in rhythmic pulsations, with
here and there a great green electric light carried on the shoulders of
a huge Hater beetle sailing majestically through the forest glades, and
we enter on the glories of a tropic night.
But all this time, while I have been talking about thunder-storms,
we will suppose that we have been walking briskly on, and can now
Jones: In tae Tropics. 133
see the friendly smoke curling up from the chimney of my rancho,
showing that my man Benedicto has not forgotten that we shall be
ready for another plate of beans after our Jong walk; and as the first
great raindrops splash upon the thirsty leaves we step indoors, and
congratulate ourselves that we are “‘ just home in time.”
And now, as I have only described the delightful side of the picture,
perhaps it is only fair that I shonid mention some of the disagreeables
of a day in the tropics. The first thing that will occur to you is
snakes. Well, there are plenty of them, no doubt, and some of them
are very deadly ; but for one venomoys one you will see twenty harm-
less ones, and all of them get out of your way as fast as they can, and
seem much more afraid of you than you are of them. Of course there
always is the danger of treading upon a snake coiled up on the ground,
and in this case he is sure to strike at your leg, and I always on this
account wear good strong boots and leather leggings when on my
excursions in the woods. But I can only say that, in nearly nine
years’ residence in Brazil, such an accident never happened to me, and
I have never been really alarmed by a snake, excepting once when I
was climbing over a wall on the further side of which the ground was
nearly level with the top : and as my chin reached this level I saw the
head of a great spake about six feet long, waving backwards and
forwards within a foot or two of my face. I need hardly say I changed ,
my mind about getting over that wall.
What I do object to much more than snakes is the army of
mosquitos which in certain districts do their best to make life a
burden. But even with these I have been very fortunate, and have
not been much molested by them in my forest life. In the towns they
are bad enough, and sleeping without a mosquito curtain is out of the
question excepting during the cool winter months. But, after all, this
pest is not confined to the tropics, and we need not go quite so far
as Brazil to meet with it.
An insect that has given me a great amount of trouble is the
Carrapato—a minute tick that buries its jaws in your flesh and causes
most distressing irritation. These little beasts are about the size of a
pin’s head, and hang in clusters of a thousand or so on the leaves and
twigs of the bushes in the campos that are inhabited by cattle, and as
the unwary victim touches the mass they drop upon him and spread
all over him. If detected at once, you can brush them off by violent
switching with a bunch of twigs; but if you go on your way without
noticing the enemy, they will soon find their way to your skin and will
annoy you for days afterwards, unless you have your clothes well
134 : Toe NatTuRAList.
smoked on a wood fire, which will soon clear out the little beasts.
Fortunately this species is not found in the forest, and we need not
always be on the look-out for them excepting in the campos; and they
only appear for a few months—from April to July, or thereabouts.
There are two other species of Carrapatos that I have met with, one of
them being about a quarter of an inch in diameter; but these are not
so troublesome as the small ones, as they are solitary in their habits,
and are much easier to get hold of when they get hold of you.
Then we have the “jigger,” that lively little flea that delights to
burrow under the nails of the toes; and there are several kinds of biting
flies that keep the business going while the mosquito is at rest in the
daytime. but ali these are only just to remind us that even life in
that land of sunshine is not perfect bliss; and though at the time they
are decidedly disagreeable, the memory of them soon fades, and
leaves only pure delight in recalling the incidents of a day’s ramble
“in the tropics.”’
28th May, 1883.
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
( Conteniued. )
By 2D: Barstow, H.L.S.
UrrenHaGE has another attraction for insects in the shape of
burly oak trees, planted by the primitive Dutch settlers, and sur-
rounding the town a fine bush supplies sufficient allurement for
more timorous and less civilised fauna. The pretty Cyclopides metis
abounds in the gardens. So does Diadema Bolina and Papilio
Demoleus.. Danais chrysippus is common, and Acrea horta likewise. In
Port Elizabeth these butterflies are comparative visitants, and I might
mention dozens of similar instances to stamp Uitenhage one of the first
collecting fields in the Eastern Province of South Africa. Query:
Where are our collectors? You give the riddle up, and so do Il. The
term Cape ennui is a misnomer for Cape laziness perhaps. We recognise
a defeat. We deploreits legitimacy. We hope fora remedy, but we are
not wide awake to emergency, to rouse ourselves from lethargy. Let
us fill our pockets with gold dust, and then we may attend to the soul
elevation department. This is not our home. Why waste money and
time in adorning it or embellishing our brains. ‘Two extremes meet.
We are either rashly speculative or merely callous. I submit the
argument with the best intentions. Dispute it who can. And yet L
Barrstow. NatugaL History Notes rrom Soutu Arrica. 135
grant that it 7s difficult to get away from filthy lucre; but if a nation
progresses, the ingredients of success are scribbled with a touch of
scientific warp, of artistic weft, and steeped in the dye of attraction,
when considering the Cape. Offer an interesting programme, and play
to a crowded house. Announce a sermon on Dry bones, and sing
“*O solitude, where are thy charms ?”
We are behind the times, and Channing’s inferences, “ science has
now left-her retreats, her shades, her selected company of votaries,
and with familiar tone begun the work of instructing the race” ranks in
the pages of history. I feel constrained to pen these words; not all
I would, but all I dare. We are deficient in self-reliance and activity
in promoting and dispersing knowledge; but brighter days, I trust,
are coming. Three years since I visited the Port Elizabeth Museum.
It reeked in filth! Change and decay in all around I saw. Delapidated
specimens groaned dustily of cruel inattention. Those which escaped
ruin might even then have constituted the nucleus of a good collection.
Now mark! This museum is within the Town Hall, and the
jurisdiction, I think, of a club termed Athenzeum—whatever that
may signify ;—more properly, ‘‘ Amateur Theatrical.” The key of
the door was kept under a dirty cocoa-nut mat. I paid another visit
just lately to the P.H. Museum, and if I say it was a disgrace to any
town, I speak mildly, most sober truth, and disregarding persiflage
or peevish utterances. Nothing succeeds like success. The “A.T.”
club flourishes, and our museum makes a capital dressing-room for
would-be Hamlets, but it’s rather hard on slighted donors of natural
history specimens.
Legal technicalities are said to bar the way of renovation. More’s
the pity on’t.
My next expeditions yielded many species of Bombycide, principally
Saluruide, in their larva! state, and some of them attain to enormous
dimensions, but appear, for the most part, as social or company grubs,
_ playing sad havoc amongst the leaves of their food-plants. I have not
found many of them to be silk producers, at which I am astonished ;
but there is an ugly fellow (Borocera postica) feeds on mimosa that
weaves a cocoon and distributes its urticating hairs amongst the web.
Liparis aurifilua is out of the running, when scratched against this
tyrant. Blessed man, who never fingered his Esauic skin or habita-
tion! The days of Inquisition are over, otherwise the ingenuity born
of fiendish inhumanity must certainly have clutched a novel torture—
rubbing the naked backs of miserable captives with larval hairs from
136 Toe NATURALIST.
the Cape.* Silk from these cocoons is of good quality, and possibly of
commercial value when the grubs are persuaded to oblige us by omit=
ting filamentary admixtions. I have not been fortunate enough to
rear them from chrysalids. All our Bombyces, on account of obstacles
needless to enumerate, are troublesome to manage, and where success-
ful, the breeder is not assured of satisfactory conclusions, as lovely
grubs do not always realise lovely imagines. A few species of the
genus Saturnia grow to an immense size before the final change ensues.
The two larve I have sketched. from preserved specimens are ex-
tremely common, gregarious, and destructive. Another large and
beautiful caterpillar is Antherwa cytherea, very common.
| Anthereea menippe (Fig 1, pl. 8), if partial to field or garden crops,
would rank conspicuously amongst our deadly enemies, and Buncwa
Caffraria (fig. 2), if not so plentiful, is equally destructive. The latter
possesses spines like “ fretful porcupine,’ the former tridentate
forks (fig. 1a). I have been obliged to stuff my giants with cotton
wool in order to preserve them. I struggled perspiringly to inflate
one for an artist’s model, so you need not smile captiously at the term
cotton wool. With unprofessional impatience I puffed and snorted,
blew, and panted, and then tried Clarke's spray producer, “ after
Porritt,” all to no purpose ; nothing had inflated but my cheeks. I
staggered to a seat exhausted and sad, appropriately yelling ‘‘ Cater-
pillar be blowed!” The little whisper of faith suggested historical
Alfred, of hervic stick-to-it fame, of brave Robert the Bruce, and, lastly,
the example of some modern “ Child-teacher” writ in most encouraging
words, “ Try, try, try again,’ &. “Keep it up!” said the sprite,
‘Thanks! not if I know it,” responded yours very respectfully: and
stuffed my specimens remained. The larger Noctwrni are naturally
pretty well known, and fairly represented in 8.A. Museum. Our
Sphinges are numerous and varied, and my old friend A. Afropos
poses in Port Elizabeth as a vine pest and a hive.
(To be continued. )
dlotes and Queries.
Notes From CamBripGe.—As far as the nocturnal lepidoptera are
concerned, 1883 has been a very unprofitable season here, and most of
our local insects have been either exceedingly scarce or conspicuous by
their absence. I worked hard at pupa digging last autumn and during
—~—
9 Fig. 3. (Pl. 8) represents one of the hairs of a grand Geometer larva, |~
captured in the Perie Bush. ‘The specimen figured is slightly magnified at its
apex, which is of a lovely Prussian blue ; larva, bright yellow with black and
irregular bands, or colliding spots interspersed on surface with short hairs.
+ Authority —Trimen.
NotEs AND QUERIES. 137
the present winter, but, I think, never with such little success. I have
really taken nothing worth mentioning. Papilio Machaon seems to be
disappearing, I remember the time (and that not so very many years
ago) when I used to take it in the very suburbs of Cambridge itself, but
I have not seen it lately. It may still be found in the fens, although far
less plentiful than of yore. Argynnis Aglaia, A. Huphrosyne, and Thecla
betule are of general occurrence in this county, but I did not meet with
either of them last year. Melitea Artemis and Hesperia comma I have
not seen at all of late years. A piebald specimen of the water vole
- (Arvicola amphibius) was taken in the vicinity of a village near here last
September ; and a perfectly white mole (Talpa ‘Ewropea) was caught
about the same time and near the same place.—ALserr H. Waters,
Cambridge. [I saw Papilio Machaon in abundance on Wicken
Fen, Cambridgeshire, at the end of May, 1882.—G.T.P. ]
Lastrea cristata.—Lastrea cristata was, I believe, first found in York-
shire on Thorne Moor, by my now aged friend, Williarn Casson, of Thorne.
I have a fine frond of his gathering from that station in my herbarium,
with the date of 1856 attached. He met with it, I believe, in consider-
able abundance. If Mr. John Hardy, of Manchester, found this species
on Thorne Waste before that date, my supposition with regard to Mr.
Casson being the first finder of the fern in Yorkshire, is, of course, a
mistake.—J. BackHousE, West Bank, York, Feb. 7th.
“WHERE ARE THE Insects ?”?—I do not know if Mrs. Hutchinson, of
Leominster, has seen the Naturalist for December, but in a letter received
from that lady to-day, she adds a P.S. as follows :—‘‘ We are so over-
stocked with small birds—they rise in flocks of thousands—that all insect
life that they eatis cleared away. We rarely now see a butterfly or moth
here ; the last two years have been blanks.” On the contrary, Mr. Bond
writes—‘“‘ I do not know where all the birds have got to. We rarely see
anything except sparrows and tom tits.” I can only suppose that in the
latter case all the insect life at Staines has been eaten up, and the birds
have had to find fresh quarters. This idea seems strengthened by the
fact that the tits and sparrows have remained ; the former are able to
hack their lurking prey from their holes, and the latter can subsist a.
great deal upon household refuse. I should think the effect of this in
- time would be to drive the insectivorous birds entirely from the country.
—S§. L. Mostry, Beaumont Park, Huddersfield, Feb. 9th.
We notice that a contributor to the February number of the Entom-
ologist, writing from Upper Norwood, takes Mr. Mosley’s view in
attributing the scarcity of insects to the increase of birds.— Eps. Nat.
Epeira diadema and Salticus scenicus IN YORKSHIRE. —Noticing records
of these species for Yorkshire at p. 84 of vol. vii., induces me to mention
that on the 3rd Sept., 1883, I took a specimen of Hpeira diadema (female)
on a rock on the side of Ingleborough, about half-way up the mountain,
138 THe NATURALIST.
just beyond Ribblehead Station ; it almost exactly matched the rock in
colour. In the year 1881 I took several specimens of Salticus scenicus,
the zebra hunting-spider, in a greenhouse in York. These additional
localities may perhaps interest some one interested in the geographical
range of this group of animals:—Gro. W. Oxprie~p, Harrogate,
13th Feb., 1884.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE.—Messrs. W.
Eagle Clarke and W. Denison Roebuck, Leeds, are preparing a supple-
ment to their ‘‘ Handbook of the Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire,” and
would be glad to receive notes of additions or corrections to that work, or
notices of the occurrence of any species of quadrupeds, virds, reptiles, or
fishes in Yorkshire, which their friends may be pleased to communicate.
As they wish to publish the supplement in the April magazines, it 1s hoped
that information may be sent in immediately.
REVIEW. —“ Transactions of the Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society. —
Part I.”—We are very pleased to find that the Huddersfield Naturalists’
Society has decided to publish annually a part of ‘‘ Transactions.” Part
I., just issued, is before us, and we congratulate the Society on the result
of the beginning of its venture. The Part contains the Annual Report of
the Society for 1883, including the work done by the Geological,
Botanical, Vertebrate, and Entomological Sections, from which we find
that much useful work has been accomplished. The report of the last-
mentioned section, however, does not give an adequate idea of what was
done in Entomology during the year ; for few, we imagine, will concur
with the remark that ‘‘the feature of the year has been the abundance of
the Autumn moths at lamps,” when the fact remains that seven species of
lepidoptera were discovered quite new to the district (three of them
indeed new to the county); yet, although it is a good many years
since such an occurrence took place in the Huddersfield district, no
allusion whatever is made in the report either to the circumstance or to
any of the species. The names of all new additions to the fauna and
flora ought surely to be most prominent items in the reports on the work
done in the district. Then again, the report says, ‘‘ several species which
have only occurred singly before, were this year extremely abundant.”
We are much interested to know what species are here alluded to, as we
certainly neither heard of nor noticed anything of the kind ourselves.
The feature of the Part, however, is ‘‘ A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera
found in the Huddersfield District.” There are lists of both the Macros
and the Micros, and as they seem to be complete and accurate so far as the
district is known, they will doubtless prove of great value to the younger
lepidopterists of the Society and neighbourhood. The summary gives
339 Macros and 327 Micros, or a total of 666 species as having been taken
in the district. The Macros have been well worked up, but the number
of Micros will no doubt be considerably increased as years go by. The
price of the Part to non-members of the Society is 1s. 6d.. and may be
had from the Secretary, Mr. S. L. Mosley, Beaumont Park, Huddersfield.
Nores anp QvueErtEs. 139
OBITUARY.—Wittiam Boucxier.—-Lepidopterists throughout the
country will have heard with intense grief of the sudden death of Mr.
William Buckler, of Lumley House, Emsworth. The warmth and
enthusiasm of his correspondence endeared him to every one with whom
he had such an acquaintance, and the formation of a friendship made with
him in this way was, we suppose, claimed with pride by almost every
lepidopterist in Britain who had spent a few years in earnest study of the
life histories of this group of the British insects. For twenty-five years
Mr. Buckler devoted his energies to the delineation of the larvee of our
British lepidoptera, and not only with his beautiful figures, but in his
lucid and careful descriptions (which are so well known to every reader
of the ‘‘ Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine”), he had no rival. Our own
correspondence with him commenced early in 1868, and we have just been
looking over the mass of information about larve contained in the letters
received from him after that date. Truly he ‘died in harness,” for the
first paper; extending to nearly seven pages, in the current number of the
“‘Ento. Mo. Mag.” (February, 1884), on ‘‘ The Natural History of
Aglossa pinquinalis,” is written by him under date ‘‘ January 2nd, 1884.”
A week later, on January 9th, he had passed away, from an attack of
bronchitis, at the age of 69, It is reported his figures of larvee will
probably be published by the Ray Society, and that Society we are sure
could not be engaged on better work.—G. T. P.
Aauntall for Sanwary.
Height ToTan Faun
0 J Nios To Daz. Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest 0!
above | fall. Days Fall. oe
5 all.
eee 1884, | 1883.
Ft. In.
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 | 5°75 |-21 2°93 | *33°74 22 1:26
(J. W. Robson)
Lreps ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183) 4:04 18] 4:04 | 186+ 28 0:70
HorsrortuH ... (James Fox)| 350 | 3°77 |19| 377 | 2-46t 22 0-92
Hairax...(F.G.S. Rawson)| 365 | 8°72 24 8°72 8°40 22 1°80
BaRNSLEY ... (Dr. Sadler)...| 350 | 3°68 18 3°68 3°37 23 0°82
INGBIRCHWORTH(Mr.Taylor)} 853 | 7°32 21 | 7:32 | 6°55 22 1°50
Wentworth Castrr (Mr.| 520| 429 17] 429 | 4°69 23 0:85
Fisher)
~Gootz ...... (J. Harrison)...| 25 | 3°60 | 18 3°60 212 | 23 0°78
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.} 10 | 2.82 | 14 2°82 Lb $= 723 0°69
Lawton)
ScaRrporo’ (A. Rowntree)... 130 | 2°99 17] 116||| ... 23 0:56
TuHrrskK...(W. Gregson) ...... 100! 4:42 171 4:42 ae 3 0:89
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-82.
+ Average of 30 years, 1853-62, & 1865-84. t Average of 15 years, 1870-84.
§ Average of 34 years, 1850-83, || Average of 18 years.
Reports of Societies.
HEcKMONDWIKE NATURALISTS SocteTy.—Meeting, January 26th, 1884.
—The president (Mr. J. A. Erskine Stuart) gave an interesting report on
the natural history of the month, exhibiting a variety of floral specimens,
wild and from the garden, forwarded by Dr. C. Stuart, of Chrinside,
Berwick. Reports of local ornithology and botany were also given by
the members ; amongst other records was that of a thrush’s nest, con-
taining four eggs, having been found on Dec. 24th, 1883, at Overthorpe,
near Thornhill. The president afterwards read a paper on ‘‘ Diseases of
Plants.”
HvupDERSFIELD NATURALISTS’ SocteTy.—Meeting, Feb. 16th, Mr. J.
Shaw in the chair.—Mr. T. W. Woodhead named a number of plants in
flower. Mr. Mosley stated that he had just returnéd from Rainworth
Lodge, in Nottinghamshire, where he had been staying, sketching var-
ieties of birds from the very rich collection of the owner, Viren:
Whitaker, F.L.S., for the purpose of publishing figures of them in his
work on ‘‘ British Birds.” He exhibited his sketch book, containing
over 70 figures, most of them exceedingly rich ; he also exhibited an egg
of the tufted duck, presented to him by Mr. Whitaker, and taken on the
ponds at Rainworth Lodge, the only place in Britain where this bird is
known regularly to breed. !
MancHester Cryprocamic Socrety.—Dr. B. Carrington, F.R.S.E.,
in the chair.—The hon. sec. exhibited Continental specimens (in fruit) of
Tortula paludosa, a Species of moss which has recently been added to the
British flora, barren specimens of the same having been found in Wales.
The Continental specimens have been gathered by Dr. J. B. Wood and
Professor W. P. Schimper, in Switzerland, 1872. Mr. W. H. Pearson
read a short paper on a collection of Hepatics from Norway and Sweden,
which had been sent to him by Prof. N. C. Kindberg, of Sweden ;
altogether, about 60 species. were enumerated, amongst the rarest being
Gymnomitrium coralloides, Scapania subalpina, Jung. Kunzei, and J.
saxicola. Specimens were then distributed by Mr. Pearson ; he also
exhibited specimens of Scapania wrigua (new to Derbyshire), collected
at Kinder on November last, by Messrs. Whitehead and Holt. Mr.
Pearson brought before the the notice of the society Professor Masso-
lengo’s recent work on the Uridinee Verenensis. Mr. Cash exhibited a
moss new to Europe, Fontinalis Ravani, which had been discovered in
1882, and sent to him by M. de Buysson, a French corresponding
member of the society. The moss appears to have a more delicate habit
than any British species of the genus. Mr. Stanley exhibited under
the microscopic, the spores and spore cases of Selaginella ; he also exhib-
ited a micro-photograph of Thomas Brittain, a former vies preside of,
the society. Mr. George Burgess exhibited a number of freshly gathered
mosses from Ingleton and Derbyshire.—T. Rogers, Hon. Sec.
a re - Diary. —Meetings of Societies.
. M: uw. 3. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Societ Society. =P eevare on Crnsute” Sb.
nS . Mosley, 8 p.m.
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.- A Salk Meeting. See Adyt.
. Liversedge Naturalists’ Society. 5
. Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
4,
4
ee 4
~ 4,. 4. Entomological Society of London, 7 p.m.
ee 5
6
1
. Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
=. 5. LL. Bradford Naturalists Society.—‘ Mounting id Staininiy Betanical -
aie ; Specimens,’ Mr. G. D. Scorah.
a 5, 12: York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
eee a oe Naturalists’? Society. — “ British Fishes.” Js Bower,
; Says De Huddeestield Naturalists’ Pociety eet nudtion of Mr. Mosiey’s
oo ; Lectures on ‘‘ Insects,” 8 p.m.
» 17. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p m.
_ 5,18. Huddersfield Board Schools’ No towalisty Society.—Conversazione.
>, 18, Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ Society.
» 20. Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
aA North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club.—Annual Meeting at
=< Stoke,
» 20. York St. Thomas’ Naturalists’ Field Club.
» 22. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
_,, 24. Lancashire and Cheshire E Entomological Society.
xs 25, oe Naturalists’ So Gess —‘* Diatoms,”’ Mr. W. West, 7-30
Bae ae Huddersica Naturalists’ Society. — > Meng gale Waves,” Jz
: ee pe Tindall, 8p.
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Natural History Notes from South Afrien. Continued. —S8. D, Bairstow,
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NATURALIST, Pl. vii.
Original Articles.
. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
( Contenued. )
By S. D. Barrstow, F.L.S.
*.* Nots.—Owing to the absence of both Editors from Huddersfield, Plate
VIII. was accidentally omitted from the last number, but is given this month;
and the last sentence in Mr. Bairstow’s paper (p. 136) ought to have appeared
as the beginning of the present part.
Our Sphinges are numerous and varied, and my old friend A. Atropos
poses in Port Elizabeth as a vine pest and a hive-robber, whilst by
many up-country agriculturalists it is held in terror and superstitious
awe.
The Chelonide contain some lovely species, several of which I doubt
not hybernate as larvee, as at home. One of our most striking moths,
Pais decora, I have taken during the season, flies over grassy plains, and
is readily boxed. It resembles Abraxas grossulariata, both in flight and
metamorphoses. The larva, pupa, and imago exhibit coincident forms
ot colour. Several of the Zygenide swarm where they locate, and are
always welcome friends. At Rondebosch—a delightful retreat near
Cape Town—I saw thousands of them pursuing their revels beneath
the glare of a fiery sun. Procris nebulosa is not uncommon, but a moth
(sp. ?) I was pleased to greet as a Procris never fell to my net in the old
country. I have not yet discovered a solitary Hepialus,* but should
suppose the genus is represented. To speak of Geometers, Noctuas,
and Micros—
I would if I could, but I can’t,
If I could when I would, then I dar’nt.
To integrate such a history necessitates the combined efforts and
researches of a complete nation of lepidopterists. | Monographic
mention elevates one to insult the rest. Mr. Spiller mentions a few
Natalian moths} that are recorded also from Great Britain, and I
notice a species of Plusia, closely allied to gamma.
The hemipterous fauna of South Africa, says Dr. Buchanan White,
F.L.8., is “‘ pretty well worked,{ although a great deal remains to be
N.S., Vou. 1x. APR., 1884.
* Since penning this, Hepialus antarcticus is registered from Cape Town in
the S.A. Museum Blue Book.
+ 8. Convoluult, 8. Celerio, OC. Nervi, A. Atropos, D. Pulchelia, S. Sacraria,
Heliothis Armigera. (nt., vol. xiii., p. 83.)
t The only book on this order known to me is Stahl’s Hemiptera Africana,
which covers the entire continent.
)
ete THe NATURALIST.
L
done, especially amongst the smaller species.” Such a summary applies
to the majority of natural orders. Large insects as curios, readily
find their way to other countries, and animals which tickle the drum
of human amazement are unearthed from their native habitats. We
are neither deficient in stinging bugs nor stinking bugs, lovely bugs,
ugly bugs, and noisy bugs. I submitted a small collection of them to
Dr. White, gathered haphazard in different parts. One of our most
interesting bugs, by reason of its leafy shape, which bars the way of
detection, is Phyllomorpha paradoxa, Sparm. I took one on my coat
sleeve a short time ago, and have seen several belonging to other
naturalists. The specimen I sent to Dr. White came to grief en route,
but I have since ensured its name in accordance. Dr, White names
also the following species -—Leduvius erythrocnemis, Germ., a powerful
biter ; Lygoens elegans, Wolf., a pretty thing, common on Ornithogalum,
&c. ; Pseudoflata postica, Spin., a delicate green Homop., extremely
local; Scantius Forstert, F.; Mictis curvipes, F.; and a water bug,
Appasus luridus, Germ., “‘ occurs also in Egypt,” White. We have a fair
number of Cicade, of yell-erlasting fame. Dr. White notes Platypleura
hirtipennis, var. b., and P. stridula probably, though not altogether
agreeing with it. .
The 4rachnide differ materially from the foregoing, inasmuch as they
have scarcely been studied at all. This is the more strange when we
reflect how much of interest is absorbed in the one word spider, and
how ignorant we remain of the habits of scorpions and of ticks, three
families classified together but infinitely apart. What connecting link
exists between the two former is vaguely defined, and their homologies
are questionable. Those who have paid any attention to the economy
of the scorpion would be astonished when told that science places the
beast on the same platform with the spider. To see a life-to-life
encounter between a Tarantula (?) and its supposed brother is but to
increase the wonder. One fights like the condensed phantoms of all
Furies. The other more calmly awaits, sneak that it is, until weakness
intervenes, when it spurs to the rife contest, and a spider’s requiem is
pronounced. But it seems to me that classification of the future will
depend. not upon the habits of animals, relationship of economies, or
forms, but upon affinities of internal structure, and comparative resem-
blance of vital organs. Dr. D. Astley Cresswell, during a recent visit
to the Colony, collected and took with him some living scorpions. for
anatomical purposes, but I have not yet learned whether he succeeded
in his endeavour. We shall score one for Science when the relative
positions of scorpions and crustaceans are indelibly fixed and
generically defined.
Barrstow: Natura History Notes rrom Souram Arrica. 143
Mons. Eug. Simon, to whom I forwarded a small number of S. A.
Arachnida, remarks in the preface to his list—‘ All your spiders are of
great interest. A genus Colophon, recently described by Rev. O. P.
Cambridge, is new to me, and another is new to science, and allied to
Themisoides of South America...... The scorpions are also good.”.........
That much sound work remains to be done in this most attractive
order, the following list, from an eminent naturalist who makes it his.
study and delight, will certainly demonstrate. I give it verbatim after
M. Simon.
SPIDERS.
Colophon Natalensis, O. P. Cambr. (one specimen); Nov. gen., allied
to Themisoides (two specimens); Lyiola pulea ; Neniga ; Phlegra, sp.
ignota ; lrassis, sp.ig.; Palpimanus, sp. ig.; Misumena, sp. 1g.; Tho-
misus, sp. ig. (pulla); Selenops, sp, ig.; Hresus Africanus, C. Koch.
female ; Lithyphanius, sp. ig. (f. sp.)
SCORPIONS.
Loimura, sp.ig.; Battsus, sp. ig., probably villosus, Peters. Lityus
lineatus, ©. Koch.
I have heard many travellers speak of dangers in South Africa.
Tigers, reptiles, &c., &c. I do not believe one word of it. Big game
is timid, wild animals fiee at man’s approach. Ticks are far stronger
foes. You cannot shoot, spear, crush them. You are powerless.
Walking or sitting, they inhabit your trousers. Sleeping they inhabit
your flesh. Collector, they infest your beetles and bees, they appro-
priate your shells. Botanist, touch not that flower! Glorious Protea
periifolia, tempt him not so tantalizingly. Your fluffy beauty is dis-
torted with a myriad ticks. Your envelope contains a pandemcnium
of insect horrors. If I pluck you from your native velot, your parasites
will suck my native blood and smear my native legs, and I can only
pomade them out after the damage is done—for remonstrance is in
vain.
This insect phlebotomizing is possibly designed to maintain the
balance of human strength. Dame Nature is more intimately ac-
quainted with zsculapian tactics than we are, and she has some motive
for designing blood-sucking quacks, to practise in tropical or sub-
tropical countries. Her human subjects are at liberty, notwithstanding,
to kick against the pricks when they are sharply pointed. I have
assigned to the Arachnida a very subordinate place in my list. Lovers
of the order may justifiably give it a more elevated footing. The
144 THE NATURALIST.
remarkable or attractive neuropterous insects of Southern Africa were
popularised long ago, and very few amateur collectors reach home un-
represented with a formidable ant-lion or dragon-fly. Libeliule of all
sizes and colours abound, not only near the banks of streams and
rivers, but on upland flats in time of drought, when a glimpse of half-
a-pint of water, fresh or stagnant, would seem a miracle. We have
_ also innumerable species of Phryganide, whose architectural skill is
never at a nonplus, and I possess a few gnat-like creatures yet undeter-
mined. But to conclude my brief sketch of impressionable insect-
ography without an allusion to our wonderful termites, even at the risk
of desecrating Mr. Smeathman’s sanctum, I am powerless. The world
is fond of change. Fashion propels animation—animation, fashion.
Any sort of a social lion will answer the purpose if, that lion becomes
popular. When Londoners are really hard-pressed for a novelty,
let them bribe authorities at the Zoo to import a shipment of
termite ant-hills. Provided all goes well I guarantee a splendid hit
af an evacuation can be managed at the approach of sightseers. I
have seen one flight of termites, and I count that moment one of the
happiest in my life. They came not in myriads but in unceasing
streams.
“* They fell to earth I know not where.”
Mr. J. Martin, of Swansea, a recent visitor to this country, stayed
for some time near the Katberg, and had ample opportunity of
watching their habits. I received several specimens by post, they had
dropped their wings in transit, excepting one which retained the left
posterior until its death. He told me that when he plunged his stick
into some of their abodes, he found them ready for swarming. A few
months ago I visited the farm of a friend near Maitland Mines.
Arriving early in the morning, I discovered many termites on the
ground and in the river, and numbers of birds snapping them up with
avidity. Whilst we were breakfasting a gentleman remarked that
within a couple of hours of their appearance he could not find a
solitary specimen. This was not entirely my own experience, but
almost. Mr. Martin made some most valuable notes on the habits of
termites, and I should be glad to read them in due course in the pages
of the Naturalist.
We do not derive serious inconvenience from white ants in this
immediate district ; but they are a complete pest in some parts of the
country. L’hermite de Winterhoek writes me as follows :—‘‘ The only
extraordinary symptom of activity which I have observed lately, was
Barrstow: NaturAL History Norss rrom Sours Arrica. 145
in the case of termites or white ants, which are, during the warm
season, such a pest in this country. It is very seldom during the
winter that they appear above the surface, but on the 13th of this
month (August) the ground was darkened by swarms of those insects,
hastily carrying to their nests the dry leaves and stems of the plants*
of which I send you by this post a specimen. On the 8th we had a
fall of snow, and it kept extremely cold until the 13th, which was
a warm day, whilst from the 14th the thermometer lowered again.
There are houses in this neighbourhood which their owners have been
compelled to abandon altogether, the ants having taken possession of
them, from the floor to the ceiling. I have tried lime and various
other means to expel them, but have so far succeeded only partly to
keep them aloof from places imbibed with Calvert’s disinfectant. Teak
wood is said to be the only kind which they do not pierce. Informa-
tion on the subject would prove very beneficial to the farmers of
South Africa.”
Respecting Vertebrata my first impressions are scarcely worth
recording. Mammals (Rodents or a few small and commou,Carnivora
excepted), kept without my reach, and the reptiles I avoided until I
learnt a little more about the ‘‘ pisenous” species. I don’t mean to say
that I have not seen a jackal monkey, baboon, porcupine, or any ordi-
nary brute. I desire their skins better than their friendship ; but I
certainly was pleased in spotting a fine Monitor Lizard, common in our
valley stream. I was glad to secure a handsome hawksbill turtle, cast
up by the sea waves.{ Its interior was a perfect mess of shell pottage.
Our common tortoise is, I believe, Testudo Greca, but the great berg
tortoise, the starry, and the trap tortoise, occur also in some districts.
We have a great variety of non-poisonous snakes, and some really
lovely species. I have met and run away from a puff-adder—a most
deadly reptile. I have been called in by my next door neighbour to
measure the proportions of a sweet little night-addcr. When first seen,
it was passing over a lady’s naked foot. That lady remarked to her
~ good man—*“‘ My love! (I think that was the expression, perhaps it was
dear ! I really don’t recollect), there is a snake on my foot!” That
lady was a Joand’Arc. The good man grasped a lead weight and
smashed that night-adder’s laterals just as they were disappearing
* One of the Chenopodee, a true Salicornia.—h. Hallack.
+ Probably gone astray. A visitor from eastern seas. We have also a green
turtle. Some of these in the up-country districts are taken of tremendous size,
over six feet long.
146 Tae NATURALIST.
through a hole in the wall’ Mind! this isa rank exception to the rule
of safety. I repeat—reptiles will “‘ git,” as the Yankees say, if they
only git half a chance.
When [ first dipped my pen into the ink, I had intended to
demolish a thousand details in few words, but, proceeding, letter
has succeeded letter, and I am writing still. The order of things is
reversed, and it may be that my first impressions, when totted down,
- bear the epitaph
** Here lies little matter in much room.”
So be it! If you think I am going to sit down to a quiet dish of hash
without gravy, or task without pleasure, it is an egregious error. But
no! you have conceded me space for intervening moral and philo-
sephical discursions, and lam happy. There is one sentimental sigh
yet to eject, or rather a diversion to entertain. How gladly your
Yorkshire weavers rise with the lark, bolt a scanty breakfast, rush
breathlessly to catch a lazy excursion train, suffer the stuffy atmosphere
of a third-class smoking compartment, risk the penalties of railway
accidents, impatiently submit to never-ending stoppages, delays, and —
ticket inspections, waste eight hours travelling for a two hours’ revel
in the delights of one snatching peep at the roliing sea, or a ramble on
the orange peel bespattered beach. And here I may view the lordly
ocean any moment. Such an ocean too! Gaze across from the N.W.
angle of Algoa Bay to the opposite shore. Trace the hazy line of
pearly white sand which separates true land from true water. Raise
your eyes and define the junction of mountain and sky. Leslie, paint
nature truly, and your effort is adjudged a fraud. Turner, turn’er
attention to that threatening sky, those angry breakers, and imitate
action on canvas. Museful poet, does your poetic license avail
sufficiently? Ransack the mine of thought and imagine when you
cannot find. No appropriation, however sublime, will serve you here.
Nature’s beauty has oft been studied, but never spoken. Grand old
ocean, you lack an impossible champion. I love you when your bosom
heaves in mighty anger, or gently sways in smooth complacence. I
love you in a thundering roaring temper, and I love you when the rage
subsides. Nay, if beneath your glassy surface is concealed a treacherous
heart, I love you still. Dash your sprayful arms against the whitened
strand, or ripple softly on the shore, I care not. I love you in any
mood and upon all occasions. They call you vile and fickle. I think
you are genuine and constant, and most assuredly aristocratic if length
of lineage is veritable proof. I too would cast away the shuttle and
CLARKE AND ROEBUCK: VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE. 147
suffer much to gaze at your lofty presence for one moment's pleasure.
And as I love my liege, so do I revere his subjects, and of these I
shall now speak.
(To be continued. )
NOTES ON THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE,
3 1881-1883.
By Wm. Hacir Ciarke, F.L.S., anp Wu. Denison RogBucx.
Ir is our intention to prepare from time to time—annually if possible
—a report upon the vertebrate fauna of Yorkshire, in which we
propose to embody not only notices of the rarer and more interesting
occurrences in the county during the period covered by the scope of
the report, but also such records of older date as may have escaped
our attention during the compilation of our ‘“‘ Handbook of the
Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire,” together with such emendations and
corrections of the statements contained therein as may seem to be
called for.
The scope of the present report includes the period of time which
has elapsed since the publication of our Handbook in the autumn
of 1881 down to the end of 1883. The records in our hands for the
present year are reserved for a future paper. This report includes
notices of the kind above indicated concerning 87 species, of which
the following ten appear to be additions to the Yorkshire list -—
Rhinolophus hipposideros, Hmberiza rustica, Torpedo hebetans, Raja
maculata, Auxis rochei, Trachypterus arcticus, Regalecus grillu, Engraulis
encrasicholus, and Orthagoriscus truncatus. But in addition to these
there are various occurrences we have to record which are of special
interest, such as those of Vespertilio Nattereri, V. mystacinus, and
Delphinus tursio among the Mammalia, of Turdus varius, Cyanecula sp ?
Cypselus melba, Botaurus lentiginosus, Ardea garzetta, and the breeding
in the county of Querquedula circia and Spatula clypeata among the
Birds, and the occurrence of Brama Rati, Mugil septentrionalis,
Regalecus Banksii, Ctenolabrus rupestris, Nerophis equoreus, and Athe-
rina presbyter among the Fishes.
The Numerical Summary of species now stands as in the following
table, the British forms being also given for comparison :—
(148 Tor NATURALIST.
YORKSHIRE. BRITAIN.
Mammalia :
Terrestrial aie 32: 45
Marine ice 13 26
Birds ihe ae ie 307 380
Reptiles :
Terrestrial ae 4 Uf
Marine _... tee 74 2
Amphibia ie os ae. 6 ain?
Fishes fe
Freshwater Ae, 39 53
Marine fo 123 196
519 716
A few preliminary remarks on the chief features of the following
report will not be without. interest.
The Mammatta of Yorkshire were for the most part so well known
at the time of publication of the Handbook, that but little is required
by way of addition or correction, except so far as regards the two
groups—the Bats and the Cetaceans—which appear to be always the
most imperfectly studied mammals in any district.
With regard to the Bats, the result of Roebuck’s investigations has
been that, with the assistance of correspondents, the geographical
range of some of the forms in Yorkshire has been studied to some
purpose. One species is added to the list, and two others—hitherto
only recorded for the county on the strength of isolated occurrences—
have been fully confirmed as inhabiting the county, one of the latter
indeed proving to be a common and widely distributed form. There
is yet good work to be done in this group, for Daubenton’s Bat—
which is sure to be found sooner or later—has not yet been detected.
Yorkshire appears still to remain the northern limit of the range of
the Noctule, as Mr. R. Morton Middleton informs us that its reported
occurrence in South Durham was not confirmed.
The study of the Cetaceans is much more difficult from their habitat
and large size, and our only hope is that a competent naturalist may
be at hand in the event of the capture of animals of this order.
CLARKE AND RoEBUCK: VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE. 149
Birps.—Numerically the Yorkshire avifauna remains at 3:)7, the
addition of the Rustic Bunting being counterbalanced by the subtrac-
tion of the Barbary Partridge. Should, however, specific rank be
accorded to Pallas’s Great Grey Shrike, as is done by Mr. Seebohm,
this form would also rank as an addition. .
« Here it will be advisable to call the pointed attention of our readers
to the two paragraphs at the head of p. xxxvii. of the Introduction to
our Handbook, which appear to have been overlooked by some of our
critics, who might there have learned that we never allowed or
recognized the claims of such dubious records as those of Richard’s
Pipit, the Purple Martin, the Great Black Woodpecker, the Hairy
Woodpecker, the Little Owl, the Acadian Owl, the Harlequin Duck,
the Passenger Pigeon, the Virginian Colin, the Sooty Tern, and the
Laughing Gull. None of these are included in our numerical
summaries, although in the body of our work we felt it quite within
our duty to give the evidence of their occurrence for what our readers
might consider it worth.
Reprites 4ND AMPHIBIANS.—As to these groups there is nothing
to remark except that it is very desirable that naturalists should keep
a look-out for further occurrences of the Natterjack Toad iu the
county. As to the so-called Sand Livard, we have not yet been
satisfied that the animal occurs so far north, the Northumbrian
occurrence hinted at on p. xli. being a myth.
As to the FisHes—the least-investigated class in our fauna—we
are pleased to be able not only to add seven species to the list, but to
give a variety of further particulars and additional occurrences of
interesting forms; and it may be as well to remark that to the severe
storms which prevailed in early April, 1882, we owe several records of
pelagic and abyssal forms, such as the Torpedo and the Deal-fish, and
other rare species. No doubt had naturalists been more numerous in
our sea-board towns and villages, others would have been detected.
The numbers which are prefixed to the names are intended to
correspond to those used in the Handbook.
MAMMALIA.
1. Rhinolophus hipposideros (Bechst.). Lesser Horse-shoe Bat.
This species—an important addition to the Yorkshire fauna—is not ©
uncommon at Eavestone, near Ripon, where it is taken by Messrs.
James Ingleby and William Storey, from both of whom Roebuck
has received specimens in the flesh, and one or two alive (Zool
1882, p. 186; Nat. 1882, p. 166).
150 Tue NATURALIST.
12. Vespertilio Nattereri Kuhl.. Reddish-gray Bat.
Two specimens were sent in the flesh to Roebuck by Mr. W. Storey —
of Pateley Bridge, who captured one of them on the 24th of May,
- 1883, in Harefield Wood, near that place, and the other in the same
habitat a few days later.
15. Vespertilio mystacinus Leisl.. Whiskered Bat.
This species, which our work was the means of introducing to the
Yorkshire fauna, may now be considered as a widely distributed and
fairly numerous form in the county. Roebuck bas had specimens
from Harrogate (Grange), Eavestone (Ingleby), Pateley Bridge
(Storey), Ben Rhydding (Smethurst), &c.
23. Martes sylvestris Nils. Marten.
Specimens are recorded as having been killed in Raydale and in
Kexby Woods, near York (Field, Oct. 1, 1881, p. 504).
28. Meles taxus (Schreb). Badger.
Stragglers continue to be reported from time to time, as at Yarm,
Sleningford, ce.
42. Hyperoédon rostratum (Chem.) Common Beaked-whale.
Ve A. latifrons Gray. Broad-fronted Beaked-whale.
Mr. Southwell informs us that H. latifrons has been proved to be
the male of H. rostratum, thus diminishing the Yorkshire list by one
species.
50.—Globicephalus melas (Trail). Pilot Whale.
One was captured off Flamborough, in February, 1865, and recorded
as the “ Ca’ing Whale, Globicephalus deductor” (J. Freeland Young,
Field, Feb. 25th, 1865.)
53. Delphinustursio Fab. Bottle-nosed Dolphin.
One stranded near Goole, Oct. 4th, 1881, the identification of which -
was confirmed by Mr. Thomas Southwell (Bunker, Naturalist, 1881,
p. 65). .
| BIRDS.
5. Turdus varius Pall. Whites Thrush :
Additional occurrences: Rimswell, near Withernsea, one shot
during the first week in November, 1881, and now in the collection
of Mr. R. T. Burnham, of Rimswell, where Clarke has seen it. —
Waplington Manor, near Pocklington, one shot in early January,
1882, (Backhouse, Zool, 1882, p. 74; Inchbald, Field, 1882,
p. 201).
NoTEs AND QUERIES. — 151
8. Turdus torquatus L.. Ring Ouzel.
_ The solitary instance of this species nesting near Beverley must
“now be considered doubtful.
11. Cinclus metanogaster C. L. Brehm. Black-brcasted Dipper.
Seebohm having expressed a doubt as to the occurrence of this
species or race in Britain, Clarke forwarded him the Welwick
specimen for examination, with the result that it was considered
an undoubted example of this form.
(To be continued. )
Hotes and Queries.
GoosaNDERS aT Newron Kyme.—lI saw nine behind my house on the
River Wharfe. I never saw birds in such magnificent plumage, but I
could not get ashotat them. Itis very unusual to see so many together.
J. CHatonger, Newton Kyme, March 6th, 1884.
Banks’ OarrisH—-Regalecus Banksir.—In April, 1882, I recorded the
capture of this fish on the Yorkshire coast, and as the local newspapers
may not fall into the hands of all your readers, I extract the following
from the Bridlington Gazette of last week :—‘‘ On Tuesday, a tine speci-
men of the ribbon fish was driven ashore on Flambro’ rocks, during the
late heavy gale ; the length of the specimen is 15 feet 3 inches, 18 inches
wide, and about 4 inches thick. On the fisherman approaching, it rose
up in the air, moved in a serpentine fashion, but was stunned by a stone
and easily captured. It was eventually sold to Dr. W. Whittaker, of
Scarbro’, and is now. in the hands of Mr. Thompson, taxidermist of that
place, for preservation, and with the intention of exhibiting it in London
and the provinces. A bid of £25 was made on behalf of the British
Museum authorities.”” The specimen I recorded in 1882 was 19 feet long,
but as Couch’s largest was 15 feet 6 inches, the present is a noteable
capture. The style of motion mentioned above, conforms pretty well to
that given to Couch, by fishermen, on a similar occasion. ‘‘It came on
with a gentle lateral undulating motion, shewing its crest and a small
portion of the head above the water.”—N. F. Dobrée, Beverley, Ist
March, 1884.
Tectura testudinalis, Miller, 1n YorKsHire.—-In the Naturalist for
- October, 1883, page 53, I have read Mr. Crowther’s remarks respecting
the occurrence of this species at Whitby. On referring to my note book,
I find I collected living specimens ten years ago, at Flamboro’, on the
rocks, at extreme low water; and my friend Mr. Cash, of Halifax,
informs me that he met with it in the same place last summer. I may
also state that in August last ] dredged it in 20 fathoms water, off Port
152 THe NATURALIST.
Soderic, Isle of Man, but chiefly dead shells. This however, is not a
new locality, as the late Prof. Edward Forbes, in his ‘‘ Malacologia
Monensis,” page 34, mentions 7’. testwdinalis as occurring ‘‘ on the under
surface of stones at very low water, Ballaugh.” The Manx shells I
obtained are smaller, and not so prettily marked as the Yorkshire speci-
mens. Much has been written about the migratory habits of this species,
and it would be interesting to learn whether it may not be found much
further south than the localities hitherto recorded.—Gzo. H. Parks,
Furness Abbey, February Ist, 1884.
Rainfall for February.
Height ToTaL Faun
of NNO. To Date. | | Date of | Amount
gauge | Rain-| of heaviest
above | fall. | Days . ie leeball: nena
ee. 1884. | 1883. ses
Be. | In:
HUDDERSFIELD (Dalton) ...| 350 1°57 | 16| 7°32 | *5°51 23 0°60
(J. W. Robson) |
LEEDS ... (Alfred Denny)...| 183 | 1°94 | 14 5:97 3°27 uh 1 1°16
HorRsFORTH ... (James Fox)} 350 | 2°30 | 18 607 4°76 t 1 1:19
Hatirax...(F.G.S. Rawson)} 365 | 4°12 | 22 a 11°78 2 1-21
BaRNSLEY ... (Dr. Sadler)...} 350 | 1°78 | 16 5°46 5'70 1 0°72
INGBIRCHWORTH(Mr.Taylor)| 853 2:92 | 20 | 10°24 | 10°50 1 0-91
WENTWORTH CASTLE (Mr.} 520 1°87 | 17 6 16 A333 1 0°70
Fisher)
GooueE ...... (J. Harrison)... 25.) 1°22 | 11 4°82 4°36 1 “50
Hutt (Derringham) (Wm.| 10) 1.44/16| 426 | 2°929§ 1 72
Lawton)
ScarBoro’ (A. Rowntree)...| 130 | LS why 4:74 | 1°76|| i "85
THIRSK...(W. Gregson) ...... 100, 1°52 | 15 5:94 1 0°57
MasHAmM (Thos. Carter) ...| 269 | 2°31 | 19 7°66 Li 0.46
SHADWELL (Geo. Paul) | 2°19 | 14 5°94 it
* Average to date for 17 years, 1866-83.
+ Average of 30 years, 1853-62, & 1865-84. + Average of 15 years, 1870-84.
§ Average of 34 years, 1850-83. || Average fall for Feb. (18 years).
Reports of Societies.
BarnsLtEy Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting March 18th, Mr. T.
Lister in the chair.—The chief business was in connection with the results
of the exhibition got up for the visit of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union.
Letters were received, and personal communications given, expressing
favourable opinions of the exhibition, the annual meeting, and the
lectures.of Mr. J. G. Baker, president of the Union, Mr. W. F. de V. Kane,
Reports oF SocigEtigzs. 153
of Dublin, and Dr. Brady of Sunderland. Local excursions were proposed
for the season, the first of which is to be Edlington and Conisborough.
Little to remark as to birds: a flight of long-tailed tits seen about the
gardens, Silkstone, Feb. 22; chaffinch, song first noted Feb. 15; the yellow-
hammer sang on the 16th ; pied-wagtails again noted Feb. 19th, and now
becoming frequent ; they partially migrate to warm parts of England in
winter, grey wagtails coming in late autumn and leaving in spring ; king-
fishers frequently noted every winter. The most unusual occurrence has
been a pair of wheatears, Jan. 17th, on Staincross common ; they are
usually summer visitors, leaving for warmer southern counties in late
autumn. I saw a kestrel, Jan. 7th, hovering low and darting to a hedge
bank, near Sandal ; saw siskins again in railway cutting below my house
at Victoria Crescent, but not in such great numbers as were reported about
Christmas. A heron was brought for my examination, Jan. 12th, shot
at Brough: several were seen up to the close of the month. Mr. Bond,
of Wombwell, reports many sparrow-hawks, kestrels, and gulls ; and
two more otters making about seven in the Dearne valley in two years :
these are desired by the land proprietors to be protected. From Hems-
worth woods and reservoir, which are under wise protection, little grebes,
goosanders, herons, sparrow-hawks, kestrels, gold-finches, and gold-
crested wrens are reported by Mr. Creighton, who thinks that the bird
_ and gun acts, and trespass laws, are causing some scarce birds to increase
in numbers.—T. Lister.
BrapForD Naturatists’ Socrety.—Meeting held Jan. 29th, 1884.
Mr. Carter presided. Mr. Firth described a ramble to Shipley Glen, and
reported having seen the dipper, creeper, blue titmouse, cole titmouse,
magpie, thrush, missel thrush, wren and robin. Mr. Soppitt gave an
account of a ramble about Saltaire, and reported having found a fungus
(Mycena hyemalis) which he considered very early. Mr. Carter exhibited
a box containing the whole of the British representatives of the genus
Zygena (burnet moths), and pointed out their specific characteristics.
Mr. Firth exhibited a number of moths which pass the winter in the
perfect state, including D. templi, C. vaccinu, C. miata, S. dubitata, &e.
Mr. Shackleton, of Keighley, showed a number of mosses collected in
various localities. Mr. Soppitt then gave his lecture on ‘‘ Hetercecism of
certain Fungi,” which he said signifies a species which commences life
on one plant and completes it on another. He gave as an illustration
the corn-mildew, which is so destructive in the corn-growing districts,
but has not been found here. It commences its growth on the barberry
(Berberis vulgaris), and completes it on the corn. The lecture was illus-
trated by a number of specimens of fungi in different stages of their
growth.
Meetine held Feb. 12th, 1884, Mr. Soppité in the chair.—Mr. Soppitt
reported a ramble about Seven Arches, near Bingley, and in Shipley
Glen, and named a number of flowers he had seen; he also found
154 THE NATURALIST.
the following shells : Zonites aliarius Z. crystallinus, and the fresh-water
mussel. He also reported having seen the grey wagtail. Mr. Carter
exhibited a box of beetles from Reading, but as he had only just
received them, they had not been named. Mr. Bennett exhibited
with the oxy-hydrogen light a series of photographic views of Irish
scenery, and views taken in the vicinity of the Falls of Niagara, accom-
panied by explanatory readings by Mr. H. S. Ward. Mr. West exhibited
a number of specimens of plants found in different parts of Ireland, some
of which had not been found elsewhere.
LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ENTOMOLOGICAL SocteTy.—Meeting
Feb. 25th, in the Free Library ; the president (Mr. 8. J. Capper,) in
the chair. A paper entitled ‘* Reminiscences of Burnt Wood, Stafford-
shire ”—communicated by Mr. Joseph Chappell (Manchester)—was read,
in which the author (who was present) detailed his experiences of several
excursions into that district, special allusion being made to the captures
of the exceedingly rare Notodonta bicolora by himself and a friend,
specimens of this insect In various stages being exhibited by him. The
Rey. 8. Fletcher Williams followed with a paper on ‘‘ Henry Thoreau,
the American Poet-Naturalist,” in which were vividly portrayed the life
and character of this extraordinary student of nature and persevering
observer of the habits of the animals of his native woods. During the
conversazione, the Rev. H. H. Higgins exhibited the collection of insects
intended for the circulating museum for educational purposes.
MancHEsTER Cryptocamic Society.—Dr. B. Carrington, F.R.S.E.,
in the chair.—The honorary secretary exhibited and presented to the
society specimens of Amblystegium porphyrrhizum which had been
gathered at Southport, 1875. He subsequently made some remarks on
its discovery, detection, and its position as a British moss. Mr. W. H.
Pearson exhibited some specimens of hepatics which he had received for
determination from Prof. N. E. Kindberg, of Sweden, which had been
collected in Spitzbergen by R. Gyllencreutz. They were Marchantia
polymorpha, Sauteria alpina, and Blepharozea ciliaris. Mr. Pearson also
exhibited Plagiochila tridentata from Llanberis., collected in May, 1883,
this being a new locality for this rare hepatic. Mr. George Burgess
exhibited a number of freshly-gathered mosses from the neighbourhood
of Delamere ; amongst them was the interesting Tetraphis pellucida in
abundant fruit. Two pamphlets in French were placed upon the table,
presented by R. du Buysson, a corresponding member of the society—
the one being an analytical key to the mosses belonging to the family
Grimmacee, and the other was entitled ‘‘ Mouses et Hepatiques de
L’Allier,” par l’ Abbe V. Berthoumien et R. du Buysson, 1883. Mr. J.
Cash read a first portion of the letters and correspondence of Edward
Hobson, which he had kindly arranged at the wish of the society. The
portion read proved extremely interesting to the members.—Tuos.
Rogers, Hon. Sec., 27, Oldham-road, Manchester.
Reports oF SociEerizs. 155
York Freatp Naruratists’ AND ScrentTIFIC Soctrty.—The first meeting
of this newly organized society was held in the Albert Rooms, Stonegate.
The following specimens were brought by members for exhibition :—Mr.
Alfred Waller, four new British plants, Naias alaganensis, Ononis horrida,
Agrostis nigra, and Chara braunit; Mr. Robert B. Cooke, a group of
British marine shells—Pinna pectinata, Anomia ephippium, and Pecten
maximus from Brixham, Pecten varius and Nassa reticulata from Torbay,
Fusus antiquus and F. gracilis from Lynn, and Cyprea Europea from
Sheldon, South Devon. The hon. sec. (Mr. 8. Walker) exhibited a series
of the local Hrebia epiphron and Dicranura furcula. Mr. Bailey’s
- box contained eggs of the following birds :—Capercaille (Tetruo wro-
gallus), grey plover (Squatarola helvetica), heron (Ardea cinerea), spoon-
bill (Platalea leucorcdia), black stork (Ciconia nigra), also a large species
of sea star (Asterias) from Brisbane. Mr. Robert Dutton showed a
cabinet drawer of lepidoptera, containing Chelonia plantaginis C. villica,
Arctia fuliginosa, A. uitice, &c. The president read a paper on ‘‘ Bacillus
tuberculosus,”and showed a specimen under the microscope. Having
explained the method of preparing the specimen, he said that Koch had
first described these baccilli, which were delicate thread-like bodies from
one-quarter to one-half as long as the diameter of the blood corpuscule.
They behaved in a characteristic manner with certain of the aniline dyes.
Koch had cultivated them for weeks and months apart from the body,
and then inoculated animals with them, producing the characteristic
disease by this means. Without entering before that non-medical
audience upon the great question of the pathology of tuberculi, and its
relation to consumption, the lecturer said he might at any rate point out
that here was a definite botanical organism, found under very peculiar
conditions, and therefore interesting to all naturalists. Certain people
were prone to tubercular diseases. It was markedly hereditary. It
prevailed especially under special hygienic and geographical circumstances.
This and many other facts seemed to show that whether or not the bacillus
was the cause of the disease, at any rate it required a specially disposed
animal-tissue for its soil. Of course, so far, the case was on all fours with
that of the yeast-plant, which also required a special soil, viz., one
containing sugar, to produce alcoholic fermentation. A vote of thanks
was accorded the lecturer at the close of his able and interesting address,
—Samt. Waker, Hon. Sec.
YorkKsHIRE Naturatists’ Union.—22np ANNUAL MEETING, BARNSLEY,
Turnspay, Marcu 41x, 1884.-—-This was a very successful meeting, and in
_ honour of it the Barnsley Naturalists’ Society had organized an extensive _
and admirably arranged Exhibition of Natural History objects. This was
opened at about half-past two by Mrs. T. EH. Taylor, of Dodworth Hall,
after which the visitors proceeded to inspect the various objects shown.
The business meetings commenced at 4 p.m., when the General Commitiee
met to receive the report of the Executive. There were present several
156 THe NATURALIST.
of the permanent members of that Committee, besides delegates repre-
senting the Societies at Huddersfield, Barnsley, Heckmondwike, Wake-
field, Holmfirth, Liversedge, Ovenden, Rastrick-cum-Brighouse, Honley,
Leeds (3), Bradford (3), Goole, Selby, Sheffield, Dewsbury, Malton,
Halifax, Doncaster, Beverley, York, Ilkley, and Shipley. The chair was
occupied by the President, Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S. The minutes of
the previous annual meeting having been taken as read, the following
new members of the Union were elected :—Rev. H. EH. Fox, M.A., of
Durham, Messrs. F. Priestman, ex-mayor of Bradford, Thos. Pratt of
Ripon, J. Rawlinson Ford of Leeds, A. Paterson of Doncaster, Arthur
Roberts of Keighley, Henry Marsh of Leeds, W. E. Brady and George
Rose of Barnsley, and J. A. Erskine Stuart, of Staincliffe, near Dews-
bury. The ten following members were then chosen as additional perman-
ent members of the General Committee :—Messrs. J. C. Burrell of Shef-
field, W. N. Cheesman of Selby, J. EH. Clark, B.A., B.Sc., &c., and Geo.
C. Dennis of York, N. F. Dobrée and J. Ambrose Ridgway, F.R.A.S., of
Beverley, W. Gregson of Baldersby, J. H. Rowntree of Scarborough,
M. B. Slater of Malton, and J. J. Stead of Heckmondwike. The Annual
Report and Balance Sheet were then read by Mr. W. Hagle Clarke,
F.L.S., of Leeds, one of the Secretaries, as follows :—
22np ANNUAL REPORT.
The progress of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union during this the 22nd year
of its existence has been steady and well-sustained, and the Executive Council
have to congratulate the members on the fact that the new constitution which
was adopted at the last annual meeting has worked in an extremely satisfactory
manner. The modifications which it introduced were mainly in the direction
of the further development of the British Association principle of government,
and it is to one of these modifications that the Executive Council, which now
addresses the members for the first time, owes its existence. ‘They have to
report that one of the Union’s objects has been promoted during the year
by means of the publication of the two instalments of the Transactions, and
the other by a successful series of field-meetings, at which (as will appear by
the reports of the Sections) sound and useful observational work has been done.
THE FIELD MEETINGS
held during the year—for each of which was prepared the customary circular
descriptive of the natural history and physical features of the neighbourhood
visited—were five in number, one for each of the districts into which Yorkshire
is now divided for this purpose. The places visited were as follows :—
Doncaster, Whit Monday, May 14th.
Filey, Monday, June 11th.
Strensall Common, Saturday, July 14th.
Washburn Valley, Monday, August 6th.
Malham, Saturday, September Ist.
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. LEN
The interest taken in the meetings was well sustained, the attendance averaging
about 60 at each. At some of them the Union was indebted to local gentlemen
for permission to visit their estates, and to Mr. Winter Cockill and the High
Sheriff of Yorkshire for their generous hospitality to the members who visited
Doncaster and Malham respectively. The Strensall meeting in July was disap-
pointing so far as regards the attendance, but on the other hand the largeness of
the attendance when the Union visits places which are but little known or more
than usually difficult of access is a source of encouragement, evidencing that
members are fully alive to the cardinal importance of the exploration of little-
known districts.
THE SOCIETIES
which constitute the Union are now 39 in number, an increase of four during
the year, the newly-added Societies being the following :—
NO OF,
SEES
Shipley Field Naturalists’ Club ...2....0.....secseoccoveseeseess 28
ibradtord Macroscopical Society s.c..:-2<-r-+ -secastcceceseoes 61
Rotherham Naturalists’ Society ...............--.0sec0 ssscessecs 63
Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ and Scientific Society ... 24
176
The statistics which are furnished by the secretaries of the different Societies
show that the Union now includes 2408 Associates and 326 Members, or 2734
altogether, an increase of 361 Members and Associates during the year.
THE MEMBERSHIP
of the Union itself—as distinguished from that of the various individual Societies
—has now to be considered in a new aspect. The Annual Subscribers of former
years are now designated Members, and have increased in number during the
year, the figure now standing at 326.
The Executive Council would now again urge upon the attention of the
Associates the desirability of their supporting the Union in its work by becoming
Members. There is much valuable matter awaiting publication in the Transac-
tions, for which additional funds are needed ; and it may be pointed out moreover
that the penny per head which is contributed by the associated Societies for their
members can only be looked upon as a nominal retaining-fee, much more money
being spent upon the Associates than the Union receives from them. It can
therefore be fairly expected that Associates and others who take an interest in
the investigation of Yorkshire Natural History and are able to contribute
towards its financial encouragement, should assist by enrolling themselves as
Members.
PUBLICATIONS.
Parts 5 and 6 of the Transactions have been issued to the Members during the
year, while Part 7 is printed and will be circulated immediately, and Part 8 isin
preparation. Special attention has been given to this most important branch of
the Union’s work, and your Executive venture to think that their report upon
this head is a satisfactory one.
It is also a matter for satisfaction that the year has witnessed the completion of
the printing of Mr. Porritt’s long-expected “ List of Yorkshire Lepidoptera,” the
158 Tue NATURALIST.
first completed memoir which the Union has issued, and also the first completed
attempt to catalogue the indigenous Yorkshire forms of that important group of
insects.
“THE NATURALIST,”
which has since its foundation nine years ago been the recognized organ of the
Union, having been conducted under its auspices by Messrs. Hobkirk and Porritt
at their own risk, will, on the completion of the current or ninth volume, become
the property of the Union, the present Editors having decided to relinquish the
office which they have held so long and so worthily, and which they originally
undertook at the Union’s request. In their stead Messrs. Roebuck and Clarke
have been appointed the Editors of a new series, which is to be commenced in
August next.
THE PRESIDENCY.
Your Executive have now to announce that the important office of President
has been offered to and accepted by the Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, M.A.,
F.LS., F.Z.S.. a naturalist whose tenure of it will add yet further distinction to
that which it derives from former occupants of the chair; and they will conclude
their report by the expression of their sense of the obligation under which the
Union and all its Members have been laid to the distinguished author of “‘ North
Yorkshire,” who this day ceases to be our President, by his. acceptance of the
highest mark of respect and appreciation which it is in our power to bestow.
After some discussion, the report and balance sheet (as appended) were
unanimously adopted on the motion of Mr. J. W. Davis, seconded by
Mr. A. Clarke, president of the Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society. The
excursion-programme was then considered, and the recommendations of
the Executive (with the alteration of one of the dates from Saturday to
Thursday) were accepted as follows :—
Maltby Common and Roche Abbey, Thursday, May 8th ;
Sherburn, for Bishop’s Wood, Whit Monday, June 2nd ;
Hawes, Saturday, July 5th ;
Spurn Point, Bank Holiday Monday, August 4th ;
Helmsley, Wednesday, Sept. 3rd.
For the next Annual Meeting there were two invitations presented—one
from Beverley, and one from Doncaster. The delegates from those towns
having spoken in support of the invitations, motions were duly made and
seconded in favour of each. On being put to the vote, the majority was
found to be in favour of Doncaster. Various dates were proposed, but
eventually Tuesday, the 3rd of March, was decided upon. Proceeding to
the election of officers, the President stated that his successor had already
been chosen, the office having been accepted by Lord Walsingham, M.A..,
F.L.S., F.Z.S. The two retiring Secretaries—Messrs. Wm. Denison
Roebuck and Wm. Hagle Clarke, F.L.8., both of Leeds—and the ten
retiring members of the Executive Council—the Revs. W. Fowler, M.A.,
Liversedge, and W. C. Hey, M.A., York, Messrs. J. W. Davis, F.L.S.,
Halifax, Thos. Birks, jun., Goole, C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., Dewsbury,
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 159
G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., Huddersfield, E. B. Wrigglesworth, Wakefield,
J. J. Stead, Heckmondwike, B. Holgate, F.G.S., Leeds, and H. T.
Soppitt, Bradford—were all re-elected, and Messrs. B. Holgate and
W. B. Russell, LL.B., of Leeds, were again chosen as auditors. This
concluded the business of the General Committee. Tea was then served,
after which the various sections met and elected their officers as follows :
: VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY : —
Mr. John Cordeaux, M.B.O.U., Great Cotes, president (re-elected) ;
Mr. James Backhouse, jun., York, secretary.
CONCHOLOGY.
Rev. W. C. Hey, M.A., York, president ;
Mr. J. D. Butterell, Beverley, secretary ; both re-elected.
ENTOMOLOGY :
Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., Huddersfield, president ;
Mr. EK. B. Wrigglesworth, Wakefield, secretary ;
Mr. S. L. Mosley, Huddersfield, recorder in Economic Entomology :
all re-elected.
BOTANY :
Mr. Thos. Hick, B.A., B.Sc., Harrogate, president ;
Mr. P. F. Lee, Dewsbury, secretary for phanerogamic botany ;
Mr. Geo. Massee, Scarborough, secretary for cryptogamic botany :
al] re-elected.
GEOLOGY :
Mr. J. W. Davis, F.L.8., F.G.S., Halifax, president :
Mr. J. K. Wilson, Bradford, and Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A., Wet-
wang, secretaries : all re-elected.
The Annual Public Meeting was held in the evening in the large room
of the Public Hall, when there was an attendance of about 300, and the
chair was taken by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S., president of the
Union, who was accompanied on the platform by the Mayor of Barnsley
and other gentlemen. The Annual Report having been read and the
Excursion programme announced for the information of the members
generally, the Presidential Address was delivered, Mr. Baker taking for
his subject ‘‘ The Fathers of Yorkshire Botany.” Dr. Lancaster, the
president of the Barnsley Naturalists’ Society, presided during the
delivery of the address, and at its close'a vote of thanks was enthusiastic-
ally accorded to Mr Baker, on the motion of Mr. Chas. Wemyss, of
Cannon Hall, seconded by Mr. W. F. de V. Kane, M.A., of Dublin.
Mr. Baker having replied to the vote, resumed the chair, and a vote
of thanks tothe Barnsley Naturalists’ Society for their cordial reception
of the Union, was moved by Mr. A. H. Allen, F.1.C., &c., of Sheffield,
seconded by Mr. EB. B. Wrigglesworth, of Wakefield, and cordially voted.
Mr. Thos. Lister replied, after which the meeting closed.
160 THE NATURALIST.
. Y.N.U.—BALANCE SHEET, March 4th, 1884.
RECEIPTS. £1) 8.70 PAYMENTS. by eSamds
Balance from last year...... 13 5 9 | For Members’ Card and
Levies paid by Associated General Expenses, Prin-
ting, Postages, Minute
Societies :— Books, &Co es ee 1017 5
a po dee 9 © | Guarantee in respect of the
” » 1883 11 7 4 Meeting at Wakefield in
5 WOO 4e L276 UBB 2) i salbiesa tence eteusereectts Lc Orey,
Members’ Subscriptions :— Expenses of Doncaster
1878" -0. 5.0 Meeting ..... Besar ee sta 5 14 2
5 » 1879 211 6 | Expenses of Filey 9% Sead
i, 1880" male 0 5 Strensall _,, 5 6 0
ss » p18815°=20018, <6 ” Washburn ,, eo Meee
SH Sc ulBS2 8802 orl 9 Malham _,, 5.10 2
- » 1883 5518 0 Ns Annual Meet-
TGS i 5 eis Pe Sayles tel eects 3810 0
y OO e ane eae Expenses incurred by the
Sales of Publications......... orlOs Treasurer for Postage
and Receipt Stamps, Cir-
culars, Receipt Books,
(4 a MEME ESE Anas Bhoaoe 715 1
Subscription refunded which
was paid twice over ...... 0.10 6
Prospectus, Entry Forms,
Envelopes, and Special
Circulars to accompany
same, and Postage of
part) Of same, syeeeee 12 15 10
Hektograph and Rubber
Stamps ie. sae ecseeneeee Pehl: 6
Expenses of Library and
Exchange of ‘Transac-
CLOMS: “3 ieek eetansonences 2 LO
The Naturalist, Vol. [X.—
Copies supplied to 69
Members {at eeeeoeee 12 “is 6
Reprints of President’s Ad-
OneSS aiiese caste pneoeeoe Ve aleO
Part V. of ‘Transactions
Printing 2 jciccsan see Los exfuiG
Binding, Postages, Author’s
Reprints and Corrections, .
and Printed Wrappers... 511 1 |
Part VI. of Transactions
Printing 4.) oe ee 19 15 0
Binding, Postages, Author’s
Reprints and Corrections,
Printed Wrappers, and |
SUMGries.; cs sehsusecepeueene 5 12 10 |
Total Expenditure............ 12611 1
Balance in Treasurer’s |
Tame ec eee 245 Oe
£150 11 3 £150 11-3
a Diary.—Meetings of Societies.
April 1. asses Naturalists’ Society. :
Bishop Auckland Naturalists’ Field Club.
Barnsley Naturalist’s Society.
. Entomological Society of Londen, 7 p.m.
Wakefield Naturalists’ and Philosophical Society.
Linnean Society of London, 8 p.m.
. Huddersfield Board Schools’ Naturalists’ Society. — Ramble to
* Mollicar Wood. .
» 7. Leeds Naturalists’ Club, 8 p.m.
ae Be Bradford Naturalists’ Society .— Microscopical Exhibitions, 7-30
et ‘p.7H:
a 9. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
~. 4 40. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.—Paper by J. Patchett, . B.Se.,
eee 8 p.m.
4, 12. Dewsbury Naturalists’ Society.—-Geological Ramble.
_ ._4.. 12. Hudderstield Naturalists’ Society, 8 p.m.
., 15. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society.
ae . Linnean Society of London, 8 :
= ._ ,, 19. Heckmondwike~ Naturalists’ Society, 7-30. p.m.
fe . 19. Huddersfield Board Schools’ Naturalists’ Society. — Ramble to
29 Grimescar.
5, 21. Manchester Cryptogamic Society, 7-30 p m,
» 22. Doncaster Juvenile. Naturalists’ Society. — “Geology,” F. V.
; Walker and R. M.~ Hartley.
ee: 5, 22. Bradford Naturalists’ Socicty, 7-30 p.m.
Re » 24. York Field Naturalists’ and Scientific Society.
-,, 26. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society.—Ramble to Bentley Springs,
: from Kirkburton Station.
4; 28. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. :
28. Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society. Exhibition of Spring Plants,
Ee a he 8 p.m. :
-.,, -29. Barnsley Naturalists Society.
SHS BS cree
Pes SH Replete with instructive matter...... Specially interesting te scientific
. readers and naturalists.” —Leeds Mercury.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLES, XC. :
Natural ee Notes from South Africa. —Continued.—S. D. Bairstow,
PAs Se:
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Lastrea cristata near Thorac: Tts ‘Discoverer aud a History. _P. “Arnold
= Dees: 164
Notes on. the Wartebiate Hanna of Voukuhite, 1881-1888 SAW. - Bagle Clarke: :
. FLL.S., and W. Denison Roebuck _... 167
a, HORT MAHOB (00 Soc ee ee Woe Son ee
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“ Omithological Notes from Barnsley.—F. Lister .. FOTN Sees ae a Yer
Northern Range of the Sand Lizard.—G@. T. Poe ee “ed LS
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LIST OF YORKSHIRE. LEPIDOPTERA,
BY GT. PORRITT, F.L.S.
The lst contains copious records. of the aceite, &c., of the
1,340 species of macro- and micro- lepidoptera known to inhabit the
county; particulars of local variation in species ; with» all other
necessary information connected with the subject.
To be had only from the Hon. Secretaries of the Yorkshire
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Original Articles.
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
(Continued. )
By S. D. Bairstow, F.LS.
The marine Mollusca, or rather sea-washed specimens of impres-
sionable shells, for excepting Turbo, Patella, Bullia, Twaitella,
Halotis, Lriton, Chiton, Pleurotoma, and a few others (univalves,
bivalves excepted) occurring near or upon the shore or rocks, we have
seldom an opportunity of taking living animals, and for many reasons
dredging is expensive and dangerous. Probably if these difficulties
could be removed there would be a magnificent field for the collector
around the east coast of Southern Africa. Scarcity of rain is our
agricultural curse. Peculiarity of river courses is one of the banes of
progression and enterprise, and around the Algoa coast stream or river
in rapid succession cuts into the land, and renders locomotion difficult,
and navigation dangerous. This impacability of African rivers has
bothered the mental powers of all our famous travellers, and a big
obstacle it is to remove. . The physical features of our dark continent
are truly perplexing. Drifting sands and sand barriers along the
coast. Inland yawning chasms, and stubborn kloofs surprising us by
the suddenness of their appearance. Scarcity of water where plenty
is wanted ; abundance where useless or rejected. Mountain blocks
and brackish karoos. ‘These circumstances all combine and scorn
human effort. Likewise the ocean jeers at expert navigators. Not
satisfied with reefy custodians or personal surf muscles,* with jutting
capes or Samsonian waves, not satisfied to link current to current in
one tempestuous rushing torrent—a marine river—passing with fearful
velocity round the southern point, we must needs have minor currents
cropping up unawares, and deceitful shifting stream beds. Add to
these submerged plateaux of connected rocks, and bristling semi-hidden
reefs, add stiff south-easters, and you may form a mild conception of
* As I write, news arrives of a tremendous tidal wave observed at Hast
London, Port Alfred, and other coast ports. It was slightly felt here. Capt.
Webster, Com. Currie, 8.8. ‘“‘ Hawarden Castle,’ reports great strain on his
ship’s cable, and violent plunging of the vessel. At East London the tide rose
considerably. Tide gauges at various places indicated curious irregularities.
Says the H.P. Telegraph—“ The origin of this tidal wave may probably be as-
eribed to remarkable volcanic action of unusual severity reported to have occurred
in the Straits of Sunda, where the physical features of the place have undergone
considerable changes.”’
N.S., Vou. 1x. May, 1884.
162 Tak NATURALIST.
the reasons which mitigate a shell-collector’s dredging ardour. That
good stuff lines the border bottom of our quaint old ocean I am sure.
How to get at it is another question, and we are compelled to accept
what his eccentric whim may cast ashore. Against such opposition
Rous calculates as a good day’s work the bagging of one fair shell, and
so do I. More than once have [ tramped my twenty miles o’er rocks
and sand, on naked feet, to return with one decent Terebratula,* or one
Marginella, or one Cyprea. Now and then a capital haul turns up:
Kraussia rubra, or Terebratula radiata in quantities after a sea-breeze,
and other shells in due order, but very seldom is this the case.
The localisation of shells on this coast is noticeable. Walking on
the sand towards Port Elizabeth, until the Zwartkops river is reached,
vast quantities of bivalves, Donazx, Venus, Mytilus, and sometimes
Pinna, are found ; then past the town round by Cape Recife a break
occurs, when they re-commence and continue to the next pile of rocks,
and so on indefinitely. But it is impossible to connect a fixed law
proving the habitats or peregrination antics of Algoa mollusca, although
aching limbs through useless roving have relegated my hopes of new
finds in distant solitary spots, and although I have proved most
conclusively the value of a site selected. I know just where to go to risk
the taking of a decent Pupzllia (see Pl. ix., Fig. 5). I know that from
the Beacons to Recife is a good ground for Conus tinianus, C. rosaceus
(Fig. 3), and our eagerly sought for Voluta Bullata. I know one
sequestered sand nook anent a mighty cave, where a certain Spirula is
a dead certainty. I would: it were otherwise. Of V: Bullata, from
fifty-four collected specimens I have managed to secure one really
handsome (Fig. 1, nat. size). Our representative collections show a
deficiency in marine fauna, but I do not believe the one figured can
be beaten in any African -museum. Next to #ullata I have prized
Marginella Mosaica (Fig. 2) seldom obtained in good condition. I
count upon six species of this genus from P. E., but I cannot state
accurately without comparison. Of these M. piperata is decidedly
most abundant. I have classed a yellow species independently, but it
is probably only a mimetic form of the last named. The variety, if
variety it is, appears constant in size and colour. Port Alfred is richer
in species of the genus, and I. have one from that locality not men-
tioned by Krauss, awaiting christening. Oyprovulum Capensis is
decidedly fitful, as regards worthy specimens. Cyprea edentula occurs
this year in thousands, and some are lovely shells with purple bands,
* We have-three Zerebratule—one wanting a name.
Barrstow : Naturat History Nores rrom Sours Arrica. 163
which fade rapidly. Luponia Algoensis is a rara avis known to me by
name only. Doubtless it may escape detection sometimes from its
similarity to the former. OC. moneta (sp. ?) has been taken—come
astray! Trivia oniscus, one of my favourites, is fairly common, and I
have a smaller one not yet determined. Typhis (Fig. 6) is a scarcity
here but abundant at the Kowie. One of my prizes is the large
Turritella (Fig. 4), somewhat water-worn, but bearing evidences of
fulvous striz and markings. I picked it up during a Society ramble
from Colga to Zwartkops. Unfortunately the outer lip of aperture is
partly broken at the dotted line (vide fig.), but the shell, if not a cast-
away from foreign seas, is a rarity.
The Tenthia figured on plate (Fig. 7) was first dredged by Mr. Rous
near the mouth of the Zwartkops (aboard the steam-tug ‘James Searle”’),
since when numbers have been secured by various fishermen. I am
endeavouring to obtain a specimen of the living animal from which to
make a drawing. The figure was taken from a shell given to me by
Mr. Rous. Cuttles abound in the sea, and I fancy their shells might
be turned to some commercial advantage. In my beachian rambles I
have met scores of fishermen in search of “ sea-cats”’ for bait. I give
an account of the method of capture employed, as expressed to me by
a cute member of the craft :—“ I lugs’em hout wi’ my ’ookstick. I
smashes °em hon the rocks huntil they’re slickered. I turns ’em
hinside hout, I ’angs ’em hon the ‘ook, and when I’se got ’em hon, I
works ontil I’ve got henuf, and then I goes ’ome and ’as refresher-
ments !” Short, sweet, sufficient! I may here mention my welcome
friend Argonauta argo, the glorious Paper Nautilus, to be looked for
after a south-easter anywhere along the beach, a cephalopod luxury to
the eyes of naturalist Croesus, Lazarus, European, Colonial, or nigger,
&e., &e. We have numerous species of Fissurella, of which the
small hiatula is commonest, but it is hard to procure good specimens
of the large ones in the adult stage. Mr. Woodward remarks twenty-
two species of Zvochus from 8S. Africa. I have only taken three or four
on the Algoa coast, and none in remarkably good condition. The
fragile Triton dolarius, with its shady green epidermis, is very
abundant at all times, and I find the epidermis preserves moderately
well.
This genus is largely developed, and I have bagged some living
monsters. They are extremely hardy, surviving after immersion in
scalding water. Ancient specimens lose all their exterior beauty, and
the rich bloom of colour disappears, enveloped in hideous punctated
excrescences of carbonate of lime, and conglutinate rubbish. Our
164 THe NATURALIST.
great FRanella is seldom taken in good condition. I received one
minute species selected from a few thousand common shells from Port
Alfred, which was submitted to Mr. Woodward and determined
Ranella hastula, Reeve. At a first glance it looked like a flattened
Scalaria, and, occurring simultaneously, might be overlooked. Since
then Mr. Farquahar has obtained it on our coast. That gentleman
possesses also a splendid Oliva, and various other shells awaiting
recognition. We have two, if not three, species of Haliotis. Of
Buccinide, Bullia semiplicata (vide Woodward’s diag.) generally visits
us in broken parts. &. annulata I never saw alive, but suspect it
occurs quite close to the shore; and the common B. achatina came
sidling across my path with no instinctive forethought (!) during the
first of many beach rambles, and insinuatingly demanded attention as
an item of impressive Natural History. Since then I have made a
point of watching these most friendly carnivorous mollusca. The tide
is gradually casting ashore one of these immense MMeduse. Here it
comes, now settling its great smooth barrel-carcase on the sand,
patiently awaiting decomposition, atmospheric or aqueous, or perhaps
animal dissection. A family of Achatime is located somewhere about
the vicinity. By some subtle communication the stranger is either
seen, smelt, felt, or heard—it matters not which—and a regiment of
snaily gluttons is soon established on the spot, gaining recruits at
every moment,—all propelled by sordid selfishness, dread of losing a
thumping dinner. ‘To notice surroundings before Medusa arrives, and
again after Medusa has arrived, is to wonder where such numbers of
hungry elves have sprung, and why these were not perceived before.
They draw nigh from the sea and wet sand to the point Medusa,
seldom from the earlier washed drier parts, and their tracks, increasing
in complication with the addition of each fresh arrival, nevertheless
denote a wonderful unity of interest, viz: pacification of appetite. Is
their normal food jelly-fish ? Then they never need starve, for plenty
comes ashore of size pro-digeous.
(To be continued. )
LASTRHA CRISTATA NEAR THORNE: ITS DISCOVERER
AND ITS HISTORY.
By F. Arnoup LEzs.
Iv was with genuine pleasure I read James Backhouse’s note (March
No., p. 187); for the date he gives of the presumably earliest York-
shire specimen gathered by William Casson helps not a little to clear
away some of the mist in which the early history of this rare fern, in
Lees: Lastraa CristaTA NEAR THORNE. 165
its connection with our county, is shrouded. It were much to be
desired that our veteran botanists would give us more than they do
of the information stored up in their herbaria, before itis for ever too
late to convey it with the force of a personal witness—an element
often undervalued—without which the dry record even of a duly dated
and localised specimen in a collection is not unfrequently liable to a
not-to-be-rebutted, if un-provable, assertion of ‘ transposition of
label, ‘inadvertent confusion, &c.; more especially in those cases
where the fact happens to be singularly notable, or in one way or
another subversive of some closet-naturalist’s pet latter-day general-
isation! No one who has had much to do with the overhauling of
herbaria but must admit that something more or less inexplicable to
him is always found; and therewith comes the not-to-be-satisfied
wish that he could have the author at his elbow to settle with the
desiderated oral particulars such critical points of interest as are
otherwise peculiarly liable to be misconstrued, or read variously.
What has been published as to the occurrence of Lastrea cristata
in South Yorkshire is worth recounting. Edward Newman, in the
first edition of his British Ferns (1844), makes no mention of it as a
Yorkshire plant at all. Henry Baines, in his Mora of Yorkshire
-(184C), does not name it as a Thorne plant, or indeed at all; either,
if my view be correct as to the ‘A spidium cristatum’ given (loc. cit., p.
123), as occurring ‘on Plumpton Rocks, near Knaresbro’,’ being zot
our Lastrea, but the cristate-fronded variety of the male fern (L. Filia-
Mas.)* Dr. Carrington says this Plumpton plant appears to have
been Z. spinulosa, but that does not occur on the rocks in question,
L. Filiz-Mas (in three or four varieties), and L. dilatata, with Poly-
podium vulgare only growing thereon.
Later by fourteen years, Baker, in his Supplement to Baines
(1854), gives L. cristata, judiciously, as ‘incognit,’ remarking on the
necessity for re-observance.
* Note.—I am, perhaps, confirmed in this by the very earliest record for the
‘ cristatum, 10 connection with Yorkshire, which occurs. Jonathan Salt, in his
MSS. Flora Sheffieldiensis, 1800 (in the library of the Sheffield Lit. and Phil.
Society), has ‘ P. eristatum.—In woods not uncommon,’ and he had, undoubtedly,
no knowledge of the species nnder consideration, yclept ‘ Ehrhart’s’ bog-fern by
Newman. There was a Polypodium cristatum of Linneus ; but the name as used
by writers from 1800 to 1840, clearly shews that they had rather the original
Polypodium spinulosum in view ; although Newman (l.c., p. 216) distinctly says
he could not make out Lastrea spinulosa to be either the Polypodium spinulosum,
as supposed by Willdenow, or the Linnean P. cristatwm, as supposed by Bolton
and Withering.
166 THe NaTURALIST.
Next, we are presented with a curious record, the warrant for
which I have not been able to clearly ascertain. In Miall and |
Carrington’s W. &. Flora (p. 57) occur the words—‘ L. cristata
(crested brake-fern), Thorne Moor, near Doncaster, Baines?’ This
query I can only assume to have been put to shew some doubt as to
who really was the authority for some rumour which reached them as
to the fern growing there. Whether they doubted the correctness of
the station, or the species, I have no means of knowing; but
probably the latter, for the authors give ‘ Lastrea cristata’ amongst
a number of other names (p. 93) probably erroneous. Could a
forgetting of the name of the communicator have inspired a doubt,
and so led to the mark of interrogation? Itis worth remembering, as
to this, that the Flora was issued in 1862—a date seven years sub-
sequent to that in which Mr. Casson’s specimen in Herb. Backhouse
was gathered—yet none of the names (Backhouse, Casson, or Hardy)
appear in the list of contributors from whom records or specimens
were received, given at the end of the work.
I, myself, first gathered Lastrea cristata in August, 1872, along
with Lathyrus cristata and Peucedanum palustre (only again re-found in
1883, by Henry Johnson, of Barnsley), in a bushy, boggy place (an
alder car if I recollect rightly), not on the ‘ Waste’ exactly, but upon
the less open border much nearer Thorne. I hit upon the one station
after much roundabout rambling ; but previously in 1870-71, or early
in 1872, I had received the general locality from John Hardy, with
whom I was at one time in correspondence; and I, knowing not
then aught of a Mr. Casson, presumed Hardy to be the discoverer, as
he was certainly the communicator to me of that and other facts
which I duly acknowledged in the preface to ‘“‘ West Yorkshire.”
I willingly reject, as very improbable, the idea that Mr. John
Hardy could have found the bog-fern in question before 1856. I
received no specimen or date, which led me to search so carefully for
myself. Probably Mr. Hardy himself first learnt of the fern’s
occurrence from Mr. Casson in some more or less indirect way, living
on the spot, as it were, as the latter gentleman did. Honour, however,
where honour is due! It is part of the plan of my West Yorkshire
Flora to give date with name of the earliest notice of each constituent
species ; so that now, thanks to Mr. Backhouse’s timely note, the
record stands: ‘ 1856, Wm. Casson, Thorne.”
NOTES ON THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE,
1881-1883.
By Wm. EHacur Ciarke, F.L.8., anp Wm. Denison Rogsuck.
(Continued.)
17. Ruticilla titys (Scop.). Blackstart.
Mr. Bailey’s note, that he has observed this species at I'lamborough,
in October and November, having been doubted in high quarters,
it is interesting to know that Clarke shot one at Spurn, in the last
week of October, 1882, and saw another there about the same date
in 1883. It is probably a regular autumn visitant.
18 or 19. Cyanecula(? species). Bluethroat. :
Spurn Head, one shot in Clarke’s presence on the 11th of
September, 1882, and another seen the same day. ‘The specimen
procured was an immature bird, in which state of plumage the two
species C. leucocyana and C. suecica are indistinguishable.
21. Daulias luscinia (L.). Nightingale.
The northern range of this bird has been extended as far as
Scarborough, where it undoubtedly bred in 1882 (W. Robinson).
At Staveley, near Boroughbridge, two pairs nested in 1881
(Knubley), and a pair nested near Harrogate in 1883 (Inchbald).
37. Acrocephalus streperus (Vieill.). Reed Warbler.
Seebohm, in his “ British Birds,’ remarks that it ‘seems very
doubtful whether the Reed Warbler breeds in Great Britain north
of the Humber.” This surprising conjecture is of course quite
erroneous, for the species is known to breed quite commonly in
various localities which are not only north of the Humber, but some
of them actually in the northern half of the county, as for instance
Staveley near Boroughbridge, and Knaresborough, in both of which
localities it nests annually. It is also a regular nesting species near
Leeds, and at Hornsea Mere in the East Riding it breeds in great
abundance. This is not the only instance in which we have to
regret the vague and sketchy manner in which so important a
subject as the distribution in Britain of British birds is treated in so
valuable a work.
Tla. Lanius major Pallas. Padllas'’s Great Grey Shrike.
- This form is allowed specific rank by Mr. Seebohm in his work on
British Birds. From the number of Yorkshire specimens that
168 THe NaTuRAList.
have come under Clarke’s notice, it is in all probability not only an
annual winter visitant, but, perhaps, of much more frequent
occurrence than is suspected.
93. Linota linaria (.). Mealy Redpoll.
The year 1881 may be added to the list of seasons in which this
species occurred in large flocks in the county.
96. Linota flavirostris (L.). Twite.
Mr. Allis’s statement that this bird had bred on Tome Waste
is paralleled by the observations of the Rev. H. H. Slater (Nat.,
1882, p. 179), who found it nesting on Pilmoor, near Thirsk, a
similar low-lying locality.
107. Eméeriza cirlus L. Cirl Bunting.
Additional occurrence: Fen Bog, near Whitby, a female shot on ~
the 28th of February, 1882, now in the Whitby Museum. Two
others were seen at the same time and place (Stephenson).
108. Emberiza hortulana L. Ortolan Bunting.
The specimen captured off the Yorkshire coast, which served for
Bewick’s figure, is now, according to Seebohm’s “ British Birds”
(vol. ii., p. 153) in the Newcastle Museum.
109. Eméberiza rustica Pall. Rustic Bunting.
An addition to the avifauna—an accidental] visitant from North
Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
Easington, a female (?), shot September 17th, 1881, (Clarke,
Zool., 1881, p. 465; Nat., 1881, p. 57 ; Ibis, 1882, p. 181.)
133. Cypselus melba (Li.). Alpine Swift.
Additional occurrence: Huddersfield, a female brought in the flesh
to Mr. 8. L. Mosley, on the 2nd of June, 1881, which had been
found in an exhausted condition a day or two before (Mosley, MS.)
139. Picus mionr L. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Mr. Thomas Carter, of Masham, informs us that this species occurs
about Aysgarth, in Wensleydale, and around Masham.
141. Lyne torquilla LL. Wryneck.
Is an annual summer visitant to Walton Park, near Wakefield
(H. B. Hewetson).
143. Coracias garrulus L. Roller.
One was seen by Mr. H. T. Archer on the banks of the Wharfe,
near Ilkley, about the end of July, 1881. (Archer, Field, August
6th, 1881, p. 198, and MS.)
CLARKE AND ROEBUCK: VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF YORKSHIRE. 169
152. p.m.
» 13. Barnsley Naturalist’s Society.
,. 14. York and District Naturalists’ Field Club.
~,, 17. Heckmondwike Naturalists’ Society, 7-30 p.m.
,», 19. Manchester Cryptogamie Society, 7-30 p m.
», 19. Leeds Natnralists’ Club, 8 p.m.
,, 20. Doncaster Juvenile Naturalists’ Society.—“ Life of a Plant,’
W. H. Stott. ;
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,, 26. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
», 26. Leeds Naturalists’ Club.—-Exhibition of Entomological Specimens.
, 27. Barnsley Naturalists’ Society.
W ANTED, Nos. 19 and 24 of the Nataraliet” ee and July
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CONTENTS.
Ee ne ate aks Se oe ™— Page
To Our Readers —‘‘ Pour Bigs congé”? See Pee eee 20TH
ORIGINAL ARTICLES, &c. : .
~The late Mr. Wilson : Notes on his early Bryological Work, —J. Cash weit oO eS
Norgs, &c. :— |
. Polecat, &e. —G. Roberts a8 ay pa SL oy NZS
~ Insects at Cambridge.—A. H. Waters, B.A. si ves aa ee ans
. Laverna phragmitella in Yorkshire.—G. T. Porritt... is SsacS ee ES
~ RAINFALL FOR May ie CEN yas ae 1s ex = sh we 214
“ REPORTS OF SOCIETIES :—
_ Barnsley Naturalists’ Society ee a =o easier ifs eee 7 i:
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Ovenden Naturalists’ Society aot a a es wii! Sees
York Field Naturalist’ and Scientific Society a =e te ae wet S246
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union —Sherburn, June ond 2.3 cag tes awe a5 S216
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If is now nine years since, at the request of the Yorkshire Naturalists’
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Cc. P. HOBKIRK.
G. DT. PORRITT.,
N:S:, WOE. 1X. Juny, 1884,
Original Artieles.
THE LATE MR. WILLIAM WILSON:
NOTES ON HIS EARLY BRYOLOGICAL WORK.
By J. Casu.
(Read before the Manchester Cryptogamic Society.)
Untit Mr. Wilson, when quite young, became interested in the botany
of his native county, the cryptogamia, both of Lancashire and Cheshire,
had been (except by one or two humble botanists in the neighbourhood
of Manchester) comparatively neglected. George Caley was one of the
first to pay attention to the bryology of these parts, and, as the
discoverer of at least one interesting species originally classed with the
Werssie, but now known under the familiar name of Discelium nudum;
his name is not likely to be forgotten in bryological history. Con-
temporary with him, and even more distinguished as a bryologist, was
Edward Hobson, to whose zeal and attainments testimony is borne by |
Sir William Jackson Hooker in the pages of the Wuscologia. Hobson’s
career was almost ended when that of Wilson began. If the latter
proved the more successful bryologist of the two, it was owing, no
doubt, to his superior educational advantages, and to his greater leisure
for study both at home and in the field.
Wilson had, from the first, an innate love of nature. Possessing. a
weakly constitution he was precluded from following the profession his
parents had marked out for him, and as a means of recruiting his
health much of his time, at suitable seasons, was spent out of doors.
What more natural than that he should turn his attention to the
fiowers and mosses which grew in his path? The study of these yielded
him mental occupation that was most acceptable and enjoyable, just as
their collection afforded him the requisite inducement to take the
exercise which was necessary for his physical strength. If Mr. Wilson
had not botanised in his younger days he would never in all probability
have reached the age of three score years and ten.
It was about the year 1826—possibly a little earlier—that Mr.
Wilson began his bryological studies. I have seen a little portfolio of
selected specimens, representing probably thirty species, gathered by
him about that time in the vicinity of Over, in Cheshire. They were
mostly common species. Amongst them was Aulacomnium androgynum,
a moss which may still be found growing luxuriantly, but aiways
barren, on the sandy hedge banks about Over and Delamere. Another
was Bartramia pomiformis, which also is still to be found there. At first
Mr. Wilson studied pheenogamous plants, and this study he continued
Caso: THr Late Mr. Wriiittam WILSON. 203
for some time with much success, but after his intimacy began with
Sir Wm. Jackson Hooker he devoted closer attention to the Musci,
which eventually, as we all know, became his specialty. In a former
paper read to this society some particulars were given of Mr. Wilson’s
journeys to the Highlands, on the invitation of, and in company with,
the distinguished Glasgow Professor. Their meetings in after life
were not frequent, but the correspondence which passed between them
covers a period of nearly fifty years, and a perusal of it throws much
interesting light upon the history of many now familiar species.
I propose in this communication to give some aceount of Mr.
Wilson’s early explorations in his own immediate neighbourhood. I
am indebted much for information to my late lamented friend, Dr.
Kendrick, of Warrington, who obligingly placed in my hands a good
deal of Mr. Wilson’s botanical correspondence and private memoranda.
For an enthusiastic bryologist some forty or fifty years ago, Lanca-
shire and Cheshire were by no means barren ground. I have already
mentioned one locality, viz., Over, on the border of Delamere Forest,
which Mr. Wilson frequently visited. His family was interested in
property there, hence his intimacy with the place. In February, 1828,
on the road side between Over and Delamere he found upon the hedge
bank a moss resembling Pottia truncata, but presenting certain peculiar
features which in his judgment removed it from that species. He
named it provisionally Gymnostomum affine, MSS., and sent specimens
to Sir Wm. Hooker, along with Pottia truncata, var. RB, which grew
associated with it. Sir Wiliam replied in a letter dated Glasgow,
April 5th, 1828, as follows :—
‘‘ The arrival of your letter and your parcel gave me very much
pleasure, and not myself only but my boy Joseph,* who is highly
gratified by the valuable proof you have given him of your recollection
of him. * * You have given me, too, some interesting employment
in the examination of your beautiful botanical specimens. I have
devoted no little attention also to the Gymnostoma, and you will, I fear,
think me very unreasonable in not being entirely of your opinion with
, regard to the two being distinct species. J see, indeed, all the
characters you point out, and your sketch is entirely faithful. Amongst
such minute objects as mosses and other cryptogamia, it is very difficult
to say what constitutes a species and what a variety; and, perhaps,
had I seen only your Gymnostomum truncatulum, var. 8, and your G.
affine, MSS., I should have agreed with you in thinking them distinct.
* Now Sir J. D. Hooker, of’ Kew, for whom Mr. Wilson had sent a present
of mineralogical specimens.
204 THe NATURALIST.
But I find in looking into my herbarium and to published specimens
and figures such a gradation between the common truncatulum, with
its turbinate capsules, and your affine, with its ovato-cylindrical ones,
contracted at the mouth, that I know not where the line is to be
drawn. If Gymnostomum affine be reckoned a species, then the G.
untermedium of authors must be so too, But I confess I had, unless
your further observations should confirm your present opinion (and I
will be very open to conviction) rather, at present, keep them as
varieties—G. truncatulum, B = G. intermedium; y = G. affine. The
leaves, I think, afford no character. The asperity of the upper part
of the calyptra is so excessively minute that, without the other
characters of the plant were paramount, I would not lay much stress
upon it. I had the same plant in view in making variety 8 of trun-
catulum, and mentioned the characters as varying from ovate to
oblong.”*
Passing from this subject, the writer compliments Mr. Wilson upon
the beauty and accuracy of his sketches. This habit of sketching
minute plants was, he said, the best way to understand them
thoroughly. ‘ Your MS. observations upon those little favourites of
mine, the Jungermanniz,” Sir William wrote: “are admirable, I shall
take the liberty of putting them into my own copy of the ‘ British
Jungermanniz ’ ; those on the mosses I shall keep for my ‘ Muscologia.’
* * J am glad I directed your attention in the ‘ Muscologia
Britannica’ to Bryum [ Mnium| affine, for I have compared your plant
with figures and find it to be the true one. I hope you will find it
more advanced as to its capsules; the leaves are quite satisfactory.”
Mr. Wilson, notwithstanding the great authority of his correspon-
dent, maintained his ground with regard to Gymnostomum affine, and
Sir Wm. Hooker at length admitted its specific claims. Writing on
the 23rd June, 1828, he said :
'“ Before setting out on my Highland excursion on Wednesday next—
when [ shall miss your company—I have many letter debts to pay,
and amongst them one to you, for from you I have received a very
long and very interesting communication. To this communication I.
have one, and only one objection, namely, that you should have paid a
very heavy postage upon it, which entirely belongs to me, and which
I should most cheerfully have paid had it amounted to twice as much
and contained only half the information that it does. Pray bear this
in mind in your future letters. I have already, I think I may say
* See “Mus. Brit., Ed. IT.”
Caso: Tart LATE Mr. WriiiAm WILsoN. 205
entirely, come over to your mind on the subject of your Gymnostomum
—not afine, for that name is pre-occupied, but Welsoni, MSS.; and
you will think me unreasonable in requiring the testimony of another
botanist before I could satisfy myself on the subject. Scarcely two
days after I sent you my last letter, Drummond* came to me from
Forfar, and told me that he had found a new Gymnostomum allied to
truncatulum. I told him I knew what it was, and would show it to
him. We then compared his species and yours, which exactly agree ;
and he (Drummond) declares he could find no specimen ‘to vary from
these which were before us. I shall, with your permission, publish
figures in my ‘ Botanical Miscellany '—probably in the next.”
In the same letter Sir William speaks of the fruit of Mniwm affine,
which Mr. Wilson had gathered in perfection shortly before, near
Over, as “‘an excellent discovery.” It would appear that fruiting
specimens of this moss had not previously been observed in Britain.
The letters, of which abstracts are given above, constitute a pleasing
addition to our knowledge of the history of Pottia Wilsont, Hook. Mr.
Wilson gathered the moss in subsequent years in the same locality ;
and in March, 1831 (as appears by a memorandum he made at that
time) it was very fine and abundant in the original station. I regret
not to be able to report that it grows there still. In the spring of this
year I searched long and carefully for it, but failed to discover any
trace of its existence. It 1s, however, recorded from several other
localities in Britain, and quite recently [ have had a specimen sent to
me from Minehead, in Somersetshire. On the continent it is reported
as occurring in France and Sardinia. |
It may be fitting here, as the species has been mentioned, to say a
little more about Mnium afine. About the same time that he found
the Pottia which bears his name, Mr. Wilson was fortunate enough to
observe this species with young fruit. The locality, I have reason to
believe, was Paper Mill Wood, where, three years later (March, 1831),
he sought it again without success. On the 11th April, 1831, however,
he came upon fruiting specimens at a place called Dale Ford, the fruit
being nearly ripe; but being unable to make further search at the
time, he determined to devote a day specially to it. Accordingly on
the 15th of April he set out for Sandiway Head, and by nine o'clock
in the morning he was on the ground. At the end of the day he had
the satisfaction of recording that he had found Mniuwm affine in
* Thomas Drummond, the distinguished botanist and traveller.
t Schimper, “ Synopsis,’ p. 152.
206 Tat NATURALIST.
fruit, in four stations previously unknown to him—a fact of which he
apprised Sir Wm. Hooker in a letter dated April 18th, adding that be
had gathered above thirty specimens. In April of the following year,
the moss was again found fertile, but not so plentifully except in one
station ; and on a visit to Knutsford Moor, Mr. Wilson, strange to say,
found it there also—and that, too, on the day of his discovery on the
same ground of faludella squarrosa.
On March 24th, 1831, Mr. Wilson records the finding of various
mosses and Jungermannie at Over: Blazia pusilla, was seen with
perfect fruit; he also gathered Jungermannia obtusifolia. At New-
church Bog he observed Climacium dendroides with over-ripe capsules,
On April 11th, at Pettypool, he gathered Jungermannia trichomanes,
J. connivens, and J. polyanthos, in fruit; he also observed Tetraphas
pellucida on a bank on the margin of Newchurch Bog, with fruit; in
the same neighbourhood Phascum ulternifolium; in Paper Mill Wood
Ortholrichum puichellum, and near Grange Wood Aypnum polymorphum.
Hypnum filicinum was observed at “ Wade’s Sand-hole,” but much too
unripe to gather. Another station for fruiting Hypnum filicinum was
found on a subsequent visit, near Hartford Bridge. On the 4th of
May Mr. Wilson, who had shortly before made the acquaintance of
Mr. J. E. Bowman, went with him to Delamere specially to gather
fruiting Mnium affine. The journey was a successful one; they found
in addition to fruiting specimens of that moss, Jungermannia obtusifolia,
in spots ‘‘not far from the brook below Dale Ford”; also J,
Francisci and J. exsecta “ by the roadside as you go down to Dale Ford
—perhaps fertile.’ I find memoranda with regard to various other
mosses and hepatics. One moss which Mr. Wilson met with puzzled
him greatly. He thought it was a species of Dicranum (Dicranella)
and anew one. He first observed it on the 24th of March, 1831,
“whilst rapidly crossing a field below Mr. Little’s garden at Over,”
and picked up a large tuft. ‘It may,” he wrote, “prove to be a
Gymnostomum. I compared it with Weissia controversa, and was con-
firmed in my opinion of their being quite distinct.’ The fruit was
not quite ripe, and Mr. Wilson confessed that for the time he could
make nothing of it. He gathered it on subsequent visits, examined it
and re-examined it, but to no purpose. At length he sent it Sir Wm.
Hooker, who replied as follows (April 21st, 1831) :—
‘Your supposed Dicranum is the veritable Gymnostomum microstomum.,
Upon this I will stake all my little knowledge of mosses. I almost
recognised it with the naked eye, and I felt quite sure of it with the
aid of a single lens. Would that I had as hittle difficulty with many
Caso: Tos tate Mr. Wittiam WILSON. 207
mosses, which others seem to have no difficulty whatever in deter-
mining. In Gymnostomum microstomum the capsule does exhibit
- generally, if not an inclination in the capsule, at least an obliquity,
and that pretty little mouth never can be furnished with sixteen cleft
teeth. The jaw would not contain them.”
On the 10th of May Mr. Wilson, again visiting Over, gathered a
good stock of the moss, which was to him at the time an
interesting novelty. Subsequently he corresponded with Mr. Bowman
respecting it, and received from that gentleman specimens from
Derbyshire, which proved to be identical with his own Cheshire
specimens. sh
Mr. Wilson’s most notable discoveries at Knutsford in 1831-32
(i.e. Paludella squarrosa and fertile Hypnum Blandovi) were described
in a previous paper ; there is, therefore, no necessity to refer to them
in detail here; but there remain one or two interesting facts to mention
in connection with his journeys to Knutsford, Baguley Moor, Castle
Mill, and other places in that part of Cheshire.. On the 19th of April,
1831, he visited the Bollin Valley, and in Butts Clough gathered
Mnium undulatum “in a good state;” also fruiting Jungermannia
trichomanes. At Castle Mill he saw “‘ Hypnum salebrosum, with old
fruit, on the slope in the corner of the field.” The moss referred to is
not the Hypuum salebrosum of Hoffman, but H. glareosum, Br. and
Sch. (Bry. Eur.). Edward Hobson was the first to detect it asa British’
moss, and this spot near Castle Mill was where he found it.
The following memorandum by Mr. Wilson referring to the same
visit is interesting :—‘‘ In Cotteral Clough most of the trees were cut
down, and I could not find Jungermannia tomentella in fruit. Gathered
Neckera pumila with over-ripe fruit on several trees near that on which
I used to gather it. It ripens about November. Could not see any
Hypuum splendens in fruit.” Mr. Wilson crossed over from Ringway
towards Baguley Moor, and in the fields observed Hypnum polyinorphum
with nearly ripe fruit. ‘“‘On Baguley Moor,” he wrote, ‘‘ I gathered
plenty of Hypnum aduncum, fr., nearly ripe; Jungermannia crenulata
with fruit; and in the splash of water a large thick Chara (new to me)
along with Chara vulyaris, small var. Gathered also Jungermanna
inflata, var. a. N.B.—Hypnum scorpioides is plentiful in the same
swampy spot with “/. aduncum, but always barren. I observed /.
fiuitans barren on one part of the moor. On returning by the hollow
way, near Bollin Bridge, I gathered some very fine Mypuum filicinum
in a good state.”
208 THe NATURALIST.
The moss referred to in the above extract as Hypnum aduncum is
our H. erannulatum, and is mentioned by Mr. Wiison in a communica-
tion which appeared in the Naturalist (1st series, vol. 11.) where he
enters into a critical examination of Hppnum aduncum and its allies.
“ This moss,” he says (referring to 4ypnum exannulatum) “ described in
‘ Bryologia Britannica’ under the name of Hypnum aduncum, was first
found with ripe fruit on Baguley Moor, in April, 1831, and was then,
and at the time of the publication of ‘ Bryologia Britannica,’ the only
known moss which could be well referred to Hedwig’s Hypnum
aduncum, and there was the great authority of Dr. Swartz for so naming
it.”’ Mr. Wilson shows that the H. aduncum of Hedwig is identical
with H. vernicosum, Lindberg (= H. aduncum var. tenue, Bry. Kur.),
the H. aduncum of Bry. Eur. being our H. Wilson, formerly found
fruiting at Ainsdale. With regard to H. exannulatum, Mr. Wilson
says in the article cited: ‘‘In Bry. Eur. the leaves are unhappily
described as ‘ haud plicaéa,’ for if not actually plicate asin 4, uwncinatum
—with which it is contrasted, they are remarkably striate, and by this
obvious mark the moss may always in the field be easily recognised.”
On the 30th January, 1833, Mr. Wilson again visited Ringway, and
procured a good stock of Hypnum glareosum, with perfect fruit. He
also gathered Tortula rigida and Jungermanunia turbinata. Neckera
pumila in Cotteral Clough, was “‘ over-ripe and very scarce.’ Itis not
clear what species is referred to in the following memorandum which
Mr. Wilson made in his journal :—‘* At the fork in Cotteral Clough
grows a hypnum, now with young sete, which | take to be Hypnum
_fluviatile, Brid., having the leaves entire. It may prove to be a variety
or H. filicinum.” Again, on Feb, 6 Mr. Wilson rode to ‘Cotteral
Clough for more Hypnum glareosum, and took the opportunity of
exploring other woods up the Bollin. He writes: “ Observed as I
went along Daltonia [| Cryphea| heteromalla, Anomodon viticulosum,
Hypnum | Leskea| sericeum, Leucodon sciuroides, and Orthotrichum
pulchellum. Hypnum salebrosum is fertile at the entrance of the lane
near the bottom of Cotteral Clough, on the west side near the gate,
under a tree, and likely to be abundant. A large dense patch of the
barren plant is just by, nearer to the gate ; this I partly transplanted
to the fertile spot.’
Mr. Wilson’s first visit to Mere Mere was made, I believe, in 1832.
He went, apparently for its rare pheenogamous plants, Limosella aquatica
and Elaéine hexandra—which, together with Scirpus acicularis, he
records having then gathered—but no mention is made of the
bryological rarities which have contributed to make the place famous.
CasH: THE LATE Mr, WiLtittam WILSON. 209
It was in the autumn of 1834 that Mr. Wilson first collected Phys-
comitrium sphoericum in that which is still the only known station for
-itin Britain. His botanical journal in the latter half of that year
was, Owing to private circumstances, not kept with the care he had
previously bestowed upon it, and the only entry I can find
bearing upon the bryology of Mere is the following, which is without
specific date :—‘‘ Made discoveries of several new mosses at Mere, in
Cheshire, Irlam, &c.”’
The most notable of these discoveries was that of the rare Physco-
mitriuum; but Mr. Wilson also found some rare Phasca, including
Phascum stenophylium (Phascum sessile, var. 8 Bry. Brit.), and the rare
Archidium phascoides. Fruit of Riccia fluitans, for the first time in
Britain, was on this occasion discovered. The Irlam discovery was
fertile Dicranella Schrebert. Mr. Wilson communicated these facts to
his friend Sir Wm. Hooker, who wrote as follows :—
“ Glasgow, November 28th, 1834.
Dear Sir,—I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 31st of
October, and would not have suffered a month to have elapsed without
answering it had I been master of my own time. I have wished
particularly to congratulate you on your most extraordinary and
interesting recent cryptogamic discoveries. To say nothing of Gymunos-
tomum | Physcomitrium | sphericum and other good mosses, I do think
your having found the fruit of Riccia fluitans a circumstance on which
you deserve to be congratulated by all lovers of botany. Hundreds have
searched for it, but no one ever saw it before in that state. 1 wish
you would make a drawing of it on a small size such as the space
included within this pencil line [about 5in. by 24in.], and write a
description, and-let me publish it—if I am mad enough to go on with
the ‘ Botanical Journal.’ I am a very great loser by the four numbers
I have already published ; yet I am very desirous to continue it, for it
is a means of giving much botanical information to the public which
would otherwise be entirely lost. I should not be so much a loser if
the publisher could afford to pay me what I expend upon it, and as he
is bound to do. But as the sale has not covered the expenses of adver-
tising, and as the man is poor, I have not the heart to ask him for the
money. Your Dicranum Schreberianum looks like what Greville and I
found on Ben-y-Gloe some years ago, and which I suppose is what
Bridel makes var. 8. Grevilleanum. I cannot lay my hands on my own
specimens now, and my second edition of ‘ Muscologia Britannica,’
where I have figured it, is gone to the binding. But in some con-
tinental specimens given in Mougeot and Nestler I find the beak of the
216 aa THe NatTuRALIST.
lid varying in length; never, however, I allow, so long as in Greville’s
figure. In regard to size I have seen German specimens almost twice
the size of yours, and with a very indistinct struma. * * *
Most faithfully yours,
‘ W. J. Hooker”
On May 6th, 1835, Mr. Wilson again visited Mere. The water was
very high, and there was no access to any of the mosses seen in the
previous year. A subsequent visit in the autumn was attended with
better success. He gathered Phascum stenophyllum more plentifully
than in 1834. Physcomitrium sphericum was, however, very scarce,
and abi, ; iy ud is
se ew ms
—
eae ee
A me dee em
UAE FES
Sper tos.
Sa4
Sn wastane
tet
Shea tL
Ad othe bed
-
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<5
zee
*
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iM
ie
ee
mr
ig te te
po So
a
iS oye > -
- re oy -
ba
eh
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-~
eS
r-*
} 9
+
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xx
Pap aati ae
co
>
x hd Sitan a tk
Tare tas
Wad
DM tata as oe
A Aer teR tht med
Penecooueniie
Ra sah ea tas
brels,
*