HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



105 



trades, the fold is pulled out, the slit opens to a V- 

 shaped aperture, and the edge becomes everted. 

 The lorica in this genus seems more flexible than in 

 others ; as in Pterodina valvata the sides fold down 

 like the "flaps of a Pembroke table." The foot 

 protrudes through an opening like Fig. 76, almost at 

 the extremity of the lorica, quite different to the 

 other species, in which it comes out near the middle. 



AN APRIL RAMBLE THROUGH SURREY. 

 By Wm. J. V. Vandebergh, F.R.A.S., &c. 



" Jog on- jog on, the footpath-w.iy, 

 And merrily hent the stile-a : 

 A merry heart goes all the day, 

 Your sad tires in a mile-a." 



— S/uikespeare's " IVintcr's Tale." 



VERY few people would imagine that an en- 

 tomologist would select the month of April for 

 an extended walk through a county like Surrey. It 

 is, however, a much better month for walking than 

 are the hotter ones which follow it, and having 

 arrived at this conclusion a friend and I determined 

 to make a pedestrian excursion through the wildest 

 and most picturesque parts of the county, which 

 most of my readers are no doubt aware, are to be 

 found in the south-west portion. Although we were 

 both entomologists, we did not by any means under- 

 take the journey for the .=ake of the specimens we 

 were likely to obtain, and although we carried with 

 us most of our usual entomological paraphernalia 

 with a view to secure stray specimens, we were 

 neither of us over sanguine as to the result. 



Starting from London, early on the morning of the 

 23rd April, 1886, we went by train from the London 

 Bridge Station of the London, Brighton, and South 

 Coast Railway, to Epsom, and from thence 

 commenced our journey on foot. 



Nothing can be more delightfully invigorating than 

 pedestrian exercise, in fine bracing weather, and 

 during the whole of our short excursion we certainly 

 had nothing to complain of in that respect, for four 

 finer consecutive days I never remember in the month 

 of April. 



Having reached Epsom we struck across the 

 Downs and Race-course to Langley Bottom, taking 

 the road, or rather lane, leading towards Mickleham 

 Downs, over which we passed, thence over Juniper 

 Hill into the main Dorking road, and on to Dorking. 

 During this time, particularly at Langley Bottom, we 

 observed a number of Goncpteryx rhaifini, and 

 although we took one or two, we released them 

 again, finding that they were not in sufficiently good 

 condition for cabinet specimens. These butterflies 

 had of course hibernated through the winter, as had 

 also specimens of Vanessa tirticcE and V. Jo which we 

 saw in some numbers here, and at other places on our 

 journey. I noticed that the specimens of V. Jirticu: 

 were exceedingly bright and in very fair condition, and 



both it and its relative V. lo must be exceedingly 

 careful in selecting its hibernaculum. 



Having left Dorking behind, we took to the lane 

 leading to the village of Cold Harbour. The ascent, 

 though not particularly abrupt, except at a few 

 points, is a long one to Leith Hill, which belongs to a 

 range quite isolated from the long chain of hills 

 which extend nearly across the county of Surrey, and. 

 include the renowned Hog's Back to the west 

 of Guildford. The weather which had been bright 

 and singularly clear in the early part of the day, 

 became, unfortunately for as, decidedly dull, before 

 we reached Leith Hill, which we did about six o'clock 

 in the evening. 



Notwithstanding the long ascent necessary to reach 

 the spot, no one should visit the southern portion 

 of Surrey, without climbing to the summit of Leith 

 Hill, and ascending the tower which has been built 

 there for the purpose of affording visitors a better 

 view of the surrounding country. 



The view to be obtained from this building on a 

 fine day, is indeed worthy of all the trouble of reach- 

 ing it. As far as the eye can reach, on all sides, the 

 country consists of hills and valleys, woodlands, 

 heaths, and hedges. 



The little book which may be purchased at the 

 tower, gives some account of its history, and states 

 that it is nearly 1000 feet above the level of the sea, 

 and is the highest point on the south-east of England. 

 In this pamphlet is a translation of the Latin inscrip- 

 tion on the west side of the tower which is as 

 follows :— 



"Traveller, this very conspicuous tower was 

 erected by Richard Hull, Esq., Leith Hill Place, in 

 the reign of George the Third, 1766, that you might 

 obtain an extensive prospect over a beautiful country ; 

 not solely for his own pleasure, but for the accom- 

 modation of his neighbours and all men." 



The little book referred to, also gives an account 

 of the most consummate pieces of local impudence 

 that I have recently noticed : — 



" For many years after the building of the tower, 

 it was open to the public, in accordance with the 

 intention of Mr. Hull. The privilege, however, was 

 thought to be abused, and it was said that the tower 

 had become a harbour for vagrants and smugglers ; 

 so, about the year 1795 or 1800, a subscription was 

 raised among the gentry, the entrance door was built 

 up, and the whole interior of the tower filled up with 

 stone and cement ; and it was found in this state, when 

 a few years ago the tower and land adjoining, were 

 purchased by W. J. Evelyn, Esq., of Wotton House, 

 the present Lord of the Manor. So solid was the 

 cement that it was found impossible to reopen the old 

 entrance and interior staircase, therefore a staircase- 

 tower was built by the side of the old tower in 1864, in 

 order to make the building available for its original 

 purpose." One cannot help admiring the elegant 

 and scientific method employed by the neighbouring 



