lNii:«>iJUCri>iiV PAPEB. 25 



the organic remains contained in, and which are characteristic 

 of each successive bed. The Quarries have produced most splen- 

 did Fossils, the descriptions of many of which are published; but 

 even in these publications, little attention has been'paid to the 

 exact bed from which they have been obtained, and even these 

 Quarries constitute but a few beds in the series. The others 

 have yet to be minutely examined, not only for Bones and Insects, 

 but especially for Shells which determine the waters, whether 

 salt, brackish, or fresh, which occupied the area at the period 

 of their formation. 



I should further recommend that the list be interleaved by 

 those who make use of it, and every thing worthy of notice 

 marked down in its proper place ; thus eventually, a more perfect 

 edition might he produced. 



With regard to the subject of Natural History, I have already 

 touched upon the fruitfulness of the Island in its natural pro- 

 ductions, both animate and inanimate, and it may for the present 

 be sufficient to mention some of the rare and more attractive 

 objects which have already been noticed, and point to any which 

 have not been recorded, but which probably exist. 



In commencing the study of the Natural History of a district, 

 the first division which claims attention is that of Mammalia, which 

 is comprised within a narrow compass. The strict preserving of 

 game in some districts, the high state of cultivation in others, 

 to the exclusion of broad hedge-rows and every useless copse, 

 causes species to grow gradually scarcer and scarcer. Deer have 

 become extinct in Purbeck since the civil wars ; the Martin Cat 

 though now very rare, may exist, as also the Pole Cat; the other 

 species, the Stoat and Weasel are common; the Otter, and 

 Badger are occasionally to be met with. Attention should also 

 be paid to the different species of Mice, and Water Shrews, and 

 Bats. A species of Whale may occasionally visit our coast^ 

 an instance of this having occurred during the present month of 

 November, 1855. 



We next come to Birds, and the same causes which I have 

 just mentioned are at work towards their reduction; and in 

 addition, the rapid strides which the drainage of the hitherta 

 swampy lands is now taking. 



But these do not so much ajBfect the ornithology of the Isle of 

 Purbeck, since it must ever possess its inaccessible sea cliffs, 

 and its wild and sterile heaths, which will not repay the labour 



