ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 171 



ing part of the Purbeck Beds. These latter break into several curious 

 archways and inlets for the sea, and at length open wide enough to admit 

 vessels into the lovely little bay, called Lulworth Cove. 



In shape this natural harbour forms nearly a circle, about half a mile 

 in diameter. Right opposite the entrance, a fine chalk cliff rises to the 

 height of several hundred feet ; its sides sloping, and covered with that 

 short bright-green herbage so characteristic of the Downs in the south of 

 England. On the left is the little hamlet of West Lulworth, through 

 which the road leads to the Castle and East Lulworth. It is worthy of 

 a visit, too, from any one who admires really picturesque cottages, taste- 

 fully ornamented and cleanly kept. A few fishing-boats are generally 

 lying at anchor at the west side of the Cove, and a little crowd gathers 

 on the shore to see the steamer enter with her gay-looking cargo, while 

 she boldly advances till the forepart of her keel is firmly fixed among the 

 largo chalk pebbles of the beach. After having anchored in this primi- 

 tive manner, a landing is easily effected by means of a gangway lowered 

 from the prow, and the aid of boats quite dispensed with. 



Once on shore, the naturalist and the sight-seer take divergent paths, 

 and if the former wishes to secure P. Hoffmameggii, he will turn to the 

 right and follow the path at the foot of the great chalk cliff, until, having 

 passed through a little wooden gate, he ascends the cliff which shelters 

 the Cove at the eastern side. The highly contorted strata of this cliff 

 cannot fail to have struck him on entering the bay ; and it is well to attend 

 to this difference in the geological formations here, because it is possible 

 that the presence of the new Oniscoid may depend upon, or at least be 

 connected with it. 



The first time I visited this spot, I did not think of looking for 

 Oniscoidae ; but the weather having turned out unfavourably for sun- 

 loving insects, I resorted to the generally unfailing resource of turning 

 stones. Having by this means found Cyclostoma elegant and Pupa jit- 

 niperi in some abundance, I was induced to continue, till, on overturning 

 a stone that concealed an ant's nest, I was much surprised by the 

 appearance of a number of white Oniscoids, which seemed anxious to 

 escape into the chambers of the nest as quickly as possible. The form 

 of these animals was too elegant and striking to be overlooked; so, having 

 captured a few, I transmitted them, on my return, to my friend, Pro- 

 fessor Kinahan, as the best authority on British OniscoidaB with whom 

 I was acquainted. To him I owe the identification of the species, and 



