INTRODUCTION. 



INTENDING visitors to any new locality are ever anxious to learn 

 beforehand what attractions it has to offer. From such an 

 inquiry Rochester need not shrink. The problems presented by 

 its Geological structure, the variety and extent of its Flora and 

 Fauna, the beauty of its scenery, its great antiquarian wealth, and its 

 many historical and literary associations offer to the intelligent visitor, 

 whether here for a day, a week, a month, or as an intending resident, 

 so many points of interest that its claims upon his attention cannot 

 easily be surpassed by any other town in Britain. 



Its historical and antiquarian side has been well dealt with by 

 Mr. Geo. Payne, F.S.A.. Mr. Edwin Harris, and others, but little or 

 nothing has hitherto been done to press its special claims to notice 

 as a grand field for investigation by the general lover or more ardent 

 student of nature. 



To meet this want this simple " Sketch-Guide " has been compiled 

 for the Corporation of the City with the view of giving the enquiring 

 visitor a working key by which to gauge the great natural riches 

 of our District. 



The compilation of a Sketch-Guide of the extent and character 

 here presented has only been rendered possible through the individual 

 and combined labours of members of the " Rochester Naturalists' 

 Club," who from time to time communicated the results of their 

 researches to the pages of the Club's Quarterly record, The Rochester 

 Naturalist, in the form of General Articles and Notes, or as Lists 

 of Species found, with dates, localities, etc. 



Very complete lists were thus supplied by : 



Chaney, H. - - - Moths and Butterflies (Macro- Lepidoptera). 



Fielding, Rev. C. H. Fresh- Water Fishes. 



Hepworth, J. - - - Flowering Plants (Phanerogams), etc. 



Sikes, H. F., M.A. - Land and Fresh-Water Shells. 



Walker, J. J.. R.N. - Beetles (Coleoptera). 



These valuable lists, with slight alterations and curtailments, are 

 here reproduced. The remaining sections have been mainly compiled 

 from Articles in the .^.A^. by Lord Clifton, Rev. C. H. Fielding, M.A.. 

 R. Green, G. Payne, F.S.A , C. Bird, B.A.. F.G.S., G. E. Dibley, 

 A. Hood, etc., and from Standard Works on Geology, etc. 



J. HEPWORTH. 



Christmas, 1912. 



