94 



In addition, a few other lantern-slides were shown by Mr. 

 Bunnett, including the pygmy nest of the shrew mouse in an open 

 field ; an Zyg;ienid with the poUinia of an orchid attached to its 

 head ; the noctule bat, the largest British species ; and a series 

 showing the slough of a newt. 



MAY 29th, 1915. 



Field Meeting at Ranmore Common and Pickett's Hole. 



Leader.— }1y. J. Turner, F.E.S. 



The morning party took the well-known road to Bagden Farm, 

 turned in the gateway of the footpath to Eanmore, and spent some 

 time in the hollow between the woods. Thence the little frequented 

 path along the foot of the northern slope of the woods was taken 

 past the lonely Tanner's Hatch Farm, subsequently at some 

 considerable distance further on, a south-westerly traverse of the 

 woods was taken which brought the party out on to the centre of 

 Ranmore Common. This was crossed and a footpath leading 

 through the woods to the crest of the chalk escarpment was taken, 

 from whence a gap in the fence led by a dark overhanging private 

 way to the top of the prominent hill which dominates the great 

 hollow known to entomologists as Pickett's Hole. Here a halt was 

 called for a meal, in view of the long Holmesdale Valley below and 

 the range of sand hills opposite, which culminates in the tower 

 crowned Leith Hill. On the opposite slope of the Hole oth§r 

 members of the party were espied and afterwards met. The steep 

 declivity was negociated, and the hollow and the slopes leading 

 from it were well-searched for Zijgffna trifoUi and Ar/riades thetis, 

 but with little success, only one or two examples of either species 

 being obtained, although later on a restricted area further east 

 produced the latter species in absolute abundance. The afternoon 

 party joined the others on these slopes and a total attendance of 

 considerably over twenty was attained. Unfortunately the day was 

 by no means bright, and slight showers were experienced, the 

 return home being in very cool air. 



Very few results of the meeting have been sent on to me, and 

 the usual possibilities of the area are pretty w^ell-known to our 

 members. Possibly the most useful species in the morning was 

 Drepana uwjnicula, which was beaten in some numbers from the 

 beeches on the northern slope. Just previously, in the hollow 



