1915.] 227 



and probably HydrophUus picevs L. has disappeared for the same 

 reason ^-\ There is also a record of Pelobius tardus Hei'bst from 

 Witherusea, where it was talien in numbers in 1888/^) but it has not 

 occurred since, althouf^h it has been diligently searched for on many 

 occasions, and I incline to the opinion that it was an immigrant 

 species which succeeded in breeding for one year, but, for some i*eason 

 or other, failed to make good its footing. Despite these losses, how- 

 ever, owing to the great number of slow-running streams and stagnant 

 ditches and pools, water beetles are extremely common, if not very choice, 

 and, in the case of the piu-ely aquatic species at least, seem to have 

 suffered very little, although some forms, e.g.,Donaciae, andLepldoptera 

 such as Noncujria typliae Esp., have been badly hit, owing to the 

 destruction of marsh vegetation, and seem now to be restricted to a 

 few favoured spots, such as Hornsea Mere, Keyingham Drain, and the 

 marshy part 'of the Kelsey Hill gravel pits. Some idea of what the 

 marsh Coleopterous fauna used to be can be gained on the coast where 

 each new fall of cliff exposes here and there the beds of old meres, in 

 which may be found in abundance the elytra and other chitinous 

 parts of Dytisci, Donariae, etc. 



Fifty years ago the Wolds were largely sheep-pastures, but now, 

 under the encouragement of the Sykes family of Sledmere, the chief 

 occupation is corn-growing ; the whole of the lower land is either 

 under grass or most carefully cultivated, with the result that, more 

 almost than in any other part of the country with which I am 

 acquainted, the district wears the appearance of a well cultivated 

 garden. Weeds are cleared away, fields are ploughed right up to the 

 hedgerows, and east of the Wolds at least, and largely to the west 

 also, there are few woods, and these are mostly plantations of recent 

 growth. There are a few oases of almost untouched land still left, 

 such as Pulfin Bog near Beverley, Hotham Carrs near North Cave, and 

 Skipwith Common near Selby ; and these give some idea of what the 

 original fauna of the land must have been, but unfortunately these 

 oases are few, small, and far between. It is, however, from observa- 

 tions on these few patches and in a few other favoured spots, and also 

 from local records of some age that we learn that, among the Lepido- 

 pf era, the; Large Heath Butte riiy^'*^ (Coe)ioiii/iinh(t Jat'v/.sF.), the Marbled 

 White^') {Melanartjia ijaJatea L.), and the Dingy Skipper -i) {Thanaoa 



(a). Fowlurand Donisthoriic, British diln,,,!, rn, Vol. VI, ji. 215. 



(3). York.s. Nat. Union Kxciirsion Circiil;ir, Xd. 'I'li. 



(41. Trans. Hull Scientific and Field Xat. Clu)i, IS'.iO, ji. :,1 . 



(.3). /.,■. p. .OC. 



S2 



