NOTES AND QUERIES. 155 
of Robert Hibbert, Esq., who holds the right of fishing and shoot- 
ing over the estate, given to Mr. Jas. Fleming, the leader of the 
party; the neighbourhood selected was Bramhall. This estate 
covers 2000 acres, and is thickly studded with ponds and water 
courses. The party on reaching Davenport numbered thirty-seven ; 
the weather was splendid and favourable for the pursuit. 
Angling in the ordinary way is different to the fishing for 
microscopic aquatic life. The followers of Isaak Walton require 
to use rod, line, reel, and bait, and usually eat what they catch. 
The scientific animalcule fishermen use rod, net, bottle and pocket 
lens, and the bait lies in the tact and knowledge they possess to 
discover the whereabouts, and to secure the many objects of their 
search. ‘To both parties the tramp and the air of the open country 
are splendid appetisers and nerve invigorators. In both cases, 
practice makes perfect; but instead of eating their prey, the 
microscopic fishermen foster and watch, with eager eyes, the small 
things in nature, which, without the microscope, although so com- 
plete and wonderful in themselves, would be absolutely shut out 
of view. 
It has been remarked that “size is no attribute of beauty,” and 
Ruskin observes, “‘ That which we foolishly call vastness is, rightly 
considered, not more wonderful, not more impressive than that 
which we insolently call littleness.” 
The most prolific ponds are those in which vegetation grows 
plentifully ; about eight ponds of this character and the Lady 
brook were visited, and although the time was far too short, the 
result of the ramble was quite satisfactory. 
In nice fruiting condition were gathered Dicranum heteromallum, 
Brachythecium rutabulum, Phascum subulatum, and Fissidens 
bryotdes ; also, Hypnum cupressiforme, LTypnum elegans, Lophocolea 
bidentata, and Calyfogeta trichomants. 
The following Microfauna and Flora were found :—Corethra 
plumicornis, Ephemera larva, Larva of Dragon-fly, AZelicerta ringens, 
fTydatina senta, Flydra fusca, Cyclops quadricornis, Cyprts tristriata, 
Daphnia pulex, Canthocamptus minutus, The bloodworm, Nais, 
Tubifex rivulorum, Coleps hirtus, Ameba princeps, Paramecium 
aurelia, Stentor polymorphus, S. Barretti, S. niger, Epistylis grands, 
Vaginicola valvata, Dileptus folium, Pandorina morum. 
Micrasterias rotata, Euglena viridis, Cosmarium tetrophthalmum, 
Closterium lunula, Spherozozma vertebratum, Pediastrum granula- 
‘um, Tabellaria fenestrata. 
WITHERED LEAVES.—Under this title a very interesting paper 
was read by Mr. J. W. Fisher before the members of the Ealing 
Microscopical and Natural History Club, and, since, it has been re- 
printed by the author for private circulation. It is illustrated with 
