INTRODUCTION. 5 



to believe that the only two stragglers of this species 

 should have come under one observer's notice. An 

 interesting paper on the Bats of Epping Forest, by the 

 late Edward Newman, F.L.S., is reprinted in Essex, 

 Naturalist (vol. ix., pp, 134-138). 



No reference will be made in this list to extinct 

 British Mammals. The number of these which our 

 present conditions of climate would suit is very small, 

 and investigations concerning them, however interest- 

 ing, give little help in determining the geographical 

 distribution of the Fauna of to-day. It may be 

 mentioned, however, in passing, that the only extinct 

 British Mammals of whose existence in Essex we have 

 any direct proof, are the Wild Swine, the Wolf, and 

 possibly, the Beaver. 



The following interesting historical reference to the 

 first-named animal, the Wild Boar, was contributed 

 by Mr. Charles K. Probert, of Newport, Essex, to 

 7^he Essex Note- Book and Suffolk Gleaner (Colchester, 

 Oct. and Nov., 1885, p. 136). His information was 

 derived from a manuscript among the muniments of 

 Colne Priory, which contains the following passage : 



" The Survaye of the Lordshipps and Manors of 

 Erles Colne and Colne Priory, parcel of the posses- 

 sions of Roger Harlakenden, Esq., made in Anno 

 Dni. 1598, by Israel Amyse, Esq. 



"Chalkny Wood conteineth i68a. 3r. 28p. This 



