INTRODUCTION. 9 



generally will perhaps consider it rather a matter for 

 congratulation. 



If it be a fact that the Sand Lizard occurs in 

 Northumberland and Durham, it is very remarkable 

 to find it absent from counties much farther south of 

 them. True, there have been several reported cases 

 of its capture in Essex, but in every instance a mis- 

 take has been proved in the identification. The pro- 

 bability therefore is that it does not occur here. The 

 same may be said of the Smooth Snake, which is also 

 absent from this county. 



For Amphibians, we are better off. The British lists 

 include seven species, of which we have six. One of 

 these, the Edible Frog, is an introduction, as it probably 

 is wherever found in the United Kingdom. The other 

 Amphibian wanting is the Natterjack Toad, which is 

 found both in Suffolk and Norfolk. There being no 

 conditions unfavourable to it in Essex, it may possibly 

 exist, although as yet unobserved. 



FISH. 



Turning now to the class Pisces, we find that, out 

 of the 234 distinct species given by Francis Day 

 (Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland} for these islands, 

 113 have been already observed in Essex. This list, 

 compiled as it is chiefly from the observations of a 

 single naturalist, unassisted save by a few scattered 



