WEASEL 



results of an actual census which we have before us of 

 the fauna of the Firth of Forth, Mr. William Evans 

 records 6,865 local species, of which he himself has met 

 with no fewer than 4,250 during the course of his own 

 investigations. An estimate that was made gives a 

 round total of 10,000 species of animals for the area in 

 question, among the chief numerical groups being 

 Insecta with 5,700 species ; Protozoa^ 800-900 ; Crus- 



Wea&el 



tacea, 850 ; Arachnida, etc., 550 ; Mollusca, 375 ; 

 Rotifera, 270 ; Aves, 260 ; Pisces, 145, and Mammalia, 



53- 

 The splendid work accomplished in the Forth area 



by so many devoted investigators in these various 



branches of Natural Science might well be followed 



elsewhere, for this localisation of actual field-work is 



of invaluable service, and as Gilbert White has written: 



" Every kingdom, every province, should have its own 



monographer," to which statement the late Professor 



Alfred Newton adds : " And experience has proved the 



85 



