THE ZOOLOGY OF LEICESTERSHIRE 37 
small streams in Charnwood Forest. The ruffe (A. cernua) and the 
‘bullhead’ (C. gobio) occur in parts of the river Soar. The three- 
spined stickleback (G. aculeatus), which at one time infested almost every 
brook and pool, is now not nearly socommon. ‘The minnow (L. phoximus) 
is abundant in nearly all the brooks. The common eel is to be found in 
most waters in the county. Early records state that the lamprey (P. flu- 
viatilis) was very occasionally seen, but there is no evidence of this 
interesting species having occurred during recent years. 
THe FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE FAUNA. 
Leicestershire with its large reservoirs of Thornton, Saddington, 
Swithland, Moira, etc., together with its innumerable ponds and ditches, 
presents ample facilities for investigation to the student of the freshwater 
fauna, and there is scope for an immense amount of intensive study. 
Protozoa——Many well-known forms have a wide distribution in the 
county. Actinophrys sol is to be met with in most suitable localities, while 
Actinospherium eichornii is rather more local. Of late years the wider 
distribution of Volvox globator has become noticeable, and it is now found 
in places where it was formerly considered to be rare. Vorticella chloro- 
stigma and V. globularia, although previously unrecorded, are frequent 
in the river Soar, the former on Myriophyllum and the latter on Cyclops. 
Other species hitherto overlooked or unrecorded are Ophrydium versatile, 
Stichotricha secunda, Chilomonas paramecium and Phacus longicaudatus. 
Porifera and Celenterata—There are two freshwater species to be 
found in the county—Ephydatia (Spongilla) fluviatilis and Spongilla 
lacustris. The former is to be found frequently in the river Trent and 
river Soar, and the latter, previously recorded only for Saddington 
Reservoir, is to be found also in the canal at Great Glen. 
Hydra vulgaris, H. fusca and H, viridis are common. It is a surprising 
fact that, although of frequent occurrence, Hydra viridis has never 
previously been recorded. 
Platyhelminthes —Little attention has been paid to this group. It is 
noteworthy, however, that epidemics of Fasciola hepatica (the flat-worm 
which causes ‘ liver-rot ’ in sheep) have considerably decreased owing to 
better drainage of land and modern methods of treatment of infected 
animals. 
Rotifera.—Almost all stretches of water are profitable hunting grounds 
for the members of this group. The ponds and ditches near Desford 
have proved particularly good, such interesting species as Rotifer neptunis, 
Scaridium longicaudum, and also Polyarthra platyptera being found in 
abundance at certain times of the year. In the withy pickle-dykes at 
Wanlip osier-beds are to be found Melicerta ringens, Stephanoceros 
eichornii and Floscularia campanulata, while Floscularia cornuta, F. ornata 
and Limnias ceratophylli are not rare in various parts of the county. 
Perhaps the most widely distributed forms to be found in Leicestershire 
are Proales werneckii, Rotifer vulgaris and certain species of Brachionus. 
Annelida.—It is impossible at present to estimate how many different 
truly aquatic species occur within the limits of the county ; that additions 
will be made to the already published list there can be no doubt, for 
