CiRC. No. 61. 



FUNGI. — Peziza coccinea, abundant in Owston Woods ; Truffles, exceedingly 

 plentiful ; the Giant Puffball, known to attain three feet in circumference in Camp- 

 sail Park ; Phallus imfudicus, very abundant in many woods. — Lankester, 1842, 



Entomology. 



Lepidoptera. — In 1842 Lankester stated that the Silver-spot, Pearl-border, 

 Silver-stripe, and other Fritillaries are seen in the plantations around Sutton Com- 

 mon ; the Peacock, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, and Large Tortoiseshell, in 

 Campsall Park ; the Azure Blue and the Common Blue on the Mount and in the 

 fields leading to Sutton ; and the Ringlet, Orange Tip, Brimstone, etc., were 

 abundant throughout the neighbourhood. 



Mr. Geo. T. Porritt, F.L.S., adds : — For so popular a resort as Askern it is 

 surprising how little is known of its natural history. It is believed to be very rich 

 entomologically, though the belief doubtless arises from its resemblance and 

 proximity to Doncaster, a district which has been well worked with marked results. 

 The date of the excursion is too early for many lepidoptera to be found, but the 

 Doncaster list, as given in the 'Yorkshire List,' may be taken as a basis of what 

 may be expected to occur at Askern. Species already recorded for the district in- 

 clude Smerinthiis ocellatiis, Cosstcs ligniperda, Eriogaster lanestris, etc. 



Coleoptera. — Dytictis marginalis in great numbers ; the Glow-worm scarce, 

 but has been taken near Stapleton ; Burying-beetles common, especially on the 

 bogs ; the very rare Diaperis cenea once taken by H. Denny from the trunk of an 

 old tree near the pool ; Scolytus destructo7- attacks all felled timber. — Lankester. 



Other Insects. — Nepa cinerea very common ; Aphis-galls or monstrosities 

 noted on Smooth Tare, Speedwells, and Ground-Ivy ; an acre or two of ground at 

 the west end of Sutton Common, near the village, entirely covered with Ant-hills 

 one to two feet high, and two to four in circumference ; Vespa britannica nests 

 commonly. —Lankester, 1842. 



Micro-Zoology and Botany. 



It is fortunate that the first meeting after the formation of the new Section, 

 '(9 — Micro-Zoology and Botany,' should be in a district so well suited to its 

 researches. 



The ditches and ponds abound with Algae ; the Pool, a rich depository, 

 presents a constant succession of them with the changing seasons ; Frustulia 

 olivacea, ' Zygnema, Ulva bullosa, or bladder-laver, floating about in summer like 

 green jelly, and two or three species of Conferva, are mentioned. — Lankester. 



The ponds and ditches, abounding as they do in vegetable matter, are very 

 favourable to the developement of infusoria, both polygastrica and rotifera. In 

 1841 Dr. Lankester found Plumatella repens in Campsall Lake, adhering to the 

 stones at the edges, and spreading in a radiate manner over their entire under-sur- 

 face. He refers to a pink or rose-coloured deposit on the sand and mud at the 

 bottom of Askern Pool, which he considers to be the bodies of dead animalcules, 

 and which deposit is only found in waters impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen. 

 After referring to the numerous species of worms and leeches, Dr. Lankester states 

 that the Gordiiis [aqicatictis'] is often seen, and looked upon by the simple-minded 

 as a horse-hair come to life. — Lankester, 1842, pp. 59 — 61. 



Crustacea. — Many species ; the ditches abound with the freshwater Shrimp, 

 and several microscopic species : one of these, Mofiocuhts conchaceiis Don., fre- 

 quently collects in such quantities as to give a yellowness to the water. In the 

 summer of 1841 Lankester observed the surface of a pond near Campsall Hall, 

 which presented an almost orange colour ; as he passed round it the shades of 

 colour varied very much ; this arose from his having disturbed the animals, and 

 from their consequently retiring deeper into the water. Among them is often found 

 Monoculus qtiadi-icornis. Argidns foliacetts was comnnon during the same summer. 



Rev. F. H. Allen mentions the following : — Askern Pool and Effluent 

 Drain — Cos?}iarijim niargaritiferum, Cocconema lanceolatum, Diadesinis cmifervacea, 

 Diatoma vnlgare, Nitzschia sigmoidea, Sphinctocysiis solea, Synedra splendens, 

 Adiiiophrys sol, Aspidisca lynceus, Coleps hirtus, Icthydiiiin podtcra, Kerona mytilus, 

 Phialina viridis , Stylo7iichia histi-io, Urostyla gia7idis, Uvella virescens, Vorticella 

 nebulifera, Rotifer vulgaris. Pool, belong-ing- to Mr. Townsend, of the South 

 Parade Baths, Askern — Lepadella emarginata, Lindia torulosa. Haywood and 

 Wrancar Drain — Batrachospermum, Closterium (varieties of), Fragillaria capucina, 

 Goinphonema acuminatum, Aleridion circidare, Nitzschia sigmoidea, Amceba 

 difflutns, Chatonotus larus, Dileptus foliuvi, Cyclops. Shirley Pool — Loxodes 



