CiRC No. 88. 



universally distributed species, the following are all that are known to him to occur 

 in the neighbourhood of Malham : — Vanessa atalanta and V. io, Nitdaria inundana, 

 Chelonia plantaginis, Venilia inaciilata, Selenia ilhinaria and Herbula ccspitalis. 

 The only known existing Yorkshire specimen of Larentia rufici7ictata was taken 

 at Malham, near the end of August, 1876, and this is one of the most likely localities 

 in our county to produce the species in abundance. Of the other orders of insects 

 we know nothing, and full lists of species noted, however common, will be gladly 

 received. 



Conchology. 



Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, F. L.S., observes that conchologically Malham is a 

 productive district, its limestones yielding abundance of such species as Helix 

 rupestris, H. arbustornvi, H. lapicida, H. ericetoriun, Balea perversa, and Clausilia 

 dulna. The white variety of Ancylus fiuviatilis is found in the river Aire just 

 where it issues from Malham Cove, and a small marsh by the side of Malham Tarn, 

 at about 1250 ft. elevation, has yielded Pisiditivi fontinale and P. pusillwii, 

 Planorbis spirorbis, Limmxa peregra and L. truncattda, Sticcinea putris. Zonites 

 crystallinus, &c. Of the three slugs reported. Limax arboi-mn, is the most 

 interesting. The other species of land shells found include Vitrina pellucida, 

 Zonites cellariiis, Z. alliarins, Z. glaber, Z. pin us, Helix nemoralis, H. hortensis, 

 H. rufescens, H. hispida. H. rotttndata, Bidimus obsairus, Ptipa umbilicata, 

 P. marginata. Vertigo pnsilla, Clausilia rugosa, Cochlicopa tridens and C. hibrica, 

 in addition to which a few varieties have been recorded. The MoUusca of Malham 

 Tarn are worthy of remark. The altitude (1250 feet) at which it stands is a great 

 one at which to expect to find many species, yet it yields Limncea stagnalis var. 

 fragilis, Bythinia tentaculata, Valvata piscinalis, Planorbis nautileiis, P. contortzis, 

 SphiTviiim coineuni, and some of these, especially the L. stagnalis, display alterna- 

 tions of opaque white and transparent horn colour which have been regarded as 

 indicative of the wide change of temperature to which the shells are exposed in so 

 bleak a situation. 



Vertebrate Zoology. 



Mr. Edgar R. Waite, F. L.S., writes: — The Malham district has never been 

 systematically worked under this section, consequently members should keep a sharp 

 look out and record all species they fall in with. Embracing as it does a varied 

 character, the district under investigation should prove a fruitful one. From Bell 

 Busk the conveyances go up the valley of the River Aire to its source, and among other 

 birds the Dipper, Pied. Grey, and Yellow Wagtails, Kingfisher, Heron, and 

 Common Sandpiper should be seen. In the woods which line the route the Night- 

 jar and Barn and Tawny Owls occur, as does also the Pied Flycatcher, a nest of 

 which was found by Mr. E. P. P. Butterfield. The date of the excursion is, how- 

 ever, late for many of the warblers and other migrants. On reaching Malham Cove, 

 (a large scar of limestone blocking the valley), innumerable Jackdaws and an 

 occasional Stockdove will be noticed, and nearer the summit of the cliff, 

 the Kestrel will probably be seen. This huge face of limestone is ornithologically 

 interesting as being one of the few natural breeding places of the House Martin. 

 A stiff climb will bring the party on to the moor where the Golden Plover, Snipe, 

 Dunlin, Redshank, and Curlew are common. The Wheatear is to be seen on every 

 wall, occasionally accompanied by the Ring Ouzel. Red Grouse are common on 

 the moor, and the Partridge and Lapwing on the lower ground. The Mallard, Teal. 

 Waterhen, Coot, Redshank, and Tittle Grebe nest regularly in the vicinity of 

 Malham Tarn ; the Tufted Duck has done so, on at least one occasion. The 

 ^Vood Wren is found in the wood behind Malham Tarn House at a height of 1300 

 feet. 



But little appears to be known of the Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians. 

 The fish which inhabit Malham Tarn are of interest as illustrating the effect of 

 interbreeding in bringing about malformation. One out of every fifteen trout found 

 is deficient of the operculum or gill cover, and the perch are subject to blindness. 



Micro-Zoology and Micro-Botany. 



There appears to have been no work done in respect of the micro-zoology, but 

 the Alga' will be found treated of under ' Botany.' 



Programme of Meetings. 



4-0. — Meal Tea \ 



5-0. — Sectional Meetings - All at the Buck Hotel, Malham. 



5-15. — General Meeting j 



6-20. — Conveyances leave Malham. 



7-22. — Special Train leaves for Leeds, arriving at 8- 1 7 p.m. 



