Yol. 55.] VERTEBKATE FATJIfA OE THE IGHTHAM FISSURE. 419 



2S. Additional Notes on the Yertebrate Fauna of the Hock-fissure 

 at Ightham (Kent). By E. T. Newton, Esq., F.E.S., F.G.S. 

 (Read June 21st, 1899.) 



[Plate XXVIIL] 



The results obtained by Mr. Lewis Abbott's exploration of the 

 Ightbam rock-fissure were published by the Geological Society in 

 1894,^ but the investigation was continued by that gentleman with 

 his usual energy, and many additional specimens were obtained, for 

 the most part representing species already recorded. Before the end 

 of 1896, however, five forms, new to the deposit, had been recognized, 

 and were mentioned in Sir A. Geikie's Annual Report of the 

 Geological Survey for that year (published 1897, p. 88). These 

 forms were a large bat (probably Vespertilio Bechsteini), the shoveller- 

 duck, and some small passerine birds, closely allied to, if not identical 

 with, the red-backed shrike, the chaffinch, and the hedge-sparrow. 

 Subsequently remains of polecat, otter (?), and swallow were found. 



Since Mr. Lewis Abbott's departure from Sevenoals, the work of 

 collecting from the Ightham fissure has been successfully carried on 

 by Mr. Frank Corner and Mr. A. S. Kennard. The many specimens 

 obtained have passed through my hands, and certain forms, new to 

 this fissure, have been recognized, while among the numerous 

 examples of species already recorded there were some which 

 previously had been but sparsely represented. 



In the following pages, mention will be made of all the forms 

 new to the fissure that have been found since 1894, and notes 

 will be given on certain other species, concerning which additional 

 and important information has been obtained. 



Nearly all the remains now to be recorded are those of species 

 still living in the neighbourhood, and they give a modern aspect to 

 the collection. It must be remembered, however, that these modern 

 types are mixed with forms not known to have lived in this country 

 since Pleistocene times. Even if some of these remains found their 

 way into the fissure at a comparatively recent period, it is evident 

 that the climate of Kent must have been very different from what 

 it is now when the Arctic and Norwegian lemmings, together with 

 the Arctic fox and Siberian vole, were living in the neighbourhood. 



1. Anser, sp. (Goose.) 



A left humerus, wanting the proximal end, is without doubt to be 

 referred to this genus and probably to the common form, Ansei^ 

 cinereus, with which it agrees in form and size ; but as there are 

 other species of about the same size, such as the pink-footed and 

 white-fronted geese, its species cannot be determined with certainty. 



This bone was not found in the main fissure, but in the collateral 

 one from which the large wolf-bones were obtained (p. 427). 



^ Quart. Joiirn. Geol. Soc. vol. 1, pp. 171 & 188. 



2e2 



