THE ZOOLOGIST 



No. 876.— June 15th, 1914. 



NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF THE COUNTRY OF 

 THE CHESS AND GADE. 



By T. E. Lones, M.A., LL.D., B.Sc. 



For some years past, and particularly since the year 1910, 

 I have made an extensive series of notes on many species of 

 animals in the country of the Chess and Gade. These notes 

 and others to be made later will be the chief sources of the 

 following account of the fauna of the above-mentioned country. 

 At present, those most easily adapted for publication relate to 

 the Rotifers, and these animals will be described first, following 

 on with other forms of animal life in the order which may seem 

 to be most convenient. 



Particular attention will be given to the conditions under 

 which the various species occur, the relative numbers of indivi- 

 duals of different species, and, in some cases, certain changes 

 which have taken place and are taking place in the numbers of 

 individuals of the same species. 



The country of the Chess and Gade is somewhat triangular 

 in form, its base being a sinuous line on the southern side of the 

 Chilterns, and its apex being near Rickmansworth, where the 

 waters of the Chess and the Gade meet the waters of the Colne, 

 one of the tributaries of the Thames. Excepting some small 

 scattered areas, such as those near Chesham and Leverstock 

 Green, where tertiary outliers occur, the country is chalk, 

 usually covered by post-tertiary deposits of very variable thick- 

 ness and composition. 

 Zool. 4th ser. vol. XVIII., June, 1914. B 



