HoBKiRK : The Antiquity of some Species of Mtsci. 85 



distinctly visible. Another scrap shows plainly one leaf and part of 

 another of Lepidozia reptam, whilst mixed up with the smaller dust 

 are numerous diatoms, chiefly I think Navicula. 



The chief interest of these specimens centres in the question of the 

 antiquity of the Lochlee crannog, on which I am not in a position to 

 decide ; but knowing generally the horizon of these structures, we 

 are safe in considering that they have been there buried a goodly 

 number of centuries. They have evidently been so long buried as to 

 have undergone the first stages, at any rate, of fossilization, and they 

 are the most ancient specimens of mosses that have come under my 

 cognisance. For many years I have been hankering after a fossil 

 moss, but have as yet come no nearer than these. I have seen 

 specimens so labelled from Burntisland which are not mosses at all — 

 with which conclusion, by the way, Prof. Williamson, F.R.S., 

 entirely agrees, and there can be no better authority on those beds, — 

 and 1 have seen specimens from the " Halifax hard bed," in the coal 

 measures, but these j are also more than doubtful. I have seen 

 specimens from other localities as well, but to all such I must append 

 the same verdict. 



It would be interesting to be informed whether any undoubted 

 specimens have been found in similar localities or in other formations, 

 either in this or other countries ; and if so, what they are. I have 

 seen various lists drawn up by Prof. Heer of the cryptogamic plants 

 from various localities, and from older deposits than the one above 

 named, but in none of them have I seen any mention of mosses or 

 their allies. Can any one supply information on this subject ? 



Huddersfield, 6th Dec, 1879. 



THE HYMENOPTERA OF LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE. 



By Benjn. Cooke. 



(Concluded.) 

 MUTILLID^. 

 Myrmosa melanocephala, Delamere. 



POMPILID^. 

 Pompilus gibbus, Common. 

 P, pectinipes, Southport, July, 1879. 

 P. plumbeus, Southport ; Cheshire coast ; Common. 

 P. niger, Manchester ; Southport ; Hazelgrove. 

 P. rufipes, Southport. 



