CiRCLL AK 238] 
The most striking feature of the district is, however, the prodigious 
abundance of Balea perversa and Pyramidiila ruf-estris, more especially beneath the 
topmost stones of ail the walls in the vicinity, wh le the Clansilia hidentata with 
its magni6cent variety cravenensis is plentiful at their base, and Ilelicigcna lapicida 
though so common, is in dry weather usually securely concealed in the chinks 
and crevices. Near Aysgarth, further up the valley, its beautiful variety radiata 
has been found, and the two-banded variety of Helicigona a>busiorum has occurred 
near the same place. 
The Slugs are well represented by 11 species, of which ihe new British 
species Limax tenellus found in Hall Wood, Masham, is the most interesting. 
Of fresh-water shells twenty-four species are now known to occur, of which 
seven are Pisidia, the rarest forms being P. milium and P. nitidum. There are 
eight Planorbes, the most interesting species being Planorhis parvus, which, if the 
identification is correct, is circumpolar in distribution, the American and 
Halaearctic forms being united by the more generalized form Planorhis arcticus, 
a species or race now restricted to the colder and more inclement northern 
regions. With favourable conditions our knowledge of the mollusca of the 
neighbourhood of Tanfield should be materially increased, especially in regard 
to the local modifications which are undoubtedly present. 
ENTOMOLOGY. — The Entomological Section will be officially 
represented by Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., F.E.S. 
Lepidoptera. — Mr. Porritt writes : — The area to be investigated 
includes one of the Yorkshire Districts for the rare Dicranura hicuspis, and 
which ought to be out at the date of the excursion. It should be looked for on 
the trunks of Alder and Birch. 
Goleoptera. — The Coleoptera Committee will probably be represented 
by the Chairman, Mr. J. W. Carter, F.E.S., and Mr. H. Ostheide. 
Mr. E. G. Bayford, F.E S., writes: — Little is known of the Coleoptera of 
the area to be investigated. In the account of a previous visit of the Y.N.U., 
April 18th, 1896, from the pen of Mr. B. M. Smith (see " The Naturalist " for 
that year, pp. 189-19fi), a list of 25 species is given as having been observed on 
that occasion. Most of them are of common and general occurrence in the 
County, the best species being: — Leistus spinibarhis F., Silpha atrata L., Aphodius 
punctato-sulcatus Sturm, Sericosomus brunneus L., Chrysomela polita L. On a visit 
there a few years earlier the writer met with a specimen of Staphylinus 
citsareus Ceder. 
ARACHNIDA. — Mr Wm. Falconer writes :~No records for a very 
extensive area of which Ripon is the centre. 
PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS :- 
4- 30 p.m.. Meat Tea, 1/9 each, \ 
5-0 p.m.. Sectional Meetings, - Bruce Arms, Tanfield. 
5- 15 p.m., General Meeting, ) 
The Chair will be taken by the President of the Union. 
Trains. — The last train for Harrogate and the South leaves Tanfield at 
5-58 p.m. Members may by driving to Melmerly Junction (distance about four 
miles) catch trains for the North at G-6 p.m. and 7-6 p.m., and for Harrogate 
and the South at 8-1 p.m. There is a half-day excursion from Bradford on the 
15th June, leaving at 1-40 p.m., returning from Tanfield at 9-28 p.m. and 
Harrogate at 10-7 p.m., which should enable ihe 10-28 p.m. train Harrogate to 
Leeds to be caught. 
In order that an early account of the excursion may appear in the 
"Naturalist," notes and reports should be forwarded before June 20th, to 
W. E. L. Wattam, 30 Towngate, Newsome, Huddersfield. 
The next Excursion of the Union will be to Askern 
for Shirley Pool on Thursday, July 11th. 
