8 
thirty species, but this number, by his own explorations, and the 
result of dredging along the shores of the “Wash,” has been 
already increased to ninety-two. In drawing attention, however, 
to the remarks with which ]\Ir. Harmer’s and Mr. Bridgman’s lists 
are prefaced, I must not omit to mention that the reading of each 
paper was illustrated by a very fine series of local specimens, and 
accompanied with observations on the edible qualities and habits 
of certain species. 
As an evidence of the general, as well as local, interest that 
attaches to such county lists as we are now preparing, I may state 
that Professor Plower has recently published in the “ Proceedings ” 
of the Zoological Society, (part ii, 1871,) a very elaborate paper 
“ On the Occurrence of the Pinged or Marbled Seal (Phoca 
hispida) on the Norfolk coast,” in which he has traced, with 
infinite pains and trouble, the synonymy of that species, and 
pointed out the cranial differences which distinguish it from 
P. vituUna, and other larger forms. Now this paper, by one of 
the highest authorities in such matters, owes its origin to Mr. 
Southwell’s admirable list of our Norfolk Mammalia in our last year’s 
“Transactions.” For although, according to Professor Turner,* 
this small Arctic Seal occurs in a fossil condition in beds of clay 
of the glacial period in the south-east of Scotland, it was un- 
known to the recent fauna of Great Britain, till the occurrence of 
a single specimen on the Norfolk coast in 1846 ; the particulars of 
which, with remarks on the life history of the species, will be 
found in our present number. 
There are few of our members, T imagine, who have not read 
with deep interest in the last year’s “ Transactions,” Mr. Barrett’s 
paper “ On certain Coast Insects found existing inland at Brandon, 
Suffolk,” or who will not welcome the publication of his further 
notes on the same subject. This is but one of the many instances 
in which one branch of natural science throws light upon another, 
for Entomologists and Geologists alike may well ponder over the 
past history of these insect forms in connection with the post- 
glacial condition of their now abnormal habitat. Nor does the 
* “ Journal of Anatomy and Physiology,” May, 1870, p. 2G0. 
