NATURE AND NATURALISTS AT BOOKHAM. 
35 
attraction. The chief objects that were taken from this “mine of 
wealth,” were caddis-worms, the larvte of dragon-flies of the 
genera /Eschna and Libellula, the flat leaf-like water scorpion 
(.Nepa cinerea,) the active “water gnat” ( Gem's Icicustris ), the 
great grub of the water-beetle ( Dyticus marginal is), and also the 
perfect insect, many smaller beetles, Limncea peregra and other 
molluscs, and plenty of small newts : Molge punctata , M. cris- 
tata , and one specimen of the local M.palmipys, with distinct webs 
between the hinder toes. There was a smaller, but scarcely 
less productive pond at a short distance, and from this we got a 
quantity of the Canadian weed in excellent condition. But the 
principal captures here were the great newts that were turned out 
of the net, splendid fellows in full breeding dress, and as large 
as I have seen them anywhere. Eagerly were they pounced 
upon and consigned by their captors to temporary durance vile in 
bottles and other convenient receptacles. 
The party having satisfied their desires at this pond, we then 
made a move in the direction of Leatherhead, but our conductor 
took us a more roundabout way in order that we might feast our 
eyes on a certain spot that was unanimously declared when we 
reached it to be one of the most beautiful places in Surrey. It 
was a ford over the river Mole, and from the little rough picture- 
esque bridge we gazed on the clear splashing waters beneath us 
and then at the lovely banks studded here and there with willows 
and gradually converging as the river became narrower and 
deeper on either side of the shallow ford. The sunset and the 
dancing may-flies, as they rose and fell in the cool evening air, 
added greatly to the beauty of a scene which I, for one, shall not 
easily forget, and we reluctantly passed on across the bridge and 
continued on our way. 
One other circumstance deserves record. A fine group of the 
tough and leathery fungus, Polyporus squamosus, having been 
sighted growing on an old tree in a small plantation, permission 
was obtained and they were cut down, the biggest specimens 
being presented to our conductor for his kindness in taking 
charge of the party and giving us the benefit of his abundant 
knowledge. Other portions were given out to those that desired 
them, myself included. As I passed subsequentlv through the 
London streets bearing my own particular “ chunk,” remarks 
thereon, emanating from holiday makers, were borne softly to 
mine ears on the breeze, such as “What’re goin’ to do with all 
that cat’s meat ?” and “Take away that almond rock!” —f.p.p. 
At the Equator the limit of perpetual snow is 14,700 feet. 
Polar spots on the sun were observed by Fabricius and Harriot 
in 1610, 
