NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
135
captured in the Colne, at the Hythe in this town. In many English rivers
the capture of a specimen of this fish would not be remarkable ; but here, from
its rarity, it may be worth a notice. It was brought to me by its captor to
name, as he said he could find no one at the Hythe who knew anything of
this strange fish—a sufficient proof that it is very uncommon in this district.—
Henry Laver, F.L.S., Colchester.
A Voracious Eel.—On Saturday, May 23rd, a large eel was caught just
outside the locks at Heybridge Basin by Alfred Clarke. When opened it had no
less than nine perch and a rat in its stomach. The eel itself weighed about two-
and-a-half pounds.—John Basham, Maldon.
Coleophora vibicigerella in Essex.—Mr. G. W. Bird reports in the
"Entomological Monthly Magazine" for June, the re-occurrence of this insect.
"A friend and myself journeyed down to the Essex Salt-marshes on April 27th, with
the particular intention of looking for hybernated larvae of Geometra smaragdaria.
In this, however, we were not successful, but, oddly enough, the very first plant
of Artemisia examined produced the Coleophora, and about a dozen more were
found within a few yards. The insect is exceedingly local, as Mr. Elisha has
previously observed, for further careful search during the day proved fruitless.
On the Continent this species is reported to be attached to Artemisia
campestris ; possibly a careful search among that plant might produce Coleophora
vibicigerella more plentifully than we have it at present from A. maritima''
Essex Earthworms.—An Appeal.—The Rev. Hilderic Friend, F.L.S,
who has lately so successfully studied those neglected, but exceedingly interesting
animals, the Earthworms (Terricola-) and allied groups, has kindly promised his
valuable aid in identifying our Essex species. Mr. Friend writes:—" I have now
worked at the worms of Devonshire, Sussex, Notts, Yorkshire, Cumberland, and
Westmoreland, S. Scotland, and other parts of the kingdom, and shall be delighted
to add Essex to my list. I have found out some curious facts by this embracing
method, and if I can get a few more counties worked up in time, I propose
submitting a report to the British Association this year. Of course, I must have
material. So far as I am aware, there is no record of Essex worms in existence.
If you know of any references I shall be glad to incorporate them in such papers
as I might be able to submit to you. Let me indicate where worms may be
sought:—
" (1.) In cultivated ground, gardens, fields, &c. The species found here have
usually been 'lumped' under the aggregate term Lumbricus terrestris.
They need careful revision.
" (2,) In heaps of vegetable mould, old manure, refuse, compost, quitch, and
rubbish heaps. 'Brandlings' (L. olidus, Hoff.), 'Gilt-tail' worms, &c.,
are found here.
" (3.) In woods, damp spots under trees, and by hedgerows generally—these
are all good hunting grounds.
" (4.) Especially by streams and brooks and all kinds of water, fresh or
stagnant, running or still, the stones, tufts of grass, each to a depth of ten
or twelve inches, should be examined. In the roots of grass, the 'Square-
tail worm (Allurus tetraedrus, Eisen) is mostly found.
" (5.) Under droppings, stones, logs, decaying trees, in fields and neglected
places, &c.
" Put the worms alive and uninjured into a tin box. Wash some soft moss,