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NOTES—ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.
Eggs of Petrobia ("Stone Mites").—In examining microscopically some
specimens of iridescent glass from St. Botolph's Churchyard, at Colchester, I
found recently a number of beautiful forms, resembling poppy-heads in shape,
but of a glistening white appearance, with slight iridescence in certain lights
owing to the thinness of the capsule. Though found in quantities in the cracks
and crevices of the disintegrated glass, they do not appear to have anything to do
with the disintegration, as I find them equally abundant on slates and stones.
When broken with a needle the interior is found to consist of a bright-red jelly.
The forms have been identified by Mr. W. Cole as the eggs of Petrobia, probably
the P. lapidum (Order, Arachnida ; Fam., Trombidiidae), a determination which
has been confirmed by Mr. A, D. Michael, F.L.S., the great authority on the group.
—Charles E. Benham, Colchester, November, 1896.
Claytonia perfoliata still flourishing in the open at Danbury.—It
will be remembered that on the occasion of the Club's visit to Danbury on August
13th, 1881, Mr. John Gibbs pointed out a bank by the roadside where Claytonia
perfoliata, Don. (a North American plant), had established itself since at least
1858, and gave some interesting information as to its introduction into this
locality (See "Jour. Proceedings, E.F.C." vol. ii. pp. li., lii.). Mr. G. J. Weeks
informs us that the plant is still growing abundantly on a dry bank near Danbury
Place. Claytonia is slowly establishing itself in England, records from several
counties being now in print.—Ed.
Holes or Burrows in the Chalk near Saffron Walden.—While opening
up some new ground belonging to the East Essex Cement Works, situated about
a mile from Saffron Walden, the workmen discovered, in October, 1896, a
number of curious holes or burrows in the solid Chalk. They were found at a
depth varying from four to ten feet from the surface, and when exposed to view
presented very much the appearance of a rabbit warren. The runs branched off
in various directions, occasionally taking a downward course, but as a rule
keeping rather to the level of the top soil. In many places the claws of some
animal could be distinctly seen in the workings, in which some shells, the bones
of the ox and small sheep were found, and sent to Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S.
The holes were in places so large that a man could crawl down some distance.
Occasionally the earth from above had been washed or filtered into the workings,
but, generally speaking, they were quite free from soil. It is much to be regretted
that the labourers' pick and shovel had destroyed the greater part of the holes
before their discovery was made known and photographs could be taken.—Frank
E. Emson, Market Square, Saffron Walden, December 9th, 1896. [We publish Mr.
Emson's interesting note simply as a record of the facts ; at present no hypothesis
is put forward to account for the holes. They appear to merit careful
investigation, and also inquiry as to the occurrence of similar holes in other
localities. (See Mr. Christy's remarks below, received since the above was in
type.)—Ed.]
"Holes or Burrows in the Chalk near Saffron Walden."—In refer-
ence to Mr. Frank E. Emson's note (which I have had the opportunity of seeing
in proof), I may add that I recently inspected these holes or burrows in company
with Mr. A. R. Goddard, of Saffron Walden, and was at first very much puzzled to
account for their origin. There can, I think, however, be no doubt that they are
the burrows of some mammal, though it is difficult to say of what species. The
burrows exist, for the most part, in the surface of the solid chalk, beneath two or
three feet of super-imposed soil ; but it was noticeable that at least one of the