THE ENTOMOSTRACA OF EPPING FOREST,
WITH SOME GENERAL REMARKS ON THE GROUP.
By D. J. SCOURFIELD.
[Read November 27th, 1897.]
Part I.
SOME GENERAL REMARKS ON ENTOMOSTRACA.1
THE little aquatic animals known scientifically as Entomos-
traca, and popularly as Water-fleas, can certainly claim to
constitute, at the present day and in this country, one of the
neglected zoological groups. Although familiar enough in a
general way to the majority of naturalists, it is surprising how
little is really known about these extremely interesting creatures,
even by those who have devoted considerable attention to the
examination of the life of our lakes, ponds, and ditches. A few
general remarks on the group may not be out of place, therefore,
as an introduction to the subject of the Epping Forest forms,
and more especially as this is the first paper of its kind brought
before the Essex Field Club. It must be understood, however,
that the following remarks do not by any means touch upon all
the varied problems connected with the Entomostraca. To do
that adequately would require, not part of a paper, but a very
large volume, and a very much deeper student of the subject
than I can claim to be. Purely morphological matters it will be
noticed in particular have been entirely omitted.
Zoological Position, Sub-Divisions, &c.
As regards zoological position the Entomostraca constitute
the lowest of the great divisions of the class Crustacea, and they
may consequently be considered as the poor relations of such
well-known creatures as the crabs, lobsters, shrimps, Sand-
hoppers, and wood-lice. The extent of the group and its sub-
1 Part II., containing the "Chief results of work on the Entomostraca of Epping
Forest"; Part III., "A detailed list of the Epping Forest species"; and Part IV., "A
Bibliography of the Literature relating to the British Fresh-water Entomostraca," will be
published in succeeding parts of the Essex Naturalist.—[Ed.]