THE FAUNA AND FLORA FROM THE BRICK PIT AT LEXDEN 19
Notes on the Mammal remains (A.J.S.)
Only a preliminary examination of the teeth and bones has
been possible, and it would be premature to compare them with
those from elsewhere. The two species present are the rhinoceros,
Dicerorhinus hemitoechus (Falconer) and a primitive form of
Mammuthus primigenius. These conform with Fisher's identifica-
tions (leptorhinus being a synonym of hemitoechus).
The indications of climate provided by these animals is some-
what contradictory at first sight. Mammoth is often thought of
as typical of cold conditions, whereas Dicerorhinus hemitoechus
characterises the interglacials. Yet the same association of this
rhinoceros with a primitive form of mammoth occurs in the Ilford
Terrace. It may be that the early forms of the mammoth had
not become adapted to the cold environment of their descendants.
Zeuner has pointed out that D. hemitoechus was a rhinoceros
of grassland, a fact which accords with the botanical evidence at
Lexden.
Age of the deposit. The earliest occurrence of D. hemitoechus
known in Britain is in the Lower Gravel of Swanscombe (Great or
Hoxnian Interglacial), the latest is in the Last or Eemian Inter-
glacial at Selsey. These facts probably set limits to the possible
age of the Lexden deposit.
Report on the beetles (F.W.S.)*
Wollaston gave a list of twelve identifications at generic level.
The peat associated with these specimens, in the Geological
Survey Museum, carried Wollaston's figures 1-12 and new labels
added by A. S. Kennard, numbered 353 to 364 respectively.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to the century of drying which the
pieces of peat had experienced, there was no trace of specimens
on numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11. Of the remainder, Wollaston's
tentative identifications may be compared with what I believe
them to be, as follows : —
3. "Possibly a Chrysomela, though more probably .... a large
metallic Curculio". Actually Donacia semicuprea.
6. A large flattened elytron referred to a carabid, possibly
Licinus. Actually Aphodius.
7. A crenate-striated and coarsely rugulose elytron referred to a
probable carabid. Actually also Donacia semicuprea.
8. An elytron identified as possibly a buprestid. Actually a
carabid, Feronia sp.
12. Fractured underside of a water beetle. Actually the water
beetle, Rantus grapii.
*The author gratefully acknowledges the help of Dr. G. R. Coope and Mr. P. J,
Osborne in discussion and identification of the beetles.