THE FAUNA AND FLORA FROM THE BRICK PIT AT LEXDEN 21
Plateumaris braccata is associated with Phragmites. The five
water beetles are all typical of stagnant water, with Rantus
favouring abundant vegetation, and Helophorus aquaticus living
in or on the margin of plant-girt pools. The species of Feronia
and Staphylinus erythopterus are predators which could be
expected on the margins of a pool. In addition, however, to this
fauna which accords with the evidence of the physical environ-
ment, there is a second element which correlates with the presence
of animal remains and the suggestion that the peat occurred in a
hollow used as a drinking pool. Aphodius is well represented and
it, Cercyon and Platystethus are dung beetles, whilst Thanato-
philus dispar is a carcass beetle.