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mistaken and over recorded in error for a narrow-leaved
form of the common T. latifolia, but on this occasion the
clear gap between male and female spikes and the much
narrower diameter of the latter compared with T. latifolia,
left no room for doubt.
Not many cryptogams of note were encountered during the
trip. Not having a lichenologist with us the only lichen
that caught our eye was Lecanora muralis on Pickett's Lock,
but the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica was found on
the sides of both the Paper Mill and Rushes Locks, and at
Pickett's Lock a new county record in the form of Barbula
nicholsonii was encountered - another species that likes
to be submerged periodically. Tortula latifolia and
Lunularia cruciata were found on several of the locks.
Other species seen along the canal during the day were
Barbula cylindrica, Orthotrichum diaphanum, Gratoneuron
filicinum, Eurhynchium crassinervium and what would have
at one time been called Amblystegium juratzkanum, now lumped
in with A. serpens.
MOLLUSCS
On the 1891 meeting some l8 species of molluscs were caught
in a small tow net. Of these we refound 8 species (on the
assumption that our Planorbis laevis was equivalent to
their P. albus) and added a further four; Valvata
piscinalis, Bithynia leachi, Lymnaea auricularia and L.
stagnalis. Species found on both occasions were; Sphaerium
corneum, Theodoxus fluviatilis, Bithynia tentaculata,
Planorbis vortex, Physa fontinalis, Lymnaea pereger and
Succinea putris. While looking for molluscs a fine specimen
of the bright-green leech Piscicola geometra, a fish
parasite was captured (TL 82,08). As our mollusc search
was relegated to the return trip and as the weather turned
to a cold drizzle enthusiasm waned and we have to admit
that our records were confined to the stretch between
Beeleigh and Hoe Mill.
During the trip one Kingfisher, one Snipe and several
Little Grebe were seen together with about half a dozen
Water Voles. The only dragonflies noted were Aeshna
grandis and Ishnura elegans.