[98] Both Vipers (or Adders) and Snakes, the latter in particular, are, I imagine, much less abundant than formerly, but the few species of Lizards and Newts (Swifts) are still probably in undiminished numbers; the Mole Cricket (_Gryllotalpa vulgaris_) is rare with us; Horse-leeches (_Aulostoma gulo_) are frequent, and also "Periwinkles," which I take to be various species of freshwater Molluscs, possibly of _Limnæa_. The Hard-worm (or Hair-worm), _Gordius aquaticus_, which refused to be generated from "horsehayres," is still an object of wonder to the unlearned, and the Great Black Water-Beetle (_Hydrophilus piceus_) is found; but _forficula_ and _corculum_ were a puzzle, as it is evident from their association they must be aquatic forms (and the Earwig certainly does not take to the water voluntarily), till my friend, Mr. C. G. Barrett, referred me to the following passage in Swammerdam's "Book of Nature," p. 93: "This is most certain that the _Forficula aquatica_ of Jonston is the true nymph of the Mordella, or Dragon-fly,"[O] Dr. Charleton in his "Onomasticon," p. 57, has "Corculus, the Water-beetle, resembling an heart;" not very definite, but probably the Whirligig Beetle, _Gyrinus natator_, is intended; it is also an appellation given by some authors to "a small species of cordiformis, or heart-shell, of a rose colour," doubtless a Cyclas or a Pisidium. Squilla is the Freshwater Shrimp (_Gammarus pulex_), and _Notonecta glauca_, the Waterboatman "which swimmeth on its back," is well known. Otters are still numerous in the broads and reed-margined rivers, and so long as these natural fastnesses endure in their present condition they are likely to continue so. [O] On reference to Jonston (_Historiæ Naturalis de Insectis_ Lib. iv., "De Insectis aquaticis" i., p. 189, Tab. xxvii.), I find that under the name of "_Forficulæ aquat[icæ]_. M [oufet]," he has two figures, the first of which is possibly a Dytiscus larva, the second that of some form of Dragon-fly, which however is imperfect. The Gryllotalpa or fencricket co[=m]on in fenny places butt wee haue met with them also in dry places dung-hills & church yards of this citty. Beside horseleaches & periwinkles in plashes & standing waters we haue met with vermes setacei or hardwormes butt could neuer conuert horsehayres into them by laying them in water as also the [_Fol. 38_] the (_bis_) great Hydrocantharus or black shining water Beetle the forficula, sqilla, corculum and notonecton that swimmeth on its back.