Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/178

Examining Plants.—Never guess at a point in question; but if the flower you are dissecting will not enable you clearly to determine the character, examine a second or third, until you are satisfied on the point under examination. If the points are so minute as to be difficult of discrimination by the unassisted eye, a pocket magnifying-glass will be necessary, and should always be at hand. A sharp penknife and a needle will be all the dissecting instruments necessary. Special care should be taken to gather good specimens with several flowers, and, if possible, a specimen which has gone to seed as well. If the stamens need to be counted, always examine two or three flowers to see if there is any variation. In a few plants the true number is only found in the terminal flower. Remember also the possibility in a flower which has been opened some little while that the anthers of some stamens may have fallen off and left only the filament. Freshly-opened flowers are, therefore, always best. Let no one attempt to "commit to memory" the meaning of terms; but for every term which is not thoroughly understood turn to the glossary. Though this will at first be troublesome, and perhaps be voted "slow," it will soon become less and less needful; for the meaning of most of the terms will become perfectly familiar after a little practice, and the habit of careful and accurate examination, formed from the first, will be found of inestimable value. Slovenly and careless habits of study will hinder progress exceedingly; and those who in the beginning skip difficulties, or are satisfied with guesses, will always be plagued and impeded by doubts.—Notcutt's Handbook of British Plants.

Poisonous Properties of Yew Leaves.—The circumstances mentioned at p. 112, of deer having died from the effects of yew juice is contrary to the notions entertained by most persons as to the poisonous qualities of the leaves in question, when eaten by either deer, sheep, or goats. That yew leaves prove fatal to horses is a well-known fact; and it would be well to ascertain the truth of the paragraph (p. 112); for the yew is so frequently found in deer parks, that it would be highly desirable all owners of such should order the branches to be properly cut. I think, if I remember rightly, the yew branches in Richmond park were a few years ago quite within reach of the deer; but I never heard of any accident there. It is a singular thing that the withered branches of this tree are quite as pernicious to horses as the fresh leaves. Many tales, ancient and modern, relative tot he properties of the yew tree have been recorded. Its juice was at one time considered a sure antidote to the bite of a viper, and in Germany it is even now a popular remedy for hydrophobia.—Helen Watney.

Orchid Rust (Uredo Orchidis, Mart.).—This rust is of a bright golden-yellow, and occurs in large spots on the under surface of the leaves of some orchids. Mr. R. M'Leod has lately sent it to us on the leaves of the Tway-blade (Listera ovata), and on Orchis latifolia, collected by him at Crosby Sandhills, near Liverpool. We are not aware that it has been before recorded in Great Britain.—M. C. C.

Varieties of Common Plants.—I take the liberty of sending you the following brief notes of a few varieties of some of our wayside flowers that have come under my observation. I shall refer to them in the order of time when found.

1. A pure white-flowered variety of Geranium Robertianum, found between Enfield and Edmonton, Middlesex, three or four years ago—have not examined the spot since.

2. A pure white-flowered variety of Lamium purpureum, found in Fulham Nursery, two years since, growing alongside the purple variety; only two plants found—seen two years in succession—not looked for since.

3. A white variety of Geranium molle, found this spring, at Needham Market, Suffolk—abundant on a bank mingled with a typical rosy-purple variety.

4. A pure white variety of Spergularia marina (or Arenaria rubra marina, Linn.), found this season on the banks of the Orwell, near Ipswich, with the typical form. In addition to the pure white flowers the whole plant differed from the type by being of a pale green colour, and having perfectly glabrous (not rough) peduncles and calyx.

5. One striking form of the occasional hybrid said to be produced between the Primula vulgaris and Primula veris. It seemed exactly intermediate between the two species, having the inflorescence of both in the same plant, the long single-flowered radical peduncles of P. vulgaris (5 or 6), from the centre of which there arose the true umbellate scape of P. veris. The corolla, too, was in size and colour precisely intermediate between the species named, plants of (both) which were growing around it. I regret that an accident subsequently befel the plant before a more careful examination could be made. Found in Wherstead Park, Ipswich.

6. A form of Achillea millefolium, presenting marked (and I should think) permanent differences from the common form. The whole plant is of a lighter green, the leaves more compound, especially at the base; the flowers much smaller, and pure white; the stems too were much less angled, and less woody. Although my description fails to indicate very marked differences, the two forms were very distinct seen growing side by side.

I shall feel happy to furnish you, or any of my fellow correspondents or readers, with any of the foregoing that I can procure.—W. H. Ade, Ipswich.