Page:Midland naturalist (IA midlandnaturalis01lond).pdf/378

Scientific Notes.—With reference to Dr. Cobbold's appeal to me in the November number of the "Midland Naturalist," (p. 295,) it may be observed that we have the authority of the Greeks themselves for a departure from the usual plan in the formation of the words Distomum and Tristoniun, these actual words, (with others of a like character,) occurring, of course in their Greek form, in that language. But these exceptions do not invalidate the general rule, which is is I have stated it, and it would he hard to say that we must not use such a word as Polystoma, while polapous, polucheir, &c., are good Greek. Another observation is that when Distomum is used, Distomidæ becomes correct; the error consists in using Distoma and Distonidæ concurrently. No one can say that it is unfitting to employ "complimentary" generic names, many of them, as Linnæa and Lobelia, being among the prettiest we have, and even Lyellii and Forsteri may be tolerated. But every one, who is not a professional nomenclator, reports that the liberty is so often abused: the “compliment” has new become so common, that one scarcely cares to enquire, or even to wonder, who the savant is, who is supposed to be complimented.—W. B. Grove.

Fungi.—I should be much obliged if some of the readers of the "Midland Naturalist" would kindly inform me whether they have found the Chantarelle in Leicestershire. I have failed so far, though this locality is a fairly good one. I have found it in Warwickshire, Few people, I think, are aware how very good eating same of the quite common fungi are. Hygrophorus rirgineus and H. pratensis, Boletus edulis, and the Maned Agaric are among the best. I have almost invariably found B. edulis under oak trees. Is this the usual experience? One other circumstance I should like to have corroborated, and, if it may be, explained, This autumn we buried, about 5ft. deep, a quantity of diseased potatoes. About a fortnight ago I observed quite a large crop of Peziza aurantia growing over the spot, though I had never before observed it in the garden or its immediate neighbourhood. Was this merely a coincidence?—E. A. Green, Normanton Rectory, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Miller's Dale Flora.—I was rather surprised to notice Mr. G. Robson (an old correspondent of mine) recalling the botany of Miller's Dale as "rather disappointing." Its botany pleased me as much as the perusal of Mr. Robson’s realty fine description of a Derbyshire thunder-storm. I addition to the forms he mentions I have found many other uncommon plants within about half an hours walk from the station, such as:— Thalictrum flavum, Troilins europæns, Heleborus vividis, Draba incana, Silene nutuns, Hypericum montanum, Geranium sanguineum, G. pratense, G. columbinum, Rhamnus catharticus, Prunus Padus, Sunguisorba officinalis, Poierium Sanguisorba, Potentilla verna, Rubus casius, R. saxatilis, Geum intermedium, Rosa tontentosa, R. arvensis, Pyrus Aria, P. ranicola, Ribes Grossalaria, R. alpinum, R. rubrum, Sedum Telephinum, Saxifrage granulata, S. hypnoides, Parnassia pulustris, Pimpinella magna, Cornus sanguinea, Galium sylvestre, Scabiosa Columbaria, Carduus nutans, C. crispus, C. heterophyllus, Carlina vulgaris Serratula tinctoria, Lactuca muralis, Campanula Trachelium, C. Latifolia, Ligunstrum vulgare, (not in of near hedges,) Gentiana Amarella, Calamintha Acinos, Myosotis collina, Polygonum Bistorta, Taxus baccata, Blysmus compressus, Phleum nodosum, Arena pubescens, Kœleria cristata, Melica nutans, Poa nemoralis, Aspidium lobatum, Botrichium Luneria, and many other good plants. I have found a few miles further up Chee Dale, towards Buxton, Hutchinsia petræa, Cardamine impatiens, Polemonium cæruleum, Draba muralis, Mimulus lutens, &c. I have only paid flying visits to the neighbourhood alone, and therefore do not pretend to know all the rare plants.—Wm. West, Bradford.