May 1, 1867.] 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



101 



remainder is divided into the four other columns, 

 each being devoted to one year : thus— 



This book slips easily into a side-pocket. The 

 list of plants should be first made out at home, and 

 should include all that are found, or may possibly 

 be found, in the district. Only one side of the 

 page should be used for the list ; as the opposite 

 oue may be handy for brief notes, or local names, 

 for each species. The saving of time effected in 

 this manner is very great : besides which, each plant 

 can be noted down with a pencil as soon as 

 observed, so that the risk of forgetting it is done 

 away with. The list is also a very useful companion 

 when we are spending a day in a new district, and 

 want to learn as much of its Botauy as possible ; 

 as a pencil mark affixed to the name of the plant 

 will be sufficient to indicate that it has been ob- 

 served. Of course a table of birds or insects can 

 be added at will : so that one's pocket-book 

 may be made a useful vade-mecum. 



On a botanical excursion, we must, of course, 

 carry a good-sized vasculum, alias sandwich-case; 

 but on a short stroll, we need not thus encumber our- 

 selves. Some of Huntley and Palmer's biscuits 

 are sent out in little flat tin boxes, about 4i in. 

 long, by 3^ broad : one or two of these will travel 

 very comfortably in our pockets, and the lids may 

 be secured with a stout elastic band. Those who 

 know Pry's Chocolate Paste, will find the neat 

 little round tins, in which it is enclosed, very handy 

 companions : if their shape is less convenient than 

 that of the former, the tin is less flexible; and, if 

 accidentally sat upon, does not sustain the same 

 amount of injury which, sad experience convinces 

 us, is suffered by the former; besides which, the 

 lids fit closer. These boxes are suitable receptacles 

 for beetles, snails, and many other objects ; and are 

 none the less useful because of their homely origin. 

 The field Botanist will also find a small book of any 

 description, which has a tightfitting clasp, very 

 convenient for blossoms, such as those of Speed- 

 wells or Poppies, which are better pressed as soon 

 as gathered; and specimens dried under such 

 circumstances frequently retain their colour better 

 than those with which more trouble has been 

 taken. As a general rule, however, we do not 

 think it advisable to dry plants while "on the 

 march ; " it occupies a great deal of time, with 

 scarcely any compensating advantages. One of our 

 botanical brethren [used to sally forth, with an 

 elaborate arrangement of paper, boards, and straps, 

 at his back; but we remember that the wind, on 

 several occasions, violently resisted his attempts 

 to spread out his specimens satisfactorily; while 



the placing of specimen No. 2 interfered very 

 materially with the comfort of specimen No. 1 . 



In conclusion, we may inform those who are as 

 yet ignorant of the fact, that dried plants may be 

 sent by book-post, according to the Post-office regu- 

 lations. This was first ascertained a few years since 

 by a friend, and we have frequently availed our- 

 selves of the privilege. The name and, if wished, 

 the description of the plant may be written on the 

 sheet to which the specimen is affixed : though, of 

 course, anything in the shape of a letter must be 

 excluded. We would, however, advise our friends 

 to see to the posting of packets of plants in this 

 way, themselves; for district postmasters are not 

 all aware of this privilege ; and, although open to 

 conviction, will occasionally, as we can testify, 

 demur. 



Let us, during the coming season, endeavour 

 to become better acquainted with the inhabitants 

 of our woods and fields : let us try to make our 

 own district, as it were, a Selborne ; and increase 

 our knowledge, as well as that of others, of the 

 wonders which it contains, remembering the words 

 of the poet : — 



" He prayeth best who loveth best 

 All things both great and small ; 

 For the great God who loveth us, 

 He made, and loveth all." 



B. 



THE SWALLOWS. 



"DY way of an appendix to the elaborate and 

 -*-* learned essay by Lieut.-Col. Austen which 

 appeared recently in Science-Gossip, perhaps I 

 may be allowed to say a few words in defence of the 

 antiquated and now generally abandoned idea 

 that a certain portion of the Mrundines winter in 

 the countries which they inhabit during the summer 

 months. I have long taken au interest in this 

 subject, because it is one upon which theory and 

 experience seem to differ very widely. The most 

 eminent naturalists deny the possibility of the 

 hybernation of swallows ; eye-witnesses innumerable 

 have at different times declared that they have found 

 them in the winter months in a torpid state. It is 

 scarcely probable that science can lead naturalists 

 far astray, now that our knowledge of and interest 

 in nature have so much increased ; but, on the other 

 hand, it is incredible that all these witnesses can have 

 been deceived. Only one course remains open, viz., 

 to acknowledge both theories to be partially correct, 

 and to attempt to discover the reasons for the 

 migration of one portion of the Mrundines, and for 

 the hybernation of the other ; by doing this we 

 shall be rendering a far greater service to the cause 

 of truth, than by hastily adopting one or the other 

 theory, and branding the supporters of the opposite 

 idea as ignorant and credulous. . . 



