Oct. 1, 1869.] 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



2 235 



BOTANY. 



Marjoram.— I was much interested in Mrs. 

 Watney's article on " Common Herbs " last month 

 (page 17S), in which she so well described the sweet 

 marjoram and its uses. But Mrs. Watney states 

 that it is slightly puzzling with regard to the pro- 

 perties of this plant, as it apparently shows that 

 they are identical with narcotic principles when the 

 plant is put into beer while fermenting. This is 

 not, however, the case ; and such facts as these are 

 puzzling to many, because the reactions are seldom 

 expressed in any "manual." The reactions and 

 results are only obtained by close observation and 

 study; but sometimes a little thought, and knowledge 

 of chemistry as well, will explain such reactions. 

 Marjoram contains an alkaloid (e. g., like alkalies) 

 which unites with the free acid in the beer, neutra- 

 lizing it, therefore rendering its presence non-per- 

 ceptible. Yeast consists of several kinds of fungus, 

 i.e., Monas crepuscidum, Bacterium termo, Torula, 

 Penicillium glaucum, &c, and these fungi excite 

 alcoholic fermentation, then acetic acid fermentation. 

 Some acetic acid is also formed during the first 

 stage, or alcoholic fermentation, and the presence 

 of an alkaloid prevents this giving a greater per- 

 centage of alcohol. Marjoram containing the alka- 

 loid acts as above. In reality, then, the alcohol 

 intoxicates, not the marjoram. — George Neiclyn. 



The Bee Orchis. — We have received several 

 communications in reply to " B.'s" inquiry respect- 

 ing the Bee Orchis, and are informed that it maybe 

 found in Castle Hedingham, Little Maplestead, 

 Colne-Engaine, &c. One botanical correspondent 

 suggests that to give its habitat more definitely to 

 the public would ultimately exterminate the plant 

 from the district, but genuine, collectors may have 

 further information on inquiry at our office. — Hal- 

 stead Times, Aug. 14. 



British Eungi. — "A Handbook ot British 

 Eungi," by M. C. Cooke, is announced as in course 

 of preparation. It will form a thick crown octavo 

 volume, and will be published at half a guinea to 

 subscribers as soon as sufficient names have been 

 received to guarantee the venture. This work is 

 intended to contain full descriptions of every known 

 species of fungus hitherto found in the British 

 Isles, with figures illustrating the genera. Sub- 

 scribers' names will be gladly received by the 

 author through the publisher of Science-Gossip, 

 192, Piccadilly, W. 



Geranium Seeds. — At page 191 of your present 

 volume reference is made by a correspondent, Mrs. 

 Watney, to the fruit of the Cranesbills, which is 

 described as bearing a sort of screw. There is a 

 little confusion here which perhaps you will think 

 it desirable to correct. It is the allied genus Ero- 

 dium in which the tail of the carpel coils up spirally 



after splitting from the beak. In geranium proper 

 the tail does not assume the spiral form ; this cha- 

 racter affords, therefore, a ready mode of distin- 

 guishing the seeds of the two genera. The spiral 

 coil appears to act like the feathered shaft of an 

 arrow. The seed being the heaviest naturally falls 

 downwards, and the spiral will usually be found 

 projecting above ground, when the carpel, with its 

 inclosed seed, becomes buried.— W. T., Ipswich. 



Holly.— I fancy the term Holly, our English 

 name for the Ilex aquifoliim, is derived from 

 Hellig, the Welsh name for the tree. The Holly 

 surely is a true native of Great Britain, and Welsh 

 the original language; therefore, what more probable 

 than that the Saxons called the tree Holly, a cor- 

 ruption of Hellig? The "Saxon alphabet" was 

 used by the Britons many centuries before the Saxon 

 invasion; this old writings fully prove; therefore 

 we have reason to believe that the Saxons had no 

 letters of their own, but that the one now called 

 Saxon was taught them by the Britons. Alfred's 

 tutors were both Welshmen. Had the Saxons 

 brought any letters from Saxony there would surely 

 be in some part of Germany Saxon characters still 

 to be found, and I am told there are not; so I come 

 to the sage conclusion that my native language is 

 very ancient, and Holly derived from Hellig.— 

 H. E. Watney. 



Olive in Bloom.— I don't know whether the 

 fact of an olive-tree grown in this country having 

 this year put forth its bloom is a novel one. The 

 tree is an interesting one, as it has all the charac- 

 teristics on a small scale of the olive of the South, 

 both as regards form and the big root protruding 

 from the soil. Up to last year it had been growing 

 in a pot, it was then transferred to a cask and 

 planted in some rich soil. The tree is about five 

 feet six inches high from the base of the trunk. 

 This is the first year in which it has flowered. In 

 the South of Erance they flower in, I believe, the 

 seventh year. The olive in question is at least ten 

 years old. In winter it is placed in a conservatory, 

 and in summer in a sheltered spot in the garden. 

 Since we have had it no blight of any kind has ever 

 been detected on its leaves. — P., Margate. 



Lobelia urens. — I have had Lobelia urens in 

 full bloom in ray garden three years in succession. 

 I collected the plants when in Devonshire for my 

 holidays. They blossom well, but do not ripen seed 

 in cultivation. Are any of your readers acquainted 

 with a deep blue variety of Scilla awhcmnalis ? I 

 have found it early in August covering the sandy 

 downs near the sea with its brilliant blue flowers. 

 In colour and habit it resembles Scilla verm. In 

 June I found the grass-like tufts of leaves, which 

 were turned brown and withered before the flowers 

 appeared. I shall be glad of any information on the 

 subject. — M. C, Kent. 



