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HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



The first thought of sharing with others his own 

 knowledge and not keeping it stored up in his own 

 mind was a good lesson, but, the greatest lesson of 

 all is when his study forcibly urges him to reason in 

 the matters of life, and so demonstrates to him the 

 only sure basis whereon he may found a higher 

 character. 



There are many good social habits always tending 

 to result from these societies. At the usual meetings 

 there is a unity of purpose, of general amity ; party 

 is a word unknown — sect is out of the question — rich 

 and poor know no distinction. 



The members are brought together through the 

 society established for the advancement of a certain 

 science, and all work with sincerity, for no other 

 purpose than the benefit of the society. 



By the foregoing remarks I have endeavoured to 

 point out the effect of our scientific societies on 

 individuals : of course the national effect will be in 

 proportion to the individual members. 



Projects are being deduced with the good intent of 

 adding to the welfare of our artisans. Our societies 

 are hardly acknowledged by the politician, and the 

 end aimed at by them is known to few. 



It is of the greatest consequence that our youth 

 should be acquainted with the nature of our recrea- 

 tive occupations. I hold that while it is not at 

 present in the power of our public schools to do this, 

 it is a duty devolving more or less upon the members 

 of our scientific societies. 



Those who are year after year giving their assist- 

 ance in the formation of scientific societies, are clear- 

 ing the road to many neglected branches of know- 

 ledge, and are using powerful means for the attain- 

 ment of a higher national character. 



H 



THE RUSTIC BOTANIST. 



OW delightful is the season of spring, when 

 all nature seems awakening from its long 

 winter's sleep ! We purpose, however, now to treat of 

 our common flowers, especially those noted for their 

 " virtues." Though little esteemed in our time, they 

 were once much used and valued by the ancient 

 housewife. Let us commence with them as follows : 



i. The so-called aromatic plants used as spices or 

 perfumes. 2. Plants used in the rustic medicine. 

 3. Culinary or edible plants. We trust a short 

 history of their various characters may be a kind of 

 gossip such as you will not despise. 



1. The aromatic plants used as spices or perfumes. 

 Of the former we have but a meagre list, and 

 cannot rival those of the East ; but with respect to 

 the latter, we think we may satisfy the most delicate 

 olfactory organ. For instance, the lily of the valley, 

 the sweet dame's violet, the wallflower, the rose, and 

 the sweet-scented violet, with many others of Flora's 

 gifts. 



In the order Graminea?, we have the sweet antho- 

 xanth, vernal grass (Anthoxanthitm odorattini). This 

 grass forms a large proportion of many meadows and 

 pastures. In drying, the plant exhales the odour of 

 woodruff, and is the chief cause of the fragrance of 

 new hay, hence its English name ; it is included in a 

 different class from most other grasses. Sir James 

 Smith, in his "English Flora," mentions that Mr. 



Fig. 70. — Holy Grass (Hierochloe borealis). 



Brown traced a great affinity between this grass and 

 Hierochloe borealis. The holy-grass is said to be used 

 on high festivals, for strewing the churches of Russia, 

 as Acorns Calamus has time out of mind been em- 

 ployed in the cathedral and streets of Norwich, on 

 the mayor's day. The sweet flag (Acorns Calamus) 

 grows by the banks of rivers, also in ponds and 

 other wet places in England. All parts of the 



