238 THE QUERIST. 



this aphis, it would seem most improbable that this substance could be its food ; may not then 

 its appearance be ascribed to some peculiarity in the atmosphere, which, while it stimulates 

 the leaf to the secretion of this fluid, is also favourable to the hatching of the eggs of the 

 aphis deposited at the end of the preceding autumn? — T. J., Tottenham, June 16th., 1854, 



€\\i d^liirriHt. 



White variety of the Hyacinth. — In "The Naturalist," for this month, Mr. Ilyle, of 

 Southampton, mentions having found the flowers of the Wild Hyacinth perfectly white. In 

 this neighbourhood I have frequently found it, but oftener of a very light blue colour; but it 

 is not at all common. Within a few hundred yards of the house in which I reside, there is 

 a brook, which is the division betwixt two kinds of soils, on one side it is clay, on the other 

 sandy; but I find the white flower to be more common on the clay soil than on the other, 

 and in a ramble of a few hours, like Mr. Hyle's, I think I should be able to gather some 

 dozens of them.— T. S., Holnifirth, August 9th., 1854. 



The query of your correspondent, Sidney Hyle, in the last number of "The Naturalist," 

 reminds me of a similar observation that I made on Whit-Saturday last, June lOth. During 

 eight hours ramble through woods and lanes where the Wild Hyacinth, {Jlyacinthtis non- 

 scriptus,) was growing in the greatest profusion, I found owe pure white; it was a long distance 

 from any house, and in a situation which deters me from thinking it had got there from any 

 garden. I may observe, though a rambler, it is a number of years since I saw one in a similar 

 situation. — E. Simpkin, Bmy, Lancashire, August 25th., 1854. 



ITarebell, (llyacinthus nonscriptus.) Bluebell, (Scilla nutans.) — Mr. Iljle's query induces me 

 to observe that white-flowered varieties of this plant are frequently met with on limestone soils 

 in Yorkshire. I remember rambling one fine day in spring, now many years ago, to the village 

 of Berwick-in-Elmet, celebrated for its stupendous Saxon earthwork, known as the Hull Tower 

 Hill; besides some minor archcological attractions in the shape of an old church, and the base 

 of a cross; close to which stands another pleasing relic of days long past: 



"A may-pole gaye, with garlandcs hung." 

 After satisfying my antiquarian curiosity in the village, I strolled towards the woods, stretching 

 on to "Towton's fatal dale," and in crossing the fields met with two lads who had been gathering 

 Bluebells, amongst which I noticed many white varieties; one of the little fellows, full of good- 

 nature, would turn back and show me where these White Bluebells, as he called them, grew. 

 It was a copse, at no great distance north-east from the village; and there I found them in 

 plenty, together with a flesh-coloured variety. Being ignorant of the locality your correspondent 

 mentions, I cannot speak as to the rarity of his specimen, but in our limestone districts I 

 find they are not uncommon. I never met with a white one on sandstone soil, but perhaps 

 a more extended search would have been better rewarded. It may not be out of place to 

 mention that in my vagrant rambles about Berwick, and the neighbourhood, I have occasionally 

 met with flowers of the Wood Anemone, with the upper side of the petals of a light purple 

 colour. Thus we have two botanical peculiarities in one locality, with limestone soil, which 

 I think will not be so readily observable on the sandstone'; but probably some of your better 

 informed contributors can furnish further particulars on the subject. — John Dixon, Leeds. 



Last spring I found a nest composed of dry stalks of grass, moss, and a little hair, placed 

 rather high up in a quick hedge, and containing an egg very much resembling that of the 

 Nightingale, though not so bulky. The thick end was encircled with a hair-like streak of 

 black. Ultimately the bird laid six eggs, all of which were streaked like the first. I saw the 

 hen on her nest several times, she was of the shape and size of a Sedge Warbler, having a 

 light streak over the eye. The name of the bird will oblige C. E. Smith. 



Some years ago I found a nest composed of dry stalks of grasses, placed in a low yew bush, 

 and containing a pure white egg of the size of that produced by the Martin. Can any correspondent 

 inform me what it was? — Idem. 



I have read somewhere of "Waterton's Triumphant Defence of the Ivy." — Where is it to be 

 found?" F. 0. Morris, Nunbumholme Eectory, August 17th., 1854. 



