66 Mr. 11. M. Christy, Natural History Notes. 



interest attaching to its abnormal form would recommend 

 it. The common English name of the species given in 

 the Floras is "Lady's Smock;" but the country people 

 of this neighbourhood, especially the children, ^all it 

 "Milkmaid." This abnormal form, growing as it does by 

 nature in the parish of Widford, may therefore well be 

 introduced to cultivation as the '* Widford Milkmaid." 



T C 

 Feb. 19th, 1880. 



[In a letter Mr. Gibbs adds — '' I have confined myself in the paper 

 to a bare statement of facts, without indulging in the many reflections 

 suggested by them, as to the origin of the form, its analogy with other 

 abnormal flowers of the same natural order, &c. The fact of its 

 gro^ving in the neighbourhood of Chelmsford, within a short distance 

 of the London road, without being noticed by anyone but myself, may 

 encourage us to expect large results from an organized exploration of 

 the several parishes of Essex in search of natural wonders." On the 

 15th of May last we, in company with our President, had, under the 

 guidance of Mr. Gibbs, the pleasure of seeing the plant growing in its 

 native habitat. It was still flourishing somewhat luxuriantly, and 

 the case appears to be well w^orthy of careful consideration. — Ed.] 



Natural History Notes. 

 By R. M. CHRISTY. 



I. 



[Bead March 20th, 1880.) 



On the morning of the 17th ultimo a rather curious occur- 

 rence took place here, Chignall near Chelmsford. A rat 

 and a weasel {Mustcla vulgaris, L.) were caught together in 

 the same traj), which was set under a barley-stack. On 

 the trap being taken up, the weasel quickly struggled itself 

 free, but the rat was securely held and killed. The trap 

 was set again at the same place, and later in the day the 

 weasel had the boldness to cross it again, but was imme- 



