72 [July 1898 
CORRESPONDENCE 
CORRIGENDA 
May I ask those who have copies of my paper ‘‘ Pentacrinus: a name and its 
history,” either in vol. xii. of Natural Science or in its separate form, to correct the 
following misprints ? 
On p. 248, throughout the second paragraph, for C and D read B and C respectively. 
Through this misprint I appear to maintain the very proposition that the paper was 
written to disprove. Iam indebted to the Rev. G. F. Whidborne for its discovery. 
On page 253, second line from bottom, for 1897 read 1877, 
7th June 1898, F, A, BATHER. 
THE STUDY OF VARIATIONS 
I po not wish to trouble your readers with a prolonged and unedifying controversy, but 
I would only say that there is no question of rival theories, as Mr Tayler states, for 
when one sees plants rapidly changing their forms under one’s very eyes, it is no more a 
theory to describe the process than to say trees put on their leaves in spring. 
Mr Tayler’s article is headed asabove. Had Mr Baker of Kew writtenan article upon 
this subject, one would expect a treatise on roses or some such variable genus, for a 
scientific man would at first procure his variations in nature, and then study them. Mr 
Tayler reverses this process. He proposes a new system of classification, and when 
asked for examples, makes the astounding reply :—‘‘I believe none are to be found in 
the present state of our knowledge on this question”! After such a confession it would 
be quite unprofitable to discuss his d priori assumptions, which he thus confesses have 
no bases in facts. GEORGE HENSLOW, 
FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS 
In the business relations of the Concilium Bibliographicum with its English sub- 
scribers we have had frequent occasion to note a very widespread misapprehension in 
regard to the foreign money order service which must seriously hamper those desirous of 
purchasing books or specimens abroad. It is really astounding how many letters we 
have received with the query, ‘‘ But how can we remit such small sums?” To such we 
have replied by a simple statement of the procedure necessary, and, judging from the 
surprise manifested, I fancy such a statement may interest many of your readers. All 
that is necessary is to fill out an international money order-blank, to be had at any 
money order post-office, at a commission of 6d. for sums under £2. Such blanks call 
for the name and address of the sender and of the person to whom the money is to 
be paid, the amount, and the date. No further steps are necessary, the money being 
delivered by the letter carriers, who at the same time leave a statement showing the 
sum sent, the date, and the name and address of the sender, The issuing office gives 
a receipt to the sender showing to whom the money is payable. Thus, without even 
writing to the person to whom the money is to be paid, a foreign account may be paid 
and a receipt for payment received. HERBERT HAVILAND FIELD. 
[We must believe Dr Field’s statement as to the ignorance of the British scientific 
public ; but we agree with him that it is astounding.—Ep. Nat. Sci.] 
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