105 



proportionally. Their markings resemble somewhat those of the native 

 Emperor moth. This insect appears to be perfectly hardy in our climate 

 and is easily reared on the leaves of the apple, plum, or hawthorn. 



SATURNIA CARPINI. 



Dr. M'Cullough brought a cocoon of this — the Emperor Moth — from Dart- 

 moor. It is the only native silk producing insect, and occurs frequently on 

 all our moors. It spins its cocoon with an open end, or rather with a thin 

 membrane closing the smaller end, protected by a prolongation of the chief 

 substance of the cocoon left open ; this is doubtless an arrangement for the 

 more ready escape of the moth. The cocoon contains a very large quantity 

 of gum in proportion to the silk, and is therefore useless as a silk producer. 



The chief plants observed during the walk were large masses of the Soap- 

 wort, Sapnnaria officinalis, on both sides of the river ; — the golden heads of 

 the Tansy, Tenacetum vulr/are ; the Gipsy-wort, Lycopus Europanis; the Tutsan, 

 Hypericum Aiuirosccmxim : the Alder Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula ; the 

 Alkanet, Anchusa officinalis; Linaria minor. Nasturtium syUcstre, and many 

 other more ordinary kinds. 



The Kev. J. E. Jones Machen brought several specimens of the little 

 orchideous plant, Spiranthes autumnalis, the Autumnal Lady's Tresses, for dis- 

 tribution. It has been common in many places this year. Mr. Harrison, of 

 Holmer, also sent specimens. 



Dr. M'Cullough had brought with him from the coast of Cornwall, a 



sea side plant, not very uncommon, but still always interesting from its 



associations, the Eock Samphire, Crithmum marititnum. Shakespeare Jias 



immortalized it in King Lear, where Edgar is supposed to be leading Gloucester 



along the White Cliffs of Dover. 



" Come on, Sir ; here's the place ; stand still. How fearful 

 And dizzy 'tis to cast ones eyes so low ! 

 The crows aod choughs that wing the midway air 

 Seem scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down 

 Hangs one that gathers Samphire : dreadful trade ; 

 Methiuks he seems no bigger than his head ; 

 Tlie fishermen that walk upon the beach 

 Appear like mice." 



The green leaves of Samphire makes an excellent aromatic pickle. It 

 was much used in old Gerarde's time (1597), and Culpepper laments that it 

 should have gone out of fashion. 



The meeting now broke up, for it was time to set off to the station, and 

 thus terminated a very successful, enjoyable day in the Vale of Usk. 



i-DKB©- 



