CORRESPONDENCE. 121 
(Dentaria bulbifera). Specimens of the beautiful Pasque-flower (Anemone 
Puisatilla), in a living state, were sent from Aldbury Nowers, near Tring, by 
the Rev. H. Harpur Crewe. Miss Chandler’s valuable hortus siccus was duly 
appreciated, as was the herbarium of Mr. Stubbs, of Henley: this gentleman 
also sent a collection of Ferns, and some very beautiful groups of dried 
flowers and leaves, arranged on cardboard, the natural colours being 
admirably preserved, which received much commendation. 
In addition, it may be added that a selection of valuable illustrated works 
was provided, as well as a portfolio of plates illustrative of British Botany ; 
and some beautiful sketches of Fungi, by the Rev. Bryant Burgess. The 
walls were decorated with coloured diagrams, some lent by J. Rutty, Esq., 
others by J. Slade, Esq., Secretary to the North London Naturalists’ Club. 
The tables were decorated with flowers, cut and in pots. 
ing object was a glass containing specimens of living Foraminifera, Hydra 
One very interest- 
tuba, Entomostraca, and Infusoria, developed in an aquarium, the water not 
having been changed for six years. 
interesting specimens were exhibited, has been singularly fortunate in 
Mrs. Woollams, by whom these 
maintaining that balance of life upon which the success of an aquarium so 
greatly depends. 
Correspondence. 
Heszenon.—I have followed the 
friendly controversy on this subject 
with some interest, and hold entirely | 
with Mr. Britten that Henbane and 
not Ebony is meant. 
word ‘“‘juice”’ is decisive. Ebony 
_ could only be known to Shakespeare 
and to those he was writing for, as a 
dry, sapless wood: how then could 
he speak of such a thing as a phial 
ofits juice? Whereas, the clammy, 
fetid nature of Henbane was just 
such as to suggest itself to the poet’s 
mind, and to be understood by his 
audience as a fitting instrument for 
the purpose. I grant that the ex- 
pressions of our poets are not always 
to be tested by scientific truth. An 
amusing catalogue might be com- 
posed of their ludicrous mistakes, at 
_ the head of which might stand Dr. 
_ Watts and his “‘ busy bee,” that 
“* Loads with yellow wax her thighs, 
With which she builds her cells,’ 
whereas the pellets on the bee’s 
I think the | 
thighs are not wax at all, nor are 
they used in the construction of the 
comb. But, if such assertions are 
not scientifically true, they always 
agree with the popular opinion ; and 
Henbane was universally held poison- 
ous—Ebony not. Dryden speaks of 
the “‘ poisonous Henbane,”’ and from 
Dioscorides downwards there is a 
terrible array of authorities for its 
poisonous effects. Besides, how 
could Shakespeare (who seems to 
have been well acquainted with 
Scripture) introduce as a cursed 
poison that which the prophet had 
enumerated among the precious 
commodities contributed by the mer- 
chant-princes of Dedan to the luxu- 
ries of Tyre? Mr. Payne brings 
forward a great amount of learning, 
but he does not seem to have one 
single argument to offer, except the 
unproyed assertion that Ebony was 
called the Tree of Death of the 
Persian Paradise; and even if this 
