210 IfETEOROr.OGY — CORRESPONDENCE. 



At Orleton " the mean temperature of the month was more 

 than 2 degrees below the average of 20 yeai'S, and the rainfall 

 was much in excess."' Highest reading of barometer (at Kenil- 

 worth) 30-48 on 27th ; lowest 29-25, on the (Ith. The mean amount 

 of cloud was about T'O (scale to 10). and the mean relative 

 humidity 80 (saturation = 100). Southerly and westerly winds were 

 very prevalent. The mean temperature of the soil at Hodaock at a 

 depth of 1 foot was GO-!), and the duration of sunshine 1G2-8 hours. 

 At Aspley Guise the duration of sunshine was 184 hours 20 minutes. 

 Several thunderstorms occurred. A solar halo was noted at Lough- 

 borough on the 12th. 



(ToriTspoiilirnfr. 



Paris quadrifolia. — The correspondence in the August Number of 

 the "Midland Naturalist" is my excuse for mentioning that this plant 

 is locally abundant in South Beds, usually growing on a subsoil of clay 

 over chalk. It is no uncommon occurrence to lind it with live or six 

 leaves. — J. Saunders, Luton. 



FoKTiKALis ANTiPYRETicA. — Tliis moss is fruitiug abundantly this 

 summer in some clear water ponds at Limbury. South Beds. So far 

 as observed the fruiting stems are suspended al'nost perpendicularly 

 in the water, and are attached to projecting submerged branches and 

 overhanging root stumps. By carefully passing one's hand along these 

 stumps and branches the fruitiug stems are easily recognised, as they 

 have more scanty foliage and feel more wiry. Any of your readers 

 who are interested in mosses may have a specimen by sending a 

 stamped envelope to J. SArxDEKS, Rothesay Road, Luton. 



Mosses new to the W.aewickshire Flora. — A short time since, when 

 botauising in a wood near jNIaxtoke, I found Dirranum /usrescciu- (Turn.) 

 growing rather sparingly on the trunks of oak trees. This has not before 

 been recorded for Warwickshire, and is also new as a record for Severn 

 basin, i.e.. Province V. of Watson"s •• Compendium of the Cybele 

 Britannica." I also found another rare moss near Preston Bagot in 

 the early part of July, namely, Ortliotn'rhum rinilare (Turn.) This is 

 new as a record for Warwickshire, and is a very interesting addition to 

 our local Moss Flora. — J. E. Baonai.i.. 



Hybernation of Mollusks. — About the middle of August last (1881) 

 I brought home from Pembrokeshire some specimens of Helix pi.'^oiui. 

 All were duly killed and cleaned except one, which was overlooked, 

 and remained with some other specimens till June 18, when, on picking 

 it up, meaning to clean out the supposed dry remains of the animal. 

 I found that it was not dead. I at once placed it in a jar of water, 

 having previously broken down the skin-like barriers of slinie stretched 

 across the mouth of the shell, and in a little under an hour and a 

 quarter the animal crawleil out of the jar, to all appearance none 

 the worse for its ten months" sleep. Everyone of course knows that 

 snails retire during the winter months, appearing again with the mild 

 showers of spring: but it is perhaps not so well known how quickly 

 thev are aff.i-ted h\ a change in circumstances, and induced to come 



