78 A winter's ramble. 



few others wonld have been added. Many of the locaUties where these 

 plants were gathered arc in exposed situations, and therefore one would 

 have imagined it useless to look for them ; and when we remember that 

 in the Christmas week there had been several nights of sharp frost, and 

 snow had fallen also, it is all the more sm-prisiug that so many 

 diffei-ent specimens should have been found. I am somewhat astonished 

 that no list has appeared from the Southern Counties, which are so much 

 warmer than our own Midland Counties ; for, judging from a letter 

 received from a friend in Devonshire, I should suppose that most of the 

 summer flowers are still in bloom. He compares the Christmas week 

 there to the Australian Christmas, and saj's that he gathered wild 

 strawberries (Fragaria rescii ) in abundance on Christmas-day. He also 

 mentions that two nests with eggs had been found — the one a thrush's, 

 the other a hedge-sparrow's. All these facts are certainly very interesting, 

 and point to a most exceptionally mild winter. 



Of the foregoing list some are plants that flower at this season of 

 the year, and a mild winter only accelerates their flowering ; some few 

 others may be seen in flower all the year through ; but by far the gi-eater 

 njimber are, so far as the experience of the last ten years allows me to 

 speak, strangers to the late laai-t of the autumn, and certainly to the 

 winter. There are several absent that I have recorded in other years, 

 such as Eniiunculits acris and R. scelenitus, Stfllaria vUgino^a, Erica 

 Tctralix, Lychnis dinrua, Ncpeta Glechoma, Senecio Jacohmi, d-c, and, strange 

 to say, I did not find PoientiUa Fragariastrum, a very early little flower. 

 Neither did I find Tu^sihigo Far/am. The mild weather still con- 

 tinues, and I notice that the hazel and •willow are blossoming, and the 

 hawthorn leaves already appearing. Doubtless others of your 

 correspondents can add a few more to the list I have given. I think the 

 record would be worth the while ; for careful observation may enable us, 

 in course of time, to ascertain with something like accuracy in what 

 manner and to what degree plants are affected by the weather. So far 

 we notice that, whilst certain plants live through the autumn into the 

 winter, under certain conditions of weather, others, that appear mxich 

 hardier, do not ; whilst, for example, Banuncuhis acris or Ceniaurca nigra 

 will be found sometimes in January, after a severe and cold autumn, yet 

 when the latter season has been mild, and the winter also, they are not 

 to be found. — St. Mary's College, Oscott, February 18th, 1878. 



CorrfspoiiLifiuc. 



— ■♦- — 



Organised Work for Natural History Societies. — The existence of 

 "The Midland Union of Natural History Societies" is a matter for 

 congratulation. The desultory efforts and resultless labours of many 

 students might possibly bo directed and utilised to good purpose if the 

 Council would undertake the work of oi-ganisation. May I suggest that 

 one part of the duties of that body should bo to draw out a scliemo for 

 combined labours? Why should not the " Midland Naturalist" publish 

 from time to time the results of the systomatised labours of the 

 naturalists of central England ? Why should not all the Societies in the 

 Union be engaged in preparing for this purpose, and mider the direction 

 of a competent committee, a complete account of the flora, fauna, and 

 geology of the Midland Counties? The work would be arduous and not 

 easily done ; but a proper division of labour, working within definite hues, 

 for well-cousidcrcd purpo.ses, would find excellent occupation for many of 



