192 botanical notes, notices, and queries. [juue. 



Gold Blotched Weeping Ash. 



In communicating several examples in connection with Cytisus Laburnum, 

 var. purpurascens, as registered in the ' Phytologist ' of September, 1859, 

 I beg to add the following : — Several years ago, I grafted a scion of the 

 Blotched-leaved Weeping Ash upon a stock of the common Ash, in ground 

 one mile from this city. After two years, I lifted the plant to gTouud oc- 

 cupied by me within the city itself, and there it rested several years, being, 

 from its lofty position, exposed to our cutting winds from the sea. Last 

 season it made a start with young wood from the graft, and also from the 

 stem about two feet below the graft, such young shoots being clothed with 

 leaves having the same blotched variety as the graft ; the bark of the graft 

 and the spontaneous shoots from the stem referred to, being also shaded 

 with a golden-bronzed or yellow colour. Four feet down the stem, a 

 shoot from the stock is also allowed to remain, bearing the green bark and 

 leaves of the common Ash. Gr. HowiE. 



St. Andrew's, March 5, 1861. 



Shakspere Plants. 



In ' Hamlet,' act 1, scene 5, the Ghost says to Hamlet : — 



"And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed 

 That rots itself in ease on Lethe's wharf, 

 Wouldst thou not stir in this." 



In Mr. Douce's ' Illustrations of Shakspere ' is the following note : — 

 " The plant here alluded to might have been Henbane, of which Gerard 

 says that it causes drowsiness and stupifies and dulls the senses'' I think 

 some of the contributors to the ' Phytologist ' may be able to give us a 

 little more information on this subject. S. B. 



Petasites vulgabis. 



A correspondent wishes to know a Kentish locality, within an easy 

 walk of the Metropolis, for Petasites vulgaris. Can any of our readers 

 favour us with one ? 



Blechmm Spicant, var. ramosum (see p. 159, vol. v., N.s,), has both 

 sterile and fertile fronds on the same stipes. 



Commimications have been received from 



G. Davies; W. P. ; B. M. Watkins; Dr. Windsor; W. W. N. ; Sid- 

 ney Beisly ; John Sim ; Tom Stausfield ; W. Richardson ; C. J. Ashfield ; 

 James Lothian. 



EECEIVED FOR EEVIEW. 

 The Todmorden Post, May llth. 

 The Preston Chronicle, May Wth. 

 The Todmorden and Hebdenbridye Advertiser, May Wth. 



