32 BOTANICAL NOTES^ NOTICES, AND QUERIES. {JanUttVy. 



tain, a ' toe ' or ' branch,' changed into the Scottish tae and the English toe. 

 Miller, the celebrated horticulturist and botanist, gives the most sensible 

 history of the propagation of Mistletoe which I have seen. This author in- 

 forms us that the thrush delights in the slimy part of the berry surrounding 

 the seeds, and that in its efforts to disengage its beak it strikes or presses 

 it on the branch of some contiguous tree, and if the bark be smooth, the 

 seed will take root and grow. He also tells us tbat it grows best on 

 smooth-rinded trees, as the ash, apple-tree, etc. Also that " whenever a 

 branch of an oak-tree hath any of these plants growing upon it, it is cut 

 off and preserved by the curious in their cabinets of natural curiosities." 



" Down with the rosemary, and so 

 Down with the bays and mistletoe, 

 Down with the holly, ivy, all, 

 Wherewith ye deck the Christmas hall ; 

 No one least branch leave there behind, 

 For look, how many leaves there be 

 Neglected there, — maids, 'tend to me, — 

 So many goblins ye shall see." 



Kappa. 

 New Zealand Apples. 



{From the "■ Lyttelton Times,^ an Australian Paper.) 



The great superiority of the apples grown in Canterbury over those im- 

 ported from the other settlements is abundantly exemplified by the beauti- 

 ful specimens of splendid fruit to be seen in Mr. Wilson's seed-shop in 

 Christchurch. A number of apples known by the names of the Emperor 

 Alexander, Mobb's Eoyal, and the Kentish Fill-basket, measure each one 

 foot two inches round, and weigh fomieen ounces ; whilst Eibston Pippins 

 and other choice sorts are not less remarkable for their colour, size, and 

 flavour. Canterbury certainly gives promise of being a first-rate fniit- 

 growing country, wherever due precaution is taken to provide the first re- 

 quisite of successful gardening, namely, good shelter. 



Honeystalks of Shakspeare. 



Will the following, taken from Nares's Glossary, answer S. B.'s ques- 

 tion on this ? and will the Editor of the ' Phytologist ' tell me if he agrees 

 with Dr. Nares ? 



" Honeystalks. — Clover flower which contains a sweet juice. It is com- 

 mon for cattle to overcharge themselves tvith clover, and die." 

 " With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, 

 Than baits to fish, or Honeystalks to sheep." — Titus Andro., iv. 4. 



Harriet Beisly. 



Notice. 



To Microscopic Botanical Observers, and others who are interested in 

 similar researches. — Mr. Winter's List, which was announced in the De- 

 cember number of the ' Phytologist,' is not yet full : a few more sub- 

 scribers can be supplied with sets of the Fen-productions of the county of 

 Norfolk. Any further information will be afforded on application to Mr. 

 Winter, Bressingham, near Diss, Norfolk. 



