1859.] BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION. 375 



there mentioned is. The Arabians at present in Egypt call it 

 Akol. This is perhaps that which Moses means when he curses 

 the earth ; it grows in great plenty promiscuously ivith the large 

 Thistles in the uncultivated parts of Egypt," 



Hasselquist also notices the Rhamnus Spina- Christi, the Egyp- 

 tian Buckthorn, and says, — " In all probability this is the tree 

 which afforded the Crown of Thorns put on the head of Christ. 

 It grows very common in the East. This plant was very fit for 

 the purpose, for it has many small and sharp spines, which are 

 well adapted to give pain. The crown might be easily made of 

 these soft, round, and pliant branches ; and what in my opinion 

 seems to be the greatest proof is, that the leaves very much re- 

 semble those of Ivy, as they are of a very deep green. Perhaps 

 the enemies of Christ would love a plant somewhat resembling 

 that with which emperors and generals were used to be crowned, 

 that there might be a calumny even in the punishment." 



Hasselquist notices Cardui and Cnici, six species ; Thistles, 

 on the road between Rome and Jerusalem; but I do not find 

 he includes the Prunus spinosa in his list of Palestine plants, 



Mr. Hind says in his article in the ' Phy tologist ' for last 

 September, that our good friend, the Editor, has been caught 

 napping ; but I hope he will soon " wake upj" and set at rest the 

 question between him and S. B. A Reader of the Word. 



REPORT OF THE BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY 

 ASSOCIATION. 



By W. Hinds, M.D. 



Reports have lately been made to this Association upon the 

 Natural History of Bewdley Forest, and also upon the locality — 

 renowned amongst naturalists — of Coleshill Bog, near Birming- 

 ham, The forest of Bewdley is divided nearly into two parts by the 

 Severn, and in appearance is almost sub-alpine. The surface 

 soil is poor, and composed partly of a yellow clay. The Flora of 

 this forest is not quite so comprehensive as has been supposed. 

 There is a brook called Dowle's brook, the banks of which are, 

 however, somewhat prolific. The forest itself is merely a copse 

 of Oaks of rather recent growth, the trees being cut down once 



