50 iRambles wttb mature Students 



quality of thriving well in smoky air, and hence we see 

 it frequently growing in town gardens and squares. 



LAUREL-LEAF GLANDS 



I do not suppose that the honey-glands of the 

 common cherry-laurel are often observed, as they 

 exist on the under side of the leaf, and are therefore 

 hidden from the passer-by. We may often have 

 wondered why, in early spring, we frequently see 

 bees, wasps and flies buzzing about our laurel hedges, 

 and apparently busy in collecting something which 

 they need at that season. If we examine the back 

 of one of the leaves, we shall discover the attraction, 

 for at the base of the leaf and near the midrib are 

 from two to four glands exuding a sweet liquid which 

 affords welcome sustenance to insects. What par- 

 ticular use these glands may be to the shrub itself is 

 not known ; they seem to be a speciality of the laurel ; 

 for, although I have examined a large number of 

 shrubs and trees, I cannot find similar glands in any 

 other plant, though doubtless some may exist. 



The so-called laurel is really a species of cherry, 

 and in favourable years it bears long sprays of purple 

 berries. The true laurel is the bay tree, Laurus nobilis; 

 it also bears cherry-like fruits, but only in the southern 

 parts of England. 



THE MEALWORM BEETLE (Tenebris molitor) 



When our feathered pets are of a kind that will 

 not prosper without insect diet, the best mode of 

 supplying them, during both winter and summer, 

 with food which will keep them in health and vigour, 

 is always rather a difficult problem. 



