Report of the Executive Committee 81 



for setting, setting-needles, and straps for setting-pins, a store-box, and 

 a breeding-cage for larvae." 



Mrs. Brightwen, who has done so much for Nature-study, 

 sent series of specimens illustrating one or two definite 

 points, in connection with which this well-known Nature 

 lover makes the following remarks : 



" Many of our English trees produce their flowers at such an early 

 period of the year, and so high up on the branches, that they are apt to 

 be passed by unnoticed. I therefore exhibited the dried specimens of 

 tree catkins in order to excite an interest in the minds of young people, 

 and lead them to collect and dry similar specimens for themselves. 



" About the end of January the hazel begins to show its catkins, a 

 little later the alder flowers, and other trees follow in succession through- 

 out the spring until the lime and the sweet chestnut complete the series. 

 Some trees, being dioecious (having male and female blossoms on differ- 

 ent trees), both kinds of catkin should be obtained. This is the case 

 with the willows, poplars, and a few other trees. 



" If the seedling of the tree can be obtained and dried, also the seed- 

 pod or samara, and if a coloured sketch of any peculiarity of the buds 

 or bark be made, such items will add much to the value of the specimen. 



" Birds' skulls were shown in order to draw attention to the adaptation 

 of the beak to the requirements of the bird. All the specimens were 

 obtained from birds used for the table, such as game and poultry, or 

 dead birds I have picked up." 



As illustrating the usefulness of a series of specimens in 

 recording, demonstrating, and inculcating interesting obser- 

 vations, those of clover-heads, also exhibited by Mrs. Bright- 

 wen, may be mentioned. In the first shown, all the blos- 

 soms, being unfertilized, stood erect, while in the following 

 specimens they had gradually dropped after being visited 

 by humble-bees, until only one, and finally none, occupied 

 their original positions. 



The Humanitarian League (children's department) ex- 

 hibited leaflets and other literature which pointed out 

 that 



" In the study of animal nature the life is [in its opinion] the first and 

 the last point of interest and importance, the habits of the living animal 



F 



