JUNE. 



163 



specimen fetched, though cracked, 260 guineas in 1894. The increase 

 in prices for these eggs has of late years been very remarkable. In 

 1856 an egg was sold at Steven's for twenty guineas. Four duplicates 

 belonging to the Royal College of Surgeons averaged 30 apiece in 

 1865. One of these in 1837 brought 168. A year later another 

 specimen, bought privately for 18 in 1851, was knocked jjdown at 

 King-street, Covent Garden, for 225. In 1892 Sir Vauncey Crewe 

 had to give 300 guineas for an historical specimen, and twice that 

 sum in the same year purchased a stuffed Great Auk and its egg. 



BUSY BEES. 



Since then a cracked (specimen cost Mr. [Middlebrook 300 guineas. 

 Mr. Stevens expressed a hope that the larger egg would remain in 

 this Country and find its way into the British Museum. Its destination 

 is at present uncertain. Mr. Gardner, the Natural History agent, 

 bought it and its fellow, presumably a commission." 



21st. Very showery. Chief flowers in bloom in my garden 

 now: Pinks, Cornflowers, Antirrhinums, Canterbury Bells, French 

 Marigolds, Roses, and Palsies. I never have had such a show of 

 Pinks; the borders are ona mass of white, soma thousands of blooms. 



