76 



The Natuealist. 



In scientific nomenclature, I say, then, let us have a reform -if 

 possible. We want a rule with exceptions, and not all exceptions 

 and no rule ; and the sooner scientific nomenclature is renovated by 

 simplification and improved definition, the better it will be for the 

 world in general^ and science in particular. 



Huddersjield, November, 1876. 



Sljort %Qits ant) Wineries. 



Rainfall in October. — Hnddersfiekl. — Notwithstanding an unusually 

 heavy fall on the 8th (1*42 in.), the rain during this month has been 

 under the average, the register showing 2 "84 in. in 15 days, against the 

 ten years' average of 3*48 in., with 19 wet days. The latter portion of 

 the month has been unusually dry for the time of the year, *08 in. only 

 having fallen (in four days) from the ] 2th to the 3] st. The total for the 

 ten months is 25*98 in., half an inch below the mean of 1866-75. 



J. V/. RoBSoN, Dalton, 17th Nov., 1876. 



Rainfall in October. — Wakefield. — The rainy days have been 13 in 

 this month, the total rain measured amounting to 2*18 in. The heaviest 

 day's fall occurred on the 8th, to the depth of 0*96 in. The winds to the 

 20th have been mostly south, after which date no rain fell. 



Fredk. Hill, Kirkgate, Nov., 1876. 



Rainfall in October. — Goole. — 2*05 in. ; wet days, 9; greatest fall 

 on any one day, 0*8 in., on Oct. 8*9. No rain fell during the three 

 weeks October 13 to November 3. 



H. Franklin Parsons. 



Velvet Scoter {Anas fusca). — -A fine mature male specimen of this duck 

 came into my possession, killed at Talkin Tava, near Brampton, Cumber- 

 land, on the 3rd of November. 



G. Parkin, Brampton, Nov. 21st, 1876. 



§l^ports iDf Spaeths. 



Bradford Naturalists' Society. — Meeting October 31st, the president 

 in the chair.— Mr. J. Keeton exhibited the following moths : — Himera 

 pennaria, Hyhernia av/rantiaria, H. defoliaria, &c. Mr. J, W. Carter 

 read an interesting paper on " The Fertilisation of Flowers," in which he 

 first described the various parts of the flower, and entered more largely 

 into the particular construction of the stamens, ovaries, and pistil, 

 showing how the presence of the x^oUen on the stigma is requisite for the 

 fertilisation of the ovule, and the production of perfect seeds. He 

 described some variations in the position of these organs in certain orders, 

 and indicated that although each flower is in most cases furnished within 

 itself with the necessary apparatus for its own fertilisation, yet it is not 



