MISCELLANEA. 125 
may be seen in the centre of the China Aster and many other composite 
flowers. 
Rosa canina was next passed under review, and the variety of it formerly 
distinguished by some botanists as Rosa Forsteri, the lecturer taking ad- 
vantage of the opportunity to point out the distinctions between “ species ” 
and “ varieties.” Much, he remarked, of what he had stated was probably 
familiar to all the botanists present ; but the Societies were established more 
for the benefit of the unlearned, and the greatest pleasure he experienced in 
life was the passing on to others who were only just entering on scientific 
inquiries, what he himself had acquired from year to year. 
Thus far the proceedings, as we have described them, were characteristic 
of the modus operandi of the Manchester Society. We must now retrace our 
steps, for an instant, in order to show how the Liverpool Club carries out its 
objects. 
On the arrival of the Liverpool party at Hoghton station, the honorary 
secretary, the Rev. William Bannister, distributed amongst the ladies a 
printed list, headed “ L. N. F. C. Names of Natural Orders from Dr. Dick- 
inson’s ‘ Flora of Liverpool.’ ” 
This list comprised 101 orders, beginning with “ Ranunculaceaq” and end- 
ing with “ Characese,” each order being separated from the adjoining ones by 
perforated lines, so that the greatest facility was afforded for tearing off the 
the names of the orders. 
The object of this proceeding was to enable such of the ladies as desired it 
to compete for the “ Botanical Prize ” (a book value 10s. 6d.) ; one of which 
is awarded at each excursion “ to the lady who collects and arranges, accord- 
ing to the natural orders, the largest number of species in flower.” Any 
specimen wrongly marked is rejected, and no lady is entitled to receive more 
than one excursion prize in the season. The last-named is an excellent regu- 
lation, enabling the less advanced botanists also to compete with some chance 
of success. 
By way of parenthesis, we may mention that, beside the excursion prizes, 
the Liverpool Society grants thirteen others, varying in value from .£1. Is. to 
£o. These are season prizes, given for the following collections : — The best 
Hortus Siccus (3); Conchological (1); Geological (1); Microscopical (1) ; 
Zoological (2) ; Entomological (4) ; General (1). 
During their rambles on the occasion in question, many of the ladies were 
busily occupied in the collection of plants ; but, owing to the length of Mr. 
Grindon’s excellent address, the judges (who are usually the two vice- 
presidents (the Rev. H. H. Higgins and Dr. Collingwood, F.L.S., along 
with one or more of the committee) were unable to award the prize to the 
successful competitress. This part of the proceedings was, therefore, post- 
poned. 
The same cause also compelled the Rev. Mr. Higgins to curtail his address, 
which was delivered by him, as the representative of the Liverpool Club, 
after the conclusion of that of Mr. Grindon. He referred to the general 
objects and rewards of societies such as those which were now so harmoni- 
ously mingling about him ; to the beauty of nature, as awakening many 
of the noblest emotions of our minds, with the result, which scarcely ever 
fails to follow, of a larger and more religious apprehension of the world 
