148 
Notes and Comments. 
are closed to visitors. At other times the light should be 
moderated, as by the use of yellow blinds in the windows, 
whenever the light is at all bright, (d) A gallery without 
windows, lighted entirely by electric light, preferably not by 
arc-lights, would have great advantages/' 
COMMON WEEDS. 
During 1921, Dr. W. G. Smith published in The Scottish 
Journal of Agriculture a series of nine chapters on ‘ Common 
Weeds.' These have been issued as a reprint, which will be 
welcomed by all interested in the cultivation and distribution 
of plants. In a brief introduction, references are given to 
the more important contributions to the subject, the colonisa- 
tion of bare land and how weeds reach the land. Descriptions 
of the common weeds follow, and these are written in clear, 
simple and interesting language. The arrangement is based 
on flower colours, yellow, white, red and blue, and greenish 
flowers, annuals and perennials. A very helpful account is 
given of weed control and treatment. The work is clearly 
printed and illustrated by 29 figures of the more important 
species from the * Standard Cyclopedia of Agriculture,' and 
the works of H. C. Long and W. E. Brenchley. 
PRICES OF BUTTERFLIES. 
We learn from The Daily Chronicle that * A record price 
for any British insect was realised during a sale of British 
butterflies at Stevens' Auction Rooms recently. It was the 
property of the late A. B. Farn, and a specimen which fetched 
£32 was a magnificent black variety of the marbled white. 
Typical specimens of this butterfly are so common that their 
market value is only about 2d. A remarkable variety of the 
comma butterfly sold for £21, and a unique white variety of 
the Painted Lady, £16. [We understand that the White 
Painted Lady (F. cardui) was taken at Boynton, Yorks., 
August, 1888, by Rev. G. M. Smith]. For a silvery specimen 
of the high brown fritillary £20 was paid, and a black form 
of the silver washed fritillary was knocked down at £17. 
Seeing that all the species mentioned, with the exception of 
the comma, are common in this county, the prices realised 
indicate how advantageous it is for collectors to keep a sharp 
look-out for varieties.' 
- 
: o : 
Large Yorkshire Pike. — On March 3rd, a Pike, weighing 
24 lbs., was caught by Mr. A. Roberts, of Middleham, in the 
River Ure, in a locality known as ‘ The Deeps,' below Middle- 
ham. It was a cock fish, in fine condition, measuring 43J 
inches. — R. Fortune. 
Naturalist 
