224 
NATURE NOTES 
butterfly appeared to be the Marbled White, which took the place of the other 
“ whites ” of this country. On the borders of the woods I also noticed the White 
Admiral and some large Fritillaries. On the whole, Normandy is by no means 
deficient in wild life, and it is very interesting to notice the small differences 
between its flora and fauna and those of this country. 
5, Romola Road, Herne Hill, S.E. W. Cocksedge. 
577. Cuckoo. — The form “ cucu ” would not have been agreeable with the 
genius of the Latin language. There are, certainly, a few words ending in u, 
but they are probably adopted forms, as genu, the Greek yoyv ; and in this 
case “genus” and “ genum ” also occur as nominatives. Cuculus contains the 
birds’ note better than cucus, but may, perhaps, have been originally the diminu- 
tive of cucus. More probably the “ lus ” has only terminal value. The quantity 
of the second u in cuculus is variable. Horace makes it long : — 
“ cui saspe viator 
Cessisset, magna compellans voce cuculum. 
Sat. 1. 7. 31.” J. L. Otter. 
578. Undesirable Aliens. — The introduction into the British Isles of 
that well-known pest the “ American Weed ” some fifty years ago, reference to 
which was made in No. 567, is one of many instances of the danger of importing 
strange plants into a part of the world remote from their original home. This 
remark applies to animals as well. Darwin tells us that “ the endemic produc- 
tions of New Zealand are rapidly yielding before the advancing legions of plants 
and animals introduced from Europe.” In the Antipodes our wild rose grows 
to an enormous size and becomes a serious hindrance to cultivation. Scotch 
thistles that were unknown there one hundred years ago monopolise vast tracts 
and kill off the native plants with which they come in competition. Many an 
Australian has cursed the day that first saw our wild rabbit in his continent. When 
the English starling was introduced there, stringent laws were passed for its pro- 
tection. But change of country has caused change of habit, and one of our 
most useful birds here has become a pest out there. The evil doings of the 
British sparrow in many foreign parts are well known. The introduction of a 
fresh race of man is in many cases disastrous and fatal to the aborigine, as the 
North American Indians, the Maori, and the Australian black found out long 
ago. The detestable brown rat is not of English origin but an importation 
from abroad. 
Scientists and faddists, too, should think twice before they turn loose new 
forms, animate or inanimate, on our shores, for some fresh animal or plant may 
do great dis-.service and cause far-reaching injury. 
Sottih-Acre, Sivaffham. Edmund Thos. Daueeny. 
579. An Experiment worth Trying. — For this all that is required 
is a medium-sized flower-pot and some finely coloured autumn leaves of almok 
any kind, those of the vine, bramble, common maple, ivy, wild guelder rose. 
Viburnum Opulus, and Rhus Cotinus being as suitable as any. 
Place a leaf in the bottom of the flower-pot so as to cover the drainage hole. 
Take the pot by the rim, and hold it with the small end pointing in the direction 
of the lamp, but beloiv it, so that in looking into it nothing whatever is discernible 
but impenetrable darkness, as of a thick, murky night. Raise it very slowly and 
steadily (the slower the better) up towards the lamp or other source of liglit, of 
which there must be only one in the room. Presently a faint glimmer appears, 
like the moon’s rays trying to penetrate a dark cloud. Gradually the light grows 
stronger and vague suggestions of luminous colour of exceeding beauty begin to 
pierce tbe prevailing gloom, but as yet all is indefinite and mysterious — a 
subdued glory foreshadowing something yet more lovely. As the flower-pot in 
its gradual ascent comes almost up to the light the full splendour of colour bursts 
into sight in its wondrous inten.sity. Surrounded by profound darkness, a most 
brilliant yet soft and lender radiance is seen, the colouring of which is beyond 
description. The veining of the leaf, even in its most minute ramifications, is as 
clearly brought out as the delicate tracery of elm twigs when seen in contact 
with the moon’s disc in winter. By trying dilferent leaves a great variety of 
effects can be obtained. Much may be done by using two leaves and allowing 
