154 NATURE NOTES. 
varieties of such a common species as V. chaitucdrysP I think it was a very legiti- 
mate expectation. 
“As to the hairs on plants, if Professor flenslow is satisfied that there is a suffi- 
cient number of instances to justify his calling Epilobium hirsutum, &c., excep- 
tions to the rule that families with terrestrial hairy species are . represented in 
watery places by glabrous ones, I have of course not a word more to say. I 
confess I was not aware of the change effected by environment on Polygonum 
amphibium. It is interesting to note that the same law holds good to a great 
extent in the animal world. I have little doubt that Professor Henslow’s explana- 
tion of the dwarfing of plants in high altitudes is correct. I have often noticed 
how, in a too much heated conservatory, the plants run up with long internodes, 
‘drawn up by the heat,’ as gardeners say. But I should be very grateful to- 
Professor Henslow for an explanation of one thing. ‘ Heliotropism,’ which is 
due to the red rays, is explained by the theory that the red rays retard growth, 
not further it, as these new experiments tend to prove, and therefore the side of 
the stem turned away from the light is longer than that turned towards the light, 
whence arises the bending of the stem.” 
In connection with this subject of Evolution we may insert the following by 
Mr. R. Goodwin Mumbray, of Richmond, a Selbornian of long standing. 
“ Perhaps a few remarks upon each member of the family of Nightshade may 
be accepted ; — I. We have Deadly Nightshade, called by Linnaeus Atropa Bella- 
donna, Atropa in allusion to Atropos, one of the Fates, who is fabled to cut with 
her fatal scissors the thread spun and woven by her two sisters, emblematic of 
human life, so suddenly does death follow a poisonous dose ; and Belladonna , 
from its being employed by beautiful ladies to cause dilatation of the pupil. The 
chief sources of danger from this plant are its tempting berries, sometimes mis- 
taken by young children for glossy blackberries. Medicinally belladonna pos- 
sesses very valuable properties ; applied externally it relieves acute fixed pain. 
2. Woody Nightshade or Solatium Dulcamara, Bittersweet, so called, because if 
the stalks are chewed, the taste is at first bitter, and afterwards becomes sweet on 
the palate. The decoction of the stalks is a good remedy for skin complaints. 
The berries are not generally considered injurious, but two instances are re- 
corded by Dr. Churchill that ended fatally. 3. Black Nightshade ( Solatium 
nigrum ) is a low-growing plant with white blossoms resembling in structure those 
of its woody relative ; it possesses powerful medicinal properties, but is so un- 
certain in action that it has never been admitted to the British Materia Medica. 
“ The question that naturally suggests itself to the thoughtful is, how is it that 
these three members of a distinct family should be found growing side by side, 
yet from the same soil they draw widely different principles. What becomes of 
the theory of the origin of species, and from what did they evolve ? The answer 
is obvious ; the species are distinct and have ever been so, each distinguished by 
peculiar characteristics stamped upon them by the Author of all Being.” 
The Plumage League. — I had a letter on Saturday from Miss H. Poland, 
of Warwick Road, Maida Hill, London, in which she informed me that the 
Duchess of Portland had accepted the office of a President of the Society she com- 
menced for saving the lives of all ornamental birds, both British and foreign. 
I am sure that your bird-loving readers will be glad to hear of this, as it will 
be a “feather in the cap” of her association, and an encouragement to her in her 
good work. 
I trust it will go on and prosper, and I hope many of your readers will put 
themselves in communication with her, and lend all the help they can in any and 
every way to further the cause ; a “ good cause ” indeed. 
Nunburnholme Rectory. F. O. MORRIS. 
A Flycatcher fostering a Cuckoo. — A few yards in front of my house, 
in a small park surrounded by a public road and other houses, several pairs of 
spotted flycatchers breed. One of these birds has been very busy during the past 
few days catching flies and insects for a fine young (female) cuckoo, whose size 
and ability to “ paddle its own canoe ” fail to make it ashamed to follow its little 
foster mother and ask to be fed. I have a list of eighteen British birds which are 
credited with rearing the cuckoo, but the spotted flycatcher (Aluscicapa Grisola\ 
is not one of them, and I therefore mention the bird in this relation. 
Shiite House, IVeston-super-Mare, August 1st, 1S91. 
T. P. 
