NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
21 / 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
A Corner of Cheshire. — I have been staying for a lime at Leasowe 
Castle Hydro., a most charming spot situated between the mouths of the Dee and 
the Mersey. The castle was until lately the property of Sir Charles Cust, Hart., 
but is now owned by a .Syndicate, and used as a delightful health resort. Lady 
Cust, the wife of Sir Edward Cust, who first bought Leasowe Castle, brought 
to its old-world gardens many rare plants. I enclose some specimens which I 
gathered on a waste piece of ground adjoining the estate. 
The S/>ilanthes oleracea, which grows freely in the small wet patches, came 
from Sweden. It is supposed to have been thrown out of the garden and to 
have found a congenial home in the ditches near. I believe this is the only- 
spot where it grows in England. A rare species of orchis. Orchis incar- 
nala is. Dr. Craigmile informs me» to be found here in the spring : there are 
sea-convolvuli and many vetches, houndstongue, sea-holly, grass of Parnassus 
and centaury. The flora and fauna of the sandhills are very interesting ; of the 
birds, longshore and inland, I am writing elsewhere. The old gardens of Leasowe 
Castle are a veritable birds’ paradise. The moths again are most interesting: the 
Belted Beauty (Nyssia zonaria), with its wingless mate, is here in March and April. 
I would urge nature-lovers to try and visit Leasowe. 
J. A. Owen Visger. 
[The plant sent as Spilanthes olcracia, is Cotula coronopifolia, L., possibly 
North American, but occurring in Central Europe, though not in Sweden. It is 
recorded from this locality in the late Lord de Tabley’s “ Flora of Cheshire ” 
(p. 176). Spilanthes oleracea, sometimes known as Para Cress, is a cultivated 
species in the tropics, of uncertain origin. Mrs. Visger also enclosed Gentiana 
campestris, L. Lord de Tabley’s book contains a most interesting “ Physico- 
Ixjtanical Account of AVirral,” the peninsula on which Leasowe is situated. — 
Eu. N.N.~\ 
The Great Bat. — These bats are numerous here. I often watch them in 
their search for prey, and one can hear a cockchafer or other large beetle go 
click against their jaws when they catch them. The position of the insect in 
their mouths is changed by their wings as they fly, if it be not held conveniently. 
They are often to be seen soaring at such a height in the middle of a dull 
autumn afternoon as to be almost out of sight. On one occasion I was at a 
cricket match when a squeaking took place in a hollow tree close by, and out 
flew one of these bats. This was noticed by some ladies and others who were 
watching the match. As the noise continued it was voted that there was a bats’ 
nest inside, and a gentlemen proceeded to get up the tree in the hope of a find. 
On this I ventured to suggest that bats do not make nests, and was cross- 
questioned as to how they managed. It was thought very odd they should carry 
their young clinging to their bodies instead of leaving them in a nest like birds ; 
and as the squeaking continued my explanation did not satisfy. Again I had to 
explain by saying, “ Wait, and you are sure to see more.” And so they did, for 
presently out the bats poured one after the other, a score at least, and then the 
squeaking stopped. At last it was agreed there might be something in what 
I dared to say. 
I once caught one of these big bats and brought it home for examination, 
and beautiful creatures they are. On opening the handkerchief in which it had 
been placed hundreds of very small and lively parasites ran over my hands and 
up my sleeves. This finished my curiosity. The bat was liberated at once, 
hly handkerchief was put in hot water and my poor body too. Moral. Look 
out for bats : they will resent handling in mote ways than one ! 
Market IVesion, Thetford, September, 1899. Edmund Thos. Daubenv. 
Bramble Finch. — A note of mine on the above subject having been 
challenged by Mr. Graham Renshaw, I made further inquiries and regret to find 
that my statement lacks the necessary proof. My informant knew the bramble 
finch by sight, “ and will always think the birds she saw building in the church- 
