196 
NA JURE NOTES 
a pleasant field path, passing by the remains of an old moat, they proceeded to 
Gilbertstone, the residence of George Hookham, Esq.^ J.P., by whose kind per- 
mission the grounds were thrown open to the visitors. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob 
Rowlands kindly provided tea at their residence, Hollyhurst, and the party 
returned home by train to Birmingham. 
(In the report of the excursion of May 28, p. 157, “ Mrs. Waterhouse 
Gibbins ” and “ Mrs. J. Udale,” should have been “Mr. Waterhouse Gibbins” 
and “Mr. J. Udale.”] 
Brighton. — On the invitation of Mr. Eardley Hall and Mrs. Blackburne, 
the members of this Branch visited Barrow Hill, Henfield, on July 23. 
Barrow-hill was the residence of their hosts’ grandfather, William Borrer, the 
celebrated botanist, and though after his death some of his rarer plants were 
presented to Kew Gardens, the garden contains numerous herbaceous plants, 
shrubs, and trees of his collection. Until two or three years ago, when it 
perished from some unknown cause, a specimen of the Upas tree (Anliaris 
toxicarid) was an object of great interest there. This Mr. Borrer heroically 
reared at a time when appalling stories of its deadly influence still found 
credence. 
“ Fierce in dread silence on the blasted heath 
Fell Upas sits, the Hydra-tree of Death,” 
sings Erasmus Darwin, deceived by the Dutchman Foersch, a most cir- 
cumstantial liar. 
During the afternoon the party gathered together on the lawn to hear some 
remarks by Miss Robinson of Saddlescombe, on certain wild plants of the 
neighbourhood. Amongst others she brought specimens of the flowers of 
Ce?itaurea Calcitrapa, Linaria repens, Phyteuma orbiculare, and Marrubium 
vulgare. The Linaria is extremely rare, and its appearance in this instance 
may be due to foreign seed. The beautiful Phyteuma, being abundant within 
its narrow range, may be called the distinctive flower of the Southdowns. 
Miss Robinson stated that there is a notable increase this year in the number of 
frog-orchises {Habenaria viridis). This she attributes to recent wet seasons, 
which have stimulated the germination of seeds previously dormant. She had 
to lament the complete extinction of the primrose in the immediate environment 
of Saddlescombe, which lies in a hollow of the downs. There it naturally 
grows but sparingly, and is particularly exposed to the raids of Brighton plant 
sellers. In the Weald of Sussex, where it naturally grows profusely, it may be 
doubted if there is any sensible diminution due to spoliation. 
Flowers did not alone engage the interest of the visitors. Mrs. Blackburne, 
well knowing that to science fruits are as important as flowers, had provided 
abundant specimens of the fruits of horticultural varieties of Vi/is vinifera, 
Rubus Idaus (“mounted” in cream), Ribes Grossularia and of other species, 
and a party of decidedly botanical tastes much appreciated the thoughtful 
attention. 
North Middlesex Junior. —On July 15 this Branch was formally opened 
by Mr. C. M. Hall, member of the Society, to whom the Council’s warrant had 
been issued for its formation. The initiation took place at Brunswick Hall. 
Mr. C. M. Hall briefly reviewed the objects of the Selborne Society, particu- 
larly that of promoting the study of natural history, and stated that primarily with 
this object the North Middlesex Junior Branch had been formed, so that the young 
naturalists of the district could meet together and assist each other with their 
studies. He dwelt at some length on the protective objects of the Society, and 
urged upon all the coming members to make kindness to animals one of the main 
features of their investigations. Whilst he agreed that collections of animals, &c., 
were absolutely necessary for the proper study of some branches of natural history, 
yet he urged that those species should be chosen which could be kept without 
cruelty when in confinement. He mentioned the keeping of Vivaria and Aquaria, 
and the study of the life history of Mollusca, and the metamorphosis of insects, as 
amongst such harmless studies. He condemned the keeping of captured wild 
singing birds, whose proper place was in the free air, which was the only place 
where their habits could be studied. He read the warrant forming the Branch, 
