SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
217 
181. Catalpa. — There is in the garden of (iray’s Inn a fine specimen of the 
North American Catalpa bignonioidts. In Timbs’ “Curiosities of London” this 
tree is stated to have been “ raised from one planted by Lord Bacon.” Francis 
Bacon certainly directed the laying out of the garden in 159 ^^ — 1600, planting 
elms and quicLset hedges, and nowadays one hesitates before saying that there 
is anything he did not do, from writing Shakspere’s plays downwards ; but it is not 
probable that he planted a Catalpa. This tree was found by Mark Calesby on the 
banks of the Ohio and Mississippi, and brought to Carolina about 1725. fif'd to 
England in 1726. Its name is probably a corruption of Catawba, that of an 
Indian tribe, whilst its local French name is “ Bois Shavanon ” from the Shavanon 
(now the Cumberland) River. It is a quick-growing tree, reaching 20 feet in 
ten years growth in the London district, and Loudon in 1838 records specimens 
40 feet high at forty years of age at Kenwood, and 50 feet and upwards at 
.Syon House and Eastwell Park. G. S. Boui.c.ek. 
NATURAL HISTORY QUERIES. 
32. Name of Bird. — A finch the size of a goldfinch, with head, neck, 
breast, glossy black ; a little bl.ack on belly and between the legs, rest of body 
and tail bright chestnut. Long claw on hind toe. Legs black. This was shot 
out of a flock of sparrows in January, four years ago, in the depths of the country 
away from human dwellings, a curious time and place for a bird escaped from a 
cage, as may be the case. Will some one kindly say what this bird is and what 
country it is a native of, and whether it is possible it may have found its own way 
here from its usual home ? 
August, 1904. Ei)>ti;Ni) Titos. Dauueny. 
33. Sundew. — In all specimens (and they are not a few) of the round- 
leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolid) I have ever seen I have never seen the 
flower fully open. I do not say they are not found open, but it would be 
interesting to know at what time it is most likely to find open flowers of that 
plant. J. E. Whiting. 
[I do not remember any other case of an entirely cleistogamous plant. As a 
rule, cleistogene flowers are produced later in the year than chasmogamous ones. 
The only occasion on which I have found what I believe to have been open 
flowers on Drosera was early in August, 1885, on Dartmoor, during a bright 
interval on a showery morning. — Ed. A^.A''.] 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Council Meetings.— The next meeting of the Council will be held on 
Tuesday', October 25, at 5.30 p.m. The Publications Committee will meet on 
Monday, October 10, at 5.30 p.m. 
New Member. — Cuthbert T. Raikes, Esq., Victoria Street, S.W. 
The Council begs to acknowledge with thanks the following subscription 
over 5s. ; Col. Sami. B. Bevington, J.P., V.D., 21s. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES AND AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. 
Hampstead (Northern Heights). — Lantern lectures are announced for 
the coming winter session by Professor Boulger on Forest Trees (October 20), 
Mr. E. W. Maunder on Sun and Sunspots, Mr. Oliver G. Pike on Birds, Mr. 
R. Garraway Rice on some antiquarian and Mr. W. Whitaker on some geo- 
logical subject, and Mrs. L. Douglas Wilson on Pomptii. There will, in 
addition, be visits to City Halls and other buildings of antiquarian interest. 
North Middlesex Junior — On Friday, August 19 , Master Garnett 
Thompson gave a paper on “ British White Butterflies.” Mr. C. M. Hall, who 
was in the chair, said it gave him more than usual pleasure in presiding, as it 
was the first occasion since its opening on which an Associate of this Branch had 
the honour of reading a paper. 
For the purpose of illustrating his paper. Master Thompson h.ad a small case 
containing specimens of the butterflies dealt with, viz., Large Garden White, 
