NATURE NOTES 
138 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
[Note. — All Announcements with regard to Future Meetings of 
the Central Society or Branches will be found together at the 
END OF THESE NOTICES.] 
New Members. — Central Society. — The following members were elected at 
the last Council Meeting: E. J. Bedford, Esq. ; Miss Burdon ; F. A. Canton, 
Esq. ; Caermarthenshire Antiquarian Society ; Miss A. C. Esch ; Miss A. M. 
Ferrier ; Percy E. Frost, Esq.; E. C. Goulton, Esq. ; John Griffiths, Esq.; 
Charles Guttman, Esq. ; Miss Dempster Jones ; G. A. Laking, Esq. ; Frederick 
Metz, Esq. ; D. M. Richards, Esq. ; Miss L. Russell ; A. W. Simpson, Esq. ; 
Miss Florence Saunders ; O. C. Silverlock, Esq. ; Arthur B. I\. Wallis, Esq. ; 
W. Seawell Ward, Esq. 
Ealing Branch. — Miss Ella Astbury. 
Hampstead Branch — Miss B. Dismorr ; H. P. Godsel, Esq. ; L. A. Lawrence, 
Esq. ; Miss E. M. Okey. 
Subscriptions. — The Council has much pleasure in acknowledging sub- 
scriptions of greater value than 5s. from the following members: G. A. Musgrave, 
Esq., £\ is. ; Mrs. Musgrave, £\ is. ; Mdlle de la Rive, 6s. 6d. 
Library. —The Honorary Librarian will attend at 20, Hanover Square, 
from 6 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., on the evenings of July 16th and August 20th, for the 
purpose of issuing books to members. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Abinger and Shere. — On Saturday afternoon, May 19, a ramble was 
arranged for the members of the Abinger, Shere and Peaslake branches of the 
Band of Mercy. We were placed under Professor Boulger’s guidance and were 
accompanied by a few adult Selborinans, some of whom had arrived by train to 
join in the walk. Past Crossways Farm of Meredithian fame, to Abinger Mill 
with its old-world porch of stately yews, we plunged under the green beeches of 
Tow'nhurst woods, and so up Hollow Lane to Abinger Common and its alluring 
pump. A party of some fifty, we were a straggling affair, but yet, by dint of 
besieging our preceptor with questions, succeeded in gleaning a good many facts 
botanical on the way. At Abinger Common we were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. 
Redgrave, the former of whom had accompanied us on our ramble. Mr. Redgrave 
had arranged for our inspection a small but very valuable series of old herbals and 
other Natural History books. We did full justice to the tea which they very 
kindly provided for the whole party, and then had the pleasure of listening to an 
address by Professor Boulger. He sketched the life of John Evelyn, who began 
his education in the porch ofWotton Church, continued it at Padua, where he 
formed a collection of Italian plants, and on his return to England wrote a 
number of scientific books, and among them “ Sylva,” a work on the cultivation 
of trees. The lecturer informed us that the Beeches, so common in these parts, 
were in truth to a large extent an importation due to Evelyn’s initiative ; and 
pointed to and explained an interesting fact, viz., that the clipped Beech, such as 
is seen in hedgerows, retains its leaves throughout the winter, while the unlopped 
tree is forced to shed them. At the close of the address a hearty vote of thanks 
was given to the lecturer and also to Mr. and Mrs. Redgrave; and then, well 
content with our afternoon, we parted and wended our several ways homewards. 
Among the more interesting plants observed, mostly escapes from cultivation, 
were Chrysospleninm oppositifolium, Arenaria balearica, Saponaria officinalis , 
Geranium phceitm, Impatiens fulva and Sedum reflex uni. 
North Middlesex (Junior). — This branch has commenced in earnest with 
its summer rambles. A number of the members have taken up the study of 
Aquaria, and the outings have principally taken the form of pond dipping, three 
such rambles having taken place under the respective guidance of Miss E. M. 
Grint, Miss Grace M. Grint, M.C. S., and Miss Ethel Rogers. Mr. C. M. Hall, 
M.M.S., has been helpful in naming and identifying the various molluscs and 
other aquatic objects found. It is intended to continue these rambles during the 
summer months, junior members acting as guides. 
It is with much regret that the resignation of the Secretary, Miss Ethel M. 
Grint, on account of extra scholastic duties taking up the whole of her time, has 
been received. Mr. Hall has appointed her sister, Miss Grace M. Grint, as her 
successor, and Miss Lucy Seaman as Librarian and Registrar. 
