1/6 
NATURE NOTES. 
so far as we are aware, it is not the giant bell-flower, but the Canterbury-bell, 
which sometimes boasts a second corolla. We should like to know more of the 
folklore which “ tells us not to pick the scarlet pimpernel,” as we were not aware 
the thing was reckoned among the plants under tabu. 
“ Life,” some cynic observed, “ would be tolerable were it not for its pleasures,” 
and some books would be pleasant were it not for their illustrations. One of 
these is Mr. J. W. Tutt’s Woodside, Burnside, Hillside, and Marsh (2S. 6d.), 
which Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein & Co. have just published. The possession 
of a collection of blocks of very various styles, and of a by no means equal 
standard of excellence, is a temptation to them to overload their pages with 
a selection which is neither useful nor ornamental ; blocks thus repeated be- 
come an absolute weariness to the eye, and prejudice the reader against the 
volume which contains them. Some in Mr. Tutt’s book are hideous, many are 
unsuitable, most are unnecessary — and two at least — the “bluebell,” on p. 34, 
which is the garden hyacinth, and the “yellow flag,” on p. 197, which is Iris 
germanica — are inaccurate. The literary part of the book is pleasant enough, and 
the volume forms an excellent companion to the earlier work by the same author, 
noticed on p. 112. The observations recorded make a wider range, and there is 
a full index — a most desirable addition to books of this kind. 
Messrs. Macmillan sends us a beautiful little book. The Friendship of Hature, 
a New England chronicle of birds and flowers, by Mabel Osgood Wright. It is 
a record of observations in 1893, when, there as over here, “ April overslept and 
March jostled May ; ” and conveys in words a charming series of nature-pictures 
drawn from New England life. The writings of Miss Wilkins and others have 
familiarised us with the names of many of the characteristic birds and flowers of 
that region, and this little volume tells us more about them and their surround- 
ings. Although hardly to be placed on a level with Mr. John Burroughs’s books 
(which, moreover, are cheaper— is not 3s. rather a high price for the work 
under notice ?) noticed in N.vruRE Notes for 1891, p. 190. It is a dainty little 
collection of essays, and the Selbornian will gladly add it to his library. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Questions for Village Children. —Mrs. Turle sends the following 
questions which she has given this year to the children of her village in connec- 
tion with the scheme described on p. 158 : — 
1. The structure of animals is always the most suitable for their habits and 
mode of getting their food. Mention the different parts of a cat which show this? 
2. We speak of animals, birds and insects being Nature’s servants. Tell me 
how a mole, a worm and a thrush all do good work for man ? 
3. What kind of birds do we call owls and hawks? Tell me something about 
the habits of both, and their great use to man. 
4. Can you mention anything about the vulture ? Is it of any use ? How does 
it find its food ? 
5. What do you know about slow-worms, or blind-worms as they are some- 
times called ? Are they poisonous, and what peculiar thing sometimes happens if 
you touch one ? 
6. Tell me something about an earwig ? What is the use of the pincers at the 
end of its body? 
7. What do you know about a gnat ? Is it of any use ? Where is the first 
part of its life spent ? Do all gnats bite? 
Al least fottroi these questions must be answered by those wishing to compete. 
Scholars and Flowers. — Seeing in Nature Notes for December, 1893, 
that the Bishop of Salisbury was giving prizes to Sunday-school children for wild 
flowers, I thought I would try to do the same in a small way in our parish. Last 
year, about ten children (girls) persevered and gained prizes, the highest number 
