LETTER TO THE EDITOR 
47 
natural history. Both agree in often being the means of much 
pleasant work in the open air, but while natural history is gener- 
ally a scientific hobby and deals only with living things, Nature- 
Study is used in an educational sense, and means the observation 
of all our natural surroundings. In fact, it is by the gratification 
of natural curiosity that the mind is trained, while knowledge 
acquired for its own sake is infinitely more valuable than a mass 
of second-hand information such as is usually poured into 
scholars’ unwilling ears. Science teaching will no doubt be 
given in the near future to all children, but it should come at a 
later stage; and though most excellent instruction of the kind 
is now afforded, it is not Nature-Study. In Nature-Study things 
are considered in their right seasons, but otherwise informally. 
If observations are to be made records must be kept, and these 
are what can be exhibited — illustrated note-books, diaries, calen- 
dars, photographs, and collections, but by the latter is not meant 
accumulations of curiosities, but special sets of properly labelled 
specimens, each illustrating some special point.” 
Honour for a Selbornian. — We note with pleasure the 
election of Mr. W. H. Maw to the high office of President of the 
Royal Astronomical Society for the ensuing year. Mr. Maw, we 
are glad to say, has been for some years a supporter of the 
Selborne Society, and those members who enjoyed his hospitality 
at his country house at Nutfield last July will not easily forget 
the occasion. 
LETTER TO THE EDITOR. 
Legendary Explanations of Natural Markings. 
H IR, — I did not have the pleasure of hearing Mr. Nash’s 
paper on this subject, briefly reported in your February 
issue ; but I wish to remark on two points in that 
~ report. First, Robert Turner can hardly be termed 
“ a mediaeval herbalist,” seeing that his Botanologia was first 
published in 1664. In the Biographical Index of British and Irish 
Botanists his “ floruit ” is given as 1654-87. Secondly, I would point 
out that the late Dr. Prior explains the name “ Blessed Thistle” 
as referring to Cardiius benedictus, because it was considered an 
antidote to poison. It is another species, Silybim marianiim, the 
Milk Thistle, to which legends attach on account of markings. 
Yours faithfully. 
Botanist. 
