98 
NATURE NOTES 
to the Company and to Messrs. Mathews and Gibbs, upon the motion of Messrs. 
Thomas Greenhill and G. II. Cottam. 
April 8. — In weather which has l>een quite exceptional for warmth and 
brightness of late, a large party mustered at Kew for the last meeting of the series. 
To illustrate the dependence of plant-life upon moisture and protection from frost, 
as well as upon the temperature, Professor Boulger conducted the Members in 
succession through the Tropical Aroid House, the Succulent House, the Alpine 
House, the Rock Garden and the T- Range, in which attention was mainly 
directed to the orchids, pitcher-plants and insectivorous plants. Some of the 
achievements of the artificial selection of the plant-breeder in Primulas, Cycla- 
mens and Cinerarias were also pointed out in the Conservatory. A misunder- 
standing as to tea and the T- Range then temporarily divided the party, some of 
whom lollowed their leader to Miss North’s Picture-Gallery and examined that 
remarkable .series of representations of tropical .vegetation ; and, after tea, a visit 
was paid to the Temperate House, which is largely devoted to the plants of 
Australia. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Birmingham and Midland.— On Thursday, March 30, Mr. Reginald 
Hudson kindly repeated his interesting lecture (recently delivered in Edgbaston), 
entitled “ Some Warwickshire Birds," to a large audience at Blackwell, near 
Bromsgrove. The use of “ The Shelter” was granted by the kind permission 
of Mr. and Mrs. Barrow Cadbury. Mr. Thos. Barclay, at whose request the 
lecture was delivered, presided, and also arranged for the lantern and a very 
efficient lanternist, to exhibit the beautiful series of slides, by which the lecture 
was illustrated. Four of the village lads acted as stewards, and the hearty 
applause at the close of the lecture showed how much it had been appreciated. 
Mr. Richard Kearton, F.Z.S., gave a very interesting lecture on “ Nature 
at Work and at Play ”on Thursday, April 6, in the Midland Institute. Upwards 
of seven hundred children from some of the primary schools were present, fifty 
from the Crippled Children’s Union, and others from various institutions in the 
City. These, with members of the Branch, entirely filled the large Lecture 
Theatre. Mr. Raybould kindly played a selection of suitable music on the organ 
as the children were shown into their seats by a band of voluntary stewards. The 
lecture was illustrated by a beautiful set of lantern slides: Mr. J. Humphreys 
presided, and the lecturer was warmly applauded at the close. 
Hampstead. March 22. — The last lecture of the session was given on 
this date by Mr. Macdonald Brown, M.D., F.R.C.S., F.R.S.E., who took for 
his subject, “Our Unseen Foes and How to Fight Them.” The lecturer gave 
graphic descriptions of the various forms of bacteria surrounding us, some hostile 
and some friendly, but all virile and existent practically everywhere. 
Dr. Brown dwelt on the enormous importance of good hygiene, pure air and 
water, in the fight between health on the one hand and bacteria on the other. 
In conclusion he alluded to the wonderful little bodies in the blood called 
phagocytes, and showed the importance of their life-work in constantly combat- 
ing and overcoming the fierce attacks upon the body by hostile bacteria. Not 
the least attractive part of the lecture was Dr. Brown’s dexterous way of giving 
form to his remarks by numerous blackboard illustrations. On the motion of 
Mr. F. C. Channing, seconded by Mr. 11 . Wilkins, cordial thanks were voted to 
Dr. Brown for his very able address. 
The Committee of the (Hampstead) Branch has pleasure in acknowledging 
subscriptions of greater value than 5s. from the following; C. D. Davis, Esq., 
los. 6d. ; Mrs. C. D. Davis, los. fid. 
Seaford (Junior). — A meeting was held on April 1, when a full muster of 
Associates listened to an address by Mr. Hubert Poole, on “ Primroses and 
Cowslips,” and “ Migration of Swallows.” 
FORTHCOMINa EVENTS. 
Central Society. 
Business Meetingts. — The next meeting of the Council will be held on 
Tuesday, May 23, at 5.30 |).m., and the Publications Committee will meet on 
Monday, May 8, at 5.30 p.in. 
