158 
NATURE NOTES 
The garden was originally planted by the notable botanist, William Borrer, 
grandfother of the present owner, and contained at his death, on the computation 
of his gardener, examples of 6,600 species of plants. The collection has not been 
maintained in its entirety, or anything approaching to it, but there still remains 
an abundance of interesting and beautiful trees and plants. 
In the course of the afternoon a meeting was held under a lime tree on the 
lawn. Mr. J. L. Otter presided, and in his introductory remarks referred to the 
ardour of Mr. Borrer in his favourite pursuit ; how he would, when travelling, often 
make diversions of forty or fifty miles in a post-chaise to the reported habitat of 
a variety ; or, in later days, observing from the window of a railway carriage 
some plant of interest would, regardless of the object of his journey, take a train 
back from the next stopping station to find and examine it. In three successive 
years he journeyed from Henfield to Westmorland, to enquire into the accuracy 
(which he doubted) of a local guide who professed to be able to lead tourists to 
a habitat of Cypripedium Calceolus. In the end Mr. Borrer demonstrated the 
guide’s error, or fraud. Mr. Borrer’s powers of discrimination were of a rare 
nicety, as his labours amongst the highly variable genera Sa/ix, Kuhns, and Rosa 
prove. To many forms within these genera he gave a specific rank which has not 
been maintained. He had, indeed, a tendency to multiply species far beyond 
what would now be thought warrantable. But he lived in a pre-Darwinian age, 
when specific distinction, as indicating a particular, isolated act of creation, gave 
specific determination a peculiar value and importance ; and its pursuit, con- 
sequently, an attraction which it no longer possesses. The value of his observa- 
tions is not diminished. 
Miss M. Robinson, of Saddlescombe, then gave a pleasing account of certain 
plants of the neighbouring Chalk formation which had come under her notice 
this season. She brought a number of specimens (plucked, we may be sure, with 
a due regard to Selbornian principles), and they included examples of Senecio 
campeslris. Salvia p> alensis, Linaria repens, and Alropa belladonna. 
Dr. Treutler expressed the thanks of those present for the hospitality of Mrs. 
Blackburne and Mr. Hall. It was one of the objects of the Society “to afford 
facilities for combined effort,” and this had been pursued by them in a wholly 
delightful manner. 
Ealing (Brent Valley). — On Saturday, July 8, a general meeting of the 
Branch was held under particularly pleasant conditions. An opportunity was 
taken of visiting the Bird Sanctuary, which has been maintained by the Branch 
for the last three years. Tea was taken in the woods, and was a most successful 
function. Afterwards a business meeting was held, at which Mrs. Wilfred Mark 
Webb was unanimously elected Hon. Secretary and Treasurer for the en.suing 
year. The Committee was also re-elected with certain alterations and additions, 
and a financial statement made. After a ramble through the wood business was 
resumed. Mr. K. H. Read gave an account of the way in which the wood had 
been improved since the Society first took an interest in it, and dwelt at some 
length on the birds found in and around it. Mr. F. McNeil Rushforih, Hon. 
Secretary of the Ealing Scientific and Microscopical Society, was elected a 
member, and the meeting terminated with votes of thanks, including a special 
one to Mr. II. W. Ravenshaw, proposed by Mrs. Percy Myles, for his services 
as Hon. Secretary to the Branch, which have extended over many years. 
North Middlesex (Junior). — On Saturday, June 10, the Branch and 
adherents had a very pleasant ramble at Cheshunt, Mr. W. J. Wade (.\ssociate) 
acting as guide. Many objects of natural history were noted, especially the 
fauna of the old River Lea and its banks. After tea, catered for by Mrs. Wade, 
the party visited the “Great House,” formerly occupied by Cardinal Wolsey. 
They examined the old paintings which the hall contains, also Oucen Elizabeth’s 
harpsichord, Charles I.'s rocking horse, the Cardinal’s chair, the ancient wooden 
organ, &c. The old dungeons and underground chapel were also visited. 
The children’s section still progresses in a marked manner, and numbers now 
upwards of forty members. Mi.ss E. M. Grint (Associate), the Secretary of the 
section, has charge of its organisation, and the success which has attended the 
venture is piinciitally due to her efforts. 
