NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
119 
Whitethorn. — The Rev. F. M. Millard, of Otham, Maidstone, sends, 
under date of April 13, samples of two varieties of the whitethorn or hawthorn 
(Cratagus Oxyacantha), the difference between which is, as he says, very well 
marked, no intermediate forms having been seen. The one, which was already 
showing buds on April 13, has more distinctly stalked, more rounded, less in- 
dented or serrated, and more glossy, leaves. This would appear to be var. 
oxyacanthoidcs (Thuill), which is further characterised by its shining leaves being 
almost of the same colour on both sides and having their irregularly-toothed lobes 
directed forwards ; by its peduncle, or flower-stalk, and calyx being usually 
smooth, and the teeth of the latter “ triangular-acuminate ” ; by its oval fruit 
and two or three styles, which, being persistent, are readily seen projecting from 
the depression surrounded by the withered calyx at the summit of the ripe fruit or 
“haw.” The other, with nearly stalkless, less glossy, much cut and toothed 
leaves, with more spreading, acute lobes, toothed at their ends but not at their 
sides, pale green underneath and with prominent lateral veins, is probably the 
more common var. monogyna (Jacq.), which is further characterised by the 
flower-stalk and calyx being usually downy, the calyx-teeth “ lanceolate- 
acuminate,” both flowers and fruit smaller, the latter sub-globose, and the 
style single. It is generally the later of the two forms, being said in Switzerland 
to blossom fifteen days after C. oxyacanthoides. In his valuable Flora of Berk- 
shire , recently published, Mr. Druce says that neither the hairiness of the calyx 
or the mere degree to which the leaves are cut affords constant criteria for 
separating these two forms ; but there are amply sufficient characters besides 
these, as we have just seen. Two other varieties are enumerated as British in 
the latest edition of the London Catalogue , viz., C. laciniata Wallr. and C. 
kyrtostyla (Fingerhuth). The former of these seems, says Mr. Druce, to be made 
up of cut-leaved forms of C. oxyacanthoides and C. monogyna , especially C. 
monogyna. C. kyrtostyla has its leaves smooth on both surfaces or hairy on the 
veins on the under surface, and, perhaps, generally deeply three-lobed — its flower- 
stalk and calyx hairy and its fruit large and oblong, with one short reflexed style. 
It has not as yet been recorded from many localities, but is a form for which our 
members may well be on the look out. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Bath. — The summer programme of this active Branch contains eight 
rambles and excursions. On April 2 a visit was paid to Warleigh Woods, near 
Bathampton. On May 2 tea was kindly provided at Claverton Lodge by Mrs. 
Ashworth Hallett. The programme includes a whole day visit to Stonehenge on 
July 23. 
Hatfield. Hyde (Junior) Branch. — During the winter various short 
lectures have been given, and with the advent of Spring Saturday walks have 
been begun again. A commendable care of birds’ nests and a real interest in 
watching the progress of egg-laying, hatching, &c., is noticeable in the elder 
children, since this time last year. A due regard for even the commonest wild 
flowers is also being taught. Some sad and noticeable facts about last spring 
were the smallness of the numbers of all the swallow tribe and the almost total 
absence of corncrakes. The same is the case again this year. At one time 
kestrels used to be seen frequently and sparrow-hawks occasionally. Now the 
former are seldom, the latter never seen, probably from the usual cause. Doubt- 
less individuals among birds of prey are harmful, whilst others of the same kind 
are harmless, as well as beneficial. Could not keepers be induced to distinguish 
between them ? Great ignorance prevails as to the usefulness of our smaller birds 
which so far outweighs any harm that they do ; and there seems to be a forget- 
fulness of, not to say ingratitude for, the beauty of their song, the brightness of 
their notes, and the cheeriness of their presence. There is now annually a 
plague of flies in one or two houses owing partly to the muck which is brought 
down from London. For killing our native small birds which would keep under 
these pests, the people of the district are themselves to blame ; but at whose 
door are we to lay the fault of decimating the swallows and martins ? Is it the 
Frenchmen? Or is it due to inclement weather at the time of migration which 
prevents a far northward progress ? Perhaps it is owing to both. Much time 
