40 
NATURE NOTES 
January 17. — The meeting place was once more the Natural History 
Museum at South Kensington, to hear Mr. W. P. Pycraft in his “ Talk about 
Birds.” During the ninety minutes which Mr. Pycraft was good enough to 
give us he contrived to combine the maximum of interest with the maxi- 
mum of instruction. Leading the Selbornians from species to species he dilated 
with agreeable clearness upon each in turn ; drew attention to habits and en- 
vironment, the latter in many instances reproduced with complete fidelity ; 
noted differences in colouration ; how some birds had left to them mere fragments 
of wings owing to want of use ; showed wherein birds diverged and wherein they 
agreed ; how much more effective was their presentation in modern fashion 
amid natural surroundings than in the old stiff way, and furnished many other 
details with regard to ornithology, to which his audience listened with unflagging 
interest to the end. So far as the amenities of a public gallery would allow, 
hearty thanks were voted to Mr. Pycraft for his unstinted services. 
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS. 
Saturday, February 14.— Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, 
S.W. (Botanical Department). Meet Mrs. Percy Myles in the Central 
Hall, 2 to 2.15. Dr. Rendle has kindly consented to arrange for a Demons'ration 
in the Botanical Gallery. 
Saturday, February 28.— To visit Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 , 
Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Assemble at the Museum from 2 to 2.15. The 
Curator, G. H. Birch, Esq., F.S.A., has kindly undertaken to conduct the 
Selbornians over the Museum himself. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
E. S. Russell. — The fruit of Trapa bicornis, the “ Ling” of the Chinese, 
the seeds of which form a considerable article of food. It is a floating aquatic 
plant, belonging to the Onagracece, and to the same genus belong the Jesuit’s nuts 
of Venice, Water-caltrops or Chataigne d’eau, and the Singhara of Kashmir. The 
horns of the fruits serve to anchor them during germination. 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
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10th of the preceding month. 
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be addressed to the Secretary, Mr. R. Marshman Wattson, 20, Hanover 
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