NATURE NOTES 
47 . Scarcity of Butterflies. — The present queer season has been a bad 
one for butterflies. I have only seen a single specimen each of the Brimstone 
and the Orange Tip. Even that ubiquitous species the Small Tortoiseshell has 
been very scarce. At most I have seen but three or four specimens, and its 
gregarious, nettle-loving larva not at all. The big Fritillaries, which in a normal 
season are the glory of a neighbouring wood, were rarely visible. 
Fyfield, near Abingdon. W. H. Warner. 
48 . White Cockroach. — The insect mentioned on p. 195 was no doubt 
a specimen which had lately’ shed its skin. W. F. Kirby. 
49 . A Thread-Spinning Slug. — That slugs spin threads has long been 
known to me. On August 20 last, however, I could not help admiring the 
ingenuity of a small slug, whichs finding itself in a vegetable basket, hanging about 
six feet from the ground, proceeded to effect its escape by lowering itself spider- 
fashion. When first discovered it was dangling at the end of a thread, about a 
yard from the basket. It slowly but eventually reached the ground, and thinking 
the little creature deserved it, I returned it to the garden. It was the species 
known as the Field Slug, a shocking depredator, by the way, among field and 
garden crops. 
Fyfield , near Abingdon. W. H. Warner. 
50. The Sap of Trees. — I am much obliged to you for your comments 
on this interesting and difficult subject. I have heard of a rather curious illustra- 
tion of the kindred subject of capillary attraction, though I cannot speak from 
personal knowledge on the point. I am told that if the freshly-cut stalk of a 
snowdrop be plunged in ink, the ink will rise up the stalk and blacken the petals ; 
also that by a similar process the perianth of a daffodil has been turned red. 
F. M, Millard. 
[Daffodils so dyed have, alas, been sold on a considerable scale in London 
duiingthe last two seasons under such names as “ Farnborough Beauty,” “Enfield 
Wonder,” &c. — E d. N. W.] 
51. The Great Bindweed.- I suppose we all admire this beautiful white 
flower in the hedges, however little we may like to see it in our gardens. When 
it twines round a stiff stem, as of whitethorn, or even a stout stem of grass, it is 
worth bringing indoors by cutting the supporting stem. If it has young buds on 
it, by putting it in water one may have a succession of blooms for some days. 
The stiff support holds it up and greatly contributes to the effect. 
Olham, Maidstone. F. M. Millard. 
52 . Beech Disease. — In the September number of Nature Notes the 
Rev. E. T. Daubeny asks if there can be any other reason than drought for the 
death of the beech trees about Thetford. Can it be that these trees are infested 
with Cryptococcus fagi, an insect which has the appearance of the well-known 
“ American Blight ” or “ Woolly Aphis,” only too common on apple trees ? 
I recently read in the Journal oj the Royal Horticultural Society that owing to 
the ravages of this pest, fears were entertained that “the beech is doomed all 
over the country, and that the next generation will only know by pictures and 
reports how gloriously beautiful our forest beeches have been.” This, indeed, 
would be a most sad ending to the trees that Gilbert White describes as “ the 
most lovely of all forest trees 1 ” 
The insect attaches itself on the bark and increases so rapidly that large spread- 
ing patches are soon observable, giving the trunk the appearance of having been 
whitewashed. The injury thus done causes the bark to eventually peel off. It 
would be interesting to hear if the trees Mr. Daubeny refers to are so affected, 
and whether this is a solution of his question. 
Mr. R. Newstead, F.E.S., Curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, says 
it is very abundant in Cheshire, and I have observed it as very prevalent in various 
parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire, and am afraid it is widely spread all over the 
country. He describes the insect in the above-mentioned journal, vol. xxiii., 
p. 249, and suggests, where practicable, hard scrubbing with sfot soap and water. 
Crooke Aldersey, Chester. G. B. M ILNE- Redhead. 
September 4, 1903. 
