270 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
The excessive development of this tissue, observed in the earlier 
experimental samples of this variety by Mr. Holmes (Pharm. Journ. 
[3], vii., 301), was no doubt due to “ high cultivation,” and it has been 
found that with a slower growth the roots become more dense, and 
when prepared are of a richer and darker colour. One of the reports 
was devoted to some historical, botanical, and microscopical notes on 
English-grown Rhubarb, and the methods of its preparation, and the 
other gave the results of a series of analyses showing to a certain 
extent the constituents of samples of English “ officinale ” and 
“ rhaponticum,” East Indian and the old-fashioned Russian Rhubarbs. 
It was mentioned that the production of English rhubarb now amounts 
to twelve thousand pounds weight yearly. 
Equinoctial Gales. —According to Mr. R. H. Scott, the occurrence, 
as a regular thing, of violent storms about the time of the equinoxes is 
as much a myth as the alleged influence of the moon on the weather. 
Statistical records show that gales are of no greater frequency at the 
equinoxes than at any other time, but are all but exclusively confined 
to the winter half year. 
“ Correspondance Botanique.” —Prof. E. Morreii has published the 
tenth edition of his Directory of Botanists, scientific and horticultural 
establishments throughout the world. This list, which is indispensable 
to all who have relations with foreign botanic gardens and museums, 
is published by the compiler at 1, La Boverie, Liege, Belgium. 
Diseases of Field and Garden Crops. —We are pleased to be able 
to announce the publication of a small volume on this subject from 
the pen of Mr. Worthington Smith, to which we shall have further 
occasion to refer. It is published by Macmillan. 
Midland Union op Natural History Societies.—Peterborough 
Meeting. —It may interest the members of the various Societies in the 
Union to know that the receipts and expenditure in connection with 
the recent Annual Meeting nearly balanced the accounts, showing a 
deficit of 14s. 5d. only, which result, considering there were other 
attractions in the town on the day the conversazione was held, the 
local committee consider very satisfactory.— Edwin Wheeler. 
Dimensions op a few Rare Conifers.- —A correspondent kindly 
sends us the following about some trees at Penny Hill, Bagshot, a 
locality very favourable to the growth of Coniferous plants 
Sciadopitys verticillata, 15ft. high, 13^ft. in diameter of head; 
Thuiopsis Standishii, 19£ft. high, lift, through the head; Thuiopsis 
dolabmta, 17ft. high, 10ft. through the head; Juniperus japonica alba, 
13^ft. high, and lift, in diameter of head. These handsome specimens 
stand in the grounds of Louis Schott, Esq.— Gardener's Chronicle. 
Mr. Austin Dobson’s “ Thomas Bewick and his Pupils,” based upon 
his articles in the Century Magazine, w 7 ill be published in September 
by Messrs. Chatto and Windus and Messrs. J. R. Osgood and Co., of 
New York. The whole of the large-paper copies are already disposed 
of. The “Memorial Edition” of Bewick, the publication of which 
was delayed by the death of Mr. Ward, of Newcastle, will now be 
published by Mr. Quaritcli for Mr. Ward’s sons, the present owners of 
the blocks. It will consist of five volumes—the “ Birds” (two), 
“ Quadrupeds,” “ Fables of iEsop,” and “ Memoir.” The “ Memoir” 
will be edited from the original MS. by Mr. Dobson, who w T ill also 
annotate it with the aid of Bewick’s letters and papers, which have 
recently been placed in his hands by the late Miss Isabella Bewick's 
executors. The first volume of the new edition may be expected in 
1885 .—A thenanim. 
