94 
cokrp:spondp^nce—gleanings. 
Worcestershire Plants.— I am desirous of forming a Herbarium 
exclusively of Worcestershire plants, specimens of both common and 
rare species, with their varieties, being wanted from each of the four 
botanical districts—(see “ The Botany of Worcestershire,” by Mr. 
Edwin Lees). At present I do not propose to collect any crypto- 
gamous orders, excepting those enumerated in the London Catalogue, 
7th edition—viz., Filices, Lycopodiacese, Marsileacese, Equisetacese, and 
Charace®. My own specimens chiefly represent the Malvern district, 
and to those botanists who collect m other parts of the county I 
should feel much obliged for assistance in forming this collection, 
which, I need scarcely say, while in my possession, would be at the 
service of any who might wish to consult it. I should, of course, be 
pleased to supply as far as I could the wants of others from the plants 
of this neighbourhood. There are many Malvern and Teme Valley 
plants also which I should be very glad of.— R. F. Towndrow, 2, Com¬ 
mercial Buildings, Malvern Link, March 16th, 1883. 
Novels and Science. —In Mr. Hardy’s new book {Two on a Towei') 
the author shows that he has been studying astronomy to good purpose. 
The hero is enthusiastically devoted to the study of the stars, and the 
heroine is a wealthy lady, who presents him with a fine telescope I 
This book is another illustration of the rapid strides which science is 
making, and of the manner in which it is becoming part of the daily 
life, nay, even of the amusements of every educated person. 
The Study of Sociology.— The Committee of The Birmingham 
Natural History and Microscopical Society ” have, on the request of 
fifteen of its members, and in accordance with the provisions in their 
rules, unanimously resolved to form a new section, to be called “ The 
Sociological Section for the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s system.” 
The Spring Meetings of the Section wfill be on Thursdays, May 3rd and 
June 7th, at 7 o’clock in the evening, at the Mason College. The 
subject chosen for consideration and discussion at these first meetings 
is Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “ Essay on Education.” The discussion at 
the May Meeting will be opened by Mr. W. Greatheed. Full particu¬ 
lars respecting the organisation of the Section, which will be open to 
the members of the Society, may be obtained of Mr. Alfred Hayes, 
B.A., Hon. Sec., Prospect Road, Moseley. 
Facts about Plants.— In his recent and very interesting work on 
Plant-life {Freaks and Marvels of Plant Life, 463 pp., 97 icoodcuts, 
6/0, S.P.C.K.), Dr. M. C. Cooke estimates the number of living 
species of plants of all kinds at not less than half a million ! Among 
these, the middle position, in point of size, would be occupied by, say 
a moss of an inch and a half in height; for, on the one hand, the 
microscope will disclose to us water-plants {alga;) consisting of a 
single ceil barely the 2o00th part of an inch in diameter, while, on the 
other, the Eucalypti of Australia tower to a height of 420 feet. Dr. 
Cooke’s book teems with most interesting accounts of vegetable 
wonders, including the rain-tree, carnivorous and sensitive plants, 
plants which mimic other plants, light-giving plants, mystic plants, 
etc. Everyone who cares at all for flowers (and who does not?) will 
here find something to interest, to please, and to instruct. 
