MISCELLANY. 
219 
manner. Many of the specimens proved very excellent. Since commencing the 
above notice, I have perceived that a fine collection of North-American Coleoptera , 
obtained from raw turpentine, was exhibited by Mr. Shipster to the Entomo¬ 
logical Society on the 5th of February.—T. B. Hall, Woodside , Liverpool , 
March 1, 1838. 
The Bing Pigeon (Columba palumbus) during the Frost. —This species— 
always gregarious in winter—congregated in immense flocks during the late 
severe and protracted frost, remaining in company up to the close of February, 
long before which time they usually separate. Notwithstanding the large num¬ 
bers which have fallen by the deadly tubes of gunners of all descriptions, the loss 
to the farmers by these associations for the acquisition of food has been very 
considerable in many places. Up to this day (March 16) we have not once this 
year heard the plaintive note of the Bing Pigeon echo from the grove.— Ed. 
BOTANY. 
Aspidium lonchitis. —In Mr. Francis’s excellent little work on the British 
Ferns and their Allies (noticed Vol. II., p. 226) it is stated, that the Bough 
Alpine Shield-fern ( A . lonchitis ) is ce scarce in England.” “ Nor,” adds the 
author, “ have I seen it here.” I have had specimens from Settle, given to me 
by Mr. Benjamin Thompson, to whose kindness I am indebted for the following 
particulars :—“ This rare and most distinct Fern grows on an elevated range of 
limestone hills, two miles to the north-east of Settle, Yorkshire. In this locality 
it is very sparingly distributed, occurring generally in small patches, each con¬ 
taining from two or three to a dozen fronds; its place of growth being in the 
fissures of rocks, or more usually among the accumulated debris or loose stones 
which occupy the mountain declivities in the neighbourhood alluded to. In very 
bleak and exposed situations it assumes a stunted dwarfish appearance, but when 
sheltered in a hollow, or beneath an overhanging rock, the fronds become luxuriant, 
and are by no means inelegant.” — T. B. Hall, Woodside , Liverpool, March 1 , 
1838. 
The Water-lily. — Nymphcea lutea , like Nymphcea alba , or White Water-lily 
of Europe, closes at sunset, and opens on the following day, the object being to 
exclude the humidity that is deposited from the air, and which, if it had access 
to the pollen while yet in the anther, would rupture it prematurely, and prevent 
the fertilization of the ovules, thereby hindering them from becoming perfect 
seeds. This regularity in the opening and closing of the flowers, dependent upon 
the intensity of light, caused Linnaeus to place the Water-lily on his Dial of 
Flowers, and has been frequently remarked by poets as the most noted example 
of those plants which “dedicate their beauty to the sun.”— The Guide , Nov. 26, 
1837. 
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