June 27, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
693 
NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
British Birds. 
Lloyd’s Natural History : British Birds- 
Part I. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, LL.D., F.L.S.> 
&c., Zoological Department, British Museum- 
With twelve coloured plates. London : Edward 
Lloyd, Limited, 12, Salisbury Square, Fleet 
Street. Sixpence nett. 
A cheap edition of Lloyd’s Natural History is now 
passing through the Press at a third of the price of 
the original publication. The first issue will consist 
of forty-eight parts at 6d. each, and will include 
birds and game birds, butterflies and moths, civets, 
carnivora, monkeys, marsupials, and mammals. The 
part now before us is devoted to British birds, runs 
to 112 pages of text and is interleaved with twelve 
coloured plates, which, alone, are worth more than 
the money. Besides several of the more common 
birds, the coloured illustrations include plates of the 
raven, the jay, the rose-coloured starling, the haw¬ 
finch, the brambling, goldfinch, crossbill, and snow 
bunting. 
The information given is up-to-date—indeed, the 
editor’s name is a guarantee for that while he has 
been assisted in the work by several other eminent 
naturalists, either of the British or other museums. 
The classification will be found quite different from 
that of older books on the subject, the present state 
of the science of the subject demanding it. The 
young student or naturalist may find some difficulty 
at first sight in understanding what is meant by a 
flexorperforans digitorum, but the terms referring to 
the structure of a bird’s foot or head will be found 
illustrated, and the several parts named and 
described in the introductory remarks relating to the 
order of birds immediately following. The first 
order given is that of the Passeriformes, or birds 
possessing the same structure as the sparrow. 
The student will find that the crow is classed 
amongst the singing birds, but the history admits 
that he has a very bad voice; and makes a distinc¬ 
tion, of course, between him and the thrushes, for 
instance. Moreover, the crow is one of the most 
perfect (as far as structure goes) amongst the Passeri¬ 
formes. There are, of course, several British crows, 
and all of them as well as the raven, are as com¬ 
pletely equipped for the life they have to lead as a 
naturalist or any person who studies birds can 
imagine. In looking over the first portion of the 
book before us we find that the history of birds is 
almost as much encumbered with synonyms as 
plants; but the accepted name amongst modern 
ornithologists, is given at the top of each article 
dealing with the species, while the synonymes are 
given in italics. There is a large amount of informa¬ 
tion, crowded into small space relating to generic 
and specific descriptions, range in Great Britain and 
outside of it, as to the habits, nests, and eggs of the 
birds. Altogether it is an interesting, reliable and 
cheap book on the subject, and well worth adding to 
one’s library. 
--*•- 
SOCIETIES. 
National Viola, June 20 th .—The above society’s show 
was held in the corridor adjoining the large con¬ 
servatory in the gardens of the Royal Botanic 
Society, Regent’s Park, on this date. This was the 
first show held by the National Viola Society since 
its reconstruction a few months ago. A fair quantity 
of material was present, although several good 
growers were not represented. Fortunately the 
weather was not very hot, and thus the blooms 
retained their beauty and freshness remarkably well. 
In the open classes the competition was fairly 
keen and well sustained. Mr. Septimus Pye, 
Catteral, Garstang, came out far ahead of all other 
competitors for a collection of Violas, showing an 
extensive and most comprehensive group. Over 
200 sprays, in as many varieties, were displayed, 
each spray comprising from twelve to twenty 
blooms. Indeed, it would be most difficult to find a 
collection to beat this fine effort. Admiration, 
Countess of Kintore, Blue Garter, Ardwell Gem, 
Butterfly, Bullion, Mary Jack, White Empress, Isa 
Ferguson, Peter Barr, Robin, Blush QueeD, 
and Duchess of Sutherland are a few of the best 
of the many grand varieties shown. Great refinement 
characterised the blooms throughout, and there was 
scarcely a shade from white to deep purple and 
black, that was not represented. Mr. John Forbes, 
Hawick, N.B., was placed second with a much 
smaller group. The third prize was carried off by 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden. 
Mr. M. Campbell, High Blantyre, N.B., occupied 
the premier position for a collection of fancy Pansies 
with a splendid exhibit. The majority of the 
blooms were fully 3 in. in diameter, and perfectly 
circular in outline, with the margins exceptionally 
clear and well defined. Maggie Watson, R. Jame¬ 
son, David Rennie, J. Crann, Annie Ross, C. B. 
Renshaw, Mrs. Robt. Thompson, Mrs. R. Stuart, 
and Miss Sterling may be mentioned as constituting 
the cream of the collection. Mr. Septimus Pye 
made a close second with a lot but little inferior to 
that of the first prize winner. 
Mr. M. Campbell also came out with flying 
colours for twenty-four fancy Pansies distinct. He 
showed superb samples of Mrs. Wm. Steel, Annie 
Ross, Maggie A. Scott, Constance Steel, and Lord 
Hamilton. The second award fell to the lot of Mr. 
John Smellie, Busby, N.B., who also had some 
grand flowers; whilst the third was carried off by 
Mr. John Forbes. Mr. John Smellie likewise 
showed the best twelve Fancy Pansies, Marmion, 
Geo. Stewart, Jeanne P. Rae, and David G. McKay 
figured here conspicuously. Mr. M. Campbell was 
second. 
The first award for another twelve Fancy Pansies 
was withheld, the second being given to Mr. John 
Smellie, who also obtained the premier prizes for 
twelve Show Pansies distinct; and for twenty-four 
sprays of bedding Violas distinct. The second 
prize in the last-named class was carried off by 
Mr. W. Baxter, Woking, and the third by Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, Crawley, Sussex. Mr. W. 
Baxter was the most successful exhibitor of twelve 
sprays of Violas, showing Ardwell Gem, Norah 
May, Border Witch, Duchess of Fife, Goldfinch, 
and Iona in excellent condition. 
Mr. John Smellie had the finest six sprays of 
rayless Violas, distinct, in Border Witch, Seedling, 
Dorothy, May Scott, Geo. Lord, and Nellie. Mr. 
W. Baxter and Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons took second 
and third prizes respectively. Mr. W. Baxter won 
yet another first prize for six sprays of the charming 
miniature Violas. These were unfortunately un¬ 
named. Three sprays of yellow Violas, distinct, 
were best shown by Mr. John Smellie, who had A. 
J. Rowberry, Mary Gilbert, and Prince of Orange. 
A like position was taken by the same exhibitor for 
three sprays of White Violas in Colleen Bawn, 
Niphetos, and Lady Salisbury. For three bunches 
of any other colour, Mr. W. Baxter distanced all 
competitors. Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Orpington, 
staged a nice group of bedding Violas, Pansies and 
Sweet Peas, all in first-class order. 
Amateur exhibits were not very numerous, 
although the quality of the material they contained 
was high. Mr. Charles Kay, Gargannoch, N.B., 
was credited for the best twelve Fancy Pansies 
distinct. The blooms were large, and almost 
perfectly circular in outline. Mrs. Lovatt, Newport, 
Salop, was placed second. Mr. H. A. Nees, 
Woking, showed the best twelve sprays of Violas 
distinct, six blooms in each spray ; Norah May, Gold¬ 
finch, Christiana, and Purple Empress were some of 
his best varieties. Mr. D. B. Crane, Highgate, N., 
was an exceedingly close second : and Mr. A. J. 
Rowberry, South Woodford, third. In a similar, 
but smaller class of six bunches of Violas, Dr. Shoe- 
belton, Sydenham, S.E., obtained first honours. 
Mr. T. J. SheldoD, South Woodford, was second; 
and Mr. R. T. Dougall, Walthamstow, third. Mr. 
G. W. Cook, North Finchley, was the most success¬ 
ful exhibitor of six bunches of Violas, distinct, each 
bunch containing three blooms; Mr. A. J. Row¬ 
berry was placed second. 
Mr. H. A. Needs, Woking, won the first prize for 
three bunches of six blooms each of White Violas, 
with Vestal, Countess of Hopetown, and Christiana ; 
also for a similar quantity of any other than white 
or yellow varieties. Mr. D. B. Crane was second in 
the last-mentioned class. Mr. A. J. Rowberry 
showed the finest six bunches, distinct, of rayless 
Violas in Iris, A. J. Rowberry, Mary Scott, Border 
Witch, Rosea Pallida, and Nerisoce. The premier 
award for six bunches of miniature Violas also fell 
to the lot of the same exhibitor with Olivetta, 
Lynette, Orange Queen, Seedling, Violetta, and 
Queen of the Year, 
Royal Horticultural, June 23 rd .—The meeting on 
Tuesday last showed a falling away in the quantity 
of material shown, and in the number of visitors ; 
but notwithstanding this there was a very respec¬ 
table show of a varied lot of subjects, including 
Orchids, hardy herbaceous plants in quantity, Sweet 
Peas, Roses, hardy ornamental flowering shrubs, 
Strawberries and Melons. 
A large group of Orchids was exhibited by Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, and interspersed with 
Palms and Ferns. The leading features of the 
collection were Cattleya Mossiae, Laeliocattleya 
Eximia, L. Eudora, Disa langleyensis, D. kewensis, 
Cypripedium nlveum, Epidendrum vitellinum, Den- 
drobium Dearei, and some species of Phalaenopsis. 
Choice and richly coloured was Laeliocattleya 
Hippolyta; Dendrobium rhodopterygium was well 
flowered, as were Cattleya citrina and Odontoglossum 
harryanum (Silver Flora Medal). 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, staged a group 
of very fine varieties of Cattleya Mossiae, including 
a dark-lipped and beautiful form named C. M. Bella. 
They also had cut flowers of the showy Vanda 
Hookerae. 
Walter C. Walker, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Geo. 
Cragg), Percy Lodge, Winchmore Hill, exhibited cut 
flowers of Cattleya gigas Walker’s var., C. granulosa 
du buyssoniana, C. intermedia, Stanhopea Wardii 
and others all showing excellent culture. 
Welbore S. Ellis, Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. S. 
Barrell), Hazelbourne, Dorking, staged some well- 
flowered plants of Odontoglossum crispum with long 
spikes of blcom. O. crispum Duke of Sutherland 
was a handsome form with wavy white petals shown 
by the Duke of Sutherland (gardener, Mr. P. Blair), 
Stoke-on-Trent, and which was accorded a Silver 
Banksian Medal. Miltonia vexillaria chelsoniensis. 
a pretty light form was shown by Sir Frederick Wigan 
(grower, Mr. W. H. Young), Clare Lawn, East Sheen. 
A very interesting and varied group of Orchids 
was staged by Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Alban's. 
Showy and beautiful were Sobralia Amesiae, S. 
Veitchi, S. xantholeuca, Thunia Veitchi inversa, as 
well as Cattleya gigas, Laelia tenebrosa, and various 
others. There was a considerable amount of variety, 
and they were set off with the greenery of Palms and 
Ferns. 
Laelia tenebrosa gigantea, a huge flower, also 
Renanthera Storeyi, Odontoglossum Coradinei 
expansum, and Aerides radicosum album, were all 
shown in the cut state by W. J. Thomson, Esq., 
St. Helens, Lancashire. 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H. 
White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, exhibited splendid 
pieces of Rhynchostylis retusa, Miltonia vexillaria, 
Cypripedium superbiens (with nine flowers), Epi¬ 
dendrum Frederici-Guilielmii, Renanthera Storeyi, 
and Catasetum Bungerothii, the latter having 
flowers of enormous size (Silver Flora Medal). 
In the special competitive classes for hardy herba¬ 
ceous cut flowers some excellent material was dis¬ 
played. Mr. M. Pritchard, Christchurch, Hants, 
was placed first for a collection, comprising not less 
than eighteen bunches distinct. Large and splendid 
bunches of Funkia Sieboldii, Potentilla hopewoodi- 
ana, Hemerocallis Thunbergi, Lilium testaceum, 
and Veronica maritima alba were very conspicuous 
here. Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent 
Garden, made a good second with a group in which 
Digitalis lanata, Eryngium giganteum, Iris Tomoye, 
and Thalictrum rubellum showed up strongly. Mr. 
C. Herrin (gardener to Lady Fortescue, Dropmore, 
Maidenhead), had the best twelve bunches of hardy 
cut flowers. This was a very gay and showy exhibit. 
Mr. G. W. Sage, Ham House Gardens, Richmond, 
received the second prise. For six bunches of 
similar material, Miss Debenham, St. Peter’s, St. 
Albans, occupied the premier position. 
Mr. Henry Eckford, Wem, Shropshire, showed 
upwards of four dozen bunches of Sweet Peas, in as 
many varieties. Emily Eckford, Blanche Burpee, 
Prima Donna, Stanley, Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain, 
Venus, Mrs. Gladstone, and Lotty Eckford, were 
particularly noticeable for the size and beauty of 
their flowers (Silver Flora Medal). 
Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, made a 
brave show with Liliums and Calochorti. Lilium 
Hansoni, L. canadense, L. umbellatum Sensation, 
and L. thunbergianum atrosanguineum, were well 
represented, as were also Calochortus venustus, C. 
v. roseus, C. v. oculatus, C. splendens, and C. s. 
violacea (Silver Flora Medal). 
