66

in the main correct, but do not seem to be entirely So. For instance, erythrophyll, the red colouringmatter of the cells of plants, is certainly not "derived from chlorophyll by the chemical forces of the plant." On the other hand, xanthophyll (phylloxanthin) undoubtedly is so derived, and it is the only colouring pigment of leaves at all events that is so related to chlorophyll or directly connected therewith. The statement, therefore, that "the chlorophyll of the green flower or fruit is changed into a special colouring-matter such as anthoxanthin, etc.," can hardly be borne out. So far as the caves are concerned, the state of affairs seems to be this. During the whole life of the leaf, or at least as soon as the normal amount of chlorophyll has been formed therein, a small quantity is perpetually being changed (oxidised) to xanthophyll. This quantity is so small, or rather I think its colouring power is so comparatively feeble, that it is, as stated in the more or less comparatively covered up by extract, the presence of chlorophyll," i.e., by the blue-green constituent thereof. When the life of the leaf is destroyed by frost or drought, the chlorophyll is rapidly changed to xanthophyll, and this latter constitutes the first of the series of autumnal tints. It very quickly, however, gives way to the ochre, russet, and orange-brown, which are the distinctive features of the autumnal woods, until ultimately the dark, muddy, unpleasant shades of final dissolution close the scene. The chlorophyll and its derivative xanthophyll seem to be completely destroyed or bleached, and thereupon the russet or brown colours depending on totally different principles came up into a supremacy which is more or less vigorous and durable, according to the variations of the season. As Sachs has it, "the distinctive yellow autumn coloration of leaves depends on the yellow coloration of the disorganised chlorophyll bodies: the autumnal brown coloration of the cell-walls, chiefly, however, of the cellcontents." I need hardly add that my personal researches amply corroborate these observations of the great German botanist. What then, it may be asked, is the cause of erythrophyll, the exquisite red colouring matter of the American maple leaf in the fall?

The chemical cause is the oxidation or hydration of the gallotannic or gallic acid, which is abundant in the autumn; and the special vividness of the colour in this particular case is due to the comparative delicacy and flaccidity of the tissues whereby the oxidizing agencies of the air, etc., can operate freely and potently. Some American correspondent will doubtless correct me if I be wrong; but judging from some dried maple leaves that I possess I consider that, as compared with our own sycamore, their texture and consistency are considerably more herbaceous, i.e., more thin and flaccid. The following facts seem also to support the main conclusion. A small thin bright red

sycamore leaf growing on a young shoot in midsummer was analysed, and found to contain much gallic acid and a little chlorophyll (about as much as an early red copper beech leaf contains), and sugar. The other leaves of the same shoot were completely green, but were much larger and stouter. I once found an autumn sycamore leaf whose vivid tints seemed to vie with those of the Transatlantic forest. I picked it up: it was thin, delicate, and breaking to shreds. On boiling the redder portions in dilute alcohol the pigment dissolved leaving them almost quite colourless; and the solution gave the reactions of erythrophyll, acetic acid, and a little gum, and unchanged gallic acid.-P. Q. Keegan.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

NEST OF BOMBUS LAPIDARIS.-In September last, I found, in a small enclosure adjoining my garden, a nest of Bombus lapidaris, and as my little girl played on this ground, I removed it. The nest was situated at teast twelve feet from the wall in a corner formed by the two walls meeting. The turf was smooth all round for more than six feet. In one direction, in the corner, was a small heap of stones covered with moss and nettles. A careful inspection-no hole nor appearance of one, except at the nest, which was of proper size. The nest was found about seven inches deep, and one foot from entrance. After carefully clearing the earth and stones all round, I put my fingers under the nest so as not to disturb the contents. Judge my surprise, when the nest was safely placed on a board, to see the skull of a stoat sticking out on one side. I found the nest was built on a dead stoat, the body being curled around with head raised in a comfortable manner. The fur was worked into the covering of the nest. Do these bees take advantage of dead animals for the sake of the fur? Or is there any other such case on record?-C. W. P

SEAWEEDS. In reply to F. H. B.'s query (p. 262), I am sorry to say that I have not yet sufficient experience to answer his questions; but a ladycollector, who spends a great deal of time at Swanage, told me that she found four species of Delesseria there, and several other uncommon seaweeds, of which I have now forgotten the names.-A. H. B.

VEGETABLE TERATOLOGY.-In SCIENCE-GOSSIP for November, Dr. J. E. Taylor gives an account of The case of the strange monstrosities in plants. "Arum" Lily of the Nile has come under my own notice also, and the case in which the sepals of fuchsia have reverted to the leaf condition. I once found on cutting open an orange what appeared to be a fungus growing in the centre, which I dried and kept.-Rev. S. A. Brenan.

CURIOSITIES IN EGGS.-In accordance with a wish expressed by Mr. J. P. Nunn, in the April number of SCIENCE-GOSSIP, that collectors would chronicle any curiosities in eggs with which they may meet, I have here written an account of such as have come under my notice. One of the most curious freaks in eggs which I have ever observed is a case which came under my notice in the spring of the year 1890. On May the 12th, I was shown two eggs, with somewhat the appearance of robin's, though

much larger, and with only one or two large red spots on them. The person who showed them to me said that he had taken them from a nest in a wall, and that he had substituted two robin's eggs from another nest. On the night following, I went with the above-mentioned person to the nest. It was nearly dark when we reached the place, and upon putting his hand into the hole he drew forth the mother bird, which proved to be a robin. This was not very surprising, but, upon our examining the nest, we found it to contain, besides the two substituted robin's eggs, three purely white ones. From the facts of this case, I should conjecture that the hen bird had exhausted the stock of colouring matter in the first two eggs, and that consequently the subsequent three were white. In the eggs of the common thrush also I have found eccentricities. On April 5, 1890, I saw a throstle's nest containing four eggs, all of which were very large, and were marked with large red-brown blotches, with the exception of one, which was marked like ordinary specimens. On May 27, I observed a throstle's nest containing two specimens of the rounded spotless eggs of the thrush, mentioned by Mr. Nunn and others. I have seen several eggs of this class taken from this district, and also those of the blackbird of the same type, i.e. devoid of markings. On May 3, 1889, I took a black bird's egg entirely covered with deep red markings, and much resembling a ring-ouzel's, from a nest containing four others of the ordinary greenish colour. A friend of mine in this town has in his collection several notable curiosities, all taken by himself, e.g., a white sparrowhawk's egg taken from a nest containing three others of the ordinary type. Two house-sparrow's eggs with the markings gathered in a cap at the large end, and a dwarf magpie's egg about the size of a marble. In two instances have I met with greatly elongated eggs, a missel thrush's taken on April 8, 1890, and a blackbird's. On May 10th, 1890, a throstle came under my notice which was sitting on four of her own eggs and a blackbird's, all of which were nearly hatched.-Rowland H. Hill, Halifax

VAR. OF P. NAPI, ETC.-In looking over my collection of Lepidoptera, I note the following which may be of some interest. A female specimen of the green-veined white (P. Napi), in which all the nervures on the upper side are very deeply marked, showing a perfect outline of the veins, and with a broad band of dusky shading at the lower margin of the front wings. Possibly this is one of the varieties formerly ranked as distinct species; it was taken at Richmond Walk, May 26th, 1887, from a cluster of nettles. Also a specimen of the pearl bordered Fritillary (A. Euphrosyne), which was netted at Bickleigh Vale, May 21st, 1888. It was at the time a perfectly fresh insect, but with its left front wing crumpled, with the markings in miniature. Thus showing that some mishap had befallen it whilst emerging from its aurelial covering.-Frederick G. Smart.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Nov. 3rd.-Rooks busy building in their rookeryone old bird sitting in the nest and its mate was breaking off twigs and carrying it to the one in nest -the other birds were busy in the same way.

Dec. 1.-Skylark singing.

A heron is called a goose ghost in this locality, and is stated to be able to pass an eel through its body and then eat it. At the fell moon it is considered in good plump condition.-Rev, S. A. Brenan,

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

TO CORRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.-As we now publish SCIENCE-GOSSIP earlier than formerly, we cannot undertake to insert in the following number any communications which reach us later than the 8th of the previous month.

TO ANONYMOUS QUERISTS.-We must adhere to our rule of not noticing queries which do not bear the writers' names.

TO DEALERS AND OTHERS.-We are always glad to treat dealers in natural history objects on the same fair and general ground as amateurs, in so far as the "exchanges" offered are fair exchanges. But it is evident that, when their offers are simply DISGUISED ADVERTISEMENTS, for the purpose of evading the cost of advertising, an advantage is taken of our gratuitous insertion of "exchanges," which cannot be tolerated.

WE request that all exchanges may be signed with name (or initials) and full address at the end.

SPECIAL NOTE.-There is a tendency on the part of some exchangers to send more than one per month. We only allow this in the case of writers of papers.

TO OUR RECENT ExchangeRS.-We are willing and helpful to our genuine naturalists, but we cannot further allow disguised Exchanges like those which frequently come to us to appear unless as advertisements.

F.-A special number of SCIENCE-GOSSIP devoted to the Hepatica was published in 1865 or 1866, abundantly illustrated. We fear it is now out of print, but apply to Messrs. W. H. Allen & Co., Waterloo Place, London. We are always pleased to welcome new contributors.

J. FORDYCE.-Apply to Mr. W. F. Collins, 157 Portland Street, W., for information concerning Leighton's "Fasciculi of British Lichens." He may have a Fasciculus.

H. BROWNE.-Your guess is probably right, but take the egg to the Norwich Museum and compare it.

R. D.-Get Burbidge's book on “Cool Orchids and How to Grow Them" (published by W. H. Allen & Co., Waterloo Place, we believe).

R. ADDINGTON.-Get Dr. M. C. Cooke's admirable little book (published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) on "Pond-Hunting" (price 2s. 6d.); or, still better, the same indefatigable Dr. M. C. Cooke's book on "Freshwater Algæ," just published at 5s. by Messrs. Kegan Paul & Co..

H. A. M.-The editor cannot undertake to send copies of his magazine to writers of books sent for notice who inform him they do not take in SCIENCE-GOSSIP. That is both their fault and their loss. "How

R. DRAPER.-Get Professor Asa Gray's book on Plants Grow, Climb," &c. (fairly cheap, if you get it secondhand of Messrs. Wesley & Son, Essex Street, Strand; or Mr. W. P. Collins, 157 Great Portland Street). In that capital manual you will find all that you want, and more to stimulate you for years to come, than any three lines of common-place explanation could give you. The sun has not got so much to do with the climbing as the plants have.

EXCHANGES.

WANTED, a good Murex adustus. Offered, "Naturalists' Gazette," 1890, complete.-W. Jones, jun., 27 Mayton Street, Holloway, London.

OFFERED, 1-inch objective, 16°, by Tentmayer. What offers in exchange in micro-slides or books? Apply-T. W. Derrington, 46 Worcester Street, Wolverhampton.

WANTED, SCIENCE-GOSSIP for 1874. Address-W. F. Kelsey, Maldon.

WANTED, a few fern fronds showing capsules, dried leaves, Onosma taurica, &c., and sand containing micro-shells. State exchange requirements.-H. Ebbage, Framlingham, Suffolk. OVER one hundred species of beautifully mounted ferns, in handsome half-bound book, fitting into strong case. offers ?-Joseph Anderson, jun., Alre Villa, Chichester.

What

FINE and well-set species of British lepidoptera, in exchange for postage stamps (unused copies of obsolete English, and used or unused foreign desired).-Joseph Anderson, jun., Alre Villa, Chichester.

V. moulinsiana offered for L. involuta, S. oblonga, or acme; also fossils, &c., in exchange for rock specimens, especially slides. Rev. John Hawell, Ingleby Greenhow Vicarage,

Northallerton.

FORAM. sand from Barmouth, Montereau, Mauritius; chalk, coal measures, sponge, W. India, Channel Isles and Etagé

Langhien. Sections of corals and spongy forms, minute recent corals, coral vars., &c., also about half-a-dozen crystals, &c. Wanted, material (no diatoms or forams), ground-edge slips, cells, thin glass covers, living pupa, or anything pertaining to natural history.-H. Durrant, 4 Boulton Road, West Bromwich. SMALL collection of British and foreign shells, unnamed, 180 specimens, sixty or more varieties. Also small geological collection. What offers? or will exchange for good book on British beetles.-H. Browne, 53 St. Philip's Road, Heigham, Norwich.

WANTED, the following British land and freshwater shells:T. haliotidea, scututum; A. marginata, gagates: L. lævis, cinereo-niger, arborum; S. oblonga, H. obvoluta; V. antiver tigo, lilljeborgi, moulinsiana, substriata, tumida, angustior; A. lineata, P. acuta, H. Jenkinsii, and vars. of all water -shells, also Continental and other foreign land and freshwater shells. Will give American land and freshwater shells, birds' skins, nests and eggs, living land tortoises (box), and beetles, butterflies, and fungi mosses. Foreign correspondence solicited. -W. J. Farrer, box 16, Orange, Va., U.S.A.

FOR exchange, a small collection of land, freshwater, and marine shells, fossils, &c., about 80 species, 200 specimens. Wanted, good microscope objective, or .-S. O. Grocock, M.C.S., 13 Lower Maryon Road, Charlton, Kent.

"ATLAS of Fossil Conchology" (Brown's), 114 large plates, 3500 figures, published 1889 at three guineas, offered for collection of fossils or mineralogical specimens. Wanted, "The Micrographic Dictionary."-Mr. Stewart, 17 Upper Gilmore Place, Edinburgh.

WHAT offers for Darwin's "Phytologia," first edition, quarto, fboards; Darwin's "Zoonomia," second edition, 2 vols. quarto, calf; Karl Russ's "Speaking Parrots;" Greene's "Amateur's Aviary of Foreign Birds;" Marshall's "The Frog:" also :SCIENCE-GOSSIP for 1884 and 1889.-H. Roberts, 60 Princess Road, Kilburn, London.

SMALL collection of minerals, in case, offered in exchange for fossils or shells.-T. W. Reader, 171 Hemingford Road, London, N.

NEw Zealand shells, principally marine, offered for shells not in collection, foreign land and freshwater species preferred. -W. A. Gain, Tuxford, Newark.

WANTED, Harvey's "Phycologia Britannica." Offered, Crouch microscope with 1-inch and t-inch objectives, or Zeiss 1-inch immersion objective.-T. H. Buffham, Comely Bank Road, Walthamstow.

WANTED, SCIENCE-GOSSIP, Nos. 253-308, in exchange for first-class micro-slides.-W. Tutcher, 57 Berkeley Road, Bristol.

DUPLICATES.-Sophina calias, Streptaxis Blanfordi, S. Theobaldi, S. Burmanica, S. bombax, S. exacutus, Clausilia Vaageni, C. Theobaldi, C. insignis, C. Gouldiana, C. cylindrica, Helicarion Flemingii, Cataulus albescens, Rapharlus chrysalis, Hybocystis gravida, Cyclophorus Siamensis, C. speciosus; list of many others. Desiderata, Indian and South American land shells.-Miss Linter, Arragon Close, Twickenham.

WANTED, any books relating to microscopy, also choice unmounted material, in exchange for choice microscopic slides of every description.-R. Suter, 5 Highweek Road, Tottenham, London.

WANTED, an injecting syringe and a Valentin's knife.H. P., 103, Camden Street, London, N.W.

Oldhamia antiqua and O. radatia, Cambrian rocks, Bray Head. What offers in minerals or fossils for the above?William Doyle, Seapoint Road, Bray, Ireland.

COLLECTION of dried plants, fifty species, made in Italy and France, 1844, most mounted. List on application. What offers? To be disposed of complete; mosses desired.-Miss E. Armitage, Dadnor, Ross.

CASSELL'S "Science for All," 5 vols. (clean, unbound), "Knowledge," 2 vols., 1887, 1888 (clean, unbound), and several others, offered in exchange for British land and freshwater mollusca not in collection. Send list to-C. H. J. Baldock, (7 Brewer Street, Woolwich.

DUPLICATES. Varieties of guillemot eggs, including some choice forms. Desiderata, British birds' eggs not in collection, or varieties of same.-W. Hewett, 6 Howard Street, Fulford Road, York.

VALUABLE Grecian clausilias, and other shells, offered for shells not in collection.-Address-Miss F. M. Hele, 11 Elmgrove Road, Cotham, Bristol.

A FINE collection of Scotch graphites offered in exchange for rare tropical shells.-Address-Miss F. M. Hele, 11 Elmgrove Road, Cotham, Bristol.

ADVERTISER wishes to correspond with some person who will undertake to send names of South African spiders and scorpions in exchange for specimens.-F. West, Poplar Villa, Lansdowne Place, Port Elizabeth.

"Royal Microscopical Journal," 1869-1887, inclusive, in parts, all clean and perfect. What offers ?-B., 3 Brownhill Road, Catford, Kent.

WANTED British and foreign shells not in collection. Offered, many other shells.-E. R. Sykes, 9 Belvidere, Weymouth.

OFFERED, more than 550 species of plants from the North of France, in exchange, at once, for as many species, provided

they be not French ones. Write to M. Abel Briquet, 49 Rue Jean de Bologne, Douai (Nord), France.

WANTED, January, 1890, number of SCIENCE-GOSSIP. IS. offered. Address-Rev. W. Langley, Narborough Rectory, Leicester.

OFFERED, about 400 species of fossils of the tertiary Parisian grounds, well named, in good state of preservation, and in good number; also living shells. Wanted in exchange, fossils of other tertiary grounds, living shells, prehistoric matters, and postage stamps.-M. Louis Giraux, 22 Rue Saint Blaise, Paris. OFFERED, good case of ichthyosaurus, from lias of Lyme Regis, 22 X 12. Wanted, any good fossils from any formation. -M., 56 Clarendon Villas, West Brighton.

A. BONNET, 9 Rue Mazagrau, Paris, offers good fossils from the Paris tertiaries in exchange for fossils from all formations, and recent shells.

WANTED, brilliant foreign coleoptera; need not be set, but must be correctly named. Good exchange given in first-class botanical sections, either mounted or unmounted, or objects of general interest. State quantity of specimens with sample.R. G. Mason, 69 Clapham Park Road, Clapham, S.W.

Bryum Marrattii, B. calophyllum, B. Warneum, Hypnum cristi-castrensis, Catoscopium nigritum, Buxbaumia aphylla, and a few others, in exchange for microscopic slides.-Geo. Forbes, 7 Graham Place, Dundee.

FRESHWATER fishes. Wanted, to correspond with anglers or others who could supply good fresh specimens of trout, roach, perch, pike, &c., suitable for purposes of taxidermy. Would give in exchange preserved specimens in any branch of marine zoology, micro-slides of highest class, scientific books. -J. Sinel, 6 Peel Villas, St. Helier, Jersey.

WANTED, odonata (dragonflies) from all parts of the world. State desiderata in return. North American odonata for exchange.-Philip P. Calvert, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.

WANTED, entomological store boxes and apparatus in good condition. Exchange secondary or tertiary fossils, or eggs and nests of our common birds.-W. D. Carr, Lincoln.

COLLECTION of British shells, entomological setting cabinet, collecting box, and store box. Will exchange for books or anything useful.-J. Morton, New Brompton, Kent.

OFFERED, SCIENCE-GOSSIP for 1890, and January, 1891. Wanted, carboniferous fossils. Send lists to-B. T. Bonser, Colebrooke House, 29 Highbury New Park, London.

WANTED, to correspond with collectors in Britain and abroad with the view of exchanging birds' eggs in the coming season. Send list of wants and duplicates. Can offer many species o American eggs on British list.-Robert Williams, Croase House, Kingsland, R.S.O.

BOOKS, ETC., RECEIVED FOR NOTICE.

"Acids in Practical Geology," by G. A. J. Cole (London: C. H. Griffin & Co.).-" Fathers of Biology," by Ch. McRae (London: Percival & Co.).-"The Honey Bee," by T. W. Coward (London: Houlston & Sons).-Wesley's "Nat. Hist. and Scientific Book Circular," No. 105.-"Knowledge.".

American Microscopical Journal."-"American Naturalist." -"Canadian Entomologist."-"The Naturalist."—"The Botanical Gazette."-"The Gentleman's Magazine."-"The Midland Naturalist."-"Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes.""The Microscope."-"Nature Notes."-"Proceedings of the Geologists' Association."-"Victorian Naturalist.”—Dr. C. V. Riley's Report to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (always welcome). Same author on "Insecticides and means of Applying them to Shade and Forest Trees" (published by ditto).-Dulau's "Catalogue of Zool. and Paleontolog. Lit.""Brtish Naturalist Catalogue of Land and Freshwater Shells Great Britain," by T. D. A. Cockerell.-" Journal of Quekett Microscopical Club."-"British Cage Birds," Part 9.-"British Canary Book," Part 9, &c., &c.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED UP TO THE 12TH ULT. FROM: E. B.-A. B.-Dr. A. C.-Dr. A. B. G.-E. C.-C. W. P.A. H. B.-E. G. B.-A. B.-L. G.-A. J. J. B.-W. L. S. A. B.-W. H.-Dr. G. C. M.-R. H. H.-A. C.-Prof. J. L. S.-E. E.-G. W. N.-R. M.-F. B. C.-G. R. S.F. M. H.-V. A. L.-E. E. G.-F. W.-E. N. L.-F. G. S.W. B.-W. F.-C. P.-R. S.-W. C.-W. J. F.-F. N. W. -L. O. C.-W. D. S.-H. R.-T. W. R.-W. A. G. T. H. B.-J. H.-H. D.-J. F.-H. B.-J. T.-Miss E. C. H. J. B.-E. B.-E. H. F.-J. A., jun.-Dr. E. De C. H. E.-W. F. K.-M. B. M.-W. D.-M. L. S.-W. J. J. T. W. C.-C. W.-J. B. H.-J. E. L.-G. F.-J. T. F. C. M.-H. A. F.-V. C.-H. F.-R. G. M.-J. S. w. A. B.-W. T.-Miss L.-E. H. J. B.-J. W. R.-J. B. W. A. G.-W. J. S.-J. E.-E. G. P.-W. B.-E. B. Dr. G. T. C. M.-C. W.-F. C. M.-L. W. M.-J. C. S.R. S.-H. D.-W. W. P.-W. M.-W. A. P.-W. B.R. A. B.-J. B. C.-A. B. G.-W. E. W.-W. T. P.-G. H. -H. M.-H. G. W.-W. W. F.-W. T. H.-H. W.C. H. H. W.-P. P. C.-P. Q. K.-W. W.-R. W.-B. T. B. -W. D. C.-J. M.-R. A.-&c., &c.

HE origin of this tree has been much and long disputed, and travellers are still of divers opinions on the subject. By some it is referred to Armenia as its native country, and this would seem to arise from its having anciently borne the name of Mailon Armeniacon, by which the learned. Dioscorides calls it, whilst, as he tells us, the Latins called it Raikokion; our modern botanical

name still seems to refer it to the same origin-we designate it Armeniaca vulgaris. Neither Greeks nor Romans seem to have known or cultivated it prior to about 100 years B.C. There is abundant evidence, on the other hand, that the Chinese, who were so well versed in both gardening and horticulture in the very remote ages of antiquity, cultivated the apricot at least 2200 years B.C. A writer who flourished in China from 2205-2198 B.C. describes the tree and the fruit under its nanie, "Sing," as very abundant on the hills. The wild fruit would appear to have been small, the skin yellow and red, with a reddishyellow flesh, of an acid flavour, but quite eatable; both fruit and leaves were equally similar to our cultivated species, but considerably smaller. Pliny writes of it as "Præcocium," from the precocity of the species, and probably our English name is but a corruption of this word, since our earlier cultivators of it were wont to speak of it as a precox; the unlearned united the two words, and wrote aprecocks, abrecocks, &c.

No. 315.-MARCH 1891.

FRUIT-TREES.

Various authors have described it as growing, apparently wild, in great abundance in the Caucasus and around the Caspian and Black Seas, whilst on the other hand, Koch (and some others), who travelled through the region of the Caucasus and Armenia, with a view to making observations upon the natural productions of the countries visited, reports that during a prolonged stay in Armenia he nowhere found a wild apricot, and but rarely a cultivated one. French travellers do not agree as to its being found wild in Persia, but that it grows in great abundance there, far from the haunts of men, we read in Dr. Wills' interesting work, "The Land of the Lion and the Sun," in which he speaks of vast numbers of trees, the fruit of which was falling to the ground in enormous quantities, so that he wished some enterprising person could be found who would set up a "canning" business there and then, and by utilising the tempting fruit, redeem them from waste and destruction, and make his own fortune in the venture. A kind of wild apricot has been found growing amongst the ruins of Baalbec, but from the description given, both leaves and fruit differ considerably from our ordinary apricot. A French writer, Mons. Regmër, represents that the apricot is probably a native of the oases of the desert of Egypt-an opinion which he founds upon these circumstances: first, that the modern Greek name Perikokka closely resembles the Arabic Berkhach; secondly, that vast quantities of the fruit are actually dried in the oases and brought to Egypt, where they are called Mishmish; and thirdly, that the early period of the year, when its blossoms unfold, indicates that the tree belongs rather to a southern than to a northern climate. This last reason can scarcely be held good, since we know that many plants, such as some kinds of blackthorn, which are without doubt natives of the coldest regions of Europe and Asia, bloom and unfold their leaves equally early.

That the tree was not known in Egypt at an early period we may conclude, from the fact that the

D

Hebrews did not know it, and have no name for it in their language; they would have known it, and the Romans have had it much earlier than they had if the fruit had come from Egypt. Though found abundantly now in Algeria, it is evidently of recent introduction, having naturalised itself in districts where the stones have been thrown away from cultivated specimens.

The apricot is frequently found wild in the hills between the Jumna and the Ganges, and from a writer on the botany of the Himalayas and Cashmere we learn that the apricot is so generally planted around the villages that there are few without them, the fruit being eaten fresh, and also dried, whilst a very fine oil is expressed from the stones. The use

to which this oil is still put is mentioned in a recent book of travel. Mrs. Bridges, in "A Lady's Tramp Round the World," gives an account of a Thibetan ball at which she was present in the Himalayas, the room in which the festivity was held being lighted with oil made from apricot stones. In some parts of Cashmere apricots and other fruit trees form a perfect jungle. The dried fruit has been brought from Cashmere to India in considerable quantities; it is called Khoot-banee.

The apricots on the Himalayas, at 12,000 ft. elevation, are so hard, that a native when carrying his load of them to market, thinks nothing of sitting upon his burden-a strong contrast this to the custom of a well-known character in an eastern county at the early part of the century. This gentleman, being the owner of a large estate some seventy miles from London, and having gardens so prolific that the produce was the source of considerable revenue to him, after the supply of his own table had been provided, was accustomed to send the surplus produce to Covent Garden; and the wall fruit when ripe being very perishable, and easily injured, he directed that it should be placed in shallow baskets to be carried on women's heads, the tread of a man being considered by him too heavy for the conveyance of the luscious load.

The apricot tree was late in coming to England, being introduced here from Italy, as far as we can ascertain, in the year 1524, by Woolf, gardener to Henry VIII., who, it appears, introduced several valuable fruits at about the same period. It is strange that a fruit so well known in the east should not sooner have reached our western regions, but we know that in Britain there were, up to the sixteenth century, but few establishments save the monasteries which had orchards or gardens attached to them. Happily, during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth the spirit of discovery pervaded the land, and one of the results of an acquaintance with new lands, and that no mean result either, was the introduction of many fruits and flowers which had hitherto been unknown to us. By the middle of the seventeenth century most common fruit trees were

cultivated in sufficient abundance to render their importation unnecessary.

The progress of this improvement, however, was but slow, owing to the want of nurseries for such trees; and persons who lived in remote places, and wished to introduce into their gardens new varieties of fruit, were obliged, Hartlib writes, "often to send 100 miles for them;" no trifling obstacle, let us remember, these "100 miles," when roads were bad and there were no facilities for their conveyance such as we now possess.

It is no part of my intention in these "jottings," to teach my readers the best method of cultivating fruit trees. I will not pretend to recommend one sort above another, one system of pruning before another, though, if any of my readers should be so generous as to set before me ever so large a variety, I will undertake to give my opinion as to kinds, when I have been made free to place them under the crucial test of a somewhat sensitive palate. Still, I may be allowed to give them the advice of a wiser gardener than myself, as to the time for planting trees and for gathering their fruits.

Old Thomas Tusser, under "January's Husbandry," writes as follows:

"Set chestnut and walnut,
Set filbert and smallnut.
"Peach, plum-tree and cherry,
Young bay and his berry,
Or set their stone,
Unset leave none.

"Sow kernel to bear
Of apple and pear;
All trees that bear gum
Now set as they come.
"Now set or remove

Such stocks as ye love."

A

[Continued from p. 40.]

FTER a short rest to allow the old master to recover from the exertion and excitement incidental to the capture, we proceeded to the eastern pipe by a hidden pipe running through the sheltering copse at the foot of the sand-hills. Here, instead of employing the dog, which must not appear too often, for fear it should cease to excite curiosity, the decoy-ducks were called to our aid. There are a number of cross-bred birds originating from the wild and domesticated varieties. They live in the decoy, and are fed in the

Michers pilferers.