Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/154
Stray Notes on Stray Plants.—In the summer of 1864, I had two instances, one, at least, a remarkable cue, of the "distribution of species," and of the way in which the flora of a country or district may be enriched. 1. I found two plants of candytuft (Iberis) growing wild on the banks of the river Wyre, a few miles below Garstang. Both were in full bloom, and the flowers were quite equal, if not even superior, in richness of colour and in size, to those ordinarily seen in cottage gardens, where the plant is, I believe, a favourite one. One plant was far away up the stream from the other, which was a quarter of a mile below a garden, the refuse from which was generally thrown into the river. Unfortunately, I left the neighbourhood before I could ascertain whether the plants brought their seeds to perfection. 2. In the parish of Bredwardine, in which I am now living, I found a solitary colony of Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis), on the wooded bank of a little hill stream. I cannot see any apparent reason for its being found there, seeing that it is, as far as I can discover, after a careful examination, the only colony of Lungwort (Pulmonaria) for some distance round. There is a cottage at some little distance, but there is no pulmonaria in the garden at present. Possibly there may have been, for the plant is sometimes a favourite, on account of its variegated leaves.—R. Bl.
"STANNER ROCKS."—I am surprised to find that your correspondent "W. S. S." should not have met with the Welsh Speedwell (Veronica spicata β hybrida) in the Stanner Rocks. It is quite as scarce a plant as those he has mentioned. It grew there between thirty and forty years ago, on a steep grassy bank, near the foot of the rocks, at the point where the rocks come nearest to the Kington Road. The Scleranthus grew on the same bank. I gathered one plant there of the white-flowered Speedwell (Veronica flore-albæ), but all the rest were of the usual colour. There was a good sprinkling of the plant, and I can hardly believe it to be distinct. I examined only a very small portion of the rocks, from my time being limited. I would mention that the botany of the Stanner Rocks is almost identical with that of the Breiddin in Montgomeryshire, the Geranium sanguineum, the Lychnis viscaria, and Teronica hybrida being common in each group, and the geological formation is very similar.—T. S.
Herb Paris.—This plant (Paris quadrifolia) grows in abundance in the copse at Chilcombe, a mile and a half from Winchester. I have found plants with three, four, five, and six leaves.—B.B.S.
Quinquebracteal Anemone.—At the last meeting of the Society of Amateur Botanists the president exhibited a specimen of wood-anemone with five bracteal leaves instead of three.
Chestnut-tree of the Tuileries.—The colobrated chestnut-tree of the Tuileries that bursts into leaf before its neighbours, and generally enters an appearance by the 1st of March, is a laggard this year. Crowds stare up at its bald crown in disappointment. The tradition which has given the people faith in the precocity of this tree dates—neither from the birth of the King of Rome, nor from Napoleon's return from Elba. The date is the 20th of March, 1746. A celebrated painter was accused of having assassinated his rival at the Royal Academy on that day. The painter's name was Joseph Vien. He proved before the tribunal of the Châtelet that at the moment of the murder he was standing, gossiping with the Duchess de Roncevaux, under a chestnut-tree. He said he could identify the tree, for it was the only one in leaf. This "alibi," we are told, saved Vien's head; and from that time the people have watched the precocious tree. It has seldom failed; but the cold of the present year has been too much for it.
The Culture of Vallisneria Spiralis.—This most beautiful of our water-plants is much more easily cultivated than most people imagine. Friends on seeing the luxuriance of my plants, have frequently asked me how it was that they had not attained the like success. I now proceed to give to your readers the course pursued by myself during the last five years. The best shaped vessels are those used by confectioners, that is to say, if you wish to grow the plant by itself; these may be purchased for a few shillings at any of the shops where fern-glasses, &c., are sold. On the bottom of the glass lay some stiff mould, to the depth of about an inch; on this place the roots of the Vallisneria, and cover them with shingle, to keep them in their place. Water-beetles are as good as anything to give it an air of life, or a few minnows; but fish, I think, nip the tops of the plants, and unless they are well established, this does harm. I can fix no regular period for changing the water, but whenever the confervæ are getting ahead this must be done. The sides of the glass may be cleaned with a little rag and sand when necessary.—W. G.
A Wonderful Tree.—In the birch wood of Culloden there is a remarkable tree, well worthy of note. Somewhere about thirty years ago a little giant of the forest was blown down in a storm, and fell right across a deep gully or ravine, which it completely spanned; and the top branches took root on the other side. From the parent stem no less than fifteen trees grew up perpendicularly, all in a row and there they still flourish in all their splendour, while the parent stem evinces no token of decay. Several of the trees are not less than thirty feet high. Is not this a forest curiosity worthy of a visit by naturalists? The tree is a larch fir.—Invergordon Times.