Aspidium acaleatum, and the one enclosed, which is the rarest. Centaurea scabiosa and Solidago virgaurea waved from the wall-like rocks everywhere. I was fortunate enough to meet with three Ashton-under-Lyme botanists who were acquainted with the district. They said the Dale was very rich in Cruciferæ in the early summer and spring. They pointed out a spot where a Mr. Whitehead had found a new sedge. It was one tunnel between Monsal Dale and Cressbrook, but I had not time to visit the place. From conversation that passed it seems working men in that district are much before the Leicester working men as Naturalists, and they meet with more encouragement from the upper classes. They gave me a card on which is a list of names of landowners who have given them liberty to go over their grounds, and nearly at the top is our own Lord Stamford. To come back to our own hunting ground. Enclosed is a curious rush from Bradgate Park which I don't quite understand. It seems to be an instance of exuberance of growth, or chloranthy, I think you call it. I have a specimen of white clover similar in growth, also a bifid frond of N. filix-mas, I am told there are specimens of Scolopendrium on the Narborough Road with trifid fronds. I intend going to see them. But, perhaps, the greatest curiosity of the year was a sparrow I had. Its wings and tail were white, with a white ring round the throat. It could not peck, nor was it all feathered when caught. My intention was to keep it a while and on being hung out of doors in a cage it caused much amusement by the old birds coming regularly to feed it. They seemed to sympathise with it and make a great to do. If it was taken in the house at night they—that is the old birds—would come in through the window when left open very early in the morning, and often the younger members of the family, too, to feed and condole with it. It knocked itself about much in the cage, so when it could peck it was turned in an empty room where I thought it would soon get tine, but the silly thing fretted and died.—G. R., 92, Cranbourne Street, Leicester."
Gleanings.
Herefordshire Pomona.—The first part of this magnificent work has just been issued. It is the work of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. In our next number we hope to give some account of it. In the meantime we urge all who are interested in the cultivation of hardy fruits to buy the book.
Birmingham Library.—The Committee have recently issued a supplement to the catalogue of books added from April, 1876, to December, 1877; and to this is subjoined an "experimental classified index of subjects," prepared by the Librarian, Mr. Charles E. Scarse. We are led to make this announcement, in order to point out that this classified index is but the outcome of a recent rearrangement of the books in the Birmingham Library in Subjects, the books in each division being further arranged alphabetically as to authors. Mr. Scarse, in undertaking this arduous task, (the library contains upwards of 50,000 volumes,) was encouraged by the hope that he would thus render the treasures of the library much more accessible to young students than they were previously, A public library, the books in which are thus classified, must obviously be a great boon to those whose knowledge of literature is more or less limited. We have carefully examined the large collection of Scientific books, (each science being separately arranged,) and find them so disposed, that in whatever department information may be desired if is at once and readily accessible. Mr. Scarse has executed this work most satisfactorily, and he has set an example which may be advantageously followed in other public libraries.
