few others would have been added. Many of the localities where those plants were gathered are in exposed situations, and therefore one would have imagined it useless to look for them; and when we remember that in the Christmas week there had been several nights of sharp frost, and snow had fallen also, it is all the more surprising that so many different specimens should have been found. I am somewhat astonished that no list has appeared from the Southern Counties, which are so much warmer than our own Midland Counties; for, judging from a letter received from a friend in Devonshire, I should suppose that most of the summer flowers are still in bloom. He compares the Christ,as week there to the Australian Christmas, and says that he gathered wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) in abundance on Christmas-day. He also mentions that two nests with eggs had been found—the one a thrush’s, the other a hedge-sparrow’s. All these facts are certainly very interesting, and point to a most exceptionally mild winter.
Of the foregoing list some are plants that flower at this season of the year, and a mild winter only accelerates their flowering; some few others may be seen in flower all the year through, but by far the greater number are, so far us the experience of the last ten years allows me to speak, strangers to the late part of the autumn, and certainly to the winter, There are several absent that I have recorded in other years, such as
Ranunculus aeris and R. sectceatus, Stelaria uliginosu, rica Pelvalix, Luchnisdiuene, Nepeta Glechoma, Seneto Facnhoe, &e., and, strange to say, I did not find Potentille Fragariastrant, a very early little flower, Neither did I find Tussilega Karierre.
The mild weather still continues, and I notice that the hazel and willow are blossoming, and the hawthorn leaves already appearing. Doubtless others of your correspondents can add a few more to the list I have given. I think the record would be worth the while, for careful observation may enable us, in course of time, to ascertain with something he accuracy in what manner and to what degree plants are affected by the weather, So far we notice that, whilst certain plants live through the autumn into the winter, under certain conditions of weather, others, that appear much hardier, do not; whilst, for example, Aenunewlus acrix or Centaurea nigra
will be found sometimes in January, after a severe and cold autumn, yet when the latter season has been mild, and the winter also, they are not to be found.—St. Mary's College, Oscott, February 18th, 1873.
Correspondence.
Organised Work for Natural History Societies.—The existence of "The Midland Union of Natural History Societies" is a matter for congratulation. The desultory efforts and resultless labours of many students might possibly he directed and utilised to good purpose if the Council would undertake the work of organisation. May I suggest that one part of the duties of that body should be to draw out a schema for combined labours? Why should not the "Midland Naturalist" publish from time to time the results of the systematised labours of the naturalists of central England? Why should not all the Societies in the Union be engaged in preparing for this purpose, and under the direction of a competent committee, a complete account of the flora, fauna, and geology of the Midland Counties? The work would be arduous and not easily done: but a proper division of labour, working within definite lines, for well-considered purposes, would find excellent occupation for many of
