The rainfall on the whole is below the average for the month, and so too is the temperature. The barometer has been unsteady, and westerly winds live blown on about twenty-four days, thus largely preponderating, Solar halos are recorded from Oxford on the 3rd and 4th. and lunar halos on the 3rd, 13th, and 16th. A fine aurora was seen at Cheltenham on the night of the 6th, the luminous streams reaching quite up to the zenith. The last swallows left the neighbourhood of Stroud on the 30th, and the same date is recorded for their departure from Coventry. Probably the storm of that day was the signal for a general exodus of these feathered migrants. On the 29th six snipe were seen in the meadows by the River Nene. Near Stroud the wood strawberry (Fragaria resca) was seen in blossom, and (unripe) fruit on the 19th. Several observers remark on the comparative absence of butterflies this season.
Correspondence.
White Variety of Harebell.—It will, perhaps, be interesting to "IL" (page 106) to know that I have found during the past summer several white specimens of the Campanula rotundifolia, within six miles of Aberystwith. They were all of a pure white, and, though there was an abundance of the blue, I could in no place find any of a shade between the two. Last year I found a specimen of the primrose, perfectly white, near Barnt Green.—H. D.
Nottinghamshire Ferns.—Perhaps the following list of ferns found in North Nottinghamshire will be interesting to some readers of the "Midland Naturalist." They have all been found either at Pleasley Vale, (Notts. side,) Creswell Crags, (Notts. side,) or the Wears at Welbeck, by Mr. R. A. Rolfe:—Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum augulare, Lastrea filix-mas, L. cristata, L. dilatata, Athyrium filix-femina, Asplenium ruta-murcria, A. trichomanes, Seotopendrium vulgare, Pieris aquilina, and Cystopteris fragilis.—C. T. Musson.
The Cuckoo's Note.—In Norfolk they have a saying—
In May he sings all day.
In June he changes his tune.
In July away he'll fly.
In August go he must.
I believe that this is a tolerably correct account of his proceedings; and I suppose that the action in July is borne out by his being seen on the wing in that month more than in the other months—G. B. R. B., Nottingham,
Junior Members.—It has often occurred to me that it would be a wise plan if our Natural History Societies would offer facilities for intelligent youths, under eighteen years of age, to become members, (they might be called associates,) for in them would, I feel sure, be found the lest material out of which valuable working members of the future would naturally be developed. As youths are not usually overburdened with money, the subscription they should be called upon to pay should be as nearly nominal as possible; at the same time they should be treated with encouraging courtesy to warm them to working pitch. They should be made to feel that they are valued, and good results would invariably ensue. I have no hesitation in asking the Societies to give the subject due consideration.—E. W. E.
