66 Mr. R. M. Christy, Natural History Notes.
interest attaching to its abnormal form would recommend
it. The common English name of the species given in
the Floras is "Lady's Smock;" but the country people
of this neighbourhood, especially the children, call it
"Milkmaid." This abnormal form, growing as it does by
nature in the parish of Widford, may therefore well he
introduced to cultivation as the "Widford Milkmaid."
J. G.
Feb. 19th, 1880.
[In a letter Mr. Gibbs adds—"I have confined myself in the paper
to a bare statement of facts, without indulging in the many reflections
suggested by them, as to the origin of the form, its analogy with other
abnormal flowers of the same natural order, &c. The fact of its
growing in the neighbourhood of Chelmsford, within a short distance
of the London road, without being noticed by anyone but myself, may
encourage us to expect large results from an organized exploration of
the several parishes of Essex in search of natural wonders." On the
15th of May last we, in company with our President, had, under the
guidance of Mr. Gibbs, the pleasure of seeing the plant growing in its
native habitat. It was still flourishing somewhat luxuriantly, and
the case appears to be well worthy of careful consideration.—Ed.]
Natural History Notes.
By R. M. CHRISTY.
I.
(Read March 20th, 1880.)
On the morning of the 17th ultimo a rather curious occur-
rence took place here, Chignall near Chelmsford. A rat
and a weasel (Mustela vulgaris, L.) were caught together in
the same trap, which was set under a barley-stack. On
the trap being taken up, the weasel quickly struggled itself
free, but the rat was securely held and killed. The trap
was set again at the same place, and later in the day the
weasel had the boldness to cross it again, but was imme-