name,

rivals the foxglove in beauty: its long golden spikes of thickly-set blossoms contrasting well with the rich purple bells of the former plant. Its botanical name is a corruption of the word barbascum, or "bearded," the leaves of many species being clothed with dense wool-like hairs, to which its French "Bouillon blanc," or white froth or foam, seems to refer; and a similar meaning is found in many of its European names. Its downy covering is still collected for tinder, and was formerly employed in making the wicks of tapers, especially those which were to be used in the service of the church. Perhaps its names of torch-blade, torchmullein, and, in Germany, high taper and heaven's taper, may refer to this; but they may also have originated from the appearance of the plant itself, as it stands pointing up towards heaven like a floral taper. In the Tartarian steppes, where it flourishes so greatly as to be quite a marked feature of the scene, it is called the steppe taper or steppe light; and its Spanish name describes it as a great constellation. Other names have been given to it, as "the grace of God," "St. Peter's staff," "shepherd's club," "witches' taper," "flannel plant," and "wool blade." The verbascum was formerly held in high repute for diseases of the lungs. The seeds, which yield a fine purple dye, are said to preserve their vegetative powers a long time, and thus the plants often spring up unexpectedly in ground newly broken or burnt. (The same may

be said of the foxglove, which is generally observed at Malvern to come up in the greatest abundance where the gorse has been on fire in the previous autumn.)

Lovers of ferns may find one or two small delicate species on the rocks of Malvern. The black-stalked Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum nigrum), and the common maiden-hair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), may be found in crevices among them; and the beautiful little three-branched Polypody (Polypodium dryopteris) grows abundantly about the fallen fragments of rock in the stony glen between the North and End Hills.

In the little bog on the western side of the Worcestershire Beacon, the fragrant heath shieldfern (Lastroa Oreopteris), the stiff hard-fern (Blechnum boreale), and the lady fern (Athyrium Filixfœmina), are to be found; and various other species inhabit the shady lanes and commons below the hills.

According to Mr. Lees, there is no spot in the kingdom of a similar extent that contains so great a variety of Lichens and Fungi, so that in those tribes alone the " Botanical Looker-out" might find employment for many months.

A Society was established in Malvern in 1853, entitled "The Malvern Naturalists' Field Club," under the presidency of the Rev. W. S. Symonds, F.G.S., for the practical study of the natural history of the neighbourhood.

Limiting its number of members, and admitting those only who take an active interest in the promotion of its objects, it has already done good service in the cause of natural history, not only by general research, but by the foundation of a purely local Museum, in which all rare specimens of natural history found in the neighbourhood are deposited. Mr. Walter Burrow, who has the charge of the Museum, is the Honorary Secretary.

HYDROPATHIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

Malvern may be considered the Graffenberg of England; but, in addition to the skill of Priessnitz, the practitioners of the hydropathic system in Malvern combine the advantages to be derived from a thorough knowledge of allopathy, all of them being physicians of long standing, while clever resident surgeons are at hand to render their assistance when required; these advantages, combined with the purity of the air and water, and the luxurious accommodation for visitors, make it the resort of numerous families in search of health during all seasons. Persons placing themselves under the processes of the water-cure are divided into two classes-out and in patients. The outpatients reside either in lodgings, or engage readyfurnished houses for the purpose, and are visited at home both by their physicians and bath attendants; the in-patients reside in the establishment of the

physician under whose care they have placed themselves each physician having one or more establishments, replete with every comfort and accommodation, for the reception of his patients. There are six resident practitioners of the water-cure,Dr. Wilson, Dr. Gully, Dr. Marsden, Dr. Stummes, Dr. Grindrod, and Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Wilson has a spacious building capable of containing at least fifty patients, with the requisite accommodation for baths and exercise; and he has lately completed a very handsome pile of building adjacent to his establishment, for the accommodation of patients, their friends, or the public generally. Dr. Malcolm is connected with Dr. Wilson as assisting physician.

Dr. Gully has a handsome establishment for the reception of ladies only, at Holyrood House, and he has had Tudor House built and set apart for gentlemen patients; he receives patients for consultation at his residence, the Priory, every week-day between the hours of nine and eleven in the morning. His baths, which are near to his private residence, are erected in a separate and commodious building.

Dr. Marsden has an elegant and complete suite of baths in South Field, near to his large establishment, Hardwick House; and he may be consulted at his residence, Abbotsfield.

The bath-rooms of Dr. Grindrod are contiguous to his dwelling and establishment, Townsend House.

They are very extensive, and comprehend every variety of bath.

Dr. Johnson has a spacious establishment for patients, with a set of excellent baths of .very elegant architecture, erected in his own pleasuregrounds.

Dr. Stummes (formerly Resident Physician for many years in Dr. Wilson's establishment), at the time we write, is about to become Physician and Managing Director of a Joint-Stock (limited) Hydropathic Establishment, with a capital of 20,000l. in 5l. shares. The site of the proposed building is in South Field, and consists of five acres of ground. It is proposed to have this establishment opened to the public by the summer of 1862.

SCHOOLS.

Southlea

At Portswood, Mr. E. R. C. Hays, B.A., Oxon, receives a limited number of young gentlemen.

At Malvern Wells, Mr. Essex conducts an establishment for the education of gentlemen's

sons.

Wellington House, Miss Jay's Establishment. At Elmsdale, a very excellent ladies' school has been established by Miss Cooper.

At Malvern Link, the Misses Poole receive a limited number of young ladies to educate.

(Banhill, Southfield, the Misses Richards receive a limited number of bouing

ladies.