at
night. Mathematical problems are received with interest, and studied with
absorbing attention by many a broad-spoken, common-looking factory-hand. It is
perhaps less astonishing that the more popularly interesting branches of natural
history have their warm and devoted followers among this class. There are
botanists among them, equally familiar with either the Linnæan or the Natural
system, who know the name and habitat of every plant within a day's walk from
their dwellings; who steal the holiday of a day or two when any particular plant
should be in flower, and tying up their simple food in their
pocket-handkerchiefs, set off with single purpose to fetch home the
humble-looking weed. There are entomologists, who may be seen with a rude
looking net, ready to catch any winged insect, or a kind of dredge with which
they rake the green and slimy pools; practical, shrewd, hard-working men, who
pore over every new specimen with real scientific delight. Nor is it the common
and more obvious divisions of Entomology and Botany that alone attract these
earnest seekers after knowledge. Perhaps it may be owing to the great annual
town-holiday of Whitsun-week so often falling in May or June, that the two great
beautiful families of Ephemeridæ and Phryganidæ have been so much and so closely
studied by Manchester workmen, while they have in a great measure escaped
general observation. If you will refer to the preface to Sir J.E. Smith's Life
(I have it not by me, or I would copy you the exact passage), you will find that
he names a little circumstance corroborative of what I have said. Being on a
visit to Roscoe, of Liverpool, he made some inquiries from him as to the habitat
of a very rare plant, said to be found in certain places in Lancashire. Mr.
Roscoe knew nothing of the plant; but stated, that if any one could give him the
desired information, it would be a hand-loom weaver in Manchester whom he named.
Sir J.E. Smith proceeded by boat to Manchester, and on arriving at that town, he
inquired of the porter who was carrying his luggage if he could direct him to
So-and-So.
    »Oh, yes,« replied the man. »He does a bit in my way;« and, on further
investigation, it turned out, that both the porter, and his friend the weaver,
were skilful botanists; and able to give Sir J.E. Smith the very information
which he wanted.
    Such are the tastes and