Hobbits?...And what may they be?

Hobbits…And what may they be? This study considers the possible origin of the word ‘hobbit’ on the eightieth anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Tolkien’s book - The Hobbit. It examines the most widely discussed supposed origin by contemporary commentators, and undermines its credibility. Instead, it foregrounds what was originally a medieval Welsh word widely used in agricultural circles, which Tolkien may have encountered in his youth. Proof that the word had a widespread use in a specific sector of the provincial Welsh press is amply demonstrated, and consideration is given to Tolkien’s childhood visit to Wales. Tolkien’s comments on the probable process of inspiration are examined and shown to be applicable to this example. A focus on a neglected, or underrated plausible origin of the word illustrates its true potential for being considered in the future when origins of the word are discussed

Does Flower Morphology affect Honey Bee Preference?

Considering honey bee populations are at threat of declining. Flower preference is important to understand how we can attempt to preserve their habitats. The difference in abundance and time spent on composite vs non composite flowers is important to know in order to conserve habitats, and since bees are important for helping flowers and plants reproduce. Will composite flowers have more honey bees than non composite flowers? Composite flowers had significantly more honey bees than non composite flowers and the honey bees tended to stay longer as well. With more knowledge on flower preference we can take steps to restore habitats for honey bees, and improve agriculture. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of flower preference in honey bees in order to maintain their habitats

Wild Flowers

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Review of the Genus \u3ci\u3eMacdunnoa\u3c/i\u3e (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) with Description of a New Species From Florida

The imago, nymph, and egg of Macdunnaa brunnea n. sp. are described from the south- eastern U.S. Heptagenia persimpiex is transferred to Macdunnoa and additional diagonostic characters are given for this species and for Macdunnoa nipawinia. The relationship of Macdunnoa to Stenacron and Stenonema is discussed

‘The Catholic Florist’: flowers and deviance in the mid-nineteenth century Church of England

The middle decades of the nineteenth century saw a dramatic change in the appearance of many ecclesiastical interiors due to the growing popularity of Catholic revivalism in the Church of England. One aspect of this process was the increasing abundance of flowers in churches in defiance of opinions which regarded such practices as incompatible with Protestantism. Such opposition also drew strength from cultural associations between flowers and dangerously alluring femininity and sexuality. It was popularly feared that priests were using flowers to lure women into their clutches. The medievalising work of Pugin and the members of the Ecclesiological Society played a major role in the moral legitimisation of both flowers and floral motifs in the decoration of churches. At the same time, rising living standards were bringing cut-flowers, including those forced in hot houses, within the budgets of middle-class households. The enhanced respectability of flowers as suitable for sacred contexts fuelled the development of an emergent craze for floral decoration in the home. Practices of the use of flowers as ornaments increasingly crossed back and forth between domestic and ecclesiastical contexts. The continued association of blossoms with the realm of the feminine did not, however, lead to sustained moral panic because flower-arranging Anglo-Catholic priests were increasingly seen as effeminates rather than as sexual predators. This analysis of developments in the early to mid-Victorian periods is seen as forming the basis for further work into the subsequent floral interconnections between sacred contexts, aestheticism and the Arts and Crafts Movement

Flowers of the Gutter

Painting by Ali Craven

The unique mouse pollination in an orchid species

The Chinese orchid, _Cymbidium serratum_, is pollinated by the wild mountain mouse _Rattus fulvescens_. The flowers use both odor and colour as attractants, and provide labellum as food reward for the pollinators. The mice pollinate the flowers during their endeavour to eat the labellums