In order that the effect may be good, it is necessary that the objects be not uniform. Their surface must be naturally carved and hollowed, and the projecting parts must detach themselves well from each other. The number of species now used is relatively large, but a selection from these will inevitably be made. Some patterns will be better liked than others, and ladies who are to wear these new trimmings this winter will be able to make their choice of them at the fashion stores. When such articles as these make their appearance, they often spread with surprising rapidity. It is now but a few days since the great dressmaker Worth adopted them, and the linen trade already has them in stock. We recently saw at Suzange's some linen aprons and collars ornamented with small groups of fruits and seeds prepared by the Collin process, and which produced a most pleasing effect. The idea has even occurred to apply these trimmings to furniture and upholstery. In the manufacture of these articles the cones of several species of _Casuarina_, the tags of alder, as well as the naturally carved fruits of certain _Eloeocarpi_ of India and Australia, were first used; then came the fruits of the umbelliferous plant, _Oenanthe_, the spiral pods of _Medicago_, the fruit of the water-caltrops, _Melia_ and _Zizyphus_, the cups of the acorn, the involucres of the beech, the seeds of _Coix lacryma_, etc. The naturalist ought to be glad to see objects that form the base of his studies taking a direction favorable to the industry of his country. On another hand, these products themselves cannot fail to arouse the curiosity of ladies who have the instinct of observation. And, who knows? Perhaps a frock or mantle trimmed with these vegetable ornaments may prove a more certain propaganda in favor of botany than the most classic lessons on this gentle, science!--_La Nature_. * * * * * DEW. [Footnote: Abstract of paper read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh on Dec. 21, 1885, by Mr. Aitken, communicated by permission of the Council of the Society.--_Nature_.]