Amongst all the wonderful ways in which Nature does her daily work, none is more amazing than that in which she spreads the seeds of her wild plants, trees, and flowers, so that they propagate themselves in their natural surroundings. There are seeds, like those of the sycamore and the dandelion carried on the winds; there are seeds that animals carry with them on their coats; there are seeds carried by birds, and seeds borne on the surface of streams. All these, and some even more marvellous methods of seed-distribution, will be described in Mr. Parker's talk this afternoon.

Relayed from WESTMINSTER ABBEY

BUTTONHOLES, which look so simple and - -D unimportant when they are done, are really one of the acid tests of sewing ability, as many an amateur dressmaker has found to her cost. In this afternoon's talk Miss Hambridge will give full instructions for making bound or piped buttonholes. Diagrams and details will be found on page 90.

THE mechanism of international affairs has changed beyond all recognition since the end of the nineteenth century. Speed of communication and transport—trains and motorcars, cable, wireless and long-distance telephone, have affected both diplomatic methods and the state of public opinion as between different nations ; whilst a whole system of international organizations has sprung up, culminating in the League of Nations. The combined effect of all these changes will be the subject of the three talks by tho Professor of International Relations at London University, the first of which will be given this afternoon.

Humorous Songs by Frederick Chester. The Story of 'The Devoted Friend' (Oscar Wilde). 'Zoo Letters,' a Zoo Talk by L. G. Mainland

THIS is another of the fortnightly series of talks in which Mrs. Mary Agnes
Hamilton. the well-known journalist, writer, and economist, is giving listeners a line on the new novels that pour forth from the publishers in an ever-increasing spate. Readers who find it hard to keep their heads above the flood, and are afraid of missing the really important books in the press of mediocrities, will particularly appreciate these short reviews.

HAYDN PIANO SONATAS
Played by E. KENDALL-TAYLOR

' Galileo (continued) and Descartes '
LAST week Sir Oliver Lodge began to talk of Galileo, the most famous of the pre-
Newtonian astronomers. This week he continues his discussion of Galileo, and goes on to Descartes, the French philosopher and mathematician of the earlier seventeenth century, who paved tho way for Newton, with whose work the last two talks in this series will deal.

ELSIE CARLISLE (in Syncopation)
FAWCETTEVANS(Entertainer)
NEIL KENYON (Scots Comedian)
ANGELA BADDELEYin a Sketch by A. P. HERBERT
YYETTE DARNAC (French and English Son gs)
JULIAN Rose (Hebrew Comedian)

THERE is no better-known figure in the world of politics than Jimmy' Thomas, the spokesman of the railwaymen, who began lifo as an errand boy and was Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Labour Government. He has long been a favourite subject for paragraphists and caricaturists ; but Mr. Gardiner's methods are his own, and he has always something new and revealing to say.

Relayed from the Wigmore Hall
An Established Work:
Leon Goossens and the Virtuoso Quartet
Quintet for Oboe and Strings

Arnold Bax (born 1883), one of the foremost present-day composers, was trained at the Royal Academy of Music, studying composition under Frederick Corder. His music was first heard in public in 1903, and since then he has written many large Choral, Orchestral and Chamber works, besides Piano pieces and many subtle and fragrant songs, in which there is often a wistful tenderness. He has a Celtic strain in him, and so it is not surprising that he has given us some sensitive and charming expressions of moods both in keyboard music and in songs.
The Quintet, dedicated to Leon Goossens, is in three Movements. The First has a prelude in moderate time, in which the Oboe has a little cadenza of an improvisatory nature. This opening portion works up to an impassioned climax, and then the Oboe, with a flight aloft, leads in the quick portion of tho Movement, which is quite short and very vigorous at the start, though it ends in tranquil mood, extremely softly.
Tho Second Movement, slow and expressive, opens in alternate bars of four and three beats. Then the Oboe has a little cadenza, and the Viola brings in a theme of grave sweetness, which is discussed by the other instruments. The theme of the first section returns, and the Movement dies away with an echo of the second theme.
The Last Movement runs gaily along in jig-like fashion, until a slower section is reached, in which the 'Cello has a leading tune. The lively pace is resumed, and the jig-tune returns, to be interrupted twice by slower interludes of a few bars' length, before, in a final whirl, it dashes home.

HARRIET COHEN and the VIRTUOSO QUARTET
Piano Quintet (First Performance)