T9o8 HORWOOD. — Extinction of Cryptogams in Ireland. 155 



regalis in Armagh, and in Antrim of Lastrca Thclyptcris. 

 In County Clare, though some plants have decreased, others 

 have become more abundant, especially cryptogams. No 

 change has been witnessed in Wexford, and in N. E Galway 

 cryptogams are on the increase. Similarly in Waterford, 

 S. Tipperary, King's County, Mayo, and Louth, no changes 

 have been noticed. From North Tipperary, Kilkenny, Car- 

 low, Queen's Count}*, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, 

 Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan, reports are still wanted. 



Remedies. — As the causes enumerated have brought about 

 marked changes in the extent and gravity of their effect it 

 is essential that remedies be sought. It is suggested that 

 for the different classes of causes (excluding climate, which 

 cannot, except in so far as deforestation is concerned, be 

 controlled), three ways of arresting the evil be considered. 

 At the British Association Meeting at Leicester, 1907, Prof. 

 Conwentz introduced an important discussion on the 

 Preservation of Natural Monuments,^ describing the action of 

 the Prussian Government in this direction, and indicating 

 how the same measures might be adopted in England. 



Agricultural (see list a7ite) — The appointment of an official 

 (government) bot^jnist (with assistants) in each count)* is 

 advocated, since it would be the means of estimating accurately 

 present or likely cases of extinction, and a report could be 

 kept, owners of lands being requested to preserve plants 

 threatened by drainage, cultivation, deforestation, or planting, 

 burning of furze, cutting of peats, lowering of level of lakes, 

 &c. Not only would such an official (appointed by the State, 

 like the National Museum officials, Geological Surve3'ors, 

 Board of Agriculture and Fisheries Inspectors, &c.) thus be 

 able (when empowered) to prevent any wide-spread extinction, 

 but he should be trained and able to give advice on questions 

 of forestry and economics, and he could systematically 

 work out the flora of his district, and form or direct local 

 arboreta, &c. Thus, a systematic botanical survey could be 

 carried out. Causes affecting animal life could be dealt with 

 in a similar way by a zoologist, and biology would be greatly 

 advanced with not only scientific but also practical results. 



■• See Nature, Sept. 26, 1907, p. 556. 



