XXIV PROCEEDINGS, 



be obtained in large quantities. Botanists, he said, often root 

 up numerous specimens of non-variable species, partly for the 

 purpose of exchange, but even the gathering of blossom may 

 endanger the continuance of annuals by preventing the formation 

 of seed. Protective measures were then discussed by him, and 

 the conclusion was arrived at that we must mainly depend upon 

 the development of a general sentiment in favour of the con- 

 servation of our natural beauties, nothing conducing to this end 

 more than education. As this must be tardy, and the existing 

 law is inadequate, legislation appeared to be required, and it was 

 proposed to introduce a Bill on the lines of the Wild Birds' 

 Protection Act, applying only to persons over fourteen years 

 of age as principals, and exempting occiipiers of land and those 

 authoi'ized by them, but authorizing the scheduling of species, 

 and of districts or whole counties. 



The Rev. R. Ashington Bullen said that the whortleberry had 

 been destroyed in his district (Woking) by incendiary fires, and 

 at Reigate the fiUing-up of a bog in order to make golf-links had 

 doubtless resulted in the extirpation of the sundew. 



Mr. Longden of Stanton suggested that a circular should be 

 sent to school-teachers calling their attention to the subject with 

 a view to their interesting the children under their care in the 

 preservation of our wild flowers. 



Mr. H. Coates said that the Perthshire Society of Natural 

 Science had jealously guarded Ben Lawers as specially its own 

 preserve, and favoured the suggestion, which his Society might 

 be able to carry out, to establish gardens for the cultivation of 

 wild plants which are in danger of extermination. 



Mr. W. Grrey said that the flowers and ferns which used to 

 decorate the roads and hedges in the neighbourhood of Belfast 

 were being exterminated, and he thought that nothing would 

 prevent these depredations except law, but care should be taken 

 to give facihties to the scientific collector. 



Mr. W. Marsh mentioned that they had about 4,000 children 

 in Leeds who were beginning to take an interest in wild flowers, 

 and as these children went out into the country their depredations 

 were likely to be serious. 



Yovxr Delegate gave an account of the depredations of dealers 

 in ferns in the neighbourhood of St. Albans some thirty years 

 ago, when several species which then adorned their lanes and 

 woods were extirpated. He thought the idea of a circular 

 a good one, and that it should be carried out before any legal 

 Act could be obtained, which would take a considerable time. 



Mr. Whitaker thought that collectors had been unfairly treated, 

 the offenders being the people who l)uy the things. Much harm 

 done was due to the craze some people had for filling their rooms 

 "\vith cut flowers. 



The Chairman said that a certain Moss Litter Company had 

 completely ruined one of the most prolific floras near his native 

 town. He thought the subject should not be allowed to drop. 



