300 The Daisy and the Dandelion. [Sess. 
that the squirrel is destructive to forests. I would earnestly 
ask our landed proprietors to become convinced of the fact of 
the non-destructiveness of the little animal for themselves, and 
to rely on their own observation, and not on the too often mis- 
taken opinions of their servants. Were this so, we should soon 
have a proper protection afforded to this delightful little friend. 
Especially should this doctrine be preached in our own land of 
Scotland, where ignorant prejudice is already in too many dis- 
tricts exterminating the squirrel. Trap and gun have already 
cleared many a wood of them. In England, where more en- 
lightened ideas take root sooner, on many estates the squirrel 
is protected, and forests and glades are rendered still more en- 
chanting by the presence of the little “ shadow-tail” (Seiwrus). 
I have made this communication in the hope that it will to 
a certain extent nullify the statements made by Mr Speedy. 
From the respect with which any statements made by that 
gentleman are received, I fear that gamekeepers and foresters 
may redouble their energy against my little friends, and I trust 
that I may be able to lessen the severity of this crusade against 
them, and so even in this feeble way repay a debt of gratitude 
which I and mine shall for ever owe to the tiny folk for the 
many delightful hours which they have afforded us. 
Several lantern slides were exhibited in illustration of the 
foregoing. Four of these are reproduced here, and show our 
squirrel either feeding himself or at play. 
VIL—THE DAISY AND THE DANDELION. 
By Dr WM. WATSON. 
(Read Jan. 22, 1902.) 
Boru the daisy and the dandelion belong to a family of plants 
called the Composite. The chief peculiarities of the Com- 
posite are that the anthers cohere, and that a number of small 
flowers grow together on a head. In other respects all Com- 
ie 
