( cl ) 



it in its natural condition, a joy to the tourist and entomologist 

 alike. 



Russia has established at least three nature reserves; one 

 of them in Lithuania, for the preservation of the almost 

 extinct European bison. There are two other reserves 

 specially for plants with a view to preserving the Steppe 

 flora of Russia. One is about 1,200 acres, and the other 

 1000 acres. The Steppe flora of Russia is of such a remark- 

 able nature that one cannot but rejoice that the Russian 

 Government has taken steps to preserve a portion of it in 

 perpetuity. 



Austria has several nature reserves, which owe their incep- 

 tion to private individuals, and very remarkable reserves 

 they are. Two of these are in the well-known Bohmer Wald. 

 The third is the perhaps less well-known Kubani. This is a 

 reserve of some 250 acres, and the previous owner of the 

 property had placed a note in his will that these 250 acres 

 should be left in their natural condition so that persons 

 visiting the estate should see the advantages of properly 

 conducted forestry. In that way a valuable nature reserve 

 was established. The fourth nature reserve, also about 200 

 to 300 acres, belongs to a connection of mine in Diirnstein 

 in Upper Austria. It is a virgin pine forest known as the 

 Rothe Wald. The area in question was not put to any 

 economic use on account of its great distance from a road, 

 and was bought by my relative many years ago on account 

 of its natural beauty, and he has retained it in its primitive 

 condition. The preservation of nature in Austria has been 

 furthered in recent years by a private society, which has 

 secured a remarkable area in the Salzburg region which is 

 called the Austrian National Park. It is in the mountains 

 known as Hoher Tauern, and is about 46 square miles. 

 It is proposed to make others. I am venturing to show 

 the Fellows to-night some pictures of this reserve, which 

 are quite surprising in beauty. A similar Society obtains 

 in Germany, which has acquired a large area of the well- 

 known heath, the Liineburger Heide. They not only endeavour 

 to protect the uncultivated portions of this area, and have 

 done so with considerable success, but they also protect 



