THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PLANTS 97 



around in towns and villages. When, in January 

 1624, Mr. John Goodyer "rode between Rake and 

 Headley in Hampshire, neere Wollmer Forest," he 

 saw enough maidenhair spleenwort " to lode an horse 

 with " ; it is doubtful if a single specimen of the plant 

 could be found to-day. The Tunbridge fern is almost 

 extinct at Tunbridge, and the sea spleenwort in the 

 Isle of Wight. But it is needless to continue the 

 mournful catalogue. The fact is too patent to require 

 illustration. It should, however, be borne in mind 

 that unless persons were found ready to buy the spoil 

 the trade in native plants would quickly cease. The 

 time has surely come when all lovers of Nature and 

 of country life should use every endeavour to preserve 

 what yet remains to us of the flora of Great Britain. 



