1 8 DIVERSIONS OF A NATURALIST 



Grey and Mr. Lewis Harcourt and several of our most 

 distinguished botanists and zoologists are members of 

 the council. All who sympathize with the objects of 

 the society should write to the secretary for further 

 information. 



Already two tracts of land were secured as nature- 

 reserves before the society came into existence. One 

 of. these is Wickham Fen, not far from Cambridge, 

 renowned for its remarkable plants and insects. It was 

 purchased and placed in the hands of the National 

 Trust by a public-spirited entomologist. Another re- 

 serve, which has been secured, is far away on the links 

 or dunes of the north coast of Norfolk, and is of especial 

 interest to botanists. No one — either golfer or bungalow- 

 builder — can now interfere there and destroy the inter- 

 woven flora and fauna, the members of which balance and 

 protect, encourage and check one another, as is Nature's 

 method. The interaction of the various species of wild 

 plants in this undisturbed spot is made the subject of 

 continual and careful study by the botanists who are 

 permitted to frequent it. More such " reserves " and of 

 different characters are desirable. Should we, of the 

 present day, succeed in securing some great marsh-land, 

 one or more rocky headlands or islands, and a good 

 sweep of Scotch moor and mountain, and in raising 

 money to provide guardians for these acquisitions, we 

 shall not only enjoy them ourselves but be blessed by 

 future generations of men for having saved something of 

 Britain's ancient nature, when all else, which is not city, 

 will have become manure, shooting greens, and pleasure 

 gardens. 



In Germany and in Switzerland a good deal has 

 been done in this way. Owing to the existence of 



