BRITISH MAMMALS 



animal now under review. When clover was first sown 



in New Zealand, it was found that it did not become 



fertilised, owing to the absence of Humble Bees. These 



useful insects were, therefore, introduced, and for a few 



seasons all went well. Then it was discovered that the 



Bees diminished, the explanation being that they were 



being preyed upon by Voles. The latter became a 



plague, and something had to be done to combat their 



ravages. An effort was then made to obtain a supply of 



Hawks and Owls, so that these birds of prey should help 



to reduce the rodent's numbers, and it is satisfactory to 



note that the results were so encouraging that the right 



balance was again struck. 



Nature will have her own way. She may receive a 



check, and sustain temporary defeat, but she is bound 



to win in the end, and goes on her way undaunted. 



Man's interference with animal and plant life often leads 



to disastrous results, and once the balance has been 



upset, it is difficult to right it again. We have seen 



evidence of this over and over again, and the most woeful 



ignorance still prevails concerning our friends and foes. 



We have witnessed the destruction of both one and the 



other, especially by amateur gardeners who know not 



the error of their ways, and, what is infinitely worse, they 



refuse to be enlightened. There is hope that the younger 



generation will be better acquainted with wild creatures' 



ways than our grown-ups, for, as a result of personal 



observation, our young folks cannot fail to acquire such 



knowledge as will in after Hfe stand them in good stead. 

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