JUNE 155 



some cases it is unable to live even where 

 the pollution is not poisonous. A very 

 sad instance is to be witnessed in Kent, 

 in which a naturally charming little 

 stream, once alive with trout and May- 

 flies, is now destitute of both. Refuse 

 from a mill forms a glutinous slime under 

 which neither spawn of fish nor insects' 

 eggs can thrive. Within the last five or 

 six years, stimulated by the splendid 

 example set on the Thames, public bodies 

 and private persons in many parts of 

 the United Kingdom have been taking 

 measures against pollution, and that with 

 no little success ; but now, alas ! the 

 Mayfly is adversely affected by a well- 

 meant reform of another kind. That 

 is the Wild Birds Protection Act, in 

 relation to which those who are con- 

 cerned with justice and general prosperity 

 out of doors, in wild life, are confronted 

 by a problem exactly analogous to that 

 which in various modes is continuously 

 perplexing statesmen. How is the lot 

 of one class to be improved without 



