338 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1913. 
a single instance in which the privilege had been abused. In the suggested 
powers that it was proposed through Parliament to give he saw grave danger 
of this present state of things being interfered with. 
In other respects, the suggestions now made had already been adopted by 
several societies many years ago. 
He also, as representative of one of the largest societies in the Union, 
resented the suggestion that all these various societies should come under the 
wing of the Selborne Society in this so-called protective scheme. He did not 
wish to deprecate in any way the excellent work the Selborne Society was 
doing, but he felt sure that many societies whose delegates were present felt 
that they were able to continue the work they had been doing for many years 
without being connected with the Selborne, or any other society of that kind. 
Mr, Witu1am West (Bradford Natural History and Microscopical Society), as 
an ex-President of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, endorsed all Mr. Sheppard’s 
remarks. The less said in calling attention to rare plants the better; it simply 
calls the attention of both vandals and collectors to the desirability in their 
own interests of collecting these plants for sale or other purposes. A true 
naturalist would never buy a rare specimen if there were the slightest chance 
of its extinction. 
The discussion was at this point adjourned until the following subject had 
been brought forward by Mr. R. H. WHITEHOUSE. 
The Best Means of Preventing the Extinction of Local Species. 
It is an easy matter to talk about what measures should be taken to prevent 
the extinction of species, but it is exceedingly difficult to find really practicable 
measures to enforce. 
This subject has occupied the attention of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club 
for many years; not so much for the necessity for active measures in their 
district, for we are singularly free from the wanton destruction reported from 
many districts, but more from the fact that they realise that it is better to 
have some workable scheme in readiness should necessity arise. Besides, the 
Club is anxious to do its part for the common good, and to support heartily 
schemes which will prove effective in preserving local species from destruction. 
Discussion will be most profitable if we place ourselves in the position of the 
people who would be affected by any measures; we shall then be in a better 
position to realise the objection to schemes. 
We must not forget there is a dominant characteristic of the British public 
which all reformers do well to consider, namely, the resentment to interference 
with what are thought to be personal liberties. 
There are some causes for extinction over which, apparently, we have no 
control; I am thinking of ‘progressive schemes’ chiefly associated with the 
extension of towns. As a town expands (and here in Birmingham we know 
what that means) people penetrate further into the country for recreation. The 
chief occupation of our lower artisan classes during their country-rambles to-day 
is to make ‘short cuts,’ cut sticks from hedges with which to mow down any 
herb that is handy, remove ferns, saxifrages, &c., from walls and carry on other 
such acts of destruction. I cannot see any really practical means which can be 
adopted in this country against this evil; in Germany they would simply erect 
a prohibitory notice and nobody would go! And I might add that, as a lover 
of Nature, I strongly resented such notices even when in Germany. The average 
Britisher resents notices against trespassing, and I know naturalists who even 
make it a rule to invade all fields and woods which are forbidden. 
_The construction of public works is another frequent cause of destruction to 
objects of natural interest. The construction of huge reservoirs, as in the 
Lake District and Elan Valley, is fatal. Drainage schemes similarly affect 
certain species. The construction of a railway is frequently attended with 
disasters, as we so frequently see in Sutton Park, where fires are common during 
a fered and are caused by hot cinders as often as by carelessness of the 
public. 
_ What I want you to realise is that as naturalists we are of second-rate 
importance against such destruction. Many enthusiastic lovers of Nature talk 
as though rare animals and plants were of the first importance. This is a 
