178 
would be almost equally applicable to other parts of London. Ih 
is largely owing to such concentration of observation on a smal 
and well-defined area as has produced this book that the natura 
history records of London are so surprisingly rich and so en 
couraging-to all who take up the study of nature within it: 
borders.—London Times—New York Evening Sun. 
PRESERVATION OF THE WILD FLOWERS.* 
All beauty originates in nature. Man cannot create beauty 
all he can do is to imitate the beautiful in nature. While all ir 
nature is attractive, the smallest and most hidden herb, as wel 
as the tallest and stateliest tree, by far the most beautiful cre. 
ations of nature are the flowers 
fan has realized the exquisite beauty of the flowers, anc 
therefore grows them in his gardens that they may be nearer tc 
him and he may the better enjoy their charm and fragrance 
He has also, by careful cultivation and selection of them, suc. 
ceeded in producing flowers that are very much improved ir 
color, size and fragrance. Doubtless, when beauty is measurec 
by the standard of form and color, the cultivated flowers sur: 
pass their wild prototypes. But does this standard consis! 
of form and color alone? No. The real standard takes intc 
consideration also the sensation of pleasure which the visior 
of the flower imparts to the individual who beholds it. Tak. 
ing this into consideration, which, on the average, gives yot 
the greater pleasure, and impresses you as being the more beauti- 
ul, the cultivated or the wild flower? Which give you the 
greater sensation of beauty, the pansies which grow in you! 
garden, or the violets which you discovered while on a pleasan' 
ramble in the woods, sleepily nodding their heads in the gentle 
breeze blowing through the shaded dale where they grew in grea’ 
numbers? Which are you more proud to show your friends 
the pansies or the violets? Which do you enjoy more, a wall 
*Awarded a third prize, competition of 1909, from the Caroline and Olivi 
Phelps Stokes Fund for the Preservation of Native Plants 
