4 6 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



NOVEL BOTANICAL 

 COMPETITION. 



THE Editor of Science-Gossip is of opinion 

 that a novel and interesting botanical com- 

 petition may be founded, which will provide not 

 only much amusement for the competitors and 

 for the readers of this journal, but also valuable 

 scientific records of the growth and habits of plants 

 not generally recognized. 



It is therefore decided that two prizes be offered 

 by Science-Gossip under the following rules : 



THE FIRST PRIZE is to be one or more 

 books on any subject, at the selection of the winner, up 

 to the published value of £2 10s. 



THE SECOND PRIZE will be of a like 

 character, valued at £1 10s. 



(1) That there shall be at least ten competitors. 



(2) That the names and addresses of competitors 



shall be sent in before October 1st, 1897. 



(3) That the competition shall apply to photo- 



graphs of uncommon, local, or rare plants. 



(4) That three pictures be taken of the plants while 

 growing : (a) Best showing the habit of 

 growth when flowering, fruit, or otherwise ; 

 (b) of the growing plant and its immediate 

 surroundings ; (c) of the near landscape to 

 show the character of the plant's station. 



{5) That any sized picture up to, though not 

 exceeding, half plate will be acceptable for 

 competition ; quarter plate size will be pre- 

 ferred, but will not influence the prize. 



.(6) That the Editor have the right to reproduce 

 any of the competing pictures in Science- 

 Gossip or elsewhere. The negatives to be 

 the property of the competitor. 



'(7) The locality of the habitat or station of the 

 plant sent for competition must be given ; 

 but not necessarily for publication, if good 

 reason is given. 



(8) That one or more dried specimens from the 

 same locality must accompany the photo- 

 graphs of the plants for confirmation of 

 identity. 



■(g) That the competitor supply, if required by 

 the Editor on reproducing in print any of the 

 competing pictures, notes on the habits, 

 growth, flowering, range of local distribution, 

 and other facts which may be of interest to 

 botanists and general readers. 



{10) That any kind of plants are available for the 

 competition, and may include ferns, mosses, 

 fungi, marine algae, etc. 



{11) That all the pictures for the competition are 

 to be delivered, in duplicate and unmounted, 

 at the office of Science-Gossip not later 

 than October 25th, 1897. 



The judging of the pictures will be by the Editor 

 of Science-Gossip, whose decision will be final. 



He will, however, invite the co-operation of our 

 botanist referee and two leading photographers, 

 whose names will be duly announced. 



The chief points to be considered will be (a) the 

 variety of the species photographed ; (b) the grasp 

 of detail, such as the natural position, the flowering 

 parts, and other surrounding, in case any appear ; 

 (c) the excellence of the photography. 



The name and address of the competitor must 

 be neatly written in lead pencil on the back of 

 each competing picture. One competitor may 

 send three or less subjects for competition, each 

 being available for competition on its own merits. 



The awards of prizes will be announced as soon 

 as practicable after the 1st of November next, 

 probably in the December number of Science- 

 Gossip. It is intended to reproduce the prize 

 pictures in Science-Gossip. All the competing 

 photographs will be circulated for examination 

 among the competitors during the winter months. 



We sincerely hope that we may receive the 

 support of all classes of botanists in this competi- 

 tion, which is founded solely in the interests of an 

 extended culture of field botany in this country. 



J. T. C. 



LOCAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES 



And the Technical Education Grant. 



Vy IDESPREAD attention should be called to 

 the agitation commenced at the meeting 

 of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, 

 reported on page 41 in this number. The demand 

 is for participation in the Technical Education 

 Grant, as administered by the County Councils, 

 to the extent of house-room for meetings, libraries, 

 etc., free of rent. This is now denied, as the 

 societies do not examine pupils. It could be easily 

 given, with hardly any tax on the finances of the 

 Department. Local scientific societies largely 

 consist of the very class the Grant was made to 

 benefit. These amateurs are, as a body, doing an 

 immense amount of educational and civilizing 

 work, in spreading knowledge of the highest class. 

 At present their work is heavily taxed by the 

 annual rent-charge for meeting-places ; indeed, it 

 too frequently swamps their existence. If, how- 

 ever, every local society of scientific amateurs 

 would petition their Members of Parliament to 

 get the right, on possessing a certain numerical 

 strength, to ask the County Council for room, we 

 feel sure it would be granted by Parliament. We 

 also doubt not that, if properly approached, 

 Sir John Lubbock, M.P., F.R.S., would advise 

 and manage the business in the House of 

 Commons. With his powerful aid little opposition 

 need be feared, especially when we remember 

 that the Prime Minister is himself a scientific 

 amateur of the greatest culture. J. T. C. 



