208 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Should this suggestion appear incompatible with the strict 

 canons of the sculptor's art, an argument in its favour may be 

 borrowed from antiquity ; and just as we contemplate with 

 admiration the beautiful outlines and just proportions of some 

 old Greek statue of which the features have perished, so we may 

 learn to look with pleasure upon a statue which, accurately 

 representing the dress and figure of the English naturalist, may 

 sufficiently remind us of the man without actually portraying his 

 features. 



On the other hand, there would be no difficulty in designing a 

 monument without a statue, which should be emblematical of the 

 avocation of the naturalist, and which, by means of sculptured 

 figures of some of the animals and plants in which he most 

 delighted, might serve to remind the spectator of the services 

 rendered by the historian of Selborne. 



But whatever decision may be arrived at on this point, the 

 present aim of the writer is simply to call attention to the near 

 approach of the centenary anniversary of an English worthy, 

 and to suggest that now, if ever, is the fitting time to do honour 

 to his memory. And here it will be proper to remark that this 

 appeal to the naturalists of the United Kingdom is not the first 

 that has been made. So long ago as the autumn of 1891 an 

 enthusiastic disciple of Gilbert White, in the person of the Kev. 

 Prebendary Gordon, Vicar of Harting, near Petersfield, con- 

 vened a meeting at the latter town, and in the course of an able 

 lecture set forth the claims of Gilbert White to some public 

 recognition of his services in the cause of Natural History. The 

 Vicar of Petersfield, the Rev. F. J. Causton, warmly supported 

 the cause, as did also Mr. Peile, the Vicar of Selborne, though 

 the last-named gentleman, very naturally, was of opinion that 

 whatever was done in honour of Gilbert White should be done 

 at Selborne. It is somewhat curious that the good people of 

 Selborne should have allowed a century to elapse before arriving 

 at this conclusion. There is no reason, of course, why Selborne 

 and Petersfield should not both erect memorials, though con- 

 certed action would be desirable ; and the formation of a local 

 committee with this object would pave the way for an appeal to 

 the naturalists of this country — an appeal to which, we venture 

 to think, there would be from every quarter a hearty and 

 generous response. 



