On preserving Plants from Snails and Slugs. 
151 
owing to the extreme delicacy of that part of their bodies upon which 
they move. Sawdust, examined through a microscope, presents to 
the eye, innimierable acute points, and hence, when strewed round 
plants, is, on the same principle as coal-ashes, useful in protecting 
them. But the efficiency of both these, will be desti*oyed by their 
being washed beneath the surface by hea\'y rains. The dry hulls 
of oats have also been employed \vith partial success ; these cling 
to, and completely envelope, any of this class of depredators, that 
attempt to move over them : but after rain, they like\\Tise affi^rd no 
protection. 
So much for my experience of the popular remedies for the evils 
adverted to. I have now, however, unfeigned pleasure in making 
kno\v'n, through your useful publication, to the lovers of gardening, 
that Miss Bygrave, the ingenious and amiable daughter of Captain 
Bygrave, of Albany Barracks in this island, has invented an article, 
(fig. 19) for the preservation of plants from the attacks of slugs, 
snails, &c. which, to her credit, proves at once, neat, simple, cheap, 
and most completely efficacious. The model was made first in paste- 
board, and afterwards in clay, and sent to the potteries at Fareham, 
where, a few days ago, it was copied and manufactured in several 
sizes, one of which accompanies this note. I need only add, that 
it is intended to be placed round the plants, nearly even Avith the 
surface of the soil ; and then having the hollow part filled with salt, 
it forms a little fortress, surrounded with a ditch, which it would be 
instant death to the most valiant of the snail tribe, who should dare 
to assault it. 
I trust, Gentlemen, that in the next number of your Register, you 
will accompany the notice of this useful invention, with an engi'aving ; 
