NATURE NOTES. 
150 
\\ e stayed next at Aranjuez, where our eyes were refreshed by the sight of green 
trees in the royal park, all the centre of Spain (where any irrigation exists) being 
given up to corn, and all trees cut down for fear of harbouring birds to eat the 
corn— killing Peter to rob Paul, as locusts and caterpillars have it all their own 
way” (p. 17). The young Selbornian should have no idle moment, but be con- 
stantly on the alert to observe a new plant or animal, to consider its ways and to 
learn what to search for in various districts. At Hermagor, in Carinthia, Miss 
Ivorth at once strove to obtain a flower of IViilfenia cartiithiaca from its only 
European localit)'. W hen we were travelling with Miss North in Australia she 
always knew beforehand what she wanted, and could thus economise her valuable 
time for painting and research. 
There was one peculiarity which is worth recording, and that was her power 
of attracting the leading experts in science, as well as humble folk, to her side. 
^Ir. Lear’s Egyptian Pilot well describes one whom all her friends always 
sadly mourn. “ This Bint was unlike most other English Bints, being firstly 
white and lively ; secondly, she was gracious in manner and of kind disposition ; 
thirdly, she attended to her father, whose days went in rejoicing that he had such 
a^Bint ; fourthly, she represented all things on paper, she drew all the temples of 
Nubia, all tbe sakkiabs and all the men and women and nearly all the palm trees ; 
she was a valuable and remarkable Bint.” 
George A. and Theresa Musgrave. 
THE GILBERT WHITE CENTENARY. 
It would have been difficult to convince Gilbert White that he was a great 
man. If one had told that “ sweet-souled gentleman” that his book would 
become a classic, and that his memory would be cherished with an almost per- 
sonal affection by countless thousands of the English-speaking race, he would 
probably have laughed at the prophecy, as Sarai laughed at the prophecy of the 
angel. But all that has come to pass in a hundred years, and it was but fitting 
that the centenary of the great naturalist’s death should not be allowed to pass 
unmarked by those who most delight to honour his memory. It is seldom that 
the associations of a famous name are so completely centred in one spot as those 
of Gilbert White are centred at Selborne. The quiet Hampshire village was the 
home of his family and his birthplace ; it was the scene for many years of his 
clerical ministrations ; in its lanes and fields the materials for his book were 
gathered ; and in its sheltered churchyard his bones were laid to rest. A pious 
pilgrimage to Selborne, therefore, seemed the most natural and appropriate cele- 
bration of the Master’s centenary, and the fitness of the scheme was demonstrated 
by the numerous company who assembled at Selborne on June 24th. 
Members of the Society and their friends left Waterloo for Alton by the 11.50 
train, and on arrival at Alton a formidable line of brakes and carriages were 
ready waiting to convey the party across country to Selborne. It is matter for no 
small congratulation that the railway has not yet penetrated to .Selborne to destroy 
its rural simplicity and charm, and on this particular Saturday the five-mile drive 
along the pleasant Hampshire lanes was one of the most enjoyable incidents of the 
day. At .Selborne the rendezvous was the famous “ Plestor,” in the centre t/f 
which grew the “ vast oak ” mentioned by White as having been blown down in 
the great storm of 1703. The place of the oak is now occupied by a spreading 
sycamore of no mean dimensions, and beneath its shade the Selbornians found 
awaiting them a goodly detachment of the members of the Hampshire Field Club, 
and of other bodies. From the “ Plestor ” the party then took their way along 
the only street of the village, past the “Wakes,” and on to a field in which a 
large marquee had been erected for luncheon. In the adjacent field a country 
fair was found to be in full swing — at least, as far as it could be without any 
people. It appeared, on enquiry, that some passing gipsies had noticed our tent ; 
had learnt that it was erected for the entertainment of the Selborne Society, and 
