SELBORNIANA. 
57 
worth his while to lay himself out to cater for them delicacies which presumably 
they only care for in edible form. To Selbornians this will act only as an addi- 
tional proof, if such were needed, of the urgency of vigilance, lest such a hapless 
plight should fall upon us too. Isabel Fry. 
[The matter comes nearer home than appears on the surface, for a corres- 
pondent informs us that it was recently stated in the Christian World that 250 
men lately netted between Brighton and Newhaven 15,000 larks in two days ! If 
this statement is even approximately accurate, we quite agree with our corres- 
pondent that “ some fresh Act for the Preservation of Birds ought to be drawn up 
at once.”— Ed. N.N.\ 
The Protection of Wild Flowers. — At a recent meeting of the Tun- 
bridge Wells Natural History Society, the President, the Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, 
spoke of “ the growth of wild flowers in the immediate neighbourhood of towns 
and villages. As a rule, nothing but a daisy or a dandelion was given a chance of 
existence by the wayside anywhere near the habitation of human beings. It 
would add greatly to the common enjoyment if people would abstain from 
plucking and rooting up the wild flowers by the roadside within and near our 
country towns. There was no need for the intervention of the legislator and the 
policeman ; what was wanted was a healthy public opinion, which must be formed 
in the first instance by the help of mothers and nurses, and, in the second, by the 
instruction of the schoolmaster. If our streets and roads were allowed to become 
gay with wild flowers, which were respected as the common property of all, there 
would be a chance that people of wealth would then cease to fence in their fore- 
courts with the gloomiest-looking shrubs, and would rather stock them with 
beautiful flowering plants, open to the view and enjoyment of all.” 
Wanton Destruction of North Park, Eltham. — Under this heading 
Mr. Wm. Phillips writes to the papers a letter in which he speaks of “The 
shameful act of Vandalism already commenced by the Commissioners of Woods 
and P'orests, which unless public opinion and indignation are aroused, may lead to 
the total destruction of not only the most beautiful and most interesting park 
within the metropolitan area, but of the finest lung of all South London. This 
park was enclosed by Edward IV., and was a favourite resort of Queen Elizabeth. 
It is about 140 acres in extent, miles from London, and close to the rapidly 
increasing population of Lee, Plumstead and Woolwich. The mischief has 
already commenced ; 26 acres have been let for building, and as I pass the men 
cutting down the fine old. trees and wrecking this sylvan scene, I cannot help 
thinking that they are cutting down the health and happiness of future genera- 
tions. What aggravates the case is that this is national property, and that the 
highest interests of the people are being sacrificed to the inconceivably sordid 
notion of their own paid servants A grievous wrong is being per- 
petrated, and I earnestly entreat all who value open spaces to see to its redress 
before it is too late.” 
We wrote to IMr. Phillips for further particulars, but he has not acknowledged 
our letter, from which it would seem that he is unaware of the important help 
which the Selborne Society has given in other cases of this kind. 
“Advance, Australia!” — At a recent meeting of the Field Naturalists’ 
Club of Victoria, the eminent botanist, Baron von Mueller, advocated strongly the 
protection of insectivorous and native birds in the colony. He thought that this 
object might be attained, not only by putting a com'paratively heavy tax upon 
guns and by more strictly enforcing the present laws, but by the initiation of some 
scheme which would enlist the sympathy and co-operation of all persons interested 
in the subject. He suggested that a distinctive badge might be worn by members 
if such a union were ever formed. Is there a branch of the Selborne Society in 
Australia ? 
What is to be Done ? — Will some reader who is versed in the laws relating 
to property kindly inform me exactly what the law is concerning the uprooting 
and carding away of ferns and plants from the lanes and woods? A short time 
ago a friend related to me the following incident : — “ A bailiff, jogging along the 
lanes in his cart to the nearest market town, observed two men digging up fern 
roots in large quantities, and packing them into a cart which stood near. He 
