SELBORNIANA. 
157 
and interesting objects which lent such an attraction to life. If we could under- 
stand them fully, we should find that the law of love pervaded the universe, 
although we might at times be blind to the fact. There were many ways ia 
which the object proposed by the resolution he had to move might be promoted. 
INIothers of families, for instance, might inculcate in their children a love of 
animals and insects and a habit of observation of natural objects. He spoke 
very highly of Nature Notes, and considered if it could be made more widely 
known the work of the Society might be greatly extended. He moved “ That 
this meeting pledges itself to endeavour to promote the work of the .Society and 
to increase the number of its members.” 
The Rev. H. D. Ravvnsley seconded the resolution. He advocated the 
extension of the work amongst the poor folk amongst whom they lived, and who 
would find a great delight for their few leisure hours in the study of nature. 
Much might be done if members would undertake the teaching of Natural History 
in evening schools, and in establishing little gardens for school children and 
interesting them in seeding and planting and watching the growth of the plants. 
We wanted gentle English men and women, and he urged that everyone present 
should take a real living interest in the work of this simple Society. 
Mr. J. L. Otter thought there was no doubt of the great need for the work 
of the Society, and there was fortunately no doubt of the success of that work. 
He referred to the aid the Society had received from the Press, and gave parti- 
culars of the work of some of the more successful branches. It was a catholic 
Society, and asked everybody interested in Nature to join in a fight against a 
common danger. 
A cordial vote of thanks to Sir Edward and Lady Fry for their hospitality, 
proposed by Mr. Britten and seconded by -Mr. White, concluded the proceedings. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Barbed Wire (see p. 136). — I may point out that by the Offences against 
the Persons Act, 1861, section 31, it is made an offence punishable with five 
years’ penal servitude to place or set any spring gun, man trap or other engine 
calculated to destroy human life or inflict grievous bodily harm with intent that 
the same may destroy or inflict grievous harm upon a trespasser or other person 
coming in cont.act therewith, but by a proviso in the same section, it is said not to 
be illegal to set — for the purpose of destroying vermin— any gin or trap, such as 
is usually set for that purpose. The trap discovered by your correspondent would 
seem to come within this proviso, and whether any person injured by such an 
instrument could recover compensation, would depend so much upon the special 
circumstances that it would be rash to attempt to give a definite opinion. 
Dangerous as it is, b.arbed wire would hardly be held to be included in the 
words, “ other engine,” in the earlier part of the section, and I am not aware of 
any special restriction with regard to its use, and if placed in an ordinary manner 
upon private land, there would be a difficulty in establishing a claim for damages 
for any injury done to person or property. 
4, Crown Office Row, Temple. Fred. W. Ashley. 
I think that the owner of the wood referred to was acting within his rights in 
setting the trap. Although it is unlawful for a person to set traps calculated to 
cause grievous bodily harm, with the intent to inflict bodily harm, it is lawful to 
use traps for the purpose of destroying vermin, and no liability exists for injuries 
inflicted by them, except in cases where dogs are enticed from adjoining high- 
ways or footpaths by meat placed on the traps. 
As to the use of barbed wire, it has been held in several County Court cases 
that an owner of land who fences his land adjoining a highway or public footpath 
with barbed wire, placed in such a position as to inconvenience the public, creates 
a nuisance, and renders himself liable to damages for injuries caused by it. 
Hampstead. R. F. McMillan. 
