216 
NATURE NOTES. 
to those in our public parks. We believe that Mr. Morris’s colleagues were as 
much surprised as we were to learn that “ during the summer months — nay, 
practically all the year round” there are “ nearly a thousand people at work in the 
Gardens,” and we looked for some correction of a statement which, if accurate, 
would suggest that the admission of a few hundreds more or less could make little 
difference to those employed. The explanation is, however, to be found in the 
Gardeners^ Chronicle of October 22, which states that nearly a thousand people 
possess tickets allowing them to visit the Gardens early — a statement very different 
from that of Mr. Morris. We regret to learn that our observations last month 
have given offence to Dr. Dyer, the Director, but we have nothing to withdraw 
from what we then said. We trust that every effort will be used to obtain for the 
public a boon to which they are justly entitled, and which can in no way interfere 
with the scientific aspect of Kew Gardens. 
Gilbert White’s Grave. — A correspondent of the Daily News writes in 
that paper for September 30th : — “ On a recent visit to Selborne, I was surprised 
at the difficulty I experienced in finding Gilbert White’s grave, and, when pointed 
out to me, was still more surprised to see only about eighteen inches of mildewed 
stone above the ground. The only recognisable trace of its being his were two 
letters, “ G. W. ,”and a date, which could only he deciphered by scraping the 
stone. Might I sugge.st, that, as a Selborne Society exists, it would seem to be 
one of the most natural things to do, to restore the sunken stone and make it 
easy for visitors to find, as in its present condition no stranger could determine 
which was the grave, however diligently they might search for it. Not knowing 
the address of the Selborne Society, I am making use of your columns, hoping 
by so doing to bring the matter under the notice of one of its members.” Next 
year is the centenary of White’s death. The Society could not commemorate it 
in a more fitting way than by undertaking the work of restoration which appears 
to be so greatly needed. 
Protection of tlie Edelweiss.— The Daily Graphic of August 30th 
says : — “ Many an admirer of the Alpine flower known as the ‘ Edelweiss,’ writes 
our Vienna correspondent, will be glad to hear that the Emperor Francis Joseph 
has given his sanction to a Bill passed in the Provincial Diet protecting the flower 
against the destructive proclivities of the alpine climber. To so great an extent has 
the ruthless uprooting of the floral queen of the snow region been perpetrated in 
almost all accessible altitudes of the Austrian Alps that it was in imminent dan- 
ger of becoming extinct. Tlie local authorities, aided by the Alpine and Tourist 
Clubs severally, will now take steps to protect the Edelweiss against the vandal- 
ism of the tripper and of the profes.sional flower vendor, and it is widely hoped 
that legislative prohibition may yet preserve to the desert solitudes above the 
snow line the velvety blossom so dear to the heart of the mountaineer.” 
Prizes for Rare Plants. — correspondent writes: — “I observe the 
following report in The Irish Naturalist iox October: — ‘July 30th. Excur.sion 
to Benevenagh .... There was keen competition for two prizes, one for the 
largest collection of flowering plants, the other for the rarest twelve flowering 
plants collected.'' Is not this method of botanizing one of the chief causes why 
several of our rarer plants are on the verge of extermination ? On this very moun- 
tain some species have their only locality for the eastern part of Ulster. One 
(Saxi/raga oppositifolia) is almost, if not quite, extinct. Others recorded from 
there have not been recently observed. Such competitions are much to be de- 
plored. If they are necessary for the encouragement of botanical study, let them 
be carried out in some district where a few lingering alpines are not crying out for 
mercy. But, whether there is such a necessity or not, there is a far stronger one 
that all right-minded botanists should observe that of protecting our rarer plants, 
and to them I appeal.” 
We have reason to know that every care was exercised on the occasion referred 
to to prevent any mischief being done. But we are strongly of opinion that, on 
general principles, the stimulus of a prize for the rarest plants collected on a botani- 
cal excursion is unnecessary and unwise. It is unnecessary for the botanist, to whom 
the discovery of a rare plant is in itself a sufficient reward, and it is unwise to en- 
courage the mere collector to do more mischief than he would do without the pros- 
pect of a recompense. The sale of specimens of rare British plants, if carried on to 
