FEATHER PAINTING. 
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(1848, p. 787), remarks that — “ We all know that the seed of 
the year is always preferred for sowing ; that the seed of the 
year before would never be equally productive, and that if seed 
five or six years old were sown, not half of it would come up.” 
And I can add, that of apparently sound grains seventeen years 
old, not one germinated. 
George Henslow. 
FEATHER PAINTING. 
VER and over again I have been asked : “ why, instead 
of using the skins and wings of birds on screens and 
fans, a painting of them in decorative combination 
should not be acceptable to the public?” In Japan, 
careful studies of birds in flight are constantly found on screens, 
and as far as artistic effect goes, leave nothing to be desired. 
Here in England the hand-painting for the trade is, as Miss Beale 
has pointed out, so utterly execrable that it can only find a market 
amongst persons unable to distinguish between a coloured map 
and one of Vicat Cole’s views in Surrey. That work can be 
specially produced in this country, quite comparable with the 
best Japanese, is not so well known as it should be. Not long 
ago a professional artist, a Miss Emily Murray, of 80, Eaton 
Terrace, London, S. W. (one of the “ Atholl ” Murrays) showed 
me some drawings of birds’ wings, which struck me as admirable 
examples of perfect workmanship, and peculiarly adapted to the 
purpose indicated by me. Thinking that some of the subscribers 
to the Selborne Society might like to know a few more details 
concerning Miss Murray’s speciality, I prevailed upon her to 
allow me to publish two or three extracts from letters received 
by her from persons whose opinions are in every way valuable. 
To give the first place to our revered art critic, John Ruskin 
writes thus : — “ Your work is quite the best I have ever seen in 
its kind — just what I have always wanted to get done, and 
never could ! Quite beyond price to me just now, when I am 
trying finally to organise a school of natural history 
The prime and rare gift is your love of the truth and the insight 
that comes of it — and the patience. Your lovely book must 
not be broken up — the drawings will eventually be worth much 
more than they are at present to a dealer — if you keep them till 
you have name as a bird painter. I am certain your eyes will 
recover all the strength needful for the noblest bird drawing.” 
MissMarianne North, herself an admirable transcriber of Nature 
says : — “ I think the bird wings are exquisite. . . . Such 
accurate drawing is not often met with ; if I do not mistake it, 
the colouring of those dull bronze and greys is most beautifully 
rendered.” The Secretary of the Ray Society writes : — “ Yesterday 
I placed your very beautiful paintings before the Council of the 
