ig6 
NATURE NOTES. 
ting, I usually take them for a walk, pointing out various objects in the lanes and 
fields, and they are told to gather a certain number of flowers, which are sub- 
sequently dried, and on wet days are arranged in a book which each child has 
given them. Already there is a noticeable improvement in the neatness of their 
books — they now never forget to gather a leaf as well as the flower. I never 
allow the whole plant to be taken, not wishing to exterminate rare species, as 
might be the case if the children were allowed to take the root as well. By writing 
the names under each specimen the children soon learn what to call them. Not 
only botany, but geology, or any other subject, when explained to the girls in a 
simple attractive way, interests them, especially when they can be illustrated by 
things that they see in their walks. A peep through the microscope is a great 
treat, and they are always eager to bring an object to examine. But I think 
even if the children look to the meetings for amusement rather than instruction, still 
in lime they will grow to take more interest in natural history for its own sake, 
and will appreciate the many beauties of nature to be found in their native Devon. 
This year I hope to give the elder ones books in which to write the first blossom- 
ing of plants, the appearance of migratory birds, &c., so that each may compare 
notes, and I hope by and by if our Society continues, and is as successful as it 
promises to be, to arrange for lectures during the winter months. I may add that 
each child is given, on joining the Society, a card of admission which contains a 
promise to abide by the rules. These rules are obliged to be short and simple, but 
they strictly forbid the wanton destruction of any living creature, and the taking 
of birds’ nests by any member of the society.” 
A Musical Cat. — I have lately become acquainted with a musical cat, 
about whom I thought the children would like to hear. It is a black and white 
tom cat, and very large for his age, which is nine months. A very musical 
gentleman and his wife often visit the house, and Imp is very fond of them, and 
keeps as near them as he can. If they do not begin playing very soon after their 
arrival, he runs to the place where the violins are kept, and scratches the cases 
until some one gets them out. Once when the music had stopped for some while, 
and Imp had not had enough, he got on the keyboard of the piano and attracted 
attention by the noise he made walking over it. His favourite place when listen- 
ing to the music is in his mistress’s lap, w ith his head usually towards the per- 
former ; the whole time his ears go backwards and forwards, and he seems to be 
perfectly wrapped up in it. Once he had caught a mouse and was playing with it 
when he heard the violin beginning, and rushed off, leaving mousie to escape. 
He found the door of the room closed, so he sat on the mat with his ear close to 
the door, until some one finding him so let him in. Jake. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Destruction of Ferns.— We are much gladdened by Mr. Wheatcroft’s 
cheering news from the North, contained in bisjarticle “ Visit to Lakeland,” p. 191, 
and much inclined to answer in the affirmative his question — Has the Selborne 
Society had anything to do with this ? Mr. Wheatcroft, writing later, says, “My 
friend, writing from Ambleside, observes, ‘You are quite right in regard to the 
business of the fern dealers not being so brisk as formerly. The old man who used 
to deal in them largely has told me several times that the trade was not worth the 
trouble. Of course at one time it was very profitable. He has now left the 
district, but I believe gave up the fern business entirely some time before leaving. 
Two days ago I had some conversation with a man who is much interested in ferns 
and he told me the same thing. Some years ago there were three or four persons 
at least who gave their whole time during summer to the business. Now we 
have not one. The excursionist is content to take home a handful of some 
common variety of plant, and the botanist, unless he has some one to show him 
the habitat of the rare kinds, has not time, as a rule, to hunt for himself.’ This 
