42 
NATURE NOTES 
Study” Exhibition in London about the end of July. The 
exhibition is intended to be strictly educational, and to be open 
to all schools or individuals interested in “ Nature Study,” 
teachers being especially asked to send illustrations of their 
courses in the subject, and prizes or certificates being offered for 
collections, drawings, photographs, note-books, calendars, &c. 
In the preliminary notice which we have received it is expressly 
stated that “ Specimens of rare plants would not be asked for, 
and the uprooting of any plant would be especially forbidden.” 
An association is to be formed for the purposes of the ex- 
hibition with a minimum subscription of 2S. 6d., and any 
further information can be had from either C. S. Roundell, Esq., 
the Hon. Treasurer, 7, Sussex Square, Brighton, or John C. 
Medd, Esq., Stratton, near Cirencester. 
Success of the United Devon Association. — The need 
for the activity which is being shown by the United Devon 
Association in their efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the 
county by the prevention of the illegal removal of ferns and wild 
flowers was forcibly exemplified at the Castle of Exeter on 
February ii, when the Wonford magistrates dealt with two 
flagrant offenders, Henry Westlake and Richard Ley. 
Mr. F. H. H. Orchard, who appeared to prosecute, asked 
that a heavy penalty might be inflicted, as such men as the 
defendants were in the employ of London dealers, who paid all 
fines inflicted on the fern gatherers when the latter were 
convicted. 
On the morning of February 6 the defendants were found by 
an under-keeper in the act of digging up fern roots, and promised 
not to return if allowed to go ; but at noon they had returned, 
and were discovered in the same occupation, and were a second 
time ordered away. When they had gone the head keeper 
found that for yards around the ground was pitted with holes 
and that serious damage had been done. Crossing into another 
cover, he espied inside the hedge no less than ten sacks filled 
with ferns and covered lightly over with leaves, and close by a 
large heap of ferns ready for packing. He at once communi- 
cated with the police, and P.c. Hill put himself in ambush until 
the defendants, with another man and a horse and trap, arrived 
on the scene shortly before five o’clock in the evening to remove 
the fruits of their labour. 
Evidence was given as to the posting of notices issued in 
connection with the United Devon Association, and containing 
cautions against the removal of ferns, and Mr. T. McKinlay, 
under-steward, estimated the damage to the ground at £^5, and 
assessed the value of the ferns at from £% to £\o. 
Defendants pleaded not guilty. 
Mr. Orchard said in the case of Westlake there was no doubt 
of his having sent to London at various times large quantities 
of ferns. On January 20 he sent bags of ivy and ten bags of 
