SELIiORN/AXA. 
155- 
the country, but they are not accustomed to throw themselves- 
into the water and eat peas. To clear up matters, on the mor- 
row, M. Piston, at early dawn, repaired to the field. He threw a 
stick into the middle of the peas ; immediately he saw come 
out and po towards the river a dozen eels. It was they, indeed, 
who ate the peas, for he found quite fresh traces of their feast. 
Eels, then, wander upon the land and, without knowing it, one 
may eat aiiguilles aux petit pots ! 
Giles A. Daubeny. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Our Societ3*. — I attended the Annual Meeting, and with other members 
was delighted with the excellent addresses delivered by the Chairman and other 
speakers, but so much time w.is absoibed that I was unable to ask a question that 
might have led to some discussion, namely : Whether any attempt has been made 
to enlist the sympathy and co-operation in our cause of persons abroad ? It seems 
to me that this is a matter of consklerable importance, for without such help how 
are we to prevent the extinction of such animals as elephants, lions, kangaroos, 
and the giant tortoi'es of the Galapagos Islands ? I should like to see the Sel- 
borne Society a world wide institution, and with the English as the premier 
nation and the English-speaking race the predominant one, does it not look as if 
our Society might extend its arms far and wide? What an achievement it would 
be if, in these cosmopolitan days, our organ. Nature Notes, were printed iti 
different languages ! To me it seems to be an ideal to work for. That there are 
many ardent Selbornians in heart and soul on the Continent I am persuaded. In 
Germany, natural history and botany form a part of the national teaching in the 
schools, and I was much struck by the way in which the wild birds are cared for 
in the public parks in the great towns they are regularly fed during the severe 
cold of the winter, and outside the kitchen window of every flat, where there is a 
large shelf for putting meat and other articles of food under wire netting covers, 
the cook will every day place scraps in a plate for our feathered friends. It may 
be that there are simii ^r societies to ours on the Continent, if so, could we not 
become affiliated with them, so as to help one another by interchange of ideas, 
loan of plates for publication, &c. To carry out to the full our great yet pleasant 
work, it seems to me that the co-operation that I have suggested is necessary. 
Slapton, Kiugsbridge. Giles A. Daubeny. 
Protection of Wild Birds. — In the Almanack Hachdte published in 
Paris occurs the following note: — “During the course of the month (last limit 
30 June) the placarding, in each commune, of the laws and orders prohibiting the 
destruction of birds’ nes's or the taking of birds by lime, &c. ” Have we anything 
to learn from our neighbours in this respect? 
Slapton, Kittgsbridge. Giles A Daubeny. 
Sir William Flower's Address (pp. 121-125).— We regret that, by an 
oversight for which the Editor is not responsible, the report of Sir William 
Flower’s address at the Annual Meeting was not submitted to him for revision. 
Two important corrections should be made: p. 122, line 5 from top, for “Bel- 
gium” read “Portugal”; p. 123, line 22 from bottom, for “ wood-warbler 
read “ water ousel.” 
Kew Gardens. — I was very glad to read in the May number of Nature 
Notes a protest against the gradual spoliation of Kew Gardens. Not only have 
numerous noble forest tiees been felled, but a dead set seems to have been made 
against evergreens. The hne old shrubberies near the Pagoda have been cleared, 
apparently lor the object of making visible the neighbouring suburban villas. 
The avenue of deodaras in the Pagoda vista has been ruined, so has the quaint 
beauty of the little garden near King William’s temple. The conifers and 
rhododendrons near the temperate house have been uprooted, till it stands out 
