SELBORNIA N A 
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undertakings might be harmlessly established, but the precedent 
seems dangerous. We have the satisfactory assurance that 
Selbornians of the neighbourhood keep a watchful eye over its 
purities. 
“ Hospitals, schools, and sewage farms,” are words of 
fear in connection with beautiful wild country. It cannot be 
expected that the Genius of the Forest would brood over such 
institutions. 
The Trade in Birds’ Feathers. — Until lately it has been 
supposed that the trade in egret plumes was declining ; and, 
indeed, the trade in “ decorative ” feathers generally. Woman, 
“ who has power on her head because of the angels,” took to 
wearing flowers, or even gardens, in her hat. That fashion has 
now grown tiresome, and there is a reversion to the old odious 
practice. Readers of Nature Notes are, doubtless, acquainted 
with Mr. W. H. Hudson’s letter in The Times of Christmas Day. 
It would seem that the quantities of skins and feathers sold at 
the Commercial Sale rooms on December 14, can only be 
expressed in terms of acres. The Times, in a very searching 
leading article on the subject, sounded a note almost of despair. 
But it is probable that the ignorance of the slaughter and cruelty 
involved in wearing “ ospreys ” is under-estimated, and that 
much of the preaching of the last fifteen years has been to 
the converted. The sources and origin of changes in fashion 
are obscure. Leading milliners may, very often, start a move- 
ment. They often assert that so and so mil be the fashion next 
season ; that is they will make it so, if they can. Rapid changes 
are good for their trade. It is astonishing how comparatively 
durable are articles of apparel less subject to alteration in style 
than hats and bonnets. It is not a hopeful task to tackle shop- 
keepers, but it is plain sense that their plans may be easily 
defeated by their customers if they choose. There is not even 
the pitiful excuse that “ ospreys ” are the “ only wear,” as 
crinolines once were. There is no such exaction on the part 
of Fashion, and it is within experience that women may be 
even “ smart ” without desolating the homes of the white 
egret. 
A Carnivorous Mollusc. — Referring to the interesting notes on the occur- 
rence of Testacella haliotidea in the November and December numbers of Nature 
Notes, this mollusc was reported to a meeting of the North Staffordshire Field 
Club in November last as having been found (as it is believed) for the first time in 
Staffordshire in October last. A most interesting discussion followed, as to 
whether this “ snail-slug,” as it is called, is indigenous or introduced into England, 
and also as to its range, and how far its range is affected by geological formation. 
If any of our readers can give me any information of a prior discovery of this 
mollusc in Staffordshire, or as to the range of any of the three British species of 
Testacella in the British Isles, I shall be much obliged. 
Rosekill , Cheadle, Staffordshire. John R. B. Masefield. 
