SELBORN I AN A. 
Branch Work. — There can be no doubt that among the 
most important work that the Society can do is the dissemina- 
tion of its principles among the rising generation. To effect 
this more Junior Branches are desirable; but much may also 
be done by those consisting mainly of adults. We are glad, 
therefore, to learn that from the ashes of the defunct and much 
regretted Barmouth Branch has sprung a local Children’s Sel- 
borne Society, with Mrs. Talbot as President, and Miss Owens 
as Honorary Secretary. The Birmingham and Midland Branch, 
moreover, has been doing excellent propagandist work. At 
Mr. Kearton’s lecture at the Birmingham Town Hall on March 
12, nearly 1,400 children from the elementary schools of the 
City were present by invitation of the Branch. 
Nature Study. — The Selborne Society Prize for a Nature 
Study Diary at the recent Hammersmith Arts and Crafts Exhibi- 
tion was awarded to Miss Nell Hirschfeld, of the Froebel Institute. 
Thames Preservation. — In connection with the Port of 
London Bill, the Thames Preservation League, upon which the 
Selborne Society is represented, has presented a memorial to 
the President of the Board of Trade, praying that London and 
the riparian towns may have a preponderating voice on the 
Board of Conservators, that the new Board may be empowered 
to prevent sheep-washing in the river, to secure a right of foot- 
way along its banks, and to preserve its amenities, especially 
in the neighbourhood of Richmond. 
Preservation of Wild Plants in Gloucestershire. — 
It having been proposed to establish an Association for the 
Protection of Wild Plants in Gloucestershire on the lines of 
the Devonshire Association, the Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field 
Club referred the matter to a Committee. Their Report was 
as follows : — 
The question before the Cotteswold Naturalists’ Field Club upon which a 
decision has to be given, is whether it will recommend and support the formation 
of an association in Gloucestershire for the preservation of wild plants and ferns 
in the county. It has been suggested that one should be formed based upon the 
lines of a similar association in Devon ; but there seems to be no reason why, if 
a Gloucestershire Association were formed, it should not follow lines of its own, 
in case the Devon Association were limited (as in fact it is) in the sphere of its 
operations. The Committee therefore consider it advisable, as the question has 
been once raised, to discuss the question of the protection of plants in Gloucester- 
shire from all points of view, to see how an association, and not merely one based 
on the lines of the Devon Association, can generally be of assistance. 
The Association in Devonshire consists of a society of which each member 
pays a subscription to a common fund. This fund is then used in paying a man 
to conduct prosecutions, in paying watchers, in circulating notices and leaflets, 
and in obtaining the assistance of editors of papers to give publicity to the question 
in general. 
In order to see how such an association as is contemplated can work, it is 
necessary to find out — 
