Genre:

Regular Feature, News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Botanical Gardens, Government, Politics, Controversy, Environmentalism, Hunting, Ornithology

    Reports on the discussion, prompted by Edward H Stanley (15th Earl of Derby), of the dispute between the First Commissioner of Works, Acton S Ayrton and and the Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Joseph D Hooker. Notes that several distinguished figures have signed a memorandum complaining of Ayrton's behaviour, including Charles Lyell, Charles R Darwin, Thomas H Huxley, John Tyndall, James Paget, Henry Holland, Henry C Rawlinson, William Spottiswoode, and the presidents of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Surgeons, and the Linnean Society. William A A de V Beauclerk (10th Duke of St Albans) declared that the Metropolitan Board of Works wished to retain Hooker's services. Punch expects Ayrton, the 'wrong-doer', to apologise for his behaviour. Reports the passage of a bill for protecting wild birds. Notes that George D Campbell (8th Duke of Argyll) argued in favour of protecting the brown owl, a species whose nests he had 'ransacked' for eggs.