64 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Yet another suggestion is concerned with the co-ordination
of the assistance which natural history societies are giving or could
give in the prosecution of research actually in progress. There
are many problems of ecological and geographical distribution
now being attacked in which the assistance of local societies
would be invaluable.
Lastly, the suggestion is made that new lines of research
might be instigated, having a bearing on systematics such as the
study of the variability in numbers and appearance of isolated
colonies of the same species, and the study of variations in
behaviour of the same species in different areas, especially in
relation to different ecological and seasonal conditions.
In his concluding remarks Mr. Ramsbottom suggested that
the present appeal for assistance in fundamental research
problems may help to enthuse those who do not seem to have
the fire of old. The love of nature is engrained in our race, and
nothing but good can result from the renewed amalgam of amateur
and professional having in common the greatest of all desires—
to learn the truth.
At the second meeting of the delegates Prof. F. E. Weiss
read a most interesting paper on " What Dovedale means to the
botanist." He gave an account of the efforts which had been
made to preserve Dovedale and the neighbouring Manifold
Valley as a national park, and, although the complete scheme
had yet to be striven for, all must be thankful for the good be-
ginning that had been made by the munificent gifts of land from
Sir Robert McDougall and other benefactors. Prof. Weiss then
dealt specially with the plants of Dovedale which are typical of
a Midland limestone dale.
The remaining paper on the agenda before the Conference
was by Capt. C. W. Hume on "The Rabbit Problem in Britain."
He dealt with such points as the possible cyclical variation in
abundance of the rabbit, the methods of killing wild rabbits
and the humanitarian aspect of the latter, and the need for
scientific enquiry. There is need, Capt. Hume concluded, for an
experimental and quantitative investigation into the relative
merits and ecological effects of the principal methods of dealing
with mammals that are harmful to agriculture.