No one has opposed this fatal step on the part of the New Zealand Government more strongly or consistently than Professor Newton, of Cambridge. In a letter to myself, as far back as the 23rd of July, 1876, the learned professor says,— “In Land and Water for 8th July, Frank Buckland wrote that he had been applied to by Messrs. Macowie and Cuthbertson, of Invercargill, to send out weasels to New Zealand (five pairs at £5 each) to be let loose to check the superabundance of rabbits. Buckland said he could not get weasels, but proposed sending ‘polecat-ferrets’—thirty or forty pairs! I at once wrote to remonstrate with him, urging him to do nothing till he had communicated with New Zealand; and this he has promised to do, but does not give up the notion. Harting, Rowley, and some one else have also protested in terms like my own, as you will see by Land and Water for 15th and 22nd July. I suspect Buckland will eventually drop the matter, but meanwhile it seems quite possible that some sheep-farmer or other (for with them began the complaint) may on his own responsibility act on this mischievous hint without waiting for Buckland, and then good-bye at once and for ever to your brevipennate birds, as well as to many other of your native species—which of course have no instincts whereby they may escape from such bloodthirsty enemies—to say nothing of pheasants and the like, which you have been introducing at so great a cost, and your poultry. Here, as I dare say you know, the polecat (and the ferret is only a tame polecat) is the most detested beast we have, and in consequence has nearly been extirpated. In New Zealand it will undoubtedly become master of the situation. “So strongly do I feel on this subject that I am writing to Hector (both at Wellington and Philadelphia, to make sure of catching him) urging him to use all his influence to prevent such a disastrous importation; even, if need be, to getting an Act of your Parliament prohibiting the introduction of any predaceous animals. Should Hector not have returned, I pray you to do what seems best under the circumstances; but be sure there is no time to be lost. I am writing to Hutton to the same effect, and I trust that among you all you will be able to keep off the threatened scourge. Colonists in general have not been slow to hinder unacceptable importations from the mother-country—as witness the historic tea-chests at Boston, U.S.A., and Australian convicts. I have always understood the latter were selected for the mild nature of their crimes: but even this was not allowed. There can't be a doubt of how you should behave when you have a shipload of known marauders to be let loose on your peaceful shores, and I conceive my duty as an honorary member of