history of Britain can we trace both the rabbit and the weasel Was either beast introduced by man to that same island, or may we suppose both rabbit and weasel lived side by side in Britain when men were few and far between, and dressed themselves in skins, or coloured their naked bodies with woad —at which time the most of Britain would be covered with dense forests and swamps? Under such conditions, could man be a valuable agent to check the undue increase of either animal race? The rabbit, as an article of food, would be taken by man. But for what reason should primitive man check the undue increase of the weasel? If the weasel was left unchecked to increase at will, why did it not exterminate the rabbit, then the game-birds, then the sheep, then cattle and horses, till at last man had finally to succumb before this energetic little blood-sucker? Seeing that rabbits were hunted by man, how was it the rabbit did not speedily become extinct, having man, dog, wolf, fox, weasel, and others constantly killing it? What is there remarkable about New Zealand, as compared with the Britain of the past, which gives the idea that weasels would in this country be endowed with extra vitality? Does not man aid in keeping “the balance of power” among the animal kingdom? Where rabbits are scarce may he not destroy weasels and protect the rabbit, and vice versa, and so play one against the other?

I come from a district famed in English history, the old forest of Sherwood, and have stood under the shadow of Robin Hood's oak, an aged giant among trees, under which Robin and his men in green, the bold foresters of “Merrie Sherwood,” held their tryst. Now, why did not the law speedily check these freebooters, who slew, with bow and arrow, the king's deer, and feasted thereon, not forgetting the tax they levied on the purse of the wealthy traveller? They were able to hide successfully in the trackless forest and escape the king's soldiers. There were formerly many local ballads recounting the various exploits and encounters of Robin Hood and his merry men, which were very popular. Most of these would seem to be now lost. Sir Walter Scott introduces some of these erstwhile heroes in “Ivanhoe:” Robin Hood, under the disguise of Locksley, the archer, as also the “sturdy clerk of Copmanhurst,” otherwise known as Friar Tuck, who has a bout at fisticuffs with King Richard himself. For even some in holy orders were fain to join in this free and jovial life. “The Miller of the Dee” was another celebrated character; also “Maid Marian,” Robin's wife, and “Little John,” his lieutenant, who, notwithstanding his nickname, was considerably over 6ft. in height. Robin is sometimes thought to have been the exiled Earl of