ENG-1961 — Page 394

334

NATURAL HISTORY

Other species recorded in recent years are Stuartia villosa, Ormosia indurata and Eryngium foetidum, found on Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island respectively.

Botanical Collections. The Colonial Herbarium, which provided the foundation for the work of Dunn and Tutcher's Flora of Kwangtung and Hong Kong, has been added to considerably since that book was produced. At present over 29,000 specimens are preserved, and members of the public who wish to find out the names of native plants are encouraged to consult the Herbarium, which is in the 'Parks and Playgrounds' section of the Urban Services Department.

Societies. In addition to the Colonial Herbarium, interest in flora and horticultural work in Hong Kong is fostered by the Hong Kong Natural History Society and the Hong Kong Horticultural Society.

6

The Hong Kong Natural History Society was founded in 1949 as the Hong Kong Biological Circle, and aims to . . . . facilitate and encourage the study of natural history, particularly in respect of the Colony of Hong Kong.'

The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society was founded in 1957 for the study of local bird life. The Society was very active during 1961, and has published a further report on its many activities.

In the animal enclosures and aviaries of the Botanic Gardens may be seen a few of the Colony's native mammals and birds, besides certain others not indigenous to Hong Kong.

Protection of Fauna and Flora. The Wild Birds and Wild Mammals Protection Ordinance, 1954, provides for the conserva- tion of all wild birds and several of the rarer mammals, except for vermin. It also prohibits the trapping or poisoning of vermin (excluding rodents). In the case of game birds, these may be shot only in season. There are eight wild life sanctuaries, one of which is the whole of Hong Kong Island. By regulations made under the Forestry Ordinance, protection is also given to certain plants, as for example the camellias, magnolias, orchids and azaleas.