310 SIR JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER 



their guidance and control. The descriptive work prepared by 

 them for publication took formidable dimensions. The pro- 

 duction of the Floras of India, and of the Colonies, the publication 

 of which was conducted under Government subvention, had to 

 be organised and carried through. These matters are mentioned 

 here so as to give some idea of the extent and complexity of the 

 work which was being carried on at Kew. For ten years as 

 Assistant Director, and for twenty years as Director, Sir Joseph 

 Hooker guided this complex machine. The efficiency of his 

 rule was shown by the increasing estimation in which the Garden 

 was held by all who were able to judge. 



It was the founding of the Herbarium and Library at Kew 

 which, more than anything else, strengthened the scientific 

 establishment. As taken over from the Crown the Garden 

 possessed neither. But Sir William brought with him from 

 Glasgow his own collections, already the most extensive in 

 private hands. For long years after coming to Kew he main- 

 tained and added to his store at his own expense. But finally 

 his collections were acquired after his death by Government. 

 His Herbarium was merged with the fine Herbarium of 

 Bentham, already presented to the nation in 1857. Thus, the 

 opening years of Sir Joseph's directorate saw the organisation 

 upon a public basis of that magnificent Herbarium and Library, 

 which now contains not only his father's collections, but also 

 his own. Among the enormous additions since made to the 

 Herbarium of Kew, its greatest interest will always be centred 

 in the Hookerian collections which it contains. 



It might be thought that such drafts as these upon the time 

 and energies of a scientific man would leave no opportunity for 

 other duties. But it was while burdened with the directorship 

 that Sir Joseph was called to the highest administrative office in 

 science in Great Britain. He served as President of the Royal 

 Society from 1873 to 1878. The obligations of that position are 

 far from being limited to the requirements of the Society itself. 

 The Government of the day has always been in the habit of 

 taking its president and officials into consultation in scientific 

 matters of public importance. In these years the adminis- 

 trative demands upon Sir Joseph were the greatest of his life 



