BOTANIC GARDENS. 



179 



palace of the King of Hanover, are probably the largest and most 

 complete in the world. While the research work carried on in 

 the gardens has been principally taxonomic, by the co-operation 

 of the twenty-four gardens of which Kew is the organic head, 

 much of value has been accomplished in the acclimatization of 

 useful plants. There is also located in the garden the Jodrell 

 Laboratory, in which some important results in physiology and 

 morphology have been reached. Its operations, however, are 

 greatly constrained by lack of suitable endowment. 



I quote the following explanatory paragraph from a guide to 

 the grounds : 



" It may be mentioned that Kew is not only a great educa- 

 tional establishment and pleasure resort, but also the recognized 

 center of the various botanic gardens throughout the empire. 

 The part it has played in the introduction of the cinchona into 

 India, and in fostering various other important industries, is well 

 known. It may be described as the great botanical clearing 

 house of the empire. To it a large number of plants are con- 

 stantly being forwarded from all parts of the world to be named. 



The Cumberland Gate, Eotal Gardens at Kew, with Guard on Dutt. 

 Looking outward. Aftei- a photograph. 



for which purpose a staff of botanists is provided, and the collec- 

 tion of dried plants, or herbarium, as well as the large botanical 

 library, is unrivaled throughout the world. In the same way the 

 collection of cultivated plants and trees, both hardy and exotic, is 

 the most perfect in existence." 



