LINNEAN aOCIETY OF LONDOK. XV 



posit amongst the treasures of that great empormm, is another 

 feature in the recent arrangements made under the superintend* 

 ence, and emanating from the zeal of Sir William Hooker, which 

 cannot fail to be of the greatest advantage to the Indian botanist. 



But if there be one department in the Kew establishment 

 which is more generally interesting than another, it is, in my 

 opinion, the Museum of Economic Botany. This beautiful reper- 

 tory of the various applications of vegetable matters to the uses of 

 mankind, is, I believe, unrivalled in any other country. Its in- 

 terest is not confined to the man of science — it belongs to the 

 physician, the chemist, the manufacturer, the artisan in every 

 grade and of every calling, to the artist and the scholar, the 

 soldier and the man of law. The energy and intelligence with 

 which this curious and beautiful collection has been built up and 

 arranged reflects the highest honour upon Sir William and Dr. 

 Hooker, as weU as upon those who, under their able direction, 

 have worthily carried out their plans and arrangements; and 

 under such management it cannot but continue to prosper. 



It is not only at Kew, however, that the means of study have 

 been augmented during the past year. The lamented death of 

 Mr. Brown has occasioned the deposit in the National Emporium 

 of his unrivalled collection of fossil woods, many of which are 

 unique, and the whole of them of the highest interest and value. 

 They were bequeathed to the British Museum, on the condition 

 that they should be considered as part of the Botanical collection 

 in that place. A large number of drawings of Australian plants 

 and animals, from the pencil of Eerdinand Bauer, is another boon 

 to that department, by the bequest of the same distinguished 

 benefactor. These are drawn from the life ; and it is unnecessary 

 to say, to those who are acquainted with the productions of this 

 matchless artist, that nothing of the kind exists more accurate 

 and beautiful than are the whole of this fine collection. 



Whilst speaking of the British Museum, and referring also to 

 the late Keeper of the Botanical department, I am reminded of a 

 fact, which I should not bo acting in accordance either with your 

 feelings or my own if I were to pass over without an expression 

 of sincere gratification, — I allude to the appointment of one to 

 whom we, as a Society, owe a debt which we can never hope in 

 any degree to liquidate, our excellent Secretary, as the successor 

 of Eobert Brown. That appointment is as deserved on his part 

 as it is an act of justice on the part of the Trustees ; and I am 

 sure that you will all unite with me in aflfectionate and earnest 



