REPORT. 



sf 



a collection in an important branch of botanical science, to 

 which those who visit distant countries would find it easy to 

 contribute. Contributions of a still more material kind are 

 to be looked for in the ensuing year. Great exertions have 

 been used to prepare the Garden of the Institution for 

 immediate use. No labour has been spared in forming the 

 ground, which, when first opened, appeared to be nothing but 

 a widely extended heap of rubbish and fragments of stone, 

 but which now promises to furnish, on this picturesque and 

 interesting site, a proper soil and space sufficient for the 

 most essential objects of the Botanist ; and the Council trust 

 that they may rely upon the liberality of those who are 

 attached to such pursuits, to save the Society much of the 

 expense which is still required to stock the garden with 

 plants. 



With these operations has been conjoined a constant 

 attention to the object of exploring the remnants of the 

 ANCIENT Abbey, with which the ground was every where 

 intersected ; and so successfully have its foundations been 

 traced, that the Antiquary may now not only form an idea 

 of the extent, arrangement, and magnificence of this great 

 establishment, but, by comparing its plan with that of other 

 religious houses, of which similar remains have been found, 

 may gain some insight into the general system of monastic 

 architecture. 



The progress of the excavations has placed in the Society's 

 possession many additional relics of the taste and skill with 

 which the structure has been decorated. The tracery of 



