536 EDITORIAL NOTES. [Jan. 



immediate effect on the work of reforming and expanding the sadly 

 neglected establishment over which he was called to preside. The 

 collection of plants was rapidly enlarged, as well as improved in 

 condition ; the herbarium was established and was soon destined to 

 take the first rank as such in the world. The museums, rich in 

 economic and art interest, were developed slowly at first, but solidly 

 and with such breadth of base that now they stand unrivalled as 

 collections illustrative of economic and physiological botany. Sir 

 Joseph became Assistant-Director to his father about thirty years 

 ago, and about ten years thereafter, at Sir William's death, was 

 appointed Director in his stead. During the twenty years that he 

 has administered the affairs of Kew Gardens they have prospered 

 well. Progress in the cultivation and enlargement of the collection 

 and the facilities for its accommodation, the extension of the 

 museums and the herbarium and the arboretum ; the improve- 

 ment of the grounds from the point of view of taste, and for the 

 purpose of recreation, have been followed up by Sir Joseph with 

 untiring zeal and energy. But by far the most important, though 

 the least known of his works in connection with the great charge he 

 has so long and ably directed, is his endeavour to establish inter- 

 colonial interchange of information and plants of universal economic 

 value. The success that has attended his efforts in this direction 

 cannot yet be fully computed ; but as the principal and most active 

 agent in the introduction of the cinchonas into India and other 

 suitable climates, at a time when their extinction in South America 

 w^as imminent, he ranks as a national benefactor. Through Kew 

 also, under his direction, have been dispersed caoutchouc, gutta-percha, 

 tea trees, and many other trees and plants of economic value, into 

 countries under British rule, where their products are already 

 assuming importance in the trade and revenue of the empire. Sir 

 Joseph's life has been one of ceaseless labour, and latterly also 

 of overwhelming responsibility. Besides his directorial duties he 

 has voluntarily engaged in a successful work of such magnitude 

 and detail as would form a full life's record for most men of even 

 more than average industry. It is in order to complete the last 

 and most important of his many works that Sir Joseph has decided 

 to retire at present. He has been occupied for several years past on 

 the Flora of British India, and there is yet a large portion of it to 

 elaborate. No living botanist has the same eminent fitness for this 

 task, and we sincerely hope not only that he may be granted health 

 and strength to complete his congenial task, but also be long spared 

 to enjoy the high admiration and esteem which his great abilities 

 and many excellent personal qualities have inspired in as wide a 

 circle as is given to most men to influence. 



