164 Memorial of George Brown Goode. 



BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. 



Among the various branches of science which it is the object of the National Insti- 

 tute to encourage, disseminate, and exhibit for the benefit and improvement of man- 

 kind, perhaps none claims its attention so much as botany. By the study of this 

 science we learn the uses of trees, shrubs, and plants, whether medicinal, nutritious 

 as food, or useful in the arts. The beneficial effects its study produces on society, 

 or on those who pursue it, by softening down the asperities of our nature, and lead- 

 ing the mind to contemplate objects of a higher order than the mere»gratification 

 of ordinary amusements — which appears to have been the view taken of it by all 

 civilized nations. 



The National Institute through the Ex[ploring] Expedition, possesses one of the 

 most extensive and varied botanical collections, from the numerous places which 

 the Expedition touched at, that is yet known to have been accumulated during any 

 voyage of similar character. This collection has not yet been arranged or set up 

 according to any particular system, whereby it can be referred to conveniently, but 

 rests in the Institute in mass. Whenever a set of specimens of the whole is classified 

 and arranged systematically, there will still remain a great number of duplicates to 

 dispose of to institutions of a similar character, either in exchange or otherwise, as 

 the Institute may think fit. 



There is also another point connected with botany to which the scientific world 

 has of late years turned their attention, viz, the geographical distribution of plants 

 over the surface of the globe; also the altitude or the heights at which certain tribes 

 appear and disappear. On this point the collection could furnish the best information, 

 as many of the specimens were found at a height of 16,000 feet above the level of the 

 ocean. The herbarium it is proposed to put up in neat bands and arranged in cases 

 after the manner of a library. 



The Institute has also come into possession of a collection of rare and highly inter- 

 esting living plants, brought home also by the Expedition, which has since received 

 several additions in return for seeds distributed from the same source; also a few 

 donations of other plants from various quarters. For their preservation, a green- 

 house, 50 feet long, and partitioned into two apartments, has been erected on the lot 

 behind the Patent Office. The number of species in cultivation amounts to 500, and 

 with duplicates of the same, there are about 1,100 plants in pots, over and above 

 those now coming up from seeds. As it is expected that donations will frequently 

 be made, and as the plants we now have will be increasing in size, the present house 

 by another year will hardly sufl&ce to contain them. The propriety also of having 

 a lot of ground fenced in where these plants could be set out during the summer 

 months, and which could also be used for the raising of ornamental trees, shrubs, 

 and other hardy plants, which may come into the possession of the Institute, is 

 strongly urged. The meagerness of our parterres and shrubberies evidently shows 

 that additions are wanting for ornamental gardening. 



It would also be a receptacle for proving all samples of fruits, flowers, and escu- 

 lents that may from time to time be presented to the Institute, there being, so far as 

 I am aware, no public establishment of the kind in existence in the Union. Officers 

 of our Navy and consuls residing in foreign countries might do a great deal in intro- 

 ducing fruits, vegetables, and flowers; and whenever it is known that such an estab- 

 lishment exists, there is every reason to anticipate donations, where the country in 

 general is to be benefited by such an enlightened and commendable scheme. A 

 nucleus once formed, with a gradual accumulation of stock, and a steady persever- 

 ance in its support and furtherance, we might, at some not very distant day, vie with 

 the most celebrated establishments of the same kind in Europe. The progress of the 

 benefit to be expected must be, like the undertaking, slow but sure, and the effects 

 will soon become evident to every enlightened citizen. 



