92 THE .TOUKXAL OF BOTANY 



I looker and Benthaiii were at work on the second volume of the 

 Genera Plantanon — the former was also carrying on the Botanical 

 Maijazine and the Icones Plantariim ; the latter w^as about halfway 

 tlirough his Flora AustraUensis ; Oliver was preparing the second 

 volume of the Flora of Trojrical Africa, to which Mr. J. G, Baker, 

 who had not long begun the Refuc/ium Bofanicnm, was a principal 

 contributor. The National Herbarium at the British Museum, in 

 erampetl quarters and inadequately staffed, had not then attained 

 the position which on its transference to South Kensington it speedily 

 secured ; and although those Avho were aware of its historic treasures 

 did not neglect to consult them, Kew was, as indeed it still is, to a 

 large extent, the centre to which continental and transatlantic botanists 

 naturally gravitated. Among these the explosive H. G, Reichenbach 

 and the kindly Asa Gray impressed themselves most vividl}^ on ray 

 memory : there was of course a large Indian contingent, which in- 

 eluded Thomas Anderson, John Lindsay Stewart, and others. Daniel 

 Hanbury came in connection with his important researches into the 

 history of drugs which took ultimate shape in Fharmacographia ; 

 he was one of tlie comparativeh'' few visitors whom Oliver seemed glad 

 to see, for the latter was impatient of interruption, and inquirers in 

 st^arch of casual information found short shrift at his hand — indeed 

 among the things Avhich struck me most wdien I left Kew for the 

 British Museum was the almost excessive willingness of Mr. Carruthers 

 and Trimen to be helpful to anyone who came. And very odd people 

 did come, though I think it was not until we were at South Ken- 

 sington that we were consulted as to the diseovery of gold in the 

 l)etals of charlock, the identity of the *' forbidden fruit " Avith the 

 Double Coco-nut, the relation of Britain to the Ten Lost Tribes, 

 i myself, some 3'ears before, had experienced Museum courtesy, 

 for venturing, >vith much nervousness, to take there a casual for 

 identification, I was received by J. J. Bennett, the then Keeper of 

 the Department, of whom I have a vision as of a benevolent 

 ]>resence with its hands beneath its coat-tails, who introduced me 

 to Mr. Carrutliers, then occupying the seat which I was afterwards 

 t(. hll. 



Of coin-se to genuine workers Oliver was always attentive enough, 

 but his rapid speeeli and jerky manner certainly tended to intimidate 

 tlie nervous, and, until I became used to them, alarmed me a good 

 deal. I never knew a man who seemed so continuall)'' at high 

 pressiu'e : to meet him walking, always at a rapid pace, through 

 the Gardens or to hear him running up or down stairs was in itself 

 an object-lesson on the importance of time and the necessit}^ of 

 making use of ever}' fragment of it. 



This however was during his working liours : it was not long 

 befoiv I was invited to spend an evening at his house- — an invitation, 

 front time to time renewed and always gladly accepted — and 1 then 

 had the op])ortunity of a])])reciating the restfid and artistic side of 

 Oliver's character. Huskin was at the height of his reputiition anil 

 the English TVe-Ba])haelit('S were in vogue. Oliver was a devoted 

 admirer of lluskin, whose ])ersonal ac<|uaintance was to come later. 



It was in LS(il) that Oliver tlrst be<j;an to devote his leisure to 



