158 
gardens which were united to form the grounds of the present 
institution, hence the plural form is both official and actual. 
The use of “ botanic” or “ botanical” is a matter of arbitrary 
choice on the part of the institution. 
Boranic GARDEN VERSUS PARK 
The term “ botanic garden” has been used for centuries, and is 
still used to designate a garden area planted in accordance with 
botanical considerations. Such botanic gardens are not uncom- 
mon as adjuncts of the botanical departments of colleges anc 
— 
uni- 
versities, or as special features in a public park. 
A modern botanic garden, however, considered as a separate 
organization, is more than a garden or gardens. It is a scientific 
and ec 
— 
ucational institution which usually comprises two or more of 
the following features: Plantations, Conservatories, Herbarium, 
Library, Laboratories, Class Rooms and Lecture Rooms, and an 
indoor Botanical Museum. We specially say “indoor” museum, 
because the plantations of a botanic garden are to be considered as 
an outdoor museum, the exhibits in which are living plants, ar- 
ranged on some botanical basis, and labelled. It is this which 
fundamentally differentiates a botanic garden from a park, in 
which plants are arranged for landscape effect, with little or no 
regard for their botanical relationship. Another distinction be- 
tween a botanic garden and a park is that a park is intended pri- 
marily for recreation, whereas, if the grounds of a botanic garden 
are large enough to possess park features, they are nevertheless 
not intended primarily for recreation but for education, and all 
regulations and restrictions governing their use by the public are 
based on that fact. 
AUTOMOBILES 
As a rule, automobiles are not admitted to the grounds of the 
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Their exclusion adds materially to the 
charm of the Garden, and contributes to the safety and comfort of 
visitors. 
— 
Special permits admitting automobiles are issued fo members 
and contributors only for the purpose of enabling aged or infirm 
persons or convalescents to enjoy the grounds. /n each case a 
