II.— KEW IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 



Kew, as a scientific establishment, dates from 1759, when a 

 Botanic, or as it was then called a Physic, Garden was established 

 by the Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Dowager Princess of 

 Wales. 



It was energetically maintained by her son, George III., with 

 the scientific assistance of Sir Joseph Banks, who was virtually, 

 for the greater part of his life. Director. "Under his advice 

 collectors were sent to all parts of the world. The first New 

 Holland plants were introduced during Cook's voyages, 17G8-80. 

 At Sir Joseph Banks' instance the system of inter-colonial ex- 

 change through Kew was commenced, which has been maintained 

 ever since. The most memorable undertaking of this kind was 

 the voyage of the " Bounty" (1787) for the purpose of introducing 

 the bread-fruit tree from the South Seas into the West Indies. 

 Nelson, the Kew collector, was amongst those sent adrift by the 

 mutineers, and eventually died of the exposure. 



Sir Joseph Banks' papers and correspondence virtually com- 

 prised the early archives of Kew till his death in 1820. It is 

 much to be regretted that after being deposited for many years in 

 the British Museum they were eventually dispersed. Irom time 

 to time small parcels which have come into the market have 

 been purchased for the Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Kew. 



activity : — 



Mr. Henry Shirley to Sir Joseph Banks. 

 Kingston, Jamaica, 



20th December, 1794. 



'the Committee appointed by the House of Assembly of this 

 island for superintending the public Botanical Gardens bemg 

 sensible of the share this country enjoys m the general advantages 

 derived from your zeal and abilities, as well as of ^he interest you 

 take in our success, particularly with respect to the valuable 

 collection of plants lately received, have directed me to communi- 

 cate to you such particulars concerning them as may tend ^o give 

 you a just idea of their actual condition, appearance and Progress. 

 It is, therefore, with great pleasure I take the opportunity of com- 

 plying with their desire, by informing you ^^at the bread-fruit 

 plants {Artocarpus incisa, L.) are thriving ^^^^h the greatest 

 luxuriance in every part of the island, particularly m the parish 

 of St. Thomas-in-the^East; the nursery «* BatH f ontams 40 of 

 those which were chosen as the strongest and most forward plants, 

 and the largest of them now measures 15 feet m height and 

 17 inches in circumference round the stem; all the others are 

 beautiful, strong, healthy, and bushy trees, just now beginning to 

 throw up suckers from the roots, and likely to produce frmtm. a 

 short time. There are 15 bread-fruits on Holland Estate, m 



