HISTORY OF BOTANY. 83 



In 1823 Brown came into possession of the library and 

 herbarium of Sir Joseph Banks, who bequeathed them to 

 him for his life. The collection of plants he offered to the 

 British Museum, and he was appointed keeper of the 

 botanical department in 1827, which post he occupied until 

 his death. 



In 1811 Brown became a Fellow of the Koyal Society ; in 

 1832 he received the degree of D.C.L. from the University 

 of Oxford, and in 1833 he was elected one of the foreign 

 associates of the French Academy of Sciences. In 1839 

 the Copley medal was awarded to him by the Eoyal Society 

 for his researches on vegetable impregnation. In 1849 he 

 was elected president of the Linnean Society, which office 

 he resigned in 1853. He received from Sir Robert Peel a 

 pension of £200 a year for his scientific merits, and died in 

 London, 1858. 



*' Brown was a botanist of the highest stamp. He 

 possessed singular acumen, and was denominated by 

 Humboldt ' botanicorum facile princeps ' " (which may be 

 freely rendered, the acknowledged chief of botanists). 

 "All his writings display a wonderful power of botanical 

 analysis, and an enlarged view of vegetable affinities. His 

 name is known wherever Botany is cultivated as a Science, 

 and his researches have promoted the advancement of 

 Botany during the long period of nearly half a century. As 

 a private friend he was loved, and respected. He was 

 admired by a large circle of attached friends for the sound- 

 ness of his judgment, the simplicity of his habits, and the 

 kindness of his disposition." 



So we may say in conclusion that though Great Britain 

 was a laggard in Botany three hundred years ago, she has 

 since amply made amends in all branches of its stud}^ I 

 only wish that space would permit me to make this still 

 more apparent. 



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