101 



on a journey of 14 months' duration, crossing the continent twice 

 and making botanical collections equal to those of his earlier 

 travels. The results were published in 1891 under the same title 

 and as Part iii. of the same work, and form a volume of nearly 

 800 pages, largely devoted to the discussion of questions of nomen- 

 clature. In addition to these bulky volumes Dr. Kuntze wrote 

 numerous articles and pamphlets on his favourite subject, the last 

 appearing only a few weeks ago. It is entitled : " Motivierte 



vom Wiener Kong 



menen inkompetenten und fehlerreichen botanischen Nomen- 

 klatur-Regeln, sowie Vorschlage zur international endgueltigen 

 Reform auf dem Bruesseler Kongress 1910." It should be added 

 that although Dr. Kuntze's proposals are not all accepted, or 



teem 



interest, and well repay study. 



W 



Hardy Heaths at Kew — The soil of Kew, being of light quality 

 and quite free from calcareous substances, proves to be admirably 

 adapted for many members of the ericaceous family. The Rhodo- 

 dendron Dell, the Azalea Garden, and in a less degree the 

 botanical collection near King William's Temple and the groups 

 in the sunk garden west of the Palm House, have long been 

 popular features of the garden. Several species of Erica itself 

 thrive particularly well, especially those that blossom in the 

 spring. During the past few years advantage has been taken of 

 this fact to plant a few large groups in various parts of the garden. 

 Two more have been added during the winter, one on a portion of 

 the railed-in wild garden near the Berberis Dell, the other on a 

 mound south-west of the Palm House. In the former more than 

 a thousand plants were put out. Erica mediterranea enters 

 largely into the composition of the spring-flowering groups. It is 

 a beautiful Heath of which several varieties are in cultivation, one 



hibernica— -being found wild in the West of Ireland. Associated 

 with it are E. lusitanica, E. arborea, E. Veitchii and E. carnea. 

 It is believed these groups will become permanent and effective 

 features. The plants commence to flower in February and early 

 Marnh arwl nrnvirl^ Qmnlp hrAarlths of charming colour for three 



months. 



preparati 



ground and add a little peat. This is also found to provide an 

 admirable medium for growing choice, delicate-rooted plants like 

 iStewartia and Styrax ; they not only thrive in the soil, but rejoice 

 in the root shelter the undergrowth of Heath affords. 



The Lake.-The chief piece of work in the Arboretum during 

 the past winter has been the removal of the mud from the bed of 

 the Lake. It is nine years since this was last done thoroughly. 

 The Lake is filled by water taken from the Thames at high tide 

 which brings with it in suspension a large quantity of mud. In 

 some parts of the Lake it was found that this alluvial deposit had 



reached a depth of 1 foot 8 inches. This shows that a layer more 



