173 



great many years. He liad an eye for anything that was quaint or 

 interesting in structure, quite independent of its decorative value^ 

 the result being that the collection was not only thoroughly repre- 

 sentative of the usual showy species and hybrids, but also pos- 

 sessed examples of most of the cultivated genera^ some of v. hich 

 are seldom met with, and there Avere plants from almost every 

 quarter of the globe, and possessing the most diverse cultural 

 requirements. At his death the whole of the plants were 

 bequeathed to his wife, with the desire that she would present to 

 the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, such portions of the collection 

 as she might be advised or might consider to be primarily of 

 botanical interest, the matter being left entirely to her decision. 

 Some time ago Lady Lawrence wrote to the Director informing 

 him of her pleasure in carrying out Sir Trevor's wishes, and a 

 large selection, consisting of about 580 plants, belonging to 

 upwards of eighty genera, has now been received. The gift forms 

 a very valuable addition to the Kew collection, and is rich in 

 such genera as Bulbophyllum, CtrrJtopetalnviy PleurotlialliSy 

 Mawillariay Epidendrumy Eria, Angraecuniy Dendrohiiim and 

 Coelogyne. and there ax^e many species not previously represented 

 at Kew, and some that are very rarely seen in cultivation. The 

 genera not previously represented in the collection include Tricho- 

 ceros, a high Andine genus very difficult to get home alive and 

 ery difficult to cultivate afterwards, Nasonia and Quehettia^ two 

 small American genera, and StereocJiihis and Sigmatogyne from 

 North India. The collection also includes a number of undeter- 

 mined species which have not yet flowered, and of which the genus 

 is in a few cases still doubtful. These have been obtained from 

 various sources, a few of them having been sent from West Africa 

 by Sir Trevor's son, Captain C. T. Lawrence. In many cases the 

 source is indicated on the labels, and it is hoped to determine them 

 as they flower. 



The Crossland Collection of Fungi. — A valuable addition to 



the already extensive mycological collection in the herbarium has 



been made through the purchase of the series of drawings and 



specimens of British fungi belonging to Mr. C- Crossland, of 

 Halifax. The drawings, representing 543 species, mostly 

 Discomycetes, are espeeiall}' welcome. There is a coloured repre- 

 sentation of each species, natural size, accompanied by sections, 

 dissections and spore measurements j also a detailed description, 

 critical notes, etc., and in each instance by the specimens from 

 which the figures and descriptions were drawn. 



The general collection of fungi, numbering 2000 species, is in 

 an excellent state of preservation, and embraces representatives of 

 every group of British fuugi. There are also some 84 myxo- 

 mvcetes. 



u 



The large Tulip Tree at Kew. — On Monday, March 16th, the 



flne old Tulip Tree which stood at the north end of the Rhododen- 

 dron Dell was uprooted by the great gale of that day. The tree 

 first began to show evidences of declining vigour about twenty 



