General TCHorfe. 



Botany. 



A number of plant preparations have been added as in 

 previous years, and the general collections have been re- 

 arranged in more systematic order. A considerable amount 

 of re-labelling has also been done. The latter has been 

 rendered necessary owing to failure so far to find an adhesive 

 which will resist the solvent action of the z\ per cent, of 

 sulphurous acid in water, in which the green preparations 

 are mounted. Acting upon the advice of Dr. O. V. Darbishire, 

 the method of preserving the green colouring of plants 

 described by Prof. J. W. H. Trail in the Kew Bulletin, No. 2, 

 1908, has since been followed with good results. The prepara- 

 tions retain their green colouring matter, even if mounted in 

 alcohol, and no difficulty is experienced with the labels. 

 They are also much more life-like in appearance. 



Examples of sugar canes from Queensland and the West 

 Indies have been added to the tropical case, and also a selection 

 of coco-nuts from Queensland, the West Indies, and the Malay 

 States. 



The coco-nuts have been prepared in series to illustrate 

 the whole structure of the fruit. In the case of median 

 sections, the white endosperm, which dries and shrivels up, 

 has been replaced by a corresponding thick layer of white 

 paraffin wax. One specimen in which the embryo had 

 germinated has been mounted to show the relation of the 

 young plant to the embryo food supply. 



The exhibition of wild flowers and fruit has been main- 

 tained throughout the year. Not less than 450 species have 

 been thus shown, and never less than 22 living specimens at 

 one time. For the work entailed by the collection, arrange- 

 ment, and labelling of these species, we are again indebted to 

 Miss Ida M. Roper, F.L.S. Her enthusiasm has infected 



