112 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
taining these vast botanical treasures, gathered from every portion of 
the globe. A necessary accompaniment to these is the botanical library, 
containing a very complete assortment of systematic works, together 
with numerous illustrated volumes, both ancient and modern, relating 
to the science of botany. It is from this rich collection that Sir William 
J. Hooker derived the material for his numerous serial illustrated pub- 
lications which, during the active period of his useful life, continued to 
give light and attraction to botanical pursuits, and aided so materially 
in stimulating botanical research in distant portions of the globe. Here 
was also originated that valuable series of descriptive works on colonial 
botany, still in progress under the experienced pens of George Bentham, 
Dr. Hooker, and others. The value of this collection especially consists 
in the fact that it contains the type specimens from which the first de- 
scriptions were made, including agreat number of North American plants. 
Hence it will continue to be resorted to by botanists engaged in working 
up special fa’: ilies of plants, orclearing up doubtfulsynonyms. The direct 
use of this collection in the determination of the garden specimens culti- 
vated in the ad‘oining grounds, a8 well as the accurate naining of foreign 
collections constantly sent there for that purpose, is so evident that the 
importance of a similar establishment in this country, having particular 
reference to North American botany, is at once apparent. 
The museums of economic botany.—The museums of economical botany, 
origmated by the late director, Sir William J. Hooker, form one of the 
chief attractionsof thisestablishment. They include, in systematicorder, 
according to the usual arrangement of the different families of plants, 
such objects as cannot be exhibited in the herbarium proper or in the 
gardens. The object, succinctly stated as follows in the official guide, 
is to show some of the practical applications of botanical science: 
They teach us to appreciate the general relations of the vegetable world to man. 
We Jearn trom them the seurces of the innumerable products furnished by the vegetable 
kingdom for our use and convenience, whether as articles of food, of construction and 
application in the arts, cf medicine, or of curiosity. They suggest new channels for 
our industry; they show us the variety in form and structure presented by plants, and 
are the meaus of dirett instruction in most important branches of useful knowledge. 
We see from them the particular points upon which further information is needed, 
especially as to the origin of some valuable timbers, fibers, and drugs, in order to per- 
fect our knowledge of economic botany. In brief, the museums show us how little as 
well as how much we know of the extent to which herbs, shrubs, and trees contribute 
to our necessities, comforts, and numberless requirements. 
The great success which attended the first experiment soon necessitated 
the construction of additional accommodations to display the accumu- 
lated objects that were brought in from every quarter. Three entire 
buildings are now devoted ‘to this special object. ; 
Aside from the general plan as above stated, a very interesting per- 
sonal addition is made by authentic portraits of distinguished botanists 
and travelers, oceupying blank spaces on the adjoining walls and passage- 
ways. These are arranged, as tar as practicable, in connection with the 
special department of botany in which each was most noted, or in asso- 
ciation with the peculiar vegetable products of regions which they may 
have explored. 
The series, as at present exhibited, comprises two hundred and five 
full upright cases, besides numerous bulky objects not requiring case- 
room, and the entire series of wood sections, which occupy a whole 
separate building. 
The great interest which attaches to such an exhibition of vegetable 
substances, entering so largely into the different departments of human 
industry, or directly adapted to the supply of every-day wants, is @vi- 
denced by the constant crowds of attentive visitors, few of whom are 
