32 INTRODUCTION 



expecting to see original collections in original cases in coeval 

 buildings. By the vandalism of 1894 this unique arrangement 

 was destroyed at the Museum, and with the approval of the 

 Keeper, and so only two out of the three institutions 

 remain in anything like their original condition. With such 

 an example before our eyes we should be the more careful 

 of our unique heritage at the Botanic Garden. Let us 

 endeavour to preserve it as one of those precious memorials 

 of the past which our visitors expect to find in Oxford. Let 

 us not aim at employing our limited means in making 

 a third-rate imitation of the speciality of others ; let us 

 rather cherish whatever of the distant past is still left to 

 us, and let incongruous modern developments seek ground 

 elsewhere. 



In the future perhaps we may hope to see a further exten- 

 sion southward in the direction of the walks round Christ 

 Church meadow, and, with the concurrence of that House, the 

 planting there of varieties of hardy trees and larger shrubs, for 

 which there is no room within the walls, to form an Arboretum 

 worthy of the oldest Botanic Garden and University in England. 

 On the Cherwell eyots too, both above and especially below 

 Magdalen Bridge, there is room not only to re-establish 

 Baxter's Salicetum, but for water-gardens and collections of 

 marsh plants such as no horticulturist has yet seen. 



The Cherwell, with his occasional floods, may be trusted to 

 do his part, for either 



In ninefold volume now, a Stygian stream, 



Uncertain of his willows Cherwell glides 



Athwart his vale, and o'er his wanderings 



A dense white level pall of mist is spread. W. MOORE. 



Or, 



He makes sweet music with the enamelled stones, 



Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge 



He overtaketh in his pilgrimage, 



And so by many winding nooks he strays 



With willing sport to the wild ocean. BROWNING. 



