LIFE OF FLOWER 83 



preclude their being placed on the walls, while an 

 excess of light (which has been partially remedied by 

 blocking up the lower portion of the windows in some 

 of the zoological galleries) causes the specimens to 

 become prematurely bleached and faded. 



As regards the deficiency of accommodation for the 

 study series in the museum, Sir William endeavoured to 

 remedy this, so far as possible, by closing some portions 

 of the galleries previously open to the public a step, 

 which, however necessary, tended to mar the building, so 

 far as exhibition purposes are concerned. 



" While thus maintaining," writes his biographer in 

 the Year-book " of the Royal Society for 1901, the 

 high scientific reputation of the great National Museum, 

 he continued to popularise the institution and science 

 by taking parties of working men round the museum on 

 Sundays, and occasionally a distinguished visitor, like 

 Dr. Nansen, would also join the group. Nor was he 

 less attentive to members of the Royal Family, or to 

 distinguished statesmen, like Mr. Gladstone, who 

 honoured the museum with their presence. Foreign 

 rulers, like the Queen of Holland, the Prince of Naples, 

 the Empress Frederick of Germany, and the King 

 of Siam, were also interested in the collection, so that 

 the popularity and welfare of the museum were greatly 

 extended by the Director's tact and urbanity. Formerly, 

 he had taken a leading part in interesting the Prince of 

 Wales (his present Majesty), who was present at 

 Sir James Paget's Hunterian Oration in 1877, * n the 

 Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and in 

 arranging for an exhibition of the Prince's hunting 

 trophies at the Zoological Society shortly afterwards, 



