PREFACE. 9' 



high temperature for their cultivation. The greater 

 number are natives of the New World, and in the old 

 Africa is poorest in species. A few are found in extra- 

 tropical countries, and to these the gardens of Southern 

 Europe owe much of their striking character and 

 beauty. The Kew Bulletin for 1889 (pp. 291-297) 

 contain an account of the species cultivated on the 

 Riviera. In this country these require the protection 

 of glass ; but one, Trachycarpus excelsa, a native of 

 China, is hardy out of doors. 



The total number of species actually known to 

 botanists is upwards of 1100, but many doubtless still 

 remain to be described. 



In 1768 six species were enumerated in HilFs Hortus 

 Kewensis as in cultivation at Kew. In 1787 Aiton in 

 his Hortus Kewensis gives 10, and in 1813, in the 

 second edition, 20. Smith states (Records, p. 96) that 

 in 1830 the collection had increased to 4)0 species and 

 enunierates 141 species as cultivated in the Royal 

 Gardens from 1760-1864 (pp. 98-106). Appendix IL 

 to the Keiu Report for. 1882 (pp. 53-73) contains a 

 classified list of the Palms cultivated in the Royal 

 Gardens ; this includes 370 species. 



The number catalogued in the present Hand List 

 amounts to 407. Of these 40 are represented in the 

 Temperate House. This is probably the largest assem- 

 blage of species of the order to be found in any one 

 place in the world. It is doubtful whether it does not 

 exceed that in the Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg, in 

 Java, which in any case excels the Kew collection in 

 the magnitude of individual species if it does not 

 actually do so in the number cultivated. 



