336 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



botanical garden of Buitenzorg, the most celebrated, the surface 

 of which covers one hundred and forty-eight acres and a quarter, 

 situated in the city next to the residence of the governor; the 

 agricultural garden of Tjikeumenh, of one hundred and seventy- 



Fio. 1. ENTRANCE TO THE MUSEUM OF HERBARIA, BOTANICAL GARDEN OF BUITENZORG, 

 JAVA. (From a photograph.) 



three acres ; and the garden of forestry, with a reserve in the 

 virgin forest, which together occupy seven hundred and forty-one 

 acres. 



The climate of Buitenzorg and its vicinity is especially favor- 

 able to the development of plants. It is at the same time very 

 warm, the mean temperature being 82 or 83 F., while during the 

 dry monsoon the thermometer may rise to nearly 90 F. The con- 

 stant moisture, afforded by a rainfall that amounts to more than 

 twelve feet of water a year, gives the culmination of these condi- 

 tions. In Holland, where it rains a great deal, the annual mean 

 is only about twenty-six inches. 



A number of the trees in the garden have grown extraordina- 

 rily. Some palm trees of the genus Oreodaxa, planted when very 

 young along the borders of an alley, grew in five years to a height 

 of more than thirty-two feet ; while plants of Albizzia Moluccanna 

 grew in the same time to about sixty-five feet. The section of 

 palms, the ferns, climbing plants, and gigantic lianas surpasses in 

 interest all that can be found in any other botanical gardens. 



As a result of the perfect scientific arrangement of the garden, 

 the stranger, with a plan in his hand, which is furnished gratui- 

 tously to all who wish to work there, can find his way at once to 

 whatever section he is most interested in. Numbers, referred to 

 the catalogue, are marked on each species of the several families. 

 When foreign students arrive, they are received immediately by 



