96 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



Before many years passed away there was scarce any 

 part of the world where there was not some one or other 

 in touch with the now celebrated patron of Natural 

 Science. A fresh interest was given to life. Whether at 

 home or abroad, there was always some new devotee, 

 inspired by Banks's generous example, seeking to un- 

 ravel the long-neglected marvels of nature. During 

 the reign of George III, nearly seven thousand new 

 exotics were introduced into England. By far the 

 greater part of these were sent home by Banks's plant 

 collectors. 



In connection with this enterprise, and partly fostered 

 by the emulation aroused among botanists through its 

 agency, there arose many Botanical Gardens in the 

 British settlements abroad. The first of these was planted 

 in Jamaica about the year 1775. In a very few years 

 Jamaica became a planter's paradise, from the number 

 of official and private gardens which flourished in 

 the island. For there was everywhere a constant acces- 

 sion of zealous volunteers, both in the East and West 

 Indies. 



Francis Masson was the first of these adventurers 

 sent out at the instance of Banks. As the first official 

 collector sent out, and one whose services to Botany 

 were not excelled by those of his colleagues and succes- 

 sors, his career may be specially noticed. He came 

 from Aberdeen, and worked in Kew Gardens under 

 Aiton for several years. He was about thirty-one 

 years of age when Banks selected him for the pioneer 

 Collector. 



Masson went to the Cape of Good Hope, where he 

 remained for three years. His first journey was more or 

 less an experimental one ; yet his labours were rewarded 

 by the discovery of many new plants, the consignment 

 of which to Kew made a notable accession to the treasures 

 in the Gardens. A second journey to the interior was 



