6 



and of the " Quassia " and " Peruvian Bark " Orders ; — 

 the Resins of the "Amyris" or "Frankincense " Order ; 

 — the Narcotic or Poisonous character of the " Night- 

 shade " Order, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, 

 Henbane, and Tobacco. 



In dividing the extensive arranged collections between 

 the two Museum buildings, advantage has been taken of 

 the two grand Classes under which the Orders of flower- 

 ing plants are found to be grouped in nature. One of 

 these great Classes occupies Museum No. I. The other 

 Class, together with all the products, &c., yielded by those 

 plants which are commonly regarded as not bearing 

 flowers (as Ferns, Mosses, Seaweeds, Lichens, and Fungi), 

 are contained in Museum No. II. 



The same details of arrangement obtain through both 

 Museums. The upright cases are numbered outside, 

 above the glass doors : the numbers correspond to those 

 on the margin of this Guide. The botanical name of 

 each Natural Order is exhibited inside, at the top of the 

 cases ; also wherever an Order begins, if on a lower shelf. 

 A brief note on each Order is given in this Guide, 

 preceding the enumeration of the noteworthy objects 

 belonging to it. 



To simplify and facilitate reference, every object of 

 great importance enumerated bears, upon a card, mounted 

 close hy it, a conspicuous corresponding number [_e.g., 26]. 

 One numbering runs through the whole of each 

 Museum. 



The proportion of numbered objects to the whole is 

 very small ; this is a necessity which a handy guide-book, 

 intended for visitors rather than students, imposes. As 

 nearly every object is properly labelled, the deficiency is 

 rather apparent than real. This Guide is not intended to 

 supplant a system of copious instructional labelling, 

 which is being constantly improved upon, and printed 

 labels substituted for those written by hand. Any 

 suggestion bearing upon these, or hints repecting our 

 deficiencies, those who have the charge of this im- 

 portant branch of the Kew establishment will be most 

 happy to receive. Such should be addressed in writing, 

 to the Keeper of the Museums, or to the Director of the 

 Royal Gardens. 



