37 



received a letter from Dr. Agnew, giving an interesting 

 account of a visit to the Botanic G-ardens at Adelaide, and 

 especially calling attention to a Class-ground, planned by Dr. 

 Scliomburgk, wliich lie thought might be imitated, with 

 necessary modifications, and on a more modest scale, in our 

 own Gardens. 



The following is Dr. Agnew' s description, which he 

 requested me to bring under the notice of the Council : — 

 " Round a centre, which may be a circular seat, &c., three 

 zones or beds, each about 24ft. in width, are laid out. These 

 zones are separated by narrow gravel walks, and each zone is 

 subdivided into a great number of lesser beds, the proximal 

 end of each being about 6ft. wide, the peripheral boundary or 

 a segment of a larger circle being of course larger. Each of 

 these little beds— 6ft. by 24ft., more or less — is devoted to 

 one Order in Botany, a bold label specifying the Order being 

 displayed at the narrow proximal end. Possibly, square beds 

 could be laid out more cheaply, but this plan, which is pro- 

 bably due to the ma^ture experience of Dr. Schomburgk, is 

 most convenient, as you can see so much in walking round 

 the small central circle. No doubt, if required, Dr. Schom- 

 burgk would gladly give full particulars, and would also say 

 if the whole was a success." 



In reply to a request from the Council for further informa- 

 tion. Dr. Schomburgk has kindly furnished a sketch plan, 

 with a letter describing the general arrangement of the 

 Class- grounds, which is hereto appended. 



The question is now submitted for discussion by the 

 Fellows of the Society. If they are of opinion that an 

 attempt should be made to imitate, if only after a humble 

 fashion, the example afforded by the Adelaide Gardens, not 

 to mention innumerable other institutions of like character 

 in other countries, the Council will no doubt do its best, with 

 Mr. Abbott's advice and assistance, to give some practical 

 effect to the scheme. It should be clearly understood that it 

 is not proposed either to interfere in any way with the 

 general plan of the Gardens, or to add to the cost of their 

 annual maintenance. Only a small space is required, for in 

 selecting plants care would be taken to choose only those 

 which can be grown within narrow limits, and some Orders 

 would not be represented at all. The work also could go on 

 by slow degrees. The importance of encouraging the study 

 of Botany by some practical teaching of this kind, a little of 

 which will do more than a library of books, will be readily 

 admitted ; and a recognition of the fact that the Royal 

 Society's Gardens are designed to afford some such educa- 

 tional facilities will certainly not lessen their claim to support 

 at the cost of the State. 



