Report of a Journey Around the World. 141 



natural science, of special importance to Indian agriculture take 

 place. Moreover, teaching institutions, etc., were added to the 

 institute. The so-called foreigners' laboratory deserves special 

 notice. It is arranged according to the newest demands of science, 

 and, abundantly provided with all the necessaries, is always at the 

 free disposal of foreign naturalists. 



"Thus 's Lands Plantentuin, instead of a simple botanical 

 garden, gradually' became a scientific centre of which the old 

 botanical garden was the nucleus. Only one more step was needed 

 to bring forth from this arrangement, together with the other 

 branches of official service coming into notice for it, the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. At its establishment, in 1905, Professor Dr. 

 M. Treub was made first director. The botanical garden proper 

 forms at present one of the divisions of the department. 



"The botanical garden is situated at an elevation of 265 m. 

 above the sea level. In accordance with the very misty and warm 

 climate the plant growth is exceptionally luxuriant. It covers an 

 area of 58 hectares (143.32 acres), of which the greater part is 

 planted with arborescent growth, which take a preponderating 

 place in tropical flora. A special part of the garden is reserved 

 for the climbing plants from a practical point of view. Further- 

 more, special places are laid out for shrubs, herbs, water-plants, 

 ferns, orchids, Bromeliaceae and shade-loving growth, while in 

 conclusion the nurseries deserve mention along with a few con- 

 servatories for foliage plants and orchids. 



"In order to easily find the plants represented in the garden 

 they are all numbered, while the sedtions in which they are planted, 

 and which are mostly bounded by the paths, are indicated by 

 Roman numbers and letters. 



"It is an accepted rule that the larger plants, principally trees 

 and shrubs, should be represented by two examples ; in this way 

 the loss of a species is pracflically obviated. The second example 

 bears the same number as the first, but with the addition of A. 

 Moreover all species are provided with labels, while there are 

 name-posts painted red for plants which for some reason or other 

 are outside the secftion destined for their natural family." 



I am tempted to quote from my own notebook, as Buitenzorg 

 was our first real station in Java. After an afternoon tea with 



some friends in Weltvreden we took the 4:58 train for Buitenzorg 



[289] 



