538 



NA TURE 



\0c(. 25, 1877 



the Origin and Development of the Pitchers of Nepenthes," 

 prefacing an account, with striking illustrations, of some 

 new Bornean species, and bringing out the conclu- 

 sion that the pitcher is a modification of a gland at the 

 apex of the midrib of a leaf. The functions and mode of 

 action of these pitchers became the subject of a later 

 investigation and the theme of his address to the Sec- 

 tion of Zoology and Botany, over which he presided, 

 at the meeting of the British Association at Belfast, in 

 1874. This forms one of the earlier contributions to our 

 new knowledge of carnivorous plants. Thirdly, the 

 " Outlines of the Distribution of Arctic Plants," cognate 

 with which is the elaborate " Introductory Essay to the 

 Flora Tasmanica," published earlier in the same year, 

 i860. These two papers embody the results of long and 

 wide study of the geographical distribution, systematic 

 association, and various degrees of relationship of exist- 

 ing species, in regard to their probable history and origin. 

 Ilaving been prepared before Mr. Darwin's " Origin of 

 Species " appeared, they are among the earliest and most 

 notable contributions to this part of our science. They 

 are endeavours to test the practical value in systematic 

 botany of now familiar theoretical considerations or 

 hypotheses, the influence of which was felt and the im- 

 portance dimly divined, in advance of their full deve- 

 lopment by Mr. Darwin. Fourthly, a rare opportunity 

 was well improved when that most extraordinary of plants, 

 Wekvitschia 7nirabilis, of Western Tropical Africa, was 

 placed in Sir J. D. Hooker's hands for study. Later inves- 

 tigations of completer materials may have since cleared 

 up points which were left doubtfu', and may have 

 definitely answered questions which were placed on the 

 way to settlement by being suggestively raised. Still the 

 splendid memoir on " Welwitschia, a New Genus of 

 Gnetacea:," stands unrivalled among botanical monographs 

 of the kind for perfection of illustration, elucidation of 

 structure, and insight into affinities. 



Turning ne.xt to labours which came in great part by 

 inheritance, we need only refer to the thirteen volumes of 

 the Botanical Magazine which follow the thirty-seven 

 edited by Sir William Hooker, and to the two volumes in 

 continuation of the less popular, but botanically im- 

 portant, "Icones Plantarum." Then, after the exhaustion 

 of Sir William Hooker's "British Flora " in its eighth edi- 

 tion. Sir J. D. Hooker replaced it by his own compendious 

 "Student's Flora of the British Islands, 1870," which is 

 now passing to a revised edition. Those who have made 

 the attempt well know how the conscientious preparation 

 of such a work tasks the best powers of a botanist. Upon 

 the piesentation, in an English dress, of Le Maout and 

 Decaisne's " Traite General de Botanique," in a trans- 

 lation by the late Mrs. Hooker, the orders were re-ar- 

 ranged and annotated by Sir J. D. Hooker, and a chapter 

 on the principles of classification and a synopsis of natural 

 groups added. Then, least in size, but not in usefulness 

 nor in difficulty of execution, comes the " Primer of 

 Botany," for the use of young beginners. As far as pos- 

 sible, elementary treatises should be written by masters 

 in science, and Sir J. D. Hooker has contributed his fair 

 share. 



We come, at length, to the "Genera Plantarum ad 

 examplaria imprimis in Herbariis Kewensibus servata 

 definita." In this, one of the most arduous and, as we 



judge, most important botanical woiks of our time. Sir J. D. 

 Hooker is associated with the veteran Bentham, who has 

 the enviable advantage of being able to devote all his 

 time to botanical investigation, undistracted by profes- 

 sorial or administrative cares, and who brings to the work 

 the largest experience, the surest judgment, and the most 

 indomitable industry — gifts and accomplishments rarely 

 thus associated. As two of the three compact volumes 

 of the "Genera Plantarum" are already published, and 

 the third is in progress, let us hope that we may all 

 ere long see and rejoice together over the completion of 

 a work which marks an epoch in systematic botany. 

 Compilations and digests we may have, as we have had ; 

 and supplements and new editions of the present work may 

 naturally and easily be provided ; but, as its only real 

 predecessors are the "Genera Plantarum" of Linnaeus 

 (1737-64) and of Jussieu (1789) — to which we may add 

 that of Endlicher (1836-40) the latter a wonderful monu- 

 ment of literary labour and bibliographical ability, directed 

 by a fair amount of botanical knowledge — so we may 

 expect that a long generation will pass before an under- 

 taking like the present will be again attempted and canied 

 through. 



If this cursory reference to the publications of one who 

 is still, as we fondly hope, only in mid-career, were ex- 

 tended into details and specifications, it would still be far 

 from giving a full idea of the extent and value of Sir J. 

 D. Hooker's scientific services. While his colleague, to 

 whom reference has been made, supplies a notable in- 

 stance of what may be accomplished by one who (without 

 declining a reasonable share of public duty) has been 

 mainly free from engrossing administrative cares, the life 

 of Sir J. D. Hooker, like that of his father, has fallen in 

 the common lot of scientific men. Or rather, in both the 

 Hookers, unusual gifts and energies have entailed more 

 than ordinary cares and re:ponsibilities. To develop 

 and to sustain and extend such noble and invaluable 

 establishments as those at Kew Gardens was a duty not 

 to be declined, however engrossing. It has been per- 

 formed in such wise as to win, along with national ap- 

 plause, the gratitude of the scientific world. Throughout 

 his travels and voyages his energies were directed by his 

 father to the advancement of Kew as a centre of scientific 

 botany, and as a means of trftismitting to all parts of the 

 world plants useful to mankind. In 1855 he was ap- 

 pointed Assistant-Director, and since the death of his 

 venerated father, in 1865, the burden of maintaining the 

 Gardens at the high condition they had attained through 

 the father's exertions has fallen on the son. 



Botanists all over the world count this devotion to 

 Kew Gardens high among Sir J. D. Hooker's scientific 

 services. They admired and cheered the courageous and 

 indomitable spirit with which he resisted and thwaited 

 the attempt of a whilom official guardian to lower the cha- 

 racter and diminish the scientific value of this most ustful 

 establishment. They rejoice, likewise, to see the piesi- 

 dential chair at the Royal Society occupied for the second 

 time by a botanist and explorer. They concede the para- 

 mount claims of public duty, yet not without a shade of 

 jealousy and regret ; for administration is time-consuming 

 and endless, while Hookers and their like are few, and 

 botanical work on every side is pressing. 



A critical exposition and estimate of the work which Sir 



