204 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
groups be studied satisfactorily, even from the standpoint of the 
classificatory botanist. 
Undoubtedly, too, the research institution of the future will 
count as a part of its legitimate equipment the provision, as 
needed, of very liberal opportunities for the staff to visit even 
distant regions for the study in their native homes of plants 
which cannot be cultivated even in special gardens in such a 
manner as to be fully representative. 
If the entire equipment here sketched in outline is not only 
appropriate, but essential, to the great centers of botanical investi: 
gation that are making their appearance as results of the special- 
ization and division of labor that are now manifesting themselves 
in the endowment of research, it by no means follows that evely 
institution, even of this class, should try to develop from the 
start on all of the lines which, intertwined, compose the complex 
tissue of botany. With ample means, the ideal development 5 
that which, from the beginning, recognizes all branches a of 
value, and classifies and develops them alike in proportion to 
their relative importance. But to secure the greatest retum a | 
the money expended, it is desirable to equip fairly well before — 
increasing the force of salaried men much beyond what is needed 
for the care and arrangement of the material accumulating. Ths : 
principle, if followed out, almost forces an over-development : 2 
the branches of special interest to the earlier employés—* : 
departure from the ideal symmetry, which is sure to be ja th 
by the performance of more work in these hypertrophied apr 
ties, with reference to the sum invested, than in other dine 
From this may also be drawn the seemingly just inference = 
where the means are limited, it is far better to concentrate 
entire equipment on the specialties of the persons who can a 2 
it, than to allow them to work at a disadvantage through @ 
effort, however commendable it may at first appeal, to me a 
symmetrical equipment. es 
With the evolution of centers of pure research will Be 
new problems. Just as the attendance of a large number ee 
dents in the botanical department of a college has here 
ae 
