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On the afternoon of September 14th, 1907, members and 

 friends to the number of twenty-four, assembled at Kew 

 Gardens Station. Here the party was met by Mr. George 

 Nicholson, F.L.S., V.M.H., etc., an ex-curator of the 

 Gardens, who had most kindly volunteered to lead on this 

 occasion. After a short walk the Gardens were entered by 

 the Victoria Gate, and a move was made to the plant houses 

 to inspect the Giant Orchis. This rare plant, Grammoto- 

 phyllum spcciostim, a native of Malaya, has been in the 

 Gardens for twenty years, but has not hitherto shown any 

 signs of its large and beautiful blossoms. These are thrown 

 up in spikes of some six feet in length, and the individual 

 blossoms are about six inches in diameter. The party pro- 

 ceeded to view the Herbaceous Grounds, where some stinging 

 and other interesting plants were noticed, and then made 

 their way to the Water Lily House, just outside which were 

 some fine plants of Romneya trichocalyx, introduced from 

 California to Kew by Mr. Nicholson. In the Water Lily 

 House the magnificent leaves of the Victoria regia were much 

 admired. The Papyrus reed, Cyperus papyrus, the Sacred 

 Lotus (Nelumbium speciosum) and other tropical water-loving 

 plants were noticed. The beautiful Palm House next en- 

 gaged attention, where the Coco (Cocos nucifcra), Date 

 {Phoenix), and other palms rear their graceful stems as high 

 as the glass roof allows, and where the Banana (Musa sapien- 

 tum) spreads its long green leaves in a congenial atmosphere. 

 A walk over the lawns, leading partly down the Pagoda vista, 

 brought the party to the Temperate House, where several 

 plants of interest were pointed out. 



By this time the early autumn evening had begun to draw 

 in, and the members, breaking up into smaller parties, made 

 their way towards the principal entrance gates, and so 

 reached Kew Green at sunset. An excellent meat-tea was 

 served at Pitt's Restaurant, facing the Green. About 7 p.m. 

 the members took leave of each other and started on their 

 respective journeys home. We cannot conclude this meagre 

 report of our doings without mentioning how very much 

 indebted the Society is to Mr. George Nicholson for his 

 kindness in conducting the party through the Gardens. 



