PROFESSOR JOHN HUTTON BALFOUR. 261 
morning. The day was remarkably fine, and all were in high 
spirits. Even those who dreaded a sea voyage in ordinary cir- 
cumstances felt less anxiety than usual, seeing that the barometer 
was very high and the sea as smooth as possible. The steamer 
which was to convey us to Rotterdam was the “ Ivanhoe,” com- 
manded by Mr. John Cairns, a very civil and obliging captain, 
although with a rough exterior. 
Monday, 9th August 1858. 
We reached the bar on the Dutch coast between 12 and 1 and 
Rotterdam about 4 p.m. The sail up the Meuse brought under 
our notice the novel Dutch scenery, the flat surface, marshy ground, 
willows, canals, windmills, &c. On landing at the quay some 
time was spent in getting the luggage examined. We started in 
a third-class carriage by the train at 6.40 p.m. and passed 
through the characteristic scenery of Holland, with “its ubiquitous 
canals, bowling-green flatness and swampy meadows.” We 
reached the University town of Utrecht about 9 p.m. and took 
up our quarters at the Hétel des Pays Bas, where we were all 
accommodated. 
Tuesday, 10th August 1858. 
Rose at 6 a.m. and went with a commissionaire to the Botanic 
Garden where we met Professor Bergsma, who is lecturer on 
Botany and has charge of the garden. He was most attentive 
and kind, and gave us a full description of the plants cultivated. 
The garden is small but contains some interesting plants, 
particularly those sent from the Dutch possessions in Java. 
The houses are not extensive. There did not seem to be a good 
arrangement of the plants for study. The number of pupils 
attending the lectures is about 40. The Professor’s house is 
connected with the garden. 
Among the plants which we noticed were the following :— 
_Amherstia nobilis Caladium pinnatifidum 
Angiopteris angustata Casuarina sumatrana 
Antiaris toxicaria 6 Cephalotus follicularis 
Araucaria Cunninghamii Chameerops conduplicatus 
‘: excelsa ‘si humilis 
