[ xxiii ] 



We regret tliat we arc imcible to agree with our colleagues as to the advisa- 

 bility of creating a new advisory Board. If we were starting de novo it seems 

 obvious that the whole of the National biologiciil collections in and near 

 the metropolis would be placed under one management. The Trustees of 

 the British Museum are established by statute, and are partly selected, and 

 partly e.i: ojficlo memliers, more than one third being high Ministers of State. 

 Those to whom the active duties of management and superintendence are 

 entrusted possess special Ivnowledge in the various subjects illustrated by 

 the collections, and they appear to us to be more fitted both by their ex- 

 perience and their position in the scientific and cultured world to be the 

 governing body of the amalgamated botanic collections at Kew than any 

 other that can be built up in their place. If those collections form part of 

 the British Museum, the Director at Kew would become an officer of the 

 Trustees in the same manner as is the Director of the Museum at South 

 Kensington. 



It is true that in the Report it is stated, " Were Kew placed under the 

 Trustees of the British Museum, unless their control were a merely nominal 

 one, a thing in itself most undesirable, the demands of the Colonial, India, 

 and Foreign Offices on the resources of Kew would be subject to the control 

 of the Trustees, a situation fraught with difficulties and dangers." This 

 assertion does not appear to us convincing. No example is quoted of these 

 difficulties, the dangers are not indicated. It is far from clear why one 

 controlling authority is more likely to produce them than a lay authority and 

 a scientific authority with an advisory Board interposed as a buffer between 

 them. It is impossible to suppose that a body such as the Trustees of the 

 British Museum, already well experienced in the management of scientific 

 collections, the results of whose control are of proved excellence, and having 

 at heart the interests and advancement of botanic science in its various 

 aspects, would not be as anxious to meet the demands of the public Depart- 

 ments referred to, and as capable of meeting them, as the existing authority. 

 Neither does there seem to be any valid reason why the First Commissioner 

 of Works should not continue to keep in good relations with the Trustees at 

 Kew, as he does at present at Bloomsbury and South Kensington. It 

 would not appear to be difficult to find at least a inodus vkendi whether he 

 continues to be especially charged with the care of the public gardens and 

 grounds as at present, or the Trustees decide upon any special features 

 to be introduced during any particular financial year, in the same manner 

 as they now ask him to provide for additional accommodation or furniture 

 at South Kensington. We feel that the introduction of a new Board, such 

 as is proposed, is at least as likely to produce friction and difficulties as the 

 present authorities, and will tend to weaken responsibility, and on this 

 account as well as because we do not attach much reality to the " difficulties 

 and dangers " which would arise from the substitution of the control of 

 the Trustees of the British Museum for the present control, that we dissent 

 from the second recommendation of this Report. 



(signed) AYEBURY. 



HORACE SEYMOUR. 



-5086. 



