[ xxi J 



said, be left for future determination. But we feel justified in making the 

 following reconnnendations : — 



Though it is part of the work of the staff at Kew to identify and to Special arrange- 

 name plants sent to them for the purpose by private individuals in this "J'^'"^® ^°^' "^ming 

 country and elsewhere, we have it in evidence that a large amount of the ^^^^ " ^ o e 

 same work is done at the British Museum. That the union of the two 

 collections at Kew should in any way render it more difficult for anyone to 

 get a plant identified and named, would be a result much to be regretted. 

 It is only right that the public should derive freely such a benefit from money 

 voted for liotanic purposes ; and such a naming of plants is a powerful 

 means of stimulating general interest in botanic science. We are, therefore, 

 of opinion that special means should be taken so to develop this side of the 

 work at Kew, that after the proposed union has taken place, it will, if 

 possible, be even easier than at present, for anyone who wishes to have a plant 

 identified and named, to get his wish fulfilled. 



Special interest is naturally attached to the botany of British plants, and An expert in 

 since its formation the British Herbarium at the British Museum has proved British botany to 

 itself to be of special value. We are of opinion that this British Herbarium, ^^ appointed. 

 when transferred to Kew, should be kept separate from the General 

 Herbarium. Further, seeing that we have in evidence indications of the 

 want felt by those interested in British botany of the skilled assistance of 

 some officer in the national collection specially qualified to give such 

 assistance, we are of opinion that arrangements should be made at Kew by 

 means of which such assistance may be given. 



A British Herbarium so administered would nevertheless be not a 

 popular exhibition, but an instrument of botanic research. We suggest 

 rather than recommend that possibly it would be desirable to establish 

 other geographic herbaria, not as popular exhibitions, but as means of 

 research. 



We accordingly recommend 



1. That the whole of the botanic collections at the British Museum now Recommendations 

 administered by the Keeper of the Department of Botany under the 



Trustees, with the exception of the collections exhibited to the public, be 

 transferred to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and placed in the charge of 

 the First Commissioner of His Majesty's Works and Public Buildings under 

 conditions indicated below, adequate accommodation being there provided 

 for them. 



2. That a Board, on which the Trustees of the British Museum, the Royal 

 Society, and certain Departments of His Majesty's Government should be 

 directly represented, be established in order to advise on all questions of a 

 scientific nature arising out of the administration of the Gardens, the powers 

 and duties of the Board, its relations to the First Commissioner and to the 

 Director, as well as the position of the latter and the functions of the 

 Gardens, being defined by Minute of the Lords Commissioners of His 

 Majesty's Treasury. 



3. That the illustrative botanic collections now publicly exhibited at the 

 British Museum be maintained, and, so far as it is possible and expedient, 

 enlarged and developed with the view of increasing popular interest, and 

 imparting popular instruction in the phenomena of the vegetable world, and 

 be placed under the charge of an officer of adequate scientific attainments, 

 responsible to the Director of the Natural History Departments. 



4. That upon the transference of the botanic collections from the British 

 Museum to the Royal Botanic Gardens, such arrangements be made both in 

 respect to the accommodation of the collections and the staff administering 

 them, that they shall fully serve the purposes which they have hitherto 

 served. 



