96 BOTANICAL GALLERY. 



diagrams readily conveys to the eye the points of agreement 

 or difference on which the classification rests. The geological 

 history of each natural order is indicated on a table of the 

 earth's strata ; and its present distribution on the surface of the 

 earth is given on a small map of the world. Descriptive 

 labels afford particular information respecting each specimen. 



The Dicotyledonous plants extend to the fifth case on the 

 left side of the gallery, and are followed by the Monocotyle- 

 donous orders, which fill a portion of the last case on the same 

 side, the two half-cases at the end of the gallery, and the first 

 case returning towards the door. The Gymnosperms are placed 

 in the next case. Then follow the Cryptogams, a case being 

 devoted to the higher, vascular orders, and another to the 

 ceUular plants. The series closes with an interesting collection 

 of models of the larger British Fungi prepared by Sowerby 

 when he was engaged on his work on this group of plants, 

 which have been recoloured and mounted in accordance with 

 their natural habitats. A Catalogue of these models has been 

 prepared.* In the table-case in this last bay is placed an 

 illustrated collection of the British Mycetozoa, to which a 

 Guide has been written. f A large chalk-like mass of Diatom 

 earth containing twelve billion Diatoms is placed in a case by 

 itself near the entrance to the gallery. The table- and window- 

 cases in the bays contain exhibitions of biological interest 

 under the following heads : Insectivorous plants (at present in 

 the Central Hall), Parasitic plants' (also in the Hall), Water- 

 plants, Xerophytic plants. Epiphytic plants. Adaptations for 

 Defence, Climbing plants, Fertilisation of flowers, and Dispersal 

 of seeds, also a model of a large fungus, Hydnum Erinaceum. 



At the end of the gallery the larger specimens of Palms are 

 set up against the screen dividing the gaUery from the Her- 

 barium ; other Palms, Cycads, Tree-ferns, &c., are placed in the 

 bays next the appropriate wall-cases. Suspended from the roof 

 is a fine specimen of the "Wabo" Bamboo {Dendrocalamus 

 brandisii) from Burma, 81 feet long ; and on the floor of the 

 gallery are specimens of the Vegetable Sheep (Eaoulia) of New 



* " Guide to Sowerby's Models of British Fungi." By W. Gr. Smith. Price 

 fourpence. 



t " Gruide to the British Mycetozoa." By A. Lister. Price threepence. 



