BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 215 



society is worthy, and will no doubt receive warm support ; but it is to be 

 hoped that many zealous labourers will enter the field from higher motives 

 — a desire to promote the cause of science. 



professor Litchfield's notes and suggestions. 

 Dr. Litchfield aided in the formation of the London Botanical Society, 

 and will do all in his power to aid a similar society here. Canada is 

 interested in diffusing a knowledge of her botanical productions, and equally 

 so in acquiring productions from other countries suited to her soil and 

 climate. The University of Queen's College is interested in the formation 

 of a Botanical Society and Garden, botany being taught in the College. 

 The piece of land in front of Queen's College has a fine aspect and excellent 

 drainage. It is well situated as a site for glass hot-houses. If the College 

 land is found insufficient in quantity for a botanical garden, other lands 

 might be obtained for extending the garden. The new garden of the 

 London Horticultural Society will, be small in extent, but promises to be 

 all the more perfect in its arrangements, partly perhaps in consequence of 

 its circumscribed area. The gardens of the Apothecaries' Society at 

 Chelsea, and of the Botanical Society in Begent's Park, London, are of 

 comparatively small extent. A garden of small size, with space for subse- 

 quent extension, involves less outlay, and is more easy of accomplishment. 

 Half an acre of hot-house on the new and economical plan invented by Sir 

 Joseph Paxton could be conveniently and cheaply placed on the ground 

 referred to in front of the main building of Queen's College. I append 

 sketches of the plan. The cost would be small, the frames being made by 

 machinery of Canadian wood, and the glass procured from Birmingham, 

 St. Helens, or Newcastle. The glass houses are portable, as well as cheap, 

 when constructed upon this plan. If a terrace walk was constructed to run 

 parallel to the broad balcony in front of the College building, and beneath 

 this terrace was placed a Paxton or Ormson glass house, it would afford 

 good space for delicate or exotic productions during the Canadian winter, 

 and admirable exhibition buildings during the summer and autumn. From 

 the balcony, in fine weather and during exhibitions, addresses and announce- 

 ments might be made to members and visitors on the terrace beneath. In 

 the College class-rooms lectures might be delivered, and scientific meetings 

 and conversaziones held. The balcony would serve the purpose of a music 

 stand when music is deemed desirable. To establish a Botanical Garden as 

 well as a Botanical Society in connection with the College it would be 

 necessary, first, to obtain the sanction and assistance of the College 

 authorities; second, the cordial concurrence and co-operation of the public, 

 and more especially of those who take an interest in horticultural pursuits. 

 The equivalent to the College would be that the Botanical Garden would 

 render its organisation more complete, and would furnish the Professors of 

 Botany and Materia Medica with specimens to illustrate their lectures and 

 teachings. The interest excited in a scientific subject taught in the College 

 would add to the number of pupils in the classes. The public would find 



