DCV.—BOTANICAL MUSEUMS IN BELGIUM AND 
HOLLAND 
With the sanction of the First RUE n Mr. J. M. Hillier, 
Assistant in the Museums of the Royal Gardens, was directed to 
visit the e os botanical museums in Belgium and Holland in 
October last. The object in view was to idepafr ‘unnamed pro- 
ducts and specimens in the Kew Museums, to effect exchanges 
and to obtain. Ion mation as to prove methods for preserving 
objects in flui 
Mr. Hillier « on n his return furnished the following report :— 
sited, between the 2nd and 19th of October, the principal 
io diatims of elgium iid Holland containing collections of 
vegetable economic pro 
ave observed much Ahat was interesting, and have obtained 
informatión that will enable us to identify the Botanical origin of 
various unknown specimens in the museums of the Royal Gardens 
together with notes of many products, particularly of the Dutch 
East Indies, in which our collections are deficient. The Colonial 
Museum at Haarlem has afforded the greatest amount of valuable 
information in this respect. 
The arrangement of the various museums visited and the 
mounting of Viae generally offered some suggestions that 
will bo useful in our useums. 
— method for sealing poe disks to jars. 
I experienced the greatest courtesy and kindness from the 
authorities of each institution I visited, and sp every facility 
afforded me for atdyinz the various collection 
MAISON DE MELLE, NEAR GHENT. 
The Maison de Melle is an educational establishment situated 
about six miles from Ghent in the centre of an agricultural 
district. 
88. 
The museum is a large and varied one, arranged in wall and 
table cases, scattered about in various portions of the building, 
the specimens being classified we ih to their uses. Very few 
specimens are in fluid. I noticed HUY vegetable products 
presented to the institution b Kew some years since, and was 
particularly interested in a fine series of printed muslins, and 
cotton fabrics, together with a printing block used in their r pro- 
duction, the more delicate portions of the design being formed of 
metal pins inserted into the block. I also observed some curious 
brass vessels similar in shape to an egg cup, and a small jug with 
a straight handle, used in Turkey in the preparation of coffee 
