176 
bulbs were sent to the Royal Gardens in January, 1897. Morisia 
hi ypogæd, native of the rocks and sandy shores of Sardinia and 
'orsica, is a dwarf Crucifer with golden-yellow flowers, borne 
singly on slender scapes which curve downwards after flowering, 
so that the young fruits become büríéd in the soil, where they 
mature. The plant flowers annually in the Rock Garden. 
Celastrus articulatus was raised from seeds communicated by 
wall in the Royal Gardens, = a is not hardy. It differs from 
cus solitary-flowered Beets of P. grandiflorus in nog 
trongly fragrant flowers. Orchis monophylla was sent to t 
Royal Giderin by Mr. TAs H. Hildebrand, C.I.E., Suiperthteddent 
of m Southern Shan States. It isa perde of the Shan Hiils of 
Burma, growing at an elevation of 4,000 fee 
Early Opening.—The open-air departments of the Royal Gardens 
S opened to the publie by direction of Án er Be First 
ya ia r of Works and Public Buildin el 
10 o'elock. The arrangement will continue for the dine following 
First guinea apu made the following statements on the 
subject i in Parliament : 
“I have eun to admit the public to Kew Gardens (not 
mibg the plant houses) at an earlier hour than noon on week- 
n the ensuing months of June, July, August, and September. 
I shall thereby be in a better position to judge of the extent of 
which ! am 
having inquiry made, and I hope to we further taforindtios in 
a few weeks’ time.” —( Times, April 5 
“ The subject of opening Kew Gardens at an earlier hour was 
a difficult med we it had occupied his attention for some time. 
There was ne a difference of opinion as to opening Kew 
Gardens at an sales hour subject to two conditions—that the 
Gardens would be taken advantage of by the public; and, 
secondly, that it would' be safe in the interests of science and the 
students at Kew to grant an extension. It had at length been 
decided to open the Gardens on June 1, at 10 a.m., and to open 
If it was found that the publie appreciated the new arrangement 
and patronized the Gardens to the extent that the advocates of the 
earlier opening of the Gardens said they would, the Office of 
Works would make the extension of hours—as far as the summer 
months went—permanent."—4( Times, April 19.) 
