205 
domestic animals. Mr. A. J, Pieters has charge of the anatomical and 
photographie work of the division, and is conducting a special series of 
experiments on the germination of weed Mr. W. W. Tracy, 
recently appointed from the seed farm of D. M. Fer erry & Co. 
charge of greenhouse and outdoor tests of seeds and of the cultivation 
of native food and other economic plants. Mr. J. C. Dabney is assist- 
g in experiments in seed selection, and is making eus of the effect 
of various chemicals upon germination. Mr. Sothor ey has charge 
of laboratory germination tests, and is conducting Practical trials of the 
relative merits of various kinds of labor atory apparatus. Mr. John B. 
Leiberg is carrying on the greater part of the field work connected 
. F : 
artist of the division, recently appointed after passing the highest 
examination among 21 competitors. 
* The Division of Botany as at present organised is an establishment 
equipped with the best scientifically trained men obtainable, and with 
od modern appliances for the investigation of agr ieultural botanical 
proble 
DLXII.—COMPLETION OF FLORA OF BRITISH INDIA. 
The issue of the twenty-second part concluding the Flora of British 
India was recorded in the Kew Bulletin for December last. The 
following correspondence which has been officially addressed to Sir 
Joseph Hooker deserves to be placed on record as a recognition of his 
services in this and other fields of ici to India :— 
Inpra OrFice to Sir J. D. HookER, 
India Office, London, S.W., 
Sir, ay 31, 1897. 
I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to 
forward copy of a letter, in which the Government of India express 
their satisfaction at the completion of your Flora of British India. 
Lord George Hamilton desires heartily to associate himself with the 
Government of India in their acknowledgment of the valuable services 
you have done to India by this great work, and by your labour in the 
field = Tepe botany, since you first visited that country nearly 50 
years a 
am, &e. 
(Signed) A. GODLEY. 
Sir Joseph Hooker, K.C.S.I., C.B., F.R.S. 
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. to SECRETARY OF STATE. 
My Lorp Simla, April 21, 1897, 
We are informed by our Direetor of the zone Survey of 
India that the Flora of British India, which was begun by Sir Joseph 
Hooker some 25 years ago, has just been brought by em to » completion 
The value of the work as a contribution to pure science has already 
