188 



elevations, and the last family i 

 increasing numbers oi' Ericaceae, Vneciniace;e, Orchids, and ferns at 

 higher levels. Noteworthy among the novelties are 11 very distinct 

 new species of the ericaceous genus Diplycosia, and two new species of 

 the Australian hideous genus Patersonia. Many other new facts have 

 been brought to light by the combine! collections, and Dr. Stapfs paper 

 promises to be of more than ordinary interest. 



Jodrell Laboratory.— The following work has been done at the labora- 

 torv sincethe appointment ..I" tl.e Honorary Keeper. Dr. D.H. Soot t,F.L.S.. 

 who entered on his duties in September, 1892 ( AT. A'.. 1892, p. 245) :— 

 Prof. J. R. Green, F.L.S.. of the Pharmaceutical Society, has been 

 oecupiod, since the autumn, with an investigation o!' vegetable i'm'nients. 

 especially those occurring in pollen, and in insectivorous plants. His 

 inquiry i's still in progress. Mis- Pit In 1 Sargnnl has carried out in co- 

 operation with the Hon. Keeper, an investigation of the pitchers of 

 Disrhulu, raflhshnm i s, t K //.. 1*92. p. 2> 1, also A'. /,'.,1S93, p. 113, and 

 Junfils of Itotu.nj, vol. vii,. dune, Is');]). Mr. G. Masse e has worked 

 out, in the laboratory, the life-history of 'I'rU l,,^/,/,,, i i-i Xucchari, nov. sp. 

 an ascomycetous fungus parasitic on the sugar-cane. Dr. A. de Wevre. 

 of Brussels, worked for a few weeks on the comparative histology of 

 various species i atioo of the 



true Piper Cubeba. Professor R. J. Harvey Gibson, F.L.S., of the Uni- 

 versity College-, Liverpool, spent sotin . carrying on 

 hi- investigation of the . ->. > ''..- ,.>„, II,, . an 

 inquiry for which the Kew collect ions afford" special facilities. Dr. W. C. 

 Williamson. l'.P.S.. atid the Hon. Keeper, liave been engaged at the 

 laboratory in * the histology and morphology of 

 tos-il plant- of (lie coal measures, connnencing with the Calamites and 

 their allies. For the purposes of this inquiry a portion of Dr. 

 Williamson's collection has been temporarily brought to the laboratory. 

 This work is in active progress. Mr. George Brebner is now employed 

 at the laboratory in making drawing- to illustrate this investigation. 

 The Hon. Keeper has further been engagt 

 Gunnera, Equisetum, and other genera. 



The late Keeper of the Herbarium and Library. — It will be re 

 membered thai tl ie herbarium 



and library, retired from that office on the 31st May 1890, after more 

 than 30 years sendee. The Board of her Majesty's Office of Works 

 placed on record its high appreciation of the valuable services 

 rendered to the Koya! Cardens by Professor Oliver and bore testimony 

 to " the distinguished abilin. which he had brought to hear upon the 

 ** work of his department . . . his labours contributed largely to gain 

 •• for the establishment at Kew that high position in the scientific world 

 " which it deservedly enjoys." In lss-| the Council of the Royal 

 Society had already awarde<[" to Professor ( >!i\er the Royal .Medal. It 

 is a pleasure to record thai at the Annual Meeting on May •_' b 189M, 

 the Linnean Society awarded to this distinguished Botanist its Cold 

 Medal. In handinir the medal to Professor Oliver, the President. 

 Professor St. wart, made the loliowing speech, for which we are indebted 

 to The Journal of Botany (1893), p. 19$ :— 



"On handing you the gold medal of the Linnean Society, it is m\ 

 phasing dutv to recall to the memnrv of the fellows present, though 



