170 Scientific Intelligence. 
botany the chief object of study and prelection, and in the elucidation of 
the subject he applied his chemical, physiological, and mathematical 
knowledge with the highest suecess. He diffused a taste for botanical 
science among the undergraduates, as well as among other members of 
the University, not merely by his lectures, but by his excursions into the 
country. His herborizations were well attended, and much practical in- 
formation in field-work was conveyed. He contributed botanical papers 
to the Cambridge Philosophical Society, and wrote the volume on botany 
in Lardner’s Cyclopedia. This little work is an excellent introduction to 
the structure aud physiology of plants. 
In 1823 Henslow married a daughter of the Rev. George Jenyns of 
Bottisham Hall, in Cambridgeshire. He was ordained in 1824, and be- 
came perpetual curate of Little St Mary’s, Cambridge. In 1833 he was 
presented by Lord Brougham, then Chancellor, to the vicarage of Cholsey-~ 
cum-Moulsford, Berks, and in 1837 he received fromthe Crown the Rectory 
of Hitcham in Suffolk, which he held till his death. During sixteen years 
of his professorship he resided at Cambridge, and subsequently at the 
Rectory, going to Cambridge for five or six weeks in the Easter term to 
deliver his lectures on botany. 
He was an able and successful lecturer, and was distinguished for the 
clear popular manner in which he illustrated science. He took an espe- 
cial interest in bringing Botany and Horticulture under the notice of the 
young, and in this way he did much good to the children of his parish, 
His method of teaching botany to the village children has long been a 
model of scientific instruction, and the Horticultural fétes at the Rectory 
of Hitcham have been celebrated for years. : 
The knowledge of botany displayed by the Hitcham children was truly 
wonderful, and those who had the pleasure of being present at the Rec- 
tory gatherings speak in the highest terms of the beneficial effects pro- 
duced by the introduction of natural history among the juvenile popula- 
tion of the parish. 
Henslow also originated great improvements in the farming of Suffolk. 
He introduced ploughing matches with much success, and elevated the 
character of the agricultural labourers. This was not accomplished, 
however, without a struggle. The Rector had to encounter deep-rooted 
prejudices which it required no small amount of prudence, persever~ 
ance, and conciliation to overcome. The allotment system, which he 
initiated, is now carried out fully, and the produce of the land has 
been highly improved and augmented. He published letters to the 
farmers of Suffolk, which did much to diffuse correct views as to farm- 
ing operations; and he called attention to the phosphatic nodules, which 
have been of great use in adding to the fertility of the soil. 
Henslow paid much attention to the health and recreations of the 
people, and organised excursions of various kinds for their benefit. He. 
thus has aided in remedying many social evils. He lectured not only in 
Hitecham, but also in the neighbouring towns, and thus helped in diffusing 
knowledge among all classes of the community. He gave a short course 
of lectures at Buckingham Palace to the junior members of the Royal 
Family, on the invitation of H.R.H. the Prince Consort. 
Henslow was one of the founders of the Cambridge Philosophical 
Society, and sent Jarge donations to the Ipswich Museum which was 
planned and arranged by him. He founded a botanical museum at Cam- 
bridge, and assisted materially in the arrangement of the Kew Museum 
He also made valuable contributions to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and 
to the South Kensington Museum. ‘The rooms at the Rectory of Hitcham 
were filled with specimens belonging to all departments of natural his- 
tory and antiquities. He prepared a catalogue of British plants, and pub- 
eer 8 won 
