HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. M 



Assistance has at all times, ■when required, been cordially 

 extended to the Society by the various departments of Govern- 

 ment. On the arrival of one of these Chinese consignments, 

 the Lords of the Treasury directed that all plants, seeds, &c., 

 sent to the Society from foreign countries, should be allowed to 

 pass the Custom House free from duty. 



Welcome and liberal although the consignments of their 

 correspondents were, the Society saw the importance of opening 

 up new ground, and by exploring countries previously unvisited 

 make an effort to obtain plants of greater interest and novelty 

 than could be got through their correspondents residing in par- 

 tially known districts. They resolved to send abroad collectors 

 at their own cost. At first, as might be expected, their attempts 

 in this direction were feeble and hesitating, but Avith success their 

 scope expanded until they produced results which have affected 

 the appearance of all England. Nowhere can a day's ride now 

 be taken where the landscape is not beautified by some of the 

 introductions of the Horticultural Society. 



The first collector sent abroad was Mr. George Don, and the 

 Lords of the Admiralty, on the recommendation of the Society, 

 furnished him with a passage on board one of H.M. vessels, 

 which was to touch on the West African coast. South America, 

 and the West Indies ; in order that he might prosecute botanical 

 researches for the benefit of the Society at the places visited. 

 They also gave Mr. John Forbes a passage on board a vessel 

 which was boimd for East Africa, and which was to touch in 

 passing at Lisbon and the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. Forbes was 

 landed at the mouth of the Zambezi, since so celebrated by 

 Livmgstone's exertions, then nearly wholly unknown ; but unfor- 



