XV111 



Obituary Notices of Fellows deceased. 



characteristic energy King attacked these problems: as regards the first, 

 urging the employment of a competent quinologist ; as regards the second, 

 himself attempting its solution on the spot. His zeal almost involved him in 

 the fate that had befallen Anderson. Exposure and fatigue during his work 

 on the plantation induced severe illness, which became aggravated while on 

 an official visit to the Madras plantations in July, 1872. He developed 

 symptoms of phthisis, and from July 16 was placed on the sick list at 

 Coonoor. A month later his condition was so serious that he was invalided 

 to Europe, and his friends hardly ventured to anticipate his return. After 

 a year, spent mostly on the Eiviera, his health, however, became so improved 

 that he was able to resume his duties on November 5, 1873. 



In 1874, King obtained the approval of Government for the improvements 

 required in the Botanic Gardens as a scientific centre and a place of public 

 resort. His designs involved prolonged work and considerable outlay. The 

 funds required could only be gradually allotted ; that they were granted at 

 all gives ample proof of the enlightened liberality of the Bengal Government 

 and the confidence which King's administrative gifts inspired. During the 

 next nine years the Gardens were practically reconstructed. By excavating 

 a series of lakes and ponds, so designed as to produce a variety of pleasing 

 effects, sufficient soil was obtained to raise the level of the whole of the 

 grounds. These sheets of water were connected by underground pipes, and 

 the whole system was so arranged as to be kept at a uniform level by 

 pumping water from the contiguous river. Many footpaths and carriage 

 roads were laid out so that visitors can drive to any part of the garden. 

 Elegant conservatories and a noble palm-house were built. New potting 

 sheds, tool stores, and propagating pits were supplied and good dwelling- 

 houses were provided for the members of the garden establishment both 

 native and European. A handsome fireproof herbarium, on the lines of that 

 at Kew, was erected to accommodate the rapidly -growing collection of dried 

 plants and the valuable library. Minor improvements were added in 

 subsequent years, but by 1883 the heaviest of King's garden work was over. 



While effecting these improvements, King steadily added desirable species, 

 indigenous and exotic, to the collections of living plants. Whenever this 

 was compatible with the health of the plants and the production of pleasing 

 effects King arranged his species with regard to their affinities, so that one 

 part of the great garden can boast its fine palmetum, pandanetum, 

 bambusetum ; elsewhere other natural groups are similarly treated. But 

 King had all the horror of the true lover of plants for a pedantic arrange- 

 ment of species in .rectilinear blocks according to what are conventionally 

 termed natural families and regardless of the conditions suited to particular 

 species. The first duty of a gardener he held to be the proper culture of his 

 plants ; the needs of the species grown, not the pragmatical requirements of the 

 methodist, were his chief consideration. Here and there he aggregated with 

 the happiest results groups of species from some particular geographical area, 

 thus reproducing plant associations which, though unmeaning except from 



