Chap. XXI. BOTANIC GARDEN AT CALCUTTA. 359 



almost sure of success. If they are to be sent to a 

 great distance, they should be sown thinly, not in 

 masses. 



The H. C. Botanic Garden at Calcutta is situated 

 on the right bank of the river Hooghly, a little below 

 the " City of Palaces." From the time of Dr. 

 Wallich's retirement until the appointment of Dr. 

 Falconer extensive alterations appear to have been 

 made. It must be confessed, however, that some of 

 these alterations have been most injurious to the 

 garden. For example, many valuable specimens and 

 groups of trees have been cut down, which cannot be 

 replaced in one generation. We look in vain for 

 those noble specimens of palm-trees which must have 

 been planted in the days of Eoxburgh and Wallich, 

 while in their places we find some small " botanical 

 arrangements " which cannot be carried out, and 

 which are never likely to answer the purposes for 

 which they were intended. 



The alterations now in progress appear to be of a 

 very different kind, and are the first results of a well- 

 digested plan. It is proposed to form a large Arbo- 

 retum in one portion of the grounds, to contain 

 specimens of all the exogenous trees and shrubs 

 which grow in the climate of Bengal ; in another 

 part of the garden the endogens, such as palms, 

 Dracaenas, &c, are to be placed ; and no doubt other 

 classifications of herbaceous and medical plants will 

 also be formed. If this plan is carried out as it has 

 been commenced, this noble establishment will pre- 

 sent a very different appearance in a few years. 



