96 
BOTANICAL GALLERY. 
diagrams readily conveys to the eye the points of agreement 
or difference on which the classification rests. The geological 
history of each natural order is indicated on a table of the 
earth's strata ; and its present distribution on the surface of the 
earth is given on a small map of the world. Descriptive 
labels afford particular information respecting each specimen. 
The Dicotyledonous plants extend to the fifth case on the 
left side of the gallery, and are followed by the Monocotyle- 
donous orders, which fill a portion of the last case on the same 
side, the two half-cases at the end of the gallery, and the first 
case returning towards the door. The Gymnosperms are placed 
in the next case. Then follow the Cryptogams, a case being 
devoted to the higher, vascular orders, and another to the 
cellular plants. The series closes with an interesting collection 
of models of the larger British Fungi prepared by Sowerby 
when he was engaged on his work on this group of plants, 
which have been recoloured and mounted in accordance with 
their natural habitats. A Catalogue of these models has been 
prepared.* In the table-case in this last bay is placed an 
illustrated collection of the British Mycetozoa, to which a 
Guide has been written.! A large chalk-like mass of Diatom 
earth containing twelve billion Diatoms is placed in a case by 
itself near the entrance to the gallery. The table- and window- 
cases in the bays contain exhibitions of biological interest 
under the following heads : Insectivorous plants (at present in 
the Central Hall), Parasitic plants (also in the Hall), Water- 
plants, Xerophytic plants, Epiphytic plants, Adaptations for 
Defence, Climbing plants. Fertilisation of flowers, and Dispersal 
of seeds, also a model of a large fungus, Hydmim Erinaceiim. 
At the end of the gallery the larger specimens of Palms are 
set up against the screen dividing the gallery from the Her- 
barium ; other Palms, Cycads, Tree-ferns, &c., are placed in the 
bays next the appropriate wall-cases. Suspended from the roof 
is a fine specirnen of the "Wabo" Bamboo {Dendrocalamus 
hrandisii) from Burma, 81 feet long ; and on the floor of the 
gallery are specimens of the Vegetable Sheep {Raoulia) of New 
* " Guide to Sowerby's Models of British Fungi." By W. G. Smith. Price 
fourpence. 
t " Guide to the British Mycetozoa." By A. Lister. Price threepence. 
