BOTANICAL GALLERY. 
91 
be found in one of the cases. It is also shown that meteorites 
are closely related, not only to the shooting stars, but also to 
comets, and probably to the nebulae and fixed stars. 
Second Floor. 
The upper floor of the East wing is devoted to the Depart- Botanical 
nient of Botany. ^^"^^'y- 
The Collections of this Department consist of two portions, 
the one open to the public and consisting of specimens suit- 
able for exhibition, and intended to illustrate the various 
groups of the Vegetable Kingdom and the broad facts on 
which the Natural System of the classification of plants is 
based ; the other set apart for the use of persons engaged in the 
scientific study of plants. 
The natural system of classification is folio-wed in the exhibi- System of 
tion cases in tlie public gallery. The series of specimens ^Classification. 
be2:ins with the Natural Order Ranunculacecv, and the Orders 
are represented in this and the following cases by dried 
specimens of the plants themselves, coloured drawings, fruits, 
and prepared sections of the woods. Diagrams are employed 
to indicate the characters in the flowers on which the 
grouping is based. The use of the same colour for corresponding 
structures throughout the 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 tlie 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 
