72 
BOTANICAL GALLERY. 
Classification. 
Botanical The Collections of this Department consist of two portions, 
Gallery. ^-^q 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. 
System of The natural system of classification is followed in the exhibi- 
tion cases in the public gallery. The series of specimens 
begins with the ITatural Order Banunculacece, 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 homologous 
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 ISTatural 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 give 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 ca^e on the same 
side, the two half cases at the end of the gallery, and the first 
case returning towards the door. The Gymnosperins 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 by Mr. Worthington G. Smith. 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 prepared by Mr. A. Lister and Miss G. 
♦ • Guide to Sowerby's Models of British Fungi.' By W. Gr. Smith. Price 
fonri>ence. 
