6 
Natural History Institutions. 
the hugest cellars and vaults for wines and spirits, which however are 
supplied with natural light: long sheds resting on cast-iron pillars run 
along the banks as with the former, and the discipline is similar. 
21. Yet another mile farther down on the northern bank of the 
Thames the East India Docks bring these extremely interesting ware- 
houses to an end. They are also partitioned off for Inward and Outward 
Bounds. On the southern bank of the River are still to be seen the 
Greenwich or Commercial Docks which communicate with the Grand 
Surrey Canal, but as they are said to be far less important than those 
mentioned above, I did not visit them. 
22. Our lengthened stay afforded an opportunity of mv getting into 
closer touch with several departments of Natural Science which were 
hitherto foreign to me, and which I had at least to take advantage of 
according to instructions received. The British Museum, the College of 
Surgeons, as well as the Botanical Gardens at Kew, the Zoological 
Gardens in Regent’s Park, and the Museum of the Zoological Society 
were in turn my almost daily resort. 
23. Sir Hans Sloane at his death in 1753 laid the real foundation 
of the present-day very extensive and remarkable (British) Museum 
for the whole range of Natural Science, for Ethnography, Archaeology, 
and Art, when he bequeathed to the Nation his significant Natural His- 
forv Collections and Art treasures, out of which in the course of years 
this important and most comprehensive institution has taken its rise. 
24- Alongside this stands the College of Surgeons or Surgeon«’ 
Hall, celebrated for its excellent collection of anatomical preparations. 
I bad the good fortune to become personally acquainted with its love- 
able Director, the celebrated Professor Owen, whose tall, handsome and 
manly figure, combined with gentleness, amiability and integrity of 
character, charm every heart at the very outset. Under his friendly 
guidance, I got to know this important Institution: he also showed me 
his work on the Lepidosircn paradoxus, at that time of interest to all 
Zoologists and comparative Anatomists, that was occupying his whole 
attention, the collection having just received a specimen from Brazil. 
25. The Botanical Gardens at Kew must have at one time proved 
the scene of tolerable disorder, a state of affairs which the never-tiring 
hands of its present Director, the amiable Sir W. 'Hooker, with his re- 
cently inaugurated regime had been able to rectify only to a certain ex- 
tent. 
26. Of remaining Lights of Learning with whom I had the good 
fortune to become intimate, I must mention with deepest respect and 
honour Messrs. Lindley and Beritliam as well as Dr Natterer the cel- 
ebrated Austrian traveller and naturalist, who was just then staying in 
London. 
27. Amongst the many private collections which I had an oppor- 
tunity of visiting, there was one that particularly engaged the whole of 
my attention : it was the beautiful really fairy-like collection of hum- 
ming-birds, the property of Loddiges, the market-gardener, containing 
all the species of this interesting family at present known, and consid- 
erahlv richer in them that is the British Museum. The perfectly natural 
and tasteful way of stuffing, and the charming method of group- 
ing them qu the part of Loddiges Jr. has made the room iff 
