KEW, 1850 TO 1865 
45 
was eagerly taken advantage of, the number of visitors increasing 
by 100,000, or nearly one-third, in the first year. 
From 1845 onwards the collection of cactuses was greatly en- 
The most remarkable cactus ever introduced, however, was a specimen 
of Echinocactus Visnaga from Mexico. It was 9 feet high, g-} feet 
in circumference, and one ton in weight. None of these giants lived 
long ; bruises received on their long journey set up decay, which 
ultimately spread over the entire plant. A new house for cactuses 
and other succulent plants was built in 1855. It has been rebuilt 
since then (in 1905), but the foundations, stages, etc., are the same. 
This fine house, the present No. 5, is 200 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 
20 feet high. 
At this period one of the functions of Kew was to supply the 
Parks and Gardens under the Crown (amongst which all the parks of 
is the present “ Lower Nursery ” near the Lake, now surrounded 
by a high hedge of holly. Five years later, another nursery was 
formed near Kew Palace to supply these outside establishments. 
Battersea Park owes much of its arboreal vegetation to Kew. In 
1856, when it was in process of formation, nearly 5,000 trees were 
sent there. 
The most important event of the later ’fifties at Kew was the 
building and equipment of a new museum. The museum opened 
house abutting on the Herb Garden no longer sufficed to hold the 
objects of interest and value that had been acquired. In 1854 it was 
decided to build the present Museum No. I., which faces the Palm 
House across the Pond. The following year its erection was begun, 
and in 1858 it was opened to the public. 
Soon after the completion of the new museum came the forma- 
tion of the lake in the Pleasure Grounds. Sir William Hooker 
riched by numerous acquisitions from Mexico, especially from the 
rich region of San Luis Potosi. Notable amongst them 
were a gigantic Echinocactus Steinesii, weighing 713 lb., 
and some tall specimens of Old Man cactus, Cereus senilis. 
Kew and 
the Parks. 
London were then included) with young trees. In 1850 
a nursery had been started in which trees and shrubs 
for the use of the establishment could be raised. This 
A New 
Museum. 
to the public in 1848 had proved a great success, and 
had been imitated in many other cities at home and 
abroad. Within a short time of its opening, the old 
