202 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW 
sequence as defined in the great work of Bentham and Hooker — 
the Genera Plantarum. As each species can only be represented 
by a single plant or small group of plants, this arrangement does 
not admit of the least attempt at picturesque grouping ; but it 
enables the botanical student to compare allied species most con- 
veniently, and the gardener to select the most ornamental. During 
the winter this part of Kew is rather depressing. The long array 
of rectangular beds of naked earth, with numerous labels marking 
the site of plants at rest beneath the ground, often suggests a ceme- 
tery to irreverent minds. But during summer and autumn it is one 
of the most delightful and most interesting sections. Here one can 
saunter over the soft turf inspecting a marvellous variety of plants 
concentrated in a very small space. Here a Rocky Mountains plant 
grows close by an ally from the Himalaya or from Northern Europe. 
There the newest introduction from China or the Caucasus stands 
against another closely-related plant whose name, perhaps, has been 
for centuries a household word. Monkshood, henbane, pimpernel, 
lady’s mantle, thrift, columbine, hairbell, morning glory, love-lies- 
bleeding, marvel of Peru — all are here in their order. Even such 
weeds as nettles, plantains, docks, and dandelions have each their 
appointed place. 
Of the great natural orders, that of the Composites occupies most 
space ; it includes the asters, golden-rods, sunflowers, and very many 
more. It is on this family of plants that gardens most 
Leading depend for the autumnal display of flowers. Other leading 
^ ‘ families are the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family), con- 
taining many well-known and beautiful plants like the anemone, 
clematis, monkshood, columbine, and Christmas rose ; the Caryophyl- 
laceae, with the pinks and Silenes ; the Leguminosae, or pea family, 
composed of many useful and favourite garden plants, such as lupines 
and sweet peas ; the Cruciferae, early-blossoming plants with four- 
petalled flowers like Aubrietia, wall-flowers, and Arabis ; and the 
Labiatse, the family of fragrant herbs, such as sage, the mints, thyme, 
rosemary, and lavender. The great family of grasses has always 
been well represented at Kew ever since the time of George III., 
whose agricultural tastes led him to take an interest in them. The 
fine collection now grown here is valuable in that it contains all the 
types of hardy grasses used for fodder. 
The old botanic gardens "of Great Britain — the most famous of 
