KEW GARDENS. 
211 
storm is a mass of water that lias been thus lifted into the 
air crashing down upon the deck and swamping a vessel. 
The extreme case of friction between the air and the water is 
a waterspout, in which a great mass of water is lifted up 
bodily high into the air, and held suspended there by mere 
friction between the air and the water. This remarkable 
friction only shows in storms and hurricanes, where the air is 
moving at a very high velocity whilst the water is stationary, 
causing an enormous number of particles of air to come in 
contact with each single particle of the water; and, though the 
moving effect of each single particle of air can be only extremely 
minute, the total accumulated effect becomes enormous. 
The action of the oil as a lubricant upon the surface of the 
water is so efficient, that the air sweeping over it at a high 
velocity is unable to catch hold of the surface and lift the 
water, and an exceedingly thin film of oil, a mere scum, is 
found sufficient for this purpose. The small quantity of oil 
that is consequently required, the simplicity of the means of 
application, and the great success and value of the results 
that have been obtained, render this plan well worthy of 
general adoption. 
ON KEW GARDENS AND SOME OF THE BOTANICAL 
STATISTICS OF THE BRITISH POSSESSIONS. 
BY J. G. BAKER, F.R.S., F.L.S. 
( Continued from page 170.) 
The Herbarium and Library. 
The main object of the Herbarium and Library is to 
furnish the means of identifying the living plants indicated in 
the Garden, the dried plants that are sent home from India 
and the Colonies, or are collected by British explorers in other 
parts of the world, and the economic specimens that are sent 
to the Museum. The Herbarium is kept in the large brick 
house, fenced round with tall iron railings, which stands at 
the north-west corner of Kew Green, which was formerly 
occupied by Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, the fourth son of 
George III., and afterwards King of Hanover. Ten years ago 
a three-storeyed room, 80 feet long, was built for the express 
purpose of accommodating the cabinets of dried plants. It is 
open from floor to roof, and has two galleries, reached by 
spiral staircases of iron. Between each row of cabinets there 
is a window and a table, so that there is plenty of light, and 
