Extract from a Letter from the Director of Kew .Gardens to the 
Colonial Office.— .Dated 30th of October , 1884. 
The institution of such local herbaria in connection with the 
various Colonial Botanic Gardens is a -work of the highest utility. Without 
an institution* of the kind, we are burdened with the task of naming and 
identifying for our correspondents year after year the same plants. The 
preservation at each botanical centre of accurately named types of the 
vegetation of their respective countries obviates this tax,.and sensibly relieves 
our overburdened correspondence It becomes easy to sift out on the spot 
from collections the new and undetermined specimens,'which our staff can 
then examine and report upon with expedition. 
It is Very important that such a permanent collection should be 
protected from the ravages of insects. Mr. Ford has- probably taken steps 
to provide for this, but it may be useful to give the- composition of the fluid 
in use at Kew for the purpose :— 
Methylated Spirit ... ... ... 1 gallon 
Corrosiye Sublimate ... ... ... I lb. 
Carbolic Acid .... ... * ... a lb. 
• 4 
With this the specimens are brushed over once for all after they are 
mounted, 
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* 
6 3 .ie/'I 
