Am^^J9h0a6rm-}  London  Botanic  Gardens.  359 
Facing  the  range  of  plant-houses  are  two  pits  (see  Plates  XXVI 
and  XXX),  one  a  warm  pit,  the  other  a  cool  pit.  The  former  con- 
tains a  collection  of  cryptogams,  such  as  Selaginellas,  Lycopodiums, 
etc.,  and  other  specimens  used  in  teaching;  whereas  in  the  cool  pit 
one  side  is  occupied  by  succulents,  and  the  other  is  used  for  forcing 
purposes.    A  new  propagating  house  is  being  added  in  1906. 
The  lean-to-house  on  the  west  of  the  garden  is  the  only  one  of 
the  old  plant-houses  remaining.  It  was  thoroughly  repaired  after 
the  transfer  of  the  garden,  and  is  chiefly  used  as  a  fern  house. 
Among  its  noteworthy  features  the  examples  of  Wardian  cases 
which  it  contains  may  be  mentioned,  as  also  a  fine  collection  of  liver, 
worts  and  some  luxuriant  specimens  of  the  male  fern  (Aspidium 
Filix-mas,  Swartz). 
The  Laboratory  Building,  on  which  abuts  the  Curator's  house,  (see 
Plates  VII  and  XXVI),  is  the  distinctive  feature  of  the  Chelsea 
Physic  Garden.  It  is  a  plain  but  substantial  brick  building,  espe- 
cially designed  for  modern  educational  needs  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Professor  Bretland  Farmer.  The  main  laboratory,  40 
feet  long  by  25  wide,  is  on  the  ground  floor,  and  opens  into  a  small 
experimental  greenhouse  on  the  side  remote  from  the  main  entrance 
(see  Plate  VII).  It  is  admirably  equipped  for  practical  work,  the 
benches  being  well  lighted  and  provided  with  water  and  gas.  In 
this  laboratory  there  are  two  old  oak  presses  which  may  have  been 
used  for  storing  Dale's  herbarium,  although  there  is  nothing  to 
indicate  the  fact.  In  addition  to  the  main  laboratory  there  are  two 
small  private  laboratories  at  the  gable  end  of  the  building,  and 
between  them  is  situated  a  dark  room  for  photographic  work.  In 
one  of  these  small  laboratories,  viz.,  that  which  adjoins  the  experi- 
mental greenhouse,  there  is  a  third  oak  press  similar  to  those  in  the 
main  laboratory.  On  the  upper  floor  of  the  building  there  is,  over 
the  main  entrance,  a  small  room  which  is  used  by  the  Curator. 
This  contains  a  small  oak  press  which  was  manifestly  adapted  for 
storing  herbarium  specimens,  and  Isaac  Rand's  name  is  cut  on  the 
inner  face  of  one  of  its  doors.  The  main  room  on  this  floor,  which 
corresponds  in  size  and  position  with  the  main  laboratory  down- 
stairs, is  fitted  up  as  a  lecture  hall,  while  there  are  two  small  rooms 
over  the  two  small  private  laboratories  and  the  dark  room.  These 
two  rooms,  and  the  wall  abutting  on  the  staircase  and  Curator's 
room,  are  fitted  with  book-cases  which  contain  the  library  of  the  late 
