, 1896-10-24

in Spain compete in interest with a bowl-like
portion of The root of a Double Cocoa-nut
tree. This is a lofty palm only found in three
small islands in the Indian Ocean. These IS
lands were discovered in l743. and prior to
that time these peculiar double cocOa-nuts
were picked up by mariI ers floating OH the
ocean. The most fabulous stories used TO be
circulated in regard to their origin, and such
was the interest which they excited that they
used to sell for as much as $50 golden crowns.
The fruit Of this remarkable nut weighs from
40 to so lbs. aud It's hell is carved and orna-
mentcd with silver to make bowls and drink
ing cups.
One OF the objects which claims most atten-
ton, because of its size, is known as the Log
Of Jarrah, a %ortion Of which is cut fiat and
highly polished. 1t weighs no less. than 4
tons l6 cwt., and its cubic capacity is l48
feet. 1t comes. like many other remarkable
timbels, from Western Australia.
A traverse section Of the Bahia rosewood
tree is polisl ed to look like The top Of a large
round table; but although il is in a single piece
it is much larger than any ordinary table.
A native cart wheel is shown, consisting Of
a solid piece Of wood cut from the transverse
section Of the trunk of q mahogany tree.
Various articles Of furniture made Of curious
woods attract our notice; but we may not
iInR6I, lot as Yet we are only at me COII'
mencement Of our travels, and there are far
more wonderful and beautiful things to be
seen in other parts of the grounds. Fmerg-
ing from the Museum we get a good view
of
KEW PALACE.
and the Palace grounds which used to be
private, but which during the past year have
been thrown into the general gardens. The
portion of these grounds fronting the river,
between the Palace and Brcntfold Ferry
Gate is still known rs Queen Elizabeth
Lawn" II 10 in these grounds that the
Seven Sistcrs"-.nlas, two Of these famous,
stately elms have lately had to be removed,
and now there are only fve-are situated.
From the Palace Gardens we make our
way past birches and poplars to what is
known as the Botanic Garden. Up to re-
cent times there used to be a wire fence sepa-
this garden from what was known az
the Arboretum, and woe Ibetide the visitor
who dared to enjoy the fragrant weed with
in the limits of this garden. Now, however,
the fence Ia moved. and with it the prohibi-
against smoking. Only the hot-houses
md museums are still preserved from tho
encIoachments Of tobacco. In the centre of
this lovely circular garden stands the magni-
fcent Palm House, in which palm trees grow
60 feet high, and tho banana. the cocoa-nut
the coffee plant, the cotton plant, ginger,
nutmeg and Glove MI flourish. Even the
dreaded Upas tree Of Java is at home here,
and you might well fancy You were in the
midst Of a tropical forest. It is 81 feet long
and 100 broad; it contains nearly nm acre Of
glass, and cost G33, 900 to construct,
Having inspected the palm house, the Wis.
itor ought to take the straight path which
leads to the Sion Vista, a broad avenue lined
on one'side by oak trees and on the other by
Chestnuts and beeches. Here you have one
of the finest views in the Gardens, for you
can see right across the Thames to Sion
House,
The DUKE Or NORTHUMBERLAND SEAT,
ON the opposite bank Of the river; and if
you walk far enough you will come TO the
River Side Avenue, from whose seats you
can watch the boats and steamers at your
leisure. If You turn to the loft it will bring
you to the Rhododendron Walk, one of the
chief sights Of Kew. The variety Of colour
here displayed is indeed q revelation of
beauty, and it is only less famous than the
avenue Of horse. chestnuts in Bushey Park,
In that it has not attained to the distinction
of beng associated with q particular Sunday.
And being in the Rhododendron Walk you
will possibly be tempted to penetrate to
the Jubilee Avenue, and the lovely Azalea
Garden which it ~encLOses. You will then
find yourself back again in the Vista, and
can explore the placid shores of The strag-
c~l;o,r l,Eo ~, Tho ptbp, lido nf the oak