BIRTH OF BOTANY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 712, 11 July 1929, Page 6

BIRTH OF BOTANY

DISCOVERY AND PROGRESS IN TWO CENTURIES HORTICULTURISTS CONFER Prior to the studies of Linnaeus, a Swede, in the 18th century, nothing had been done to present conclusions or generalisations regarding plant life. The contribution to botany of Aristotle, the great naturalist of the classical era, was negligible. Thus Professor Sperrin-Johnson opened his lecture-—the first of an annual series which the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture has dedicated to the memory of Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist with Captain Cook’s first expedition to New Zealand —in the University College Hall last evening. It was entitled “Two Centuries of Botanical Progfesij: From Linnaeus to Darwin.” ANCIENT “HERBALS” Explaining that the students of the medieval period were more concerned with the economics of plant life, the professor referred to the publication of herbals in which emphasis was , placed on the medical value of Tarious plants. Fairly accurate descriptions were thus placed on record, but little more was done. Linnaeus made a definite forward step when he began to classify plants. He invented the fashion of giving them names and surnames. Later, the development of the microscope permitted further research and greater accuracy. At this time an English clergyman named Stephen Hales produced nis “Vegetable Staticks.” a valuable work which led to the study of sap. Another important discovery was that of the part played by pollen in fertilisation. CLIMAX OF RESEARCH The climax in botanical research was ecology, the study of plants in their natural surroundings. This belonged to the 20th century. There was also the economics of botany. The lecture was illustrated with lantern Slides, depicting pages from the old herbals, details of plant structures and apparatus for experiments. Mr. F. J. Nathan, president of the institute, presided. and Professor Sperrin-Johnson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the lecture. OFFICERS ELECTED lu the afternoon the institute conference elected the following officers for the coming year:—Eresident, Mr. F. J. Nathan (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, Messrs. D. A. Hay, P. Black, W. D. Sherratt. .1. G. MacKenzie, A. M. Robertson, R. A. Anderson, Dr. Easterfield. Hon. T. K. Sidey and Mr. C. E. Foweraker; executive committee. Professor H. B. Kirk, Messrs. J. A. Campbell, T. Waugh, H. Baillie, R. B. Hammond, W. R. B. Oliver, F. S. Pope, W. C. Hyde, W. T, Goodwin, W. S. Mason, C. A. L. Treadwell, Hislop. G. A. Green and Mr. Mawson, director of town planning; secretary, Mr. A. R. Stone; auditor. Mr. L. A. Jones.