406 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
protection as I am likely to obtain, Lucky Bay would be an excellent 
station: I may probably make my way thither, on board an American 
or French whaler. 
Some months ago, when I was dissolving some Acacia gum, which 
had been for three-quarters of a year in my possession, I noticed that 
it contained seeds of the beautiful Loranthus which grows on our Acacia. 
They seemed so fresh that I placed them on the bark of a tree in the 
neighbourhood, where they quickly germinated. I have accordingly 
coated some seeds with gum, and I send them in the expectation that 
you will find them succeed in England. The species is not only among 
the most beautiful of our Loranthi, but it exhibits a highly curious 
structure, and is of extremely easy cultivation. It is a mistake to sup- 
pose that the Loranthus takes root in the trees whereon it grows. The 
mode of attachment is precisely that of a bud to the stock in which it 
is inserted. The unknown influence which these parasites exert on 
various trees, thence deriving their very existence; is, no doubt, among 
the hidden secrets of Nature; but it is easy to perceive that, in effecting 
the union, it is the tree which constitutes the active agent, its bark, 
sap, and wood projecting always from the branch, on whatever side 
the parasite may happen to be placed. Acacia acuminata, A. stereophylla, 
and 4. Meisneri, produce the Loranthus; but by far the most magnifi- 
cent specimens, both for the size and brilliancy of their scarlet flowers, ' 
are grown on 4. eyanophylla. Y will shortly send a series of specimens 
that shall exhibit these plants in a germinating state, and also show 
the junction of the wood of them, with the trunks which they inhabit. 
James DRUMMOND. 
Plants of the Indian Archipelago. 
Le soussigné a l'intention de publier un catalogue exact des collec- 
tions de plantes faites dans l'Archipel indien (et en partie de celles 
provenant du Japon). 
Mes herbiers des Indes contiennent plus de 5000 espèces, de sorte 
qué le catalogue montera à plus de 5000 numéros, et que, par consé- 
quent, il n’aura guére moins de 20 feuilles in 8°. Comme la publica- 
tion d'une pareille spécialité est chose difficile à plus d'une raison, l'au- 
teur s'est dócidé à ne demander aucun honoraire, et je dois prier Mes- 
