194 Mu eller, Note on Botanical Collections. 



the collections gathered that several Sapotaceous trees exist in 

 British New Guinea, and therefore of the question arises whether 

 special searches for new kinds of guttapercha trees could be 

 instituted, all of them belonging to the Sapotacecv. This might 

 perhaps best be accomplished it the Services of some one of the 

 many experts were secured who are engaged in tapping and 

 preparing the sap of the various gutta-percha trees in the Malay 

 Peninsula or the Sunda Islands, to institute the needful methodic 

 observations in the Papuan forests, guided by special previous 

 experiences. Such a measure would be neit.her very expensive nor 

 particularly difficult to carry out, the raain gutta-percha localities 

 being comparalively near. As another instance of trying to turn 

 aoon to practical account the scientific Information gained might 

 be mentioned the rubber industry. It seems quite within reach of 

 possibility to find also among the numerous species of Papuan 

 fig-trees one or more to provide rubber; but it may need an 

 accustomed caoutchouc gatherer from Assam or some other Indian 

 locality to enter on the search and tests in New Guinea, the sap 

 of the particular fig-trees needing carefully correct treatment for 

 Converting it into the mercantile and industrial product. In 

 connection with this it might be mentioned here at once, that one 

 of the species of Ficus lately discovered by Sir William Macgregor 

 is closely akin to our East Australian Ficus macrophylla. The 

 number of kinds of grasses indigenous in New Guinea proves also 

 much greater than anticipated, some of them, such as the Panicums, 

 evidently of tender foliage and great nutritive value. As graduallj 

 so many Urticaceous trees and shrubs have come under notice 

 from the Possession, new sources for fibre may also become opened 

 up for large actual industries and commerce. Of the genus Vitis, 

 now thirteen species are known from British New Guinea, with the 

 possible prospects of some showing cultural capabilities as grape- 

 vines. A Spondias there is closely akin to the famous S. cytherea. 

 The great variety of timber-trees now already demonstrated to 

 exist must sooner or later call forth special efforts of timber 

 merchants to closely investigate the wood resources there beyond 

 what already is shipped to our harbours, such as the red cedar. 

 The Ebenaceai are represented, as we now learn, by several kinds 

 in British New Guinea, and thus perhaps superior ebony-wood 

 could be added to the exports. Some new resin plants may also 

 become accessible, as from specimens with young fruit secured by 

 Sir William Macgregor , a third species of Papuan Araucarias 

 seems to exist, but in the highlands only although Kauri pines 

 have not yet been found. Of special phyto -geographic interest is 

 the fact that to the many Alpine plants recorded in a former report. 

 now also a species of the New Zealandian and East Australian 

 genus Quintima (Q. Macc/regorii) as well as Coprosma repens, 

 Geranium pilosum, and an Hydrocotyle, with almost Azorella habit 

 {H. nucmaooides) can be added, the two former showing further 

 the extensive alliance of the Papuan highlands flora to that of our 

 most elevated far southern regions. To these Australian types 



