PR/ENUNCI/E BAHAMENSES I. 



CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FLORA OF THE BAHAMIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



CHARLES F. MILLSPAUGH, M.D. 



During field and herbarium studies of the flora of the Greater An- 

 tillean Islands, conducted by Dr. N. L. Britton, Director of the New York 

 Botanical Garden, and the Author, each came to the conclusion that a 

 thorough investigation of the Bahamian Archipelago would throw much 

 desired light upon many problems of plant distribution and mutation, 

 and offer a probable solution of the question of the age of these interest- 

 ing islands. 



A joint investigation of such collections as had been previously made 

 on the archipelago proved them to be in many cases meagre in material, scrap- 

 py in character, or from islands too widely separated- to afford even a par- 

 tial solution of the problems presented. They therefore decided to so- 

 licit the consent of those botanists representing the Government of Great 

 Britain, to which these islands belong, and the support of the institutions 

 they, themselves represent, in view of organizing a thorough exploration 

 of the islands included in the archipelago. This being in both instances 

 unhesitatingly given, three expeditions were equipped for immediate field 

 work and others planned, to cover within the next two years, all the is- 

 lands included. 



Up to the present writing, the survey thus organized has covered the 

 following groups: Great Bahama, the Abacos, the Isaacs, the Berry Is- 

 lands, the Bimini Islands, the New Providence area, the Exuma Chain, 

 the Inaguas and Grand Turk. In these, a large amount of information 

 and material has been accumulated by Dr. and Mrs. Britton, Mr. Nash, 

 Mr. Brace, and the Author. In accomplishing this, not only have the 

 usual lines of communication been utilized, but special vessels have been 

 equipped and commissioned. 



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