222 FLORA ANTAECTICA. \Fuegia, the 



productions of Lord Auckland's group. For the future volumes of this work, I shall, in 

 describing the species, follow where it is practicable the plan pursued by Mr. Bentharn, the 

 excellency of whose specific descriptions is acknowledged. 



Most of the materials in this Part were amassed by myself, with the kind aid of Captain 

 Sir James Ross, Lieutenant Smith, Mr. Davies, and particularly of Dr. Lyall, to whose exer- 

 tions I feel constrained throughout to acknowledge my obligations. For many important addi- 

 tions to the plants of Fuegia and particularly of the west coast of Patagonia, I am indebted 

 to Captain King and Mr. Darwin*, both of whom most generously confided then- collections 

 to me for the purpose of examination and description. Captain King's is certainly the most 

 complete flora ever formed in those countries, whether in number of species or specimens of 

 the flowering plants. To Dr. Lemann I owe the use of another set of the same plants, gathered 

 by Mr Anderson, the gardener who accompanied Captain King, and to Commodore Sulivan, 

 a collection formed by his son, Captain Sulivan, during Captain Fitzroy's voyage. With all 

 these advantages the materials for a Fuegiau flora would still be incomplete, without the plants 

 discovered by Menzies dining Vancouver's expedition ; and still more valuable is the access 

 afforded by the kindness of Mr. Brown and Mr. Bennett, to the specimens, drawings, and 

 manuscripts of Banks and Solander, who preceded all other botanists, except Commerson, in 

 the investigation of Natural History in the high southern regions. 



The collections of Banks and Solander, wherever formed and under whatever difficulties, 

 are lasting proofs not only of the extraordinary zeal and ability of those distinguished indivi- 

 duals, but of the spirit which pervaded every member of the gallant band that Cook led in 

 his path of discovery. Our knowledge of the Botany of New Zealand is still mainly due to the 

 labours of the companions of Cook's first voyage, for no subsequent travellers or even residents 

 in that country have made equally extensive collections ; and that their researches in Tierra del 

 Fuego were no less eminently successful, the constant mention of their names in this volume 

 will abundantly prove. Valuable as the dried plants are, their utility is doubly increased bjk 

 the excellent descriptions and by the beautiful coloured drawings executed on the spot, which 

 accompany them, and were made at Sir Joseph Banks own expense. There are daily occurring 

 instances, to the honour of the British nation be it mentioned, of individuals who undertake 

 and conduct scientific expeditions on their own resources, and who return richly laden to reap 

 the honours that await themselves as the projectors and commanders of their several efforts ; 

 but how few examples have we of men of birth and fortune, who like Banks will peril a life 

 and spend a fortune as the zealous cooperator in an expedition not his own, and the main 

 glory of which justly belongs to another. In scientific as in all other pursuits there are ever 

 many to lead, but few who will stoop to be followers. This just tribute to the memory of 

 Banks is peculiarly due from me, who owe so much to his labours in the Southern Ocean. 



* Mr. Darwin's valuable herbarium is preserved in tlie Cambridge Museum, and it is to the liberality of the 

 Rev. Professor Henslow that I am more immediately indebted for their temporary transference to my care. 



