to the Antarctic Regions. 37 



ment at Calcutta for distribution among the botanical gardens 

 of India. In packing these collections, the best method is to en- 

 close each kind of seed in separate packets of brown paper, which 

 should be placed loosely in canvas bags, or in boxes with holes in their 

 sides, and arrangements should be made for their being transmitted 

 in a cabin, or some well- ventilated part of the ship. Among those 

 seeds which it is more particularly desirable to procure, may be 

 mentioned the arborescent Composite of St. Helena, and the na- 

 tive Coniferous plants of all countries, particularly the Phyllocladus 

 or Celery-leaved Pine, and the various species of Athrotaxis inhabit- 

 ing the mountains of Van Diemen's Land. As the seeds of such 

 plants are apt to suffer from long keeping, and as other instances 

 may occur when it would be desirable to send home young plants 

 instead of seeds, it would be advisable that the expedition should 

 be supplied with one of Mr. Ward's glazed cases, to be used if oc- 

 casion should arise. 



Light is an agent which operates so powerfully upon plants, de- 

 termining the amount and even nature of their secretions, and in- 

 fluencing in the most essential manner their vital actions, that it 

 would be most interesting to obtain, if possible, some good pho- 

 tometrical observations. The extreme and mean temperatures of 

 the atmosphere, its humidity, the quantity of rain, and the tempera- 

 ture of the earth immediately below and within a few feet of the 

 surface, have also a direct and important bearing upon Vegetable 

 Physiology, especially when considered with respect to the distri- 

 bution of plants, and the arts of cultivation. Observations upon all 

 such points tend to explain the connexion which exists between 

 vegetation and climate, and should be introduced by the Botanist 

 into his report, notwithstanding that they also occur in the Meteoro- 

 logical Journal. 



If the observations here recommended be briefly noted in a ta- 

 bular form, and at the time that they are made, the registration 

 of much useful matter which might otherwise escape recollection, 

 will be secured, and a valuable document formed for future reference. 

 In conclusion, the Council most particularly recommend that 

 the Botanist to the expedition be directed to number all the objects 

 collected by him in one consecutive series ; that the dried speci- 

 mens, seeds, woods, and productions of all kinds, shall correspond 

 in number with the plants producing them ; and that two complete 

 collections be prepared for Government, of which one shall be for 

 incorporation with the general collections belonging to the public, 

 and the other be preserved separately, to illustrate the botany, &c, 



