400 Linnean Society. [May 24, 



The arctic expeditions have brought some gleanings from the in- 

 hospitable shores of the Polar American Sea ; and Dr. Lyall's col- 

 lections, made during Captain Sir Edward Belcher's voyage, are 

 w^orthy of particular notice, being rich in Cryptogamia, and espe- 

 cially in Algae, a tribe that had hitherto been much neglected in 

 those regions. These, and the collections made during the expe- 

 ditions of Rae, M'Clure, M'Clintock, CoUinson, &c., are now, I 

 understand, being worked out by Dr. Hooker, who is engaged in 

 drawing up a Flora Polaris, from the combined materials brought 

 home from all the arctic voyages. 



Amongst the results of Government patronage, I must mention 

 that Dr. Seemann's 'Botany of the Voyage of the Herald,' the ex- 

 penses of which are defrayed by the Admiralty, has reached its sixth 

 part, which completes the Flora of Panama, whence 1200 species 

 are enumerated. This work is accompanied by forty-eight plates, 

 drawn by Mr. Fitch. The continuation will, I am informed, be 

 devoted to the Floras of North-west Mexico and of South China. 



To the same department of Government we are indebted for the 

 ' Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror.' 

 Of this the second part has been completed during the past year, 

 namely Dr. Hooker's ' Flora of New Zealand.' This is, I believe, 

 the only complete flora of any of our numerous colonial possessions, 

 and contains descriptions of 2000 species, and plates of upwards of 

 300 plants, also executed by Mr. Fitch. This is to be followed by a 

 Flora of Van Diemen's Land, the compilation of which is far advanced. 



In Ceylon, our Fellow, Mr. Thwaites, has been indefatigable in 

 the prosecution'of his duties as Superintendent of the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens there, and has added much to our knowledge of the botany 

 of the island. 



Time will not allow me to enumerate all the additions to botanical 

 science which have emanated from the direct patronage of Govern- 

 ment ; and I am wholly restricted, by the same cause, from even 

 alluding to the results of private enterprise and talent, or the patron- 

 age of other great administrative bodies. The labours of Thomson 

 and Hooker, of Harvey, and many others abroad and at home, de- 

 serve especial notice ; but I am necessitated to proceed towards the 

 conclusion of my Address. 



My object has been to show, that both with regard to the Uni- 

 versities and the Government, and I might worthily add, the Honour- 

 able East India Company, much has been recently done to promote 

 the advance of natural history, and that we may look forward with 

 confidence to the continued influence of the same sources of im- 

 provement. 



