152 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXV. 



therefore invalid. Kew also considers 7^. rosea and R. hulho- 

 codium to be conspecific, while the confusion is further increased 

 by the fact that the plant formerly known as B. bulhocodium in 

 England is now called R. columnce, Seb. 



Faith is an admirable quality, but to place implicit faith in a 

 human institution is mere childishness. I doubt whether 

 any institution has as low a percentage of errors as the Kew 

 Herbarium, but many instances could be given in which the 

 dictum from Kew has differed from that of other authorities 

 equally good, and the same institution is not likely to be right in 

 every case. If we can find specimens of our Australian plant in 

 which the length of the style in regard to the stamens — a most 

 important character — varies, then it will be necessary to consider 

 our Australian plant as a variety, cruciata or parvijlora, of Rotnulea 

 bulhocodium, Seb. ; until that is the case it must remain under its 

 original name as a valid species. Remarks based on second- 

 hand information without any inquiry into the facts will not ad- 

 vance us in any way. — Very faithfully yours, 



ALFRED J. EWART. 

 National Herbarium, 



South Yarra, 13th December, 1908. 



Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. — This skeleton 

 catalogue of Victorian plants has been prepared by the Govern- 

 ment Botanist, Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc.^ and issued by the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, primarily with the view of facilitating the 

 recording of the popular names of our native plants. In addition 

 to this space is provided for recording other data, viz. — " Dura- 

 tion and Height," "Time of Flowering," "Colour of Flowers," 

 " Soil and Habitat," and " Use or Character." The catalogue 

 extends to 97 foolscap pages, and is ruled to simplify the insertion 

 of entries. The arrangement and naming is that of Mueller's last 

 census. We trust full advantage will be taken of this scheme by 

 all who are capable of assisting. Such persons are desired to 

 apply to the Government Botanist for copies, which, when filled 

 in as far as can be, are to be returned to the National Herbarium, 

 where the lists will be collated. It is hoped that the information 

 so obtained will ultimately be incorporated in a popular work on 

 Victorian botany — a desideratum badly needed both by the 

 teacher, the student, and the mere lover of plants. 



Mr. Charles M'Lennan, familiar to readers of the Argus 

 "Nature Notes" as " Mallee-Bird," has been appointed ranger of 

 the National Park, Wilson's Promontory, and, accompanied by 

 the Committee of Management, left for the scene of his duties 

 on the 13th inst. 



