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17 
Mr. Bentham for the publication of a Flora of Australia on a plan 
similar to that of the “ Flora Hong Kongensis,” er published 
Colonial 
ng 
. by that aie nap under the authority of the 
2. It app 
rs from Mr. Bentham’s circular “that the Lords 
Commissioners of the Treasury, “adverting to the wealth of the 
several Colonies in Australia and to the sense which they have 
shown of the interests of science and commerce, have stated that 
are no sufficient re ons to warrant their being ertaken at the 
cost of this sna 2.¢., Of the Imperial ‘teseanie. 
3. recommended the Prana? undertaking to the 
Sabie consideration of my Government ; and by the enclosed 
Minute of Council it will be seen that Qu consland ‘vill he ready 
to bear its fair proportion of the expense if the other Australian 
— os also be found willing to co-operate 
. y reply to Sir William Hooker’s letter, I have suggested 
that i audald formally ascertain through the ‘Secretary ‘of State 
if the other Australian Colonies are prepared to give their co- 
operation to so desirable an ahieee I have no doubt that they 
will be found willing 
I have, &c., 
(Sgd.) G. F. BOWEN. 
P.S.—Since the above dispatch was written, I have been 
informed that Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia 
will join Queensland in guaranteeing the required sum of £2 
per volume. Sir John Young and Sir Henry Barkly think, and 
I quite agree with them that Mr. Bentham should avail himself 
of the cmon eemnon of Dr. Miieller, the Government Botanist of 
Victoria 
(Sgd.) G. F. B, 
The work was immediately taken in hand by Mr. Bentham, 
who occupied a room in the Kew Herbarium for the purpose. 
The first volume was published in 1863, and the seventh and last 
in 1878. The Flora Australiensis is, by ge — consent, a 
prteites . ce Nat tural History Review “toe 1863 (pp 149.507) 
contains an interesting discussion of its scientific faa: 
COLONIAL OFFICE TO KEW. 
Downing Street, 
9th August, 1878. 
SIR, 
I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies 
to ackno er edge the receipt of your letter of the 24th July, calling 
his oe to the publication of the seventh and last volume of 
the Flora Australiensis, by Mr. Bentham, late President of the 
n 
2. I am to request that you will convey to Mr. Bentham the 
expression ~ the Secretary of State’s gratification at learning that 
