18 
this unportant work, which Sir Michael Hicks Beach is aware has 
Jong engaged Mr. Bentham’s ar ee oie which will remain 
a valuable and exhaustive record of the Botany of the Australian 
Colonies, has been brought to a Siatithectiity termination. 
. Sir Michael Hicks Beach will have pleasure in persion a 
copy of the correspondence to the Australian Governors, and 
communication to Dr. von Miieller, who has so hirgels saa 
generously contributed to the success of the undertaking. 
4, A copy of Mr. Bentham’s she has been tana for the use 
of the Library in the Colonial 
5. Sir Michael Hicks Beach feels, no doubt, that the facilities 
which you have afforded to Mr. Bentham, in carrying on the — 
necessary for the elaboration of the work, have been of great use 
to him, and that, as on many previous occasions, the Colonies are 
indebted to yourself for much personal care and attention. 
IT am, Sir 
Your most obedient Servant 
(Sgd.) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. 
Sir J. Hooker, K.C.S.I., C.B. 
Sir William Hooker recorded the commencement of the series in 
his report for 1861, printed with the Parliamentary Estimates for 
1862-3 
“The most important step, however; taken in this ets 
has been the commencement of a uniform series of inexpensive 
Colonial Floras, which are argenlls required by seloxtiats, manu- 
facturers, and conti as well as by scientific botanists, horti- 
culturists, and amateurs, but which, owing to the labour and 
expense se of prepamng them, and the necessity of doing this in such 
an establishment as the Herbarium at Kew alone affords, can 
pied be undertaken by private individuals, unaided by Govern- 
me cP 
In the meantime, Sir William Hooker had drawn up, in May, 
1863, for the Colonial Office, the following memorandum, in whic 
os details of a comprehensive scheme were completely ae 
ou 
Colonial Floras. 
Now that satisfactory progress has been made in the publication 
of Fiaes of several of the British Colonial possessions, =i e 
utility and feasibility of the project established, it appears desirable 
circulate the following statement, in the hope of atisiculatinie the 
ew Colonies which have hitherto sot joined in this undertaking 
= give it their su 
ublication by Government of a series of inexpensive 
portable 8vo. works, illustrative of the vegetable products of the 
British irene oe long been contemplated by the Director of 
the Royal Garde s of Kew. To him, in his official capacity, 
and by private individuals, especially merchants and ma 
facturers; and he is ‘habitually applied to by cievisinns and 
