( 590 ) 
this view is the correct one that the bodies give the same spectrum 
only because they have certain properties in common, then it must 
be possible to learn something about these properties from the partition 
of energy in the spectrum. And thus we may hope that a further 
development of the application of the statistical method to electrical 
systems may tend — not to find an accurate formula for the spectrum, 
which would only be possible if we a priori perfectly knew the 
nature of the electrons — but rather to test whether a hypothesis 
concerning the nature of the electrons gives rise to the correct 
spectral formula, and so whether it is to be accepted or rejected. 
Botany. — “Some remarks on Sciaphila nana Bl” By Prof. 
F: A. F. C. Went. 
While working at the 7’riwridaceae, collected by Mr. G. M. VeRrsTEEG 
during the expedition to Southern New-Guinea in 1907, I have 
also examined the plants of the same order, which are found in 
the Botanical Museum of the University of Utrecht. In so doing I 
came across alcoholic material of a Sciaphila brought from Buitenzorg 
by Mr. Purrr and collected at Tjiomas. 
When an attempt was made to name this plant, it at once became 
evident, that it was not Sciaphila tenella Br. and it was therefore 
surmised that the other species described for Java, namely, S- nana Br, 
had been met with. Now the diagnosis of BruMme is of such a nature, 
that it is impossible with its aid to recognize the species"); nor are 
the figures of his plate XLVIII conspicuously clear. I soon found, 
by comparison with Bxccari’s monograph of Malay Triuridaceae, 
that the specimen in question evidently agreed completely with his 
S. corniculata’). I will shortly give detailed proof of this identity, 
but first remark that Brccarr himself had noticed the agreement 
between BLuME’s S. nana and his own S. corniculata, for he speaks 
of S. nana*) as follows: . 
“Non ho visto questa Specie, ma dalla figura lasciata da BLUME 
mi sembra poterla includere nel gruppo della S. corniculata e della 
S. Arfakiana”. 
In order to obtain greater certainty I have examined the original 
specimen of Brume’s in ’s Rijks Herbarium at Leiden. 
Under the name of Sciaphila nana Bu. there are here found, 
1) C. L. Buume. Museum Botanicum Lugduno-Batavum I. p. 322. 1849 —1851. 
2) Q Beccart. Malesia III. p. 336. Tav. XXXIX. Fig. 5—13, 1886 —1890, 
8) O. Beccari. |. c. p. 338. 
