70 NEW SOUTH SEA ISLAND PLANTS. 
district, and far from the assistance of botanical collections. Indeed, 
the present observations on Haloragacee and Loasacee could not have 
‘been made but for the courtesy of Dr. Hooker in supplying me with 
fragments of the plants for the purpose. So numberless are the species 
yet requiring examination, that the co-operation of many observers will 
be required before we can hope for a fair and practical knowledge of 
the distribution of raphides throughout the vegetable kingdom, and of 
their exact value as characters in systematic botany. I have only been 
able to commence the inquiry, and to show that they are certainly 
sometimes so important in this respect as to prove truly diagnostic ; 
and that, whenever they afford a diagnosis, it may be more funda- 
mental and universal, either in the species or Order, than any other 
single character hitherto employed for the purpose. Among number- 
less examples in our own Flora, let any one examine such plants as 
Epilobium and Lythrum, the former, at every period of its growth from 
the seed-leaves to the fruit, will always be distinguishable from the 
latter by the raphides alone. Hence, this is the only one character 
which is never failing for the diagnosis. Nor can it be doubted that 
a phenomenon so remarkable and constant is an essential, significant, 
and intrinsic function of the plant-life; and that this eminently na- 
tural character of raphis-bearing should no longer be neglected, as it 
has hitherto been, in systematic botany. 
Edenbridge, February 15, 1864. 
NEW SOUTH SEA ISLAND PLANTS. 
By BERTHOLD Seemann, Pu.D., F.L.S. 
Dr. F. Mueller, of Melbourne, has kindly forwarded to me for in- 
corporation in my forthcoming works on Polynesian Botany, a collec- 
tion of plants made by Dr. Greffe, a Swiss savant, who is now exploring 
the various groups of the Pacific, and whose expenses ate paid by 
Messrs. Godeffroy and Sons, a large Hamburg firm, who carry on exten- 
sive mercantile operations in the South Seas; Dr: Greffe devotes him- 
self principally to zoology, but that he does riot neglect: botany will be 
seen from the enumeration of a collection he made during his short 
stay in the Viti group, and in Uvea or Wallis Island, 1862. Dr, Mueller 
thought that it might be an encouragement to Dr. Greeffe if this col- 
