LORD HOWE’S ISLAND. 299 
plant which I have seen from a station considerably above that limit 
is Vaccinium Vitis-Idea, which Capt. W. Penny gathered in Bushnan 
beo on the N.W. shores of Greenland, in latitude 76? N., long. 
6? W. Possibly there may be some mistake about the locality, as no 
ve expedition has brought home the Cranberry from so high a 
latitude. If, therefore, to settle the question, Arctic explorers will 
but collect the leaves of any berry-bearing plant, however sour, bitter, 
or insipid the fruit may be, they would confer a benefit upon geogra- 
phical botany. 
t may be asked, at a time when renewed efforts are being made to 
explore the Arctic regions, Does vegetation extend as far north as the 
pole itself? I answer, Yes; if there be land, there are also plants. It 
is known that excessive cold during the winter exercises but a limited 
influence upon a vegetation which, like the Arctic, enjoys the protec- 
tion of a thick covering of snow, and is besides in a state of inactivity. 
The temperature of the summer, the months of July and August, has 
by far the greatest share in the distribution of vegetable life in the 
northern regions. Now the lowest temperature during that time is 
not to be found in the most northern point as yet reached by any 
expedition, but in Winter Island, on the eastern shores of Melville 
Peninsula, where the mean monthly temperature in July and August 
ranges between 34° and 36° Fahrenheit. That spot, which may be 
called the phytological pole, is covered with vegetation; and know- 
ing as we do that plants do grow, not only in a soil frozen underneath, 
but also (as in the Kotzebue Sound) on the top of icebergs, there 
is no reason to suppose that the terrestrial pole is destitute of plants. 
—B. SEEMANN. 
VEGETATION OF LORD HOWE’S ISLAND. 
By CHARLES Moore, Esa. 
I have lately had an opportunity of visiting Lord Howe’s Island, 
which lies off our coast (Sydney) some 300 miles. It is small in ex- 
tent, and scarcely known to any but navigators. A few observations 
relative to the botany of the place, may therefore be interesting to your 
readers. The island is situated in lat. 31? 36' S., and long. 159° 5’ E, 
Y 23 
