DR. F, MUELLER'S LITHO GRAMS. 127 



synopsis of the natural orders most prevalent in Australia, would 

 assist very much in conveying correct impressions to the reader. 

 Dr. F. Mueller has already furnished a table of the kind in the 

 first volume of his work on Victorian Plants, and a similar one 

 might advantageously be added to the publication now under con- 

 sideration. The present volume does not supply a type of all the 

 great orders of this vast continent, as the Rutacece, Dilleniacece, 

 Sapindacece, &c., are as yet unrepresented in these lithograms ; 

 and of the three extensive orders (EpacridacecB, Myrtacece, and 

 Composite), so beautifully illustrated in the figures I have noticed, 

 the Composite is the only order that is so fully represented as 

 many will desire. As the work progresses, however, we may be 

 assured that all the orders found in Australia will be duly and 

 faithfully delineated by the learned Doctor, and that he will spare 

 no exertion to render it as useful and popular as it can be. The 

 design of the Doctor is certainly a step in the right direction, for 

 whilst the " Fragmenta Phytographise Australia," and even the 

 " Flora Australiensis," may remain as sealed books to many, every 

 one will admire and appreciate the elegance and accuracy of the 

 lithograms. It might be wished, indeed, now that photography 

 is rendering invaluable aid to various branches of science, that 

 means could be adopted to place within reach of every one 

 anxious to gain some knowledge of the vegetable kingdom in Aus- 

 tralia, copies of these lithograms at a moderate price, and perhaps 

 of reduced size. The splendid volume now before the world, 

 which reflects so much lustre on the talents of Dr. Mueller and 

 the liberality of the Victorian Government, must necessarily be 

 an expensive work, and consequently not accessible to the masses. 

 Hence I have ventured to offer to my excellent friend, a sugges- 

 tion which I trust may lead to practical results, and throw ad- 

 ditional brilliancy on the reputation he has acquired throughout 

 the civilised world. Scientific works, and more especially when 

 illustrated, are usually very expensive, and on that account I sup- 

 pose, more than any other, we seldom meet with such books as 

 "Harvey's Australian Sea Weeds," or "Hooker's Species of 

 Perns," in private libraries. Any one who contributes to the 

 dissemination of useful knowledge by reducing the expenses of 

 publication, and by popularising the scientific labours of the 

 learned, may justly be deemed a man of progress in the most en- 



