NOTES. 253 



seems to be so much better understood than formerly, that a 

 revision of the genera has long been required. Influenced by 

 these considerations, Dr. F. Mueller determined to review the 

 whole order, and to make those alterations in the arrangement of 

 the genera, which recent discoveries have rendered necessary. 

 This was a work of great labour, which, indeed, the Doctor states 

 " was one of the most difficult tasks he had ever accomplished." 

 The complete investigation of all the species, with a view of 

 throwing them into new generic forms, required not merely intense 

 application, but an amount of experience, which few botanists 

 possess. Dr. Mueller, however, has effected the object he had in 

 view, and in the last number of his Fragmenta, he has proposed 

 to unite thirteen genera with Styphelia, thus establishing a large 

 genus of not less than 100 species, and regarding the others as 

 the representatives of sections. The genera thus amalgamated 

 are Astroloma, Stenanthera, Melichrm, Cyathodes, Lissanthe, 

 Leucopogon, Acrotriche, Frcebelia, Soleniscia, Stomarrkena, Andros- 

 to?na, Pentalaphrus, and Lobopocjon. An arrangement of this 

 kind will have many advantages in facilitating the study of the 

 order, and in removing the anomaly of separating allied species. 

 The remaining genera are disposed in the following order: 

 Brachyloma, Conostepltium, Michiea, Monotoca, Trochocarpa, Need- 

 hamia, Olit/arrhena, Prionotes, Epacris, Lysinema, Sphenotoma, 

 DracopJiyllum, Richea, Cosmelia, Sprengelia and Ponceletia. The 

 beautiful order of Epacrids deserves attention from the horticul- 

 turist, as it affords many ornamental plants, which, Dr. Mueller 

 observes, " are still so rare in our gardens." The species are 

 interesting too as supplying the place of Heathworts, only one of 

 that order, I believe, (Grualtheria liispida) being known in New 

 South Wales. Of this plant, I have had specimens from the 

 Tumut, and according to Dr. Mueller, it generally indicates spots 

 on which snow lodges for some of the winter months. It appears 

 from the Doctor's work on the vegetation of the Chatham Islands, 

 that Dracopliyllum scoparium, Cyaihodes acerosa, and Leucopogon 

 RicJiei are indigenous there. "The last," he remarks, "is one of 

 the few plants common to Australia and the Chatham group, yet 

 not known as existing in New Zealand." 



PAGE 208, LINE % 33. 

 The little " Orange Thorn" is abundant at the Native Vine* 



