51 



been noticed, it was probably an albino, and therefore an exceptional 



case, as is frequently seen in the kangaroo, &c. 



The following letters addressed to the Secretary by Baron von 

 Mueller, were read : — 



"Melbourne, 



"9th August, 1873. 



** It affords me much gratification to send you a third supplementary 

 contribution towards the phytography of Tasmania, although it is with 

 regret that I saw almost four years pass since my last communication 

 to the Royal Society, and since my visit to your island, without being 

 able to continue my collateral researches on Tasmanian plants either 

 here or there. But during these three or four years my quiet 

 unostentatious work was so much disturbed, by intrusions on my 

 position, by harassing misrepresentations, and by the reductions of my 

 means of working, that even my special publications here, during that, 

 to me, sad period, did but little proceed. Even now I am quite 

 uncertain whether I shall be able to effect any future progress in my 

 literary labours, as I have no longer the means of a well-organised 

 department, such as I formed many years ago in the botanic garden, at 

 my command ; and as I have hardly any other resources left than 

 my modest salary, for scientific operations or writings of any kind. I 

 state this at some length in order that I may free myself of the reproach 

 of having done so little for the Society in late years. 



" The writings now conveyed to you refer to more than 100 Cotyledonar 

 plants and ferns, on which I have given notes, either concerning new 

 localities of the species, or other remarks supplemental to Dr. Hooker's 

 great work. Then about 60 Algaa are recorded in these pages, either 

 from new spots of growth, or being in other respects worthy of remark. 

 Among the Cotyledonar plants and ferns, 21 are not contained in the 

 "Flora Tasmanise." Several, however, are immigrated plants. But 

 Imperata and Cyathea are additional genera for Tasmania beyond the 

 introduced Cryptostemma, Sanguisorba, and other genera. The Algas 

 have given five new genera to Tasmania — CurdioBa, Gloioderma, Dumontia, 

 Bryopsis, and Valonia. Not less than 35 species are added to those of 

 the list furnished for Dr. Hooker's work by the lamented Dr. Harvey. 

 Five of the species are absolutely new to science. The additions to the 

 chapter of Algae were obtained (beyond some few furnished by myself) 

 partly from Dr. Harvey's Phycologia Australica, partly from notes of Dr. 

 Sonder, but for the greater part from recent investigations of Dr. John 

 Agardh, of Lund, who thought it worthy of his precious hours to devote 

 many of them to the study of collections sent him from your island. 

 For the labour thus bestowed, it would be a graceful recognition if the 

 Koyal Society of Tasmania would call this illustrious man into the ranks 

 of its honorary members. 



" During the next few months, I hope to add notes to the records of 

 Ghimacece of your island, as I am engaged on the elaboration of these 

 orders for the 7th volume of the universal work on Australian plants. I 

 have reason to believe that these kinds of plants have not attracted 

 full attention of all Tasmanian collectors. Thus, for instance, I refer 

 in the pages now transmitted to a Lepyrodia, altogether new for your 

 island, and there, as yet, only gathered on one single spot. If, therefore, 

 the members of the Society would aid me by sending sedges, rushes, and 

 such like plants from as many localities as circumstances will permit, 

 much interesting novelty and much of utilitarian importance also might 

 come to light. Indeed, I would encourage collecting of any kinds of 

 plants, by amateurs, anywhere, and would willingly examine such col- 

 lections, which latter again would be formed in twofold series of speci- 

 mens, so that the names, for instruction of the sender, might be 



