‘ 
; s more especial guidance of the botanists of the circumnaviga- 
es 
tion :— 
Phanerogams.—t. Fleshy parasitic plants (Balanophora, 
Rafflesia, &c.) are little suitable for dissection and examina- 
tion unless preserved in spirit, and the same remark applies to 
fleshy flowers and inflorescences generally, Dried specimens, 
however, are not without their value, and should always be ob- 
tained as well. 
_ 2, The stems of scandent and climbing plants are often very 
anomalous in their structure. Short portions of such stems 
should be collected when the cross section is in any way remark- 
able, with the foliage, flowers, and fruit when possible. <A few 
leaves and flowers should also be tied up between two pieces of 
card, and attached at once to the specimens of the stem, so as to 
ensure future identification. 
3. Attention should be given to the esculent and medicinal 
substances used in various places. Specimens should be ob- 
tained, and whenever possible, they should be accompanied by 
complete specimens of the plants from which such substances are 
obtained. ; 
4. The common weeds and ruderal plants growing about ports 
or landing-places should not be overlooked, and, as far as prac- 
ticable, trustworthy information should be recorded as to the 
date and circumstances of the introduction of foreign species. 
- 5. The distribution of marine Phanerogamic plants (Zostera, 
Cymodocea, &c.) should also be noted, and specimens preserved 
with their latitude and longitude. Their buds and parts of 
fructification should be put into spirit. 
6. The flowers of Zoranthacee and Santalacee should be pre- 
served in spirit, and also dried to exhibit general habit. 
7. The inflorescence of Aroids should be dissected when 
fresh, or put into spirit, Note the placentation and position of 
the ovules. 
8. Devote especial attention to the study of Screw-Pines and 
Palms when opportunity arises, even if necessary to the neglect 
of other things. The general habit of the plants should be 
sketched ; the male and female inflorescence should be pre- 
served, and also the fruit; the foliage should be dried and 
folded, and packed in boxes. Many fleshy vegetable objects 
may be ‘‘killed” by a longer or shorter immersion in spirit. 
They then dry up without decaying, and form useful specimens. 
g. With respect to Palms, further note the height, position of 
the spadix, and preponderance of the sexes in both moncecious 
and dicecious species, also form and dimensions of leaves. 
to. Surface-drifting should be examined, and any seeds or 
fragments of land-plants carefully noted when determinable, with 
directions of currents and latitude and longitude. 
11. Facts are also required as to the part played by icebergs 
in plant-distribution. If any opportunity occurs for their exa- 
mination, it would be desirable to preserve and note any vege- 
table material which might be found upon their surface ; also to 
examine any rock-fragments for lichens. 
12. Ferns.—Ferns should always, when possible, be obtained 
with fructification. In the case of tree-ferns, our knowledge of 
which, from the imperfection of material for description, is very 
defective, a portion of the stem sufficient to illustrate its structure 
should be obtained, with notes of its height ; a fragment of a 
frond (between pieces of card) and the base of a stipes should be 
tied to the specimen of the stem ; also a note as to whether the 
adventitious roots were living or dead. 
The number of fronds should be counted, their dimensions 
taken, and the basal scales carefully preserved. 
Note if tree-ferns are ever attacked by insects or fungi, and 
whether they form the food of any class of animals. 
13. Mosses, &c.—Many mosses are aquatic. In the case of 
dicecious species of mosses, plants of both sexes should be, 
when possible, secured. 
14. Aquatic species of Ricciacee should be looked for. Minute 
Fungermanniacee are found on the foliage of other plants. 
15. Podostemacee are found in rocky running streams in hot 
countries. They have a remarkable superficial resemblance to 
Hepaticze. Except at the flowering season they are altogether 
i ee Specimens should be preserved in spirit as well as 
ri 
16. Fungi.—Take notes of all fleshy fungi, especially as re- 
gards colour ; the spores should be allowed to fall on paper, and 
the colour of these noted also, The fleshy species may some- 
times be advantageously immersed in spirit before preparing for 
the herbarium. 
17. Examine the fungi which grow on ants’ nests, taking care 
“NATURE 
253 
to get perfect as well as imperfect states, and to secure, if pos- 
sible, specimens which have not burst their volva, 
18. Look out for luminous species, and ascertain whether they 
are luminous in themselves, or whether the luminosity depends 
on decomposition. 
19. Secure specimens of all esculent or medicinal fungi which 
are sold in bazaars, noting, if possible, the vernacular name. 
20. Note any species of fleshy fungi which arise like the Pyetra 
Fungaja from a mass of earth impregnated with mycelium, or 
from a globose resting-mass. 
2t. Attend especially to any fungi whic attack crops, whether 
cereal or otherwise ; and particularly gather specimens of vine« 
mildew and potato-mildew, should they be met with. Even 
common wheat-mildew, smut, &c., should be preserved. 
22. In every case note date of collection, soil, and other cir- 
cumstances relative to particular specimens. 
23. Look after those fungi which attack the larvz of insects, 
24. In the case of the AZyoxogastres, sketches should be made 
on the spot of their general form, with details of microscopic 
appearance. It would be worth while attempting to preserve 
specimens for future microscopic examination by means of osmic 
acid. 
25. Alge.—Marine alge may be found between tide-marks 
attached to rocks and stones, or rooting in sand, &c. ; those in 
deeper water are got by dredging, and many are cast up after 
storms ; small kinds grow on the larger, and some being like 
fleshy crusts on stones, shells, &c., must be pared off by means 
of a knife, 
The more delicate kinds, after gentle washing, may be floated 
ina vessel of fresh water, upon thick and smooth writing or 
drawing paper ; then gently lift out paper and plant together, 
allow some time to drip ; then’place on the sea-weed clean linen 
or cotton cloth, and on it a sheet of absorbent paper, and submit 
to moderate pressure—many adhere to paper but not to cloth; 
then change the cloth and absorbent paper till the specimens are 
dry. Large coarser kinds may be dried in the same way as 
land-plants ; or are to be spread out in the shade, taking care to 
prevent contact of rain or fresh water of any kind; when suffi- 
ciently dry, tie them loosely in any kind of wrapping paper ; 
those preserved in this rough way may be expanded and floated 
out in water at any time afterwards, A few specimens of each 
of the more delicate algze ought to be dried on mica or glass, 
A note of date and locality ought to be attached to every 
species. 
Delicate slimy alge are best prepared by floating out on 
smooth-surfaced paper (known as ‘“‘sketching paper’), then 
allowed to drip and dry by simple exposure to currents of air, 
without pressure. 
26. Very little information exists regarding the range of depth 
of marine plants. It will be very desirable that observations 
should be made upon this subject, as opportunity from time to 
time presents itself. 
Professor Dickie remarks, and the caution should be borne in 
mind :—‘* When the dredge ceases to scrape the bottom, it 
becomes in its progress to the surface much the same as a towing 
net, capturing bodies which are being carried along by currents, 
and therefore great caution is necessary in reference to any 
marine plants found in it. Sea-weeds are among the most 
common of all bodies carried by currents near the surface or at 
various depths below, and from their nature are very likely to be 
entangled and brought up.” 
27. Carefully note and preserve alge brought up in dredge 
in moderate depths, under 100 fathoms, or deeper. Preserve 
specimens a¢fached to shells, corals, &c. which would indicate 
their being actually 7 st, and not caught by dredge as it 
comes up. 
28. Examine mud brought up by dredge from different depths 
for living Diatoms; examine also for the same purpose the 
stomachs of Sa/fe and other marine animals. 
29. Note algz on ships, &c. with the submerged parts in a 
foul condition ; also preserve scrapings of coloured crusts or 
slimy matter, green, brown, &c. 
30. Observe algze floating, collect specimens, noting latitude 
and longitude, currents, &c. 
31. Examine loose floating objects, drift-wood, &c. for alge. 
If no prominent species presents itself, preserve scrapings of any 
coloured crusts. Note as above. 
32. It might be useful to have a few moderate-sized pieces of 
wood, oak, &c. quite clean at first, attached to some part of the 
vessel under water to be examined, say, monthly. The larger 
