THE VICTOTIIAH" NATURALIST 31 



opporcunity of seeing tlie trees in a living state d cannot be regarded 

 as satisfactory, because he has no means of testing its nsefuhiess, or 

 of obtaining a correct impression of its character. Moved by these 

 considerations, and also by certain suggestions of Baron Mueller , as 

 to the form of the anthers in the species, Mr. Bentham elaborated 

 ■an ingenious system for grouping the species according to tlie s.iape 

 and openings of the anther s, that is to say, whethel" they ar.3 reniform. 

 fi-lobular , or oblong, or whether they open by divergent or parallel 

 slits, or by pores. For a cabinet arrangement, this method of 

 grouping has many advantages, and Baron Mueller has followed it 

 with a certain modification in his systematic census, (1882). The 

 chief objection to this system is tliat it separates trees closely allied, 

 placing for instance, some Iron-Bark trees in one section , and some 

 in another ; whilst it must be admitted, that it is of a character too 

 artificial for general appreciation. When I was writing on this 

 subject some years ago, I remarked, " Some species are marked by 

 the double operculum , some by winged seeds , and others by the 

 colour of the stamens ; but the shape , cells, valves, &c., of the seed- 

 vessels present important notes of distinction, and deserve the most 

 attentive study. Honce, I believe that these considerations, when 

 taken in connection with the C(n-tical group to which the respective 

 species belong, will be found most effieaciou's in settling many 

 difficulties. (Cont. to Flora of Au>. p. 2 IS, 1867)." T am happy 

 to learn that the distinguished botanist of Victoria entertains similar 

 views, and that he proposes, in connection with his EuGali/ptographia ^ 

 to elaborate a system founded on carpologic considerations . Jf it 

 be true in botany, as it is in religion, that '' by th^ir fruits ye shall 

 know them," favourable results may be anficipiited from the Baron's 

 labours. My knowledge of Eucaiypts is very limited, and I have 

 neither the ability nor the opportunity to follow o\it such a system 

 as that contemplated by my learned friend, but I feel assured, that, 

 whilst little reliance can be placed on the comparative length of the 

 operculum or the shape of the leaves, the fruit is subject to less 

 variation. In a large genus like tliat of Eucali/ptus , containing 

 about 1-10 species and scattered widely over the continent, tliere 

 may be some difficuky in obtaining the material necessary for 

 accomplishing the object in view ; but judging from the figures of 

 fruits already published in the Eucah/ptoqrnpliia , it may lie hoped 

 that a work progressing so auspiciously, will be carried on to its 

 completion. 



In conclusi-on, I may remark that this cjue^tion respecting tlie 

 systematic arrangement of Eucalvpts , is one whicli concerns the 

 Avhole of Australia, and that, though the Baron is supposed by 

 unthinking persons to be writing from a Victorian stanilpoint, he is 

 in reality, as the greatest of Australian botanists, advancing the 

 interests of .science in all the colonies. 



