THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 167 



SUCCINCT NOTES ON SOME PLANTS FROM NEW 



GUINEA. 



By Baron Ferd. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., 

 F.G.S. Etc. 



Before resuming the issue of the pubh'cation on " Papuan Plants," 

 the writer wishes to offer a few preliminary remarks on various 

 botanic sendings, obtained within the last months from that great 

 Island. Among the plants, thus received, are leafy branchlets and 

 acorns of an Oak, gathered in Gemenoma-valley of Astrolabe-Range 

 (at about 2000 feet elevation) by Mr. E. G. Edelfelt, an emissary 

 of Thomas Gulliver, Esq., F. L.S., of Townsville, who made large 

 monetary sacrifices, to obtain thus some new scientific material from 

 New Guinea. The tree, from which the specimens were taken, was 

 about »0 feet high, with a trunk branchless up to 40 feet and with 

 greyish bark; the leaves resemble much those of Quercus pallida, 

 but the scales of the involucre are less prominent and less pointed, 

 and the nuts are not so broad and exceed the involucre considerably 

 in length ; the leaves are also very similar to those of Quercus 

 Korthalsii; and from A. de Caiidolle's description (prodr. xvi. part 

 Ji, 89) the acorns of that Oak seem also very much like those of the 

 Papuan tree, the seed (to judye from decayed remnants) being like- 

 wise much lobed. I regard tliis Oak referable to Quercus Dalbertisii, 

 indicated in the " Victorian" Naturalist," Dec. 1884, and alluded to 

 in the " Papuan Plants" p. 88 (1877.) The proportionate length 

 of the involucre and nut is evidently subject to considerable varia- 

 tion. Flowers were not available or not secured. Acorns of Q. 

 Dalbertisii were brouglit by Mr. Armit also from the vicinity of the 

 Aroa-River of the Kabadi-Distiiot. 



From the Astrolabe-MouT\ tains were likewise brought by Mr. 

 Edelfelt the acorns of another Oak, differing from those of Q. 

 Dalbertisii in larger size, proportionately greater depression and 

 much thicker almost bony pericarp, approaching thus in form the 

 fruit of Q. jmllida, which however has a more prickly involucre, 

 a larger nut and thin pericarp. The acorns of this second Oak of 

 Astrolabe-Range exhibit much resemblance to those of Q cornea ; 

 but the involucral scales are less distinct and towards the base of 

 the cup by confluence much obliterated. The species seems well 

 marked, and I have named it Quercus Gulliveri in acknowledgment 



