584 REPORT — 1882. 



less have given to the world one of the most satisfactory accounts of that large and 

 difficult order which has ever appeared. But now, unfortunately, all idea of 

 speedily seeing a monograph of the species of Gramineaj must be given up, although, 

 as far as the genera go, we shall soon have Munro's labours presented to us by Mr. 

 Bentham, together with his own, in the forthcoming part of the ' Genera Plantarum/ 



Mr. Baker still continues his researches on the Liliacere and Iridacese, publishing- 

 from time to time monographs of the species of various genera belonging to those 

 orders. Both of these orders present many difficulties in the way of those who 

 attempt to arrange and describe the species, partly on account of the general suc- 

 culency of the plants, and partly because many of tlie more important characters 

 are to be found only in those portions of the plant which frequently grow under 

 ground ; such as the coru of crocus, or the rhizome of iris, and which are often 

 absent from herbarium specimens. And, again, owing to the beauty of their 

 flowers, thej^ have always been great favourites with liorticulturists, who have split 

 up the species and multiplied the names to an inordinate extent. 



The largest order among the monocotyledons (the grasses not excepted, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Bentham) is orchidacere, the species of which are still being carefully 

 described and figured chiefly by Professor Reichenbach ; but in so many difl'erent 

 places that, to a great extent, his most valuable labours are not rendered as 

 available as they ought to be. A single work combining all Professor Reichenbach's 

 own researches with those of others, and forming a sort of second ' Gener^ et 

 Species Orchidearum,' would leave nothing further for the botanist to desire. 



One other monograph which I must mention is that of' ( 'yrtandreae,' by Mr. C. 

 B. Clarke. Tliis, wliich is nearly ready for the press, will include a description of 

 the characters and geographical distribution of all tlie species of that most difficult 

 and hitherto l^ut little known order. 



5. Floras of separcite countries or districts. 



It is under this head that we have had the greatest amount of activity shown. 



The conditions, which at present obtain, are particularly favourable for the 

 compilation of floras, when compared with what they were twenty or thirty years 

 ago. In those days working botanists were few : now there are manj' enthusiastic 

 and excellent ones resident in all parts of the world, and who are not only able 

 but willing and eager to assist in any undertaking which may tend to perfect our 

 knowledge of the plants of their particular country. Consequently, not onlj- is 

 the material which is sent home much greater than it used to be, but it is accom- 

 panied by valuable information, such as could be given only by experts living in 

 the districts where the plants grew. 



I proceed now to enumerate the more important floras which have either made 

 their appearance or have been completed Avithin the last eight years. 



1. First and foremost I have to make mention of those floras, which are being 

 published under the authority of our colonial Governments ; and among these there 

 stands out most prominently of all ' The Flora Australiensis ' by Mr. Bentham, 

 assisted by Baron Ferdinand "\'on Mueller of Melbourne. This work, tlie first 

 volume of which was issued in the year 1863, was completed with the publication 

 of the seventh and last volume in 1878. These seven volumes describe all the species 

 of Phanerogams and Vascular Cryptogams, which are known to grow in Australia 

 and Tasmania. The description of the species is sufficiently detailed without bemg 

 cumbersomely long, and the affinities of any, when doubtful, are always com- 

 mented upon ; and useful suggestions made for their more accurate determination,, 

 by those who may hereafter have better opportunity for their study. 



The information respecting the distribution of each species is also very full. 

 For the sake of convenience the country has been divided into areas, corresponding 

 to the territories of the different colonies, viz. Queensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and West Australia ; and as a species is 

 known to grow in one or more of these areas so it is indicated ; and not only this, 

 but mentiou is also made of the particular place or places in the colony in which it 

 has been found. So that while we have a flora which describes all the plants of 



