Victorian Exploring Expedition. Ixxiii 



it is recomnieiuled tli.at tlie Botanist attached to the caravan slionkl 

 keep a diary, in which the principal botanical features of the country 

 should be noted, and into which any plant, either runiarkoble 

 or observed for the first time, should be introduced imder the 

 same number or designation by which it is distinguished in the 

 herbarium. 



To the specimens which will be collected, and which should be 

 pressed into paper alw'ays immediately, and dried as speedily as circum- 

 stances will permit, a label should be fixed, containing a note of the 

 day of collecting, tlie liabitat of the plant, the soil of the locality, 

 the color and perhaps odour of the flower, the nature of the bark and 

 of the wood of any arboreous species, the size of the plants, and any 

 other characteristics which cannot be derived from the examination 

 of the dried specimens. 



These, Avhen dried, it will be desirable should be well secured 

 against pressure and moisture, and the thus formed collections should 

 be forwarded to the Secretary of the Exploration Committee, always 

 at the very earliest opportunity afforded for transmission . 



To such selections of botanical specimens might be added any 

 well matured seeds collected on the journey, which should either be 

 numbered corresponding to the .specimens of the herbarium, or be 

 accompanied by leaves, flowers, and seed-vessels, for the purpose of 

 recognizing the .species. 



Samples of gaims, resins, barks, and any other vegetable substances, 

 likely to be of technical, or economical, or medicinal use, should be 

 gathered and labelled in such a manner as to facilitate specific deter- 

 mination. 



No opportunity should be lost to obtain through the officer in 

 charge of depots, or through reconnoitering parties, additional spe- 

 cimens of plants and seeds. 



Particular attention is directed to the necessity of closely ex- 

 amining the Pandani and Palms which are likely to be met with 

 within the tropics ; and .since it will be difficult to procure the large 

 fruits of the former, and since the determination of the species greatly 

 depends on the habit of the plants, it would be of great advantage 

 to have, through the artist of the expedition, sketches of the out- 

 lines of tliese rare trees secured, and the flcnvers and fruits fully 

 delineated. 



It will be of vast importance to ascertain, a,s extensively as possible, 

 what relation the vegetation of the country bears to its geological 

 formation. 



Of any plants suspected to have been deleterious to cither horses 

 or dromedaries, such a quantity sliould be dried as will suffice for 

 chemical analysis, and any experiments to be instituted tliereafter. 



Of phints wliicli may prove of utility for food or otherwise, or 

 which are drawn into use by the natives, more particularly, infor- 

 mation is sought. 



