A MONOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE 

 GENUS PRITCHARDIA. 



By Odoardo Beccari and Joseph F. Rock. 



INTRODUCTION. 



By Joseph F. Rock. 



THE present study of the genus Pritchardia is mainly the work of Dr. O. 

 Beccari of Florence, Italy, and forms part of a monograph on the tribe 

 Coripheac to which the genus Pritchardia belongs. The manuscript was 

 prepared in Latin for publication in the Annals of the Calcutta Botanical Garden, but 

 Dr. Beccari has consented to have that part of his monograph dealing with the genus 

 Pritchardia published in English in Honolulu. Of the thirty-three species described 

 in this paper twenty-one including five varieties were discovered by me, and several 

 old species were rediscovered and their status cleared. J\Iy recent explorations on 

 the islands of Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii resulted in the discovery of several new 

 species and one new variety. Specimens of these and of other new species were 

 forwarded to Dr. Beccari, but I am responsible for the description of the following: 

 Pr. kaalae, Pr. Forbesiana, Pr. Hardyi, Pr. Miiiiroi, Pr. inontis-kca, Pr. viscosa, 

 Pr. Lowreyana var. turbinata, Pr. Martiodes, and Pr. Kahanae. Plates illus- 

 trating this monograph are from photographs taken by me; the drawing of the 

 flowers was made by Dr. Beccari. It is hoped that the present paper will be a 

 stimulus to further exploration by future botanical workers, for it is probable that 

 the Hawaiian Islands harbor a number of other new species of Pritchardia. 

 Special attention should be given to the western part of Oahu, the windward side 

 of Molokai, especially the valleys of Waikolu, Pelekunu, and Wailau, and to the 

 windward slope of Haleakala on INIaui. On the island of Hawaii, Waipio, Wai- 

 manu, and other valleys of Kohala have not been searched for palms, and the island 

 of Kauai may reward the assiduous explorer with additional new species. I desire 

 to express my sincere thanks to :\Ir. \\'. R. Castle, ]\Ir. C. M. Cooke, Jr., Airs. J. 

 R. Gait, Air. F. J. Lowrey, the Outdoor Circle, Miss Annie S. Parke, Airs. F. M. 

 Swanzy, Mr. E. D. Tenney, Mr. John Waterhouse, and the Trustees of the Bishop 

 Museum for generous contributions to the expenses for field study and publication. 

 Thanks are also due to Dr. Beccari for his kindness in permitting publication of his 

 manuscript prior to its appearance in the Annals of the Calcutta Botanical Gorden.' 



> The scientific world has sufifered a severe loss in the death of Dr. Beccari which occurred at Florence, 



Italy, Oct. 2S, 1920. 



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