10 



Arachis hypogaea Seeds 



„ ,, American variety 



„ „ with Legumes in situ. 



Indigo. Manufactured in Natal from Indigo- 

 fera arrecta, by Dr. Addison 



During the past year a number of specimens have been .sent 

 for identification by numerous applicants, but as a rule the 

 specimens sent are not complete, and very little care is taken in 

 drying and preparing them. Surely if a person wishes for 

 information about our indigenous plants he should not object to 

 carefully press and dry the specimens, and so save us much 

 unnecessary trouble and vexation. Printed directions for 

 drying specimens will be sent ou application. 



During the month of June Mr. J. Burtt-Davy, the Govern- 

 ment Botanist and Agrostologist of the Transvaal, has been 

 working in the Herbarium, and all the assistance in my power 

 was afforded to him. 



As stated in my last Annual Report, a large Show-case was 

 obtained for the centre of the Museum room, and is now fairly 

 well filled with specimens, but I regret that so few of them are 

 the produce of Natal, but hope to have contributions from time 

 to time of specimens illustrative of the botany and vegetable 

 resources of the Colony. A few have already been received, 

 and are very acceptable. Amongst those contributing are Mr. 

 Carl Hall of Durban, Mr. A Galloway of Malvern, Mr. T. R. 

 Sim of Maritzburg, and Mr. J. Hawkins of Somkeli. Parcels 

 of specimens, if under the limit of size and weight, will pass 

 free through the post in the Colony, or by rail through South 

 Africa. Printed direction labels will be supplied on application. 



At the close of 1903 Miss Lauth left on the eve of her marriage, 

 and her place is now efficiently filled by Miss M. Franks, late 

 junior assistant. In March I obtained the services of Miss 

 Dean, who is now engaged with assistance from Miss Pranks, 

 in making the drawings for Vol. IV. of " Natal Plants," while 

 Miss Franks is making those of the grasses for Vol. V. of the 

 same work. 



J. MEDLEY WOOD, 



Director. 



