i11 
pleasant smelling wood were found amongst some fuel purchased from 
the inhabitants of the island for the use of one of the ships of the Chilian 
navy. This was microscopically examined, and identified as sandalwood. 
In 1888, Mr. F. Philippi succeeded in procuring a small bundle of twigs 
bearing leaves, and one of them a few young flower-buds. From this 
material he has made a drawing and description, and published the 
species under the name of Santalum fernandezianum. He finds it most 
nearly related to Santalum freycinetianum, à species inhabiting = 
Sandwich, Marquesas, and Society Islands; but the differences he adduce 
do not amount to much when collated with a numerous series o wed. 
mens from those islands. However, he hopes to obtain perfect flowers 
and fruit soon, when he will prepare a more complete account of it. 
The tree cannot be so rare as might be supposed, for he has lately 
received more fresh, though barren, branches. e confirmation of the 
existence of a species of Santalum in the island of J uan Fernandez is a 
fact of the greatest interest in bctanieal geography, inasmuch as the 
nearest locality of any member of the genus is in the far away Marquesas, 
some 3,500 miles to the north-west. With reference to Gay’ s statemerit 
that all the sandalwood trees of Juan Fernandez perished in one year, 
Mr. Philippi says that he has not the: slightest idea where Gay obtained 
his information. 
Turkey-oak in South Africa.— The introduction of the Turkey Oak, 
Quercus Cerris, into South Africa by means of annual supplies of 
acorns from the Royal Gardens, Kew, is now an accomplished fact. 
In 1886 Mr. D. E. Hutchins, Conservat tor of Forests in the Eastern 
erras bes that * Up to the present day, while the seeds of a great 
ariet valuable exotic timbers have n sown in the forest 
^ Mein, we are still without Q. Cerris.” This tree Mr. Hutchins 
recommended on account of its -- ** better adapted. to the climate of 
* the Cape than the common oak, Q. pedunculata.” Arrangements 
were consequently made for the pomme. collection and despatch of the 
acorns of this oak, ripened at Kew, to the Cape Colony, and altogether 
about 30 bushels have been forwarded. They were packed partly in 
casks in water and partly in jiu in moist cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 
the latter method proving most successful. All acorns soon lose their 
vitality if allowed to get dry, but if paeked in moist soil or sawdust, or 
cocoa-nut fibre refuse, they may sent long distances with safety. 
The last consignment of acorns to the Cape ‘consisted of 10 bushels ; 
they were packed in three boxes, and despatched on October 17th last. 
According to a report just teehee one of the bias became heated on 
the way and many of the acorns ibaléquently perished, but sey acorns 
in the other two boxes were sound and just beginning to s 
The timber of the Turkey oak is held in this aie Á in little esteem. 
The object in view in growing the tree in ‘the forest reserves of South 
Africa is explained in the accompanying reins Sc and 
© 
AGENT-GENERAL FOR THE Carr oF Goop Hore to Royat GARDENS, 
Kew. 
Acorns oF Turkey Oak, 
7, Albert Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. 
0, 1887. 
Sir, October 3 
del onem for your "ymo copy of a letter, dated 
18th Weed 1887, No. A., from Mr. D. E. Huteh iins, Conservator of 
Forests, Eastern Division, i in ” the Daniy, I have the honour to request 
