112 
ecomes more and more like a true leaf, something of the nature of an 
arrested midrib being perceptible in the pseudophylls which are found 
near the top of the culm, though it is not until the last. branching node 
has been passed that the true leaf- deitas sheaths occur. The principle 
remains inviolate (throughout the hardy species at any rate), and the 
distinction between the two classes of sheaths is absolutely maintained," 
—4A. B.F. 
*I would remark in conclusion that Mr. Mitford's Uaec 
extending to the nervation of the leaves of Bamboos , lead him to the 
conclusion that of those cultivated by him in the open air in the middle 
of England, the truly hardy only have tessellated leaves; the tender 
such as Arundinaria Falconeri and XC mE having very inconspicuous 
transverse nervules, or none."—-J. D 
Insular Floras.—Amongst recent additions to the library bearing 
upon this subject the Toyang are worthy of note. The Flore de l'Ile 
Dr. E. Jacob de Corde 
rogams deus io ,156, of which 372 are monocotyledons. The 
with most representatives is Orchidew, with 172 species, including 
many eurious novelties described by Mons. Ch. Frappier, specimens of 
some of which have been presented to the Herbarium by Dr. Cordemoy. 
Next to the Orchides in point of numbers come the Graminez with 94 
species. 
L'Archipel de la peaa Calédonie, by Dr. Aug. Bernard, 
contains a complete account of the islands of this group, including two 
chapters devoted to a ceri account of the vegetation, which is said to 
comprise 2,026 phanerogams and 965 cryptogams and to be the richest 
flora amongst those of the Pacific Archipelagos. 
“ s ven Fernandez, by Dr. F. Johow, contains in addition to 
an enum l n account of the geographical and 
guoligital: eroe of the arcbipelago. 
New Guinea Plants.—Sir W. MacGregor, K.C.M.G., has presented a 
collection of plants made on Mount Scratehley, by Mr. A. Guilianetti, 
at "rm re. from 4,000 to 13 000 feet. At the higher pre 
oki troublesome to agriculturalists in Assam (see Kew Bulletin, 
1896, p. 63). A second collection, presented Sy Messrs. Veitch, was 
by Mr. Burke between the coast and a height of 4,000 ft. on the 
Owen Stanley range in the south- ait peninsula. The plants in this 
collection are of a tropical type and include a curious new species of 
nia. 
