5 
subject, particularly of tbe schoolmasters in the country. Thus the 
object of tbe society would not be confined to tbe assistance of tbe 
schoolmasters in introducing tbe study of botany into their schools ; 
it would aim also at encouraging tbe study of tbe Queensland Mora. 
Schoolmasters are better fitted, and have more leisure, than ordinary 
business men and artisans, to go into forests and scrubs with tbe view 
of collecting plants, and I am sure a good many of them would 
welcome tbe assistance offered to them towards providing for them- 
selves and their pupils a pleasant and useful recreation. 
In conclusion, I cannot help expressing my great pleasure at 
seeing tbe first publication of an important part of tbe Queensland 
Flora — tbe Ferns — in tbe bands of tbe public ; and I hope tbe author, 
Mr. F. M. Bailey, may be induced to publish other parts of tbe 
Queensland Flora, particularly a Flora of this locality, as, by doing so, 
be will help us to find much more suitable material for tbe tuition of 
elementary botany than ferns. The several articles on the Queensland 
Flora which have appeared in the Queenslander during the last few 
months give us a welcome proof that tbe interest in tbe native plants 
is increasing ; and I hope that tbe author of those papers, at present 
unknown to me, may be regarded as a future assistant in tbe great 
work which is before us. I have also great pleasure in expressing my 
sincerest thanks to Mr. Hill for kindly supplying me with plants for 
my lessons in tbe Grammar School ; and, finally, to those gentlemen 
who assisted me some time ago in the attempt to raise some money for 
the object of promoting the study of botany in the Queensland 
schools. In conclusion 1 may state that I shall be happy, at all times, 
to receive communications, and suggestions, from those interested in 
the subject. 
Jambs C. Beal, Government Printer, William street, Brisbane. 
