12 
FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
to joining the Herald, he explored several parts of 
Panama and Veraguas, and while on board the 
Herald visited various parts of the western coast of 
America, between Lima on the south and California 
•on the north, occasionally making long journeys 
inland, particularly in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. 
He likewise accompanied the Herald in her three 
voyages to the Arctic regions in search of the 
ill-fated Sir John Franklin; visited twice the Sand- 
wich Islands ; and returned home by way of Hong- 
Ivong, Singapore, and the Cape of Good Hope. Not- 
withstanding the few facilities afforded by surveying 
expeditions for collecting living plants, Dr. Seemann 
succeeded in introducing some interesting ones to 
our gardens; and among Ferns we may mention two 
very remarkable ones, Dcparia prolifera from the 
Sandwich Islands, and Didijoxiphium Panamense from 
Panama. 
On the Herald being recommissioned in 1852, Mr. 
"William Milne was appointed assistant-botanist, for 
the special purpose of collecting plants for the Poyal 
Gardens. During the six years he was attached to 
the Herald he visited New Caledonia, the Fiji, and 
other Polynesian islands, as well as many other places 
in the southern hemisphere. 
The Admiralty having, early in 1857, determined 
upon sending out a second exploring expedition up 
the Niger, under the command of Dr. Baikie, R.N., 
Mr. Charles Barter, a zealous and intelligent young 
gardener, was appointed to accompany him in the 
capacity of botanist, and to collect plants for Kew. 
The officers of the expedition proceeded by way 
■of Sierra Leone., and joined the Dayspring , a small 
