Lord Howe Island . 
229 
the same locality with these, Trichomanes meifolium , var. 
Bauerianum , grew plentifully. Another fine species of 7 W- 
c ho manes, as well as Lomaria capensis and Hymenophyllum 
tunbridgense , were brought from the top of the mountain by 
one of the settlers, who stated that they all grew there in the 
greatest profusion, as well as a large and beautiful moss, 
more than a foot in height \Spiridens Muelleri\l 
In addition to the collections of Lord Howe Island plants 
already mentioned, Kew possesses two others, namely, one of 
sixty species, labelled ‘ Eclipse Expedition,’ communicated by 
Mr. C. Moore in 1872 ; and one of ninety-two species, labelled 
‘ Fullagar’s Expedition/ purchased through Sir F. von Mueller 
in 1874. The following year Mueller published a bare list 
of all the plants known to him from the island, excluding 
evidently introduced species. This list comprises 182 species 
of vascular plants. 
The Commission, headed by the Hon. J. B. Wilson, which 
visited the island in 1882, included Mr. J. Duff, of the Sydney 
Botanic Garden, who furnished a report on the vegetation, 
from which we learn that the endemic Palms and Tree-ferns 
were rapidly disappearing, and the latter were in danger 
of becoming extinct if their removal was not absolutely 
prohibited. And from some cause not ascertained, many 
of the fine Banyan trees were dead or dying. It is to be 
hoped, however, that the recommendations of the Commission 
that the Colonial Government should not grant further leases, 
and should take measures to preserve the native vegetation, 
have been adopted. Among the photographs which embellish 
Mr. Wilson’s report is one of a living Banyan, said to cover 
an area of three acres ! But sad to relate, in many of the 
other photographs dead trees stand out prominently as white 
skeletons. 
Mr. Duff’s report consists mainly of notes on the pre- 
dominant trees of the island, and such of these notes as are 
of sufficient interest I have embodied under the respective 
species in the enumeration. 
Some of the party visited the Admiralty Islets, and also 
