des Botanistes at Leiden 
77 
April last. The most important discussions took place on the two 
following days, and were chiefly concerned with a number of topics, 
the most important of which will now be dealt with. 
Publication of Diagnoses of New Species. 
At the meeting of the Association on the morning of the 15th 
of April, a scheme for the publication of diagnoses of all new species 
was discussed and approved. These diagnoses are to be published 
quite independently of the “ Centralbratt,” will be in Latin and 
printed on one side of the paper only. 
Though the finances of the Association are at present in a 
fairly flourishing condition, it would not be possible to inaugurate 
this undertaking unless a sufficient number of subscribers be 
forthcoming. It is scarcely necessary to comment on the advantage 
of such a publication to every systematise the less so, as it is 
intended to publish the diagnoses of species belonging to the 
different groups of the vegetative kingdom separately—since 
diagnoses of species of Musci, for example, are of little interest to a 
Phanerogamic systematist. 
The Central Bureau. 
The objects of the Central Bureau are extremely various. 
In the first place it is intended to serve as a centre for the 
supply and exchange of botanical material of every description. 
Thus for instance various members of the Association have already 
promised to provide material to which they have special access, and 
all such material will be supplied to any member desiring it at 
a minimum cost. 
A second object is to form a collection of separate copies of 
botanical papers, which will be lent to members who may wish to 
consult them. The nucleus of such a library is already in process 
of formation by the Secretary. 
Another aim is to furnish detailed information to botanists 
deciding to travel in various parts of the World, concerning such 
points as routes, climate, cost of living, and possibilities of 
botanical research. 
In order to ascertain the possibilities of furthering these 
various objects, circulars were sent round some little time ago to 
all the members of the Association containing questions on such 
points as those mentioned, and much valuable information has 
already been obtained in this way. There can be no doubt that 
with a certain amount of co-operation an organisation of this kind 
could be easily established. 
