4 
Specimens were sent on loan as follows. The Gnetaceae, lent to Dr. 
Markgraf, were returned before the close of the year. The Begonia speci¬ 
mens lent to Prof. Irnscher some time ago were returned, with identifications. 
Dr. Markgraf, Berlin (Gnetaceae) ... ... 261 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ... ... ... 83 
Prof. W. G. Craib (Siamese plants) ... ... 5 
Mr. I. H. Bitrkill ... ... ... ... 4 
Specimens were received from the following: — 
Botanic Gardens, Buitenzorg 
University of California 
Bureau of Science, Manila 
Smithsonian Institution 
University of Amoy 
Dr. C. Christensen 
Government Botanist, Brisbane 
Arnold Arboretum 
From the time of his arrival Mr. Corner took charge of the cryptogamic 
herbarium and devoted himself actively to the collection and study of local 
fungi, especially Basidiomycetes. preparing full notes on about 300 species*. 
He also paid some attention to marine algae, specimens of which were 
despatched to Professor W. A. Setchell of the University of California, whose 
assistance in identification of these plants is gratefully acknowledged. Mr. H. 
N. Dixon and Dr. Christensen are again thanked for determinations of 
mosses and ferns respectively; also Mr. Fr. Verdoorn and Mr. W. E. 
Nicholson for undertaking the determination of liverworts. The Director 
continued to devote some time to the study of ferns, identifying so far as 
possible current collections and preparing for publication a paper on the 
Peninsula species of the genus f/mdsaya. In this connection thanks are due 
for the loan of a number of specimens for comparison from the Buitenzorg 
herbarium. 
The Director also continued his experimental cultivation of orchid 
seedlings, and by the close of the year had about a dozen hybrids in various 
stages of development. The aim of these experiments is to produce new free 
flowering orchids suitable for local cultivation; the remarkable commercial 
development of Vanda Miss Joaquim during the past few years shows what a 
♦ demand there is for plants of this kind. 
The Director also continued regular observations of leaf changes and* 
flowering of trees as in 1928, and it is clear that some very interesting results 
are being obtained. A number of deciduous trees which are annual in their 
behaviour in regular seasonal climates here have distinctly shorter periods. 
For example, a tree of Poinciana regia has completed two periods of about 
9 months each, whereas in seasonal climates this species changes its leaves 
once a year. Further it appears that most trees have a fairly regular leaf 
period which is not clearly connected with any climatic change. Trees of 
various species have periods of from six to sixteen months. Some show 
curious irregularities. A considerable further period of observation is needed 
before any definite conclusions can be reached. 
PUBLICATIONS 
The following issues of the Gardens Bulletin were published during the 
year:— 
Volume 4, Nos. n and 12, in January, containing a variety of articles by 
Dr. C. Christensen, Messrs. Holttum, Henderson, Furtado and Burkill, 
chiefly of a systematic nature. 
