84
Lat. 30° N. and 30° S. along the marked track (between Vancouver
Island and Valparaiso), so as to connect tlie vegetation
of the ximerican continent with tlie traces of it that exist in tiie
Sandwich Islands.
Straits of Magellan.—Cryptogams are abundant, but very
partially explored.
The folloAving additional notes have been drawn np for
the more especial guidance of the botanists of the Circumnavigation
:—
Phanerogams. — 1. Fleshy parasitic plants {Balanophora,
Bajflesia, &c.) are little suitable for dissection and examination
unless preserved in spirit: and the same remark applies to
fleshy flowers and inflorescences generally. Dried specimens,
however, are not without their value, and should always be
obtained as well.
2. The stems of scandent and climbing plants are often very
anomalous in their structure. Short portions of such stems
should be collected when the cross-section is in any way
remarkable, with the foliage, flowers, and fruit when possible.
A few leaves and flowers should also be tied up between two
pieces of card, and attached at once to the specimens of the
stem, so as to ensure future identification.
3. Attention should be given to the esculent and medicinal
substances used in various places. Specimens should he
obtained, and whenever possible they should be accompanied
by complete specimens of the plants from which such substances
are obtained.
4. The common weeds and ruderal plants growing about ports
or landiug-places should not be overlooked, and, as far as practicable,
trustworthy information should be recorded as to the
date and circumstances of the introduction of foreign species.
5. The distribution of marine Phanerogamic plants (Zostera,
Cymodocea, &c.) should also be noted, and specimens preserved
with their latitude and longitude. Their buds and parts of
fructification should be put into spirit.
fi. The flowers of Loranthaceæ and Santalacece should be
preserved in spirit, and also dried to exhibit general habit.
7. The inflorescence of Aroids should be dissected when
fresh, or put into spirit. Note the placentation and position
of the ovules.
8. Devote especial attention to the study of Screw-Pines and
Palms wlien opportunity arises, even if necessary to the neglect
of other things. The general habit of the plants should he
sketched; the male and female inflorescence should be preserved,
and also the fruit ; the foliage should be dried and
folded, and packed in boxes. Many fleshy vegetable objects
may be “ killed ” by a longer or shorter immersion in spirit.
They then dry np without decaying, and form useful specimens.
9. With respect to Palms, furthçr note the lieight, position of
tlie spadix, and pi’eponderance of tiie sexes in hotii monoecious
and dioecious species, also form and dimensions of leaves.
10. Surface-driftings should be examined, and any seeds or
fragments of land-plants carefully noted when determinable,
with direction of currents and latitude and longitude.
11. Facts are also required as to the part played by icebergs
in plant-distribution. If any opportunity occurs for their
examination, it would be desirable to preserve and note any
vegetable material wliich might be found upon tbeir surface ;
also to examine any rock-fragments for lichens.
12. Ferns.—Ferns sliould always, when possible, be obtained
with fructification. In the case of tree-ferns, onr knowledge of
which, from the imperfection of material for description, is very
defective, a portion of the stem sufficient to illustrate its structure
should be obtained, with notes of its height ; a fragment of
a frond (between pieces of card) and the base of a stipes should
be tied to the specimen of the stem ; also a note as to whether
the adventitious roots were living or dead.
Tlie number of fronds should be counted, their dimensions
taken, and the basal scales carefully preserved.
Note if tree-ferns are ever attacked by insects or fungi, and
whether they form the food of any class of animals.
13. Mosses, cf'c.—Many mosses are aquatic. In the case of
dioecioiis species of mosses, plants of both sexes sliould he,
when possiiile, secured.
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