THE NEW ZEALAND FLORA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2124, 5 July 1907, Page 1

THE NEW ZEALAND FLORA.

Some months ago, says the Auckland llorald, we received in our columns Mr. Chceseman’s “Manual of the New Zealand Flora,” a work prepared under the auspices of the Education Department, and which includes a descriptive account of all the known species of New Zealand flowering plants and ferns. It is now pleasing to hear that Mr. Choeseman’s hook, which is the outcome of many years’ arduous and patient labor, has had a most gratifying reception from botanists in all parts of the world. Among those who have communicated with the author, expressing their approbation of the work, the following names may he mentioned:—Sir J. D. Hooker, the veteran author of the “Handbook of New Zealand Flora,” than whom no one is better qualified to judge as to the mertis of such a publication, and who writes in most appreciative terms ; Professor Thistleton Dyer, the late director of Kew Gardens; Colonel Prain, the present director; Mr. Hemsley,' the assistantdirector; Professor Vines, of Oxford;

Air. Britten, the keeper of the Botanuical Department at the British Museum, together with several other British batanistS. Outside England

the following may be particularised: • —Professor Engler and Dr. Diels, of Berlin ; Professor Goebel, of Munich ; Professor Hackel, of Graz, Austria: Dr. Ivukenthal, of Coburg; Dr. Treub, of Buitenzorg; Dr. Coulter, of Chicago ; Professor Sotchell, of San Francisco ; and Dr. Maiden, of Sydney. All the leading botanical journals have published commendatory reviews as Nature, the Journal of Botan the Bulletin of tho Imperial Institute, the Gardeners’ Chronicle, the Botanical Gazette, Flora, Bugler’s Botanical Year-book, etc. The last-mentioned publication, which is the organ of Processor Engler and other German botanists, now taking the lead in systematic botany, publishes a long and remarkably favourable critique, concluding with the statement that Mr. Cheeseman’s “Manuel” is beyond doubt one of the most important contributions to floristic botany that has appeared during the last 10 years.” The favorable tone of both reviews and expressions of opinion is a matter of satisfaction to the Government, which undertook the publication of the work; and we are glad to hear that the Education Department has communicated with Air. Cheesoman, stating that the encomiums which the “Flora” has received is a source of much gratification to the Department, which warmly congratulates him on its success.