FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 675, 2 October 1852, Page 3

FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND.

We give a place in our columns to the following Prospectus of a Work, which, from the eminent scientific character of Dr. Hooker, and the materials placed at his disposal, is likely to prove a valuable contribution to Botanical knowledge in general, and will no doubt tend not a little to turn increased attention towards this country. We believe the First Part has by this timebeen published in England: — To be completed in five parts, each containing twenty plates and eighty pages of letter- press, price 31s. 6d. coloured, 21s. plain. Dr. Hooker's "Flora op New Zealand." Under the authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having been pleased lo direct that the Botany of the Antarctic Voyage should be continued and completed with Floras of New Zealand and Van Diemen's Land, instructions have been given to Dr. Hooker to prepare these works uniformly with the Antarctic Flora concluded in 1847. The ' Flora of New Zealand" will contain descriptions in English and Latin, with copious observations, Botanical, Geographical and Economical, (in English,) of the genera and species of Flowering Plants and Ferns which are known to inhabit the New Zealand Islands. A synopsis of the Mosses, Jungermanniae, Seaweeds, Fungi, and Lichens will be "idded, and the work ilhibtiated with one hundred quarto lithographic plates. Materials for this important work have been gradually accumulating since the voyages of Capt. Cook, in the form of specimens and drawings, some of which have long been available to science in our Museums, although many of them have hitherto remained unpublished. Of these the most valuable are contained in the British Museum and the Herbarium of Sir W. J. Hooker, and consist of, — 1. The collections of Banks and Solander in Cook's first voyage (in 1769 and 1770), and of the Foresters in Cook's second voyage (1773 and and 1777), which, together with a magnificent series of drawings, are deposited in the British Museum. 2. The plants of Mr. Menzies procured in Dusky Bay when on Captain Vancouver's voyage (1791), of which the greater part are presened in the Ilookerian Herbarium. 3. The collections oi the brothers Allan and Richard Cunningham, who vibited the northern parts of the Northern L,Uud only: Allan Cunningham in 1826, and Hi chard in 1833. From these the 'Prodromus Flora?- Novae Zelandise' of Allan Cunningham was mainly compiled. They are preserved in the Herbarium of Mr. Ileward, who has liberally placed them in Dr. Hooker's hands for examination. 4. Contributions from various occasional visitors to the Northern Island between tbeycaib 1825 and

1845, especially from Mr. Frazer, Dr. Logan, Mr. Edgeiley, and Mr. Stephenson. 5. Those of the Antarctic Expedition in the Bay of Islands, in 1842. 6. Very extensive collections formed on various parts of the coast, and interior of the Northern Island by the Rev. W. Colenso, and Messrs. Bidwell and Dieilenbach ; by the former especially, who has assiduously devoted Limself to Bot<rny during many years of Missionary labours. These explorers alone have reached the mountains and liike^ in the interior of the Northern Tsland, am] thereby greatly enriched our Flora. Mr. Bidwell has also formed collections of the greatest rarity and value in the northern parts of the Middle Inland. 7. An extensive collection formed partly at, the Bay of Ibhnds, but especially at Banks' Peninsula on the Middle Ibland, by M. Raoul, during the voyage of the French frigate ISAiibe, and which are catalogued in M. llaoul's 'Choix do Plautes de la Nouvelle Zelande,' with descriptions and figures of some new species. This Herbarium is preserved in the Paris Museum, from which a complete collection was transmitted to Sir W. Hooker's Herbarium. 8. Very large and valuable collections formed at the Bay of Islands and at Auckland, bj Dr. Sinclair, Colonial Secretary. 9. Lastly, a beautiful and very extensive Herbarium made by Dr. Lyall, Surgeon and Naturalist of Her Majesty's Steam Vessel Acheron, during her survey of the coasts, especially of the Middle and Southern Islands, in 1847 — 51. This collection contains many important additions from Dusky Bay, which had not been visited since Vancouver's voyage; and from other ports previously unexplored. The collection of nearly 250 kinds of Seaweeds procured by Dr. Lyall is of the greatest beauty and value. These materials give a Flora of fully seven hundred flowering-plants and ferns, including the magnificent timber-trees, pines, &c , of the Islands; and there is a greater number of Cryptogamic Plants, whose determination has been undertaken by the following gentlemen : — Mosses, by W. Wilson, Esq. Jmxgennannioe, by W. Mitten, Esq. Seaweeds, by Dr. Harvey. Fungi, by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A. Lidicns, by the Rev. Churchill Babington, M.A.

Auckland Odd Fellows Land and Building Association. — The first Annual General Meeting of this Association was held yesterday evening in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of appointing officers for the ensuing year, and transacting other necessary business. Mr. Joshua Robinson, the President for the past year, occupied the chair. A review of the affairs of the Association during the first year of its existence, although there was no formal report presented, was satisfactory to the members present, who felt encouraged by the progress made, so far, to attain the objects for which it was established. At the commencement of its operations only those who belonged to the Order of Odd Fellowbwereadmitted to theAssociation,butinthe course of the year a resolution was passed to extend its benefits and enable any other members ofthe community who might wish to participate in its advantages to become shareholders. Several of this class have since that time taken) shares; and seven lots have been taken up since the first draw took place. Tin's Association, as well as the public Society established under the Local Ordinance, will no drubt confer lasting advantages on our community, and be the means of the permanent establishment of many a family in this district. The following are the officers nppointtd for the year commencing the Ist of October : — President : Mr. Joshua Robinson ; Vice-presidents : Messrs. Porter and Beeson ; Secretary : Mr. Jas. Derroni; Treasurer: Mr. S. I*3. Hughes ; Trustees : Messrs. Stitchbury, M'Leod, and Phillips ; Committee : Messrs. C. Robinson, Ilalyday, Carr, Phillips, Williamson, Bacon, and Chas. Robertson ; Auditors : Messrs. Lawson, Hodge, and Stitchbury 5 Arbitrator : Mr. P. Dignan. '