The latest expeditions of Sir William Macgregor1 have again afforded material for augmenting our knowledge of the native vegetation of British New Guinea, not only in reference to further systematic records of the flora, but also as regards prospects for new utilitarian resources. We learn from the collections gathered that several Sapotaceous trees exist in British New Guinea, and therefore the question arises whether special searches for new kinds of Gutta-percha trees could be instituted, all of them belonging to the Sapotaceae. This might, perhaps, best be accomplished if the services of some one of the many experts were secured who are engaged in tapping and preparing the sap of the various Gutta- percha trees in the Malay Peninsula, or the Sunda Islands, to institute the needful methodic observations in the Papuan forests, guided by special previous experiences. As another instance of trying to turn soon to practical account the scientific information gained, might be mentioned the rubber industry. It seems quite within reach of possibility to find also among the numerous species of Papuan Fig trees one or more to provide rubber, but it may need an accustomed Caoutchouc gatherer from Assam or some other Indian locality to enter on the search and tests in New Guinea, the sap of the particular Fig trees needing carefully correct treatment for converting it into the mercantile and industrial product. The number of kinds of grasses indigenous in New Guinea proves also much greater than anticipated, some of them, such as the Panicums, evidently of tender foliage and great nutritive value. As gradually so many Urticaceous trees and shrubs have come under notice from the Possession, new sources for fibre may also become opened up for large actual industries and commerce. Of the genus Vitis, now thirteen species are known from British New Guinea, with the possible prospects of some showing cultural capabilities as Grape vines. A Spondias there is closely akin to the famous S. cytherea. The great variety of timber trees, now already demonstrated to exist, must sooner or later call forth special efforts of timber merchants to closely investigate the wood resources there beyond what is already shipped to our harbours, such as the Red Cedar. The Ebenaceae are represented, as we now learn, by several kinds in British New Guinea, and thus, perhaps, superior ebony wood could be added to the exports. Some new resin plants may also become accessible, as from specimens with young fruit secured by Sir William Macgregor, a third species of Papuan Araucaria seems to exist, but in the highlands only, although Kauri Pines have not yet been found. Of special phyto-geographic interest is the fact, that to the many alpine plants recorded in a former report, now also a species of the New Zealandian and East Australian genus Quintinia (Q Macgregorii), as well as Coprosma repens, Geranium pilosum, and an Hydrocotyle, with almost Azorella habit, may be added, the two former showing further the extensive alliance of the Papuan highlands flora to that of our most elevated far southern regions. To these Australian types should further be added a new very tall Grevillea from lower mountains. The rare Rhododendron Macgregoriae has, with the new Aristotelia gaulteriacea2 and Ternstroemia Britteniana, been described some months ago in Britten's London Journal of Botany3 as got at the summit of Mount Yule, where the vegetation, particularly as regards the numerous Ericeae, simulates that of the 0wen Stanley ranges in their higher though not in their highest parts, a new Begonia from the cool heights being among the novelties from there, so an additional Quercus from the middle region.
As might have been expected. Sir William Macgregor's collections are likewise particularly rich in Gesneriaceae, Acanthaceae, Scitamineae Orchideae, and Ferns (one Monogramme new) mostly of Sundaic aflinities; but it is beyond the scope of this brief document to enter into detail on remarks concerning any of these showy plants, although they comprise many hitherto unknown treasures for future horticulture in any part of the world.
Ferd. von Mueller.
Araucaria
Aristotelia gaulteriacea
Azorella
Begonia
Coprosma repens
Ebenaceae
Ericeae
Geranium pilosum
Gesneriaceae
Grevillea
Hydrocotyle
Monogramme
Orchideae
Panicum
Quercus
Quintinia Macgregorii
Rhododendron Macgregoriae
Sapotaceae
Scitamineae
Spondias cytherea
Ternstroemia Britteniana
Vitis
i.e., MacGregor.
Typesetter's error for gaultheria?
James Britten was editor; B91.06.02.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'New Guinea', Gardeners' chronicle, 27 February 1892, p. 269 (B92.02.01). It is introduced by 'In connection with the remarkable Cypripedium figured in our last issue — an earnest of what may be expected in future from that vast region — we print the following communication which has just reached us from Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller:—'. Cypridium chamberlainianum was a new species described on p. 234, and illustrated on p 241. It had been obtained from New Guinea by a collector employed by Sander and Co. of St Albans, who offered for sale by auction 'without any reserve' 'the whole Importation of about 700 Plants' (p. 233).
Please cite as “FVM-92-01-00,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on