Instructions for collecting Bamboos

Although our knowledge of reproductive parts of bamboos is still very defective, an adequately collected vegetative specimen is valuable and sufficient for identification. Like in tree ferns (see p. 567) and in rattans, a well-collected specimen does not need to be excessively bulky, provided the essential parts are taken. We hope that field workers will overcome the hesitation they might feel to attack this difficult but very important plant group

Revision of Ficus

Besides the importance of correct identification the revision of a large genus should add considerably to knowledge of phytogeography and of infrageneric diversification. In all respects Ficus has much to contribute. It is a genus which the collector meets in abundance in all parts of tropical Asia and Australasia, whether in primary or secondary environments, and which he soon learns to recognise. It can be exploited, therefore, provided the species can be identified. The purpose of this note is to request intensified collection, because I believe it is possible to name satisfactorily sterile material. Only too often, valuable sterile material is left uncollected, as I know from my own experience, for sooner or later it can be recognised as a positive record from some locality. Some figs, too, fruit rarely and are in consequence ill-represented, though really frequent

New taxa of Ficus (Moraceae)

F. spadicea. sp. nov. (sect. Adenosperma, near F. mollior Benth.) is described from New Guinea; F. sarawakensis sp. nov. (sect. Kalosyce, near F. tulipifera Corner) from Sarawak; F. theophrastoides Seem. var. angustifolia var. nov., as a riparian variety from the Solomon Islands