Preface

Taxonomists are constantly confronted with history. The selection of lectotype specimens requires an understanding of historical events associated with the naming of plants, and the rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature dictate that we search historical literature for early plant names. These facts, plus a general interest in historical botany, led to my suggestion that the Australian Systematic Botany Society Inc. (ASBS) hold a botanical history symposium.

Following approval by ASBS council contributions, as papers or posters, on the following topics, which were to cover indigenous Australasian cryptogams and phanerogams, were called for: botanists and collectors - when and where they collected, locality of collections; establishment and holdings of herbaria; history of publications and sources of historical information; introduction of plants overseas and their subsequent description; and botanical art. To ensure that some topics were adequately covered three key-note speakers, i.e. Drs Richard Cowan, David Frodin and Charles Nelson, were invited to contribute papers. Many papers were offered and a symposium was subsequently held from 25-27 May 1988 at Ormond College, University of Melbourne.

This volume contains the majority of papers presented at the conference. It also contains papers derived from the poster session. Initially papers derived from the latter source were not to be published in this volume. However, as all posters contained valuable information that should be available to the botanical community, most are presented here. Because of this the only papers presented in the same order as in the symposium are the first, by Jim Willis, and the last, by Alex George. Others have been grouped, at times somewhat loosely, under general headings. The style of presentation naturally varies with author and really needs no comment. However, readers should note that some authors chose to publish manuscripts in the form they were read at the symposium. Others extensively modified their manuscripts after the symposium and so this volume is not a true reflection of the papers presented at the May conference.

Original letters and manuscripts concerned with the production of this volume are housed in the library of the National Herbarium of Victoria (MEL).

The success of the symposium was the result of the efforts of many people and organisations, i.e. other members of the symposium committee (Helen Cohn, Barry Conn, Rex Filson, Don Foreman & Neville Marchant), Bloomsbury Conference Services, ASBS Council, the Maud Gibson Trust and the Sydney Botanic Gardens who provided funds, and of course the contributors. It is perhaps rude to single out contributors as all papers and posters were gratefully received. However, 1 was especially pleased to receive contributions from overseas colleagues, especially Jennifer Lamond and Alan Bennell who could not attend the conference, and from our officially retired, but still very active colleagues, Dr Sophie Ducker and Dr Jim Willis, both of whom have made extensive contributions to our knowledge of Australian botanical history.

For assistance with the production of this volume I am indebted to many people, but particularly my colleagues at MEL, including Jim Ross for allowing me the time to edit manuscripts, Doris Sinkora for extensive comments on several papers, Anita Barley for the cover illustration, and Joan Thomas (and several typists at NSW) for retyping some manuscripts. Don Foreman was particularly generous with his time, and indeed very patient, as 1 battled to become familiar with the intricacies of a personal computer. Don also provided some editorial advice. However, my most sincere thanks are reserved for Helen Cohn, MEL librarian, for her constructive comments on editorial matters and the content of many manuscripts.

P.S. Short