The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-10-08
u'riIa
MONDAY, OCT. s, 1888.
HlLLEBRAND'S HAWAIIAN BOT
ANY.

A most valuable addition to the
list of books on these islands is the
''Flora Of the Hawaiian Islands,"
prepared by Or. William IIiIlebrand.
The mechanical execution of the
book, printing and binding, are evil
IDENTITY of the first class, and main
tain the high reputation of the vari-
Gus publishers names that appear
on the little page, Winter, of Heidel-
berg; Williams & Norgate, of Lon
don; Wcstcrmann, of New York.
1t is the work Of years OF unrequited
toll. 1t is also largely u posthu-
nous work. We learn from the
biographical preface that it has been
brought to successful completion
through the liIial devotion of the
son, whose name also appears on the
title page, W. f. lillebrand. He
has not yet been gazettcd, as decor
ated by the King with the Order of
kapiolani. This is perhaps because
the book has not yet been brought
to the knowledge of the Government
of that Order. The book is very
appropriately dedicated on behalf of
the family to"The Hawaiian people,
whose kindly traits of character the
author warmly appreciated, and to
whose welfare, during Il soiourn of
twenty years, his best energies were
unselfshly devoted"
DIR. Hillebrand died suddenly,
July Is, 1886, at Heidelberg, where
he had resided for several years,
while engaged on the work he had
begun when he was resident of
these islands. 1t is complete
enumeration and description in
scientific nomenclature, (English,
not Latin) of all known Hawaiian
towering plants with the addition of
the ferns and q few other vascular
cryptogamous plants. Mosses and
lichens had been diligently collected,
but are not included in this treatise
which fills a portlyvolume, GNS4 in,
673 PIP.
Born in WestphaIia, Nov. 13,
1921, educated as physician, DR..
Hillebrand was compelled by pull
monary ailments TO seek home in
the warmer climate of the tropics.
Taking a sea-yoyage to Australia,
passing thence to Manila. and from
there to San Francisco, he was adj
vised to try the climate of the Ha-
waiian Islands. Here lie found his
health fully restored. He made his
home attractive with the plants he in
troduced from other lands. Stran-
gers often ask now for the privilege
of visiting Hillebrand's garden,
which with its varied tropical vege-
tation now constitutes one of the
charming features of Mr.. $. c..
Fosters beautiful residence, near
the lower end of Nuunnu Avenue.
While resident of Honolulu, Dr.
Hillebrand was an acknowledged
authority among the members of the
medical profession. His departure
in 1871 was deeply regretted by the
whole community. He had filled
important positions in connection
with the Hospital, Insane Asylum,
Board of Health, and the Agricul-
tural Society. In 1865 and 1866,
as Commissioner Of immigration for
the Hawaiian Government, he visit
ed China and the East Indies, and
made large collections of plants,
with view to their introduction as
an addition to the resources and at
fractions of these Islands.
In ha 1,nl111nn 4hnf hnu rnnnIt tlxy
been published, and put on sale
here at the reasonable price of
$3.50, we have descriptions of $50
species and & genera, not before
known to the scientificIworld. Dr.
Hillebrand's collection of specimens
is now in the Royal Botanical Mu-
scum of Berlin. 1t was presented
to that institution by his family, in
accordance with the wish he cx-
pressed on his dying bed. OF the
999species described in the "Flora, !"
653 are peculiar to these islands,
23l are found in other similar locali-
ties, 10 have been introduced since
Capt. Cooks first visit to the Is
lands.
DIR. Hillebrand had prepared a
very clear and succinct account of
the geological and climatic features
of the islands. lie had made his
botanical researches and facts, the
basis of some very interesting dis
cussions on the age of the various
islands, the insular peculiarities OF
vegetation, the origin and develop
ment of species. 1t is greatly to be
lamented that his sudden death alb
ruptly terminated the elaboration of
those points, which the fragmentary
notes published, even in their dis
jointed collocation, indicate that the
author was preparing to discuss