Since the collection of works on this subject was commenced the Free Library has prepared and mimeographed from time to time for the use of its readers "Finding Lists" of the books on the shelves relating to the Philippine Islands. The latest of these lists, prepared May 4, 1900, shows that fifty-four volumes have been collected and also gives references to nearly six hundred magazine articles in the Library.
Possibly one of the most interesting books received in the Library is the Flora de Filipinas, consisting of four folio volumes of text (printed in Spanish and Latin on the same page) and two of colored lithographed plates. It was published at Manila 1877-1883 for the friars of St. Augustine under the direction of H. Ex. the late Sebastiano Vidal y Soler, assisted scientifically by the able botanists, the Rev. Fathers Fr. Andres Naves and Fr. Celestino Fernández Villar, both of the Augustinian order of friars. It was composed from manuscripts of the late Father Blanco of the same order. The plates were drawn and colored from nature by native artists, and sent to Barcelona where they were lithographed, and after six hundred copies were printed off, the stones were destroyed. As will be noticed, in many cases the specimens are given both in fruit and flower, necessitating in most instances a gathering of the specimens at distinct seasons of the year.
The book was published as a serial work, two or three parts with four plates each (with corresponding descriptions) appearing monthly. There were several stoppages during the printing of the work, caused by a large fire at one time and an earthquake at another, from both of which the printing establishment at which the book was being published suffered. In this manner the time occupied in the publication was prolonged.
The original editor was Sr. Domingo Vidal, who unfortunately, after only two or three parts of the work had been given out, was obliged to leave the Islands on account of poor health. Several months later he died and his brother, who had assumed the editorship, upon his departure from Manila, continued the work until it was finished.
The Trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia desire to express their thanks to the Rev. Dr. Middleton for the contribution to bibliography which follows. A short index has been added, which it is believed will fit the paper for general use. Many thanks are due to Mr. John Ashhurst for his assistance in this tedious part of the Bulletin.