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Also, computerisation of the herbarium's records would enable effective management of this valuable information and allow easy access by researchers, botanists, ecologists, teachers and the public, Mr Lay added.

The Hong Kong Herbarium was founded in 1878. It maintains a comprehensive record of the flora of Hong Kong and South China. With over 35,000 dried plant specimens, it is of regional importance.

The project is expected to commence within the next few months.

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"Names of Buildings" book - 1996 now on sale

Copies of the new edition of the "Names of Buildings" book are now available at the Government Publications Centre, Low Block, Ground Floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

The book, published by the Rating and Valuation Department, contains a comprehensive list of building names with addresses in both Chinese and English. For ease of reference, it is divided into two volumes. Volume 1 comprises building names in Hong Kong and Kowloon (including New Kowloon); Volume 2 gives building names in the New Territories, including the outlying islands. An index of Chinese names precedes each volume.

The prices of Volumes 1 and 2 are $70 and $50 respectively.

"About 20,000 building names have now been recorded. Although there is no legislation controlling the use of building names, the book would assist owners and developers to avoid duplication when naming their buildings," a spokesman for the department said today.

The department keeps a continually updated master copy of the "Names of Buildings" book. Any enquiries on additions, deletions and amendments to the current edition should be directed to the department's Technical Secretary (Information) on Tel: 2805 7614.

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