132. CXCADACEE. 961 
the coral submarine trees), and use it to flavour tea. They tell 
me it is found in freshwater wells, but it is so rare here that 1 
have not been able to ascertain how it grows, and whether the 
leaf constitutes the whole plant." 
The Kew Herbarium also contains further copious specimens 
received from Swinhoe in 1867, and like those in the Hance 
Herbarium simply localised as Formosa. 
Mr. T. Watters, H.B.M. Consul at Tamsui, wrote in 1881 :— 
* My impression is that Mr. Swinhoe got his specimens at 
Takow ..... I remember that when I was serving under 
Mr. Swinhoe at that place we had several conversations about a 
Cycas which then grew abundantly on Saracen’s Head at the 
entrance of the harbour. That was in 1885, and since then the 
Chinese have altered the flora of the place very much by cutting 
down everything for the erection of a fort and the construction 
of roads." 
Mr. G. Phillips, H. B.M. Consul at Takow and afterwards at 
Swatow, took much trouble to find Swinhoe’s plant. He 
eventually discovered it in 1883 “on the hills 60 miles from 
Swatow ” and sent specimens to Kew. He wrote :—“ I am in 
clined to think that the Cycas obtained from Mr. Swinhoe came 
from Swatow, as one constable tells me that on several occasions 
he colleeted specimens of plants and sent them to Mr. Swinhoe." 
Subsequently he wrote :—“ I cannot say whether the Cycas 
I sent from here does grow in Formosa. I never saw one whilst 
there. The country has been much stripped, and the spot, 
Saracen's Head, referred to by Mr. Watters is now built on to 
a great extent." Mr. Phillips also stated that on the mainland 
“it is much sought after by the rich to put in their gardens." 
