ON THE FLORAL CONFORMATION OF THE GENUS BYRSANTHUS. 15 
is little doubt of the tolerably close relationship of the two. 
Having now for several years past paid more than ordinary at- 
tention to the genus Quercus, I may say (I hope without in- 
curring the charge of presumption) that I believe the specific limits 
of the Lepidobalani of the Eastern Hemisphere are most vaguely 
and unsatisfactorily defined, and am by no means satisfied of the 
distinctness of several of those of north-eastern Asia. Similar 
doubts have been expressed by several European botanists; but 
the total disagreement of writers as to which are good species, even 
amongst well-known forms, is perhaps the most convincing proof 
of the uncertain status of many members of the group. 
I do not, I think, in fact, and certainly not in intention, 
wrong French advocates of acclimatization, when I assume that 
they are, as a rule, rather too enthusiastic as to the results of 
their pet projects; but I see no reason to alter the opinion I 
expressed formerly (long before I was cognizant of M. Bernard’s 
excellent notice), that all circumstances would seem to conspire 
to render the culture of the oak-silkworm in Europe a sure 
matter of success, if properly set on foot and fostered. On its 
importance, if successful, there is no need to enlarge. 
It is curious to know, from independent sources both native 
and foreign, that the rearing of a silkworm on oaks is carried on 
in the south-west as well as the north-east of this vast empire ; 
and it will be a matter of great interest to ascertain whether any 
oak is employed for the same purpose in northern Burma or 
Assam, in both of which the genus Quercus is a characteristic 
type of vegetation, and from which Kweichow is only separated 
by the province of Yunnan. 
British Vice-Consulate, 
Whampoa, Sept. 1870. 
Note on the Genus Byrsanthus (Gill) and its Floral Confor- 
mation. By MaxweLL T. MasTzns, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S. 
[Read January 19, 1871.] 
Tmurs genus, which was established by Guillemin *, is closely 
allied to Homalium, if not indeed identical with it. Endlicher 
rejected Guillemin’s name, and substituted that of Anetia t, on 
the ground that a genus of Lobeliacee had received at the hands 
* Deless. Ic. Select. Plant. iii. 30. t. 52. - T Gen, Pl. p. 923. n. 5088. 
