FLORA OF MADAGASCAR. 289 
tata, Afzelia bijuga, Barringtonia speciosa, Alyzia erythrocarpa, 
Lophatherum geminatum, Strobilanthes madagascariensis, S. his- 
pidula, Lagerstroemia madagascariensis, Eriocaulon fluitans, and 
E. fenestratum, all of which, except the last four, are found in 
the Eastern Region, and several on the east coast only. 
The data upon which the above affinities are based might now 
be considerably increased, but as further particulars would only 
serve to confirm the relationship of the flora as shown in the 
above paragraphs, it is needless to enumerate them. 
In regard to the fauna of Madagascar, it has long been known 
that a considerable number of creatures living in the island at 
the present time are closely allied to American forms. This 
affinity is specially marked in some of the reptiles and insects. 
Now there is also, strange to say, a certain though slight amount 
of affinity between the flora of Madagascar and that of America. 
Of the genus Omphalea, for instance, belonging to the Order 
Euphorbiacez, there are 8 species, 7 of which belong to Tropical 
America and 1 to Madagascar. Of the genus Pedilanthus, be- 
longing to the same Order, 2 are found in Madagascar, and all 
the rest (about a dozen) in tropical America. Of the Order 
Scitaminex, again, the genus Myrosma has one species in Mada- 
gascar and 11 in tropical America. The well-known Malagasy 
“traveller’s tree” (Ravenala madagascariensis), belonging to the 
Order Musacex, finds its representative in Phenakospermum 
guianense, Endl. (really a species of Ravenala), which inhabits 
N. Brazil and Guiana, and is the only other species of this 
genus. Of the grasses, Echinolena has one species in Madagascar 
and one in Guiana and Brazil. Lycopodium dichotomum, of the 
Order Lycopodiacex, seems to be confined also to Madagascar 
and America. 
Doubtless this list might be enlarged, but it is sufficient to 
show that there is a slight relationship between the flora of 
Madagascar and that of tropical America; and this relationship, 
whatever the explanation of it may be, is probably to be accounted 
for by the same causes as those which have brought about the 
affinity between the two faunas. 
In considering the flora of Madagascar as a whole, one of the 
first things that strikes us is that the island must be of immense 
antiquity. About three fourths of the species and a sixth of its 
genera of plants are endemic! And this is as it should be; the 
genera bave for the most part survived the untold ages that 
have elapsed since their first appearance, while the species have 
