FLORA OF MADAGASCAR. 291 
are all small genera, mostly belonging to the large Natural 
Orders, and closely allied to cosmopolitan generic types. 
3. " There is a close affinity between the tropical flora of 
Madagascar and that of the smaller islands of the Mascarene 
group. 
4. " There is a close affinity between the tropical flora of 
Madagascar and that of the African continent. 
5. “There are a few curious cases in which Asiatic types 
which do not occur in Africa are met with in Madagascar, and 
these bear a very small numerical proportion to the great mass 
of the flora*. 
6. “ There is a distinct affinity between the flora of the hill- 
country of Central Madagascar and those of the Cape and the 
mountain-ranges of Central Africa." 
The history of the island, as indicated by the plants, Mr. Baker 
sums up as follows :— 
l. “A very early comparatively cold period, during which 
Madagascar was joined to the mainland. The plants which re- 
main from this period now have their head-quarters in Cape 
Colony, and are found upon the high mountains of continental 
Africa and Madagascar. When I say cold, I mean a temperate 
climate, not very unlike ours at the present day. 
2. “A warm period, during which (or some part of which) 
Madagascar was joined to the continent of Africa, and also to 
Mauritius, Bourbon, and the Seychelles. Shown by the present 
extension to Madagascar and the lesser isles of the characteristi- 
cally tropical African species and genera. 
3. * A lengthened period of isolation." 
In the form of an Appendix I may here give a list of plants 
introduced into Madagascar by human or other agency which, 
though many of them have established themselves in the island 
and become naturalized, can scarcely be incorporated in the 
native flora. 
INTRODUCED PLANTS. l 
Brassica campestris occurs in the Central Region; Sinapis 
juncea, Cent. Reg.; Senebiera didyma, Cent. Reg.; Arnotto 
* I may here mention my belief, though I have not gone into the matter 
with sufficient care absolutely to prove it, that the Asiatic element in the Mada- 
gascarian flora is mostly confined to the Eastern Region.—R. B. 
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XXV. Y 
