202 WILSON EXPEDITION TO CHINA 



demum glabrescentes, annotini griseo-bnmnei, glabri, lenticellati; gemmae dense 

 fulvo-pilosae, post anthesia subglobosae, basi petioli dilatati involutae, apice tan- 

 tum exsertae. Folia decidua, chartacea, obovata, apice rotundata et breviter 

 cuspidata, basi cuneata, ima basi excepta serrata dentibus praesertlm apicem 

 versus late triangularibus mucronatis, 10-18 cm. longa et 5.5-9.5 cm. lata, supra 

 glabra et leviter rugulosa, obscure luteo-viridia, subtus pallide viridia, ad costam 

 mediam et ad nervos latcrales pilis longis fulvis laxe adpressis vestita, ceterum 

 glabra, nervis utrinsecus 10-15 rectis omnibus excurrentibus, supra ut costa media 

 impressis, subtus elevatis et trabeculis leviter elevatis conjunctis; petioli 6-8 mm. 

 longi, pilosi, supra sulcati, basi dilatati et leviter auriculati, gemmam axillarem 

 amplecteates. Panicula terminalis, late pyramidalis, 18-24 cm. longa et 12-14 

 cm. diam., ramis erecto-patentibus, puberula; flores albi, pedicellati pedicellis 

 1.5-3 mm. longis puberulis; sepala 4, persistentia, ovata, concava, 1.5-2 mm. longa, 

 obtusa V. obtusiuscula, sparse ciliolata; petala exteriora orbiculari-reniformia, 

 concava, apice rotundata et leviter inflexa, 2.5-3 mm. Tonga et 3-4 mm. lata, duo 

 interiora bifida dentibus acutis; stamina duo fertilia petalis exterioribus subae- 

 quilonga, petalis interioribus adnata, filamentis complanatis incurvis, connective 

 peltato ciliolato, antheris ovoideis rimia parvis apicalibus dehiscentibus, stamina 

 sterilia irregularia, incurva, petalis exterioribus adnata et earum trientem aequan- 

 tia; discus cupularis, membranaceus, dimidium ovarium aequans, trilobatus lobis 

 plerumque bifidis; ovarium subglobosum, glabrum; stylus filiformis, petalis 

 exterioribus subaequilongus, stigmate simplice. Fructus desideratur. 



Western Hupeh: Patung Hsien, thickets, alt. 1000 m., June 1900 (Veitch 

 Exped. No. 1126). 



A well-marked species distinguished at a glance by the petioles flattened at the 

 base and enclosing the bud. It is most closely related to M. cuneifolia Franchet 

 which differs in its membranous, gradually acuminate leaves with axillary tufts 

 of hairs on the lower surface in the slender petioles which do not enclose the buds 

 and in the shorter bifid style. 



MeUosma velutina Rehder & Wilson, n. sp. 

 _ Arbor 6-metralis; ramuH homotini dense breviter strigoso-villosi, fuhd, anno- 

 tmi glabrescentes lenticellati, griseo-fusci. Folia membranacea, oblanceolata, 

 acuta v. breviter acTmunata, basi sensim attenuata, integra, 9-15 cm. longa et 

 2.5-4 cm. lata, supra obscure viridia, in siceo leviter reticulata, ad costam et venas 

 densius m_ facie sparse breviter pubescentia, subtus palhdiora, velutino-pubes- 

 centia, reticulata, nervis utrinsecus 10-15 ante marginem sursum curvatis supra 

 leviter impressis subtus elevatis; petioli 1.5 cm. longi dense villosi.. Panicula ter- 

 mmahs ampla, basi foliosa, 20-25 cm. longa et 15-20 cm. diam., dense breviter 

 mlvo-stngoso-villosa, ramulis gracilibus erect o-p at entibus; bracteae subulatae, 

 2-3 mm. longae, pubescentes; flores albi, parvi, breviter pedicellati, in axibus 

 secundi ad quarti ordinis racemose dispositi; sepala 5, ovata, acuta, circiter 1 mm. 

 longa, ex-tus pubescentia, ciliolata; petala exteriora orbicularia, concava, 1.5-2 mm. 

 diam., intenora duo minuta, biloba, acuta; stamina fertilia filamentis brevissimis, 

 connectivo cupulari, antheris globosis rima apicali dehiscentibus, sterilia valde 

 inflexa petalis exterioribus adnata et eorum trientem aequantia; discus minutus, 

 cupulans, acute dentatus; pistillum petalis exterioribus multo brevius, glabrum, 

 ov^no ovoideo compresso, stylo subulato, stigmate simpUce. Fructus desideratur. 

 y unnan : Szemao, mountains southwards, alt. 1500 m., A. Henry (No. 121142. 

 A well marked species recognized by its pubescence, entire leaves, laxly branched 

 panicles, and small pedicillate flowers. It is most closely related to M. simpUci' 

 joiia i<.oxburgh which is easily distinguished by its nearly glabrous leaves and 

 branchlets and by its sessile flowers. 



