INTRODUCTION TO THE RETORTS ON INSULAR FLORAS. 39 



monotypic genera of the Hamamelidese, of which this is a member, and the most showy 

 one of the order, being as conspicuous as a Camellia ; yet it has hitherto, we believe, been 

 found in a wild state only in the islaud of Hong-Kong. This island being within half a 

 mile of the mainland is practically continental. 



Campanula isophylla, Moretti ; App. Schouw., Fl. Ital., p. 22 ; Bot. Mag., t. 5745; 

 Moggridge, Contrib. Fl. Ment., t. 80. — Like Saxifraga florulenta, this is a striking plant, 

 and even showy when in flower. According to Moggridge, the latest authority, this is 

 only known to grow along the small strip of coast, about two and a half miles in length, 

 from the promontory of Caprazoppa to near the little town of Noli. The same author 

 says it is difficult to account for the restricted area, because it produces large quantities 

 of seed, which germinates freely, and is so minute as to be easily transported by winds, or 

 by adhering to the feet of small birds when wetted by hopping in dewy grass, &c. 



Lithospermum gastoni, Benth. in DC. Prodr., x. p. 83; Bot. Mag., t. 5926; Regel, 

 Gartenflora, 1874, t. 812. — A conspicuous species first discovered at the Pic de Gers in 

 1839, and since collected at the Pic d'Anie and Col de Partes, all in the Basses Pyrenees. 



Leucojum hiemale, DC, Fl. Franc. Suppl., p. 32G, var. a; Bot. Mag., t. 6711; 

 Moggridge, Contr. Fl. Ment., t. 21. — This pretty and distinct species of snowflake is only 

 known in a wild state on a small strip of rocky shore reaching from Nice to about two 

 mUes east of Mentone. 



Galanthus olgce, Orphanides ; Boiss., Fl. Or., v. p. 144. — Only recorded from Mount 

 Taygetus in Greece ; and there are one or two other species equally local. 



Diosco rea pyrenaica, Bubani et Bordere in Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xiii. p. 382, t. 1. — 

 This remarkable plant inhabits the Central and Eastern Pyrenees of Spain, and is equally 

 or even more interesting on account of its isolation from the rest of the genus than as a 

 species of very restricted area. The genus Dioscorea numbers about 150 species, generally 

 spread over tropical countries, and a few inhabiting temperate regions in Eastern Asia. 

 North and South America, and South Africa ; but the present species is the only one in 

 Europe, and there is none in Northern Africa nor in Western Asia, nor indeed within the 

 limits of Boissier's Flora Orientalis. In habit it is nearest to Mexican and Chilian species. 



DO INSULAR TYPES OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM EXHIBIT ANY VEEY 

 SPECIAL STRUCTURAL OR OTHER PECULIARITIES IN THEIR FLOWERS ? 



We have shown that the physiognomical characteristics of insular vegetation are repeated 

 in continental countries, and also, that there are continental genera and species equally as 

 local in their habitats as the insular ones ; but, generally speaking, the physical conditions, 

 excepting the insularity, are very similar in the two cases. 



With regard to the size, shape, colour, and structure of the flowers of the endemic 



