A STUDY EN ENDEMISM. 297 



Phyllanthus cinereus, var. — The Ritigala specimens differ 

 from the type in as many points as it itself differs from P. 

 affinis, Muell. Arg., but not having found it in flower I hesitate 

 to give it a name. The type form is rare, recorded onlv from 

 two spots. 



Glochidion sp. nov. — The Ritigala specimens represent an 

 entirely new species of this genus, but agree very closely with 

 some unnamed specimens from South India. There are 

 several explanations possible of this remarkable fact. The 

 seeds are so large that it is difficult to see how they can have 

 been transported, but probably they were accidentally 

 carried in mud or otherwise. They may have been carried 

 the whole way from the nearest locality in Southern India, 

 say 200 to 300 miles. The plant may however occur in the 

 intermediate districts, and not have hitherto been noticed, 

 or again the same species may have arisen quite independently 

 in two different spots. It is quite possible that this may be 

 the true explanation. 



Excoecaria crenulata. — Large capsule and seeds, distribution 

 method extremely doubtful. Common in the mountain 

 zone. 



Procris laevigata. — Achenes minute, probably carried in mud 

 on the feet of birds. Common in the mountains. 



Pouzolzia Walkeriaiia. — The fruit, being winged, might 

 conceivably be carried by wind were the distance shorter, but 

 over so long a distance it is impossible to imagine this to be 

 the case. It is common in rocky places in the intermediate 

 region, and so has not so far to come as some of the purely wet 

 zone things. It may perhaps travel in mud on birds' feet. 



Curculigo Finlaysoniana— Seeds small, perhaps carried in 

 mud. Common in the mountains. 



Floscopa scandens— Perhaps like the last. Common in the 

 moist low country, and so perhaps arrived by easy stages, 

 like Desmodium Wightii. 



