A STUDY IN BNDBMISM. ."101 



In the Ceylon flora there are carried (approximately) — 



On Ritiealrt. Proportion. 

 By wind, 234 phanerogams . . 25 . . 1 in 9 



264 ferns, &c. . . 24 . . 1 in 1 1 



By birds, 689 phanerogams . . 24 . . 1 in 28 



Doubtfully 1,803 do. .. 30 or 24 .. 1 in 60 or 



1 in 75 



Total 2,990 103 1 in 29 



We ought however, probably to halve the figures of the 

 Ceylon flora, as it is hardly likely that more than half 

 of it can survive at 2,500 feet on Ritigala in any case. 

 And perhaps we should nearly halve it again, as onl) r 

 seeds ripened in the first half of the year will be carried 

 by the south-west monsoon, or, probably, by migrating 

 birds. 



When we come to compare the flora of Ritigala with the 

 Ceylon phanerogamic flora as a whole, we find the proportions 

 of endemics different : 



The greater proportion of endemics in the Ceylon flora as a 

 whole may be set down to the greater distance from any 

 congeners, and goes to prove the point that endemism goes 

 with difficulty of arrival in any given place. The very large 

 proportion of " doubtfuls " goes to show that such plants may 

 travel more easily than we are usually inclined to suppose, 

 though not perhaps so easily as bird and wind-carried things. 

 It would at any rate indicate that if this be not the case, then 

 Ceylon must in former times have had more nearly approach- 

 ing land masses than at present. The relative proportions of 

 doubtful, and of bird and wind mechanism rather tends to 

 show that at such a distance the latter are less useful than at 

 shorter ranges. 



