GENERAL REMARKS. 409 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
China has not yet been satisfactorily explored by botanists. Well 
known are only the regions around Peking, Chefoo, Canton, Shanghai, 
Ningpo, Kiukiang, I-chang, Omei Mountain, Newchwang, Moukden, 
and Long White Mountain. Though plants have been collected from 
other parts of China, this has been done only episodically, not as 
an exploration of the whole field. We may boldly say that hundreds of 
undescribed plants can still be found in China. As long as exploration 
is not nearer completion, we cannot expect an accurate knowledge 
of the geographical distribution of plants in China. We do not even 
know the limits of the spontaneous growth of bamboo, nor of the 
cultivation of rice, of the mulberry tree to rear silkworms, of the 
Peach, citrus, etc. The table in Plante Davidiane, Vol. II, wherein 
Moupine, Kiangsi, Shensi, S$. Mongolia and Peking are put in parallel 
columns, the Index Flore Sinensis, which is more comprehensive, 
_ but only about one-half published, and a List of Chinese Medicines, 
published by order of the Inspectot General of Customs, where the 
Place of production is (approximately) stated, are valuable contribu- 
tions in this line. Much valuable information might be gleaned 
ftom the Chinese geographical works already referred to. 
Some Chiuese authors venture farther and mention the place a 
Where the plant originally came from. We may take this in the 
‘Sense of the first discovery of the plant or that its use spread from 
‘the place mentioned. See, for example, San {s‘ai tu huei (quoted man ee 
The botanical portion of this encyclopedia is by 5 Bk the ae 
_ “cond son of Wane K‘e SB YF [o Wyle, 56, 149]- ies 
A DESIDERATUM. 
Indispensable to every botanist in China is the Index Flore Sinensis, 
4 work of great merit, published by F. B. Forses and W. B. page = 
at Kew. It appears in portions and is progressing very slowly. we 
may, however, soon expect Vol. II finished. This brings us t0 a aa 
nd of Dicotyledons, Vol. II will have to deal with Monacobiedons = —— 
and Crypiogams. Another volume is required to supplement ~ sit a be 
fo, This work is not restricted to a mere dry enumeration _ ‘gs 
ba in. Reference ismade 
. ae names of all the Chinese plants known, Re 
on Sty description and illustration of a plant 10 
The 8eographical distribution is mentioned, as regards 
. 
