34 Ito, On a ca^e of close exterual resemblances iu Dicotyledous. 



of Eastein Asiatic plants, Maximowicz,*) has probably mistaken 

 in liis detcrmination of tlie specimen collected by Döderlein in 

 Satsuraa, by referring it as a variety of ßischoffia javanica Bl. 

 That these resemblances, however, are only snperricial Avill be seen 

 from the fact that on close examiuation, the differences between 

 tliem might be detected. The following- essential characters may 

 assist students to distinguish the two phmts : 

 Bischoffia javanica Blume {Eupliorbiaceae.) 



1. Branches with internodes not jointed just above the base 

 of leaves. 



2. Leaves alternate; reticulation not very conspicuous beneath; 

 tlie base of the petiolules articulated. 



3. Flowers 2 mm. diam., dioecious; sepals 5, petals ö; style 

 entire ; evary 2-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell. 



4. Frnits of the same panicles are uniform, o-celled, enclosing 

 3 indehiscent cocci; seecs linear-oblong, smooth, shining, 

 dark brown. 



Turpinia pomifera DC. {Sapindaceae.) 



1. Branches with internodes jointed just above the base of 

 leaves. 



2. Leaves oppositc; reticulation conspicuous beneath; the base 

 of the petiolule not articulated. 



3. Flowers 3 — 4mm. diam., hermaphrodite; sepals 5; petals 5: 

 styles o; ovary 3-celled, with many ovules in each cell. 



4. Fruits of the same panicle often vary iu form and size, 

 3-celled, containing 2 or 3 — 6 seeds; seeds angular, often 

 rotund, glabrous, pale. 



How may the abowe resemblances, then, be accounted forV 

 Sir J o li n L u b b o c k **) believes that the cases of mimicry which 

 are so commonly met with in animals, might exist as well in plants. 

 He mad an interesting reference to what he calls a case of true 

 mimicry, to the blose general resemblances between the common 

 stinging-nettle (f/r^zca dioica L.) and the white dead-nettle {Lamium 

 albiim L.), by explaining that the latter is preserved by being 

 mistaken by grazing animals for the former. Sir John may I think 

 be pleased to hear that in the Far East, viz. in Satsuma in Southern 

 Japan, Urtica dioica L., is called „Ira" or „Wo Ira" ("Ira" meaus 

 Stinging Plant, and r,Wo" a male, in reference to its stinging habits), 

 and Lamivm album L. is called „MeTra", or Female Stinging Plant, 

 alluding to its more tender habits as well as to its flowers. But, in 

 the case of the resemblances between Bischofjia javanica FA. and 

 Turpinia pomifera DC, can it be possible that the one plant may 

 derive some bcnefit by imitating the other? A Suggestion might 

 be made in reference to the fact that as Bischofjiia javanica Bl. 

 belongs to Eujjliorhiacejte^ which is remarkable for the innumerable 

 examj)les of poisonous plants it contains, that Turpinia pomifera DC. 

 would derive some benetit by adopting its habits. But the fact 



*) Maximowicz in Kngler's Botanische Jahrbücher, VI, 1885, p. 59. 

 **) Sir John Lubbock: Flowers, leaves and fruit?-, p. li'S. 



