ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
No. 4.] (1910. 
XVI—CHINESE RHODODENDRONS: 
Determinations and Descriptions or New Sprciss. 
W. Borrinc Hems.iey and E. H. WILson. 
I,— INTRODUCTION. 
Towards the end of 1906, and just previous to his departure on a 
third mission to China, Mr. E. H. Wilson devoted a considerable 
amount of time to the determination of the magnificent dried col- 
lections of Rhododendrons made on his two previous journeys, 
while Mr. W. B. Hemsley afforded him as much assistance as it was 
possible to give in unofficial hours. The intention was to publish 
jointly descriptions of the new species, on the plan followed in 
“Some New Chinese Plants,” which appeared in the Kew alae 
for 1906, pp. 147-163. Mr. Wilson finished his share of the w 
before his departure, but it had, of necessity, to be scitie What 
hurriedly done, and both authors felt that some further scrutiny was 
desirable before venturing on publication. Through the courtesy of 
Professor H. Lecomte, Director of the Paris Marken. the types 
of the numerous new species of Rhododendron described by the late 
Mr. A. Franchet were transmitted to Kew for purposes of com- 
parison ; but Mr. Hemsley found himself unable during the last two 
years of his official life to make further comparisons, 4s complete his 
share of the task. In the meantime, however, Mr. . tchinson had 
made a rough classification of the Chinese species, poe a number 
of previously undetermined specimens, and found reason. to question 
the ear of some of the new species proposed by Messrs. Hemsley 
and Wilson 
(16106—6a.) Wt. 92—428. 1375. 4/10. D&S. 
