( 676 ) 



Slamat at 1800 in. and higher above Siiiipar. In the residency 

 Banjoemas on the Prahoe and on the Dieng-pialeau at 2500 m. In 

 the residency Kedoe on the Merbaboe, Oengaran and Telemojo at 

 1800 m. and higher. Has Iiitherto not been tbnnd further East. 

 Growing in Java mostly gregarious, and, together with about 15 other 

 ever-green woody species, forming alpine forests. Proper to alpine 

 regions, and found in lower regions only near solfatare, which are 

 rich in mineral salts, hence exclusively on physiologically-dry soils. 

 Prefers altitudes of 1800 — 3000 m. above sea-level ; has not been 

 observed in Java below 1500 m. 



The following oecological conditions may be mentioned for Mijrica 

 javanica: the species withstands the low air-temperature, the intense 

 insolation and low atmosj)heric humidity of Junghuhn's alpine zone, 

 but does not appear to resist the over-dry climate of East Java. 



The species occurs on very arid and stony soils, which are pre- 

 sumably poor in soluble mineral constituents, in consequence of long- 

 continued washing out, and also grows luxui'iously in physiologically- 

 dry situations, near .solfdfare, etc. In the hot plain, the species is 

 altogether wanting. It can fairly vvell resist much sunlight, as well 

 as shade, and likewise is proof against strong winds. 



I have not yet found Phanerogamic parasites on this alpine tree ; on 

 the other hand I have observed parasitic Fungi on it, for instance 

 in the residency Kedoe the following : Mi/xosjior'mm candidis.simuin 

 Raciborski, Microcydus Koordersii Hennings and Pestalozzia Myricae 



KOORD. ^) 



Even on the borders of the natural area of distribution of Myrica 

 javanica, I have never observed these parasitic Fungi on the three 

 in such quantity, that they alone would appear to limit the distri- 

 bution of the adult-plants in Java. My experiments on infection with 

 conidia of Pestalozzia Myricae do not, however, preclude the possi- 

 bility, that this fungus imposes a natural limit on the development 

 of the seedlings ; the experiments showed that, with too much shade 

 and too much moisture in the soil, most of the Myric(( seedlings 

 were killed off by the parasitic fungus, even in a district within the 

 natural area of distribution. 



At the same time these experiments showed, that Myrica seeds, 

 when germinating in full sunlight (for instance on bare mountain- 

 slopes, naked rocks and layers of rapilli), would not sustain serious 

 injury from this fungus parasite which is often so harmful. 



1) KooRDERS, Botanische Untersuchungen über einige in Java vorkommende Pilze, 

 besonders iibcr Blatter bewohnende parasitisch auftretende Arten 'in Verband. 

 Koninkl. Akadenriie v. Wetenschappen, Deel Xül, Tweede Sectie (1907) No. 4, p. 

 183, 218 and 224]. 



